This article was transcribed and originally posted to the Richland County Mail List by Sherry. She has kindly allowed me to include this wonderful article in my web site.

THANK YOU Sherry!

See also Pioneer Reunion 1876

The Pioneer Re-Union

Richland Shield & Banner

Sat Morning, July 12, 1879, pg. 2

At no period of the history of Richland County, has there been a larger assemblage of the pioneers than were gathered together on the fairgrounds, July (4?) th.  One notice of the celebration had been given, and it was thought that, as in the past, but comparatively few of the early settlers of the county would meet  __?  __? exchange views, every one was astonished therefore to find that long before the hour of commencing the exercises, teams and other vehicles were coming in from the country bringing loads of veterans with their families, (these?) with the additions from town made an assemblage which by 10 1/2 o'clock numbered at least one thousand persons.  The scene before the beginning of the regular exercises was very interesting, as neighbors and friends of years agone (sic) met, and grasped each other by the hand, many and hearty were the greetings.  It was an occasion, which seemed to unite the memories of the past with the realities of the present.  Instances were found where those who had been closely identified with the history of the county and who by circumstances had not met for years, now found an opportunity of renewing old acquaintance and reviving past memories.  The weather was pleasant and every surrounding seemed harmonious with the joyful occasion.  The exercises took place at the grand stand on the east side of the grounds and at 10 1/2 o'clock the raised platform reserved for the officers and speakers was surrounded by as fine a looking body of men and women as can be found in any State or Country, among the audience youth, vigorous manhood and old age, all identified with a county as renowned in pioneer historic incident as any in the State, the only defect we could observe in the arrangements was that the remarks of the speakers could only be heard by a few immediately surrounding, but this was a difficulty that could not well be avoided.

The officers of the day were:

President--Dr. Wm. BUSHNELL.

Chief Marshal--Robert CAIRNS

Vice Presidents--J. H. COOK, Madison Twp.; Jacob CLABERG, Butler Twp.; Amon S. CHEW, Bloominggrove Twp.; N. S. GUTHRIE, Cass Twp.; Isaiah BOYCE, Franklin Twp.; Isaac BRICKER, Jackson Twp.; F. M. FITTING, Jefferson Twp.; Wm. PETERSON, Monroe Twp.; John WOODHOUSE, Mifflin Twp.; David JOHNS, Madison Twp.; Thos. PHILLIPS, Perry Twp.; James RALSTON, Plymouth Twp.; Jacob THRUSH, Sandusky Twp.; Marcus DAY, Springfield Twp.; Dr. John MACK, Sharon Twp.; James McCLUER, Troy Twp.; John S. SMITH, Washington Twp.; Samuel STEVENSON, Weller Twp.; Tobias ANDREWS, Worthington Twp.

Gen. BRINKERHOFF, called the association to order, stating that one year ago it was determined to hold another meeting of the pioneers, and that he was glad to find such glorious results.  The pioneers then sang in old style "Our days are like a Leaf," the words were interlined and while both tune and singing differed materially from modern usages, yet they were not without considerable merit.

This part of the programme (sic) was under the direction of Mr. GUTHRIE, who afterwards sang "Liberty," the first line being "No more beneath the oppressed hand," this like the other was interlined.  A prayer was then offered by James R. GASS, of Troy Township, 1812, after which Mr. GUTHRIE sang "Hail Columbia."  Then followed one of the most interesting features of the celebration, the reading of the valuable contribution to the history of pioneer life in Richland county, by Miss Rosella RICE.

The reading of the paper was listened to with intense interest by those fortunate enough to hear the speaker's words.  The pioneers were then called upon to give reminiscences of the past.  Jacob CLABERG responded by referring to the early history of Butler township; he stated that his father moved into Clear Creek township in the spring of 1816, at that time the Indians were his neighbors and wolves and bears were plenty, sometimes as many as 20 or 30 Indians would come to the house, the squaws bringing baskets to trade for eatables.  The first school established in the township was in (1834?).

Other townships were then called upon for reports.  'Squire EVARTS of Jefferson and others then handed in reports which for want of space we are unable to publish.  The association then adjourned for dinner, and in a short time the beautiful grove adjoining the grounds was dotted over with parties intent upon discussing the substantial lunches which had been prepared, enjoyment seemed to reign supreme everywhere and both old and young were happy.  The association then re-assembled and pioneers present were called upon to register their names, date of birth and date of arrival in county.  For the year 1809 there was no response although James and Samuel McCLUER, are the veterans of that year but were not present to answer.

1810--no response.

1811--Lewis K. LEEDY, born in Pennsylvania (1807?), came to county in this year.

    James WILLIAMS, also came to the county at the same time.

1812--James R. GASS, born in Brook Co., Va., in 1796, came to Ohio in 1812, locating near Bellville.

1813--no response.

1814--James RALSTON, born in 1799, came to this county in 1814; Nathan AMSBAUGH, born in 1806, and David JOHNS, born in 1808, also came in this year as did Nathaniel MITCHELL who was born during the year.

1815--Calvin CLARK, born, Aug. 1802; David LONG, born 1811; Robert CAIRNS born in Mansfield Feb. 3rd 1815; Marcus DAY was born in 1808; D. M. SNYDER 1808; John DOTY 1810; Robert LARIMER, in Fairfield Co., O. 1807; S. STEELE, in Bucks Co. Pa. in 1798; Clemens DAY in Washington Co. Pa. 1814; Henry COOK in Washington Co. Pa. 1814; A. L. GRIMES in 1812; Nathaniel PITTENGER, of Weller Twp., 1804, and J. O. HAGERMAN, Belmont Co. O. 1811; all of these are pioneers now living who came to the county in 1815.

Among the most remarkable of the pioneers of this year was Mrs. Eleanor DAY who was born in Hagerstown, Md. in 1787.  This aged lady was on the grounds and seemed as lively as many of those of younger years, her faculties are well preserved, her sight and bearing being comparatively good, and her memory retentive; this family is one of the largest in the county, Mrs. DAY is 92 years old and came to the county in 1816.

1816--James MORRISON, born in Erie Pa. (1807?), Calvin STEWART, born 1811; John STEPHENSON, born in Allegheny Co. Pa. 1811; M. S. GUTHRIE, born in Harrison Co. O. 1816; Reuben EVARTS, born 1809; Samuel (BENNETTS?), born (1796?); Jacob CLABERG, born in Fairfield Co. in 1814, Wm. GARRISON, born 1802; Cynthia GARRISON, born 1808; Marietta ANDREWS, born 1810; Samuel STEPHENSON, born in county 1816; J. H. COOK, born in county 1816; Sarah FINNEY, born in Washington Co. Pa. 1803; John SMITH, born in Washington Twp. 1816.  This ended the chapter of those who came in 1816.

1817--John PETERSON, born in county 1817; Edward WILKINSON, born in Pittsburgh Pa. 1811; Isaac HALL, born in Co. 1817; Thomas POLLOCK, born Fayette Co. Pa. 1802; William HAGERMAN, born in county 1817.

1818--C. C. COULTER, born in Green Twp. 1818; John MEREDITH, born in Coschocton Co. O. 1809; Andrew FROUNFELTER, born (1809?); Henry POST, born (18xx?), Sarah (GASS?), born in Mahoning Co. O. 1814.

1819--Elizabeth BAUGHMAN, born in Licking Co. O. 1805; Adam LINN, born in

Franklin Twp. 1819; Enos MILES, born in Knox Co. 1819; John WARD, born in England 1816; Asa HOSFORD, born in Massachusetts 1799; Mary WELTY, born in Allegheny Co. Pa. 1819; Mrs. H. PULVER, born in Washington Twp. 1819.

1820--John F. LEWIS, born in Springfield Twp. 1820, and afterwards moved to

Madison Twp.; John BISHOP, born in Virginia 1811; John FINNEY, born in Fayette Co. Pa. 1801; John WOODHOUSE, born in England 1808; Josiah MOORE, born in Washington Co. Pa. 1809; Barnabus BURNS, born in Fayette Co. Pa. 1817; John BRADLEY, born in Mercer Co. P. 1809; Dr. Wm. BUSHNELL, born in Hartford Conn. 1800, and came to Ohio in 1805; Perry SMART, born in Monroe Twp. 1820; H. W. PATTERSON, born in Allegheny Co. Pa. 1820; Moses WALTERS, born in Fayette Co. Pa. 1800; Wm. SIMMONS, born in Worthington Twp. 1820; Wm. M. KERR, born in Washington Co. Pa. 1810.

1821--Wm. S. YOUNG, born in Bloominggrove Twp. 1821; John M. SWIGART, born in Monroe Twp. 1821; Mary A. COOK, born in Mansfield, O., 1821; Wm. W. DRENNAN, born in Canton, O., 1820; David TAYLOR, born in Bedford Co. Pa. 1821.

1822--Thos. DICKERSON, born in Harrison Co. 1822; Hiram ARNETT, born in Belmont Co. 1810; G. W. DARLING, born in Monroe Twp. 1822; Caroline MORRISON, born in Virginia 1817; James NEELY, born in Fairfield Co. O., 1807.

1823--Thos. B. ANDREWS, Esq., born in Canton Stark Co. 1807, removed to

Worthington Twp. in 1823; Samuel CURTIS, born in Athens Co. 1821; H. S. MOSER, born in Monroe Twp. 1823; Mrs. Jane LAMLEY, born 1821; Elizabeth CURTIS, born 1823; Samuel CASE, born in New Jersey 1814; L. W. ANDREWS, born in New York 1818; James CROOKS born in Madison Twp. 1823; Amon S. CHEW, born in Harrison Co. 1811; Jacob MUSSELMAN, born in Alleghany Co. Md. 1820; Mrs. Ann MILES, born in Steuben Co. N.Y. 1809; Charles BOALS born in Washington Co. Pa. 1814.

1824--Henry DICKSON, born 1820; Thos. PHILLIPS, born in Rochester Co. Md. 1800; William PIPER, born in Cumberland Co. Pa. in 1811 and settled in Washinglon (sic) Twp. 1824.

1825--John F. MURPHY, born in Stark county 1818, came to Madison Twp. in the spring of 1825; Levi ZIMMERMAN, born in Union Co. in 1815, settled in Mansfield 1825; Geo. CULLER, born 1810, settled in Madison Twp.; E. W. SMITH, born 1825; Dimon STURGES, born Oct. 21st in Mansfield; Ephraim McFALL, born April 26th in Mansfield; J. W. WIGTON, born in Beaver Co. Pa. 1819, settled in Monroe Twp.; Samuel CLARK, born in Mansfield Nov. 17th, 1825.

There are no doubt many omissions in above list of names.  The enumeration comprises only those who reported; there are doubtless hundreds of others who properly should have their names enrolled as pioneers under the different classes.  The report from the nature of things must necessarily be imperfect and the same also may be said as to data.  The list as presented is subject to addition and correction and as many of those mentioned above have been readers of the old SHIELD for almost half a century, we trust they will supply any deficiency as to dates or names and the corrections will be cheerfully made.  It will be observed that Pennsylvania furnished a large proportion of our early settlers, although Maryland and Virginia provided a fair quota.  After the call for pioneers had concluded, the next phase of the celebration was illustrations in the life of the early settlers.  Uncle John FINNEY showed how they used to clean wheat and performed his part to perfection.  Our old friend Robert LARIMER then illustrated the manner in which it was threshed, and did it as well as though he was a pioneer 20 years of age.  The other pioneers looked wistfully on as though they would also like to take a hand, but all things must come to a close and it became necessary for the good old boys and girls to separate for their respective homes.  The parting in many instances was affecting for ere another year rolls around, some will be laid away to rest from the trials of this world.  A meeting like this is well calculated to impress itself upon the mind of even the most callous.  Let us hope that at the next anniversary meeting of the worthy pioneers of Richland County, we may meet the same faces, and that

Providence may mercifully deal with them and that the lives of all may be spared, not only until the 4th of July 1880, but for many similar celebrations thereafter.  No one of the younger generation who witnessed this gathering could fail to be impressed with the glorious examples set before them by the sturdy pioneers, and scenes like these are well calculated to result in lasting benefits to the community.  After re-electing the old officers, the association adjourned to meet at the same place July 4th, 1880.