Salt Creek Township

Salt Creek Baptist Church And Sunday Lodge F. And A. M.

The dawn of the present century, or not later than the first annual cycle, found this region the chosen abode of Nathaniel Eddy, William Newell, Sr., and Captain John Chandler. These were men of large hearts and great sagacity, and: as might be expected. the region chosen for their future operations would be accepted as of more than ordinary promise, and therefore, they would draw around them kindred spirits. Accordingly we find they were followed, soon after, by Messrs. Simmons, Stephen Reeve, John Brewster. William Dixon, George Clapper and

David Peairs; and they, soon after, by Jacob Crumbaker, Jacob Wilhelm, Robert Linn, Sr., Peter Sarchet, Thomas Brady, (now of Rich Hill township,) Abraham Warne and Joseph Culbertson; the latter was living in the autumn of 1880, near Chandlersville, aged 93. John Chandler's family, which consisted of himself, wife and six sons, became prominent in the history of this township; they were Zachary, Martin, John, Stephen, Samuel, Guy and daughter Polly. The latter, married Jacob Wilhelm, father of J. C. Wilhelm, of Duncan's Falls.

The first house in the township was built by Captain John Chandler. It was a double log, and stood near the brick house occupied by Dr. Lenhart, in Chandlersville. This house was not finished until 1802, and was of the kind in vogue, with '' puncheon floors,'"' and the only nails used in its construction were of wrought iron, made by Mr. Chandler, for the doors. A few years later, Mr. Chandler erected a substantial brick dwelling, that is still doing good service.

Stephen Reeve inaugurated matrimony in 1803, by being united to Miss Mary Briggs. One year later, his example was followed by Zachary Chandler and Miss Fanny Bingham ; and again, by James Dixon and Miss Ann Herron, of Rich Hill township, about 1806. Mr. Dixon was 40 years old at the time, and his father, William Dixon, on hearing that his ''boy"' had married, remarked, '' Succeeded at last! Jimmy has been fishing for a wife these forty years, and caught a herring at last."

The first grist mill was built by Captain John Chandler, on his land bordering on Salt Creek ; here, also, he erected a saw mill. His mill ground the first bushel of corn and wheatin Salt Creek township.

The grist mill was built prior to 1810, and consumed by fire in 1811-12. The stones were not of buhr, but ordinary, dug from the bed of the creek near by. Llewellyn Howell and Silas Robinson, built the second mill, which was a duplicate of the Chandler mill. Samuel Mc- Cune had a saw and grist mill on Big Salt creek, some time between 1815 and 1818.

The first distillery was built in 1814, by William Scott, who tested his whiskey by tasting, and when pretty full of samples, he accidentally set fire to his establishment; he perished in the flames.

The first store was probably opened by Bernhard Brewster, having a small stock of goods; this was about 1812. This was in the same building spoken of elsewhere as occupied by Dr. Lenhart at this time. Mr. Brewster's ven-

«* The first tavern in these parts,"' was kept by Zachary Chandler, who 'opened up" in a frame building in 1815; this was considered a great relief to his neighbors, as none of them cared to acccommodate the traveler. '' Zach Chandler's hotel, or tavern,' was sought out by the wayfarer, notwithstanding the accomodations were not ambitious. In those days, straw beds and tallow dip candles were luxuries; and as '* Zach"' had the monopoly in this business, noone complained. Five years later, the tavern was kept by Mr. Cuberday, and was consumed by tire. About 1820, Robert Linn opened his residence for the accommodation of the public. This was near the present residence of Robert Linn, Jr.

The first blacksmith was the redoubtable Captain John Chandler, who was so near akin to Vulcan that he did his own smithing, and had the first forge. The township was without a protessional blacksmith until the arrival of ''Jerry" Joseph, in 1810. He was but fairly inaugurated when William Moore entered the arena to compete for the honors, about 1812. Mr. Moore

The pioneer physician was Dr. Daniel .Bliss, who carried his saddle bags whithersoever he went. He arrived in the township in 1812, and is represented as a genial man, whose countenance was a welcome medicine.

