CHAPTER XXIII.

(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)

SMITH TOWNSHIP.

THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE COUNTY-THE EARLY SETTLERS-TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND POPULATION -JACOBSBURG - REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS - THE SCHOOLS-THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-CENTREVILLE-THE SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-FREE MASONS-SOME DISTINGUISHED SONS-WARNOCK'S STATION-THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS AND MILLS-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-AN OLD TIME TEMPERANCE RESOLUTION-LAMIRA OR LEWIS' MILLS.

Smith township was probably named after William Smith, one of the first settlers in the township, who located at what is now known as Warnock's station in 1805, and built the first log grist mill in the township.

The township is in the form of a square surrounded by Richland, Mead, Goshen and Washington townships, and contains 36 sections. While the surface is quite broken, and the hills in places steep, the soil is productive and the hills are clad in grass, or crowned with grain to their summits. The soil for the most part is underlaid with sandstone, and in places there are immense quarries of building stone of great value. Sheep, cattle and grain growing are the principal industries, though tobacco is still grown in limited quantities. In early days it was the leading agricultural product.

Coal in abundance is found throughout the township, the three and a half foot vein, cropping out on the hill tops, while the six foot vein is extensively mined for commercial purposes along the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, which follows the windings of McMechen's Creek.

THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE COUNTY.

According to a report recently made by a corps of engineers that are employed in surveying the county, the highest point attained is in Smith township. The flag station established by these surveying engineers is upon the summit of Phillips' Knob, a high field adjoining Jacobsburg, and the stone marker bears the inscription "1350 above sea level."

Yet the Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Railway, (a little narrow-gauge road) that traverses the southern portion of this township, has climbed up from the Ohio River to within a few feet of this great elevation, a distance of upwards of 700 feet and continues its course over these hills for many miles.

THE EARLY SETTLERS.

Among the early settlers of Smith township were Caleb Engle, in 1800, at Lewis' Mills; Caleb Boggs in the same year; John Warnock near Warnock's station; William Smith, near Warnock's station in 1805; Thomas Jackson, near Centreville in 1805; Jacob Calvert and Joseph Huntsman at Jacobsburg, and Joseph

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Rankin, John and Adam Walters, George Holmes and family, and David Snyder in 1806; William Wilson in 1802; William Foreman in 1805; Hans Wiley, a native of Ireland, in 1805; Daniel Meyers in 1807; George Elrick in 1807; John Matthews, Frederick and Jacob Aultfather, James Miller from New Jersey, in 1805; Samuel Lucas, Thomas Foster, Jacob Fitch, Samuel and Robert Clark, John McKisson, William Barrett, John Allen, Philip Aller, John Ewers, John Porterfield, Miles Hart, Amos Glover, Michael Ault, Joseph Rankin, George Holmes, William Piper, Samuel McKirahan, David Randall and Daniel and Adam Walters.

The first justice of the peace made mention of is William Workman, who served the people for 21 consecutive years. William Workman and John Pryor are also named among the pioneer justices of the peace.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND POPULATION.

The present township officers are : Trustees,—C. A. Strahl, D. Scatterday and H. Dysart ; clerk,—C. E. Ault ; treasurer,—Dr. J. N. McMaster; justices, William Warnock and J. H. Bell.

The population in 1900 was 1,710, a loss of 106 as compared with the census reports of 1890. The assessor's appraisements, however, in 1901 amounted to $256,169 and in 1902 $280,728, revealing an increase of $24,659 in the year. In 1902 the tax levy is 1.63 as against 1.21 in 'g00, a reduction of .42.

JACOBSBURG

Was probably named after its founder, Jacob Calvert, who laid out the village in 1815. It was on the line of the "Drovers' Road" and was regarded as one of the most important towns in the county.

The village was formerly incorporated, but the names of the early officials cannot now be obtained. In 1865-66 the incorporate authority was permitted to lapse and the village is now without corporate powers.

The first building erected was a hotel for the accommodation of the drovers and wagoners that traveled the old State road. The first house built in the village is thought to be the Joseph Puffenberger house. A general store was conducted by Joel Randolph in a hewed-log building in 1822.

