20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 28

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHURCHES.

The churches of this township are al- most entirely confined to the villages of South Charleston and Selina.

METHODIST EPISCOPAIA

The Methodist Episcopal denomination first began to hold services in the neigh- borhood of Charleston abont 1814, when

In 1821 South Charleston was placed on Paint Creek circuit and became a reg. ular preaching place. Rev. Moses Traitor is said to have been the first preacher. Services were continued at Mr. Davis- son's honse for several years. In 1828 a frame church was erected on the site of the present one, 30x40 feet in size. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1830 by Rev. W. T. Snow in 1847 and 184% and a new brick building, the one still standing. was erected. Among the min- isters of this congregation may be men- tioned the Revs. Finlay, Roberts, Gateh. John Collins, Russel, Biglow, W. H. Raper, Dr. Taylor, Frank Wilson, Dr. McCann and Jonathan E. Chaplin. The Rev. S. B. Smith was its pastor about 1881. Rev. G. W. Voris is the present pastor.

WESLEY CHAPEL.

This was the name of the church, like- wise of the Methodist denomination. which was located nearly five miles cast of Springfield and which was erected in 1847. Such records as are now accessible state that the charge belonged to the Urbana Distriet ; that those who contrib- uted to its erection were William H. Harris, Absalom Foley, Henry Shugh. David Hayward, C. Moler and others. In the year 1874, the society was disband. ed and the property disposed of.

PRESBYTERIAN.

This society was organized in 1822, the Rov. William Dickey having the same in charge. In the year 1833 a frame church

*Present officers.

Datized by Google

267

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

was erected which was afterwards used ilies in its fold. The Rev. J. M. Keely is as a residence. The Rev. Jobn S. Gallo- the present pastor. way was minister from 1835-1844; James Pealan, 1844-1849, and W. Edwards, 1849-1851.

Dr. Haight, who came to this church in 1859, was the first resident minister un- der whose leadership a large brick church was built.

In 1862 Rev. H. S. Smith became the pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. S. Jewett. Afterwards S. M. Showfiekl and Rev. Kelsey became the ministers. In 1876 Rev. James S. Kemper was the pastor.

Rev. J. K. Gibson is the present pas- tor. In 1902 the congregation erected a beautiful new church, which is indeed an ornament to the village. Dedication serv- ices were recently held in the building.

CATHOLIC.

The Catholics have a large and flour- ishing church in the village of Charles- ton. The first services here were held in 1850, when Father Howard celebrated mass in the hotel. Along and after this time a section house of the Little Miami railroad was utilized for church purposes. In 1858 Father Blake made arrangements to get the old Presbyterian Church. In 1865 the lot upon which the present church stands was purchased. The cor- nerstone was laid in that year and dedi- cated in 1866 by J. B. Pursell. Rev. John Kennedy was pastor in 1873. The Rev. William Grennen in 1874. It was during his pastorate that the residence was pur- chased for the priest. Rev. C. M. Leard- ing beemine pastor in 1877. The church is active and numbers about eighty fam-

In 1906 a magnificent church was erect- ed upon a site neighboring that of the old church, and it is probably the most in- pressive building in the town. Steps are now being taken for the construction of an elegant parsonage.

SELMA METHODIST.

The first services were held by this de- nomination ahont 1828. In 1830 they ererted a church which went by the name of Brooks' Meeting House. About the year 1842 this church became divided on the slavery question. The extremists withdrew and organized a society at Cortsville. Those who remained, in 1855 built what was known as the Gravel Church, which still stands on the site of the old Brooks' Meeting House. Among the numerous pastors who served this church were: Revs. Levi White, John Black, William Simmons, Andrew Murphy, Joseph Newson. Allen W. Tih- betts, J. Verity, J. B. Ellsworth, David Whitmer. Stephen F. Koney, H. Stokes, M. P. Zine, J. L. Gregg and W. Q. Shan- non. Rev. G. W. Voris is the present pastor.

FRIENDS.

The vicinity of Selma was settled by people who belong to the society desig- nated as Friends. The original organi- zation came into existence in 1822 and worshiped near the residence of Samuel C. Howell, three-quarters of a mile northeast of the village of Selma. In 1828 there was a division, one society call-

Dia zed by Google

268

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

ing itself Orthodox and the other Hicks. Charleston this sect has had a church for ites.

