A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 50

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 50

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).

The area of Jefferson Township is 14,940 acres. The value of the real estate is $49,660; personal property, $25,013, making a total valuation of $74,673. It ranks 14th in area, 15th in population, (smallest), 16th in real es- tate, 16th in personal property and 16th in total of both.

Topography.

Jefferson contains very hilly and rough land, but also some very good farm land. In the southeast corner, the Valley of Long Run contains good farms. Southwest of the center and extending to the eastern boundary of Valley Township is a strip of bottom land on Marsh's Run, that is very produc- tive farm land. On Blue Run are found the widest fertile bottoms, but in the region called "Flat Wood" is a large area of level high land that produces well, both grain and fruits. Fallen Timber Valley, in the north-east corner, is narrow but it contains some good farms. Jefferson has a great many hills but all of them can be profitably cultivated in berries, peaches and other fruits. Except Vernon, Jefferson is the roughest township east of the Scioto river.

Officers.

The township officers in 1851 were: Treasurer, James L. Thomas; Clerk, Leonard Groniger; Justices of the Peace, Mark Snyder and Isaac N. Johnson; Constables, Thomas Carlisle, John Stewart and O. B. Murphy. The present township officers are: Clerk, T. Frank Craig; Treasurer, P. H. Reinoehl; Trustees, John Shuman, Jerry Field and W: L. McCain; Justices of the Peace, James McWilliams and Jared Spriggs; Constable, Stephen Keller.

Jefferson Township has no furnaces nor factories, and never has had but three mills, one water power, one horse power and one steam power.

Schools.

There are few townships but have a better school system than Jefferson. In 1851, Jefferson had eight schools, one special and 7 sub-districts. The fol- lowing is copied from its first records. District Number 1, 78 youth, $64.13 school fund: District No. 2, 67 youth, $55.08 school fund; District No. 3, 71 youth, $58.38 school fund; District No. 4, 39 youth, $32.06 school fund; District No. 5, 63 youth, $51.80 school fund; District No. 6, 60 youth, $49.35 school fund; District No 7, 34 youth, $27.96 school fund; Special District, 54 youth, $48.91 school fund. The township fund for the same year was $69.81.

Jefferson Township at present has five schools, as follows: District 1, Munn's School, 41 pupils; District 2, Flat Woods, 39 pupils; District 3, Black Run, 36 pupils; District 4, Blue Run, 39 pupils; District 5, Fallen Timber, 60 pupils. The term is seven months and the teachers' wages are $30.00 per mouth. Two of the school buildings, Flat Woods and Fallen Timber, are nearly new. The average value of each school house and site is about $500.

Churches.

Blue Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and a church built in 1859. Rev. Harrison Willis was the first pastor. The first trustees were: James Varner, Milton Deselen and John Morgan. The original members were: John Morgan and wife; Abner Field and wife; Samuel Miller and wife; Jared

378

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

Spriggs and wife; Eliza Varner, James Varner and wife and Mrs. Nancy Mar- shall. The pastor is Rev. G. E. Hughes.

Fallen Timber Christian Church was organized in 1865. The first pastor was Rev. Asa Eblin. The membership of the church is nearly 100 and the Sun- day School is large. Edward McWilliams is Superintendent of the Sunday School.

Flat Woods Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1876. The first pastor was Rev. Perry Orr and the trustees were: Hamilton Myers, Nich- olas Funk and Jared Spriggs. The original members were David Crull and wife; William Porter and wife; Henry Bricker and wife; Abigail Crull, Cath- erine Farmer and Rachel Ralphsnider. The pastor is Rev. W. W. Gadd. The church has about fifty members and a large Sunday School.

Cemeteries.

Jefferson Township Cemeteries are fenced and kept at the expense of the township. The Morgan Cemetery is located on the high hill back of the Blue Run Church. Here are buried some of the oldest pioneers of Jefferson, but few if any of their graves have record stones from which data can be obtained. The Jacobs Cemetery is located on Fallen Timber Run. None of the old pioneers' graves can be found in this.

