HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 719

CHAPTER LVI.

WESLEY TOWNSHIP.

The Township Established—Physical Features—First Election of Township Officers—Roads Established—Banishment of a Destitute Family—Wheat Received for Taxes—Census in 1826—Settlement -Societies—Schools—Churches—Cemeteries —Villages— M ills—Tannery -incidents—Underground Railroad.

WESLEY township was established on petition of Joseph Palmer and others, in 1810, and originally embraced the territory of township three, range ten, and township seven, range eleven, then belonging to Wooster, also the south half of township eight, range eleven, belonging to Roxbury. Afterwards sections one, two, three, four, five, six of township seven, and sections one, two, three of township eight were added. At present it is nine miles long from north to south, and four miles wide, containing in all thirty sections, embracing an area of almost twenty thousand acres, It is bounded on the north by Morgan county, east by Palmer and Fairfield, south by Decatur, on the east by Athens county, and has a population of fourteen hundred and seventy-seven. The surface maintains the general aspect common to this section of country—high rolling lands, and in various localities broken in high hills and deep ravines. The soil is of yellow and red clay, productive chiefly of fruits of all kinds, wheat, corn and other ordinary cereals. The industries belong mostly to the agricultural, though there are several flouring-mills, saw-mills, tannery, and other minor manufactures. The timber consists mostly of white and red oak, with some walnut and poplar. The west branch of Wolf creek enters the township in the extreme northwest corner, and following a zigzag course southwest, enters Fairfield from section twenty-six. This stream usually furnishes sufficient force for flour-mills during most of the year.

Coal run, a small stream, enters the township at the northwest, and, flowing in a southeast course, empties into Wolf creek, north of Coady & Gage's mill. Several other unimportant branches are found in the west and south.

The State road leading from Harmar, on the Ohio river, to Athens was first laid out by the county commissioners, January 27, 1848. It extends across the central part of the township, from east to west, through the villages of Pleasanton and Plymouth, where it receives the main north and south thoroughfares.

ORGANIZATION.

The first officials of the township were appointed August 12, 1810, viz.: Trustees, Joseph Palmer, Cornelius Houghland and John Rardin; township clerk, Samuel Clark; overseer of poor, Abner Woodruff and Duty Greene; fence-viewers, John Danley and Henry Coons; lister of taxes, James Lawton; appraiser, -William Vincent; supervisors, Robert Miller, David Gard, Isaac Woodruff, William Rardin and Edmund Neal; constables, David Ewell and Isaac Woodruff; treasurer, John Curtis. In the following October, Joseph Palmer and Cornelius Houghland were elected justices of the peace.

The first general election was held April t, 18r t, resulting as follows: Trustees, John Rardin, Duty Greene and John Danley; clerk, Samuel Clark; overseers of poor, Edmund Neal and Nathan Proctor; fence-viewers, Joshua Shuttleworth and James Corns; lister of taxes, Isaac Woodruff; appraiser, William Vincent; constables, David Ewell and Jabez Palmer; treasurer, John Curtis. Members of grand jury were first selected in 1815David Ewell and David Gard; petit jury, Samuel Pond and John Danley. The first settlement by the treasurer, of which any record is found, was made by Samuel Pond, treasurer, March 16, 1815, showing the receipt from all sources of thirty-four dollars and twenty-three and one-half cents, and leaving in the treasury after settlement, four dollars and ninety-three and one-half cents.

On the thirteenth of April, 1816, the road districts were first laid out by Cornelius Houghland, John Danley and William Rardin, under Benajah Horse, township clerk. The first notice against the poor was issued by Joseph Palmer and William Coons, overseers, March 4, 1818, warning "James Lockwood and Phoebe, his wife, and all their children, to depart out of this township, as it is found they have no visible means of support and are in danger of coming onto the township." This notice was served by Michael Gard, constable, and it is supposed that its purpose was effected and that the poor family was compelled to "move on" out of the township.

At a meeting of trustees, April 2, 1821, a resolution was passed enabling those indebted to the township for taxes to pay the same in wheat, to be delivered at the mill of Samuel Brown, now in Palmer township, on Wolf creek, at fifty cents per bushel.

