CHAPTER XXI.
FLUSHING TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND THE POPULATION-THE EARLY SETTLERS-REMINISCENCES-THE CHURCHES-THE VILLAGE OF FLUSHING-VILLAGE OFFICERS-THE SCHOOLS-THE BANKS-THE CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES -THE FLUSHING HOSPITAL-THE PRESS.
Flushing township borders upon Harrison County on the north and Guernsey County on the west. It contains 30 sections of land, is 10 miles in length and three miles in width. The soil for the most part is strong limestone and very fertile to the highest summits. The topography of the country is hilly, reaching an elevation of 1,329 feet above the sea level; nevertheless, the fields upon the topmost hills are crowned with abundant crops. Fruit and grain growing and sheep husbandry are successfully carried on by the farmers of this township, who are for the most part intelligent and well-to-do men, who reside in homes of comfort and plenty.
A high ridge in the eastern section of the township forms a dividing line between the waters of Wheeling Creek running east, and the Big Stillwater coursing westward.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The township was organized in 1817 by the election of Enos West, James Wright and Isaac Branson, trustees, with Edward Bethel, clerk, and Samuel Holloway, treasurer. The first justices of the peace were James Judkins, James Crozier and Henry Long.
In those pioneer days, there were numerous officers elected whose services are not now in request, viz, —fence viewers, house appraisers, and overseers of the . poor. The men elected to these positions at the organization of the county were : Abraham Brokaw, and John Lewis, fence viewers; Josiah Wickersham and Samuel Pickering, house appraisers ; William Kirk and John Howell, overseers of the poor.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND THE POPULATION.
In 1887, the township was divided into two voting precincts, namely,—Flushing and Belmont Ridge. The year following there were elected as trustees : Samuel Fisher, Hiram Howell and J. L. Chandler; as justices of the peace, W. G. Cash, Levi Starkey and John Moore. In the same year Elihu Hollingsworth was elected treasurer and Levi Starkey, clerk, with W. J. Vance, assessor.
The township officers in 1902 are : Trustees, T. F. Bethel, A. B. Fisher and James Dunn; justices of the peace,—Harry D. Gilbert, W. F. Hayes and Levi Starkey; clerk,—C. D. Krim; treasurer,—H. F. Oglevee.
The population of Flushing township in 1900 is 2,141, a gain of 451 over the census of 1890. This gain is largely due to the entrance of miners into the township for the operation of the extensive coal mines. Since the opening of the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway, these mines have been operated for commercial purposes.
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The assessor's returns show an increase on the tax duplicate of $9,167 over the returns of 1901, while the tax levy is reduced from 1.72 to 1.46.
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Flushing township were George Brokaw, Sr., Darling Conrow, James Bethel, Elihu and Levi Hollingsworth. Isaac and Jacob Holloway, Asa and David Branson, Jonathan Cash, Isaac Kirk, Levi Starkey, Stephen Hobson and Elisha Ellis. The children and grandchildren of these hardy pioneers have contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the township, and their names are still conspicuous among the honored and influential citizens of the county.
REMINISCENCES.
It was related by George Brokaw, one of the early pioneers of Flushing township, that in boyhood days their principal breadstuff was corn crushed into coarse meal by a rude, iron wedge that was used for splitting rails, and the mortar was a round hole burned in a convenient stump.
When wheat was grown, it was carried on horseback to McColloch's Mills, in Virginia, 15 miles distant; and when ground into flour was carried back in the same primitive way, two days being occupied in the journey.
Mr. Brokaw was the father of seven boys and four girls, and when ready to begin work, a unique scene was presented. He would blow the old tin horn, and the seven boys attired in blue jeans pantaloons and red wamuses, would gather about him and proceed to work. If the work was plowing, the father would lead and seven furrows would be turned behind him. In splitting rails, eight mauls would be wielded in unison, and in building fences, the father laid the worm and the seven sons laid up the rails. Mr. Brokaw passed his 95th birthday, and proudly boasted he had never taken any "doctor's stuff" or wore a pair of "boots." In politics, Mr. Brokaw was a stanch Democrat, and it is said that his vote was theonly Democratic ballot cast in the township at several elections.
