USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 105
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In 1865, the membership was forty-six; in 1867, elven persons united with the church; in 1868. twelve more were added ; in 1871, seven- teen more were added ; a total from 1871 to 1880, of forty-one have been added. The re- ductions by withdrawel and death have left the membership sixty-five.
The society is out of debt, and has preaching monthly, for which they pay one hundred and twenty-five dollars annually.
The church is under the care of the Mt. Ver- non Christian conference.
The data from which this sketch is written, was gleaned from S. McDonald. whose father and mother were among the original members of the church.
Mt. Zion Sunday School was organized in 1851 : the first superintendent was Gibson Moore. In 1880. Jonathan McDonald was superintendent. ent.
The school organized with about forty schol; ars, and six teachers and officers. The number was about the same in 1880, with a good library.
Disciple Church .- This society was organized
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
in 1843 ; the following were among the members at that time : George Stamets, Ruth Stamets, James and Lydia Walcott, James Brooks and wife.
It is probable that the society never kept any record, certainly none has been found. The following has been contributed at solicitation, by E. P. Stamets : The first pastor was Rev. Lewis Comer ; the second was Rev. James Millison, succeeded by Isaiah Jones, who was followed by James Mitchell, and he was succeeded by " Ze- badiah " Brown, who served for some time, and was succeeded by David Mitchell, Edward Van Voorhis, and James Grimm, until 1878, when preaching and other services ceased, and have not been renewed. Their first services were held in private houses, and in 1880, there seemed to be a revived interest, in so much, that they built a church in Frazeysburgh, but it was not finished.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Tradition informs us that Nathan Baker served in this capacity as early as 1816. Township records cannot be found, and this must be ac- cepted. 'Squire Baker lived three miles west of Frazeysburgh. Robert Selder was also a Justice, and "Clark Hollenback, J. P.," lived out of the village (of Frazeysburgh, ) "at an early day," as did also, Richard Griffee, who was the second Postmaster in Frazeysburgh.
PHYSICIANS.
One of the first physicians to practice in the township, was Elmas Wheaton, who resided in Irville, Licking Township, in 1818. He was followed by Dr's. Pearce, Black, Bartley, and Philander Byam.
ATTORNEY.
The only attorney. whose name has come down to us as having located in this township, at an early day, is Mordecai Bartley, who afterwards became Governor of the State.
CARPENTERS.
Among the first carpenters in this township, were Charles Morrow, John Ruckle, (nephew of Rev. Thomas Ruckle, ) and Samuel Mills. The latter built and kept the first tavern in Frazeys- burgh. These men, it is thought, were here as early as 1820.
EVANS CHURCHI.
The first building erected in the township for religious purposes, is said to have been a small cabin, a short distance north of school house No. three, as known to-day. This was prior to 1820. It was known as the Evans Church, from the cir- cumstance of David Evans donating the land upon which it was built, and aiding in its con- struction.
SCHOOLS.
. One of the earliest schools, probably the very first one taught in the township, was a subscrip- tion school, in 1822, by James Morgan, in a log house about half a mile northeast of Frazeys-
burgh. Some of those who attended this temple of learning, were E. P. Stamets, W. H. Shaffer, Hannah and Sarah Lovitt, twin sisters. In 1831, John Barren taught in a log school house, situated on land that, in 1880, was owned by Sylvester McDonald. Samuel McGinnis taught in this school house the year following. The township was subsequently divided into districts, and numbered respectively from one to four. The village of Frazeysburgh, after it was incor- porated, was known as "Frazeysburgh Union School District." The total expense for the schools of the township, for the year ending August 31st, 1875, exclusive of the Frazeysburgh school, was $905,94, of which $852,25 was paid the three teachers, and the balance was for inci- dentals.
The average daily attendance during this year, was: Boys, ninety ; girls, one hundred and twenty ; total. two hundred and ten. The value of school property, at this time, was $1,300, and for the year ending August 31st, 1880, the school property was valued at $1,500. The amount paid to teachers was $760, and for inci- dentals, $74,79. The schools were taught an average of thirty-two weeks in all the districts. The attendance was: Bovs, forty-eight ; girls, fifty-five ; total, one hundred and three.
Frazeysburgh Union School .- In 1880, this district embraced an area of 2,395 acres. The present school building, a substantial brick structure, was erected in 1874-5, by Messrs. Grubb and Larzelere. at a cost of $4,680. It is eligibly situated, a little north of the centre of Frazeysburgh. For the school year ending August 31st, 1880, the teachers were paid an aggregate of $980. The incidental expenses for the same time, amounted to $253. The number of pupils in the district was one hundred and forty-two. The value of school property was $6,000.
SURVEYORS.
The first, or among the first Surveyors, were John and Charles Roberts, who came in 1822. John Roberts surveyed the village of Frazeys- burgh, June 6th. 1827. Charles Roberts surveyed many of the farms of the township, including land owned by Samuel McCann, in 1880. This tract was surveyed in 1822-3.
FRAZEYSBURGH.
This village, the only one in the township, was laid out June 6th, 1827, by Clark IIollenback, and which he named Knoxville. It is located in the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section nineteen, township No. three, range No. nine. The survey was made by John Roberts. Numerous additions have been made, so that in 1880, the corporate limits covered an area of three hundred and twelve acres. In 1828, Mr. Hollenback sold the tract described by the plat, to Samuel Frazey, who changed the name of the proposed town to Frazeysburgh. This was donc partly because a postoffice was desired at that point, and one by the name of Knoxville
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
already existed, and the rule of the Postoffice Deparment required that no two postoffices should have the same name, within the same State. In 1868, the village took on municipal honors, being incorporated, and, according to the charter, the first election was held in April, of that year, resulting in the choice of the follow- ing officers :
Mayor-L. W. Doane. He served two years, and was succeeded by W. D. Packard, who served four years, and was succeeded by David Jones, who held the office until 1877, and re- signed, and the office was vacant for a short time. George W. Adams then held the reins of government, and from 1878, to 1880, I. W. Ewing was Mayor. J. C. Roach held the office from April to July, of 1880, and August 7th, 1880, Thomas Ross, the Blacksmith, was elected for a term of two years. The other officers chosen at this election, were as follows: Mar- shal -- Wm. Host; Treasurer-John E. Ruckle : Councilmen-T. J. Patterson, David Wire, Marcus Garrett, James Garrett, Howard Norris, and Wm. McMullen. The assessed value of property, at that time, was, real estate, $52.190 ; personal property. $43.400. It contains one Presbyterian church, one Methodist church, one graded free school, two hotels, one steam flour and planing mill, and a good supply of stores. shoemakers and blacksmiths.
Stores in 1828 .- The first goods sold in this township, were by a Mr. Whitney, in a small cabin, about six rods east of the Lemert store of Frazeysburgh, in 1880. The next merchant was Colonel Wm. Blizzard, who opened his store in a brick house on his farm, about a mile west of Frazeysburgh, in 1828. About this time, also, Richard Griffee opened a small store in Frazeys- burgh ; the locality, however, is not remembered.
BLACKSMITHS.
The first blacksmith shop in the township was opened by Henry Shepherd, in 1827. It was of the conventional style, un-hewn log, located about one mile west of Frazeysburgh, on the Newark road. This son of Vulcan did a flourish- ing business, principally ironing wheelbarrows that were used by men working on the canal.
TAVERNS.
The first tavern in the township was built in 1827-8, by Samuel Mills. It was a cabin, and located on a portion of the lot that, in 1880, was occupied by James W. Hamilton's store. in Frazeysburg. Mr. "Mills continued in this busi- ness quite a number of years," and was suc- ceeded by Stephen Cessna, who was followed by Wm. English, and he gave way to Thomas Foster, who knew more about "keeping hotel," and during the years he ran the establishment. did a good business. Josiah Campbell suc- ceeded Foster. The building has been demol- ished, and the traditions concerning "the land- lords and their times," are notably barren. The reader, however, can readily conclude that "the tavern," in this region, like others of that period, served the purpose of our modern news room, only that the news was imparted orally, and
often amplified with scintillations of logic and humor by the landlord, that caused him to be looked up to by the yeomanry as an oracle of wisdom, and which he studiously turned to good account financially. But these traditions are not ascribed to this tavern.
POSTOFFICE.
The first and only postoffice in the township, was established in Frazeysburgh, in the winter of 1828-9. Samuel Frazey was the first "P. M." He was succeeded by Richard Griffee, who had charge of the mail bags for many years. He was followed by John Norris, A. B. Vaughn, I. C. Franks, Richard Griffee, (second term,) J. S. Trembley, H. L. Sherman, J. S. Trembley, (second term ) who is now the dignitary in charge.
STORE.
Samuel Frazey opened a store near the north- east corner of the present Frazeysburgh canal bridge, in 1828-9. This was the largest store yet opened, and was continued for a number of years.
CANAL.
The canal was completed in 1831-2, and the " Reindeer," a small pleasure boat, passed through from Newark to Coshocton. The first regular freight boat to pass through was the "Union," of Dover.
THE EARLIEST RECORDS.
The earliest official records of this township, that can be found, date Anno Domini, 1852 : Lewis M. Pierson, was Township Clerk ; Sam- uel McCann, Justice of the Peace ; John Mercer, Albert Fleming, and Jacob Bonham, were Trus- tees. The officers of the township, in 1880, were : Trustees-A. J. Blizzard, Grafton Fairall, and Calvin Lugenbeal.
Township Clerk-L. W. Doane.
Treasurer-Jasper Corn.
Assessor -- J. P. Starner.
Constable-James II. Ogle.
Justices of the Peace-R. P. Mendenhall. James W. Evans, and James McCann.
In 1871, the township erected in Frazeys- burgh, a two story brick building. with hall, for township purposes, at a cost of $3.300; and eight hundred dollars of this sum was contributed by Frazeysburgh Lodge, No. 490, F. and A. M., for the benefit of a place of meeting, which they have in the second story ; the Lodge having a ninety-nine year's lease on this portion of the building.
The township embraces twelve thousand six hundred and eighty acres of land, which, in 1880, was assessed at $318.070: the personal property, at the same assessment. was valued at $139,490.
RAILORADS.
The Pittsburgh. Cincinnati and St. Louis, ( " Pan Handle "). Railroad, was completed through the township, in 1855. It enters about one-fourth of a mile east of the southwest corner, and runs diagonally from the southwest to the northeast, through the village of Frazeysburgh, which is the only station in the township, and passes out of the boundary about two and a quarter miles north of the southeast corner. The
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
first agent at this station was E. L. Lemert, who was suceeded by Elmas Karnes, who was followed by J. E. Bailey, in 1870, who is the present incumbent.
This road has its telegraph line and operator here as elsewhere.
FINE ART.
This term need not imply that some gifted art- ist was found among the inhabitants of this town- ship, but next to the credit which attaches to such a circumstance, is an appreciation of fine art, which fairly argues not only uncultured genius, but a refined taste, and this is sustained by se- lecting and keeping, with reverential regard, a specimen that deserves this mention for the rea- -son given, and as an appreciative acknowledge- ment of one of the chef d'œuvres of a great mas- ter. This is no less than " Narcissus," by Paul Bril, a Flemish artist, who died in 1526. Con- cerning this character, we read in Anthon's Class- ical Dictionary that " Narcissus had a twin sister of remarkable beauty, to whom he was tenderly attached. She resembled him very closely in features, wore similar attire, and used to accom- pany him on the hunt. This sister died young, and Narcissus, deeply lamenting her death, used to go to a neighboring fountain and gaze upon his own image in its waters, the strong resemb- lance he bore to his deceased sister making this image appear to him, as it were, the form of her whom he lost. The flower alluded to in the story of Narcissus is what botanists term the Narcissus poeticus, (Linn, gen., 550). It loves the borders of streams, and is admirably personified in the touching legends of poetry, since, bending on its fragile stem, it seems to seek its own image in the waters that run murmuring by, and soon fades away and dies. And Narcissus pined away till he was changed into the flower that bears his name."
