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This is a
very brief history of West Chester. More detailed and further information
is provided in A History of Union Township, Butler County, Ohio by
Virginia Shewalter. Available at the West Chester Library and for purchase from the West Chester-Union Township Historical Society.
West Chester Township lies within an oval area geologically known as the "Cincinnati
Arch." This area has been one of the best on the continent for collecting fossils because the Miami Valley was once at the bottom
of an ancient ocean.
The earliest inhabitants of our area were probably migrants from Asia. In Ohio, Butler
County is only second to Ross County in the number of antiquities and Native
American mounds discovered. At one time, West Chester claimed eleven mounds.
By nationality, the largest group of early inhabitants were German. The Irish
were the next largest group followed by the English. Some of the pioneers
were merchants, blacksmiths, tanners, and millers. Some were transporters
of goods, others were teachers or ministers. However, most of the pioneers
were farmers who were attracted to West Chester because its
beauty and quality of the land. These pioneers had no money
to buy land and therefore simply took over an unoccupied area.
Probably the earliest settler to come to West Chester was Joseph McMaken.
He was born in Cumberland County, PA in 1755. McMaken moved to Ohio in 1789,
moved into the county and applied for land in West Chester on July 4, 1791.
Other notable first settlers were Joseph Cox (1767-1842), the Swearingen Family
(1700s), Samuel Seward (1754-1828), Abraham Montanye (1752-1828), Matthew
Van Dine, Jr. (1752-1837), Isaac Paxton and Michael and John Ayers.
On March 24, 1803, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio passed an act
"for the division of Hamilton County...by which the county of Butler
was established." This new county was named after General Richard Butler,
a Revolutionary War hero.
On June 2, 1823, the County Commissioners met and petitioned for the division
of Liberty Township, and that this new Township be called Union Township.
So far, no reason has been discovered as to why the name "Union"
was chosen. Union Township ended up with 35 sections.
By 1805, the population was increasing rapidly. Transportation was quickly becoming a
problem. There were no roads...only trails. The only suitable means of transportation over these primative trails was by horseback or by foot. The U.S. Mail was delivered
in the County once a week over these trails by a mounted post rider.
Eventually, the Miami Erie Canal and the railroads came through the community making travel much easier and resulting in the development of smaller communities within Union Township. Rialto, Port Union, Tylersville, and West Chester were all stops on the railroad and small business would sprout up in those areas.
Between 1806 and 1812, the first schoolhouse was built. It was a log cabin constructed
on the property where Mrs. Clyde Rosselot and her daughter Margie now live.
Until churches could be built, services were held in members' homes and conducted
by traveling ministries.
West Chester as we know it today is located in the southeastern corner of
Butler County, bounded by Hamilton County on the south and Warren County on the
east. Liberty Township lies along the northern boundary, with Fairfield City
and Fairfield Township to the west.
The highest elevation is 980 above sea
level in the Pisgah area.
On June 28, 2000, West Chester ceased to be officially
called Union Township and is now known as West Chester Township, to reflect
the identity of the area.
West Chester is governed by three Trustees who are elected to four year terms.
These trustees hire a Township Administrator who is responsible for all of
the Township Departments.