The first frame building was built by H. Thurston in 1830. Perhaps the oldest citizens of Jacobsburg today are : Samuel McMaster, in his 89th year, and J. D. Glover and wife, who are 70 and 72 years of age respectively. Henry Neff is probably the oldest citizen in the township. Mr. Neff is 92 years of age with mental faculties unimpaired and active in body.

REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS.

Squire McMaster says that in his boyhood days the pioneers lived on "hog and hominy," dressed in blue jeans and red wamuses and took no medicine. The first physician to locate in Jacobsburg was Dr. Gratigny in 1825. In those days he said Jacobsburg was an important trading center, and on Saturday crowds would collect in the village to trade horses and drink whiskey.

As a boy he remembers when "general muster" was held at Jacobsburg and the militia from all the surrounding country would collect for drill. The occasion was always one of much carousing, drunkenness and fighting.

Mr. and Mrs. Glover have conducted a house of entertainment for 33 years and Mr. Glover has been the proprietor of a general store for the same length of time. He has also been postmaster through all administrations for a third of a century. Among the old residents of the village are: Josiah Maguire, Lemuel Walters and Joseph Inskep.

THE SCHOOLS.

The first school in Jacobsburg was taught by Henry Thurston in 1820. In 1821 Jacob Calvert donated a lot for a school building which was built of round logs. This humble structure was used as a school for 20 years, when a

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new two-story, frame school house was built, the upper story of which was occupied by the Masons during the existence of the lodge.

The present brick school house was built in 1870.

The teacher for 1902 is Robert Ault and the School Board consists of E. H. McMaster, Joseph Douglas and H. A. Weekley.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Is the only church in Jacobsburg today.

This church was established in 1850 in a little building built by the citizens of Jacobsburg and the surrounding country. About 20 years later a new brick church was erected to accommodate the increasing membership upon which occasion Dr. Pershing assisted the pastor, Rev. David Jordan, in the dedicatory services.

The original organization consisted of only 14 members, who were ministered to by Rev. Mr. Hall. The membership today numbers 150, under the leadership of Rev. M. W. Bevington, and the official board consists of : Stewards, John Ramsey, Ed Duvall and William Ramsey; trustees, A. W. McMaster, F. H. Ramsey and Jackson Creamer.

CENTREVILLE

Probably derived its name from the fact that it is located near the geographical center of the township. It was laid out by Thomas Jackson in 1817. His son, Thomas Jackson, Jr., who is one of the old pioneers born in the township, still resides in the village that his father established 85 years ago.

Mr. Jackson says : "The village, like Jacobsburg, was incorporated in 1838, but the corporate authority was permitted to lapse in 1850. The present population is about 200." Since writing the above Mr. Jackson has passed away.

THE SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

Centreville contains one school, conducted by Elmer Dunfee, principal, and Miss Byers,assistant. The school directors are Abner Wilkinson, William Hutchinson and W. W. McCloud.

There are two prosperous churches in Centreville, viz., the Methodist Episcopal and the Presbyterian.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1815 or 1819 in a primitive log meeting house upon the farm of Darius Fisher, two miles east of the village. Previous to the erection of the church, services were held in the homes of different members. About 10 years later some difficulty was experienced in obtaining a deed for the church property and when it was finally obtained, a majority of the members seceded and established a Methodist Protestant Church, and occupied the meeting house, thus compelling those members who adhered to the old faith to find a church home elsewhere. This was secured in the home of John Beal until a new log church was erected. Subsequently the congregation built a new frame church in Centreville which is now in the circuit conducted by Rev. Mr. Bevington, and has a membership of nearly 100. The present official board consists of : Trustees,—Dr. J. N. McMaster, Andrew Jarrett, H. Coen, John M. Wiley and Thomas Jackson ; stewards,—B. H. Meek, Oleander Mayhew and Dr. McMaster.

The Concord Presbyterian Church at Centreville was organized at Jacobsburg in 1831 and was known as the Jacobsburg Presbyterian Church. But 22 members composed the little congregation, with John J. Coulter as president and Robert Street, as secretary.

