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PIKE TOWNSHIP.
BY MADISON OVER.
The township bearing the above name was formed on the organization of Clark County in the year 1818, when, at the June session of the Commissioners, the county was divided into ten townships. The boundary lines of Pike were then designated, viz.: Beginning on the line of Miami County at the northwest corner of Section 36; thence east with north line of Clark County to the line dividing Townships 3 and 4; thence south with said line to the line dividing the fifth and sixth tier of sections in Range 9; thence west with said line to Miami County; thence north to the place of beginning. Elections to be held a the house of William Black.
The geographical location of this township is in the northwest corner of the county. It is in the form of a square, and is the only township in the county which is exactly six miles either way. The land is generally level, being slightly hilly along the streams, especially in the south and west. The soil is generally fertile and tolerably well drained naturally. The artificial drainage, however, of the last fifteen years, has worked a vast and beneficial change in the face of the country as well as in the average of the crops. The wet and unproductive spots being transformed by the laying of tile into the most fertile lands in the township. In fields where thirty years ago the gathering of a crop depended altogether on the rainfall, and was considered a matter of luck, good crops are raised almost without a failure. As in almost all the territory between the Miami Rivers, timber, stone and water are abundant. The prevailing timber is beech, sugar maple, ash, hickory, poplar, walnut and the different varieties of oak. The finest trees have disappeared from our forests however, having yielded to the storms of heaven, the necessities of the settler or the temptations offered by the timber speculator, until now there is rarely found in the township a piece of timber land well enough preserved to contain any specimens of the fine old yellow poplars or black walnuts of fifty years ago. It seems that there should be some means adopted whereby a few at least of the old monarchs of the forest would be preserved for the purpose of showing the future generations the quality of the timber which once covered the now fertile farms of Pike Township. The prevailing timber in regard to the number of trees is undoubtedly beech, and that is fast disappearing. It is a timber which, apparently, cannot endure civilization, and shows a tendency toward dying at the top when it is at all interfered with. In the western and southern portions of the township, limestone crops out at the surface. A good quarry of building stone is now being worked on the East Fork of Honey Creek by Peter S. Zinn, one of the present Trustees of the township. The stone, excepting in the bed of the creek, is deeply covered by a clay drift, and the quarry is worked at a considerable expense. Quantities of lime have frequently been burnt in the township, but this industry is mostly monopolized now by the immense kilns in the neighborhood of Springfield. The township is well watered, the streams running in a general southerly direction through the township. The following are the names of the principal streams: Donnel's Creek, Jackson Creek and the East and West Forks of Honey Creek. Formerly there was good water-power on most of the streams, which was utilized to a vast extent in sawing the timber and grinding the grain of the early pioneers, but the clearing of the country of 'the forests, and the better
694 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
draining of the lands both by open and tile drains, together with a probable diminution of the rainfall during the summer months, have rendered these creeks almost valueless as to furnishing motive power to machinery. This loss is, however, more than compensated by the marvelous improvements in the steam engine. When a farmer now wishes to build a barn or house, or have a lot of timber sawed for any purpose, he engages a man with a portable steam saw-mill who brings his machinery to the timber, instead of bringing the timber to the mill, and saws it, and moves on to another job. Formerly a great deal of sawing was clone on Donnel's Creek, there being not less than three saw-mills in operation on that stream, besides several on either branch of Honey Creek in the township.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Unlike the neighboring townships, Pike was not settled comparatively speaking, until a later day. It was not until the year 1805, that we have any trace of a settlement in what now comprises this subdivision. This year came from Virginia two brothers. Andrew and Samuel Black, who together selected and later entered Section 25, dividing it between them, the former coming in possession of the southern half. They returned to their Virginia home where Andrew had left a wife and one child. Samuel was an unmarried man. The following year (1806), after due preparation had been made, Andrew, accompanied by his family and brother, again turned his course westward for the chosen spot of their future home. Upon the southern half of Section 25, was erected the first cabin in the township it was the rude log pole cabin of the day. The work of the pioneer here began. Soon the space of five acres