USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 53
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Major James Galloway, jr., an unmarried man, emigrated from Kentucky, and came to this township with his father, James Gallo- way, sr., in 1803. The latter served as treasurer of Greene County from 1803 till 1816; while James, jr., was the first county surveyor, holding the office from 1809 to 1812. In 1805, he married Miss Martha Townsley, a daughter of Thomas Townsley. The ceremony was performed in the log cabin of the Townsley's, by Rev. Robert Armstrong, who was the only minister in the township who had a license empowering him to officiate in this capacity. Quite a num- ber of friends were present to witness the first marriage in the township, and the affair was one calculated to be long remembered. James Townsley, a cousin of Martha Townsley, and son of John Townsley, was the first boy born in the township, in 1802. While Sallie McCoy, afterwards Mrs. Innis Townsley, was the first white girl born in Cedarville Township, in 1803.
Among others who may be mentioned with the earlier settlers, and most prominent men in the township, are James Gowdy, who was county treasurer from 1825 to 1828. Samuel Newcomb, who filled the same office for the twelve years, immediately succeeding Mr. Gowdy's term of office, and George Townsley, who was elected auditor of the county in 1821, and filled the position creditably to himself, and satisfactorily to all concerned; till 1828, when he de-
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clined being re-elected. Besides the persons to whom reference has already been made, there might be added many others who in- terested themselves in the general welfare of the county, and es- pecially of this township, but such an account would contain a majority of all the citizens in the township, as well as those who are dead, and those who now live, and are in the mid-day of their strength and influence.
CEDARVILLE VILLAGE.
Cedarville village was laid off by Jesse Newport in 1816. The old plat consists of twenty-four lots each, 823x150 feet; of these nine are north, and fifteen south of Chillicothe Street. To this, the following additions have been made, namely: Alexander's, Jacob Miller's, Mitchell and Dille's, Hinsley's, Kyle's, Mitchell, Dunlap and others, Nisbet and others, O. W. and N., and four other additions by John Orr, making twelve in all. The town was first called Milford by the proprietor, owing to the fact of his having a mill in close proximity to the town, but there being another town of that name in Ohio, it was found necessary to change this in order to prevent all derangement in postal matters, and ac- cordingly in 1834, the village was named Cedarville, from the fact that the banks of Massie's Creek which flows through here, were lined with that species of tree, and at about that date the people in this township got their first post-office. The first postmaster was John Paris, a great temperance man, and one of the most prom- inent persons in the village. Besides performing the duties of post- master, he was also the first shoemaker in the village, and kept the post-office, shoe shop, dry goods store, and worked at watch and clock repairing, all in the same room. This room is still standing, and is now used as a kitchen by a family in the village. Mr. Paris kept the post-office till about 1844, receiving for his services a few dollars only, each year. The mail during his time was brought once a week from Xenia. H. D. Cline, the present postmaster, has kept the position since April, 1869. They had a daily mail after the stage route was established between Cincinnati, and Columbus in 1845, till the railroad was completed through here in 1850, after which they had two mails daily for some years. There are six mails received here, now every day, and the office pays about $550.00 per year, exclusive of money orders. The persons who have kept
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the office during the time intervening between the first and present postmaster, are as follows: A. W. Osborn, till 1848; James Small, six months; Colonel Torrence succeeded him, and kept it about two years, and was followed by Josiah Mitchell; and after him Wm. S. Bratton had the office a short time during Taylor's administration. A. W. Osborn then kept the office during President Pierce's term, and was followed by John Gibney, jr., who kept the position till the beginning of the war, when Osborn again officiated. IIe was fol- lowed by John G. Winter, who resigned in six months, and II. M. Boyd, predecessor of the present postmaster, took the office, and filled the position two years.
The first frame house in the village was one story high, 40x40 feet, and was built by John Orr, in 1834, who intended it for a cab- inet shop. Subsequently another story was added. This house still stands in the same place. The second frame was built by Robert Mitchell, in 1835, and Joseph Alexander soon put up the third.
The first merchant in the township was E. Mitchell, who started his store in Cedarville in about 1830, and kept up the business there till his death, in 1855, when B. MClennan bought the goods on hand, and after selling goods here three years, removed his stock to Kansas, where he is engaged in the same business. John Orr began selling goods in Cedarville in the spring of 1834, and has been successfully engaged in the same business ever since. Mr. Orr is an old citizen in the place, and has ever been foremost in all improvements of a public character that were projected. He was one of the incorporators of the Xenia and Jefferson Turnpike, the first in the township, which received its charter from the state in 1836. After the company had expended some $80,000, the state failed to comply with her part of the agreement, and the corpora- tion became insolvent. Mr. Orr exerted himself to the utmost to prevent this, but failed. He was also instrumental in having the railroad brought to the village, as the original surveys were all made on a different route, till convinced by Mr. Orr that this was the cheapest and best way they could run.
The first tavern in the village, and in the township, was a double log house, built by a Mr. Miller, about 1825. The amount of travel at that time was by no means as extensive as at present, and at that day the arrival of a stranger in the village was an important event. Miller kept this tavern stand many years, and was considered a very
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hospitable landlord in his day. Since that early day the business interests of the town have been constantly and rapidly increasing. The commercial wants of the place are supplied by four dry-goods stores, eight grocery stores, two hotels, two drug stores, one hard- ware store, one grain store, one butcher shop, three shoe shops, three blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, four physicians, one den- tist, one undertaker, one furniture store, two milliners, one tin shop, one bakery, one merchant tailor, and two barber shops. The place is remarkable in that it has no regular saloon within its limits, and as a consequence a more quiet or orderly community is not to be found in Greene County.
