USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 89
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The first church organized in this township was by the Methodists, about 1828, at the house of Charles Soward, by Rev. James B. Austin, with the following members: Sutton Potee. Charles Soward, Joshua Davis and Samuel Wilson, with their wives. with Sutton Potee as Class-Leader. About 1834. the organization changed the place of holding their meetings to Somerford, and their services were held in private houses and in the schoolhouses till about 1843-44. when a brick house was erected in the east
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part of the town. There services were held till in the fall of 1873 when they tore down the church, and the brick were used to help build the present house, which is located in the western part of the village, at a cost of about $1,700. This house was dedicated to service by Rev. Granville Moody on October 25, 1874. This church has had its times of prosperity and its times of waning. At the present time it is enjoying a fair degree of pros- perity, and the prospects for its future growth and usefulness are quite promising. The membership is now about fifty, with Rev. J. F. Lewis as their minister, and Mr. Hughs as Class-Leader.
Fletcher East or Tradersville M. E. Church was organized in the schoolhouse it is believed about 1838. Among the first members who or- ganized a class were Moses Bales, Rev. Eli Adams, Mr. Geer, Isaac New- man, Charles Rigdon, William Davidson, and their wives; also Edwin West and his wife, Margaret, and daughter. About 1843-44, they erected a frame house, in which services were held for many years. In 1873, the present house-frame-was erected, at a cost of about $2,200. The church at one time was quite large in membership, and prosperous, but in later years has decreased very much by many moving away, and others by death. Its membership now numbers about seventeen, with Reason Lauck as Class- Leader, and J. H. Davis as minister. Some of the first or early ministers of this church were Revs. Eli Adams, George Boucher, Cherry, Conrey, Ellsworth, Williams, Keck, Jackson, Fiddler, Hull, Havens and Smith.
The Christian Church at Somerford .- This church was organized May 1, 1847, by Daniel Sommers and John Simmerman, with six members, as fol- lows: Daniel Sommers and his wife, Rachel Sommers; John Simmerman and his wife, Martha Simmerman: John Bradley and his wife, Judy Brad- ley -- who covenanted to take the Holy Scriptures as a sufficient rule of faith and practice, and Christian as the only name for the followers of Christ. The church, since its organization, has been administered to by the follow- ing ministers: Daniel Sommers and John Simmerman officiated jointly for two years, with but three additions to the church. The second to fill the pastoral office was Samuel Wilson, who filled the pulpit for four years, and under whose services there were added to the church sixty-five members. The third to preach to this people was C. A. Morse, who labored three years, and received thirty-five members. Daniel Griffin was the fourth pastor, who served the church eight years, during which period were added to the church 125. The next to administer to the church was William S. Man- ville, who filled the pulpit two years, and added forty-two. The sixth and last, who has faithfully labored for a period of sixteen years to shed abroad the light of the Gospel to this people is Rev. W. M. Overturf, and who has during this time been permitted to extend the hand of fellowship to 320, and welcome them to the household of faith. Thus, since the organization of the church, there have been added about six hundred members. Al- though the church, when organized, was weak in numbers, and for two or three years labored under discouraging circumstances, having no place to meet but in the schoolhouse, yet their faith was strong, believing the prom- ise of the Divine Master that " where two or three are gathered together in my name, there will I be in the midst of them." The promise was veri- fied. In 1850. their church edifice was erected, and the little band had a home and a place to worship. The light of divine truth began to prevail, and, under the earnest labors of Rev. Samuel Wilson, many were added to the church; and since that time the lights and shades have come and gone, and, like all organizations, they have had their seasons of prosperity and
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
discouragements, but its growth has been steady and substantial. and at the present time (1882) the church has enrolled 135 members.
CEMETERIES.
Most of the burying-places of this township are old family grounds for interment, established by the first settlers, some of which have been fenced in and carefully preserved, while some have become entirely obliterated. the grounds now being in the open pasture field, and not a mark or vestige of anything left to inform the passer-by that there, underneath the sod, lie the remains of all that was mortal of many a noble sire.
One early burying-ground. and perhaps the first place in the township used for interring the dead. is situated on the old Arbuckle place, where their family and many of the neighborhood, probably several hundred bod- ies, have been placed in their silent graves. This cemetery is well fenced, and will remain cared for and preserved as long as the descendants of the Arbuckle family reside in the vicinity. Another burying-place of the early settlers was located on the Gwynne land, but it is now all in open pasture. There is one located on the Stateler farm, one near the grist-mill, and one at Somerford. Although there were some other places scattered here and there over the township in early days. yet those noted above appear to have been the principal places of burial.
