Clark County, Ohio - The whole text, 1881 (part 4 of 20)

After the nominations were made the crowds of people began to disperse, and the Harmony Township delegation stalled homeward in time to reach Posihvs Hotel, nine miles distant, before night came oh. Here they spent the night in singing, shouting and other tumultuous ways. When the morning dawned the homeward march was begun, and late in the evening terminated. It is fitting to remark, that after a lapse of more than forty years, there remains but two of all that jolly throng, who, on that bright February morning marched out, full of lusty life.

The canoe which figured in this account was afterward taken to other great meetings of the Presidential campaign of that year, and having done duty as an emblem of principles in politics, it was presented to William Osborn, in whose possession it remained many years, serving as a water trough.

Cabin Song

With whom, jolly cabin boys, with whom will you sail ? With whom, jolly cabin boys, with whom will you sail? With the crafty little demagogue, who veers to every gale? Or the poor old honest farmer that wields the ax and flail ?

This township is situated in the northeastern part of Clark County, the northern boundary separating it from Champaign County, and the eastern being the boundary between it and Madison.

The eastern and southern portions are comparatively level. In the northern and northwestern parts, the surface is diversified by hills and narrow valleys.

The principal streams are Sinking Creek, in the southwest, and Buck Creek in the northwest. The latter Hows through a narrow, but exceedingly fertile valley, bounded on either side by a range of hills. The only water-power of any special importance to the miller or manufacturer is afforded by this stream.

The soil, especially in the valleys, is generally fertile, directing attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, which, from our earliest history, have formed the chief basis of prosperity and wealth. The principal products are wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, fruit, etc.

The area of timber land, although somewhat reduced each preceding year, is sufficiently large to supply almost all local demands. The several kinds of oak, hickory, maple, ash and walnut are the most important varieties of timber.

These grants are the following: Congress Land and the Virginia Military. The former comprises the western part of the township, and the latter, situated to the east of this, from which it is separated by Ludlow's line, was appropri ated to the claims of Virginia soldiery in the war of the He volution.

" In consequence of an option to the holder of a warrant to situate it where he chose, if not previously located, the survey of these lands present a field of irregularity perplexing to the surveyors, and a fertile source of litigation for the

In 1802, Joseli Coffey, then living in the State of Pennsylvania, becoming dissatisfied with the prospect presented to himself and family in the rough region where he lived, determined to remove to the then almost uninhabited, but to him, inviting AYest.

He accordingly pursued his journey westward to a point about nine miles north of Cincinnati, where he remained during the year; but, as malarial diseases were alarmingly prevalent in that locality, he made successful preparations for a second removal.

Loading into an ox cart such articles as the necessity of pioneer life required, he, together with the other members of his family, consisting of his sons, Tatorn and Joseph, commenced the tedious, and we may perilous journey toward the North.

The journey was pursued for several days through the unbroken forest infested by Indians, until he reached what seemed to be the object of his search, May 6, 1803.

This is the place where the first pioneer of Pleasant Township settled, and is now the site of the residence of this pioneer's only surviving son, William Coffey.

The pioneer had, in this time, made arrangements for building a cabin. He was assisted in its erection by Thomas and Jesse Pierce, then living in Champaign County, and by two or three Indians.

* Soon after his arrival, the pioneer, leaving his family alone in the tent, started out in search of food; and, luckily, at the cabin of a neighbor over in German Township, he obtained a small amount of corn, which, unfortunately, had been somewhat damaged by the early frosts of the preceding autumn.

In possession of his supply of corn he proceeded to Simon Kenton's Mill, where it was ground into meal, with which he returned to his family. The mill of Kenton was on the present site of Lagonda. In the autumn of 1S03, Isaac Agmond and his family came to this township, and built a cabin where Mart Mahar now lives. At this point was another Indian camp, the two being con nected by an Indian trail. In 1801, Archibald McConkey and family accompanied by the father of Airs. McConkey, removed here from Kentucky. The wife and mother performed the journey on horseback, carrying with her the three children - Alexander, Elizabeth and Laniel- the wardrobe and lighter effects of the family. The other members of tlic amiss to state that a cow was also brought from the haps the only one in the little company of pioneers.

- Archibald McConkey soon built a cabin a short distance to the east of Joseph Coffey's, on the farm afterward owned by his son-in-law, Mahlon Neer. Three daughters of these parents - Margaret, Nancy and Mary - were bora here.

The other families settling here in this year were those of Samuel Lafferty, Henry Daw^.n, William Hendricks, the father-in-law of Mr. Lafferty, and George Metsker.

Lafferty and Hendricks were the joint owners of the farm on Buck Creek, where they lived, and which they afterward sold to Nathaniel Cartmell, from whom it received its present name "the old Cartmell farm."

The Lafferty family consisted of the parents and one daughter - Catharine. Hendricks and Lafferty were from Virginia. Metsker lived on the farm now owned by "William Hunter, and better known as the Holland farm.

