(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 502 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO BRUSH CREEK. ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARIES. Brush Creek is one of the four townships into which Highland county was originally divided. Precisely at what time, and by what authority, the division was made, cannot now be ascertained. But as the county was organized in the year 1805, and Scott informs us that the first Brush Creek township election was held in October of that year, it follows, if our historian was not mistaken, that the township must have been organized in the same year. According to Mr. Scott the only names of the first officers elected in October, 1805, that have come down to us, are those of Frederick Brancher, as county commissioner, and Bigger Head, as justice of the peace. The same authority gives the names of the officers elected in the same month of the next year, as follows: James Cummings and Peter Brown, trustees; and Jonathan Boyd and William Head, clerks. But the following list of officers was copied for us by a friend, from an old book purporting to be the original record book of elections in Brush Creek township, from 1806 to 1820, inclusive. According to this book, these officers were elected in April, instead of October, of the year first named: William Head, township clerk; Thomas Dick, Samuel Reid, and Martin Countryman, trustees; Benjamin Groves, lister; John Shirley, "house praiser"—whatever that may have been; James May and Jacob Miller, constables; Samuel Danner and James Reid, overseers of the poor; John Bradley and Jacob Fisher, fence viewers; Joshua Bennett, George Suiter and John Stokesberry, supervisors; and Charles Hughey, treasurer. We leave to the reader the hopeless task (if he choose to undertake it) of reconciling the strange inconsistencies of those two lists, and proceed to more important matters. The boundaries of Brush Creek have been three times changed. It first gave up a part of its territory on the north, to aid in the formation of Paint township, which was set off only a few years after its first organization. The date of this change cannot now be ascertained. The second change was made in 1816, when Jackson township absorbed a portion of its southwestern territory. The third was made in 1844, when Marshall was organized, getting a portion of its territory from the northwestern part of Brush Creek. At the present time it is bounded as follows: On the north by Paint; on the east by Paxton, Perry and Mifflin, in Pike county; on the south by Franklin, in Adams county; and on the west by Jackson and Marshall. The present officers of this township are as follows: Eden McKeehan, T. M. Watt, and J. T. Hiser, justices of the peace; J. M. Moorhead, J. J. B. Maddox, and A. Keplinger, trustees; James F. Belleson, treasurer ; Joe. W. Beekman, clerk ; John McMullen, assessor ; George A. Wolfe, John S. Washburn, and A. M. Candle, constables; William C. Elliott, notary. ORIGINAL SURVEYS. There are, within the present limits of Brush Creek township, sixty-two surveys including several fractions of surveys that lie upon the boundary lines. The amount of land embraced in these surveys (as we learn from Judge Thompson's history) is 25,563 acres, of which 16,86o acres is improved land, and 8,703 acres is woodland. Of these surveys we shall mention only those that were made for persons of whom we have been able to obtain some information—mentioning first the surveys, and then the facts we have been able to glean. For John Graham three surveys were made, as follows : No. 2,842, of 2, 1 50 acres, April 9, 1796. No. 3,365, extent and date' not given. No. 2,843, of 1,300 acres, April 25, 1797. For Andrew Woodrow was made survey 3,808, of roo acres, March 25, 1800. For Henry Bedinger two surveys were made—No. 3,213, of 500 acres, August 15, 1801, and No. 5,827, of 200 acres, April 11, 1808. For Henry Field was made survey 5,829, of 400 acres, April r r, 1808. For Duncan McArthur three surveys were made, as follows: No. 4,089, of 700 acres, May 25, 1802. No. 4,136, of 125 acres, February 27, 1802; and No. 6,798, of 15 acres, November ro, 1823. For Wm. McDonald survey 3,135 was made, of 400 acres, December 6, 1798. For James Heron two surveys were made - No. 4,081 of 186 acres, September 14, 1801; and No. 4,082, of 216 acres, September 18, 1801. For Jesse Baldwin was made survey 7,188, of zoo acres, June 18, 1814. For Joseph Kerr was made survey 8,279, of 140 acres, June 14, 1839. For James M. Trimble was made survey 8,280, of 50 acres, October 26, 1841. For Cadwallader Wallace, survey 13,214, 272 acres, August 11, 1831. For Massie & Kendrick, survey 15,027, of zoo acres, November 10, 1846. For David Knisely, survey 12,228, of 65 acres, October 1, 1825. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 503 For Joseph W. Spargur, survey 13,759, of 80 acres, April 10, 1836. For Allen Trimble, survey 13,769, of 50 acres, March 30, 1837. For John Perrill, two surveys  No. 13,777, of 12 acres, July 22, 1836; and No. 12,414, of 32 acres, July 8, 1829. For Louis G. Keith, survey 14,731, of 15 acres, November 3, 1842. For Robert B. Bagby, survey 14,401, of 150 acres, November I, 1846. For Wilson & Ferneau, survey 13,726, of 20 acres, February 10, 1836. For Leonard Butler, survey 14,379, of 50 acres, July 25, 1839. For Andrew Ellison, survey 6,585, of 138 acres, March 16, 1813. For Jesse Millikan, survey 6,592, of 45 acres October 24, 1811. For Nathaniel Massie, two surveys—No. 14,966, of 40 acres, and 15,647, of so acres. Dates not given. Of the individuals named above, the following notices are all that we have been able to glean: John Graham was a Scotchman and a merchant, in Richmond, Virginia. Joseph Kerr settled at Manchester, Ohio, and engaged in the business of locating and surveying land. Andrew Woodrow settled in West Union, Adams county. He was a relative of the Woodrows of Hillsborough. Henry Bedinger was a Virginian, living not far from Harper's Ferry. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Thatcher (formerly Miss Swearingen) now residing in Chillicothe. Henry Field was a Virginian, and an officer in the Revolutionary war. He was the father of Mrs. Frank Taylor, of Ripley. Duncan McArthur was one of the early governors of Ohio, residing at Chillicotte. William McDonald was a brother-in-law of Governor McArthur—the latter having married his sister. James Heron was a merchant of Richmond, Virginia, and a correspondent of General Massie. Allen Trimble was the well-known Governor of Ohio, and James M. Trimble was his son. Jesse Baldwin was one of the pioneers of this county— a Quaker and a man of fine character. Cadwallader Wallace settled in Chillicotte, where two of his sons are now living. Nathaniel Massie is the son of General Massie, the founder of Chillicothe. He is now a resident of Hillsborough. A. D. Kendrick was the son of the now venerable E. P. Kendrick of Chillicothe. He died a few years ago in Iowa. David Knisely was an early settler in this county. He has decendants now living in Brush Creek township, and in Pike county. Joseph W. Spargur settled many years ago in Paint township. He has a son in Brush Creek. John Perrill settled at an early day in Brush Creek, living on lands adjoining his survey. Louis G. Keith lived in Baltimore. His survey belongs to Nathaniel Massie, Robert B. Bagby was a Virginian, who entered the survey above named, became indebted to Nathaniel Massie, and relinquished to him possession of the land. Wilson and Ferneau still live in Pike county. They took up their survey for the timber growing upon it. Leonard Butler was an old settler in Brush Creek. Several of his boys still live in the township. Andrew Ellison was one of the early settlers in Manchester. He was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1792, and taken to Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the gauntlet. He was ransomed by a British officer for five hundred dollars. Jesse Millikan settled in Fayette county, where he was clerk of the court for many years. THE FIRST CABIN IN HIGHLAND COUNTY. To John Wilcoxson belongs the honor of having been the first white settler on the soil of the present county of Highland. In the spring of 1796 he left Kentucky, traveling on foot himself, but with his wife and child on horseback. Crossing the Ohio at Maysville, they boldly struck out through the wilderness towards the rich lands of the Scioto and main Paint creek, which had become famous for their many advantages. The journey occupied several weeks, and, the weather being pleasant, the adventurous little family, having no fear of the Indians, with whom Wayne' had recently concluded a treaty of peace, enjoyed themselves in true patriarchal style until the cold rains of the later spring came on, when hunting was not so pleasant or successful, and provisions became scarce in their camp. For a time their condition was not paradisiacal, and, to add to its discomforts, their horse broke loose and wandered off into the limitless forests. As soon as the storm abated Wilcoxson took his dog and rifle and set out in search of him. After several days' search the horse was found and brought back to camp. During his excursion in search of this most valuable of his marketable worldly possessions, Wilcoxson had discovered, in a beautiful valley, an unusually large and most remarkable spring, which furnished a great abundance of most excellent water. Fancying this spring, and the country around it, he made haste to strike his tent. and go to it. His location was that of the present thriving town of Sinking Spring, and the necessity of raising something for bread for