Clinton County, Ohio - Chapter 28: Wayne Township, 1915

Prior to 18837 Wayne township had been a part of Green and Richland townships. In that year this township was formally established by an act of the county commissioners. Wayne township is situated in the southeastern part of Clinton county and is bounded on the north by Richland township, on the west by Green township, on the south by Highland county and on the east by Fayette county. It is located in one of the most fertile districts of Ohio and the early settlers found this a very desirable place to settle. This township has an elevation of about one thousand two hundred feet above the level of the sea and, although the topography is marked, it is comparatively level. It was known for a number of years as "the flats,' but, by judicious drainage, it has become one of the most healthful and desirable parts of the county. It is very well watered and drained by several small streams and tributaries.

This township contains nineteen thousand eight hundred and thirty-four acres of land and at present the acreage of tillable land is very great. The soil is composed of natural drift and alluvial formation, having been covered, as it was, for centuries with a dense forest, which, through the decay of so much plant and animal life, has left the soil very rich. This has been increased through the efforts of the farmers, making its soil doubly rich. This township received its name from Gen. Anthony Wayne, who led an expedition through this township prior to 1794. In his march through this section of the state, he cut a trail which was used by the pioneers for many years.

As Wayne township was not made a separate township until 1837, many settlers, and, in fact, all of the early settlers, were located here before the township was organized. Among the first to make permanent settlements in this part were William Moore, who came to this township from Bourbon county, Kentucky, and settled about the year 1806. Among the pioneers who had settled here prior to 1810 were, John Jackson, from Tennessee; Edward Curtis, from Virginia; Joseph Rooks, Thomas Stell, John Oxley, Moses Paris, Stephen Martin, Thomas Draper, John Allen and Jesse Boxley. From 1810 to 1820 the settlers came in great numbers from Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Another rather reliable source gives the first settler as John Jackson, who has been mentioned previously. Mr. Jackson. if seems, came to this county in 18038 and settled on the Middle branch of Lee's creek, on one of the Ransdale surveys, No. 1,027. At the date of Mr. Jackson's settlement there were only about ten families within the boundaries of what is now Clinton county.

John Bowater Bales, better known to the early settlers as Borter Bales, settled on the West branch of Lee's creek. Mr. Bales built a mill where the .road from New Lexington to Leesburg crosses the West branch. John Walters, uncle to John Walters, who settled on Todd's fork, and Nathaniel Pope were located near Leesburg at this time. Evan Evans and James Smith were also early settlers on Lee's creek.

Fdward Curtis settled in the year 1805 on the north bank of Lee's creek. Mr. Curtis reared a large family and contributed to the early growth of the township. John Allen came in 1807, as did David Carter and Thomas Draper.

Benjamin Logan was probably. the next settler in this township, and located on the East branch of Lee's creek. Mr. Logan came from Tennessee, bringing Mike Fry, the rail-splitter, with him; this, however, was not the same Mike Fry who came with Thomas Dailey and Woolards in 1819.

Thomas Adams was one of the settlers known as a "squatter"; that is, one who enters upon land belonging to another, without any title. Mr. Adams settled on the Gallatin survey, but the date has not been definitely fixed.

John Lyon, Sr., and Richard Lyon were also among the early settlers. Others who Settled about this time were, Robert Antrim and family, David Carter, Edward Curtis, Jr., William Hlliott and wife, Thomas Hardwick, Joseph Grice, David Stokesbury, the Thrailkill family, James Sinclair and family. This completes the early settlements in this township, all of which were made before the township really existed.

The following are the officers of Wayne township in 1915: 'Trustees, Frank Dabe, George Wilson and Joseph Winfield; clerk, Roy Grove; treasurer, David Babb. ae tion, one thousand and fifty-two.

Centerville was laid out on December 4, 1816. The proprietor of the town was Timothy Jones, who emigrated to this county from the state of Virginia. The principal street, Main, was laid off fifty-four poles long and four poles wide, and its parallel alleys are fifty-four poles long and one pole wide. Middle street is fifty-four poles long and three poles wide. The parallel alleys are the same length and one pole wide. Main street runs north forty-five degrees west, and Middle street runs at right angles to Main street. There were thirty-two lots in the original plat. These are laid out six poles in front and run back twelve poles. A stone is placed at the southeast corner of lot No. 2, and at the southwest corner of lot No. 16. Centerville is the voting precinct of Wayne township. This is the largest town in the township and, situated, as it is, in the center of a good farming community, it has an extensive trade.

When the postoffice was placed here it was given the name of Lee's Creek. Babb Brothers have a very modern and up-to-date general merchandise store. They reach the country patrons through three huckster trucks which have daily routes to different parts of the county. Oscar Jones is the postmaster and also keeps a general merchandise store. The saw and grist-inill is owned and operated by W. D. Jerrells. Fred Webb is the village blacksmith and C. I. Pidgeon is the restaurant keeper. The village is supplied by one physician, C. A. Shaeffer. The population, according to the last census, was one hundred and thirty. Centerville, although not on a railroad, is supplied with a postoffice, and receives a closed mail pouch daily from Sabina.

Centerville has a first-grade high school, which was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. This town, as the name indicates, is located in the center of the township. While it has suffered from the lack of a railroad through it, it is still a thriving village.

Memphis is the only other town in the township. This hamlet is situated in the eastern part of the township and is merely a cluster of houses at a cross roads.