Orthodox-A branch calling themselves Orthodox left the Hicksites in possession of the meeting honse, and for some time met at the residence of John Wildman, whose house was one mile east of Selma. This branch was the larger one of the two, and in 1832 they determined to erect a house and purchased one and one-balf acres of land for this purpose near the village of Selma and built thereon a prominent frame church. Here they wor- shiped until the year 1871. when they built the house still occupied by them. It is a brick structure, 40)x52 feet. Han- nah Smith is a minister at this place.

Hicksites-The Hicksites remained in the original property. Here a division again occurred among the members in 1843 on account of the slavery question. Extremists held the church property for several years and then became extinet. The building, with the ground ou which it stood, was abandoned. The conservative portion bnilt a house about a mile north- east of the former one in 1544. Thomas Merritt, Joshua Harrison, Isaac Ward- ner and Thomas Branson each helped in building this church. The organization is still in active operation, regular serv- ices being held here twice a week.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

The colored Methodists in the vicinity of Selma organized iu 1870, building a frame church in 1875. Among the pas- tors who have served in this congrega- tion may be mentioned William .Johnson. Edward Taylor, James Ross, Benjamin Combash and John Hammond. In South

a quarter of a century. A colored Baptist church was organized in South Charles- ton in 1895, but owing to financial condi- tions was forced out of activity, and it building sold and used for purposes other than religions. Rev. William Coleman was its first pastor.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse was built south of the village of South Charleston, near the Little Miami railroad and about 1816 was taught by a man by the name of Fair- child. The next schoolhouse was built about a mile northeast of the town; here # Mr. Lanfield taught for some time. Tise next was west of the town, not far from the Pringle residence. Moses Pierce taught here awhile.

Prior to 1830 the schools were kept up by subscription, but in about a year's time they were supported by taxation. The township has three sub-districts; one is that of the township proper, the others South Charleston and Selina. South Charleston is now building a new school- house which is to cost $35,000.

Sehna organized a special school die- triet a few years ago and in 1905 erertel its present commodious structure. Five original school districts are centralized in this school, the building costing $15,000.

The following are the teachers in the various school districts for 1907-8:

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

Superintendent. C. M. Kissell; music supervisor. S. B. Jackson; No. 1. Cope- land, Mrs. Ella Curry; No. 2. Briggs,

OLD PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE SPRING- 1.11.1."

O. K HOI'SE ( Formerly stood on the ground now occupied by the Maune Home;

TRWELERS REST. SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP

SNYDER MILL, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHI' Built 1-225

DI. WIJ. ON BUCK CREEK, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSIII"'

OLD SAW MILL. toft aleat 1-25, where Mill Rim falls into Lagonda Creek

Dlg zed by Google

Dignized by Google

271

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Fanny Westlake; No. 3. Pierce, J. E. the county. The lower part was origin- Runyan; No. 4, Oak Grove, Vinton Bus- ler; No. 5, Thorp, Bessie Severs; No. 7, Carthage, C. M. Kissell.

SorTH CHARLESTON.

Superintendent. Harry Paxton; high school principal, Mrs. E. W. Bradley; high school assistant, Lena Knott; sixth grade, Helen Black; seventh grade, Anna Luden; fifth grade, Jane Martin; third grade. Pearl Heizer; second grade, Catharine Scanlan; first grade, Elizabeth Van Meter: mnsie, W. H. Lewis.

SELMA.

Superintendent, Edward Brantner; as- sistant high school teacher, Henry Laff- erty; grammar grades, Edith Wilson; in- termediate grades, Frances Gugenheim; primary, Lametta Mills.

Enumeration of pupils for 1907-Males, 90; females, 95; total, 185.

South Charleston-Males, 194; females, 163; total, 357.

MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.

BOUNDARIES.

Mad River Township is situated in the southeastern part of the county. It has roughly the shape of a triangle. It no doubt takes its name from the river boundary ou the west. It is bounded ou the south by Greene County, on the west and north by Bethel and Springfield Township<, from which it is separated by Mad River, and on the east by Spring- field and Green Townships. Territorial- ly it is one of the smallest townships in

ally a part of Greene County, when this county was formed from Greene and Champaign Counties. The entire length of the township from east to west is about nine miles. The boundary along Mad River is about eleven miles. The width is about six and a half miles from north to south.

Son ..

