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     The township is situated near the southeastern part of the county.  It contains sixteen full sections and nine fractional sections, which latter are located along the Ohio river, the margin of which stream, through the township, is 498 chains.  The surface is generally rough and hilly, but the soil is fertile, and fine farms are found in every part of the township, especially along the Ohio river and Raccoon creek.  The township is noted for the large quantity and excellence of the fruit grown.  Its timber is different varieties of oak, hickory and poplar, with some pine.
     Raccoon creek enters from the west, takes a crooked course south of east, emptying into the Ohio river at a point a little north of the center of its margin in the township, just below Raccoon island.  Long Run has a southeast course, across the north part of the township, emptying into the Ohio.  Fullers Run, Darrells Run and Teens Run are small streams which rise within the township, and, running eastward, empty into the Ohio.  Swan creek enters from the south, and, taking a crooked course to the southwest corner of the township, makes it exit again into Ohio township.
     Among the first who came to settle in the township were Harley Sage, Joseph Hazelett, John Day, Phillip Cubbage, Ruben Hay and B. Angel, and a settlement was formed on Raccoon bottom, Harley Sage taking the lead, who built a cabin in 1797, and shortly afterward pursued his trade as a blacksmith.
     The township was organized December 6th, 1830, and the first election was held at the house of Edward Cottrell, on Raccoon creek.  In 1880 it had a population of 1,507.
     The first marriage of which there is any record, was that of Solomon Johnson to Mrs. Miller (a widow), in 1818.  David Trotter, justice of the peace, also solemnized the marriage of David Lasley and Nancy Cottrell, at an early date.
     John Ward, John Davis, N. Davis, James Riggs, Edward and Elijah Cottrell, John Nisbett, Henry Angel, George Northup, Giles Herrington, Ephraim Earwood, William Littleton, Samuel Cole and Henry Kinder were among the early settlers of the township.
     The following is a list of the first township officers:  Nehemiah Davis and David Trotter, justices of the peace; William Golden, clerk; John Gibson, George Northup, Melvin Lowrey, trustees; John D. Williams, constable.
     A grist-mill was erected in 1820 by Dooner and Booth, and soon afterward, one by Edward Cotrell  They were both frame buildings, and contained one run of stone.  Samuel Campbell built a saw-mill in 1815 to which the first mentioned grist mill was attached.
     There was a school, taught by E. Patton, in a hewed log building which was erected near the mouth of Raccoon creek in 1815.  This was the first attempt at school teaching in the township.  There are now ten fine frame school buildings scattered through the township, where good teachers are conducting well-attended schools, and much interest is manifested n the subject of education.
     A postoffice was established, at a very early date, upon Raccoon island, situated in the Ohio river, at the mouth of Raccoon creek, kept by John Davis.  There are at present three in the township, viz:  Eureka, Thivenir and Clipper Mills.
     Religious services were held as early as the year 1817, and in 1833 a Methodist Episcopal society was formed, at the house of James Riggs, on Raccoon bottoms, by Rev. Elijah Fields.   Among its first members were Mr. and Mrs Phillip Cubbage, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, H. Kinder, J. Riggs and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Welsh.  The first Methodist Episcopal society occupied a brick building, which they erected in 1834, 20x40 feet in size, unplastered, with two fire places, and seated with slab benches.  A Baptist society was formed at the house of Ruben Hayes, on Raccoon bottoms, in the year 1828, and the first sermon was preached by Rev. John Lee.  The following were among the first members: Mrs. Margaret Hay, Mrs. John Day, George Waugh and wife, John Davis and wife, and Daniel Beck and wife.
     There are now three Methodist Episcopal societies in the township, all occupying good church buildings.  Also one Baptist society and one Christian church, owning and occupying comfortable buildings.  There is also a Camelite society, which has no church edifice.
     A Sabbath school was established in 1835, by Melvin Lowrey, and Cecelia Davis was one of the first teachers.

CHAMBERSBURG.

     This is a thriving village, situated upon the Ohio river.  It was laid out in 1852, by John Chambers, and in 1880 had a population of 202.  There are several saw-mills and planing-mills in the village, but the principal business is boat-building, which is carried on to quite an extent.  It has a flourishing Methodist Episcopal church society, and a well-conducted school, also a Masonic lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows society, and Independent Lodge of Forresters.

See Page XX - Harrison Twp.  -

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