CEDARVILLE HISTORY

(MANUFACTORIES: )

   The first sawmill in the township was built by Jesse Newport, in 1811, on the banks, of Massie's Creek, a short distance from where Cedarville now is. It was one of the old flutter-wheel mills, and the first boards used in building in this township were sawed by it. Mr. Newport ran this mill several years and then sold it to John Townsley, who operated it till 1836, when he disposed of it to Fred Beamer, who in turn sold it to a Mr. Barber, the latter running it till about 1868, when the mill was washed out, and was never rebuilt.
   The second sawmill in the township was built in conjunction with a carding and fulling factory, by Issac and Jacob McFarland, about 1818, and for many years they carried on an extensive business. Finally they discontinued carding and fulling, devoting their whole attention to the sawmill, which they ran successfully till about 1845. The property is now owned by Samuel N. Tarbox who continues to run the sawmill, which he has operated for about twenty years. This is the only water-power sawmill in the township, and is also the oldest mill of any kind in the limits of Cedarville Township now being worked.
   The first gristmill in the township was built by Peter Mondy, about 1836, who also ran a distillery in connection with it. This mill is now owned by Samuel Charlton, who has operated it some twenty years, and has the reputation of making an excellent quality of flour.
   The third sawmill in the township, was built by Charles and James Small, in 1833, just west of Cedarville on Massie's Creek. They operated this mill till 1842, when the property passed into other hands. A distillery was connected with it for a short time, but both have long ago perished, and now nothing marks the spot on which they stood.
   The steam sawmill now owned by Samuel Mitchell, is the only one of its kind in the township, and is, perhaps, as old as any .in the county. It was built by Samuel Townsley, John Orr and Alfred Booth, in 1840. At first, they could only saw 1,000 feet of lumber per day; now they caneasily do five times, that amount. Mr. Mitchell became sole proprietor of the mill about 1868, since which time he has managed it very successfully. They do an immense amount of sawing here.
   The first steam grist-mill in the township was built in about 1855, by Messrs. Hamilton Clemens, and George Shiegley, who operated it about three years, when the mill was sold, avid removed to Charleston, in Clarke County.
D. S. Ervine, and Robert Ervine, began milling in 1878, when they purchased the mill of W. M. Harbison. They are carrying on an extensive business. In 1879, they shipped 30,000 bushels of wheat. They are at present building an elevator, which is to be three stories high, and which, when completed, will afford storage for 25,000 bushels of grain. They deal more extensively in grain than any firm in the township..
   The only tile factory in the township was established by J. W. Strouse and B. W. Northup in 1871, when they put up a dry room 92x40 feet. Part of their buildings were destroyed by fire in 1873, but was immediately rebuilt. They give employment to four men during the working season. They manufacture all sizes, from two to six inches, and average about fifteen kilns per year, which contains four hundred and fifty rods of tiling each. Being the only establishment of the kind within a radius of several miles, they dispose of most of their work in their own neighborhood, where there is a good demand for the article.
   The fruit evaporator of Tarbox Brothers was established by them in this township, and operated first in the fall of 1879, when they had completed the frame building, 20x30 feet, at a cost of about $1,600, including all the necessary apparatus. In evaporating apples, they employ fourteen hands during the season, and run through about two hundred and fifty pounds of apples per day. This is the only establishment of the kind in the county, and will supply a much-needed want, by furnishing an excellent quality of fruit for the home market. Tarbox Brothers also operate the principal cider press in the township, which they have worked since 1876. During a season when apples are plenty, they manufacture from seven hundred to one thousand barrels of cider, all of which is necessary to meet the demands of the home market.
   Uriah Jeffries established the only furniture factory in the township, and the only one of any importance in the county, in Cedarville, in 1834. His work was then all done by an old-fashioned hand-lathe, heworked several years before he purchased a horse-power, shortly after which he removed his shop to a little log cabin, west of Cedarville, near the site of the present buildings. He remained there till 1845, when he took James Jeffries as a partner, and they then put up the present buildings. In 1855, Uriah sold out to James, the former going to farming, which occupation he followed two years, when he returned and renewed the partnership, which was again dissolved by his death, in 1870. In about 1873, James took M. Jeffries into the concern, as a partner, which relation they still sustain. They introduced steam power into their establishment in 1874. They give constant employment to about fifteen men, and manufacture a great deal of elegant furniture. They established a furniture store in Xenia, in 1876, where they keep a large and fine stock of goods.
   D. S. Ervine began the manufacture of lime in the spring of 1869, when he entered into partnership with S. M. Foster. They built one kiln the first year, and another the next, running these two till 1871, when, Mr. Ervine bought Foster's interest, since which time he has been running the business alone. During the summer he gives employment to about twenty-four hands, and in winter employs about one-third that number. He has three kilns, which, when in active operation, will burn two car loads of lime, of three hundred bushels each, per day. The greater portion of this he ships to Cincinnati. Mr. Ervine manufactures about three times as much lime as all the other lime burners in the township.
The only brick kiln in Cedarville Township was established by D. S. Ervine, in the spring of 1879. During this first year, he made about two hundred thousand brick. He gives employment, in this work, to four men, and this year will exceed the number of brick he manufactured last year by about fifty thousand.
   Wesle Iliff is the oldest manufacturer of lime in the township. He came to Cedarville Township the game year the village was founded, 1816, but did not begin to burn lime until about twenty-seven years later. He gives employment to about nine men, and burns about one hundred and fifty car loads of lime per year, which he ships to various parts of Ohio, and some to Indiana.
   John Orr began burning lime some time after 1845, and still retains an interest in the business, which is now managed by his son. He manufactures about the same quantity of lime as Mr. Iliff.
   W. G. Shroads began burning lime some twenty years since. He employs about eight men during the summer, and burns about one hundred and forty-five car loads of lime, which he ships to different parts of our state.