While there are some abrupt hills up along Mnd Run, yet generally speaking the land is tolerably level ; at some places, especially in the lower part, it is quite so. The valley of Mad River is several miles in width. It is drained principally by Mad River along its north and south side. Mud Run in its center and southern portion, and Mill Creek in its northeast- ern part, although this stream does not directly touch the township. These streams make the township good for grazing purposes. There are a number of large springs in different parts of the township, which add materially to its value for grazing purposes. One such spring is situated north of Enon, in what was latterly known as the Harshman farm. This spring was large enough in former times to be utilized for milling purposes at or near Enon Station. There was another large spring on Mud Run, which was known as the Partington Spring. At an early time there was a woolen factory there. The Galloway Spring was on the land south of Enon. and Cold Springs is np in the northern part, not far from Limestone City. No doubt at these springs were frequently found the camping places of the nhorigi- nees.

Dia zed by Google

272

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

TIMBER.

Most of the land of this township was originally covered with timber, principal- ly of the oak kind. There was some hick- ory and walnut; likewise in some places, although not very plentiful, were the pop- lar, beech, ash and kindred varieties.

CROPS, ETC.

The staple crops of corn, wheat and oats are grown in this township. There are no particular industries, unless it be those made by lime quarries. Formerly the mills along Mnd Run and Mad River presented quite an industrial appear- ance to the neighborhood immediately sur- rounding them; yet these are now prac- tically all abandoned. There is an ele- vator at Enon Station on the Big Four railroad.

INDUSTRIES.

The Victor Rubber Tire Shops are lo- cated near what is known as the old Hertzler Mill, but are not doing much at present. In the northeastern part of the township are located Limestone City and the various stone quarries, partienlarly those of the Mills Brothers and the Moore's Lime Company. One of the marked features of this township is the Prairie Knob Mound, near Enon, it be- ing the largest mound in the county and is located out in a level field several hun- dred feet in circumference and about forty feet in height. There are forty- seven miles of public highway.

ROADS.

The Springfield and Dayton Turnpike, which is the principal road leading through the township, was surveyed as

early as 1805, but was not finally built until 1835, and after that time was the principa! thoroughfare between Spring- field and Dayton, the route leading rather in a southwesterly direction and going through Fairfield. At this date it fur- nishes perhaps the best driveway between the city of Springfield and Dayton. At a later date the Rebert Pike was built. This road runs in a meandering way, parallel to the Dayton Road, entering Springfield on Southern Avenue, the Fairfield Pike leading off of the Yellow Spring Pike nt Beatty, and is somewhat parallel to these pikes also. The Yellow Springs Pike leads from Springfield to Yellow Springs and tonches this town- ship at its extreme southeastern corner. Enon is the principal village of the town- ship.

Hennesy, a small village, is situated in the southeastern part and Limestone City in the northeastern.

It is supposed that General Clark's army, on its way to the battle of Piqua in 1780, passed through this township not far from the present Dayton Road.

POPULATION.

Mad River Township in population for the last half century has just about been holding its own. In 1850 it was 1.707; 1870, 1,883; 1880, 1,812; 1890, 1,750; 1900, 1,847. The increase of population in the last decade has been due probably to the settlement in and around Lime- stone City.

ACREAGE AND ASSESSED VALUATION.

The following table will show the num- ber of acres and the assessed valuation of the real and personal property, as dis-

Diamixed by Google

273

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

tributed around in the various school dis- his anvil from Cincinnati to Muddy Run. triets:

Total

Frugt1).

Mad ltiver Tp. 12 423 $48102) $341.320 $ 522,340 Mad River

School Dist.

.. 8.174 324.100 177.570

001.730

Enon T.

35.440

23.700

50.200

Total

.21.200 $$35.600 $5447,600 $1.341270

POLITICS.

This is considered one of the Demo- cratie townships of the county, although the plurality is not very large, ranging from twenty-five to fifty.

OLD SETTLERS.

The first settler within the limits of the territory now comprised in Mad River Township was James Galloway, on See- tion 5, Range S. Mr. Galloway came in an early day ; the exact date is not fully determined, but not later than 1798. He came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and, on account of the insecurity of land titles at that time in Kentucky, owing to military claims, he removed with his wife to Ohio, as above stated, taking a tract of 400 acres, partly npland and partly rich bottom, along the Mnddy Run. Mr. Gal- loway was a blacksmith, and brought with him an anvil and a few tools and as he was the only blacksmith for many miles around he had a good run of custom, His principal customers for a few years were Indians, who were then on friendly terms with the whites. There is a story about the anvil which he brought with him that we will relate. not vouching for its truth, however. It is that he made a "lizard." a kind of sled, from the fork of a tree and placed the anvi! on it and drove in pins to hohl it in position and fastened the lizard or pled to his horse's tail and thus hauled

