Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

Jefferson was a township prior to 1810, but the exact date of its organization is unknown. It included Valley Township until 1860, when the township was divided, the eastern part retaining the name of Jefferson and the western part becoming Valley Township. Jefferson Township was formerly part of Seal and Union Townships. .

The present Jefferson Township was settled first on Long Run m the southeast corner of the township in 1808. Some of the earliest settlers were James "Painter" Wilson, Joshua Tritt, J. H. Munn, James Haney, Jesse

Rice, Rodney Marshall, Samuel Farmer, Jacob Crouse, Richard Grimshaw, Jared Spriggs, Abner Field, Aaron Gee, Daniel Conkell, Daniel McLaughlin, Thomas Carlisle and Solomon Munn. The original Jefferson Township settlements were on the Scioto River in. what is now Valley Township.

The boundary of Jefferson Township was first changed December 5. 1826, as follows: The east half of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 3, range 21 taken from Jefferson and attached to Madison. There have been other small changes for the accommodation of certain residents, but none are of much importance. The township records are very incomplete. Nothing of consequence is recorded prior to 1838, when Leonard Groninger was clerk. The present boundary is north by Pike County, east by Madison and Harrison' Townships, south by Clay and west by Valley Township.

The area of Jefferson Township is 14,940 acres. The value of the real estate is $49,660; personal property, $25,013, making a total valuation of $74,673. It ranks 14th in area, 15th in population, (smallest), 16th in real estate, 16th in personal property and 16th in total of both.

Jefferson contains very hilly and rough land, but also some very good farm land. In the southeast corner, the Valley of Long Run contains good farms. Southwest of the center and extending to the eastern boundary of Valley Township is a strip of bottom land on Marsh's Run, that is very productive farm land. On Blue Run are found the widest fertile bottoms, but in the region called "Flat Wood" is a large area of level high land that produces well, both grain and fruits. Fallen Timber Valley, in the north-east corner, is narrow but it contains some good farms. Jefferson has a great many hills but all of them can be profitably cultivated in berries, peaches and other fruits. Except Vernon, Jefferson is the roughest township east of the Scioto river.

The township officers in 1851 were: Treasurer, James L. Thomas; Clerk, Leonard Groniger; Justices of the Peace, Mark Snyder and Isaac N. Johnson; Constables, Thomas Carlisle, John Stewart and O. B. Murphy. The present township officers are: Clerk, T. Frank Craig; Treasurer, P. H. Reinoehl; Trustees, John Shuman, Jerry Field and W.' L. McCain; Justices of the Peace, James McWilliams and Jared Spriggs; Constable, Stephen Keller.

There are few townships but have a better school system than Jefferson. In 1851, Jefferson had eight schools, one special and 7 sub-districts. The following is copied from its first records. District Number 1, 78 youth, $64.13 school fund: District No. 2, 67 youth, $55.08 school fund; District No. 3, 71 youth. $58.38 school fund; District No. 4. 39 youth, $32.06 school fund; District No. 5, 63 youth, $51.80 school fund; District No. 6, 60 youth, $49.35 school fund; District No 7, 34 youth, $27.96 school fund; Special District, 54 youth, $48.91 school fund. The township fund for the same year was $69.81.

1, Munn's School, 41 pupils; District 2, Flat Woods, 39 pupils; District 3, Black Run, 36 pupils; District 4, Blue Run, 39 pupils; District 5, Fallen Timber, 60 pupils. The term is seven months and the teachers' wages are $30.00 per mouth. Two of the school buildings. Flat Woods and Fallen Timber, are nearly new. The average value of each school house and site is about $500.

Blue Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and a church built in 1859. Rev. Harrison Willis was the first pastor. The first trustees were: James Varner, Milton Deselen and John Morgan. The original members were: John Morgan and wife; Abner Field and wife; Samuel Miller and wife; Jared

Fallen Timber Christian Church was organized in 1865. The first pastor was Itev. Asa Eblin. The membership of the church is nearly 100 and the Sunday School is large. Edward McWilliams is Superintendent of the Sunday School.

Flat Woods Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1876. The first pastor was Rev. Perry Orr and the trustees were: Hamilton Myers, Nicholas Fuqk and Jared Spriggs. The original members were David Crull and wife; William Porter and wife; Henry Bricker and wife; Abigail Crull, Catherine Farmer and Rachel Ralphsnider. The pastor is Rev. W. W. Gadd. The church has about fifty members and a large Sunday School.

Jefferson Township Cemeteries are fenced and kept at the expense of the township. The Morgan Cemetery is located on the high hill back of the Blue Run Church. Here are buried some of the oldest pioneers of Jefferson, but few if any of their graves have record stones from which data can be obtained.

Perhaps the most noteworthy grave in Jefferson Township is that of Major James Munn, who was buried on top of the hill near Oertel Corner, on the Portsmouth and Harrisonville turnpike. It is well cared for and the grave can be seen from the road near the Oertel homestead. While it has no stone, it is well known.

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; 1,057 words in this source stream.

Jefferson Township

Jefferson was a township prior to 1810, but the exact date of its organization is unknown. It included Valley Township until 1860, when the township was divided, the eastern part retaining the name of Jefferson and the western part becoming Valley Township. Jefferson Township was formerly part of Seal and Union Townships. i

The present Jefferson Township was settled first on Long Run in the southeast corner of the township in 1808. Some of the earliest settlers were James 'Painter' Wilson, Joshua Tritt, J. H. Munn, James Haney, Jesse

Rice, Rodney Marshall, Samuel Farmer, Jacob Crouse, Richard Grimshaw, Jared Spriggs, Abner Field, Aaron Gee, Daniel Conkell, Daniel McLaughlin, Thomas Carlisle and Solomon Munn. The original Jefferson Township settlements were on the Scioto River in what is now Valley Township.