_ pfehry Dawson settled on what to the present day is called the Dawson farm - now owned by George Runyan. The children of this family were Ellen, George, John, Richard, Harriet and Elizabeth. Henry Dawson, the father, had served in the Revolution as Lieutenant.

He removed to this locality from Kentucky, from which he brought several fruit trees, these having been carried in a Dutch oven, and were the first of their kind to produce fruit in this locality. It may be necessary to state that one or two of those apple trees, once near the Dawson cabin, are still living after ijio iupse u-. se v cii iy - years.

Solomon Scott came in 1805, from Virginia, as did also Jonathan Hunter, with a large family. The sons and daughters were named respectively William, George, Jonathan, Jeremiah, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Nancy, Rachel and Sarah.

On the 2(.Jth of June, 1805, Constantine, wife of Henry Dawson, died. This was the first death that occurred among the early pioneers. A grave was prepared near the cabin home, and the little company of neighbors and friends, amid wild forest scenes, performed the humble rites of burial, while the bereaved family wept the irreparable loss.

It seems especially proper in this connection to note the fact, that on the day following this burial, John, the third son of Joseph Coffey and wife, and first white child born in this township, " first sawr the light "

There is an interval of a few years, during which no accession was made to this early settlement; but, from the year 1808 to 1812, and about that time, the spirit of enterprise seemed to have prevailed in the older settlements, and a number of fearless men with their families joined the brave and hardy pioneers.

The men who came at this time were Nathaneil Cartmell, Daniel Wren, Peter Arbogast, Andrew Biungardner, George, Joseph and Abraham Runyan, William Curl, Edmond West, George, Richard and Charles Botkin. Jonathan Jones, W. T. Hunt. Andrew Hodge. Absalom Clark, Thomas and Philip Turks and George Jones.

Edmund West lived on the farm now owned by William Waltman. The Timka brolhcio, Philip r.n d Thomas, located on the two adjoining farms, one now owned by the heirs of Henry Arbogast, and the other by John McClenen. Philip established a tannery at the latter place. It was doubtless of the most primitive kind, as was also the distillery a short distance to the north, at a house now owned by Israel Everhart. Absalom Clark lived at this place, engaged in the management of the distillery.

Thomas Tunks subsequently sold his claim, in 1816, to George Botkin, Philip disposing of his to Mathew Shaul some time later. Charles and Richard Botkin lived near each other. A cabin where George Coffey now lives was the home of Richard, while that of Charles was situated a short distance west of the present dwelling of Armstead Tavernier.

Near the residence of Samuel H. Grove may still be seen the log cabin, once the home of David Waltman, whose farm adjoined that of his pioneer neighbor, Simon Ropp, he having built a cabin on the farm now owned by Jonathan Page.

Jeremiah Curl, the father of Mrs. William Coffey, and Bazill Harrison, Were early settlers. The former located on the north side of Buck Creek Valley, a short distance to the southwest of the present residence of Albert Cheney, and the latter on the Columbus road, at a cabin on the eastern part of the farm now owned by Nelson Hammond. It will be noticed that the first settlements were established in the western part of the township. This circumstance deserves a brief explanation. The eastern portion of the township, it will be remembered, is Virginia Military land, and one hindrance to its settlement was the question of conflicting claims - a difficulty peculiar to these lands - and another, was the fact that large tracts were owned by Thomas M. Bailey, wrho, like most land speculators, deferred the sale of his lands for a great many years; hence the settlement of the Bailey lands has been of comparatively recent date.

The first neighborhood was formed, as may be readily supposed, by the families of Joseph Coffey, Archibald McConkey, Isaac Agmond, Henry Dawson. Samuel Rafferty, William Hendricks and Jonathan Hunter. The second was that near Asbury, comprising the families located there from 1S08 to 1811, Those forming the first neighborhood in the eastern part of the township were the following:

Samuel West, Henry Curl, Otho Arbogast, David Runyan, William Neer, Lemuel Davisson and Nicholas McCauley. The latter, an earlier settler than many of the others, lived on the farm afterward owned by S. It. Dickson. Amos Neer came to this township from Virginia in 1817.

The roads of those early times were only roads in name; they were indeed nothing more than Indian trails, from which the logs and saplings had been removed by the efforts, of the pioneers.

The Urbana and London road was the second. The traditionary history of its location is, that it is upon, or near, the route taken by Gen. McArthur in his march, in 1812. from Chiliicothe to Urbana, preparatory to joining Hull at Detroit.

A few years later a third road leading from Springfield to Meehani csburg was located. The route of this road, in this township, was surveyed by Samuel Lafferty.

The first saw-mill in this locality was built by George Dawson. It "was situated upon or near the present site of the grist-mill, now owned by J. M. Runyan.

Mr. Dawson later built a small mill for grinding corn only; there was a carding machine in connection with this mill, which was situated upon his own premises, the water-power being furnished by a famous spring.

A few years later, about 1822, Nathaniel Cartmell added another to the number of grist-mills; this was situated further west upon the same stream, to which place he afterward added a woolen-mill and distillery,

The principal agricultural products of those early times consisted of wheat, corn, potatoes, etc. The surplus of these was disposed of to the later settlers, until the area of cultivated land increased to such an extent that these increasing commodities induced their fortunate possessors to seek a better market.