This painting was shipped to New York for exhibition at the World's Fair, but was held at the Custom House for duties, and lost track of, so it was never exhibited, and finally, not being called for, was sold at auction, and bid off by the Cosmopolitan Art Association, of New York, which, under their modus operandi, sold art works, that a better taste might be inculcated through- out the country, and, in this distribution, Dr. S. C. Mendenhall became the possessor of this grand painting. If the charter of the Art Association had permitted, the society, through its President. would have purchased this of Dr. M., and would have certainly paid him $1.500 for Paul Bril's Narcissus. This is, perhaps, the only specimen of the work of this great master in the United States. The painting is four feet two inches, b, four feet six inches. Dr. Mendenhall has owned it since 1859, and values it very highly.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Masonic .- The only Masonic organization in the township is " Frazeysburg Lodge, No. 490," which was instituted July 21, 1874, and chartered October 21, of the same year. The charter mem- bers were : J. G. Hagerty, David Jones, J. B. Ben-
nett, Jasper Corn, T. J. Patterson, Albert Norris, J. B. Pierson, C. M. Bell, I. B. Bard, Isaac Pry- or, Philip Nethers, and J. H. Hamilton.
The first officers were : J. G. Hagerty, W. M. : David Jones, S. W. ; J. B. Bennett, J. W. The fraternity secured a hall by joining with the town- ship. in 1870, through their trustees, and building one story higher on the township building, at an expense to the Lodge of $800, with the under- standing, at that day, that a Lodge should be formed, and that the Lodge should have a lease of the same for Masonic purposes for ninety-nine years, which lease has been executed, the Lodge being at one-third the necessary expense for re- pairing the roof and paying all expenses for keep- ing the hall in order.
The Lodge-room is well fitted up, and is kept insured. The membership. in 1880, was compos- ed of thirty-one of the best citizens of Jackson township, and the Lodge is one among the most popular in the county.
At the election in November, 1880, the follow- ing officers were chosen :
W. M .- Jasper Corn.
Senior Warden-G. B. Channell.
Junior Warden-T. J. Reeder.
Secretary-T. J. Patterson.
Treasurer-J. G. Hamilton. S. D .- Albert Norris.
J. D .- A. Wishard.
Ttler-I. D. Bard.
The meetings are monthly-the Friday even- ings on or before the full of the moon.
Glendale Lodge, No. 649, I. O. O. F .- This is the only Lodge of Odd Fellows in the town- ship, and was instituted July 25, 1876, with the following charter members ; H. L. Sherman, C. W. Martin, C. Il. Wire, Samuel Austin, L. E. Karnes. Howard Norris, Lyman Fulk, I. C. Franks, Samuel Hunter. Hugh Brown, T. H. No- land, James Noland, J. C. Furguson, R. E. Fin- ley. and Jas. W. Fouch. The first officers were : L. E. Karnes. N. G.
HI. L. Sherman, V. G.
Samuel Austin and I. C. Franks. Secretaries.
T. H. Holman, Treasurer.
The officers in 1880 were :
R. P. Mendenhall, N. G.
C. H. Wire, V. G.
T. H. Holman, Secretary.
HI. Brown, Permanent Secretary.
11. Norris, Treasurer.
The membership at this time numbered thirty- four. The elections are held in January and July . The meetings are held Wednesday evenings.
THE PRESS.
The first newspaper venture in this township was made by C. E. F. Miller, in 1875-6. He published a small sheet in Frazeysburgh, called . The Federalist." The paper was edited in Frazeysburgh, and the composition and press work done in Dresden. This was manifestly an effort without sufficient capital, and the enterprise was abandoned about three months after the first number appeared.
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HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
JUN 94 Bound - To .Plemp N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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