The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 68

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 68

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Blair Chapel .-- Methodisin still continued to grow in the township of Jefferson. and in 1844 we find, largely by the efforts of the Blair family, that a society was organized about four miles northwest of the last-men- tioned congregation. In the year above given, Rev. J. W. Young, of the Marysville Circuit, was solicited to come and organized the society, which resulted in the following members: John Blair and Jency, his wife, G. W. Blair, R. C. Blair, Jacob B. Coon, J. C. Coon, Elizabeth Tillman, Leonard Thomas. J. Zadock Chapman, Hiram Stodard and Eliza Stodard. Four of the original class are now living. The church has had numerous revivals. and swollen its membership to about seventy in all, and is new served by Rev. - - For nine years after the society was organized, they wor- shiped in the residence of G. W. Blair, when they all threw their mite to- gether; Mr. Blair donated a lot from his farm, and a frame church edifice was constructed, plain but comfortable, at a cost of about $700, and was dedicated in the fall of 1853, by Rev. Uriah Heath. The building served them a period of twenty-nine years, with the nominal expense for repairs of $20 -- a striking illustration of economy. At present there is a substan tial brick church, five miles northwest of Jefferson, nearing comple- tion, on the farm of E. B. Haynes, who donated the lot on which it stands. The building is 32x52. with steeple and bell. It is to be completed at a cost of about $2,600.

The Baptist Church of Jefferson .- Among the early settlers of New Hampton we find the most of them from New Jersey, and the majority of

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

them elinging to the persuasion of the Baptist Church. The date we are unable to give, but. during the early part of the third decade of the present century. Rev. Isaac Jones' labors resulted in organizing the first society of Baptists in this township. They first worshiped in a very plain log hut, which stood about twenty paces west of the gate entering the Hampton Cemetery. Its ceiling was only about eight feet high, covered with clap- boards. Subsequently, however, a brick, as they thought of modern style, was ereeted, and, if now standing, would be near the center of the cemetery. It was 20x32, and twelve feet ceiling, which served them until about 1848. when they built their present frame in the village of Jefferson; but now a new and handsome church edifice is expected in the near future.

Rev. Jones labored hard in the cause of Christianity in his chosen church, possessing unwavering fidelity. The people were industrious and determined to sustain the cause. Rov. Jones continued his ministerial la- bors hero until his death, in 1842. The church now numbers seventy-six members, and prosperity still seems to stretch forth an inviting hand. They are served by Rov. L. R. Meers, the present inenmbent. The church property is in the hands of a Board of Trustees, composed of J. T. Colliver, M. D., George Silvers and C. C. Jones. The present Church Clerk and Treasurer are Quinn Bradley and L. D. Hull, respectively.

Alder Chapel Universalist Church was organized as a society in the spring of 1860, known as the First Universalist Church of Jefferson Town . ship, though there had been for years occasional visits of Universalist min- isters, directed to the interest of the vicinity. In the year the society was organized. Thomas Timmons deeded a half acre of ground in considera- tion of $50, on which to build a church oditice, and the same year a com- fortable, plain, but neat structure. 28x40 feet. was erected, at a cost of about $1,000, including the bell. The society now numbers twenty-three members, and is served by the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Crosley, of London, Ohio. Since the re-organization in 1874, it has been regularly served. and it has since that time also beon designated as Alder Chapel. and is under the control of a Board of Trustees, viz .. C. G. High. Stephen Cary and D. J. Cutler.

St. Simon and Jude's Catholic Church. The settlement of Catholics dates quite early between Columbus and Springfield, but very sparsely for a time. They were. however, visited by different clergymen about every three months, who held services in the respective dwellings of the members subsequently in the Town Hall of Jefferson. In this manner was Cathol- icism nursed in its infaney in Jefferson Township, but not until the year 1864 was the subject of a church edifice agitated. when Rev. John M. Con- way took the matter in charge. Soon afterward. a subscription was begun and favorably patronized. In 1866. Edward Buek donated the lot for the church, and in the spring of 1867 the foundation was begun and the corner- stone laid May 19 of the same year. by the Rt. Rev. Sylvester H. Rosecrans. Bishop of Columbus, Ohio. The building is a brick. 34x67 feet, and was completed to the tower under the management of Father Conway. It was dedicated by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Ark .. October 31. 1869, and has since been served by the Rovs. F MeGrath. J. M. Thisse. J. A. Burns. H. Kiffmeyer and W. F. O'Rourke, under the supervision of Fa- ther Conway. but in March of 1873. Rev. B. M. Muller took charge, and is the present pastor. In the meantime, the standing debt has been released. and. during 1979, a tower and belfry, ninety-one feet in height, erected. and furnished with a good bell of 1.234 pounds, at a total cost, building and

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all, of about $7.000. Nearly seventy families worship in the building, of which about nine are German.

African Methodist Church. - In the year 1865, the spirit of Method ism was first kindled among the colored people of Jefferson, of whom we may mention the names of Mary Smith, Andrew Bayless and wife, David Slago, Louisa Walker, Peroeno Rieks, Mary Cooper, and a few others. They were first visited by Rev. Edward Wright, and through his efforts a few accessions were made, and the society regularly served with a min- ister ever since. Their membership is composed of twenty-five. The society first worshiped in private dwellings, and mostly assembled at the house of " Mother" Smith, whose door was always open and her reception warm to any who might choose to enter. The second step was, by and by, to rent a house; though very poor, it answered the purpose. and finally, in 1870, they purchased their present property, which is the old academy and grounds. The building is very plainly furnished, the total value of grounds and building being estimated at $1,000. It is under the controlof a Board of Trustees, composed of Martin V. Ricks, Henry Jones and Washington Boone. The first-named Trustee is also Class-Leader, as well as one of the Stewards, with Henry Jones and Henry Grimes.

SCHOOLS.

The first efforts toward enlightening the mindsof the young and drill- ing them in the way they should go was brought about by the feeble but fruitful effort of Lucinda, widow of Thomas Jones. She was better known by her maiden name, Lucinda Burnham. She procured a subscription and taught a school of a few scholars about 1823. in a log hut that stood on the present site of Pleasant Hill Cemetery. George Pike, an early settler in the vicinity, and from New Jersey, followed farming and teaching school. He taught in the same cabin as his predecessor, but not until about 1826. The cabin was of the rudest kind -- round poles or logs, chinked with split sticks, and plastered with mud, greased paper drawn over openings to ad- mit the light, a huge fire-place, puncheon floor, slab writing desks and seats, which would present to view a wonderful contrast if compared with the modern built and furnished ones of this latter quarter of the nineteenth century. It was generally the case, in those days, that the man whose abilities were superior to the most illiterate rustic, could, if he gained the sympathy and confidence of the people, and their support, teach a subscrip- tion school; but in this Jefferson Township may feel proud of not having to own. In 1826 or 1827, one of the best of citizens, viz., Sammel Sexton- who was a man of considerable ability, and above all, a gentleman -- began teaching. At this time, Mr. Sexton was a widower, and, having a double log house. he obtained subscription and taught a session or two in one room of his dwelling. In this school, Abraham, Cyntha, Abner, Rhoda, Mary. Lewis, Martin and Catharine Johnson, Jacob Gates, Henry Penny and a few others, whose names we have been unable to obtain, were taught.

About 1830 or 1831, there was a better and more comfortable school building erected, and probably the first real schoolhouse in the township. It was built just west of the prosent residence of Mary Vickers, which was used until the year 1836, when a frame building succeeded it, but located in the village of Jefferson. The schools of those days were vastly different from the present ones. Whilst we have our rooms ornamented with charts, maps and globes. the most prominent ornament in those days was a good supply of beech withes, which were used for the same purpose that teachers now

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

overcome by moral suasion. The earliest records of the township, if any were kept, have been lost, and the earliest dates and statistics we can ac- curately give are in the year 1840. when we find there were seven districts, with a State tax of $217, and local tax of $157.28, total of $374.28, which was proportional to the enumeration divided among the several districts, as follows: District No. 1, with thirty-twopupils, $29.94; No. 2, with forty- nine pupils, $45.85; No. 3, with forty-eight pupils, $44.91; No. 4, with 101 pupils, $94.50: No. 5, with twenty-six pupils, $24.33; No. 6, with ninety-eight pupils, $91.70; No. 7. with forty-six pupils, $43.05; total number of pu- pils. 400; total cash. $374.28-making an average of nearly 94 cents public fund annually to each pupil in the township.

From this onward, we find schools more numerous and qualifications of teachers better, until now they have eleven schoolhouses in the township, and generally supplied with either a graduate of some good normal school, or a self-made teacher of determined will. The houses are all brick save one, principally new. of modern style and furniture, and good schools are maintained. There are, however, four fractional districts, viz .: No. 8, which is formed from Jefferson, Monroe and Deer Creek; No. 3 is formed from Fairfield and Jefferson, and No. 1 is formed from Canaan and Jeffer- son. The Board of Education is composed of eleven members, viz .: No. 1, L. C. Alder; No. 2, Philip Durflinger; No. 3, Joshua Truitt; No. 4, Ab- ner Jobnson; No. 5, Isaac H. Hambleton; No. 6, D. S. Conklin; No. 7, S. K. King; No. S, John Seaman; No. 9, J. M. Wilson; No. 10, E. B. Haynes; No. 11, Owen Harbage. The last named is President of the Board. The frame building previously mentioned in Jefferson was succeeded, in 1845, by an academy, which Jeremiah Olney was instrumental in organizing. The institution was conducted by a stock company, but soon failed to meet their expectations and sank into oblivion as an enterprise such as it was in- tended, but not until 1856 was the building bought by the School Board from Horace Putman, who had bought it of Olney. We are led to believe that about this time Jefferson was set apart as a special school district, and the building last mentioned served the district until 1868, when a new and handsome brick was completed, at a cost of $17,000. including grounds and furniture. The building is two-story, 50x72 feet, contains six rooms, and a large hall, 25x50. The schools are in a good condition, and superintended by Prof. F. Pearson, with four assistants. The School Board is Jacob Mc- Neal. Dr. J. N. Beach, Dr. J. T. Colliver, John E. Roberts, Eugene Babb and J. J. Booth, the last named being Clerk of the Board.

CEMETERIES.

The oldest of these sacred spots in Jefferson Township is that at Foster Chapel, which was used as a burying-ground as early as 1808, when the burial of a child of a Mr. Maythorne first dedicated the ground to the pur- pose for which it is now used. The original lot was, as we find most early cemeteries, without much regularity or order, but an addition has since been made, and order and regularity are maintained. It is under the charge of the Board of Township Trustees. The location is an admirable one for its purpose, and is known far and near as containing the remains of Jonathan Alder.

From the gravestones that mark the resting-places of about the first interred here. we find the following: During 1810, Jane Buck and Jane Smith: 1812, Hannah Alder and Thomas Foster; 1814, John Kilgore and Margaret Alder; 1815, J. Blont; 1817. Anna Morris and her son John;

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1818, Henry Smith; 1820, Elizabeth Moore, John Belsher and Thomas Tomlinson; 1821, Elizabeth Powers and an infant son of Paul Alder; 1823, Rachel Downing, Walter Powers, Harry and Henry Smith. Among the elder persons interred here we record the following: John Kilgore, eighty- five years; Thomas Kilgore, eighty years nine months and twenty-four days; and Elizabeth Timmons, seventy-seven years four months and six days. The monument of Ambrose Beach marks the doorstep of the original church building. He was an old pioneer of Canaan Township, and an honored citi- zen.

New Hampton Cemetery, containing about two acres and located near the village of Jefferson, was laid out and granted by Samuel Jones in the year 1823, and in the same year he dedicated it by the interment of his wife. Among a few other early interments, we find Daniel Sexton in 1823; Sarah, wife of Samuel Sexton, in 1827; and Elizabeth, their daughter, in the same year. Anna, wife of Levi Hann, died in 1831; and Anna, wife of Jacob Hann, in the year following. This cemetery contains the remains of Rev. Isaac Jones, who was interred in 1842. The grounds were never regularly laid out, hence no systematic order was maintained, and under the control of no special body or company; but for the last few years it has been man- aged by the officials of the township to which it belongs.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery is located about one mile west of Jefferson, and contains five acres, including the fence and half of the pike. It was laid out by Sebastian Roberts in 1864. The first interment was Thomas, father of Sebastian Roberts, in September of the year in which it was laid out, and in December of the same year was interred Susan, widow of Thomas Roberts. In 1869, the founder's body was laid to rest in the yard. The cemetery remained in the hands of the widow and his heirs until the fall of 1880, when it was bought by an incorporated stock company of ten mem- bers. The company was fully organized March 7, 1881, and the following Board of Officers elected: Trustees are Dr. J. N. Beach, Dr. J. T. Colliver, Quinn Bradley, Dr. Charles Snyder and Martin Kuehner; the last-named was chosen President; Jacob McNeal, Secretary; and W. W. Fellows, Treas- urer. Since the yard was laid out, lots have been for sale. Good order and system have been maintained.

Another of the cities of the dead is Blair Cemetery, located four miles northwest of town, and containing one acre of land. It was donated to its sacred purpose in 1853, by G. W. Blair, and on May 1 of the same year, it received the body of Rebecca J. Blair, the donor's daughter. It now con- tains about two hundred interments, and, in consequence of its location, is sometimes called Pleasant Hill. It has always been free for interments, and G. W. Blair looked upon as General Superintendent, but is under con- trol of the Township Trustees.

Calvary Cemetery is nicely located three-fourths of a mile south of the Catholic Church, on the Lilly Chapel pike, and consists of two acres, which was donated for the purpose by John Fry in 1877. It was consecrated No- vember 14 of the same year. by Archbishop J. B. Purcell, of Cincinnati, and has ever since been the burial-place of the Catholic people of this vi cinity, whose loved ones are asleep in the Lord.

JEFFERSON (FORMERLY NEW HAMPTON).

In an early day, the settlers needed a point closer than Franklinton for some one to keep in store such necessaries as were likely to be handled by the pioneer merchant. In consequence, on July 5, 1822, Samuel Jones

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and Samuel Sexton acknowledged the original plat of New Hampton and signing of deed, before Justice A. Burnham. There were three streets east and west, viz .. Main, North and South streets, each sixty feet wide; two alleys east and west, viz .. Jones and Sexton. The streets north and south were five in number. and the first three were each sixty feet in width, and the last two mentioned were forty-nine and a half-Friend, Center, Pearl, Union and Prairie. There were ninety-three lots, mostly four by ten poles in size. The town had accumulated a store or two, two or three taverns, a post office, about seven families. and a Baptist Church, most of which have heretofore been spoken of. It was not long after the National pike was opened until all business and dwellings were moved to the great road, and the pioneer village, save the church, sank into utter oblivion. Benjamin Pike, one of Hampton's citizens, was Postmaster, hotel-keeper, and for a number of years served in the State Legislature, as what they termed "Second Mate. "

Since the town of New Hampton was the beginning of Jefferson, we deem it not inappropriate to continue the history of the last-named village, which is frequently improperly called West Jefferson, in consequence of the post office being so named. The town was laid out in September, 1831, by Rev. Isaac Jones, who owned the land. The lots, sixty-four in number, were surveyed in the same fall, by James Millikin, father of the hardware mer- chant of the place. at this writing. Unlike most villages, a few years only elapsed until, on April 24, 1834. dates the first meeting of the Town Coun- cil at the post office to incorporate the place and have special laws and gov- ernment, as the citizens deemed advisable.

