Changes

Notebook on Green Township and Smithville Area History by Daniel L. Kieffer (view source)

Revision as of 16:00, 16 October 2018

16,064 bytes added , 16:00, 16 October 2018

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The first exploration ever made through the township was made in the fall of 1802 by a company of four young men who had come from Pennsylvania to Cleveland who, by some motive or other, were propelled to make a strike southward, aiming for a little town which had just been laid out on the Muskingum, at the junction of the Tuscarawas with the Walhonding river, then called "Tuscarawa", now Coshocton, the seat of Coshocton county.

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==First Death==

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==First Death (Pre-Green)==

On the third day of their journey, after reaching what afterwards was made the south east quarter of section No. 5 of this township (now the farm owned by William {{Surname|Pontius}}) not having quite half the distance of their tramp, they got into some difficulty with the Indians, when one of the young men was shot through the breast and instantly died. The fall passing through his body and entering into a small sized oak tree, which the Indians for some reason or other instantly knotched from the ground up as high as they could reach-perhaps as a monument of their bloodshed. With much terror and dismay the three surviving young men lastened from the scene without witnessing what was done with the body of their slaughtered companion. Having in view of retrace, in case they should become lost, blazed the trees along the line of their route, two years afterwards, tow of these young men, in company of some others, made a tramp back on the same route. They again saw the "Knotched white oak" but neither clew nor trace could be found of the body, which two years ago they had seen fall in crimsoned carnage at its root, by the ball of the "red man"! This was the first death known to occurred upon the soil of Green township.

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The first Sunday School in Green township was organized in the spring of 1828 in the small round-log residence of Thomas {{Surname|Hays}} on the north west quarter of section 15 now the farm of Gideon {{Surname|Smoker}}. Hugh {{Surname|McIntyre}} being the first superintendent, George {{Surname|Leasure}}, Polly {{Surname|Leasure}}, Thomas {{Surname|Hayse}} and Eliza {{Surname|Hayse}} were the first teachers. The children of Mr. Hayse, Mr. McIntyre and William {{Surname|Ryffcorn}} constituted the pupil-age, numbering 18 at the first organization. This school continued at the residence of Mr. Hayse until 1831, after the finishing of the Presbyterian Church where afterwards Smithville was located. This organization was called "The Green township Union Sunday School". The fast settling up the vicinity of this little church and the establishment and progress of the adjacent village of Smithville yielded rapid increase to the sunday school which being continued in the Presbyterian Church until 1848 when it was removed to the Meeting house of the Weinbrenerians. Its name now became changed and it was called "The Smithville Union Sunday School". Since it was first organized from year to year after short suspension during inclemency of winter the original organization reassumed and should propriety demand it, now officers were elected and the interest of the school was enhanced with marked success. In 1860 it was moved to the Church of St. Paul in Smithville where it has ever since been kept. This Union Sunday School now under organization well nigh fifty years at present enrolls a pupil-age of about 140.Mrs. Jane {{Surname|Martin}} is the only person that attends this Sunday School at present who witnessed its first organization over ten and forty years ago. There are now 8 Sunday Schools organized in Green of which the entire pupil-age numbers some over one thousand.

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==~~First Death~~==

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==Deaths & Burial==

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The first death in Green after settlement was made in the township occurred on the 27th day of December in 1817. While in the act of raising a round-log cabin barn on the north-west quarter of section No. 10, the land then owned by Daniel {{Surname|Blocker}}, afterwards known as "The Old Ruble Farm" and now owned by A. H. {{Surname|Myers}}, by some means or other a stick of timber fell from the top of the buildings upon the breast of Christian {{Surname|Partshie}}, killing him instantly. This took place late in the afternoon. The dead body then was takin to the house on the place of accident, which being a small round-log cabin, standing right in the woods. Early on next morning, he was wrapt in his "Winding Sheet". Philip {{Surname|Leasure}} and Daniel {{Surname|blocker}} there went forth to seek a place for his grave which was selected on the north-west quarter of section No. 4 whereon his family there resided - now owned by Abraham {{Surname|Huffman}}. There, on a cold morning in the heart of a dark and dense forest with axe and shovel, David {{Surname|Speicher}} and John {{Surname|Flickinger}} then young men, cut through the roots of trees and frozen ground to make the grave. And, as no materials for a coffin could be procured nearer than Wooster which being ten miles distant, and the unprepared circumstances of the neighbors - the poor roads and inclemency for interment, it was concluded to take the boards used for a box

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The first death in Green after settlement was made in the township occurred on the 27th day of December in 1817. While in the act of raising a round-log cabin barn on the north-west quarter of section No. 10, the land then owned by Daniel {{Surname|Blocker}}, afterwards known as "The Old Ruble Farm" and now owned by A. H. {{Surname|Myers}}, by some means or other a stick of timber fell from the top of the buildings upon the breast of Christian {{Surname|Partshie}}, killing him instantly. This took place late in the afternoon. The dead body then was takin to the house on the place of accident, which being a small round-log cabin, standing right in the woods. Early on next morning, he was wrapt in his "Winding Sheet". Philip {{Surname|Leasure}} and Daniel {{Surname|blocker}} there went forth to seek a place for his grave which was selected on the north-west quarter of section No. 4 whereon his family there resided - now owned by Abraham {{Surname|Huffman}}. There, on a cold morning in the heart of a dark and dense forest with axe and shovel, David {{Surname|Speicher}} and John {{Surname|Flickinger}} then young men, cut through the roots of trees and frozen ground to make the grave. And, as no materials for a coffin could be procured nearer than Wooster which being ten miles distant, and the unprepared circumstances of the neighbors - the poor roads and inclemency for interment, it was concluded to take the boards used for a box on the wagon whereon Daniel {{Surname|Blocker}} had immigrated from Pennsylvania for to make the coffin out of. So then, Philip {{Surname|Leasure, being and edge-tool mechanic, fell to work and made the coffin, Jhn. Jacob {{Surname|Keiffer}} being a Blacksmith went home to Milton township and with his hammer made the nails wherewith to nail it together. On the second day after the fatal accident the people of Green who were there but few in number, for the first time repaired to "the house of mourning". They then proceeded to the grave - not with pomp and attention which speaks of rank and royalty, but in simplicity and purity of oneness of heart then common to all - carrying the coffin on hand-spikes over a distance of more than two miles - through the woods - over trunks of trees and under brush - there with his aged mother - with his wife and orphan children who casted themselves in agony upon the frozen clods which thus unexpectedly separated them from their supporter in a lonely wilderness - a husband and father, to take the last look at their pioneer-brother whom they had loved and respected - and seen thus fall in their midst! At the grave prayer was made by Philip {{Surname|Kieffer}}. Thus was buried the pioneer who filled the first grave in Green township. Nine and fifty time since the Robin has since sang for him. Summer suns and winter storms of nine and fifty years since held their interchange above him. Dark Clouds may gather tempists may howl - lightnings may swiftly pass from cloud to cloud - thunders may roar in their fearful majesty, but he not heedeth them, though all alone he sleepeth, his sleep be sweet, his rest be peace!

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The second death in the township was that of George {{Surname|Payne}}, who was the oldest resident now living in Green. Mr. Payne died in October of 1819.

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==Church Organizations==

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There are now 9 different church organizations in Green, namely: the Methodists, the Amish, the German Baptists (Dunkers), the Presbyterians, the Weinbrenariens, the Lutherans, the River Brethen, the Brethern in Christ, the United Brethern. The first of these organizations was had in 1814, by Methodists in the little cabin of Michael {{Surname|Thomas}} under the pastoral influence of Rev. {{Surname|Summerville}}. The membership resulting from that organization consisted of six in number, namely, Lawrence {{Surname|Winkler}} and his wife - John {{Surname|Wade}} and his wife, and Michael {{Surname|Thomas}} and his wife. For the first five years after organization they continued to congregated at the cabin of Mr. Thomas in religious service. In 1819 they moved their seat of service to the cabin of Lawrence {{Surname|Winkler}} where they continued to worship until 1828 when Mr. Winkler removed to Chester township. They then took up for their meeting place a cabin which was put up for to hold school in near where afterwards school house No. 9 was erected. Here they continued their meetings until on the Baughman township side of Orrvill their denomination put up a church building where they since then meet to worship.

