GREEN TOWNSHIP. As will be seen by reference to the chapter in which are mentioned the original boundaries of the various townships, Green formerly embraced all of Concord, and a part of Jasper and Perry townships. In compiling a historical sketch of this township, the writer has confined himself strictly to its present limits. It is bounded on the north and east by Concord and Perry townships, on the south by Highland, and on the west by Clinton County, thus forming the southeast corner of Fayette. Rattlesnake Creek enters survey 5348, flows southeastwardly to survey 3986, thence south to the county line, constituting a part of the eastern border. Lee's Creek has its source in Concord Township, thence flows southeast, entering Green in survey 5349; thence south, crossing the entire township, and entering Highland County. These are the only important streams flowing through the limits of Green. The soil in general is a black loam, which has been drained quite extensively, and is highly productive of corn and wheat. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. The unrelenting hand of death has been laid on many of the pioneers of Green Township. Indeed, of the first settlers none remain; and with them has passed away much valuable information, without which the compilation of this work is certainly a difficult task. The following has been gleaned from the most authentic sources now accessible. Aside from the stragglers, hunters, and trappers, who visited this locality in the early days of this century, Jesse Rowe, it is generally conceded, was the first white inhabitant within the present limits of Green Township. He immigrated from Virginia to Ross County, Ohio, in 1803, with 763 764 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. his family of nine children: John, Jesse, jr., William, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Susan, and Sarah. In 1807, the family removed to Fayette County, and located on Little Wabash, the old homestead. Shortly after the county organization (1810) he was elected justice of the peace, and served four terms; also served as trustee, and in other township offices. He was a class-leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church to the close of his life, the first class-meeting in the locality having been held in his cabin. In his will he left a liberal legacy to the church, the interest to be paid annually, and was truly called the father of Methodism in Fayette County. He died in 1845, at a ripe old age, respected and regretted by all who knew him. During the Revolutionary War he served as a private. John Rowe, the oldest son, settled on land given him by his father, near the old home, and was the father of eleven children, several of whom are still living. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, and held several important offices. His death took place in 1863. Jesse Rowe, jr., settled in Green, but removed to Concord Township at the expiration of five years. e was trustee; and after the surrender of Hull, volunteered to defend his country, under General Batteal Harrison. William Rowe removed to Ross County. James Rowe removed to the South at an early day. By profession he was a preacher. He located at Huntsville, Alabama, married, and attended a select school till the death of his wife. At the division of the church on the slavery question, he sided with the South, preaching up to the outbreaking of the rebellion, when he came North, where he remained till the close of the war, then went to Georgia, where he died. The other children of Jesse Rowe, sr., filled honorable stations in life, and their descendants are living in the neighborhood. Another pioneer deserving prominent mention was Thomas Moon, sr., who came to Ohio from Virginia, in 1810, with his family, consisting of John, Jacob, Christine, Jane, David, William, James, Margaret, and Thomas, jr., and settled on Rattlesnake Creek. He was a Quaker in religion, conscientiously opposed to the war, which accounts for his not being a soldier in the Revolutionary and Indian wars. He purchased a tract of land in this GREEN TOWNSHIP - 765 township, called the dividing ridge, on which he erected the first flour and sawmill and distillery in the township, and, so far as is known, the first in the county. The place soon became a favorite resort for customers. His flour gave good satisfaction, and therefore was patronized extensively. The mill still stands, and until recently was run by Thomas Moon, jr. Mr. Moon's land purchases amounted to eleven hundred acres, five hundred of which were in Highland County. His Fayette County land was in woods. The cabin was built with a puncheon floor, clapboard roof, fireplace made of split timber, and a stick chimney. In one week he cleared four acres, and in the fall following cleared six additional acres, which he sowed in wheat. Wolves and game abounded. The squirrels came in droves, and were so numerous that he was compelled to feed them outside of the fences, to prevent his crops from being devoured. He departed this life in 1828, aged seventy-one years, having in his lifetime held the office of trustee, and many other offices of public trust. John D. Moon was a good school teacher, and served. under General Andrew Jackson, at New Orleans. Jacob Moon settled on Rattlesnake; was a farmer by occupation, and went out during the general call in 1812. Captain Thomas Moon lived on