SCIOTO TOWNSHIP

Scioto Township was not organized until June 4, 1851, and is therefore the youngest of the municipal divisions which compose the county of Pike.  It was formed from Seal Township, and lies directly east of, and on the Scioto River, the latter being its west boundary.  On the north is Seal Township, on the east Union, and on the south Scioto County.  It has an area of only 15,069 acres, which gives it the rank of tenth in size, four other townships being a few acres smaller.  It is five miles from north to south, and a trifle less than that from east to west, its western line being irregular from the meanderings of the Scioto River.

TOPOGRAPHY

     It was principally settled by Virginians, who at first settled well back from the river, upon the second elevation, leaving the bottom to the overflow.  It was only shunned on that account, the richness of its productive wealth being well known.  And so the high lands and ridges were taken up, and the river bed left as a swamp for the ravages of the annual or semi-annual floods.  However, as the years went by the avoided bottoms began to take here and there the look of a farm, and a few venturesome spirits took up the richest lands of the Scioto Valley.  After leaving the bottom lands the first ridge is found lighter soil, and on reaching the hills it is too thin for profitable cultivation.  At least three fifths of the township is good, arable land, and in point of agricultural wealth is equal to its sister townships.  The hill known as "Sam's Hill," back of the farm of Dr. Bliss, is an immense gravel bed, with a bed or quarry of sandstone on its summit.  There is probably some mineral to be found in these hills, evidences of iron ore and coal, and also traces of oil.  The township is watered principally by Big Run Creek, which flows westerly through the south central part of the township, and empties into the Scioto River, and a small tributary, called Salt Creek, is in the south, which empties into the other, near Big Run Hamlet.  There is in the east a large amount of timber, and railroad ties are cut to a profit.

BIG RUN

is on the line of the Scioto Valley Railroad, and is the only hamlet in the township.  There were six acres surveyed, but the out-look did not promise well, so the hamlet has never been platted.  The survey was made in 1881 by C. W. Bailey.  The principal business is done by the Cutliffs.

OLD SETTLEMENTS.

     The family of John Barnes, who came in 1801, settled first in Pee Pee Township, but afterward purchased land in Scioto.  Miss Lizzie Barnes, at present living on the homestead is a daughter of John Barnes.  This purchase was among the first in the township.  Mr. Barnes was elected twice a member of the Legislature, a Judge of the Common Pleas Court, and was a prominent man in county affairs for quite a number of years, being a man of strong sense and great energy of character.  Another of the old settlers was a Mr. Boydston.  He was a native of Virginia.  Then Levi Moore, well known in those early days, another native of Virginia, was born Apr. 29, 1788, and arrived soon after Pike County was organized.  Two of his sons, John and Alfred, are now living.  Captain Elisha Peters came from Ross, and then settled in Scioto Township.  He took part in the war of 1812.  Not long afterward came Captain Towner, William Collins, John Vulgarmoore and Lloyd Howard.

EDUCATIONAL.

     The educational interest of Scioto Township is secured through the six school districts which are found within its limits.  Its population of school age numbers 374, and there are six school-houses whose aggregate valuation is placed at $2,400.

CHURCHES.

     Free Methodist Episcopal Church - This body was organized in 1835.  For many years they had no building for worship, but finally there was a log house built which served their purpose for many years.  The old house was dedicated by Rev. Free, and named in honor of him.  This building was used until some ten yeas since, when they erected the present building at a cost of $1,800.  The present minister is the Rev. J. M. Adams; Trustees, George Hauk, Robert Morgan, John F. Parrel, Ralph Doty.

     The Mt. Gilead Church of Christ in Christian Union, was organized in 1864, by Alfred Moore, at his house, with fifteen members.  The following years, 1865, they erected a substantial frame church at the total cost of $1,000.  The first minister was Rev. G. W. Culp, the house being dedicated by Rev. J. F. Givens.  They have prospered, and have now some forty members.  The present pastor is Rev. R. F. Wamsley.

     Baily Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized about 1838.  Their church, a frame building, was erected in 1847, at a cost of about $1,000.  It is a neat little building, located in the eastern part of Scioto Township.  The Trustees at this time are:  Milton Peters, Charles Peters and William Talbott.

     Barnes Methodist Episcopal Chapel - This was the first organization in Pike County.  In 1835 they erected the old building known as the "Barnes Chapel."  They held their services here until 1874, when it was discontinued, the members mostly going to the Methodist Episcopal church, of Piketon.

POSTOFFICES.

     WETMORE postoffice was established with G. W. Coffrin as Postmaster, in 1860.  He was followed by a Mr. Reynolds, and he by Mary Stanforth.  Then came Charles Boydston and T. G. Vaughters, followed by the present Postmaster, J. D. Gibson.  There is no hamlet. 

     WAKEFIELD Postoffice is kept at the station by that name, on the Scioto Valley Railroad, and like the above, is simply a postoffice.  It was established in 1880, with Thomas Taylor appointed to take charge, and he is still Postmaster.

G. A. R. POST, NO. 245.

     was inaugurated as such in July, 1882, with twenty charter members.  It has flourished exceedingly since its organization and has a membership now of thirty-seven.  Meetings are held twice a month and strong interest felt in advancing to a front rank among the posts of the county and section.  The officers are: Commander David Burnside; Quarter master, ____;  Chaplin, Rev. J. H. McCoy; . S. V. C., H. Russede; J. V. C., George March, and Adj., W. A. Horn.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION

     As previously stated, the township was organized in 1851; the following is the record:
     June 4, 1851.
     "Scioto Township formed from Seal, described as follows:
     "Beginning on the Scioto River on the county line between Scioto River on the county line between Scioto and Pike counties, running thence with said line eastward to Union Township; thence north with the line between Seal and Union townships, to the southwest corner of section 13, township 4, range 21; thence westerly with the section lines to the Scioto River; thence down the river to the place of beginning.
     "Election ordered June 17, 1851, at the house of C. W. Bailey."

BOUNDARY CHANGES.

     It was some ten years after its organization before a change was made.  One was made and recalled placing the line back to its original boundary, but the following was granted and the township conforms in its present line without any changes:
     "Commencing at the northeast corner of section 9 (being the northeast corner of Scioto Township), running one-half mile west; thence south to the Scioto County line."
     The petition singed by John H. Towner and Philip Baldman, Trustees of Scioto, and George A. Hall and Sprouse, Trustees of Union.  Granted Nov. 1, 1861.

OFFICIAL.

     The first township officers in 1851 were:  Trustees, John H. Towner, I. N. Barnes and Henry Priest; Assessor, Samuel Johnson; Treasurer, C. W. Bailey; Clerk, Ansel Santford.
     The present officers (1883) are:  Trustees, John Stewart, W. A. Horn and Henry Shy; Assessor, W. L. Taylor; Treasurer, Thomas Taylor; Clerk, D. W. Daily.
     The township has a voting population of a little less than 200.  The population of the township was, in 1860, 696; in 1870, 772, and in 1880, 921.

VALUATION.

     Scioto Township had, in 1880, a valuation of chattel property to the amount of $138, 614. This was exceeded by but three other townships in the county, viz.:  Pee Pee, Seal and Jackson.  The assessed valuation of the township in 1882, was as follows:  Real estate, $294,561; personal property, $150,645; total, $445,206.

BIOGRAPHICAL