USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 48
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186
New Boston
was platted February 17, 1891, by James Skelton, A. T. Holcomb and M. Stan- ton. The plat contains thirty-seven acres of the John Rhodes farm. There are 191 lots, numbered from 1 to 191.
The Yorktown Addition was platted September 24, 1898, by Levi D. and Alice M. York. It is a part of Section 11, Township 1, Range 21. The plat contains 384 lots, numbered serially from 192 to 575. The whole plat con- tains 71 acres.
The Stewartville Addition was platted October 23, 1900, by M. T. Stewart. It is part of Section 2, township 1, range 21. The plat contains seven acres sub-divided into 41 lots, numbered serially from 576 to 616.
This constitutes New Boston, a suburb of Portsmouth and is connected with it by the Portsmouth Electric line, by the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio S .- W. railroads.
The Peebles Paving Brick Company was incorporated in 1902 with a cap- ital stock of $50,000, all of which is paid up. This Company has erected a pav- ing brick plant on the Peebles farm about one mile west of New Boston on the Norfolk and Western, and Baltimore and Ohio S-W. railroads. The plant was completed and put in operation in June, 1902, with a capacity of 60,000 paving brick per day. The officers of the corporation are: John Peebles, President and Treasurer; Samuel Reed, Secretary; and Adam Buch, Vice-president. The capital stock will shortly be increased to $75,000.
The Burgess Steel and Iron Works,
located here, were built in 1898-9 by the Burgess Steel and Iron Company, or- ganized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1872, with a capital stock of $150,000 which has been steadily increased up to the present time. The in- corporators were: John R. Williams, Charles Burgess, B. F. Perregrin, M. H. Ball, Fred Thompson, W. E. Williams and T. B. Ball. The mill as first operated stood at the juncture of Third and Madison streets, and had a capacity of but 3,500 tons the first year. The capacity was gradually increased up to 1898, when its annual output reached 50,000 tons per annum. On June 7, of this year, the plant was destroyed by fire. The officers of the Company at this time were: Levi D. York, President and General Manager; J. E. Jones, Vice President; B. F. Vincent, Secretary and Treasurer. A movement to re-build was imme- diately set on foot. By agreement the site of Yorktown was purchased and platted by Levi D. York and these lots were subscribed for and drawn by lot by private parties, who thus indirectly donated, collectively, about $30,000 to the construction of a new Burgess plant. This new plant was erected in 1898-9, and was at once put in operation. About three acres are covered by the buildings which are constructed wholly of steel and iron. While owned and managed by this Company the plant consisted of a department of four open hearth basic furnaces of 30 tons capacity each. In this department the iron is melted and cast into ingots. The next is the blooming department, which consists of two four hole soaking-pit furnaces, a 28 inch bloomer, a large pair of hydraulic shears, a large plate mill, a small plate mill, an 18 inch mill, a bar mill and a guide mill, all run by a large 24x36 engine. In this de- partment the ingots are heated and bloomed or rolled out into 6x6 and 8x8 blooms, 4x4 billets, 2x15 slabs, and sheet bars, which afterward go to the shears and plate mills. The next is the finishing department, where the product of the blooming department is converted into any desirable shape or size. An-
365
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
other adjunct to the plant is the Machine Shops, where almost any conceivable piece of machinery can be manufactured. Another department is the gas pro- ducing plant, which consists of twelve gas producers, nine of which supply heat to the furnaces and three to the soaking-pits. The power plant consists of twenty-two 100 horse power boilers, two 250 horse power engines and a 200 horse power dynamo.
In 1900, the plant was sold to the Crucible Steel Company of America, and was closed down. In 1902, it was purchased by the Portsmouth Steel Company, incorporated under the laws of Ohio, the same year with W. L Glessner, President; N. E. Whittaker, Vice President; and B. F. Vincent. Secretary. Henry Thomas is General Manager.
