USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 30
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Nathan and John Marsh, Jr., were former residents of this township. Nathan was born in 1833 and died in 1900. He was an extensive stock-dealer in his time. In 1859 he was married to Catha- rine, daughter of Jacob Yeazell, who still · survives.
Joseph Sultzbaugh was born April 30, 1812, in York County, Pennsylvania, and came to Moorefield Township, settling on the Urbana Pike in 1856, where he died in 1886, leaving a very large family. He was prominent in matters pertaining to the public.
Mayor William T. Hough was a promi- nent early citizen of this township, born in Virginia in 1811, and coming to Moore- field Township in 1833, and died about
1893. His son John T. Hough is a resident of the township at this time, formerly holding the position of township trustee.
The Baldwins were early inhabitants of this township, William having been born in 1834. His grandfather located here about 1809. For a while William Baldwin lived in Kansas, but for a number of recent years was justice of the peace of the township. His brother Frank was born upon the place where he still resides, north of New Moorefield, in 1841. He has always resided in this township and for a number of years has been justice of the peace.
A well known resident of this township is Abraham W. Mumper, who lives near the Champaign County line. He was born in Miami County in 1842 and came to this township as a prominent resident about the close of the war. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah Hutton.
Reuben Scifers was born in Virginia in 1843 and located in Champaign County in the same year. He bought the farm upon which he now resides, a short distance above Springfield, in 1868.
A pioneer who resided in this township the latter days of his life was Reuben Huffman. He was born near the old In- dian village of Piqua in 1802. He moved into this township in 1877, and died in the early eighties. His son Oscar recently died in the village of New Moorefield, hav- ing kept a store there for some years. Several of his children lived in the vicin- ity.
R. L. Hollman, born in Massachusetts in 1828, came to this township in 1875 and purchased his present farm on the Urbana Pike about five and one-half miles north of Springfield.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
William T. Hunt, a native of New Jer- sey, settled on the Urbana Pike, on what is now known as the old Hunt homestead, about the year 1828. He was quite promi- ·nent in early affairs and died about the year 1870, leaving a large family, five boys and six girls. Ralph, the eldest, was a captain in the Civil War. William went south and died some years later. Robert, George and Edward died on the home farm. The eldest daughter became the wife of E. B. Cassilly, the next daughter the wife of Mr. Tiers. These are both now widows and residents of this county. Meta became the wife of Chandler Rob- bins. Elnora, Rose and Virginia still live on the home farm. Jacob Yeazell, Jr., was a grandchild of Abraham and Mary Yeazell and the son of Jeremiah Yeazell, who was born in 1806, and came to this township while a boy, settling on the farm now owned by Ross Mitchell. Jacob was born in 1842 just over the line of Pleasant Township. To distinguish him from an uncle who had the same name he is known as Jacob Yeazell, Jr. Jacob Yeazell, Sr., was a son of Abraham Yeazell hereinbe- l'ore referred to, and a brother of John .W. who now lives in New Moorefield. Jacob Yeazell, Sr., was born in Clinton County in 1809 and died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife, who was a daughter of John and Jane Foley, was born in 1810 and died when more than ninety-one years of age. They had a family of seven children. Eliza J. married Jonathan Donnel and is still living in Springfield; Catharine W. was the wife of Nathan Marsh, late of Champaign County. John A. recently died; James E. lives in Dayton; William H. lives in this township; Sarah E. mar-
ried Henry Weaver and George W. re- sic os with his family in Springfield Town- ship.
Pierce Crahill, son of David Crabill be- fore spoken of, is still living on the old farm in the southern part of the town- ship at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His brother William, Sr., is liv- ing in the City of Springfield.
Leonard Karg was born in Germany in 1826, and came to Moorefield Township in 1855 and lived there until his death in 1904. His place of residence was im- mediately south of the Champaign Coun- ty line on a farm now occupied by his son Sam.
COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Moorefield Township, being of the same political complexion as the county, has furnished a fair proportion of the public officials.
James Foley above spoken of was coun- ty commissioner in 1818, also was repre- sentative in the State Legislature. E. B. Cassilly, county commissioner from 1867- 1872, was for some time a resident of this township, residing on the Urbana Pike immediately south of the Hunt farm, upon the farm which is still in the name of his daughter. James Foley was elected sheriff in 1881 and was a resident of this township and afterwards moved to Springfield. He was a grandson of the James Foley above referred to.
Peter Rockel was born in German Township one mile below Tremont City in 1831, and became a resident of this township in 1867. He resided there until his death in 1896. He was justice of the peace a number of years, more familiarly known as "Squire Rockel."
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
J. H. Thomas, afterwards a rich manu- Sultzbach, 1882-1886; Moses Kiger, 1883- facturer of the city of Springfield, was formerly a resident of this township, and was elected recorder in 1853. Mr. Thomas was born in Maryland in 1826. His residence in this township was as a member of his father's family, he going to the city of Springfield immediately after his leaving college.
Douglas W. Rawlings was a native of this state, born in Champaign County in 1843. His father was James Rawlings and settled in this state in 1823, taking up a tract of land in Urbana Township. Mr. Rawlings was a veteran of the Civil War and elected County Commissioner in 1882, afterwards served as a member of the General Assembly and also as state senator, and died in 1895.
Smith S. Twichell was born in New York in 1836; married in 1868 to Miss Virginia, daughter of Seaton Hedges, and became a resident of Moorefield Township in 1875; was elected county commissioner in 1900.
Justice of the Peace since 1871-Milton M. Miller, 1871; Peter Rockel, 1872-1875; James Foley, 1872, resigned; James M. Hodge, 1873; Gabriel W. Banes, 1875; S. S. Twichell, 1876; Frank Baldwin, 1878- 1884; 1896-1902; 1904; G. B. Hunt, 1878; J. L. Little, 1881-1887; William Baldwin, 1887-1890; Thomas Lesher, 1890; H. B. Moler, 1890; Thomas Langen, 1893; John W. Yeazell, 1893; Charles E. Little, 1894; Jacob Snaufer, 1897; A. D. Heindel, 1901; P. I. Maughan, 1904; B. F. Weigel, 1907.
Township Trustees-J. B. Croft, 1880- 1881; Wm. H. Crabill, 1880-1882; J. C. Beard, 1880-1883; L. H. Roberts, 1881- 1882; Jacob Yeazell, 1882-1885; John
1884; John B. Hough, 1884-1885; J. S. Swaidner, 1885-1886; Jacob Yeazell, 1886- 1888; S. S. Twichell, 1886-1899; Leonard Karg, 1888-1891; Frank Erter, 1891 to Sept. 1st same year (resigned) ; R. K. Hunt, Sept. 1st, 1891-1892; Adam Stoner, 1892-1903; Renben Scifers, 1895-1998; Jacob Snaufer, 1898, term expires Jan. 1908; J. L. Phleger, 1899-1900 (resigned) ; J. H. Engle, 1900 to Jan. 1st, 1906; Geo. K. Ernst, 1903, term expires Jan. 1st, 1908; Lem Bowers, 1906, term expires Jan. 1st, 1910; Geo. Otstot (elect).
Township Clerk-G. D. Brinkman, 1880, to Nov. 17th, 1884 (resigned) ; J. S. Simp- son, Nov. 17th, 1884, term expires Jan. 1908.
Township Treasurer-James Clark, 1880, to Mar., 1906, died; J. L. Phleger, Mar., 1906, term expires Jan., 1908.
Board of Education-John H. Wilson, A. D. Heindel, C. O. Baker, Frank Wones, .John A. Yeazell (deceased, no appoint- ment made to fill vacancy).
CHURCHES.
There are in this township but four churches, each of different denomination. The Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Methodist, Baptist and United Brethren. The Methodist Episcopal was the first or- ganized in 1812. This church was first built on the road a short distance south of the present residence of Abraham Mumper and was known as the Miller Church and is now called Moorefield Chapel. Afterwards a church was built in the village of Moorefield, regular serv- ices are held in both churches, Rev. M. E. Eshels being pastor of both churches.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
The Protestant Methodist Church was Runyan. Oak Dale and Kennedy were organized in 1846 and a few years later reopened. a church was built in Section 15, im- Enumeration of pupils for 1907-Males 150; females 131; total 281. mediately south of the farm now belong- ing to Mrs. Dimond. Is still standing with regular services. It is known as PIKE TOWNSHIP. Pleasant Hill Church. M. M. Campbell is the present pastor. BOUNDARIES.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1879 and was dedicated in 1880. It was situated on the Clark and Union Turn- pike, two miles north of New Moorefield.
The last church that was built in the township was that of the United Brethern in Bowlusville. This church was built about the year 1886. It is in good condi- tion. A. H. Lehman is the present pastor.
SCHOOLS.
