Spectrum 2020: The Townships of Fayette County
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Spectrum 2020: The Townships of Fayette County
2 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
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Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 3
The 10 townships of Fayette County
Fayette County consists of 10 town- The Record-Herald would like to thank ships are how the federal government Major problems or concerns the town-
ships: Concord, Green, Jasper, Jeffer- the Fayette County Historical Society, surveyed and sold public land. They ship government has to address involve
son, Madison, Marion, Paint, Perry, Robert Grim, Bob Russell, John Leland, helped to designate property ownership. cemetery maintenance, trash collection,
Union and Wayne. Each township in Paul LaRue, Butch Molloy, the Fayette The Land Ordinance of 1785 estab- road upkeep and generally speaking—
Fayette County has three trustees and County Lions clubs, Bev Mullen and lished survey townships in what would maintenance operations. There are rules
one fiscal officer. the county’s township trustees and eventually become Ohio. for the township government to abide
According to the text “History of fiscal officers for their contributions to Initially, each survey township was by that says what they cannot do: this
Spectrum.
Fayette County, Ohio,” copyrighted in supposed to be square with each side includes not being allowed to do any-
1984 by The Fayette County Genealogi- measuring six inches in length: making thing on private property.
cal Society, of the 10 townships, only six Jasper Township was created in 1845 a total of 36 square miles. Individual According to Ohio History Connec-
were originally formed with the creation from portions of land originally located townships would then be divided tion website, “Civil townships are most
of Fayette County in 1810. Those six in Jefferson and Concord townships. into one-square mile sections— each common in rural areas.”
original townships were Green, Jeffer- What is a township? According to square mile was supposed to have 640 The website also explains it is com-
son, Madison, Paint, Wayne and Union. Ohio history Central website, “Town- acres of land. mon for these townships to be annexed
Concord Township was formed in ships are relatively small pieces of land. The civil township is distinct from the into a municipality (a city or town with
1818 from land that was originally part They are created to designate land survey township. While a survey town- local government) as a town or city
of Green Township. ownership or to establish a form of local ship’s purpose is to divide land, a civil develops and expands.
Marion Township was formed in 1840 government.” township is local government. It is typi- According to the site, “Over the
on July 18 from land originally in Madi- The United States has two different cal for a board of township trustees to course of Ohio’s history, at least 1,340
son Township. The earliest the settlers types of townships: a survey township oversee their particular township. townships have existed within the state.”
came to the area was in 1804. and a civil township.
Perry Township was formed in 1845 The survey township was the first one
from land originally in both Wayne and created and was done so as the United
Green townships. States expanded. These survey town-
INDEX
The 10 townships of Fayette County����������������������������� 3 Thriving businesses once populated New Holland������31
Concord gets its name from Revolutionary War battle 4 Marion Township school���������������������������������������������� 32
Concord Twp. building stands proudly�������������������������� 5 Paint Township has a colorful history������������������������� 33
Cemetery in Staunton��������������������������������������������������� 5 Humphrey Jones’s phone line������������������������������������� 34 • 20 Colors of Metal Roofing
Harold C. Mark - ‘Seed Corn Breeder’��������������������������� 6 Paint Twp. woman was first female and Siding
Concord Township school�����������������������������������������������7 rural mail carrier in county������������������������������������������ 34
• Wide Variety of Trim
Baseball Association of Staunton��������������������������������� 8 Royal Blue Flyer kills two in Paint Twp.������������������������ 35
What was the name of that place?�������������������������������� 9 Paint Township schools����������������������������������������������� 36 • Sliding Door Parts
Green Township’s first inhabitants were in awe�����������10 Townships and the Underground Railroad������������������ 37 • Screws
Green Township Hall����������������������������������������������������� 11 Perry Twp.’s only community once was
Green Township schools����������������������������������������������� 11 home to several businesses���������������������������������������� 39
• Overhead Doors
Townships presented a ‘Court of The heart of Perry Township: New Martinsburg��� 39, 40 • Matching Caulk and Touch
Agriculture’ at 1931 county fair������������������������������������14 Six-generation blacksmith shop Up Paint
Jasper — Small township has vast history������������������15 in Perry Twp. has proud history������������������������������������41
• Vapor Barrier and Insulation
Jasper Township school�����������������������������������������������15
Kelley’s Tavern in Milledgeville:
Perry Township school������������������������������������������������� 42
Union Twp. has always been central • Complete Pole Barn 740-998-4304
Everything as it was������������������������������������������������������16 to Fayette County�������������������������������������������������������� 43 Package
Boom times in Jasper Township�����������������������������������18 Union Township schools���������������������������������������������� 43 • Crinkle Cut Metal - 7 Color Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Madison: A township of streams and The life of a Union Township trustee��������������������������� 44
Options Available! Saturday by Appointment
crossroad communities������������������������������������������������19 Learning how to wear blue������������������������������������������� 46
Madison Township schools������������������������������������������ 20 A ‘farmland feel’ remains in Wayne Twp.��������������������� 47
A Madison Mills tradition for over 50 years�����������������21 A history of serving others: Good Hope Lions Club���� 48 FAX: 740-998-4307
A ‘Grim’ situation in Madison Mills������������������������������ 22 Wayne Township schools��������������������������������������������� 49 406 Jamison Road • Frankfort, Ohio 45628
OH-70178556
Marion Township — named by its residents���������������� 29 Washington Court House City Schools
The Lions of New Holland�������������������������������������������� 30 through the years�������������������������������������������������������� 50 www.BuckeyeMetalRoofing.com
4 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
Turn to the Experts Concord gets its name from
St. Catherine’s of
Washington Court House
Skilled Nursing
Court House Manor
Skilled Nursing
Revolutionary War battle
Services Provided: Services Provided: By Jennifer Woods up of volunteers between Concord
• Private Rehab Suites • Rehab Suites For Spectrum Magazine and Green townships. The fire
• Memory Care Wing • Person Centered Care department is located within Con-
• Ventilator Care • PT, OT & ST – 7 days a week
Concord Township is located in the cord. The townships share responsi-
• PT, OT & ST – 7 days a week • Outpatient Therapy
• Outpatient Therapy • Pre-Surgery Registration southwestern section of Fayette County bility for financing and administra-
• Pre-Surgery Registration • Comprehensive Wound Care and contains Staunton. tion, although the fire chief is the
• Comprehensive Wound Care The township got its name from the primary coordinator for the volunteer
Battle of Concord, Massachusetts in firefighters.
the Revolutionary War. The Jesse Rowe Concord pays 62 percent of the finan-
family was believed to be the first set- cial cost while Green pays 38 percent
tlers in the area in 1807 in Green Town- due to a difference in property values,
ship and then moved to Concord. according to Sollars.