In 1826 the first recorded census of the householders of Wesley township shows a list of ninety-four names. This then included what is now Fairfield township with Wesley. This great expanse of territory had less than one hundred families as late as 1826, shows something of the progress this township has made in the past fifty years.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Among the earliest pioneers of Wesley, we find the name of Honorable Thomas Ewing, who settled on the

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farm now owned by James W. Smith, just west of Plymouth. He built his log-cabin about seventy-five rods southwest of the present farm residence of Mr. Smith. A few fruit trees still stand as the only mark of the spot where the venerable statesman lived.

Moses Woodruff, who came from Pennsylvania, built his log-cabin two miles north of Plymouth, near the present residence of John Morrow, in section thirty.

John Rardin's cabin stood just where the present residence of Dr. Munroe now stands in Pleasanton.

Henry Rardin erected his cabin on the farm now owned by John Morrow, in section thirty. These settlements were all made prior to 1810, in which year James Ward Smith settled on the farm now owned by his son, James, immediately west of Plymouth, and occupied the cabin built by Thomas Ewing.

Robert Brackenridge lived about one mile southeast of Pleasanton, in the cabin which stood on the opposite side of the road from the present residence of Charles Haines, in section thirty-four.

Jacob Mullen erected his cabin on the west branch of Little Hocking river, about fifty rods southeast of the present farm-house of James A. McGrew, in section twenty-seven.

William Coaley lived on the farm now owned by Cyrus Wilson in section twenty-eight.

Soloman Gable erected his cabin on the site of the present residence of James King, in section twenty-seven.

Joseph Ames settled on the farm now owned by E. Hollingsworth, north of the State road, in section twenty- two.

Levi Arnold, two miles east of Plymouth, where Dixon Graham now lives, in section twenty-two.

James W. Smith was born in 1809, and came with his father's family to this township in xtho, and has lived on the homestead farm ever since. He was married in 1830, to Eliza Goddard, who was born in New Hampshire in 1813. To them were born eight children—six of whom are now living, viz.: Pherona T., wife of James W. Barnes, now resides in Cincinnati; Elonzo H., now living in Dunham township; Edward F., resides in Dakota Territory; Waldo, living in this township; Lucy, at home; and Clarence C., now living in Wesley township. Mr. Smith has filled several township offices, and has been a citizen of this township longer than any one now living within its boundaries—a period of three score years and ten.

James Waldo Smith, jr., was born in this township in 1838, and was married to Mary A. Gage in 1864, who was born in 1847. They have a family of four children, viz.: Oscar B., Myron A., Lucy S., Ethel F. Mr. Smith's farm is located about one mile north of Plymouth. He is quite extensively engaged in raising stock.

Soloman N. Cook settled in Wesley township in 1814, coming from New Hampshire in 1814, where he was born in 1785. He married Mary Cook, whose parents were early settlers of Palmer township. She was born in 1786, and died in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have five children, three of whom are still living, all in this county.

Philip Schrader, sr., was born in Maryland, and was married to a daughter of Michael Montgomery in 1805. He first settled in Wesley township in September, 180, having purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land from William Skinner, sr., for which he paid eight hundred dollars. He located about one mile north of the present village of Plymouth. He had a family of eleven children, eight boys and three girls, all of whom have grown to maturity in Washington county. He died in Licking county, Ohio, in 1865, his wife having died in Athens county in 1862.

Levi Arnold came from Wood county, Virginia, and first settled on the farm now owned by Dixon Graham on the State road, two miles east of Plymouth, section twenty-two. He was born in Virginia in 1801, and was married to Sarah Ingram, who was born in 1803, and died in 1867. He died in Missouri in 1867. While he resided in Wesley he was one of the leading citizens, and held the office of clerk and trustee, and was justice of the peace sixteen years.

