Franklin Township

Franklin Township

though much drainage has rendered the land tillable. Agriculturally- considered, it is one of the finest townships of land in the county. The soil is strong and produces a vigorous growth of whatever the farmer is disposed to sow or plant. Fine sugar camps still exist. and much maple sugar is made. The da}- is rapidly approaching, however, when the farmers will see the necessity of gi'eat care and much nursing of their timber land. Even now, hedge, board and post and rail fences are taking the place of the time-honored rail or worm fence. The day is not far distant, when this latter fence will be as much of a rarity as are now the log cabins of the pioneer. So gradual is this change, that it escapes the notice of those who daily pass through the country, and yet, comparatively, the change is rapid, and the farmer will soon find himself the autocrat of his little domain, as well as the aristocrat of the country. This is essentially an agricultural township, there being no towns within its Hmits, and no railroad touches it. except at the southeast corner, where the Atlantic & Great Western passes across a small portion.

The people are largely descendants of that sturdy race of pioneers who came from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were men and women of rare courage and strength, and, religiously, were Lutherans or German Reformed. Their children follow in their footsteps, and make it their highest aim in life to become worthy citizens.

TpRANKLIN TOWNSHIP was erected, June -LJ 4, 1816, out of the southeast corner of Blooming Grove Township, and was, at that time, six miles square, including a portion of what is now Weller Township. Thus it remained until Ashland County was formed. This formation left the eastern townships of Richland in a fragmentary shape, and necessitated a change in township lines. In this change, Franklin lost its two eastern tiers of sections, July 5, 1849, leaving it in its present shape, six miles long, from north to south, and four miles wide. Its surface is generally flat, or gently rolling, and in an early day, a large part of it was considered swamp land, and all was covered with a dense forest of vigorous growth. Oak and beech were more abundant on the higher lands, and maple and walnut on the wavy slopes in the west and central parts. The elm, ash and sycamore skirted the winding Black Fork, which passes across the northeastern portion, and the second bottom lands w-ere noted for their beautiful sugar-tree groves. Wild plum-trees and black-haw bushes were found in various parts. Two clear, sparkling tributaries of the Black Fork, Friend's Creek and Brubaker Creek, run parallel with each other, from west to east, across the township, near its center. Between these creeks, and north of Friend's Creek, lie some of the higher lands, until the vicinity of the Black Fork is reached, when swamps again make their appearance. The southern part of the township is also quite swampy, even yet,

Prior to white occupation, the Indians used this territory, extensivel}-, for hunting and making sugar, but no permanent camp was located within its limits, so far as known. Every 3'ear, however, they were in the habit of making temporary' camps, along the l^eautiful valleys of Friend's and Brubaker Creeks, and many specimens of their handiwork have been found in various places, though these are not nearly so numerous as in some other portions of the county. On the bank of Brnbaker's Creek, a short distance west of John Kendall's barn, several fine specimens of Indian workmanship have been found, from time to time, indicating the location of an Indian encampment, and, perhaps, of a small burying-gi'ound, though the place has never received careful examination.

The Black Fork, in an earl}' da}^, was considered navigable, for some Doats, as far as Ganges, though it was hard work to get boats of any size above the vicinity of the Charles mill. The earliest settlers of Franklin probably came up this stream, a few, however, coming in by way of Beall's trail, and large numbers, a little later, b}' the old State road, the first road in the township, and was cut through, in a zigzag course, from Mansfield to Brubaker Creek, and thence northwesterly, taking a diagonal course across the township to Ganges. This road has been straightened considerabl}', but its general course remains the same. This is the road upon which large quantities of grain and other produce was wagoned to the lake, in those days the only outlet to the Eastern market ; and it was along this road that the first settlers generally located, and where the}- were not entirely isolated from the rest of the world. The daily passage of immense freight wagons, which occurred in the fall of the year, served as a diversion for the monotony of life in the woods.

occurred as earl}' as 1814, as a printed record - which is confirmed by the oldest settlers - says that Peter Pittenger and George Wolford, together with the Rev. John Clingen, organized a Methodist societ}', with twelve members, in 1815. This would indicate quite a number of settlers here at that earh' date, and it is fair to presume that some of them came as earl}- as 1814, or even a year earlier, though it must also be remembered that settlers came from long distances to reHgious meetings, and that this early Methodist society might have been made up of settlers parti}' from other townships.

It is pretty safe to place Henry and Peter Pittenger, who settled on Section 21, and George Wolford, among the earliest settlers. Among these early settlers, also, were Samuel Harvey, Mr. Arbuckle, Samuel Gosage and the Armsti'ongs, all of whom settled on Section 16, which had been reserved by the State for school purposes, and all came liefore 1820. These were rather wild, harum-scarum fellows, who cared more for hunting wild animals and bees, fishing and trapping, than for tilling the soil. They erected their cabins upon this section iDecause it was not open to settlers nor for sale, and they knew they would not be disturbed. They made no clearings or improvements, for they did not intend to become farmers. The State held this land sixteen years, when it was sold to the highest bidder, bringing about 111 per acre. It is worth now about .$100 per acre. When it was sold, these hunters were compelled to vacate, and probably followed the Indian and bear further West.

Among the earliest settlers in the southern and western part, were Mr. Groocross, Section 29 ; Samuel Linn, Section 28 ; Jacob Keiser, John and Jacob Stoner, Robert Hall, Samuel Donnan and Israel Long, the latter settling on Section 34. Further north and east, were Calvin Morehead and his four sons, James, John, DaAdd and Calvin ; Jacob Cline, Section 17 ;

Joseph Floro, Section' 16, and Mr. Inks, Section 17. The latter erected a " tavern " on the old State road, at a point on Friends Creek, where several roads now cross. The place is now owned by Johnson Boggs, whose father was also among the earliest settlers. Inks only kept the hotel a short time, when he died. A Mr. Gates married the widow, and continued the business many years. Israel Long also erected a log tavern on this road, for the accommodation of the teamsters and travelers. This building stood on Section 34, near the (Terman Reformed and Lutheran brick church, directly in front of the present residence of Hezekiah Kohler. These two " taverns " were noted resorts in early days, public gatherings and militia musters being held in the vicinit}' of each.

