414 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY CHAPTER VIII. LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. LEESBURG TOWNSHIP occupies a position in the eastern part of Union County. It is bounded on the east by Delaware County; on the north is Claibourne Township; on the west by Taylor, and on the south by Dover and Paris. Its outlines are broken, owing to the irregular manner in which the original surveys were made, whose bounds the township lines follow. The topography of the township does not differ from that of the remainder of the county. The surface is level, and somewhat low. It is drained mainly by Boke's Creek, Blues Creek and Grassy Run. The first-mentioned stream enters the township across the northern part of the western line, and pursues a winding, easterly course, passing into Delaware County. Blue's Creek crosses the southwestern corner of the township, in a southeasterly direction. Grassy Run rises in the southern part of the township, and flows south. The highest land is along the borders of the streams, and the first, settlements were formed here. Away from the streams, the land was regarded as too low and wet for cultivation, and it was believed by the first comers that many years must elapse before settlers would attempt to farm it. Since it has been cleared and drained, however, it has proved to be the best land in the township. During the last few years, tiling has been laid very extensively, and the increase in productiveness thus obtained has amply repaid the cost of drainage. The soil is clayey throughout, with a slight admixture of sand in places. LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 415 The Swale lands have a surface soil of black clay, underlaid with a substratum of blue clay. Springs are not abundant, but the water found is of excellent quality, and some are strongly impregnated with minerals. A thrifty growth of timber covered the: township when the first settlers came, and considerable underbrush was found. On the creek bottoms, white and black walnut grew, profusely; on the uplands were beech, Sugar, hickory, white oak, white ash, burr oak, red oak, red elm and other varieties; and in the Swale lands black ash, hickory, maple, elm, burr oak and other types prevailed. ORGANIZATION AND ELECTIONS. Leesburg was the seventh township organized in Union County. The date of its erection was 1825. The records of the County Commissioners do not contain its exact date, nor the original boundaries, which, however, included the territory now embraced within Claibourne and Jackson Townships. The first election was hold October 11, 1825, at which there were ten voters-Robert Cotrell, Culwell Williamson, Henry Swartz, Samuel Gardner, Samuel Martin, Simon Gates, Sr., Simon Gates, Jr., Cyprian Lee, Edward Williams and Thomas Tunks. Four of these-Cotrell, Swartz, Lee anti Williams--lived in what is now Claibourne Township. James Curry received the entire ten votes for Representative, and Matthias Collins ten votes for Commissioner. The 'vote of the township for Governor has since been as follows: 1826, Allen Trimble, 6, John Biggar, 1, Alexander Campbell, 15; 1828, Allen Trimble, 2, John W. Campbell, 19; 1830, Robert Lucas, 15, Duncan McArthur, 12; 1832, Robert Lucas, 18, Darius Lyman, 17; 1834, Robert Lucas, 9. James Finley, 31; 1836, Joseph Vance, 51, Eli Baldwin, 25; 1838, Joseph Vance, 45, Wilson Shannon, 33; 1840, Thomas Corwin, 72, Wilson Shannon. 45; 1842, Thomas Corwin, 52; Wilson Shannon, 45: 1844, Mordecai Bartley, 61, David Tod, 48; 1846, William Bebb, 60, David Tod, 40; 1848, Seabury Ford, 73, John B. Weller, 57; 1850, William Johnson, 68, Reuben Wood. 35; 1851, Samuel F. Vinton, 67, Reuben Wood, 38; 1853, Nelson Barrere, 93, William Medill, 60, Samuel Lewis, 3; 1855, Salmon P. Chase, 60, William Medill, 55, Allen Trimble, 15; 1857, Salmon P. Chase, 50, Henry P. Payne. 63, P. Van Trump, 27; 1859, William Duncan, 56, Rufus P: Ranney. 76.; 1861, David Tod, 133, H. J. Jewett, 74; 1863, John Brough, 154, C. L. Vallandigham. 118; 1865, J. D. Cox, 132, George W. Morgan, 100; 1867, R. B. Hayes, 133, Allen G. Thurman, 128; R. B. Hayes, 128, George H. Pendleton, 113; 1871, E. F. Noyes, 123, George W. McCook, 103, G. L. Stewart, 1; 1873, E. F. Noyes, 112, William Allen, 102, G. T. Stewart, 7, J. C. Collins, 1; 1875, William Allen, 130, R. B. Hayes, 162; 1877, William H. West, 166, R. M. Bishop, 128; 1879, Charles Foster, 193, Thomas Ewing, 154, G. T. Stewart, 6, A. Sanders Piatt, 5; 1881, Charles Foster, 184, John W. Bookwalter, 121, A. R. Ludlow, 13. The following is a list of the Township Magistrates, with dates of election: Simon Gates, 1825; Cyprian Lee, 1825; Henry Swartz, 1827: David Gallant, 1828; David Gallant, 1831; William Gladhill, 1835; John Gamble, 1837; Abijah Gandy, 1838; Abijah Gandy, 1841; Alexander McAlister, 1843; Abijah Gandy, 1844; Alexander McAlister, 1846; Abijah Gandy, 1847; John Bonnett, 1849; Abijah Gandy, 1850; John Bonnett, 1852: J. O. Jewett, 1853; Othneil Jewett, 1855; William Foster, 1856; Othneil Jewett, 1858; William Poster, 1859; Moses Thompson, 1861; John Maskell, 1862; Othneil Jewett, 1864; Allen Hickock, 1865; Othneil Jewett, 1867; L. B. White, 1868; Othneil Jewett, 1870; L. B. White, 1871; Othneil Jewett, 1873; Henry Highbargain, 1874; J. R. Taylor, 1876; Henry Highbargain, 1877; J. R. Taylor, 416 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. 1879; Henry Highbargain, 1880; O. B. Martin, 1882. Samuel Lafferty was also an early Justice, but his name does not appear on the county record of oaths administered, from which the above list is taken. SURVEYS. The following are the original proprietors of the surveys, comprised within what is now Leesburg Township, with the dates of survey and surveyors: William Semple, No. 803, 1,000 acres, located in the central-western part or the township, surveyed November 17, 1809, by Duncan McArthur; Francis Smith, No. 1,139, 750 acres, located in the northwestern corner of the township, surveyed November 25, 1808, by Duncan McArthur; Falvery Frazier, the representative of William Frazier, deceased, Nos. 3,692 and 3,693, 1,000 acres each, on Boke's Creek, northwestern part of township, surveyed September 16, 1799, by Lucas Sullivant; Thomas Frazier, heir to Falvery Frazier, Nos. 3,694 and 3,696, a corner of the latter in Delaware County, 1,000 acres each, on Boke's Creek, in eastern part of township, surveyed September 16 and 17, 1799, by Lucas Sullivant; Andrew Meade, assignee, No. 5,506, 1,796 acres, in southwestern corner of township, surveyed November 8, 1807, by James Galloway; Robert Means, assignee, No. 5586, 1,000 acres, northern part of township. surveyed November 25, 1807, by James Galloway; Thomas M. Bailey, assignee, No. 5,613, 1,000 acres, on Blue's Creek, southwestern part of township, surveyed January 10, 1808, by James Galloway; Robert Means, assignee, Nos. 5,630 and 6,510, 900 acres, in western part of township, surveyed November 11, 1811, by Duncan McArthur; William B. Bunting's representatives, No. 5,870, 1,000 acres in southern part of township, surveyed June 2, 1808, by James Galloway; Benjamin W. Ladd, No. 6,010, 711 acres, in Southwestern part of township, surveyed October 10, 1808, by James Galloway; Edward Dromgoole, assignee, No. 6,031, 1,500 acres, partly in Delaware County, surveyed October 10, 1808, by James Galloway; John Baird, assignee, No. 6,033. 