MUNICIPAL LIGHT AND WATER PLANTS

Both the light and water systems of Frankfort are owned and operated by the municipality. The electric light plant was installed in 1897, although it has been much improved since that year. The water was originally supplied by the O. M. Junk Company, of Chillicothe, the first works being built in 1906. In December, 1912, the village, under the direct superintendence of its board of public affairs, took over the system, and in December, 1914, a reservoir with a capacity of 60,000 gallons was completed. The water supply is derived from wells, one of which is 107 feet deep, and the system, which also provides fire-protection as well as distribution, is known as the direct pressure. The approximate value of the waterworks is $20,000 and of the electric light plant, $10,000.

Frankfort also has a good public library, partly supported by the county, a neat and convenient building for which was erected in 1914. It is another proof of the progress of the village and an indication that much has been accomplished in the way of public improvements-although the village is a century old.

THE BAPTISTS FORMED FIRST CHURCH

While Ohio was still a territory, visiting clergymen and lay preachers of various denominations were holding services at the North Fork Settlement established on the site of the old Indian Chillicothe. As early as 1800 the Baptists of the neighborhood organized a society and, under the leadership of Peter Sperry and Nathan Corey, erected a log meeting house about a mile east of town. The church was surrounded by a cemetery, which, for years, was known as the Baptist cemetery. In 1827 the Baptists erected a brick house of worship at Frankfort, which they occupied until 1860. At that time they transferred their church to Roxabell.

THE METHODIST CHURCHES

At present the Baptists are unrepresented by an organization at Frankfort, but the Presbyterians and Methodists, who established churches in 1803 and 1805, respectively, are still active. When the first Methodist services were held, Concord Township formed a part of the Deer Creek Circuit, embracing Frankfort, Clarksburg, Bourneville and Salem, and reaching nearly to Chillicothe. The meetings were at first held at the house of James Shepard and later in John McNeil's cabin.

The first Methodist Church in Frankfort was a log building erected sometime between the years 1812 and 1816. An edifice of

brick was built in 1832. The present Concord Circuit was organized in 1840, and embraces three appointments outside of the village. A third structure to accommodate its increasing membership was erected at Frankfort in 1853, and in 1895 that was replaced by the present large and tasteful church. The membership has reached about 360. The successive pastors since Frankfort became the head of the circuit in 1840 have been as follows: Revs. Z. Wharton, A. Meharry, William Sutton, Professor Nelson, James Armstrong, Edward Estelle, Joseph Brown, F. Phillips, Joseph Morris, John Steele, William McClintock, I. Drake, David Smith, William Mullenix, W. P. Cherrington, I. B. Broadwick, Edward Estelle, John Stewart, Jacob Martin, J. M. Weir, Joseph Morris, U. L. Jones, Thomas Hall, S. M. Bright, Z. Wharton, W. H. Gibbons, W. P. McLaughlin, Thomas G. Wakefield, William T. Jones, Isaac Mackey, L. C. Brooks, Frank Gillilan, Alonzo Binkley, F. M. Evans, S. A. Crosby, A. R. Henderson, P. W. Drum, T. L. Haas, W. L. Hickey and E. E. Stone.

There is also an African Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Rev. James Bridges is pastor.

PRESBYTERIAN ORGANIZATIONS

The Presbyterians of Concord Township have had a number of organizations. The first, known as the Concord Church or congregation, was organized June 23, 1805, William Anderson and John McLean being chosen elders. In October of the same year, Rev. Robert B. Dobbins was installed as its pastor, in which position he continued until April 7, 1808. In 1810 Rev. James Dickey assumed the pastorate, dividing his labors between Concord, Buckskin (now Salem) and Pisgah churches, until 1831, when he ceased to preach at Concord. Mr. Dickey was a native of Virginia, but was reared and educated in Kentucky. In the fall of 1831 Rev. William Gage began preaching, and was installed as pastor in June, 1832. He continued in the position until his death in July, 1863. He was a graduate of Amherst College, and of Andover Theological Seminary, and was much respected and loved by his people. In 1864 the Rev. Robert C. Galbraith, Jr., succeeded Mr. Gage, and remained until May 2, 1871. From that time the church had no settled pastor, but its pulpit was supplied by the Revs. Heber Gill and Hugh Guthrie. The Concord and the Frankfort churches are now consolidated.

A Presbyterian church was organized in Frankfort in 1836, by the late Robert Stewart and Robert C. Galbraith, Sr., and a building erected chiefly at their own cost, nearly completed. At this point the work was delayed for several years. Then a temporary pulpit was put in the unfinished building, it was practically fur

nished, and for a long time services were irregularly held there by various clergymen of the denomination. This movement after a time died out, and the church was sold.

In 1850 Rev. John Rankin organized, at Frankfort, a church in connection with the "Free Presbyterian Synod of the United States," with but nine members. William Ross was elected ruling elder, and Rev. A. L. Rankin, son of the founder, was the first pastor. In 1863 or 1864 the church changed its relation and went with the Presytery, connecting itself with the New School Presbytery of Ripley, where it remained until the fusion of the two schools brought it into the Presbytery of Chillicothe. Rev. Robert C. Galbraith, Jr., held the pastorate from 1871 until 1880, when he was called to the Third Church of Chillicothe. The present pastor of the Frankfort Church is Rev. A. S. Kaye, who also administers to the old Concord Congregation.