was deadened and the underbrush cleared, and the first crop of corn planted, which was carefully cared for by these first comers, but the squirrels were so numerous that, despite the effort on the part of these men, the entire crop was almost consumed by them, however, the gathering season came, and as the result of their labor but three bushels were gathered, this was garnered up in the bin (then the loft of the cabin), for future use. The season for its demand soon approached, and Andrew contemplated a journey to the mill, but imagine his surprise on looking for the treasure to find that the entire yield had been destroyed by mice. So much for the first settlement and first crop. These men were both natives of Montgomery County, Va., Andrew being born March 6, 1783, and was united in marriage, December 20, 1804, with Susannah Ross, who was also a native of Montgomery County, Va., born December 7, 1781. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel A., Mary, James, William, Thomas, Jane, An drew, Edward and Susannah. Father and mother Black died on the homestead October 18, 1854, and September 25, 1845, respectively, and their remains rest in what is now known as the Black Cemetery. The brother Samuel died in the year 1814, and was interred in the same burial-ground. He served as Captain in the war of 1812, where he contracted the fatal disease of consumption, which terminated in his death. Andrew also performed some service as a scout in that war. The neat settlement of which we could gain any knowledge was effected in Section 19. by Adam Verdier, some time during the year 1806. Mr. Verdier was a man of family, having married Elizabeth Mercer. Both were natives of Jefferson County, Virginia, where they were married and whence they emigrated to the township of Pike. They left Virginia as early as 1804 or 1805, but stopped for a while in what is now Montgomery County, this State. The southeast quarter of Section lad, was entered by Mr. Verdier. In later years he became quite a heavy land owner, possessing nearly five hun dred acres in Champaign County, and a half-section in Shelby County. The mother died in 18 8, and the father some years prior. Both are buried in the
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Black graveyard. For a few years immediately following the coming of the above-mentioned pioneers, we have little knowledge of settlements made, and of those making of them. William Simms and Samuel Brandenburg, the latter from Kentucky, entering land in Section 13, were early settlers of Pike, but as the dates of their coming and further knowledge of them we have been unable to obtain. In the year 1811, the little colony was increased by the arrival of Thomas Stafford and family. They, too, hailed from the State late known as the "Mother of Presidents," coming from Giles County, Va., and entering the northwest quartet of Section 31, and there beginning the work of the pioneer. Mr. Stafford was a native of Ireland, and, at the age of teu years, arrived in Virginia, in which State he married Catharine Williams, a native thereof. This couple, with three children-Peggie.'Nancy and George W. emigrated to this vicinity on horseback, making the journey in twelve days. In after years, there were born to the parents the following children: Elizabeth, James, Melinda, Thomas, Susan, John, Henry, Joseph, Catharine, William and Lucinda. The father reached the age of eighty-two years, and the mother fifty-four. They lived and died on the homestead, and are buried in Miami County. The former served as a scout in the war of 1812. Ralph Stafford, a brother of Thomas, accompanied the latter, but entered land in Miami County and in later years came to Pike Town ship and here died. During this same year (1811), came from Virginia James and John Black, brothers of Andrew and Samuel Black above mentioned. James made a temporary stay with his brother Andrew; then entered the southeast quarter of Section 20, on which land he resided until his death, in the year 1853. He was born August 17. 1789. His wife's name was Catharine. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Pike Township, namely, Mary, Matthew, Susannah, Catharine, Dorcas, Joseph, Samuel, James, Julia and John A. John was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ross, and they were blessed with eight children, five of whom are now living. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 19, and there lived and died. A little later came William Black, Sr., and uncle of the Blacks just spoken of. He was from the same part of Virginia-was quite an old man when he came out. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 13, and there ended his days. About the year 1813, another of the Stafford brothers, George by name, came from the Stafford neighborhood in Virginia, and entered the west half of Section 31. His wife was Catharine Fair. They reared a large family of children. This same year (1813), James Fuller with his family left Montgomery County, Va., stopping one year in Kentucky, thence proceeding to the vicinity of New Carlisle. in Bethel Township, where he remained about two years, and thence into Pike Township, entering the west half of Section 21, for which he paid $2 per acre. His children were Ellen, Sarah, James C., Moses, Bradley and Rhoda, of whom James C. is now residing on the old homestead. The mother died in 1844, and the father in February, 18'12, the latter in his eighty-fourth year. Both are buried in the Black graveyard. Northrup Fuller, the father of James, settled in Section 22, a little later entering the southeast quarter. Besides the son mentioned there were the following children: John, Moses, Obadiah, William. Robert and Sarah, all settled in Clark County, and the greater part of them in this township. In the year 1812, Benjamin Carmin and family came from the State of Maryland and, entered land in what is now Pike Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1827. Mr. Carmin was a native of Blackford County, Md., and his wife of Virginia. About the year 1816, Jacob Frantz settled in Section '1, the northeast quarter of which had been entered by one Hanline, at least the patent was granted to Mr. Frantz as the assignee of the Hanline heirs. At any rate, the person entering it was not able to meet the payments, and the land was purchased by Mr. Frantz, and the grant
696 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
given as aforesaid. Louis Ray and family emigrated from the State of Virginia in the year 1812, stopping at Cincinnati, where they remained one year; then came to Clark County, locating near Springfield, and four years later purchased land in the vicinity of North Hampton, Pike Township. He married Elizabeth Zigler, and raised a family of ten children, six of whom are now living. The southwest quarter of Section 3 was entered about the year 1815 or 1816, by George Overpack, another Virginian. His wife was Martha Currene, both natives of that State, which they left in the year 1807, going to Miami County on Indian Creek, thence to Springfield Township. and up into Pike as aforesaid. They were Methodists, and their house served as the place of worship for years. Mr. Overpack raised a large family, consisting of the following named children: Mary, Susan, Margaret, Ruth, William. Elizabeth, Maria, Samuel, Isaac, Phebe and George., two of whom still reside in the township. Father died in January, 1846, and the mother in January, 1866. Both were buried in Asbury graveyard. William Spence and family settled in the vicinity of North Hampton in the year 1818, they having emigrated from England in 1816, stopping in Cincinnati two years. There were thirteen children born to the parents. The Bixlers, Basingers, Forgys and Leffels were also early settlers. The Basingers were from Virginia. The southeast quarter of Section 9 was entered by Obediah Lippincott, who with his wife Margaret Reed came from New Jersey about the year 1810, first stopping in Warren County; thence going to Greene County and to Pike Township. They were born in the years 1786 and 1787 respectively. Both are buried in Asbury graveyard. The Priests were early settlers, too. John in an early day emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia), and thence to this vicinity, entering the northwest quarter of Section 27.
New Jersey was again represented, and this time in the person of Jesse and Sarah (Sutton) Maxon and family, who are quite early settlers in Clark County, having settled on Mud Run prior to 1815, and a few years later traded their land there for the southwest quarter of Section 15. Thus ends a meager sketch of some of the pioneers of Pike Township, who made possible the high state of civilization, and advancement she has to-day attained. It may be thought that too much prominence has been given to some and too little said of others, and very probably no mention made of some deserving prominence, but we assure our readers that under the circumstances and the meager source from which to obtain facts, the best has been done that at this late day could be. Most of the above settlers have left worthy descendants, who still reside in the township. And let us add that in the development of the material resources of Pike, there has been no check; that all have done their duty well; that no community can show better schoolhouses, better organized churches, more efficient teachers, a more moral society or a smaller percentage of crime.
CHURCHES.
The first denominations to hold religious services in the township were probably the Presbyterians and Methodists. In the early settlement of the township, the Methodists held services at the house of Adam Verdier, also at Mitchell's, and later at the present site of the Beech Grove Church. A church of the Christian denomination was early established at North Hampton. Also an organization of Seventh-Day Baptists in the same vicinity. Both of the latter congregations, however, are now scattered, and the houses of worship removed or abandoned. Rev. Steele, a Presbyterian minister, also held services in the vicinity.
One of the pioneer Methodist organizations of the township was the Beech Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized in the year 1833, at the
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house of George Otewalt, by the Rev. Jesse Goddard, of Champaign County, a pioneer minister of the above church. The first house of worship was built on the site now occupied by the present neat chapel in 1840. The ground was donated by Samuel Brandenburg, by deed bearing the date June 20, 1840.
George Otewalt, Joseph Stott and W. P. Black were the organizers and Trustees; Joseph Stott being the first Class-Leader. The present house of worship was built in the year 1857 .