1,000 acres, in northern part of township, surveyed April 14, 1809, by James Galloway; John Baird, assignee, No. 6,199, 400 acres, corner in Delaware County, surveyed April 14, 1809, by James Galloway; James Barnett, assignee, No. 6,211, 840 acres, in northeast corner of township, surveyed by James Galloway, March 29, 1810; Samuel Hyde Saunders, No. 13,066, 100 acres, in northern part of township, surveyed February 5, 1830, by Cadwallader Wallace; Frances T. Short, widow of Wiley Short, deceased, and Martha P. Williams, wife of William Williams, the two daughters and heirs of Capt. Cuthbert Harrison, Nos. 13,592 and 15,941, 666 2/3 acres, in southeastern part of township, surveyed October 18, 1834, by Cadwallader Wallace. Besides the above, there are, in the northeastern part of the township, small fractions of the following four surveys, which lie mostly in Delaware County: Joseph Taggert and others, Nos. 6,540 and 6.889, 418 acres, surveyed by John Kerr, October 20, 1810; H. Bedinger, No. 1, 931, 800 acres, surveyed by John Kerr, November 6, 1809; Cadwallader Wallace, No. 15,056, 83 acres, surveyed by Cadwallader Wallace, December 26, 1847; John Barrell, No. 3,402, 500 acres, surveyed November 24, 1807, by James Galloway. As will be seen from the foregoing, the greater part of the township was surveyed from 1807 to 1810. Only the four Frazier surveys, including all the land in the township that lies on Boke's Creek, were surveyed prior to this time; and they were surveyed in 1799. A majority of the surveys that lie wholly in the township are of 1,000 acres each, and the average size reaches almost that amount. The division lines between Leesburg and the bordering townships in Union County, do not cross any surveys. The actual amount of land within a survey often exceeds considerably the area for which it was surveyed. LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 417 TAX VALUATIONS. In 1825, the personal property, returned in Leesburg Township, consisted of six horses and twenty-seven cattle. Of these, two horses and thirteen cattle belonged to what is now Claibourne Township. Jeremiah Gardner owned one horse; Simon Gates, Sr., four cattle; Simon Gates, Jr., four cattle; Culwell Williamson, two horses and four cattle; Hale Winchester, one horse and two cattle. Horses and cattle were the only kinds of personal property then taxed. The former were valued at $40 each; the latter at $8. In 1830, there were in the township 33 horses. 115 cattle; total valuation, $2,240; tax, $22.40. There were 22,975 acres of land, valued at $24,557, and taxed for $227.99. In 1840, the acreage was 25,868, value $33,835; horses, 172, value, $6,880; cattle, 255, value, $2,040; money at interest, $100; total valuation, $42,848; total tax, $728.42, of which $186.92 was delinquent. In 1850, there were 19,217 acres, valued at $76,326; to valuation of town property, $857; valuation of chattels, $18, 100; total valuation, $95,283; total tax, $1,469.89. In 1860, there were 18,933 acres, with a valuation of $253,111; value of town property, $4,738; total valuation of real estate, $257,849; tax, $2,655. 5. In 1870, 18,907 acres, value $425,839; value of buildings, $24,425. In 1880, 18,676 acres, value $457,711; value of buildings, $30,972; value of town property, $8,699; value of chattels, $172,493. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The early settlers were largely from Clark County. In the northwestern part of the township particularly, the majority hailed from that locality, and over the rest of the township was a fair representation from the same place. Some of the earliest settlers were lured hitherto by the game which frequented the forests, while others came for the purpose of engaging exclusively in agricultural pursuits. Deer was the principal game that was sought for, swarms of bees were plentiful in the woods, and wild honey was found on every pioneer's table. Bee-hunting consumed much of the time of the first settlers. The honey did not possess a great commercial value and was little in demand, for nearly every one supplied himself with the article, though some became much more expert in procuring it than others. The bee-hunter was usually supplied with pocket compass, to note and follow the course the bees would take when freighted with honey. Bees were attracted to a spot by the scent arising from honeycomb burnt by the hunter between two heated stories. Honey, or, better yet, honey mixed with extract of anise seed, was sprinkled near, and when the bees that alighted were surfeited, after circling around for a few times, they would fly away in a " bee line " for home. By getting the courses of two bees of the same swarm from two localities, the swarm would be found in the tree at the intersection of these two lines. When a bee tree was once found, the hunter would cut his initials on the bark of the tree, and by universal consent it became his individual property, to be cut down and the honey extracted therefrom at his leisure. The Indian plan of honey gathering was to climb a tree and cut out the honey. In a three-week hunt, an early settler in Leesburg Township found twenty-five trees, and from two hives in one of them, an ash on the farm where William Bonnett now lives on Grassy Run, procured ten gallons of honey. The first settlement was made in the southwestern part. on Blues Creek. The exact date at which it was formed, and the pioneer who first pitched his camp there. It is impossible now to discover as these pioneers have all removed to other counties or died long since. They were mostly squatters, who 418 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY came into the midst of a deep solitude for the purpose of hunting, long before the proprietors of the land could find ready purchasers for it. A cluster of settlers from Clark County settled here before 1820, and the central and most prominent figure in the group was Simon Gates. He was a man highly esteemed in those days of rough frontier life, but did not stay long after the country around him began to be thickly settled. His father, Simon Gates, Sr., owned sixty-one acres in Survey 5,506, and departed this life a few years after he immigrated to the township. Hale Winchester was one of these primitive pioneers. He, too, hailed from Clark County. His wife was Sybil Gates, a daughter of Simon Gates, Sr. He first occupied land on Blues Creek as a squatter but afterward purchased a small place and finally emigrated to the West. David