Some of the later settlers were John Kendall, who came from England, in 1825, locating where he now resides, on Section 20 ; the Taylors, Crums, Ralstons. Powells and others.

Jacob Cline erected a distiller}' near his cabin, on a spring. This gave the earliest settlers a market for their corn and smaller grain, which Mr. Cline purchased and made into whisk}', sending part of it to the lake, but disposing of most of it to the settlers at 1 5 or 1 8 cents per gallon. This was not the poison now retailed by saloons and drug stores, but honest whisky, which would make a man drunk, but would not murder him.

The forests of Franklin Township were filled with wild game of every description, and was a paradise for the white as well as the red hunter. It is said that the Indians were in the habit of going down to what is termed the " Big Hill " for their lead for hunting purposes. It is a little strange that this lead-mine has never been discovered. The old settlers of to-da}' can, many of them, remember the little chunks of lead, in its crude state, they frequently saw in the hands of the Indians. The Indians guarded their secret with jealous care, and would never revefll the place of this lead deposit ; the settlers, however, were under the impression that it was in the vicinity of the Big Hill. It is stated that, whenever white men were taken to the vicinity of this mine, they were " blindfolded."

Man}^ black bears lived in the swamps and "windfalls" of Franklin. Their cubs were fi-equently captured by the settlers and retained as pets. Many a hunt was made by the settlers, with guns and dogs, after the blackwooled depredators, who had, the night before, disturbed the peace of the pig-pen or trespassed among the tender vines of the garden.

In the winter of 181 7, a light snow being on the ground, Peter Pittenger, James Furgeson and his sons came upon the track of a bear near the present site of Wolford's Schoolhouse. The}' followed it eastward until the trail stopped at the foot of a hollow tree by Palmer's swamp. They began cutting, and, when the tree was half cut down, bruin, doubtless taking the hint, came suddenly down among the dogs and men and ran away along the edge of a swamp. The dogs soon overtook him, and Tige and Jowler made demonstrations in front, while Trip and Penny proceeded to attack the enemy's works in the rear. The men came up quickly, but in the excitement had left their guns behind and found themselves upon the battle-field where bruin was standing on the defensive, fighting the dogs, with no weapons except an ax and hatchet. These they were unable to use lest a blow at the bear might be equally disastrous to a dog.

When the men came up, the bear again attempted a retreat, when Peter Pittenger seized it by the rump and gave it three deep cuts in the back with his tomahawk. Ho w^as compelled, however, to release his hold, and the wounded animal continued the retreat two miles further, but was finally overtaken on the Pao-e farm near Windsor, and shot.

It is related that lute one evening in November, an Indian liunter, whom the whites called "Greasy,"' concluded he would tr}' "shining"' on the Black Fork for deer. Placing fire in one end of his bark canoe and seating himself in the other, gun in hand, he dropped quietly down the stream, the fire lighting up either bank. After going half a mile, the hunter saw in the bushes two bright e^'es gazing at his beacon light. When he fired, the e^'es disappeared, but a wounded deer struck the water so near the canoe as to upset it, putting out the light and leaving " Greasy '' to exercise his swimming powers in the darkness to reach the bank. He soon came shivering back to camp minus canoe, gun. deer and temper.

Blacksnakes and rattlesnakes were quite numerous here as well as elsewhere in earh' da^'S. Illustrative of this unpleasant fact in pioneer life, Mr. Isaac Charles relates that an Indian named Cornstalk came to his calnn one evening in the fall of 1816, and, taking a seat with a solemn, despondent look, remarked, "Injin tired. Injin hunt all day on hill for deer." " Did you kill any?" asked Mr. Charles. " Me no kill any deer. Too sh}^ ! Me hunt for bear. Me no kill bear. Injin hungry ! Injin tired. After a short pause he continued : " Injin bad scared to-day." " What scared you ? " asked Mr. Charles. " Me look in rocks for bear sign. Ugh ! Snake, big ! Me turn round, ugh ! Snake there too ; me look on this side, on that side ; snake here, snake there, snake all around. Ugh ! Injin scared. Injin run fast." They afterward hunted up this spot, a deep ravine called the "snake den," where hundreds of these reptiles were killed.

The township settled up quite rapidly after the war of 1812 ; many of the soldiers who passed through the count}' with the army, afterward returned and settled permanently in these northern townships of the county.

fann now owned b}' Samuel Graham. This cabin, afterward aliandoned, served many years as a voting-place for settlers. William Holister and Jacob Cline were the first Justices of the Peace. A short time after his election, a hard case coming before Mr. Cline, he resigned, and Jacob Osbun was elected in his place. The people then, as now, were not politicians, and for several years, the elections went b}' default. They would forget about election day, and the consequence was the}' were occasionally' without either a Justice of the Peace or Constable. They did not feel in« particular need of these oflficers.

The early settlers were compelled to go great distances to get their milling done, water-power being scarce within the limits of the township.

The Spring Mill, in Springfield Township, was patronized by them after its erection, but before that they were compelled to go to Beam's and to Fredericktown. Beam's mill, they said, was so overrun with business in these early daj'S, that the}' were often compeDed to wait three or four days for a grist, and often were not able to get it at all. Nearly all the early mills were primitive affairs, and could not meet promptly the wants of the settlers. Water was not wanting in Franklin, l)ut it was stagnant water and could not be made to furnish power. A few saw-mills were erected, but even these could onl}' run occasionally ; a flood would fill up the mill-races with earth and debris, and block the mill. A great deal of labor and expense was required to keep them clear. The first of these saw-mills was erected bj John Ross, on Brubaker Run, on Section 21. Jacob Whisler afterward owned and conducted this mill several 3-ears. About 1840, John Ralston also erected a saw-mill on Brubaker Run, on Section 22, which he conducted eight or ten years. Several other saw-mills were erected in an early day, but all have long since disappeared. As the country was cleared and drained, the ruins of these old mills were left high and dry. About 1865, David Bushey erected a steam saw-mill on the old State road. This mill is 3"et in operation, and is owned by Theodore Forbes. The onl}- grist-mill within the limits of the township was erected on the Black Fork, about IS-IO, by Christopher Urick. This mill is yet standing at a point on the Black Fork where the road, running directly north from Mansfield, crosses that stream. It does a local business, and is owned by John Bell. A saw-mill was connected with it many 3"ears, but has long since disappeared.

