USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Groveport > History of Madison Township, including Groveport and Canal Winchester, Franklin County, Ohio > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
Digitized by Google
1
1
.
i İ
305
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Neither any of the records, nor the result of this last election could be found, further than that C. Fay Needels was elected president. In the summer of 1878, the grounds and buildings were sold to M. Cor- bett under an execution issued in favor of Lee Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Winchester. The summons of Sheriff Josiah Kinnear contains the names of the Directors as follows, viz: Moses Seymour, Henry Long, Chas. Pontius, Wm. F. Decker, E. B. Decker and C. P. Dil- dine.
The fair ground was located on the Groveport and Winchester pike, on the northeast quarter of section No. 27 and contained about seven acres. No details of the receipts, attendance, etc., could be obtained ; there. is however no question but that the Madison Township Agricultural Society had much to do with the devel- opment of the stock and grain industries of the town- ship. We were not able to verify, nor can we deny the- common report that more stock was entered for exhi- bition at this fair during its first years, than at the Franklin County or even at the Ohio State Fairs.
A special stable was erected for John S. Rarey's famous horse, Cruiser; it stood on the east side of the. grounds near a clump of trees.
Winchester Fair.
For several seasons previous to 1898 the members of Madison Grange would bring to their hall, on a stated day, some of the choice products of their farms, for mutual observation and benefit. These dis- plays grew to such proportions that it was proposed to hold a public display ; accordingly an agricultural and art fair was held on October 21 and 22, 1898, in the old foundry building, under the auspices of Mad- 20 H M T.
Digitized by Google
306
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
ison Grange. There were three hundred and sixty- three entries besides those in the Pet Stock show. No entry nor admission fee was charged; the premiums, which consisted of cash and articles of merchandise were contributed by members of the grange, merchants of Winchester and others.
The second annual fair was held in the Central Ohio Baling Company's shed, on October 6 and 7, 1899, under the same auspices.
The third annual exhibition was held in the baling shed on October 3 and 4, 1900, by the Winchester Fair Association; the active members of this organization consisted of members of the grange and business men of Winchester. The premiums of cash and merchan- dise amounted to $242.75.
The fourth annual fair was held on October 2 and 3, 1901. The old rink building, on west Waterloo street, with the addition of three canvas tents fur- nished the shelter. Heretofore no admission fee was quired, this year an admisison fee of ten cents, single admission, or 25 cents season ticket was tried with a view to putting the fair on a more nearly self-support- ing basis, with the following result: Total expenses, $317.80. The receipts for admissions was $268.70 and the balance to pay for the expenditures was made up by an assessment of 20 per cent on a guarantee fund previously subscribed.
Each succeeding year the attendance has increased and the displays are larger and better than the year before.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XXI.
FRANKLIN FARMERS INSTITUTE.
"The first farmer was the first man, and all historic nobility rests on possession and use of land." - EMERSON.
At the annual meeting of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture in the Fall of 1880, Secretary W. I. Chamberlain "Asked for authority to co-operate with local or county agricultural societies and Granges in calling and organizing Farmers' Institutes or Agri- cultural conventions." Oliver P. Chaney, of Win- chester, who was a member of the board, then offered the following motion, which was adopted: "That the Secretary of this Board be authorized to proceed forthwith to enlarge the work of the Department of Agriculture for the better promotion of the agricul- tural and stock-breeding interests of the state, and to defray the expense of carrying on the work during the remainder of the fiscal year, he be authorized to ex- pend not to exceed the sum of one thousand dollars."
