Clay Township

Coal

This is the only village in Clay township. It joins Morgan county on the south, and Perry county on' the west. It was laid out by Ezekiel Rose, in 1812, under the name of New Miiford. Two years later, Mr. Rose built the first cabin ; and near the same time, Jeremiah Spurgeon built his cabin. The name of the village was changed in June, 1830, when a postoffice was appointed there - there being another Roseville in Ohio, this change was deemed imperative by the Postmaster General. John Allen was the first Postmaster. It is claimed, by some, that the postoffice is of older date, but no record can be found concerning this. John Allen's brother, Robert, had charge of the postoffice until Jackson was elected President of the United States, the second time, in 1832. His successors have been, Edward Rose, John Forgraves, Orange W. Pace, R. B. Allen, C. L. Williams and L. S. Kildow. For many years following the inauguration of the postoffice, the mail was weekly, and carried to and fro on horseback. In those days, the rate of postage, was twentylive cents for each letter, payable in silver, by the person receiving the letter.

The first store-keeper was Robert Allen, whose place of business was a small frame building. Allen & Copeland subsequently erected a large brick building, and thereby greatly increased business.

The first school was taught by Elisha Kennedy, in a conventional log building, with puncheon floor and slab seats and desks ; it has long since disappeared. Of those who attended this school, it is likely that David Porter is the only one living. Mr. Porter is now about three quarters of a century old, and thinks he has outlived his school mates.

building, with its improved furnishing. The school now taught, is graded and ably conducted. The term lasts eight months. The pupils number one hundred and twentj'^-five.

The village of Roseville was incorporated A. D. 1840. The population, at this time, was about three hundred, and, under the new regime, a Mayor and Council must preside over her destinies. Accordingly, Dr. James Little was elected Mayor. The date of this election is supposed to have been shortly after the incorporation ; but no record of the election has been found, and no tradition informs us who the members of the Council were.

Satan In Their Midst

About 1818, " Black Tom" made his appearance, and was the subject of remark by the villagers genera]l3^ and the children in particular, many of whom had not so much as heard of black people, generally concluding that such a color was the peculiai-ity of his satanic majesty, and hence "Black Tom" was thought to be a near relative of Satan, and looked upon with dubious eyes, and given a wide berth by the little folks, whose ears were filled with strange legends as to his origin and habits, by " children of larger growth." To the credit of Tom, be it said, he was of quiet disposition, industrious, fond of story telling, although his stories were not new. And it is altogether likely that, had he been suspected of having a soul, some missionary would have made overtures to him with efforts to lead him to the light, which would not have been difficult, for he was credulous in the extreme. And yet Tom did not believe in the existence of a devil, whose home was amidst flames. He "know'd dar was no sich pusson ; nobody kin five in de brimstone smoke - he'd choke to def, sure !" But he believed there were many devils in this country, and that this must be his home.

In 1821, Miss Maria Brumager, a very worthy young lady, of gentle manners, and noted for good taste, and the habit of carefully considering the proprieties of her sex, whose opinion was highly regarded by every one who knew her well enough to know what her opinion was, particularly on matters of costume, and was "the flower of the famil)'" at home, and the charm of the circle in which she moved, and whose familiarity with those whose opinions made the sentiment of the village, was such that it was fair to conclude, whatever their opinions might be, she would be the last one to outrage _them ; and familiar, too, with the time-honored custom of those simplehearted people, who, by their own handicraft, prepared their own garments, from the shearing of the sheep and hackleing of the flax, to the fruit of the loom, to which they added new beauties by the ingenuity of their devices, often displaying artistic talent of a high order, for the age in which they lived, and inspiring admiration in the mind of every male beholder, as well as envy in their own sex, and notwithstanding, were con- tent to wear what they themselves- had made, and thought it good enough ; and notwithstanding their skill in arranging colors in pieces and stripes almost approached the painter's art, they were not prepared for the daze that o'erpowered them when Miss Brumager walked into church wearing a straw bonnet and calico dress! This was an event in Roseville never to be forgotten ! And, strange to relate, maiij', deemed well clad hitherto, now thought they had "nothing to wear 1"