The people are generall}- a church-going people, five churches having, at present, an organized existence. Before churches were erected, the people held services in their cabins and in the log schoolhouses, which, soon after the first settlement, made their appearance. These first schoolhouses were erected along the first road - the " Old State Road " - one being on Section 8, in the neighborhood of Inks' "tavern," and another in the southern part of the township, near the Long " tavern," and near the present site of the Lutheran Church. These two points were prominent in the early settlements. The sclioolhouse near Long's tavern was the first one erected, and stood on the farm then owned b}' Joseph Flora (now b}' H. Kohler), and was erected in 1821. Thomas Taylor was the first teacher, and, afterward, James McCluer taught two terms ; and was followed b}^ Mr. Plummer, who taught several terms. This house burned down one night after a spelling-school, and, for some 3'ears after, rooms in private dwellings were used for school purposes in this neighborhood. A second house was erected in 1837, on the land now owned b}- Mr. Kohler.

It was in this schoolhouse, near Long's tavern, that the first church in the township was organized. Here the German Reformed and Lutheran societies were organized about the year 1825. After several years, these organizations united for the purpose of erecting a church. Land was donated for this purpose by John Zeiters, and a log building erected, which, from that cla}^ to this, has retained the name of " Zeiters' Church." The deed for this ground is dated December 30, 1834; "from John Zeiters and wife to George Wolford and Jacob Cla}-, Trustees of the German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations of Zeiter's Church, and their successors in office." This deed is witnessed by Henry Pittenger and John Zeiters, Jr. One of the first graveyards in the township was established here, and the first burial was that of Henry Wainbranner, who died in 1833, aged sixtj'-two 3'ears. On the weather-beaten stone above this grave, appears the following well-worn legend: " Remember friends, as you pass by,

The following are the names of some of the first members of this church : Jacob Kunkleman, Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiters, Jr., J. Henry, Samuel Saltzgaver, John Stoutzenberg, Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein, J. W. Sturgeon, Elias Keller, Jacob Heck, George Throne, Michael Throne, Jacob Fisher, John Kendall, William AVolf, Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, John Blecker, George Wolford, John Zeiters, Sr., Joel Keller, William Cloud, George Cassel, Thomas Russell and Jacob Bringman.

The early ministers were George and Samuel Leiter and the Rev. Francis J. Ruth, of Gallon, who yet preaches ever}' two weeks for the congregation of Lutherans.

About the year 1840, a division occurred in this church, a portion of the members, under the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrawing and erecting a new church for themselves, a mile or more west of the parent church, on Section 32. Mr. Cla}' gave the ground for this church, and it is generally' known as the " Cla}' Church." It was also erected by the united efforts of the Lutherans and German Reformed people. A few of the Lutherans who participated in this organization were Peter Miller and wife, Jacob Kohler and wife, Jacob Keiser, Thomas Rutledge and wife, Robert and Thomas Hall and John Bringman and wife. Of the Grerman Reformed, there were John Clay and wife, John Fisher and wife, John Marks and wife and Michael Thorne and wife. Of these people, only Peter Miller and John Marks are now living.

Both of these churches support a Sunday school in summer. Math forty or fifty members each. Solomon AVeaver organized the first Sunday school in the Clay Church, about the year 1852.

It is said that the first religious services ever held in this part of the county was at the house of Peter Pittenger, in 1815. The services were conducted by Rev. John Clingan, who organized a Methodist society, with about twelve members.

In a very early day, a Universalist Church was erected in the northern part of the township. This church was log, and may have antedated the Zeiter Church. The Ayerses and Truckses were influential in the erection of this church. Adam. John and Lewis Keith and the Crums were members of this church, and early settlers.

the Baptist Church at Windsor. Rev. Taylor was instrumental in its organization, and the early members were Isaiah Boyce and family, John Jackson and daughter, Charles Copeland and family, Robert Jump and daughter, William Bohler and wife, Roger Moses and John D. Bo^'ce and wife. The present Pastor is J. D. Goff, and the present membership about seventy-five.

Between the years 1830 and 18-tO, the Tunkers organized a societj^, and held meetings at the houses of Jacob Whisler, Henry Worst and others and in the schoolhouse. In 1858, they erected the present frame church, on Section 20. The early members were Henry and Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian Rittenhouse, Samuel and Jacob Landes and their wives, and Joseph Rittenhouse and wife. The early leaders were James Tracy, Elias Dickey, H. Showalter and others.

Michael Keith and John Kendall gave the ground upon which the church and cemetery were established. The present membership is about one hundred.

The Harmony Baptist Church was organized at Ganges September 3, 1865, by Elder A. Morthland, the first members being David Bushey, Michael Hissel, Joshua Baker, Elder A. Morthland, George Wells, Rowland Boyce, Mrs. David Bushey, Mrs. Joshua Baker and others.

The first meetings were held in schoolhouses, barns and private residences. In 1866, they erected the present church, on Section 20, at a cost of $2,000.

Elder A. Morthland preached for this congregation until his death, which occurred January 22, 1876. He was followed by Elder T. W. Dye, who died recentl}', and who occupied the pulpit until his death. The present membership is seventy-seven.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.a. Graham, published 1880; 3,563 words in this source stream.

Allan

ORGANIZATION AND TOPOGRAPHY - AGRICULTURE, Erc. - Iyprax Occupatron - Roaps - First SETTLERS AND SeETTLEMENTS - First HotTEets - DistTiLtERY - THE Leap Mine - Bear Henxtixc - ' SHixinc'' ror DEER - A SNAKE Story - First ELections - MIL~s - ScuHooits AND CHURCHES.