At this meeting, John W. Simpkins was chosen President; David Wil- son, Recorder; and the following the Common Council: David Mortimore, Ferrin H. Olmsteadt, James Roberts, Wilson Graham, Abraham Hare, Joseph Powers; the last-named was chosen Marshal. Ezekial Arnett was appointed the first Street Supervisor.

The first ordinance the Council passed was to charge circus shows, etc., the sum of $10 license for every twenty-four hours' exhibition. At the same meeting, they passed an ordinance to charge a grocery-keeper the sum of $35 license a year. In May, 1834, the Council passed an ordinance that the President should have for his services and stationery annually $12; Recorder, $10: Marshal, $5: and Treasurer, $5. The second meeting of the Council. all members were present save Olmsteadt, who, by motion of Abraham Hare, was fined $1 for non-attendance. Subsequently. James Rob- erts was also fined $1 for non-attendance, but it was refunded to both in Au- gust of 1834. The first calaboose was built in 1835, at a cost of about $60.

The new town soon grew to be of considerable importance, in conse- quence of the National road, just completed, and ere a great while it was not an uncommon occurrence to see daily the five hotels thronged with travel and the street lined with stages and horses. Among the early merchants were Mr. Dolby, who built the Mantle House, keeping tavern and store in the same building. Thomas Mortimore, J. W. Simpkins, W. J Black. J. Hancock. W. Graham, Nathan C. Davis, who associated with Calvin Horr. Abraham Hare was a hatter by trade, and opened business in the new town. J. W. or Squire Simpkins kept the first post office, which was designated West Jefferson. The town seemed to grow rapidly, and large business firms located here.[ In fact, at one time it was the leading business point in the county.

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

In 1846, O. H. Bliss, with his father, Dr. Bliss, established a large wholesale and retail dry goods trade, but, during their mercantile carcer, Dr. Bliss died, and the business finally became extinct. Mills. a pork-house and other establishments were erected and successfully carried on. but when the Little Miami Railroad was completed through the place, it demor- alized the trade of the National pike and badly affected the business of the village, which had sprung up as a blossom, now to wither and die. The town contains a population of about eight hundred, four churches, a good school building, six physicians, several dry goods and grocery stores. two drug stores. one carriage factory and two blacksmith shops, two hardware stores, an undertaker, one hotel and a number of saloons.

Jefferson, by the statistics of the railroad, is increasing in business, as can be seen by the following receipts of West Jefferson Station way-bills for the year ending December, 1875, which was $4,515.54; for 1878, it was $5.934.97; and 1881 it was $6,261.03. The receipts for tickets sold in 1878 were $3,642.60; and for the year ending December, 1881, $4,972.70, which shows a steady increase both in travel and goods received at the sta- tion.

The railroad traverses the township from east to west, making a dis- tance in the territory of about six miles.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Madison Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 221. located at Jefferson, was granted a dispensation under the hands of the Grand Master, W. B. Hubbard, on January 30, 1852. and the following were charter members: Benjamin Crabb, John Melvin, T. J. Stutson, Samuel Davidson. O. P. Crabb, George J. Archer, James Parks and Richard Acton. While laboring under the dis- pensation. Benjamin Crabb served as W. M .; John Melvin, S. W .: T. J. Stutson, J. W. They labored under the dispensation until October 22. 1852, at which time a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. At the first meeting after the lodge had been chartered. November 8, 1852. the following officers were elected: Benjamin Crabb. W. M. : John Mel- vin. S. W .: Thomas J. Stutson, J. W .: James Parks. Treasurer: O. P. Crabb, Secretary: Samuel Davidson, S. D. : Albert Downing, J. D .; R. Acton, Tiler. The lodge then consisted of nineteen members. They have done much for the establishment of Urania Lodge, No. 311, at Plain City, and contributed members thereto. The present officers of the society are: T. J. Stutson, W. M .; George A. Brookman, S. W .; W. A. Boyd, J. W .: J. T. Colliver. Treasurer; Jacob McNeal, Secretary: J. J. Booth. S. D .; J. C. Olney, J. D .; A. Miller, Tiler; Abner Johnson and John E. Roberts, Stew- ards. They have a neat and comfortable hall, well furnished.