The first Autumn meeting of the Central Ohio Farmers' Institute was held in the City Hall, Colum- bus, on October 20th and 21st, 1887. Absalom Rohr of Madison township was then elected a member of the executive committee. Ine following December a meeting was called at Groveport, at which Edw. A. Peters, Absalom Rohr, Charles Toy, Welton Sey- mour, O. D. Harris, Miner Seymour, John A. Kile (307)
Digitized by Google
-
308
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
and Franklin C. Pontius were present. The report that they could secure aid from the State Board of Agriculture encouraged them to organize an Institute which they named "The Franklin Farmers' Institute." The following officers were then elected: Edw. A. Peters, president, Miner Seymour, secretary, and Absalom Rohr, treasurer. The first institute was held at Groveport on Friday and Saturday, December 23d and 24th, 1887. The speakers were Rev. A. B. Brice, D. D., Rev. W. R. Parsons, L. W. Bonham, Joseph A. Kitzmiller, A. A. Graham and Professors H. A. Weber, C. N. Brown and W. H. Hartssough. The second institute was held at Groveport on January 21st and 22d, 1889; the speakers were Rev. A. R. Miller, J. T. Hickman, T. B. Terry, W. R. Parsons, F. P. Dill and Professors H. A. Weber, W. H. Hartsough and W. R. Lozenby. Music by the Winchester Brass Band. The third annual institute was held at Win- chester on February 10th and 11th, 1890. The speak- ers were Prof. C. M. Weed, T. B. Terry, S. H. Ellis, F. P. Dill, B. F. Gayman, E. A. Peters, Chas. W. Bachman, Thos. Fitzgerald and Miss M. C. Alspach. The fourth was held at Groveport on January 26th and 27th, 1891 ; the speakers were J. T. Hickman, W. W. Farnsworth, J. L. Shawver, C. P. Aubert, John L. Chaney, Geo. L. Hendren, J. A. Wilcox and Rev. Geo. W. Lott. The first annual picnic was held in O. P. Chaney's grove on August 13, 1891. The speakers were General S. H. Hurst, Waldo F. Brown, Rev. W. R. Parsons and Rev. James Heffly. The fifth at Win- chester February 17th and 18th, 1892. The speakers were T. B. Terry, E. C. Ellis, J. H. Brigham, W. G. Green, Mayor W. S. Alspach, James P. Kalb, Edw. A. Peters, Amor R. Smith, Rev. L. C. Sparks, Geo.
Digitized by Google
1
309
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
L. Hendren and Miss Dora O. Sando. The second annual picnic was held in Franklin park, Columbus, on August 25, 1892. The sixth at Groveport, December 9th and 10th, 1892. The speakers were J. L. Shaw- ver, A. T. McKelvey, Prof. Wm. R. Lazenby, Wm. Stahl, B. F. Gayman, Geo. L. Hendren, A. R. Smith, John L. Chaney, and E. A. Peters.
The third annual picnic was held in Lehman's grove on Saturday, August 17th, 1893. The speakers were Hon. A. T. McKelvey, Prof. Thos. F. Hunt, and Hon. B. F. Gayman. The attendance was estimated at be- tween two thousand and three thousand.
The seventh at Winchester February 2d and 3d, 1894. The speakers were J. H. Brigham, Prof. Sam- uel Johnson, Hon. F. B. McNeal, Mayor W. S. Als- pach, John W. Kile, Dr. L. W. Beery, E. M. Mills, John F. Bachman, and Prof. H. H. Shipton.
The fourth annual picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 22, 1894. The speakers were Hon. W. I. Chamberlain and Hon. Alva Agee.
The 8th at Groveport February 4th and 5th, 1895. The speakers were Dr. W. I. Chamberlain, L N. Bon- ham, Prof. Thos. F. Hunt, A. R. Smith, Prof. H. H. Shipton and Mrs. W. F. Barr.
The fifth picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 22d, 1895. The speakers were General S. H. Hurst and Hon. A. T. McKelvey.
The 9th at Groveport, December 17th and 18th, 1895. The speakers were S. H. Todd, F. A. Derthick, Hon. J. B. McNeal, Mrs. Myers, W. T. Betz and G. W. Stockman.
The sixth picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 26th, 1896. The speakers were S. H. Ellis and Geo. E. Scott.
Digitized by Google
1
310
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
The tenth at Winchester on January 6th and 7th, 1897. The speakers were Hon. J. H. Brigham, Gen- eral S. H. Hurst, C. W. Burkett, Mrs. M. S. King, Prof. W. A. Kellerman, Prof. U. S. Brandt, C. L. Newberry and Hon. B. F. Gayman.
