USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 53
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CEDARVILLE TOWNSHIP.
ville, in 1834. His work was then all done by an old-fashioned hand lathe, which he worked several years before he purchased a horse-power, shortly after which he removed his shop to a little log cabin, west of Cedarville, near the site of the present buildings. He remained there till 1845, when he took James Jeffries as a part- ner, and they then put up the present buildings. In 1855, Uriah sold out to James, the former going to farming, which occupation he followed two years, when he returned and renewed the partner- ship, which was again dissolved by his death, in 1870. In about 1873, James took M. Jeffries into the concern, as a partner, which relation they still sustain. They introduced steam power into their establishment in 1874. They give constant employment to about fifteen men, and manufacture a great deal of elegant furniture. They established a furniture store in Xenia, in 1876, where they keep a large and fine stock of goods.
D. S. Ervine began the manufacture of lime in the spring of 1869, . when he entered into partnership with S. M. Foster. They built one kiln the first year, and another the next, running these two till 1871, when Mr. Ervine bought Foster's interest, since which time he has been running the business alone. During the summer he gives employment to about twenty-four hands, and in winter em- ploys about one-third that number. He has three kilns, which, when in active operation, will burn two car loads of lime, of three hundred bushels each, per day. The greater portion of this he ships to Cincinnati. Mr. Ervine manufactures about three times as much lime as all the other lime burners in the township.
The only brick kiln in Cedarville Township was established by D. S. Ervine, in the spring of 1879. During this first year, he made about two hundred thousand brick. He gives employment, in this work, to four men, and this year will exceed the number of brick he manufactured last year, by about fifty thousand.
Wesley Iliff is the oldest manufacturer of lime in the township. HIe came to Cedarville Township the same year the village was founded, 1816, but did not begin to burn lime until about twenty- seven years later. He gives employment to about nine men, and burns about one hundred and fifty car loads of lime per year, which he ships to various parts of Ohio, and some to Indiana.
John Orr began burning lime some time after 1845, and still re- tains an interest in the business, which is now managed by his son. He manufactures about the same quantity of lime as Mr. Iliff.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
W. G. Shroads began burning lime some twenty years since. He employs about eight men during the summer, and burns about one hundred and forty-five ear loads of lime, which he ships to dif- ferent parts of our state.
SCHOOLS.
In no one thing do the citizens of this township deserve to be more highly lauded than for the rapid improvement and present efficiency of her public schools. The first school house in the township was built on Townsley's farm, in 1806, and James Towns- ley was the first teacher. It would be a difficult matter to conceive of a ruder edifice, or one more uncomfortable, than this old log house. One end of the building was devoted to a fire-place, which, piled high with blazing logs in winter, warmed the freezing toes and frosted nose of the youthful knowledge seeker, after a tramp of several miles through mud and snow. The floor of this house was the earth, and although it was an impossible thing to wear it out, it was not a very difficult matter to raise a dust. Light came in through a hole, made by taking out a section of log, and during the winter the aperture was pasted over with greased paper, which served the double purpose of transmitting the sunlight and keeping out a little of the cold. The benches were of split logs, with wooden pegs driven in through auger holes. Part of these slabs were placed with the round, and part with the split side up, so that when a pupil got tired sitting on a round log, he might vary the monotony by sitting on a flat surface. School was held in this house for several years, when the increasing population demanded another, which was built on Massie's Creek, about 1810, and was similar to the former, save that it had a wooden floor of split puncheons, which was quite an improvement over the dirt floor. A member of the McCoy family was the first teacher in this house. The first school house used by the citizens of Cedarville village, was a hewed log, owned by a widow lady, Mrs. Gamble, which she had built for that purpose, and in which she taught the first school, in 1823. The old stone house was then built, about a quarter of a mile from the village, in 1828. The year preceding this, a log house had been built on the William Pollock farm, for school pur- poses. Among the early teachers, Orlanda Junkins, Harriet Hatch, Matthew Mitchell, and David Torrence, are remembered as having
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been good teachers. for the day in which they lived. The pupil was considered a good scholar, and a ripe one, after he had mastered the rudiments of "readin', writin', and 'rithmetic." The manner of conducting schools has been entirely revolutionized since then. The union school house in the village of Cedarville was built in 1866, at a cost of $25,000. It contains seven well ventilated and comfortably seated rooms, with patent desks, and half a dozen effi- cient teachers are employed. Geometry, astronomy, and other of the more important sciences, receive considerable attention, and also six terms of Latin are taught in the latter part of the course.
