Butler County, Ohio - The whole text, 1882 (part 33 of 39)

About 1810 there came from Martha's Vineyard, and settled in the vicinity of Mixerville, Indiana, Mr. John Smith, who reared a large family, of whom John T. and William H. were residents of Oxford, the latter having practiced law here a number of years previous to his death, which occurred in 1876. John T. was a farmer, and lived on the road to College Corner. He was successful in his private business, and active and influential in matters of public concern; was a leading member of the Universalist Church, and was one of the trustees to whom the first church property was deeded in trust for the congregation. He always took an active interest in education, filled the office of director in his district almost continuously, and five of his children graduated at one or the other of the schools of Oxford. His wife was Miss Anna Slack, a resident of the same neighborhood. Her, father was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and a worthy and esteemed citizen. His son, the Rev. Joshua Slack, a Baptist, was a pioneer in higher school education in Cincinnati. The issue of this union was five children, as follows: John T., Jr., deceased, who had a large ranch in Arizona, and was a member of the territorial Legislature. Anna S. married Mr. Winder, and is now residing in Grandview, Iowa. Mary married William J. Rounald, a graduate of Miami University, and also resides in Grandview. Arabella married O. P. Smith, a farmer near Wapella, Louisa County, Iowa. Palmer W. is now a successful practitioner of law, having been admitted to the bar in 1870. He married in 1871 Miss Virginia, daughter of Samuel V. Hill, who was a wholesale tobacco merchant of Cincinnati, who removed with his family to Oxford, where his declining years were comfortably and pleasantly spent. His decease occurred in 1876, his first wife having preceded him several years. Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Smith have a family of two children, Hall and Virginia, living, and one, Palmer W., who died in infancy.

John Shera, of this town, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, December 16, 1815. His father's name was James Shera and his mother was Ann Munns. The family, consisting of the two parents and eight children, emigrated to America in 1821, and took up their home in the West, in Franklin County, Indiana. While helping the father and mother in the work of the farm the children enjoyed the slight advantages of the pioneer school of the day. The mother dying in 1830, and the father in January, 1832, the children remained on the farm, and attended school Winters. When about eighteen years old Mr. Shera went to live with a brother who had bought a farm near by, and was with him some four years. October 18, 1838, he was married to Miss Margaret Shera, and the Spring of the year following the young couple, in all the hopeful enthusiasm of early man and womanhood, took up their home on a farm in Oxford Township, which John had purchased a year or two previous. This farm they continued to cultivate for thirty-two years, having seven children born to them during this time. In 1871 the family broke from the old farm home and moved into the village of Oxford, where taken away by death. One daughter is married and lives on a farm near the old homestead. The three sons and the other sister are residing in town, two of the former being the firm of Shera Brothers, in the grocery trade, corner of Main and High Streets. Just before the death of the older brother Mr. Shera made a profession of religion, uniting with the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this faith and Church the parents have adhered, and have nurtured their family as they have grown to man and womanhood.

Moritz Schlenck, of College Corner, Oxford Township, Ohio, is a native of the town of Balwick, Bavaria, who came to the United States in 1849, in October. For three or four years he made his home in some of the Atlantic seaboard cities. In 1850 he, with another friend, crossed over the mountains to the Ohio Valley, stopping at Pittsburg, Cincinnati, and so on to St. Louis, Missouri. He also went north as far as Galena, but returned up the Ohio, by the way of St. Louis and Cincinnati, and for about fifteen months resided in Portsmouth. From here he removed to Brookville, Indiana, in the Fall of 1852, and for a year and a half was in this State, returning to Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1854. In the Winter of 1854-5 he was in the towns of Brookfield, Richmond, and Quincy, Indiana, working a portion of this time at his trade as house and sign painter. Returning again to Brookfield, he engaged in the business of brewing until December, 1863. In August, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Charlotte Weidner, then of Brookfield. In 1864 Mr. Schlenck, with his family, was engaged in keeping a public house in Cincinnati, from which place he removed to College Corner, Ohio, purchasing and taking possession of the hotel property which occupies the extreme north-west corner of the township of Oxford, the house upon which was built in 1828 by Jason Howe. Mr. Schlenck has twice revisited his native country since making America his home.

William H. Stewart was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the 10th of June, 1847, and came to this country in 1850 with his parents, William and Mary Stewart. They settled on the old Hueston farm, in Hanover Township, and their son went to school at Seven-Mile, and afterwards went to Miami University, where he graduated in the classical course in 1870. He then taught school three years in Indiana, and for the past eight years has been superintendent of the public schools of Oxford. He holds a life certificate from the State board of education. He was married on the 25th of December, 1873, at Connersville, to Miss Belle Coulter, of Oxford. Her parents were Thomas and Lucinda Coulter, and she was born on the 23d of November, 1850. They have three children. Robert Howard was born July 9, 1875; William Thomas, March 17, 1878; and Martha, January 6, 1882.

Professor Isaiah Trufant, of Oxford, Ohio, was born in Harpeswell, Maine, the 18th of December, 1831. His father, William C. Trufant, was a descendant of an En- glish family of that name, the earliest American history of whom locates them at Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1635 or 1636. The elder Trufant died in 1879. The mother, Lucy Rich Trufant, who had also an English ancestry, was born in 1813, and is still living as a hale and well-preserved woman at Harpeswell, Maine. In_boyhood Mr. Trufant enjoyed the privileges of the common schools of the town, after which he entered the Maine State Seminary at Lewiston. After leaving this school he was engaged in teaching occasionally until he was twenty-five years old, when he entered Bowdoin College. Here he remained the next four years, pursuing the full prescribed curriculum of the college, and graduating with the full honors of his class. It had been the expectation and intention of Mr. Trufant to have entered the profession of law, but circumstances drew him into engagements as a teacher soon after leaving college, and the Fall of 1863 found him in care of Somerset Academy, in Athens, Maine. In the following Spring he was prostrated with a severe attack of typhoid fever, and was obliged to relinquish teaching for a time. January 17, 1865, he was united by marriage to Miss Sarah R. Gross, whose home was in Brunswick, Maine. The following Summer he acccepted the charge of the high school in Castine, Maine, for one year, leaving this position in the Fall of 1866 to accept the position of principal in Nichols Academy in Dudley, Massachusetts. In this school Professor Trufant was very successful, but the health of Mrs. Trufant becoming delicate, and her physicians advising a change of location and climate, he removed with his family to Hackettstown, New Jersey, and took charge of the schools of the place, himself taking the position of teacher of the college preparatory class. Such was the success of Professor Trufant in this relation and through his instrumentality, that the students sent forth from under his hand were enabled to take their positions in the freshman classes of Lafayette College, to which institution the city schools graduated a class of six young men at one time. The professor remained at Hackettstown for ten years, coming to Oxford in the Summer of 1877.

At this time the buildings of Miami University were unused, the college \having been suspended in 1873 for want of the requisite funds. Professor Trufant associated with himself his brother-in-law, Professor B. F. Marsh, an experienced and zealous educator, who had for years been connected with some of the finest schools of the Kast, the last being Pelham Institute at Poughkeepsie, New York, on the Hudson, and in the Fall of 1877 the two undertook the experiment of opening and conducting a boys' collegiate preparatory school in the university buildings, engaging such other assistants in their work as the demands of the school seemed to warrant from time to time. At the commencement of the undertaking, the two earnest projectors of the enterprise, while having the sympathy of the Oxford people, found the effort to start and establish their school a work demanding great patience and perseverance. The opening was made with a class of sixteen or eighteen boys, which during which the work has been progressing, until the attendance upon the last closing term was seventy-five or eighty pupils, and the class graduated was thirteen.

born to them, of whom two daughters and a son are now living, With his family he occupies the south end of the university building, known as Washington Hall, and his colleague, Professor Marsh, with his family, resides in Franklin Hall, which building has been pleasantly fitted up and furnished as a boarding department for the school, the study and recitation rooms being in the main building of the university. The school takes the name of the Miami Classical and Preparatory School, and the curriculum and high standard of graduation have sent their pupils into junior classes in neighboring colleges. Josiah Wilson, a native of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, was born in 1776, and came to Ohio in 1802, and settled in Butler County, four miles below Rossville, where, with others, he entered land of the government for a home. Three years before coming West he was married to Miss Mary Moore. To them in succeeding years were born two sons and four daughters, two of whom only are living at the time of this writing. One aged seventy-one years. The other, Mr. George Wilson, was born in 1814, at Rossville, and removed to Union Township, Indiana, as one of the pioneers, March 14, 1831, at which time there were but a half dozen settlers at the hamlet of College Corner. August 25, 1835, the latter was married to Miss Nancy Ridenour, who was born in Preble County in 1818. Five children were born to them while resident upon the farm. Of these two sons and two daughters are living. One of the former, Thomas M., is at present a resident and property owner of College Corner, whose wife was Elizabeth A. Barnum, of Union County, Indiana, born March 12, 1841. They were married February 6, 1861. They have one child, a daughter. The great-grandfather of Thomas M. Wilson was a native of Ireland, who came across the ocean when but twenty-one years old, and for several years made a practice of returning to his native country and bringing to the United States some of the peasantry and poorer class of that country, whom he was accustomed to bind out in service to the Americans for an advance upon the price of their passage money, and in this way made his first start toward a future competency, as he settled in Pennsylvania. George Wilson was the first one to organize a Sunday-school in College Corner. Nathan Woodruff, son of Nathan and Sarah (Stibbins) Woodruff, was born in Delaware. His father was To his first union there were born three children, Samuel, Sarah, and Mary. Their mother's name was Mofferd. In 1800 he married Sarah Stibbins, and had by her five children, Nathan, Nancy, John K., Margaret, and Katy Ann. The first three were born in Delaware, and the other two in Ohio. The father moved from New Jersey to Delaware, and from there to Ohio, in the Fall of 1817, and located in Warren County, near Waynesville. In the Spring of 1829 he removed to Butler County, and located in Fairfield Township. By occupation he was a farmer. He died in 1849, and his wife the same year. The present Nathan Woodruff was born April 22, 1808, and learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked until 1848. In that year he devoted his attention to farming. He was married September 12, 1839, to Lydia Parker, and to them two children have been born, Thomas J. and John. Mrs. Woodruff died in October, 1842, and her child at the same time. He married for his second wife, on the 5th of April, 1846, Mary, daughter of William Fields. To this union there were born two children, Nathan W. and Anna Martha, both dead. Mrs. Woodruff died in May, 1852. Thomas J. Woodruff was born July 5, 1840, and graduated at the Miami University in 1864. He served in the Eighty-sixth Regiment in the three months' service in 1862, and in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh in the hundred days' service in 1864. He was married March 11, 1873, to Susan, daughter of Daniel and Phoebe (Westcott) Dorrett. She was born near Cincinnati, May 18, 1845.

