KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XXXVIII] ************************************************ 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 XXX VIII. MILLER TOWNSHIP The first time this name occurs on the Journals reads thus:- -" Miller Township special election, 1816. June 4 th. judges Jonathan Hunt, jr., W . Bare Lemule Chapman; clerks, James Miller, John Mott thus Miller appears to have sprung suddenly into existence as a township With out any of the preliminary symptoms, or pains and pangs of partition. One thing We do know, and that is this, the township was named after one of earliest settlers James Miller Esq., a very worthy gentleman who possessed to an extraordinary degree the respect and confidence of his compeers He was a small man, With a strong mind and excellent sense; a native of Vermont and in company with Turner, a deist, who was a quick, clever old man, and wrote poetry, and went about repeating it, made the first settlement. John Olney, and Emor Harris, Cyrus Gates and James Sealts were also early settlers. They were mostly from Vermont and Rhode Island. In early times this was called the "Beech Settlement." Its population in 1830, was 548; in 1840, 977; in 1850, 1,064; in 1860, 996. One of the first houses was a small log cabin, in the south- east corner, put up by Vance, whose sons John and Jacob, with their families, are living in the township Cornelius Thompson of Hardy Co., Va., settled in this township in 1810. His son now lives near the old home, in his 52d year ; his daughter, Mrs. Scott is at Pataskala, Licking co. The Hildreth name has long been associated with this township. The old stock came from Marlboro, Ct. Wm. Hildreth emigrated to Zanesville, in 1812, and here in 1828 ; he died, and his children living are John M. in Mt. Vernon ; Wm. at Scott's Corners, Union co.; Arnold and Epaphro in Miller township. In 1816, at the October election, 33 votes were polled: for Worthington, 32; Ethan A. Brown, 1. The judges of election and clerks in 1816 and 1817 were Rufus Ward, Wm. Campbell, Jonathan Hunt, Jr.. Timothy Colopy and John H. Simonds. In 1818, the same officers except Campbell, whose place was supplied by Titus Hill ; and these constituted the board of election of 1819. In 1820, Rufus Ward James Miller and Wm. Beardslee were judges, and Timothy Colopy and Enoch F. Kinney clerks. In 1821, the same, except Miller, whose place was supplied by Phineas Squire. The old veteran, Rufus Ward, is worthy of special notice as a faithful soldier, who participated in the battle of White Plains, the capture of Burgoyne, and various other battles of the Revolution. He was born at Boston, Mass., in 1758, married Elizabeth Barnes, of Southington, Conn., and emigrated from Vermont in February 1811, to the place where he died September 8, 1831, in his 76th year. His widow died June 19, 1819, aged 85, and was a U.S. pensioner for many years. Seven children survive, viz: Mrs. Mary Hinds, in Indiana ; Mrs. Elizabeth Rowley, widow of Samuel ; Mrs. Abigail Gabriel, wife of John Gabriel, of Columbus ; Jonas, collector, at Piqua; ; Rufus, farmer, of Miller ; Dr. Truman, druggist, at Mt. Vernon; ; and Levi, merchant, at Bellville. Emma, Wife of Alpheus Chapman, is dead, as also her husband. Col. Royal D. Simons emigrated from Connecticut in 1816. He was a man of education and talent possessed of a very social disposition, and served the people as Assessor and Representative for several terms. His children living are Louisa, wife of J. W. Lybrand, and Caroline, wife of C. P. Young, both residing at Richland Center, Wisconsin. Mrs. Lybrand's only child living (George D.) is at the same place. Timothy Colopy, a warm—hearted Irishman. had lived in Maryland and Virginia until 1813, when he settled in this township. He died in Mt. Vernon in his 68th year, and his widow died about 1852, aged 72 years. His surviving children are Mary, Mrs. Levi Sapp, Sarah, Mrs. F. J. Zimmerman, and Matilda, wife. of H. Conley, in Iowa. Timothy was a devout Catholic and a zealous Democrat, liberal and generous, public—spirited and benevolent. He was an excellent Justice of the Peace, and a much-esteemed citizen. Col. Emor or Harris emigrated from Rhode island in 1817; died in 1850, aged 58. His wife, Sarah Sweet, whom he married in Rhode Island, is living in her 65th year. They had eight children ; Five survive, viz.: Caroline, wife of R. C. Walker, in Delaware county; Mrs. Mary Miller ; Emor Brown also a native of this township ; and Henry and Sarah, upon the old home place. Philip Dennis, of Maryland, for many years resided in this township with his is accomplished wife. Ann Dennis, who deceased in 1854. They were among the most intelligent and best citizens. The Four Corners' was the name by which the principal settlement went. A post-office was established at this point, February 15. 1839, called "Hildreth's" and Miner Hildreth was appointed master. After Hildreth resigned. the name was changed to Brandon, and H. C. Lockwood was appointed. In the spring' of 1851., H. removed to Danville, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. Brandon is six miles from Mt. Vernon, and four from Homer. It Has Two churches, two stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one steam sawmill, one tavern. The denominational preaching is Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist and Christian. Revs. John Mitchell and Moffett, Methodist. Rev. M. Herod, Christian, Rev. J. G. Tunison, Baptist. are the regular ministers. CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 1816. John Mott, jr., and re-elected in 1819, 1822 and 1825. 1816. John J. Tulloss, and re-elected in 1819, 1822 and 1825. 1820. James Miller, and again elected 1825. 1825. Royal D. Simons. 1828. J ohn Morey 1831. Tim. Colopy. 1832. Nathaniel Losh. 1831. Emor Harris, re-elected 1834, 1837, 1840 1843, 1846 and 1849. 1836. E. S. S. Rouse, re-elected 1839 and 1842. 1845. James Ozborn, re-elected 1848. 1850. Erastus Rouse, re-elected 1853 and 1856. 1851. W. B. Beardslee. 1850. Rufus Ward, re-elected 1853, 1856, 1859, and 1862 1858. Jesse Babbs, re-elected 1861.