Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

This township is located in the United States Military District of lands directed to be sold at Zanesville; designated as township 3, of range 2 - that is township 3 north, numbering from the south side of the Military District, and range 2 west, numbering from the seventh range on the east side of the Military District. It is five miles square and divided into quarters. The township is divided into sections, numbering from one to twenty-five, and commencing in the northeast corner, thence west, then cast and back and forth, ending in the southwest corner with section twenty-five. The township has four school districts, under the control of the Board of Education, and one special district authorized by the Legislature. The main streams are the Salt Fork of Wills Creek, meandering across the south side and receiving the Brushy Fork and other branches from the north. The Sugar-tree runs across the north side and receives the Clear Brook, Rocky Fork and other streamlets. There are three grist and saw mills on the Salt Fork, and one on the Sugartree.

The first settlers were William Lautz and Martin Stull, who emigrated from Greene County, Pa., in 1805, and located, Stull on lots U and 15, and Lautz on lots 1 and 2. Stull died soon after- John Tidrick, from the same county, settled on lot 3. William Allen located on lot 28, and owned seven hundred and fifty acres. He came here in 1806, and later married Mr. Stall's widow. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1771. The Aliens raised a large family. He was a Trustee in 1815, when Madison and Jefferson constituted one township, and after the division w^ frequently elected to the office of Trustee. He died in 1845.

Rev. John Graham in 1824 organized a Methodist Episcopal society, with eight members. They met in Mr. Allen's house for sixteen years. William Northgravc was Leader. In 1839 they builta church on Mr. Allen's land. It was the first religious organization and the first church built in the township.

Historical

section 17, third quarter township. His fourteen children grew up here, and three sons and one daughter yet remain. In 1809 his relatives, Henry Stull and George Lautz, came with their families. Thirty-five years later they moved further west.

Adam Linn, in 1809, built a house on the SteubenVille Road, on lot 18, quarter-section 4, and kept tavern there. His son Joseph settled on lot 17, but sold to Thomas Brown. In 1813 another son, George, settled on lot 20, and in 1814 built a grist and saw mill on Salt Fork. He owned six hundred acres, and was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the United Presbyterian Church. His sons and daughters now own the land.

In 1809 Peter Wirick settled on lot 33, which the nieces of William Bales now own. In 1809 also came Abraham Mathews, who settled on lot (j, quarter-township 4, which William A. Parker now owns. In the same year John Baird, with eight sons and six daughters, located on the southeast quarter of section 24, on the Salt Fork.

In 1816 John McCuUough settled on section 5, and built a sawmill. Andrew Clark erected a grist and saw mill near Sugar-tree Fork Postofflce.

James Willis, of Ireland, in 1820 located on section 2, and in 1846 sold it to George Beal, who has since frequently been a Trustee of the township.

In 1818 Thomas F. Baird settled on section 3, and was elected Justice of the Peace in 1830. His second wife now owns the farm. In 1818 came also William Northgrave, who moved on section 2. He was an active leader in the Allen Church.

The first regular election held for township officers was that of April 7, 1817, when Nathan Kimball was chosen Chairman, William Allen and George Beal Judges aud George Linn Clerk. The election resulted as follows: George Liuu, Township Clerk; William Allen, William Lautz, George Beal, Trustees; John Tetrick, Treasurer; Henry Stull, James Strain, Supervisors; James Warnock, Lawrence Tetrick, Overseers of the Poor; John Tetrick, Newman Mathews, Fence Viewers; John Armstrong, Appraiser of Property'; Abraham Armstrong, Lister; Thomas Baird, Jacob Lanning, Constables. July 19, 1817, the Trustees levied a tax of $20.90, which was appropriated to the use of the public roads in the township.

At this early day most of the settlers belonged to some branch of the Presbyterian Church, but no church was erected because each settler insisted on worshiping as he had been accustomed; therefore they worshiped in churches outside of the township, many in the Union Churcli at Washington, in Wills Township. This was the Associate Reformed Church. Some were members of the Presbyterian organization southeast of Washington. At an earl}- day Rev. Alexander McCoy, who, with Rev. Robert Warwick, founded the Reformed Dissenting Presbyterian Church, January 27, 1801, came here and preached at the house of James Bratton, five miles east of Cambridge, on the Steubenville Road. The Dissenters then organized the Wills Creek congregation of the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery. They erected a tent in a grove near Thomas Armstrong's, which had seating capacity for a large audience. They also built a large log cabin, with two chimneys for use in winter, and afterwards erected a frame church near Miller's Mill, in Liberty Township. There services were held until September, 1850, when the presbytery was dissolved. Rev. John Anderson was the first regular pastor, and his successor was Rev. Moses Oldham. The first Ruling Elders were John Armstrong, Joseph Bell, David Douglas and Isaac Oldham. A large number of the congregation were citizens of Jefferson Township. The first church organization in the township was the Allen Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1816. The second congregation was begun at a meeting held in the house of Andrew Clark, on the Sugar-tree Fork. The Associate Reformers held meetings there for some time, and later erected a church edifice on the site of North Salem. A larger building is now being constructed. Rev. James Duncan was the first pastor, Rev. William Johnson the second, and Rev. "William Sommer the third. Rev. John W. Martin is the present pastor. The third church organization was in September, 1867, when the Pleasant Hill United Presbyterian Church was organized. Robert Kirk wood and Abraham Armstrong were chosen Ruling Elders. Levi P. Scott was carpenter of the church edifice, which cost $725. Rev. Rufus Johnson was the first pastor, and Rev. J. W. Martin is the present pastor. The Ruling Elders are Robert Kirkwpod, Abraham Armstrong, George Allcnder, H. J. Martin and Andrew Clark; Deacons, McLean Armstrong, T. C. Kirkwood, J. W. Armstrong, William Scott and John Marling.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery is on a beautiful knoll in section 16, and adjoins the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Jane Moor, wife of William Moor, was the first person buried here. James Bratton, a young man, was the second, and William Moor third. Florence Armstrong, mother of the Armstrong brothers, was buried there August 22, 1822.