Tuts township at the time of its organization in 1803 embraced all of the north-western part of the county. It included the present townships of Oxford, Milford, Wayne, Reily, and Hanover, and was bounded, when it was organized, on the north by Preble County, on the east by Lemon Township, on the south by the Miami River and Ross Township, and on the west by the State of Indiana. Its name comes from General St. Clair. Wayne and Milford Townships were struck off of its territory in 1805, the latter at that time including also what is now the township of Oxford. Reily Township was set off in 1807, and embraced all what is now Hanover. _ These divisions reduced the size of St. Clair considerably, but possessing, as it did, the town of Rossville, its history is extended and interesting, and a large portion of it will be found treated under the head of Hamilton. In 1810, its population was eleven hundred and eighty; in 1820, thirteen hundred and seven; in 1830, eighteen hundred and thirty-four. There are in the township seventeen thousand, three hundred and thirty acres.

St. Clair, as it now exists, is bounded on the north by the township of Wayne, on the east by the Miami River and the lower end of Madison Township, on the south by the river, and on the west by Hanover and Ross Townships. The township is irregular on the south side, resulting from the fact that the Miami meanders through the very fine bottoms along its course, a large portion of which are in St. Clair.

All the country lying east of Seven-Mile Creek is level, and approaches as near perfection as any land in the county. The soil is rather sandy, producing the and garden vegetables also grow in great abundance, when cared for properly. A range of low hills extend from Wayne Township down into St. Clair, half a mile east of the village of Seven-Mile. They are not so elevated but what they can be tilled profitably.

West of Seven-Mile Creek the township is hilly, and in some places so much so as to render the cultivation of the soil extremely laborious. This range of hills begins to assume proportions about two miles south of the north line of the township, and continues almost 'unbroken down the west side of the Miami to its mouth. They vary in height, but are of the same general nature. This range of hills in some places approaches very near the river; then again it leaves a wide and fertile bottom between the stream and their base.

Fine dwelling-houses, with all their necessary outbuildings, dot the township. On the pike leading to Seven-Mile village, and on the Hamilton Road to Trenton, this is especially true.

The original forest here was very dense and fine. The country between the river and the hills was covered by a splendid growth of oak, sugar tree, walnut, buttonwood or sycamore, hackberry, blue and white ash, and buckeye. Pea-vines covered the whole face of the country from the Miami to the foot of the hills, and extended as far north as Somerville. They, however, only lasted for a few years after the settlements became established. Constant pasturage by the cattle soon destroyed them. They were very nutritious, and during the Fall stock lived without the least care from their owners.

The original forests furnished but little income to the settlers. A flat-boat which would now be worth fifty dollars for wood alone, would sell in New Orleans for three and five dollars. Nothing but the finest timber could be used to good advantage, and in cutting no pains were taken to preserve the noblest of the trees. An unsparing hand cut them down. Walnut trees as straight as a die, that would reach up seventy-five feet without a limb, and from three to five feet in diameter at the butt, were rolled into log-heaps, and consumed by fire, because the settlers needed the land on which they stood.

Aside from the pea-vines, spice-bushes, and some sassafras sprouts, there was no great growth of saplings or briers. After the first clearings were made, very little trouble was experienced on account of sprouts, bushes, and young briers springing up to harass the husbandman.

The hills of which we have spoken, in the early history of the township, were sprinkled with log shanties, rather below the average, turnip patches, and blackberry bushes. The sink holes and hollow trees furnished the opossum a favorite place of hiding, and gave this body of land a name which is now almost forgotten, though always remembered by the old people with a smile, '«<'Possum Hill."

Four-Mile is the principal stream of the township. It takes its head in Preble County, and has many tributaries. From the north-west corner of the township, where it enters, it flows with many windings until it empties into the Miami. Its first tributary on the west, above Hamilton, is St. Clair's Run. Scott's old mill stands just above its mouth. Near the old Fear-not grist-mill a creek of considerable size, flowing mainly from Hanover Township, joins with Four-Mile.

Seven-Mile (quite, if not altogether, as large as Four- Mile) unites with the above stream near the middle and on the north side of Section 8. Its current is somewhat rapid, and during a greater portion of the year, supplies an abundance of water for milling purposes. Along its bed are thousands of perches of gravel, which furnish material for making fine roads.

Cotton Run heads altogether in the township of Wayne, flows almost directly south, and empties into Four-Mile about one mile and a half below the mouth of Seven-Mile.

Five-Mile Run 'flows between Cotton Run and Seven- Mile, and is fed principally by a spring near the center of Section 4. This spring was known to the army on its way north to chastise the Indians, and is still used by the family who reside on the farm.

In the north-eastern part of the township two streams flow southward until they reach the centers of Sections 1 and 2 respectively; here they sink into the sand and are lost to view.

Two-Mile Creek empties into the Miami opposite what might be called the mouth of Old River. Its prongs extend out into Hanover for a considerable distance. South of Rossville there are a few little streams, but of no consequence.

Roads And Milis

It was quite natural, after the county seat had become a reality, for roads to diverge from it to all parts of the county. The old road to Eaton ran by the way of the Fear-not Mills, much in the same way that it does now. The old trace road from Seven-Mile takes the course of General Wayne when on his march to the Northwest. The State road, as it was commonly called, took the direction of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and for a number of

Among the early roads was one known as Augspurger's, which branched off from the Seven-Mile road, where it crossed Four-Mile, and took almost a true easterly course to the Miami, near the mouth of Gregory's Creek in Liberty Township. There was also another highway (which shot off from the road to Seven-Mile) to Jacksonburg in Wayne Township. A similar improvement led to Trenton.

That part of St. Clair Township lying south of Hamilton was settled principally by Germans from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Tennessee, between the years 1802 and 1810. 'The island below the city was at an early day separated by a slough or bayou from the main land, and was owned by men whose deeds called for property adjacent on the west. There was about seventy-five acres between the slough and the river.

Watson's mill, one mile below the suspension bridge, was built by the Traber brothers, who were millwrights from the East. The first house was a frame, and had three sets of buhrs; the gearing was made of wood. The mill was two stories high, with a garret, and was when erected one of the best in the country. It continued until the hydraulic was built, and in 1852 or 1853 the frame and machinery were removed, and used in the construction of a manufacturing establishment in the Second Ward of Hamilton, on Crawford's Run. The Traber brothers were the second proprietors; and Matthias, Resor & Co., the third. In order to get the mill where it was built, the settlers allowed Watson to run the water through the bayou. Matthias & Co. were the fourth owners, selling to William Reily, and he to a German clergyman named Richter, the latter of whom erected the establishment in the city of Hamilton, mentioned elsewhere. There was a saw-mill attached to the grinding department. The grist-mill was run by three large tub-wheels. Both of these establishments went down at the same time. The common belief was that the presence of the dam so near Hamilton affected the health of the city, and hence the mills were condemned by the health authorities. In high water the Miami takes the course of the old mill-race. Opposite Watson's mill was one then owned by the Traber brothers, both of them being run by the same dam.

was a lithe young man, full of energy, and when his pioneer establishment was erected in the wilderness, the neighbors predicted a failure in business within a short time. Watson gave his mill a name which always reminded his friends of his character - '' Fear-not." It is probable that Mr. Watson was the same man who erected the mill below Hamilton described above, which bore his name. The first building at the Fear-not site was a frame, two stories high, undershot wheel, and two sets of buhrs. Watson in due course of time sold out, and about twenty years after the first mill was built, a second was erected. It was also a two story frame, with an undershot wheel and two sets of buhrs. While Watson was in possession of the mill, he also did a large amount of sawing in an establishment near by. A carding-mill was also in active operation for some time.

Flenner's grist-mill, at the junction of Four-Mile and Seven-Mile Creeks, was erected forty-odd years ago. It is a two story frame, with wings, and has for the propelling power an undershot water-wheel, twelve feet in diameter. There are three sets of buhrs. The water was taken from Seven-Mile and emptied into Four-Mile by the tail-race.

About two years ago this 'mill ceased to run. At one time, about 1830, there was a still-house in operation at this point. The old mill can yet be seen.

