Champaign County, Ohio - The whole text, 1881 (part 13 of 32)

Two churches, the Methodist Episcopal and Universalist, offer spiritual advice to the inhabitants. The history of these churches is given in the outline history of the township.

Nettle Creek Grange, No. 244

was organized December 12, 1873. Following are the names of the charter members: Simeon Taylor, Gideon H. Ward, L. Hoak, Elijah Hanna, Samuel

A large two-story brick building was erected by the Grange and the Sons of Temperance (now defunct) in 1876. The dimensions of the building are 33x50 ; its total cost aggregated $3,600. The first floor is divided into two departments, the large corner room is used by John Richardson, dealer in dry goods, provisions, etc. The smaller compartment is used by the Grange as a dining-room. The second floor consists of a public hall and ante-rooms, used for meetings of the Grange and public entertainments.

Though Westville is located within one-half mile of the railroad, it does not derive much actual benefit from the same. Urbana is but four miles and St. Paris seven miles distant. These towns attract the trading population of the vicinity, which has its detrimental effects on Westville. The inhabitants are prosperous and happy, and have no design for future greatness.

Business Directory

This village is situated on Storm's Creek, in the southern part of the township, and contains a population of 125. It is surrounded by a rich, fertile country, and, but for the fact that it is minus railroad facilities, would be quite a business center. A railroad is now be ng agitated, and, in time, the people may have the pleasure of hearing the "toot" of the locomotive at their doors.

The village site, originally, was the 1 roperty of Squire George Craig, who had it surveyed into town lots in 1838. David Loudenback did the surveying, and was assisted by David Miller. Both of these gentlemen are still residents of the township. Mr. Craig laid off the town as a speculative experiment. Many of the new-comers did not possess money sufficient to purchase a quartersection of land, but were financially able to buy a lot, and thus lay the foundation for a future home.

Abraham Rosmick built the first house - a frame - which is now used by John Neese for a carpenter-shop. The second house was erected by George Neese, the third by John Davis. David Miller built his present residence soon rafter. The first store was kept by John Conklin, who dealt in dry goods and groceries, in the house now in the possession of Martin Nitchman. The building now owned by Morgan L. Jenkins was built for a tavern by George Craig, who was the first landlord. Jacob Shafer was the first blacksmith; David Miller, the first wagon-maker.

A post office was established shortly after the town was surveyed. Michael Craybill was the first Postmaster. The mail was carried from Urbana once route was changed to Springfield via Tremont. The mail is now received triweekly from Urbana. William Dermette is the present Postmaster; he received the appointment some thirteen years ago.

Groceries, etc., Morgan L. Jenkins ; blacksmithing, Raper Ropp and Jacob NKiser; harness-making, Anson Smith; wagon-making, Henry Eiper; physician, W. S. Hunt ; saw-mill, Isaac Evilsizer. The town contains two public halls, and one church - the Methodist Episcopal.

In the preceding pages, we have attempted to portray an unbiased history of Mad River Township, beginning at the earliest settlement and continuing to the present day. Our source of information is exhausted, and we have but little to add. The pioneers, or most of them, have departed this life for a country that is always new, and where the trials and privations of pioneer life are unknown. Their descendants live in peace and prosperity. The recent census returns allot to the township a population of 2,000. Most of the inhabitants are farmers in good financial circumstances. They are industrious and contented, and are deserving of the confidence and esteem which they enjoy.

Jackson Township is the extreme southwestern township of the county, and was formed from the three original townships of the county - Springfield, Mad River and Salem - in 1815. It is bounded on the north by Johnson Township, 6n the east by Mad River Township, on the south by Clark County, and on the west by Miami County. These boundaries were established in 1817. In shape, the township is square, being six miles long by six miles wide. It is the only square township in the county, and includes an area of thirty-six square miles, or over 28,000 acres. It was named in honor of " Old Hickory " Jackson, the hero of New Orleans. The land is what is known as "second bottom" or " valley " land, being a little rolling, but mainly level. It is very rich and very deep, consisting of gravel, alluvium and peaty matter, the gravel being deeply buried in most places. There are several good beds of clay in the township, valuable for making brick and tije ; and a considerable quantity of the latter are made for local use, one factory being situated within the corporation of St. Paris (which has recently been extended into this township), and the other at Addison, the township seat.

The country is drained by creeks or tributaries of Mad River, principally. These streams, rising in the highest and most rocky parts of the country, and fed by unfailing springs, are strong, constant and rapid, furnishing many good mill sites. Each of these creeks has innumerable branches, which cover the township with a net-work of small streams. A glance at the map will show the character of the surface of the ground, the multitude of small, crooked streams clearly showing the swampy nature of the ground, which was so very swampy that the early settler never expected it to be settled to any great extent; but it has been cleared of the dense growth of timber, and drained, until now no better farm land can be found in this whole country of ours, which is noted for its rich land.

In this liberally watered region, wells are sunk only deep enough to reach the clear gravel below the level of the river, where a full supply of water is obtained, and there is among the people very little knowledge of the rock that underlies them. There is but one place in the township where stone has been found in position, and that is in the southwest quarter of Section 15, where a quarry was worked some forty years ago, but it has not lately been used. The table lands, of which this township is composed, are said to be over 1,800 feet above tide-water.

The timber found here is principally sugar and beech, with some walnut, oak and hickory, and until lately there were a good many poplar trees, but these have now been almost exterminated.

Underlying the gravel, which is covered by the rich earth of this township, there is a stratum of water-limestone, which extends down from Logan County. This stone resembles the Helderberg that was taken from the quarry of Mr. McCoursey, in Section 2, Salem Township. The ground is almost covered in some places with large granite bowlders of glacial deposit. These are used by farmers in foundations for houses and barns, in building houses, fences, and for other domestic purposes.

But the one great source of wealth in Jackson Township is, and must ever be, its unsurpassed farming lands. Nowhere east of the Prairie State can such broad expanses of meadow be found, and even Illinois cannot furnish richer soils ; while, in the important matter of water supply, few places can compare with it. Its streams and springs are clear and strong, and its wells unfailing. Whether it uses its fields for pasture or for tillage, their capacity for producing wealth is enormous. At present, there seems to be a tendency to enlarge farms, and devote them to grazing rather than to tillage. Whether this is wise and profitable, is a question for the political economist and for time. The clay found in this township is well distributed, the supply is large, and in quality it is good enough for brick, drain or sewer tile, and the commoner wares. The large deposits of gravel distributed throughout the country insure a perfect system of good roads.

In connection with this, mention might be made of a mound on the farm of Lot Noe, Esq., which seems to be a relic of that mysterious people known as

Mound Builders, and about whom so little is known. The mound in question is one of those curious hills of sand and gravel that are to be found in all parts of the United States, and that seem to have been built by the ancients as places in which to bury their dead. This one covers an area of between five and six acres, and is about forty or fifty feet deep in the deepest part. In 1874-75, when a pike was being made through this place, the gravel for it was taken from this mound, and in the excavations thirty human skulls were found in one day. Over ten thousand loads of gravel have been taken from it, and yet only one side is taken away. Could this piece of ancient workmanship tell its tale, this paragraph in Jackson Township history would be interesting and important to an incalculable extent.

For a long time previous to the settlement of this township by the whites,, an Indian medicine woman occupied a wigwam on the top of this mound. Owing to some tradition or belief, she and her people thought that it bore some1 charm, or was in some way hallowed, and that medicine made on it or herbspulled from its sides had peculiar efficacy in curing their ailments. They would never fight on or near it, and even in the chase they would go round rather than across it. But the entrance of the whites drove these savage but sincere? believers away from their medicine mound, and it was soon cleared of the timber that grew over it, and still later the pick and shovel of the white manproved that the traditions of the red men were not without foundation, and that this was indeed hallowed ground.

