USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 66
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Hammondsville, lying between Irondale and the river, was laid ont on the property of Charles Hammond in 1852. W. H. Wal- lace came from Port Homer the same year and started the first store and postoffice. A hotel was built by Joseph Russell, and building generally was quite lively that year. The Hammondsville Mining and Coal Company was organized with Mr. Wallace as manager, who also began mak- ing fire brick in 1856 but sold out to Lacey and Saxton in 1858. There were steam saw mill, merchants, blacksmiths, wagon mak- ers, etc., but no church, although the Roman Catholics bought a schoolhouse and held services in it. The panic of 1873 af- fected the town seriously. but its effects were somewhat counteracted by the four
large stores of W. H. Wallace & Sons, which carried on trade in every branch of business only since emulated by the ex- tensive department stores in the larger cities. Among other evidences of their en- terprise they published a newspaper whose main object was to advertise their business. Mr. Wallace continued to be postmaster until his death, September 10, 1897, hav- ing served sixty-seven years in the three offices named, for a longer period than any other postmaster in the United States. He was succeeded by his son, R. G. Wallace, then by George Crook and John Madden, the present inemmubent. Hammondsville appears in the census of 1870 with 504 in- habitants, and after that is counted with the township generally.
The fraternal societies are pretty well represented in Saline Township, Irondale Lodge No. 533 having been formed in 1869. A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was formed in Hammondsville in 1873, and on March 1, 1906, removed to Irondale. . \ Knights of Pythias Lodge was formed at the latter place about ten years ago, and to these have been added the Junior Order United American Mechanics and United Clay Workers of America.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES,
An Irishman named McElroy taught a school in a log cabin at the month of Yel- low Creek in 1800, and at about the same time there was a school on Pine Ridge; in 1804 there was one on Yellow Creek, above the site of Hammondsville. A stone schoo !. house was erected by the Nessleys and Me- Culloughs on the MeCullough farm, at the mouth of the creek, and the supposition is. it was built by the masons who built the hotel and bridges.
In a few years it rose to the dignity of an academy. Here Jacob Nessley McCul- lough was educated, and in material suc- cess he rivaled Senator Sharon, his rail- road and other interests at his death being valued at about $10,000,000. At present the most imposing school house in the
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township is the two-story seven room brick had attended the Disciples Church at New structure at Irondale, built about twelve years ago, with a capacity of 400 children. The present enrollment is 317. Hammonds- ville has a two room frame structure, the lineal successor of the old school of 1804. Port Homer has a comparatively new building. The other township schools are located in section five near De Sellem place, section seventeen, "Tarburner," and section seven, Mccullough.
The first religious services in Saline Township were held at the mouth of Yel- low Creek, and in 1800 an M. E. Society was organized at the cabin of Jeremiah Hickman. It was many years, however, be- fore there was a church within the town- ship boundaries, Sugar Grove and other churches over the line being convenient. When Irondale began in 1869 to grow into a good-sized hamlet union services were held in the school house, which were con- tinued with more or less regularity until about 1872, when the Methodists formed a separate organization and built a neat frame structure. Among the early pastors were Revs. G. B. Smith, A. W. Gruber, J. R. Keyes and W. I. Powell. This place with Hammondsville was served from oth- er points for several years, but since 1890 has had the following pastors: W. C. Meek, 1890-92; A. C. Girdefield, 1893-4; W. J. Powell, 1895-7; S. A. Peregoy, 1898- 1900; J. H. Conkle, 1901; M. C. Grimes, 1902-4; P. C. Peck, 1905-7; J. F. Rankin, present incumbent.
Shortly after the M. E. organization the Presbyterians formed a separate organiza- tion and built a neat brick church. Rev. Mr. Brown was a pioneer pastor, and there was a good congregation. The place has been vacant, however, for the last nine years, Rev. K. P. Simmons having been the last incumbent. Shortly after this the Disciples organized a congregation and built a neat brick church. Subsequently the Free Methodists, most of whom came from Empire, formed a congregation and built a place of worship.
On December 4, 1873, thirty persons who
Somerset organized a congregation at Hammondsville with William McConnell and J. R. Maple, elders, and Isaac Iddy and D. Z. Maple, deacons. J. W. Kemp was pastor for several years, but the place is now vacant. The Roman Catholics also es- tablished a church here, but no services are now held. Subsequently an M. E. Church was organized, of which Rev. J. A. Young was an early pastor. The later have been M. J. Ingram, 1890; H. W. Westwood, 1891; D. Davies, 1892; R. O. Payne, 1893-4; J. A. Young, 1895-7; E. S. Smith, 1898-9; J. F. Ellis, 1900-1; J. G. Gamble, 1902-3; E. E. King, 1904-5; P. N. Phillips, 1906-9.
