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     This is the extreme southern township of the county.  It has twenty-eight full and two fractional sections of land - the Ohio river cutting off the southeast corner of the township.  Its population in 1880 was 2,277, being an increase of 998 during the preceding ten years.  It was organized Dec. 4th, 1826, and the first election was held at the house of John Swindler, on section sixteen, the first Monday in April, 1827, at which eleven votes were cast.  Among the first officers elected 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 surface is very broken, some of the hills being quite high.  The soil is very productive, and mostly a black loam, adapted for grazing purposes and raising all kinds of grain, and the cultivation of tobacco is recently receiving great attention.  Iron ore and limestone are found in considerable quantities in the hills, but it has not yet been developed.  Fine strata of coal are also found, and in the neighborhood of Saundersville, a small village near the Lawrence county line, a vein four feet thick is being successfully worked for home consumption.  Fine farms and farm buildings are seen all over the township, presenting a neat, tidy and thrifty appearance.
     The first cabin was erected in 1814, by William Garlick and E. Hobbs, who settled at the present site of Crown City.  A settlement was made at an early date on Indian Guyan creek, at the mouth of Little creek.
     Among the early settlers were 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, High Clark and Frances Blake.  The latter was born in the block-house at Marietta, and had the honor of being the first female child born in the state, and married Mr. Wheeler. 
     The first child born in the township was supposed to be Mr. Blankenship.  The first marriage was that of Seth Chase to Anna Garlick, the ceremony being performed by Elijah Fowler, justice of the peace.  In those days they advertised, in lieu of obtaining a license.
     Big Indian Guyan creek takes its rise in Harrison, and enters this township from the north, runs west of south, and passes out at section twenty-five.  Williams creek, Georges creek, Rocky Fork and Johns creek, are small streams within the township.
     In 1816 William Janson built a grist-mill, of logs, on Indian Guyan creek, which contained one set of stones and was run by water.  In 1820 he attached to it a saw-mill.
     The first school was taught at an early day by Elijah Fowler, in a small log cabin which stood one-half mile west of Crown City.  The first building erected for school purposes was built of logs, in 1816, near the mouth of George's Creek.  There are now twelve good frame school houses in the township, and the schools are well attended.
     Mercersville was the first post-office, kept by Joseph N. Larry.  There are now five in the township - Mercersville, Crown City, Saundersville, Chapman's Mill and Yaho.
     Rev. John Lee, a Baptist minister, preached at the house of John Swindler at an early day, and a religious society (Baptist), was formed on Indian Guyan creek in 1832; among the first members were Elijah Fowler and John Henry.  There are now nine church organization in the township - three Missionary Baptists, with two houses of worship; two regular Baptist organizations, one of which owns a church buildings; one Methodist Episcopal, with frame church edifice, at Crown City; the United Brethren have two organizations, and two buildings, one of which is in Mercerville.  One of the Baptist churches is also situated here, and one Camelite organization, with church building.  There was a Sabbath school organized in 1840, by Mr. Holley, and one at Mercerville in 1849, by John Clerk and H. R. Jones.  There are now four Sunday schools in the township.
     The village of Crown City is located in the southeastern part of the township, upon the Ohio river.  It was laid out by Hiram Rankins, assisted by Vincent Daley.  In 1880 it had a population of 248.
     Mercerville is a small village, located in section twelve, in the northeastern part of the township.

See Page XIX - Ohio Twp. -

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