USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > History of Muskingum County, Ohio ; with illustrations and biographical sketches of prominent men and pioneers, 1794 > Part 80
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There are no records of this church in exist- ence, and the members being all scattered, it is not possible to give here anything like a history.
PHYSICIANS.
Benjamin Webb, father of the two men who had the grain ware-house at Webb's Port, was one of, if not the earliest physician in the town- ship. He is spoken of as being here as early as 1815.
Dr. Brown, son-in-law of J. F. Munroe, was here as a practicing physician about 1825. He lived in the village of Dresden.
DISTILLERY.
Joseph F. Munroe had a distillery in operation, in the township, in 1815. This establishment was kept in operation for some time after the Ohio Canal was completed. and then discontinued.
ORCHARDS.
Joseph F. Munroe and Major Jonathan Cass. were the first to plant fruit orchards. In 1815. these two gentlemen had nice thrifty young peach and apple orchards upon their respective farms. A few years later. Seth Adams had an apple orchard growing upon his farm.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
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THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE.
The first brick house built here was by Major Jonathan Cass. In 1880, this early home of Major Cass was still standing. and had for its occupant. John McNamarra.
Joseph F. Munroe erected a brick house on the river road, on land owned in 1880, by J. F. Adams, who was then occupying this identical house. The exact year that these two brick houses were built, can not now be learned ; but they were both probably erected as early as 1818.
STORES.
Joseph F. Munroe had a stock of goods in his brick house, the same place that was occupied by James T. Adams in 1880. It is supposed he opened store about 1823.
E. and G. Adams had a store at Adams' Mills, in the northeast corner of the township, about 1830 ; and a few years later, they had a store and grain ware-house at Webb's Port, the junction of the Dresden Side Cut with the Ohio Canal. Webb Brothers, (Benjamin and Nathan, ) had an extensive grain ware-house at this point, hence the name.
TAVERNS.
Thomas Smith opened a tavern at Webb's Port, about the time of the completion of the Ohio Canal-1830-and conducted the business about three years, when he sold out to "Long" Parker, who continued the business about the same length of time. From that time to 1880, the building had been used as a dwelling.
POST OFFICE.
The only Post Office in this township is at Adam's Mills, which town is called, (by the P. C. & St. L. Railroad, which passes through it,) Preston. The correct name of the post office is Adam's Mills. The most of the people of this township procure their mail at Frazeysburg, in Jackson township, or in Dresden, Jefferson town- ship.
RAILROADS.
The Steubenville and Indiana Railroad, (now the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis, and gen- erally known as the "Pan Handle,") was com- pleted through this township about 1853. The Zanesville branch, from Dresden Junction to Zanesville, was completed about 1870. The railroad stations here are Dresden Junction and Preston. The latter station is also the "Adams' Mills Post Office."
The main line of the Pan Handle enters the township near its northeast corner, and runs in nearly a straight line southwest, through Adams Mills and Dresden Junction, and passes the western boundary of the township about the centre. The Zanesville branch intersects the main line at Dresden Junction.
C. E. Stearns was the agent from the opening of the road to 1876, when J. C. Adams, the pres- ent incumbent, took his place.
DRESDEN JUNCTION.
This town was surveyed by Joseph Fisher, in
1873-4. The land was owned by George W. Adams. There is a small station house. a tavern. a saloon, and about a dozen houses to mark its growth. No post office.
The township officers, in 1880, were as follows : Treasurer-John D. Shaw ; Trustees-Richard Lacy, Thomas Campbell, Robert G. McQuigg ; Clerk-H. W. Kipp ; Assessor-Martin V. Ogle : Justices of the Peace-D. D. McGinnis, Geo. F. Shepherd.
