USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 74
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With the coming of a new era, the historical writings have been changed. Upon the boundless bosom of History's undercurrent, are borne the destinies of all men. Now have the lowly found a voice, the weak man a tongue, the poor man an oracle. The dis- covery that manners and customs are the vital parts of history, has at last been made. It is evident that what people think about and hope for, is more important in the records of nationality, than the story of intrigues, debates and battles. The story of the settle- ment of our own homes, cannot fail to be of special interest to us. A record of the trials of the early pioneers, the subsequent success of themselves and posterity, together with the many reminiscences of ye olden times, deserve preservation. In the following pages the writer has aimed to portray accurately the incidents which have occurred in this township. It is the purpose of the publish- ers to preserve and present, in a compact and attractive form, the story of some important facts, already but half discoverable through the shadows, and soon to be lost in oblivion unless preserved in some such record as this.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
PRESENT BOUNDARY.
Silver Creek occupies the center of the extreme western portion of the county, and is bounded on the north by Ross Township, on the east by Fayette County, on the south by Jefferson, and on the west by New Jasper townships. The southern boundary is irregu- lar in form-the corners protruding, respectively, about one-half . mile, and one mile further south; an extension of about one mile is also added to the eastern portion of the southeast corner. The township is about six miles long, from cast to west, and about four miles wide. The surface is generally level, with a slight eleva- tion in the southwestern portion. Sufficient drainage is afforded by several branches of Cæsar's Creek, which have their origin in close proximity to the northern boundary, and flow diagonally through the township. Travel is facilitated by the Dayton and Southeastern Railroad, which crosses the township from east to west. Xenia, Washington and. Cedarville pikes, and their numerous branches, furnish ample means of egress and ingress in every di- rection. Originally, the township was nearly all timber, oak pre- dominating. With the rapid strides of civilization, almost every trace of the forests has disappeared, and in their stead innumerable acres of corn, potatoes, and grain have appeared, as if by magic.
The land was included in the Military District, and. purchased generally of agents. One Galloway was the original owner of the largest portion of the township. So-called congress land was pur- chased at two dollars per acre, and, in order to compete success- fully with congress land offices, the ageuts representing military grants disposed of their land at the same figure. After the memo- rable war of 1812, when money was scarce and buyers few, the price of land was reduced to $1.25 per acre. The fertility of the soil was, undoubtedly, the chief inducement to settlers. During the wet season, the eastern part was pretty generally covered with water. A superior system of drainage, however, has caused it to be the most productive tract of land in the township.
EARLY SETTLERS. 1
The first persons to make a home here were Martin Mendenhall, Thomas Moorman, Noah Strong, and Thomas Browder, who came'
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
in 1806, from Virginia and North Carolina. From these states came most of the early settlers. Mendenhall settled on the south side of what is now known as Jamestown, on a tract of about one hundred and fifty acres. The northern half of the town was owned by Thomas Browder. On the Maysville and Urbana road, one-half mile east of Jamestown, Noah Strong settled in 1807, with eight children. Strong was a native of Vermont, and left his native land about 1804-5. They lived at Cincinnati one year, then located at Cedarville; after living there a short time, they removed to the present farm of his grandson.
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In 1811, Mr. Strong built a log house, one and one-half-story high, which has since been weather-boarded, and is still in a state of preservation-being now used as a barn. Its present owner in- formed the writer that, without any exception, this is the oldest building in the township, and declares that it shall stand until suc- cumbing to the ravages of time. Grandfather, Noah Strong, pur- chased his tract of land-one hundred acres-of one George Reed- er. We were shown the original deed for the same, dated 1798. There seems to be conflicting opinions as to the date of the actual settlement of Strong. The land was purchased, in 1798, and yet, Mr. Sylvester Strong, a man of excellent memory, and whose ver- acity is unquestionable, has stated that his grandfather (Noah Strong) did not settle in this township until 1807. Purchasing lands some time before settling on them, however, was not an unusual occur- rence in those days, and it is quite probable that Strong received a deed for his lands some years prior to his occupancy of the same; this will account for the hiatus between the purchase and settle- ment of the land. That Strong was not only one of the first set- tlers, but the first settler in his portion of the township is an un- deniable fact.
