WAYNE TOWNSHIP. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Inasmuch as Wayne Township adjoins Ross County—settled several years prior to Fayette—and because several of the Ross County pioneers removed across the border at a very early date, Wayne can, perhaps, lay claim to the honor of being the first township within the present limits of Fayette in which the whites located permanently. The land now owned by John H. Bryant, and located on the north fork of Paint Creek, near the Ross County line, was originally settled by one Wolf, who came from Virginia to the above-mentioned tract in 1796—the first settler in the township. Our informant (Mr. Bryant) remembers seeing the date, "1800," on the chimney, but had good authority that the cabin was erected four years before. The cabin was constructed of heavy and substantial timber, and a part of the beams is now used by Mr. Bryant for gate posts, while others were brought into requisition when his barn was built. Upon this land is a perpetual spring of clear and cool water, which undoubtedly induced Wolf to locate in its immediate vicinity. The writer was shown the original "smoke house" used by Wolf, which has since been converted into a "spring house." Wolf is described as a tall, powerful man, who made hunting and Indian killing his vocation during his lifetime. He died here, and was buried near White Oak, on Hamilton's Run. His descendants removed to the West. One of them was met in Indiana, about twenty years ago, by a citizen of' this county. Since that time, however, nothing has been heard of the family. The old Bryant homestead, which is now occupied by Speakman, was settled about 1815, by Philip Louderman, a Virginian, and relative of Wolf. Alexander Hamilton, another relative, settled on the opposite side of the north fork of Paint Creek, on the present Dr. Judy 826 WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 827 farm. His family consisted of a wife and seven children, some of whom are still living. His body reposes in the White Oak burying place. William Harper was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, where he married Nancy Faris, a native of the same county. Accompanied by their eight children, they immigrated to this township in 1803, settling on lands now in the possession of Robert Harper, which at that early day consisted of one continual tract of dense forest, inhabited solely by the red man and wild animals. Two children were born here, and thus the family consisted of ten children—five sons and five daughters—all of whom arrived at the age of maturity. Of these, Robert was born February 22, 1806, and is the oldest person now living in the county who was born within its limits. The elder Harpers were members of the Presbyterian Church, but afterward connected themselves with the Baptist, and died in the latter faith—he at the age of eighty-four, she of eighty-six. Another noted pioneer was Benjamin Davis, who was born in in South Carolina, thence removed to North Carolina. In 1802 he came to this state, settled in Highland County, where he remained till 1807, when he took possession of land now owned by his grand-son, William Davis, three hundred acres of which formed a part of the Griffith survey, No. 738, and was purchased of Pope. He erected a rude pioneer cabin on the opposite side of the branch, south of his grandson's residence, in which he lived many years. He was married to Ann Stafford in North Carolina. Their matrimonial relation was blessed by eight children, all of whom are deceased save one son, Joseph, who was living in Iowa when last heard from. It is said that Davis purchased, in 1781, a book, for which he paid forty-five dollars; and to protect himself from being robbed by some literary individual, wrote on the inside of the cover this inscription : " Don't steal this book, for fear of shame, For above, there is the owner's name." This simple but expressive rhyme has been handed down to this generation, and is frequently used by "the young idea" of the present. 828 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Davis died in 1837, and at his death his son Jacob purchased of the remaining heirs the old homestead. He was born March 28, 1802, and in the fall of that year accompanied his parents to this state. He was married, April 13, 1826, to Ellen, daughter of William Wilkinson, of Virginia, who bore him seven children : John, Nancy, Benjamin, William, Susan, Ellen, and Jacob. John resides in Missouri; Nancy is married to Abner Dickson, and resides in this township; Benjamin is deceased; Susan departed this life when but ten years of age; Ellen is married to William Thorp, an extensive cattle dealer at Washington C. H.; Jacob A. was a member of Captain Greener's company (E), First Regiment Fayette County Militia, and was drowned in the Ohio River, at Scott's Landing, during the Morgan Raid; William at present owns and farms the old homestead. Of the father it is said, that though he lived threescore years, he was never interested in a law suit, as plaintiff, defendant, or witness. Mrs. Davis was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her mother being among the first of those who introduced Methodism into Elkhart County, Indiana. Davis died November 1, 1860; his wife, July 31, 1872. Samuel Sollars was born in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1784; married Elizabeth Train, and in 1808 left their native state for Ohio, the family, at that time, consisting of one son, John, then about thirty months old. The husband had taken a trip to Ohio in the spring previous, and selected a tract of land embraced in a survey on the present Highland County line, on which Laban Records had squatted at or about the same time. After having cleared and planted about twenty acres of this land in corn, Sollars returned for his wife and child, and brought them to their future home in the same year, the trip being made by means of a wagon, drawn over the rough roads, and through the dense forests, by three horses. It will be remembered that this settlement was made prior to the organization of Fayette County; hence, the tract on which they located was then a part of Ross County. At present, however, it lies wholly within the limits of this township, and is known as the C. Wallace survey, No. 7577. That portion settled by Mr. Sollars, containing four hundred and fifty acres, has since been divided and subdivided, and is now occupied by Free, Stuckey, Harper, and McCoy. The land was purchased from Wallace, for whom it had WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 829 been surveyed. He is said to have been a great land speculator, and made the Sollars' cabin his favorite stopping place on his travels. Hamilton Rodgers was a native of Pennsylvania, but afterward removed to Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Mary Gibson. In 1808, the family, which now consisted of father, mother, and eight children, removed to this township, and settled at the mouth of Indian Creek, on land now owned by William S. Rodgers. There were no improvements, but instead the Indians abounded, and their huts could be seen in all directions. They were disposed to be friendly, but woe unto him who crossed their path. The rough condition of the land made clearing a difficult matter, but by their untiring efforts the family soon had quite a tract of land in a high state of cultivation. Aquilla Jones was born in Bradley County, Virginia, June 29, 1798, being a son of Jonathan and Hannah Jones, who were natives of England. They had ten children, of which the subject of this sketch alone survives. He came to Ohio in 1821, and worked for several farmers in this township for a period of ten years, then returned to Virginia, remaining about eighteen months, when he came back to his adopted country. August 14, 1831, he married Elizabeth Garinger, and located with her on his present farm. She bore him seven children : Elizabeth, Hannah, Amos, Cyrene, Louisa, an infant unnamed, and David. The infant, Hannah, and Amos, are deceased. Mrs. Jones departed this life March 20, 1848, and subsequently Mr. Jones married Mrs. Jacob Arehart, nee Ann M. Higman, who bore him two children, Maria and Laura. Mr. Jones is one of the substantial pioneers yet living, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors. His son David, of whom mention is made in the biographical department, is remembered as being one of the active and heroic participants in the late war. Benjamin Rodgers was born in Loudon County, Virginia, whence he removed to Ross County, on Deer Creek, in 1806, at which time there were but twelve or fifteen houses in Chillicothe. He was married, in Ross County, to Elizabeth Jackson, a native of Maryland, who bore him eight children. Among the pioneers of Wayne now living none is more deserving of honorable mention than John Kule, son of John Kule, sr., and Mary, daughter of Peter Eyler. She was born on mid ocean 830 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. while her parents were emigrating to the land of the free from Germany. The subject of our sketch was born in Virginia, September 15, 1808, and when quite young his parents moved to Ross County, Ohio, settling in Concord Township in 1817. His education was principally obtained at a log cabin in Greenfield, which was also used as a store and tavern. In 1830, he was married to Charity, daughter of Moses Hopkins, who bore him eleven children, all of whom lived to maturity. By careful management and industry he has accumulated real estate to the amount of about five hundred acres, which is well improved. He has held many offices of public trust, and enjoys the confidence of his acquaintances. e has in his possession a gun which was placed in a spring when the State of Ohio was known only as the Northwest Territory. TAVERNS. In the pioneer days, Wayne could boast of no regular tavern, and indeed this state of affairs exists at the present time. The stranger found a friendly shelter under the roof of any cabin he might enter, and was scarcely ever allowed to compensate his generous host. In later years, prior to the introduction of the "steam horse," travel on the State roads became very general, and the demand for a regular hostlery became very great. In view of these facts, Noah Hukill, who still resides with his son on the Washington and Chillicothe Pike, opened his house to the public and soon established a worldwide reputation for the same. He also sold liquor, but kept a quiet and orderly house. His first sign bore the inscription : " Oats and Whisky," the