Madison Township is one of the original townships of Fayette County, 1815.  The soil is rich and productive; the streams passing through it are the north fork of Paint and its head branches.  Among its first settlers was Gen. Beatal Harrison; (given in by William Harrison, his son, and taken from MSS.)
     Gen. Beatal Harrison was born in the State of Virginia, in the year 1780.  His father, Captain Benjamin Harrison, served as a Continental officer in the revolutionary war of 1776, under General George Washington.  The Harrison family are descended from the brave Major Benjamin Harrison, one of the heroic veterans who feared not to place his name upon the scroll of fame, the immortal Declaration of Independence.  He was the honored father of General William Henry Harrison, late President of the United States.  General Beatal Harrison emigrated to the Northwest territory in 1798, and settled in now Belmont County, where he resided until 1811.  He was among the first pioneers to that locality. He emigrated to Ross County, and in the fall of 1812 was commissioned by James Madison who knew his bravery and qualifications, Second Lieutenant in the 19th Regiment of Infantry of the United States, dated July 2, 1812, and served with ability and distinction in said office until Mar. 17th,1814, when he was commissioned by President Madison Captain of the Second Company of Riflemen, United States Regular Army.  He served in this office until peace was declared in 1815.  After the close of the war he married and emigrated to Fayette County in the wilderness, and located a large tract of military land in now Madison Township, on the waters of Paint creek, and erected the first cabin in that section of the country, which yet stands in good preservation.  By industry, he had, in a short time, a large portion of his land improved and in good condition, and one of the best stock farms in the county, it being well watered by the heads of Paint creek.  General Harrison, during his life, was a large stock dealer.  For many years he drove cattle and hogs to Baltimore and other Eastern markets.  General Harrison was elected by the Legislature in 1817 as Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Fayette County.  In this honorable and important office he served seven years.  He was also elected several terms by his district as a Representative to the Ohio Legislature.  He made an efficient member of that body, and exerted a great influence among its members.  He was a powerful writer and a good thinker.  His loss as a benevolent and useful citizen is irreparable.  General Harrison died in 1857 full of years and honors, leaving a name worthy of the imitation of the rising generation.  Hon. William H. Harrison, named after the lamented William H. Harrison, late President of the United States, and son of General Beatal Harrison, the subject of this brief record, is the proprietor of the second homestead, and occupies the house in which the General died in 1857, a year long to be remembered by the General's family and friends.  William H. Harrison has been unfortunate in his family; out of nine children he has but two.  He has recently lost his excellent lady, Mrs. Harrison, and is a lone widower.  General Harrison was elected and commissioned Brigadier General in 1838, and served until the repeal of the militia law by the Legislature.  The following are the names of General Harrison's children:  Benjamin Scott, William H., David N., Joseph, and Mary M.  All are living but John who was in Company D, 114th Regiment O. V., and died in the last war.  Scott was a captain in the last war.  David was lieutenant of the militia.  Benjamin served one term of commissioner for Madison County.  The following are the names of the first pioneers of Madison Township:

BY WILLIAM H. HARRISON.

     Leonard Jefferson occupation, farmer and first tanner, a useful citizen, &c.  Isaac Moore was a farmer and a man of influence in society.  David McCarfatty, a working, industrious tiller of the soil, and very social.  Edward Clarridge, a large farmer; was a man of sound, good sense, and proverbial for his honesty of fixed principles; he was elected and served several terms as justice of the peace.  James Nutt was a good farmer and neighbor.  John Gilmore, first miller, was very popular, well known and respected.  Isaiah and Samuel Pancost were millers and millwrights by occupation, and were also farmers.  Shirer Pancost, farmer and an excellent man.  Andrew Gregory, farmer.  John Mouser, farmer and grazer.  A Gregory, first merchant.  Josiah Gregory, John Blizard, Joseph, William, and John Farmer, farmers by name and occupation.  John Solars, J. C. Cook, John Oldham, coopers; Richard Cosser, Jona Baldwin, William Morgan, large landholders and stock merchants.  Robert Abanather, farmer and first tavern keeper.  Isaac Thomas, Benjamin Leach, John Leach, and John Level farmers.  John Mesmore was the first wood-corder and also farmer.  Otho Williams was one of the most respected men in the township; he was a man of tact and note; a Representative of the country, and proved a good one.  Nathah Parker, Jesse Barton, Henry Core, Ephraim Moore, Daniel Baker, William Sawyer first settlers, are yet living on good farms and in god houses - the fruits of industry.  Alexander Grim and William McCafferty are large land men and stock merchants.  Albert Ogden, a large farmer and stock dealer.  C. D. Level, a whole sale farmer; a man of note, and great wealth and influence.  Benjamin Level, large land-holder, owns over 500 acres of land on the waters of Deer Creek, and an honest man of good character and report.  James Stout a practical farmer, and an honest, peacable citizen.  James Abernatha, a large land holder and stock-trader; a man of business, enterprising, capable to transact any important business, and looked upon by his neighbors as a good judge of men and things; makes a just magistrate for his township; a father of a good family.  R. S. Waters, a neat farmer, a man of sound common sense, firm in his opinions, and an honest man.  James Graham.  James Jones is a large stock merchant; gives an honest living compensation to his smaller stock raisers for their cattle, hogs, sheep, and trade in general; he is a man of notoriety and influence, and very useful in the township; he has a farm of 1,100 acres.  L. P. Loofborrow, a neat, frugal farmer, and a quiet and benevolent citizen.  L. H. Loofborrow, a large, independent, and enterprising farmer, and a man of great energy of character.  Daniel Wood, a large land speculator, and has stacks of money.  Joseph Ott, a neat farmer.  Ellis Vanpelt, a good farmer.  Isaac Jones, Joseph Adams, first steam-mll.  Henry Fulton, George Emerson, merchants, Madison Mills, Madison Township.

BY GILBERT TERRELL.

     Gilbert Terrell was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in the year 1808.  His father, Johnson Terrell, emigrated to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Clinton.  His grandfather, Benjamin Terrell, was one of the early settlers of Virginia, and was a soldier in the revolutionary war under General George Washington.
     Main Paint creek heads in Madison County, runs into Fayette, and joins the line between Jefferson and Paint Townships to the United Township line, crossing Union Township by Washington, to the northwestern corner of Wayne Township, thence forming the line between Union and Wayne Townships to the corner near Flake's ford, from thence to William Sturgeon's mill, thence from the lines between Wayne and Perry Townships to the Highland County line.
     Sugar creek heads in Madison County, and runs through Jasper Township, Fayette County, passing through Jeffersonville, thence in a southeastern direction to the east corners of Jsper Township, forming the line between Jasper and Union Townships to Jasper mills, thence forming the line between Union and Concord Townships to the north corner of Perry and Union Townships to Main Paint, at the corner of Wayne Township.
     Rattlesnake creek heads in Madison County, and runs in a southerly direction through Jefferson and Jasper Townships, crossing the east corner of Clinton County, thence crossing Concord, in Fayette County, to the Perry Township line, thence forming the line between Green and Perry Township to Highland County, near Monroe.
     North Fork Paint creek heads in Paint Township, running through Madison and Marion Townships to the Ross County line, on the land of J. Bryan.
     East Fork Paint creek heads in Madison County, Ohio, crossing Paint township near Bloomingburg, in Fayette County, and empties in to main Paint on the farm of Jerome, one mile east of Washington.
     Cumpton creek heads in Paint and Madison Townships, crosses Madison, thence through Marion Township, and runs into Ross County, near the farm of Jacob Bush.

     The following are tne names of smaller creeks:
     Little Rattlesnake heads in Green County, and crosses the southwest corner of Fayette County, on the farm of William Palmer, thence crossing to the Clinton County line, and empties into Main Rattlesnake on the farm of C. A. Trimble, in Fayette County.
     Grassy Lick heads in Green County, and runs through Jasper Township, crossing the Clinton County line, and empties into Little Rattlesnake, in Clinton County.
     Lee's creek heads into Clinton County, and runs through Concord and Green Townships, in Fayette County, to the line of Highland County, near Leesburg.

ANCIENT WORKS.

     On the farm of Mrs. Mary Jones, one-half mile from Jeffersonville, there have been a number of large skeletons taken from a mound; some have he appearance of a much larger race of people than the present generation; also, there are bones of a similar kind.  On Abraham Bush's and Wm. C. F. Fent's land beads, axes, and flint arrows have been found in any quantity, &c, &c.

BY W. H. HARRISON.

     INDIAN CAMPS, GRAVES, TRAILS, AND TRACES - On the head waters of Deer creek, arrows, axes, scalping knives, kettles, and beads have been found by the early and present settlers.  Indian paths and trails up Deer creek, northeast side Madison Township, to the Languane trail, to the fall of Little Miami.  Indian graves on William Harrison's farm, on the west side of North Fork Paint, have been exhumed by gravel diggers.

NOTED HUNTERS OF MADISON TOWNSHIP.

     General Beatal Harrison was a noted hunter, and killed many deer and other game; he was fond of the chase of deer and foxes.  Edmond Blearage killed panthers, bears, wolves, and deer; he was a fearless man.
     First mill built in the township was by John Gilmore, on Deer creek; first carpenter, James Furdam; first blacksmith, Otho Williams; first school teacher, C. Turford; first preacher, William Dickey.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

     Justices - Milo Rockwell, F. L. Smith, and John Mesmore.  Trustee - C. D. Level, Harvey Marcy, and J. M. Noble.  Clerk - J. T. Bush.  Treasurer - Henry Felton.  Land Appraiser - W. H. Harrison.  Assessor - James Stout.  Constables - Zebulon Ford and R. Mesmore.  Pike Superintendent, L. H. Loofborow.
     N. B. - General Beatal Harrison was by profession a surveyor.

BY J. L. MYERS.

     Colonel Samuel Myers was born June 11th, 1776, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  His father, Jacob Myers, emigrated to New Virginia, as it was called then, and settled in the County of Botetourt, where he received his education, and was employed as a clerk at Mr. Preston's iron works.  He was married Elizabeth Smith, and moved to the State of Ohio in the fall of 1807, three years before the county was organized, and settled on Deer creek, near the present site of Yankeetown.  His first employment was to turn up the virgin soil - not with the fine steel plough, but one known as the plough with the wooden mole-board.  He got up and enrolled the first militia company that paraded in Madison Township; he likewise taught the first school that was taught in the above township, in the winter of 1808, and subsequent winter of 1809.  He also served as the first township clerk of Madison Township.  He served in the State Legislature from Fayette County, then in session in Chillicothe.  He and his company were ordered out in what was called the general call, and went as far as Upper Sandusky, where he was promoted to the office of Major of Militia, and on his return home was elected Colonel of the regiment, then in Fayette County.  He like-wise represented the County of Fayette the winter of 1818 in the State Legislature.  He also served as a justice of the peace for thirty years.  He was a farmer and cattle dealer by occupation.  In religion, a Methodist.  He died in the year 1850, and was buried with Masonic honors.  Colonel Samuel Myers' family consisted of six sons and two daughters, as follows:  Polly, Jacob, James H., John L., Samuel, Isaac, Augustine, and Adaline.  John L. Myers third son of Colonel Samuel Myers, was born Aug. 7th, 1803, in Botetourt County, Virginia.  Was brought by my parents to now Fayette County, Ohio, in the year 1807.  What education I received was in a pioneer school house.  At mature age I married Catharine Vance, daughter of Jajor General William Vance, cousin to Governor Joseph Vance of Ohio.  He repsented Ross County several times in the State Legislature; and in the Senate from the County of Belmont.  He was one of the first pioneers in the above County, and drove the first wagon up Wheeling hill, on the Ohio side, that ever was driven up.  He was a farmer and raiser of fine stock and was a stockholder  in the Scioto Important Company of Durham Cattle.  My family consists of five daughters and two sons.  Lucy C. married J. W. Gallaspie, son of Judge Joseph Gallaspie.  Mary A. married Major James Cook, who served three eyars in the defense of his country in the war of the rebellion.  John J. married Mary McCafferty; he served in the war of the rebellion as Lieutenant in the 60th Regiment O. V. I., and two years in 8th Regiment of Cavalry; and at the rendezvous in Chillicothe, at the time of the Morgan raid, was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment; a farmer and tiller of the soil.  Martha j. married M. W. Jones, son of Major Matthew Jones who served his country in the war of 1812, and an early pioneer to Paint Township; his occupation a farmer and stock dealer.  Margaret C. married Peter Hess, son of Fuller Hess, a good farmer of Marion Township; Peter's occupation, a trader, mule dealer, and farmer.  Scott Myers, now in the State of Iowa, is a cattle dealer and grazer by occupation.  Adaline, youngest child, is yet at home; she was educated at the Bloomingburg Academy.

PIONEER NAMES.

     Peter, Michael, Adam, and Henry Coon all emigrated from Virginia in 1804; farmers, and all in the war of 1812.  Jacob Dickison, his son, was in the war of 1812, Jonathan Dickison.  John Page, first justice; Albert Ogdon, farmer; Stephen Barton, Samuel Harvey, school teacher; John Vandolah, farmer; John Herrod, justice; Samuel Herrod, both in the war of 1812, Sanford Carder, tavern keeper, was in the war of 1776.

BY T. HILL.

     Jerusha Pancoast, wife of John Messmore emigrated to this township in the spring of 1810, with her father, Isaiah Pancoast, and settled on the west bank of Deer creek.  They emigrated from Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  My father erected a very large log house, which served as kitchen ,dining-room, parlor, and bed-room.  The Indians camped on the opposite side of the creek from us.  The squaws came to our house frequently, and would bring venison to trade for meal.  The Indian hunters would kill deer and float them down the creek, near to their camp, and the squaws would go down to the creek, near to their camp, and the squaws would go down to the creek, drag the deer out, and dress them.  The first season they lived under wagon covers, stretched on poles, until they cleared and planted seven acres in corn, living principally on wild meat and corn-meal.  Wolves were very plenty at the time, and all who had sheep were obliged to pen them up every night.  We were obliged to go to Chillicothe to do our trading.  There was not a family living between Waterloo and Washington.  When the Indians moved their camp they left a small pig behind, and it came to my father's house, and we put the pig in a pen, and when it grew to a good sized hog, one of the old Indians came back to our house and father showed him his pig, and told him to take it and do what he pleased with it.  So the Indian killed and dressed it, cut it in two in the middle, left one-half banging, took the other half on his shoulder, and carried it to his camp.  We had no school-houses except log, with puncheons for floor.  Our first teacher was Colonel Samuel Myers, who gained a great reputation.

     George Filson emigrated from Virginia to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810.  His daughter, Ann wife of T. Hill, is now a resident of Madison Township.  She received her education mostly in Chillicothe, Ohio.  She went to school with the Hon. A. G. Thurman, besides several other distinguished persons of Ross County.  Theodore Hill, her husband, has served in several civil offices, acting as clerk of Marion township for sixteen years, and six years as justice of the peace.  George Filson was in the war of 1812.  He died in Vermillion County, Indiana, aged 75.

     Roswell Hill, father of T. Hill, emigrated from New Milford, Connecticut, to Ross County, Ohio, in the spring of 1832.  A school teacher by profession.  He died in Bond County, Illinois, in the fall of 1844, aged 56.  Isaac Hill, grandfather of T. Hill, was in the revolutionary war.  He had the measles while he was out in the service, and lost one of his eyes.  He died in New Britain, Connecticut, aged 98.

     William B. Minshall's father emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, from Frederick County, Virginia, in 1807.  My father, Jonathan Minshall, served as a private in the war of 1812.  My wife's father emigrated to Kentucky from the State of New York about the year 1820, and from Kentucky he moved to the State of Ohio about the year 1850.  He was a descendant of General Hull.  Jonathan Minshall was a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and served several terms as justice of the peace.  He assisted in raising the first Methodist Church in London, paying $21 more than his share of the expenses in the erection thereof.  There were twenty-one appointments on the circuit, and each appointment contributed one dollar to cancel the debt.  Our breadstuffs were principally obtained by going to Chillicothe on horseback, a distance of nearly fifty miles, carrying about two bushels to a horse, the most of the way being an Indian trail.  Jonathan Minshall also assisted old Indian John, or Captain John, as he was called, to mark or blaze nearly all the roads in Madison County.  He was the father of eighteen children; three boys and six girls by his first wife, and seven boys and two girls by his second wife, his descendants amounting to one hundred and fifty-two.  The names of his children are Jesse L., Rachel H., Hannah, Mary, Walter W., James Q., Lydia, Ellen, Parmelia, Edward H., Isaac, Joseph H., William B., Jonathan W., Asbrina M., Enoch E., Nancy E., and one died in infancy.

