Deer Creek Township

Deer Creek Township

This township received its name from the creek which runs through it, by that name, and it was christened by Major R. N. Cullom. James Allaway was the first settler in the township, and Major Cullom the next. Soon came John Small, James Harvey, A. Hughes, Eli Swarens, James Perry, James Robinson, James Harland, and others. None of these are living, and but few of their descendants now reside here. Juliette B., daughter of R. N. and Betsy Cullom, was the first white child born in the township. The day of her birth was January 22, 1832. She is the wife of Alvord Parker, of Sedalia, Mo. The first death in the township occurred in November, 1830. It was the death of James, infant son of Major Cullom, and twin brother to Governor Cullom. The first school taught here was by Nancy Parker, on section 27, in 1835. Rev. William Brown, an M. E. preacher, delivered the first sermon, at the residence of James Perry, in 1833. There are now three Churches in the township - Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist.

Deer Creek Baptist Church is located on Wm. Huxtable's farm, section 4. They have good frame edifice, 28 by 40 feet, which was erected in 1868, at a cost of ^2,000. The congregation was organized Jan. 22, 1860, with the following members: C. Shaffer, W. Huxtable, AV. Lockwood, B. C. Allen, W. Ammerman, Joseph Green and their families, and others to the number of 35. The following pastors have served the Church : Rev. A. J. Ammerman, Geo. Sutherland, W. E. James and H. A. Nixon. The present officers of the Church are James F. Lane and \Vra. Huxtable. The present membership is 61, who contribute for the support of the Church $600 per year. They have a Sunday-school, which was organized in 1869, with an average attendance of 73; annual contribution, $25.

Deer Creek Presbyterian Church building is a good plain frame, located on section 8. The pastors who have served this congregation are W. L. Adams, Rev. Mr. Wood, John Wilson, and the present pastor, Thomas Martin. The Elders of the Church are Peter Doward and G. W. Smith, The congregation raises $640 per year. They have a Sunday-school, with an attendance of 68.

township. The character of schools are good ; the County Superintendent pronounces them first-class. The streams in the township are, the Mackinaw river, Allaway's branch, and Deer creek. The arcliJBologist could find a rich field for investigation in this township, near these streams. On section 35 is a mound in which has been found the remains of Indians. Mr. Joseph Dean dug into one of the mounds here, preparatory to erecting a building. Among other curious remains was a grave of three diiferent departmen*^^, one above the other, and separated by layers of clay. In the top one was one skeleton, while in the second and third were two each. The bodies appear to have been burned, or else the grave had contained fire before their interment, for there were ashes and coals in the graves, and the walls of the graves were burned until red as brick. The bones were quite entire. One skull was perfect, and every tooth in its place, and retaining their gloss as in life. One thigh bone was found, judged to be three inches longer than that of a man six feet in height. Flint darts, or arrow heads, some ten to twelve inches long, made of red flint, were found. A stone hatchet with stone handle, solid, and which weighed six or seven pounds, was found here. Also a grindstone about a foot in diameter, of same material as the hatchet. A material similar to plush or red flannel was found with the skeleton in the upper grave. These were exhumed some fifteen years ago.

Mr. Perry M. Stephens tells of a burying place here, where the inmates of the graves were hurried in a sitting posture. One, which was found, had his steel trap and gun by his side. There was also a lock of hair done up with a little silver band and plate. Upon this plate was a rude engraving of a woman. We might surmise that the individual consigned to this tomb was a chief, and the lock of hair was given by his sweetheart ; and the engraving represented she whom he loved. These were exl»;,'med near the iron bridge over the Mackinaw. .''

There is a post-office in the centef 'of the township by the name of Deer Creek. On section 32, John W. Osborn laid off the town of New Castle, in 1861. In giving the history of the township, we would also mention a few of the p*.,'{3ons who have and are making its history. Among this number we find

ChaiFer, were also English by birth. When ready to embark in life for himself he looked to the United States for a home, and a field to labor in. He accordingly crossed the ocean, in 1832, and three years later came to this county. Before he left England he had learned the wheelwright's trade and worked at it until he bade his native land adieu. He came here and engaged in farming, and, until shortly before his death, he continued at that pursuit. He died March 5th, 1874, respected and loved by all who knew him. He h id retired from business and moved into Washington only a few months before his death. He held many local official positions, and had the contidance of the whole community. Soon after coming to this country he married Eliza Osborn, in New York City. She died Dec. 19th, 1845. He was again married, Feb. 5, 1847, to Sarah Huxtable, who was born Sept. 11, 1817, in England, and came to this county in 1838. She lives with her sons, Daniel, who resides at Washington, and Elijah, who lives at the old homestead. Her P. O. address is Morton.

