Page XXII -
The township contains
thirty-six full sections of land, and was set off from Gallipolis
township and organized June 12th, 1809. September 4th, the
same year, a part of Raccoon township was added to Green. The
surface in the southern and eastern parts is hilly, and the center
and northwestern parts are quite level. The soil is mostly
very productive, and well improved farms are seen in all parts of
the township. Considerable attention has been given to the
raising of horses, cattle , sheep, and hogs - more than in any other
part of the county. The timber is oak, pine, poplar, hickory,
walnut, chestnut, sugar-maple, and cherry.
Raccoon creek is the principal stream, which takes a
very erratic course across the southwest corner of the township.
Clear Fork rises in section five, runs west of south and empties
into Raccoon. The west branch of Chickamauga creek rises in
section twenty-four, and runs east, through the northeastern part.
North and south branches, Mud creek, are small streams which rise
and run westward, through the west part of the township, into Perry,
emptying into Raccoon.
The history of this township is closely allied to that
of Gallipolis, from the territory of which it was taken, and a full
sketch of the early settlement of the latter is given in these
pages. The first actual settler in Green township was Frederick
Kerns, who located upon what is now known as the Warren
Hulbert farm, and erected a cabin there at an early date.
John, a son of Frederick and Susannah Kerns, was the
first child born in the township. Among the early settlers may
also be mentioned Alexander, John, and James Waddell,
Samuel Boggs, Abraham Hutsinpillar, Abraham and John Rader,
and Abraham Blessing. The first election was held at
the house of Nicholas Thevenin, June 24th, 1809, who
was at that time elected a justice of the peace.
In 1810 Robert Safford built the first
grist-mill; it was a frame building and run by horsepower.
Nicholas Thevenin, in 1816, erected the first saw-mill, on the
banks of Big Raccoon creek.
In 1816 a school was taught in a log cabin located upon
the banks fo Little Chickamauga creek. It is a matter of
uncertainty whether Johannah Safford or Matthew Waddell
was the first teacher. The school-house was built in the most
primitive style; the door was constructed of riven boards, the
cleats were of half found poles, an extension of which formed the
hinges, and wooden pins were substituted for nails; the windows were
openings in the logs covered with oiled paper. There are now
thirteen school-houses within the township - eleven fine frame
buildings for white scholars, and one frame and one log building for
colored - and the schools are all well attended, illustrating the
interest the citizens take in the subject of education.
There are two postoffices now established in the
township - Rodney, which was the first one located, and Northup.
Religious services were first held in the house of one
of the Waddells, in 1818, and the sermon was preached by
Rev. Jacob Delay, a Methodist minister. He formed a
Methodist society at that time, of which Alexander, James,
and John Waddell, and Benjamin Mills were among the
first members. Alexander Waddell, here spoken of, was
the one for whom the church was named - "Alexander Church."
Mr. Waddell was a man of considerable celebrity, and a brief
sketch of his life is given in this history. The second church
was organized in what is now called the McCormick settlement.
The third is called the Centenary Church, located about three and
one-half miles west from Gallipolis. There are now six
Methodist Episcopal church societies in the township; five of them
occupying substantial frame buildings, and one, located at Rodney, a
brick. The ministers are Rev. A. O. Ebright, who
resides at Rodney, and Rev. W. H. Gibbins. There are
also two colored Baptist churches in the township. All the
churches are in a very flourishing condition.
In 1828 Jacob Bosworth organized and
superintended a Sabbath school. He was a man who was widely
known and respected, and accomplished great good in the township.
There are now ten flourishing Sabbath schools, all Methodist.
VILLAGES.
The village of Rodney was
laid out in 1830, by Henry Coverstone, on section 30, in the
northwest part of the township. It is not yet incorporated,
and contains one store, blacksmith shop, wagon shop. Methodist
Episcopal church, school house, and postoffice. Its population
is about 100. The village of Northup is located in the south
part of the township, on Raccoon creek. It was laid out by
John S. Northup, and the village took the family name.
ALEXANDER WADDELL.
The subject of this brief
sketch was born in Scotland, in 1732, and held membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church for seventy-two years. He was one
of those sturdy, sterling men of the class especially provided by
Providence for the country in its time of need. He fought
under George Washington, in the war of the revolution, and
was also a soldier in the war of 1812. The battle of Point
Pleasant, West Virginia, in October, 1774, is acknowledged in fact
to be the first one fought in the Revolutionary War, for the reason
England had secured the Indians as allies, and incited them to this
action against the American colonists, to district them from the
troubles arising between them, anticipating their defeat, consequent
discouragement, and easy subjugation. The result was very
different, however, as history records. In this battle
Alexander Waddell was a participant, and did good service.
His descendants in Green township exhibit, with just pride, a
powder-horn which he carried upon the above occasion. His
remains were placed in a family burial ground, which was located
upon what is now the farm of Warren Hulbert Upon his
tombstone is the following inscription: "A man that fought for
liberty, but now his soul doth rest in peace."
JOHN WATTS McCORMICK.
was born in Gallia county,
December 20, 1831, and brought up on his father's farm, a part of
which he now owns and resides upon; the farm being situated five
miles from Gallipolis, on what is known as the Chillicothe road.
He was educated at the universities at Delaware and Athens, Ohio,
being considered a close, practical student. He was licensed
to preach by the Methodist Conference, in 1860, and was elected
elder a few years ago. He was a member of the last
Constitutional Convention of Ohio, and has for a number of years
taken an active interest in public affairs. July 14, 1882,
Mr. McCormick received the nomination for member of Congress
from the Republicans of the Eleventh Congressional District, and, as
that party has an acknowledged majority, he has a reasonable
assurance of being elected.
See Page XXII
- Perry Twp. -
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