" Mid the forests where they warred,     There rings no hunter's shout;   But their name is on your waters -     Ye may not wash it out."

     It is astonishing to the children of to-day to be reminded that on the lawn on which they play; that in yonder grove of hardy oaks that now shelter those sleek kine; that on yonder expanse now blooming for the coming harvest; that on yonder plat where all is hurry and bustle, and trade and music and fashion, a hundred years ago was the hunting-ground of the Fox, or the Sac, or the Potawatomie, or the bloody field of contest between tribe and tribe of savage men; that here, too, the green sod drank the life-blood of the white man spilled by the tomahawk of the bloodthirsty Indian; that here the red man, proud and haughty from success in the hunt or battle, compelled his women to abject slavery, treating them as beasts of burden, and mere objects of convenience, never allowing them to join in the amusements, but permitted to sit with their children as "spectators around the fires of war-dances or the horrid orgies after a victory," holding even their lives at their weapons' points.  Fifty years ago the Indian, somewhat tamed by contact with pioneer civilization, and by an aggressive and overpowering government, still lingered in his hunting-grounds, mourned the hamlets of the dead warriors he must leave behind, or stayed to drink the "hemlock" furnished by his treacherous foemen, the wily and unprincipled among the pale-faces.  Verily the white man kindled the fire that burned his own home and the passion that slaughtered his own household.
     An Indian trail extended across the northwest corner of Ohio Grove township, including sections 5, 6 and 7, crossing Pope creek in section 6.  On section 5 in Indian Grove, some forty or fifty of the natives camped as late as about 1836 or 1837.  They disappeared and nothing more was known of them for several years when a few returned, but to cast one long, lingering, last look upon the once unmolested spot they had been wont to call what we would term "home."  Some are yet living who witnessed the dusky faces as they indulged in their ludicrous amusements and performed feats peculiar only to the race.  The McBrides, Cabeens, Candors, Browns, Stephenses, Hardys, Dillys and McPherrens, have watched their antics and marked their cunning, Alexander Brown, according to his own story, gained his amusement for the first three winters of his residence here, in the camps of these red men.  Trading was carried on between Indian and

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     The first comers were from Ohio.  They settled near Pope creek, in the northern part of the township, giving to the grove of that section the name of their native state, Ohio.  In after years the township was voted the combined appellation, "Ohio Grove."   There were explorations made by different ones prior to any settlement.  Prior to 1835, a cabin had been thrown together on the northwest corner of Sec. 3, T. 13 N., R. 3 W. of the 4th P. M., but its builder is unknown.  This rude hut gave shelter to those who had come to stay.  It also became the seat of merchandise where William Mackey sold a few simple goods such as a pioneer could buy.  This was the first "store."
     Sept. 21, 1835, there started from Muskingum county, Ohio, George McPherren, who had buried his wife in Ohio.  In his family were: Mary, James, Susanna, Easter, Daniel, Nancy, Fannie, Sarah and George; Benjamin Decker, the prospective husband of Miss Fannie McPherren; John Walker, husband of Easter McPherren.  Some of the family taking sick, a short stay was made at Washington, Illinois.  George McPherren, Sr., accompanied by George Long and Matthew Finley pushed on to find a satisfactory location.  Mr. Long afterward located in Knox county, and Finley in Henderson.  The family made another stay at Little York, where just previous Hughy Martin had been killed by the Indians.  Leaving some of the party at the fort, Mr. McPherren, John Walker, Benjamin Decker, and Daniel McPherren came to Mercer county and built a log house on the northeast quarter of section 4, in what is now Ohio Grove township.  This "lone mansion" of the country was about 16 × 18, one story, one room.  Some rough boards were hauled from Ebenezer Criswell's saw mill, on Eliza creek, at least fifteen miles distant.  This was used for floor.  The roof was of clapboards, the window of greased paper.  Nails had been brought with them, but were used as sparsely as possible.  When ready for "dobbing" the weather was so cold that water had to be boiled for mixing the "mud."  The following summer the mortar peeled off on account of its having frozen when put on.  The new log "castle" was occupied by the family of eight on Christmas day, 1835.  This house was furnished with the old "continental bedstead" of two poles, one leg and two sides of the house and clapboards, etc.  Stools served as chairs for a number of years.  The other furniture, if it existed, was fashioned to correspond.  The house stood close to the section line, one fourth of a mile from the township line.  The small log cabin before mentioned, about a mile to the east, was occupied by part of the family in order to hold the claim to the quarter on which it stood.  Thus were the first permanent settlers located after a journey of six weeks overland, with all the obstacles and hindrances incident

