CHAPTER VII.
SOME DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.
AMONG the many historic characters of the Scioto alley who were identified with the early history of Chillicothe, Ross county and the State of Ohio, Gen. Nathaniel Massie was one whose memory is dear to Ross county, and perpetuated by his posterity in the tenderest evidences of generous regard for his exalted achievements. Much has been said in this volume regarding the accomplishments of this eminent pioneer of civilization, and much remains to be said which will never reach the printed page. In a limited way, he was the "father of his country," in the sense that the memory of Washington bears that honored distinction, with reference to the Nation's life. As a frontiersman, surveyor, statesman, soldier, kind and loving husband and father; a big hearted, generous friend and neighbor; a man who lived in advance of his time, and brought around him other men of like characteristics, who have left indelibly stamped upon the life of the great commonwealth, their own characteristics, the life of General Massie is familiar to all.
Nathaniel Massie was born in Goochland county, Virginia, on the 28th of December, 1763. His father, Major Nathaniel Massie, was a plain, substantial farmer in the Old Dominion, and with practical good sense, reared his sons in the atmosphere of self-reliance and self-support. Nathaniel, the eldest son, chose surveying for his occupation, having previously completed a practical and thorough education. In 1780 he generously offered his services as a substitute in the Patriot army, taking the place of his father, or some other relative whose services could not well be dispensed with at the home fireside. Whether his military service in the Revolution was of long or short duration, active or passive, is not a matter of record; but the fact already stated, shows him to have been a young man of ardent patriotism, of unusual energy, and laudable ambition. It seems to be the opinion of his grandson, Hon. D. M. Massie, of Chillicothe, that he was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Returning from the army, young Massie completed his professional education, and, with a horse and the necessary surveying outfit, some money,
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and letters of introduction from prominent Virginians to men of like character in the new country of Kentucky, he started out on the "voyage of life." He was then scarcely nineteen years of age. At the elegant home of Colonel David Meade, near Lexington, he met. Miss Susan Everard Meade whom he married in 1800. He brought her to his recently established home on the banks of Paint creek in Paxton township, which was the home of both until called to another life. The public services of General Massie need not be recounted here, since the record appears fully in connection with the many thrilling events in which he was the central figure. The Ohio home was not unlike that left behind on their removal from Kentucky. The slaves were absent, but their places were filled by a numerous retinue of hired servants. Among these was the famous Indian chief, Wawwilaway, whose tragic death is characterized as one of the foulest deeds ever committed in Ohio. Three sons and two daughters came to bless the union and brighten the happy home of General and Mrs. Massie. These survived his untimely death, which occurred on the 3d of November, 1813. Though he lived less than fifty years, General Massie accomplished more in that brief period than most men are permitted to do in the "three score and ten years" allotted to man. He died beloved by all his fellow citizens. His generous spirit had enabled many a poor struggling settler to establish a happy home in the wilderness, and these and their posterity mourned him as a friend, and revere his memory as a kind benefactor. It is said that "No man is perfect save One." Nathaniel Massie was a man of human instincts, and doubtless had his faults. These are buried with him ; and the memory of his useful life, his exalted citizenship, his benevolence and human sympathy, are more enduring than the costly monument which marks his final resting place, overlooking his field of labor, from beautiful Grand View.