                                                                        CHURCHES

   The first church in the township was built about 1804, on Massie's Creek, about four miles west of Cedarville. It was aroundlog house, built by the Scotch seceders, who came here from Kentucky. It was a very rude structure. The Rev.Armstrong, to whom reference has already been made, was the first minister. He was a Scotchman, and somewhat cross-eyed. On one occasion there was some whispering going on in the congregation. The minister, fixing his eyes really on the offender, but apparently upon a visitor from Xenia, shouted put; "I want that noise stopped immediately." The Xenia man, being somewhat angered at what he considered the old Scotchman's impertinence, rose to his feet and asked, "Do you mean me?" "If the shoe fits your, I mean you to wear it," answered the imperturable preacher, fixing his unmanageable eye really upon his interlocutor, but apparently upon another man. The mistake he had made soon dawned upon the mind of the young man from Xenia, who took his seat amidst the smilings and frownings of the whole congregation.
   Mr. Armstrong preached for his people during his lifetime, and was an able man. Once, during the war of 1812, word came, during services, that the Indians were expected to show hostilities immediately. The people were dismissed in the midst of the sermon, and the preacher, with his flock, retired to the nearest house, and began making bullets, and otherwise preparing for war; but, fortunately, no violence was attempted among them.This congregation removed the round-log house, and built a hewed-log church; in 1810, on the same spot. In 1829, they built the old stone edifice, known as the "Massie's Creek Church," which is still in a state of good preservation, and is yet used for divine services.
   The Methodist Episcopal denomination were in this township as early as 1804, when services were held in different houses during the winter, and in the woods in the warmer months. Their brick edifice, in Cedarville village was remodeled in 1879, and it may justly be considered one of the most substantial church structures in the township. They have a membership of about two hundred; and sustain a Sunday school which has an average attendance of about one hundred and twenty. Mr. James Gowdy, the superintendent, has held the position some time, and the school is in a very flourishing condition.
   The Baptists built a frame church in the township, in about 1830. This house several years since, passed into the hands of the colored Baptists, who hold regular services here.
The United Presbyterian Church was organized here by Samuel Finley in 1830, when the congregation consisted of thirty members. James Buchanan, the first regular minister, came in 1834, and remained till his death in 1836. During his pastorate, the present frame edifice was erected. Harvey Buchanan, a brother of James succeeded as minister, and retained the position till about 1855, when James B. Wright was chosen pastor, and served till the beginning of the war, then James McCaul officiated as minister for some time, and was succeeded by W. H. Haney, the predecessor of H. F. Wallace, the present minister. The congregation has a membership of about one hundred and twenty-five. Church property worth $1,500.00.
   The Reformed Presbyterians.-This congregation organized the first prayer meeting in the township in 1804, which was kept up many years by the families of David Mitchell, James Miller, James Reid, and William Moreland. Revs. Thomas Donelly, and John Kell preached here, first in the fall of 1809. First services were held in a log barn, on the Dallas farm, at which time there were about nine members in the congregation.
   The first persons baptized were William and Joseph Reid. They put up their first church, in 1812. It was a rude house of logs, with old fashioned roof fastened down with weight poles. They worshiped here twelve years. Rev. John Kell, the first minister, preached here from 1810 to 1816. The stone church, two miles from Cedarville, was built in 1824. Rev. Hugh McMillen, was first pas-tor in this house, and remained till his death. The congregation divided in 1833, into the new and old schools, both occupying the house some time. In 1839, the former built a brick church, which they used till 1853, when the present brick was built in Cedarville. It is 45x67 feet inside, and has in it materials used in the old church built in 1824. Rev. J. F. Morton, the present pastor, has served the people, in that capacity here since 1863. The present member-ship is about two hundred. Average attendance at their Sunday -school, one hundred and sixty. When the division arose, it left the old school here with thirty-eight members. They had no regular minister till 1858, when Rev. H. H. George was called to the pas-torate, where he officiated till 1867, when he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Sterritt who served the congregation till 1871, when his death occurred, and Rev. P. P. Boyd accepted a call from the congregation. He remained here till 1874. Rev. W. J. Sproul was then called here, but having been previously appointed mission-ary to Syria by the board of missions, was compelled to decline. They have no regular minister at present. Present church edifice was built 1855, and remodeled in 1879. They have thirty-five members. Robert Ervine has been superintendent of the Sunday -school since 1878. They have an average attendance of about fifty. The church property is worth $1,500.00.

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