The seventh picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 19th, 1897. Speakers, Hon. J. E. Black- burn, Hon. E. E. Elliot and W. T. Betz.
The eleventh institute was held at Groveport Jan- uary 16th and 17th, 1898. The speakers were O. E. Bradfute, T. C. Laylin, Prof. Aug. D. Selby, Mrs. M. S. King, N. C. Marion, Samuel Taylor and Geo. F. Bareis
The eighth picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 18th, 1898. The speakers were T. C. Laylin, C. M. Freeman and Mrs. M. S. King.
The twelfth was held at Winchester on December 26th and 27th, 1898. The speakers were W. W. Farns- worth, G. C. Housekeeper, Prof. Thos. F. Hunt, Rev. J. P. Stahl, John F. Bachman, and Hon. B. F. Gay- man.
The ninth annual picnic was held in Mrs. Rhoda Rohr's grove, August 10, 1899. The speakers were Rev. L. H. Schuh and R. H. Wallace.
The thirteenth was held at Groveport on January 26th and 27th, 1900. The speakers were S. H. Todd, F. L. Allen and E. M. Fickel.
The tenth annual picnic was held in Lehman's grove on August 9th, 1900. The speakers were Pres- ident W. O. Thompson and Warren J. Smith.
The fourteenth annual institute was held at Win- chester Februarv 15th and 16th, 1901. The speakers were W. N. Cowden, Lowell Roudebush, Prof. J. W.
Digitized by Google
311
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Decker, Herbert Osborn, Dr. J. D. King and A. L. Peters. No picnic was held in 1901.
The fifteenth annual institute was held at Groveport February 21st and 22d, 1902. The institute speakers were G. C. Housekeeper and W. N. Cowden and the local speakers were Prof. Geo. C. Dietrich, S. B. Davis, Mrs. Hettie Myers, Mrs. Ellen Bowman and Miss Elizabeth King.
The successive officers have been :
Presidents - Edw. A. Peters, John W. Kile, John F. Bachman, Edw. A. Peters, Edw. S. Tussing, John F. Bachman and Clint A. Stevenson.
Secretaries - Miner Seymour, died December 28, 1887; R. Judson Tussing, Morris Kile, Theo. D. Kalb, Amor Smith, and A. W. Strode.
Treasurers - Absalom Rohr, Edw. S. Tussing, McC. Seymour, Charles Baird, Theo. D. Kalb.
Madison Grange, No. 194.
Was instituted November 4th, 1873, by S. H. Ellis, and worked under a dispensation until March 23d, 1874, when it was chartered.
The charter members were Garrett W. Miller and wife, James P. Kalb and wife, John Beggs, John S. Lehman and wife, John Courtright, Geo. W. Ruse and wife, Benoni Steman, John Bishop, Isaac Lehman, Absalom Bowman and wife, Wesley Lawrence and wife, Andrew French, Miss Jennie French, Joseph Lehman and wife, Samuel Lehman and wife, B. B. Shoemaker, B. F. Leidy and wife, Samuel Bowman and wife, Noah Rinesmith, P. S. Kiner and John Schrock. The first officers were: James P. Kalb, M .; John S. Lehman, O .; John Beggs, L .; John Bishop, secretary ; Isaac Lehman, treasurer.
Digitized by Google
·
312
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
The first meetings were held in the Samuel Bart- lit building, just south of the canal bridge. In 1874 they erected the building on North High street, the upper floor of which has since been occupied as a meeting place. The presiding officers have been : James P. Kalb, 1874, 1877, 1879; Garrett W. Miller, 1875, 1878, 1881, 1883; B. F. Ashbrook, 1876; R. J. Tussing, 1880, 1892; John S. Lehman, 1882; Sam. S. Lehman, 1884, 1887; Ed. S. Tussing, 1885, 1886, 1890, 1891, 1897-1899; John M. Lehman, 1888, 1889, 1893. 1900, 1901 ; James A. Alspach, 1894; Amor R. Smith, 1895, 1896.
Hamilton Grange, No. 436.