New Township. - A petition was presented b}' William Wann, signed by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed new township, at the last June session of this board, and laid over to the present session, which was this day taken up, and the Commissioners being satisfied that the necessary notice of such intended application had been' given by advertisements, 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 have to labor under, in going to and from elections, etc., and also praying that a new township may be set oif of part of Brush Creek townsliip, 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: "Sections number one, two, three, ten, eleven, twelve, thiiteen, fourteen, and fifteen, in township fourteen, range fourteen, being part of Brush Creek township, in Muskingum county," which said new township is called Clay township. Also ordered by the Commissioners, that an election be held at the house of Adam Rider, Sr., in said township. [See Commissioners' Journal, of this date - not paged.]

The recoi'd of the first, and many subsequent elections, seem to have been lost. At an early election in Brush Creek township, Dr.' James Little was elected Justice of the Peace, and John Boyd, Jacob Dietrich, and , were elected Township Trustees ; William Dunn, Constable. Mr. Dunn held this oflice for seven consecutive years. If not the first, this was near about the time of the first election. It is said that the entii'e population living iri that part of Brush Creek known as Clay township, did not exceed one hundred.

Uniontoivn Presbyterian Church. - In September, 1848, an application having thirty signers, was presented to the ZanesvillePresbj'tery, asking the organization of the Uniontown^ Presbyterian Church, which was granted, and the society organized November i8th, of that year, and Samuel Milhouse was ordained Ruling Elder, and John Read and John Smocks ordained deacons ; H. C. MacBride, pastor.

Sons Of Tkmpera.Nce

A lodge of this denomination of temperance workers was organized in Roseville in 1848, and flourished to such a degree that the sale of intoxicating liquor was generall}' considered such a disreputable business that no citizen would engage in it. They were determined, also, that no one should keep liquor on sale, as will appear from the following circumstance : In the fall of 1848, one Jack Myer, brought three barrels of whiskey into the village and opened a shop. He named his bairels "Good. Better and Best." The Sons of Temperance took notice of his preparation for business and where he located his merchandise, and in a calm still night, ere the moon came forth, the\ found their waj^ into the cellar under the saloon, and with augers, elongated tor the purpose b}- the blacksmiths, they tapped each barrel from below and let their contents flow freely. Early the next, morning some one applied to the would-be liquor seller for a jug full. He tried a barrel marked "Good," but it was no good ; he tried abarrel marked "Better," witli no better success, and finally he tried a barrel marked " Best," and then he thought sume one iiad the best of liim. And he wisely concluded to abiuidon this place, and there was no attempt of the kind made there for the ensuing six years. This long cessation of hostilities was the cause of the organization subsiding.

Odd Fellowship

This is a very limited area, in the southwest corner of the county. J. S. Newberry, Chief Geologist for the State, in his report for 1869, remarks as follows : " Near Roseville, an old coal working was found to be eighty feet above the Putnam Hill lime stone. This is the proper place for the Nelsonville, or Upper Lexington coal. No opportunity presented itself for measurement."

Dr. Hildreth, in the old geological report, found calcario-silicioiis rock on the high hills in section fourteen. It was found difficult to determine the exact stratigraphical position of the Flint Ridge buhr, as it lies on the top of the ridge, more like » a blanket than like a rigid stratum. It conforms more or less to the undulating surface of the general top of the ridge, and is at some points higher than others. The buhr is porous and often cracked, and water passing through may have carried the soft shale below, and thus lowered the stratum along its border.^

E. B. Andrews, Assistant Geologist, in the report for 1873, says : " Putnam Hill limestone is found here, and the Upper New Lexington seam of coal is about eighty feet above it. The lower seam had not been found, but it may be there in local developments. It is nowhere a very certain seam. When there is sufficient demand to warrant careful searches, I have little doubt but that valuable iron ore will be found in this vicinity. In other townships, good ores are found in similar portions of the coal-measures series. The most useful material as yet taken from the earth in Clay township is potter's clay, from which large quantities of excellent pottery is made."

This village is headquarters for the potter, being situated in a region abounding in potter's clay of the best variety, on which account the township, it is said, was called Clay.

Source changes here: from History of Muskingum County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Pioneers, by Various, published 1882; 1,781 words in this source stream.