The beginning of Staunton was in Sollars explained, “We cover a large
1845 as it was laid out by Willis Rowe, area. We cover Concord, we cover
although it wasn’t platted until 1848, Green and we contract to cover a por-
St. Catherine’s of Court House Manor according to the text, “History of Fay- tion of Perry Township.”
Washington Court House Assisted Living ette County, Ohio” copyrighted in 1984 There is one open cemetery within
by The Fayette County Genealogical Concord that is located behind the
Pulmonary and Ventilator
Amenities: Society. Staunton United Methodist Church.
Services Provided:
• Ventilator – weaning and chronic • All utilities The text explains that some busi- Being an open cemetery means burial
• Tracheostomy • Medication Management nesses located in Staunton included
• C-Pap & Bi-Pap • 24-hour in-house staffing
“dry goods, butcher, grocery, wood See Concord | 7
• Management of Chronic Conditions such as • Transportation Assistance
COPD, pneumonia and Chronic Emphysema • Life Enrichment and fitness activities shop, carpenter, blacksmith, wagon
• Medical Director
• Respiratory Therapist – 7 days a week
•
•
Personal Pendant for added security
Laundry accommodations
maker, wool and cloth manufacturer, CONCORD TOWNSHIP
shoe manufacturer, post office, doctor,
• Trained Therapists: PT, OT & ST • Weekly housekeeping services Concord was named for the battle
• Registered Nurses • Respite Stay available undertaker, church and school.” of Concord, Massachusetts during the
According to the 2010 US Census Revolutionary War. There are other
Bureau, out of the 29,030 population in sources that believe it was named due
Fayette County, 901 residents lived in to the friendly attitude of its residents.
Concord. This township also did not have
The trustees who have terms expiring a railroad crisscrossing through it
and therefore can claim only one
on Dec. 31 of 2021 are Ted Waddle and
settlement/community — Staunton.
Charles Bryan Cockerill. The name came from a town in
William Bower is a newly elected Virginia from which most of the first
trustee with a term ending Dec. 31 of residents had migrated from.
2023. Bower was elected during the Staunton was laid out by Willis Rowe
2019 general election following the in 1845. In 1854, a general store was
retirement of previous trustee, Keith opened and was operated by Thomas
I. Craig.
Montgomery, who had served in the
Mr. Henry Turner was a Methodist
position for over 30 years. circuit rider who visited often, and, in
250 Glenn Avenue 555 N. Glenn Avenue
Fiscal officer Bridget Sollars has a 1833 William Merchant was the first
Washington Court House Washington Court House term expiring March 31 of this year blacksmith. He opened his shop on the
OH 43160 OH 43160 but during the general election in 2019 bank of Rattlesnake Creek. In 1815, Mr.
P: (740) 335-6391 P:(740) 335-9290 she was re-elected for another term. L.D. Vickers opened a store. Mr. John
F: (740) 335-3513 F:(740) 335-3394 According to Sollars, she has been Rowe operated a hotel in 1838. By
1871, the township boasted six school
StCatherinesCourthouse.com CourtHouseManor.com working with the township since 1998.
houses.
There is a joint fire district made
OH-70177555
Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 5
Concord Twp. building stands proudly
Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald
The Concord Township building in Staunton also houses the Concord-Green Fire Department.
Cemetery in Staunton
The yard of the
Staunton United
Methodist Church
has the village
cemetery.
Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald
6 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
Harold C. Mark -
‘Seed Corn Breeder’
By Wendi Swigert
For Spectrum Magazine He [Harold Mark] was inducted
into the Fayette County Ag Hall
Harold Curtis Mark was born Nov. of Fame in 2015.
1, 1898 in Concord Township, Fayette
County, in a house that was located
behind the present house on 704 of William W. Montgomery, Fayette
Miami Trace Road, where James and County Extension Agent, and John
Melissa Garland live today. Leland, Fayette County Farm Labor
He attended a one-room school- Director, helped them get 20 to 25
house located in Concord Township boys from Alabama each year to help
prior to attending Washington High during the detasseling season.
School. He then enlisted in the Army These boys would come up on a
Air Corp prior to finishing high bus and live there on the farm. Har-
school during World War I. old’s wife, Doris, and daughter, Jane,
Mark was a pioneer of the Hybrid would do the cooking and they would
Seed Corn business, starting in 1936. sleep on cots in one of the buildings.
He operated the business for many Harold started the first annual seed
years as Harold C. Mark & Son. corn field days in the county, maybe
He retired in the early 1960s when in the state. The Marks also raised
he turned the business over to his Hampshire hogs and Hereford cattle.
son, Gene. Gene then renamed the Doris Mark would raise and care for
business Mark Hybrids. Harold was a flock of turkeys to sell during the
widely-known and highly-regarded in holiday season.
the field of corn genetics. Harold Mark was a member of
In a featured article in the local Grace United Methodist Church,
newspaper on Nov. 16, 1957, it was Fayette County Farm Bureau, Seldon
stated that the business sold 16,000 Grange, the Ohio Seed Improvement
bushels of seed corn from the 400 Association, and the Concord Town-
acres of seed corn raised. One of ship Board of Education. He served
their better hybrids in 1957 yielded as a district commander of the Vet-
128.5 bushes per acre at 26 percent erans of WWI, quartermaster of the
moisture, with only 2.07 percent bro- local VFW-WWI, Barrack 2291, and a
ken stalks. member of the American Legion Paul
The Marks had two seed corn A. Hughey Post 25.
processing plants burn down during He was inducted into the Fayette
their early years, but each time they County Ag Hall of Fame in 2015.
rebuilt with a larger building. He was an enthusiastic Ohio State
During the early days of hybrid football fan and would attend several
seed corn production, the female corn games each fall. He even attended the
stalk had to be detasseled by hand 1950 OSU vs. Michigan Snow Bowl
regardless of the weather. During game and had to stay overnight in
World War II, farm labor was scarce, someone’s house on US 62 due to the
so the Marks, with the assistance weather.
Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 7
Concord
From page 4
the best to take such as Chip Seal,
paving, asphalt or whatever is
needed.”
Montgomery explained Con-
Concord Township school
plots are available. There are a few cord has 18 miles of road so
closed cemeteries, which means they’ve managed to never hire
while they are open to the public, full-time employees. They do have
the cemeteries are unable to accept part-time employees to help with
new burial plots. The township is mowing.
responsible for the maintenance of Since there are no full-time
these cemeteries. employees, the trustees are the
One of the larger projects under- ones who plow snow during the
way in the township involves the winter season in Concord. Since
three baseball fields in Staunton. A Montgomery will be retiring, he
Nature Works Grant was previously laughed and said, “I’ll be waving
obtained to resurface all three to the snow plow as it drives by.”
fields to make them safer for kids The trustees respond to com-
to play on. plaints of local citizens and attempt
“The grant will help to have a to inform or correct problems that
better playing surface for the kids,” are within their ability to handle.
Sollars said. For more information please visit www.
The trustees also handle the typi- ohiogenealogyexpress.com. For specific
cal maintenance, such as for roads. information on what the board of township
trustees are responsible for, please visit codes.
Sollars explained that the trustees ohio.gov/orc/5 to look over the Ohio Revised
Photo courtesy of oldohioschools.com
“decide which action would be Code section 5.
Concord Township Centralized School, 6568 Greenfield-Sabina Road, Connor, Ohio. Built: 1919.
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8 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
Baseball Association of Staunton
Wesley May, Braeden Morris and Jordan Wolfe (l-r) watching and waiting for their Courtesy photos
tournament game to start. Youth baseball at Staunton ball field.
Jordan Wolfe catching and Wesley May pitching. A youngster takes a swing at a pitch during a game at Staunton.
Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 9
What was the name of that place?
By Bev Mullen Otterbein, Johnson (Johnson’s Cross-
From one man tirelessly working to carve out a piece of land for his
For Spectrum Magazine ing), Gamble, and West Holland. West
farm and his home, to thriving communities trying to support each Holland is fondly looked upon as the
Due to the number of railroads cross- other, hoping for a boon to make their settlement a village or a town, Fayette County section of New Holland.
ing Jasper Township, many of the cross- we see the progress Fayette County has enjoyed. Union Township is home to the
roads were given names because most County’s only city, by state definition,
of the crossroads also served as railroad named for Staunton, Virginia, and plat- Route 35 and I-71 across from the truck and the County seat. Interestingly,
stops and as Post Offices. ted in 1845 by Willis Rowe. stop. Today, approximately 25 to 30 there are a startling number of “cross-
According to Jasper Township his- Green Township, one of the original people are currently living in the incor- roads” in the Township. Eber, Culpep-
torian Glenn Rankin, the crossroads Townships in 1810, has Buena Vista. porated village of West Lancaster. per, Logtown, Fayette, Johnstown,
have had many names down through Buena Vista was dubbed “Goatsville” Jeffersonville, platted in 1831, has Fayette J, Stewarts, Willow Run,
the years. For example, Jasper Mills for the large number of German Luther- always been the commercial center of Potter, Midland Crossing, Jonesboro,
was also known as Jasper, Selden and ans residing there who were widely the Township due to the Detroit, Tole- Gleason, Kingsford Siding (Kings-
Selden Station. In 1858, the name Jas- known for their long hair. The Post do and Ironton Railroad and then, later, fred), Olympia, and the City of Wash-
per Mills was chosen due to the brand Office in Buena Vista officially was Interstate 71. ington. The name of the Post Office is
of flour that was shipped from the mill named Moons. Often the community Paint Township, named for the vari- Washington Court House.
that was built in 1854 by the Bryan was called Moons, named after the first ous colors of soil running through Wayne Township, named for Revo-
Brothers. Jasper Mills may have also miller and distiller in the area, Thomas the creek, was also an original 1810 lutionary War notable, Mad Anthony
been chosen in order to differentiate the Moon, Sr. The other “crossroad” in Township. Cherry Hill (not to be Wayne. The “crossroads” in this Town-
Post Office from the name of the Town- Green Township was Georgetown. confused with the school), Book- ship were Immanuel, Boyd, McLean
ship. The Post Office at Jasper Mills Perry Township, named for Commo- walter (once known as Carr’s Mill) (Cisco, Marcus), Fairview, Rock Mills
was removed in 1875, and the name dore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of Bookwalter Station (also known as (Rockville, Walton), and Ghormley.
changed from Jasper Mills to Selden the Battle of Lake Erie during the War Hidy), Pleasant (Pleasant Corners or Plano (Dogtown) is officially listed
and then back to Jasper Mills. of 1812, was formed in June of 1845. Cozy Corners), and Yatesville are well as being in Ross County and the
Other “crossroads” in Jasper Town- The only named settlement is that of known “crossroads.” crossing at Convenience had a Post
ship, besides Milledgeville and Plym- New Martinsburg (New Martinsburgh Bloomingburg is the main business Office. Good Hope, laid out in 1849,
outh, were Glendon, Cunningham, or Martinsburgh), which was laid out center of this Township. Once called and likely named for Good Hope,
Ford, Rattlesnake Station, Philip Sta- in 1831. New Purchase, upon being platted it Pennsylvania, was inhabited for many
tion, Edgefield, Pearson and Lutterell. Jefferson Township, named for the was re-named New Lexington. Inter- years before that.
