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MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
Pg. 408
Morgan Township was
organized June 7, 1825, and was formerly a part of Seal Township,
and then of Union. It lies on the Scioto River; is rather of
an oblong shape, with a surface hilly, rough and broken. It
has numerous springs of splendid mineral water. It is
principally watered by bear Creek, which arises in the western and
northwestern portion of the township, and flowing easterly and
southeasterly unites its waters with the Scioto River, near the
center of its eastern border. It is a heavily timbered
township. The valley of the Scioto is rich, and the small
valleys among its hills are also capable of a bountiful yield under
a proper state of cultivation. The township, however, is not a
wealthy one. Its immense forest is being utilized for railroad
ties, and its annual income from this source is considerable.
Tanbark is another source of revenue while the agricultural lands of
the valleys return a fair remuneration to the farmer. Its
massive forests, its hills and ravines, its dark cave-like gulches,
made it a paradise for wild animals in the olden times. Bears
were quite numerous, wolves were in packs, while deer, turkeys,
duck, coons and squirrels were too numerous to give an estimate.
The old pioneer made a handsome living in disposing of his ear,
panther, wolf and deer skins, and his winter's meat was a part only
of his hunting expedition.
WHEN SETTLED.
Morgan Township was
first settled about 1804, although a portion of the valley bottoms
undoubtedly found tenants a year or two earlier. Hezekiah
Merritt settled on the east side as early as 1796, just above
Lucasville, but he was a pioneer, and claims to have raised the
first crop of corn in the county. The summer of 1796 showed
three crops of corn growing in Scioto County - that of Samuel
Marshall, one crop in Niles Township, on the land of John
Belli, and the one above mentioned of Merritt's. It
was stated that a few years later other pioneers settled on the west
side above Brush Creek, and that some of these were on the land now
included in Morgan Township, and that these settlers were located
there as early as 1803-'4. However, definite knowledge is had
that Morgan Township had more than one settler in 1806, and that it
grew in population along the Scioto River which skirts its eastern
boundary for some seven miles.
Among the first settlers were the Shelpmans, the
Deavers, the Murphys, Noels, Corbleys, Glazes,
Walls, Nices, etc., the first four being known to have come as
early as 1804-'5, if not earlier. The Deavers sold
property in 1806, and the Noels are among the early pioneers
before the organization of the county in 1803, or about that time
Some of the old settlers who are now dead are remembered well.
Of these were A. Noel, Thomas Morgan, Abraham Glaze, Isaac
Glaze, David Shelpman, Spicer Shelpman, Joshua Cutler and
Pliney Cutler.
The oldest settlers now living in the
township are Abraham Sniveley, Elias Simpson, William Shelpman
and David Glaze. There are also a few more nearly as
aged as those above mentioned.
ORGANIZATION.
The township was organized
in 1825, and the following are its metes and bounds:
"Ordered, The following boundaries shall
constitute Morgan Township: Beginning at John Deaver's lower
line on the Scioto River, following said line to the west end
thereof; thence in a direct line to Comstock's Cabin, on McCullock's
Creek; thence in a direct line to the county line between Scioto and
Pike counties, so as to include twenty-two square miles for said
township; thence with said county line to the Scioto River; thence
with the meanders of said river to the place of beginning. And
that the electors of Morgan Township assemble on the 4th day of July
next, at the house of Cornelius Shelpman and then and there
elect township officers." June 7, 1825.
The first Justice of the Peace after its organization
was William Denver, as near as could be learned, the township
records being missing.
The voting precinct is on Bear Creek, about two miles
from the canal, this latter waterway passing through the township
from north to south nearly in a straight line, avoiding the bends of
the Scioto River.
Messrs. Jones & Adams have the only store in the
western and northwestern part of the township, a general stock being
kept by them.
Frank Lauman keeps a general store on the line
of the canal, on the eastern side of the township. These are
the only mercantile establishments in the township.
Lucasville, in Valley Township, is the postoffice on the east, and
Galena on the west.
CHURCHES.
The Baptist Church,
on Upper Bear Creek, was organized about 1879. The Trustees
were: John R. Mead, A. B. McCall and Sanford Norman; Aaron
Carter, Clerk, and Rev. A. K. Murphy, Pastor.
Church services are held once a month, and Sabbath-school every
Sunday. The average attendance at Sunday-school is sixty.
The Rev. John Carney was the first Baptist minister to preach
in Morgan Township.
The Macedonia Christian Church organization has
no church building and holds its meetings in the Upper Bear Creek
Schoolhouse. Services are held once a month, the Rev. James
Taylor officiating. Sabbath-School is held every Sunday.
The United Brethren Church organization, on
Upper Bear Creek, holds its meetings in the Baptist church building,
services being held regularly once a month. The Rev. G. W.
Morgan is the pastor.
The Lower Bear Creek United Brethren Church was
built in 1845. It was the only church in the township at that
time. Before this church was erected they held their meetings
in the school-house. The members were very few and preaching
was had only occasionally, Revs. Edwards and Cretzinger being
the first ministers of this denomination in the township. The
few members then were: William Shelpman, Thomas Shelpman, Miss
Maria Shelpman, Abraham Glaze, Jonathan Glaze and Socrates
Glaze It now has a membership of about fifty. The
pastor is Rev. G. W. Morgan. Trustees are: Pope
Gordon, A. Snively and Eugene Peck. Sabbath-school
is regularly kept each Sunday with an average attendance of some
forty five pupils, Church service is held every three weeks.
The religious interests of the township are well taken care of by
these churches, and the pastors and members of all are doing earnest
work in the Christian field.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of Morgan
Township are five in number, as follows: Sub-district No. 1,
Bear Creek School; Sub-district No. 2, Simpson School; Sub-district
No. 3, Upper Bear Creek School; Sub-district No. 4, The McCollect
School; Sub-district No. 5, Gordon School. The total number of
scholars in the township in 1873, was 112. The number now on
the school record for 1883, is 407, showing an increase in ten years
of 295.
The Morgan School-house was built in 1830 and was one
of the first, if not the first, regular school-house built in the
township. It was located at the mouth of Slate Run.
Mr. Abraham B. Beanes being its teacher. The next one was
the Cutler School-house, which was erected in 1835. The first
school in the township, in 1823, was kept in a little log
school-house with greased paper for windows, and located near the
mouth of Bear Creek. It had puncheon seats and floor; the
teacher was A. Banes.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1883.
Trustees, Jasper
Graham, William Dunlap and William W. Crabtree;
Treasurer, G. F. Lauman; Clerk, N. F. Peck; Justices
of the Peace, Edward Crabtree and L. M. McCoy;
Constables, Reason Crabtree and Andrew McCorkle.
