Madison County, Ohio - Chapter 13: Paint Township, 1883

THIS township occupies a position in the western tier of the townships of Madison County, and is bounded on the north by Union Township, on the east by Union and Range, on the south by Range and Stokes, and ol the west by the county of Clark. The surface is generally very level, and contained, in its original state, as the first settlers found it, large and extensive prairies and oak openings; the western, southern and central portions possessing but little heavy timbered land in its primitive state. Bor dering on Walnut Run, in the northern part, and along the eastern portion of the township, the surface is more undulating, with here and there portions approach a slightly hilly condition, the most of which was heavily timbered. The principal species of the trees of the forests were white, black and red oak, hickory, walnut, elm and maple. In the oak openings, the prevailing timber was burr oak. The township is well watered by Walnut Run and Paint Creek and their numerous tributaries. The former crosses from west to east through the entire northern portion of the township, while Paint Creek consists of two forks, the West and East Fork. The former rises in Clark Count}', and enters Paint Township near its northeast corner, takes a southeast course, and unites with the East Fork in the south central portion of the township, then flows south into Stokes Township. The East Fork rises in the northern part of the township, on the Addison S. Jones farm, flows southeast to the center of the township, thence turns to a southwest course and unites with the West Fork as above mentioned. The soil is exceedingly rich and fertile, the oak openings and prairies possessing a deep black loam, while the more undulating portions of the north and eastern parts of the township are a mixture of loam and clay, and underneath these is a stratum of blue clay mixed with limestone, and through this we reach a bed of gravel, the structure and composition being favorable to the retention of moisture and its protection from long-continued droughts. It is a very strong, productive soil, and well adapted to the growth of grass or grains. In an early day, these prairies produced for the early settlers an abundance of pasturage for their stock, and many of them entered largely, and some exclusively, into the stock business, the sedge on these prairies often reaching the wonderful growth of six to eight feet in height Right in the center and heart of this township and of this beanti fill prairie settled a young Virginian about 1810, and, entering upon the stock business, finally fenced in a large scope of this fine pasturage, increasing his business from year to year; became a rich and wealthy man, owning his thousands of acres of this beautiful and rich country. By a faildegree of business tact and shrewd financiering, this man's coffers were almost spontaneously filled to overflowing. And this is only one of many, who, in greater or less degree, have become wealthy in Madison County by entering upon the stock business in an early day, and reaping the fruits of these natural advantages afforded by these great and productive prairies.

A country possessing such natural resources could not long escape the observation of those pioneers and frontiersmen who were so rapidly pushing from the rising toward the setting sun. To those men from the rock bound hills of Virginia and other States in the East, such a country as this held out attractions they could not resist, and we early find the domains of Paint being occupied by the white man. Fromtho best sources of information we have been able to obtain, it appears that the first pioneer of Paint Township was Andrew Si frit, who was born near Winchester, Va. , in 1750. When but a young man, at the first call for troops in the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he enlisted as a private soldier, and served for eight lon»- years. For these services he subsequently obtained a warrant for 2(H) acres of laud. He was married to Susan Shrock, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Sifrit died, and he married for his second wife Miss Hannah Morrills, a native of Virginia, by whom he had twelve children. Thus he was the father of twenty-one children. In 1803, he, with his family, emigrated to Ross County. Ohio, where they remained one year, and in 1804 came to Madison Couuty, settling in Paint Township, on land now owned by John Paulin, on what is called Sifrit Run. This, it is believed, was the first white settler in Paint Township, as it is now known, but at that date was Darby Township, in Franklin County.

Let the reader of the rising generation imagine the surroundings of this pioneer family. Not more than half a dozen families as neighbors (if you may term them such) within a scope of fifteen miles; nothing in the daytime but the sound of the ax and its distant echo to cheer their lonely lives, as he fell the giants of the forest preparatory to erecting a log cabin for a dwelling place for his large family; at night, their slumbers dis turbed by the howl of the wolves and the mingled cry of other beasts of prey; and the whole intensified by the fear of the savages, who were then in plentiful numbers all throuo-h the country! Do you wonder that it took bone and muscle, and, more than all, a great degree of fortitude and moral courage to go through all this? To purchase goods or get milling done they had to go forty miles to Chillicothe, and much of the way over terrible mud roads, and some of the distance no road at all, only as they cut and made it.. But here, with such surroundings. Mr. Sifrit and his family began. They erected a double log cabin and commenced to make a farm andahome. They had willing hands and hearts, and knew how to labor; and from year ear their conveniences and comforts began to appear, neighbors were settling all around them, and everything began to wear a more pleasing aspect; and before Mr. Sifrit's death, he was permitted to see the opening up of a magnificent country, and the future prosperity of his children fully assured. He died in 1817. at the advanced age of nearly ninety-eight years.

Of Mr. Sifrit's children by his first wife, five came with him to this county - Catharine, James, Mary. Elizabeth and John. James, the elder son, was a young lad when they came to this county, and was able to render his father and family great assistance in their first labors here. He married Elizabeth Higgins, by whom he had six children, three now living Nathan, John and Lovinia. Mr. James Sifrit spent his life as a farmer and stock -raiser; was quite prosperous, and at his death owned between 300 and 400 acres of land. He died in April, 1881, aged eighty live John, the youngest son, married Harriet Chapman, by whom he had eleven children; two only survive - Joseph and Jacob. In L835, John, with his family, removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died about 1849, just in the prime oi life. He was quite an energetic, active business man, and had acquired between 400 and 500 acres of land. He served as a Justice of the Peace several years. Of Mr. Andrew Sifrit's children by his second wife, seven now survive - Susan, now Widow Earl, residing in Seneca County. Ohio; Nancy, wife of Daniel Kingery, and resides in Illinois; Julia Ann, now "Widow Roe, residing in Minnesota; Jacob, a resident of London; Lawrence \V., residing in Franklin County, Ohio; Maria, now Widow Hamm, residing in Iowa, and Michael, also a resident of Iowa.

Peter P. Helphenstine, a native of Virginia, was a Major in the war of the Revolution, for which services he received land grants for a large amount of land. In October. 1805, he started for Ohio, and, arriving at Chillicothe, he became acquainted with Col. Elias Langham, who was going up into the " Barrens " to lay some warrants. David Watson had accompanied Mr. Helphenstine from Virginia to Ohio, and now they associated with Col. Langham and came up to Madison County to locate and lay and survey their lands. They finished their work about February It. and returned to Chillicothe. Mr. Helphenstine and Mr. Watson remained there till in September. 1806. They returned to Virginia and at once made preparations to remove to Ohio. Mr. Helphenstine and family. Jonathan Minshall and family and Walter Watson and family, with their connections, to the number of thirty -nine persons, with six or seven wagons, staited for their new home in tho wilds of Ohio. They arrived at Chillicothe the last of October, 1806. There they left their families, while Mr. Watson, with his family, located upon a place which his sou David had previously rented for him, and Mr. Helphenstine proceeded to his land, and, with the assistance of David Watson ami others, erected a cabin, and, in January, 1S07, moved his family from Chillicothe into the cabin, in his new and permanent home, ami here Mr. Helphenstine remained through life, being, it is believed, the second settler in Paint Township. He was an excellent neighbor and citizen, a devoted Christian, and lived and died highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Some years later, Henry Help henstine, a brother of the above, became a settler of Paint Township.

David Watson was born in Maryland October 17, 1783, and. with his father, Walter Watson, and his family, became settlers of Ohio in ISO)), and in 1807, with Mr. Helphenstine and family, David came to Paint Township, and here was married to Mary Helphenstine, for whom he formed a special attachment when she was but ten years of age. while residing in Virginia. They commenced in life with nothing, as poor as any person ever started out in life. But we will not here devote space to portray a history of this valuable citizen's life, as it is fully given in another part of this work. Suffice it here to say that Paint Township may well be proud of having been the place of residence of one whose lite was so full of activity, success and usefulness. George Blougher, of German descent, came with or about the same time as Robert Hume, in 1804. He worked one year for him, clearing his land, for which services .Mr. Hume deeded him 100 acres of land, upon which he settled and remained through life. He was a very honorable man, a good neighbor and a worthj citizen. About 1810 - 12, a Mr. Harpole settled on the Hume land, and became owner of quite a large amount of land, bu! of him and his we know but little.

