1883 History of Fairfield and Perry Counties, Ohio, Part 4, Berne Twp.

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY

CHAPTER XXX.

BERNE TOWNSHIP.

THIS township was christened Berne by Samuel Carpenter, one of its earliest settlers, in honor of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, the home of his ancestry. It is one of the largest townships of Fairfield county, comprising all of township fourteen, range eighteen, except one and one-half sections from the northwest corner, which belong to Lancaster township, and two tiers of sections, from one to twelve, inclusive, from township thirteen, range eighteen. Its entire territory embraces over forty-seven square miles. The township lies in the southeastern part of the county. Hocking River enters from the northwest, and passing through the entire length of the township, flows into Hocking county on the south. Its principal tributaries are Rush Creek and Pleasant Run. The surface is rough and hilly, except in the narrow valleys which skirt the streams. The soil on the hill-sides is largely argillaceous. The out-croppings are sandstone, and in places the soil has a gravelly subsistence. The Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad and the Hocking Canal cross the township along the Hocking River valley. The Cincinnati & Zanesville Road passes east and west through the northern part of the township. The forests of Ohio were settled first along the banks of the streams, which coursed in solitude through their unbroken density; and Berne township, carrying the waters of Fairfield's largest stream, received a portion of the first tide of emigration that passed through the county. The earliest known white character of whom any tradition is preserved that became a denizen of the township, was John Sisco, a southern "renegade hunter," dubbed by the pioneers, "Indian John." He led the wild and free life of a hunter, living in a rudely constructed shanty or wigwam, and, as the settlers encroached on his hunting grounds, gradually moved southward until he found his eternal resting place, near Logan. The Carpenters are accredited with being the earliest permanent settlers in the township. The first land entered was that in the Hocking valley nearest Lancaster. Succeeding pioneers occupied the lands down the stream until they were all appropriated. Then the valleys of the tributaries were settled, and finally the hills. It was in 1798 that William, David, Samuel, and John Carpenter. with their father, emigrated from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in sections seven and eight, in the Hocking valley, just below Lancaster. Below them were the Shellenberger boys, Samuel and Henry. Their father. Henry, traveled here from Pennsylvania and entered the land. He returned to his old home and left the boys in

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possession here. George Eckert, another Pennsylvanian, was next and below him. Abraham Ream, also from Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, entered sections 27, 28, 33, 34, and part of 3, on Rush Creek, becoming the most extensive resident landholder in the township. All the above emigrated in 1798. Joseph Stukey entered still further down the river. Indians often visited the cabins of these early settlers, generally begging or demanding victuals. Their requirements were always complied with, and a friendly state of feeling between the two races maintained. Unless the noble red man was frenzied by whisky it was not difficult for the whites to preserve amicable relations with him. The forests at this time teemed with wild game and wild beasts. Panthers and wildcats were not uncommon, and often became the trophies of the huntsman's skill. Abraham Ream---his grandson, William Pannabaker, relates---raised a family of fourteen children-eight girls and six boys. The boys were daring hunters, and, like other frontiersmen, keenly enjoyed the sport. Absalom Ream at one time pursued a large panther till it sought refuge in a hollow log. He cut it out, first chopping holes in the log and tying the panthers feet together. Designing to keep the "varmint" a captive, he hastily built a high enclosure for it, but after its release the panther drank an excessive amount of cold water and fell dead. When Abraham Ream was lying ill, his wife took their span of horses to the brink of Hocking River to water, and while there the horses manifested signs of uneasiness, and soon of terror. With true pioneer instinct Mrs. Ream apprehended danger, and immediately hastened back with the horses to the stable. Securing them, she reached the cabin, a rod or two distant, and barred the door after her. Glancing out the little aperture that served as a window she saw a large panther with his fore-feet resting on the low fence that surrounded the cabin, lashing his tail, and exhibiting other signs of anger. It was amid such scenes as this that the early settlements of Berne township were made. Among the earliest settlers on Rush Creek were Peter Stinespring, Henry Inesell, Henry Swartz, from Pennsylvania, and Christian and John Beery, from Virginia. Most of the first settlers came from Penn- sylvania, chiefly from Lancaster and Berks counties. Some few emigrated from Virginia. William Collins, the father of John A. Collins, an early 'squire and prominent citizen; Daniel and Abraham Moyer, Felta Pratz, and others, settled in the north-east part of the township. Walter Applegate. from Virginia, also settled very early in the northeast corner of the township. John Baldwin, a bachelor, who lived and died here, and Peter Sturgeon, from the same State: John Bibler and Michael Hansel, from Pennsylvania, and William Bryan, were early figures in the township's history. William Jackson, from Frederick county, Maryland, in 1805 came to the township. He found an empty cabin on Pleasant Run, with twelve acres of cleared land surrounding it, and moved into it in December, remaining two years. He afterwards leased and purchased other lands in the township, and died here in 1850. William Crook, From Henry county. Virginia, in 1805, settled about two miles southeast