RANKLIN TOWNSHIP was erected. June 4.1516. out of the southeast corner of Blooming Grove Township. and was. at that time. six miles square. including a portion of what is now Weller Township. Thus it remained until Ashland County was formed. This formation left the eastern townships of Richland in a fragmentary shape. and necessitated a change in township lines. In this change. Franklin lost its two eastern tiers of sections. July 5. 1849. leaying it in its present shape. six miles long. from north to south, and four miles wide. Its surface is generally flat..or gently rolling. and in an early day. a large part of it was considered swamp land. and all was covered with a dense forest of vigorous growth. Oak and beech were more abundant on the higher lands. and maple and walnut on the wavy slopes in the west and central parts. The elm, ash and sycamore skirted the winding Black Fork. which passes across the northeastern portion. and the second bottom lands were noted for their beautiful sugar-tree groves. Wild plum-trees and black-haw bushes were found in various parts. Two clear. sparkling tributaries of the Black Fork, Friend's Creek and Brubaker Creek. run parallel with each other, from west to east, across the township. near its center. Between these creeks. and north of Friend's Creek, lie some of the higher lands. until the vicinity of the Black Fork is reached. when swamps again make their appearance. The southern part of the township is also quite swampy, even yet.

though much drainage has rendered the land tillable. Agriculturally considered. it is one of the finest townships of land in the county, The soil is strong and produces a vigorous growth of whatever the farmer is disposed to sow or plant. Fine sugar camps still exist, and much maple sugar is made. The day is rapidly approaching. however. when the farmers will see the necessity of great care and much nursing of their timber land. Even now, hedge. board and post and rail fences are taking the place of the time-honored rail or worm fence. The day is not far distant, when this latter fence will be a8 much of a rarity as are now the log cabins of the pionéer. So gradual is this change, that it escapes the notice of those who daily pass through the country. and yet, comparatively. the change is rapid. and the farmer will soon find himself the autocrat of his little domain. as well as the aristocrat of the country. This is essentially an agricultural township. there being no towns within its limits. and no railroad touches it. except at the southeast corner, where the Atlantic & Great Western passes across a small portion.

The people are largely descendants of that sturdy race of pioneers who came from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were men and women of rare courage and strength, and, religiously. were Lutherans or German Reformed. Their children follow in their footsteps. and make it their highest aim in life to become worthy citizens.

Prior to white occupation, the Indians used this territory, extensively, for hunting and making sugar, but no permanent camp was located within its limits, So faras known. Every year, however, they were in the habit of making temporary camps, along the beautiful valleys of Friend's and Brubaker Creeks, and many specimens of their handiwork have been found in yarious places, though these are not nearly so numerous as in some other portions of the county. On the bank of Brubaker's Creek, a short distance west of John Kendall's barn, several fine specimens of Indian workindicating the location of an Indian encampment, and, perhaps, of a small burying-ground, though the place has never received careful examination,

The Black Fork, in an early day, was considered navigable, for some boats, as far as Ganges, though it was hard work to get boats of any size aboye the vicinity of the Charles mill. The earliest settlers of Franklin probably came up this stream, a few, however, coming in by way of Beall's trail, and large numbers, a little later, by the old State road, the first road in the township, and was cut through, in a zigzag course, from Mansfield to Brubaker Creek, and thence northwesterly, taking a diagonal course across the township to Ganges. This road has been straightened considerably, but its general course remains the same. This is the road upon which large quantities of grain and other produce was wagoned to the lake, in those days the only outlet to the Eastern market ; and it was along this road that the first settlers generally located, and where they were not entirely isolated from the rest of the world. The daily passage of immense freight wagons, which occurred in the fall of the year, served as a diversion for the monotony of life in the woods.

occurred as early as 1814, as a printed record - which is confirmed by the oldest settlers - says that Peter Pittenger and George Wolford, together with the Rev. John Clingen, organized a Methodist society, with twelve members, in 1815. This would indicate quite a number of settlers here at that early date, and it is fair to presume that some of them came. as early as 1814, or even a year earlier, though it must also be remembered that settlers came from long distances to religious meetings, and that this early Methodist society might have been made up of settlers partly from other townships.

It is pretty safe to place Henry and Peter Pittenger, who settled on Section. 21, and George Wolford, among the earliest settlers. Among these: early settlers, also, were Samuel Harvey, Mr. Arbuckle, Samuel Gosage and the Armstrongs, all of whom settled on Section 16, which had been reserved by the State for school purposes, and all eame before 1820. These were rather wild, harum-scarum fellows, who cared more for hunting wild animals and bees, fishing and trapping, than for tilling the soil. They erected their cabins upon this section because it was not open to settlers nor for sale, and they knew they would not be disturbed. They made no clearings or improvements, for they did not intend to become farmers. The State held this land sixteen years, when it was sold to the highest bidder, bringing about $11 per acre. It is worth ndw about $100 per acre. When it was sold, these hunters were compelled to vacate, and probably followed the Indian and bear further West.

Among the earliest settlers in'the southern and western part, were Mr. Groocross, Section 29; Samuel Linn, Section 28; Jacob Keiser, John and Jacob Stoner, Robert Hall, Samuel Donnan and Israel Long, the latter settling on Section 34. Further north and east, were Calvin Morehead and his four sons, James, John, David and Calvin; Jacob Cline, Section 17;

Joseph Floro, Section 16, and Mr. Inks, Section 17. The latter erected a "tavern" on the old State road, at a point on Friend's Creek, where several roads now cross. The place is now owned by Johnson Boggs, whose father was also among the earliest settlers. Inks only kept the hotel a short time, when he died. A Mr. Gates married the widow, and continued the business many years. Israel Long also erected a log tavern on this road, for the accommodation of the teamsters and travelers. This building stood on Section 34, near the German Reformed and Lutheran brick church, directly in front of the present residence of Hezekiah Kohler. These two "taverns" were noted resorts in early days, public gatherings and militia musters being held in the vicinity of each.

Some of the later settlers were John Kendall, who came from England, in 1825, locating where he now resides, on Section 20; the Taylors, Crums, Ralstons, Powells and others. Jacob Cline erected a distillery near his cabin, on a spring. This gave the earliest settlers a market for their corn and smaller grain, | which Mr. Cline purchased and made into whisky, sending part of it to the lake, but disposing of most of it to the settlers at 15 or 18 cents per gallon. This was not the poison now retailed by saloons and drug stores, but honest whisky, which would make a man drunk, but would not murder him.

The forests of Franklin Township were filled with wild game of every description, and was a paradise for the white as well as the red hunter. It is said that the Indians were in the habit of going down to what is termed the "Big Hill" for their lead for hunting purposes. It is a little strange that this lead-mine has never been discovered. The old settlers of to-day can, many of them, remember the little chunks of lead, in its crude state, they frequently saw in the hands of the Indians. The Indians guarded their secret with jealous care, and would never reveal the place of this lead deposit; the settlers, however, were under the impression that it was in the vicinity of the Big Hill. It is stated that, whenever white men were taken to the vicinity of this mine, they were "blindfolded."

Many black bears lived in the swamps and "windfalls" of Franklin. Their cubs were frequently captured by the settlers and retained as pets. Many a hunt was made by the settlers, with guns and dogs, after the blackwooled depredators, who had, the night before, disturbed the peace of the pig-pen or trespassed among the tender vines of the garden.

In the winter of 1817, a light snow being on the ground, Peter Pittenger, James Furgeson and his sons came upon the track of a bear near the present site of Wolford's Schoolhouse. They followed it eastward until the trail stopped at the foot of a hollow tree by Palmer's swamp. They began cutting, and, when the tree was half cut down, bruin, doubtless taking the hint, came suddenly down among the dogs and men and ran away along the edge of aswamp. The dogs soon overtook him, and Tige and Jowler made demonstrations in front, while Trip and Penny proceeded to attack the enemy's works in the rear. The men came up quickly, but in the excitement had left their guns behind and found themselves upon the battle-field where bruin was standing on the defensive, fighting the dogs, with no weapons except an ax and hatchet. These they were unable to use lest a blow at the bear might be equally disastrous to a dog.

When the men came up, the bear again attempted a retreat, when Peter Pittenger seized it by the rump and gave it three deep cuts in the back with his tomahawk. He was compelled, however, to release his hold, and the wounded animal continued the retreat two miles further, but was finally overtaken on the Page farm near Windsor, and shot.

It is related that late one evening in November, an Indian hunter, whom the whites called "Greasy," concluded he would try "shining" on the Black Fork for deer. Placing fire in one end of his bark canoe and seating himself in the other, gun in hand, he dropped quietly down the stream, the fire lighting up either bank. After going half a mile, the hunter saw in the bushes two bright eyes gazing at his beacon light. When he fired, the eyes disappeared, but a wounded deer struck the water so near the canoe as to upset it, putting out the light and leaving " Greasy" to exercise his swimming powers in the darkness to reach the bank. He soon came shivering back to camp minus canoe, gun, deer and temper.

Blacksnakes and rattlesnakes were quite numerous here as well as elsewhere in early days. Illustrative of this unpleasant fact in pioneer life, Mr. Isaac Charles relates that an Indian named Cornstalk came to his cabin one evening in the fall of 1816, and, taking a seat with a solemn, despondent look, remarked, "Jnjin tired. Injin hunt all day on hill for deer." "Did you kill any?" asked Mr. Charies. "Me no kill any deer. Too shy! Me hunt for bear. Me no kill bear. Injin hungry! Injin tired. After ashort pause he continued: " Injin bad scared to-day." "What scared you?" asked Mr. Charles. "Me look in rocks for bear sign. Ugh! Snake, big! Me turn round, ugh! Snake there too ; me look on this side, on that side; snake here, snake there, snake all around. Ugh! Injin scared. Injin run fast." They afterward hunted up this spot, a deep ravine called the "snake den," where hundreds of these reptiles were killed.

The township settled up quite rapidly after the war of 1812; many of the soldiers who passed through the county with the army, afterward returned and settled permanently in these northern townships of the county.

farm now owned by Samuel Graham. This cabin, afterward abandoned, served many years as a voting-place for settlers. William Holister and Jacob Cline were the first Justices of the Peace. A short time after his election, a hard case coming before Mr. Cline, he resigned, and Jacob Osbun was elected in his place. The people then, as now, were not politicians, and for several years, the elections went by default. They would forget about election day, and the consequence was they were occasionally without either a Justice of the Peace or Constable. They did not feel in particular need of these officers.

The early settlers were compelled to go great distances to get their-milling done, water-power being scarce within the limits of the township.

The Spring Mill, in Springfield Township, was patronized by them after its erection, but before that they were compelled to go to Beam's and to Fredericktown. Beam's mill, they said, was so overrun with business in these early days, that they were often compelled to wait three or four days for a grist, and often were not able to get it at all. Nearly all the early mills were primitive affairs, and could not meet promptly the wants of the. settlers. Water was not wanting in Franklin, but it was stagnant water and could not be made to furnish power. A few saw-mills were erected, but even these could only run occasionally ; a flood would fill up the mill-races with earth and debris, and block the mill. A great deal of labor and expense was required to keep them clear. The first of these saw-mills was erected by John Ross, on Brubaker Run, on Section 21. Jacob Whisler afterward owned and conducted this mill several years. About 1840, John Ralston also erected a saw-mill on Brubaker Run, on Section 22, which he conducted eight or ten years. Several other saw-mills were erected in an early day, but all have long since disappeared. As the country was cleared and drained, the ruins of these old mills were left

Theodore Forbes. The only grist-mill within the limits of the township was erected on the Black Fork, about 1840, by Christopher Urick. This mill is yet standing at a point on the Black Fork where the road, running directly north from Mansfield, crosses that stream. It does a local business, and is owned by John Bell. A saw-mill was connected with it many years, but has long since disappeared.

The people are generally a church-going people, five churches having, at present, an organized existence. Before churches were erected, the people held services in their cabins and in the log schoolhouses, which, soon after the first settlement, made their appearance. These first schoolhouses were erected along the first road - the "Old State Road "' - one being on Section 8, in the neighborhood of Inks' "tavern," and another in the southern part of the township, near the Long " tavern," and near the present site of the Lutheran Church. These two points were prominent in the early settlements. The schoolhouse near Long's tavern was the first one erected, and stood on the farm then owned by Joseph Flora (now by H. Kohler), and was erected in 1821. Thomas Taylor was the first teacher, and, afterward, James McCluer taught two terms; and was followed by Mr. Plummer, who taught several terms. This house burned down one night after a spelling-school, and, for some years after, rooms in private dwellings were used for school purposes in this neighborhood. A second house was erected in 1837, on the land now owned by Mr. Kohler.

It was in this schoolhouse, near Long's tavern, that the first church in the township was organized. Here the German Reformed and Lutheran societies were organized about the year 1825. After several years, these organizations united for the purpose of erecting a church. Land was donated for this purpose by John Zeiters, and a log building erected, which, from that day to this, has retained the name of " Zeiters' Church." The deed for this ground is dated December 30, 1834; "from John Zeiters and wife to George Wolford and Jacob Clay, Trustees of the German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations of Zeiter's Church, and their successors in office." This deed is witnessed by Henry Pittenger and John Zeiters, Jr. One of the first. graveyards in the township was established here, and the first burial was that of Henry. Wainbranner, who died in 1833, aged sixty-two years. On the weather-beaten stone above this grave, appears the following well-worn legend: «' Remember friends, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I;

The following are the names of some of the first members of this church: Jacob Kunkleman, Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiters, Jr., J. Henry, Samuel Saltzgaver, John Stoutzenberg, Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein, J. W. Sturgeon, | Elias Keller, Jacob Heck, George -Throne,' Michael Throne, Jacob Fisher, John Kendall, William Wolf, Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, John Blecker, George Wolford, John Zeiters, Sr., Joel Keller, William Cloud, George Cassel, Thomas Russell and Jacob Bringman.

The early ministers were George and Samuel Leiter and the Rey. Francis J. Ruth, of Galion, who yet preaches every two weeks for the congregation of Lutherans. ;

About the year 1840, a division occurred in, this church, a portion of the members, under the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrawing and erecting a new church for themselves, a mile or more west of the parent church, on Section 32. Mr. Clay gave the ground for this church, and it is generally known as the "Clay Church." It was also erected by the united efforts of the Lutherans and German Reformed people. A few of the Lutherans who participated in this organization were Peter Miller and wife, Jacob Kohler and wife, Jacob Keiser, Thomas Rutledge and wife, Robert and Thomas Hall and John Bringman and wife. Of the terman Reformed, there were John Clay and wife, John Fisher and wife, John Marks and wife and Michael Thorne and wife. Of these people, only Peter Miller and John Marks are now living.

Both of these churches support a Sunday school in summer, with forty or fifty members each. Sunday school in the Clay Church, about the year 1852.

It is said that the first religious services ever held in this part of the county was at the house of Peter Pittenger, in 1815. The services were conducted by Rev. John Clingan, who organized a Methodist society, with about twelve members.

In a very early day, a Universalist Church was erected in the northern part of the township. This church was log, and may have antedated the Zeiter Church. The Ayerses and Truckses were influential in the erection of this church. Adam, John and Lewis Keith and the Crums were members of this church, and early settlers.

the Baptist Church at Windsor. Rev. Taylor was instrumental in its organization, and the early members were Isaiah Boyce and family, John Jackson and daughter, Charles Copeland and family, Robert Jump and daughter, William Bohler and wife, Roger Moses and John D. Boyce | and wife. The present Pastor is J. D. Goff, and the present membership about seventy-five.

Between the years 1830 and 1840, the Tunkers organized a society, and held meetings at the houses of Jacob Whisler, Henry Worst and others and in the schoolhouse. In 1858, they erected the present frame church, on Section 20. The early members were Henry and Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian Rittenhouse, Samuel and Jacob Landes and their wives, and Joseph Rittenhouse and wife. The early leaders were James Tracy, Elias Dickey, H. Showalterand others.

Michael Keith and John Kendall gave the ground upon which 'the church and cemetery were established. The present membership is about one hundred.

The Harmony Baptist Church was organized at Ganges September 3, 1865, by Elder A. Morthland, the first members being David Bushey, Michael Hissel, Joshua Baker, Eider A. Morthland, George Wells, Rowland Boyce, Mrs. David Bushey, Mrs. Joshua Baker and others.

The first meetings were held in schoolhouses, barns and private residences. In 1866, they erected the present church, on Section 20, at a cost of $2,000.

Elder A. Morthland preached for this congregation until his death, which occurred January 22,1876. He was followed by Elder T. W. Dye, who died recently, and who occupied the pulpit until his death. The present membership is seventy-seven.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.j. Baughman, published 1908; 3,030 words in this source stream.

Franklin Township

Franklin township was created June 4, 1816, and was at that time six miles square. Upon the creation of Ashland county, two tiers of sections from the east part of Franklin went toward creating the township of Weller, which was named in honor of the Hon. John B. Weller, a former Ohio boy who was then governor of California. By this elimination Franklin township was reduced to its present size - six miles in length from north to south, and four miles in width from east to west.

But meager data can be obtained of the early settlement of Franklin township. There is a record that Peter Pittenger, George Wolford, and the Rev. John Clingan organized a Methodist society of twelve members in Franklin township in 1815. This would indicate that a settlement had been made there at an earlier date. The Methodist society, however, may have been composed partly of members from other townships.

Henry and Peter Pittenger settled on section 21 before 1820. Samuel Harvey, Samuel Gossage, Mr. Arbuckle, and the Armstrongs settled on school land at an early day. Section "16" of every township the state had reserved as school land, the proceeds of which, when sold, were to go to the school funds. The fund thus created was a material factor in establishing the free school system of Ohio.

Among the early settlers were a Mr. Grosscross, on section 29; Samuel Linn, section 28. Jacob Keiser. John and Jacob Stover, Robert Hall, Samuel Donnan were early settlers. Calvin Morehead, Jacob Cline and a Mr. Ink settled on section 17, and Jacob Flora on section 16. Among the later settlers were John Kendall, the Boyces, the Taylors, the Crums, Powells, and others became Franklin township settlers.

Franklin township was heavily timbered and in its forests game abounded, making it a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, and later for the pioneers. The Blackfork of the Mohican cuts across the northeast part of the township, and Friends' and Brubaker's creeks flow through the central part, entering from the west, each leaving on the east line near the center of the township from north to south.

