Today in History - February 29

On this day in 1892, St. Petersburg, Florida was officially incorporated.

On this day in 1960, an earthquake in Morocco killed over 3,000 people.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1897, Mr. McCloud was recently in Resaca for business.

Today in History - February 28

On this day in 1784, John Wesley charted the Methodist Church.

On this day in 1827, the Baltimore & Ohio, B & O, Railroad was incorporated. It was the first railroad in America to that offered transportation to both freight and people.

On this day in 1885, A, T, & T (American Telephone and Telegraph) was incorporated as a subsidiary of American Bell Telephone.

On this day in 1935, a chemist at DuPont, Wallace Carothers, invented nylon.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1905, it was reported that the McCloud family was returning to Chuckery.

Today in History - February 27

On this day in 1801, Washington, D. C. is placed under the direct control of the US Congress.

On this day in 1844, the Dominican Republic became liberated from Haiti.

On this day in 1922, a challenge to the 19th Amendment of the US Constitution is rejected by the Supreme Court.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1896, it was reported that A. R. Bigelow has suffered a debilitating burn to his hand.

Today in History - February 26

On this day in 1815, Napoleon Bonoparte escaped from his exile in Elba.

On this day in 1919, President Wilson sign an act that created a national park at the Grand Canyon.

On this day in 1929, President Coolidge signed an act establishing a national park at the Grand Tetons.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1897, many Chuckery residents travelled to a sale at Sid Stoddard's near Unionville.

Today in History - February 25

On this day in 1836, Samuel Colt patented the Colt Revolver.

On this day in 1901, the United States Steel Corporation was incorporated by J. P. Morgan.

On this day in 1919, Oregon became the first state to tax gasoline.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1902, it was reported that Mrs. George Bishop left for Van Wert to visit her bedridden father, Mr. Dascher.

Claibourne, Ohio

Claibourne was first established as a stop on the New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio Railroad in 1880-81, through the efforts of G. M. Warner. In 1879 a US post office was established at the train stop. The first postmaster was G. M. Warner. The village was formally surveyed on March 14, 1881 by Frederick J. Sagerand William Joliff, Jr. It originally contained 39 lots on 10 3/4 fourth acres of land. The first houses were by 1881. A Methodist Protestant Church was built in this budding little village in 1880. Today all that remains of the village are two churches and a handful of houses. This village is located at the present day corner of Claibourne Road and Bethlehem-Claibourne Road. In the early 1880s a brick schoolhouse was built in this village.

Today in History - February 24

On this day in 1863, the Arizona territory was organized.

On this day in 1868, President Andrew Johnson became the first US president to be impeached.

On this day in 1917, Germany encouraged Mexico to declare war on the United States.

On this day in 1980, the US Hockey Team celebrated their MIRACLE ON ICE with a defeat of the Finnish Hockey Team.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1892, Isaac Temple and family welcomed visitors - George Morrison and his sister.

Today in History - February 23

On this day in 1455, the Gutenberg Bible was published.

On this day in 1778, Baron von Steuben went to Valley Forge to help General Washington train the Colonial forces.

On this day in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1898, many residents of Chuckery went to Irwin for the fair at the newly built Irwin Methodist Episcopal Church.

Today in History - February 22

On this day in 1847, the United States bought Florida from Spain for $5 million.

On this day in 1855, the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania was founded in State College, Pennsylvania. This eventually became Pennsylvania State University.

On this day in 1862, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the first and only President of the Confederate States of America. He had served as the provisional president of the Confederacy since February 18, 1861.

On this day in 1889, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington were admitted to the Union.

On this day in 1959, the first Daytona 500 was raced with Lee Petty winning.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1893, A. Woodworth was in Chuckery selling his patented carpet stretcher and tacker.

Today in History - February 21

On this day in 1842, John Greenough received a patent for a sewing machine.

On this day in 1885, the Washington Monument was dedicated.

On this day in 1948, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing or, NASCAR was incorporated.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1891, it was reported that Mr. and Mrs. Holycross of Marysville recently visited Chuckery.

Richwood, Ohio

Richwood was surveyed between August 8-10, 1832 by Thomas G. Plummer, Special Deputy Surveyor. This survey was recorded in the county office on August 20, 1832. The town was platted on land owned by Philip Plummer. Dr. John P Brookins built the first cabin in the village in late 1832. He also served as the first post master of the village. The first store opened in the village in August of 1833. It was owned by Hezekiah Burdick and John Calloway, and remained open for barely two years.

The Richwood Methodist Episcopal Church was orgainzed on October 17, 1835, with Reverend Warren Frazell serving as the first pastor. This congregation ereceted a church structure in 1837, which is said to be the first church structure in Claibourne Township. Today this church is known as the Richwood First United Methodist Church. The Richwood Protestant Methodist Church was organized in the village in September of 1836 with John B. Lucas serving as the first pastor. This congregation built a small log church building in the early 1840s. This church is currently known as the Richwood Central United Methodist Church. Between 1850 and 1852, the Church of Disciples built a small log church in the village. The exact history of this congregation is uncertain, but it is believed that the congregation dates to around the mid 1830s. On June 20, 1874 the Presbyterian Church of Richwood was organized, with Reverend H. Shedd serving as the first pastor.

The village was incorporated on March 6, 1855. Charles Rosette was elected the first mayor in the same year, winning reelection in 1856 and 1857. The village government was inactive for a period of time after that. The village government was reestablished by 1868, and it has remain active since that time.

The first bank of this town was founded in 1866 by J. M. Davids and G. Allen, however it was only in existence for approximately a year. The Bank of Richwood was organized in 1867. The Richwood Gazette was established on August 16, 1872 by J. H. Vaughan and W. H. Nicholson. Mr. Vaughan served as the first editor of this newspaper. The Richwood Fire Department was incorpoorated in 1875. W. W. Kile served as the first chief of the fire department. A second newspaper made its debut in Richwood in 1882. It was called the Richwood Reporter.

Today in History - February 20

On this day in 1792, the United States Postal Service was established by the United States government via passage of the Postal Service Act.

On this day in 1872, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art opened.

On this day in 1942, Lieutenant Edward O'Hare became the first flying ace of World War II for the United States.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1891, it was reported that S. D. Elliott was sick.

Today in History - February 19

On this day in 1807, Aaron Burr was arrested in Alabama for treason against the United States government.

On this day in 1847, a rescue party reached the stranded Donner Party in the Sierra Nevada.

On this day in 1878, Thomas Alva Edison received a patent for the phonograph.

On this day in 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began with the landing of 30,000 United States Marines on the island.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1891, Mrs. Anson Smith was out of town visiting friends and relatives in Gallipolis.

Today in History - February 18

On this day in 1861, Jefferson Davis took office as President of the Confederate States of America.

On this day in 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto.

On this day in 1930, Elm Farm Ollie, a Guernsey cow, became the first cow to fly in an aircraft. She also was the first cow to be milked in flight.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1891, it was reported that a masquerade was recently held at Mrs. Amanda King's house.

The North Union School District

The first school session held in the village of Richwood took place in 1834 in a vacant log cabin. By 1850 a permanent frame school was built to house the Richwood School. Around 1861 a larger, three-room, frame school was built. By 1867, the Richwood School District withdrew from the Claibourne Township School System. Around 1875 a large, eight-room, brick school was built to house the growing district. This school house would later be the elementary building for the Claibourne District. The Claibourne Rural School District, an early precursor to the eventual North Union School District, was located in Richwood. The grade school was erected in 1875. It was chartered in 1903 and 1928. A separate highschool building was erected for this district in 1916. The Richwood School District consolidated with other school districts in the northern part of Union County, forming the North Union School district in 1966.

Today in History - February 17

On this day in 1620, Myles Standish became the first commander of the Plymouth Colony.

On this day in 1801, the US Presidential Election ends in a tie. The US House of Representatives broke the tie by choosing Thomas Jefferson over Aaron Burr to serve as the third President of the United States.

On this day in 1809, Miami University in Oxford was chartered by the State of Ohio.

On this day in 1933, Newsweek magazine was first published.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1886, James Smith has sold 125 acres of land from his farm. This land is on the north side of the road.

Today in History - February 16

On this day in 1852, the Studebaker Brothers Wagon Company was formed. This was a precursor to the Studebaker Automobile Company.

On this day in 1923, Howard Carter entered the tomb of King Tut.