the old homestead, running the mills, and farming. He served five years as captain of the militia, and died at the age of seventy-five years. The other members of the family perpetuated the good name of the parents. David Davis was born in Pennsylvania, in 1785, and in 1817 immigrated to Ohio, settling near Centerfield, Highland County, where he raised. one crop of corn, then moving to Green, locating on the farm of John Garrett, in a cabin afterward used for school purposes. He rented one year here, and then bought fifty acres of land from Mr. Garrett, on which he shortly afterward erected a log cabin. He married Hannah Gelvin in Pennsylvania, by whom he had eight children, whose names, in the order of their birth, were as follows: Mary, Branson, Nancy, William, David, Catharine, Hannah, and Melissa. At his death, which occurred in 1855, he owned one hundred and six acres of land, where his son Branson now re-sides. His wife survived him till 1856. The following personal sketches are taken from the County Atlas : 766 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. The aged grandsire loved to tell of early privation, hunting, adventure, and perilous and distant journey for necessary food and raiment, and Fayette history is full of incidents of daring and endurance. Edward Smith, sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint Creek, known as the East Fork, in the year 1810. He found his entry covered with trees. A wigwam served for a couch by night and. shelter from storm and beast. He began the accustomed work of the border, to make an opening and clear up lands for a starting crop. The news of war declared, caused him to lay aside the ax, and with his rifle go forth to protect the frontier and repel the invader. Peace carne, and again his ax rang amid the sea-like solitude, and trees came toppling down. One night, returning from the county seat, he found the creek well up, but rode in fearlessly, and was thrown from his horse and drowned. A story told of Alexander Cupper, and dating back to 1783, is to the effect that he and the well-known Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, were taken prisoners at the Three Islands by the Indians. When within seven miles of' Oldtown, Boone contrived to escape, but Cupper was all the more closely guarded, taken to the town, tried by Indian council, and condemned to the stake. Confined in a secure structure and guarded by two powerful savages, no opportunity was afforded to secure his freedom. The night before the intended burning having arrived, he was ordered to run the gauntlet down the rows of savages. Cupper sped down the line a short distance, broke through, left his pursuers far behind, and, burying himself in the deep forest of the present Con-cord Township, took refuge on the banks of the Little Wabash, whence he safely made his way to Three Islands on the Ohio. George Kneedler came to the township in 1810, and settled in the dense forests, near the waters of Rattlesnake. His father was a soldier under General Washington, in the revolutionary war, and he, true to the precedent set by his noble sire, was an active participant in the war of 1812. He was twice married; had twelve children by his first wife, and one son by his second. William Johnson left Virginia, the place of his nativity, in 1810, and removed to Ross County, in company with Judge McCracken. He settled in Hellard's Bottom, on Paint Creek, where he remained until 1816, at which time his family was composed of five children: Anna, Thomas, George, Sarah, and William Henry. He GREEN TOWNSHIP - 767 purchased one hundred acres (now known as the Levi Bryant farm) of Jesse Rowe, on which he located, and began improving at once. By careful industry he had accumulated about five hundred acres at the time of his death, which occurred in 1833. The nearest neighbors of the Johnsons were John Rowe, John Draper, and another John Draper who lived on Rattlesnake. As an illustration of the scarcity of neighbors, we state, upon the authority of Thomas G. Johnson, that children were in the habit of going five miles to play with each other. The southwest corner of Green Township was settled by Virginians and North Carolinians, members of the denomination known as the Society of Friends. The first were James Smith, who located in the extreme corner on a portion of survey number 1082, and Enos Haines, a portion of whose lands adjoined the Clinton County Iine. Z. Morris, in about 1820, came to this state to look at the country, and select a tract of suitable land. He was born in Grayson County, Virginia, about fourteen miles from the North Carolina border. His lands were hilly and barren, and upon satisfying himself as to the productiveness of the new state, he determined to leave his native state to return no more ; a step which, to use his own words, " he has never regretted." He was accompanied by his brother, Isaac, and located on a one hundred acre tract, surveyed for Abram Hight, but which he purchased of Daniel Buress. The settlement was made in 1823, and he has resided there ever since, having added land to the original purchase, from time to time, and now owns three hundred and twenty-eight acres, all in a high state of cultivation. The neighborhood was settled up by William Bankson, Joshua Haines, Philip Barger, one of the first settlers; Enos Reeder, Edmund and James McVey, all Quakers, and good citizens. They and their descendants still reside on the old homesteads. SCHOOLS. It was a matter of profound regret that the opportunities for educating the youth of " ye olden time " were very meager. The pioneer and every member of this household, were obliged to earn 768 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. a living " by the sweat of their brows." Money was scarce, it being difficult at times to pay taxes; hence our forefathers were sorely troubled as to what course should be taken, properly, to educate their children. Some of the ladies began teaching in their. own cabins, and had scholars who walked four or five miles to attend. Steps were also taken to organize subscription schools. Twenty-five scholars were sufficient to constitute a school ; the subscription price being $1.50 each. If the subscribers were unable to pay the tuition of their children, their wealthier and more fortunate neighbors supplied the deficiency. The first school house, a primitive structure, was composed of round logs for walls, a clapboard roof fastened on by poles, a puncheon floor, a mud chimney, seats of poles split into two equal parts, and windows made by greasing paper, and fastening it over the cracks where the scholars found light the most convenient. It was built on the Little Wabash, in 1819, where the heirs of Squire Cay reside at present. This pioneer cabin was attended by scholars who resided in the subscription district, which was six miles square, and in the winter of 1819, was in charge of Ebenezer Christy, a great teacher—when he was sober. One Bradshaw, was an early teacher. The school houses of the township, at present, are good substantial brick or frame buildings, with good furniture and all needful apparatus, and are well supported. CHURCHES. In the preceding chapters of this work, the reader has ascertained the manner in which the pioneer conducted his private and public affairs, and under what circumstances religion was first introduced. A repetition is unnecessary, and we simply state that the first preacher as given us was Robert Dobbins, and the date 1815, and proceed to the histories of the various religious organizations : METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. White Oak Grove Methodist Protestant Church, was organized contemporary with the formation of the denomination. Robert GREEN TOWNSHIP - 769 Dobbins, above mentioned, had long been a consistent member and pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but became dissatisfied, and proceeded to organize a society under the new discipline of the new denomination. The organization met in school houses and private dwellings, till about the year 1835, when they erected a small frame, in the lower end of the cemetery, northeast of the present building. The latter was built in 1857, is forty-five feet long and thirty-five wide, and presents a neat and inviting appearance. The organization is rather weak at present, and holds services every three weeks ; Rev. Hinkle being the pastor. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Buena Vista Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized in 1830 or 1832, on Rattlesnake Creek, near the site of Buena Vista, in the school house where the settlers were in the habit of holding their elections. Their first building, a small frame, was put up in 1845, and some ten years later the present structure, also a one story frame, was erected. The Olive Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest organization, and in all probability was formed by the pioneer preacher of the township, Rev. Dobbins. The society worshipped in a rude log cabin for a number of years. The present frame structure was erected about twenty years ago. BUENA VISTA. Buena Vista is the only village in the township, and is located on a part of survey 3987, near Rattlesnake Creek. It contains a population of about one hundred and twenty-five, and for its size does a considerable amount of business. In the year 1832, John W. Simpson and Stephen Tudor came to the present site of the village to purchase ground. The former bought a lot of James Larkins, while the latter located on the lot now owned by Jeffrey Higgins. The main street was at that time a so-called township road, but was changed into a state road one year later. Simpson returned to Highland County, took unto himself a wife, and with her came back to his new purchase, erected a 770 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. small cabin, and removed therein. This was the first married couple that settled within the present limits of Buena Vista. Stephen Tudor was a carpenter by trade, and remained in the new settlement till 1835, when he sold his property to one Sloan, who lived there but a few months, and disposed of his home to Mr. Fox, who in turn sold the same to Lorenzo Vickers and William Moon. The first store was opened by John Simpson, who kept a small stock, and frequently refused to sell as much calico as his lady customers wished, because he did not wish to dispose of his entire stock. Soon after, other stores were opened by Bell & Jenkins, of Washington, Isaac Tracy, Moon, Vickers, and Silas Iron. Thomas Dowden ran the first blacksmith shop, which stood near the present "town pump," on the lot now owned by Mrs. Mary Burnett. James McKinney also started a blacksmith shop. William Blair started a shoe and " whisky" shop. Daniel McKinney was the first physician. It was his first practice, and he met with a deserved success. The settlement was originally called " Goatsville," the name arising from the following circumstance: Simpson was a member of the German Baptist Society, which was usually known by the cognomen of " Dunkards." Preachers and members of this organization were in the habit of stopping at his house, and as they allowed their hair and beards to grow quite long, it was considered that they bore a striking resemblance to the animal after which the settlement was named. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. From the fact that the early records of the township have been lost, it will be impossible to give the original township officers, but we subjoin a list of the present, which are as follows: Trustees, William Durnell, Albert Bonecutter and I. N. Rowe; justices of the peace, G. W. Smith and B. N. Waln; constable, Henry Blair; clerk, William Thomas; treasurer, C. A. Kneedler; assessor, O. L. Kennedy. GREEN TOWNSHIP - 771 TOWNSHIP LEVIES FOR 1881. General township fund, $400.00 ; for road purposes, $100.00, and in addition to this, one mill on the dollar. School tuition, $1,200.00; contingent, $210.00. (In addition to this, $60.00 was levied on Fairfield Township, Highland County, for the support of sub-district No. 4, Green Township, which is partly made up from that township.) Also, $1,000.00 was levied for building school houses in the township. DISTILLERIES, MILLS, THIEVES, INCIDENTS, ETC. The first distillery in the township was started by Thomas Moon, on the site of his mill ; another was started, a number of years later, by Abraham Crispin. Thrown upon their own resources, the settlers either went barefooted or wore moccasins, though in 1817, the first shoemaker established himself in the township. His name was David Bradshaw, and his work, though rude, was appreciated by his neighbors, who patronized him liberally. Abram Bush is given as the first wagon-maker; a half-breed Indian, who bore the name of Zimmerman, as the pioneer doctor. The first marriage took place January 7, 1801 ; the contracting parties being David Moon and Mary Ellis. The ceremony was performed by Ralph Stout, the first justice of the peace. The squire also officiated at the marriage of Jesse McCoy and Martha Sander, during January, 1811, and Uriah Jackson and Ann Allen, March 7, 1812. The memory of the old settlers is at fault as to the first births and deaths, hence we are unable to give them. Green Township was not exempted from the frequent visits of thieves and robbers, who infested this country in the olden time. A majority of the old settlers were from Virginia and adjoining states, and to their credit be if said, scorned to do anything dishonest. There was a certain element, however, whose nativity cannot be traced to any particular locality, which lived the life of an idler and gained a subsistence by robbing the poor _pioneer of his hard 772 - HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY. earned property. Horses, cattle and swine, were stolen when opportunity offered, and the honest farmer was compelled to fasten his doors with padlocks—something unusual those days. William Johnson was in the habit of fastening his doors every night, and on a certain evening requested his son, Thomas, to close up the stables. The young man proceeded to the barn as directed, but upon approaching, was surprised to discover a strange horse tied near the door. He advanced cautiously, was just about to enter, when a man emerged from the inside, mounted the horse, and was off like a flash. It was surmised that the stranger had arranged to steal the horses and fly with them under cover of darkness ; luckily his plan was frustated at the last moment. This and future generations will point with pride to the noble efforts of our forefathers, to earn a home for themselves and posterity. They encountered innumerable hardships on their journey hither; upon their arrival saw nothing before them save a dense and almost endless forest, inhabited by wild game, and usually had no means by which to provide for their families except their robust frames and iron wills. It was their first duty, after erecting a humble cabin to shield them from storm and the midnight attack of wolves, to free from timber a small tract of land, and plant it in life necessaries. When the harvest came, there was rejoicing in more than one household over the plentiful crops raised the first year. But soon another obstacle presented itself. The harvest was gathered, but how were they to convert the corn and wheat into flour ! The steam mill was utterly unknown, water mills were few and far between, and as a last resort recourse was had to the "horse mill." Presumably there was no tread mill in this township, though there were several in the adjoining township of Wayne, where the inhabitants were wont to go. The process of grinding in one of these primitive affairs was very tedious, and frequently two days were consumed in going, grinding, and returning. Others went to Springfield, where there was a good water mill. When the canal was dug via Chillicothe, it was considered a great blessing to our pioneers, as they had then but thirty miles to go to mill. The erection of the Moon mills proved to be a great boon, and as the flour gave good satisfaction, the proprietor discovered by a liberal patronage that his efforts were highly appreciated.