CHAPTER XII
PERRY TOWNSHIP
This township, lying in the southwest corner of Pickaway County, was originally included in Deer Creek township. It is not definitely known when the township was detached and organized, but it is thought that it was early in the '20's. Deer Creek forms the northern boundary of the township, which is also watered by Hay Run and Hamilton Run. In the territory adjacent to Deer Creek, the surface is broken and traversed by numerous ravines. In the bottom lands of this section great quantities of grain, especially corn are raised. In other sections a black loam is found which is more adapted to the growing of corn than any other cereal. The township is traversed from east to west by the C. & M. V. R. R., which has two stations in Perry, namely : New Holland and Atlanta. The population of the township according to the census of 1900 is 1,865. The township officers for 1906 are as follows : Trustees--J. G. Dick, Douglas Binns, Jr., and W. T. Hoskins ; clerk, F. M. Davis; treasurer, M. S. Batholomew; assessor, C. P. Clements; justices of the peace--J. W. Wright and W. A. Welch.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The township was settled mainly by Virginians, the first settlement being made about 1799. The pioneer settler, it is thought, was James Wilson, who lived for a brief time on the farm later owned by Elias Ater. Among the other early settlers were: Benjamin Evans, John Hoskins, Holmes Tarbill, John Timmons, Peter Mouser, Josiah Reeves, Zadoc Lewis, Levi Hayes, Jesse Britton, John Thomas, William Porter, Hezekiah Brown,' John Bennett, John English, Jonathan Taylor and John Hale, all of whom came here before 1815, in about the order named.
Others of the early settlers who came here subsequent to 1815 were the following : John Dunlap, Isaac Gray, Josiah Lewis, Barzillai C. Adkins, John M. Collins, Isaac Brown, Philip Michael, Jacob Gooley, James Cochran, Isaac Vincent, Reuben Lloyd, Moses Kouns, Joseph McClintock, Jacob and Samuel Hosselton, William Penniwell, Abraham Tanquary, Abram Kirkpatrick, Frederick Funk, James Kirkpatrick, John Streevey and Reuben Simpson. It is possible that some of the above may have settled here at an earlier date than mentioned.
CHURCHES
The Methodists, who were the first to hold religious services in Perry township, have established six churches in all, of which three are still active.
The Cedar Grove M. E. Church was established at a very early date. A log meeting house was built in 1814, previous to which date the class meetings were held in the homes of the settlers. The original class was composed of these members : William Bailey and wife, John Bennett and wife, John and Peter Cook and their wives, George Graham and wife, Isaac Jones and wife, William Loveland and
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wife and Jonathan Motter and wife. A frame church, built near the site of the log one, was dedicated in 1849. The church belonged to the New Holland Circuit. The membership in 189 was 79. Services have since been discontinued.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on Hay Run about 1835, but the organization no longer exists. A church costing nearly $700 was built in 1852 to replace the log meeting house previously used. The church membership in 1879 was 45. The church was included in the New Holland Circuit.
Locust Grove M. E. Church.--This class was organized in 1841 at the home of Noble Porter, who became its leader and most enthusiastic worker. The church building was erected in 1842 on land donated by him. In 189 there were 73 members in regular connection and 90 on probation. Since then the church, has ceased to be a regular charge. From its formation it was attached to the New Holland Circuit. The Cedar Grove, Hay Run and Locust Grove churches all had Sunday schools.
New Holland M. E. Church.--Although all early records of this church have been lost, it is known that it was organized before 1825, as a class of about 12 members, with Samuel Hosselton as class leader. Prior to 1825 services were held by Rev. Francis A. Wilson at the houses of George Bohrer awl others, and then in a little log building in the village. About 1827 a small frame church edifice was constructed; this was replaced on the same site by the present church, which was built in 1867, at a cost of $2,500. Six years ago a parsonage was built at a cost of over $3,000. The ministers of the New Holland church for the period prior to 1866 were the same that had charge of the church at Williamsport. In that year New Holland Circuit was set off as a separate circuit. From 1866 to 1906 the ministers of the New Holland church have been : Revs. J. Y. Rusk, W. W. Martin, N. L. Jones, A. C. Kelley, George W. Burns, John W. Wakefield, F: S. Davis, A. B. Sniff, J. B. Bradley, Ralph Watson, J. L. Durrant; F. M. Evans, L. W. Miller, George Aten, H. E. Wright and T. L. Haas, the present incumbent. The present combined membership of this church and the Atlanta M. E. Church is 355. The New Holland church has a flourishing Sunday-school, with an average attendance of 81, of which Seymour Thomas is superintendent;
Dublin Hill M. E. Church.--A class of Protestant Methodists was formed at this point in 1858, but after a few years the church was discontinued. Sixteen years later, Rev. John L. Reeder, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, founded a class, which has flourished to the present time. In 1878, the present brick church edifice located in the northeastern part of the township, was built at a cost of $1,600, being dedicated on January 15, 189, by Rev. F. King, of Columbus. The church has a membership of 35. The Sunday-school, which was formed at the establishment of the church, has a membership of 50. Elmer Shaeffer is superintendent. The present pastor of this charge is Rev. W. B. Rose, of New Holland.