Coal

This is the only village in Clay township. It joins Morgan county on the south, and Perry county on 'the west. It was laid out by Ezekiel Rose, in 1812, under the name of New Milford. Two years later, Mr. Rose built the first cabin ; and near the same time, Jeremiah Spurgeon built his cabin. The name of the village was changed in June, 1830, when a postoffice was appointed there - there being another Roseville in Ohio, this change was deemed imperative by the Postmaster General. John Allen was the first Postmaster. It is claimed, by some, that the postothce is of older date, but no record can be found concerning this. John Allen's brother, Robert, had charge of the postoffice until Jackson was elected President of the United States, the second time, in 1832. His successors have been, Edward Rose, John Forgraves, Orange Wi) Pace oh. Bs Allen, C.-L... "Williams and L. S. Kildow. For many years following the inauguration of the postoffice, the mail was weekly, and carried to and fro on horseback.

The first store-keeper was Robert Allen, whose place of business was a small frame building. Allen & Copeland subsequently erected a large brick building, and_ thereby greatly increased business.

cheon floor and slab seats and desks ; it has long since disappeared. Of those who attended this school, it is likely that David Porter is the only one living. Mr. Porter is now about three quarters of a century old, and thinks he has outhved his school mates.

Ohio

building, with its improved furnishing. The school now taught, is graded and ably conducted. The term lasts eight months. The pupils number one hundred and twenty-five.

The village of Roseville was incorporated A. D. 1840. The population, at this time, was about thrée hundred, and, under the new regime, a Mayor and Council must preside over her destinies. Accordingly, Dr. James Little was elected Mayor. The date of this election is supposed to have been shortly after the incorporation ; but no record of the election has been found, and no tradition informs us who the members of the Council were.

Satan

About 1818, '* Black Tom" made his appearance, and was the subject of remark by the villagers generally, and the children in particular, many of whom had not so much as heard of black people, generally concluding that such a color was the peculiarity of his satanic majesty, and hence '' Black Tom" was thought to be a near relative of Satan, and looked upon with dubious eyes, and given a wide berth by the little folks, whose ears were filled with strange legends as to his origin and habits, by '' children of larger growth."" To the credit of Tom, be it said, he was of quiet disposition, industrious, fond of story telling, although his stories were not new. And it is altogether likely that, had he been suspected of having a soul, some missionary would have made overtures to him with efforts to lead him to the light, which would not have been difficult, for he was credulous in the extreme. And yet Tom did not believe in the existence of a devil, whose home was amidst flames. He 'tknow'd dar was no sich pusson ; nobody 'kin live i mn de brimstone smoke - he'd choke to def, sure! But he believed there were many devils in this country, and that this must be his home.

In Their Midst Another Sensation

- In 1821, Miss Maria Brumager, a very worthy young lady, of gentle manners, and noted for good taste, and the habit of carefully considering the proprieties of her sex, whose opinion was highly regarded by every one who knew her well enough to know what her opinion was, particularly on matters of costume, and was * -the flower of the family" at home, and the charm of the circle in which she moved, and whose familiarity with those whose opinions made the sentiment of the village, was such that it was fair to conclude, whatever their opinions might be, she would be the last one to outrage them; and familiar, too, with the time-honored custom of those simplehearted people, who, by their own handicraft, prepared their own garments, from the shearing of the sheep and hackleing of the flax, to the fruit of the loom, to which they added new beauties by the ingenuity of their de.ices, often displaying artistic talent of a high order, for the age in which they lived, and inspiring admiration in the mind of every male beholder, as well as envy in their own sex. and notwithstanding, were con- tent to wear what they themselves had made, and thought it good enough; and notwithstanding their skill in arranging colors in pieces and stripes almost approached the painter's art, they were not prepared for the daze that o'erpowered them when Miss Brumager walked into church wearing a straw bonnet and calico dress! Vhis was an event in Roseville never to be forgotten ! And, strange to relate, many, deemed well clad hitherto, now thought they had 'nothing to wear!"