TJpor. the- -corn pM ion of the canals of Dayton and Columbus, these towns became the chief places of trade. But corn could not be advantageously converted into money at a market so distant as those mentioned, and this disadvantage directed attention to the rasing of hogs, which, when fattened, were for a time driven to Cincinnati and Baltimore. Droves consisting of from one thousand to twelve hundred have often been seen upon the roads, moving slowly forward to the Eastern market, hundreds of miles away.

Where Nathan Neer now lives, Cornelius Palmer built the first blacksmithshop in thip township; here, assisted by Robert G. Dickey, Mr. Palmer established his business.

Henry Dawson was the first cooper; and one evidence of the genuineness of his work may be found in the fact that a barrel made by him for Joseph Colley, and afterward the property of his son William, was in use upward of sixty years, it having been accidentally destroyed only a very few years ago.

William T. Hunt, the first cabinet-maker and unclerte-ker, lived for many years in a log house, still standing, near the present residence of N. S. Conway.

The earlier settlers were not wanting in a proper estimate of the advantages of education. This is fully illustrated by the fact that the first effort was made for the public benefit resulted 'in the building of a schoolhouse. It was situated on the north bank of Buck Creek, where Charles Loveless now lives.

Jesse Reese taught the first school in this about 1810; but unfortunately a malignant disease called the "cold plague," terminated his life and labors before the close of his term. His immediate successor was John Dawson. The second schoolhouse was situated on the north branch of the same stream, at the angle formed by the stream and the present road. Edward Watts is believed to have been the first teacher at this place. Notwithstanding the fact that Watts was the first teacher in this second house, it is positively stated that a school was taught by John Harvey in a cabin where George Coffey now lives, some time before that taught by Watts - about 1811.

Other cabins for school purposes were afterward built in the neighborhood of Jonathan Hunter, Samuel Lafferty, William Hendricks and others.

A cabin situated a short distance northwest of the residence of Nathan Neer, another southwest oi that of Janies Hodge, and yet another where the Vernon House now stands, complete the number of schoolliouses in this locality.

At a short distance south of Asbury Chapel, on the land now owned by # Josiah Jones, was erected the first schoolhouse in the Asbury neighborhood. The second vras situated near the site of the present dwelling of \YiIliam A. Jones.

Schools were maintained at short intervals at one or the other of these places from about 1815 to 1824, when a third building was erected on the site of Asbury Church.

Similar meetings were held later - about 1815 - at the houses of Abraham Runyan and Andrew Bumgardner, Saul Henkle, John Strange - Goddard and the two Finleys - father and son - were the ministers who conducted the services.

Enoch Harvey, a minister of the " New Light r denomination, preached regularly at the houses of Joseph Coffey and Peter Arbogast. It was due to liis efforts that a log church was built upon a lot donated by himself and his old neighbor, Charles Botkin.

The affectionate regard with which the history of these pioneer preachers is told by those who knew them, assures us that they did not labor in vain.

The first church was built in the Asbury neighborhood in the year 1824, and was called Ysbury in honor of the Bishop of that name. A religious society was soon organized under the ministerial care of the two preachers. Strange and Goddard. .

The village of Catawba was laid out in 1835-36, by Cass and Marsh. The land upon which it is situated originally belonged to Israel Marsh and George Dawson (not the son of Henry Dawson.)

In 1833, or about that time, through tne influence of Hon. Joseph Vance, member of Congress, a post office was established here, and Chamberlain was appointed Postmaster.

In 1S38, the first tavern was opened in the southwest corner of Champaign and Pleasant streets. The proprietor, Henry Runyan, some time before having purchased the store of Chamberlain, succeeded him in the office of Postmaster. The mercantile business of Hr. Runyan continued for many years. Among the number engaged in the same business at a later date may be mentioned J. D. Creamer and Samuel Conway and son.

The first mail earners were John Neer and Joseph Pearson, who were required on some of the routes to travel on horseback a distance of fifty-six miles in one day. Letter postage, in those days, was 25 cents - payable at the office of delivery if carried 400 miles; and for a less distance, it was diminished proportionately.

The parents of the first Hunter family settling here in 1S05, William Hendricks and wife, and perhaps a few others were buried at this place.

For some reason unknown, interments at the above-named places were soon discontinued, and other locations better suited to the public taste were selected.

Of the present cemeteries, McConkey's was the first; and the first burial in this was that of a child of Archibald McConkey. The second was that of Jesse Reese, who died, as will be remembered, in 1810. Vernon is the second and Asbury third, in the order of time.

A Mrs. Evans was the first buried at Vernon, and a child of William Eels was the first, and Susannah, the venerable mother of Abraham, George and Joseph Runyan, the second at Asbury.

Dr. E. Owen was the first resident physician; he was followed by Dr. Skinner, who was also succeeded in the profession, about the close of the year 1839, by Dr. M. R. Hunter, his practice commencing in 1840, and continuing until the present date - 1880.

Of the social customs of the early pioneers, their opportunities for religious and educational culture, their efforts in the important art of agriculture, we have no record. All we can know, at best, must be gathered from the reminiscences of the few living and venerable actors in the new and wild scent's with which our early history begins.

It is doubtless true that what is called the pioneer spirit was often nothing more than tin* manifestations of a roving, shiftless nature, stimulated by the prospect of new dangers and adventures, rather than the desire for a better home, with the prospective blessings of prosperity and a better civilization.

This is clearly established by the results that attended their efforts. Tlu*v came hither to be the possessors of lands, and the builders of cabins, schoolhouses and churches.

it i» uut iw be supposed, however, that either taste or convenience were displayed in the first buildings erected. Indeed more uncouth structures are raivh seen.

It was provided with a huge fire-place, built of stone, the chimney being composed of sticks and clay. The rude door turned upon wooden hinges secured to their places by wooden pins. Rough slabs, split from the forest trees, served as a floor, and a piece of oiled paper, attached to a light frame in an openingin the wall, admitted the light.

The hearth-stones of this, the first cabin, may be seen at the present day by the curious observer. What plans for the future were considered at the " pioneer meetings," that assembled here.

The scanty furniture of those days was the product of the simple tools - the uugc.x twju. ax- in the construction of the cabins that sheltered the

They were in the midst of a dense forest of timber, which was soon removed from a small piece of land, near the cabin of each, and this planted in corn, which was often planted so late in the season, owing to the many difficulties to -be encountered in clearing the land, that it was frequently much damaged by the early frosts.

Exposed to disease and the depredations of Indians, subsisting on the scantiest diet, the hardy pioneers, inured to toil and hardships, cleared their lands, acre by acre, and at the same time provided for the ever- recurring wants of their families.

As other settlers came in, men came from a distance of many miles to assist in raising the " log shanties." We are assured that if ever the injunction - "Love thy neighbor as thyself" - was showed with anything like a general and willing obedience, it was then.

'Money was exceedingly scarce, hence business was carried on by barter. Corn is said to have been the chief article thus used. It was frequently sold at 10 cents per bushel, but the more general price was a few cents higher.

Vegetables were readily taken in exchange by the Indians for venison, etc. "W heat, though produced later than corn, was universally cut with the sickle; and it was the custom to thresh with the fiail, or to tread it out with horses.

The price of this product was,' for a considerable time, remarkably low. This may be better illustrated by the statement that it is known to have boon taken on horseback to Urbana and exchanged for coffee at the rate of one bushel of wheat for one pound of coffee, and also that thirty bushels have been given for one barrel of salt. But in the course of time, as mills became more numerous and possessed better facilities for business, their proprietors purchased the wheat oi the pioneers, paying about o » cents per bushel.

The article of clothing, like that of food, demanded immediate attention. It therefore became necessary, in order to provide for the ever-present demand of bodily comfort, to compass tlio desired end by the cultivation of flax. This, after having passed through the tedious processes preparatory to its manufacture, was spun and woven into cloth by the wives and daughters, who also performed the work of making the garments required by the different members of the family. Many a youth in those early times could boast of no better clothing than those of tow. But after the introduction of sheep in the settlement, wool and flax were, by domestic manufacture, converted into linsev, and wool alone into flannel, which happily conduced to greater security against the severity of winter.

Clad in the home-spun of the times, and generally barefooted, the children at short and irregular intervals attended the schools in the cabin schoolhouses, wiiien were bunt by a few persons, each donating a certain amount of labor, and a stated number of logs. The houses were beyond question illy adapted for the purpose for which they were designed. Instead of glass for the windows, pieces of oiled paper were used.

Kude benches served as seats, and to add to the too numerous discomforts, the cold in winter - as this was before the introduction of stoves - was by no means agreeable.

Great severity was used in the school government, and it was no uncommon thing for young men even to receive the most severe corporal punishment.

That no transgressor might lose his reward, the instruments of correction, gathered with care from the adjacent thicket, were constantly kept in full view; and with these the schoolboy was urged forward along u the flowery path of knowledge."

There may have been many schoolmasters then, but there certainly were few teachers, for the methods of that day, if they did not utterly repress, at least must have checked the loftiest aspirations that belong to youth.

Text-books were few and imperfect The beginner learned the alphabet from a thin piece of wood, upon which the letters were printed. The first les sons in reading were learned from the Testament.

A number of cricumstances conspired to render the education of the young very defective. First, the tuition for even a small family could illy be spared from the scanty savings accumulated by the most rigid economy; and secondly, that the assistance of each member of the family was demanded; lands were to be cleared, rails made, and fences built, crops planted, cultivated and harvested.

Flax must be spun and woven by the wives and daughters, whose labors embraced many duties upon the farm, as well as those of the household. Can it be wondered at that education was so imperfect? However imperfect it may have been, who can estimate its benefits ?

Books and papers were exceedingly scarce; the American Preceptor, the English Header and the Testament, were generally the literary treasures of the family.

Notwithstanding the meager supply of the means necessary to the development of the mind, the young of those times have since become, not only the most zealous patrons of education, but many of them the most diligent readers of books.

The first cabin -church like the first schoolhouse was built by voluntary effort. It was humble indeed. The internal appearance could only excite surprise at the present day.

In winter, a charcoal tire burned upon a small space - covered with earth inclosed by a wooden box - in the center of the room. Around this fire, seated upon the slab-benches, the people were assembled to listen to the pioneer preacher, while he unfolded the great doctrine of Chrstianity. The log schoolhouses and churches are among the things of the past; but the simple fact of their early erection, gives us the true conceptions of the character and intelligence of the early pioneers.

While they were thus laying the foundations of education and religious customs, they were also contributing to their own weal and that of their posterity by a method, not yet improved by the profoundest wisdom.

Each of the five prosperous religious societies of the present has a substantial and attractively furnished church in which well -attended services are regularly held, Revs. Jackson and Smith are the ministers in charge of the Methodist Episcopal societies, and Rev. Spain* of the Methodist Protestant society.

The nine school districts of this township, are provided with large and commodious brick houses furnished with- modern improvements necessary to the indispensable work of education. These houses were built by Thomas Wingate at a cost of 818,700, and all except one since Mr. Wingate selection to the office of Treasurer in 1872.

Of the number of teachers it is proper to mention the name of N. M. Mc- Conkev and Benjamin Hendricks, who have been engaged in the profession upward of twenty- five yrears.

Catawba, the only village of the township, contains the grocery and dry goods store of Thomas Wingate, Martin Hunter and Burgess, N. S. Conway, Joseph Pearson, the boot and shoe store of Benjamin Golden, and the drug store of William Jacobs.

The first election in the township was held at the house of Joseph Coffey, and resulted as follows: Joseph Coffey, Andrew Hodge, Trustees: Samuel Lafferty, Clerk; Henry Dawson, Treasurer; and Solomon Scott, Justice of the Peace.

William Saylor, a resident of this township, served for two terms as Sheriff* of the comity, and William Bunvard as County Assessor for several terms. Subsequently, N. M. Me Conk ey was for two terms a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and is at present a member of the Legislature.

Of the number having served in some official capacity in the township at a rather early period may be mentioned the names of Samuel Lafferty, Joseph

Coffey, Henry Dawson, William Coffey, Cornelius Arbogast, Henry Curl, Joseph Wilkinson, Daniel McConkey and J. V. Cartmell. And those thus serving at a more recent date may be recorded the names of D. H. Randall, Otho Arbogast. George Yea/ell. Matthew Neer. Joseph Pearson, Jonathan Page, William Hardman, John McClenen, John W . Yeazell, Luther Jones, Enos McConkey, George Coffey, N. M. McConkey, J. H. Baldwin and John Q. Ski liman.

McConkey and T. M. Silvers, Trustees; Thomas Wingate, Treasurer ; and Dr. W. E. Bloyer, Clerk. N. S. Conway and William Jobes are the two Justices.

As a direct result of the tax levied annually for their improvement, the roads of this section present a condition greatly superior to that of former years.

The free pikes of the township embrace about twenty-five miles of road, thus furnishing connection with other excellent routes of travel to the neighboring cities and towns - Springfield, Urbana, London, Mechanicsburg and South Charleston.

The temperance cause has not been without its zealous defenders among all classes of the people; and it has been a matter of special pride, that, with the exception of a short interval, no saloon has been for several years permitted within the township. Hence respect for law and order has generally prevailed.

The political complexion of the township lias been for a number of years - or perhaps more properly since the rebellion - decidedly Republican.

The value of real estate and personal property is 81,201,372. This amount includes $33,930 of real, and $30,183 of personal property in Catawba.

The period of business depression has happily ended, and we are beholding the dawn of a prosperity perhaps not surpassed in our past history.

Three successive and abundant harvests have added thousands to the wealth of our ctiziens, inspiring a confidence - real and permanent - like the basis upon which it rests.

It may be regretted that unfortunately many facts connected with the history of our early pioneers have been lost, hence much, which, if possessed, would be of real interest, was unavoidably omitted. Nevertheless, it is confidently hoped that the preceding sketch, however imperfect in detail, embraces all the knowledge of the subject at present available.

Finally, to the pioneers by whose courage, industry and perseverance, the early settlements were formed, to the few still living to toll the story of those early struggles by which our present prosperity was made possible - to these this short and unpretending history is respectfully dedicated.

The following gentlemen have likewise rendered material assistance: James Page, Dr. M. Ii. Hunter, Henry, George and A. B. Runyan, Lemuel Hunter and Cornelius Arbogast.

was first settled in 1799, by a part of the colony which came from Kentucky with Simon Kenton, the same being, with the township of Springfield, the fourth in order in time of the settlements of the county. The citizens of each township being interested in their own local history, and desirous of preserving it separate from that of the county proper, we are therefore fulfilling a duty in relating the names and events in the early settlement of Moorefield Township, even though part of the same is told by the historian of the county.

