This section is taken from the book "Biographical and Historical Memoirs" of Muskingum County, Ohio" by Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1892, Columbus, Ohio. It is a wonderful source for Muskingum history and seems to be a source that Ione Bradford Supplee found much informastion in. I have found some errors and contradictions but that is to be expected especially since the author seemed to have gotten much of his information from the residents of the county as well as documented records.

This township is bounded on the north by Adams township, on the east by Highland township, on the south by Perry township and west by Washington and Madison. The surface is moderately hilly though much of it is low and level enough to figure as prairie land. Drummond's Knob, in the southern part, is the highest point in the township. The soil is a mixture of clay and sand, and for the most part quite fertile. The principal streams are Salt creek and Prairie run. Two branches of Symmes creek flow through the northwest corner. Grain raising was formerly the leading occupation. Stock-raising and fruit-growing now receive much attention and fairly divided the honors. The first short-horned cattle were brought in by W. S. Denison, who also introduced the first mower and the first sulky-rake. Singleton Hardy operated the first threshing machine in the township. W. W. Adams, since 1861, became prominent as a breeder of fine cattle. Originally a part of Highland, when that township was ten miles square, this township, five miles square, was set off by the county commissioners, in July, 1819. It was named in honor of Salem, Mass., from the vicinity of which historic town, many of the early settlers had come. The northeast quarter of the township is school land. The first election for township officers was held at the house of Jesse Williams. The first justice of the peace in and for Salem township, under the organization, was Joseph Stiers, who served continuously until 1837, a period of eighteen years. Rev. William Spencer was a justice of the peace for Highland township, living within the present township of Salem prior to, and at the time of organization. Some of the early elections were held at the house of Thomas Collins. Adamsville has been the polling place since 1846.

The settlement of this township began in 1810-1811. Among the early settlers were Jacob Gaumer, William Denison, Jesse Williams, Jacob Swigert, Philip Shroyer, Peter Wertz, Laurence-Wisecarver, George Stoner, Peter Livingood, George,Samuel, John and Jacob Shurtz, Joseph Stiers, William and Stephen Starkey, Thomas Collins and Rev. William Spencer. Jacob Gaumer located on lot 28. William Denison, from Massachussetts, located on the northeast quarter of section 15, on the William S. Denison property, and with him came Jesse Williams, who married Lucy Denison, daughter of William, and settled on the northwest quarter of section 13. Swigert located on lot 40, Of the school land, Shroyer on lot 11, Wertz on lot 8. Stiers settled on the southwest quarter of section 8, Collins on the southwest quarter of section 13, and Rev. William Spencer on school land lot NO. 28. The Starkeys were from Virginia. In 1868 Sutherland Stiers, a mile south of Adamsville, cut down a large white oak tree and within its body found a succession of "blazes" made with an ax, as was very evident, and not with a hatchet or tomahawk. A computation of the difference between the date of the discovery and