Highland Township

Highland Township

To begin at the beginning, in recounting the settlement of any important portion of our country, is manifestly the thing to do in order to be exhaustive, and more particularly to discover the germ of the settlement, which so often gives character to it. But it is not likely that Highland township owes much to the first settler or his associates in this respect, since whatever else he did he failed to impress his individuality or his times so as to perpetuate his memory, and his cotemporaries have left no record that is available, from which we can define that period ; we only know that they penetrated an unknown region, and it is presumable that '' darkness was upon the face of the deep,'"' and we know that it 'remains, concerning that period. '' The oldest inhabitants '' have the following tradition :

Matthias Trace came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled on the northeast quarter of section eleven, in 1808. Lot Wortman came and entered the northeast quarter of section sixteen, and James Honnold entered the northwest quarter of section fifteen. The latter was from Loudon county, Virginia. Peter Bond came from Maryland, some time between 1810 and 1812, and located on the southeast quarter of section thirteen, now occupied by P. B. Geyer. Thomas Rambo located on the southwest quarter of section nineteen, about 1813 ; the place is now occupied by Geo. Fisher. Alex. Mays and J.K. McCune settled on section twenty-two about the same date. Edward Ostler settled on the northwest quarter of section nineteen, in 1814, and Jacob Honnold on the northwest quarter of section fourteen,in1816. From deeds made at an early day, it appears that the name now written Honnold was then written Hannald. John, Casper, Peter and William Bradford, David, Benjamin, John and William Davis, all came in 1813. The Bradfords located on section eight, and the Davis' on section seven. The Geyers, Michaels, Fells and Shroyers, were also early settlers, but nothing definite appears on record as to their location, James Honnold, Andrew 'Geyer and John Bradford had frame houses in 1835. 'This is spoken. of as evidence of an advanced state of home comfort, although the first good frame house was built by Samuel Scott, in 1845. It does not ap-

The first blacksmith was Robert Baxter, whose shop was located on the Adamsville road, in the 'long ago." James Honnold was a knight of the anvil near about the same time.

_ Peter Bond brought the first wagon into the township - the remains of which are now in the possession of his grandson, Peter B. Geyer - and show by contrast the Wonder fal improvements that have been made in wagons in three quarters of a century.

The first public road was laid out from Cambridge to Dresden; about the year 1806. next was from Findley Mill Dam, south of Concord, to the mouth of Wills Creek, through Highland township, in 1815. It was surveyed by Charles Roberts. Peter D. Reasoner and

Joseph K. McCune surveyed a road *' from James Sprague's, in Highland township, to John Reynold's store, on the Wheeling road,' thirteen miles, and made return: of the same, May 29th, 1817.

counties, paying $50 per head for the best. In 1863. he went to Vermont and purchased forty-five thoroughbred sheep, of Merrell, Bingham, and Rockwell, of Middlebury, aie in 1864, he bought six head of Mr. Peck, of Vermont, for $800. In 1879, he bought of T. & J. Close, Belmont county, Ohio, one ram for $150. and twenty-five thoroughbred ewes. Mr. William Caughey bought eighteen head, and Mr.George Fisher bought seventeen head, at the same time. paying $40 per head.

eV ictOlia, for 225. ame '« Strawberry " for $150: and of H. H. Hankins, Clinton county, Ohio, ** Emma," (a yearling), for $80: and from John Hamrickhouse, of Coshocton county, Ohio, *¢ Boothe." (a bull eleven years old), for 5125 5 ; and of D. Beecher, of Otsego, '¢ Sulltana"' and -* Boone." and many other kingum county, praying that the fifth and sixth ranges ; thence south, to the line that divides the first and second townships; thence east, to the county line; thence north, to the place op beginning, may be incorporated into a new township, by. the name of Highland, and the election ordered to be held at the house of William Dennison, on the first Monday in April, 1814, to elect township officers. - March 11, 181 Dennison lived one and a half miles southwest of Adams- ville. Highland township was reduced to its present cimensions, July 2d, 1819. Whether there was any record of that election, or not, does not appear. 'Tradition has it, that the first Justices of the, Peace were Joseph K. McCune and Joseph Williamson.

The township is bounded, on the north, by Monroe township; on the east, by Guernsey county ; on the south, by Union township, and on the west, by Salem township. It is situated on the divide between White Eyes creek, on the north, and Crooked creek and Salt Creek on the south, and, being an elevated region, the name ''Highland"' was sugested, and it was so called. It is equivalent. to town two, range five. The central and southern portions are comparatively smooth and easy of cultivation, while the northern portion is uneven and hill

The First Mill

The first mill built in Highland township was erected by Noah Decker, on the northwest quarter of section fourteen, in 1815. It was*first a sawmill, then a distillery - at which time a pair of buhrs was put in, to chop grain for the ''still." 'These buhrs were brought from Laurel Hill, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, after Decker's mill was a thing of the past, these stones did service in several localities. They are now lying near Mr. 'T. Marks' mill, at Bloomfield. There is no distillery in the township now.