Lutterell was a settlement located at country’s third President, was one of estingly, the owner of the first store Today, only the “crossroads” or a
the corner of Pearson Octa Road and the original 1810 Townships. Octa, in Bloomingburg, Matthew Gillespie, railroad track mark the areas of most
Lutterell Road and boasted a store and which was originally solely within Jas- offered to “treat the male population to former settlements. From one man
a school as well as the depot. per Township, went by other names: two gallons of whiskey” if they agreed tirelessly working to carve out a piece
Edgefield and Pearson both had a Allentown and Allendale in honor of to change the name to Bloomingburg in of land for his farm and his home, to
Post Office and a store. Philip Station Elijah Allen who laid out the area in honor of his hometown, Bloomingburg, thriving communities trying to support
had a Post Office and was located on 1876. Due to several other towns in New York. each other, hoping for a boon to make
Marchant Lutterell Road near Pearson Ohio named Allendale, the Post Office Madison Township, named for a U.S. their settlement a village or a town, we
Octa Road. Rattlesnake Station had a was re-named Octa and it was adopted President, has almost as many streams see the progress Fayette County has
Post Office. The Mill was located where by the Village as its new name. as it does “crossroads.” Some of the enjoyed. There are many things to be
the Railroad crosses Miami Trace Road Jefferson Township also had “cross- larger settlements were White Oak, grateful for in the technological society
near State Route 22 and its foundation roads” named Blessing, Shady Grove Cook (Cooks Station), Stringtown, we live in and share with others today,
can still be seen. (also known as Allen), Pleasant View Yankeetown, Madison Mills (Posey and but I bet those pioneers who tamed the
Concord, Perry and Green Town- (also referred to as Eli), Parrot Sta- Harrison Mills), Haynes and Pancoast- land, carved out their livings, and raised
ships did not benefit from railroad tion, Hagler, Luray (also known early burg (Waterloo). their families in those long gone “cross-
lines. Even though business centers on as Staubus and even Phillip), Edge- Marion Township, formed during the roads” felt the same way.
were slow to grow in these Townships, field and West Lancaster. All these County’s reorganization in 1845, was
Writer’s note: Resources for this article: Carol
they did grow. settlements can be found on Fayette named for Frances Marion, a noted Witherspoon Carey’s Fayette County, Ohio, A pictorial
Concord Township, organized in County maps. South Carolina Revolutionary War gen- History, Dill’s History of Fayette County 1881, and Mr.
1818, has the village of Staunton, West Lancaster is located at State eral. The “crossroads” were Manara, Glenn Rankin, Jasper Township Historian
10 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
Green Township’s first inhabitants were in awe
By Jennifer Woods the peace, Ralph Stout, according to
For Spectrum Magazine the text.
GREEN TOWNSHIP
Buena Vista was named for a town An original Fayette County township, Today’s Buena Vista was first known
Green Township is situated in the located in Virginia and there was a it was named for General Nathaniel as Moon’s or Goatsville. There were
southwestern corner of Fayette Coun- post office located there at one point Greene of Revolutionary War fame. no railroads running through Green
When the first inhabitants wandered Township.
ty and contains Buena Vista. called “Moons” after one of the town- into this area they were in awe by the A school house built along
The text, “History of Fayette ship’s founding families. unbroken wilderness and the many Rattlesnake Creek in 1810 also served
County, Ohio” copyrighted in 1984 Before it was called Buena Vista species of game of every kind. as the voting place. Thomas Moon Sr.
by The Fayette County Genealogical however, information from the Settlement/communities were formed built his third mill in 1812, and in 1850,
Society, explains that the township Fayette County Historical Society along water: Lee’s Creek, Rattlesnake Mr. McDonald built a water mill on
was named after Nathaniel Greene of explains that it was known as Moon’s Creek, Wabash Creek and McCoy Run. the main fork of Paint Creek. The first
the Revolutionary War. or Goatsville. They all provided a much needed staple doctor in the township, Dr. J.N. Clark,
for pioneer living. arrived in 1873.
The first flour mill and distillery in Some of the early businesses in
the township were built by Thomas Buena Vista were a “grocery, shoe
Moon, Sr. The first meeting house shop, carpenter, blacksmith, doctor, tion in Fayette County, 532 residents employees who help mow the cem-
was built in 1836 while the first post office, dry goods, miller, butch- lived in Green Township. etery, mow road ditches, help with
school was built in 1813. er, harness maker, hotel and school,” Two of the trustees, Ryan Corzatt snow removal and help with brush
The first marriage held in the area according to the text. As of 1984, and James Worley, have terms expir- clean-up.
joined together David Moon and there were no businesses. ing on Dec. 31 of 2021. The trustees do some snow remov-
Mary Ellis on Jan. 7, 1811. The cer- According to the 2010 US Census The third trustee, Byron Gustin, al themselves. According to Byron,
emony was performed by a justice of Bureau, out of the 29,030 popula- had a term that expired Dec. 31 last they have two snow trucks: one big-
year. As no valid petitions had been ger truck, which helps with heavier
North Shore filed for the office during the elec-
tion, Gustin was appointed to anoth-
er term which ends Dec. 31 of 2021.
snowfalls, and one smaller truck,
which helps with the smaller roads.
According to the Ohio Genealogy
Primitives & Antiques The fiscal officer who has a term
expiring March 31 of this year is
Amy Gustin. There were also no
Express website, Green Township
originally contained what is now
Concord Township and parts of what
valid petitions filed during the elec- are now Jasper and Perry townships.
7000 Sq Ft Warehouse tion for this position. In 1910, the population was approxi-
built in the 1840’s Byron Gustin said current activi- mately 694. The first person to enter
ties of the trustees mostly include the township with the intent to remain
LARGE SELECTION OF: road repaving projects. There was permanently was Jesse Rowe.
• LOCALLY MADE FURNITURE AND also a new culvert put in on Cross Rowe initially emigrated from
HANDMADE CRAFTS
Road. A culvert allows water to pass Virginia to Ross County in 1803
• KITCHEN AND BATH ITEMS INCLUDING
LINENS & CURTAINS beneath a road. with his family—including nine chil-
• RUGS (JUTE, BRAIDED, COTTON, MATS) Green Township has three cem- dren—and then “located on the Little
• OLDE CENTURY PAINT eteries. Only one cemetery is active Wabash, the old homestead, in 1807.”
