USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 28
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Of the schools and churches, other chapters will treat in detail. It may, however, here be noted that the first school house was erected in 1816.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
The towns and villages of Jasper township are and have been Plymouth, Jasper Mills, Milledgeville, Allentown, Edgefield and Pearsons.
Plymouth, situated on the Palmer pike, is the oldest place in Jasper town- ship. It was platted by Robert Hogue in 1845. The first building there was built in 1845 by Garland Johnson. In 1880 this village had two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, one store, one church and about seventy-five population. The township building was here and all elections were held therein. The pioneer store was kept by Garland Johnson, who opened up in 1845, but that year sold to James MeWhorter, who, in 1846, sold the stock and building to E. L. Ford. In 1848 Harvey Sanderson built and engaged in trade until about 1849, at which date he sold to E. L. Ford.
The first blacksmith was Tate Wright, in 1845. In 1848 Daniel Blue opened his wagon-making shop and remained many years.
Jasper Mills is on the list of old villages of the township. It is five miles to the west of Washington C. H. and was never legally laid out as a village, but after the finishing of the railroad in 1854, Bryan Brothers, Samuel, Joseph and John, bought five acres of land at that point of Jacob Bush, and that year erected a three-story frame grist mill, which attracted other busi- ness factors to the community. The place was first styled Jasper, but in 1858 took the name of Jasper Mills, from the brand of flour shipped from these mills ; also on account of wanting a postoffice different from the name of the township. In 1859 a saw-mill was added to the industries by Bryan Brothers, and many years later a corn shelling mill was put in by a Mr. Guthrie, of Baltimore. Thirty odd years ago this mill was operated by Tol- bert & Company, of Washington C. H., and they carried on an extensive business in shipping grain from the township to the various markets.
John S. Burnett, in 1859, in company with Samuel Bryan, started a general store there. Later the style of the firm was Beatty & Bryan, who continued until 1861, when the business was sold to Dr. Degraot, who a year later lost all by fire. In 1863 J. L. Mark rebuilt on the site of the old store and handled groceries and dry goods till 1871, then sold to J. S. Burnett and
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A. E. Silcott, who were succeeded by Miller & Clark, who failed in less than one year. Following came Charles L. Bush.
The pioneer blacksmith was Joseph Parkison in 1857, who remained until 1870 and sold out. In 1880 a wagon shop was started by Charles W. Hyer, and a shoe shop by Richard Smith the same year.
With the change in times, the building of roads and pikes and additional railroad facilities, these small villages have been almost erased from the map of Fayette county.
Allentown, otherwise known as Octa, is a station point of the Dayton & Southeastern railroad, at its junction with the Cincinnati, Wooster & Chicago railroad. It was laid out by Elijah Allen, after whom it took its name, Allen- town, but for postal reasons was subsequently caled Octa. William Allen purchased the first lot, on which he built the first building. In 1877 a grocery was opened by John Rankin, who in a year or so sold to George Hinkle, who closed it out in 1879. In 1880 Alfred Methews and Mr. Glass brought in a stock and remained many years. It was also in 1880 that Frank Stone opened a hotel. F. C. Trebein, of Xenia, in 1880, built a large frame elevator in which he fixed a set of burrs for corn grinding.
In 1910 the population of Allentown ( Octa) was ninety-one. Its busi- ness interests consisted of : General stores by T. W. and Milton Murphy, brothers; John Stemmitz: an elevator by John Parker; a carpenter, named Will Stevens, and the postoffice.
There is a Methodist church at this village, but no lodges.
The following have served as postmasters at Octa since the office was established in April, 1882: H. B. Barnes, appointed April 18, 1882; George W. Riley, October 24, 1882; John Rankin, June 20, 1884; R. R. Clemer, De- cember 11, 1885 ; Gail Hamilton, July 26, 1886: U. G. Rankin, July 12. 1898: E. W. Allen, July 25. 1903: M. W. Johnson, September 22, 1904; C. S. Kelley, September 18. 1905: I. W. Murphy. September 24, 1906: Lottie Harmon, May 16, 1914.