The following is a list of the ministers who have served the church: Revs. Laws, Elsworth, Conry, Newson, Musgrove, Fields, Creighton, Dinkins, Williams, Purkiser, Brown, Black. Robinson, Peck, Whitmer, Verity, Jackson, Rec tor, Edgar, Kirk, Fidder, Cheney, Shultz, Peak, Deam, Prince, Baker, Zink and the present Pastor, A. D. Raleigh. The above list constitutes the complement of ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church who have filled the circuit of which the Beech Grove charge constitutes a part, and whose names will be recognized by all old Methodists of the township.
The. German Reformed Church has two houses of worship in Pike Township, one in North Hampton and one near the center of the township called Emmanuel Church. The church of this denomination in North Hampton was dedicated in November, 1858. The members of the Building Committee were George Cost. D. R. Zinn and Jacob Rust. The first minister who preached in the church was the Rev. T. H. Winters, of Dayton, who is still living at a very advanced age. The church first organized with twenty-one members, which was in a few clays swelled to thirty-seven. The first Trustees were Peter Marquart, Peter Baisinger and Harrison Miller. The first Elders were George Cost and Peter Marquart. The first Deacons were Peter Baisinger and Benjamin Strawsburg. The church edifice is of brick, and has lately been handsomely remod eled. The ministers of the church have been Rev. Jesse Richards, Rev. Shaw, Rev. Swander, Rev. Winters, Rev. Shaul and the present Pastor, Rev. D. R. Taylor. The above clergymen have all been men of ability, and gave good satisfaction to their parishioners. The church owns a parsonage in North Hampton, which is occupied by the minister, who has charge of the four churches of the Reformed faith in this vicinity.
Emmanuel Church was organized by the Rev. Jesse Stiner about the year 1854, Wiley Jenkins, Jonas Michael, Daniel R. Zinn and David Stimogeon were among the first members. The organization was effected in a log church which was purchased from the Christian denomination, and it stood west of the present church building, which is a one-story frame erected in 1856. Present Pastor, Rev. D. R. Taylor: membership about sixty.
Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. The society of Methodists at an early day worshiped at the house of George Overpack, which was the regular preaching place for years, the Rev. George Maley being one of the early ministers. Elizabeth and Mary Ray, Elizabeth Spence and Ellen Patterson were some of the pioneer members. They were not organized into a church until about the year 1830. The first church was built about the year 1839, a one story frame now standing in North Hampton, and used as a storeroom. This was replaced in the year 1858 by the present frame building. The church was dedicated July 4, 1858. Sermon preached by Rev. John T. Mitchell. Present minister in charge is Rev. C. C. Kalbfus. Membership about sixty. It is located at North Hamption.
The Christian Church was organized in 1839, at the house of Elijah Priest, under the charge of Rev. J. Kirby. The original members were John Priest and wife Catharine. Andrew Clark and wife Nancy, and Mary Clark, John Richardson and wife Elizabeth. L. Davis and wife Sarah. At first they worshiped at the houses of the members. In 1840, a hewed-log house was built on the
698 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
corner of L. Davis' land, and, in 1852, the present one-story frame building, situated on Section 34, was erected at a cost of about $1,000.
Elders McLain, Whetstone, McMillon, T. S. Wells, N. S. Rush, P. McCullough are among those who have served the church. The present Pastor is Elder Diltz, and the membership is about seventy.
Liberty Church, Brethren in Christ, was organized at the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Ullery, by George Ullery and Isaac Noyeswander, in the year 1875. The parents of the church are John. and Elizabeth Ullery. The house of worship is a one-story frame situated in Section 18, built in 1876 at a cost of about $1,200. The ground upon which it stands was given by George Ullery. Present membership, about sixty. Ministers. George Meranda, George Funderburg and David Noyeswander.
The German Baptist Church was organized as early as 1816, by Elder Christian Frantz, the first Elder in this locality. The present meeting house, a one-story frame building, was their first. It vas erected about the year 1844. The present Elders of the church are Joseph Koffman and John Frantz. Other early Elders were John Frantz (just mentioned), a nephew of the first Elder, and Jacob Omert. Their membership at present is in the neighborhood of three hundred.
CEMETERIES AND GRAVEYARDS.
