Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 10, 1880

Organization

This township was formed June 23, 1817, by the Commissioners, detaching from the south end of Tiffin, all the territory south of a line beginning on Brush creek, at the upper corner of William Stout's farm, thence on a line to three mile tree, below Kirkcr's nr'l, thence on a divide line to Clark's meeting house, keeping on a direct course to Sprigg township, being hounded on the west by the Sprigg township line and Island creek, to its mouth, the Ohio river on its south, and Bprtsh creek ou the east.

Topography

The surface of (his township is mostly high land, many parts of it hilly and rough, with a thin, unproductive soil. Along the streams, however, especially the Ohio river, there is sonic rich productive land.

Farm Productions

Iron ore was formerly found inconsiderable quantities in the eastern part of the township, and the Steum Furnace wa9 erected t< smelt it. This furnace mostly made hollow ware, and was in active operation for many years.

It is believed that Thornley L. White and Robert Buchanan, were the first merchants in the place. The latter lived in West Union. William Williams, from Kentucky, was an early merchant in the place.

Present Business Houses

There are two dry goods stores, two blacksmith shops, one wagon and buggy shop, one tannery, one shoe shop, one hotel, two doctors, one church, and a population of 149 inhabitants.

Newport The First Store

Was started by William II. McAdow, about 1843. lie tarried ou business about six years, and then sold to John Criswell, who continued until 1851. and was succeeded by John Clark, who died in 1853, and his goods were closed out at an Administrator'? sale. Iii October ot that year, R. C. Smith occupied the «am room with a stock of goods, until 1858, when he sold ids propertj and closed out hi* store. Moses Buck ^ext tried his Land, cretin ning it two years, when lie too closed out his stock, .,u<A now

David Fielder, who was born in this neighborhood, was living here in 1854, when E. Mahaffev and W. S. Ellison moved in and settled near by. All three of these families were members of Baptist churches. In 1S55, Rev. II. S. Kelly, under the direction of the Missionary Board of the Straight Creek Association, preached once a month at the house of W. S. Ellison. In 1858, Daniel Trichlcr was employed by the same board to travel as a missionary in the bounds of the association. A part of his salary was collecled on the field, part paid by the Ohio State Convention, the remainder by the churches of the Association. lie preached sometimes on week days or nights, but mostly on the Sabbath. These meetings were sometimes held at the school house in the neighborhood, sometimes at private houses. A number of persons were received at different times, and baptized, who united with different Baptist churches.

April 3d, 1867, a meeting was held by members of West Union, Lick Fork, and Crooked Creek Baptist churches, who lived in the neighborhood. It assembled at school bouse number 5, Meigs township, to consider the propriety of building a house of worship Rev. Daniel Trichler, and Rev. Joseph Smith, were present. and participated in the proceedings. A resolution was unanimously adopted to build a meeting house, at the McCormick grave yard, and W. S. Ellison, David Trichler and Ellison Maliaffay were appointed a building committee. The committee, assisted by the Rev. Daniel Trichler, proceeded to circulate a .subscription paper, to raise means to purchase grounds, buy material and construct the building. Many agreed to pay certain amounts, on condition they could do H im labor, or furnish material, hence the committee were unable to employ a regular contractor, but had to superintend the work personally, therefore the building progressed slowly. They were aided materially by contributions from member^of churches of other denominations and non professors.

. >t Regular Baptist-churches, which organized by choosing Itev. Daniel Trichler, moderator, and Ellison Mahaffav, clerk. A resolution was uuanirnouslv adopted, organizing a Regular Baptist clrtirch, and steps taken to call a recognition council. August 17, I860, the council composed of Rev. Daniel Trichler, Rev. Joseph Smith, and delegates lrom seven churches met, and appointed Rev L). Trichlcr, modcra tor, and W. J. Ellison, Secretary. After examining nveir articles of faith and church covenant, and

Historical, Sketch Gfj Adams County, Ohio

There were but few etth . who ventured to locate in the rou ill ry. outride of the fort and stockade at Manchester, until aficr Wayne's victory over the Indians in 1794. That defeat, so rrushed and liuuihl the spirit of the savages, that they never eavc any more tronl to ; lie w bites, in this section of country.

I pon the conclusion . the treaty at Greenville, August 3, 1795, settlers immediately lagan to extend back into the country, and Monroe township being co ignous to Manchester, and the place w here Gen. Massie pi pos d t© b ate the 100 acre lots he offered as bounties to the first colonists that would join him in the settlement. it was the first portion r the county to fill up with any considerable population.

