History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 24

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

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The Warner Church at East Ringgold was built in 1839. The land consisting of over five acres was donated by Henry Warner, one of the members, in consequence of which the church was named for him. The preacher at the time of the erection of the church was Rev. Henry King. Both the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran denominations united in building this church. Soon after its erection, however, trouble arose between the two parties on account of certain forms of worship which the German Reformed members sought to in- troduce resulting in a split. The German Re -.

formed faction then erected a frame building at the Ritter burial-ground half a mile north- east of East Ringgold. This society subse- quently disbanded and the church structure was sold to the United Brethren, who moved it into East Ringgold. At the present time there are two congregations holding service in the Warner Church-the German Reformed, of which Rev. S. U. Snyder, of Stoutsville, is pastor; and the Evangelical Lutheran, of which Rev. F. B. Hax, of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, is pastor. The German Re- formed organization has a membership of 50, while the Lutheran has 120 members. F. M. Stout is superintendent of the Lutheran Sun- day-school.

In 1842 a German Reformed clergyman by the name of Strickland, after conducting serv- ices in the township, organized a society and then returned East. He was followed by a minister named Phillips, during whose labors the North Union Church was built, in 1844. It was erected by the people generally, without respect to denomination, and ministers of dif- ferent faiths officiated in its pulpit. In the spring of 1851 a United Brethren class was formed and used the church for a number of years. The church, which is a frame structure, is located two and a half miles north of Ne- braska and is rapidly falling to pieces. Near the church is a small burial-ground, which is not now in use.

Hugh Creighton, who settled in Walnut township in 1816, was a pioneer in Sunday- school work here. He was one of the first teachers of day school in the township, as early as 1822 or 1823, and it was his custom to col- lect the children together on Sundays for relig- ious instruction.

FIRST BURYING GROUND.

The first place selected by the people of Walnut township for the burial of their dead was located on section 16. The first burial, and probably the first death in the township, was that of a child of Cornelius Williamson, which was prior to 1800. The oldest inscrip- tion is that on the tombstone of Mary Ward,

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daughter of William and Nancy Ward, who died September 20, 1802, at the age of 21 years.

REBER HILL CEMETERY,

Located near the center of Walnut township, half a mile south of Nebraska, is considered the finest cemetery in Pickaway County, with, perhaps, the sole exception of Forest Cemetery, at Circleville. The first person buried here was William Parsons, who died July 4, 1877, and the second person was Samuel Weaver (son of D. F. Weaver), who was buried on Christmas Day, 1877. The cemetery was formally consecrated on September 29, 1878, by Rev. William MacMillan, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Circleville. . The cem- etery, embracing a tract of 32 acres, which was donated by John Reber, has been laid out and improved with excellent taste. It is managed by three cemetery directors-John Courtright, George W. Ashbrook and J. L. Hoover-ap- pointed by the township trustees. It is esti- mated that the remains of 2,500 people rest here. Not a small number were removed to this cemetery from the small burial grounds formerly found in many sections of Walnut and adjoining townships. The first sexton, George Adkins, held the position for 20 years, being succeeded by George C. Marion, who was sexton one year. The present official, Charles Trone, has been in charge ever since. The sexton's house was built by money raised by subscription from residents of the town- ship.

SCHOOLS.

One of the first schoolhouses in Walnut township, if not the very first, was located a short distance north of the old graveyard in section 16, where Joseph Leesman, Asa Eng- land, Joshua Baker and Philip Gatewood taught. Shortly afterward, a log schoolhouse was built, where Monroe Scothorn afterward lived, in which Hugh Hannagan and Hugh Creighton were early teachers. In 1810 a schoolhouse was erected on the line between sections 22 and 23, in which the first teacher was a man named Addison. A school was

kept by John Wilson as early as 1823 in a little cabin on the farm later owned by William Reed. Edward Kennedy was also an early teacher.

At the present time Walnut township has nine districts; each district is supplied with a brick school-building, all being in good condi- tion. The township Board of Education, elected in November, 1904, is as follows; George W. Bowers, George M. Scothorn and W. A. Parks-four years; Thaddeus E. Cromley and A. E. Weaver-two years. The township has no township high school, but has a third interest in the Ashville High School, which is managed by a committee of nine, on which committee the boards of education of Walnut and Harrison townships and the Ash- ville Village District are each represented by three members. Pupils from Walnut town- ship have therefore the privilege of attending the Ashville High School.

