CONTENTS:
![](../graphics/mcgavranSB.jpg)
S. B. McGavran, M.D.
![](../graphics/cthse_cornerstone.jpg)
Laying of Corner Stone New Court House, May 17, 1894
INTRODUCTORY
TO THE PEOPLE OF
HARRISON COUNTY:
I offer to you a history of your county and mine, and,
in doing so, I do not hope to present a perfect picture
of the growth and developement of this county
from its birth in the wilderness to its present proud
position among the rich and enlightened counties of the
State of Ohio. I cannot hope to do more than
rescue from oblivion and place in readable and
consecutive form, such facts that it may contain, and
trust that some one in the future may more adequately
perform this task.
|
SAMUEL B.
McGAVRAN, M. D. |
OUR PIONEERS.
THE laying of the corner-stone of our new court house,
this the 17th day of May, 1894, furnishes an auspicious
occasion for the study of events which comprise the warp
and woof of our civilization and our prosperity.
the early inhabitants of the county were from New
Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. They
were men of intelligence, enlightened judgment, iron
nerve and indomitable perseverance.
At the time of the organization of our county in
1813 its limits were almost an unbroken wilderness.
the wolf, bear and deer roamed at large. The
forest was here in all its native majesty and beauty.
Here in this wilderness home our pioneer fathers
located. Their history might be told in a few
words, they built a log cabin - they went to work with
ax in hand, prepared to level to the earth the stout
monarch of the forest, and make for themselves and
families permanent homes, and thereby establish upon a
new and virgin soil the securities and blessings of a
civilization from which they had been voluntarily
divorced. The life of a pioneer was a continued
warfare with wild and uncultivated nature. there
was no hardship they were not willing to endure, no
sacrifices they were not ready to incur. None can
tell what has been endured, nor how much expended to
convert the deep sounding forests into our present
Page 5 -
fertile fields. The early settlers of our county
were precursors of a mighty race, continually struggling
for better conditions, and in their pursuit of lands and
wealth and happiness, they sought protection in the
establishment of good government - government which
should guarantee liberty to all alike in civic affairs,
and uniformity of rights in matters of religion.
The history of our people is not that of conquests of
war, but the victories of peace.
ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY.
The act establishing the county of Harrison passed the
legislature Jan. 2d, 1813, to take effect Jana. 1st,
1814. On January 12th the legislature amended the
act making it take effect Feb. 1st, 1813. On Jan.
14th, 1813, the legislature passed a resolution
appointing three commissioners to locate the county seat
for Harrison county. On Apr. 15th, 1813, Jacob
Myers, Joseph Richardson and Robert Speer,
as commissioners named in the resolution of Jan. 14th,
1813, to locate a seat of justice for Harrison county,
made a report to the common pleas court of Jefferson
county, fixing Cadiz as the seat of justice for said
county.
JAIL
At a meeting of the commissioners on the12th of April
1813, they contracted with Joseph Harris for his
Stone Smoke House for a Jail, and employed
Charles Chapman to make the necessary
repairs. The commissioners at their meeting Aug.
3d, 1813, entered into a contract with George
Mires, he being the lowest bidder, to build a wooden
jail for the sum of one thousand four hundred and
eighty-five dollars. Built of sound oak logs well
hewn. Sept. 25th, 1837, the commissioners decided
to build a second jail and awarded the contract to
Jos. Divine and James
Crossen, for
eight thousand two hundred and forty-nine dollars.
March 6th, 1873, the commissioners contracted the
building of the third jail for the sum of $14,674.
It was built of stone, slate roof with eight iron cells.
It was a very suitable building. On June 5th,
1893, the roof was entirely destroyed by fire, and the
walls more or less damaged. The stones were sold
to the contractor of the new court house. At this
time we have no jail, our prisoners are kept in the town
lock-up.
FIRST
COURTS.
The first courts of Harrison county were held at the
houses of Thos. Stokes and Wm. Grimes.
Permanent arrangements were made at a meeting of the:
commissioners held Apr. 12, 1813, when they entered into
an article of agreement with the trustees of the
Associate Reform Congregation in Cadiz, for the use of a
meeting house belonging to said society for the term of
three years, for the purpose of holding judicial courts
in and for said county. At a meeting of the
commissioners held Oct. 24, 1815, this article of
agreement was renewed with John McFadden
and John Jamison, trustees, for the use of
the meeting house for the term of three years, or until
the court house for said county shall be finished.
The first term of court was held in the house of
Thomas Stokes, the 3d day of May, 1813.
This was a special court and not much business
transacted. The second term of court was held Aug.
24, 25 and 26. Judges, Hon. Benjamin
Ruggles, President, and James Roberts,
Samuel Boyd and Ephraim Seers,
Esquires, Associate Judges in said county of Harrison.
The court appointed Walter B. Beebe prosecuting
attorney for the State of Ohio in Harrison county.
The court also ordered that Walter B. Beebe be
allowed the sum of $33.33⅓
for
Page 7 -
his services as prosecutor for the said August term.
The following grand jurors appeared: Andrew McNeely,
foreman; William Smith, Tachery
Baker, William Mercer, William
Hamilton, Samuel Gilmore,
William Moore, Thomas Hitchcock,
John McConnell, William Conwell,
Richard McKibben, and John
Taggart. On motion of Mr. Beebe, who
produced to the court the credentials of William
Knox, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, satisfying the court that the said William
has been regularly ordained as minister in said church
according to the usages thereof, the said William
Knox was licensed to solemnize marriages in the
State so long as he, the said William, continues
a regular minister in said church. The court
ordered a license to be granted to John Adams,
to keep a tavern at his place of residence in Nottingham
township, for one year; also to William Grimes,
Mr. Middle, Mr. Niel and
Mr. Maholm, to keep a tavern in Cadiz.
The first jury drawn and empanelled were: John
Paxton, Samuel Osburn, Jonathan
Seers, Robt. Croskey, Samuel
Dunlap, James McMillen, Samuel
Huff, David Barrett, John
Clark, Andrew Richey, James
Porter and Benjamin Johnson. The
grand jury returned one indictment for larceny, four for
riot, and seven for assault and battery.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
At a meeting of the commissioners July 6, 1815, they
gave public notice that on the first Monday of September
next, they would offer at public sale the erection of a
brick court house, for the use of said county. On
the 10th of August, 1815, the commissioners fixed the
spot of ground on which the court house for the use of
said county is to be built and caused the same to be
surveyed off from the public ground in the town of
Cadiz. On Sept. 4, 1815
Page 8 -
the commissioners exposed at public sale the building of
a brick court house, forty-two feet square, which was
knocked off to one John McCurdy, he being
the lowest bidder, for the sum of five thousand six
hundred and ninety-five dollars. This court house
was to be finished by the first of April 1819.
On the 24th of July, 1827, the contract was given to
John Olmstead to build the county offices,
for the sum of $1,299. The bell for the
court house was furnished by Daniel Kilgore,
June 6, 1829. This court house remained the seat
of justice for seventy-four years, and during all this
time was used for many purposes other than those of
justice. Meeting's of all kinds touching the
public interests were held within its walls.
County officials of 1813: Auditor, Walter B. Beebe;
Treasurer, Samuel Osburn; Clerk of Courts,
William Tingley; Prosecuting Attorney,
Walter B. Beebe; Sheriff, Elescondo
Henderson; County Recorder, William
Tingley; Coroner, Charles Chapman;
County Commissioners, John Pugh, James
Cobean, Eleazer Hoff.
County officials of 1894: Auditor, H. G. Forker;
Treasurer, N. E. Clendennin; Clerk of Courts,
M. J. McCoy; Prosecuting Attorney, William
T. Perry; Sheriff, D. P. Host; County
Recorder, Thomas Arbaugh; Coroner, S.
H. Kent, D. V. S.; County Commissioners, Thomas
Ryder, William C. Adams, John W. Spiker.
SECOND
COURT HOUSE.
On the 21st of January, 1893, a meeting was held in the
Auditor’s office to take action, by which the matter of
the erection of a new court house as a necessity to the
county should be put in motion. At this
Page 9 -
meeting Col. John S. Pearce was appointed to
prepare a memorial to the legislature, setting forth the
need of a new court house. Maj.
Cunningham and S. B. McGavran to draft a bill
to be submitted to the legislature, for its approval,
authorizing the county commissioners to issue bonds in
the amount not exceeding $100,000 with which to build a
new court house in Cadiz. The memorial and bill
were duly forwarded to our Representative, Hon. R. G.
