Union Township

Union Township

Robinson, first Sheriff. Pa»e 16, line 23 - For Hon. J. S Beriman, read Hon. J. S. Berreman, Line 35 - For William R. Millikan, read Wm. Millikan. Page 17, line 5 - For Mrs. Beerley, read Mrs. Berry.

Source changes here: from History of Fayette County, Ohio : Her People, Industries and Institutions, by Allen, Frank M, published 1914; 4,957 words in this source stream.

Union Township

Topography

The lONviiship of Union occupies a central position in the county. It was one of the original townships, formed at the time of the organization of Fayette county in 1810. The boundary lines are as follows: Beginning about a mile east of Bloomingburg, on the Marion township line, it runs a little south of west about four and a half miles to the pike; then deflects a little to the south until it reaches Paint creek, about two and a half miles ; thence nearly southwest about two miles to Sugar creek; thence with said creek about ten miles to Paint creek ; thence north with the pike one mile ; thence east one mile to Paint creek ; thence north two miles with the creek ; thence northeast two miles to the pike ; thence north of east three miles to the railroad ; thence northwest with the pike three miles ; thence north to the beginning.

The drainage of the township is well taken care of by Paint creek, supplemented by artificial drainage where necessary. This creek divides near Washington into the east and west branch. Sugar creek flows along the western side of the township. The land generally is level in Union township. The western portion was at one time very heavily timbered, while the northeastern part was called the "barrens," very low and swampy, covered with high grass in the early days, which the Indians annually destroyed bv burning.

Early Settlement

Edward Smith. Sr.. was one of the earlier settlers in the township, coming in 18 10. He is mentioned in full in the chapter on earlv settlement and organization. Elis death occurred while he was trying to cross Paint creek during high water.

Jacob Casselman was a noted hunter and farmer of this section. John Thomas, a farmer, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Jacob Judy, also a soldier in this \var, was another prominent early farmer. Col. Joseph Bell represented the fourth district in Congress for several terms. Col. Joseph Vance, Sr., served in the French and Revolutionary wars. John King, farmer, Robert Irion, first surveyor, William Cockerall, first school teacher, John Irion, trustee. William Boggs, shoemaker, J. and S. Coffin, tailors, were in the War of 1812, also James Pollock and Reuben Purcell. William Brannon, Sr., William Brannon, Jr., James Brannon, C. Coffman, Hiram Rush and N. Rush were farmers. The Aliens, Ananias, Madison, James, Joseph, Jesse, Benjamin and Eben, all li\'ed on Allen run, sometimes called Big run. Robert Smith emigrated from Virginia at an early date and settled in Ross county, near Bainbridge. From Ross he came to Fayette and afterward served in the War of 1812. Edward Taylor was a Pennsylvanian and a veteran of all the early wars. He first came to Kentucky and in 181 5 purchased two hundred acres of Nathaniel Massie on main Paint and Taylor runs. He li\Td to be over one hundred years of age. J. S. Bereman was another early settler of Union township. Daniel McLain, Joseph McLain, William R. Millikan, William Rush and Lieut. John Millikan were other early comers to the township.

Judge James Beatty emigrated to Fayette county in 1818, when the tow^n of Washington had but a few log cabins and deer and game were in abundance. He served in the War of 18 12. His father w^as Charles Beatty, who died in 1850. Judge Beatty w^as elected and commissioned an associate judge in 1847 and served until the new constitution w-as adopted.

Robert Robinson, attorney and an early representative of Fayette county; W'ade Loofborrow, of whom the same could be said; Col. S. F. Carr, attorney, were pioneers. Brice Webster, Robert Harrison, Joseph Orr and James Harrison were farmers. Thomas, J. and C. Walker. James Timmons, Patrick Pendergrass, Thomas Pendergrass, James Allen, Samuel Webster, Moses Rowe, Daniel McLain, John Hues, B. Ball, John Weeks, John Dehaven. William Highland, Robert Geno, Abram Ware. David Thompson. Daniel Shiry. John Rankin. N. Evans, John Allen and David Morrison were farmers.

