Muhlenberg Township

Muhlenberg Township

'I'liis township was erected December 8, j 830, being- formed from portions of Jackson township on the south and east, Scioto on the north and east, Darby on the north and west and Monroe on the south and west. It is next to the smallest township in the county in area j and the third smallest in population, which was j 918 in 1900. The first survey for a township was made by Judge William Florence irf 1826 or 1827. It was afterward again surveyed by Mr. Nesbetlq of Ross County. A change was made in its boundaries in 1851. Darby Creek flows from northwest to southeast through the center of the township. This is the only stream of any size that can be found here. It rises near the head-waters of the Scioto River and runs in a course nearly parallel with that stream, into which it empties near Circleville. The name "river" would more nearly describe, its size. At times of high water, it overflows a large area of bottom land, where it is not protected bv levees. Its banks in some sections are quite high. It derives its name from an old Indian chief who lived on its banks at an early day. There are also two small streams, known as Dry Run and George's Run.

W hen the first settlements were made in this township, the pioneers found the face of the land covered with a heavy growth of timber. In the western part of the tow nship and adjoining townships were found small tracts of land without timber, covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass that would sometimes reach to the height of a man's shoulders when mounted on horseback. These tracts were given the name of "prairies." The bottom lands were covered with great forests of walnut, maple, ash, elm, honey-locust and sycamore trees, while on the uplands grew many oaks. The land was cleared in the most expeditious manner possible - either by felling the trees and burning the logs, or by girdling and thus destroying them. This was done in order to get the land under cultivation without the waste of time. At a later date mills were established along Darby Creek and considerable lumber was produced ; as a consequence but little timber suitable for first-class lumber is to be found at this day in the township.

I11 the bottom lands the soil is for the most part a black loam mixed with some gravel and is very productive, raising large crops of corn and wheat. On the uplands is found a clay soil which is nearly as productive as the black soil of the lowlands, though it requires a greater effort to produce a crop. In order to protect the land along Darby Creek from overflow in times of flood, levees have been built along the creek by the owners of these lands. Great quantities of corn are raised in this township. Until some 30 or 40 years ago the land was mostly owned in large tracts by a few persons. Even now there are a number of very large farms.

It is thought that the first election in Muhlenberg township was that held in the spring of 1831, a few months after the township's erection. William Hill, Sr., was the first justice of the peace. In 1875 a town house was erected on the main street in Darbyville at a cost of $1,200, the lower story being built by the township and corporation and the upper story jointly by the Good Templars organization and Good Samaritan Grange. The township officers for 1906 are as follows: Trustees - R. C. Hill, William Graham and E. F. Kneislev; clerk, Jonathan M. Grabill ; treasurer, W. S. Carpenter; assessor, Milton Fullen; justices of the peace - Henry B. Darst and Jacob Bennett.

When Virginia ceded this portion of Ohio to the general government, the lands west of the Scioto River were reserved by the State of Virginia for her soldiers of the Revolutionary War as a reward for their services. Of these military lands, Gen. Peter Muhlenberg owned some 1,700 acres; Henry Baldwin, 1,200; Henry Massie, 1,200; while Carter, Copeland and others owned large tracts. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg was one of the most ardent patriots of the Revolutionary War. At the time the war broke out. he was a minister; he immediately transformed himself into a soldier and did valiant service in behalf of the revolting colonists. The township of Muhlenberg is named after his youngest son, Francis, who settled here in 1820.

This section was the home of the Shawnee Indians. At an early day small bands of thc.^e Indians lived in various parts of the township; even after the country was partially settled, the Indians returned annually early in the spring for the purpose of making maple sugar. In the fall of the year they proceeded north toward Lake Erie. On the opposite side of the creek, a short distance above Darbyville, a large burying ground was located, in the rear of the old camp of the band to which the chief Darby belonged. At an early day in the history of the township, an Indian duel took place just below' Darbyville where there was an Indian camp.

Early Settlers

ship, being included in Jackson. Scioto. Darbv and Monroe townships. The names and dates of arrivals of many of the first settlers have been lost, and the information given here can. be considered as only fragmentary. The first. . settlement of which we have any record was | made about 1S05 or 1806. It is thought that John Rush and family lived here prior to 1805. as at that time they owned 50 acres of land on Darby Creek. In 1806 a Mr. Galbreath and a Mr. Swank came to Muhlenberg. John Stuclebaker, Edward Pritchard and Judge William Florence also came to this township in 1806. The last named, who was a Virginian, arrived April 9, 1806. After occupying a cabin on i John Renick's place for a short time, he bought too acres of the Muhlenberg tract. He afterward purchased more land until he owned some 1,700 or 1,800 acres. Judge Florence was twice elected to the State Legislature and served two terms as associate judge. He died in 1870, aged 96 years. He left a decided impress on the life of his time and section. About 1807 Isaac Van Meter, John and David Shepherd and Parnick George came to this township. In 1808 Judge William Seymour came here from Ross County. He w as one of the early associate judges of the Common Pleas Court, to which office he was elected by the Legislature in 1810. George Rowe came into the country about 1812 and bought land on Dry Run. which he came near losing, as the title proved defective. The Hill family, one of the most widely represented in the township, was established here about 1815. when William Hill with his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, came here: at the same time his brothers, Leroy and Robert Hill, also settled here. These two brothers afterward removed to other sections of Ohio. John McKinley came from Virginia in 1819 and settled about three miles above Darbyville.

Francis Muhlenberg came here about 1820 and for a number of years lived in the family of Judge William Florence. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1823 and several years later was elected to Congress, but would only serve the first year of his term. Alexander McKinley and Charles Bell came here about 1825. Jacob V oakum settled here in

1822. William Fallen came to Pickaway County in 1827, and about seven years later purchased and moved upon land near Darbyville. Abel Seymour, a son of Judge William Seymour, came to Ohio in 1827 and settled on a part of his father's tract. Jacob Thorn settled in Muhlenberg township about 1834; Isaac Seymour, in 1835; Baldwin C. Carpenter, in 1837; William A. Miller, in 1840; George W. Bolin, in 1841, and Joseph A. Pritchard in 1844. Henry Darst settled in Circleville about 1835 or 1S36, kept hotel there three years and then came to Muhlenberg township. Other early settlers in this township were : John and David Martin, Mrs. Burget, the Poulson brothers (mention of whom is made in the history of Darby township), and Arthur Whiteside.

Whipping A Pole-Cat

''It was no very unusual thing for the new settlers in a wilderness of timber to become .somewhat dazed and lost when they had occasion to traverse the timber out of some path or well-known course. Where the settlements j were several miles distant from each other and j the interval a dense and almost impenetrable forest, this is not to be wondered at. On one -occasion, Isaac Van Meter, then well along in years, mounted his horse and rode into the woods to gather in some of his hogs that had been fattening on 'shack,' as acorns and beechnuts were called. He was gone much longer than was expected and his family became alarmed and instituted a search for him. The neighbors were called on and after some time found him about three miles from home near what is now known as Robtown. He had dismounted and tied Ids horse to a bush and was engaged in whipping a pole-cat around with a little switch. When asked what he was doing that for, he replied that 'lie became so very cold in riding that he had to do something to j keep warm and it occurred to him that if he whipped that pole-cat about for a while he would get warmed up.' The general verdict of the searching party was that he had become pretty well 'warmed up' as they returned home, carefully keeping the windward side of him."

Some First Events

It is not known who was the first white person born in the township, but it is thought there were births in the families of some of the squatters before the actual settlers came in and j took possession of the land. The first death that occurred in the neighborhood was that of a child of Jonathan Renick, named Seymour, in 1805. An infant daughter of Judge Florence, deceased in November, 1806, was the first person buried in the Florence burial-ground. The first marriage that can be recalled was that of Anthony Hall and Polly Wood in 1806. The early settlers obtained flour and meal from a mill on Darby Creek in Jackson township, about seven miles from the present town of Darbyville or from a mill on the upper part of the same stream, in Franklin County. The first of these mills was built about 1802 or 1803, and the other a little later. The first orchard planted in Muhlenberg township was set out on the place of Isaac Van Meter about 1808. About this time Eleazar Smith established a blacksmith shop on Darby Creek below Darbyville. A sawmill was built on the farm of Francis Hill, a little below Darbyville, about 1820; in 1831 it was equipped for grinding purposes. In 1835, after the death of Mr. Hill, Jonathan Blue rented the property and bought a wool-carding machine. It was subsequently rented by others and finally sold to Jacob Measy about 1844. This old mill was torn down on the completion of the mill in Darbyville, in 1877. A tannery, established | by John Shepherd in 1819, was conducted by | him until his death and then by his son, Abram,

A branch of the Presbyterian Church was organized here about 1S25. Services were held in private houses in the neighborhood during the winter season and in the summer, a pleasant grove was selected, logs being rolled together for seats for the congregation. For some years after the completion of the Darby - ville schoolhouse, it was used for religious services. In 1842 a church was erected in Jackson township near the Muhlenberg township line, where the Presbyterians of this township had services for some time. A Presbyterian Church was finally established at Darbyville. Of late { years the society has not been active and the building is not now in use.

Darbyville M. E. Church. - Services con- ; ducted by laymen of the Methodist denomination were held at an early day in the township. There was preaching at Mr. McKinley's as early as 1826 and afterward at a schoolhouse | in Darbyville. It is not known just when the church was organized. It was at first a charge j of the Scioto Circuit and then of the Franklinton Circuit. It is now included in the Darby- ; ville Circuit, which has four appointments : j Darbyville, Pherson, Hebron and King's. The | membership of the circut is 370 and the church property of the four appointments is valued at $7,000. The number of Sunday-school pupils in the entire circuit is 480. Rev. F. E. Davis, who is stationed at Darbyville, is in charge of the circuit. The attendance of the Darbyville M. E. Church is about 175. The Sundayschool at Darbyville has an average attendance of about no; Charles \Y. Davis is superintend- j ent. The church at Darbyville was begun in j 1842 and completed in 1S44. A parsonage was built here in 1898 at a cost of about $1,500.

The Pherson M. E. Church is one of theappointments of the Darbyville Circuit, with Rev. E. B. Davis as pastor. The church has a membership of 125. The average Sunday attendance is 200. The church building was erected in 1891 at a cost of $1,200. The super- ! intendent of the Sunday-school is Robert Pherson.

In the spring of 1878 a branch organiza- i tion of the African M. E. Church was perfected 1 at Darbyville. For a number of years services 1 were held at the schoolhouse in the village of Darbyville by John Dickinson. The pulpit was supplied for a time bv Rev. R. H. Morris, of Circleville.

At an early day there were several cemeteries established in the county, most of them being of a family or neighborhood nature. In 1879 there were not less than eight burial places to be found. The first cemetery was on the farm of Judge William Florence, where his infant daughter was buried in 1806. In 1S75 the corporation of Darbyville bought five acres of ground just below the town on the pike and opened a general township cemetery.

