USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 53
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
The present capacity of the Company, while greatly hampered on ac- count of the inability of the Railroad Company to furnish sufficient equip- ment to handle its output, is from fifteen to twenty thousand cubic yards per year.
The stone produced by this company quarried from two ledges sixty and sixty-six inches respectively, is a sand stone locally known as freestone, and is of a light buff color. It is used for building, paving and bridge purposes. It is free from iron or alkali, and does not disintegrate from extreme exposure.
The Company commenced business in 1895 and consisted of C. C., F. M. and C. W. Waller, who came to this county from Fairfield County, Ohio, where they had operated a sandstone quarry, and on finding a suitable location for a quarry interested Mr. L. Taylor in the enterprise, who purchased the land on which the quarry was located and with the Waller Brothers organized and incorporated The Rarden Stone Company in July, 1895.
The officers of the Company are: V. E. Taylor, President; C. W. Waller, Vice-president; F. M. Waller, Secretary; L. Taylor, Treasurer and C. C. Wal- ler, Superintendent.
The success of the business since its organization has been remarkable. It has most encouraging prospects for the future and the management is fully able to take care of it.
L.TAYLOR AND COMPANY, RARDEN, O.
SAWED FREESTONE.
THE TAYLOR STONE SAW MILL, RARDEN, OHIO.
397
RARDEN TOWNSHIP.
The Forsythe Quarry
was the first quarry opened at Rarden about twelve years ago, and is now lying idle. It produces the same quality of stone as that of The Rarden Stone Company, and a great quantity of rough stone was formerly shipped from this quarry. It is owned by Abraham Forsythe.
The Cooper Shops
are owned and operated by The Taylor Cooperage Company. These shops were established shortly after the railroad was built and were at first merely a stave mill owned by Guilford Marr. Later the manufacture of barrels was begun. During its existence it has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt three times. It has been very much enlarged and is the only establishment of the kind in the county. It manufactures all kinds of tight cooperage and its out- put is 40,000 packages, worth from $30,00 to $40,000 annually. L. Taylor and Charles S. Brown are owners and Mr. Brown is manager.
Schools, Churches and Lodges.
The first school house stood back of the Red Men's Hall and was built of logs. Another was built on the same spot and was burned in 1886. This year a two-story frame building was erected. There are four departments and the schools are among the best in the county.
The Rarden M. E. Church was begun in 1887 and completed in 1897. This church dates its organization back as far as 1820. The church cost $2,000. The minister is Rev. Phillips. The membership is 75 and average attendance at Sunday School is 70. The present trustees are: A. B. McBride, Charles C. Waller, Alex. Mullen, G. M. Wikoff and Charles S. Freeman.
The Rarden Christian Church was organized May 6, 1902, with 16 mem- bers and a Sunday School of 70. Its minister is Henry Canter. The congre- gation has not yet built an edifice but holds its meetings in the Red Men's Hall.
The lodges are No. 159 Improved Order of Red Men and Lodge No. 562, G. A. R.
Mt. Joy.
The region known as Mt. Joy received its name for Thomas Mt. Joy, an early land speculator who located about 2,000 acres covering this locality. Mt. Joy never lived here, but lived near Maysville, Kentucky. He made yearly visits to collect his rents and to look after his land. The name is also ap- plied to a small settlement in the north-eastern part of this tract at the head of Bear Creek. The post office has this name also, and O. E. Davis is post- master. The business of this place is carried on by H. Adams & Son and O. E. Davis, general merchants.
The Scioto County Agricultural Society,
formerly known as the Mt. Joy Fair, was inaugurated under the auspices of the Mt. Joy Farmers' Institute. The first fair was held August 26 and 27, 1895. Its first officers were W. A. McGeorge, President; D. T. Blackburn. Sec- retary and Treasurer and they have continued as such since. The name was changed the following year to the Tri-County Fair Association. The old Sci- oto County Agricultural Society having become disorganized, by application of the managing board, to the State Agricultural Board, this Association was recognized as the Scioto County Agricultural Society in 1899.
Churches.
The United Presbyterian Church is about a quarter of a mile due west of Mt. Joy post office, and was built about 1855. Its first minister was Rev. Bonner. The church was once destroyed by fire but was afterwards rebuilt. It formerly had a very large membership, but of late years it has only about forty, and services are conducted by Rev. Joseph C. Hamilton, of Peebles. The trustees are W. J. Shannon. M. L. Bonner and W. A. McGeorge.
The Christian Church .- This organization dates its existence from 1854. Meetings were first held in the Mt. Joy school house and Rev. Matthew Gard- ner was its first minister. In 1867 a log church was built, which is still
398
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
standing and in use, but has been weather-boarded. It stands on west Mt. Joy, about three miles from Rarden and the same distance from Mt. Joy. The first minister to preach in this church was Rev. John Shelton. Its members number 125 and its Sunday School has an average attendance of 50. Rev. Henry Canter is the pastor and David Day is Superintendent of the Sunday School.
The United Baptist Church, is known as the "Hackworth" church. The organization was effected about 1884 and a church was erected the following year on west Mt. Joy. The members number forty and the Sunday School averages about fifty. John Carry is Superintendent, Rev. Breech is the min- ister.
Harmon Christian Church, situated in the northwestern part of the township at the head of Rarden Creek, was built of logs about 1875 by an or- ganization of Protestant Methodists. This organization ceased to exist about 1887 and by permission the Christian organization uses it. Its minister is John Q. Law. It has about 75 members and a Sunday School of 100.
United Baptist Church .- There are two organizations in the southern part of the township, one on Hoffer's Hill and one on Dunlap Creek. The former was organized in 1884 and the latter in 1901. They each have about forty members and a Sunday School of about 50. They hold their meetings in school houses and Rev. Breech is their minister.
Schools.
When the township was taken from Brush Creek in 1891 the school districts were re-numbered. The first meeting of the board was held at the Dry Run school-house and Nos. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 13 were represented. There are seven districts well distributed over the township and the term of school averages only three months and one-half yearly. The salary paid the teachers is uniform, each district paying $35 per month. There are 309 pupils enum- erated in 1902. Sub-district No. 1 is on East Mt. Joy. No. 2 is on West Mt. Joy. No. 3 is up Rarden Creek. No. 4 is up Dunlap Creek and the house was built in 1899. No. 5 is on Hoffer's Hill, but was not used last year. A new house is being erected this year. No. 6 is up Rarden. No. 7 is southwest of Mt. Joy.
Cemeteries.
The only township cemetery is the one near what is known as the Log Church on West Mt. Joy. It is about three miles northeast of Rarden and contains one-half an acre, a part of the James M. Scott farm. It is a com- manding spot, high above the surrounding country, from which, in summer, the succession of green hills melt away in the distance enwrapt in a misty haze. In this spot and in the one on East Mt. Joy rest the mortal remains of more soldiers of the civil war than are found in all the other cemeteries in Brush Creek and Rarden Townships.
The Newman Cemetery situated about one and a half miles west of Rar- den in Adams County is one of the oldest burial grounds in this locality. It was made a joint cemetery in 1899. Franklin Township, in Adams County, and this township each pay half the expense of keeping it in condition. It contains two acres and was formerly a part of Garrett Newman's farm. A number of the early pioneers are buried here.
The Duke Cemetery is up the dry fork of Rarden Creek and about three miles from Rarden.
Besides the above named cemeteries there is one on Mt. Joy which contains the remains of many of the earliest settlers. A new cemetery has recently been opened on Hoffer's Hill.
RUSH TOWNSHIP.
Rush Township is the youngest of all the townships but two, and was organized from a part of the territory of Union, June 3, 1867. A petition was
399
RUSH TOWNSHIP.
presented by Levi Kirkendall and others to the Commissioners praying for the formation of a new township from the territory of Union. Another peti- tion or remonstrance was presented by Milburn Coe and others against this procedure. The Commissioners after due consideration found that the peti- tion for forming a new township had been signed by a majority of the house- holders of Union Township; that the territory proposed for a new township contained 22 square miles; that the territory of Union after such division was 22 square miles; and that it was necessary and expedient to form a new township, so it was "Ordered, That a new Township be, and the same is, here- by laid off designated from the territory of said Union Township as prayed for in said petition; and it is further ordered, that said new township be known by the name of 'Rush.' And it is further ordered, that the County Surveyor, or other competent surveyor proceed immediately to survey and establish the line dividing the said new from the said old township as nearly in accordance with the prayers of the petitioners as practica- ble, and forthwith report the boundaries of said new township to this board and that the same be recorded in a book kept for that purpose, and it is fur- ther ordered, that an election be held at the school house near the mouth of Brush Creek in said new township on the 17th day of June, 1867, for the elec- tion of township officers for said new township of 'Rush.' "The Commission- ers appointed James Boldman, Surveyor, in accordance with the foregoing or- der and further ordered that the Auditor issue an order to James Boldman di- recting him to make said survey. June 3, 1867.
The township as it now stands, and no changes of any consequence have been made since the organization, is bounded on the north by Morgan, on the east by the Scioto, on the south by Washington and on the west by Union Township.
Surface, Drainage, Etc.
This township has much valuable farming land most of which lies along the Scioto River. Other farm land, though not so productive, lies along Brush Creek, Pond Creek and Duck Run. Besides this there is some terrace land along the Scioto Valley that produces well for upland. That part of the township south of Brush Creek is very hilly, while there is much rolling land in the northern part, affording excellent upland farms. Though the whole township was formerly well wooded, the timber has practically disappeared. Much of it had been shipped on the Canal previous to the building of the Cin- cinnati and Eastern Railroad. Since that it has disappeared very rapidly.
Brush Creek crosses the middle of the township from west to east. Pond Creek enters toward the southwest corner and flows across the southern end and empties its waters at the north end of the Big Island into the Scioto River. Duck Run enters the township from Morgan and flows southeasterly and empties into Brush Creek at Rushtown. The Ohio Canal crosses it from north to south following the border of the hills. The Norfolk & Western R. R. crosses the township along the valley of Brush Creek and the Ohio Canal and has three stations within the township, to-wit: McDermott, Rushtown and Wharton.
Early Settlers.
The township was named for Dr. Benjamin Rush. The first settlement must have been about 1796 or 1797 by Abraham Wykoff, who died in the town- ship "August 11, 1799, aged thirty-eight years." His tombstone with this in- scription on it is found on the river bank about three hundred yards north of the Bethany Brick Church. Gen. William Kendall built boats and ran a mill near the mouth of Brush Creek. The first boat ever built inland was con- structed here in 1818 by William Lodwick. The Utts came in 1797. Later came Samuel G. Jones, George Heroedh, Thomas Arnold, James Wallace, Thomas Jones, William Russell, John Shultz and Daniel Kirkendall.
Summer Resorts.
Creighton Inn is near the station on the Norfolk and Western at Rush- town and is beautifully located in a quiet, shady and secluded spot overlook- ing the Scioto Valley.
400
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
Camps Arion and McCulloch are equally attractive in their rustic sur- roundings and are ideal resorts for summer outings.
Valuation, Area and Rank.
The assessed value of real estate in 1902 was $142,540; personal property, $59,134; total, $201,674. The rank among the townships outside of Wayne in each respective valuation, is tenth, twelfth and tenth. It contains 14,300 acres and ranks fifteenth outside of Wayne in size.
McDermott
was platted July 28, 1898, by the McDermott Stone Company, James Barker and Honor Barker. The plat contained 27 acres sub-divided into 113 lots num- bered serially from 1 to 113, and is a part of Survey No. 7,630. The chief busi- ness enterprise here is the McDermott Stone Company.
The McDermott Stone Company.
The general offices, mills and quarries of this Company are at McDer- mott, a thriving town on the Cincinnati division of the Norfolk & Western Railway, ten miles northwest of Portsmouth. The properties owned by The McDermott Stone Co. a large acreage underlaid with Ohio's best sandstone de- posit, had been operated separately, and on a small scale for more than forty years, until the year 1897 when they were presented to the attention of Wil- liam and Michael McDermott, two successful and expert quarry operators of National reputation. After a thorough investigation, they decided to pur- chase the different properties and organize them into one Company, equipped with modern facilities, so that the Stone could be produced promptly and shipped in large quantities. As a basis for carrying out this plan, the lands were purchased, in the year 1897, the mills were erected and the standard gauge railroad tracks were built, connecting the various quarries with the main line of the Norfolk & Western Railway. The property was then taken over by the McDermott Stone Company, which was organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio, March 23, 1898, with an authorized and paid up capi- tal stock of $100,000.00. The improvements in methods and equipment have continued under the management of R. B. Eglin, President; George A. Dick- ens, Vice President and John S. Smith, Superintendent, until at the present time this Company and its product ranks among the highest in the building and architectural trade. The mills are equipped with a special idea of quick and accurate work, all material being handled automatically into and out of the mills and loaded on the cars ready for shipment to the most distant points.
The gangs which do the sawing are screw feed and pipe sides of the latest designs. The sand and water for cutting the stone are distributed by a sand pump and conducted to their proper position for doing the work under the steel saws without human assistance. The property is also equipped with an electric light plant so that sawing and shipping are carried on constantly night and day, throughout the entire season. The branch railroad which is owned and equipped by the Company consists of over three miles or standard gauge railroad track built of 56 pound rails, with rock ballasted road bed throughout its entire length. It is a perfect sample of railroad construction. The motive power employed is a standard, ten wheel, Brooks locomotive, and the equipment consists of numerous flat cars and side dump cars. In the quarries, the same complete manner of equipment is followed, all derricks are operated by steam hoisters from a central power station, and all are of thirty ton capacity, very heavily guyed to insure strength and safety. Steam drills and channeling machines are employed in quarrying the rock from its natural formation. A steam shovel is used in removing the top soil which over- lays the stone. Owing to the large amount of machinery used by them they have now established a model machine and blacksmith shop at the plant for their own use, which is prepared to do all classes of work in that line. The Company employs a very large force of men, a majority of whom have acquir- ed their own property and built homes at or near the town of McDermott, giving the place a very active and thriving appearance.
RICHARD B . EGLIN VICE PREST.
GEO . A. DICKENS TREASURER
DOARD 0 OF 0
The MDERMOTT STONE CO
DIRECTORS
W/M. MCDERMOTT PRES'T.
JOHN E. OWEN SECRETARY
JOHN S. SMITH SUPERINTENDENT
9
401
RUSH TOWNSHIP.
Since the quarries have been operated by this Company, the stone is known and sold from Boston to the Missouri River and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The Company has salesmen on the road constantly, visiting new territory and increasing the demand for the McDermott Stone which has secured an enviable reputation and has become recognized as a standard mater- ial for building and sidewalk work. It is greatly admired for its durability and attractive appearance. Many buildings both public and private have been built or trimmed from it, a few of which may be mentioned as follows: The Court House at Williamson, West Virginia; The Kentwood Bank, Kentwood, Louisiana; St. Mary's Home, Green Bay, Wisconsin; City Hall, Whitewater, Wisconsin; Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Virginia; Insane Asylum, Topeka, Kansas; and many others of equal importance. The quarries present a re- markably interesting appearance to the visitor, the stone being formed in natural ledges, varying in thickness up to five feet, all of which is overlaid by a covering of earth averaging from ten to twelve feet in depth. The heav- ier ledges are sawed to size, for steps, caps, sills, etc., or shipped in rough di- mension blocks to destination where it is prepared by the stone cutters for its final position in the building. The few thin ledges in the quarry, known to the trade as Flat Rock. are used for footing stone and similar work. The flat rock used for the footings in the Neave Building at Cincinnati, Ohio, upon which the weight of the ten story walls rest, came from these quarries. Over three hundred cars of flat rock used in the stone retaining walls of the Miami Canal when it was rebuilt through the city of Cincinnati in 1901, came from McDermott. The stone is used for bridge abutments and piers at various places along the line of the Norfolk & Western Railway between Cin- cinnati. Columbus and Norfolk, Virginia. It has also been used extensively by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton and the Pennsylvania Railroads.
Churches.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at McDermott was organized in 1899 and a church building was erected. The membership is 25 and the average at- tendance of the Sunday School is 40. Rev. W. Phillips is the pastor. F. C. Smith is Superintendent of the Sunday School. The trustees are Mrs. C. C. Hulett, Miss Magnolia Smith and Miss Emma Dodds. In this place the wo- men, as elsewhere, have a monopoly of religious affairs.
A suspension foot bridge was constructed across Brush Creek near the Arnold school house for school purposes in 1884 at an expense of $495. James M. Russell was the contractor. The bridge is 312 feet long and 4 feet wide.
The organization of Bethany' Baptist Church dates its existence from November 30, 1834. Mr. George Heroedh built the brick church and donated it to the society. It was incorporated this year with 127 members. Mr. Heroedh was the first Clerk. Elder Burnett was the first regular preacher. In 1898 Rev. A. K. Murphy led a movement to build a new church. A beauti- ful and modern structure was soon completed and dedicated on the second Sunday of May, 1900, costing $3.000. The Rev. Willis is pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Rushtown was organized in 1868. J. D. Baker was the fisrt pastor. The organization remained intact until 1895 and during that time the following is a list of the pastors: E. V. Bing, Samuel Bateman, C. M. Pryor, C. B. Lewis, Thomas Leslie. W. F. Filler, S. A. Crossley. William Donelson and H. Burkstresser, J. H. Rogers, Thomas Hass, J. W. Blair, Rev. Kling and W. A. Hunter. The charge was discontinued in 1895.
Schools.
There were originally five school districts in Rush Township when it was created, and there are now seven. The different school houses are located as follows: No. 1 is on Pond Creek; No. 2 is on Duck Run near the old R. M. Owen place, on the Rickey farm; No. 3 is the Upper Pond Creek school; No. 4 is the Kirkendall place; No. 5 is on Brush Creek on the George Arnold place; No. 6 is on Upper Duck Run close to the Inskeep Stone Mill, called the Han- nah School House; No. 7 was originally located on Dever's Run, but now stands on the Doll farm, close to the Lucasville bridge.
402
HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.
Cemeteries.
The Heroedh burial ground became a township cemetery April 13, 1881. It is near the mouth of Brush Creek on an elevated piece of ground. George Heroedh and William Russell located it and the latter was to be the first interred therein. Russell and his son Robert died September 25, 1845, and were both interred in the same grave. From this time on it became a general bury- ing ground. It contains 1.68 acres and was donated to the township by Levi and Saralı Kirkendall. On July 14, 1899, Mrs. Kirkendall deeded one additional acre to this cemetery for a consideration of $200.
The Hayman or Lucas graveyard is on Pond Creek. Some of the burials are: William Lucas, Jr., died October 23, 1837, aged 31 years, 7 months and 14 days; Gen. William Lucas, died September 10, 1805, in the 32nd year of his age; Joseph Lucas, (Associate Judge), died August 12, 1808, aged 37 years; Hannah Lucas, (his wife,) died April 8, 1857, aged 82 years, 10 months and 18 days; Elizabeth Lucas, consort of William Lucas, died August 16, 1835, aged 37 years; William Lucas, born November 20, 1799, died March 15, 1854; Sam- uel Lucas, died April 4, 1885, aged 55 years, 7 months and 24 days; Sarah Noel, consort of Andrew Noel, died January 21, 1841, aged 32 years, 2 days. This burial ground is no longer used.
At the Brick Church is another burial ground.
There are three burial grounds on the Wilson farm now owned by the Crow Brothers.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Organization and Boundary.
Union Township was one of the four original townships laid out at the house of Judge John Collins in Alexandria on August 9, 1803. It was then the second largest township in the county and included all that territory now belonging to the following townships; Brush Creek, Rarden, Union, Wayne and Clay, and portions of Morgan, Nile, Jefferson, Valley, Madison, Harrison and Porter, Its boundary was as follows :- Beginning at the mouth of Feurt's, now Carey's Run, thence up the Ohio river to the mouth of the Little Scioto; thence up said river to old Mr. Monroe's; thence west to the twelve mile tree on the Big Scioto; thence in a westerly direction to strike the dividing ridge between Brush Creek and Bear Creek; thence including all the water of Brush Creek to the county line; thence south with said county line to the dividing ridge between the Ohio river and Brush Creek; thence with said ridge to the head of Carey's Run; thence down the said Run to the Ohio river.
By reference to the separate histories of each of the above townships, knowledge can be had of the successive and frequent changes in its boundary and the curtailment of its territory. From one of the largest it has shrunk in size from the second rank to the fifth and contains at present 29,918 acres. Portsmouth was in Union Township until 1812 when it was first divided. On November 6, 1814, a part of Seal Township was attached to Union. Prior to 1878, the eastern and southern boundaries of the township were as at present and the northern and western boundaries were the east fork of Mccullough, Brush Creek and Bear Creek and it contained 19,118 acres. On September 26, 1898, a portion was taken from Brush Creek Township and Union became as it is at present. Numerous slight changes have been made to accommodate persons along the border, for school purposes and various other reasons. It is now bounded by Rush, Washington, Nile and Brush Creek. Assessed value of real estate, $85,390, rank fourteenth; personal property, $37,361, rank four- teenth; total, $122,751, rank fifteenth.
Officers.
In 1809 the trustees were Perry Liston, James Norris and Peter Noel; Clerk, S. G. James; 1810, Trustees, James Norris, Peter Noel and Benjamin
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.