Was chartered in the spring of 1874, and instituted with the following officers: Elias Shook, M .; Chris- tian Kartzholtz, O .; T. M. Huddle, C .; A. P. Sawyer, L .; J. C. Platter, Secy., and the following other char- ter members : A. C. Finks, Rebecca Shook, J. J. Rohr, Job Rohr, Elizabeth Thompson, G. L. Thompson and R. M. Williams. The organization was effected and the first few meetings were held in the Lockbourne school house; then for a short time the meetings were held at the residence of Elias Shook and later in the lower hall of the Masonic building. In 1879 the mem- bership was reported to be about thirty. In the spring of 1881 the organization changed its meeting place from Lockbourne to Groveport. The date of the first minutes at Groveport is May 7, 1881, with the follow- ing officers: Wm. H. Rohr, M .; Elias Shook, O .; T. M. Huddle, Chap .; Charles Pontius, L .; Absalom Rohr, Secy. Since then the officers have been: In 1882: Wm. H. Rohr, M .; J. C. Wright, O .; Chas. Pontius, L .; Joseph Brantner, Chap .; Ab. Rohr, Secy. In 1883: Wm. H. Rohr, M .; J. V. Wright, O .; Rhoda
Digitized by Google
-
313
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Rohr, L .; Wm. Wright, Chap .; Ab. Rohr, Secy. In 1884: Wm. Wright, M .; N. P. Vause, O .; J. C. Wright, Chap .; Chas. Pontius, L .; Rhoda Rohr, Secy. In 1885: Wm. Wright. M .; N. P. Vause, O .; A. C. Finks, L .; I. W. Wright, Chap .; Ab. Rohr, Secy. In 1886: A. C. Finks, M .; R. M. Williams, O .; F. G. Pontius, Chap .; W. H. Rohr, L .; Ab. Rohr, Secy. We could not get the record of officers between 1886 and January 5, 1895, when they were Rhoda Rohr, M .; Ella Baird, O .; McC. Seymour, L .; Theo. D. Kalb, Chap .; Edw. A. Peters, Secy. In 1896: Rhoda Rohr, M .; Ella Baird, O .; Harley E. Rainer, L .; Chas. Rohr, Chap .; Morris Kile, Secy. In 1897: Rhoda Rohr, M .; Ella Baird, O .; E. A. Peters, L .; A. W. Strode, Chap .; Morris Kile, Secy. In 1898: Same as in 1897. In 1899: Rhoda Rohr, M .; Ella Baird, O .; Geo. L. Hendren, L .; Ida Strode, Chap .; Mor- ris Kile, Secy. In 1900: Chas. S. Baird, M .; Welton Seymour, O .; A. W. Strode, L .; Ida Strode, Chap .; Morris Kile, Secy. In 1901: Chas. S. Baird, M .; O. D. Harris, O .; Rhoda Rohr, L .; Ida Strode, Chap .; A. W. Strode, Secy. The following members have died: Joseph Brantner, January 2, 1886; Miner Sey- mour, December 27, 1887; Absalom Rohr, April 10, 1889; Harry W. Rohr, December 22, 1890; Benjamin C. Simms, January 17, 1891 ; Wm. Goodwin, Septem- ber 22, 1892; Mrs. O. D. Harris, December 5, 1892; Mary Johnson, April 23, 1900; S. R. Helsel, January, 1900; E. Tod Rohr, December, 1900; Clara J. Pon- tius, May 5, 1900; George Seymour, March 9, 1901.
The members of Madison and Hamilton Granges, comprising many of the most progressive and enterpris- ing farmers of Madison and adjoining townships, had very much to do with the organization of Franklin 1
Digitized by Google
314
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Farmers Institute and other movements looking to the general welfare and advantage of the township, and they have always had the hearty sympathy and co-oper- ation of the business men and other citizens. These or- ganizations affords their members a splendid oppor- tunity to discuss the various problems that concern their calling in the regular monthly meetings.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XXII.
TEMPERANCE.
"There is a little public house Which every one may close : It is the little public house, Just underneath the nose."
