CHAPTER XXVIII.
SOMERSET TOWNSHIP.
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THE FIRST FAMILIES-THE INDUSTRIES-THE FIRST MILLS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND POPULATION---SOMERTON-SOME OLD CITIZENS-THE SCHOOLS-THE BELMONT BANK-THE CHURCHES-SECRET SOCIETIES-TAYLOR POST, G. A. R.-BOSTON AND TEMPERANCEVILLE-THE CHURCHES-THE OIL FIELD-THE WARRICK MURDER.
About 1809 a few squatters had built rude log cabins and cultivated land along the banks of Captina but had not entered land. These wandering squatters were superseded by permanent settlers who had purchased and occupied government lands, between 1809 and 1814.
THE FIRST FAMILIES.
Among the first families were the Englishes, Gibbonses, Stantons, Williamses, Bishops and Edgertons.
The township, like Wayne, is in the form of a square, and contains 36 sections. Its boundaries have been previously given and we need only add that it occupies the southwest corner of the county. This township being off the leading lines of travel was among the last to be settled, wherefore one of the leading improvements is the Barnesville & Somerton Pike which was built about 25 years ago and extends to the county line, a distance of 11 miles. The road is supported in main by tolls. It traverses a rich agricultural country somewhat hilly in places but susceptible of the highest cultivation.
THE INDUSTRIES
Of the township as a whole are strictly agricultural, producing fine crops of wheat, corn, wool and tobacco. Because of prevailing high prices, tobacco is at present the leading crop, and for a number of years has yielded the principal revenues.
Twenty years ago tobacco was grown to such an extent, that the total product amounted to 700,000 pounds, and the average yield per acre was 1,000 pounds. In 1902 the acreage is lessened but the price of tobacco ranges from $6 to $12 per hundred.
THE FIRST MILLS.
The township is well watered by Leatherwood. Beaver and Captina creeks, along the banks of which many grist mills were erected.
The first was built in 1819-20 near Somerton by Jonathan Pogue.
Two years later, Abraham Packer built one farther up the creek. This mill was rebuilt about the outbreak of the Civil War, and conducted by Thomas Smith. There is said to have been a hand mill conducted by a man by the name of Joseph Davis, which served the people in the early times when the creeks were dry.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND POPULATION.
The present township officers are: Trustees,—Simon Howell, William Dewer and P. S. Butler; clerk, H. W. Pakavi; treasurer,
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T. P. Rhinehart; justices of the peace,—D. J. Ewers, M. Malone and J. C. Hampton.
The population of the township at the last census was 1,862, while in 1890 it was recorded at 2,045, showing a loss of 183.
The tax duplicate for 1901 shows an assessment in Somerset precinct of $163,365. In 1902 it is recorded at $158,182, showing a loss of $5,183. In Boston precinct, the assessment of personal property in 1901 is placed at $75,273. In 1902 it is recorded as $72,153, revealing a loss of. $3,119, or a total loss in the township of $8,302. However the tax levy for 1902 is only 1.61 as against 1.63 in 1901.
SOMERTON.
The village of Somerton is a pretty upland town, with a population of about 250. It was established between 1816 and 1818 by one of the pioneer settlers heretofore mentioned, namely, Boden Stanton.
It is asserted that the first postmaster was Richard Andrews. who built one of the first houses in the village. The present postmaster is J. S. Wilson. The first mail was carried upon horseback from St. Clairsville weekly and some years later it was received twice a week via Fairview.
The first buildings erected were a house and blacksmith shop by Moses Davis. Today the streets are bordered by numerous comfortable homes and a number of stores, wagon shops, etc.
SOME OLD CITIZENS.
Some of the old citizens of Somerset township are James Bishop, 85 years of age, J. P. Strahl, 84 years of age, Samuel Starbuck, 80, and Jacob Bishop, nearly 70.
THE SCHOOLS
Of Somerton were built in 1820 and consisted of a round log building chinked with mud and a clapboard roof, with the usual accompaniments of a puncheon floor.
The present modern building was erected in 1890 and is presided over by Prof. T. P. Harris, who is assisted by Miss Lona Hobbs. The enrollment numbers 105. The village Board of Education in 1902 consists of Atwood Warrick, S. B. Warrick and W. A. Lucas, clerk.
THE BELMONT BANK
Is a private institution that has been in successful operation since January 25, 1875. It was organized as a State bank with a capital of $50,000, with R. C. Miles, president, and T. F. Martin, cashier. The directors were Solomon Hogue, Hiram Whitacre, Samuel Starbuck, R. C. Miles, M. P. Miles, W. H. Atkinson and S. L. Mooney.
