USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 41
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KIRKWOOD (OLD PONTIAC)
Kirkwood, a small village of about sixty-six inhabitants and formerly called Pontiac, was laid out in May, 1868, and is located in section 28, township I, range 12 M. R. S. It lies six miles south of Sidney on the C. H. & D. Rail- road. The first building was erected here in 1863, by G. W. Holley, and was a grain warehouse. Before engaging in the business, however, Mr. Holley sold to D. K. Gillespie, who began buying grain in 1864. In 1866 a store building was erected by H. S. Gillespie and Thomas McKee, which firm was succeeded by J. G. & Andrew Robinson, among later proprietors being Andrew Robinson (alone) and J. L. McKee. The village, which was origi- nally known as Pontiac, in 1879 took the name in honor of D. Kirkwood Gillespie, who was proprietor of the grain elevator here. R. G. Knox keeps the general store and post office in Kirkwood. There is also a warehouse in Kirkwood owned by Adlard and Persinger of Sidney.
PERRY TOWNSHIP
Perry township is one of the original townships of this county, it having been organized as a part of Miami county, June 10, 1817, two years prior to the organization of Shelby county. Its early and subsequent boundaries may be described in general as follows: In 1819 Perry township embraced all the territory now included within the townships of Perry, Orange, Green, Salem, Jackson and a part of Clinton. In September of the above year Orange township was separated and in March, 1820, Green township was separated from Orange. In 1825 the county commissioners made entry as follows con- cerning the boundaries of Perry township:
"Perry township begins on the southeast corner of section 4, town 2, range 13, east line of Shelby county; thence north with said line to the north- east corner of the county; thence west with the county line to the line between section 29 and 30, town I, range 7; thence south with the line between the said sections; continued on to the Miami river and across said river; thence with the river down to the line between sections 10 and 9, town 1, range 13 thence with last said line east to continue on to the place of beginning." In March, 1826, a portion of the above described land became a part of Clinton township, and in June, 1826, the north tier of sections of Green township was attached to Perry, and all that part of Perry lying north of the Miami river was created a new township to which was given the name of Salem, and in June, 1837, all of fractional township No. I, range 14, which belonged to Perry, was attached to Salem township, which included that part of said fractional township lying south of the river, and this, in 1854, once more became a part of Perry township.
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Surface, Soil and Drainage-With soil of rich, sandy clay and black loam, the early pioneers to this section found great promise of agricultural success as the surface of the land is generally level, its slight undulations providing for satisfactory drainage, which is toward the north, the boundary line in that direction being the Great Miami river. Other streams of importance are Big and Little Indian creek, Mosquito or Tawawa creek and Turkey Foot creek, the last named watering the central part of the township. Corn, wheat and grasses do remarkably well in Perry township and the prosperity of the agri- cultural sections is further indicated by the general intelligence and progres- siveness of the citizens. Here may be found some of the best constructed and best kept roads in the county and it is no unfamiliar sight to see on them the automobiles of the farmers. The C. C. C. & I. (Big Four) Railroad crosses the township from east to west. The township has good schools, with modern equipments, further data in regard to which may be found in the chap- ter on education.
Early Settlement-In February, 1814, David Henry located in section 28. on the bank of Mosquito or Tawawa creek, and he was the first settler within the present limits of Perry township. In the following year he was joined by Samuel and William Robinson with their families, and in 1816 came Wil- liam Marrs, and prior to the organization of the county in 1819, George Chiles, Charles Johnston, Thomas Wilkinson, Peter Musselman, William Richardson, Charles Weeks and Benjamin Manning had established homes here. At that time primeval conditions still prevailed over this part of the county, the settlers visiting each other and making their neecssary trips to mill mainly by way of Indian trails, and it may well be believed that when the Sidney and Urbana road, the first in the township, was completed, that the pioneers felt that a great want was supplied. As to mills the first one built was of logs, on Mos- quito creek, a fine location which is still utilized as a mill site, and was erected by Charles Mason, a colored man. The second flouring mill was erected by William Pepper. David Henry, the first settler, not only put up the first log house but also the first frame one. The lumber that William Marrs made use of in the building of the first frame barn, was cut in the township and sawed in Peter Musselman's mill on Mosquito creek. Henry C. Line became locally envied, perhaps, as he was able to build a brick house in 1836. Into the Henry family came the first births, David and Sally Henry, twins, who were born February 17, 1815.
From the very beginning the township, as a concrete body, recognized its responsibilities and in making provision for adequate government, selected representative citizens for officials. The list of those who have served in the office of justice of the peace from 1817 until 1910, inclusive, as follows :
David Henry, 1817; George Morrison, 1820; David Henry, 1821; David Henry, 1824; David Henry, resigned, April 1, 1826; Booth Burditt, 1826; David Henry, 1829; D. Henry and Booth Burditt, 1832; Charles Johnston, 1834; Joseph Garver, April 28, 1837; Booth Burditt, April 30, 1838; Benja- min Wagoner, April 16, 1840; Booth Burditt, April 16, 1841 ; Eleazer Hatha- way, April 15, 1843; John M. DeWeese, September 2, 1843; Charles. John-
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ston, April 22, 1846; Simon Hornbeck, October 24, 1846; Charles John- ston, April 10, 1849; David Henry, November 3, 1849; Wm. R. Reid (resigned May 24, 1852), April 17, 1852; Charles Johnston, June 26, 1852; Charles Slagle, October 24, 1852; Marshall Pepper, June 27, 1855; G. R. Forsythe, November 1, 1855; Marshall Pepper, April 16, 1858; G. R. Forsythe, October 19, 1858; Wm. Dunlap, April 22, 1861 ; Marshall Pepper, October 17, 1861 : Thomas Kizer (resigned Feb. 2, 1865), April 23, 1864; John Matthias, Feb. 22, 1865; J. V. Wilson, Feb. 12, 1868; Isaac Speer, April 13, 1868; Isaac Speer, April 11, 1871 ; J. V. Wilson, Marshall Pepper, April 10, 1874; G. W. Clark; Marshall Pepper, April 17, 1877; G. W. Clark, April 20; 1877; A. J. Davidson, April 19, 1880; G. W. Clark, April 14, 1880; J. D. Ferree, 1886; G. W. Clark, 1886; J. D. Ferree, 1889; S. B. Cannon, 1889; Jacob Cost, 1892; S. B. Cannon, 1892; G. W. Clark, 1895; T. J. Robinson, 1895; C. J. Jackson, 1897; R. J. Rugh, 1898; G. W. Clark, 1898; S. B. Cannon, 1901 ; A. J. Struhle, 1903; George E. Hahn, 1904; George E. Hahn, 1908; S. B. Cannon, 1910. The following citizens make up the board of trustees of Perry township in 1912 : Charles Peppers, Walker Zimpfer and M. N. Lucas, N. C. Enders of Pemberton being township clerk. There are many family names familiar in this section at the present day that appear in the earliest township records and they may be recognized in the following list of those who paid road tax in 1818; James Bryan, John Bryan, Adam Conuts, William Drake, James Dingman, Jr., Daniel V. Dingman, John Francis, Caleb Goble, John Hatha- way, Jesse Jackson, William Johnson, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Edward Jackson, Alexander Jackson, Elisha Kirtland, George Morrison, Elijah Montoney, William Minnear, Abraham Minnear, William Morris, Luke Norris, Rod- ham Talbott, Daniel Vandemark, in District No. I, of which James Dingman was supervisor. Those in District No. 2, of which Asa Hubble was super- visor, were: George Chiles, Asa Hubble, John Hunt, David Henry, Charles Johnston, William Marrs, John Medaris, Peter Princehouse, Henry Prince- house, William and Samuel Robinson, Mathias Sturm, Henry Sturm and Henry Sturm, Jr., G. Thompson, Charles Weeks, John Mathews and Peter Musselman.