MADISON TOWNSHIP,
ANNO DOMINI 1800-WYLLYS SILLIMAN-THE PI- ONEERS-TOPOGRAPHY-SOD-WATER- SAND- STONE - LIMESTONE - FORESTS - TOWNSHIP TAKEN FROM JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP - THE TOWNSHIP NAMED FOR PRESIDENT MADISON- NO RECORD OF THE OFFICERS CHOSEN AT THE FIRST ELECTION-THIE OFFICERS OF 1880- WHERE THE ELECTIONS WERE HELD-THE FIRST ROAD-THE FIRST DEATH AND BURIAL-GOD- FREY BAINTER - FIRST MARRIAGE - SALT WORKS-SCHOOLS-MILLS -WHISKEY MILL- FURNACE-FIRST BLACKSMITHI - "WHEELEN"" M. E. CHURCH-"PROSPECT M. E. CHURCHI- "SALEM" M. E. PROTESTANT CHURCH-"PLEAS- ANT HILL" M. P. CHURCH-ST. MATHEW'S PROT- ESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE FIRST STORE -- "OTTERBEIN CHAAPEL (UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH )-FIRST POST OFFICE-STONEWARE- MILITARY RECORD.
Anno Domini, 1800. found Jacob Swigert set- tled on Muskingum bottom lands : he built his cabin and cleared a field, the first evidence of civilization within the borders of this township ; he, however, was not happy, and sold out to J. S. Copeland, and he sold out to John Bainter. all within a short period, for Bainter moved to the high land-now occupied by J. G. Stump, in 1801. Wyllys Silliman entered the southwest quarter of section nineteen. on Symmes' Creek, but sold out to James Sprague, from Nova Scotia. who settled upon it, in 1802. A Swiss, named Valentine Shriver, settled on the northeast quar- ter of section twenty-three, in 1804, and John Stoner settled on the southeast quarter of the same section, about the same time, and planted an orchard, the first in the township. George Adams came from Fauquier county, and settled on the southeast quarter of section eighteen, in 1808 : he built a hewed log house, the first in the territory, and some years later added a frame building to this, and this was the first frame house in this section. Charles Copeland settled near the mouth of Symmes' Creek, about the the same time, and, in 1817, he built a brick house, the first in this region ; it is in a good state of preservation. and is occupied by his de- scendents.
Topographically, Madison township presents many advantages ; the rich alluvial soil of exten- sive bottom lands, for it will be seen by consult- ing the map, that it is surrounded, so to speak ..
--
E
O. W BARRONS
--
Residence and Store of O. W. BARRON, Dresden, Ohio.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
on an equivalent of more than three sides, by the Muskingum river, more than compensates for the poor quality of uplands, and at the same time, the undulating character of the surface enables the majority of the settlers to find good building sites. It is drained principally by the Muskingum river, and next by Symmes' Creek, which is the largest stream, of any importance, in the township. Water, however, is plenty, and good. Sand- stone and limestone, for building, and lime, are found in the cliffs, and coal in convenient quan- tities. The forests have never been large, nor well cared for, yet all the varieties common to southeastern Ohio, flourish here.
BOUNDARIES.
This township was taken from Jefferson town- ship, by order of the County Commissioners, dated July 2, 1819. It was originally bounded on the north by the county line, on the east, by Munroe and Salem townships, on the south, by Washington township, on the west, by the Mus- kingum river. The Commissioners' Journal, of that date, contains the following: "Beginning on the county line, on the line dividing the sixth range, then west with the county line to the northeast corner of Jefferson township, then down the Muskingum river, and with meanders thereof, to the line dividing the southwest and northwest quarter of the second township in the seventh range, then east to the line dividing the sixth and seventh ranges, thence north with the said line to the southwest corner of the third township, in the sixth range, then east to the line dividing the sixth range, then northwest with said line to the place of beginning."
The first election was held at the residence of Martin Wheelen. July 31, 1819. This was the same place that is now owned by George King.
The township was named for President Madi- son. In December, 1826, Adams township was ated, 'and Madison reduced thereby to its present size, and boundaries. No record of the officers chosen, at the first election, has been found ; those for 1880, are :
Justices of the Peace-E. E. Forker. Calvin ames.
Constable-Samuel Dunmead.