On this day in 1937, Wallace Carothers patented nylon.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1898, the Milford flour wagon passed through Chuckery.

Today in History - February 15

On this day in 1862, US General Ulysses S. Grant attacked Fort Donelson in Tennessee.

On this day in 1933, Guiseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate US President-Elect Franklin D. Roosevelt.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1896, Mr. Foust will address the Epworth League at Lewis Chapel this Sunday.

Today in History - February 14

On this day in 1835, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was formed in Kirtland, Ohio.

On this day in 1849, President James K. Polk became the first sitting US President to have his picture taken.

On this day in 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union.

On this day in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell applied for a patent on the telephone on the same day as Elisha Gray.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1903, Ernest Doellinger bought the Elliott farm.

The Fairbanks School District - Union Township Roots

It is estimated that the first school taught in Union Township was as early as 1806 in the Reed Settlement on present-day Orchard Road near the Woods-Reed Cemetery. This early school, like many other early schools was a subscription-based school. Eventually a log one room school house was erected in the Reed Settlement. Early teachers of the Reed School included David Chapman, Jeptha Peasely, Ralph Phelps and Thomas Cratty. Another early school was in the Green Settlement on the Post Road. This school was taught by Nehemiah Sabine in 1814. Unfortunately, Mr. Sabine died in mid-term, and his son, Hiram, finished the school term. As the population of the township grew, the schools became free. The Green Settlement school was the first free school in the township. By 1826, the population of the township had grown to a point that is became neccessary to officially divide the area into subdistricts. Ten schools were formed. At one time there were as many as eleven one room school subdistricts in Union Township.

The older Milford Center School building pictured at the beginning of this article was built between 1880 and 1881. A school was built in Irwin in 1880. This school was replaced in 1903 by the school pictured above. A new school house was built in Milford Center in 1915. By 1937, the Union Township schools, now called Union Rural School, had been consolidated to include just the Irwin School and the Milford Center School. At this time, the Irwin School enrolled students in only grades 1-8. The Milford Center School housed students in grades 1-12. The Irwin School was closed in the spring of 1943. However, the some members of the community attempted to keep the Irwin School open by bringing suit against the township. But, the Union County Common Please Court, presided over by Judge Richard Cameron, ruled in favor of the Union Rural School district. In 1961, the Darby Rural School district, centralized at Unionville Center, and the Union Rural School district, centralized at Milford Center, was consolidated to form the Faribanks Local School District. The Milford Center School then used as a 1-8 grade building and later as a1-3 grade elementary school. The high school for the Fairbanks Local School district was built at Bridgeport, just over the township line in Darby Township. The Milford Center School was demolished in 2010.

Today in History - February 13

On this day in 1542, Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII, was accused of adultery and executed.

On this day in 1689, King William and Queen Mary are named co-rulers of Great Britain.

On this day in 1990, a plan was made to reunite Germany.

On this day in 2000, the last original Peanuts comics was published one day after the death of creator Charles M. Schulz.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1896, Wallace Morse's children are sick.

Today in History - February 12

On this day in 1825, the Creek (Indians) gave the last of their lands in Georgia to the US government and moved west.

On this day in 1855, Michigan State University was founded.

On this day in 1914, the first brick for the LIncoln Memorial was laid.

On this day in 1999, President Bill Clinton was acquitted in his impeachment trial.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1890, it was reported that Brown Watson moved his sawmill to the Newman Farm.

Today in History - February 11

On this day in 1531, King Henry VIII of England was recognized as the supreme leader of the newly formed Church of England.

On this day in 1752, Benjamin Franklin opened the first hospital in America at Pennsylvania.

On this day in 1790, the Society of Friends, or Quakers, first petitioned the US Congress to abolish slavery.

On this day in 1942, Glenn Miller received a gold record for Chattanooga Choo Choo.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1890, it was reported that Mr. Morgridge spent a few days last week in Harrisburg.

Today in History - February 10

On this day in 1763, the 1763 Treaty of Paris ceded Quebec to the British.

On this day in 1840, Queen Victoria of England married Prince Albert of Saxony.

On this day in 1863, the fire extinguisher was first patented.

On this day in 1923, Texas Tech University was founded in Lubbock.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1899, Chuckery grocer Walter Bigelow has received a load of Milwaukee binders and mowers.

