Gallia County, Ohio (Bicentennial): History Vol. 2; Bicentennial Edition-2003

Gallia County

1803 - 2003

Gallia County Historical Society

Board Of Trustees - 2002

1st row - left to right - Alice Kay Giles, Frank Braxton - President, Harold Thompson, Gail Smith - Vice-President, Becky Scott, Nancy Hood 2nd row - left to right - Doug Wetherholt, Robert Condee, Jerry Barnes, Charles Murray, Jim Clark - Treasurer, Marjorie Wood, Donald O’Rourke - Secretary Not pictured - Thomas Moulton, Barbara Scott and Dene Pellegrinon

This book is dedicated to the people, businesses, churches and organizations of Gallia County as it celebrates, along with the great State of Ohio, the 200th anniversary of the year both became part of the United States of America. Our early history returns to a time of change for Ohio and this special part of Ohio playing a big role in the history of making it the great state it has become. The beautiful Ohio River and the ability to live with all the times it has brought us prosperity and, also, humbleness after floods and disaster, has made the citizens of this great county strong and resilient. It is the hope of this historical society for those that read this book now, and for generations to come, the realization of a great legacy we leave to future generations.

The following members of the Gallia County Historical Society have spent much time compiling this book. The board would like to acknowledge the following for their participation in preparing the book. Our Director, Mary Lee Marchi, was the catalyst behind this enormous task being completed. Many thanks to her typing committee partially composed of Alice Giles, Bobette Braxton, Margaret Myers, Christina Cogar, Maxie Oliver, Sonny Games, Marjorie Wood and Bertie Roush.

Proofreaders included Carolyn Cogar, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Myers, Myron and Barbara Jones, Vickie and Bob Powell, Wilma Brown, The Gallia County Genealogical Society, Doug and Janet Wetherholt, Jerry Barnes, Alice Giles, Nancy Hood, Annabelle Hagans, Annabelle Fellure, Irene Clark, Gail Smith, Christina Cogar, Marjorie Wood and others.

Gallia County History

Downtown, Gallipolis Ohio

Drugstore, Ewington Road, Ewington, OH ca. 1916

Introduction to Gallia County

By Charles A. Murray

Gallia County was established, in 1803. 500 French colonists had settled Gallipolis, its first major settlement, thirteen years earlier. They had left France because of the turmoil in that country. One of Gallipolis’s earliest inns, The Our House still exists as a museum.

Early Pioneers

In addition to the French settlers, other ethnic groups began to arrive. In 1818, Welsh pioneers arrived. They settled in the Tyn Rhos, Nebo, and Peniel areas of western Gallia County. In 1859 German families migrated to Walnut Township. Many of these were excellent craftsmen.

Black American citizens have lived in Gallia County since 1803. During the 1850s many made their way northward from the South via of the Underground Railroad. Around 1900, a group of Italians settled in Gallipolis. Many of them and their offspring have become successful merchants. The latest ethnic group to reside in Gallia County is the Amish. This religious group settled in the Gage and Patriot communities. They have lived here since the 1990s.

Gallia County is sub-divided into 15 townships. Among these are the present-day communities of Mice, Ewington, Vinton, Morgan Center, Glenn Summit, Eno, Kygerville, Little Kyger, Cheshire, Harrisburg, Centerville Thurman, Rio Grande, Adamsville, Bidwell, Porter, Evergreen, Kerr, Bulaville, Addison, Gallia, Center Point, Patriot, Gage, Cora, Rodney, Centenary, Northup, Hanerville, Kanauga, Cadmus, Mudsoc, Little Bullskin, Leaper, Yellowtown, Eureka, Mercerville, Crown City, Swan Creek, Peniel, and Chambersburg.

Transportation

For many years Gallipolis was a major river port on the Ohio River. People traveled on steamboat packets to major river cities. From Gallipolis, ferryboats were used to transport vehicles across the Ohio River to West Virginia before the Silver Bridge was constructed in 1928. This bridge later collapsed on December 15, 1967, killing 46 people. The Silver Memorial Bridge replaced the ill-fated structure in 1969.

The earliest roadway in Gallia County was the Hannan Trace which connected present-day Charleston (WV) with Chillicothe, Ohio. It was not until 1818 that a road from Gallipolis to Chillicothe was built. At one time, covered bridges crossed the major streams. It was 1863, during the Civil War, when a rebel general named John Hunt Morgan and his men invaded Gallia County While in Vinton, these southern raiders burned the covered bridge over Raccoon Creek. Today State Route 35, a 4-lane highway, serves as the major transportation highway in the county.

Railway transportation arrived in 1880 when the first Hocking Valley Railway train began its operation. Because of the railway, several communities were developed including Mills Station, Kerr, Evergreen, Bidwell, Vinton, Glenn Summit and Alice. Passenger train service in Gallia County ended in 1949.

In 1934, the Holzer Airfield opened in Gallipolis along the strip of land between the Ohio River and State Route 7. Later this was discontinued, and presently a limited air-service at the Gallia-Meigs Regional Airport at Kanauga exists.

Communication

Mail service via canoe was established between Marietta, Ohio’s and Gallipolis in 1794. At the present time, the county has U.S. Postal offices located at Bidwell, Cheshire, Crown City, Gallipolis, Kerr, Patriot, Rio Grande, and Vinton.

The Gallia Gazette became Gallia County’s first newspaper in 1818. Today the Gallipolis Daily Tribune and The Sunday Times Sentinel provide coverage of local, state, national, and world news. The Central Union Telephone Company established telephone service in Gallipolis in 1882. Today Ameritech provides the area telephone service. In 1950, Gallipolis aired its first radio program on station WJEH-990.

Now, it, as well as WRYV (101.5) provides this communication service to the area.

Recreation

Kygerville, in Cheshire Township, once had a natural spa at Blue Sulfur Springs where people bathed and partook the medicinal effects of sulfur water. Around 1900, people in Gallipolis attended Lakewood Park, a resort where dancing, boating, and music were the main attractions. The Bidwell-Porter villages shared a park in the first half of the 1900s. During the days of steamboats on the Ohio River, showboats provided great entertainment. Gallipolis had several opera houses including the Betz Opera House, the Aleshire Hall, and the Ariel Theater, which still exists as the home of the Ohio Valley Symphony. Traveling circuses, Chatauqua meetings, spelling bees, pie socials and county fairs once provided great recreation for area residents. Today nature study can be enjoyed at the Raccoon Creek Park, Tycoon Lake, Wayne National Forest, Elizabeth Evans’ Bird Sanctuary and the American Electric Power Wildlife.