Treasurer-James King.
Clerk-Calvin James.
Assessor-John W. Kinney.
Land Appraiser-Joshua G. Stump.
Trustees-W. B. Carter, George B. King. John A. Burnside.
Board of Education-James King, Samuel Copeland, Abraham Beal, John A. Burnside, David Garrett, John King.
Supervisors-John J. Kinney, Daniel Stolts. Louis Gressel, William Stolts, Leslie Keyes, William Miller. John Crozier, Jacob A. Min- ner.
The elections were held at the school house, on Wm. Minner's land, chiefly, until 1848, when the township house was erected, and the elec- tions have been held there since that time : the house is 18x24.
The first road crossed the Muskingum river at Bainter's ford, and extended up Symmes' Creek in the direction of Adams township.
The first death was that of Godfrey Bainter, in 1805. He was buried in the woods, on his son John's farm, now owned by W. B. Carter. The following is the inscription on the tombstone. now nearly effaced by time, as the stone is of a very perishable kind :
" In memory of Godfrey Bainter, who de- parted this life May 18th, 1805, aged 60 years. This has become a cemetery and is the oldest in the township.
The first marriage, on record, is that of George Stoner and Elizabeth Shirer, in 1810 ; the next was Robert McConnell to Mary Adams, which occurred soon after.
SALT WORKS.
In the year 1807, James Sprague, and his son Samuel, were pushing a canoe up the Mus- kingum river, and when just below the mouth of Wills Creek, they saw an Indian encamp- ment, and, putting in to shore, an old Indian of- fered to show them a good salt spring for $1,400. Mr. Sprague did not accept the offer, and shortly after, the Indian showed it to Mr. Mapes for a rifle. Mr. M. began to make salt there. about 1810. The spring proved to be a good one, and these works have been operated for fifty years. In 1852, Joseph Tingle became their possessor, and repaired them, and put in a new engine, and operated them during the war. but they have been idle since 1865.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was probably built on the land of A. Struthers, not far from the forks of Symmes' Creek. It is said that the first school was taught in the German language, and that the first English school teacher was a Mr. Decker. in 1811. The primitive schools of this township have so faded from the memories of the oldest inhabitants, that nothing definite is known of them. The schools of the present day are taught in the English language, and there are six good frame school houses in the township: none graded, however.
MILLS.
In 1813, Alexander Struthers buih a grist mill on the south branch of Symmes' Creek. just above its forks, and in 1818, he added a saw mill. These mills were of incalculable benefit to the settlement, even extending beyond the township boundaries ; and yet Mr. Struthers did not retain control of them many years ; he sold to J. N. In- galls, and he, to William Mapes. The latter added one run ot buhrs. Mr. Mapes died, and Frederick Minner became proprietor for a time. and was succeeded by Peter Varner, who oper- ated the mills in 1866.
Valentine Shirer, and David Shirer, brothers. built a saw mill in 1833, on the north fork of Symmes'Creek, near the center of section twenty. Jolin Bench subsequently put in a pair of buhrs.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
and thus combined saw and grist mills, which was a great convenience to the neighborhood. These mills passed into the ownership and manage- ment of William Gaumer and Thomas Pharis.
In 1837, Thomas Pierce erected a grist mill at the State Dam, on the Muskingum River; he sold out to Jared Cone, and he sold to Charles Love, who sold to Elias Ellis, and he sold to Na- poleon Reinaman, and during his management the mill was burned, and rebuilt, and sold to George C. Adams, who sold to William Bice,and he sold to A. G. Plummer, the present propri- etor. This mill now contains three run of buhrs, in a building three stories high, and is in a suc- cessful business.
James John and James Gibbons, built a saw mill, on Symmes' Creek, just above the mouth, and finding the water supply insufficient, dug a race, and then added a grist mill ; this mill was afterwards owned by Lloyd Dillon and D. F. Kinney. Mr. Kinney is the present proprietor.
