Weller Township

Weller Township

ELLER TOWNSHIP was organized Y in the year 1846, from the original townships of Milton and Franklin, after Ashland County had been organized. That part of Milton Township lying east of the Black Fork remaining in Ashland County, and retained its original name as possessing the largest amount of territory. Two miles was then taken from the east side of Franklin and added to what was left of Milton, and erected into a new township and called Weller, and was subsequently divided into six school districts. _

The township contains within its limits a very fine body of land, embracing every variety of soil, and well adapted for the production of grass or grain, as well as every variety of fruit and vegetables. The Black Fork is the principal stream of water and traverses the township from west to east, entering at the northwest corner, near Urick's mill, and continuing an eastward course to Linn's mill, then turns south to the bridge, on' the Wells farm, in the southeast corner of the township. The Whetstone, coming in from the north, and the Brubaker Run from the south, are important branches. The

The " Big Hill," as it is called, forms a prominent feature in this department. It rises about one hundred and fifty feet, high, and is four miles in circumferance, more or less abrupt on its several sides, to a uniform altitude, and then drops to a level surface on the top, forming a table-land of great beauty and value for agricultural and horticultural purposes. There are about one hundred and fifty springs emitting pure, soft water which flows from its sides ; the geological formation being sandstone. A number of valuable quarries are in operation on different sides. There are also heavy deposits of potter's or fire clay. Specimens on the farm of John Ward were sent: to Akron, Ohio, and to Lansing, Mich., for testing purposes, and pronounced at both factories to be first-class materia] for stoneware. Some indications of coal have been found cropping out at several points, but not sufficient to justify a heavy venture.

The wooded portions of the hill are covered with a dense growth of chestnut, hickory and oak timber. There are men living on the hill now who can remember when the tall chestnut trees - now 100 feet high - were no thicker than a man's thumb. When the abovigines held possession, they burned the forests over annually to prevent the undergrowth from obstructing the distant view of game. Heavy timber would not be affected by the fire, but the land was no doubt impoverished by consuming the decaying vegetable matter.

In early times, there was a saline spring about half a mile west of Windsor Station, which spread out over a low, flat bottom-ground, forming an extended marsh, which the early settlers called "The Deer Lick." This was a place of great resort, both of the Indians and also of the early hunters, to kill deer. It was once owned by Jacob Gardiner, a son of Arehibald Gardiner, the first settler in those parts. Gardiner was one of the best riflemen in the country. He made a small pen of poles, at a convepient angle, covered it with bark and brush, in which he would secrete himself and await the approach of the deer, which resorted here generally by moonlight, in the autumn of the year, to lick at the saline fountain. Many were the splendid specimens that were dragged out of that marsh.

fearfully hated race. John Dickson once improvised a party of snake-hunters and made a raid on the den, killing seventy-five and wounding others.

rushing embarrassments. When the scanty supply of flour or meal ran out, he must drop his ax or plow, and travel perhaps ten or twenty miles to a mill, or five to a blacksmith-shop. When his salt ran out, he must go or send seyenty miles, and pay $10 a barrel for it. Instead of the shapely plank to lay his cabin-floor, he must split up huge trees and hew puncheons for a floor. Then rushing waters must be bridged, swamps must be corduroyed, before travel was possible. Under such difficulties, it would be wonderful if education was not neglected - schoolhouses dispensed with for some time. Yet, considering these disadvantages, our fathers exhibited a praiseworthy energy in that direction, and schools were inaugurated in rude log cabins, and the most erudite of the settlers chosen as a teacher.

Among the first enterprises was the manufacture of whisky ; corn, being very low in price, could be made into whisky and sold at 25 cents a gallon. It constituted the chief article of commerce in those days, considerable being sent to Michigan, and was considered "legal tender" in any kind of trade. A few yards from where Windsor Station now stands, a distillery was run by a Deacon Williamson, who came from Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1817. The good Deacon, who was indeed a worthy man, would, after putting his buzzing, seething enginery in operation, take his seat at the place where the precious fluid made its exit, and, rubbing his hands together, would begin to sing - «Come, Thou fount of every blessing."'

There was one or two more in the township, one of which was run by Jacob Osbun, near the infirmary, but was soon abandoned. The state of public sentiment changing on that matter, as soon as the temperance agitation commenced, yet how harmless, comparatively speaking, was the liquor manufactured then to the poisonous "rot-gut " sent out by the millions of gallons at the present day.

Among the first settlers of Weller Township may be named the following: Benjamin Montgomery, Elijah Charles, Jacob Osbun, 1814 ; A. A. Webster, Levi Stevenson, George Hall, James Mahon, James Haverfield, William Holson, Peter Pittenger, Francis Porter, Henry Wikoff, John Dixon, John and James Feguson, 1815; from 1816 to 1819, came Moses Modie, James Grimes, Charles Stewart, John and Charles Palmer, Joseph Ward and Simon Morgan.

The first grist-mill built in the township was on the Whetstone, at Olivesburg, by Benjamin Montgomery, in 1817. The first saw-mill was built by Elijah Charles, on the Black Fork, in 1818, and it is worthy of note here, that it is, perhaps, the only saw-mill built in that early day that is in operation at this date over sixty years, and is now owned by David Lind. In the year 1816, Benjamin Montgomery was elected Justice of the Peace, and the same year a small log schoolhouse was built on the west side of the Big Hill, and a small school im- -provised with James Mahon as teacher. The schoolhouse was on Levi Stevenson's land. Mr. Stevenson taught one term in the same house.

In 1820, Mr. Hall had some sheep killed by wolves, and as late as 1822, Joseph Ward, Sr., had fourteen sheep killed in one night in the woods, a mile from the house ; some others were

In 1819, John E. Palmer settled on the south side of the hill, where there were three or four fine springs of water bursting out of the side of the hill. In the fall of 1820, Mrs. Palmer stepped out of the héuse into the wood-yard for some fuel. She had placed some chips in her apron, and was turning to go into the house when she discovered a huge black bear just a few yards from her. Uttering a scream, she sprang for the door, when a very fine, large Newfoundland dog, that Mr. Palmer had brought from London with him, whom he called Lord Nelson, sprang out of his kennel and made for the bear, which immediately broke for the chapparal on the hill-side, and " Lord Nelson" very discreetly contented himself with making a very vigorous demonstration in his rear.

Some excitement was produced in the summer of 1825, by the story of a Mrs. Church, that she had been pursued by a panther. She lived on the east bank of the Black Fork. On the south was an extensive swamp, stretching toward the Webster farm. She was returning home from a neighbor's in the dusk of the evening, and heard, or thought she heard, a panther scream behind her. She started to run and scream herself, the panther answering. She soon reached the Black Fork, which she crossed on a fallen tree, and there the chase ended. The story was not generally credited ; many thought the screams alluded to proceeded from a huge night-owl that was in the habit of making nocturnal visits in the neighborhood. At all events, people who had boys to send to the woods to hunt cows were anxious to have them take that view of the matter. were the most numerous and abundant of all other wild animals, and, while they were a little annoying to the farmers, yet they furnished them with thousands of meals of the most delicious meat. .

During the war of 1812, Jacob Osbun was a soldier, and with a company of men from Jefferson County was sent out to fight the Indians on the Sandusky Plains and the Maumee. On their way out, he passed over Section 35, and being impressed with the beauty of the location, timber, etc., took occasion to mark with a hatchet a number of trees, with a view to future operations. On his return, he made the entry sometime in December. His son, William, owns and lives on the same farm now.

land. He was born in New York, was of English descent, and lived some time in Washington County, Penn.; moved to the Pan-Handle, Va. thence to Jefferson County, Ohio, and came to Richland in 1814. He was ninety years old held in his house in early times. His son, Judge Osbun, settled in Mansfield in 1815, was elected Justice of the Peace, and was for several years Associate Judge. He moved to his farm in this township in 1824.

Elijah Charles came from Beaver County, Penn., to this township, in 1814, and built a saw-mill on the Black Fork, in 1818, which was of great service to the people. He went to Pittsburgh with a wagon, for the irons. He died shortly after the mill was set in operation, leaving a large family, who carried on the milling and farming business with great success, the oldest son, Isaac, adding a valuable gristmill to the property in 1835. He was soon after elected Justice of the Peace, serving two terms. In 1868, he moved to Bluffton, Allen County, Ohio, where he is supposed to have been murdered by his youngest son, Isaac, who is now in the State prison for life - a truly tragic ending of a useful life. All the male members of the the original family are now dead. Elijah, the fourth son of old Elijah Charles, died at the same age, and singularly enough, of the same disease, as his father. William Taggart married the third daughter. He was Commissioner of the county two terms, and subsequently made two trips to California, in the gold-digging enterprise.

the close of the war, often intruding themselves into the cabins, with their characteristic "Ugh! me heap hungry; Indian want some bread, The Charles

In 1820, the Rev. Mr. Lee came from Westmoreland County, Penn., and bought a quartersection of land east of the Charles mill. He had a large family, of which John A. Lee, late of Mansfield, was the youngest boy. Ina short time, the entire family was prostrated with fever and ague, and his oldest daughter, a very amiable young lady of seventeen summers, died of bilious fever. The rest of the family all recovered, only to be stricken down again the next autumn.

Between Mr. Lee's farm and the Charles mill was an extensive marsh, over which the waters of the Black Fork fiowed at every succeeding freshet. Of course the miasma arising therefrom in autumn was fearful. Mr. Lee attributed much of the trouble to the mill-dam obstructing the channel, and thus throwing the water over the banks into the marsh, and proceeded to inaugurate a suit for damages, or effect a removal of the nuisance. A long, bitter and expensive litigation followed, the courts finally deciding against Mr. 'Lee, but compelling the. mill-owners to cut a foot off their dam, which at that time backed the water three miles. Mr. Lee, disheartened and disgusted, sold his farm at a great sacrifice, and moved to Crawford County, Ohio.

In 1821, a local preacher, Joseph Curtis, came from Hngland, and settled on the south side of the Big Hill. He was a good carpenter and farmer, and also filled the place of an undertaker, thus making himself doubly useful, for while he attended to the duties of an undertaker, he could, at the same time and place, preach an acceptable funeral sermon.

'Mr. Curtis married Mary Woodhouse near Windsor, and raised a large family, one of whom (Benny) enlisted in the army, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga. A marble monument at Milton graveyard bears his image, taken from a photograph, but his body was never recovered - it sleeps on the blood-stained field of Chickamauga. William Curtis, the second son, was elected Captain of Company C,

Infantry, and was sent to Virginia, Fort Reno, in the 100-days service. Quite a number of his company was made up of recruits from this township - Joseph H. Brown, Second Lieutenant ; Peter Sterritt, First Lieutenant ; Jacob Rohrer, First Orderly Sergeant ; James Hughes, Orderly ; David Berry, Levi Nelson, Allen Haverfield, Ben Egner, Chief Artificer ; Isaac Connelly, Third Sergeant ; William Houston, Winfield Houston, Benjamin Crabbs, Thomas Hughes, Joe Balderson, Amos Jump, M. Ozier, Marvin Seaton, J. W. Tucker, privates.

After his return from the service, he married the youngest daughter of John E. Palmer, and on the death of his father, which took place in 1864, he inherited the old homestead, which he sold, and moved to Illinois. He was not considered a very efficient officer, and was very unpopular with his men.

Ward went in the Fifteenth, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga ; Joseph W. Palmer, John Fickes, Bent Martin, Joseph Haverfield, Steven Clifford and J. Miller were in the cavalry service - the former three in McLaughlin's -squadron. Clifford re-enlisted, and went into the Ohio Battery. H. O. Pittenger, Milton Charles, Newton Charles went into the One Hundred and Second ; Martin Taggart, in the One Hundred and Twentieth ; was taken prisoner, and confined nineteen months ; Elmer Nelson was in the Fifteenth ; was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison and Andersonville; Franklin Osbun, Lemuel Pittenger, I. Pittenger, Freeman Osbun, Melvin Osbun, James Weagly, James Mason were in the One Hun-

Henry Newman settled on the quarter section on which the Franklin M. E. Church stands in 1822, and donated the church one acre of ground, when that edifice was built. He was the oldest son of Jacob Newman, of Mansfield, one of the proprietors of that town ; came with his father before the war, when a boy, to where Mansfield now stands, and, with others at that day, encountered many difficulties and dangers from Indians and other sources. He taught school several terms when young. Im the spring of 1822, he commenced opening up his farm, and soon after married Miss Jane Ward. He had three sons and four daughters ; all his boys went into the service. Capt. Jacob Newman (the oldest) was shot through the body at the battle of Shiloh ; the surgeon, considering his case hopeless, refused to dress his wound for twenty-four hours after the battle. He was sent to Pittsburgh on the boat, where his mother met him, and nursed him into life, and he returned to service. Joseph, the second son, was mortally wounded at the battle of Mission Ridge, and died soon after. He was for some time attached to the staff of Gen. Williams.

Capt. Andrew Newman, the third son, went through the entire service; at the battle of Jonesboro, behind Atlanta, half his regiment fell. After the close of the war, he entered college and studied -law, but his constitution was shattered, and he broke down, and slowly sank to rest.

William Houston, of Olivesburg, came from the State of Delaware in 1815, and entered a half-section of land adjoining what is now the village of Olivesburg. He had five sons - Jonathan, Richard, Joseph, William and Robert. He was chiefly instrumental in the building of the first Presbyterian Church, and also the first schoolhouse. He furnished all the siding for i the chureh, and hauled it with his team from

James Mahon came from Harrison County, Ohio, in 1815, and entered half a section of land on the "Big Hill"" He taught the first school in the township in the log schoolhouse on Levi Stevenson's farm in 1816. He died in 1820 or 1821.

One of the most prominent and useful families of early times were the Halls. They came from Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1815. Mr. Hall had five sons and three daughters, all members of the Presbyterian Church. He entered three quarter-sections of land on the 'Black Fork, in the southeast corner of the township, in 1815, and, having a strong force of muscular and industrious young men, scon opened up a fine farm. The oldest son married a Miss Ralston, of Plymouth. Mr. Maxwell, late of Mansfield, married the oldest daughter, though rumor has it that it was a runaway match, but proved to be a most felicitous one. Judge Lee, of Bucyrus, married the youngest The entire family have all passed away - the last member died more than ten years ago. The first sermon preached by a Presbyterian minister in this neighborhood was

In connection with Mr. Hall's history, it would be proper to make mention of a terrific whirlwind that swept over his farm in the year 1824, and the only one of that character that has visited this township in sixty years. It threw down every fence on the farm, carrying fence-rails through the air.

The best barn in the township, at that time, was on this farm. It lifted the heavy, new shingled roof off as if it had been a cobweb, and, what was most remarkable, a hewed log, lying in the lane, half buried in mud, was taken

The next day, fifty men collected on the farm to gather up the debris, and collect what materials were available for further use, and bring order out of chaos.

The year 1859 was memorable-on account of the unprecedented heavy frost of that year. The preceding winter had been favorable for | the protection of winter wheat, and, when spring opened, the wheat was unusually fine, and the | prospect for an abundant harvest was never more cheering in the entire history of this township. Some fields of corn on favorable ground was nearly knee-high by the 5th of June. Although slight frosts had occurred during the months of April and May, no material damage had been done ; all kinds of fruit were doing well; apples were as large as hickory-nuts, and wheat was all out in head and in much of it the grain was partly formed. About the Ist of June a light rain fell, after which it turned colder. The weather continued cloudy and cold for two or three 'days, and on the 4th it snowed a little during the day.

At sunset, the wind dropped ; the sun setting clear. By 9 o'clock P. M., the mercury was falling very fast; the stars were unusually brilliant; not a sound was heard in the air; no whip-poor-will raised his night-song ; no chirping cricket lifted its unmusical voice; all was silent as the house of death - and the house of death indeed it was, for the "destroying angel " was abroad in the land, sweeping down tens of thousands of acres of the finest grain-fields that ever waved before the breeze, or delighted the eye of the husbandman.

The morning sun rose on a scene of indescribable grandeur and desolation. The meadows, the wheat-fields, corn-fields and gardens were thickly covered over with frost-crystals glistening and dancing in the morning sunlight. The work of destruction was complete ; everything was frozen stiff. Under the powerful re-action from the rays of the morning sun, the corn wilted and soon fell to the earth, the ground being frozen down to the roots of the corn. Ona farm on the Black Fork, a large iron kettle, half filled with water, was so frozen over, that a heavy man got on it with both feet and tried in vain to break it. It is worthy of note here, that there was a frost in every month in the year of 1859.

There was great sympathy manifested in those days for each other, and when one neighbor became distressed, the others would rush to his assistance with a perfect fervor. Mr. Hall died about the year 1832, regretted and respected by all his neighbors. His son Robert inherited

Abel A. Webster came from the State of Connecticut in the fall of 1814, and settled on the Black Fork, one mile north of, the Hall farm. He was the only man from the State of Connecticut in the township. He was a man of means, and was soon able to clear out a fine farm, so that when later settlers came in, about 1819-20, he had produce to sell them at his own figures. He was skeptical in his views, and although the wealthiest man in the neighborhood, he never could be induced to contribute a dollar to build a church, college, railroad or any other enterprise of the day. He sold his farm in 1859 to Mr. Minster, who married his daughter and now resides on the farm. He soon after removed to Cleveland, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

