The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 76

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 76

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Mt. Sterling Methodist Episcopal Church .- In August. 1831, a class was organized at the house of John Puckett, with the following members: Lewis Devoll and wife, John Puckett and wife, Sarah Puckett, Sophia Puckett, George W. Ingrim and wife, John Blain and wife, with, perhaps, one or two others, whose names cannot now be recalled, with John Puckett as class leader. The class continued to meet and had preaching occasion- ally at the house of Mr. Puckett for about three years. Among the first ministers who preached here were Rev. William Morrow, Jacob Martin, Will- iam Westlake and Philip Nation. This place was then one of thirty-four preaching points on the London Circuit. About 1834, by an earnost effort, money was raised and a church edifice was erected on the same ground where the present one stands: this was a small brick church and cost about $700. In this building preaching and services were continued till in the summer of 1859, they pulled down the old church building and the present frame edifice was erected, at a cost of $2,500, and, in the fall of the same year, was dedicated to service. Rev. Clark preached the dedicatory sermon (since Bishop Clark, of Cincinnati). The present membership is now about 200, with D. H. Douglass and James Jones as class leaders; Stewards, James Jones and D. H. Douglass; Trustees, Isaac Moore, Henry Blain, John McCafferty and J. W. Ingrim. The present pastor is Rev. Pillsbury. A flourishing Sunday school is connected with the church, which has an aver- age attendance of about 135, with J. W. Ingrim, Superintendent. and D. H. Douglass, Assistant Superintendent.

MI. Sterling Presbyterian Church. - On March 20, 1847, by appoint- ment of the Columbus Presbytery, Rev. Timothy Stearns and Rev. Chaun- cy P. Taylor, at a called meeting for the purpose, organized a church with the following constituent members: Mrs. Margaret Creath, Sr., Mr. William Creath, Mrs. Mary Creath, Mrs. Jennie M. Alkire, Mr. Samuel Thornton, Dr. David E. McMillan. Mrs. Lydia McMillan; received by certificate from the London Church: Mrs. Julia Worthington, by certificate from the church at Chillicothe, and Miss Amanda Creath, received on examination. Mr. Will- iam Creath was installed as Elder. The church was furnished with a supply minister for many years; the first was Rev. James Dunlap. Services were continued in the old frame church building till the erection of the present brick edifice, in 1868-69, at a cost of about $2,000. In December, 1869, the house was dedicated to service in due form. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. George Carpenter, of Washington C. H. It was dedicated free of all debt or incumbrance. The first regularly called and installed pastor of the church was Rev. George S. J. Browne, on February 8, 187S. The present membership of the church is sixty-five. Present

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

Elders : A. B. Hughs. J. H. Sehryver. W. J. Hodges and N. J. D. Kauf- felt; Trustees, Dr. J. S. MeClintick, George Kious and J. G. Loofburrow. Present pastor, Rev. Robert H. Cunningham. The church has had a regul- larly organized Sunday school since in March, 1878; present average at- tendance, fifty-five scholars, with N. J. D. Kauffelt, Superintendent.

McKenard Methodist Episcopal Church .-- In March, 1852, a class was organized in the King Schoolhouse by Rev. David Smith, consisting of the following members: William Stone. Elizabeth Stone, Washington Morain, Nancy Morain, Eliza Ann Morain, Harrison Morain, Lizzie Morain, Albert Stone. Joseph Lane. Mary Lane, William Lane, Dilliann Lane. Samuel Thornton, Catharine Thornton, Philip Kyle, Mary Kyle. Har- riet Kyle, John Kyle, Rachel Frazier, Millie Smith, Matilda Ogles- bee. Mary King, Stephen Anderson and Margaret Anderson, with Will- iam Stone as class leader. Their meetings were continued to be held in the schoolhouse above mentioned about three years, when they purchased a house and lot: the building was a large log house, which had been erected for a dwelling, but had never been finished or occupied. This building they finished and fitted up for church purposes, and used it as a house of worship till the summer of 1874. when the present substantial and com- fortable frame church was erected and occupied the same year for worship: but the house was not dedicated until in the fall of 1879, when, in October of that year, Rev. Joseph Trimble. of Columbus, came here and preached the dedicatory sermon, and the house was in due form set apart for the . service of God. The present membership is sixty-five, with Frederick Toops as class leader: Steward. Albert Stone: Trustees, William Lane. Stephen Anderson. Albert Stone, John W. Timmons and Jonathan Warren. Pastor, James Shoup. In connection with the church they have a flourish- ing Sunday school, which has existed from the first organization of the church. At the present time it has an average attendance of about fifty scholars, with William Lane as Superintendent.

Mt. Sterling Christian Church .-- From the best information we can now obtain of the history of the Christian denomination in Pleasant Township, more than seventy years ago it was organized, at the house of Forgus Graham, as given above, in the history of the Antioch Church. And it is believed that soon after its organization. it received some members from the vicinity of Mt. Sterling, although at that time Mt. Sterling was not in ex- istence, and that they continued to meet with the Antioch brethren, and were identified with them in church relationship until about the year 1825. when the church at Mt. Sterling was organized with these constituent mem- bers: George Hornbeck and wife, John R. Robison and wife, John J. Smith. Pleasant Southward and wife, Mary Alkire and George Alkire, with John R. Robison and George Hornbeck, as Deacons, and George Horn- beck. Clerk. The first pastors who ministered to the church were James Burbridge. Forgus Graham, Daniel Long and George Alkire. For several years, services were held at private houses, and among the houses at which they most frequently met were those of George Hornbeck. Mary Alkire, John J. Smith, John R. Robison and George Alkire. In 1837, they erected a brick house for church purposes, on the site of the present church build- ing. This house served the church for several years, but was from its erec- tion a very defective building, and finally was pronounced unsafe, and was taken down. The membership of the society became greatly reduced by death and removals, and finally, the organization ceased to have an exist- ence.

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PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

From this time they had occasional preaching by various ministers of the denomination, held in the Methodist Church, but not until Fedruary 3, 1870, did the church again have an identity as a religious body. At this date the church was re-organized, by Rev. W. N. Overturf, with fifteen members, of whom F. O. P. Graham and D. E. Robison were made Deacons: B. F. Thomas, Clerk, and William Heath, John R. Robison and B. F. Thomas, Trustees. During the year 1871. the present neat and substantial brick church was erected and furnished at a cost of $1,200. In this house there have since been services held regularly every alternate Sabbath to the present time. The present membership is sixty-five. Present officers, same as last given above, except that G. W. Durham is now Clerk, and Rev. Al- bert Dunlap is pastor. The church has a flourishing Sunday school.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Pleasant Lodge, No. 544, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 26, 1873, by Rodney Foos, R. W. D. G. M., with the following charter members: William C. Douglass, George W. Bolin, F. C. Gearhart, W. E. Wilmott, J. M. Nicodemus, D. T. Snider, John Lysinger, P. A. Zahn and G. W. Al- kire, with the following officers: William C. Douglass, N. G. ; P. A. Zahn, V. G .; J. M. Nicodemus, Secretary, and F. C. Gearhart, Treasurer. Pres ent membership is 120, officered as follows: J. W. Riddle. N. G .; James Clark, V. G .; J. M. Nicodemus, Secretary, and D. W. Durham, Treasurer. The lodge meets every Monday evening at Odd Fellows Hall.

Sterling Encampment, No. 202, was instituted by M. K. Marshall, G. P., on June 8, 1876, with the following charter members: P. A. Zahn, J. M. Nicodemus, N. A. Riggin, Charles H. Miller, George W. Bolin, David T. Snider and John Clarridge, with the following officers: G. W. Bolin, G. P. ; P. A. Zahn. S. W .; J. M. Nicodemus, Secretary, and G. W. Alkire, Treasurer. Present membership is forty, officered as follows: A. Cobelsper- ger, G. P .; John F. Robison, S. W .; N. J. D. Kauffelt, Secretary, and G. W. Alkire, Treasurer.

Mt. Sterling Lodge, No. 269, F. & A. M., on petition, was granted a warrant of dispensation to the following persons: N. J. D. Kauffelt, Sam- uel C. Vance, Scott Harrison, William McClintick, J. Swetland, Samuel McClintick, Robert Alkire, Toland Jones, B. H. Moore, Smiley Hughs, Isaac S. Myers, William Harrison, Adam Young, G. Neff, Jr., and W. L. Cook. The first meeting was held and the lodge opened July 26, 1855, and was officered as follows: N. J. D. Kauffelt, W M., pro tem .; William Mc- Clintick, S. W., pro tem .; Scott Harrison, J. W., pro tem .; Jeriah Swetland, Secretary, pro tem .; Robert Alkire, S. D., pro tem .; George Neff, Jr., J. D., pro tem. ; Smily Hughs, Tiler, pro tem. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, in session at Mansfield, October 26, 1855. Present membership, sixty-five, and officered as follows: N. J. D. Kauffelt, W. M .; J. W. Slepp, S. W .: Thomas Wheelan, J. W .; J. G. Loofburrow, Treas- urer; J. W. Riddle. Secretary; J. W. Ingrim, S. D .; J. M. Nicodemus, J. D., and S. Hughs, Tiler.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

CHAPTER VI.

STOKES TOWNSHIP.

HIS township is situated in the extremne southwest corner of Madison County, and is bounded on the north by Clark County and Paint Township, on the east by Range Township, south by Fayette County, and on the west by Greene County. It is one of the original townships of Mad- ison County. The records give its erection as follows: "April 30, 1810, Ordered that all that tract of country contained in the following boundary be and the same is hereby laid out into a separate township, to be known by the name of Stokes, and is bounded as follows, viz .: . Beginning at the southeast corner of Champaign County, and running in a southeast direc- tion, on the north side of Big Prairie, east of John Mozer's, to the head of the East Fork of Paint Creek, and with the said East Fork, including the inhabitants ou each side of said fork, to the Fayette County line; thence west to the corner of Greene County; thence with Greene County line to Champaign County line; thence with said line to the place of beginning; by order of the board." In the erection of Clark County in 1817, some of the territory included within the above-described boundaries as forming Stokes Township was cut off and taken into that county. The township elections in 1810 were held, by order of the Associate Judges of Madison County, at the house of P. Cutright. On June 11, 1810; the Commissioners " ordered that the rate of a license for a tavern in Stokes Township shall be $5 for the prosont year." In 1811, it was made $4. In 1853, Paint Town- ship was erected, and a part of the above-described territory embraced in Stokes Township was taken to form a part of that township.

SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.

The surface of this township is generally level, with in some parts slight undulations, especially along the creeks, as there are no large streams within her boundaries. The lands have a gentle or gradual slope from her northern to her southern boundary, such that all the creeks flow from the north to the south. The soil is rich and very productive, and all the flat and more level portions are composed of a rich black loam, while the un- dulations and higher portions are a loam and clay, the whole underlaid with a stratum of clay, and this again with a limestone gravel. The town- ship is generally well watered. and, with her clay subsoil, seldom suffers with drought. In her primitive conditions, as the first settlers found it, there were many acres of low, level portions in prairie, destitute of trees and coverel with selge, often six to eight feet high. Other portions were sparsely covered with trees, with a thick undergrowth of hazel brush. The timbered portions consisted principally of the various species of oak-white, black, red and burr oak-with some elm, walnut, hickory and maple. white and burr oak predominating.

As stated above, the surface slopes to the south, constituting a slightly inclined plane from its northern to its southern boundary, such that the

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STOKES TOWNSHIP.

streams and creeks all flow southward, the principal of which are as follows: Paint Creek, the largest of her streams, enters the township from the north, passing through the Linson and Selsor lands in Surveys 5,781 and 3,983, and flows in a zigzag southern course entirely through the township, leav- ing it near the middle of the M. Bailey land, at a point almost due south from its place of entry into the township, and flows on through Fayette and Ross Counties, emptying into the Scioto River, just below Chillicothe. This stream is fed by a number of fine springs along its course, which, with the main creek, afford fine water for stock purposes; and we may add that the greater portion of the land along this stream in its course through Stokes Township, embracing several thousand acres, was formerly owned by the Selsor and Slaughter families, two well-known and extensive stock-dealers of Madison County. The second stream in size is Sugar Creek. which en- ters the township from the north, and flows directly south through the cen- ter of the township into Fayette County. In the western part of the town- ship are two small creeks, the first flowing southward through the township, a little west of the village of South Solon, and on through Fayette County, The other and empties into Rattlesnake Creek, of which it is a branch. passes through the western portion of the township, and, taking a south. west course, enters Greene County, and finally empties into the Little Mi- atui River. These streams, located and distributed as they are through the township, give excellent opportunities for ditching and draining the lands, and, with the general richness and productiveness of the soil. constitutes them among the best lands of Madison County, or of the State.

The above-mentioned creeks are too small to afford any good water- power for mills or manufacturing purposes, but, as described above, are of great value, and give to Stokes a prestige as an agricultural township.

PIONEERS.

Isaac Hudson, who, in 1802, located where John Murray now lives, is believed to have been the first white settler within the precincts of Stokes Township, and it was at his house that the surveyors and Commissioners met preparatory to establishing permanently the boundary line between Greene and Madison Counties. This was in September, 1810. It appears he did not remain a resident here Jong after this, but removed to near Vin- eennes, Ind., where, during the war, he was killed by the Indians. He was a son of Skinner Hudson, a native of England, but who, while young, left his native land, emigrating to America, and became an early setller in Kentucky, and in 1804 came to Madison County, Ohio, and settled with his son Isaac, who preceded him two years previous, and here he remained till his death, and was buried in the family burying ground, given and estab- lished by himself. This family met with all the trials and dangers of the wilderness. This was a regular camping-ground of the Indians for several years. John K. and Austin, two sons of Skinner Hudson, were reared and grew to manhood in this township. The former was born in Kentucky in 1799, and came with his father to this township. He married Hannah Ma- haffey, a native of Adams County. Ohio. They had twelve children, five now living. John K. owned 266 acres of land. a part of which is the site of the village of South Solon, which Mr. Hudson and Mr. Douglass laid out in 1833. Mr. Hudson was a man of undoubted character, and an active, useful and worthy citizen. And of the Hudson family, while we speak of them as the first to penetrate the wilds of Stokes Township, we may add that they were ever first and foremost in the improvements and progress of

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

the country, in the promotion of morals, education and Christianity. They were ever hospitable, kind-hearted and good neighbors, just such persons as were needed to open out a new country, and lay the foundation of true principles to make the country prosperous and happy. John K. Hudson died in 1872.

James Curry, a native of Pennsylvania, married Isabel Roland and emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Stokes Township, on land now owned by John S. Moon. in 1805. He remained a citizen here through life, and was the father of eight children, of whom only one survives-William, now a resident of South Solon. Of his children who are deceased, Harrison was born in Stokes Township in 1816, and here grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life. He married Sarah Mahaffey and raised one child, who is now the wife of Milton Marsh, Postmaster at South Solon. Mr. Curry was quite prominent in the political affairs of the township, and held several offices; served as a Justice of the Peace twenty-one years. He died April 21, 1871. John Kelso settled on the tract of land where Jacob Smith now lives in 180S, but we learn no particulars connected with his future life from that date. Noble Ladd settled on Skinner Hudson's land about 180S. Andrew Rea, a native of Virginia, became a settler of Stokes Township about 1808 or 1810, and located on land now owned by the Gor- dons. He had a large family of children, of whom were William, Robert, Thomas. James and Jessie.

John Moon, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Ohio, making the entire journey in a wagon, and settled on land in the north part of Fayette Connty, near the Madison County and Stokes Township line, in 1SOS, where he remained till his death. He was the father of ten children, of whom three now survive-John L., a resident of Stokes Township; Simon, a resi- dent of Fayette County, Ohio; and Jane, now a resident of the State of Illinois. Of the deceased of this family, Aaron married Rosanna Powell, and settled on the place now owned by Lewis Bozarth about 1830, and here resided till his death, in the summer of 1865. He was a man very highly esteemed and respected, and a leading and reliable man of this community. He served as Township Trustee for twenty-five years, and as Treasurer twenty-six years. Jonathan, the second son. married Catharine Davis, and settled on land near his father. In 1837, he sold out and moved to Illinois. In 1841, he returned to Fayette County, and in 1844 purchased the farm ad- joining William Thomas, where he resided till IS7S, and then removed to South Solon, where he died May 29, 1881. in the eightieth year of his age. He was also a man of more than ordinary merit, very upright in all his dealings, just and charitable to all, and a most worthy and useful citizen of the com- ninnity where he lived. He held the office of Trustee twenty-three years. He was a worthy member of the society of Friends, as were the Moon fam- ily generally. His widow still survives, and resides in South Solon, aged eighty-one years. James Moon was the third child of John Moon, and set- tled in this township prior to his brother Aaron, locating on the farm which he subsequently sold to Aaron, and about 1835 removed to the State of In- diana, where he died. Enoch Moon, a fourth son, and brother of the above. settled in this township and resided here several years, thence moved to In diana and died in that State.