Mr. Galloway was a soklier in the Rev- olutionary War. The next settlers after Mr. Galloway were Joseph and Robert Layton in 1801. They came from Penn- sylvania, and Joseph settled on a part of Section 32, now known as the Rubsam farm. Robert Layton settled on a part of the same section, on what is known as the William Layton farm. Joseph Layton was elected one of the first trustees of the township; was afterward elected justice of the peace, and became one of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Clark County, In 1801 Abel Crawford came from Kentucky and settled on See- tion 27, Range 9, on what is now the property of Henry Snyder. On this farm there is an excellent spring of cold water, and a delightful grove. Being convenient to the railroad, it is in the summer season a favorite resort for pienies and Sunday school excursions, and as a pleasure re- sort is known as the "Cold Springs." The same year James Woods, from Penn- sylvania, settled ou the Joseph Layton tract, already described; also in 1801 William Parmer, from New York, settled on what is the Stilwell Springs. The same year Christian Miller came from Kentucky and settled on what is now known as the J. Il. Barringer land, See- tion 18. Range 8. Shrofe, from Ken- tneky, and Christian Shrofe, his son, set- tled abont the same time on the Bunyan place, Section 22, Range 8; also Myers and Spencer, son-in-laws of Shrofe. Samnel Davis came from New Jersey in 1503, and settled in the west part of the township. Abont 1-05 Moses Miller, from old Springfield. Hamilton County, settled on the land now belonging to the

Dignizedhy Google

274

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

heirs of Melyn Miller, Section 36, Range tled also near the present site of the Eur 8. A part of the farm is still ocenpied by railroad station. the widow of Melyn Miller; also Uriah Blue, on the Hake, now the I .. J. M. Baker farm, Section 28, Range 8. Abont the same time and from the same place came Reuben Winget and settled on what is now the Reuben Shellabarger farin, Sec- tion 6, Range 8. The same year Melyn and Jonathan Baker came from Butler County, the former entering Section 31, Range 9, and settled on the north part of the section, on what is known as the Daniel Baker tract. Mr. Baker came from New Jersey to the present site of Cincinnati in 1790, and bought 200 acres of land on Walnut Hills. He afterward sold out and removed to Butler County, and thence to Clark. In those days the log cabins of the old settlers were thrown open to receive the families of those who came among them to settle, for such time as was necessary, with the assistance of the neighbors, to erect a similar structure for themselves. Melyn Baker, on sev- eral occasions, entertained new arrivals until they could erect and ocenpy their own cabins. Ahont the year 1807 Richard Hudjul and family and Henson Reeder and family were welcomed to the hos- pitalities of his primitive abode during the time they were building their own equally humble residences.

Reeder came from Hamilton County. and, after trying several locations on this side of the river, he removed to Bethel Township and settled on the Jolin Crain farm. About 1906 De Witt settled near where the Enon Station is now located; removed after a short time, and joined the Shakers. About the same time Daniel Mead came from Massachusetts and set-

In 1805 Jacob Reeder came from Hab ilton County and settled on a tract " Jand adjoining what is still known as ! Elder Reeder farm. At the same time came Stephen Reeder, father of Ella George Reeder, and settled on a track if about 200 acres, which included what F now known as the Elder Reeder fark Section 13. Range 9. At the same time came Rule Petersen from Hamitte County; also John Broeaw from Hamit ton County, and also settled on the trail years ago known as the Reed farm, Se- tion 14, Range 9. In 1808 John Amber came from New Jersey and settled on the Partington place. Section 24, Range 9; } afterward moved to Springfield and ett- gaged in the sale of the first goods that were sold in that little village. At the same time Thomas Collier. from Ireland settled on what is now known as the Cyrus Drake farm, Section 29. Rang5 In 1809 Elias Vickers, a Christian min. ister, came to the township. In the #350! year John Tenney, from England. st- tled on what is now the Coffield place. on Muddy Run, Section 11. Range S. Juba Ruse, a native of Maryland, camp about 1812; his wife, Sarah, was from Penn-st- vania, and, previous to their coming to Mad River, had lived in Greene County. Ohio. The first preacher was Thomas Kyle; after him. Renhen Dooly, Willis Kinkaid, David Porviance, Francis Moet- fort and Barton W. Stone: some of thep were noted men in their day, having been nble ministers in the old-school Presby. terian Church, and elniming the right of private interpretation of the Scriptures. independently of the acknowledged stan-

Diyared oy Google

---

275

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

dard of the ehrch. They rejected the Barton manufactured gunpowder on a authority of her courts and claimed to ac. small seale by hand. He was located sonth, near the Clark and Greene County line. knowledge no authority but the Bible alone in matters of conscience and re- ligious duty. Barton W. Stone, above named, was a leading spirit in the contro- versy that ensued.

