Not being able to carry out their plans from some cause, they removed back into the woods, with their families, several miles beyond the most distant settlers at "the ponds" as all the country above the Mills at Milltown was then called. They gave their settlement the names of their wished for the western homes. 

These early settlers first cleared away the forests in order to build their homes and get in the crops. They first built log houses until they could get in a position to erect better homes. Berries were very plentiful. I heard a woman tell that her mother while waiting for the members of her household to come to the mid day meal, stepped out of doors and picked a large quantity of berries which in the afternoon she exchanged for groceries. 

The Cape Fourchu river, called by that name probably on account of its being forked flows through Ohio. Some authorities call it the Yar river believing it to be the river from which Yarmouth got its name. One branch of the Cape Fourchu river flows through Hebron and Ohio nearly to Lake George and another branch flows through the salt pond dyke to Chipman's Corner. 

The river widens in Ohio to form Bunkers Lake the fourth of the chains of lake extending from Lake George to Milton and connected by this river. It probably received its name from Paul Bunker, one of whose lots of land lay near its foot. 

This river forms a good mill site and the early settlers gave their attention to lumbering and timbering but more lately people attend to farming and bringing cordwood to the Yarmouth market. The surplus farm products and building materials from saw mills at Ohio helped make cargoes for the West Indies. Returning from the West Indies the cargoes were molasses, sugar, etc. 

Enoch Crosby may be taken as a type of the older Ohio farmer. After spending an ordinary life-time in building up his valuable homestead property on the western side of the Cape Fourchu river, he sold it to Nelson Cann and retired to Deerfield, where some of his children had settled, and soon transformed his new home, which was a very rough place, so that it is now the chief ornament in that part of the county. 

OLD CUSTOMS

In arranging a fire in an old fire place. First a large log called the back log was put at the back, then the andirons were placed against this log at right angles to it and the fore log was placed on the standards of the andirons. The smaller materials were then placed on the andirons between the back and fore log. This left a space beneath for draught and for the coals to drop down where they were easily obtained. 

Bread was cooked in an iron kettle. This kettle was put in front of the fire place and surrounded with coals. It had a cover constructed so that coals might be placed on the top of the kettle. A baking oven was used in baking cakes and biscuits. This was shaped like a sloping roof with an open space towards the fire. There were cleats inside of this upon which to set the pan containing the food. This baking oven was set upon the hearth and the coals were shoveled around it. This was somewhat inconvenient as the cinders were often scattered over the food. For frying and boiling meats and vegetables, griddles and boilers were hung upon a crane. 

The houses were lighted by means of candles. At certain times our ancestors took a day for moulding candles. They ran tallow into moulds in which wicks had previously been arranged. The women wove cloths called homespun, and then made them into garments. 

The daughters of families in ordinary circumstances had one dress of homespun cloth each year. Girls labour was valued at the rate of sixty cents a week. A seamstress usually got seventy cents a week. Woman used the cheap wool left from weaving for making mittens, which sold for fifteen cents a pair. These were called Sale Mittens because they were to be sold. 

There was usually a room provided in the home for drying grain. Buckwheat, barley, and rye were raised, and taken to the grist mills to be grounded into flour. Nearly every family kept sheep. In the autumn a beef creature and a pig were killed and kept in provision for the winter. 

A shoe maker was hired from time to time to come to the different houses and make shoes for the family. 

OHIO STATION

In the winter of 1869 the first surveys were made for a railroad between Yarmouth and Annapolis and in April the Western Counties Railway was incorporated. New surveys were made in 1873. The first rail of the Western Counties R.R. was laid near Lovitts Wharf. The first spike was driven by G.B. Dane, president of the company. 

The first locomotive "The Pioneer" arrived at Yarmouth October 20, 1874 and the first trip was made October 28, 1874. The road was formerly opened to traffic between Yarmouth and Digby September 29, 1879, the first passenger ticket being purchased by J.R. Kenney, M.P.P. The first excursion a "Maying Party" left on May 10, 1875 going as far as the Pitman's Road, just above Ohio, with twelve platform cars between 1100 and 1200 passengers accompanied by Milton Brass Band. 

The D.A.R took over the control of the Yarmouth and Annapolis R.R Oct. 1, 1894. 