• FLORALS
• LANTERNS
which means it is the only one Once Fayette County was orga-
• CANDLES (CANDLEBERRY, 1803 AND accepting new burials. It is the trust- nized in 1810, Rowe was chosen as
LOCALLY MADE) ees’ responsibility to keep this cem- a justice of the peace and served for
• BEDSPREADS, THROWS, PILLOWS
• REPRODUCTION FURNITURE
etery maintained. four terms. He held the trustee office
• LIGHTING AND SHADES The other two cemeteries are as well as other township offices.
• BILLY JACOBS PRINTS inactive, meaning they are no lon- He died in 1845 but it is noted on
ger accepting new burials. Byron the website that a couple of his sons
OPEN TUEDAY—SATURDAY 10:00 AM—5:00 PM SUNDAY 12:00 PM—4:00 PM CLOSED MONDAYS explained, “We don’t really maintain stayed nearby and also held offices.
them. They’re really old and almost
153 S. Hinde Street Washington Courthouse, OH 43160 non-accessible. They’re kind of out in For more information please visit www.
ohiogenealogyexpress.com. For specific information
740-335-6799 the middle of farm ground.”
OH-70177715
on what the board of township trustees are responsible
www.northshoreprimitives.com The township has three part-time for, please visit codes.ohio.gov/orc/5 to look over the
Ohio Revised Code section 5.Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 11
Green Township Hall
Photos by Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald Green Township Hall, dedicated to late Green Township
The Green Township Hall building in Buena Vista. seasonal employee, Dale Patton.
Green Township schools
Photos courtesy of oldohioschools.com Buena Vista School, 6674 Stafford Road, Buena Vista, Ohio. Built: 1921.
Green Township School, 11010 US Route 62, Olive, Ohio. Built: 1921.12 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Miami Trace Middle School
Miami Trace High School
Maintaining Traditions...Making Transitions...Miami Trace
www. MIAMITRACE.K12.OH.US I 740.335.3010
OH-70179073Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 13
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Manley Hurt Hurt Pfeifers14 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald
Townships presented a ‘Court of Agriculture’ at 1931 county fair
By John Leland
For Spectrum Magazine
An elaborately staged pageant
entitled the “Court of Agriculture” was
the highlight of the Fayette County Fair
held in August 1931. Through panto-
mime, tableaus, singing and dancing,
600 men, women, and children from
the county’s 10 townships presented a
history of American agriculture from
the Jamestown, Va. colony to the Great
Depression.
The script was written by Verna Els-
inger, a leader of the Ohio Farm Bureau.
The Fayette County Farm Bureau
enrolled the participants who practiced
for three months before the fair. Each of
the pageant’s six episodes had its own
director. The Washington High School
band furnished the music.
A large stage trimmed with sunflow-
ers and greenery was constructed in
front of the grandstand opposite the
racetrack. The performers wore many
Courtesy photo
types of colorful costumes all made by
A large crowd waits for the show to begin.
Fayette County residents skilled with
needle and thread. Dressing tents were represented a major farm product: corn, battle for independence followed. the return of prosperity in scenes that
set up near the stage. wheat, dairy, vegetables, fruit, poultry, In the jolly fourth act, men, women depicted happy farm homes, thriving
The pageant had been scheduled for wool, cotton, and livestock. and children from Jefferson Township schools, and reverent churches. Young
Thursday, Aug. 20 and Friday, Aug. 21, Concord and Jasper Townships put attended an old-fashioned county fair. women in white dresses sang “Onward
but rain forced postponement of Thurs- on the second episode in which the The fairgoers looked over prize-winning Christian Soldiers.”
day’s performance to Saturday. The Jamestown settlement celebrated a farm products and tried their luck at The finale came when all of the
spectacle began at 8:30 p.m. and was bountiful harvest. Harold Mark, in games of chance. Boys wearing stove- actors assembled on the stage and
preceded at 7:30 by a ladies’ style show the guise of a parson, presided over pipe hats and swallow-tailed jackets racetrack to take their bows and
sponsored by the Frank L. Stutson the marriage of the colony’s bachelors and girls in bright bonnets and calico acknowledge the applause of the
Department Store. to mail-order brides from England. dresses danced the Virginia reel. crowd. Everyone joined in singing the
Perry and Green Townships present- Ruth Nisley appeared as Pocahontas, Players from Union Township cap- “Star Spangled Banner.”
ed the prologue entitled “Agriculture the Indian princess, and Carl Janes as tured the melancholy mood of the The “Washington C. H. Herald”
Holds Court.” Each township nomi- her husband John Rolfe, a Jamestown Depression in the fifth episode. A described the “Court of Agriculture”
nated a candidate to be the Queen of bigwig. young woman symbolizing agriculture as “the most elaborate project ever
Agriculture, and the winner was chosen Marion and Wayne Townships staged was taken prisoner by a band of devils attempted by local talent.” On two
by lot. The queen, Mrs. Ralph Glass, the third epoch. It opened with a gar- representing low prices, soaring pro- August evenings more than 80 years
entered the stage in a chariot drawn den scene at Mt. Vernon where George duction costs, high taxes, and other ago, hundreds of Fayette Countians
by Harry Silcott, Earl Johnson, Cloyd and Martha Washington were portrayed negative circumstances that had eroded enjoyed a magnificent pageant that cel-
Kyle, and Charles Aiken. The four in pantomime by Mr. and Mrs. David farm income in 1931. ebrated the county’s signature indus-
men represented “Wisdom, Patience, Hagler. Servants brought the famous Martial music signaled the beginning try. For a couple of hours, audience
Courage, and Strength,” the quartet of couple baskets of abundant crops. Chil- of the sixth act entitled the “Future of and performers alike escaped the harsh
virtues needed for successful farming. dren danced the minuet before Hagler Agriculture.” Under the direction of realities of the Great Depression and
Mrs. Glass’s attendants were the nine mounted a white horse and led make- Mrs. Leland Stevens, players from Mad- took comfort in the thought that better
other candidates for queen. Each lady believe soldiers off to war. A mock ison and Paint Townships pantomimed times were certain to come again.Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 15
Jasper — Small township has vast history
By Jennifer Woods help people find specific graves and
For Spectrum Magazine Jasper TOWNSHIP dig the graves. Memorial Day flags are
Named for Revolutionary War hero Allentown (Octa) (laid out by Elijah Allen added to the graves by the trustees and
Jasper Township is located in the William Jasper of South Carolina. in 1877), Luttrell, Pearson. those two employees.