The Atlanta M. E. Church is the most recently organized church of this denomination in Perry township. It is a charge of the New Holland Circuit. A frame church building was erected in 1896 at a cost of $3,500. Jesse Riggin is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of 75.
The New Holland Disciples' Church was organized in the spring of 1857, the charter members being 22 in number. Evangelists of this denomination had preached here for some three years previous.. After the organization, services were held in the home of T. Hess for a time and then in a church built about 50 years ago, which continued to serve until a new brick church was built in 1901, which is valued at $5,000. The church is large and flourishing, having a membership of 150. The Sunday-school, of which Mrs. Sadie Crabb is superintendent, has an average attendance of 90.
Following are the church officers: Elders -- J. B. Parker and G. H. Matson ; deacons C. Vlerebome, O. Lauderman, Thompson, E. Anderson and Frank Gooley. The present pastor is Rev. W. W. Harris. Other
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pastors who have served this church are the following: Revs. Samuel Matthews, John C. Ervin, George Van Pelt, E. B. Lewis, J. P. Ewin, Wesley Hatcher and H. L. Veach.
New Holland Presbyterian Church.--This church, which passed out of existence some time ago, was founded in 1863. Four years later the old Methodist Episcopal Church building was purchased, removed to another site, donated by John Boggs, and refitted. Rev. Samuel Cruthers was the first pastor; he was followed by Rev. S. S. Miller and he by Rev. W. H. Guthrie. The last named remained some four years and left a membership of 30. After his departure only occasional preaching was had and interest finally died out.
SCHOOLS.
Not much is know in regard to who taught the first school in the township or where the school was located. As early as 1818, Andrew Bascom taught a term of school at or near the Locust Grove M. E. Church, in the little log building standing on the land later owned by Joseph Porter. This school was quite well attended. Soon after this William Clark taught a school term in the same building. A school in New Holland village was taught by Rev. Francis A. Wilson as early as 1828. The township outside of New Holland Special School District now has eight schools. All the schoolhouses are brick structures roofed with slate and are in very good condition. District No. 3, with school located at Atlanta, and District No. 8 have new buildings erected in 1904. The school at Atlanta is in charge of Prof. Otis Ganes, and has a high school department, in addition to the grammar and primary departments. The enumeration of pupils in .the eight districts of the township is 280. At the election held in. the fall of 1904, the 'first election after the adoption of the new code, the following were elected members of the township Board of Education : George A. Brown, Charles Grimes and G. L. Jennings--four years; W. C. Crawford and E. A. Riggin-two years. W. H. Skinner is clerk,
The New Holland Special School Districtwas organized at the time the village was incorporated. It is said that the first school subsequent to 1835 was held in the building occupying the site of the present Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1848 a school building was constructed on the Ferguson property south of town. In 1854-55 a school building was erected to take the place of the one on the Ferguson property, at a cost of $1,500. This building remained in use until the present school was built. This school accommodates about 200 pupils, and has eight rooms and library and office. This school has three departments --primary, grammar and high school. the high school department has recently been changed from second grade to first grade. Prof. J. G. Bricker is superintendent of the New Holland school and Miss Carrie Beach, principal. These with four other teachers comprise the teaching force. The High School has an enthusiastic alumni association. The Board of Education of the special district, elected in the fall of 1904, is as follows : T. M. Withgott, George H. Matson and Scott Taylor--four years ; J. T. Timmons and J. J. Dones-two years. Scott Taylor is clerk.
SOCIETIES.
New Holland Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M., was formed in 1867, the charter being issued in June of that year. The first officers were : M. V. Rawlins, W. M.; J. H. Yoeman, S. W. ; Abram Vlerebome, J. W.; B. Timmons, treasurer, W. J. Cochran, secretary ; A. S. Holloway, S. D. ; J. D. Orahood, J. D. ;.and J. G. W. Donohoe, tyler. The lodge is very flourishing and in a fine financial condition. A stock company, consisting principally of Masons, owns the $12,000 building in which the lodge has its rooms. There is also a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star here.
New Holland also has a Knights of Pythias lodge, John A, Logan, No. 518, organized many years ago, and a camp of Modern Woodmen of America, which was instituted in April, 1899. An Odd Fellows lodge flourished here fora time, as well as various temperance societies. Both New Holland and Atlanta have organizations of the W. C. T. U.
154 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY.
W. C. Ferguson Post. No. 254, G. A. R., was organized at New Holland in 1883, W. H. Kennedy being the first commander. George J. Rodgers is the present commander of the post, which has a membership of about 48.
PHYSICIANS.
Four physicians are now located at New Holland, namely, John B. May (who has been located here about 32 years), A. F. Kaler, E. O. Ervin, and Charles Davis. Dr. A. L. Teeters is the only dentist. The first physician to locate permanently in New Holland or Perry township, was Dr. James F. Wilson, who practiced here some 30 years. Among other physicians who practiced here were : Aaron Harriman, Henry Timmons, Henry R. Davis and John W. May.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Of New Holland, which was established April 4, 1904, enjoys the confidence and patronage of the people of the vicinity to a remarkable degree. Its organization followed closely the failure of the old bank of New Holland and this, in the opinion of some of the citizens, made the outlook doubtful. However, the financial standing and high character of its promoters and officers overcame this handicap, and in two years time the deposits reached the large sum of $150,000 and the loans, $130,000.