In 1807 Judge V illiam Florence established a school in a log cabin on his place, hiring Brice Howard as teacher. Sylvester Tipton taught school in this log cabin after Howard ; Horatio Keys also taught about the same time. Rev. George Ambrose came to the township about 1820, and taught school on the west side of Darby Creek near Darbyville. He was a Baptist minister and preached in the surrounding country. Mr. Abbott taught school about 1816 or 1818; James Rice taught on the Muhlenberg farm about 1817. The township is veil provided with schools and the school buildings are of a substantial nature. The Board of Education of Muhlenberg township, elected in the fall of 1904. is as follows: M. F. May, Samuel Ankrom and J. Wilson - four years; J. J. McLaughlin and W. S. Carpenter - two years. The clerk of the board is Jonathan M. Grabill.

In the early '50's a union school district was set off in the village of Darbyville and a school building was erected at a cost of $1,500. In 1S67 a second story was added to the building at an expense of $400. The school has a high school department, in addition to the grammar and primary departments. Charles W. Davis is in charge, assisted by Florence Terflinger and Minnie Dennis. The Board of Education .of the Darbyville Village School District, elected in November, 1904, is as follows: G. W. Miller, Harry Moore and C. T. Neff - four years: P. C. Thomas and Mrs. Laura Anderson - two vears.

At one time in the history of Darbvville, a school was kept up by the township for the education of colored children; a building was erected for the purpose in 1872 at a cost of $632.

The first physician employed in the township was Dr. Scott, of Chillicothe. This was previous to 1810. In that year Drs. Turney, Webb and Luckey settled in Circleville and acquired the business of Muhlenberg township, as they were good physicians and more convenient of access. In 1828 Dr. Raiff, a Frenchman, settled at Darbvville, where he remained until his death. Drs. Noble and Wilson came later. About 1833 Dr. James Allen settled in Darbvville, where he conducted his practice for some 22 years. Of more recent physicians we may mention Dr. Richard FI. Tipton who began his practice of medicine at Darbyville in 1846; Dr. F. M. Black, who came to Darby ville in 1853 and entered into partnership with Dr. James Allen; Dr. J. T. Kirkendall, who died some 10 or 12 years ago, after an extended practice; and Dr. John E. Miller, deceased in 1904. who practiced at Darby ville for many years and was a man of prominence in this section, being a Representative in the General Assembly at the time of his death. Darbyville has at the present time two practicing physicians : Dr. Joseph B. Justice, who has been located here since November, 1898; and Dr. Floyd E. Cinder, who came here in 1904.

Good Samaritan Grange, P. of IF, was organized in Monroe township in 1874 but was afterward changed to Darbyville. It was long since discontinued. Darbyville has always been strong in temperance sentiment. There was formerly a very flourishing lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars here, which was organized under a charter issued in 1875. Tt finally went out of existence. The Woman's Christian Temperance F nion is very well represented at Darbyville, where one of the strongest societies in the county is active in the good work.

The corporation of Darbyville was platted July 27, 1826. It was laid out on land formerly entered, surveyed and patented by Cornelius Baldwin on the west side of Darby Creek and near the center of the present township of Muhlenberg. A store for the sale of merchandise was opened by Samuel Scott in 1826 or 1827. A year later a grocery was opened by George and J. I'. Hill. In 1826 a blacksmith shop was run here by Charles McFeters, a mulatto. The first postoffice was kept in Darbyville in 1827, Rev. George Ambrose being the first postmaster. Before the office was opened the residents of the town went to Circleville for their mail. The present postmaster is James A. Miller. It has been reported that the postoffice is to be discontinued, on account of rural free delivery. The present officers of the corporation of Darbyville are as follows : Mayor, P. C. Thomas; marshal, Walter Girton ; clerk, C. E. Hill; treasurer, Ezra Hill; Council - G. W. Miller, Jacob Bennett. Dr. Joseph B. Justice, Charles W. Davis, S. G. Girton and John Sines. The streets are lighted with six, patent gasoline lamps. The business houses of the village are as follows: George W. Miller, P. C. Thomas, Janies A. Miller and Davis & Moore, general merchandise; Everett Brown and Millward Gulick, meat markets: Mrs. E. N. Devany, millinery; Henry RadclifF, hotel; Charles Neff and Marion Stonerock. blacksmiths; Ezra Hill, dealer in agricultural implements of all kinds, wagons, carriages, etc.; S. G. Girton. sawmill (also grinding" grain and feed) ; and Bowman & Snyder, undertakers (also with an office at Mount Sterling). The population of the town in 1900 was 250.

Is a small settlement of about 35 population, located in the southern comer of Muhlenberg township. District School No. r. a brick structure with shingle roof, is located here ; also the Pherson M. E. Church. 1. A. Pherson conducts a general store and John J. McLaughlin, a blacksmith shop. The latter is also a veterinary surgeon.

'J 'his township, lying in the southwest corner of Pickaway County, was originally included in Deer Creek township. It is not definitely known when the township was detached and organized, but it is thought that it was early in the Do's. Deer Creek forms the northern boundary of the township, which is also watered by Hay Run and Hamilton Run. In the territory adjacent to Deer Creek, the surface is broken and traversed by numerous ravines. In the bottom lands of this section great quantities of grain, especially corn are raised. In other sections a black loam is found which is more adapted to the growing of corn than any other cereal. The township is traversed from east to west by the C. & M. V. R. R., which has two stations in Perry, namely : New Holland and Atlanta. The population of the township according to the census of 1900 is

The township was settled mainly by Virginians, the first settlement being made about 1799. The pioneer settler, it is thought, was James Wilson, who lived for a brief time on the farmdatcr owned by Elias Ater. Among the other early settlers were: Benjamin Evans,

John Hoskins, Holmes Tarbill. John Timmons, Peter Mouser, Josiah Reeves, Zadoc Lewis, Levi Hayes, Jesse Britton, John Thomas, William Porter, Hezekiah Brown, John Bennett, John English, Jonathan Taylor and John Hale, all of whom came here before 1815, iti about the order named.