Benjamin F. Arnold, son of Levi, was born in Wesley township in 1825, and was married to Maria Palmer, who was born in 1827. To them were born twelve children, seven of whom are now living, viz.: Laura Orinda, wife of Oliver Miller, now living in Wesley township; Dena Johnson resides in Helena, Montana ; Lucy Jane, wife of Charles Barnes, living in Morgan county, Ohio. Levi Sibley, Anzonetta, Alpha Diena, and Frank Benjamin are all at home. Mr. Arnold has been justice of the peace for twelve years. He entered the army in May, 1864, as second lieutenant, under Captain W. F. Dawson, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio National guard. After serving four months he returned to his business of tanning at the present place, where he has operated since 1859.

George Martin, a native of Scotland, was born in 1780, and died in 1832. He was married to Rebecca McKollister, born in 1780, and died in 1862. They had a family of twelve children; nine are yet living.

Alexander, fifth child of George and Rebecca Martin, was born in Wesley township in 1816, and was married in 1848 to Phcebe Coaler, who was born in 1823. The names of their children are as follows : John, who now resides in Palmer township; Lucy, Ordelia, Douglas, and William, all now at home. He resides on his farm, which is located in the northwest part of the township, section twenty-six.

Stephen Randolph, son of James and Margery, was born in 1831. His wife, Sarah Kester, to whom he was married in 1852, died in 1853. Marian, their only child, now resides in Hocking county, Ohio., He was again married, in 1856, to Narcissa Chamberlain, who was born in 1831. To them were born six children, as follows: Cameron W., Laura J., Clarence M., Everett L., Lowell W., and Lucy E., all residing at home. He has served as trustee and constable, and was in the three months service during the late war. He resides on his farm in section thirty-three.

Milton D. Fowler, the present postmaster of Bartlett post office (Plymouth), was born in 1822, and was mar-

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ried in 1863 to Susan James, who was born in 1832. He came to Wesley in 1838, and was raised on the farm which he cleared for his father, and afterwards moved to his present location in 1872, and engaged in the grocery business; was appointed postmaster in 1873, which position he yet holds. He is a member of the Friends society; also a member of the Masonic order, and is known as a straightforward and respected citizen of Wesley township.

James King was born in Pennsylvania in 1818. He removed to Morgan county, Ohio, in 1824. In 1841 he was married to Deborah Stephen, born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. In 1843 he came to this county and settled in Wesley, where he now resides. He has had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are living, viz: Rebecca, wife of A. W. Naylor, banker, Des Moines, Iowa; Nora, wife of Professor D. R. Moore, of Mahaska, Iowa; Anna M., Ida A., wife of J. C. Picket; James S., a Methodist minister; Mary, wife of Professor J. Wolf; Helen A and Charles. Mr. King has served nine years as township trustee; was elected three times as land appraiser of the township; was one of the two who first advocated the establishing of Bartlett academy, of which he has since been a trustee. He became a member of the Masonic order in 1852, and was one of the charter members of Bartlett Lodge, No. 293. He has always been an active temperance man.

John L Brill, son of John and Mary, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, in 1801. His wife, Eleanor Shively, to whom he was married in 1828, was born in 1808 in Loudoun county, Virginia. He settled in Wesley, where he now resides, in 1836. To them were born ten children, nine now living, viz : Ezra, resides in Morgan county, Ohio; Isaiah, in Athens county, Ohio; Hamilton, in Kansas; Commillia J., wife of Aaron Rester; William, in Washington county; Benjamin,at Ironton, Ohio; Margery, at home; John R., at Oscaloosa, Iowa, and Sarah J., wife of William Jewell. Mr. and Mrs. Brill are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as the result of industry now possess a farm of one hundred acres of land.

James Bowman, son of Isaac and Ann, was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 15, 1818, deceased 1880. He was married in 1842 (May 25th),, to Elizabeth Baily, who was born December 1, 1820.

Henry Bowman, third child, was born in Wesley township, in 1847, and was married in 1868 to Rachel B. Crew, who was born in 1845. They have a family of four children, namely: Joseph T., Elizabeth J., Edith A., and Mattie C. His father settled in Wesley in 1837, where he resided until his death. Henry now owns a farm of sixty acres, eight acres where he now resides engaged in raising stock--section thirty-seven.

