USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2 > Part 11
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The first Justices of the Peace were John Cratty and David Shoupe, who, sitting on an old salt barrel, used to deal out even-handed justice to all. From a notice by John H. Men- denhall, Township Clerk, in April, 1855, we find that the following township officers were elected : Trustees, David Davids, Benjamin D. Good, William Honitor ; Justice of the Peace, Henry B. Fulkner ; Township Treasurer, William Warren ; Township Clerk, C. D. Wolf; Assessor,
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Philander C. Beard; Constables, John Grove, Henry C. Hunt; Supervisors, John Van Briner, H. G. Smith, John Taylor, Samuel Strickler, Peter Baily, Luther Gabral, Martin Smith, Samuel Tay- lor, Luther Winget, I. B. Stotenberg, E. A. Ack- erman, F. W. Felkner, Henry Caylor, David Phillain, William Stockard, John P. Owens, Philander Beard, D. F. Hontz, N. W. Sprague, B. Carr, D. Smith, John Decker, A. Trop, H. Wolford.
The present township officers (1879) are as fol- lows : Trustees, Joab Leggett, J. W. Jones, Almon D. Good; Treasurer, William M. Warren, Jr .; Clerk Joseph Crawford ; Constables, Joseph Leggett, E. W. Cuberly, W. P. Irwin ; Supervisors, Amos Claflin, J. J. Decker, William Stover, Adam New- house, B. T. Benton, Alexander Newhouse, H. G. Smith, A. McFarland, Calvin Furgeson, John Gabrial, Daniel Mangans, Josephus Philipp, Frank Willis, Joseph Bean, Emery Sherwin, David Freshwater.
The words of love and light which first greeted the ears of the earliest settlers of Scioto Town- ship were delivered in the cabins of Richard Hoskins and Zachariah Stevens, through the thatched roof of which beams of the sun came streaming down. The date of these first meetings cannot be definitely fixed, but the facts gathered indicate as early as 1810. In the year 1814 or 1815, three Presbyterian families, viz., William Cratty, John Lawrence and Andrew Dodds, settled in the neighborhood of Little Mill Creek, and, at first, con- nected themselves with the church at Delaware, which, at that time, was organized and in a flourish- ing condition, under the Rev. Joseph Hughes. The journey to Delaware, in those days, was quite an undertaking, as they were compelled to ford the Scioto, which, at certain seasons, was a danger- ous, if not an impossible, undertaking. When this trip was impracticable, the next most avail- able place of worship was in a log meeting-house at Darby, in Union County. The only route of travel to this was over a trail through the dense woods. About the year 1816, several other Pres- byterian families were added to the settlement, and a number located on the Scioto River. With these acquisitions it was deemed advisable to or- ganize into a separate church. A meeting was held and the proper authorities petitioned for the power, which was granted, but with a proviso to the effect that they should join with those in Radnor Township, and that the church be known as the Presbyterian Church of Radnor. This was
487
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
acceded to, and the organization consummated in the year 1816. The connection continued until the year 1834, when those of Little Mill Creek neigh- borhood, having received `considerable accessions, were constituted, by the authority of the Presby- tery at Columbus, under whose jurisdiction they were at that time, into a separate organization, consisting of twenty-four members, and to be known as the Little Mill Creek Presbyterian Church. The following are the names of the original members: James Dean, Hannah Dean, Hannah R. Dean, James Flannegin, Margaret Flannegin, William Cratty, Sr., Sarah Cratty, William Porter, Eleanor Porter, Samuel D. Dean, Eleanor Cratty, Willian M. Flannegin, Jane Flan- negin, Mary Flannegin, Nancy M. Flannegin, William C. Dodds, Mary Dodds, Joseph Lawrence, Mary Lawrence, Eleanor Winget, Alexander Ross, Nancy Ross, Sarah Dodds. Nineteen members of the twenty-four were from the church at Rad- nor, and three were from the church at Marysville, in Union County ; the rest were from the church at Delaware. William Cratty, Sr., William Porter and William C. Dodds, were elected Elders. The church, which served as the meeting-place of this : society, was the first built in Scioto Township, and was located at Edinburg, about one mile north of Ostrander, on the bank of Little Mill Creek. It was built of hewn logs, and the work was con- tributed by the members. It was not provided with permanent seats for some time, in conse- quence of which, during service, the church presented a novel appearance, the congregation providing their own seats, being principally chairs used in their wagons riding to and from church. It was not until the year 1836 that a minister was secured as their regular Pastor, when the Rev. James Perigrin was called to the charge, he also filled
lowing have served as Pastors, and in the order named: The Rev. O. H. Newton, of Delaware; Rev. H. Shedd, Rev. Mason, Rev. H. Snodgrass, Rev. John Price, Rev. T. Hill. The Sabbath school, in connection with the church, was estab- lished in the year 1827, and has been continued ever since without an interruption, and, probably, very few Sabbaths have passed without a meeting.