next, " Inn by N. Hukill," the third read "Independence, Peace and Plenty." It is stated that the drivers and occupants of twenty teams and wagons stopped here at one night. The tavern was well managed and considered a home for the weary traveler. It has long since been closed, its proprietor is still among the living, but the dear old homestead where, he has spent so many years, will soon know him no more. At present there is no hotel in the township, though there is a great demand for a temporary abode for the man of trunks and valises at Good Hope. At this WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 831 place a depot is in course of construction, and at its completion we may look forward to the opening of the much desired hotel. INDIAN REMINISCENCES. The following was obtained from an interview with Mrs. Scott, a granddaughter of George Scott. She often heard the story related by her mother, and kindly volunteered to impart it to the readers of this work : By birth, Heath was a Virginian, his grandfather having participated at Valley Forge with the American armies during the Revolutionary war; his wife was engaged in attending to the wounded after the above mentioned battle. They had three children ; one was killed by Indians while engaged in plowing. George came to Kentucky as a scout during the Revolutionary war, and at the age of twenty-one was married to Anna Wright, who lived near the Ohio River, in Kentucky. During the closing years of the eighteenth century the young couple crossed the Ohio and came to this county, settling on Indian Creek, in this township, on land now in the possession of William Rodgers.. They had ten children. The Davises, Wrights, Hills, Brannons and Clousers afterwards located in the same neighborhood, some of them on the opposite side of Paint Creek. Heath participated in the war of 1812 ; in what capacity is not ascertainable. The Miamis had a camping ground near the mouth of Indian Creek, about four hundred yards from the humble home of the Heaths. During the winter, from five to six hundred redskins were encamped here—generally peaceful, though apparently very quick tempered at times. When Deborah Heath, the mother of our informant, was twelve years of age, a white man named Harrod shot and killed an Indian while out on a hunting expedition, and covered him up with the logs of the forest. On the morning after the killing of the savage, Heath departed for Frankfort, leaving his family unprotected. The Indians instituted a search for their missing companion, and, upon discovering his dead body, very naturally concluded that the deed had been committed by a pale-face. They became very much excited, and one of their companions, who went by the sobriquet of " Wild Duck," an ugly and fero- 832 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. cious looking savage, came to the Heath cabin and inquired for the head of the family. He was told that the latter had gone to the mill at Frankfort. He did not depart readily upon receiving this information, but continued to inquire for Heath, at the same time brandishing his huge knife in a threatening manner, but finally was induced to depart and the terrible suspense of the family was relieved. On the morning following, the Indian made a second call, meeting Heath a short distance from the house. For more than an hour, angry words and threats passed between the two ; finally, however, they dropped their weapons in token of peace. As Heath's brother had been massacred by the Indians, his hostility to the latter was avowed and known to them, hence he was suspected of being the murderer of their late companion. Presumably he gave a satisfactory account of himself, at all events he was not molested. The entire settlement was much alarmed, and feared an attack from their savage neighbors. To insure safety, the Heaths took up their temporary abode at Frankfort, Mrs. Heath having buried the tableware in the garden before departing: Harrod was captured by the Indians, in Ross county, and burned to death at the stake, near what is now known as Harrod's Creek. Seven white men lay in ambush and witnessed the terrible execution, but were either too cowardly or had no inclination to attempt a rescue. Apparently the savages were fully revenged by the death of Harrod, as they made no further attempt to disturb the settlement. "Wild Duck's" squaw was a daughter of the chief of the tribe, and during one of his fits of anger he took her life, which caused much grief and indignation among the rest. A number came to Heath's cabin and requested Mrs. Heath to dress the corpse for burial as was the custom of the whites. Next day her body was deposited in a rude grave, a handful of dirt thrown on the same during war-whoops, the grave being filled with cedar midst frequent war-whoops. Immediately after this ceremony the old chief and another warrior tied " Wild Duck," who had been secured in the meantime, to a pony and started up the creek for the " cedar hole," and shortly returned with the pony, though minus a rider. Heath inquired of the chief what disposition had been made of the wife-murderer. The chief shook his fist under Heath's nose and said: "No white man's business." WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 888 With the tribe was a white