Adams Township

Adams Township

But who the melodies of morn ean tell? The wild brook babbling down the mountain side; The lowing herd, the sheep fold's simple bell ; The pipe of early shepherd dim descried, In the lone valley; echoing far and wide, The clamorous horn along the cliffs above; The hollow murmur of the ocean tide, The hum of hees, the linnet's lay of love, And the full choir that wakes the universal grove?"

**Ye pioneer." enamored with the music of the babbling stream, or the feathered songsters overhead. had no temptation for the formalities of lite, beyond the needful duties of the field and home, and passing his life as a soliloquy, ever formulating a dream ful similitude to natures artless arts, 'deigned not to record the doings of either: and hence the absence of any chronicle and Hugh Ballentine. They settled on Wills Creek, in the northeast corner of the present township of Adams, about 1810. It is thought that Benjamin Whitabury, with his step-sons, John and William Campbell, came about the same time. Abraham Wisecarver came and located on the northwest quarter of section eighteen, about 1814. Caleb Bedwell, Samuel Monroe, Robert Osborn and William Barton, are remembered as early settlers.

Valentine Shirer, from Pennsylvania, settled on the northwest quarter of section sixteen, in the year 1817, and Anthony Slater settled on the northeast quarter of section twenty-one, in 1818. These are the oldest citizens living.

The most important event that aided 'in the settlement of the township, was a public road. The first road cut through Adams township, was from the settlement on Symmes' Creek to Otsego, in Monroe township. James Sprague and sons cut this road, in 1812. The next was aroad surveyed from Cambridge, in Guernsey county, to the salt works at the mouth of Will's Creek, that ran through Adams township. This was in 1818. And another, from the vicinity of the locality now occupied by Adamsville, to Marquand's Mill, about 1820.

The first school house stood on land belonging to Emanuel Minnick, near the site occupied by the town house of to-day. The first teacher was William Jennison, from New England, who taught school here in 1820. He was succeeded by Thomas Barclay. There are now four schools in the township. The-school houses are all frame and in good condition, supplied according to the custom of our common school system.

The First Blacksmith The Formation Of The Townsiiip

''A petition was presented by Caleb Jordan. signed by a number of citizens of Madison and setting forth that they labor under many difficulties and disadvantages in consequence of the distance they have to. travel to set off of part of Monroe and Madison townships. and the Commissioners believing the prayer of the petitioners necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers. do h eae order a new township, to be set off according t the following boundaries, to-wit: Beginning i the northeast corner of Salem tow nship | line, and running thence west along said line to the northwest corner of said township, thence north to , Coshocton county line, thence east to the north- west corner of the original survey of township number three, in the fifth range, thence south to the place of beginning ; comprising the original surveyed township number three, in the sixth range, Military Land, which shall constitute a new township, to be called Adams township. Also ordered by the Commissioners, that an election be held at the house of Caleb Jordan, Esq., on the ist day of January next, being January Ist, 1827, to elect township officers for the township.

Accordingly, the voters congregated at the house of Caleb Jordan, which was on the southeast quarter of section fourteen, and elected, viva voce, a full setof officers, except Justices of the Peace. Caleb Jordan was, at that time, Justice of the Peace in Madison, and Anthony Slater, Justice in Monroe, (both included in the new township). ,

This election, however, was declared null, as ''ozva voce' was not the legal mode of voting, and a new election was ordered. 'The place appointed was the house of John Campbell, on the northwest quarter of section eighteen, near the present town house,.to take place on the 2d day of April, 1827. James Wilcox, Anthony Slater and Jesse Roe, were appointed Judges of election, and Caleb Jordan, Clerk. The election resulted as follows :

The election of 1829 was held at. the house of Adam Miller, afterwards alternating between private houses and school houses, until 1876, when a Town House was built, on the northeast quarter of section eighteen, on land belonging to Mary Stewart. |

Supervisors - Wm. McCormick, John Hahn, Charles Schmueser, A. W. Bell, Michael Sauer, George McDowell, George Ripple, William Edwards, and David Knicely.

Adams township was named after John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States, born at Braintree, Massachusetts, on the 11th of July, 1767. His character was formed under the ennobling influences of a cultured home, and developed amid rare social and literary advantages. The influence of his parents is apparent in the development of his moral and intellectual nature, and it is altogether likely a better Patron Saint could not have been found. '

Topographical

The township is skirted on the north by Wills creek, and the northern portion is broken and rough. The southern part is more even, and similar to Salem. Wills creek drains the northern, and Symmes creek the southern and western portions. Coalis found accessible with but little mining, in several parts of the township, and the usual varieties of forest trees, but not in large quantities.

The soil is clay and sand, the latter predominating in the low lands, and is generally tertile, especially under the tillage of the industrious German farmer, in the northern part, who thoroughly cultivates his land.

The first brick house was built in 1834. by Jacob Gaumer, Jr., on the southwest quarter of section twenty-three, and is now occupied by G. W. Bell, Esq;

Bethesda Metiiodist Episcopal Cihiurch

The first class was organized by Joseph Carper and Cornelius Springer, in 1827, at Jesse Roe's school house (where the Baptist church now is). It was composed of Jesse Roe and Margaret, his wife, and their son Thomas; James Stewart and

| Margaret, his wife, and their son John; Mordecai Edwards and Phebe, his wife; William Barton and Jane, his wife, their son Alexander, and daughter Sarah; and Caleb Bedwell and wife. James Stewart was the leader.

church purposes, situated near the centre of section fifteen, and a log church, twenty-six by thirty, was er ected thereon, in 1835, and dedicated by Rev. H.S Fernandes. The land used for .burial purposes - adjoining the church site - was bought by Robert Shields and Robert Haesty, before the church was built. The first burial therein was Jonathan Reed's child.

A new frame church, thirty-eight by forty-two, was erected iu 1856, at the same place. The present number of members is ninety. The leaders are Nathan Ross, John Foster, and Samuel W. Sutton, Jr.

Fairview Methodist Episcopal Church

The first class was organized at the house of Mordecai Edwards, about the year 1830, and was composed of Mordecai Edwards and wife, John Stewart and Mary, his wife; Joseph Green and wife, William Hillen and Cynthia, his wife ; Basil Ridgeway and Mary, his wife; James Stewart, Sr., James Stewart Jr., and Margaret, his wife; and A. Ross.

In 1834, Mr. Edwards donated one acre of ground for a church site, on the northwest quarter of section twenty-two, and, in 1835, a log church, twenty-six by thirty, was erected thereon. The congregation erected a handsome frame church, in 1855.

The present membership numbers eighty-four. The leaders are William Edwards and W. H. Ruse. The steward is William Edwards; the local preacher, Nixon Stewart; the circuit preachers, H. M. Rader and J. R. Hoover.

The first sawmill was built by David Swigert, on the southeast quarter of section twenty-three, in 1833. The next was built by David Brellsford. on a small stream bearing his name, and which empties into Wills creek, on section two. This mill was built about 1835. The stream does not supply water enough to do much business.

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

This church was organized by Rev. Fred. Minner, in 1839, with the following membership: John Vollmer and wite, Jacob Fiers and family, Martin Sauer and family, Michael Strohecker and family, Adam Shroyer, John Denny, Martin Zimmers, David Grass, Christian Gerwig, John Hahn, Henry Lapp, Jacob

February 22d, 1840, Valentine Sandel deeded a lot of ground, situated in the southeast quarter of section nine, to Daniel Moser, John Vollmer, and Adam Shroy er, Trustees, on which a hewed log church, twenty -six by it ty, was built, in

The services were conducted in the German language, until 1868, when, owing to the young membership being educated in the English language, it became necessary to adopt the English language. Rev. A. N. Bartholomew was the first pastor employed to preach.in English. This was regarded as an innovation by some, who stoutly resisted, and remained faithful to the past, such as they were accustomed to, and a division occurred. The '' conservatives'? became a corporate body, under the title of '* The Evangelical Lutheran, and Reformed Zion Church," and, as such, held the old church and burying

In 1872, Jacob Sandel donated one acre of ground, just north of the church, and a committee was appointed, consisting of Frederick Roerick, Valentine Thresh, and Jacob Sandel, and the same. year a new frame church, 36x50 was erected, at a cost of $2,000. The corner stone was laid, September 22, 1872, by Rev's. G. W. Mechling, and J. P. Hentz, and the church was dedicated October 5th, 1873, by the Rev's. G. W. Mechling and W. P. Rutterauff, assisted by the pastor, Rev. J. Weber.

To this new building a majority of the members moved. Rey. I. N. Bartholomew became the pastor, in October, 1869, and left in October, 1870. Rev. J. P. Hentz was pastor from April, 1871, to April 1873; and Rev. John Weber from that date to the present.

Gray, Francis Gray, Judson M. Darner, Angeline Darner, Abigail Sturtz, aud Mary Matchett. John Darner was Clerk, until 1873, when J. M. Darner was appointed. John Matchett was ordained Deacon, April 22d, 1827. Rev. Eli Frey became pastor, July 28, 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. W. M. Marshall, Marchi 4; 1876, and was followed by Rev. J. C. Skinner. September 1, 1879, Rev. Lyman Mears was installed pastor, and is the present incumbent.

Source changes here: from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio; Embracing an Authentic and Comprehensive Account of the Chief Events in the History of the County and a Record of the Lives of Many of the Most Worthy Families and Individuals, published 1892; 9,568 words in this source stream.

Adams Township

AS near as can be ascertained the first settler county, and settled on Wakatomaka creek, near within the bounds of what is now Adams Dresden, and in 1808-10 settled on Wills creek township was James Wilcox, who was of in what is now Adams township. The town- English descent and came from a seafaring ship being an entire wilderness, he built a hut family who were early settlers of the state of of brush and bark in which he lived until he Maine. James Wilcox first went to Marietta could build a log cabin in which to shelter his and then came to what is now Muskingum family. Bear, wolves and panther abounded, and his hogs had to be kept in a close pen to keep them from being devoured. One night he heard them squealing in terror and, seizing his ax, an implement which the old pioneer kept handy, not only for use but for defense, he sprang out and would have attacked bruin single handed, when his faithful wife, who was Rebecca Campbell, from Virginia, seized him by his hunting shirt and held him back. The bear sprang through the side of the pen and escaped, and the hogs following, were scattered through the woods in all directions. Mr. Wilcox cleared up his farm and reared a large family of children, and some of his descendants are citizens of this county and township.

Among the next earliest pioneers were David Brelsford and Jacob Hashmar, and Hugh Ballentine, who settled on the bend of Wills creek. About 1814, Abraham Wisecarver settled on Section 18. Caleb Bidwell, Samuel Monroe, Robt. Osborn and Wm. Barton were early settlers. In 1817 Valentine Shirer from Pennsylvania settled on Section 16. In 1812 James Sprague and Sons of Monroe township, cut out the first road, which ran through Adams township. It was from the settlement on Symmes creek to Otsego, in Monroe township.

Before there were any settlers in this township, there was a trail from Cambridge to the salt works, at the mouth of Wills creek, which was originally a deer trail, and at a long time previous to the settlement of Wilcox, the Indian scout and intrepid hunter and trapper passed over this trail. Probably about 1818 it was open for teams. Another road through the township was from Mechanicsville to Marquand's Mills, which was first laid out by Jonathan and Stephen Starkey, in 1821. The former picked it out, and the latter measured the distance by following at the supposed rate of three miles an hour.

In 1814, Benjamin "Stuffle" Whitabury, with his step-sons, John and Wm. Campbell, and his step-sons-in-law, Jock Lewis and John Rife, came from Vermont. Whitabury settled on the Hanks farm. Wm. Campbell settled on the Foutch tract. Jock Lewis settled near the mouth of Symmes Creek. John Campbell "squatted" on the south part of the old Gordon farm, afterwards owned by Nixon Stewart and John Rife, and only a little distance from Whitabury, who expected to own a fine strip of land to the east and southwest of him. It seems that John Campbell was a squatter for five years and then bought his land, which he owned eight years, and sold out in 1828 and went West.

In March, 1818, Anthony Slater, Esq., cut his way through the woods and settled on the homestead where he so long resided. He was from near Leesburg, Loudon Co., Va., and emigrated to Ohio in 1816 and settled in Washington Township this county. He built a log cabin and afterwards, in 1828, a hewed log house. He assisted in building the New Hope Lutheran church of hewed logs, in Salem township, and also the Bainter school house in Monroe township, which was one of the earliest school houses in this part of the county. He was one of the early justices of the peace of Monroe township before Adams township was formed, and himself and Sq. Caleb Jordan were the first justices of the peace of Adams township. Mr. Slater was justice of the peace for twenty-one years in succession. The first couple he married were Alpha Buker and his first wife. Mr. Slater went to mill and for mail to Zanesville, eighteen miles away. Letters from his parents in Pennsylvania cost 1 8 54 cents postage. The last bear known to have been killed in this township, was on Mr. Slater's farm, and met his death there at the hands of the famous hunters, H. and D. Bainter, in 1816. Anthony Slater was the ancestor of George W. and Harrison V. Slater, of this township, (see sketches). In 1818, Jacob Sturtz, a pioneer settler of Washington township, settled on land owned by George W. Bell. He understood the use of all kinds of tools. He was a fair blacksmith, gunsmith and carpenter, and made gunpowder which was sold. His descendants rank among our most honorable citizens. Charles Sturtz, son of Jacob Sturtz, came with his father to Adams township when he was six years of age and grew up with the pioneers. When young, he was a great hunter, and became a substantial farmer and business man. He is' now a venerable man in his eightieth year and has many reminiscences of pioneer days. In 1818-19, Charles Marquand Sr., and Stephen Starkey, petitioned congress to reduce the price of land from $4.00 to 82.25 per acre, and to sell it in smaller lots than 160 acres, which previous to this was the smallest amount which could be purchased. This opened the way for a rapid settlement of the township and men from New England, Virginians, Pennsylvanians, Germans and Irish came in bringing their families. In 1820, John Barrett came here from Salt creek and was followed by John Bell,, of Perry township, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and reared a large and respectable family of children. He settled in Perry township in 181 1.

county. He was secretary of the board of trustees of Edwards, now Fairview church, in 1836-1838. In the spring of 1821 (some authorities say as early as 1818-1819,) Mordecai Edwards came from Salt creek and put up a little log cabin on the farm where his son William now lives. "Father Edwards," as he was known to the pioneers, was the stanch friend of the Christian religion and of education, and his influence as one of the founders of the Edwards school and Fairview church, has been far-reaching, extending not only to this generation and this township, but to many generations to come and throughout the country. He entered the land on which he built his humble cabin, and cleared up his farm from the heavy timber. His wife was Phoebe Barrett. They attended the old Methodist church at Wheelens, of which Mrs. Edwards was a member, and both were members of the original class formed by the Rev. Jesse Roe, called Bethesda, and also of the first Fairview society, the history of which could not be written without giving an account of his connection with it. Afterwards came the Millers, Swigers, Shanafelts, Davises, Yearians, Fillers, Crumbakers, and many others.

In 1826, on account of the inconvenience in working the roads, Adams township was formed from Monroe and Madison. It was named Adams, at the suggestion of Caleb Jordan, Esq., and in honor of John Q. Adams, then a candidate for president. Soon after this Solomon Wenna came with his family. In 1826 James Stewart came from Jefferson county.

In 1827 John Wagoner moved here. David Ross came the same year. John Ross was a local director about twenty years and at his death was justice of the peace. Jacob Gaumer, Jr., came to Ohio in 1808 with his father, Jacob Gaumer, who was a Revolutionary soldier and settled first in Washington township and then in Salem township, giving two acres of his land for the Lutheran church. Jacob Gaumer, Jr., after marriage, in 1814, moved with his family through the woods and settled in Adams township, on the land now occupied by Geo. W. Bell. He was a noted hunter and selected this land on one of his hunting excursions. He built the first brick house in Adams township. The brick were made and burned on his farm in 1840 and the building was erected in 1841, and is still in good condition. Mr. Gaumer assisted to build the log Lutheran church and also the barn structure which took its place. He was a soldier in the war of 1812.

a squatter on the Crumbaker farm. "Pensioner Davis," a Revolutionary soldier, lived on the Knisely lot, and afterwards moved into a rail pen just below D. Sarbaugh. Joe Williams, a blacksmith on the D. Ross farm. He moved away in 1819. In 1823 S. J. Hanks settled on Section 25. In 1831 Jacob Wagoner settled on Section 24. P'rom 1825-1835 many families came and went. Campbells, Stoners, Crusemans, Sturges, Starkeys, Shanafelts, Yearians, and others had left. But Joys, Melchers, Powelsons, Ramseys, Sandels, Mitchells, Shaws, Sarbaughs, Jordans, Tomlinsons, Rollings, Rollers, Cooneys, Shoemakers, Millers, Browns, Priors, came into the township. Among others the Vinsels have figured much to the credit of the township. The Swarts family have been publicly known, and have a wide influence.

The Shaws became public business men and have wielded much power. The Taffies have been helpers for good in the community, and loyal to their country in war. George Wertz, Ivsq., reared a family who are ornaments of society and of strict integrity. Among the original pioneers large families were the rule, and it is worthy of note that Asa Brown, a settler on the old Stewart farm, had a family of eighteen children. In 1833 the first saw-mill was built by David Swigert on Section 23. In 1835 E)avid Brelsford built a saw-mill on the river bearing his name. A saw-mill was also built by William Willis on Symmes creek; date is unknown.

The first marriage of which there is any record in the township was solemnized between David Shirer and Lydia Gaumer in 1822. The first blacksmith was David Brelsford in 1810; settled on Section 1. Phineas Tomlinson was also one of the first blacksmiths in the township. The first frame house was built by William Barton. Anthony Slater introduced the first threshing machine and the first mower into this township.

A petition was presented by Caleb Jordan, Fisq., signed by a number ot citizens of Madison and Monroe townships, setting forth that they labor under many difficulties and disadvantages in consequence of the distance they have to travel to elections, and praying that a township maybe set off of part of Monroe and Madison townships, and the commissioners believing the prayer of the petitioners necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers, do hereby order a new township to be set off according to the following boundaries, to-wit: Beginning at the northeast corner of Salem township line and running thence west along said line to the northwest corner of said line; thence north to Coshocton county line; thence east to the northwest corner of the original survey of township No. 3, range 5; thence south to the place of beginning, comprising the original surveyed township No. 3 in the 6th range of military land, which shall constitute a new township to be called Adams township. Also ordered by the commissioners, that an election be held at the house of Caleb Jordan, Esq., on the 1st day of January next, being January I, 1827, to elect township officers for the township. December 5, 1826."

An election was held at the house of Caleb Jordan, Esq., and a full set of officers, except justices of the peace, were elected viva voce. Caleb Jordan was a resident of Madison township in section 14, and justice of the peace, and Anthony Slater was a resident of Monroe township and a justice of the peace, and both were included in the new township. As " viva voce" was not a legal method of voting, this election was declared null, and a new election ordered. The place was near the present town house on section 18, at the residence of John Campbell, and it took place April 2, 1827. Caleb Jordan was appointed clerk; James Wilcox, Anthony Slater and Jesse Roe were appointed judges of the election, which resulted as follows: Town clerk, Caleb Jordan; trustees, Anthony Slater, James Wilcox and Benjamin Whitebury; overseers of the poor, Abraham Wisecarver and David Ross; fence viewers, Jacob Sturtz and Powell Chrisman; treasurer, John Campbell; constables, John Shanafelt and John Mullen; supervisors, David Swiger, Thomas Green, Francis Titus and Robert Brown. The first grand juror was Jesse Roe; the first petit juror was Mathew Humphrey. In 1829 the election w'as at the house of Adam Miller, and afterward alternated between private houses and schoolhouses. In 1876 a town house was erected on land belonging to Mary Stewart in section 18.

The Bethesda M. E. church is the oldest religious organization within the bounds of Adams township. Its origin can be traced to "Wheelens" in Madison township, which was the place of worship for the original pioneers for many miles around. It is now forsaken and the humble church residence is in ruins. On the authority of Rev. Hugh W. Stewart, who was born and reared in Adams township and took a great interest in its history, we make the statement that the first sermon in Adams township was preached in the neighborhood of Bethesda in 1821 by Rev. Jesse Roe, who was a very zealous local preacher

In 1827 a class was organized by Joseph Casper and Cornelius Springer at Jesse Roe's school house. It was composed of Jesse Roe, Margaret his wife, and their son Thomas, James Stewrart, Margaret his wife, and their son John; Mordecai Edwards and wife; William Barton, Jane his wife, their son Alexander and daughter Sarah; Caleb Bidwell and wife. James Stewart was the class leader. Rev. Jesse Roe was largely instrumental in introducing Methodism into Adams township. He lived the life of a devout Christian and died strong in the faith he had preached to others.

A log church w-as built in 1835, ar*d dedicated by Rev. H. S. Fernandes - the text being Genesis xxviii: 16, 17. A white frame church was dedicated by W. F. Lauck in 1856, and marks the old site. At this date, June, 1892, a movement is on foot for the erection of a new and more elegant structure. The orginal members of Roe's or Bethesda church, in 1831, we give in full. The records from which this is taken are still preserved but very much worn, and contain nothing further of interest. The list shows wrho constituted the class from which Fairview church sprang. It was led by James Stewart, Sr. James Stewart, class leader; Margaret Stewart, John Stewart, James Stewart, Jr., Jane Stewart, Ann Stewart, Samuel Steadman, Martha Steadman, Mordecai Edwards, Phoebe Edwards, Margaret Roe, Mary Noble, Nancy Barclay, Robert Shields, Susanna Shields, James Armstrong, Rachel Armstrong, Mary Hill, Mary Steers, Win. Hilling, Pleasant Hilling, Mary Winner, Aaron Winner, Elizabeth Miller, Jeremiah Hanks, Catherine Hanks, Helen Hanks, Martha Lucas, Mary Ridgway, Wm. Collins, Pdizabeth Collins, Margaret Burnside, Jane Burnside, John E. Honnold, Mary Honnold, Catherine Jackson, Jane Needier, Elizabeth Titus, Mary Titus, 1st; Mary Titus, 2nd; Harriet Armstrong, Jacob Linder, Alice Linder, Adam Miller, Mary Stump, George Needier, Benjamin Stump, William Davis, Rebecca Davis, Jane Yearing, Jacob Yearing, Catherine Davis, Nixon Stewart, Elizabeth Snoots, Elizabeth Wilcox, Elizabeth Walls, Charlotte Larnum, Mary Seaborn, Eliza-

Rev. Jesse Roe was a zealous Methodist preacher of the pioneer type. He was the real founder of both Bethesda and P'airview church. He was largely instrumental in the spread of Methodism in this part of the county, and the marks of his efforts are very plain to the historian. He died in 1828 in the faith he had preached to others, and was buried in the Wheelens graveyard. Before the church was built, the land adjoining the church site was bought by Robt. Shields and Robt. Halsty for burial purposes. The first burial therein was Jonathan Rudd's child. In 1882, the number of church members was go. The leaders were Nathan Ross, John Foster and Samuel W. Sutton, Jr. The Bethesda church is now in a flourishing condition and one of the most zealous Methodist churches in the county.

No history of Adams township would be complete with a full account of the founding and progress of the famous P'airview church, which from the times of the pioneers, has been the most noted church in Adams township and for miles around. Its converts are numbered by the hundreds, and many of the Methodists of this county and in far distant places became connected with their church in this township. It is the second oldest church organization in what is now Adams township, although the original pioneer settlers of Adams township first attended the Methodist church at "Wheelens," probably as early as 1810-15, which is situated in the King neighborhood in Madison township. From Wheelens originated the society called Roe's, now Bethesda, and here our fathers and mothers attended divine services, until the neighborhood some four or five miles southeast became settled with Methodists and their friends. A branch from the old society was soon formed in this neighborhood, called by some Pldwards, and some Wesley, and afterwards known as P'airview society. Many of the early members of P'airview church, when it was organized in 1831 and the few succeeding years, were received from Roe's, or Bethesda church. In fact, Mordecai Edwards and his wife were both members of Roe's church, as were also Wm. Hilling and wife and John Stewart, Wm. Davis and other prominent members.

These two pure fountains of Christian life, one flowing from Wheelens and the other from Roe's societies, unite with the Edwards' neighborhood, to form P'airview church.

The services continued to be held at the house of "Father Pldwards," as he was called, until 1828, when a log school house having been erected on his farm, it was found more convenient to meet there. In this building a few would meet for prayer and class, and at times for preaching under Rev. Roe, and other times listening to exhortations by Bro. Granville Moody, then a licensed exhorter and afterwards an eminent Methodist minister. In the fall of 1831 a class was formed by Rev. John W. Guilbert, then pastor in charge of Cambridge circuit, appointing Thos. Roe as leader. The first recorded meeting of the class was May 4, 1833. There were doubtless others unrecorded. At this date, an opportunity to unite with the church on probation was given, when Joseph and Eleanor Green, and Catherine P'iller gave their names. The original class numbered twelve persons, as follows: Mordecai Edwards, Wm. Hilling, Basil Ridgway, Wm. Davis, and their wives; John Stewart, Catherine Shaw, Mary A. Davis, and Thos. Roe. We are indebted to the manuscript of the late Rev. Hugh W. Stewart, for many ol the interesting reminiscences which follow. Of the twelve original members of P'airview Church, all have passed to a Christian's reward. Wm. and Pleasant Hilling removed to the west, and are deceased. Mordecai Edwards and wife are also dead, (for full history of his life and sketch of his son Wm. Edwards) Of Bazil Ridgway, the following anecdote of his connection with his class, is preserved. When Rev. Guilbert enquired of him if he desired a society here, he responded "Yes, Sir." What is your first name? "Bazil." Upon which his name was enrolled with the others. He finally settled in Coshocton Co. He was very benevolent and gave largely in support of the church, and died July 18, 1857, a professing Christian. Sister Mary Ridgway was a member of Roe's Church from which she was transferred. She died Nov. 9, 1855. The names of William, Rebecca and Mary A. Davis, were laid aside on account of their removal to a distance. Catherine Shaw emigrated from Virginia and died March 22, 1854. Thos. Roe was a temporary leader from Rev. Jesse Roe's society, and never attended to his duty, living too distant. He afterwards became a local preacher, but finally lost his religion and died in Sept. 1861. Catherine P'iller died in the Christian faith. Joseph Green was accidentally killed on a canal boat.

His wife is also dead. John Stewart, known as "Father Stewart" was class leader for more than thirty years. Himself and wife are both deceased. Thus originated a society of Christians, whose work is a lasting monument. It is further quaintly remarked by Rev. Hugh Stewart, that "the external appearance of the school house in which they worshiped was somewhat of the backwoods style. The interior, by the labor of the sisters, was always neat and tidy. From the exterior and perhaps from the appearance of the people. Bro. Guilbert could never constrain his colleague, Bro. Lybrand, to preach in this place." He further naively remarks, "one thing strange in connection with the formation of this class is that both its founder and temporary leader fell from grace and left a dim evidence of their future glorification. That there should be any premonition in this, we deny, but simply remark its singularity."

Wm. Hilling, John Stewart, and Mordecai Edwards were all class leaders, the class remaining undivided until 1828. It being large, it was then divided into two - one under the leadership of Mr. Edwards and the other under the leadership of John Stewart. In 1835, the society began to feel the need of a more suitable place of worship, the serviceshaving been conducted in the log school house until this date. It was decided to build a hewed log church, which was completed by July of this year, on land donated in 1834 for church purposes by Mordecai Edwards, and near the grave of the old pioneer and class leader, James Stewart, who was the first person buried in Fairview church yard in 1826. _

Edwards, John Stewart, Wm. Hilling, Joseph Green and Jacob Yearing. Solomon Wenner was employed as builder and erected a good hewed log building. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. H. S. Fernandes. The subject, "The Wedding Garment." The society prospered this year, the class numbering fifty. During the year 1837, the class enjoyed a gracious revival. In 1838 it numbered sixtyfive members. The class was consequently divided, 33 being dedicated to John Stewart, and about the same number to Mordecai Edwards, the division being made by Rev. James Armstrong. Under the labors of E. H. Taylor and D. Cross in Feburary, 1847, one of the most powerful revivals of religion came over the society, thirty-four members united with the c. lurch, and this year there were in all eighty members, which is probably the greatest num her the society ever contained of full members. In 1851, the "Harmony Excitement," as it was called, came up, and many of the Fairview members joined that class, and by 1853, the members had decreased to 43, which was partly caused by emigration. In 1847, the trustees were John Stewart, M. Edwards, B. Ridgway, I. Knisely, J. J. Bell and A. Ross.

In 1854, they began to feel the need of a new church building. The old site being considered too low, a new one was chosen ten rods north of the old one, on a high eminence which overlooks the surrounding country for miles, and is justly called Fairview. In the fall of 1855 the new church , a large and beautiful frame structure, was completed. In June, 1859, the church experienced another powerful revival, during which over thirty joined on trial. In January, 1864, another revival was vouchsafed the church, resulting in twenty-five full members. Among the many noted revivals in this church, those of 1847, '59 ar)d '64 were the most remarkable. "This church has certainly been a power for good in the Lord." From it have gone forth many ministers of the gospel, exhorters, class-leaders, and Sabbath-school superintendents. Among them the Revs. Wm. C. Filler, Benj. F. Heskitt, C. N. Edwards, H. B. Edwards, J. E. Starkey, Wm. B. Stewart, H. W. Stewart; also as members, Revs. Nixon Stewart, John Macennally, and Thos. Roe, eight traveling and two local ministers of the gospel. In 1882 the church membership was eightyfour. The class leaders were Wm. Edwards and W. H. Reese; the steward was Wm. Edwards; the local preacher was Nixon Stewart; the circuit preachers were H. M. Rader and J. R. Hoover.

No class of men have contributed more to the spread of pure morality than the itinerant Methodist preachers, and none have suffered more from the silence of the historian. The days of the rifle, the ax, and thesaddle-bags have passed away, and the voices of those old timeworn pilgrims are silent in their graves, but "By their words ye shall know them,'' and from far-off Maine to distant Oregon, the prosperous Methodist churches of the present day are the result of their humble efforts. Before them was spread the trackless forests and the sky girted prairie. Here, guided by the blazed track of the settler, there by the Indian war path or hunter's trail, they made their way from one appointment to another, spreading the gospel, and everywhere raising the standard of the cross.

1835, with Wm. C. Filler as superintendent. Some of the first teachers were Sarah Florence, H. Edwards, Harriet Edwards, John and Nixon Stewart, B. Ridgway and others. They used the Testament, spelling book and church hymn book.

Soon after our German settlers began to come into the township, they felt the need of attending religious services in the language of the Fatherland, and according to the doctrines of Martin Luther. Therefore, in 1839 the Zion Evangelical Lutheran was organized by the Rev. Fred Minner. The following are the founders and original members of this church: John Vollmer, Jacob Fiers and family, Martin Sauer and family, Michael Strohecker and family, Adam Shroyer, John Denny, Martin Zimmers, David Grass, Christian Lerwig, John Hahn, Henry Lapp, Jacob Roller, Philip Moser, Michael Grass, Henry Smith and Michael Thresh. The church trustees were John Vollmcr and Adam Shroyer. The ground for the church was given by Valentine Sandel, and a log church was erected in 1841. The early pastors were Revs. Minner, Gehbel Kaemmerer, Schnell and Schmidt. Rev. A. N. Bartholomew, was the first pastor who preached in the English language. This occasioned a division in the church, the older members, clinging to the language of their fathers, held the church property and burying ground, and became incorporated as the Evangelical Lutheran and Reform Zion church.

In 1872 a new frame church was erected north of the old church, the land for this purpose being given by Jacob Sandel. The dedicatory services were held October 5, 1873, by the Revs. G. YV. Mechling, W. P. Rutterauff and J. Weller. The Rev. J. W. Bartholomew was the first pastor of this new society. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. P. Hentz, Rev. John Webber, and others. This new organization attracted the majority of the members of the old church. Among the wardens of this church, we find the names of Valentine Thresh, Albert Klein, and others, and among the ciders, Peter Houk, Geo. Reiger and David Grass. The society is now in a flourishing condition. The Adams Township Baptist church, was constituted March 3, A. D. 1855, by elders Wm. Sedgwick and E. W. Handle. Among the prominent founders of the church were John and Jacob Darner. It never had a large membership, but was very harmonious and strong in the faith. Preaching was held here monthly for some years, afterwards semi-monthly. July 23, 1881, Rev. L. R. Mears, pastor, preached the last sermon of which there is any record. The society had been gradually growing less by means of death, letters of dismissal, removals, etc., and the church, by this time, had not enough members to support it. It was finally disbanded, and in 1891, the church building was sold. The names of the original members were John Darner, Rebecca Darner, Abigail Darner, Henry Darner, Elizabeth Darner, Judson M. Darner, Angeline Darner, Mary Matchett, Abigail Sturtz, Abraham Gray, Elizabeth Layton, Elizabeth Hawk, Rebecca McKinney, Mary Clossin and Elizabeth Clossin. The clerks were John Darner, afterwards Judson M. Darner. John Matchett was deacon. Among the pastors was Rev. Eli Erey, Rev. W. M. Marshall, Rev. J. C. Skeimer and Rev. Lyman Mears, who was the last pastor.

The first school house in this township stood on land belonging to a man named Minnick, near the site occupied by the town house of to-day. The first teacher was Wm. Jennison from New Pingland. He taught school here in 1820. He was succeeded by Thos. Barclay 1 In 1828, Edwards, Barrett, Wagoner, Gaumer and others joined and put up a log school house, at the old forks of the road below Fairview, on the land of M. Edwards. The roof was the regular old time weigh-pole affair. The building was 18x20 feet with puncheon floor and loft, the cracks of the loft between the slabs were daubed with mud, the floor was very loose and could easily be taken up. The chimney was an odd affair built in the southwest corner and would contain a back log about six feet long. The benches were of loose slabs or split logs with two round pins for legs at each end and one in the middle. The writing desks were rough slabs resting on pins driven into the wall. James Hayworth taught the first few terms in this house. He was a friendly old miser, and had considerable property which, when he died, went to the state. Many a nocturnal search, alter his death, was made on his farm for his hidden wealth. He wore wooden shoes and lived alone in a rude hut, his habits of life being very simple. Sometimes to keep up his fire lie would drag in a dry sapling, brush and all, and burn one end in the fire place while the other end stuck out of the open door. He was a curious, clever fellow, a fine scholar and good teacher. In 1836, a school house was erected by the Stewarts, Bells, Saffles, Cowdens and others. The custom was, in those days, for any neighborhood who needed a school house, to build one. They were subscription schools at first. This school house stood on the land of J. J. Bell. Edward Menaugh, familiarly

In 1841 the citizens contributed and built a house on the farm of Solomon Wenner. This building was an improvement, and was built of hewed logs about 22x24 with permanent desks. B. V. Webster taught the last term in the Edwards schoolhouse and the first term at Wenner's. J. O. Sullivan followed and introduced the " McGuffey Readers." Before this they read in almost anything. In 1853, in consequence of a new constitution of the state, the township was re-districted, and instead of five parts, as before, it was made into four districts. This threw much of the Wenner and the Lowe districts together, and henceforth it was designated No. 3. Dr. J. W. Wortman taught the last term in the Lowe house. Jas. L. Honnold taught in the Wenner house in 1853-54. In those old school houses were taught Cobb's, United States, elementary, and McGuffey's spellers, the bible, United States history, McGuffey's readers, and almost any other book, Smith's Geography, Parke's arithmetic and Kirkham's grammar. Grammar was a luxury. If a boy could read, write, and cipher, he was considered well enough educated. It a man had a little idea of a noun, and that the earth was not flat, "above all of which was the knack of using a gad on a boy's back," then he might " teech skule." Some of the teachers, however, were well educated. The pay of the country teacher was not large. Edward Menaugh received $12 per month and " boarded round." Hiram Shaw taught a subscription school in the thirties, at $1.25 per scholar, making about $10 per month. In 1838, Clegget Ridgvvay taught and was considered a good teacher. In 1854, a farm house was erected on the Sandel farm, 24x25, costing $339,373^. It was a substantial building of modern improvements. In 1844, in District No. 3, there was a large number of scholars. H. D. McGaw taught an average of over 60 per day. N. B. Stewart, who taught a very long term, had a daily attendance of fifty-one. Besides the common branches there was taught philosophy, history, music and algebra.

