CHAPTER XXII.
WHEELING TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION-POPULATION AND TAX LEVY-NUMEROUS MILLS OF THE PIONEER DAYS-SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS-THE FIRST ELECTIONS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS-FAIRPOINT-COAL AND OIL DEVELOPMENT-UNIONTOWN-THE FIRST TAVERN AND FOUNDRY-THE PROCESS OF THRESHING FIFTY YEARS AGO-THE SCHOOLS-THE CHURCHES.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
Wheeling township was organized June 14, 1808. Its boundaries have been mentioned elsewhere.
The township was named after Wheeling Creek which flows along its southern border, and the valley formed on either side of this stream is one of the most beautiful and fertile in the county. It has been appropriately called the "garden spot" of Belmont County.
As in Flushing township adjoining, the topography of the country is hilly, and somewhat broken by the numerous streams that flow through it to Wheeling Creek. Nevertheless, the soil is rich and the hills cultivable to their highest summits.
POPULATION AND TAX LEVY.
The population is largely rural, and has varied little in a quarter of a century. The population in 1890 was 1,359 and in 1900, 1,252, revealing a loss of 137 in the last decade: However, there is an increase in the personal property of $16,235, while the tax levy is reduced from 1.40 to 1.18.
The farmers are among the most prosperous and intelligent in the county and their homesand home surroundings are comfortable and attractive. Fifty years ago wheat growing was conducted on a large scale and it was not uncommon for farmers to grow 500 bushels and upwards, and this wheat found a ready market at the numerous mills that bordered Wheeling Creek and its branches.
NUMEROUS MILLS OF THE PIONEER DAYS.
There were no less than 10 flour mills and numerous sawmills constructed and kept in operation almost constantly. The majority of these old mills have fallen into decay and some have been converted into modern steam mills. Of the many old mills yet remaining, Captain Lee could only recall the Sharp mill, the Cleaver mill, the Irwin mill and another, name unknown, at the mouth of Crab Apple.
John Winters and Richard Truax also built mills at an early day. There was also a mill on the land of William Ramage, and the old Nichols mill, which was built in 1810, and formerly owned by Jacob Repagle.
These mills were operated by water power and made a superior quality of flour, the bulk of which was hauled to Wheeling and shipped in boats to New Orleans. Capt. A. W. Lee of Uniontown says : "Thousands of barrels were
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thus sold annually." He remembers as a boy his father hauling wagonload after wagonload of flour, the product of his own farm, to fill one of these great flatboats, and upon return bringing the wagons home laden with salt.
Tobacco was also extensively grown at an early day, but the introduction of the sheep industry, in 1820, afforded the farmers of Wheeling township the diversification so much needed ; and since 1875, sheep raising has become a leading industry.
SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Wheeling township we would mention John Winters, David Barton, David Rusk, Samuel Patton, Alexander McConnell, James McConnell, James Campbell, John Edwards, Peter Snedeker, John Henderson, Robert McCullough, William McCullough, William Gossett, William Patton, Abner Lodge and William Lee.
Among the families of prominence within the last half century, we would name the Pollocks, Lodges, Caldwells, Hayses, Lyles, Sharps, Merritts, Watsons, Loves and Lees.
THE FIRST ELECTIONS.
No record of the election held upon the organization of the township in 1808-09 was preserved. The first election we have any record of was held in 1829, on which occasion David Wallace was elected justice of the peace; William Wallace and William Cook, trustees; William Smith, treasurer; and Daniel Harvey, clerk. On this occasion Samuel Irwin and Henry Gittinger were elected fence viewers and John Lyle and John Plowman, overseers of the poor.
Fifty years later the township officers were : Justices,—Thomas Brokaw and John Coleman; trustees,—William Taylor, Brighton Coleman and John Caldwell; clerk,—T. J. Henderson ; and treasurer, George Sharp.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The township officers in 1902 are: Trustees,—George A. Lyle, W. T. Caldwell and
Alexander Campbell; justices of the peace,—Charles Love and Thomas Brokaw; clerk,—W. T. Taylor ; and treasurer,—John L. Allen.
FAIRPOINT,
In Wheeling township, is a small station on the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway. Its population is probably less than 100 and it contains a few stores, post office, etc. The present postmaster is W. L. Patton.
COAL AND OIL DEVELOPMENT.
Notwithstanding the high elevation of Wheeling township, the soil is underlaid with valuable coal, which is being successfully mined along the line of the railroad which traverses the township from north to south. Some mines are already in operation, but the great bulk of the coal is yet unsold. Two thousand acres were optioned at from $25 to $45 per acre, but the sale was not consummated, and the farmers are now holding their coal at higher figures.
Within two years, tests for oil have been made near Uniontown that are promising of profitable returns.
Capt. A. W. Lee, representing Doolittle & Becker of Pittsburg, secured leases upon 1,200 acres and tests were immediately begun. Two wells are completed and pumping, and three others are being drilled in the immediate vicinity of Uniontown. The first well yields 12 barrels of oil per day, and the second is producing 25 barrels per day with the promise of better results. Since writing the above, wells Nos. 3 and 4 have "come in," No. 3 proving a "duster," and No. 4 yielding about 25 barrels per day. Of recent developments a writer says :
"The oil boom is increasing and Uniontown is thriving. The Caldwell No. 2 was shot and made a fine showing. Pumping was begun without cleaning, but was not a success as the tubing immediately filled up with sand. This will cause a delay of a few days while the well is being cleaned. Its production is variously estimated from 40 to 100 barrels. The Caldwell No. 3 was down between 900 and I,000
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feet when a very strong flow of gas was struck. The boilers were moved back and drilling resumed Saturday, but working with lights at night will be an impossibility for a time. Limestone has delayed the work on Sharp No. 1, but a depth of between 400 and 500 feet has been reached. Four new wells have been located on the farms of Lizzie Lyle, Captain Lee, Abner Lodge and John Hays. These will be put down as soon as the derricks can be built."
UNIONTOWN
Is the foremost village in the township, with a population of from 125 to 150. In early days it was one of the most important business centers in the county, supporting four large stores, a machine shop and foundry, and several great slaughter houses, operated by Holloway & Company and the Warfields.
At the slaughtering houses, hundreds of hogs were butchered daily, and, when cured and smoked, the meat was transported to the river for shipment. One dealer, William Dunbar, bought and sold 150,000 pounds annually. In summer, the slaughter houses were converted into store houses for packing wool until the butchering season again opened.
One of the leading merchants of the olden time was William Dunbar, heretofore referred to, who bought and sold country produce extensively.
In the pursuit of his trading, Mr. Dunbar purchased wheat in 1841 at 40 cents per bushel and manufactured enough flour from the same to load several flatboats for the Southern market. When the cargoes were completed, he offered to sell the flour for $2.50 per barrel. Not finding a purchaser, he transported the cargo to New Orleans, which port he reached in a month, and found a ready market, clearing thereby $2,800 by the operation.
THE FIRST TAVERN AND FIRST FOUNDRY.
The principal tavern in those early days was Norris'. Robert Pollock, one of the venerable and honored citizens of Wheeling township today, was associated with Nicholas Cooper in the foundry and machine business in Uniontown 50 years ago, and manufactured all kinds of farm machinery. They were the first in the county to introduce the primitive threshing machine, called the chaff-pilers, which simply consisted of a cylinder for threshing without blowers.
THE PROCESS OF THRESHING FIFTY YEARS AGO.
The ancient method of threshing grain with a flail was superseded by the "chaff-pilers" above 'mentioned, and the process was simply to feed the sheaves into the cylinder and when the grain was threshed and the straw and chaff had passed through the cylinder, one man would draw it away with a hand rake, while another man would take it up with a fork, and, giving it a shake, throw it to number three. The third man would take it up in turn, and with another shake, throw it to number four; when, after a final shake, the fourth man would throw the straw upon the stack.
The Flushing Pike which crosses Wheeling township from north to south, was completed in 1870, and has proven a great service to the whole farming community. It is managed by a board of control and the pike is sustained by toll.
THE SCHOOLS.
The total enrollment of scholars in Wheeling township in 1890 was 427. At this writing the enumeration for 1902 cannot be given. The Uniontown school is conducted by Fred Wilkinson and the Board of Education consists of two ladies and a gentleman; namely, Mrs. Topping, Mrs. Jennie Workman and William A. Merritt.
THE CHURCHES.
The Crab Apple Presbyterian Church was the first established church in the township, and among the first in the county. In 1803, a little praying circle was formed which deputized William McCullough to secure Samuel Hanna of Harrison County to come over and help them. The year following the church was established with a membership of 40; and the first sermon was preached by Rev. John Rea. Among the families that composed this church organization were the Campbells, McCul-
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loughs, McKibbons, Merritts, Brokaws and Snedekers. The first elders were Daniel Merritt, Robert McCullough and William McCullough.
A tent furnished the first place of holding service; then a log meeting house, which was afterward superseded by a brick church; and finally the present frame structure.
The preachers who have served this old organization have been : Revs. Rea, Cowles, Coon, Allen, Williamson, Caldwell, Milford and McNary. The majority of these divines were gifted and Godly men, who labored hard for the upbuilding of Christ's Kingdom; and, from this old church, there have gone forth six ministers of the Gospel, namely : James Grimes, Robert Armstrong, Thomas Crawford, William Grimes, Robert Tanneyhill and Joseph Lyle.
The church attained its greatest prosperity under the guidance of Rev. Mr. Coon in 1835. Its membership at that time numbered 300, with a prosperous and largely attended Sunday-school.
About 22 years ago, many members withdrew and established a church at Bannock. Both churches are now without pastors, Rev. Mr. McNary of Crab Apple having but recently resigned. It is now proposed to seek a pastor who will serve both charges, namely,—Crab Apple on Sabbath morning and Bannock in the evening.
The present board of elders is thus constituted : William M. Brokaw, J. L. Allen, R. A. Lyle, Robert J. Pollock, George Love and G. D. Lyle.
The Bannock Presbyterian. Church is for the present without a pastor. The board of elders consists of William Merritt, Abner Lodge, William Brokaw and John Armstrong.
The United Presbyterian Church of Uniontown was formerly known as the Associate Reform Church, that was established in 1805 at a point southwest of Uniontown. The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Calderhead. The records do not show who were the first ruling elders. Rev. Mr. Calderhead was succeeded by Rev. William Taggart.
The first log meeting house was built upon the lands now owned by Abner Lodge. In 1835, the old log structure was superseded by a neat brick church ; and 20 years later a new church was erected at Uniontown. Upon the resignation of Rev. Mr. Taggart, Rev. D. F. Reed was called to the ministry, and two years later this society assumed the name of United Presbyterian.
During the Civil War, the congregation was divided upon political questions. The intense agitation caused by the discussion of the issues of that memorable campaign divided the people; and the members who seceded re-adopted the former title of Associate Reform, but they continued to worship in the same meeting house alternately with the United Presbyterian congregation.
The present pastor is Rev. W. M. Hopping who resides in Uniontown. The board of elders consists of Calvin Pollock, James Taylor, A. J. Keyser, William Gillespie, Joseph Thompson and Mr. Drennen.
The Unity United Presbyterian Church.—Rev. John Walker organized the Unity United Presbyterian Church in 1814, although services were held without a formal organization as early as 1812. The first elders were Alexander McCall, Robert Hammond, John Trimble and Robert McCracken. The families that composed the first congregation were the Cooks, Trimbles, McCrackens, McCalls, Hammonds, Loves and McCaskeys.
The old round-log meeting house, with its clapboard roof, was displaced in 1820 by a more comfortable hewed-log building. It, in turn, was superseded by a brick edifice in 1833 that was capable of seating several hundred people. At this time and for several years thereafter, the congregation attained the zenith of its growth and prosperity. In 1875, the present commodious and neat church was erected. In the graveyard adjacent many of the founders of the old church are sleeping.
The congregation at this time numbers 70, and the board of elders consists of George M. Patton, T. J. Henderson, J. P. Ferguson, William Pollock and John Watson.