Gallant, George Anthony, Nelson Emery and Henry Hulse were also among the earliest settlers on Blues Creek. They were all from Clark County, and some Years after they came to the township purchased land here. David Gallant married Phoebe, a daughter of Henry Gandy, raised a family, and then moved to the West. The wife of George Anthony was Mrs. Polly Shepherd, also a daughter of Henry Gandy. Mr. Anthony went West when hunting became poor in this vicinity. Emery Wilson married Selinda Brooks, and brought his family to Leesburg Township. He died here, and his family removed to the West. The wife of Henry Hulse was a sister to Emery Wilson. Culwell Williamson of Lynchburg, Va., early in this century purchased Survey 3,694, of 1,000 acres, 200 acres being reserved by the grantor for two Virginian local preachers-Revs. Munson and Denton--the reservation to be surveyed by Mr. Williamson. In 1811, he visited the land, riding horseback from Virginia. No white settlers were then near, but the woods were full of Indians. Mr. Williamson soon returned to Virginia, and twice again came to see the land before emigrating. In 1824, he gathered together his effects, and, placing them it, a four-horse wagon, bade farewell to Old Virginia, and, with his sister, Mrs. Jane Martin, a widow, her three children-Samuel, Culwell and Ann-and James and Nancy Oglesbie, a young nephew and niece began a wearisome journey to Ohio. Eight weeks were consumed on the trip. Procuring assistance from the Scioto River, the men coming before o'clock in the morning and working till late, in the one day the cabin was raised, clapboard roof placed over it and a door sawed out and hung in place. That night for the first time since they left Virginia, it rained; but there was shelter overhead. and the pattering rain-drops on the roof were music to their ears. This was the first settlement in the upper part of the township. The cabin stood on the farm now owned by O. Jewett, about one mile up Boke's Creek, from Magnetic Springs. Mr. Williamson was an old bachelor. By trade he was a carpenter. He surveyed his land into small tracts, and sold much of it to incoming settlers. Thomas Tanks purchased 100 acres soon after, in the southwest corner of the survey. Joseph Brannon, Henry Hulse and Isaac White each obtained 100acres, and Joseph White and Arad Franklin also became purchasers. Richard Hoskins bought the Rev. Denton 100 acres tract, and IN William Wells the Munson tract. Mr. Williamson died in 1828. Culwell Martin died in 1828. He had married Sophia "McCune in that year. Their only child, Culwell, is now living in Michigan. Samuel Martin married Sarah Pugh, of Marion County, and settled on 100 acres of the Williamson land. He remained on the farm through life for a time operated a mill on Bokes Creek, and died in 1854. His children were nine in number-Elizabeth, wife of Emery Newhouse; Ann, married to Levi Skeels, and residing in Kentucky; James; Thomas; Richard, deceased; Samuel, a lawyer at Eureka, Kan.; John, deceased; Llewellyn and Oliver B. PAGE 419 - BLANK PAGE 420 - PICTURE OF Stephen Cranston LEESBURG TOWNSHIP, - 421 Richard Hoskins was born in Franklin, Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1804; removed to Delaware County, and, in 1827, settled in Leesburg Township, on the 100 acre farm which Dr. Skidmore now owns, about a mile up Boke's Creek from Magnetic Springs. There was no clearing on the place when he settled there and the remainder of his life was spent upon this home farm, to which he became deeply attached. He was, well respected by his neighbors and his judgment and advice was always held in high esteem. In 1827, he married Ann H. Martin. Their marriage was blessed with a family of ten children, only four of whom survive, viz.: James M., proprietor of the Hoskins House, Magnetic Springs; Culwell; Ellen, wife of Ephraim D. Pitts; and Ann, the wife of James Leeper. Mr. Hoskins died in 1870. James Oglesbie was raised on the Williamson place. He married Ann Wells, the daughter of William Wells, and for a time engaged in farming in this township. He then sold out, and removed to Marysville, where he died. Nancy Oglesbie married William McAllister, and lived and died in Leesburg Township. Thomas Tunks settled in the township in 1825. He had formerly been a resident of Clark County. He first came out and built a cabin, living in the meantime in a rudely built camp. He then brought his family to his new wilderness home. Mr. Tunks was a farmer by education and occupation, and tilled the soil upon the place he first settled in this township for the remainder of his life. His wife was Ann Wallingsford; his children-Rachel, wife of Levi Spencer, a Missouri farmer; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of William McAllister; Allen, Levi, William, Thomas and Samuel. In 1825, Joseph White, Benjamin White, Arad Franklin and William Franklin started from their homes in Clark County to visit Bokes Creek, forty miles away, with the intention of settling there if a desirable location was found. They had but one horse. Arad Franklin was just recovering from a spell of sickness, and Joseph White was aged. These two alternately rode, while the others walked. They reached Newton, and remained there overnight. The next morning they traveled northward till they reached Bokes Creek, about eight miles above Pharisburg. From that point Joseph White returned to Newton with the horse. The of her three continued down the stream threading their way, as best they could, through the rough thickets, until they reached the place Thomas Tunks had purchased. He was there, with his boys, building a cabin. They stopped that night with him, and the next day started on their return journey. They were pleased with the country, and determined to locate here. Isaac White came out first, in February 1826. He was born in Pennsylvania, emigrated with his father, Joseph White to Clark County, and here married Jane Hulse. After his arrival in Leesburg, he pursued the even tenor of a farmer's life up to the date of his death, which resulted from typhoid fever. Joseph White was born near Winchester, Va., and when seven years old moved to Pennsylvania with a Mr. Tucker, and in his domicile grew to maturity. He then crossed the Ohio River and lived awhile on Short Creek, and from that place traversed westward to Harmony Township, Clark County, where he passed many years. While here, during the war of 1812, he served a short time at the Zanefield block-house, in Logan County., In 1826, when he moved to Leesburg Township, his children had grown up. Some of them accompanied him to his new home; others remained in Clark County. His three daughters, who settled in this township were Jane, Elizabeth, the wife of Bradford Wood, and Sarah, wife of Perry Eubanks. Mr. White passed his declining years here and died in the township. Arad Franklin was born December 9, 1802, in New York. He removed, 422 