CHAPTER. XVI
WALNUT TOWNSHIP
The first permanent settlement made in this township was in 1797 or 1798. There were white people living here prior to this period, but they did not continue long as residents. Unfortunately, the early township records have been lost, so that it is impossible to state when the township was organized. It is a settled fact, however, that the township organization existed before the formation of the county. The township, as originally set off and surveyed, was six miles square. As it was considered that Walnut Creek would make the most satisfactory boundary line between this township and Harrison, it was finally arranged to detach the northwestern portion of Walnut township lying west of Walnut Creek and add it to the territory of Harrison township, while that portion of Harrison township south of Walnut Creek was set over to Walnut township. The boundary line was a matter of considerable moment to the settler in the early days, when there were no bridges across Walnut Creek, which stream was difficult to cross at certain seasons of the year. The present boundaries of the township are as follows : .Walnut Creek and Madison township on the north; Fairfield County on the east; Washington and Circleville townships on the south and Walnut Creek and the Scioto River on the west. The population of the township in 1900 was 1,455. The township officials for 1906 are as follows : Trustees--John H. Peters, David Six and W. H. Reed; clerk, John E. Weiser; treasurer, George C. Marion; assessor, Joshua Glick; justices of the peace--George Bowers and George A. Knepper.
As stated previously, Walnut Creek forms nearly the whole western boundary of the township. Little Walnut Creek flows through the township from east to west and empties into Walnut Creek in section 18. Little Walnut has many tributaries, chief among which is Turkey Run. The surface of the township is generally undulating, being considerably more rolling in the eastern part than it is in the central and western sections. The highest point of the township, East Ringgold, is several hundred feet above Circleville. The early settlers found this section of the county covered with various varieties of timber, which consisted principally of walnut, butternut, hickory, maple, oak and a large proportion of wild cherry of splendid growth, many of the trees measuring five or six feet through. There was also a great deal of buckeye, which was not valued as timber.
Near East Ringgold are found three mounds, attributed to the Mound Builders, that in their situation are quite interesting. These mounds, which were originally of a conical shape, extend in a nearly straight line from east to west with but a few yards interval between and are .from 15 to 20 feet in height. Other remains of the ancient race of Mound Builders have been found in the township.
EARLY SETTLERS.
It is conceded that the pioneer settler was William Williamson, who shares the honor with his brothers, Cornelius and John. They came here from Hampshire County, Virginia,
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 181
in the spring of 1797 or 1798. William leased some school land in section 16, and with his brothers erected a cabin and put in six or seven acres of corn. Tradition has it that the small clearing, where they settled, had been made by a party of trappers or explorers from Virginia, who were here for a short period. In the fall the Williamson brothers returned to Virginia. The following winter, William Williamson brought out his family, consisting of his wife and one child. The parents walked the entire distance, carrying the child in their arms, while their goods were transported on a pack-horse. John Williamson, Sr., father of the brothers, joined the settlement in 1815. Cornelius Williamson made a permanent settlement in the township about 1830, although he was here on several trips prior to that date.
About a year after the Williamson brothers came here, William and Joseph Buck and their families, who were originally from Pennsylvania, moved here from Kentucky. James Martin, from Pennsylvania, settled here as early as 1798 and Abraham Crist came about 1800. In the spring of 1802 the settlement was further increased in size by the arrival of William Ward and family, from Pendleton County, Virginia. The family consisted of-his wife and seven children, a married daughter remaining behind. In 1803 John Morris, Thomas Longworth and John Hager, Sr., became residents of Walnut township.
In 1804 Joshua Hedges with his wife and 11 children came to Ohio; upon reaching Lancaster, Fairfield County, they located there temporarily. There the death of Mr. Hedges took place. In the fall the family came to Walnut township, putting up a cabin on section 9, which with other lands the father had entered. William Tallman and his son-in-law, Richard Hooker, both from Pennsylvania, Jacob Hoover, from Virginia, and Alexander Frasier, a Scotchman, located here about 1805. Among the arrivals in 18o6 were Joash Miller, Benjamin Bowman, Lewis Scothorn and William Brown and family, his son Samuel and family and several sons-in-law and their families. Jacob Beery, who arrived here from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in 1807,was the earliest settler in the northeastern part of the township. In 1808 J. C. Peters came here from Berkeley County, Virginia, and re sided in Walnut township until 1825, when he removed to Madison township. George Brinker, John Peninger and family, Jesse Morral and Mary Harrold came here in 1810 and about the same time William Morral joined the settlement. Jesse Morral and Miss Harrold were married soon after their arrival and their marriage is the second one recorded in the records of Pickaway County.