The second of a number of mills in St. Clair Township, on Four-Mile, below the celebrated Fear-not Mill of Watson's, was owned by Samuel Scott, and stood a few rods aboye the mouth of St. Clair's Run. A good sawmill was attached to the grinding department. The gristmill was a two-story frame building run by an undershot wheel. Scott was in this neighborhood at an early day, and is said to have entered Section 16, on which his mill stood. He was a man of much force of character; in the various walks of life he played an important part. There were three flat-boats built at Scott's Mill; one by Mr. Scott, and two by his neighbors. They were floated to Hamilton empty and there loaded for New Orleans. Their owners returned by land.

George Flenner had a distillery in 1833 in a loghouse in the eastern part of the township on the Gephert farm. He died not long since. Still-houses in the first settlement of this valley were considered a necessity ; and many of the best people in the country were found engaged in the manufacture of whisky.

Philip Sowers had a still-house some time in the '30s in a log-house near Busenbark's on James Cummings's farm. David and James Chevalier bought out Mr. Sowers and continued the business for some time. This distillery has disappeared.

Henry Kerns had another one mile south of Seven- Mile village at an early day, on what is now the pike to Hamilton. He also had an insignificant grist-mill on Seven-Mile Creek, near the still-house, in 1836. Frederic "Bubenmyer had a still-house on Section 4 about 1830,

Jacob Wehr owned and carried on a distillery in the eastern part of St. Clair fifty years ago, near where Enos Wehr now lives. This establishment ran for seventeen years. It was a log building one and a half stories high. On the Warwick farm, one-fourth of a mile east of Overpeck's, Michael Earhart had a still-house in 1825. His place of business was in a log-house.

Isaac Overpeck had a large distillery, which he carried on for twenty years, where Richard Hines now lives. Joseph Hershey had a distillery at the Flenner gristmills forty years ago (which he owned in 1836), in a log-house. His corn was ground in his mill.

Uncle Samuel P. Withrow, as he is familiarly known in the northern part of St. Clair, who was born in 1798, says when he was twenty-five years of age he could, on getting up early in the morning, see the smoke from thirteen still-houses while doing his morning's work. He at that time lived in Wayne Township on Section 27. The capacity of these manufactories was about one barrel per day. Whisky was sold from fifteen to eighteen cents per gallon. Many of these still-houses continued for only five or seven years.

Churches And Schools

The St. Peter's Lutheran Church, one and a half miles south-west of Hamilton, was organized as early as 1806 by Germans, who had settled in this part of the township, from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. Among the early members were the Garvers, Fishers, Lingles, Castators, Troutmans, Mitchells, Kyles, and Shellhouses. The first house was a log building, about sixteen by eighteen feet. The furniture was plain and simple. The fire-place was eight feet in width and five feet deep.

As there was no regularly-built school-house, at an early day the church was used for educational purposes also. It continued to fill both these requirements for about thirty-five years.

Among the early preachers was the Rey. Mr. Hining, a German Lutheran from Pennsylvania, but who at that time lived in Montgomery County, Ohio; and the Rev. Mr. Descombes, a German Reformed, who preached here with considerable regularity for some time. He was a citizen of St. Clair Township. The Presbyterians had an organized Church in this end of St. Clair in 1820. Many of the congregation came from the east side of the Miami.

The second or present building was built about forty years ago, and in 1858 was remodeled at a considerable cost. This house is about forty by fifty feet. The land occupied by these houses was given for this purpose by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Crust, and comprises about one and a half acres, used for both Church and burial purposes. South of the St. Peter's Church and grave-yard, about three-quarters of a mile, Peter Garver began a private burying-ground. It has all the appearances at present of age and dilapidation. Many of the first members of the Church are buried near the house in which they worshiped.

James Hill, of Millville, now dead, was a school teacher in the old church, in 1832. He was followed by Captain William Giffin. Jonas Ball came soon afterward.

Justice Troutman, who attended school here when a boy, says the "teachers always had a stock of iron-wood switches on hand, stuck above the joist, to be used in cases where the youngsters needed trimming." 'These men were not very conscientious about the application of the whip. When there were six scholars in the classes they were thought to be large. Among those who attended school here were James Garver, now a distineuished physician of Minnesota; William Garver, a prominent lawyer, and Henry Garver, now acting surgeon at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio. Jacob Troutman, well known in Hamilton and elsewhere throughout the county, and a man who has filled nearly all the municipal offices in the gift of the people and the city, was another pupil.

The second school-house, or really the first especially erected for educational purposes, was put up about 1840. It was a frame, and stood one mile south of the old church on the Lawrenceburg Road. The present house was built in 1856 or thereabouts, and is a brick.

North-western St. Clair was settled at first by people mainly from the South. They were generally industrious, and many of them brought a considerable amount of furniture, farming utensils, implements for wood-working and such like, with them. The second set of settlers was from Pennsylvania. They added much to the general wealth and prosperity of the community. At last there came a third class, mostly Germans, who did not assimilate well with their neighbors.

Among the early settlers in north-western St. Clair were the Brookses, Irvings, Wallaces, McClellans, Eatons, Cornells, Browns, Caldwells, Robinsons, Longfellows, Grays, and Harrises. One of the oldest men in the township, William Brooks, owns 'nearly four hundred acres in Section 7. His fund of pioneer incidents is complete, and in many cases appears somewhat romantic. His age is nearly eighty-six. The Blue Grass Church, which stood near the Fear-not Mill, was one of the earliest of a large and flourishing set of similar institutions in the county. It was so named because about the time of its organization blue grass spread out over the bottoms in this section of country, furnishing the best of pasture for all kinds of stock. This grass began to appear in considerable quantities as soon as the dense growth of pea-vines had disappeared. For the first appointments the Methodists met at the barn of John Gray, which stood three-quarters of a mile north-west of the present church. This barn is now standing, owned by

William McKee, but has greatly changed in appearances since first it was put up. Its original size was thirty by forty feet, and it was then considered a large building of its kind.

The first church, a brick, was erected more than sixty years ago, and stood half a mile east of Four-Mile. It served for both school and religious purposes. John Gray gave the land on which the house stood. After the death of Mr. Gray, the Church began to lose its hold upon the people. On account of deaths and remoyals, it has now ceased to have an organization at all. Among those who united with the Church here, and who have since become somewhat noted, are the Rey. Joseph Brooks, who died in Kansas some eight years ago, and the Rev. James Gray, son of John Gray, now a circuit preacher in Indiana. John Gray was buried in a family yard on his farm, but which, in due course of time, was used by the public. Many of those who were buried here have since been taken up by their friends and removed to grave-yards of a more public nature.

About the time the Methodists ceased to exist, the Old School Presbyterians began to hold services in the church. A Church was consequently organized, which used the Methodist church 'for about eighteen years. A new church was then erected, yet standing and in use. Chambers Stewart gave the land on which this house stands. Mr. Stewart, with William Brooks and Mr. McKee, were early Presbyterians. The early ministers came mostly from Hamilton.

At the close of the Methodist Church, fifty-two years ago, a large camp-meeting was held three-fourths of a mile south of the old church, across the creek in a little sugar-tree grove which bordered on the bank of Four- Mile. These meetings were held for two successive seasons, and continued for one week. 'There were canvas tents of a temporary nature scattered throughout the grove to shelter the worshipers. The Rev. Joshua Holland, the Rev., or Captain, Joseph Gasner, and the Rev. Moses Crume were among the preachers.

Overpeck's takes its name from Isaac Overpeck, one of the first settlers in this part of St. Clair. The country which Mr. Overpeck selected for a home had all the natural requisites which tend to make life prosperous and happy. There soon gathered, therefore, in this section a busy class of people. Among the settlers and land-owners in this immediate neighborhood in 1836 were Isaac Overpeck, Henry Jacoby, Joseph Kelley, Michael Earhart, Peter Conrad, John Wehr, Daniel Smith, and Abner Torbet.

Overpeck's is now a station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, very nearly four miles from the court-house in Hamilton. There are simply a few houses built, something after the manner of other little villages which have from fifty to two hundred inhabit- ants. One of the most noticeable features of the station is a fine brick building, used for the waiting-room of the railroad, for the post-office, and a store, and for the various purposes of township business. There are three separate rooms, all well-kept and substantial. The building looks quite new, and was built about eight years ago.

For the first store-keepers this village had Isaac and John Overpeck. They were here soon after the railroad was built. Their place of business was in a frame house, near the center of the village, since destroyed by fire. The Overpecks were followed by William Iutzi, who is also the present merchant.

Before the present township house was built, making it a part of the station, waiting-room, and post-office and store, the voters of St. Clair cast their ballots on the farm where William Caldwell now lives. In the course of time West Hamilton was made the voting precinct, and continued to be so used until about 1876.

Henry Sellers was probably the first blacksmith in the eastern part of the township. His shop was near Busenbark's, on the farm now owned by Robert Richter.

The German Reformed Church at Overpeck's was organized sixty years ago. Jacob Wehr and wife Catharine; Henry, Charles, and John Jacoby and their wives ; Henry Kerns and wife; Mr. Wykel, who lived near Trenton; Mr. Miller, and Jacob Descombes were among the early members. The Rey. Messrs. Hininger, Grover, Hinkle, and Descombes were among the first preachers. At the time of the organization of this Church it was composed almost entirely of Pennsylvania Germans, but was subsequently strengthened by additions from American families. After a period of varying success the present and very respectable Church of both Lutherans and Presbyterians came into existence. The early Presbyterian members were also known as '' Pennsylvania ~ Dutch."

The first meeting-house at this point was a hewed log building; it stood in the south-east corner of the yard. Jacob Wehr sold two acres of land at one dollar per acre to the Church authorities for burial purposes and for a building site. The old house has long since passed away. For the second place of worship there was a large brick building capable of seating five hundred people. There was a large gallery above, and underneath were ample accommodations for many more. The old pulpit of this house is now in the possession of Joseph Landis, kept as a venerable relic.