NEWSPAPER.
In 1876, George Strause and Herbert M. Northup conceived and executed the plan of publishing a newspaper in Cedarville, and ac- cordingly the requisite outfit was purchased, and the new sheet soon made its appearance among the citizens of the place. It was called "The Enterprise," and at first had a fair show of success; but the novelty of having a home paper soon wore away, and the circulation dwindled to such an extent that the proprietors found . the " Enterprise " anything but a money-making enterprise, and accordingly, in 1877, they sold the establishment to John Orr, jr., who put the management of the paper into the hands of J. M. Miller, formerly of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who run it, with vary- ing success, for two years, when Lee Stewart purchased the prop- erty of Mr. Orr. Miller was retained as editor of the paper till the spring of 1880, when several citizens of the place constituted themselves a company, purchased the concern, and put the paper into the hands of the present editor.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician in the township was Dr. MeTume, who came here about 1833. He remained several years, and since the date of his leaving, the physicians, with a single exception, have been resi- dents here a comparatively short time. Of the four now in the place, Dr. Stewart came in 1846, and is the oldest resident practi- tioner in the township. Dr. Winters came about 1855, and is here now. Dr. Madden, an eclectic physician, came about four years
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since. Dr. Rood has also been here but a comparatively short time. Previous to the coming of Dr. McTume, people went to Xenia for physicians.
MANUFACTORIES.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Jesse Newport, in 1811, on the banks, of Massie's Creek, a short distance from where Cedarville now is. It was one of the old flutter-wheel mills, and the first boards used in building in this township were sawed by it. Mr. Newport run this mill several years, and then sold it to John Townsley, who operated it till 1835, when he disposed of it to Fred Beamer, who in turn sold it to a Mr. Barber, the latter run- ning it till about 1868, when the mill was washed out, and was never rebuilt.
The second saw-mill in the township was built, in conjunction with a carding and fulling factory, by Issac and Jacob McFarland, about 1818, and for many years they carried on an extensive busi- ness. Finally they discontinued carding and fulling, devoting their whole attention to the saw-mill, which they run successfully till about 1845. The property is now owned by Samuel N. Tarbox, who continues to run the saw-mill, which he has operated for about twenty years. This is the only water-power saw-mill in the town- ship, and is also the oldest mill of any kind in the limits of Cedar- ville Township now being worked.
The first grist-mill in the township was built by Peter Mondy, about 1836, who also run a distillery in connection with it. This mill is now owned by Samuel Charlton, who has operated it some twenty years, and has the reputation of making an excellent quality of flour.
The third saw-mill in the township, was built by Charles, and James Small, in 1833, just west of Cedarville, on Massie's Creek. They operated this mill till 1842, when the property passed into other hands. A distillery was connected with it for a short time, but both have long ago perished, and now nothing marks the spot on which they stood.
The steam saw-mill now owned by Samuel Mitchell, is the only one of the kind in the township, and is, perhaps, as old as any in the county. It was built by Samuel Townsley, John Orr, and Al- fred Booth, in 1840. At first, they could only saw 1,000 feet of
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lumber per day; now they can easily do five times that amount. Mr. Mitchell became sole proprietor of the mill, about 1868, since which time he has managed it very successfully. They do an im- mense amount of sawing here.
The first steam grist-mill in the township was built in about 1855, by Messrs. Hamilton Clemens, and George Shiegley, who operated it about three years, when the mill was sold, and removed to Char- leston, in Clarke County.
D. S. Ervine, and Robert Ervine, began milling in 1878, when they purchased the mill of W. M. Harbison. They are carrying on an extensive business. In 1879, they shipped 30,000 bushels of wheat. They are at present building an elevator, which is to be three stories high, and which, when completed, will afford storage for 25,000 bushels of grain. They deal more extensively in grain than any firm in the township.
The only tile factory in the township, was established by J. W. Strouse, and B. W. Northup, in 1871, when they put up a dry room, 92x40 feet. Part of their buildings were destroyed by fire in 1873, but were immediately rebuilt. They give employment to four men during the working season. They manufacture all sizes, from two to six inches, and average about fifteen kilns per year, which con- tains four hundred and fifty rods of tiling each. Being the only establishment of the kind within a radius of several miles, they dispose of most of their work in their own neighborhood, where there is a good demand for the article.
The fruit evaporator of Tarbox Brothers was established by them in this township, and operated first in the fall of 1879, when they had completed the frame building, 20x30 feet, at a cost of about $1,600, including all the necessary apparatus. In evaporating ap- ples, they employ fourteen hands during the season, and run through about two hundred and fifty pounds of apples per day. This is the only establishment of the kind in the county, and will supply a much-needed want, by furnishing an excellent quality of fruit for the home market. Tarbox Brothers also operate the prin- cipal cider press in the township, which they have worked since 1876. During a season when apples are plenty, they manufacture from seven hundred to one thousand barrels of cider, all of which is necessary to meet the demands of the home market.
Uriah Jeffries established the only furniture factory in the town- ship, and the only one of any importance in the county, in Cedar-
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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. IIe 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. He 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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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 car 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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young man from Xenia, who took his seat amidst the smilings and frownings of the whole congregation.
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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 in- 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 II. F. Wallace, the present minister. The congregation has a member- ship of about one hundred and twenty-five. Churchi 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. II. 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.
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