James Withrow, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Madison County and located in Paint Township, on Walnut linn, in 1X07, and. one year later, brought his family to his new home. Hore he took up 250 acres .of land. All the country around was a vast wilderness, iu which he had but three neighbors - David Watson, Jonathan Minshall and Peter P. Helphen stine. Indians were still here, and were frequent visitors at their house. They were generally friendly and peaceable, but frequently too free or officious, and would borrow or take things out of the house, such as cookingutensils, sometimes keeping them a long time, but would generally return them. They would frequently borrow corn-meal and provisions of various kinds. Corn-meal in that day was an item of sonic value, when they had to go forty-five miles to Chillicothe to get grinding done. Sometimes they would have their supply of meal nearly exhausted, and they would hide it in the straw tick in the bed. On one occasion. Indians searched the house all over, and even the bed. but did not happen to find it. Mr. With row never allowed them to bring their guns in the house, but had them leave them outside. At one time, Mr. Withrow having gone to Chillicothe to mill, the Indians came and wanted to bring their guns inside the house, but Mrs. Withrow required them to leave them outside. They came in and sat by the fire. Mrs. Withrow was spinning, and she observed them talking with each other, and apparently displeased about something. By their motions she could understand that they were talking about scalping her. With all the courage she could command, she instantly ordered them out, of the house, and by continued firmness finally succeeded in getting them away. Such trials of their courage and fortitude were quite frequent in that early dny, and it sterns those noble pioneer women were peculiarly fitted for the occasions they had to meet. Mr. Withrow was quite a military man, and was a Major in the militia for many years. He, in later years, after his farm began to produce wheat, hauled it. to CJrbana over the then terrible mud roads, and sold it at 87 cents per bushel. The last hat he purchased lor himself he bought at Urbana, for which he gave fourteen bushels of wheat. He erected a saw mill on Walnut Run about 1815, which was the fust mill in this vicinity, and one of the first in the county. This mill was run by water, and remained in use about ten or twelve years. Mr. Withrow was no office-seeker, and desired no notoriety in that way, but was an active, industrious man, and devoted his life to his farm interests. His character and integrity were beyond reproach, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, having brought with him, when he came here, a letter of his membership in the church where he lived in Pennsylvania, bearing date L803, and connected himself with the church at London, iu which church he was an Elder many years.

Of their family of seven ehildi'en, Ann, the eldest, married Abraham Phifer. She died about 1ST;!. Margaret died unmarried. David married Mary Harvey, and settled in Paint Township, where he died without issue. Isabel married John Stroup, by whom she had five children; is now a widow and resides in London. One of her daughters is the wife of Mr. Mc- Laughlin, proprietor of the Phifer House. Another of her daughters, Rebecca, married Joseph Foos, emigrated to California, and was said to be the first woman who ever went through on the overland route. She is now a resident of Australia. Robert married Ann Carr; resides in London; was formerly Sheriff of the county, but is now retired from all active business. Washington married Catharine Truman and settled on the home place. Then he purchased a farm, which, a few years after, he sold, and in 1842 purchased the Robert Hume land, upon which he resided till, in 1878, he removed to his present place of residence, in Newport, where he has since resided, retired from all active business. His life has been devoted to farming and dealing in stock. From 1836 to 1853, he gave his special at- tention to buying stock through the Western States, and driving them over the mountains to the Eastern markets, and during this business of seventeen years' duration, there was but one year in which he did a losing business; the sixteen years were successful, and yielded him good profits. His business life has been one of activity, crowned with success, having accumulated a large amount of property. His principal fault in life has been in being too kind-hearted and accommodating for his o wn financial good, as he has paid over $40,000 security money. But, notwithstanding these misfortunes, he has an ample competency left, and a clear conscience that he has faithfully discharged all obligations, no matter how unjust some of them may have been. Mr. Withrow has been employed to settle up a great many estates in his community, and has filled many of the important offices of his county and township, and is one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Newport, of which he has been a member since the winter of 1854, and has filled most of the important offices of the church. Samuel, the youngest child of Mr. James Withrow, married Charlotte Rankin and reside? in London; is engaged in farming, which has been his principal business through life.

