Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

JEFFERSON was organized in March 1829. It is the northeast corner township of Knox county, and is bounded on the north by Ashland and Holmes counties, on the south by Union tov\rnship, on the east by Holmes county, and on the west by Brown township. In 1876 one mile was taken from the south part of this township and annexed to Union.

At the first election held in April 1829, the following were chosen: trustees, John McMillan and Josiah Trumbley; clerk. Robert Greer; constables, Andrew Lockard and Joseph Critchfield.

The early political history of Jefferson is derived from the otificial records which are still in a good state of preservation. From these it appears that the first official busmess transacted by the township board after its organization, was the annual settlement with the township ofificers, recorded as follows :

On the first Monday of March 1830, the trustees met a full board. The accounts of the different officers were settled without any charge being made by the township, and adjourned.

At the election held in 1832 at the house of Frederick Rice the following officers were elected, Alexander Greer, Josiah Frost and John Hibbetts trustees; Alvin Critchfield and Jesse Casteel, constables; George Rice and Robert Greer, overseers of poor, and Robert McMillen, fenceviewer.

The following justices of the peace have been elected since the organization of the township : 1829, James Henderson and John Greer; 1832, John Greer; 1835, James Greer; 1837, James Withrow; 1838, Joseph Greer, Josiah Frost; 1840, James Greer, James Withrow; 1842, Alexander Greer; 1843, James Withrow; 1845, Alexander Greer; 1846, James Withrow; 1848, Alexander Greer; 1849, Robert Greer; 1851, Alexander Greer; 1852, Robert Greer; 1854, Josiah Frost; 1855, Robert Greer; 1857, Josiah Frost, James Greer; 1858, Charles Miller; i860, James Greer; 1861, Charles Miller; 1863, John Workman; 1865, Charles Miller, Frederick Rice; 1867, Charles Miller; 1868, Edward Day; 1869, Mark Greer; 1870, Charles Miller; 187 1, John D. Shrimplin; T873, Charles Miller; 1874, Benjamin Wander; 1876, John C. Banbury; 1877, James W. Baker, John Body; 1879, PhiUp Love; 1880, James W. Baker.

This township was named after Thomas Jefferson, one of the Presidents of the United States. The surface is exceedingly broken and hilly, some of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an altitude attaining to the grandeur of mountains. The magnificent rocky and hilly country along the Mohican river, and elsewhere in the township, is undoubtedly the most interesting geographical feature in this county. In the early history of the country these high hills and rocky bluffs formed a secure retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for large numbers of rattlesnakes and other venomous reptiles. Hundreds of these reptiles were killed by the pioneer^. Wild game, such as foxes, coons, opossums, and turkeys are still quite numerous in the hills, and mink and otter are found along the Mohican.

Many interesting relics of former ages have been found here. The early pioneers unearthed with their plows hundreds of flints, or Indian arrow heads, and various implements of Indian manufacture. On the farm of George Bird, near Greersville, were several small mounds. These were explored by the early settlers, several human skeletons unearthed, and ashes and charcoal also found. On the summit of a high and precipitous hill adjacent to Greersville are the remains of an ancient fortification or intrenchment. The sides of a portion of the hill were so steep as to make an intrenchment unnecessary, but the portions less abrupt were strongly fortified by a wide and deep ditch, cut in the form of a semicircle.

In the vicinity of Greersville are various ledges of rocks, some of which have received names, suggested by peculiar surroundings or individual appearance. One of these ledges, alum rock, is so named because the water which flows from its crevices is strongly impregnated with alum. The water which exudes from the rock, on being exposed to the rays of the sun and evaporated produces alum in considerable quantities. This locality is a favorite resort for pleasure parties in the summer, and is annually visited by many young persons from Mt. Vernon, Loudonville and other places, who encamp here for days at a time, and engage in fishing and hunting. Whortleberries are very plenty in the hills of Jefferson township, and hundreds of bushels are annually gathered by the inhabitants here as well as by persons from adjoining counties.

It is difficult to ascertain who was the first white settler of Jefferson township. Isaac Enlow and Nicholas Helm were among the first to settle within the present limits of the township. The date of this settlement is not known, but it was probably a short time after the close of the War of 1 812. As far as known there was no settler to be found in this township prior to that war. Jefferson was the last of all the townships of Knox county to be settled. Owing to the broken condition of the surface and its isolation, settlers preferred other government land as long as it could be had in the vicinity. John Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew McKee, Ephraim McMillen, Jacob Shiner, Elisha Ross, John Dailey, Alexander Darling, James Henderson, John Hibbetts, Josiah Trimbley, Joseph Critchfield and George Greer were of the first settlers. The Greers have long been identified with the history of Jefferson. John Greer came from

Ireland to Knox county early in this century, settling near Danville. Possessed of a vigorous intellect and indomitable spirit, he soon took a prominent position among the early settlers. During the War of 181 2 he did much to promote the formation of companies, and became captain of one of them. He served several terms as justice of the peace, and was elected representative to the legislature in 1830. For forty years some of the Greer name have officiated as justice of the peace in this township.

Robert Greer, another influential and useful citizen, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, March 12, 1806. He emigrated to America in 1826, first settling in Maryland. In 1827 he removed to Jefferson, locating in the eastern part of the township. He received a very thorough education in Ireland, was an accomplished scholar, well versed in mathematics and the languages. After his arrival here he engaged in farming, also schoolteaching; was the first clerk of the township, and was elected justice of the peace for several terms. He died March 13, 1865. His only child, Abraham W., is still residing here.

Jacob Colopy, was an early settler, emigrating from Maryland to Knox county in 181 2, first setthng three miles south of Mt. Vernon, where he resided until his removal to Jeff'erson in 1825. He located his farm in the southern part of the township, in that portion attached to Union in 1876- Mr. Colopy was very industrious, working night and day, and at one time was the owner of seventeen hundred acres of land. Because of his habit of working early and late, he received the appellation of "Night and Day," from his neighbors. He resides at present near the village of Gann.

Absalom Shrimplin, son of John Shrimplin, one of Knox county's earliest settlers, was born in Owl Creek valley, November 27, 1806, and was the second \Thite child born in the county. His mother, Elizabeth Shrimplin, nee Morrison, who was born near the banks of the Ohio river in Jefferson county September 7, 1787, is said to have been the second white female child born in Ohio. Mr. Shrimplin removed to Jefferson township a few years after its organization and resided here until his death, December 28, 1879.

sylvania. He came to Jefferson township in 1836, settling on section four. He was elected representative by the Democrats in 1851, Hon. Columbus Delano, the Whig candidate, being the other representative elected that year. Mr. Witherow served one term, but being very much disgusted with the lax morals of some of his brother representatives, he declined a renomination. He has also served several terms as justice of the peace, and was noted for his accurate decisions in cases tried before him.

Samuel Beck came from West Virginia in 1837. He was married in 1829, to Miss Mary Seaman, of Virginia. Mrs. Beck resided near Bethany, Virginia. She was intimately acquainted with Philip Doddrige, the historian of western Virginia and Pennsylvania, and Alexander Campbell, the founder of the religious body known as Carapbellites or Disciples. She was present when he preached his first celebrated sermon on immersion, at a private house in the neighborhood of Bethanj'. She has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Beck died October 4, 1848. Mrs. Beck's father was born in London, England, removed to Virginia about the close of the Revolutionary war, and purchased three hundred acres of land near Wheeling. Her paternal grandfather, Harris, lived near the Potomac river during the progress of the Revolutionary war. At one time, in company with a negro servant, he was pursued by a band of Indians, was wounded, but managed to secrete himself in a sycamore tree. The Indians losing sight of Mr. Harris, continued in pursuit of the negro, and finally captured him.

Jonathan Rice, another honored and useful citizen of this township, came from Allegheny county, Maryland, in 183 1. He has long been a member of the Methodist church, and a zealous worker for the cause of Christ. A short time after Mr. Rice's removal here, a grand union hunt was organized by the citizens of Jefferson, Brown, and Union townships, and parties from Ashland and Holmes counties also participated. It was estimated that more than a thousand persons were present. There were but few wolves or bears at that date, but deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and smaller game abounded. A central point was selected in the woods, near where the Wesley chapel now stands.

Captains and other necessary officers were appointed to manage the incoming lines, fill up vacancies, and prevent the escape of game. The Hues were formed in a square, enclosing several, miles, and the hunters were armed with guns, clubs, tin horns, knives, pitchforks, etc. At a given signal the lines advanced toward the center, every man and boy making as much noise as possible. As the advancing column approached each other, turkeys began flying over; the affrighted game rushed from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape, and by reason of mismanagement on the part of some of the officers, a gap in the lines was left open, through which most of the game escaped. This was the last grand circular hunt in the township.

The settlers of Jefferson were at first, principally from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ireland, but in later years a large number of Germans have located in the township, and form an important addition to its population. Settling among the rugged hills, where it would seem almost impossible to obtain a liveUhood by agricultural pursuits, they soon, by their good management, industry and economy, acquire a competency.

Although the Mohican river affords abundant water power for mills and manufactories, it has never been much utilized by the inhabitants. The first grist-mill in the township was built about 1833, on the Mohican, by John Greer; he also erected a saw-mill in connection with it. Some years later a large fiouring-mill was erected at Mt. Holly, now Gann.

As in other townships, the first schools were " subscription schools, " there being no public school fund. These schools were taught at first in the houses of the pioneers. The first schoolhouse was built about 1826, on Nicholas Helm's farm. It stood about eighty rods west of Greersville, and was a small structure, built of unhewn logs. Another of the early school-houses, probably the second, was situated on Philip Hardinger's farm, near the centre of the township. A third was erected a few years after this, near the present site of Wesley chapel. These were all log buildings of a very primitive style of architecture. Elisha Ross, Robert Greer, David Buzzard and Isaac Beann were among the first teachers in this township.

Only two churches have an organized existence at present within the limits of Jefferson township, one of these being in the village of Greersville. The first church was organized by the Episcopal- Methodists in 1832, at the house of Rev. Burriss, who was the first class-leader of the society. George Burriss, William Cornell, Joseph and Henry Hess, the Colwells, McMillens, Hickes and Harrises were among the early members of this organization. The first ministers were Revs. William Conant, Russell Bigelow, John McNabb, Allen Moffatt,

Davidson. The early meetings were held at the residences of the first members and in the schoolhouses. Some years after the formation of the society a log structure was erected, which was superseded by a frame building in 1866, still standing, and in use by the members. This edifice cost about eleven hundred dollars, and is a neat frame, twenty-eight by thirty-four feet in dimensions.

There is a cemetery adjacent to the church, known as the Wesley Chapel cemetery, in which many of the former citizens of Jefferson are buried. The present membership of the church is about sixty-five. In 1853 a Winebrenariari society was organized in the northwestern part of the township, which held their meetings in the Jericho school-house. Thomas Carpenter, Chamberlain, and Russell, were among the first members. This organization was a weak one, and disbanded in a few years. There was also a society of Catholics organized here at an early date, and a small log building, call St. Michael's church, erected in the northern part of the township. There being flourishing Catholic societies at Loudonville and Danville, it was deemed inexpedient by the members of St. Michael's church to keep up the organization, and it was dissolved many years since, the members generally uniting with St. Luke's church, of Danville, and the Loudonville Catholic church.

The present winter (1880-1) has been a most remarkable one in the history of this township, as well as of the county. Winter and sleighing began about the middle of November, 1880; the sleighing was uninterrupted until some time in February, 1881, and the cold extremely severe. A fall of snow, nearly two feet in depth, occurred about the first of April, and the voters went to the spring election in sleds and sleighs. A winter of such length and severity is not within the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

Greersville is the only village within the present limits of Jefferson township. It was laid out in 1836 by Robert Greer, is situated on the Mohican river, about four miles north of Gann, and has a population of about seventy. Solomon Hull built the first house, a log dwelling; James Greer kept the first store, and Miss Amanda Allen taught the school. Prior to the erection of the first schoolhouse in the village, a school-house stood a short distance outside of the town to which the first inhabitants sent their children. Arthur Greer taught the first school in this house. At this date there are in the village two dry goods stores, owned by John DeWitt and John Friermuth; one hotel, kept by George Derrenberger; one harness shop, by Casper Paul; one wagon shop, by Edward Shrimplin, and one cigar store, by L. Shaw. John Friermuth is the postmaster, and the village has a triweekly mail.

The Wesleyan Methodist church of Greenville was organized in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum. Its early members were Asa Greer, Agnes Severns, Sarah Bird, Calista Severns. Rev. George B. Bainum w^as the first pastor of this society. The subsequent pastors were Reverends L. R. Royce, George

Hamlin, Richard Horton, J. A. Nettleton, James Preston, and B. F. Hestor. The society worshipped in the Greersville school-house until 1861, when a neat frame edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. The present officers of the church are Jonathan Rice, Michael Wander and A, W. Greer, trustees ; John Wesley Rice, William Kaylor and Elmer C. Greer, stewards; Josiah Workman, class-leader. The present membership is about sixty. An active Sundayschool is connected with the church, A. W. Greer being the superintendent.