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J. W. CABEEN

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found.  Where are the McPherrens now?  The father sleeps beneath the sod where all must lie.  Benjamin Decker is dead, but his wife, Fannie, owns a farm in Ohio Grove.  James is near Reynolds, Sarah is in Iowa, Susanna died in Iowa, John Walker is dead, and his wife is Mrs. Boyer, near Viola.  George, son of George, owns over 400 acres of land in Ohio Grove.
     In the same year, 1835, it is thought George Smith, Richard Rice, James Moore, and William Moore made their advent.  John Moorehead, a native of Pennsylvania, but at that time resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, also settled in the McPherren neighborhood in 1835.  He died in August, 1836, the first instance of mortality in this new settlement.  He had lived on section 2.  His wife survived him till 1862 or 1863.  In their family were seven children, one of whom was buried in Warren county.  The six were pioneers here.  But two are living at this writing (May 12, 1882):  Mrs. Ashford Hardy and Mrs. George Smith.  Both are venerable ladies, examples of women of busy lives from the beginning to the present of this township's history.  There may have been one or two others who came in this year, but if so they are unfortunately unknown to the writer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ELECTIONS.

 

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RELIGIOUS

 

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CEMETERIES.

     Three spots are especiallydear to the early settlers of Ohio Grove.  When the toils and hardships were over the pioneer was at rest.  There was no "Cavendish Duke of Devonshire" with his five thousand tenants to follow a son to the grave.  But family and neighbors equally royal followed their loved and respected to burial.  The plat known as McClure's Cemetery, formerly McPherren's, was donated for the purpose by he elder George McPherren.  How sad and tearful were they who followed the remains of John Moorehead, deceased, Aug. 8, 1836, to the dedication of that sacred spot.  This was the first funeral service in Ohio Grove.  The first death of a pioneer; the beginning of that funeral march that has so oft been resumed in subsequent years.  The yard is dotted with graves.  Here lie Ashford Hardy, George McPherren, George W. Stephens, John M. Walker,

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Thomas Moorehead, Dorcas Moorehead, Barnet Unangst and wife, Wm. Smith, Mrs. Wm. Dilley; the Browns, Calhouns, Benjamin Decker, Bentleys, McKees, Guthries and others.  The Candor graveyard was dedicated by the burial of Mrs. Thomas Candor.  The ground was set apart for a cemetery by Thomas Candor.  He now rests near his loved companion.  Here too lie Samuel, and Joshua W., and Samuel P. Cabeen, and others of the families of that name.  Judge Wm. G. Hayes, so long an honor to himself and his people, found a resting place here.  Wm. I. Nevius, Henry Kimel, Capt. James Burnet, John Seaton, and wife, Wm. R. McCreight, James H. McCreight, James McBride, Dennis Conner and wife Mary, Dr. A. B. Campbell, John Cameron; the Websters, Williamses, Dittos, Joneses and others.
     The United Presbyterian cemetery was so called from the donor of the ground, William Miller, a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church.  Its sod covers the bodies of Robert and Samuel Miller, Nancy Miller, T. E. Home and Wm. G. Paxton. Thomas B. More of company A, 30th Ill. Vols., to whose memory is inscribed: