Franklin Township

Franklin Township

THE early records of this township, yet preserved, contain an account of its organization. The first entry consists of the following notice :

Whereas, The commissioners of Coshocton county, Ohio, hath this day erected a new township off the south end of Tuscarawas township in said county, to be known by the name of Franklin, and consisting of the fourth township in the sixth range and the east half of the fourth township in the seventh range; therefore, the qualified electors of said township of Franklin are hereby notified to meet at the house of John Wamsley, in said township, on Saturday, the 17th day of September, and elect necessary township ofiicers, according to law.

Commissioners. Coshocton, September 6, 1814. At the appointed time and place John Wamsley and Jesse Campbell were elected judges, and Israel H. Buker, clerk of the election, and were 4uly sworn into office. The report of the first election, as made by them, is as follows :

We do certify that the number of electors amounted to twenty-two, and that Israel H. Buker had twenty-two votes for township clerk. Michael Miller, John Wamsley and Benjamin Robinson had each twenty-two votes for trustees. Valentine Johnson and Joseph Scott had each twenty-two votes for overseers of the poor. James Robinson and Jacob Jackson had each twentytwo votes for fence viewer . Michael Miller Valentine Johnson and Benjamin Robinson had each twenty-two votes for supervisors. Lewis Bodrick had twenty-two votes for constable, and James Robinson had twenty-one votes and Benjamin Robinson one vote for township treasurer.

At the next election, October 11, 1814, thirty-six votes were cast. Thomas Worthington received the entire number for governor; James Caldwell had thirty votes for representative in congress; B. Wells had six votes for the same; Charles Williams received thirty votes and Wright War- ner two votes for State' representative ; James Miskimen received thirty-two, and Isaac Draper two, votes for county commissioner. A re-election of State representative being ordered for January 4, 1815, thirty-nine votes were cast in this township. Of these Charles Williams received twenty-seven and Lewis Vail twelve.

The east half of township 4, range 7, was withdrawn at the formation of Virginia township, and the township now consists of township 4, range 6. It is in the southern tier of townships, and touches Jackson, Tuscarawas and Lafayette townships on the north ; Linton on the east, and Virginia on the west; Muskingum county bounds it on the south.

The surface is diversified by hill and vale. The Muskingum river, by a gently winding course, traverses the western part from north to south through a rich and fertile valley. Level bottom lands, for the most part, stretch away for a distance on either side, with low hills rising beyond; but, at times, the hills rise al^iost precipitously from the river's bank, on one side or the other. Farther east the land becomes rougher, and, along the eastern line, breaks into rugged! hills. Will's creek, a stream of considerable size and of very irregular course, is the principal tributary of the river in this township. Entering the southwest corner of the township from Linton, it dips down into Muskingum county ; appearing again near the middle of the southern line, it crops northward about one and a half miles to Frew's mill, there bends sharply to the south and, by a circuitous route, reaches the river in the southwest corner of the township. The other streams are inconsiderable and thread the township in various directions. The soil in the river bottoms is a rich loam, and seems incapable of wearing out. Year after year, almost beyond the recollection of men, corn crops have been successively raised with no apparent decrease in the yield. Upon the hills the soil is generally sandy. The timber is of the varieties usually found in this region. Upon a knoll in the eastern part of the township (section 20) are found a few scrubby pines.

The Ohio canal passes through the western part of the township; entering from the north, west of the river, it follows the valley and crosses into Virginia township, about a mile north of the southern hne. The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad enters the township east of the river, from the north, crosses the river at Franklin station, and continues in a course nearly parallel with the canal. The road has three flag-stations in the township : Rock Run, Franklin and Conesville. A single wagon bridge spans the Muskingum, near Conesville. The river is fordable, however, in one or two places.

Franklin was among the first settled townships in the county, and here, as elsewhere, the earliest settlements were made along the river. The eastern half of the township is congress land; the western half belongs to the military lands, and consists of two sections, of 4,000 acres each. Many military sections were purchased by non-residents of the county, with a view to speculation, holding them until a rise in value permitted them to dispose of their property in small tracts at a large profit. These two sections, however, were purchased by two Virginians, who emigrated to the wilderness and made it their homes. The northwest or second section was owned and settled by Michael Miller, the southwest or third, by William Robinson.