Morgan Township, politically, is Republican.
The population of the township was in 1840, 265; 1850, 280; 1860,
686; 1870, 758; 1880, 1,019. It has an area of 18,505 acres of
land, and its assessed valuation for 1882 was, on lands $113,00;on
personal property, $49,052, a total of $162,052. The personal
property in 1880 was assessed at $40,455; a gain in two years of
$8,597.
OIL WELLS ON BEAR CREEK.
In 1865 the petroleum which
found its way to the surface and covered the surfaces of little
patches of water in this valley attracted the attention of
capitalists from New York City who determined to penetrate the earth
in hope of finding a rich fountain head of valuable fluid. A
well four inches in diameter was sunk on the farm now owned by
Mr. E. F. Peck to the great depth of 1,088 feet. At that
depth, although no oil was discovered, a stream of peculiar water
was reached which spouted out with great force, forming a veritable
artesian well. The water, at first, spouted to a height of
thirty or forty feet but the force has gradually diminished so that
at the present time it rises but a few inches above the surface, but
pours forth a steady stream of considerable size. But the most
peculiar and interesting feature of this well is the character of
the water which is strongly impregnated with gas and mineral
substance. It greatly resembles and is doubtless identical
with the famous Blue Lick waters of Kentucky. The water is so
strongly impregnated with gas that when a match is held near the
stream it ignites and burns with a strong and steady flame which
gives the water the appearance of burning alcohol. On the
first outburst of this water, to the further surprise of the
workmen, the mysterious fountain took fire and burned with such
force that before it could be extinguished, after a day's effort, it
had consumed the derrick, engine-house and all combustible material
within its reach. Two miles further up the creek two other
similar wells were bored with similar results.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JONATHAN GLAZE, deceased,
was born in Wood County, Va., June 22, 1817, and in 1830 came to
Ohio, and soon after located in Morgan Township, Scioto County.
He married Eva Glaze. To them were born eleven
children, but five now living - Rose Ann, wife of
Eugene Peck; Irene, wife of W. F. Peck; John W.;
Lillie, wife of George Watkins, and William. Cynthia,
wife of James Blackburn; Mary wife of C. D. Pearce;
Rachel, Rhoda, Malinda and Sarah are deceased.
Mr. Glaze was a member of the United Brethren church. He
was very successful in his business operations, and at his death
left 850 acres of land. He died Oct. 2, 1875. His wife
died Apr. 17, 1881. She was born June 22, 1820. Mr.
Glaze was treasurer of Morgan Township twenty-one years.
Politically he was a Republican. John W., son of
Jonathan Glaze, was born in 1857, and in November, 1881, married
Lena Emery. He owns thirty-five acres of the home farm
and 104 acres elsewhere in the township. He and wife are
members of the United Brethren church and, like his parents, are
interested in all that pertains to Christianity.
G.
F. LAUMAN, dealer in
general merchandise, Bear Creek, was born in Kentucky in 1840, and
came with his parents to Ohio when a mere boy. He began his
mercantile career at Waverly, as a salesman. He afterward
clerked in Jasper eight years, and in 1872 established his present
place of business. He carries a complete stock of groceries,
dry-goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes and notions. He buys and
sells country produce, and does an annual business of $15,000.
April 17, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, First Ohio Infantry, for
three months, being the first man enrolled from Pike County.
He was seriously wounded in the side and hand at Vienna, which
incapacitated him for further service, and he was discharged and
returned home. He has served several terms as Treasurer of
Morgan Township, and from 1875 till July 9, 1882, was Postmaster at
Bear Creek. He is a member of Waverly Lodge, A. F. & A. M.
Oct. 6, 1864, he was married to Mary L. Watkins.
EUGENE PECK
was born in Rutland, Vt., Dec. 14, 1833, but in boyhood, removed
with his parents to Massachusetts. He had the advantage of a
good education, and by close study has acquired a good practical
knowledge of business and public affairs. In 1854 he removed
to Allegany County, N. Y., where he resided a year and a half, when
he removed to Lorain County, Ohio, and in 1857 came to Scioto
County. He now owns a farm of 200 acres, partly improved.
He has been Trustee of the township several terms, and Treasurer
four years. In 1876 he went to California, where he has a
brother, and remained a year engaged in the lumber business.
In 1880 he again went to the Western slope and invested in a gold
mine, which he is now operating with fair success. He was
married in 1863 to Rose Ann, daughter of Jonathan Glaze.
They have four children - Lowell N., Cora E., Lyman J., and
Lulu Pearl. Mr. and Mrs. Peck, Lowell and
Cora are members of the United Brethren church.
ELIAS
SIMPSON, farmer and stock-dealer, postoffice, Bear
Creek, was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1818, a son of John
and Rebecca Simpson natives of Virginia. His father died
in Virginia, and his mother married Hiram Alloway, and in
1827 came to Pike County, Ohio, where she died. Elias,
when nineteen years of age, in 1837, came to Scioto County and
worked for Geo. Heoredth a number of years. Apr. 1,
1842, he married Margaret Howard and leased land of his
employer, where he lived till Jan. 17, 1848, when he settled where
he now lives, leasing the land at the time with James Rankins.
In 1854 he purchased land and has since added to it till he now owns
land in Rush, Morgan and Valley townships, aggregating upward of
3,000 acres, and is the largest land owner on the west side, if not
in Scioto County. By his industry and energy he has
accumulated his property, having started in life with nothing.
Politically he is a Republican; was formerly a Whig, and cast his
first presidential vote for W. H. Harrison in 1840. He
is no politician, preferring the quiet of business life to the
unrest of political honors. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have
had thirteen children, but five now living - Mary Ann, wife
of James Ellison; Rhoda, wife of Joseph Morgan; Rebecca,
wife of Jesse Johnson; Franklin, married to Belle Dever;
and Henry, married Aggie Ballinger, Jane, John, Elias,
George, Amos, Andrew T., Cynthia Alice and A. Lincoln are
deceased. John enlisted Oct. 4, 1864, in Company B,
Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, for one year, and was discharged at the
close of the war. He died at home Nov. 2, 1865. Mrs.
Simpson died Aug. 8, 1881, aged fifty-eight years. July
12, 1883, Mr. Simpson married Mary Dunlap. He is
a member of Lucasville Lodge, No. 465, A. F. & A. M.
RUSH TOWNSHIP.
Rush Township was
the last of the municipal divisions of the county organized, and was
taken wholly from Union Township, June 3, 1867. It lies on the
Scioto River, a distance of some seven miles north and south, and
the largest and best portion of its agricultural area is in the
valley. South of Brush Creek the township is hilly and broken.