woman who had been captured, with her little brother, in childhood, the latter was killed because he was a burden, being too young and delicate to walk. The girl grew to womanhood, became accustomed to the habits of her captors, and married the chief's son. She frequently came to the Heath cabin to bake bread at the fire place. When questioned as to her early life, she stated that she knew nothing except that her name was Sallie, and that she had come a great distance. GOOD HOPE. The only village of importance in Wayne Township is Good Hope, which is situated on the east bank of Indian Creek, at the crossing of the Ohio Southern Railroad, and Wabash and Good Hope pike, south of Washington. It contains a population of about one hundred and fifty, and may truly be called an energetic little business center. The town was surveyed on the first day of November, 1849, by Benjamin Nelson and John L. Burnett, at the instance of Robert Harper and James Sargent, the proprietors. It included parts of Thomas Marshall's survey, number 9,257, and Peter Manifold's survey, number 6,126. The tract was laid out into thirty lots: Number one beginning at a point on North Street, running thence north 87̊ 30' south, seven poles and two links, to a stake on the line of said street; thence south 2i̊ east, with West Street twenty-poles and two and one-half feet to a stake ; thence with the Greenfield road twenty-four poles to the beginning, containing an area of seventy poles and two and one-half feet. The remaining lots were laid out progressively, each containing forty poles, being divided by two streets, (North and Main,) running east and west, and two, (High and West) running north and south; the entire tract being sub-divided by alleys. Although Good Hope was not laid out till the year 1849, a portion of the lands embraced within the limits of the village, had been occupied a number of years previous. In about 1830, Isaac Smith purchased of William Rodgers, five acres including part of lot one, giving as pay a rifle. Smith presented the land to his son-in-law, William Merchant, who erected 834 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. a blacksmith shop thereon, and catered to the wants of the farming community for a period of four or five years, then sold the property to Jacob Cesslar, who in turn disposed of the same to Reuben and Samuel Nichols. The latter, in about the year 1838, converted the building into a store room, and sold it to Isaac Smith, who engaged in the mercantile business for a short time, then placed it in charge of his son, James W. Smith, who in 1842, rented the property to his cousin, James Smith. He, with an eye to business, stocked the concern with liquors, and was very successful so far as actual sales were concerned. Directly opposite lot number one, just outside of the present village limits, on the site now occupied by a wagon and carriage factory, Ira Yeoman and Robert McElwaine kept a tan yard. The former soon disposed of his interest to the latter, who did a flourishing business, tanning chiefly " on the shares ; " in that day, people furnished their own leather and had shoes made therefrom. It is said that some of the leather was recently found in one of the vats and proved as good as ever. At the death of McElwaine, the tannery was taken in charge by John C. Jones, who conducted the work till 1850, when he was appointed sheriff to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John L. Vance; after this, the in completed work was finished, and the building allowed to go to waste. Some time prior to the laying out of the town, a physician came to the vicinity with a view to practicing medicine; but as he left in one month, it is surmised that he was dissatisfied with the surroundings. He was followed by Dr. Coffman, now owning a drug store in the town of Washington, who soon enjoyed a lucrative practice. He remained ten years, then sold his property to Dr. Goldsberry, who is said to have enjoyed a large and satisfactory patronage. Dr. Harlow, at present a Washington druggist, also practiced in, Good Hope, anti with success. The first man who resided within the present limits of what is now known as Good Hope, was James Sargent, who lived therein, and erected the house now occupied by Dr. Culy. In 1850, a Mr. Divens removed with his family to Good Hope, and occupied a part of Sargent's house. By occupation, he was a carpenter, and proceeded to erect several houses, one, now owned by A. W. Ross, for himself, on lot number twenty-one. In the same fall he completed the houses on sites now, occupied by Dr. WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 835 Baker, Mr. Painter, John Limes, the parsonage, and several others. The timber was taken from the surrounding forests, hence the process of erecting new houses was necessarily very tedious. CHURCHES. GOOD HOPE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and received as a mission by the Staunton Circuit in 1857. Services were held in the school house of district number two until 1858-9, when, through the efforts of J. H. Parrett, a. church was, erected. At first there was a membership of only seven, and Rev. J. W. Steel had charge of the small flock. In 1858 William H. McClintock was called to the pastorate, as "minister in charge," his colleague being H. H. Miller. The new church was dedicated by J. M. Trimble, September 9, 1859. In 1860 the membership had increased to thirty-five. In 1861 Rev. Mr. Westerman had charge of the church as its pastor, and served in that capacity till 1863, when he was succeeded by T. J. Ross. In 1866 Rev. Mr. Alexander had charge of' the Staunton Circuit, and served till 1873, when Rev. Mr. Fegan was called to the pastorate, and was succeeded in 1876 by J. W. Wakefield, who continued till 1878, when he was followed by L. C. Brooks, the present incumbent. At the Ohio Annual Conference, held at Columbus, September 30, 1878, Rev. L. C. Brooks was appointed pastor of' this circuit. His labors were attended with good results. Each year witnessed extensive revivals, and at the end of eighteen months the accessions to the church had averaged one each week. The member-ship at present is about two hundred. Immediately after his arrival he commenced agitating the construction of a new building, but found that the people gave him but little support, because of the financial crisis through which they were passing. In the spring of 1880 the matter was again discussed, in due time a meeting was called, and the congregation decided to begin the erection of the proposed structure. A plan was secured, and in the fall of the same year the groundwork was commenced. In the summer of' 1881 the house was finished, and dedicated with imposing ceremonies. 836 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. The building is in the shape of a Roman cross, and consists of the audience room, class room on both sides, and school room for infants; all rooms being connected with the audience room by folding doors. The vestibule is in the tower, on the corner of the church. Dimensions: Across the wings, sixty feet ; from front to rear, seventy feet, containing in all two thousand eight hundred and fifty square feet of flooring. The tower is sixty-seven feet high, of which thirty-eight feet are of brick. We append a list of the church officials : Building committee, George Ireland, Sanford Sayre, F. M. Gibson, James M. Davis, Samuel Goen, and William Davis: class leaders, Rev. A. Baker, George Ireland, Samuel W. Goen, Calvin Boyd, Emmet D. King, James R. Kuhl; stewards, J. S. Divens, and F. M. Gibson ; trustees, George Ireland, William Davis, James M. Davis, Sanford Sayre, Calvin Boyd, F. M. Gibson, James Harper, Henry Slagle, George W. Tutwiler. Good Hope Circuit was organized from Staunton Circuit, September 24, 1873, and embraces the societies at Good Hope, Sugar Grove, Cochran, and Martinsburg. Prior to the division, the membership, as reported by Rev. Evens, was two hundred and twenty ; stewards, Joseph S. Divens, James Smith, Rev. William King, J. M. Johnson, and Jacob Kneadler; recording steward, Rev. William A. King; district steward, Calvin Boyd; class leaders, A. Baker, Calvin Boyd, Henry Lease, Charles Painter, Reese Binegar, and Jacob Kneadler; exhorters, George Ireland, Charles Painter, and Jacob Kneadler; Sabbath-school superintendents: Good Hope, Francis M. Gibson; Cochran, Charles Painter; Sugar Creek, William Orr; Martinsburg, Elmer Welsheimer. During the year 1874, forty-four accessions were made to the circuit. Repairs were made on all parts of the building, at a cost of $1,000. A debt of $400 on the parsonage was cancelled, and at the close of the year the membership was two hundred and eighty-two. In the year 1875, forty-one were received on probation; the total being ninety, and the full Membership, three hundred and nineteen. At the close of the following year the circuit was reported in a flourishing condition, the additions numbering sixty-four, and the total number of members being three hundred and forty, which decreased to three hundred and twenty-four in 1877. An interesting revival was held in 1878, which increased the membership to three hundred and seventy-two. In 1879-80, the total WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 837 number of members was three hundred and ninety-one. During these years, $500 were devoted to repairing the church property, and the movement to erect a church at Good Hope inaugurated. FAIRVIEW GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. Peter Eyman, now deceased, was the first Dunkard who moved within the limits of this township, and in all probability he began to agitate the question of organizing a church in his neighborhood. The society was founded by John Cadwallader, and meetings held at the house of Eyman. At or prior to the year 1844, ground for a school house, in the Hukill neighborhood, was donated by James Bryant, a member of the church, with the express understanding that the German Baptists were to have the use of the building, to be erected, at least once a month for church purposes ; and in 1844, Rev. Cadwallader began preaching in the new school house. In 1853 or 1854, a building was erected at the junction of the New Holland road, and the Chillicothe and Washington pike. It was a frame structure, 40x60. Meetings were held twice each month. PAINT CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH. The Scioto Predestinarian Baptist Asssociation, was organized in 1805, Pleasant Run being the first church. In 1818, Paint Creek Church was organized, and