Of these hallowed spots there are some seven or eight, besides several private burying grounds, for it was customary among the early settlers to bury on their farms.
The most ancient yard is what is now known as the Black Cemetery, beautifully situated on high and rolling ground near a heavy piece of timber in the northern part of Section 25. Prior to the year 1814, Samuel Black gave three quarters of an acre of ground for the purpose of a neighborhood graveyard. The site above described was selected by the brothers Samuel and Andrew Black. Sr. The former was the first person buried there, This was in the year 1814. A quarter of an acre was added to the original tract in the year 1853, purchased of Irvin Stafford, when Trustees and other officers were elected and the places of burial styled a cemetery. It was never regularly laid out into lots, but is now being surveyed for that purpose. It is graced with several fine monuments and many substantial and neat marble slabs, and is dotted here and there with shrubbery. Here rest the remains of many of the pioneers of Pike Township.
"The breezy call of incense breathing morn,
The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed.
The cock's shrill clarion. or the echoing horn.
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed."
Asbury Cemetery, near North Hampton, is beautifully situated on a ridge near Donnel's Creek. Originally it contained about one-half acre, which was deeded to the Township Trustees by George Overpack for a graveyard. Burials were made there as early as 1820. Maria Overpack and a daughter of Obadiah Lippincott were among the first interred there. In after years, an addition was made to it by John Ray. It was never regularly laid out. Many neat marble shafts and some costly monuments mark the numerous graves beneath whose moldering heap,
"Each in his narrow cell forever laid.
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
The Seventh-Day Baptist Buying Ground, located at North Hampton, includes about one-quarter of an acre of ground, given by Obadiah Lippincott about the year 1825. But few have been interred there, and it has long since been abandoned as a place of burial.
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The German Baptist Graveyard includes about one acre of ground, situated in Section 7, given by Jacob Frantz and John Near. The first person buried in it was the wife of Michael Frantz, in the year 1823. It is a pretty site.
Emmanuel Church Graveyard, ground formerly owned by Daniel Zinn, who gave about one acre for church and place of burial. The first interment there was the body of Jane Kester in 1856 or 1857.
The Christian Graveyard, at the church of that name, lead its origin in 1852, by the donation of one acre of land by William Leffel, for the purpose of the establishment of a place of burial. John Leffel, dying September 27, 1852, was the first to be buried there.
The Ullery Graveyard, situated in Sections 18 and 24, comprises one-half acre of ground given to the Trustees of the township and to their successors, by George Ullery, for the purpose for which it is used. The first burial was made in 1859, and was the remains of David Ullery.
TOWNS.
The first and only village ever laid out in Pike Township is North Hampton, which was platted by Peter Baisinger on the 13th day of January, A. D. 1829.
The original number of lots was sixteen. The survey and plat were made by Reuben Miller. The population of the village is about two hundred inhabitants. It is the present voting-place of the township. The village has always been circumscribed and dwarfed in growth by a lack of building lots, parties owning the adjoining farms not wishing to part with lots. The first merchant of the village was Joseph Smith, who removed to the State of Michigan in 1835 and became quite wealthy, dying in 1879 at Cassopolis, in that State. His first capital at North Hampton was $150. The first frame house of the place was built by him in the year 1830, and stood on Lot No. 15, but in after years was removed on Lot No. 3. In size it was about sixteen by twenty-two feet, and was used both as a store and dwelling. It is still standing, and is owned by Mrs. Turner. Other merchants of the township were Bennett & Garlough, John Ramsey, John Davis, William Spence, Spence Brothers, Conklin, French Dickinson, Meranda & Heath, J. E. Fennimore, Jacob Overpack, Michael Hart man, J. P. Hockett, J. M. Austin, J. & W. Morningstar and Levi Wingert. All of the above-named did business in North Hampton. The first village black smith was John Croy, who had a shop near the present site of the hotel. The post office was established in 1835, with Daniel Raffensperger the first Postmaster. William Morningstar is the present incumbent.
DIALTON.