MILLS.
There have been but few mills of any permanency in Somerford Town- ship. Although in early times there were a few rudely constructed saw- mills, run by water from the small creeks, which only remained in existence a short time; and later, some portable steam mills have been in use, and moved from point to point as temporary necessity required, yet there has been and is but one mill of any permanency, and that is the one now owned by John Cartzdafner, situated about three-quarters of a mile northwest of Somerford. At this place, about 1814, Gabriel Markle erected a saw-mill run by water, and, a year or two later. he erected a grist-mill. This mill he continued to run about ten years, when he was succeeded by John Rob- erts, who conducted business there several years, since which it was in the ownership of several different persons. It was finally destroyed by fire while in the ownership of James Smith, who again rebuilt it. At one time, this mill did quite an extensive business, and was a great convenience to this neighborhood, as prior to its erection the people were compelled to go many miles, over almost impassable mud roads, to have grinding done. Soon after the war of the rebellion, this mill was purchased by John Cartzdafner. who has continued to run the mill to the present time.
TOWNS.
In 1836-37 was constructed, by the General Government of the United States, one of the greatest improvements of that day and age -- the National road. This road passed through the southern portion of Somerford Township, from east to west, and here, as in Deer Creek Township and elsewhere all along its line, from the immense travel and business over it, sprang up almost innumerable hotels or places of public entertain- ment. There was prior to the commencement of this road, no town or vil- lage within the territory now embraced in Somerford Township. In 1836, Joseph Chrisman surveyed and laid off some lots and started a town, which was named Somerford. Mr. Chrisman kept the first tavern, and also opened
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SOMERFORD TOWNSHIP.
the first store, The first Postmaster was William Eaton. Mr. Weeds was the first toll-gate keeper, just below Somerford, and then Mr. Smith, at Somerford, received the office. The first physicians were Drs. Putnam and Crann. The town is now a pretty country village. with the following busi- ness places: W. L. Clingan, dealer in dry goods: M. V. Fauver, grocer- ies; J. A. Evans, groceries; Henry Bunton, blacksmith: John Neer, black- smith; W. M. Evans, hotel; E. G. Keiffer, physician; and M. L. Sprague. physician. It has two churches, one schoolhouse, brick, with two rooms or apartments, and a brick town hall, erected in 1877 at a cost of $2,600. About five miles north of Somerford is located a small hamlet known as Tradersville. This contains about half a dozen houses, with one small store and one church. These comprise the towns of Somerford Township.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
On May 10. 1871, the Grand Lodge I. O.O. F. of the State of Ohio grant- ed a warrant and dispensation to the following persons and their successors, legally and duly elected to constitute a lodge to be known by the title of Somerford Lodge, No. 481. I. O. O. F .: V. H. Prugh, T. F. Prugh, James W. D. Statler, H. P. Markle, H. H. Harris. William Harris, A. T. Prugh, Pat- rick Powers, Newton Potee, David Bales. F. M. Candler, S. F. Saunders. Jackson Wilson and Alexander Wilson. On July 15. 1871. the lodge was duly instituted by Rodney Foos. P. G., Special Deputy, with the fol- lowing charter members: V. H. Prugh. Jackson Wilson, T. F. Prugh. Alexander Wilson, Patrick Powers, A. T. Prugh, William Harris. H. P. Markle, H. H. Harris, J. W. D. Stateler, David Bales. F. M. Cand ler, Newton Potee, S. F. Saunders. John Furrow, Oscar Dickison and Joseph Ward: with the following officers duly elected and in- stalled: James W. D. Statler. N. G .: V. H. Prugh. V. G .; H. P. Markle. Secretary; A. T. Prugh. Permanent Secretary: David Bales, Treasurer. The present membership (October, 1882) is seventy-six, officered as follows. Thomas Cornwell, N. G .: George Barber, V. G .: C. G. Markle, Secretary; C. E. Arbuckle, Permanent Secretary; W. L. Clingan, Treasurer.