James Cornwell is the youngest subscriber w^e have for this work, and was encouraged to interest himself in it by his mother, Susan (Little) Cornwell. His father's name was Price Cornwell, both his parents were natives of Ohio. James was born in Belmont Co., Ohio., Aug. 24, 1864, and was brought to this county in 1872. He is yet a scholar in attendance upon the common schools, and has a choice for farming. Residence sec. 6 ; P. O., Washington.

Henry Danforth, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Washington; was born in St. Albans, Vt., Feb. 26, 1823. He is the son of Jonathan R. and Amanda (Walker) Danforth, also natives of St. Albans. He came West when young, and in 1848 located in this county poor, but now owns 480 acres of fine land. He does not believe in the credit system and has not asked for credit for twenty years. Jan. 12, 1846, he was married to Abigail Hathaway, of Swanton, Vt. They have had born to them six children. - Jonathan R., born Jan. 19,1847; Henry P., Dec. 28, 1849; Byson W., Jan. 23, 1852; Louis J., Sept. 13, 1858 ; James A., April 23, 1861 ; Mary A., Sept. 7, 1863. Jonathan died May 7, 1863. Mr. D. united with the M. E. Church in 1854; politically. Republican.

(Rottenberry) Huxtable. English people. They left that country, crossed'the Atlantic ' ^^^^' were landed on the shore of America with their eight chi' and by the year 1838 arrived in this came here a young "In, and ^ -r a period of over forty years has lived an exemplary life, honored and respected by all. For a period of thirty years he has been a member of the Baptist Church, first uniting with the Church at Tremont. He has served eight years as Justice of the Peace, and given satisfaction. His life thus fiir has been successful. He now possesses 530 acres of good land. Jan. 1,

1846, he was married to Barbara Robison, daughter of James and Isabella Robison, of Elm Grove. His wife died and he was again married, in 1879, Feb. 19, to Levina Culbertson, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth SchsefFer, of Morton.

John Sampson, farmer, sec. 5 ; P. O. address, Washington. Mr. S. was born in Penn. in 1818, Dec. 25. He is of Irish-German descent. He came into Tazewell Co. in 1847, where he has since lived a respected citizen and kind neighbor. He had only such advantages for an education as the common schools of pioneer times afforded. He is married and the parent of nine children, six of whom are living.

John Small came to this county from Kentucky in 1833. He was born in Christian Co., of that State, Aug. 20, 1818. John and Mary (Mason) Small, his parents, were Virginians. John attended subscription schools when small, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer, and now resides on the original homestead of the Small family, sec. 22, and is engaged in farming. Jan. 13, 1847, he was united in marriage with Nancy Ramsey, Avho was born Aug. 23, 1827, in Franklin Co., O. The union has been blessed with nine children - Eliza Ann, born Dec. 7, 1847; Martha E., Jan. 15, 1850; Sarah A., Nov. 18, 1851; Wm. M., Oct. 22, 1853; Millard F., Oct. 23, 1855; James C, Nov, 2, 1857; Robert F., Nov, 29, 1859 ; Mary J., Dec. 4, 1861 ; Clara L., Jan. 20, 1869. Post-office, Deer Creek.

Perry M. Stephens, farmer, sec. 28 ; P. O., Deer Creek. This gentleman is the son of Milo and Sally (Purdy) Stephens, of Genesee Co., N. Y., and was born in Muskingum Co., O., Aug. 10, 1820. When but thirteen years old he was brought to this county. He learned the potter's trade and followed it for some years. At the time we called upon Mr. S., which was Mar. 29, 1879, no other man, save Robert and John Small, had been longer in Deer Creek township than he. He has held minor local offices, but has been no office seeker. Jan. 14, 1847, he was married to Mary Jane Small, who was born Oct. 17, 1822. There have been born to them five children - Sarah L., born Sept. 6, 1848; Margaret A., Nov. 27, 1850; Catharine, Sept. 1, 1853; John M,, Dec. 4, 1857; Robert A., April 1, 1862. Two of the girls are dead.