KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXVI] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dave Ketterer Ketterer@empireone.net September 1, 2002 ************************************************ A History of Knox County, Ohio, From 1779 to 1862 Inclusive: Comprising Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes and incidents of men connected with the county from its first settlement: Together with complete lists of the senators, representatives, sherriffs, auditors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, justices of the peace, and other officers of the county, also of those who have served in a military capacity from its first organization to the present time, and also a sketch of Kenyon College, and other institutions of learning and religion within the county. By A. Banning Norton. Columbus: Richard Nevins, Printer. 1862 Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 by A. Banning Norton, In the Clerk’s office of the Southern District of Ohio. ____________________________________________ CHAPTER XXVI. MIDDLEBURY TOWNSHIP. ON the 3d of December, 1823, this township was established, and the first election was held at the house of Luther Bateman, in April, 1824. It is now the north-west corner of Knox, and on the score of improvement, the beauty of the country, and the intelligence of its inhabitants, ranks first. Its princpal settlers at every period have been Friends, from Maryland and Virginia; and the influence of the Quaker element has been highly salutary. The increase of population and wealth has been steady. In 1830 the inhabitants num- bered 705, and the amount of land returned for taxation was 13,000 acres; in 1840 there were 1,002 inhabitants; in 1850, 1,092; and in 1860, 1,040. The villages of Batemantown and Waterford are points for trading operations; the latter is quite a thriving little town, having the advantage of mills in its neighborhood. Here Josiah Fawcett and John Layering for many years were rivals in business, competitors for the post- office, and the prominent men of their respective parties. When the Whigs were in power, Josiah held the post-office; and when the Democrats ruled, he was out and John in. The post-office and its name were mooted points in Middlebury. The Laverings were old sttlers of this section. Of the old stock, Daniel and Mary were here in 1813 she died October 24, 1846;. aged 85. Several of the name are in the county at this date ; John is yet selling goods at Waterford. Samuel Wilson and Thomas Townsend emigrated from Frederick. Md.. in 1808. The former is dead. and his son ;Joseph resides m Indiana ; the latter died March 18. I859. aged 78, on the farm where he had resided over fifty years. Amos and Wm. Farquhar were early Maryland emigrants. and David and Robert Ewers from Virginia. The Wrights and Lewises, David Eaves, Jacob Zulman. Samual Willett, the Comforts, Jesse Vore, Jesse Stevens theBatemans, the Cravens, the Wagoners, the Grahams. the Fiddlers, the McPhersons, the Van Buuskirks, the Walterses, have been long residents of this township. Josiah Fawcett, the old merchant, is in pertnership with his son, in a store in Fredericktown Among the citizens of this part of the county in 1819. were William Watkins, from Stoney Creek, Somerset, Co. Pa.; Warren Owen, from Vermont. who emigrated about 1817 ; Philo Doohittle and Zebulon Ashley, also from New England. Asahel Ashley, only son of Zebulon, is living in Missouri and his son-in-law, Frisbee Owen, also lives there. Charles Strong emgrated from Frederick co. Md.; he died in 1850. Mrs. Strong is living. Of their eight children. the following survive G. W. and Lewis, at Fredericktown ; John W.. sheriff of Richland county ; Peter, station agent, BellvilIe and Mrs. Mary Parke, of Mt. Vernon. The Dennian family is one of the oldest and best in Middlehury and Chester. James Johnson, the old Justice, died a few years ago, leaving a considerable family in this township ; his son Orlin is a prominent citizen. Lawrence Van Buskirk; is an- other noted citizen, having served as State Senator. James Martin and his family have long occupied a front position among the good citizens; he has Iived in the county since 1811. Jacob Ebersole was an eccentric old settler, of miserly disposition, who lived close and mean to accumulate money to look at. After or his death. over $2000 in coin was found hidden away b him -some under an old anvil block in a smith shop, and another lot in an old chest, under some rubbish. SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OP THE PEACE. The first Justice in 1821 was James Johnson. Who was regularly re-elected and served until 1818. The second was James Graham, elected in 1831. and served three terms. In 1842 Stephen McPhierson was elected, and re-elected in 1845. Ezra Marvin and Johnn W. Loofborow were elected in 1848, and re-elected in 1851 ; G. Wash. Ewe'rs and Thomas Craven in 1852 ; Daniel Ayres in 1855 and at the same time J. D. Burke, who was reelected in 1858, and again in 1861; Isaac Lynde in 1858, and re-elected in 1861.