Source changes here: from History Knox County, Ohio, by N. N. Hill., Jr, published 1881; 2,637 words in this source stream.

Jefferson Township

At the first election held in April 1829, the following were chosen: trustees, John McMillan and Josiah Trumbley; clerk, Robert Greer; constables, Andrew Lockard and Joseph Critchfield.

The early political history of Jefferson is derived from the official records which are still in a good state of preservation. From these it appears that the first official business transacted by the township board after its organization, was the annual settlement with the township officers, recorded as follows :

March 1830. On the first Monday of March 1830, the trustees met a full board. The accounts of the different officers were settled without any charge being made by the township, and adjourned. Attest, ROBERT GREER, clerk."

At the election held in 1832 at the house of Frederick Rice the following officers were elected, Alexander Greer, Josiah Frost and John Hibbetts trustees; Alvin Critchfield and Jesse Casteel, constables; George Rice and Robert Greer, overseers of poor; and Robert McMillen, fenceviewer.

The following justices of the peace have been elected since the organization of the township: 1829, James Henderson and John Greer; 1832, John Greer ; 1835, James Greer; 1837, James Withrow ; 1838, Joseph Greer, Josiah Frost; 1840, James Greer, James Withrow; 1842, Alexander Greer; 1843, James Withrow; 1845, Alexander Greer; 1846, James Withrow; 1848, Alexander Greer; 1849, Robert Greer; 1851, Alexander Greer; 1852, Robert Greer; 1854, Josiah Frost; 1855, Robert Greer; 1857, Josiah Frost, James Greer; 1858, Charles Miller; 1860, James Greer; 1861, Charles Miller; 1863, John Workman; 1865, Charles Miller, Frederick Rice; 1867, Charles Miller; 1868, Edward Day; 1869, Mark Greer; 1870, Charles Miller; 1871, John D. Shrimplin; 1873, Charles Miller; 1874, Benjamin Wander; 1876, John C. Banbury; 1877, James W. Baker, John Body; 1879, Philip Love; 1880, James W. Baker.

This township was named after Thomas Jefferson, one of the Presidents of the United States. The surface is exceedingly broken and hilly, some of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an altitude attaining to the grandeur of mountains. The magnificent rocky and hilly country along the Mohican river, and elsewhere in the township, is undoubtedly the most interesting geographical feature inthis county. In the early history of the country these high hills and rocky bluffs formed a secure retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for large numbers of rattlesnakes and other venomous reptiles. Hundreds of these reptiles were killed by the pioneers. Wild game, such as foxes, coons, opossums, and turkeys are still quite numerous in the hills, and mink and otter are found along the Mohican.

Many interesting relics of former ages have been found here. The early pioneers unearthed~ with their plows hundreds of flints, or Indian arrow heads, and various implements of Indian manufacture. On the farm of George Bird, near Greersville, were several small mounds. These were explored by the early settlers, several human skeletons unearthed, and ashes and charcoal also found. On the summit of a: high and precipitous hill adjacent to Greersville are the remains of an ancient fortification or intrenchment. The sides of a portion of the hill were so steep as to make an intrenchment unnecessary, but the portions less abrupt were strongly fortified by a wide and deep ditch, cut in the form of a semicircle.

In the vicinity of Greersville are various ledges of rocks, some of which have received names, suggested by peculiar surroundings or individual appearance. One of these ledges, alum rock, is so named because the water which flows from its crevices is strongly impregnated with alum. The water which exudes from the rock, on being exposed to the rays of the sun and evaporated produces alum in considerable quantities. This locatity is a favorite resort for pleasure parties in the summer, and is annually visited by many young persons from Mt. Vernon, Loudonville and other places, who encamp here for days at a time, and engage in fishing and hunting. Whortleberries are very plenty in the hills of Jefferson township, and hundreds of bushels are annually gathered by the inhabitants here as well as by persons from adjoining counties.

It is difficult to ascertain who was the first white settler of Jefferson township. Isaac Enlow and Nicholas Helm were among the first to settle within the present limits of the township. The date of this settlement is not known, but it was probably a short time after the close of the War of 1812. As far as known there was no settler to be found in this township prior to that war. Jefferson was the last of all the townships of Knox county to be settled. .Owing to the broken condition of the surface and its isolation, settlers preferred other government land as long as it could be had in the vicinity. John Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew McKee, Ephraim McMillen, Jacob Shiner, Elisha Ross, John Dailey, Alexander Darling, James Henderson, John Hibbetts, Josiah Trimbley, Joseph Critchfield and George Greer were of the first settlers. The Greers have long been identified with the history of Jefferson. John Greer came from

Ireland to Knox county early in this century, settling near Danville. Possessed of a vigorous intellect and indomitable spirit, he soon took a prominent position among the early settlers. During the War of 1812 he did much to promote the formation of companies, and became captain of one of them. He served several terms as justice of the peace, and was elected representative to the legislature in 1830. For forty years some of the Greer name have officiated as justice of the peace in this township.

Robert Greer, another influential and useful citizen, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, March 12, 1806. He emigrated to America in 1826, first settling in Maryland. In 1827 he removed to Jefferson, locating in the eastern part of the township. He received a very thorough education in Ireland, was an accomplished scholar, well versed in mathematics and the languages. After his arrival here he engaged in farming, also schoolteaching; was the first clerk of the township, and was elected justice of the peace for several terms. He died March 13, 1865. His only child, Abraham W., is still residing here.

Jacob Colopy, was an early settler, emigrating from Maryland to Knox county in 1812, first settling three miles south of Mt. Vernon, where he resided until his removal to Jefferson in 1825. He located his farm in the southern part of the township, in that portion attached to Union in 1876. Mr. Colopy was very industrious, working night and day, and at one time was the owner of seventeen hundred acres of land. Because of his habit of working early and late, he received the appellation of 'Night and Day," from his neighbors. He resides at present near the village of Gann.

Absalom Shrimplin, son of John Shrimplin, one of Knox county's earliest settlers, was born in Owl Creek valley, November 27, 1806, and was the second white child born in the county. His mother, Elizabeth Shrimplin, zee Morrison, who was born near the banks of the Ohio river in Jefferson county September 7, 1787, is said to have been the second white female child born in Ohio. Mr. Shrimplin removed to Jefferson township a few years after its sylvania. He came to Jefferson township in 1836, settling on section four. He was elected representative by the Democrats in 1851, Hon. Columbus Delano, the Whig candidate, being the other representative elected that year. Mr. Witherow served one term, but being very much disgusted with the lax morals of some of his brother representatives, he declined a renomination. He. has also served several terms as justice of the peace, and was noted: for his accurate decisions in cases tried before him.

Samuel Beck came from West Virginia in 1837. He was married in 1829, to Miss Mary Seaman, of Virginia. Mrs. Beck resided near Bethany, Virginia. She was intimately acquainted with Philip Doddrige, the historian of western Virginia and Pennsylvania, and Alexander Campbell, the founder of the religious body known as Campbellites or Disciples.) She was present when he preached his first celebrated sermon on immersion, at a private house in the neighborhood of Bethany. She has been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Beck died October 4; 1848. Mrs. Beck's father was born in London, England, removed to Virginia about the close of the Revolutionary war, and purchased three hundred acres of land near Wheeling. Her paternal grandfather, Harris, lived near the Potomac river during the progress of the Revolutionary war. At one time, in company with a negro servant, he was pursued by a band of Indians, was wounded, but managed to secrete himself in a sycamore tree. The Indians losing sight of Mr. Harris, continued in pursuit of the negro, and finally captured him.

Jonathan Rice, another honored and useful citizen of this township, came from Allegheny county, Maryland, in 1831. He has long been a member of the Methodist church, and a zealous worker for the cause of Christ. A short time after Mr. Rice's removal here, a grand union hunt was organized by the citizens of Jefferson, Brown, and Union townships, and parties from Ashland and Holmes counties also participated. It was estimated that more than a thousand persons were present. There were but few wolves or bears at that date, but deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and smaller game abounded. A central point was selected in the woods, near where the Wesley chapel now stands.

Captains and other necessary officers were appointed to manage the incoming lines, fill up vacancies, and prevent the .escape of game. The lines were formed in a square, enclosing several miles, and the hunters were armed with guns, clubs, tin horns, knives, pitchforks, etc. At a given signal the lines. advanced toward the center, every man and boy making as much noise as possible. As the advancing column approached each other, turkeys began flying over; the affrighted game rushed from side to side, seeking an avenue of escape, and by reason of mismanagement on the part of some of the officers, a gap in the lines was left open, through which most of the game escaped. This was the last grand circular hunt in the township.

The settlers of Jefferson were at first, principally from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ireland, but in later years a large number of Germans have located in the township, and form an important addition to its population. Settling among the rugged hills, where it would seem almost impossible to obtain a livelihood by agricultural pursuits, they soon, by their good management, industry and economy, acquire a competency.

Although the Mohican river affords abundant water power for mills and manufactories, it has never been much utilized by the inhabitants. The first grist-mill in the township was built about 1833, on the Mohican, by John Greer; he also erected a saw-mill in connection with it. Some years later a large flouring-mill was erected at Mt. Holly, now Gann.

As in other townships, the first schools were "subscription schools," there being no public school fund. These schools were taught at first in the houses of the pioneers. The first schoolhouse was built about 1826, on Nicholas Helm's farm. It stood about eighty rods west of Greersville, and was a small structure, built of unhewn logs. Another of the early school-houses, probably the second, was situated on Philip Hardinger's farm, near the centre of the township. A third was erected a few years after this, near the present site of Wesley chapel. These were all log buildings ofa very primitive style of architecture. Elisha Ross, Robert Greer, David Buzzard and Isaac Beann were among the first teachers in this township.

Only two churches have an organized existence at present within the limits of Jefferson township, one of these being in the village of Greersville. The first church was organized by the Episcopal- Methodists in 1832, at the house of Rev. Burriss, whowas the first class-leader of the society. George Burriss, William Cornell, Joseph and Henry Hess, the Colwells, McMillens, Hickes and Harrises were among the early members of this organization. The first ministers were Revs. William Conant, Russell Bigelow, John McNabb, Allen Moffatt, Charles Waddle, Daniel Lambert, and Davidson. The early meetings were held at the residences of the first members and in the schoolhouses. Some years after the formation of the society a log structure was erected, which was superseded by a frame building in 1866, still standing, and in use bythe members. This edifice cost about eleven hundred dollars, and is a neat frame, twenty-eight by thirty-four feet in dimensions.

There is a cemetery adjacent to the church, known as the Wesley Chapel cemetery, in which many of the former citizens of Jefferson are buried. The present membership of the church is about sixty-five. In 1853 a Winebrenarian society was organized in the northwestern part of the township, which held their meetings in the Jericho school-house. Thomas Carpenter, Chamberlain, and - - Russell, were among the first members. This organization was a weak one, and disbanded in a few years. There was also a society of Catholics organized here at an early date, and a small log building, call St. Michael's church, erected in the northern part of the township. There being flourishing Catholic societies at Loudonville and Danville, it was deemed inexpedient by the members of St. Michael's church to keep up the organization, and it was dissolved many years since, the members generally uniting with St. Luke's church, of Danville, and the Loudonville Catholic church.

The present winter (1880-1) has been a most remarkable one in the history of this township, as well as of the county. Winter and sleighing began about the middle of November, 1880; the sleighing was uninterrupted until some time in February, 1881, and the cold extremely severe. A fall of snow, nearly two feet in depth, occurred about the first of April, and the voters went to the spring election in sleds and sleighs. A winter of such length and severity is not within the memory of the oldest inhabitant.

Greersville is the only village within the present limits of Jefferson township. It was laid out in 1836 by Robert Greer, is situated on the Mohican river, about four miles north of Gann, and has a population of about seventy. Solomon Hull built the first house, a log dwelling; James Greer kept the first store, and Miss Amanda Allen taught the school. Prior to the erection of the first schoolhouse in the village, a school-house stood a short distance outside of the town to which the first inhabitants sent theirchildren. Arthur Greer taught the first school in this house. At this date there are in the village two dry goods stores, owned by John DeWitt and John Friermuth; one hotel, kept by George Derrenberger; ane harness shop, by Casper Paul; one wagon shop, by Edward Shrimplin, and one cigar store, by L. Shaw. John Friermuth is the postmaster, and the village has a triweekly mail.

The Wesleyan Methodist church of Greenville was organized in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum. Its early members were Asa Greer, Agnes Severns, Sarah Bird, CalistaSeverns. Rev. George B. Bainum was the first pastor of this society. The subsequent pastors were Reverends L. R. Royce, George W. Smith, William Sewell, McConnell, Hamlin, Richard Horton, J. A. Nettleton, James Preston, and B. F. Hestor. The society worshipped in the Greersville school-house until 1861, when a neat frame edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand two hundred dollars. The present officers of the church are Jonathan Rice, Michael Wander and A. W. Greer, trustees; John Wesley Rice, William Kaylor and Elmer C. Greer, stewards; Josiah Workman, class-leader. The present membership is about sixty. An active Sundayschool is connected with the church, A. W. Greer being the superintendent.