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Jackson County History
Jackson Township
Jackson was admitted as a township by the county commissioners 01 Jul 1816, that being the first day of the second regular session of that body. The township, as described by the petitioners for its admission, was bounded as follows:
Beginning at the northwest corner of the county and running east to the 17th range line; thence south along the same line to the corner of the 7th and 8th townships' thence west to the southwest corner of the 8th township, in the 18th range; thence south one mile to the corner between sections 1 and 12 in the 7th township, in the 19th range; thence west along the section lines to the line between ranges 19 and 20; thence north along the same line to the place of beginning.
These boundaries included all of the present Jackson Township, the whole of Washington, a part of Liberty and a part of Richland Township, Vinton County. In September, 1821, Washington Township was formed from the eastern part. At different times since, the western and southern boundaries have been changed so that now the township is bounded as follows: On the north by Harrison Township, Vinton County; east by Richland Township, Vinton County, and by Washington Township; south by Liberty Township, and west by Pike and Ross Counties. The township now comprises the congressional township 8 of range 19, to which is added, on the southwest, three sections of township 7, range 20.
The township is hilly and the soil medium in richness, but is well watered by Salt Creek and its branches. Although there is coal to be found in the hills of this township of sufficient thickness to be worked profitably, there is no mining done except for local use. The industry of the inhabitants is principally agricultural and grazing. To the latter the township is well-adapted. Salt Creek, which is a clear sparkling stream, which scarcely ever in the driest season runs dry, enters the township near its southeastern corner, flows with a winding course in a southwesterly direction and leaves the township through about the middle of its western border. The branches of this stream drain the greater part of the township. In the valley of one of these branches, back at the beginning of a deep and shady ravine, is the famous
The fame of this wonder of nature has not gone so widely over the world as that of Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, or the great breathing caves of the Carolinas, but within a day's drive, in every direction,, it is much frequented by pleasure seekers in the summer season. Scarcely a day passes but some one or more come to be refreshed by its cool atmosphere and drink its sparkling water. Being in the southeastern corner of the township, it is only about five miles from the city of Jackson.
The cave is under a rocky wall fifty or sixty feet high, the lower part of which is fringed with ferns and mosses. The water which trickles down this wall is impregnated with mineral substance. It takes its name from a man by the name of Canter, who, in pioneer days, made the cave his home, and manufactured saltpeter by boiling the water which seeped from the crevices in the rock. A little beyond this cave is another, in the bottom of which lie the huge fragments of rock which have broken and fallen from above, and which presents a scene scarcely less charming than the other.
Some of the land now within this township was occupied by pioneers at a very early date, perhaps as early as 1814. At the organization of the county in April, 1816, this township furnished one of the first commissioners, John Stephenson. In the spring of the following year, 1817, John Stephenson was the township Lister, on the basis of whose returns the township was taxed $35.70 as its quota to be paid into the county treasury. This indicates considerable property although it ranked sixth in wealth at that date. For the next year, Stephen Baker was the Lister and tax assessed was $36.40, an increase of 70 cents on the taxation of the year before.
Among those whose lives were contemporary with this township was Daniel Waller, who was a leading man in the township most of his long life, although not one of the pioneer settlers, as he was born only a year before the township was organized. But his long life within the township has identified him with its history. He was prominent from an intellectual standpoint, being frequently chosen to participate in the councils of that honorable body, the township trustees, and received other marks of local distinction. He was also a leader in sports, being generally the first man on the ground at a horse race or dog fight. He was an especial admirer of fast horses and would never miss an opportunity of seeing a race. He lived and died on the place now owned by his son, George M. Waller.
Another man well remembered by the older citizens as one of marked character was Daniel Winchell. Socially he was the equal of the man last mentioned; intellectually, fully equal to or perhaps superior, though he was not entrusted to the councils and positions of honor; but, morally, he was no doubt the frailer of the two. He could preach a fair sermon although he had served several terms in penitentiaries of different states; and could invoke the divine blessing upon a board spread with provisions stolen with his own hands. While he claimed residence in this county, he served seventeen years in the State's prison at Columbus. His crimes were always those of theft, which he justified in his own mind on ground of his being a "socialist". His pretended theory, when caught, was that wealth should be taken from the rich and distributed to the poor. But he was always the poorest man he could think of and kept it all.
