Washington County

Adams township, lying east of Waterford, on the Noble County line, was incorporated in 1797, and was first settled when the Second Association was located at Waterford. Its history during the pioneer period—before 1800—has been sketched. The earliest settlers were the Coburns, Allisons, Dodges, Davises, Fryes, Kinneys, Owens, Masons, Devols, and Spragues.

 

A block-house was built on land settled by the Kinneys, known as "Kinney's Blockhouse." A monument has been erected on the site.

 

The improvement of the Muskingum River was the making of the little village "Buell's Lowell," laid out by P. B. Buell. which stood in what is now Upper Lowell. The first store was opened here in 1822. Lowell Mill was erected in 1842; Oak Mill was built in 1859; a planing mill was built, but burned in 1879. The first postmaster was E. Short, who went into office about 1820, the office then being known as Adams. Buell's Lowell was incorporated May 10, 1851; the first officials were:

Theodore Schriner, mayor; S. N. Merriam, recorder; John Scott, Solomon Sharpe, John B. Regnier, Joseph Cox and George Fleck, trustees. William Bartlett was elected first marshal by the Board of Trustees.

Among the early settlers were: Nicholas and Asa Coburn, sons of Maj. Asa Coburn, with whom they came to Marietta from Massachusetts in the latter part of 1788. Major Coburn had won his title in the Massachusetts line of the Revolutionary Army. Many of his descendants live in Morgan County.

Robert Allison came from Pennsylvania in 1788. Moved to Cat's Creek in 1795. His daughter, Mrs. Frost, born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1784, was for a long time before her death the only survivor of the pioneer life during the Indian war. She had a clear recollection of events that occurred at the Campus Martius, and especially of the Sunday-school taught by Mrs. Lake. Mrs. Frost died at the home of her grandson, Mr. O. A. Stacy, near Lowell, in 1891.

James Owen, from Rhode Island, came to Ohio in 1788. His son Daniel came into the Adams colony.

Col. William Mason, a soldier of the Revolution and one of the first party of pioneers, settled in Adams about 1797.

William Mason, of Pennsylvania, came to this settlement about the same time.

Muj. Joshua Sprague, an officer in the Revolution, came to Marietta in 1788, with his two sons, Jonathan and William. They went to Waterford but afterward Major Sprague and his son William removed to Adams.

Stephen Frost, Michael Cyphers, Joseph Simons, Amos Wilson, Geo. M. Cox, Alfred Hall, Morgan Wood, James H. Rose (of Virginia). Among the German settlers are Philip Mattem (a son of Henry Mattern, who lived in Salem), Jacob Schneider, Jacob Becker, and Jacob Reitz.

Joseph Frye came from Maine to Waterford, where he taught school, before he moved down to his farm.

William and Daniel Davis, sons of Capt. Daniel Davis, a soldier in the Revolution, and one of the 48 pioneers. The descendants of Daniel Davis, a soldier in the Revolution, and one of the 48 pioneers. The descendants of Captain Davis bore an honorable part in our second war for liberty, that of 1861-65.

Oliver Dodge, one of the 48 pioneers, came from Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. His son, Richard, a lover of fine horses and of a good joke, was long a familiar figure in McConnellsville. Richard left no children.

Nathan King, a native of Nlova Scotia. Two of his daughters were married to sons of Robert Allison.

Churches.—The Baptist Church dates from 1797: its reorganization from 1832. The Christian Church was organized in 1831. The German citizens of Lowell and vicinity organized the Protestant Evangelical Church in 1857. The Congregational Church built a house of worship in Lowell in i860, but services are no longer held in it. A few of the members now meet in Rainbow.

Adams Township and Lowell Corporation

Development.—During the last decade Lowell has developed and improved to a considerable extent. Many beautiful residences have been built, the streets have been improved and cleaned, old buildings have been removed and additions have been made to the size of the corporation.

The plat of Sprague's addition to the corporation was approved by the Council a few years ago; Pfaff's sub-division, comprising 14 acres of ground, was annexed in 1901; and the plat of Saner's addition was approved June 6, 1902. Numerous buildings are being erected and all of these additions and the town is experiencing a nice growth.

