Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/606

 ^

��594

��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

��five horses. In-ought their iamilies and that of Jabez Cook. William removed to Lexington in 1817, where he was much annoyed by wild beasts, and in consequence devoted his leisure to hunting. In 1831, Mr. Cook removed to a farm three miles southwest of Mansfield, and in 1855 moved to the cit}'.

Samuel McCluer, who died but a few months since, and was one of the earliest pioneers, was born in Rockbridge County, Va. He removed to Ohio in 1808, and located near Cir- cleville; afterward moved to Bellville, and finally to Troy about 1815. Here he lived until his death. He was a valuable member of society, an earnest and active Christian, a mem- ber of the Congi-egational Church, and an active worker in the Sunday school.

Ezekial Boggs, another prominent settler of Troy, was born in Ohio County, Va., in 1795, near Wheeling. He participated in a battle with the Indians in Belmont County, known as the battle of "Captina." About one mile below the mouth of Captina Creek was a small fort, where a party of three or four scouts were sent to reconnoiter. They were, however, surprised, attacked, and two of them slain, one taken prisoner, and the other escaped. This roused the revenge of those in the fort, and in consequence a party of twelve or fourteen sol- diers were sent up the creek, marching in single file, and as they neared the enemy, the savages fired at them from the hilltops. They took warning, treed, and began skirmishing ; three or foiir whites, and eight or ten of the enemy, were slain. Mr. Boggs joined the army in 1812, under Gen. Hull and Col. Lewis Cass. The army marched from St. Clairsville to Cin- cinnati, and were joined by a body of soldiers bound for Detroit. He went with the army to the vicinity of Detroit, and was in the disgi-ace- ful surrender which occurred there. After the parole, Mr. Boggs returned home, and soon thereafter was married to Miss Jane Neal. They moved to Troy about 1833, and located in

��Lexington, where they remained until their deaths occurred. In their early pioneer life, Mrs. Boggs supplied the family with the neces- saries of life by digging gentian root.

Among the later settlers are various names more or less familiar. Alexander Abernath}-, an aged and retired physician, was born in 1810, in Pennsylvania ; graduated in 1831 ; practiced in Perry County, Penn.; removed to Ohio in 1836, and finall}- located at Lexing- ton in 1837. He married Miss Catherine Fulton in 1843, who bore him four children. Mr. A. was a member of the Legislature in 1845 and also a subsequent term; he was a stanch Democrat.

A. J. and Henry Winterstien came to Ohio in 1821, and located near Lexington. They are prominent members of the Presb3'terian Church and active, successful farmers. Thomas Cook, youngest son of " ITncle Noah," has been identified wuth the interests of Troy from his early childhood, first in the capacity of pupil in the pulilic school, afterward, for many years, as the village schoolmaster, then as a farmer, and in various other pursuits. James McCluer, Moses Sowers, Mr. Beverstock and others, are among the later but active and enterprising settlers in this vicinity.

When the first settlers came to Troy, the In- dians had undisputed possession of this region. A numl)er of lodges or camps were located along the Clear Fork. They were of the Wyandot and Mohawk tribes. Six or eight camps were in sight of Noah Cook's residence ; while on the southeast quarter of Section 13 were about the same numl)er. On the banks of Isaacs Run there was an Indian village. Thej' were quite peaceable and friendly ; they seldom or never offered the settlers any vio- lence ; they did not cultivate the soil here — it was merely a hunting-ground headquarters ; they at times vacated here and repaired to Greentown, their permanent home. This en- campment was on their trail from Sandusky,

��4V

�� �