Milledgeville, which place in 1910 had a population of one hundred and eighty-seven, is at a point in Jasper township, one mile north from old village of Plymouth on the Chicago, Hammond & Detroit railroad. It was laid out in 1855 by James Hogue. The first building here was the Milledgeville mill, built in 1855 by Straley, Creamer & Company. The first store was that of Jacob Creamer in 1856. The first brick store room was that of G. L. McAllister, in 1879. The Lamb & Murphy brick block was built in 1880. In 1878 a grocery was established by J. T. Hiser. C. M. Bush opened his hotel here in 1879, and sold to Joseph Rush. In 1881 Doctor Spangler
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bought the property and refitted the same. Doctor Culy was the first doctor of the village, he locating in Milledgeville in 1863. Prior to 1871 a shoe shop and a wagon shop were in operation. In an account of the village in 1881 it is found that at that date the business of Milledgeville consisted of one mill, two groceries, one hotel, two doctors, one boot and shoe store, one restaurant, a postoffice, and one large store owned by Lamb, Murphy & Com- pany, who handled dry goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, boots and shoes, queensware and farm implements.
The present standing of Milledgeville is about as follows: Its popula- tion is one hundred and eighty-seven. The interests include these : Milledge- ville bank; Acton Brothers, clothing and shoes; Charles B. Hooker and A. H. Lamar, restaurants: Fred Warning, hardware; Gidding Brothers, grain and lumber; Elmer M. Allen, coal dealer; Fred Warning, harness; Acton Brothers and W. H. Chamberlin, groceries; Drs. J. R. Adams and A. N. Vandeman, physicians. The churches are the Methodist Protestant and Baptist denominations.
The various postmasters serving here since the office was established are as follows: When it was "South Plymouth" they were E. L. Ford, August 26, 1852; John F. Hiser, June 11, 1874. Name now changed to Milledgeville : Smith Rankin, appointed February 9, 1877; G. L. McAllister, November 3, 1881 ; J. A. Murphy, August 21, 1885; H. C. Weimer, July 10, 1889; J. M. Acton, June 23, 1893 ; H. W. Jones, September 11, 1897; James Armstrong, September 6, 1901 ; H. P. Acton, January 14, 1905; Pearl L. Barnes, January 22, 1908: Henry W. Jones, May 28, 1908; Henry Pearson, May 4, 1912.
Seldon Station is on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, in the southeast portion of Jasper township, and is a small trading station.
Cunningham Station, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, is in the northeastern section of this township.
Jasper Station and Glenden are each small stations on the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania lines, in the southern part of Jasper township.
CHAPTER XXII.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP.
Concord township, in the southwestern part of Fayette county, is bounded on its north, east and south by townships of this county, while at its west is Clinton county. The dividing line between Union township and this township is Sugar creek. Rattlesnake creek divides Concord into two almost equal parts. As to the organization of the township, this is fully set forth elsewhere in this work.
Just who the first settlers were here is not known for any degree of cer- tainty, but it is certain that one of the most important pioneers was John Wright, who emigrated to the Scioto valley in 1798, settling on the waters of Paint creek with his family. There he resided until 1807, then married and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township, on Sugar creek. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, being commanded by Captain Kilgore and Gen. William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty- days service. Later he went out among the men who volunteered under the general call for troops. He was a thorough-going farmer, cleared up much land in this county and was elected trustee and enjoyed the respect and love of all who knew him.
Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania. In 1806 the family left their native state and settled at Oldtown (now Frankfort), Ross county, Ohio. In 1815 Marks bought about two hundred and forty acres of land in Con- cord township, this county, near the village of Jasper Mills. He was com- pelled to re-purchase his land, as it was claimed to be that of an officer of the Revolutionary War. A son of Peter Marks, Joseph, in 1828, erected a small cabin on the Washington and Staunton road. He resided there practically the remainder of his days. There was no habitation between his cabin and Buena Pista, and but three on the road running to Washington C. H., the whole country consisting of dense forest and underbrush. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President in 1822.