Although reformed in advanced age, and determined to live in honest industry, he met a violent death, being murdered 09 Feb 1860, by his son, son-in-law and another. They were thieves of his own training, but as he was trying to reform, he refused to harbor stolen goods for them and a quarrel resulted in his murder. The murderers were apprehended and convicted.
These are the dark pages of the history of this township, but dark deeds are deeds of history as much as good and great ones.
Mrs. Byers, the oldest surviving pioneer of this township, was born in Virginia in October 1781. She is the mother of thirteen children, whose ages range from eighty to fifty-two years. She has grandchildren who have grandchildren, and has in all over 200 descendants. Our representative found this venerable lady sitting on the porch sewing. She talks quite fluently, and is remarkably sprightly for one so old.
The early settlers of this township came generally from Virginia, although some came from Pennsylvania. Some of the early settlers came here after visiting the country about Chillicothe.
The Cincinnati, Washington and Baltimore Railroad passes through the northeastern corner of the township, about two miles of the road being in the township.
The population in 1840 was 410; in 1850, 713; 1860, 1,044; 1870, 1,532; in 1880, 1,869.
The schools in this township, now ten in number, are rapidly improving. There are about 400 pupils in the township. Salaries paid to teachers average about $30 a month. Assessed valuation in 1882 was: Real estate, $139,086; personal property, $67,771; total, $206,857.
Raysville is a little village situated on the C., W. and B. Railroad, just one the line between Jackson and Vinton Counties. It was laid out while that road was being built, in 1854, by Moses Ray. Its growth has not been rapid. It now has about 150 inhabitants; three business houses, viz.: J.J. McCormick, store; Thacker and Company, store; Smallwood and Dixon, store; a post office, school house, a church and Grand Army Republic Post. The post office was established in 1864, J.H. McCormick, Postmaster. Grand Army Republic -- Lieutenant's Post, established 18 Jan 1883 -- has now forty five-members. The Christian church was organized by Rev. Thomas M. Pinkerton in 1852. In 1870 they built a church building costing $500; has now about 110 members, the Rev. A.J. Watts, pastor.
Swiftsville is a little hamlet in the eastern part of the township, on section 24. It was laid out in 1844 by Samuel Swift. The post office was established in 1871, discontinued from 1873 to 1874, named Leo Post Office. Mr. Braly was Postmaster from 1871 to 1873; G.H. Green from 1874 to 1875; C.C. McKinnis from 1875. The business houses are: C.C. McKinnis, general store; O.B. Randall, general store; and R. Ervin, steam flour, planing and saw mill. This mill was originally built by R.A. Cassady in 1840; rebuilt in 1859 by Perry and Jinks, and sold by them in 1869 to Robert Ervin, present owner. He has repaired and added to the mill, so that it now runs two sets of burrs, saw and planing mill, and carding machine.
Trinity Church was here before the village was laid out. Meetings were held in schoolhouses, dwellings, groves, etc., until 1878, when a small house was built, costing $700. The congregation numbers sixty members; Rev. Mr. Bell, pastor.
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, situated on section 17, was organized in 1869 by Revs. E.W. Lloyd and W. Case, with about fifteen members. In 1871, they raised $300 by subscription and built their present 20 x 30 house. The congregation now numbers fifty members; pastor, Rev. Mr. Branham.
Pleasant Valley Church is situated on section 32, near the settlement about the Baily Mill. It was established in 1862 by Rev. Jacob Mark. The congregation originally consisted of twelve members. In 1871, they built a 22 x 28 meeting house, costing $200. The congregation has increased to twenty members; Rev. J.J. Springer, pastor.
Ellsworth Lodge, No. 661, I.O.O.F., was organized 27 Oct 1876 at Ellsworth OH by W.C. Earl. The charter members numbered only six. The lodge was moved to Swiftsville in 1879. There are now thirty-three members, officered as follows: J.A. Ervin, N.G.; J.M. Ray, P.G.; W.A. Mincks, V.G.; J.L. Goodrich, R.S.; G.W. Cain, P.S.; J.M. Ervin, W.; Lewis Lucas, Treasurer. The organization owns property to the amount of $600.
Springer Post Office, on Section 19, was established in September 1882 to accommodate the people in the western part of the township. P. Springer was appointed Postmaster.
Leach Post Office, on section 28, was established 01 Feb 1883, Thompson Leach, Postmaster. Mail is carried on horseback twice each week.
From History of Lower Scioto Valley, Ohio (1884)