Jackson Township

Jackson Township

Jackson township was named in honor of General Andrew Jackson, and was organized into a civil township about 1805, by the authorities of Fairfield county, to which it then belonged. 'The township contains thirty-six sections, and is just six miles square, and remains the same as originally surveyed. Jackson is bounded on the north by Reading, on the east by Pike, on the south by Monday Creek tow nhips, and on the west by Fairfield county. It lies wholly in the Hocking valley. or on the Hocking slope, and is drained by East Rush Creek and tributaries. A small area of the southern part is drained by the head waters of Monday Creek, which, like EastRush Creek. is also a tributary of the Hocking river. A considerable portion of the township may be denominated level; nearly all the remainder is undulating, and only a small percentage of the whole really hilly, or very broken. The land is all arable, and is generally, in a "good state of cultivation. Hay isa leading staple, though nearly all the cereals are successfully cultivated. Stock-raising, and \wool- growing receive much attention. The cultivation of fruit also has its votaries. One of the oldest and best nurseries in this part of the country is in Jackson township.

Geologically speaking, the township is situated partly in Aine coal masures and partly in the drift region. The drift region is along the valley of Rush Creek, and cuts the township nearly in two. In the hills to the north and south, there is more or less coal, but the seams are thin, excepting in a small aera in the northeastern part. There is also a small area in the southeastern part, where the seams are thicker, and the coal is of good quality. Iron ore is abundant in many parts of the township, and has been mined and used to a considerable extent. It is shipped to Shawnee, Zanesville, and other places. Jackson is well supplied with railroads, 'and its facilities for shipping are very good. The Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley, the Ohio Central, and the Newark, Somerset and Straitsville Railroads, all pass through its territory. T ae land of the whole township is capable of excellent drainage, but the channel of Rush Creek, and some of its tributaries, need straightening and the removal of obstructions.

The population of Jackson township issomething near being equally divided between Pennsylvania Germans and _ their descendants, Irish born and their descendants, and American born Anglo Saxons from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, and their descendants. Not many of the original pioneers are left. This township was first settled about 1802 or 1803; but it is impossible, with the best existing information, to determine who was the first settler. The first cabins w ere, probably, built along the western border of the 'township, but little is known concerning them or their builders. The Pennsylvania Germans and emigrants of English descent came, and made their permanent settlements, cotemporaneously, from 1805 or 1806 to 1820. A few [rish families came in from 1812 to 1820; but the great flow of Irish emigration, which amounted to a colony, came in from 1825 to 1830, ahd many still later. Though it is impossible at this late day, and with no adequate pioneer statistics to guide, to state who was the first, or even the second settler; yet it is indisputable that the Pettys, Vanattas, Wolfs, Browns, Sandersons, Forsythes, Sherlocks, Kings, Larimers, Raricks, Klinglers and Crossens, were among the early settlers. The following named persons were all living in the township as early as 1816 or 1817: Peter Black, David Brown, John Hiles, Joshua Brown, Adam Spohn, James Brown, John Sherman, David Cochran, John Tiles, Sr., Robert Larimer, William Haves, Enos Kelsey, James Dillon, Robert Sanderson, Philip Wolf, Sr.. Solomon McGrevy, John P. Angle, Samuel Forsythe, Sr., Samuel Forsythe, Jr., John Wolf, Charles Lott, John Dutton, David Klingler, Thomas Hardin, Martin Poland, Philip Wolf, Alexander Crook, Joseph Finck, David Brown, Joshua Brown, Moses Petty, Thomas Milholland, Ignatius Ricketts, Patrick Murphy, Casper Emerick, Samuel Black, Alexander Sanderson, John Strohl, Owen Elder, Abraham Sherlock, Jacob Whitmer, John Clover, Wm, A, Sanderson, Henry Angle, James Vanatta, John Vanatta, John Crooks, Joseph Williams, Edward Adams, William R. Crossen, John Reece, Owen Brown, Enos Kelsey, Benjamin Hardin, John Emerick, William Crosson, Jacob King, John Wolt, William Poland, Richard Poland, Henry HH. Cochran, George King, Samuel Black, William Keenan,, James Vanatta. The foregoing named persons were citizens and voters of Jackson township, as early as march, 1818, as the oflicial records show.