The report of the township clerk for the year ending August 31, 1879, showed a balance of $1,583.59 on hand. One school building was erected the past year, at a cost of $1,350. There are ten school houses in the township, and the whole of such property is valued at $13,000. The different schools continue in session thirty-three weeks each year, and give employment during that time to ten competent teachers, of which the average wages of male teachers is $32, and female $27, per month. There were 257 pupils enrolled the past year, and of these 38 were between sixteen and twenty- one years of age. The average monthly enrollment was 181, and the average daily attendance 133, during the year.
CHURCHES.
The first church in the township was built about 1804, on Mas- sie's Creek, about four miles west of Cedarville. It was a round- log house, built by the Scotch seceders, who came here from Ken- tucky. It was a very rude structure. The Rev. Armstrong, to whom reference has already been made, was the first minister. He was a Scotchman, and somewhat cross-eyed. On one occasion there was some whispering going on in the congregation. The minister, · fixing his eyes really on the offender, but apparently upon a visitor from Xenia, shouted out, "I want that noise stopped immediately." The Xenia man, being somewhat angered at what he considered the old Scotchman's impertinence, rose to his feet and asked, " Do you mean me?" "If the shoe fits you, I mean you to wear it," answered the imperturable preacher, fixing his unmanageable eye really upon his interlocutor, but apparently upon another man. The mistake he had made soon dawned upon the mind of the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
young man from Xenia, who took his seat amidst the smiling's and frownings of the whole congregation.
Mr. Armstrong preached for his people during his lifetime, and was an able man. Once, during the war of 1812, word came, dur- ing services, that the Indians were expected to show hostilities im- mediately. The people were dismissed in the midst of the sermon, and the preacher, with his flock, retired to the nearest house, and began making bullets, and otherwise preparing for war; but, for- tunately, no violence was attempted among them. This congrega- tion removed the round-log house, and built a hewed-log church, in 1810, on the same spot. In 1829, they built the old stone edifice, known as the " Massie's Creek Church," which is still in a state of good preservation, and is yet used for divine services.
The Methodist Episcopal denomination were in this township as early as 1804, when services were held in different houses during the winter, and in the woods in the warmer months. Their brick edifice, in Cedarville village was remodeled in 1879, and it may justly be considered one of the most substantial church structures in the township. They have a membership of about two hundred, and sustain a Sunday-school which has an average attendance of about one hundred and twenty. . Mr. James Gowdy, the superin- tendent, has held the position some time, and the school is in a very flourishing condition.
The Baptists built a frame church in the township, in about 1830. This house several years since, passed into the hands of the colored Baptists, who hold regular services here.
The United Presbyterian Church was organized here by Samuel Finley, in 1830, when the congregation consisted of thirty members. James Buchanan, the first regular minister, came in 1834, and re- mained till his death in 1836. During his pastorate, the present frame edifice was erected. Harvey Buchanan, a brother of James, succeeded as minister, and retained the position till about 1855, when James B. Wright was chosen pastor, and served till the begin- . ning of the war, then James McCaul officiated as minister for some time, and was succeeded by W. H. Haney, the predecessor of H. F. Wallace, the present minister. The congregation has a member- ship of about one hundred and twenty-five. Church property worth $1,500.00.
The Reformed Presbyterians .- This congregation organized the first prayer-meeting in the township, in 1804, which was kept up
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many years by the families of David Mitchell, James Miller, James Reid, and William Moreland. Revs. Thomas Donelly, and John Kell preached here, first in the fall of 1809. First services were held in a log barn, on the Dallas farm, at which time there were about nine members in the congregation.