In 1833 ground for a new church building was secured at a point near Centreville, and the name was changed to Concord Presbyterian, and on this ground a little frame church was erected.

Owing to the increasing number of members, it was necessary to remove the frame church building and a more commodious brick structure was built in 1852 and 14 years thereafter $1,600 was expended in repairs and additions to the same.

Since 1870 the church has supported a pastor

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alone. Previous to that, the congregation was at different times associated with Morristown, Bethel and Beallsville in the support of a minister. The Sunday-school was organized in 1850 by W. V. Milligan (now a pastor in the church) and attained a membership of 200.

The church seemed to have reached the zenith of its prosperity during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Wallace when 302 members were added. Some of the first ruling elders of the church were John J. Coulter, and Ephraim Day. Since then Robert Street, Joseph Smith, John Gladden, Miles Hart, Samuel Cunningham, Andrew McKelvey, Isaac Lash, James R. Gladden, Robert Watt, Samuel Work, C. C. Workman, William Larks, Robert Hart, James McKelvey, William Armstrong, William Gladden and Matthew Gordon have served as ruling elders.

The pastors that have served the congregation since its organization are: Rev. Joseph Anderson, Rev. J. C. Tidball, Rev. Mr. Ewing, Dr. Grimes, Rev. Mr. Mehaffy, Rev. Mr. Wallace and Rev. Mr. McKay, the present pastor.

Jacob Aultfather and wife left the church a legacy of $800 at their death and Miss Rebecca Scatterday bequeathed $500 at her death in 1875 to be devoted to mission work.

The congregation now numbers 250. The following gentlemen compose the board of elders, viz.—Miles R. Hart, William Stonebraker, Matthew Gordon, Oscar Gladden, Lawson Warnock and D. Scatterday.

FREE MASONS.

A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized at Centreville, Ohio, June 13, 1885, by authority of a dispensation granted by J. M. Goodspeed, Grand Master, to whom a petition had been presented signed by the following named Master Masons: Thomas J. Rowles, W. T. Minamyer, E. D. Scatterday, Samuel McMaster, A. C. Ramage, Joshua Pryor, D. J. Creamer, James Graham, William Grigg, Silas Hart, M. J. W. Glover, and Dr. J. N. McMaster and Rev. C. H. Hollett.

To the two last named gentlemen was assigned the duty of preparing the petition, obtaming the consent and recommendation of neighboring lodges, drafting by-laws, and conducting the correspondence necessary in the formation of a new lodge. To the untiring efforts of those two fervent and zealous Masons the undertaking owed its success and much of its future prosperity.

The first meetings of these Masons was held in a two-story building, located on the main street of the village, recently erected and owned by George Mayhew, the second floor being fitted up for their use.

The first officers were: T. J. Rowles, W. M.; W. T. Minamyer, S. W.; E. D. Scatterday, J. W.; M. J. W. Glover, treasurer; J. N. McMaster, secretary ; C. M. Hollett, S. D.; James Graham, J. D.; Silas Hart, tyler.

The first stated meeting under dispensation was held June 27, 1885. Two petitions for initiation were received and referred. On August 22nd, the first degree work was done. Four candidates were initiated, A. W. McMaster. who afterwards became an active member, being the first.

At the 76th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, held in Cincinnati, in October, 1885, a charter was granted, bearing the names before mentioned. S. Stacker Williams, Grand Master, appointed as his proxy J. B. Ryan of Belmont Lodge, No. 16, St. Clairsville, to convene the Grand Lodge of Ohio in special session and institute Weyer Lodge, No. 541, dedicate the hall and install the officers, which was done on the evening of November 21, 1885. He was assisted by F. D. Bailey. J. C. Kintner, R. B. Boyd and others.

The lodge was named after Dr. John A. Weyer, a member of, and who assisted in organizing, Moriah Lodge, No. 105, at Jacobsburg, which in 1866 was moved to Powhatan. He was for many years its master and most of the charter members of the new lodge received their first lessons in Masonry from him.

Weyer Lodge became prosperous and in the winter of 1888 had outgrown its quarters. By motion, a committee was appointed by A. W. McMaster, their master, to select

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a suitable location for a new hall. Upon their report and upon their recommendation, it was decided to put a second story on the Mayhew store room, situated near and owned by George Mayhew. Agreements were at once entered into and the contract was let to Clifford Brothers, builders, to do the work.

Grand Master Leander Burdick of Toledo, Ohio, issued his proxy to Jesse R. Purnell of Ionic Lodge, No. 438, Bellaire, Ohio, to dedicate the new hall, and on the evening of June 24, 1888, he convened the Grand Lodge of Ohio in special session, assisted by brethren from Bellaire, Morristown and Beallsville, and performed the ceremonies of dedication in a very able and satisfactory manner.

The following is a list of past masters : T. J. Rowles, one year ; Spencer Gregg, one year; A. W. McMaster, six years; H. A. Neff, one year; T. W. Armstrong, one year; J. K. Piper, six years ; all living except T. J. Rowles.

The oldest member of Weyer Lodge and probably the oldest Mason in the county is Samuel McMaster, who was born December 1, 1813, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was made a Mason in Moriah Lodge, No. 105, at Jacobsburg.

The present officers of the lodge are: J. K. Piper, W. M.; J. F. Graham, S. W.; George C. Meek, J. W.; I. T. Barnes, treasurer; A. W. McMaster, secretary; E. E. Scatterday, S. D.; W. C. Hutchinson, J. D.; W. McCloud, tyler.

The stated meetings of the lodge are held Saturday evening on or before the full moon each month. There is a membership of about 60.

Let us pause for a moment as we close this sketch and call to memory those of our brethren who have been touched by the "grim messenger" Death, and passed over the river.

During the 16 years of the lodge's existence, 13 members have died,—W. T. Minamyer, Joshua Pryor, Silas Hart, T. J. Rowles, charter members; G. E. Garrett, Rev. R. W. Scott, J. T. Carlisle, F. M. Halleren, T. W. Whittington, C. W. Minamyer, R. A. McMaster and Z. M. Master.

—Dr. J. N. McMaster.

SOME DISTINGUISHED SONS.

Some men of distinction were reared in Smith township whose birthplaces are not often accredited to Belmont County. Rev. Frank De Haas, A. M., a Methodist minister of national distinction and a pulpit orator of wide celebrity, was reared in Centreville.

Dr. DeHaas was pastor of the Metropolitan Church in Washington, D. C., during the administration of President Grant, who was a member of his congregation, and was appointed by President Grant, United States Consul to Jerusalem.

Ex-Congressman A. J. Pearson and Attorneys J. P. and William Spriggs of Monroe County, were also born and reared in Smith township.

Rev. T. B. Gay, who was brought up in Smith township and educated at Franklin College, has taken charge of the Anacosta Presbyterian Church in the District of Columbia.

WARNOCK'S STATION

Is a little village of about 125 inhabitants, located on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and is the terminus of what was formerly the Warnock Pike. The village was named after the Warnock family, who are the principal land owners at and surrounding the station.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENTS AND MILLS.

The first settlement was made by William Smith in 1805, and, as heretofore stated, Mr. Smith erected a log grist mill, the first in the township, at what is now Warnock's station, and the place was for years known as Smith's Mills.

John Warnock settled on land one half mile below the Smith settlement near the present site of Marbletown, and there built a sawmill, the first erected in the township.

In 1813-14, Mr. Warnock built and operated a woolen factory in connection with the sawmill, in which carding, spinning and weaving machines were operated. His son William

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took charge of the mill in 1819 and continued to operate it until 1834, when he disposed of his factory to Robert McGraw and purchased the flour mill of Mr. Smith, since which time it has been known as Warnock's Mills, and is operated by J. M. Warnock & Brother today. The present mill is operated by steam and has a capacity of 40 barrels per day.

Aside from the residences of William Smith, and his successor William Warnock, there were no houses built at Warnock's station until after the completion of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Now it is a village with two churches, a school and a population of about 125.