The present township clerk is N. C. Enders, of Pemberton. Trustees- Charles Peppers, Walker Zimpfer and M. N. Lucas.
Villages-The village of Pemberton, the leading commercial center of the township, is situated seven miles east of Sidney and derived its name through brotherly devotion, Civil Engineer Pemberton, officially connected with the construction of the C. C. C. & I. Railroad through the county, securing this honor for his brother, General Pemberton, a distinguished Confederate officer during the Civil war. The land was surveyed in 1852, sixty-four lots being included, and was platted by Benjamin C. Wilkerson, John H. and Leonard T. Elliott and George R. Forsythe, as proprietors. Calvin Morris opened the first grocery store, Isaac Wilkinson and Irvin Nutt, the first dry goods store, William Johnston, the first blacksmith shop, David Lemon, the first wagon shop and J. V. Wilson, the first hotel. Dr. Edward Stockton undoubtedly was the first physician and the first postmaster was Joseph
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Smith. At one time the town was the home of numerous business enterprises. including grocery and dry goods stores, drug store, grain elevator, sawmill. shingle factory, butcher shop and concrete stone works. Some of these indus- tries still continue. The population is about 325, and includes a number of wealthy retired farmers. There are now two grain elevators in Pemberton and one other not far from the village. There is also a general store and three groceries and restaurants, and two blacksmith shops. Hain & Gebhardt have a well-drilling machine with which they are doing a good business. J. H. Hickenbotham, of Pemberton, has a threshing machine and sawmill.
The village of Pasco in the western part of the township has a population of about fifty-two, with one general store. In the vicinity are also a flour mill and a blacksmith shop.
Baptist Church-The Baptist church has been a strong religious body in Perry township since 1830. when the first society was organized with eleven members ( December 3) under the name of the Miami church, by Rev. Willis Hance, Moses Frazer and Moses Frazer, Jr. The first deacon was Peter Kiser and among the first members were: Peter Kiser, Catherine Kiser. Michael Cox, Mary Jackson, Nancy Wilkinson and Sarah Manning. House to house meetings were held through the first five years, but in 1835 the Baptists living near the dividing line of Shelby and Logan counties united in the erection of a church edifice at Quincy, in Logan county, and there the united congregation attended until 1873. when the buikling was destroyed in a great storm of that year. In 1874 the Shelby Baptists built a church of their own at Pemberton, expending $4,000, the membership at that time being seven- teen. It reached its highest point in membership in 1893, when there were 206 members. At present there are 131. The pastors have been Elders R. Duncan, E. Bunker, S. M. Brower. A. J. Wiant, A. Snider, D. Bryant, F. J. Sheppard, J. Ross, H. H. Witter, F. M. Taylor. L. J. Baker, C. R. Sargent. W. H. Gallant, J. W. Hartpence and G. L. Winters. The church maintains a well attended Sabbath school.
Methodist Episcopal Church-The Methodists organized a church society in Perry township in 1833. Rev. Sims meeting Booth Burditt and wife, George Pool and wife, William Moore and wife, Marcus Peck and wife and Mr. Mc Veigh and wife at the home of Booth Burditt. This band of Christian workers was small but very earnest and they continued to meet for worship in private houses and in the schoolhouse until 1843, when they erected a small frame church half a mile north of Pemberton and the name of Indian Creek church was adopted. In 1857 the Pemberton Methodist Episcopal church was organized: it was remodelled in 1885 and again in 1912. It now has a membership of 125, with Rev. Houser as pastor. A well conducted Sunday school is maintained. This feature of work was started by William McVeigh, in his own house, and he never ceased to take a keen and active interest in it.
United Brethren Church-Unfortunately the earliest records of this church body in Perry township have not been preserved, but it is known that prior to 1820, perhaps in 1819, Rev. Jacob Antrim, on a religious mission, came
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to the home of Judge David Henry and formed a class, Mrs. Henry being a member of the same. In 1863 the church membership had become strong enough to consider the erection of a place of worship and when Samuel Young donated land on Mosquito creek, a frame building was erected thereon, known as Tawawa United Brethren church. Among its leading members a generation ago were the Peckhams, the Marrs and the Peppers. The Pasco United Brethren church was organized in 1892 and has a present membership of 150, with Rev. E. C. Hollinger, pastor.
Dr. W. M. Gaines ably represents the medical profession in Perry town- ship. Some interesting facts in regard to the schools of the township may be found in the chapter on education.
CHAPTER XXII THE TOWNSHIPS (IV) Salem, Turtle Creek, Van Buren and Washington Townships SALEM TOWNSHIP
The organization of Salem township took place June 5, 1826, when the county commissioners ordered that all that part of Perry township lying on the northwest side of the Miami river be formed into a new township and named Salem. It lies in the eastern tier of townships and its boundaries are Frank- lin and Jackson townships on the north, Logan county on the east, Perry and Clinton townships on the south and Clinton and Franklin townships on the west.
While the surface of Salem township is somewhat hilly along the water courses, it may be generally described as rolling. The soil is varied, with clay in some sections and in others rich black loam. The early settlers found here plenty of wood and water, this township being made green and fruitful by an abundance of springs which feed larger bodies of water here, including the Great Miami on the southern border, Rum creek in the east, Count's run in the central part and Plum creek on the east. This township is noted for its fine gravelled roads, the gravel being found in many places in the township.
EARLY SETTLERS
The first white settler in what is now Salem township is supposed to have been Charles Weeks, who located in section 20 about 1810 or 1811. He was followed several years later by the Hathaways and Gilberts. Prior to 1818 the following people had come as pioneers : Jesse Jackson, Alexander Jackson, Elisha Kirtland and Caleb Goble. Adam Counts and Jacob LeMasters came in 1818 and within the next two years followed William Roberts, Samuel Tay- lor, George Morrison, Benjamin Beden, Joseph Donaldson and William Skil- len. John Hathaway, in 1814 or 1815, built his log cabin near the spring at Port Jefferson. Alexander Jackson had the distinction of building the first hewed log house and John Johnston of erecting and living in the first frame one. The first road in Salem township was the Sidney and Bellefontaine road, which was surveyed by a Mr. Thompson. Later surveyors and civil engineers in Salem were Daniel G. Hull and Col. J. Counts.
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PORT JEFFERSON
Of the three towns surveyed and platted within the confines of Salem township, Port Jefferson, Tileton (now Maplewood) and North Salem, one -North Salem, platted in 1836-has long since disappeared.
Port Jefferson, situated on the northwest bank of the Great Miami river, was surveyed and platted August 11, 1836, by Jonathan Counts, deputy sur- veyor for Ezekiel Thomas and Abner Gerrard, proprietors, and contained 93 lots and fractional lots. It is situated at the head of the Miami extension canal feeder, and was incorporated as a village in 1842. Its first mayor was E. H. West. The first settler here was John Hathaway. The first store was kept by Albert K. Hathaway, who was succeeded by John Ogden, other mem- bers of the Ogden family subsequently continuing the business. The present proprietor is Chas. W. Ogden. The first hotel at Port Jefferson was kept by Samuel Anderson and the first physician registered here was Dr. L. A. Davis. The first postmaster was Alexander Jackson and at that day the mail was carried on horseback from Sidney to Marysville. During the palmy days of the canal, Port Jefferson, being situated at the head of navigation, was a booming village and had a most brilliant prospect. Five warehouses were in operation and the cooper and stave shops employed at least 150 men. There was a grist mill, two asheries for the manufacture of potash, which paid seven cents a bushel for ashes, an important source of income to the farmers. There were also five stores doing a flourishing business. With the advent of the rail- road, however, all this was changed. The canal as a means of transportation was abandoned and Port Jefferson's hopes of a brilliant future were blasted. The present population of the village is 233.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES
Although it was not until 1858 that Port Jefferson was organized as a special school district, schools had been maintained in the township for many years previously. At first they were subscription schools, each householder paying his due proportion of the expense. Later taxes were assessed for school purposes. It was a long time before adequate buildings could be pro- vided and even then only through some particular display of public spirit, while at the same time it was often a difficult matter to secure competent teachers. After the organization of the special school district at Port Jefferson, a one- story brick structure was large enough to accommodate the students, but later it was enlarged to two rooms, and in 1877 a fine brick schoolhouse was built, at a cost of $7,745, exclusive of furniture. At the time of erection of this building, which was at that time one of the most modern and complete in the county, the board of education was made up of the following members : R. B. Conklin, M. J. Winget, J. B. Nettleship, J. F. Miller, J. C. Ogden and William Manning. An account of the present educational facilities in Salem township, with interesting details in regard to the number of schools, enroll- ment, etc., may be found in the chapter on education.
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Methodist Episcopal Church-The records of the first organized society of Methodists at Port Jefferson have not been preserved but antedate 1830. The earliest church edifice was of log construction and stood near the old cemetery east of the town. Later it was removed to give place to a frame building, which sufficed until 1862, when a new building was completed and dedicated by Rev. R. D. Oldfield, then pastor. A Sunday school was estab- lished, which proved an important factor in the growth of the church and the building up of its membership.
The Miami Christian Church-In 1849 Rev. James Skillen and Joseph Warbleton organized the Miami Christian church at the home of John Mul- ford, the first members being Amos and John Mulford and their wives, Jacob Near and wife and Samuel Wiles. Much interest was manifested in the society and its membership grew rapidly. The first place of worship, a log church, was built in 1852, on land in Logan county, owned by Jacob Near, and con- tinued to be used until it was destroyed by fire in 1871, when a frame structure was erected on Henry Kemp's land. This church has had an important influence on religious development in the township.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
Salem township has never had any disturbances concerning its government. Its present trustees are : H. J. Stockstill, John Stout and S. M: Knoop, while H. L. Haney, of Port Jefferson, is township clerk. Its justices of the peace who have served in the interim between 1836 and 1911 have been representa- tive men, as follows: A. K. Hathaway, 1836; S. Gamble, 1837; A. K. Hath- away, 1839; Theodore McGinnis, 1840, resigned in May, 1842; James Gilfillen, 1840; Thomas Robbins, 1842; Elias LeFevre, 1843; A. Knox, 1844, resigned, 1845; Silas A. Thompson, 1845; Vincent Guerin, 1845; Vincent Guerin, 1848; Joseph Comer, 1849; Vincent Guerin, 1851 ; Reason Butt, 1852; James Haney, 1852; George J. Mitchell, 1853: George J. Mitchell, 1856; Joseph Comer, 1858; Daniel Ferree, 1858; H. M. Stout, 1859; William Shinn, Jr., 1861; H. M. Stout, 1862; J. P. Forsythe and William Shinn, 1864; G. J. Mitchell, 1865; Robert Simpson, 1866; J. P. Forsythe, 1867; G. J. Mitchell, 1868; Robert Simpson, 1869; John P. Forsythe, 1870; Jacob LaFevre, 1871 ; William Dun- lap, 1871; H. M. Ailes, 1872; W. H. Mitchell, 1872; Robert Simpson, 1873; F. L. Manning, 1873; H. M. Ailes, 1875; A. A. Dunson, 1875; R. B. Conklin. 1876; S. L. Manning, 1878; A. A. Dunson, 1878; R. B. Conklin, 1879; B. McCormick, 1881 ; S. L. Manning, 1881 ; S. L. Manning, 1884; J. F. Thomp- son, 1884; S. B. Redinbaugh, 1887; James Haney, 1890; A. S. Retter, 1890; Albert Clark, 1890; James Haney, 1893; Jacob Epler, 1893; James Haney, 1896; A. S. Retter, 1896; James Haney, 1899; A. S. Retter, 1899; E. L. Har- rison, 1900; Jacob Epler, 1903, appointed to fill vacancy caused by refusal of W. E. Smith to serve; E. B. Honnell, 1903 to 1906; A. S. Retter, 1903; John Reeves, 1904; A. S. Retter, 1906; A. S. Retter, 1908; John Reeves, 1908: John Reeves, 1911 ; A. S. Retter, 191I.
Stokes Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M .- This lodge was organized March,
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1858, under the name of Stokes Lodge, in honor of Horace M. Stokes, who at that time was grand master of the state. The lodge worked under dispensa- tion until October, 1858, at which time the following officers of the grand lodge were present, viz .: Wm. Fielding, W. G. M .; W. C. Fielding, Dept G. M .; W. W. Skillen, S. G. W .; F.A. Pool, J.G. W .; Alex. Green, S. G. D .; Irwin Nutt, J. G. D .; H. O. Sheldon, W. G. C .; T. E. English, G. T .; J. S. Read, G. S .; and Jacob Young, T.
Earl Lodge No. 365, I. O. O. F .- A charter was granted by the grand lodge of the state of Ohio to W. B. Sandoe, J. Comer, E. H. Hopkins, J. F. Black, Wm. Dunlap, and Isaac Strahlem, May 15, 1861, to organize Earl Lodge No. 365, of I. O. O. F.
The first meeting of the lodge was held at Port Jefferson, July 13, 1861. G. M., W. F. Slater took the chair. The following officers were elected : W. B. Sandoe, N. G .; E. H. Hopkins, V. G .; Wm. Dunlap, R. S .; Joseph Comer, treasurer. After election they proceeded to the Methodist Episcopal church, where Grand Chaplain D. E. Thomas delivered an address, and the officers were installed by the grand master. The lodge room at this time was over the store of Joseph Comer. Some time later another lodge room was secured, which was afterwards burned, together with nearly all the furniture of the lodge. Meetings for a number of years were held in a room over the store of S. T. Thirkield. In the fall of 1832 the lodge secured the privilege from E. L. Kraft of building the second story on his new store building for a lodge room. This room they finished and furnished at a cost of about $1,600.
TURTLE CREEK TOWNSHIP
Turtle Greek township was organized in 1820, but since that date has undergone some change in its boundaries. It occupies a position in the second tier of townships from the west, and has Van Buren and Franklin townships on the north; Franklin and Clinton on the east; Washington and McLean on the south and McLean and Cynthian on the west. The surface is mainly level except along Turtle creek and its branches, where it is somewhat broken. The soil is black loam. In March, 1821, the township was laid out in road districts and in 1822, when organization was probably more complete, it was divided into four road districts. According to the early records life in this township was peaceful and public affairs were conducted ably and honestly by its leading citizens-heads of families which in many cases are still rep- resented here.
Among the settlers who came here in 1812 or earlier were the following : John Kennard, a Kentuckian, took up land on the south half of section 31; William Carddingly entered the northeast quarter of section 18; Cephas Carey located his log cabin near what is now Hardin, and on the present site of the town; Thomas McClish established himself on the present site of Hardin and William Bush became his near neighbor. These settlements were near together and the location was no doubt chosen because of the
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abundance of wood and water. The winters might be cold but with an abundance of fuel close at hand the little log cabins could be kept warm, while the flowing streams watered the land from which the timber was cut and the cattle and stock, which then, as now, made up a large part of the pioneers' prospective wealth. In 1815 Richard M. Cannon came here from his former home near the present city of Sidney; Richard Lenox and John Lenox came, both having families, and in the same year arrived Joseph Steinberger. In 1816 Kentucky contributed William Davis, who settled in section 30; John Stephens settled in section 28 and Jeremiah White in the same section, while William Grooms established his home in section 29. In 1817 Basil Burton, David Coon and James Davis became residents and in 1818 the families of James Thatcher and Joseph Lyons came here. After the organization of the township it is probable that its advantages became more widely known and among the families who soon after became settlers may be mentioned those of Thomas Shaw, Edwin Barker, Joshua Cole and James A. Graham.
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