New Township. - A petition was presented by William Wann, signed by a majority of the-householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed new township, at the last June session of this board, and laid over to the present session, which was this day taken up, and the Commissioners being satisfied that the necessary notice of such intended application had been given by advertisements, 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 have to labor under, in going to and from elections, etc., and also praying that.a new township may be set off of part of Brush Creek township, 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: *'Sections number one, two, three, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen, in township fourteen, range fourteen, being part of Brush Creek township, in Muskingum county,'' which said new township is called Clay township. Also ordered by the Commissioners, that an election be held at the house of Adam Rider, Sr., in said township. [See Commissioners' Journal, of this date - not paged. |

The record of the first, and many subsequent elections, seem to have been lost. At an early election in Brush Creek township, Dr. James Little was elected Justice of the Peace, and John Boyd, Jacob Dietrich, and - - , were elected Township Trustees ; William Dunn, Constable. Mr. Dunn held this office for seven consecutive years. If not the first, this was near about the time of the first election. entire population living mm that part of Brush Creek known as Clay township, did not exceed one hundred.

-was presented to the Zanesville Presbytery ,.asking the organization of the Uniontown Presbyterian Church, which was. granted, and the society organized November 18th, of that year, and Samuel Milhouse was ordained Ruling Elder, and John Read and John Smocks ordained deacons ; H. C. MacBride, pastor-

Sons Of Temperance

A lodge of this denomination of temperance workers was organized in Roseville in 1848, and flourished to such a degree that the sale of intoxicating liquor was generally considered such a disreputable business that no citizen would engage init. They were determined, also, that no one should keep liquor on sale, as will appear from the following circumstance: In the fall of 1848, one Jack Myer, brought three barrels of whiskey into the village andopeneda shop. He named his barrels '' Good, Better and Best." The Sons of Temperance took notice of his ° preparation for business and where he located his merchandise, and in a calm still -night, ere the moon came forth, they found their way into the cellar under the saloon, and with augers, elongated tor the purpose by the blacksmiths, they tapped each barrel from below and let their contents flow freely. Early the next morning some one applied to the would-be liquor seller but it was no good ; he tried a barrel marked ''Better,'' with no better success, and finally he tried a barrel marked '' Best," and then he thought some one had the best of him. And he wisely concluded to. abardon this place, and there was no attempt of the kind made there for the ensuing six years. This long cessation of hostilities was the cause of the organization subsiding.

Odd Fellcwship

e Fonathan Lodge, No. 356, 1. O. O. F. - This Lodge was instituted August 8th, 1865. The N.G., E. B. Bailey; V. G., C. F. Watson; Secretary, J. J. Walpole; Treasurer, Andrew Dugan. The. membership numbers about seventy-five, and is in a flourishing condition.

This is a very limited area, in the southwest corner of the county, J. S. Newberry, Chief Geologist for the State, in his report for 1869, remarks as follows: '* Near Roseville, an old coal working was found to be eighty feet above the Putnam Hill lime stone. This is the proper place for the Nelsonville, or Upper Lexington coal. No opportunity presented itself for measurement."

Dr. Hildreth, in the old geological report, found calcario-silicious rock on the high hills in section fourteen. It was found difficult to determine the exact stratigraphical position of the Flint Ridge buhr, as it lies on the top of the ridge, more like a blanket than like a rigid stratum. It conforms more or less to the undulating surface of the general top of the ridge, and is at some points higher than others. The buhr is porous and often cracked, and water passing through may have carried the soft shale below, and thus lowered the*stratum along its border.

E. B. Andrews, Assistant Geologist, in the report for 1873, says: '* Putnam Hill limestone is found here, and the Upper New Lexington seam of coal is about eighty feet above it. 'The lower seam had not been found, but it may be there in local developments. It is nowhere a very certain seam. When there is sufficient demand to warrant careful searches, I have little doubt but that valuable iron ore will be found in this vicinity. Inother townships, good ores are found in similar portions of the coal-measures series. The most useful material as yet taken from the earth in Clay township is potter's clay, from which large quantities of excellent pottery is made."

This village is headquarters for the potter, being situated in a region abounding in potter's clay of the best variety, on which account the township. it is said, was called Clay.

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; 3,298 words in this source stream.