Edwin Tiffin : The heart of the patriotic Chillicothean thrills with commendable pride at the mention of this name. No character in the early history of the county and State is more thoroughly interwoven in the history of State organization, and the troublous times preceding and immediately following that event, than is that of Edward Tiffin, Ohio's first governor. With him begins the history of Ohio, and the record of early political events of which all Chillicotheans of whatever political faith have cause to be proud. In the adjustment of political differences of paramount importance, party lines are often eliminated, and the supremacy of those principles which affect locality and personal interest, are given precedence. We can readily see how and why this was the case in Ross county, during the desperate struggle for State organization. Edward Tiffin, already prominent as a champion of the Chillicothe party, in opposition to the Territorial governor, was the successful standard bearer in the race for gubernatorial honors. He served with distinction dur-
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ing two successive terms, and declined the honor of the third nomination. He left the governor's chair in 1807, to take a seat in the United States senate, in which body he was an active, useful and influential member, but served only during the tenth session of congress. He resigned this position because of the death of his wife, and his overwhelming grief attendant upon that sad event in his life. Dr. Tiffin now sought to retire to the seclusion of agricultural life, but was called from the plow to the legislative halls at the succeeding election, an honor which was thrust upon him. He was unanimously chosen as speaker of the house of representatives in the State legislature, and was re-elected representative and speaker at each succeeding election, until 1813. President Madison, in the year last written, tendered to Dr. Tiffin the office of commissioner of the general land office, a position just then created by congress. He accepted the post, and organized and administered the affairs of the new bureau with the same ability and accuracy which had characterized his previous public services. After three years' service in this department, President Madison consented to Dr. Tiffin's request to exchange his position for that of surveyor general of the west. The office of surveyor general was accordingly removed to Chillicothe, and Governor Tiffin occupied it for fifteen years, and until within a few weeks of his death. This occurred at his pioneer home in Chillicothe, after a prolonged illness, on the 9th of August, 1829. He was then in his sixty-fourth year. Edward Tiffin was born at Carlisle, England, June 19, 1760. He received a liberal scholastic training in his native country, and had made some progress in the study of medicine, when his parents emigrated to America (in 1784). The parental home was established in Charlestown, Virginia. Young Tiffin completed his professional course at the University of Pennsylvania, and engaged in practice at Charlestown, where he was a social favorite, and made rapid progress in his profession. He was married in 1789 to Mary, daughter of Robert Worthington, and sister of Thomas Worthington, whose political career in Ohio sustains a marked similarity to that of Governor Tiffin. The first union of Dr. Tiffin was childless. He married in 1809, Miss Mary Porter, a native of Maryland, who accompanied her parental family to Ross county in the early days. Like his first wife, she was a woman of exceptional refinement, beauty, and excellence of character. The children born to the second union were: Mary Porter, who became Mrs. Joseph A. Reynolds ; Diathea Madison; Eleanor Worthington, who married Mr. M. Scott Cook; Rebecca Turner became the wife of Dr. C. G. Comegys, late of Cincinnati, and Edward Parker, who was educated as a physician, and lost his life in a railway accident, in 1853.
Dr. Tiffin joined a party of Virginians in 1798, and sought a new home in the Scioto valley. It is a curious coincidence that in this party there were three Ohio governors, to be, the third one not already
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mentioned, being General, and afterwards governor, Robert Lucas. These parties brought with them their former slaves, whom they liberated, and provided for until they were able to care for themselves. This magnanimous act has much of human instinct underneath the surface, since the life of a free negro, in a slave country, would not only have been hazardous, but also fraught with untold hardships and privations. In his private and social life, Dr. Tiffin was of an affable, pleasant temperament, which surrounded him with many admiring. friends.
Duncan McArthur was preeminently a self made man. He rose to prominence and affluence, unaided by the stimulating hand of ancestral wealth and influence, and carved for himself an honorable name and fame in the annals of history. Such achievements are commendable under the most favoring circumstances, but doubly so when attained through the unconquerable force of self-reliance and will power, which annihilates opposing circumstances. The subject of this brief review was born in Duchess county, New York, in the year 1772. His ancestors were of Scotch lineage, and his only heritage was embodied in the qualities which make up the American ideal of the true man, viz.: habits of self-reliance, integrity, industry and perseverance. His early education was limited to the elementary rudiments, upon which, by constant and persistent application to study and general reading, he established the citadel of a well trained mind. Young McArthur devoted his early years to any honorable vocation which would yield him a livelihood. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the expedition of General Harmar against the Indians north of the Ohio river. Escaping the perils, or fatalities, of this disastrous campaign, he again enlisted in 1792, and at the battle of Captina, his captain being killed, young McArthur was unanimously chosen to succeed him, though only twenty years of age, and the youngest man in the company. He was employed at the Maysville, Kentucky, salt works at the time he engaged to accompany General Massie's surveying expedition up the Scioto valley, in 1793. This was the beginning of his career in Ohio. As the reader well knows, a surveying expedition in these clays was also a military demonstration against hostile and treacherous Indians. McArthur was well qualified for the arduous and perilous duties of this wilderness campaign, and General Massie soon came to recognize his sterling qualities, and ever afterward associated McArthur with his surveying and military operations whenever possible. Mr. McArthur made rapid progress in mastering the intricacies of surveying, and by the autumn of 1793, he was designated as assistant surveyor, under General Massie's tuition. In this capacity, he assisted his chief in laying out the town of Chillicothe in the spring of 1796, and was ever afterward closely identified with the history of the place. He purchased and
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improved a large tract of land just north of the town site, upon which he established his permanent home, the local designation of which is "Fruit Hill." This is one of the historic homes in Chillicothe.