John Stroup was a native of Pennsylvania, and settled on the Buffenberger land about 1810, where he remained through life. He devoted his life to farming; had a family of five sons and two daughters; one now survives, and is a resident of Range Township, now Widow Nancy Timmons.

John Phifer, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Madison County about 1810, and located on Paint Creek, on what is now known as the Buffenberger land. He was a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed, in connection with farming, through life. He had a family of three sons and four daughters, all now deceased. Mr. Phifer was an exceptional man for honesty, integrity and uprightness of life. Industrious and faithful in business, kind hearted and liberal, ever ready with his means and influence to aid in every moral progress and improvement, and died at a good old age, loved and respected by all who knew him.

George Phifer, son of the above, married Tabitha Dean; was also a blacksmith by trade, which business he followed several years. After his marriage, he located at London and became one of the active business men of that place. He erected the Phifer House; also the block on the opposite side of High street now occupied by Wolf's clothing store and others. During this time, he was carrying on an active business as a farmer and stock-dealer, and was also for several years engaged in the tanning business - in all which enterprises he was remarkably successful, and died possessed of a largo amount of property. Abraham, son of John and brother of George Phifer. married Ann Withrow and settled near his father; devoted his life to farming; was very prosperous, and at his death owned 000 acres of land and several thousand dollars in money. John, the third son, died when young. The daughters were named Dolly, Clara, Betsey and Nancy. All married and had families, and became prosperous and good citizens.

Peter Buffenberger a native of Virginia, while a young single man, emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, and in 1810 located on Paint Creek, in this township, and entered at once largely into the stock business on the prairio, and was very successful. About 1816, he fenced in a large tract of these prairies. H> accumulated a large estate, and when, at the advanced age of seventy-five years, married a young lady. Miss Angeline Hutson, by whom he had two children - Eugeue and May. The former married a Mr.

Crawford, of New York. Mr. Buffenberger died a fewyeaxs after his marriage, leaving his family 4,200 acres of fine land, besides 700 acres which he had previously deeded in fee simple to his wife. His wife subsequently married for her second husband Mr. Colburn, and they now reside in New Jersey, and Mary, her youngest daughter by her first marriage, who is unmarried, resides with them. About 1810, George Linson, a native of Virginia, settled on Paint Creek, just below the Buffenberger tract of land. He was married in Virginia, and came here in very limited circumstances; entered upon the stock business; was very successful and made money rapidly, becoming the owner of over two thousand acres of excellent land. He was the father of five sons and two daughters, of whom two now survive - Margaret, now Mrs. Shough; and Jesse. The former resides in Pleasant Township, this county; the latter in Fayette County.

George Chappell settled near Walnut Bun about 1810, and remained a resident of this township till death. He was a native of Virginia; married Margaret Green; Lad four sons and two daughters, all deceased but two - Thomas and Charles, who are now residents of Illinois. Mr. Chappell served as a Justice, of the Peace for many years, and while in that office used his best efforts to get parties to compromise, and thus avoid all litigation, if possible; was a most excellent man and faithful officer. John C. Jones, though not an early settler of Paint Township, having settled here in 1844, yet he was born in East Tennessee in 1817. came to Ohio in 1821, grew to manhood, and has been prominently identified with the growth and progress of the county from a very early day. He has served as Director of the County Infirmary, as a Justice of the Peace, as Township Trustee and other minor offices. He is now quite advanced in years, having spent a long and useful life, devoted to the interests of his county and the community in which he has lived. Bev. William Sutton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was, it is believed, born in Virginia, but became a settler of Paint Township about 1810, locating on the Hume land. He married Hannah Coberly; resided here but a few years, when, as a Methodist minister, he had to adopt the itinerant life they live; but the greater portion of his life was spent in the service of the ministry within Madison County. He died at Mt. Sterling, although his home and residence at the time of his death was in London, and there his body was taken for interment. He was an excellent man and faithful Christian minister Lewis Higgins. a native of Virginia, settled on the Hume tract of land about 1811.