John Morris, son of Benjamin and Lydia, was born in North Carolina in 1790, and was married in 1814 to Rachel Coppark, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1790, deceased in 1843. He settled in this county in 1838. They had a family of twelve children, only one of whom survives.

Joshua Morris, jr., the only living member of this family, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 3, 1824, and was married in 1847 to Eliza Ann Tullis, who was born in 1822. To them were born nine children, seven now living, viz : Hannah, Emeline, Rachel, Linley, Ruthana, Benjamin F., and Richard E. Mr. Morris now owns two hundred and seventy-five acres of land, where he resides—section thirty-one.

Gideon Mills, a native of North Carolina, settled in Washington county in 1839. His children now living are Isaac, Reuben, Esther, Ezra and Lewis. Lewis Mills was born in 1814, and deceased in 1880. He was married in 1844, to Ann Smith, who was born in Virginia in 1821. They had six children, namely: Job S. who resides in Franklin county, Ohio; Simon G. and John A., both at home; W. J., in Franklin county, Ohio; Sarah L, wife of M. Tuttle; Rebecca, now at home; Emma is dead. He held the office of justice of the peace for nine years; T. W. Mills enlisted in company D, Seventy-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry in 1861, and now lies in an unknown southern grave; J. S. Mills is a member of the United Brethren church.

Robert Williams, son of John and Mary, was born in 1813, and was united in marriage in 1838, to Phoebe Boker, who was born in 1810. They have a family of five children now living: Eli H., Jason B., Sarah M., now Mrs. William H. Beazell; John T., and Robert H., both at home. He emigrated to this county in 1858, and settled in Wesley township, where he has since resided on his present farm, and located in the eastern part of the township, section six.

John Spears was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. He was married to Margaret Zumbro, who was born in 1816, and settled in Wesley township in 1852. He has a family of four children, namely : Jane, who resides at home; Henry, who lives in Athens county, Ohio; William and Malinda, both at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Spears are members of the United Brethren church and among its most liberal and earnest supporters. He located in the northern part of the township, where he now lives in section thirty.

Job Addis, son of John and Mary, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1816. His wife, Hester A. Hartman, to whom he was married in 1847, was born in 1822. They emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1858, and settled in Wesley township, where they have since resided. He now resides on his farm located in the northern part of the township in section twenty-four. They hold affiliation with the Disciples church, are strong advocates of social order and morality in the community, in which they live as respected members.

Elisha J. Holloway, son of James and Phoebe Holloway, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1819, and was married in 1840, to Lydia Vanlaw, daughter of John and Sarah Vanlaw, who was born in 1820, in Belmont county. To them were born five children: Phoebe L., Mary, Lucinda, Edwin, and Samuel. Lucinda, the only one now living, was married to William Steele, and lives in Plymouth, and has a family of three children: Horatio, Samuel R., and Rufus. Phoebe L. was married to Samuel Kirby, and resided in Plymouth, where she died,

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leaving one child, Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Holloway are members of the Friends church, and were zealous friends of the slave during the agitation of the slavery question. He is now in the produce business in Plymouth.

James Morrow, son of James and Rebecca, was born in Pennsylvania in 1796, and was married to Sarah More, who was born in 1798, and died in 1866. They emigrated to Ohio and settled in this township in 1850, on the farm where he now lives, section thirty. He had a family of five children: John, who now lives on the farm; Rebecca, deceased; Polly, wife of Thomas Williamson, now deceased; Charles and Jesse C., both living in Plymouth. Captain Jesse C. Morrow was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was married in 1856 to Mary A. Pewthers, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1836, and deceased in i860. To them were born two children: Lucia A., now living at home; and Charles L, living in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was remarried in 1867 to Mrs. Lucia A. Vanlaw, daughter of Thomas Swaim, born in 1842. They have two children—Emma L and Myron M.—both living at home. He enlisted in the Union army during the late war in company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was first made orderly sergeant, and was promoted successively in the several offices until he was made captain of company D. He was honorably discharged after having served from 1861 to 1865, from the beginning to the close of the war. He has held the offices of trustee and treasurer of the township, is a blacksmith by profession, and is at present engaged in this vocation where he resides, at Plymouth.

