kirkwoodtwphist

History of Kirkwood Township

Kirkwood formed one of the first four original civil townships and
extended from the Ohio river to now Guernsey, in which part of said
county was included. It was erected November 25, 1801, and named in
honor of Robert Kirkwood, the pioneer. On February 24, 1802, and
August 15, 1804, Richland, Pease and Union were erected from the
eastern portion. In January, 1810, part of its western territory was
included in the establishment of Guernsey county. March 14, 1817,
sixteen sections were taken off the northern end of the township in
connection with twelve from Union township to create Flushing, since
which time it has remained unchanged, with a square of thirty-six
sections.

First Settlement

The first settlement in Kirkwood township was made on section eight,
in 1800, by three brothers, Joseph, William and Barnet Groves, who
migrated from Pennsylvania with their families, located and made
improvements on this section. In 1802, a man by the name of McBride
located and made some improvements on section eleven. In 1802 or
1803, John Israel settled on section two. John Bradshaw settled on
section thirty-two in 1803 or 1804. In 1804, Hugh Gilliland and
family settled on section twenty-five, and Hugh Ford on same section
and John Heaney on section one during the same year. In 1804 or 1805,
John Burton settled in the township; John McClain settled on section
twenty-five; Anomias Randall on section thirty-two. In 1805, Thomas
Perkins and family settled on section seventeen. In 1805 or 1806,
James McKinney settled in the township. In 1806, Ralph Cowgill
settled on section thirty- one. William Spencer settled in the
township in 1805 or 1806. In 1808, Robert Griffin settled in the
township about the same time. In 1807 or 1808, John Honnold, Josiah
McColloch, John Jarvis, John Marsh, Francis Hall and Hugh McMahon,
made settlements in the township. Thomas Barret settled on section
thirty-two in 1807 or 1808. In 1808, Robert Waddell made his first
improvements in the township. In 1808 or 1809, James Sheppard settled
on section twenty-three. Daniel Conner and Basil Ridgeway made
settlements in the township during the same years. Mathias Graves
settled on land one-half mile east of where Hendrysburg now stands on
section twenty-nine. Isaac Midkiff settled in the township in 1810 or
1811. Philip Ward settled on section 17 in 1811. John Ball on section
sixteen the same year. Charles Harvey, Nicholas Gazaway and the
Moores were among the early settlers. Jacob Barnett settled in the
township in 1813. William Bratton in 1814. Abner Moore in 1814. John
McFadden, in 1815. Alexander H. McCormick, in 1815; Alexander
McKeever, in 1816; Rev. John McPherson, in 1816; Lewis Jones, in
1816; Henry Acton, in 1817; Eli Taylor in 1817; Patrick Hamilton, in
1819; Samuel Boden, in 1821; Joseph Reynolds, in 1824; Charles Smith,
in 1826; Samuel Smith, in 1824; Robert Armstrong, in 1823. And there
are many others who were here in an early day and endured the
hardships of a pioneer life, labored hard to clear away the dense
forests, make improvements and prepare the soil for cultivation. Some
of them are mentioned in the history of Sewellsville.