In 1812 Charles Duryea and Henry Hott, the latter accompanied by several brothers, came to Walnut township; Benjamin Trone and Paul Cromley came here in 1813; Hugh Creighton, in 1816; Tunis Peters, in 1817; Isaac Weaver and Charles May, in 1827; Daniel Snyder, in 1834; and John May, in 1836. Among the other early settlers in this township were: George Groce, James Bell, Dr. Josiah Luckey, Samuel Peters, David Kershner, Dr. William Turner, Michael Blue, Jacob Westenhaver and Zachariah Pritchett.
CHURCHES.
Hedges Chapel.--At an early date members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination established religious services in Walnut township, the first meetings being held in the homes of Noah Jones, Moses Oman and George Brinker, and also at the homes of Jacob Longenbaugh and the widow Cole in the eastern part of the township. The Hedges Chapel class was organized by Rev. J. H. Creighton at the house of George Brinker in 1841, and consisted of the following members : Thomas Young and wife, Shadrack Cole and five. children, James Hoyman, George Brinker and wife, John Knight, wife and his sister Betsey, Lewis Fridley, wife and daughters, Hannah and Catharine, Cyrus Hedges, wife and daughters, Ann D. and Cynthia, Eli Hines and wife, Sarah Payton and daughters, and Gideon Cummings. Shadrack Cole was local preacher. Revs. James Gilworth and Thomas Hurd were then on the circuit. The first class leader was Thomas Young. The original chapel was built
182 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY.
in 1843. Cyrus Hedges donated we ground and in addition subscribed $5o. The present chapel of the society is a frame structure that was built in 1887. The church property is well improved with cement walks and shade trees and lawn and is valued at $4,000. Rev.. S. M. Merrill (afterward Bishop) was pastor during the Civil War; he was followed by such men as Riker, J. M. Rife, Miller, H. B. Westervelt, L. H. Binkley, Frank Gillilan, B. F. Jackson, C. M. Prior, F. M. Evans and F. R. Crooks, who was succeeded in September, 1906, by Rev. C. E. Hill. The class is a charge of the Ashville Circuit, in which town the pastor has his residence. The society has a membership of 100. The Sunday-school, of which George C. Marion is superintendent, has an attendance of about 75.
The East Union M. E. Church was organized between 1825 and 1830 with 12 members. The meetings continued to be held at the home of Mrs. Cole, as previously mentioned, until the erection of a brick church building in the year 1835, for which William Tallman gave the land. The structure soon became inadequate to the needs of the society and about 15 years after its erection it was torn down and another brick church was erected on the same spot. The church is located about half a mile east of Walnut. The church property is valued at $2,500. The society has a membership of about 75. The church is a charge of the Ashville Circuit, of which Rev. C. E. Hill is present pastor, having succeeded Rev. F. R. Crooks in September, 1906. Ezra Hedges, now nearly 90 years old, has been a lifelong member. The Sunday-school, of which , Alva Courtright is superintendent, has an average attendance of about 75.
There have been two churches of the Evangelical Association in Walnut township. Mount Zion's Church, at one time called the Zinser Church, was organized in 183o, at the home of Solomon Zinser, where meetings were held until the frame church on the south line of the township was erected in 1840. The original members were : Solomon Zinser and wife, John Bridagum and wife, Jacob Rife and wife and Valentine Reber and wife. The church building was the first church edifice erected by the denomination west of the Allegheny Mountains. Previous to its completion, the first Ohio Evangelical Conference was held in a barn on the farm then owned by Solomon Moyer, after-ward the Andrew Ucher farm. The church was abandoned in the '80's.
Emanuel Church of the Evangelical Association was formed about 1832, with the following members : John Tobias and wife, Peter Tobias and wife, John Hittle and wife and Peter Moyer and wife. Meetings were held at the dwellings of the members, until the church in the southeast corner of section 28 was built, in 1848. Rev. A. J. Diefenderfer has been the pastor of the church .for the past two years. The membership of the church, which in former years was more than 100, has been decreased by removals and deaths to 25. There is a flourishing Sunday-school.
Mount Hermon U. B. Church.--A class of the United Brethren in Christ was organized at the house of James Ward in 1833. The meetings continued here some time, later being held in log schoolhouses. Soon after 1845 Rev. Isaac Kretzenger, the circuit preacher, conducted revivals here, which resulted in the addition of quite a number to the church membership. The need of a church building then became keenly felt and it was therefore decided to build. A mound, supposed to be of artificial construction, located in the southeast part of section 17, was selected as the site. The church, at the suggestion of Robert G. Morral, one of the members who selected the location, was called the "Mount Hermon Church." In 1875 the old building was removed to give place to the present frame structure, which was completed during the incumbency of Rev. William Fisher, who served the circuit in 1876 and 1877. The church has a membership of about 6o and has a flourishing Sunday-school of 40 members, C. B. Barnhart being superintendent. The church is a class of the Ashville Circuit, of which Rev. W. E. Rowe is the present pastor.
The East Ringgold class of the United Brethren Church, which belongs to the Bethany Circuit, of which Rev. E. Gwartney, of
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 183
Lancaster, is pastor, was organized in 1865 by Rev. Thomas Forsyth and was composed of six members. The frame church, erected by members of the German Reformed Church at the Ritter burial-ground, was purchased and moved' to East Ringgold. This building was replaced about two years ago by a new frame structure at a cost of $3,000. The church has a membership of 80. The Sunday-school of 75 members is under the superintendence of C. M. Spayth.
Bethlehem class of the United Brethren Church was organized at the house of John Hager in 1835 with 10 members. Meetings were held at his residence until the erection of the church, in 1840. Meetings of this class have not been held for 15 years or more and it therefore may be termed extinct.
A United Brethren class formerly existed in the Pontious neighborhood but it disbanded in 1845, and the members, then only five or six in number, went with the Mount Hermon class.
A United Brethren class was formed at the dwelling of John May in 1838 or 1839 by Rev. William McCabe. They held their services there for some time until the class became large, when it was divided, and one part met for worship at the house of John Morris and the other in the Albright Church on the town line, which some of the members had assisted in erecting. Subsequently the two classes re-united and continued their meetings in the Al-bright Church until 1874, when the Bethany Church building, in Washington township, was erected.
The Warner Church at East Ringgold was built in 1839. The land consisting of over five acres was donated by Henry Warner, one of the members, in consequence of which the church was named for him. The preacher at the time of the erection of the church was Rev. Henry King. Both the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran denominations united in building this church. Soon after its erection, however, trouble arose between the two parties on account of certain forms of worship which the German Reformed members sought to introduce resulting in a split. The German Reformed faction then erected a frame building at the Ritter burial-ground half a mile northeast of East Ringgold. This society subsequently disbanded and the church structure was sold to the United Brethren, who moved it into East Ringgold. At the present time there are two congregations holding service in the Warner Church--the German Reformed, of which Rev. S. U. Snyder, of Stoutsville, is pastor; and the Evangelical Lutheran, of which Rev. F. B. Hax, of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, is pastor. The German Re-formed organization has a membership of 50, while the Lutheran has 12o members. F. M. Stout is superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday-school.
In 1842 a German Reformed clergyman by the name of Strickland, after conducting services in the township, organized a society and then returned East. He was followed by a minister named Phillips, during whose labors the North Union Church was built, in 1844. It was erected by the people generally, without respect to denomination, and ministers of different faiths officiated in its pulpit. In the spring of 1851 a United Brethren class was formed and used the church for a number of years. The church, which is a frame structure, is located two and a half miles north of Nebraska and is rapidly falling to pieces. Near the church is a small burial-ground, which is not now in use.
Hugh Creighton, who settled in Walnut township in 1816, was a pioneer in Sunday school work here. He was one of the first teachers of day school in the township, as early as 1822 or 1823, and it was his custom to collect the children together on Sundays for religious instruction.
FIRST BURYING GROUND.
The first place selected by the people of Walnut township for the burial of their dead was located on section 16. The first burial, and probably the first death in the township,. was that of a child of Cornelius Williamson, which was prior to 1800. The oldest inscription is that on the tombstone of Mary Ward,
184 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY
daughter of William and Nancy Ward, who died September 20, 1802, at the age of 21 years.