With the other townships of the county, it was organized, as the township of Moorefield, in June, I SIS, and was so named in remembrance of Moorefield in the "Old Dominion," whence some of the early settlers came. It was originally bounded as follows: Beginning on the north line of Clark County at the west line of Township 5; thence east along said county line to the east line of Township 5; thence south with said township line to the north boundary of the 9th Range; thence with said range line to the west boundary of Township 5 ; thence north to the place of beginning. In March, 1819, the east boundary was extended one mile, and in 1835 the southern boundary was extended west to Mad River, making the boundaries as they now appear. It is eight miles wide east and west in the widest part, and five miles wide north and south, and contains about thirty-six square miles. In shape, it is an oblong square, with one irregular side. The surface is diversified. Upon the whole, it may be described ..as rolling, although it is in some parts hilly, particularly in the western and southwestern sections. The western limits of the township begin especially in the northwestern quarter, to subside into the rich and level lands best adapted to farming. The soil varies in character according as the land is hilly or fiat, but it is all productive - no barren land existing in the township. The. uplands are generally of a yellowfish clay, mixed with more or less debris of disintegrated limestone, and they are good lands for almost any crop, but are peculiarly adapted to the production of wheat and kindred grains. Between the rising lands and along the water-course lie rich valleys' of varying extent, of dark vegetable soil, lying upon or near large beds of limestone. The soil of these tracts of lowlands is remarkably well- adapted to the production of Indian corn, hay, potatoes, and other succulent growths. All the soil of the township is richly mixed with limestone gravel or limestone sand, giving to it strength, durability and premanency. This township is in wliat is known as the Congress lands, lying southwest of the Ludlow line. It is the northern one of the second tier, from the east, and is platted as Township 5, Range 10. It is entirely destitute of villages, and is exclusively an agricultural community. Formerly, the whole of the township was covered with a dense growth of timber, except along the channels of the streams, which were bordered on either side with a narrow strip of grass, bedecked with flowers of brightest colors. The timber was principally oak, hickory, ash, beech, walnut and maple, with some liuden, and in the lower lands some majestic elms. Underneath these were thick growths of smaller trees, such as dogwood, iron wood, haw, plum and crabapple. In the shade of those, a heavy undergrowth of vines and bushes luxuriated, as the blackberry, the gooseberry, the raspberry and hazel, while the graceful branches of the grapevine intertwined the whole, from the low liazel-bush to the loftiest branches of the mighty oak. Among the moss underneath this almost impenetrable canopy of leaves, the wild strawberry grew, mingling its brilliant red with blue flowers of the fragrant violet, and lending its odor to that of the mint, spieowood and pennyroyal, which grew in great profusion. 'Twas there the pioneers' swine were allowed to roam and fatten themselves on the mast of the forest trees and the berries of the bushes, after having first received a mark by which they could be known. In some instances, they strayed far from the settlements, and, in the density of the forest, became as wild as their ancestors, the wild boars of the old country. These were shot whenever and by whoever seen, as they were very dangerous, even to men. In addition to furnishing food for the settiers5 stock, the woods furnished a great delicacy for the settler himself and his family - the wild honey with which it abounded. After a bee-tree was discovered and the bees smoked out, it was cut down, and as much as two barrels of honey sometimes taken from a single tree. This formed one of the main articles of diet for the early pioneer and his family, and in it they would preserve the sour crabapple, wild grapes and cherries for winter use. It must not be thought that the pioneer had all these pleasant things of life, with none of the unpleasant ones. Among the pests with which he had to contend were the wolves, panthers and wild-cats, which would attack his children if alone in the woods; the fox, weasel and polecat, which played sad havoc among his fowls: the mosquito, which grew very large and tormented him viciously; and lastly, the horse-ny, which grew almost to the size of a mouse, and would set the liorses and oxen frantic with its terrible sting. The pelts of the muskrat, fox, coon, and later, scalps of the wolf, formed very important articles of trade between the settlers and men who would go among the settlements and Indian villages, bartering domestic goods for all kinds of skins. The creeks of this township are principally branches of AT ad River, which flows along the western border, and Buck Creek, which flows through the eastern part, from the northeast corner to near the center in the sonth. Sinking Creek also flows tlmough a part of the southeast corner. Along the western edge run the parallel lines of the N. Y., P. A O. and C., S. & C. R. R.'s, and along Buck Creek the Springfield Branch of the C., C., C. A I. The township is well furnished with regularly laid macadamized pikes, running in all directions. Among them are the Springfield & Mechanicsburg Pike, from Springfield to Mechanicsburg, built in the years ISIS to 1850, being the first in the township; Union Pike, from Greene County, entering the township in Section 19 and running thence to the northeast corner; the Springfield A Urbana Pike, along the western border from Springfield to Urbana, in Champaign County; and the Moorefield Pike, from Moorefield, a hamlet of a dozen houses west of the center of the township, to Tremont, in German Township. There are also many unnamed pikes, and countless summer roads. Of the early settlement of the township, much might .be said, but as this work is a county history, the space for each township is limited, and we can merely mention some of the earliest settlers' names, without enlarging upon their history. The township began to be settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century. In 1799, a colony of five settlers, with their wives and children, left their friends in Kentucky and settled in this township, along the Urbana Pike, which was then a cleared path cut through the forest Their names were Phillip Jarbow, 'William Ward, Simon Kenton (the great renowned Indian fighter), John Richards and William Moore. Ward settled in Section 32, on the place now occupied by Mr. Sultsbach, which is four miles north of Springfield. He brought his wife and fourteen, children with him, but, his wife dying, he married again, and had four more children born to him by the second marriage. Kenton was also married, and settled on land on the road ad joining Ward on the north. During the first year of their settlement here, Kenton dug a canal, intending it for a mill-race, but, on account of the water supply being insufficient, the project was abandoned, and no mill built. Jarbow settled in a dense oak woods, next to Kenton, wliere the trees were so thick that, tradition says, a man could go over the whole clearing without touching the ground, by stepping from stump to stump. This little band of emigrants seemed to be of an enterprising nature, for it is said that Jarbow, shortly after his settlement, constructed a "still" and manufactured whisky for himself and neighbors, working on shares. This is probably the first spirituous liquor in the township. He continued business through his whole life, and thus disposed of the surplus corn of the neighborhood. These men all assisted each other in clearing their ground, rolling logs and building a cabin of the primitive style then made. They were occupied but a few days in doing the latter, and with no other tools than an ax and an auger, with which the logs were cut, properly notched and pinned together. It was built entirely of round logs, with clapboard roof, puncheon floor and furniture, a coarse, squeaking door, hung on leather or wooden hinges, with a latch-string to open it by, a wooden pin for a lock, and a huge chimney, built of stones and mud, in some instances occupying the whole end of the building. This is a description of a model cabin of that day. Many of them were not as conveniently constructed ; very often they were without door and chimney, the Are being built in the doorway. This was universally done in summer, as the smoke would prevent the " festive mosquito" trom entering inrough the door, and they Lad no. open windows, the holes in the wall serving as windows, being covered with the proverbial greased paper of "ye olden tyme." In 1802, some other families left their homes of ease and comfort in the "Old Dominion" to seek their homes in Western wilds. These were Richard Robinson, James Bishop and Benjamin Cornell. Robinson had a family of fifteen children, and his wife Sarah. He settled on the farm now known as the " Yeazell place." . Bishop also had a family of fifteen children, and his wife, whose name was Nancy. * He settled on the farm afterward owned by James Foley. Cornell had a family consisting of his wife, Rose, and fourteen children. In the same year came Jonathan and James Paige, from Kentucky, and settled in the township. In 1803, James Foley, a native of Virginia, born 1779, came to the county, selected land in Moorefield Township, upon which he settled permanently in 1805. In ISOS, he married Mary Marsh, also a native of Virginia, born 1781, to whom were born Griffith, Catherine, Susan, John and James. Mr. Foley was one of the first Corin' y Commissioners, on the erection of the county in ISIS, and served several years; was also in the "Legislature two terms, and became one of the largest land-owners in Clark County. He died in IS 01, aged eighty- four. John Ward settled in the township about the same time as Foley. Judge John R. Lemon settled on Section 2, in the southeastern part of the township, in 1808; he was also a Virginian. In the same year, David Crabill and his wife Barbery came from Virginia and settled on Buck Creek. They had lx>rn to them twelve children; seven yet survive, and are among the leading families of the county. David was a native of Virginia, and hi$ wife of Pennsylvania; her maiden name was Bear, and he was inthe war of 1812. Thomas Voss, a native of Virginia, settled where Nathan Marsh now lives, in ISOS. Silvanus Tuttle and his wife, Mary (Brown) Tuttle, came to Ohio from Virginia in 1800, settling first in Champaign County, close to Catawba Station, and, in the spring of 1808, removing to the southeastern part of Moorefield Township, where both died, he in January, 1813, aged eighty-two, and his wife in May, IS IS, aged eighty-five. Of their numerous family, Eunice, Thaddeiis. Hetty, Thomas, John, Dorcas, Caleb, Zebedee and David, all are dead but Caleb and Zebedee, who reside in Springfield Township, aged eighty-two and eiglity-one respectively. The Tuttles incline toward the Baptist Cliureli, and many of them are actively identified with that denomination. In .1808, Charles Bodkin and John Runyon settled in the township, and