his family induced him to make a permanent location, and an "improvement." Clearing off a small patch of ground, he planted some seed corn he had brought with him from Kentucky. Then he went to work with his axe and cut small poles and logs, such as he, aided by his wife, could manage to get up, and carried and hauled them with his horse to the spot, near the spring, which he had selected for his cabin. Their joint labor resulted in a structure which served the purpose of a summer residence. The luxury of a bed was obtained by gathering leaves, drying them in the sun, and putting them into. a bed-tick, brought with them. For a bedstead, forks were driven into the ground and sticks, 504 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. laid across, connected with the walls of the cabin. On this frame clean bark was laid, and the tick of dried leaves completed a bed which was found quite comfortable after the previous camp fare. Mrs. Wilcoxson had not neglected to provide herself with garden and flower seeds, and, when these had been planted, and a chimney something six feet high, made of poles and clay, had been raised, and a rough clap-board door had been made, split from such timber as could be managed with an axe, domestic comfort seemed to be complete; and, no doubt, the simple, honest hearts, of this primeval pair, experienced an amount of content seldom enjoyed by the dwellers in lordly mansions. The season was propitious, the small patch of corn and pumpkins grew finely and promised an abundant harvest, while, in the little garden at the sunny end of the cabin, flourished the gourd, and the bean, the lettuce and the potato. Around the door clustered the graceful morning- glory, and, near the wall, grew the flowers which reminded them of the pleasant scenes of their early life, and of the little circle of distant friends. But this pioneer paradise was not to be exempt from the common ills of life. On a July morning Wilcoxson started out with his axe on his shoulder, and a large wooden pail in his hand, the result of his rough skill as a cooper, to cut a bee tree which he had discovered and marked, a few days before, when hunting. The tree stood two miles in a northeasterly direction from his cabin. He felled it, and went to the part of the tree occupied by the bees, leaving his axe at the stump. The honey was found in great abundance, and large sheets of beautiful white comb were taken out till the pail was filled and piled, and yet the store was far from being exhausted. There was but one method of supplementing the deficiency in the capacity of his pail, and that was to eat as much as possible, of the delicious viand, and leave the rest for the delectation of his only neighbors who could appreciate it, the bears. With this view, he set to work in earnest, and, while thus pleasantly engaged, with the clear white honey dripping from his chin and hands, three Indians who had been watching him from a thicket, having fist been attracted by the sound of his axe, noiselessly slipped up behind him, seized him by the arms, and binding him, put a speedy end to his luxurious repast. After helping themselves to as much honey as they wanted, they carried the pail and its contents, with the ax and its owner to their encampment some three miles east. They manifested no disposition to hurt Wilcoxson, so long as he submitted to accompany them as a prisoner. When they reached their camp, he discovered that they were a war party, composed of about forty Shawnees, who having refused to go into treaty with the other northwestern tribes, had been on an expedition to Kentucky, and were returning with some stolen horses, and considerable other plunder. The three who had so rudely intruded upon him, and appropriated the proceeds of his morning's labor, were out on a hunt. They soon resumed their march, taking their prisoner with them. With what feeling he saw the distance increasing between himself and the little cabin at the " Spring," we will not attempt to describe. Nor will we lose sight of the heavy hearted captive, to look in upon the lonely mother and child, thus bereft of their only protector. The Indians took the direction of their town on the north fork of the Paint, but, apprehending no danger from pursuit, and it may be feeling that the hand of destiny was pressing them with a force which they could not resist, from their favorite hunting grounds on the beautiful river, they traveled very leisurely, stopping often to hunt and regale themselves. It was not until the third day after the capture of Wilcoxson that they struck the Paint near where Bainbridge now stands, and, passing down the right bank of the creek, to the point where the turnpike now crosses it, encamped for the night. In the morning some hunters were sent out, and after they had returned and breakfast had been dispatched, preparations were made to resume their journey. Greatly to the surprise of the entire band, whose confidence in their safety had prevented them from taking any precautions, they were suddenly fired upon. Not knowing the strength of the assaulting party, the Indians made a precipitate retreat across the creek, leaving everything but their guns behind them. In the midst of their terror and confusion Wilcoxson managed to escape. The attacking party, who had been warned of the presence and direction of the Shawnees by the guns of their morning hunters, was a company of surveyors under the command of Massie. Wilcoxson arrived sound and well, minus his axe, pail and honey, at his cabin by the big spring, in much less time than had been consumed in his northern march, and much to the delight of his little household. He was disturbed no more by Indians, and no human being seemed to be aware of the existence of his cabin and corn patch; as no one ever visited him. In the fall he gathered an abundance of corn and other vegetables for his winter supply, and made all necessary preparations for passing the winter, by daubing the cracks of his cabin on the outside, and lining the inside walls with the skins of the bear, deer, and other animals. The long winter passed off quite pleasantly. He hunted when the weather was suitable, and when it was not he remained in his cabin dressing skins, and with the aid of his wife, manufacturing them into clothing for himself, wife and child. Their bedding was of the same material, as was not at all infrequent with the early settlers. Early the following spring, a small party of emigrants from Kentucky, on their way to join the settlers at Chillicothe, accidentally took the route from the river which led them to Wilcoxson's improvement. These were his first visitors, and he entertained them in true pioneer style, which we take to have been the offering of the best in his power to offer, and in a manner that left no doubt that acceptance made the host the debtor. The thought of the isolation which they would realize as never before, should their visitors depart without them, induced them, though still half reluctantly, to consent to abandon their little home is the wilderness, and accompany their new friends to Massie's settlement on the Scioto, where we lose sight of them. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 505 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES OF EARLY SETTLEMENT. A few months after the removal of Wilcoxson and his family, Timothy Marshon emigrated from Virginia, and finding the vacant cabin of Highland's first settler, took possession and occupied it for several years. Frederick Brancher removed soon after from Virginia, and settled with his family about half a mile north of Sinking Spring, on the line of Zane's trace, now known as the Zanesville and Maysville road. Thus, says Mr. Scott, was commenced the first settlement in the present county of Highland; and these two individuals, Marshon and Braucher, with their families, were the only inhabitants within its boundaries; and they, for about one year, were subject to the civil jurisdiction of Adams county. The Sinking Spring settlement did not receive any additions until 1800, when Simon Shoemaker, sr., came with his family from Virginia and settled in the neighborhood. Frederick Brancher had been industriously engaged since his settlement in clearing a small farm, and building and preparing his house for the accommodation of travel, which began to be considerable along the trace on which he had located. His house was the first out of Chillicothe on that route—a full day's travel, before the era of improved roads. Marshon cared nothing for the elegancies of life, and but little for what are usually esteemed its comforts. He was content to inhabit the little cabin of Wilcoxson, or rather, his wife and children inhabited it, for he was most of the time in the woods hunting. He had done little toward making an improvement, depending upon the fruits of the chase for subsistence. In 1802 this settlement and vicinity received a considerable number of newcomers. Among them were Peter and Martin Shoemaker, brothers, from Virginia. Simon, the elder brother, who came in 1800, was afterward a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the prisoners surrendered by Hull. John Fulk also moved from Virginia, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Besides these, the "Old Dominion" furnished this year the following new settlers, viz.: George Suiter, George Curse- well, Jacob Fisher, Abraham Boyd, Peter Stults, Doctor John Caplinger, Captain Wilson, Captain John Roads, Henry Countryman, and his three sons, Martin, John and Henry, Rev. Benjamin Vanpelt, and perhaps others. Captain Wilson was the first militia captain in the township, and was in the war of 