The Regular Baptist Church is situated upon Mill Creek, in the southern part of the township. The first efforts to organize this church took place in the year 1828, and were but partially success- ful. Previous to this date, Elder Drake had held meetings in the cabins of the early settlers, and seems to have been one of the first to agitate the question of an independent church. The first permanent organization took place about the year 1835 or 1836, with a membership of eighteen, at which time a log meeting-house was built. Since the time of its organization five hundred persons have been received into the membership, either by let- ter or baptism, showing the earnest work that has been going on in this church. The present men- bership numbers 100, hard at work and enthusi- astic. The log structure was used until the year 1853, at which time a fine brick church was built, costing $1,000. The Rev. W. S. Kent is the present Pastor.
The Millville Christian Union Church was the outgrowth of several denominations, and at first held its meetings in the Protestant Methodist Church, which that organization kindly offered i them. It was in that church that a few members gathered on August 5, 1866, to hear the Rev. James F. Given, of Columbus. The first charge council met at Millville, about the year 1867, and engaged the Rev. W. W. Lacy to preach for them, the remuneration thereof to be $300 per annum. the pastorate of the church at Marysville. Here- | From that date until 1869 the membership so in- mained in charge about eight months, when, finding creased, and the enthusiasm and zeal was so great, that in that year they built a fine frame church at a cost of $1,400, which was dedicated at once by the Rev. George Stevenson, and thus they who were a short time before the recipients of others' charity, could point with pride to their church, the finest in Millville, if not in the township. This marked prosperity did not last long, and the decay and death of the church was almost as rapid as its growth had been, and to-day it is without a regular membership. The Methodist Episcopals occupy their building, although they do not own it. The following ministers had charge of the church from its foundation to the time at which it the work too difficult, confined his labors to the church at Marysville. In the fall of 1837, the two churches again united in securing the services of the Rev. W. D. Smith. He commenced his labors upon the 1st day of January, 1838, giving one-third of his time to the church at Little Mill Creek, for which he was to receive $133.33 per annum. In the year 1862, the church was re- moved to Ostrander, at which time its membership was fifty ; it is now about sixty-six. . Shortly after its removal, the name was changed to the Ostrander Presbyterian Church. At this time, the Rev. W. Mitchell was in charge, since which time the fol-
488
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
ceased to exist as an organization : The Revs. W. W. Lacy, G. W. Hogans, J. W. Hoskins, Purdy King and Hawnawalt.
The Protestant Methodist Church was formed by members who had become dissatisfied with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and, leaving that society, built a frame structure in the town of Millville in 1844. The building was small, but accommodated the wants of the members until 1857, when it was re-built and re-dedicated by Thomas Graham, but it is now on the decline.
The Wesleyan Methodists originated from a series of union meetings, which were held with the Presbyterian Church at Fairview in the year 1854, and with the zeal and energy char- acteristic of new votaries, they immediately set to work, and, although their numbers were few, they succeeded in a short time in building a very sub- stantial frame church, which, in the year 1859, was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. The church was at that time located about one mile west of the town of Ostrander. and had a large and flourishing congregation, and everything seemed to prophesy a long and prosperous future ; but soon after the war, it was noticed that the lamps of enthusiasm were burning low, and that the old time zeal was rusting with inactivity. It was im- possible to infuse new life and spirit into its mem- bers, and, in 1870, the fire in the altar died out, leaving the Wesleyan organization a thing of the past.