North of Brush Creek there is more valley land, but the west and
north sides are broken and rough. In length the township,
north and south, will average about seven miles. East and
west, south of Brush Creek, the width is about three miles, and
north of it some four miles, the river going east, making a large
bend, and the western line of the township angling to the northwest,
running west of north, the river doing likewise above and below the
bend, which starts its easterly course about the center of the
township, north and south.
In water supply it has an abundance. Pond River
in the southern portion is quite a stream and crosses the township
in a semicircular form. Brush Creek, the largest stream flows
in from the west, near the center of the township and runs in almost
a straight due easterly course across the township. Both of
these streams empty into the Scioto River. Reed's River rises
in the northwest corner of the township and runs nearly due
southeast, and mingles its waters with Brush Creek about one mile
from its mouth.
AREA, VALUATION AND POPULATION.
While there are over
twenty-two square miles of territory, or an area of about 14,500
acres, in Rush Township, the tax-duplicate gives the number of acres
assessed at 12,954. There is probably that much land without
counting the water surface. The value of the land is set down
in 1882 at $176,480; personal property at $54,040; total value,
$230,520.
In regard to its population Rush is like Valley, the
year 1870 being the first time it came under the census taker.
In that year it had a population of 638, and in 1880, it had
increased to 778. It has the smallest population of any
township in the county, but there are four other townships that have
less assessed wealth. The Ohio Canal passes through its whole
length from north to south along the valley.
FREESTONE.
Having spoken of it as a
good stock township, and the value of the farm land in the fertile
valleys of the Scioto and Brush creeks, there is one other industry
which will yet prove a source of wealth to the township - its
immense quarries of freestone. It is eq1ual to the test with
no limit to its quantity. As yet this source of wealth has
been but partially developed. The "Inskeep Stone Works" were
started in 1874, by J. M. Inskeep, and from the above date to
1883 he has dealt or quarried exclusively block stone. But
this year the demand for cut stone becoming so great and his
business extending, he has put in three pairs of gauges of the
latest improved machinery for cutting or sawing stone. His new
building is a good one and is 34 x 64 feet in size. Mr.
Inskeep's quarry covers about 150 acres, and it is almost one
solid bed of fine-grained freestone, pronounced by Prof. Orton,
of Columbus, Ohio, as the equal of any in the State. He has
invested $6,000 in the business and keeps 20 men at work.
There is a very large quantity of timber in the township, and the
shipping of that, cutting ties and securing tan-bark is a leading
industry at this time. The Cincinnati & Eastern Railway will
traverse the southern portion of the townships between four and five
miles south of Brush Creek to the Scioto, and thence down that
stream to Portsmouth. The railroad, the canal, and the river
constitute the transportation facilities of the township, outside of
farm stock. The river bottom and that of Brush Creek are well
cultivated and some of the finest farms in the county can be found
in Rush Township.
HOW AND WHEN ORGANIZED.
A strong petition from a
majority of the citizens of the township was presented to the county
commissioners, and the following action taken by them:
In the matter of dividing Union Township, a petition
was presented by Levi Kirkendall and others praying the
commissioners to divide the territory of said Union Township and
create and make a new township, and to lay off and designate the
same from the said territory of Union Township, in Scioto County,
said division as prayed for by petitioners to be made by running a
line as follows: beginning in the township line between the
said township of Union and the township of Morgan, at the corner of
survey No. 11,036, made in the name of W. Philips, and survey
No. 3,285, made in the name of John Swan; thence a
southwesterly course on a straight line to the northwest corner of
John Swan's survey 3,284; thence southeasterly on a straight
line to the old saw-mill formerly owned by Philip Noel on
Pond Creek; and thence continuing the same course until it strikes
the southern line of said Union Township, and dividing it from
Washington Township; thence with the line between said last-named
township, an easterly course, to the Scioto River; thence up said
Scioto River, with the meanders thereof, the same being a line of
said Union Township, to the corner of said Union and Morgan
townships; thence with the line of said Union and Morgan townships,
a westerly course, to the beginning.
A remonstrance was also presented signed by Milborn
Coe and others against the division of said Union Township, and
the Commissioners, after due consideration of said petition and
remonstrance, do find that notice of said application for the
division of said Union Township had been given for full thirty days
prior to the hearing of said application, and that said petition had
been signed by a majority of the householders of said Union Township
had been given for full thirty days prior to the hearing of said
application, and that said petition had been signed by a majority of
the householders of Union Township, and it also appearing that there
is contained within the boundaries of said proposed new township
more than twenty-two squares miles, and that there is also contained
with the bounds of said Union Township, outside of the limits and
bounds of said proposed new township, more than twenty-two squares
miles, they therefore find that it is necessary and expedient to lay
off said new township, and they therefore grant the prayer of the
petitioners, and it is now Ordered, That a new township be,
and the same is, hereby laid off, designated from the territory of
said Union Township as prayed for in said for in said petition; and
it is further Ordered, That said new township be known by the
name of "RUSH." And it is further Ordered, That the
County Surveyor or other competent surveyor proceed immediately to
survey and establish the line dividing the said new from the said
old township, as nearly in accordance with the prayers of the
petitioners as practicable, and forthwith report the boundaries of
said new township to this board, and that the same be recorded in a
book kept for that purpose; and it is further Ordered, That
an election be held at the school-house near the mouth of Brush
Creek, in said new township, on the 17th day of June, A. D., 1867,
for the election of township officers for said new township of
"Rush." The commissioners appointed James Boldman
Surveyor in accordance with the foregoing order; and it is further
ordered that the auditor issue an order to James Boldman
directing him to make said survey." June 3, 1867.
TOWNSHIP ELECTION.
On the organization
being effected an election was ordered for township officers, which
took place June 18, 1867. This resulted as follows:
Trustees, Benton P. Bondurant, Jno. Clemmens and Andrew
Ray. Treasurer, A. J. Russell; Clerk, W. W.
Wilkins; Justices of the Peace, B. J. Farmer and
Francis H. Ponsot; Constables, George W. Elleson and
Arthur Dement.
The officers for 1883 are: Trustees, Henry
Wangaman, A. J. Hill, J. F. Richey; Treasurer, P. H. Brown,
Jr.; Clerk W. W. Wilkins; Constables, J. L. L.
McDaniel, J. H. Massie; Assessor, Isaac Shelpman;
Justices of the Peace, Henry E. Gorley, John McDaniel.
SCHOOLS.
The school districts of the
new township of Rush, five in number, were organized Sept. 26, 1867.
Rush Township, like all the river townships, was early
settled. The names of many who lived in the township when the
county was first organized will be found in the old settlers' list.