Kean. The following is the copy of the memorial as
prepared by Col. Pearce:
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF OHIO:
We, the undersigned citizens of Harrison county, do
hereby respectfully petition your honorable body to
enact a law authorizing and requiring the commissioners
of said county, to build a new court house at Cadiz, the
present county seat, of sufficient size to contain
suitable rooms for the holding of the several courts for
said county, including that of the probate court and all
the county offices, not to exceed, however, in price,
the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, and we state
the following reasons therefor:
First:
The present court house and the other county buildings
which are outside of it, are all old and in a
dilapidated condition, having been built in the year
1816, and are now too small and crowded for the proper
and safe keeping of their records and office papers, and
the convenient transaction of business therein, and
especially have they become very unsafe places for the
keeping of such records and papers. The court
house is so constructed that it is almost impossible,
especially during sessions of the grand jury, to hold
court therein, on account of the confusion created
thereby, the grand jury and its witnesses having no
other means of access to the
Page 10 -
jury room than by a stairway in said court room and
owing to the construction of the building this cannot be
remedied, and has always existed.
Second: The office of the Probate Judge is
in the rooms over the fire engine house, formerly the
old market house, and is (if possible) in a worse
condition for the want of capacity, and convenience for
the transaction of its business and safety of its
business and safety of its records, than any of the
other offices. This room is not only a very unsafe
place, for the records and papers of such office, the
destruction of which, by fire, would cost the county
more than would the building of a new court house, but
it is also difficult and dangerous of access, especially
so, for aged and infirm persons. The truth is, not
one of the county buildings is a safe place for the
keeping of its records and office papers, the
destruction of which in any of them, by fire, would be
an irreparable and incalculable loss to the county.
Third: A new court house containing all
the county offices and court rooms, would not only be a
great convenience to those having business to transact
with them, but would be economy in the end in the
expenditure of the public money, in providing places of
safety for the public records and papers, and convenient
transaction of business therein.
The foregoing are some of the facts upon which we base
this application for a new court house, others might be
given, but we deem it unnecessary to do so; those given
being sufficient in our judgment to justify this
petition and its prayers. should there be any
question made as to the correctness of the above
statements of facts we would respectfully ask that your
honorable body appoint a suitable committee to make a
personal examination of them for itself.
Page 11 -
The following is the copy of the bill as prepared by
Major Cunningham:
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Ohio: That the commissioners of
Harrison county, Ohio, are hereby authorized and
required to construct, without unnecessary delay, a
court house on the public square at the county seat of
said county, at a cost not to exceed one hundred
thousand dollars. For the construction of such building,
bids are to be received as provided by law; but no bid
shall be entertained by said commissioners that shall
exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars as herein
authorized for the completion of the entire building.
Section 2 , That the county commissioners of said
county, for the purpose of constructing said court
house, are hereby authorized to borrow such sums of
money as may be necessary, at a rate not exceeding six
per cent, per annum, and issue the bonds of said county
to secure the payment of principal and interest thereon;
such interest shall be paid semi-annually at the office
of the county treasurer Said bonds shall be issued and
sold in all respects in pursuance of existing law at not
less than their face value, and the principal shall be
paid at the said county treasurer’s office at such times
as the commissioners shall prescribe, not exceeding nine
years after date, and said bonds shall specify the
object for which they were issued. The
commissioners shall, annually, at their June session,
levy such amount of taxes as will fully meet the
interest on such indebtedness and at least one-ninth of
the principal.
Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in
force from and after its passage.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives
January 27th by Hon. R. G. Kean, and read
Page 12 -
the second time January, 30th, and referred to the
committee on county affairs Mr. Kean
announced that the bill would not be hurried through,
but that sufficient time would be given to discuss the
claims for the new court house as set up in the memorial
of Col. Pearce. The opposition to the
bill became so formidable that the committee of county
affairs came to Cadiz on Friday, the 17th day of
February, 1893. After the committee in this manner
investigated the necessity for a new court house for
themselves, they reported favorable, and the bill passed
the House Feb. 28, 1893, without a dissenting vote.
A like committee of the Senate visited Cadiz, Mar. 17,
1893, and after a complete examination of our old
buildings and hearing arguments on both sides, the bill
was recommended favorably and passed Mar. 22, 1893.
A supplementary act passed the House Apr. 13, 1893,
authorizing the Judge of Common Pleas Court to appoint a
building committee. the Court appointed David
Cunningham, William H. Arnold, A. O. Barnes and
W. A. Holmes.
The building committee,
with the county commissioners, W. C. Adams, Thos. H.
Ryder and John W. Spiker, employed Yost
and Packard, of Columbus, Ohio, as
architects. The plans and specifications were
carefully prepared, and the building of the court house
was awarded to E. M. Long,
of Bowerston, Aug. 12, 1893, the contract price being
$86,985.
THE DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW
COURT HOUSE.
The building will be in round numbers 100 feet square.
No. 1 Berea stone for body and Oolitic lime stone for
trimmings. The Berea stone comes from the
Cleveland Stone Company, of Cleveland, Ohio.
![](../graphics/oh_harrisonco_cthse_NEW.jpg)
NEW HARRISON COURT HOUSE, CADIZ,
O
Host & Packard Arch'ts, Columbus, O.
Page 14 -
The lime stone from the Oolite Quarry Company, of
Spencer, Indiana. The basement, which is all about
the grade line, will contain a large public hall, with a
committee room attached; two large rooms suitable for
the post-office or the public library; one large office,
lavatory, heating room, fuel room, etc.; the Smead
system of dry closets; wide windows, tile floors, making
every part of basement easy of access. On the
first floor will be found the Auditor’s office, with
book room, and a door opening into the Commissioner’s
office. Opposite the Auditor’s office will b be
the Treasurer’s office and the Surveyor’s office.
In the rear of the first floor will be found the
Recorder’s office, the Probate Court and the Prosecuting
Attorney’s office. Wide corridors leading to the
rotunda, make every part of the floor easy of access.
The floors in the corridors and outside the railings
will be of tile, all other floors of oak laid on
concrete.
On the second floor there will be a Court Room, with
the ceiling of ornamented leaded glass, with a pleasant
room. In connection, and conveniently located,
will be rooms for male and female witnesses, the Judge’s
room, offices of the Clerk and Sheriff, Grand Jury room.
Petit Jury room, and Library.
The building will be heated by hot water, wired for
electric lights, and plumbed for gas and water.
The entire building will be made as near fire-proof as
possible. All the floors, beams, ceilings, and
room construction will be of iron. A tower 112
feet high will ornament the building, in which will be a
town, clock and on it a figure of Justice.
The following are the names of the Presiding and
Associate Judges in Harrison county up to 1852:
The following are the names of the Presiding and
Associate Judges in Harrison county up to 1852:
Page 15 -
PRESIDENTS.
Benjamin Ruggles, Geo.
W. Belden, Wm. Kennon, Benj. S. Cowan.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES
James Roberts, Samuel Boyd, Ephraim Sears, Matthew
Simpson, Alex. Henderson, John McCullough, John McCurdy,
Thomas Bingham, David Capball, John McBean, Robert
Maxwell, Joseph Hunter, Alexander Patterson, James
Hanna, Samuel Moorehead, Thomas Lee, Jas. Maxwell, Wm.
McFarland, Wm. Boggs.
I herewith submit a
complete list of the county officials and members of the
State Legislature from the organization of the county
down to the present time.
STATE SENATORS
John McLaughlin, John Dunlap, Samuel G. Berryhill,
Matthew Simpson, James Roberts, Daniel Kilgore,
Joseph Holomes, Thomas C. Vincent, John Brady,
Chauncey Dewey, Robert H. Miller, John Hastings,
Pinckney Lewis, Samuel G. Peppard, David Allen,
Charles Warfel, Isaac Holloway, Marshall McCall,
Isaac Welch, John C. Jamson, Henry West,,
James B. Jamison, Sam'l. Knox, David Wagner, D.
A. Hollingsworth,Solomon Hogue, George W. Glover,
Chas. N. Snyder, J. W. Nichols, Charles M. Hogg.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Stephen Ford, Robt. Patterson, Andrew McNeely, James
Willson, Thomas Elliott, James Moores, William Moore,
John Patterson, Ephraim Sears, William Willy, Walter B.
Beebe, Joseph Rea, Saml. W. Bostwick, John Gruber,
Josiah Scott, William McFarland, Jacob Lemmon, Samuel A.
Russell, Wm.
* Were residents of the
County.
Page 16 -
Hammond, Marshall McCall, Reynolds K. Price, Ephraim
Clark, James Day, William H. McGavran, John Latham,
Smith R. Watson, Ingram Clark, Lewis Lewton, Anderson P.
Lacey, David Cunningham, Samuel Herron, "A. C. Nixon,
Jesse Forsythe, Oliver G. Cope, Samuel B. McGavran,
Jasper N. Lantz, Geo. M. Patton, Wesley B. Hearn, Robert
G. Kean, Samuel K. McLaughliln.
PROBATE JUDGES
Brice W. Viers, Allen C. Turner, Amon Lemmon, E. B.
McNamee.
AUDITORS
The first Auditor (or Clerk of the Commissioners as the
office was then called) was Walter B. Beebe, who
held the position until Nov. 4, 1816, and Lared
Stinson was appointed, and after that J. S.
Hanna. Subsequently the Auditors have been:
Joseph Herris, Joseph Meek, James Miller, Chas.
Patterson, Z. Bayloess, J. Sharp, R. Edney, R. K. Price,
John Sloan, Wm. S. Gramfell, S. W. Kinsey, Samuel Knox,
W. H. McCoy, R. A. McCormich, W. O. Potts, T. W. Giles,
J. M. Scott, Henry Spence, Geo. A. Crew, H. G. Foraker.
TREASURERS.
Samuel Osburn, J. S. Lacey, Samuel McCormick, James
McNutt, Wm. Milligan, Zephemiah Bayless, Ralph Barcroft,
David Hilbert, John Russell, Thos. Richey, Frank Grace,
W. S. Pulson, Elias Foust, Geo. A. Haverfield, H. L.
Thompson, N. B. Pumphrey, A. J. Harrison, S. A. Moore,
N. E. Clendennin, Robert Stewart.
PROSECUTING
ATTORNEYS.
Walter B. Beebe, Josiah Scott,
Edwin M. Santon, S. B. Bostwick, Thos. L. Jewett, S. G.
Peppard,
Page 17 -
A. C. Turner, Lewis Lewton,
Jesse H. McMath, amon Lemmon, W. P. Hayes, David
Cunningham, John W. Pearce, D. A. Hollingsworth, John C.
Given, John M. Garvin, Walter G. Shotwell, William T.
Perry.
COUNTY CLERKS.
William Tingley, Thomas C. Vincent, Samuel M. McCormick,
Chas. Patterson, T. C. Rowels, R. M. Lyons, John Fogle,
J. M. Garvin, A. W. Scott, E. B. McNamee, M. J. McCoy,
E. B. Kirby.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
William Tingley, I Harris, Wm. Johnson, S. M. McCormick,
M. M. Sloan, Wm. Boyce, Lancelot Hearn, Wm. A. Hern,
Joseph Rea, Geo. Woodburn, John Graybill, L. B. Grimes,
A. B. Hines, Thomas Arbaugh.
SHERIFFS.
Ellescondo Hnederson, James Boswell, John Stokes, Rezin
Arnold, Barrick Dickerson, John S. Lacey, Matthew McCoy,
James McNut, William Milligan, William Cady, William
Barrett, David Hilbert, Jas. Boyd, Alex. Barger, E. S.
Woodburn, S. K. McGee, J. E. McPeck, James Moore, S. S.
Hamill, Elisha Hargrave, E. Howard, J. C. Carver, J. C.
Glover, A. Quigley, D. P. Host.
COMMISSIONERS.
John Pugh, James Cobean, Eleazer Huff; Wm. Wiley, Wm.
Phillips, John Craig, Robert Maxwell, Wm. Henderson,
Joseph Holmes, David Thompson, Thos. Martin, Brice W.
Viers, John Caldwell, Henry Ford, John Ramage, Samuel
Colvin, Jesse Merrill, John Sharp, Andrew Richey, James
P. Beall, Thomas Day, John Downing, James Hogland,
Samuel Hitchcock, Samuel Richey, Luther Rowley, John
Carrick, John Yost, Elijah Carver, Joseph Masters,
Page 18 -
Jacob Cramlet, Jackson Croskey, Chas. Wells, Jas. J.
Billingsley, Walter Craig, Anddrew Jamison, Levi Snyder,
Wm. Evans, James Patton, John Sloan, Alex, Henderson,
John Latham, Thos. McMillen, E. W. Phillips, Geo. Love,
L. M. Branson, Jackson Rea, John Miller, M. B. Fierbaugh,
R. B. Moore, Andrew Smith, John W. Spiker, Wm. C. Adams,
Thos. H. Ryder.
Harrison
county has furnished two Congressman, Daniel Kilgore
and John A. Bingham. Two
members of the Board of Equalization, Walter Jamison,
and C. A. Skinner. Members of
Constitutional Conventions, 1850-1851, Samuel
Moorehead; 1872-1873, William G. Waddle.
The
Cadiz bar has been honored by men of talent among the
most prominent of whom were: Walter
![](../graphics/oldctHouse.jpg)
Page 19 -
B. Beebe, Edwin M. Stanton, Chauncey Dewey, Stewart
B. Shotwelll, Samuel W. Bostwick, Samuel A. Russell,
Josiah Scott, Joseph Sharon, Jesse H. McMath, Lewis
Lawton, J. M. Esten.
At this
time, May 10, 1894, the following attorneys are actively
engaged in practicing in Cadiz: - David Cunningham,
John S. Pearce, Amon Lemmon, David A. Hollingsworth,
John M. Garvin, Walter G. Shotwell, A. O. Barnes, Milton
Taggart, James Moore, John Busby, W. T. Perry, J. B.
Worley, P. W. Boggs.
Surveyor
in 1813, Hugh Shotwell. Surveyor in 1894,
Jacob Jarvis.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
INFIRMARIES.
_____
THE FIRST INFIRMARY
At a special meeting of the commissioners Apr. 23,
1825,, they made a contract with Samuel Boyd for
104 acres of land, (this farm is now owned by Norwood
and Samuel Hedges) for a poor farm for said
county, and their being a house thereon, the
commissioners appointed Walter B. Beebe, Thomas
Lewis, Jacob Webb, Michael Moore, Joseph Johnson, John
Hurless, John Patterson, and Matthew Simpson,
directors of the poor establishment in our said county.
Mar. 20, 1826, the directors of the poor reported that
they had taken possession of the poor house and
appointed John Willson as superintendent.
Number of inmates - males, 3, females 1.
Paid Supt. for keeping poor and clothing same $162.17.
Page 20 -
Paid Supt. for making rails $6.00.
Paid Supt. for making stakes, $1.00.
To Samuel Lewis for support of outdoor poor $12.
To Dr. W. R. Slemmons medical attendance, $4.00.
To Walter B. Beebe, blank book, $2.00.
SECOND INFIRMARY.
On the 3d day of April, 1832, the commissioners,
Thomas Martin, David Thompson and John Caldwell,
Contracted with Sheridan Cox, for 303 acres
of land in Archer township for $3636, for the poor farm.
The commissioners gave Robert Watson $240.85 for
building a poor house on this farm. This farm was
sold to Matthew McCoy. George Cox,
superintendent.
THIRD INFIRMARY.
On the 1st day of April, 1835, Henry Ford, John
Ramage and Samuel Colvine, commissioners,
bought from Walter McClintock, 60 acres of land,
also in Archer township for $450 for a poor house farm.
This farm is now owned by Benjamin Reed.
The directors of the poor house at this time were
Edmund Tipton, Daniel Welch and William Arnold.
This farm was sold Aug. 1, 1845, to Samuel
Pittinger and Abraham Busby.
Supt. at this time Wm. Speer. Number
of inmates 9.
FOURTH INFIRMARY.
The commissioners on the 6th of June, 1845,
purchased from Nathaniel McFadden, 124 acres of
land for an infirmary, situated on the State road
leading from Cadiz to New Philadelphia, for the sum of
$4000. On the 6th of August, 1845, the
commissioners entered into an article of agreement with
Thomas McCreary and Henry Boyles as
principal, and William Tingley, John Olmstead and
Chauncey
Page 21 -
Dewey as securities, for the building of the poor
house. The building was 74 feet long and 40 feet
wide, built of brick, two stories high, for the sum of
$3740.
This building remained in use until 1884, when the
question of building a new infirmary was submitted to a
vote of the people, and carried by a large majority.
