HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
CHAPTER XXXVII.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Pleasant township was so called, because of the extent of the fertile land found within its borders. The surface of the township is generally even or slightly rolling, and the land is all tillable. Pleasant Run, the principal stream, rises in the western part of the township and flows east and south, passing into Berne township. Ewing's Run heads near the center of this township, and flows southwardly into Berne. These streams have small tributaries, which furnish considerable water power. Notwithstanding the large amount of timber that has been consumed, and used for various purposes, this township is still well timbered with sugar, walnut, oak, hickory, elm and other varieties of hard wood. At its first settlement, squads of Delaware and Wyandotte Indians frequently camped in various parts of Pleasant township, remaining for several weeks at a time. While they were camped here, they were principally engaged in hunting the wild game, which was found in great abundance. They lived peaceably with the settlers, and frequently visited the log cabins of the whites, for the purpose of exchanging venison and other game for corn meal, bread, etc. An incident occurred at an early date in the history of this township, which came near severing the friendship existing between the aboriginals and white settlers. David Ewing, in company with several other settlers, were engaged in a hunting expedition. They noticed in the bushes what they supposed to be a bear. Mr. Ewing fired at the object, which proved to be an Indian squaw. Being severely wounded by the shot, the squaw cried piteously, when the hunters discovered their mistake, and dreading the vengeance of the Indians, in case they were appre- hended, they fled with all possible haste to their homes. The Indians were soon on the track of the hunters, and followed them to a Mr. Arnold's cabin, which they entered. Mrs. Arnold was seated with a young child in her arms. As soon as the Indians reached the cabin, one of their number raised his rifle to shoot Mrs. Arnold, but another of the band rushed forward and pushed the gun aside, just in time to save her life. She pleaded earnestly for her life, protesting that her husband had not been out hunting that day. In a short time Mr. Arnold with some of his neighbors came, who finally succeeded in sat- isfying the savages that Mr. Arnold was innocent, when they departed from his cabin. Pleasant township was settled at an early date. As early as 1798, settlements were found in the township. It cannot be ascertained who was the first settler. William Green was one of the very first to settle
in the township. He died in 1799, a few weeks after his removal to Fairfield county, and was buried in a coffin made from the bark of a hickory tree, as no other kind could be procured. The first settlers of Pleasant township came from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania Several German families settled in the township at an early date. Among the first settlers who came to Pleasant township prior to 1808 were James Quinn, William Neeley, John Good, George Hill, Jacob Hite, David and Joseph Barr, Thomas Armstrong, Adam Albright, Samuel Hammell, Jacob Berry, Ludwick Brown, Jacob Bibler, John and Luke Black, Alexander Frazer, Jacob Mussulman, William Farmer, David and Adam Geiger, Samuel Mills, Robert Torrence, Thomas Ross, Adam McCune, Peter Macklin, John and Jacob Miller, John McNaughten, William Martin, Samuel Durbin, William McDaniel, Jacob Lamb, John and Matthew Ewing, Christian Hoover, James Hendryx, Christian Cagy, Benjamin Cornell, Benjamin and John Feeman, Robert Clove, John Fink, A. Graham, Henry Linch, Robert Matear, Asa Murphy, William York, Thomas Watson, Gasper and Jacob Walters, Solomon Lee, William Beard, Samuel Kratzer, Philip Kemerer, Francis Twig, John Shepler, Robert Sturgeon, Peter Roof, Jesse Smith, John Shisler, Frederick Siple and John Hampson. The Ewings were of the very first to settle in Pleasant township. David, Thomas and Matthew Ewing located lands near the stream now known as Ewing's Run, in 1800. They were a prominent family in the early history of this township. David Ewing was Captain and Thomas Ewing First Lieutenant of a company of riflemen in the War of 1812. Some of their descendants are still residing in the township. Benjamin and John Feeman came in 1801, and settled in the Ewing neighborhood. James Duncan, Peter Lamb, George and Nicholas Radibaugh, John and George Smethers and John Burton, settled in Pleasant, about the same time as the Feemans, and all settled in the same neighborhood. Peter Sites came from Virginia in 1809, and settled on section 29. He lived long enough to enjoy the fruits of his arduous labors. He died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. George Arnold emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1801. He located land in the western part of the township, along Fetter's Run. He built the first grist mill in Pleasant township. This mill was a log building, situated on Fetter's Run. It was a great benefit to the settlers, for prior to the building of this mill, they had to go to Zanesville and Chillicothe for their meal and flour. Abraham Bope came from Virginia in 1803. He settled in the north-eastern part of the township. His neighbors were Jacob Weaver, Henry Ketner, Casper Walters, John Feeman and others. The country was still almost a wilderness, and the settlers endured many privations. A short time after Mr. Bope settled in the township, he was returning one night from a neighbor's when he found himself pursued by wolves. He fired his rifle among them, but failed to frighten them away. After vainly endeavoring to scare them, he ascended a tree, and remained in its branches all night. When daylight appeared, the wolves fled and he was released from his unpleasant situation. He was a noted hunter and many wild animals of the forest succumbed to his trusty rifle.
Of later settlers was Jacob Moyer, who came from York county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. He first settled in Rush Creek township. He resided some years in Rush Creek when he removed to Pleasant town- ship, where he has ever since resided. Balser Rutter emigrated from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. Daniel Keller came from Pennsylvania, in 1808, settling near the center of the township. The first road in Pleasant township was the one leading from Wheeling to Maysville, known as Zane's Trace. It crossed the southern part of the township. About 1838 it was changed to a turn- pike, arid is now known as the Zanesville and Maysville turnpike. A few years subsequent to the completion of Zane's Trace, the old Newark and Lancaster road was laid out, which was subsequently changed to a turnpike. The Ohio Central Railroad runs across the northeast corner of this township. The first grist mill in the township was erected by John Hampson, about 1808. It was situated near the present village of Pleasantville, and was operated by horse power. Its capacity was but a few bushels a day, but was considered a great institution by the early settlers of Pleasant township. Another of the first grist mills, was erected by a Mr. Arnold. It was situated on Arnold's Run, near where the County Infirmary stands. It was a raccoon burr mill, having a capacity of ten or twelve bushels per day. It was operated by water power, and when the stream dried up, the settlers had to go to Chillicothe or Zanesville to have their grist ground. Thomas Ewing built the first distillery in the township, about 1808. The first saw mill was built by Mr. Arnold. He operated it in connection with his grist mill. Both the grist and the saw mills have long since disappeared. The Eagle wagon manufactory is situated about four miles east of Lancaster, on the Zanesville and Maysville Pike, and was built in 1854 and '5, by George Nichols, who has ever since that time been the proprietor of the same. An immense number of wagons and vehicles have been manufactured at these works, both for the citizens of Fairfield and other counties. Since the introduction of imported wagons and buggies into the county, the business of the establishment has materially decreased. One of the first school houses erected in Pleasant township, was in the southwestern part of the township, on the farm now owned by Mr. Radibaugh. It was a small, unhewed, log structure. Among the first school teachers in this township, were Roswell Mills and Isaac Sinniff, who taught in a small log school house, situated in the eastern part of the township. A Mr. Newman was also another of the early teachers. Pierce Kennedy was one of the first teachers in the southern part of Pleasant. He taught in a school house which stood near the old Seceder, now United Presbyterian, church. The humble log buildings, in which were educated many of the fathers and mothers of old Fairfield, have been replaced by more substantial and commodious brick and frame structures. The religious interests of Pleasant township have been well provided for. The Pleasant Run Baptist Church, was probably the first regular