What was known as the Washington Temperance movement was started in 1842-1843. This agitation led to organizations both at Groveport and at Win- chester; the former held meetings for many years in the school house. In 1846 Dr. J. B. Thompson of Co- lumbus instituted a "Sons of Temperance" lodge at the M. E. church in Winchester. Meetings were held for a time in the house now occupied by Moses Gaymon on lot No. I, and later in the house now occupied by Mrs. Selby on lot No. 10, then owned by Wm. Curtis. Only a few of the members can be recalled: Dr. J. B. Potter, J. B. Evans, A. Hathaway, Wm. Curtis and Joe Miller. In the winter of 1871-1872 a lodge of I. O. Good Templars was organized at Winchester. Meetings were held over the Samuel Bartlit store, and' later in Bergstresser's Hall. On December 17, 1872, Groveport Lodge No. 400, I. O. G. T., was instituted by Bro. Gill, with the following officers, viz .: M. A. Shaner, Chief Templar; Miss R. McCollough, V. T .; Rev. S. M. Bright, Chap .; Miss Mattie K. Long, R. S .; W. L. Powell, F. S .; Mary Young, Asst. S .; G.
(815)
Digitized by Google
316
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
S. Dildine, M .; Mrs. A. Chandler, A. M .; Miss Lizzie Howell, I. G .; B. F. Champe, O. G .; Geo. Kalb, Treas .; Mrs. A. T. Hendren, R. H. S .; Mrs. D. R. Champe, L. H. S .; Wm. Chandler, L. Dept. This charter was surrendered in 1875. The meetings were held in Rarey's Hall, which burned June 13, 1882. On April 7, 1884, another lodge was organized and named Morning Bright Lodge, No. 562. It was instituted by Rev. Milburn with the following officers and mem- bers: N. J. Kidwell, C. T .; Miss Mary Mason, V. T .; Miss Maud Champe, R. S .; Wilmer Fisher, F. S .; Wm. H. Bishop, Treas .; Rev. J. B. Bradrick, Chap. ; Jacob Reed, M .; Miss Lula Wright, Dept. M .; Ed. Peters, O. G .; Kate Bradfield, I. G., and A. J. Brad- field, C. Black, Sr., Chas. Stewart, Lydia Whims, B. Reed, L. Crosley, C. Patrick, Lydia Black, Eliza Black, Julia Bradfield, Kate Gill, Kate Cutshall, Jennie Glick, Susan Howell, Ann McCollough, Mrs. A. B. Rarey and Lula Wright. Meetings were held in Biglow's Hall on Main street.
The Woman's Crusade.
Dr. Dio Lewis, a Boston physician and lecturer, in a lecture at Hillsboro, Ohio, on December 23, 1873, urged the women to go into the saloons and pray. The next morning the women met and while singing the hymn - the first two lines of which became the watch- word of the movement -
"Give to the winds thy fears, Hope and be undismayed,"
formed in line, two by two, and proceeded to visit the saloons and drug stores. In April, 1874, the first meeting was held in Winchester, and the following
Digitized by Google
1
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
317
`officers elected : Mrs. J. B. Evans, Pres .; Mrs. C. F. Yost, Ist V. Pres .; Mrs. Jonathan Vaught, 2d V. Pres .; Mrs. J. W. Hische, 3d V. Pres .; Mrs. Prof. Kumler, Secy .; Mrs. Jas. P. Kramer, Asst. Secy., and Mrs. Rev. S. P. Manger, Treas. Enthusiastic meet- ings were held at the M. E. and U. B. churches alter- nately. The object of the crusade was the closing of the saloons by moral suasion. The saloons of Elijah D. Orwig, John M. Schoch, John Gehm & Bro. and John Kissell were visited. Prayer, Scripture reading and singing constituted the service. Where admitted the service was conducted in the saloon, at other places on the sidewalk just in front of the doors, the women always kneeling during the prayers. The daily visits of the crusadors attracted large crowds. Besides the officers mentioned above, the following others joined the crusade: Mrs. David Gayman, Mrs. Geo. Powell, Mrs. W. C. McClintook, Mrs. M. C. Whitehurst, Mrs. A. A. Short, Mrs. J. B. Potter, Mrs. E. B. Polloy, Mrs. Wm. Cater, Mrs. C. P. Rees, Mrs. O. L. Dibble, Mrs. Samuel Deshler, Mrs. Binkly, Mrs. Somerville, Mrs. A. Starr, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Isaac Ebright, Mrs. L. C. Bartlit, Mrs. John Kramer, Mrs. Sarah Miller, Mrs. Sarah Helpman, Mrs. Martin Kramer, Mrs. Bailey, Mrs. Cater, Mrs. Elisha Himrod, Mrs. Mary Wilson and Misses Kate Moore, Abigail Gayman, Mary Speaks, Laura Whitehurst, Jennie Somerville, Anna Helpman, Sarah Derr and Mary Tallman. Meetings were held at stated times for some three years, until the Murphy movement was inaugurated.
We failed to find the records of the crusade move- ment at Groveport. The following list of names, not at all complete, is made from memory : Mrs. Geo. W. Kalb, leader; Mrs. G. P. Champe, Mrs. S. M. Bright,
1
Digitized by Google
318
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Mrs. A. McCoy, Mrs. Wm. Chandler, Mrs. Z. C. Payne, Mrs. J. F. Wildermuth, Mrs. Samuel Leigh, Mrs. G. W. Bigelow, Mrs. Henry Long, Mrs. W. V. Decker and others.
Murphy Movement : The Murphy movement was inaugurated at M. E. church in Winchester on Satur- day evening, April 21, 1877, Rev. W. C. Holliday, pas- tor. Rev. Chadwick, Messrs. Kent, Arnold and Bar- ringer, of Columbus, and Dr. Von Bonhorst, of Lan- caster, spoke, and remained over Sunday. Eighty signed a pledge card the first evening, and at a meeting held at the U. B. church on Sunday evening about 80 others signed it. Such excitement on temperance was never known in the township before. At the meeting on Monday night Actor Hall, an ex-saloonist; Dunn, Alger, Greenleaf and Windel - all said to be ex-drunk- ards - occupied seats on the platform. Pastors of the M. E., U. B. and Reformed churches were active in the movement. "Blue Ribbon" is the badge. On Tuesday evening at U. B. church Mark Wilson, one of Francis Murphy's converts in Pittsburg; Jacob Baugher and Wm. Brown of Lithopolis made speeches, and 50 more signed, and the following committee was appointed to "keep the ball rolling:" Revs. Holliday, Johnson, Manager and W. R. Miller, and Messrs. John Helpman, J. B. Evans, David Gayman, Ezra Fought, B. F. Gayman, E. B. Decker and C. W. Speaks. “On Wednesday evening meeting held in Game's Hall (churches too small) ; speakers Mr. Wilson of Pitts- burg, and Mr. Loyd of Columbus." "Thursday even- ing hall again filled; meeting conducted by Thomas Arnold of Lithopolis, and Winchester boys followed with speeches." Friday evening meeting led by Tracy Bros. and Alger of Columbus, said to be converted
Digitized by Google
----
---
1
319
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
drunkards. At close of Friday evening's meeting about 400 had signed the pledge.
"On Sunday Revs. Holliday and Chadwick, with some Winchester boys, went to Asbury and Powell's and got 70 signers." "On Sunday evening many could not get into hall on account of the large crowds. Rev. Chadwick spoke, followed by 'Bricky' Helpman, Chas. Allen, Al. Decker and Al. Gayman, and another 100 signed." .On Monday evening a permanent organi- zation was effected and a constitution adopted, which had been recommended by a committee consisting of Rev. W. C. Holliday, M. C. Whitehurst and O. P. Chaney. Rev. A. C. Kelley, Pres .; Adam Shaner, Ist Vice Pres .; H. S. Binkley, 2d V. P .; W. D. Beeks, Secy .; B. F. Gayman, Asst. Secy .; J. B. Evans, Treas. Executive Committee: John Helpman, Wm. Hesser, W. R. Miller, Henry Eply and F. Leonard. Sunday, April 29, Rev. S. P. Manger and Bricky Helpman held a meeting at Royalton, and Rev. Holliday and Bert Chaney one at Pickerington. Gen. Joe Geiger spoke at U. B. church May 9, and on same evening about 50 persons went with Adam Shaner to Carroll, where he spoke.
