Madison Township

Madison Township

Madison township lies in and forms the northeast corner of Perry county, Ohio. It is bounded on the north by Licking county,on the south by Clayton township, on the east by Muskingum county, and on the west by Hopewell township. It extends six miles in length, north and south, and east and west is nearly four miles wide. The township is a fractional one, in two senses. First, it contains only twenty-four sections. Secondly, six of these are not full sections, while three 'others are more than full; all the western sections are deficient. Except the northwest corner section, the northern'sections over run, but the overplus in the north lacks 308.12 acres at least, of making up the amount lost by the western sections. It is one of the original townships of the county, and was surveyed at an early day. The township is naturally divided into two slopes dipping toward the center, through which Jonathan's Creek passes, forming a natural drainage. The small streams from both north and south flow into Jonathan's Creek, which is a good sized stream; entering the township about one and three-fourth miles south from the northwest corner, it lows in a southeastern direction to nearly the center of the township, from where it flows almost a direct eastern course into Muskingum county. Upon this stream some of the first water mills of Perry county were built.

From the south, flowing directly north, is Turkey Run, which joins Jonathan's Creek near the center of the township, and is the second largest stream in the township. About one and three-fourth miles from the southeast corner of the township enters the Somerset and Maysville pike, from Zanesville, Ohio, continuing a little south of a direct western course to the central township meridan, and thence in a southwestern direction, it passes out about one half mile from the southwestern corner. This pike affords a fine out-let during all kinds of weather, and upon which a hack line is driven daily, from Somerset to Zanesville, carrying a daily mail to Sego. This pike was built in 1839, since which time it has been in constant use. ;

The township is undulating, but the hills are rather of a gradual slope, and not very high. The land is all arable, except it may be some small sharp ravines, and is very fertile. The neat, well arranged brick and frame farm dwellings and barns, and the yards of both, indicate a lively, thrifty community. About one-fourth of the township has some two or three feet strata of coal, the thickest being about four feet. All the coal is in the south and western edges, and is mined by drifting. Several mines are being operated at this time. In all the hill Jand there is to be found black band iron ore, and in some places is found grayband. In many places, especially in the northeastern part, is to be found a fine quality of potter's clay, from which'all kinds of earthen-ware may be manufactured. *

SETTLEMENT. - Of the first settlers in Perry county were three men who came from Sussex county, New Jersey, about 1800; one of these men was Wm.Dusenbery,who settled at the junction of Jonathan's Creek and Turkey Run, and is traditionally known as the first settler in Madison township. Mr. Dusenbery was a Revolutionary soldier, and was nineteen years of age whenthat war broke out, and remembered seeing General George Washington. He lived up to the time ot his death where, as above mentioned he had located, and was the first man buried in the honors of war in the township. He was buried on his own farm. It is probable that his two youngest children, Catharine and Abigail, were born in this township, and if so, it is quite likely that Catharine was the first child born in the township. At any rate she was among the first. Abigail is the only surviving member of the family ; she now lives in Grant county, Indiana. His son Jonathan, at one time, went hunting for turkey and by some means was lost, but kept firing his gun as an alarm, which directed the steps of his father, who found him by a run, with a turkey he had killed, whereupon the stream was christened Turkey Run, a name that remains to this day.

In 1804 came the father of Barney and Jonathan Hammer, and his two sons, also Henry fflowers,the Ritcheys and the Williams'. © Other early settlers were as follows: Cornelius Sullivan, Wilham Baird, David Miller, George Dills, Jonathan Ward, Andrew Wolfe, Henry Cunningham, John Cunningham. Cornelius Dills, Alexander Baird, Aurelius Mason, William Melick, Joseph Burgess, Absalom Danison, - Alfred Baird, Robinson Chilcote, William Rinker. Philip Miller, Hiram Turner, Ensor Chilcote, John Ifumble, Joseph Hamilton, Abraham Craig, William McCluney, Thomas Sawyer, Edward Danison, Jerome Plummer. Among these James Ritchey and William Williams were the first Justices o: the Peace.

The elections have always been held where Mount Perry stands. The voters have gradualy increased until there are now about 183 voters in the township.

Scnoois. - The first school was kept about one and one-half miles "south of Mount Perry, on what is known as the Williams tarm. A man by the name of Woods was one of the first teachers. This school, of course, was of the old fashioned kind.in a log house. "The modern means of public schools were adopted at the earliest opportuuity. There are now 233 scholars enrolled in the township, and there are six public school buildings now in use, five of which are frame, and one a brick building.

Mapison AcApemy. - Besides the public schools in this township, there was established in 1871, a school known as the Madison Academy. This house was built by donations by the citizens, and its sole means of support is the tuition paid by the students. They have numbered as many as forty-two students, and now have an attendance of iwenty-live, The Rev. James White was the first President, and continued as such until 1879, when he resigned upon account of taking up labor in another field. He was succeeded by Prof. David W. Parks, who continued with them one year, and was also Principal. during that year; he resigned on account of taking up work in another field. I'or one year they were without a President, at the end of which time the Rev. J. H. Leiper was chosen by the board as President, and still continues to hold that position. The first board was John S. Eversole, Erastus Bogle, Rev. James White, John Danison and John H. Huston. John Danison resigned on account of moving from the community. The present board is the same as the original, except White and Danison, with Rev. J. H. Leiper and Dr. Holland additional. Miss Mary Miller of Concord, Ohio, was the first Principal, who continued four years. Rev. Amrine was second Principal, and continued one year, and_ afterward, as follows: Prof. H. F. Acker, one year; Prof. D. W. Parks, one year; Prof. Elijah Burgess, one year: Prof. D. W. Parks, one year ; Prof. Samuel Rutledge, one year; Prof. Hastings, one year; and now, 1882, Prof. Frank Murch. For the first six years they employed an assistant, since which time but one instructor has been employed. Upon an average, they have graduated about seven persons each year. It is probably due to say, that the Rev. White, who became the first President, was the main movey in establishing the academy. Vhe community affords a good patronage, and is much benefited by this institution, although it is small.

Miiis. - The first mill was built upon Jonathan's Creek, and where Mount Perry now stands, by a man by the name of Hendricks, in an eary day, as soon at least as 1820; it was one of the first water mills in Perry county. Here they did sawing and all kinds of grinding. In about 1847, the mill was re-built, which continued in use until 1880, when the machinery was removed to Hebron, in Licking county, Ohio, where it soon after was destroyed by fire. The frame is still standing upon the site, but is of no use.

A mill was built upon the western edge of the township, a few years after Hendricks built, also upon Jonathan's Creek, by Asa Dolson, This was also a saw and grist mill, and was in use until about 1862. There is now no mill in operation in the townsbip.

Towns. - This township has two post oflices, one at Mount Perry and one at Sego. Mount Perry at first was a natural collection of houses around Hendricks' mill and John Guysinger's blacksmith shop, both of whom had their dwellings here. Nathan Melick bought the mill, built and kept a store, and laid out the first lots, east of Main street. James Hayes bought the first lot that was sold, and George Curry bought the second one. 'They both built upon the lots and lived in the town, about 1828. In 1876, John Danison laid out the Danison addition, west of Main street, and sold the lots. It is now a town of about one hundred and ten inhahitants, has an academy, three churches, two stores and a post office. The post office was established over fifty years ago, with Nathan Melick as post master, and at that time received mail once a week from Somerset. They now have tri-weekly mails from Chalfant's Station, a place about three miles west on the B. & O. R. R. Mount Perry is about three miles north from the Zanesville, Somerset and Maysville Pike, and near the center of the township. Is beautifully located on Jonathan's Creek. It is said that everybody in Mount Perry are on friendly terms, which speaks wonders in its praise.

SEco. - It is situated on the Zanesville, Somerset and Maysville Pike, near the central meridian of the township. In 1846, William Curry built a blacksmith shop on a lot he bought from Wiiliam Dusenbery, it being part of one acre that was cut off from Dusenbery's farm by the above-named pike. Soon after this a store was established, and in 1849 Benjamin Williams built a woolen mill, and carded. spun and wove woolen goods there. The mill was run by steam, and stood only four years, when it was destroyed by fire and was never re-built. la 1848, when General Ritchey was in Congress, he had a post oflice established there, calling it Sego, a: name given it by William Curry, for a small town in Africa. Jacob Miller was the first postinaster. "There is now a small grocery, a general merchandise store, a post office that receives daily mail, except Sunday, via hack line from Zanesville to Somerset, and some three or four houses in Sego.

Cnuurcnes. - Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church was first organized as a-class in about 1818, and first met at Robinson Chilcote's house. In 1819, April 17, they obtained a deed for two acres of land from Philip Miller, upon which they built a hewed log church, which stood until 1838. The first trustees were James Chilcote, Joseph Claypool. James Porter, Robinson Chilcote.zNathan Chilcote, Nicholas Rible and John Shaw. In 1836 they bought one-fourth of an acre more from Joshua Plummer, and in 1838 supplanted the hewed log church by a brick house near'the site of the old church. In 1863 the church was burnt to the bare walls, and the same year was repaired. In 1882 the church was again repaired and made a neat, well-finished church-house.

When the brick was built in 1838, under the pastorate of Rev. M. A. Milligan, Nathan Chilcote, Henry Roberts, Vincent Kelley. James Porter, Philip Miller, Israel Moore and Samuel Curran were trustees. The present trustees are Joshua Chilcote, Isaiah Rible. Joseph Iochler, J. W. Chilcote, Leonard Reddick, James IX. Beard and 5. Shaw.

Robinson Chilcote and Nathan Chilcote were the first class leaders. Nathan Chilcote was an exhorter; Robert Ellis was the first minister, and one Rev. Richmond of Somerset, was one of the first preachers ; and they have been furnished ministers by the M. I. Conterences since those days. At first, preaching days were far apart, but after being taken into the Conference. they had preachinggonce in two weeks, on Thursdays, and some time after that again, thev had preaching on Sabbaths, each alternate week. Sabbath School was organized Aug. 17, 1828, and Vincent Kelley was first Superintendent. The school has been successfully kept up to this date. meeting during summer season only, until in about 1880, since which time they meet all the year. There is now an attendance of about fifty scholars, with Isaiah Rible as Superintendent.

Dunxer Cuurca. - It was organized in about 1817, and was among the first Christian organizations in the township. | About the time they organized they built a hewed log church in or quite near Mt. Perry, in which they worshiped for about fifteen" or twenty years. The church edifice was built upon the farm of James Ward. This farm afterward passed into the hands of Mason Benjamin, who claimed there was no title given for theland the church occupied. After it was made clear that there was a good title, the Dunkers sold the church and lot to the M. E. churchin about 1832 to 1838, and moved their membership to Hopewell township. Some of their first members were John Hendricks and wife, Adam Plank and wife, Peter Eversole and wife, and Abraham Bowsher and wife. Elijah Schofield was their first minister, and they sometimes were visited by Rev. Crinter of Pennsylvania, and the Dunkers, and continued to hold services regularly until about 1844, from which time up to about 1847. if any preaehing services were held they were few and irregular. At about the date above given, there came to this church from Zanesville, Ohio, an evangelist by the name of Stephen Shaffer, who held a successtul revival, reorganized the society with about forty of amembership. appointed John Davison and William Willison leaders, continued with the charge, andin about 1850. by dilient effort, supplanted the old hewed log church by a frame house that stands to this day. Upon the reorganization of the charge it was added tinued to remain until 1858, when they were put into the Somerset circuit, Lancaster District, Ohio Conference. Since the reorganjzation they have been gradually increasing in strength, and now number about sixty members, with the hopetul anticipation of building a new church edifice in the summer of 1883. Some of the first members were Mason Benjamin, Batena Baird, Hannah Clark, John Lenhart and wite, David Lenhart and wife. John Melick, Sen... aud Mary Melick, his wife. Among the first preachers was Joseph Carper, from near Somerset. Some of the members, upon the reorganization, were John Lenhart and wife, David Lenhart and wife, Lewis Bateson and wife, John Davison and wite, William Willison and wife, Jacob Demude and wife, Mother Smith, Batena Baird, and Marv Melick.- After the building of the frame church came Samuel Harvey and David Mann, as regular ministers, and have continued to be supplied by the M. E. Conference up te this date. :

Sabbath school was organized soon after the organization of the church, and was conducted only during the summer season until 1879, since when it has been continued during the year, with an average attendance of about forty. Matthew Benjamin was probably the first superintendent. :

Disciple church (St. Matthew) was probably first organized in 1851, at which time they bought the old Jonathan's Creek U. P. church, removed it to the junction of the Zanesville and Gratiot roads, near Mt. Perry, repaired it and made quite a neat church of the same, where they continued to worship until about 1867, when the society was disbanded. The lot upon which the church was built was dohated by Nicholas Taylor. John Eversole and Samuel Lyle seem to have been the principal men in this pious enterprise. One Rev. Gardner was their first minis- ter. After the church was disorganized the house was sold and is now used as a dwelling house. In 1880, a sufficient number of members collected together and reoranized and bought a church edifice of a disbanded Lutheran~ denomination, who had built a church on the pike that passes through this township, and removed it to Mt. Perry, repaired it in a neat, substantial manner, and have since prospered in their second house of the Lord. They now have about thirty members. Sabbath school was organized simultaneously with the erection of their present church, and they have an attendance of about twenty, and meet during the whole year.

THE Unirep PRrEsBYTERIAN CONGREGATION, of Jonathan's Creek, was organized in 1807, and met at first in a log school house in the winter and in a tent during the summer season, where the old church now stands, about one and one-half miles east from Mt. Perry. In 1809 this became a settled charge in connection with Brush Creek charge. They continued to worship as above mentioned until 1823, when they commenced a churce edifice which was not finished until 1828. This building was occupied until 1851, when it was sold to the Disciple branch of the church, and they erected the frame house that is sti]l in use. In 1877 they built a second and a new church in Mt. Perry, but keep up both the old and the new houses, having preaching services alternately in each.

The first pastor was Rev. Abraham Craig, who continued until 1823, when there was a split in the church, some going to the Seceder denomination and some to the Covenanters. At first this congregation was known as the Associate Reform church, and so continued by those who did not leave by the split until 1858, when the Associate Reform and Associate churches united and formed the present denomination, the United Presbyterian. On account of the weakness of the society, caused by the split, they became unable to support a minister, and were without a pastor until 1829, when Rev. Benjamin Waddle was chosen pastor, who so continued until 1836, when he was called to another field of labor. Under Rev. Waddle the church was much built up. _ They were without a pastor then until 1841, when T. B. Calderhead took charge of the congregation and continued as pastor for about twelve years. In 1853 Rev. Calderhead was called to give his attention to other pastoral charges, and then they were without a pastor for about eight years. In 1861 the Rev. James White took charge of the church and remained for more than 17 years, when he' was called to other pastoral work. There was then a vacancy of two years, when the Rev. J. H. Leiper became their pastor in 1882, and who continues to this date.

The present Session is Alexander Baird, R. R. Huston, James Smith, Alexander Miller, and James Ardrey. There are now 1n the church about 170 members.

Sabbath school was first organized about 25 years ago, and R. ae Baird was first superintendent, with about 75 of an attendance. Since the first year the school has been continued during the whole year.

Zion church (Methodist Episcopal), situated in the southwestern part of the township, near the Zanesville and Maysville Turnpike, is an old, thriving and influential congregation, and is sketched in connection with the Somerset church, with which charge it is connected, and probably has been, ever since its organization.