A little before the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore came in from Kentucky, locating on Sugar creek, a mile and a half south- east of the Wright settlement. The names of two sons now recalled are
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Ezekiel, who served in the War of 1812, and Thomas, who died of the dread inilk sickness. The remainder of this family removed to Indiana in either 1820 or 1821.
Just prior to the organization of this county, Thomas Gilbert settled on what was later styled the Ingle farm. He moved west later.
Thomas Foster occupied the old Elias Priddy farm, but, becoming dis- satisfied with the new country here, returned to Kentucky.
In the fall of 1808 David Wright, brother of John Wright, erected a small cabin on a little knoll, situated on land later known as the Jasper Wright place.
Other pioneers of Concord township were: Daniel Carmine, who came before 1812, was a hard-working settler, and reared a large, honorable fam- ily : James Maddox, who located on Sugar creek; Leonard Bush, Sr., Berry- man Allen and Eli West.
SUNDRY INCIDENTS.
A former historical collection for Fayette county gives the following on early days in Concord :
Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enter- prise, industry and business habits. During the War of 1812, her husband being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy, cultivated and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the boy plowed while she hoed. According to a pioneer superstition, in order to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday. In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken ready for seeding on the day preceding. During the night snow fell to the depth of six inches. The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the ground through the snow. The result was satisfactory and the old lady often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing flaxseed on Good Friday.
Mrs. Moore, well known in early days, desiring to visit Kentucky, her native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for the use of which she was to have the animal shod and bring the owner a quart of apple seeds. The contract was carried out to the letter, and from the seed planted the first orchard in southern Fayette county sprung.
Jeremiah Dunn was the first person to die in the neighborhood. In the absence of grave-yard or coffin it was decided to wrap the remains in a
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blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of Paint creek.
Caleb Wright, who came to Fayette county about 1807, was at the time a single man and when the War of 1812 was declared by Congress, he volun- teered as an Indian spy. He continued in that critical and dangerous capacity, traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps for one year, feeding on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps, and continually encountering the most imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him.
T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, the old settler, is said to have been the first blacksmith in this township. He was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church and a licensed preacher of the United Brethren denomination at one time.
The first millwright and carpenter was O. H. Wright.
The first justice of the peace in Concord township was William Thomp- son.
John B. Rowe, in the immediate vicinity of Staunton, was a famous hunter. He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen them "get down from fences," "lie down at the root of trees," or some such expression, indicating that he might have hurt them. In early days the occu- pation of hunter and trapper was quite common and very profitable.
MILLS OF THE TOWNSHIP.
The first grist-mill and saw-mill, as well as the first distillery, was built on Sugar creek by Adam Taylor. The lands were low and wet, and of course fever and ague were a common disease, which were supposed to be readily cured by frequent drinks of liquor. The old still was a favorite re- sort for many an old settler. Taylor afterward became involved, abandoned his place and moved west. The mill was never operated after his departure. and scores of years ago was washed down by the floods of Sugar creek. Prior to this mill the settlers carried their grain to "horse mills" at Washing- ton C. H. and Sabina.
VILLAGE OF STAUNTON.
This is Concord township's only village. It is located in the northeast part of the township, within a mile of Sugar creek, close to Hankin's run. The village was platted in 1848. The county records show the following concerning Staunton's origin :
"Whereas, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned, that
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there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord township, Fayette county, and state of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate, so as to include said village. And inasmuch as the undersigned are all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to have the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed an agreement in writing in substance as follows:
"Staunton, Fayette County, Ohio,
"September 5, 1849.
"We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby agree to sign and properly execute such instruments as may be drawn up by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of carrying this matter into effect. They are instructed to run two rows of lots and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and alleys, as they may deem necessary, the principal streets to run east and west, ยท parallel with said State road. The commissioners are further instructed to pay due regard to the buildings now up; to take into consideration the advan- tages and disadvantages of each individual concerned, etc.
