History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 15

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 15

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MILLS.

The first grist-mill to be built on Darby Creek and in this township was the Harris- burg mill, which was erected by Joseph Cheno- weth over 70 years ago; previous to its erec- tion Chenoweth had built on the site of this mill a saw-mill, the first in the township, but it was finally burned down. A carding-mill was established at the same place by Elijah Cheno- weth and Alfred Bird. The Harrisburg mill is still in operation and is now known as the Harrisburg roller mill; it is operated by A. R.

Eesley and has a capacity of 50 barrels per day. Two other grist-mills along Darby Creek were the one built by James Kepler, five miles below Harrisburg, and the one a mile farther down, erected by John G. Garrison.

ERA.

This old settlement of Darby township was until a few years ago known as Palestine. It is situated on Deer Creek near the Madison County line and is a station on the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. It was laid out about 1829 by Josiah Rush and George Alkire. One of the first buildings erected in the place was a tavern built by Messrs. Mitchell and Pritchard. Rush & Alkire opened the first store. Other early stores were those of John V. Davis, Samuel Diffenderier, Thomas Fellows, Joseph Ten- ney, Jerrold Sweetland and George Neff & Son. A postoffice was established here at an early date with Joseph Tenney as postmaster. Samuel S. Fetherholf, the present postmaster, has conducted a general store here for many years and is one of the oldest postmasters in the county at the present time. The grain elevator at Era is owned by Mogan & Loof- bourrow. Era had a population of 210 in 1900. The town is not incorporated.

DERBY

Is a. station on the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., located nearly in the center of the township. It was established at the time when the rail- road was put through the township. It has quite a number of business houses and is a growing place, having a population at the pres- ent time of between 250 and 300. Among the business interests are the following: George E. Neff and G. M. Garrison, general stores; John Cox, grocery; Joseph Bower, jewelry ; Dr. Alfred Deyo, drugs; William C. Minshall, meat market and confectionery; W. A. Hig- gins, machinery; A. M. Daugherty and S. M. Sark. dealers in poultry ; Derby Hotel, run by F. E. Buzzard; Mantle Hotel, conducted by Mrs. Mantle; Jones & Company, grain ele- vator; Frank Fast, blacksmith; Sam Franci ;,

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contractor ; J. L. Hall & Son, manufacturers of tile and brick; and M. C. Edwards, dealer in agricultural implements, stoves and hard- ware of all kinds. There are two livery stables in town, run by M. C. Edwards and Jones Brothers. G. M. Garrison is postmaster. One

rural route runs from Derby. Derby Lodge, No. 770, I. O. O. F., is a flourishing society ; it is now building an Odd Fellows' Hall, which is to be of pressed brick and will cost $4,000. The foundations are now being put in.

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CHAPTER VI

DEER CREEK TOWNSHIP

This township is situated on the southern boundary of Pickaway County, being located east of Perry and west of Wayne townships. The surface of the township is a level plain, except along the course of its chief stream, Deer Creek; the township is also watered by Hay Run and Yellow Bud Creek. Corn is the principal grain grown. There are many extensive stock farms in this township. Pos- sibly the best known one is that of W. I. Wood, with its herd of 200 registered Shorthorn cat- tle. The sales of stock at this farm attract buyers from many sections of the country. Eight sales have been held, at each of which about 50 head were sold, the proceeds from each sale being about $10,000.

It is not definitely known just when Deer Creek township was organized, except that it was before the formation of Pickaway County, when the territory was still included in Ross County. The earliest record of an election now extant, which was held on the first Monday in April, 1816, furnishes us the names of the officers chosen, which are as fol- lows: Trustees - Thomas Williams, John Teverbaugh and John Timmons; clerk, David Yates; treasurer, James Burbridge; overseers of the poor-Simon and Jesse Hornbeck; fence viewers-John Mottester and David Cra- bill; lister, John Rust; constables-William G. Cantrill and Andrew Motter; supervisors- Benjamin Freeman, Charles Hays, William B. Bailey, Jesse Fitzgerald, Christopher Cardiff and Moses Colvin. The following are the pres- ent township officers : Trustees-R. B. Blacker,

Charles L. Bishop and John L. Cox; clerk, William T. Ulm; treasurer, Clark. K. Hun- sicker; assessor, Edmond Rector; justices of the peace-John Maley and Abraham L. Al- kire; constables-Frank Martin and John Jus- tus. The population of the township in 1900 was 1,673.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The first settlers established' their homes here about 1800; some of them came in the preceding year. One of the first settlers in the township was Edward Rector, from Vir- ginia, who at the age of 13 years came here with his widowed mother and four other chil- dren younger than he. The family moved to the Northwest Territory in 1798 and the fol- lowing year moved upon a farm near the mouth of Deer Creek. The descendants of the early pioneers of this family are numerous in this township and are prominently identified with all its interests.

Michael Alkire, who was a Virginian by birth, came to Ohio from Kentucky about 1798 and for two years lived upon the Pick- away Plains not far from the Logan Elm. In 1800 he purchased a farm in Deer Creek town- ship now occupied by his heirs. George Ater came to Ohio from Virginia in 1799, and set- tled in Deer Creek township. The family has many representatives in the township at the present day. Abraham Shanton settled on Deer Creek in 1800. Among the pioneers who came here near the dawning of the 19th cen-

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tury were : Moses Colvin, George and Samuel Phebus, John Baker, Homer Starbill, Michael Wolf, Samuel Wilson, Andrew Taylor, Sam- uel Hanson, William Scott, John English, and Bartholomew Baker and his two sons, Joseph and Martin.

Edward Davison settled in Deer Creek township in 1803; James Smith, in 1804 and Daid Yates, in 1806. All of these came from Virginia. David Yates was connected with the manufacturing interests of the township from its infancy and is represented by many descendants, who are among the most promi- nent citizens of the township. Mrs. Polly (Voss) Colston, widow of Gladstone Colston, settled in Deer Creek township, with three chil- dren, at a very early day. Ebenezer Davis ar- rived in Deer Creek township in November, 1813, having removed here from Virginia. In 1817 he took up his residence in Williamsport village, where he opened a hotel, the second in the township. Jacob and Philip Terwilliger came here from Ulster County, New York, the former in 1815, and the latter in 1816. James Rose also came here from Ulster Coun- ty, New York, arriving in Deer Creek town- ship in 1818. George Bennett removed with his family from Virginia to Ohio in 1820 and after a five years residence at Chillicothe lo- cated permanently in Deer Creek township.

CHURCHES.

The Williamsport Christian Church .- This is the oldest church in Deer Creek township. As early as 1803 Rev. Barton W. Stone came here and conducted services in the house of George Alkire. In the following year a church was formed, which was first known as the New Light Church and later as the Christian Church. From this small and unpretentious beginning grew the large and important church of to-day. A hewed-log meeting-house built in 1810 was disposed of in 1816, when a small frame church was erected, located upon the site of what became the Christian Cemetery. A few years later, owing to the growth of the so- ciety. a larger church building was erected and this was occupied until 1869, when a brick

church edifice, 40 by 56 feet in dimensions and costing $4,000, was completed. The church has a flourishing Sunday-school. Rev. Charles A. Tracy is pastor of the church and also con- ducts services at the Christian Church at Five Points. Among the early ministers of this church were: Revs. Barton W. Stone, Joseph Badger, George Zimmerman, William Kin- cade, James Hays, Matthew Gardner, James Marom, George Alkire, James Burbridge, Isaac N. Walter, S. Bradford, Joseph Thomas, Dan- iel Long, John L. Green, Isaac Cade, Benjamin Seevers, John L. Perkins, Enoch Harvey, Thomas Hand, N. Dawson, C. A. Morse, T. A. Brandon, Peter Mccullough, William Over- terf, B. H. Chrisman, Joel Osgood, A. C. Hanger, and E. W. Humphries.

Williamsport M. E. Church .- At an early period in the life of the settlement, Samuel Parrott, who lived a half mile east of Williams- port, collected a few people of the Methodist faith together and held meetings at his home. The class was formed in 1826 and consisted of Samuel Parrott and wife Mary, Samuel Man- ley and wife Ann, George Frame and E. Hun- sicker. In 1831 Rev. Adam Poe, who was in charge of what was then called the Deer Creek Circuit, held meetings at the Parrott home, at which an effort to build a meeting-house was made. Owing to the death of Mr. Parrott, however, the building was never completed. Eight years later another effort was made to build a church. In due time a frame building, some 35 by 50 feet in size, was completed at a cost of about $3,000. In 1864 some land was added to the church site and a brick church edifice was erected during the same season at a cost of $4,000. This was in use until 1889, when the present church structure, also a brick, was erected at a cost of about $10,000. In 1872 a frame parsonage was built at a cost of $2,200. . There have been a number of changes in the circuit to which the Williamsport church belongs. Deer Creek Circuit was formed in 1808 from a part of Scioto Circuit, which had been established in 1799. New Holland Cir- cuit was detached from Deer Creek Circuit in. 1854. Williamsport was separated from New Holland Circuit in 1866. The following

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pastors have been in charge of Williamsport Circuit since its formation : Rev. David Smith, Dr. W. F. Hughey (during whose pastorate extensive revivals occurred), Rev. B. F. Thomas, Rev. F. S. Davis, Rev. David Mann, Dr. T. G. Ross, Rev. H. L. Whitehead, Rev. George W. Lott, Rev. F. S. Davis, Rev. Frank Gillilan, Rev. C. A. Naylor, Rev. I. M. Bra- shares, Rev. A. F. Hixson, Rev. S. A. Crosby, Rev. W. B. Warren and Rev. J. W. Blair, the present incumbent, who is now entering upon the fifth year of his pastorate.

The official board of the Williamsport M. E. Church is as follows: Trustees-Samuel W. Dunlap, G. W. Gephart, N. L. Schein, Dr. T. C. Tipton, L. O. Morgan, Ezra Shaeffer, Wesley Tarbill, W. S. Sands and George P. Hunsicker; stewards-Samuel W. Dunlap, C. H. McDonald, S. M. Ulm, Rezin W. Phebus, Miss Carrie Rector and Miss Nellie Crabill; class leaders-Jesse Jones and C. H. McDon- ald. The church now has a membership of about 300. The Sunday-school, which is under the superintendency of C. W. Gephart, has a membership of about 200.

From the establishment of Deer Creek Cir- cuit, in 1808, to the formation of Williams- port Circuit in 1866, the following pastors served in their work here: Revs. Benjamin Lakin, John Crain, John Collins, Wood Lloyd, Francis Travis, Ralph Lotspeich, J. Harris, R. Cloud, Charles Waddle, Samuel Parks, Alex- ander Cummins, H. B. Bascom, Isaac Quinn, Ledosa Baker, Walter Griffith, Isaac Pavly, Samuel Glaze, Shadrach Ruark, R. W. Fin- ley, William Swayze, John Brown, William Stephens, Andrew McClain, I. C. Hunter, William Simmons, Zach Connell, J. F. Wells, James Collard, Nathan Walker, Jacob Delay, G. W. Young, John Stewart, John Ferrell, A. Sellers, Francis Wilson, J. T. Donahow, John H. Power, J. Gurley, David Lewis, Joseph A. Reader, C. C. Lybrand, Edward Estel, James Armstrong, Henry Wharton, W. L. Morrow, F. H. Jennings, Wesley Roe, Robert Chaney, J. F. Conroy, Elijah H. Field, W. M. D. Ryon, B. A. Cassett, David Reed, Philip Nation, Zach Wharton, J. D. Webb, Alexander Me- hany, B. L. Jefferson, J. W. Lock, J. G. Dim-

mitt, William Sutton, Alexander Nelson, J. Laws, D. H. Sargent, Samuel Middleton, Da- vid Smith, H. F. Green, W. A. Prettyman, J. F. Williams, L. F. Drake, T. H. Phillips, H. T. Magill, W. C. Holleday, William Morris, J. Q. Lakin, J. W. Clark, T. G. Ross, Nath Westerman, I. B. Brodesick and E. H. Dixon.

Mount Pleasant M. E. Church, at Kinder- hook, dates back to 1826, when a class was formed under the ministry of Rev. Jacob De- lay. Thomas Emery was the first class leader. In 1838 a small frame meeting-house was built on the site of the present brick church, which was erected in 1859, at a cost of $5,000. This church is in the Williamsport Circuit and the names of the pastors are therefore included in the sketch of the latter church. The Mount Pleasant church has a present membership of about 100. The Sunday-school, which was established in the early days of the church, has a membership of about 175 and C. F. Puffin- barger is superintendent.

Many years ago there was a Protestant Methodist society in the township, but services were long since discontinued.

CEMETERIES.

At a very early date a cemetery was es- tablished in connection with the Christian Church at Williamsport and one of the first burials was that of Edward Davison, who died soon after the family settled in Deer Creek in 1803. The Christian Cemetery, as well as the Methodist Cemetery established at a later date, are no longer used for burials. Spring Lawn Cemetery, located on the west side of Deer Creek, near Williamsport, was first oc- cupied in 1875, when George Gordy's remains were interred. It is now one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the county. It is con- trolled by the township trustees and is kept in excellent condition.

SCHOOLS.

The first school of the township was held in 1803, a deserted cabin on the Ross County line being fitted up with the usual slab furni-

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ture of that day. The benches were formed of split slabs supported by four rough legs driven into auger holes. Three-legged stools were fashioned in the same manner. Pegs were driven into auger holes in the wall, and small shelves . made to hold the boods and dinner baskets. It is said that the teachers often taught "from sun to sun." The teacher of this school, James Bartlett, was paid by in- dividual subscription.