     William C. Crabb's father emigrated from Virginia, Green County, to Ross County, Ohio, in 1804.  My father, Reuben Crabb, served in the war of 1812.  My grandfather served in the revolutionary war.  My wife's father emigrated to Ross County with y father in 1804.  My present wife's father was a recruiting officer in the war of 1812.  Reuben Crabb died in Pickaway County at the age of 55.  His father died in Highland County at an advanced age.  The descendants of my father are ninety-four.  The names of his children are as follows:  Martin B., Jemima M., William C., Sarah, Margaret, Ausmond, James, Reuben, Henry, and Mary; three of them are dead, one is living in Indiana, and the rest are in this county.  My grandfather, Clevinger, settled near Hillsborough, in Highland County, at a very early day.  He was a great hunter; and the last hunt he took he got so benumbed with the cold by crossing a small steam, that he had to lay out all night, and was found the next day by following his hunting dog; both of his feet were so frozen that they came off near the instep.

     Joseph Oldham was born in Jefferson County, Virginia.  His father emigrated to Ross County in 1803.  He was in the war of 1812.  Both of his grandfathers were in the war of the revolution, and they both held a Colonel's commission at the time of their death.

     William C. Knowles emigrated from Ross County in 1830.  When he first came to Fayette he was but fourteen years old, and lived with his father until he was of age.  At the age of 33 he married Miss A. H. Morgan.  In 1860 he married Miss Martha M. Crabb, and has one child.  Occupation, farmer, and a class leader in the Methodist Church.  Wm. Knowles emigrated to Ohio from Delaware; was in the war of 1812, and belonged to Colonel Clark's regiment.  He was the father of nine children; their names are Nelly, Rebecca, Nancy, Elizabeth, Perry, William C., Denard P., Sarah, and Maria.  William C. Knowles, Jr., is a son of Denard P.  He is living in Madison Township; he married Elizabeth Crabb; they have two children.  He served three years as private in the 73d Illinois Regiment, under Colonel Jaques.  The descendants of William Knowles are 9 children, 35 grand children, 175 great -grand children, and 5 great-great-grand children, making a total of 234.  He died in 1845, aged 68.  His wife died in 1867, aged 89.

MADISON MILLS BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

     Grocery and postoffice, kept by George Emerson; saloon, Peter Dempsey; blacksmith, Alexander Clark; flouring mill, J. & H. Adams; carpenters and millwrights, F. L. Smith; boot and shoe maker, Theodore Hill; one township house, one church, and school house.

SETTLERS AT THE PRESENT TIME.

     Isaac Cook, Sr., L. T. Cook, James Cook, Isaac Cook, Jr., Milo Rockwell, Harvey Marcy, Joseph Ott, Abner Dixon, J. A. Dixon, H. C. Smith, Wm. Knowles, Sr., Wm. Knowles, Jr., Wm. Crabb, Wm. Miller, Henry Fulton, Isaac Shufflebarger, Thomas Vance, J. L. Harrison, Benjamin Rodgers, Wm. Davis, Asa Hixon, James Noble, Isaac Jones, Albert Ogden, Philip Taylor, Joseph Smith, Thomas Smith, Strawder Clawson, Wm. Clawson, Andrew Hixon, Caleb Tillot, Wm. McArthur, J. W. Cox, Solomon Chaffin, and Joshua Mahan.

YANKEETOWN RESIDENTS.

     James Abernathy, Wm McCafferty, Martin Graham, Cornelius Leavell, B. F. Leavell, and James Jones.