Ginseng and snakeroot were commodities much sought after in those days. The former commanded 10 cents and the latter 25 cents per pound. Farmers' wives and children were kept busy gathering these roots, which were exchanged for powder and lead, the former of which sold for $1.50 per pound, and the latter for 25 cents per pound. It is needless to add there was no useless waste of ammunition in target shooting by the pioneer boys. Another commodity in great. request was salt, which was brought on pack horses from Virginia, and sold for $8 per bushel.
THE CHURCHES.
Outside of the village of Flushing, there are three churches in Flushing township, namely, the Methodist Episcopal Church at Belmont Ridge, the Stillwater Presbyterian, and the Stillwater Baptist at Rock Hill.
As an evidence of the zeal of the pioneers in religious matters, it is said the weather never deterred them from attending service. They would travel upon foot, sometimes for a distance of several miles ; the young women and children would carry their shoes in their hands until they came within sight of the church, when, sitting upon a convenient log, they shod themselves for the meeting; after meeting, they unshod themselves for the walk home. If shoes, stockings and bonnets could not be had, the meeting was attended bareheaded and barefooted.
Who will deny that in those days of primitive simplicity, when the worshipers were clad in red flannel and linsey-woolsey, there was not more zeal and enthusiasm in the service of God, than in our richly dressed congregations of today?
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Belmont Ridge.—This old church was built in 1831. Previous to that, services were held by the noted divine, Rev. James Findley, in the home of Samuel Burroughs. In 1811, George Winrod moved to section 14, where regular preach-
274 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,
ing services and class meetings were held, there and in the home of Dr. Watkins, until the construction of the church. The church has ever been a station, served in the olden times by "circuit riders." Some of the old-time preachers were : Revs. John Graham, John McMahon, Samuel Hamilton, Samuel Young, William Lamden, William Tipton, James Moore, John Minor and Samuel Brockunier.
The present pastor is Rev. Battelle McCarty, and the official board consists of Henry Cash, William VanFossen, Jacob Brown, Harry Wood, W. G. Cash, Clyde Huffman, A. Hinds and Miss Adda VanFossen. The membership enrolled numbers 65.
The Stillwater Presbyterian Church was organized in 1832 by Rev. Salmon Cowles, with a membership of 19. During the agitation of the slavery question in the early "fifties," the opponents of slavery seceded, and established a church elsewhere. However, when slavery was abolished, and the political issues were buried, the schism was healed and the church was reunited. Some of the first members were the families of John Price, John Todd, Thomas Morrow, William Smith, George Todd, Joseph Moore, Arthur Sheets and W. H. Beatty. The following are the elders for 1902: A. H. Lehman, M. F. Price, Job Reynolds and John J. Todd. The church is at present without a pastor.
The Stillwater Baptist Church was dedicated November 22, 1835. Its first pastor was Rev. R. H. Sedgwick, who continued as pastor for five years. About the year 1850, the church built a new structure to accommodate the increasing membership. It has received into its fellowship in all upwards of 500 persons by baptism. Its present membership is upwards of 150. Since its organization, the church has dismissed a sufficient number of members to form churches at Corinth, Enon, Moorefield and, in part, Morristown.
The church is at present without a pastor. The pastors who served this society in the past were : Revs. Sedgwick, Storrs, Bush, Jones, McCullom, Dunn, Squibbs, Erwin, G. C. Sedgwick, Barnes, Siegfried, Boyd and H. E. Orsborn. About the year 1850, the church built a new and large frame structure in which to worship.
THE VILLAGE OF FLUSHING.
Flushing is the foremost village in the township, with a population at the last census of 653, as against 528 in 1890. In 1849, the town was incorporated, and it then had a population of 312; but, owing to the loss of the records, the first town officers can not be given.