A new building was therefore erected in 1884-5. It
is a handsome structure, three stories high. The
basement of stone, the balance brick; contains 91 rooms,
and is heated by hot air. The official report,
ending September, 1893, shows the the number of inmates
48. The infirmary farm contains about 400 acres.
Welch Rogers was appointed superintendent
Apr. 1, 1894. In this institution the benevolent
spirit of the county finds its noblest expression.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
James
N. Adams,
S. W. Adams,
Samuel Adams,
Wm. Arnold,
John Barclay,
John C. Barger,
John Beadle,
Walter Bebee,
James J. Billingsley,
Samuel W. Bostwick,
Abraham Busby,
John Conaway,
George Cox,
Josiah Crawford,
Chauncy Dewey,
Samuel Dickerson,
David Finnicum,
Henry Fisher,
Robert Givin,
John N. Hanna,
Alexander Haverfield,
John Haverfield,
John Haverfield,
Geo. Heberlin,
William Henderson,
Jacob Hines,
John N. Hines,
Jacob Hootman,
John Hurless,
Joseph Johnson,
J. G. Kennedy,
I. A. Lawrence, |
James
Lee,
Thomas Lewis,
John Lisle,
Henry Maxwell,
Samuel McCormick,
Matthew McCoy,
Joseph McCullough,
John McDivitt,
Daniel McIlrevy,
Hugh McIlravy, (NcIlravy?)
Benjamin Richey, Robert H. Miller,
Michael Moore,
Samuel Moorehead,
Robert Orr,
John Osborn,
John Patterson,
John Patterson,
John Prichard,
Jacob Rheam,
John Rogers,
Welch Rogers,
John Roley,
Josiah Scott,
Matthew Simpson,
Wm. Smiley,
Wm. Spiker,
Thomas Taylor,
Edmund Tipton,
Jacob Webb,
John Welch,
Daniel Welsh, |
Page 22 -
SUPERINTENDENTS.
John
Amspoker,
Samuel Amspoker,
Samuel Baker,
Thomas Barrett,
Samuel Boyd,
George Cox,
Alex. English,
E. Z. Evans,
Alexander Holland,
|
Gabriel
Holland,
James Keesey,
R. McKee,
Benjamin Richey,
John Robb,
William Speer,
John Wilson
Thomas Wilson, |
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
CHILDREN'S HOME.
_____
The Harrison County Children's Home is located in the
eastern part of the county, one mile southeast of the
corporate limits of Cadiz.
The farm consists of twenty-five acres, with two
springs of water on it, and is perhaps one of the most
favorable situations in the county.
The Home is on the Cottage plan.
The buildings, except the bar, are brick, and were all
made on the grounds, - facing brick were hand-pressed.
The main building, 80x46 feet, is two stories high
above a nine foot basement, and has an eight foot
finished attack. It has twenty-three rooms, and
all are amply large for their several requirements.
The Cottage fronts the pike but stands back fifty feet,
is 80x26 feet, two stories. First floor contains
boys' and girls' play rooms, with Cottage Matron's room
in center. On the second floor are the dormitories
and wardrobes. These rooms can easily be flooded
with sunlight and air, which makes them very healthy for
sleeping in.
The heating is all done by grates and hall stoves.
Page 23 -
The water supply is good, having two cisterns with
capacity of five hundred barrels and put into the large
steel tanks up in the buildings by wind power.
the following is the report of the visiting committee
for the year ending Aug. 23, 1893:
TO HIS HONOR, JUDGE
MANSFIELD:
There are at this date in the Home 36 inmates.
Males 23, females 13. Received since last report
31; indentured 10; returned to parents 8; transferred 2.
We take pleasure in noting the condition of this
institution. the buildings are large, nicely and
healthfully arranged, and most beautifully located.
Economy, neatness, discipline and order characterize its
management by its present very efficient superintendent.
Great care is being taken in preparing good homes for
the children. We are satisfied there are other
children in our county who ought to receive the benefit
to be derived from so efficient a home as this is, and
are led to believe the fault lies at the door of the
township trustees.
We find at the Home a good daily school under the
supervision of a competent teacher, and confidently
believe that many will go out from this institution both
intellectually and morally, fully able to cope with the
many who have been more highly favored. The
institution as conducted is certainly a very great
blessing to these poor unfortunates who come within its
influence.
|
Respectfully
submitted,
WILLIAM CROSKEY,
JUDITH JOHNSON,
MARGARET McCREADY,
D. B. WELCH,
Committee. |
Page 24 -
Superintendent, Capt. Andrew Smith, Trustees of
the Home, Hon. James B. Jamison, L. M. Branson, M. B.
Fierbaugh and Edward Clifford.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
CHURCHES.
_____
Our forefathers were not forgetful of their higher
Christian duties. In many instances with the smoke
that curled in currents from the chimneys of their log
cabins ascended the incense of prayer. The rude
primeval hut, instead of being the abode of the little
family cluster alone, became a temple of worship.
Our first churches - Dr. Crawford in his
historical address, says that the Rankin Methodist
church was organized in David Rankin’s log
cabin 1814. It is said the first prayer meeting
held in this county was at Buskirk’s log cabin
and from it arose the Dickerson Methodist church.
The first sermon ever preached in Cadiz was by the
Rev. John Rea, Presbyterian minister 1804, at the
base of a large walnut tree that stood south of the
court house site.
We have in Harrison county according to the census
report of Samuel G. Peppard for the year
ending1890, twelve distinct relig'ious denominations.
The number of Sabbath School scholars, communicants
enrolled, also valuation and seating capacity are as
follows:
Page 25 -
CHURCHES. |
|
S.S.S. |
MEMBERS |
VALUE |
SEATS |
Friends.................... |
3 |
95 |
333 |
$3,800 |
815 |
A. M. E.
Church ..... |
2 |
42 |
160 |
3,000 |
500 |
United
Brethren ..... |
5 |
300 |
442 |
7,720 |
1,700 |
Presbyterian
........... |
13 |
1178 |
1747 |
55,500 |
4,950 |
United Pres.
........... |
6 |
369 |
507 |
28,300 |
2,200 |
Adventists
............. |
1 |
- |
14 |
500 |
120 |
Meth.
Protesta't ..... |
1 |
- |
60 |
300 |
400 |
German
Reform. ... |
1 |
132 |
62 |
1,500 |
400 |
Meth.
Episcopal ... |
134 |
3332 |
3335 |
89,600 |
10,850 |
Lutheran
............... |
2 |
150 |
181 |
4,000 |
550 |
Baptist
.................. |
3 |
209 |
100 |
2,250 |
500 |
Union S. S.'s
......... |
13 |
550 |
- |
- |
- |
Thus it will be seen we have in the county 90 places of
public worship; number of Sunday school scholars 6,570
and 7,133 church members. The total value of
church property is $200,820, with a seating capacity for
42,235 persons, enough to seat every man, woman and
child in the county. Value of parsonages $21,000.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.
_____
We trust we will not be considered as dealing in
extravagant assertions when we say that the cause of
education in Harrison county is perhaps as far advanced
as any other county in the State, and that in its
progress and development, it can challenge comparison
with the foremost in Ohio. The first settlers did
not neglect or overlook its vital claims, and the
subscription school was early encouraged and put to
practical working, and answered a noble and sublime
purpose in those dim by-gone days.
There are at present 9 special school districts, 97 ,
sub-districts. In each of these districts we have
good school houses and the best of teachers. We
have from six to nine months of school each year.
It costs about $70,000 a year to run our
Page 26 -
Scio College was chartered in 1866. It has had
about 600 graduates. It belongs to the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The College comprises seven district departments, each
complete with itself: Collegiate, Pharmacy, Music,
Business, Elocution, Art, Shorthand and Typewriting.
The Literary course comprises a three years'
preparatory and a four years' collegiate course, making
seven years in all, and ranks in this respect with the
very best schools in the State. the Music course
comprises four years' work; the Pharmacy, two terms of
six months each.
The total enrollment of different students last year
was 548, from ten different States and countries.
The Faculty is at present composed of fifteen teachers.
In the point of numbers of College ranks about sixth
among the Colleges and Universities of this State; in
comprehensiveness and thoroughness, we are among the
first. Two large buildings are devoted to school
work, using over 30,000 feet of floor space.
FRANKLIN COLLEGE.
This College is located in the village of New Athens,
was chartered Jan. 22, 1825, and formally opened June 8,
1825, with Rev. William McMillan, of Canonsburg,
Pa., as President, and John Armstrong, of
Pittsburgh, Pa., as Professor of Mathematics.
Since its opening this institution has sent out over
five hundred graduates; ninety per cent of whom have
entered som of the learned professions and sixty per
cent of whom have entered the ministry.
In 1840, owning to the decided anti-slavery charac-
Page 27 -
![](../graphics/ind_harrisonco_scio_college.jpg)
Scio College, Harrison Co., O
Page 28 -
ter of the College a pro-slavery
rival was established in the same village under the name
of Providence College, but this was soon abandoned for
want of sufficient patronage, and the original College
has been allowed to run an uninterrupted course down to
the present time, when we still find it in a most
flourishing condition.
HOPEDALE NORMAL COLLEGE
The College at Hopedale, first known as “The McNeely
Normal School” and later, after assuming, the power to
grant degrees, as “Hopedale Normal College” has been a
power in the land. Its proprietor, Cyrus
McNeely, aspired, in its establishment, not so much
to educate at the top as to educate well at
the bottom.
Hopedale was the first college in Eastern Ohio
![](../graphics/ind_harrisonco_hopedaleNormalColl.jpg)
HOPEDALE NORMAL COLLEGE
which opened its doors
for the co-education of the sexes.
"Old Franklin" had for many years been making
professional men: it was left to Hopedale to make
Page 29 -
teachers for the common schools and fit men for the
duties of non-professional life.
Its first start was as a school with three departments,
the highest under the management of Dr. York, a
practicing physician of the village and a graduate of
“Franklin.” Then followed at the helm Edwin
Regal, John Ogden, Wm.
Brinkerhoff and Dr. Jamieson.
In all the leading cities
of the country are men who owe their success to training
at Hopedale. Prof. Brinkerhoff was
the pioneer stenographer of this region, and his
students were enabled by his instruction, to make this a
stepping stone to higher achievements.
Over 7000 students have been enrolled upon the College
books, and the work which its originator has
accomplished can never be fully known “until the leaves
of the judgment book unfold.”
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
HARRISON COUNTY IN
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Washington City, April
13, 1861.
MESSRS. HATTON &
ROWLES,
EDITORS CADIZ REPUBLICAN: Fort Sumpter has
been battered down by the traitor hoards of the South.
It is the first battle upon this continent and of this
century waged in defense of chattel slavery, the worst
despotism which ever cursed the earth or disgraced and
outraged humanity. I repeat now what I
Page 30 -
said in my place as your Representative last January, -
the question of to-day is not whether the constitution
of our country shall be amended, but whether the
constitution shall be maintained. Upon the
solution of this question depends the fate of the
Republic. President Lincoln thus farm
"clear in his great office," will, I trust, soon summon
the loyal citizens of every section to come to the
rescue of a violated constitution, let them come as the
winds come, when forests are rending; let them come as
the waves come, when the navies are standing. May
God defend the right.
|
Truly yours,
JOHN A. BINGHAM. |
A rousing war meeting was held in the court house, on
the evening of April 20, 1861, to raise a company of
volunteers in response to a call of President Lincoln
for 75,000 men to suppress the Rebellion. The war
feeling was up to fever heat, and the enthusiasm
intense. The court house was filled to overflowing
and many were unable to get seats. Hon. Jon A.
Bingham addressed the meeting for about an hour in a
strain of melting eloquence which stirred the audience
as a tornado stirs the forest. The old cannon
which had long been given over to rust was drawn from
the hiding place and awoke the surrounding hills with
its thundering tones. The soul stirring fife and
rattling drum aroused the enthusiasm of young America.
Flags were floating all over town. A fund of
several thousand dollars was raised to support the
families of those, who enlisted in their country’s
service.
The excitement kept up at fever heat, every thing was
War, WAR, WAR! Meetings were held all over the
county, and in less than a week more than one hundred
volunteered. Cadiz on Monday morning, April 22d,
presented quite a military appear-
Page 31 & 33 -
ance. The volunteer company was being drilled by
General Warfel. Crowds were upon the
streets and upon the corners, gathering in squads
talking war. I give below the names of the first
company from Harrison county:
John Castill, captain;
John Conwell, first lieutenant;
Miles J. Saunders, second lieutenant
Samuel B. Adkins,
Benjamin T. Anderson,
John Anderson,
Nathan H. Baker,
William Baldwin,
John C. Bayless,
John T. Boals,
Vincent S. Boggs,
George W. Bricker,
John Bryan,
William H. Bryan,
John C. Burns,
John W. Butterfield,
John Castill,
John Clifford,
Benjamin Cooper
James M. Crawford,
William Crogun,
William V. B. Croskey,
James Crumley,
Jasper Denning,
Nelson Driggs,
Joseph Ferrell,
George C. Finney,
D. N. Fowler,
Thomas Giles,
Edward Harner,
Harris Hatton,
John K. Hatton,
Melvin H. Hearn,
R. Hamilton Kildow, |
Edward W. Kittering,
James A. Laizure,
Charley A. Leslie,
David Lowmiller,
William H. Matlock,
Thomas C. McIlravy,
Samuel McMillen,
Franklin K. Mealy,
John Handy,
Isaac Harris,
David Hilligas,
Daniel Holloway,
William J. Holloway
David D. Hoover,
Emanuel Howard,
Festus Jones,
John J. Jones,
William Jones,
John G. Kennedy,
John Kimmel,
Jonathan R. Laizure,
Isaac W. Liggett,
John Locke,
Joshua Lowdon,
James Mahollin,
John Martin,
John M. Martin,
John McConkey,
Henry J. McFadden,
Hugh R. McGowan,
William McIntire,
John C. McRea,
Alexander Miller,
Samuel C. Miller,
William H. H. Mills, |
Joseph G. Moody,
Thomas Moody,
Robert Moore,
William Morgan,
Samuel Mull,
David Murdock,
Salmon Murphy,
William A. Nicolas,
Robert Peacock,
Levi Peddycourt,
Zenos Poulson,
William R. Pugh,
William T. Ramsey,
William Randall,
Charles Rawlson,
Thomas C. Rea,
William P. Rea,
Harvey B. Right,
James Rittenhouse,
James Saylor,
William Scott,
Eli Shields,
William P. Shisler,
James D. Smith,
James H. Stewart,
John M. Thompson,
John A. Tier,
Sanford Timmons,
James Tipton,
Benjamin Turner,
James W. Watson,
John Watters,
William H. Wheeler,
George Welling,
Edward B. Young, |
This company left for Columbus on Saturday, Apr. 27,
1861. Their departure was witnessed by two or
three thousand persons, every one of whom seemed to be
impressed with the solemnity of the occasion.
Amidst the cheers of the crowd the boys embarked for the
war.
Tears coursed down manly cheeks, and among the women
there was scarcely a dry eye. A copy of the New
Testament was presented to each of the volunteers at the
close of a very solemn and impressive prayer meeting
held for their benefit at the court house on the
Saturday evening previous to their departure for Camp
Jackson, Columbus. Each man was also presented
with a beautiful pin-cushion and needle-case composed of
the red, white and blue. We regret that we cannot
go into detail as to other companies from this county.
Harrison county did her full share from the beginning to
the end of the war.
We were represented in the 13th Regiment O. V. I. 105;
30th Regiment O. V. I. 123; 43d Regiment O. V. I. 182;
74th Regiment O. V. I. 154; 5th O. V. I. 25; 12th
Cavalry 50; 98th Regiment O. V. I. 294; 126th Regiment
O. V. I. 371; 69th Regiment O. V. I. 140; 170th Regiment
O. V. I. 420; 180th Regiment O. V. I. 30; 11th Cavalry
30. Total 1924. Some in other Regiments
80th, 51st, and W. Va. Cavalry; enough in other
regiments to make two thousand soldiers from Harrison
county.
Page 32 -
![](../graphics/oh_harrisonco_NewAthens_FranklinCollege1894.jpg)
FRANKLIN
COLLEGE, NEW ATHENS, O.
Page 34 -
HARRISON COUNTY BANKS
AND BANKERS.
_____
THE HARRISON NATIONAL
BANK
Among the many contemporaneous institutions of financial
and fiduciary character in this county, the Harrison
National Bank, of Cadiz, maintains a position of
undoubted consideration.
It is the legitimate descendant from the Harrison
branch of the State Bank of Ohio, which was founded in
1841. It was re-organized as a National Bank in
accordance with the requirements of the National Banking
system in 1865, and re-chartered in 1885. Its
capital stock at the present time $100,000, surplus fund
$110,000.