western part of Fayette County and con- It was organized from portions of Octa once had the distinction of being Rankin explained his love of help-
tains the Village of Milledgeville. Concord and Jefferson townships on the smallest incorporated area in Ohio. ing maintain the cemeteries, especially
Dec. 2, 1840. Jasper had two railroads It was the only “wet” place in Fayette
The township also contains part of crisscrossing the township. County. This honor proved prosperous to when graves can be found for those who
Octa Village although the other part of There were many settlements the railroad which ran special weekend come looking. The stories and history
Octa is in Jefferson Township. and communities that most Fayette excursions to the community. are unique and he likes to “meet the
According to information from the Countians are familiar with: Plymouth Milledgeville’s first business and people.”
Fayette County Historical Society, the (laid out in 1845), Jasper Mills (laid out building was a mill built by Straley Rankin enjoys being a trustee and has
township was named after “Revolution- in 1854), Milledgeville (laid out in 1856), Creamer in 1855. been one for nearly 10 years. He said he
ary War hero Sergeant William Jasper does it “to help the people.”
of South Carolina.” Currently, the trustees of Jasper Town- March 31 of this year however, Langley The first settlements, according to the
According to the US Census, there ship are Jackie Pursley, Glenn Rankin was re-elected for another term during text, “History of Fayette County, Ohio”
was a population of 29,030 in Fayette and Richard Anders. The terms of Purs- the 2019 general election. copyrighted in 1984 by The Fayette
County in 2010. Of that population, 745 ley and Rankin expire on Dec. 31, 2021. According to Rankin, there are five County Genealogical Society, took place
people lived in Jasper Township. Of the Anders’ term expires on Dec. 31 of 2023. cemeteries in Jasper they maintain, and in 1809.
Jasper population, 112 lived in Milled- The current fiscal officer is Carol they have two employees to help with
geville and 45 in Octa. Langley. Langley’s term expires on road care and mowing. They sell plots, See JASPER | 17
Jasper Township school
Jasper
Township
School,
State
Route 729,
Milledgeville,
Ohio
Photo courtesy of oldohioschools.com16 Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2020 SPECTRUM Record-Herald Kelley’s Tavern in Milledgeville: Everything as it was By Bev Mullen For Spectrum Magazine Editor’s Note: This story was origi- nally published in the Record-Herald Oct. 30, 2015 when the tavern was closing. Everything is the same. Well, almost everything is the same. The coal stove, the phone booth, the wooden booths, the pool table. There is real history in the building, and yet, history is still being made there. It’s a fixture in the community, and yet so many have never been there. Wait. This story is going in circles. Let’s start at the beginning. In August of 1888, Mrs. Ada Smith purchased a parcel of land in Jasper Township, Fayette County, Ohio. A building was erected on the property in 1890. The property transferred from family member to family mem- ber. It was once known as Hooker’s Billiard’s and Renting Rooms. Min- nie Smith Hooker and her husband Charles were the owners. Minnie was the daughter of Mrs. Ada Smith. On July 5, 1944, Mr. Arnett Kelley purchased the property and promptly Photos courtesy of Bev Mullen named it Kelley’s Tavern. In 1944, Kelley’s Tavern, a longtime gathering place for Milledgeville residents. there was still a jail in Milledgeville. Once a booming community, Milled- always there was someone you knew lived in the tavern. As a child, she memory, “He lasted until about noon geville was slowly being reclaimed by in the tavern. And, it was the best was never allowed in the tavern. She and then went into the tavern and the surrounding agricultural fields. place to stop on Halloween. For the remembers as a child people coming threw open the doors. He couldn’t As Hooker’s, the business had been past year, Mr. Tom Payton (Center and going. She remembers her father stand it. He needed to be open.” a raucous enterprise. Mr. Arnett had United Methodist Church) has been always being open to the public, 365 Upon Kelley’s death, Nina took over his family living with him in the tav- holding church services at the tav- days a year. the business. She had been an integral ern and after a number of years, final- ern on Monday nights. Just another Nina remembers her father closing part of the business for years, so there ly got a handle on the rowdiness that example of how the tavern is still in the bar for an hour on Thanksgiving were no surprises. The hours have would inevitably end with the front the business of being part of the com- and Christmas so the family could cel- changed, but the coal stove still needs windows being broken. After one such munity. ebrate together. Her father lived and stoked regularly. incident, instead of replacing the win- Kelley was always generous to his breathed his tavern. The wooden booths are still where dows, Kelley just boarded up the front community. He made donations to the “I think it’s what kept him alive all they were built and the community still and it has stayed that way. schools and the churches. He might those years.” Nina remembers, around comes in, sits down and chats, just like It is a family place. It was the origi- even be seen delivering groceries to the age of 12, begging and pleading always. The phone booth is still near nal convenience store. You could buy home bound neighbors. with her father to close the tavern for the stove, but the phone has been long bologna, bread, ice cream, soda pop After 61 years of tending his tavern, Christmas, “Do it for me, pleeeasse,” gone. The billiards table is still in the and candy. You could get a decent Kelley died in 2005 at the age of 90. she remembers asking. Kelley gave lunch and make a phone call, and Daughter, Nina Kelley, has always in to his daughter. Nina smiles at the See Kelley’s | 17
Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 17
Kelley’s Health and financial issues are a real-
ity. This article is Nina’s notice to all:
From page 16 the tavern is now closed for business.