Early Settlement

It has long been a much-disputed question as to who was the first white settler in this township, but it is finally settled by matter of record, and to Charles Dorsey belongs the honor of first braving the savage Indians, and the more savage beasts, and alone entering the unbroken forest that then covered the country. He came from Virginia in 1802, in the forty-fourth year of his age, entered 160 acres of land, took the first patent from the Government, built him a cabin, cleared a small plat of ground, and then went back to his home in* Virginia. He came back again in a year or two with his family. The land he entered was what is now known as the "old Circle farm." He was am energetic man, a fearless pioneer and a good soldier.* He died July 14, 1811, aged over fifty-three years. His body was buried on the " old Grafton farm,"' and the stone marking his last resting-place can still be seen there. None of his% descendants can be found, and a complete history of him cannot be obtained. While Dorsey was in Virginia, just previous to his coming here the second time, John Cane and William Lemmon came. They emigrated from Virginia, and settled in the eastern part of the township. Cane entered the land composing Dorsey's farm, at his death. William Lemmon came from Virginia inn 1804, and entered a quarter-section of land now known as the old " Lemmon farm." Here he built him a round-log cabin, and, after clearing a small patch of ground, he went back to the East and returned shortly afterward with his wife and four children. None of them are now living in this vicinity, but they all contributed toward clearing the farm and making this fair township what it now is. Soon after this, the number of settlers was considerably augmented by the appearance of several families, among whom were George Wilson, Sampson: Kdley, Thomas Cowie, Thomas Grafton and Joshua Darnell. Of these, George

Wilson came in the spring of 1805, from Virginia, and entered a half-section of land in Section 36, being the land now owned by Mary Howell, William Kelley, <x. Richison, and partly covered by the town of Addison. He cleared a large tract of land, built a commodious log cabin, and started his farm in good shape.* Sampson Kelley was born in Ireland in 1773 ; he came to this country in 1791, aged eighteen years, and settled in Virginia. In 1806, he came to this township and settled on Chapman's Creek, entering the southwest Quarter of Section 3, where William Merritt now lives. He brought his family, consisting of a wife and four daughters. His three sons, Joseph, William and Robert, were all born here. Joseph, the first named, was the first white child ever born in the township. His father cleared his farm and built a small cabin on it, but lived only a short time after his youngest child was born. After his death, his land was sold at administrator's sale, and only brought between $5 and $6 an acre.

Thomas Grafton was born in Virginia, Rockingham County, and came here in 1806. He always held that his name was "Old Tommy Grafton," and that he was so christened. His wife's name before marriage was Esther or Hester Couden. They came to this township and entered a quarter-section of land, being the southeast quarter of Section 3. They brought with them a family of eight children, whose names in their order were James, Ambrose, Susan, Elizabeth, John, Sarah, Thomas and Amelia. The boys and the father built a cabin and commenced clearing the land, all settling on the home place. Of the boys, Ambrose and James were the only two who enlisted and fought in the war of 1812, and Thomas was the largest land-holder of his day, having bought more than a section. The old farm is still called " Tommy Grafton's place," and is occupied by Ambrose Grafton, a grandson of the old man. The children did not all stay in this part of the country ; some of them have died, some moved to other parts, but there is still a large circle of the old man's descendants occupying farms in different parts of the township. They all seem to partake of the energetic, sturdy qualities of their ancestor, who died in the ninety-second year of his age, August 12, 1851. His body lies on the farm of one of his grandchildren, in a little secluded family burying-ground. Thomas Cowhic came in the same year, but a little earlier in the year than Mr. Grafton. He entered the " Cowhic farm," of eighty acres, near the Big Spring. He has passed away, and so has his posterity, and nothing save the above can be learned of him. About this time, the tide of emigration set in very strong toward Ohio, and pushed steadily forward into the country forming this township. The woodman's ax could be heard in all directions ; the wild animals became very shy, and scarcer from day to day; the Indians looked with jealous eye upon the increasing numbers of their enemies ; and still the sturdy pioneers from Virginia and Kentucky braved all dangers, and entered with alacrity upon the work of clearing the land. As the forest disappeared, the ground seemed more trolling, and the absence of the heavy timber and thick foliage allowed it to dry out, until the swampy nature of the ground was so far overcome that very little drainage was required of the farmer. One very noticeable fact was manifest in this connection, viz. : The first settlers - those who had the whole country from which to choose their land - made the poorest selections. The Virginians, especially, would settle near a brook, creek, or spring, without regard to situation, quality or condition of land, evidently thinking a water supply of the fi*st Importance.

Therefore those who came after them, although they were later, did not have to take poorer land, but in most cases had farms far superior to the very first settlers. Among the early settlers who made good selections, mention might be made of Joshua Howell, who came here in 1808, with his wife, Mary, and a family of eight children, named respectively, Joshua, John, Thomas, James, Daniel, Jeremiah, Abigail and Nancy. With his large family, he entered a quarter-section in Section 31, a part of which is now occupied by William McCrea. He built him a log hut or cabin in the style of that day, and, with the assistance of his family, cleared enough of land the first year to furnish them with food until more could be cleared. He was a devout Christian, and a member of the Old-School Baptist Church. His children all left the neighborhood, and he died at a ripe old age in Indiana. Daniel Howell, a son of Joshua, came in 1810, with his wife, Phoebe, whom he married in Virginia, and entered eighty acres of land, now the " Hulde-Howell farm," built him a round-log cabin, clapboard roof, with poles, and pole-weights to hold the roof on ; and, after getting this farm in good trim, he entered eighty acres more about a mile east of the present site of the town of Addison. On this he also built a cabin after clearing a goodly portion of it. A year after this, or in 1810, David Field came here from near Bowling Green, Ky. He settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land just below the present site of Addison, After building a cabin and making a clearing and otherwise improving his land, he sold it to Joseph Sills, and, in 1820, bought one hundred and seventyfour acres just north of Addison, of one Stocket West, and built him a log: house , which was merely a double log hut. At this time houses in the township were few and far apart. The farmers sometimes neighbored ten miles. John Fitzpatrick, another old pioneer, was born in Maryland, emigrated U> Virginia, was married at Harper's Ferry, and some time about the year 1810, came to Champaign County and settled in or near Urbana, on John Reynolds' farm. In 1816, he came to this township and entered the southwest quarter of Section 10. He had a wife and three boys and three girls. His farm is now occupied by Rebecca Fitzpatrick, one of his descendants, of whom there are quite a goodly number, all living in this and adjoining townships. About this time, or from 1812 up, the settlers began to have much trouble with the Indians, who commenced to perpetrate all kinds of outrages upon them. It was no longer safe to go out unless well armed, day or night. In 1815, two men, named Bowyer and Morgan, were living together, and, one day when Morgan was absent hunting, the Indians fell upon Bowyer, and, murdering him,, scalped him with a tomahawk. He was buried by his friends in a spot now on Allen Pence's farm. There were twenty Indians to one white man, and their villages dotted the country in all directions. They had quite a village on Chapman's Creek, and occupied it for a long time. The wigwams were deserted, but still standing as late as 1821. There are few if any incidents that could be narrated relative to the intercourse between the whites and Indians in this township. When the Indians were first warring with the settlers, there were none here for them to fight, and, after peace had been restored, and before there was more fighting, the whites were so strong in point of numbers that the reds did not dare attack them. They would frequently come into the cabins of the pioneers and by motion show that they wanted something to eat, and they were rarely turned away without it ; but if refused, they would merely give a grunt of dissatisfaction and try it at the next cabin. The people at this time did not have the abundance of food that they now enjoy. The land was new, and the

<crops small ; game was scarce, having been driven, by the noise of building, into deeper solitudes, and what there was was very shy. The ground for crops had to be cleared and prepared by hand almost entirely. Few farmers had stock, and in no cases had they horses. Their implements were of the rudest Lind, being entirely of wood, even to the teeth of their harrows.

Among those who came in later years, and while the country was yet new, we could name a score or more, but, as they are for the most part now living, it will be sufficient to mention, as examples, two - John Johnson and William McCrea - the latter having figured rather extensively in the political history of the township and county. The former came to this township shortly after the war of 1812. He was born in Fremont County, Ky., in 1794. He came here from between Springfield and London, where he first settled. He bought his land of " Jimmy" Reynolds and Elijah Dawson, for $5 per acre. He could purchased it cheaper, but at the time did not know it. The land was then :so wet he did not expect to have many neighbors, and it seemed to be perfectly level. He settled in the woods, built him a round-log hut with greased paper windows, and in the first year cleared three acres. This he planted with garden truck and corn.

At this time, the children all went to subscription or pay schools, when they went at all. The teacher set the price at so much per capita, ranging from $1.50 to $2 per quarter. The first school was in the Grafton settlement. Shortly after this, one was built just north of Addison, which was taught by a man named John Hutton, and another south of town - all one-story log huts. Mr. Johnson has raised a large family, and is still living with a part of them on the old place, about a mile south of St. Paris, in this township. He tells an incident illustrating the hardships of the times. His mother came to see him, and he wanted to get some white flour for her, as she was from Kentucky, which was then pretty well settled, and its people were used to eating wheat bread. He was obliged to go about forty miles for it, through unbroken forests, over untrodden prairie, following Indian trails and fording streams. After an incredibly long and arduous journey, he succeeded in reaching his cabin with a small sack of flour, of the meanest kind, which cost him a good deal of money and more trouble. This is but one of the many incidents that might be told which go to show how our sturdy forefathers had to battle with all kinds of obstacles, that we might have a land to call our own.

Mr. Johnson was the first man to start a grist-mill in the township. It was little more than a "corn-cracker," but served very well for grinding the corn for his neighbors. It is said by some of his old comrades, that, after the mill was ready for work, it was not used for some days, but that at length a neighbor brought some corn to be ground, which was put into the hopper and the mill started. The corn disappeared, but the meal did not appear. This puzzled Mr. Johnson very much, and at length he took the mill apart to see what the difficulty could be, and found that some ground-squirrels had built a nest in the mill, and the corn was ground so slowly that they would eat the meal as fast as it was ground.