Captain McArthur became prominent in the stirring political events, during the last days of Territorial government, and was an important factor in shaping and systematizing the campaigns of the Chillicotheans. In 1805, he was elected to the legislature, in which body he bore a conspicuous and honorable part. He was especially interested in the military organization of the State, and was an acknowledged authority on military affairs. As a soldier of recognized standing, he was named as the successor of General Massie, in 1808, and elected by the legislature as major general of the State militia.
At the beginning of the war of 1812, he was commissioned colonel of Ohio volunteers, and accompanied General Hull to Detroit, being second in command on that unfortunate expedition. Though temporarily absent, in attempting the relief of Captain Brush, at the time of the surrender, Colonel McArthur, much to his chagrin and disappointment, was included in the surrender of Hull's army, and made a prisoner of war. Colonel McDonald says that "had not Colonels McArthur and Cass been absent, the surrender would not have happened." But whatever odium attached to the unfortunate affair, Colonel McArthur was entirely vindicated, having proved his loyalty and bravery, by offering his services among the first enlistments.
In the fall of 1812, Colonel McArthur was elected to a seat in Congress by an overwhelming majority. In March, following, he was commissioned by congress as a brigadier ,general in the army, and, having been exchanged as a prisoner of war, he resigned his seat in the house, and assumed command of an army at the scene of action. His military career was most brilliant, and his services to the country of incalculable value. By reason of these achievements, lie become one of the most popular men in the Scioto valley, and honors were heaped upon him with prodigal liberality. General McArthur was again elected to the legislature, in the fall of 1815. He was also one of the commissioners appointed by the war department, to negotiate treaties with the Indians, serving three years in that capacity. In 1817, he was re-elected to the legislature, and chosen speaker of the house of representatives. In 1819 he was defeated in the race for a seat in the legislature, by reason of his espousal of the cause of the United States bank in the establishment of branches; but he was re-elected in 1821, and was returned to Congress in 1822. He declined re-election to Congress, and retired to his farm and the settlement and management of his extensive business interests. In 1830, he was elected governor of Ohio, a position he filled for two years with the same honest endeavor which
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had characterized all of his official acts. Weary of public life, and full of years and deserved honors, he retired to his beautiful home on "Fruit Hill," and there ended his days. His death occurred in 1839 ; and thus was ended a useful life, diversified with the rapidly recurring events in our State and National history, an honorable record from the lowliest position of an upright American citizen, to the highest official honors within the gift of the people of a great State.