Education

By 1811, the seeds of education were planted in Gallipolis when Gallia Academy, then a private school, was established. Other private schools were established at Cheshire, Ewington and Porter during the 1800s. Gallia Academy, now a public school, has the largest enrollment of the local high schools. South Gallia and River Valley High Schools exist as well. The Buckeye Career Center serves a three county area. Public schools were established, first as one-room schools. Presently the Gallia County School System, the Gallipolis City Schools, and the Buckeye Hills School District exist. Among these are the following elementary schools: Addaville, Bidwell, Green, Hannan Trace, Kyger Creek Middle, Rio Grande, Southwestern, Vinton and Washington. The Ohio Valley Christian School, established in 1977, serves as a private educational institution K-12. The Rio Grande Community College joined the University of Rio Grande, first established as Rio Grande College in 1876, in 1974. Today’s Rio Grande is a multi-faceted institution offering both undergraduate and graduate programs of learning. Its mission, since its beginning, is to provide high quality education to students and to serve all of the people who reside in Southern Ohio. The Gallipolis Career College is also another institution of higher learning located within the county.

Religion

Religious societies have been important elements of Gallia County history. Most of its religious institutions in Gallia County have been Protestant denominations; however the French 500 first introduced Roman Catholicism in 1790. Historians recorded that a Baptist Church was organized in Cheshire Township as early as 1805. Methodism began in Addison Township in 1806. The first Religious Society of Gallipolis (The Presbyterians) was formed in 1815.

Government

In 1808 the town of Gallipolis was incorporated. The first courthouse was built in the present-day public square just south of the Bandstand; consequently the nearest cross street was called Court Street. The courthouse was moved from the Public Square to Locust Street where it remains today. Several courthouses were destroyed by fire throughout the years, and the present facility was dedicated in 1985. Among the local governmental agencies in Gallia County is the Senior Citizens Center, located on Jackson Pike. This building was constructed in 1906. Another county agency is the Gallia County Children’s Home constructed in 1885, making it the oldest standing original children’s home in the State of Ohio. The villages of Centerville, Cheshire, Crown City and Vinton are also incorporated.

Agriculture and Industry

Generally speaking, Gallia County has primarily existed as a rural area with agriculture providing a source of income for many of its residents. One of Gallia’s historic farms, The Homestead, built in 1820, is located on State Route 588 at Rio Grande. The Wood family pioneered this property, and at one time the house served as a stagecoach stop. Bob Evans, the founder of the Bob Evan’s Restaurant chain, purchased the farm in 1953 and lived there with his family for many years. Today the Bob Evans Farm is a working farm as well as a historic landmark. Most of the southern townships produce tobacco as a money crop. In recent years local farmers have declined with poultry, sheep, and hog farming. Several farmers now grow peppers as a supplementary money crop. The young people in Gallia County have been active in 4H clubs and junior leadership activities. The Ohio State University maintains local extension service to the county with its headquarters located in the C.H. McKenzie Agriculture Building on Jackson Pike.

Throughout the past 200 years, the people of Gallia County have used their natural resources not only for transportation but also for power. Joseph Rife built one of the first gristmills in Gallia County on Campaign Creek at Bulaville in 1808. Waterpower was used to grind wheat and corn produced by the farmers into flour and cornmeal. Early gristmills once existed on about every major steam with Big Raccoon Creek having the greatest number. The villages of Ewington, Vinton, Harrisburg, Adamsville, Northup, Thevenir and Cora were established as former mill sites.

During Gallia County’s history, major industries have been sparse. Once boat building and repair businesses existed along the river, as well as a brick factory, furniture factory, paper factory, stove factory, and buggy factory. Prior to the Civil War Era, iron ore was smelted at the Gallia Furnace (1847) and nearby Keystone Furnace (1848). The Welshmen who settled in the area had introduced the iron industry. In 1955 the Kyger Creek Power Plant began producing electricity near Cheshire, and later also did the Gavin Plant (1974). The Dan Evans Industrial Park is currently being developed on State Rt. 850.

Health Care Services

Even as early as the Civil War Era, Gallipolis had a hospital facility called Camp Carrington. . In 1883 a marine hospital was established for riverboat workers. From 1884-1887, the Ohio Valley Medical and Surgical Institute existed in Gallipolis. In 1890 the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics was established. In 1910, Charles E. Holzer Sr. first introduced his own health-care facility, which consisted of a 7-bed Holzer Hospital on Second Avenue. The Holzer Hospital and Gallipolis Clinic moved to a new location northwest of the city, creating the Holzer Medical Center in 1972. Other health care centers include the Arbor, Scenic Hills, Wyngate and the Holzer Senior Care Center.

In 2002, the population of Gallia County was 32,820. Because of the county’s location on the Ohio River and the early establishments of transportation, mercantilism, educational, religious, and healthcare institutions, a legacy of interesting history has developed over the past two centuries.

Shirley Angel

County Commissioner

William J. Bill Davis

County Commissioner

Casby Skip Meadows,

III County Commissioner

Molly Plymale

Gallia County Recorder

Brent A. Saunders

Gallia County Prosecutor

Noreeen M. Saunders

Clerk of Courts

D. Dean Evans

Gallia County Common Pleas Judge

William Scott Medley

Gallipolis Municipal Court Judge

Glenn A. Smith

Gallia County Engineer

David L. Martin

Gallia County Sheriff

Daniel H. Whiteley

Gallia County Coroner

Larry M. Betz

Gallia County Auditor

Steve McGhee

Gallia County Treasurer

Thomas S. Moulton

Gallia County Probate Judge

Gallia County Elected Officeholders 2002

Gallia County Trustees and Clerks - 2002

Addison Township Clerk - Deborah L. Hughes

Trustees - Charles E. Martin, Fred F. Burnett and Robert Rothgeb

Cheshire Township Clerk - Carolyn Holland

Trustees - Homer L. McCarty, Michael R. Conkle, and J. D. Taylor

Clay Township Clerk - Wanda K. Waugh

Trustees - Charles Lee Barcus, Jerry L. Haner and Ray Slone

Gallipolis Township Clerk - James R. Allen

Trustees - Lloyd E. Danner, Richard M. Bane and Clyde D. Burnett

Green Township Clerk - Howard Joseph Foster

Trustees - Tony L. Beck, Tom F. Woodward and Lonnie Boggs

Greenfield Township Clerk - Brenda S. Lewis

Trustees - Randall Lee Hammond, Roy McCarty and Henry D. Sheline

Guyan Township Clerk - Carolyn Halley

Trustees - James E. Swain, Monvil C. Swain and Roger A. Watson

Harrison Township Clerk - Terry E. Cremeens

Trustees - Ronald J. Slone, Margaret Adkins and Randy L. Cox

Huntington Township Clerk - Verna Easter

Trustees - Dick Neal, Bill L. Petrie and Roger Shadwick

Morgan Township Clerk - Paula Justus

Trustees - Randall Lee Adkins, Clarence R. Hash and Samuel O. Kemper

Ohio Township Clerk - Judy G. Wright

Trustees - Clarence Mooney, Todd M. Bowers and James D. Green

Perry Township Clerk - Nancy Ehman Tucker

Trustees - Larry Fallon, Jeffery A. Pope and Mark Hager

Raccoon Township Clerk - Ruth A. Millhone

Trustees - Charles W. Metzler, John Coffee and Dwight Rees

Springfield Township Clerk - Pamela Riley

Trustees - Scott L. Howell, Holzer Gregory and Mike Hager

Walnut Township - Jane Saunders Miller

Trustees - Thomas Stanley, Wanda L. Hively and Richard L. Ingles

Gallia County Local School Board 2002

Mike Polcyn

Jon P. Thompson

Mel Carter

John Payne

Sheila Regan

Gallipolis City School Board Of Education 2002

Dannie Greene

Nancy A. Mullins

David A. Walker

Timothy V. Kyger

Lynn Angell Queen

Gallipolis City Commission

Robert D. Gordon, City Manager

J. Gary Fenderbosch

Richard A. Moore

Robert L. Marchi

Celestine M. Skinner

Carroll K. Snowden

Village Of Centerville Mayor

Ted Perroud

Clerk/Treasurer - David W. House

Council - Marlin Rose, Retha Naomi Beman, Virginia A. Daniels, Eugene T. Layton, Connie J. Miller and Robert H. Terry

Village Of Cheshire Mayor

H. Thomas Reese

Clerk/Treasurer - Jennifer Lynn Harrison

Council - Charles Lee Bradbury, Claude Cornelius, Herbert Lee Clarke, Ronald L. Hammond, John S. Harrison and James R. Neal

Village Of Crown City Mayor

Sampson Earl Johnson

Clerk/Treasurer - Lana J. Lane

Council - James E. Wolford, Elizabeth G. Woodyard, Paul Dillon, Keith Durst, Mike Klinger and Vickie 1. Unroe

Village Of Rio Grande Mayor

Donald B. Wothe

Council - Jean Curtis, Randall D. Skaggs, Robert W. Allen, Michelle L. Miller, Mark E. Neal, II and Patty Wetherholt Board of Public Affairs - Curtis Clark

Village Of Vinton Mayor

Donna Lynn Dewitt

Clerk/Treasurer - Kathryn E. Kelly

Council - Herbert Moore, Marvin L. Sallee, Charles Conley, Flem Meade and Samuel G. Sowards, Jr.

Gallipolis Township

In October of 1787, Rev. Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargant, acting as agents for the Ohio Company, signed a contract with the Board of Treasury for the purchase of land along the Ohio River. This was the land that was later to become Gallia County.

June of 1788, Joel Barlow arrived in Paris to sell the land in Ohio. Not being a salesman he was ready to leave by the summer of 1789 until he met William Playfair. Playfair was a good salesman and with the help of Joel Barlow and Jen de Soisson they began selling the land to Frenchmen wanting to leave France prior to the French Revolution.

By February of 1790 more that 100,000 acres of the Scioto Lands had been sold, in the same month about 500 Frenchmen boarded ships and set sail for their new homes in America. When they reached America at Alexandria, Virginia in May of 1790 there was no one to meet them and take them to their new land. June of 1790, agents of the Scioto Company arranged to take them to their new homeland on the Ohio River.

On October 17, 1790, the Frenchmen arrived in boats at Gallipolis. They saw there four rows of log cabins paralleling the river. Each row was about 300 feet long and intervals of 100 feet there were open spaces for cross streets, blockhouses stood at each comer of the cabined area and nearby were a stockade, which enclosed a company store. A log breastwork stretched along the crest of the riverbank and on the other three sides was found a deep, almost impenetrable, forest that looked forbidding.

According to the Records of the Township of Gallipolis, AD 1802, territory of the United States, Northwest of the Ohio River, Washington County at a meeting in the home of John Bing, on the first Monday in March, 1802, township officers were elected. It is interesting to that this was over a year before Gallia County was formed and about a year before the meeting of the first general assembly of the State. (March 1, 1803).

The first town, under the name of Fair Haven had been laid out by the Scioto Company, opposite the mouth of the Kanawha River and was intended as the point for the location of the French settlers. This ground was determined to be unsuitable, as the ground was considered low and liable to flood. It was then decided to move the site four miles downriver where the banks were well elevated above the high water mark. This is the site of present day Gallipolis. The earlier site is known as Kanauga.

A few years after the French arrival in 1790 the Welsh, English and Germans came to Gallipolis. As the Welsh and English were not to compatible, the Welsh moved to the western part of the County and into Jackson County where they started iron furnaces. This brought the railroad to Gallia County.

Industries active in the 19th century and into the 20th century were boat building, engine works, furniture factories, stove foundries, a broom factory, sand and gravel operations in the Ohio River and distilleries.

Farming was started and remains a major industry today. Gallipolis at one time had five produce houses, two creameries, a dairy, two flour mills and a meatpacking house.

Gallipolis was a medical center during and after the Civil War. Gallipolis was at one time the site of a Civil War camp and Union Hospital located in the area of the Gallipolis Developmental Center. In the late 19th century, the largest cottage-type hospital for epilepsy, the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics was established. It was the first of its kind in America and the pioneer of all others in the world in having its maintenance pledge by the state, and therefore, from public revenues. The Ohio Hospital for Epileptics later changed to the Gallipolis State Institution and today is known as the Gallipolis Developmental Center. The Ohio Hospital for Epileptics was located adjacent to the village and was annexed into it in order to have enough population to become a city.

Dr. Charles E. Holzer, Sr. founded Holzer Hospital prior to World War 1. It is now known as Holzer Medical Center and is located four miles outside of the city. Holzer Clinic was founded by his son Dr. Charles E. Holzer, Jr. now has over 100 doctors in a county of 24,000. Charles E. Holzer Sr.’s wife started the Holzer School of Nursing in Gallipolis and it is now part of the University of Rio Grande. The old Holzer Hospital has been transformed into apartments for the elderly. The home of the founder of Holzer Hospital, Charles Holzer, Sr., has been converted into the French Art Colony

Over the years Gallipolis Township has seen much growth. Gallipolis, the county seat has remained the center of activities, with the city growing upriver toward Kanauga. The Gallia County Courthouse is located in Gallipolis as is several other county and city government offices.

The Gallipolis Fire Department has one of the newest facilities and the Bossard Memorial Library has one of the finest research facilities and library in the area.

The City Park houses the bandstand, which is a memorial to all Civil War veterans in Gallia County. There are other monuments in the park honoring other Gallia County Soldiers from various wars and conflicts. The Gallia County Historical/Genealogical Society’s building is located in the downtown area of Gallipolis and the start of a Gallia County Museum to be housed at this location in the near future.

The city of Gallipolis has a charter form of government with City Commissioners elected by the city voters. The City Commissioners then appoint a City Manager and City Solicitor who will be the legal advisor to the city. Also, the Municipal Judge will be the judge of the Municipal court in and for said City of Gallipolis.

Robert Bob

Gordon Gallipolis City Manager

Bob Donnally

Gallipolis Fire Chief

Roger Brandeberry

Gallipolis Chief of Police

Robert L. Bob Marchi

Carroll Snowden

Unavailable for Pictures

Gallipolis City Commissioners

Gary Fenderbosch

Richard Dick Moore

Celestine Skinner

Green Township

Green Township has gone from agricultural to residential. Beginning in the 1900s, there were many dairies and farms where tobacco was raised. Now these farms have become large and many have gabled homes. Some tobacco is still grown since it is a cash crop. Most of the dairies have disappeared. Two such farms are the Reginald Ball farm and Pete McCormicks in the Fairfield community.

There are three villages; Centenary, Northup and Rodney. Northup and Rodney both had post offices but they were closed in the 1980s. Before the Ohio Bell Telephone Company put in modern phones, Rose Koontz had the switchboard in her home and there were party lines. They consisted of three or four families having certain rings - maybe one long ring and a short ring.

Centenary and Rodney had Grange - a farm organization.

In the 1930s, the one-room schools were abandoned and three-roomed grade schools were constructed at Centenary and Rodney. The one at Centenary was remodeled into a home and the Grange used both. The one at Rodney is now owned by the Methodist Church and used as a youth center. A modern brick school was built at Centenary to house one through junior high in 1947. Later it became one through 6 with the junior high attending the Gallipolis City Schools.

Route #35 went through Rodney until 1951 when the road with all its curves was straightened and the village of Rodney was by-passed. Soon after this, Paul Owen had a grocery and gas station on this new road. In the early 1940s Brady Graham had an egg candling business in Rodney and delivered eggs to larger cities. There were three small stores. Roscoe Fox had the post office and the oldest grocery with Standard Oil Products. John Bateman, Ray Simmons and later Grace Shriver had the other grocery stores. Now there is just the gas station and grocery on old Route #35. This road has been renamed Jackson Pike and U. S. Route 588 goes through Rodney.

In 1950 the Evans Grocery Company donated land near the Junction of Route #35 and #160 for a fair grounds. In August of 1999, the Gallia County Fair Board celebrated fifty years. It is known as one of the best Junior Fairs in the State of Ohio.

Holzer Hospital relocated just across from the fair grounds in 1972. Presently there are over one hundred doctors in practice at this facility.

The Ohio State Patrol is just west of the hospital in new and larger headquarters.

There are several churches: two Methodist, one at Centenary and one at Rodney. Northup has a Baptist and one on Bob McCormick Road, a Christian church on #588 near Mitchell Road. A new Lutheran Church and Calvary Baptist Church is located on Jackson Pike.

Edwin R. Pete McCormick lived in the Fairfield Community and was a Boy Scout leader for over 50 years. He was also known as the weatherman. He had the official weather station for 40 years, reporting the temperature every morning at 6:00 a.m. He retired from this position in 1972.

Dr. Clay Priestly was a well-know veterinarian and was called all over to doctor sick livestock. He lived near Centenary.

Businessman, Joe D. Miller, had heavy equipment and lived near Rodney.

This area of Gallia County has shown much progress with new homes, businesses and updating of school facilities. As always, this township adapts to the needs of the future. Submitted by Annabelle Fellure

Greenfield Township

This township was described in the History of Gallia County by Hardesty in 1882 in great detail and not much has changed since then. It still is greatly covered with forests even though there has been a lot of logging done there. The government has purchased from the owners some of the land that is part of the Wayne National Forest to try to preserve it for the future. There is an underground spring that comes to the surface and it has been providing water for some of the people there for untold number of years.

The population is down from the 1880s when the Gallia Furnace was in full use. It closed down in 1916 and the tracks were pulled up by the C. H. & D. Railroad. Rt. 233 follows the track route now. All that’s left of the furnace and surrounding buildings is a hole in the hillside where the furnace itself was. Now there are under 500 people living in Greenfield Township. When the furnace closed down the post office that was there was eliminated too. We used to have both one room schools and bigger ones too but that too is gone. The children all go to Gallia Co. schools now. A few of the old schools are still in existence but not used as schools. We now have some Amish people living here also. Some of our younger people have gone to bigger cities to make a living. Some of the older people have moved back for the quiet living here. Greenfield Township was a big part of the Underground Railroad and a lot of the Black people stayed here and still have descendants living here.

The first crime watch meeting for Gallia Co. was started and held here in Greenfield Township in 1995. Since then almost all the rest of the townships have begun one too. They work hand in hand with the Sheriffs department to help curtail crime in our area. There is also a volunteer fire department that is adding to their buildings now.

Guyan Township 1826-2002

The history of Guyan Township will be presented to the reader to show the township’s formation and endurance. The township, being one of fifteen located in Gallia County, was the last to be organized. The township was organized on December 4, 1826. The settling of the township started much earlier.

The early history of the settlements in the Guyan township area started in 1814. The first permanent structure was a cabin erected by William Garlick and E. Hobbs. This would have been in 1814 at the present site of Crown City. A second early settlement was established on Indian Guyan Creek (Guyan) at the mouth of Little Creek.

The first individuals having to endure all the hardships of being the first settlers were mostly farmers. Among these first settlers are names that are still found prominent in the township today. The following individuals are original settlers; William Sheets, James Brumfield, William Johnson, John Williams, John Brumfield, Elijah Fowler, William Fowler, John and Brice Henry, John Sheets, J. Johnson, Samuel Holley, Henry Radford, A. Chapman, John Swindler, Humphrey Brumfield, John Bay, Hugh Clark, and Frances Blake.

The township contains twenty-eight full and two fractional sections of land. The Ohio River cuts off the southeastern corner of the township. Guyan Township is the most southern position township in Gallia County.

In April, 1827 the township held its first election in the home of John Swindler, at which time eleven votes were cast. The first elected officials were Elijah Fowler and John Swindler, Justices of the Peace; Henry Swindler, Constable and trustee; Samuel Holley, trustee and Guy Fry, one of the ministerial trustees.

The early government officials began performing duties very quickly. The first marriage was Seth Chase to Anna Garlick, with the ceremony performed by the Justice of the Peace, Elijah Fowler. The first child born in the township was a Blankenship.

The original settlements in the Guyan Township demanded the area to have growth. The area soon saw the construction of a grist-mill by William Janson in 1816. Located on Indian Guyan Creek, the mill was constructed from logs, contained one set of stones, and was powered by water. In 1820, Mr. Janson attached a saw mill to the mill. The area also realized the need for post offices and for communication and schools to educate the youth of the area.

The early settlers recognized the need for establishing an educational system. The first schooling was held in a small log cabin which stood one-half mile west of Crown City. The first school was taught by Elijah Fowler. The first building constructed for the sole purpose of schooling was built of logs in 1816, near the mouth of Georges Creek. This is just the beginning of a long educational history.

Guyan Township’s first school under the direction of Elijah Fowler flourished quickly. G.H. Hardesty reports by 1882 there are twelve good frame school houses in the township and the schools are well attended. A brief history of each of these very important schools will be addressed.

The Campbell school was located in section 10 on State Route 218. The original agreement for the establishment was entered into on February 19, 1862. The parties involved were Lewis Campbell and the Board of Education for School District No. 6.

The Cofer School was located 1.5 miles west of Mercerville. The school was established with an agreement between C. B. Cofer and the Board of Education of Guyan Township. The property was sold to the township for the sum of $10. The school operated until it was discontinued at end of the 1923-24 school terms. The last teacher was Edward Evans.

The Crown City School was established in 1849. The agreement was between Ann Bay and the Directors of School District No. 3 of Guyan Township. The date of the agreement was December 10, 1849.

The George’s Creek school located in section 27 on George’s Creek Road now known as Wells Run. The original building was on the W. H. Haskins Farm. The list of teachers is very long for this school. The school term of 1911-1912 was taught by Isaac Fowler. The one room school was discontinued in 1929 due to the construction of a two room building.

The Gothord or Rocky Fork School was established in 1862. The school was located in section 22 and found on Fillinger Road. The agreement between the Board of Education and George A. Rice took place on April 21, 1862. The school was later reconstructed on the Tommy Daniel’s Farm because of a fire. The school was discontinued at the end of the 1934-35 term.

The original Gregory school was established in the days of the Civil War. The land was purchased for $5 from Elizabeth Lewis on November 6, 1865. The land was located in section 31 in Guyan Township.

The Mercerville school is located in section 12 on State Route 218. The school was discontinued in 1922. The students of the Mercerville school attended the Cofer School

The Sardis school was located in section 14, on Sowards Road. The school was built by John Hill Hineman. The school had operated before 1900, but was closed at the end of the 1928-1929 school terms. The building is still standing.

The Siloam School was located in section 36, on Saunders Ridge. The school operated until the end of the 1935-36 school year. The students were then sent to Mercerville school.

The Snowball school was established in 1878. An agreement was made between Samuel Hesson and Guyan Township Board of Education on April 16, 1878. The cost of the land was $15. The land would be located on present day Fillinger Road in section 34. The school stopped operating at the end of the 1928-29 school term.

The Sowards Ridge School was located in section 15. The school was located on Sowards Ridge Road. The school terminated its operation in 1949. The last teacher was Mrs. Ruby Shockely.

The Stoney Point School was found in section 20 of Guyan Township. The school was established April 10, 1867. The agreement was between Harrison Fowler and The Board of Education. The land was sold for the sum of $6. The school was destroyed by fire in 1929. The students were then sent to Sowards Ridge or Gregory school.

The one room schools served the township community for many years. The location of most schools can be found easily by using the 1910 Plat Book map of Guyan Township. The reader will find a much more in depth and detailed history of one room schools in the book Gallia County One Room Schools’: The Cradle Years.

The educational system of Guyan Township and the southern part of Gallia County has gone through many changes. The one room schools were slowly replaced by methods of consolidation. The township soon saw the growth of schools not only serving Guyan Township, but surrounding townships. The unincorporated village of Mercerville soon found it would be the home of Mercerville High School. The name was changed in the early 1960’s to Hannan Trace High School due to the construction of a new building. The school district was known as the Hannan Trace School District until 1974 when all four county schools formed Gallia County Local Schools. The Hannan Trace High School operated until 1991 when the schools were consolidated and formed River Valley High School. The building formally known as Hannan Trace High School was reopened in 1996 and became known as South Gallia High School. The school serves students in Guyan Township and the southern part of Gallia County.

Guyan Township witnessed the need for an increase in post offices, due to population growth. The first post office was located in Mercervile. The number grew to a total of five; Mercerville, Crown City, Saundersville, Chapman’s Mill and Yoho. These post offices functioned for many years. They served as few as 75 families to as high as 200 families. The post offices closed as modern travel took place in the township. By the 1950’s, the township had only two of the five post offices remaining, Crown City and Mercerville. The Mercerville office was discontinued June 20, 1952. Leaving the entire township and surrounding areas in the service of Crown City.

The old post offices are an important part of the township history. They not only represented a form of communication, but also represented community life that is only a memory today. The only building that served as a post office can be found on Buddy Joe Fowler’s Farm. The farm includes what was once called Yoho. Ohio.

Guyan Township over the years has had two main villages. The two villages would be Crown City and Mercerville. The other small villages slowly disappeared because of changing business and educational needs or a combination of both.

The village of Crown City has a very colorful history. The village served as a port village on the Ohio River. The village existed in one form or another since the early 1800’s. The village was first called Bay’s Bottom after Thomas Bay, who owned the biggest piece of river frontage. The village had a name change in the 1870’s and became Crown City. The village about the same time period petitioned the State of Ohio to be incorporated.

Crown City was laid out by Hiram Rankin and Vincent Daley. Mr. Rankin filed a petition in the Gallia County’s recorders office December 18, 1873. The village would be comprised of the released land of residence and an adjacent farm land. Crown City would include land from the farms of William Knight, Isaac Rucker, Eijah Williams, Hiram Rankin, William Rankin, Thomas Bays, Franklin Fowler and Nelson Lane. The village was granted a municipal corporation

The village of Crown City has had many business, community and social functions. The village served as a port for steam boats and wharf boats. In the early days, the boats helped the local farmers and businesses transport goods and provided entertainment to local citizens. The village over the years had many businesses. These businesses included: Riley Cart’s Florence Hotel, saloons, general stores, Redmond Rose blacksmith shop, Russell Hineman Garage, The Crown City Bank, the American Tobacco Company Warehouse, Fat Watt’s beer joint and grill and doctor’s offices to name only a few.

The village of Mercerville took a similar path in history. The village was never incorporated, but served the township in various ways. It was the sight of the first township post office, Stevens Funeral Home, mechanic shops and various gas stations over the years. The main business in the township was farming.

The township was dotted by many farms. The farmers in the township operated beef and dairy farms, but the main cash crop was tobacco. The farmers raised such large amounts of tobacco that a tobacco warehouse was located in Crown City. This was the crop that fed and clothed many people in the township.

The township, in its beginning had a strong sense of religion. The first religious society (Baptist) was formed in 1832. The founding members were Eijah Fowler and John Henry. The Rev. John Lee was the first Baptist minister; he preached his first sermon at the home of John Swindler. The township over the years had as high as nine different church organizations. The township today has five churches; Good Hope Baptist, Mercerville Baptist, Crown City United Methodist, Bethlehem Baptist and the Wesleyan Church.

The early settlers had natural resources they could call on. The hills of the township had limestone, coal and iron ore. The natural resources of coal were plentiful enough to supply local fuel to residence of the township for many years. The local residence many times could get their coal supply from local mines or coal banks. This was a commonly used local term. The coal from the coal banks sometimes would find its way to other surrounding communities. Coal was so plentiful in the township that it lead to the development of Crown City Mining. Crown City Mining employed a large number of people and was comprised over 11,000 acre track of land. The mine was located on Rocky Fork Road, but encompassed large sections of land from other townships and Lawrence County. The mine operated from the 1970’s into the 1980’s. The land now is used by the State of Ohio as a wild life refuge.

The township in general was a farming area. A visitor to the area down through time could find a very industrial farming community. The agricultural history didn’t change much over the years. A writer by the name of R.C. Hall, Ph.D. reported in 1938 included the production of cattle, dairy, tobacco and fruit growing. This same visitor could still find three of the four farming production; tobacco, cattle and dairy, but in a much smaller size.

The township over the years has evolved. The residence no longer looks for businesses inside the township to meet all their needs. The township lost the Eagle Rock Tavern which closed in 1988. This was the only surviving local tavern in the township. A few businesses still operate in Crown City or in the township; Dairy Boy, two filling stations/convenience stores, a pizza shop, Owsley’s carry out and General Store and Hardware. The township is spotted with small family farms. These farms still mostly grow the golden leaf tobacco which is slowly fading away. The farmers now are turning to cattle or other alternative crops. The township only has one remaining post office, Crown City, but is protected by two Volunteer Fire Departments: Crown City and Guyan Township. The citizens still have many social functions supplied by the Masonic Lodge in Crown City, churches and schools. One such event is Old Timers Day in Crown City Village. If a visitor came to Guyan Township today they would still find some early settlers names; Sheets, Brumfield, Johnson, Williams, Holley and Fowler. The writer of this short history is an example, I am the great-great-great-great grandson of Elijah Fowler and I too am a teacher.

This historical account would not have been possible without the help of local people. I would like to thank Max Hafflet, Jessie May Bills and the historical research of Danny Fulks.

Harrison Township

1806-2002

Harrison Township is known to contain thirty full sections and is bordered by Green, Clay, Guyan and Walnut Townships. The township was laid out on December 10,1812 and later organized on March 6, 1816. Records show that the first settlement was made as early as 1806 with the first child being born to Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dewitt. Her name was Hannah. William Trotter served as the first elected Justice of the Peace of the township.

The lay of the land of Harrison Township was broken with flatland, hillyland and consisted of black loamy soil, conducive for a high level of production. Settlers of Harrison Township were known to be very industrious and very much interested in educational matters.

Some of the early settlers were; Fredrick Bickel, Benjamin Williams, William Littleton, John Roadamour, Isaac Dewitt, Henry Iron, William Carter, James McCall, Jacob Loucks, Vernon Northup, William Trotter, Elijah Howell, Jefferson Ward, Gilbert Gibson, John Dewitt, Daniel Boster, Soloman Boster, John Boster, Johnathan Boster, Stephen Martin and Elkanah Cremeens.

Berry Angel, Henry Angel and Lawrence Washington Angel, sons of Reverend John L. Angel an American Revolutionary War Veteran of Surry County, North Carolina had settled in Harrison Township by 1816.

William Sheridan Angel, son of William Henry Angel, a Civil War Veteran was born in Harrison Township on May 30, 1870. William Sheridan Angel was the grandfather of Shirley Angel presently, serving a second term as Gallia County Commissioner.

Growth in Harrison Township was eminent. Soon in its history, the first Grist Mill was erected. George Waugh was accredited with building the mill, which was operated by waterpower on Raccoon Creek. About ten years later, Cornelius Waugh was successful in building the first Saw Mill on Big Bull Skin Creek.

In 1830, the first building was built in Section 7 for school purposes. It would become the Smith School House on Martin Road. It was built with round logs and had split logs for seats. The school house contained a five-foot fire place. It also had small openings for windows which were covered with oiled paper.

A school of twenty five pupils and taught by James McCall was located on Clay Lick Road in 1835. The school building was an old log house owned by Mr. McCall. It was furnished with seats made of small logs split in halves with legs added. Other one room - schools in Harrison Township were; Fairview, located in Section 25 and Lincoln School, located in Section 33. These schools were shown in the plat books of Harrison Township in 1870, 1880, 1890 and 1910.

Macedonia School was located in Section 17 on the Macedonia Road close to Macedonia Church. In 1910, the school was shown to be on the John Rose property, which was close to Macedonia Church. Macedonia School closed in 1935. The pupils were transferred to the Little Bull Skin’s three-room school, which had been in operation the previous year.

Front Row: L: to R: Lucy Chandler Angel, Husband, William Henry Angel (Civil War Vetran) son, William Sheridian Angel Back Row L to R: Mae Angel Boyd, Daughter, Nettie Angel Shaw, Daughter, And John Sherman Angel, Son

Martin School number I was located near the intersection of Johnson Road and in Section 24. It was a log school at the top of a hill and described as a school dating back to Pioneer Days. Henry Martin was stated as owning the land for which the school was named. The school is noted as being attended by John Bane’s grandparents during the Civil War Era.

Located on the Cremeens Road in Section 29 was a second McCall School It was a framed building and had a porch with no railings. The school also closed at the end of the 1934-35 school term and the pupils would also go to the new Clay Lick School.

The Mt Carmel School was located in Section 21 on Little Bull Skin Road near Mt Carmel Church. The school closed at the end of the 1933-34 school year because of consolidation. Mt. Carmel’s pupils would attend Little Bull Skin the following year.

The North Bend School was built in Section 12 of Harrison Township in the early 1900’s and closed at the end of the 1930-31 school year. The pupils would attend Macedonia School the following school year, also.

Mr. Woodrow McCall was said to have purchased the North Bend School building and moved it to Section 16 on Lewis Road. The building was converted into a dwelling where Noel Lambert presently resides.

The Phillips School being named after the property owner, was located in Section 13. After the school closed, the property was returned to Mr. Roy Martin owner, at the time of the closing.

The Porter-Angel-Trotter School was located in Section 10 of Harrison Township on State Route218 near Bailey Chapel Church. This area was known as Angeltown until the late 1930’s. The new signs erected in 1999 in that area by the State Department of Highways renamed Angeltown as Angel, as shown in Section 10, on the plat map of Harrison Township.

The Porter School was referred to as the Angel School and also the Trotter School. At the close of the 1934-35 school year, the school closed and the pupils would then attend the three-room Little Bull Skin School. The old Porter School building was purchased by Jeff Perkins, moved to Burnt Run Road and remodeled into a dwelling where Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fowler now resides.

Smokey Row, No 2 School was located in Section 35 on White Cemetery Road. After the 1929-30 school year, the pupils attended Macedonia School. The first Smokey Row School was in Section 30 on Smokey Row Road near the intersection of Dent Davis Road. The school burnt in 1926.

A mutual agreement seems to exist that the one-room schools in Harrison Township were too much of a part of a healthier livlihood for the early settlers to be forgotten. Its lessons seem to live on in hearts of surving students who learned and grew up to help shape a strong township, county and a strong nation.

Approximately, 80 % of Harrison Township’s students now attend Hannan Trace Grade School and South Gallia High School in Guyan Township. Students in the out lying areas of the township have an option of attending a school of their choice in other school districts.

The first Post office in Harrison Township was on Big Bull Skin Creek and kept by Cornelius Holley serving as Postmaster. Other offices in the township were at Leaper, on Big Bull Skin, Moody, on Little Bull Skin and Lincoln, which provided deliveries three times a week for the Ironton and Gallipolis routes.

Reverend John Strait was an early Baptist Minister. He preached at homes of different citizens along Clay Lick Road. In 1833, Reverend Strait organized a Baptist Society at the residence of John Boster on Big Bull Skin Creek. Reverend Strait was known to be highly respected. He died at the age of 104 years and 3 months.

A Missionary Baptist and a Methodist Episcopal Church were soon organized. Mount Carmel Methodist, Macedoma Disciple Baptist Hopewell Missionary Baptist and Mount Pleasant United Brethern were flourishing with Sunday School being held in each church.

Bailey Chapel Church was built in 1906 on State Route 218 in Angeltown, currently known as Angel. At the present time the church has an active congregation. Services are held on Sunday and on Wednesday nights with Sunday School and Worship Service being held on Sundays. Bailey Chapel is known to have been named after the famous Ann Bailey.

Dickey Chapel Church was built in 1855 and is located on Hannan Trace Road. Currently worship services, are being held on Sunday mornings and on Sunday evenings. Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings and a mid-week service is also held.

Canaan Missionary Baptist Church established in 1977 is located on State Route 218 near the intersection of Little Bull Skin Road and S.R.218. The church has a growing congregation. Worship Service and Sunday School are held on Sunday mornings. Services are also held on Sunday nights and a mid-week service is held on Wednesday nights. The congregation has plans to add additional rooms to this church.

Ann Bailey, whose maiden name was Hennis, proved to be an interesting settler in Harrison

Township. Ann was born in Liverpool, England and married Richard Trotter at the age of thirty. She then came to the colonies with him. Richard’s life became a sacrifice while serving under General Lewis in the summer of 1774 with Lord Dunnmore’s forces.

From the time of the death of her husband, Ann is said to have possessed a strange and wild spirit and had a determination of revenge. Some believe that she abandoned the natural pursuits of a woman. She spent her time practicing with a riffle, a tomahawk and riding through the countryside attending every muster of soldiers. She dressed in a hunting skirt, leggings and moccasins.

Ann later married a man named Bailey and for several years followed a party of soldiers sent to garrison a fort at the Great Kanawha, where Charleston is now located. She became known for her skill with the riffle and later acted as a messenger between the Fort and Point Pleasant on her well trained companion named Liverpool. On one of these trips, Ann was being hotly perused by Indians and in danger of being captured when she slipped off her horse and took refuge in a hollow log with the horse keeping on course. Eventually, night fell and the Indians were slumbering. Ann then took possession of her horse, arousing the enemy, as she disappeared with a triumphal shout

After trouble with the Indians ceased, Ann Bailey returned to her habit of hunting wild game and fishing. She received the name of Mad Ann Bailey on account of her eccentric behavior which was regarded with great indulgence by the people for the service she had rendered during the war.

After the war, Ann Bailey came to Ohio and lived in Harrison Township. She enjoyed solitude and spent most of her time alone. Her neighbors would frequently, gather to persuade her to relate her stories of adventures to them. The date of death for this most interesting woman is given as 1825. Her original burial place was on her son’s farm in Harrison Township. Ann’s descendants are believed to be living in that area.

Jackson T. Smith, great grandfather of Carroll C. Smith, was instrumental in providing the early settlers of Harrison Township with access too much needed items that could be purchased in a General Store as early as 1844. The business was referred to as the Jackson T. Smith Co. of Harrison Township and was located at Leaper, Ohio and at the present time, near the area where Teens Run Road intersects with State Route 218. Frank Smith, son of Jackson T. Smith operated the store from the Post Civil War Period until the early 1900’s. Later G. M. Smith, father of Carroll Smith took over the operation of the store. The early settlers of Harrison Township could have viewed the fact of having access to a store nearby and in the neighborhood as a blessing in disguise. Many of the early settlers were without means of transportation, traveling long distances was almost impossible for many people; therefore, having a General Store in the neighborhood became a welcomed reality.

In the 1930’s business for Grover M. Smith seemed to be thriving and the Rolling Store was in operation. Once again, Mr. Smith was providing a much needed service for the people of Harrison Township as well as for people living in surrounding areas.

People in the area anticipated the day when the Rolling Store would come to stop where they could buy or sell items. Yes, the Rolling Store was referred to as the Peddlin Truck or as the Peddlin Wagon. Betty L. Angel Crouse recalled visits to the Peddlin Wagon, as her father Brady T. Angel called it of course, the little ones tagged along. Betty recalls her father’s famous words, Now you kids be good, if I have money left, I’ll get you a poke of candy.

The G. C. Saunders General Store at Leaper, in Harrison Township was operated by the owner Glenny Saunders and wife Ruby from the period of 1930-1960. After their death, Imogene Church and her sister Irene continued operating the store until January 6, 2001. The G.C. Saunders General Store also provided needed items for people living in the area.

The original Homestead of Charles Price located on Little Bull Skin Road is still standing. The house is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dale Taylor. During a conversation, Dale shared that be had bought the home about ten years ago and the house is believed to be about 200 years old. Amazing! The outward appearance of the house showed it to be in good condition.

Currently, Harrison Township still continue to experience growth Loren and Jane Ann Clary Cox are owners and operators of Crown Excavating and Stone Yard. The business is located on State Route 218. Once again; the operators are people with a vision, providing needed materials and services for the community.

Jividen’s Farm Equipment is located on Ingalls Road in Harrison Township. The business has been in operation for over twenty years. Kim Jividen Rose is owner and operator of the business.

The Rodney Roberts Construction has been in operation in Harrison Township for several years. The business is owned and operated by Mr. Rodney Roberts and he is a builder of homes.

Finally, Harrison Township’s people will soon realize a dream coming true of having their own Harrison Township Fire Department. Construction is to begin by the middle of June, 2002 The home of the new Fire Department will be on Little Bull Skin Road. Once again, progress in the making!

Jewel McKean Caldwell, daughter of Charles Morgan McKean and Nora B. Porter McKean was born and grew up in Harrison Township. Her view of life and growing up there was good. She portrayed a person with great satisfaction of having lived in Harrison Township. Jewel spoke of acquiring good work ethics, sharing and enjoying family members while living on the family farm. In her words, Life was good. Submitted by: Betty L. Angel Crouse

Huntington Township

Huntington Township is the extreme northwestern township of Gallia County. It was founded from Raccoon Township June 5 1810, organized June 2, 1812 and the first meeting for election purposes was held at the home of Stephen Holcomb on the last Saturday July of 1810.

Vinton is the oldest of the two main villages in Huntington Township.

History Of The Village Of Vinton By Kevin E. Kelly

The village of Vinton in Huntington Township was incorporated in 1882, but can trace its beginnings back to 1815, when a grist mill was built by Enoch McNeal on the backs of the Raccoon Creek. It was the start of an unbroken link between the creek and the village as water-powered mills became the first business in what was to become known as Vinton.

The first sawmill in the community followed in 1819, erected by Stephen and Samuel R. Holcomb for John Adney, who operated the mill until 1852. The business then went through several hands until it was destroyed in a 1919 fire. Rebuilt the following year, it continued in the grain business until the 1960’s, and remained vacant until fire leveled it for good on April 28, 1976.

With the location of the mills and business, a settlement formed. The community itself was laid out in 1832 by Gen. Samuel R. Holcomb and former U. S. Representative and Gallia County attorney Samuel F. Vinton, although incorporation did not follow until a half-century later. That did not stop the community from growing, serving not only as a commercial center in northern Gallia County but also attracting residents.

Gallia County commissioners approved the petition of 30 residents to incorporate the village on June 7, 1882. The petition listed the town as having 300 residents, more than enough to justify its village status.

Vinton was not immune from the events of the day, and earned its spot in the history of the Civil War when it became one of a number of communities struck by Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan.

A maneuver to draw Union troops away from eastern Tennessee, Morgan’s Raid saw 2,500 infantry sweep through southern Ohio, reaching Vinton on July 17, 1863. The town was plundered for supplies, and after crossing