Perry County, Ohio - Bearfield 'township, 1883

Bearfield is one of the original townships of Perry county, Ohio, and was organized in 1818. It is situated one township north of the southeast corner of the county, and, with Monroe township, forms the most eastern portion of the county. At the time of its organization it was a full township, containing thirty-six sections, and remained so up to 1850, when there were nine sections taken from the southwest corner of it to form apart of Pleasant township, thus leaving it with twenty-seven sections, or seventeen thousand two hundred and eighty acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Harrison township, of Perry county, and Harrison township, of Morgan county; on the south, by Monroe and Pleasant townships, of Perry county; on the east, by [larrison and Dearfield townships, of Morgan county, and on the west, by Pleasant and Pike townships. The township is nafurally divided into two parts, or slopes, by a ridge passing in a northeastern and southwesterly direction, the northern slope dipping toward the Muskingum valley, and occupying about two-thirds of its surface. The southern slope dips toward the Hocking valley, and contains about onc-third of its area. The streams are all small, and from this natural division flow both north and south, the greater number rising within its own borders. 'The largest stréam is that of the south branch of Jonathan's Creek, which flows from the central northern part of Pleasant township, in a_northeastern direction, and flows out at its northern boundary, near MchLuney,in Harrison township. The township is all underlaid with a stratum of the best of soft coal, tour feet thick. his coal is mined iu the northwestern part by drifting ; but if it were obtained in the southern and eastern parts it would necessarily have to be by shafting, so rapidly does the stratum dip. Iron ore and fire and potter's clay are found in many places. The iron ore is of the black band mineral, and yields about forty per cent of iron. The potter's clay is of the best quality, from which all kinds of common stoneware are successfully manufactured.

The surface of this township may well be said to be everywhere undulating. It has so small a portion of valley land that it is scarcely worth a mention. The hills are not so high, but a great many of them are rather steep; yet there is not much of the land that is not arable, and its fertility is beyond dispute, as many an industrious farmer, who now enjoys a full competency for his declining years, can testify. Coal mines, iron ore deposits, potter and fire clay banks, and farm products, are seldom more happily united than in Bearfield township.

It is said that James Black was the first settler in this township, who must have come before 1812, but how long before is unknown. He settled near where Porterville now stands. As early as 1815 came the father of Jacob Hearing and settled, a neighbor to James Black. The following is a list of the first settlers, as could best be obtained from available records: Benjamin Tatman, Bartholomew Tatman, John G. Hearing, David Worley, Charles Crook, Samuel Ogburn, John B. Holcomb, Benjamin Morgan, Lawson Teal, Samuel Worley, James Palmer, Edward Conner, James Montgomery, Isaac Kent, slichael Longstreth, William Lashley, Andrew Woods, John Y ounkin, Thomas Tatman, John A. Hearing, Samuel Younkin, William J. Moore, Elisha Palmer, Matthew Palmer, Leon Strait, snare Tatman, John Montomery, John Thrapp, ep y. baker, Ezekiel Rose, John J. Jackson,

David Little, Lloyd Teal, and John Handsley. These people came from the Eastern States and the Old Country ; consequently, werea mixture of various nations.

Upon their arrival, all the hardships and realities of a pioneer life were uponthem. The ''Giant Oak" stood king of the forest, and defied the '*Woodman's ax." At once it was to be seen that there was life for a struggle, and prosperity for continued effort. Making bare their muscles to the labor, and with wills determined to know the best or worst of it, log cabins sprang up like mushrooms from a hot bed, and passed away like fairies in the morning dew-drops, giving place to the hewed log-house, and eventually to the unique frame and_ brick architectural dwellings of the present day and generation, as the harvest of the fallow, broken by the wooden mouldboard as it was directed by the muscle that received sustenance from the hand and_ horse grist mill, and toated upon the pack saddle, together with the venison, the bear and the turkey, nature's provision for man'scoming. In those pioneer days, the sickle was thrust, the flail was wielded or the oxen trod out the grain. which was fanned by the sheets of pioneer couches, for twenty-five cents per bushel, in trade.