General Wm. Kendall and Samuel G. Jones, the former a
miller and boat-builder in early days, and many others, all tell
that the valleys of Scioto and Brush found early pioneers to stake
their claims within the limits of Rush. The first steamboat
built inland was built at the mouth of Brush Creek in 1818, by
Wm. Kendall. the timber was superior, and it came down near to
the river and through the channel of Brush Creek. The Utts
and a few others came in 1797 and 1798. Many others came soon
after, of whom are recalled Dan'l Kirkendall, George Herod, Thos.
Jones, Thomas Arnold, Jas. Wallace, Wm. Russell, Mrs. Hester Brown
and family and John Shultz. These are all old
citizens. The old Pond School-house was supposed to have been
erected in 1816 or 1818. In 1826 it was called the old
school-house.
CHURCHES.
The
St. Peter's Catholic Church was organized by Rev.
Father Donahue in 1856, the Trustees then being Jno. B. Santy
August Henry and Francis E. Logee. The Rev.
Father Jos. Mertian is now the officiating priest, and the
church has grown and flourished for many years. It has now a
membership of 130. Its present Trustees are Peter J.
Montivan, Alfred Lombard and Alexis Deloat. Service
is held once in every two weeks, and class instructions given on the
afternoons of the day of service.
Bethany
Baptist Church .- This was the first
Baptist society in the township, and the first service was held at
the house of George Heoredth by Elder Hezekiah Johnson
in 1833, through whose labor the church society was organized, and
by whom, after a cessation, was again reorganized as a Regular
Baptist church, Nov. 30, 1834, assisted by the Revs. D. Spohn
and A. Layman; Delegates, A. McCormick and others.
The constituent members at this last date were George Heoredth,
Elizabeth Heoredth, Thomas Arnold, Hugh Kelley, Isaac Arnold and
Matilda Glaze. Elder Hiram Burnett was chosen pastor, who
retained his charge from the date of organization to February, 1837.
Elder Hezekiah Johnson became the second pastor, serving one
year. Of all the first members of the church not one is now
living. The church is a neat brick building, erected by
Geo. Heoredth, and presented as a gift to the society by him.
He and Isaac Glaze were the first Deacons of the church.
The following have served as pastors: Elders Felix Ellison,
Johnson, J. H. Bronson, Wm. Algood, B. F. Leavitt, Thomas, Felix
Ellison again, D. Vance, William Algood, Levi McDaniel, E. D.
Thomas, E. Thatcher, D. Wichler, William Haw, S. G. Lindsey, J. H.
Roberts, and A. K. Murphy, the present pastor. The
present Deacons are: J. H. McDaniel and S. S. English.
Service is held every other Sunday. The membership is 103;
average attendance at Sunday-school, thirty.
Methodist Episcopal
Church - This church was organized in 1868, Rev.
J. D. Baker becoming their first pastor. Isaiah Smith, Conrad
Overton, Wm. B. Russell were a building committee for the
erection of a church, and the last two were also appointed Trustees.
There are this time sixty-two members. The
following named ministers have served as such since the church
organization: Rev. E. V. Beam succeeded Rev. Baker in
1870; Sam'l Bateman, C. M. Pryor, C. B. Lewis, Thos. Leslie, W.
F. Fuller, S. A. Crosley, Wm. Donaldson and H. Burkstresser,
the last the present pastor, commencing his service in 1882.
The church is near the Rushtown postoffice.
A CURIOSITY.
On the farm of
Henry Russell, on the top of what is known as Campbell's hill is
a spot, which is a depression of the earth's surface, to the extent
of twenty feet in diameter, and about three feet deep. It is
very nearly circular in form, and its peculiarity is in the fact
that it generates heat in winter. In the coldest weather, with
snow on the ground all around it, and the thermometer below zero, no
snow was found in the depression or hole, and on holding a
thermometer on the bottom it rose to fifty-six degrees about zero
within ten minutes. The depression has a pebbly bottom, very
little dirt seen, and has probably filled up in part. This has
been the condition of the spot since its discovery a half century
ago. Where does it lead to?
BIOGRAPHICAL.
S. ANDERSON, of Anderson,
Slaven & Co., millers, Rush Township, Scioto Co., Ohio, is a
practical miller, having entered a mill when eighteen years of age,
in 1859, and since then has been constantly employed, chiefly in a
steam mill. He worked some time in mills in California, then
went to Jasper, Ind., and subsequently came to Scioto County, where
since the spring of 1883, he has been operating the above mill.
The building was erected in 1875, size 30 x 40 feet. It
contains improved machinery throughout, of both water and steam
power. There is a manufacturing capacity of fifty barrels per
day; two run of wheat burrs and one of corn. They do chiefly
custom work, but manufacture sufficient for the retail trade.
G. W. ARNOLD, farmer,
postoffice, Rushtown, was born in Union Township, Scioto Co., Ohio,
in 1833, a son of Daniel and Louisa (Beadle) Arnold. He
was married in 1856 to Eliza, a daughter of William and
Elizabeth Holt, and soon after located on the farm where he
still resides. He now owns 188 acres of fine land, about half
of it under cultivation. He has held most of the minor offices
of the township, has been Clerk three years and is now a member of
the Board of Education. Thirteen children have been born to
him, ten now living- Sidora A., Louisa E., Mary Co., Charles T.,
Laura, Alice, Andes (born on steamer Andes on the Ohio River),
Alpha N., Howard., and John K. Rosanna, William G.
and Mattie F. are deceased. Mr. Arnold's
grandparents, Thomas and Margaret (Noel) Arnold, came from
Virginia to Ohio in 1804 and were among the first settlers of Union
Township. In 1844 they went to Iowa where they died.
Mr. Arnold was a Justice of the Peace many years, and was a
Lieutenant in the war of 1812. He had a family of six
children, two of whom are living - Mrs. Shively, of Iowa, and
Isaac, of Oregon. His son Daniel married
Louisa, daughter of G. W. and Cassa J. (Hibbs) Beadle.
He subsequently removed to Iowa where he buried his wife in 1845,
and soon after returned to Ohio. They had a family of seven
children - Rhoda, G. W., Cassa, J., Thomas, David, Catherine
and William. The latter was a member of an Indiana
regiment in the late war, and Thomas L. was a member of
Battery L. Only two, G. W. and Thomas, now
reside in this county. Mr. Arnold married, for
his second wife, Cynthia Holt. They had four
children - Philip, Wesley, Amelia and Mary.