REBER HILL CEMETERY,
Located near the center of Walnut township, half a mile south of Nebraska, is considered the finest cemetery in Pickaway County, with, perhaps, the sole exception of Forest Cemetery, at Circleville. ' The first person buried here was William Parsons, who died July 4, 1877, and the second person was Samuel Weaver (son of D. F. Weaver), who was buried on Christmas Day, 1877. The cemetery was formally consecrated on September 29, 1878, by Rev. William MacMillan, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Circleville. The cemetery, embracing a tract of 32 acres, which was donated by John Reber, has been laid out and improved with excellent taste. It is managed by three cemetery directors--John Courtright, George W. Ashbrook and J. L. Hoover--appointed by the township trustees. It is estimated that the remains of 2,500 people rest here. Not a small number were removed to this cemetery from the small burial grounds formerly found in many sections of Walnut and adjoining townships. The first sexton, George Adkins, held the position .for 2o years, being succeeded by George C. Marion, who was sexton one year. The present official, Charles Trone, has been in charge ever since. The sexton's house was built by money raised by subscription from residents of the town-ship.
SCHOOLS.
One of the first schoolhouses in Walnut township, if not the very first, was located' a short distance north of the old graveyard in section 16, where Joseph Leesman, Asa England, Joshua Baker and Philip Gatewood taught. Shortly afterward, a log schoolhouse Was built, where Monroe Scothorn afterward lived, in which Hugh Hannagan and Hugh Creighton were early teachers. In 1810 a schoolhouse was erected on the line between sections 22 and 23, in which the first teacher was a man named Addison. A school was kept by John Wilson as early as 1823 in a little cabin on the farm later owned by William Reed. Edward Kennedy was also an early teacher.
At the present time Walnut township has nine districts; each district is supplied with a brick school-building, all being in good condition. The township Board of Education, elected in November, 1904, is as follows; George W. Bowers, George M. Scothorn and W. A. Parks--four years; Thaddeus E. Cromley and A. E. Weaver--two years. The township has no township high school, but has a third interest in the Ashville High School, which is managed by a committee of nine, on which committee the boards of education of Walnut and Harrison townships and the Ashville Village District are each represented by three members. Pupils from Walnut township have therefore the privilege of attending the Ashville High School.
NEBRASKA GRANGE, NO. 64, P. OF H.,
Was organized on June 16, 1873, with a membership of 23. John Courtright was the first master, John M. Spindler, secretary and Ezra Hedges, treasurer. At the present time, John Courtright is master, Grace Courtright, secretary, and John M. Sark, treasurer. The Grange has about t00 members and meets every second Saturday. Every year an annual picnic or outing is indulged in, which is largely attended, as many as 1,000 people being present. The Grange has for its object the improvement of agricultural conditions and the adoption of better farming methods. At its meetings the Grange has secret ritualistic work and also discussions of farm topics. In 1874 Nebraska Grange. built a hall in the second story .of D. F. Weaver & Son's building at Nebraska, which cost $1,250.
PHYSICIANS.
In the early days Walnut township did not lack fore resident physicians, but of later years the residents have to go to Circleville, Ashville, Lancaster or other nearby towns for med-
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 185
ical service. Dr. Josiah Luckey came here soon after the close of the War of 1812, but remained only for a few years. Dr. William Turner came here from Maryland and practiced until his death, which took place several years later. Dr. P. Pence located at East Ringgold about 1845 and practiced five years. Dr. E. D. Witt was also a practitioner here. Dr. John T. Jones, who died July 3, 1879, practiced medicine in Walnut township with large success for nearly 3o years. He first located at East Ringgold, later removing to Nebraska, where his death took place. Dr. William T. Kennedy settled at East Ringgold in January, 1875, and practiced here about 15 years and then removed to Columbus, where his death took place. Dr. G. E. Bragdon located at Walnut in 1878 and remained a few years. Dr. J. J. Dunlap is the only physician now resident in the township. He is located at East Ringgold.
ATTORNEYS.
Since about the time of the Civil War--a period embracing a little over 40 years --Walnut township has produced a large crop of lawyers. So far as we can recall, there are a baker's dozen who are now engaged in active practice. Their names follow : Samuel R. Peters, who removed to Kansas; Clayton E. Blue, Charles O. Hunter, E. M. Brinker, Charles E. Morris and Harley M. Snyder, of Columbus ; John S. Hoyman, of Pemberville, Ohio; and Samuel W. Courtright, Milton Morris, Irwin F. Snyder, Charles Gerhardt, E. A. Borwn and Harry B. Weaver, of Circleville.
EAST RINGGOLD.