church organization in this township, having been organized as early as 1806, by Rev. Lewis Sites, Sr., who was also the first pastor of this society, continuing in that relation for several years. A short time after its organization, a log structure was erected in which the society held its meetings for many years. Some years since a neat frame edifice was built, in which the congregation now worship. This church was a prosperous one from its commencement. The first members, as appear: from the records of 1809, still preserved, were William Hopwood, Abraham Hite, Magdalen Ruftner, Elizabeth Warner, Adam Geiger, Conrod Hite, Aaron Powell, Sister Powell, Martin Coflman, Ann Coffman, Magdalen Wise, Ann Miller, Elizabeth Histand. Frank Bibler, Mary Bibler, Andrew Hite, Ann, Samuel, John and Ann Hite, Christian Hover, Susan Musselman, Barbary Hite, Samuel and Elizabeth Comer, Sister Hannah, Sister Bibler, Christian and Mary Cagy, John Hite, Sister Cussman, Jacob Bibler, Jacob Bibier, Jr., Katy Bibler, David, John and Barbary Bibler, Lewis and Ann Sites, Christiana Woolf, Emanuel Ruffner, Ann Spitler, Jacob Spitler, Timothy and Phebe Collins, Barbary Beaver, Magdalen Taylor, Joseph Stider, John Moorhead, Christian Coffman, Mary Coffman, Smith Goodens, Aaron Ashbrook, Eli and Katy Ashbrook, Neeley Bibler, Magdalene Spitler, Magdalena Hite, George White, Jacob and Susan Spitler, Jacob Mus- selman, Peter Spitler, John Hite, Betsy Bibler, Mady Hopwood, Abraham Hite, John Bibler, Abraham Bibler, Sister Keller, Cissa Miller, Joseph Hite, James Davis, Thomas Warner, Susanna Spitler, Martin Histand, Sissy Studer, Jacob Studer, Sister Brumlang, Mary, Jacob and Barbary Bibler. The Pleasant Run Baptist Church was in 1809 one of the most prosperous, both numerically and financially, of any of the country Baptist Churches in Ohio. It is situated in the northeast part of Pleasant township, the society having continued its place of worship in the same locality of its first organization, down to the present time Not one of the many members living in 1809 are alive at this date, 1882. Rev. D. G. Barker, who officiated as pastor of this church for several years past, died in January, 1882, and the society is without a pastor at this date, 1882. About one hundred members are in full connection at this time. The Pleasant United Presbyterian Church was organized as early as 1807 or '8, by Rev. Abraham Craig, of Kentucky. The church is located in the southwest corner of Pleasant township. For several years after its organization, the meetings were held in a tent during the warm season, and it is now often referred to as the "tent church," from this fact. David Martin, Charles McClung, David Williams and Robert Brown and wives were of the the first members. Rev. Abraham Craig, who organized the church, was the first pastor and remained such for many years. His successors, as far as known. were Rev. Benjamin Waddle and Rev. E. Collinhead, who was pastor twenty-one years, Rev. Buchanan and Rev. R. Boyd, who is the present pastor. The society first organized as a Seceder church, but several years since, when the Seceder and other branches of the Presbyterian Church were merged into the United Presbyterian Church, the congregation accepted the union, and went over as a body to the United Presbyterians. Some twenty years ago a frame church
edifice was built, in which the present membership of about forty now worship. The Pleasant Hill United Brethren church is located about four miles northeast of Lancaster. This church was organized about 1837, and a frame church building was erected in 1838 at a cost of one thousand dollars. This house was occupied as a place of worship until 1863, when the. present church was erected at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The principle original members were Jacob Macklin, Sewald Macklin, Frederick Harmon, Sr., Henry Hockman, Sr., and several others who were emigrants from Pennsylvania and Virginia. For many years prior to the organization of this church, meetings were held in the neighborhood, at the houses of the Macklins and others, which were productive of much good to the community. There are about sixty members at present in full communion with this church. The first Sunday school was organized in 