The land, from which these bounties were to be given, lying in one tract, would, when occupied, make a settlement of at least twenty-live or thirty families, living in close proximity. But fears from the remembrance of savage cruelties, would no doubt, >;ill linger in the minds of those who had so recently witnessed l heir atrocities. When the still actual danger to life and property from the wild beasts, that almost unmolested roamed through all the forests, would naturally incline settlers to locate in neighborhoods. With this nucleus of twenty or thirty families, others would gather round them, and thus, commenced the settlement of the county.

First Settlers

General Massie, before distributing his land bounties to those who had made the contract with him to settle a colony, reserved 1.000 acres for a farm and home for himself. This reservation was located around and back of a high promontory, called " Buckeye Station," about four miles up the river, above Manchester, and one mile below Wrightsville. This reservation, which extended back into the country from the station, was mostly, moderately level, and the best lands in the township. After this reserve was surveyed, Massie proceeded to locate and survey to his colonists, each his hundred acres, with the privilege of buying, at an agreed price, as much contiguous land as he had the means to pay for, or might wish to purchase. Thus the original farms of these first settlers frequently contained two or three hundred acres.

The first settlers mostly located on the highlands in the country back from the river. These lands are known as "Gift Ridge," from the circumstance of their having been a gift from Gen. Massie. to the colonists who came to make the first lodgement in the wilderness.

Wo have been unable to gather the names of these early settlers with sufficient certainty to make their publication reliable, and therefore omit them.

There arc but two mills now in Monroe township. One is located on Island creek, and owned by Abraham Foster. The other, a small corn mill, on Beasly's Fork, owned by Joseph Young.

Villages, Etc

This village, which is the only one in the township, lies on the north hank of the Ohio, about six miles above Manchester, it was laid out hy James llobson, April 22, 1847, on a plat of 141 lots. October 29. 1859. the court upon petition, vacated lots 78, 79,80,81, 125 and 120. Tin vn stands on a level plain, with room enough for a it y, bi it seems to have never flourished. It has a dila; 'dated appearance, and contains one store, one blacksmith shop, one cooper p, one doctor, one church, thirteen small houses and eighty-five inhabitants.

It was established in 1818, v ailed Mahaln, in honor of a sister ot Capt. A\ i 1 1 ia in Wade. Il . some vr . IK . - lisoouti lined for the period of a .A post me.- blislied with the name of Vii ird Hill.

The second one, was built in 1805 or '(>. on the farm of' Arthur Ellison. The elections wore held at this house and the public business transacted at it, for which reason it wascallcd tho" State House."

There arc five church's in the township, to-wit: Quinn's Chapel, Beasley's Fork Chapel, M. E. church of Brush crock, United Brethren in district No. 7, United Brethren, Wrightsville.

This is the oldest church organization in the township. About 1805, Ilev. James Quinn preached a sermon at, the house of William Lucas, on "Gift Bulge." This is believed to be the first sermon ever preached in Monroe township. The meetings were continued, and finally a class was formed, which was prospered, and in a few years a hewed log m?eting house was built on the farm of Michael Fenton. This house was used until 1852, when a new frame building was erected on the farm of John Pennywitt, and called Quinn's Chapel, in honor of the founder of the church. The Lucas farm, where Mr. Quinn preached his first sermon, is now the property of Eylar.

Union Ciiapel, Methodist Episcopal United Rretiiren Church, In District No. 7

This church was organized several years ago. Their church building was burnt several years since, and they now occupy the Fenton .school house in district 7.

This church was organized in 1SG4, with eight members, five males and three females. In 1871, they built a good frame house, and now number sixty members.

United Rrrtiirf.N Ciickcm, Wrightsville

The great grandfather of this family was born in Scotland, from whence lie removed to Ireland, where lie married and raised a family. One of his sons, named John, was the grandfather of the present McColm family. This son married in Ireland, Elizabeth Blair. They raised a family there, among whom was a son named John, who was horn in Tyrone county, in June, 1771. This son was the father of the family of whom we arc now writing. On the 3d day of August, 1793. the grandfather, John Mc- Colm, and the grandmother, Elizabeth McColm, with the following members of their family, to-wit: William McColm, who was a Methodist preacher; Malcolm McColm and wife ; John McColm, who is the father of the present family of McCoIms ; Elizabeth McColm and Margaret McColm, embarked at Londonderry, Ireland, for America, in the brig Cunningham; Captain Cunningham. This vessel was captured on its voyage across the ocean, by a French privateer, on the 28th of September, 1793, and the passengers plundered of everything they possessed. They were landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, in destitute circumstances, and were supplied with such comforts as their needs demanded, until they could get situations to begin anew. They presently settled in Allegheny county, Maryland, where the grandfather, John McColm, died, September 6th, 1795, aged 64 or 65 years. Here also the grandmother, Elizabeth McColm died, October .25, same year. William McColm, who was a traveling Methodist minister, also died in August, 1795, aged 27 or 2S. From here, -the father and his family moved to Pennsylvania, and settled at Bed Stone, Old Fort, where they remained until 1801. In the spring of that year, they emigrated to Adams county, arriving at Manchester, May 28, 1804. The family consisted of John McColm and wife, with their children. William, Sarah and John, (who is the principal subject of this sketch.) Abigail and Anna. They remained at Manchester until Dcccml^r, 1806, when they moved and settled on Gift Itidge, in Monroe township. There arc blit four persons now living in Monroe township, that wore there when Mr. McColm settled in 1806; these arc Capt. William Wade, of Wrightsville; G. B. Grimes, at the mouth of Brush creek; Mrs. Rebecca McHenry, who lives some two miles up Brush creek, on the west side, and John McColm, a son ; the others arc all gone - either removed or dead. This son, John, was born in Maryland, in 1800, and came with his parents to Adams county, in 1801, where lie lias continued ever since. He married Miss Hannah Beach, April 24. 1823. About eleven years later, lie bought his lathcr-in-lnw's I arm near Waggoner's Ripple, where he. has since lived, llis wile scorns to have been a woman of very quiet, doincslie disposition, delighting more in he happiness round in her own peiirol'ul home Ilian in Ihe glitter and fipdiion of (lie outside would. She was in a (Tied in a room in her father's house that was within two rods of the house she was born ill. She died August 20th, 1879, in the same room and within three feet of whole she stood to he married, over 11 fly-six years before. The peaceful tenor of this good woman's ways may be inferred, when we slate the fact that sho was never forty miles from home in her life, nor was she ever at her nearest village. Iler bereaved husband, the venerable John McColm, after a long and useful life, spent in doing good, respected by all, stilllingers on Hie shores of time in the old home where lie has spent his happy life, serenely and calmly awaiting the summons to call Him hence. The father of this family, John McColm, raised ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to year- of maturity. Seven of these children still survive, the youngest of whom is sixty-five years of age.

Eaiily Reminiscences

Some fifty rods below where (he village of 'Wrightsville now stands, near the Ohio river, was the mound on which General Massie, Israel Doiialdton and party, stood on the morning of April 21, 1791, viewing the "Land skip o'er," with bright visions floating iu their minds, of the happiness that awaited them, when they should go in and possess the goodly and beautiful land that so invitingly lay before them. These bright visions of imaginary happiness, were suddenly dissipated by a party of Indians, who approached them from Hie rear, in canoes on the river. With one accord and without debate, they concluded to leave the place at once. They did not stand upon the order of their going, hut started each one for himself - for the hills, with an implied understanding that a certain personage whose name it is not necessary to mention, might take the hindmost. Massie, on his march to Hie hills, laid down his compass and forgot to note the place, and was not found for some years afterwards. Donaldson, being rather a heavy man, in attempting to leap a run, some fifty rods rods from Hie place of starting, fell into it, and became the unlucky hindmost man. The stream, from this circumstance, has ever since been known by (lie name of "Donaldson's lltin."

The mound upon which this party was standing when (he Indians approached them, is only a few rods below the village ot Wrightsville. The wearing away of the river hank hy the waters has nearly washed it away, yet human remains and fragments of pottery can he seen remaining in the sides of the perpendicular bank of the river.

This is a high point that commands a view of the Ohio river for many miles, either way. It is said the Indians used to station themselves here to watch the approach cf boats descending the river. There was a stockade and blockhouse made here by Massie. who removed his family to it. This point is near Hie southern limit of liis thousand acre reservation. Massie did not live here long, hut sold it to Charles Wylling Bird, who occupied it previous to 1809. Bird afterwards sold it to Thomas Join-, who in turn sold to John Ellison, who becoming pecuniarily involved. il was finally sold out in smaller parcels to suit purchasers, and is now owned hy several parties.