“I thank everyone for being so good
back and the pool sticks still hang on to my family. It has been a good go. If
the wall and everywhere there are beer I were younger and healthier, I would
signs. Nina says, somewhat quietly, stay!”
“The tavern has never been mine. It’s Nina will continue to live at the
just like it was when Dad died, except tavern. She has yet to decide about
for the TV, it’s color now.” the contents of the building and still
This is not a point of contention is not sure on which path she will find
with the current owner. Nina loved her future. But she knows it will be in
and respected her father. Nina also her community and those interested
loves the tavern. She has her own way will still be able to visit the historic
with the community. If someone is location.
in need, it may be Nina leading the Just as her father’s business became
effort to alleviate the situation. Nina a pivot point for the community, so has
is a walking history of Milledgeville Nina become a driving force for keeping
and everyone who comes through the the village together as a family.
Photos courtesy of Bev Mullen
door is still family. Everything is the same….well Nina Kelley and her family have invested much time and energy into maintaining Kelley’s Tavern in
However, time has taken its toll. almost. See ya, Nina. Milledgeville. Pictured with Nina are Blake Pursley, Britton Bailey and Ian Rayburn.
Jasper tionary soldier, and their father. They
remained until 1814 before relocating
Jasper Township has consisted of
several towns and villages, including
Pike— is the oldest place in Jasper
Township. The first building there was
again to Indiana. Plymouth, Jasper Mills, Milledgeville, built in 1845 by Garland Johnson.
From page 15
In 1810, Robert Burnett relocated Allentown, Edgefield and Persons. In 1880, there were two blacksmith
Those early settlements were from Virginia. He married in 1812 and Jasper Mills was first created in 1831, shops and one wagon shop, store and
reached by horse or on foot. Success- settled on government property. He had according to the website. It was named church. There was a population of
ful railroads helped in the expansion been a soldier in 1812 and became a by Samuel, John and Joseph Bryan. It approximately 75 people.
of the township’s settlements. militiaman— a captain of a company. received its current name in 1858 from Information from the historical
According to the Ohio Genealogy Burnett gained several township offic- a brand of flour from the steam power society details that Milledgeville
Express website, brothers Jacob and es in Jasper, including clerk and trustee. mill located there. was laid out in 1856 and Allentown
Joseph Coile emigrated with their The county commissioners at the time Not only did Jasper Mills have the (Octa) in 1877.
families in the spring from Virginia appointed him as road viewer. He was mill in the 1800s, it also had two stores, For more information please visit www.
during the early settlement. The land considered a great land surveyor and two blacksmith shops, a post office and ohiogenealogyexpress.com. For specific information
on what the board of township trustees are responsible
they moved to was 200 acres that surveyed out many county roads of Fay- a station house for two railroads. for, please visit codes.ohio.gov/orc/5 to look over the
belonged to Gabriel Coile, a Revolu- ette County. Plymouth— situated on Palmer Ohio Revised Code section 5.
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Boom times in Jasper Township
By Bev Mullen There had been a settlement of per- had both erected churches.
For Spectrum Magazine haps 200 inhabitants in the area of the As proposed by William Rankin in The decline of Milledgeville started
current Milledgeville for approximately March of 1845, Jasper Township in the mid 1950s. Jasper Township
Jacob A. Rankin moved from 20 years prior to 1855 when Straley, was organized from Jefferson historian, Glenn Rankin, believes this
Bloomingburg to Concord Township Creamer and Company built a mill on and Concord Townships on Dec. change was due to increased mobility
in 1818 and by 1833 he had cleared the outskirts of the small settlement. 2, 1845. The township was named for people. World War II had ended,
enough land for his farm and home- The mill was serviced by the Dayton & veterans had taken advantage of the GI
for Revolutionary War hero
stead. He came to be known popu- Southeastern Railroad. Later that same Bill, parents wanted off the farm and
larly as Squire Rankin, and was one year, Mr. James Hogue platted a site Sergeant William Jasper of South wanted to offer their children oppor-
of the most influential pioneers of for the village, Milledgeville, named Carolina. tunities that rural life didn’t offer.
Milledgeville. for the “mill at the edge of the ville.” As of this writing, there is the Post
As proposed by William Rankin in The Columbus and Maysville Rail- crossing the area. About one year Office and one business (Gillispie Auto
March of 1845, Jasper Township was road laid tracks near the village and later, in 1856, Jacob A. Creamer built Garage) open in Milledgeville. The vil-
organized from Jefferson and Con- this advantage caused a small building a frame store just to give Milledgeville lage owns the school building and runs
cord Townships on Dec. 2, 1845. The boom to occur in Milledgeville. Even- added importance. As well as the it as a Community Center.
township was named for Revolution- tually, the Cincinnati and Muskingum store, there were two doctors living Originally, Milledgeville did not have
ary War hero Sergeant William Jasper Valley Railroad and two branches of and working in the village by 1865. a Post Office. The nearest Post Office
of South Carolina. the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were Also a blacksmith had moved in as well was in Plymouth, located one mile
as did a wagon shop and, a school was south of Milledgeville.
started. In 1830, Mr. Garland Johnson oper-
Mr. Franklin Smith moved to Jasper ated a general store from his home,
Township in 1867, bought a lot and however, Plymouth was not officially
Merchants National Bank
erected a dwelling and opened a shoe organized until around 1840. There
shop not knowing he was going to be were 50 to 75 inhabitants in the
part of a growing community. All of settlement. Thomas Wright erected
L���� P����� • L���� D�������� • L���� C��������� this construction made the village a
business point.
a hued log dwelling and Mr. Robert
Hague laid out the village in 1845.
“A Real Community Bank”
When the Civil War ended and the There were two blacksmiths and
men came home, things started pick- a wagon shop. In 1846, Dr. Hazen
ing up for Milledgeville. In 1874, the moved into Plymouth, however, he
• Mobile Banking • Online Banking second attempt to link Dayton with
the coal fields in Southern Ohio was
was soon asked to leave due to a lack
of marital papers for the woman he
• Credit Cards • e-Statements successful and the tracks for the Cin- lived with. A store room was built in
cinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad 1848 by Harvey Saunders, the Post
• Remote Deposit • Online Bill Pay were laid. Office was founded in 1852, and, in
• Savings • IRA’s • Checking In 1878, Mr. C. M. Bush erected 1866, a Methodist Protestant brick
another business building and in 1879, church was erected on land donated
• CD’s • Health Savings Mr. Bush built a hotel. The hotel was by E. L. Ford.
eventually taken over by a Dr. Spangler On Feb. 9, 1877, the Post Office was
Loans: who had moved from the flourishing
and older town of Plymouth a mile
moved from Plymouth to Milledgeville,
probably because Milledgeville was
Home Mortgages, Construction, Home south of Milledgeville. now the larger of the two villages.
By 1881, Milledgeville boasted 20 After the move, stores and shops in
Equity, Installment, Business, Real Estate, homes, two stores, a school, a shoe Plymouth started closing and eventu-
Equipment,Working Capital, Agriculture shop, and two blacksmiths, a restau- ally the land went back to its original
rant, a wagon shop, a drug store, and, state. The Township House is still
a total of four bars as well as the mill. standing today and is currently being
OH-70177652
Also, the Baptists and the Methodists restored by Mr. John Persinger.Record-Herald 2020 SPECTRUM Tuesday, March 31, 2020 19
Madison: A township of streams and crossroad communities
By Jennifer Woods was opened in 1815 by Adley Gregory. his father in the Revolutionary War.
For Spectrum Magazine MADISON TOWNSHIP A single carding mill was started at Pan- That Harrison family is directly related
Another township to be named for an coastburg in 1822 by Samuel Pancoast. to William Henry Harrison, the ninth
Madison Township is one of 10 American President, James Madison, Pancoastburg, also known as Old President of the United States.
townships in Fayette County and is Madison was an original Fayette County Waterloo, was initially settled by New The name “Madison Mills” is attrib-
township.
situated in the northeastern corner of Englanders. These settlements predate uted to a large steam flouring mill that
Madison Township boasts a large
the county. number of streams along with a large the formation of Fayette County in was created in 1859 by another gentle-
Although Madison, named after pre- number of crossroad communities. 1810 however, there were no lots sold man named William Harrison. The
vious President James Madison, is one An area just north of Waterloo until 1829. business lasted for approximately five
of the original six townships formed in (Pancoastburg) that is now part of Deer The first store, “a stock of goods,” years until it was sold.
Fayette County in 1810, it is believed Creek State Park, was once the site of located in Waterloo was opened by There was a doctor, J.N. Clark, that
that the first settler in the area was Tarbill Park. It was a popular gathering Nathan Loofbourrow according to the opened an office in 1874 after relocat-
spot in the 20s and often hosted
Samuel Myers in 1807. text, “History of Fayette County, Ohio” ing to Madison Mills from Harrisburg.
wrestling matches.
The township has many streams and Famed Notre Dame football coach copyrighted in 1984 by The Fayette In 1860, a blacksmith’s shop was
crossroad communities. Knute Rockne delivered a speech to County Genealogical Society. A busi- started by Alexander Clark in a build-
According to the 2010 US Census approximately 100 boys attending a ness for harness making was opened in ing that had been built by David Har-
Bureau, out of the 29,030 population in YMCA football camp. 1850 by A.S. Decker while A. Howser rison located in Madison Mills.
Fayette County, 1,122 residents lived opened a boot and shoe making busi- Along with Harrison in Madison
in Madison Township when the census inactive cemeteries. One of the active ness in 1879. The first blacksmith shop Mills, there used to be several black-
was taken. cemeteries is Waterloo Cemetery while in Waterloo was opened in 1830. smiths in Madison Township including
The Madison Township Fiscal the other active cemetery is in Madi- An area just north of Waterloo was Joseph Withrow in 1823, Otho Wil-
Officer in 2020 with a term expiring son Mills. once the site of Tarill Park, according liams in 1834, David Saint in 1874,
March 31 is Myron Miller. Miller was Although the smaller three cemeter- to information from the Fayette Coun- and Thomas Scott in 1864.
re-elected for another term during the ies are inactive and no longer accept- ty Historical Society. This site was a Today, there is a township house
2019 general election. ing burials, the trustees still maintain popular gathering spot for wrestling in Madison Mills that can be rented
One township trustee, David Dorn, them. There in one part-time contrac- matches in the 1920s. That area is now out by Madison Township residents
has a term expiring Dec. 31 of 2023. tor utilized to help with mowing of part of Deer Creek State Park. for activities such as birthday parties,
Two township trustees, John Melvin these cemeteries. In Madison Mills, David Harrison according to the trustees.
and Mike Miller, have terms expiring Dorn said there is approximately 16 opened a grocery store in 1860 while Approximately two years ago, the
on Dec. 31 of 2021. miles of road in Madison Township James Graham ran a dry goods store township placed a shelter house near
According to both Mike Miller and that the trustees must maintain and between 1864-1867. their current ball parks.
Dorn, there is not much happening there is one part-time contractor to Madison Mills came about following “The ballparks behind the township
out-of-the-ordinary in Madison Town- assist with the mowing of road ditches. several events which began in 1815 house get used quite a bit,” said Mike
ship right now. The main focus is on During the summer, paving work is after a general in the War of 1812, Bat- Miller.
the typical maintenance and upkeep. done on the roads, and in the winter the teal Harrison, moved to this area from
For specific information on what the board of township
Dorn said that Madison has two trustees are the ones to plow the roads. Virginia to settle on 1,040 acres of land trustees are responsible for, please visit codes.ohio.gov/
active cemeteries and three smaller The first store located in Madison which was obtained by the service of orc/5 to look over the Ohio Revised Code section 5.
e c t
N
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R
D
e
E R S O
AN
317 S. Fayette St.
WCH, OH 43160
OH-70178581
oner
o m m i s s i 740-335-5910
For C
www.faycohd.org
OH-70178581
Paid for by Tony Anderson 11524 Cook Yankee-Town Rd. Mt. Sterling OH 43143You can also read