In Section 17, adjoining the Tay- lor farm near the Knox Township line, is a tract of about seventeen and one-half acres which has become famous as the Hol- low Rock camp-meeting ground. These meetings were inaugurated about seventy years ago, and each summer have attracted crowds from all quarters. At times they have been conducted by the Methodists, and then by branches from that organization, but at present the institution is conducted by an incorporated company which is un- denominational in character. At present the ground is held on a twenty-year lease, of which eleven years have expired.
CROSS CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Cross Creek Township, within a mile and a half of the river and joining Steuben- ville on the west, was separated from the former on June 4, 1806. It is the sixth township of the second range and contains thirty-six full sections. It was surveyed into sections by Alexander Holmes in 1801 and into quarter sections by Benjamin Hough in 1802.
Among the first settlers were: William McElroy, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, William Whitecraft, George Mahon, James and Daniel Dunlevy, Mary McGuire and family, Augustine Bickerstaff, John Johnson, Eli Kelly, John Rickey, George Halliwell, John McConnell, John Long,
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John Scott, Moses Hunter (1797-1800), Jolin Ekey, James Thompson, Jolın Per- mar, James Scott, Thomas White, Jacob Welday (a German), Hugh Mccullough, John Foster, John Williams, Joseph Dunn, Nathan Caselaer, Alexander Smith (who laid out New Alexandria in 1831, and was the first to introduce horse-mills in this country), George Brown, William Moore, John McCann, Aaron Fell, William Han- lon, J. A. J. Criswell, John Lloyd, James Maley, Jonathan Hook, Peter Ekey, David Powell, Robert Hill (just over the line in Steubenville Township, in 1798), Thomas Jolinson, William Cassell, John McConnell, William McConnell, William Woods, Charles Maxwell, the Stokes and the Dins- mores (1800-9). Robert MeConnell came abont 1811, and settled on land later oc- cupied by Joseph and Robert H. MeCon- nell; Thomas Elliott, Andrew Anderson, John Wright, Samuel Irons, John McDon- ald. Most of the settlers were Protestant Irish, and brought with them the vigor and steady habits incident to that people. The country was favorable to agriculture, and after the forests were depleted the Pitts- burgh or No. 8 coal veins furnished plenty of fuel. The township is drained by Cross Creek and tributary streams, from which it derives its name, with Wills Creek on the north. It has always contained some of the best farms in the county, and was among the leaders in wool growing industry. Its location was better suited to agricultural development than to the growth of large towns or cities, and consequently there are none within its borders, and manufactur- ing is practically non existent, although, as we have seen, this was not the case in former days when every stream furnished power to grind the grain, saw the wood or make textile fabries. The cotton factory built on Cross Creek about half a mile above the month of Melntire in 1814 and afterwards changed to a woolen factory by John and James Elliott, and then run by George Marshall, was the most extensive affair of the kind in the county outside of Steubenville. Accounts have already been
given of the early distilleries in which Cross Creek played a prominent part, and the last distillery in Jefferson County had its home on this classic stream.
The first election for township officers was held at the home of John MeCullongh. Mary McGuire occupied what afterwards became the birthplace of the celebrated orator, William Gibson, and subsequently the County Infirmary, the new buildings of which were completed in the fall of 1905 at a cost of over $100,000. It is one of the finest and best equipped institutions of the kind in the country. The views from there and other points along the pike, disclosing three states, and a wonderful array of hill and valley, forest and stream are such that the proprietors of many summer hotels might envy.
VILLAGES.
New Alexandria, the principal village in the township, was laid out by Alexander Smith in 1831; it is on the south side of the township, Wells Township line being its southern boundary. There was a collection of houses here prior to 1831, and Matthew Thompson kept a hotel as far back as 1820. The place was then called Tempo from the fact that Mr. Thompson kept a temperance hotel, something quite uncommon in those days. Mr. Thompson also kept the first store, and was also the first postmaster. Mr. Smith started a hotel and store in 1831. Distant from rail or water transpor- tation the growth of the town was neces- sarily hampered, but it was quite a local center of trade for the rural community surrounding it. The village was incor- porated in 1871, and the first officers were elected in that year as follows: Trustees, John Johnson, Charles Fellows and Charles Wallace; marshal, J. D. Golden. The census of 1850 gave a population of 198; of 1860, 228; of 1870, 167; of 1880, 175; since which there has been but little change.