The Baltimore & Ohio station house is a veritable landmark. It is the same old "rambling, shaky, unattractive" frame structure, erected half a century ago.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

There is a lodge of Knights of Pythias established at Warnock's station and known as Ideal Lodge, No. 629. This lodge meets every Thursday. It has a membership of 30 and the value of its property with cash on hand is $620.84. The recording secretary is C. A. Strahl.

THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Warnock was built in 1887 and has a membership today of about 55. The Sunday-school is also conducted each Sabbath.

The pastor is Rev. Mr. Bevington of the Jacobsburg circuit. The official board consists of E. M. Neff, C. S. Strahl, Zenas Piper and J. K. Piper.          _

The Presbyterian Church.—The present Presbyterian Church was built in 1871 and the society has a membership of 50 or 60. The pastor is Rev. A. D. McKay and the board of elders consists of J. M. Warnock, A. J. Myers, J. J. Robinson, John Workman and Austin McNiece.

The families that formed the first organization were the Parks, Hutchinsons, Boggses, Workmans, Matthews and Irwins. The firstelders were John Workman and Josiah Boggs, Jr. Rev. Dr. Alexander of St. Clairsville, Rev. Mr. Wallace and Rev. Mr. Gaston conducted the dedicatory exercises.

The United Presbyterian Church.—This old congregation formerly known as the Associate Reform Presbyterian Church was organized in 1827 and the first pastor was Rev. Joseph Closkey. John Warnock, Sr., James Cook and William Bigger constituted the first board of elders.

Some of the first members were David Milligan and family, Hugh Hodge and wife, John Warnock and wife, William Tracy, Elizabeth McKisson, Hugh Hodge, Margaret McGrew, Susan Hutchison, Sarah Holmes, Robert and Mary McMillen, John Wiley and wife, Williaf McKee, Robert and Elizabeth McGrew, Mrs. Tracy, George Holmes, Lillie Milligan, James Smith, James Polk and Eliza Hutchison.

Rev. Samuel McArthur succeeded Rev. Mr. Closkey, in 1838. Rev. Josiah Alexander succeeded Rev. Mr. McArthur in 1853 but after a lapse of a few years Rev. William Grimes was called in 1858, when the church name was changed to the United Presbyterian.

Here as at Uniontown there was much political excitement during the war, and this excitement pervaded the churches. Because of his anti-slavery views, Dr. Grimes retired in 1862 and the secession of the church from the United Presbyterians took place and the congregation afterward united with the Associate Reform Synod of the South.

In 1868, Dr. W. S. Moffat became pastor, and in 1871 the congregation built the present commodious brick building at a cost of $3,500. The present pastor is Rev. W. F. Boyce, and the board of elders is constituted as follows : H. H. Ault, D. Johnston, Thomas McKelvey and Robert Barrett. The membership in 1902 is 75.

There is a large and well conducted school at Warnock's station, in charge of Mr. Foreman, with Miss McKelvey as assistant. The total enrollment is 70. C. A. Strahl, J. N. Warnock and J. K. Piper constitute the School

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Board. The postmaster at Warnock's station is J. K. Piper.

AN OLD TIME TEMPERANCE RESOLUTION.

As an indication of the growth and development of temperance sentiments in the church, we find this record in the minutes of 1839:

"On motion it was resolved that the members of this session will discountenance the use of distilled liquors by not using them themselves except as medicine or in case of actual sickness, nor furnish it to others in their employ."

LAMIRA OR LEWIS' MILLS.

Lewis' Mills is a small village on the line ofthe Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, near the northwest corner of the township. It contains a post office and railroad station and a few stores and residences.

The old mill built 50 years ago was successfully operated by Jacob and Ira Lewis, after whom the village was named. The mill is not at present in use but is preserved as one of the old landmarks of the county.

Caleb Engle was the first settler and built the old original mill in 1806. In 1822 the property was purchased by Jacob Lewis, in whose family it remained until 1848, when the present structure was erected. The mill formerly did a large trade, both in merchant work and grist grinding. In connection with the flour mill, a sawmill was also operated.