JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP

     (Mr. R. C. Stewart, a blacksmith who has been at the same stand during the entire 60 years of the township's history, is authority for the historical part of the following.)
     Jefferson Township, in the southeast corner of the county, was organized in 1858, being taken from Silver Creek Township.  The name was suggested by Peter Bowermaster, who was an ardent admirer of Thomas Jefferson.  BOWERSVILLE, the only town, is situated on the C. & C. branch of the D. T. & I. Railroad,

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BOWERSVILLE
Maysville Street,
Scenes a long the O. S. Railroad.
M. E. Church.

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6 miles south of Jamestown and 15 miles from Xenia.  At the time it was laid off by Christopher H. Hussey and others, in 1848, there were three or four houses there.  The name is said by some to have been taken from that of Peter Bowermaster, but in reality it was suggested by D. L. Reaves, who helped lay the town off, in reference to the abundant shade.  In 1850 a M. P. church which was on the John Ross farm was moved to the town (a new building took its place about 25 years ago).  A little later, a M. E. church (new building, 1902), and a Christian church (recently rebuilt) were established.  Bowersville also has a six-room brick school building, a township house, post office, bank, sawmill, two elevators, two hotels, restaurant, livery stable, telephone office, barber shop, three blacksmith shops, and 12 stores.  Population, 1900, official, 370; 1908, estimated, 425.

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