KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XLV] ************************************************ 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 XLV. UNION TOWNSHIP. At the session of the Commissioners March 9, 1825 this old township, notwithstanding its name,was dismembered and reduced to its present portions Among its earliest settlers are many names by this time familiar to the reader: there were the Critchfields , the Lepleys, the Butlers, the Darlings, Wm. and Abraham: the Shrimplins, Abraham, John and Samuel; ; the Durbins, Ben. and W m. the Elwells, the Spurgeons, the Sapps. the Rightmires, the Louges, McMillen, Williams, Titus, Hibbetts, Greer, Stotts, George Davidson, Charles Ryan, Wm. Shaw, John Arnold, and the Welkers. Shortly after came John Konkle, Gasper Richcreek, Jacob Black, David Melick, John Earlywire, Valentine Dial, and George Freshwater. The Judges of election Oct. 10, 1809, were James Rightmire, John Wood, and Thos. Elwell. These were at that time the principal families of the powerful Creek nation ; representatives of almost all these are to he met with in this county. In 1811, the officers of election were Wm. Sapp. Thomas Beaty, George Sapp ; Daniel Sapp and Jacob Draper. At the October election, 1810, there were but 23 voters. in 1816 the number had increased to 45. Having traced out the Critchfields, Darlings, and other families who have contributed abundantly to— ward the peopling of this county, we cannot pass by the Sapps. Four brothers-Daniel, George, Joeseph, and William, emigrated from Allegheny county, Md., in 1806, and the Sapps of the present day are descendants of them, and of their uncle George, who came out in 1810 ; of another Sapp. Adam, who came about 1820 ; and of yet another, a cousin, known in the neighborhood as "Kentucky George," to distinguish him from the other Georges, who had preceeded him. Daniel had a dozen children, of whom Hon. Wm. R., S.W., Dr. Enoch and Dr. Silas have been widely known. Mrs. J. Wauls. of Brown, and Mrs. J. Stover, of Mt. Gilead are only daughters living, George married Catharine Arnold ; and of their nine children six are living in the county Levi is upon the old homestead. He has had eleven children ; and of this number is Wm. C., merchant, Mt. Vernon. Joseph's numerous family went to Illinois. William's dozen children are scattered-only two of them are in Knox now Of Kentucky v George's fourteen children we have not space to give an account. James, associated with Wm. J. Morton, in the shoe store in Mt. Vernon, is his grandson. The original roots above named have produced over 200 shoots. The Rightmires, James and Harrison ; the Shrimplins, William, Samuel and Absalom ; Solomon Robinson and Gilman Hawn, with their families. well represent the hardy old stock. John Welker, Sr. lives upon the farm he cleared in 1809. His brother-in-law, Jacob Baughman, and his old neighbor, Wm. Robison, yet exchange greetings with him ; his brother—in— law, Wm.. Lydick, died recently. Many trips these old settlers made, with horse and pack—saddle, to Zanesville for salt and other necessaries. In the war of' 1812, John Welker served as a high private, and has received a land—warrant for his services ; and that, is the highest position he ever sought. He erected the first brick house in this part of the county. A man of sterling worth, he has commanded the re- spect of his neighbors, while he has reared up a family of fourteen children—only one of whom, Daniel, now resides in this county. The Rev. John, Jr., in Illinois, and Judge Martin have acquired considerable reputation for ability. The towns of Danville, Millwood and Cavallo are in this township. The first is one of the oldest in the county. For the past twenty years it has not improved much. It is the oldest post-office in the eastern part of Knox its post-masters have been W. R. Sapp, Enoch Sapp. G. H. Davidson, and S. W. Sapp. Cavallo was a great place on paper in the days of the Canal fever. While Isaac Means, S. W. Farquhar, W. V. Richardson, D. S. Fairchild, C. Keller, H. Thomas and others lived there it had much trade. From 1843 to 1848 were its best days ; then, almost all the exports and imports of Knox were through this port, four large warehouses were erected, and goods were sold by wholesale; now, the only man living within its limits is Nelson Thatcher, and his neighbor on the old Butler farm is Solomon Gearner. The future will only know of