Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/564

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��HISTOEY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

��North Woodbury is a small village, located on the southwest corner of Section 18, and the cornering sections. The town was laid out by Joseph Terry, on land that he entered in 1820. An addition was made to it by A. Van Bus- kirk and John Markey, of Bellville. John Ruhl and Morgan Layering opened the first store, and 3Ir. Layering did the clerking. A. Van Buskirk purchased Mi*. Markey's interest about five j-ears after the store was opened. In 1874, A. Ruhl became the sole proprietor. About the time Morrow County was created, considerable business was done in the village, and it possessed all the enterprises necessary for a first-class country town. But as the country improved, trade was directed in other channels, and it is now destitute of any con- siderable business. A. Van Buskirk was the first Postmaster. A. Ruhl held the office in 1879.

Johnsville, the largest and most enterprising town in the township, is located on the north- west corner of Section 8 and adjoining sections. It was laid out in 1836, by William Shauck and John Eby. Boj'd & Ackley started the first store in 1837. They were succeeded by Creigh & Shauck. The post office was obtained by Mr. Shauck, and received his name with the addition of an s. The office was kept several 3'ears at his residence near the mill, before it was removed to the village.

Ministers of the Gospel followed the first settlers to the township, and the propagation of Christianity commenced with the commence- ment of the township. The second church in the southern part of the county was built in Perry Township. The first was called a union church, and was built • in Worthington Town- ship, not far from where the Evangelical Church, known as the Four Corners Church, now stands.

Center Church is located on Section 15. The first church in this locality was organized in 1820, b}^ Silas Ensign, a Swedenborgian, and a house of worship was erected in 1822. This

��structure was burned after standing about five years, when Mr. Ensign and his followers ac- cepted the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a new house was built in 1828. This society continued several years, but it gradually declined, and in 184:0 the place was abandoned. The Pi;otestant Methodists fol- lowed in order, and Rev. Messrs. Bigelow and Bell organized a church, and the house was built designated by the above name. The membership is small at present and unable to provide regular preaching services.

Pleasant Grove Church is the propert}- of the Evangelical Association, and is located on the southwest corner of Section 12. The first labor in the Gospel field, instrumental in estab- lishing a church at this place, was performed by Michael Shuey. The first house was built jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed, about the year 1825. In 1838, the Salem Lutheran Church was erected in Jefferson Township, and the societies were divided. The two branches remaining fell into bitter contentions, and the house was not well cared for. In 1846, an Evangelical society was organized, and the house sold to them the following year. Evangelical meetings were held in private houses as early as 1830. The present house was erected in 1863, at a cost of $1,500. The leading original members were C. Baker. S. Strome and James Steel. The Sabbath school was organized in 1855, with John Steel as Superintendent. The school numbered about fifty in 1879.

The Perry Church (Christian, or Disciples) is located in the center of Section 23. The organization was probably effected in 1844 or 1845. The principal members were William Dowland, Steven Cook, Peter W^eirick, Levi Ruhl, George Coon, George Algire and Henry McFerren. The first two were ministers. Rev. S. M. Cook is now Pastor. The present membership is about sixt}^ The Sabbath school was organized in 1853, with Anthon}' Hard-

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