in 1840 the association, the membership of which had reached five hundred and forty-five and embraced eighteen churches, met with this church. During the war there was an unfortunate split of the members, which has never been healed. GOOD HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH. We are indebted to Rev. S. C. Tussing for the following historical sketch : The record of the proceedings of this church from its organization to the year 1854—a period of twenty-two years—was destroyed by fire. The writer is indebted to sister Rebecca Cory (the only 838 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. one of the original members now living) for the facts herein presented respecting the early history of this church. The gospel was first preached by Baptists in the vicinity of what is now known as the village of Good Hope at an early day, and, perhaps, where " the groves were God's first temples." Among the first that came preaching the Word, was Elder Snelson, who visited a few scattered Baptists monthly, and worshiped with them at various places. After Elder Snelson closed his labors, occasional visits were made by Elders Nathan Cory, and Peter Sperry, under whose labors " God was pleased to save them that believed." About the year 1828 a meeting house was built on a site two miles northwest of the place where Good Hope now stands. Here the church worshiped for several years previous to the division among Baptists. When said church was organized is not known. Elder Burnet was their first regular pastor. He visited them monthly. During his pastorate perfect harmony prevailed among the members; prosperity attended all their labors of love, and many happy converts were added to their number. Joyfully did the little band of Christians attend upon the means of grace, while Elder Burnet alone had the pastoral care of the church ; but ere long a portentous cloud arose. Elder Burnet not being able to devote more than one-fourth of his time to this work, the church deemed it best to call an assistant pastor, which they did in the person of Elder John R. Moore. Each of these brethren visited the church once a month for a year or two, when contention was bred among them, and they entered upon a period of their history to which we refer with great reluctance. The cause of all this trouble was as follows: Elder Burnet preached during his pastorate according to the spirit of the commission given by his Lord and Law-Giver : " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature ;" while Elder Moore taught that it is the duty of the church to cultivate the " home field" only, and of the minister to " feed the flock." In short, the former advocated the missionary cause, and the latter the anti-mission ; whereupon schism entered the church. Soon they resolved to have but one pastor ; an election was held, at which a majority supported Elder Moore. Elder Burnet and the minority of the church (who were nine in number), having refused to indorse the sentiments of Elder Moore, WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 839 and to co-operate with him, were forthwith excluded from the fellowship of the above named majority. The division took place in the year A. D. 1832. Those of the anti-mission party held the .property and records of the church; yet Elder Burnet continued his monthly visits, the aforesaid nine members co-operating with him. The following year (1833) these nine members organized themselves into a body, which assumed the name of "Good Hope Baptist Church." Their names were as follows : John Harper, Delilah Harper, Susannah Brakefield, James Cory, Rebecca Cory, Greenup Campbell, Jane Campbell, Elizabeth Bainter, and Parenee Brannon. The Lord was pleased to bless the united labors of this little church and its pastor, Elder Burnet, and. converts were added to their number. Soon after its organization the Good Hope Baptist Church became a member of the Strait Creek Association, but in the year 1856 they procured a letter, and united with the Caesar's Creek (now Clinton) Association. The church was soon denied the use of the house held by the anti-mission Baptists; and so, having gained strength by many accessions to their number, they resolved to erect a house of their own, in which they might worship God unmolested. It was built about one mile and a half southwest of its present site, where it stood for several years, after the lapse of which, and during the pastoral labors of Elder James Sargeant, it was removed to its present location, about which the village of Good Hope has since been built. The writer of this sketch finds an accurate record of the proceedings of the church for a period of nineteen years only, from December, 1855, to the present time. During this time nothing was recorded of great interest, more than that which evinces an earnest effort on the part of the church and pastor to sustain the ordinances of the Lord's house, and to hold forth and " contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints." We also find among the church records the following as an act of the church in September, 1856: " On motion, each member was appointed to visit one another and urge a more punctual attendance at our conference meetings." No doubt it would be advisable to have such a