Wildewood Lodge No. 590 was instituted here on July 25, 1874, with the following charter members: W. J. McCann, J. T.
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Puntney, D. M. Long, D. M. Scott, C. west of Steubenville, and built a saw and Branfass, D. F. Harrah, Isaac Martin, grist mill, from which the postoffice took Martin Solesby, Geo. W. Fellows, Wm. D. the name of Holmes' Mill. He was post- master until 1873, when he was succeeded by A. McManus. The rural delivery also put this out of business, the only postoffices in the township now being Fernwood, Reed's Mills and New Alexandria. Fell, N. B. Buckingham, Nathan MeGrew, James Hyndman, with Mr. Puntney, N. G., and D. M. Long, recording secretary. This lodge is still in a flourishing condition. Idlewild Encampment No. 199 was insti- tuted on September 17, 1875, but after sev- eral years' operation was dissolved. A society of United American Mechanies No. 50 was also organized but dissolved soon after 1897.
David Freelin built the first house at what was afterwards the village of Win- tersville, laid ont by John Winters, abont five miles west of Steubenville in 1831. Mr. Winters built a hotel, and opened the first store, James Mct'oy doing the carpenter work on the building. Frank Reynolds kept the second hotel, and a man named Lyle the third. A short distance west of the town where the road "forked" to Rich- mond and Cadiz respectively was also a hostelry which was quite a resort for driv- ing parties from Steubenville and else- where, especially sleighing companies on winter nights. The number of these car- avansaries here and elsewhere gives an idea of the style and volume of the old in- terurban travel. The hotel at "The Forks" was the terminus of the old plank road from Steubenville. As elsewhere related, it was noted during the Morgan raid where Maggie Dougherty was wounded while looking out of a window, and near where Henry Parks was killed. Robert MeCoy was the second storekeeper and first post- master. Valentine Priest was an early mer- chant and postmaster for many years. Eliza Priest sneceeded him, but the dimin- ishing importance of the village and the establishment of rural delivery has since abolished the postoffice. The population is given at 107 m 1840, at 121 in 1850, 127 in 1860, and 113 in 1870, and is now about 100.
On the opening of the Steubenville & Indiana Railroad Thomas Holmes started a small store and postoffice about ten miles
The developments of the Gould oil field a few years ago made some industrial ex- citement in the southern part of the town- ship, but like all movements of that kind it was transitory. There has lately been some oil and gas development about New Alex- andria, and the Steubenville field extends into the eastern side of the township. The Pan Handle and Wabash systems give a rail outlet to the central and southern sec- tions, and the projected Steubenville and C'anton electric line will traverse the north- ern end.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There were said to be schools in Cross Creek Township as early as 1800, but the first authentic record of such is one which was standing in 1804 near what is known as No. 4 school house on land afterwards owned by Mrs. Usher Stark, the first teach- er being an Irishman named Green. It is worth while to note here the extent to which the Irish schoolmaster figured in the edu- rational development of the northern and central sections of the county as the Quakers or Friends did in the southern. A schoolmaster named Evans held forth in a log cabin in Distriet No. 1 in 1807. A subscription school was taught in the Long settlement in 1809, Mr. Morrow being the first teacher. The ox gad was used freely on the pupils as a persuader to industry and good behavior. David Boyd was the second teacher. The subscription price was $1.50 for three months. Richard MeCnt- lough taught in District No. 5 in 1806. After these dates schools were common, and no township in the county is now bet- ter supplied. The present school houses in the township include one at New Alex- andria, high and elementary school near
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the old Hukill school, new two-story school west of Wintersville, one in Section 1 southeast corner of township, Ekey in Sec- tion 9, England in Section 11, Lyle in 14, George in 22, White in 26, and Reed in 29.