Bear Cave

On Hie farm of II. Grooms, about a mile and a half bar from the Ohio river, is a cave, into, which a mail named Daic Sherwood, once entered with torch and gun, after (lie manner General I'ntnam, and when he reached Hie bottom, shot and kil a hear that weighed ll^rec hundred pounds, from which cir u stance it was known as " Bear Cave," though it has latterly hoc called " Sail 1'etrc Cave."

This Mr, Sherwood, as early as 1792 or '93. built a blockhonabout SO rods below Hie mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, on survey No. 1,022, lo which he moved his family, wlicro he lived until hideath. He was buried near the west end of the blockhouse. Th - inroads ofi-the. river in wearing away the bunk, washed out his remains, which were carried away by the Waters.

Zephania AVndc located a farm Hint is now owned by John Morgan. On this farm is a splendid spring, and on Hint account, Mr. Wnde and Jacob Yocum both wanted this particular lot of land. To decide which should have it, they agreed to shoot, at a " mark " for choice. They placed the target against a white oak tree, that stands in the boundaries of the road, that passes near this spring and house. This tree is vet vigorous and hcallhy and still plainly shows, though healed over, the scars where the bullets' were chopped out, that lay embedded in the wood. Mr. Wade won tin choice, and built his house near the spring. Here-on Hie 20th of November, 1795, was horn His daughter Christiana, now Mrs. Trcnnry, of Manchester, who was Hie first white child horn in Monroe township. Here Mr. Wade cleared lip Ids fin rue reared his family, one ®f whom is now Ihe venerable ('apt. William Wade, of Wrighl-ville. and here In- lived the remainder <>l' his lifiiv* 4jsi t-L A ,* cn -e. hi- uld farm and Imiti. have pa - ed

Historical- Sketch Of Adams County

A1 the reorganization of the to \vn ? of the county, in 180G, Jefferson was formed, with the followii boundary lines, to-wit: Beginning at the mouth of Beasley'- ,?ork; thence up Brush rroeU to the mouth of Lick Fork; thence cast to the Scioto county lino: I hence south along said line to the N. E. corner of Green township; Ihcuec west along the north line of said township, to ilu* place of beginning, it was called Jefferson, in honor of Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United Slates. The eleei i,-»ns were ordered to he held at the house of Phillip Lewis.

-/-Tin* township at this time contained 7S.5 square miles, by actual survey, and 50,450 acres of land. It is the largest township in the county.

This is the most mountainous portion of Adams county. It is a succession of hills, whose tops reach almost to the clouds. The distinctive appellation of mountain, is applied to many of them, as " Green Briar Mountain," ' Peach Mountain," etc.

Between these huge hills run pretty streams of pure, clear water, with beautiful valleys along their courses, covered with nice little farms, and tasty houses, presenting the appearance of a happy people, enjoying the comforts of peaceful quiet homes, undisturbed by the busy scenes, turmoils and strifes of the outside world.

Soil And Productions

The soil is of more than average fertility, producing good crops of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and tobacco. The valleys arc more cultivated in grain, because their level surface renders greater facilities for the farmer to plow and tend his crops, while tin* hillsides produce tobacco as well, and don't need as much stirring of soil, as corn and many other crops do. Hillsides that are too steep for the plow, can, on account of the mellowness of the soil, be easily cultivated in tobacco, with the use of the hoe alone, making heavy crops of that article.

Caulc, hogs and sheep are raised in considerable numbers. Newton Moore has on his farm near Brush creek, a six acre field in meadow, that was sown with timothy in 1800, without plowing the ground. This field has, without intermission, or plowing, remained in grass ever since, yielding good crops of hay for cigh.ty years.

This was originally the best timbered township in the counts its whole area, hills and valleys, bcin; covered with a heavy growth of valuable timber, from which tl inhabitants have derived no inconsiderable amount of thcii venue, by the sale of immense quantities of cooper stuff, lumber and tanbark, gathered from it. The materials are gathered and hauled to the river, and shipped to Cincinnati, and perhaps other points.

