Spencer Township

Spencer Township

About eight years after the organization of Guernsey County, Spencer Township became a separate body corporate. It is situated in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and is rough in surface, though rich in soil. It is heavily timbered, well watered, and abounds in the finest building-stone and coal deposits. It was peculiarly fortunate in the character of its first settlers, the prudent, thoughtful New Englander bringing his passion for schools and churches. The patient, plodding, independent Pennsylvanian realized his instinctive ideals of a comfortable and well supplied home; while the high-toned, quick-tempered Virginian, with his love of sport and wild game, acknowledged no superior, and generally accomplished whatever he undertook.

The blending of these indispensable elements of a strong, noble citizenship with just enough Irish to give relish to a joke was happily effected, and the resultant character is almost striking in its indiyiduality.

Historical

erty of the many; yet some of the largest and most permanent fortunes ever accumulated in the county grew slowly, though legitimately, in Spencer Township, and in the aggregate the wealth of the township is second only to Cambridge.

When a railroad was needed, $60,000 was contributed by this people, and two citizens, W. H. and C. B. Stevens, gave their whole time and service to the enterprise, which has proven a success. This people also contributed the sum of $10,000 to the Bellaire, Zanesville <fe Cincinnati Railway, which passes through the southwest corner of the township. The finest and best-furnished and arranged school building in the county is found in this township. The most beautiful church m the county is in this township, in the village of Cumberland, which has a population of eight hundred, the only town in the township. Three ministers are supported, with salaries averaging $1,000 per annum each, and services are held twice each Sunday by each pastor.

Whenever an honest man has been wanted for county service, the people have never been disappointed in selecting from Spencer Township. Up to 1895 James Wharton, Thomas Mackey and Bennett Roseman have held the office of Commissioners from this township, and it is to the eflforts t>f Bennett Roseman, whose uncompromising integrity and outspoken persistence make him the enemy of all sorts of corruption, that Guernsey County owes its possession of the finest court house in the State, and the one built at the least cost. He also managed the building of the schoolhouse in Cumberland. James Abell and Joshua Gregg have been County Treasurers; David Needham, Matthew B. Casey and Walter Barnett have been Sheriffs. Rodolph Thomas and John Casey, Recorders; Howard Mackey, Prosecuting Attorney; Charles Barnes, Coroner; James McMahon, Representative; Robert Savage, State Senator; and J. E. McClelland, Auditor. While in politics the township has ever been almost solidly with the Republican or its ancestral parties, yet no political "boss" ever presumed to manipulate the people's votes without coming to a speedy and inglorious defeat.

illustrated in the fact that at least two centenarians and nearly half a hundred octogenarians have recently died, and there are at present twenty persons over eighty years of age resident in the township.

No historian's pen has ever doue justice to the unparalleled achievements of the American pioneer. The refined imagination sees no more of the high and lofty courage so prominent in the labors of the early settler when he reads of the noble achievements of ^neas and his companions, than when he stoops to compare the departed fame of Roman civilization with the transplendent glories of the American Republic. A township is but a minor unit in the grand aggregation of that republic, but it is the Hercules thai destroyed the tyrant kings. It may be that the spirit of independence was born in the revelations of God to man; but if it was, it was the insignificant township organization that nursed the infant spirit into the happy youth of states and the sturdy manhood of nations. In its circumstances of earlj' settlement, Spencer Township did not materially differ from the average settlement of the state.