Flat Woods Cemetery is near the Flat Woods Church on Stony Hill. The Hickman Cemetery is on the farm of Jacob Hickman.

Perhaps the most noteworthy grave in Jefferson Township is that of Major James Munn, who was buried on top of the hill near Oertel Corner, on the Portsmouth and Harrisonville turnpike. It is well cared for and the grave can be seen from the road near the Oertel homestead. While it has no stone, it is well known.

MADISON TOWNSHIP

was named for James Madison, the fourth President. It was originally part of Union and Seal Townships. In 1810, Madison was one of the ten Town- ships of the County. March 2, 1840; Sections 13 and 14 were taken from Jeffer- son Township and attached to Madison. See Commissioners' Journal of that date, page 231.

Topography.

Madison Township is very hilly, but it has a large area of level high land extending from Pike County nearly to Harrison Township on a line south from California, Pike County. This region known as "The Flats," averages three miles wide and contains good farm lands. West of this is the Rocky Fork Valley separated from the "Flats" by a range of low hills. This valley is not wide but contains some very fertile land. To the east of the "Flats" are several ranges of hills, some high ones, which extend to the valley of Brushy Fork, or the largest branch of the Little Scioto. Here also are first rate farm lands. Although more than half of Madison is hilly, at least seven-eights of it are tillable and productive land. Most of the hills can be cultivated.

Old Settlers.

Madison Township was settled as early as 1797, on Rocky and Brushy forks of Little Scioto river. The first persons born in the Township of whom a record has been preserved were Thomas Bennett born June, 1800 and Wil- liam Bennett born July, 1802. Some of the oldest settlers are: John, Thaddeus, Robert and Caleb Bennett, Jacob and Joseph Rickey, Edward Dawson, Absa- lom Pyles, Daniel Dodge, Aaron Miller, Joseph, Benjamin and Ephriam Rock- well, Peter Lagore, Moses Mault, George Adams, George and William Dever. Moses Barnabus, Solomon, Aaron and Jesse Monroe and Daniel Mckinney. Of the early settlers, but two are living: Ephriam Rickey, aged 82 and L. D. Mckinney, aged 86. The Bennets were about the first settlers, some were

379

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

Yankees from New York and New England and some were from Virginia, The Browns came from New England and the Maults from South Carolina.

The exact area of Madison Township is 32,322 acres. The value of its real estate was $231,990, and its personal property was $82,684 making a total valuation of $314,674.

Mills.

Madison is a purely agricultural Township. It has no factories nor fur- naccs. It has had eight mills, two of which still stand but they are almost abandoned. The following are noted:

In 1807, Martin Collings built a grist mill on Brushy Fork at the same place where Martin's Mill now stands. In 1812, it was abandoned.

In 1824, John Higgins built a grist mill on the farm of John Wilson. It was the only horse power mill in the Township. He built it by subscriptions of work and when the timber was all ready the mill-wright, E. B. Marritt, agreed to start the mill for a young horse which Mr. Higgins own- ed. It ran until 1839,

In 1831, Ebenezer Corwin built a saw and grist mill on Rocky Fork, near what is called the Dodge Corners. Corwin ran it six years and sold it to Lyons Dodge. Dodge ran it five years and the creek washed around the dam and the mill was abandoned.

Wallace Mill is in the southeast corner of the Township on Rocky Fork, a branch of Little Scioto river. It was built in 1840, by John White and af- terwards became the property of Isaac Wheeler who sold it to William Wheel- er. In 1870, Samuel Wallace bought the mill, hence its name. It is now the property of Joseph Stockham, As a flour mill its day of usefulness is past.

Churches.

Madison Baptist Church was the first in the Township. It was founded in 1825 by Thaddeus Bennett. Among the first members were Thaddeus Ben- nett and wife, William Crawford and wife, Jacob Rickey and wife. The first services were held in private houses, but in 1836 a log church was built, In 1868, this was replaced by a frame church which was destroyed by fire ten years later. A new church was built about 1890 and is still standing. The present membership is about 35. No regular minister is employed. The last services were conducted by Rev. J. B. Carter, of Portsmouth. The Sunday School numbers about 40.

Fairview Free-Will Baptist Church was organized in 1880. It has a membership of about 75. The church stands northwest of the Noble school house. The minister is Rev. William Rissinger. The Sunday School has about 50 pupils.

The United Brethren Church was organized in 1867. A church was built which stood nearly 20 years, A new and better church was built about 1887 which still stands.

Harrison Union Church. In 1874, the Free-Will Baptist and the United Brethren Societies built a church near the southern line of Madison Township on the Dever pike about 2 miles east of Harrisonville. This church was free for all denominations, when not used by the Free-Will Baptists, and the Unit- ed Brethren. The United Brethren Society was organized by Rev. Jesse Mc- Cann. The Free-Will Baptist Society was organized by Samuel Erwin and wife.

Hamilton Free-Will Baptist Church is near the eastern edge of the Township. The church was organized and the building completed in 1881. It had thirty members at organization. The pastor is Rev. Alva Crabtree.

Glendale Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and the house built in 1894. The pastor is Rev. G. E, Hughes. Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and the building erected about 1880. The pastor is Rev. G. E. Hughes.

White Gravel United Brethren Church was organized at Mt. Carmel in 1860. The building stood near the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. It was destroyed by fire in 1863. The present building at White Gravel was erected about 1869. The pastor is Rev. Hoffman.

----

380

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

Officers.

The officers of Madison Township for the year 1902 are: Treasurer, Thomas M. Kent; Clerk, J. M. Mohat; Assessor, John Alexander; Justices of the Peace, John L. Samson and J. W. Jackson; Trustees, J. B. Bennett, Allen Stockham and Samson Sherer; Constable, J H. Dewey.

Schools.

Madison Township has eleven schools (Mohat's school No. 9 is aban- doned) as follows:

No. 1. Adams, 54 pupils. No. 2. Fairview, 50 pupils. No. 3. "Hard Scrabble," 24 pupils. No. 4. Stockhams, 47 pupils. No. 5. Mt. Carmel, 42 pupils. No. 6. Dewey, 44 pupils. No. 7. Glade, 40 pupils. No. 8. Salem, 53 pupils. No. 10. White, 66 pupils. No. 11. White Gravel, 35 pupils. No. 12. Oak Grove, 35 pupils.

The term of school is seven months. Numbers 1, 2, 4, 10 and 12 pay $35 per month; Nos. 3 and 11, $30 per month and 5, 6, 7 and 8, $33 per month.

The schools of Madison Township have made a marked improvement in the past year which is due to the earnest efforts of the Madison Township Teacher's Association and the co-operation of the Board of Education. Al- though the wages are small, the, schools are among the best of Scioto County. The value of her school property is about $6,000.

Cemeteries.

Kronk Cemetery on Jacob Kronk's farm and enclosing about 1 acre, is not one of the oldest but one of the best kept of all the Madison Township burial grounds. It is not a family cemetery, but is used by the public, al- though not a Township cemetery.

Martin's Cemetery is in the western part of the Township near James S. Rickey's farm. It contains some very old graves, but the oldest legible re- cord is "James S. Rockwell, died February 15, 1835, aged 71 years, 11 months, 9 days." It covers about one acre of land and is open to the public, but is not controlled by the Township.

The Carmel Cemetery is near Mt. Carmel school house and contains about one acre. The following is the oldest inscription: George W. Swaim, died March 9, 1862, aged 45 years, 5 months and 16 days.

Bennett's Cemetery is situated 1-4 mile south of Fairview Church, and contains about 3-4 of an acre. The following is the oldest inscription: Ellinor Bennett, died January 26, 1834, in her 61st year.

Bennett's Cemetery is situated 1-4 mile northeast of Harrisonville, on the farm of Thomas Bennett. It contains about 3-4 of an acre. The oldest inscription is: John Bennett, died June 4, 1845, in the 79th year of his age.

Glendale Cemetery contains about 1 1-2 acres in the southwest corner of the Township. It is the old Presbyterian Churchyard. The oldest grave is that of Robert Anderson, Senior, who died June 17, 1855, at the age of 83.

The Adams Cemetery on the farm of William Adams in the northwest corner of the Township contains about 1-2 acre. The oldest inscription is: Catherine, wife of Nathan Gilliland, died January 2, 1850, aged 24 years, 7 months and 7 days.

Hamilton or Jenkins Cemetery is situated near the eastern edge of the Township.

Squires Cemetery located one mile north of Harrisonville, contains 5 acres. The following are some of the inscriptions: M. Bennett, died 1815, at the age of 83, 11 children, 68 grandchildren, and 71 great-grandchildren. William Stockham, died 1815, at the age of 67 years. Hon. Samuel Crull born July 24, 1780, died October 3, 1854. Daniel May

Mckinney, born 17, 1787, died June 3, 1831. Catherine, wife of Daniel Mckinney, born February 9, 1789, died September 4, 1875. L. D. Mckinney, born June 17, 1816, died -. Icybinda, his wife, born February 26, 1819, died June 29, 1886. William Slat- tery, born March 2, 1809, died February 12, 1881. William Slattery, died March 1, 1847, in the 76th year of his age. Samuel Crull, died November 19, 1872, aged 62 years, 11 months. Joseph Stockham, died July 7, 1833, aged 49 years and 12 days.

381

MORGAN TOWNSHIP.

Organization, Boundary, Etc.

It was formerly parts of Seal and Union, and was organized June 7, 1825. It was named for Thomas Morgan, an early settler. It was first settled on the Scioto river and on Bear Creek near its mouth, about 1800.

Some of the first settlers were: John and William Devers, Thomas Mor- gan, Abraham Glaze, Isaac Glaze, David Shelpman, Spicer Shelpman, Pliny Cutler, Joshua Cutler, Aaron Noel. There was also a settlement of Murphys, Walls, McCullochs and Corbleys.

The boundaries were: Beginning at John Dever's lower line on the Scioto river, following said line to the west end thereof; thence in a direct line to Comstock's cabin on McCulloch Creek; thence in a direct line to the County line between Scioto and Pike Counties, so as to include twenty-two square miles for said township; thence with said County line to the Scioto river; thence with the meanders of the said river to the place of beginning. There have been no important changes in the boundary.

The value of the Township real estate is $107,500; personal property, $35,190, and the total valuation is $142,694. Among the Townships, it ranks twelfth in population; thirteenth in value of real estate; fifteenth in the value of personal property and thirteenth in total value of both. It is tenth in size and contains 18,369 acres.

The electors of Madison Township met on the 4th of July, 1825, at the house of Cornelius Shelton and elected their first Township officers. The first Justice of the Peace was William Devers. The records are lost, so none other of the first officers are known. Nothing of consequence is recorded prior to 1880.

Topography.

Bear Creek flows from northwest to southeast across the, Township north of the center. The surface is broken and contains some very rough lands but the valleys of the Scioto river and Lower Bear Creek are excellent farm lands. No better land is found in the county than the strip of bottom bordering the Scioto. Perhaps three fourths of all the land can be profitably cultivated. There is yet some timber and quite an important part of the business of the Township consists of trading in lumber and cross ties. Morgan Township has some minerals, and petroleum springs are found at different places. At three places in the Township, natural gas was found while boring for oil. There are also a number of mineral springs, similiar to the Blue Lick Springs of Kentucky. Some free stone is quarried in this Township, and small quan- tities of coal have been mined. The main crop is corn. The high lands produce good crops of wheat. The hills make excellent fruit lands.