Major William Robinson was born in 1743. During Dunmore's war, he was captured by the Indians and became the object of the magnanimity of Logan, the celebrated chief of the Mingoes, at a time when he was smarting under the cowardly wrongs inflicted upon his family by the white men. Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio gives the following account of his capture:

On the 12th of July, 1774, Major Robinson, then a resident on the west fork of Monongahela river, was in the field with Mr. Colburn Brown and Mr. Helen, pulling flax, when they were surprised and fired upon by a party of eight Indians, led by Logan. Mr. Brown was killed and the other two made prisoners. On the first alarm, Mr. Robinson started to run. When he had got about fifty yards, Logan called out in English, " Stop, I won't hurt you!" " Yes, you will," replied Robinson in tones of fear " No, I won't," rejoined Logan, " but if you don't stop, by - - I'll shoot you." Robinson still contmued his race, but stumbling over a log, fell and was made captive by a fleet savage in pursuit. Logan immediately made himself known to Mr. Robinson and manifested a friendly disposition to him, told him that he must be of good heart, and go with him to his town, where he would probably be adopted in some of their failiilies. When near the Indian village, on the sit^ of Dresden, Muskingum river, Logan informed him that he must run the gauntlet, and gave him such directions, that he reached the council-house without the slightest harm. He was then tied to a stake for the purpose of being burnt, when Logan arose and addressed the assembled council of chiefs, in his behalf. He spoke long and with great energy, until the saliva foamed from .the sides of his mouth. This was followed by other chiefs in opposition, and rejoinders from Logan. Three separate times was he tied to the stake to be burnt, the councils of the hostile chiefs prevailing, and as often untied by Logan and a belt of wampum placed around him as a mark of adoption. His fife appeared to hang on a balance ; but the eloquence of Logan prevailed, and when the belt_ of wampum was at last put on him by Logan, he introduced a young Iildian to him, saying, " This is your cousin, you are to go home with him and he will take care of you."

From this place, Mr. Robinson accompanied the Indians up the Muskingum, through two or three Indian villages, until they arrived at one of their towns on the site of Newcomerstown, in Tuscarawas county. About the 21st of July, Logan came to Robinson and brought a piece of paper, saying that he must write a letter for him, which he meant to carry and leave in some house, which he should attack. Mr. Robinson wrote a note with ink, which he manufactured from gunpowder. He made three separate attempts before he could get the language, which Logan dictated, sufficiently strong to satisfy that chief. This note was addressed to Colonel Cresap,_whom Logan supposed was the murderer of his family. It was afterward found, tied to a war club, in the cabin of a settler who lived on or near the north fork of Holston river. It was doubtless left by Logan after murdering the family. A copy of it is given below, which, on comparison with his celebrated speech, shows a striking similarity of style :

"Captain Ceesap: - What did you kill my people on Yellow creek for ? The white people killed my kin, at Conestoga, a great while ago, and I thought nothing of that. But you killed my kin again on Yellow creek, and took my cousin prisoner. Then I thought I must kill too ; and I have been three times to war since ; but the Indians are not angry ; only myself.