The first persons baptized were William and Joseph Reid. They put up their first church, in 1812. It was a rude house of logs, with old fashioned roof fastened down with weight poles. They worshiped here twelve years. Rev. John Kell, the first minister, preached here from 1810 to 1816. The stone church, two miles from Cedarville, was built in 1824. Rev. Hugh McMillen, was first pas- tor in this house, and remained till his death. The congregation divided in 1833, into the new and old schools, both occupying the house some time. In 1839, the former built a brick church, which they used till 1853, when the present brick was built in Cedarville. It is 45x67 feet inside, and has in it materials used in the old church built in 1824. Rev. J. F. Morton, the present pastor, has served the people in that capacity here since 1863. The present member- ship is about two hundred. Average attendance at their Sunday- school, one hundred and sixty. When the division arose, it left the old school here with thirty-eight members. They had no regular minister till 1858, when Rev. H. H. George was called to the pas- torate, where he officiated till 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Sterritt who served the congregation till 1871, when his death occurred, and Rev. P. P. Boyd accepted a call from the congregation. He remained here till 1874. Rev. W. J. Sproul was then called here, but having been previously appointed mission- ary to Syria by the board of missions, was compelled to decline. They have no regular minister at present. Present church edifice was built 1855, and remodeled in 1879. They have thirty-five members. Robert Ervine has been superintendent of the Sunday- school since 1878. They have an average attendance of about fifty. The church property is worth $1,500.00.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Odd-Fellows .- Cedarville Lodge, No. 630, was organized June 20, 1876, by W. C. Earl, special deputy from Grand Lodge at Cleveland. The charter members were as follows: N. B. Cleaver, J. W. McLane, A. C. Owens, T. C. Gibson, F. J. Huffman, E. W.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Van Horn, William Shull, M. Rasor, S. L. Walker, M. Albitz, J. W. Walker, W. H. Walker, and Alexander Noble. First officers were, N. B. Cleaver, N. G .; W. II. Walker, V. G .; T. C. Gibson, record- ing secretary, J. W. Walker, permanent secretary, F. J. Huffman, treasurer. Present officers are: Dr. W. P. Madden, N. G .; E. W. VanHorn, V. G .; J. W. McLane, treasurer, Byron Miller, record-
ing secretary, Alexander Noble, corresponding secretary.
The
lodge at present contains a membership of twenty-six. E. W. Van Horn is the oldest member of the lodge, and Barton White the youngest. The society has no room of its own, but holds its delib- erations in the hall built by Mr. Gowdy for this purpose, which he rents to the order for $72.00 per year.
The G. U. O. F. (colored) received its charter in January, 1879. The charter members were: Daniel Smith, Thomas Mitchell, Wil- liam Fields, James K. Smith, Moses Moss, David Samuels, John Smith, Newton Gaines, James Gaines, Joseph Ross, William Gallo- way, Stephen Thomas, Vincent Smith, Wilson Smith, John R. Smith, Joseph Wright, Robert Pigg, James Robinson, David Stout, Harris Taylor, Milton Robinson, Amaziah Hamilton, Harrison Tilley, Graham Sellers, John Woodford, and Charles Smith. Pre- sent officers : John Silvey, N. G .; Stephen Thomas, V. G .; John Smith, R. S .; John R. Smith, P. S .; Thomas Mitchell, T .; James Wright, P. N. G .; . James K. Smith, N. F. The lodge numbers thirty-five members, and meets in the town hall, which they rent for that purpose.
Order of United American Mechanics .- Continental Council No. 27, of the State of Ohio, received its charter from the State Coun- cil, at Cleveland, August 9, 1873. The charter members were : E. W. Van Horn, W. H. Walker, J. W. Walker, Robinson Satter- field, J. B. Beamer, S. L. Walker, Jos. Van Horn, J. F. Studivant, W. S. Walker, E. A. Thomison, A. B. Cline, D. H. McFarland, J. P. Satterfield, G. W. Randall, II. D. Gibney, W. H. Iliff, R. Fitz- gerald, G. W. Werntz, D. W. Walker, Jasper Ballard, J. W. Mc- Farland, J. A. Sites, HI. Cross, W. Beamer, C. W. Mincer, T. P. Iliff, John Phillips, and A. C. Scanland. The present officers are : J. Van Horn, C .; T. V. Iliff, V. C .; D. H. McFarland, R. S .; John W. Booth, F. S .; S. L. Walker, T .; A. B. Cline I .; J. W. McFar- land, Ex .; R. McFarland, I. P .; W. Beaver, O. P .; E. Van Horn, J. Ex. C .; W. H. Iliff, S. Ex. C. The order at present consists of forty members at this place. They meet every Wednesday even-
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ing in the hall built by the town council, for which they have pro- cured a lease for a term of five years. S. L. Walker is the oldest, and Albert Barr the youngest member of his lodge.
SOLDIERS.