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In 1842 they organized a class at Smithville in the little cabin school house then standing on the N.E. corner of the Presbyterian Church ground (now the dwelling house of Yost {{Surname|Baker}}). The members of this class were David {{Surname|Antles}}, Hanson {{Surname|Brown}}, Mother {{Surname|Miller}}, Mr. Simon {{Surname|Bowman}}, Mrs. {{Surname|Greager}} and Mrs. {{Surname|Weed}}. Within one year all of these members became scattered, and their organization "was not". In 1864 they again organized in the old Presbyterian Church under the voice of Rev. James {{Surname|Elliott}}, but their membership being of exceeding limit this organization was of but short duration. In 1866 they had another organization at Smithville in the old grove of I. A. {{Surname|Keiffer}} this being held under the influece of Rev. A. {{Surname|Reader}}. Since the last organization of this church they erected a neat little house of worship at Smithville and the church is in prosperous condition.

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The second church organization in Green was that of the Amish. This being organized in 1816, their pastor being David {{Surname|Zook}}. The first elders of this denonomiation were Peter {{Surname|Yoder}}, John {{Surname|Zook}} and Benjamin {{Surname|Schrag}}. In 1862 they put up a house of worship near the centre of Green comfortably seating an auditory of about 511. This is perhaps the only meeting house owned by this denomination in the United States. The beauty of simplicity and neatness which is the chief characteristic of the modest little building certainly is remarkable.

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The third organization was that of the German Baptists (the Dunkerds). This denomination organized in 1826 on what was then called "the John {{Surname|Shoemaker}} farm". This organization extends over what they call their district including different counties, but its organizations was had here, and for many years the residence of Rev. John {{Surname|Shoemaker}} was one of their chief meeting places.

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The fourth church organization in Green was that of the Presbyterians whch took place in 1830 at Smithville in their church building then being finished. This organization was had under Rev. Mr. Thomas {{Surname|Bass}}, Sr. The membership resulting there from ____ consisted of 40 in number. George {{Surname|Leasure}} being the first ruling elder of this organization. The Pastor order descents as follows:

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* Rev. Thomas {{Surname|Barr}}, Sr.

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* Rev. Thomas {{Surname|Beer}}

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* Rev. J. {{Surname|McCroy}}

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* Rev. H. {{Surname|Nouse}}

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* Rev. Philo {{Surname|Sample}}

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* Rev. Mr. {{Surname|McCanlish}}

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* Rev. Robert {{Surname|Finly}}

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* Rev. Edward {{Surname|Barr}}

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* Rev. Mr. {{Surname|Virtue}}

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The fifth organization being that of the followers of John {{Surname|Weinebrenner}} who organized in 1839 at the residence of Christian {{Surname|Allaman}}, on the south west quarter of section No. 14, the farm now owned by David {{Surname|Arich}}. This organization being had under Rev. Samuel {{Surname|Miller}} and John {{Surname|Keller}}. The members of this organization were as follows:

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* Christian {{Surname|Allaman}} and his wife

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* David {{Surname|Shelly}} and his wife

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* Jacob {{Surname|Axe}} and his wife

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* John {{Surname|Peters}} and his wife

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* John {{Surname|Oberling}} and his wife

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* John {{Surname|St. Myers}} and his wife

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Christian {{Surname|Allaman}} being appointed elder, and David {{Surname|Shelly}} was appointed the first deacon. In less than two years after this organization Mr. Allaman died and the other members all scattered off. So in 1841, the same denomination organized at Smithville in the little cabin school house then standing on the north east corner of the Presbyterian Church ground under Rev. Samuel {{Surname|Scherrich}}. The membership of this organization consisted of Peter {{Surname|Eberly}} and wife, Samuel {{Surname|Plymesser}} and wife, Jacob {{Surname|Schroll}} and wife, Daniel {{Surname|Williams}} and wife, Hugh {{Surname|Norris}} and wife and David {{Surname|Heikes}}. Peter {{Surname|Eberly}} being elected an elder and David {{Surname|Heikes}} as deacon. Not having a house of their own wherein to worship they bought one of the first-put-up-dwelling houses in Smithville wherein they had their meetings for a number of years. More bieng added to their number, they put up a small meeting house of their own about 10 rods west of where the St. Paul church now stands. Now becoming quite numerous they in 1867 erected an elegant church building on Milton Street in Smithville of 38 by 62 feet dimension, the top of the spire of which being 112 feet above the pavement.

