Madison Township: A Historical Overview

Madison Township, situated in the northeastern part of Pickaway County, Ohio, was formally established on June 5, 1810. It is bordered by Franklin County to the north, Fairfield County to the east, Walnut Township to the south, and Harrison Township to the west. This region was part of the Congress lands, which began to be sold in 1801.

The township's landscape is marked by Walnut Creek, flowing south through its western half, and Slate Run, traversing the eastern part before joining Walnut Creek. The terrain features fertile black loam and gravel in the lower areas and clay in the hilly regions, with numerous gravel banks. Historically, the western lowlands, once swamps, were rich in ducks and geese, while the forests teemed with deer, turkeys, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, and occasional bears. The area also holds a rich history of indigenous presence, as evidenced by numerous Indian artifacts discovered there.

Religious life in early Madison Township was vibrant. The first Lutheran church, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, was established in 1834 in what was then Teegarden. Trinity Lutheran Church followed in 1856. The Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church and Madison Presbyterian Church were founded in the mid-19th century, further enriching the spiritual landscape.

The township's educational infrastructure evolved with time, with six school districts and a high school by 1906. Madison High School, founded in 1883, became a central educational institution.

Economic activities included various mills, such as an oil mill for flax seed oil extraction, a sawmill, a grist mill, and a small horse-powered grinding mill. The township also had whiskey distilleries, stone quarries, and thriving local businesses in St. Paul, including general stores and artisanal shops. Reverend J. A. Roof, a significant figure in the community, served as the first postmaster in the late 19th century.

Madison Township's history is a tapestry of agricultural richness, community spirit, and industrial ingenuity, reflecting the broader American experience during its formative years.