Junction City was laid out in 1872, by George Wolf and John Edmiston. Mr. Wolf had previously laid out a townand called it Damascus, and Mr. Edmiston had laid out one and named it 'Trio City. Wolf and Edmiston owned farms adjoining, near the crossing of the C. & M. V. and N.S. &S. Railroads. Mr. Wolf was Postmaster and had succeeded in having the name of the post oflice changed from East Rush Creek to Damascus, corresponding with the name of his newly platted village. Unpleasant complications ensuing, Wolt and Ediniston, the rival town proprietors, were induced to submit affairs to arbitration, which recommended that the two proprietors unite their plats, that the names of Trio City and Damascus be discarded, and that the joint town and post office be called Junction City. This arrangement was amicably agreed to by all parties interested, and so the village and post office were duly christened Junction City. The place had been known for nearly twenty years as Wolf's Station, a point on the C.&M.V.R. R. During all this time, however, it was but a small hamlet, containing only a post office, store, a shop or two, and a very few inhabitants. After the laying out of Junction City, there was a ready sale of lots for a while, and the village grew with considerable rapidity. It now contains a post office, two station houses, two telegraph offices, two hotels, two churches, one bent works, one flouring mill, one newspaper, a good two-story brick school house, two dry goods stores, two hardware stores, two drug stores, two millinery stores, four physicians, one meat shop, and a number of groceries and eating houses.

Three railroads pass through the town. The village is situated near the north bank of Rush Creek, part of it lving in the valley, but most of it on the slopes and heights northward. Junction City has now a population of about five hundred, and steps have heen recently taken to have the village incorporated.

Crossenville was laid out in 1817, by William Crossen. It grew into a thriving little village, and, for a long time, was a point of considerable trade. It was at one time a tobacco market of some consequence. It had also a post office, for some twenty or thirty years, but that has long been discontinuéd. Crossenville now has one church, two stores, a number of private houses, and a population of about fifty. The village is beautifully situated on the high grounds between the waters of Rush Creek and Monday Creek.

Middletown, situated in the southern part of Jackson township, was established in 1853 3-54, at the time work was in progress at the tunnel on the old Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad. It 1s delightfully situated upon the ridge which separates the waters of Kush 'Creek from those of Monday Creek. The village has a post office, with mail every other day; one church. two stores, several private residences, : and about fifty inhabitants.

"Clarksville was laid out by Daniel Clark in 1854. and had for seyeral years a post oflice, store, shops and several private residences, but since the building ag of Junction City, only one mile off, the village has gone down. . Patrick's. a large Catholic church, is here as it

Mount Hope was laid out in 1835, by George Kishler and Patrick Sweeney. The point was a public cross-roads. and the site of the village was a beautiful one: but it was never built up to any considerable extent. It had for a long time a post office. (Asburv), and a good country store, with a shop or two, perhaps. The village never amounted to much, ond has gone down entirely. The Asbury post office has also ceased to be.

Wolftown was a little old-time hamlet. situated not far from the Reading township line, two miles north of Junction City. Wolttown is a familiar name vet to old settlers, and at one time, and for quite a number of years, it had a tannery. a store, a number of shops and several private residences. But its ancient glory has departed. Two family residences and a number of unoccupied houses, is all that remains of the old town.

Lebanon (Lutheran) Congregation was organized about 1515, no doubt by Rev. Andrew Henkel, though the old "church records are destroyed, and the original members of the church are gone. There are tombstones in the cemetery adjacent. commemorative of burials as early as 1816 and 1817, and it is probable that the church was organized prior to that date, though the old log church may not have been built until a few vears later. The Lutheran and German Reform congregations built and occupied it jointly. The two congregations dissolved partnership in church property about 1840, and,the Lutherans, in 1842, erected the present neat brick edifice. The Lutheran congregation has been a strong and influential one, and remains so to the present day.

There is a neat parsonage connected with the church. A Sabbath school is regularly sustained. Rev. Wiseman is the present pastor, and resides in the parsonage. Lebanon church is beautifully situated, one mile north at Junction City. sis

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Crossenville was organized and a house of worship erected at a very early day. A class was also in existence several years before any church was built. The old church was eventually disposed of, and a yew commodious structure substituted, which is still in use. The congregation was for many years a strong one, but of late vears has been somewhat reduced by removals and the organization of new congregations, though regular preaching and other religious services are sustained. ;

Harvey Chapel, (M. E.) in the western part of the township, near the county line, is a very old congregation. A log building was erected at an early day, and was called '*Black's Meeting House."? School was also held in it, and it was sometimes called ''Black's schoolhouse."' A frame edifice was erected at a Jater date, which is still in use. Harvey Chapel is a regular appointment, and there is preaching every two weeks. Sunday schoo] is sustained in the summer season.

Zion (United Brethren) church was established and a log house of worship erected at an early day. The house was built abour 1830, but there was probably a class in existence before any church building was erected. It is related that Sabbath school was held in this neighborhood during the summer season in a grove, and when the cool weather would come on in the fall, the members of the school would be 'so reluctant to discontinue, that they would build log heaps in the woods, and recite their Sabbath school lessons around them. The members of Zion erected a frame edifice about 1845, or 1846, which is in use at present. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is pastor, and a Sabbath school is sustained during the summer months.