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The sixth church organization in Green was that of "The Brethern In Christ" which was had in 1843 in the little wood-colored church building that was at Smithville and put up in the spring previous to their organization by those who then became members of the church when it was organized. The members of its first organization were:

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* David {{Surname|Brenizer}} and his wife

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* David {{Surname|Gish}} and his wife

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* Jacob {{Surname|Goodyear}} and his wife

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* John {{Surname|Host}} and his wife

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* Jacob {{Surname|Steman}} and his wife

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* Simon {{Surname|Bowman}} and his wife

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* Henry {{Surname|Bowman}} and his wife

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* John {{Surname|Mahler}} and his wife

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The ministers present at this organization were:

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* David {{Surname|Brenizer}}

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* John {{Surname|Horst}}

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* Jacob {{Surname|Goodyear}}

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The seventh church organization in Green being that of the Evangelical Lutheran at Smithville in January 1844 under the ministerial function of A. H. {{Surname|Myers}}. The membership constituting this organization consisted of the following named persons, to wit:

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* Jacob {{Surname|Hess}}

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* David {{Surname|Herman}}

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* Joseph {{Surname|Hutchison}}

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* Joshua {{Surname|Hess}}

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* William {{Surname|Hess}}

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* Reed {{Surname|Hess}}

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* Father {{Surname|Bing}}

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* John {{Surname|Bing}}

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* Hannah {{Surname|Kater}}

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* Eliza {{Surname|Caltrider}}

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* Ella {{Surname|Bing}}

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* Philip {{Surname|Kates}}

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* Eliza {{Surname|Bing}}

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* Esther {{Surname|Bing}}

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* Mary {{Surname|Hess}}

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* Rebecca {{Surname|Hess}

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* Margaret {{Surname|Hess}}

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* Nancy {{Surname|McIntyre}}

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* Maria {{Surname|McIntyre}}

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* Elizabeth {{Surname|Kieffer}}

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* Elizabeth {{Surname|Kates}}

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* Sarah {{Surname|Hutchison}}

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David {{Surname|Herman}} and Jacob {{Surname|Hess}} being elected elders and Joshua {{Surname|Hess}} and Joseph {{Surname|Hutchison}} were appointed deacons. This organization was held in the old Presbyterian meeting house still standing at Smithville. Not having a house of their own wherein to worship they for about ten years continued to hold their services in that of the Presbyterian.

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In 1952 the old school Lutheran and German Reformed denominations erected a church building together at Smithville of 35 feet by 45 feet dimension comfortable seating an autitory (auditorium) of about 300. Here the Lutherans are still holding their worship. This church is in a prosperous condition at present, its attending members now being about 70 in number. Its Pastoral order of succession is as follows:

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* Rev. A. {{Surname|Myers}}

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* Rev. William {{Surname|Emmerson}}

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* Rev. George {{Surname|Leiter}}

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* Rev. J. W. {{Surname|Snyder}}

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* Rev. W. J. {{Surname|Sloan}}

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* Rev. William {{Surname|Seacrist}}

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* Rev. Reuben {{Surname|Smith}}

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* Rev. Mr. {{Surname|Balsley}}

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* Rev. Solomon {{Surname|Ritz}}

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* Rev. Mr. {{Surname|Weaver}}

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The zealous little band which constituted the first organization of the Lutheran Church in Green has long since been utterly scattered, and Elizabeth {{Surname|Kieffer}} (now Mrs. John {{Surname|Medsker}} is now the only present member here who more than thirty years is now the only present member here who more than thirty years ago was numbered in that organization. The present church counsel be as follows:

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Elders:

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* Solomon {{Surname|Kieffer}}

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* Jacob {{Surname|Miller}}

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Deacons:

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* Adolph {{Surname|Schaaf}}

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* Jacob {{Surname|Campbell}}

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In the year of 1845 the 8th church denomination was organized in the township, which being that of the United Brethren. They then organized in a little building put up on the north east corner of the south east quarter of section 29 used as a school house where afterwards the Union Meeting house was erected. In 1867 this denomination formed an organization at Smithville holding their meetings in the school house. Previous to their organization they met for worship in the house of the Brethren In Christ. They organized under Rev. David {{Surname|Ecker}}. The organizing members were:

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** John {{Surname|Myers}}

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* Leah {{Surname|Myers}}

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* Mary {{Surname|Felix}}

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* William {{Surname|Eberly}}