Mr. Arnold died in1863 aged sixty-eight years. His parents
were among the first members of the regular Baptist church of this
county. Mrs. G. W. Arnold's father, William Holt,
was a native of North Carolina, and settled in Portsmouth in 1829,
and in 1856 in Rush Township. He was a prominent member of the
Baptist church and held the offices of Treasurer and Deacon.
He died in 1875, aged seventy-four years, and his wife in 1881, aged
seventy-four years. They reared a family of six children
Nathan, Minerva, Sarah, Charles, Eliza and Tabitha.
ELISHA CRABTREE was born
in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1834, a son of William and Jane
Crabtree, and grandson of William Crabtree. He was
reared on a farm and obtained a practical education. In 1864
he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventy-third Ohio
Infantry, and served till the close of the war. His health was
seriously impaired by exposure, from the effects of which he never
recovered. He married Ellen, daughter of Joseph
McIntire, of Lawrence County, Ohio. They have had a family
of ten children - Lucinda (deceased), Seth, John M.,
Joseph W., George W., Nimrod, Jane, Cora A., Mary C. and
Sarah. Mr. Crabtree owns a farm of thirty-nine and
a half acres, all well improved and under good cultivation.
Politically he is a Republican.
PETER H. BROWN, SR., was
born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. 10, 1822, a son of Alexander and
Hester Ann (Sterling) Brown, natives of Virginia, who settled in
Ross County about 1805. His Grandfather Brown was a
native of Germany but an early settler of Ross County. His
Grandfather Sterling was of Irish descent. His father
was born June 4, 1795, married Jan. 5, 1815, and died Oct. 8, 1830.
In 1833 his mother and three children, Peter H., Mary
and Sarah, removed to Scioto County and settled in Union, now
Rush Township. Three children - James, William and
Charity - died in Ross County. He was married in April,
1843 to Lydia J., daughter of George and Mary Beloat
and settled on the farm where he still resides. He now owns
541 acres, a part of which is the valuable Scioto Valley bottom
lands. But three of the six children are living - Mrs. Mary
V. Shelpman, Peter H., Jr., and George W.
The deceased are - George W., William H. and Hester Ann.
Mrs. Brown died in April, 1877, aged nearly fifty years.
Politically Mr. Brown is a Republican. He has
represented his township in most of its offices; his filled with
credit the offices of Trustee and Treasurer and has been a leading
member of the Board of Education many years. He has been a
member of the Baptist church since 1839.
JOSEPH DEVER, deceased, was
born on the farm where his family now resides, in Scioto County,
Ohio, in 1826. His grandfather, John Dever, came to
this county from Virginia and bought the land, which at his death
became his son William's. The latter was an influential
man of the township; for many years was a Justice of the Peace.
He married Aseneth McDougall, and of their large family of
children but two daughters are living - Mrs. Alvina Newman
and Mrs. Louisa McGilligan. Mr.
Dever was born in Virginia in 1795, and died on the old
homestead in 1834. His wife died in 1877, aged eighty years.
The subject of our sketch was married in 1855 to Rebecca,
daughter of Thomas and Nancy Wheeler, and was settled on the
old homestead, where he died in 1876. He had been a member of
the Baptist church twenty years. In his business he has been
successful, and left his family a good property. To him were
born seven children - Belle, Louisa, Mary, William, Blanch,
Joseph and Catherine. Mrs. Dever's parents came to
this county from Virginia in 1838, and settled in what is now Clay
Township. Her father died in 1857 and her mother in 1852.
Of the family Mrs. Dever is the only representative in this
county. Mrs. Wheeler was a member of the Methodist
church.
ABRAHAM DOLL was born in
Scioto County, Ohio, in 1839, a son of John and Margaret (Graham)
Doll. His grandfather came to Ohio from Pennsylvania
in1800, and settled in Highbanks, Ross County. His parents
settled in Washington Township soon after their marriage, and in
1841 removed to Rush Township, where they lived till his mother's
death in 1850, when his father returned to Washington Township, where
he died in January, 1852, aged forty-two years. Five of a
family of six children are still living - Peter G., Abraham,
Josephine, wife of J. P. Russell, of Clay Township;
Louisa, wife of George Morris, of Unionville, and
Sarah E., wife of Thomas Graham, of Washington Township.
Abraham was married in 1865 to Carrie W.,
daughter of Wm. B. Russell, and settled on his present farm.
He has 135 acres of well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Doll
have had six children - James B., Clara M., William R., Joseph,
Herbert and Carrie, the latter two now deceased.
Mrs. Doll died Nov. 19, 1880, aged forty-two years. She
was a member of the present Clerk. He has been Township
Treasurer five years, Justice of the Peace six years, and Trustee
four years. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Battery L, First
Ohio Light Artillery, and served three years. He participated
in fourteen hard-fought battles and several minor engagements.
S. S. ENGLISH, Postmaster,
Rushtown, and dealer in general merchandise, established his present
place of business in May, 1875. He carries a full stock of
dry-goods, groceries, hardware, boots, shoes and provisions, and
also deals extensively in railroad ties, tan-bar, etc., doing an
annual business of $10,000. He was born in Pennsylvania in
1835, and removed to Ohio, residing in Pike County from 1856 to
1875. He received a practical education, which enabled him to
teach, an occupation he followed for several years. He was
married in 1858 to Sarah Bowser. They have had eight
children - Mary E., wife of T. G. Vaughters; Sarah
M., wife of John Shultz; Agnes A., at Whitmore, Pike
County; Phoebe C., Lillie F., Genetta A., Rachel A.
and Ida May. Mr. English and all his family are
members of the Baptist church.
JOHN HANNA, deceased, was
born in Newcastle County, Del., a son of Samuel and Susannah
(Ball) Hanna, who died when he was quite young. In 1847 he
came to Ohio and located in Scioto County. In 1857 he settled
on the farm where his wife still lives and where he died in 1879,
aged fifty-seven years and six months. It contains 400 acres
of valuable land, well improved and under good cultivation. He
was a quiet, unpretentious man and possessed of rare qualities that
commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Though often urged to accept public office he repeatedly declined,
only serving one term as Trustee. He was a member of Scioto
Lodge, I. O. O. F., Portsmouth. He was married in Delaware to
Catherine, daughter of Patrick Henry. Three
children were born to them, Mary, now Mrs. James P.
Vandervoort, being the only one living. She resides on the
old homestead. Annie E. and an infant are deceased.
DANIEL H. HARWOOD was
born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1828, a son of Benjamin and
Mary (Ward) Harwood, his father a native of Maryland, who
settled in Ross County when quite a young man, and his mother a
native of Maryland, who settled in Ross County when quite a young
man, and his mother a native of that county. In 1844 they
removed to Scioto County and settled in Valley Township, where his
father died in 1848. His mother is still living, aged
eighty-four years. Of their seven children but two are now
living - Nancy, wife of David Schoonmaker, and D.