The Board of Education of Deer Creek township, elected in the fall of 1904, is con- stituted as follows: Fred C. Betts, Frank D. Alkire and Edward C. Rector-four years; John W. Smith and R. W. Phebus-two years. The clerk of the board is Fred West. For a long time there were but five districts in the township; at present there are nine, eight of them outside of Williamsport.

District No. I, known as the Bennett school, began so far as is known, in a log schoolhouse that stood on a little knoll on the William Bennett land. This log house was burned down, and about 1852 a frame build- ing was erected on or near the same spot; this also was destroyed by fire. Then a small brick school building was erected some distance south of the original schoolhouse site. It was used until the present building was erected in the year 1885 on a site much farther south. While the small brick building was in use, the district was divided and the Woodlyn district was formed from the northern part.

District No. 2, known as the Hornbeck school, began in an old log building that stood on a spot near the road between the house and barn on Elmer Helwagen's place. This build- ing was succeeded about 1850 by a solid frame structure on the south side of the road. The present brick building was erected in 1877. The old frame building was moved on land now owned by N. L. Schein and fitted up for a residence.

District No. 3, now known as the Betts district, began in an old log house that stood on land now owned by James M. Dunlap. The story is told that an early teacher of this school tock up a piece of the puncheon floor and thrust an offending youth into the prison beneath for

punishment. All trace of the building is now gone. It was succeeded by a frame building erected on a triangular spot in the forks of the road. When the present brick building was erected in 1872, the frame was moved upon the land now owned by William Walston, and fitted up for a residence.

District No. 4 (Pleasant Grove) has had a long history. The first log house, which stood on land now owned by David Ater, was suc- ceeded by another log house, which was built near the site of the present brick building. In the year 1851, the second log house was re- placed by a frame, near the same spot. This house was in use until the present brick structure was built in 1876.

District No. 5, known as the John W. Ater district, has had few changes, though it has been long established. It began in a log house that stood out in the field opposite the present building. The frame structure that supplanted the original log house was replaced in 1879 by the brick structure now standing. The brick building was partially destroyed by fire in 1888, but was repaired and fitted up as at present.

District No. 6, the Mount Pleasant school at Kinderhook, began in an old log house which was later replaced by a frame building erected on land now owned by Cyrus Court- right on a spot a short distance from the Mount Pleasant M. E. Church. In 1878 the present brick school building was erected where it now stands.

District No. 7, the Plummer district. Back in the '40's, Hiram Howard and Isaac Horn- beck taught in an old log house which stood on land now owned by Dr. C. D. Briner. A frame building, erected later on a spot opposite W. H. Plummer's residence, was occupied until the present brick building was erected in 1875.

District No. 8, Woodlyn. The history of this district goes back to the old log school in the Bennet district. When the old log build- ing was abandoned, a new site was chosen much farther south. The district was then divided, and the north part with adjacent ter- ritory was erected into the Woodlyn district.

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The present brick building was erected in 1869.

District No. 9, Williamsport. As early as 1818 the first school in Williamsport was taught by John White on land now occupied by the Pythian Castle. The teacher contracted to teach for so much a head and his board and lodging thrown in - the plan known as "boardin' 'round." It was stipulated in the contract that each boy was to take his turn providing wood for the huge fire-place, and if the boy was too small his father must take his place. Mr. White's scholars numbered about 25 and came from the surrounding coun- try as well as from the village. After using this building for a number of years, school was held in a log building situated on or near the lot now owned by Hugh Tool. In 1853 this building was torn down and a frame one erected at the same place.

School was held in the new frame building until the Williamsport Village School District was formed in April, 1874. Upon the forma- tion of this district, Dr. T. C. Tipton, A. D. Radcliff, W. B. Davis, S. G. Hunsicker, Dr. George W. Hurst and A. D. Rector were chosen directors. The present grounds were secured and a two-room brick building was completed in October of that year. The cost including the site and the furniture was $4,000. There were at this time 133 pupils enrolled in primary and grammar departments. This building finally proved inadequate, but as the village school district was not in a position to make the desired addition, an enabling act was passed April 15. 1892, by the General As- sembly of Ohio, which gave the township Board of Education the power to levy a tax upon all taxable property of the township, not exceeding $4,000, in addition to other levies for the support of the schools, the money de- rived from this special tax levy to be employed in building a schoolhouse in the village of Williamsport, provided the village school dis- trict was abandoned, and became a sub-dis- trict of the township. The provisions of this act were duly complied with and in 1893 the township board added a front to the original structure, making a "T"-shaped building, with.