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* Catherine {{Surname|Myers}}

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* Jane {{Surname|Greiner}}

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* William {{Surname|Weible}}

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* William {{Surname|Ripply}}

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* Anna {{Surname|Myers}}

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* Margaret {{Surname|Rogers}}

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* Benjamin {{Surname|Musser}}

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* Mrs. B. {{Surname|MUsser}}

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This organization is at present in quite a prosperous condition, their membership being of about 60 in number. The Pastoral order of succession of their denomination being as follows:

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* Rev. David {{Surname|Ecker}}

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* Rev. N. {{Surname|Slater}}

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* Rev. D. {{Surname|Kosht}}

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* Rev. J. J. {{Surname|Baldwin}}

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* Rev. Ira {{Surname|Mudy}}

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* Rev. Mr. {{Surname|Friffith}}.

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''Pages seem to be missing from this manuscript (BK 12/88)''

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==Oldest Residents==

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===Lawrence Winkler===

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Lawrence {{Surname|Winkler}}, and was born on the 15th day of January 1771 in Essex County, New Jersey. When 15 years of age he emigrated with his parents to Birk County, North Carolina. In May of 1796 he was married to Fanny {{Surname|Payne}} a native of Old Virginia. In 1806 after being married about 10 years he moved with his family from North Carolina to Monogahala County in Western Virginia where he remained for about 8 years. Now, taking under survey the moderation of his circumstances - the future welfare of his family, and the promise which seemed to await him among the frontiers of the then new State of Ohio, in the Spring of 1814 he took his wife and six young children to his father-in-law, George {{Surname|Payne}} who then had moved to Pennsylvania. Leaving his family with his father-in-law he with him took his eldest son and sought his way to Ohio where he selected the north west quarter of section No. 22 in Green township for his future home. In the fall of year he went back to Pennsylvania for his family, then returned with them onto the place where he and his boy during the summer had been residing here about 14 years, in 1828, he moved to Chester township where he lived about 20 years. He died on the 4th day of March in 1848.

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===Ann Maria Flickinger===

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Anna Maria {{Surname|Flickinger}}, the oldest resident of her sex in Green, and eldest child of Peter {{Surname|Flickinger}}, was born on the 1st day of August in 1814, in Somerset County in the State of Pennsylvania. At the age of 9 months she came with her father and mother to Green township when they settled upon the south east quarter of section No. 9 whereon she has since been living. Despite many a change has she since seen be wrought upon the face of Green. The "field of grain" then waved not here- there waved but "weed" and "forest tree". "Spire on Church" then reared not here - none reared here then but "mighty oak". "Sweet organ Son" then sang not here- then none but "Toad" and "Bull Frong" sang.

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===John Winkler===

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John {{Surname|Winkler}} the oldest pioneer of Green and first son of Lawrence {{Surname|Winkler}} was born on the 22nd day of April 1799 in Birk County of North Carolina. In 1806 at the age of seven years, he with his parents emigrated to Monogahala County in Western Virginia. Here eight years, years of his early boyhood were spent. In the spring of 1814 he went with parents to Pennsylvania to where his grant father George {{Surname|Payne}} then resided. Here the remainder of the family took up a temporary stay, while John who was now about 15 years of age, accompanied his father to then much talked of now State of Ohio where they selected a site in Green township for their future home. After arriving here among the Bears, Indians, Wolves, Snakes and Mosquito's, they fell to work and cleared off about 4 acres of ground and cut sticks for a cabin. But there being then but tow men in the township besides themselves, they failed in getting the cabin raised. They then split out puncheons for the floor and clapboards for the roof and made every thing ready for the cabin. They then started back to where the family was.

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==Source==

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Notebook on Green Township and Smithville Area History

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by D. L. {{Surname|Kieffer}}

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1876 - Handwritten

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Photocopied, indexed, and transcribed by Bonnie {{Surname|Knox}}

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by the Wayne County Public Library (Wooster, Ohio) in 1988

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Digital entry in the Wayne County, Ohio Online Resource Center in 2018 by Jim {{Surname|Yergin}}

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[[Category:Green Township, Wayne County, Ohio]]

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[[Category:Smithville, Ohio]]

Jyergin

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Notebook on Green Township and Smithville Area History by Daniel L. Kieffer (view source)

Revision as of 16:00, 16 October 2018

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