Meigs Township

Meigs Township

The charter members were, Geo. W. Nixon, S. J. McAdow M. I. Foster, C. F. Hall, John Bunn, Geo. A. Thomas, R. II. Wilson, J. S. Young and J. W. Reid. On the night of the institution there were seven initiates. The first elective officers of the Lodge were Geo. W. Nixon, Noble Grand ; S. J. McAdow, Vice Grand ; M. I. Foster, Rec. Sec. ; Geo. A. Thomas, Per. Sec. ; aud Dr. Jno. Bunn, Trcas. The growth of the Lodge has been substantial but not rapid.

The total membership foots up sixty-nine, eighteen of whom have withdrawn,, the greater number withdrawing for the purpose of becoming charter members of West Union and Wamslcyvillc Lodges. The lodge has sustained the loss of but one of its members by death since its organization, that of D. J. Bryan, a worthy member of the Scarlet Degree, who was buried according to the rites of the order at Unity Cemetery.

The present membership of the Lodge is fifty (forty-five active and five dormant). Financially, the Lodge is in a prosperous condition, having about $1,000 in its treasury.

The present elective officers are W. F. Kilpatrick, Noble Grand; Isaac W. Thomas, Vice Grand ; L. O. Thoroman, Ree. Sec. ; Joseph Thurman, Per Sec., and Dr. J. M. Wittenmycr, Treasurer.

Mineral Springs - Meigs Township. - This is net a regularly laid town, but receives its note and name, from two springs that by their medicinal virtues, have attracted to them large numbers of invalids from different places.

These springs arc situated in the eastern part of ihc county and flow from the eastern base of the m mntain, surrounded by beautiful and picturesque scenery. From the summit of the mountains that surround them, beautiful views can be had, rcatching over hills and valleys as far as the eye can reach.

They afford a sequestered retreat to the invalid, and a pleasant resort for those who seek respite from the cares of business, or ddsire the refreshing influence of mountain scenery and climate.

have acquired. - It is said that sometime about 1840, as Charles Mathcny and John C. Beasley were hunting in the forests, they came to these springs, and Mathcny, being very thirsty, drank freely of the water; after resuming his hunt, he presently found it acted strongly on his kidneys. Being afflicted with a kidney disease - he concluded the water would benefit him if used regularly awhile. lie came back and remained in the vicinity, drinking freely of it, and soon found himself completely cured.

Others having occasionally tested these waters wir.h benefi ial effects, the increasing numbers of those resorting' here for health, became so great that the proprietor, Elias Mathcny. who lived in a log cabin, was unable to accommodate them. These parlies would bring with them beds and provisions of their own, and camp the best they could. Mr. Mathcny, in 1857, sold his property to W. W. Matheny, who was still unable to make provision to accommodate those desiring to remain awhile to try the benefits of these waters. He, i" 1861, sold out to Ilillis Reese who was unable, or did not desire to inciur the expense of putting up buildings, suitable to the demands of the public. lie, in 1867, sold to the present proprietors, Salisbury & McFerson, who immediately set about fitting up an establishment whose accommodations should b^^cplnmensuratc with the requirements made upon them.

In 1877, A. II. McFerson became sole proprietor. He has erected a spacious building, with accommodations for 100 guests. Besides this he has put up neat cottages that will accommodate 100 more. These are usually all full during the summer months. The curative properties of these waters are fully attested by hundreds who have tried them, and have been either greatly benefited or permanently cured.

An analysis of a specimen of the water, by E. S. MTayne, of Cincinnati, shows it to be highly charged with gas, and contains 210.35 grains of solid matter to the gallon. The solid.* are composed of Chloride of Magnesia, Sulphate of Liinc, Chloride of Calcium, Chloride of Sodium and Oxide of Iron, and a subsequent test shows it contains Idoinc.

Source changes here: from A History of Adams County, Ohio, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Including Character Sketches of the Prominent Persons Identified with the First Century of the Country's Growth .., by Evans, Nelson Wiley, published 1900; 1,690 words in this source stream.