THE CATHOLICS

The Catholics commenced to hold services regularly at Frankfort in 1837, Father Juncker and others supplying the pulpit from Chillicothe. In 1843 the local charge was placed under the control of the Jesuits, and afterward it was served by priests of other orders. The earlier services were conducted at the house of John McNally, who erected a small church building in 1871. At present the Catholics at Frankfort have no settled pastor, but are supplied from near-by points.

SECRET AND BENEVOLENT LODGES

Frankfort has a number of secret and benevolent lodges, the strongest being the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and Modern Woodmen of America. Frankfort Lodge No. 309, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized under dispensation July 22, 1858, and its charter granted October 20, 1859. The charter members were John M. Wisehart, who had been inducted into the order by the Scioto Lodge No. 6, of Chillicothe; Henry Wiley, Robert Galbraith, Samuel Littler, Isaac Stookey, Thomas Caskey, John W. Hall, John Plyley, William D. Vincent and David Miller. The first officers who were installed by Scioto Lodge No. 6 were as follows: John M. Wisehart, W. M.; Henry Wiley, S. W.; William D. Vincent, J. W.; Samuel Littler, treasurer; Robert Galbraith, secretary; Isaac Stookey, S. D.; Thomas A. Caskey, J. D.; John W. Hall, tyler. The Masonic Hall with the original charter of Frankfort Lodge No. 239 was burned October 10, 1896, and a new charter granted on the 22d of the same month. The new hall was dedicated

January 25, 1897. The present lodge numbers over 100 members and its officers in the spring of 1916 were: L. M. Tinker, W. M.; Reed L. Corey, S. W.; Fred Putnam, J. W.; W. J. Price, treasurer; John R. Entrekin, secretary; Horace L. Pratt, S. D.; J. B. Roseboom, J. D.; J. B. Karney, tyler.

Frankfort Lodge No. 326, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in 1889, and the Modern Woodmen of America, organized in 1896.

The Frankfort Red Men, Tribe No. 196, formed their local organization in 1901. It has forty members with the following officers: Marion Shepherd, Sachem; S. A. McNeill, Sr. S.; Floyd Thomas, Jr. S.; I. N. Hickle, K. of W.; B. A. S. Staggs, C. of R.

INDUSTRIES, FINANCES AND THE SUN

Frankfort is the banking, trading and industrial center for quite an area. It has two banks, the Merchants and Farmers and the Commercial, the former having been established since about 1880. It is unincorporated with S. D. Blue, president, and D. L. Sutherland, cashier. There is a branch of the Sears & Nichols canning factory at Frankfort; Elias Hutton is the owner and operator of flour mills and a grain elevator; J. W. Ott and J. B. Gordon, proprietors of a planing miil, as well as an extensive lumber, coal and grain business, and John B. Roseboom is a manufacturer of cement blocks.

And as a climax, the industries, finances and industries of the village are spread abroad in a fair light by the Frankfort Sun, a weekly newspaper founded in 1884 and owned and edited by George L. Robinson.

CHAPTER XV

PAXTON TOWNSHIP AND BAINBRIDGE

PICTURESQUE AND FERTILE-PAPER TOWN OF NEW AMSTERDAMTWO HISTORIC SKIRMISHES WITH THE SHAWNEES-NATHAN REEVES AND HIS LANDS-MASSIE'S MANSION IN THE WILDERNESS -THE TOWNSHIP UNDER TERRITORY AND STATE-MASSIE FOUNDS BAINBRIDGE MERCHANTS AND BANKERS THE VILLAGE TODAY-MASONS AND ODD FELLOWS-THE METHODISTS-THE PRESBYTERIANS.

OF

Paxton Township has as many points of general interest as any political division of Ross County. Its scenery is striking and varied; it is a fertile country, agriculturally and horticulturally; on its soil were fought two of the few engagements between the red men and the white within the limits of Ross County; on the shores of Paint Creek, also within the township bounds, was reared, by the great and rugged Massie, that luxurious haven in the wilderness which his queenly wife also made famous among the early generation of Ohio pioneers; early in his career the general also founded Bainbridge, the chief village of the township and one of the most prosperous in the county, and, finally, for many years the remains of the historic host and hostess rested side by side on the hillside west of their old homestead.

PICTURESQUE AND FERTILE

The romantic and historic Valley of Paint Creek, which cuts. through a broad northeastern section and forms about one-half its northern boundary, is the striking natural feature of the township. Bold hills form its boundaries on every side, checkered with woodland, meadow and cultivated fields of corn and wheat and vegetables, many of the elevations being covered with orchards of apples, plums and other fruits; from the base of these hills to the banks of main Paint Creek, and again from the creek to the foot of sister hills beyond, stretch the broad bottom lands for which the valley is famous. No soil is more fertile by nature, slower to deteriorate with use, or more ready to rally from the exhaustion of prolonged cultivation, than the alluvial land along the channel of