This town is situated in the southeastern part of the township on the Royalton pike and has a population of perhaps 150. It was formerly known as Grand View. A Mrs. Fink, who was probably the first settler, lived here as early as 1837 and perhaps for some time previous to that date. In 1841 Sebastian Miller located here and engaged in the business of' wagon-making. Aaron Stuckey also settled here in the same year as Miller and erected a steam sawmill, in addition to effecting other improvements. The first store was opened in the fall of 1849 by Daniel Bock, who purchased the estate of Sebastian Miller. A. C. Stone afterward kept store in the same building. In 1851 William C. Finkel, wagon-maker by trade, opened a store; Philip Heim subsequently became his partner. One year later Heim bought Finkel's interest and two years later sold out to his father and brother, P. and D. Heim, who continued in business about one year, being succeeded for about the same period by Samuel Gessley. John Hook en gaged in business here in 1864 and continued in business for a great many years. In 1871 John Woodell and Solomon Tobias established a store, which was continued by Mr. Woodell until his death and then. by Mr. Tobias. The town west of Silver street was platted in 186o by Mr. Burget and the remainder by John Nevy, subsequently. A postoffice was established at East Ringgold in 1855. The first postmaster was William C. Finkel, afterward probate judge. The postoffice continued for a period of over 50 years, being finally discontinued in September, 19o6. The residents hereafter. will get their mail by rural. free delivery, Route No. 4, from Circleville. H. R. Grant and May Brothers have general stores here ; James A. Weaver, a blacksmith shop ; and Amos Grant, a boardinghouse and feed stable. Charles and Sherman Clark manufacture all kinds of split baskets. C. M. Spayth is engaged in the business of contracting. The town has a good string orchestra.
NEBRASKA,
Which is located nearly in the center of the township, has a population of about 8o people. The first store here was established in 1853 by Andrew Hedges, who was also the first postmaster. The name of the postoffice was then Hedges' Store. Thomas Gregg succeeded Andrew Hedges, in the spring of 1856. Caleb Brobst succeeded Gregg, in July, 1857. In June, 1859, W. J. & D. F. Weaver bought out Brobst
186 - HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY.
and continued together until .August, 1864, when D. F. Weaver purchased the interest, of his brother. He has continued in business until the present time, dealing in dry goods, boots and shoes, hardware, groceries and provisions--conducting, in short, a general store.
WALNUT AND BRINKER'S CORNERS
Are two settlements in Walnut township. The former has a population of from 20 to 25 people. The first store was started at Walnut in 1834 by Edward Kennedy. The town has but one store at the present time--that of J. E. Weiser, who deals in general merchandise of all kinds. Walnut was formerly a postoffice, but the office has been discontinued and the residents now get their mail by rural free delivery from Ashville. At Brinker's Corners Jonathan Brinker conducts an implement store and sells buggies, wagons and farm machinery.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
The manufacture of whiskey was one of the leading industries in Walnut township in the early days and continued until the building of the Ohio Canal and the construction of railroads, when markets were opened up to the farmers for their surplus corn. It was once said that from a certain point of view on a farm in this township, the sites of 34 former distilleries could be seen at one time. The township has also had its share of sawmills, as well as grist-mills. The first sawmill was built by Richard Ward, in 1811 or 1812, on Little Walnut. The next one was built by James Bell on Turkey Run as early as 1816 or 1817. William Williamson had a sawmill on Little Walnut as early as 1825. Many others were built at later dates, which no longer exist. John Hager, Sr., who came here in 1803, built a small log grist-mill on Little Walnut, a few years after his arrival. Hager built another mill about 1814, which was rebuilt in the '50's by his son John. It subsequently passed into the hands of Samuel Campbell and became widely known as the Campbell mill. James Bell, in addition to running a sawmill, also had a grist-mill on Turkey Run; David. Glick had one on Little Walnut. In 1838 Hugh Creighton & Son built a sawmill on Big Walnut, in 1846 putting in two run of stone for a grist-mill. The property afterward passed into the hands of Joseph Deitz and then into the hands of John M. Spindler, who made use of the grist-mill chiefly as a hominy mill. In 1879 there were four sawmills in the township, all operated by steam power except that of John M. Spindler on Big Walnut. The sawmill at East Ringgold, originally built by Aaron .Stuckey in the early '40's, was purchased in 1871 by Absalom A. Peters, who replaced it with a new one and after a year sold it to his son-in-law, A. L: Peters. The mills of Lewis Scothorn and Emanuel Westenhaver were: both built in 1877.