Somerford Division, No. 89, Sons of Temperance, was duly instituted October 21, 1881. with the following charter members: Delia Arbuckle. Emma Eckles, Hamilton Orpitt, M. C. Sprague, S. T. Holland, Anna Faw- ver, Charles Prugh. Emma Stanford, Annie Snediker, John Turner, Mrs. Josie Prugh, Francis Stanley, Mrs. R. Dayton, S. A. Holland, Claudius Potee, Charles Wilson. N. B. Wilson, Mrs. Jane Overturf, A. G. Cartzdaf- ner, Hannah Geer. Jennie Potee. Mary Arbuckle, Addie Cartzdafner, O. A. McCauley. Avrill Potee, Minnie Payne, S. M. Holland. Mary McCauley, Granville Potee, W. L. Clingan. Jonathan Geer. Elmer Overturf, Elmer Rodg. ers, Jacob Wilson, Joseph Eckles and Amanda Holland. E. J. Morris, G. S .: J. P. Wintermule, G. W. P. The following officers were elected: M. C. Sprague. W. P .; Emma Eckles. T. W. P .: Delia Arbuckle. W. A .; Silas Holland, R. S .; Addie Snediker. A. R. S .: A. G. Cartzdafner. F. S .; W. L. Clingan. Treasurer; S. M. Holland. C .: Minnie Payne. A. C .: Addie Cartzdafner. I. S .; and Hamilton Orpitt. O. S.
The present membership (October, 1882) is fifty-six, officered as fol lows: A. G. Cartzdafner, W. P .: D. W. Coberly, P. W P. : Ida Snediker, W. A .; James H. Clingan. R. S .; Addie Cartzdafner, A. R. S .; Byron Cartzdafner, F. S .; W. L. Clingan, Treasurer; Hannah Overturf. Chap- lain: M. C. Sprague, Conductor; Delia Arbuckle. A. C .; A. Potee. I. S .: and K. T. Markle, O. S.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
PAINT TOWNSHIP.
"THIS township occupies a position in the western tier of the townships of Madison County, and is bounded on the north by Union Township, on the east by Union and Range, on the south by Range and Stokes, and on the west by the county of Clark. The surface is generally very level, and contained, in its original state, as the first settlers found it, large and ex- tensive prairies and oak openings; the western, southern and central per- tions possessing but little heavy timbered land in its primitive state. Bor dering on Walnut Run, in the northern part, and along the eastern portion of the township, the surface is more undulating, with here and there por- tions approach a slightly hilly condition, the most of which was heavily timbered. The principal species of the trees of the forests were white, black and red oak, hickory, walnut, elm and maple. In the oak openings, the prevailing timber was burr oak. The township is well watered by Wal- nut Run and Paint Creek and their numerous tributaries. The former crosses from west to east through the entire northern portion of the town- ship, while Paint Creek consists of two forks, the West and East Fork. The former rises in Clark County, and enters Paint Township near its north- east corner, takes a southeast course. and unites with the East Fork in the south central portion of the township, then flows south into Stokes Town- ship. The East Fork rises in the northern part of the township, on the Addison S. Jones farm, flows southeast to the center of the township, thence turns to a southwest course and unites with the West Fork as above men- tioned. The soil is exceedingly rich and fertile, the oak openings and prairies possessing a deep black loam, while the more undulating portions of the north and eastern parts of the township are a mixture of loam and clay, and underneath these is a stratum of blue clay mixed with limestone, and through this we reach a bed of gravel, the structure and composition being favorable to the retention of moisture and its protection from long-contin - ned droughts. It is a very strong, productive soil, and well adapted to the growth of grass or grains. In an early day, these prairies produced for the early settlers an abundance of pasturage for their stock, and many of them entered largely, and some exclusively, into the stock business, the sedge on these prairies often reaching the wonderful growth of six to eight feet in height. Right in the center and heart of this township and of this beauti ful prairie settled a young Virginian about 1810, and, entering upon the stock business, finally fenced in a large scope of this fine pasturage, increas- ing his business from year to year; became a rich and wealthy man, own- ing his thousands of acres of this beautiful and rich country. By a fair degree of business tact and shrewd financiering, this man's coffers were almost spontaneously filled to overflowing. And this is only one of many, who, in greater or less degree, have become wealthy in Madison County by entering upon the stock business in an early day, and reaping the fruits of these natural advantages afforded by these great and productive prairies.
UN. Pringto
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PAINT TOWNSHIP.