The officers of this bank are well-known professional
businessmen and capitalists, consisting of David
Cunningham, President, J. M. Sharon, Cashier,
A. P. Sheriff, Teller, Miss Emma Wortman
and Ralph Cunningham book-keepers. The
directors are James Porter, D. Cunningham, L. M.
Branson, H. S. Barricklow, John C. Jamison, Dr. J. S.
McBean, James Bullock and J. M. Sharon.
THE FIRST NATIONAL
BANK.
The First National Bank, of Cadiz, is a reliable and
efficiently managed institution. It was
reorganized under the National Banking Laws in 1863 as
No. 100 with a capital stock of $120,000.
the officers of this bank are D. B. Welch,
President, Walter Craig, Vice-President, I. C.
Moore,
Page 35 -
![](../graphics/harrisonNatlBank1894.jpg)
Page 36 -
Cashier, W. S. Cessna, Assistant Cashier,
Walter Potts, Book-keeper. The board of
directors are D. B. Welch, Walter Craig, William Fox,
William Henderson, L. A. Welch, R. W. Barricklow, Samuel
Knos, W. B. Beebe Jr.
THE FARMERS AND
MECHANICS NATIONAL BANK.
The Farmers and Mechanics National Bank of Cadiz, is a
solid and reliable institution. Was duly organized
May 11th, 1874, and incorporated as a National Bank in
January, 1878, with a capital stock of $50,000.
Surplus of $27,500. The officers of the bank are
Melford J. Brown, President, C. O. F. Brown,
cashier, Miss Alice Carnahan, Book-keeper.
The board of directors consists of Wm. L. Houser,
John N. Haverfield, C. O. F. Brown, John M. Garvin, C.
A. Skinner, C. M. Hogg and Melford Brown.
THE FOURTH NATIONAL
BANK.
The Fourth National Bank, of Cadiz, the youngest of our
financial institutions, commenced business March 28th,
1893, with a capital stock paid up of $120,000.
Its stock-holders number 250 persons, living in Harrison
and adjoining counties. Its President is Samuel
Thompson, John F. McPeck, VicePresident,
J. M. Schreiber, Cashier, C. E. Stewart,
Teller. Board of directors, J. S. Black,
David Allison, John E. Kyser, Henry
Barricklow, J. W. Clendenning, Dr. W.
T. Sharp, J. C. Dysart, T. E. Johnson,
Joseph Starr, M. N. Giffin, Milton Taggart,
John E. McPeck, Samuel Thompson and Dr. S.
B. McGavran.
BANK OF FREEPORT.
The Bank of Freeport was established by Thos. Green
in 1893 as a private bank. In 1894 a
co-partnership was formed consisting of Thomas Green,
John M. Garvin and J. M. Schreiber. The
bank enjoys the confidence of the people.
Page 37 -
BANK OF
SCIO.
The Bank of Scio was organized in July, 1883, by B.
S. Hogue and William Donaldson. This
bank is well-managed, and has contibruted in no small
degree to the business interests of Scio and vicinity.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
ROADS
The making of roads has been from early times, one of
the most important subjects that has occupied the
attention of the commissioners and tax payers.
Many petitions were presented to the county
commissioners during the year 1813, asking for new
roads, all of which seem to have been granted.
Thence-forth for many years they were kept busy
providing for new roads and making changes in old ones.
Road-making in a hilly region is laborious and
expensive, and while we have at this time roads in every
direction, it is still an open question how to make
better ones. We have a pike from Cadiz to New
Athens, Cadiz to Harrisville, Cadiz to Unionvale, and
all the roads leading from Cadiz have from one-half to
two miles of pike.
RAILROADS
_____
Harrison county has three railroads passing through it:
The P. C. C. & St. L. R. R. and siding 34.98 miles.
The P. C. C. & St. L. R. R. second track 23.42 miels.
the P. C. C. & S. L. R. R., Cadiz branch 7.85 miles.
C. L. & W. R. R. and siding 17.64 miles. W. & L.
E. R. R. and siding, 27.81 miles. Total number of
miles 111.70. Total valuation $1,324,140.
Page 38 -
NEWSPAPERS
_____
The first newspaper published in Harrison county was in
1816, called the Cadiz Informant, afterward
called the Harrison Telegraph, and the name
Cadiz Republican given to it in 1840 by Wm. R.
Allison. The Cadiz Republican W. B.
Hearn, editor and proprietor, therefore lays claim
to being the oldest newspaper in the county.
The Cadiz Sentinel, W. H. Arnold, editor, is
the next oldest paper in the county, having been
established in 1832.
Other papers in the county are The Harrison Tribune,
A. B. Lacey editor and proprietor, Cadiz, Ohio.
Harrison County Democrat, A. N. McCombs
editor, and published by the Harrison County Democrat
Publishing Company. The Freeport Press,
McMath & Williams, proprietors, L. B. Williams,
editor. The Scio Harold, Scio,
edited and owned by R. M. Dewey. Jewett
Age, Jewett, O. A. Hare, owner. New
Athens Review, published by T. B. Williams,
at New Athens.
HARRISON COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
_____
On June 5, 1834, the county commissioners under
provision of law, directed a call to be published in
The Cadiz Sentinel, looking to the formation of an
Agricultural Society, but nothing effective was done
under that call, or in any other way until 1846.
The matter was then taken up by some of the progressive
farmers, chiefly in the eastern part of the county,
Page 39 -
The first fair was held in Georgetown in 1846.
After that in Cadiz. For the next six years the
stock was shown on the streets or in Dewey’s
field, now Lincoln Avenue, or in Walter Jamison’s
field, or some other convenient place.
Agricultural implements, farm products and domestic
goods, were shown in the court house or some of the
churches. A plowing match was held each year.
It was not until 1853 that the Society had a permanent
location; they then secured Sharp’s grove, near town,
(now Porter’s) and four or five acres were enclosed with
a strong, substantial fence, and suitable buildings were
erected. The fair was held Oct. 10 and 11, 1853.
It was the largest and best attended of any that had
taken place. The crowd was estimated at 10,000.
There was a large entry of sheep and horses. The
floral hall was very attractive, the ladies taking great
interest in it. One of the most attractive and
exciting features of the fair was a contest of
horse-back riding by ladies. Competitors For the
premium were: Miss Norton, of St. Clairsville,
Mrs. Obediah Slemmons, Miss Amanda Simeral,
Miss Gilmore, Miss Shotwell, Miss
Taggart, of Cadiz, and Miss Caroline
Kennedy, of Green township. All were expert
riders and evinced a graceful style of riding and much
skill in management of their horses. During the
race Miss Simeral was thrown from her horse and
badly hurt. Miss Kennedy won the first
premium.
The fair continued on these grounds until 1889.
The fair in Harrison county was always considered one of
the best in the State. It was a great benefit to
the farmers. It marks an era in the history of our
agricultural advancement. It brought together the
farmers, who, having a common interest, studied together
by comparison the different kinds
Page 40 -
![](../graphics/oh_harrisonco_Infirmary.jpg)
Harrison County Infirmary
Page 41 -
of stock and farm implements. The fair was moved
to the grounds of Walter Craig in 1889.
These grounds are beautiful. They contain 40 acres
tastefully studded with young shade trees and enclosed
by a tight fence. The buildings in the enclosure are
permanent and capacious, and the track, for a “half mile
go” is the best in the State. The following
persons have been presidents of the Harrison county
fair: Ezra Cattell, John Hammond, Eli Peacock, John
C. Jamison, Henry Boyles, James B. Jamison, Samuel
Herron, Andrew Jamison, Samuel Boggs, Obediah Slemmons,
Albert Quigley, W. W. Jamison, Andrew Smith, C. M. Hogg,
Samuel Dickerson.
Other fairs in the county are Connotton Valley
Tri-County Agricultural and Mechanical Association,
located at Jewett, and the Smyrna fair located at
Smyrna.
_____
The following letter is one
written by General Walter B. Beebe, the first
lawyer of Harrison county:
Cadiz, County of
Harrison, State of Ohio,
February 14, 1813}
HONORED PARENTS:
I take this opportunity to inform you that I am well
and in good spirits. Since I left home I have
become tolerably well acquainted with the science of
traveling. I started from St. Clairsville,
(the place from which I wrote you,) on or about the 1st
of December, and took a convenient route through the
middle section of this State, a route of about 500
miles. The more I get acquainted with this part of the
country the better I like it. It is certainly the
best land I ever beheld. Judge Ruggles
went with me to Chillicothe, the seat of government, at
which
Page 41 -
place the Legislature was then sitting. I got
acquainted with Governor Meigs and many of
the members, who all appear to be very friendly to young
men emigrating to this part of the country.
