Harrison Township

Harrison Township

Another is the old Feurt graveyard, located a mile south of Franklin near the old Feurt homestead. Peter Feurt, one of the first inhabitants of Scioto County, is buried here.

The Pine Creek Cemetery is located about two and a half miles northwest of Powellsville near the Pine Creek Baptist Church. It was originally a private burial ground, but is now a Township Cemetery.

The Lamb or Franklin Furnace Cemetery, is located about one and one half miles north of Franklin Furnace on the Portsmouth Turnpike, and it contains two acres, only one of which is fenced in. The Township purchased this cemetery from Horace and Ira Lamb in 1875. It was originally a private burial ground.

The Powellsville Cemetery is located near the edge of Powellsville, and was a private burial ground until 1860, when it was given to the Township by Joseph Hudson. It contains an acre of ground.

The Ohio Furnace Cemetery is located about halfway between Haverhill Station and Ohio Furnace. It was formerly a private burial ground, but was transferred to the Township about 1880.

The German Lutheran Cemetery is near Powellsville, about a half mile to the west. In it stands the Lutheran Church. -It was opened in 1875, and it is the neatest cemetery in the Township.

It was named for General William Harrison and was formed from land, first part of Union and Upper Townships, but afterwards Madison and Porter. The Commissioners met March 6, 1832, and established Harrison Township. See Commissioners' Journal of above date, page 32. On June 7, 1832, the boundary was changed. See Commissioners' Journal of that date, page 40. On June 7, 1861, another change was made. See Commissioners' Journal of that date, page 283. The Township is bounded north by Madison, east by Bloom, south by Porter, and west by Clay and Jefferson.

The whole Township with the exception of Little Scioto and Long Run Valleys is hilly, but more than three-fourths of the land is tillable. The hills are not high but have moderate slopes and round tops. The Little Scioto enters Harrison Township near the northeast corner and leaves it near the middle of the southern boundary to enter and leave again 1V2 miles west of this point. The valley is tortuous but wide and contains some of The best farm lands in the County. The soil of the valleys is soft and sandy adapted to corn, while the uplands have clay subsoil and are good wheat lands. Some attention is given to fruit culture. The hill soil contains all required for the growth of peaches, apples, strawberries, etc. Harrison is an agricultural Township, there being but few mills or factories. Its area is 23,687 acres.

The value of its real estate is $160,330. The value of its personal property is $100,262. In Harrisonville Special School District, the real estate value is $25,550 and the value of the personal property is $23,161, making a total valuation of $309,303 for the Township. It ranks seventh in area, ninth in population, sixth in value of personal property, ninth in value of real estate and seventh in value of both. The Township was first settled near its southern border on Little Scioto river. The early settlers were: John Snyder, Simeon Wood, Thomas Feurt, Daniel White, Samuel Crull, James Haney, Solomon Monroe. Joseph Bennett, Jacob Barr, John and Calvin Hatch, Franklin Batterson and Emanuel Traxler.

Harrisonville is situated on the northern line of the Township about the middle point from east to west. It was named for General William Henry

Harrison. In 1836 Gen. Harrison passed through the village when there were a few log cabins erected. The town site was then owned by Joseph Bennett, an ardent Whig, with whom General Harrison lodged. The town was platted by Deputy County Surveyor, Prank C. Gibbs, May 24, 1859, and recorded August 22, 1859. It had been platted in 1832 by Moses Gregory but no record was made. Harrisonville has been a business point since about 1823, when Peter Tagore built a blacksmith shop, near the corner where B. F. Lantz's store now stands. He also built the frame house now owned by Captain Henry Lantz (then in Madison Township) which is the oldest building in Harrisonville and the oldest frame house in the Township! The post office is named Scioto. The first Postmaster was Ephriam Rockwell. There are three good general stores in the village. There is a blacksmith shop and an undertaking establishment, also a harness shop. Henry Lantz has an apiary. Jacob Eckhart is the postmaster. The physicians are: Dr. James B. Ray, and son, and T. H. McCann. The present population is about 200.