Mr. Johnson is the oldest settler now living in this township. He is in good health, and, although he looks old, yet he does not look like a man who has endured the hardships through which he has passed.

William McCrea came here when fourteen years old with his father and mother, both of whom were from Ireland. His father entered three hundred and twenty acres near Addison ; but, owing to a change of law, he had to relin- quish a part of it. William went to pay school at the school north of Addison until after 1825, when the law for dividing the township into school districts was passed, and then he went to district school. He then went to Cincinnati, married and returned, started a store in the village of Addison, or Christiansburg, as it was then called. This was the first store ever in that place or in the township, although a man by the name of Smith kept a few things for sale in his house in Addison. Mr. McCrea's store was in a log hut when he opened in 1829-30. His stock consisted of groceries, such as teas, coffees, sugar, salt, etc., hardware, dried meats and fruits, dry goods, harness, nails, glassware, queensware, pewter-ware, silver-ware such as there was, dye stuffs, cloth, medicines and millinery goods, and, in fact, everything else that was sold in those days. He one day sold a woman some tea, which she was buying for an extra occasion, as she was going to have company. When she got home, she cooked the tea in a pot with the meat she was boiling, and when she came to the store next day she said she " didn't see why folks bragged tea up so much," she did not think it amounted to very much.

In this same year, McCrea built a frame house and had it plastered. It was the first frame house built in the town, and people would come from the whole township to see it. He used to keep a tall green bottle on his counter by the side of a pitcher of Water, and all of his men customers, and some of the women, when they would come in, would take a sip of the green bottle's contents. Mr. McCrea has held almost all of the township offices at different times. He was a Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and in 1842 was elected to serve the people as Representative. In this capacity, he continued for three terms. The people of the earlier day would have very little to do with his wife, saying she was "stuck up " and " thought herself above them." Just after the store was opened, a neighbor called on her and, when the door was opened, she came in, but instead of walking on the carpet, that covered the middle of the room, she walked on the clean scrubbed floor around it. Upon being asked by Mrs. McCrea why she did so, she said, " I never would walk on any one's coverlets." This was before carpets were much used. Mr. and Mrs. McCrea still live to talk and laugh over their recollections of those early days. They spend their summers on the old home farm near Addison, and their winters with their children in Dayton. For their years, they are both very young-looking, but the ravages of disease are beginning to tell on the wife. This ends our album of early settlers - those Christian men and women who toiled like slaves that we might enjoy the comforts of which they were deprived.

The first saw-mill in the township was put up by John Merritt, in 1816. It was a water-mill, and was run by an overshot wheel. It was the only sawmill until 1830, when others were started. The first steam saw-mill was not started until after 1850. The first brick houses in the township were built by two brothers named Tonnahill. One of them (James) was a brick mason. They were built from 1823 to 1830 - the date cannot be definitely fixed. The first tavern in the township was kept by David Kyle, in Addison, between 1835 and 1840. James Grafton opened one in the country some four or five years afterward. The first pike in the county was made in 1831, that is, it was laid out and graded in that year, but it was not completed until five years afterward, when the route was changed a little and the pike completed. It was the one called the Urbana, Troy & Greenville Turnpike, and was completed by a new company as a free road. The first doctors were two brothers, who commenced the practice of medicine in Addison about 1818-19. They were very dissipated and soon left. There were many Indian doctors before them, but they were the first white ones. Dr. Van Mewter followed them. He was a Scotchman, educated in England, and was a scientific physician, but he did not seem to be appreciated by the people here, so he made way for Drs. Marshall and McFarland, who came in 1832, and Dr. Mussen, who came in 1838. Spinningwheels were made in the township as early as 1822, by a man named Wood.

He was also the first Justice of the Peace, serving for thirty-one years from the formation of the township. A tannery, was started by William Kelley, in Addison, in 1832, which was actively carried on until 1850. The old house in which the business was started is still to be seen on Mr. Kelley's lot, in Addison.

The first humbug imposed upon the people was a clairvoyant, who came around 1 in 1828, and claimed to tell past and future events while in a stupor. Windmills for blowing chaff from wheat were made as early as 1835, by a man named Ludd, in Addison. The first blacksmith was old Jesse Julien, who came in 1817-18. The next was a Yankee named Gridlev,who came in 1820.

He used to charge so much for work that people would ask him to keep the article for mending it, but this he invariably refused to do. In 1835, a fire broke out in a house in the township, occupied by John Moore and family, in which his three children were burned to death. About this same year, a terrible storm passed over the country, destroying orchards, uprooting forests, blowing down barns, and, in some cases, moving large double-log houses several feet. This township had the honor of being the birthplace of a man who was at one time the greatest trader in the United States. His name was Andrew Wilson ; he was born in 1816 or 1817 ; bought hogs, horses, land and grain all over the country, and, in 1862, went to New York, where he laid out an addition to the city, but, becoming in some way involved, he committed suicide by cutting his throat with a butcher-knife. The township now comprises seven sub-school districts, in each of which there is a comfortable schoolhouse, costing an average $300 each. There are also two fractional sub-districts, but the expense of keeping them up devolves on other neighboring townships. The average amount annually expended for school purposes is $3,150. The schoolhouse in Addison accommodates the children of two districts, and it is accordingly twice as large as the others, being a two-story frame building, with two rooms, built at a cost of about $1,200. There are about 100 pupils attending there.

H. Gardner was called 1877. The members met from time to time in private houses, after the organization of the church, until 1816, when a church was- built of logs, 24x26 feet. This was replaced in 1831, by a brick building, 36x 46 feet in size, and in 1874, the present church building was erected. It is a beautiful brick church, plain but substantial, 34 feet wide by 56 feet long, in which the meetings and services of the church are now held. In connection with this church, there is a burying-ground, called the Honey Creek Graveyard. It originally comprised four acres donated by Andrew Wilson, about the time the church was organized. Two acres more were added in 1880, making in all about six acres. The first bodies interred were the wife and daughter of Andrew Wilson, in 1821. The graves were originally made without regard to order, but the addition has been platted into lots. There are about 1,000 bodies lying in this small churchyard cemetery, a great many of their resting places being marked with beautiful and costly monuments. The Mount Zion Baptist Church is a branch from the Honey Creek Church. Fourteen members of the present church took their letters March 8, 1851, for the purpose of forming the colony. They built a church on Section 9, in the Beaty neighborhood. They do not have regular preaching, but the pulpit is supplied by the ministers of the circuit. The church now numbers eighty- seven members. Successful Sunday schools are conducted in connection with both of these churches.

The Grafton Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was organized in 1838, with fifteen members, mostly Graftons, hence the name. Immediately after organization, a church was built upon land donated for the purpose by James C. Grafton. While the church was being built, they worshiped in Fitzpatrick's Schoolhouse, in which place the church was organized. The church was a small, one-story frame building, which is now used as a stable on Farmer Pence's place, having been moved and its place filled by the present large and more convenient one which is also frame. The church now numbers a membership of between sixty and seventy. It is a regular station in the Hampton Circuit which is now filled by Rev. Klabifus. It was originally in the Troy Circuit, but was changed for the sake of convenience. Among the ministers who have ministered to the spiritual wants of this church are Revs. Bowlcher, Raper and Granville Moody. It is said that this circuit is the first one ever ridden by that famous old pioneer Methodist, Moody.

Addison Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1835, with eight members ; services and class-meetings were begun at the houses of the different members, and continued until 1857, when a nice frame church was built at a cost of $1,500, or about that amount, the exact cost not being known, as it was built by piece-meal. The following is a list of the ministers who have served the church, in regular order, as near as it is possible now to get them : Revs. Fields, Smith, D. N. Smith, Mosgrove, Jackson, Father Smith, Williams* Zinc and the present Pastor, Brother Rollie. The church is still small, numbering but between eighty and ninety members.

The Christian Church of Addison is a comparatively new society. It was organized in 1875, and has been, for a new church, very successful. They purchased a church and parsonage for $600, which had been built by the Presbyterians, and promises soon to be one of the largest churches in the township. Their ministers, thus far, have been Revs. McCullough, Smith, Kirby and Dilse. They are now without a regular Pastor. The church which they purchased was built at a cost of $1,800 by the Presbyterian Church, which was organized some fort}T years ago, and after calling, at various times, Revs. Springer, Smith, Martin and others, found that they were financially unable to-

The Town Of Addison

This little hamlet was laid out by Joshua Howell, in 1817, on land entered by him some time before. It grew rather slowly, having in 1820 only six houses, or rather log huts, used as houses. The first frame house in the town was built ten years afterward by William McCrea, and used by him for a grocery store. The towm was then called Christiansburg, in memory of the town in Virginia from which the Howells emigrated. The post office still retains the name of Christiansburg, although the name of the town was changed to Addison, in 1842.