One by one the surveys were inhabited by the whites. Some of them settled across the township lines, and are mentioned in the histories of the different townships. Others left for parts unknown after sojourning here for a short time only; the decendants of others have become extinct, or are unknown to tradition, the only source of information insomuch as it relates to pioneer history.
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Harkness Turner, settled on what was then known as the George Posey survey. In the year 1807, John Campbell settled where Todd. Sheley now resides. A little later, we note the arrival of Isaac Gutten, who located two miles south of Jamestown.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
John Sheley and family, who were friends and near neighbors of George Washington, came here from Virginia, in 1807, and set- tled on land one-half mile south of town. His descendants are yet living in this vicinity. Mr. Sheley and his wife, besides pos- sessing amiable dispositions, undoubtedly were favored with strong constitutions-we are informed that they lived to the ripe old age of nearly one hundred years.
Charles F. Moorman, a descendant of the Moorman's, who came from Ireland to America, in about the year 1690, was born in Campbell County, Virginia, June 25, 1795. On his birthday, at the age of twelve years, in the year 1807, he, with his parents, started to move to the State of Ohio. Having relatives in High- land County, they stopped with them awhile, five miles south of Leesburg, where they raised one crop. From thence they moved to this county, and settled one mile east of Jamestown, in the spring of 1809. In his seventeenth year he was converted to the Christian religion ; and in his twenty-first year, November 5, 1816, he was married to Matilda Watson, youngest daughter of John Watson, Esq., by whom he had thirteen children, eight sons and five daugh- ters; two died in infancy, and eleven were raised to man and woman- hood-seven boys and four girls; all living, except the oldest daughter, who died in her twenty-fourth year. Matilda, his wife, died December 31, 1870, aged seventy-four years, four months and seven days.
In moving from Highland to this county, they had to clear a road for the wagons to pass. Part of the way there was no wagon road, only an Indian trail or path, along which a single person or horse only could walk through the dense forests. Before leaving High- land County, preparatory to moving, they had cleared a few acres of ground and built a cabin, which was twenty feet square and one story high.
In the year 1816, the subject of this sketch, hewed the logs that built a story and a half house, adjoining the first one on the north side. This cabin is now standing on the southwest corner of Church and Railroad streets, opposite the depot, in Jamestown ; bought of Charles T. Moorman, sr., by Volen Stephens, and put up where it now stands. It is sixty-six years old.
Thomas Moorman, sr., settled on a tract of land which he bought of Colonel Wats, one thousand acres, being part of an original sur- vey, which was granted by the government of the United States to
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him for services in the Revolutionary War. Wats made Thomas Moorman agent, to sell land in this county, giving him the privil- ege of using the money at six per cent. In the course of a few years the colonel died, and a general settlement had to be made; and as he was not successful in his land speculation, he was not able to pay his debts without selling all the land he owned. The last sixty acres had to be sold, and Charles F. Moorman, sr., bought it at a high price, twelve dollars per acre, in order to secure a home for himself and family, and for his now aged parents. Thus his carly manhood was severely taxed by assuming a debt of over seven hundred dollars, at six per cent. per annum, with little or noth- ing to commence life with. By a strenuous effort, he placed him- self on a firm basis ; spending the remainder of his life in peace and comfort. He died the 30th of September, being eighty-five years, three months and five days old. His descendents are living in this and the surrounding counties.
INDIANS.
Prior to the first settlement in this county, the Indian hostilities had ceased ; hence but little trouble was apprehended from them. That Indians dwelled here in large numbers will not be questioned. Indeed, it is asserted by some of the oldest residents, that when the spot, where stands the old house built by Noah Strong, was excav- ated, numerous Indian skeletons were found, and the belief that there had once been located a burying ground on the site mention- ed became general. In 1812, 1813 and 1814, the Shawanoes, a friendly tribe of Indians, camped in this vicinity. Mr. Sylvester Strong and others frequently visited them, exchanging corn dodgers for venison hams. An old chief named Chieske, who was too old to be a warrior, lived with the Strong's, and instructed Sylvester in the Indian language.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
This township was organized in 1811. Peter Price, was one of the first justices of the peace.
