Pike Township (part 2 of 2)

Drake and wife, Jonathan Fuller and wife, Nelson Fuller and wife, William Kirkpatrick and wife, Jerry Green and wife, Joseph Bratton and wife, William Bratton and wife, Adam Bratton and wife, Thomas Pistole and wife, William Derrickson and wife, Daniel Beed and wife, Bobert Beed and wife, and Isaac Wilson and wife. A church site was selected on the farm of Porter Shaw, three -fourths of a mile south of Bussellville, and a small frame building erected, some of the members subscribing money, some labor and some material. Bev. Aaron Sargent, who lived at Bethel, Clermont County, was the first pastor in charge. He held services once in four weeks, and, at intervening times, preaching was conducted by Bros. Lyon, Morris, Biley, Griswold, Aaron Sargent, Jr., Cook, Wedge and others. The membership increased, but a schism arose in the church, one faction, known as the Ironside Baptists, following the leadership of Bev. Smith, and the other that of Bev. Sargent, who remained in charge till old age rendered him unfit for the work. The effects of the division were ruinous. The membership fell away gradually, many joining other churches. The closing scene in the history of this congregation was the burning of the church, in the spring of 1855, from an unknown cause.

A number of members of the Associate Beformed Church who had settled in this township, with the assistance of a few who lived in Byrd and Union Townships, banded together, and, in 1830, took steps for the erection of a church building, on a lot donated by Eli Collins, a spirited member, then living at Bussellville. It was completed the next year.

The first minister employed was James Caskey, who preached one or two days per month. During his absence, the pulpit would sometimes be filled by ministers from other stations. The organization, however, was destined to a short life. Bemovals, deaths and changing of memberships to other points produced a speedy decline. The house was sold and the proceeds divided among the surviving members. The members in the first organization were Thomas MacCague and wife, Eli Collins and wife, John Barrett and wife, Samuel Kerr and wife, William Wright and wife, Samuel Bayne and wife.

The Presbyterian Church. - The first account we are able to find of a Presbyterian Church organization in Bussellville was in 1817. At a meeting of Washington Presbytery, held in Buckskin Meeting-House (now Salem Church), a petition was presented from a people living on Eagle Creek, praying that they be known on the minutes as the Eagle Creek Congregation. The request was granted at this meeting, and James Gilliland appointed to preach one Sabbath and six days at Eagle Creek. At a meeting of the same presbytery in August, 1817, Bev. Gilliland was again appointed to spend eight days in missionary labor, and Mr. Andrew W. Poage was to preach one Sabbath each atWhite Oak, New Market, Straight Creek and Eagle Creek. There was preaching to the people in this vicinity at various times by Bev. Gilliland and Bev. Beuben White up to April, 1829. At a meeting of the Chillicoihe Presbytery held at Bipley April 1, 1829, Bev. J. H. Lockhart, from French Broad Presbytery, appeared, and was invited to a seat as corresponding member. At a meeting of the Chillicothe Presbytery October 1, 1829, at West Union, he was appointed to perform eighty days' labor in Brown County. At a meeting of the above presbytery in HilJsboro, January 5, 1830, he was received as a member of the presbytery. At this meeting the congregation of Eagle Creek presented a call asking for the pastoral labors of Mr. Lockhart, but, after discussion, it was decided that it could not be presented to Mr. Lockhart, for the reason that the congregation had not made satisfactory statements of the means provided for his support. At a meeting of the presbytery in West Union, April 6, 1830, the call was again presented, but for only half of his time. The call was accepted.

Father Lockhart, as he was familiarly known by all, was born in Rockingham County, Va., December 23, 1799, and removed with his father to East Tennessee at the age of ten. He was educated at Danbridge and Marysville, and, after reading theology privately with Dr. McCampbell, was licensed to preach, and, soon after, was ordained as an evangelist, and engaged in missionary work in the mountains of East Tennessee and North Carolina for two years. Cherishing a desire to breathe the free air of the North, he turned his horse's head toward Ohio, and, after a long and tiresome journey, he reached Ripley, where he met his old friend, Rev. John Rankin, who had preceded him North a few years. After a brief rest, Mr. Lockhart again engaged in home missionary work. All the feeble churches in Brown, Adams and other adjoining counties heard from his lips the Gospel message of salvation. He fixed his headquarters at Russellville, then a small village in the woods. There, without a wife, home or house of worship, and without the promise of money, he began his life work. Soon after accepting the call here, he was married to Miss Margaret Mcllvaine. Their children were four in number, two of whom survive - John and Amanda.

In 1829, the members of the Presbyterian Church in Russellville and vicinity resolved to build a house of worship. In the summer of 1830, a brick building, 40x70 feet, was erected on a lot in the east part of Russellville. The cost of the building was supposed to be about $1,100.

Prominent among the members of the church at that time were Aaron Wilson and wife, Benjamin Marshall and wife, John Parker, Edward Francis, Eleanor Ashenhurst, Margaret Scott, Margaret Robinson, Matthew Tomb, Fanny Tomb, Eleanor Inskeep, Robert Bower and wife, John C. Henry and wife, Samuel G. Moore, John Lafabre and wife, Dr. Beasley, John Snedaker and wife, William Evans, Thomas Culter and wife, George Mclntire and wife, Hannah Potts, Isabella Howland, George McCoy, Stephen Porter, Samuel Miller and wife, Daniel Williamson, Joseph Orr, Robert Poage and others. The first Clerk of the session was Dr. A. Beasley. Clerks since were S. G. Moore, J. Francis, and present Clerk, Dr. J. N. Salisbury. The house that was built was finished in taste to correspond to the financial condition of the members at that time, and served them for a place of worship until 1870, when it became necessary to repair the old house. But the congregation concluded to build a new house instead, and a beautiful brick building, very substantially constructed and finished, stood in the place of the old house. It cost $9,000, and would be considered a credit to any community. Soon after the new building was erected, Father Lockhart offered his resignation as pastor, which, on account of his advanced age, was accepted, with the condition that he would fill the pulpit when vacant. Rev. Guthrie was then employed to preach one-half of his time. He was succeeded by Rev. John McClung, who ministered to the this people a few years, and then accepted a call from the W'est. During his pastorate, Rev. Lockhart removed with his family to Ecksmansville, Adams

County, and soon after died, in his eightieth year. The next minister was Rev. Walter Mitchell, who now officiates. The Elders of the church from its organization have been William Evans, Benjamin Marshall, Edward Francis, John Glendenning, Aaron Wilson, Garrett Snedaker, A. Beasley, George Mc- Coy, Samuel G. Moore, Robert Poage, John Culter, Isaac Sutherland, William Griffin, Samuel Miller, James Baird, Joseph Francis, James Blair, J. N. Salisbury, Lawrence Ramey, W. J. Williamson, J. A. Porter, Samuel Kinkaid and A. M. Williamson.

The organization of the Disciple Church was due principally to the labors of Elder Lucas, who preached in Russellville and vicinity as early as 1840. In 1844, measures were adopted for the erection of a church. Thomas Mefford donated a lot for a church building, with the proviso that it should revert to the grantor when no longer used for church purposes. A plain, substantial frame building was erected in 1845, at a cost of about $700. This served as a place of worship until 1869, when it was found that a large amount of repair was needed on the house. It was thought best to build a new house, and the lot once occupied by the Old School Presbyterian Church was purchased, and a neat and substantial frame building erected on it in 1870. It is neatly and plainly finished on the inside, and preaching is had in it one day in each month. The ministers officiating have been J. B. Lucas, David

The doctrines of the Methodist Church were preached in this township as early as 1825, at first in dwelling houses, barns and groves. The pioneer ministers were Revs. Baxter, Clark, Manker, Quinn and others. In 1836, arrangements were completed to build a house of worship, and in 1837, a commodious little brick building was put up on a lot of ground in the north part of Russellville. The prominent members at that time were Lowry McKnight, John Bassett, Asher Wykoff, Emor Stalcup, Harry Sidwell and others. In 1872, a lot was purchased in the northwest part of the town, being the north half of Lots No. 19 and 20, on which was erected a large frame church, which was very tastefully and neatly finished, and furnished with good modern appliances. The church now has an active working membership of about one hundred. The Trustees at the building of the new church were W. Ball, D. C. Culter, Ellis Sidwell, R. W. Pittenger, George Ferris, Charles Boggs, Samuel A. Smith, James Johnson, W. L. Johnson. The ministers who have labored in the church were Revs. Hare, Allen, Gossard, E. H. Field, Tibbetts, McDonald, Zink, Edgar, Kugler, Bolton, Colahan, Witham, Heade, Emeston, Coole, Wilson, Verity, Gregg, Hitzler and many others.

The Old-School Presbyterian Church was built in 1842. The formation of this congregation was the outgrowth of a division in the Presbyterian Church proper of Russellville, from which the following persons withdrew and formed an independent organization called the Old-School: Aaron Wilson and wife, John Lafabre and wife, John C. Henry and wife, Samuel Miller and wife, D. McConnell and wife, William Evans and wife and William Wilson and wife. Their house was built, as all others were in early days, by contributions of lumber, rock, brick, shingles, nails, etc. It was rudely finished, and was occupied as a house of worship only a few years. Rev. James Dunlap was the first and only minister in the church. After a short stay, he removed to another field of labor, and soon after the organization dissolved.

Preaching in the Christian faith was held in this township as early as 1810. The pioneer ministers were Revs. Barton Stone and David Perviance, of Kentucky, who made frequent visits to this locality and held services during summer in groves, and in dwelling-houses through cold weather. Rev. Alexan- der McClain also labored here. The followers of this faith increased, and at a meeting held June 26, 1827, in a small log house which stood on the same lot the present church occupies, an organization was effected with the following membership: David Kendle and wife, John Stitt and wife, Basil Glaze and wife, Thomas Shreve and wife, Eli Hewitt and wife, John Abbott and wife, David Newman and wife, Mary Butt and Joanna Shaw. Meetings were continued at the homes of members, groves and schoolhouses until 1830, when they built a brick church in Russellville, some of the members furnishing timber, joist, rafters, etc., others furnishing rock for foundation, others shingles, which were made by hand from the trunk of the sturdy oak. The women exchanged rags, eggs, butter and such other articles as they could spare, for nails, which went into the construction of the building. The first seats were made from the trunks of small trees, with large pin3 for legs. The house was first heated by burning charcoal in two large iron kettles. In a short time, the , congregation became able to furnish seats of more modern style; also, stoves took the place of kettles as heaters. In this condition, the house was used up to May, 1860, when a terrible tornado swept over the town, unroofed the church and demolished part of the wall of the house. It was, however, rebuilt and re-roofed in a short time, furnished with new seats, papered, repainted and furnished in good style, and is now one of the neatest churches of the place. The membership at this time is about 260. Rev. Alexander McClain, the first minister in charge, labored here twenty-five years. His successors have been Revs. Henry Phillips, Daugherty, George W. Mefford, Coan, Pangburn, Cook and Walter Mefford.

Some of the cemetery grounds in the township seem not to have been selected from an adaptability for burial purposes, while others are most beautifully located. The cemetery known as the Baird Burial-Grounds was set apart for cemetery purposes by Abram Shepherd at an early day, from the best information we can obtain, about the year 1812. Some time afterward, Mr. Shepherd sold his farm to George Baird, and it has been since known as the Baird Burial-Grounds.