The Harrisonville school is taught by Miss Bertha A. Coburn, who teaches for seven months at $35 per month. There are 37 pupils. This special district was established in 1878.

In 1806, the first school house in Harrison Township was built. It was about 16 feet square, of rough logs, with puncheon floor and seats made of half logs with the flat sides up, with four legs made of oak pins. The windows were made by leaving out a log on each side of the house, which space was filled with greased paper. The room was heated by a large fireplace, the chimney was of sticks, plastered with mud. The first teacher was Robert Finley. The present school system was established in 1853. There were eight sub-districts with a larger attendance than at present, although the number of districts is greater and the population more numerous now. The value of the school property is about $5,000. The schools and teachers are nine in number.

The first election in the Township was held at the home of Daniel White on the first Monday of May, 1832. The first Township officers were: Treasurer, Abner Wood; Clerk, Abijah Batterson; Trustees, Thomas Hatch, Daniel White, and Sylvanus Shumway; Overseers of the Poor, Henry Bonser and Simeon Wood; Constables, George Scott and R. T. Collis; Justices, T. R. Wood and Luther Wheeler. The present officers are: Clerk, Charles Brisker; Treasurer, William Jenkins; Tustees, Frank Coles, F. C. Whitt and John Shump; Justices, Henderson Clark, W. L. Webb and Andrew Purtee; Constables, L. Fenner and William Smith.

was built in 1853, by Boston Eifort and Henry Spellman. It went into blast in 1853 and continued seven years. The Company failed and Daniel Sommers and Samuel McConnell bought the property and continued the business until 1872. They failed, the furnace blew out, John Lodwick, as receiver, sold all the property, the land became farms, part of the employees moved out of the Township, others bought farms and still remain. Most of these were Germans who had saved some money by working at the furnace.

In 1812, Samuel Crull, father of Doctor William Crull, and grandfather of Ira Crull, built a saw and grist mill which still stands on Long Run on the farm of G. S. Neary. It was owned and operated by the Crull family until about 1880.

The Scioto Mill was built by Joseph Bennett and Henry Power in 1828. In 1831, Bower became sole owner. It has been owned by a number of persons since. Levi Wheeler sold it to John T. Miller and William H. Wheeler in 1881. Miller soon sold out to Wheeler. It is now in the possession of George Wheeler who has added a great deal of machinery of the best and most modern patterns. This is the finest mill seat in the County. Mr. Wheeler recently added a fine engine and saw mill which insures a steady run the year around.

Dixon Mill. In 1804, Emanuel Traxler built the first mill on the present site of Dixon Mill. Others beside Benjamin Scott owned the mill before 1836. Silas Dixon bought it of Joseph Smith in 1850. In 1866, George and Noah Dixon became the owners and made great improvements in the machinery. It has been owned by Noah Dixon since 1880. It is now one of the best mills in the County and contains a good saw mill besides all the modern machinery for making flour.

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized May, 1858, by Rev. Jacob Nichols. The first services were held in the Free Will Baptist Church at the Glade. Some of the first members were: M. W. Brown and wife, James Samson, J. Q. Shumway, John Smith and wife. Charles Hopkins, Richard King, Samuel McGee and C. H. Ketter. In 1872, the Church now standing was built at a cost of about $600. The pastor is W. W. Gadd. The Trustees are: M. W. Brown, James. Samson, Edward Samson, James Q. Shumway, John Shumway and Edgar Brown. The membership of the Church is about 30, and the Sunday School about 45.

Harrisonville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1837. The first services were held in a log church at the northern end of Harrisonville. Another Church was built in 1856. Rev. S. Parker was the pastor. J. M. Violet, John Crull, James R. Taylor and William Slattery were the Trustees. The present building was erected in 1873 at a cost of about $800. The pastor is Rev. G. E. Hughes. Harrisonville has two Sunday Schools, one is a Baptist School and has about 60 pupils. The other is held by the Methodists, pupils about 50.

