THE


HISTORY


OF


WARREN COUNTY,


OHIO,


CONTAINING


A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ; ITS TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES

ETC. ; GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS ; PORTRAITS OF EARLY

SETTLERS AND PROMINENT MEN ; HISTORY OF THE NORTH-

WEST TERRITORY ; HISTORY OF OHIO ; MAP OF

WARREN COUNTY ; CONSTITUTION OF THE

UNITED STATES, MISCELLANEOUS

MATTERS, ETC,, ETC,


ILLUSTRATED


CHICAGO:

W. H. BEERS & CO.

1881



WARREN COUNTY COURT HOUSE







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PREFACE.


THE generation of hardy men who first settled the region comprising Warren County has nearly all passed away. The names and deeds of those who encountered the perils of Indian warfare, endured the privations of pioneer life, and, with rifles by their sides, cleared away the giants of the forest and rescued from savages and wild beasts the beautiful lands the present generation possesses in peace, should not be forgotten. It is the purpose of this volume to give the history of their achievements, and to record the growth and development of this county, that the present and future generations may know something of what it cost to give them this fair land, and who were the brave men and noble women who converted a wilderness into the smiling region we now behold.


The volume has been prepared in strict accordance with the announcements made in the prospectus issued more than a year ago. The publishers have been fortunate in securing the services of efficient and painstaking local historians. The general county history was prepared by Josiah Morrow, the author of the Centennial Historical Sketch of Warren County, deposited in the Library of Congress, who has devoted much time and study to the subject. The township histories contained in Part IV are designed to chronicle the annals of each neighborhood, thus rescuing from oblivion much interesting and valuable historical matter that otherwise would be lost through the death of early settlers and the ravages of time. The historians of the townships, whose names appear at the head of their articles, are either residents or natives of the respective townships whose history they write, and were selected on account of their fitness for the work.

The biographical sketches in Part V were Prepared, for the most part, by the canvassing agents of the publishers. The personal and family histories given in these sketches may be found in succeeding years to possess an interest and value which will cause the book to be much sought after by explorers in genealogies and pedigrees. The study of family history is not for the purpose of ministering to an aristocratic pride; it is per rectly consistent with democratic simplicity and Christian humility. It is not necessary to have noble blood in our veins to give us an intelligent interest in our ancestral relations. The man of science and the general historian may well concern themselves with the pedigrees of a people. It is desirable that the genealogical story of at least every


iv - PREFACE.


old and long-settled family in each county should be recorded, in a form both permanent and readily accessible.


This volume is believed to contain a larger and more varied amount of historical materials than was ever before embodied in a history of a county of the State of Ohio ; but he who expects to find it entirely free from errors or defects has little knowledge of the difficulties attending the preparation of a work of this kind. To procure its materials, its compilers have explored many hundred pages of manuscripts and written records. In some cases, it was necessary to reconcile contradictory statements. Some errors are unavoidable. The publishers trust that the book will be received in that generous spirit which is gratified at honest and conscientious efforts, and not in that captions spirit which refuses to be satisfied short of unattainable perfection.

To the county officers, town and township officers, and many intelligent citizens of Warren County, the publishers are indebted for favors and generous assistance in the preparation of the work.


THE PUBLISHERS.



CONTENTS.


PART I.


HISTORY OF THE NORTH WEST TERRITORY.


 

PAGE

 

PAGE

 

PAGE

Geographical Position

Early Explorations

Discovery of the Ohio

19

20

32

English Explorations and Settlem’ts

American Settlements

Division of the Northwest Territory

34

69

65

Tecumseh and the War of 1812

Black Hawk and the Black Hawk War

69


73


PART II.

 

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

 


 

PAGE

 

PAGE

 

PAGE

History of Ohio

French History

Ordinance of 1787, No. 32

The War of 1812

Banking

The Canal System

Ohio Land Tracts

Improvements

State Boundaries

93

96

105

122

126

128

129

132

136

Organization of Counties

Description of Counties

Early Events

Governors of Ohio

Ancient Works

Some General Characteristics

Outline Geology of Ohio

Ohio's Rank During the War

137

137

137

160

174

177

179

182

A Brief Mention of Prominent Ohio Generals

Some Discussed Subjects 

Conclusion.

Comments upon the Ordinance of 1787, from the Statutes of Ohio, Edited by Salmon P. Chase, and Published in the year 1833

191


196

200




204

 

PART III.