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. with his father, in November 1813, to Hamilton County, Ohio, and eight years later to Clark County. Here Arad married Nancy White, March 6, 1825, and in October 1826, packed his few household goods in a wagon, and, with his wife and infant child, made his way to the Culwell Williamson land. He purchased fifty-seven acres north of Bokes Creek, paying for it $2.50 per acre. He moved his family into the house of his father-in-law, Joseph White, and returned to Clark County to harvest his corn crop. During the ensuing winter, he built his cabin, and moved into it in February 1827. Mr. Franklin has ever since been a resident of the township, and though he is now eighty years old, is hale and hearty, and still active and busy with his farm duties. Henry Gandy, a Yankee from New Jersey originally, had settled in Darby Plains, and from that place came to Leesburg Township about 1827, and settled about two miles up Bokes Creek from Pharisburg, on the south side of the stream, in Survey 3,692, where he purchased 200 acres of land. He was an old man when he came, and had a family of children who had grown to maturity, and who settled in the same locality. Mr. Gandy had been twice, married. By his first marriage he had six children, four daughters and two sons -Abijah and George. By the second marriage he had three sons, Harris, Shepherd and John. He was a farmer by occupation, and died on the farm he settled on in this township. Abijah had married Rebecca Harris before he came to Leesburg; was a prominent and influential citizen, and lived and died here. His farm was just east of that of his father, and just west of the latter was the place of George Gandy, who afterward moved to Illinois. Shepherd occupied the home place after his father's decease, until he emigrated West, and John now occupies it. Ephraim Carey emigrated from Washington County, Penn., to near Marietta, Ohio, in 1796, and in 1801 near Plain City, in Madison County. In 1826, he came to Leesburg Township, arriving on le 16th day of December. He here spent the balance of his life. He died December 7, 1878, aged nearly eighty-nine years. He was long a member of the Presbyterian Church. About 1827, John Wood moved from Clark County to the place his son, Ingham Wood, now occupies, two miles above Pharisburg. He was well advanced in life when he came, and spent the remainder of his life here. About the same time. Alexander Elliott came from Clark County for the purpose of preparing a home for his family. He had contracted the disease called " milk sickness " before he came, and was just recovering from it. By too great application to the arduous labor that confronted him here in the wilderness, he suffered a relapse, and died at the residence of Abijah Gandy. His family afterward moved to the place. His son John now occupies it; his son Samuel has emigrated to the West. In 1826, Joseph Brannon moved, with a large family, to the township from Clark County, and settled on the south side of Bokes Creek, below Pharisburg. His wife was Jane Hulse, a sister to Henry Hulse. Mr. Brannon removed with his family to Illinois. David Bacon had come from Clark County prior to 1830. He was not a property holder, and first took a lease from Bradford Wood. Leasing was practiced to a large extent in early times. The terms of a lease then were usually different from contracts of this nature made now. No rent was paid by the tenant, nor a share of the farm products given, but the tenant, in consideration of the free use of a tract of land for a stipulated period, agreed to clear a given amount of land within that time and build a cabin. Ordinarily, a lease would provide for the erection of a cabin and clearing of twenty acres of timber, for which improvement the tenant was to have possession for ten LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 423 years. Mr. Bacon died in the township, and none of his family now reside here. His son Constant removed to Delaware County. William Borum, a genuine specimen of the rough frontiersman, tarried here for awhile, coming before 1830. Alexander Cowgill settled early on the site of Mineral Springs. He came from the Scioto River, in Delaware County. While there, he had served as a scout in the war of 1812. Mr. Cowgill remained here only a short time. He sold his landed estate in Leesburg Township to Samuel Barcus, and crossed the line into Claibourne Township, where he died. He had one son-George -and a family of girls. The following settlers were here in 1830. They had entered the township within a few years prior to that date. Abraham Elifritz; lived for a time on Blues Creek. Thomas Foreman settled on Bokes Creek, about three miles above Pharisburg. He was from Clark County, and after a residence here emigrated to Champaign County, Ill. Pierce Lamphere lived in the southern part of the township. He was quite an old man when he arrived. William McIntire became a settler on Blues Creek. He was from Clark County, and died not many years after he became a citizen of Leesburg. John Price made the first improvements on a farm on Blues Creek. He did not remain long, but in 1830 removed to Jackson Township. His brother, David Price, also changed his residence to Jackson Township. Ira Phelps was a resident on Blues Creek, but his abode here was transient. John Sovereign was for a time an occupant of land in Leesburg Township. He had formerly resided on Mill Creek, two miles below Marysville. Samuel Simpson was a settler from Clark County. His first wife was a daughter of Joseph Brannon. Mr. Simpson moved West, and, died in the summer of 1882. In addition to the foregoing settlers, in 1835 the following were also citizens of Leesburg Township: Deliverance Brown, Lorenzo D. Beebe, Matthias Collins, Robert P. Curby, Stephen Davis, Samuel Graham, Thomas Graham, Henry Goodrich, John Gamble, Robert Gamble Jonathan Jones, Samuel Lafferty, Thomas Lee, Hugh McAdaw, John McAllister, John Newhouse, Samuel Meek, Robert Maskill, William Mawhater, Alexander McConkey, Robert Pharis, James Sibold, Joseph Bellvile and Stephen Smith. There were, doubtless, others, whose names have not been obtained. A number of the above had settled in the township several years before 1835. Deliverance Brown built a cabin and lived with his family on Bokes Creek, about two miles above Pharisburg. He was considered one of the best hunters in the county, and was occupied most of the time in his favorite pursuit. He annually killed from seventy-five to one hundred deer. He finally sold out, when game could no longer be found, and sought a more congenial environment in the West. Lorenzo Beebe lived with his father-in-law, Daniel Reed, about a mile north of Pharisburg. They were Now England people, and in a few years both families moved West. Matthias Collins had come from Clark County to Union County, and for a time was a tavern keeper at Marysville. He then settled below Blues Creek, in the southern part of this township. He was an eccentric character, well informed and intelligent, but more theoretical than practical, and possessed of a number of queer ideas. His second wife was a sister of Simon Gates, Jr., and he moved West with him. Robert P. Curby brought his family from Warren County about 1834, and purchased a farm from Robert Pharis, situated on Bokes Creek, about one and a half miles above Pharisburg. He subsequently returned to Warren County. 