Churches.

Sedan Baptist Church was organized on Upper Bear Creek in 1879. Rev. A. K. Murphy, pastor. The church now has about fifty members.

The Macedonia Christian Church at Sedan was organizeed about 1865. It held its first services in the Upper Bear Creek school house, but now has a good building which cost about $500.

Lower Bear Creek United Brethern Church was organized in 1845. It was the first church in the Township. Rev. Kretzinger was the first pastor. The services were held in the school house. The first members were: Abraham, Socrates and Jonathan Glaze, William, Thomas and Miss Maria Shelpman. The building is perhaps fifty years old. The church has about seventy-five members and a large Sunday School. The pastor is Rev. William Rowe.

Schools.

The first school in Morgan Township was taught in a log school house near the mouth of Bear Creek in 1823, by A. B. Banes, who continued to teach here until 1830. There are now six schools.

382

HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

District No. 1, pupils, fifty-one. District No. 2, pupils, thirty-three. District No. 3, pupils, sixty-six. District No. 4, pupils, forty-seven. District No. 5, pupils, eighty-one. District No. 6, pupils thirty-one. The wages paid teachers is $30.00, and the term is six months. The school property of the Township is worth about $3,000.

Cemeteries.

There are five Township Cemeteries: Glaze, or Bear Creek Cemetery, Booten, Rinby, Mead's and Martin's. There are also two more public, but not Township, the Rockwell, and the Crabtree Cemeteries. The first four are on Bear Creek. Crabtree Cemetery is on what is known as the Divide. All three of the latter are in the southwestern corner of the Township. The most im- portant in the Township is the Glaze Cemetery.

NILE TOWNSHIP.

Nile Township has the distinction of being the largest township in the County. It is one of the four original townships and has retained its original shape much more than any of the others. When it was organized, August 9, 1803, the boundary was as follows: On the west by the county line, on the south by the Ohio river, on the east by Carey's Run and on the north by the top of the dividing ridge between Pond Creek and Scioto Brush Creek and the Ohio River. But two changes have been made since that time. The eastern boundary was changed from Carey's Run to Stony Run, when Washington Township was created in 1814. The north-western corner was enlarged by adding to it the region at the head of Rocky Fork.

The area at present is 51,438 acres. The assessed value of real estate in 1902 was $240,030; personal property, $61,780; total, $302,810. It ranks third in population, sixth in value of real estate, eleventh in value of personal property, eighth in value of property of all kinds.

The beautiful and fertile Ohio Valley extends the entire length of the township and makes one of the most productive farming regions in the county. Some valuable farm land lies along Turkey Creek, Pond Run and Twin Creek. The Creek and Valley region contains the population and very little farming is done elsewhere. The creeks named take their beginning within the northern border of the township, and have a rapid fall to the Ohio Valley. The hills de- scend precipitously to the valley below and present a long line of rocky prom- inences. The country back from the river and away from the above named creeks is very rough and broken, and not adapted to tillage. Recently a drove of three hundred Angora goats was turned loose in this region as an experi- ment.

In the wildest portions of the township there are, wild cats, foxes, minks, raccoons, opossums, skunks and weasels.

Among the pioneers of this township were: David Morrison, David Mitchell, George M. Kinney, John Tucker, David McCall, George Hutton, Abra- ham Tucker, Sr., Jesse Williams, Solomon McCall, John Calloway, Thomas Cooper and Middleton Harmon. Their first settlements were along the Ohio Valley. Later they ascended the streams and built their cabins there. The first lands located in the county lie in this township, Survey Number 453, enter- ed in the name of James Culbertson, August 2, 1787, and surveyed, March 27, 1788. The largest part is now owned by George A. Vaughters.

The records of the Township prior to 1870 seem to have been lost and consequently nothing is known of the early officers of the township. In 1870, the trustees were: W. P. Williams, A. F. Givens and George Hoobler; Clerk, H. McCall; Treasurer, Mitchell Evans; Justices of the Peace, L. W. Elliot, William H. Williams. In 1902, the Trustees were: Alex. Cole, S. C. Compton, John T. Sullivan; Clerk, Albert Turner; Treasurer, Henry Cuppett; Justices of the Peace, Henry Lockhart, James M. Piatt, Solomon P. Mershon.

383

NILE TOWNSHIP.

The first school taught in the township was taught about 1814. Now there are nine districts in the township, outside of Buena Vista. They were laid out in 1840. No. 1, is known as the Friendship school and has a two room frame building. Two teachers are employed, salaries of $40 and $35 per month. No. 2, is the Pond Run School. The salary of the teacher is $37.50 per month. No. 3, is known as the Leatherwood School. The salary of the teacher is $37 50 per month. No. 4, is known as the Elm Tree. It has a modern two-story frame building with a beautiful spreading elm standing in front. The salaries of the teachers are $40 and $35 per month.

All the above named schools are along the border of the hills. The re- maining ones are up the creeks, and all pay $37.50 per month.

No. 5, Middle Turkey Creek. No. 6, Twin Creek. No. 7, Odle Creek. No. 8, Brushy Fork. No. 9, Upper Turkey Creek.

Buena Vista.

Beuna Vista lies in a bend of the Ohio River in the southeast corner of the county. The valley on the Ohio is narrow and the hills rise back of the village abruptly. It was quite a thriving place once, when the stone business was at its best, but it has since become a very restful place. The village was, first platted by John McCall, September 3, 1850. The plat contains eighteen acres, sub-divided into 79 lots. Loughry and Caden's Addition was platted March 6, 1873, by W. L. and William Caden and John C. Loughry. This ad- dition contained four and a half acres, sub-divided into twenty-one lots. A third addition was platted by J. M. Crockett, July 6, 1873. The plat contained three acres, sub-divided into 15 lots.

The first store in this place was opened by G. S. McCormick in 1848. The first post-master was D. W. Murphy.

Buena Vista Special District.

"The schools of Buena Vista are on a par with the other schools of the county. It has from six to seven months of school, and pays its two teachers $50 and $35 per month respectively. The present modern frame building was erected in 1875 at a cost of $1,500. Three teachers were formerly employed, but now there are but two.

Churches.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of this place was organized in' 1857. The society built a church edifice the following year and Rev. Daniel Tracy was the first minister. The first trustees of this church were: Dr. W. A. Frizell, Joseph Smith and Jesse Williams. Among the members of the organization were: D. W. Murphy and wife; Joseph Smith and wife; Jesse Williams and wife; Thomas Williams and wife; David McDermott and wife; Mrs. S. B. Mc- Call. The membership numbers 65 and the Sunday School averages 60. Its pastor is Rev. S. A. McNeilan, and Miss Mary Sidell is superintendent of the Sunday School.

German Presbyterian Church. This church was organized in 1856 and its edifice was erected in 1871. Rev. Wiley was the first pastor. It has 40 ac- tive members and its Sunday School averages 40. Fred Weghorst is superin- tendent of the Sunday School, and Rev. T. M. Patterson, Jr., is the pastor. The church cost $4,500.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1859 and its first meetings were held in the same building which it uses today. It was formerly an old store room, but was afterwards fitted up for church purposes. Rev. Bernard is the Priest, and services are held about once a month. It has 30 to 40 com- municants and a Sunday School of 15.

Friendship.

Friendship is a small settlement on Turkey Creek, a quarter of a mile above the exit of the stream from the hills. For a number of years there were cooper shops in this place, owned by Andrew Angele, John Royse and David McCall.

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.

A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 50

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612