Morgan Township (part 2 of 2)

Shandon, originally known as New London, is the oldest village in the township. It was settled as early as 1803. The town was nicknamed "Bagdad" by the boys at Bebb s school. The name of the postoffice has undergone several changes. For many years it was called Paddy's Run. During the 'eighties it was changed to Glendower, and soon thereafter this name was dropped and that of Shandon substituted. The settlement about Shandon has been augmented frequently by companies of immigrants from Wales, who have added much to the general wealth and progress of the community. Of the families that came from Wales may be mentioned Jones, Morris, Breese, Davis, Williams, Humphreys, Evans, Owens, Davies, Griffiths, Watkins and Roberts.

The first minister who preached in this locality was Rev. John W. Browne, of Cincinnati, a Congregationalist from England. In July, 1803, a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and articles of faith for the proposed religious society, and present it before the people. On September 3, 1803. at the house of John Templeton, on Dry Fork, near New Haven, the report of the committee was adopted, and the society was called the Whitewater Congregational church. Other ministers were Rev. Rees Lloyd and Rev. Thomas Thomas. Until 1825 the services were held in the cabins of the members, in the school house, and when the weather was favorable in the open air, beneath the shade of the forest trees. In that year the old meeting house was completed. It was a brick structure thirty by forty-three feet. The church has prospered under the pastorates of Rev. Thomas Thomas. Rev. Thomas G. Roberts, Rev. Evan Roberts, Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, Rev. Ellis Howell, Rev. Mark Williams and Rev. Joseph H. Jones. Later pastors have been James W. Pryse, D. W. Wilson, J. M. Thomas, H. R. Price, J. C. Thompson, George Candee, John L. Davies and Rev. M. P. Jones.

in 1878. It is a small parish, but is prosperous. The services are conducted by a priest from Cincinnati. The old church burned in 1900, but was rebuilt soon afterward with money contributed by the members and the friends of the church residing in neighboring towns and cities.

Shandon has long been an educational center. The first school house in the township was built in 1807, in section 35, and was taught by Miss Polly Willey. A Mr. Jenkins succeeded her in 1808. In 1810 the people of Paddy's Run built a log school house near the village. Here the children were taught the three R's. This school was kept going until 1819, when David Lloyd, a college graduate, was employed to teach. He introduced grammar and geography, and classified his scholars. In 1821 Rev. Thomas Thomas established a high school. In 1826 a new school house was built and William Bebb, who became governor of Ohio in 1846, was the first teacher employed under the state school law. Evan Davies, B. W. Chidlaw and other noted teachers taught here. In 1858 the academy, or high school, was organized on a more permanent basis. D. W. McClung was the first principal. Notable among his successors were Rev. David Wilson, Rev. Mark Williams and James A. Clark. On December 10, 1869, the New London special school was organized, with Samuel I. Mc- Clelland as principal. In 1871 the present school building was erected at a cost of $13,- 000. In 1872 Professor Clark was again employed as principal, and remained so until his death in 1880. The principals during recent years have been James R. Bickley, Franklin T. Du Bois and J. A. Goshorn, all graduates of Miami University, and teachers of excellent ability.