Among the old time school teachers, were James Stewart, Hiram Shaw, C. C. Ridgway, Jonathan Gaumer, Levi Stoner, Caleb and Rev. A. Jordan, A. G. Honnold, and others who were efficient teachers. Rev. J. C. Spencer was "barred out" of his school house at one time and John Wagoner assisted him to open it. F. M. Buker found foxes and rabbits so abundant, that he had trouble to keep his boys in when it was a good day for hunting. He introduced steel pens to escape the nuisance of making them out of quills.

Rev. George Gaumer became an effective Lutheran preacher. S. J. Hanks had seventy scholars; of these four died in the army. Rev. Thos. R. Taylor, A. M., taught school in this township at seventeen years of age and had an average of thirty scholars. J. L. Honnold was a teacher who was very popular. Rev. J. E. Starkey was a faithful teacher. Ratie C. McBride was well remembered. Hon. H. D. McGaw is another of the old time pedagogues. C. N. Gaumer, another old teacher, afterwards married one of his scholars. John Wagoner, in his school had the first public exhibition in in district No. 3. Samuel W. Sutton has been an efficient and excellent teacher for twenty years in the township.

At present there are four school districts in Adams township, and the schools may be said to have greatly progressed since the olden days, having a wider and more varied course of study.

HARRISON is bounded thus: North by Wayne, east by Blue Rock, south by the county line, and west by Brush creek. Its surface is broken and rough. Duncan's run, Back run, Blue Rock run and Sycomore run all have their sources in Brush creek township and flow eastwardly through Harrison township into the Muskingum. The highest elevations contain most limestone. The lowlands are quite productive, coal is abundant, but not easily mined. Jacob and Nathaniel Ayers bored the first saltwell in the township, in 1816, on section 10, township n, range 13, on the west bank of the river, just above the mouth of Sycamore run. It was sunk four hundred feet. Later another well was sunk near by. These wells in time became the property of John Stevens, known as the Stevens Salt Works. Later still Jacob Neff assumed control and rebored the old well to a greater depth, rebuilt the furnace and put in improved machinery. The two wells operated at a comparatively recent date by William Edgely were formerly known as Stephen Guthrie's Salt Works. One of them was sunk by Stephen Guthrie for James Taylor, the other by Charles Lucas for Stephen Guthrie. Other wells in this township were bored by Michael Waxier for Moses Ayers, by Nehemiah Dillon, and by W. B. Culbertson. There were many others, not above specified.

A family named Bean in 1798 lived in a large sycamore hut that stood near the mouth of Black run, and are thought to have been the first settlers. They were followed early by Nathaniel Ayers, Samuel McBride, James Hemmett, Henry Ballou, Thomas Winn and James Neff. George Dutro lived on section seventeen in 1804, and about that time Jacob Baker came. It is thought that John W. Baer was the first blacksmith in this township. As ''the Buckeye Blacksmith" he afterward became prominent politically. In 1827 William B. Rose had a "smithy" on Duncan's run. Later he had a shop on "the Island," where he made iron work for Mr. Taylor at the time of the erection of the mills. The first frame house in this township was erected by James Taylor, in 1830. Six years later Amos F. Whissen built the first brick house in the township, at Taylorsville.

The first survey for a road in Harrison was made from Taylorsville to Brush creek. The viewers were David Butt, John Oakes and Gearing Scarvell. In 1829, James Taylor constructed a dam across the river at Duncan's Falls, and at the same time built a sawmill on the west side of the river. In 1830 he put up a grist mill. When the Muskingum navigation was improved, the old dam was replaced by Col. James Sharp, under a contract with the state. After it had been in possession of several intermediate owners, the grist mill became the property of W. & W. H. Frazier. Among his other enterprises, Mr. Taylor kept a ferry and engaged in the manufacture of salt. One Bixby was the first physician in the township. His professional standing is uncertain. Dr. Noah L. Mercer is said to have been the first "regular" medical practitioner. Other early and later physicians were Doctors Mason,

Clapp, Ballou, Wilkins, Huff, McCormick' Terran, Atwell, Howard, Groves, Suters, Milligan, Blackburn, Lyons, Ulrich, Henry, Dorr, Richie and Evans. The first public school house of which any authentic record is preserved, was a two story frame building erected in Taylorsville in 1834. Elsewhere will be found reference to the fact of the late President Garfield having taught school in this township. Henry Ballou, mentioned elsewhere in these pages, was a brother of Mr. Garfield's mother.

This township was organized December 20, 1839, under authority of the following order of the county commissioners: "A petition was presented by John Hammond, signed by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed new townthip, and the commissioners, being satisfied that the necessary notice of such intended application had been given by advertisement, as required by law, proceeded to take the matter into consideration. The petitioners set forth that they labor under many difficulties and disadvantages in consequence of the distance and other difficulties they encounter in going to and from elections, and also praying that a new township may be set off of parts of Blue Rock, Brush Creek and Salt Creek townships; and the commissioners, believing it necessary for the convenience of the inhabitants and township officers, do hereby order a new township to be set off, according to the following boundaries, to-wit: Beginning at the . southwest corner of section 14 in the original surveyed township number 10, in range number 13, and running thence north to the center of the Muskingum river; thence following down the center of said river, according to the meanderings thereof, to the line which divides the counties of Muskingum and Morgan; thence west on said line to the place of beginning - all in the congress district of lands - which shall constitute a new township to be called Harrison township. Also ordered by the commissioners that an election be held at the house of P. Burkhalter, in Taylorsville, on the 20th instant (being December 20, 1839), between the hours of 8 and 10 A. m., and close at 4 p. m., to elect township officers according to law." This order is dated December 4, 1839. The new township thus formed comprised that portion of Blue Rock township lying west of the Muskingum river in range 12, one row of sections from the eastern part of Brush Creek township in range 13, and one section of Salt Creek township lying west of the river. It was named by John Hammond, in honor of Gen. William Henry

Harrison. The first justices of the peace were J. VV. Whisson and YVilliam Price. Henry Ballou and "Squire" Groves were also early justices.

Taylorsville is an incorporated village pleasantly situated on the west bank of the Muskingum, and also on the line of the Zanesville & Ohio River railroad, in the extreme western part of Harrison township, nine miles south of Zanesville. It is a clear, healthy location, surrounded by a rich farming country, and has the advantage of river navigation and express and telegraphic communication. One of the oldest villages in this part of the state, Taylorsville's importance as a trade center was widely recognized. Under railway influence her interests are improving, and the development of her natural resources, coal and potter's clay, seem probable in the early future. The postofifice was established in 1850, with Ur. Fearnes as postmaster.

