360 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
ANNO DOMINI 1800-WYLLY5 SILLIMAN-THE PIONEERS- TOPOGRAPHY- SOD- WATER- SAND- STONE - LIMESTONE - FORESTS - TOWNSHIP TAKEN FROM JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP - THE TOWNSHIP NAMED FOR PRESIDENT MADISON- NO RECORD OF THE OFFICERS CHOSEN AT THE FIRST ELECTION-THE OFFICERS OF 1880- WHERE THE ELECTIONS WERE HELD-THE FIRST ROAD-THE FIRST DEATH AND BURIAL-GOD- FREY BAINTER - FIRST MARRIAGE - SALT WORKS- SCHOOLS-MILLS - WHISKEY MILL- FURNACE– FIRST BLACKSMITH - 'WHEELEN" M. E. CHURCH-"PROSPECT" M. E. CHURCH- “SALEM" M. E. PROTESTANT CHURCH- “PLEASANT HILL" M. P. CHURCH-ST. MATHEW'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE FIRST STORE - “OTTERBEIN CHAPEL" (UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH )-FIRST POST OFFICE-STONE WARE- MILITARY RECORD.
Anno Domini, 1800, found Jacob Swigert settled on Muskingum bottom lands ; he built his cabin and cleared a field, the first evidence of civilization within the borders of this township he, however, was not happy, and sold out to J. S. Copeland, and he sold out to John Bainter, all within a short period, .for Bainter moved to the high land—now occupied by J. G. Stump, in 1801. Wyllys Silliman entered the southwest quarter of section nineteen, on Symmes' Creek, but sold out to James Sprague, from Nova Scotia, who settled upon it, in 1802. A Swiss, named Valentine Shriver, settled on the northeast quar- ter of section twenty-three, in 1804, and John Stoner settled on the southeast quarter of the same section, about the same time, and planted an orchard, the first in the township. George Adams came from Fauquier county, and settled on the southeast quarter of section eighteen, in 1808 : he built a hewed log house, the first in the territory, and some years later added a frame building to this, and this was the first flume house in this section. Charles Copeland settled near the mouth of Symmes' Creek, about the the same time, and, in 1817, he built a brick house, the first in this region ; it is in a good state of preservation, and is occupied by his descendants.
Topographically, Madison township presents. many advantages ; the rich alluvial soil of extensive bottom lands, for it will be seen by consult- ing the map, that it is surrounded, so to speak,.
Residence and Store of 0. W, BARRON, Dresden, Ohio.
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on an equivalent of more than three sides, by the Muskingum river, more than compensates for the poor quality of uplands, and at the same time, the undulating character of the surface enables the majority of the settlers to find good building sites. It is drained principally by the Muskingum river, and next by Symmes' Creek, which is the largest stream, of any importance, in the township. Water, however, is plenty, and good. Sand- stone and limestone, for building, and lime, are found in the cliff's, and coal in, convenient quantities. The forests have never been large, nor well cared for, yet all the varieties common to southeastern Ohio, flourish here.
BOUNDARIES.
This township was taken from Jefferson township, by order of the County Commissioners, dated July 2, 1819. It was originally bounded on the north by the county line, on the east, by Munroe and Salem townships, on the south, by Washington township, on the west, by the Muskingum river. The Commissioners' Journal, of that date, contains the following : "Beginning on the county line, on the line dividing the sixth range, then west with the county line to the northeast corner of Jefferson township, then down the Muskingum river, and with meanders thereof, to the line dividing the southwest and northwest quarter of the second township in the seventh range, then east to the line dividing the sixth and seventh ranges, thence north with the said line to the southwest corner of the third township, in the sixth range, then east to the line dividing the sixth range, then northwest with said line to the place of beginning."
The first election was held at the residence of Martin Wheelen, July 31, 1819. This was the same place that is now owned by George King.
The township was named for President Madi- son. In December, 1826, Adams township was
created, and Madison reduced thereby to its present size, and boundaries. No record of the officers chosen, at the first election, has been found ; those for 188o, are :
Justices of the Peace—E. E. Forker, Calvin ames.
Constable—Samuel Dunmead.
Treasurer—James King.
Clerk—Calvin James.
Assessor—John W. Kinney.
Land Appraiser—Joshua G. Stump.
Trustees—W. B. Carter, George .B. King, John A. Burnside.
Board of Education—James King, Samuel Copeland, Abraham Beal, John A. Burnside, David Garrett, John King.