About the year 1830, James McMichael built a gristmill, on the northwest quarter of section twenty-one. This was what was termed ''overshot," with two run of buhrs; but he could not get the privilege of the main creek, and was

In 1833. William Reynolds erected a sawmill, on White Eyes Creek, on the land now owned by James Wilson. It was designated as a ''flutterwheel"' mill, and was not very effective in neanufacturing lumber.

In 1843. James McDonald built a sawmill, one mile south of the present site of Bloomfield, and, in 1846, sold it to Martin McLane, who put in a pair of buhrs and ran the mill four or five vears.

In 1853, John Buchanan and Samuel Moorehead built a gristmill, on the southwest quarter of section ten. It was a frame, twenty-six by thirty-two, and had tworun of buhrs. It passed from one owner tq another, until it became the property of Joseph Selders, who last operated it, in 1871.

In 1873, Theophilus Wark erected a mill, a little further east, also a frame, and thirty-six by forty, three stories high, with two run of buhrs and a hominy mill. It has a saw and planing mill, twenty-six by fifty-two, attached. This is the only mill now in operation in Highland township. It is run by steam, and does a good business. Mr. Wark is said to have been the lirst to introduce a circular saw in this township - ibout 1859.

Vethodist' Church. - I\n 1816, Rev. William Knox organized a class, composed of Jacob Honnold and Abigail, his wife; James Honnold and Elizabeth. his. wife ; and Dect Workman and Margaret, his wife. Jacob Honnold was leader. This was the first Methodist class organized in Highland township. In 1820, Samuel Honnold, George Geyer and family, Ames Fell and aie Peter Ilammond and wife, James Hammond and wife, and Philip Richcreek. were added to the class.

forty, was erected, on a lot deeded for that purpose by Lot Workman. This house stood until 1830, when a brick church, thirty- -tive by fortylive, Was erected on the same site. This was destroyed by fire. in January. 1854. The Trustees, at that time, were Thomas Roberts, Jacob Shively, William Armstrong, Daniel Geyer. Jacob Honnold, James Migawold: and Hamilton J. HTonnold. They immediately called a meeting, and contracted with Jacob Y. Honnold to build a frame church, forty by fifty, for $1,251. This church was named 'Bethel M. E. Church." This appointment is on the Adamsville Circuit. The steward, in 1880, was Clinton Taylor: the leaders, Peter Galigher. Isaac Ilanks, John Sauerbaugh. and Newton Shrover. The membership at that me was one hundred strong.

A Sunday School was organized at Ifonnold meeting-house by Rev. Joseph Carper, and is still in operation and a valuable adjunct to the chureh.

Bloompeld C. P. Church. - Vhis congregation was originally known as the Bloomfield Associate Presby terian congregation, and theretore its history dates back to the inception of that church.

1818, by Rev. Robert Douglas, at the house of David Duff. The congregation was organized by Rev. John Walker, March 2oth, 1818, at the house of Mr. Duff. The first communion was held by Kev. Wm. Wilson, in September, 1818, at the Spring, on the property of Rev. J. P. Lytle, (then owned by D. Rankin). The congregation was at first composed of the families of David Duft, Joseph K. McCune, William Simpson, Thomas Ramsey, and John Atchison. The following persons, with their families, soon after became connected with the congregation: James Black, Robert Wilson, James Moorhead, David Atchison , JohnWeylie, A.Darragh,Mrs. For syth, Alex. Wilson. David Monroe, and Alex. Duff. Joseph K. McCune, David Duff, and Robert McCall were'made ruling Elders. Some years later, Jacob McNight, David Little, and John Officer were chosen. At the third election, John Dunlap, Robert Atchison, James Morrow and Robert Wilson were chosen. These were succeeded by David Conaughy, Martin M. Lane, William Marshall, John Monroe, Thomas Clegg, William Weylie, Samuel Scott, Matthew Atchison and John Jamison. Rev. Daniel M. Lane first preached for the congregation in 1823, and in 1824, a call being extended to him, he became the first regular pastor of the Bloomfield Associated Church, and continued in that relation until 1854, when he resigned. Rev. J. P. Lytle became pastor in July, 1855; and continues to minister to that church.