(Signatures) "Willis Rowe, John Stukey, James Holbrook, William Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, David Pollock, William Long, James N. Flannagen, Charles Van Pelt, Will- iam Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison (provided a street runs through his lot, the commissioners are to value his lot and he is to be paid for it if he wishes to sell), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig."
In September of that year the following commissioners were duly ap- pointed : Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper and John S. Burnett. The original survey was made November 25, 1849, by John L. Burnett. Other territory was later added.
There had been quite a village started before this act, and this was simply to give form and shape and permanent order for a village proper.
Thomas J. Craig entered this locality from Greenfield, in 1842, and was the first to open a general country store.
As early as 1835 a blacksmith shop was started by Michael Marks, who years later sold to Caleb Wright. The second store of the village was estab- lished by John Webster. Year after year, when railroads were being pro- jected, the citizens here attempted to secure a railroad, but all attempts were marked with failure.
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In 1880 this village had a population of about one hundred and twenty- five souls, and business was conducted as follows : : Groceries, notions, etc., William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and William Dimon; wagon shop, John Rustler; boot and shoe shop. William Bay, James Holbrook ; physician, Doctor McAffee.
Coming down to the present time (1914), it may be said that Staun- ton has a population of less than one hundred, and the business is confined to a couple of general merchandise stores and a few shops. This was an- other of the original towns of Fayette county that the railroad era materially injured.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
GREEN TOWNSHIP.
Originally Green township embraced all of Concord and parts of Jasper and Perry townships. It is bounded on the north and east by Concord and Perry townships, on the south by Highland county and on the west by Clinton county. It is therefore the southeastern sub-division of Fayette county. It is one of, if not the least, of all the townships in this county. Rattlesnake creek enters survey No. 5348, flows southeast to survey 3986, thence south to the county line. Lee's creek has its source in Concord township, thence flows to the southeast, entering Green township in survey No. 5349, then south, crossing the entire township, entering Highland county. " The soil is generally a black loam, which has been extensively drained, and is now highly productive for any crops raised in this part of the state.
Concord, Green and Perry townships are the only sub-divisions in Fay- ette county not having the advantages of railroad facilities.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The population in 1910 of this township was six hundred and ninety- four, but the reader is turned back to 1807, when Jesse Rowe made his advent into this county. Aside from numerous stragglers, trappers and hunters, he was beyond doubt the first man to invade this township with a view of be- coming a permanent settler. He emigrated from Virginia to Ross county, Ohio, in 1803, with his family of nine children, John, Jesse, Jr., William, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Susan and Sarah. He located on the Little Wabash, the old homestead, in 1807. Shortly after the organization of Fayette county in 1810, he was chosen a justice of the peace, serving for four full terms; also held the trustee and other township offices. He was a class leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church to the close of his earthly career, the first class meeting in all his section of the country having been held at his cabin home in Green township. In his will he left a liberal sum to go towards the interests of the church he loved so well and labored in lifetime to build up in Fayette county. At a ripe old age, in 1845, he died. He had served his country in the days of the Revolutionary struggle.
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John Rowe, eldest son of the first settler, settled on land given him by the father, near the old home, and he became the father of eleven children. He took active part in the War of 1812, and held many important local offices. He died in 1863, an honored citizen.
Jesse Rowe, Jr., settled in Green township, but removed to Concord at the end of five years. He was a township trustee, and after the surrender of General Hull, volunteered to defend his country, under Gen. Batteal Harrison.
William Rowe removed to Ross county, Ohio.
James Rowe moved to the South at an early date. He was a minister of the Gospel, located at Huntsville, Alabama, married and attended select school. At the division of the church over the slavery question, he sided with the South, preaching up to the outbreaking of the Civil War, when he came north, where he remained till the war ended, then returned to Georgia, where he subsequently died.
The remaining children of Jesse Rowe, Sr., filled honorable stations in life and some of their descendants are still living in Fayette county.