The following is a list of township officials for 1880 :
Trustees, Alfred Johnson, James T. Robinson, A. G, Carpenter; clerk, S. A. Harper; treasurer, Al. Wickersham; assessor, William
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Blain; justices of the peace, Charles Chaney, S. O. Davis; consta- ble, P. G. Mooreman.
MILLS AND DISTILLERIES.
For some time our earliest settlers were compelled to crush their wheat and corn as best they could. The first grist mill was invent- "ed by Singleton Farmer, and consisted of two stones, between which the grain was crushed-the machine being turned by hand. In 1830, Childs Mooreman, living near the Friends' Church, erect- ed the so-called tramp corn-cracker, which was operated by the treading of horses on a large wheel, which, being revolved, set the machinery in motion. This process was very slow, requiring nearly one day to grind a sack of corn. In 1835-40, the mill now owned by J. W. McMillan, Jamestown, was erected and used jointly as a saw-mill and distillery. It was built by Merrick and McBride, be- ing the first manufacturing institution in the township which used steam. Some years after, it passed into the hands of one Kendall, who converted it into a flouring-mill. The mill was purchased by its present owner in about 1860. He has greatly improved the same, and it now ranks as one of the most extensive flouring-mills in the county.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
It is a fact ever to be remembered, that in the midst of trials, daily labor, and hours of apparent misery, our forefathers never for a moment forgot the God they loved, and who had ever protected them from the wiles of the evil one. They ever remembered the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; and though at first they were de- barred from the pleasures attending the weekly reunions of the Lord's people, yet in the privacy of their own chambers did they join in glad thanksgiving to HIim from whom all blessing flow.
Caesar's Creek Baptist Church .- This, the oldest organized church in the county, and the surrounding country as well, is located on the dividing line between Jefferson and Silver Creek townships. Inas- much as a majority of its members reside in this township, we deem it but just to incorporate it in the history of this township. The exact date of its organization is unknown, as none of the original members are now alive. We have the authority of Father Stephen
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Scott, that it was probably organized in 1803. Mr. Scott became a member,in 1820, and has since been a faithful worker in the cause to this day. At the time of Mr. Scott's connection with the church, Rev. Cottrell was the minister. Revs. Sutton and Tuttle were licensed ministers at that time, but had not been ordained. The first building used was a log cabin. Even at an early period the attendance was very large, and, to use Mr. Scott's own words, "In that old log house we had many happy times." Rev. Sutton . was a great preacher and a successful revivalist; his words, like bread cast upon the waters, were gathered after many days. During his ministration he baptized a great number of converts. An Eng- lish preacher named Jones, was also considered an interesting talker. He usually dwelt at some length on the religious persecutions of England, and never failed to arouse the sympathies of his audience.
The following gentlemen have administered to the spiritual wants of the church since its organization : Cottrell, Tuttle, Sutton, Reeves, Hummer, Mann, Stephens, and Smith. Rev. Samuel H. Smith is the present minister. Years ago, when it became evident that the old log was inadequate for the accommodation of the members, a small brick structure was erected. This continued as the house of worship until 1873, when the present brick building was erected. This is one of the largest and finest country churches in the county. Years ago, a Sabbath-school was organized, which is still in a very flourishing condition, the attendance being very large. A cemetery is located near the church, whose first burial dates far beyond the recollection of the oldest settler.
Caesar's Creek Baptist Church, No. 2 .- In 1837, on account of a difference of opinion on religious matters, there occurred a division in the old Cæsar's Creek Baptist Church, and about twenty mem- bers withdrew. They organized a new society, under the leader- ship of Rev. George Reeves, who served as their regular minister for a term of eighteen years. Their present house of worship-a frame, located on the southern part of O. S. Hatch's farm, in the southern part of the township,-was erected in 1859. At that time there were about thirty-three members. On account of deaths and removals from the neighborhood, the membership has decreased to seventeen. Services are conducted by Rev. Elias Reeves, son of Rev. George Reeves, once each month. There is no Sabbath-school connected with the church.