The first tent for preaching stood near the site of the present meeting house. A tent was afterwards erected about one mile north of Mr. Russell's farm, and served until a meeting house was built, near the eastern side of the present graveyard, on the line between sections ten and eleven. It was of log, 24x24, and built in 1822. The next. house of worship was built near the site of the present. It was a hewed log structure, 25x40, with two wings, or additions, one each side, 10x10; built in 1831.

In 1858, by common consent, the Associate Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches united, under the name of the United Presbyterian Church. At. this time, the A. P. congregation consisted of one hundred and ninety members, of which one hundred and sev enty went into the Union, and twenty members declined to do so, and built a church for themselves.

At the first election after the Union, (in 1863), Robert Thompson, Hugh Wilson, and John Mc- Donald, were elected elders, and in 1872, John Miller, Joseph A. Thompson, John G, Eakin, and Jeremiah 1] Monroe were elected Deacons; they elected in the congregation for the first time, about 1860, viz: Alex. Russell, John Bennett, and John Miller: in 1863, John cen Eakin,.John Simms, and Eli Osler ; in 1872, Thomas H. Wilson, Hugh Lines, W. McCoy, James Hogseed, and Alex. McConaghy were elected Deacons, ordained and installed.

Bloomfield Associate Presbyterian Church. - June 12th, 1858, the congregation met at the semi-annual meeting, and, whereas the Chairman and Clerk, with a number of the congregation, having gone into the late Union with the Associate Presbyterian and Associate Reformed Churches, Dr. J. M. Lane was called to the chair, and John Bell appointed Clerk, when the following preamble was read and adopted :

'* WHEREAS, We the undersigned, members of the Associate Congregation of Bloomfield, not seeing our way clear to enterinto the Union that has been consummated at the late meeting of the Associate Reformed Synods, do therefore declare that we will stand firm to the doctrine held to and witnessed for the Associate Church of North America, and do further declare ourselves to be the Associate Congregation of Bloomfield, and as our present pastor, Rev. J. P. Lytle, has gone into the above named Union, we declare ourselves vacant; therefore,

'' Resolved, That we, through a committee, call upon our brethren in the ministry of the Associate Church, for supplies of preaching ; and, also, that we defray the expense of the same.

'** Therefore, on motion of James Achison, John Bell and Neal McNight were appointed said committee, and the above resolutions adopted and signed by the following members of said congregation, who protested with others.

''Prorest. - -Robert Achison, John Bell, James R. Achison, Juliana Achison, Rose A. Achison, John M. Lane, Susanna Lane, John Achison, Ebenezer Achison, M. R. Achison, Messer McNight, Neal McNight, Margaret McNight, Mary Bell, Jane Bell,Mrs. John Bell, Harriet Bell, and others. Said committee immediately corresponded with the Northern Indiana Presbytery, asking to be taken under their care, and supplied with preaching, as the ministers of Muskingum Presbytery had all gone into the U. P. Church, to which said Presbytery responded immediately, and in September following, the Rev. James Dixon was sent as supply, by authority of said Presbytery, and an election of Elders was had in April, 1859, resulting in the election of Robert Achison, Joseph McCune and Ephraim. McKeenan; at the same time, and by the same authority, a callwas moderated by Rev. Samuel Hindman, which resulted in the choice of Rev. William Ballentine, who continues to be the pastor."'

The persons leaving this church to unite with the new church, retained possession of the church edifice, and in 1863, this church erected a meeting-house for themselves, and have continued to occupy it. In 1865, the following officers were elected :

In 1872, the following were also elected: Geo. Fisher, John Bell, J. M. Lane and Matthew R. Achison. The session has been reduced by death, to seven members; the congregation by death, and removal, to twenty-eight families - about eighty members.

In 1862, Rev. William Ballentine, a minister of the Associate Presbyterian Church, invited several young men to engage in preparation for the ministry, offering to hear their recitations in his study. They accepted his proposition, and were joined by others, until his study was insufficient for their accommodation, when the meeting-house was offered and accepted by them. This new-born institution, was named the Bloomfield High School. The students were studious, and when ready to enter the senior class, in 1866, the Synod took notice of the promising school, and determined to give it an earnest support, and to that end passed an act appointing Robert Achison, John Bell, William Finney, Samuel McKee, Robert Hyslop, Robert Brown, A. Mc- Creery, J. H. Johnson and John Baird, a Board of Trustees.

Bloomfield Academy was incorporated in 1869, and a home purchased for the use of the students. Such was their progress, that a college building became a necessity. J. Bell, as President of the Board, was appointed general financial agent, and, in that capacity, raised funds sufficient to warrant them in entering upon the erection of the college building. In the fall of 1872, the foundation was laid, and the spring term of 1873 was held in the basement. A charter was obtained February 12th, 1873, and the institution was clothed with university powers. Rev. W. Ballentine, A. M., was elected President; James Hindman, A. B., Vice President; and R. C. Kerr, A. B., Professor of Languages.