In 1795 Reuben Atchison came with the purpose of securing a home, but did not permanently locate until a few years later. In 1806 the records show that a Mr. May made an entry and some improvements on land now owned bj' Joseph Covert, which was long known as " May's deadening." This man did not live to bring his family from the East. In 1808 John Latta entered the land now owned by the Cleary heirs. He became the first Justice of the Peace after the oiganization in 1818. After Latta came a Mr. Wolf, who, assuming squatter's rights, built a small cabin. In 1809 Finley Collins came from Virginia and entered a part of the land now owned by I. L. Young. The next permanent settler was Col. Thomas Bay, who came in 1812, and thus began the extensive clearings that attracted the strong class of pioneers. In a few years the eight sons of Colonel Thomas, viz., William, Thomas, Benjamin, Robert, Samuel, John, Archibald and James, settled near each other, and their selections at this late date are said to be the best ever made by a single family in the county of Guernsey, and their presence as citizens was a valuable acquisition for the future growth of the pioneer colony. From 1812 to 1817 came Thomas N. Muzzy, of Spencer, Mass., who built the first mill, taught the first school, and started the first temperance society; next came Eli Bingham, who built the first brick house; then David Beach and his brother Julius, Joseph Rannels, James Conner, Andrew Wharton, John Castle, Andrew Kells, John Hammond, from Connecticut; and William Llewellyn, from Wales. Mr. Muzzy, at the organization of the township, had the honor of naming it after the town he came from in the East. Before 1820 about fifty families were distributed over the township, and the necessities growing out of a community of interests and the common division of labor called for mechanics. Joseph W. Marshall, Sr., of Greene County, Pa., built a tannery in the eastern part of the township in 1818. All his work was done in a primitive manner, yet the product was noted for its good qualities. About the same time William .Stokes started a blacksmith shop near the present residence of James Cooper. Joseph Burt also commenced smithing on Garvin's Hill, in the eastern part of the township, and a forge was erected that year by a Mr. Moore near the present site of the roller-mills in Cumberland. The first tavern was opened by Stephen Charlott. James Annon was the first tailor. The second gristmill was erected by Benjamin Bay at the confluence of the Yoker and Buffalo Fork of Wills Creek. However, previous to the operation of water-mills, Andrew Kells rigged up a handmill near the Marshall tannery, where corn was ground for "mush and johnny-cakes." John Agnew started the first carding-machine.

In 1816 Ziba Lindley came from Pennsylvania and commenced the practice of medicine, and married shortly after a daughter of William Rannels.

The first schoolhouse was built of logs near the line separating the lands of Thomas Bay, Jr., and Joseph Rannels. Its dimensions were 16x20 feet, and it had a fireplace at one end which would take in wood six feet in length. For light, at suitable distances, openings were cut out and "foolscap paper well greased" pasted over them. For seats, logs of suitable size were split in two, and wooden legs driven into holes bored near the ends. In such

Miss Grace Bay, daughter of Col. Thomas Bay, Sr., taught the first school in this rude temple consecrated to the beginning of a scientific course.

Soon after this the people began to demand church privileges, but to whom the honor belongs of introducing the religious and moral forces of which this township is at this time so justly proud, is chiefly to be found in the memories of the descendants of the early pioneers; therefore, dates not noted herein from the musty and mutilated records examined are inserted from the memory of the "oldest inhabitant."

Revs. J. Moore and John Baldrige, Presbyterians; James Findlej', William Reeves, Methodists, and Elder William Reese, Baptist, were early on the ground, holding meetings in private houses in winter, and in summer in barns, and ofttimes in the leafy grove, where the people would gather and make the hills resound with vocal sounds of prayer and praise.

Spencer Township at its organization in 1818 contained thirty-six square miles, but in 1861 seven sections in the northeast corner were detached in the forming of Noble County, leaving its present area only twenty-nine. , Its present population is seventeen hundred. Cumberland, near the southwest corner, is the only incorporated town within its limits. It was laid out by James Bay in J832,and incorporated one year later, Rev. William Wallace securing the honor of first Mayor. The population at this time was about fifty. Stephen Charlott opened the first tavern, William George the first store, and John M. Foster the fii-st select school, in a small rented room. In 1835 a brick schoolhouse, about twenty-seven feet square, was built near the west end of Main Street, which was occupied up to 1854, when a two-story frame building, with three rooms, was erected on the hill nearer the center of population. About this time the Board of Education adopted the "Akron Village School Law," which provided for "union or graded schools." In 1883 a lot was secured on Broadway and a six-room, two-story brick building erected, said to be the best arranged, most perfect in architecture, and more economically builf than an}' other school building of like dimensions in Guernsey County, costing $10,000, and the education to be obtained therein is equal, if not superior, to any in the county.

