USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 10
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Pigeon Town, a Shawonoe Indian town, was in this township. on the Dunn farm, now owned by Captain J. D. Emerson.
The first church. the Lake Branch Church, was built in this township in 1835. and re-built in 1862.
The Amish Church was established in this township at an early day, they are a thrifty and most excellent people, exact in all their dealings and strictly honest in all their transactions.
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The Dunkards, or German Baptists. have a church situated near the center of the township on the farm originally entered by Robert Moore; they are a prudent. loyal god-fearing people.
This township was early supplied with fair educational facilities in the way of country and local schools. The first school- house was a log one, and Peter Knox and George Dunn were the teachers.
Union township was the original home of the Brethren and the Amish or Mennon- ite churches-although they have since made large settlements in Liberty township.
We give a history of these two churches in Logan county carefully prepared by two of their members.
THE LOGAN BRETHREN CHURCHI.
In the early part of the present century a few families, some of whom were mem- bers of the Brethren church, moved into the vast wiklerness of what is now Logan coun- ty. Ohio. They came from Virginia by way of the Miami valley, and like most of the pioneer settlers of our county, they came here that they might provide for themselves homes in its fertile bounds. At first they worshipped their God as best they could in their private devotion, but after a while. their numbers increasing by immigration. they felt the need of a more decided ef- fort for the fostering of the principles for which they contended. and about the year 1827 they were organized as the Logan Brethren church with Elder Abram Miller as bishop and Bro. Abraham Frantz as deacon. In 1828, or about that time, Bro. Jacob Moomam, a minister in the second de- gree moved into the bounds of the church from Clark county, thus giving them an English: minister. Elder Miller being Ger- man.
Not long after, about 1835. Bro. Jacob Crist. a deacon, moved in and was chosen to the ministry. Brother Martin Garber was also chosen deacon at this time. Broth- er Andrew Bazard was also chosen to the deacon's office about this time. In 1840, Brethren Miller. Moomaw and Crist all moved away, leaving the church without a resident minister for several years.
During this time meetings were held by ministers from adjoining counties, every six weeks. In May, 1846, the church feel- ing the need of better service, an election was held for two ministers, one English and one German, which resulted in Brother Ja- cob Miller ( father of Abednego Miller )
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Up to this time the members had been without a permanent house of worship, us- ing the homes of the brethren and friends. and in some cases school-houses were used. in which to hold service. It was not in- usual in these times for brethren and their wives to walk from ten to twelve miles to attend "preaching." But about 1859 a house of worship was built on the plot of ground where the present church now stands. In 1860 Brother Jacob Frantz was chosen deacon. In 1862 Jacch Miller was ordained bishop. Brother Joseph Kauman chosen to the ministry and Brother David Culp chosen deacon. On August 5. 1865. Brother Jacob Frantz was chosen to the ministry. In 1866 Brethren Henry Garber. minister and Joseph Garber, deacon, moved into the congregation. In 1867. Brother Joseph Kauffman wis ordained to the bish- opric, and Bro. J. L. Frantz advanced to full ministry. Brother Michael Swonger chosen to the ministry and Philip Detrick to the deacon's office. In 1870 Brother Jon- athan Yorder was chosen to the ministry and Samuel Shawver to the deacon's office. In 1875. Brother William Bean, a deacon, moved into the congregation and in 1876 Thomas Rhodecker. a minister, was receiv- ed in like manner. October 13. 18,8. Brother Abednego Miller was chosen to the ministry and Benjamin Detweiler deacon.
being chosen as English, and Brother Abra- ger were ordained as bishops. June 12. ham Frantz as German minister. At this 1880. Thomas Rhodecker was advanced to the full ministry. October 22, 1881. Abed- rego Miller was advanced to the full min- istry, William Bean elected to that office and Joseph Kaylor chosen deacon. Brother Bom was advanced to full ministry in 1884. tiine Joseph Culp was chosen to the deacon's office. About 1848, brethren Frantz and Miller were advanced to the full ministry. Between the years 1857- 59 Brother Frantz was ordained to the bishopric and brethren John Detrick and Moses King chosen to the office of deacon.
September 5. 1891, the church feeling the need of more help in the deacon's office. Brethren James Yoder. B. F. Snyder and J. 11. Swank were chosen to that position. In 1894 Brother Jacob Huber, a deacon moved into the congregation. October 2. 189 ;. Brother B. F. Snyder was chosen to the ministry and on November 27 of the same year Brother Abednego Miller was or- dained to the bishopric. On September 3. 1898. Brother Elias Shoutz was received by letter. In 1901 Brother W. I. Kintner. a minister, was also received by letter.
In 1892 the present commodious house of worship was erected. The organization of the church at the present time is as fol- lows :
MINISTERS: J. L. Frantz. bishop. (re- tired) : Abednego Miller, bishop: William Bean. B. F. Snyder. W. 1. Kintner.
DEACONS: Joseph Kaylor. James Yo- der. J. H. Swank. Jacob Huber. Elias Shontz. James Kaylor, Clerk. J. H. Swank. Treasurer.
So we have imperfectly traced the his- tory for thee-quarters of a century. We have noted only its progress. At the pres- ent time it numbers about one hundred and sixty-five communicants. Of its draw- backs, clouds, discouragements, sorrows, it has had its share. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." So we leave them where they belong-in the dead past. But let us take courage and go forth in the power In 1879 Jacob Frantz and Michael Swon- of the Lord, laying aside all the petty trifles
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOG.IN COUNTY.
and cares of this life, and present a united front to the enemy. For. in the words of the poet-
"We love Thy church. O God. Her walls before Thee stand Dear is the apple of Thine eye And graven on Thy hand. For her my tears shall fall, For her my prayers ascend. For her my toils and cares shall be 'Till toils and cares shall end."
NECROLOGY.
Elder Jacob Miller laid down his cross to take up the crown, October 14. 1866, after serving the church for more than twenty years.
Elder Abraham Frantz departed from the church militant to join the church tri- nmphant September 28. 1875. after 29 years as a faithful watchman on the walls of Zion.
Elder Michael Swonger departed this life October 20. 1897. after spending thirty years of his life as minister and bishop.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."
THE AMISH MENNONITE CHURCH.
Uncle Peter Yoder and family were the first members of a Mennonite church to settle in Logan county. They moved here from Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1840, and located in the northern part of Union township. Daniel Yoder came here a year later. Others soon followed. some from Holmes county, Ohio, and others from Mit- flin county, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1845, a church was organized by ordain- ing two brethren to be ministers to watch over the little flock. Elders Moses and Levi Miller, of Holmes county, Ohio, officiating
at these services, which were held at the home of Brother Andrew Sipe in the south- ern edge of Harrison township, on the farm now owned and occupied by W. Kintz Emery.
Among those pioneers we recall the fol- lowing names: Peter Yoder. Daniel Yo- der. Jacob Yoder, Christian Yoder, Da- vid Yoder. John B. Yoder. John D. Yo- der. Jonas Troyer. Joseph Kauffman, Da- man (2). Jacob Hooley. Christian Kauff- man and Joseph H. Kauffman.
The above named were all married and nearly all had families: I can mime only two single members with any degree of cer- tainty. Benjamin Yoder and Phebe Yo- der: the last named survived all the oth- ers: she passed away December, 1902. known as Aunt Phebe Williamson. Joseph Kauffman and Jonas Troyer were the first resident ministers : ministers are chosen by lot from the congregation; however, there have been deviations from this first estab- lished custom.
The next in rotation called to the min- istry was Moses Kauffman: Samuel Plank was next ordained deacon. ( deacons are or- dained for life, same as preachers ).
Jacob C. Kenagy, minister, afterwards ordained elder or bishop: David Plank, min- ister. later ordained elder: Samuel Head- ings, minister: C. Z. King. deacon: S. B. Plank. minister : Levi L. Plank. minister ; Simon Il. King. deacon.
Some of the above named ministers. af- ter serving the church here for a number of years, moved to other fields of labor. FIder J. C. Kenagy moved to Cass county. Missouri: Jonas Troyer. Joseph and Moses Kauffman, to Lagrange county. Indiana.
In the meantime several moved here from other localities as follows : J. P. King.
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
deacon from Champaign county, Ohio: he was later ordained elder and still later mov- ed to Kansas: C. K. Yeder came here from Wayne county, Ohio; C. H. Yoder, dea- con. from Champaign county, Ohio, later moved to Ada, Ohio.
Ekler Jonas C. Yoder and David Hartz- ler. minister, came here from Indiana, and located in Me Arthur township, and organ- ized a congregation there.
Samuel Plank. deacon. David Hartzler. minister, and Samuel Headings, minister. living beyond the alk ted time of three score and ten, were called up higher.
Ministers are not paid for preaching in dollars and cents; however. in later years the brotherhood have become more liberal in helping to bear the burdens incumbent up- on the ministry; traveling expenses are usually paid and other needs supplied.
Very many families have moved away from here since the church was organized. They went farther west to help organize and build up other congregations.
Church services were held in private houses here and there in the district until about 1857 or '38, when the first church building was erected in Liberty town-hip. one-half mile from Union township line, on the farm then owned by John Kenagy.
In June 1863 the Sunday school work was commenced which was altogether new and novel. to old and young alike. It had a hard struggle for several years to main- tain an existence, but thanks to the Great 1 am, success followed the struggle. It is admitted that Logan county, Ohio, has the oldest successful Sunday school of the Men- vonite church in the United States.
For many years the German language was used exclusively in church services; at present the outlook bids fair that the
English language will supplant the Ger- man language in the near future.
The membership at present enumerates three hundred and fifty within the county. Nearly one hundred per cent. of the children are gathered into the fold as they come to the years of understanding and accountabil- ity. In 1875 and 76 two substantial churches were built: Walnut Grove in Union township on the West Liberty and De Graff pike: South Union in Liberty township on the Bellefontaine and West Liberty pike: these two congregations are blended in one, having services every Sun- day, first at one and then at the other house.
As a church we are orthodox in our be- hef: we accept the whole Bible as inspired. therefore the only safe guide: we are non- resistent in principle, therefore, opposed to war: difficulties of misunderstandings among the brotherhood must be settled by the church. Mixed marriages of believers and unbelievers are not tolerated ; divorce is unknown in the church : our dues to the gov- ernment in taxes or work are considered binding to a faithful Christian.
The township is very rich and fertile, and the products of the soil are its principal productions. It has, however, quite, an in- dustry in cattle and sheep.
RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Rush Creek township was struck off in 1825, but was not organized until 1832, Leing taken from the north end of Jefferson; it was named from the stream which runs from its southern line northward through the township and finally empties into the Seioto, after running through Bokes Creek township and Union county. Rush Creek lake is situated in this township, and near it is situated the factories of the Buckeye
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Porland and Alta Cement Companies, which manufacture cement from the marl deposits in and about this lake and stream. These factories employ more than a hundred hands and manufacture Portland cement equal to any in the world: the companies are incor- porared with large capital and are in a ile ur- ishing condition: the cement of Logan county, it may justly be said, is not excelled by any other cement in the world: these two companies are drawing their marl from the large deposits in the bed of the lake, of very finest quality, while heds of the purest Blue clay are found in the immediate vicin- ity. The Acme Company has a capital of one hundred and thirtf-five thousand del lars, new improvements and enlargement- and a capacity of five hundred barrels per day.
The Buckeye Company has been greatly enlarged and improved with an increased capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and a capacity of one thousand bar rels of cement daily.
There are no less than four town- in- cluded within the limits of Rush Creek township. Rushsylvania. Harper. Big Springs and Walnut Grove.
The first settler. Thomas Stanfield. came from Tennessce: he had a family of ten children. nine girls and one boy.
One William Reams came shortly after from North Carolina with ten children. nine boys and one girl. Stanfield's one son mar- ried Reams' one daughter: what was the reason of the other members of the family not mating. we have not been able to dis. cover, but it appeared like a providential ar- rangement for the settlement of this fron- tier, which ought to have been taken ad- vantage of. The early settlers were: John Wolf. John MeClure. Jacob Arbegast. Joel
Thomas. John Wilson, John Prater, Nelson Taylor. Benjamin Green, Samuel Ruth, Hazzard Hopkins, W. K. Newman, Jacob and John Kerns.
The nearest market for their product was Sandusky, on the lakes, one hundred miles away. Wheat was worth about fifty cents in the market and the articles to be purchased were extraordinarily high in price, so that the exchange was a very un- equal one.
Dry goods of all kinds commanded large prices : broad cloth was five to ten dollars Fer yard: silk four or five dollars per yard : calico, fifty cents; while coffee, tea, and sugar were of such prices as to be prohibit- ory. Salt, one of the necessities, was ten dollars per barrel at Sandusky.
The tornado of 1825 passed through this township and Bokescreek and destroyed ev- erything in its pathway; it was for long years afterwards knows as "the fallen tim- Ler."
Harvey Buckminister kept a hotel on the farm afterwards owned by Henry Rose- brook: it was part leg aud part frame : Mr. Buckminister afterwards became a stage- chiver, and was engaged in this antil the building of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad. He died a few years since at Kenton.
In 1852, the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad (now the Big Four ) was built through the township, and was of great im- portance in giving them new markets.
A man named May kept a hotel near the Anderson farm: one Rodaker built a saw-mill as early as 1830, while one Satton built one near the Bellefontaine road, while & man named Basil built another on the Miami, to which he afterwards added a grist-mill.
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
RUSHSYLVANIA.
Enos Pickering in 1834. laid out Rush- sylvania and built a tannery. The first road was the Sandusky road to Bellefontaine in 1824, and the next was a road to Cherokee Mills in 1830.
About 1875 the roads in the county be- gan to be graded and graveled as pikes, and Rush Creek township has a fine system of graveled roads.
Robert Stevenson. Thompson Hughes ind John Elam, kept at avern in Rushsylva- nia: the taverns in those days were small. and it required a number of them. as the on- ly highway running north and south passed through the village, and it was the course traveled by the teamsters going to the markets on the lake. Robert Stevenson af- terwards removed to Ridgeway and kept ho- tel there until his death, only a few years since.
Doctor lsaae A. Doren was the post- master of the place for thirty years: he had a drug store in connection with it and practiced medicine.
A fire in 1857 was very destructive and the loss was heavy. John McColloch was the first agent of the railroad company and was succeeded by David Roberts, thus the company has had but two agents since the road was completed in 1853. a period of nearly fifty years, for David Roberts is still the agent of the company.
into the space below : fortunately the lamps were fastened to the wall and did not go down, so that the building was not set on fire: a number of people were badly hurt. and some two or three people killed: it was a miraculous escape. considering the great number in the hall at the time, which amounted to something near three hundred people.
Rushsylvania is a flourishing point for trade, and the center of a thrifty commun ity.
PERRY TOWNSHIP.
The next township to be organized was Perry township, which was taken off of Zane in 1830: it embraced all the town- ship of Zane lying north of boundary of the present township of Zane, and until 1837. included within its limits Bokes Creek. which at that date was organized as a sepa- rate township.
Perry township was named for Comme- dore Oliver Hazzard Perry, whose brilliant victory in 1813 over the British upon Lake Erie did so much to bring about a perma- nent peace, and at the same time to cover the commander of the little fleet upen our lakes and his gallant tars with undying glory. It is a rich and fertile township. and being within the Virginia military land district was quickly settled by Virginia sol- (liers, or those to whom they had sold their land warrants.
The principal streams are Otter and Mill creek; the Darby also touches the eastern line of the township, and Long Run flows eastward into Otter creek.
Rushsylvania is a good grain and stock market and does a thriving trade. About 1883. a most unfortunate accident occured which caused the loss of two or three lives ; a large public gathering of the citizens was The township is especially noted for the being held in the hall next to the okl Stew- wonderful supply of pure water, which in many places flows from wells dug or driven,
art store. when suddenly the floor gave away, precipitating the entire body of people in different parts of the township.
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
John Garwood was the first settler and ity consisted of five sons. Joseph, Daniel. came from Virginia and settled in the town- Joshua. Isaac and William, and five daugh- ters, two of his daughters married David Rea, one married Jacob Humphryes, and one Levi Lane : Samuel Ballinger came from New Jersey in 1808. John Bishop was an- other Virginian. ship some time about 1803: at least he was the first white settler in the township, and built a cabin near the present town of East Liberty: he was the first of the Garwoods. and from him spring the family which af- terwards became such an important part of this pioneer neighborhood.
Six of his sons afterwards followed him from Virginia. Levi, Daniel. Isaiah, John and Thomas. and they also settled in this township. He had a large family and his daughter. Hope. married George Harris: Susannah. Joseph Ray: Margaret, Joshua Inskeep: Hester. John Inskeep, and De- lorah, Joseph Stokes.
The families in those days were noted for the number of children and this family was no exception to the rule, and they he- came influential not only by reason of their importance but by reason of numbers as well.
Levi Garwood became one of the asso- ciate judges of the county.
In 1805. Joshua. Job and John Inskeep came from Virginia, two of them. Joshua and John, married daughters of John Gar- wood. The township was then a part of Champaign county. John Inskecp was a member of the legislature from Champaign county.
Thomas James came from Virginia in 1810: the James family at East Liberty so long known as influential people in the town- ship, all came from this original stock : Doc- ter S. N. James, M. N .. Frank and W. L. James being sons of Thomas James, Jr., and leing grand-sons of Thomas, the head of the family. William Skidmore came from Virginia. first to Columbiana county and thence to Logan county in 1825: his fam-
Anthony Banks, a colored man, came from Virginia : different stories are told of his family relationship: it was said that he had run away from Virginia with the daughter of a white planter, and coming west found his way to Ohio, and that his father-in-law afterwards purchased land for him: another story was that he was a free colored man in Virginia, and that his wife was a slave, and that he purchased her free- dom. married her and brought her west. At any rate he prospered wonderfully, and became one of the wealthy ctizens of the township. and was regarded as a man of much importance.
Among other settlers coming from Pennsylvania were Richard Harding, Wil- liam Fisher. Simpson Harriman, Stephen and Nehemiah Green. Samuel Supler and ( thers. New Jersey continued to send good and substantial settlers, who became citizens of the county and did much for its good: Edward Harding. Josiah An- trim. Henry Reymer and Thomas Freer, all came between 1818 and 1825: Virginia sent her tribute and Christopher Smith. Isaac Hatcher, Herbert Baird and Levi Sul- livan came about 1806 or 1807. These fam- ilies intermarried and their children and their children's children are still living in this section of Ohio, and have contributed ro small part to its improvement.
About 1810 John Garwood built the first mill in the township. on Otter creek. Thom- as Jaines who came to the township in this
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HISTORICAL REVIEW OF LOGAN COUNTY.
year. was the first miller: the location was known as the Garwood's mill: the mill was removed from its original site to the site of the present mill in East Liberty. which greatly enlarged and improved and continued to draw custom: a small distillery was attached to Garwood's mill and was operated for a time by Robert James and William Smith but soon went into disuse.
Many of the early settlers were of Quaker stock, and the first meetings held were the Quaker meetings: the first church in the county, was a Quaker church, and Imilt near to these settlements in Zane town- ship: John Garwood, the original settler was a Quaker preacher. A Reverend Mr. Baird was the first Methodist minister, and the first church built in East Liberty was built by the Methodists, and as East Lib- erty was not located as a town until 1834 it much have been after this date: there was a camp ground north of East Liberty, where the Methodists built another church. upon the present site of North Greenfield which was not designated as a town until 18447.
About 1850 the Quakers built a church a couple of miles west of North GreenfieldI. and, upon its being burned down, built an- other one about 1860: for many years Mrs. Mary Elliot was its minister and was a wo- man of most remarkable attainments: she preached in many sections of the country. going as far east as Boston and everywhere was received and recognized as a most de- vout and eloquent servant of the Master.
The Union Baptist church in the Skid- more settlement was not built until just be- fore the war: Elder Dudley was its first pastor.
The United Brethren built a church a couple of miles north of East Liberty as carly as 1850; it soon went into disuse.
PHYSICIANS
Doctor J. W. Hamilton was the first physician arriving at East Liberty in 1836. and for many years was a most active and valuable man in the community.
He also engaged in merchandising and kept store in the place for many years; he was elected by the legislature, and was a man of marked abilities.
The roads were simply bridle paths cut through the dense forests and leading to dif- ferent points of settlement without much at- tention to lines of ownership or territorial division; one of the first went toward Ur- bana, another toward Big Springs, and thence on the main road through to San- dusky : while another led toward the county seat: the roads through the township are now all gravel macadam and are as fine as any in the county.
Within a few years the T. & O. C. Rail- road has built a line extending from St. Mary's through Bellefontaine to Columbus and this has done much to assist in upbuild- ing the town and giving an opening for the grain products of the township.
East Liberty was laid out in 1834 by John Bowyer and Garwood's Mill became East Liberty. Josiah Austin and John Mc- Cally built the first houses.
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