A whiskey mill, or distillery, is said to have been in operation below the mouth of the Waka- tomaka, on the Muskingum, in 1812; and that a "tramp mill" was attached, for crushing grain for the still ; this still worm is not "the worm that dieth not !" It is not only sure to die, as all of them have died, but it seizes with remorseless death grip on every one of its friends. Think what a fiend it is to kill its friends ! and how powerless it is to harm its enemies.
FURNACE.
About 1815, Wood and Eberts built a furnace, on Symmes' Creek, one-half mile from its mouth ; this was abandoned after three years, probably for want of sufficient means.
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The first blacksmith was Daniel Milton, who had a shop "at the Furnace" (on Symmes'Creek, one-half mile from its mouth), in 1816.
WHEELEN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This was the first church built in Madison township. It was named for Martin Wheelen, because he donated the site where the church was built, a part of the southwest quarter of sec- tion nineteen, owned at present by George King.
The first class was composed of Martin Wheelen, and Christiana, his wife, George Wheelen, and Harriet, his wife, Wm. Wheelen, and Lusanna, his wife, John Wheelen, Jacob Wheelen, James Wheelen, Peter Wheelen, and Sarah Wheelen ; Charles R. Copeland, and Eva- lina, his wife, Elizabeth Van Horn, Jeremiah Van Horn, Sarah Van Horn, John Doughty, and Elizabeth, his wife, Frederick Baum, and Mary, his wife, Matilda and Clarissa White. James Conkling, and Mary, his wife, were the two original members. James Conkling was leader.
In 1823, a hewed log church, twenty-four by thirty-six feet, was built, with two apartments for convenience, on communion days-for none were admitted to class meetings but communicants (?). The old house is standing, but there has been no preaching in it for near forty years.
The following extract from an article on "Early Methodism," by II. W., will be of interest in this connection :
" The Methodists had held meetings in Struth- er's school house, and also at Wheelen's, a few years. They re-erected the present church about 1818 or 1820 : some say 1821. It was raised and finished in September. These Methodists used to keep the "sinners," and the late Sabbath morning rising saints out of their love feasts. This house looks as though its east end had for- merly been a pen in which to keep these lazy "sheep," and the "goats," till the love feast was over. In after years, this motley group of saints and sinners, saying, "open unto us," became so unruly, and the other end of the house being too small, they sawed out the "middle wall of parti- tion," and let them all grow together "till the harvest," thus making the church as it now stands, a large one. To all who know this sa- cred spot, such names as Ellis, Van Horne, Hur- dle, Wheelen, Doughty, Roe. Adams, Copeland, Stump, and a host of others are familiar. For these people, Bishop Morris preached more than half a century ago, and when he was so poorly sup- ported that he had nothing whatever to pay toll at the gate, and when, to the shame of his parish- ioners, in Zanesville, the "sinners" made him a donation of nearly one hundred dollars. At the same time, the late Charles Elliott, D.D., served this people with his fiery zeal. I believe it was he who sent to Mrs. Burnside, a few years ago, a chip out of this old church as a memorial. In connection with these two, was that inveterate chicken eater, and zealous minister, S. R. Brock- unier. It was doubtless he who said, "a turkey is a very unhandy fowl ; it is too much for one, but not quite enough for two." These were fol- lowed by Taylor, Brown, Jacob and David Young, Christy, Carper, Swornstedt, Blue, and others. I heard my father say, that when that noble young Christy preached there, in 1826, that the small children would always listen to him. In those "good old days," a family like my grandfather's thought nothing of going six miles for Sunday morning, or week day meet- ings."
Perhaps no man that ever lived in Adams township (and was a member at Wheelen's) was as popular, and did as much good as Rev. Jesse Roe, of the memorable Roe family. It is to be regretted that the noble lives of such good and useful men, are not transmitted to paper in his- toric form, and thus help future generations.