The Postoffice owes its inception to Captain John Chandler. He was acting Postmaster as early as 1804, and held that office many years. IJis successor was John Stevens, the merchant spoken of: he was succeeded by N. Chapman, who filled the responsible position many years, and was succeeded by Isaac Britton. Mr. Britton's successor was Llewellyn Pierce, who was succeeded by Thomas M. Crumbaker, and he in turn by William Ferguson, who was succeeded by Israel P. Robinson, and he by the present incumbent, O. H. P. Crumbaker. During Mr. Chandler's administration of postal affairs, the mail was carried on horseback, and served weekly. As the roads were opened, and the quantity of mail matter increased, wagons, called mail coaches by some, and stages by others, came into use; and in process of time a triweekly mail was delivered. July 1, 1880, a daily |

This occurred in connection with two other townships ; the Commissioner's Journal reads as follows: '' Cambridge, Salt Creek, and Falls townships, March gth, 1808.

praying the incorporation of sundry townships within the county, was granted, the boundaries being established and ordered for record, were named, to wit, Cambridge, Salt Creek and Falls, and also one petition praying an alteration of one line of Madison township, was granted and ordered on record.' [Page 3, Commissioner's Journal, March gth, 1808.

Early Records

The minutes of the proceedings, dated May 3d, 1823, show that Edward Halley, Nathan Frazee and Eli Sherman, Township Trustees, met and appointed Johnson Brewster, Samuel Bliss and Senet Ramey, Supervisors ; William Howell, as Viewer; A. Briggs was Town Clerk, which position he filled for a number of years succeeding. The date of the first election is not given, but must have been prior to 1822, as Mr. G. P. Crumbaker remembers that John Brewster was a Justice of the Peace in that year. The earliest record of an election is under date of April 5th, 1824. At this time A. Briggs was again chosen Town Clerk, as were also Eli Sherman, Nathan Frazee and Edward Halley, for the second time, elected Township Trustees. The other officers chosen, were Z. R. Chandler (probably Zachary Chandler, spoken of in another part of this history) and John Reechey, Overseers of the poor; Thomas Officer and John McCracken, Fence Viewers; Noah Joseph, Constable and Appraiser; and David Peairs, Treasurer.

February 17, 1825 - At an election held this date, John Richey had thirty-eight votes for Justice of the Peace ; David Peairs, forty-six for the same Office.

Receipts

April 4, 1825 - The Trustees retained two dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) of the cash appropriated for road purposes, for their fees in exsundry persons being presented to the Board, | pending same.

October 3, 1826 - Warrant issued to warn Benjamin Pegg and family, Samuel Pegg, and Nancy Pegg, to depart the township as paupers. Constable's fee, $0.50.

April 11, 1829 - The ear marks made use of by Robert McCracken, Sr., on his cattle, sheep and hogs, is a slit in the left ear, and a square notch out of the under side of the right ear.

November g, 1838 - Josiah Clapper bound his son Alfred,aged sixteen years and eleven months, to Michael Morrison, to learn the art, trade, and mystery of blacksmithing. ,

The boundary has been changed from time to time, as her territory has been diminished by the formation. of other townships, and as the records concerning these changes, however imperfectly given by the Commissioners at.the time, constitute a part of the recital concerning those townships, it is not deemed necessary, at this time, to give any but the present boundaries, to-wit. : On the north by Perry chiefly, and a part of Union township; on the south, by Blue Rock chiefly, and a fraction of Wayne township ; on the east, by Rock Hill township, and on the west by Wayne township.

Topographically, it is undulating, with but little of the old forest beauty, although some grand old trees remain to speak of the glory of other days. Salt Creek flows through from north to south, west into the Muskingum River, and_ has several important tributaries, the White Eyes Run being the chief. The township is considered well watered. The predominance of salt in the leading stream, suggested the name for the township. The soil is locally called white oak and limestone, the significance of which is that it is largely clay, combining the elements of limestone, and is w ell adapted to wheat; other cereals. however, do well there. Some localities aré favorable to horticulture.

Salt was extensively made in this region, and; it is said, was known to the red men, when white men first appeared here. The principal salt wells were in the region, now the suburbs of Chandlersville. In 1801-4, Eddy, Sprague, and Captain John Chandler, controlled this industry, furnishing salt to their neighbors for many miles around.

The first salt well was located near where McNeely's blacksmith shop now stands; the water was drawn up by a sweep pole, and a half barrel, tor a bucket, at which Mr. Reeve worked many a day. Many of the early settlers were eng aged i in salt making. After the well just alluded to, another was opened, and a company organized at Waterford, prominent among whom was Ezra Sherman, who brought sixteen kettles trom Pittsburgh, for evaporating the salt water. These two wells seem to have created a rivalry of interest, tor the companies worked them alternately, each a month.

Supposed. Mineral Wealth

for salt, and without careful examination, men jumped to the conclusion that it was an Eldorado, in a grander sense, than the wealth of salt found by boring. A company called ''the Muskingum Mining Company," was formed, under the management of Dr. Conant. They had "their trouble for their pains," as it was found that a sharper had salted a well with silver coin, ground up. The well in which the discovery was 'made, was within a short distance of the main street in Chandlersville.

Feet. Inches. at Leavy Sandstones ccc scenes eapese veces dtecee> 20 0 Pa ALOE OR pbs Re a cups bee (cern LA 2 0 3. Clay eee ea aeeNG 2 Oe 4. Not exposed .. Shel aay, Beate , 40 0 Oe CAAY VAN, ALON: OLE .devaxidag/sasidiaesssa-soeks aes 2 10 6. Shale.. see Bebe Hatt eeoa ce oil bk 0 7. Limestone and iron ORGY ein eas we 0 10 8. Shale, with nodules of siderite ore........ 6 0 on the land of J. A. Clapper, section eight, in this township : Feet, Inches. 1. Finely laminated sandstone............ 6 0 2. Feruginous shale, with peaules or wee MOTIte HON s aude er aneaMil ited Menuet 6 0 3. Finely laminated black slate ......... 0 7 4, Coal, Alexander seam ...............5 3 1 SRG) Ichi SARE SE at 5 0 Gaus STI CSTOME pie eisai occ soe apnet a oo die sseen cowevis 1 () 7. Highly feruginous limestone, changing in places to siderite ore...... 2.2... iy 0

The settlement of this village, the only one in the township of Salt Creek, is substantially the same as that of the township itself. It was laid out by John Stevens, who gave it the name it now bears, in honor of Captain John Chandler, one of the most public-spirited of the early settlers.

Within a stone's throw of the village, were located the salt wells, spoken of in another part of this chapter ; also, the famous silver mine.

as follows: Three general stores, one devoted to drugs, one millinery shop, two blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one steam saw and grist mill, two harness shops, one undertaker, four physicians, one dentist, one hotel, one good public school, one Methodist Churéhs one Presbyterian Church, a public hall, and a Lodge, each, of Masons, Odd Fellows, and Sons of Temperance.

The village is unincorporated. In 1880, the population was two hundred and fifty. It is connected with Zdnesville (distance, ten miles), by a daily line of mail and passenger hacks; fare, forty cents.

Salt Creek Baptist Church

The organization ,of this society was effected by Elder Hewey Pringle and Daniel Horton, September 14th, 1811, at the residence of the last named gentleman. The society then had ten members. In the Constitution lowing named: Henry Pringle, David Horton, Isaiah Culver, Samuel White, Phoebe Horton, Nancy Culver, Ruth Wartenby, Rachael Brown.

The first church was built of hewn logs, and stood upon the site of the present building. This early church was a two-storied structure. It had a gallery and was comfortably seated, and sufliciently large to accommodate the congregation.

Was pastor. a call, and continued with the congregation for twelve years. ate, the membership increased from sixty to one hundred and twenty-five. Reuben Berkley was pastor from 1838 to January, 1842, when he died. From 1842 to 1849, William Mears filled the pulpit. Next, came G. C. Sedwick (second time), for ten years. Parsel, for one year, when he, too, died. Mr. Parsel, and remained until April, 1863. Following this gentleman, was Rev. A. J. Amerman, for two years. served the society for a tew months, when he

The more recent pastors have been as follows: C. N. Harford, James Herbert, Thomas M. Erwin (five years), " A. Davies, George Swanhart, and the present incumbent - ]J. Chambers.

Salt Creek Baptist Sunday School

This school is in connection with the church having the same name. It has been established many years, has a library of one hundred and fifty, or more, volumes, and is in a fairly prosperous condition.

Sunday Schools

time, George Martin was Superintendent. In 1880, George Smith filled that office. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. In the year 1812, a non-sectarian Sabbath School was Gasmneds consisting of two Bible classes, taught by Elder Curray and Rey. Mr

Dale. The place of meeting was a log ecuedl house, then in the western suburbs of Chandler, ville. This little school struggled on, meeting with but little success, until 1825, when it was organized, and Samuel Rose appointed Superintendent.

