KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXXVI] ************************************************ 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. XXXVI. HILLIAR TOWNSHIP Was laid off from Miller, upon petition of its citizens, August 28, 1818. It is the southwestern township of the county. The first settlement was called '' Houck's" and was principally made up of the families of James and Jacob Houck and Joseph Jennings, who erected the first cabins, and graced the principal Building, through Mr. Lamson, with the first brick chimney put up in this township. This settlement was about one mile southwest of the present village of Centerburg. When the township was formed the settlers agreed to the name of Hilliar in compliment to Dr. Richard Hilliar, who was then the largest landholder residing in the limits ; he dwelt in a cabin in the southwest corner. It had 16,00() acres of land upon the tax list in 1830. In 1832, there were but 40 voters. In 1840. The population was 1,012 ; in 1830, 1,141 ; and in 1860, 1,088. Centerbnrg, its principal mart of business, is on the old stage route from all the "north countrie" to the State Capital. It is 13 miles from Mt. Vernon. We have heard it said that it received its name from the fact that Harvey Jones presumed it to he the exact geographical center of Ohio; and many long years ago, when politicians and legislators threatened to move the Capital. some of the oldest inhabitants there believed it might become the Capital of the Buckeye State. If such a thing was hinted at by members who occasionally had the good luck in cold weather and muddy roads to call on Harvey Jones, enjoy his feast of fat things, and rest in his soft and downy beds, it is no wonder that by contrast with the then Columbus fare they "smiled" at the idea, and took another encouraging horn upon the strength of it with "mine host." As early as 1820 travel from Northern Ohio to the Capital through or by this route dates. Business may be said to have started with Mr. Jones, who was the most enterprising man at Centerburg from 1834 until 1848. He was quite corpulent, jovial, kind- hearted man, who held out by unmistakable sign that he had good fare, and enjoyed the good things of this world. In the early days the people were disposed to pull together at elections. It was their custom to meet when the day of voting came round, and canvass in a friendly manner the merits of candidates, and to make their voice felt by voting plumpers. The electors would set upon logs before any ballots were cast, and read over the names upon the tickets, and settle all conflicting opinions by voting unanimously for the same men. In this way they made, as an old one of their number said, the candidates who were defeated to howl,'' and caused aspirants to look with fear and trembling for the returns from Hilliar. In 1818, the entire vote was 17, unanimous for Ethan A. Brown for Governor ; Benj. Martin. Congress ; John Spencer, State Senator ; W. W. Farquhar, Representative. In October, 1821, there was one stubborn man who would vote for Allen Trimble for Governor ; the other 11 votes were cast for Morrow. The first place of public entertainment kept in this part of Knox county was by Joseph Great difficulty was experienced by the early settlers in getting to and from mill. We find as early April 26, 1810, Jacob and James Houck, Joseph J ennings, John and Josias Simpson, Henry Mat thews, John Karr, John Hinton and others, met at doctor Hilliars farm and united in petitioning for a road to Douglass' mill. The prayer was granted, and Wm. Gass, Charles Cooper and Isaac Bonnet were appointed viewers. They met at Clinton at the time named, but refused to proceed to view what, in their opinion, was an unnecessary road. Nothing daunted, the few petitioners added two or three more names to their request and sent up another petition on the 17th of September, and Jabez Beers, Henry Roberts and William Mitchell, reappointed viewers, and Ichabod Marshal, surveyor. The viewers met and the surveyor declining to act, S. H. Smith accompanied them as surveyor, and returned a report and plat of the road, 16 miles in length--the surveyor reporting "it can he a tolerable good road, is very good ground, but the viewers say that at this time it would be too burthensome to the county to open said road." Ordered, therefore, that the same cannot be granted The citizens then began petitioning for a new township, which they succeeded in getting in August, 1818, and the first election was held at the house of Thomas Merril. The Judges of that election were Joe Jennings, Jas. Houck, Jas. Pell ; Clerks, John Borden, Wm. Reynolds. In 1819, Jacob Houck listed Hilliar, and was paid a county order therefor. The same duty he performed, for like pay, in 1820. The Judges of election, October, 1820, were Joseph Jennings, James Severe, Wm. Reynolds ; Clerks, John Borden. John Davis. Henry Matthews, Benj. F. Hilliar. John Severe, James Fell and john Fell were other early voters. The Messmores, Mahannahs, Hollister's and Bottomfields were other settlers oof a later period. John Thomas projected a town in 1834. but it never made headway. Rich Hill is a new business point that is thriving considerably. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. May 10, 1819, the Court of Common Pleas allowed Hilliar one Justice, and in July, Jacob Houck was elected. 1822. Wm. Reynolds. 1827. John Borden. 1824. Jacob Houck. 1830. 1835. Harvey Jones. 1833. 1838. Harvey Jones. 1836. Daniel Nofsinger. 1839. Ferdinand McLene. 1841. Gideon Sutton. 1812. Ferdinand McLene. 1844. Gideon Sutton. 1845. Daniel Wolf. 1847. N. Borden. 1848. Daniel Wolf. 1850. N. Borden. 1851. David F. Halsey. 1851. E. Nichols. 1854. D. S. Lyon. 1854. E. Nichols. 1857. T. M. Owen. 1857. E. Nichols. 1860. Simon Shaffer. 1860. E. Nichols.