It has been related that an Ohio pioneer who had witnessed all the stages of our material development - our gradual redemption from the wilderness condition to a state of civilization - and having by years of industry and economy accumulated property and had surrounded himself with the comforts and modern conveniences of life, had an irrepressible longing for the ways and customs of pioneer days. He sighed particularly for that hospitality which dissolves ''as wealth accumulates and men decay." He wished to realize again such conditions as prevailed in Franklin township pioneer days. He went to a western state, where he found a wilderness, but not the pioneer conditions he had once enjoyed in Ohio. Instead of "women" wearing home-made linsey-wolsey, he found "ladies" gowned in silks and satins, and their arts were those of vanity and pretensions. Instead of large-hearted hospitality, he found selfishness and venality. Bevond the "border" he found the locomotive and its "train" of vice and snobbery. He returned to Ohio, convinced that the times and conditions for which he had sighed were thing: of the past, and would never return.

Franklin township residents have always been a church-going people. Before churches were built, religious meetings were held in the log schoolhouses and the cabin homes of the early settlers. In time churches were built, one of the first being Zeiters' on the old State road, four miles north of Mansfield. The land upon which this church was built was donated by John Zeiters, and the deed is dated December 30, 1834, and the building was locally known as "Zeiters' church." It was used by the Lutherans and the Reformed congregations. There is a cemetery on the church ground and the first interment was that of Henry Wainbranner, who died in 1833. Upon the headstone to this grave. helow the name and dates, the following stanza was inscribed:

The following are the names of some of the first members of this church: Jacob Kunkleman. Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiters. Jr.. J. Henry, Samuel Saltzgaber. John Stouzenberg, Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein. J. W. Sturgeon. Elias Keller, Jacob Heck, George Thorne, Jacob Fisher. John Kendall, Wilham Wolf, Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, John Blecker, George Wolford. John Zeiters. Sr., Joel Keller. Wiliam Cloud, George Cassell, Thomas Russell. and Jacob Bringman.

The first church was a log building. which was afterwards supplanted by a brick structure. And a few years ago this latter was taken down, and Zeiters' church is no more. About 1840 a division occurred in the Zeiters congregation. a number of the members, under the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrew and erected a church a mile and a quarter west of Zeiters': it is called "Clay church," and still exists.

Years ago there were ghost stories galore in connection with the Zeiters' cemetery locality. The ghost usually appeared in the form. color and semblance of a black dog. One of these stories was recently given, among other reminiscences, by the Rev. Charles Ashton, a former resident of Richland county, now residing at Guthrie Center, Iowa. The story is as follows:

"About sixty vears ago there was a chopping in the neighborhood of the Zeiters' church. Dan Wolf, a young Dutchman, attended that chopping. He carried a maul and a couple of iron wedges to use in the industry of the day. Returning home that might a company of the young men and women had to pass that church and then turn north on the "big road" to reach their homes. Nearing the Flora place the story of that ghost and that black dog came up. Wolf averred boldly what he would do to that black dog with his maul if he came about him. At the proper juncture for testing his courage one of the party exclaimed: 'There is that black dog.' Wolf slung the maul from his shoulder, but didn't wait to extricate the two iron wedges from his pocket, but got away from that place at as nearly a two-forty gait as his good, active legs could take him."

A Universalist church was erected in the northern part of the township at an early day and may have ante-dated the Zeiters' church. Among its members were: James Ayers, William Truck, Adam, John and Lewis Keith, and a Mr. Crum. A Baptist church was erected in 1852, a short distance north of Five Corners. Among the early members were the Boyée, the Jackson, the Copeland, the Jump, the Bohler, and the Moses families. A Tunker society was organized in the '30s. In 1858 they built a house of worship on section 20, a mile and a half west of Five Corners. The early members were: James Tracy, Elias Dickey, H. Showalter, Henry and Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian and Joseph Rittenhouse, and Samuel and Jacob Landes.

The parents of the late Isaiah Boyce came from England to America and settled in Franklin township, seven miles north of Mansfield, in about 1816 - lIsaiah being then six years old. This Boyce place is on the old State road. where it crosses Brubaker's run, at Five Corners, and in situation and appearance ranks with the best of the many attractive farms for which Richland county is noted. At the Boyce home Bishop Chase conducted services and confirmed a class - the first confirmation service ever held in Richland county. The bishop held two services upon that occasion, one in the log courthouse in Mansfield, the other at Boyce's. Different dates may have been given as to the year of the bishop's visitation. The late Isaiah Boyce stated that "it was just prior to the bishop's trip to England to get funds to start a college." That trip to England was made in 1823. The Rev. Philander Chase, an uncle of the late Hon. Salmon P. Chase, was consecrated to the episcopate in 1819. The first Episcopal See of the diocese of Ohio was at Worthington. The Rev. Mr. Chase had settled there in 1817 as principal of an academy and rector of that parish, and two years later was made the first bishop of Ohio. Feeling the necessity for better educational facilities, he visited England to seek financial aid toward founding a college and theological seminary. He raised a fund of over $30,000. Upon his return he bought a large tract of land on the Kokosing, in Knox county, east of Mt. Vernon, where he founded Kenyon college and Gambier village, the latter being named for Lord Gambier, who was the largest contributor to the fund. Isaiah Boyce died February 10, 1900, aged nearly ninety years. Mr. Boyce was a prosperous farmer and a prominent citizen - a man of influence in his day and generation. Although Mr. Boyce was in Bishop Chase's class, he afterwards united with the Baptist denomination. About a year before his death he was visited by the Rev. A. B. Putnam, and during the interview the visit of Bishop Chase, seventy-five years previous, was vividly and lovingly recalled. The Rev. Mr. Putnam said prayers and Mr. Boyce joined in the responses.

At the conclusion of the service Mr. Boyce expressed the pleasure und comfort he felt in again hearing the prayers with which he had been familiar in his childhood, and were still dear to him.

Back in the stage-coach days there were two taverns of note in Franklin township. Of these, Long's tavern - kept by Israel Long - was situated on the old State road, near to the Zeiters' church. The other was Gates', on section 17, a little north of the center of the township, in the vicinity of the Franklin township house. The Gates tavern was first called "Ink's." Ink died and a Mr. Gates married the widow - hence the change in name. These taverns were quite popular in their time, and public gatherings and militia musters were held in the vicinity of each.

Jacob Cline and William Hollister were the first justices of the peace in Franklin township. A short time after his election, "Squire Cline resigned the office and Jacob Ozsbun was elected to succeed him.