In 1831, the Associate Reformed branch of the church built a house near the limits of Russellville, on the east side of the town, and a part of the grounds on which they built their church was set apart as a cemetery. A list of those born prior to 1800 who lie buried here is as follows:

Aged

Linwood Cemetery is located one mile east of Russellville, on the Winchester pike, and was surveyed in the spring of 1861. It contains five acres, and was purchased by the township Trustees under an act of the Legislature, authorizing Township Trustees to levy a tax for the purchase and inclosing of a cemetery. The ground was bought of the heirs of Jacob Schwallie for $475. They are inclosed by a beautiful osage orange hedge, and for adaptability and beauty of location are not surpassed by any cemetery grounds in Southern Ohio. This cemetery, besides all others in the township, is under the care of George E. Sidwell, Trustee of Cemeteries, under whose efficient management it is beautifully and neatly kept. The first interment in this township was that of the remains of John A. Kendle, youngest son of Leroy J. and Mary J. Kendle, who was removed from the society of tender and loving parents and a large circle of acquaintances on the morning of his life.

The means provided for the education of the children of the pioneer settlers were very scant and limited, and the first houses used for school purposes were cabins that chanced to be without a dweller. In these houses, homemade chairs and benches made from poles constituted the seats. The first houses, built for the special purpose of school were rude structures of logs, built on a very unpretentious plan. One end of the house was generally occupied by the fire-place, finished inside with slab seats and puncheon floors, with clapboard roof, held in place by weight-poles. The books in use were Webster's Speller, American Preceptor, Murray's and Kirkham's Grammar, Olney's Atlas and Geography. As the population increased in numbers and wealth, the desire for better houses began to develop, the different districts assumed a more desirable shape, and good frame houses took the place of the pioneer log schoolhouse. The wages paid to pioneer teachers were from $10 to $15 per month. The early teachers were Anderson, Yail, Fancher, Cooper, Brown, Spencer, Wilson, Robe, Peacock, McKnight, O'Hara and many others.

The present status of Jefferson Township in respect to common schools is not excelled by any of the surrounding townships. The township is divided into five school districts, besides Russellville, which forms an independent district. In each of the districts is a good and comfortable frame house, furnished with seats of modern manufacture, heated with coal, and well ventilated and furnished with desks, maps and blackboards. The attendance is from twenty-eight to fifty scholars. In each district, a term of from six to eight months is taught.

The books in use are McGuffey's Headers, Ray's Arithmetic and Algebra Holbrook and Harvey's Grammar, Eclectic Geographies, McG uffy 5 s Speller and Barnes' United States History . The teachers receive from $28 to $37 per month for winter terms, and $18 to $28 for spring school.

In J854, the town of Russellville was incorporated, and within its limits is embraced one square mile of territory. In 1855, a two-story brick school building was erected, divided into three departments - Primary, Intermediate and High. The Primary Department is composed of pupils from six to twelve years of age, the Intermediate from twelve to fifteen and the High above the latter age. In the Primary School is taught the alphabet, the first principles of spelling, mental arithmetic, writing and reading to McGuffy's Third Reader. In the Intermediate School, arithmetic, geography, grammar and writing. In the Higher Department, arithmetic, descriptive geography, higher arithmetic, algebra, grammar, physical geography, mathematical geography. United States History, geometry and physiology. There are in this district about 185 pupils. The average wages paid are: In the Primary Department, $26 per month; in the Intermediate, $10, and the .Superintendent., $55 per month.

War Record

'.v That the men of Jefferson Township bore an honorable part in the great struggle with secession, during the four long, eventful years from 1861 to 1865, and performed deeds of loyalty and heroism, the hotly contested fields of Cheat Mountain, Green Brier, Chickamauga, Stone River, Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge and many others bear ample evidence. Among those who slumber in unknown and unmarked graves beside the still waters of the South, lie a number of the sons of Jefferson Township, there to await the reveille of the heroic, when time shall be no more. But the memory of their heroic acts will be cherished in the hearts of a grateful people, who to the latest generation will call them blessed. We give herewith a list of those who entered the service of their country from Jefferson Township, and were honorably discharged by death or expiration of time of enlistment: