KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXXVII] ************************************************ 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 XXXVII. MILFORD TOWNSHIP. This township was created in 1823, March 3d., out of territory taken from Miller. The land is generally level and soil fertile. The first election was held the first Monday of April, 1823, at the school-house near the center. It received its name in the following manner. The settlers met together and various names were presented; among the number Judson Lamson proposed that it should be called Milford, taking the idea from his native town New Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other name but this, and in consideration of the fact that Mr. Lamson was one of the oldest settlers, and also its being a New England name—those present being all from "Down East"— it was adopted. The settlers at that time were Uzziel Stephens, from Vermont; Gardner Bishop, Stephen Hawkins. John Jeffries, Jesse Smith, Harris Hawkins, from Rhode Island; Win. Beardslec and John Beards-lee from New Haven, Ct.; Judson Lamson from New Milford, Ct.; Aaron Hill from Massachusetts. The original stock now living are upon the lands selected by them at first, and the children and families of the departed, as a general thing, reside upon the old home tracts. They were industrious, temperate and orderly citizens, and their families have followed in their footsteps closely, as is customary in the land of steady habits. There was no store or trading establishment in this township; the citizens transacted their entire business at the county seat. James Smith preached the first sermon and the ministers vial duties since have been principally discharged by the Christian Church. Wolves were very plenty and impudent in this township at an early day. One of the incidents of those times was as follows: When Platt G. Beards— 1ey was a boy, and out cow hunting, he lost his way and came upon a considerable sized swamp which at first he took to be a clearing ; as soon as he came by its side a gang of wolves set up their infernal howling, he took to his heels badly scared, and ran along Sycamore creek, the wolves follow— ing close at his heels ; as he neared home the dogs rushed out and attacked the wolves, when one of the clogs was torn in pieces by the wolves, and Platt made his escape into the house. By the census of 1830, 498 inhabitants were then reported within its limits, and 13,472 acres of land returned for taxation. In 1840, the population was 1,157 ; in 1850, 1,349 ; in 1860, 1,084. The two prominent points are styled the "Five Corners" and "Lock"—the latter is a post-office, at the county line, where there is some business transacted by the citizens of Knox and Licking. Judson Lamson was born July 14, 1779. In 1817 lie settled where he now resides. By trade a brickmason, after preparing quarters for his family, he went to Mt. Vernon to purchase some supplies, and, on entering a store kept by " Uncle Jimmy Smith" to buy a few articles, lie heard him regret— ting that lie had no mason at hand to lay up a piece of his stone wall that had fallen down ; when Mr. Lamson told him that lie could do it for him, and the bargain was struck, and he went right at the job and completed it to Mr. Smith's satisfaction. Daniel S. Norton shortly after met him on the street anti informed him that lie held his note, given to Dr. Lee for medical service in attendance on his daughter, who had been sick from his entering the country. The note was for $10 ; and Mr. L. told him that lie had no money to pay him, and did not know when he would have so much as money was a. scarce article in those times. Mr. Norton at once replied, I do not want your money, but your work if the note is right—accordingly, house where N. then resided, on the lot where Judge Hurd now lives, on Main street. While working there old John Warden, who lived opposite, came across and said, " you. beat all men to work I have ever known, you do two days work in one." And the remark was literally true. He subse— quently worked on the brick building, where Daniel S. Norton formerly resided, on High street, near the railroad depot, now the "Buckeye house," and did almost all his other work at the mills, quarrying stone, etc. Mr. L., and his son Levi J., have contributed greatly to the improvement of Mt. Vernon and the surrounding country. Among the buildings erected, under his superintendence, we may mention the Pyle block, Browning & Miller's block, Norton block, on Main street, the residence of C. Delano, Esq., and many other of the best structures in town and county. Mr. L. also worked at his trade in various parts of this county and Licking county. He has also been a successful farmer, and now, at a good old age, enjoys a competency and the respect of his fellow-men. His son, Levi. J., and his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Disney, reside near him, and other descendants in the west. The McKowns were among the settlers at the time of organization, and worthy of notice at our hands The old patriarch, James McKown, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. In 1820, with a portion of his family, he moved to this county from Virginia, and died in 1850 at the good old age of 98. His wife survived until 1852, when she died, aged 103 years. We recollect well the zeal of the old soldier in behalf of General Harrison for the Presidency. He was master of ceremonies at the great Barbecue of 1810, when the big ox was roasted whole. Of his children we make this record :— Gilbert McKown moved from Milford to Virginia ; James moved to Illinois, where he has since died ; Phoebe, wife of Joseph Tegarden, lives in Linn county, Mo. ; Sarnuel came to this county in 1820, and settled where he died, in his 70th year, in 1861. Nine children are living, to wit: Rev. Samuel S., of the Christian Church, now in Northern Ohio ; Isaac John, Hosmer, and Gilbert E.; Minerva, Mrs. Ira Gearhart, Cynthia, Mrs. David Gotshall, Emaline L.,. Mrs. John Gotshall, and Miss Margaret, all of this county. Gilbert E. is a resident dentist. Mt. Vernon. John Jeffries had six chil- dren : of this number those who survive are, Mary Ann, wife of' Smith Bishop ; Laura, widow of David Hill ; Almira, wife of Johnston King. and Olney Jeffries, of' Mt. Vernon. Preserve Smith and Dr. Hayes have been residents for many years. The brothers Beardslee, William and John, natives of Stratford, and the Hawkinses, Harris and Stephen, natives of Rhode Island, may be classed among the early settlers who contributed to the advancement of Milford The Beardslees are descendants of the Rev. John Beardslee, of Stratford, on Avon, Shakespear's Home. William Beardslee married Eunice Gardner, of Hancock, Berkshire co., Mass., and emigrated west. They moved to Ohio. and we find William a resident of' Granville in 1814 : subsequenatlv of Homer, and from thence, in 1818 he cut the road with his own hands for three miles to get to his land, where lie afterwards resided. the road to) this day is known as the Beardslee road. Their sons now living are Col. Platt G., of Milford, Job H. G., of Union county, Dr. Wm. B., and John Binns, of Mount Vernon. The daughters living are Catharine, widow of Eras-tus Rouse, deceased, Betsy, wife of George L. Benedict, Adaline, wife of Lieut. Nathan Bostwick, all of this county. Mary, who married Arnold Hildreth, is dead. William Beardslee, sr., at the advanced age of 79, and his wife , aged 76 years, are living in this county, surrounded by children and grand children to the number of 70. John Beardslec married Mary Fitch, of New Haven, Ct., and emigrated to Knox. Their children are Geo.F., of Milford, Dr. Charles, editor of the Herald, Oskaloosa, Iowa, Henry, G alesburg, Ill., Elizabeth. Wife of Nathaniel McDaniel, Mary and Melissa. The original Hawkinses were Harris and Stephen. The former had the following children : Ephraim, Harris and Daniel, all living at and about t he old homestead, and Charles in Illinois. Margaret, twin sister of Harris, married Almon Mitchel, Martha married Mr. Rice, and Clarissa died. Stephen Hawkins is dead. His first wife, who was a Belknap, is also dead, and of' their children the following have died : Col. Emor B., Joseph, Ste— phen and Laura. Their son William married Miss Reach. They are now living in Milford, and Sally Ann and Mary. two girls, the latter by second marriage survive. SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 1823. Nath'l Stougtton. 1826. Nath'lStougton. 1823. John Stephens. 1829. Nath'lStougton. 1826. John Jeffries. 1830. Sylvanus Mitchell. 1829. John Jeffries. 1833. Sylvanus Mitchell. 1832. John Jeffries. 1838. David L. Hill. 1835. Smith Bishop. 1841. David L. Hill. 1836. Platt G. Beardsley. 1842. Joseph Montagna. 1839. Platt G. Beardsley. 1845. Emor B. Hawkins. 1848. James Conden. 1849. Smith Bishop. 1848. Wm. Orme. 1852. John Litzenburg. 1851. Wm. Orme. 1855. Silas Jaggers. 1854. John Stephens. 1858. David Pattison. 1857. John Stephens. 1861. David Pattison. 1860. Geo. F. Beardslee.