1848. The average attendance at this date, 1882, is sixty. John E. Miller is the present superintendent. The German Reformed Church of Pleasant township was organized about 1847, as a German Reformed Church, and remained as such until 1853, when the membership of' the church petitioned to be transferred to the Presbyterian Church, which was accordingly done. It remained a Presbyterian Church until 1878, when the members re-organized as a German Reformed Church. Among the members at the first organization were Michael Jones, David Rook, John Hasson, James H. Crane, Daniel Beery, Benjamin Shoemaker, Andrew Freizner and their wives. The first minister who organized the church as German Reformed was Rev. Jesse Slusser, who was also the first pastor of the church after its transfer to the Presbyterians. The pastors who succeeded Rev. Jesse Slusser as Presbyterians, were Revs. Elijah Koontz, Thomas J. Downey, C. C. Hall, W. Galbraith, Samuel D. Smith. The present membership is fifteen. Rev. I. R. Skinner is pastor at this date, 1882. There are several families of the Omish Mennonite Church in Pleasant township, but as yet no edifice has been erected by them. They hold their meetings in the dwellings of the members of the order. The distinguishing feature of this church are baptism by pouring. Any member has the right to preach or expound the scriptures. No member is permitted to take an oath, or offer any resistance when assailed. They provide for all the poor within the church, and do not permit any member to become a public charge, and no member will go to war, believing war to be contrary to the teachings of Christ. They also wear the Quaker costume, and are sober, frugal and industrious citizens. The Omish Mennonite Church originated in Pleasant township about 1834. Among the ministers, who have preached the doctrines of this church here, were Revs. David Zook, Jonathan Zook, Jacob Hartzier, Gingrich, David Hartzler, Joseph Yoder and Solomon Stutzman. The Fairfield County Infirmary is situated in this township, about two miles north of the city of Lancaster. In 1828, the first building was erected of brick. Its dimensions were forty-five feet in length by forty-three feet in width. In 1870 an addition was made to the main
building, so that the dimensions of the infirmary building was increased to one hundred and eighty feet in length by forty-five feet in width. The cost of the improvements made in 1870 was twenty-eight thousand dollars. There are one hundred and seventy acres of land connected with the infirmary, all cleared with the exception of about fifteen acres. In connection with the main building for the inmates, there is a super- intendent's dwelling, thirty-six by forty-five feet in size, also constructd of brick. There are one hundred and thirty-three inmates at the present date, February, 1882. Mr. Henry Sieber, the present superintendent, has officiated in that capacity for the past sixteen years. Pleasantville is situated in the northeastern part of Pleasant town ship, on the line of the Ohio Central Railroad, and is a flourishing village of about five hundred inhabitants. Since the advent of the rail- road it has rapidly increased in population, and is steadily growing. It was laid out in 1828 by John Boston, who built the first house, a dwelling, in the village. John Tennant opened the first store about 1832. He afterwards sold his stock of goods to Frederick Lamb. G. R. Hartman was also one of the early merchants. The first hotel was kept by John Spitler. A post-office was established about 1840. Pleasantville has about doubled its population since the completion of the Ohio Central Railroad in 1880. Prior to that date, but little business was transacted in the village. At this time the village contains two churches, two dry goods stores, kept by William Steward and David C. Sutphen; four groceries, kept respectively by W. L. Buchanan, Joseph Hite, George Buchanan and T. H. Henry; one flour mill operated by David Pence and Company, one drug store by Mills and Son, one blacksmith shop, one wagon maker, one hotel, one harness shop, one planing mill, one carriage shop, one hardware store, two shoe shops, two barber shops, one marble factory, one undertaking establishment, two butcher shops, etc. Fairfield Lodge, No. 163, I. 0. 