In the mean time, another society, that of the Methodist Episcopal, had sprung into existence, and, although young, was making great headway, and day by day, it continued to grow, and finally absorbed into its membership the remnant of the Wesleyan Church, upon the extinguishment of that organization. After the Wesleyan society had ceased to exist, it became necessary for them to dispose of their church, and, inasmuch as the Methodist Episcopals had treated them with such kindness, and a large number of the old members of the former had become members of the latter organization, it seemed peculiarly fitting that they should donate their edifice to them, and they did this in 1870, upon the following conditions : First, that the Methodist Episcopals would bind them- selves to move the building to a suitable location in the town of Ostrander, and hold their meet- ings there, which proposition was agreed to, and in compliance with which it was taken from its position west of Ostrander and moved about halfway toward the town, when for want of funds with which to de-
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fray the expense, it was deposited in a field, where it remained for two years. About the year 1874, Mr. Welch, of Delaware City, took the matter in hand, and caused it to be moved to the present location in North street, Ostrander. The church was dedicated the same year, and the first Pastor was Rev. Boyer. The following Pastors have since officiated, William Dunlap, W. W. Davies, now a professor in the Ohio Wesleyan University, J. W. Donnan and the present incumbents, Lucas and Crawford. This church has been supplied in late years by young gentlemen from the university at Delaware, who propose to enter the ministry as a profession.
The United Brethren Church is pleasantly sit- uated on the road from Millville to Ostrander, about two miles from the latter town, and is a frame structure, which cost about $600. The church was dedicated in the year 1866, by Bishop Weaver, of the Northern Ohio Conference. Pre- vious to the building of the church, the society held their meetings in the schoolhouse, which stands opposite, and, at times, in the homes of the farmers. The first minister that held the charge was Chancey Barlow. The present Pastor is E. Barnard.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, which is situ- ated about a mile above the United Brethren Church, and a short distance from the town of Millville, is a frame structure, and does not differ materially from that belonging to the United Brethren. It is somewhat larger, and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated in 1869, but at present there is no preaching within its walls, the Methodists having concentrated all their energies at Millville.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at White Sulphur Station is also a frame structure, and was built about the year 1864-65. In style and finish it resembles the general form of country churches. The subscription was gotten up by James Noble, and the amount paid was $1.000. This society was organized as far back as 1837. Its first meetings were held in a little log house, which stood 150 rods from where the present structure now stands. The latter was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Gurley, who at present resides in Delaware. The first minister was Stephen Fant, at present engaged in the manufacture of patent pills. The following ministers have been in charge since its foundation : Stephen Fant, Isaiah Hender- son, Daniel D. Strong, John Parlett, John S. Kalb, John Omarod, William Dunlap, Rev. Boyer, J. H. Bethard, Anothian Gavitt, Christian C.
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
489
Wolf, W. W. Davies. At present there is no preaching at this church.
The pioneers, at a very early date, turned their at- tention to that institution, which at present forms one of the brightest features of our government --- the common schools. In a rude hut, once owned and used by James McCune as a cattle shed, was taught the first school in Scioto. Soon after, a house was put up on the bank of Boke's Creek, of slabs from the neighboring saw-mill. Since that time there has been a vast improvement and change, as the following statistics will abundantly prove :
State tax for school purposes for the year end-
ing August 31, 1879 $ 646 50
Irreduceable fund 41 96
Local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes 1,371 55
Total tax $5,048 26
Amount paid teachers within the year in Primary Department. 2,113 50
Fuel and other contingent expenses. 654 64
Grand total $ 2,768 14
Balance on hand September 1, 1879. 2,280 12
Number of school districts. 11
Number of schoolhouses. 11
Number of rooms. 11
Total value of school property. $ 8,000 00
Number of teachers necessary. 11
Number employed during the year. 18
Number of male teachers. 8
Number of female teachers. 10
Average wages of male teachers per month ... $ 32
Average wages of female teachers per month. 24
Number of male teachers who taught the en- tire year.
2
Number of female teachers who taught the entire year.
1
Average number of weeks of session. 24
Rate of local tax for 1878-79, mills.