Jesse Roe was a local preacher, and used to preach all over the hills and plains, in northern Muskingum, eastern Guernsey, and southern Co- shocton counties, and did it all gratis. He and Granville Moody, used to traverse these hills, the one preaching, and the other exhorting. While Dr. Moody still lives, a light to the church and the world, Jesse Roe was called, at the age of forty-one years, to his reward. Jesse Roe died October 28, 1828, aged forty-one years and two months.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
PROSPECT METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
Prospect Methodist Protestant Church was composed of Leonard Hurdle, Hugh King, Su- sanna Stover, Catharine Stover, and John Wal- ker, formerly of the Wheelen Methodist Episco- pal Church, and was organized as a class in 1831, by Rev. Mr. Gilbreath. Leonard Hurdle was leader, and meetings were held at John Walker's house until 1838, when a log church, twenty-four by thirty-six, was erected, on land donated by Leonard Hurdle, which was situated on the northwest quarter of section twenty-one.
In June, 1861, John Stoner deeded a lot situ- ated in the northwest quarter of section twenty- two-adjoining the old building-for a new church, and, in 1862, a frame building, thirty- four by forty, was erected, and dedicated by Rev. J. C. Hazlett.
The present Class Leader is James K. King ; the Steward is Benjamin Lacy.
The following ministers of the Methodist Pro- testant Church have served on the Zanesville Circuit, since 1830: Z. Reagan, John Wilson, William McConnell, James Sanford, Phineas In- skip, Joel Dalby, Cornelius Woodruff, Thomas Foster, Nathaniel Linder, John Van Zant, Thos. Cullen, Samuel Gee, William Marshall, William Baldwin, John Baker, James Friece, William Dooling, Samuel Lancaster, J. C. Hazlett, H. T. Lawson, Henry Gray, T. W. Case, Alfred Harrison, Thomas Orr, Israel Thrapp, Joseph Thrapp, William Turner, Ezekiel Hoagland, and Thomas Scott, the present incumbent.
SALEM METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
The first class was organized in 1834, by Rev. William Marshall, and comprised the following members : John Mahan and wife, Elizabeth ; William Hurdle and wife, Mary ; William Kin- ney and wife, Margaret ; William Kinney, Jr., and wife, Anna; Thomas Kinney and wife, Elizabeth ; John Bice and wife, Mary ; John Kinney and wife, Susan ; John W. Kinney, and David Kinney. The leader was John Mahan.
In 1838, a hewed log church was erected, one inile southeast of the mouth of Simms' creek, on land donated by John Bice, for a church and graveyard. This building was twenty-four by thirty-six, and stood thirty years, when it was removed and a frame edifice reared on the site, thirty-four by forty-two.
The present Trustees are: James King and James M. Kinney ; the Steward, Newton P. Shurtz. The Class Leader, John J. Kinney, was killed by lightning, August 25th, 1880. The same ministers have served this church who served the Prospect Methodist Protestant Church, from the date of organization.
PLEASANT HILL METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHI.
In 1835, Judge Daniel Stillwell, a Presbyterian, built a church on his land, in Madison township (the northeast quarter of section thirteen), pri- marily, for Presbyterian services, and, seconda- rily, for any other denomination, when not want- ed by Presbyterians.
In 1868, Rev. William Baldwin organized a Methodist Protestant class, composed of Wil- liam St. Clair and Catharine, his wife; Sam- uel St. Clair and Lovina, his wife; John Dun- mead and Deborah, his wife ; John W. Bice and Jane, his wife; Robert Layton and Sarah, his wife ; D. D. Shirer and Cordelia, his wife ; Mary Ross, and Samuel Hammond and wife.
Samuel Hammond was leader, and D. G. Shirer, steward. The present leader is Samuel St. Clair.
The same ministry have served this church that are named with the Prospect Methodist Protestant Church.
ST. MATTHEW'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first Episcopal services in this township were held in the Presbyterian (now Methodist Protestant) Church, Pleasant Hill, by Rev. Wil- liam A. Smallwood, of Zanesville, in the begin- ning of October, 1837.