Thomas Worthington, the illustrious statesman, to whose energy, influence and ceaseless toil, the State of Ohio owes as much as to any other man, living or dead, was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, February 10, 1773. His parents died in his early childhood, and though deprived of the loving care of the parental home, his nurture and rearing were entrusted to hands only second to father and mother, in the person of General William Parke, who was his guardian and protector through the tender years of childhood and early youth. Through the influence of his guardian, he enjoyed the best educational advantages afforded in the time of his student days. But he indulged a strong and apparently irresistible desire to go to sea. His zealous guardian opposed his inclination, and tried to divert his mind into other channels ; but all in vain. Young Worthington, probably without the consent of the one who stood in the relation of a parent, enlisted as a common sailor on a British merchant vessel, and spent two years on the ocean. During this experience he came near being arrested as a deserter from a British man-of-war, and was only saved from such a fate by the persistent defense of his captain, who had taken a fancy to the stalwart young American, even though he was himself an Englishman. The British "press-gang" followed the seas with unabated energy, until after his majesty was taught a lesson during the years immediately following 1812, and they were the terror of American seamen. The "trumped up" documents which called for the apprehension of young Worthington, were applicable to any other American whose services would be useful in the service of the king. But the representations of Capt. James Taylor that "Worthington was a young man of high standing in Virginia, whose people were wealthy and influential, and would undoubtedly make trouble," were sufficient to cool the ardor of the overzealous lieutenant, and divert his impressment proceedings to some one else not so well fortified. They also had the effect of establishing a lasting friendship between Worthington and Captain Taylor, which continued during the life of the latter. The experience of this two years' cruise, together with the added judgment of maturer years, induced young Worthington to return at once to the scenes of his childhood, and make a new start on life's journey. As related in another sketch, he accompanied the Tiffin party to the Scioto valley, and together with his illustrious brother-in-law, began a political and
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civil life unsurpassed in usefulness, purity of purpose, and sound judgment.
The public career of Thomas Worthington is the history of the organization of the State, and of its material development from that day until his death, in 1827. In fact he was in New York on public business of great importance, connected with the construction of the Ohio and Erie canal, when attacked with his fatal illness, and died there, on the 20th of June. The "American Intelligencer" characterized Worthington as the "father of the American system of public improvement."
Though honored with exalted positions from the existence of the Territorial legislature until his death, his zeal and energy for the public welfare never weakened. He was a member of the Territorial legislature in 1799 to 1801 ; a member of the convention to frame the State constitution in 1802, and the representative of this precious document and the people, in the United States senate, in 1803, and the motive power which secured its approval, and the erection of the new State. It was Worthington, who, true to principle as an opponent of slavery in all its forms, introduced into the State constitution the clause prohibiting negro apprenticeships--a form of slavery at that time prevalent in several states. His work and influence in the United States senate was of incalculable value to the embryo State just emerging from its swaddling clothes. Toward the close of his second term in the senate, Mr. Worthington was elected the fifth governor of Ohio, and resigned his seat in Congress to enter upon the duties of chief magistrate of the State, in which position he served the people from 1814 to 1818.
When entering upon his first duties as governor, he found the campus surrounding the state house in disorder, from the rubbish, logs, brush, roots and general debris resulting from an effort to clear the ground. The city authorities of Columbus were disinclined to meddle in State affairs; hence, with that spirit of self-reliance and push for which the governor was noted, he headed a party of prisoners he had "borrowed" from the warden of the penitentiary, and labored faithfully for two days, in policing the ten acre lot, that he might enter upon a "clean" administration.
The mansion of Thomas Worthington, known as "Adena," was at the time of its erection, one of the finest residences west of the Alleghanies.* It is a stone structure, standing on an eminence over-looking the city of Chillicothe. Around it cluster many historical events and delightful memories, and its spacious rooms have sheltered
* Another historic spot, or at least one which is remembered with feelings of reverence, because of its long existence, and the prominent character of its early occupants, is "Buena Vista," the home of the late M. Scott Cook, whose prominent family was connected with some of the most noted people of the State and nation.
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numerous historic characters. There is no location in the vicinity of Chillicothe which affords a finer landscape scene than can be witnessed from historic "Adena." The noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, was entertained on his visit to Chillicothe, under the hospitable roof of "Adena." No doubt the grandeur of the occasion was an event in his life, of as much importance to him as his mission of peace and good will was to his pale-faced brethren.
Bernard, duke of Saxe--Weimar Eisenach, who visited Chillicothe in 1825, and was entertained at the home of Governor Worthington, wrote of it in his "Travels in North America :" "The governor's house is surrounded with Lombardy poplars ; it is constructed in the style of an Italian villa, of free stone, with stone steps on the exterior, is two stories high and has two wings, having a court in front of the center building containing honeysuckle and roses. On one side of the house is a terrace with flowers and kitchen vegetables. Behind the house are large clover fields and to the right the farm buildings. Governor Worthington occupies himself with the raising of cattle, particularly sheep ; he had a flock of one hundred merinoes. He has ten children, on whom he has expended a great deal for their education. His eldest son was traveling in Europe, another son was in the military academy at West Point." Edward King, who had married the second daughter, Sarah Ann, was at the home and aided in the entertainment of the guest, who ascended to the governor's lookout, on top of the house, from which could have been seen every part of the vast estate of twenty-five thousand acres, if the great forests had not yet. been so little invaded that they soon obstructed the view. "I took breakfast with the worthy governor and his family," the duke continues, "and found here, as at the home of Governor Morrow, that the father of the family observes the laudable custom of making a prayer before sitting down. At breakfast we took leave of this respectable family, whose acquaintance I consider one of the most interesting I made in the United States."
A few words might be said of the children of Governor Worthington. Mary, the eldest daughter, married Alexander Macomb, who was a colonel in the war of 1812, and major-general in command of the United States army in the days when Andrew Jackson was president. The widow of Edward King married the British consul at Philadelphia, became a devout. Roman Catholic and was an intimate friend of Pope Pius IX Eleanor married Dr. Arthur Watts, of Chillicothe, and one of her children became the wife of Gen. Saunders A. Piatt of Mac-a-cheek. Margaret married Professor Mansfield, and Elizabeth became Mrs. Pomeroy. Gen. James Taylor Worthington, the eldest son, was for many years an honored citizen of Chillicothe. His first wife was a daughter of Samuel Galloway, and his second a daughter of Benjamin Piatt. A younger son, Thomas, was a distinguished officer in the war of the Rebellion.
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William Allen, the twenty-fifth governor of Ohio, and the last citizen of Chillicothe to whom that distinguished honor was extended, was a native of Edenton, Chowan county, North Carolina. He was born in 1807, and reared through childhood's years, in the south. His parents died within a few months of each other, while he was an infant and all the maternal care which his infancy ever knew, was bestowed by an elder sister, whom he remembered all his life, with the strongest feelings of filial affection. This excellent woman, who was the mother of Hon. Allen G. Thursman, whom every Democratic politician in the land will remember with feelings akin to adoration, removed from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Chillicothe, in 1818. Her brother William was left at Lynchburg in attendance at a private school. But as the excellence of the Chillicothe academy became known to her, she decided to have her brother and ward attend this school from her own protecting roof. Accordingly, in 1819, young Allen joined his sister in Chillicothe, which city was his home for fifty-six years. He early developed an aptitude for learning and soon became, even in boyhood, one of the leading debaters and public speakers in the academy. His attainments were of the highest character, an evidence of which is shown in the fact that he was admitted to the bar as a lawyer before he had attained his twentieth year. When it is considered that the bar of Ross county was then, and always has been, second to none in the State in point of eminent qualifications and professional ability, this was a most distinguishing honor to young Allen. Being admitted to practice in 1820, and to a partnership with his preceptor, Col. Edward King, Allen soon distinguished himself by his peculiar powers as a jury lawyer. Possessed of a tall and commanding figure, a voice of marvelous purity and excellence, his appearance in public discussions attracted favorable comment, even when his argument was not backed by sufficient evidence to convict. But these are characteristics which force men to the front in the political arena ; and before he had reached the "congressional age," as established in the land, he was nominated as the democratic candidate for a seat in congress. His district was strongly of the Whig persuasion, but Allen's popularity and ability carried him through. He took his seat in the twenty-third congress, where he bore a prominent part. in all discussions, though the youngest man in the house. An after-supper speech at the Columbus, in 1837, so electrified his audience, composed principally of State legislators, that he was nominated and elected to the exalted position of United States senator, thus succeeding Hon. Thomas Ewing. Mr. Allen served twelve consecutive years in the senate, closing a brilliant and useful career in 1849. He is credited with having originated the political slogan of 1844, "Fifty-four forty or fight," referring to the Oregon boundary controversy. During these eventful years, he attained the meridian of his political prowess, and retired from office