Incidents

In about 1798 a party of hunters were camping at a spring near where
Jonathan Perkins' dwelling now stands. One evening when they returned
to camp one of their party, by the name of Robinson, was missing.
Diligent search was made for him, but he could not be found. They
supposed him to be carried off a captive by the Indians, as there
were some in the neighborhood at that time. In 1807 there was a gun
barrel and some human bones found on the Perkins' farm, section 17,
which were thought to be the remains of Robinson. In honor of this
unfortunate man one branch of Stillwater creek bears his name, and is
known as Robinson's branch.
In 1818 or 1819, near the centre of the township, John Clark was
killed by a tree falling on him.
In 1820 a man by the name of Gilbert was found dead in the dam. His
shoes were lying on the bank, and the remainder of his clothing was
on his body. It was supposed that he had drowned himself.
Henry Roberts was found dead in the dam one morning. His horse was
standing near the water's edge and the man's body in the water.
In 1827 or 1828 there was a man killed while raising a tobacco house
by a log rolling on him. His name was not known.
In 1830 Samuel Douglass, while holding a log on a hillside, the log
rolled, struck him on the head, and killed him instantly.
In 1830 or 1832 James Gould was killed on the road leading from
Henrysburg. He was on his way home from town with his oxen and cart.
The cart was upset, and a plow that was in the cart fell on him. The
shear striking his side killed him.
In 1844 or 1845 William Jarvis was killed, while raising a house by a
log falling on him.
In 1849 William Johnston was found dead on the hillside above
Henrysburg, supposed to have been killed by the horses and wagon
running over him.
In 1851 there was a destructive fire in Henrysburg, burning a steam
flouring mill, storeroom, and dwelling house; also a stable with one
horse was consumed by the flames.
In 1852 Philip Spear, a carpenter by trade, was killed while tearing
down an old frame house, by one side of the building falling on him.
In 1856 or 1857 George Lewis and his son, Samuel, were killed in the
coal bank at the old woolen mills by the bank falling on them.

In 1869 Louisa C. Fox was murdered b Thomas Carr on the farm now
owned by Daniel Mummy. An account of this is found elsewhere.

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Schools

In 1809 or 1810, there was a log cabin school house erected on the
Cowgill farm in section 31 near the southwest corner of the township.
John Stewart kept the first school in this house, and continued
teaching there for several years. David Long and James Round also
taught several terms in this cabin.

Henrysburg

The village of Henrysburg is located on the National pike in the
south central part of Kirkwood township, section fourteen. The pike
was built through this part of the country in 1825-6. Charles Hendry
purchased the land that is now occupied by the town shortly after the
pike was completed. He first engaged in the mercantile business,
meeting with success. In 1826 or 1827 he erected a stream flouring
mill which brought people to the place and gave rise to the laying
out of a town. In 1828, Mr. Hendry employed Mr. Briggs, a surveyor,
to lay out and make a plat of a town which he called Henrysburg in
honor of his own name. The lots extended on both sides of the pike,
across a quarter section, except a short distance on the north side
of the pike at the east end of the village, being 52 feet on the
street or pike. A number of lots were at once sold and small log
dwelling houses erected thereon, that have since been torn away and
frame buildings erected in their stead. The first building of any
connection, in which he engaged in the mercantile business for
several years. Since 1867 it has been used for hotel purposes by Mrs.
Conner. In 1843 there was a woolen mill built by a joint stock
company on the present site of the distillery, which was operated
with success for a number of years, manufacturing all kinds of woolen
goods until in 1860 it was abandoned. The stream flouring mill built
by Charles Hendry, in 1826 or 1827, was owned and operated by
different men until in 1851, it was destroyed by fire. Another mill
of the same ground, operated about one year and was also consumed by
fire.

In 1849-50, the flouring mill known as the National Flouring Mill,
was erected a little northwest of where the old woolen mill stood, by
Christopher Shaffer. It contains three run of burs, two for flour and
one for chopping feed. The capacity of the mill is one hundred
barrels of flour per day. It has been owned and operated by several
parties since its erection. Since 1871 it has been operated by Job
Dillon. In 1862 the old woolen mill building was purchased by
Christopher Shaffer, converted into a distillery, and has been used
as such since that time. At present it is operated by William
Henderson, and owned by the Shaffer heirs.

In 1837-8, the M.E. Church society erected a brick church building,
which was used for church purposes by the society until 1869; they
then tore away the old building, and erected the present frame
structure for church uses, in which they worship. The Christian
church society erected a church edifice in the village in 1869, which
they hold their meetings in at present.

In 1854 Messrs. E. Combs and McCartney built the Hendrysburg flouring
and saw mill at the east end of the village. At present it is owned
and operated by Trimmer & Hill.

At present the village contains about eighty-five dwelling houses,
with a population of about 375.