The Tick Ridge Catholic Church was erected in 1861. The first priest was Father L. Shriver, the Trustees, Benedict Seidel, Lawrence Cordell and Joseph Spitznogel. The congregation numbered 45. The membership now is about 60. The incumbent priest is Rev. Father James T. Banahan.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1880 by Rev. Theodore Yeager who became the first pastor. The incumbent pastor is Rev. Henry Schenk. The Church has about 25 members and the Sunday School about 20 pupils.

Ives Lodge, Knights of Pythias was instituted in February, 1890. with about 20 charter members. There are now about 100 members. Soon after the institution the lodge built a large two story hall. The hall, fixtures and paraphernalia cost about $1,800. The lodge is free from debt and is in a flourisning condition.

Lois Camp, Sons of Veterans, No. 16, was established about 1880. It is in a flourishing condition and enjoys second rank in the state, being the oldest but one. Scioto Post, and its auxiliary, Lois Camp have for years conducted an annual reunion, which occurs on August 17th.

At the close of the war, everybody felt rich and happy. The patriotic fever was at white heat. Everyone felt that there should be a grand reunion of the returned soldiers. At a meeting in Dugan's Grove on July 4, 1865, it was resolved to have a Grand Soldier's Reunion and Peace Jubilee. It was to be an affair of the two Counties of Pike and Scioto. Abram F. Millar, Thomas Dugan and John L. Ward were the master spirits in the movement Many committees were appointed in Portsmouth and a grand time was arranged for; the time fixed was August 17. Dugan's Grove was then three times the extent at present, and was not marred by a railroad. ' It was one of the most delightful spots in the County. The day was an ideal one. There were two entrances to the grove. Over one appeared the motto, "Victory at Last," over the other, "Welcome to the Soldiers."

There was a free dinner, with two tables each over a thousand feet in length. At one was a banner inscribed, "We honor the private soldier." At the other at each end were banners bearing the names "Logan," "Thomas," "Rosecrans." In the center were banners bearing the names, "Grant," "Sherman," "Sheridan." On the speaker's stand was a banner reading, "The War was not a Failure." Five thousand people took dinner. Colonel John R. Hurd made the opening speech. Colonel T. W. Higgins spoke as did General Robert Schenk who was the orator of the day. Hon. Eli Glover made the closing speech. There was dancing in the afternoon and the band of the 73rd O. V. I. furnisned the music.

Lucasville failed to keep up the function and August 17, 1880, the day began to be observed by the people of Harrisonville and vicinity and since then Harrisonville reunion has become an institution. It is now managed by the Sons of Veterans. That organization rents a grove and sells out the privileges for all maimer of restaurants, candy stands, etc. The Reunion is always held on the 17th of August unless that day falls on a Sunday. Everybody within a radius of twenty miles turns out and the day is a general holiday. It is understood to be a general meeting place. One can there see friends he has not seen for twenty years. Portsmouth is a great contributor to the crowd and on that day every buggy, carriage or conveyance is in demand. The crowd assembled varies from 5,000 to 7,000.

Rodger's Cemetery is situated one half mile northwest of the Glade schoolhouse and contains about one half acre, but it has some very old graves.

Shumway Cemetery lies back of the Methodist Protestant Church. Some of the inscriptions are as follows: Abner Wood died August 25, 1824, aged 58 years. Rebecca Wood died April 18, 1853, in the 80th year of her age. Lucella, consort of Jacob Gilliland and daughter of Daniel and Sarah White, died June 24, 1855, aged 23 years, 8 months and 3 days. Jacob Gilliland born April 28, 1827, died February 25, 1875, aged 47 years, 9 months and 29 days. Daniel White died June 8, 1857, aged 64 years, 8 months and 14 days. Sarah, wife of Daniel White, died May, 1851, aged 54 years, 8 months and 23 days.