Major Robinson, after remaining with the Indians about four months, returned to his home in Clarksburg, Virginia, of which he was one of the proprietors and the first merchant. He soon after married Margaret Sea, and engaged in agricultural and'mercantile pursuits. In 1801 he emigrated to Franklin township. The Robinson section was granted to William Edgar, Jr., by John Adams, President, under deed, dated April 2, 1800, and by Edgar transferred to Robinson, October 27, 1800. Mr. Robinson had, doubtless, passed through this tract in 1774, while on his way from Dresden to Newcomerstown. In the spring of 1801 he and his son Benjamin came out, cleared off a patch of ground, planted the first crop of corn, then returned and brought out his family. He had ten children - four sons - John, Benjamin, William and James - and six daughters - Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Margaret and Catherine. They all settled in this township except the oldest son, William, who remained in Virginia. Sarah was married to Mr. Barclay; Mary to John Wamsley, Elizabeth to Obadiah Davidson, Rebecca to Valentine Johnson, Margaret to James Tanner, and Catherine ft) Joseph Scott. All these settled on the Robinson section in 1801, or soon after. Tanner emigrated in 1803. His wife's health being delicate, she was unable to endure the hardships of pioneer life, and died about two years after her arrival here, this being probably the first death in the township. Mr. Tanner subsequently married Nancy Taylor, daughter of William Taylor, Other famihes from Clarksburg, Virginia, followgd the Robinsons here and settled in their midst, thus forming quite a little colony from their old home. Among these were the Johnsons, William Taylor and Jacob Jackson. The Johnsons were a brother and three sisters of Valentine Johnson - James, Nancy (Robinson), Catherine (Powelson), and Amelia (Shoemaker), They all settled on the Robinson section. Colonel Robinson died in the fall of 1815, surviving his wife about six months.

Jafnes Robinson, the youngest child, was born in Clarksburg, Virginia, 1787, inherited the homestead, where he remained until his death, in 1856. During this time he was one of the active and public spirited men of the county. He served one term as associate judge and two terms as State representative ; but his time and enthusiasm was absorbed principally in agricultural and kindred pursuits. He engaged in stock deal- ing, and several times crossed the mountains with droves of cattle. He was actively interested in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a staunch and steadfast adherent. His house was the principal place of meetings in this neighborhood in anti-church days, and many times 150 or more people would here assemble, coming from a distance on horseback, and themselves and horses would be provided for through his old time hospitality. He was twice married, in 1811 and in 1815. By his first wife he had two sons; by the second seven daughters and five sons. Of these, two sons and one daughter are all that now remain.

James Wilcox was among the earliest occupants of the township. He came from New England about 1801, and for a number of years was the only Yankee hereabouts. He was a stone mason, and was employed in digging wells, etc., for the early settlers ; he cleared off a considerable tract of land for the Robinsons, and afterward moved to Adams township, Muslfingum county, where he was known as one of its earli- settlers. ' Several grandsons now live in Franklin township.

Michael Miller came from Hampshire county, Virginia. All the authorities seem to fix the year 1801, as the date of his arrival. His family con- .sisted of seven children, Barbara, Charles, Patrick, Edward, John, Isaac and McCarty. In the course of a few years a number of families from Hampshire county found their way to Miller section. Among the earliest and most prominent of these was Philip Hershman. Jasper Hill and Arnold Kane came about 1808, from the same place, and both were renters on Miller's land. Daniel Hawkins came about the same time from New Jersey. Matthew Pigman emigrated, from Virginia, perhaps as early as 1803. After remaining on the Miller section a number of years as a renter, he entered a farm in section 1. Abraham Thompson, from Virginia, settled on the place Michael Lopp now owns.

Lewis Rod ruck 'entered the township in the of 1809. He was born in Maryland, September 28, 1772, and moved here from Virginia. He leased a place from William Robinson, raised B. crop or two with his sons, Levi and Yale, and in 1811 brought out from Virginia the rest of his family. After staying a few years on the Robinson place, he purchased and moved to a. farm in the southern part of the township. He was the first class leader of the Methodist church, and afterward became a minister in the Dunkard church, preaching about forty years. His death occurred in 1866, at the advanced age of ninety-four years.

George Littick came about 1811, and entered land in the northwest quarter of section 12. He was born in Germany, in 1759; left an orphan in early youth, he was bound as an apprentice to a baker, but cruel treatment crused him to run away and cross the ocean at eighteen years of age ; arriving in this country, he was obliged to work three years to pay his passage way. He died in Franklin township, December 25, 1847.