EARLY EVENTS.

The first church was erected in the township in 1806 and was called Knob Prairie Church. The first schoolhouse was built in 1806, a short distance north of Enon, near the former residence of Daniel Baker on the Springfield and Day- ton Pike. The first teacher was named Samnel Gillalan. The first tavern of the township was built in 1812 by William Donnels, about one mile and a half south- west of where the village of Enon is now located, on the old Dayton and Spring- field road. It was nicknamed "Hickory Tavern." About 1818 John and James Leffel built the first grist mill at what is now known as Snyderville.

An Englishman by the name of Part- ington at an early date had a woolen mill near the headwaters of Mud Run. The earliest known marriage was that of Jolin Layton to Elizabeth Baker by Matthew Donnels, justice of the peace of the township in 1805. A tammery was erected by William Smith in 1816. The first death was that of Mrs. Broadis in 1806.

D. Miller erected the first frame barn in 1818 and the first brick house in 1824. J. Layton and A. Crawford were the first distillers, and James Galloway set out the first orchard in 1800.

The first store was established about the same time that the first grist mill was erected by James Leffel in 1818.

RECENT INHABITANTS.

Among others who have been active, und might at this time be almost classed ax pioneers of this township, are the fol- lowing: Samuel Arthur was born in this township October 20, 1853 on the place formerly known as the Dillahunt farm. His father, JJoseph G. Arthur, came to this township in 1829 and married Nancy A. Albin, who was a native of Clark County. Joseph G. Arthur died Septem- ber, 1887. George Arthur, the attorney, residing in Springfield, who was a some- time resident of this township, is a broth- er of Samnel. Samnel Arthur was mar- ried in 1875 to Rosabella MeCInre, dangli- ter of George and Harriett MeClure. Mr. Arthur resides in the northern part of the township.

George W. Huntington was born in Springfield Township in 1839, the son of William Huntington, who came to this county in 1835 and died in 1986. George W., in 1870, married Miss Anna Hill. He lives up along Muddy Run.

J. R. Athy was born in this township in 1833, son of John Athy. He was married to Eliza .J. Ashen, of Champaign Connty. He still is living and resides northeast of Enon.

A. H. Smith. Jr., is the son of A. II. Smith, Sr., who became the owner of Enon in 1856. He died in 1902 at the age

Mad River was crossed in a canoe until the building of a frame bridge in 1840, ahont 1,200 acres in and around abont north of Enon. As early as 1809 Thomas

Dig zaday Google

276

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

of eighty-eight years. Mr. Smith, Sr., ago at an advanced age. His son, Ralyk, was quite an active character in his time. lives on the old farm.

Adolphus, Jr., was born in Cincinnati in 1850, and was married in 1871 to Sarah Shellabarger, daughter of Reuben Shella- barger. He resides on the old homestead near Enon.

Silas W. Printz was born in Springfield Township April 13, 1848, and married in April, 1879, to Miss Charlotte Jenkins .. Mr. Printz is one of the active, energetic men of the township. He resides east of Enon on the Rebert Pike.

William Layton was born in this town- ship November 15, 1845, the son of John A. Layton, who was a pioneer of this township and who died in 1877. He was married to Angeline Wolfe. Mr. Layton resides in the eastern part of the town- ship.

Walter Rue is a native of this town- ship, being the son of W. R. Rne, who was likewise born in this township in 1815.

J. K. Dunkel was for a long time a resi- dent of the city of Springfield and came to this township about 1850 and now re- sides in Springfield. John B. Dunkel was likewise a resident of this township for some time.

Melyn B. Miller was born in Cincinnati in 1801 and died in this county in 1854. Melyn H. Miller was born Angust 28, 1836. He was the brother of Abraham P. Miller, who was born in this township in 1839 and died in the year 1897.

John Howell was for a considerable time a resident of this township, owning a large tract of land in the easteru part. He was an active, energetic man, at one time president of the Lagonda Bank at Springfield, and also served this county in the legislature. He died a few years

The Shellabarger family were natives of this township, several of the brothers having been active in its affairs, Samtel being a member of Congress. D. E., a sos of Ephraim, was born here October 1% 1826, and in October, 1847, he married Rosanna Johnston; he is still living in Enon, probably next to B. F. Keifer, the oldest man in the township.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 28

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993