FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO (PART 2) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by LeaAnn Rich leaann1@bellsouth.net January 14, 1999 *************************************************************************** HISTORICAL COLLECTION OF OHIO An Encyclopedia of the State By HENRY HOWE LL. D. Published by the State of Ohio C.J. Krehbiel & Co., Printers and Binders Cincinnati, Ohio copyright 1888 by Henry Howe 1904 FRANKLINTON and WORTHINGTON in 1846 FRANKLINTON IN 1846--Franklinton lies on the west side of the Scioto, opposite Columbus. It was the first town laid off in the Scioto Valley north of Chillicothe. From the formation of the county, in 1803, it remained it's seat of justice until 1824, when it was removed to Columbus. During the late war, it was a place of general rendezvous for the northwestern army, and sometimes from one to three thousand troops were stationed there. In those days, it was a place of considerable note; it is now a small village, containing, by the census of 1840, 394 inhabitants.--(old edition) Franklinton now is included in the city of Columbus. It has changed less than any part of the city so near the center, and preserves to this day many of it's old style village features. Worthington in 1846-- Worthington is a neat town, 9 miles north of Columbus, containing Three churches, and by the census of 1840, 440 inhabitants. At this place is a classical academy, in the old botanic college building, in fine repute, under the charge of the Rev. R.K. Nash; also a flourishing female seminary, under the patronage of the Ohio Methodist Conference, of which the Rev. Alexander Nelson s the principal. The building is of brick, and stands in a pleasant green--(old edition) Since 1840 to 1880 Worthington has increased from 440 t o 459 inhabitants. It is now on the line of the C.C.C. and I. Railway. It has long been known as an educational point, and it was the attractions of this spot that first drew Bishop Philander Chase to Ohio. He came out and settled here in 1817, bought five village lots, and a farm of 150 acres just south of the place. About 60 acres were cleared, and the total cost was two thousand and fifty dollars. He was appointed principal of the academy and conducted services in the Episcopal church. While residing here he was made in 1818 the first Bishop of Ohio. Worthington was also honored by the early residence of Salmon P. Chase. William Bros. 'Combined History of Franklin and Pickaway counties gives the following amusing items: Boyhood Pranks of Salmon P. Chase-- Salmon P. Chase came to Ohio to live with his uncle, Bishop Chase, in 1820, when but twelve years of age. He did chores about the farm, drove the cows to pasture and home again, took grain to the mill, and was kept busy when not at school. He once received instructions from his uncle to kill and dress a little young pig which was to be roasted for dinner. He knew how to kill and scald him, but either the water was too hot, or he left the pig in too long, for when he expected to remove the bristles easily, he could hardly even pull out a single bristle at a time. He was aware that the pig must be ready promptly for dinner, and bethought himself of his cousin Philander's razor which he got and with which he neatly shaved the pig. The job was well done and reflected credit on the barber, but about ruined the razor. Salmon was also accustomed to ride a horse belonging to Squire Charles E. Burr, the same animal being a favorite with the college professors and others. He found that by sticking his heels in the sides of the horse that he resented the indignity by kicking. He enjoyed the fun and continued it until the horse was completely ruined for the ordinary uses of a horse; it could not be used for any purpose whatsoever except to kick everything within the swing of it's heels, which it ever after did, and with a gusto. Salmon lived with his uncle about a year and a half. Mr. Elias Lewis of Worthington, now in his eighty-third year, when a bricklayer had Salmon P. Chase for a mortar carrier and speaks with pride of the fact that a man who afterward became a governor of Ohio and chief justice of the United States should have carried the load for him. The township of Sharon, in which Worthington is, was very early settled by "The Scioto Company," formed in Granby, Conn., in the winter of 1801-2, and consisting at first of eight associates. They drew up articles of association, among which was one limiting their number to forty, each of whom must be unanimously chosen by ballot, a single negative being sufficient to prevent an election. Col. James Kilbourne was sent out the succeeding spring to explore the country, select and purchase a township for settlement. He returned in the fall without making a purchase, through fear that the state Constitution, then about to be formed, should tolerate SLAVERY, in which case the project would have been abandoned. It is here worthy of notice that Col. Kilbourne on this visit constructed the first map of OHIO, which he compiled from maps of its different sections in the office of Col. Worthington (afterwards governor), then register of the United States land office at Chillicothe. The part delineating the Indian territory was from a map made by John Fitch, of steamboat memory, who had been a prisoner among the Indians, which, although in a measure conjectural, was the most accurate of that part of the Northwest Territory. Immediately upon receiving information that the Constitution of Ohio prohibited slavery Col. Kilbourne purchased this township, lying within the United States military land district, and in the spring of 1803 returned to Ohio and commenced improvements. By the succeeding December 100 settlers, mainly from Hartford county, Conn.. and Hampshire county, Mass., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the letter the articles of association, the first cabin erected was used for a school-house and church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination; the first Sabbath after the arrival of the third family divine worship was held therein; and on the arrival of the eleventh family a school was commenced. This early attention to religion and education has left its favorable impress upon the character of the people to the present day. The succeeding 4th of July was appropriately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic trees, emblamatical of the seventeen states forming the federal union, were cut so that a few blows of the ax, at sunrise on the fourth, prostrated each successively with a tremendous crash, forming a national salute novel in the world's history. James (sometimes called Colonel and sometimes Reverend, for he was both) Kilbourne laid out the village of Worthington in May, 1804, into 162 lots, one of which was reserved for church and another for school purposes. This eminent pioneer was born in New Britain, Conn., in 1770, and named the village from the parish of Worthington, which is near that of New Britain. He was first apprenticed to a farmer, and learned mathematics and the classics from the farmers son. He became a mechanic, subsequently acquired a competence as a merchant and manufacturer, and about the year 1800 took orders in the Episcopal Church. He organized the Episcopal church in Worthington, the first organized in Ohio. In 1804 he retired from the ministry, and in 1805 was appointed by Congress surveyor of public lands. In 1812 he was on the commission to settle the boundary between the public lands and the Virginia reservation, and was a colonel of a frontier regiment. He was from 1813 to 1817 a member of congress (sent by the democrats) and had the distinguished merit of originating the measure to grant the public lands of the Northwest Territory to actual settlers, and was chairman of the select committee that drew up the bill for that purpose. He died in Worthington in 1850. A useful and most worthy citizen, he was of a strong social nature, and sometimes indulged in poetry, as will be seen in his "Song of Bucyrus" two verses of which are under the head of Crawford County. The grave of Col. Kilbourne in the Worthington Cemetery is marked by a stone, on which he had cut prior to his death the names of his family, including that of his second wife. She took exception to the cutting of her name upon a tombstone before her death, and directed that her remains should not be interred there. Her wish was observed, and her body now lies in Green Lawn cemetery, Columbus.