KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XLIII] ************************************************ 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 XLIII. BUTLER TOWNSHIP. THIS township was created in March, 1825, and named after Richard Butler, Major-General of the U. S. A., killed by the Indians in the great battle between them and Gen. St. Clair, Nov 4. 1791 He was one of the bravest of the brave, and as he lay upon the ground helpless and bleeding from wounds received in the battle, the savages scalped and tomahawked him. We have been at considerable pains to find out the origin of the name, and were led for some time to believe that it was given in compliment to the sturdy old settlers, the Butlers, but have become satisfied from our investigation that the object Was to perpetuate with the names of Gens. Knox. Harrison, Jackson, Pike, the fame of the ill-fated brave Richard Butler. The land is generally rough and broken, and the population has usually been smaller than in any other township. The wild and picturesque scenery, giving an air of romance to much of the country, we must believe contributes to the health of the people, if we take Joe Stotts, Ben. Butler, Nich. Riley, Geo. Sturge on, Abe Darling. and others of the oldest settlers now living, as evidence. The Lepleys, Jacob, George and Joseph. the Shrimplins, Abraham and William, the Camp- bells, the Morningstars, the Horns, the Hammills, the Carpenters, the Burkholders, the Cogginses, the McLarens, the Darlings, the Wolfs, the Melicks, the Gambles, have been long residents of this township. John Busenburg, Philip Ely, Benj. Hugh, John Jones, Sam. Cermerer, Jesse Ashcroft, W. Beaty, Job Lewis, Elijah Farquhar, Wm. Seamen and Ephraim Thornberg also lived in it many years ago. Orange Hollister for many years was one of the most active and useful citizens, spending many thousand dollars among the people erecting mills and machinery for their benefit ; he is now 1iving in Iowa and Ben. Butler is operating the mills. Robert Griffin was another useful man in the milling line, and his death was much of a loss. John R. Gamble was much noted for his business qualifications, Nicholas Riley emigrated from Washington co., Pa., in 1805, to Coshocton co., and in 1807 to Knox he is in his 82d year, We have the fo1lowing account of his offspring William lives in Illinois ; Harriet, wife of Abraham Darling, is in Wayne ; Eliza, wife of Isaac Wood, Rachel, wife of John Welker, jr., Susan, wife of Geo. Spurgeon, and Almira, wife of Amos Wolf, all live in Illinois ; Abraham is dead ; George, Nicholas and Hannah live in Butler ; and Mary, Mrs. Wm. Parks, lives in Hancock county. In 1830, the population was 419; in 1840, 647; in 1850, 763; and in 1860, 727. About 1817, a post-office called Owl Creek was kept by Abraham Darling as postmaster, but the Judge, some fifteen years ago, became tired of and gave it up. Many years since there was a store kept in this township. and a post-office was established thereat called Hollister's," but it has been discontinued. Uncle Bob and Aunt Hetty Giffin were noted characters. They selected the most romantic spot on Owl Creek for their residence, and amid the rough, rugged and wild scenery known in olden time as "the rocks"—of later days as "the caves" they dwelt and raised a large and respectable family. As early as 1820, they put up Giffin's mills we say they, for everything thereabouts was their joint work, and could not have been created without the two were united in the undertaking. He was quite, peaceable, with a well-developed mind and an uncommon good judgement. She was violent, resolute and determined, with a strong heart and great Physical power. What ever plans were matured and work determined upon. she put into execution with a warrior spirit. CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. In 1820, Joseph Dunlap was a Justice in this "neck of woods,'' and was again elected in 1824 ; in 1825, Jacob Lepley; in 1826, 1829. David Campbell. 1831. Charles Nyhart. 1831. Horatio G. Cooley. 1837. Eli Cummings. 1834. Horatio G. Cooley. 1840. 1837. Wm. Coggins 1840. James McLaurin. 1841. David Barnhard. 1843. Wm. Coggins. 1844. 1843. C. Musser. 1848. James Frisby. 1846. 1849. C. Musser. 1851. C. C. Gamble. 1852. 1852. C. Tym. 1858. C. C. Gamble. 1855. Doty Farmer. 1860. Wm. Killer. 1857. Jas. McCamment. 1861. Joseph Hammill.