Corn was plowed with the rudest plows for twelve and a half cents in trade. 'Tea and coffee were luxuries that was too expensive to be often indulged in; upon Sunday or a holiday they might be allowed. Yet at their log rollings and house and barn raisings we still can catch a breath of their hilarity and neighborly feeling, and we are often constrained to say, '"lhey enjoyed themselves more than we do now," never taking a thought that then they had no time to quarrel with each other, or look up the intricate points of law and push a law suit. They were busily emploved.

The most of the land in this township was entered directly, by the citizens themselves, at $1.25 per acre. Some of the southern part came through the hands of Buckingham and Sturgess.

pay the interest on the money they borrowed from him, or was due on back payments, the enormous interest of twenty per cent. being charged by him for money invested, or upon back pay for their farms, purchasof him at from $5.00 to $10.00 per acre. In consequence of this they were obliged, many of them, to sell out the very land they had doubly earned and made fruitful by their toil, in many cases saving a mere pittance from,years of hard Jabor. Hence it comes that, few of the first settlers or their children remain to this day in the southwestern part of the township.

It is difficult to tell now, where the first mill was built, but itis quite likely it was upon South Fork creek, in about 1817, by Frank Harris. That part of the township was afterward made a part of Pleasant township, where a more complete history of the mill is given.

Levi Little, who once lived upon the present site of Porterville, in an early day had.a hand mill where they used to grind all night, and in that Jength of time could grind about two bushels of corn, three or four bushels of buckwheat, or one and one half bushels of wheat. The burr was small and turned by means of a pin fastened near the edge upon the top. They turned with one hand and fed it with the other. It was afterward turned to a horse mill.

It is claimed by some that the first mill was built upon the head waters of Black's Fork creek, by a man by the name of Fate, who afterward sold it to Petit. At this mill they ground corn, buckwheat and wheat; and Sawed lumber. A man by the name of Underhill once had

.a horse mill on the line between Perry and Morgan counties. One of the oldest mills was built by Levi T. Deaver, near the edge of the township, not far from Deavertown, of Morgan county.

For a better class of work, and quicker returns, the farmers often went to Zanesville on horseback to mill, via the cow paths, riding one horse and leading another, which wore the pack saddle and carried most of the grain.

In 1818, as above stated, this township held its first election, and the 'names given as the first settlers, were the first voters, or at least most of them were voters here at that time. Then the ballot was cast for the first Justice of the Peace, who in all probability was Samuel Ogburn. At that time the votes were polled as they have been ever since, some place, and in some kind of a building, upon the sixteenth and school section of the township. If Ogburn was not 'the very first, he was among the first to hold that office. Upon the sixteenth section they now have a township house where the votes are polled. The number of votes cast in 1882 was two hundred, not varying but little from that number at any time. It is said that David Hearing was the first man married in this township. ;

This township has no railroads nor pikes. The Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley, a branch of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, passes near its northern boundary at McLuney.

As James Black is considered the first settler, it is altogether probable that around him gathered the first neighborhood, and thereby the first schools were held in that neighborhood, on a farm owned at the time by Jesse Simmer, and now owned by Ephraim Bennett. The first school teachers there were, first of all, Abraham Striker. Samuel Younkin soon after. Robert Sandburn taught in 1820, and Thomas Petit in 1821. They all taught in the log cabin school house, so frequently described in this history, that a repetition here would be to increase the monotony of the story. The publicschool system was adopted as soon as practicable, and as is shown in the county history.

There is now in this township six sub-school districts, and in each there is a good, substantial frame school house, where at least an average term of school of six months is kept up each year, the teachers receiving their pay from the public school fund. There are one hundred and forty-eight male and one hundred and forty-eight female scholars enrolled.

