Knox County, Ohio - Literary and Other Societies, 1862

Literary and Other Societies

The first society of a literary character, established at Mount Yeriion, was the " Polemic Society," in 1815, Avhich was kept up until 1817, and included among its meml)ers the more talkative and social citizens. It was converted into a Thespian Society and well sustained for many years. Theatrical performances were generally gotten up every winter, until about 1810, and w ere very creditable to those concerned. The object was to spend the long evenings agreeably - not to make money. Lawyers, doctors, merchants and students lent a hand as occasion required. Among the active and valuable upon the boards were Dr. R. D. Moore, Philo L. Norton, Jacob B. Brown, Charles Sager, J. W. Warden, Wm. Bevans, Chas. Oolerick, B. S. Brown, T. G. Plummer, Jacob Pavis, S. W. Hildreth, Wm. Smith, S. W. Earquhar, Eli Miller, X. X. Hill, T. W. Rogers, Henry B. Curtis, Isaac Hadley, John Colerick, J. S. Banning, and Calvin Hill.

The exhibitions were usually at the court house, or at the " Golden Swan Inn." The clothing, equipments and scenery, were of very rich material. One of the old actors says - "it was most

" The Mount Yernon Library Society" was formed in the year 1816. Auiono- the members of this association were Joseph Brown, Hosmcr Curtis, R. D. Moore, Gilman Bryant, Timothy Burr, Daniel S. Norton, John Warden, Samuel Mott. H. Curtis was its last Librarian. It had a very good collection of standard works, which, in the end, were di\idcd among its stockholders.

" The Mount Yernon Literary Society" organized in the winter of 1821-2, by a number of young bachelors of the town, to wit : Dr. Norman Murray, David Wadsworth, Henry B. Curtis, John W. Warden and James Beebee. Members subsequently admitted - Benjamin S. Brown, S. Earquhar, I*"}". ]Nr. Hill and Samuel B. Curtis. The organization existed for several years. The society fell through by reason of the young men becoming absorbed in the more active duties of life.

" The Mount Yernon Lyceum," in 1830, was formed and well sustained for many years. At the session of the Legislature, 1833-1, it was incorporated, and high hopes were entertained of its being a permanent organization. We have before us the inaugural address of Henry B. Curtis, Esq., delivered January 1st, 1834, in which he says : - " We have now assumed a different and more imposing attitude. Having adopted a public charter, we from this time become a part of the history of the State. And let us at least hope that the account which its faithful pages may hereafter give of us and of our transactions sliall be sucli as would not make us blusli, could we be permitted to see tliem." May the hope of President Curtis be gratified ; for, although the Lyceum has long since been consigned to the "tomb of the Capulets," and the greater portion of his associates have departed hence without day, he yet lives to " be permitted to see" " the account which the faithful pages of history" - our history of Knox county doubtless predicted - " gives of its transactions."

It was the best literary association and the longest lived ever in Mt. Vernon. It continued in successful operation until 1812, and numbered among its active members many of the best citizens of Knox. Its regular meetings were held at the court-house, and the public generally and ladies particular 1}^ attended its sessions. Literary essays, orations and discussions were the chief entertainment.

Among the number of those who have died we may name Benjamin S. Brown, David Dunn, John A. Holland, S. W. Hildreth, M. A. Sayre, Daniel S. Norton, T. W. Rogers, W. A. Hoey, T. G. Plummer, and Dr. M. L. Bliss.

In 1839, a society called the "Eranklin" was organized for mental improvement, by John Lamb, Eobert Thompson, Ben. McOracken, W. H. Oldham, Isaac J. Allen, W. P. GriflBlth, W. T. Curtis, B. S. Thomas, and others, which was well sustained for three or four years, and then went down.

In 1850, Zoar Blair, Noah HiU, Eobert Thompson, Dan. Clark and Sam. Davis started the Mechanics' Mutual Protection, which after two years, was merged in the Brotherhood of the Union, and continued till 1854.

In December, 1849, several gentlemen of Mount Yernon set about getting up a Historical Society for Knox county, and in January, 1850, a constitution was drawn up and signed by Hosmer Curtis, Gilman Bryant, Josej)h Muenscher, M. E. Strieby, Jesse B. Thomas, James Scott, Daniel S. Norton, M. H. Mitchell, Henry B. Curtis, E. C. Hurd, E. E. Sloan, A. Banning Norton, C. P. Buckingham, G. W. Morgan, C. Delano, M. W. Stamp, Walter Smith, N. N. Hill, G. Browning, Matthew Thompson, J. C. Eamsey, J. N. Burr, S. Israel, J. W. Yance, W. H. Smith, J. C. Stockton, D. Potwin, J. W. White, J. H. Peacock, W. Beam, Samuel Mower and John W. Eussell. H. Curtis was elected President ; G. Bryant, Y. P. ; E C. Hurd, Treas'r ; Cor. Sec'y, Eev. J. Muen- seller, D.D.; Recording Sec'y? Rey. M. E. Strieby; Cabinet-keeper, K. R. Sloan. Among other standing committees were tlie following: on Agriculture, M. H. Mitcbell; on Manufactures, Daniel S. ^N^orton; on Mechanic Arts, 0. P. Buckingham; on Tine Arts, H. B. Curtis; on Education, E. R. Sloan; on History, R. C. Hurd; on the Medical Profession, J. N. Burr, M.D. ; on the Clerical Profession, Jos. Muenscher, D.D. ; on Diseases, J. W. Russell, M.D. ; on Population, S. Israel; on General Biography, A. Banning Korton; on Geology and Mineralogy, Prof. H. L. Thrall, M.D.; on Meteorology, Rev. Prof. Geo. Dennison; on Literature, W. H. Smith. Twelve years have passed by, the society long since was numbered among the things that were - and this comes the nearest to being a report of anji^hing that yet has emanated from any of its members. Polio wing in its wake, however, is an institution which it is to be hoped will long continue in existence - "The Mount Vernon Libraiy Society," which has collected, through the instrumentality^ princix^ally, of the Rev. Dr. Muenscher, its learned Librarian, several hundred volumes of valuable standard works, and may serve as a nucleus for a future large collection. It was started in 1856, and its rooms are in Huntsbery's building, Main st.. Mount Yernon,

Ohaptee Xxii Hon. Anthony Banning

Among the old settlers whose names have figured conspicnoTisly in the history of Knox county, was Anthony Banning. Connected with the business, the growth and i)rosperity of the county at every period of its history after the first, and concerned as he was in various industrial pursuits, in commercial operations, in temperance movements, in church affairs, in political actions ; and as his name has been widely known in legal history, his mem- -or}^ is worthy of more than a passing notice. " Judge" Banning as he Avas called more frequently than "Parson," notwithstanding his monument states that he was a Methodist preacher sixty years, was horn in Talbot county, Maryland, and was the only son of James Banning, a proprietor of much consideration and influence, who had but two children, the son, James Mansfield Anthony Banning, and a daughter who married Benjamin Chew, of Philadeli^hia, Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania, a lawyer of much distinction and a man of great wealth, who was a bosom friend of Washington and whose family were his most intimate

His parents died when he was very young, and he was consigned to the care of an uncle, Henry Banning, a bachelor, who was a sea-captain and took Anthony with him several voyages. The family were members of the Episcopal church, but in his eleventh year Anthony joined the Methodists. When about sixteen he went to preaching as a circuit rider in Greenbrier, Yirginia, and the wilderness mountain region. In consequence of the great length of his name, and its inconvenience in writing, lie dropped a portion of it in early youth. He married Sarah Murphy, daughter of one of the first settlers on Bedstone, near Uniontown, Pa., who was also a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and had been raised near Ellicott's mills. The children, by this marriage, were Sarah, wife of Daniel S. ^N^orton; Jacob M; who died in 1^35, and whose widow and children reside in Hardin county ; Rachel, wife of Eev. Elnathan Eaymond; James S.; Mrs. Mary Caswell ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Bronson; Priscilla, Mrs. Gray, and Anthony.

After his marriage he settled in Eayette county, Pa., and resided for several years near Mt. Braddock and in Connelsville, where he preached the gospel, carried on a tanyard, kept a store, officiated as a justice of the peace, (from 1790 until 1799) traded in stock of every description, and navigated the western waters.

During his residence in the Keystone State slavery existed there, and this good man thought it no sin to better the condition of negroes by holding them in bondage. Twenty-eight family slaves of the Maryland stock were thus held at his marriage, and he subsequently bought Hannah, Peter, Jim, Cass and George, in Virginia; and in moving west sold them to Daniel Bogers and Abraham Baldwin, two of the most respectable and worthy men in that country.

In one of his trading expeditions on the western rivers he sold a load of goods to Ebenezer Buckingham, of Putnam, for the fine farm now occupied by Nicholas Spindler, Esq., in Howard township. He made several trips up the Muskingum with goods and wares from 1808 till he moved ont in 1812. After he had bonght lands in the county he traded a lot of iron, leather, saddlery, &c., to Samuel Kratzer, Esq., for the principal part of his interest in the town of Mount Yernon, and then took up his residence here. During his long abode he was engaged, as elsewhere, in a diversity of pursuits ; and by reason of his remarkable energy, industry, prudence and business tact, jJi'ospered in all and enjoyed, to a very great extent, the confidence of the people. He was for the greater part of his life concerned in merchandizing at Mount Yernon, Tymochtee, Danville, &c. - carrying on his mills at Clinton and his tanyard, farming extensively and preaching.

His name is found as President of the first Clay meeting ever held in this county ; he Avas all his life an ardent admirer and friend of that great statesman and patriot. In principle, politically, he was a Whig - religiously, a Methodist - strictly moral and temperate - in all the relations of life a good example.

He was honest and conscientious - liberal and kind hearted - determined and resolute - never disguised his sentiments or harbored unkind thoughts ; was not a fanatic in temperance, morals, politics or religion ; but by his well balanced mind and daily walk exerted a gi-eat influence for good.

Among other public positions held by him was that of Commissioner to select the permanent seat of justice of Clermont county, under act of the General Assembly, January 25th, 1823, associated with John C. Wrii?ht, then of Jcfi'crson, and James

In every public enterprise and work calculated to benefit the town, county and people he was active, liberal and useful. Among the many inciflents of his life the following most clearly shows the liberality of his mind : In 1836 he set about erecting a church near his residence, and upon his own land. The neat brick edifice had been inclosed and about completed, when the Kt. Rev. Bishop Piu'cel visited Mt. Yernon for the first time, and there being no Catholic church the followers of that denomination, of whom there were but two or three families then in the place, to wit - David Morton's, Wm. Brophy's and Tim. Colopy's, requested the use of one of the churhes for the Bishop to hold service in on the forenoon of a certain Sunday. The favor was denied. An effort was then made to procure the use of the court house, and that too was refused.

The writer, then a small boy, having heard the circumstances on his way home, stopped in at Judge Banning's and stated what had occurred, when he at once buttoned up his vest and coat, took his cane, went up to David Morton's, where the Bishop was staying, and tendered the use of the Banning Chapel for Catholic ser^^ice. The offer was most gi'atefuUy and graciously accepted, and* the first Catholic discourse ever delivered in this town was pronounced at the Banning Chapel. This, in the eyes of many bigoted and intolerant minds, was a verv ijreat sin; but the relisrion of Grandfather Banning was of that catholic sj)irit which enabled him to do acts of kindness and ponr ont heart offerings as becometh a true christian. And here we will record that this "bread cast ujion the waters returned again after many days" in like sj)irit.

In Eebruary, 1844, Judge Banning was dro^vned in the dam of the Clinton ]\Iill Comj^any, when attemj)ting to cross upon the ice to his farm, after some infernal fiend had burned up the l^orton street bridge. His body was soon recovered and great efforts were made to resuscitate life, but in vain. He was in his 76th year, and remarkably vigorous and robust for one of his age.

The Catholic sect having increased to a considerable number, and having, by liberality of our citizens, erected a neat brick church, Bishop Purcel again visited Mt. Yernon to consecrate it - and most happily referred to the circumstances attending his first visit and the charitable and brotherly kindness of Pather Banning, and devoutly offered up his supplications to the throne of mercy in liis behalf. The incident was a most affecting one, and the eyes of many were suffused with tears as their supplications were offered up.