Page 362

It contains three dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one drug
store, postoffice, with David McCoy postmaster, two physicians, one
dentist, two wagon shops, four blacksmith shops, one distillery, two
saloons, two stream flouring mills, one with saw mill in connection,
one livery and sale stable, two hotels, one school building
containing four rooms, two churches, I.O.O.F. Lodge, Reading club,
temperance organization, & c., and one Grand Lodge.

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Salem M.E. Church

This society was organized in about 1810 or 1812, with eighteen or
twenty members. They held their meetings in private residences until
1813 or 1814, they erected a hewed log church building near the
western line of section ten, in Kirkwood township. Their benches in
the house were small logs split in halves, the flat side shaved
smooth, holes bored, and sticks put in for legs, which they used for
seats for several years, then made seats of boards. Their fire place
was a box set in the middle of the house with dirt in, on which they
made a fire place, and built a stone chimney in the center of the
house. This house they used as a place to worship, until 1840; then
they erected the present frame structure, situated near where the old
log building stood, in which they hold their services. The society
has been very prosperous. The membership at present is eighty. In
1846, on account of their number being great it was divided into two
classes, and continues so at present.

Early Members

Mr. Honnold and wife, John Clark and wife, Mrs. Thos. Major, Mrs.
Waddell, George Waddell, John McFadden and wife, Henrietta Murphy,
Sarah Moore, Eleanor Waddell, John Fox, and many others.

Ministers

Revs. Knox, Thorn, Archibald, Springer, Wolfe, C. Waddell, Geo.
Waddell, Worthington, McIllyar, Huston, Vertican, Feitt, Coil, Shaw,
Rhodes, Slutz, and many others have been ministers in the circuit.
Rev. Strahl is the present pastor.

Class Leaders

The first class leader was John Fox; 2d, Isaac Midkiff, who acted in
that capacity for about twenty-five years; 3d, Alex. Carr Skadden,
for ten years; 4th, Samuel Douglass for six years; 5th Earl Douglass
for three years; 6th Jonathan Perkins fifteen years. William G. Major
has been leader of class No. 2 for ten years, and is still filling
the position. John T. Grove is leader of class No. 1 at present.

Burying Ground

Near the church is the burying ground. In 1815, there was but one
grave, and that was the grave of a man by the name of Dallas. But
since that time many of the first settlers, or those that suffered at
the hands of a pioneer life, have been laid in their long resting
place in this cemetery. In passing by the ground it is plain to be
seen that the monster death has been doing its work in that vicinity.
In this burying ground can be seen a monument, erected by the
citizens of the neighborhood in memory of Louisa C. Fox, who was
murdered by Thomas Carr in 1869.

Biographical Sketches

Ralph Cowgill was born in Berks county, Pa 1775. He went to Virginia
when a young man and there learned the blacksmith trade. He married
Mary Carter, of Virginia, and in 1806, he, with his wife and six
children, moved to Belmont county, and located in Kirkwood township,
on section thirty-one. His first improvement was a round log cabin,
in which he lived for a few weeks, then he erected a hewed log house
with shingle roof, (it being the first shingle roofed house in the
township) in which he lived during the remainder of his life. There
is a hewed log barn still remaining on the farm in a good state of
preservation, 26 x 63 feet, that was built by him in 1808. He owned
one section of land (No. 31) and followed farming during his sojourn
in Belmont county. He reared a family of nine children, viz:
Margaret, Isaac, William, Aquilla J., Tamer, Jesse, Sarah, Eliza and
Ralph. All are deceased except three, Isaac, Aquilla J. and Eliza. He
died in 1840; his wife survived him until 1851.

Aquilla J. Cowgill, a son of the above named Ralph Cowgill, was born
in Loudon county, Virginia, September 28, 1801. He came to Belmont
county with his parents in 1806, as previously stated, and located on
the farm where he is now living. His education was acquired in a log
cabin school house that stood on his father's farm. He was reared a
farmer and has followed farming during his life. He married Margaret
Clark in 1842, and settled on the farm where he is now living. Their
union resulted in two children, (sons). His wife died in 1856, and in
1857, he married Sarah Milner. They are spending their old days in
peace, surrounded by all the comforts of life, and esteemed all who
know them.