the number of annular rings enveloping the scars, revealed the fact that the marks were made in 1752. That was twelve years before Bouquet's expedition and antedates that of Braddock, and the men of Salem have cudgeled their brains in vain in the attempt to identify even a probable white visitor to this territory at that remote date. The first frame house in the township was built in 18l2 by William S. Denison. The first stone house by Jacob Limmer, in 1827, and the first brick house by William S. Denison in 1841. The first public road through the township was that from Zanesville to Plainfield, Coshocton county; the second ran from Mechanicsville to Livingood's mill on section 18. Jesse Williams and Lucy Denison were the first couple married in the township, and their son Gordon Williams was the first white child born here. The first death was that of Mrs. Jacob Gaumer, about 1816. Dr. Jacob S. Reasoner was the first physician in Salem. He practiced here, from 1832 to 1853. Dr. Henry Decker came in 1839; Dr. Jared Cone practiced here 1845-55; Dr. James Crawford 1835-42; Doctor Loy and Doctor Blake about 1841-42; Dr. John Mills, who studied with Doctor Decker 1843-50; Dr. P. A. Baker, 1857-79; Doctor Sidle came in 1860, but remained only a short time. Dr. Thomas Gaumer came in 1879. Later physicians in this township are Drs. W. R. Hosick, and W. C. Waters. The primitive mill within the borders of Salem was that erected by Peter Livingood, below the forks of Salt Creek, on section 18, about 1814-16. Sometime about 1830 it was sold to one Bratton, and has long since disappeared. On the southeast one-fourth of section 16, or Salt Creek, Joseph Bowers put a sawmill in operation, in 1832, which he sold, in 1849, to Jacob Keiffer. The latter moved the concern to the east bank of the stream and, in 1869 added a large frame grist mill, In 1836, Charles Sturtz built a sawmill on a branch of Symmes run, or section 4, in which was made most of the lumber used in building the earlier houses in Adamsville. It is not now in existence. A steam sawmill was built on school land lot 21 about 1850 by Isaac Stiers and Samuel Harris. About a year or two later it was bought by Mr. Shrigley, who added a grinding department. G. W. Shoemaker became the owner in 1854, and was succeeded by John Skinner in 1855. Mr. Skinner's ownership was short lived, however, for the concern was destroyed by fire in 1856. A steam grist mill was built near Adamsville in 1862 by Charles Beck. In 1873 it was sold to John D. Hanks. Levi McLaughlin later entered the milling business at Adamsville. Jacob Gaumer was the first gunsmith in the township. He and Peter Wertz and Adam Wade were early blacksmiths. Stephen Starkey was the first carpenter. The first school house in Salem was erected in 1817 on school land lot 37. Abraham Smith opened. the first school there in December, that year. Amy Wade taught there in 1820, Mr. Colvin in 1822. "Jacob and William Shively were two other old settlers," says the Adamsville Register. "Jacob Shively was the first settler on the farm now owned by Julius Taylor and William Shively the farm now owned by Jacob Lane. At the present time none of their descendants remain in the township. James Shively is a valued subscriber of the Register, residing at Kansas, Illinois. Benjamin Crane, the grandfather of our fellow citizen, Jacob Crane, was another pioneer. He settled on what is now the Charley Bowden farm in the year 1814, and built a cabin in the woods."

New Hope Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1811, by Rev. Anthony Weyer, with the following members: Jacob Gaumer, Catharine Gaumer, Philip Shroyer, Maria Shroyer, Peter Wertz, Susan Wertz, Henry Bainter, Adam Bainter and his wife, Samuel Shurtz, Mary Shurtz, George Shurtz and his wife, Christian Shroyer, Catharine Shroyer, Jacob Gaumer, Jr., Elizabeth Gaumer, Daniel Gaumer, Hannah Gaumer, Catharine Shurtz, Margaret Shurtz, John Shurtz, John Ault, Mary Ault, Jacob Shurtz, Jacob Shroyer, Abraham Shroyer, Anthony Slater, Susan Slater, George Stiner and wife. The first church was built on the northwest corner of lot 29, the site now occupied by the old Lutheran cemetery, already referred to, in 1817. In 1838, it gave place to a brick building which was superseded in 1870 by a frame structure. The cornerstone was laid May 14, 1870, by N. J. Knisely, and the church was dedicated May 28, 1871, by Revs. McHorine and Jacob Roff. The old church site and graveyard was donated to the trustees of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, by Jacob Gaumer, in 1819, and the present church site was donated by Jonathan Gaumer. Salem Baptist Church was organized in October, 1818, by Revs. Amos Mix and Henry Pringle, with the following named constituent members: William Spencer, Catharine Spencer, Jessie Williams, Lucy Williams, Wm. Cooksey, Elizabeth Cooksey, John Laurence, Amos Stackhouse, Philip Shoff, Sarah Shoff, Elvira Shoff, Mordecai Adams, Hannah Adams, Isabella Ackerson, Rebecca Tennis, Ethelinda Denison, Rachel Jordan, Sarah Whittenberry, Lucy Babcock, Susannah Hickman and Lucretia Slack. The first church, a hewed log structure, east of Adamsville, was erected in 1822. It was, in 1838, replaced by another building at a cost of $1,000. The present house of worship was built in 1872 at a cost Of $2,500. Adamsville Methodist Episcopal church grew out of a class formed in 1840, by Rev. Thomas Buckle. The following were the original members: John Stiers, Michael Ellis and wife, Sarah Stiers, Theodore Bailey and wife, Noah Honnold, Mrs. Armstrong, Thomas Roe. The first quarterly meeting was held in Noah Honnold's barn, May 16, 1841. A church was built at Adamsville in 1842, at a cost Of $1,500. Salem Chapel Methodist Episcopal church was constituted with Richard Johnson, Eliza Johnson, Nancy Spragg, Joseph Stiers, Benaiah Spragg, Margaret Stiers, G. Tousler, Martha Tousler, Solomon Baughman, Nancy Baughman, Joseph Johnson, John Daily and his wife, Ruth Johnson, Nancy Crane and others as its first class; Richard Johnson, leader. In 1852, a frame church house was built at a cost of about $900 on land donated by Benaiah Spragg. Good Hope Lutheran church was organized in 1868 by Rev. William Gilbreath. The following were the constituent members: Levi Statts, Amandy Statts, Charles Sturtz,. Rachel Sturtz, Louisa Sturtz, John Sturtz, Sarah Wisecarver, Elizabeth Wisecarver and Elizabeth Wire. A frame building was purchased at Adamsville in 1871, and fitted up and dedicated as a church. Beulah Baptist church was organized, after a series of meetings in 1872, by Rev. E. W. Dannels, with the following members: Isaac Darner, D. Winn, Ann Darner, Catharine Winn, Samuel .Bowmatn, J. A. Winn, Hannah Bowman, H. N. Winn, R. J. Winn, Hattie A. Winn, Robert Scott, Samantha Whitecraft, John Whitecraft, J. W. Bratton, Nancy M. Winn, Elizabeth A. Bratton, William P. Winn. J. R. Bratton, Lizzie Hunter, Mary A. Bowman, Emma Hardy, Emeline Williams, Lucy Williams, Mary Huff, Austin Lehew and Jared Williams. Early meetings were held in Salem Chapel. Later they were held in Milligan's schoolhouse. In 1872 a church lot was bought of J. A. Morrison, and the house of worship was finished and dedicated by Rev. T. Powell, January 11, 1874.