H. The early life of our subject was passed upon the farm,
his education being limited. When he was twenty-one years of
age he commenced life for himself and rented the Marsh farm,
Valley Township, where he lived twenty-six years. Twenty years
of this time he bought stock for George Davis, Portsmouth, a
business which took him to all parts of the surrounding country, and
won him many acquaintances. In 1880 he bought the farm of
ninety-five acres where he now resides, engaged in farming and
dealing in horses. In the late war he enlisted in a cavalry
company to take part in the Morgan raid. Politically he
is a Republican, but though urged by his friends to do so does not
desire to accept office. He was married in 1850 to Hannah,
daughter of Samuel Darlington. They have six children -
William, Benjamin, Mary Ellen, Daniel Lincoln, Charles and
Ida Belle. Two children died in infancy.
FRANK HENRY was born in
Newcastle County, Del., in 1815, a son of Patrick and Nancy (McKeever)
Henry. His father was a native of Ireland, and came to
America with his parents when ten years of age, living in Delaware
till his death. After the death of his father Mr. Henry's
mother went to Pittsburg to live with him. In 1847 the family,
John, Daniel, Frank, Joseph and Catherine and their
mother, came to Scioto County, where the mother died in 1862, aged
ninety-five years. When seven years of age Frank Henry
began working in a cotton factory, and when fourteen commenced to
learn the wagon-maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of seven
years, at the same time, however, learning the blacksmith's trade.
In 1838 he went to Pittsburg and from there to Natchez, Miss.
He subsequently returned to Pittsburg, and worked at millwrighting
till 1847, when he came to Ohio. He worked at saw-milling and
cutting staves ten years after coming here, and then settled on a
farm, where he now owns 120 acres, all well improved.
Politically he is a Democrat. He has held several of the
township offices. In 1850 he married Maria L., daughter
of Colonel Thomas Morgan. Seven of their nine children
are living - Rachel, Thomas, John, Frank, Joseph K., Patrick
and Nancy L. Daniel and Ellen are deceased.
Mrs. Henry died in 1864.
J. M. INSKEEP,
proprietor of Inskeep's Freestone Works, was born in Champaign
county, Ohio, in 1834. In early life he worked on the farm and
in a saw mill, receiving a common school education. In 1858 he
went to Union County, Ohio, where he was engaged in business two and
a half years, after which he returned to Champaign County and lived
till 1863, returning to Union County. In 1867 he went to
Lewisburg, and in 1870 came to Scioto County, where he has since
resided. From 1872 till 1875 he lived in Portsmouth, but is
now a resident of Rush Township. He was married in 1858 to
Harriet Thomas, of Champaign County. One child was born to
them - Carrie. Mrs. Inskeep died in 1860. In 1861
Mr. Inskeep married Louisa Darrow, of Union County.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
LEVI KIRKENDALL
was born in Jefferson, now Valley, Township, Scioto Co., Ohio, Oct.
19, 1818, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Campbell) Kirkendall.
His grandparents, William and Lavinia Kirkendall, settled in
Portsmouth about the beginning of the present century. They
had a family of five children - Daniel, Levi, Henry, William
and Lavinia. Daniel was married about 1813, in
Portsmouth, to Sarah, daughter of William and Mary (Stricklett)
Campbell. In 1819 he removed to the farm where Levi
now lives. He was a Captain of a rifle company in the old
military days, and served in the war of 1812. After his death
the Government gave his widow warrants for land in Logan County,
Ill. He died in 1853, and his wife in 1857. Eight
children were born to them - William, of California; Levi;
Mary, wife of Thomas Craig; Stephen, on the old
farm; Lavinia, wife of David Dunlap, and John.
Sarah Ann and Henry are deceased. Levi
Kirkendall was married Mar. 16, 1838, to Minerva,
daughter of George and Mary Belloot, and settled on the old
Belloot farm. In 1855 he removed to Jo Daviess
County, Ill., but the next year returned to Ohio. The day
after his return, Aug. 31, his wife died. Of their six
children, George, William, Sarah Alice, Mary, James O. and
Levi, the three latter are deceased. In 1857 Mr.
Kirkendall married Mrs. Sarah Russell, daughter of
George and Elizabeth Heoredth, and removed to Washington
County, Ill. In 1864 he returned to the home farm where he has
since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkendall have had four
children, but two now living - Rhoda E. and Fanny.
James S. and Truss L. are deceased. Politically
Mr. Kirkendall is a Republican. Before the organization of
that party he was a Whig and cast his first vote for William
Henry Harrison for President. He owns a fine farm of 600
acres, well improved. He has been a member of the Baptist
church since 1840. He is a member of Lucasville Lodge, No.
465, A. F. & A. M. His son, George W., enlisted in the
Forty-fourth Illinois Cavalry and served during the war.
STEPHEN KIRKENDALL,
a son of Daniel Kirkendall, was born in Scioto County, Ohio,
in 1835. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-first
Ohio Infantry and served till the close of the war. He
participated in thirteen hard-fought battles and a number of the
less important engagements. He received slight wound on the
left arm at Corinth. After the war he lived on the home farm
four years and then went to Kentucky, and ten years and then went to
Kentucky, and ten years later returned to Ohio and is now living at
his old home. He is a member of the Baptist church and of Bear
Creek Post, G. A. R. He has been married four times. His
first wife was Margaret Walk, by whom he had six children,
five now living - John F., William W., Stephen B., George A.
and Robert D. Daniel enlisted in 1861, in Company B,
Seventy-third Ohio Infantry, and at the battle of Resaca, in 1864,
lost a leg, from the effects of which he died at the hospital on
Lookout Mountain. He left a wife, Elizabeth McCleary,
and four children - Andy, Daniel, Sarah J. and Lavinia.
John Kirkendall enlisted in 1861 in the Forty-fourth Illinois
Cavalry and was wounded at Perryville, and was discharged.
After his recovery he enlisted in an Illinois regiment and served
till the close of the war. Mr. Kirkendall's second wife
was Elizabeth Kirkendall. They had one child, Emily
Jane. His third wife was Caroline Purtee.
They had three children - Alla, now Mrs. James McPherson;
Franklin, and an infant. His fourth and present wife
was Rachel Crabtree.
JOHN MCDANIEL,
was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1929, a son of Levi and
Frances (Massie) McDaniel. When seventeen years of age he
began teaching, an occupation he followed for three years, when, on
account of impaired health, he was obliged to seek more active
pursuits. He was the first Justice of the Peace elected in
Rush Township, and, with the exception of eight months, has held the
office to the present time. He has been a member of the
Baptist church since 1849, and has since that time served as Deacon.