1
Rate of local tax for 1879-80. mills. 1-10
Number of male pupils enrolled during the year. 222
Number of female pupils enrolled during the year. 139
Total number enrolled. 361
Average monthly enrollment of males
155
Average monthly enrollment of females 108
Total monthly enrollment 263
In the Primary Department, males. 110
In the Primary Department, females 95
Total in Primary Department. 205
Number of males enrolled, between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. 47
Number of females enrolled between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one. 22
Total. 69
Millville is a small hamlet pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Scioto River, about half-way between the covered bridge on the Marysville pike and the mouth of Boke's Creek. The old Sandusky Military Road passes through and forms the main street of the town. A good road partially graded and graveled connects it with Ostrander, while branching out from it in several directions are pikes leading to Delhi, Delaware, Ferrisburg, Richwood and Marysville. The nearest railway station is at White Sulphur, on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, about two miles and a half directly south over the old military pike road. Millville, as its name sug- gests, was called so from its mill privileges, and the fact that the old grist and saw mill stood here before the foundation of the town. Millville has a large mill, two churches-the Christian Union (now occupied by the Methodist Episcopals), and the Protestant Methodist -- a fine carriage and wagon shop, two blacksmith-shops, and a brick store in which the post office is located. At one time in its history, Millville was the largest hamlet in the township, and had a bright prospect for the future, but the railroad robbed it of its birthright and attracted the greater interest to Ostrander.
Over the brick store is the lodge-room of Ruff- ner Lodge, No. 330, I. O. O. F. It was organ- ized and the first installation of officers and initia- tion of members took place in October, 1856, in the hall they now occupy, which is large and well furnished. It is in an excellent condition, having thirty members and a large sum of money in the treasury, besides owning their block and hall. It is related as an extraordinary fact that although this lodge has been in existence for so many years, the members have never as yet been called upon to defray the burial expenses of a dead brother. The lodges at Ostrander and Ferrisburg, in Union County, are outgrowths from this, and are evi- dences of the earnest work of its members. The following are the names of the charter members : William P. Crawford, William G. McFarlin, Thomas Silverthorn, Joseph Frankenfield, Hugh M. Stevens, James Cox and George Crawford. Of these W. G. McFarlin is the only one who takes an active part in the lodge proceedings. The present officers of the lodge are as follows : Adam Newhouse, Noble Grand; Marshal Howison, Vice Grand; I. Z. Calvin, Recording Secretary ; J. T. Shrup, Permanent Secretary; J. W. Jones, Treas- urer; Chancey Pearl, Inside Guardian, and W. G. McFarlin, Conductor.
490
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
The village of Ostrander is the largest in Scioto Township, and is situated in the south central part on the Short Line Branch of the Cleveland, Colum- bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad, about seven miles and a half from the town of Delaware. It takes its name from a Mr. Ostrander, who, as a civil engineer, surveyed the line for the railroad. Great exertions were made by the representatives of Edinburg and Millville in the interest of their villages to cause the proposed railroad to be located through their respective places, but the decree was otherwise, and it took the present route, much to the disappointment of those who had labored so zealously in the interests of the neighboring ham- lets. The results are that upon the once bare clay hill stands the little village of Ostrander, while its rivals, Edinburg and Millville, have gone into a decline. The town of Ostrander was laid out in the year 1852 by I. C. Buck, and originally con- sisted of 104 lots. The railroad passes through the center of the town in direction west and east, and the waters of Little Mill Creek flow just east of the town, touching the corporate limits. Al- though the town was laid out in 1852, it was not incorporated until May 18, 1875.
The first Council met April 5, 1876, and there were present, Mayor, D. G. Cratty ; Treasurer, W.C. Winget; D. C. Fay, Clerk. The Council consisted of T. Mangans, J. H. Fields, Samuel Stricklin, G. S. Carr, F. W. Brown, J. B. Roberts. The pres- ent Mayor is H. B. Felkner; Treasurer, W. C. Winget, and Clerk, D. C. Fay.
The first Postmaster was M. C. Bean. Abner Said now fills the position, the post office being in his store. The first store was that of W. C. Win- get; the first drug store was opened by Mr. Mer- riman; the first physician was Erastus Field, who came to Ostrander in 1849, where he now lives ; Dr. Fay is another of the prominent physicians; the first blacksmith was William Fry, and the first tavern-keeper was Samuel Stricklin. The lodge of Odd Fellows was organized November 2, 1871, and the delegates who were authorized to institute it were from Marysville, Delaware, Ruff- ner and Beachtown. The lodge itself is an out- growth from the Ruffner Lodge, at Millville, and was instituted by Grand Master H. Y. Beebe. It is the only secret society in Ostrander, and at present is in a very flourishing condition, having forty-three members. The following-named gen- tleman were the charter members: Daniel Dowart, D. G. Cratty, Robert McMillian, Isaac Anderson and D. C. Fay. The present officers are as fol.
lows: John Pounds, Noble Grand; James Jen- nings, Vice Grand; Homer J. Cowles, Recording Secretary ; D. G. Cratty, Permanent Secretary. The lodge-room is a very pleasant one, situated in a large frame building opposite the store of W. C. Winget.