A country possessing such natural resources could not long escape the observation of those pioneers and frontiersmen who were so rapidly push- ing from the rising toward the setting sun. To those men from the rock- bound hills of Virginia and other States in the East, such a country as this held out attractions they could not resist, and we early find the domains of Paint being occupied by the white man. From the best sources of informa- tion we have been able to obtain, it appears that the first pioneer of Paint Township was Andrew Sifrit, who was born near Winchester, Va., in 1750. When but a young man, at the first call for troops in the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he enlisted as a private soldier, and served for eight long years. For these services he subsequently obtained a war- rant for 200 acres of land. He was married to Susan Shrock, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Sifrit died, and he married for his second wife Miss Hannah Morrills, a native of Virginia, by whom he had twelve chil. dren. Thus he was the father of twenty-one children. In 1803, he, with his family, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, where they remained one year, and in 1804 came to Madison County, settling in Paint Township, ou land now owned by John Paulin, on what is called Sifrit Run. This, it is be- lieved, was the first white settler in Paint Township, as it is now known, but at that date was Darby Township, in Franklin County.
Let the reader of the rising generation imagine the surroundings of this pioneer family. Not more than half a dozen families as neighbors (if you may term them such) within a scope of fifteen miles: nothing in the daytime but the sound of the ax and its distant echo to cheer their lonely lives, as he fell the giants of the forest preparatory to erecting a log cab- in for a dwelling place for his large family; at night, their slumbers dis- turbed by the howl of the wolves and the mingled cry of other beasts of prey; and the whole intensitied by the fear of the savages, who were then in plentiful numbers all through the country! Do you wonder that it took bone and muscle, and, more than all, a great degree of fortitude and moral courage to go through all this? To purchase goods or get milling done they had to go forty miles to Chillicothe, and much of the way over terrible mud roads, and some of the distance no road at all, only as they cnt and made it .. But here, with such surroundings, Mr. Sifrit and his family began. They erected a double log cabin and commenced to make a farm and a home They had willing hands and hearts. and knew how to labor; and from year to year their conveniences and comforts began to appear, neighbors were settling all around them, and everything began to wear a more pleasing as- pect; and before Mr. Sifrit's death. he was permitted to see the opening up of a magnificent country, and the future prosperity of his children fully assured. He died in 1847, at the advanced age of nearly ninety-eight years.
Of Mr. Sifrit's children by his first wife, five came with him to this county -- Catharine, James, Mary. Elizabeth and John. James, the elder son, was a young lad when they came to this county, and was able to ren- der his father and family great assistance in their first labors here. He married Elizabeth Higgins, by whom he had six children, three now living -Nathan, John and Lovinia. Mr. James Sifrit spent his life as a farmer and stock-raiser; was quite prosperons, and at his death owned between 300 and 400 acres of land. He died in April, 1881, aged eighty-five years. John, the youngest son, married Harriet Chapman, by whom he had eleven children: two only survive-Joseph and Jacob. In 1835, John, with his family, removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died about 1849. just in
FF
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
the prime of life. He was quite an energetic, active business man, and had acquired between 400 and 500 acres of land. He served as a Justice of the Peace several years. Of Mr. Andrew Sifrit's children by his second wife. seven now survive-Susan, now Widow Earl, residing in Seneca County. Ohio; Nancy, wife of Daniel Kingery, and resides in Illinois; Ju- lia Ann, now Widow Roe. residing in Minnesota; Jacob. a resident of Lon- don; Lawrence W., residing in Franklin County, Ohio; Maria. now Widow Hamn, residing in Iowa, and Michael, also a resident of Iowa.
Peter P. Helphenstine, a native of Virginia, was a Major in the war of the Revolution. for which services he received land grants for a large amount of land. In October, 1505, he started for Ohio, and, arriving at Chillicothe, he became acquainted with Col. Elias Langham, who was go- ing up into the " Barrens " to lay some warrants. David Watson had ac- companied Mr. Helphenstine from Virginia to Ohio, and now they associat- ed with Col. Langham and came up to Madison County to locate and lay and survey their lands. They finished their work about February 14, and returned to Chillicothe. Mr. Helphenstine and Mr. Watson remained there till in September. 1806. They returned to Virginia and at once made preparations to remove to Ohio. Mr. Helphenstine and family. Jonathan Minshall and family and Walter Watson and family, with their connec- tions, to the number of thirty -nine persons. with six or seven wagons, started for their new home in the wilds of Ohio. They arrived at Chillicothe the last of October, 1806. There they left their families, while Mr. Watson, with his family, located upon a place which his son David had previously rented for him, and Mr. Helphenstine proceeded to his land, and, with the assistance of David Watson and others, erected a cabin, and, in January, 1807, moved his family from Chillicothe into the cabin. in his new and per- manent home, and here Mr. Helphenstine remained through life, being, it is believed, the second settler in Paint Township. He was an excellent neighbor and citizen, a devoted Christian, and lived and died highly es- teemed and respected by all who knew him. Some years later, Henry Help- henstine, a brother of the above, became a settler of Paint Township.
David Watson was born in Maryland October 17, 1783, and, with his father, Walter Watson, and his family, became settlers of Ohio in 1806. and in 1807, with Mr. Helphenstine and family, David came to Paint Township, and here was married to Mary Helphenstine, for whom he formed a special attachment when she was but ten years of age. while residing in Virginia. They commenced in life with nothing, as poor as any person ever started out in life. But we will not here devote space to portray a history of this val- uable citizen's life, as it is fully given in another part of this work. Suf- fice it here to say that Paint Township may well be proud of having been the place of residence of one whose life was so full of activity, success and usefulness. George Blougher, of German descent. came with or about the same time as Robert Hume, in 1804. He worked one year for him, clear- ing his land, for which services Mr. Hume deeded him 100 acres of land, upon which he settled and remained through life. Ho was a very honora- ble man, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. About 1810-12. a Mr. Harpolo settled on the Hume land, and became owner of quite a large amount of land, but of him and his we know but little.
James Withrow, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Madison County and located in Paint Township. on Walnut Run, in 1807, and, one year later, brought his family to his new home. Here he took up 250 acres.of land. All the country around was a vast wilderness, in which he had but
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PAINT TOWNSHIP.
three neighbors David Watson, Jonathan Minshall and Peter P. Helphen stine. Indians were still here, and were frequent visitors at their house. They were generally friendly and peaceable, but frequently too free or offi- cious, and would borrow or take things out of the house, such as cooking utensils, sometimes keeping them a long time, but would generally return them. They would frequently borrow corn-meal and provisions of various kinds. Corn-meal in that day was an item of some value, when they had to go forty-five miles to Chillicothe to get grinding done. Sometimes they would have their supply of meal nearly exhausted, and they would hide it in the straw tick in the bed. On one occasion, Indians searched the house all over. and even the bed, but did not happen to find it. Mr. Withrow never allowed them to bring their guns in the house, but had them leave them outside. At one time, Mr. Withrow having gone to Chillicothe to mill, the Indians came and wanted to bring their guns inside the house, but Mrs. Withrow required them to leave themoutside. They came in and sat by the fire. Mrs. Withrow was spinning, and she observed them talk- ing with each other, and apparently displeased about something. By their motions she could understand that they were talking about scalping her. With all the courage she could command, she instantly ordered them out of the house, and by continued firmness finally succeeded in getting them away. Such trials of their courage and fortitude were quite frequent in that early day. and it seems those noble pioneer women were peculiarly fitted for the occasions they had to meet. Mr. Withrow was quite a military man, and was a Major in the militia for many years. He, in later years, after his farm began to produce wheat, hauled it to Urbana over the then terrible mud roads, and sold it at 37 cents per bushel. The last hat he pur- chased for himself he bought at Urbana, for which he gave fourteen bush- els of wheat. He erected a saw mill on Walnut Run about 1815, which was the first mill in this vicinity, and one of the first in the county. This mill was run by water, and remained in use about ten or twelve years. Mr. Withrow was no office-seeker, and desired no notoriety in that way, but was an active, industrious man. and devoted his life to his farm interests. His character and integrity were beyond reproach, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, having brought with him, when he came here, a letter of his membership in the church where he lived in Pennsylvania, bearing date 1803, and connected himself with the church at London, in which church he was an Elder many years.
Of their family of seven children, Ann, the eldest, married Abraham Phifer. She died about 1873. Margaret died unmarried. David married. Mary Harvey, and settled in Paint Township. where he died without issue. Isabel married John Stroup, by whom she had five children; is now a wid- ow and resides in London. One of her daughters is the wife of Mr. Mc- Laughlin, proprietor of the Phifer House. Another of her daughters, Re- becca, married Joseph Foos, emigrated to California, and was said to be the first woman who ever went through on the overland route. She is now a resident of Australia. 1 Robert married Ann Carr; resides in London; was formerly Sheriff of the county, but is now retired from all active business. Washington married Catharine Truman and settled on the home place. . > Then he purchased a farm, which. a few years after, he sold, and in 1842 purchased the Robert Hume land, upon which he resided till, in 1878, he removed to his present place of residence, in Newport, where he has since resided, retired from all active business. His life has been devoted to farming and dealing in stock. From 1836 to 1853, he gave his special at-
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