Reuben Gregg, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Chillicothe in L8l0, and to Madison County in 1811, and located in Paint Township, about half a mile below where the village of Newport is now situated. He married Phoebe Harpole, and remained a resident here till his death. Thomas Coberly, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and purchased 100 acres of land in Paint Township about 1810, upon which he located, and where he resided till death. He was an industrious, hard-working pioneer, and raised a family of four sons and three daughters. Of these, Willi am served in the war of 181 2, and subsequently became an extensive farmer and trader, which occupations he followed through life. James Chapman was born in Frederick County, Va., in 1801. In 1816, he became a settlerof Paint Township, and subsequently married Ann Chapman, a native of Virginia, by whom he had nine children; three now survive. Mr. Chapman i^ now eighty-one years of age, is hale - and hearty, with good eyesight, and is now one of the few early pioneers yet surviving.

Although the territory which now comprises Paint Township began to be settled up as early as 1804, yet it was the last township but one to be erected. On the records at the court house we find the following: June 7. 1853 - " A petition was presented to the Commissioners, asking for a new township, to be called Paint Township, to be composed of parts of the townships of Stokes and Union. Beginning at the county line near Peter Slaughter's, thence running an easterly direction to the line of Range Township; thence a northerly direction with the original township line to the corner of Stokes and Union Townships; thence northeast so as to include Baskerville's, and to continue in that direction far enough to include Robert Reed, or some point, so as to get enough territory; thence a northwesterly direction to the line of Clark and Madison Counties at some point north of William T. Jones'; thence a southern direction with the county line to the beginning. Therefore, it is hereby ordered by the Commissioners of Madison County, that the foregoing described territory, or as near as may be deemed proper, be. and is, established a township, which shall be known by the name of Paint; and be it further ordered that Henry Alder, Surveyor for the county of Madison, and John T. Maxey, proceed to survey and establish the lines and boundaries of said township, erecting proper monuments at the several corners thereof. Ordered by the Commissioners that the legal voters within the territory heretofore described meet at the residence of James Phifer, on Saturday, the 25th day of June, 1853, and there and then proceed as provided by statute in such cases, to elect all necessary officers for said township."

June 0, 1855 - "A number of citizens of Union Township presented a petition that the line dividing the townships of Union and Paint be so changed that they may be included within the boundaries of Paint Township, to wit: Beginning at the angle in said line between the residence of Washington Withrow and H. Langham; thence north so as to include John Ham, Sr., John C. Jones and Job Coberly, Sr. , in Paint Township; thence near a straight course to the junction of the Midway & London Turnpike road and the old Xenia road, that being the Paint Township line, or near that place where the Paint Township line strikes the old Xenia road. " The petition was granted, and Nelson Baker appointed to survey the line.

There appear to be no records preserved until 18(54. Since that date, the following have Berved as Township Trustees: 1864, J. W. Each us, Joseph Plowman and Benjamin Tyler; 1805, J. C. Jones. David Stroup, Jr., and John Stone"; L8Gf>, Robert Reed, John C. Jones and David Stroup, Jr.; L867, Robert Reed, E. T. Linson and David Watson, Jr.; 1868, E. T.

in, Washington Withrow and S. W. Bonner; 1869, W. Withrow, J. W. Eachus and David Watson, Jr.; L870, Steel Douglass, David Watson and J. W. Eachus; L871, David Watson, R. A. Niel and Steel Douglass; L872, ,J. W. Eachus, David Watsou and R. Samuel Niel; 1873, David Watson, Edmond Hill and William Cilgore; L874, John C. Jones, M. A Baskerville and William Kilgore; L875, William Kilgore, M. A. Baskerville and David Watson; 1876, ML A. Baskerville, David Watson and Benjamin F. Tyler; L877, Joseph Ploughman, John Eachus and ML A. Baskerville; 1878, John W. Eachus, John T Vent and Joseph Ploughman; 1 S7D. Robert Watkius, George Bodkin and John Paulin; L880, John T. Vent, N C. Rice and S. Bonnor; L881, Austin Htitson, N. C. Rice and J. O. Sifrit;