The present brick building, which will seat comfortably two hundred and fifty people, was erected a few years before the late war. Charles Barger, a leading man of Seven-Mile village, organized a Sunday-school here twelve or fifteen years ago.

The first person buried in the grave-yard was Henry Jacoby, more than sixty years ago. There. are about two two hundred interments in the yard. Every thing about is clean and neat.

About twenty years ago the Mennonite Church at Overpeck's was organized. An acre of ground, upon part of which the church stands, was given to this denomination by Christian Slonacker, an early member. The membership is composed mainly of Germans. Among those who were instrumental in the organization were Dr. John Borker, the Augspurgers, and Peter Imhof. The Rey. Nicholas Augspurger was'an early preacher. The first meetings of this society were held in private houses. In the neighborhood where this society is known best it goes by the name of the '' Hook-and-Eye" Church.

The Apostles' Church, in this same neighborhood, sprang from the other Mennonite Church, and was composed principally of the younger members. The division was caused on account of some disagreement in discipline. The outside people call the Apostle the '' Button" Church, in order to note the improvement over hooksand-eyes.

For the first school-house in the eastern part of St. Clair there was an old log-house, which stood on the south-east corner of the old Conrad farm. It was here in 1812, and was built after the pattern of all log schoolhouses of those days.

For the first school-house in the neighborhood of Overpeck's, a building was erected on the same lot occupied by the present house. It was here in 1820, and for a portion of its furniture had the familiar slab seats, with legs for supports. Mr. Wilson was one of the early teachers.

A stone house took the place of the above log building. It was supplanted by the present brick, a commodious structure capable of seating a very large number of school children.

A. Overpeck, John W. Wilson, Jacob Steek, Charles Schneider, John 8. Garver, Conrad Getz, R. B. Davidson, I. M. Warwick, James A. Walker, David A. Warwick, Walter A. Trowbridge, Andrew Flenner.

There is only one post-office in the township, Overpeck's. The south part supplies itself from Hamilton, and the north part from Seven-Mile, on the border of Wayne Township, and Trenton, in Madison Town- ship. The postmasters at Overpeck's have been John A. Overpeck, February 25, 1860; Isaac E. Overpeck, March 27, 1865; Joseph A. Kennell, April 4, 1881; William Iutzi, April 18, 1882. The office was discontinued from July 10, 1879, to February 27, 1880.

John Betz, the son of Jacob Betz and Lena Smith, was born in Streitberg, Germany, November 14, 1840. His father was born in Hanau, Germany, June 18, 1807, dying March 28, 1880. His mother died August 28, 1861. They came to this county in November, 1854. John Betz was married in Hamilton, March 26, 1862, to Kate Anne Stroh, born in Markbel, Germany, September 20, 1841. Her parents were Henry Stroh and Dora Shaffer, both being born in Germany, in 1822, and coming to this country in June, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Betz have had one child, John Curran, born November 20,1878. During the war Martin Betz was the quartermaster-sergeant of the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Henry was a private in the Sixty-ninth. John Betz had four brothers, one in the hardware, one in the grocery business, one a farmer, and the other died in the army in 1861 of camp diarrhea. John went to Nashville to bring back the body, but was unable to effect his purpose.

William Brooks, retired farmer, was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, February 3, 1797, and is consequently one of the oldest' men in the county. His father, James Brooks, was in the Revolutionary War. He has been a resident of this county for over sixty years. He has been twice married; first, to Emily Wallace, who died at the age of forty. The fruits of this union were four children. Ellen Jane was born December 20, 1826; James, July 4, 1829; Mary Ann, January 28, 1830; and William W., October 25, 1832. All are now living but James, who died at the age of fifteen. Mr. Brooks's second wife was Jane Wallace, who bore him one daughter, Emma Eliza, October 3, 1855. Mrs. Brooks died March 26, 1881, aged seventy-five years. She was a constant attendant of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member, and a devoted wife and beloved mother. Mary Ann Brooks married James McMechan November 11, 1863,-her husband dying May 14, 1880, aged fifty-nine years. He was-born in Milford Township. They have had three children. William D. was born August 26, 1865, and James E., February 23, 1867. The third one died in infancy.

John M. Buhl, farmer, was born in this county, in the township he now lives in, on the 4th of September, 1852. He was married in Hamilton on the 23d of October, 1877, to Anna B. Sutler, daughter of Conrad and Catherine Sutler, who became residents of Butler County in 1839. They have one child, Elizabeth, born October 4, 1878. The parents of Mr. Buhl are Elias and Sarah Buhl, the maiden name of the latter being Houseleth.

Colonel George F. Elliott was born on the 8th of April, 1826, in Liberty Township, a quarter of a mile from the old Spring Meeting-house. He is the youngest of seven sons of the Rev. Arthur W. Elliott and Mary Pierce, both of Baltimore County, Maryland. They had also four daughters, of whom one was younger than George. At fourteen years of age he went to St. Clair, where he worked on the farm, and going to school occasionally. The last place of that kind which he attended was in the basement of the Episcopal Church in Hamilton, kept by Mr. Wade. He was married in September, 1852, to Miss Eleanor Hueston, daughter of Thomas Hueston, who had been out with Wayne as captain of pack-horses, and was also a soldier of the War of 1812. He was a brother of Matthew Hueston. Mrs. Elliott's mother's name was Mary Hardin. She was the daughter of Samuel Hardin, an early settler of Colerain Township. Colonel Elliott, upon his marriage, received from his father two hundred acres of land, upon which he now lives, and which he cultivated until 1857. He then went into the firm of Long, Black & Alstatter, traveling and working for them four years, in the sale of reapers and mowers.

When the war broke out he raised a company to defend our imperiled Union. It was Company C, Sixtyninth Ohio, and went out in September, 1861, continuing ~ in the service until March, 1863. He was appointed major, August 9, 1862, and lieutenant-colonel, October 24, 1862. He refused higher appointments. At the battle of Stone River he had command of the regiment from the beginning to the end of that conflict, a period of six days, having scarcely any thing to eat, and couching upon the hard ground without a blanket. He came home on account of the health of his wife, which had been seriously affected by the loss of one of her children by a railroad accident. On his return, he continued farming till 1866. He then went into the distilling business, remaining in that until December, 1869. During the last two years he ran distilleries No. 1 and No. 2, but on the date just mentioned made an assignment. He refused to go into bankruptcy, and finally nearly all of his indebtedness was settled up. The establishment had paid the government over two millions of dollars as a tax on distilled spirits during the time in which he had connection with it. Out of the wreck was saved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which the colonel now lives. September, 1873.

The first office he was elected to was that of member of the decennial State board of equalization, in October, 1880, This isa very important position. In 1881 he was a candidate for State senator, being nominated by acclamation for the services he had rendered in the board of equalization. He was defeated by twenty-seven votes.

He has had four children. Charles was born in 1858, and Frank in 1864. Thomas Arthur was the one who was killed by the railroad. He was three years old at that time. Colonel Elliott is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is universally liked. After a long life in this county, there is no one to whom he can not go up and shake hands, whether he is white or black, rich or poor. He is never idle.

James J. Everson, the son of James Everson and Rachael Mills, was born March 7, 1856, in Reily Township. His parents were early settlers. He was married in September, 1857, to Mary Ann Garver, born in Reily Township, February 16; 1638. Her parents were Samuel Garver and Elizabeth Keiver. They have had three children: -Addie L. was born August 1, 1860; Eva May, October, 1862, and Samuel A. Curtiss, July,

John W. Eaton is a native of Rowan County, North Carolina, and came to this county in 1814. He is the son of Ebenezer Eaton and Nancy King. The former came to this county in 1809, but the mother never did. He was married in Hamilton, Ohio, February 13, 1861, to Jane Stewart, a native of County Down, Ireland, and daughter of William and Mary Stewart, who came to this county thirty years ago, and are stil living at Oxford. They have seven children. Nancy Jane was born November, 28, 1861; Mary Phebe, August 20, 1863; Martha Ann, April 11, 1865; Robert Chambers Stewart, February 13, 1868; Emily Eliza, July 27, 1870, and William Ebenezer, May 30, 1873. Mr. Eaton is a farmer, and has now been a resident of the county sixty-seven years. At the age of fourteen, while cutting down some trees, his left leg was broken by a tree falling on it, and has since been lame. He was kept on a

James R. Foster was born in St. Clair Township, and married Nancy Wilcox, April 18, 1860. He was the son of Sullivan Foster, and followed the occupation of a farmer. Mrs. Foster was born January 16, 1836, and is the daughter of Edward Wilcox, and Margaret Evans, being the fourth of seven children. The mother is still living. She came to this county in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Foster had four children. Sarah A. was born July 6, 1862; Lillie M., December 16, 1865; Gracie E., August 13, 1868, and John E., January 13, 1871. Mr. Foster died May 11, 1871.

George Garbet, the son of Joseph Garbet and Barbara Hill, was born in Yorkshire, England, January 8, 1832, and came to this county in 1853. He married December 12, 1860, in St. Clair, Butler County, Caroline Young, born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1830. Her parents were Matthias and Susan Young, the former being born March 21, 1792. They came to this county in June, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Gar- bet have had four children. John Wilson was born May 18, 1861; George Grant, March 11, 1863; Charles Elsworth, October 28, 1866, and Gemirah, September 8, 1868. Mr. Garbet was among the hundred days' men in 1865, but did not go out, furnishing a substitute, who went to the State of Virginia, staying some three weeks over time.