Clay Township

THIS is one of the smaller townships of the county, it is bounded north by Newton, east by Brush creek and south and west by the county line. The following record, copied from the county commissioner's journal, is that of the erection of Clay township, December 9, 1841 : " Pursuant to adjournment the commissioners met. Present: John Goshen, Robert Boggs and Littleton Moore. A petition was presented by William Wann, signed by a majority of the householders residing within the boundaries of the proposed new township, at the last June session of this board and laid over to the present session, which was this day taken up, and the commissioners being satisfied that the necessary notice of such intended application had been given by advertisements, 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 have to labor under, in going to and from elections, etc. , and also praying that a new township may be set off of part of Brush Creek township, 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: Sections Nos. 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, in township 14, range 14, being part of Brush Creek township, Muskingum county, which said new township is called Clay township. Also ordered by the commissioners that an election be held at the house of Adam Rider Sr., in said township." It is said that at this date the entire population of Clay did not exceed 100 souls.

Roseville is a stirring village located southwest of Zanesville, from which it is distant ten miles, is on the Perry county line, a part of the corporation being in Perry county. It is on the C. & M. V. railroad, and is chiefly noted for its pottery industries, which have gained a national repul atiou. The clays found here are as diversified as they are superior in quality, and not only household vessels are manufactured, but high art and antique patterns, embracing flower pots and urns, oriental of pudding pans, frying pans, cooking crocks, coffee pots and general hollow superior stoneware. Austin Lowry, manufacturer of stoneware, plaster dies. Lyman Lowry, stoneware manufacturer. William B. Lowry, manufacturer of stew pots, lawn vases, chimney flues and tops. T. Henry McAdoo, general store. James W. McCoy, manufacturer and jobber of Ohio stone ware, also general store. W. A. Melick, physician. Peter Moore, pottery. Oswald M. Norman, druggist and physician. Owens & Brown (Jacob N. Owens, Ellsworth L. and Walter B. Brown), general store. George W. Owens, groceries, etc. John B. Owens, manufacturer of flower pots, cuspidors, umbrella stands, etc. J. D. H. Parrott, manufacturer of steam and horse clay crushers for potteries and all clay products, also manufacturer of carriages, buggies, wagons and general repair work. People's Building and Loan Co., J. B. Owens, president; G. W. Walker, vice president; G. W. Brown, treasurer; J. W. McCoy, secretary; meets every Tuesday night of each month. Rechabites, Lone Star Tent No. 109, Charles Patch, S. ; B. A. Eby, P. C. R. ; J. N. Dunnington, R. S. ; W. S. Mayers, treasurer; meets every Monday evening. J. P. Richards, Lehigh mines (coal). Alvah Rider, pottery. Edward Rider, pottery, Roseville House. J. H. Snoots, coal pick manufacturer and agent Grims coal drill. J. Cyrus Sowers, pottery. William B. Sowers, pottery. Standard Coal Company, miners, main office, Columbus, Ohio. L. D. Stine, stoneware manufacturer. Noah Tanner, hotel and feed stable. "The Independent," issued Thursday evenings; George H. Stull, editor and proprietor. The Roseville Bank, George W. Brown, president; Thomas Brown, cashier; general banking business. U. A. M. , Jr. O., Clay Council No. 50, J. W. Sagle, C. ; B. A. Eby, recording secretary; Richard Jeffries, treasurer; meets every Thursday evening. G. W. W. Walker, druggist and physician. John F. Weaver, groceries, confectionery, cigars, tobacco; postmaster. Western Union Telegraph, J. B. Barbee, manager. J. C. Wigtom, dealer in fertilizer. J. A. Williams & Co., real estate and collection agency. Wilson Bros. (George N. and T. Arthur), general store. Samuel P. Zehrung, stoves, tinware, and roofing.

Roseville was platted by John Rose in 1812, and was known as New Milford until 1830, when the postoffice was established, with John Allen in charge. For many years following this important event, the mail was carried to and fro on horseback, weekly. In those days the postage was from six and one-fourth to twenty-five cents on each letter, payable in silver by the recipient. The first cabin here was that of Mr. Rose, built, it is said, in 1814. An early addition to Roseville was that platted by James Littleton in 1837. Robert Allen, who was deputy postmaster, was the first merchant . He was succeeded by Allen & Copeland. John Laughlin kept the first tavern in a log cabin. Zadoc Wilson was the first blacksmith. The first shoemaker was a man named Forgran. Elisha Kennedy taught the first school in a log house, with puncheon floor. The second schoolhouse of the same construction was built as late as 1840 and gave place to the present modern frame building. Roseville was incorporated in 1840 and Dr. James Little was the first mayor. The population was then about 300.