Meigs Township

Wm. P. Newman J. W. Tillotson S. A. Chapman , David Nixon John Cline S. A. Chapman J. C. Chapman S. A. Chapman Dynes Tener J. C. Foster S. A. Chapman

Whsn Qualifibd

As will be seen in the chapter devoted to Reorganization of the Territorial Townships, Meigs Township was formed at the December session of the Board of County Commissioners, in the year 1806, and was named for Return Jonathan Meigs, the second Governor of Ohio. The elections were ordered to be held at the house of Peter Wickerham who then conducted a tavern in the present brick residence of Jacob Wickerham at Palestine.

The surface in the west is undulating with here and there comparatively level tracts of poor white oak land. In the east and southeast it is rough and hilly, and in places mountainous, as southeast of the old Steam Furnace and in the vicinity of Mineral Springs. Here as is stated in the chapter on Geology and Mineralogy, are some of the most elevated knobs in the county. The soil varies from the rich alluvial bottoms of Ohio Brush Creek and its tributaries to the barren shales of the slate and ^sandstone capped knobs. The ferruginous soil of the cliff limestone 'stratum is very productive, as also the covelands in the marl stratum.

Jacksonville, on the Limestone and Chillicothe turnpike at the top of Brush Creek hill, was laid out by William Thomas in 1815, and named in honor of "Old Hickory," then the military hero of the country. A postoffice was established there about the above date with James Dunbar as postmaster. The postoffice was discontinued in 1827, but afterward re-established and called Dunbarton. The village is now rapidly dieclining in population and commercial importance frc^n its proximity to the new town of Peebles, on the C. P. & V. Railroad.

Newport, at the junction of the West Fork and the East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, was laid out by James Kirkpatrick in 1819. At that time the Marble Furnace, a few nliles from Newport, was flourishing and the postoffice for the locality was located there. In 1869 a postoffice named Wilson, in honor of Hon. John T. Wilson, then in Congress from Adams County, was established at Newport with William R. Rodgers as postmaster. The commercial importance of the village has improved with the building of the C. P. & V. Railroad.

Mineral Springs is a postoffice and health resort in the southeastem pc«tion of the township, four miles frc^n Mineral Springs Station on the C. P. & V. Railroad. A postoffice was established there in 1872 with B. Salisbury as postmaster.

Peebles, in the north part of the township on the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad, sprang up with the completion of this railroad through Meigs Township, in 1881. It was named, at the suggestion of N. W. Evans, for John G. Peebles, of Portsmouth, who subscribed liberally toward the completion of the railroad from Winchester to Portsmouth. It is now one of the thriving, bustling, villages of the county with a population of about 1,000 inhabitants.

The village school at Peebles is the largest in the township. The enumeration for the present year is: Males, 107; females, 122. There are four departments sustained and the schools are in a flourishing condition. There are fourteen sub-districts in the township with the following enumeration of pupils :

These celebrated Springs are situated nineteen miles north from Rome on the Ohio River, and four miles south from Mineral Spring Station on the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad, in a delightful valley, and flow from the base of a mountain, surrounded by scenery the most picturesque and beautiful.

The chemical analysis of these waters show them to be veiy highly charged with gas, and to contain 205.35 grains of solids to the gallon. These are ccnnposed of chloride of magnesia, sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime, chloride of calcium, chloride of sodium, oxide of iron and iodine.

There is a large and commodious hotel with hot and cold baths, and numerous rustic cottages for the accommodation of guests. These Springs afford a sequestered retreat to those seeking respite from the cares of business, or in need of the refreshing influence of mountain scenery and climate. The buildings are located with a view to the health and cwnfort of visitors, at the base of Peach Mountain or "Grassy Hill," which casts a shadow over them at four o'clock in the evening, making the nights cool and pleasant, so that when it is too warm to sleep elsewhere, the tired and careworn can enjoy a refreshing night's rest at this resort.

There is a beautiful chapel on the grounds for the church-going guests, and a commodious amusement hall for the entertainment of those seeking diversion in bowling, billiards, dancing and such recreation.

There are telegraph and telephone connections with the hotel. The present proprietor, S. R. Grimes, a scion of one of the prominent pioneer families of Adams County, is a most affable and accommodating host.

Bemihi8Cehce8

*In the vicinity of the SprouU bridge over Ohio Brush Creek in this township was the pioneer home of Peter Shoemaker, a brother of Simon Shoemaker, a pioneer, also, of that vicinity. In the summer of 1796, a daughtei- of Peter Shoemaker's was stolen by a band of Indians and carried away to their village on the Little Miami in the vicinity of the present town of Xenia. In after years this daughter, who had grown up and married an Indian, was discovered by some whites and returned to her kindred on Brush Creek, where she afterwards married and reared a family.

In May, 1827, in the palmy days of the old stage coach line from Maysville to Chillicothe, the mail was robbed between West Union and Sinking Springs. As the bag was never recovered it was supposed that it had been thrown into Ohio Brush Creek after being rifled of its contents. Suspicion pointed to a prominent resident of Jacksonville as being concerned in the robbery, and who fled the country, and William Mc- Colm, then postmaster at West Union, offered a reward of fifty dollars for his apprehension and confinement in any jail in the United States so that he might be brought to answer to the charge. The robber was never apprehended.

David Bradford, who immortalized his name during the scourge of Asiatic cholera in West Union, was one of the daredevil jehus who drove a stage coach from Maysville to Chillicothe before the days of canals and railroads in this region. The Fristoe hill at the crossing of Ohio Brush Creek was the longest and steepest on the route, and was considered then a very dangerous place of descent, with a loaded coach or wagon.

On one occasion, when there had been a heavy fall of sleet and the road was covered with a thick coat of ice, people in the vicinity wondered how Dave Bradford would get down Brush Creek hill ; and, when finally he dismounted from the box at the village postoffice, at Jacksonville, he was admonished of the great risk of attempting to descend the hill with

*There is a version of this incident that Peter Shoemaker was shot in his cabin door by the Indians, and his wife and two children made captives. The wife becoming fatigued carrying her infant boy, she was tomahawked, and the child seized by the ankles and its brains dashed out against a tree. The girl was adopted by an Indian family and grew up and married an Indian by whom she had a girl child. She was afterwards discovered and returned to her relatives on Brush Creek.

After investigating all the known facts, the writer concludes that the captivity of the Shoemaker children must have occurred before the family came to the Northwest Territory, for Peter Shoemaker, of Brush Greek, died in 1809, and left a will in Adams county. His wife may have been the girl captured by the Indians: but if so it did not occur in Adams Ck>unty. for he setp tied on 'brush Creek in 1796. Or. it is probable that the version of the incident is true that his daughter was captured in 1796, on Brush Creek and that she afterwards returned and married Samuel Bradford, in 1811. It is at least certain that the individual in question was no^ captured on Brush Creek in 1796, when a girl, then returned to her relatives and married to Peter Shoemaker by whom she had a daughter who became the wife of Samuel Bradford In 1811. and who after his deaths married Col. S. R. Wood. See sketch of Samuel G. Bradford in this volume.

his coach. But David seemed little concerned about the matter; however it was observed that his drinks of "old double distilled" were larger than usual, and that at his departure he had taken an extra "bumper" with Malt Bradney, who had come to town the night before and was "weatherbound" at the village tavern. But the "bumper" with Bradney meant mora than a nerve stimulant to Bradford. It was the seal of a solemn vow to Bradney that he would not again permit his "nigger," "Black Joe" Lof^an, to butt the life out of him as he had nearly done at the Noleman Camp Meeting the summer previous, when Bradney and "Big Dow" Woods had attempted to drive Logan from the camp grounds while he was peaceably caring for Bradford's team and carriage.

So, seating himself on the box of his stage, he cracked his whip and set out on a swinging trot for Brush Creek hill. On arriving at the point where begins the descent down to the valley of Brush Creek, he halted his team and unhitched it from the coach. Then he hitched a favorite horse to the end of the tongue, and mounting the animal began to ply the whip, and yell like an Indian, making the descent of the long and steep grade without a single mishap ; remarking that it was "a d - k1 poor horse that could not outrun a stage coach."

Source changes here: from History of Adams County, Ohio, by Evans, Nelson W, published 1900; 1,688 words in this source stream.

