OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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Welcome to
Pickaway County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

 

History of Pickaway County
Source:  History of Franklin & Pickaway Counties, Ohio
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches
Published by Williams Bros. 1880

 

PERRY
page 314
 

* PERRY TOWNSHIP
       * SETTLEMENT
       * EARLY EVENTS
       * ORGANIZATION
       * CHURCHES
       * SCHOOLS
       *
NEW HOLLAND
       * SOCIETIES
       * PHYSICIANS
       * INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS 

       * BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

      In the collection of data for the following history, the writer has labored under many disadvantages, not the least of which was an utter indifference on the part of many to aid in the matter.  The writer has gleaned, from apparently reliable sources, and if errors occur, he cannot be responsible for them.  Perry township is situated in the southwest corner of Pickaway county, and is bounded as follows:  North, by Monroe township; south, by the townships of Concord and Deerfield, Ross county; east, by Deer Creek township; and west, by Marion and Wayne townships, Fayette county.
     The surface features are in the main, level, the only exception being in the extreme northern part.  Flowing from west to east, along, and in fact, forming, the northern boundary, is Deer creek, the only stream of any considerable dimensions in the township.  Immediately adjacent to this the surface is broken, and traversed by numerous ravines.  The bottom lands in this locality are quite extensive, and extremely fertile, producing great quantities of grain, especially corn.  The soil in other portions of the township is a black loam, better adapted to the growing of corn than any other grains.  The other streams are Hay run, and its tributaries, in the southeast part of the township, and Hamilton run, which flows through the village of New Holland, and thence from the township, near the southwest corner.

SETTLEMENT.

     It is said that the pioneer settler in Perry township was James Wilson, who came from Kentucky, locating upon the farm now owned by Elias Ater.  The date was prior to the dawning of the present century.  His family consisted of a wife and nine children.  The duration of his stay in the township was brief.  He removed westward.
     BENJAMIN EVANS, of Maryland, married Mary Lewis, and in the year 1798, emigrated to Ohio.  His location was in Deerfield township, Ross county.  Here he passed the remaining years of his life, engaged in farming.  His death occurred July 5, 1846.  Mrs. Evans deceased in March, 1857.  There were twelve children in the family, three only of whom are now living - Ephraim,  who married Catharine Cochran; John, who has been twice married (his present wife was Amanda Leby), resides in Perry township; Sarah, who married Cornelius Ecord, and now has a home in Kansas.
      JOHN HOSKINS was a native of Virginia.  His wife was Elizabeth Davis.  He located in Ross county before the beginning of the present century.  A few years later he settled in Perry township, on the farm now owned by a grandson (Samuel Hoskins), and here he died; not, however, until he had brought the farm to a profitable state of cultivation.  The children were: William, who married Mary Knight, and lives at present in Illinois; Thomas, who married Eliza Wilson, died  in Perry (Samuel, a son, married Martha Tarbille, and also lives in Perry); Job R., John, Seth, Adam, Nancy, Susan, and Mary A., are deceased; Joseph, who married Sarah McKnight, lives in Missouri; and Caroline, who married John Welsh, and lives in Illinois.
     HOLMES TARBILLE was among the first settlers in this portion of the township.  He died many years since.  One son only lives, at this time, in the township.  James, who married Frances Tanquarry, and lives on Hay run.
     PETER MOUSER was one of the first settlers in the north part of the township.  He came from Rumley, Virginia, as early as 1800, and lived in Ross county, on Deer creek until 1804, when he settled in Perry township.  Here he acquired an extensive estate, owning, at his death in 1872, over two thousand acres of land.  The children were: John, who married Margaret Porter, (deceased), a son of whom lives in Perry; Elizabeth (deceased); Jacob (deceased); William, who married Nancy Mace; he is the only one now living in the township; Catharine, who married Peter Carder, and now lives in Fayette county, Ohio; and Mary and Eliza, who are deceased.
     JOHN TIMMONS came from Virginia at the same date of Mr. Mouser, and settled near him.  He had a number of children, none of whom are now living here.  Levi Hays, who became prominent in the public affairs of Pickaway county, and who has many descendants now living in both Perry and Monroe townships, was a native