St. Patricks (Catholic) congregation was organized and a small brick church built about 1830 or 1831. The congregation was composed chiefly of an Irish colony that settled in Jackson township about that time. A large and costly brick edifice, substantial and of showy architecture, was erected about 1844 or 1845, and substituted for the old 'house of worship. The church occupies a handsome site, and the congregation is large and influential.

St. Patricks church was organized, and the first building erected, under the pastorship and supervision of Rev. Father Young of St. Josephs. :

Fairview (United Biethren) church, situated in the neighborhood of Middletown, near the southern line of the township, was organized and achurch erected about 1858: It is a flourishing little congregation, and sustains a Sabbath school during the summer months. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is the present pastor.

Salem (United Brethren) church, situated in the interior of the township is, like Fairview, a comparatively modern church, an' has been a regular appointment some twenty or thirty years. It has a neat frame edifice, keeps up a Sabbath school a portion of the year, and sustains preaching the year round. Rev. Cumings of Junction City is the present pastor. ;

Friendship (Methodist Episcopal) church is situated at Middletown. A society was organized at an early day, and a house of worship erected. It was, during the existence of the old building, generally known as the 'Linton Church."" The present neat edifice occupied by the society was built about 1869 or 1870. This is a regular appointment of the M. E. church, and sustains a Sabbath school during the entire year.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Junction City was organized in 1873, and a house of worship erected in 1874. There had been regular preaching a year or two before the building of the church. The edifice is a substantial and handsome one, though not very large. Preaching and other regular services are sustained, including Sabbath school.

The United Brethren church at Junction City was organized in 1873, and the building erected in 1874. There had been preaching tor some time previous to the erection of the house of worship. The editice stands on elevated ground and is nicely situated. _ Stated preaching is sustained, and also a Sabbath school. Rev. Cumings, the pastor, resides near the church.

The German Reform congregation, after dissolving church property relations with the Lutherans at Lebanon, proceeded to erect a house of worship about one mile north of Lebanon. [rom some cause the society did not prosper; the building was never finished, although used for a few years. The congregation eventually disbanded, and the church property was disposed of to pay outstanding obligations.

Saffell's church (Methodist Episcopal) was organized, and a log edifice erected, about 1830. It was aregular appointment for ten or twelve years, when the society disbanded and the house was put to other uses.

A Presbyterian church was erected in the Ross neighborhood at an early day. Stated preaching was maintained for many years, but latterly there are no regular services, though the house is kept in repair, and there is occasional preaching, especially on funeral occasions.

It will be observed, trom the foregoing brief sketches, that Jackson township is well supplied with churches of various denominations. A larger proportion of the inhabitants are Catholics than would seem to be indicated by the one Catholic church (St. Patrick's), as it is the general policy of this denomination to build large and costly edifices, capable of accommodating large congregations. A portion of the Catholic population of Jackson belongs to the St. Joseph congregation, in Reading township, and a few others, probably, to churches in neighboring townships.

The people of these various denominations live peaceably and harmoniously together, affording a striking example of the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and of the good genius of American institutions.

Some persons will be inclined to doubt the organization of Jackson township as early as 1805; but the records of Fairfield show that the township had been organized and named early in the spring of 1806, and it is almost certain that it had been instituted the preceding year. A part of Jackson township was settled at an earlier date than most persons living in it would suppose. At a very early day, indeed - from 1798 to 1800 - pioneers rowed up the Hocking, from Athens, in get of eligible locations, and when they would reach the forks of the ocking, a few miles below Lancaster, many of them would proceed up Rush Creek, which is the larger branch at the junction, and, in this way, what is now Rush Creek township, Fairfield county, received its first permanent settlement. Jackson township, Perry county, joins Rush Creek township, Fairfieled county, and the larger branch of Rush Creek runs through them both. It is about certain that some of these early explorers pushed as far over as what is now Jackson township, Perry county. Of the Larimores, Thompsons, and others, who settled on Rush Creek near where the county line now is, in 1800, it is known that some of them became citizens of Jackson township, Perry county, but probably at a little later date. At any rate, there is no available knowledge of any permanent settlement on the Jackson township side previous to 1805. If earlier settlements or improvements were made, they must have been of a temporary and transitory character, and little or nothing is now known concerning them. 'There is no doubt, however, that the adjoining township of Rush Creek, in another county, was settled as early as 1800.

Most of what is now Jackson township was a good hunting ground in the very early days, and the first settlers of 'Thorn and Reading townships, and of the western townships of what is now Fairfield county, have killed bears, deer, and other wild animals, along or in the neighborhood of the numerous streams which flow through its territory.

Kemp

KENNEDY Cont i mued Git ebe sew.) =o 2 Ue ore eb Cora B., Le? Daido Davis, 248 Dennis, 2:27 Pils reste sor, hima Plorence, 452 Estella M., 452 Pay Soe Se Francis James Longdon