During the War of 1812 quite a number of the pioneers of this locality laid by the ax and left the plows standing in the furrow, and went forth to battle for their homes and firesides. Judge Samuel Kyle, the Townsleys, McMillens, McFarlands, Reids, and many others might be named, who fought bravely for their coun- try during the war. And in later years, when the clanking from the chains of many thousand slaves was wafted northward, the noise of the coming tempest was heard here, and many stout hearts and strong bodies turned from Cedarville Township, and joined the boys in blue who went to fight for freedom in freedom's holy land. Among those who went to fight from this township were: John Anderson, Michael Agen, Andrew J. Bays, Joseph Berger, John H. Bickett, John D. Crooks, Michael Conroy. James H. Evans, B. J. Fuvnier, Charles Howard, Adam Jordan, William Kitchens, Theodore Klingsohr, John J. Langden, W. H. Liter, Michael Mc- Hugh, Thomas H. McClellan, Alfred Qualls, John Sall, Albert J. Sprinkle, Moses B. Stout, Fred. Strasbaugh, Andrew Troup, James A Turner, William B. Turner, Thomas Underhill, Carey A. Wy- koff, Joseph Welsh, Joseph L. Wiley, Daniel Wilson, Francis S. Waring, Rudolph Garper, Thomas Mitchell, and Creed T. Price. Some of these returned safe home; some lie buried on southern battle-fields, in unknown graves ; others were maimed for life ; but the cause for which they battled was won, and a halo of glory sheds a lustre around their names that time can never dim.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Stephen C. Beal, deceased, Cedarville, son of George and Rachel (Driscol) Beal, was born in Greene County, August 1, 1827. He married, August 28, 1852, Miss Amanda J. Smith, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kimble) Smith, who were natives of Vir- ginia, and ranked among the early pioneers of this county. Ste- phen was the father of four children, all living: Rosetta J., George D., Etta L., and Charles M. He was a member of the Methodist
-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Episcopal Church, respected by all, and among the prominent business men of this part of the county. Departed this life, April 13, 1877.
George W. Brown, farmer, Cedarville, was born in Louden County, Va., February 13, 1804, son of Jacob and Judith (Walters) Brown. George immigrated to this county with his parents at the age of thirty-one years. His father located two thousand acres of land in the woods, where George and his parents lived under one roof for fifty-five years-an occurrence which is seldom known. They lived and toiled together, cutting away the dense forests, and making themselves a farm. Our subject was married, December 15, 1849, to Miss Eliza McCroy, the daughter of James and Elizabeth MeCroy, who were also natives of Virginia. George is a member of the Friends' society, a stalwart Republican, and cast his vote for James A. Garfield.
William H. Bull, farmer, son of James and Anna (Gowdy) Bull, who were born in Pennsylvania, about 1776, was born in Cedarville Township, November 14, 1805. James departed this life at the age of ninety-two years, and Anna at sixty-two years. William spent the early part of his life at home with his parents ; when he reached the age of twenty-five, he hired to work on a farm at $8.00 per month. Was married December 22, 1836, to Abby R. Kyle, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Gowdy) Kyle. Six children have been born to them. Four of their sons took part in the late war. James Kyle was a member of the Thirty-Fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. Serving four years, following his regiment through several hotly contested engagements, was incarcerated for some time in Libby Prison. John Gowdy served as a soldier two years, W. H. Gowdy one year, and Joseph K. Gowdy three months .. William and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church -Massie's Creek congregation.
J. P. Caldwell, druggist, was born in Cedarville Township in 1836, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (McMillan) Caldwell, who were born in South Carolina, and with their parents came to Ohio in an early day. Mr. Caldwell located on the eastern side of the town- ship. To them two children were born : Joseph P., and David R. The husband and father died at the age of forty-two or forty-three; the mother survived her husband, and died at the age of sixty-three years. They were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. They left their native state on account of slavery, and came to Ohio
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that they might escape its degrading influence. Our subject was reared on the farm, and at his father's death, was taken by his grandfather, David McMillan, with whom he lived till twenty-four years old. He then began life for himself, and engaged in farming, which he followed till 1873, when he came to Cedarville, and em- barked in the drug business in which he is yet engaged. In 1860, he was married to Susan McQuillen, who presented him with three children : Elizabeth, James, and Mary. Mrs. Caldwell died in the bloom of womanhood, April 7, 1876, aged thirty-nine years. In the township he has been assessor, and in the village, member of the council for five years. His brother was a member of Colonel Stephenson's regiment of one hundred day men.