In 1832, a tannery and other business places were opened. In 1835, the town was incorporated, and the following officers were elected : Mayor, Mr. Bouinger ; Councilmen, Messrs. Silas Overton, John Corbley, Henry Christ, Noah Howell and William Kelley, but, in less than a year, finding that they were unable to support a municipality, their charter was relinquished, and they again became a hamlet.

The following is a list of the village Postmasters, in the order in which they served: James Smith, William B. McCrea, James Smith, D. N. Jones, William Kelley, Noah French, James Smith, I. P. Pond, L. D. Marshall, John F. Overton and William Marshall. In 1842, a lodge of Odd Fellows was organized. There were eight or ten charter members. They were regularly organized by a Grand Master from Columbus, Ohio. Their hall is a third story which they built on a two-story house, at a cost of $1,200. The first chief officer was John C. Corbley. The present officers are James Lynn, N. G.; John Collins, V. G.; S. W. Simmons, Sec'y ; L. Fields, Treas. The lodge now numbers sixty-two members. In 1852, a lodge of Masons, eight in number, was organized. They also put a third story on a two-story house for a hall, paying $1,000 for the same, but they afterward bought the property for $750; it is valued at $1,800. The first presiding officer was C. H. Wright. The present officers are William Marshall, S. W.; Wallace Johnston, J. W.; J.

The town now numbers about five hundred inhabitants, and has about one hundred houses and stores. There are two carriage-shops, two groceries, one clothing store, one dry-goods store, one carpenter-shop, a tile manufactory, two blacksmith-shops and one hotel. Its nearest railroad station is St. Paris, on the

This is the smallest of the twelve subdivisions known as townships, into which the county is divided, containing an area of thirty square miles, or 19,- 200 acres, and, in point of location, is the middle subdivision of the western tier of townships, bounded on the north by Adams, on the east by Mad River and Ooncord, on the south by Jackson Township, and on the west by Miami and Shelby Counties. These boundary lines were established in 1821, being in order the fifth township of the twelve that now comprise the county, having been formed four years later than Jackson, and was named in honor of Maj. Silas Johnson, the first white man. to settle within the present limits.

One of its peculiar features is its marked topography, containing the highest agricultural lands, not only in the State (if, perhaps, we except an elevated area found between the head-waters of the Miami and Scioto Rivers), but presents the highest elevation between the Alleghany Mountains, in the East, and the ascension of the river Platte in the West of Nebraska. Nor between the Laurentian Range, in the North, and the Ozark Mountains in the Southwest, is there higher arable lands. To the eye, some portions of the township appear to be low and flat, requiring drainage for agricultural purposes, but the low and flat areas, embracing many of its best farms, are simply a dished surface, and, as compared with the surrounding country, the highest of lands. The topography of the township will probably be better understood by a comparison of altitudes, and the table used below has been carefully compiled from actual surveys and measurements, and will, doubtless, be found correct. The altitudes as given show the height above tide-water :

This table might be further extended, but it would not change the fact that, excepting a small region between the Scioto and the Miami Rivers, near their origin, Johnson Township is the most elevated land, suitable for cultivation, in the State, and that its altitude surpasses all the peaks or summits save three. The eastern side of the township slopes toward the southeast, the northwestern part toward the northwest, while at least an area of three miles square looks to the " setting sun " and the south - the whole forming a slightly elevated watershed, lying along and extending from the northwest corner to the neighborhood of St. Paris, in Section 18, throwing the waters of Nettle Creek into Mad River, and those of Mosquito Creek into the Great Miami, the former reaching Mad River south of Urbana, and the latter the Great Miami at Sidney. These two streams, small in this township, with their numerous tributaries, accomplish, principally, the natural drainage of the subdivision in question, and we may add that the natural drainage thus afforded is superior to most townships. In the northern part of the township is a body of water, irregular in shape, comprising about sixty acres, called Mosquito Lake, this, with the creek of that name, having derived their appellations from the abundance of mosquitoes that infested their vicinity at an early day. Before proceeding further, permit us to here state that Nettle Creek was so called from the rank growth of nettles on its banks.

Having shown, by carefully collected data, the great height of the region under consideration, we believe there is ample proof (geologically speaking) that the " Drift" at this point reaches its greatest depth. The deepest wells and borings have failed in finding the bed-rocks ; no quarry stone has been discovered. There is reason for believing that the " Drift" here, including deposits of clay, will closely approximate a depth of two hundred feet. The surface of the lake, above referred to, is one hundred and thirty feet below the highest surrounding parts ; and yet, forty feet below the bog that surrounds the lake, no limestone has been found. Sidney, Piqua, Springfield, Urbana and other points where stone is found in abundance, are lower by hundreds of feet, and the probability is the township would have to put itself on a level with them if it ever opens up a quarry.

In some portions of the township the Erie clay contains great quantities of tree-trunks, branches and roots. At and near Millerstown, in digging wells, limbs and trunks, presumably red-cedar, have been found many feet below the surface. That in this region there was an ancient, but now carried, soil overlying the blue clay, and supporting dense forests, admits of unquestioned proof. In the hills surrounding Mosquito Lake there are beds of ochre, and, occasionally, small deposits of umber. The working of these beds will probably some day be profitable. In the ravines leading to the lake, and on the hills surrounding it, are thousands of bowlders, some of them of enormous size. By the application of fire, bowlders are readily broken into fragments, and are extensively used for foundations and cellar walls. At the present time they command about $1 per perch.

The bog or marsh encircling the little lake, and extending along Mosquito Creek for a mile or more, contains peat, muck and marl in large quantities and of the best quality. As natural fertilizers, these articles will be of incalculable advantage to the farmers of the neighborhood in the future. So far, the soil has not been robbed of its original productive qualities as to make, an urgent demand for natural fertilizers. The clay heretofore spoken of furnishes excellent material for brick and tile making, quite a number of the latter being manufactured at St. Paris, where are in operation quite extensive tile-works.

The township is pretty well timbered, consisting of quite a variety, such as sugar, beech, oak, hickory, elm, poplar, linden, ash, walnut, maple, etc. - sugar and beech on the higher lands, and oak and hickory in the central part and on the lower lands. These four kinds or genera give character to the forest, and are typical of it. Large numbers of poplar-trees formerly dotted the township, but they have now been almost exterminated. The farming land of this region compares favorably with any of the county, the richness of whose soil and producing properties are unsurpassed. Much corn and wheat are raised, and, necessarily, large quantities of grain and considerable pork are sent forth to the markets of the world.

A striking fact in connection with the timber of Johnson Township, and one of which the inhabitants thereof have reason to feel proud, is that, prior to the opening of the " Centennial," in 1876, search was made throughout the forests of Ohio for the largest of that species of trees emblematic of our State, and the " giant" was found about four and one-half miles north of St. Paris, on the farm of E. H. Furrow, where, from its forest home, the old " buckeye" was. felled, as a fit representative of Ohio at the one-hundredth anniversary of our nation's birth. Its height was nearly seventy feet, and at the butt its diameter was three feet eight inches, holding such dimensions for about thirty feet. While this was the largest tree of the kind in the State, it was not shipped to Philadelphia, as some portions of it, while being prepared, were found to be unsound.

The township is traversed by numerous pikes, intersected with summer or dirt roads, the most southern of which is the Urbana and Piqua pike, crossing the southern tier of sections from northwest to southeast ; New pike, the most western, running north and south on the half-section line of the western tier of sections, crossing the entire township ; Quincy pike, next west, running north and south as far as Section 25, where it takes an easterly course through the greater part of Section 19, thence south to St. Paris ; Lake pike, passing through the center, north and south, and Millerstown pike, running through the eastern part of the township. The C. C. & I. C. Railroad forms the boundary line between this and Jackson Township. St. Paris, in the southern, and Millerstown, in the eastern part, are the towns of the township.