Jacob Richards a couple of years previous; all were from Virginia. In 1811, Horatio Banes came with his parents, Evan and Lina Banes, and settled in Sec tion 10, where his father died in 1827, and his mother in 1836. They had three sons, all now deceased. Horatio was bora in Virginia in 1791, and was married in this county in 1824, to Folly Miller, to whom was born nine children, live yet living- Robert, Louisa, Reuben, Gabriel and Elizabeth. He died in 1868, but his widow yet survives, in her eighty- first year. He was prominent in township affairs. Henry Bosart and his wife, Elizabeth, settled on Secton 21 in 181.1 ; his wife died in 1817, and ho in 1841. His son, T. L. Bosart, became a well-known and. leading farmer of his township, and his grandson, Lewis Bosart, yet owns the old homestead. James Clark was born in Virginia, and there married to Martha Davis, of that State, to whom were born Rebecca, John, Charles M., William, Ellen, Eliza, Juliana and "Wallace. They came to Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1806, and about 1811 to this township, afterward moving to Champaign County, where they died. Mr. Clark excelled as a cooper; a bucket of his make, now owned by Caleb Tuttle, has been in use fifty- eight years, and is a pretty good bucket yet. His sons, John, Charles M. and William, are well known and prominent citizens of Clark County. Seaton J. Hedges settled close to the Champaign County line at an early day. He married Harriot MO! or. and was afterward remanded twice; ho died on his farm. In 1810, Abraham Yeazell and his wife, Mary, natives of Virginia, who settled in Clinton County, Ohio, at an early day, came to this township, settling in the southeastern part. They had fourteen children, seven of whom are now living- - Sally, David, Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham,- Sidney and James. Mr. lreazeR died January 2, 1832, and his wife September 22, 1828, and the family is one of the best-known and most extensive in Clark County. Dennis Collins was born in Virginia in 1771, and there married to Mary Thomas, born in New Jersey in 1774. They had fifteen children - Dr. Collins, of South Charleston, being one of the number. In 1796, they moved to Kentucky, and in 1811 to Champaign County, Ohio, settling in Moorefield Township in 1813, where he died in 1826, and his wife in *3843. John Marsh was born in Virginia in 1794; came to this township about 1818; he was married, in 1833, to Maria Dye, to whom were born three children - Nathan, Mary J. and John D. He was a very successful farmer, and accumulated a large estate, dying in 1837 much respected.

