Page XXIV

     This township, next north of Gallipolis, contains twenty-two full and eight fractional sections of land.  In 1880 it had a population of 1,440, an increase of 100 during the preceding ten years.  Its eastern border rests upon the Ohio river, whose margin within the township is six and a quarter miles.  The surface is very hilly, but there is a large extent of bottom land along Champaign and Little Chickamauga creeks.  The soil is a black loam and clay, with good buildings, extend throughout the township, evidencing the thrift and industry of the farming community.  The principal timber is oak, sugar-maple, pine, beech and hickory.
     The first cabin was built about 1795 by Hezekiah Frazer, and the first settlement was on Little Chickamauga creek, near where the Bethel church now stands.  Among the earliest settlers were Samuel Rees, who came in 1797; John and William Bing, 1800; John Trackler, 1802; William Charrington, 1805; James Maddy, 1814; McKay Ralston, born in 1815; James W. Maddy and Aaron W. George,  1817;James Martin, 1818; Augustus S. Guthrie, 1832; and Samuel H. Gates, 1834.  The first child born in the township was William Frazer.
     The township was organized March 3d, 1811.  The first election was held at A. Darot's mill, on Campaign creek, at which time Charles Buck was made justice of the peace.  William Bing was elected justice of the peace in 1821, receiving twenty-one votes - the total number cast at the election.
     Campaign creek rises in Springfield township, runs east, then southeast in a crooked course across Addison township, and empties into the Ohio immediately below the village of Addison.  Georges Creek rises in the southern part of the township, runs southeast, then northeast, emptying into the Ohio.  Kyger creek enters fro Cheshire township, at the north, runs south and empties into the Ohio a short distance above the village of Addison,  Chickamauga creek rises in the western part of the township, in section 33, runs directly south, emptying into the Ohio at the southern part of the city of Gallipolis.  Bryans runs and Mill creek are small streams with the township.
     The first grist mill was erected in 1808, by Joseph Rife.  It was located on Campaign creek, in section 28, and run by water.  In 1820 Robert Guy built the first saw mill, which was located on the same section, and run by water from Campaign creek.
     In 1810 John Charrington taught a school in a cabin, which was built in 1800, of round logs, containing oiled paper windows, located where the Bethel church now stands.  Educational matters are now receiving nine frames, one brick, and one log - all substantial buildings, with comfortable appointments.
     In 1837 the first postoffice, called Addison, was established at the village, of which J. W. Parker was postmaster.  One additional office has since been established, named Bulaville postoffice.
     The first sermon delivered in the township was by John Bing, a Baptist.  The first religious society was the Methodist Episcopal, organized at the house of William Charrington, near the present site of the Bethel church, in 1806.  Among its original members were William Charrington and wife, Abraham Knapp and wife, James Jones and wife, and James Martindale and wife.  There are now two church societies organized in the township.  In 1817 Alexander Miller taught the first Sabbath school.  There are now four of them established.

THE VILLAGE OF ADDISON.

     This village was laid out by Reuben Rothgeb, upon land owned by Robert Reynolds, John Lanks, and William Watson.  It is located eight miles north of Gallipolis, on the Ohio river, and the Pomeroy branch of the Toledo, Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad passes through it.  It is not incorporated, and its population in 1880 was seventy-nine.

See Page XXIV - Raccoon Twp. -

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