Washington County

Villages and population of the different places in the township.

 

New Matamoras	Population	817
Grandview	"	75
West	"	30
Ward	"	25
Glass	"	25
Dawes	"	--

 

 

 

 

 

The picturesque Ohio and the hills which stand sentinels beside it make Grandview a fit name for a river township. The first election for township officials of Grandview was held the first Monday in April, 1804, the township having been struck off from Newport in 1803. The election resulted as folows: Samuel Williamson, Philip Witten and David Jackson, trustees; Arthur Scott, clerk; Nathan Parr, William Ramsey, and John McBride, supervisors; Alexander Mayers, constable. In the following year the list was increased; Philander B. Stewart and William Cline, constables; Arthur Scott, lister of property; James Ring's and John Collins, overseers of the poor; Nathan Parr and Henry Dickerson, appraisers of houses.

The first settlers in Grandview were families by the name of Dickerson, Shepherd, Mitchell, Whitton, Riggs, Sheets, Ellis, Burns, Jolly and Collins.

The proprietor of Matamoras was Henry Sheets, who made the survey of the first plat on his land lying along the Ohio River. Beginning with the big road, which extended along the banks of the river, the original plat extended west three blocks to Third street, and north three blocks from Merchants street, to the first alley above the flour mill now belonging to Samuel Shannon. The only houses within the boundary of the original plat were the store and dwelling house, also the flour mill of the proprietor. The streets were, beginning at the river, Water street, which has now almost disappeared beneath the encroachments of the river; the next was First, then Second and Third streets, all running north and south; then those extending east and west were Merchants and Ferry. The first addition was made by Stinson Burris, and extended from Merchants down to Vine, including two lots beyond; and from Water back to Third, thus extending Water, First, Second and Third streets, and adding two new streets,—Main and Vine. The second addition was made on the north, extending Water, First and Second streets three blocks, and adding another street —Togler—and 18 new blocks, which in 1849 included the full dimensions of the town. Afterward many other large additions were made on the southwest.

The town began slowly to improve and houses, one by one, began to appear along First street of the old plat, then on Main and Second, until 1861the incorporation was made, and at the election James McWilliams was elected mayor.

Grandview village was surveyed at an early day but the original plat was annulled by Hannibal Williamson in 1848, who made a new plat of the same grounds. The Presbyterian Church was organized two years later and in 1852 the house of worship was dedicated. The society declined until a new society, which erected a church at Matamoras in 1877-78, was formed. Itinerant Methodists came early to the township but the first permanent organization was effected about the middle of the century, when the present church was erected. The Methodist Episcopal Church (Bell's Chapel) was first a log meeting house built in 1855; in 1879 the present church was erected. The German Methodist Episcopal Church was built about 1860. The United Brethren worshiped first in a log meeting house erected in 1869. The Fairvew Christian Church originated in revivals in 1819; the church in the western portion of the township was built in 1880. The Baptist Church at Matamoras was the earliest in the field at that point but was not organized until 1859. The first officials were: Andrew Snider, Zachariah Cochran, H. G. Hubbard, trustees; Thomas Reynolds, treasurer; Jasper Bonar, clerk.

The first school was built early in the century at the mouth of Mill Creek. The old school building in Matamoras was erected about 1852. The first mill was known as "Buck's Mill" on Mill Creek about one mile north of Matamoras. The new school house is of modern type, two stories high, built of brick.

NEW MATAMORAS IN 1902.

New Matamoras is a village of 1,200 inhabitants, situated in the extreme northeastern part of Washington County. It is beautifully located on the right bank of the Ohio River. The highest recorded watermark, that of the great flood of 1884, did not flood the town which adds greatly to its desirable location.

The memorable "Long Beach of the Beautiful River," together with the two islands which lay in front of the fine stretch of fertile valley, occupied by the town and its beautiful suburbs, not only enhance its desirableness as a place for beautiful homes, but makes the whole seem highly picturesque also.

This town has never had any spasmodic growth; its development has been a necessity to accommodate its environment. It is the youngest village in this section of Ohio, compared with others of about the same population; within the last 12 years, or since the rich discoveries of oil in this locality, it has taken on new life and growth; many new residences have made their appearance, older ones have been remodeled and modernized; a number of new business firms have sprung up, and the capacity of others greatly enlarged to accommodate the increased trade, and a flourishing national bank speaks unmistakably of prosperity.

For years the citizens could justly be proud of their excellent public schools, and they have never been in better condition than at the present time. Onward has been the record; the present fine brick school building certifies to the educational enterprise of an intelligent community. The school has a 12-years' course of study, with an excellent curriculum which qualifies its high school graduates to enter our best colleges.

Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and Presbyterian are the religious denominations represented; these pulpits are invariably occupied by ministers who are abreast of the times and command the esteem and respect of their parishioners and community at large. These different organizations are markedly in harmony with each other in Christian unity.

The foregoing shows well for New Matamora but the whole truth could not say less. Few towns, if any, in the State of its size, have so many complete and excellent systems of water works and sewerage, and with an abundant supply of natural gas now in sight for 20 or more years, and hundreds of acres of gas territory to be developed, give the denizens the assurance of the continued comfort and luxury, at a minimum cost, of the best fuel and the best lighting material in existence, and must be a tempting invitation to the manufacturer and enterprising stranger to seek such a location.

—A. D. Hopper.

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