Waterloo Township

Waterloo township was organized in 1826, but the first settlements here were made in 1806. Moses Hewitt was the first settler. He was joined by others, Abram Fee, Ezekiel Robinett Sr., Colonel Willim Lowery, Robert Cotton, Lewis Davis, James Mayhugh, Hugh Boden, Daniel McCoy, Samuel Allison, William and Joseph Johnson. The first mill was on Margaret's Creek, the owner was John Hewitt. The first grist and sawmill was erected by Joseph Brookson, and when worn out a new sawmill was built by Nelson Hewitt.

From Walker's history the first list of voters of the township government in 1826 were as follows: William Lowry, Joseph Hewitt, P. C. Hewitt, Ezekial Robinett, Lemuel Robinett, Nathan Robinett, William Young, William Young Jr., Silas Bingham, Andrew Glass, Joseph C. Martin, Horace Martin, Abram Fee, Joseph Bullard, John Bullard, Samuel Lowry Jr., Abram Gabriel, Elias Gabriel and Elias Young.

New Marshfield Christian Church 1911 is noted on border of this picture. I believe the building is still in use by the Masonic Lodge. The Church is still active.

The picture is from the collection of my aunt Kathleen Withers (deceased 1976). She taught school at Carbondale and New Marshfield.

This picture is labeled 3d and 4th. Looking at the picture it appears this was taken at the New Marshfield grade school. This building was located where the fire department now stands.

Aunt Kathleen would have been in the 3d grade in 1911. I think she is the first girl in the 2d row from left side.

John Jackson

New Marshfield Mail Delivery submitted by John Jackson

The village of Marshfield was the central portion of the township located on the C. W. and B. railroad, seven miles from Athens. It had a population of 250 in 1883. The businesses in 1883 were William McPherson, general store, Joseph Kaler, general store, W. G. Gallagher and Co. drugs and groceries, L. S. Stright and Son Tannery.

The Christian church was organized in 1870 by T. J. Allison, J. M. Swaim, Daniel Conkey, Marcus Griswold, H. W. Hewitt, and others.The dedication ceremony was preached by the Rev. Silas Bingham. The pastor in 1883 was Rev. George Van Pelt. Since organization it had 300 members.

The Methodist Protestant church was erected in 1860 and dedicated by Pastor, Rev. William Bawden. The membership in 1883 was 52. Pastor in 1883 was Rev. D. G. Shirer.

The Methodist Episcopal church was erected in 1869, the first members were Prof. miller and wife, Norman McLeod and his wife and daughter, Alexander Shalis and wife, Joseph McPherson and wife, William McPherson and wife, Byron McVay and wife. The first pastor was the Rev. Dickson, and in 1883 the pastor was Rev. C. D. Nichols.

See webpage for Gideon D. Mitchell who purchased land in Waterloo township in the 1830's

John Quinn coal miner from Ireland also lived in Marshfield. See his family reunion photo

Ohio University Archives Library

The Athens Messenger

Was a flourishing mining village with a population of 250-300 in 1883. The coal works were opened in 1867 and a branch railroad was laid out in the same year. This coal mine is said to have been the first opened in Southeastern Ohio. They were operated by McClintock and Smith. there were two general stores, one owned by P. J. Beckler and the other by the mining company which employed between 150 and 175 men. The post office was established in 1880 with Mr. Charles Smith as postmaster.

This village was laid out by the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad Company. It had 150 inhabitants in 1883, two general stores owned by Mr. E. Vickers and the other owned by Vorhes, Earhart and Co. There was also a drug store owned by Dr. Coleman, a practicing physician. E. Vickers was the postmaster in 1883.

Biographical sketches that can be found in the History of the Hocking Valley 1883:

T. J. Allison, John Boden, George W. Earhart, Robert C. Harper, I. N. McCoy, E. H. Phillips, Henry Smith, Leander Stright, J. M. Swaim, Elijah Vickers, W. H. Vorhes.