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of Lancaster. He was probably the first Justice of the township. He served in the war of 1812 as Major, was sheriff of the county, and died in this township about 1855. His six brothers, and his father, Ephraim, preceded him here a short time, all living in the same neigh- borhood. Jacob Iric, from Maryland, and George See, settled in the township about 1805. John Pennabaker came in 1806, from Berks county, Pennsylvania. It is impossible to even mention the names of all the early settlers. During the first years of the century they entered very rapidly, and in 1806 there were one hundred and twelve tax-payers in the township. James Pierce is remembered as one of the earliest justices. He kept no docket, and was very positive, and sometimes arbitrary, in his decisions, but would never charge any costs for his official services. Lawsuits were very much discountenanced in the earliest pioneer days, and when once instituted, the neighbors frequently urged a settlement, and would even make up a purse for the delinquent, rather than have the legal contest proceed. William A. Collins, and others, succeeded Pierce. The Shellenbergers had the first little mill in the township. It was an insignificant "corn-cracker," which would only chop, not grind, and the customers must sieve their meal at home. Soon after a mill was erected on the Carpenter place, where the flour might be bolted by hand. It was not long, however, before George Eckart and Abraham Ream constructed mills in which the process of bolting was performed. The Carpenters built the first saw-mill. Joseph Stukey built one soon after. Sugar Grove is the only town of note. It is situated in the southern . part of the township, at the junction of Hocking River and Rush Creek. It received its name from a heavy growth of sugar timber which had occupied its site. An Indian encampment had formerly stood at this place, and a large burying ground close by. Numerous skeletons have been unearthed, and many other evidences of savage occupation have been revealed. The village was laid out by Mrs. Elizabeth Rudolph. It was incorporated thirty or more years ago. Its population exceeds three hundred. At present it contains four dry-goods stores, one general store, one hotel, three churches, three blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, one wagon shop, one undertaking establishment, two physicians, two tanneries, and one grist-mill. The mill is controlled by John D. Martin, of Lancaster, and has just been rebuilt. It is fed by the canal, and finds a market for its products in the mining districts below on the canal. The mill was originally built by Joseph Stukey about 1843. The school building is a substantial two-story brick, containing four rooms, three of which are now used for school purposes. The remaining room is occupied by Sugar Grove Lodge, No. 654, I. O. O. F, which was instituted in 1876, with eleven members. It is now prosperous, and contains sixty-two members. The first house in Sugar Grove was built about 1835, by Samuel White. It was a log cabin, long since removed. It stood on the lot opposite Dennis's hotel. The first store comprised a small stock of goods, brought to the place by Christian Krebs and Jefferson Meeks.

