USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 39
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Montra Methodist Episcopal Church-The Methodist faith was pro- fessed by some of the earliest settlers at Montra, but they had no special church organization until in the winter of 1864-65, when Elijah Holmes and wife, Mrs. Mary Foster, Henry Carter and wife, Samuel J. Piles and wife, William Baker, Elizabeth Kah and Joab Glick and wife, under the direction of Revs. Rinehart and Smith, became a recognized religious body. The society worshiped for several years in an old log building in the town but were able to dedicate a new structure in June, 1879, the minister then in charge being Rev. J. B. Findley. Rev. B. F. Smith, of Jackson Center, is now serving the congregation.
Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church-This church, located one mile east of Jackson Center, was organized some time prior to 1838. The earliest class included Andrew Holmes and wife, Lewis Bland and wife, Thomas
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McVay and wife, Henry and James Roland and their wives, Philip Keith and wife, John Armstrong and wife, Mary Kertler and others. The first meetings were held in private houses, but by 1843 a log structure was put up, which was supplanted in 1853 by a frame edifice. The latter continued to be the church home until the erection of a much more pretentious one in 1882, at which time the membership numbered some sixty families, with missionary and other organizations. This society, however, disbanded some time ago and is no longer in existence.
There is also at Jackson Center a Disciples, or Church of Christ, organi- zation, Rev. Harry Stinson being its pastor.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
The list of justices of the peace that have served in Jackson township from 1836 until 1910 will show that representative men here have held this impor- tant position :
James Maxwell, November 8, 1836; Thomas M. Cathcart, October 21, 1837; Wesley Noland, October 14, 1839; Thomas M. Cathcart, November 9, 1840; Newland Meranda, April 28, 1842; Wesley Noland, October 17, 1842; Newland Meranda, April 24, 1845; John C. Elliott, October 21, 1845; Davis Loofbourrow, April 22, 1846; John C. Elliott, November 8, 1851; Valentine McCormick, April 21, 1855; E. H. Hopkins, April 16, 1858; H. M. Ailes, November 10, 1860; E. H. Hopkins, April 22, 1861 ; John C. Elliott, October 23, 1863; G. N. Meranda, April 23, 1864, resigned September 3; Peter M Young, October 18, 1864; John C. Elliott, October 17, 1866; P. M. Young, October 15, 1867; John C. Elliott, October 18, 1869; John Moodie, October 19, 1870; Alfred Ailes, October 12, 1872; John Moodie, October 20, 1873; Alfred Ailes, October 20, 1875; John Moodie, October 18, 1876; Alfred Ailes, October 14, 1878; John Moodie, October 18, 1879; Alfred Ailes, October 19, 1881 ; H. P. Ailes, March 18, 1882; J. C. Babcock, 1884, resigned March 9, 1886; H. P. Ailes, 1885; John Moodie, 1886; H. P. Ailes, 1888; Louis Apple- gate, 1889, resigned same year ; James M. Hussey, 1889; H. P. Ailes, 1891 ; James M. Hussey, 1892; H. P. Ailes, 1894; J. A. Leininger, 1894; H. P. Ailes, 1897; H. P. Ailes, 1900; A. A. Davis, 1900; H. P. Ailes, 1903; A. A. Davis, 1903; C. F. Babcock, 1906; H. P. Ailes, 1906; H. P. Ailes, 1909 (appointed) ; C. F. Babcock appointed January 22, 1909, resigned April 5, 1909; J. G. Sailor, 1909; H. P. Ailes, 1910; W. E. Baker, 1910.
The present township clerk is Geo. P. Staley.
Trustees-William Schneeberger, Jacob Helmlinger and J. M. Hughs.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Jackson township has several flourishing fraternal organizations. Lodge No. 736, Odd Fellows at Jackson Center, has about one hundred members. Granite Camp No. 15573, at Jackson Center has an active membership of thirty-one.