Ostrander has a good brick school building, in which is held a primary and high school. The fol- lowing statistics will show its standing :
State tax, $120 ; irreduceable fund, $7.84; local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes, $558.93; from fines, licenses, or tuition of non-resident pupils, $29.20; total, $747.85. Amount paid teachers for the year-primary, $150; high school, $360; total amount, $510. Amount paid as in- terest on redemption of bonds, $15.97; amount paid for fuel and contingent expenses, $190 ; grand total of expenditures, $715.97; balance on hand, $31.88; total valuation of school property, $1,600; number of teachers, 2.
Fairview, now called Edinburg, is the oldest village in the township. As early as the year 1815-16, the families of William Cratty, John Lawrence and Andrew Dodds came to the banks of Little Mill Creek, as we have elsewhere stated, and settled in the immediate neighborhood of each other, thus forming the nucleus for the ham- let. It is supposed that shortly after this, the town was laid out, and a plat made. Who platted it, and when it was recorded, are not known, as there is no date to the record. The town was laid out into twenty-seven lots. The principal street, running east and west, was called Harrison street. The streets running east and west were Columbus street, Franklin street and East street. On account of its beautiful location, it was called Fairview. Soon after the plat was made, others came and settled in the place, and it began to grow rapidly. Its situation and surroundings being so favorable, it was thought the place thus started would become of considerable importance. These anticipations were warranted, in a measure, by its gradual growth, and years later, when there were prospects of the railroad being located through its limits, it seemed as if their hopes were to be realized. But upon its taking its present route, about one mile to the south, the establishing of Ostrander as a station in such close proximity proved the death of Fairview. The people of enterprise, and those interested in shipping, were soon compelled to move to the railroad station, and but a few buildings now remain to denote the location.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
491
The station at White Sulphur was established for the convenience of the Girls' Industrial Home, located in Concord Township. The station is established at the west end of the iron bridge,
over the Scioto River, about five miles west from Delaware and two east from Ostrander. It takes its name from the Sulphur Springs at the " Home," and i. consists of only a few houses and a grain warehouse.
CHAPTER XIX .*
CONCORD TOWNSHIP-ITS DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY-SETTLEMENT-EARLY HISTORY- CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-THE GIRLS' INDUSTRIAL HOME-AN INCIDENT-BELLEPOINT.
"All honor be, then, to these gray old men, When at last they are bowed with toil ! Their warfare then o'er, they battle no more, For they've conquered the stubborn soil. And the chaplet each wears is the silver hairs, And ne'er shall the victor's brow
With a laurel crown to the grave go down Like the sons of the Good Old Plow." -* *
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C YONCORD is one of the most picturesque and interesting townships in Delaware County, and is rich in historical scenes and incidents. Its primeval forests, rolling rivers, winding creeks, babbling brooks, its green hills and fertile valleys, to one imbued with poetic fancy, present a field of inexhaustible wealth. The origin of the name, Concord, and its bestowal upon this township, is somewhat in doubt. There is a tradition that it was named from the old town of Concord in New Hampshire, made famous by the part it took in the war of the Revolution. In absence of proof to the contrary, we will willingly accord it the honor of thus attaining the name.
The township is very irregular in its boundaries, and more changes have been made in its territorial limits, perhaps, than any other subdivision of the county. Additions have been made to it, sections and lots have been taken away from it, and changed around, until the people used to get up of a morn- ing in doubt as to whether they were in Concord or some other township. The county was origin- ally divided into three townships, one of which was Liberty, and in it Concord was included. Union Township was formed June 16, 1809, and comprised in its limits all that part of Concord west of the Scioto River. On the 20th of April, 1819, Concord Township was created, and bounded as follows : Beginning at the county line between Franklin and Delaware Counties, on the east bank of the Scioto River, and running up the river to where the range line between 19 and 20, strikes *Contributed by H. L. S. Vaile.
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