Cuurcues. - Fletcher Chapel is of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is commonly known as the Holcomb church. It is the oldest church we now have any knowledge of in this township, and was probably organized in about 1815, and met in private houses previous to 1820 to 1825, at which time they built a log church on Joseph Holcomb's farm. In private houses they meet at Geoige Reed's, John Fate's and Joseph Holcomb's. The first members were John Fate and and wife, Joseph Holcomb and wife, Mrs. George Reed, Patton Ferson and wife, Thomas Hollingshead and wife, Asher Holcomb, who was the first class class leader, and a few others. The first preachers were - Rev. Samuel Hamiltonand Rey. Cornelius Springer. They were afterward supplied by the Ohio Conference, and were known to be in the Zanesville district, and in Deavertown circuit until 1882, when a change was made, and it became one of four appointments of which the Rev. Raymond Griffith is pastor, but is still in Zanesville district. Previous to the change they for many years past had preaching once in three weeks, but since that they have preaching alternate Sundays. 'The old log church was supplanted in 1846 by a frame building. that is now standing.

The first Sunday school met in the log house and was kept up until about 1867, only during the summer season; since that time they have continued during the whole time, and now number about fifty scholars, with M.G. Sayre as Superintendent. Charles Crider, Ephraim Bennett, Bartholomew Longstreth and William Sayre are class leaders of the church, and there are about seventy members. ' -

Pleasant Grove M. E. Church is commonly known as the Tatman Church, and is situate in the southeastern portion of the township, near Joseph Wallace's farm. It was organized in about from 1832 to 1837, and first met in Bartholomew Tatman's house on the farm now owned by Joseph Wallace. Bartholomew Tatman and wife, one McClannahan and wife, Samnel Ogburn, one Mr. Iden and some others, were the first members. B. Tatman was likely the first class leader. The first ministers were Samuel [larvey and Samuel Hamilton, and have since been supplied by the Ohio Conference.

Soon after their organization, they built a hewed log church hard by the site of the present frame church, which took its place in about 1861, built under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Barringer. There are

The first Sunday school was organized in about 1867, and met only during the summer season until 1881, when it was continued during the year, and up to the present time. There are now about fifty scholars enrolled.

Bethel M. E. Church was organized about 1837, with James Moore, Elias Moore, William Moore, Urias Moore. John Ilandsley and family, Alexander McClannahan, and some of the Petits as first members. oe Moore was the first class leader. The first preachers were John

That house stood until about 1845, when the society having removed to Porterville charge, the house went down or was moved away, but the cemetery is still kept up.

Ina very early day there was a class organized in the vicinity of where the United Presbyterian church now stands, and near which they built a church, now remembered as the Teal church; but for some unknown reason, and at a date unknown, they disorganized. It was a Oba church, no doubt. Some time previous to 1854 the Methodist piscopal church organized a class in section 16, and met at first, at private houses. Rezen Hammond and wife, James Allen and wile, Alexander Burgess and family, Bernard Smith, who was the first class leader, Eliza Koons, and others, were the first members ; about twelve or fifteen in number. In 1854 they moved the Teal church from where it stood and rebuilt it om the farm of Rezen Hammond, where they worshiped until the time of the late rebellion, when differences of opinion split the society, and it became disorganized, some joining at the Holcomb church, while others went to near Poterville, and, with others, formed what is known as the Christian Union church. The [ammond church, by which name it was usually called, held Sunday school for several summer seasons, during its organization.

Zion. - In about 1847, there was organized a Disciple church, near Poterville, with Daniel Rusk at the head, which continued for a few years, when it was changed and became a Christian denomination.

The Disciples, and other Christian people, had built a log house, for general church purposes, but it appears that a deed for the Jot was made to the Christian denomination, who still hold the deed. Tlow long either the Disciples, or Christians kept up their organization, ts unknown, but together they held meetings until the time of the late rebellion, at which time the Christian Union church was organized, taking the place of the others. In 1868 they supplanted the log church by a neat frame building, where they still hold services. [t was changed to the Christian Union denomination, with Rev. Ammon Biddison as their pastor. Simultaneous with the organization of the church Sunday school was commenced, and is still continued with an attendance of twenty-five or thirty persons. sna 9 jamin Ellis, in 1855, and in 1856 they built a frame church edifice in Porterville, under the direction of Rev. Sheets and Rev. Jno. Gregy. The first organization consisted of about thirty members ; among whom were Jno. Bell, who was the first class leader, and his wife, one Bullick and wife, Jacob Brock and wife, Mrs. Abi Butt, Mary Skinner, Adam Dennis and wife, and at that time, the Bethel charge, west of this place, was disbanded, and-most of that membership moved here. The first church-house stood until 1881, when a neat new frame church was built in its stead, at a cost of $1,975.00. Rev. G. P. ry was pastor during its building. 'They now have a membership of about cighty, with Rev. R. IH. Griflith as pastor, and George Holcomb, J.S. King and Marian Newlon as class leaders. Sunday School was organized at the time they first occupied their own church, with Jno. Ball as Superintendent, since which time it has been continued, and for several vears past, during the whole year, and now has an average attendance of about thirty or forty scholars. Levi Aler is now Supertendent.

