Summerford, Ohio

The first settlement in this township was made in the eastern part, on or near Deer creek, between the years of 1802 and 1805. In 1803-04, there came from Kentucky two brothers, Robert and John Scott, of whom but little can be learned as to their place of settlement or the good they accomplished. At about the same date, and from the same state, came Tobias Shields and his two sons, John and Andrew, and located in this township. There were probably more of this family than the above mentioned, but their history cannot be gathered. After the organization of Madison county and of Deer Creek township - the latter embracing a large scope of territory, including Somerford - John and Andrew Shields held various offices in the township for several years. Tobias, the father, was a true backwoodsman, rough in his habits and nature, and was blind for thirty years before his death. About this time, Charles Atchison, also from Kentucky, settled here and proved a, most worthy and useful citizen; he was probably the first treasurer of the township after its erection and also filled many other offices in the township. Daniel Ross was another pioneer settler of the same date. He had a large family, of whom there is record of the following sons: Angus, David, John and Alexander, who were all more or less in the various offices of the township until 1836. They evidently left this township about the latter date and emigrated west. In 1805 came John Wilson, from Greenbrier county, Virginia, who, with John Arbuckle, erected a double log house, in which they both resided for some time. He was one of the first trustees, which office he filled four years in suceession. About 1808-10, Gabriel Markle, a native of Maryland, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Somerford township, one mile north of the village of Summerford, on Deer creek. Here he remained through life and died about 1825, nearly eighty years of age. He was of German descent, a good, industrious man and a worthy citizen. He had four sons and nine daughters, who grew up' and became worthy citizens of the township. About 1811, Samuel Dickerson, a native of Virginia, settled here. He was a noted hunter, a good farmer and a respected citizen. George Prugh was born in Maryland and married Margaret Markle. Mr. Prugh was of German descent and his wife was a native of Maryland. He emigrated to Ohio in 1812 and settled in what was then Deer Creek township, but now a part of Somerford, about one inile north of the village of Summerford, where he remained till: their death. He died in 1841 and his wife in 1864. He was a very excellent citizen and held the offices of trustee, treasurer and justice of the peace. Two of his sons, Samuel and G. W. Prugh, remained throughout their lives in this township and were most honored and respected citizens.

Passage source: History of Madison County Ohio, published 1915.

John Barrett, a native of Maryland, was a brother-in-law of John Arbuckle, they having married sisters. He came to this county soon after Mr: Arbuckle and settled on the same tract of land. He died with that prevalent, yet much dreaded, disease, milksickness. Jacob Steele settled here about 1815. Thomas Taylor came from Chillicothe, Ohio, and settled on Deer creek, about 1815, where he lived about five years; thence settled on the old Columbus and Springfield stage road; and there kept a tavern in an early day.. He made good improvements, was an excellent and intelligent man and a good citizen. Late in life he moved to the village of Summerford, where' he died at the age of about eighty years.

Passage source: History of Madison County Ohio, published 1915.

Summerford, the only village in Somerford township, was laid out on June 5, 1835, by Joseph Chrisman. The proprietor opened the first tavern and became the first merchant of the infant town. William Eaton was the first postmaster and G. W. Cartzdafner was the last man to hold the office. With the establishment of rural route No. 2, out of London, on September 2, 1902, the postoffice at Summerford was discontinued. The first physicians were Doctors Putnam and Crann. Among the merchants of the village in the past may be mentioned W. L. Clingan, M. V. Fauver and J. A. Evans. Owing 'to the fact that no railroad has ever come to the town it has never become a place of much importance, although the electric line which passed through the town in 1902 has been of great help in building it up. There is a two-room brick school. building, three churches (Christian, Methodist Episcopal and Dunkard) and a commodious town hall in the village. The Odd' Fellows and Eagles have lodges in the town. The present population is about three hundred. The following is the business and professional. directory for 1915: Barbers. KE. P. Geer. Mrs. Stella West; blacksmiths, Clyde Gist. HWdgar Boecird, W. M. Saffley; hotel, C. M. Buffington; ice cream parlor, Mrs. Stella West; livery, C. M. Buffington; merchants, G. W. Cartzdafner, C. M. Buffington, N. C. Pitzer; physician, M. C. Sprague: pool rooms, E. P. Geer, Mrs. Stella West ; wood working shop, George Bussard.

Passage source: History of Madison County Ohio, published 1915.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Somerford Township.