USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 27
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FLETCHER CHAPEL.
In 1814 the Methodists began to hold services at the residence of Henry Oxtoby and others in the neighborhood. About 1822 Henry Oxtoby, Joseph Newlove, John Stickney, Louis Skillings and others began to erect a small brick house. The house stood near but not on the present site of Fletcher Chapel. In 1848 the pres- ent brick chapel was built. The building committee was composed of Henry Oxto- by, John Newlove and John Cozier. The charge is connected with the Moorefield charge, the Rev. M. E. Echols being the present pastor.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, PLATTSBURG.
In 1846 a denomination of Christians aided by a number of Universalists built the "Peoples House" in Plattsburg.
In later years the Christian denomina- tion has taken it in charge, Rev. Hook
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being the present pastor. The Christian Church in Vienna was organized in 1858 and was built in the following year. The Rey. Mr. Hook is the pastor of the same at this writing.
VIENNA METHODIST CHURCH.
The Vienna Methodist Church was first organized in 1835. In 1842 the brick structure was built. J. Dolby is the pres- ent minister.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Brighton was built about the year 1889 and has been attached to the charge of Grace Chapel at Springfield, the Rev. Al- fred M. White being the present pastor.
The Methodist Protestant Church near the village of Harmony was organized in 1828 and in 1846 a house of worship 'was erected, which was succeeded by the pres- ent one in 1878. The Rev. M. M. Camp- bell is the present pastor.
SCHOOLS.
One of the first schoolhouses in the township was built at Lisbon about the year 1815. Another stood near the old Forman tannery three miles west of Plattsburg, and another in the settlement three miles south of Plattsburg. Some of these houses were erected by contribu- tions, teachers being employed in the same way.
The first brick schoolhouse of the town- ship was erected about 1824 at Platts- burg. The first one in Vienna in 1845, which was afterwards succeeded by a brick one. A few years ago a township high school was organized and a build- ing for that purpose was erected in the village of Plattsburg.
The following are mentioned as early teachers in the township, Joseph Morris, William Rogers, Charles Chaney, William Webbe, James C. Busby, Lemuel Brooks, Hugh King, Joshua Judy, B. C. Hatha- way and others.
The following is a list of the teachers for the coming year :
Superintendent, David Neer; high school principal, Carlyton Henry; high school assistant, Myrtle Wildasin; music, S. S. Hause. Harmony, principal D. W. Coverly; primary, Clara Walker ; Sprague, Wana McMahon ; Brighton, Mrs. Wilson; Tanvard, Jessie Goodfellow ; Lis- bon, Anna Porter; Jones, Little Walker; Newlove, Addie McMahon; Wilson, Glen- na Agle; Plattsburg, principal, open; pri- mary, Grace Porter; Oxtoby, Isabelle Thomas; Dunn, Clara Wilson.
Enumeration of pupils for 1907-Males 200; females 212; total 412.
Vienna-Males 52; females 49; total 101.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
BOUNDARIES.
Madison Township is located in the southeastern part of the county, bordered on the east by Madison County, on the south by Greene County and on the west and north by Green and Harmony Town- ships When Clark County was organ- ized, the territory comprising this section was taken from Madison and Greene Counties, about one-half from each. That part of the township which was in Greene County was called Vance Township, tak- ing its name from early settlers. When the township was formed on the organiza-
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tion of this county, it was called Madison from the fact that a large portion of it was taken from that county. Its width from north to south is five and one-half miles, and its average length from east to west seven and a half miles. Only a small portion of the lands in the north- ern part are what is known as Congress lands, the rest, being south of the Little Miami River, were included in the original Virginia Military survey. The lands of the township are tolerably level, sufficient- ly rolling however to afford good drain- age; much of it is of very fertile char- acter.
TIMBER.
While much of the land was originally covered by timber of the kind usually found in this county, yet there was a con- siderable quantity of it that was of a prairie character, being covered by long grass. The Indians fired this grass an- nually and thus destroyed much of the young timber growth.
CROPS.
The crops usually grown in this town- ship are those which predominate in the county, to-wit, wheat, corn and oats. Stockraising has always been quite an in- dustry of this township. The growth of a large number of sheep together with fine short-horn and well-bred road horses, have given this township a distinction in that line for a good many years past.
RIVERS.
The main branch of the Little Miami River has its source near the northeast- ern part of this township and flows in a
westerly direction until it reaches the Green Township line. In the southern part is found Massie's Creek, so that the lands are reasonably well watered, which with its general fertility makes the town- ship very excellent for grazing purposes.
ROADS.
The original roads of this town- ship followed the Indian trails or led to and from the Military reservations and are not very harmonious in detail. The West Jefferson, South Charleston and Xenia turnpike afforded convenience for a good deal of travel from Columbus and South Charleston, through Xenia to Day- ton in early times.
The Springfield and South Charleston Pike was finished in 1866; this is yet one of the principal thoroughfares from the township to the city of Springfield.
The Charleston, Jeffersonville and Washington Pike was built in 1868. These roads were originally built as toll pikes and were afterwards purchased by the county. The main branch of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, leading from Columbus to Cincinnati, goes through the two vil- lages of this township, South Charleston and Selma, almost diagonally in a south- western direction; the D. T. & I. leading from Springfield diagonally across the township in a southeasterly direction. These two railroads give to the principal village of the township, South Charles- ton, splendid railroad facilities and make it a good place for the marketing of prod- ucts. South Charleston is said to be the most important transfer-station on this division of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
In 1904 the Springfield and Charleston
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Traction line was finished as far as South Charleston. Cars are now running every two hours between Springfield and this place, and are well patronized.
VILLAGES.
The township has two villages-Selma and South Charleston. Likewise it has been divided into two voting places, each forming a district surrounding one of the villages, and known by the names of the village. The original settlers of this township seem to have come principally from Kentucky and Virginia.
POPULATION.
By reason of the growth of South Charleston, this township has made some increase in population in the last half century. In 1850 it was 1,476; in 1870, 1,965 ; 1880, 2,396; 1890, 2,204; 1900, 2,281.
ACREAGE AND ASSESSED VALUATION.
The following total will show the num- ber of acres and assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the town- ship, as divided among the various school districts.
Acres.
Real Estate.
Personal Property.
Total.
Madison Tp. .. 16,785 $
528,920 $256,680 $ 785,600
Selma's School Dist.
2,677
111,960
140,990
252,950
S. Charleston
School Dist.
6.068
219.271
143,150
362,420
S. Charlest'n town 389
241,370
-327,070
568,440
Total
.25,919 $1,101,520 $867,890 $1,969,410
POLITICS.
This township has always been strongly against the Democratic candidates for President.
In 1832 Clay carried it by 131, in 1836 Harrison by 152, and in 1840 Harrison
by 143; in 1868 Grant had 176, and thus the majority has continued in favor of the Republican candidates.
PIONEERS.
"George Buffenberger was a Virginian. He and family came to Ohio and settled in Madison Township as early as 1807, locating on the head-waters of the Little Miami. He owned a large tract of valu- able land, raised a large family of chil- dren, and was characterized as the most eccentric man of his generation. He pos- sessed great wealth, yet was careless, and often shabby in his dress, and defied the ordinary custom of civilized life. Christopher Lightfoot was a man of fine education, and a Scotchman. He settled where William Watson now lives, south of the Little Miami depot, some years be- fore South Charleston was laid out, and was one of the projectors of that village when it was incorporated as a village in 1816. He was a school teacher and surveyor.
"Elijah Pratt was probably the first physician of Madison Township. He was practicing as early as 1818. He lived northeast of South Charleston. He was from New England.
"John Kolso was among the first jus- tices of the peace of the township. He lived on the Jamestown Road, on lands now owned by Paullin's heirs. He reared a large family of children, all of whom are non-residents of the township.
"William Holloway was an early set- tler near Selma, on the McDorman farm. He was a Quaker, and for many years filled the office of justice of the peace creditably.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
"William Willis was an old and devout Quaker, and kept a hotel two miles west of South Charleston, on the State road from Xenia to Columbus, where Caleb Harrison formerly lived. This place, be- ing on so commonly traveled a road, from Cincinnati to Columbus, was widely known, and was a favorite stopping-place for the distinguished men of the early times. Between the years 1830 and 1840, while Tom Corwin was a member of Con- gress, and was compelled to reach the na- tional capital on horseback, he made this hotel a regular stopping-place. He was sometimes accompanied by Henry Clay, of Kentucky, on similar trips, and the
"James Pringle, Sr., came from Ken- tucky and settled in Madison Township in 1812, on Section 16, formerly owned by D. O. Heiskell. His wife was a Vance. They raised a large family of children, who in after years filled well their sev- eral stations in life. Their sons were Thomas, David, William and James. Mr. high old times had at the 'Old Willis Pringle died in August, 1867, aged eighty- Hotel,' by these distinguished guests. four. often tried the patience of the quiet host.
"Isaac Davisson, about 1810, settled a The house, a one-story log building of short distance East of South Charleston. three rooms, still stands.
"Mungo Murray was a Scotchman, and located on Section 12, on the northern border of the township, in 1817. His sons, and his bride made their wedding tour on James, George and Peter, were gentle- men of rare business qualifications. The bed for a sidesaddle. They passed through last named built the 'Murray House,' of Springfield, and was at one time of the foremost of the business men of that city. The elder Murray died in August, 1830, at the age of fifty-five years. John Mc- Collum was a native of Virginia. He settled two miles south of South Charles- ton in 1814, on the farm now owned by D. V. Pringle. He was twice married. By the second marriage he became the father of eight children-Rebecca, Henry, John, Alvira, Evaline, Minerva, Seth O. and Russel B. He died in 1848, aged seventy- three. His wife died in December, 1871, aged eighty-seven.
"David Vance was a Kentuckian. He
settled in Madison Township in 1808 or 1809, one mile west of South Charles- ton, on the farm now owned by James Pringle. He was a cousin of Joseph Vance, tenth governor of Ohio. His sons -Ephraim, John, Daniel, Joseph, Elijah and Elisha-were worthy citizens. The last two were twins.
He married Sarah Curl in 1808. His father, Isaac Davisson, Sr., was an early settler of Warren County. Isaac, Jr.,
horseback, Mrs. Davisson using a feather Springfield on their way from Todd's Fork, in Warren County, to their new home, near Catawba. At this time Springfield had but a few houses, and these were in the brush. After spending the first three years of their married life in Pleasant Township, they located in Madison, as stated. He purchased fifty acres of land, and in time added several hundred acres to his estate. He was of Methodist stock, as well as his wife, and in the years that followed their coming to the neighborhood, the early preachers held meetings in their humble cabin, and. to the end of his days his devotion to the Master and his zeal for the church never
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waned. His wife still lives, and has passed the ninetieth milestone in the eventful race of life. They raised a large family of children; twelve of these lived to become married-they were William, Obadiah, Lemuel, Mary, Elizabeth, Nancy, Sarah J., Margaret, Julia Ann, Maria, James G. and Daniel.
"Phillip Hedrick and his wife (Foley) settled on the north bank of the Little Miami in 1811, on the farm now owned by K. P. Truitt. Mr. Hedrick was a Ken- tuckian; his wife, a Virginian. He bought 600 acres of land at $1.25 per acre. The husband and wife died in 1838 and 1825, respectively. They were married in Kentucky and five children were born to them in that State. Their children were Samuel, Lewis, David, Isaac, Henry, Joseph, Anna, Mahala and Rebecca. He assisted to lay out South Charleston in 1815.
Quaker, an Abolitionist and an ardent fol- lower of Tom Paine. His children- Isaac, William, Charles and Mary (Mrs. D. O. Heiskell)-inherited the sterling qualities of the father. He died in 1858, aged sixty. His wife died the next year, aged fifty-eight.
"Robert Houston was born in Scott County, Kentucky, April 11, 1800. At the age of twelve years he came to Ohio with his parents. He studied medicine at Springfield, Ohio, and began the practice of his profession at South Charleston in July, 1821. He married Eliza Pearce November 25. 1822, and became the father of twelve children. He continued the practice of medicine forty-four years successively in this village. In 1865 he removed to Champaign County, Illinois, where he died July 11, 1872, aged seventy- two years. He was an ardent Whig, a zealous Republican and for nearly fifty years was a consistent and useful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
"Charles Paist was a native of Dela- ware County, Pennsylvania. He was married to Abigail Perkins, of Wilming- "Samuel Thomas and family came to Madison Township about 1814, where he remained until his death in 1867, his wife dying in 1871. He was a native of Dela- ware, born in 1785, and was married in Warren County, Ohio, to Mary St. John, a native of New York, born in 1783. They had nine children, and their eldest child, John, is now residing in the township, at the age of seventy-two." ton, Ohio. He settled on the head-waters of Massie's Creek on the Columbus and Xenia Road, in 1815, and there built a store and carried on merchandising sev- eral years. He was the first merchant of Madison Township. He moved to South Charleston in 1824, and there continued merchandising for some time. He served one term' as association judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and was one of the leading Abolitionists of his time, be- RECENT INHABITANTS. ing far in advance of the public senti- ment of that day. The first anti-slavery Among those who have lived in this township and been prominent in public affairs more recently than the old ing: address ever made in South Charleston was made from the porch of his residence . on Columbus Street. He was a medley pioneers above mentioned are the follow- . of contraditions, being a Democrat, a
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
John Rankin, deceased about 1903, was a long time resident of this township. He was born December 16, 1811, in Maryland. In the spring of 1845 in connection with his brother Albert, he opened a dry goods store in South Charleston, conducting this enterprise until 1865. In 1863 he organ- ized the First National Bank of South Charleston. This bank was continued as a national bank until 1877, then was re- organized as the Bank of South Charles- - ton, with Mr. Rankin as president. He continued as such until his death. He was married in 1855 to Charity A. Fuller- ton. The bank has been continued by his sons, Stacy B. Rankin and James F. Rankin.
Stacy B. was born in South Charleston and was married there to Fanny Kemper in 1897. He was elected as a member of the legislature and has been secretary of the Ohio Bankers' Association since 1891 and cashier of the Bank of South Charles- ton since 1882. He was Ohio's commis- sioner at the St. Louis Exposition. James F. was born in South Charleston in 1861 and in 1894 was married to Netty Kemper. He is connected with his brother in the banking business.
The Houston family has been long prominent in this township, L. H. Houston being recognized today as one of the largest land owners of Clark Coun- ty. For many years he and his brother, E. D. Houston, have conducted a general store in Charleston, and with them have been associated in later years a younger brother, Foster B. L. H. Houston is the president of the Citizens' Bank, served one term as county commissioner and in 1890 was on the City Board of Equaliza- tion from this district.
Leonard B. Sprague, deceased, prob- ably ten years, was active in stock-raising and the raising of fine horses. He took very great interest in agricultural affairs and for many years was secretary of the Clark County Society. Dr. E. T. Collins, deceased, was a native of Moorefield Township, this county, born January 12, 1818. He began the practice of medicine in South Charleston in 1841, and married Miss Sarah L. Houston in 1845, and con- tinued there until the time of his death, which has occurred within the past ten years. His son, Dr. Milton Collins, still resides in this village, his only. sister hav- ing met with a fatal accident on the Springfield and Charleston traction line in 1905. Dr. Collins acquired consider- able property in his lifetime.
Michael Way was prominent in town- ship affairs from 1868 until his death about 1890. His son John likewise served in numerous capacities and died in 1906.
Seymore Harold has been a resident of this township for some time, being a na- tive of Madison County.
David T. Colvin was born in Frederick County, Virginia, February 18, 1829, and was married in 1853 to Maria Larkin, and died in 1886. He was an active, ag- gressive farmer during his lifetime.
Henry Bateman is a wealthy, influential resident of this township, living in South Charleston.
Amos and Charles Briggs were influ- ential natives of this township, residing south of Charleston. The Calverts and Wildmans are prominent in the vicinity of the village of Selma.
E. H. and William Florence, A. F. Taft, now deceased, Alfred A. Bowen, Edward Merritt, deceased, and his son
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Charles, the Comries and Murrays, all had and have their part in the welfare of this township. L. W. Haughey, now de- ceased, was for a long time actively en- county commissioner from 1876-1879; gaged in the banking business in Charles- ton. Leon H. Houston from 1879-1882. Mr. Houston was also a member from this district of the State Board of Equaliza- Almon Bradford, who was born in 1830 in New York, moved to Charleston about 1880 and still lives at the ripe old age of seventy-seven in Cedarville. tion in 1890. Milton Chaney was com- missioner from 1895-1901. Thomas L. Calvert is at present secretary of the State Board of Agriculture. Stacy B. Rankin was likewise commissioner from Ohio to the St. Louis Exposition.
Benjamin Woosely was a large land owner and was born on October 30, 1815, and died in 1887.
S. R. Battin was born in Columbiana County March 3, 1829, became a resident of this township in 1874 and still sur- vives. He is president of the Clark Coun- ty Farmers' Insurance Association.
Colonel Milton Chaney, now a resident of South Charleston, was for a time coun- ty commissioner.
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Madison Township has furnished some very good officials for county service, considering the importance of the town in her midst and the certainty of her Re- publican majority, not more than she de- serves.
Alexander Waddle, Sr., was a member of the House of Representatives in 1838- 1840, and of the State Senate from 1840- 1842. Alexander Waddle, Jr., was a member of the State Senate, 1874-1876. Stacy B. Rankin was a member of the House, 1897-1901. Thomas J. Pringle, who originally came from that township, was a member of the State Senate two dif- ferent times, 1880-1882 and 1886-1888. D. O. Heiskel was county commissioner from 1857-1863; L. B. Sprague from 1864- 1866. I am not sure that Sprague was a
resident of this township at that time. He might have been a resident of Har- mony Township. Edward Merritt was
Absalom Mattox was county clerk prior to 1873. While not sure, yet I think he was a one-time resident of this township.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The following are given in older records as having served in official capacity in reference to township affairs between 1816 and 1855:
William Holloway, Robert Phares, Isaac Vandeventer, Adam Peters, Thomas Green, P. Sellers, John Kelso, James Wil- son, Charles T. Arthur, Simon Armstrong, John Mitton, Rees Ellis, James Woosley, William Smith, Enoch Wilkins, Calvin Hale, John Curtice, Robert F. Evans, P. Hedrick, Francis Crispin, Gilbert Pierce, Clement Shockley, Samuel Briggs, Joseph Briggs, Isaac Dalyrimple, Jesse Ells- worth, William Beauchamp, John Reed, Rowland Brown, Seth Saint John, David Wilson, Eulass Ball, Isaiah Hunt, Jesse Griffith, William L. Warner, Greenfield Dooley. Christopher Fox, John B. Mad- den, Absalom Mattox, E. H. Broadbury, John Packer, Gregory Bloxsom, Cephas Atkinson, Matthew Crispin, George Ben- nett, John W. Johnson, Charles Paist, David Morgan, Epaminondas Hutton, G.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
W. Jones, Jacob Critz, George Hemple- man, Jefferson Nagley, D. V. Pringle, Joshua D. Truitt, Griffith F. Sweet, T. F. Houston, Calderwood Hill, John Rankin and Washington Buffenbarger.
Township Trustees since 1881: A. G. Pratt, Milton Cheney, M. H. Collins, *William Florence, John Heiskell, *E. H. Florence, W. H. Brown, Thomas L. Cal- vert, W. H. Lott, E. H. Bush and *Howard S. Smith.
Township Clerks since 1881: Michael Way, W. J. Hudson, W. H. Rowe, E. P. Flynn, F. G. Norton and *John S. Brown.
Township Treasurers since 1881: E. D. Houston, John Heiskell, Abihu Raines, Harry P. Thomas, O. L. Stephenson and *Frank D. Hill.
Justices of the Peace since 1871: Thomas P. Miller, 1871; A. F. Taft, 1871- 1877, 1881; William H. Lott, 1872-1875; Washington Buffenbarger, 1876; Michael Way, 1877-1880; Webster Barrett, 1878; Lawrence Heiskell, 1883; Almon Brad- ford, 1883, 1892 : William J. Hudson, 1884- 1890; E. S. Steinman, 1886, 1896; A. C. Scanland, 1887-1890; William Cheney, 1895-1901; Henry Schickendantz, 1897- 1900; I. H. Thorne, 1903; William War- rington, 1904; John B. Allen, 1905.
CHURCHES.
The churches of this township are al- most entirely confined to the villages of South Charleston and Selma.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The Methodist Episcopal denomination first began to hold services in the neigh- borhood of Charleston about 1814, when
Isaac Davisson invited William Irwin and Jonathan Minchell to come to their house and preach once in four weeks.
In 1821 South Charleston was placed on Paint Creek circuit and became a reg- ular preaching place. Rev. Moses Traitor is said to have been the first preacher. Services were continued at Mr. Davis- son's house for several years. In 1828 a frame church was erected on the site of the present one, 30x40 feet in size. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1830 by Rev. W. T. Snow in 1847 and 1848 and a new brick building, the one still standing, was erected. Among the min- isters of this congregation may be men- tioned the Revs. Finlay, Roberts, Gatch, John Collins, Russel, Biglow, W. H. Raper, Dr. Taylor, Frank Wilson, Dr. McCann and Jonathan E. Chaplin. The Rev. S. B. Smith was its pastor about 1881. Rev. G. W. Voris is the present pastor.
WESLEY CHAPEL.
This was the name of the church, like- wise of the Methodist denomination, which was located nearly five miles east of Springfield and which was erected in 1847. Such records as are now accessible state that the charge belonged to the Urbana District; that those who contrib- uted to its erection were William H. Harris, Absalom Foley, Henry Shugh, David Hayward, C. Moler and others. In the year 1874, the society was disband- ed and the property disposed of.
PRESBYTERIAN.
This society was organized in 1822, the Rev. William Dickey having the same in charge. In the year 1833 a frame church
*Present officers.
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was erected which was afterwards used ilies in its fold. The Rev. J. M. Keely is as a residence. The Rev. John S. Gallo- the present pastor.
way was minister from 1835-1844; James , In 1906 a magnificent church was erect- Pealan, 1844-1849, and W. Edwards, ed upon a site neighboring that of the old 1849-1851.
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