 

HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

Preface 

CHAPTER I.—ORGANIZATION AND

BOUNDARIES

Hamilton County

Illinois and Botetourt Counties

Act of March 24, 1803

Act of January 30, 1815

CHAPTER II—THE INDIAN OWNERS

Little Turtle Quoted

Indian Mode of Life.

Gen. Harrison on Indian Character

Extinguishment of Indian Titles

CHAPTER III.—EXPLORATIONS— SURVEYS—LAND GRANTS

Christopher Gist

O'Bannon and Fox.

Mej. Be. jamin Stites

Symmes' Land Speculation.

Adventures of Early Surveying Parties

Method of Survey

Numbering of Sections

Virginia Military Lands

Symmes' Patent

Ministerial Sections

School Sections

Military Range

Forfeitures

Congress Lands

Pre-empted Lands

Chain of Land Titles 

CHAPTER IV.—PIONEER HISTORY

Stations for Defense Against the Indians

Premiums for Indian Scalps

First Settlements

Rapid Growth of the County

States from which the Settlers Came

Prices and Commercial Intercourse

Friendly Indians

Earry Mills

Deerfield Township, Hamilton County

Early Elections

Members of the Territorial Legislature

Members of the Constitutional Convention

Pioneer Life.

Clearing of the Land

Dwellings and Furniture

Wearing Apparel

Horseback Travel

Horse Thieves

Copper Distilleries

Character of the Pioneers

The Backwoods Age not a Golden Age

Josiah Espy Quoted

The Primitive Forests

214


215

215

216

216

217

218

219

220

221

221

223

223

223

223

224

227

228

229

230

231

231

231

232

232

233

233

233

237

237

239

240

241

242

243

243

244

244

247

247

248

249

249

249

250

250

251

251

252

252

253

253

Streams

Wild Animals

Premiums for Wolf and Squirrel Scalps

Snakes and Leeches

Bear Hunt Described

CHAPTER V.—EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES

First Teachers and Schoolhouses

Francis Glass

Pioneer Preaching

The Baptist Church

The Methodist Episcopal Church

The Presbyterian Church

The Great Revival of 1801

Rev. Richard McNemar

The Jerks and Other Nervous Disorders

Scenes of Religious Tumult

First Visit of Shaker Missionaries

Presbyterians become Shakers

CHAPTER VI.—GENERAL PROGRESS

First Official Business

First Court and Grand Jury

First Petit Jury

First Financial Exhibit

Seat of Justice

First Jail

First Court House

Second Jail

Third Jail

Second Court House

Fourth Jail

Infirmary

Orphan Asylum and Children's Home

Roads.

Turnpikes

Canals—Warren County Canal

Little Miami Canal and Banking Company

Railways

First Excursion Train on Little

Miami Railroad

Post Offices

257

258

258

259

259

261

261

262

262

263

264

264

267

268

269

271

272

273

274

274

274

277

278

279

279

280

280

280

281

281

282

282

283

287

287

289

289


290

292

 

v - CONTENTS.

 

CONTENTS - vi

 

HISTORY- OF WARREN COUNTY—Continued.

 

 

The Bench and the Bar

Lists of Lawyers in 1830 and 1840

Lawyers' Fees and Judges' Salaries

Opposition to the Code

List of Judges

The Medical Profession

Lists of Physicians in 1830 and 1840

Medical Censors

De Samuel Thompson’s Botanic System

Lebanon Medical Society

The Newspaper Press

Education

Teachers' Institutes

Religion in the Common Schools

County School Examiners

Religion

Changes in Worship and Belief

Sunday School

Agriculture

Horses

Cattle—Sheep

Swine—Poland-China Breed

Review of Agriculture in 1849

County Agricultural Society

County Horticultural Society

Growth of Population and Wealth

Value of Real Estate

Politics

Nominating Candidates

Campaign of 1840

Statistics of Votes

294

298

299

299

300

300

303

304

304

367

309

311

312

313

313

314

318

319

320

321

322

323

324

328

328

330

333

337

338

339

340

CHAPTER VII.—MILITARY HISTORY

The Militia Muster

Corwin's Reply to Gen. Crary

The War of 1812

The Wagoner Boy

Shakers Drafted

The Mexican War

Corwin's Speech

The Civil War

CHAPTER VIII.—THE DISTINGUISHED DEAD

Robert Benham

Francis Dunlevy

Jeremrah Morrow

Matthias Corwin

Joshua Collett

John McLean

Thomas R. Ross

Thomas Corwin

George J. Smith

Joseph Whitehill

John Probasco, Jr

J. Milton Williams

George Healing

Ephraim Kibby

John Bigger

William S. Schenck

Michael H. Johnson

Thomas B. Van Horne

CHAPTER IX. — PHYSIOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES

Topography

Table of Elevations

Climate

Geology

342

342

343

343

347

347

348

348

349

353

353

357

360

367

369

370

371

372

379

382

383

387

388

389

390

391

391

392

393

393

397

397

398

Bowlders and Fossils

Antiquities

Fort Ancient

Fort of Burnt Earth

Archaeological Relics

Opening of a Mound

CHAPTER X.—HISTORICAL. NOTES AND COLLECTIONS

Routes of Expeditions Against the Indians

Col. John Bowman's Expedition

Gen. George R. Clark's First Expedition

Gen. George R. Clarkls Second Expedition

Gen. Josiah Harmar's Route

Journey Through Warren County in 1797

Pilgrims of 1818

Visit of Gov. De Witt Clinton.

Visit of the Duke of Saxe-Wermar

Butler and Warren Pioneer Association

Towns Laid Out

Eaton Township (Extinct)

CHAPTER XI. LIST OF OFFICERS

Recorders--Sheriffs—Prosecuting Attorneys

Auditors—Crerks—Treasurers

County Commissioners

Associate Judges--Probate Judges

Members of the Legislature

Members of the Constitutional Convention, etc

400

401

401

402

403

404

407

407

407

408

410

410

411

413

414

418

419

419

420

421

421

422

423

424

424

429

PART IV.


TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.

TURTLE CREEK TOWNSHIP

Organization

Early Settlement

Two Indians Killed on Turtle Creek

Shaker Swamp

Shakers of Union Village

Mobs against the Shakers

Visit to Union Village in 1811

Shaker Events

Lebanon

Site of Miami University

Postmasters—Telegraph

Fire Department

Public Ground

The Old Town Hall

Washington Hall

The Public Hall

The Lecture System

Fourth of July Celebration

Industrial Interests

Printing and Publishing

The First Bank

Mason's Prices, 1815

Industrial Establishments, 1839

An Eccentric Character

Cemeteries

Schools of Lebanon

National Normar University

Churches

Societies

Womenls Anti-Liquor Crusade

County Seat Contest, 1879

Efforts of Lebanon to obtain a Railroad

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

Early Settlements

Manufactures

Ancient Remains

New Jersey Presbyterian Church

Old-School Baptist Church

Carlisle Station

The Town of Franklin

433

490

434

440

441

442

442

446

448

449

451

452

452

455

457

457

458

460

461

465

467

468

469

470

470

471

477

480

487

501

505

507

508

509

509

512

512

515

517

518

518

Officers of Franklin

Protection from Fire

Public Buildings

Schools

Churches

Prominent Buildings

Canal and Railroad

Franklin Hydraulic and Mills

Prominent Men

Y. M. C. A. end Library

Temperance Movements

Grain Elevators

Newspapers

In the War

Cemetery, Hotels

Secret Societies

List of Township Officers

WAYNE TOWNSHIP

Contract of Symmes, Smith, Heighway and Banes

Agreement of Smith, Heighway and Banes

Samuel Heighway's Journey to Waynesville

Religious Societies

Schools, Physicians

Taverns

Distilleries, Industries

Bridges, Stores

Prices of Land

Marriages

Some Early Settlers

Mills

Officers

Towns

Concluding Notes

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP

Situation and Organization

List Township Officers

Schools

Churches

Societies

In the War

520

526

527

528

529

532

535

535

539

542

545

546

547

547

548

548

549

555

555

557

557

568

570

571

572

575

576

577

579

581

582

585

586

587

587

589

593

594

595

597

Manufactures

POEM Offices and Roads

Early Settlers

Incidents

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP

Land Entries

Early Settlements

Georogy and Topography

Roads

Schools

Maineville Academy

Members of Board of Education

Early Manufactures

Early Graveyards

Miscellaneous Reminiscences.