Chauncey Ford and David Stokeley were the first settlers in this vicinity. They were brothersin-law. Among the early comers was the Rose family, from which the place took its name. An old woman lived in a little cabin a few rods east of Spurgeon's and owned a small tract of land. It was "all in the bush" then, and little better than a frog pond, containing about twenty acres; it included all the space north of Noah Tanner's tavern to the spring. Dr. Little purchased it and laid it out into town lots, and thus North Roseville was started. The first bricks ever produced in Roseville were made by Thomas Moody.

Sixty-five years ago Roseville was a pretty "tough" place, and it is stated that it was a very poor Saturday when three or four fights did not occur. But the people of Roseville and the whole community adjoining were generous and kindhearted. They comprised for the most part the hardy elements of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York, and there was a slight sprinkling from New England. The "roughs" had mostly disappeared in 1845.

In the spring of 1844 Robert Alley, F. W. Howard, Ezra Bailey and others organized themselves into a committee to solicit subscriptions for a fund with which to build a horse bridge across the creek at Roseville. Enough cash and work were pledged to build a wagon bridge across a narrow part of the creek on the Brush Creek road, which was the first bridge at or near Roseville and proved a great convenience. After the Maysville pike was constructed a bridge was built by the county at James' mill. In later years Roseville made efforts to build a plank road to connect with the pike at that point. The scheme was afterward revived under the name of the Roseville and Malta Plank Road company, but failed for want of popular support. The first house of worship in this part of the country was a free-for-all-denominations edifice, and was probably erected about ten years after settlement began. Lory Ford in the reminiscences of his childhood, said the meetings were held in private houses about 1810, and gave an account of a Presbyterian preacher dressed in the old continental style of long stockings, short clothes and shoe buckles, who held forth at his The Presbyterians began to make their influence father's house. In 1837 the "Old Ironsides Bap- felt in 1849, and in 1850 built a church at Rosetists," so called, held services in the Hill church ville. The Lutherans worshiped in the township monthly. The Methodists also worshiped there quite early. The present churches here have been occasionally until they built a log church on Goshen referred to. hill, named after their early preacher of that name.

WHEN we seek to name the early settlers of this section, the names of George Swingle (who erected the first log cabin on the creek), David Butt (from Harper's Ferry, Ya.) the next, and then the Whittakers (Lewis and Lemuel) come in mind, and with these are associated those of David Stover, the Deitricks (Nicholas and Joseph), Asa Wells, the Baughmans, Henry Stainbrook, A. Buchanan and the McConnells (Thomas and John). Henry Dozer was known as a hunter, the precursor of civilization. He and a large family lived upon the results of the chase, and disappeared as the regular settler made his permanent improvement and opened the woods to the production of grain. The Dozer class of white men followed the game as it was driven before the sweep of settlement, and, enjoying the wealth of forest freedom, left to the actual settler the lands whose tillage has proved a rich heritage to their descendants of the present. The need of a saw mill was supplied by Samuel Stover, who, in 1813, built a dam across the creek and erected a structure for sawing purposes. He added a grist-mill in 1819. In 1827 and 1829 new mills replaced the primal ones upon the same sites. A small store was early started by John and Joseph Baughman; others, among whom was Gottlieb Slider, had preceded them. The need of a tanner was supplied, in 1815, by Archibald Buchanan, who lived upon the banks of Turkey run. The essential of early settlement was the worker in iron, not the simple repairer, butone who could construct entire the tools used in clearing at that time. The first was Thomas Davidson, 1813 - 44. Others were .John G. McConnell, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Harrap and Tobias Thomas. A man named Cain made this his business, and with him labored .Jesse Gibson, who, having in time learned the trade of blacksmith, followed it for many years. The first school kept in Brush Creek was within a little log cabin on the farm of Deitrick, in the year 1813. The honor of teaching the first school in this quarter, in 1814, belongs to David W oodruff Sr. , who continued in the profession for years, and taught the first schools in the village of Stovertown. He was succeeded by Thomas Rogers. George Swingle, the pioneer, was a native of Saxony, Germany, born July 4, 1750. From the age of sixteen to twenty-four he served in the German army. Then, coming to America, he located in Pennsylvania, where he married and lived until 1810, when, with his son, Nicholas, he came to this township and located on what has come to be known as the Solomon Swingle farm. Leaving his son to care for the new domain, he returned to Pennsylvania and brought out the remainder of his family, Nicholas, with what little hel}> was to be had, erecting a cabin, which was ready for their occupancy when they came. Two years later they abandoned this and moved into their just-erected first hewed log house in this territory, and they also put in some wheat, started an orchard and built a barn. Among other comers not already mentioned were Thomas Davidson, Balser Deitrick, David Woodruff, Joseph Showers, James Brown, Joseph and Lewis Hudson, John Boyd, John Worstall, John and James Hopkins, Christian Baughman, E. Longshore, David Woodruff, Martin Adams, Adam Leftler, Jacob Stainbrook, Zedekiali Butt, John Brighton, Abner Brelsford, John M. Carlisle, Robert Crook, William Thompson, Michael Wiseman, William McElhany, Abo Stainbrook Jr. and Peter Shepard. A road from the Muskingum river to the Morgan county line, dividing this township centrally from north to south, was the first through this section. The first bridge was built over Brush creek, near the .John

