Fairview
township originated in September, 1850, the division of Cool
Spring township. Thomas Coulson settled in this part of the county in
1798. He was a pioneer in other ways. He opened the first school,
primarily for his own children, but invited those of his neighbors. His
house was on the thoroughfare from Mercer north to the lakes, and he
built the first tavern in the limits of the township, and during the
war of 1812 entertained passing soldiers.
Along the old state
road, about the center of the township, the turn pike company erected a
tavern in 1825 where the stage horses were changed and where the daily
interest and activities of such a place caused a village to grow. Here,
in March, 1846, a postoffice was established. The name selected was
Harthegig, after an Indian of that name who was a familiar character
among the early settlers. James Sellors, the landlord of the stage
tavern, was the first postmaster.
The stage coaches
have long since made their last trip over this road, and the busy
traffic of the old times is forgotten save by the very old residents,
and a few years ago the last excuse departed for longer continuing the
postoffice, the residents along the road being supplied daily with
their mail from a rural carrier’s wagon. The only other village
community in the township is at Fredonia, only a part of which lies in
Fairview.
Among the pioneer families established in this
township and identified with it as leading citizens were the Cubbisons,
Alexanders, Boyds, Rambos.
George Cubbison is said to have
opened the first store in the township in 1848. Besides the many
members of the Cool Spring Presbyterian congregation, at a later date
were organized the Fairview Baptist church and the Oak Grove Wesleyan
Methodists.
Source: Twentieth
Century History of Mercer County, 1909, page 154
|
| Transformation of Fairview Twp. |
| Formed in 1850 |
| From the division of Cool Spring |
|
Fairview Township
Churches |
Cool Spring Church
Fairview Baptist Church
Oak Grove Wesleyan Methodist Church
|
|
|