John Dickson came to this township in 1815. He entered the quarter of land joining Elijah Charles on the south, and married the oldest daughter of Mr. Charles in 1818. In 1830, he formed a partnership with William Taggart, and built a grist-mill on a spring rising out of the Big Hill side, and, two years after, built another grist-mill about forty rods below the other, on the same stream. He was a man of great physical strength and endurance, an excellent workman and hunter; had very black hair and black eyes. His entire face and bosom were so thickly covered with hair as to hide the skin. He was generous in his impulses, honest in his dealings, and an accommodating neighbor. In the days of "corn-huskings," he was first choice in a race; he would become so excited sometimes in an exciting race as to leave marks of blood on the corn-husks from his lacerated fingers. These simple facts are given simply to exhibit faithfully the spirit of the times half a century ago, and the habits of our fathers. The last days of. this good citizen were shrouded in melancholy and gloom. A dark shadow had fallen over the threshold -of his domestic relations, and the cloud never lifted from his brow, or the load from his heart. He became a wreck, mentally and physically, and never did the weary heart look forward with deeper longings for the grave that should cover it, or the spirit with earnest yearnings for the brighter and better land, than did his. Samuel Pittenger came to this township with his father, Peter. in the year 1815, landing on the 17th day of February of that year. The family made the entire journey from Harrison County on sleds. Samuel was the oldest son, and became the " Nimrod" of the family, supplying them with venison for several years, until stock could be raised. He killed his first deer on the " Big Hill," soon after landing, and - has killed as high as twenty-eight deer in fourteen consecutive days. He was married in 1819 to Elizabeth Kent, and settled on the northwest corner of his father's farm, where he lived seven years, and removed to Greene Township, where he resided six years, and then returned to his present location, where he cele- | brated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding, a few months ago. He is now in his eighty-fifth year, and Mrs. Pittenger in her eightieth. There is a cabin that he assisted in building, in the year 1817, still standing on the farm now owned by H. G. Palmer. It is the oldest cabin known in the township. It was built and owned by a man by the name of Ensign, who was at that time a Swedenborg preacher, but subsequently became a Methodist, as his name appears en the minutes as an exhorter in 1829, in the official records of the M. E. Church, Mansfield' Circuit.

Levi Stevenson came from Beaver County, Penn., in the year 1815, and settled on the section northwest of the Big Hill. He was a good mathematician, and was employed in the year 1818 to teach school in'a little log cabin, built on the southeast corner of his land. It was in the days, of "barring out," and a namber of the young men attached to the school gathered before daylight on Christmas morning and barred "the master" out to make him " treat.' Uncle Levi coolly surveyed the premises, and thinking no doubt that it was a long lane th&t had no turn in it, proceeded to climb the corner of the domicile, and without further ceremony jumped down the chimney, although there was a roaring fire of hickory logs, ten feet long, to receive him. The insurgents "took in the situation," and surrendered at discretion. Uncle Levi could not say that he came out without the smell of fire on him, but no serious damage resulted ; but never was a pair of buckskin breeches in more serviceable demand than on that memorable occasion. He had-four sons, William S., John, Andrew and Samuel. The last named still lives on the old homestead.

, John K. Palmer came from the city of London, England, to this township in the year 1819. He bought half a section of land of William Holson, and commenced making improvements in the fall of the same year. His brother, Charles Palmer, and himself, brought a small stock of dry-goods, chiefly calicoes, with them, which sold for high prices at that day. They brought

Mr. Palmer engaged actively in' all the moral enterprises of the day, such as the temperance movement, the antislavery question, etc. He assisted in the organization of the first Congregational Church in Mansfield, of which he was one of the first Deacons. For many years, he

John Crabbs settled half a mile west of Olivesburg in 1817. He came from Jefferson County. He married Polly Montgomery in 1818, and is now living on the same farm with the same wife; they célebrated their golden wedding two years ago. A large fatty tumor has been growing on his shoulder for twenty years. In November, 1879, Dr. Craig, of Mansfield, assisted by Dr. Crabbs, of Olivesburg, suc- He remained unconscious three weeks after the operation, but is recovering slowly. He is now in his eighty-fifth year.

Thomas Robinson emigrated to this township from England in the year 1821. He bought a quarter-section of Isaac Hanly, and afterward sixty acres of Israel Graham. There was a small improvement on each place, situated on the " Big Hill." Robinson was a man of singular notions and habits of life. He had plenty of money to do what he took in his head, and he conceived the idea of grubbing up all before him, when he cleared land, taking out trees: three or four feet over. As a matter of course, it was a losing business financially, but it gave employment to poor men, and scattered his guineas round the neighborhood, where they were badly needed at that time. After staying two or three years, he returned to England, as mission he accomplished in seven years, and then returned and recommenced grubbing up trees, etc. He also built a large brick house, made of bricks of extraordinary large size. He also built the first frame barn in the township.

The house above mentioned was remarkable for its immense cellars, which were all arched wjth stone. These were not properly constructed, and proved the ruin of the house by spreading the foundations, the walls cracking, and finally falling by piecemeal. It has not been clearly demonstrated whether the fall was great or not, but it fell, and the indications went to show, that Mr. Robinson, in more ways than one, did not build his house upon a "rock." He lost his fourth wife in 1842, and in the spring of 1843, returned to England, where he died.

A few years ago, a Sunday-school picnic frgmi Ashland landed at Windsor Station, and made a raid over the Big Hill, taking in their rounds the ruins, of the fallen castle. On leaying the ruins it was observed by Mr. Robinson that each one of the party was carrying away a brick. He called the party to a halt, and gruffly inquired, what in thunder they were carrying off his, bricks for.

The spokesman of the party proceded to explain, that they had heard down at Ashland that a rich lord from.England had built a wonderful castle here once, that he was something of a Blue Beard in his character, that four wives had mysteriously disappeared, some thought, in the arched vaults of the cellar, ete., ete., and finally that an earthquake had shaken down the house, and buried the unfortunate wicked lord in the ruins; and that with this romance burning in their brains, they were carrying away the brick to keep as a souvenir, and one brick to deposic in the cabinet of curiosities in the Ashland Academy of Science.

At this wonderful story, Mr. Robinson's eyes dilated. He at once proceeded, with impressive voice and gesture, to strip this romantic legend of some of its superfluous verbiage, and put things in something like matter-of-fact form, such as would do to go into the history of Richland County. It is needless to say that quite a change came over the spirit of their dreams, and before the party reached the station on their return home, there was not a brick to be found in the hat of one of those boys. The teachers felt pretty badly sold.

In 1862-63, the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad was built, which enters Richland County and Weller Township on the east side of the township, at the crossing of the Black Fork, and running west to the west line of the township, where it makes a sudden curve to the south, to Mansfield.

There is a comfortable station-house at the crossing of the Windsor & Olivesburg road, commodious switches and spurs, and convenient accommodations for: loading and unloading stock. There is considerable business done in the way of shipping stone, staves, lumber, grain, etc., from this point, though but little enterprise is manifested in building up a town. The old village of Windsor, three-fourths of a mile south, is dwindling away.

The railroad bridge over the Black Fork, one mile east of the station, broke down under a freight train in 1871, and all the train was precipitated into the river. The crash was fearful, but by a wonderful providence, none of the employes were killed or even seriously hurt, though some were pulled out of the water from under the debris. A wrecking train was impro- | vised and all hands, put to work, and a new: bridge built as soon as practicable, which has stood the pressure since.

The oldest man living within the bounds of the township is a Mr. Smith, living at Olivesburg, who. claims to be ninety-eight years old. He is yet a hale old man, chops his own wood, and to all appearances, he is good for another half century.

There are fifteen persons in the township who have lived therein sixty years, viz., Samuel Pittenger, Nathaniel Pittenger, James Hagerman, William Hagerman, William Ferguson, John Ward, Samuel Stevenson, John Crabbs, Richard Houston, Robert Houston, Isaae Connell and Francis Porter - twelve men, and three women, viz., Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. John Cline'and Mrs. Taggart.

The Richland County Infirmary is situated in the center of Weller Township. It is beautifully situated on the western slope of the Big Hill, on the Mansfield & Olivesburg road. In accordance with an act of the Legislature, proceedings were inaugurated by the County Commissioners, in .the year 1846, toward its erection. William Taggart, William B. Hammett and John McPool were acting in that capacity at that time. The farm of one hundred and sixty acres, was bought of the heirs of Nathaniel Osbun, and the contract for making the brick and putting up the building was given to Col. Weaver, of Ganges, for $4,500. As Col. Weaver claimed he had lost money in the enterprise, the Commissioners was occupied in accordance with its legitimate purpose: The first Board of Directors elected to take charge of its conduct were Richard Condon, Christopher Horn and Samuel Lind.

a benevolent institution, was a credit to the country. The average number of paupers accommodated within its walls was about seventyfive or eighty.

In June, 1877, the old building burned down, and great inconvenience was experienced. in making temporary provision for the inmates till another building could be provided.

Plans and specifications were presented during the year 1878, and, in the spring of 1879, the contract was let to Sheets & Frayer, and the work commenced. The building is much more elaborate and expensive than the old one, and will cost between $30,000 and $40,000. It is a very handsome building, and makes a fine appearance from the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. The present officers, under whose directions it was built, are William Newlon, J. F. Gerhart and Peter Snapp. .Present Stomasd in charge is William Gates. d

There was a school organized about the same time on Jacob Osbun's farm, at that time in Franklin Township (now Weller); adjoining the infirmary, and was taught by John Hagerman, and, in the winter of 1819-20, Joseph Ward taught a school on the south side of the Big Hill, and the winter following, in a log cabin on the farm of Mr. Hall, on the Black Fork, at which time and place the Hon. Barnabas Burns, of Mansfield, commenced his education, also James Rait, of Mansfield. This rustic seminary had greased newspapers for windows. The fireplace extended nearly across the east end, into which chasm immense piles of beech and sugar logs were rolled by muscular: students? The for his throne, but the students had seats made of split-rails, placed with the soft side upward. The first schoolhouse making any pretensions year 1824. This was a substantial, hewed-log house, twenty feet square, glass windows and good stove in the middle. The above-named gentleman (Joseph Ward) taught the first four terms in 'it. This was the first school continued through the summer season. His article of agreement stipulated that one-third of his pay should be in corn, one-third in maple-sugar and one-third money.

It was not till the year 1854, that the township was thoroughly organized into districts, and a Board of Education appointed, and a good frame house put up in each sub-district. The first Board of Education met at Isaac Charles' house, and was composed of the following members: Charles Palmer, Sr., John Ward, Elijah Charles, Daniel McCormick, James O. Hagerman and James Walker, since which time the schools have prospered, with regular sessions winter and summer.

The first religiou% service in this township was held at Peter Pittenger's house, conducted by Rev. John Clingan. Preaching was continued for some time at his house' by the Methodist ministers before any church was built. In 1820, a log church was built on the land of Nathaniel Osbun, now the infirmary farm, and services held occasionally. The first church of any size or comfort was built by the Presbyterians at Olivesburg, in the year 1827. It was a good frame house for those days, and cost $500. Rey. William: Mathews was Pastor ; William Houston, Abel Montgomery and Joseph Burget were the Deacons.

John Crabbs, John Owens and James Godwin were the Hlders; Joseph Ward, Clerk, and James Laughlin, Treasurer. In 1831, Mr. Nathan retired and Rey. James Robinson was installed Pastor and continued a number of years. The church is not more than half as strong at the present time as it was fifty years ago. In the year 1849, the old church building was removed, and a new one built on the site in 1852. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Boles.

The first Methodist Church in Olivesburg was built in 1840. Rev. M. Kinnear was Pastor; Dr. Mitchell and Isaac Charles, Trustees. It burned down in 1848 and was rebuilt in

The M. EK. Church at Frankton was built in the year 1837. The preachers were Revs. Gavitt and Yokum; the Trustees, Charles Palmer, Henry Newman, William Ferree, Andrew Oswalt. The church cost $500.

First M. E. Church at Milton was built in 1839. Pastors, Adam Poe, A. L. Harris; Trustees - Joseph Curtis, Henry Pittenger, M. Mason and Hzra Osbun. Second church was built in 1875. The Pastors have been John McNabb and C. ©. Ball; Trustees, William Ferguson, John Ward, H. O. Pittenger, William Hagerman, William Robinson, William Wells and 8. 8. Harnly. It cost $2,400.

The first parsonage in the township was built in Olivesburg in the year 1847. Trustees - Jacob Crabbs, Charles Palmer, Joshua Ford. Itwas occupied severally by Revs. Hubbard Dubois, Jacob Fegtly, John McNabb, John Whitworth and others. In the year 1876, it was sold, and a more commodious and convenient house built near Windsor Station, in close connection with Milton Church, and costin® about $1,200. Trustees - John Ward, William Ferguson, Henry

It is beautifully situated on the southern slope of the Big Hill, and, with its rather picturesque surroundings, presents a pleasing view during the summer season, from the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. It frequently calls out remarks of passing strangers. The present Pastor occupying it is the Rey. C. I. Russel.

Sabbath schools were organized first in the year 1828 by a Mr. E. Judson, of Milan, Ohio, at Olivesburg and at Fleming's Falls. James Godwin, Superintendent at Olivesburg; Thomas Wilson, Superintendent at Fleming's, and Levi Horseman, Secretary.

Superintendent ; Joseph Ward, Sr., Secretary and Librarian. A collection was taken up here and forwarded to New York for books, and these were the first Sabbath-school books introduced into the township. There was a small school also in the west part of the township, with Charles Palmer as Superintendent. All these schools went down after a brief struggle for support ; but after the building of commodious church edifices at the various points already indicated, they were all reorganized on a permanent basis, and have continued with brief intermissions ever since. Some of them are _very prosperous and successful. These schools | were superintended alternately by Ezra Osbun, John Ward, William Hagerman, Newton Charles, Freeman Osbun, and others at Milton; Charles Palmer, James Hughes, Henry Golladay, Allan Haverfield, David Hughes and others, at Franklin, and Dr. Crabbs, William Burget, William Foulks, at Olivesburg.

The village of Olivesburg was laid out by Benjamin Montgomery in the year 1816, and called Olivesburg in honor of his oldest daughter, Olive. In 1821, the village contained one tavern, kept by Benjamin Montgomery; one blacksmith-shop, by Abel Montgomery; one tailor-shop, by John Gum; .one cabinet-shop, by Thomas Beach; one tannery, by Joseph Burget ; one horse-mill and water-mill, by Jonathan Montgomery ; one wheelwright-shop, by '

It was suggested to the writer by an old settler, that the history of Weller Township would be incomplete without some allusion to the _witcheraft excitement that prevailed some fifty years ago. It will, perhaps, be looked upon by some as a matter almost incredible that such things took place at so comparatively recent date, and we should feel reluctant about placing them.on record were there not living witnesses to substantiate all the statements made here: It was about the year 1831 or 1832, that a family living on the farm now occupied by the county infirmary, conceived that they were annoyed by enemies who were endowed with the powers, qualities and attributes of witchcraft. A Mrs. Holstein, living at that time on the farm now occupied by Alanson Martin, was one of the parties thus charged, and that, in the exercise of powers and capacities above mentioned, they entered into their churns, sugar-kettles, etc., and prevented the butter from coming and the sugar from graining, etc. At other times, the old lady would fancy they had taken partial possession of her person, and she would commence a series of gymnastic performances, swaying her body and limbs to and fro, looking mysteriously out into vacancy and uttering sepulchral tones; then she would take a silver half-dollar and clap it on the calf of: her leg and kick like a mule in her efforts to throw it off. In the night, mysterious noises were heard up-stairs and down ; there were hissings and screechings, and run- would be found in one corner, piles of salt. in another, and torn shreds of old faded calico dresses would be scattered hither and thither. Neighbors were called in to witness the " proceedings," and, according to the Scripture, "some believed, and some believed not." <A large portion of the more intelligent part of the community scouted the whole thing and stood aloof from all the proceedings. It was thought by many, that the object of the old woman was to excite hatred toward old Mrs. Holstein. The excitement, however, continued to increase in a class of community who either did, or feigned, to believe it. Finally, a meeting of the "believers" was called to take steps looking toward the abatement of the nuisance. A man by the name of Wycoff, a connection of the troubled family, was Chairman of the meeting.

weight - on a pair of scales - of very indolent habits, but a more inoffensive, goodnatured man there was not in the county of Richland. Wycoff and his confreres,.on the oceasion aboye alluded to, held a kind of "experience meeting," in which each one is supposed to have told "what I know about witchcraft," and its probable cause and cure. The conclusion of their deliberations was that the witch should be shot, not in dramatis persone, but by proxy. So they very gravely went to work, and, with the aid and assistance of the female department of the house, took wheatflour and created a dough image, made after the "similitude and likeness" of a sinful and erring old woman, whose presence was now invoked with mysterious incantations. It was then placed on the corner of an outside, oldfashioned mud and stick chimney, at a convenient angle, with a big forked cherry-tree, where an excellent marksman was placed, with a rifle loaded with a silver bullet which had been melted down from two or three old, smooth sixpences that had been previously well soaked in buttermilk from which no butter would come. The nerve of the marksman was good, and his aim was true. No better nerve was ever exhibited by "Fitz James or Roderick Dhu," considering the conditions. Sir Walter Scott's heroes pale before him. The silver bullet was true to its magic charm and "accomplished the end whereunto they sent it." At all events, the poor innocent image was bored through and through; and it was not three days till there was a report circulated all through the neighborhood that there was a corresponding wound in poor old Mrs. Holstein's side or bosom. It is a veritable fact, however, that Mrs. Holstein died shortly after these ridiculous transactions, which served to strengthen some in the faith. The writer hereof was present the year after these things took place, when a witch-doctor was sent for, who lived two miles north of Mansfield, who claimed to have power to exorcise evil spirits. He went out to the sugar-camp and muttered something over the sugar-kettles, to make the sugar " grain" good. He appeared to be an honest Pennsylvania Dutchman, talked broken English, charged a small fee for his services, stayed all night with the family, and, early in the morning, left them with his blessing. This was about the winding up of the era of witcheraft.

Absurd and ridiculous as these things were, they had their counterpart in the spiritual rapping period, a quarter of a century later. Not more than a mile from this same locality, on the farm owned at that time by Henry Newman, and rented by a man named Heppard, some very extraordinary things took place, and the family was kept in a terrific state of alarm and excitement for weeks and months by similar noises, thumping, rapping and tearing round the house in the night ; and no satisfactory solution of the strange proceedings ever came to light. But these singular manifestations, like the former, have all passed away, and we look back upon them with mingled feelings of wonder and incredulity.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.j. Baughman, published 1908; 2,467 words in this source stream.

Weller Township

Weller township was created in 1846 from Franklin and Milton townships upon the organization of Ashland county. The land of Weller embraces every variety of soil, well adapted for the production of grain and grass, as well as for all varieties of fruit and vegetables. The Blackfork, with its numerous curves and loops, courses diagonally over the township, from a mile south of its northwest corner to its southeast corner, and in the past furnished power for several grist and saw mills. The Brubaker creek, coming in from the southwest, enters the Blackfork at Oswalt's, in section 11, and the Whetstone, coming in from the north. confluences with the Blackfork two miles south of Olivesburg.

The Charles mill dam, where the Muanstfield-Olivesburg road crosses the Blackfork, was the cause of a long and expensive litigation about forty years ago. There is but little fall to the Blackfork. and the mill dam backed water three miles up the stream, overflowing banks and backing water into lowlands and marshes. <A Mr. Lee, father of the late John .\. Lee, brought suit against Mr. Charles for damages, and endeavored to have the mill dam obstruction to the stream removed, claiming that the miasmatic condition created by the overflows was unhealthful. The litigation resulted in the verdict that the dam be lowered a foot. Even this small lowering of the dam bettered the condition of the country ying above very much.

In 1818 Elijah Charles built a sawmill upon this Charles mill site. and in 1835, Elijah Charles having died. his son. Tsaac Charles. erected a grist mill, and for the quarter of a century following ran both grist and saw mills successfully, notwithstanding the litigations in the courts. The mills are now numbered among the "has beens.'"' In 1868 Isaac Charles removed to Bluffton, Allen county, where he was murdered some years later. His son Isaac was convicted of the crime and was sentenced to the Ohio penitentiary for life.

The first grist mill in the township was built by Benjamin Montgomery on the Whetstone at Olivesburg, in 1817. Mr. Montgomery was elected a justice of the peace in 1816. The eastern part of what is now Weller was then Milton township. The first schoolhouse was built on the west side of the Big Hill in 1816, and James Mahon was the first teacher.

Among those who settled in Weller township in 1814 may be named the following: Benjamin Montgomery, Elijah Charles, Jacob Osbun. In 1815, A. A. Webster, Levi Stevenson, George Hall, John and James Ferguson, James Mahon, John Dixon, James Haverfield, Henry Wikoff, William Holson, Francis Porter and Peter Pittenger. In 1816-19. Simon Morgan. Moses Modie.

For a number of years after the township was settled there was but little market for the products of the country, and money was scarce. With wheat - 25 cents a bushel and calico and muslin 50 cents a yard, corn and oats 15 cents a bushel, and salt $25 a barrel, and coffee 50 cents a pound, conditions confronted the pioneers of which the people of today know of only in an historical way. But the pioneers with steadfastness of purpose worked out their problem of civilization - a civilization that brought the markets of commerce in its train - markets that made a demand for farm products and reward for farmers' toil.

A description of the country in pioneer times says the valley of the Blackfork was very densely covered with a low, matted growth of small timber, while, close to the creek, the ground was rankly covered with long grass, and the interlacing vines of wild morning glory, plumy willows and the dark, thick growth of alder. The hills were covered with giant oaks, and the fragrant winds were healthful as the breezes of the ocean. Wild game abounded, even great, ferocious wild hogs, with their white tushes gleaming out and looking frightful.

In the years that have intervened, civilization transformed the wilderness into farms whose fields reward the labor of the husbandman. General Reasin Beall, in marching his army to the protection of the frontier, in September, 1812, encamped for a short time near the present site of Olivesburg, and called the place "Camp Whetstone."

Inasmuch as Weller township adjoins Ashland county, a story is given of how Robert Newall, a pioneer justice of the peace, sometimes decided cases according to his own views of equity, without regard to either law or precedent. 'Squire Newell was one of the earliest settlers in Montgomery township (then in Richland county). and his cabin was burned by the Indians during the war of 1812. Andrew Clark wished to bring suit against one Martin Mason for a balance claimed for work performed on a mill-race. It was against pioneer ethics for a justice of the peace to encourage litigation, and 'Squire Newell endeavored to effect a settlement between the parties without resorting to the law. but, being unable to do so, he issued a summons to Constable Kline against the said Martin Mason, the writ being a verbal one, and his mace of authority was a buckeye club, with which he was instructed to belabor the said defendant over the "hend and shoulders" until he would consent to accompany the officer to the court room of the justice. Force, however, was not required in this case, as Martin recognized the potent power of the constable's club, obeyed the summons with apparent willingness and was soon arraigned before His Honor, who required that plaintiff and defendant each make a statement of his side of the case, and after this was done the court decided that "Mason should pay to Clark two bushels of corn. Clark being a poor man, and having no horse, you, Mason, shall deliver the corn at Clark's house. Forever after this you are to be good friends and neighbors, and if either shall ever fail in the least particular to obey this order, I will have the offender before me and whip him within an inch of his life. As for myself, I charge no fees. Not so with Constable Kline, his charge being a quart of whisky, which plaintiff and defendant will see is brought into court as promptly as possible, for the use of all present." And the arret of the court was obeyed..

The Big Hill forms a prominent feature in the topography of Weller township. It has an altitude of about one hundred and fifty feet and is four miles in circumference. It is more or less abrupt on its several sides, and on top there is a stretch of tableland embracing a number of valuable farms. Upon this hilltop plain stood the Robinson castle, and a few years after it was erected, although the brick aud stone masons had been brought from England to build its walls, the foundation spread and the building fell into ruins.

