USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 57
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There is as yet no school law, no defined districts, and there is something yet lacking. It is the year 1822, and the house stands surrounded by a pathless forest and the woodmen's children cannot find their way securely. Parents and older boys select the best and nearest paths, which they blaze and cut away brush from. They cut small trees across slashes and branches. They put up hand poles to steady the children in crossing, and then, with Webster's Speller, English Reader, Pike's Arithmetic, slate and pencil, one-half quire blue paper, one-half dozen goose quills and a bottle of home-made ink, the most advanced was thoroughly equipped, and. not unfrequently, several of the same family were used to study the same meager set of books.
In this rude state, the children sat for hours on a bench. crowded together with feet swinging between bench and floor from morning till noon, and not allowed to whisper or scarcely look off their books without being liable to punish- ment.
As to the teachers, they were usually limited in qualifications, being generally competent to instruct in orthography, reading, writing and arithmetic ; sometimes knowledge of the latter was very limited. All were skilled in the use of the rod, which was plied unmercifully on the slightest neglect or provocation. There were only three months' school each year, and these were in the winter, and unexcep- tionally taught by school masters.
The first school taught in the township was under control of Samuel Cole, during the winter of 1818-19, in one part of his double log cabin, on the farm now owned by Dilmon Mote. The pioneer school building was raised on the farm of John Snell, now owned by Samuel Elston, in the year 1821 or 1822. The first schoolhouse in the Bickel neighborhood was built at an early day, not later than 1835. Various persons taught subscription schools for short terms therein. Still earlier, schools were kept as above stated. The first school taught in this house, after public money had been granted in partial support of education, was by J. H. Williamson. His first school, taught when he was but fourteen years of age, was in a neighboring district, the previous winter. He afterward taught at MeClure's Mills, and in various other districts. Joseph Worth taught three winters, amount- ing to ten months of twenty-six days to the month, for $10 per month. and boarded himself, save when the weather was too bad for him to go home. Another pioneer- like schoolhouse was built in 1831, on the place of Martin Cox, and another of the old teachers was Thomas Hoffman.
Contrast the past with the present. There are now in the township eleven school districts, with a large brick house in most of them. Each house will seat
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
an average of sixty pupils. There are elegant seats. fine desks, good blackboards, charts, and well-arranged rooms. Pupils are well supplied with as many books as they can well carry, and thrice as many as they can well study. There are com- petent teachers, well paid, and free schools full six months each year. The contrast of wages is from the $25 to $35 per quarter of sixty-five days' term olden times, paid in produce in part, to the from $100 to $120 per quarter of sixty days, cash in hand.
A brief reference to the churches is appropriate in the detail of important social organizations. The Hiller Church, built on Section 36, was the first built in the township, and, also, was the first built in the county. The date of its construction is traditionally fixed in 1819, and it was the volunteer labor of the able-bodied men of the whole settlement, and, when it was completed, it was free to all. It was known as a Methodist Episcopal Church, and still stands. The next church was the Chenoweth Church, built on Section 32, at an early date, by the Methodists. It subserved the purpose of its construction, and has long since been leveled to the earthi. The third building for purposes of worship was erected on the farm of Martin Cox, on Section 14, by the people of the Presbyterian society. It was known as the " Cox Meeting-house." These were points and places well known, but the usual place of worship was the cabin or barn of the settler, or, in warm, pleasant weather, in God's first temples-the shade of noble forest trees.
A German Baptist Church is located on the northeast quarter of Section 9, about one and a half miles southeast of Hill Grove, on the Greenville and Union pike. The lot on which it was situated, comprising three-fourths of an acre, was donated by John Flory. The church was built during the spring of 1878. It is a neat frame structure, costing $800. The building committee were Jacob Mer- rick, John Flory and Daniel Wagner. The following-named preachers have offici- ated therein : William Simmons, Washington Wenrick, Samuel Puterbaugh and Benjamin Bowman. Services by some of the above were held on almost every Sunday. There is a good membership, but no Sabbath school.
We have said that not unusually services were held in the forest. The Meth- odist frontier camp-meetings were once an institution that could not well be dis- pensed with, and seemed to be a recruiting point for the M. E. Church, and a place where all met on a common level for the renewal of their spiritual strength, and to extend a general acquaintance among the brotherhood. The first meet- ing or encampment of this kind held anywhere in Darke or adjoining counties, so far as known, took place in Washington Township, on Section 33, in the vicinity of what was then known as the Devor Spring, but what is now denominated the Houpt Farm. The date of the meeting is not remembered. In 1838-39, a Methodist camp-meeting was held on the farm of John Chenoweth, on Section 32. Of the ministers present and actively engaged, but one is recalled, and this was Rev. W. W. Jordan. The camps were built of poles, and on three sides, forming what might be termed a hollow square, with the seats between the camps, and the pulpit having a central position at one end, facing the center. The period of encampment usually lasted from ten days to two or three weeks. It is needless to say that the "rowdies," as styled by the church people, had their full share of recreation at these assemblies.
The oldest record that can be found of the board of township officers com- mences with 1828, yet there is a record of the ear marks of animals running at large which goes as far back as April 20, 1819, thereby preserving the names of the Township Clerks that far back. The first Township Clerk's name thus obtained is Moses Rush for 1819 ; the second John McNeal, for 1820 ; John Wintermote for 1821-22 ; Samuel Cole for 1823, and Christian Miller for 1824. In 1828, there is a full board given, as follows : Charles Sumption, James Brady and Leonard Wintermote, Trustees ; Samuel Kimber, Treasurer ; John S. Hiller, Clerk. The governing motives of those early officers of Washington Township was undoubt- edly purely patriotic, for no Trustee. Treasurer or Clerk ever charged one cent for
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
his services until 1838, when the Clerk, Aaron Hiller, who had to perform extra services in regard to school affairs, made a charge of and was allowed the sum of $5. All settlements prior to this show that the Township Board gave their services gratuitously.
The receipts and expenditures of each year, from the formation of the township up to 1835. range from nothing to $12; but in this year the amount in the hands of the Treasurer was $43.064, mostly from the sale of stray animals.
The following are two settlements in full given by the Township Board :
James Brady, Treasurer, receipts and expenditures of Washington Township for the year next preceding the year 1830. DR.
Received on note on Jesse Gray. CR.
$2.183
Paid to Henry Creviston, as per order
$1.00
Paid for paper.
311 1.81}
Balance in Treasurer's hands. 874
HUGH MARTIN,
JOSIAH D. ELSTON,
Trustees.
JOHN SNELL,
JOHN S. HILLER, Township Clerk.
In 1833, this settlement occurs with Aaron Hiller. Treasurer :
Received nor laid out no money this year: the amount in the Treasury this year is $20 75}, and the Treasurer makes no charge for his services.
JOHN CARNAHAN,
DAVID CLAPP.
Trustees.
JOSEPH COLE, Township Clerk.
In like manner the settlements run until 1840, when money matters began to increase, especially as the public money for school purposes was handled by the Treasurer. The records show that but five different men had filled the office of Treasurer since 1827, namely : Samuel Kimber, James Brady, Aaron Hiller, John McClure and George McClure. John McClure has filled the position con- tinuously since 1838, save one term when he was a member of the Ohio Legisla- ture, being Treasurer thirty-six years. The office of Justice of the Peace has run much after the style of Treasurer. Aaron Hiller served as Justice for twenty-one years, and T. F. Chenoweth for twenty-three years, and is still (1876) holding that office.
In 1824, the political cast was all on one side, nearly all voting for Andrew Jackson for President, there being but three votes cast against him. Though in later years not so radical, except in 1854. when the township took another freak, and all went solid for the Know-Nothing ticket, except seven who voted the Dem- ocratie ticket. These were the extremes. Usually in township elections there has been but little party strife.
The citizens are strictly agriculturists. The township expenses have been moderate, and the rate of taxation has always been among the lowest in the county, while her improvements have equaled the best. The old survivors of the early day have seen much change. Where Indian traces wound their sinnous way through the forest, there are now many miles of turnpike roads and well-improved dirt roads. Log house and stump-marked clearing are replaced by handsome homes, well-tilled fields and well-drained lands, and the present of the township is a constant source of satisfaction to pioneers as the rightful result of years of toil.
GERMAN TOWNSHIP.
Located in the west tier of townships and in the second tier from the south. It has been formed since December, 1820. Its lands were taken from the south part of Washington and the north part of Harrison. the north tier of sections in
445
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
the last-named township being added. Then the northern boundary was a line running some forty rods north of the Whitewater road. In June, 1827, it was reduced to its present size, which includes all of Town 11 north, Range 1 east. In December, 1833, the north tier of sections was thrown into Washington Town- ship, but these were returned to the township in December, 1834.
In area, it includes about thirty-three square miles, or over 21,000 acres of land. The surface in the eastern part is gently undulating, and in the western part flat and level. Several sections in the south central part are considerably broken. West Branch Creek and Second Branch Creek are the principal streams. West Branch Creek drains the eastern portion. Extending along the line of its general course there is to be seen a beautiful and valuable tract, known as West Branch Prairie. In the early day, this ground was wet, boggy, and generally deemed useless for agricultural purposes, but it has been reclaimed in the main. and is productive of heavy crops. There are few places more fascinating to the eye than is this prairie as it gently slopes upward on both sides of West Branch Creek. There are numerous springs along its course, which supply it the year round with pure running water. There is virtually no waste land in the township, and there is nowhere any soil better adapted to tillage. As is well known, but not realized, the surface was in the early day covered with a growth of a great variety of for- est trees. In places the sugar maple abounds, and has been utilized to the manu- acture of sirups especially. Many extensive gravel beds of the best quality are interspersed throughout the southern and eastern parts. Many of them are of use in the improvement of the highways, most of which are excellent.
From indications, this township was a favorite resort for the aboriginal occu- pants. On the arrival of the whites, several Indian camps were found, but within a few years, they disappeared. The prairie, heretofore mentioned, was a favorite resort, having for the red man a peculiar attraction.
Old settlers affirm that a spring on the lands of Elias Ross was a special attraction, not only to the Indian, but to troops of wild animals, on account of the purity and sweetness of its waters.
Indications show at least two Indian villages of considerable size within the present limits of the the township. One of these was located on Section 10, and the other on Section 3, both near fine springs. Indian implements of great variety and in considerable abundance are found strewn over the surface in the vicinity. A collection of such relics, made by C. M. Young, resident upon Section 3, within the years from 1876 to 1880, consist of about 1,000 specimens, most of which were found in this township, and many of which are rare. Remains of skeletons, supposed to have belonged to Indians, are found in abundance in many of the gravel banks, which have been opened up. One skull was found near the residence of Jesse Woods, of remarkable size.
The topography of the township shows that it possessed many points of interest and attraction ; its running waters, its prairies and its gently rolling sur- face were points at once marked to the quick, searching eye of the pioneer, and the date of its settlement was far back toward the beginning of the century. To whom the titular honor of being the first settler belongs is hard to determine. It lies between James Cloyd and Jonathan Pearson, with the evidence in favor of the former. Mr. Cloyd was born in Virginia, in 1790, and removed to Ohio when a child. Engaged as a soldier during the war of 1812, he was stationed much of the time at Fort Greenville. In 1815, he married Elizabeth Norftsinger, daughter of Andrew Norftsinger, one of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Norftsinger had built a block-house during the troublous period, and in this he lived until peace was declared. The site of this old fortification was in Neave Township.
In 1814, Mr. Cloyd moved to this township and settled on the prairie, just south of the present site of Palestine. He was one of the first grand jury empaneled in the county, and bore a good name for energy, generosity and benev- olence. His death took place May 26, 1872, and his remains rest in the Palestine
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Cemetery. Jonathan Pearson settled on the prairie southeast of the village named, about 1816, but little was known of this man more than that he came originally from South Carolina, as did. also, Alexander Pearson, who was. per- haps. the third settler. Samuel Loring, who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 14, and who laid out the town of Palestine, was the next permanent set- tler. Peter Crumrine moved into German Township on March 12, 1817. The name of Daniel Wagner is associated with those of the pioneers. The family of which he was a member located on the northeast quarter of Section 24, on the edge of the prairie. They were originally from Berks County, Penn., whence they migrated, in 1806, to Ohio and then to this county and township. The elder Wagner was a soldier in the war for independence, and, at its conclusion, like other of the Continentals, returned to peaceful pursuits and derived a good farm for the family growing up about him. John Wagner had ten children. His oldest son, George, who was an early settler in Neave Township, was a solder in the later war of 1812, and was one of those surrendered by the cowardly Hull at Detroit, Mich. Two other sons, Daniel and William, located in German Township. The latter, still living on the homestead, has been a resident of the township since the fall of 1816, with the exception of a single year. He was born December 1, 1806, in Montgomery County, near Germantown, and was consequently only a mere lad when he came to the township. Himself and brother Daniel, six years his senior, were sent to the farm with some stock to winter through on prairie hay, which they had eut and stacked near where the house now stands. They came with their cattle in the fall of 1816, and built a hut to serve as a temporary shelter till the family could join them in the spring. In this rude dwelling, with a family or two of Indians for their nearest neighbors, the first winter went by. They were shy and distrustful of the "sons of the forest," for the memory of atrocities com- mitted upon the whites a few years previous was yet fresh in their minds. Daniel Wagner died March 9, 1876, just seventy-six years of age. He is remembered as a man of enterprise, fearless and free-hearted. The Wagner family were of Ger- man descent.
The fall of 1817 marked the actual beginning of the settlement of the town- ship. A number of families arrived at this time and entering lands began the work of providing home and field. Martin Ketring and family and George Teaford, then a young man, arrived this fall and entered a part of Section 22. These people were likewise of German descent. The former was a native German. Their more immediate previous home was Fairfield County, Ohio. John, son of Martin Ketring, had been married previous to coming here, and is still living at a good old age. Teaford was soon married to Miss Magdalina Ketring and raised a large family, two sons of whom still live in the township and are among the largest farmers in it. The same fall, and in October, Henry Ross, a native of Virginia. located on land in the northwest part of Section 24. He came here from Pickaway County, and, about the same time, George Stingley and family, Virginians. located on the southeast quarter of Section 12, where a son now resides. The settlement in the extreme southwest part of the township was delayed until 1826. on account of its wet, level nature. Thus, briefly, we have noted the founders of improvement in German Township, and spoken of those who more than three score years ago laid the foundation for subsequent labors.
The staple products of the township are corn and wheat, with considerable oats and barley raised. Much of the corn is fed to stock, which receive consider- able attention. There is no grain market in the township ; the nearest being Weaver's Station, in Neave Township, on the Piqua, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. In the early years, what surplus grain was raised was hauled by team. either to Dayton or Piqua, and later, to Richmond, Ind. No line of railroad has, as yet, been constructed through the township, though it is thought one could be built with great advantage to the people and profit to the builders. The appreci- ation of education was a marked feature of pioneer settlers. As early as 1820,
447
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
a schoolhouse was erected on the southwest quarter of Section 14, on land now owned by George Kester. The structure was by no means imposing or attractive. It was of logs and nailless. without glass or sawed lumber. The first teacher was William R. Jones, whose reputation comes down to us, as of " an excellent man and teacher." The second schoolhouse was built in 1822, on the northwest quarter of Section 13, on land now owned by J. Wenrick. This dates the beginning of school interests in German Township, which have held even place with those of other townships from origin. There are now eleven school buildings, besides the one situated in the village of Palestine, three of which belong to the colored settle- ment. The number of school children enumerated in German Township in 1879 was as follows : White youth, 364; colored, 151 ; total, 515 ; number in the Pales- tine school, 133; total number in the township, 648. The number of youth between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one was 140. The school buildings are all good, substantial structures. with the single exception of a frame house, and the schools are reported to be in fine condition. The first settlers were obliged to erect their cabins without the use of sawed lumber, there being no saw-mills accessible at the time, in the vicinity. One of the first demands of the settlers was for lumber, to ereet buildings. In the absence of saw-mills. this want was frequently met by the use of the whip-saw, or more commonly, the puncheon. The former of these methods was extremely slow and laborious, and the latter was the dernier resort to secure lumber. To meet the urgent demands, the rude pioneer saw-mill was erected, propelled always by water power, as steam was not then in use as a motor. The first mill of this kind erected in the township was built by Joshua Mitten, in 1820, on Section 24, on West Branell. This was rude enough, but still a great advance over the former method. Some years after, this mill had been built, an apparatus for cracking corn was attached to it, and this was noted as the pioneer grist-mill of the township. She served to supply the few scattered inhabitants with cracked corn, which, at the time, largely took the place of wheat flour. In order to supply another and urgent demand, a copper still was erected on Section 36, by John Puterbaugh. Its capacity was not very great, and for its influence, value and success, we cannot speak. A cheese factory was soon started at the same place, and by the same person, the Mr. Puterbaugh above named. All of these pioneer enterprises, rude, but bespeaking a disposition to make the most of home products, have been supplanted by more pretentious and modern structures. At present, a large steam flouring-mill run by Ira McClure, and a large saw-mill owned by James McCabe, in Palestine, furnish the necessary supply in this direction in the township.