Early Settlers And Settlements

Without question, Silas Johnson was the first white man to settle within the present limits of the township so appropriately named. He, with two sons, James and Charles, reached the present site of the Reuben Comer farm in the spring of 1802, and there at once commenced the work of the early pioneer, and soon cleared sufficient space to erect the rude cabin of the day, which was small, and of such timber as could be handled by the three, probably, what was termed a "pole cabin." It stood on the hill in the orchard just across the road (pike) from the house now occupied by Reuben Comer. They cleared as much ground as was possible in that day before wild winter was ushered in, and returned to the family in the blue-grass region, having come from Fayette County, Ky., near Lexington, and, in January, 1803, the entire family left their Southern home for the primeval forest in the then far-off North. The family consisted of nine in all - Silas, his wife Phoebe, and seven children, Walker and James (twins), Charles, Silas, Jr., Rebecca, Elizabeth and Phoebe. It was not long until the old pioneer became dissatisfied with his hillside residence, and erected one of similar dimensions a few hundred feet below and near the present site of the barn on the same farm, this site having been selected partially on account of a fine spring close by. Here they lived for several years, braving the dangers, but determined that the wilderness should blossom as the rose, were equal for all emergencies, and it was not long ere, from their cabin door, could be seen several acres of waving corn. Coming before the land had been surveyed, they knew not that their little farm was to be so expensive, for after the survey was made the portion they occupied was set apart as a reserve, so excellent was the ground and beautiful the site, and a value of $8 per acre was affixed. This price was thought too high by Johnson, so he moved to the section adjoining on the north, now the Adam Bodey farm, long known as the Brubaker farm, where the land was cheaper. Here he built two cabins, standing only about two feet apart, both being the rude log or pole cabin of the earliest settlers ; they were about 18x20 feet in size, each having but one low door and one window without glass ; the covering consisting of clapboards with their weighty poles, defying the wind, the old chimney of wood and mud, and the door of split puncheon on its hinges of wood, with its wooden latch, was the primitive " palace " of the township. He cleared and cultivated much ground on this site, and, after years of usefulness and of great service to his fellow-pioneers, he left the township, going into Adams Township, where he soon died and was buried on " Indian Creek/' on the farm of his son Walker. Although coming from Kentucky, Johnson was not a native of that State, having been a resident of the same for about twenty years. He was born in the year 1758, in the State of Virginia, of Irish parents, Arwaker and Rebecca; was married in Virginia to Phoebe Ward. Johnson (Silas) was an old Revolutionary soldier,, having served as a spy with one Jamison, watching the movements of the Indians, place of rendezvous being at the mouth of Kanawa Creek, on a point of land between the Ohio River and that creek. He was also a Major in the war of 1812 under the command of James McPherson, who commanded the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Fifth Division, Ohio Militia. Of his four sons, three accompanied him to the front in the latter war. The family were longlived, nearly all living to the advanced age of eighty years. Rebecca being the last to succumb to the footprints of time, died October 1, 1880, in her eightysixth year. Johnson was a Christian man, esteemed by all ; was very influential, and through his efforts mainly was the township established. He took an active part in all the affairs of the settlement, and to him all went for counsel and advice. " Peace be to his ashes." Very little can be ascertained of those who came next, however, tradition tells of one Carter with two sons and the same number of sons-in-law, by name Cox and Fleming, who arrived in the year 1804, and merely squatted, as it were, not effecting a permanent settlement, but pulling stakes and turning their course westward in the year 1807. One year later came Louis Hanback, from Shenandoah County, Va., and settled in Section 14, northeast quarter, on the present farm of his son, David Hanback, where he entered 160 acres of second-rate land, paying $2.25 per acre. Besides the pioneer Louis, came his wife Barbara and three children. David, residing on the homestead, is the only representative of the immediate family. Three children were born to the parents after their arrival, one during the absence of the father in the war of 1812, during which war the good and brave wife cleared nearly three acres of ground, feeling that it would require the exertions of all hands to meet the payments when they became due. The children married and settled in the neighborhood, assisting greatly in subduing the wilderness and forming the beautiful fields of the present.

The names of Acory Berry and the three Longs should precede instead of follow that of Hanback, as they all settled prior to 1808, Berry coming from the same county and State, and even from the same section of land as did Hanback ; but in the year 1806, having married a daughter of the latter, he entered 320 acres of land in Section 6, his wife coming with him. His children - two boys and two girls - were born in the township. All lived for a number of years, and were connected with the early work toward the advancement and progress of this region, but, in the end, nearly all falling victims to that terrible disease, " small-pox," which prevailed for some time among the early settlers. The Longs above referred to are " Big " John, " Little " John, and Philip. The first and last named emigrated from Horseshoe Bend, Rockingham Co., Va., in 1807, and " Little " John from the same place, but came a little later. There were three Longs in the neighborhood, of the same name, hence " Big " John and " Little " John; and later came the third John, who was designated as " Cucumber " John. " Big " John entered 160 acres in the southwest corner of Section 2, where he built a cabin and cleared considerable land. He had no children by his first wife, and but one by his second - Catharine by name. His second wife was a Brubaker. He finally left this State and went West, where he died. He was a tall and well-proportioned man, weighing 300 pounds. Philip entered the southeast quarter of Section 2, built a small pole cabin with clapboard roof and weight-poles, having one four-light window, the glass of which was procured at Cincinnati and transported on horseback. He died about the year 1837, and was buried on his own farm, leaving but one child - Rebecca, bearing the name of her mother.

In the year 1808, Philip Comer came West from Shenandoah County, Ya., in search of land, and, in the fall, purchased, at the land office in Cincinnati, the same land previously occupied by Silas Johnson, and left by him on account of the high valuation placed upon it by the Government. Soon after Johnson moved from the land, it depreciated to $4 per acre, at which figure it was purchased by Philip Comer. It was entered in the fall of 1808, and in the following spring he put in twelve acres of corn in ground that Johnson had cleared, and, in the fall of 1809, returned to Virginia and sent his son David west to take care of the crop. He remained during the winter, and cleared about five acres, and, in the spring of 1810, the second crop was planted. This same' year, Philip again came West, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and ten children - five boys and five girls - as follows : David, Martin, Peter, Joseph, Reuben, Catharine, Barbara, Lizzie, Susan and Rebecca, Reuben being the youngest, and the only one of the ten children now living, and occupies the old homestead', situated a half mile west of Millerstown. The writer visited him, and found a hale, hearty and jovial old man. Though nearly eighty years of age, he has the appearance of one twenty years younger, and bids fair to celebrate his one hundredth anniversary. To him we are greatly indebted for much of the early history of the township. The Comers built an addition to the cabin left by the Johnsons.

However, this is not a startling fact, if we but consider the number to be sheltered. " Only twelve." We judge there were no spare rooms. Nevertheless, we will warrant that all went happy and merry as a marriage bell. The Johnsons had cleared two fields, and some little ground where the orchard now stands, in all, probably, some fifteen or sixteen acres, and, with what David added, quite an extensive farm awaited the arrival of the family. They were four weeks and four days in coming from the East, journeying by means of a five-horse wagon, and making the quickest trip from that State of any who had preceded them. At this time the Indians were quite numerous, and on one occasion, when the Comer shed or stable was being built, an Indian boy was present, and appeared anxiously awaiting the fastening of the last shingle, evidently wrestling hard with the thought as to how the pioneer who was performing the work was to get to the ground. He could not await this point, so endeavored by signs to ask his question, and in doing so he laughed, and, by signs or motions made with his hands, expressed to them his idea, which was to sit and slide, much to the amusement of all present. This farm had been occupied by the Indians, as there was a town of thirteen huts or houses still standing when the Comers arrived, but were unoccupied, and a number had been demolished. They were small, and constructed of small elm poles, something after the style of the rail-pen or corn-bin of to-day, with a bark covering or roof. This village was called by the pioneers " Nettletown," as it was on one of the tributaries of Nettle Creek, whose banks were thickly grown with nettles, as heretofore spoken of.

In this neighborhood, one eve, at the approach of twilight, could have been seen Silas Johnson and the two sons, hovering around their little fire, where their morsel was in preparation ere they had shelter for the night, when drew near two of the dusky sons of the forest, and began remonstrating with the newcomers about their invading the territory of the Indians, when the brave pioneer made a leap for his gun, which was several paces away, and, at that instant, the Indian's eye fell upon the weapon, and he too hurried for the same, but, fortunately, Johnson beat him, and grasped the gun, which in a moment was aimed at the savage. It was Johnson's intention to kill him, but, on second thought, changed his mind and gave him a rap with the barrel, knocking him sprawling. Some words passed later, but suffice to say that no further interference followed, and the conference was dropped. When Philip Comer first came, he made his home with old Peter Smith, near Westville, and, on the arrival of the family, all remained several nights with Adam Kite. The Comer boys married, and all settled in the neighborhood. Philip died about the year 1824, and was buried near the spot where the Johnson cabin stood, where also rest the remains of his wife and several children. Beuben Comer married Elizabeth Dealy, of this township, she being a native of Virginia, and from the union sprang five children, all of whom are now living in this township, save one. With the Comer family, in 1810, came Jacob Maggart and Jacob Judy, from Shenandoah County, Va. The former settled on and entered the southeast quarter of Section 7, and there built his cabin. His children were Moses, Adam, David, Elizabeth and Jane. Jacob died with the small-pox, just before that disease proved so fatal to the Berry family, Acory Berry having contracted it while attending the burial of Maggart. The sons, excepting Adam, remained bachelors until late in life, when they married and left the township, Adam remaining on the home farm. Judy entered 160 acres on what is now known as the Buckrath farm, in Section 1, on which he died in 1843. His wife Catharine survived him a number of years. Their children were Joseph, David and Elizabeth. The sons remained on the homestead, the former leaving the township in the course of eight or ten years. David remained until after the death of his mother, when he took his departure.

The State of Virginia again added to the Nettle Creek settlement, when in 1811, arrived Joseph Kizer from the Shenandoah Valley, a native of the State whence he emigrated, born in 1777. He married the daughter of Philip Cowes in 1809, and two years later, with two children, reached the present limits of Johnson Township, settling near Millerstown, where he entered a quarter-section of land, built his cabin and there lived until 1869, when he was summoned to his final home. He was an esteemed man, and served many years as a Justice of the Peace, was the first Justice of the township, commissioned in the year 1816 by Thomas Worthington, then Governor of Ohio. At this election, it is said that his opponent was Silas Johnson, and that Kizer beat Johnson some two or three votes, which so insulted the dignity of Johnson that he left the township. Kizer was also commissioned a Justice in the years 1818 - 27. He reared a large family. Two of his sons, Benjamin and Charles are now residents of the township. Perhaps it will not be amiss to here make mention of a great favorite of Father Kizer, namely, " Old Simon," a horse that had faithfully served him for thirty years, carrying him a number of times across the mountains to the old mother State of Presidents. He died on the homestead at the advanced age of thirty-three years. In 1812, Virginia again sent forth to the colony more of her sons ; this time coming Louis Lyons, with his wife Mary and their children, John and Christian, who entered 160 acres of land on what is known as the Isaac Good farm, where the usual cabin was built and the pioneer's work began. The father lived but a few years after his arrival, and the boys remained on the homestead ; Christian died prior to 1831, John living until some ten or twelve years ago. David Huffman, who proved a valuable man to the settlement, and to whom the inhabitants of St. Paris are indebted for their beautiful town, emigrated from Culpeper County, Va., in the year 1813, and entered a half-section of land, a portion of which was the present site of St. Paris. A brother, Jeremiah, accompanied him. The children of David Huffman were John, Julia, Samuel, Mary, Jacob and Reuben ; all remained in the township. David Campbell, now residing on Section 7, born in 1802, is one of the early pioneers. His parents, John and Magdalene, came West from Rockingham County, Va., when he was but a small boy, and made a temporary stop on Clear Creek, near Springboro, Warren County, this State, where he followed his trade, that of a miller, for several years, when he removed to Nettle Creek and settled in the Norman neighborhood, and for some years was the miller at the John Norman mill. David married Catharine Kesler, who is yet living. They are the parents of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. One Christian Morah with his family settled near Millerstown at a very early day, as early as 1805, was among the first white settlers, but of his life we have been unable to learn anything. In 1808, Samuel Brubaker and family left Shenandoah County, Va., facing the West in search of a home, they reached Lawrence County, Ohio, and there squatted until the year 1815, at which date they settled near Millerstown. Later they occupied the Silas Johnson farm, where stood two cabins built by Johnson. There were about fifteen acres of ground cleared when they moved upon it. Samuel had married Barbara Comer, from which union were five children - Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Daniel and Rebecca. Isaac has occupied the homestead up to the last fifteen years. David and Henry Long were other early settlers, entering and clearing land in the neighborhood of Mosquito Lake. Both came from Virginia. At about the same time, and from the same locality, came Frederick Pence, who settled and entered land in Section 15.

We have endeavored with great care to avoid mistakes in our sketch of the *early settlers of the township, and the locality of the settlements effected, and if errors have occurred they have been unavoidable.

It is noticeable that the first families settled along Nettle Creek. This undoubtedly was on account of water, for all along that section are fine and almost never-failing springs. Another noticeable fact is that it was a Virginia settlement; most of the settlers coming from the Shenandoah Valley, and were generally the stoutest and hardiest men that settled from any country. The post office, if we are permitted to designate it as such, of the pioneers, was the Indian village, Nettletown, as all their mail matter went to and from that town. The chief products then wTere corn, wheat, flax and sugar ; meat consisting of game and pork. The salt came from Cincinnati, whither the pioneer went, generally taking maple sugar to exchange for that article. The grist-mill of the times was out of the present limits of Johnson Township, but as the settlement was dependent upon it, we will be allowed to speak of it. This was the John Norman mill, on Nettle Creek. Norman had placed a slight obstruction in the channel of the creek, where he had a wheel for the water to flow against, and a little primitive gearing set in motion a small stone that he formed out of a bowlder that had been picked up on his land. When he got his mill to running, he would fill the hopper in the morning, start it to work, and then he would leave to engage in other labors till noon, when the mill would get his services again by replenishing the hopper with grain, and filling the sacks with meal or cracked corn to the same height that they were with corn, he having made a hole in the sack with a bodkin before emptying it.

i. The earliest merchant of the settlement, of whom we have any knowledge, was one Shrofe, who kept a store at the residence of Silas Johnson when he resided on the Brubaker farm. Doubtless this Shrofe is one of several of that name who a little later entered land in the neighborhood of the Mount Pleasant Church and graveyard, and attempted the laying-out of a town to be called "Eliott." They went so far as to have the ground surveyed and laid out into lots, some of which were sold, but the spokesman having failed, was unable to pay for the ground, hence the town was abandoned. The clothing principally worn was made from linen fiber. The leather used was procured from the tannery of William Runkle, three miles south of where Westvrlle now stands.

Johnson, though not a physician, strictly speaking, generally administered to the ailing of the neighborhood, his "curing dose" being calomel. Philip Comer had a little forge and some few tools, and gave attention where blacksmithing was needed.

The war of 1812 affected this as it did other settlements, in checking emigration and spreading consternation among those who had settled. The land was sold by the Government in tracts of one hundred and sixty acres and upward, at $80 on entry, and in annual payments until paid for. It was not, generally speaking, the moneyed men who came, but men of little or no means, and of wonderful nerve, who here, far from civilization and among Indians, had their homes to hew out of the dense forest.

The emigrants, rather than to lose their all, collected together for their own protection. For had they failed in paying the annual installments, the land was forfeited and sold, or placed subject to re-entry. It was this fact that prompted the noble wife of Hanback to grasp the ax during the husband's absence in the war. The Nettle Creek settlement sent her quota. We cannot give the roll, but will recall the names of several that are now fresh in our minds : Johnson, Kizer, Comer, Hanback, several of the sons of Johnson, and David, son son of Philip Comer. The earliest religious service of the immediate settlement was held in the barn of Philip Comer, Rev. Saul Henkle expounding the word of God. This was about the year 1815. After this date, services were occasionally held at private houses and in the old schoolhouse, of which we will speak later. The reader may not yet have thought of the element of which the colony was composed, and for fear not, we will state that "Dutch" they were, hence the doctrine of Martin Luther, in a religious sense, prevailed, which accounts for the numerous churches of his creed that now dot the township. John Norman, the miller, frequently preached for them. He was of the Baptist persuasion, so there were some lovers of water too. Later came a Methodist, the Rev. Mr. Stuart, and preached for them. Of the early school teachers we can say but little ; prior to the building of the first house, short sessions of school were held at the different houses of the settlers and in cabins vacated by emigrants who had changed their quarters or left the neighborhood. One Jackson was about the first. Before wandering too far from the war of 1812, permit us to relate an incident occurring about that time, on the Comer farm. Simon Kenton, of historic note, whose name was a household word among the pioneers, with others, was watching the movements of the Indians, and, wishing to keep out of sight of some passing by, was climbing into the mow or loft of the stable, when a voice from the mow shouted, just as Kenton's head was in sight, " Go back ! 'twill never do for two red heads to be with the hay, as it will surely take fire." The years sped along, and the settlement grew, and the necessity for a schoolhouse was apparent ; so, about the year 1817, the first house for that purpose was built in the township. It stood on the Zerkle farm, and in size was about 18x20 feet, constructed of round logs, having the wooden and mud chimney of that day in either end. Two small windows, and an opening the width of a log, covered with greased paper, graced one side and furnished light. Split puncheon, supported by wooden legs or pins, without backs, were the seats, and the door of split puncheon, with wooden latch, opened and closed on wooden hinges. The first master was the Jackson before spoken of. This house was also used as a meeting-house. The roads to school in those days were through woods and swamps, and the fear of Indians, and of wild beasts, we will warrant, made the children's hair almost stand erect. The schools were at this time, and for years later, maintained by subscription, it being the only mode of support. The first meeting-house was built jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed organizations, and was called Salem Lutheran and Reformed Union Church, erected on the present site of Salem Cemetery, in Section 1, in the year 1821. It was a round-log building. The Lutheran portion was organized under the auspices of the joint Synod of Ohio,, by means of Rev. Henry Heineke, where he commenced his ministerial labor in 1821. The first Trustees were Jasper Miller, Peter Smith and David Campbell, the former being a member of the Reformed Church. Each denomination held alternate services, having their separate Pastors. The Reformed congregation had no minister until 1824, when Rev. John Pence came and served the congregation until the year 1845. Rev. Heineke served until 1827, when Rev. Christian Espich succeeded him. In 1834, Rev. Philip Pence became the Pastor, who was followed by Rev. George Klapp, under whose pastorate a new frame church was again jointly built in 1842, located where the schoolhouse now stands. Shortly after this building was erected a new organization was effected, the same Pastors in charge. In 1843 or 1844, a split in the church occurred, in consequence of the Reformed portion introducing new measures in divine service, and the Reformed erected a separate church. In 1845, Rev. Klapp left, and was succeeded by Rev. Hursh, who served until June, 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. Sheffer, Rev. C. G. Richard and Rev. Enoch Smith, under whose ministry, in the year 1864-65, the church ceased its existence in the country to become a church of St. Paris.

It was customary among the early settlers to inter the dead on their farms, yet, several graveyards of considerable age are within the township. The one where the old Salem Church stood, now known as the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reform Cemetery, was used for that purpose as early as 1815, in which year was there buried Samuel Judy. David Berry assisted in digging the grave. The burying ground at Mount Pleasant Church, in Section 20, was established some years later, but prior to 1820. The latter church, of Baptist denomination, was organized prior to 1840 ; a small body in the neighborhood being of that persuasion, assembled at their various residences and in the barn of one Groves, and, at times, in the woods, and invited ministers from Myrtle-Tree Church to preach for them. Of these, the names of Revs. J. Ebberd and D. Runkle are remembered as the first. The society increased in numbers and about 1840 a large, hewed-log church was erected. At this date the membership was twenty-four. The first Deacons were Samuel McMorran and Isaac

Brubaker. Their first Pastor was Dr. Scott. In 1857, the present frame ohurch was built. The Revs. Newton F razee and Samuel Brower also served this church. Present minister in charge, Rev. James M. Kite; membership, A carding machine was built in 18-27 by David Berry, the first in the neighborhood. It was operated for a time by Berry and sold to a carder by the name of Ford. The first grist-mill in the township was built on Mosquito' Creek, at the mouth of the lake of that name, by William Hill, in the year 1823. The carding machine stood near the first schoolbouse. The first saw-mill was built on Mosquito Creek near the lake, by Henry Long, in the year 1820. Samuel McCord, of Urbana, built the first steam saw-mill. No churches were built other than those in St. Paris and Millerstown. In 1824, the school law for districting the township was passed, but it was many years thereafter before the schools were supplied by public funds. Section 16, reserved for school purposes, was never used, and, in 1828 or 1830, was sold and the proceeds went to the school funds. There are now nine school districts and as many houses in the township, costing, on an average, $1,000 each, and $2,600, annually, to keep them in operation.

One of the practicing physicians of forty years ago was Dr. John Baker, now a resident of St. Paris, then residing near Millerstown. His practice took in a wide scope of territory, and many of to-day will remember the German Doctor as he rode through the wood on his " fiery steed," for he was partial to a good horse. The following joke has been told at his expense, and it is really too good to keep. It runs in this wise : One of the pioneers in the neighborhood bad felled a tree and caught several coons, and gave the Doctor one, which the latter had taken home and tied or fastened up. On the following day, as the Doctor was making a professional visit, he saw crossing the path in the distance a small animal, which he supposed to be a coon. He hurried to the spot, and, dismounting, knocked the animal over, and, to his surprise and sorrow, had killed it. It was his desire to capture it, but alas ! thought he, it was dead. He picked it up, thinking it was a coon, yet he observed its tail did not resemble that of the coon at home ; but a coon it must be, said he, and so accounted for the difference in the tail that a portion of it had been lost in some scuffle. He carefully placed it on the back of the horse in an erect position, and buckled it to the saddle. He mounted, and off he rode, somewhat jubilant over the curiosity he was to show at home. He had not ridden far when his horse lunged and kicked at a great rate, and broke into a rapid run. The Doctor was frightened and greatly amazed at such capers, and could not account for them, but in looking behind him all was explained, as the animal was clawing the horse's back. As soon as was possible, the Doctor was off, and again killed the animal and fastened it as before. He had not rode long before the first programme was Tepeated, and again the animal was killed and placed as previously, for the Doctor was determined to carry his booty home. Again he was compelled to snurder the animal, but this time his horse had become so frightened and fractious that he would allow neither the Doctor nor animal on him, so he threw the coon, as he still supposed, along the path, marking the spot, thinking he would go home and return on foot for the animal. He finally succeeded in mounting his horse, and home he rode, and returned, as he had planned, but alas ! no coon was there. " Imagine the Doctor's surprise." It was some days before he had learned the name of his coon. He was not contented until his adventure had been imparted to his colleagues, and at the time of his telling the story Judge Taylor, of Urbana, was present, whose eyes (as the Doctor tells) he thought would pop from their sockets, so hard did he laugh. Suffice to add that the Doctor soon knew what a " possum " was.

The old records of the township have been destroyed, and the pioneer officials cannot be given. Great is the change from the little settlement on the head-waters of Nettle Creek sixty or seventy years ago, where were a few log cabins, occupied by hardy pioneers, widely scattered upon wild lands, without any of the facilities of travel or transit to the township of Johnson to-day, containing a flourishing town and village, and dotted with large cultivated farms, upon which are fine residences and large barAs, with its railroad facilities, telegraph communication and free pikes.

St. Paris

The flourishing and enterprising town bearing the .above name is prettily situated, in a basin as it were, on a very high elevation of ground. It was named after the metropolis of France by David Huffman, who laid it out in 1831. On learning of a "New Paris" in this State, he prefixed to it the Saint, to avoid any difficulty that might occur in mail matter. The lots were surveyed by the old pioneer surveyor, John Arrowsmith. The first house in the town was built by David Huffman ; a hewed -log house, standing on the northwest corner of Springfield and Main streets. It was a very neat piece of work, carefully made by Huffman himself, and was the pride of the neighborhood. The first frame house of any note was built by John Falkner, soon after the town had been laid out. It is now the American Hotel, on Main street. Huffman was the first merchant, inn-keeper and Postmaster. William Rosebro> was one of the early tavern-keepers, occupying the house known as the old La Rue Tavern. Jacob Protsman was the first blacksmith, and occupied a log shop on Main street. Dan Putman was an early grocer, located on West Main street. The town grew quite rapidly, and in the year 1845 it numbered nearly twenty houses. In 1846 or 1847, the Columbus & Piqua Railroad was built throught St. Paris, which gave it great advantages over neighboring villages, and it began steadily to increase, until it is now known as one of the live towns of Champaign County, and bids fair to rival others, its seniors in years. Some twenty-odd additions have been made since the original plat, and through the efforts of its many enterprising citizens it has become a town of fair population, studded with numerous churches, fine residences, business houses, banks and a good school. It also supports several manufacturing interests, among them carriage manufacturing, a tile factory, steam saw-mill, grist-mill, etc., and and with its railroads and telegraph facilities, is in daily communication with the world at large. It has its three grain warerooms, where 300,000 bushels of grain are annually shipped to the markets of the country. The American House and " U. S. " are the hotels of the town. The proprietor of the former is Joe A. Hellings. We were unable to get at the exact date of its incorporation as a town, but the year 1858 will not miss it far. Its first and present Mayor was and is John F. Riker, but many others have served in that capacity. The present council are E. V. Rhoads, Ezra Pretzman, David Strock, Joseph Bownfield, J. C. Tomlin and T. F. Woods. The Postmasters have been as follows, and in the order named : David Huffman, Jesse Long, Francis Wert, B. W. Perrine, J. Q. Baird, Mrs. Henrietta Scott and the present incumbent, G. W. Kelly. It was made a money-order office in the fall of 1875. There are now some six practicing physicians in the town ; but few lawyers. The town and township have been heard from in public affairs, having been represented in the State Legislature by Solomon G. Brecount, Dr. J. J. Musson and S. T. McMorran. Probably the greatest production of the township is Gen. John Jones, of Delaware, now in the State Senate, and formerly a member of Congress from the Ninth District. Johnson has also been twice favored in county offices, namely, E. V. Rhoads in the Treasurer's office, and M. A. Jordan, the present Recorder. The population, as shown by the census of 1880, is 1,068. In politics, the St. Paris precinct is Democratic.

The public schools of St. Paris are excellent. The school building is a three-story structure, built of brick, in 1867, containing five rooms, two on the first and second, and one on the third floor, the latter used as a chapel. James Davis, Samuel Bowersock and Dr. J. J. Musson were the School Directors and acted as a building committee at the time the building was erected. The first school was opened in it September 5, 1868, under the following corps of teachers : Principal, J. G. Blair ; Grammar School, Miss Mary Woods ; other rooms. Miss Sarah Armstrong and Miss Drury. Present Instructors - Arthur Powell, Principal; Miss Clara Harrison, Grammar Department; other grades, W. A. Gibbs, Mrs. M. A. Owens and Mrs. A. A. Roberts. Tot^l enrollment, 312 - males, 159 ; females, 143 ; colored, 10 - four males and six females. Prior to the opening of the schoolhouse above mentioned, school was held in the old Odd Fellows building. The first school of the town was kept in the house of David Huffman, then in a log schoolhouse standing in the old graveyard on the east side of the road, just north of town. Next in a frame schoolhouse now used as a dwelling.

