Monroe County, Ohio

Wayne Township

This township was organized at the same session of the commissioners as Perry, December 30, 1823. It is formed from parts of original townships 3 and 4, of range 5, and parts of townships 4 and 5, of range 6. Its eastern portion is drained by Cranes's Nest fork, its northen by Town fork, and its centeral, western, and northwestern by Cronin and Rich forks. The land is of fair quality, and especially good along the valleys of the streams. Some limestone is found which serves to fertilize the soil. No coal has yet been exposed, or at least not in sufficient quanties as to be of any considerable practical value.

The early settlements in this township were not made much, if any, before the year 1815. The first settlers were Henry Kirkbride, who was married to Catherine Williams, in Belmont county. March 25, 1805, by James Starr justice of the peace, Jeremiah Willison, who married a sister of Henry and david Kirkbride, was also an early settler. John Gray and Anna Okey were married in Belmont county, January 8, 1805, by David Ruble, justice of the peace, and became early settlers. Other early settlers were the Croains, Martins, Bakers, Noffsingers, Daughertys, Farnswirths, Howells, Congers and Dearths.

The first church build in the towhship was by Roman Catholics, in the Daugherty settelment, on Carne's Nest; but, since the erection of the church in Woodsfield, has measurably gone to decay. The Barber meeting house, on section 15, erected by the members of the Christian Church, was built at an early date, but since erection of a new church on Rich fork, has had no regular preaching. The Methodist Episcopal Church, on Connor Ridge was, probably, the next church built. There is quite a large society of United brethern in the township. Their church building is in the south-western corner of Center township.

There is no town with the limits of the township, and the only post office is Edwia, located in section 8, near the mouth of the Town fork. Woodsfield, Graysville and Louisville afford mail facilities for most of its inhabitants.

The writer holds an old order on the treasury of this township which he preserves among other relics and curiosities. It reads as follows:

"No. 1, February the 2d, A. D. 1829 To the Treasure of Wayne township: Your hearby ordered to pay Joseph Martin, sen., the sum of three dollars, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated by order of the trustees
"Michael Chonin, Clk."

The penmenship is good, and the ink must have been of excellent quality. Suppose some of the younger readers amuse themselves by figuring up what will be the amount of $3.00 for fifty-three years, at 6 per cent. compounded interest. In the fifty-three years since the issuing of that order, but few if any, who were adult citizens of the township at its date are now living; but the change that time has made in the populaton are not greater than those made in the development of the soil, the improvement in the comfort and convenience of the dwelling houses, farm buildings, school houses and churches.

The population of the township, by the census of 1880, was 1,284. The school statistics for the year ending August 31, 1881, are as follows: Total amount of school money recived within the year, $2,035.41; amount paid teachers, $995.00; paid for fuel, ect., $138.21; balance on hand September, 1 1881, $901.20; No. of school houses, 6; total value of school property $1,800; No. of teachers, 6; adverage wadges of teachers per month $27.00; No. of pupils enrolled, 316.

The present justices of the peace for the township, are: J. W. Strickling and Amon Moose.