Union County, Ohio - The Town of Marysville - Paris Township, 1883 (part 3 of 3)

George Westlake, a native of Maryland, came, with his wife Mercy, from Belmont County in 1821., He was at this time well advanced in life. He had raised a large family of children, most of whom had married before he removed to this township. His daughter. Mercy was the wife of Andrew Amrine, and he lived on his farm. Another daughter, Mrs. John Elliott, afterward removed to this township. Mr. and Mrs. Westlake were members of the Methodist Church, and both died in extreme old age at their home in this township.

Samuel Westlake the son of George and Mercy Westlake, moved from Belmont County in October, 1826, and settled on a small farm of fifty acres in the southeast corner of Survey 4,074, several miles northwest of Marysville. It was wholly covered with forest when he came, and a spot was cleared as a site for the little cabin, which he at once built and moved into. Afterward, when he was felling the timber, close by, it became necessary for the safety of his family that they leave the cabin,as there was danger of trees falling across it and crushing it in. Mr. Westlake was a farmer and a shoe-maker,and pursued both avocations. He was a Methodist and a Democrat. His wife was Elizabeth Reed, who died in 1851. Mr. Westlake attained the age of eightyfive years. He had eleven children, twoof whom remained in Belmont County after his departure, but subsequently followed him to Paris Township. They were: Josiah, of this township; Nancy, wife of Henry Jordan, of Allen Township; Samuel, of Kansas; Zephaniah, who died here; James, of Delaware County; George, who died in Missouri; Elizabeth, wife of Wesley Amrine, of Marysville; Mercy, who died unmarried; Richard, of Missouri; Mary, who married Thomas Peacock, and is now deceased; and William, of Missouri.

John and George' Howser, brothers, from Licking County, were among the earliest settlers. They occupied farms ort Survey 5,138, north of the Amrine settlement. After a residence here of considerable length, they removed to Hardin County and purchased land on which Kenton has since been built.

Lemuel, Joseph and William Wilmuth, three brothers, were early settlers. William Wilmuth was born in Maryland, and emigrated to Ross County, Ohio; thence he removed to Paris Township, in 1820 or 1821, and settled on Mill Creek, northeast of Marysville. He was a farmer, but owned no land here. His wife was Susan Carr, who bore hima large family of children. His brother-in-law, Reuben Carr, accompanied him here from Ross County. He was a bachelor, and made his home with the Wilmuths until his death, about 1840. Soon after, Mr. Wilmuth removed to Hardin County,and bought a farm close by Kenton. Later in life, he moved to Missouri,where hedied. Lemuel and Joseph Wilmuth settled south of Marysville. Lemuel died in Hardin Eg Joseph moved to Missouri, and finished his earthly course in that State.

Adam Wolford, in 1821, settled north of Marysville, near the fair grounds. His boyhood was spent in Guernsey County. He removed to Knox County, and there married Catharine Wolford several years prior to his removal to Paris Township. By trade and occupation he was a carpenter, and

Elijah Wolford, distantly related to:Adam Wolford, moved to the township afew years later, from Belmont County. He was a farmer, and first settled in the Amrine neighborhood; then two and one-half miles north of Marysville, on the Pharisburg road, where he died.

. Jacob Parthemore, about 1820, shortly after his marriage to Sarah Thornton, settled in the extreme southwestern part of the township He is of German descent, and formerly resided in the southern part of the county.

Tobias Bigler came éo the township in 1825. He was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1805, of German parentage. In 1809, he emigrated to Licking County with his parents, and the year following they removed to Fairfield County, where Tobias remained until he came here. In January, 1827, he married Miss Sarah Amrine, the daughter of John Amrine. He purchased 100 neres of woodland northwest of Marysville, paying for it $450. As this was cleared, he added more to it. After the decease of his wife, he was re-united in marriage with Nancy Burrows. By his first marriage he had twelve children, eight of whom are now living- - Samuel, Mary A., Andrew, John, Eliza, Daniel, Harrison and James M.; by the second he has but one child, Nelson H. Mr. Bigler is still a resident of the township.

In 1828, John Elliott became a citizen of Paris He was born in Maryland, and previous tohis settlement here had lived in Belmont and Adams Counties, and had married Hannah Westlake. Within afew yeurs after he came, he was the owner of a farm of 200 acres in the northwestern part of the township, where he passed the remainder of his life. In earlier life, he was an ardent Methodist, but he afterward was one of the prime movers in the organization of the United Brethren Church. His politics were Democratic. Mr. Elliott was twice married. By the first marriage he had two children, by the last ten, many of whom still live in Paris Township.

About 1827, William Gregg, of Ross County, purchased and settled on a small farm in Survey 1,918, now owned by Tobias Bigler. He died at Marysville.

Hezekiah Burdick was an early settler on Mill Creek, in the eastern part of the township. He afterward removed to Richwood, opening the first store in that village. '

James Richey, John Sovereign, Coats Thornton, William Wells and William Youst were also early settlers. Mr. Richey was a Virginian. He located east of Marysville, on the farm now owned by Harvey Wood. He removed to Delaware County, near Millville. John Sovereign came from Madison County. He lived, for a time, northeast of Marysville, on the Robinson farm; then removed to Leesburg Township, where he purchased land and died. Coats: Thornton was from Virginia. He afterward resided in Marysville. Mr. Wells eame from Belmont County about 1828. He bought and occupied a small place on Survey 1,913, and afterward removed to Marysville, where he died. William Youst was a squatter, and came here very early, He was a Virginian, and had lived in Greene County before coming to Paris Township. He occupied a place north of the Amrine settlement, but soon departed for parts unknown.