James Thompson was chosen and served six years. The school then held its summer sessions in an old frame building, bought of the Muskingum Mining Company, and, in the winter, returned to the log school house, mentioned above.

edifice, and continues to do so. From time of meeting in this church, the school has been known as the Chandlersville Presbyterian Sunday School; but in point of fact is now. and ever been, non-sectarian. Llewellyn Howell was superintendent from 1842 to 1848. Others having held this office, are: M. Morrison, Hore, Wm. Price, Rev. John Kelley, (for a few weeks only), H. N. Chandler, W. J. Chandler, John Morgan, Robert Hunter, Dr. Henry Dennison, F. R. Moorhead, Isaac Martin, R. P. Chambers. and A. P. Vogt. Isaac Martin is now, (Sept. 1880). tor ie "second time, acting Superintendent. While . Nye was Superintendent, the school, probaiid . reached its zenith. It then began keeping a record of its proceedings; also made valuable additions to its library. The present average attendance is about seventy pupils. ;

Methodism

The M. E. Church, at Mansfork, in Salt Creek James Watts preached at this point, and formed a class; in 1818, Thomas A. Morris preached at Eli Sher- ing house. (Morris was afterwards elected a Bishop of the M. E. Church.) The class consisted of Eli Sherman, Margaret Sherman, Mrs. Frazier, Levi Reeve, Sarah Reeve, John A. Grandstaff, Bathsheba Grandstaff, Jacob McLain and Elizabeth McLain. They were joined by John and Catharine Ward, who were the first probationers. The first to join by letter were John and Rebecca Outkelt. And it was at their house where preaching was done for many years, until the first church, a hewed log structure, was built, in 1829.

of much prayer and patient toil, by Wm. Knox, who began his labor in 1816. That he made a good impression is evident, from the fact that the conference, to which he belonged, sent thither, successively, zealous laborers, to cultivate the vineyard. John Waterman, 1817'; John Vivis, and Samuel Glaze, in 1818; Thomas A. Morris, and Charles Elliot, in 1819; S.R. Brockunier, and Samuel Gilruth, in 1820; jacob Hooper, and Archibald McElroy, in 1821 ; Leroy Swormstedt; M. M. Henkle, and David Young, in 1822; Burrows Westalee, and J. P. Durbin, in 1823; William Cunningham, and Thomas Beachman, in 1824; Ed. H. Taylor, and Asa Brown, in 1825; Z. H. Coston, and Michael Ellis, in 1826; C. Springer, and J. Callahan, in 1827-8; Joseph Carper, in 1828-9; W. B. Christie, 1829; A.M. Gordon, and Gilbert Blue, in 1830; Jacob Delay, and Wm. Young, in 1831; J. W. Gilbert, L. P. Miller, in 1832; J. McMahan, Samuel Harvey, Cyrus Brooks, and Hiram Gearing, in 1833; Henry S. Fernandiz, in 1834-5; D. Woodbridge, and A. Carroll, in 1835-6; James Gurley, in 1837; George Fate, and Joseph S. Brown, in 1838; James Armstrong and Abner Goff, in 1839-40; L. H. Jennings, in 1840; T. R. Ruckle,in 1841, - and under his administration the new church at Chandlersville was erected, although not finished for some years afterward. It has been repaired from time to time, and is in a comfortable condition. In 1842, A. Magee, and L. Petty came; in 1844, Chester Morrison; 1844, Walter Athey ; 1845, [. V. Baird; 1846, David Cross; 1847, C. E. Weirick ; 1848, J. J. Mclliar; 1849, James CosTaylor,| and Ps KeiMeCute;" 1850, D..,P. Mitchell; 1851-2, John Hare; 1853-4, Robert Boyd, and under his ministry the church at Sugar Grove was built; it was a frame, and superseded the log structure that was built in 1829. 1855-6, Hosea McCall; Richard Cartright, Walter Bell, and John Mason; Jacob Young was Presiding Elder, trom' 1816 to 1820, and Jonathan Stancher, from 1820 to 1821: Jacob Young, from 1821 to 1826: David Young, from 1826 to 1830: Leroy Swormstedt, from 1830 to 1834; John Levee. from 1835 to 1836; David Young,

Chandlersville and Sugar Grove appointments were formerly in Norwich Circuit, and, in 1869, were joined with Fairview and Duncan's Falls appointments, and known as Duncan's Falls Circuit, with H. H. Hagans, pastor in charge; he was succeeded as stated above. Weare indebted to Geo. M. Wilson for the foregoing data.

Day Schools

Abigail Bingham and Nira Chandler taught a school in Salt Creek township, in 1812-13, in the suburbs of Chandlersville, near Christian Plant's residence, ina conventional log temple. Miss Chandler subsequently became the wife of John Hammond, who, at a later date, taught school in the same building. Mr. G. P. Crumbaker is one of asmall number surviving, who attended this school. About 1814, Thomas Jordan, (some of the old settlers think his name was John,) taught school in this same log school house. Thomas Brady, of Rich Hill township, and ''Jerry' Warne's widow were pupils in that school. They were each eighty years old in 1880.

About 1823, Harriet Culbertson, daughter of John Culbertson, taught school in the old log building. Miss Scott and Mrs. Burnham taught there also.

April 23, 1825, the township was divided into eight school districts. No change has been made in this, except in the boundaries of some districts. These districts were soon supplied with a log school house, and inaugurated a six mouth's school in each. The present neat and commodious frame school houses were erected instead of the old log buildings, between 1855 and 1860, at a cost of a little more than $400 each.

The Chandlersville school was built in 1860, and cost $1,300. September 27th, 1879, the total number of children in the township, of school age, was three hundred and forty-seven. Of this number, one hundred and fifteen were enrolled in the Chandlersville school distriet. August 31st, 1879, the total value of school prop- The total expenses of the century rolled by, than the want of more reading material was declared, and steps taken for gathering a library for the public. This culminated in founding what was known as the ''Franklin Society Library.'' The society accumulated quite a collection of books, and charged the moderate sum of two dollars for membership assessment, and one dollar annual fee thereafter. This society went down for want of sufficient funds to support it.

Chandlersville Presbyterian Church

the Presbyterian, faith was organized. ~ From the seed thus early sown, has sprung the prosperous and influential Chandlersville Presbyterian Church of to-day. In 1818, a Mr. 'Taylor occasionally preached, sometimes in one of the few log houses then existing, but oftener in '*God's first temples," the groves. Rev. Mr. Baldridge was the first regular Presbyterian minister. He came soon after Mr. Taylor, possibly Jater in the same year. Like Mr. Taylor, Rev. Baldridge occasionally preached in the open air, but oftener in the dwelling of Abraham Warne. Some years later the society built a small frame house, which was used until the present brick church was completed. frame was eventually sold to one of the Chandlers, and used by him as a hotel stable. '*To what base uses, etc.'' The present brick edifice was built in 1834, by Samuel Anderson. The prominent members of the organization, on completion of the new house of worship, were Abraham Warne, John Moore, James and Llewellyn Howell, and Wm. Cooper. The seating capacity of the building is about four hundred ; present membership, one hundred and twenty-tive.

United Brethren Church

This society, numerically the weakest in the township, dates its organization back to 1857-58. The first regular pastor was Rey. James Shreeyvs. Christian Plant and Mr. Williamson were two of the prominent members at the formation of the society. The first place of meeting was in what was then known as the **Eight-Square"' schoolhouse, well remembered on account of its un- | : _ date August, 1847. and has upon it these names:

From his opposition to the Sons of Temperance, then very popular, Rev. Shreevs made himself somewhat obnoxious in the neighborhood, and, perhaps, delayed the early growth of the church. His ministration was of short duration.

and also aided in its erection. Its location is about two and one-half miles northwest of Chandlersville. Reverends Sisel, Cummings, and Forbyan, have, since the retirement of Mr. Shreevs, regularly filled the pulpit. The organization, in 1880, had no regular pastor. The greatest number of members has been thirtytwo; the present number, twenty-two.

Secret Societies

In the village of Chandlersville are located all the secret and benevolent societies of the township. The Masons, Odd Fellows, and Sons of Temperance, have one Lodge, each, as follows:

Gage And Gavel Lodge, No. 448, F. And A. M.

This Lodge was instituted July 26th, 1870, and the charter issued October gth, of the same year. The charter members were: William Frazee, W. G. Henderson, S. B, Reeder, Enos Smitley, O. H. P. Crumbaker, B. F.Richey, M. R. Mc- Clelland, D. S. Sutton, S. J. Bliss, George Smith, Henry Ludman, G. R. Crumbaker, F. R. Moorehead, John Leedom, H. C. Smitley,

Sons Of Temperance

The Lodge owns its hall, as well as the building in which it is located; is now (1880) in a fairly prosperous condition, and meets every Saturday evening.