The assessor's returns for 1902 show an increase of $8,235 on the tax duplicate over the returns of 1901, while the tax levy is but 2.08 as against 2.52 in 1901.
The first house erected in Flushing was built in 1809 by Reese Branson, a silversmith from St. Clairsville, and the old house is still standing, and is occupied by Mrs. Hollingsworth.
VILLAGE OFFICERS.
The village officers in 1902 are : F. M. Cowen, mayor; A. M. Brown, clerk; H. W. Bigley, treasurer; Forest Burgett, marshal; and W. C. Holloway, street commissioner.
The members of the Council are: Peter Giffin, R. H. Wiley, William H. Wilson, M. A. Klemm, Fred White and Hamm Glass.
THE SCHOOLS.
The village and district adjoining was made a special school district in 1870. There are 11 sub-districts, in all, in the township.
The present graded school was organized in 1880 and today it has an enrollment of 160, with A. M. Brown, superintendent, and John Henderson, Miss Deming and Miss Mattie Hollingsworth as assistants. The last-named lady has served as teacher for 22 consecutive years. The members of the School Board are : W. G. Todd, M. A. Klemm and A. B. Fisher.
Jesse Foulke is reported as the first teacher in the village, followed by Levi Starkey ; and he, in turn, was succeeded by a man named Swann and by J. C. Bethel, who taught until 1893.
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THE BANKS.
The First National Bank was organized in 1884, with Jacob Holloway, president, and F. M. Cowen, cashier. The directors were : Isaac Holloway, Stephen Hobson, David Branson, Clark Boyd, Smith Hurst and William Watson. In 1898, this bank failed ; but all debts were paid with interest.
The Dollar Savings Bank.—After the failure of the First National Bank, the Dollar Savings Bank was organized on July 3, 1899, with W. R. Oglevee, president; T. W. Kirk, vice-president ; and F. M. Cowen, cashier. The directors are: Isaac Bethel, D. R. Humphrey, John A. Vance, M. A. Klemm, H. M. Bigley, T. F. Bethel, J. P. Dunlap and James Parks. The capital stock paid in is $12,600. This bank is alone among the savings banks of the State, in not paying interest on deposits.
The People's Savings & Loan Company was organized February 17, 1888, with an authorized capital of $100,000, $77,000 of which has been subscribed. Its officers are: D. R. Humphrey, president; Benjamin Wilson, vice-president; J. A. Hobson, treasurer, and F. M. Cowen. secretary. The directors are : W. G. Todd, F. H. Oglevee, J. A. Fisher, S. S. Sultzer and Smith Branson.
A prominent citizen informed the writer that this company had saved for the people of the town $200,000 since its organization. It is composed of 182 members and there is scarcely a family of the village that is not represented in the organization. It has been instrumental in the building and repair of many houses in the village.
THE CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.—This congregation was organized in 1818 in the house of Jesse Brandenburg, but the first log church was not erected until 1821. This building was removed in 1836 to give place to the more pretentious brick structure. It in turn was destroyed by fire in 1851, and rebuilt the same year, but it was not dedicated until 1852,
Presiding Elder Smith officiating. Rev. Mr. Smith was uncompromising in his hostility to slavery, which created so much feeling in the district, that he resigned his position rather than surrender his principles. In 1842, Rev. Mr. Archibald, then presiding elder, conducted a wonderful revival that stirred the whole community, and over t00 united with the church. Many of the converts were the most influential citizens of the town. One of the old-time class leaders was Jacob Miller, who conducted a class in 1818, which consisted of Jesse Brandenburg and wife, Jeremiah Harris, Michael Lewis, Enos West, Mary Brock, Denton Watkins and Robert Kimber. The preacher then in charge was Rev. Michael Ellis.
The present Methodist Episcopal congregation occupies a new church edifice, neat in design and finish, that was completed and dedicated in 1898 at a cost of $6,900. It stands upon one of the highest elevations in the county. The church was built during the ministry of Rev. E. E. Parks. The present pastor is Rev. M. F. Rainsberger, and the superintendent of the Sabbath-school is F. M. Cowen. There is an enrollment of 300 members. The board of stewards consists of Walter Howell, J. C. Howell, F. H. Oglevee and A. D. Fisher. The trustees are : Joseph Parks, Albert Conrow, A. N. Kirk, F. A. Kirk, J. A. Fisher, J. C. Howell and F. M. Cowen. The parsonage trustees are : S. S. Sultzer, Eugene Mead, L. P. Walker, T. W. Kirk and A. P. Fisher.
The Disciples' Church was organized 50 years ago, and the elders that then served the church were Levi Starkey, John Cordner and Kersy Kirk. The ministers who have since officiated are: Revs. Joseph Walters, Atherton, Andrew Linkletter and Woolery, the last named now State evangelist of West Virginia.
The present pastor is Rev. T. J. White, and the Sunday-school superintendent is W. G. Todd, who has filled that position for 16 years. The elders are : W. G. Todd, A. M. Brown, Levi Starkey and Thomas Hanes. The enrolled members number 125.
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The Society of Friends was at one time the strongest religious denomination in Flushing township. The first monthly meeting was established on the 23rd of October, 1818. However, as a necessary prelude, many meetings for worship were held previous thereto.
The minister who served the people until his death in 1845 was Jacob Branson, a devoted member of the organization of Friends, who moved from Virginia in 1805. The monthly meetings still continue in the old church, but the congregation is much reduced in numbers.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Flushing Lodge, No. 298, F. & A. M., was organized August 19, 1857, with Luke Voorhies, W. M.; C. B. Brock, S. W., and John A. Roy, J. W. The charter members were : Franklin Krim, H. Dysart, Mahlon Milburn and Joshua Piggott. The present officers are: D. R. Humphrey, W. M.; M. A. Klemm, S. W.; William Randale, J. W.; T. C. Ransom, secretary, and T. W. Kirk, treasurer. The total membership in 1902 is 50.
Flushing Lodge, No. 291, K. of P., is one of the strongest secret societies in the township. The following are the officers for 1902 : A. M. Early, C. C.; W. E. Judkins, V. C.; B. Murphy, prelate ; M. Stiff, M. A.; and A. M. Brown, K. of R. The membership numbers 40.
Knights of the Maccabees.—There is also a lodge of Maccabees with G. A. Fish as master of records.
THE FLUSHING HOSPITAL
Under its efficient management has acquired a reputation that extends beyond the limits of the State. Situated in the center of a beautiful hill country, and in the midst of healthful surroundings, it is taxed to accommodate the numerous applicants for treatment.
The hospital was opened for business in October, 1891, and was originally intended for the care and treatment of chronic surgical diseases of women. Since its organization, the managers have extended their work to include all kinds of surgery. The hospital is well equipped for the care of surgical cases, with a capacity of 15 beds. They employ from one to four experienced nurses, and care for about 100 cases annually. The staff consists of J. A. Hobson, M. D., chief surgeon; A. B. Hobson, M. D., and V. N. Marsh, M. D.
THE PRESS.
The News-Advertiser was established at Flushing May 1. 1886, by C. H. Judkins, as an advertising venture and changed a few months later to a regular newspaper. It was first published as a five-column folio and sometimes as six-column, four pages, also eight pages, but since May 1, 1887, as a seven-column, four-page paper.
C. H. Judkins sold out October 1, 1894. The paper then passed through several hands, coming into possession of W. E. Judkins, the present owner and brother of C. H. Judkins, on March 1, 1896. From 1888 to 1891 the paper was conducted by F. M. Judkins, father of C. H. Judkins, while he (C. H. Judkins) was attending college at Scio. Since 1896 the paper has been conducted by the present owner and has been changed to an "all home print." It is enjoying a good circulation, has a good line of advertisements, and is one of the paying institutions of the town. An up-to-date job printing plant is run in connection with the paper and orders for job work from all over the county can be found on its files.