six rooms. The building was destroyed by fire on February 2, 1901. In the same year the present school building was begun. This school has four departments-primary, taught by Edith Black; intermediate, taught by Ethel Asher; grammar, taught by L. A. Lewis and high school, taught by Stella Real. The high school admits pupils from all districts of the township. Prof. A. B. Hall is superintendent. When the code of 1902 went into effect the Williamsport district was reorganized as a special school district. In the November elec- tion, 1904, the following were elected members of the Board of Education of the special dis- trict : Dr. C. D. Briner, O. B. Hornbeck, George P. Hunsicker, Charles Clinch and Clif- ford Heiskell. In the following year, how- ever, the special district was again abandoned, becoming District No. 9, once more tinder the control of the township Board of Education. The total enrollment of the township schools is 368, of which 150 are enrolled in Williams- port.

SOCIETIES.

As previously stated, Williamsport has been a "dry" town for the past 18 years. Temper- ance societies, such as the Independent Order of Good Templars, were once strong in the township but they long since ceased their la- bors. A local union of the W. C. T. U. was organized at Williamsport, in August, 1893, with II charter members. The organization has grown and prospered and now numbers 32 members. Mrs. Laverna Radcliff is presi- dent. At the time the Grange movement was inaugurated, Alpha Grange, No. 59, P. of H., was chartered, June 3, 1873. It was consol- idated on May 22, 1875, with Deer Creek Grange, No. 449, which had been organized January 27, 1874. In 1880 the number of members was 68. Work was long since dis- continued.

Heber Lodge, No. 501, F. & A. M., was chartered October 21, 1875. The first officers were: W. B. Davis, W. M .; Henry Clarke, S. W .; John A. Alkire, J. W .; James D. Fin- nell, secretary ; J. J. Myer, treasurer ; Palmer

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CHURCH OF CHRIST, NEW HOLLAND

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CIRCLEVILLE

MASONIC TEMPLE, WILLIAMSPORT

CALVARY EVANGELICAL CHURCH, CIRCLEVILLE

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Lowe, S. D .; Benjamin Linville, J. D .; Clinton L. Lee, Tyler. The lodge first met in a small room over Dr. George W. Hurst's drug-store. In May, 1876, it moved into its spacious hall in the second story of the Masonic Building at Williamsport, erected at a cost of $1,500. On September 1, 1903, the new building was dedicated. The lodge utilizes the second story and has put about $6,000 into its quarters. The present membership is 114. . The lodge is out of debt and has a comfortable balance in the treasury. The present officers are: L. A. Lewis, M. M .; L. J. Hurst, S. W .; J. W .; John West, treasurer; Tom H. Tipton, secretary ; R. E. Harmount, S. D .; Charles E. Garrison, J. D .; Clinton. L. Lee, tyler. There is also an active chapter of the Eastern Star at Williamsport.

Williamsport Lodge, No. 478, Knights of Pythias, organized some time ago, has a pres- ent membership of : 10 members. The Pythian Castle which was built some five or six years ago cost $8,000.

There is also a camp of the Modern Wood- men of America at Williamsport, which was instituted on January 22, 1897, with 18 char- ter members. The camp now has 150 members and holds its meetings in the old Masonic Hall.

For a number of years past, the Modern Woodmen of America and. the Knights of Pythias have held a joint field day at Williams-' port. The one held here in the summer of 1906 had an attendance of about 4,000. The total receipts amounted to about $1,200.

For the past 14 years Farmers' Institutes have been held at Williamsport. The officers are: S. W. Miller, president; L. J. Hurst, secretary ; S. M. Ulm, treasurer. The object is to advance interest in agriculture and to promote sociability among the agriculturists ·of the township.

PHYSICIANS.

At the present time there are three physi- cians engaged in the practice of their profes- sion at Williamsport, viz .: Drs. G. C. Hays, D. H. Marcy and C. D. Briner. The last named

has been here for the past 15 years. Dr. T. C. Tipton, who located for the practice of his. profession at Williamsport before the Civil War, now conducts a drug-store here and is not now actively engaged in practice. The following list gives the names of physicians who have been located at Williamsport in the past : Drs. Brown, Thrall, Cassett, Perkins, Rush, Harriman, Lewis, Smith, Timmons, Black, Ecord, Martin, Zimmerman, Gould, Halstead, Radcliff, Judy, Hunsicker, George W. Hurst, and T. F. White. There are now no dentists located at Williamsport, though there have been in the past.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 15

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923