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Monroe County, Ohio
History & Genealogy
 


SWITZERLAND TOWNSHIP

Source:
History of Monroe County, Ohio
- Illustrated -
A Condensed History of the County;
Biographical Sketches: General Statistics; Miscellaneous Matters &c.
Publ. H. H. Hardesty & Co, Publishers
Chicago and Toledo
1882

Page 219

     This township was organized Jan. 1, 1827, and contains nearly 28 squares miles.  It embraces twelve stations in original township 4, of range 4, and twelve sections in township 3, of range 3, together with the north half of sections 15, 21, 27 and 33, and fractional sections 9, 10, 11 and 12, on the river, in the last named township and range; is bounded on the north by the Belmont county line, on the east by the Ohio river, on the south by Salem and Adams townships, and on the west by Sunsbury, and is the northeastern township of the county.  Big run and Johnston's run empty into the Ohio river, and drain the east end of the township.  Cummings' run has its source in this township, and empties into the river in Salem township.  Negro and Payne's runs, branches of Sunfish creek, drain the southern and western parts of the township, and the waters of Cat's run, a branch of Captina creek, drain the northern portion of the township.  Prof. Andrews says:  "The land is generally high, and, from the ridge running east and west through the center of the township, streams flow to the north, into Captina creek, to the east into the Ohio, and to the south into Sunfish.  The soil is largely formed of disintegrated shales and sandstones, and is naturally less rich than the more limestone soils, but the German and Swiss farmers have done wonders in its cultivation, and there is no better farming in the state.  Almost every farm has its small vineyard, and other fruits are successfully cultivated.  There is an air of neatness and thrift quite in contrast with the slovenly character of much of our native American farming in Southern Ohio.
     "On the land of  Jacob Davis, in section 3, of range 4, is seen, in the stream, a seam of coal, reported to be four feet deep thick, which is the same seam as the upper one in section 2, Salem township.  The coal is somewhat slaty.  Above this seam no other coal was seen in climbing three hundred and sixty-eight feet to the top of a high knob on the farm of Charles Dota, about two miles north or northeast of Mr. Davis'.  On the summit of the knob are several feet of crumbling limestone.  Below the limestone are red and yellow shales, below which is a yellow sand rock, nearly fifty feet thick.  The highest part of the ridge cannot be less than five hundred and fifty feet above the Ohio river, and it may be six hundred feet.  On  the land of Ezekiel Mills is a layer of limestone.  It is, probably, one hundred and fifty feet below the limestone on Mr. Dota's hill.  Nothing more of geological interest could be found among these high hills."
     The early settlements of this township were made along the Ohio river, and in the valley of Big run.  But little can be added to what has been already said under the heading, "First German and Swiss Settlements," and in the history of Salem township.  These were so intimately blended as to be almost inseparable.  Soon after the beginning of the settlements in this township, John Keller was engaged in opening an improvement on the head waters of Big run.  He then lived in Belmont county, some distance from the place where he was at work.  His two little daughters, aged respectively eight and ten years, were sent to carry his dinner to him.  They missed the right path and were lost in the forest.  The people from the surrounding settlements turned out in search of them, and after three days the little waifs were found on Negro run, not far from Sunfish creek.  In their terror, when they found they were lost they dropped the basket containing the dinner, and lived for three days on roots.
     The first church erected was the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church, in the northeastern part of the township, in section 30; Rev. J. J. Bodman, present pastor.  The second was the German M. E. church, situated in section 5, west of the center of the township; Rev. Chas. Koch, present pastor.  Both these churches have neat parsonages and cemeteries attached, with a large membership.
     Bingham postoffice is in the northwestern part of the township, on Cat's run, and Switzer postoffice in the northeast corner of section 35.  These are the only postoffices.  There is no town in the township.  The number of pounds of cheese manufactured, in the past year, was 52,485.
     By the census of 1880, the population was 1,226.  The school statistics for the year ending August 31, 1881, were as follows:  Total amount of school moneys received within the year, $3,875.38; paid teachers, $2,016.35; paid for fuel, etc., $267.80; balance on hand Sept. 1, 1881, $1,591.23; No. of school houses, 11; value of school property, $4,474; No. of teachers, 11; average wages of teachers, per month, gentlemen, $30.00, ladies $33.00; No. of pupils enrolled, 367.
     Present justices of the peace for the township: Frederick Zessiger, George Schafer and Aaron Headley.


 

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