Seth Dunn, hunter and farmer ; Elisha Taylor and Colonel Jewett. farm ers, were all in the War of 1812. Nathan Loofborrow. Jerome Drais and James McCoy w^ere all noted stock dealers. Isaac Templeton, a day laborer, v\^as the father of eighteen children (three sets of twins). Abel Wrio-ht and John Myers, respectiA-ely tanner and farmer; Joseph Blackburn was ninety-nine, a tanner; Stephen Grubb, carpenter; Judge Gillespie, a man of influence ; Noah Devault and George Hinkle, carpenters ; Zebedee Heao-Ier and John Grady were the first butchers.

John Thomas settled at the month of the east fork of Paint creek about 1 810 and was known all over the county as "Chin" Thomas, on account of the remarkable extension of his chin.

Robert Harrison and William Downing came from Kentucky about 1808, and located on Sugar creek. Samuel and Frank Waddle came from Kentucky in 1810 and settled on Sugar creek. Henry and Jacob Snyder came from Virginia, first to Ross county, then to Fayette, locating on Sugar creek in 1809. David and John Wright settled on Sugar creek in 1808. Leonard Bush came from Virginia, with a large family, in 1808, and settled on Sugar creek. Fielding Figgins, with four or five sons, came from Kentucky and began farming on Sugar creek in 1809. The Millers came from Virginia in 1810 and settled between Washington and Sugar creek. The Coils located near Bloomingburg in 1809. Jacob Judy came from Virginia and located on the east fork of Paint creek in 1809. A Mr. Smith settled on Paint creek, in which he was subsequently drowned.

It appears that for a long time no settlements were made in the immediate vicinity of Washington. John Orr settled on Paint creek, about two miles southeast of Washington, in 1808.

Valentine (Felty) Coil was one of the earlier settlers of Fayette county and Washington C. H. During the early Indian wars, when about two years of age, he was captured at Ruddle's station by the Indians and Canadians under Colonel Byrd, and, with his sister, was carried across the Ohio, at Cincinnati, to Niagara Falls, thence to Canada, where he was adopted by a squaw who had lost a son, with whom he lived until his marriage. It is said that the notorious Simon Girty, who captured him, met him at a public house in Canada, and after inviting him to drink, and when under the influence of "fire water," bantered him for a fight, which being refused, he grew very talkative and revealed to him the whereabouts of his friends. On the strength of this, Coil went to Kentucky and found an uncle, who went with him to Virginia and found his mother, who had married a man named Hendricks. When he saw her, she did not recognize him. By means of a mark he was made known. He returned to Canada and, after the death his wife, came to Fayette county and set up a distillery near Washington, which he finally abandoned and came into town. It is said he made whiskey in Canada for the English Fur Company. He was sold by the Indians to a British ofiicer, whose wife imposed upon him and made him a slave.

Jefferson township was named after the third President of the United States. It is located in the northwestern part of Fayette county, being bounded on the north by Madison county, on the east by Paint township, on the south by Union and Jasper townships, and on the west by Greene county. Paint creek forms its eastern boundary proper, while Rattlesnake enters in the north and crosses the entire township, flowing southwestwardly, while the numerous tributaries of these streams traverse the township in dilTerent directions. According to statements of the old settlers. Rattlesnake creek is named from an old Indian chief, whose camp was often located along the banks of this stream named after him. Sugar creek, flowing almost parallel with Rattlesnake, obtained its name from the great abundance of sugar maple on its banks.

The surface of Jefferson township is generally level, with occasional ridges and low rolling hills. The soil is black and very productive and large crops of grain are harvested each year, especially between Sugar and Rattlesnake creeks. The land in this section was originally timbered heavily with elm, hickory, oak and sugar maple, but the interests of commercialism have largely removed this magnificent growth from the township.

Early Settlement

Chief among the military surveys of this township are tracts bearing the names of McArthur, two thousand acres; Washington, two thousand acres; Kiearns, one thousand acres; Duff, two thousand acres; Dunn, one thousand acres ; Mosely, one thousand acres. Pendleton, Spottswood and others. These surveys have been divided into small tracts and are owned principally by the pioneers and their posterity.

father and four sons, were natives of North Carohna, whence they removed to Virginia. In the year igoi they came to this state and settled in Greene county about five miles southeast of Xenia, where they remained a few years and then came to this township, perhaps in 1804. The elder Robinson located on the present site of Jeffersonville, occupying a cabin situated on a lot later owned by Richard Fox. William Robinson, Jr., took possession of a tract of land just across the creek from the village, now known as the Wright farm. Two of the sons, Thomas and Abner, lived near, also Nicholas, another son.

Aaron Kendall and family left Stafford county, Virginia, in 1805 and settled in this township on part of the Washington survey. The father eventuallv traveled back to Virginia and died there. The remainder of the family grew up and scattered.

In the year 1809 or 18 10, George Creamer and three sons, Michael, Joseph and David, came from Berkeley county, Virginia, and settled on Sugar creek, on land still owned by his descendants. George Creamer, Jr., came in 181 3 and located in the same neighborhood. The family held prominent positions and took an active part in the development of the county. George was the first justice of the peace; David was justice of the peace and survevor; Joseph, Michael and David participated in the War of 1812. The senior Creamer died in the year 1825.

Soon after the Creamers took their departure from their Virginia home they were followed by Marshall and Jacob Jenkins, who resided in the same neighborhood. Marshall Jenkins removed to Sugar creek. He lived there about twenty years, then removed to Port Williams, in Clinton county. Jacob took possession of a tract of land and lived thereon until 1850, when he divided the same amongst his children and removed to Jeffersonville, where he died in 1865.

Prior to 1812 a Carolinian named John McKillep came here and located about two miles north of Jeffersonville, with his wife and three sons, John. William and Daniel. Mrs. McKillep was held in high esteem for her services among the settlers as midwife, and, because of the scarcity of physicians, was in great demand.

One of the two Duff surveys in the county was settled by Patrick Kerns, who emigrated prior to 1810 and cleared a piece of ground adjoining that of Jenkins and Creamer. He built a two-story log house, in appearance far in advance of his day and which was standing and occupied as late as 1874. The western survey was purchased by Peter Harness in 181 1 and divided among his sons.

Joseph Hicly settled at an early day near Paint creek and owned a large tract of land in Paint township. Michael Carr owned land in this township, but lived in Paint.

John Killgore, with his wife and a large family, emigrated to Greene county, Ohio, from Kentucky in t8oi and located in the immediate vicinity of Xenia. where they remained several years, but, because of the scarcity of game, they determined to change their quarters. Accordingly the elder, accompanied by several of his sons and a neighbor named James Kent, proceeded to explore the country east of Xenia and finally entered this township. The first trace of civilization they discovered was a turnip patch near the cabin of Phillip Powell. They struck the branch called Benbow creek and followed the same through the farm now owned by Perry Killgore to its mouth at Sugar creek and here a bear was shot by one of the party. Perceiving smoke arising from near the spring on what was later the Blessing farm, they proceeded hither and discovered a party of Indians in camp. The latter were friendly and invited the Killgores to remain over night, which invitation was thankfully accepted, the bear being served for supper. On the following day they went to Madison county, selected a tract of land, erected a cabin, and moved into the same with their families, remaining until 1808, when one hundred and twenty-five acres in this township, extending from Perry Killgore's house to the road east of the same, were purchased. Here they remained until 1812, engaged in farming and hunting. At the outbreak of the War of 1812 one of the sons, James, went to Kentucky with Nathaniel Scott and manufactured saltpetre. John went to Chillicothe, enlisted in the service and died w^hile guarding prisoners. His coffin was made by Joseph Hidy. His son, John Clark, volunteered and was taken to Upper Sandusky, where he remained until the close of the war. The Killgore farm was purchased of Thomas Posey at seventy-five cents per acre. At the death of the elder Killgore it was bought by two of his sons ; one of the brothers, Clark, eventually became sole owner.

In the immediate vicinity of the Killgore home were pioneers made of such as the following : Philip Powell came during the years intervening between 1 80 1 and 1804 and afterwards removed to Indiana, where he died. He was a Kentuckian by birth. Solomon Green remained a short time. It is said of his son William, that he brought from Kentucky and wore the first pair of boots ever brought to this settlement, which gave him the name of "Bill Boots.'' David Polly and Mr. Risdon were early residents of the neighborhood. The latter married Elizabeth, a daughter of John Killgore, Sr. In about the year 181 5 Stephen Hunt removed to the farm which had been lately vacated by Polly. He was a carpenter, surveyor, blacksmith and justice of the peace. He eventually moved back to Illinois. Samuel Hornbeck occupied the farm later owned by Abram Blessing. Being subject to frequent attacks of fits, his wife was told that a permanent cure might be effected by taking off his under garment and burning the same. At the next attack the remedy was given a trial, resulting in the loss of the garment, but a failure as a cure. Moses Thomas settled on Sugar creek in 1825 and engaged in blacksmithing. Ji-ist below Moses Thomas lived James and Andrew Wicker, who were natives of North Carolina. William and John Horney settled early in the township and devoted most of their time to hunting. John Mock, from North Carolina, came first to Greene county, Ohio, and assisted in the erection of the first dwelling house in Xenia. In 1853 he came here and settled. He died in 1862. Joseph Kent, who came with the Killgores, remained with them until 1808, then removed to Madison county, where he lived the rest of his days.

Official Annals

The following officers were elected on the ist day of April, 18 16, and sworn in on the 6th day of the same month : Justice of the peace, Thomas- Robinson; trustees, Jacob Jenkins, Joseph Kendall and Nicholas Robinson; constables, William McCandless and Price Landfare; supervisors, Samuel Wicker, John Miller, George Pence and James Sanderson; treasurer, John McKillep; lister, William McCandless; overseers of the poor, Patrick Kernan and John Williams ; fence viewers, Jacob Jenkins and David Creamer, the latter being appointed at a subsequent meeting of the trustees; clerk, David Creamer.

John Miller, supervisor one year, $3.00; Samuel Wicker, received $5.25 for a like service ; Jacob Jenkins, trustee, one year, $6.00 ; for serving in the capacity of supervisor one year, James Sanderson and George, each $2.25 ; Joseph Kendall, trustees, $4.00; Joseph Creamer, per cent, of funds, 98 cents ; David Creamer, clerk, $4.00 ; following which appears this entry : "Settled all accounts with treasurer and there remains $1.22 in the treasury."

On March 21, 1818, John Fenel was paid $2.62 V< for his services as deputy supervisor ; the fraction was paid in "sharp shins'' or "cut money."

The trustees, on May 24, 1834, bound to James Fent, as an apprentice. George Seamer, aged eleven, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one ; conditioned that the said Fent shall clothe, maintain and educate said Seamer and at the expiration of his term of servitude shall present him with a Bible and two suits of clothes. This is the first transaction of the kind on record.

Patrick Kerran, or Kerns, was the first blacksmith and followed his trade for many years. He brought his forge with him and was assisted by his wife in striking the iron.

Thomas McGara was the first physician. He lived at Washington and visited his patients on horseback. He enjoyed a good reputation and afterwards served his county as associate judge and representative. James F. Boyer and George Sharrette were the pioneer brickmakers; D. McCoy, the first merchant; Joseph Hidy and Stephanus Hunt, the first carpenters.

The counterfeiters who infested this county in the early days frequently victimized the citizens of Jefferson township, though there was no organized gang within the limits of the township. In later years, when Alfred Walston removed to the blacksmith shop occupied originally by Moses Thomas, he found concealed in the same a mold for the production of bogus silver dollars.

Richard Douglass, of Chillicothe, and one of the first practitioners at the Washington bar, owned a tract of land in Jefferson township, containing about twelve hundred acres, which was in charge of his brother, an exsea captain. Richard, or Dick as he was called, was very quick of temper, but usually regretted his outbursts the next moment. One wmter he purchased a large flock of sheep and put them in his brother's care, who managed to preserve half of them; the others died from sheer neglect and were placed in a heap and covered with straw. On the following spring, Dick visited his farm and upon discovering the dead sheep exclaimed, "What in the hell," but, regretting the hasty remark, lifted his eyes and added, "God forgive me.'"

In the fall of the year 1844-5 a- party of emigrants who were on their way from Virginia to a Western state, encamped in the woods on the Washington and Jamestown road, on the site of West Lancaster. With them were two young men named Martin and McClung, who were prospecting and, having overtaken the emigrants, concluded to accompany them to the West. It was on the evening of the fall election and two young men, named re- (19) specti\Tly Hiram Hosier and Henry Smith, were returning from the polls at Jeffersonville in a jolly mood and on horseback. One of them, it is alleged, npon arriving at the camp conducted himself in such a manner as to insult the women and arose the indignation of the men, who proceeded to chastise them. The party attacked retreated about two hundred yards, then charged upon the assailing party. In the melee which ensued Hosier encountered McClung and struck him on the head, inflicting a dangerous wound, from the effects of which he died in a few hours. Hosier was arrested. The case, however, was postponed from time to time. It was finally brought to trial and ]\Iartin, the prosecuting witness, having been bribed to abscond, the jury disagreed. Thus the case was struck out.

On April 20, 1843, ^ party of young men went to a wedding at Straley's, then in Jefferson, but now in Jasper township, to "bell.'' They were attacked by those inside and Antrim Rankins, son of Thomas R. Rankins, was shot and died on the following day. John Hidy was arrested and charged with the deed. He was admitted to bail, left the country and never returned.

The pioneers of Jefferson township, as in other localities, enjoyed no opportunities for trading at home. Grain and other products were conveyed to Cincinnati, Springfield and Oldtown, much time and laljor being required in making these trips. It soon became apparent that nothing could be gained so long as there were no facilities for grinding the grain into flour and various devices were invented.

Perhaps the first mill was erected by William Robinson on Sugar creek. It was a very crude structure. Another water-mill was erected on the same creek bv William Blackamore and used for grinding corn. Jacob Creamer, in 1840, erected a saw-mill within the present limits of Jeffersonville, where the covered bridge stood, and afterwards added a corn-cracker. During the Avet season lumber was shipped across the creek on a raft and taken to the village. The lumber, which was white and burr oak, was used extensively. Edward Gray had charge of it and in the spring, when the water was low, frequently put his shoulder to the water gate in order to put the machinery in motion. David Creamer had a saw-mill on the land later owned by Wallace Creamer. These dams have long since been abandoned.

Towns And Hamlets

Jefferson township is not noted for many villages of importance. The present ones are Jeffersonville, with a population of seven hundred and sixteen ; West Lancaster, with one hundred and forty-two ; Parrott, with a population of fifty, and a mere hamlet, known as Blessing. Another earlyday village was Pleasant View, of which a mention is made in this chapter. The total population of Jeft'erson township, together with that of the village of Jeffersonville, was, in 1910, two thousand seven hundred and eighteen.

Jeffersonville is beautifully situated on the banks of Sugar creek, eleven miles northwest from Washingtoil C. II., and eighteen miles from South Charleston. It is on the Detroit & Southern railroad, running northwest and southeast, while the same system has a line, originally dubbed "Grasshopper road," extending northeast and southwest. The old State road in its direct east and west course runs through Jeffersonville. As long ago as 18S0 it was said of this village, "For the last year business in the village has made rapid strides, and at this writing there is not a vacant dwelling house in the place. The railroad has brought new industries and enterprises, and good mechanics are employed at steady wages."

While William Robinson was a resident of the land where now stands Jeffersonville, he cannot be called the first real resident. It was in 1831, when Walter B. Wright and Chipman Robinson, who owned a hundred acres of the present platting, believing that the farming community of this township needed a trading post of some kind, laid off town lots, in March of that year, and disposed of them at five dollars each.

The first house was built by Robert Wiley, on Main street. This was platted as Lot No. i. Among the people there at that time - all that year or the next - were W^illiam Devault, Reuben Carr, Jacob Jenkins and M. B. Wright. Then followed Edward Gray, a native of Morgan county, Virginia, who came to Ohio in tlie fall of 1836, with his father Michael and the family. They came over the completed National road. He purchased land in this township, at three dollars per acre. It was all a dense forest and very difficult to clear up. Edward moved to town a few years later and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which were conducted by himself and later by his son. The first store in the village, it is thought by many, was that of Edward Popejoy. Reuben and Jesse Carr were early dry goods dealers. Hiram Duff' was the pioneer blacksmith, Joseph Games the first tanner, and Doctor l^ioarer the first physician. In 1840 there were seventeen buildings, most nf which were log, and altogether the village did not present any too attractive an appearance to the passing stranger. H. H. Pearson came in about 1843 and started a grocery and liquor store. He had a large trade in both commodities and made a fortune in a few years ; he finally went to Defiance, Ohio, and there lost most of his wealth. He then emigrated to Iowa."

The business of this village in 1914 is about as follows: Attorney, U. G. Creamer; agricultural implements, Frank Vanorsdall, R. A. Horney ; auto garage, JelTerson Auto Company ; blacksmiths. C. W. Spangler. John Boone, David Davis: barbers, J. L. Spellman, Ira Mosier; banks, Citizens and Farmers banks ; dray lines, Albert Inskip. O. G. Glaze, McKalip Coal and Supply Company ; dentist. Dr. G. M. Hines ; drugs. J. B. Davis ; elevators, Threllkeld and Blessing; furniture, Janes &: Company: groceries, W. A. Reid, F. A. Horney, C. D. Bush, Sears & Son, Wood & Duff and Frank Coe; dry goods, Hull & Company, W. W. Routson ; hardware, Boobo Hardware Company; harness. M. F. Hudson; hotel, "Mecca," by C. F. McAuliffe; jewelry, G. H. Follett ; lumber, C. C. French ; livery, F. C. Vanarsdoll, C. J. McGrew ; millinery, C. Maude Wood ; mills. The Jefferson Milling Company ; newspaper, Tlic Citizen; restaurants, Maggie Wilson, Lester Allen; physicians, Drs. F. E. Wilson, J. H. French, H. V. Lusher; real estate, G. L. Carr; stock dealer, A. C. Shepard ; veterinary, Dr. F. J. Morris ; meat market, T. W. Mock ; racket store, W. O. King ; tinning and roofing, A. E. Moon ; cement blocks. R. E. Thornton ; bakery, Charles Miles ; pool room, John Rowell ; merchant tailor. J. C. Tudor; undertaker and funeral director, F. C. Morrow; fire insurance, F. C. Morrow ; coal dealers, O. J. Glaze, McKillip Coal and Supplv Company ; clothing. Harr\' Frieds.

Municipal History

Under authority of the state of Ohio, the town of Jeffersonville was duly incorporated in March. 1838. The corporation limits were materially extended in April, 1880.

Ordinances passed at various dates included some which seem curious to the reader of today. The first was dated April 26, 1838: "That if any person or persons shall run a horse or horses in any of the streets or alleys within the limits of said town, they shall, on conviction, be fined in any sum not more than five dollars, nor less than one dollar, at the discretion of the niayor."

pose of selling li(|uor by the dram or less than one quart (except for medicinal purposes) shall be fined in any sum not more than five dollars, nor less than one dollar for such offense."

August, 1852: It was ordained that there should be no more liquor sold in the place, and the marshal was instructed to close certain places of immoral resort within the place.

The last named year it was also ordained that some suitable person be appointed to sell spirituous liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes.

In 1879 the council ordained that "Hereafter all places where intoxicating liquors are sold shall be closed at nine o'clock each evening and remain closed until six A. M." A fine was fixed as a penalty in the sum of from ten to fifty dollars.

The municipal officers in 1914 were: Mayor. U. G. Creamer; clerk, Othelo Wade; treasurer, R. L. Saunders; council, J. B. Fent, chairman, G. M. Hiner, O. C. Glaze, J. C. Tudor, D. J. Charles. S. C. Morrow; health ofificer, William Bergdill ; marshal and street commissioner, O. M. Allen.

Jeffersonville has a chemical fire engine and a volunteer company, but no water works system. It is supplied with electric lights from Washington C. H.

Postal History

According to recent figures received from Washington. D. C. the following have served as postmasters at Jeffersonville (office established in 1834): Jacob Creamer. June 21, 1834; E. H. Skillman, December, 1839; E. H. Crow appointed September 25, 1841; H. K. Pearson, August 6, 1845; W. B. Logan, March 6, 1863; Lewis Goldman. June 5, 1863; J. W. Haymaker, March 5, 1864; Edward Gray. January 15, 1872; Fred Higgins, December 8, 1881 ; L. A. Elster, February 26, 1883; ^- J- Lewis, August 3,

1885 : Jesse M. Blooiner, June 13, 1889; R. N. Scott, August 24, 1893 ; James Stralev, September 14, 1897; Warren W. Williams, October i, 1901, and present incumbent. Two rural free delivery routes go out from this point. Jeffersonville was one of four places of a thousand and under in Ohio which the government two years ago installed as "free delivery" as an experiment, and two and three deliveries are made daily. This was instituted at the instigation of Postmaster Williams. It is altogether a success and will doubtless be followed by many more.

A large, two-story brick town hall and corporation building was erected here in 1898 at a cost of about eighteen thousand dollars. It includes a fine opera house. The place now has a population of almost eight hundred. Its churches are the Methodist Protestant, the Methodist Episcopal, the Universalist and Church of Christ (in Church Union) and two colored organizations. See Church chapter. The lodges include the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

The streets are well kept, the side walks are an honor to the town and the class of business houses and residences do credit to the enterprising citizens.

Source changes here: from History of Fayette County Ohio, by Frank M. Allen, published 1914; 1,193 words in this source stream.

Topography

The township of Union occupies a central position in the county. It was one of the original townships, formed at the time of the organization of Fayette county in 1810. The boundary lines are as follows: Beginning about a mile east of Bloomingburg, on the Marion township line, it runs a little south of west about four and a half miles to the pike; then deflects a little to the south until it reaches Paint creek, about two and a half miles; thence nearly southwest about two miles to Sugar creek; thence with said creek about ten miles to Paint creek; thence north with the pike one mile; thence east one mile to Paint creek; thence north two miles with the creek; thence northeast two miles to the pike; thence north of east three miles to the railroad; thence northwest with the pike three miles; thence north to the beginning.

The drainage of the township is well taken care of by Paint creek, supplemented by artificial drainage where necessary. This creek divides near Washington into the east and west branch. Sugar creek flows along the western side of the township. The land generally is level in Union township. The western portion was at one time very heavily timbered, while the northeastern part was called the "barrens," very low and swampy, covered with high grass in the early days, which the Indians annually destroyed bx burning.

Early Settlement

Edward Smith, Sr., was one of the earlier settlers in the township, coming in 1810. He is mentioned in full in the chapter on early settlement and organization. His death occurred while he was trying to cross Paint creek during high water.

Jacob Casselman was a noted hunter and farmer of this section. John Thomas, a farmer, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Jacob Judy, also a soldier in this war, was another prominent early farmer. Col. Joseph Bell represented the fourth district in Congress for several terms. Col. Joseph Vance, Sr., served in the French and Revolutionary wars. John King, farmer, Robert Irion, first surveyor, William Cockerall, first school teacher, John Irion, trustee, William Boggs, shoemaker, J. and S. Coffin, tailors, were in the War of 1812, also James Pollock and Reuben Purcell. William Brannon, Sr., William Brannon, Jr., James Brannon, C. Coffman, Hiram Rush and N. Rush were farmers. The Allens, Ananias, Madison, James, Joseph, Jesse, Benjamin and Eben, all lived on Allen run, sometimes called Big run.

Robert Smith emigrated from Virginia at an early date and settled in Ross county, near Bainbridge. From Ross he came to Fayette and afterward served in the War of 1812. Edward Taylor was a Pennsylvanian and a veteran of all the early wars. He first came to Kentucky and in 1815 purchased two hundred acres of Nathaniel Massie on main Paint and Taylor runs. He lived to be over one hundred years of age. J. S. Bereman was another early settler of Union township. Daniel McLain, Joseph McLain, William R. Millikan, William Rush and Lieut. John Millikan were other early comers to the township.

Judge James Beatty emigrated to Fayette county in 1818, when the town of Washington had but a few log cabins and deer and game were in abundance. He served in the War of 1812. His father was Charles Beatty, who died in 1850. Judge Beatty was elected and commissioned an associate judge in 1847 and served until the new constitution was adopted.

Robert Robinson, attorney and an early representative of Fayette county; Wade Loofborrow, of whom the same could be said; Col. S. F. Carr, attorney, were pioneers. Brice Webster, Robert Harrison, Joseph Orr and James Harrison were farmers. Thomas, J. and C. Walker, James Timmons, Patrick Pendergrass, Thomas Pendergrass, James Allen, Samuel Webster, Moses Rowe, Daniel McLain, John Hues, B. Ball, John Weeks, John Dehaven, William Highland, Robert Geno, Abram Ware, David Thompson, Daniel Shiry, John Rankin, N. Evans, John Allen and David Morrison were farmers.

Seth Dunn, hunter and farmer; Elisha Taylor and Colonel Jewett, farm ers, were all in the War of 1812. Nathan Loofborrow, Jerome Drais and James McCoy were all noted stock dealers. Isaac Templeton, a day laborer, was the father of eighteen children (three sets of twins). Abel Wright and John Myers, respectively tanner and farmer; Joseph Blackburn was ninety-nine, a tanner; Stephen Grubb, carpenter; Judge Gillespie, a man of influence: Noah Devault and George Hinkle, carpenters; Zebedee Heagler and John Grady were the first butchers.

John Thomas settled at the mouth of the east fork of Paint creek about 1810 and was known all over the county as "Chin" Thomas, on account of the remarkable extension of his chin.

Robert Harrison and William Downing came from Kentucky about 1808, and located on Sugar creek. Samuel and Frank Waddle came from Kentucky in 1810 and settled on Sugar creek. Henry and Jacob Snyder came from Virginia, first to Ross county, then to Fayette, locating on Sugar creek in 1809. David and John Wright settled on Sugar creek in 1808. Leonard Bush came from Virginia, with a large family, in 1808, and settled on Sugar creek. Fielding Figgins, with four or five sons, came from Kentucky and began farming on Sugar creek in 1809. The Millers came from Virginia in 1810 and settled between Washington and Sugar creek. The Coils located near Bloomingburg in 1809. Jacob Judy came from Virginia and located on the east fork of Paint creek in 1809. A Mr. Smith settled on Paint creek, in which he was subsequently drowned.

It appears that for a long time no settlements were made in the immediate vicinity of Washington. John Orr settled on Paint creek, about two miles southeast of Washington, in 1808.

Valentine (Felty) Coil was one of the earlier settlers of Fayette county and Washington C. H. During the early Indian wars, when about two years of age, he was captured at Ruddle's station by the Indians and Canadians under Colonel Byrd, and, with his sister, was carried across the Ohio, at Cincinnati, to Niagara Falls, thence to Canada, where he was adopted by a squaw who had lost a son, with whom he lived until his marriage. It is said that the notorious Simon Girty, who captured him, met him at a public house in Canada, and after inviting him to drink, and when under the influence of "fire water," bantered him for a fight, which being refused, he grew very talkative and revealed to him the whereabouts of his friends. On the strength of this, Coil went to Kentucky and found an uncle, who went with him to Virginia and found his mother, who had married a man named Hendricks. When he saw her, she did not recognize him. By means of a mark he was made known. He returned to Canada and, after the death of his wife, came to Fayette county and set up a distillery near Washington, which he finally abandoned and came into town. It is said he made whiskey in Canada for the English Fur Company. He was sold by the Indians to a British officer, whose wife imposed upon him and made him a slave.