The mill is now being overhauled and refitted and when completed will have a capacity of 300 tons of steel per day. The first carload of its produc- tion since being remodeled, was shipped to the Cleveland Rolling Mills, June 18, 1902.
Churches.
The Union Church was built by the United Baptist Organization under the supervision of Rev. Benjamin Porter, in 1896. This organization occupied the building until 1900, when it was sold to the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Portsmouth.
Elias Patton Baptist Chapel
was built under the leadership of Rev. Thomas Peden in 1897. The Sunday School averages about 50. There is no regular church organization but those who hold meetings call themselves Baptists. Rev. Benjamin Porter and J. B. Carter conduct the meetings.
Rice M. E. Church
is located on Long Run and was organized in 1877 by Rev. Pillsbury. A neat church edifice was erected in 1880 at a cost of about $800. The church flourish- ed for a number of years when the membership reached 100, but now there are about 25 active members. The pastor is Rev. Comer Hughes.
The German U. B. Church,
also on Long Run and no great distance from the Rice M. E. Church, was built in 1872 at a cost of about $800. For a time the church was prosperous with a large and active membership, but at present the membership numbbrs only fifteen and services are held every two weeks. Rev. William Widener, is the pastor.
Valley M. E. Chapel
is locally known as the "Five Mile" Church as it is about five miles from Portsmouth. It was organized in 1859 and a brick edifice was built. Among the first members were A. B. Cole and wife, J. M. Salladay and wife. M. W. Thompson and wife, John Thomas and Miss Mary Noel. Its first pastor was a Rev. Loft. There are now about fifty members and the Sunday School aver- ages 50. Rev. Morgan was the last pastor.
Cemeteries.
This township, being one of the earliest settled, contains some very old burial grounds in which have been interred some of the first settlers of the county. They are mostly located on the elevated knobs and ridges where they are free from water and floods. While there are many private burial grounds, there has been but one public or township cemetery established. This is known as the Ormes Valley Cemetery and it was surveyed and platted October 20, 1896, into 128 lots, 17 feet square, and 8 strips, 17 by 16.19 feet wide and con- taining in all two acres.
The Kinney and Briggs Cemeteries situated back of the Briggs homestead near each other are among the oldest in the county.
The Kendall-Lawson Cemetery situated back of the Briggs homestead pike, just east of Portsmouth.
366
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
The Feurt Cemetery is back of the Valley Church, eight miles north of Portsmouth.
Other Cemeteries in this Township are: the Catholic, near Micklethwaite's on the Boulevard and the Long Run Cemeteries.
.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Boundary.
The records of the county from 1803 to 1811 inclusive have been lost. There is uncertainty as to the time of organization of some of the townships organized from 1803 to 1812. From the best data obtainable there had been ten townships organized prior to 1812, viz: Seal, Upper, Lick, Green, Union, Madi- son, Nile, Jefferson, Franklin and Wayne. Green Township was carved from Upper Township and received its name for Griffin Green one of the Ohio Company associates.
Although its original boundaries are not definitely known, it is certain that its southwestern boundary began at the mouth of the Little Scioto and followed the Ohio river up to a point about a mile below Haverhill, not in- cluding all of the French Grant. In 1815, its northwestern end was cut off and made a part of Porter which was formed that year.
It was ordered by the Commissioners, December 6, 1814, "That all that part of Upper Township included in the following bounds be attached to the township of Green, to-wit: Beginning at the upper corner of Green, on the river; thence up the river to the upper corner of French Grant; thence with the upper line of the Grant to the upper back corner; thence with the back line of the Grant to the corner of Green township; thence with the line of Green to the place of beginning. On August 25, 1812, a portion of Green was taken to form Bloom which was laid out that year.
At the meeting of the Commissioners. March 2, 1824, for the purpose of fixing the boundaries of the townships of the county, the lines of Green were established as follows: "Beginning at the mouth of Hale's Creek (now Pine Creek) on the Ohio river, then up said river to the Lawrence County line, then with said line to where said line leaves the back line of the French Grant; thence westerly to the corner between lots Nos. 58, 59, 71 and 70; thence north- westerly to the corner between lots Nos. 63, 64, 75 and 76; thence southwest with the line of lot No. 64 to the line between lots Nos. 51 and 64; thence north- westerly with the division lines of the lots to the lower line of French Grant; thence to the southeast corner of Section No. 22, in Range 20, Township No. 2; thence north one mile to the northeast corner of said section; thence west to Hale's Creek; thence down said creek to the place of beginning, which boun- daries sall constitute Green Township." On March 2, 1832, Green's territory was curtailed to form a part of Harrison organized that year. In 1836, the farm of William Montgomery was taken from Green and included in Porter. In 1841, the boundary was changed so as to include that portion of the French Grant which had been within the boundary of Vernon since 1824. On June 10, 1843, the boundary on the northwest was established as it stands at present with the exception of a farm of forty acres, belonging to L. Benton which has since been transferred to Porter.
Statistics.
Green Township lies in the southeastern corner of the County and bor- ders on Lawrence County and the Ohio river. Porter and Vernon border it on the northwest and northeast respectfully. The Township is sixth in size and contains 24.583 acres. It ranks third among the Townships in the valua- tion of real and personal property, and also third in the total valuation, hav- ing a grand total of over half a million dollars of property listed for taxa-
367
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
tion. The valuation of property, real and personal, in the Township in 1901, is as follows:
Real.
Personal.
Total.
Green Township.
$231,710
$182,445
$414,155
Haverhill S. S. D
64,250
22,898
87,148
Totals.
295,960
205,343
501,303
The population as given by the successive censuses commencing with 1810 is as follows: 1810, 507; 1820, 582; 1830, 965; 1840, 974; 1850, 2,345; 1860, 2,513; 1870, 1,882; 1880, 1,935; 1890, 1,751; 1900, 1,332. It will be noticed that the population steadily increased after the furnaces were built until they be- gan to close down between 1850 and 1860. Since 1860 there has been a cor- responding decrease and in 1900 there was an excess of only 358 over the pop- ulation in 1840. It now ranks eighth among the townships in population.
Surface, Drainage, Etc.
On the western side of the township is the broad and fertile Ohio Val- ley, from a half to two miles wide and extending the whole length of the township. Immediately to the east the river hills slope precipitously to the valley and form, as it were, a sort of wall, with here and there, projecting from the crest great cliffs, some with a perpendicular height of eighty feet and at an altitude of 300 to 400 feet above the valley below, suggesting the towers on the walls of ancient cities. One of these, the "High Rock," is known for iniles around and when the weather is favorable, hundreds of people flock to this place to breathe the fresh air and take in the delightful view of the sur- rounding country. Pine Creek enters the Township towards the southeast cor- ner, from Lawrence County, and winds a tortuous course across the northeas- tern part, forming a wide valley of productive farm land. The rest of the township is very much broken up into sharp ridges and flat topped hills by the tributaries of Pine Creek and some of the small affluents of the Ohio riv- er. Some of the table lands and the gentler slopes are farmed and are fairly productive.
The whole Township was originally densely wooded with trees indi- genous to this section, but all the primitive forest has disappeared before the ax of the charcoaler and has been consumed by the furnaces in the manufac- ture of iron. The roughest portions of the Township are now covered with a scattered second growth of timber and scrubby undergrowth.
The population along the Ohio Valley is chiefly descended from the early immigrants from New England and the Middle States, though there are still a few descendants of the early French inhabitants. The eastern portion of the Township is inhabited by German families who immigrated after 1830, and were compelled to purchase land in the back portion of the Township, as the choice land on the river had already been occupied.
The French Grant
embraces 23,934 acres in Green Township. It is all of Green Township, except about 120 acres. The act providing for the Grant was approved March 3, 1795. Vol. 1. U. S. Statutes at Large, page 442. It authorizes a grant of land to the French inhabitants of Gallipolis. It was to front eight miles on the Ohio river beginning one and one-half miles above the mouth of the Little Sandy River and thence down the river and extending back at right angles to include 24,000 acres. The French settlers of Gallipolis were to be ascertain- ed, males above eighteen years and widows, on November 1, 1795. John Gabriel Gervais was to have 4,000 acres opposite Little Sandy, but the grant was to be void if he, or his heirs should not personally settle on the tract within three years and remain there three years.
The Gervais tract extended from the river to the back line of the Grant and was 376.17 chains on the eastern line, 416.17 chains on the west line and 100.11 chains on the back line.
The French settlers, males above eighteen years and widows, were to have each a lot of the 20,000 acres surveyed and set off to them and they were to have patents in severalty, but they were each to settle on the lands within five years and remain five years on the grant or the patents were to be void
-
368
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
4
and the act was not to impair the settler's claims against others on account of previous contract.
This Grant was surveyed on April 9, 1796, by Absalom Martin and 34 lots of 217.39 acres each fronted on the Ohio River. Lots one to four lay southeast of the Gervais tract and lots 5 to 34 northeast of it on the Ohio River. The remaining lots were rectangular, 217.39 acres each. The back lots 38, 42, 55, 67 and 91 lay southeast of the Gervais tract and the remaining square lots up to 92 lay northeast of the Gervais tract.
The assignment of the lots was made in Gallipolis on November 1, 1795, by lot. A list of the 92 persons who drew their lots is given below. Of this number not over ten settled in the Grant.
Soon after the allotment, it was discovered that eight persons who should have received lots, had been left out and on June 25, 1798, an act was passed for their benefit, Vol. 6 General Statutes page 35. This Grant was for 1,200 acres adjoining the southwest corner of the First French Grant, 640 poles on the Ohio River, and thence back from the river to include the quantity. The Grantees of the Second Grant were: Stephen Monot, Louis Anthony Carpenter, Louis Vimont, Francis Valton, Lewis Philip, A. Fishon, Anthony Magnet, Margaret G. C. Champaigne, wife of Peter LaForge and Maria J. Dalliez, wife of Peter Luc. The lots were assigned as follows:
1. Francis Valton.
2. Louis Vimont.
3. Lewis Phillip-A. Fichon.
4. Margaret G. C. Champaigne, wife of Peter LaForge.
5. Anthony Magnet.
6. Stephen Monot.
7. Maria J. Dalliez.
8. Louis Anthony Carpenter.
Letters patent were to be issued to these and they were to hold in sev- eralty.
On February 21, 1806, General Statutes, Vol. 2. 350. The fourth section of the Act for the original Grant was repealed. This waived the conditions requiring settlement and residence for a specified time.
Original Owners of the French Grant Lots.
LOT NAMES DRAWN AGAINST.
1 Matthew Berthelot, Sr.
2 Nicholas Thevenin.
3 Jolın Baudot.
4 Peter Matthew Chaudivert.
5 Francis Valodin.
51 Peter Magnier.
6 William Duduit.
7 Nicholas Hurteaux.
8 Peter Lewis LeClere, Jr.
9 Peter Marret, Sr.
10 Michael Mazure.
11 Louis Ambrose Lacour.
12 Louis Bertbe.
58 John Michau.
59 Joseph Dazet.
60 Michael Crawsaz.
61 Francis D'hebecourt.
62 John Francis Pervey.
63 Claudius Romaine Menager.
64 Peter Richon.
65 Peter Matry.
20 Stephen Bastide.
21 John Parmantier.
22 Martinus Vandenbemden (now Vanden).
23
Nicholas Prioux.
24 Francis Alexander Larquilhon.
25 Nicholas Questel.
26 Christopher Etienne.
27 Francis Duverger.
28 Claudius Chartier Dufligne.
29 Nicholas Petit.
30 John Baptist Letailleur.
31 Claudius Berthelot.
32 Francis Charles Duteil.
33 John Peter Romain Bureau.
34 James Francis Laurent.
35 John Bantist Gobeau.
LOT NAMES DRAWN AGAINST.
47 Anthony Henry Meriguy.
48 Louis Peter LeClere, Sr.
19 Mary Magdalen Brunier (widow).
50 Remy Thierry Quiffe.
52 Matthew Ibert.
52 John Baptist Nicholas Tillage.
54 Anthony Claudius Vincent.
55 John Gilbert Petit.
56 Louis Augustin Lemoyne.
57 Basil Joseph Marret.
13 John Baptist Gınat.
14 Louis Anthony Francis Cei.
15 Andrew Lacrouix.
16 John Baptist Berthone (Bertrand).
17 Francis Davous.
18 Anthony Bartholomew Duc.
19 Philip Augustus Pithoud.
66 Peter Serve.
67 Francis Marion.
68 Peter Marret, Jr.
69 Francis Winox Josepb Devaclit.
Nicholas Charles Visinier.
70 71 Augustus Waldemand Mentelle.
72 Stephen Chaudivert.
73 Peter Robert Magnet.
74 Stephen Villenni.
75 Jobu Baptist Ferard.
76 Francis Alexander Dubois.
77 Jobn Louis Malden.
78 Francis Mennepier.
79 Peter Serrot.
80 Anthony Francis Saugrain.
81 Joachim Pignolet.
·
369
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Original Owners of the French Grant Lots-Cont'd.
LOT NAMES DRAWN AGAINST.
LOT NAMES DRAWN AGAINST.
36 John Julius Lemoyne.
37 Peter Duteil.
83 John Louis Violette.
38 Louis Joiteau.
84 Peter Laffiillard.
39 Agnotus Chereau.
85 Peter Chabot.
40 Peter John Desnoyers.
86 Peter Thomas Thomas.
41 Marin Duport.
87 Michael Chanterel.
42 Augustin Leclercq, Sr.
88 Francis Carteron.
43 Nicholas Lambert.
44 John Brouin.
45 Augustin Leclercq, Jr.
46 Anthony Philipeau.
92 Peter Ferard.
As will be seen by reading the sketches of Jean Gabriel Gervais, Sam- uel Hunt, and Asa Boynton, the French Grant was sold out to New Hampshire Yankees, and what was expected to be a French settlement became a New Eng- land one. Of the names of the original 100 French Emigrants, the only ones now known in this county are: Valodin, Duduit, Duteil, Chabot and Cadot, five in number. Descendants of LeClercq, LaCroix, Bertrand, Bureau, Vincent, Menager, Devacht, Magnet, Serrol, Sandgram and Le Moyne are known to the editor, but they are descendants in the maternal line. Of the remaining 76 out of 100 not a trace is known to the writer.
Claudius Cadot who has a picture and a sketch herein was the last dis- tinctive survivor of the old French. He was the son of the Claudius in whose name lot 89 was drawn.
In regard to the bill for the French Grant introduced into Congress on March 24, 1794, the Attorney General to whom it had been referred reported on it.
William Bradford was the Attorney General and he filed an exhaustive report over all the facts. He recommended the Grant on April 30, 1794, when the bill was read in the Senate and referred to Senators Brown, Burr. Taylor. King and Potts. On June 13, 1795, Senator Brown laid before the Senate the petition of John Gabriel Gervais for the bill and it was referred. On February 8, 1795, the bill was reported and on February 24 and 25, 1795, it was debated. On motion to strike out the first section, the vote was yeas 9, nays 15, and the names are given. The bill was referred to Messrs. Potts, Burr and King to re- port. On February 28, it was read the third time, and amended in two partic- ulars. On the passage of the bill the yeas were 14, the nays 8, and the names are given. Burr voted aye. In the House on the same day the bill was read and referred to a committee of three, named. On March 2, 1795, it was re- ported back and passed and the vote not given. It was approved the next day.