MAIL

The first Post Master of the village was Mr. Wm. Crosby. On January 1, 1882, our first mail was brought to us by railway. Previous to this date it was brought by coach. Coaches used to run between Yarmouth and Digby. 

MANUFACTURES

In the year 1853 George and William Crosby came from the United States and commenced the manufactures of Boots and Shoes in the American way of doing things. They kept at the business for several years, and made a success as long as the works were kept running. 

About the year 1876 a large building was erected and a company organized for the manufacture of cheese, with a first class plant. They manufactured cheese for years, but owning to the cost of milk and low price of cheese, on account of competition in the market the business closed. 

A large wood-working factory was built by Mr. George Crosby in the year 1891. In this factory were manufactured rakes, clothes pins, hand sleds, broom handles, wash boards and various other articles. A vessel with a cargo of spool wood was wrecked in Yarmouth Harbour and the wood was forwarded to Ohio and used in this factory. This factory is not running at present time. 

At one time there was a Champion Linament factory in Ohio. This factory was burned about eight years ago in the fire which left this and the three principal stores of the village in ruins. 

There has always been a saw mill in Ohio and in former days there was a grist-mill. Mr. Elias Trask built the first saw mill. Lumber was formerly exported from Ohio. At the present time shingles are made in the place where Mr. Trask first run his mill. 

The early settlers of Ohio raised much more grain than is raised at this time. Nearly all the farmers raised wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, and oats. This was taken to the different grist-mills on the Cape Fourchu river and ground into flour, not equal to superfine Genesee, but which made good bread. 

These different manufactures made Ohio a thriving village of quick growth and second to no other in the county from a business stand point. 

SHIP BUILDING

In 1833 was laid the foundation of the magnificent fleet that a few years after grew to be one nintieth of the tonnage of the British Empire, and carried her flag into every sea and into every port of the world. But finally like all wooden ship building there is barely any sail of it left, on account of the enormous growth of steel ship and steam marine. 

In the days when Yarmouth took the lead in ship building a great many of the citizens of Ohio were ship owners. Below are some verses composed by the great grandparents of the present inhabitants of Ohio about those who owned a share in a vessel called the "Ohio". 

The education interests of the young were taught in two small houses one of which was on the land near where the Ohio church now stands. The other one was located and is now a part of the store of Wm Crosby. About the year 1850 the two districts came together and built a very nice school house, with a hall in the upper story, on the lot of land nearly opposite where our present house now stands. This house was a long step in advance of the first two. There were but few branches taught to the pupils, but they were practical ones. Our present school house was built in the year 1867 at the commencement of the present free school systems. Ohio school has two departments, the advanced and the primary. 

CHURCHES
Previous to the year 1851 the people of Ohio attended worship at Hebron church or held services in the two small school houses. At Hebron in 1837 there was organized a Baptist congregation designated "The Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth". A few years later, on February 15, 1851, a church was established in the Ohio district, its relationship with the older body suggested by the name, "The Ohio Baptist Congregation in connection with The Second Baptist Church of Yarmouth". 

A place of worship was completed and dedicated in 1852. On September 10 of the same year, 36 members were dismissed from the parent church in Hebron to become the charter members of the South Ohio church. 

Elder James Reid became the first pastor of the new congregation, an office in which he was succeeded in 1858 by Lic. Joseph Sanders. Mr. Saunders served until 1870 and returned for a second ministry with the congregation during the years between 1898 and 1904. 

 By 1884, the community had grown beyond the capacity of the church. So a second church was build and opened in February, 1887, the dedication sermon was preached by Rev. J.B. Woodland. This building was called North Temple church and its people continued for seven years as a separate pastorate. During its brief life span, the North Temple was served by three pastors, Rev. H.N. Perry, Rev. F.M. Young, and Rev. Trueman Bishop. 

Meanwhile, the original body build a new church and opened it for uses on January 27, 1889. The two church organizations in South Ohio functioned independently until 1894 when it was agreed to share the services of one pastor. In 1905, the two groups united and the North Temple passed out of existence. 

The outward appearance of the Baptist church in South Ohio underwent a marked change in 1917 when on July 30, the structure was struck by lighting. In making repairs, the spire and belfry were removed and the tower was rebuilt in its present form. 
 
 

Pictures from postcards about 1900 
 

A Brief History On South Ohio
Research: Trevor Goodwin 

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On June 9, 1761 the first English speaking settler arrived at Chebogue from Massachusetts. This first groups consisted of three families. Others arrived from New England and settled in the area around Yarmouth. Although many settlers came, not all decided to stay. 

In the year 1800, when there was a great rage to emigrate to Ohio, and several families had left for that " Eldarado of the West", Nehemiah and Benjiman Churchill, sons of Ezra, were smitten with the "Ohio Fever", as it was called. Not being able to carry out their plans they resettled back into the woods, with their families, several miles beyond the most distant settlements at "the ponds". [ Which was all the country above the mills at milltown (Now called Milton)]

Other families also settled the area some of these family names include: Allen, Butler, Cann, Cook, Crosby, Durkee, Fletcher, Handy, Moses, Porter, Saunders, Vickery, and Whitehouse. Many of these can still be found in or around the Ohio area.

These early settlers cleared the forest in order to build their houses and make gardens for their crop. Their first houses were crude log houses, which were lived in until they were able to make better houses.The first saw mill was built on the Ohio mill stream by Elias Trask. Much of the lumber for the early houses came from the mill. Some of the lumber was even exported. Later this mill was changed and started the manufacturing of wooden shingles.

Most of the farms in Ohio were large and self-sufficient raising livestock and produce. Most of the men and boys worked in the woods cutting firewood and logs for the sawmill. Different types of grain such as wheat, rye, and oats were grown to be grounded at grist mill to be ground into flour. 

By the mid- nineteenth century Ohio was growing into quite a bustling village. In 1851 the first baptist church was built on the North Ohio RD. In 1887 another church was built on the junction of the Lake George, North Ohio Roads. Before 1850 the children in the area got their schooling does in two small houses, one classroom was located in a home near the church, the other classroom was situated in part of a store owned by William Crosby. About the year 1850 a nice school house was built, with a hall in the upper story. In 1887 a much larger school was constructed to serve the educational needs of many of the youngsters who wanted the chance, and needed it, to go to school.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century many businesses had developed and prospered. Some of these include Janie Cann ran a clothing store, George Crosby ran a dry goods store. Porter's Blacksmith Shop was also in operation and the Post Office operated out one of the two general stores.

The introduction of the railway skyrocketed Ohio's economic activity and the first locomotive, The Pioneer, arrived in Yarmouth in 1874. The first excursion The Pioneer took, in 1874, went as far as the Pitman Road just above Ohio. The train had 12 platform cars and carried approximately 1000 passengers. The train was also accompanied by the Milton Brass Band. On Jan 1, 1882 the first mail was brought to Ohio by train. Before the train it came by coach, which ran between Yarmouth and Digby.

Manufacturing played a very important role in the development of Ohio. In 1853 manufacturing was introduced to the area by George and William Crosby. They came from the United States and built, operated, and successfully managed a boot and shoe fitting factory. This factory remained successful for many years. Another successful business erected in Ohio was a large wood working factory built by George Crosby in 1891. This business made many useful things including rakes, clothes pins, ban sleds, broom handles, washboards and other various items.This company thrived for 10-15 years but started falling out and eventually went out of business in 1910. About the year 1876 a large building was erected and a company organized in order to process cheese. This business never peaked and eventually had to close for reasons such as high cost of milk, low demand for the product and competition in the marketplace. Another successful business erected in Ohio was a large wood working factory built by George Crosby in 1891. This business made many useful things including rakes, clothes pins, ban sleds, broom handles, washboards and other various items. This company thrived for 10-15 years but started falling out and eventually went out of business in 1910. Another business that had trouble was the Champion Linament Factory, who in 1902 was destroyed by fire, leaving the three principal stores in ruins. With its manufacturing, many businesses and the arrival of transportation Ohio was a thriving village of quick growth and could have been ranked as # 1 from a business standpoint.

South Ohio has witnessed many changes in its near 200 year history. This village can be viewed now and shows how, in the last 150+ years, the town has prospered and grown into one of the greater communities in Yarmouth County. This history has been but a glimpse of its illustrious past. 
 
 

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