NEBRASKA GRANGE, NO. 64, P. OF H.,

Was organized on June 16, 1873, with a mem- bership of 23. John Courtright was the first master, John M. Spindler, secretary and Ezra Hedges, treasurer. At the present time, John Courtright is master, Grace Courtright, secre- tary, and John M. Sark, treasurer. The Grange has about 100 members and meets every second Saturday. Every year an annual picnic or outing is indulged in, which is largely attended, as many as 1,000 people being present. The Grange has for its object the improvement of agricultural conditions and the adoption of bet- ter farming methods. At its meetings the Grange has secret ritualistic work and also dis- cussions of farm topics. In 1874 Nebraska Grange built a hall in the second story .of D. F. Weaver & Son's building at Nebraska, which cost $1,250.

PHYSICIANS.

In the early days Walnut township did not lack for resident physicians, but of later years the residents have to go to Circleville, Ash- ville, Lancaster or other nearby towns for med-

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ical service. Dr. Josiah Luckey came here soon after the close of the War of 1812, but re- mained only for a few years. Dr. William Turner came here from Maryland and prac- ticed until his death, which took place several years later. Dr. P. Pence located at East Ringgold about 1845 and practiced five years. Dr. E. D. Witt was also a practitioner here. Dr. John T. Jones, who died July 3, 1879, practiced medicine in Walnut township with large success for nearly 30 years. He first located at East Ringgold, later removing to Nebraska, where his death took place. Dr. William T. Kennedy settled at East Ringgold in January, 1875, and practiced here about 15 years and then removed to Columbus, where his death took place. Dr. G. E. Bragdon lo- cated at Walnut in 1878 and remained a few years. Dr. J. J. Dunlap is the only physician now resident in the township. He is located at East Ringgold.

ATTORNEYS.

Since about the time of the Civil War-a period embracing a little over 40 years-Wal- nut township has produced a large crop of lawyers. So far as we can recall, there are a baker's dozen who are now engaged in active practice. Their names follow: Samuel R. Peters, who removed to Kansas; Clayton E. Blue, Charles O. Hunter, E. M. Brinker, Charles E. Morris and Harley M. Snyder, of Columbus; John S. Hoyman, of Pemberville, Ohio; and Samuel W. Courtright, Milton Mor- ris, Irwin F. Snyder, Charles Gerhardt, E. A. Borwn and Harry B. Weaver, of Circleville.

EAST RINGGOLD.

This town is situated in the southeastern part of the township on the Royalton pike and has a population of perhaps 150. It was form- erly known as Grand View. A Mrs. Fink, who was probably the first settler, lived here as early as 1837 and perhaps for some time previous to that date. In 1841 Sebastian Miller located here and engaged in the business of wagon-making. Aaron Stuckey also set-

tled here in the same year as Miller and erected a steam sawmill, in addition to effecting other improvements. The first store was opened in the fall of 1849 by Daniel Bock, who purchased the estate of Sebastian Miller. A. C. Stone afterward kept store in the same building. In 1851 William C. Finkel, wagon-maker by trade, opened a store; Philip Heim subse- quently became his partner. One year later Heim bought Finkel's interest and two years later sold out to his father and brother, P. and D. Heim, who continued in business about one `year, being succeeded for about the same period by Samuel Gessley. John Hook en- gaged in business here in 1864 and continued in business for a great many years. In 1871 John Woodell and Solomon Tobias established a store, which was continued by Mr. Woodell until his death and then by Mr. Tobias. The town west of Silver street was platted in 1860 by Mr. Burget and the remainder by John Nevy, subsequently. A postoffice was estab- lished at East Ringgold in 1855. The first postmaster was William C. Finkel, afterward probate judge. The postoffice continued for a period of over 50 years, being finally discon- tinued in September, 1906. The residents hereafter will get their mail by rural. free de- livery, Route No. 4, from Circleville. H. R. Grant and May Brothers have general stores here; James A. Weaver, a blacksmith shop; and Amos Grant, a boarding-house and feed stable. Charles and Sherman Clark manu- facture all kinds of split baskets. C. M. Spayth is engaged in the business of contracting. The town has a good string orchestra.

NEBRASKA,

Which is located nearly in the center of the township, has a population of about 80 people. The first store here was established in 1853 by Andrew Hedges, who was also the first postmaster. The name of the postoffice was then Hedges' Store. Thomas Gregg succeeded Andrew Hedges, in the spring of 1856. Caleb Brobst succeeded Gregg, in July, 1857. In June, 1859, W. J. & D. F. Weaver bought out Brobst

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and continued together until August, 1864, when D. F. Weaver purchased the interest of his brother. He has continued in business until the present time, dealing in dry goods, boots and shoes, hardware, groceries and pro- visions-conducting, in short, a general store.

WALNUT AND BRINKER'S CORNERS

Are two settlements in Walnut township. The former has a population of from 20 to 25 peo- ple. The first store was started at Walnut in 1834 by Edward Kennedy. The town has but one store at the present time-that of J. E. Weiser, who deals in general merchandise of all kinds. Walnut was formerly a postoffice, but the office has been discontinued and the residents now get their mail by rural free de- livery from Ashville. At Brinker's Corners Jonathan Brinker conducts an implement store and sells buggies, wagons and farm machinery.

EARLY INDUSTRIES.

The manufacture of whiskey was one of the leading industries in Walnut township in the early days and continued until the build- ing of the Ohio Canal and the construction of railroads, when markets were opened up to the farmers for their surplus corn. It was once said that from a certain point of view on a farm in this township, the sites of 34 former distilleries could be seen at one time. The

township has also had its share of sawmills, as well as grist-mills. The first sawmill was built by Richard Ward, in 1811 or 1812, on Little Walnut. The next one was built by James Bell on Turkey Run as early as 1816 or 1817. William Williamson had a sawmill on Little Walnut as early as 1825. Many others were built at later dates, which no longer exist. John Hager, Sr., who came here in 1803, built a small log grist-mill on Little Wal- nut, a few years after his arrival. Hager built another mill about 1814, which was rebuilt in the '50's by his son John. It subsequently passed into the hands of Samuel Campbell and became widely known as the Campbell mill. James Bell, in addition to running a sawmill, also had a grist-mill on Turkey Run; David. Glick had one on Little Walnut. In 1838 Hugh Creighton & Son built a sawmill on Big Wal- nut, in 1846 putting in two run of stone for a grist-mill. The property afterward passed into the hands of Joseph Deitz and then into the hands of John M. Spindler, who made use of the grist-mill chiefly as a hominy mill. In 1879 there were four sawmills in the township, all operated by steam power except that of John M. Spindler on Big Walnut. The sawmill at East Ringgold, originally built by Aaron Stuckey in the early '40's, was purchased in 1871 by Absalom A. Peters, who replaced it with a new one and after a year sold it to his son-in-law, A. L. Peters. The mills of Lewis Scothorn and Emanuel Westenhaver were: both built in 1877.

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CHAPTER XVII

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

This township is bounded on the north by Walnut township, on the east by Fairfield County, on the south by Pickaway township and on the west by Circleville township. It is rectangular in form, being six miles long by four miles wide and contains 24 square miles. As originally erected, the township extended west to the Scioto River, including the present township of Circleville, which was not set off as a separate township until the spring of 1833.

The surface of the northern and eastern portions of the township is somewhat rolling, while the southern portion is comparatively level. The principal stream is Hargus Creek, which rises in the northeastern part of the township, flows southwest and empties into the Scioto River west of Circleville. The main tributary of this stream is Hominy Creek, which empties into it in the eastern environs of the city of Circleville. Scippo Creek flows through a small portion of the southwestern part of the township. The native varieties of timber found in this township upon its settle- ment were chiefly oak, ash, beech, hard and soft maple, walnut, hickory, butternut and elm. The soil is principally a mixture of gravel and sand. There is a smaller proportion of good bottom lands suitable for raising corn than are found in most of the other townships. The farms are as a rule smaller than is the case elsewhere in the county, but these farms while small are very well improved.

The first road opened in the township was the old Lancaster road or Westfall road, as it was originally called. Most of the early set-

tlers located along this road thoroughfare, which crosses the northwest corner of the town- ship. The southwest corner is cut by the turn- pike from Circleville to Adelphi. The popula- tion of the township in 1900 was 1,050. The township officers for 1906 are as follows : Trustees-Reuben Gentzel, Milton I. Brown and Daniel Klingensmith; clerk, A. E. Stout; treasurer, Charles E. Myers; assessor, William A. Grove; justice of the peace, Abraham Weaver.