G. McConnell place, by John Worstall. The first carpenters in the township were the second George Swingle and Joseph Showers, and the lirst carpentering done here was for the pioneer, George Swingle. The first medical practitioner was Mrs. Dr. Addison, who, as early as 1813, went to and fro through all this forest- covered region, carrying her bags of roots and herbs and receiving a hearty welcome at the scattered firesides. Gottlieb Slider's pioneer store, opened in 1830, was on the B. F. Swingle place, near Stovertown. About 1820 Adam Leffler started a distillery on the Daniel Longstreth place. William Swingle made the first brick, which were used in the erection of the residence now of B. F. Swingle. Rev. Cornelius Springer and John Goshen preached in the double cabin of John Bingham, a deer-hunter, and at private houses until the construction of a log meetinghouse by the Lutherans and Presbyterians. In time the log was torn down and a frame erected, and owned by the Lutherans exclusively. The Methodists had preaching in the dwelling of Zedekiah Butt, by local preachers. An early marriage in the township was contracted by Michael Wingman and Maria Butt. Various interests are well represented to-day. The population is largely German and politically republican. The surface is very hilly, but the soil rich, and cultivation is rewarded by good crops. Oil wells have been sunk, and salt wells are being worked along the banks of the Muskingum. The first salt well was bored by Thomas Moorehead in 1818, on the Joshua McConnell farm. Abundance of coal is found at the hills near the river, and boats take coal from the mine direct.

In regard to the organization of this township the Commissioners' journal contains the following entry: "A petition was presented by a number of the inhabitants of Harrison township, praying that a new township be incorporated, viz. : Beginning at the southeast corner of section 31, in township number 10, in range number 13; thence north with the range line between the 13th and 14th ranges to the northwest corner of section number G, in township number 11, in the 13th range east, to the Muskingum river; thence down said river until it intersects the range line between the 12th and 13th ranges; thence south to the county line; thence west to the place of beginning; called Brush Creek township. February 10, 1817." The first justice of the peace was Samuel Whitaker.