Mineral Resources

Bitvminous Goal. - C. Newton Brown, Assistant State Geologist, in Economic Survey of 1884, says: "Spencer Township has more of the Meigs Creek coal than any other township in Guernsey County. It is found in the high ridge north of Cumberland, between the Buffalo and Yoker Forks of Wills Creek. The stratum is four to five feet in thickness, of good quality and easily mined. This seam extends south to the Muskingum River and is the largest undeveloped coalfield of upper measures in the state." In 1893 a test was made for the Hartford seam, on the northwest quarter of section 27, near the Eastern Ohio Railroad, on land now owned by J. L. Young, and at ninetyfour feet a six-foot seam was found of good quality. Between the upper and this lower is a thirtyinch vein, said to be first class for engines.

Stone. - Near the south line of the township there is a ledge of fine-grained, tough sandstone, which the State Geologist says is unlike any other in the state; and that it is superior for building purposes. This ledge is about fifteen feet thick. These quarries furnished the whole of the face stone for the Guernsey County court house in Cambridge. There are also numerous ledges of good limestone from two to ten feet in thickness.

Clays. - There are large beds of fire-clay, which has been tested, and found to be of superior quality. Also good clays for drain tile, brick, pottery and stoneware. All the real accretions to the wealth of a country are procured from its soil and mines. It is there stored for those who persistently delve for it.

Buffalo Presbyterian Chubcfi

There is no early church record of its genesis, but a presbyterial record says that the Lancaster Presbytery appointed a committee, of which Rev. Mr. Baldrige was chairman (in 1816), whose duty was to organize a church in this township. It further notes that three Elders were elected and installed, uamely: Thomas Bay, Sr., Benjamin Bay and William Allen. John Baldrige became the first pastor for half time in 1817, and remained in charge until 1823. In 1824 Rev. William Wallace, a man of push and talent, a strong Calvinist and one who stood firmly by his convictions, was called and served with fidelity for fourteen years. They built their first meeting-house in 1830, so say the oldest inhabitants, there being no church record of the fact. The builder was David Beach, an early settler from Connecticut. He located on lands now owned by Joseph Covert. The congregation worshiped in this house until 1853, when they purchased a second site from the Methodist Church, on which they erected in 1853 a more modern structure, and one more easy of access than the one on Cemetery Hill. In this they worshiped until December, 1894, when they moved into their new brick structure, said to be more suitably arranged and tastefully adorned than any other in the county, costing over $15,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1809 the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference placed Rev. James Findley on a circuit extending from ZanesviUe, Ohio, to Sleubenville, on the Ohio River, below Pittsburg, with appointments along a prescribed route, which required a whole month to fill. It is said by some of the oldest early settlers that he used to stop here and urge the people to a better life; and that Rev. W. Reeves, his successor, organized a class here as early as 1815, in the southwest corner of this township. It is a known fact that this churcii built a house of worship on land owned by James Bay, youngest son of Col. Thomas Bay, Sr., who was one of the, first permanent settlers iu this valley. This was a frame building, 20x28 feet in dimensions. But growing numbers caused them to arrange for more commodious quarters, and in 1852 they sold their house to the Presbyterian congregation and purchased their present site, on which, in 1853, they completed the elegant and commodious house of worship, where they still continue to plead with sinners to come to Christ. The record says that Rev. W. C. P. Hamilton was the preacher in charge on the circuit, and superintended its erection. They have since erected a fine parsonage on the

Cumberland Prusbyteri.Vn Church

Tliis church record says that "during tiie summer of 1835 a number of the members of the Buffalo congregation of the Presbyterian Church, who were dissatisfied with the doctrinal preaching of Rev. Mr. Wallace, solicited Rev. Isaac Shook, of Tennessee, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, to come and hold a series of meetings, which resulted in an unusual awakening, and a large number professed faith in the salvation so freely offered -for all mankind." On the 16tb of August of that year, the following persons holding certificates from the. Buffalo congregation asked to be recognized as a "Cumberland Presbyterian Church," namely: John Hammond, Nira Hammond, John Conner, Lettie Conner, Jonathan Alden, Orpha Alden, Merriman Downey, Jemima Downey, Eleazer Spooner, Isabel Spooner, Lyman Hurd, Nancy Ilurd and Thomas Hill. The record shows that John Hammond, Jonathan Alden and Lyman Hurd were elected Elders August 17. Meetings were continued daily up to August 30, at which time the record shows a membership of forty-two.

This has been a vigorous body of believers, and has had numerous pastors of marked ability, namely: Messrs. Shook, of Tennessee; Thomas Thomas, of Kentucky; Ezra K. Squier, 1). D.; and A. D. Hail, D. D., who is now Superintendent of the Cumberland Presbyterian Missions in Japan, a gift from this church in 1875. W. G. Archer, the present pastor, is a popular pulpit orator, a vigorous and apt organizer. They occupy their second brick structure, which contains a pastor's study, lectureroom and free library in the basement, and a delightful audience-room on the second floor. They have the most eligible site and the finest parsonage in the township.

The Goshen Baptist Church

This church has a well kept and finely preserved record, which says that "on the 19th of October, 1822, seventeen persons were organized as a Baptist Church, by Elders William Reese and W. R. Mc- Gowan. Elder Reese was chosen pastor. For two years meetings were held in private houses, but in 1824 they built a meeting-house for worship on Flat Run," clearly showing that this body of "baptized believers" built the first house of God in this township. Elder Reese continued pastor from its organization to 1832, ten years of faithful and successful service bj- this pioneer evangelist, who received no adequate remuneration, but continued to stop at the cabins of the poor, entreating all to come to Christ. The second pastor was Elder W. K. McGowan. He served tliem well for four years, when he was succeeded by Elder J.Sperry in 1836. He remained with them until 184G, when Elder M. Brown was called, who only served one year. In 1848 Elder Peter Ogan was called and served them to 1852. This man, now over eighty years of age, was brought to Christ through the faithful labors of Rev. Mr. Reese, the first pastor of this church.

In 1849 this church disposed of its property in this township, and erected a house for worship a sliort distance west in Rich Hill Township, Muskingum County, where they still liold fast to the "faith once delivered to the saints."

Cumberland Baptist Chukcii

The records of tliis church show that on April 5, 1865, the following persons holding letters of dismissal from the Brookfield Baptist Church, viz.: J. R. Knowlton, Sarah B. Knowlton, Edmund R. Muzzy, Elizabeth Muzzy, John H. Daniel, Caroline F. Daniel, Thomas C. Downey, Lucinda Muzzy, Mary A. Erskine, William B. McElroy, Mary J. Harper, Mary A. Muzzy and Mrs. Lorinda Muzzy were organized as a regular Baptist Church, Rev. G. W. Churchill Moderator of Council.

The first pastorate by Rev. Mr. Churchill for four years was very prosperous, the membership reaching fifty-two, with a flourishing Sundayschool, under the leadership of J. R. Knowlton. Rev. S. G. Barber served the church about two years, with several additions. The last pastor was Rev. Thomas M. Irwin, who served the church until 1879 with great fidelity and earnestness. From that time until 1883 the church bydeaths and removals lost in numbers and financial ability, so that they could not sustain regular service. The few remaining still hold their church property, a frame building 40x60 feet, with cupola and bell, new slate roof and new windows, all done during 1894. From a worldly standpoint some would write "failure," but at the grand Assize of Nations scores will come rejoicing, and date tlieir espousal to Christ from the Baptist Church in Cumberland.

Notaries.~r-J. R. Knowlton, now in his eightieth year, has held this office for twenty-five years. His present contemporaries are J. Purkey, Esq., and Phil. Johnson. Mayor.

The Cumberland News was established September 9, 1885, by W. A. Reedle, a man of push and energy, and an adept in job printing. It was a five-column quarto, with a circulation of six hundred. It suspended September 9, 1889.

The Cumberland Echo was established by Rev. W. G. Archer, with A. M. Johnson as foreman and printer, August 8, 1892, and was published by them up to September 8, 1893, when it passed into tiie hands of Miss May Stranathan, who is still recording the "Echoes" of personal, social, commercial and religious life to the satisfaction and pleasure of its many patrons.

Masonic. - Columbia Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M., organized October 21, 1846, with John Y. Hopkins, Peter K. McLaughlin, William Stevens, Leander T. Ballou, Lyman Hurd, Wilson Cosgrove and William Dolman as charter members.

Grand Army of the Republic. - Cumberland Post No. 216. Chartered May 10, 1886, with twenty four members. It has always prospered and been near the hearts of our loyal people. It now has sixty veterans answering roll-call.