There was a large poplar tree on the farm of Finley Warnsl«y, Esq., that stood so near the Wamsleyvillc bridge, that fears were entertained that it might sometime fall and crush it. It was cut down, and when measured, the stump was found to be i ii feet in diameter. When chopped into eighteen inch stove »d, it made thirty-eight cords, which would be equal to thiri cords of wood of one hundred and twenty-eight solid feet to cord.

The largest stream that passes through this township is Scioto Brush Creek, which rises some six miles from the Ohio river, runs northwardly to near the center; thence castwardly and empties into the Scioto river.

There are numerous tlicr s "cams that wind their way through the township - for. more j Menhir description of which the reader is referred to the m L>, 1 Hi accompanies this work.

Pe 'Oleum Oil Early Set Ers

The first man who settled in i township, liams, who came about 1792. and b it his house of Ohio Brush Crock, about sixteen rods above w road from Cincinnati to Portsmouth, now ere This house stood opposite the preseut dwcllin.

Moore now of Siiolo r unity. Among the early settlers were Jonathan Wulte, who settled i: farm now owned by Peter Wikolf, John Newman, David Newman, Jesse Edwards. John Prather and John Bcckuiuii.

In July 1817, ti remarkable freshet occurred in Scioto Brush Creek, that did an immense amount of damage. It scorns to have had its origin on Churn Creek, the waters of which, it is said rose twenty lcct. The corn was about eighteen inches to two feet high. The bottom lands, as well as the loose plowed fields, wore litterally swept away, leaving nothing but a naked hard pan.

An Incident

Occurred that is almost marvelous. A man named Swim, was living near the creek, on the farm now owned by S. B. Wamsley, who, when he saw the waler rising, sent his two little sons to pen the sheep, fearing they would he surrounded by water. While the boys were fastening the sheep in, Swim discovered the waters had broken over the bank above, and wore coming in a stream loo large to be crossed, between the children and the house. lie called to his boys, to let the sheep out, and climb on the pen, which they did, pulling a favorite dog up with them. Soon the father saw with inexpressible horror and dismay, the building, with his children on it, floating away with the irresistible force of the waters. It was in the dusk of the evening, and the approaching darkness soon shut from the father's sight, his children, who were floating on their frail bark over the angry waters, with the probability that he would never see them again, but, had ordered it otherwise. They were borne upon the current over a smooth meadow, and in a short bond in the creek, were drifted in among some large sycamore trees that stood a little S. W. of where Wamsleyvillc is now situated. Here their house stuck fast, and was soon wedged in by some sixty cords of rails, that had been swept off the farms along Churn Creek above. Here, through all the gloomy, lonely night, with the doleful howling of the wolves in the forests around them, sat these two children, with their faithful dpg beside them, watching and wishing for the morning to appear. The father, who had spent a sleepless night of agony, in fruitless efforts to find what fate hail befallen his little boys, was met at the early dawn of the morning by the faithful dog, which by every sign he could make for his master to follow, led the way back to the place where lie had spent the night. On his way he met the children returning weary, cold and hungry.

This crock rises in the southern interior part of Jefferson, running in a northwesterly direction, empties into Blue Creek about half a mile above its junction with Brush Creek. In 1S07, a party of surveyors working along this stream, became thirsty, clubbed together, raised three dollars, and employed a man named Armstrong, who lived near by, to go to Graham's Station, across the river in Ky., and buy them three gallons of whisky. This Armstrong, on account of the plentiful game in that neighborhood, had located himself on the farm now belonging to John Young, Esq. lie was ready for anything that might turn up, and willingly took the money, and with his gun on his shoulder, wa9 soon on his road to Graham's Station. On his way he killed a deer, which lie skinned, and carried the hide and hind quarters with him to the Station. Upon purchasing the whisky, lie discovered he had taken nothing with him to carry it back. Jle could procure no jug or vessel for the purpose, but, " where there is a will there is a way," so he exchanged his deer skin and hams for a cedar churn, in which lie put, his liquor, and in that manner worked Ins way back to the surveying party, who were rejoiced to sec him return, and with the thought of the "jolly good time" they would have. The first thing they did upon the arrival of Armstrong and his clmru of whisky, was to name the stream upon which they were surveying, " Churn Creek," a name it retains to the present day. The next thing tHey did was to proceed to a spring near by and take a good drink. One of the part)' took a draught of water from a tin < up. which ho then i handed to another, while the third man knell down, to drink t om the spring in that way. Just as he was rising up, lie was 'en in the forehead by a rattlesnake that lay coiled lip in the

Is on the bank above. The rest of the parly derided, as he ,s bitten above- the heart, he would die within an hour. Willi death so near at hand, the bitten man thought he had heller spend that hour in prayer - so he retired- a short di-laneq and knelt down in prayer. After the rest of the party had all drank round, one of them went to the man who was thus earnestly engaged in devotional exercises, and insisted on his taking another drink, as he thought'it would assist him to die easier. The man of prayer did as lie was advised. ||ij thought if two drinks would make him <iie easier, more would he still but ter, so he kept mi till ha got on a bender, and didn't die at all. Thus It was first discovered that whisky would cure (lie bite of a snake.

The township contains one village, eight stores, four water mills, (three of them for grinding) six steam mills* (three of I hem flouring mills) (wo planing mills, two bucking machines, eight cooper shops, four post offices, to-wit: Blue Creek, Cedar Mills, Wamsley and Lynx; ten churches, as follows: one German Presbyterian, two Methodist Episcopal, two Methodist Protestant, two Christian Union; thirteen sub-district school houses, three fractional districts.

There is but one village in this township. It was laid out January 15, 1874, in nineteen in-lots and one out-lot, by William Wamsley, and called after the proprietor.

Wamsi.eyville - This little village is situated on the souther banks of Seiolo Brush Creek, about one mile west of the Seiol - county line. It looks bright and new, and contains three store.-, one millinery. shop, one shoe shop, one wagon maker, two blacksmith shops, one drug store, one physician, one Odd Fellows Hall, one town hall, o:ic Christian church, and post office.

It received the name from the "Cedar Mills, " at that place, while the mills received their name from the creek on which they arc located, the creek taking its name from the number of cedar trees that line its banks.

Blue Creek - This office was established in 1844, and so named from the creek of that name, near where it is located. Isaac N. Williams was its first postmaster.

Wamsley - This office, so called in honor of the Wamsley family, who arc leading citizens of this community, was established January 18, 1809, with William Wamsley as its first Postmaster. Since that time the following persons have held the office: Dr. G. D. McCormick, George Wamsley, William Finley Wamsley, present incumbent.

There was some difficulty in finding a name for it, when thinking of the wild anii.fals that have inhabited the wilds of the hills, the name of Lynx occurred to mind, was proposed to the Department at Washington, and adopted.

Cedar Mills

Though this is not a village, it has been a noted business place from the earliest years to the present time. It was the location of the old Brush crock Furnace, that was built there in 1811, by Paul McNichol, of Pittsburgh, who were afterward succeeded by Summers & Stewart.

Although it was situated on Cedar Run, about two miles above where it empties into Brush creek, yet it was always called "Brush creek furnace" - why, is not known.

The furnace company, at an early day, owned a mill that was located at the Cedar Run falls, about one and a fourth miles above the furnace. This was ii log building and was run till it was worn out, when they built a new one near the furnace, but about the time it was completed, it burnt down, and the machinery of the old mill at the falls, was brought and put in (lie shed of the blast house, where it was used to grind corn until 1S42. In that year William K. Stewart and John Fisher commenced building the present mill, which commenced operations in 1844.

In 1849. Dugald Thompson bought the interest of Mr. Fisher, and in 18GG became sole proprietor by the purchase of Mr. Stewart's interest, since which time he has run it alone.

There is a store in the place, commenced by J. Y. Cluxtpn, in 1SG8, and which he haksjkce carried on. There is a blacksmith shop, a doctor, a post office and live or six houses.

Reminisce Vues

Ruhiima Moore, a sister of llosca Moore, married Jas. Kendall.-of this township. They a II or wards removed to Winchester tow nship. where they lived and died. Phis lady was the mother of 24 children. 18 of whom yro yet living, several of them* in Winchester township, this county.

The first mill on Ohio Brush creek was built by Thomas l,*\vi- and George Sample, jn-i below the Satterfield bridge, in | 1 SI )7 or rO<. Il lias long since di-appeared.

1.11.1.1. you *ro up. just op' posito tlio liouso wlioro Clark Compi o i live, i lip the run. Il weighed somethin*; over three hundred mil eia'My pounds. 3lr. Kdwnrds divided it with my father. There was nothing to subsist on in thSsc days but wild meat. (Salt was brought here and sold by measure at $4 per bushel, and paid for in bear baron, at what they called an eleven penny bit pc pound.

The-e Williams* peddled salt which they bought at the Scioto Salt Licks, lor .$2 a bushel, 'then carried it on horses to the three islands, (Manchester) and sold it for $1 a bushel, taking their pay in bear bacon.

The mill father built was washed away by high waters June 10. 1SU: he rebuilt it the next year. Father died in 1835, aged eight y-six years. The mill was burnt in 1849, and John Brooks commenced rebuilding the same year, but did not get it completed till the next year.

After father's death John Brooks became the owner. This was about 1S37. It was burnt down in 1819, but Mr. Brooks rebuilt it, putting up a good frame building. He run the mill until he died, in 1S73. John Rupert soon afterwards became the owner, and continues the milling business to the present time -

A settlement was made near Mankcr's mills, about 1797-98. In 1799 Joseph Moore, who was a Methodist Minister, settled on the farm that is now owned l>v Oliver Jones and Weller Caraway. When he came, he found Mr. Waite, James and Joseph Williams, two brothers already here. There came about the same time that Mr. Moore did, Peter Wikoflf, John Newman, David Newman. Jesse Edwards, John Prather, John Beckman and a few others. The first Methodist society was organized at Moore's hous *, in 1799. Mr. Moore probably preached the first sermon in this settlement.

On August 0, 1899, the neighbors met and resolved to build a meeting house, which was done the same fall. It stood on Breedlove's Run, one-fourth of a mile from Scioto Brush Creek, at the present grave yard. The society was mostly made up of the families just mentioned. The house was made of hewed logs - not large, but sufficient for the congregations that assembled. The house having been used as long as it was fit for such purpose, the congregation dissolved, and organized another church. An effort is making to reorganizes and build a new house.

The first Baptist preaching in the neighborhood, was by the Rev. William Eller. In the spring of 1872, Rev. G. W. Thompson. missionary from the Strait Creek Association commenced preaching in the neighborhood, and on July 27th Of that year, a church was constituted with 31 members, and received by the recognition council, with the Rev. G. W. Thompson as pastor, Joel B. Compton, deacon ; John N. Compton, clerk ; Samuel Unger, S. S. Brown, and Samuel Redman, trustees. Mr. Thompson served as pastor two years, i;i which time the church had increased to 03 members. lie was succeeded by Rev. G. A. McMannis, for one year. After the expiration of that time, the chureh,wa8 without a pastor until November, 1878, when Rev. S. G. Lindsey was employed by the Association to preach for the congregation.

When Mr. Lindsey came, he found the church in a very disorganized condition. In May, 1879, it was reorganized with six members. Since Elder Lindsey had hud charge of it, thirly-fivo members have been added.

White Oak Chapel, M. E. Qjiiikcii. - This church is located in the Northwestern portion of tlio towpfchip, in District No. 1. It was organized about 1815.

The first name oh the list of members was Joseph Freeman, who had l»ecn a member of Moore's Chapel. Mr. Freeman opened his hou-e l\»r regular preuehiug and in 1841, donated a lot of hind on w liicli to build a meeting bouse, but before it was completed, ho died and was tho first person buriedjn the cemetery thorn, that now contains slxty-threo graves.

This building is made entirely of white oak logs. In 1878 it.' was weather boarded, re-roofed, ceiled inside and painted, and is now a comfortable house.

Christian Union. - This church, situated within a few rods of White Oak Chapel, was organized in 1805. They have a very good frame meet lug house.

M. E. Church, Wamsleyville. - Thin ehureli is situated near the village of WaniHleyville. II is an old church. When Moore's Chapel, near Man Ivor's Mills, was dissolved, that portion of the members living in the Wumsleyvllle neighborhood united together and organized this society. At what date this occurred is not known, but, it is probable, it wus somo whore from 1815 to 1820.

They built a log mooting house which was usod until about 1859, when they built a new frame church, which is their present place of worship.

Christian Union Church, Wamsleyville. - The asperities growing out of tho war, caused divisions in churches, as well as in families and communities. This church had its origin in thoso antagonistic principles. A considerable number of the members of the old Methodist church withdrew and organized a separate church, with the above name. Some six or eight years ago they built a neat frame meeting house. The church appears to be in a prosperous condition. It is to be hoped, however, that the causes that produced these estrangements, being removed, the wounded feelings of the brethren will be healed and the old church again united, with renewed efforts for the advancement of a common cause.