Township Officers

War of 1812 and Mexican War

War of the Rebellion

Post Offices—Villages

Maineville

M. E. Church at Boar

Maineville M. E. Church

Maineville Free - Will Baptist Church

Hopkinsville United Presbyterian Church

Bethel Presbyterian Church

Bethel Temperance Society

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP

Topography

Early Settlements

Township Officers

Roads

Churches

Schools

Societies

Mills and Distilleries

Graveyards

Politics

The War Record

Towns

MASSIE TOWNSHIP

Location of Land Warrants

597

598

598

603

604

605

606

608

609

610

611

612

613

614

615

615

617

617

618

621

623

623

623

624

624

629

630

630

631

634

636

639

640

641

642

642

643

643

644

647

647

 

 

 

CONTENTS - VII

Organization

Early Settlers

Churches

Industires

Harveysburg

Dr. Jesse Harvey

SALEM TOWNSHIP 

Organization

Land Warrants

Settlements

Justices of the Peace

Churches

Roachester

Frederickburg

Millgrove

Morrow

Col. Thomas Worthington

E. D. Mansfield

HARLAN TOWNSHIP

648

650

651

652

652

654

660

660

661

662

665

665

667

667

667

668

669

669

671

Organization

Ancient Remains

Early Roads

Towns and Villages

Religious Denominations

Societies

Earry Elections

Early Settlements

Justices of the Peace

Township Officers

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

Topography

Ancient Works

Wild Animals—Game

Timber—Indians

Early Settlements

Incidents

Sketch of William Smalley

Organization and Records

671

672

673

674

678

679

680

680

683

684

685

685

686

686

687

687

696

697

698

Roads

Churches

Cemeteries

Schools

Villages

War Record

UNION TOWNSHIP

Organization

Early Settlements

Deerfield laid out

Description of the Miami Woods

First Methodist Sermon

The Stites Family

Mills

Churches

Justices of the Peace

Ancient Works

The Roosa Murder

703

704

706

706

707

709

710

710

710

711

714

714

714

715

716

716

717

717

PORTRAITS

Jeremiah Morrow (deceased)

J. W. Keys

A. G. McBurney

Alfred Holbrook

I. H. Harris

Benjamin A. Stokes

S. S. Harnes

Henry Dilatush

1saac K. Steddom

Davis Furnas

T. C. Kersey, M. D

S. R. Crane

W. C. Lewis

T M Wales

John E. Hey

Davrd Graham.

Charres F. Chapman

115

134

151

170

187

206

211

226

235

246

255

266

276

286

295

306

315

Job Mullin

Aron Wilson

John Drake

John Perrino

James Perrino (deceased)

David Brown (deceased)

Samuel Harrrs

D. M. Worrey

Nathan Keever (deceased)

Thomas P. Hutchinson

John T. Mardrs

Jabez Hollingsworth

J. L. Stephens, M. D

Aaron Stephens (deceased)

John N. Oswald

W. H. Heighway

William Hollcroft

326

335

346

365

376

385

396

405

416

425

434

443

454

463

474

483

494

Joseph Lukens

Salathiel Lukens

Thomas Rich

Jonathan Sherwood

John Morris

Mahlon T. Janney

James Bowyer

S. B. Greely

William Butterworth

R. M. Cox

William Jackson

Frederick Cline

John L. Thompson

Mrs. Eleanor Thompson

William Swank

A. Voorhis

503

614

523

534

543

554

563

574

583

602

619

638

656

657

676

693

PART VI


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Turtle Creek Township

Franklin Township

Wayne Township

Clear Creek Township

Hamilton Township

Deerfield Township

Massie Township

Salem Township

Harlan Township

Washington Township

Union Township

725

793

822

890

938

960

994

1020

1029

1044

1050

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Source of the Mississippi

La Salre Landing on the Shores of

Green Bay

Buffalo Hunt

Trapping

Mouth of the Mississippi

High Bridge

Pontiac, the Ottawa Chieftain

Indians Attacking Frontiersmen

Present Site Lake Street Bridge,

Chicago, 1833

A Pioneer Dwelling

Lake Bluff

Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chieftain

Indlans attacking a Stockade

Black Hawk, the Sac Chieftain

Perryls Monument, Cleveland

Niagara Falls

22

24


26

28

31

33

42

55

58


60

62

68

71

74

91

92

MISCELLANEOUS.

Map of Warren County - 14 and 15

Constitution of the United States - 79

Population of the United States - 203

Miles of Railroad in Operation - 203

Area of the United States - 203

Area of the Principal Countries in the World - 203

Population of the Principal Countries in the World-203

Population of Ohio - 202

Population of Warren County - 330

Autographs of Old Settlers of Warren County 355 and 356

Business References - 1079