Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 9, 1880

Organization

This was one' of the original townships, as. reorganized by the Commissioners at their December session, 1806.- It was named in honor of Gov. Return J. Meigs. It had the following boundaries :

"Beginning at the mouth of Lick Fork of Brush creek; thence north along the cast lines of Tiffin and Wayne townships, to the north line of Adams county; thence east along the north line of the county, to the N. E. corner thereof ; thence south along the cast line of the county, to the N. E. corner of Jefferson township: thence west along the north line of Jefferson township, to the place of beginning. "

The Surface

The surface of this township is diversified, a considerable portion of it rough, hilly, poor laud, with smaller level portions, but in the bottoms along the streams is found some very fertile land.

iii 1851, carried it on until 1857, when they wild their stock to a party in North Liberty. William McCormick started a store in 1809, and after two yujjrs removed bis store to Rome. John Reed kept a small store a short time. Next Robert, McNeil and William Rogers, in 1807, opened a small store, which they closed out in a year after. In April, 1879, J. R. Neil started u drugstore and grocery, which he still conducts.

Post Offices

There are thrfec post offices in this township, Dunbarton, at Jacksonville, Wilson, at Newport, and Mineral Springs, at the old Steam Furnace - now called Mineral Springs.

Dumbarton - This is among the earliest post offices in Adams county. This office was established about 1814 or T5. There being ail office in Wayne township, Darke county, called Jacksonville, the. name of Dunbarton was given to this one, in honor of James Dunbar, who was an active agent in procuring its establishment. John Young was probably the first postmaster, and the following the succeeding ones in the order of their succession: James Dunbar, who served until 1836, Alexander Malian 1836-1846 ; Daniel Wittenmyer, 1847-1851 ; William Sample, 1852-1854; Isaac Eakins, 1855-1857; Thomas Ellison, 1858-1862; Wesley Thoroman, 1833-18G6 ; Joseph Thoroman, 1867-1870. E. J. Lewis, present incumbent. 1870, to date.

Wilson - This office was located at Newport, about 1868 or - '69. and named in honor of the lion. John T. Wilson, then a member of Congress from this district. William R. Rogers was the first postmaster. Since him Micro has been the following postmasters, to-wit: A. A. Coleman, William McCormick, John Reid, Joseph Rhea, and John Flory, present incumbent.

Mineral Springs - This office was established in 1872, and named from two springs, whose medical qualities attract many visitors to the place. The first postmaster was B. Salisbury, the second Joseph Kline, third Isaac D. Ilempleman, present incumbent.

There are six churches in the township; one Christian church at Newport, one M. E. Church at Jacksonville, one Presbyterian church at Mineral Springs, two Baptist churches, called Brush Creek and Evergreen, one United Baptist church, Beech Grove.

Juno 4, 1870, William S. Ellkon, David Trichlcr, and I Malmflay, were elected trustees, and Dmicl Trichlcr u . to the pastorate, lie continued his ministerial services mu gust, 1870, during which lime three were added lotlie E. II. Wear preached from October, 1870, to April, 1S7J were dismissed. Rev. (i. W. Thompson became pastor i lU(. 1871, and preached until March, 1874, two years and ten nibs during which time forty-four members were added to it id four dismissed.

The church was assisted in paying her pastor, bv the Missionary Society, until August, 1872. In June, 1872, W. S. ] Hli.-son and E. Mahaffav were elected deacons. Rev. C. MoManis wapastor from May until August, 1874.

years and four months, preaching the greater portion of tha period, one-fourth his time - the remainder one-half his time July 5, 1879, the church gave letters to forty-five members, who organized the Evergreen church. During Mr. Liiiscv's pastoral charge there lias been added to t lie church 118 members, while there have b2en dismissed eighty members, of the latter, fortvfivc were probably to form the new church of Evergreen.

Evergreen Church, Regular Baptist - In September, 1875, the Baptist church at Brush Creek, established a mission station in this place, and the pastor of the church, the Rev. S. G. Lindsey, commenced preaching in the Rock Spring school house.

In March, 1S76, Mr. Lindsey, assisted by liiv. Charles Trichlcr. held a protracted meeting there, which resulted in an addition of sixteen to the church. In March, 1877, he held another of meetings assisted by Charles Trichler, at which five additions were made ; and March, 1878, Mr. Lindsey, assisted by L. II. Denman, held a meeting without any additions being made. In March, 18/9, Rev. S. G. Lindsey and L. II. Denman, held -a protracted meeting, which resulted in seventeen additions. At this meeting an independent church was organized, with fortvsix members. The new Church organization was called Evergreen Regular Baptist church. The regular officers were elected by ballot, as follows: Deacons, John Matthews and Robert Herdman. Trustees, Charles Trichlcr, William Hoop and John Herdman.

Rev. S. G. Lindsey was called to the pastorate for one year. A good frame house was built during the year, (1879) at a cost of over .$800. It is loeuted about one mile north of the steam furnace, on land donated by Francis Green.

Beech Fork, United Baptist Church - This church, situated in the S. E. part of Meigs township, had its origin in the preaching of Benjamin Porter. These meetings were held at the house of Daniel Stephenson, where a church was constituted in 1864. Andrew Spence is ruling elder and Daniel Stephenson, clerk. Rev. Beniamin Porter lias been their regular and only pastor. They organized with a membership of 33; they now number 46.* They have, as yet no mooting house, but meet at the school house, in district No. 11.