Supervisors—John J. Kinney, Daniel Stolts, Louis Gressel, William Stolts, Leslie Keyes, William Miller, John Crozier, Jacob A. Minner.
The elections were held at the school house, on Wm. Minner's land, chiefly, until 1848, when the township house was erected, and the elections have been held there since that time ; the
house is 18X24.
The first road crossed the Muskingum river at Bainter's ford, and extended up ‘Symmes' Creek in the direction of Adams township.
The first death was that of Godfrey Bainter, in 1805. He was buried in the woods, on his son John's farm, now owned by W. B. Carter. The following is the inscription on the tombstone, now nearly effaced by time, as the stone is of a very perishable kind :
"In memory of Godfrey Bainter, who departed this life May 18th, 1805, aged 60 years." This has become a cemetery and is the oldest in the township."
The first marriage, on record, is that of George Stoner and Elizabeth Shirer, in 1810 ; the next was Robert McConnell to Mary Adams, which occurred soon after.
SALT WORKS.
In the year 1807, James Sprague, and his son Samuel, were pushing a canoe up the Muskingum river, and when just below the mouth of Wills treek, they saw an Indian encampment, and, putting it to shore, an old Indian offered to show them a good salt spring for $1,400. Mr. Sprague did not accept the offer, and shortly after, the Indian showed it to Mr. Mapes for a rifle. Mr. M. began to make salt there, about 1810. The spring proved to be a good one, and these works have been operated for fifty years. In 1852, Joseph Tingle became their possessor, and repaired them, and put in a new engine, and operated them during the war, but they have been idle since 1865.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was probably built on the land of A. Struthers, not far from the forks of Symmes' Creek. It is said that the first school was taught in the German language, and that the first English school teacher was a Mr. Decker, in 1811. The primitive schools of this township have sip faded from the memories of the oldest inhabitants, that nothing definite is known of them-. The schools of the present day are taught in the English language, and there are six good frame school houses in the township ; none graded, however.
MILLS.
In 1813, Alexander Struthers built a grist mill on the south branch of Symmes' Creek, just above its forks, and in 1818, he added a saw mill. These mills were of incalculable benefit to the settlement, even extending beyond the township boundaries ; and yet Mr. Struthers did not retain control of them many years ; he sold to J. N. Ingalls, and he, to William Mapes. The latter added one run of buhrs. Mr. Mapes died, and Frederick Minner became proprietor for a time,. and was succeeded by Peter Varner, who operated the mills in 1866.
Valentine Shirer, and David Shirer, brothers, built a .saw mill in 1833, on the north fork of Symmes'Creek,near the center of section twenty. John Bench subsequently put in a pair of buhrs,
364 - TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY, OHIO.
Cushman was rector about eighteen months, and he was succeeded by Rev. John Henshaw, from May to October, 1843. From this date, no regular services were held, until April, 1846, when Rev. George B. Sturgis became rector.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church, which the congregation rented, until May, 1846, when they were held in their own church.
Rev. Albert T. McMurphy became rector in April, 1847, and the church was consecrated September 14th, of that year. Rector McMurphy remained until 1857, nearly ten years.
The following rectors have served according to the dates given :
Rev, J. H. McElree,. during 1861 and 1862 ; Rev. Henry A. Lewis, from July, 1865, to June 18, 1866, when he died ; Rev. John. Steel, April 1867, to September of that year, when he resigned ; Rev. J. C. Jones, from July 1868, to September, 1871 ; Rev. Chester F. Adams, from October 1871, to July 1876; Rev. Pendleton, from July 1876, to June 1879 ; Rev. M. E. W. Hill, in June, 188o, and remains in charge. The Senior Warden is Leslie Keyes ; Junior Warden, William Keyes. The number of members is fourteen.
Matthew's Parish" owns one hundred acres of land, in addition to the church lot. It was deeded by Christopher Armstrong in 1840, and is situated in the southeast quarter of section eleven.
In the cemetery connected with this church, may be seen a monument containing this inscription
"In memory of Christopher Humphreys, died September 30th, 1842, aged one hundred and four years.
"In memory of Margaret, wife of Christopher Humphreys, died January 4th, 1851, aged one hundred years."
THE FIRST STORE.
The first regular store was kept by Copeland & Parmalee, about 1840. They sold out to James McMahan, and he to Roe & Beatty, who did quite an extensive business, in the store and mill, which they rented. John Bowen, Henry Copeland, George C. Adams, D. F. Kinney and A. J. Hurdle succeeded Roe & Beatty. There is no store in Madison township at this time. Thomas Pierce kept a small store at his mill, and, by some, it is claimed that this was the first store in the township.
OTTERBEIN CHAPEL, UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The Symmes' Creek class was formed in 1846, and composed of John Swoope and Hannah, his wife, Charles King and Catharine, his wife, John Miller and Francis, his wife, Rev. James Shreeves, and Nathaniel Smith.
In 1861, Zachariah Adams deeded one acre of land to Peter Varner, John Swoope and James McKinney, Trustees ; and, in 1864, a frame house, 25x32, was erected thereon, for religious purposes ; preaching having been done in school houses prior to this time.
The ministers who have served this society were : Rev's. Rice, Camden, McFarland, Lively, Cecil, Dilley, Sherman, Saltzman, Miller, Clark, Ehrhard, Roch, Moore, Athey, Stedman, Clark and Coleman.
The present Trustees are : Chas. McCurney, John Miller, William Minner, Jacob Minner, and John Dickey. The Class Leaders are : John Miller and Seldon King. The Steward is William Minner.
THE FIRST POST OFFICES.
The first Post Offices were established simultaneously at the mouth of Symmes' Creek, and at the residence of Thomas Armstrong. The latter was postmaster at the office having his name, and Charles Love was postmaster at the mouth of Symmes' Creek. This was in 1850. The office at Armstrong's was abandoned in 1863, and the one at the State Dam may soon be.
STONEWARE.
In 1869, William Minner built a pottery at the forks of Symmes Creek, and has operated it successfully ever since ; the clay being of good quality and abundant. From twelve to fifteen thousand gallons of ware are made there annually.
Jacob S. King and John T. Swoope, built a pottery on the Dresden road, one mile north of the mouth of Symmes' Creek, in 1879, and they are still operating it, with fair success.
MILITARY RECORD.
Volunteers from Madison township, in the One Hundred and Twenty-second 0. V. I.—William Austin, George Adams, James Armstrong, Jesse Bales, Washington Baine, Wesley Baum, Israel Buckalew, Thomas Hittle, Samuel Hazen, George B. King, Wm. King, Daniel Kinney, Isaiah Kinney (killed,) James King, Benjamin King, Harman King, Chas. Minner, William Steller, Salathiel Tudor, Riley Tudor, Peter LePage, William Miller, James McBurney, John A. Norman, John Noel, Joseph Parkinson, Isaiah Poorman.
Sixty-second 0. V. I.—Zachariah Buckalew, 'Henry Copeland, John Clark, William Collins, William Dunmead, Daniel Dunmead, Thomas Dunmead, Martin Echelberry, William Feagans,• Perry Forker, Daniel Garrett, Henry Garrett, Wiley Garrett, George Hackney, William Ramsey, Daniel Shirer, William Stanley, John Whittingham, Jacob Ross, William Ross, Henry Ross, Nathan Ross, Harrison Skinner, John Shadrach, (killed).
One Hundred and Sixtieth O. V. I.—D. F. Kinney, Thomas J. Kinney, Jacob Kinney, George Thomas.
Ninety-seventh 0. V. I.—Thomas Lazell, Frank Lazell, John St. Clair, Frank VanWestin, Robert Sebring, George Steel, Andrew Wilson.
Sixteenth 0. V. I. John Smith, Nathan Stanley and William St. Clair.
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That there are many interesting incidents
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worthy a place in the history of this township, the historian believes to be true, and when any one cognizant of them regrets they are not here narrated, let him place the censure, if any, where it belongs, on the stolid reticence of those who, when interviewed, refrained from communicating them. The foregoing data has been carefully detailed, and, when the nature of the information permitted, it has been amplified, but not exaggerated. In closing, the writer would pay a tribute to the brave heroes who bore arms for their country, and say with the poet :
"He is the freeman, whom the truth makes free,
And all are slaves beside. There's not a chain
That hellish foes, confederate for his harm,
Can wind around him, but he casts it off
With as much ease as Samson his green withes.
He looks abroad into the varied field
Of Nature ; and, though poor, perhaps, compared
With those whose mansions glitter in his sight,
Calls the delightful scenery all his own."
And knows that he bared his breast to save it
From the rebel grasp and ruin dire,
And thousands will praise him for it!