Deer Creek Township Towns
From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883
This township possesses but one village and one post office – La Fayette. At the time of the organization of Deer Creek Township, there was no town or village within its limits, and there were but few roads of which the principal one was the old stage rouge, from Columbus to Springfield, a horrible mud road, in which stage coaches and wagons often mired hub deep, and had to be pried out with rails or some kind of levers, which often delayed them on their journey, and the good nature of the passengers was severly tried. this mud road and stage route passed through the center of the township and through the Gwynne farm. In 1816, Thomas Gwynne commenced laying off lots for a town on the east side of Deer Creek, one and a half miles northwest of where La Fayette is now situated. This town was named Lawrenceville, but was always better known as "Limerick." In about two or three years, the following families had settled there: Isaac Jones, who came from Tennessee; James Chriswell, who was the first blacksmith, a very peculiar and eccentric character; he was succeeded by John Wiseman; Zacariah Jones, a brother of Isaac Jones, and also from Tennessee; Gilman Lincoln; Angus Ross, who, about 1816, erected a frame house and kept the first and only tavern ever in the town; and Jesse Abbey and Henry Cay were early settlers; these were the principal settlers who composed the town. In one room of Isaac Jones' house, Mr Gwynne placed a small stock of groceries and such other necessary articles as the wants of the people of that day demanded. But the progress of the country was ever onward, and improvements were rapid, and in 1836-37 the National road or turnpike was completed through this township, and the stage route and all travel from Columbus to Springfield and the West was transferred from the old mud road to the new National road. In consequence of this new and beautiful road, there was a great increase of travel, and in 1837 William Minter, who owned a large tract of land upon which the town of La Fayette is situated, commenced to lay off lots for the town, which was named La Fayette, in honor of Gen. La Fayette.
The first house was a small frame, erected by Joseph Bell. Others were soon built, and the great amount of travel made a demand for public entertainment, and Calvin Anderson opened out and kept the first tavern. Soon a second was in operation, kept by John McMullen; then a third, built by Stanley Watson and kept by Mr. Coleman; and, finally, a fourth was kept by Joseph Bell. these all did a "rattling business," as stage load after stage load of passengers drove up for their hospitalities. The first store was kept by William Warner, who still survives, and now resides in London. The second merchant was Alfred Russell, and the third, Stanley Watson. These were succeeded by Abraham Simpson and others. The first blacksmith was Jaocb Snider, whose son was the first child born in the town, and in honor of which was named Lafayette by Mrs. William Minter. Dr. Samuel McClintick was the first physician, and Dr. Anklin the second. These were succeeded by Drs. Fields, Rogers, Beach, Hornback and others. The present practicing physician is Dr. Teeters, who came from Athens County, Ohio. The town now contains one dry goods and general store; one drug and grocery store; two blacksmith shops; one wagon shop, and one large tile factory and saw-mill combined, run by steam-power; one church – Methodist – and one schoolhouse. The first Postmaster was John Minter. The present incumbent is Rev. James Simpson. In 1881, the township erected a large brick town house, 30x46 feet, two stories high – a hall above and town house below. It is substantially built, on a solid stone foundation, with ogod shutters to all the windows. It is pleasantly located on the corner of the public square, and speaks well for the public enterprise of the citizens of Deer Creek Township. The old town of Lawrenceville, or Limerick, has long since become extinct; the land embracing the town lots was purchased by Eli Gwynne, and turned into a pasture-field, and now not a vestige remains to indicate that there was ever a town located there. Such are the constant changes of time.
From Atlas of Madison County, J.A. Caldwell [Condit, Ohio, 1875]
Lafayette. Seven miles west of Jefferson, on the National road, and five miles east of north from London, on the London and Plain City pike, about the centre of Deer Creek Township, on the east bank of Deer Creek. Laid out 1834, by Wm. Minter. It now contains one drug store, one dry goods and grocery store, and a blacksmith shop. The population 160.
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Fall Genealogy Seminar
For anyone in your area who is interested in genealogy that they are invited to
the Annual Fall Seminar of Ohio Chapter Palatines to America:
Researching German Immigration in the 18th Century
Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, October 16, 2010, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Ramada Hotel and Conference Center
Four presentations by Marianne S. Wokeck, Ph.D., on Indentured Servitude
and Immigration to America in the 18th Century
Renowned author of Trade in Strangers
Registration Fee $45; Ohio Chapter PalAm Members Discounted Fee $39; Students ages 17-21 $20
Includes morning coffee or tea, Lunch and Gratuity.
Deadline October 4, 2010; For Late Registration add $5.
The seminar is the Culmination of German Heritage Week in Columbus
For more information visit
http://www.oh-palam.org/bookstore/images/2010fallregistrationform.pdf
or write to Ohio Chapter Palatines to America, P.O. Box 302, Worthington, OH 43085
Richard E. Hartle,
Publicity Chairman,
Ohio Chapter Palatines to America
This is a volunteer project. We depend upon feedback from our visitors. If you have information to share or have resources relating to Madison County, we would love to hear from you.