1812, and was promoted to the rank of major. Captain John Roads was the second militia captain in the township, and was also in the war of 1812. In the same year came the following recruits from the State of Pennsylvania: John Hatter, a Revolutionary soldier, James Washburn, James Reed, Leonard Reed, Michael Snively, and John Lowman. They settled on Sunfish creek, about three miles from Sinking Spring. The Countrymans settled three miles northwest of Sinking Spring; and, in 1803, built the first water-mill in the township. It was a small affair, on the east fork of Brush creek, where Roby's mill now stands. Henry Countryman, sr., was a soldier of the Revolution, and his son, Martin, was in the war of 1812. Rev. Benjamin Vanpelt was a Methodist minister, and the first preacher in that part of the township. Money was very scarce in Brush Creek in those days, and the principal currency was peltry, grindstones and ginseng. About the year 1800, William and Bigger Head came with their families, from Barren county, Kentucky, and settled—the former in what is now Brush Creek township, and the latter where Marshall now stands. They continued to reside on the farms on which they then settled up to the time of their death. Both reared large and respectable families, and were much esteemed as worthy and useful citizens. The Brush creek and Sunfish hills were favorite hunting grounds of the Indians, and continued to be visited by them for many years after their removal to their reservations in the northwest. In 1804 Samuel Shoemaker built a water-mill on the east fork of Brush creek, two miles west of Sinking Spring, where Richmond's mill afterward stood, and in the same year John Fishback, a Revolutionary soldier, emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in the vicinity of Sinking Spring, but as his name does not appear in the list of voters, as given in the returns of the census taker in 1807, it is inferred that he had removed. On the second Tuesday of October, 1805, the first county election in Highland county was held in the several sownships. The place for voting in Brush Creek was Frederick Brancher's tavern, Sinking Spring. Frederick Brancher was elected county commissioner. Bigger Head was the first justice of Brush Creek township, Marshall then being included in the township of Brush Creek. The other first township officers are not known. The year 18o5 was still further signalized by the building of the first church built in the township. It was built by the Lutherans, about three miles northwest from Sinking Spring. It was a comfortable hewed-log building, and is still standing, though it has not been used as a church for many years. In 1801 Joseph, John and Benjamin West moved with their families from Pennsylvania county, Virginia, and settled four miles west of Sinking Spring. These Wests were cousins of the great historical painter, Benjamin West, who, though born in Pennsylvania, was educated and spent his life in England. Their descendants are still living near Sinking Spring, the present representative of the family being Benjamin West. In the fall of 1800 Major Anthony Franklin built a cabin on the trace from New Amsterdam, about three miles east of the village of Marshall. This was the first improvement in that immediate vicinity, and stood on the land where the Major resided until his death. His house being the only one between the two towns, was for many years a stopping place for travelers, who always met a kind and hospitable reception. Among the men of distinction entertained at his house, were Governor St. Clair and the celebrated Aaron Burr. William Vannoy, with his widowed mother and children, moved from Adams county into Highland in 1806, and settled in Brush Creek. His father removed from Kentucky in 1802. At the annual election for State and county officers, October I1, 18o8, the judges of election, in Brush 64 506 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. Creek township, were John Countryman, Peter Moore and John Sheets, and Bigger Head and Benjamin. Groves, clerks. The summer previous, the first hewed log barn in that region, and the first, perhaps, in the county, was erected by Jacob Hiestand on his farm adjacent to Sinking Spring, It was a large barn, and required many hands to raise it, some coming thirty miles, and meeting at the "raising" the first time in their lives. They came on horseback, bringing their axes with them, and, although the number collected was about fifty, the preparations for subsisting this crowd were ample. So wild was the county, and so convenient the resorts for wild animals, among the abrupt and wooded hills, which bound the horizon in this portion of the township, that wolves actually came into the door-yards, and killed sheep. John Hiestand who was a boy of eight years of age, at the time of the memorable raising of his father's barn, above mentioned, remembers that a large black hear came into the shed attached to the barn, in the following spring, in search of prey. In 1806 Jacob Heistand, sr., moved from Botetort county, Virginia, to Ohio, and purchased the land on which the town of Sinking Spring now stands. He conceived the idea of laying off a town on his purchase, and went so far as to survey, and make a plat. The members of his church, however, after deliberation, came to the conclusion that making towns and selling town lots was an anti-christian transaction, and advised him to abandon the enterprise. He complied with their wishes, and relinquished the idea of becoming the proprietor of a town. Some time afterward he sold the land on which his town plat was situated to Allen Gulliford, and his son, Joseph Heistand. Mr. Gulliford came from Virginia about the same time with Mr. Heistand. The new proprietors subsequently carried out the plan of establishing a town, and the novel theology of the elders (of what denomination we are not informed) did not secure a numerous following. John Suiter came from North Carolina with the original colonists to Chillicothe, in the year 1796, where a son, George, was born. In the year 1800 John removed with his family to Brush Creek, in Highland county, where he purchased a farm the same now owned by the estate of William Suiter (son of George). This farm is about one and a half miles west of Sinking Spring. John was the father of three sons and one daughter. All of the former are dead, while the latter, now Mrs. Rachel Murphy, lives in Adams county. Sanford R., son of George Suiter, now owns and occupies a farm adjoining the old home farm, and Richard B., another son, has for twelve years past resided in Paint township, where he has, for seven years, had charge, as teacher, of the same school. William Suiter's widow and several children survive him. George Sams was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1805, and removed to Brush Creek township during the year 1835, where he remained until his death, which occurred in the year 1864. A. J. Sams, his son, now lives on a fine and highly cultivated farm in the southern portion of Paint township, near the Rocky fork. SINKING SPRING. The village of Sinking Spring was first platted and recorded in 1815, under the name of Middletown, by Jacob Hiestand, who was the original owner of the land on which it was located. It was named Middletown, because its location is about half way between Maysville and Chillicothe, on the old Zane trace. The post-office, which was established here about four years later, could not be named Middletown, because there was already in the State another office of that name. It was therefore decided to call it Sinking Spring, from the noted fountain first discovered here (as already related) by the pioneer Wilcoxson, in 1796. The first election of officers for the village of Sinking Spring, was held on the twelfth of August, 1854, and resulted in the choice of the following individuals to fill the various offices: W. M. C. Elliott, mayor; P. N. Wickerham, recorder; Dr. S. C. Roberts, treasurer; Joel Wolfe, marshal; R. D. Middleton, road master; M. Wickerham, S. C. Roberts, J. W. McCulre, James Copeland, and Isaac East, trustees. These officers were elected to serve till the first of April of the following year, which was made the regular day for the annual election. The presents officers are as follows: J. M. Butler, mayor; John Warren, marshal; E. U. Newlon, clerk; H. N. Easton, B. F. Huggins, E. J. Jenkins, 0. C. Wickerham, J. C. Patton, and B. P. Purcell, members of the council; Isaac East and D. Copeland, trustees of the cemetery. THE NAME. The spring from which the village is named, and which has long been historic, issues from the base of a hill a few rods east of Main street, at the southern extremity of the village. The underground stream from which it rises, is evidently flowing in a westerly direction for some distance before it makes its appearance, and at no very great depth below the surface. Above the spring, toward the east, almost in a line with each other, and only a few rods apart, are three of those singular, funnel-shaped depressions, so frequently met with in most limestone regions, to which is given the not very poetical name of " sink holes." The first of these depressions is about four rods above the spring; and the next, above that, which is the deepest of the three, is now about twelve feet deep, and perhaps three times that distance in diameter at the surface. Several large trees, overhung with vines, are growing from the bottom, and present a very picturesque appearance. At the bottom of all the depressions, we believe (certainly in the two lower ones) the stream presented itself to the view, when the place was first visited by white people, and for many years after. This was the case within the recollection of some of the old people now living here. But owing, doubtless, to the deepening of the channel in the branch below the spring, and the consequent lowering of the stream, the water gradually ceased to rise in these sink holes, and the crevices in the rock, through which it made its appearance, became filled up, so that it is now no longer seen till it comes to the place of its final emergence. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 507 The name, " Sinking Spring," is therefore, at the present time, appropriate only as a memento of the past. CHURCH HISTORY. LUTHERAN. The first church organization formed in Brush Creek township, and one of the first in the county, was of the Lutheran denomination. Their old log meeting-house, built early in the century, is still standing; but the organization and the meetings were given up many years ago. No one that we saw, could give us the names of any of the ministers. METHODIST CHURCHES. Among the Methodist ministers who preached at an early day in Sinking Spring and vicinity, were James B. Finley, James Quinn, Oliver Spencer, Henry B. Bascom, George W. Maley, George W. Walker, John Week, and John F. Wright. Sinking Spring church was organized between 1800 and 1805. The first church edifice was built of logs, about 182o. It is now a part of the woollen-mill. The present church, a convenient frame building, is about in the center of the village, on Main street, and was built in 1844. Pisgah church, about four and a half miles north of the village, was organized some years later, and for many years occupied a log meeting-house. The present church edifice was built in 1865. Carmel church is situated in the extreme northern part of the township, and was built about the same time. These three churches are all in what is known as the "Sinking Spring circuit," and are at present served by the Rev. Messrs. M. P. Zink and J. C. Bolton. Rev. J. F. Loyd and Rev. D. Calahan, M. D., now of Hillsborough, were former preachers on this circuit. There are three local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal church residing in Brush Creek township, viz: The Rev. Messrs. W. M. C. Elliott and Addison Hite, of Sinking Spring, and Rev. Edward Easton, living a short distance from the village. DUNKARDS. The German Baptists, commonly called Dunkards, have two church buildings in the township. The oldest, known as the "Brush Creek church," is situated "on the ridge," about five miles southwest of Sinking Spring. The congregation was organized about the year 18o5. For thirty-five years they met for worship in private houses and school-houses. Then, in 184o, they built a substantial frame church, costing about fourteen hundred dollars. The new edifice, called the "Straight Creek Valley church," is situated one mile south of Sinking Spring. It is a frame structure, built in 1876, at the cost of two thousand dollars. The land on which it stands is owned by Rev. John H. Gorman, a minister of the denomination, and the church was largely built by him. There are two other places of worship, outside of Brush Creek, associated with those above named; all included in one organization, and having a common membership which numbers over three hundred—eighty having been added since the first of January last. The first ministers in charge of these congregations were: Rev. John Countryman, Rev. Elijah Scofield and Rev. Mr. Ockerman. They are at present served by Rev. Messrs. Isaiah Custer, John H. Garman, William Colvert and Quinter Colvert. Rev. Landon West, a son- in-law of Mr. Garman, also belongs to this branch of the church, but is traveling in different parts of the country in the capacity of a missionary. A UNIVERSALIST CHURCH was built about the year 1850, two miles west of the village. They have no regular minister at the present time. A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, organized about the year 1842, built a church edifice soon after, west of Main street, on the street leading to the old cemetery. It cost nearly a thousand dollars, and the ground was given to the congregation by Wm. Williams, to whose heirs it now undoubtedly belongs, as it was abandoned by the society, about the year 1859. The first minister of this church was the Rev. Charles Danforth, and after him were the Rev. James Huston, the Rev. Messrs. Broughton, Urmstead, Williamson and Crisman. The building is now fast going to decay—the windows being entirely gone, and the belfry tottering beneath the weight of the bell, which is said to have had a very sweet tone when, years ago, it used to call the people to prayer. It is a very suggestive place for reflection, as we can testify. Strolling by it one evening, after sunset, we clambered over the fence, went in, and sat down on one of the dilapidated seats to meditate, while a train of pensive musings flitted through our mind—and "the stars shone through the rents of ruin." SCHOOLS. The first school-house where Sinking Spring now is, was a log cabin built (probably) between 1810 and 1820. It was situated directly west of the public square. Among the first teachers in this building were Joseph and Jesse Dewey, and John Wickerhain. The next school-house was of brick, built in the form of an octagon, of one story in height, located on the public square, near the spot where the old log cabin had stood. It was built about the year 1831, the first in the township after it was divided into school districts. A tax was levied upon the district to pay for the building, and the treasurer was instructed to collect it. He called for this purpose on a well-to-do German farmer, who refused to pay it, alleging that he "was not going to give anything toward the building of such an ugly-looking smoke-house as that." The next day his son, coming to town on horseback, left the horse hitched in the street, which the treasurer quietly took possession of and locked up in a barn, and then directed the boy to tell his father that he could have his horse when he had paid the tax, and not before. Being human, the old gentleman was about as mad as men often get to be; but finding that the treasurer had both the law and public opinion on his side, he yielded with as good a grace as possible, and paid the tax. His children afterwards were among the most constant in their attendance at school, and his descendants are now reck- 508 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO oned with the most'respectable and well educated people in the township. There have been only district schools since that time —with the exception of occasional select schools in summer, designed frequently for advanced scholars. The octagon school-house was used about fourteen years, and then abandoned—partly because the law required that school-houses should be owned by the districts, which they could not do when a building stood on public ground, and partly because this house was too small to accommodate the pupils of the district. About the year 1844, the next school building was erected on the hill at the north end of the village, on the east side of Main street. It is a brick building of two stories, to accommodate two departments. This was used about twenty years, and then given up because it was deemed unsafe, and because, also, the public demanded a more central location. The property was sold to Isaac East, and repaired for a dwelling house. It is now used by him as a hotel, where he gives all comers a comfortable "Home." The township next built for this district a school-house on Grand street, at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars. It is of one story, with two rooms—the district employing two teachers, a male principal and a female assistant —paying the former from forty to sixty-five dollars a month, and the latter thirty to thirty-five. There are eleven other districts in the township, with a fractional district lying partly in Paint township. The winter schools are generally taught by men; the summer schools mostly by women. The teachers have generally taught but one year. Samuel E. Reynolds was an exception. He was employed three years in the village school from 1876—teaching a select school in the summers. He is now practicing medicine in Kansas. Dr. Noble, now of Hillsborough, taught this school in 1841. The Rev. William Williams and his wife taught the first school in the school-house on the hill. The teachers of this township (as of all the other townships in the county), are examined by the board of examiners in Hillsborough. ODD FELLOWS. This is the Only secret society, so far as the public are aware, now existing in Sinking Spring. The lodge bears the name of the village, and is numbered six hundred and thirty-two. It was instituted, June 23, 1876, by W. C. Earl, P. G. M. and special deputy. The charter members were James M. Patton, Frank A. Tener, John W. Tener, 0. P. Hemstead, M. E. Stults, 1. M. Moorehead, J. W. Yankie, Dawson Washburn and G. W. Thatcher. The first officers were as follows: F. A. Tener, N. G.; J. M. Patton, V. G.; and M. E. Stults, secretary. Meetings are held every Saturday night—the number of members being now forty-three. The following is the list of present officers: S. Williams, N. G.; J. W. Tener, V. G.; D. Copeland, R. S.; Jacob Tener, P. S.; F. A. Tener, treasurer. MERCHANTS. The earliest merchants in Sinking Spring were James McCague, Joseph Hiestand, Allen Gulliford, Copeland & McEntyre, Samuel Hiestand, Joseph H. Long, Easton & Amen, and W. M. C. Elliott. The latter is still doing business here, and is the patriarch among the tradesmen of the place. The others who are now engaged in general