James Taylor was the founder of Taylorsville (laid out in 1833), from whom the town derives its name. He previously built the dam and also a grist-mill, it having six run of buhrs, and had a large custom. Above the mills a saw-mill was erected also by Mr. Taylor. YVilliam Bagley, from Morgan county, erected a woolen-mill, which was subsequently bought by James and Robert Brown. The woolen-mill now occupies a different site, and is used as a grist-mill. Gearing Scarvell was the surveyor who laid out the town. Mr. Taylor was a public-spirited man, who when he came possessed considerable means; reverses, however, swept away his fortune, and he died a poor man. He lived at Duncan's Falls, opposite Taylorsville, and there ended his days. Gearing Scarvell was the first merchant. He carried a general stock, and also dealt largely in coal. Philip Sheppard was the next merchant, and also carried a general stock. Robert Sheppard was the first school-teacher. The school was held in private houses for several years till a schoolhouse was built. William B. Rose was the first blacksmith. He met a violent death at the hand of a murderer, a man named Annon, who was tried, convicted and sentenced to a term in the penitentiary. Gearing Scarvell probably built the first house in Taylorville.

The Taylorsville canal is a part of the system of "improvements in the navigation of the Muskingum." It is a mile in length, and was constructed for the state by Lyons, Buck & YVolf, contractors, the work under the supervision of Christley Wolf, having been completed in 1840. The locks' are 36 feet wide and 200 feet long.

The Taylorsville bridge was projected by Gearing Scarvell in 1873 and was originally intended to be a private enterprise; but the county commissioners took it in hand and it w'as begun July 1, 1874, and finished in about four and one-half months. T. B. Townsend, of Zanesville, was the stonework contractor, and the superstructure was erected by the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, Ohio. The entire structure cost about 828,000, and it is noted for its great length, about 800 feet.

Taylorsville was for a long time a mission of the Catholic church of Zanesville. A church was erected in 1836 and dedicated by Bishop Purcell. It is a frame building 25x40 feet. The contractor was Anton Erbst, and the cost was 81,000. From that time this congregation which at different times has numbered from 75 to 100 souls, has been supplied with a local or regular pastor. The parish and church are known as "St. Anna's."

A Methodist protestant class of fifteen or twenty members was organized in 1842, by Rev. Nathaniel Linder, who preached in the woods near the Hiram Price place now. Among the members were Robert YVelch and his wife and two daughters, Peter Mohlerand family, James Morrison and wife, Mrs. David Young, Isaiah Dennis and his wife, Robert T wyman and Joseph Fish. In 1843, a revival under the preaching of Revs. James YVinn and J. Huntsman brought the membership up to 112, and a church house was erected on land furnished by Mathias Young, near the center of section 30. It was a frame building, 24x28. In 1869 it was replaced by another structure, 24 X38, which cost8i,i09,andwasdedicated in May, 1870, by Revs. George H. Heisey and J. C. Ogle. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized April 11, 1878, with fifty members, by Rev. Andrew Birch. In October,

1878, a lot was purchased in Taylorsville and a church building was begun. The cornerstone was laid the following spring, and the church was completed and dedicated September 28,

1879, Rev. H. Cramer, of Zanesville, preaching a sermon in German and Prof. M. Loy delivering an address in English. The building cost 81,000.

The first class of the Blue Rock Methodist PLpiscopal church was founded by Rev. Samuel Hamilton, with Joseph Kirk as leader. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Barringer, Mr. and Mrs. John Hammond, Mr. and Mrs. James Shauer, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Baer, Mr. and Mrs. John YVhite, and Susan Adams. The first house of worship was a primitive log affair, 20x25 feet, and stood be- tween the forks of Blue Rock creek, on section ing 26x30. The membership of this church 11. A frame building was erected near the old has ranged between sixty and nearly a hunsite in 1852. It was larger, its demensions be- dred.

THIS township was organized December 3, Dr. McNeal. Dr. McCall came to Gaysport, 1810, from Salt Creek township, and is 1844; Dr. Coverdale practiced at Ridgeway, bounded north by the mother township, 1836; Dr. Wilson was at Rural Dale, 1837; Dr. east by Meigs township, south by Morgan county James Hull was early at Keifer; Dr. Smith was and west by Harrison township. The first elect- at Rural Dale, 1853-1865, Dr. Lewis Haworth ion of which there is any record washeld January came later; Dr. Macomber in 1858, and later, 6, 1814, at the house of Lewis Allwine. Follow- Drs. Cooper, Kennedy, Jennings, Axline and ing is a list of first things of their kind in this Leeper; Dr. Carlow came to Gaysport in 1850, township: Mail through the township carried and Doctors Hatfield, Ward and Baughman by Daniel Convers, in 1779, on the Muskingum also practiced there. The salt interest was river by canoe. Local mail carried by Tim- more or less important in this township until othy Gates, on horseback, from Zanesville to 1869. Timber, coal, sandstone and fire-clay McConnelsville; mail coach, Zadoc Burdick's, were also abundant and have contributed their between the two towns just mentioned; frame part toward the development and prosperity house, Caleb Hall's, near Rural Dale; brick of the township. The first school has been house, Caleb Butler's, on section 28; stone mentioned. A union school, for Blue Rock, house, Thomas McLees's, now occupied by Meigs and Salt Creek townships was located on James R. S. McLees; orchards, those of Levi the land since owned by Frederick Wion, and

Newkirks; marriage, that of Stephen Reeves was a union school for Blue Rock and Meigs and Mary Briggs, in 1803; tavern, that kept townships, on land owned by David E.

graveyard, that on the property of Tobias Dil- There was a school on George Stewart's land, ley; blacksmith, John Bird; wagonmaker, taught by Joseph Webster, as early as 1824. David Dutro; shoemaker, Robert Silvey; In 1828 a school house was built on James wheelwright, Jesse Thomas; wooden plow- Starrett's land. There was a school on Enoch maker, J. Revenaugh, Jr.; stone-mason, John Harlan's place in 1830. Perhaps as early as Davis; chairmaker, James Burroughs; dis- 1830, there was a school in connection with tiller, Absolom Roberts; tanner, Thomas the Blue Rock church. The most important White; cabinetmaker, Joshua Crumbaker; early school, the parent of the three schools grocery, by John P. Farrell; general store, in the northeastern part of the township, was Rufus Putnam; store and warehouse, built by on Joseph Starrett's place, near Kiefer, where Moses Reeves, at Gaysport; physician, Dr. a pretentious school house for those days was Baker, in 1805; salt well, that put down by built by John Ward, in 1833.

