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GREENE
TOWNSHIP was organized February 5, 1817, and took its name
from Major General Nathaniel Greene, a revolutionary soldier, and
a native of Warwick Rhode Island. The population in 1870 was
2,715. The following is the official records of the township since
its organization: Justices of the Peace -
1817 - David McConahay, George Boydston; 1820 - Thomas Smith, George
Boydston;
1823 - Benjamin Sanford, Thomas Smith;
1826 - Jesse McKinly, Thomas Smith
1829 - Jacob Bowman, Thomas Smith;
1833 - Jacob Bowman, Joseph Wilford;
1836 - John Musser, Joseph Wilford;
1839 - Simon Ruble, Thomas Washburn;
1842 - Simon Ruble, Thomas Darrough;
1845 - William Taggart, David Kling;
1848 - Simon Ruble, Thomas Darrough;
1851 - David Kling, John Zimmerman;
1854 - David Kling, John Zimmerman;
1857 - Smith Orr, John Zimmerman;
1860 - Peter Walters, John Zimmerman;
1864 - D. L. Keiffer, Smith Orr;
1867 - D. K. Keiffer, A. E. Clark;
1870 - Thomas Fankle, A. E. Clark;
1873 - Henry Schriber, O. K. Griffith;
1876 - Henry Schriber, James Bodine.
1817 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, George Boydston, Thoams Hayse;
Tressurer - Thomas Dawson; Clerk - David Boydston.
1818 - Trustees - David McConahay, David Boydston, Thoams Hayse;
Treasurer - John Wade; Clerk - Benjamin Bydston.
1819 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Jonathan Casebier;
Treasurer - Samuel Wilford; Clerk - Benjamin Boydston.
1820 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Thomas Smith;
Treasurer - Samuel Wilford; Clerk - Jacob Breakbail.
1821 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, George Smith;
Treasurer - Samuel Wilford; Clerk - Benjamin Boydston.
1822 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Adam Peckinpaugh;
Treasurer - Samuel Wilford; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1823 - Trustees - John Wade, John Winkler, Joseph Wilford; Treasurer -
Samuel Wilford; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1824 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, William Ruffcorn, Adam Peckinpaugh;
Treasurer - George Carson; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1825 - Trustees - Abram Feightner, James Long, Jacob Breakbail;
Treasurer - Thomas Hayse; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1826 - Trustees - Abraham Feightner, James Long, Samuel Furgason;
Treasurer - Thomas Hayse; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1827 - Trustees Peter Flickinger, Jacob Bowman, Thomas Smith; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1828 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, Jacob Bowman, Benjain Erb; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk Adam Kieffer.
1829 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, Jacob Bowman, Benjamin Erb;
Treasurer - Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1830 - Trustees - John Winkler, George Leasure, Samuel Furgason;
Treasurer - Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1831 - Trustees - John Winkler, George Leasure, Samuel Furgason;
Treasurer - Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1832 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, Jacob Hess, Jacob Erb; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1833 - Trustees - Peter Flickinger, Jacob Hess, Jacob Erb; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1834 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Musser, Jacob Erb; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1835 - Trustees - John Musser, John Winkler, Jacob Erb; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1836 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Capp, David Brenizer; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1837 - Trustees - John WInkler, Tomas Darrough, Evans Burgin; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1838 - Trustees - John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1839 - Trustees - John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1840 - Trustees - John Winkler, Thomas Darrough, Simon Bowman; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1841 - Trustees - John Winkler, Jacob Erb, Jacob Hess: Treasurer - Peter
Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1842 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Adam Kieffer.
1843 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Jacob Erb.
1844 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Hoover, Joseph Weiler; Treasuer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - Jacob Erb.
1845 - Trustees - John Winkler, Jacob Hess, Peter Walters; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - John Myers.
1846 - Trustees - John Winkler, John Capp, Joseph Klepper; Treasurer -
Peter Flickinger; Clerk - John Myers.
1846 - Trustees - John Winkler, Adam Kieffer, John Capp, Joseph Klepper;
Treasurer - Peter Flickinger; Clerk - John Myers.
1847 - Trustees - John Winkler, Adam Kieffer, Daniel Schriber; Treasurer
- Peter Flickinger; Clerk - John Myers.
1848 - Trustees - John Winkler, Adam Kieffer, Daniel Schriber; Treasurer
- Joseph Klepper; Clerk - John Myers.
1849 - Trustees - John Winkler, Daniel Schriber, John Zimmerman;
Treasurer - Joseph Klepper; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1850 - Trustees - John Winkler, David Kling, John Zimmerman; Treasurer -
Joseph Klepper; Clekr - Peter Walters.
1851 - Trustees - Daniel Lightfoot, Daniel Schriber, John Zimmerman;
Treasurer - David Kling; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1852 - Trustees - John Winkler, Daniel Lightfoot, Christian Brenneman;
Treasurer - David Kling; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1853 - Trustees - John Winkler, Christian Brenneman, Henry Hoover;
Treasurer - David Kling; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1854 - Trustees - Christian Brennaman, Henry Hoover, Jacob Hess;
Treasurer - David Kling; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1856 - Trustees - Henry Hoover, David Arick, H. H. Webb; Treasurer -
David Kling ; Clerk - Peter Walters.
1857 - Trustees - John Erb, George Hurding, Jacob Gardner; Treasurer -
Jacob Hess; Clerk - John Myers.
1858 - Trustees - Robert Hutchison, Jacob Gardner, John Myers; Treasurer
- Jacob Hess; Clerk - C. N. Storrs.
1859 - Trustees - Emanuel Schriber, J. W. Watters, Jacob Baughman;
Treasurer - Jacob Hess; Clerk - C. N. Storrs.
1860 - Trustees - Emanuel Schriber, Samuel Brenizer, Robert Hutchinson;
Treasurer - Jacob Hess; Clerk - C. N. Storrs.
1861 - Trustees - Christian Brenneman, Emanuel Schriber, Samuel Brenizer;
Treasurer - J. W. Winkler; Clerk - Jacob Reaser.
1862 - Trustees - Andrew Ault, Daniel Holser, George Starn; Treasurer -
James Gray; Clerk - Moses Morrett.
1863 - Trustees - Andrew Ault, Daniel Holser, Peter Zell; Treasurer -
James Gray; Clerk - Frederick Seas.
1864 - Trustees - Christian Brenneman, James Bodine, Abraham Huffman;
Treasurer - James Gray; Clerk - Frederick Seas.
1865 - Trustees - Jacob Gardner, James Bodine, Josiah Foutch; Treasurer
- James Gray; Clerk - Frederick Seas.
1866 - Trustees - James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winger; Treasurer -
Jacob Reaser; Clerk - C. T. Clark.
1867 - Trustees - James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winter; Treasurer -
Jacob Reaser; Clerk - C. T. Clark.
1868 - Trustees - James Bodine, Jacob Gardner, Isaac Winger; Treasurer -
Jacob Reaser; Clerk - C. T. Clark.
1869 - Trustees - James Bodine, Christian Brenneman, William Myers;
Treasurer - Jacob Reaser; Clerk - C. T. Clark.
1870 - Trustees - J. M. Flickinger, L. S. Taggart, William Myers;
Treasurer - Jacob Reaser; Clerk - O. Lademore.
1871 - Trustees - J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milton, William Myers;
Treasurer - John Myers; Clerk - Jeremiah Stutzman.
1872 - Trustees - J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milhon, J. J. Weiler;
Treasurer - John Myers; Clerk - Jeremiah Stutzman.
1873 - Trustees - J. M. Flickinger, E. H. Milhon, J. J. Weiler;
Treasurer - John Myers; Clerk - H. J. Smith.
1874 - Trustees - Frederick Seas, William Pontius, Joseph Bricker;
Treasurer - John Myers; Clerk - J. J. Smith.
1875 - Trustees - Frederick Seas, William Pontius, Peter Zell; Treasurer
- Isaac Schriber; Clerk - O. Ladimore. FIRST SETTLERS
AND FIRST THINGS. The early
inhabitants of this observed one pecuiarity in the first occupancy of
it. It was a wilderness, overgrown with timber, with the exception
of about twelve acres on the south-west quarter of section three, which
was clear of trees, stumps, and even roots, and was called by the early
settlers "the Indian's Field."
A tradition runs, as early as 1802, a party of four
young men, who had passed from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, and leaving
the latter place for "Tuscarawa," now Coshocton, were attacked by the
Indians and one of their number killed, when the remaining three
retreated by the line of trees they had blazed. The bullet that
killed the young man entered a small oak tree, which the Indians notched
high above the ground. A few years thereafter two of these young
men, accompanied by others, returned to the spot of the murder,
discovered the notched three, but saw o remains of the dead comrade.
This would be the first death in the township.
The first settlement made within its present limits was
in 1811, by Michael Thomas with his wife and seven children.
He emigrated from Washington county, Pa., and settled upon the southwest
quarter of section 33, now known as the Bechtel farm; and was
followed by Thomas Boydston and his wife who came from
Pennsylvania, and who settled on the north-west quarter of the same
section. For three yeas these were the only settlers in Greene
township. In 1814 Lorenzo Winkler and family came from
Virginia, and settled on section 22. The emigration was meager
until 1815. Among other of the early settlers of the neighborhood,
were, George Boydston, David McConahay, David Boydston, Thomas Hayes,
David Antles, Thomas Dawson, John Wade, George Smith, Benjamin Boydston,
Thomas Smith, Jacob Breakfield, John Harris, Douglas Wilford, Barter
Harris, James Sparks, John Hobbs, Fraicis Shackler, Isaac Robbins,
Phineas Burrwell, Thomas Johnston, John Bigham, Robert Calvins, Jacob
Cook, Charles Kelley, Will Ruffcorn, George Carson, Jacob Brakbail and
Thomas Alison.
In 1817 the population was 147, of which 26 were
legal voters, and on application the township was formed. April,
1817, the electors convened at the residence of William Barnett,
on the northeast quarter of section 21 to choose their local officers.
David Boydston, Thomas Hayes, David McConahay and Thomas
Dawson were appointed Judges, and Thomas Boydsotn and
Jacob Breakfield, Clerks.
Martha, daughter of Michael Thomas, was
born September 25, 1812, the first birth in the township: the
second, that of Richard Antles, February 3, 1813. The first
marriage was that of Liverton Thomas to Anna Wade, by
"Priest" Jones, in 1815. In 1819 the first saw-mill was put
up, and built by Thomas Smith, on the site of the present
grist-mill, at Smithville. The first frame building was erected in
1822, on the present farm of Cyrus Hoover. In the fall of
1815 John Wade built a hand-mill to crush corn for family use,
which was situated upon the farm now owned by D. L. Kieffer.
On section 21 were visible remains of an Indian
village as late as 1819. The first State's warrant was issued
April 5, 1818, by George Boydston, for the arrest of John
Treasure, for assault and battery, upon complaint of Cephas
Clark. Treasure was a "fortune teller," and Clark had
his fortune told "on tick;" the "teller" proved to be a liar, and
Clark "bucked" and wouldn't pay, where upon Treasure got him
"in chancery" and drafted "sirloins" on his "frontispiece." Both
were citizens of East Union township.
In 1812 the first sermon was preached in the township
by Rev. Gray, at the house of Mr. Thomas. In 1818
the first school was taught by Peter Kane, a student of Oxford,
England, and the first school-house was built upon the north-west
quarter of section 23 - a log cabin 18x22. The second was taught
by George Boydston, on the farm now owned by George Freeman;
and the third was taught by Adam Kieffer, in 1824.
The first death in Greene township, after its
settlement, was December 27, 1817. It occurred at a raising on the
old Ruble farm, now owned by G. A. H. Myers, the victim
being Christian Partshie, a stick of timber falling upon him.
Smithville took its name from Thomas
Smith, who, in 1818, erected the first house in the neighborhood, a
cabin, located on the north-west side of the Portage road, in teh
vicinity of which he afterward, in 1831, laid out a village. But
on account of low grounds the site was vacated; and on May 25, 1836,
David Birney, Sr., Joseph Musser, John Shroll and
Luther Carey laid out a new village of forty-one lots, survey and
plat made by Campbell Bell, being the central part of the present
town of Smithville. David Brenizer, who is still living in
Smithville, put up the first building, on the corner now occupied by
John Willaman's brick residence of Jacob Stutz, and
the third was "Widow Johnson's tavern." The first
store in the original settlement was opened in 1818, by Reasin
Beall, in one end of Thomas Smith's cabin. The
first Postmaster was Thomas Smith, under the first
administration of Andrew Jackson. The first store in the
present village was opened by Judge Smith Orr and Jonathan
Casebier, in the spring of 1837. CHURCHES OF
GREENVILLE TOWNSHIP.
There are nine different church organizations in this township, to wit:
Methodists, Amish, German Baptists (Dunkards), Presbyterians,
Winebrenarians, Lutherans, River Brethren, Brethren in Christ and in the
United Brethren. The first was organized in 1814, by the
Methodists; the second in 1816, by the Amish; the third in 1826, by the
German Baptists; the fourth in 1830, by the Presbyterians; the fifth in
1839, by the Winebrenarians; the sixth in 1843, by the Brethren in
Christ; the seventh in 1844, by the Evangelical Lutherans; the eighth in
1845, by the United Brethren; and the ninth of 1867.
Jacob S. Paul, a native of
Cumberland county, Pa., was born May 22, 1820. The self-reliant
and resolute disposition of Mr. Paul developed itself quite
prematurely, as at the age of twelve years he entered upon a clerkship
in the store of Robert Sturgeon, of Churchtown, in his native
county. With him he remained for seven years, when a change of
firm took place, Mr. Paul, however, remaining a similar period
under the new management, meantime, obtaining an interest in the same.
At the end of two years he disposed of his share in the establishment,
and sought a wider sphere for the exercise of his commercial genius.
