Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/695

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��present owner — Mr. Rule. These several par- cels were entered August 6, 1836, by Isaac Barns, James Sharrock and Samuel Fryman. These patents are signed by Andrew Jackson, President, and Elijah Haywood, Commissioner of the General Land Office. Most of the early pioneers of this region have gone to their rest. Samuel Fryman, who entered the northwest part of the town site, was from Belmont County, Ohio. After making some improvements, he sold to Mr. Rule and went to Missouri. Jacob Heney, who died a few years ago at the age of ninety jears, came to Bloomfield in early days, from Pennsylvania. He entered the southeast quarter of Section 23, and lived, on the spot up to his death. Henry Bortner entered the northwest quarter of Section 34. He was born in York County, Penn, in 1784. He came to Ohio in 1837, and reared a family of thirteen children, of whom eleven still survive. John Warner settled on the northeast quarter of Section 33, which he entered about 1834. He also was from York County, Penn. He was born in 1807, and died on his home- stead in 1874. A large family remain to honor his memory. Mr. Kennon located on the southeast quarter of Section 29. He was a native of the Isle of Man. He was of Scotch descent, and a man of more than ordinary merit. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and possessed considerable talent. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters, and all were highly respected and appreciated by their neighbors. The father died some twenty years ago ; soon the mother followed, and, in consequence, the family was soon scattered. Several other families who are connected with the early history of this region, have long since passed away, but have

��left a numerous progeny to prolong their mem- ory and their name. The village of West j Point is so located that the south half lies in i Congress Township, and the north half in Bloomfield Township. In the north quarter of the village lives Isaac Rule, one of the most prominent, yet not earliest, of the settlers. He came to the county with his father in 1828, and located near Woodbury. In 1851, he bought out Mr. Roben, who was selling goods in West Point, and moved to the village. Thi'ough his industry and business tact, he has secured about six hundred acres of the best land in this region. He is now about fifty-five years of age. His wife is also an early settler of the county. The village contains one store, several shops*^ and offices. The schoolhouse is a neat brick of one room and a single department. A neat frame church belonging to the Baptist denomination graces the southern quarter of the town. This society was organized before 1840. Some of the original members were Daniel Eastman and Mr. Cash. The present enrollment of members reaches about sixty. Among the Pastors were Rev. T. W. Dye, who died but recently, and had served the congre- gation some seven years, and Rev. Mothland, of GraUon, who has been the late minister. The original meeting-house was a log l3uilding and stood about a mile and a half south of the vil- lage. About 1856, the present building was erected. It is about forty feet long by thirty- six feet wide. Dr. Frank Rule, a young man of brief experience, but of good parts, prac- tices the healing art. This section of country presents the evidences of real prosperity. It is inhabited largely by industrious, energetic and hardy people, who came from Pennsyl- vania. iNIarvland and other Middle States.

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