GosuEN Unrrep PresByTeriaAn Cuurcu. - In 1827. a society was formed in the vicinity of where the above church stands, known us the Associate Church, which so continued until 1868, at which time that body and the Associate Reform Church were united. and formed the United Presbyterian Church. ;

The Associate Church was organized by Rev. John Walker. In 1839 they built a church-house, under the pastorate of Rev. David Lindsay, which stood until 1877, when a larger frame house was_ built in its stead, which still stands, the ground being leased by W. C. Moore for as long as it is used for church purposes.

W.C. Moore and wife, Nancy Moore. Mary Mvore, James Beard and wife, Mrs. Jane Rusk, Miss Feckner, Mrs. Margaret Adams, Robert N. Moore and wife, Martha Moore, Margaret Moore, Susannah Moore and Robert R. Moore, were first members. From 1827 to the time of building the first church, they met in houses and barns, and many times at Revex Moore's, sen. W.C. Moore was the first Elder. There are now twenty-two members, with Jno. Taylor, James L. Moore and Robert N. Moore as elders. The largest membership. they have ever had was about fifty or fifty-five souls. Sunday school was first organized in 1877, when James L. Moore was Superintendent, and had about thirty scholars. They now have about sixty scholars, and Jno. Taylor is Superintendent. Previous to 1877 they had Sunday school only a part of the time. They now have school every stimmer,but do not continue during the winter season. j

PortrERVILLE. - The town was laid out by John Porter in 1848, in the treme eastern edge of the township, and on the dividing ridge, before referred to,from which the water sheds both north and south.

. This is a village, or hamlet rather, of about forty souls, beautifully situated, in which health. the greatest temporal blessing vouchsafed to humanity, is abundantly enjoyed. It is surrounded by the most desirable farming community of the township, as the hills seem not quite so rugged. From here to every point of the compass, stretches out before admirers of nature, hill and dale, forming every variety of scenery. Soon after it was platted, Jno. Adams opened, in Porterville, a general merchandise store, and a postoffice was established, receiving mail by horseback carrier from McConnellsville ; the mail now is carried in the same manner but from Rendville, in Monroe township. The stores have changed hands several times since Adams first opened the Business. There is now one store of general merchandise kept by P. W. Newlon, and a furniture and undertaking room, kept by E. Hearing. It has one church and blacksmith shop.

In 1870 there was erected, in the extreme vorth edge of the township, near McLuney, a potter shop, where all kinds of common stone ware is manufactured. It employs several hands, and makes seven hundred gallons of ware per week. A great deal of the first ware made here was shipped to Maryland and Virginia, but it is now wholesaled at McLuney Station.

There is a claim made that a pioneer by the name of Dusenberry settled on Bear Run, in Bearfield township, in 1802. If this be correct, it is undoubtedly the first settlementin the township, and one of the first in the county.

James Moore, of Bearfield township, was the inventor and operator of the first portable steam saw mill ever run. Jle had an eight-horse power saw mill, and employed a firm in Zanesville to build him a light engine, such as he directed. He invented the attachments, set up the machinery, and operated the mill for eight or ten years. It was the first portable steam saw mill in the world. William Moore, a_ brother of James, also had an interest in thé mill. The well-known Zanesville mills, which have been shipped all over the world, are all of a later date than the Moore mill. The portable mill was not only the conception of a Perry county man, but it did its first work in Bearfield township, Perry Bak