Pictured above is a painting of the church that once served the Amrine Settlement. On Sept. 2 a community event will honor the 200th anniversary of the settlement.
(Photo submitted)
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Editor’s note: The following information is supplied by Lynne Hall, Union County Historical Society Board Member and Amrine Settlement 200th Committee Member.
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As a fast growing community with more than 20,000 citizens, it is time to pause for reflection and to honor the rugged pioneers who tamed the wild, forested territory in the early 1800s and made their homes in the Amrine Settlement, the first permanent settlement of the area.
The public is invited to attend a Union County Milestone event celebrating the Amrine Settlement Bicentennial and 200 years of local history. On Sept. 2, a local group of volunteers will be hosting a community event to honor the 200th Anniversary of the Amrine Settlement at the Amrine Cemetery on Mill Road.
The Amrine Settlement included 1,000 acres of a Northwest portion of present day Marysville including Mill Valley subdivision, Union County Fairgrounds, land along Raymond Road and Mill Creek, Amrine Mill Road and Amrine Wood Road. While the settlement is named for its founder Abraham Amrine, over 50 families (listed below) will be recognized, who contributed to the early development and success of the area.
Barb Miller, local historian and cemetery tour guide, states that, “Following the program, a tour of Amrine Cemetery will highlight the life stories and accomplishments of Amrine Settlement pioneers and veterans. Guests will have the opportunity to examine the gravestones to see how the stones were recently restored to preserve the valuable local history and overall cemetery appearance while increasing safety for cemetery visitors.”
Amrine Settlement was founded in 1817 by Revolutionary War veteran Abraham Amrine and his seven sons. Abraham purchased 1000 acres along Mill Creek, paying $2 an acre, a high price for wild land covered in dense forest.
Mr. Amrine and his sons immediately began clearing the land for farmland and building log homes. A sawmill and gristmill were built and operated by the family for more than 50 years. These mills were the first mills in the vicinity and drew patronage for many miles. The local militia held musters at the Amrine Mill in the mid-1800s. Mill Creek was named after these mills.
The passage of time has claimed the homes and structures built by the families. The recently restored Amrine Cemetery remains as the final resting place for many of the pioneer families. There is a high percentage of Veterans buried there: six from the Revolutionary War, four from the War of 1812, two from the Spanish American War and seven from the Civil War. The Amrine Methodist Church and School, founded by the family, once stood adjacent to the cemetery.
In 1885, Reuben L. Partridge of Marysville built a covered bridge across the creek on Amrine Mill Road. On a side note, Mr. Partridge married the daughter of Adam Wolford, one of the original settlers. The bridge created a connector from present day Raymond Road over Mill Creek along Amrine Mill Road by the current high school property to Maple Street.
The bridge was destroyed by an accident in 1934. The bridge abutments remain today and can be seen along the Jim Simmons Trail near Mill Valley Park South.
Former Paris Township Trustee Crista Miller states, “Weather and the freeze-thaw cycles through the years caused damage to the Amrine Cemetery gravestones requiring repairs to be made. In 2003, Paris Township engaged in a $4,300 repair of the cemetery. In 2013 Paris Township initiated a three-year $43,000 complete restoration project of the pioneer cemetery in order to have the cemetery in tip top shape for 2017 Bicentennial Celebration.
After some work, the gravestones were made whole again. The resting places of the early settlers and soldiers were restored as a respectful tribute to their contributions and sacrifices for the preservation of our great Nation.”
Milestone events will include 1 p.m. Amrine Settlement 200th Celebration, cemetery tour, and old-fashioned Potluck Picnic Lunch for members of the public and descendants of the Amrine Settlement. Offsite parking and shuttles will be provided. Amrine Cemetery is located on Mill Road off of Raymond Road just north of the Route 33 overpass. Cemetery parking is limited to handicap parking only. Handicap passes are required.
Michelle Amrine, Abraham Amrine descendant and Committee Chair, states that “Prior to Amrine Settlement celebration program, families and the public will have time to reminisce while enjoying food and fellowship. Potluck Picnic Lunch will be held under tents at the cemetery.
Meal begins at noon. Complete meal is not provided. Families please bring a side dish to share and family/settlement memorabilia to display. Pulled pork sandwiches, table service, and drinks provided. Donations are accepted.”
Public parking will be located at the Goodwin Property at 17000 Raymond Road and the old Kroger Plaza (at 1095 W. Fifth Street) parking lot near Wendy’s. Shuttle transportation will be provided from parking areas to the cemetery. Shuttles will run 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to program. Shuttles will resume after the program from cemetery to parking until 2:45 p.m. Legion Hall will be open at 10:00 and will provide a comfort stop on the route with restrooms available.
Lynne Hall, local historian and researcher, announced that, “Packets including history and family landmarks will be available. Shuttle rides will include drive by tours of resting places of Amrine family descendants in Oakdale Cemetery and of historical markers near the Amrine/Powers Farm property where a Blockhouse was built in 1812 by a company of soldiers led by Capt. Jonathan Alder. The log structure was built to provide protection from an expected Native American attack. Thankfully, no attack ever occurred.”
Amrine Settlement Celebration honors families of the Amrine Settlement: Adams, Allen, Amarine/Amerine/Amrin/Amrine, Barker, Baumberger, Beichle, Beighler, Beightler, Belleville, Boggs, Bowersmith, Burris, Campbell, Clayton, Clevinger, Coder, Darling, Donley, Dynes, Edgington, Elliott, Evans, Ferree/Ferrei, Ferris, Gibson, Goldon, Grow, Hall, Harrington, Hedges, Lander, Lee, Mapes, Marshall, McAdams, Moore, Overton, Parker, Parthemer, Pathemore, Peacock, Power/Powers, Redman, Reed, Rice, Robberts, Shipley, Shuster, Smith, Staley, Stout, Timmons/Timones, Turner, Welch, Westlake, Willmeth, Wolford, Wood, and 7 Unknown.
Tina Knotts, Union County Tourism and Marketing Director, states that the “Amrine Settlement predates the City of Marysville by 2 years and Union County by 3 years. Additional Union County Milestones will be celebrated between 2018 and 2020. Watch for announcements about those exciting events.” For more information, check out Facebook event, Amrine Settlement Bicentennial Celebration or call 937-578-3953.