The Blook-House

On the Powers place, in Survey 5,736, a block-house was erected in 1812, by the settlers inthe southern part of what is now Union and those in Madison County, as a defense against threatened Indian attacks from the north. It stood east of Edward Powers' residence, near the west bank of Mill Creek, in the path of an Indian trail, which passed north and south. The block-house was made of hewn logs, and its dimensions were probably fifteen by twentyfour feet. It was two stories in height, and on all sides were small port holes, about four inches square. For about two weeks after this means of defense was hastily constructed, it was strongly garrisoned by the settlers from below, as it was believed the expected Indian descent would be made by way of this trail, which was their usual route in traveling south. At last the rumor gained currency that the savages were about to invade the settlements below from another direction, and the occupants of the fort precipitately left it and returned to their defenseless families. No hostile Indians, however, ever appeared in this vicinity. The block-house was afterward occupied as a dwelling. CHURCHES.

" One of the greatest sources of anxiety to the older Amrines was how to bring up their children surrounded by proper religious influences. It was finally resolved to organize a church here in the woods, and in 1821 the Amrine Church was organized. They had been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Belmont County, and for several years they were about the only members of the church here. Andrew was the first leader and steward, and was a leader almost continually to the time of his death. John and Jeremiah were also leaders for many years. This point was at first a part of the London Circuit, and its pastors were Rev. George W. Maley and Rev. Aaron Wood. Afterward came Richard Brandriff, Rev. Shaw and many other circuit riders of pioneer days, when, a circuit was two or three hundred miles around, and the preachers traveled on horseback. with the old saddlebags behind them, and when, in their lonely travels, they were often soaked by the drenching rain, pelted by the rattling hail, or blinded and frozen by the driving snow; when the hungry wolf often gave him chase, and the growling bear was heard by the way. Often, very often, when the preacher was expected, has the good woman of the house sat up till late in the night, to have ready for him a warm supper after the weary day's journey."

As new settlers locaied in the neighborhood the membership became stronger, for nearly every one in that day near this settlement united with the class. Among the earliest members, besides the Amrines, were the Westlakes, John Donly, who was class leader for awhile, George Houser, also class leader, John Houser and Jonathan Brooks. The services were held at the cabin of Andrew Amrine, until a round-log cabin was erected a few-rods south of where the church now stands. This old log building was also used as a. schoolhouse. The earliest teachers were Mr. Williams, George Snodgrass and: Peyton Smith. It was destroyed by fire, and a hewed-log church was erected on what is now a part of the Amrine Cemetery. The present Amrine Church, one and one-half miles northwest of Marysville, was built in 1853, and dedicated on Sunday, August 28, 1853, by Rev. S. M. Merrill. The membership is not as strong now as it was years ago. The charge is attached to the Newton Circuit. Rev. Littell is the present pastor. A Sabbath school was organized about 1828, by Rev. Shaw. It is still maintained.

Mount Zion United Brethren Church is located about three miles northwest of Marysville. The society was organized here nearly forty years ago Its membership was drawn largely from the Methodist Church. Rev. Frederick Hendricks first preached at the house of Samuel Elliott. He was followed by Rev. Snell. Soon after, Rev. William Miller organized the society. Among the earliest members were Samuel Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth Elliott, John Elliott, Sally Beightler, Charity Moore, Emma Moore, Lydia Moore, and

Weldon and Jane Elliott. A frame church was soon erected on a lot donated to the society by Samuel Elliott. It remained the place of worship until 1876, when the present church was erected. It is about 36x40 feet in size and cost about $850. It was dedicated November 26, 1876, by Bishop Weaver. It was, at the time, completely finished, including furniture, carpets and bell, and was dedicated free of all indebtedness. The membership is now about sixty. Rev. R. G. Montgomery is the pastor in charge. A successful Sabbath school has been mantained for many years.

St. John's (German) Evengelical Lutheran Church had a house of worship on the extreme southern line of Paris Township for a number of years, but subsequently abandoned it and removed to Darby Township. In the history of this latter township an account of this church may be found.

The first election held in Paris Township, was for the selection of a Justice of the Peace, September 29, 1821. Nathan Lundy, Hezekiah Bates and Andrew Amrine were the Judges, and Ralph R. Phelps and Andrew Woodrough, Clerks. Thirteen votes were cast, of which William Wilmuth received nine and Mathias Collins four. At the State election in the following month, only eleven votes were cast. Nicholas Hathoway for Representative, Levi Phelps for County Auditor and Robert Nelson for County Commissioner received the entire voto.

The original surveys that are included within the limits of Paris Township, together with their respective areas, location, original owners, surveyors and dates of survey, are as follows:

Nos. 2,254 and 2,256, 1,000 acres each, southeast part of the township; Edward Dowse, assignee; surveyed by Nathaniel Massie August 21, 1798,

Nos. 3,350 3,351 and 3,354, 1,087 acres each, in the eastern and central part of the township, the latter two including the site of Marysville; Edward Dowse, assignee, original proprietor; surveyed August 22 and 23, 1798, by Nathaniel Massie.

No. 4,069, 1,000 acres, south of Marysville; Elizabeth Rickman, widow of Dr. William Rickman, original proprietor; surveyed October 24, 1801, by Joseph Kerr.

proprietor; surveyed October 29, 1801, by Joseph Kerr, | No. 4,074, 600 aeres, in northwest part of township; Benjamin Biggs, assignee, proprietor; surveyed by Joseph Kerr, October 25, 1801.

No. 5,136, 800 acres, on north line of township; John Pride, heir-at-law of William Pride, proprietor; surveyed January 23, 1807, by James Galloway. k : No. 5,138, 6663 acres, in northern part of township; Baylor Hill, proprietor, surveyed by James Galloway, January 7, 1807.