Samuel Herrod was born in 1776, and became an early settler of Greene County, Ohio. He was married in 1810. His wife, Mary, was born in 1790, and they settled in this county and township about 1814 or 1815. sharing the labors and trials of the early settlers. He died in 1857, and

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STOKES TOWNSHIP.

his wife in 1866. He became quite a large land-owner, and his sons still larger. Samuel Hornbeck, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., became a set- tler in this township, on the land now owned by H. Bateman, about 1815 or 1816 and remained a resident of this township till his death, July 26, 1868. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. They had fifteen children. Ten grew to maturity five sons and five daughters of whom only two now survive Nancy, now Mrs. Moon, who resides in Fayette County; and Sam nel, a resident of South Solon. Jacob Selsor was born in Virginia, and, when but a boy, came to Ohio aud settled in Stokes Township about 1815 or 1820, and here married Elizabeth McHenry, who was born in Kentucky. He died in 1842. and his wife in 1864. Of their children, and a much-re spected neighbor and citizen, is Christopher Selsor, who was born in this township, and still resides here. Christian Selsor also settled here about the same time, and was well known in early years, and held many of the offices of the township. and sustained well the general reputation of the Selsor family.

David Selsor was born in Virginia in 1806, a son of John and Mary Selsor, who were also natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio when Da- vid was but a boy, probably about 1815 or 1816, and settled here in this township. where they remained till their death. David, when but a boy of sixteen, commenced his career as a farmer and stock-dealer, exhibiting in his boyhood days that aptness and shrewdness as a trading man and finan cier which, in after years, won for him wealth and laurels, and who was known from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as one of the largest stock- dealers of Ohio, and perhaps second to none for fine-blooded stock. At the time of his death, January 12. 1882, he owned nearly three thousand acres of land, on whose broad acres roamed a large amount of stock, much of which were of the finest breeds of blooded animals. In the summer of 1882, after his death. this stock was sold at public sale and prominent fine . tock dealers from various States of the U'nion and from Canada came to make pur. chases. Mr. Selsor's career as a business man was a remarkable one. While politicians have sought for honors in the great battles of the political field and only a few have been able to reach the pinnacle of fame: and while professional men have delved deep into the labyrinths of science endeavoring to bring forth some new fact or principle which shall bless mankind and thus estab lish for them an undying reputation -- here we see an example in the com- mon occupation of a farmer and stock-dealer, one who has gained an exalted position, and inscribed his name npon the highest battlement of success. and, like the names of all who have arisen to distinction, whether politically, professionally or otherwise, will be indelibly written upon the pages of his- tory, and be read and known by generations yet unborn. Stokes Township can thus claim a prestige for being the home of this noted and remarkable man.

George Linson was born in Virginia January 7, 1790; married Eliza beth Hutsinpillar. who was born December 24, 1792. They emigratel to Ohio and settled in Stokes Township about 1815, where they resided till their death. Mrs. Linson died in June, 1845, Mr. Linson died in April, 1855. Mr. Linson came to this county when it was new and almost a wil. derness, and bore a good share of privations, but became possessed of a fine farm and a large competency; was a man of undoubted character, and a highly respected neighbor and citizen. They raised a family of children, who grew up and became prosperous and honored citizens. Two of their sons reside in Paint Township. where they own large anl valnable farmy

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.

Isaac McHenry. a native of Kentucky, born June 4, 1801; he married Christina Selsor, who was born in Virginia. Mr. McHenry came to Stokes Township when a boy, probably about 1816 or 1818, and was married here. His wife died in 1832. He married for his second wife Miss Nancy Flood, who survived him. He died in 1874. William, his son, who was born in this township in 1825, still resides here, an honored and respected citizen, who has here spent his entire life. Mr. Burley was an early settler in this township, on land now owned by S. H. Smith, in the south part of South Solon. The exact date of his locating here cannot now be ascertained, but he kept a hotel at quite an early day. He came here from North Carolina.

Joseph Thomas, a native of North Carolina, settled .in Paint Township,

on land now owned by Mrs. Huffman, probably in 1815 to 1818. He was generally better known as the " White Pilgrim." He made the journey from North Carolina on foot, and soon after returned to his native State and married a Miss Ridenhour, and brought her to his new home in the east part of Stokes Township. He was a preacher in the Christian Church, and. shortly after locating here, had preaching at his house, and soon organ- ized a church. of which he was pastor for several years. He also traveled and preached at many other places over the surrounding country, and was one of the ablest defenders of the faith and doctrines of that church ever in this section of the county. He was also an active worker and a prominent man in the Masonic order, and was finally sent into the Eastern States to travel in the interests of that order, and while there took the small-pox. with which he died. Subsequently. some minister of that denomination visited his grave, and wrote and published a very expressive and beautiful hymn on his life and character. Two of his children now reside in Yellow Springs. Greene Co., Ohio-Caleb and Mrs. Carr, whose son is the proprie- tor of the large nursery at that place.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 76

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