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For months and years after the whites began to penetrate the wilds of the territory in question, there were no roads but a few Indian trails, the most prominent one of which we have previously merely mentioned. It passed rather westerly through the township, entering just north of the National pike. However, the first route cut out for a thoroughfare was the old State road. It entered the territory in question a little south of the National pike, passing westward, bearing a little to the north, crossing the line of the National pike just in front of the residence of James Peene, and continuing in almost the same direction through the township. It was a thoroughfare from east to west, and great stage-loads of passengers were hourly seen going by the few pioneer huts then along the line. This, however, was not long open for travel until a road was opened from Amity to Georgesville, being a line almost due north and south, or at a right angle from the State road.
Next in order came the great National pike, which was surveyed almost on the fortieth parallel, through the township, very nearly due east and west. It awakened the interest of the people, amd many who had as yet thought little of settling in Madison County were now induced to come from the East and make their homes along such a great road. It added new facilities, increased travel, enlarged business and gave the people new thoughts. The great pike resulted in the abandonment of the State road, and now few traces of it are to be seen. After the building of the National pike, the roads became more and more numerous, until now they cross the township at right angles and triangles, and are too numerous to mention. The roads are for the most part pikes, and in every instance are free of toll, which speaks well for the enterprise of the citizens.
From History of Madison County, Ohio, Chester E. Bryan, Supervising Editor, B.F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis (1915)
When the white man first came to this part of the state and began to penetrate the wilds of this territory, they found no roads but a few Indian trails. The most prominent one, as was previously mentioned, was the one from the Muskingum and Scioto rivers to the Mad river. It passed rather westerly through the township, entering just north of the National pike. However, the first road cut out for a thoroughfare was the old state road. It entered the township a little south of the National pike, passing westward, bearing a little to the north, and finally crossing the line of the National pike, and continuing in almost the same direction through the township. It was a thoroughfare from east to west, and great stage loads of passengers were hourly seen passing along the line. This, however, was not long open for travel until a road was opened from Amity to Georgesville, being almost due north and south and at right angles to the state road.
The next in order was the great National pike, which was surveyed almost on the fortieth parallel, very nearly due east and west. It awakened the interest of the people, and many who had as yet thought little of settling in Madison county were now induced to come from the east and make their home along such a great road. It was the greatest inducement which could have been offered for settlement in this county. It added new facilities, increased travel and made it possible for the early settlers to transport their products to foreign markets. A short time after the building of the National pike, the old state road was abandoned. After this, roads became more numerous and the records of the county commissioners are filled with petitions for the opening up of new roads.
Mr. Gilmore, according to the early settlers. was the first man to keep a store in Jefferson township. He was a one-legged man and it was quite difficult for him to get around. He soon concluded to take in a partner and, accordingly, a Mr. Dalby became associated in the business. Mr. Dalby had but one arm, but it seems that the business was managed quite well. Dalby would do the selling and get the goods. while Gilmore would tie them up, and thus they followed their business. Mr. Atkinson kept the first tavern on the state road. The building was of hewed logs and formed a comfortable inn for that day, but with the building of the National road this tavern was closed. J. W. Simpkins opened a tavern on the National pike. This was the second tavern to be started on this pike. but the name of the proprietor of the first cannot be learned.