The first schoolhouse of this township was built in 1812, north of Springfield on the Urbana Pike, on what is now known as Frank Brooks farm, and was a log structure. An early school teacher of the township, who taught as early as 1810, was named Redwood. Squire Lemon taught in the western part of the town- ship a few years later. The schools are all well managed and in good condition, the township, however, having no high school.
The following are the teachers for the present year : Supervisor, D. I. Mc- Dowell. New Moorefield, grammar, D. I. McDowell; primary, Zelphia Stephenson. CROPS. Union, grammar, Clyde Mccullough; pri- mary, Edna Jones. Kenton, Ollie Gard. Franklin, A. L. Hullinger. Hunter, Em-, ma Spahr. Kennedy, Elinor Boolman, Oak Dale, Alice Arthur. Yeazell, C. C. cereals being grown with profit.
Pike Township is located in the extreme northwestern part of Clark County. It is the only township in the county having what is usually considered the correct di- mensions of a township, it being six miles square, and containing thirty-six square miles. It has for its boundaries, Miami County on the west, Champaign County on the north, German Township on the east and Bethel Township on the south. Noth- ing is known now as to the origin of its name.
SURFACE.
Practically the entire township is up- land, rolling but not hilly. The soil is generally fertile and reasonably well- drained naturally. A very great improve- ment has been made, however, on much of this "beech land" by under-drains. Orig- inally it was covered with timber, the pre- vailing type being beech, sugar, ash, hickory, poplar, walnut and different varieties of oak. The oak was not so plentiful, however, as on the east side of the Mad River Valley.
In the western part of the township limestone crops out of the surface. The soil is very well adapted for the raising of oats, corn and wheat, however, these
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
STREAMS.
The township has no stream of water of any considerable size; however, Don- nels' Creek, Jackson's Creek, and Honey Creek extend through the township, flow- ing in a southern direction. These streams are now often dry in the summer time. At an early date there were saw- mills on these various streams at different places. (See Mills.)
ROADS.
There are about 30 miles of improved roads in this township.
No steam railroad enters the township and until the S. T. & P. Traction line was built a few years ago, no railroad of any kind entered the township. This road en- ters the northeast corner and goes through the villages of North Hampton and Dial- ton, these being the only villages in the township. There are only two voting precincts, one at North Hampton and the other including the southern part of the township. Like the other townships of the county the early settlers came prin- cipally from Virginia and Kentucky, some coming from Maryland and Pennsylvania.
POPULATION.
The township has had a very slow growth in population in the last half cen- tury. In 1850 its population was 1,471; 1870, 1,582; 1880, 1,758; 1890, 1,758; 1900, 1,533.
ACREAGE.
The following table shows the number of acres and the assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the town- ship.
Acres. Real Personal Total.
Estate.
Property.
Pike Township .. . 23,375 $825,240 $425,400 $1,250.640
It will be noticed from this table that the entire township makes but one school district as the table is made according to school districts.
POLITICS.
While the various townships of the county seem to receive their early set- tlers from the states, yet some townships have voted in favor of the Democratic candidates from a very early date, and Pike is one of that number. It was strongly in favor of Jackson in 1832, but pretty close between Harrison and Van Buren in 1840, and was carried by Taylor the Whig candidate in 1848, since which it has steadily given a Democratic majority in the neighborhood of from 50-75.
OLD SETTLERS.
The following information in regard to the Old Settlers is derived from a histor- ical work previously published.
Unlike the neighboring townships, Pike was not settled, comparatively speaking, until a later day. It was not until the year 1805 that we have any trace of a set- tlement in what now comprises this sub- division. This year came from Virginia two brothers, Andrew and Samuel Black, who together selected and later entered Section 25, dividing it between them, the former coming in possession of the south- ern half. They returned to their Virginia home, where Andrew had left a wife and one child. Samuel was an unmarried man. The following year (1806), after due preparation had been made, Andrew, accompanied by his family and brother,
16
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
again turned his course westward for the chosen spot of their future home. Upon the southern half of Section 25 was erected the first cabin in the township; it was the rude log pole cabin of the day. The work of the pioneer here began. Soon the space of five acres was dead- ened and the underbrush cleared, and the first crop of corn planted, which was care- fully cared for by these first comers, but the squirrels were so numerous that, despite the effort on the part of these men, the entire crop was almost consumed by them. However, the gathering season came, and as the result of their labor but three bushels were gathered; this was garnered up in the bin (then the loft of the cabin), for future use. The season for its demand soon approached, and Andrew contemplated a journey to the inill, but imagine his surprise on looking for the treasure to find that the entire yield had been destroyed by mice. So much for the first settlement and first crop. These men were both natives of Montgomery County, Va. Andrew was born March 6, 1783, and was united in marriage, December 20, 1804, with Susan- nah Ross, who was also a native of Mont- gomery County, Va., born December 7, 1781. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Samuel A., Mary, James, William, Thomas, Jane, Andrew, Edward and Susannah. Father and mother Black died on the homestead Oc- tober 18, 1854, and September 25, 1845, respectively, and their remains rest in what is now known as the Black Cemetery. The brother Samuel died in the year 1814, and was interred in the same burial- ground. He served as Captain in the War of 1812, where he contracted the fatal
disease of consumption, which terminated in his death. (See memoranda at end of history of township.) Andrew also per- formed some service as a scout in that war.
The next settlement of which we could gain any knowledge was effected in Sec- tion 19, by Adam Verdier, some time dur- ing the year 1806. Mr. Verdier was a man of family, having married Elizabeth Mercer. Both were natives of Jefferson County, Virginia, where they were mar- ried and whence they emigrated to the township of Pike. They left Virginia as early as 1804 or 1805, but stopped for a while in what is now Montgomery Coun- ty, in this state. The southeast quarter of Section 19 was entered by Mr. Verdier. In later years he became quite a heavy land owner, possessing nearly five hun- dred acres in Champaign County, and a half-section in Shelby County. The mother died in 1858, and the father some years previously. Both are buried in the Black graveyard.
For a few years after the coming of the above-mentioned pioneers, we have little knowledge of settlements made, and of those making them. William Simms and Samuel Brandenburg, the latter from Kentucky, entering land in Section 13, were early settlers of Pike, but the dates of their coming and further knowledge of them we have been unable to obtain. In the year 1811, the little colony was in- creased by the arrival of Thomas Staf- ford and family. They too hailed from the state late known as the "Mother of Presidents," coming from Giles County, Va., and entering the northwest quarter of Section 31, and there beginning the work of the pioneer. Mr. Stafford was
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
a native of England, and, at the age of ten years, arrived in Virginia, in which state he married Catharine Williams, a native thereof. This couple, with three children-Peggie, Nancy and George W. tered the northwest quarter of Section 13, and there ended his days. About the year 1813, another of the Stafford brothers, George by name, came from the Stafford neighborhood in Virginia, and entered the -emigrated to this vicinity on horseback, west half of Section 31. His wife was making the journey in twelve days. In Catharine Fair. They reared a large fam- ily of children. The same year (1813), James Fuller and his family left Mont- gomery County, Va., stopping one year in Kentucky, thence proceeding to the vicinity of New Carlisle, in Bethel Town- ship, where he remained about two years, and thence into Pike Township, entering the west half of Section 21, for which he paid $2 per acre. His children were Ellen, Sarah, James C., Moses, Bradley and Rhoda, of whom James C., recently deceased, lived on the old homestead. The mother died in 1844, and the father in February, 1872, the latter in his eighty- fourth year. Both are buried in the Black graveyard. Northrup Fuller, the father of James, settled in Section 22, a little later entering the southeast quarter. Be- sides the son mentioned, there were the following children : John, Moses, Obadiah, William, Robert and Sarah, all settled in Clark County, and the greater part of them in this township. In the year 1812, Benjamin Carmin and family came from the State of Maryland and entered land in what is now Pike Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1827. Mr. Carmin was a na- tive of Blackford County, Md., and his wife of Virginia. About the year 1816, Jacob Frantz settled in Section 7, the northeast quarter of which had been en- tered by one Hanline; at least the patent was granted to Mr. Frantz as the assignee of the Hanline heirs. It seems, the per- after years, there were born to the parents, the following children: Eliz- abeth, James, Melinda, Thomas, Susan, John, Henry, Joseph, Catherine, William and Lucinda. The father reached the age of eighty-two years, and the mother fifty- four. They lived and died on the home- stead, and are buried in Miami County. The former served as a scout in the War of 1812. Ralph Stafford, a brother of Thomas, accompanied the latter, but en- tered land in Miami County and in later years came to Pike Township and here died. During this same year (1811) came from Virginia, James and John Black, brothers of Andrew and Samuel Black above mentioned. James made a tem- porary stay, and his brother Andrew then entered the southeast quarter of Section 20, on which land he resided until his death, in the year 1853. He was born Au- gust 17, 1789. His wife's name was Catha- rine. They were the parents of ten chil- dren, all of whom were born in Pike Township, namely, Mary, Matthew, Su- sannah, Catharine, Dorcas, Joseph, Sam- uel, James, Julia and John A. John was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ross, and they were blessed with eight children. He entered the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 19, and there lived and died. A little later came William Black, Sr., uncle of the Blacks just spoken of. He was from the same part of Virginia, and was quite an old man when he came out. He en-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
son entering it was not able to meet the in Warren County; thence going to payments, and the land was purchased by Greene County and to Pike Township. They were born in the years 1786 and 1787 respectively. Both are buried in As- bury graveyard. The Priests were early settlers, too. John in an early day em- igrated to Kentucky (from Virginia), and thence to this vicinity, entering the north- west quarter in Clark County. Mr. Frantz, and the grant given as afore- said. Louis Ray and family emigrated from the State of Virginia in the year 1812, stopping at Cincinnati, where they remained one year; then came to Clark County, locating near Springfield, and four years later purchased land in the vicinity of North Hampton, Pike Town- New Jersey was again represented, and this time in the person of Jesse and Sarah (Sutton) Maxon and family, who are quite early settlers in Clark County, having set- tled on Mud Run prior to 1815, and a few years later traded their land there for the southwest quarter of Section 15. Thus ends a meager sketch of some of the pioneers of Pike Township, who made possible the high state of civilization, and advancement she has today attained. It may be thought that too much prominence has been given to some and too little said of others, and very probably no mention made of some deserving prominence, but we assure our readers that under the cir- cumstances and the meager source from which to obtain facts, the best has been done that at this late day could be. Most of the above settlers have left worthy descendants, who still reside in the town- ship. ship. He married Elizabeth Ziglar, and raised a family of ten children, three of whom are now living. The southwest quarter of Section 3 was entered about the year 1815 or 1816, by George Overpeck, another Virginian. His wife was Martha Currene, both natives of that state, which they left in the year 1807, going to Miami County on Indian Creek, thence to Spring- field Township, and up into Pike as afore- said. They were Methodists, and their house served as the place of worship for years. Mr. Overpeck raised a large family, consisting of the follow- ing named children : Mary, Susan, Margaret, Ruth, William, Elizabeth, Maria, Samuel, Isaac, Phebe and George. The father died in January, 1846, and the mother in January, 1866. Both were buried in Asbury graveyard. William Spence and family settled in the vicinity of North Hampton in the year 1818, they having emigrated from Eng- EARLY EVENTS. land in 1816, stopping in Cincinnati two years. There were thirteen children born So far as is known Samuel Black, son of Andrew Black, was the first white child born in Pike Township, in January, 1815. The first hotel in the township was built and kept by Alexander Johnson in North- ampton about 1833. In 1834 a log hotel was built two miles south of Northampton at the cross roads by John Thomas. This to the parents. The Bixlers, Basingers, Forgys and Leffels were also early set- tlers. The Basingers were from Virginia. The southeast quarter of Section 9 was entered by Obediah Lippincott, who with his wife Margaret Reed came from New Jersey about the year 1810, first stopping
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
was what is known as the "Black Horse Tavern."
The first mill was built by James Black in 1814, on Honey Creek, Peter Baisinger about the year 1820 had a mill on Don- nels' Creek. This was later known as the "Northampton Mill," owned by Mr. Min- nich. (See Mills.)
RECENT RESIDENTS.
In addition to the persons given hereto- fore as early settlers of the township, there might be added the following, who have been active citizens, some now de- ceased and some still living.
Madison Over, who wrote the article on this township for Beer's History, was born in German Township on the 15th day of December, 1841, son of Elias and Sarah Over. He was educated in the com- mon schools and at Wittenberg College and taught for about thirteen years. He was married in 1865 to Mary J. Jenkins. For some time he was a resident of North- ampton and served as justice of the peace. In 1886 he was a nominee for sheriff on the Democratic ticket, being defeated by only nine votes. He after- wards removed to the city of Springfield and in 1890 was the Democratic candidate for probate judge, being defeated by about 700 votes. There occurring a vacancy upon the resignation of Judge Miller, he was appointed by Governor Campbell and served for seven weeks. He was assist- ant postmaster of Springfield (T. D. Wal- lace, postmaster) during President Cleve- land's second administration. He died some four or five years ago. His mod- esty forbade him to have any biographical sketch in the history of this county, which be assisted to write.
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