Page 364

Samuel Kirk, a son of William Kirk, was born in Chester county,
Pennsylvania, June 6, 1792. When in his fifth year his father moved
to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and in 1813, with his family,
migrated to Belmont county, Ohio; settled on a farm one-half mile
northwest of Flushing, and remained there until his death, which
occurred August 27, 1841. Our subject married Rachel Jones in 1815,
built a cabin in the woods on a tract of land which he had purchased,
located two miles west of Flushing, near where the village of Rock
Hill now stands, and lived there until his death, October 8, 1877.
His wife died April 11, 1872. They reared a family of five children:
Levi, Sarah A., Edith, Wm. B. and Lydia H.. Levi, the eldest child,
was born July 11, 1817, he married Hannah Russell, and died in North
Lewisburg, Champaign county, Ohio, October 21, 1871, leaving no
children. Sarah Ann is still living; has been married twice; first to
John Clark, second to John Riggott; she survived them both, and is
living one mile south of Rock Hill, in Flushing township. Edith
married Westley Russell, by whom she had eleven children: Simeon,
Rachel A., Levi R., Mary M., Luther, Adaline, Jemima, William,
Arthur, Everet and Nora; herself and husband are deceased.

William B. Kirk married Ann Jenkins, November 27, 1845, by whom he
has four children: Cyrus H., now merchandising in St. Clairsville;
John J., now merchandising in Henrysburg; R. Willis, clerking in his
father's store in Morristown, and Elwilla, now in her eighteenth
year. Wm. B. Kirk was mustered into Co. B, 126th O.V.I., as captain,
on the 7th of August, 1862. He served until June 25, 1863, and was
discharged on account of ill health. At present he is keeping a store
in Morristown.

Lydia H. Kirk, the youngest child of Samuel Kirk, married H.L.
Raymond, by whom she had four children: Flora Ida, Frank R., Etheline
and Frederick.

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Elihu Hollingsworth was the son of Levi Hollingsworth, and first saw
the light in a small log house one and a half miles west of Flushing
January 12, 1813. At the age of 18 Elihu went to learn the trade of
hatter with his brother. Remained three years. July 11, 1839, he
married Lydia Ann Fischer, and set up business on his own account in
the town of Belmont. Children born: Mary L., March 20, 1842; David
A., November 21, 1844; Lovina A., March 2, 1849; Benjamin F. born
April 21, 1840, and died June 1, 1963. He removed to Flushing May 1,
1847, where he followed his business three years, and then engaged in
general merchandising. In 1867 he retired from business, and now
lives on his income, having during his active life by industry and
energy, accumulated a competence. Mr. Hollingsworth, with commendable
zeal and public spirit, has kept a meteorological record from April,
1857, up to the present time.

Page 380

Joseph H. Douglass, son of George and Eleanor Douglass, was born in
Warren township, Belmont county, December 14, 1844. His occupation
from boyhood has been farming. On the 10th of February, 1872, he
married Annie M. Stewart, who was born April 8, 1848. They have two
children, viz: Charles D., who was born November 30, 1872, and Jennie
E., born April 20, 1876. After his marriage he removed to where he
now resides, one and a half miles northeast of Barnesville.

George Douglass, Jr., son of George and Eleanor Douglass, was born in
Warren township, Belmont county, on the farm where his father yet
resides. He married Martha E. Stamp March 10, 1863,and is the parent
of four children: Richard G., James C., Joseph E. and Eleanor S..
After his marriage he removed to Morgan county, Ohio, where he
remained three years, and then to where he now resides on the old
Jones farm. His farm is underlaid with excellent coal. His principal
business has been the growing of tobacco.

Page 357
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Source: History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio by J.A.
Caldwell 1880