There is but one town, or, more properly, village, in the township. But before writing of it the business interests of the past will carry us back to about the year 1831-32, when one Capt. Andrews, of Chillicothe, located on the Worthington road, just west of John Weaver's place, where he purchased about 1,300 acres of land. He was quite wealthy, and soon after locating he erected a building, purchased a stock of goods and opened out a store, which was the first ever in the township. His place he named the Rosedale farm, taking its name, we presume, from the post office, which he obtained the establishment of at his place about 1832, under the name of Rosedale Post Office, of which he became the first Postmaster. Subsequently, Capt. Andrews died, and he was succeeded by A. Smipkins; finally, he was succeeded by Fox & Snodgrass, with Mr. Fox as Postmaster. About 1836, Darius Burnham surveyed and laid off some lots for a town; had the town duly platted, which was recorded at the Recorder's office in London May 19, 1836, under the name of Liverpool. There were two small log houses on the ground when the town was laid out, after which Mr. Burnham erected the first frame house, a part of which was used for a dwelling and the other part finished up for a storeroom, into which John and David Snyder put in the first stock of goods and commenced trade. they continued business a few years and moved away. The next store opened here was by Foster Griffin, who commenced trade by putting in a small stock of goods and running a moderate trade; his leading business, to which he gave most attention, was dealing in cheese. Finally, Mr. Henry Burnham entered into partnership with Mr. Griffin, but remained only a short time, when he withdrew, and L. D. Mann entered into partnership with Mr. Griffin, but in a short time Mr. Mann withdrew; and Mr. Griffin continued business for several years. About 1837-38, Mr. Griffin became Postmaster, the office being moved from the country, where it was first established, to Liverpool, but retaining its original name, Rosedlae, and hs since remained prermanently located in the town. The first blacksmith to locate in the town was a Mr. Creamer. The first physician was Dr. Curl, the next, Dr. Jeremiah Converse; then another Dr. Converse; then Dr. William Adams; Dr. J.C. Kalb and then Dr. Carter. The first shoe-maker was Edsel Carr. The first saddle and harness hsop was a branch of McGruder & Reed, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio. The town now contains a population of about seventy-five persons, with the following business houses: One general store, by J. P. Carter; one blacksmith, H. C. Yeazell; one shoe-maker, Andrew McBride; one harness and saddle shop, George Glass, and one physician, Dr. F. M. Carter.
From Atlas of Madison County, J.A. Caldwell [Condit, Ohio:1875]
Rosedale P.O. It is located about the centre of Pike Township, about fourteen miles west of London, 5½ miles east of Mechanicsburg, which is in Champaign county, and eleven miles west from Plain City; and it contains one very fine country store, a blacksmith shop, and a school-house, and surrounded by enterprising farmers.
There is but one town, or, more properly, village, in Pike township. Darius Burnham surveyed and laid off the first lots for the town. He had the town duly platted, which was recorded at the recorder's office in London on May 18, 1836, under the name of Liverpool. But the business interests of the town began at an earlier period, 1831-32, when one Captain Andrews, of Chillicothe, located on the Worthington road, just west of John Weaver's place, where he purchased about one thousand three hundred acres of land. Weaver was quite wealthy, and soon after locating there he erected a building, purchased a stock of goods, and opened up a store, which was the first ever conducted in the township. His place he named "Rosedale Farm," taking the name, presumably, from the postoffice, be having obtained the establishment of an office at his place about 1832, under the name or Rosedale postoffice, he being the first postmaster of the newly-created office. Upon the death of Captain Andrews, he was succeeded by A. Simpkins, who was succeeded by Fox & Snodgrass, with Mr. Fox as postmaster.
There were two small log houses on the ground when the town was laid out, after which Mr. Burnham erected the first frame house, a part of which was used for a dwelling and the other part finished up for a storeroom. John and David Snyder put in the first stock of goods in this newly-erected building and continued business a few years, after which they moved away. The next store opened there was by Foster Griffin, who commenced trade by putting in a small stock of goods and running a moderate trade; his leading business, to which he gave most of his attention, was dealing in cheese. Finally, Henry Burnham entered into a partnership with Griffin, but this connection existed only a short time, Burnham withdrawing, and L. D. Mann entered into partnership with Griffin, but in a short time Mann withdrew, after which Griffin continued in business alone for several years. About 1837-38 Grifiin became postmaster, the office being moved from the country, where it was first established, to Liverpool, but it retained its original name of Rosedale, and remained permanently located in the town until it was abandoned and covered by a rural route. The name of the town has since remained Rosedale. The first blacksmith to locate in the town was a Mr. Creamer. The first physician was Doctor Curl; the next, Dr. Jeremiah Converse; then another Doctor Converse. Later, Dr. William Adams began the practice of medicine there, and he was followed by Dr. J. C. Kalb and Doctor Carter. The first shoemaker was Edsel Carr. The first saddle and harness shop was a branch of the plant of McGruder & Reed, of Mechanicsburg. Ohio.
Rosedale is situated in the northwestern part of the county, about the center of Pike township. Although it has been handicapped by the lack of a railroad, still it is a very thriving little business center for the country people of that vicinity. At present the business interests of the town consist of the general store of E. M. McCullough & Sons and the blacksmith shop of John and Joseph Roseberry. It has a population of sixty people. The centralized township high school for Pike township is also located there, a first-grade high school, with seven teachers. The present school building was erected in 1905 at a cost of twelve thousand dollars,and is modern and up-to-date in every respect. Seven wagons are used to carry the children to and from the school, and the present enrollment is one hundred and seventy.