Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/416

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

��Count}' in the year 1 814/and settled two miles be- low Ashland, and, after living there five years, came up to Butler Township, and entered a quar- ter of land on the Whetstone, two miles north of Oliveslnn-g, in 1819, where he planted a large orchard, raising the first apples in the neighbor- hood. He assisted in building the first Pres- b^'terian Church in Olivesburg ; was active in organizing the first school in Butler Township. He had five sons and five daughters ; Archi- bald was the oldest son, and still lives at La Faj'ette, and is nearh* eighty years of age. The 3-oungest daughter married the late Mr. Charles Anderson, and is living at La Fa^'ette. Mr. Owens died in the 3^ear 1842, aged seventj^-six. James Laughlin, one of his nearest neighbors, was associated with him in early church and school enterprises. The first school organized in the township was on Mr. Laughlin s land, and was taught by Joseph "Ward. Sr., of Weller Township.

John Wolf settled in the west part of town- ship, in 1816. The Starrs were his nearest neighbors for some time. Mrs. Starr is still living on the old farm, where she has resided about sixty-five years. Her son, ^Mitchel Starr, is a practicing physician. Mr. Wolf was a lifelong member of the ^lethodist Church. His house was, for a long time, one of the " backwoods chapels," where itinerant preach- ers held religious service, long before commo- dious churches were built. The Rev. Mr. Boardraan was their first preacher. Mr. Wolf was an officer in the M. E. Church till the close of his useful and self-denj-ing life. One of his daughters married the Rev. Jacob Fegtly, of the North Ohio Conference. The entire family removed to Iowa about the j'ear 1857.

The first religious society at La Fayette was formed in 1842, and was composed of eight members, viz.: Joshua Ford, Elizabeth Ford, Edward T. Kirk, Mary Kirk, Samuel Robinson and wife, Mrs. George Dancer and John Free- man. For a time, they held their meetings in

��a log schoolhouse. In 1844, they built their first church, a frame building, at a cost of $500. The Trustees of this church were Joshua Ford and Edward T. Kirk. Edward T. Kirk and wife made a deed, and donated, in fee simple, one acre of ground for church and graveyard. The Rev. John Quigley was the Pastor, and dedicated the chui'ch ; John H. Power was the Presiding Elder. In 1857, the old church edi- fice gave way to a more commodious building, of modern style. The contract was given to James 0. Hagerman, of Weller Township, for the sum of 11,200. The Trustees were Joshua Ford, E. T. Kirk, Michael Kirk, Daniel Free- man ; the Pastor, Silas Sej-raour.

A powerful revival followed the building of this church, and the society has continued to prosper. Only one of the original members is yet connected with the societ}' — Mrs. E. T. Kirk. A Sunday school was organized when the new church was built, and is yet in success- ful operation. The present Superintendent is John Kirk.

There are seven common schools and school- houses, in the township, and three churches, viz., Methodist, Disciple and " Chui'ch of Grod."

The Disciple Church is situated in the north- west part of the township. It was built about the 3'ear 1870. Is a commodious structure, 40x50 feet in size. Its principal members are Charles Thompson, Peter Davidson, Thomas Tucker, George Garrow, Abram Crabbs, David Enzor and John Davidson. The Pastor is Rev. Mr. Cline. A successful Sal)bath school is con- nected with the church. The Winebrenarians have a small societ}' in the southeast part of the township.

There is no grist-mill in the township ; two saw- mills are in operation,owned b}' ^lorris & Sechrist and John Houston. The country- is well adapted to stock-raising. Th| Messrs. Kirk have large stock-farms near La Fayette. A farmers' grange was organized here in 1874, and holds regular meeting's. The citizens seem to take a laudable

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