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Epler Lodge, No. 458, F. & A. M. was organized at Montra, Shelby county, Ohio, on the 25th of November, 1871, and began working under dispensation, with officers as follows: T. W. Epler, W. M .; H. S. Ailes, S. W .; A. A. Davis, J. W .; J. E. Elliott, treas .; J. C. Grafton, sec .; D. Glick, S. D .; G. W. Elliott, J. D .; E. V. Ailes, Tyler. The charter members were C. M. Davis, J. M. Carter, H. Arnett, B. F. Wren, and H. M. Stout. They received their charter on the 16th of October, 1872. Their place of meeting was at Montra until December 17, 1877, when they moved to Jackson Center, where they have since held their meetings.
Poplar Knob Grange is an active and flourishing society, with W. C. Baker and Sidney Ailes, trustees.
CHAPTER XXI THE TOWNSHIPS (III) Loramie, McLean, Orange and Perry Townships LORAMIE TOWNSHIP
This township, located in the southwest corner of the county, is more or less distinguished from the other townships in its citizenship and its customs. It is quite cosmopolitan in its citizenship, but from an early period the western portion has been settled largely by the French. It is traversed by the Big Four Railroad, with three stations in the township, namely: Dawson, North Hous- ton and Russia. The old canal cuts through the northeast corner of the township.
Loramie township is for the most part level and is exceedingly rich in its soil. It is well drained as within its limits are to be found Loramie creek and Nine Mile creek, together with various small tributaries. It is well suited for general agriculture, all products growing here readily. The first settlers came shortly prior to the War of 1812, and among the first of whom there is any knowledge was Samuel McClure, who with his family settled on what afterward became known as the J. W. Akin farm in section 9. There were only occasional arrivals during the war, but about 1814 settlers began coming in numbers. In that year came Robert and David Houston, and they were followed the succeeding year by William and John Houston. Among others of that early period who cast their fortunes with that of the township were the following: William Morrow, who came from Cumberland, Pa., in 1815; William Johnston of Pennsylvania in 1816 and John Patterson the same year ; William Skillen from Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1817, and shortly before that time Zebediah Richardson, William Anderson and Thomas Wyatt; Henry Zemer and Jacob Black, in 1818; Jacob Everly, David Clark, Henry Harp and Robert Johnson were to be found here in 1820; William Johnston of Ireland, James Harvey and Joseph Blackwood came in 1823; William Ellis in 1826; Henry Day in 1830; Joseph Wyatt in 1831; William Legg in 1832; John Worley and Jacob Rouston, the latter from Maryland, in 1833; Christian Mader of Germany in 1834; Jacob S. Apple from Montgomery county, O., in 1837; Fred Bishop of Germany in 1838, and about the same time, J. R. Griffis of Butler county, O .; William Harrup from England in 1839: Emanuel Sherer in 1840; Henry S. Apple from Montgomery county, O., in 1843; and Peter Wright, who in 1839 came to Cynthian township from
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Pennsylvania, moved to this township in 1848. Late in the thirties the west- ern part of the township began to be settled by people of the French race, among the most prominent of them being James Unum, who came here in 1835; J. J. Debrosse and Joseph Gaible who came in 1837; John B. Malliott and Amos Peppiot in 1838; Tebone Didier in 1840; Henry Delaet in 1844; Simon Richards in 1845; Louis Peltier in 1848; and Nicholas Didier in 1852.
The following, taken from the records of the township, is given, primarily, to show the names of people who played a part in the affairs of the time, and secondarily the difference in volume of business transacted through the town- ship officers in that day and this :
Orders issued and granted in 1824-No. 23. To Jacob R. Harp for one dollar for services as supervisor, dated March 7, 1825; $1.00. No. 24. To William Johnston for one dollar for services as supervisor, dated March 7, 1825; $1.00. No. 25. To Jonas Richardson for one dollar and seventy-five cents, dated March 7, 1825; $1.75. No. 26. To Samuel McClure for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trustee, dated March 7, 1825; $1.50. No. 27. To Robert McClure for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trus- tee, dated March 7, 1825; $1.50. No. 28. To John Booker for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trustee, dated March 7, 1825; $1.50. No. 29. To Snow Richardson for two dollars for services as township clerk, dated March 7, 1825; $2.00. Total amount of orders granted and issued, $10.25.
Treasurer's Report, March 7, 1825 .- No money received, and none expended.
Road Districts in 1825 .- The trustees convened according to law, and laid out the township in the following road districts, to wit: No. I. Com- mencing at the northwest corner of section 3; thence to the mouth of Nine Mile creek; said creek being the line into William Wright's improvement (and including said William Wright in said District No. 1) ; thence to include all north of District No. 1. Robert Johnston, township clerk. In 1826 the township was divided into three road districts
Orders Issued in 1826 .- No. 30. To John Booker, trustee, $3.00. No. 31. To Thomas Wyatt, trustee, 75 cents. No. 32. To Jacob R. Harp, constable, $1.00. No. 33. To William N. Flinn, trustee, $2.25. No. 34. To James McCane, supervisor, 75 cents. Total amount of orders for 1826, $7.75.
School Districts in 1826 .- No. I. Beginning at the northeast corner of section 22, town. 9, range 5 ; thence west in said line to the northeast corner of section 20; thence south to the northeast corner of section 29; thence west in said line to the Darke county line; thence south to Miami county line; thence east on said line to the southeast corner of section 27; thence north to place of beginning. No. 2. Beginning at the northwest corner of section 6; thence south to the northeast corner of section 19; thence east to Grayson (Washing- ton) township line: thence north in said line to Cynthian township line; thence west on said line to place of beginning. No. 3. Including all the township not included in Districts Nos. I and 2.
List of Householders in these Districts .- No. I. Wm. Morrow, Wm. Johnston, John Patterson, James McClure, Wm. Anderson. No. 2. Thomas
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Wyatt, John Houston, Wm. Skillen, Janos Richardson, Isaac. Mann, Wm. N. Flinn, Wm. Gibson, Wm. Flinn, Harvey Houston, Eleazer Hathaway, Henry Hashaw, Robert Houston, Levi Levaley, Robert McClure, Jr., 2d, Robert Houston, Jr., Stephen Julian, Zebediah Richardson, Snow Richardson, Robert McClure, Robert McClure, Jr., Phebe Richardson, James Cannon, Wm. Bodkin, Robert Johnston, Sarah Johnston. No. 3. Henry Harp, Anthony Harp, Wm. Johnston, Jr., Wm. Houston, Wm. Wright, Joseph Hughs, John Hughs, George Black, Jacob Black, James Hervey, George Livingood, Henry Zemer, Jacob Everley, James Myers, Andrew Black, Margaret Clark, David Houston.
Treasurer's Report for 1827 .- Received from Thomas Wyatt, J. P., fifty cents, being the amount collected by him as a fine ; 50 cents.
Orders for 1827 .- To Wm. Houston, trustee, 75 cents. John Hughs, constable, $1.111/2. Robert Johnston, trustee, 75 cents. Wm. Wright, clerk, $2.00. Total orders issued March 3, 1828, for year 1827, $5.111/2.
In March, 1828, the township was divided into two school districts, with twelve householders in the first, and thirty-three in the second. In July three districts were formed, and in November these were reformed, so that the first embraced seventeen houseliolders, the second twenty-two, and the third fourteen.
On December 27, 1828, sections 27, 28, 21, and 22 of Loramie township were attached to school district No. 2, of Grayson (Washington) township, in answer to petition.
Receipts and Expenditures in 1828 .- Receipts, $0.00 ; expenditures, $0.00. ROBERT HOUSTON, L. T. C.
Election .- I do hereby certify that Daniel C. Flinn was elected captain' of the 2d Company, 2d Regiment, 2d Battalion, 12th Division, Ohio Militia, on the 8th day of August, 1829, by a majority of twenty-one votes.
JAMES HERVEY, L. T. Clk.
In 1831 a "list of hands in road districts," shows thirty-six in the first, fourteen in the second, and twenty in the third district.
Grand jurors selected in October, 1831 : Eleazer Hathaway, Thos. Wyatt, Richard Jeffries, Wm. Houston, Robert Houston, Jacob Everley, Jr. Petit jurors selected same date: John Crozier, Robert Houston, Jr., Robert John- ston, Charles Mann, Snow Richardson, Joseph Blackwood.
At an election held for state and county officers October 11, 1831, fifty- five votes were cast. In March, 1833, the township was divided into four road districts.
Exhibit for 1832 .- Received from John Crozier one dollar for Sabbath breaking, which sum is now in the treasury. for school purposes.
Orders Issued .- To Harvey Houston, constable, 75 cents.
In 1834 the township was divided into four school districts. In 1838 six road districts were formed. At an election held in 1843 ninety-eight votes were cast ; in 1847, sixty-five votes.
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In 1855 twelve road districts were formed, and at spring election one hun- dred and thirteen votes were polled.
The following is a list of justices of the peace of Loramie township and the year of their respective elections: James Hervey, 1824;,Robert Houston, 1826; Thomas Wyatt, 1827; Eleazer Hathaway, 1828; William Wright, 1829: Robert Houston, 1830; John Crozier, 1831; William N. Flinn, 1833; John Crozier, 1834; William N. Flinn, 1836; John M. Ross, 1837; Cyrus Jeffries, November 21, 1838; Snow Richardson, January 7, 1840; Robert Houston, December 7. 1840; John G. Hunter, December 24, 1842; Robert Houston, February 13, 1844: John W. Day, December 11, 1845; Robert Houston, February, 1847: J. G. Hunter, April 17, 1848; Samuel Clark, 1848; Asa D. Young, 1851 ; A. D. Young, 1854; Samuel Clark, 1854; David Flinn, 1857: William Bland, May 1, 1860; David Flinn, October 18, 1860; John Gartley, 1861; David Flinn, October 23, 1863; John Gartley, September 1, 1864: William Flinn, 1866; C. B. Mckinney. 1867; William Flinn, 1869; C. B. Mckinney, 1870; William Flinn, 1872: Joseph Voisard, 1873; William Flinn, 1875: Joseph Voisard, 1876; William Flinn, 1878; Joseph Voisard, 1879: Jeremiah Miller, 1880; William Flinn, 1881 ; Jeremiah Miller, 1883 ; David Souder, 1884: Justin Monnin, 1887; J. M. Wyatt, 1887; William Flinn, 1890; J. M. Wyatt, 1890; Irene Eshman, 1892; Hudson Flinn, 1893; I. A. Eshman, 1895 ; Hudson Flinn, 1896; I. A. Eshman, 1898; Hudson Flinn, 1899: George K. Nash, 1901; John B. Moorman, 1902; J. F. Flinn, 1902; John B. Moorman, 1905: J. F. Flinn, 1905 : John B. Moorman, 1908; B. L. Grillot, 1908: J. F. Flinn, 1910; and B. L. Grillot, 1912.
The present officers of Loramie township are George M. Francis of Russia, clerk ; and C. A. Wolaver, E. C. Mader and James, Voisard, trustees.
In addition to general farming, there was in former years considerable activity in the various industries, especially milling. In 1876 Crone Brothers established a large saw mill in the township, with a capacity of 8,000 feet per day, and about the year 1879 John Wright bought the interest of one of the brothers, A. J. Crone. It was then conducted under the name of Crone & Wright with much success, but is now out of existence. As early as 1862, John Wright and E. W. Pampel built an icehouse on the Wright farm near Houston, its dimensions being 106x42 feet. In 1866 a second icehouse was built, 103 × 52 feet in dimensions, and in 1871 a third was built, 106 x 106 feet, giving a total storage capacity of 9,500 tons of ice. It was first operated under the name of Wright & Pampel, the members being John Wright and E. W. Pampel, and later Henry Crone bought the interest of Mr. Pampel, and thereafter the business was conducted for a number of years under the name of the Summit Ice Company. It is now owned by Dr. S. G. Martl.
VILLAGES
Within the confines of the township there have been a number of villages, more or less flourishing at times, namely : Houston, Mt. Jefferson, North Houston, Russia, Dawson and Massena.
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Houston was surveyed May 4, 1838, by Jonathan Counts, for Harvey Houston, and was made to include a part of the northwest quarter of section 9, being situated on the state road between Piqua and St. Marys. The plat was recorded May 25, 1838. The founder of the village, Harvey Houston, resided on the east side of the road, just north of the village, in a log house, which he for some years used for hotel purposes. Mrs. Houston was the first postmistress of the township, receiving appointment in 1834. On November 1, 1855, the town of North Houston was laid out for Asa D. Young and also lies in the northwest quarter of section nine. It is situated on the Big Four Railroad and is known as Houston station, the old name having been dropped. In Houston, the first store was conducted by Nicholas Gresham, who started the business about 1832. Other merchants to follow him, were: Singer and Brown, Joseph Taylor, B. Mallot and C. Delaet. Mr. Taylor was also a grain dealer and was identified with the pork packing industry. The village received one very serious setback in its history, when it was almost wholly depopulated because of the cholera panic. Its population according to the 1910 census was 227 people. The business of North Houston in the early period was repre- sented by Akin & Flinn, who conducted a warehouse; William Flinn & Co., who conducted a grocery and also a tile factory; and J. F. Black, who was proprietor of a general grocery and mercantile store. W. Flinn & Co. also conducted a sawmill at North Houston, which is now owned by N. C. Barr of Houston.
Mt. Jefferson, lying on the main road from Piqua to St. Marys, was laid out January 12, 1838, by Jonathan Counts for Samuel Farnum. The village never assumed any larger proportions than that of a small country center, although they had within their midst three churches, a Presbyterian, Christian and Episcopal. The first store there was conducted by Charles Rutherford.
Massena was laid out for a town March 15, 1833, by David and Cynthian' Houston, and consisted of twelve town lots, but never made any headway, and the lots were soon again more profitably employed for farming purposes.
Russia, a station on the Big Four Railroad, according to the last census, has a population of 251 inhabitants. Its name was derived from the fact that as originally laid out it resembled a locality in Russia in which some of the first citizens had formerly lived. The first house erected within its limits was that of Lewis Phillip in 1853. He it was who purchased the original town- site from a man named Febaux, and conducted the sale of lots. The plat of the village was made subsequently. The second house was built by Clement Lachat in 1854, and the third by Ferial DeBrosse in 1856 or 1857. Among those who have conducted business enterprises within the village limits may be mentioned : Lewis Phillip, who established a grocery in 1853; Jasper Corden- ner who conducted a dry goods store about 1861; Joseph Delaet, George Marshall; A. F. Ashman; Francis Didier; Joseph Miller; Frank Subler; and C. Besonnet. The business enterprises, in addition to the stores, included blacksmith shops, grain elevators and saw mills. The saw mill industry was at one time an extensive one, and the mill established by John A. Marshall, Michael Meham and John B. Marshall, in 1867, was operated for years with
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unvarying success. Frank Simon succeeded to Mr. Meham's interest in 1868, and the business was conducted under the name and style of Marshall & Simon, until about 1888, when it passed into the hands of C. F. Francis, who is still the proprietor. When a postoffice was established here, Lewis Piney was made the first postmaster. The Roman Catholic congregation erected a church edifice within the village.
Schools .- It was not long after the settlement had become general that the settlers realized the necessity for educating their children. It was a serious problem they had to solve, one we can little understand in this day and age. A beginning was made by holding school in various homes, among them we might mention the homes of Robert Houston and William Skillen. William Wright and C. Wyatt were early teachers here. The teachers in that day and for many years afterward, boarded around with the different families who had children in school. When the growth of population had been sufficient to war- rant it, plans were made for the erection of a school building. These plans were carried out in 1827 or 1828, with the erection of a building in section 18, a rude log structure. As time passed, the progressive element of the people saw that new and adequate buildings were erected in different parts of the township, which was divided into different school districts. Further data in regard to the schools of Loramie township may be found in the chapter on Education.
Churches .- In the main. it was a God fearing class of citizens who took up their residence in Loramie township, people used to the refining influences of church work, and it was not long before little gatherings for worship were being held in various homes. Gradually they became segregated into little groups of this denomination and the other, generally according to the faith to which they were reared, until church organizations were perfected and still later churches built.
A Methodist Episcopal church was founded in 1825 and as a branch of the Piqua Methodist Episcopal church, by Rev. Levi White and John Wood- ney, in the home of Thomas Wyatt. Abner Wyatt was the first class leader. Until 1832, meetings were held in the homes of Thomas Wyatt, Henry Harp and Richard Stone, and in that year a hewed log house was erected in section 17, and was dedicated in December, 1836, by Rev. James Findley. In 1854 a frame church was built at Mt. Jefferson, in which services were held for a number of years.
The Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian church was organized December 31, 1848, by Rev. J. A. Meeks, of Piqua, Rev. W. B. Spencer of Sidney, and Elder William Linn of Piqua. John G. Hunter was ordained the first ruling elder on that date. The original members of the society were: John G. and Char- lotte Hunter, James and Jane Harper, Brazillai and Abigail Gray, Eliza A. Young, Margaret Blackwood, Catherine Young, Ann Diltz, Mary Diltz, Eliza- beth Diltz, J. W. Hunter and Maria Hunter. A brick church was built at Mt. Jefferson, and was dedicated January 2, 1850, by Rev. Thomas Elcock, who served about two years as pastor. The church has maintained its organization
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up to the present time and is a potent factor in the religious life of the community.
The Mt. Jefferson Christian.church was organized in 1849 by Elders Caleb Wooley and James Fahnestock, and had originally eight members, as follows: Frederick Everly, Jesse Ellis, Jephtha M. Wyatt and wife, Jesse D. Elliott and wife, and John Hughes and wife. In 1852 a frame church build- ing was erected at Mt. Jefferson. This organization is still flourishing.
The Beech Grove United Brethren church was organized in the Apple schoolhouse about the year 1866, by Rev. William Mittendorf, who, was its first minister. Reuben Schuler was the first class leader. A church building was erected on land formerly owned by J. S. Apple, and was dedicated on September 5, 1869. The first members of the congregation were Reuben Schuler and wife, Jacob Hengle and wife, and Anthony August and wife. The church flourished for a number of years but is not now in existence.
The St. James German Reformed church was built in section 7, and was dedicated September 14, 1881, by Revs. Shaw and Weaver. The congrega- tion had been organized by Rev. Jacob Weaver as early as 1867, but no build- ing had been erected in which to worship. The first members were : Christian Harmony and wife; George Singer, his wife and three children; George Arent and wife; George Sherer and wife; and J. Lindsey and wife. This church also has gone out of existence.
St. Remy Congregation, Russia .- In the early part of the present century a colony of immigrants from France, Alsace, and Loraine settled in the western part of Shelby and eastern part of Darke counties, forming what is now known as Frenchtown, Versailles and Russia. These early settlers, true to the ancient faith, resolved to build a house of worship, to honor God after the custom of their fathers. This first church, known as St. Walbert's church, was situated one and a half miles northeast of the then Jacksonville, now Versailles. The ancient site is now used as the cemetery of St. Denis church, Versailles. It was the parish church of the three settlements. Soon, how- ever, it became necessary to provide for better accommodations. The Cath- olics of Russia resolved to form a parish and build a church, under the direc- tion of the Rev. L. Navaron, who continued to administer to their spiritual needs as their first pastor. The new church of logs was dedicated to St. Remy, the apostle of France, and in it for the first time on the 15th of June, 1854, was celebrated with great ceremonies the first holy communion of children and confirmation administered by the Most Rev. Archbishop Durcell, on the 26th of the same month. The congregation continued to increase and soon the erec- tion of a new and more spacious edifice became necessary. In 1869 a large and imposing brick church was built under the direction of the Rev. C. Berard, and again after some years it became necessary to erect a new and still more spacious edifice because growing number of Catholics. The present beautiful church was begun in 1891 under the direction of the Rev. Nicholas Poiry, and was completed in 1892, and is one of the most imposing and beautiful structures of the archdiocese. It is built in purely Roman style and is the pride of the congregation. The present pastor is Rev. F. Kruskamp.
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