Thomas Moon, Sr., was another prominent pioneer, who emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1810, with his family, consisting of James, John, Jacob, Christine, Jane, David, William, Margaret, and Thomas, Jr., and settled on Rattlesnake creek. In religion he was a Quaker (Friend) and honestly opposed to all wars, which accounts for his not being a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle and the later Indian wars. He bought lands in Green township, called the dividing ridge, on which he erected the first flour- ing mill and distillery in the township and, so far as is known to the writer, in the entire county of Fayette. His place soon came to be a favorite resort for customers. His flour was good, and possibly his whisky was equally pure and seemed good to take, in those days.
In all, the old gentleman had purchased eleven hundred acres, five of which lay in Highland county. His Fayette lands were all situated in the big woods. The cabin was erected and had a genuine puncheon floor, clap- board roof, fire-place made of split sticks and a stick chimney. In one week's time he cleared four acres of his heavy timber land, and in the autumn fol- lowing cleared six additional acres, which he sowed to wheat. Wolves and game abounded on every hand. Squirrels came in endless droves and were so thick that he was compelled to feed them outside the fences, to prevent his crops from being totally ruined. He died in 1828, aged seventy-one years. He had held several offices and stood high in the county.
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John D. Moon was a good school teacher, for those days, and served inder old General Jackson at New Orleans.
Jacob Moon located on Rattlesnake creek, farmed and was a soldier in the War of 1812.
Capt. Thomas Moon resided on the old homestead, running the mill and carrying on farming extensively. He served five years as captain of the militia, and died aged seventy-five years.
The other sons and daughters kept good the family name.
In 1818 came David Davis from Ilighland county, to which place he had immigrated in 1817 from Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1785. The first year in this township he rented land of John Garrett, then purchased fifty acres, and there built him a cabin. He had eight children as follows : Mary, Branson, Nancy, William, David, Catherine, Hannah and Melissa. At his death in 1855 he possessed a hundred and sixty acres of land. later occupied by his son Branson.
PIONEER SKETCHES.
Fayette county is full of rare and interesting incidents happening in the long ago when all was new and wild in this section of Ohio. The subjoined illustrates what is meant by this :
Edward Smith, Sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint creek, known as East fork, in 1810. His land was heavily covered with timber. A wig- wam served for a domicile by night and a shelter from beasts and the pelting storms. He started to clear his land for raising a crop,-the first thing in the mind of every early settler,-but the news of the war caused him to drop his axe and grasp his rifle and go forth in defense of his country. Peace having been declared, he again swung the axe in that green, glad solitude. One night, returning from the county seat, he discovered the creek out of its banks, but rode in fearlessly and was thrown from his horse and drowned.
A story is told of Alexander Cupper, dating back to 1783, which is in substance as follows: Cupper and famous old Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, were taken prisoners at the Three Islands by the Indians. When within seven miles of Oldtown, Boone contrived to escape, but Cupper was then all the more closely guarded by the savages. He was taken to town, tried by Indian council and condemned to the stake. Confined in a structure and guarded by two powerful Indians, no escape seemed in sight for him. The night previous to the intended burning at the stake, he was ordered to run the gauntlet down the rows of savages. Cupper sped down the line a short
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distance, broke through. left his pursuers far behind, and, burying himself in the deep forest tanglewood of the then wildest portion of what is now Concord township, this county, took refuge on the banks of the Little Wabash, whence he safely made his way to Three Islands on the Ohio river.
In 1810 George Kneedler settled in the dense forests of this township on the waters of the Rattlesnake creek. His father was a soldier under General Washington, in the Revolutionary War, and, true to the example set by a worthy sire, the son was an active participant in the War of 1812.
William Johnson left his native state, Virginia, in 1810, removing to Ross county, Ohio, in company with Judge McCracken. He located on Paint creek, where he remained till 1816, when his family consisted of a wife and children as follows: Anna, Thomas, George, Sarah and William Henry. He bought a hundred acres of the place later known as the Levi Bryant farm of Jesse Rowe. Here he commenced to make his improve- ments. He died in 1833 possessed of five hundred acres, all well improved.
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