CHAPTER LX
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Organization — Springs and Water Courses — First Election — Early Settlers and their Adventures — First Road — First Public House — Early Schoolhouses and Teachers — The "Black Cane Company" — The First Temperance Organization — First Brick House — The Churche(sic) — Mills — Washington Village.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP was organized March 4, 1 816, out of the east third of Troy, being the eleventh township organized in the county. It lies directly south of and joins Madison, and contains thirty-six square miles. The surface is somewhat broken, but the ascents and descents are gentle, and the soil generally very fertile. It abounds in many valuable springs of pure cold water, and is otherwise well watered by small running brooks, supplied from these springs. The Clear Fork of the Mohican crosses the southwest corner, along the valley through which the Baltimore & Ohio Railway passes. Possum Run rises in the center of the township, and passes out of it at the southeast corner. A tributary of the Rocky Fork passes out near the northeast corner of the township, running north into Rocky Fork. Near this stream, and near the residence of Mr. Bentley, is one of the finest springs in the township, a large volume of the clearest water bursting from the bank and falling into a reservoir in Mr. Bentley's yard. This spring, with the assistance of the brook, some years ago furnished the power for Bentley's mill. The township was named after George Washington. Its or- ganization was consummated at the house of Solomon Lee, at the center of the township. Immediately' after the organization had been completed, the election was held at the same place. Forty votes were cast. The election resulted in the choice of John Stewart for Justice of the Peace, and Solomon Culver, Sr., William Riddle and Daniel Dimmick for Trustees.
The names of the early settlers, as far as can be ascertained, are as follow : William Stewart, Section 10; John Stewart, Section 10, April. 1815; Solomon Culver, Section 3 ; James Sirpliss, Section 11, April, 1815; William Ayers. Section 4; Solomon Lee, Section 10, settled here before 1816 ; Mrs. Cunningham, Section 1; Daniel McMitchell, Section 30 ; William Riddle, Section 30; Daniel Cook, Section 6; Gavin and Joseph Mitchell, Section 6; Vandorn, Section 31; Andrew Thompson, Sec- tion 27; John Lindsley, Section 28 ; John J. and Wesley Barnes, Section 14; Isaac Slater, Section 36; Alexander McClain, Section 25; Robert Crosky, Section 3; Thomas Shanks, Section 2; Noah Watson, Section 7, February, 1812; Jedediah Smith, Section 1, 1816; Calvin Culver settled here before 1816 ; Andrew Pollock, Section 13, 1817; Martin Ridenour, 1818 ; Jacob Ridenour, Section 25, 1818 ; Thos. Smith, April, 1816, and Melzer Coulter, 1826.
Among the pioneers living in January, 1880, were John S. Smith. Solomon Culver, Mrs. Margaret Stewart (at the age of ninety-three), William Stewart, Thomas Pollock, Mrs. Eleanor Smith and Stephen Shaw.
These were the persons who penetrated the heavily wooded hills and valleys of Washington, and laid the foundation of its present prosperity and wealth.