of Montgomery county, Maryland.  He there married Eleanor Harris in 1806.  He removed with his family, then consisting of a wife and nine children, to Ohio; for perhaps one year he remained in Hocking county, and then located permanently in Monroe township, this county, where he passed the remaining years of his life.  The children were: Joseph, who became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and who married Mariam Walker; Charles, who married Margaret Harris; Norris, who married Sarah Hurst; Samuel who married Jemima Rittenhouse; Jesse, who married Elizabeth Hurst; Nancy, who married Samuel Reeves; Mary, who married Thomas Edmondson; Rachel, who married Isaac Davis; and Eleanor, who married George Wilcox, not one of whom are now living.  Levi Hays died possessed of nearly thirteen hundred acres of land, which is now occupied by descendants.
     JOSIAH REEVES, who lived on the James river, in Culpepper county, Virginia, where he married Elizabeth Davis, came to Ohio in 1806, locating just over in Ross county.  Here they died.  The children of this couple are: Pensey, who married John Blue; Anna, who was twice married; Samuel, who married Ann W. Hays (a son, Owen T., still lives in Perry); Thomas, who was twice married; Jane, Owen T., Mary, Josias, Jared, and James M., all deceased.
     OWENS T. REEVES, the grandson above referred to, has been twice married, his present wife is Tracy Amanda Hall.
     ZADOC LEWIS came from Worcester county, Maryland, to Ohio in the spring of 1806.  He lived some seven years near Clarksburg, in Ross county, and then removed to Perry township, locating upon the farm now owned by Milton Lewis.  Here he died, Feb. 28, 1835.  Mrs. Lewis died Aug. 3, 1846.  The children were: Solomon, who married Nancy Gray; Peter, who married Hettie Evans; Milley, who married John Cole; Zadoc, who married Mary Webb, are deceased; Walter, who married Mary Lewis, lives at Atlanta; Noah, who married Mary Hopkins, now lives at New Holland, and with him an aged sister, Margaret (Aunt Peggy).
     JOHN THOMAS and wife (Melinda Smith) were born near Harper's Ferry, Virginia; the former in 1781, and the latter in 1782.  In the fall of 1807, Mrs. Thomas located near Chillicothe, Ross county, where he resided until 1018, when he removed to Pickaway county, and, in connection with a brother, Jeremiah, purchased a tract of land near where is now situated the Clark's run schoolhouse, now occupied by Mrs. Sarah Timmons.  The family resided here until the fall of 1852.  The wife having died previously [May 19, 1850], Mr. Thomas came to live with a son, Samuel P., in Perry township, where he died, May 5, 1855.  The children born of this couple numbered twelve: Mary Ann, Jeremiah, Ann, Joseph, William, Eliza, Julia Ann, Samuel P., Melinda, Maria, Harriet S., and Harrison.  Only one now lives in Perry township; Samuel P., who married Sarah E. Hays  She died Apr. 10, 1839, leaving two children: Miriam H. (Mrs. Joseph Hays), and Sarah E. (deceased).  Mr. Thomas' present wife was Elizabeth Dick, by whom seven children were born: Charles H., James A., Zilpha A., William M., Samuel M. (deceased), Elizabeth A., and Vienna J.  Samuel P. Thomas was a Whig, and is now a staunch Republican, possessed of those sterling qualities which are considered essential to promotion to places of trust or emolument.  Since 1855 he has been, almost continuously, a justice of the peace.
     JESSE BRITTON, whose place of nativity was Reading, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio from Richmond, Virginia, in 1807, locating in Perry township.  His first wife was Anna Gibson, by whom five children were born: Joseph, Letitia, Jesse, Abigail, and Elizabeth (Mrs. Dunlap)Mr. Britton's second wife was Susan Nolin  The following named children were born of this marriage: Louisa, Nancy, Hiram, Margaret, Susan, Cynthia, Harrison, Amanda, and Clarence.  Jesse Britton died about the year 1838, and his wife some two years later.  The children are nearly all deceased.
     WILLIAM PORTER married Margaret McClintock, in Ireland, and emigrated to America near the beginning of the present century.  He first located in Pennsylvania, where several children were born.  In 1810, he removed to Ohio, locating in Perry township where his wife died in August, 18546, and he some years later.  Of the children, Noble was the only one who passed his days here.  This son married Elizabeth Hale, by whom eleven children were born.  Of these, Margareat J., Mary A., Permena C., John M., Joseph H., David R., and Charles W., are now living.  Noble, another son, died for the flag, in the Union army, in the late rebellion.  David R. and Charles W. were also in the army.  Noble Porter, sr.,  was a prominent man in his township.  He died, May 29, 1876, and his aged widow survives him.
     WILLIAM SAWYER, of Irish birth, married Elizabeth Smith, who lived near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  In the year 1810 he settled in Fayette county, where he died, Sept. 23, 1852.  Mrs. Sawyer is still living in Perry township, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.  The children numbered eleven, but one of whom lives in Pickaway county: Sarah, who married David T. English, and now resides near Hay run.
     JOHN ENGLISH was twice married, the second time to Nancy Donaldson, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  He came to Ohio before the war of 1812, and purchased six hundred acres of land in the southern portion of Perry township, upon which he settled.  His was a numerous family, only two of whom now live in the township: David T., who married Sarah Sawyer, and Mary (Mrs. J. R. Hoskins).
     JOHN BENNETT, of Delaware, in 1812, settled in Perry township, his first purchase being a piece of land now owned by Jesse Withcott.  To this he added, until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of five hundred acres.  Mr. Bennett died in 1860, and his wife, Aug. 17, 1877.  The children are:  Nancy (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Timmons), Samuel (deceased), Caleb, who lives in Madison county, Ohio, Jane (Mrs. Rosaboam), John W., who married Joanna Carney, and lives in Perry Township, and William, whose present wife was Mary Maddux, and who lives in Madison county.  This family now owns a large amount of land, and are extensive farmers.
     HEZEKIAH BROWN, from near Winchester, Virginia, came to Ohio, a single man, in 1812.  He remained one year in Perry township, and then returned to Virginia.  Some five years later he settled permanently in Fayette county, Ohio, where he married Mary Williams, who is still living.  Mr. Brown died January 28, 1875.  There were eleven children in the family, six of whom are now living, and one, William, who married Juliet Ann Timmons, lives in Perry township.
     MRS. MARGARET WAHN came to Pickaway county in 1830.  Mrs. William Brown is her only living child.
     JONATHAN TAYLOR, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio, in 1814, where he remained, perhaps, one year, and then returned to Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1841, in the fall of which year he located in Monroe township, where he yet resides.  Mrs. Taylor died, Dec. 31, 1869.  Of the children, one lives in Perry township, Francis Marion, who married Ellen King.  The remainder are: Phillip, Sarah, Caleb, Jonathan (who married Mary A. Bennett, and lives in Monroe township), and Ann, who married Abraham Longerbone; both live in Monroe township.
    
JOHN HALE married Mary Hays, and lived near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, where the following children were born: Shepard, Margaret, Sarah, John, Elizabeth (Mrs. Noble Porter), Mary, Thomas, and Nancy.  At, or near, the close of the war of 1812, the family settled in Dear Creek township, Ross county, where the parents died, the mother May 15, 1833, and the father some few years later.
     
JAMES DUNLAP, grandfather of Robert B., Jesse, and Mrs. Dr. Wilson, who now reside near New Holland village, was of Irish birth, and came to America prior to the war of the Revolution.  He settled at Richmond, Virginia, where he married Rebecca Blackburn, and where were born a numerous family.  Early in the present century the family removed to Ohio, locating near Chillicothe, then a mere hamlet of, perhaps, half a dozen cabins.  John Dunlap, son of the above, married Elizabeth Britton, and, in 1818, located in Perry township.  Here Mrs. Dunlap died, Apr. 13, 1854, and her husband, May 21, 1857.  Their children were: Abigail, who married James Brown, is now widowed, and lives principally in Perry township; Robert B. has been twice married - his present wife was Mary McCrea; Elizabeth, who married William Mahoffiin, deceased; James, who married Mary Wilson, was killed in a well; Letitia, married Dr. James F. Wilson; Harriet, who married Noble Hubbell, deceased; Lorana, who married Alexander McCoy, and lives in Ross county; Joseph, who married Anna Turner, deceased; Jesse, who married Harriet J. McComb, and John, who married Hattie Brown, now resides in Woodhull, Illinois.
     ISAAC GRAY, JOSEPH LEWIS and BARZILLA COSTIN ATKIN, all of Worcester county, Maryland, came to Ohio, locating in Perry township, in May, 1818.  Mr. Gray settled on land now occupied by Joseph Kirkpatrick, and died on the farm now owned by his son Jesse, i about 1859.  Mrs. Gray died in 1864.  The children were: Benjamin (now deceased); Jesse, who married Nancy Beekman, and lives in Perry; they have ten children living - one died in the army; Nancy, Unettie, and Percy, who are deceased; Elizabeth, who married George W. Gooley, and now lives in New Holland.
     JOSEPH COLLINS, a native of Delaware, settled in Ross county, in about 1790, where he died in about 1816.  His wife was Clara Timmons.  John M., son of the above-named married Eunice Timmons, and located in Perry township, in March, 1819, upon the farm now occupied by his son, Joshua H.  Joshua located in Monroe township, as did Elizabeth, who married Joseph TimmonsIsaac settled in Monroe.  Andrew, who married Elizabeth Timmons, lives at Atlanta; and Hester, who married Salathel Timmons, lives in Perry Township. 
     ISAAC BROWN, of Virginia, came to Perry early in its settlement, and with him came a widowed mother and brothers and sisters.  He married Lavina Michaels, by whom two children were borne - Eleanor, (Mrs. J. H. Collins), and Thomas, now deceased.
     PHILIP MICHAEL was another early settler.
     JACOB GOOLEY, who was originally form London county, Virginia, settled in Perry township in 1827.  His wife was Margaret Shively.  Two of the children now reside in the township - Catharine (Mrs. Daniel Lewis), and George W., who lives in New Holland village.
     MOSES KONNS came from Virginia to Ohio in 1836, and tarried, for perhaps one year, in Ross county, and then removed to Perry township and purchased the property he now occupies. His first wife was Lucretia Timmons, who died Nov. 18, 1856, and his present wife, whom he married Dec. 3, 1870, was Comfort Wapels.  His children are: Millie A., Mary E., Virginia (deceased), Sarah, Stephen, Lafayette, Wesley, and Moses.
    
ELIAS ATER, who is a descendant of William Ater, of Deer Creek township, married Permilia Davis, by whom were borne the following children: Mary, who married Harrison Plummer; Gideon, who married Miss Hoskins; Catharine, who married Samuel Gaver; Allen, and Stephen D.
     Many names of early settlers are recalled:  Reuben Lloyd, Jacob and Samuel Hasselton, Joseph McClintock, Isaac Vincent, James Cochran, William Penniwell, Reuben Simpson, Frederick Funk, John Struvey, James and Abram Kirkpatrick, George Tollman, and Abraham Tanquarry.

 

EARLY EVENTS.

     The writer collected a number of items for this section, but as he is unable to satisfy himself in relation to their reliability, they are, for the most part, omitted.  The first house in New Holland village was built by a man named Fleming, and stood near the site of the present flouring mill of Messrs. Hanley & Bro. George W. Gooley says the first brick block in the village was built by George Bohrer, and stood where is now the McCafferty block.  The date of its erection was not far from 1840.  Andrew Motter constructed a log house on the site of the present Union house, at an early date.  Motter was a tailor, and after a few years sold the property, when it was converted into a hotel.  The first postmaster was, undoubtedly, N. R. Ferguson; the present is Milton Bartholomew.  At the railroad station, called Atlanta, a post-office is kept by O. Donnohoe.  This is of recent date.  Charles Green was, doubtless, the pioneer merchant in New Holland, and his place of business was on the corner now occupied by Evans Shipley.  Green sold groceries and whiskey, and entertained travelers.  The building was subsequently burned.  George Bohrer also opened a store here on the opposite corner.

ORGANIZATION.

     The territory as at present embraced within the boundary lines of Perry township, was originally a part of the township of Deer Creek.  It was detached, and created a separate township, between the years 1818 and 1828, but the writer has been unable to ascertain the date, either in the records of the township, or of the county.
     The officers for 1879, are: Elias Ater, Andrew Harrison, and Daniel Lewis, trustees (the last of whom has been an incumbent of the office, without intermission, for twenty years); W. A. Welsh, clerk; Daniel R. Porter, treasurer; J. G. A. Donnohoe, assessor; Samuel McGath, and H. M. Williams, constables: S. P. Thomas and Benjamin Tanquary justices of the peace.  There are seven supervisors of roads and highways, and six school districts, aside from the village district.  Following is the township board of education: David Gray, William J. Grimes, Jefferson Brooks, J. W. Kirkpatrick, Ezra Shaeffer, and Allen Mouser.  The notaries public are: Thoams C. Bennett, J. W. Mark, and W. A. Welsh, who is also an attorney at law.

CHURCHES.

     This department is mainly written from personal interviews with early settlers.  Possibly, in some cases, memory was treacherous as relates to dates, but the writer believes the sketches are, as a whole, correct.

CEDAR GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHEarly in the settlement of this portion of the township as class was formed here composed of the following persons:  John Bennett and wife, Isaac Jones and wife, John and Peter Cook and their wives, William Bailey and wife, William Loveland and wife, George Graham and wife, and Jonathan Motter and wife.  Meetings were held at the dwellings of John Cook and other early settlers, until about 1814, when a small log meetings house was built.  This stood on, or near, the site now occupied by the framed church edifice of the society, which was dedicated Jan. 8, 1849.  We were unable to ascertain its cost, or definite data regarding it.  The membership at present is seventy-nine.  The attendance at Sunday-school is an average of sixty-children.  Riley Collins is superintendent.  Of the church management, Edward Harriman is class leader, and William Grimes, J. H. Noble, J. W. Bennett, G. W. May, D. L. Dunden, and Jesse Withcott, trustees.  For list of ministers, see New Holland Methodist Episcopal church.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF NEW HOLLAND was organized, as we are informed, by George W. Gooley, as early as the year 1825.  No early records can be found.  Samuel Hosselton and wife (Mary), Jacob Hosselton and wife, George Bohrer, wife and daughter Lorana, Andrew Motter and wife, Mrs. Lindsay and daughter Nancy, and others, to the number of perhaps twelve, composed the first class, of which Samuel Hosselton was leader.  Services, prior to 1825, were held by Rev. F. A. Wilson, at the houses of George Bohrer and others, and next in the little log building, then standing where is now the school-building in the village.  In about 1827, a small framed church was constructed upon the site of the present Methodist church edifice.  This did duty until 1867, when the present building was erected.  Its cost was twenty-five hundred dollars.  The trustees at that time were: Smith Chaffin, Jacob Hosselton, Samuel Hosselton, J. Lewis, and George W. Gooley.  The present ones are: D. A. Whiteside, R. B. Dunlap, B. F. Timmons, H. T. Gooley, Smith Chaffin, Frank M. Grimes, and T. M. Withcott. The parsonage trustees are: David Tarbille, J. W. Kirkpatrick, W. J., F. M., and J. W. Grimes.  The present membership is one hundred and twenty-four.  The leaders of this class are J. Wesley Grimes and T. M. WithcottJ. W. Evans, John W., and J. Wesley Grimes, stewards; T. M. Withcott, superintendent of Sunday school, at which there is an attendance of one hundred scholars.
      The ministers who have presided over the numerous churches of New Holland circuit, since the year 1808, are given in connection with Williamsport church, in Deer Creek township.  In the year 1866, a division was made, since when the following divines have presided: 1868, Rev. J. Y. Rusk; 1870, W. W. Martin; 1872, N. L. Jones; 1873, A. C. Kelley; 1877, George W. Burns, and 1878, J. D. Wakefield, the present efficient pastor, whose gentlemanly courtesy the writer wishes to acknowledge.

HAY RUN CHURCH was formed in 1835 (so says Samuel Hoskins).  Among its first members were: John Hoskins and wife, John Devoss and wife,  Abraham Tarbille and wife, James Tarbille and wife, Mattie and Mary Tarbille, Thomas Hoskins and wife, Job R. Hoskins and wife, Josiah Hoskins and wife, John English and wife, John Snider and wife, and Zadoc Lewis and wife.  The house of John English was occupied for religious worship until the building of the old meeting-house, which occurred a few years later.  This rude log structure served the uses of the congregation until 1852, when the present meeting-house was erected.  It occupies the site of the first one, and cost nearly seven hundred dollars.  It was dedicated Oct. 9, 1852.  The trustees were: Alexander Reed, George Hosselton, James and David Tarbille, Alfred Houser, John Shipley, Thomas, John R., and Samuel Hoskins.  The present trustees are: Samuel Hoskins, James and David Tarbille, John F. Barrett; O. Donnehoe, leader; S. Hoskins and O. Donnehoe, leader; S. Hoskins and O. Donnehoe, stewards.  A Sunday-school was formed soon after the organization of the church, and has now an attendance of some fifty scholars.  Charles Hughes is its present superintendent.  The church membership now numbers forty-five [See sketch of New Holland Methodist Episcopal church for pastors' names].

LOCUST GROVE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.    This class was organized, in 1841, at the house of Noble Porter, and was composed, in part, of the following persons: Ephraim Evans and wife, Mary Leby, Thomas Vincent and wife, Peter Ecord and wife, Noble Porter and wife, John Evans and wife, Jacob Gooley and wife, and Mrs. Margaret Porter.  Noble Porter was appointed leader of this class, and the subsequent growth of this charge was due, mainly, to his efforts.  The ground upon which stands the church edifice of the society, erected in 1842, was donated by him.  This charge has been attached to New Holland circuit from its formation.  There are at present seventy-three members in regular connection, and ninety on probation.  The Sabbath-school is under the superintendency of David R. Porter, and has an enrollment of one hundred and ten scholars.  The present church officers are:  John W. Kirkpatrick, leader; J. M. Porter, Daniel Lewis, J. W. and A. W. Kirkpatrick, William Darby, and F. M. Vincent, trustees.

DUBLIN HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.     In the year 1858, a class of Protestant Methodists was formed at this point, and regular preaching conducted for a few years.  Eventually, however, meetings ceased, and the church went out of existence.  In November, 1874, Rev. John L. Reeder, of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, began a series of meetings at the schoolhouse, the result of which was the formation of a class, composed of the following persons: Owen T. Reeves and wife, Peter Lewis and wife, George and Bruce Hays, William and Isaac Hamilton, Mary, Alma and Roxanna Bostwick, and others.  Owen T. Reeves has chosen leader, and Peter Lewis, assistant.  A Sunday-school was formed at that time, of which Peter Lewis was elected superintendent, and who still continues as such.  There are, at present, fifty children in attendance.  During the season of 1878, the present church edifice was constructed.  It is a neat brick building, in size thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and cost complete sixteen hundred and eighty dollars.  It was dedicated by Rev. I. F. King, of Columbus, Jan. 15, 1879.  The present membership of this church is twenty-six.  The trustees are: Owen T. Reeves, Peter Lewis, Harrison Plummer, Wesley and Wesley W. Hays, William Bostwick, and Ezra Shafer.  Stewards: Wesley Hays, and Harrison Plummer.

THE DISCIPLE CHURCH OF NEW HOLLAND.     The first preaching at this place by ministers of this denomination, was in the fall of 1854, by evangelists, who labored under the supervision of the missionary society of the southwestern district.  The first public profession of faith was made in March following, but it was not until the spring of 1857, that a church was formally organized.  This consisted of the following persons:  G. C. Gamble, John Highland, A. G. Wood, Roxalene Johnson (Mrs. R. Cook), Sarah A. Johnson (Mrs. S. A. Bates), W. Elizabeth Johnson, S. D. Johnson, Abigail Wood, Matilda Highland, John Leasure, Sally Leasure, James
Leasure, Bettie Wood, Sarah Johnson, Henry Bryant, Maria Bryant, Melinda Matthews, Margaret Matthews, Eliza Matthews, Jane Matthews, Samuel Matthews,
and Mary A. Hess.  The church organization was completed by appointing S. Matthews, elder; John Highland, A. G. Wood, and Silas D. Johnson, deacons.  Services were held at the house of T. Hess, for a time.  The present church edifice of this society was built in 1853.  The ministers who have resided here permanently, are: Revs. Messrs. Samuel Matthews, J. C. Irvin, and George Van Pelt, who is the present pastor.  The membership of the church numbers one hundred and eighty.  The church officers are: J. A. Highland, Henry Bryant, and George H. Matson, elders; S. D. Johnson, B. Holcomb, J. C. Vlerebome, and E. Parker, deacons; J. T. Johnson, clerk; J. H. Highand and G. H. Matson, are superintendents of Sabbath-school, on which the attendance is seventy-five.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NEW HOLLAND was formed May 12, 1863.  The following were the constituent members: Mrs. Dr. Wilson, Alexander McCoy, wife, and three daughters, Mrs. Thomas Cook, James Wallace and wife, Isaac Beecher, Samuel Collins and wife, S. S. Miller and wife, George Vlerebome, Nathaniel Timmons, Thomas Bennett, Mrs. Burnham, and Maria McCrea.  A subscription was immediately circulated by the pastor in charge, Rev. Samuel Cruthers, with a view to raising funds with which to provide a church edifice.  The old Methodist Episcopal meeting-house was purchased, removed to its present site, which was donated by John Boggs, and refitted.  It was completed in 1867,  The officers were: Alexander McCoy, elder; N. Timmons, George Vlerebome, and James Wallace, trustees.  The ministers of this church were: Rev. Samuel Cruthers, S. S. Miller, and H. W. Guthrie, who remains some four years.  When he left the charge there was a membership of thirty.  Since then only occasional preaching has been had.

SCHOOLS.

     In this department the writer has been unable to ascertain where or by whom the first school in the township was taught.  A term of school was taught at or near Locust Grove church, as early as 1818, by Andrew Bascom.  It commenced in a little log building standing on land now owned by Joseph Porter.  Among the scholars at this school were Noble, Joseph, and Clinton Porter, and several sisters; Walter and Noah Lewis, and many others.  It was quite numerously attended.  William Clark taught a second term in the same building soon after.  George W. Gooley remembers a school that was taught in New Holland village by Rev. F. A. Wilson as early as 1828.  Among the families represented were Kirkpatrics, Bohrers, Greens,  and Lindseys.
     New Holland village school district was organized contemporaneous with the incorporation of the village itself.  No early records can now be found, and the following is furnished by George W. Gooley from memory.  The first school subsequent to 1835 was held in a building occupying the site of the present Methodist Episcopal church.  In about 1848 a school-building was constructed on the Ferguson property, south of the town.  The present building was erected during the seasons of 1854 and 1855, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars.  The school comprises two departments, primary and grammar.  The board of education for 1879 are: N. R. Timmons, B. F. Timmons, John W. Grimes, George A. Haney, George H. Matson, and Dr. John B. May, who is clerk.

NEW HOLLAND.

     The plat of this village, which is recorded in book B, of Pickaway county records, was acknowledged before Alexander Rowen, justice of the peace, on Sept. 2, 1818.  The following is the description:

     "Flemingsburgh, situated in Deer Creek township, on the east bank of Hamilton's run, a branch of the north fork of Paint creek, on land of Reese Young, the northerly part of Godrill Levely's survey of two hundred acres, No. 4138; on land of Levin Ross, easterly part of a survey of Codwallader Wallace, No. ___; and on land of Wilkins Ogburn, surveyed for him on a military warrant, No. 3057; on the right hand fork of the north fork of Paint creek."

     What induced the changing of the name of the one the village now bears, or the date when it took place, is not now known.
     The act of incorporation was passed Mar. 9, 1835, and section one reads:

     * * * "That so much of the township of Perry, in the county of Pickaway, as is included within the bounds of the town plat of the town of New Holland, in the said county of Pickaway, as the said town plat now stands on record in the office of the recorder of said county, and eighty rods east, west, north and south of said town plat, and such plats of additions to said town as may hereafter be recorded, be, and the same are hereby created into, and constituted a town corporate, by the name of the town of New Holland.

     The village records show that early in the year 1836, the following were the village officials:  Rev. F. A. Wilson, mayor; D. Blue, Jacob Hosselton, Reuben Lloyd, Alexander Cochran, trustees.  The officers for 1879 are: E. W. Timmons, mayor; J. B. Parker, recorder; J. W. Mark, treasurer; Eden Parker, T. M. Withcott, George Meyer, J. D. McCoy, Lewis Benz, and Theodore Mark, council.  This village has no public buildings, or fire department, and no natural advantages.  It is a shipping point for large quantities of grain.
     The business interests here are as follows:  dry goods, Charles McCafferty, C. B. Eggleston, and Jones & O'Conner drugs and notions, J. W. Marks, N. H. Jones; Groceries and hardware, H. T. Cooley & Bro., Vlerebome & Co.; clothing, boots and shoes, James A. Thomas; furniture and undertaking, Holcomb & Kennedy; millinery, E. A. Burnham; harness, J. Atkins, wagon manufacture, George E. Meyers, hotel, J. Al. Miller.
 

SOCIETIES.

     Numerous societies in the interest of temperance have, from time to time, had an existence in New Holland village, and their need in, to a stranger, painfully apparent now.  A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted here some years since, and flourished for a time.  This, too, has ceased its work.

NEW HOLLAND LODGE, NO. 392, F. AND A. M.,

was formed in 1867, its charter having been issued in June, of that year.  Following are the constituent members: M. V. Rawlins, J. H. Yeoman, Abram Vlerebome, B. Timmons, W. J. Cochran, A. S. Holloway, J. D. Orahood, J. G. W. Donohoe, G. W. Gooley, Dr. J. F. Wilson, J. H. Folks, Samuel Hughs, and E. H. Dixon.  The first officers were: M. V. Rawlins, W. M.; J. H. Yeoman, S. W.; Vlerebome, J. W.; B. Timmons, treasurer; W. J. Cochran, secretary; A. S. Holloway, S. D.; J. D. Orahood, J. D.; J. G. W. Donohoe, tyler.  The regular communications of this body are on the Thursday evening of each month previous to the full moon.  The present membership [July, 1879] is sixty-seven.  Financially, the lodge is in a highly prosperous condition.  The officers for 1879 are: Dr. John W. May, W. M.; J. C. Brown, S. W.; Marion Strope, J. W.; J. C. McCrea, secretary; T. J. Cook, treasurer; S. McGath, S. D.; G. H. Hughs, J. D.; J. D. Sampson, tyler.

PHYSICIANS.

     James F. Wilson, was the first physician who located permanently in Perry township.  He was born in Buckskin township, Ross county, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1808; read medicine with Dr. Robins, of Greenfield, and was granted a diploma by the county society.  In 1832, he located in New Holland village, and, five years later, married Miss Letitia Dunlap.  In 1841, he attended lectures, and graduated at the Ohio medical college, of Cincinnati.  Returning to New Holland, he soon acquired an extensive practice, which was continued until his death, Jan. 21, 1875.  Dr. Wilson was a prominent member of the Masonic order, having attained the higher degrees.  His funeral obsequies were conducted under the auspices of the fraternity.  His widow is still living near New Holland village.  But one child blessed their union, John Milton, the United States consul to Germany, who is now traveling in Europe, and, on his return home, goes to Panama, as consul.
     The second physician was Aaron Harriman, who had previously practiced at Williamsport.  The date of his coming was not far from 1840, and his death occurred in 1850.
     Henry Timmons read medicine with Dr. Wilson, graduated at the Sixth street medical college, Cincinnati, and located in New Holland, where he married Miss Sarah Ferguson, and continued the practice of his profession until his death, Aug. 22, 1855.  His widow contracted a second marriage, and now resides in Kansas.  Of the children, who numbered seven, but two, Edward W. and Nathaniel R., now remain in the township.
     Henry Judy, graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic medical college, Mar. 6, 1850, locating in New Holland the following July, where he still continues in practice.  His wife was Susan Carder.
     Newton Reeves located in New Holland in the fall of 1850.  He married Sarah Daugherty, and, after her death, married Mary Houser.  He continued to practice here for some years.  Dr. Reeves was a graduate of the Ohio medical college.  He is now deceased.
     Benjamin R. Davis, graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic college in 1859, and located in New Holland, July 9th of the following year, and is still practicing here.  In September, 1860, he married Miss Margaret Elder.
     John H. May
graduated at the Cincinnati college of medicine and surgery, in 1872.  He married Mary M. Holter, and in March, 1874, located in New Holland, where he yet resides.
     John W. May
, was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, and read law with Dr. James H. May, graduating in Jefferson medical college, Pennsylvania.  Elizabeth Wilson, his first wife, died in March, 1867, and the following summer he removed to Bourneville, Ohio.  Mar. 13, 1876, he located in New Holland.  His present wife was Mary F. Jaggers.  Dr. May is prominent in Masonry.    

INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.

     In the infancy of the settlement along Deer creek, as early as 1805 (it is thought by William Mouser), a rude grist-mill was constructed by Isaiah Pancost.  This was located in the northwest corner of Perry township.  It was a small affair, yet sufficient for the needs of the then sparsely settled region.  In after years it was rebuilt, and still later, converted into a woolen factory by a son of the original builder, Samuel Pancoast.  This property is now owned by A. S. Mowry.  As early as 1812 a man named Baker built a second grist-mill on Deer Creek, and also a saw mill near it.  These mills have been several times rebuilt, and are now owned by H. Crownover.  John D. Penniwell and a carding mill on Hamilton run quite early in the settlement of New Holland.  The steam grist-mill in New Holland village was built by N. R. Ferguson, in 1853, at a cost of fourteen thousand five hundred dollars.  It has three run of stones, which are propelled by a double engine of seventy-five horse power.  The present firm - Messrs. George A. Haney & Bro. - came in possession of the property in the spring of 1874, having purchased the same for seven thousand dollars.  These gentlemen have since constructed an elevator, and made other needed improvements.  The whole amount invested at this time is ten thousand dollars.  The mill does both custom and merchant grinding.  In relation to the grain interest, during nine months of 1878 this firm shelled and shipped seventy-two thousand bushels of corn.  The present season, to August 1st, the shipments of wheat alone aggregate thirty-two thousand bushels.  Vlerebome & Co. constructed the first grain elevator at New Holland, in 1876.  Previous to this, however, the firm were quite extensive operators in grain, the senior partner having engaged in the grain trade at this point in the year 1863.  During the year 1878 this firm shipped an aggregate of three hundred thousand bushels of grain.  The shipments during the present season, to Aug. 1st, are one hundred and thirty-five thousand bushels.  Mr. Vlerebome is also the owner of a coal mine in Muskingum county, and is an extensive dealer in that useful article.
     The second elevator at New Holland was that of the Haney brothers, already mentioned.  The next, and by farm the largest elevator here, was built by Charles McCafferty, in the spring of 1878.  Its cost, with real estate, was four thousand dollars, and its shelling and loading capacity is four hundred bushels per hour.  The shipments for the year 1878 were one hundred and twenty-five thousand bushels; and to August 1, 1879, seventy-five thousand bushels.  To show the importance of New Holland as a shipping point, we give the totals: 1878, four hundred and ninety-seven thousand bushels; to Aug. 1, 1879, two hundred and forty-two thousand bushels.
     New Holland village did not arrive to the dignity of having a newspaper until 1877, in August of which year, A. M. Vaughn issued the first number of the New Holland Review.  This was an eight page five-column sheet, published on the patent plan, and was independent in politics.  The paper ceased publication in May, 1879, and the editor has removed to "other fields and pastures rare," we trust.

 

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