E. Hollingsworth, son of Elisha and Sarah Hollingsworth, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1827, and was married in 1848 to Mary J., daughter of William and Eleanor Harris, who was born in 1832 and died in 1866. They had a family of six children: Jemima L., wife of A. W. Graham; E. T. J. resides in this county; William D. and George R., both at home; Sarah E and Phoebe E., deceased. He was again married in 1866, to Sarah J., daughter of Jonah and Nancy Tabenner, who was born in 1836. They have one child, Mary J. They are both efficient and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reside on their farm, section twenty-two.

John Zumbro, sr., came from Pennsylvania in 1848, and settled about one mile north of the present store of his son, John, section twenty-six. He was born April 26, 1806, and married February 5, 1829, to Catharine Price, who was born July 20, 1809. They had a family of seven children—Abraham, Joseph, Henry, John, Jacob, Mary E., and Benjamin. John Zumbro, jr., was born in Pennsylvania February 28, 1842, and was married to Louisa Jane Haas. They have three children— Emma A., Minnie C., and Alpha Adeha.. He came to this township when he was six years old, and was reared on the farm where he remained until 1863, when he began teaching school, in which he continued until 1866. He bought his uncle's farm in 1867. In 1871 he sold the farm and began keeping store at his present location, about three miles north of Plymouth (Patten's Mills post office).

Ranson S. Gage was born September 25, 1862, in Fairfield township. His father, Horace D. Gage, was born in 1842, and was married to Margaret Josephine Coady. They have a family of seven children—Ranson S., Alice, Alva, May, Jay, Lucy, and Lena. Ranson began to assist his father in the flour-mill in 1876, and took charge of the present mills, known as Patten's mills, under the name of Coady & Gage, December i, 1880, where he at present operates. He is a young man of energy and perseverance, and, though having undertaken the mill under some embarrassments, present indications are favorable for his future success.

Henry S. Barnes was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, son of Otho and Anna Barnes. He was married to Maria Price, daughter of John and Sarah, born in Maryland in 1809, and deceased in 1833. They had one child, Otho, who now resides in Belmont county, Ohio. He was again married in 1838 to Eliza A. Whittington, who was born in Maryland in 1817, and died in 1877. To them were born eight children, five now living —Anna, Amanda, Euphemia, and Caleb, all at home. Charles resides in Morgan county, Ohio. Lewis was in the Union army, and was one of the martyrs who gave their lives for their country in the prison pen at Andersonville. Mr. Barnes settled in this township in 1847, on his present farm, section six.

Richard J. Barton was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1824—son of Alexander and Frances—and was married in 1847 to Sarah J. Keigley, daughter of William and Mary Keigley, who was born in 1827. They had a family of seven children, five of whom are now living —William A., resides at Portsmouth; Sarah C., wife of George W. Hance, Newark, Ohio; Virginia, now Mrs. E. Stanton, Athens county, Ohio; Susan, and Mary, both at home. He has a farm located in the northwest part of the township, section six. He has been a resident of this township since 1869.

Jason Williams, son of Robert and Phoebe, was born in Pennsylvania in 1845. His wife, Jane Hance, daughter of Kinsey and Charlotta, to whom he was married in 1877, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1848. They have a family of two children—Archie, and an infant daughter. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; but he, though a strong advocate of law and order, does not belong to any religious organization. He now owns eighty acres of land, on which he resides, section five.

LODGES.

The Bartlett lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 293, was organized October 24, 1856. The charter members were: S. C. Vanlaw, R. Hodgin, S. Heald, C. C. Cheadle, James King, H. S. Barnes, John Hass, D. Shinn, Elias Bundy, Benjamin Pickering, S. W. Phillips, and Jacob Perkins. Officials: C. C. Cheadle, master; S. C. Vanlaw, senior warden; James King, junior warden.