Today in History - February 9

On this day in 1775, the British Parliament declared the Massachusetts Colony in rebellion.

On this day in 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected President of the Confederate States of America.

On this day in 1935, Monopoly, an board game, was invented.

On this day in 1964, the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show to a tv audience of 73 million viewers.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1893, it was reported that Jesse Cala and his wife have moved to Lewisburg.

The Fairbanks School District - Millcreek Township Roots

One of the first schools held in Millcreek Township was in the abandoned cabin of Ephraim Burroughs. Mrs. Martha Gulick, daughter of early settler William Richey, Sr. was the first teacher in this school. She was succeeded by Pierce Lamphere. By 1883 there were nine subdistricts in Millcreek Township that were housed in the one room school houses. These one room schools included Beecher, Liggett, Tossey, Shields, Oraville, Faulkner, Rausch, Myers(Sub-District no.1) and Watkins. These subdistricts were all consolidated into just one centralized district school held at Watkins by 1937. The school district was called Millcreek Rural School. For a period of time, Millcreek students would go to Marysville for their senior year. This school district was eventually abosorbed by the Fairbanks Local School District.  And, the building at Watkins was utilized as an elementary school for Fairbanks until 1983.

Today in History - February 8

On this day in 1587, Mary, Queen of Scots was executed.

On this day in 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II granted a charter to the College of William and Mary in the Virginia Colony.

On this day in 1837, the Senate chose Richard Johnson to be Vice President of the United States.

On this day in 1865, Delaware failed to ratify the 13th amendment which outlawed slavery.

On this day in 1910, William D. Boyce created the Boy Scouts of America.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1893, it was reported that Mr. Morford Forest suddenly took sick last Friday.

Today in History - February 7

On this day in 1812, another earthquake struck near New Madrid, Missouri.

On this day in 1904, a fire raged through Baltimore, Maryland destroying more than 1,500 buildings.

On this day in 1935, Monopoly, an board game, was invented.

On this day in 1940, Walt Disney premiered his second full length animated picture, Pinocchio.

On this day in 1964, British rock band, the Beatles, arrive in the United States, marking the beginning of the British Invasion.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1893, it was reported that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sergeant spent last weekend at Mechanicsburg.

Today in History - February 6

On this day in 1788, Massachusetts was the sixth state to approve the U. S. Constitution.

On this day in 1862, The U. S. Navy captured Fort Henry in Tennessee.

On this day in 1918, British women over 30 are granted the right to vote.

On this day in 1998, Washington National Airport in Washington, D. C. was renamed to honor Ronald Reagan.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1865, Maurice Bigelow was home from O. W. U. last week to visit his parents.

Today in History - February 5

On this day in 1778, South Carolina signed the U. S. Articles of Confederation.

On this day in 1958, the US Air Force loses a hydrogen bomb off of the coast of Savannah, Georgia. This bomb is known as the Tybee Bomb.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1895, Jackson William is on the sick list.

The Fairbanks School District - Jerome Township Roots

The Old Brown School

The first school held in Jerome Township were held in the very early 1800s. Over the years, one room schools were built in each neighborhood as a need for education was realized. At one time there were as many as eleven one room schools in Jerome Township. These one room schools included Jones, McDowell, Ketch, Lamb, Dodge, Mitchell, Mooney, Davis Chapel, Hill, Jerome, and Kile.  In 1852 a small frame school building was built in the village of New California. This is the school that was known as the Little Brown School or the Old Brown School.

Ryan Memorial School

 As the population of New California and the surrounding area grew, it became neccessary to erect a larger school. This was done in 1909. The village of Jerome erected the Ryan Memorial Jerome Special School, which at first housed students in grades 1-12. But over the years it became neccessary to transport the high school students to the Jerome Rural School in New California. Today the old Jerome Township School District is a part of at least four current school districts. Parts of Jerome are located within the school boundaries of the Fairbanks Local Schools, Jonathan Alder Schools, Marysville Exempted Village Schools, and Dublin City School districts. In fact, the Dublin district has recently erected a high school in Jerome Township called Dublin Jerome High School.

Today in History - February 4

On this day in 1789, George Washington was unanimously elected President of the United States by the Electoral College.

On this day in 1825, the State Government of Ohio gave approval for the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Miami and Erie Canal.

On this day in 1846, Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois began their trek to the Utah Territory.

On this day in 1861, six rebel states met in Montgomery, Alabama to form the Confederate States of America.

On this day in 1941, the USO (Unites Service Organization) was created to provide entertainment for US military.

On this day in 2004, the social network, FaceBook, was founded by Mark Zuckerberg.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1895, it was reported that Alice Congrove, daughter of Vet Congrove, has pneumonia.

Today in History - February 3

On this day in 1637, the tulip market collapses as bulb sellers cannot find buyers in the Netherlands.

On this day in 1690, the first paper money in the New World is issued in Massachusetts.

On this day in 1783, Spain recognized the United States.

On this day in 1809, the United States created the Illinois Territory.

On this day in 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment was ratified. This created a federal income tax in the United States.

On this day in 1917, the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Germany ended.

On this day in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper are killed in a plane crash near Clearlake, Iowa. This event is later referenced in Don McLean's hit American Pie as, "The Day the Music Died."

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1886, many from the neighborhood spent last Thursday in Marysville at the livestock auction.

Today in History - February 2

On this day in 1653, New Amsterdam was incorporated. The city was later renamed New York.

On this day in 1887, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania celebrated its first Ground Hog Day.

On this day in 1901, England mourned its beloved Queen Victoria as her funeral was held.

On this day in 1943, the Battle of Stalingrad ended as Axis forces surrendered to Soviet troops.

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1887, Reverend Ashley from Delaware recently preached at Lewis Chapel.

The Fairbanks School District - Darby Township Roots

The Brown School near Sodom

The first school session held in what is now Darby Township in Union County was taught in the Mitchell Settlement by John Robinson. This is near the present-day Mitchell Cemetery. Another early school was located in the Robinson Settlement further down the Big Darby Creek. It is estimated that the first school built in the Robinson neighborhood held classes by 1820 with Miss Henrietta Millington the first teacher. By 1883 there were 12 one-room schools in the township. There was also one parochial school in the township, St. John Lutheran School. This school is still in existence today with over 200 students in grades preschool through 8th grade.  A Lutheran parochial school was built at Chuckery in 1892.  over the years the enrollment has stayed around 50 students.

The Darby Township Schools in Unionville Center

By 1937, consolidations had divided the township into two school districts. The Darby Rural School was centralized in Unionville Center. The Darby Rural School held classes for students in grades 1-12 in a building that was built in 1925. Chuckery Special Rural School was located in the southern part of Darby Township in the tiny village of Chuckery. The Chuckery School was built in 1905, and for a time contained classes for chidren in grades 1-12. By the time the Chuckery school was consolidated with the Darby school, the Chuckery school held classes for grades 1-8 only, with high school students travelling to Darby Rural School in Unionville Center.

Darby Township School

The Chuckery Special School was actually located next to the St. Paul Lutheran School. Students from St. Paul Lutheran School attended school from grades 1-7, and they would attend 8th grade at the Chuckery Special School The brick building that housed Chuckery Special School was erected in 1905. The last year that the Chuckery Special School held classes was 1937. The school then consolidated with Darby Rural School in Unionville Center to form the Chuckery-Darby School, and this district was centralized in Unionville Center. The Chuckery school was then sold to the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chuckery for the sum of $730. The building was used for some time as a school building and fellowship hall.  It was later razed.

Chuckery Special School

The Chuckery-Darby School was consolidated with the Union Rural School District in Milford Center to form the Fairbanks Local School district in 1962. The Fairbanks Local School maintained the Unionville Center school building as an elementary until 1983. A highschool was erected at Bridgeport, just across from the Streng Road and Orchard Road intersection along State Route 38. And, the Milford Center school building was maintained as a junior highschool, middle school, and later an elementary school. The Milford Center building was demolished in 2010. Currently, all Fairbanks Schools are located on the same property at Bridgeport.

Today in History - February 1

On this day in 1865, Texas seceded from the Union during the American Civil War.

On this day in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States.

On this day in 2003, NASA Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart on reentry killing seven astronauts.

On this day in 1979, I welcomed my first sibling, a sister, Martha Frances Powers!

And, in Chuckery, Ohio in 1894, it was reported that Charles Donahue, a twelve year old boy, has been missing since Saturday.