Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 8: Bratton Township Organization, 1880

Chapter 8: Bratton Township Organization

This township was organized September 4th, 1877, from territory taken oft* the west side of Franklin. It was named Bratton, in honor of John Bratton, an old and respected citizen. The first election for officers was held September 22d, of that- year.

Topography

The surface is a high rolling land with a clay soil. Along the streams, however, arc narrow valleys of rich bottom land that is very productive. The limestone rock is the principal geological formation.

The principal stream of water is the cast branch of Brush creek, which passes through it from north to south, with its numerous smaller tributaries.

Farm Productions Early Settlers

Abraham Shepherd, of Kentucky, located a tract of two thousand acres in this township, known as Shepherd's survey, which lie sold out in parcels to suit purchasers. He came in 1803, and settled on a part of this tract, now owned by Peter Andrews.. He was probably fhc first settler within the present limits of Bratton township, and perhaps only came here, that he might the more easily dispose of his land, as we find that as soon as lie sold it out, he moved to Ripley, Brown County, and settled there.

When Mr. Shepherd came, he cut a roud through the forest from Mavsville here. This is yet known ns "Shepherd's trace" and a small stream that passes Louisville, along \vhich lie passed, is called Shepherd's run. ^

In the spring of 1803, three brothers, Benjamin, Joseph and John West, came from Pittsylvania county, Virginia. In 1804* John West bought 200 acres in the north part of tli^s survey, and . in' 1805 he. bought 200 acres more of it, and built Ins cabin on the first purchase. Tl}$ original 200 acres is now owned bv Edwin Butler, R. McClure And L, West.

laud of a Mr. Trimble, of Kentucky, paid for it by building u house for Mr. Triinldc over in Kentucky, then built hisown house without using a nail in it.

There are at present two mills in this township, viz. : Williams & Kelley's mill oil West creek, in the X. W. corner, and James R. Hooper's mill at Marble Furnace.

'Phe first meeting house was built at Loudon in 1842, by flic M. E. church. The first sermon in the township was preached by Rev. Benjamin Van Pelt, a nicthodist minister, at the house of Morgan Williams.

There arc at present four churches, one M. E. church at I <- don, one M. E. church, at Louisville, one German Baptist (Dm, - ard) at Marble Furnace, one German Baptist (Dunkiml) at M ,\ Hill.

This was never regularly laid out as a town. In 1839, E. L. G. Lovett started a country store at his residence, and sold from time to time small lots of laud, which were improved and a few mechanics and tradesmen settled on them, and in 1844 a Postoffice was established. There are now one store, one blacksmith shop, a Post office, and some three houses.

In 1841 Mr. Lovett sold his store to William George, who in 1842 or '43, sold to David Fulton, Avho was in 1844, or '45, succeeded by S. E. Gore and Dorsey Fulton. They in turn sold to Charles Fulton, who sold to Addison Turner. John M. Gore next succeeded, but soon died. The store was then sold by the Adininistrator to J. S. Williamson and David Lovett. Wiliamson presently sold his interest to his partner, Lovett, who aftewards sold to the present proprietor, II. S. McClure.

Post Office

The Post office at this place was first called Loudon because a large proportion of the neighbors came from Loudon county, Virginia, but there being a post office in the State called Lodon, the mails were frequently missent to that office. The name of Lou- -don was changed to Lovett, in honor of i lie proprietor. The office was established about 1844, with Mr. Lovett as postmaster. He was succeeded by David Fulton, and lie by Addison Turner, then John M. Qorc ; next, J. S. Williamson, then I). D. Lovett, who was succeeded by A. Spencer McClure, the present incumbent.

Marble Furnace

This is a small village that grew up around the furnace of that name, which was established here at an early day. This furnace was built by the late Gov. McArthur and Thomas James, in 1811-12. In getting out the stone for the furnace they quarried a kind of limestone that bore some resemblance to marble, and hence its namc^ "Marble Furnace." It has not been run since 1832 or '33. It is generally supposed it ceased from exhaustion ot the supply of ore, but this has since been doubted. The buildingare now in ruins. A few houses now compose the village. A mill a country jobbing foundry, a shoe shop and post office, constitute the business of tho place. There is a Dun': rd, or German Baptist church.

There was a store started in the new village by Lacey Leyton, which, after passing ttirmigh many hands was finally, in 1867. while owned by a Mr. Shelby, burnt, and none has since taken its place. A post office was also established, with Jaliros MeA^pw as Postmaster, who resigned, and W. 0. Gustin was appointed to succeed him, who also, in 1852, resigned. Jonathan McMillcn was appointed to fill the vacancy, October 27, 1852. Ho died and wna succeeded by his son, T. H. McMillcn, January 27, 1864, but resigned in October, 1865. No appointment was ever made to fill the 'vacancy and no post office lms since existed. The office was called Gustin, in honor of Dr. Jehu Gustin, an esteemed citizen.

There is an M. E. church, tbtyt stands on lot 2. This church was organized and a house built in 1848. This building was used until 1866, when a good frame edifice was erected. Thpre is now u membership of 90. This church building and a small log liouso are all that remains to mark the place of the village.

Among tho early settlors ofDrnttou township wus Robert Murphy, who cnnic from Kentucky in 1803, - mid settled on lieorgeV creek, a short distance below Tranquility, built his cabin, commenced clearing his land and lived there until 1818, when he purchased the property now owned by Robert and Benjamin Murphy, on the road from Newport to Muv Hill, one and a half miles from the -latter place, lie married Miss Elizabeth Clifford, of Flemingsburg, Ky., in 179S. They reared a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Mr. Murphy died in 1 $;>l\

Robert Murphy, Jr., now owns the property on which his father lived thirty-two years. Benjamin Murphv. brother of Robert Jr., is now living at the advanced ago of eighty years, on a pari of the original homestead, lie married Miss Cynthia W'u'hlmrn. of Highland county, Ohio, in 1829. They have reared a fa nily of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters.