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Welcome to
Gallia County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

Source:
History of
GALLIA COUNTY

Containing
A Condensed History of the County;
Biographical Sketches; General Statistics;
Miscellaneous Matters, &c.
H. H. HARDESTY & CO., PUBLISHERS, CHICAGO AND TOLEDO.
1882

Green Township
 

I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV XXVI XXVII XXVIII XXIX XXX

For Chapters XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI & XXVII - SEE TOWNSHIPS BELOW HERE

TOWNSHIPS:
includes biographies

BIOGRAPHIES

< BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS OF HISTORY OF GALLIA COUNTY, OHIO >

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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