Governor Meigs is a yankee from Middletown,
Connecticut. At Chillicothe I was examined by the
Judges of the Supreme Court of this State, and admitted
to practice as an attorney and counsellor at law in the
several courts of record in this State. I found a
good many counties in my route which I thought would be
good places for an attorney, but was induced to settle
in this, the county seat of Harrison county, from the
following considerations, to-wit: Notwithstanding this
county was set off and organized when I was in
Chillicothe, yet it is an old settlement and the
settlers are generally rich. The inhabitants of
this county and counties adjoining have but few yankee
settlers, but settled by Virginians, Pennsylvanians,
Germans, Scotch, and Irish, who are more litigious and
quarrelsome than the yankees are, and pay their money
more freely. There is no lawyer in this county,
and I have the assurance of being appointed State’s
Attorney, which will be worth eighty a year, and will be
attended with but little trouble and very little
inconvenience to other business, being only barred in
criminal prosecution from appearing against the State of
Ohio. This county is so situated that there are
live other counties within one day’s ride of it, and it
is the practice in this State for lawyer’s to practice
in adjoining counties. It is the healthiest part
of the State, and the water is good. These,
together with other considerations, have induced me,
after having been a bird of voyage for three months, to
pitch on this place for my permanent home. This
town is about 20 miles from the Ohio River, about 70
miles
Page 43 -
from Pittsburgh, and 16 miles west of St. Clairsville.
It is the shire town of the county, and will soon be a
populous town. I think my prospects are as good as
a young man can reasonably expect, and I have no fear if
I have my health. I am in a land abounding in very
many of the good things of this life. I have seen
good pot turkeys weighing 20 pounds, sell for 25 cents,
hens and chickens 6 cents. Money is very plenty in
this State probably more plentiful than usual, owing to
its being near the N. W. Army.
I remain your dutiful son,
WALTER B. BEEBE.
To Capt. Stewart
Beebe,
Wilbraham, Hamden Co., Mass.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY
_____
PHYSICIANS IN 1845
Martin Wilson, John McBean, A.
G. Osburn, John Pearce, George Lucy, Thomas Rowles,
William Mills, Thomas Findley, Dr. Harmon, Moses
Kennedy, S. Thompson, Wm. Vanhorn, E. H. McCoy, G. W.
Duffield, James Bethel, Robert Gamble, Jesse Hall,
Horace Belknap, F. C. Robinson, J. H. Stevenson. Wm. G.
Smith, T. C. Conn, R. Patton, Jas. Patton. Samuel Black.
James P. Barnes. A. T. McClure, I. G Parry, E. Conaway,
Thos. Crumley.
Page 44 -
PHYSICIANS IN 1894.
Cadiz - J. D. Wortman, W. T. Sharp, John S. McBean,
J. S. Campbell, W. H. Lemmon, Mrs. M. J. Lyons, Miss
Mary Lemmon, S. B. McGavran.
Harrisville - A. B. Wilkin, G. H. Colville, J.
Comly.
Hopedale - J. D. West, L. A. Crawford.
New Jefferson - Walter
Spence
Jewett - W. L. England, A. C. Grove.
Scoi - J. D. Snyder, G.
W. Lyle, T. H. Crook, G. W. Custer.
Bowerston - S. B. McGuire.
Franklin - W. A. Welch,
James Stone.
Tippecanoe - B. G.
Anderson
Freeport - J. G.
Howell, W. A. Zellers.
Piedmont - W. D. Copeland,
D. G. Quinn.
Warfel - John Morgan
Deersville - John Wallace,
Frank James.
Hanover - A. C. Nixon
Moorefield - J. H. Wherry,
E. D. Moore
New Athens - Charles
Cobb, Albert Dickerson, James A. McGrew.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
OF HARRISON COUNTY
Harrison county is divided into 15 townships -
Shortcreek, Green, Archer, Cadiz, Nottingham, North,
Monroe, Franklin, Washington, Freeport, Moorefield,
Athens, Stock, Germanand Rumley.
Principal towns and villages are New Athens, Bowerston,
Cadiz, Connotton, Deersville, Freeport, Franklin,
Georgetown, Hanover, Harrisville, Hopedale, Moorefield,
New Rumley, New Jefferson, Scio, Smyrna and Tippecanoe.
Irregular successions of high hills and deep ravines
Page 45 -
occupy the surface but not rought and rocky to such an
extent as to interfere with the agricultural interests
of the county. The soil is mostly limestone, and
is very productive. Coal and lime-stone abound in
almost inexhaustible quantities. Oil and gas are
found in small quantities at a depth of fourteen hundred
feet (1400) in Green and Cadiz Townships. The land
is mostly in a state of cultivation; but a small per
cent, of timber remains. The population of the
county in 1890 was 20,830. Present area in acres
256,512. The amount of taxes collected in Harrison
county in 1814 was $570.76. The amount collected
in 1893 was $178,056.39. The value of farm lands,
villages and real estate and chattels in 1890 was
$13,449,840.
Harrison county is an agricultural county. Our
style of farming will compare favorably with other
counties. Our farmers have adopted all the late
improvements in farming implements. Nearly all our
work is done by machinery. We raise in this county
about all the leading kinds of fruit; vegetables of all
kinds can be successfully raised, but the leading one is
the potato, of these we have a number of varieties.
Almost all kinds of grain can be raised, especially
wheat and corn. Harrison county is also a good
stock raising county.Our sheep are sought after in other
counties and states, and our wools are in demand by
eastern manufacturers. In fact more attention is
devoted to the raising of sheep than any other stock.
In 1884 the production of wool was 1,007,000 lbs.
A great many good horses of different kinds, are raised
in this county, from the line saddle or driving-horse,
to the heavy draft horse.
This county is also good as a cattle growing county.
We have several herds of thorough-bred.
Page 46 -
![](../graphics/oh_harrisonco_FarmersMechanicsNatlBank.jpg)
FARMERS AND MECHANICS NATIONAL BANK
Page 47 -
Shorthorns, Jerseys and Holsteins. Some good hogs
are raised, the varieties being Berkshires, Chester
Whites and Poland Chinas.
The farms of Harrison county are generally in a good
state of cultivation and well improved. Farms sell
from $50 to 125 per acre according to quality,
improvements and location. There is no better
county in Ohio than old Harrison, energetic toil and
enterprise characterize her citizens. Her sons and
daughters are to be found in almost every State and
engaged in all manner of honorable avocations, and
wherever they are they do their duty cheerfully and
bravely, and retain in their hearts a lingering
affection for the hills and valleys among which they
were nurtured.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
SCRAPS
OF HISTORY
_____
E. M. Stanton whose wonderful executive capacity
as head of the War Department has given him renown
throughout all the world, was at one time an active
member of the Cadiz bar and the third Prosecuting
Attorney of Harrison county. Cadiz Branch of the
P. C. C. & St. L. R. R. was opened to Cadiz on the 11th
of June, 1854. Messrs. Biggs and Beatty
laid out the town of Cadiz in 1804. New Rumley was
laid out Aug. 15, 1814; Freeport in 1814; New Athens in
1817; Deersville in 1815; Harrisville in 1817.
Magdalena Grundy is said to be the first white woman
to cross the Connotton creek west, and loca-
Page 48 -
![](../graphics/childrenshome.jpg)
Harrison County Children's Home
Page 49 -
ted with her husband on the farm
well-known as the John M. Holmes’ farm
near the village of Connotton.
Dr. T. R. Crawford was pastor of the Nottingham
Presbyterian church for 40 years.
Apr. 29, 1866, the Harrison National Bank, of Cadiz,
was robbed of about $260,000. Within a few days
the burglars were captured, and most of the money found
in their possession.
William Duvall has been a faithful and
obliging conductor on the Cadiz Branch for 27 years.
Dr. William Custer, of Scio, Dr. William Beadle,
of Green township, Dr. John McBean, of Cadiz, and
Dr. R. H. Simmons, of Deersville, were regarded
in their day as the leading physicians of the county.
John A. Bingham was elected in 1854 as a
Representative to the XXXIV Congress from the
Twenty-first Ohio District, and was a member of every
Congress from the Twenty-first and Sixteenth Ohio
districts except the XXXVIII, until Mar. 4, 1873.
In May, 1873, Mr. Bingham was appointed by
President Grant Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan, which position he
held for twelve years.