Meigs Township

Wm. P. Newman J. W. Tillotson S. A. Chapman David Nixon John CHne S. A. Chapman J. C. Chapman S. A. Chapman Dynes Tener J. C. Foster S. A. Chapman

As will be seen in the chapter devoted to Reorganization of the Territorial Townships, Meigs Township was formed at the December session of the Board of County Commissioners, in the year j8o6, and was named for Return Jonathan Meigs, the second Governor of Ohio. The elections were ordered to be held at the house of Peter Wickerham who then conducted a tavern in the present brick residence of Jacob Wickerham at Palestine.

The surface in the west is undulating with here and there comparatively level tracts of poor white oak land. ]n the east and southeast it is rough and hilly, and in places mountainous, as southeast of the old Steam Furnace and in the vicinity of Mineral Springs. Here as is stated in the chapter on Geology and Mineralogy, are some of the most elevated knobs in the county. The soil varies from the rich alluvial bottoms of Ohio Brush Creek and its tributaries to the barren shales of the slate and sandstone capped knobs. The ferruginous soil of the cliff limestone stratum is v^ry productive, as also the covelands in the marl stratum.

Jacksonville, on the Limestone and Chillicothe turnpike at the top of Brush Creek hill, was laid out by William Thomas in 1815, and named in honor of "Old Hickory," then the military hero of the country. A postofiice was established there about the above date with James Dunbar as postmaster. The postoffice was discontinued in 1827, but afterward re-established and called Dunbarton. The village is now rapidly declining in population and commercial importance from its proximity to the new town of Peebles, on the C. P. & V. Railroad.

Newport, at the junction of the West Fork and the East Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, was laid out by James Kirkpatrick in 1819. At that time the Marble Furnace, a few miles from Newport, was flourishing and the postoffice for the locality was located there. In 1869 a postoffice named Wilson, in honor of Hon. John T. Wilson, then in Congress from Adams County, was established at Newport with William R. Rodgers as postmaster. The commercial importance of the village has improved with the building of the C. P. & V. Railroad.

Mineral Springs is a postoffice and health resort in the southeastem portion of the township, four miles from Mineral Springs Station on the C. P. & V. Railroad. A postofiice was established there in 1872 with B. Salisbury as postmaster.

Peebles, in the north part of the township on the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad, sprang up with the completion of this railroad through Meigs Township, in 1881. It was named, at the suggestion of N. W. Evans, for John G. Peebles, of Portsmouth, who subscribed liberally toward the completion of the railroad from Winchester to Portsmouth. It is now one of the thriving, bustling, villages of the county with a population of about 1,000 inhabitants.

The village school at Peebles is the largest in the township. The enumeration for the present year is: Males, 107; females, 122. There are four departments sustained and the schools are in a flourishing condition. There are fourteen sub-districts in the township with the following enumeration of pupils :

These celebrated Springs are situated nineteen miles north from Rome on the Ohio River, and four miles south from Mineral Spring Station on the Cincinnati, Portsmouth and Virginia Railroad, in a delightful valley, and flow from the base of a mountain, surrounded by scenery the most picturesque and beautiful.

The chemical analysis of these' waters show them to be very highly charged with gas, and to contain 205.35 grains of solids to the gallon. These are composed of chloride of magnesia, sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime, chloride of calcium, chloride of sodium, oxide of iron and iodine.

There is a large and commodious hotel with hot and cold baths, and numerous rustic cottages for the accommodation of guests. These Springs afford a sequestered retreat to those seeking respite from the cares of business, or in nesed of the refreshing influence of mountain scenery and climate. The buildings are located with a view to the health and comfort of visitors, at the base of Peach Mountain or "Grassy Hill," which casts a shadow over them at four o'clock in the evening, making the nights c(x>l and pleasant, so that when it is too warm to sleep elsewhere, the tired and careworn can enjoy a refreshing night's rest at this resort.

There is a beautiful chapel on the grounds for the church-going jLifucsts, and a conmiodious amusement hall for the entertainment of those seeking diversion in bowling, billiards, dancing and such recreation.