merchandize here, are the following: Copeland & Baker, established in 1860; Ira Gorman, in 1875; and P. N. Wickerham, in 1876. There are also two stores at Carmel, in the northern part of the township one kept by Watts & Lucas, and the other by James McCorpin. Besides these, James McEntyre, postmaster at Elmville, in the southwestern part of the township, keeps a general assortment of merchandize at that place. POST-OFFICES. The post-office was established at Sinking Spring early in the century. We have not been able to learn the name of the first postmaster. The present is Mr. P. N. Wickerham. There are two other officers in the township—one at each of the little hamlets named above, Carmel and Elmville. At the former place, T. M. Watts is the postmaster; at the latter, James McEntyre. INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. The old log church (M. E.) was turned into a wool-carding mill, about the year 1846, having been used as a school-room for two years previous. It was bought by John Lancaster, who put in spinning machinery and run it for about three years, when it was purchased by Samuel Fry and Mahlon Wickerham. It has since changed hands several times, and is now owned by Mrs. Maria Bellford. BLACKSMITH SHOPS. The earliest blacksmiths in the township were Cornelius Palmer, George and John Foulk, Steadman & Courtney, and Worthing Dunlap. Leander McKeehan has carried on a shop in Sinking Spring, since 1855. G. W. Belleson established one in 1856—his son J. M. Belleson being his successor. There are two shops at Carmel, two or three over on the Middle fork, and one at Elmville, owned by James McEntyre, and worked by Mr. Jarvis. INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS. The old grist-mill, on the creek, a short distance west of Sinking Spring, was built by Zachariah Leatherword, as early as 181o. Allen Gulliford rebuilt it about 1836. At one time it did a very extensive business, even shipping flour to New Orleans and New York. The dam was washed away about 187o, and has never been repaired. The machinery has been removed to grind out a living for other parties; but the old frame is still standing—and the old wheel is standing still. There are two grist-mills now operating on Brush creek, One about half a mile, the other two miles from Sinking Spring. The first is owned by James Roby. Two portable steam saw-mills are also operated in the township, one owned by Isaac Foulk, and the other by Messrs. Fry & Bobb. Mr. Gulliford sunk a tannery in Sinking Spring, on Water street, as early as 182o. The "beam house," built of logs, is still standing. Mr. Wickerham established a yard about the same time, which stood near the site of the present family residence. The beam house of HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 509 this establishment is now occupied by Mr. McKeehan as a stable. The only tan-yard now operated in the township, was established about the year 1860, some two miles north of Sinking Spring, and is owned by T. & H. E. Bragg. They do a large business, using the bark of the chestnut-oak, as do all other tanners in this region, where that species of tree is abundant, and furnishes an abundance of tannin. The collecting of this bark among the Brush Creek mills, affords employment to a good many men in the spring of the year, when only the bark can be peeled. The writer of this will long remember, as one of his pleasant experiences in this township, the opportunity he had, while rambling over the hills aforesaid, of witnessing the fall of one of these "monarchs of the forest," whose rind was needed for the preservation of more valuable hides. The crash and roar were tremendous, as the slain giant plunged headlong down the steep and thick-wooded hill, crushing into splinters several quite large trees in his fall. Should this meet the eye of the sturdy young Hercules who performed the feat, we desire to thank him for reproducing a sublime sensation which we had not before experienced since our boyhood; when, as the son of a pioneer in central New York, we used occasionally to swing the axe ourselves. After speaking of tanneries, we come naturally to speak of work in leather. There are two shoe-shops in Sinking Spring, one kept by Addison Hite, and one by F. F. Huggings. There is little done, however, except repairing, and they employ no journeymen. There are two harness shops in Sinking Spring. The oldest one is carried on by Isaac East, who began here in 1842. He makes saddles and harness of an excellent quality, only to order, and does repairing as needed. He has made in the past thirty-eight years a thousand saddles, and half that number of sets of harness, with his own hands. The other shop is carried on by Luther A. McClellan, who worked for East ten years, setting up for himself about the year 1871. Thomas Weaver has the only wagon-shop in Sinking Spring, and his work consists only in repairing. T. W. McClure came to Sinking Spring in 1821, where he worked at his trade (that of wheelwright and chair- maker), till about the year 1855, when he hired a cabinet-maker by the name of Joseph Taylor and carried on the two trades together. His oldest son, Wilson, born in 1832, learned the cabinet-maker's trade of Taylor, and followed it until the competition of the large factories in Cincinnati and other cities brought down the price of hand-made work below the living line. He is about to open a furniture store and repair shop, coupling with this business that of undertaker which he has followed many years. Wilson McClure was married in 1859 to Ellen J. Belleson, and has four children. Finley Black, photographer, came to Sinking Spring in 1856, and has practiced his art here very successfully ever since. He takes fine stereoscopic views, which few country artists ever attempt. Since 1876 he has. also "dabbled" in fancy poultry, making a specialty of buff cochins. He is a Democrat in politics; but it is said that if he should depend upon taking the pictures of Sinking Spring Democrats for a living hq would certainly starve, as he is the only man here that 4ktes the Democratic ticket. TEMPERANCE. There is probably no village in Ohio—perhaps not in America—more completely exempt from the vice of drunkenness than Sinking Spring. There is no place of any sort, where liquor is sold, within the corporate limits, and has not been for years. If any one wants it, even for the most innocent purpose, he is obliged to go elsewhere for it. And this exemption has not been brought about by legislation or agitation. The people simply don't want it— won't have it and therefore nobody can make a living by selling it to them. This is local option in spite of the legislature. One drug store and two saloons attempted it, at different times, a few years ago, but they couldn't get customers, and had to move away. The Sinking Springers don't really seem to understand it themselves, but they say that, somehow, liquor dealers can't live there. We remember, when a boy, reading the words of Cowper—"Slaves cannot breathe in England"—and wondering what there was in the English atmosphere that made it so fatal to the darkies. And so we suppose there is a mysterious something in the atmosphere of Sinking Spring that makes it very bad for saloon keepers. And if that sober village had a poet as sober, and at the same time as dry, as Cowper, he would probably sing: The rot-gut tribe can't breathe in Sinking Spring— Let them but try it, and they'll leave or starve. In early times the merchants here, as everywhere else, used to keep liquor on their counters, free as water. Then drunkenness was quite common. And when the turnpike was being built, in 1839, the Irish laborers occasionally had sprees. Since that time, says our informant, "there has been no drunkenness to speak of." PUBLIC SQUARE. When the village of Sinking Spring was first platted the owner of the ground, Mr. Heistand, donated for public use a square in the center of the village, containing about three-quarters of an acre. At that time the village was very ambitious, expecting to become a county seat ; and this square was to contain the much-coveted court house. But the rising expectations of Sinking Spring sunk, as its celebrated fountain once did, but not, like it, to rise again. And so its public square now contains, instead of a court house, an unpretending frame building, two stories high, called the town hall, the upper part of which is occupied by the Odd Fellows, the lower part being used for lectures, concerts, and public gatherings of all sorts. If these are free, no rent is charged by the corporation. If entertainments are given for pay, a small fee must be paid for a license. Three other buildings besides the town' hall occupy the public square. One of these is the old octagon schoolhouse, already mentioned, standing in the southwest corner of the square, and now used for council meetings, etc. The others are two ugly looking shops, one in the 510 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. southeast, and the other in the northeast corner. As both of these buildings are there only on sufferance, it would be a good thing if the authorities would order their removal, and tTs rid the grounds of a disagreeable eyesore. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Brush Creek township is finely watered by the picturesque stream whose name it bears, and its numerous tributaries; and, also, in the northern part by tributaries to the Rocky fork of Paint creek. Brush creek has three forks of nearly the same size, two of which (Baker's and Middle fork), flow through Brush Creek township in a southerly direction, and the other, bearing only the name of Brush creek, flows mainly through Jackson township. All of them unite a little south of the Highland county line, in Adams county, and flow almost directly south into the Ohio. The Rocky fork of Paint creek, on the other hand, flows in a northeasterly direction. Hence there is a high "divide" in the northern part of the township, between the waters of the two streams. But the township is everywhere very hilly, and the hills are exceedingly picturesque. A striking feature of the hills about Sinking Spring, is the number of them that have assumed a regular conical form. Three of these rise to the height of five or six hundred feet, just back of the village, toward the east. The middle one, called Palmer's mountain, is the highest of the three, and has, directly at its apex, a small quarry of very fine freestone, while the other summits are capped with shale. This latter formation crops out a little below the summit of Palmer's mountain, showing that the stratum of freestone cannot be more than twenty or thirty feet in thickness. All these elevations, which look so much like regular cones, when viewed from below, are found, when you reach the top, to be the headlands of ridges extending back from the valley. The celebrated "Fort Hill," crowned with one of the most noted earthworks of the Mound Builders found in southern Ohio (a full description of which may be found in any of the general chapters of this work), rises in full view from Sinking Spring, about two miles north. The soil of Brush Creek, which is mostly of clay, and might easily, with proper cultivation, be kept in a productive condition, is nevertheless easily worn out. A good deal of it is, in fact, worn out and abandoned, except for the scanty pasturage which it affords. Some of these worn-out fields become covered, as if by a kindly effort of nature to conceal their barrenness, by thickets of that beautiful little tree, commonly known by the descriptive name of Redbud, but called by botanists, Cercis Conadensis. Thickly covered with rich clusters of purplish red blossoms, resembling those of the peach in color, though somewhat darker, nothing can give a more striking decoration to the landscape, than these thickets in their season of bloom. We first became acquainted with this species many years ago, during a residence in middle Tennessee, where it is very abundant. There, too, we first met the Redbird (Tanagra aestira) which is also familiarly known in southern Ohio. Returning from Tennessee to central New York, we saw nothing more of our new acquaintances, until the spring of 1880, when we again met With them here. Having found these two species thus intimately associated, and in localities so remote from each other, it is not perhaps strange that we should fancy them to be closely allied, or at least very friendly species; nor that, having taken up the practice of verse making at an earlier age than we like to think, and continuing the practice occasionally at a later age than we care to tell, we should attempt to put our fancy into a poetic form. The following lines, the result of that attempt, having had their origin in Brush Creek township, we trust that we shall not be thought guilty of vanity if we insert them here, as a part of its history. The "Redbud thicket" alluded to, is on the farm of our young friend, Otway Byrd, about a quarter of a mile from the village, and covers some fifteen or twenty acres. And the stream, along which it grows, is a "spring branch," that has worn a deep ravine while on its journey of we know not how many ages toward Straight creek. THE REDBUD AND THE RED-BIRD. The redbud thicket, by yonder stream, Shines forth with a roseate purple gleam; As if, from the sky at even, A sunset cloud had deserted the blue To join with the green its brighter hue, Brought down from the azure heaven. And out and in, on his crimson wing, With a note of love that he only can sing, The red-bird gaily is flitting; As if a cluster of bloom from the tree Had started to life and minstrelsy— Its beauty to melody fitting. Sweet tree—sweet bird!—Such a pair, I ween, In the month of beauty was never seen Nor heard in so sweet a duetto; Where blossom and bird have equal part, And where each raptured, listening heart May furnish its own libretto.' One sings in color, one blooms in song, Both making sweet harmony all day long In the pleasant vernal weather— A charming music, or seen or heard; For the redbud and the red-bird Ever blossom and sing together. . PHYSICIANS. Among the earlier physicians of Sinking Spring were Dr. Loughridge, Dr. Barnes, and Dr. T. H. Davis. The last named, however, was there as late as 1856, and died in Adams county, in 1877. The later physicians of this village were Dr. Roberts, now living in Fayette county, near Washington Court House; Dr. Belzer, and Dr. Musselman, who moved to Iowa, and died there a few years ago. The three last named physicians were all, at different times, partners of Dr. Charles Leighton, the present village doctor, who has lived there for twenty-five or thirty years past; and during all that time has been the leading practitioner in that Rart of the county. Dr. Thomas Rogers, now of Waverly, Ohio, was also here four or five years ago, and took Dr. Leighton's practice while the latter was absent on a visit of about a year HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 511 in California. Dr. Leighton, however, is now literally monarch of all he surveys, in the way of medical practice, in all the region of country around Sinking Spring. He is a native of New England, exceedingly well read in his profession, as also in general science and literature. He might have shone as a city practitioner, had he not preferred to hide his light under what many an inferior medical luminary would, doubtless, regard as a half bushel. And yet the village of Sinking Spring has been to Dr. Leighton the village of rising fortune. His practice has brought him in plenty of money, furnished him with a beautiful residence, filled his library with choice books, and surrounded him with all the comforts of a home—with, alas! one strange and almost fatal exception —an exception which, we wish privately to inform him, it will soon be too late to supply; and that is a wife ! Here is a mystery which will doubtless puzzle the minds of future historians. But we think we have found the key to its solution. The worthy doctor probably takes his diploma as a certificate of marriage to his profession, and thinks that any subsequent marriage would be a species of bigamy. Such constancy may properly be held up for the admiration of young and enthusiastic practitioners, but hardly for their imitation. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JUDGE BYRD. Charles Willing Byrd emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, under an appointment as attorney and land agent, by Robert Morris, the great American financier, who had extensive claims and land titles in the west. He was born at Westover, Charles City county, Virginia, in July, 1770. He enjoyed the highest educational advantages, having been sent at an early age to Philadelphia, where he remained several years, afterward studying law with his uncle, William Nelson, professor of law in William and Mary college. He was looked upon as a young man of promise and ability, and, immediately upon his settlement in Kentucky, in 1795, he took rank among the foremost of the practitioners at the bar of that State, practicing both at Frankfort and Lexington. In 1799, he left Kentucky, and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and was appointed that year, by President Adams, secretary of the Northwest Territory. He was afterward a member of the convention which framed the first constitution for the State of Ohio, and, in 1803, was appointed by President Jefferson, judge of the supreme court of the United States, for the district of Ohio. In the spring of 1823, Judge Byrd removed to Sinking Spring, Brush Creek township, Highland county, where he lived until his death, which took place in August, 1828. Though noted for his eccentricities, he was a man of fine character, and great legal attainments. He and the late President Harrison were school-boys together, and were, as long as they both lived, warm personal friends. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Head, of Kentucky, and the second, Mrs. Miles, of Massachusetts. He was the father of eight children,„two of whom are still living. Samuel Otway Byrd, the fourth son of Judge Byrd, received a fine education, and was a popular and leading citizen of Highland county. He was at one time a member of the legislature of Ohio, and died in 1869, at the age of forty-six years. W. Otway Byrd, the only living child of Samuel 0. Byrd, was born in 185o, and resides on the old homestead at Sinking Spring. MAJOR ANTHONY FRANKLIN. Several allusions are made to this distinguished pioneer, in the history of Hillsborough, in another part of this volume; but we give here a connected sketch of his life. Major Franklin was born in Amherst county, Virginia, July 17, 1778 —his parents being of English extraction. His relatives were patriots during the Revolutionary war ; Many of them holding responsible positions in the army. Born during the stormy period of the Revolution, Anthony's nature partook of the stirring and sterling character of the times. The father died while the son was quite young, leaving a widow with a large family to support ; which accounts, in part, for Anthony's being put, early in life, to learn the carpenter's trade with General Massie, an honored friend of the family. He came to Massie's station, now Manchester, about the year 1795. He assisted General Massie in making many of his numerous land surveys in what are now Adams, Ross, and Highland counties ; and, in return for said services, he received several grants of land—to which, in after years, he made many additions by purchase. In the early part of the present century he selected for his home the farm in Brush Creek township, upon which he lived for sixty years, and upon which he died. That farm is still In the possession of the family —being now owned and occupied by hls son-in-law, James P. Keech, esq. Thus, for nearly or quite sixty years, has this farm been known as the "Franklin Farm." His first house was of logs, covered with boards fastened on by means of wooden pins. Shortly after selecting this home he married Polly, daughter of Captain Nelson, then of Kentucky, but formerly of Virginia. To them were born ten children, the eldest of whom, Hon. Nelson A. Franklin, was born in Kentucky. When Major Franklin settled in Highland county, the family of George W. Barrere, esq., who lived upon the present site of New Market, were his nearest neighbors—the distance being twelve or fifteen miles. The family, however, were not without neighbors ; for they were frequently aroused from their slumbers at night by the squealing of hogs, which were being devoured by bears ; and often when they went to feed their cattle in the morning, a deer would leap down from the partially consumed haystack, where it had reposed during the night, and gallop away. Major Franklin kept an inn on the old road from Chillicothe, via New Market, to Cincinnati ; and many noted men have stopped at his home when passing between these points. He took part in the first organization of the militia of the county, and held the rank of major. His fine appearance in uniform has already been mentioned. He was an excellent horseman, and took great pride in military parades, for which his broad fields afforded ample space. Here, also, general muster brought the patriots together, at least once a year ; at which times foot-races and wrestling matches were indulged in. Major Franklin was the first sheriff elected by the people of the county ; and some anecdotes relating to his term of office have been recorded elsewhere. Of his children just half are still living. Nelson A., formerly of Pickaway county, now resides in Jasper county, Missouri. He represented Pickaway county in the Ohio legislature, before the late war, and it is said that he was the first to volunteer for the Union service in Pickaway county. His age, however, prevented his being accepted. His son, Spencer, served with the celebrated " Guthrie Grays," and was sent by Governor Dennison as adjutant of Colonel William 0. Collins' cavalry regiment, promising that his commission should be sent to him. But Governor Tod coming into office just then, and finding (perhaps) too many officers serving, declined to forward the young man's commission. This so chagrined the father that he wrote to his son to "shake the dust off his feet, and come home." Maria, the second child of Major Franklin, and wife of the late John W. Spargur, died at her home, near Marshall, some years ago. Their daughter, Sarah Amanda, married Addison Gall, esq., of Brush Creek township, where she stilt resides. Susannah, the third child, died unmarried at the old homestead, a few years since. Joel Lewis, the fourth child, was a merchant at Circleville, and at one time cashier of a bank at that place. After he removed to La Rue, Marion county, and engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. He afterward went to Lincoln, Nebraska, continuing in the same business until his death, a year or two since. He was a faithful and efficient member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; always carried a certificate of membership with him traveling, and regarded a recommendation from a young man's Sunday-school teacher or superintendent, the best certificate of character. Joel Lewis had one son, Nelson Gregg, who served in the Union army—first as a private, and afterward as an 512 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO officer—rising finally (as did his grandfather) to the rank of major. Thomas Wingfield, Major Anthony Franklin's third son and fifth child, died in Knox county, Illinois, several years since, leaving a large family. Patsey, the sixth child and third daughter, is the wife of J. P. Keech, and lives at the old homestead. Their son, John H. Kecch, is now recorder of Highland county, having been elected to that office in 1878. This son served as a private in the Union army, in the late war. Polly, the seventh child, now widow of Elijah Garrett, lives in Knox county, Illinois. She also had a son, Benjamin O., who served in the Union army, and was mortally wounded at Marietta, Georgia, in 1864. Cyrus, the eighth child, resides near Sloane, Woodbury county, Iowa. He was educated for the law. In 1846 he went to Mexico, in the Second regiment, Ohio infantry, of which General George W. Morgan was then colonel, and served through the Mexican war. Returning home, he remained but a snort time, when he went overland to California. Returning again to his native State, he married Maria, daughter of Henry Ferneau, esq., of this county, and removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and engaged in the practice of the law. While there he represented his senatorial district in the Iowa legislature. In the political campaign of 1860 he espoused the cause of the Hon. John C. Breckinridge. This subjected him to severe censure, which perhaps soured his temper. At any rate, he removed to Missouri, and took part in the late war on the Confederate side. He was a bold and dashing cavalry officer, and his feats of daring, both in the Mexican war and during the Rebellion, would furnish material for a thrilling romance. After the war was over, he resided for a time in Memphis, and then removed again to Iowa, where, as before stated, he now resides. Henry Daniel, the ninth child of Major Franklin, died at Circleville many years ago, when just approaching manhood. The tenth and youngest child is Captain John Nelson Franklin, of Charitan Mills, Missouri. It is one of the many striking illustrations of the fratricidal character of our late war, that, although living in the State to which his brother came from the north to fight for the Confederacy, John Nelson Franklin was an ardent Union man, and held a captain's commission in the militia of the county where he still resides. Thank God that "the cruel war is over!" Major Anthony Franklin was a man of generous nature—emphatically "the poor man's friend"—of which fact there are many now living who would furnish ready testimonials. Of his wife, Polly Nelson Franklin, we regret that we have not room for such a sketch as her surpassing worth deserves. For more than half a century she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a faithful Christian and an upright woman. Of naturally strong will, she may sometimes have been considered stern, but her sternness was joined to great kindness of heart. Her proud step and sparkling eye well bespoke the soul within—a soul incapable of fear or an unworthy thought. Noble spirited woman! She had few equals, even in the land where her sex is most highly esteemed. Major Franklin died in 1859, and his widow in 1864. They are buried in the beautiful cemetery at Hillsborough, where their graves are marked by a modest monument, and tenderly cared for by a faithful daughter and a few affectionate grandchildren. ABSALOM ROADS was born and raised in Rockbridge county, Virginia, and settled in Brush Creek township in aco, where he remained about five years. He then removed to Paint township, and settled on the Rocky fork, opposite Barrett's mills. He had six boys and three girls, all of whom came to full age, except Lydia, who died in infancy. John Roads, the oldest child, married Mary A. Hiestand, and removed to Chillicothe, where he died about the year 185o, leaving two sons—Absalom and Josiah. Philip, the second son, married a daughter of Isaiah Combs, and removed to the west a number of years ago. He had one son and two daughters. Jacob, the third son, married Jane Williams, of Brush Creek township, and had five sons and five daughters, all born in Highland county. Isaac, the fourth son, married Nancy Stit, of Paint township, where he resided until his death. He had six boys and three girls. George, the fifth son, married Mary A. Boyd, and removed to the west about forty years ago. He had some five or six children. David, the sixth son, married Barbara Grabill, of Paint township, where he resided until his death. He had one boy and six girls; all residing in Highland county, except Lydia Simpson, who lives in Iowa, and Martha, who is dead. Catharine, the oldest daughter, married George Gall, of Brush Creek township. She had twelve children, and he had twelve by a former marriage. A nice little family, truly, when they all got together! Mary married Captain John Palmer, of Brush Creek, and had no children. Elizabeth married Henry Balwin, of Paint township, and had one boy and two girls. After the death of Mr. Baldwin, she married Amaziah Hiatt, of the same township, and had three boys, one of whom died in infancy. The family started from Virginia with two four-horse teams, coming by the way of Knoxville, Tennessee. They were nine weeks making the journey to Highland county. They brought their cows with them, tied to the wagons; and for a long time after their arrival, whenever the horses were hitched up and the wagons started, the cows would follow. We are aware that this sketch is very much like the Book of Chronicles. But such is life. JACOB HIESTAND was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, about the year 1734, and came to Brush Creek township, among its first settlers. He had eleven children—four sons and seven daughters, all of whom came with him Joseph, one of the sons, was in the last war with England—entering, about 1813, from Ross county, where he had lived about a year. After the war was over he returned to Brush Creek, where he died about 1818- He married Elizabeth Edmondson, of Kentucky, and had five children; three sons and two daughters. Samuel Heistand, the eldest son of Joseph, still lives in Sinking Spring, where he was horn about the time of his father's death. Hannah, one of his sisters, is also living in the village, the wife of the Rev. W. M. C. Elliott. Samuel Heistand has had three children, two of whom are still living—a son, Joseph M., in Hillsborough, and a daughter, Mrs. Dynes Copeland, of Sinking Spring. DANIEL McKEEHAN came with his family to Brush Creek township about r8o9. He had previously lived, for a short time, in Ross and Fayette counties—having emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1803. Daniel lived here with his family until 1826, when (after a short return to Fayette county) he set- led in Indiana, where he died, about the year 183o. He had married Lovina Clevenger, near Winchester, Virginia, a short time before coming to Ohio. They had eight sons and one daughter. The latter, and four of the sons, are still living, all of them in Iowa, except Eden, the second son, who resides in Sinking Spring, where he has been a justice of the peace for many years. Eden married Margaret Whitlatch, of Sinking Spring, April 3o, 1830. They have had five children, all boys, and all living—three in Sinking Spring, one in Hillsborough, and one in Montana. It is worthy of note that, at the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. McKeehan, celebrated April 3o, 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Heistand (who "stood up" with them at their marriage, and were themselves married but a few weeks later), were present and assisted at the celebration. JACOB WICKERHAM was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1794. About 1806, his father, Peter Wickerham, came to Locust Grove, Adams county, purchased a farm of three hundred acres, and laid out a town called Palestine. The plat was regularly recorded, but the town never grew beyond the condition of a small village. Peter Wickerham died there in 1839, leaving a family of three sons and five daughters, all married and living in Ohio. Jacob Wickerham came with his brother-in-law, James McCague, (who had married Mary Wickerham about 1808) to Sinking Spring, and there they opened a general store and did the usual pioneer business in the mercantile line. Wickerham & McCague soon after formed a regular partnership, and continued in business together eight or ten years. Then Wickerham went into business alone. McCague died about that time, and his widow carried on the store a few years, and then married James Copeland, father of Dynes Copeland, now in merchandise here. Jacob Wickerham, in 1823, married Eve Amen, daughter of Daniel Amen, then of this place. They had seven children, five sons and two daughters. Three of the sons and one of the daughters are now living. Of these we can mention but two. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 513 Peter Noah, born in 1832, now has a store in the same place where his father carried on business. He married, in 1856, Elvira Tener, daughter of G. P. Tener, of Adams county. They have six children, three of each sex, all living. He is the present postmaster of Sinking Spring, and was a member of the Ohio legislature for the years 1872 and 1873. Jacob Ferdinand, born in 1843, lives on the old homestead of his grandfather. He went through the war for the suppression of the Rebellion—entering a private and returning a lieutenant. He was married, in 1864, to Annabel Cannon, of Adams county. They have six children, two boys and four girls, all living. PETER GORMAN was born in 1777, in Botetourt county, Virginia. He came to Brush Creek, about the year 1803, and bought five hundred acres of land, in the Montjoy survey, near Sinking Spring. There he lived until his death, in 1838. He married Christina Hiestand, a sister of Jacob, mentioned above, about the year 1800, before leaving Virginia. They had nine children, five boys and four girls, all still living, except the oldest. Their names are as follows: Daniel, Mary, Jacob, Salome, Peter, Chistina, John H., Susannah, and Joseph F. They all married, all have families, and the sisters are all widows. John H. is the minister of the Dunkard church (mentioned in the history of that denomination), and his son, Ira Gorman, is the rising young merchant of Sinking Spring. JOHN FRUMP was born in the State of Delaware, in 1768. He settled in Paint township in 1817—then removed to Jackson township in 182o, where he purchased a farm lying partly in Jackson (now Marshall) and partly in Brush Creek. He died there in 1832. In 1816 he married Mrs. Ann Boyle, by whom he had nine children. William, the sixth child, born in 1818, lives on the old homestead. He married Julia Wolfe, in 1838. They have had nine children, two of whom are dead. The eldest, Joel, died during the war, a member of the One Hundred and Seventy- fifth Ohio infantry. He died near Vicksburgh, March 3o, 1865, on his way home after being released from the horrors of the Andersonville prison-pen. His death was caused (like that of so many other brave and noble fellows) by the worse than barbarous treatment he there received. He first went into the service a member of the Sixtieth regiment, in 1861. He was married in 1863, and his widow received a pension until the time of her second marriage. DANIEL AMEN came from Botetourt county, Virginia, about the year 1810. He bought a farm about a mile and a half from Sinking Spring, and built on it a two-story stone house—probably the first in the county built of that material. He also built the first mill on Brush creek, and one of the first in the county. He was killed, about the year 1843, by the falling of the timbers of a bridge that he was constructing, His first son, John, was born in Virginia, in 1798. He was one of the first merchants of Sinking Spring, having a store there for thirty years. He left this village about the year 1867, and is now, at the ripe age of eighty-two, residing at Lyndon, in Ross county. He married Malinda Craighead, of Brown county, about 1828. They had one son (who is dead) and three daughters—all living. The youngest, now Mrs. Gillilan, is residing in Sinking Spring. Noah, the second son of Daniel, was born in the old alone house, and came into possession of it on the death of his father. Noah's son, Samuel, was also born there, and in course of time became the owner of the property. Samuel married Louisa J., daughter of H. S. Foraker, of this county, and their first son, Burch, was born in the same venerable mansion. Thus four generations have occupied it— three being born on the place. It seems a pity that a place thus associated with the family, should have been allowed to pass out of its possession. Samuel Amen is now a prominent grocer of Hillsborough, handling an immense stock of goods—wholesale and retail—every year. His partners are Messrs. Gregg and McKeehan. Their store is situated on Main street, nearly opposite the court house. Mr. Amen, in connection with his son Burch, has also another store, on High street, where a general stock of merchandise is kept for retail only, under the firm name of Amen & Son. Samuel Amen was born in 1837, and married in 1860. He has five children—four sons and one daughter—all living. The name Amen was formerly spelled Ammen, and is still so spelled by other branches of the family. The family is of German extraction, and Daniel, the first mentioned above, grandfather of Samuel, was accustomed to spell his name, after the German fashion, with only one m, but with a dash over the letter to denote that it was double. His correspondents, who saw no use for the dash, commonly omitted it; and he soon got into the habit of omitting it himself. Thus the spelling, Amen, at length became universal in this branch of the family. The two distinguished brothers, Commodore Daniel Ammen, of the United States navy, and General Jacob Ammen, of the regular army, are own cousins to Samuel Amen's father—their father, David, being a brother of Samuel's father, Daniel. John, another brother of David and Daniel, remained in Virginia, and had a son named Daniel, who espoused the cause of the late Rebellion, which he entered into with the zeal and energy characteristic of the family—actually sacrificing an immense fortune in his efforts to maintain it. Samuel Amen had a brother, also named Daniel, who enlisted in the Union army at the breaking out of the Rebellion, as sergeant in the Sixtieth Ohio infantry. During an attack made upon our forces, near Franklin, Virginia, in the summer of 1862, he was sick with typhoid fever. The attack was so vigorous that our men were compelled to beat a hasty retreat, leaving their sick in the hands of tha Confederates. There, with no friend to minister to his comfort, or mitigate his sufferings, poor Amen died. He was a young man of excellent character, as is shown by some touching lines found among his effects, in his handwriting, evidently written during his sickness, and apparently with a presentiment that he should not recover. The lines breathe the spirit of true patriotism, warm affection for family and friends, and genuine piety. They must have given great comfort to his sorrowing relatives.