Haverhill
is the site of the first settlement in the township and was the fourth settle- ment above Cincinnati on the Ohio river. The place was settled by Jean G. Gervais in 1797, as the most favorable spot on his 4,000 acres for a town. He gave it the name of Burrsburg, in honor of Aaron Burr, who was chairman of the Senate Committee to which was referred the report of the Attorney General on the Memorial of the French inhabitants of Gallipolis. Taylor and EIIs- worth were the other two members of this committee. The report was re- ferred to the committee March 24, 1794 and on April 29, 1794, Mr. Burr, its Chairman, reported a bill for their relief. He afterwards used his influence for its passage. When the emigrants from New England came they gave the set- tlement the name of Haverhill for their native town in New Hampshire. No plat of Burrsburg can be found on the records and it is safe to assume that none was ever made as the town was only a cluster of half a dozen cabins for twenty-five or thirty years after settlement. The first plat of the town was made by Thomas Davisson and was recorded April 27, 1848. There were 13 in- lots in this plat. It was surveyed again, June 16, 1859, into 25 inlots and the plat was recorded August 24, 1859. Lawson Drury was the first Postmaster and the first ferryman. A Mrs. Naylor, who sold dry goods, was one of the first to carry on business. The town was once the shipping point for the iron made at Ohio furnace; and charcoal and ore were brought across from Ken- tucky for this furnace. The population is about a hundred. Haverhill station
82 Anthony Vibert.
89 Claudius Cadot.
90 Louis Victor Vonschriltz.
91 Peter Francis Augustin Leclercq.
370
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
on the Norfolk & Western Railroad is a mile and a half distant and Greenup, Kentucky, is just across the river. Ironton is nine miles up the river and Portsmouth twenty miles down the river. There is but one church in the place, the Methodist Episcopal. This organization has been in existence since 1815 and the Rev. Thomas Gilruth was its first pastor. The present brick structure was erected in 1870, at a cost of $4,500. The church has a large membership and the Sabbath school numbers 140. One might search the state over and he would not find a more sociable or more religious people than can be found in the membership of this church. Reverend Henry S. Alkire is the present pastor and Malcomb Clay is Superintendent of the Sabbath School. The trustees are: George C. Winkler, Evan Vandervort, Peter Boynton, Wil- liam Brush and Samuel Crickenberger. In 1892 a parsonage was built near the church.
The Antioch Baptist Church is two miles north of Haverhill on the Hav- erhill and Portsmouth turnpike and was built in 1878. Its first minister was a Reverend Kirkpatrick and its last minister was V. N. Murphy. It is not used at present.
The Gervais House
was a hewed log house, weather boarded. It was forty feet square and the lower story twelve feet square and the upper story ten. A large chimney stood in the center, which had four fire places. One room upstairs was a ball- room, 18x10. The floor was tongued and grooved. It had a single chimney. This house was built by Jean Gabriel Gervais. It was torn down by Asa Boyn- ton, Jr., and the logs used for fire wood. It stood in front, just above where Joe Boynton now lives, between him and the river.
Powellsville.
This hamlet is situated on the eastern edge of the township, midway of the boundary between French Grant lots 85 and 86. Poplar Fork, a small branch of Pine Creek, flows through its edge. Pine Creek is only a mile away. It was laid out by William Powell, John and Washington Irwin and was named for Powell. The business of the town was in its early days conducted by the sons of Powell: William, Peter and Jacob. They conducted a tannery, a shoe shop and a store. The first survey for town plat was made July 31, 1846, and recorded July 15, 1848. This survey was made for Powell and his associates, and the plat consisted of 21 inlots.
Churches.
The German Lutheran Church has the largest membership and it is made up from the German population on Pine Creek. The church is about half a mile west of the town and was built in 1875. The congregation has a very large Sabbath School and a day school is conducted two days in the week by the minister, August Busse, in the German language.
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.