0. F. of Pleasantville, was instituted October 7, 1850. The charter members were: Thomas O. Wilson, William Buchanan, William Cupp, Jacob Bope, Thomas Andrews; Benjamin Walters, John T. Irick, Solomon Weaver, Job McNamee, Adam Shaw, Thomas A. Bratton, Martin Kagay, N. C. Miller, Samuel Cupp, Jas. Brown and Thos. Kidwell. At this date, February 1882, there are about one hundred members belonging to this lodge. The Pleasantville academy was built in 1860. The academy has two large brick buildings, each about forty-five by seventy feet in dimensions. In one of these, the north building, are situated the chapel, recitation rooms, cabinet and society rooms. In the south building are rooms for students, reading-room and boarding hall. About the buildings is a beautiful campus, furnishing ample and pleasant recreation grounds for the students. The first board of trustees were David Huber, James Hampson, Jonas Hite, Noah McNaughton and John M. Ashbrook. The present directors are Jesse Brooks, James McNaughton, W. B. Hoover, Noah A. Ashbrook, James Hampson. George Fleming was the first Professor. The present teachers are Superintendent Rev. E. H. Scott, assisted by Mrs. E. H. Scott and W. H. Dye. There are three courses of study in this institution, for each of which certificates of graduation are given, as follows: Classical course, which includes
all the Greek, Latin, and two other studies each term, throughout the course. Scientific course, which includes all the Latin and other branches, in connection with the natural sciences and mathematics, sufficient to make four studies each throughout the course; English course, which requires all the English branches. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Pleasantville was organized, as near as can be ascertained, about 1830, by Rev. Jacob Hooper. Mrs. Hanson, Mordecai Bull and wife, Mrs. Sain, Mrs. Friend, Joseph Friend and wife, Mrs. Irick, Mrs. Caran, James Stevenson, Jane Geiger, Sarah Turner were of the early members of the society. Rev. Jacob Hooper, who resided near Pleasantville, preached at this church several years,when he removed to the west and died a short time after- wards. About 1840 the edifice, in which the church now worship, was erected. The present membership of the church is about thirty. There is a Sunday-school in connection with this church, having Charles Mills as superintendent, and Nelson Patterson, assistant superintendent. The same ministers that preached to the Rushville and Salem Churches, noticed in the history of Richland township, proclaimed the Gospel unto this society until the division of the circuit in 1874. Since 1874 the ministers have been Revs. J. H. Beery, B. F. Thomas, Pastal, Haigler, and Sayres, the present pastor. The Pleasantville Methodist Protestant Church was organized about 1858, by Rev. J. H. Hamilton. The same year the present commodious church building was erected. The first members of this flourishing church were Samuel, Magdalena, Lemon, Jacob, Almedia, Mary, Catharine, Mary A., and Elizabeth Culp, Elizabeth Hall, Martha Garner, Elizabeth Garner, Mary Keller, Ellen Lamb, Martha Keller, Sophia Caldwell, and Emanuel Keller. Prior to this time Rev. E. S. Hoagland effected an organization as early as 1840 or '1, which society in a few years became extinct. But a small number of the first members of the present organization remain, having died or removed to the west. Benjamin F. Flowers, the oldest member in point of years now living, has been a member of some Christian church since 1815, when he, at that time a resident of Virginia, made a profession of religion. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain. Rev. J. H. Hamilton was the first pastor of this church. His successors in the pastoral relation were Revs. Peter Arnold, Brown, Jeremiah Biddeson, Amos Biddeson, William Tipton, W. L. Baldwin, E. S. Hoagland, Carey, William Hastings, George W. Hissey, Samuel Lancaster, I. M. Woodward, C.J. Sears, N. T. Brown, I. H. Freese, I. W. Southard, F. A. Brown, V. H. Brown, John Baker, J. M. Langley, F. W. Link, J. W. Thompson, D. G. Shirer, and T. H. Scott, the present incumbent. This church is in a prosperous condition, having at this time a membership of about eighty individuals. There is a flourishing Sunday-school in connection with this church. Professor W. H. Dye is superintendent. Colfax is a small village of some twenty-five or thirty inhabitants, situated on the Zanesville and Maysville pike, about four miles west of West Rushville. It contains a store and seven or eight dwelling-houses. It also has a post-office and a daily mail, the mail route being from Rushville to Lancaster.
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