The First Methodist Church of St. Paris was organized in a frame schoolhouse that stood on Springfield street, by Rev. J. G. Black, of Addison Circuit, in the year 1851. Benjamin F. Kizer, Jacob Rhoads and wife, Samuel Overhulz and wife, Malab Malan and wife and Daniel Wert were the original members. For several months prior to this time, the preacher from Addison Circuit would hold services in private houses and in the schoolhouse. In 1852, the church, as a society, was attached to Tremont Circuit, and in the fall of the same year, the erection of a church-building was commenced, which was completed at a cost of SI, 000, and dedicated in June, 1853, Rev. Granville Moody officiating. At this time, George W. Harris was the minister of the circuit. He superintended the building of the church, and became the first regular minister after it was built. He was followed by W. N. Williams, and he by E. H. Field. In 1855, the society was changed to Fletcher Circuit. In the fall of 1870, Revs. W. F. Wolf and J. B. Sullivan were preachers on this circuit. The old church was sold in February, 1880. A new one was built in 1875-76 at a cost of $10,500. S. Hanneford, of Cincinnati, was employed to draw the plans and oversee the building. It is a one-story brick building, built in

Gothic style, and so constructed within that it can be thrown into one vast auditorium, or divided by folding doors into class-rooms, etc. It was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, February 11, 1876. The audience room proper has a seating capacity for about five hundred people. The bell, which was taken from the old church, is suspended in a cupola 115 feet high. The church now numbers about one hundred and fifty-two members. The present Pastor, Rev. Frank Leever, succeeded F. S. Davis, and he was preceded by M. Dustin.

The First Baptist Church. - This church is the result of a meeting held in the old Methodist Church building August 13, 1874, of which Elder William R. Thomas was Moderator, and J. F. Riker, Clerk. Nineteen members presented their letters from other churches, and with these the church was organized. Tho first minister called was Elder E. B. Smith, who served until 1879, wThen the present Pastor, J. W. Scott, was called. As soon as the church was organized, they set about building a church. The present site was purchased of Samuel Bowersock, and a two-story brick of imposing appearance built thereon for $6,000. It contains the usual small rooms on the first floor, which is not yet finished, and an audience-room upstairs capable of seating 400 people. The church has a tower seventy feet high, in which there is a town clock and an excellent bell, the gift of Isaac Brubaker, which was cast in Baltimore at a cost of $335. It weighs 1,009 pounds, and has the date of presentation and the donor's name cast in it. There is now a membership of one hundred in the church.

Reformed Church. - This congregation worshiped in the jointly-built church known as the Salem Church (a history of which is given in the township matter proper) until their present church was erected in St. Paris, in the year 1852, when Jesse Steiner served as Pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Richards, who served nearly twenty years. Both served the church the second time. The last minister was Rev. W. M. Andrews. The church is now without a Pastor.

Lutheran Church . - The organization and early history of this church is that of Salem Church, contained in the township history. In 1865, the present Lutheran Church was erected on the corner of Elih and Church streets. It is a frame structure with spire and bell, and the ground upon which it is built was donated by Henry Apple. There is a parsonage to the church, built in 1868. Rev. Enoch Smith was the Pastor at the building of the church, and bis successors have been Rev. H. A. Becker, Rev. J. O. Hoffman, Rev. J. Manning and Rev. J. O. Miller, the present incumbent.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church (Zion's Church) is a split from the Lutheran Church, taking place under Rev. Hursh, it going to the General Synod, and was the origin of the General Synodism in this part of the country. Organized by Rev. George Klapp in 1844 or 1845, with twenty-ei<*ht members. Prior to the building of the church they now occupy, built in 1854, they worshiped in an old frame church which stood in the Lutheran and Baptist graveyard. The church was re-organized in 1848 by Ezra Keller, D. D., first President of Wittenberg College. Prior to this date, the church was known as the German Lutheran denomination. At the re-organization it adopted the constitution of the General Synod. Present membership, 124 ; Pastor, Rev. E. D. Smith.

A Universalist Church was organized here in March, 1880, by residents and members of the Millerstown Church, the latter having sold their church for the purpose of starting one here. They purchased the old Methodist Church for $400, and called Rev. James Lower to the pulpit. On the 12th of May,, 1880, the dedication services were held, Rev. S. P. Carrolton, officiating. Rev. Lower served but a short time, when he was succeeded by Rev. B. Blackford, the present Pastor. The church is still small, but much interest is manifested, and with the growth of the town it promises to increase in membership.

The Catholics of St. Paris have no regularly organized church. They hold meetings on the last Sabbath of each month, in Bowersock's Hall, with thepriests of this diocese, Father Henry and Father Donahue, officiating. They first commenced meeting thus about twenty years ago. There are between seventy and eighty of them in all. They have a lot purchased and paid for, in the southern part of town, and contemplate building them a church as soon as the state of their finances will permit.

The colored people of the town are gathering in strength, and hope soon to form themselves into a church and erect a house of worship. They are led by Rev. Marshall, of Piqua, who preaches for them from time to time.

The First National Bank

Lambert Pond, President; E. V. Rhoads, Cashier; Henry Sayler, Vico President; John Poorman, G. W. Kite, William Michael, H. Sayler and L. Pond, Directors. The charter bears date of August 2, 1880. Paid-up stock, $52,100. They commenced doing business in their handsome new building, on Springfield street, November 8, 1880.

A private bank was opened in 1866, by Isaac Brubaker and S. T. McMorran, which was succeeded, in the year 1877, by the private bank of Bowersock k Son, now in operation.

The Press

The first newspaper started in the town was the St. Paris Independent , a weekly, published by Vaughn Brothers for fourteen months, from the spring of 1870, after which the office and materials were removed from the town. The village was then without a local paper until June, 1872, when O'Haver k Stawn commenced the publication of the St. Paris Informant . In December of the same year, they sold it to Mussen k Taylor, the name, in the meantime, having been changed to The New Era, and, in the month of April following, Taylor took entire control and continued the publication until November, when he sold it to Mussen k Co., who, in their turn, sold it to H. H. Hall, in January, 1877. In May, 1880, the present proprietor,- C. R. Mussen, took charge of it for the third time. The files and records were all destroyed by a fire on October 28, 1879. The paper has always been Democratic in politics, with the exception of the time Mr. Hall had control, when it was Independent.

Another Democratic weekly, called the St. Paris Enterprise , was started August 9, 1878, by C. R. Carlow; but, in the January following, the publication was discontinued.

Overhulz, V. G.; G. W. Flowers, Sec.; E. A. Stockton, Per. Sec.; I. Batdorf, Treas. The present number of members is seventy-three active and sixty-four dormant.

Pond, Sec.; J. Huffman, Treas. The lodge owns a fine two-story brick, which they built at a cost of $5,000, their lodge- room occupying the second story.

Russell Encampment, No. 141, I. 0. 0. F.

There are now forty-four active and eight dormant members. The "officers now are: C. A. Robinson, C. P.; Caleb Jones, H. P.; L. W. Gibbs, S. W.; E. D. Hasok, J. W.; H. C. Gibbs, Scribe; Jacob Huffman, Treas. They meet in the hall of the lodge, Ho. 246.

Pharos Lodge, No. 355, A., F. & A. M.

The Young Men's Christian Association of St. Paris is the result of a meeting held for that purpose in the Baptist Church, November 7, 1876, F. M. Porch acting as President of the meeting and G. W. Kelley as Secretary. November 7, 1876, one week later, the association was regularly organized with a board of officers consisting of E. S. Faucett, President ; G. W. Kelley, Yice President; John McMorran, Secretary ; William Henderson, Treasurer. They rented a room, held their stated meetings, and for a time promised to become a body of some power in the community, but the members began to tire of it and one by one dropped from the ranks, until, in July, 1880, they were obliged to relinquish their room from lack of funds. This seems rather strange, when their books are seen showing a membership of forty-three, originally, increased to one hundred and four, which was the number at disbandment. But of these one hundred and four, only seven were active members. The last board of

There are two of these ancient hallowed spots in the northern part of the town, and a beautifully laid out cemetery comprising eight acres of ground. The latter is known as Evergreen Cemetery and was laid out in 1877, the ground having been purchased by John McMorran for the sum of $200. Few interments have as yet been made. The grounds are being improved and beautified, and will doubtless soon be in keeping with the cemeteries of the day. The other two are situated opposite each other, the one on the west side of the road, known as the Methodist and Reform, was never laid out into lots. People began burying there on account of the high elevation of the ground. The other, known as the Lutheran and Baptist, had its origin in the same manner, but in later years was regularly laid out in family lots. We have been unable to fix the dates when these yards were first used for burying purposes.