CHURCHES AND MINISTERS.
The first religious meetings in German Township were held in the cabins of the settlers. The pioneer preacher was Jacob Ashley, of the Lutheran Church. He came up once a month from Germantown and held services, for which he received a salary of $12 per year. David Miller, son of old Jacob Miller, first minister of the Miami Valley, and Benjamin Bowman, came over from Indiana at an early day, and spoke to the people of things eternal and spiritual. They were ministers of the German Baptist Church. The first church built in this township was known as the "St. John's," a Lutheran enterprise, erected in 1826, south of Palestine, on land owned by John Ketring. The old structure was constructed of tree-trunks cut from the forest surrounding, but, in 1868, this was supplanted by a more comfortable and pretentious frame building. The old church was used by the Lutherans alone for many years, and then the German Reformed organization united with them, the two using the same church, employing the same minister, but having two separate and distinct societies, and two sets of church officers. In 1866, the latter-named society re-organized, and the Lutherans from that date were merged with them. Rev. I. Stuck was the first minister under the new organization.
M
448
HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Wesley Chapel. on Section 29, was probably the next church erected. It was built and used up to within a few years of the present time by the Methodists. It is not now in use by any denomination. Possibly the next church building con- structed was the house built on Section 24, on the farm of William Wagner, by the Lutherans. It is now used by the members of the German Reformed denomi- nation.
The Universalist Church at Palestine was organized by Rev. Elihu Moore and ten others, on June 18, 1868. The minister named was the one first employed. Their first meetings were held in the old Palestine schoolhouse. Within a few years subsequent to the organization, the society erected their present fine building, at a cost of about $3,000. The first officers of the society were H. L. Hill, George Kester and M. M. Jeffries, as Deacons ; George Kester, Treasurer, and Harrod Mills as Clerk. Six deaths have transpired in the society since its origin, and there is a present membership of 105 persons. The Disciple Church of Palestine was organized in April, 1873, by John M. Smith, with about twenty members. Earlier meetings were held in the Universalist Church. In the summer of 1877, the denomination erected their present fine and commodious building at a cost of $1,500. The officers at organization were Joseph Snyder and James Willery, as Elders ; Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, Deacon, and J. A. Spittler. Clerk. There is an adjunct of value in a flourishing Sabbath-school, superintended by James Wilcox.
The German Baptist Church was constituted an organization at an early day by David Miller and Benjamin J. Bowman. John Weaver was the first preachar to serve the new society. He was succeeded by John Crumrine. Since then, William Marius, Mr. Harter and Jacob Miller have had charge of the congrega- tion. Meetings were held in barns and houses till 1868, when their present fine building was erected, just south of Palestine. The membership is about one hun- dred and seventy-five persons. The Pleasant Grove U. B. Church is situated in the extreme northern part of the township, near the Washington line, thus serv- ing both townships. The society was formed January 14, 1857, and meetings were held in a private house, located on the southwest quarter of Section 3, for two years, when room was supplied by the construction of the present church edi- fice. The organization was effected by Rev. Jacob M. Marshall. Elias Ross has been Steward since its formation. The Palestine Christian Church was organized in the year 1836, by Elijah Williamson, with a small membership. The first meet- ings were held in an old schoolhouse. Mr. Williamson and Richard Brandon were the first ministers. James Woods, Thomas Himes, John Crum, Joseph Heck, Henry Grove and their wives, and Philip Manuel were among the first members. The present meeting-house was built in 1859, and the society has an enrollment of 103 members.
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