this fast place from this page of our history. MILWOOD received its name in consequence of the first mill in this locality having been built in the woods. Elisha Gibbs was the venturesome individual who first carried it on; John Hawn succeeded him, and it has been known since as Welker's mill. The first settlers around the early mill were principally of the Welker family. The village contains about 150 inhabitants, and was laid out by John Hawn. James Britton built the first house in the town plat--a little hewed log cabin, which has been weatherboarded to give it a more modern look. Two of his sons, Lewis and Reuben. are here ; James and the rest of his family reside in Iowa. Col. Israel Dillon for many years was a leading business man ; he also moved to Iowa. Jacob Garret put in the first tanyard about 1829. and is yet carrying on the business. The Spragues and Carpers of other years are generally in the west. Sam. Welker, the pioneer in keeping "entertainment for man and beast," had the following poetical notice painted over his bar: "As many a man has trusted to his sorry, Pay to-day; and I will trust to morry!" He kept tavern in the old style; always had plenty to eat and drink of the substantial kind, his table literally groaning under its load; his welcome to guests was a good deal of the order of the old Dutch landlord, who said, "Shust make yourselves perfectly at home: I wish to God you were all at home;" and all felt that they were at liberty to wait upon themselves. Nevertheless, Sam. was a jovial fellow, and his house was a favorite With wayfaring men and those disposed to he joyful. The students of Kenyon occasionally navigated the waters of Owl Creek to Welker's port. Among other trips made there was one in 1833, in a canoe, by R. C. Hurd and Herman Canfield, late Lt. Col. of the 72d Regiment, killed in the battle of Pittsburg; to the memory of our departed friend we will say, that a more honorable and noble youth never lived. There are three neat church edifices; the Disciple, built in 1858. The building committee consisted of Lewis Critchfield Albert Ellis. and Wm. Moody; Pastor—Rev. Wm. Moody. The Methodist, built about 1856 through the exertions of Jacob Hammond, who has resided here over thirty years. The Presbyterian, built in 1853 The present Elders are Jesse Wintringer, John P. Smith Rev. J. Newell, Pastor. This church was mainly established by Rev. John Burns, A.M., a graduate of Kenyon College, was its minister, from 1854 until his death, in April, 1859. The merchants are Christian and Peterman, R. McCloud and Lewis Britton. The postmasters, since 1831, John Welker, Jr., Michael Miller, L. Britton and J. Hammond S. Israel, Esq., has put in a substantial dam, improved the old mill, and added carding-machines to the stand. Frank Israel superintends the establishment. Wm. McCloud, a native of Scotland, now in his 66th year, who, in 1816, settled at Clinton, and worked as a stone-cutter until 1840, is here, With his son. Another stone-mason, John Meginnes resides here; two blacksmiths, D. Saltsman and Josiah Horn; two carpenters. Joseph Butts and Harris Johnson. The land of this township is generally rolling and hilly , especially in the eastern part where the Mohican courses its way, and upon Owl Creek, which through the southern part, affording much valuable water power. In 1830, the population was 851, and 10,867 acres of land were on the tax list. In 1840, the inhabitants counted 1,098 ; in 1850, 1.192 ; and in 1860, 1,104. SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 1809. George Sapp and Jacob Lepley werc elected, and the former re- elected in 1812. 1812. Nocholas Riley. 1817. Robert Mcmillen. 1819. Daniel Sapp. ; re-elected in 1822 and 1825. 1819. Jacob Draper. 1826. Ben. Butler. 1829. Charles Waddle. 1832. James Cain. 1832. Daniel Sapp; re-elected in 1835. 1832. Joseph Sapp; re-elected in 1835. 1832. Jacob Black; re-elected in 1835. 1834. Tim Welker, jr., 1834 and 1837 1836. Josias Ewing. 1857. John Shaw. 1837. Andrew Black. 1841. Jos. L. Workman. 1840. John Welker, jr.; re-elected in 1843 and 1846. 1842. George H. Davidson; re-elected in 1845, 1848 and 1851 1849. Michael Miller; re-elected in 1852. 1847. Elias Day. 1849. Wm. Mcloud. 1844. Sam. Mckee. 1855. Jacob Ross. 1854. Wm. Walker; re-elected in 1857 and 1860. 1855. Jacob Hauger. 1857. Washington Hyett. 1858. Andrew Beach. 1860. Freeman Snow. 1860. J. W. Bradfield. 1862. Nathan Parsons.