The college has an endowment of eight thousand dollars, and, including the value of buildings and grounds, a capital of twenty thousand dollars. The situation, in the eastern portion of the village, is pleasant and attractive, and the accommodations are ample.

Bloomfield Cemetery

The site, having been selected by the citizens, was donated by Walter Hogseed; the deed, however, was not recorded. In 1879, an additional one-third of an acre was obtained, and a deed made for the whole by James Hogseed, the tract then comprising three and one-third acres. The first person buried there was Lorenzo Dow, a school teacher, in 1818.

Petrificd. - Peter Bond was buried just north of Peter B. Geyer's house, in 1853; his friends determined, in 1878, to remove his remains -to Bethel Cemetery, and found his body completely petrified; probably caused by being saturated by a stream surcharged with limestone.

Tannery

The town site of Bloomfield, was originally owned by David Rankin. In 1853, Thomas Clegg bought a few acres and laid out lots seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve and _ thirteen, north of the Cambridge road. William Weylie laid out lots one, two, three, four, five and six, south of the road, and Daniel McLane laid out lots fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, west of the others. The surveying was done, November 8th, 1853. by Joseph Fisher. John D. Hogseed made an addition in March, 1873, and J. P. Lytle made another in September, 1879. Bloomfield

Sago Postoffice, W. A. Mintier, Postmaster ; he also keeps a store; J. Morris Lane, M.D. ; a grist and saw mill, Theophilus Wark, proprietor; /Mrs..M. Guthrie's grocery; J..W. Mc- Kinney. blacksmith ; J. L. Morrow, shoemaker : William TTammond, undertaker; "Mrs. Guss Parr, milliner.

Bloomfield Postoffice

The first Postmaster was John Crooks, who was appointed August 29th, 1857; his successor was William Weylie, appointed in 1862, who served until September 14th, 1865, when Robbert Guthrie was appointed. Mr. Guthrie died, and Mrs. Guthrie was appointed, June 24th, 1868, and served until October, 1874, when she was succeeded by Alexander Wilson, who was appointed October 1st, 1874, and served until January, 1876, when he was succeeded by John J. White, who was succeeded April 1st, 1877, by W. A. Mintier. the present incumbent.

24X24, with puncheon floor and furnishings. It stood on the northwest quarter of section eleven, then (1818) owned by Walter Hogseed. It served the double purpose of school house and ''meeting house." This building was subsequently moved further down the Cambridge road, just beyond the present residence of Theophilus Wark. It gave way in after years to a hewed log hexagonal building. There were two other buildings of this shape, used for school purposes, but they have disappeared.

The first teacher was Lorenzo Dow. He died, and was buried near the scene of his labors, in 1818, and was the first person buried in the grounds that became Bloomfield Cemetery. It is said that John Bell introduced into school No. 4 the first blackboard in eastern Muskingum. It was made by Peter B. Geyer, one of his scholars, in 1843.

There are six good frame school houses, in as many districts in this township, at this time, and under the management of a Board of Education, who are proud of our public school system, and do what they can to secure its advantages to the

The first store was kept in the house where Samuel Moorehead now lives, by Joseph Graham, in 1833. The next was kept by William Mason, between the roads opposite Mr. IT. Mark's house. east of the village of Bloomfield. He carried on the business there from .1835 to 1843. The next store was located in the triangle formed by the junction of the Adamsville and New Concord 'n Bloomfield, in 1848, and was conducted by George Buchanan. He was succeeded by William "Weylie, who built a new store on the corner, lot No. Bs opposite the present postoffice, in 1851, and continued in business until 1866. In 1852, Thomas Forsyth began business in the old store, between the Concord and Dresden roads, and, in 1854, built a store on the corner, lot No. 13, now occupied by W. A. Mintier. He retired from business in 1857. After Forsyth, came Atchison & Bell, then Atchison & Bro., James Black, J. F. Warrick, and Thomas Mackey. W. A. Mintier, the present occupant, began business in the same building in-1877

Military Record

The following list embraces nearly all of the patriots of this township who dared to tight for and preserve our country in the hour of peril, when rebel hordes would bave desolated our homes and given birth to something akin to despotism. The list was furnished by Mr. T. Wark. and is doubtless as near correct as it is possible to make it at this late date. We give the names and regiments in the order furnished, which are as follows :

One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment O. V. I. - Jefferson McMillen, John McMillen, John Fell, Peter Hammond and his son Hammond, Benjamin Angell.