Pleasant Township

Pleasant Township

Pleasant township was organized in 1850, from nine sections taken from Bearfield, three sections from Monroe, three sections from Pike, and one section from Saltlick township, and contains sixteen sections. It is inthe southeastern portion of Perry county, Ohio, bounded on the north by Bearfield and Pike, on the south by Monroe and Saltlick, on the east by Bearfield and Monroe, and on the west by Pike and Saltlick township. In size it is a fractional township, and next to the smallestin the county. Coal township being two sections smaller. The surface 1s quite undulating, the valleys being narrow, and the hills in some portions are quite steep, but none reach a great height. Very nearly all the land is arable and produces well.

The township is well watered by small spring streams,nearly all of which rise within its borders, the largest being a branch of Jonathan's creek, which cuts a complete triangle from the northwest corner, by heading at or near the central western border and flows east and northeast, passing out alittle east of the north central border. Although the stream is small, on account of its narrow valley it at times considerably overflows its banks, and in 1882 completely flooded Moxahala.

The streams flow from the northern part of the township, into the Muskingum river, while those of the southern half flow into the Hocking river. The dividing ridge passes just south of Moxahala over the tunnel, and eastward in a zigzag line upon which Oakfield and Porterville are situated.

The township is rich in mineral products. being underlaid with what is commonly known as the four feet vein of coal. [ron ore is tound in many places in good paying quantities, and south of Moxahala a vein has been used from, that is seven feet in thickness. This is known as the pot ore. Black band is more frequent but has been worked less than the pot ore. Black band usually appears at from eight inches to eighteen inches thick, and yields about forty per cent iron. Pot ore generally yields about fortyfive or fifty per cent iron. Pot ore is so uncertain in its amonnt in one place, that it is seldom worked with profit, and with little dependence. Black band lies in strata and is worked with dependence and success. The coal now being mined is of a_superior quality, and all obtained from drifts. South of Moxahala, if the coal is mined it must be by shafts, one or two of which are being sunk at this time, 1882. There is one small shipping bank at North Ferrara.

The health of the township is extremely good, and upon account of the undulations of its surface, they never suffer from miasmatic influence.

The hills are indeed picturesque, and are to the student an open book of nature, from which the geological formations may be studied without even the aid of a book or teacher.

_Itis a splendid stock farming country - especially adapted to sheep raising. Upon account of its mineral, the landis reckoned valuable, and they who now own it laugh at the man who claims his fine valley farm is worth more money than these hilly ones, although previous" to the development of this mineral wealth, it was freely acknowledged that one acre of bottom Jand was worth three acres owned in these hills. Thus we see, that nature's storehouse unlocks her doors slowly, but surely to supply the wants of her offspring. :

William Fowler was perhaps the first settler, who entered land in section thirty, then of Beartield township, in about 1814; and at that time there was but one house between his premises and New Lexington, a distance of seven miles. Soon after him came the Biddisons, and just after the Biddisons the Montgomerys.

Other early settlers were Reuben Tharp and his sons, Job and Wallace Tharp, Lloyd Whipps, John Whipps, Thomas Ayers, John 8S. Kelley, and others. A list of voters and tax-payers will be found in Bearfield township, which will give all the other early settlers of the township, as they were settlers as early as 1818. They were most likely from the eastern states ; at least the majority of them. Towler came from Maryland, upon horseback, and after entering his land, built upon ita log cabin ; where he kept baehelor's hall for sometime before he was married ; perhaps a year or so. In those days the privations were much to endure, and it required a determined mind as well as muscular force to withstand the hardships. The day of pack-saddles and wooden mould-boards were in the height of their glory.

Going to mill then meant a horesback ride, a distance of twenty to twentyfive miles ;a two days trip to Zanesville and return via cow paths. The grist was fixed upon one horse that wore a pack-saddle ; this horse was led, while another one was rode. Corn and buckwheat were the principal products at that time. Some wheat was raised, and also some tobacco. All produce was cheap; wheat was worth twentylive cents a bushel, corn fifteen cents per bushel, and was usually exchanged for goods or any thing the farmer needed. 'Tea and coffee were scarce articles and high priced. Buckskin breeches and moccasins were the usual dress goods for mens' wear, while the women wore linen and linsey of their own manufacture. House raisings and log rollings were frequent.

The flesh of the wild beasts of the forest furnished the pots, while their skins clothed the backs of the hardy, rugged frontiersmen. The pioneer was reliable as a friend, and kind as a neighbor. The land was generally taken up by entry at $1.25 per acre.

The first' water and horse mill was built about two miles below where Moxahala now stands, and on the south fork of Jonathan's creek, in about 1817, by Franklin Harris, where they ground corn and buckwheat, and also some time afterward arranged for sawing. It went into the hands of Thomas and Robert Porter, who owned it until it fell down, killing a boy by its falling. Ithas not dove any grinding since about 1842. One of the Biddisons built a. saw-mill where Moxahala now stands, which run only about ten years and went down. It was built about 1842. On the Fowler farm, Joseph and Ifenry Fowler built a sawmill about 1847, which was used until about 1867. West of Moxahala,

William Biddison, Jr., built a saw-mill about 1842, which was kept in use tintil 1880, when it was finally abandoned. There is now no mill in Pleasant township, that isin use. Portable mills have done their sawing, for some years past.

Cuurcues. - The oldest church of this township was the Old School Baptist Church, and it appears to have been the pioneer religious society. Although it was the oldest, it seems to have been one of weakness. Being the oldest, it probably was organized about from 1814 to 1820. At first they held services in dwelling houses, but at some date afterward, built a church house where Oakfield now stands, in which they worshiped until some three or four yedrs ago they disbanded. The only persons now living who were members of this church are Mrs. Eliza Hall, Mrs. Juliet Hartzell, and Mrs. Marjory Conaway. The old church house is still standing, in a dilapidated condition, and the cemetery is still kept up.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the second oldest church in this community, and it would likely be correct to say it was a_ pioneer religious body. The class worshiped at different places in the community previous to the building of a church. They once had a church edifice in Oakfield, but more than twenty-two years ago they disbanded, and united with other appointments. There is now none of its former members in this community.

The New School Baptist Church was organized in about 1849,under the pastorate of Rev. S. D. Alton, with about twenty members ; among whom were Henry Fowler and wife, Mrs. Solomon Cauls, James Spencer, Edward Minchall and wife, Evan P. Young and wife, Mrs. Jamison and others. Jno. B. Holcomb was also a member and Deacon, and yet remains Deacon.

Rev. S. D. Alton remained pastor for seven or eight years after the organization, and has been succeeded by Rev. Louis Madden, Rev. John Herbert, Rev. Benjamin Ferguson and a number of others. For about one year past they have had no preaching. This church organized a Sabbath-school about 1873, and it has been kept up during the summer season each year since, and part of the time during summer and winter. There is now about thirty-five in regular attendance.

The Baptists bought a church that was formerly owned by the Disciple Church, a small frame building upon the site of their present house, which they supplanted by a much larger one, and the one now occupied by them in Oakfield.

The Disciple Church was organized in about from 1848 to 1852, by Revs. Devore and Riley, who came from Sunday Creek to Oakfield for that purpose. At one time they numbered some forty members. This organization lasted only about two or three years, during which time they built a small church house, where the New School Baptists now have a much larger building, having previously bought the site.

The Presbyterian Church was organized in about 1860, with about fifteen members, as follows: Benjamin Green and wife, Cyrus Green and wife, Robert Little and wife, Jared Rader apd wife, Jane Little, Susan Little, Matilda Little, Jno. Green, George Green and David Brown and wife. Benjamin Green was Deacon. At first they met in the Baptist Church, but in the same year of the organization, 1860, they built the present church house owned by them in Oaklield. They now have about sixty members, and Jared Rader is Deacon, and James Brown Elder. Rev. Ferguson was pastor at the time of the 6rganization, who has been succeeded by Rev. Robert Grimes, Rev. Charles Duncan, Rev. William Reed, Rev. Hugh McBride, Rev. Charles Taylor, Rev. Dudley, Rev. Charles Wallace, who is pastor now.

Sabbath-school was organized in 1874, by Rev. McBride, and the first few years, met only in the summer season, but for some three years past has been kept up all the year, with an average attendance of from forty-five to fifty. At one time it numbered 150 scholars.

St. Pius Catholic Church was organized and the house built in about 1854, under the pastorate of Father Darchoe. Some of the first members were James Sheeran, Owen Slevin, Michael Riley, Jno. Riley,Mr. O'Conner, Edward Meloy, Peter Carroll, James Carroll, Thomas Craddock, S. W. Dillehay, William, Bennett, Robert Bennett, William Forquer, Washington Hillis, Edward Hillis and others. There is now about sixty families belonging to this church. - father Heary is now pastor. 'This church is situated south of Ferrara,near the township line, in Section 24.

Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, which is commonly known as the Whippstown church, is situated in the very extreme northwest corner of Section No. 1, and was organized about 1840, under the pastorate of Rev. McHutchins. In 1842 or 1843, they built a log church house. Previous to this they metin private houses and barns, often in the house of John Madden. 'The log church stood until 1871, when it was replaced by the present neat frame house, under the pastorate of Rev. Adamson. Some of the first members were Lloyd Whipps, Jobn Whipps, Thomas Ayers, John S. Kelley, John Madden, and Anna Whipps. John S. Kelley seems to have been the leader. After Mc- Hutchins, the pulpit has been supplied by the Ohio Conference. Sabbath-school was organized about thirty years ago, and has been kept up ever since, during summer, and for four or five years past, the whole

Towns - Oakfield was laid out by Job Tharp, in 1838. The land was entered by Tharp's father, who gave it to his son. 'The first store was kept probably by J. P.Reed,who came there from Baltimore, Maryland. James Moore kept after Reed,and both kept where Albert Tharp now lives. Robert Donaldson kept store at one time where Robert Little now lives, and moved to where Jesse Smith now keeps. Smith's store is the only store kept there at this time. Oakfield is very pleasantly situated,in the southern part of Section 29, and upon the dividing ridge of drainage that slopes both north and south. - It has about 130 inhabitants at this time. nae

Moxahala was laid out in 1873, by A. S. Biddison, and is situated near the central part of Section 30, and upon the Ohio, Central Railroad line. It has a population of about 375, a postoflice, three general merchandise stores, two drug stores, two hotels and a blast

Scuoots. - The first school will be noticed in Bearfield township, from which most of this township was taken. There are now six school districts, all of which have good school-houses, three being brick structures and three frame buildings. The house in Moxahala is two story and employs two teachers. There is enrolled in this township 264 scholars. At the election in the fall of 1882 there were 210 votes cast. The present Justices of the Peace are William Spencer and George liams. Thomas Longshore, Charles Carter and Franklin Grimes are Trustees. Thomas Holcomb is Township Clerk.

Inpustriks. - In the year 1877 the Moxahala Iron Company built what is known as the Moxahala Furnace, and in January 1, 1878, it.went into blast. It was built here because of the mineral, afforded in this vicinity, to supply it. They use one-half native ore, one-fourth mill cinder and one-fourth lake ore or hematite. They employ about fifty hands, and run, upon an average, about forty-eight tons of iron per day, but have a capacity of about fifty-seven tons per day.

There is a potter shop near the town of Moxahala that was built in September of 1880, where they employ ten hands, and make all kinds of stone or earthen ware, obtaining their material about one mile from the pottery. They manufacture about 6,000 gallons per week, and in December, 1882, increased to double that amount. At the Ohio State Fair they took the premium, both on their wares and fire clay and _potter's exhibit. The ware is principally shipped into the central and northern parts of this State. Pleasant township has a population of 1053.