German Lutheran Church. - This church is located in the eastern part of the township, near the Hamilton school house. No history or statistics furnished.

Liberty Chapel, Methodist Protestant. - This organization dates back to about 1839. Our efforts to obtain information iu regard to its history, were unsuccessful - nothing reliable could be gathered. It is situated on Green Briar Mountain near Lynx post ofllcc.

Hill's Ciiapicl. - This was a log meeting house built a few years ago about a mile and a half cast of Liberty Chapel, and a church organized, that never prospered. A new organization, sometimes known as United Baptists, lias recently came into existence, in the neighborhood, that now occupies the house.

Christian Church, Masker's Mills. - This church costing $1138, was built in 1871, by S. D. Newman, at his own expense. It is a good frame building 40x50.

Jacob Pile. - IDnrv Pile, father of Jacob Pile, was born in Somerset Co., Pa., and married Miss Rebecca Sample, emigrated from there to Adams county in 1899; settled on Soldier Run where lie. remained two years, then moved to Killinstown. He served in the war of 1812 and on its conclusion moved to what is now Winchester township, where he died. When Mi*. Pile came to Monroe township, James Carson, was living where Mrs. Black now resides. He moved into the house with Mr. Carson until he could build a cabin, which was soon done. This house is still standing, after a lapse of eighty years. Air. Pile reared a family of ten children, of whom hut two now survive, Jacob Pile, the subject of this sketch, and a daughter. Jacob Pile is Postmaster at Blue creek, where he is engaged in the merchandizing.

The Bear Ifunt. - In the early settlement of the country, bears, wolves, and wild game of all kinds were plenty. The settlers supplied a considerable portiou of their provision by bunting, and many ways were resorted to to obtain it. Bears were sometimes caught in trap9, sometimes followed with dogs that would check them in their flight, until their pursuers could come up and shot them. Oivonc occasion, All*. Pile with his dogs followed a bear from Ohio Brush creek, to Scioto Brush creek* where it was treed on an ash tree. Air. Pile came up and shot it As it was late in the day he went to the house of Philip Lewis an early settler, with whom he stayed nil night. The next day, he took his bear homo, not forgetting to divide with his friend Lewis.

Jesse WamsLey. - The grandfather of tho subject of this sketch; Isaac Wamsley, was born in Gcrmnny and came to America sometime previous to tho Revolutionary war. At the same time he cmbnrkcd, a brother took passage on another vessel for this country. This last ship was lost at sea. and nothing was ever heard of it, or its cre\V.' The vessel that Isaac Wamsley came in lauded at New Ynrk, and Mr. Wamsley settled near that city end wonkod at tho sail making Undo. After the war was over, ho removed to Uornobciid, N. .1., and engaged In farming whore ho remained about twelve years, then removed down the Oliiu and Holllcd opposite the nioiilli of llnndi creek on the Kentucky side of the river. In 1795 or '9ti lie settled on Ohio Bru.slicrrek in Adams county, near the old Brush creek forge where he lived and died. The farm he settled is now the property of Wesley Satterfield. Somotimo after Mr. Wumsley's arrival iu this country, he married Loah Stout. They reared a fumily of five children, four nous and a daughter. One of the sons, named William, married Sarah Wikolf, of Kentucky, and settled about a mile east of where tho village of Wamsleyville lifts boon since located. Here he remain d until 1817, when he came to Jcfi'erson township and settled the farm now owned hv his grandson, J. P. Wamsley. lie reared n family of eight children - all sons, who grew to manhood, mnrricd ami raised families. They all became members f tlio M. 15. church, two of them ministers of that denominate But two of this family now survive, Josso and Christopher. T, latter lives in Alcigs township. Jesse Wamsley has lived in .Life rson township all his life. At the ago of fourteen, ho united with tho Al. E. church at Wamsleyville, was licensed to exhort al sixteen, and at tho age of twenty-one, was licensed by the PrcshP ing Elder, James Quinn, to preach, and was regularly ordained at Chillicothc, in 1830, by Bishop Soule. lie traveled in the ministry about three years, the first year as junior preacher with Rev. Chcrington ; next year he had charge of the circuit. lie continued as a local preacher until the war, when a division occurred in the church, which resulted in the organization of the "Christian Union" church, with which branch he united. He married Mary McCormick. They have reared a family of two children - both sons, James Pincher and William Finley Wamsley.