Having some Acquaintances in Smithville, in 1848 he removed there, soon
thereafter embarking in business with John Zimmerman, remaining
with him three years, when for three years he gave his attention to
farming. For a period, he was variously engaged, but in 1862,
resumed his mercantile pursuits in Smithville, where he continues in
business.
Mr. Paul has imparted to Smithville its
reputation as a vital business center. By fair dealing he has won
the respect and confidence, and hence the patronage of the surrounding
country. In 1873 the business of his firm amounted to an excess of
$115,000. In 1873 he established a branch house at Shreve, under
the style of Paul, Bricker & Co., which suddenly sprang into a deserved
popularity. His education was limited, receiving most of it from
Jacob, son of Joseph Ritner, at one time Governor of
Pennsylvania. He is an earnest, wide-awake man, possessed of
sagacity, shrewdness of calculation, business fidelity and stubborn
adhesion to business honor. He is of retiring disposition and
covets no undue notoriety. Thrown upon the world at an early age,
he acquired habits of industry and self-dependence, which invariably
insure success. He has remarkable organizing and executive
ability, and this, combined with his discretion and sound judgment makes
him a successful busines man. He was married December 26, 1846, to
Amanda C. Bricker, of Cumberland, Pa.
Thomas Boydston settled in Greene
township as early as the spring of 1811. He was born in Green
county, Pa., in December, 1786, and married Emily Burress, of
Monongalia county, Virginia, the following children resulting from his
first marriage: Boaz, Mary, Charles, Belinda, Presley and
Enoch. His wife Emily dying May 24, 1824, in East Union
township, he was married a second time to Mary Brakefield, of
Greene township, who died without issue. A third time he was
married to Elizabeth Steel, of East Union township, of which
union the following children are living: Solon, Sarah, Emily,
Minerva, Eunice. He died in Orrville, August 22, 1863, his
wife still surviving him.
John Winkler, the oldest living pioneer in
Greene township, and first son of Lawrence Winkler, was born
April 22, 1799, in Burke county, North Carolina, and came with his
father to Greene township, Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1814, to
prepare the way for the rest of the family, who came in the fall.
In 1820 he married Miss Dorcas Wade, who died July 17, 1826,
leaving one child. November 22, 1827, he married Miss Margaret
Wilford.
Thomas
Smith, after whom Smithville was named, was born
May 14, 1788, in Washington county, Pa., and on January 9, 1815, was
married to Miss Jane Wiley, of the same county.
In the spring of 1818, with his wife and two children, he immigrated to
Greene township, and settled on the east half of the south-west quarter
of section 18.
Smithville High School. - This excellent
educational institution was established in Smithville in August, 1865.
Professor J. B. Eberly was the first teacher, and now ins the
popular principal. The school first commenced in the old
Presbyterian church, better known as the Synagogue. About two
years afterwards money was subscribed by the citizens of Smithville and
vicinity to the amount of $5,000, to build a suitable building, which
was erected, and, with the grounds, is valued at $10,000, and the
boarding halls about the same, making a capital of about $20,000.
The average yearly attendance has been about 275 students of both sexes.
A large majority of the present teachers of Wayne county have been
educated here, and many from other counties, especially Stark. The
school has no endowment, nor has it received any gift at any time,
except as above mentioned.
Officers of the School
- President - Rev. D. Kosht, of Smithville; Secretary - B.
Musser; Treasurer - Rev. James Baldwin; Board of Trustees -
Benjamin Herschey, of Canton; D. B. Hotchkiss, of
Limaville; David Shisler, of North Lawrence; Rev. John Excell,
of Limaville; David Ecker, of Burbgank; John Willaman, of
Smithville. Instructors -
J. B. Eberly, M. A., Principal, and Professor ofNormal
Department; Leonard Huber, M. A., a graduate of Muunich Uniersity,
Germany, Professor of Ancient and Modern Languages; Benjamin Musser,
Principal of Mercantile Department; Mrs. Eugene G. Grenamyer,
Principal Instrumental Music; Mrs. Sarah Isiphine Eberly,
Assistant Teacher Instrumental Music; Joseph Corbett, Teacher of
Vocal Music; Julius E. Henderson, Assistant Teacher Scientific
Department.
John Jacob
Kieffer, among the first emigrants to Milton township, was born
Oct. 16, 1759, in the Provisdiction of Zweibricken, Europe. His
great-great-grandfather, De Wald Kieffer, was a native of Paris,
and of wealthy and noble ancestry. He was the fifth child and
oldest son of Michael Kieffer, and left Europe with his parents
on April 15, 1773. They first settled in Bedford county, Pa., and
lived there for about eight years, then crossed the Allegheny mountains
and settled in Somerset county. Here
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