Thomas Robinson, the builder and owner of Robinson's castle, was an Englishman, and, on account of his aristocratic ways, was called 'King Tom." He settled on the "hill" in 1820. A brother, Francis Robinson, married a Miss Dixon, who was called "Aunt Jane" by her relatives. Francis Robinson and wife were the parents of William Robinson and of General James 8. Robinson, both of whom are deceased. "'King Tom" was wealthy and was a widower when he came to America. After getting a farm cleared he returned to England, as he stated himself. for a wife. He was gone seven vears and was married just prior to his return. The cause of his long absence he never explained. and no one dared to question concerning the delay. This wife lived about eight years after coming to America. Her remains rest in the Milton cemetery. Robinson returned to England in 1843, where he died the year following. Jn past years parties frequently visited the ruins of the Robinson castle. on account of tales - absurd though they were - connected therewith. Bovs were usually hired as guide. Upon one occasion, as a party stood gazing at the ruins, one of the number remarked. "Down in that vaulted cellar is where old 'Bluebeard' Robinson buried his wives." "No." said the guide, with an eve to business. "no one is buried there. *"King Tom' cremated them, and if each of vou give me a quarter extra T/ll take vou to the exact spot where their bodies were burned inte ashes." The extra quarters were paid and the boy conducted the party to a ravine on the east side of the hill. where stone quarrymen had had a fire a vear before. and. pointing to the place, exclaimed. "This is where he cremated lis wives. and here are the ashes of their remains." One of the men took a small quantity of the ashes away with him. The boy afterwards boasted of how he had 'worked' the party for extra quarters. Other guides have done the saine, telling tales to suit the occasion. and in this way many very absurd and erroneous stories originated and were circulated about "Koug Tom." who. although peculiar in some things. was a benefactor in his way. for he gave employment to many people, and always paid them in cash. which was quite a consideration in those days, when money was so scarce that the settlers were glad of the opportunity to dig out stumps for "King Tom" to get money to pay their taxes.

The Holstein witch story has also been told before. and. in brief. is that in about the vear 1831. a Mrs. Holstein. then living west of the Richland infirmary farm. was accused of being a witch. und a meeting of people of that neighborhood was held to devise ways and means to get rid of her. It was proposed to make a dough image of the alleged witch and shoot it with a <ilver bullet. All of which was done. with the result, as the story goes, that Mrs. Holstein died the next day from the effects of a wound in her breast, like unto the one made in the dough image by the silver bullet.

The Richland county infirmary is situated on section 25, in Weller township. In 1846, in accordance with an act of the legislature, proceedings were instituted toward establishing an infirmary, and a farm of 160 acres was bought of the heirs of Nathaniel Osbun for that purpose. The county commissioners had charge of the matter, and William Taggart, William B. Hammett and John McCool then constituted the board. Colonel George Weaver, a soldier of two wars, had the contract for the building, which cost $4,500. The first directors of the infirmary were Richard Condon, Christopher Horn and Samuel Lind, and Lowrey Sibbett was the first superintendent. The building was destroyed by fire in 1877, and the year following a new building was erected at a cost of about $40,000.

Samuel Robinson, whose death occurred July 27, was the last of the generation of Robinsons which came from England and settled on the Big Hill in Weller township in an early period of Richland county's history.

Thomas Robinson came from England in the year 1820, and entered a tract of land on the Big Hill. He was a man of wealth, and his views differed widely from those held by the average pioneer. He was aristocratic in his ways, adhered to the old English style of dress, wore knee-breeches and was called "King Tom." He was peculiar in some things, but was a benefactor in his way, for he gave employment to many people in clearing his land, and always paid them cash for their work, which was a great consideration in those days when the circulating medium was so scarce that the settlers often did not know how to get money to pay their taxes, except to go and "dig out stumps for Robinson." He kept from ten to fifteen men in his employ the year round and paid them in gold. He had not the patience, like the other settlers. to wait for stumps to rot, but had them dug out in clearing his land, and, paying liberally for the work. caused fabulous stories to be told as to his wealth.

Thomax Robinson was a widower when he came to America, but after getting his land cleared he returned to England to marry again. He was gone seven years. Upon his return he was accompanied by his wife, but gave no explanation as to the cause of his long stay. They brought a boy with them, aged about four or five years, who was the Samuel Robinson whose funeral occurred from Oakland church.

In 1836, Robinson built a large brick building for a residence. which on account of its style and the aristocratic manners of its owner was called the "castle." It stood upon the most commanding site of the summit of the hill. Beneath the building were cellars with arched ceilings of stone work. The castle seemed to be doomed, for in about two years after it was built a windstorm wrecked part of the building, and Samuel Robinson, then a boy seven vears old, was taken from the debris after the storm abated. A few years later the arched foundation began to give away, and in time the building fell in a mass of ruins. remnants of which vet mark the place where the old castle

Francis Robinson, younger brother of Thomas Robinson, came to America a few years after his brother had located on the hill. He resided with his brother for some time, but later removed to a farm near the State road, north of Mansfield. Francis Robinson married "Aunt Jane" Dickson. They were the parents of two children - William and James S. William Robinson became the owner of the Thomas Robinson farm, and there he passed the greater part of his life. He is now dead. The other son was the late General James S. Robinson, who served with honor through the Civil War, as he did later in civil capacities - as a member of congress and as secretary of state.

The late Samuel Robinson was an industrious man and an exemplary citizen. He was a hard worker and accumulated much property. He added farm to farm until he had one each for his five children. He was best known perhaps as an auctioneer. He was also very successful in the berry-raising business. About six years ago he built a fine residence on what was formerly known as the Hetler farm, on the Olivesburg road, five miles north of Mansfield.

Samuel Robinson's seventy-four years of life covered a period which was noted for its effectiveness in the advancement of civilization. The people were frugal and industrious, and the lesson of their lives might be studied with profit by the present generation.