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It was located in the upper end of town, where the tanyard now stands. Berne post-office is a station on the Cincinnati and Zanesville Railroad. It is situated in the north-east corner of the township, and contains a store, one or two shops, and two or three houses. If the number of churches in the township is an indication of spiritual welfare, Berne should be a religious township. Of the three at Sugar Grove, the German Reform church is the handsomest structure. It was erected in 1872, at a cost of 4,000. It is forty by sixty-two feet neatly furnished, and, among country churches, has few equals in attractive appearance. The society enrolls one hundred and thirty members. The old frame church, which preceded the existing edifice, was erected in 1841. Prior to that date services had been conducted by this denomination in a church which stood two miles north of Sugar Grove, and which had been built by this and a Lutheran Church jointly. Judge Joseph Stukey and William Pennabaker were early leading members. The Evangelical Lutheran Church has had an organization in Sugar Grove for thirty years. The earliest services were held in the church two miles above the village, and afterwards in an old United Brethren church in Sugar Grove. The building now used for worship was erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,100. Rev. Charles A. Shultz is the present pastor; the membership, about fifty. The Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1851. Revs. Samuel Harvey and A. B. See were the first pastors. The class began its existence with eleven members, and met at John Wann's house. Services were held in the school-house and the United Brethren church for a year, when the present frame church was built. The membership includes ninety-seven souls. St. Joseph's Catholic church, located three miles up Rush Creek, was built in 1853. It is a frame structure, and its dimensions are thirty by sixty feet. The membership is probably one hundred. Fathers J. Young, Langey, Gildwiler, Goldsmith, and Mayrose, have successively and successfully administered to this flock. The Spannagel Lutheran church, as it is known, occupies a spot of ground in the southwestern part of the township. Services are conducted in both the English and German languages. The frame structure still occupied by this congregation was erected forty-one years ago under the guidance of Rev. W. F. Richman. Rev. John Wagenholz had previously held services in an adjoining school house. Through deaths and emigrations, the numerical strength of this church has suffered greatly. The first church in the township is said to have been built by the Lutherans and German Reformers near the north line of section fourteen. It was a hewed log building and has since been replaced by a frame, which is now occupied by a strong Lutheran congregation, with Rev. Shultz as pastor. Pleasant Hill M. E. Church is a frame in the eastern part of the township, where an old log church formerly stood. It includes probably forty members. Emery M. E. Church, about midway between Lancaster and Sugar

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Grove, was built about twenty years ago and is the home of a prosperous society, which was organized through the efforts of Mrs. J. R. Pierce and named from her father. Jackson, formerly Collin's, M. E. Church is situated about three- fourths of a mile north of Berne P. O. The building has been occupied for religious services for a period of fifty years or more but the congregation is strong and healthy. Two other churches, the Asbury M. E. and the Mt. Tabor Evangelical Association, are located near the north line of the township and have many supporters from Berne township.

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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
CHAPTER XXX.
BERNE TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was christened Berne by Samuel Carpenter, one of its earliest settlers, in honor of the Canton of Berne, Switzerland, the home of his ancestry. It is one of the largest townships of Fairfield county, comprising all of township fourteen, range eighteen, except one and one-half sections from the northwest corner, which belong to Lancaster township, and two tiers of sections, from one to twelve, inclusive, from township thirteen, range eighteen. Its entire territory embraces over forty-seven square miles. The township lies in the southeastern part of the county. Hocking River enters from the northwest, and passing through the entire length of the township, flows into Hocking county on the south. Its principal tributaries are Rush Creek and Pleasant Run. The surface is rough and hilly, except in the narrow valleys which skirt the streams. The soil on the hill-sides is largely argillaceous. The out-croppings are sandstone, and in places the soil has a gravelly subsistence. The Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad and the Hocking Canal cross the township along the Hocking River valley. The Cincinnati & Zanesville Road passes east and west through the northern part of the township. The forests of Ohio were settled first along the banks of the streams, which coursed in solitude through their unbroken density; and Berne township, carrying the waters of Fairfield's largest stream, received a portion of the first tide of emigration that passed through the county. The earliest known white character of whom any tradition is preserved that became a denizen of the township, was John Sisco, a southern "renegade hunter," dubbed by the pioneers, "Indian John." He led the wild and free life of a hunter, living in a rudely constructed shanty or wigwam, and, as the settlers encroached on his hunting grounds, gradually moved southward until he found his eternal resting place, near Logan. The Carpenters are accredited with being the earliest permanent settlers in the township. The first land entered was that in the Hocking valley nearest Lancaster. Succeeding pioneers occupied the lands down the stream until they were all appropriated. Then the valleys of the tributaries were settled, and finally the hills. It was in 1798 that William, David, Samuel, and John Carpenter. with their father, emigrated from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and settled in sections seven and eight, in the Hocking valley, just below Lancaster. Below them were the Shellenberger boys, Samuel and Henry. Their father. Henry, traveled here from Pennsylvania and entered the land. He returned to his old home and left the boys in 205
possession here. George Eckert, another Pennsylvanian, was next and below him. Abraham Ream, also from Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, entered sections 27, 28, 33, 34, and part of 3, on Rush Creek, becoming the most extensive resident landholder in the township. All the above emigrated in 1798. Joseph Stukey entered still further down the river. Indians often visited the cabins of these early settlers, generally begging or demanding victuals. Their requirements were always complied with, and a friendly state of feeling between the two races maintained. Unless the noble red man was frenzied by whisky it was not difficult for the whites to preserve amicable relations with him. The forests at this time teemed with wild game and wild beasts. Panthers and wildcats were not uncommon, and often became the trophies of the huntsman's skill. Abraham Ream---his grandson, William Pannabaker, relates---raised a family of fourteen children-eight girls and six boys. The boys were daring hunters, and, like other frontiersmen, keenly enjoyed the sport. Absalom Ream at one time pursued a large panther till it sought refuge in a hollow log. He cut it out, first chopping holes in the log and tying the panthers feet together. Designing to keep the "varmint" a captive, he hastily built a high enclosure for it, but after its release the panther drank an excessive amount of cold water and fell dead. When Abraham Ream was lying ill, his wife took their span of horses to the brink of Hocking River to water, and while there the horses manifested signs of uneasiness, and soon of terror. With true pioneer instinct Mrs. Ream apprehended danger, and immediately hastened back with the horses to the stable. Securing them, she reached the cabin, a rod or two distant, and barred the door after her. Glancing out the little aperture that served as a window she saw a large panther with his fore-feet resting on the low fence that surrounded the cabin, lashing his tail, and exhibiting other signs of anger. It was amid such scenes as this that the early settlements of Berne township were made. Among the earliest settlers on Rush Creek were Peter Stinespring, Henry Inesell, Henry Swartz, from Pennsylvania, and Christian and John Beery, from Virginia. Most of the first settlers came from Penn- sylvania, chiefly from Lancaster and Berks counties. Some few emigrated from Virginia. William Collins, the father of John A. Collins, an early 'squire and prominent citizen; Daniel and Abraham Moyer, Felta Pratz, and others, settled in the north-east part of the township. Walter Applegate. from Virginia, also settled very early in the northeast corner of the township. John Baldwin, a bachelor, who lived and died here, and Peter Sturgeon, from the same State: John Bibler and Michael Hansel, from Pennsylvania, and William Bryan, were early figures in the township's history. William Jackson, from Frederick county, Maryland, in 1805 came to the township. He found an empty cabin on Pleasant Run, with twelve acres of cleared land surrounding it, and moved into it in December, remaining two years. He afterwards leased and purchased other lands in the township, and died here in 1850. William Crook, From Henry county. Virginia, in 1805, settled about two miles southeast 206
of Lancaster. He was probably the first Justice of the township. He served in the war of 1812 as Major, was sheriff of the county, and died in this township about 1855. His six brothers, and his father, Ephraim, preceded him here a short time, all living in the same neigh- borhood. Jacob Iric, from Maryland, and George See, settled in the township about 1805. John Pennabaker came in 1806, from Berks county, Pennsylvania. It is impossible to even mention the names of all the early settlers. During the first years of the century they entered very rapidly, and in 1806 there were one hundred and twelve tax-payers in the township. James Pierce is remembered as one of the earliest justices. He kept no docket, and was very positive, and sometimes arbitrary, in his decisions, but would never charge any costs for his official services. Lawsuits were very much discountenanced in the earliest pioneer days, and when once instituted, the neighbors frequently urged a settlement, and would even make up a purse for the delinquent, rather than have the legal contest proceed. William A. Collins, and others, succeeded Pierce. The Shellenbergers had the first little mill in the township. It was an insignificant "corn-cracker," which would only chop, not grind, and the customers must sieve their meal at home. Soon after a mill was erected on the Carpenter place, where the flour might be bolted by hand. It was not long, however, before George Eckart and Abraham Ream constructed mills in which the process of bolting was performed. The Carpenters built the first saw-mill. Joseph Stukey built one soon after. Sugar Grove is the only town of note. It is situated in the southern . part of the township, at the junction of Hocking River and Rush Creek. It received its name from a heavy growth of sugar timber which had occupied its site. An Indian encampment had formerly stood at this place, and a large burying ground close by. Numerous skeletons have been unearthed, and many other evidences of savage occupation have been revealed. The village was laid out by Mrs. Elizabeth Rudolph. It was incorporated thirty or more years ago. Its population exceeds three hundred. At present it contains four dry-goods stores, one general store, one hotel, three churches, three blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, one wagon shop, one undertaking establishment, two physicians, two tanneries, and one grist-mill. The mill is controlled by John D. Martin, of Lancaster, and has just been rebuilt. It is fed by the canal, and finds a market for its products in the mining districts below on the canal. The mill was originally built by Joseph Stukey about 1843. The school building is a substantial two-story brick, containing four rooms, three of which are now used for school purposes. The remaining room is occupied by Sugar Grove Lodge, No. 654, I. O. O. F, which was instituted in 1876, with eleven members. It is now prosperous, and contains sixty-two members. The first house in Sugar Grove was built about 1835, by Samuel White. It was a log cabin, long since removed. It stood on the lot opposite Dennis's hotel. The first store comprised a small stock of goods, brought to the place by Christian Krebs and Jefferson Meeks. 207
It was located in the upper end of town, where the tanyard now stands. Berne post-office is a station on the Cincinnati and Zanesville Railroad. It is situated in the north-east corner of the township, and contains a store, one or two shops, and two or three houses. If the number of churches in the township is an indication of spiritual welfare, Berne should be a religious township. Of the three at Sugar Grove, the German Reform church is the handsomest structure. It was erected in 1872, at a cost of 4,000. It is forty by sixty-two feet neatly furnished, and, among country churches, has few equals in attractive appearance. The society enrolls one hundred and thirty members. The old frame church, which preceded the existing edifice, was erected in 1841. Prior to that date services had been conducted by this denomination in a church which stood two miles north of Sugar Grove, and which had been built by this and a Lutheran Church jointly. Judge Joseph Stukey and William Pennabaker were early leading members. The Evangelical Lutheran Church has had an organization in Sugar Grove for thirty years. The earliest services were held in the church two miles above the village, and afterwards in an old United Brethren church in Sugar Grove. The building now used for worship was erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,100. Rev. Charles A. Shultz is the present pastor; the membership, about fifty. The Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1851. Revs. Samuel Harvey and A. B. See were the first pastors. The class began its existence with eleven members, and met at John Wann's house. Services were held in the school-house and the United Brethren church for a year, when the present frame church was built. The membership includes ninety-seven souls. St. Joseph's Catholic church, located three miles up Rush Creek, was built in 1853. It is a frame structure, and its dimensions are thirty by sixty feet. The membership is probably one hundred. Fathers J. Young, Langey, Gildwiler, Goldsmith, and Mayrose, have successively and successfully administered to this flock. The Spannagel Lutheran church, as it is known, occupies a spot of ground in the southwestern part of the township. Services are conducted in both the English and German languages. The frame structure still occupied by this congregation was erected forty-one years ago under the guidance of Rev. W. F. Richman. Rev. John Wagenholz had previously held services in an adjoining school house. Through deaths and emigrations, the numerical strength of this church has suffered greatly. The first church in the township is said to have been built by the Lutherans and German Reformers near the north line of section fourteen. It was a hewed log building and has since been replaced by a frame, which is now occupied by a strong Lutheran congregation, with Rev. Shultz as pastor. Pleasant Hill M. E. Church is a frame in the eastern part of the township, where an old log church formerly stood. It includes probably forty members. Emery M. E. Church, about midway between Lancaster and Sugar 208
Grove, was built about twenty years ago and is the home of a prosperous society, which was organized through the efforts of Mrs. J. R. Pierce and named from her father. Jackson, formerly Collin's, M. E. Church is situated about three- fourths of a mile north of Berne P. O. The building has been occupied for religious services for a period of fifty years or more but the congregation is strong and healthy. Two other churches, the Asbury M. E. and the Mt. Tabor Evangelical Association, are located near the north line of the township and have many supporters from Berne township. 209
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