Batterson Cemetery contains about one acre and is one of the best kept in the Township. It is a Township burying ground. The following are some of the inscriptions: Elias C. Cjoriell died December 13, 1862, aged 81 years, 9 months and 2 days. Lucretia, his wife, died September 13, 1858, aged 79 years, 6 months and 15 days. John C. Colgrove died December 4, 1865, aged 61 years, 2 months and 4 days. Franklin Batterson born April 12, 1818, died May 5, 1887. Ira C. Coriell born July 29, 1812, died June 5, 1899. V. B. Farney died November 5, 1872, aged 36 years, 7 months and 15 days.

Source changes here: from History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together with a Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, by Nelson W. Evans A.m, published 1903; 2,192 words in this source stream.

Harrison Township

It was named for General William Harrison and was formed from land, first part of Union and Upper Townships, but afterwards Madison and Porter. 'rhe Commissioners met March 6, 1832, and established Harrison Township. See Commissioners' Journal of above date, page 32. On June 7, 1832, the boundary was changed. See Commissioners' Journal of that date, page 40. On June 7, 1861, another change was made. See Commissioners' Journal of that date, page 283. The Township is bounded north by Madison, east by Bloom, south by Porter, and west by Clay and Jefferson.

The whole Township with the exception of Little Scioto and Long Run Valleys is hilly, but more than three-fourths of the land is tillable. The hills are not high but have moderate slopes and round tops. The Little Scioto enters. Harrison Township near the northeast corner and leaves it near the middle of the southern boundary to enter and leave again 14% miles west of this point. The valley is tortuous but wide and contains some of the best farm lands in the County. The soil of the valleys is soft and sandy adapted to corn, while the uplands have clay subsoil and are good wheat lands. Some attention is given to fruit culture. The hill soil contains all required for the zZzrowth of peaches, apples, strawberries, etc. Harrison is an agricultural Township, there being but few mills or factories. Its area is 23,687 acres.

The value of its real estate is $160,330. The value of its personal property is $100,262. In Harrisonville Special School District, the real estate value is $25,550 and the value of the personal property is $23,161, making a total valuation of $309,303 for the Township. It ranks seventh in area, ninth in population, sixth in value of personal property, ninth in value of real estate and seventh in value of both. The Township was first settled near its southern border on Little Scioto river. The early settlers were: John Snyder, Simeon Wood, Thomas Feurt, Daniel White, Samuel Crull, James Haney, Solomon Monroe, Joseph Bennett, Jacob Barr, John and Calvin Hatch, Franklin Batterson and Emanuel Traxler.

Harrisonville is situated on the northern line of the Township about the middle point from east to west. It was named for General William Henry

Harrison. In 1836 Gen. Harrison passed through the village when there were a few log cabins erected. The town site Was then owned by Joseph Bennett, an ardent Whig, with whom General Harrison lodged. The town was platted by Deputy County Surveyor, Frank C. Gibbs, May 24, 1859, and recorded August 22, 1859. It had been platted in 1832 by Moses Gregory but no record was made. Harrisonville has been a business point since about 1823, when Peter Lagore built a blacksmith shop, near the corner where B. F. Lantz's store now stands. He also built the frame house now owned by Captain Henry Lantz (then in Madison Township) which is the oldest building in Harrisonville and the oldest frame house in the Township. The post office is named Scioto. The first Postmaster was Ephriam Rockwell. There are three good general stores in the village. There is a blacksmith shop and an undertaking establishment, also a harness shop. Henry Lantz has an apiary. Jacob Eckhart is the postmaster. The physicians are: Dr. James B. Ray, and son, and T. H. McCann. The present population is about 200.

The Harrisonville school is taught by Miss Bertha A. Coburn, who teaches for seven months at $35 per month. There are 87 pupils. This special district was established in 1878.

In .1806, the first school house in Harrison Township was built. It was about 16 feet square, of rough logs, with puncheon floor and seats made of half logs with the flat sides up, with four legs made of oak pins. The windows were made by leaving out a log on each side of the house, which space was filled with greased paper. The room was heated by a large fireplace, the chimney was of sticks, plastered with mud. The first teacher was Robert Finley. The present school system was established in 1853. There were eight sub-districts with a larger attendance than at present, although the number of districts is greater and the population more numerous now. The value of the school property is about $5,000. The schools and teachers are nine in number.