In the northeastern part of the township is the industrious little settlement of Dialton. It contains a good country store, kept by William Michael during the last twenty-five years or more. Also a post office of the same name, which was established February 20, 1865, with William Michael as the first Postmaster. He-has ever since served in that capacity, and is the present incumbent. The hamlet was called "Dialton" for Judge Dial, of Springfield, in remembrance of his efforts in Buchanan's time to have a post office established there. The settlement had its origin in the building of the mill heretofore spoken of. Two blacksmith-shops, run by Jacob Hartman and Jacob Lehman respectively. One wagon-shop, operated by William Arnett. Also an extensive tile factory, operated by Rust & Welchaus. And lastly the important hub and spoke factory and bending apparatus of J. & J. Myers, which has been an important industry for many years. The factory has attached to it a saw-mill and cider-press, all operated by steam, and gives employment to quite a number of hands.
700 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
HOTELS.
The first hotel in the township was built and kept by Alexander Johnston on the southeast corner of the cross streets, in North Hampton. Mr. Johnston died about the fatal year of 1843 of typhoid fever, during the prevalence of that dread disease :n this township. Here he began the business about the year 1833. Lewis Hughel then started a public house opposite the former site on the northeast corner of the cross street in North Hampton. He was succeeded by Samuel Overpack, and he in turn by John Meranda, who remodeled and rebuilt the hotel property, and then sold to Madison Over, who is the present landlord. A public house was also once kept by John Olinger in the western part of the township, on the old Troy and Springfield road. In 1834, a log hotel was built two miles south of North Hampton at the cross roads, by John Thomas, who kept it twenty years, and, in 1854, was succeeded by John Meranda, who kept it ten years, since which time it has been abandoned. It was known as the "Black Horse Tavern."
TOLL PIKES.
The first graveled road was the North Hampton and Donnelsville Turnpike, which was begun about the year 1844, and completed a few years later. The next turnpike road was the Clark and Miami Turnpike, connecting Troy and Springfield. This road was a great aid in the development of the township, giving the farmers access by a fair road to the markets of both Springfield and Troy. It was begun in the year 1846, and finished several years later. The capital stock was originally $25,000, but that amount being inadequate for the completion of the road, the company borrowed $10,000 to complete the work, mortgaging the road to secure the payment, and paying 10 per cent interest on the loan. The company by good management succeeded in paying off the debt. though it took many years time to do so.
MILLS
The first mill in Pike Township was the "Black" Mill, built by James Black, in the year 1814, located on the East Fork of Honey Creek. It was a small affair, having but one set of buhrs used for grinding all kinds of grain, either wheat, corn, rye, etc. In that early period it was designated as a "corn cracker." This mill is still standing, and is owned and operated by his son, John A. Black, who has since remodeled it. The mill has never been out of the Black name. It is now, however, only what is styled a chopping mill, and is used for grinding corn only. The first saw-mill of this township was also erected by James Black. It stood about two hundred yards above the grist-mill on the same stream. The first steam saw-mill in the township was the old "Peter Baisnger" Mill, first run by water, built by that gentleman about the year 1820 on Donnel's Creek. It was later converted into a steam mill by George Cost. It is now the North Hampton Mill, and is owned and operated by Jacob B. Minich. There is a steam saw-mill on the West Fork of Honey Creek, now operated and owned by Daniel Leffel. It was originally a water power mill, and has only recently been changed to a steam mill. In the year 1851, Jacob N. Myers and Jonathan Lehman built a steam saw-mill on the present site of the Myers Hub, Spoke & Bending Mill. Within two years, Myers bought out Lehman, and operated the mill until 1860, when it was converted by him into a hub and spoke factory, and was so conducted until 1865, when it burned down. That fall it was rebuilt by Jacob N. Myers & Sons. The father died in 1866, and it has since been operated by the sons, under the firm name of J. & J. Myers. The building is a two-story frame. Twenty-two men are
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employed, and an extensive business carried on. It is known as the Dialton Mill. Jacob Frantz, Samuel Sprinkle, Jonathan Brubaker and James Johnson have been associated with the mills of the township. In an early day the old Kiblinger Mill, later known as the Baker Mill, and now as Hockman's Mill, on Mad River, in German Township, was pretty extensively patronized by the people of Pike.
PHYSICIANS.
