LAWRENCE COUNTY OHIO - History of Decatur Township (published 1882, 1887) *********************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman July 14, 1999 *********************************************************************** From Atlas of Lawrence County, Ohio Hardesty 1882 From Atlas of Lawrence County, Ohio 1887 D.J. Lake & Company Decatur township is in the northwestern part of Lawrence County. Much of the land is hilly and covered with forests, with the valleys used for small farms. Both Wayne National and Dean State Forests are partially within the township. Pine Creek is the largest waterway. State Route 93 runs north through the center of the township. There are no industries, since the cement plant ceased operation in 1988. Mining was once an important occupation, however,there are currently no mining operations. The pig-iron furnaces, Olive on the northern edge, Vernon in the center,and Buckhorn in the northwestern part were within the township. The Dayton-lronton Railroad served the furnaces. The Buckhorn Furnace was sold to Salle Brothers for $575 in 1914. The remains of Olive Furnace may be seen while traveling Route 93. Other early landowners were Henry Phillips, W.C. Anderson. John and Sarah Armstrong, Cader Powell. Dominic Werner, and W.D. Kelley. Much of Decatur Township was once owned by Hiram Campbell and W.N. McGugin. The wedding of Nannie Scott, daughter of the manager of Vernon Furnace, and Marshall Field, founder of the Marshall Field and Company of Chicago took place in Decatur Township. The home where it took place burned in 1964. Decatur Township once operated several schools including a high school. It was consolidated into the Rock Hill System in 1965. One elementary school housing K-5 remains in the township on the site of, and using the remodeled high school with an addition. It is near the old Vernon Furnace site. Early Settlers are: ANDERSON, W. D. ARMSTRONG, John ARMSTRONG, Sarah CAMPBELL, Hirum KELLEY, W. D. McGUGIN, W.N. PHILLIPS, Henry POWELL, Cader WERNER, Dominic Name Post Office Occupation Nativity Date of Settlement Campbell Iron Pig Iron Campbell Manufacturer Morris, Jefferson Campbell Farmer Virginia 1850 Patterson, Olive Gallia Co., OH Patterson, C.F. Furnace Physician OH 1881 Phillips, John Steece Mine Boss Lawrence Co., OH 1845