On Thursday evening, May 10, Wm. Helpman, Chas. Allen, Allie Gayman and Thommy Morton con- ducted a meeting at Pickerington. A "Musply' pic- nic was held in John P. Morris' grove on June 17, Adam Shaner, Wm. Helpman and E. B. Dolson speak- ers. June 14 an ice cream festival was held for benefit of a public library, and on July 2 at a citizens' meeting at Game's Hall a committee was appointed to have charge of the library and reading room. Many per- sons donated books, among them Samuel Bartlitt and Mrs. Palloy 100 volumes. Mrs. C. Eherhart donated
Digitized by Google
1
320
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
one-half the profits of two days' sales, amounting to $9.00, etc. Altogether about 300 volumes had been do- nated. The library and reading room was formally opened December 24, 1877. A brief address was de- livered by Rev. A. C. Kelley, one of the Trustees. Regular weekly Murphy meetings were kept up until October 4, 1879, when a Woman's Christian Temper- ance Union was organized, with the following officers, viz .: John Helpman, Pres .; Aaron Smith, Ist V. P .; David Gayman, 2d V. P .; Chas. Allen, Secy .; Geo. B. Hische, Asst. Secy .; Sarah Miller, Treas .; John Helpman, Chas. Allen, W. R. Miller, H. S. Binkley and Adam Shaner, executive committee.
Miss DeVelling, of Massachusetts, addressed a temperance meeting in Winchester October 18, 1879; Col. Isaac Tucker, November 21, 1879; Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, president of the W. C. T. U. of Ohio, December 19, 20 and 21, 1879; George Colderwood, May 6 and 7, 1880; 575 persons signed the temper- ance pledge from April 21, 1877, to April, 1880. Most of the above information is obtained from the minute books and from the "Winchester Times."
Murphy Movement at Groveport.
The first meeting was held on Wednesday evening, April 25, 1877. Rev. Chadwick led the meeting and Messrs. Alger, Dunn, Kent and Windle were the speak- ers; 150 persons went forward to a table and signed the pledge. Thursday and Friday evening 100 more signed. On Sunday evening Col. Isaac Tucker spoke, also John Corbett, Mr. Rarey, H. H. Scofield and oth- ers. It is estimated that 85 per cent. of the inhab- itants had signed the pledge.
Digitized by Google
1
!
P
-
-
Digitized by
CHRISTIAN GAYMAN. Jan. 18, 1828 - March 8, 1896.
GEORGE POWELL. March 27, 1838 - Nov. 8, 1896.
.
.
.
Digitized by
ட
321
HISTORY OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Mrs. D. R. Champe, of Groveport, has been one of the most intelligent, persistent and successful temper- ance workers in this township. Every Sunday after- soon for many years she has gathered the children of the village about her, instilling into their minds the beauty and safety of a temperate life. It is interest- ing to note that Mrs. Champe was a college mate of "Mother" Stewart, the distinguished temperance or- ganizer. Mrs. Champe's family name was Solomon, and Mrs. Stewart's was Daniels, so at college they were called "Sol" and "Dan," and by these abbrevia- tions they still love to address each other. The follow- ing extract from a letter written by "Mother" Stewart in May of 1900, to Mrs. Champe, reveals somewhat of the spirit and purpose of these devoted women. " 'Sol,' My Darling Old Time Classmate of Marietta Seminary: Oh, what a long, weary journey has been ours. Many a weary mile, over stoney ways that bruised, and thorny paths that pierced our feet. But the service was for Jesus and poor suffering humanity, and without ambition to be seen of men or to overreach others. My work, and yours largely, too, was such as others did not, could not, do, so they had no occa- sion for jealousy. You and I enlisted 'for service dur -. ing the war;' we are in it yet, thank the Lord. Our ranks have been so sadly thinned, some by death - many fell by the way. But our disinterested labor is today being remembered and appreciated as never be- fore * * Lovingly, your old-time 'Dan.'"
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.