424 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Stephen Davis hailed from somewhere in the East, He purchased and occupied a farm in the southwestern portion, and there remained with his family until his death. Samuel Graham was from Clark County, and, like many other early settlers, removed with his family to Illinois. Henry Goodrich owned a farm near Pharisburg, on which he died at a good old age. His family still lives there. John Gamble came with his family from Clark County, and settled near Blues Creek. He died here, and his sons sold out and moved away. Jonathan Jones lived on the north side of Boke's Creek, about one and a half miles above Pharisburg, Ho subsequently removed to Porter County, Ind., where his children now live. Samuel Lafferty, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Champaign County, and thence to Union County. He purchased and occupied a farm about a mile east from Pharisburg on the Delaware Pike, for awhile, then returned to Champaign County, and there died. Thomas Lee, in 1832, emigrated from Virginia to Clark County, and in 1833 settled on a hundred acre farm on Blues Creek. He raised a family of twelve children, and died in March 1864, aged seventy-three years. Hugh McAdaw settled about a mile northwest of Pharisburg. John McAllister came from Pickaway County, and settled on a farm in the woods in the eastern part of the township, where he died August 7, 1856, aged sixty-four years. His son, John McAllister, now lives there. Samuel Meek came from Coshocton County. He was an honest, somewhat singular man, quick to resent an insult. He built a mill on Bokes Creek, on leased land, and later removed to Illinois. Robert Maskill settled in the northwestern portion of the township, where he died. He came from Clark County. William Mawhater, who moved to the township from Coshocton County, purchased and took possession of a little farm in Survey 5,586. He afterward removed from the township. Alexander McConkey owned and occupied a farm in the same survey. He was from Clark County; returned there and then moved West. John Newhouse, in 1834, settled just north of the site of Magnetic Springs. He was born in Pickaway County in 1806; removed with his father to Delaware County in 1814, then settled in this township. He' remained on the farm until 1881, when he removed to Magnetic Springs, and is now a resident of that place. Robert Pharis purchased Survey 3,693, of 1,000 acres, and immigrated to it from the East prior to 1835, He was a shrewd Yankee, successful in business and prominent in local public affairs. His sons, Samuel, Joel. Martin and two younger children also came West and settled on this survey. Samuel and Joel were well educated men. Robert Pharis died shortly before 1848, and the family moved farther West. In 1833, Joseph Bellville, from Belmont County, settled on the farm on Blues Creek, which his son Sylvanus now owns. Joseph died here in 1863. He had twelve children, ton of whom are now living, but widely scattered through Ohio, Michigan and Iowa. His wife, Sarah, died in 1882, aged eighty seven years, One of the earliest schools was taught in a log schoolhouse, about a half mile south of Pharisburg, by Samuel Pharis. Naomi Carney was another early teacher of this school. There were, doubtless, several small schools in the early Blues Crook settlement, but nothing is known of them. MAGNETIC SPRINGS. Magnetic Springs is the title that has been bestowed upon a village of recent but vigorous growth, located in the northern part of Survey 3,696, in a bond on the south side of Boke's Creek. Its existence is due to the discovery LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 425 there of mineral waters, possessing strong medicinal properties, and its population consists largely of invalids or persons in broken health, who have come to test and prove the efficacy of nature's remedy, stored in the free, gushing springs of water in this vicinity. The principal part of the village all lying west of the pike-was covered with forest trees, until, perhaps, eighteen years ago. J. W. Hoskins then built a cabin here, and cleared off the greater portion of the timber. In 1872, J. E. Newhouse having purchased the site of Magnetic Springs, started a nursery and garden, which supplied the surrounding farmers for many miles with grapevines and other nursery products. The travel to and from his place was considerable, and the mud road, in bad weather, was almost impassable. He petitioned the Commissioners for a pike, and offered to donate the gravel for two miles of the road, from a fine bed of gravel on the place. The gravel road was built, and the material for four and a half miles of road dug from the pit. Intent on utilizing the cavity thus made in his field, he requested the Commissioners that the surface soil be not thrown back into the hollow as the gravel was removed, as he designed converting it into a fish pond. For the purpose of supplying the pond with water, in April 1879, he sunk a well, sixty-eight feet deep, close by, without reaching rock, and was about to abandon the undertaking as fruitless when the water gushed out from the opening, forming a pretty fountain. The sight was a novel one in this vicinity, and many came to see it, arid naturally partook of the stream. Several who were afflicted with kidney difficulties experienced relief, and it was not long until wonderful stories of the healing powers of the water were circulated abroad, and the water was carried off by hundreds of gallons. In the autumn of 1878, M. F. Langstaff had become the partner of Mr. Newhouse in the nursery business, and after the interest in the fountain was aroused they built a bathhouse near the fountain for the benefit of those who wished its use. A number of persons desired lots, and for their accommodation, November 24 and 25, 1879, fifty in-lots and five blocks were surveyed by F. A Gartner for J. E. Newhouse and Duncan and Matilda McLean, the latter two having purchased Mr. Langstaffs interest. The additions to the village have been as follows: N. D. Degood's Addition, consisting of twenty. four inlots (51-74), comprising about five and one sixth acres, situated south of the original site, was surveyed by F. A. Gartner, March 31, 1880; N. D. Degood's Second Addition, twenty-five lots (75-99), was surveyed by F. A. Gartner March 3, 1881; H. C. Hoskins' Addition of thirteen lots (100-112), was surveyed May 6, 1881. by J. Van Pearse; James