EARLY SETTLERS.

John Anderson, who came here from Penn- sylvania, in 1797, accompanied by his wife and 10 children, is conceded to have been the first permanent settler in Washington township. They located on Hargus Creek in section 10, where Mr. Anderson's son John, who had come out before the rest of the family, had selected a location. When the land was made subject to entry in 1801, they took up about 640 acres, in sections 10 and 3. A step-son of John An- derson, David Culberson by name, came out with the Anderson family and settled in this township. He was a local preacher of the Meth- odist Episcopal denomination, and some ot the earliest religious meetings were held at his cabin.

In 1799, a man by the name of Zeimmer (Seymour, as it is sometimes anglicized), who was a native of Germany, came with his wife and family of seven children from Mary- land to this township, and settled in section 27,

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where he later entered a half section of land. In 1812 the parents, one daughter and the youngest son, Philip, removed to Richland County, Ohio, where a short time afterward, the father, mother and daughter were massa- cred by the Indians.

About the year 1800 John Rager and Jacob Greenough, who had been located on the Pick- away Plains as squatters, came to Washington township. Nicholas Miller, a son-in-law of Rager, came here about the same time. A year or so subsequent to his arrival, John Rager entered, in connection with Nicholas Miller, his son-in-law, and a man by the name of Val- entine, three-fourths of section 33. Rager was a great hunter and was almost constantly in the forest with his gun. It was his custom to keep from 200 to 300 hogs, which fed largely upon the mast which the forest so abundantly fur- nished. He never raised any grain for them and one severe winter about half of them died; he wintered the remainder through on venison. When 80 years old, he removed to Vinton County, where game was more plentiful. At his death he was nearly 100 years old. Jacob Greenough upon coming to this township, en- tered the southeast quarter of section 23, where he lived until his death. Nicholas Miller was probably the first blacksmith to establish his shop in the township. His estate was the first one administered upon in Pickaway County.

At an early date, possibly as early as 1800, Conrad Pontious came to Washington town- ship, making the journey on foot from Center County, Pennsylvania. He lived here two years, boarding with the family of John An- derson, and then returned to Pennsylvania. In 1806 he and his brother George, with their wives, came out with a four-horse team and wagon. David Culberson gave George Pon- tious the use of a cabin until he could build one, which he did shortly afterward on the location later occupied by Daniel Haas. Afterwards he built on the same site a brick house, which was the first in the township.

In the spring of 1808 George Pontious, Sr., the. father of Conrad and George Pontious, came here from Pennsylvania, being accom- panied by his wife and five of his seven chil-

dren, together with his son-in-law, Peter Row, and his family. They came by wagon and were four weeks on the road, during which period it rained every day except three. Mr. Pontious located on the northwest corner of section 22. Peter Row located on the north- east corner of section 22. He kept a cabin for the accommodation of immigrants, many of whom found in it a place of temporary shelter. He was a potter by trade and followed it the greater part of his life.

George Hitler, Sr., after residing in Pick- away township on the plains for some five or six years, located in Washington township about 1804 or 1805, making a permanent set- tlement in section 33.

David Leist located in Washington town- ship as early as 1805 and entered the south- west quarter of section 23. Afterwards, upon the arrival of his brother Andrew, he sold the land to the latter and located a mile further west. Christopher Earnest, George Hoffman and John Harmon all located in this town- ship in 1806, settling, respectively, on the southwest quarter of section 14, the southeast quarter of section 14 and section 25. Jacob Spangler came here in 1810.

William Bowman came to Pickaway County in 1815 and purchased in Washington township the farm then owned and occupied by Conrad Pontious. His death took place eight. years later. Henry Dreisbach settled on a farm in section 24, Washington township, soon after his marriage, which occured Aug- ust 30, 1817. Leonard Warner settled on the northeast quarter of section 14, in 1812. Other early settlers of the county were the following : John Metzger, George Wertman, Thomas Wells, John Stout, Francis Dedo, John Clark, Henry Sackreider, George Wise, John Gray, George Heise and a man by the name of Apple.

CHURCHES.

Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- The first church organized in the township was d German Reformed and Lutheran society called Zion's Church, being formed in 1808 or 1809 by a preacher named Foster. Previous to this

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date religious meetings had been held in the township for several years. At a later date this church became a Lutheran society. Mr. Foster continued to preach for some time and was followed by Rev. Jacob Leist, who offi- ciated as minister of this church for about 50 years, being followed by Revs. Gast, Martin, Hering and Schuman. . Since 1882 the church has had the following pastors: Revs. J. E. Wesner, W. H. Fishburn, G. W. Hudson, James F. Beattes, W. L. Hunton and J. M. Wenrich, who is also pastor of St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Tarlton and of a church at Stoutsville, besides supplying the pulpit at the Ashville Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church has a membership of 42. The first meeting-house, a two-story log struc- ture, was built soon after the church was or- ganized; it was afterwards torn down and re- built as a one-story building. The church property is valued at $800.

St. Paul's Church of the Evangelical Asso- ciation was organized about 1830. Meetings were held in private dwellings until the erection of the church building, in 1849 or 1850. It was a frame structure and stood a little south of the present church, which was erected in 1870 at a cost of $3,100. Revs. Charles Hammer and Joseph Long were among the earliest pas- tors of the church. Edward Dreisbach is sup- erintendent of the Sunday-school.

The Pontious U. B. Church was organized about the year 1830 at the house of Daniel Pon- tious, where the meetings were held for a number of years. The church building was erected in 1848, on land donated by Mr. Pon- tious. The first class leader was Peter John- son. This is a class of the Pickaway Circuit, and is in charge of Rev. O. M. Martin, who succeeded Rev. D. W. Lambert in September, 1906. The membership of the church is 99. W. A. Beougher is superintendent of the Sun- day-school, which has a membership of about 50.

The Morris U. B. Church, which is located in the southern part of Washington township near Thatcher, was organized about 1842 with 75 members. This organization was the re- sult of an extensive revival held in the church just before its completion, during the labors of

Rev. William Fisher, who was then on the cir- cuit. Soon after this a class of about a dozen' members, called the Arnhart class, which met in another portion of the township, united with it. The church now has a membership of 85. The Sunday-school superintendent has been W. F. Rudisill for a number of years past and the membership of the Sunday-school is 89. The Morris class is a class of the Pickaway Cir- cuit, of which Rev. O. M. Martin is now in charge, having succeeded Rev. D. W. Lambert in September, 1906.

Bethany U. B. Church was first formed in 1838 or 1839 at the house of John May, Rev. William McCabe officiating in its organization. The meetings of the church were first held at Mr. May's residence and subsequently at the Evangelical Church on the southern line of Walnut township until the Bethany Church building was erected in the winter of 1874, at a cost of $1,400. The church was dedicated by Bishop Weaver. The class belongs to the Bethany Circuit, of which Rev. E. Gwartney is pastor.

CEMETERIES.

The first burying-ground in the township was the Zion's Church grave-yard, laid out as early as 1809, in which the first burial was that of a child of Andrew Leist. There were cemeteries also established in connection with St. Paul's Church and the three United Breth- ren churches.

Grace United Evangelical Church was or- ganized in 1893 and a frame church structure erected the same year at the junction of the East Ringgold turnpike and the Lithopolis road, at a cost of $1,800. The church has had the following pastors: Revs. I. E. Rife, G. W. Smith, J. H. Schweisberger, H. V. Sum- mers, H. B. Seese, A. Swarts, W. E. See- sholtz and W. Davis, the present incumbent. The church has a membership of 20. The Sunday-school, of which William Davis is sup- erintendent, has an enrollment of 35.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Washington township was kept in an old cabin of George Hoffman. It was afterwards moved about a mile and a

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half west and fitted up for a schoolhouse. At a later date a school was kept in a log house on the farm then owned by Jacob Greenough. In 1835 or 1836 the township was divided into six districts, as at present. The Board of Educa-

tion, elected in the fall of 1904, is constituted as follows: Milton I. Brown, A. C. Delong, and John Bolender, who will serve four years, and Samuel T. Rife and Alexander J. Mouser, two years.

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CHAPTER XVIII

WAYNE TOWNSHIP

This township, which is the smallest of the county in point of population, having 659 in 1900, is also one of the smallest in area, con- taining 26 square miles. It was named after the celebrated Revolutionary general and In- dian fighter, Anthony Wayne.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 24

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