Source changes here: from History of Guernsey County, Ohio, by Sarchet, Cyrus P. B. (Cyrus Parkinson Beatty), published 1911; 855 words in this source stream.

Jefferson Township

Jefferson township is the second from the northern and the third from the eastern line of Guernsey county. It is five miles square, contains twentyfive sections and is in an excellent part of the county. Its history dates from June 3, 1816, when it was cut off from territory formerly included in Madison township. It is without town or village.

Its early settlers included the following persons, who in 1876 were reported as still residing within the confines of the township, and had passed the seventy-sixth year mark of life's journey:

George Linn was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1768, and taught school there until 1813, when he settled here on a farm. He married Pamelia Matthews and they reared eight children. Their son, Cyrus, was born here in 1837 and was educated at Athens College and to him and his wife were born five children, well known in this county.

John S. Fordyce was born in 1808 and left his native town in Pennsylvania fifteen years later for Harrison county, Ohio, where his parents decided to locate. He married Margaret Shipman, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. They remained in Harrison county eight years and then settled in this township, where he died some years later. They had eight children, John, one of the sons, being born in Harrison county, in 1837. In 1867 he married Hannah Allen, a native of Guernsey county. They first lived two years in Madison township and then came to Jefferson township.

Jesse Thomas was born in Pennsylvania and lived at home until 181 3, when he married and finally died on the west branch of the Susquehanna river in 1822. His wife then lived in Winchester, this county, until 1849. Their children were Samuel, Lewis, Charles and Jesse. Samuel Thomas was born in Pennsylvania, in 181 5, and came to Ohio with his mother in 1823.

He married and resided at various places in this county, until 1843, when he settled in this township and operated a mill many years. He resided on one place more than forty years and was infirmary director and trustee of his township.

James Gillispie was born in Ireland in 1787 and emigrated to this country when eighteen years of age, working on a farm in Pennsylvania. In 1809 he married. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and in 1831 removed to Belmont county, Ohio, and ten years later to this township. He died in 1847 and his wife in 1841. His family consisted of wife and nine children.

The above represent a large majority of the early settlers in this goodly township. Their descendants are scattered throughout this and adjoining counties.

First Actual Settlers

After having given a number of the earlier pioneers of this township it now becomes the duty of the historian to give something concerning the first actual settlers, who were William Lautz and Martin Stull. These emigrated from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1805 and located, Stull on lots 14 and 15, and Lautz on lots 1 and 2, in the military land district. Stull soon died there. John Tidrick, from the same county and state, settled on lot 3. William Allen located on lot 28 and owned at one time seven hundred acres of land. He came to this township in 1806, and later married Mr. Stull's widow. He reared a large family and was trustee in 181 5, when Madison and Jefferson composed one civil township. He died in 1845.

Rev. John Graham, in 1824, organized a Methodist Episcopal church, with eight members. They met for worship at Mr. Allen's house for sixteen years, but in 1839 built a church on Mr. Allen's land. This was the first religious society formed within the township.

Adam Linn built a house and kept tavern on the old Steubenville road in 1809. Abraham Mathews came in the same year, as did John Bird and his eight- sons and daughters. William Bratton effected settlement in 181 5, on section 25. It was in 1810 when William Moore and family settled, as did this aged couple's son-in-law, John Henderson. William Moore was justice of the peace in 1816, and John Henderson served from 1819 to 1846 as his successor, two terms being excepted. Both were devout Presbyterians.

John Lake, who was constable in 1815, settled in 1812 on section 13. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1815 John McCulloch settled on section 5, and built a saw mill.

Andrew Clark built a grist and saw mill combined in one, near Sugar Tree fork postoffice. In 18 18 James Wilson settled on lot 34 and he followed blacksmithing many years. In 1819 Richard Cornell settled on section 25. In 1820 Thomas Whitehill and son, Thomas, from Scotland, settled on section 6.

In 1820 also came James Willis, of Ireland; in 1821, came Isaac Lanning, who settled on section 3. John Speers, from Ireland, settled in the same neighborhood about the date last mentioned. Robert Kirkwood located here in 1825 and in 1849 bought the Armstrong farm. He was an elder in the Pleasant Hill United Presbyterian church.