At a meeting held at the house of John C. Stockton, October 22d, 1838, "St. Matthew's Parish" was organized, with the following cor- porate members : Thomas Armstrong, Christo- pher Humphreys, Jr., Royal Humphreys, Chas. Long, Johnson Carrigan, William Armstrong, William Humphreys, Littleton Adams, Robert Armstrong, Christopher Armstrong, Edward Adams, Alexander Adams, James Adams, Rob- ert Shields, Christopher Humphreys, Sr., Chris- topher Burnside, Crawford Long, John C. Stock- ton, Charles Marquand, John Marquand, Sr., John Marquand, Jr., Royal Burnside, William Burnside, and Thomas Burnside.
Senior Warden-John C. Stockton.
Junior Warden-Thomas Armstrong.
Vestrymen-Royal Humphreys, Charles Long, Christopher Burnside, Robert Armstrong.
On April 21st, 1839, a meeting of the Vestry was held, and a site for a church selected, near the residence of Christopher Humphreys, on land donated by Evan James. Thomas Arın- strong, Charles Long, and Christopher Hum- phreys, were appointed a Building Committee.
On June 15th, 1839, the Committee contracted with Michael Milligan to build a frame church, twenty-seven by forty, for nine hundred dollars. August 4th, 1839, the corner-stone was laid by Rev. W. A. Smallwood.
Thomas Armstrong. was elected the first Lay Delegate, and the following list of communicants reported to the Convention :
Littleton Adams, Thomas Armstrong, Eliza- beth Armstrong, William Armstrong, Robert Armstrong, Christopher Armstrong, Sebastian Chappotin, William Evans, Christopher Hun- phreys, Sr., Margaret Humphreys, Christopher Humphreys, Jr., Catharine Humphreys, Royal Humphreys, Dorothea Humphreys, Crawford Long, Charles Long, Margaret Long, Catharine Long, John Marquand, Charles Marquand, John C. Stockton, Eliza F. Stockton.
In 1840, Rev. Amos Woodward and Alfred Helfenstein officiated, after which there was a vacancy for one year, when Rev. Marcus K.
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TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Cushman was rector about eighteen months, and he was succeeded by Rev. John Henshaw, from May to October, 1843. From this date, no reg- ular services were held, until April, 1846, when Rev. George B. Sturgis became rector.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church, which the congregation rented, until May, 1846, when they were held in their own church.
Rev. Albert T. McMurphy became rector in April, 1847, and the church was consecrated September 14th. of that year. Rector McMurphy remained until 1857, nearly ten years.
The following rectors have served according to the dates given :
Rev. J. H. McElree, during 1861 and 1862 ; Rev. Henry A. Lewis, from July, 1865, to June 18. 1866. when he died ; Rev. John Steel, April 1867, to September of that year, when he re- signed : Rev. J. C. Jones, from July 1868, to September, 1871 ; Rev. Chester F. Adams, from October 1871. to July 1876; Rev. Pendleton, from July 1876, to June 1879; Rev. M. E. W. Hill, in June, 1880, and remains in charge. The Senior Warden is Leslie Keyes ; Junior Warden, William Keyes. The number of members is fourteen.
"St. Matthew's Parish" owns one hundred acres of land, in addition to the church lot. It was deeded by Christopher Armstrong in 1840, and is situated in the southeast quarter of section eleven.
In the cemetery connected with this church, may be seen a monument containing this inscrip- tion :
"In memory of Christopher Humphreys, died September 30th. 1842, aged one hundred and four years.
"In memory of Margaret, wife of Christopher Humphreys, died January 4th. 1851, aged one hundred years.
THE FIRST STORE.
The first regular store was kept by Copeland & Parmalee, about 1840. They sold out to James McMahan, and he to Roe & Beatty, who did quite an extensive business, in the store and mill, which they rented. John Bowen, Henry Copeland, George C. Adams, D. F. Kinney and A. J. Hurdle succeeded Roe & Beatty. There is no store in Madison township at this time. Thomas Pierce kept a small store at his mill, and, by some, it is claimed that this was the first store in the township.
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