The first record of religious services in Cross Creek Township was the result of the agreement with Dr. Joseph Doddridge, who was then holding monthly services at Steubenville, to also conduet services ac- cording to the Book of Common Prayer at the house of Mary McGuire abont four miles west of the city. This agreement is dated December 1, 1800 and provided that Dr. Doddridge should hold service here every third Saturday. Just how long these services were held at Mrs. McGuire's we are not informed, but that they grew into the parish of St. James by the year 1814 we learn from Dr. Doddridge, he remain- ing reetor until 1823, when he was succeed- ed by Rev. Intrepid Morse, then in charge of Steubenville. It was probably about the date first named above that an acre of ground was secured in the southwest cor- ner of Section 33 near the Wayne Town- ship line, as affording a more central loca- tion for the country members, while those living near the city could be accommodated at St. Pauls. A commodions frame build- ing was erected for those days, and we find on December 1, 1816, a petition from the St. James congregation to the general con- vention, asking leave to form a diocese in the western country. This petition wns signed by William McConnell, Robert Max- well, John Cunningham, Samnel Tipton. Alexander Cunningham, James Cunning- ham, George Mahan, Widow Mahan. An- drew Elliott. Gabriel Armstrong, John Mc- Collongh, James Foster, Benjamin Doyle, William White, Thomas White, John Me- Connell, James Strong, Ingh Taggart, Richard White, John Foster. James Dngan. William Graham, Daniel Dunlevy. When the diocese of Ohio was organized in 1818 St. James reported fifty-two communicants and over one hundred baptisms within two years. After Dr. Doddridge gave up the charge, the congregation, which mnet for
worship at White's school house was in charge of Rev. Mr. Seaton until about 1817. He was n man of ability, but drank freely, in which respect, however, he did not differ materially from the community generally, which had a distillery on nearly every farm. He retired, however, from the ministry and purchased a farm near Olivesburg, Richland County, at an ad- vanced age. Rev. Intrepid Morse, the new rector at St. Paul's, Steubenville, then took charge of the infant congregation, and in- fused new spirit. Under his direction a frame house of worship was erected, prob- ably in the fall of 1820. On July 7, 1821, Andrew Elliott and wife, on whose farm the church had been erected, conveyed the nere tract to Robert Henderson, Tom Me- onnell and Daniel Dunlevy, trustees, for the nominal consideration of $15, the deed reciting that the church had been already Imilt. On May 10, 1825, the parish was incorporated under the name of "St. James' Church, Cross Creek," with Ed- ward Lewes and Gabriel Armstrong, war- dens, und William Cunningham. James Dugan and Daniel Dunlevy, vestrymen. The church was consecrated the same year by Bishop Chase. To the few living who have personal recollections of Father Morse it is not necessary to say that he had the courage of his convictions, and with the kindest heart in the world. literally obeying the injunction of his Master and dividing his goods with the poor. whenever al wherever he found a wrong he com- batted it with all his fervor and ability. Intemperance had become a crying evil, fashionable in society, ignored by the church, and allowed to the fullest extent by public sentiment. He set his face firmly against it, both in city and country, and we find the following in a book of notes preserved by the late Robert A. Sherrard, father of the late R. Sherrard, Jr .: "It was chiring the time while Rev. Mr. Morse was pastor of St. James' Church that he formed the first temperance society in it, that was to be found anywhere in Jeffer- son County, except in Steubenville, which
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AMERICAN CHINA COMPANY, TORONTO
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING. TORONTO
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, TORONTO
NORTH FOURTH STREET, TORONTO
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last mentioned society was the first in Section 17 about two miles from present Steubenville or the county, and was got- Fernwood station. George Day gave an acre of ground for church and graveyard. The following spring a petition was pre- sented to the Presbytery, asking for or- ganization, and Rev. C. C. Beatty was ap- pointed to attend to the matter, when the church was organized with twenty-five members, fifteen from Two Ridges, seven from Steubenville, two from Richmond, and one from Beech Spring. George Day, Allen Hanlon, James Stark, Alexander Morrison and James McCoy were elected ruling elders. Rev. Joseph H. Chambers became the first pastor on February 27, 1839, and remained over eleven years. In 1845 a parsonage was built costing between $500 and $600, and in 1870 additions were made costing $350. In 1873 the church caught fire on a Sunday morning, probably from a defective flue, and was entirely destroyed, with no insurance. The erec- tion of a new building was begun at once, and dedicated on December 14, 1873, with sermon by Rev. A. M. Reid. The new structure is of brick, and cost $3,946. Rev. J. F. Boyd became pastor on May 9, 1870. ten up under the vigilance of Rev. Dr. C. C. Beatty, Rev. Mr. Morse and others. I. R. A. Sherrard, signed the pledge of both societies the fall of 1830." At first Dr. Morse seemed to have received little en- couragement in his temperauce work, either from his own flock or from other bodies. But the leaven was at work, and in a few years other societies were formed, and finally distilling. if not drunkeness, be- came an extinct industry iu Cross Creek Township. He continued in charge of St. James' until 1837, after which the parish was served by the following rectors: Rev. Richard Grey until 1851; Humphrey Hollis until 1855; Charles Flams until 1857; Ed- mund Christian until 1863; Henry Lewis until 1866; W. E. Webb until 1868; T. K. Coleman until 1870; Joshua Cowpland nutil 1875; James Hillyer until 1880. For awhile services were somewhat irregular, service being rendered from St. Paul's, Steubenville, and by Rev. T. A. Waterman, Chive Benedict and C. P. Cogswell. There were 401 baptisms to 1874, eighty-one mar- riages to 1875, and 200 confirmations to 1863. The loss of the records by fire pre- vents an accurate statement later. At pres- ent the parish is in charge of Rev. E. B. Redhead, of St. Stephen's Church, Steu- benville. .
Rev. Wray, originator of Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, appears to have preached at the house of Thomas Elliott as early as 1816, and Rev. Obediah Jen- nings came from Steubenville in 1820 and preached at the house of Judge Anderson, later the residence of Joseph Potter. Meet- ings were also held occasionally at the old log school house, later the site of Stark school house. Rev. C. C. Beatty preached sometimes at the house of Walter Hanlon, and meetings were also held at the homes of Stephen Riggs. William Dinsmore and George Day, where Rev. Thomas Hunt also preached. In 1835 the erection of a per- manent building was agitated and in 1837 a substantial brick structure was built in
Jacob Long settled in Cross Creek Town- ship in 1802 and had a class on the head of Slab camp, a branch of McIntyre. The exact date at which Long's M. E. Church was organized is uncertain. Meetings were possibly held as early as 1807, and Rev. J. B. Finley and A. McElroy preached here in 1813. An accession from St. James' Church strengthened the congregation, and a substantial brick structure was erected. It is on Bloomingdale circuit, and pastoral services are provided from that point.
Wintersville M .E. Church was organized in 1835 at the residence of Wm. Roberts, about a mile from town, and in 1841 he built at his own expense a house of worship near his residence. Soon after it was sold to the Richmond circuit for $600, and was dedicated in 1842 by Rev. George Holmes. Among the first members were Jacob Vail, Henry Oliver, William Roberts and Samuel Martin. In 1868. the old structure be- coming dilapidated and too small for the
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congregation, a new edifice was decided upon, and a location selected at the west end of Wintersville. The new structure, a two-story brick with auditorium above and Sunday school room below, 62x42 feet, was completed in June, 1869, at a cost of $10,- 000. It was dedicated by Samuel Nesbitt. Rev. J. Weaver was one of the first min- isters after the place became a station, and among his successors have been the fol- lowing: M. J. Ingram, 1886; Jas. A. Rnt- ledge, 1887-9; A. W. Newlin, 1890-2: J. C. Smith, 1893-6; T. H. Taylor, 1897-9; S. P. Lloyd, 1900-02; J. S. Hollingshead. 1903-4; E. S. Bowers, 1905-7; E. O. Morris, 1908-9.
New Alexandria M. E. Church was or- ganized in 1838, the ground being deeded by Nathan Thompson. The first trustees were John Thompson, James Holmes, Jolm Casey, Sr., Andrew Scott, William Elliott, John Moore, William Fields, John George, Matthew Thompson. A small brick strne- ture served for many years, but this has recently been replaced by a fine new edi- fice, also of brick, up-to-date in every par- ticular. It was dedicated on Sunday, Sep- tember 19. 1909, and preparations are now being made to install a new organ. It is on Brilliant circuit with Ekey's and George's Run, and served by the same pastor.
Ekey M. E. Church was organized in Distriet No. 3, in 1850, and the first Irial in the attached graveyard was David, son of Andrew and Naney Ekey, on November 23, of that year. Revs. Wharton and Kent were the first ministers, and the first ment- bers were James Elliott (class leader), Au- drew and Nancy Ekey, Andrew Elliott. Rev. Tipton and Rev. C. A. Hohes. The first meeting was held at AAndrew Ekey's residence and subsequent ones in the school house until the erection of a neat frame church, which is still standing.
Among the early residents of this town- ship was one "Billy" McConnell, who cir- cled about MeIntyre Creek, professing to be a witch doctor. When butter failed to collect in the churn, or cow's had the hol- low horn or other troubles his powers were
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