The promoters of this institution were such well-known citizens as A. L. Hyde, I. N. Beatty, D. R. Porter, Samuel Hoskins, C. G. Campbell, A. T. Vincent, George Kirk, M. S. Bartholomew, W. J. Grimes and Scott Taylor. The following officers were elected : A. L. Hyde, president; I. N. Beatty, vice-president; and Seymour Thomas, cashier. The board of directors includes A. L. Hyde, I. N. Beatty, A. T. Vincent, John McCafferty and George Kirk.
The building occupied was built by the defunct Bank of New Holland and was used by that enterprise but two weeks. It was later purchased by the First National Bank and is a very appropriate home for so important an institution. It is of handsome design and the interior, in point of arrangement and finishing, is all that could be desired. The fixtures are of hard wood and the vault and safe are the most modern and approved fire and burglar-proof pattern.
NEW HOLLAND.
The plat of this village was acknowledged before Alexander Rowen, justice of the peace, on September 2, 1818. The description, recorded in Book B of the Pickaway County records, shows that the name was then Flemingsburgh. It is not known when the name was changed to the one the village now bears. The village was incorporated March 9, 1835. Early in the following year the village officers were: Rev. Francis A. Wilson, mayor; D. Blue, Jacob Hosselton, Reuben Lloyd and Alexander Cochran, trustees. The village officers for 1906 are as follows: Mayor, George Williamson ; clerk, F. M. Davis; marshal, John Morris; treasurer, Chan. Vlerebome ; Council --M. S. Bartholomew, N. E. Tutwiler, John Shaw, William Mitchell, J. P. Van Vickle and L. W. Swearingen; solicitor, Charles H: May. The village has considerable cement pavement and is well lighted by 25 gasoline lights of a new design that give a fine illumination. In the summer the principal streets are sprinkled. The population, as given in the census of 1900, is 692.
Charles Green was one of the first, if not the first, merchant at New Holland. He sold groceries and whiskey and entertained travelers. George Bohrer, who built the first brick block, was also a pioneer merchant.
New Holland is a shipping point for large quantities of grain. C. E. Groce, of Circleville; has two, elevators here. John Brodie has a grist mill, which is well patronized. Here is also located a branch factory of the Pressing & Orr Company. This is an extensive establishment and when in operation in the canning season employes a large force of hands. Of late tomatoes have been the only product canned. J. M. Sinift conducts a broom factory at New Holland and George Lemley manufactures cement blocks.
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Other business houses of the town are as follows : Dry goods, boots and shoes, L. A. Meeker; dry goods, hoots and shoes and millinery, J. J. Dones ; clothing and furnishing goods, Forrest & Adkins; jewelry. John Zimmerman; general stores--James Holihan, T. C. Gooley and Cooley Brothers; grocery and meat market, Henson & Jones ; meat market, Griffith & Doyle; shoe shop, George W. Tutviler; furniture. William Daley (also undertaker) ; bakery, F. M. Sims; drugs, wallpaper, paints and school supplies, H. M. Agner; hardware, Farmers' Supplies Hardware Company; livery, Charles McCrea and Samuel H. Stoker; lumber and coal, J. E. Ferrel; blacksmiths, William Briggs, Funk Brothers and Robert Maddux; Central Hotel, James Collopy, proprietor.
Percy May owns and conducts the New Holland Leader and a job printing office. He is also postmaster at New Holland. N. R. Ferguson is thought to have been the first post-master. Three rural routes, comprising a total length of 80 miles, now run from New Holland. Both the Citizens' and the Bell telephone companies have connections here, the former having an exchange.
W. A. Welch, justice of the peace, and Charles H. May, who also has an office in Circleville, are the town's only attorneys.
ATLANTA
Is a small town of a little less than 150 population, located on the C. & M. V. R. R. about midway between New Holland and Woodlyn. It is not incorporated. L. T. White is the local agent of the C. & M. V. R. R. Company. A grain elevator, owned by C. G. Campbell, is located here, also a small mill owned by Martin Turner. C. G. Campbell also conducts a grocery and coal business and ships stock. P. F. Campbell sells buggies, wagons and general farming implements. Crawford & Macy conduct a general store ; Michael Funk, a blacksmith shop and livery stable; and Mrs. L. A. Moore, a tile factory. Both the Citizens' and the Bell telephones are found here. There are two Odd Fellow bodies,--Atlanta Lodge, No. 819, and Perry Encampment, No. 286.
MILLS IN THE TOWNSHIP.
In clays gone by quite a number of mills were built along Deer Creek in this township, but all have fallen into disuse, except the Crownover, mill, which is now run by J. D. Pollock. The mill was first built as early as 1812 by a man named Baker and has been rebuilt several times. The other mills have comprised grist-mills, sawmills, carding mills and. woolen mills.