This organization was maintained until April, 1887, when the bank was converted into a private bank, tinder the firm name of E. J. Hogue & Company. Solomon Hogue, one of the organizers of the bank, was for several years county commissioner, and in the performance of his official duties enjoyed public confidence to a marked degree.
THE CHURCHES.
The Society of Friends.—The first religious service conducted in Somerset township was by the Friends in 1818. The first overseer was Isaac Stahl, who was appointed at the first monthly meeting in April of the same year, and John Middleton was approved as minister. The old house is still standing, and the organization is maintained, but the congregation from various causes has become so reduced that services are no longer held with regularity. The surroundings of the church and cemetery are neatly and tastefully maintained.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.—The first church established in Somerton, was by the Methodist Episcopals in 1831. The church service was first held in the home of John Koontz. and the sermon was preached by Rev. Philip Darby. The first class was conducted by Mr. Koontz, and the first members were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Koontz, Mr. and Mrs. Yocum and Mrs. Davenport. Three years later, a neat brick structure was built, and it in turn was super-
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seded by a new and modern brick church in 1872.
Some of the preachers who have served this people are : Revs. Darby, Bradshaw, Battelle, Armstrong, Green, Cook, Petty, Miner, Ingram, and Robb. The present pastor is P. U. Hawkins, and the present membership is 165. The official board consists of F. Skinner, L. Whitacre, Minnie Bircher, R. H. Skinner, D. L. Warrick, James S. Wilson, A. J. Warrick, John Finch and E. J. Hogue. The Sunday-school superintendent is E. B. Broomhall.
The Presbyterian Church.—The first church edifice of this denomination at Somerton was erected in 1870 and dedicated the same year by Rev. Mr. Cross of Wheeling. Prior to the construction of the church, services were held in homes of members and in school houses. The first church thus constructed consisted of 11 members, namely, Rebecca Miles, G. W. Shepherd, A. G. McCullough, wife and daughter, Alcinda Hultz, Emily Findley, Katherine Benton, Lucy Williams, Stephen Brown and Keziah Brown. The first pastor was Rev. T. R. Crawford, and the first elders were A. G. McCullough and G. W. Shepherd. Gradually the church declined in numbers and it is today practically without an existence.
The Christian Church of Somerton was established in 1892 and has today a membership of about 75. At the present time it is without a pastor.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Somerset Lodge, No. 354, F. & A. M., was instituted in Somerton by virtue of a charter from the Grand Lodge of Ohio, October 19, 1865, in a building purchased from G. W. Ramsey and used by him as a general store room. The first master was Emor Danford.
The past masters of the lodge are : Emor Danford, G. W. Ramsey, W. H. Helpbringer, A. C. Thomas, J. P. Strahl, William Starbuck, Hez. Thomas, Mechem Moore, W. O. Merrill, G. A. Millison, W. S. Strahl and W. A. Lucas. The number of members is 48.
On November 20, 1899, the building withits contents, including the records, jewels and entire paraphernalia, was consumed by fire, cause unknown. The first story of the building was occupied by Frank Detling & Company, groceries, dry goods, etc. The lodge then held regular meetings in the room over the Belmont Bank. Arrangements were at once made to erect a new building on the site of the burned one, and the contract for building the same was let to William Wiley of Jerusalem. On August 16, 1900, the lodge met for the first time in their new building which was fully completed. The present officers are : W. D. Strahl, W. M.; W. S. Strahl, S. W.; Carl Thomas, J. W.; O. T. Severns, treasurer; W. A. Lucas, secretary ; P. J. Creamer, S. D.; G. A. Millison, J. D.; and Frank Finch, tyler. Regular meetings are held on Friday evening, on or before the full moon in each lunar month.
Somerton Lodge, Knights of Pythias, was organized February 21, 1893, with P. J. Creamer, P. C.; E. F. Barnes, C. C.; J. K. Shotwell, V. C.; and D. L. Warrick, prelate.
The membership of the lodge in 1900 was 40, the financial condition is good, and the present officers are: C. C., D. Thornberry; V. C.. Alonzo Neptune; prelate, Rev. Hawkins; K. of R., A. B. Warfield; M. E., P. J. Creamer ; M. F., J. K. Shotwell ; M. A., Frank Ebeling ; I. G., O. T. Smith ; and O. G., A. J. Warrick.
TAYLOR POST, G. A. R.
The old soldiers of Somerset township established a post in 1885 in Somerton known as Taylor Post. The first post commander was A. C. Thomas ; senior vice commander, Thomas Wilson; junior vice commander, W. S. Strahl; adjutant, T. P. Harris; officer of the day, J. R. Finch; surgeon, F. Thornberry ; chaplain, L. W. Jones ; and quartermaster, T. F. Skinner.