Industrial.—Lowell is proud of the volume of business that is transacted within its limits. It has a goodly number of industries that have been built up gradually and are upon a safe footing and in a flourishing condition. Great pride is taken by the people of Lowell and Adams township in the First National Bank. The capital stock of the bank is owned principally by local parties and the conservative manner in which the business has been managed has made it a valuable investment. The deposits are heavy and a nice surplus is being accumulated.

Lowell can boast that there is more business transacted within its borders than in any other town of its size and many larger ones along the Muskingum River.

The oil developments in Adams township have resulted in very valuable productions; The first large pools were found in the Reed field on Cat's Creek, and the Minch field, which lies to the northwest of the town. The Minch field was sold at one time by A. J. Brown, A. I. Vaughn and others to the Boston & Marietta Oil Company for $130,000. Considerable oil is being found on Bear Creek, near the eastem township line and the developments there are making the fields very valuable. The southwestern section of the township also is producing some oil.

Educational.— The Adams Township School District is composed of 11 sub-districts, ranging in numbers from one to 12, inclusive, No. 6 being consolidated with No. 11. The enumerations of the youth of school age in the township during the last five years have fluctuated between 370 and400. The percentage of attendance upon the enumeration is quite large, and the Board of Education has been fortunate in securing the services of good teachers. There are several new school houses which are commodious and well adapted to the purpose, but most of the others are old and in bad condition. Owing to the unusually and unavoidably bad state of the finances of the Board, nothing can be done at present with the houses, but as soon as there is a cash balance on hand the matter will probably be taken up and some changes in the districts may be made that will secure a better division of the township. J. A. Schwindeman is president of the Board at this time.

The Lowell Independent School District embraces the entire town and a strip of the surrounding territory. It has graded schools which have more than a local reputation. Prof. J. L. Jordan and Prof. D. A. Leake, who have been principals of the schools during the last 18 years, deserve great credit for the manner in which they have built them up. There are four teachers.

Political.—Normally, Adams Towtiship is Democratic in political complexion by from 40 to 50 majority. The oil operations during late years have brought many new people in the township, which has altered the matter somewhat in several instances, but on an average it stands about the same. The present officers of the township are: Trustees, John Decker, John Muck and Daniel Marsch; clerk. John D. Hollinger; treasurer, A. C. Beach; assessor, Ed Schwindeman; justices of the peace, Daniel Marsch and J. M. Newton; constables, W. F. Burdine and Elias Dobbin. In Lowell corporation the Democrats are also usually victorious. The officers of the corporation are: Mayor. A. D. Bell; clerk. John D. Hollinger: treasurer, C. G. Schneider: councilmen, S. Turkenton, F. A. Boyle. J. W. Landsittle, J. F. Hoilinger, Fred Fauss, and A. H. Henniger: marshal. Philip Rothley.

Questions looking toward the issuing of bonds for the purpose of building a new public hall and the erection of water works have met with defeat when submitted to the voters of the corporation.

Fraternal,—The following fraternal orders are represented by subordinate lodges and branches in Lowell, viz: Knights of Pythias, Masons, Odd Fellows, Daughters of Rebekah, and Grand Army of the Republic.

Buell Lodge, No. 395, Knights of Pythias, has 97 members and owns real estate valued at $2,500. Conventions are held every Monday evening.

Lowell Lodge, No. 438, I. O. O. F., has 91 members enrolled upon its roster and the real estate owned is valued at $3,000. Meetings are held every Tuesday evening.

Sunbeam Lodge, No. 51, Daughters of Rebekah, has a goodly number of members. Meetings are held every Thursday evening.

The roster of Lowell Lodge, No. 436, F. & A. M., shows a membership of 34. Meetings are held monthlv.

Dick Mason Post, No. 304, G. A. R., has 16 members.

All of the lodges are in a flourishing condition.

—John D. Hollingcr.

   Source: History of Marietta and Washington County, by Martin R. Andrews, MA, 1902, Transcribed by C. Anthony