Campbellite Christian Church (located one mile east of Jainestown,
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on the Washington pike) .- This church owes its origin to the old Campbellite Church, organized at Jamestown, by Oliver Hixon, who, with Dr. Winans, assisted in the building up of the same. At a very early day, this section of country was visited by Walter Scott, who, with Rev. A. Campbell, originally founded this denom- ination. As is stated in the history of Jamestown, meetings were held at that village for a number of years, until the departure of several of the most influential members necessitated the dissolution of the body. Some nine or ten years ago, a few believers in the faith made arrangements to hold occasional meetings in the school house, not far from the present church building. In 1873, an or- ganization was effected, and shortly after, the present structure, a frame, 30x40, was erected. Rev. John Irvin was the first minister after the completion of the new church; the church consisting of about fifty members, which number remains unchanged. The members meet every Sunday to participate in the sacramental rites. Regular services are held once each month, conducted by Rev. Bingaman.
The Society of Friends was organized in the year 1812, by Thomas P. Mooreman and others, Mr. Mooreman being the first clerk. The membership was composed of the Friends (or Quakers) residing in this and the surrounding country. They met regularly, at the house of Thomas Mooreman, sen., though for some time with- out a regular minister, the pulpit being supplied by the occasional "traveling preacher." Ere long a log house was erected, on ground about three-quarters of a mile southwest of Mooreman's, or one mile southeast of town. At times there were about fifty members. In 1836, or 1839, the log was torn down, and a frame erected in- stead. Thomas Arnett, an able minister, who traveled very exten- sively in the church interest, frequently visited and preached for this organization. He died a few years ago, at the advanced age of fourscore years and ten. Joseph Doan was another prominent divine, who frequently preached to the congregation. Father Mooreman, aged eighty-six years, was one of the early officers. Services are held on Wednesday and Sunday of each week, by Rev. M. F. Mooreman, who has been minister since 1866. The present building, a frame, 35x45, was erected in 1873, and is located on the Washington pike, one mile east of Jamestown. The society now numbers about one hundred members.
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SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
When the construction of a railroad, from Dayton via James- town to Belpre was agitated, this township, with commendable liberality, subscribed ten thousand dollars towards defraying the expenses attending the construction of said road. Nine thousand dollars were collected. The road was graded from Dayton to this place about twenty-four years ago and then abandoned. In 1875, about six years ago, the policy of building a narrow-gauge rail- road, from Dayton to the southern Ohio coal fields, was again dis- cussed. When it was determined to lay the iron on the old grade, Silver Creek, through a legislative grant, donated the remaining one thousand dollars to the enterprise. The road was built, and has added a new impetus to the energy of the citizens. The road is purely a local affair, and accommodates the people. Four trains pass each day, besides several freights and " extras." The road is now completed to Chillicothe and the coal regions: its patrons are furnished with coal at figures greatly reduced from former prices.
Miami Valley and Columbus Railroad meetings are now being held, which have for their object the completion of the above men- tioned road, fifty miles of which is already graded, between Col- umbus and Waynesville-a total distance of seventy-five miles. This will enable the people along the line to market their produce at Columbus, and will also furnish direct railroad communication with Cincinnati and other important points.
SCHOOLS.