committee ever at work in many of our churches. This church has never been strong numerically, because of its be- 840 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. ing so often weakened by removals. It has had an existence for forty-one years, and has enjoyed the stated ministry of the Word from the following pastors in the order of their names : Elders Burnet, Fry, Freeman, Sutton, Wright, Woodruff, Bronson, Goodwin, Clark, Sargent, Brown, Hendrick, Emerson, Tussing, Buel, Briggs, Barber, Hamlin, and Tussing. Rev. Tussing is serving them in his second pastorate. The statistics of this body since December, 1856, are as follows: Baptized, 42 ; restored, 2; received by experience, 4; received by letter, 29; dismissed by letter, 65; excluded, 17; died, 10 ; present membership, 50. The above extends to April, 1875, when Elder S. H. Smith took charge of the church and served one year. In April, 1876, Elder H. H. Witter took charge of the church as pastor, and is still serving in that capacity. In March the congregation began the erection of a new house of worship which will soon be completed. It will be a brick structure, 36x48 feet, with a seating capacity of about two hundred and fifty, and its lofty tower, eighty-five feet high, and gothic windows, will lend it an elegant appearance when finished. The church at present has a membership of seventy-five. ROCK MILLS. This little settlement is beautifully situated on the bank of Paint Creek, in a portion of Richard Bibb's survey, No. 2925, and consists of a steam and water flouring and sawmilt, a blacksmith shop, general country store, and a "lumber of dwelling houses, occupied by the various farmers of the neighborhood. The land is very rolling, and abounds in limestone, which is being quarried quite extensively on the opposite side of the creek, in Perry Township. The settlement is also known as Rockville, both names being derived from the rocky aspect of the locality. In about the year 1815, Stephen Yeoman and his sons, natives of New York, purchased the fourteen hundred acre tract, now wholly .included in the limits of Wayne, and known as the Bibb's Survey. One of the sons, named James, in the fall of the same year, re-moved with his family, consisting of six children, to the newly pur- WAYNE TOWNSHIP - 841 chased land, arriving during the month of October, unloaded their goods, and effected a temporary settlement in the woods, about three-fourths of a mile above the present site of the mill. The family was soon joined by Stephen Yeoman and three of his sons, who settled on the same tract. In the following spring, Walter Yeoman immigrated to this state with his family, and located on Paint, just south of the mill. To supply a want long felt, the Yeomans—Walter and James—concluded to construct a dam and build a mill. They began work in the fall of 1817, and soon had the gratification of seeing the waters held in check by a well built obstruction of logs and dirt. As the width of the channel at that time did not exceed twenty feet, the task was comparatively an easy one. Work on the mill had been begun simultaneously with the dam, and the structure, a rude log affair, was completed satisfactorily. It was fitted up with machinery for sawing and grinding, and was a success from the first. Indeed, so great was the number of customers, that though the grinding capacity was one hundred bushels per day, many were obliged to wait a week, until their turn came. It was operated by James Yeoman, till his death, which occurred in 1825, since which time a number have had charge. The old log structure was torn down by William McConnell, who erected the present building, which is now owned by Lewis Mills. The patron-age given to the original owner has never been enjoyed by his successors, presumably because of the increasing competition in the various parts of the county. The store room and building were erected by Ira, son of James Yeoman, in 1848, who stocked the same with goods, which he offered for sale during a period of four years, then disposed of the building and contents to Milton Yeoman; he sold the premises to S. N. Yeoman, who disposed of the goods at auction. The store is owned by T. H. Deweese, at this writing. In about 1850, William F. Shed opened a blacksmith shop, which has been open to the public ever since. On the southeastern division of the Toledo, Delphos and Burlington Railroad, on part of the farm of W. R. Hukill, Esq., is a station known as "Convenience." An office has been erected, where the 'Squire officiates as postmaster, agent, and justice of the peace. He has been importuned to lay out a village, for commercial purposes, but prefers s to let it remain in its present condition. 842 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. Further south, on the same road, are Cisco Station, on the lands of J. A. McLean, and Fairview, on the farm of Milton Heagler. A large quantity of grain is shipped from these points each year. There are two flag stations on the Ohio Southern Railroad—Bogus Road and Ghormley's. Trains stop at these points to let off, and, on signal, to take on passengers. The former is located on the farm of Rev. John Boyd, and derives its name from the road which crosses the track at this point; the latter is on the farm of William Ghormley.