Rev. William Foster, an Evangelical Lutheran minister, conducted religious services in Brush Creek township, 1812-18, in the dwellings of the pioneers. In 1818-19, meetings were held by Rev. Andrew Henkle and his brother Charles. In 1819 Rev. Lewis Shite, assisted by Rev. Andrew Henkle, organized a charge consisting of four or more congregations. One of these, Jerusalem church, in Morgan county, near Deavertown; one, St. John's Evangelical church, in Brush Creek; the others in Roseville and Fultonham, this county. During that year the Lutherans built a log church in Brush Creek, two miles south of Stovertown, on a site still marked by a graveyard where rest many of the pioneers. The first burial in this cemetery was that of Miss Phebe J. Swingle, daughter of John G. Swingle, in 1812. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, having united with it in Chambersburg, Penn., before her family removed to Ohio. Up to this time no Lutheran minister had officiated in Brush Creek. Rev. Father Goshen, of Putnam, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, well known to the old settlers of the county, was requested to officiate at the burial. The congregation was served by Rev. Samuel Kaemmerer, 1820 - 36. In 1831 a church was built by the Lutherans and Presbyterians half a mile south of Stovertown, and was the joint property of the two congregations. Rev. Amos Bartholomew was pastor, 1837-39; Rev. J. Manning, 1837-50. In 1851 the Lutherans bought a lot next to that upon » which the union church stood, and erected upon it a building for their sole use and ownership. It was a neat frame structure, and was dedicated in the fall of that year by Rev. A. J. Weddell. Rev. John Rugan was pastor, 1856-68. Rev. J. Manning again took charge of the congregation the Jerusalem, Roseville, and Fultonham churches constituting a separate charge. In 1872 dissension and discord arose in the congregation, and the pulpit was declared vacant and was regularly supplied by Rev. M. C. Horine, of the Zanesville mission. During that year quite an interesting class of catechumens was added to the church, through the labors of Mr. Horine. In 1873 the congregation, by vote, changed its former synodical relations by uniting with the English District synod of Ohio, at the same time uniting with the Zanesville mission, the two congregations forming one charge, by advice of synod. Rev. Mr. Horine resigned his charge here, and the field was again vacant. Rev. William P. Ruthrauff was pastor, 1873-76, when he died. Late in 1876 a call was extended to Rev. F. Richards, of Philadelphia, and he entered upon his duties here in November, that year, and was duly installed pastor in the spring of 1877 and has served the charge continuously to the present time. As an evidence of the labors of the pastor and the flourishing condition of the two congregations, it is necessary only to refer to the new church built near Stovertown in 1878, at an estimated cost of $5,000. There is no indebtedness, and, taken all in all, the congregation is in a more flourishing condition than at any other time in its history. The first Presbyterian organization in Brush Creek township was formed by Rev. James Culbertson in 1825. Services were held at the residence of Mrs. Turner, on the James Leasure place, for some years. In 1831 a church was erected, as has been stated, by the Presbyterians and the Lutherans. At that time Rev. Mr. Hunt was installed as pastor of the Presbyterian congregation. Following is a list of the members: Mrs. Turner, Lemuel Whitaker, Mr. and Mrs. David Woodruff, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. McConnell, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hankinson, Mr. and Mrs. William Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. John McCandless, Mr. and Mrs. James French, Daniel Spangler, Mary Stover, and Hiram Woodruff. Antioch United Brethren church grew out of meetings held at the house of the third George Swingle, about 1830, by Rev. Royal Hastings. A cabin church was erected in 1844, on the farm of Samuel Dozer, and occupied until 1869, when the congregation took possession of a neat and adequate frame church. The original members were Henry Dozer and wife, John Barringer and wife, Samuel Dozer and wife, George Dozer and wife, Peter Stainbrook, and Kate Davis. Zoar Baptist church, composed of Samuel Bagley, Joshua Breeze, William Foster, Henry Hamrick, William Marlow, and Sarah McCurdy, was organized in Schoolhouse No. 3, on Irish Ridge, June 4, 1831. Joshua Breeze was chosen pastor. In the spring of 1833 a hewed-log church-house was erected, which, in 1859, was superseded by a frame structure. Amity Sunday-school, which has exerted a salutary influence in the township, was organized in 1831, with Lemuel Whitaker as president; William Swingle, vice-president; Adam Baughman, treasurer; John Baughman, secretary.

The only trade center in the township is Stovertown, a postoffice on the line of the Brush Creek branch of the Columbus, Shawnee & Hocking railroad, nine miles south of Zanesville; population about 100. This place was laid out in 1832. and named in honor of Samuel Stover, who was found murdered near the upper bridge in Zanesville. After his death a stock of goods came from New York addressed to him and were brought to this point, and the store thus established formed the nucleus of the present little village.