The township gradually settled up toward the east, but the uninviting hills made the settlement necessarily slow, so long as there were better lands to occupy. It was not until 1886 that all the land in the township was entered. Several years before this there was an influx of Germans from Muskingum county, and a few years later the French began to arrive and people the hills. Philip Kromnaker was the first Frenchman to locate here, in 1835. During the next fifteen years a constant stream of emigrants from France flowed in, and in 1850 the French element predominated in the eastern part of the township. They emigrated principally from the province of Alsace, ceded a few years ago to Germany, coming mostly by water to Zanesville, , by way of New Orleans. They are a frugal and industrious class of people, and have transformed some of the wildest, and roughest lands of the county into prosperous and happy homes. Many have since removed to other parts.

The early records of the township have been lost or destroyed. A partial list of the first officers is as follows : John Wamsley, clerk; James Robinson, treasurer; Lewis Rodruck, constable. William Taylor and Abraham Thompson also held first ofl&ces, probably as trustees.

It was not uncommon, prior to 1812, for strolling Indians to appear at the cabins of the early settlers. Mrs. James Rice, daughter of Joseph Scott, recollects that a young Indian brave, while visiting at her father's cabin, became angry at his squaw for some cause and beat her severely in the face with an ear of corn till she bled profusely. This mark of affection the squaw received without flinching and with the fortitude characteristic of the Indian race. Still more enraged, the Indian seized a cooper's wooden horse standing by, and hurled it forcibly at his wife. This time she dodged, and the missile barely missed Mrs. Bice, then a little girl three or four years old. At another time an Indian lad appeared, begging meat. Her father, at heart a hater of the whole Indian race, on account of injuries received by relatives at the hands of the savages, with grim humor presented the boy a very large piece of raw meat, and then compelled him to eat it; a feat which the lad accomplished'only after manifest suffering. Mr. Scott then gave him some meat to take home with him. The young Indian complained of the treatment he had received to his friends, but they regarded it as an excellent joke, and ridiculed him, and often afterward used to laugh with Mr. Scott about it.

IsraelH. Baker was in all probability the pioneer school-teacher of this township. He was a native of Massachusetts, began teaching here about 1806, and continued it for many years in different parts of the township, wherever he could get pupils. A Mr. Patterson and Mr. Boberts, also, figured among the earliest teachers, A little later came Abram T. Jones and William J. Eobinson.

There are now six school districts within the township, four east, and two west, of the river. District No. 6 was formed in 1876, a short distance northeast of Coalport.

The Methodist Episcopal church was the first to form a religious society within the township. In 1812, Rev. John Mitchell organized a class in the Eobinson neighborhood, now called the Bethany church. The details of its early history are meagre. For a long time services were held at the houses of the members, and afterward in the school-house which stood north of the site of the Methodist Protestant church. Eev. Buark and Joseph Pigman were among the earliest preachers. Among the original menlbers may be mentioned James Eobinson, Lewis Eodruck and wife, John Wamsley and William Davidson. Their present church edifice was erected in 1870, about a mile northwest of Will's creek, where the old building stood. It is a nicely finished frame, costing about $3,000, and has served as a model in constructing several churches since. The present membership is about fifty. A successful Sunday-school is in operation under the management of Ira Wilcox and Dr. Henderson.

The Bethel Methodist Episcopal church, situated west of the river, was organized in 1864, at the Conesville school-house, by Bevs. A. S. Moffatt and John Blanpied, the two ministers of the Dresden and Eoscoe circuits, then united. The need of religious services in this vicinity had long been felt. Occasional preaching had been held in the school-house previous to the organization of the church, but there was a demand for a permanent church, and this demand gave rise to the Bethel church. Francis Wolfe, Ben. Wolford, James Davis, Henry Harris, C. W. Uffner, C. W. Darnes and others were instrumental in effecting its organization. The pastors have been as follows: Eevs. Moffatt and Blanpied, one year; B. F. Bell, one year; J. H. Johnson, two years; S. E. Squire, two years; J. E. Eeasoner, two years; W. Ben. Taggert, three years; John Phifer, three years; S. Barcus, two years. Eev. Williams is the present pastor. Services were held in the school-house until 1874, when the present house of worship, a neat, substantial brick of goodly dimensions, was erected at a cost of $2,500. The present membership includes about sixty souls. Contemporaneous with the organization of the church was that of the Sunday-school. For four years previous, however, a union Sunday-school had been successfully conducted. During the twenty years just past, the average enrollment has exceeded 100. Lon Myrice has charge of the school.

The Methodist Protestant church was organized in 1831 in the school-house which stood on the lot adjoining the present church building, by Eev. Israel Thrapp. The organizing members were six in number - George Littiok, Abram Jones, Charles Borough, Isa*c Shambaugh, William Davidson, and one other. Several years later the school-house was burned, and a church building was erected. This, too, was consumed about 1860, after which preaching was transferred to a frame school-house close by, and held there until the completion of the present building, in 1857. Among the pastors who have supplied this charge were G. W. Hissey, Joseph Hamilton and John Woodward. W. S. Wells fills the pulpit at present. The church membership is eighty-two. A Sunday-school has long been successfully carried on, superintended at present by Seth M. CuUison.

The German population is principally Lutheran in religious sentiment. In or about the year 1839 a German Lutheran church was built in the southeastern part of the township, on section 21. Here the Germans were accustomed to meet once a month for religious services. But the church never flourished. Schisms arose and divided the members. The meetings were gradually discontinued, and finally ceased. The stout structure of the old log building is still standing, doorless and windowless.

Many of the German settlers emigrated from Muskingum county and had there belonged to the Lutheran church near Adamsville. After their settlement in this township they were occasionally served as members of the old church. When they had become sufficiently strong in number, a church organization was effected June 18, 1853, at George Struts' house, under the name of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church. George Shurtz was elected elder; John J. Werts and Daniel Ganmer, wardens. Early in 1855 Harrison Wagner, Solomen Werts and Elijah Wagner, were elected trustees. Other original members were George Vinsel, Jesse Ganmer, John Miller, William W. and Charles Adams. Rev. Samuel Kummerer was chosen first pastor. The early meetings were held in Ganmer's schoolhouse. The church was erected in 1858, and dedicated December 5, the same year, by Rev. A. N. Bartholomew, the second pastor. It is a frame building thirty by forty feet, costing about $1,200. The regular ministers since, have been J. P. Hentz, and J. Weber the present incumbent. The member&ip is now about 100. A Sunday-school has been held regularly during the summer season since the formation of the church.

With the advent of the French, came the material for the St. Nicholas Catholic church. Its organization was efi'ected in 1856, by Father Bainter. The principal original members were Anthony Wimmer, Sr., Nicholas Roger, Wendal Strasser, Matthias Factor, Nicholas Erman, Joseph Salriii and John David. The first meetings were held in Mrs. Margaret Factor's house, and in 1857, the present house of worship, a log, weather-boarded building, was erected. The labor was performed and the material furnished by the members, each contributing three logs for the structure. Rev. Bainter remained in charge but a short time after the completion of the church, and was succeeded successively by Revs. Serge de Stchonlepnikoff, Andrews, Northmeyer and John M. Jacquet. The membership includes about twenty-five families. A Sundayschool has recently been started, and is now in successful operation.

About 1824, a Dunkard minister, Schofield by name, began preaching on Will's creek, in the southern part of the township. No church building was ever erected in this township, but services were conducted many years, by Lewis Rodruck, at Philip Hershman's house. The society now has a church in Keene township.

The only tavern ever kept in the township was one kept by John Wamsley, west of the river, on the farm now owned by Charles Marquand. It was about the' year 1810, that he hung out this sign of the Black Horse, offering entertainment to the wayfaring stranger. It was the only thoroughfare between Zanesville and Coshocton at that time, no road east of the river having been yet opened ; and, in those days of slow travel, it was doubtless a welcome sight to the weary traveler. But it has long since filled the measure of its usefulness. It continued perhaps thirty years, then, like most other early country taverns, passed away.