The first election in the Township was held at the home of Daniel White on the first Monday of May, 1832. The first Township officers were: Treasurer, Abner Wood; Clerk, Abijah Batterson; Trustees, Thomas Hatch, Daniel White, and Sylvanus Shumway; Overseers of the Poor, Henry Bonser and Simeon Wood; Constables, George Scott and R. T. Collis; Justices, T. R. Wood and Luther Wheeler. The present officers are: Clerk, Charles Brisker; Treasurer, William Jenkins; Tustees, Frank Coles, F. C. Whitt and John Shump; Justices, Henderson Clark, W. L. Webb and Andrew Purtee; Constables, lL. Fenner and William Smith.

was built in 1853, by Boston Eifort and Henry Spellman. It went into blast in 1853 and continued seven years. The Company failed and Daniel Sommers and Samuel McConnell bought the property' and continued the business until 1872. They failed, the furnace blew out, John Lodwick, as receiver, sold all the property, the land became farms, part of the employees moved out of the Township, others bought farms and still remain. Most of these were Germans who had saved some money by working at the furnace.

In 1812, Samuel Crull, father of Doctor William Crull, and grandfather of Ira Crull, built a saw and grist mill which still stands on Long- Run on the farm of G. S. Neary. It was owned and operated by the Crull family until about 1880. j

The Scioto Mill was built by Joseph Bennett and Henry Power in 1828. In 1831, Bower became sole owner. It has been owned by a number of persons since. Levi Wheeler sold it to John T. Miller and William H. Wheeler in 1881. Miller soon sold out to Wheeler. It is now in the possession of George Wheeler who has added a great deal of machinery of the best and most modern patterns. -This is the finest mill seat in the County. Mr. Wheeler recently added a fine engine and saw mill which insures a steady run the year around.

Dixon Mill. In 1804, Emanuel Traxler built the first mill on the present site of Dixon Mill. Others beside Benjamin Scott owned the mill before 18386. Silas Dixon bought it of Joseph Smith in 1850. In 1866, George and Noah Dixon became the owners and made great improvements in the machinery. It has been owned by Noah Dixon since 1880. It is now one of the best mills in the County and contains a good saw mill besides all the modern machinery for making flour.

The Methodist Protestant Church was organized May, 1858, by Rev. Jacob Nichols. The first services were held in the Free Will Baptist Church at the Glade. Some of the first members were: M. W. Brown and wife, James Samson, J. Q. Shumway, John Smith and wife, Charles Hopkins, Richard King, Samuel McGee and C. H. Ketter. In 1872, the Church now standing was built at a cost of about $600. The pastor is W. W. Gadd. The Trustees are: M. W. Brown, James Samson, Hdward Samson, James Q. Shumway, John Shumway and Hdgar Brown. The membership of the Church is about 30, and the Sunday School about 45.

Harrisonville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1837. The first services were held in a log church at the northern end of Harrisonville. Another Church was built in 1856. Rev. S. Parker was the pastor. gee. Violet, John Crull, James R. Taylor and William Slattery were the Trustees. The present building was erected in 1878 at a cost of about $800. The pastor is Rev. G. E. Hughes. Harrisonville has two Sunday Schools, one is a Baptist School and has about 60 pupils. The other is held by the Methodists, pupils about 50.

The Tick Ridge Catholic Church was erected in 1861. The first priest was Father L. Shriver, the Trustees, Benedict Seidel, Lawrence Cordell and Joseph Spitznogel. The congregation numbered 45. The membership now is about 60. The incumbent priest is Rev. Father James T. Banahan.

The German Lutheran Church was organized in 1880 by Rev. Theodore Yeager who became the first pastor. The incumbent pastor is Rev. Henry Schenk, The Church has about 25 members and the Sunday School about 20 pupils.