This organization has held its meetings regularly since the charter was granted, and has a very neat and tasty lodge room over the hardware store in Plymouth.

The Sons of Temperance and Good Templars have both had organizations here; but while these special

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meetings have now ceased and the organizations abandoned, their influence has made its mark on the moral history of this township. United with the religious societies the battle against intemperance was earnest, bold and decisive; and the fact that at one time there were three saloons here, while now there is not a place within the township where intoxicating liquors are sold, is justly claimed as a great victory in a great moral contest.

SCHOOLS.

The first school-house in this township was built about one mile north of Plymouth, about 1819. It was constructed of round, unhewn logs after the style common in these early days. The first teacher was Miss Hewitt, after her were Neil Rowell and Isaac Runnels.

School-houses after this same, style were soon erected in various localities throughout the township, and for many years they were supported by private subscription, and the sessions were necessarily short and irregular, and affording the children' of the early settlers very meagre opportunities for intellectual improvement. Under the present public school system there are twelve school districts, all supplied with teachers and good school- buildings. The number of scholars now enrolled is four hundred and fifty-seven; average daily attendance, two hundred and fifty-four; average weeks in session during the year, twenty-seven; average monthly wages, forty-four dollars.

These early teachers experienced difficulties incident to those early days, when it was of ordinary occurrence to "bar the teacher out" and compel him to treat the school, before he was allowed to enter. The Rardin boys and John Mullin are remembered as leaders in these sports. One time, on a Christmas, they barred Neal Rowell out, and after a long trial to gain access, he promised to sign a paper obligating himself to furnish the cider and apples for the school, but he signed "Neal Rowell, not bound" and it is safe to say that the cider and apples were never produced under that contract.

BARTLETT'S ACADEMY.

This institution was organized in 1856. The first board of trustees were: Joseph Penrose, president, Joseph K. Bucy, Isaac Emmons and James King, and Jefferson M. Heston was first principal with one assistant. The first building was purchased of the Presbyterian church for seven hundred dollars, and has been remodelled and improved, is now two stories high, with cupola and bell; and is a substantial frame structure, forty by thirty-five. The recitation rooms are on the first floor, and it has seating capacity for more than seventy-five on the second floor. The boarding hall for students joins the academy on the east, and is operated by a joint-stock company. The institution has continued for now almost a quarter of a century with variable degrees of success. The location is considered healthy, the community radically temperate and eminently moral. Present number of students, seventy-four. The object of the present administration is to impart good academic instruction, prepare students for college, and to train teachers by thorough normal drill. Fa-culty, Professor Z. G. Bundy, president; Professor William Eldridge, languages and mathematics; Professor D. R. Emmons, penmanship.

CHURCHES.

The first religious meetings in this township were held in the log cabins of the pioneers, until the school-houses were built in which the public services were then held. The first church building in the township was erected by the Methodist Episcopal society about one and a half miles north of Plymouth, 1825. Among the first ministers were : David Young (Protestant Episcopal), Jacob Young and Samuel Hamilton; first trustees were James W. Smith, sr., John Rardin, and Frederick Cradlebaugh. Services were held in this rude log-cabin until 1855, when the present house at Pleasanton was built. The building is a plain frame, forty by fifty, and is located in the northwest part of the village. This denomination has a parsonage in the village, and occupies the site of the former one destroyed by fire in 1871. Present pastor, Rev. D. M. Smith. Services every alternate Sabbath, Sabbath-school every Sunday.

FRIENDS' CHURCH (PLYMOUTH).

The first organization of this society was made in 1837. The meeting for this purpose was held at the residence of Edward McConnell one quarter of a mile east of Plymouth, on north side of State road. The first minister was Lydia McConnell, who preached here for a number of years; then Sarah Mott took charge, holding services at private houses until 1842, when they built a log meeting-house one quarter of a mile east of Plymouth, where regular services were held until 1856, when the present frame house located one quarter of a mile north of Plymouth was erected. Services are now held every first and fourth days, under the ministry of Daniel Mott. Membership, eighteen families.

FRIENDS' CHURCH (SOUTHLAND).

This society is the outgrowth of the Plymouth organization, and is under the same ministry. The present meeting-house (frame, eighteen by thirty) was erected in 1850, and is located four miles southwest of Plymouth. It has a membership of ten or twelve families. Regular services are held here every first and fifth days. Daniel Mott is the present minister.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

In early times this denomination held meetings in a log cabin church, located about one-half mile west of Patten's mills, and was the first building erected by this society in the township. In 1870 the present house, located about three-fourths of a mile south of Patten's mills, was erected. It is a substantial frame, about twenty-eight to thirty feet.

Among the early ministers of this denomination were Revs. Lease and Hood, who preached here for a number of years.

Rev. John Phillips is the present minister, holding services every Sunday. Present membership about thirty.

This denomination has another society and church building, located in the northwest part of the township.

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The church building was erected about 1870, and is a frame structure of about twenty-eight to thirty feet. This society has a membership of about thirty, and is under the same ministerial charge with the other society. Services every Sunday.

CEMETERIES.

The burial grounds of this township, like all rural cemeteries, are located near the several churches. Some of them in this township are controlled by township trustees.

The first interments were made in the now abandoned grounds near the Methodist Episcopal church in Pleasanton, but no record can now be found to determine who were the first victims of the common destroyer.

VILLAGES.

Plymouth is a small village on the State road in the central part of the township, and was founded by Harvey Smith in 1835. The first business in the town was carried on by the founder, Harvey Smith, who manufactured hats in a log cabin in the rear of the present residence of Mrs. Crow, opposite the Faires House. James W. Smith kept the first licensed house of entertainment near the present residence of his son, just west of the town. Harvey Smith soon started a grocery in connection with his hat factory. He would string a few hats across his horse's back and ride to Marietta and exchange them for groceries and small articles, and carried his whole stock home with him in his saddle-bags.

The town has now grown to contain one general store, two shoe stores, one hotel, one fancy goods store, one hardware, and one millinery store.

Pleasanton was laid out by Milton Smith about three years after Plymouth, during the time when there was a movement made to organize a new county, of which this should be the county seat, and was called Pleasanton from the fact that it would be a pleasant place for the new court house. It joins Plymouth on the east, and so closely that it is difficult to determine where Plymouth leaves off and Pleasanton begins. The village now has one drug store, one general store, three blacksmith shops, one harness, and one wagon shop, one church, and one academy.

The post office- is now in Pleasanton, and was established some time before Plymouth was laid out, and was called Bartlett post office, in honor of Amos Bartlett, who was instrumental in having an office established at this point, and who was the first postmaster.

The two villages are now really considered as one, and together have, by the late census, a population of two hundred and forty, and never having had the required population were never incorporated.

MILLS.

In early times the settlers of this township were compelled to go to what was known as the Barris mill, then located on Federal creek, eight miles north of Plymouth. The first flour-mill was built on Wolf creek in 1816, by George and John Martin. It was located on the opposite side of the creek from the present mill of Coady & Gage, known as Patten's mills, and was a frame building having two run of stone. From this mill the settlers received all their grists until the present mill, now operated by Ranson S. Gage for Coady & Gage, was erected. The present building is a frame of forty by sixty feet, has four run of stone with a capacity of four hundred bushels per day. The reaction wheels are propelled by water power.

The farmers' mill was built by Ferguason Brothers in 1877. It is a substantial frame, thirty-six by forty feet; has two run of stone, with a daily capacity of two hundred bushels. The power is received from a fifty horse-power engine. Its trade is a general local custom, yielding an income of about fifteen hundred dollars. It is located one-fourth of a mile north of Plymouth, and is now operated and owned by Messrs. Clark & Glen.

TANNERY.