After the lapse of 17 years the members have been reduced until today they number but 21. The present officers are : Post commander, J. Bishop; senior vice commander, William Starbuck; junior vice commander, Thomas Yarnell ; quartermaster, Thomas Wil-
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son; guard, A. C. Thomas; surgeon, John Finch; chaplain, W. S. Strahl (lately deceased); and adjutant, T. P. Harris.
BOSTON AND TEMPERANCEVILLE
Are the two other villages of the township, the former being laid out in 1834 and the latter in 1837.
BOSTON.—While Mordecai Harper was the first land owner in Boston, the first house was built by Joseph McMullen and the second by David White. The first church built in Boston was what was known as the Disciples' or Christian Church which was erected in 1830. In 1852 a new church was erected. Today the organization is maintained but the congregation is reported small.
The present population of Boston is estimated at T00. There are two stores and an extensive cigar factory, conducted by Wheatley & Company. The school in Boston is under the management of the Misses S. Skinner and Pearl Jones.
TEMPERANCEVILLE was established by Robert Gallagher, a man of intense temperance principles for the age in which he lived, and who thus sought to advance the cause so dear to his heart.
The present population of Temperanceville is between 150 and 200. The village school contains two rooms, under the supervision of Harmon Skinner, with Miss Armstrong as assistant. Two cigar factories are in operation that employ quite a number of hands.
THE CHURCHES.
The Boston Methodist Episcopal Church. Before the Boston Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, a little class was formed that met weekly in the homes of the members. The members of this class were: Isaac Taylor and wife, Hugh McMullen and wife, William McElfresh and wife and the Custer family. Perhaps the first Methodist sermon was preached in the house of Israel Taylor by Rev. Mr. Boyd in 1834.
However, the first church building was not erected until 1843. The present church building is a new brick edifice erected in 1876.
Boston was formerly connected with the Morristown circuit and subsequently the Barnesville and Somerton circuits. Some of the ministers who have served the congregation are : Revs. Worthington, Hamilton, Taylor, Wolf, Best, Coen, Edmunds, Lane, McCue, McCormick, Ellison, Vertican, Ingram, Weaver and Robb. The present pastor is P. U. Hawkins, and the membership numbers 30. When the old frame meeting house was removed and the new brick structure erected, the membership numbered 88.
St. Francis' Catholic Church.—Mr. Gallagher, the founder of Temperanceville, was an ardent Catholic as well as an intense temperance man, and devoted his highest endeavors to the establishment of a Catholic Church and it was principally through his liberality that St. Francis' Church was organized. At that time the congregation consisted of but four families, namely : McConaheys, DeLongs, Gallaghers and Jeffries.
Because of the liberality of Mr. Gallagher the church was established in 1822 and was first known as St. Dominic's Church; 32 years thereafter the little log structure was removed and a large brick building was constructed and in 1880 the congregation numbered 200.
The priests who have served this people were Fathers Dominic, Young, Murphy, Reed, Blumer, Jacquet, O'Brien, Daley, Meagher, Pelzar; Laffin and Howes.
The present pastor is Rev. H. Moellar, and the membership practically embraces the citizens of the entire village.
THE OIL FIELD.
The leading industry of Temperanceville is the development of the oil field. Fifteen wells are already in operation, yielding a total average of about 150 barrels per day, and new openings are under contemplation. The oil prospects in Temperanceville are promising.
THE WARRICK MURDER.
One of the most frightful tragedies in the history of the county occurred near Somerton in 1900. Two professional burglars named
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Stevens and Divine, who were reported to be from Zanesville, Ohio, entered the quiet village a few days preceding the tragedy and subsequent testimony indicated they were planning to rob the Belmont Bank, but failing to obtain a supply of nitroglycerine from Bellaire they changed their plans.
A widow lady named Mrs. James Warrick lived about a mile from the village and her grandson, Clarence Warrick, a young man of 16 and a maiden lady named Miss Markey, made their homes with the old lady.
The day preceding the tragedy, the father of Clarence Warrick who was administrator or trustee of the widow's estate, had drawn $300 from the Barnesville bank for a year's living for the widow, and it is supposed that these robbers obtained information of the factand they believed he would take it to the widow's house.
The house was entered and the old lady and her companion were bound hand and foot and when Clarence was aroused he was foully murdered.
The robbers made their escape but public sentiment was so aroused that the murderers would have been summarily dealt with if caught. They were subsequently arrested, tried and convicted of murder, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. After serving a brief term of imprisonment they were released upon a writ of error, and returned to the Belmont County jail to await another trial, but before the trial came off the murderers escaped from jail and have not since been heard from.