Justices of the Peace 1854, Stephen Maxey and William B. Baskerville; 1857, Job Coberly, John Correll and Stephen Maxey; 1858, William B. Baskerville; 1860, Steel Douglass; 1861, John T. Maxey; 1863, Jesse Coberlv; L864, John T. Maxey; L866, Steel Douglass and Franklin Tyler; 1867, Jesse Coberly; 1870, H. W. Rowland and George Bodkin; 1873, Steel Douglass and George W. Bodkin: 1876. George Schuxr and G. W. Coberly; L880, William Keever and George W. Bodkin; 1881, James S. Cleeland.

Constables 1865 66, -laiues Jewell and Adam Rider;" 1867, V. L. Buel; 1868, William Clevenger and Washington Coberly; 1869, S. White and M. W. Cannon: 1870, W. T. Bethards and S. White; 1871, J. Schick dants and W. T. Bethards; 1872, George Hull and S. O. McColum; 1873, George Hill and Peter S. Hill; 1874. Thomas Bethards and Jonathan Carter; 1875, Peter S. Hill and William Clevenger; 1876, Peter S. Hill and George Miller; 1877, E. A. Blaugher and Stephen Maxey; 1878, Daniel Kulp and George Hull; 1879, J. W. Osborn and E. C. Duff; 1880. George Hull and David Sutherland; 1881, George Hull and William Yeath; 1882, William Yeath and A. C. Bodkin.

One of the firs! organized churches in Madison County, if not the first, is the Methodist Episcopal Church now located at Newport, this township. In 1807. at the house of Jonathan Minshall, a class was organized by Rev. Mr. Lakin. with three members - Jonathan Minshall and wife and David Watson, with the former as Class- Leader. Meetings were held and preaching occasionally had at the house of Jonathan Minshall till, in 1809. David Watson's father having located near David's place, meetings were held at his place until in 1822, when David's mother died, after which the meetings were held at David's house. As the neighborhood became settled up, the class grew and increased in numbers. Between the years 1816 and 1820, there was held eacli year, for two or three years, a camp-meeting in this neighborhood, which was probably the first of the kind ever held in Maidson County. People came to these meetings from many miles dis tant, and camped in tents, and had many very enjoyable meetings. At one evening meeting, twenty-four persons joined tho church, under the preaching of Rev. Alexander Morrow. The church held their meetings in pi'ivate houses until the building of a public schoolhouse. about 1831-32, when the services were held in the schoolhouse. which was erected where the cemetery is now located. Here the church contimied to hold their services till about 1850, when the society erected a church edifice about one mile east, at Newport. They erected a good, substantial frame building, at a cost of about $700. This building served the society until about L872, when the present brick house 56x32 feet, was erected, at a cost of about $4,500, and is a verj aeal and comfortable house of worship, well finished and well furnished. Ai the time of the erection of the tirst church building, the society numbered about twenty persons. Since that time, the church has been Berved by the following ministers: Rev. Mr. Smith. John Stewart. Joseph Brown. Mr. Orum, Archibald Fleming, Mr. Spahr, Samuel Tibitt, J. T. Miller. Mr. Pitzer, A. Alexander, Mr. Beath, Mr. Vananda, A. R. Miller, I. Bradrick, Mr. Kino; and Rev. Mr. Mackey, who are now the present pastors. In November. lST'J. the new church was dedicated. Joseph Trimble preaching the dedicatory sermon. The membership is now about one hundred. Trustees, Samuel Coberly, William Withrow, John Paul in, William Clevenger, David Watson ami "Washington Withrow . Stewards are Washington Withrow and David Watson: (Mass Leaders. Samuel Coberly and W. Withrow. In connection with the church. the\ have had a good, flourishing Sunday school since the erection of the first church edifice. It now numbers about sixty scholars, with James Buell as Superintendent.