Others of the earlv settlers who came here subsequent to 1815 were the following: John Dunlap, Isaac Gray. Josiah Lewis, Barzillai C. Adkins. John M. Collins, Isaac Brown, Philip Michael, Jacob Gooley, James Cochran, Isaac Vincent, Reuben Lloyd, Moses Kouns, Joseph McClintock. Jacob and Samuel Hosselton, William Penniwell, Abraham Tanquary, Abram Kirkpatrick, Frederick Funk, James Kirkpatrick, John Streevey and Reuben Simpson. It is possible that some of the above may have settled here at an earlier date than mentioned.

The Methodists, who were the first to hold religious services in Perry township, have established six churches in all, of which three are still active.

The Cedar Grove M. E. Church was established at a verv early date. A log meeting house was built in 1814, previous to which date the class meetings were held in the homes of the settlers. The original class was composed of these members: William Bailey and wife.

wife and Jonathan blotter and wife. A frame church, built near the site of the log one, was dedicated in 1849. The church belonged to the New Holland Circuit. The membership in 1879 was 79. Services have since been discontinued.

A Methodist Episcopal Church was founded on Hay Run about 1S35, but the or- -ganization no longer exists. A church costing nearly $700 was built in 1852 to replace the log meeting house previously used. The church membership in 1879 was 45. The church was included in the New Holland Circuit.

Locust Grove M. E. Church. - This class was organized in 1841 at the home of Noble Porter, who became its leader and most enthusiastic worker. The church building was erected in 1842 on land donated by him. In 1879 there were 73 members in regular connection and 90 on probation. Since then the church has ceased to be a regular charge. From its formation it was attached to the New Holland Circuit. The Cedar Grove. Play Run and Locust Grove churches all had Sunday-schools.

New Holland M. E. Church. - Although all early records of this church have been lost, it is known that it was organized before 1825, as a class of about 12 members, with Samuel Plosselton as class leader. Prior to 1825 services were held by Rev. Francis -V. Wilson at the houses of George Bohrer and others, and then in a little log building in the village. About 1827 a small frame church edifice was constructed; this was replaced on the same site by the present church, which was built in 1867, at a cost of 82,500. Six years ago a parsonage was built at a cost of over 83,000. The ministers of the Newr Holland church for the period prior to 1866 were the same that had charge of the church at Williamsport. In that year New Plolland Circuit was set ofif as a separate circuit. From 1866 to 1906 the ministers of the New Holland church have been: Revs.

L. W. Miller. George Aten, H. E. Wright and T. L. Haas, the present incumbent. The present combined membership of this church and the Atlanta M. E. Church is 355. The New Holland church has a flourishing Sundayschool, with an average attendance of 81, of which Seymour Thomas is superintendent.

Dublin Hill M. E. Church. - A class of Protestant Methodists was formed at this point in 1S58. but after a few years the church was discontinued. Sixteen years later, Rev. John L. Reeder, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, founded a class, which has flourished to the present time. In 1878, the present brick church edifice located in the northeastern part of the township, was built at a cost of $1,600. being dedicated on January 15, 1879. by Rev.

I. E. King, of Columbus. The church has a membership of 35. The Sunday-school, which was formed at the establishment of the church, has a membership of 50. Elmer Shaeffer is superintendent. The present pastor of this charge is Rev. W. B. Rose, of New Holland.

The Atlanta M. E. Church is the most recently organized church of this denomination in Perry township. It is a charge of the New Holland Circuit. A frame church building was erected in 1S96 at a cost of $3,500. Jesse Rig'gin is superintendent of the Sundayschool, which has an average attendance of 75 -

The New Holland Disciples' Church was organized in the spring of 1857, the charter members being 22 in number. Evangelists of this denomination had preached here for some three years previous. After the organization, services were held in the home of T. Hess for a time and then in a church built about 50 years ago, which continued to serve until a new brick church was built in 1901, which is valued at $5,000. The church is large and flourishing, having a membership of 150. The Sundayschool. of which Mrs. Sadie Crabb is superintendent. has an average attendance of 90.

And Representative Citizens

New Holland Presbyterian Church. - This church, which passed out of existence some time ago, was founded in 1S63. Four years later the old Methodist Episcopal Church building was purchased, removed to another site, donated by John Boggs, and refitted. Rev. Samuel Cruthers was the first pastor; he was followed by Rev. S. S. Miller and he by Rev. W. H. Guthrie. The last named remained some four years and left a membership of 30. After his departure only occasional preaching was had and interest finally died out.

Not much is know in regard to who taught the first school in the township or where the school was located. As early as 1818, Andrew Bascom taught a term of school at or near the Locust Grove M. E. Church, in the little log building standing on the land later owned by Joseph Porter. This school was quite well attended. Soon after this William Clark taught a school term in the same building. A school in New Holland village was taught by Rev. Francis A. Wilson as early as 1828. The township outside of New Holland Special School District now has eight schools. All the schoolhotises are brick structures roofed with slate and are in very good condition. District No. 3, with school located at Atlanta, and District No. 8 have new buildings erected in 1904. The school at Atlanta is in charge of Prof. Otis Ganes, and has a high school department, in addition to the grammar and primary departments. The enumeration of pupils in the eight districts of the township is 280. At the election held in the fall of 1904. the first election after the adoption of the new code, the following were elected members of the township Board of Education: George A. Brown. Charles Grimes and G. L. Jennings - four years: W. C. .Crawford and E. A. Riggin - two vears. W. H. Skinner is clerk.

was organized at the time the village was incorporated. It is said that the first school subsequent to 1S35 was Feld in the building occupying the site of the present Methodist Episcopal Church. About 1848 a school building was constructed on the Ferguson property south of town. In 1854-55 a school building was erected to take the place of the one on the Ferguson property, at a cost of $1,50°. This building remained in use until the present school was built. This school accommodates about 200 pupils, and has eight rooms and library a-nd office. This school has three departments - primary, grammar and high school, the high school department has recently been changed from second grade to first grade. Prof. J. G. Bricker is superintendent of the New Holland school and Miss Carrie Beach, principal. These with four other teachers comprise the teaching force. The High School has an enthusiastic alumni association. The Board of Education of the special district, elected in the fall of 1904, is as follows: T. M. Withgott, George H. Matson and Scott Taylor - four years; J. T. Timmons and T. J. Dones - two years. Scott Taylor is clerk.

New Holland Lodge. No. 392. F. & A. M., was formed in 1867, the charter being issued in June of that year. The first officers were: M. V. Rawlins, \V. M. : T. H. Yoeman. S. V. ; Abram Vlerebome, J. W. ; P». Timmons, treasurer, \Y. J. Cochran, secretary; A. S. Hollowav, S. D. ; J. D. Orahood, J. D. ; and J. G. \V. Donohoe, tyler. The lodge is very flourishing and in a fine financial condition. A stock companv, consisting principally of Masons, owns the $12,000 building in which the lodge has its rooms. There is also a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star here.

New Holland also has a Knights of Pythias lodge. John A. Logan. No. 518. organized many vears ago. and a camp of Modern V oodmen of America, which was instituted in \pril, 1899. An Odd Fellows lodge flourished here for a time, as well as various temperance societies. Both New Holland and Atlanta have organizations of the \Y. C. T. C.

Four physicians are now located at New Holland, namely, John B. May (who has l>een located here about 32 years), A. F. Kaler, E. O. Ervin, and Charles Davis. Dr. A. L. Teeters is the only dentist. The first physician to locate permanently in New Holland or Perry township, was Dr. James F. Wilson, who practiced here some 30 years. Among other physicians who practiced here were: Aaron Plarriman, Henry Timmons, Henry R. Davis and John W. May.

The First National Bank

Of New Holland, which was established April 4. 1904, enjoys the confidence and patronage of the people of the vicinity to a remarkable degree. Its organization followed closely the failure of the old bank of New Holland and financial standing and high character of its promoters and officers overcame this handicap, and in two vears time the deposits reached the large sum of $150,000 and the loans, $130,000.

Hyde, president; I. N. Beatty, vice-president; and Seymour Thomas, cashier. The board of directors includes A. L. Hyde. I. N. Beatty, A. T. Vincent, John McCafiferty and George Kirk.

The building occupied was built by the defunct Bank of New Holland and was used by that enterprise but two weeks. It was later purchased by the First National Bank and is a very appropriate home for so important an institution. It is of handsome design and the interior, in point, of arrangement and finishing, is all that could be desired. 1 he fixtures are of hard wood and the vault and safe are the most modern and approved fire and burglar-proof pattern.

New Holland

The plat of this village was acknowledged before Alexander Rowen, justice of the peace, on September 2, 1S18. The description, recorded in Book B of the Pickaway County records, shows that the name was then Flemingsburgh. It is not known when the name was changed to the one the village now bears. The village was incorporated March 9. 1835. Early in the following year the village officers were: Rev. Francis A. Wilson, mayor; D.

! Williamson: clerk. F. M. Davis; marshal, John i Morris; treasurer, Chan. Vlerebome: Council I - - M. S. Bartholomew, N. E. Tutwiler, John ! Shaw, William Mitchell. J. P. Van Vickie and L. W. Swearingen : solicitor. Charles H. May. Die village lias considerable cement pavement and is well lighted by 25 gasoline lights of a new design that give a fine illumination. In the summer the principal streets are sprinkled. The population, as given in the census of 1900, is 692.

Charles Green was one of the first, if not the first, merchant at New Holland. He sold groceries and whiskey and entertained travel- ] ers. George Bohrer. who built the first brick block, was also a pioneer merchant.

New Holland is a shipping point for large quantities of grain. C. E. Groce, of Circleville. has two elevators here. John Brodie has a grist mill, which is well patronized. Here I is also located a branch factory of the Pressing I & Orr Company. Tins is an extensive estab- I lishment and when in operation in the canning I season employes a large force of hands. Of j late tomatoes have been the only product canned. T. M. Si n i ft conducts a broom factory at New Holland and George Lemley mani ufactures cement blocks.

Meeker; dry goods, boots and shoes and millinery, J. J. Dones; clothing and furnishing .goods, Forrest & Adkins; jewelry. John Zimmerman; general stores - James Holihan, T. C. Gooley and Gooley Brothers ; grocery and meat market, Henson & Jones; meat market, Griffith & Doyle; shoe shop, George W. Tutwiler; furniture. William Daley (also undertaker) ; bakery, F. M. Sims ; drugs, wall-paper, paints and school supplies, H. M. Agner; hardware, Farmers' Supplies Hardware Company; livery, Charles McCrea and Samuel H. Stoker; lumber and coal, J. E. Ferrel; blacksmiths, William Briggs, Funk Brothers and Robert Maddux; Central Hotel, James Collopy, proprietor.

Percy May owns and conducts the New Holland Leader and a job printing office. He is also postmaster at New Holland. N. R. Ferguson is thought to have been the first postmaster. Three rural routes, comprising a total length of 80 miles, now run from New Holland. Both the Citizens' and the Bell telephone companies have connections here, the former having an exchange.

Atlanta

Is a small town of a little less than 150 population, located on the C. & M. V. R. R. about midway between New Holland and Woodlyn. It is not incorporated. L. T. White is the local agent of the C. & M. V. R. R. Company. A grain elevator, owned by C. G. Campbell, is located here, also a small mill owned by Martin Turner. C. G. Campbell also conducts a grocery and coal business and ships stock. P. F. Campbell sells buggies, wagons and general farming implements. Crawford & Macy conduct a general store; Michael Funk, a blacksmith shop and livery stable; and Mrs. L. A. Moore, a tile factory. Both the Citizens' and the Bell telephones are found here. There are two Odd Fellow bodies, - Atlanta Lodge, No. 819, and Perry Encampment, No. 286.

In days gone by quite a number of mills were built along Deer Creek in this township, but all have fallen into disuse, except the Crownover mill, which is now run by J. D. Pollock. The mill was first built as early as 1812 by a man named Baker and has been rebuilt several times. The other mills have comprised grist-mills, sawmills, carding mills and woolen mills.

Source changes here: from HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY, OHIO AND REPERESENTATIVE CITIZENS, by HON. AARON R. VAN CLEAF, published 1906; 3,293 words in this source stream.

Muhlenberg Township

This township was erected December 8, 1830, being formed from portions of Jackson township on the south and east, Scioto on the north and east, Darby on the north and west and Monroe on the south and west. It is next to the smallest township in the county in area and the third smallest in population, which was g18 in 1900. The first survey for a township was made by Judge William Florence in 1826 or 1827. It was afterward again surveyed by Mr. Nesbeth, of Ross County. A change was made in its boundaries in 1851. Darby Creek flows from northwest to southeast through the center of the township. This is the only stream of any size that can be found here. It rises near the head-waters of the Scioto River and runs in a course nearly parallel with that stream, into which it empties near Circleville. The name "river" would more nearly describe its size. At times of high water, it overflows a large area of bottom land, where it is not protected bv levees. Its banks in some sections are quite high. It derives its name from an old Indian chief who lived on its banks at an early day. There are also two small streams, known as Dry Run and George's Run.

When the first settlements were made in this township, the pioneers found the face of the land covered with a heavy growth of timber. In the western part of the township and - adjoining townships were found small tracts of land without timber, covered with a luxuriant growth of wild grass that would sometimes reach to the height of a man's shoulders when mounted on horseback. These tracts were given the name of "prairies."" The bottom lands were covered with great forests of walnut, maple, ash, elm, honey-locust and sycamore trees, while on the uplands grew many oaks. The land was cleared in the most expeditious manner possible - either by felling the trees and burning the logs, or by girdling and thus destroying theni. This was done in order to get the land under cultivation without the waste of time. At a later date mills were established along Darby Creek and considerable lumber. was produced; as a consequence but little timber suitable for first-class lumber is to be found at this day in the township.

In the bottom lands the soil is for the most part a black loam mixed with some gravel and is very productive, raising large crops of corn and wheat. On the uplands is found a clay soil which is nearly as productive as the black soil of the lowlands, though it requires a greater effort to produce a crop. In order to protect the land along Darby Creek from overflow in times of flood, levees have been built along the creek by the owners of these lands. Great quantities of corn are raised in this township: Until some 30 or 40 years ago the land was mostly owned in large tracts by a few persons. Even now there are a number of very large farms.

It is thought that the first election in Muhlenberg township was that held in the spring of 1831, a few months after the township's erection. William Hill, Sr., was the first justice of the peace. In 1875 a town house was erected on the main street in Darbyville at a cost of $1,200, the lower story being built by the township and corporation and the upper story jointly by the Good Templars organization and Good Samaritan Grange. The township officers for 1906 are as follows: Trustees - R. C. Hill, William Graham and E. F. Kneisley; clerk, Jonathan M. Grabill; treasurer, W. S. Carpenter; assessor, Milton [ullen; justices of the peace - Henry B. Darst and Jacob Bennett.

When Virginia ceded this portion of Ohio to the general government, the lands west of the Scioto River were reserved by the State of Virginia for her soldiers of the Revolutionary War as a reward for their services. Of these military lands, Gen. Peter Muhlenberg owned some 1,700 acres; Henry Baldwin, 1,200; Henry Massie, 1,200; while Carter, Copeland and others owned large tracts. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg was one of the most ardent patriots of the Revolutionary War. At the time the war broke out, he was a minister; he immediately transformed himself into a soldier and did valiant service in behalf of the revolting colonists. The township of Muhlenberg is named after his youngest son, Francis, who settled here in 1820.

This section was the home of the Shawnee Indians. At an early day small bands of these Indians lived in various parts of the township; even after the country was partially settled, the Indians returned annually early in the spring for the purpose of making maple sugar. In the fall of the year they proceeded north toward Lake Erie. On the opposite side of the creek, a short: distance above Darbyville, a large burying ground was located, in the rear of the old camp of the band to. which the: chief Darby belonged. At an early day in the history of the township, an Indian duel took place just below Darbyville where there was an Indian. camp.