E. McBride's Addition of fourteen lots (113-126), was surveyed July 1, 1881, by J. Van Pearse. The residence of Mr. Newhouse was the only building in the village west of the pike, in 1879. In 1880, about a dozen houses were erected, and there are now over one hundred. A considerable portion of the population is floating. It varies from three hundred to five hundred. John Smith was appointed Postmaster in the spring of 1880, and still retains the office. He started the first grocery. The first dry goods store was opened by A. L. Smith & Sons, of Richwood, in the spring of 1881. There are now two dry goods stores, owned respectively by Buffington Lynn and Hill & Jolliff. The latter firm purchased the stock of Smith &, Sons. There are also in the village two groceries, L. Roley and John Smith; one hardware store. Bee & Murphy: one drug store, Dr. H. McFadden; one jeweler store, Ramey & Son; a billiard hall, bakery and restaurant, photograph gallery, meat market, extensive livery establishment, owned by Mickey & Trickey, a shoe, and a blacksmith shop. For the accommodation of the afflicted who resort to the village, and the 426 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. traveling public generally, there are three good hotels and quite a number of boarding houses. The Fountain House was built by M. F. Langstaff, in 1880. It was the first building erected in that year. Mr. Langstaff sold it to A. Thompson, and it has subsequently been leased to Mr. Hill, the present host. The erection of the Park House was begun in 1880 and completed in 1881. It is an imposing and spacious three story frame structure, 52x80, the largest building in the village. Morgan Savage and A. W. Robinson, the builders, still own it. The latter is proprietor of the hotel. The Hoskins House was commenced in 1881, and finished the spring following. J. M. Hoskins is proprietor. From fifty to three hundred guests are registered constantly at the hotels and stopping at private boarding houses, and they tax to the utmost the capacity of the village for hospitality. Indications point to the erection of two large hotels during the summer of 1883, one of them by W. M. Murphy & Son, of Cleveland. They have purchased a very desirable site for a building of this kind, and in the autumn of 1882 were engaged in sinking an artesian well to a great depth, with a view to supplying the proposed hotel with water. In November, a depth of 700 feet was reached, and the work still progressing. The water rose to within a foot of the surface, but a flow had not yet been attained. A frame schoolhouse was built in 1882, the first one in the village, and O. C. Degood was the teacher during the ensuing winter. There are no church edifices yet erected, but a Methodist society has been organized, and efforts will soon be put forth to secure a house of worship. The class is yet small Rev. Jagger preaches to it. Two physicians, Drs. McFadden and S. S. Skidmore are resident practitioners. The dwelling houses are far above the average in villages of the same size, for neat and attractive appearance. A large bath house has lately been constructed, which is supplied with water by a twelve-horse power engine. The park grounds, including the springs, lake, bath house, cottages and two hotels, comprise seven acres, and are owned by Newhouse, McLean & Co. In all directions from the first well that was sunk, outside of a radius of probably one hundred feet, limestone rock exists from thirteen to thirty feet below the surface, while at the spring, at the depth of seventy-seven feet, no rock was encountered. This deep pocket from which the mineral magnetic water arises, below the depth of thirty feet is filled with a reddish substance resembling hard clay for thirty feet, and below it is a gray-colored substance of similar composition. An analysis of this water, made by Prof. E. S. Wayne, of Cincinnati, shows the following Solid contents of one gallon of the water, 44,897 grains, composed of Chloride of sodium 0.789 grains. Sulphate of potassa 0.223 grains. Sulphate of sodium 0.416 grains. Sulphate of lime 3.271 grains. Sulphate of magnesia 2.304 grains. Bi-carbonate of lime 19.201 grains. Bicarbonate of magnesia 17.614 grains. Bicarbonate of iron 0.153 grains. Alumina 0.115 grains. Silica 0.242 grains. Organic matter 0.569 grains. Total 44.897 grains. It also possesses high magnetic properties, and it is said that a knife blade held in it for a few moments becomes so highly charged that a nail may be lifted by it. Throe other springs are said to possess curative powers, each of them LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 427 having distinct mineral. ingredients. One of them, a sulphur spring, is located about a mile southeast of the village; a spacious avenue has just been opened to it. A park of fourteen acres has been purchased, including a grove. It is proposed to erect here, during the summer of 1883, a large hotel and a number of cottages, and to connect it with the village by a street-car line. PHARISBURG. Pharisburg was surveyed by William B. Irvin July 21, 1847, and the plat acknowledged May 25, 1848, by the proprietor, Allen Pharis, administrator of Robert Pharis, deceased. It contained forty-five lots, including ten acres and sixty-two poles. Its location, near the southeast corner of Survey 3,693, and near the center of the township, had previously been known as " Scott's Corners." The residence of Samuel Pharis, a large, two-story, hawed log house, stood on the site when the plat was made, and Francis Scott soon after built a frame house west of the road, running north and south. Merilla Cameron, a young Kentuckian, sold the first goods here. He brought them before the village was laid out and operated the store only a year or two. Not long after the discontinuance of this store. Mr. J. Reed opened a general stock of goods, and did business for some time. Matilda Chiggage taught the first school. Thomas Barcus was the first Postmaster. Benjamin Welch, Samuel Kirk, S. A. Turks, Benjamin Welch again and A. B. Stricker have been his successors. Dr. McClaskey, of Pennsylvania, was the first physician. In the spring of 1856, Dr. M. Thompson entered on a practice which was continued twelve years. Dr. H. McFadden came about 1867. Dr. Henry Vigor soon after practiced for a few years. Dr. R. A. Gray was here only a short time. Dr. S. S. Skidmore, in the spring of 1882, closed in part for practice of about ton years' duration, by removing to Magnetic Springs. He was succeeded at Pharisburg by Dr. 0. J. Skidmore. Dr. Samuel Breese settled in the village about 1869, and practiced till his death in March, 1881. At present there are three stores at Pharisburg, owned respectively by A. B. Stricker, A. G. McAdow and William Hayes. There are two blacksmith shops and nearly two hundred people. A new schoolhouse has just been erected, and a township graded high school, the first ever held, is in operation, with