Genealogy Trails Athens County, Ohio York Township

York Township is one of the fourteen townships of Athens County, Ohio. The 2000 census found 7,740 people in the township, 1,947 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.  York township was a part of Ames until 1811, and then, on the organization of Dover, became a part of the latter township. The first election for York township officers was held at the house of Ebenezer Blackstone.  The residents of York Township are served by the Nelsonville-York City School District and Nelsonville-York High School.  The school is located in the village of Buchtel.  Also located in York township, near Nelsonville, are Hocking College and Tri-County Vocational School. Nelsonville is a city in northwestern Athens County and is located along the Hocking River on U.S. Route 33.    U.S. 33, also known as Canal Street, is located on top of where the old Hocking Canal once ran. Currently, a bypass is being planned for the city.  Originally known as Englishtown , Nelsonville was laid out in June, 1818, and named after Mr. Daniel Nelson, who owned the land on which the town is situated. The town was incorporated by act of the legislature passed in 1838. NELSONVILLE, a hill bordered town prospered during the lusty years of the Hocking Valley coal boom.  Few miners are seen on the street these days. Nelsonville's population decreased, but the manufacture of brick and tile keeps the city from languishing.  Originally known as Englishtown, the town changes its name in 1824 to honor Daniel Nelson, the settlement's most enterprising citizen.  With completion of the Hocking Canal through the valley in 1841 and the Hocking valley Railroad in 1869, shafts were sunk to the nearby coal beds in increasing numbers, and there began a period of growth that culminated just after the World war.  Large round clay kilns are in the valley, their yellow brick domes grayed with soot and weathering.   THE OHIO GUIDE - WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION IN THE STATE OF OHIO - THE OHIO STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY - COPYRIGHT 1940                                                                             According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.0 square miles (12.9 km²), all of it land.The estimated population, in 2003, was 5,483. Nelsonville-York City Schools serves northern Athens county in Ohio representing the communities of Nelsonville, Buchtel, Carbon Hill, Murray City, and Ward Township of Hocking county. Nelsonville-York City School District came into existence in the fall of 1967. It was formed between the consolidation of the Nelsonville City School District and the Buchtel-York Local School District. Nelsonville High School sports teams were called the Greyhounds and the school colors were scarlet and grey. Buchtel-York High School sports teams were called the Bruins and the school colors were blue and yellow. When Nelsonville-York High School was established, the team nickname became the Buckeyes and the school colors were brown and white. In the early 1970's, orange was also added as a school color. Brown, White, and Orange are the official school colors of the Buckeyes to this day. Nelsonville has two connections to Hollywood. It is the birthplace of actress Sarah Jessica Parker, who is best known for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw on HBO's Sex and the City. Nelsonville is also the site of the 1985 film "Mischief" starring Kelly Preston.  Nelsonville is also the burial place of former Major League Baseball player Estel Crabtree Nelsonville attractions: Hocking Valley Scenic Railway - The Parade of the Hills Festival each August - Final Fridays, held the last Friday of each month on the Square, and   Rocky Boots Outlet Store . The major empolyers in the area are EDMAP (an online book delivery company), Doctors Hospital Nelsonville,  Hocking Correctional Facility, Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, Hocking Valley Residential Center, and SEPTA Center. Buchtel is an unincorporated village in Athens and Hocking counties, just northeast of Nelsonville. Buchtel is located on State Route 78. A former name for the village is Bessemer. The village was named for John R. Buchtel who undertook the development of the coal and iron resources of the Hocking valley.  Buchtel is locally known for a large local spring (nicknamed the "watering trough") close to State Route 78. This spring emerges from an abandoned mine shaft that has been dammed up. Many area residents get water at this spring. Doanville is an unincorporated village southeast of Nelsonville, in York township. York Township Cemeteries include:  Greenlawn Cemetery, Fort Street Cemetery,Connett Cemetery Photo and Information From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Click on any photo to view.  The full-size photo will open in a new window .   Photos and news clipping submitted by Kathy Smith 1936 Nelsonville High School Class Reunion News Article 1928 Nelsonville Grade School Pictures 1. Wanda Lee (Tedrick); Audrey Stanley; Alfred Matheny; Joanna Shelton (Evans); Elberta Bussey (Marshall); Jeannette Cranmer (Grim); Bill (Weltzheimer?). 2. Eleanor ?; Dow Martin, Jr.; Jack Karry; Bill ?ng; Edith Walker; Orpha Hauning; Betty Hicks; Roxie Dexter; George Ridnour.   3. Tom Galvin; Alis Starling; Tom Merz; Juanita Six; Edith Cordell; Glenn Smith; D?line Harttey; Helen Shannon; Mary Minner (Mathews).   4. Lillian Mender; Jean Hannahs (Craig); Delbert Kuhn; Grace Lafalotte; Carl McHay; Clinton Chapman; Helen Call (Buchanan); Helen Gandee (Mohney); (missing one name).   5. Oria North; Ruth Womsley; Billie Joyce; Griffiths Kelley; Wesley Kiaser; Clarice Wright (Seigle); Virginia Galvin. 1935 Nelsonville High School Football Team  Glenn F. Smith is seated in first row, second from the left.  Names of the other team members are unknown.

THE HISTORY OF NELSONVILLE The town of Nelsonville, near the northern limit of the township, is a thrifty village, with a population of 1,700 and steadily increasing. It was laid out in June, 1818, and named after Mr. Daniel Nelson, who owned the land on which the town is situated. The town was incorporated by act of the legislature passed in 1838. The first election for town officers was held April 27, 1839, when Charles Cable was elected mayor ; A. J. Bond recorder ; John Coe, S. M. Sheppard, John Hull, W. W. Poston, and James Rusk trustees. Luther Burt was appointed marshal of the village, and Robert Miller treasurer. James Rusk declining to serve as trustee, Thomas L. Mintun was appointed in his place. Since then the following persons have been elected mayor. Mayors 1840 —        William Burlingame 1841 —        Ebenezer Fenimore 1842 —        Solomon Roberts 1843-44 —   James Deaver 1845 —        R. G. McLean 1846-47 —   No record 1848-49 —   Lewis Steenrod. [Mr. Steenrod having resigned, A. J. Guitteau was appointed for his unexpired term]  1850-51 —   B. A. Lincoln 1852 —       Thomas L. Mintun 1853 —       L. Hutchins 1854—        H. H. Miers 1855 —       A. M. Burgess 1856-57—   O. T. Hyde 1858 —       E. Price 1859-60—   A. H. Burrell 1861—        J. E. Howe 1862-63 —  M. A. Stewart 1864 —       James Eddington 1865—        H. H. Miers 1866 —       Jacob C. Frost 1867—        R. R. Patterson 1868—        John F. Welch The township records from 1818 to 1844 can not be found Township Trustees since 1844: T. M. Boyles U L. D. Poston, II Joseph Brett Aaron Lewis John Hull U M. D. Socie John Miers G. L. Cooley Ashford Poston P. H. Moore R. R. Patterson James H. Devore W. W. Poston Pierson Vore John Dew A. H. Cowen J. G. Miers Thomas L. Mintun Aaron Lewis Ashford Poston John Hull Moses Lewis William Allbright J. G. Miers Township Clerks and Treasurers since 1844 1844           Robert Miller. Cornelius Steenrod 1845-48      Noah Wilder 1849          Thomas L. Mintun  1850          John Cheshire  1851          J. B. Harper. J. E. Price 1852          Cornelius Steenrod 1853          John Cheshire  1854-58     Lewis Steenrod. Cornelius Steenrod 1859-61     Ashford Poston 1862-63     Samuel N. Poston  1864-67     John Harrison. John W. Scott Justices of the Peace since 1844 1844 —      William E. Brown 1845—       Noah Wilder 1846 —      Christian Harmon 1848—       B. F. Harper 1849 —      Noah Wilder 1850 —      Thomas L. Mintun 1851 —      Alvin Baker 1853 —      Joseph Britt 1854-60 — Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun 1861 —      Robert R. Patterson 1862 —      Joseph Britt 1863-66 — Ashford Porter and Robert Patterson 1867 —      Thomas L. Mintun *** Personal and Biographical Prominent among the early citizens of York was Mr. James Knight. He was born in Pulborough, England, and emigrated to the United States when thirty-two years old, came immediately to York township, and settled here in July, 1821. He became at once thoroughly identified with the interests of the township and especially of Nelsonville, and during his residence here was one of the most active and influential citizens, participating earnestly in the local improvements and social movements of the day, such as the building of bridges, school and meeting houses, the establishment of Sunday and day schools, etc. He kept public house in Nelsonville for many years, and was very assiduous in imparting information about the Hockhocking valley to travelers. He aided largely in the construction of the first bridge over the Hockhocking, at Nelsonville, in 1827, and also in the erection of a second one in 1832, and of the bridge across Monday creek, three miles below Nelsonville, in 1832. These bridges were mainly built on individual subscriptions, paid, in many instances, in grain and labor, and the original subscription papers, with the plans of the work and the written contracts therefor, were found in complete order