Protestant Methodist Church - In 1850, a few persons met at the schoolhouse, then located where the cemetery now stands, and. under Rev. Rameth Husse\. were organized into a class, consisting of the following persons: Prewley Rains, wife, three sonts and one daughter: Jame - Jewell ami Elias Forbis and wife; Joseph Stroup and wife: Gideon Peck and wife; [sabel Stroup, Josie "Watson, Sarah Jones, Polly "Wagoner and Elizabeth Sifr it; and perhaps one or two others whose names are not now remembered Elias Forbis was Class-Leader. The society held their meetings at the Bchoolhouse for three or four years. In lSel 55, they erected their pr is ent frame h"use iu Newport, which was completed and dedicated to service the same year, and it is believed that Rev. A. H. Trumbo delivered the dedicator} sermon. The membership is now about twenty live, with Rev. T. D. Howe as their minister, and Amos Gregg as Class-Leader, who ha^ served as such more than twenty years. Trustees, James Evans, John W Vent, Singleton Yates. Amos Gregg and Uriah Thornburg.

For many years the early settlers had their family or neighborhood burying grounds. One of these was on the John Phifer farm, where sev eral of the Phifer family and many of the people of that neighborhood found their final resting place: but no.\ nothing remains to show that there was ever a grave made there, the ground being used and cultivated for grain. Another was <n\ the Hume land. Some bodies, however, have been removed from here and deposited in more permanent and well-preserved cemeteries. This ground is, however, st 11 inclosed by a fence, but no more persons are being buried there. The only one which has become a permanent burial-place is the Withrow Cemetery. This was first established as a family burying place of the Withrow family, and was probably tirst opened by the reception of a body of a child of William Crider, after which it became the general burying place for the neighborhood, and thus continued till about L870, when it became the property of the township. Originally there was but one acre of ground fenced in. The Trustees then purchased >f Davi I Wats in and ad Led to it, so that it ow contains - and is well fenced in. and laid out in walks, with good graveled roads

The 6rs1 school, it is believed, in Painl To vnship, was held in a cabin on Jonathan Minshall's land. Samnel Flarvey being the first, or one of the first, teachers the 3chool, like all e ools, being supported by sub was erected on the ground now embraced in the cemetery. This .. hewed-log house, nd was then considered quite neat and comfortable. This house ded by a frame one, erected on the same ground about

This township contains but one malJ village within it borders, In 1849, the land where Newport now stands was owned by Ephraim Freshour, and in that year he laid off some lots for the town, and donated one lot for school purposes. Jam"- Coberly erected the first bouse, in which he lived till his death. '1 milt by Eliae Forbes as a dwelling fur himself.

The first blacksmith was James Jewell. He wa- succeeded by Henry Roland. About 1851 52, John Coberly built a stei mill in the town, with the old kind of i w. which, after some yeai npplanted with a circular -aw. and is now owned by Jackson Coberly. Elias Forbes was the first wagon-maker. The first store was opened by Napoleon Moore, who erected a building and put in a general stock of good- in 1854. The post office wa- established in 1856 b% with James Gossard as Postmaster. The present Postmaster is Thomas Durkee. The village now contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitant-: ha- one general store, one grocery, two blacksmiths, one wagon-maker, one carriage painter; and contains two churches, and one schoolhouse with two departmei I for the small He for the larger scholars.

in a northeast and southwesi direction through the township, a little west of the center, is the old London A: Kenia road; then further east is the Madison & Fayette Turnpike, the London & Bloomingburg road, and the Yankeetown road, the latter forming the boundary line between Paint and Union J-' for two to three mile-. Through the northwest part of the township, and running nearl) parallel with the Jel South Charleston A: Kenia Turnpike, passes the 1' h, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, and. although there is no town on its line within Paint Township, yet they have a way station called J