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as one of the most influential members of the honorable body which has so often been thrilled with his matchless oratory and convincing arguments. It was his firm determination to retire from public life, and spend his remaining years at the beautiful home which he so much loved; but after a retirement of twenty-four years, he again yielded to the allurements of political life and in 1873 he was elected governor of Ohio. In this race it was thought that he led a "forlorn hope," but his great popularity carried him through, he being the only candidate on the State democratic ticket. who was successful. Governor Allen was renominated by the democrats in 1875, but went down in the defeat of the "greenback" movement and was succeeded by R. B. Hayes. The most important. event of his life, to him, was his marriage, in 1845, to Mrs. Effie McArthur Coons, daughter of Gen. Duncan McArthur. She inherited her parental homestead, "Fruit Hill," where the family lived for many years, and where Governor Allen died, in 1879. Mrs. Allen died in Washington city, and her husband rode on horseback beside her bier from the Nation's capital to Chillicothe. The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen is now the wife of Dr. D. H. Scott of Chillicothe. After her mother's death, as a child, young lady and matron, she showed her filial regard in caring for her father during his declining years.
Colonel John McDonald, whose sketches of Massie, McArthur and other pioneers entitled him to be called the Plutarch of the Scioto valley, was born January 28, 1775, in Pennsylvania. His father moved with his family to Mingo Bottom, near the site of Steubenville, in 1780, and to Kentucky in 1789. Thence young McDonald made his first. excursion into Ohio with Simon Kenton, and in 1792 he joined General Massie's settlement at. Manchester. In the spring of 1794 he enlisted with Capt. Ephraim Kibby's scouts, in the army of General Wayne, and was with Wayne through the victorious campaign of that year. In the following November he came into the Scioto valley on an exploring expedition with a party led by Lucas Sullivant, a land speculator and surveyor from Virginia, and had an encounter with the Indians, in which one of his companions was killed. In 1796 he came to Chillicothe, where he was married to Catherine Cutwright, February 5, 1799. He settled on Poplar Ridge, Twin township, in 1802. Ile went into the war of 1812, as a staff officer with General Hull, and was made a prisoner at the surrender of Detroit. In 1813 he was promoted to captain in the regular army of the United States, and in 1814 was given command of a regiment of regulars at Detroit, a position he held until peace was declared. In 1817 he was elected to the legislature, in which he served two terms, and this was the close of his public service. His biographical sketches, already mentioned, were published first in the Western Christian Advocate, and in book form in 1838. They are the best written, most interesting and trustworthy
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of Ohio pioneer documents, not excepting the productions of Judge Burnet or any other.
Colonel McDonald was the son of William and Effie McDonald, of Scotch descent, who bore the same names before marriage and were distantly related. He was the eldest of seven children, the others being Thomas, James, William, Hiram, Nancy and Henrietta. Thomas was associated with John in his adventures as a scout under General Wayne, and afterward sat in the legislature. James entered the regular army as a captain in 1808 and served through the war of 1812-15, with promotion to major. He was on the staff of General Ripley, and after 1815, was on staff duty as inspector-general. In civil life he held the offices of county sheriff and deputy United States marshal. The sister, Nancy, married Gen. Duncan McArthur, and Henrietta became the wife of Presley Morris, a prominent pioneer. The parents both died within four days in September, 1823, and were buried at the McArthur homestead, on Fruit Hill.
Thomas Scott, Michael Baldwin, Frederick Grimke, William Creighton, Allen G. Thurman, and others, are mentioned in other chapters. James Grubb was a Chillicothean who received the strongest commendations from General McArthur for his ability, integrity and political zeal in the early days of territorial strife and contention. He was characterized as a "true philanthropist, a lover of his friend, and opponent of every species of slavery, a man possessing good reasoning abilities, modesty and boldness." Mr. Grubb was also a member of the constitutional convention. Joseph Kerr was adjutant general of Ohio, a member of the state senate and house, and for a few months United States senator.