Ives Lodge, Knights of Pythias was instituted in February, 1890, with about 20 charter members. There are now about 100 members. Soon after the institution the lodge built a large two story hall. The hall, fixtures and paraphernalia cost about $1,800. The lodge is free from debt and is in a flourishing condition. :

Lois Camp, Sons of Veterans, No. 16, was established about 1880. It is in a flourishing condition and enjoys second rank in the state, being the oldest but one. Scioto Post, and its auxiliary, Lois Camp have for years conducted an annual reunion, which occurs on August 17th.

'At the close of the war, everybody felt rich and happy. The patriotic fever was at white heat. Everyone felt that there should be a grand reunion of the returned soldiers. At a meeting in Dugan's Grove on July 4, 1865, it was resolved to have a Grand Soldier's Reunion and Peace Jubilee. It was to be an affair of the two Counties of Pike and Scioto. Abram F. Millar, Thomas Dugan and John L. Ward were the master spirits in the movement. Many committees were appointed in Portsmouth and a grand time was arranged for; the time fixed was August 17. Dugan's Grove was then three times the extent at present, and was not marred by a railroad. It was one of the most delightful spots'in the County. The day was an. ideal one. There were two entrances to the grove. Over one appeared the motto, "Victory at Last," over the other, "Welcome to the Soldiers."

There was a free dinner, with two tables each over a thousand feet in length. At one was a banner inscribed, ''We honor the private soldier." At the other at each end were banners bearing the names "Logan," "Thomas," "Rosecrans."" In the center were banners bearing the names, "Grant," "Sherman," "Sheridan." On the speaker's stand was a banner reading, '"'The War was not a Failure." Five thousand people took dinner. Colonel John R. Hurd made the opening speech. Colonel T. W. Higgins spoke as did General Robert Schenk who was the orator of the day. Hon. Eli Glover made the closing speech, 'there was dancing in the afternoon and the band of the 73rd O. V. I. furnisned the music. ;

Lucasville failed to keep up the function and August 17, 1880, the day began to be observed by the people of Harrisonville and vicinity and since then Harrisonville reunion has become an institution. It is now managed by the Sons of Veterans. That organization rents a grove and sells out the privileges for all manner of restaurants, candy stands, etc. The Reunion is always held on the 17th of August unless that day falls on a Sunday. Everybody within a radius of twenty miles turns out and the day is a general holiday. It is understood to be a general meeting place. One can there see friends he has not seen for twenty years. Portsmouth is a great contributor to the crowd and on that day every buggy, carriage or conveyance is in demand. The crowd assembled varies from 5,000 to 7,000.

Rodger's Cemetery is situated one half mile northwest of the Glade schoolhouse and contains about one half acre, but it has some very old graves.

Shumway Cemetery lies back of the Methodist Protestant Church. Some of the inscriptions are as follows: Abner Wood died August 25, 1824, aged 58 years. Rebecca Wood died April 18, 1853, in the 80th year of her age. Lucella, consort of Jacob Gilliland and daughter of Daniel and Sarah White, died June 24, 1855, aged 23 years, 8 months and 8 days. Jacob Gilliland born April 28, 1827, died February 25, 1875, aged 47 years, 9 months and 29 days. Daniel White died June 8, 1857, aged 64 years, 8 months and 14 days. Sarah, wife of Daniel White, died May, 1851, aged 54 years, 8 months and 238 days.

Batterson Cemetery contains about one acre and is one of the best kept in the Township. It is a Township burying ground. The following are some of the inscriptions: Elias C. Coriell died December 138, 1862, aged 81 vears, 9 months and 2 days. Lucretia, his wife, died September 18, 1858, aged 79 years, 6 months and 15 days. John C. Colgrove died December 4, 1865, aged 61 years, 2 months and 4 days. Franklin Batterson born April 12, 1818, died May 5, 1887. Ira ©. Coriell born July 29, 1812, died June 5, 1899. V. B. Farney died November 5, 1872, aged 36 years, 7 months and 15 days.