There arc telegraph and telephone connections with the hotel. The j^resent proprietor, S. R. Grimes, a scion of one of the prominent pioneer families of Adams County, is a most affable and accommodating host.

*In the vicinity of the Sproull bridge over Ohio Brush Creek in this township was the pioneer home of Peter Shoemaker, a brother of Simon Shoemaker, a pioneer, also, of that vicinity. In the summer of 1796, a daughter of Peter Shoemaker's was stolen by a band of Indians and carried away to their village on the Little Miami in the vicinity of the present town of Xenia. In after years this daughter, who had grown up and married an Indian, was discovered by some whites and returned to her kindred on Brush Creek, where she afterwards married and reared a family.

In May, 1827, in tj^e palmy days of the old stage coach line from Maysville to Chillicothe, the mail was robbed between West Union and Sinking Springs. As the bag was never recovered it was supposed that it had been thrown into Ohio Brush Creek after being rifled of its contents. Suspicion pointed to a prominent resident of Jacksonville as being concerned in the robbery, and who fled the country, and William Mc- Colm, then postmaster at West Union, offered a reward of fifty dollars for his apprehension and confinement in any jail in the United States so that he might be brought to answer to the charge. The robber was never apprehended.

David Bradford, who immortalized his name during the scourge of Asiatic cholera in West Union, was one of the daredevil jehus who drove a stage coach from Maysville to Chillicothe before the days of canals and railroads in this region. The Fristoe hill at the crossing of Ohio Brush Creek was the longest and steepest on the route, and was considered then a Very dangerous place of descent with a loaded coach or wagon.

On one occasion, when there had been a heavy fall of sleet and the road was covered with a thick coat of ice, people in the vicinity wondered how Dave Bradford would get down Brq^h Creek hill ; and, when finally he dismounted from the box at the village postofiice. at Jacksonville, he was admonished of the great risk of attempting to descend the hill with

*There Is a version of this incident that Peter Shoemaker was shot in his cabin door by the Indians, and his wife and two children made captives. The wife becoming fatigued carrying her infant boy, she was tomahawked, and the child seized by the ankles and its brains dashed out against a tree. The girl was adopted by an Indian family and grew up and married an Indian by whom she had a girl child. She was afterwards discovered and returned to her relatives on Brush Creek.

After investigating all the known facts, the writer concludes that the captivity of the Shoemaker children must have occurred before the family came to the Northwest Territory, for Peter Shoemaker, of Brush Creek, died in 1809, and left a will in Adams county. His wife may have been the girl captured by the Indians; but if so it did not occur in Adams County, for he settled on Brush Creek in 1796. Or, it is probable that the version of the incident is true that his daughter was captured in 1796, on Brush Creek and that she afterwards returned and married Samuel Bradford, in 1811. It is at least certain that the individual in question was not captured on Brush Creek in 1796, when a girl, then returned to her relatives and married to Peter Shoemaker by whom she had a daughter who became the wife of Samuel Bradford in 1811. and who after his death, married Col. S. R. Wood. See sketch of Samuel O. Bradford in this volume.

his coach. But David seemed little concerned about the matter; however il was observed that his drinks of "old double distilled" were larger than usual, and that at his departure he had taken an extra "bumper" with Mail Bradney, who had come to town the night before and was "weatherbound" at the village tavern. But the "bumper" with Bradney meant more than a nerve stimulant to Bradford. It was the seal of a solemn vow to Bradney that he would not again permit his "nigger," "Black Joe" T^pan, to butt the life out of him as he had nearly done at the Noleman Camp Meeting the summer previous, when Bradney and "Big Dow" Woods had attempted to drive Logan from the camp grounds while he was peaceably caring for Bradford's team and carriage.

So, seating himself on the box of his stage, he cracked his whip and set out on a swinging trot for Brush Creek hill. On arriving at the point where begins the descent down to the valley of Brush Creek, he halted his team and unhitched it from the coach. Then he hitched a favorite horse to the end of the tongue, and mounting the animal began to ply the whip, and yell like an Indian, making the descent of the long and steep grade without a single mishap ; remarking that it was "a d - kI poor horse that could not outrun a stage coach."