The oldest cemetery in the township is that early set apart by the Lutherans. The first person buried there was Mrs. Jacob Gaumer. The first summer Peter Wertz discovered his little daughter Margaret in danger from a copper-head snake. Picking her up, he held her under one arm, while with a club in the other he dispatched the snake. His son Jacob Wertz is authority for the statement that before he left the spot he killed fourteen of those dangerous reptiles.

"Mordecai Adams, who owned the quarter section of land which corners on the northeast near the township hall, laid out the town of Adamsville in 1832. According to the Adamsville Register, 1889: " His residence, then located near the present site of Geyer's store, was the only one in the village. A few years later, it was removed to what is known by the town plat as Main street. It is still in existence and increasing in value. It is at present occupied by George Swank, town marshal. In 1857, this property, with the lot, was sold for $80, and paid for with a horse valued at $60 and the other $20 in work. The house was repaired, and in 1867 it was sold for $170. A few days sihce it was sold to W. A. Roberts for $250. The first house built in the town after the town was laid out, was built by Dr. Reasoner in the spring of 1831. It was located on the lot now owned by J. W. Garrett. Dr. Reasoner was the first physician in the village, and the lot for an office and residence was donated to him. His office was a part of the present drug store of the village. His residence, a frame cottage with a porch on the south side, was torn down by Mr. Garrett in 1877, who built in its place the handsome two-story structure which he now occupies." It is said that William Beaver platted Adamsville for Mr. Adams. Wheeler's addition, on section 4, adjoining the original site, was platted in 1835. Additions were later platted by Jared Cone. Several houses were erected on the town site in 1832. The first one occupied was that of Dr. Jacob Reasoner, on lot ten. About 1833, Thomas Few opened a store in Adamsville, which was kept by Gibson Collins, the proprietor having been a resident of Union township. He was succeeded by Wertz & Daggett. This store was on the familiar Geyer store site. Jared Cone opened a store in 1835, on lot 2, Of Adams' plat, which was the first general merchandising establishment in the township, Roe & Armstrong began business in the Collins building, on lot 9, in 1838. In 1839 they moved to lot 4, Wheeler's addition, and traded there until 1842. Roff & Leslie traded in the Collins building, 1839-'43. Denison Ross and Isaac Stiers began merchandising in 1844, but were in the business but briefly. James Darlington was a later, but by no means permanent merchant. In 1852, Jacob Stenger began trading here. H. S. Roff and John Mills began business in 1853, and had quite a number of successors. In 1863, A. Jordan and William Sedwick took the store, but they separated in 1864, and Mr. Jordan continued the business until 1875. He was succeeded by Zimmer & Hurdle, Van Kirk & Baker, and Wesley Stiers. Cyrus A. Geyer began business in 1877 and still continues. A. C. Tomlinson and A. Jordan opened stores about a year later. A. C. Tomlinson & Son succeeded Tomlinson. Elsea & Winn are more recent merchants here. Snoots & Ferrell are hardware merchants; John W Garrett is a druggist and stationer. The Adamsville postoffice was established about a mile east of that town in 1827, with Jonathan Starkey as post master. It was moved to Adamsville in 1835, when Jared Cone was appointed. Nelson H. Garner is the present postmaster. Denison Ross erected and opened the first tavern in the township, on lot 4 in Wheeler's addition to Adamsville, in 1838. Later "landlords" were John Bratton, John Zimmerman, Jacob Stenger, David Richardson, Samuel Van Kirk, G. W. Shoemaker and others. The Adamsville house, J. P. Sturtz, proprietor, is the only hotel in the village. Mr. Sturtz took possession April 1, 1890.

Adamsville is fourteen miles from Zanesville, its nearest shipping and banking point, and has daily mail communication with that city. In the beauty of its site and the healthfulness of its location, this village is unsurpassed by any in the county. It is surrounded by a fine agricultural, stock and wool-raising district, and the producers of this section, as a class, are in good circumstances. The population of the place will reach about 300, and no community or village of its size in the county is actuated by higher motives or a more clear conception of progressive ideas and public welfare. Should this place secure railroad connection, which certainly it invites, it would prove an important shipping point. Isolated as it is, about seven miles from any railroad, thirteen miles north-east of Zanesville, and ten miles east of Dresden, it enjoys an importance as a trade and business center unsurpassed by some of our more advantageously situated towns. There are three good coal veins in the surrounding hills and excellent clay for brick and tile manufacturing. This village enjoys the advantages of one of the best kept hotels in the county; good schools and churches, and a class of enterprising citizens and business men. The average attendance of the public schools is about 110. There are two churches, viz.: Evangelical Lutheran and M. E. Church. Hubbard Lodge, No. 220, F. & A. M.; H. H. Garrett, W. M-; F. P. Winn, S. W.; G. E. Honnold, Jr. W.; G. V. Kern, secretary; H. L. Cogsil, treasurer; W. R. Hosick, S. D.; P. C. Shroyre, Jr. D.; M. Bowers, tyler. Fred Aler Post, No. 412, G. A. R., G. V. Kern, Corn.; H. H. Garrett, Sen. Vice; J. Reckel, Jr. Vice.;,,J. W. Garrett, Q. M. Eureka Grange was organized in April, 1889. The officers are H. H. Garrett, master; Joseph Young, overseer; P. W. Sturtz, secretary; J. W. Slater, treasurer; J. C. Bell, lecturer; John Fritz, chaplain.

The Adamsville Register, established in 1889, by E. Spencer, editor and proprietor, is a bright and enterprising four page, seven column local newspaper, issued every Tuesday morning at $1 per annum. In 1892 the paper changed hands, passing to E. C. Jordan, who well sustains the sheet for the reputation secured for it by the founder.