H. D. Cline, postmaster, was born December 20, 1834, in Berkeley County, Virginia, and is the son of Hiram and Annie Cline, who came to this place with their parents when this was a new country, and erected a log cabin on the ground where the United Presby- terian Church now stands. The subject of this sketch spent his youth at home, receiving the rudiments of education in the com- mon district schools. On the 19th of April, 1861, he was the first to enlist in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, following his regi- ment through six general engagements, with credit to himself and his country. Was mustered out of the service the fifth of August, 1863, on account of disability. Was appointed postmaster in 1869, which he has held to the satisfaction of the people until the present time. 'Has also been mayor of this town for two years, councilman three years, and a member of the school board; is recognized as one of the public spirited men of his village. In 1863, he was mar- ried to Anna C. Powers, by which marriage two children are now living : Armence A., and Carrie E. The deceased are: John W., Josephine, Frank C., and Effie C. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are mem- bers of the Methodist Church.
James S. McCollum, farmer, born in Butler County, Ohio, Au- gust, 1832, was raised a farmer, and received the rudiments of his education in the common district schools. Was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Sixth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, stationed near Cumberland, where he remained as a soldier four months. Was married, January 1, 1868, to Miss Priscilla Elliott. She departed this life March 17, 1871. October 5, 1876, he mar- ried Sarah Creswell, daughter of Samuel and Eliza Creswell, whose names appear in another part of this work. James and his wife are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
1
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Robert M. Cooper, farmer, born on the farm where he now lives, January 23, 1838, is the son of John A., and Agnes (King) Cooper, who were among the pioneers of this county. Robert was educated in what was known as the Kyle district, and has remained at his present home all his life. He married, Decem- ber 24, 1862, Margaret J. McClellan, daughter of James and Am- anda (Hyslop) MeClellan. Hle and his wife are members of the Re- formed Presbyterian Church, and have two children now living: Mary E., and James McClellan.
Samuel Creswell, farmer, born on the farm where he now lives, January 12, 1820, is the son of James and Anna (Junkin) Creswell, who were born in Pennsylvania, and emigratedwith their parents to Louisville, Kentucky, about 1781, which place was but a small village at that time. Remaining here about eighteen years, they removed to this county, in 1813, and located on the farm where Samuel and his family now live. June 10, 1846, Samuel, our subject, married Eliza J. Hffuman, daughter of Aaron and Martha (White) Huffman. The children have been born by this marriage, all of whom are now living. The family are active members of the Reformed Presby- terian Church.
James Dunlap, lumber dealer and farmer, Cedarville, was born in the County of Antrum, Ireland, April 29, 1812, and is the son of William and Jane (More) Dunlap. He received his early edu- cation in Ireland, and at the age of sixteen came with his father to Cincinnati, where he made his home with his brother, working in a box manufactory, which business was carried on by his father and brother Robert. At the age of eighteen he was employed in a bank as messenger-boy, and remained as such for several years. Finally he rose to the position of book-keeper in the Franklin Bank, and filled that position until 1836, when he was compelled to abandon his place on account of poor health. During his bank- ing experience he at one time was sent in charge of two thousand six hundred pounds of specie, which was loaded in an open wagon and drawn from Cincinnati to Lexington, Kentucky, being four days on the road, and passing through dense forests and lonely val- leys, with but two men in company with him. Archbishop Wood was also a clerk in the bank with our subject. Soon after James retired from his position in the bank, he embarked in the lumber business, which he has followed almost continuously until the pres- ent time. In the year 1835 he married Jane M. Limerick, daugh-
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CEDARVILLE TOWNSHIP.
ter of James and Rachel Limerick, and raised from a small child by Mrs. Jepthah Gerard. She departed this life in the year 1871, at the age of fifty-three years, leaving her husband and five chil- dren to mourn her loss.
D. S. Ervin, lime manufacturer and dealer, Cedarville, was born in Morrow County, Indiana, near Bloomington, on the 25th day of April, 1836. His father was born in the County Antrum, Ireland, and his mother in South Carolina. They were married about the year 1828, and removed from South Carolina to Indiana about - 1829, -- to avoid the influences of slavery,-locating on a farm in Morrow County. Charles Ervin departed this life in 1869; his wife remaining in Indiana until 1878, when she removed to Greene County to make a permanent home. The subject of this sketch passed the early part of his life at home with his parents. In the year 1865, he removed to Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana, and embarked in the lumber business. He remained there a short time, and then came to this. In May, 1877, he married Miss Belle Murdock. They have two children by this union : J. B., and Mary B. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are members of the Reformed Presby- terian Church, and are recognized as good Christian people in the community in which they live. Mr. Ervin is not only the largest lime manufacturer in the place, but has an interest in a large grist- mill, is an extensive grain merchant and coal dealer, paying out $150.00 per week for common labor.
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