Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/431

 HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUXTY.

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��high and dry. About 1865, David Bushey erected a steam saw-mill on the old State road. This mill is 3"et in operation, and is owned by Theodore Forbes. The onl}- grist-mill within the limits of the township was erected on the Black Fork, about IS-IO, by Christopher Urick. This mill is yet standing at a point on the Black Fork where the road, running directly north from Mansfield, crosses that stream. It does a local business, and is owned by John Bell. A saw-mill was connected with it many 3"ears, but has long since disappeared.

The people are generall}- a church-going people, five churches having, at present, an organized existence. Before churches were erected, the people held services in their cabins and in the log schoolhouses, which, soon after the first settlement, made their appearance. These first schoolhouses were erected along the first road — the " Old State Road " — one being on Section 8, in the neighborhood of Inks' "tavern," and another in the southern part of the township, near the Long " tavern," and near the present site of the Lutheran Church. These two points were prominent in the early settle- ments. The sclioolhouse near Long's tavern was the first one erected, and stood on the farm then owned b}' Joseph Flora (now b}' H. Koh- ler), and was erected in 1821. Thomas Taylor was the first teacher, and, afterward, James McCluer taught two terms ; and was followed b}^ Mr. Plummer, who taught several terms. This house burned down one night after a spelling-school, and, for some 3'ears after, rooms in private dwellings were used for school pur- poses in this neighborhood. A second house was erected in 1837, on the land now owned b}- Mr. Kohler.

It was in this schoolhouse, near Long's tavern, that the first church in the township was organized. Here the German Reformed and Lutheran societies were organized about the year 1825. After several years, these organ- izations united for the purpose of erecting a

��church. Land was donated for this purpose by John Zeiters, and a log building erected, which, from that cla}^ to this, has retained the name of " Zeiters' Church." The deed for this ground is dated December 30, 1834; "from John Zeiters and wife to George Wolford and Jacob Cla}-, Trustees of the German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations of Zeiter's Church, and their successors in office." This deed is witnessed by Henry Pit- tenger and John Zeiters, Jr. One of the first graveyards in the township was established here, and the first burial was that of Henry Wainbranner, who died in 1833, aged sixtj'-two 3'ears. On the weather-beaten stone above this grave, appears the following well-worn legend: " Remember friends, as you pass by,

As you are now, so once was I ;

As I am now, so you must be ;

Prepare for death, and follow me."

Some irreverent wag has written, in pencil, under the above :

" To follow you I can't consent Unless I know which way you went."

The following are the names of some of the first members of this church : Jacob Kunkle- man, Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiters, Jr., J. Henry, Samuel Saltzgaver, John Stoutzenberg, Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein, J. W. Sturgeon, Elias Keller, Jacob Heck, George Throne, Michael Throne, Jacob Fisher, John Kendall, William AVolf, Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, John Blecker, George Wolford, John Zeiters, Sr., Joel Keller, William Cloud, George Cassel, Thomas Russell and Jacob Bringman.

The old log church answered the purpose until 1861, when the present comfortable brick was erected.

The early ministers were George and Samuel Leiter and the Rev. Francis J. Ruth, of Gallon, who yet preaches ever}' two weeks for the con- gregation of Lutherans.

The German Reformed society has disap- peared, and the church is now occupied only by the Lutherans.

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