While water was not wanting, there was not sufficient fall to give water power to operate grist and saw mills generally. There was a sawmill or two on the Brubaker run, and a grist mill on the Blackfork, where the road from Five Corners to Shenandoah crosses this stream.

The first schoolhouse in the township stood on the Flora farm, near Long's tavern, and the first teacher was Thomas Taylor. This was about the vear 1821. Franklin township could boast of stalwart men. like Samuel Bell and others - men who helped to found and maintain a country and institutions, not only for themselves, but for posterity. Of men like these. Sir W. Jones. in his Ode in Imitation of Aleoeus, wrote -

"What constitutes a State? Not high-raised battlements, or labor'd mound. Thick wall or moated gate: Not cities proud. with spires and turrets crown'd: No; men, high-minded men: Men, who their duties know; But know their rights. and, knowing, dare maintain, - These constitute a State."

That the world is not all made up of one sort of people was proven in the early settlement of the locality of Franklin church in Weller township, this county, as shown in every new settlement. Among the early settlers three brothers located in the neighborhood, Isaac, Jacob and Nathaniel Osborn. Those brothers, especially Isaac and Jacob. were highly respected and influential citizens. When my parents settled in the locality in 1832, Nathaniel was a cripple, unable for active labor. How long he had suffered from that cause we are uninformed. We think he was the oldest of the three brothers In 1832 he had sons married and rearing families. He settled upon the present infirmary farm, which he sold to the county in 1844 or 1845. His wife, "Aunt Annie," was a woman of strange mental ideas. Naturally active in tongue and limb, in her way she would make some stir among kindred elements in society. She had been reared on the frontier and was truly backwoods in her habits, ideas and manners. Yet a kinder neighbor need not be desired. Of this matter we know whereof we speak, for it was our lot to live on an adjoining farm to the one on which she spent the later years of her life, the family being our nearest neighbor.

The family of Nathaniel Osborn consisted of four sons, Isaac, Samuel, Nathaniel, and Jacob, and two daughters. The youngest daughter, "Polly," being an imbecile.

In the early settlement of the locality one William Holston settled on the quarter section of land that my father purchased for the family home in the fall of 1832. When my father purchased that farm, William Holston, Sr.. having lost his first wife and married a much younger woman, had moved to the neighborhood of Savannah, and his son William occupied the farm. I do not know much of the history of the Holston family; only this I know, that the sons wanted to make a living without spending much muscular effort. "Aunt .\nnie" Osborn certainly, in my acquaintance with the families, had a destitution of personal regard for the Holstons.

But "Aunt Annie" had implicit faith in witcheraft. Until her death she implicitly believed that the first Mrs. Holston was a witch and the source of all the mental misfortune of her daughter Polly and her serious troubles resulting from Polly's strange antics. '"'Aunt Annie" could tell marvelous incidents of the work of witches and the appearance of ghosts. She was sanguinely certain that she knew the cause of the first Mrs. Holston's death. In her mental deliberations she had conceived that the death of that woman (witch) was essential to the welfare of the daughter, Polly. So arranging with Abe Pittenger, a man well qualified to act the part desired of him, she formed an image of dough, representing Mrs. Holston, who at the time was lying on a sick bed, and sat it against a fence and arranged with Pittenger to run a silver bullet for his rifle and with it shoot the doughy image through the breast. Pittenger went through the motions, shot the image, and, as Aunt Annie told the story, Mrs. Holston at once gave up the ghost, and when she was laid out the attendants discovered a bullet wound in her breast, located exactly as the perforation in the image of dough was made by Pittenger's silver bullet. which Aunt Annie implicitly believed at once ended her life and her power for evil.

The Flora Ghost

Quite early in the settlement of the locality a family of the name of Flora settled on the big road, south of where the Myers nursery was afterward established. Flora was a man gifted with a remarkable power of imagination, which he indulged without restriction or regard for truth. One Trucks, the founder of Trucksville. and Flora appear to have been hail fellows whenever they met where the cheap whisky of the time was served with generous hand. Having met at one time. they were indulging in rehearsing incredible tales about happenings and strange occurrences within the limits of their wonderful individual observation. Flora went on to tell of a wonderful storm that he had witnessed and of its strange doings, telling how it swept the limbs and bark off the trees and left the bare poles standing in the woods in strange ghastliness. Trucks at once, as Flora reached this part of his invented story. came to the confirmation of Flora's statements, remarking that he knew that his account of that storm was true, because the bark and brush were blown clear over the mountains in Pennsylvania to where he lived and stuck on the dead trees standing in the fields, so that the dead oak trees again lived and bore acorns.

But Flora was suspicioned of evil deeds. A story ran about a peddler that had stopped for the night at Flora's cabin and was never afterward seen. But a ghost was often seen in the road and other places about or near the Flora home.

About 1838 an honest, industrious family by the name of Wolf moved into the neighborhood from eastern Pennsylvania and bought and settled on a thirty-five-acre farm that was afterward merged by Alanson Martin into his fine farm home. In the family there were a number of boys that the industrious father, a weaver by trade, trained to habits of honest industry. With one of the younger sons, Dan, our story has to do.

When the family moved into the neighborhood Dan was a boy of about sixteen. He was full of ghostly ideas and a firm believer in spook notions. Some of the older brothers had learned the cooper trade, and weaving and coopering was followed by the boys through the winter to the exclusion of educational opportunities. As Dan verged into manhood his associations were with the German-speaking families around and west of the old Zeiter church. There was a chopping and quilting at some house west of that old log church, and it was followed by a dance which kept the company together well toward morning.

A group of young people, among them our friend Dan with his girl, on their way home had to pass the Flora home. The old man years before had passed to that country where there are no peddlers. But as the company neared the Flora place the matter of the ghost and the probabilities of a visit from the spook were mentioned. Dan made profuse protestations of what he would do with that ghost if it appeared to trouble them. Nearing the house, some wag of the party exclaimed: '""There is the ghost!" Dan at once threw his ax from his shoulder and broke from that company and place with as near a two-ten gait as he could get up. It was the last appearance of that ghost of which we hear, but it was some time before our friend Dan heard the last of his marvelous run, made at the mention of its appearance.