Early Settlers

ship, being included in Jackson, Scioto, Darby and Monroe townships. The names and dates of arrivals of many of the first settlers have been lost, and the information given here can be considered as only fragmentary. 'The first settlement of which we have any record was made about 1805 or 1806. It is thought that John Rush and family lived here prior to 1805, as at that time they owned 50 acres of land on Darby Creek. In 1806 a Mr. Galbreath and a Mr. Swank came to Muhlenberg. John Studebaker, Edward Pritchard and Judge William Florence also came to this township in 1806. The last named, who was a Virginian, arrived April 9, 1806. After occupying a cabin on John Renick's place for a short time, he bought 100 acres of the Muhlenberg tract. He afterward purchased more land until he owned some 1,700 or 1,800 acres. Judge Florence was twice elected to the State Legislature and. served two terms as associate judge. He died in 1870, aged 96 years. He left a decided impress on the life of his time and section. About 1807 Isaac Van Meter, John and David Shepherd and Parnick George came to this township. In 1808 Judge William Seymour came here from Ross County. He was one of the early associate judges of the Common Pleas Court, to which office he was elected by the Legislature in 1810. George Rowe came into the country about 1812 and bought land on Dry Run, which he came near losing, as the title proved defective. The Hill family, one of the most widely represented in the township, was established here about 1815, when William Hill with his family, consisting of a wife and eight children, came here; at the same time his brothers, Leroy and Robert Hill, also settled here. These two brothers afterward removed to other sections of Ohio. John McKinley came from Virginia in 1819 and settled about three miles above Darbyville.

Francis Muhlenberg came here about 1820 and for a number of years lived in the family of Judge William Florence. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1823 and several years later was elected to Congress, but would' only serve the first year of his term. Alexander McKinley and Charles Bell came here about 1825. Jacob Yoakum settled here in

1822. William Fullen came to Pickaway County in 1827, and about seven years later purchased and moved upon land near Darbyville. Abel.Seymour, a son of Judge William Seymour, came to Ohio in 1827 and settled on a part of his father's tract. Jacob Thorn settled in Muhlenberg township about 1834; |

Isaac Seymour, in 1835; Baldwin C. Carpenter, in 1837; William A. Miller, in 1840; George W. Bolin, in 1841, and Joseph A. Pritchard in 1844. Henry Darst settled in Circleville about 1835 or 1836, kept hotel there three years and then came to Muhlenberg township. Other early settlers in this township were: John and David Martin, Mrs. Burget, the Poulson brothers (mention of whom is made in the history of Darby township), and Arthur Whiteside.

Whipping A Pole-Cat

"Tt was no very unusual thing for the new settlers in a wilderness of timber to become somewhat dazed and lost when they had occasion to traverse the timber out of some path or well-known course. Where the settlements were several miles distant from each other and the interval a dense and almost impenetrable forest, this is not to be wondered at. On one occasion, Isaac Van Meter, then well along in years, mounted his horse and rode into the woods to gather in some of his hogs that had been fattening on 'shack,' as acorns and beechnuts were called. He was gone much longer than was expected and his family became alarmed and instituted a search for him. The neighbors were called on and after some time found him about three miles from home near what is now known as Robtown. He had dismounted and tied his horse to a bush and was engaged in whipping a pole-cat around with a little switch. When asked what he was doing that for, he replied that 'he became so very cold in riding that he had to do something to keep warm and it occurred to him that if he whipped that pole-cat about for a while he would get warmed up.' The general verdict of the searching party was that he had become pretty well 'warmed up' as they returned home, carefully keeping the windward side of him."

Some First Events

It is not known who was the first white person born in the township, but it is thought there wére births in the families of some of the squatters before the actual settlers came in and took possession of the land. The first death that occurred in the neighborhood was that of a child of Jonathan Renick, named Seymour, in 1805. An infant daughter of Judge Florence, deceased in November, 1806, was the first person buried in the Florence burial-ground. The first marriage that can be recalled was that of Anthony Hall and Polly Wood in 1806. The early settlers obtained flour and meal from a mill on Darby Creek in Jackson township, about seven miles from the present town of Darbyville or from a mill on the upper part of the same stream, in Franklin County. The first of these mills was built about 1802 or 1803, and the other a little later. The first orchard planted in Muhlenberg township was set out on the place of Isaac Van Meter about 1808. About this time Eleazar Smith established a blacksmith shop on Darby Creek below Darbyville. A sawmill was built on the farm of Francis Hill, a little below Darbyville, about 1820; in 1831 it was equipped for grinding purposes. In 1835, after the death of Mr. Hill, Jonathan Blue rented the property and bought a wool-carding machine. It was subsequently rented by others and finally sold to Jacoh Measy about 1844. This old mill was torn down on the completion of the mill in Darbyville, in 1877. A tannery, established by John Shepherd in 1819, was conducted by him until his death and then by his son, Abram, until 1838. James Magill also operated a tannery at an early date.

A branch of the Presbyterian Church was organized here about 1825. Services were held in private houses in the neighborhood during the winter season and in the summer, a pleasant grove was selected, logs being rolled together for seats for the congregation. For some years after the completion of the Darbyville schoolhouse, it was used for religious services. In 1842 a church was erected in Jackson township near the Muhlenberg township line, where the Presbyterians of this township had services for some time. A Presbyterian Church was finally established at Darbyville. Of late years the society has not been active and the building is not now in use.

Darbyville M. E. Church. - Services conducted by laymen of the Methodist denomination were held at an early day in the township. There was preaching at Mr. McKinley's as early as 1826 and afterward at a schoolhouse in Darbyville. It is not known just when the church was organized. It was at first a charge of the Scioto Circuit and then of the Franklinton Circuit. It is now included in the Darbyville Circuit, which has four appointments: Darbyville, Pherson, Hebron and King's. The membership of the circut is 370 and the church property of the four appointments is valued at $7,000. The number of Sunday-school. pupils in the entire circuit is 480. Rev. F. B. Davis, who is stationed at Darbyville, is in charge of the circuit. The attendance of the Darbyville M. E. Church is about 175. The Sundayschool at Darbyville has an average attendance of about 110; Charles W. Davis is superintendent. The church at Darbyville was begun in 1842 and completed in 1844. A parsonage was _ built here in 1898 at a cost of about $1,500. The Pherson M. E. Church is one of the appointments of the Darbyville Circuit, with Rev. F. B. Davis as pastor. The church has a membership of 125. The average Sunday attendance is 200. The church building was erected in 1891 at a cost of $1,200. The super- _intendent of the Sunday-school is Robert Pherson.

In the spring of 1878 a branch organiza- - tion of the African M. E. Church was perfected at Darbyville. For a number of years services were held at the schoolhouse in the village of | Darbyville by John Dickinson. The pulpit was 'supplied for a time by Rev. R. H. Morris, of

At an early day there were several cemeteries established in the county, most of them being of a family or neighborhood nature. In 1879 there were not less than eight burial places to be found. The first cemetery was on the farm of Judge William Florence, where his infant daughter' was buried in 1806. In 1875 the corporation of Darbyville bought five acres of ground just below the town on the pike and opened a general township cemetery.

In 1807 Judge William Florence established a school in a log cabin on his place, hiring Brice Howard as teacher. Sylvester Tipton taught school in this log cabin after Howard; Horatio Keys also taught about the same time. Rev. George Ambrose came to the township about 1820, and taught school on the west side of Darby Creek near Darbyville. He was a Baptist minister and preached in the surrounding country. Mr. Abbott taught school about 1816 or 1818; James Rice taught on the Muhlenberg farm about 1817. The township is' well provided with schools and the school buifdings are of a substantial nature. The Board of Education of Muhlenberg township, elected in the fall of 1904, is as follows: M. IF. May, Samuel Ankrom and J. Wilson - four years; J. J. McLaughlin and W. S. Carpenter - two years. The clerk of the board is Jonathan M. Grabill.

In the early '50's a union school district was set off in the village of Darbyville and a school building was erected at a cost of $1,500. In 1867 a second story was added to the building at an expense of $400. The school has.a high school 'department, in. addition to the grammar and primary departments. Charles W. Davis 1s in charge, assisted by Florence Terflinger and Minnie Dennis. The Board of Education of the Darbyville Village School District, elected in November, 1904, is as follows: G. W. Miller, Harry Moore and C. T. Neff - four years; P. C. Thomas and Mrs. Laura Anderson - two years.

At one time in the history of Darbyville, a school was kept up by the township for the education of colored children; a building was erected for the purpose in 1872 at a cost of $632. PHYSICIANS.

The first physician employed in the township was Dr. Scott, of Chillicothe. This was previous to 1810. In that year Drs. Turney, Webb and Luckey settled in Circleville and acquired the business of Muhlenberg township, as they were good physicians and more convenient of access. In 1828 Dr. Raiff, a Frenchman, settled at Darbyville, where he remained until his death. Drs. Noble and Wilson came later. About 1833 Dr. James Allen settled in Darbyville, where he conducted his practice for some 22 years. Of more recent physicians we may mention Dr. Richard H. Tipton ville in 1846; Dr. F. M. Black, who came to Darbyville in 1853 and entered into partnership with Dr. James Allen; Dr. J. T. Kirkendall, who died some 10 or 12 years ago, after an extended practice; and Dr. John E. Miller, deceased in 1904, who practiced at Darbyville for many years and was a man of prominence in this section, being a Representative in the General Assembly at the time of his death. Darbyville has at the present time two practicing physicians: Dr. Joseph B. Justice, who has been located here since November, 1898; and Dr. Floyd E. Ginder, who came here in 1904.

Good Samaritan Grange, P. of H., was organized in Monroe township in 1874 but was afterward changed to Darbyville. It was long since discontinued. Darbyville has always been strong in temperance sentiment. There was formerly a very flourishing lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars here, which was organized under a charter issued in 1875. It finally went out of existence. 'The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is very well represented at Darbyville, where one of the strongest societies in the county is active in the good work.

The corporation of Darbyville was platted July 27, 1826. It was laid out on land formerly entered, surveyed and patented by Cornelius Baldwin on the west side of Darby Creek and near the center of the present township of Muhlenberg. A store for the sale of merchandise was opened by Samuel Scott in 1826 or 1827. A year later a grocery was opened by George and J. P. Hill. In 1826 a blacksmith shop was run here by Charles McFeters, a mulatto. The first postoffice was kept in Darbyville in 1827, Rev. George Ambrose being the first postmaster. Before the office was opened the residents of the town went to Circleville for their mail. The present postmaster is James A. Miller. It has been reported that the postoffice is to be discontinued, on account of rural free delivery. The present officers of the corporation of Darbyville are as follows: Mayor, P. C. Thomas; marshal, Walter Girton; clerk, C. E. Hill; treasurer, Ezra Hill; Council - G. W. Miller, Jacob Bennett, Dr. Joseph B. Justice, Charles W. Davis, S. G. Girton and John Sines. The streets are lighted with six, patent gasoline lamps. The business houses of the village are as follows: George W. Miller, P. C. Thomas, James A. Miller and Davis & Moore, general merchandise; Everett Brown and Millward Gulick, meat markets; Mrs. E. N. Devany, millinery ; Henry Radcliff, hotel; Charles Neff and Marion Stonerock, blacksmiths; Ezra Hill, dealer in agricultural implements of all kinds, wagons, carriages, etc.; S. G. Girton, sawmill (also grinding grain and feed) ; and Bowman & Snyder, undertakers (also with an office at Mount Sterling). The population of the town in 1900 was 250.

Is a small settlement of avout 35 population, located in the southern corner of Muhlenberg township. District School No. 1, a brick structure with shingle roof, is located here; also the Pherson M. E. Church. I. A. Pherson conducts a general store and John J. McLaughlin, a blacksmith shop. The latter is also a veterinary surgeon.