S. W. Van Winkle as teacher. Pharisburg Lodge, No. 664, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 13, 1877. The first officers were E. A. Bell, N. G.; J. R. Taylor, V. G.; A. B. Stricker, Rec. Sec., J. A. Hoskins, Per. Sec.; Heman Hickok, Treas. Besides these, the charter members were J. W. Hall, Lemuel Langstaff, J. S. Mallory, R. H. White and R Mayfield. The present membership is fifty nine. The present officers are J. T. Clevinger, N. G.; O. C. Trickey, V. G.; Lee W. Burkopile, Rec. See.; R. H. White. Per. See.; R. Mayfield, Tress. Meetings are hold every Saturday evening. The lodge owns a half interest in the second story hall in which it meets. Three deaths have occurred in the lodge since its organization. The deceased are David Burkopile, R. P. Clevinger and A. J. Hartman. The Daughter of Rebekah, Pharisburg Lodge, was instituted May 15, 1879. The first officers were Elizabeth Hoskins. N. G.; Emma Langstaff, V. G.; Maggie Stricker, Rec. See.; Emma Taylor, Fin. See.; Elizabeth Green, Treasurer. The other original members were Mattie White, Mary Hickok, Mary Gandy, Mary Rinehart, Mary Clevinger, Lola Hoskins, Anna A. Langstaff, Rosalinde Mayfield and Bell Green. The membership is now about forty. The regular meetings are held every Wednesday on or before the full moon. 428 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. Leesburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 372, was granted a dispensation January 9, 1874, and chartered May 26, 1874. The hall was built by a joint-stock company of its members. This company still owns the lower floor, but the upper story is the joint property of the Grange and the Odd Fellows lodge. The present membership is about forty; Jeremiah Rinehart is Master, and Josephus Brannon, Overseer. Regular meetings are held every Wednesday afternoon on or before the full moon. The Methodist Protestant Church at Pharisburg is a large, substantial frame structure, which was dedicated July 4, 1875, by Rev. Alexander Clark, of Pittsburgh, Penn. The church is well finished and surmounted by a bell. Its total cost was about $2,500. The old frame church, in use before the present one was erected, is still standing. It was built about 1850. The society was organized some time before this latter date, and hold its meetings in private houses for awhile, and then in the schoolhouse north of Boke's Creek. Early and prominent members were Alexander McKonkey, the Laffertys, Abraham Blackburn, Julius A. Bell and Julia his wife, Harvey Skeels, Benjamin W. Welch and his wife Elizabeth, and J. H. Langstaff and his wife Catharine. Revs. O. P. Stephens and Sanford Flood were early ministers. Rev. W. M. Creamer is the present pastor. The membership is not so strong as it has been in past times. A Sabbath school is maintained throughout the year. A Universalist Church was organized here, and a church built about twenty-five years ago, but the society continued in active operation only a few years. Isaac Zane, Stephen Davis, Amasa Rosencrantz and Abijah Gandy were included in its membership. Revs. Arlin Gass and Waite administered to the congregation. The Pharisburg Universalist Church was organized in August 1879, at the Methodist Protestant Church, by Rev. Mrs. Letta D. Crosley, who has since been pastor. The society began with only a few members, and has now increased to about forty. Among the early members were George W. Cary and wife, William Foster and wife, John Gandy and wife, Jasper Cary and. wife, John Elliott and wife. Lester Webster and wife, George Hill and wife, Othneil Jewett and Andrew Hartman. Services are bold once a month in the Methodist Protestant Church. Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1830, at the house of Samuel Martin. It began with a very limited membership, consisting chiefly of the Martin family and Culwell Williamson. A hewed log church, located about one and one fourth miles northeast of Pharisburg, was built and served as the house of worship till the present frame building was erected. A protracted. meeting was conducted by Rev. Longfellow about 1858, which resulted in a great increase of members. The church has since been weakened from a variety of causes, and at present there are no regular services. In Hildreth's Schoolhouse, west of Pharisburg, a Christian, or " New Light," society was organized several years ago. Rev. Shirk hold services there for some time, and Rev. Hurd has been preaching for several years, The society is gaining in strength. David Hildreth, Albert Gardner, Emanuel Shinnaman and Daniel Burkopile are members. A Sunday school is conducted during the summer. Blues Creek Christian, or " New Light." Church, located on the Marysville & Pharisburg pike, is the home of a small society, which was organized in 1833 or 1834. About that time, a log meeting house was built, about a half mile south of the present church, on the farm now owned by Ira Phelps. Joseph and Sarah Bellville, Hale Winchester, Jonathan and Polly Brooks, Thomas and Anna Lee, Mr. Spurgeon and wife and Mrs. Hannah Phelps were Page 429 - Blank Page 430 - Picture of Henry Fox LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 431 early members. Elders Ashley and Barber were pioneer preachers. They were succeeded by Elder John McInturf, who was a powerful preacher and a well beloved pastor. The old log church subserved its purpose until 1861. The present edifice was then constructed, on a lot donated to the society by Jacob Lee. It was dedicated, in October 1861, by Elder Daniel Long, an aged and revered minister of the church. At that time, Nicholas Bellville, Robert Lee and Thomas Lee were prominent members. The Christian society formed recently in a schoolhouse just west of Pharisburg drew its membership largely from the Blue's Creek congregation. Owing to this, and to deaths and removals, the numerical strength of the church has been weakened. It once numbered eighty, but now scarcely more than one-fourth that number. Elder William Webb, in 1868 and 1869, conducted a revival, which resulted in thirty-six accessions to the church in one year, and many during the next. Elder Lure was the pastor last year. At present there is no settled minister, but Elder Kerris has been supplying the church in this capacity. The Sabbath school, which has been held for many years, is very successful. It was superintended last year by Eli Hildebrand. In the extreme southern edge of Leesburg Township, near the southwest corner of Survey 5,870, is a frame meeting house called Ryan's Chapel, the property of a Methodist society that worships here. It received its name from James Ryan, a local minister of Dover Township. A Methodist Church, known as Mount Harmon, formerly existed about three miles south of Ryan's Chapel. After the village of Dover attained some importance, many of the members of Mount Harmon, who resided in Dover, wished the place of meeting changed to the village. Those members who resided north of the church were unwilling that the church be removed. A compromise was effected by dividing the membership, and each of the two divisions obtained a church centrally and favorably located. The northern portion of the old congregation erected Ryan's Chapel, during the spring and summer of 1868. Lewis White, of Dover, was the contractor. During the winter preceding its erection, a protracted series of meetings were conducted in the schoolhouse, about three fourths of a mile north of the church by Rev. Isaiah Henderson. Many conversions were made, and the interest which was aroused led to the building of the church. George Montgomery, John Montgomery, William, John, Samuel and William H. Bonnett, Thomas Kindel, Louis White and Jesse Carpenter were prominent members. Rev. Waters, of Delaware, dedicated the church. The membership was once strong, and now exceeds thirty. Rev. Jaggers is the pastor in charge, holding services each alternate Sabbath. The congregation forms apart of the Dover Circuit. Besides these two charges, Ostrander and Millville churches are included in the circuit. A Sabbath school is regularly maintained during the summer and sometimes is continued through the winter. Union Chapel is a substantial, neat, brick edifice, 28x38 feet in dimensions, located in the extreme eastern part of the township, on the Delaware & Bellefontaine pike. It is the joint property of two religious societies, a Christian Union and a Disciple congregation, which worship here separately, and was erected by them in 1872, at a cost of about $1,300. The property is controlled by five Trustees, two of whom are chosen by each congregation, and the fifth, who holds the deeds of the property, is selected by the four so chosen, and is to be a member of neither church. The land for the building was donated to the two societies by John McAllister. The church was dedicated by Rev. John Clise, a Christian Union minister, then of Columbus, Ohio. The Christian Union society, known as the Beech Grove congregation, 432 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY. had its origin in 1863. A number of the members of the Methodist Episcopal and of the Methodist Protestant Churches, who were dissatisfied with the political character of the public services held there, ceased to attend; but soon realizing the need of religious exercises, they formed a class, independent of any denomination, and met in the Beech Grove Schoolhouse for prayer meetings. This class consisted originally of about sixteen members and, as nearly as can be ascertained, included the names of Richard Hoskins and wife, Abram Hall and wife, Arad Franklin and wife, Benjamin Long and wife, Sarah Hickok, John Manuel, Richard Peters and wife, Jane and Nancy Franklin and Jacob Hoskins and wife. After a little while, the services of Rev. Samuel Hall, an Independent Baptist minister, were procured; he preached to the society for six months. When the sect known as the Christian Union Church was organized, this independent society joined it. Rev. Roscellus Gates was the first Christian Union minister in charge. He entered upon his pastoral duties in 1864, and remained with the congregation two years. The services were held in the schoolhouse until the erection of Union Chapel. Among the ministers who have served this society are Revs. Jacob Hoskins, Durant, of Westerville, Lacey, Levi Ely, Hannawalt, Racey and Baker. The circuit to which it belongs comprises four charges besides this on -Millville, Scioto Valley, Liberty and New Salem. Of these, the first three are in Delaware County; the last one is in Franklin County. The membership of Beech Grove numbers about thirty. Until the Sabbath school was organized at Mineral Springs, a year or two ago, one was regularly maintained in this church. The Disciple congregation that meets here was formed by the union of two Similar societies, both of which were in Delaware County. One was known as the Money Church, in Thompson Township, the other worshiped in a schoolhouse in Scioto Township. After they united, services were hold in a Delaware County Schoolhouse, until Union Chapel was erected. At that time there were very few members besides John McAllister from this township, but a number have afterward entered the township and joined the society. The membership at present is not very strong. Rev. Call was pastor when the church was built. Rev. Moss is the minister now in charge. CEMETERIES. The first burial place in Leesburg Township, was on Joseph Brannon's farm, half a mile east of Pharisburg. Quite a number of early Settlers were buried here, among them Alexander Elliott. The place is no longer used as a public graveyard. Before it was set apart for this purpose, the Decker graveyard, in Delaware County, was used. Connected with the Hopewell Church is a burying-ground, where the remains of many early residents of the northern portion of the township repose. It is still a public cemetery. The McAllister graveyard, at Union Chapel, is not so large. It has been in use for thirty or more years. Close by an old log Presbyterian Church, which was located in the Southwestern part of the township, was a cemetery, which has also ceased to be used for this purpose. Another, south of Blues Creek, on the farm of William Scott, was known as Scott's Graveyard. MILLS. Nathan Meek, between the years 1832 and 1833, constructed a mill known as a "corn cracker," on Boke's Creek, about a mile below Pharisburg, which had a capacity of from twelve to forty bushels of corn per day. The mill-stones, about twenty inches in diameter are still in use in the steam mill LEESBURG TOWNSHIP. - 433 at Pharisburg. An upright saw was attached to the mill, and, as civilization grow apace with the development of the settlements and the need of lumber was felt in the community, this mill supplied the primitive farmers with this commodity. It stood on the farm of Samuel Martin, and was sold by Mr. Meek to him. George Barcus afterward became the possessor, and from him Arad Franklin leased and operated it for three years. Mr. Witsbaugh next purchased it, but its period of usefulness had about expired, and little work was done after it came under his control. After disposing of the above mill, Mr. Meek built another, on the farm of John Woods, about one and three-fourths miles above Pharisburg. He sold it to John Warner, and in a few years it, too, was abandoned. Ingham Woods and John Elliott afterward built a saw mill, a little farther up Bokes Creek, on the same farm. A long race was dug, but by a mistake of the millwright a fall of only three feet was obtained where nine had been expected. This was insufficient to give any value to the mill, and, after a considerable expense, the mill project was abandoned. In earliest times, the Scioto and Darby Creek mills, and one on Buck Creek, in Champaign County, were patronized by the denizens of Leesburg. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)