Lodge No. 412 of the I. O. O. F. is located at Jefferson: was instituted under a dispensation of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio. by James Turner, Grand Master, on June 2. 1869, with the following as charter members, viz. : J. C. Blair, David Oakley, W W. Fellows, J. H. Randall, G. C. Deems, Wilham Peene, William C. Welling, with J. C. Blair as N. G .; J. H. Randall as V. G .: G. C. Deems, Secretary: W. W. Fellows, Treasurer. On the evening of the first meeting, the following made written applications and were initiated, viz .: A. D. Burnham, W. H. Stutson. N. B. Blair, Martin Kuchner, J. A. Boals, W. E. Oakly and Wilson Jones. The Trustees then elected were A. D. Burnham and W. W. Follows. The following are the officers: Jacob Martin. N. G .: W. L. Dayton, V. G .; J. H. Beals, Secretary; Webster Olney. Treasurer. The workings of the

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lodge have been favorable, and furnished the charter members of two other lodges, viz., of Rome and Lilly Chapel.

WEST JEFFERSON BOOK SOCIETY.

This society was organized in the spring of 1875. besides which there was a branch society consisting of twenty-five members. The main society bound itself to supply $400 worth of serial reading matter. The object of the society was to encourage a taste in the community for good reading, be- lieving that, if such a taste is once established, it will do more to cultivate, refine and civilize mankind than all that spasmodic reformers can accom- plish. Unfortunately, the society was of short life. and in August, 1875, Mat Stutson bought the books and put them in his circulating library.

MANUFACTURING.

About 1S14, Nehemiah Gates erected a grist-mill on Little Darby. about one mile above Jefferson, but little of the early history of it is known. However, in 1817, he was succeeded by John Mills. and in 1819 he attached a saw-mill, on which, it is believed, the first humber was sawed in the town- ship, and was used for the first frame house of the territory in question. Subsequently he added a carding machine. So long as the machinery was operated it remained in the name of the Mills family.

Next in order comes the saw-mill of Isaac Jones, which he contem- plated building where the present grist-mill stands, but, from a little un- pleasantness arising between him and the managers of the National road in regard to the race crossing the road. he abandoned the location and erected it in Jefferson, on Little Darby, and it was known as a flutter mill. In 1836. he erected on the same site a grist-mill, run by an undershot wheel. A few years later, he connected a carding machine, and ran the three enter- prises until his death; at the same time followed his profession. The widow sold the machinery to Thomas Cartmill, who soon after erected a new saw-mill. yet standing, and added the second carding machine in 1S4S. He conducted tho enterprises until 1857, when he erected a new grist-mill farther down the creek, and now operated by John Renner. This mill was built at a cost of about $5,000. Cartmill doing the most of the work, as he is a fair mechanic. It had an overshot wheel fourteen feet ten inches in diameter. The mill was started with two run of buhrs, but now has four. The builder operated the mill from 1858 to the spring of 1880. when the present owner took charge. It is known as Oak Ridge Mill. in consequence of it being built on a ridge once thickly-covered with that stately forest tree. About 1834, John Johnson erected a saw-mill about five miles up Little Darby from Jefferson, and ran it about nine years, when John Byerly succeeded him, and operated the mill until about 1870, since which it has passed into utter oblivion.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 68

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180