Among the earliest regular physicians of the township may be mentioned Dr. Davis, Dr. Tisdale, Dr. Louis, Dr. Stemble, Dr. J. W. Tullis, Dr. McFerrin and Dr. J. E. Moler.Later, Dr. Hezekiah Smith, Dr. Snodgrass, Dr. Marquart, Dr. Baker, Dr. Hockett, Dr. Austin, Dr. Strawsburg, Dr. Spinning, Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Johnson.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-teachers of which we have any account were Ira Wood, Joseph Morrison, William Wilson, James Black, Archie Mitchell, David Morris, Mary Eversole, James E. Chestnut, Jacob and George Harner. The above teachers taught of course mostly "subscription" schools. They labored under serious disadvantages, compared with the teachers of the present time. The school rooms were poor log cabins, and the furniture and apparatus were of the most primitive kind. The distance to school was necessarily great in many cases, and the wonder is that the generation of that period was as well informed as they were. The above teachers no doubt did their whole duty as well as they could under the circumstances, at salaries ranging from $8 to $12 per month. At the present time there are nine new brick schoolhouses in the township, each located in the geographical center of the subdistrict, the township being exactly six miles square; one of the schoolhouses-that at North Hampton being two-story and accommodating a graded school, employing two teachers. Wages range now during the winter terms in Pike Township from $40 to $55 per month, and during the summer term generally from 40 to 50 per cent less.
GENERAL.
The township does not support a single saloon, and industry and sobriety are the rule, and idleness and intemperance are the exception. The part that Pike Township has taken in our wars has always been patriotic. During the war of 1812, and the Mexican war, and also through the trying period of the great civil war, Pike Township was never called on in vain. During the latter war it is still the pride of the citizens of all parties that the quota of Pike Township was always filled by volunteers, many of whom laid down their lives for the Union.
The township polls on a full vote about four hundred votes. It is Democratic usually by about twenty-five to forty majority. It will be seen by the above figures that the majority is so small as to insure a good nomination generally by the majority, else the minority will defeat the ticket. The Democratic margin is too small to take any odds. In the last two years, the Republicans have elected a Justice of the Peace and Land Appraiser. Generally the best of feeling prevails in the township between the contending parties, and the contests are nearly always good humored. We consider this an indication of a liberal spirit of toleration not always seen in township contests. The strength of the contending parties has been about the same relatively for nearly thirty years. It seems that there are no township records preserved in the office of the Township Clerk of Pike Township of an earlier date than the year 1828. The first commission of James Johnson as Justice of the Peace is dated in 1830.
704 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
That of John Black is dated in the year 1834, though he seems to have been in office earlier. George Cost was first elected in 1837, and Henry Long in 1838. The commission of Joseph B. Craig is dated April 10, 1843, and Samuel W. Sterrett's first commission is dated October 15, 1844. Samuel K. Sims was elected in 1847, and James Spence in 1848. Thomas P. Thomas was commissioned November 28, 1855, and previous to him John Meranda served from 1845 to 1855; was again elected in 1858, and served until 1867. Thomas F. Hardacre was elected in 1859, and the commission of William K. Jordan bears the date of November 8, 1860. Samuel Mock was elected in 1866, and William Jenkins in 1867. Afterward John A. Black and John W. Cost served as Justices of the Peace, and the present Justices are Madison Over, elected in 1879, and Thomas Swonger, elected in 1880. Many of the above officers were re-elected, some for several terms. Among the earlier names of those who have filled the office of Township Clerk, contemporaneous with the above Justices of the Peace. may be mentioned James Black, George C.. Homer, Jacob Harner, John Meranda, George Cost, Simon Spence, Andrew Clark, Philip Marquart, Asher B. Heath, J. R. Lippincott, J. E. Fennimore, Jeremiah Ream, William Jenkins, P. M. Hawke, S. S. Jenkins, and the present incumbent William Myers. The above sixteen persons have served Pike Township as Clerk for the period of about fifty years, and have left the reputation of having been upright and efficient officers. The present board of township officers in full consists of the following persons:
Justices of the Peace, Thomas Swonger, Madison Over; Township Clerk. William Myers; Township Treasurer. Daniel Ream; Township Assessor, S. S. Jenkins; Township Trustees, John Myers, J. L. Rust, P. S. Zinn: Township Constables, William Stafford, D. S. Carmin.
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