Nathaniel Ayers, at Gaysport, in 1822; school, For many years the inhabitants of Blue on the river, as early as 1815; sawmill, John Rock paid attention chiefly to wheat culture, Trimble's, below the site of Rural Dale, in 1820; but at length stock raising began to assume steam sawmill, Samuel W. Culbertson's, in importance. The first thoroughbreds were in- 1827; steam grist-mill, Worstall Brothers, troduced by John Trimble in 1828. Wool grow- Gaysport, 1872; hand mill, Levi Reeves, 1816. ing, however, is a leading interest. The im- Other early physicians were Dr. Sears, Dr. provemcnt of sheep was begun here about Flanders, about 1830; Dr. Clapp, about 1836; 1828. Fruit growing is quite important. In

1858 an agricultural society was organized, with E. J. Trimble as president and E. Hillis Talley as secretary and treasurer. The first fair was held at the farm of W. T. Talley, the second at James Trimble's, the third at James Findley's. They were useful and successful and were broken up only by the War of the Rebellion. Petroleum was taken from aspring in the northeast corner of the township in 1819, by Martin Smith, and the first oil well sunk in the township was put down on Smith's farm in 1861, near this spring. The second development was made in January, 1866, on the Nathaniel McDonald farm. The Woodberry well was sunk here, and others were put down in the vicinity. The well mentioned produced sixty barrels of oil per day for six months, another well yielded two hundred and forty barrels per day. Great excitement and wild speculation followed. The oil was of slight illuminating power and the small wells were abandoned and in time the larger ones gave out. In this abandoned condition the territory remained with the exception of two wells, which yielded steadily in paying quantities for twelve years, when in 1878, the "Carr Oil Company of Muskingum county" was organized to develop this field; but little practical progress followed.

Rural Dale was laid out by J. B. Milhous in 1854, though there had been a settlement there since 1816, when George Gibbons built the first house. Rockville was the original name of the place, but Milhous changed it when the village was platted, The first store was opened there by Briggs & Kearns in 1836; the first tavern about the same time by William Kisk. Kiefer is an attractive hamlet and was originally known as Ridgeway. When the postoffice was established it was named thus in honor of Gen. Kiefer. The land including Gaysport was originally owned by Jacob Ayers. Asa Gay, Sr., purchased it and laid out the village, naming it in his own honor, in 1880. The telegraph line from Zanesville to McConnelsville was constructed in 1867, but it was not successful and was re-established in 1880 on a better plan. An office was established at Gaysport in 1877. There are three postoffices in the township - one at Gaysport named Blue Rock, one at Kiefer, and one at Rural Dale.

The first Baptist who resided in Blue Rock township, was Sister Joanna John (wife of Jesse John), who came from Chester County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1819. The first Baptist minister who preached in Blue Rock township, was Elder Henry Pringle, at the house of Jesse John in the year 1822, and who traveled all through this region of country, preaching the Gospel, which resulted in bringing many souls to Christ. Elder George Russell, was the second minister to preach in the township. He came to Jesse John's and preached for the first time, on "Easter Sunday, 1823," and continued once a month for several years, and baptised several persons at different points where he preached. Elder Levi Culver was the next minister to visit the neighborhood. He came here in the year 1827, and preached sometimes at the aforesaid place, and other places in the township. He was one of the first missionaries of the Ohio Baptist State convention. After he had baptized a number of persons, a council of ministers was called to consider the propriety of constituting a church. The council meet at the house of John Revenaugh, on the 25th day of July, 1828. The ministers present at the council were Elder Courtland Skinner, Elder Wm. Reece, together with Elder Culver, who advised the importance of constituting a church, which they did at the time. Sister Jane Roberts was the first person baptized in the township, and her husband, Wm. Roberts, was the first deacon of the church. The church was constituted with thirteen members, and called "the Regular Baptist church," of Blue Rock. The names of the constituent members are as follows: Samuel Revenaugh, Catharine Revenaugh, Wm. Roberts, Jane Roberts, Lorena Roberts, Mary Roberts, Thos. Wear, Catharine Wear, Nancy Blair, John Revenaugh, Jane Revenaugh, Elizabeth Wion, Lydia Mace. In a short time after this, they built a house of worship, in the north-eastern part of the township, about four miles from where the Baptists commenced their labors. It was built of logs, 30 by 30, and in this they held their meetings for over twenty years. Elder Levi Culver was their first pastor. He continued until his death, having the care of the church eight years and four months. Rev. Enoch Rector was called to supply the church at the death of Bro. Culver, and continued to preach for them until they called to the charge of the church Elder Reuben Burkley, about ten months later. Mr. Burkley began his labors May 1st, 1836, and died at his post while away from his home, on a preaching tour in Salt Creek township. Elder Benjamin Blake was their next pastor, who remained with them two years. Elder Abel Johnson commenced his labors May 1st, 1844. While he had charge of the church seventeen members received letters to constitute a church in the southern part of the township, where the first efforts were made by the denomination. The church is now known as the Rockville Baptist church, which is a large, flourishing church. This church has since had a successful career. Rev. James B. Sinclair was the first pastor after the division.

The Regular Baptist church, called Rockville, was organized on the 13th day of August, 1844, under the shade of a large forest oak, on the summit of the hill directly south of the village of Rural Dale, and near the place where the meeting house now stands. An ecclesiastical council of the Regular Baptist denomination was present, being previously invited from the churches of Blue Rock, Windsor, Rich Hill, Bristol and Four Mile. A sermon was preached on the occasion by Elder William Stone, of Columbiana county, Ohio, from Daniel, 2d chapter and 44th verse, after which sixteen brothers and sisters who had previously received letters of dismissal from Blue Rock church were duly organized to constitute said church. The names of the constituted members are as follows: James Burris, Elizabeth

Burris, John Gossage, Loreno Gossage, Geo. Bird, Jesse John, Joanna John, Eettitia John, Eleanor Burris, Sarah Scott, Maria Scott, Sarah Harlan, Phebe Briggs, Rebecca Frame, and Hannah Bird. Of this little band, James Burris, Elizabeth Burris, George Bird, Jesse John, Joanna John, Sarah Scott and Rebecca Frame, have been called home to their heavenly Master, and are now reaping the joys of their reward. After the regular organization of this church, it was immediately received into the Meigs Creek association, which was to convene on the next day (August 14th), with the Duncan's Falls church. The first messengers from this church to the association were Jesse John and George Bird. Elder Abel Johnson was chosen first pastor of the church immediately after its organization. In 1845 a meeting house was erected, and dedicated November 22. In 1859 the church withdrew from the Meigs Creek association and it united with the Zanesville association in August, i860. Bethlehem Methodist Episcopal church, situated on the George Stewart place, was built in 1830. The churchyard was opened in 1828, and Mrs. Catharine Wear was the first one buried there. The members about that time were Jeremiah Argo, Samuel Nicholson, Roderick Aston, John Coverdale, Michael E. White and "Father" Winrod and their wives. Jeremiah Argo was a licensed classleader and exhorter. The first local preacher was Levi Reeves. This society moved to Rural Dale and there has since flourished. The third church organized in the township was the Radical Methodist church, its house of worship on land owned by William Betts. Among its prominent members were Mr. and Mrs. Betts, Peter Clapper and wife, Hiram Sherman and wife, Henry Crawford and wife, Margaret Barber and daughter and Pdizabeth Gibbons. Dr. Coverdale, was exhorter, and Mr. Betts classleader. Revs. Linder and Whitney were the first regular preachers. A good frame house was after a time erected on the land of Henry Crawford and the congregation met there from that time on. Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal church had its inception in a class which met at John Grindslaff's house in 1817. In 1826 this class numbered eighty members. It was divided and in a way reunited at a later date by the organization of the Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal church of Salt Creek township. There was once an organization of Presbyterians that met in a stone house on land owned by Joseph Wallace, Sr.