among Mr. Knight's papers after his death. In 1832 he prepared, by request, a circular calling attention to the importance of an immediate improvement of the Hockhocking valley by a canal from Lancaster to the Ohio river, which was sent to leading men throughout southern Ohio, and which contributed much toward the chartering of the "Hocking Valley canal " in the spring of 1839 and its construction soon after. Mr. Knight died August 26, 1836, aged forty-seven years. The following memoranda are in his own handwriting : Mr. Edward Redman, Mrs. Redman, Harriet Redman, arrived 26th May, 1832. Charles Wheeler arrived July 18th.  Captain Hale, with Samuel Older, wife and eight children , Thomas Older, William Thaire, wife and children ; James Smart, wife and two children ; William Saunders, wife and four children ; Barberry, wife and children ; George Tribe and wife ; George Hook and Ned Smithers arrived at Nelsonville July 30th, 1832, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon.  Peter Smithers and wife and children at Pittsburg; Charles Southerton, wife and children at Sunday creek; Howick, ditto; Captain Hale stayed fifteen days at Nelsonville; Graffham and family arrived August 21st, 1832; Miss Courtauld arrived November 20, 1834.   L. D. *** L. D. Poston was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, March 29, 1812, and came to Athens county in September, 1830. For about two years after coming here he worked out by the month, then engaged in buying and selling cattle till October, 1835, when he settled in Nelsonville in the mercantile business. The letter of credit, on which he purchased his first stock of goods, was given him by J. N. and J. H. Norton, and Ezra and William Stewart of Athens.  In 1852 Mr. Poston began extensive coal operations which he still continues, owning some of the most valuable coal lands and mines in the township. He is a man of strict integrity, fine business capacity, and. an excellent citizen. By his own efforts and attention to business he has become one of the wealthiest men in the county. *** Samuel Robbins was one of the early settlers of York. He was born in Massachusetts in 1771, came to Athens county in 1819, and to Nelsonville in 1822, where he lived the rest of his life. He built and carried on the first tannery in this part of the county. He died September 21, 1832. His descendants are mostly living in York. *** Solomon Roberts, a native of New York, came to Athens county in 1819 and settled in Nelsonville in March, 1821. He found here less than half a dozen cabins and one frame house. Coal was not known to exist about Nelsonville for several years after this date. Mr. Roberts, being a blacksmith, got his coal from Minker's run and Monday creek, for some time after he came here. Prior to the opening of the canal, samples of the Nelsonville coal were sent in wagons to Lancaster, Circleville, and other towns for blacksmithing, and its quality fully tested and approved. Mr. Roberts and his son, Mr. W. P. Roberts, are well known in Nelsonville. *** Lewis Steenrod was born in a block house at Wheeling, Virginia, in June, 1791, came to Ohio in 1805, and resided in Muskingum county about eight miles east of Zanesville for over forty years. In 1850 he removed with his family to Nelsonville where he died December 10, 1860. "Father" Steenrod, as he was called, was a man of benevolent heart and gentle life. He was a member of the Baptist church, having united with that organization in 1812. Some of his descendants remain in the county. *** SOURCE:  HISTORY OF ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO And Incidentally of the Ohio Land Company AND THE First Settlement of the State at Marietta WITH PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE EARLY SETTLERS, NARRATIVES OF PIONEER ADVENTURES, ETC. BY CHARLES M. WALKER, WITH MAP AND PORTRAITS, CINCINNATI: ROBERT CLARKE & CO., 1869.

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