The first schools were conducted on the subscription plan. Three months of each year, only, were the children priviledged to attend. On account of the scarcity of money, many children could not be clothed sufficiently until after Christmas; even then, some had no shoes to wear. Many of our old settlers remember seeing children going to school through the snow, in their bare feet. The school house consisted of a rude log cabin. Seats were made of hewed plank ; desks were constructed by driving pegs in the wall and lay- ing slabs of timber thereon; light was admitted by means of greased paper, which covered the aperature between the logs. A huge fire-place occupied, at least, one-third of the room. When,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
and where, the first school house was built, and who first taught, we have no means of ascertaining. In 1825, there were four schools in the township, one of which was the old brick, where now is located the old cemetery. It was in this house, Mr. M. S. Sanders, and others yet living, received their education. Though the house was pointed to with pride in those days, it would now be considered unfit for the present civilized community. As the country advanc- ed in civilization, so did the condition of schools assume a more favorable aspect; and when the common school law was passed, it was realized that the change was for the better. In 1840, the town- ship boasted of several frame school buildings. There are now six houses in the township, the majority of which are brick. The school building in district number five has recently been repaired, and presents a very creditable appearance. The following enum- eration of school children was taken in the fall of 1879:
District.
Males.
Females.
Total.
No. 1.
Silver Creek
27
26
53
No. 1.
Jasper
5
9
14
No. 2.
Silver Creek
34
29
63
No. 3.
20
20
40
No. 3.
New Jasper
12
11
23
No. 4.
Silver Creek
16
13
29
No. 5.
29
20
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No. 5.
Jefferson
8
10
18
No. 6.
Silver Creek
31
40 .
71
Grand Total,
182.
178
360
Township board of education for year commencing April 19, 1880. District number one, Joseph Miars; district number two, D. D. Johnson ; district number three, William Turner; district number four, A. S. Ross ; district number five, G. C. Straley; district number six, J. W. Gorrell. President, G. C. Straley; clerk, S. A. Harper. :
JAMESTOWN.
This, the only village within the boundaries of Silver Creek Township, is located in the northwestern portion. The town is irregular in shape, caused by several additions after the original survey. It is built principally on Washington, Xenia, and Lime-
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stone streets; the first two running east and west, the other north and south. The south part is crossed by the Dayton and South- eastern Railroad. Considering its size, Jamestown has few peers as a business center. Besides controlling the almost entire retail trade of its own township, it draws largely from the surrounding . townships of Jefferson, New Jasper and Ross. The town contains three hotels-one, a magnificent affair, is just nearing completion: five dry-good stores, three groceries, two drug stores, two book stores, one furniture store, two blacksmith shops, one meat market, two harness shops, and one wagon making shop. According to the recent census, the population is two thousand one hundred and fifty-five, an increase of four hundred and fifty-four since 1870.
Much information concerning the early history of Jamestown and Silver Creek Township, we have obtained through an inter- view with Mr. Sylvester Strong, now of Atlanta, Illinois, but for- merly a resident of this place, by a representative of the Jamestown Tribune. Martin Mendenhall and Thomas Browder were the original owners; the former being proprietor of the south side, containing one hundred and fifty acres, the latter of the north, which probably contained an equal amount of . land. The town was named after Jamestown, Virginia, the native place of Browder. It was surveyed, in 1815, by Thomas P. Mooreman, and a Mr. Thomas, the Clinton County surveyor.
The Parker House property, was the first house raised-it was used, at that time, as a tavern by Thomas Watson. The next house was built by Dr. Matthew Winans, who used it as a store. He was the first physician of the town, and the father of the late Judge Winans, of Xenia. The tavern was next kept by Zina Adams, who continued as its landlord for a number of years. He came in 1824, and was the father of the "Adam's boys," who are well and favorably known in this community. In 1810, five years prior to the time of the surveying of the town, a tan-yard was started by John Miller and William Sterritt, but who these men were, and from whence they came, we have no means of knowing.
Immigration to the village was but gradual, and years elapsed before any apparent increase in its size became noticable. In 1826, William Baker, of Kentucky, paid a visit to Dr. Winans, his uncle. He was favorably impressed with the general appearance of the country, and in 1831 bade adieu to his native soil, and took up his abode at this place. IIe built a small frame on the site now
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
occupied by Johnson's grocery and provision store, where he en- gaged in manufacturing harness. 'At that time the village consisted of about ten families, who were engaged in conducting two taverns, two general stores, one tannery, two liquor shops, and two cake shops or bakeries. Growers of grain found a market for the same at Xenia; and provision for the stores were obtainable at Dayton. .
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