Distilleries here, as elsewhere, prevailed in early days. Several little mills were built along the brooklets in the township, where a little corn was ground and whisky distilled. One of these was on Robinson's run, close by the school-house, where the run crosses the road. In 1847, a large distillery was erected by Beebe S. Cone, H. Schmueser, and two others, west of the river, on what is now James Johnson's farm. It was a large building, about forty by fifty feet, with a capacity of 400 to 500 bushels per day, and was run by steam power. It was destroyed by fire, in 1857, and several years later partially rebuilt, by James Beebe, and conducted on a somewhat smaller scale ; but a few years later, the fiery element again reduced it to ashes, this time efiectually.

Franklin township has three postofBces, Wills Creek, Franklin Station and Conesville. Wills Creek is a little village of about fifteen houses, scattered irregularly about the bend of the stream, the name of which it bears. It was never laid out, and owes its existence to Frew's mill, located there. Its business consists of a store, two blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, one shoe shop, and the mill. A saw-mill was formerly operated in conjunction with the grist-mill. A steam saw-mill, built in 1851, was also carried on about ten years. Wills Creek receives a tri-weekly mail from Coshocton. A. M. Henderson, the only practicing physician in the township, resides here.

The other two postofiSces are situated on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad. Close by Franklin Station is a small mining town, Coalport, containing about twenty houses, a store and a blacksmith shop. The name indicates its origin. Most of the families living here are those of miners employed by the Coalport Coal Co., whose mines are in Jackson township. A horse railroad connects the mines with the canal at Coalport.

Conesville of to-day is merely a railroad station, with a country store attached. The name was formerly applied to a collection of some sixteen or eighteen houses which sprang into existence about Cones' distillery for the accommodation of the families of the men employed there. While the distillery was in operation, James Johnson built a cooper shop there, employing about eight workmen. This also helped give the little town a boom. A store was established and everything for a while looked lively ; but its existence was ephemeral ; it rose and fell with the distillery. All the houses have been removed and nothing remains to mark their former existence here. Before this time, about 1840, a Mr. Delaney laid out in the same locality the plat of a village to be called Delaneysville but nothing ever came of it.

The coal beds of this township are little developed. They may be found on nearly every farm in the eastern part of the township, but only a few are worked, and these few for home consumption only. A single mine, that of Mr. James Fitch, is worked regularly. It is situated on the line between Franklin and Tuscarawas townships, but the greater part of it lies in the latter township. The mine was opened about twentyfive years ago, and the supply is now almost exhausted. About 4,000 tons are mined annually. It finds a ready sale, and is shipped mostly to Newark.

Iron ore is found in some parts of the township. Josesh R. Tingle has discovered on his farm several veins of a brown hematite ore which assays 45 per cent of metallic iron.

Petroleum oil of superior quality, is found in small quantities along a little run in section 11, on the place now owned by Prosper Royer. It oozes from the surface of the ground freely, in early spring. Philip Hershman first noticed it, when the land where it is found was still unentered. He would collect and use it for medicinal and other purposes. Wells have been sunk several times, at great expense, in search of the oil in paying quantities, but they have heretofore proved unsuccessful. The land has recently been leased to an experienced oil merchant, and search for hidden oil, will again soon be instituted, with what success the future only can determine.

The oldest person now living in the township, is Mrs. Catherine Miller, now in her ninetythird year. She is the widow of Patrick Miller, and the daughter of Arnold Kane. George A. McCleary is another pioneer who still survives. He was Ijorn February 4, 1798, and emigrated to this county in 1814; he has lived in Franklin township fifty-seven years, and has been one of its leading, active citizens, representing the county in the Ohio legislature.

About 1835, when the road between the Robinson and Miller sections was opened east of the river, a mound, perhaps twenty-five feet in diameter and five in height, was in the road and was leveled to the ground in consequence. In it were found the remains of five or six skeletons. They were arranged like the radii of a circle, having the head nearest the center. A small mound was still to be seen west of the river and near the line between the lands of George Wolfe and Charles Miller.