The boundary of Jefferson Township was first changed December 5, 1826, as follows: The east half of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 3, range 21 taken from Jefferson and attached to Madison. There have been other small changes for the accommodation of certain residents, but none are of much importance. The township records are very incomplete. Nothing of consequence is recorded prior to 1838, when Leonard Groninger was. clerk. The present boundary is north by Pike County, east by Madison and Harrisor Townships, south by Clay and west by Valley Township.

The area of Jefferson Township is 14,940 acres. The value of the real estate is $49,660; personal property, $25,013, making a total valuation of $74,678. It ranks 14th in area, 15th in population, (smallest), 16th in real estate, 16th in personal property and 16th in total of both.

Jefferson contains very hilly and rough land, but also some very good farm land. | In the southeast corner, the Valley of Long Run contains good farms. Southwest of the center and extending to the eastern boundary of Valley Township is a strip of bottom land on Marsh's Run, that is very productive farm land. On Blue Run are found the widest fertile bottoms, but in the region called ""Flat Wood" is a large area of level high land that produces well, both grain and fruits. Fallen Timber Valley, in the north-east corner, is narrow but it contains some good farms. Jefferson has a great many hills but all of them can be profitably cultivated in berries, peaches and other fruits. Except Vernon, Jefferson is the roughest township east of the Scioto river.

The township officers in 1851 were: Treasurer, James L. Thomas; Clerk, Leonard Groniger; Justices of the Peace, Mark Snyder and Isaac N. Johnson; Constables, Thomas Carlisle, John Stewart and O. B. Murphy. The present township officers are: Clerk, T. Frank Craig; Treasurer, P. H. Reinoehl; Trustees, John Shuman, Jerry Field and W. L. McCain; Justices of the Peace, James McWilliams and Jared Spriggs; Constable, Stephen Keller.

There are few townships but have a better school system than Jefferson. In 1851, Jefferson had eight schools, one special and 7 sub-districts. The following is copied from its first records. District Number 1, 78 youth, $64.13 school fund: District No. 2, 67 youth, $55.08 school fund; District No. 8, 71 youth, $58.38 school fund; District No. 4, 39 youth, $32.06 school fund; District No. 5, 63 youth, $51.80 school fund; District No. 6, 60 youth, $49.35 school fund; District No 7, 34 youth, $27.96 school fund; Special District, 54 youth, $48.91 school fund. The township fund for the same year was $69.81.

Jefferson Township at present has five schools, as follows: District 1, Munn's School, 41 pupils; District 2, Flat Woods, 39 pupils; District 3, Black Run, 36 pupils; District 4, Blue Run, 39 pupils; District 5, Fallen Timber, 60 pupils. The term is seven months and the teachers' wages are $30.00 per mouth. Two of the school buildings, Flat Woods and Fallen Timber, are nearly new. The average value of each school house and site is about $500.

Blue Run Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and a church built in 1859. Rev. Harrison Willis was the first pastor. The first trustees were: James Varner, Milton Deselen and John Morgan. The original members were: John Morgan and wife; Abner Field and wife; Samuel Miller and wife; Jared

The officers of Madison Township for the year 1902 are: Treasurer, Thomas M. Kent; Clerk, J. M Mohat; Assessor, John Alexander; Justices of the Peace, John L. Samson and J. W. Jackson; Trustees, J. B. Bennett, Allen Stockham and Samson Sherer; Constable, J H. Dewey.

The schools of Madison Township have made a marked improvement in the past year which is due to the earnest efforts of the Madison Township Teacher's Association and the co-operation of the Board of Education. Although the wages are small, the schools are among the best of Scioto County. The value of her schoo] property is about $6,000.

Kronk Cemetery on Jacob Kronk's farm and enclosing about 1 acre, is not one of the oldest but one of the best kept of all the Madison Township burial grounds. It is not a family cemetery, but is used by the public, although not a Township cemetery.

Martin's Cemetery is in the western part of the Township near James S. Rickey's farm. It contains some very old graves, but the oldest legible re- - cord is "James S Rockwell, died February 15,1825, aged 71 years, 11 months, 9 days." It covers about one acre of Jand and is open to the public, but is not controlled by the Township.

The Carme)] Cemetery is near Mt. Carmel school house and contains about one acre. The following is the oldest inscription: George W. Swaim, died March 9, 1262, aged 45 years, 5 months and 16 days.

Bennett's Cemetery is situated 1-4 mile south of Fairview Church, and contains about 3-4 of an acre. The following is the oldest inscription: Ellinor Bennett, died January 26, 1824, in her 61st year.

Bennett's Cemetery is situated 1-4 mile northeast of Harrisonville, on the farm of Thomas Bennett. It contains about 2-4 of an acre. The oldest inscription is: John Bennett, died June 4, 1845, in the 79th year of his age.

Glendale Cemetery contains about 1 1-2 acres in the southwest corner of j the Township. It is the old Presbyterian Churchyard. The oldest grave is , that of Robert Anderson, Senior, who died June 17, 1855, at the age of 83.