Mrs. Barbara Geyer was born in Germany, April 9, 1838, settling in this county in 1852. Her parents were Philip Spareberger and Catherine Young. She has been twice married. Her first husband was Peter Werner, © who died in 1869. On the 2d of June, 1875, she was again married. Her husband is Robert Geyer, who was then a widower. Her children were Catherine, born May 27, 1856; Elizabeth, born March 2, 1861, dying the sane Fall.

Samuel B. Garver, born in St. Clair Township, September 7, 1843, is the son of Joseph L. Garver and Hannah Beeler. He was married February 15, 1866, in St. Clair Township, to Sarah C. Riley, daughter of Henry C. Riley and Mary Timberman. She was born March 24, 1845. They have had four children. Mary E. was born March 22, 1867; Joseph L., February 16, 1870; Susan J., November 1, 1875; and Henry R., December 25, 1879. Mr. Garver owns a farm, but in the season runs a threshing machine.

Barton 8. James was born in Hanover Township, September 3, 1831. His parents were Barton and Wilhelmina James, who are now both dead. He was married November 30, 1854, in Hamilton, to Mary Jane Longfellow, daughter of John Longfellow, who came to this county in 1804, and Elizabeth Stephen. Mrs. James was born in St. Clair Township, May 11, 1832. They have had seven children. Charles E. was born November 1, 1856; Harry, December 12, 1859; Eveline W. E., November 28, 1860; Benjamin F., Jr., September 25, 1862; William B., August 26, 1865; Olive May, December 10, 1867; and Olive L. V., April 28, 1871. Mr. James was a farmer, but at the time of his death held the appointment of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas. He died December 2, 1879, aged forty-nine years, two months, and twenty-nine days. Three children are also dead. Henry 8. died January 3, 1860, aged one year and twenty-three days; Olive May died November 12, 1875, aged seven years, eleven months, and two days; and Charles E. died July 1, 1878, aged twenty-one years, seven months, and twenty-four days.

Jacob Kumler was born in Pennsylvania, August 31, 1811. His father was Henry Kumler, and his mother Susanna Kumler. The former was an eminent minister of the United Brethren Church, in which he served as a bishop for twelve years, dying at the age of seventy-nine. The mother lived to the great age of ninety-five. They came to this State in 1819. Jacob Kumler was married at Dayton, Ohio, to his first wife while still very 'young,

Fanny Burtner, the child of George and Catherine Burtner. She had the following children: George B. Kumler, born May 29, 1832; Abraham, born October 30, 1833, now living in Clinton County, Ohio; Margaret, December 31, 1835, now living at Millville; Henry J., born February 27, 1838, now living at Jacksonburg ; John M., born August 31, 1840; Simon, born June 21, 1842; Francis M., born December 24, 1845, now living in Cumberland, Ohio; Benjamin F., born January 22, 1849, now living at Millville; Fernandez B. O., born October 3, 1852, now living at Millville; and Louis A., born May 21, 1856, now living at Hamilton.

He was married July 7, 1859, to Martha A. Shields, daughter of James Shields, an eminent pioneer, who represented his county twenty-one years in the Legislature, and was also a member of Congress. A sketch of him will be found elsewhere. Mrs. Kumler's mother was Jane Wright. She was a native of Virginia. Mr. Kumler has followed the business of farmer nearly all his life, and is now retired. He was township trustee for the years 1874 and 1875. Of the children, George B. Kumler was a member of the Ninety-third Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862; Simon Kumler was a member of Company C, Thirtyfifth Regiment, and was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge, November 25, 1865; John M. Kumler was a member of the Fifteenth Regiment United States Army, and was seriously wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. He was left on the field, taken prisoner, and never heard of afterwards; Abraham and Francis M. Kumler were in the hundred days' service, in Colonel Thomas Moore's regiment. The latter is now a minister of the Presbyterian Church. No family can show a more noble record than this, and. none are better known in the State.

William McKee was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, at Huyckston Creek, July 16, 1805. His father was John McKee, and his mother, Elizabeth McClintock. He settled in this county in October, 1844. He was married February 21, 1828, to Louisa Stipp, also a native of Bourbon County, where she was born December 10, 1811. They have had eleven children, the first six being born in Bourbon County, and the others in this county. John McKee was born February 26, 1829; William M., January 17, 1832; Mary L., June 3, 1834; Samuel A. and Eliza J., August 6, 1837; Jane E., October 2, 1839; George H., January 31, 1842; Ann E., January 14, 1845; Thomas D., January 22, 1847; Sarah, May 28, 1849; Joseph C., November 14, 1851; James R., June 21, 1854, and Edward S., January 6, 1858. Four of his sons were in the late war. John, late postmaster in Hamilton, was a captain; William was in Texas, and was impressed into the Confederate service; Samuel entered the service, but was soon discharged on account of being blind in one eye; and George H. went out on the last call and remained till

Adam Plannett was born in New York City, June 2, 1838. He is the son of Adam and Charlotte L. Plannett, and settled in this county in 1873. Previous to this he had been in almost every State and Territory in the United States, following different occupations. In 1863 and 1864 he was probate judge of Benton County, Oregon. His wife, Christiana M. Grau, was born in Germany, February 3, 1846. Her parents are Frederick and Dorretta Grau. She was married in Hamilton, September 6, 1875, and to their. union one child has been granted - Charlotte L., born August 15, 1877. Mr. Plannett is now a tanner and currier.

Joseph Poppel was born in Germany, November 12, 1850. His parents were John Poppel and Theresa Touler. He came to this country in 1859, having pre-. viously married, on the 12th of March, 1855, Magdalena Plumb, daughter of Matthew Plumb. She was born in Germany, December 26, 1829. The fruits of this union have been as follows: Charles was born March 12, 1856; Mary, November 28, 1857; Agnes, May 5, 1860; Joseph, April 26, 1862; Anna C., June 8, 1865; John, September 13, 1867; Frank, April 28, 1869, and William, September 29, 1875. Mr. Poppel is a farmer and fruit raiser, having on the place he now owns about eighteen acres of fine fruit trees of different varieties, all in good bearing order. He is also a stonemason. His daughter married John Weise, April 15, 1881.

Henry C. Riley, son of James Riley and Nancy Yercus, was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, October 10, 1802. His parents came to this county in 1809, and he in 1833. He was married December 27, 1827, in Ross Township, to Mary Timberman, daughter of George Timberman and Anna Stephenson. She was born in Tennessee, October 11, 1812, and after being a faithful wife for forty-five years, died September 25, 1872. She bore him fourteen children, Nancy, William, George W., James M., Mary Jane, Thomas Jefferson, Rebecca Ann, David T., Eliza E., Sarah C., Annie T., Susan L., Martha C., and Margaret A. Seven are living and seven are dead. The latter are Nancy, William, George W., James M., Mary Jane, Martha C., and Margaret A. Rebecca Ann married Joseph Straub, Sarah C. married Samuel B. Garver, and David T, married Mary Morris. He has living fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He has always been a farmer, and has several times been supervisor. His brother Joshua was in the War of 1812.

James Smith, once sheriff of Hamilton County, lived for a great portion of his life in St. Clair Township. He was born December 22, 1763, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and emigrated to the West in the year 1792, in conjunction with General James Findlay, with whom he formed a partnership after his arrival, which lasted more than ten years, under the firm name of Smith & Findlay. Their store was near the foot of Broadway, on Front Street. A short time after his arrival he was appointed sheriff of the county, and on the formation of the State of Ohio, he was elected to that office by the people, being the first one thus honored. So long did he hold the shrievalty that he was commonly known as 'Sheriff Smith." During a portion of this time he was collector of the revenue of the government of 'the United States for the Northwestern Territory and of the taxes for the county. Few men in the Northwest had more influence in the affairs of the community than he, and none exercised it more wisely. He acted for a time as the private secretary of General St. Clair, who was governor of the Territory, and enjoyed his confidence and esteem. He was captain of the first light infantry company raised in Cincinnati, and when the second war with Great Britain broke out, went to the front as paymaster of the First Regiment, third detachment of the Ohio Militia, and was in Fort Meigs when it was besieged by the British and Indians during that war. About the year 1805 he came to Butler County, settling on the place. in Section 21, St. Clair Township, at the mouth of Four-Mile Creek. Here he remained until his death, which occurred in 1834. He was a man of much capacity, benevolence, and public spirit, and gave his children the advantage of good educations. His widow and they (except two of the younger ones, who died in infancy) survived him. The late Charles K. Smith and John C. Smith, a public man of Wayne Township, were his sons, and James Smith, who married a sister of Almon Davis, of this county. They are now all dead.

William Sipp, son of William Henry Sipp and Appalonia Brown, was born in Bavaria, Germany, April 5, 1818, and settled in this county in July, 1840. His mother followed him to this country in 1846, dying the same year. His father died in 1842. In March, 1845, he was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, to Catherina Bahn, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Bahn, her birth occurring in Germany, August 15, 1822. The parents never came to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Sipp have had ten children. Louisa was born December 29, 1845; Wilhelmina, February 12, 1848; Adam, January 2, 1849; William, January 14, 1850; John, February 14, 1852; Elizabeth M., June 9, 1853; Christian, September 9, 1855; Jacob, September 5, 1857; Valentine, October 12, 1860; and Jacob, November 24, 1862. Louisa, Adam, Elizabeth M., and Jacob are dead: Mr. Sipp has been supervisor of St. Clair Township for three years. His occupation is that of a farmer.

David Chamberlain Scott was born in Milford Township, Butler County, August 3, 1848, being the son of John Scott, who was also born in Milford Township, and Jane C. Gaston, who was born in Hamilton County. He married on the 14th of January, 1874, Agnes Mary McKee, who was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky,

September 15, 1849. She is the daughter of Samuel McKee and Margaret Ann Marshall. They came to live in this county in 1854, and the father is now dead. They have one child, Harry McKee, born April 22, 1877. John Scott was born in this county in 1810, and still resides on the same farm on which he was born. David C. Scott has always lived in this county, with the exception of about one year he spent in Danville, Vermillion County, Indiana. He had one brother, Alexander J., in the army for three months. David C. Scott also enlisted, but was discharged, on account of his age.

John P. Troutman was born in St. Clair Township, October 30, 1851. He is the son of John Troutman and Margaret Petry. They came to this county in 1819. The father died in 1856, but the mother is still living. On the 14th of September, 1871, he was married, in Hanover Township, to Mary L. Engel, daughter of George Engel and Appolonia Gaze, who are still living in Lemon Township. Mrs. Troutman was born in Auburn, Butler County, August 20, 1854. She has two children. Anna Emma Louise was born December 19, 1873, and John Jacob, June 5, 1876. Mr. Troutman has been supervisor two terms, constable one term, and is now school director, as well as supervisor. His grandfather, Peter Troutman, was in the War of 1812. John Troutman is a farmer, and has been through life. At present he makes a specialty of raising fine blooded stock. He has some of the finest Poland China hogs in America. Durbin Ward, one of these, weighs three hundred and fifty pounds, at eleven months old, and Forest Ranger, one year old, exceeds him in weight. He has fullblooded sows to match them. He makes a specialty of raising fine horses for roadsters - George, St. Clair, and Melbrina Whip.

Jeremiah Warwick, farmer, was born August 6, 1811, in St. Clair Township, being the fourth child of J. W. and Genesee S. Warwick, the entire family consisting of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. He was brought up at the place of his birth, receiving but a limited education, and early became accustomed to labor upon his father's farm. In the year 1805 his father (whose name was also Jeremiah) and Wilkins Warwick patented one hundred and sixty-four acres of land on Section 17 of St. Clair Township. The brothers joined forces, uniting their money in one sum for the purpose of making the purchase, and afterwards dividing the land in proportion to the money which each had advanced. Wilkins received one hundred acres, and Jeremiah sixty-four. On these tracts of land the old-fashioned cabins were erected, the floor at first being the naked ground, and afterwards split logs. The land was entirely covered with timber, chiefly white oak, blue ash, sugar maple, and other deciduous trees, and there was a large growth of underbrush.

not numerous. The pioneer children were behind even those of the towns. Jeremiah Warwick, the younger, attended a school kept by Jonas Ball, who taught in the Winters. He was unable to go more than two or three weeks each season, until he had reached the age of fifteen. Nevertheless, he learned to reafl, write, and go forward in Pike's Arithmetic as far as the single rule of three. After leaving school he, by his own exertions, learned how to keep books, and from time to time added to his literary information, but his principal occupation in his youth was in assisting his father in clearing the farm.

When he was about nine years old a somewhat noted teacher of vocal music, John Hall, came into the neighborhood and introduced the patent note system. He organized schools in various localities by subscription, charging each scholar fifty cents for thirteen afternoons or evenings. There was then no definite length of lesson known to music masters. He traveled from school to school as a sort of musical circuit rider, and was thus engaged every day, the schools being conducted in the dwellings. One was held in the cabin of Jeremiah Warwick, Sen., and the subject of this sketch was accustomed to stand on the outside of the house as a listener. He soon became infatuated with music, and developed in this line much talent. At the age of eighteen he began singing in public, and afterwards followed teaching for some time as a profession. The book then used was called the ''"Masonic Harmony," which subsequently was supplanted by the '' Union Harmony." He obtained his musical education without any assistance, pursuing his studies in the evening and during leisure hours. While engaged in giving instruction he had usually six schools, one for each evening during the week. His compensation was thirty dollars per term of thirteen evenings. He also sung from a work called Mason's '' Harp," and a book composed and published by a noted preacher by the name of Rineheart. His earliest recollections of music teachers are of John Hall and William Kirkwood. He recollects many of the early settlers of the county, those who made the first beginnings in the county.

He was married at the age of twenty-seven, on the 27th of September, 1838, to Miss Lydia Smith, the daughter of Daniel Smith, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1818. About the date of his marriage he purchased a farm in Section 8 of St. Clair Township, on which he has since resided. He became a member of the United Brethren Church in 1852. He has led a life remarkable for sobriety, honesty, and integrity of purpose, and is now reaping the reward of his industry.

Genesee Warwick, one of the pioneer mothers of Butler County, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, on the first day of November, A. D. 1783. Her father was Allen Short, and her mother was Rachel Messick, both of whom were highly respectable citizens of Sussex County. Allen Short was born in England, from which country his father emigrated while he was yet a child. The Messick family was one of the oldest in Delaware. The parents of Genesee were the owners of a farm of about three hundred acres in Sussex County, upon which they lived. There was a large settlement of the Short family in Sussex County, consisting of the brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts of Allen Short. Mr. Allen Short, after his marriage, lived near his father's residence until Genesee was about three years of age. When at the daughters, the youngest being Genesee. Mrs. Short, who was a woman of wonderful energy and industry, carried on the farm for three years, assisted by her daughters, whom she taught to knit and spin when but six years of age. Mrs. Short then married Mr. Joseph Brooks, by whom she had one son, Finley Brooks, the father of Rev. Joseph Brooks, who, a short time before his death, in 1878, was elected governor of Arkansas, but in the contest with Baxter, his opponent, as to who should be inaugurated, was forced to relinquish his office to prevent civil war.

In the Fall of 1790, when Genesee was but seven years of age, Mr. Brooks with his family removed from Delaware to the State of Kentucky. At that time there was great excitement in Delaware over the new-found homes in the West. Mr. Allen Short's brothers, Eli, Jacob, Topham, and Obadiah had all previously emigrated to Kentucky, while Thomas and Adam and seyeral sisters remained in Delaware. The journey of Mr. Brooks and family, among them Genesee, from Delaware to Kentucky is strange to those used to modern methods of travel. They started with all their household goods and themselves in one wagon drawn by two horses. After traveling a day or two, one of the horses gave out, and it and the wagon were sold, and the remaining horse was loaded with such articles as they could get on it, while Mr. Brooks and his family walked, each carrying some article. Mr. Brooks carried his ax and gun, the two great instruments that were so essential to pioneer existence, while Mrs. Brooks bore the rim of her spinning-wheel.

Thus the family traveled many hundred miles across the State of Pennsylvania, and arrived at Pittsburg, where they embarked upon a flat-boat and floated down the Ohio River to Limestone, Kentucky, now the city of Maysville. Leaving his family at Limestone, Mr. Brooks walked sixty miles through the woods alone into the interior of Kentucky, to Eli Short's, got a wagon and came after his family and effects. After staying three or four weeks at Mr. Short's, he went to Scott County and settled within four miles of Georgetown, clearing land and farming it. After six years he removed to Fayette County, near Lexington. He lived here a few years and then resolyed to go to Ohio, having heard of the fine lands in the Miami Valley. Accordingly, in the year 1804, Mr. Brooks came to Ohio, settling on the south bank of Four-Mile Creek,*purchasing and clearing a part of the farm now owned by Jeremiah Warwick. On this track Mr. Brooks built a hewed log-cabin, the first house built in that locality, and for many years thought to be wonderfully fine. Here Mr. Brooks lived for many years, being familiarly known as '' Granddaddy Brooks," and died honored and respected by all who knew him.

Genesee did not come with her father to Ohio, but remained with her sister Sallie in Kentucky, and met and married, in Woodford County, Jeremiah Warwick, who had previously emigrated 'from Maryland. The father of Jeremiah Warwick was William Warwick, who came from England in colonial times, and was a descendant of that family in Europe. William had a brother named Arthur, whose two sons were killed in the war of the Revolution, on the side of the Americans.

family in America, was the father of five sons - William, Jr., Wilson, Wilkins, Wagemon, and Jeremiah - and five daughters - Elizabeth, Mary, Sallie, Ann, and Drusie. William resided in Maryland until his death, the date of which is not known. His son William married in Maryland and removed to Genesee County, New York, after which all knowledge of his family is wanting. Wagemon was highly educated, became a teacher, was noted for his excellent qualities, but died while a young man. Wilson was also married in Maryland, removed to Scott County, Kentucky, and afterward to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in boat builing. THe also sailed upon the Ohio River. His death was in Cincinnati. His two sons, Louis and William, afterward removed to Patriot, Indiana, where some of that branch of the family yet reside. ___ Wilkins and Jeremiah were married in Kentucky - Wilkins marrying Sallie Short, and Jeremiah her sister, Genesee, the subject of this sketch. These young men and their wives immigrated to Ohio in the year 1806, arriving at Hamilton on the day before Christmas of that year. They were obliged to stay over night in Hamilton, and to put up with an open shed as their only shelter, every other room in the village being occupied. At that time there were only a few log cabins in Rossville, and no stores of any kind, while on the east side of the river there were but two stores, Blair's and Sutherland's. They crossed the Miami River on a flat-boat moved by oars, swimming their horses after them. The Warwick brothers purchased adjoining farms, and at once set about clearing the land, which was covered with heavy timber. In all the trials and hardships incident to life in the then unsettled West, Genesee was an active partaker with her husband, and among the women of her times was one of the most remarkable in the county.

Genesee was the mother of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters. The sons were named Josiah, Greenup, Jeremiah, Tinley, William, Allen, Isaac, John, and James. The daughters were Cynthia, who married Mark M. Boatman; Rachel, who married David Overpeck; and Martha Ann, who died while a young lady. The Boatman and Overpeck families, thus originated, are well known in Butler County. The oldest son, Josiah, married Clarissa Woods, and after a number of years' residence in Butler County removed to Warren County, Ohio, where they and their children and grandchildren now reside. Greenup married Delilah Stevens, and raised a family of six children. He and his wife are both dead.

Tinley is married and living in Butler County. William was married to Nancy Longfellow, and with their family they are living in Wisconsin. Allen married Miss Sallie Smith, of this county, and he and his family are now living in Iowa. Isaac married Harriet Buckingham, of Hamilton County, Ohio, and with his family is living in Southern Illinois. John was married to Margaret Cornthwait, a daughter of Edward Cornthwait, who lived near Trenton at that time. John, in company with his brother James, who was unmarried, in the excitement of 1848 over gold discoveries in California, went to that State by the overland route. After moderate success in mining, they returned by way of the Isthmus, contracting on their way the Asiatic cholera, and both died shortly after their return, together with their father and Martha Ann, who also died with that malady. Martha Ann had just previous to her death graduated from the seminary at College Hill, and was noted for her beauty and musical accomplishments.

Genesee always felt a great interest in all her children, even when in advanced age. After the death of her husband, which occurred in 1851, Genesee made her home with her children in Butler County, chiefly with her daughter Rachel and her son Jeremiah, at whose home Genesee died of old age, on the 16th of August, A. D. 1881, aged ninety-seven years, nine months, and sixteen days. Genesee was for many years previous to her death the oldest woman in Butler County, and up until her death retained entire possession of all her senses and faculties. Her remains rest in Greenwood Cemetery, at Hamilton. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for upward of seventy years, and was a firm believer in that faith and the promises of the Bible.

Edward Wilcox, now deceased, son of Edward and Lydia Wilcox, was born in England about the beginning of the century. He settled in this county about 1818, and was married July 19, 1827, in Ross Township, to Margaret Evans, born in Pennsylvania, February 27, 1804. Her father was William Evans, and mother Martha Ellison, who came to this country in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox had eight children. Lydia was born September 11, 1828; Martha, June 23, 1831; Anna, October 26, 1833; Nancy, June 16, 1836; Rebecca, August 29, 1838; Edward, July 17, 1842; and John, now known as Collins' Run. <A year or two afterward he was elected captain of a company of riflemen, composed of members from all parts of the county.

In August, 1812, Captain Collins, in obedience to a call of his country, rendezvoused the troops that he had enlisted at Hamilton, and on Sunday following marched out to a shade near the west end of the Hamilton basin, and listened to a sermon preached by the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace. Collins and his men served a six months' tour, received an honorable discharge, and -returned home.

Between the first of the year 1798 and that of 1802, William Harper settled with his 'family, consisting of a wife and five children, on Section 19, in Wayne Township. For the purpose of hunting, he built a cabin near a large spring on the lands owned, in 1852, by Philip Ray, and not far from Wayne's old trace. The Indians were numerous, and visited Harper frequently.

In the Spring of the year a number came here for the purpose of making sugar, and an old squaw became very intimate with Harper's family, especially with little Elizabeth, who was about three years old. The squaw would take the little girl by the hand, and seat her upon her lap, until finally they became very much attached to each other. One evening Mrs. Harper sent two of the children out to bring in the cows, and their three-yearold sister followed. When they had gone some distance into the woods, the little girl cried for them to stop, but in their hurry they gave her no attention. After returning home Elizabeth was missing. Search was immediately made, but the little girl could not be found. The next morning the neighbors, though few, gathered in and further search was made. The Indians were all gone, and suspicion was placed upon them at once for carrying the girl away. Little footprints were found in the mud where she had crossed the run, and close by them moccasin tracks. These tracks were traced a few rods further to a sugar-tree, where they were again very plainly to be seen. In the tree the Indian made a niche with his tomahawk, where he had stuck it while picking up the little girl. These evident marks satisfied the people that the babe had been stolen, and the trail was followed for about ten miles, when it was lost, the Indians having scattered in order to baffle pursuit. The hunting party wandered about for two or three days, finally returning home without the lost child. The little girl was never found, although her father and mother visited all the Indian settlements on the Maumee, Sandusky, and about Detroit; also most of the tribes on White River and the Wabash. The family finally became resigned to their fate. Mr. Harper died on his return from a search for his child, and his good wife in 1819. the cemetery west of Darrtown. daughter, was living in 1855; cholera, in Rossville, in 1849.

Harper's, and who was well acquainted with the family, saw Elizabeth; he knew her by the family likeness which they all possessed in a very remarkable degree. She had been married to an Indian warrior and had two children. She afterward went with her tribe west of the Mississippi, and was never heard of again. As to the truthfulness of the above story there is not a shadow of doubt. °

When this township was first settled snakes were common, but the only or principal poisonous one was the yellow rattlesnake, which was found in considerable numbers. They were from three to four and a half feet in length. Some dens were found from which large quantities were taken. One of these wintering places was found by Jedediah Johnson, who settled on the northwest quarter of Section 12, at the foot of a hill near a spring which passed from beneath large flat rocks. Under these rocks, secure from frost, the snakes were located. Another den was found on the south part of Section 23. From it one to two hundred snakes were taken early in the Spring before the animals went abroad.

As soon as the township began to fill up with settlers there were roads opened, the first and principal ones leading to Hamilton. The road from Darrtown followed pretty much the same route as the present pike. So also did the pike leading from Somerville via Collinsville and Seven-Mile.

Matthew Richardson, in 1802, entered the land on which Collinsville now stands. Richardson was a Marylander, and came to this part of the county with a fivehorse team, overland, bringing three colored people - two men and one woman. One of the men was afterward drowned while coming from Hamilton, in attempting to cross the stream near the old Matthew Hueston farm. This was the beginning of what is now Collinsyille - the entering of the land by Richardson. The first lot sold was bought by Charles Collins, an Englishman, a wagonmaker by trade, from whom the town received its name. He immediately began to work at his trade, and in 1839 sold out to W. H. Crume. Collins now lives in Preble County, where for many years he carried on the wagonmaking business, and was also an undertaker.

Colonel Andrew P. Young was an early store-keeper. He was succeeded by James Steel, who was also the village postmaster with Young. Eli Murphy and James Crozier, a Scotchman, opened a blacksmith shop in 1837. The latter removed to Morning Sun, in Preble County, and afterward to Texas, where he engaged in the cattle trade. David McMechan opened a dry-goods store; he sold out to Thomas Brown, who built a new house opposite. Johnson Davis built, about 1848, the dwellinghouse and store-room now occupied by John Sloneger, a German.

The first school teacher in Collinsville was an Ivishman by the name of William Hewett, who taught here in 1818, continuing for about twenty years. Tor many years he was a leading member of the Presbyterian Church. William Simpson, Moses Dougherty, William MeMechan all taught in the old log-house. This building had a fire-place in the middle of it, while a brick

- chimney carried out the smoke through the rafters. The second house, a frame, was erected somewhere in 1838. Joel Harris was a teacher in it. The third and present building was erected in 1876, a handsome twostory brick.

Collinsville's first physicians were Dr. Robinson, of Preble County, who remained with the people for about three years and then removed to Iowa; Dr. Kline came next, who stayed for two years, followed by Dr. Smiley, an Irishman, from Hamilton, here not to exceed three years. He married a daughter of Samuel Davis, and now resides in Pickaway, Ohio, where he still practices medicine. Dr. EK. C. Wooley was the most prominent of all the early physicians. He came from Symmes's Corner, and was a wagon-maker by trade. He is now in Paris, Illinois. Dr. Silver, of Clermont County, came here some six or seven years ago.

James Young's saw-mill was built in 1811. The gristmill was erected three years afterward, and though often repaired, the old frame is yet in the present structure. The first saw-mill was destroyed by fire. This mill has always remained in the family, but since 1860 has been abandoned. In 1836 Mr. Young had a large log distillery close by, where he fattened many hogs. The building is now gone. As early as 1813 Oliver Smith had a saw-mill on Seven-Mile, two miles below Collinsville. It was run by an undershot wheel. He also erected a gristmill at the same place in 1808, but which in 1820 was destroyed by fire. About 1828 David Young built a saw-mill, carding-machine, and oil-mill on Seven-Mile on the east side, in the north-east corner of Section 25. _ The former of these establishments stood below the latter. All were sold after the death of Mr. Young, in 1848, to Joseph Hursh, who continued to do sawing until about 1853. Samuel and David Young built an undershot saw-mill one mile below Somerville, about forty years ago. The latter also had a fulling-mill and cardingmachine at the same point; all have disappeared.

The Collinsville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1843. Among the early members were David Simpson and James Gray, the latter of whom was one of the early class-leaders. At the time of organization this Church was on the Germantown, but is now on the Camden Circuit. The house was begun in the Spring of 1844 and completed in the Fall of the same year. The Rey. William H. Sutherland was the first minister. Jeremiah B. Ellsworth and John W. Steel were preachers in charge in 1844, Prior to 1844 the Church worshiped in the frame school-house which stood half a mile south of Collinsville, on the Hueston road. The log schoolhouse stood ten rods west of the present Presbyterian Church. About ten years ago the Methodist Church was

The Seven-Mile Presbyterian Church at Collinsville was erected or organized in 1810. It was a frame building and stood eight rods west of the present house. Some of the early members were Samuel Davis, Robert Irwin, Sen., Matthew Richardson, Ralph Brown, Robert Swann, Oliver Smith, father of Samuel Smith (who now lives in Seven-Mile, eighty years of age), John Armstrong, and Samuel Young. The land on which the house stood was given for this purpose - two acres, including the graveyard - by Matthew Richardson. The house was about thirty by forty feet, and was furnished with slab seats, with legs for supports, from James Young's' saw-mill. In the course of time better seats were put in, and the pews were sold, but this practice was soon discontinued, because of the dissatisfaction which it caused. For the choir-leader the class had Daniel Corson, who stood close to the pulpit and '"'lined" the hymns, and Matthew J. Richardson, who pitched the tunes. The Rev. Francis Monfort was one of the first ministers.

Conrad Darr and Robert and William Ogle, all from Pennsylvania, entered Section 28, on which Darrtown stands, in 1802. After making the entry, they returned home, and in 1803 brought their families with them, and divided the section. Darr took the south half; William Ogle, the north-west quarter; and Robert Ogle, the north-east quarter. The section cost $1.25 per acre. In 1814, April 4, the former of these gentlemen laid out Darrtown, and called it after himself.

Abram Darr was the first resident of the village. He kept a store on the east side of the street, near the center of the town, in a frame house. This building burned down in 1820. John Deen built the second house, about 1817, which. is now used for a grocery by William Shears. In 1825 Willis Davis was in the house as a store-keeper, also as a saddler. In 1820 Henry Watts built a log-house in Darrtown, opposite the Davis property. Herron & Fenton were in this log building in 1827 as merchant tailors. The venerable building has long since disappeared. Mr. Persails, a hatter, from Hamilton, was here many years ago. John Cook, a blacksmith, from Pennsylvania, came here in 1825, with a large family; remained fifteen years, and died in this county. Stephen Cook, his son, followed, in the same business, for five or six years. David and

John Knee were also early blacksmiths. Abram Darr built a frame house, where Zimmerman now keeps, in 1817, and began the tavern-keeping business. He continued for ten or twelve years. In 1832, he opened a still-house, two hundred yards east of where Hiram Darr now lives. His corn was ground at the old carding-mill on the corner south of the Lutheran Church. This distillery continued for a number of years. Mr. Darr removed to Iowa, in 1844, and in 1852, while in Cincinnati, died very suddenly.

Aaron Chamberlain, a native of New York, rented a store-room in 1826, and began to accommodate the public. His store stood on the east side of the street in the middle of the village. He afterward opened a tavern in the store building, continuing for six years. He also worked at the wagon-making business for some time, and died in Pike County, Illinois, some time after 1840. Henry Branner was a blacksmith in Darrtown from 1817 to 1827, in a log shop opposite Chamberlain's tavern. Patterson and Martin had a store, in 1828, where Zimmerman's saloon is. Stephen Kendall came to Darrtown in 1825, built a tavern in the lower end of town, and continued until 1844. He was by trade a shoemaker, carpenter, and wagonmaker. William Kirkpatrick kept a tavern in Darrtown in 1845 in the house now occupied by his son Samuel as a tavern and saloon. Henry Krigger was another blacksmith from 1826 to 1832, south of the widow Carnahan's house on the east side of Main Street.

Mitchell Marshall had a large three story still-house, from 1845 to 1852, one fourth of a mile east of the center of the village. The capacity of this establishment was fifteen barrels per day. Many hogs were fattened at this distillery, and many cooper-shops were in active operation near at hand. Sylvanus Ochs built the store where Peter Winson now keeps, in 1840. His brother Josiah was a tailor in the same house for six or seven years. Stephen Irwin was also a country merchant in the same building about 1855. Mr. Winson began as a weaver in Darrtown about 1840.

Dr. Wyman, from New York, introduced the common domestic willow at Darrtown about 1845, five years after his arrival. The growing of willows in this vicinity is a leading industry with a number of the people. Dr. Yeaman, from Hamilton, came to Darrtown in 1827, remaining two or three years, and then removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana. Dr. Wilson, from New England, was here in 1833, and remained five years, removing to Rossville, Indiana. Dr. Cruikshank, from near Cheviot, Ohio, came here about 1832, remained seven or eight years, and sold out to Dr. Mack, who continued to practice here until his death a few years ago.

In the Spring of 1806 the first school was made up in this part of the township and taught by George Howard. The house stood a quarter of a mile north-west of large fire-place in one end, logs cut out for windows, roof covered with clapboards, which were held down by weight-poles. This house lasted and was used for twentyfive years. Among the teachers were John Blackburn, Enoch Morris, and Robert McManus, an Irishman, who was a fine scholar and a gentleman. The Irwin boys, the Kegards, Stouts, Hayneses, Prices, and Darrs were among the scholars.

The second school-house was a frame, which stood on the public square, erected in 1830, or thereabouts. Abram Darr and Philip Brown were among the first teachers. This building was used for about eight years. For the third school-house the Darrtown people had a frame building which stood near Darr's distillery. The house is now used for a dwelling, near the center of the town. William Hewett and David P. Nelson were two of the first teachers.

The fourth school building, a frame, was erected about 1848, and occupied a site two hundred yards west of the center of the village. This building was used until the present brick was put up, with an Odd Fellows' hall above, but which has been sold to the school directors for school purposes. Richard Chambers and Gardner Darr were among the first teachers. Mr. Jones, of St. Charles, is the present teacher. an average of seventy scholars.

John Mills built a carding-mill, in 1822, in Darrtown, and continued for five years. He sold out to Abram Darr, who used the old machinery for grinding his corn for the still-house. The power was supplied by a large tread-wheel, turned by oxen. In 1858 and 1859 a sawmill and a small grinding department was in operation in the village, owned by Benjamin Hawk and Joseph Keck. The buildings stood where the Lutheran Church now is. The establishment lasted but for eight or nine months.

In early history the settlers went to James Broadberry's saw and grist-mill, one mile and a half below town, erected in 1818, and continued for twenty-five years. Broadberry also had a log still-house, in 1817, which was replaced by a stone building. Wallace and Bryant

County, in 1816, and erected a saw-mill, a grist-mill, and a fulling-milf, all run by undershot wheels, on Four- Mile, now known as Lane's mill. The latter member of the firm was the fuller. Wallace did sawing for eight or ten years; also carried on the grinding department. H4 sold out to James Smiley. The property now belongs to his son-in-law, W. L. Lane, of Oxford. The present mill is a three story stone building, and was erected about 1850 by William Elliott, who was accidentally killed.

Griffith's mill stood on Four-Mile Creek, where the bottom road from Oxford crosses the stream, in 1817. There was a sawing and grinding department, both of which continued to run for twenty-five years. Half way between Lane's mill and Darrtown, Thomas Cooch built, in 1818, an overshot saw-mill. He had also previously ereeted an overshot grist-mill, thirty-five feet wheel. Thomas Cooch, Jr., with his father, also had a large distillery. All three of these establishments continued up to 1835, when the mills stopped. The stillhouse was carried on for five years longer. Pearson Stout had a still-house in 1840, on the farm now occupied by Ebenezer Brown, one mile north of Darrtown.

The Darrtown town hall was built in 1826 or 1827, to be used by all religious congregations as a place of worship. Conrad Darr gave the land on which the house stands. Among the leaders in this enterprise were Joseph Haynes, a blacksmith, who lived one mile east of town, in 1814, and perhaps was the first within this part of the township; Jacob Ogle, a man of many excellent parts, and James Walden, who lived on the farm now owned by Huston Kiger, the latter of whom has a large steam saw-mill. At that time the Baptists were the most prominent. This Church was organized in 1806 at Thomas Cooch's. The first preaching was under a shade in the Summer, and at Cooch's house in the Winter. The first preachers that might be called regular were Stephen Gard and William Tyner. In 1816 the society built a frame meeting-house in the old or present cemetery. This society flourished for a while, and was then broken up. Among the members were Israel DeWitt, Thomas Cooch, James Walden, and Mr. Blackburn. When the town hall was built this society sold their church to Abram Lawe, who removed it to Darrtown, and it is now used for a dwelling.

The cemetery was laid out in 1806 by Thomas Cooch and Mr. Markle. The former gave one and the latter half an acre of land. The first interment was that of _ Harriet, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Cooch, September 6, 1806. About the same time the Baptist Church was organized the Methodists began to have preaching in the neighborhood, and some time thereafter built a log church on the Beeler section, at the foot of the western slope of ''Chaw Raw" hill. This Church has since become very numerous and respectable, and now worships in a handsome frame building in the village. There are a number of graves near the site of the old church, but the house has long since disappeared.

The New School Presbyterians organized a Church in Darrtown about 1848. The first preachers came from Oxford. In its most prosperous days, this organization numbered thirty-five members, of whom Stephen Kendall, Hiram Darr and wife, Susanna and Sarah Cook were the most prominent. The Rev. B. W. Chidlaw organized the first Sabbath-school in Darrtown, about 1840. Joseph Curtis, of Hamilton, was the first superintendent, followed by Gardner Darr, who was. also the chief officer of a similar organization, at the same time, at MeGonigle's.

Jericho, four miles north on the Hamilton and Richmond pike. The original place of worship has since been destroyed by fire. This resulted in the erection of the church in Darrtown. George Kramer and wife Barbara, old Mr. Knapp and wife, Daniel Shollenberger and wife were among the first and leading persons who gave the Church its present healthy constitution. There are now over sixty members in good standing. A Union Sundayschool is carried on, with alternate meetings at the Methodist and the Lutheran Church.