As early as 1840 Hiram Rhodes operated a tannery on the site of the present tannery of B. F. Arnold. After him was Robert Hodgins for two or three years, and with some other changes of proprietorship it came into the hands of the present owner, B. F. Arnold. He has made very many improvements, adding a new structure, The present building is of three stories with basement, and is seventy by twenty feet. A stone wall eight feet high extends the whole length of one side and the ends, and two partition stone walls divide the basement into three rooms, in which the wet shaving, scouring, etc., are done; in the second room, beam-work, unhairing hides, and working vats; third room for bark. On the second floor is located the sale room, finishing department and bark mill. The third floor is used for drying. The capacity of the yard is as follows: Eighteen lay away vats, two vats for liming and two for vatsing, in the beam room, and three leeches, capable of tanning one thousand hides yearly. The local demand is all that is now sought to be supplied. Considerable shipments have been made from this tannery to Cincinnati, Philadelphia and New York.

INCIDENTS.

Levi Arnold was a hunter of some skill, and at one time he killed a deer in the forest, and bent down a sapling and swung the carcass up out of the reach of wild animals that infested the neighborhood. "Bill Wason," a common vagabond of the settlement, stole the carcass and carried it to his log hut, which stood on a by-path near the present residence of James King. Unfortunately for Wason, he failed to cover his tracks and Mr. Arnold with several of his neighbors followed the track to Wason's cabin door. The evidence of Wason's guilt was sufficient, and without the formalities of law the thief was taken and tied to a tree near his cabin and was severely lashed with hickory wyths. This is, no doubt, the first and only administration of justice by corporal punishment in this township.

The great Indian trail leading off Wolf creek extended southwest, passing the present southwest corner of the road in the northwest corner of section six. In this corner, as early as 1837 and for an unknown time before, hanging in a tree was the skull of an Indian horse. It was hung

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 725

there no doubt by the Indians as a guideboard on the only pathway through the wilderness, but became regarded with some superstitious wonder and dread by the settlers, and the place was known as the "Horse Skull fork."

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

This name was given to the secret operations of the friends of freedom, known as abolitionists, in assisting the slaves of the neighboring slave States, to escape from bondage, to freedom in the north, or in Canada. The line extended from the Ohio river through Decatur and on through this township, along which the fleeing refugee was guided through the dark ravines and deep recesses by day, and hidden in the caves and caverns of these hills by night. They were passed along from station to station, where stood the secret friend to guide them on, to feed, and clothe, and cheer the panting fugitive, fleeing from the shackles and the lash in a land of boasted freedom. It is estimated that over one hundred slaves escaped to freedom through this township during that time.

Mr. James Ward Smith, grandfather of James Waldo, was one of the early settlers of the county. He was born in Genesee county, New York, and came thence to Wesley township, Washington county, Ohio, in 1810. He married, in New York State, a Miss Alderman. By her he had nine children, as follows: Vincent, Milton, Lawson, Harvey, James, Carmi, Talma, Eli, and Lucy. Of these, Milton, Carmi, and James are living; Carmi and James live in Washington county, Milton in the northern part of the State.

Mr. James Smith was born in 1809. He married Eliza Goddard, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had eight children, who, in the order of age, are as follows: Ferona T., Alonzo H., Edward F., James Waldo, Alphonso W., Sarah A., Lucy R., and Clarence C. Alphonso W. and Sarah A. are dead; Ferona T. married J. W. Barnes, and is living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alonzo H., James Waldo, and Clarence C., are all farmers in Washington county. Lucy R. keeps a store in Plymouth, this county. Edward F. lives on his farm in Lincoln county, Dakota.

James Waldo Smith was born on the first day of June, 1838. He was educated in the common schools near his father's home. On coming to man's estate he bought a farm in Fairfield township, this county, which he, in 1862, traded to his brother, Edward F., for a part of his present farm. By additional purchase from time to time this property has grown to its present size. It is situated in Wesley township. Mr. Smith was married in 1864 to Miss Mary A. Gage, of Fairfield township. Four children are the fruit of this union: Roscoe B., born in 1865; Myron A., born in 1866; Lucy G., born in 1868; and Ethyl F., born in 1877. All of these are still living. Mr. Smith makes a specialty of stock-raising, paying especial attention to sheep-raising.