Without detracting from the deserts of others, it might
be said that H. S. McFadden in his day, did more
extensive general trade than any other man in the
history of Harrison county.
Matthew Simpson D. D., L. L. D., was born in
Cadiz, June 20, 1811, and died in Philadelphia, Pa.,
June 18, 1884. He was one of the most eminent
preachers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He
was elected a bishop in 1852.
Gen. George A. Custer, the famed cavalry leader
of the War of the Rebellion, was born in New Rumley,
Dec. 5, 1839.
Stewart Price was the first merchant, the
first
Page 50 -
postmaster, and the first railroad agent at the town of
Bowerston.
Capt. H. B. Heller, of Monroe township, during
his life took an active interest in the advancement and
improvement of Harrison county, and his public spirit
manifested itself in many ways. Mrs. Nancy
Dewey, widow of Hon. Chauncey Dewey, was born
near Uniontown, Pa., Oct. 27, 1804. In 1807 her
parents located on a wild piece of land near Cadiz,
which at that time contained but few houses and around
which the wolves, panthers, and other wild animals of
the early days were still plentiful. The Indians
were also numerous, and would come in parties to trade
with the white pioneers, bringing with them many
beautifully worked articles such as moccasins ornamented
with colored beads and porcupine quills, and belts made
of snakes skins, all painted and woven together and
profusely decorated with beads. The squaws would
have their pappooses strapped on boards and carried on
their backs, and when tired would stand pappoose, board
and all against some convenient tree. The Indians
used to bring baskets in for trade in large quantities,
tied about their bodies in such numbers that it was
difficult to decide whether Indian or baskets walked.
Mrs. Dewey has a vivid recollection of the
pioneer days. She still resides in Cadiz and is a
noble woman.
Julius Schreiber, was pre-eminently one
of the pioneers and promoters of the business interests
of Harrison county, although not, strictly speaking, one
of the early settlers.
John N. Haverfield was born in Cadiz township, May
17, 1820, and died at his residence in Stock township,
Apr. 10, 1894. Mr. Haverfield was a leading
farmer and one of the best men in Harrison county.
Page 51 -
June 6, 1823, the commissioners of the county fixed a
rate for wolf scalps in addition to that allowed by the
State. For all wolf scalps above the age of six
months $1.50; on all scalps under six months 75 cents.
The first couple married in Harrison County were
Lakin Wells and Cynthia Maffett, on Feb. 4, 1813,
the ceremony being performed by Andrew McNeely,
Justice of the Peace.
Wm. H. Lucas has been a teacher in the Cadiz
Schools for twenty-one years.
We omitted to mention the name of H. S. Black,
of Freeport, in our list of physicians of 1894.
The following were the first directors in the First
National Bank: John Hammond, John Green, Isaac
Thomas, Marshall McCall, Robert Pittis, John Carnahan,
Samuel Slemmons, Samuel George, Joseph S. Thomas.
The Associate Reformed Church, mention of which is made
in our article on Courts, as the building in which the
first courts of Harrison county were held, was a log
building, erected on grounds purchased from Zachariah
Biggs, situated on the corner of South and Ohio
streets. The log building was torn down and a
substantial brick building erected in the year 1828.
The oldest male resident of Cadiz is Mr. Benjamin
Timmons, who has resided on the ground upon which he
now lives for 81 years. Mrs. Agnes Mealy is
the oldest woman now living in Cadiz, having passed her
ninetieth milestone in life's journey on Oct. 17, 1893.
May they, with all our old people, live many more years
among us.
The grand and great-grand-children of the contractor of
the court house built in 1815, are living in Cadiz.
Mrs. Christina Kimmel, who resides one-half mile
Page 52 -
north of Jewett, reached her 100th birthday on Mar. 7,
1894, the oldest woman in the county. Mrs.
Kimmel had been living 21 years before the curt
house recently torn down was erected.
![](../../graphics/blkline.gif)
REMINISCENCES OF
MORGAN'S RAID THROUGH MOOREFIELD.
On a bright and beautiful day in July, 1863, the peace
and quiet of our little village was disturbed by the
anticipated invasion of Rebel forces numbering five or
six hundred mounted cavalry, under command of the noted
Rebel General John Morgan. The air was full
of rumors of the great destruction of property along the
line of march, and the alarm for the safety of family
and property became intense. This feeling of
insecurity was somewhat increased when M. J. Brown
and John Robinson, of Cadiz, driving a spirited
team, rushed through here to discover if possible the
line of march the Rebels were likely to take. In
about an hour, or perhaps less, they returned, furiously
driving Jehu like, announcing that the Rebels
were coming this way, and would be with us in a short
time.
Very soon thereafter we discovered the bridge over Big
Stillwater on fire, and a few minutes later, another
smoke, looming up about one-half mile east, indicated
that the other covered bridge over Little Stillwater (or
Bogg's Fork) was also being consumed.
About this time many laughable incidents occurred that
did not seem so funny at the time; men hiding
Page 53 -
their valuables in the most unthought of places,
secreting their horses in thickets and deep hollows;
women and children running hither and thither with their
trinkets trying to find some very secure place to hide
them, being so excited as to forget where they placed
them, and had to be reminded by their neighbors who
chanced to observe where they put them, where to look
for them. A few would-be Generals on horseback,
were riding our village street, giving spicy directions
as to what others should do, or where to go. A
thing they soon found out when the advance guard of
Morgan’s force came galloping into town,
putting them to flight, and quite an exciting race
occurred through our street accompanied with the Rebel
yell, “Halt, Halt!” Some were immediately captured
and their horses taken; others didn’t have time to obey
orders, and got away, doing some exceedingly fast riding
to accomplish the feat. Very soon after this race
the main force entered our town and took complete
possession of the streets, stables, and every house that
had been vacated by the occupants, not disturbing or
forcibly entering any house where families remained at
home. They seemed to be a hungry set, and freely
solicited every house for provisions of every
description; some of them exhibiting abnormal appetites
for pound cake and preserves. After cleaning up
all the previously prepared provisions in the town they
quietly sought rest and sleep, seemingly as unconcerned
as though the Union forces in pursuit were a hundred
miles back instead of three or four. Morgan
himself occupied the parlor bed at the Mills’ Hotel, and
seemed to be taking a refreshing sleep, while his body
guard, with their revolvers lying upon chairs at their
sides, or on the bed where Morgan was sleeping,
occupied the time in reading the news, with
Page 54 -
they seemed to he well provided. When Morgan
arose from the bed he walked to the front door, stepped
out upon the pavement, cast his eye down the street,
then turned and walked leisurely up street unattended;
later the order was given to mount, and their march
eastward continued, taking the road to New Athens,
accompanied by escorts drafted into service as guides
across the country. The Union forces under command
of Shackelford, having been delayed by reason of the
destroyed bridges, did not get into town in full force
until after night, when hungry soldiers had again to be
fed, and right nobly did our women work cooking and
serving food until after midnight. A greater
number of the Union forces pushed on after Morgan,
but a portion remained over night, probably as a
reminder to us that the war was still going on.
Stragglers continued coming into town the following day,
but by evening quiet again reigned supreme, and the war
was over, so far as our town’s actual experience was
concerned.
_____
1813 - 1894.
"We leap the chasm of 81 years. Span the distance
between the historic then and the eventful now. We
regard Pioneer days in Harrison county, as a thing of
the past. The wilderness has been changed into the
cultivated field; the log cabin to the mansion.
The hominy block to the mill with its improvements.
The lone track through the forests to good roads, to the
iron rail, fast mail and electric wire with its
lightning messenger. The wolf, bear and deer have
disappeared, their places being occupied by the more
docile and useful animals of the cultivated field.
New systems of tillage and
Page 55 -
new devisements of agriculture have been introduced, a
thorough change has overtaken the farm and the utensils
of the farm. Instead of the cheery blaze of teh
glowing pine we have the dazzling chandelier, the gas
and electric lights. In our honors name, however,
let it be recorded that we are not an ungrateful
posterity. May the memories of our pioneer fathers
long be cherished, and their names be held in admiring
esteem and reverence. May no ungrateful thought be
entertained or unkind or rude word be spoken to the few
who survive and patiently wait for the white wave to
lift them free. The shore, the palm, the victory,
the rest is but yonder.
"Another land more bright
than this,
To their dim sight appears,
And on their way to it they'll soon
Again be pioneers." |
When it becomes necessary to build another Temple of
Justice for Harrison County, (aside from any
accident) will the generation then living call us
pioneers?"
|