He was married Dec. 14, 1854, to Elizabeth Clark. But
four of their six children are living - J. L. D., H. C., Cynthia
I. Balbridge and Brough E. Mrs. McDaniel died Dec.
19, 1866. In 1874 he married Elizabeth J. Scott, who
died Mar. 5, 1879. Politically Mr. Daniel is a
Republican. He was a Deputy Provost Marshal during the war.
His father was a son of James W. and Rebecca (Lewis) McDaniel.
James W. came to America before the Revolution, and was a body
guard of General Washington in that war. He accompanied
Levi to Ohio in 1819, and died in 1847, aged ninety-eight
years, eight months. Levi resided in Jackson County
till 1858, when he came to Rush Township, where he died Dec. 19,
1864, aged seventy-two years. He was a minister of the Baptist
church, and presided over a church in Gallia County twenty years.
He was an enthusiastic and zealous worker for the cause and a
gentleman much respected and admired for his fine abilities.
Thirteen children were born to him, five of whom are living -
Lewis L., Alfred, John, Levi (a minster of the Baptist church
and physician), and Mrs. Martha McLaughlin, Mrs. McDaniel
died in November, 1879, aged eighty-one years.
GEORGE POLLOCK,
farmer; postoffice, Rushtown; was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in
1823, a son of David and Nancy Pollock, natives of Virginia,
who settled in this county in 1800, and purchased the farm where
George now lives. They were members of the Presbyterian
church. Mrs. Pollock died July 4, and Mr. Pollock
July 11, 1853, the former seventy and the latter seventy-two years
of age. Of the ten children born to them, seven are now living
- Mrs. Mary Noel, Mrs. Anna Vastine, Mrs. Nancy Woodcock, John,
Thomas, Samuel and George. The latter was married
Nov. 25, 1852, to Mary, daughter of Jared Newman, and
settled on the home farm, where he still resides. He was
mostly under cultivation. Politically he is a Democrat.
He was elected Justice of the Peace when twenty-three years of age,
and held the office at Intervals twenty-one years. He has
served several terms as Clerk and Trustee of the township.
Mr. and Mrs. Pollock are members of the Baptist church.
They have had eight children born to them, but five now living -
Emma, now Mrs. Young; Tillie, Thomas J., Samuel
J., James V. The following are deceased - Nancy A.,
died at the age of twenty-three years; Mary O. and William M.
HENRY W. RUSSELL,
a son of Hon. William Russell, was born in Adams County,
Ohio, Mar. 12, 1821. He was married Oct. 8, 1845, to Nancy
J. Grimes, and settled in Union Township on a farm. In
1856 he removed to Portsmouth and engaged in merchandising. In
December, 1860, he removed to Washington County, Ill., and in 1864
returned to Ohio. In 1870 he purchased 140 acres of land and
located where he now lives. Eleven children have been born to
him, eight now living - Harriet Ann, Alice Rhoda, James M.,
Edward L. and Emma W. (twins), Albert L. and
Ella May. William H., Charles and an infant son are
deceased. Mr. Russell and family are members of the
Methodist church.
HON. WILLIAM RUSSELL,
deceased, was born in Ireland in 1782. He was left an orphan
in childhood, and when fourteen years of age came alone to the
United States, and for a short time lived in Philadelphia, when he
continued his journey and located in Maysville, Ky. He began
learning the hatter's trade in Philadelphia, and continued to work
at it in Maysville. While living in Kentucky he was married to
Sarah Tribbey. They had one child, but wife and child
both died soon after the latter's birth. Leaving Maysville he
located in West Union, Adams Co., Ohio, and followed merchandising a
number of years, in the meantime representing his county in the
Legislature a number of times. In 1828 he was elected to
Congress on the Democratic ticket. He served two terms, but
was defeated by his opponent the third term. In 1833 he
removed to Scioto County and located in what is now Rush Township,
and engaged in forging bar iron, but in this was unsuccessful,
losing ultimately $30,000. In 1840 he was elected to Congress
on the Whig ticket. After the expiration of his term he
retired to the quiet of his farm at the mouth of Brush Creek.
Mr. Russell was in many ways a remarkable man. He had
no educational advantages except what he received in his native
land, but by perseverance and industry became a good scholar in the
common branches. He was a good speaker, and had great
conversational powers. He was conscientious in all his
dealings with his fellow-men, and enjoyed a popularity that was the
envy of both friends and foes. He joined the Methodist church
when quite young, and was always a firm adherent to its principles.
In 1808 he married Nancy Wood. But three of their seven
children are living - William B., Sarah Ann wife of W. D.
Gale, Louisville, Ky., and Henry W. Joseph H., James,
Robert and Albert L. are deceased. The latter
enlisted in the late war in Company F, Forty-fourth Illinois
Infantry, and died in prison at Atlanta in 1863. Mr.
Russell died Sept. 25, 1845. His wife died Feb. 4, 1857,
aged seventy-two years. He was a Class-Leader in the church
many years, and while in Congress was leader of a class composed
chiefly of Ohio Congressman.
W. W. WILKINS
was born in Botetourt County, Va., in 1823, a son of James and
Catherine (Henderson) Wilkins, native of Virginia. When
nine years of age he accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Mo.,
where they both died the following year. He was then taken by
his uncle, John H. Wilkins, to Mississippi, and resided with
him till eighteen years of age. He was given a good education,
after which he pursued various avocations, the principal one being
teaching. He has taught in eleven different States, and has
acquired a knowledge by personal experience seldom surpassed. In
1843 he came to Scioto County, but remained only two years.
He then went West, and three years later returned, and has since
made this his home. In 1864 he enlisted in Company B,
Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, and served till the close of the war,
the latter part of the time as Provost-Marshal. With the
exception of four years he has been Clerk of Rush Township since its
organization in 1867. He was married in 1846 to Sarah A.,
daughter of Samuel Barber. They have had six children -
Urania, now Mrs. Kirkendall; Oscar F.,
Josephine, now Mrs. Virgin; Minnie, now Mrs. Morris;
James A., and Henry A., deceased. Politically
Mr. Wilkins is a Republican.
BRUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP.
The county map shows this
township to have the most territory, but the tax duplicate gives
Nile Township the largest number of acres assessed, or 48,140, while
Brush Creek has assessed, or 48,140, while Brush Creek has assessed
47,847, nearly twelve square miles in area. It is, however, of
irregular form, its western border being about eighteen miles from
north to south, while its greatest width is less than nine miles,
and from this point the line runs southwest and northwest until the
western side is, as above mentioned, some eighteen miles in length.
The surface is like the county, broken and hilly, and too rough in
many portions for successful cereal production. Still, some of
the hills are rich insoil, and susceptible of cultivation. Its
water supply is adequate for all farm purposes, and its forests of
timber are of great value.
ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY.
Brush Creek was
organized in 1820. It is bounded on the north by Pike County,
on the east by Morgan and Union townships, on the southeast by Union
townships, on the southeast by Union, and south by Nile, and west,
by Adams County. Sept. 26, 1878, another slight change
was made, adding a portion of the township to that of Union, and the
latter was to pay the assessment of the territory given to her.
OLD PIONEERS.
Brush Creek had a
few pioneers scattered here and there over her vast and rugged
territory, and among the number where Jesse Edwards, Samuel
Edwards Isme Freeman, Aaron Armstrong, Christopher Oppy, Thornton
Kendall, John Liston, Henry Caraway, James Jones, William Thompson,
Joshua Armstrong, Thomas Brown, James Wilson, William White, Joseph
and James Walker, Xenthus Kennedy and Peter Randall.
OFFICIAL.
The township records from
the organization of the township up to 1867 were destroyed by fire a
few years ago. The township officers for the year 1867 were as
follows: Trustees, William Alexander, John Williams, M. H.
Newman; Clerk, T. H. B. Jones; Treasurer,
William Freeman; Assessor, John Williams; Constables,
Levi Thompson and George Mustard; Justices of the
Peace, Michael Freeman and G. W. Slack. The
present officers (1883) are as follows: Trustees, W. C.
Hazelbaker, R. F. Wamsley, and Hiram Jones; Treasurer,
William Freeman; Clerk, J. G. Freeman; Assessor, D. T.
Blackburn; Constables, Henry King and J. N. Wamsley;
Justices of the Peace, R. F. Wamsley and S. A. Stedman.
Dry Run School-house is the voting precinct of the township.
SCHOOLS.
There are thirteen school
districts in Brush Creek Township, numbered and named as follows:
Sub-district No. 2, Oswego School; Sub-district No. 3, Upper Rarden
School; Sub-district No. 4, Jones School; Sub-district No. 5, Hoffer
School; Sub-district No. 6, Lower Rarden School; Sub-district No. 7,
East Mt. Joy School; Sub-district No. 8, Upper Rocky Fork;
Sub-district No. 9, Mt. Hope School; Sub-district No. 10, Dunlap
School; Sub-district No. 11, West Mt. Joy School; Sub-district 12,
Otway School; Sub-district No. 13, Lower Rocky Fork School.
HAMLETS OF BRUSH CREEK
There are three postoffices
in Brush Creek Township, the most important hamlet being known as
"Galena," and the postoffice as "Rarden." Galena is a railroad
station; was laid on Sept. 21, 1850, by Jesse B. Edwards and
Aaron Moore, and surveyed by Joseph V. Mustard, and is in
reality the only town or village in the township. It is
located in the northwest portion of the township and within about
one and a half miles of the Adams County line. It has two
general stores, and fruit and confectionery store, a drug store and
a saloon. The Postmaster is S. A. Stedman, and the
offices is in the fruit store of D. A. Gardner. The
assessed value of personal property of Galena in 1882 was $12,105.
There are two hotels, the Home House, Michael Freeman, proprietor,
and the Anchor Hotel, with "Bar" attachment, kept by Mr.
Whittlemore. There are two blacksmith shops, a pump
factory, a cooper shop; the last establishment runs from twelve to
fifteen hands in summer and twenty in the winter. The Anchor
Hub and Spoke Factory, under the management of D. K. Sprinkle,
turns out a large amount of work and has from twelve to fifteen
hands constantly employed. Dr. E. D. E. Morgan and
Dr. J. H. Windle are the resident physicians. The railroad
has been completed to this point and the town is improving quite
rapidly. It has now a population of perhaps 300, or over.
A special school-district is made of Galena, and they have a
separate, although a public school. Otway is a central
part of the township, on the line of Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad,
some six miles southeast of Galena, just above the mouth of the
South Fork of Brush Creek. It is not yet platted, but there is
a store and postoffice. It is a shipping station for timber.
J. G. Freeman is Postmaster, merchant and entertains
travelers. Mt. Joy is a similar hamlet in size to the
above and boasts of a small store and a postoffice. It is
situated on a hill called Mt. Joy and is in the northwest portion of
the township.
CHURCHES.
The Mt. Joy United
Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Marvin
Morrison and a few earnest workers in the cause. The
church has regularly kept up its organization and its growth fully
equal to that expected from the population of the surrounding
country. It has at this time fifty-six member, and its present
pastor is Rev. J. B. Gowdy. Trustees elected are
Robert Dunn, Martin Rodney and John McMurray.
The McCullough
Settlement Catholic Church was first organized by Rev. Father
Joseph Mertian and the appointment of James Galvin, Joseph
Kelley and John Donahoe. The membership numbered
about 160. It has now a membership of about 200 and Father
Mertian is still in charge. Services is held twice in six
weeks, and instruction class the same and in the afternoon of the
day of service.
The Mt. Joy Christian
Church was organized in 1854 by Elder Mathew Gardner, the
members at that time numbering about thirty-five. Rev. J.
B. Taylor is the present pastor,, and the Trustees are John
McCan, Robert Day and George Rose. Service is held
three times a month and Sabbath-school every Sunday. The
average number of scholars is seventy-one, and of church members
100. The church was erected in 1868.
The Otway Christian
Union Church was organized in 1866, and held its meetings in the
Dry Run School-house for three years, when they built the present
church building in 1869. The pastor was the Rev. Jesse
Wamsley; Trustees, William Freeman, J. T. Freeman, Paul White
and William H. Powell. The members then were:
William Freeman and wife, Mrs. Margaret Freeman, Miss
Sarah Freeman, Jacob Thompson, John Liston, W. H. Powell, George
Brown, Elias Thornton and wife. The present members number
100, and preaching is had once a month. Sabbath-school is held
every Sunday and has an average attendance of forty.
The M. E. Church was
organized by Rev. Mr. Perry in 1880. It now has a
membership of twenty-five. The present pastor is Rev. Mr.
Rifle; services are held every two weeks and Sabbath-school
every Sunday, at the Dry Run School-house.
The Mt. Joy Regular
Baptist Church was organized in 1882 by Rev. G. W. Hackworth,
and the Trustees were Abraham Oppy, David Thompson and
Jackson McCan. It organized with about thirty members and
has about fifty at the present time. It holds its meetings in
the Mt. Joy School-house.
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