In 1812, Ward, Banes and Foley went to Detroit to recruit Hull's army there. They must have gone with a large force of Kentuckians who passed., through the settlement that year under Col. Wickliff, to re-enforce Hull's army, but they arrived just after Hull's cowardly and ignominious surrender. Ward and Foley busied themselves during their lives in amassing titles to lands, in addition to that of their first purchase. They would enter large tracts and make the first payments; then they held it until, by selling a part, they could with the proceeds pay the balance due. When Ward was first married, Moses Henkle, the minister, came to take dinner with him the first Sabbath after he had entered the hymeneal state. They only had one gallon pot in the house; in this they boiled the potatoes, and, after they were done, boiled the coffee in the same pot. Then they baked the bread on tlio lid of the pot, before the fire, and roasted the wild turkey, which they had saved for the occasion, on a spit in front of the fire, hanging it on a peg driven in' the logs above the fireplace. They ate from a table made by sawing off one end of a big log and driving three pegs in it for legs. The chairs were made by Mr. Ward, being the same as the table, minus the legs.

In 1807 Alexander McBeth, his wife Rachael, and eight children, came from Pennsylvania and settled bn the old Col. Ward farm, more recently known as Frank Schultz's place. In 1.810, Mr. McBeth built a brick house, which was the first one in the county, and probably in any county adjoining. We laave very vague information concerning a man named McDaniels, who came into the township previous to 1806 but of bis history or family nothing can now be learned, all traces of him having long ago disappeared. Moses Henkle, another e arly settler, came previous to 1810, and built a little log house near the present residence of M'ariah Jones. He was of German descent, and came from Pennsylvania. He had two daughters and several sons, all of whom are now scattered and their history lost. The father was buried in Pleasant Hill Graveyard. One of his family was the first County Clerk of Clark County. The first to bear the glad tidings to the people and disseminate the truths of the Gospel in the township was the Rev. Robert Miller, an American by birth, but of Scotch descent. His .grandparents emigrated from Scotland in 1738. His father served in the Revolutionary war, in which he lost his life. Robert was born in Prince George County, Maryland, August 19, 1767. lie moved to Virginia in 1793 and in 1797 removed to Kentucky. He came to this State and township in 1812, and settled on land now occupied as a site for the new Moorefield Methodist Church. Pie was a Methodist preacher by profession - one of those dauntless, energetic Methodist preachers that characterized that denomination in early pi oueer days. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Moorefield Church, in 1812, for which lie preached a number of years. He was twice married, having f< nr daughters and five sons (two of the latter afterward became ministers) by his first wife, and three boys and one girl by the second wife. In 1816, he built a large new log house, to which he added an extra room especially for church services, as they then had no meeting house. This house is now occupied as a dwelling by A. W. Murnfer, Esq. When the project of building the first church was in debate, Mr. Miller donated the ground for church and graveyard, gave 8100 (which was one-sixtli of the whole cost), solicited the balance, and afterward split the lalh for the new building, and painted it when completed. In 1834, he died, with this odd, though characteristic, speech on his lips: "I am going to heaven as straight as a shingle." He was buried in the ground lie had given to the church twenty -two years before for a buryingground, where his body molders while his spirit is at rest. It will be well to mention sor. ie of his co- workers in the church work, as they were also early residents of tne township. Among them were Saul Henkle, who, in 1818, when the county was organized, was the first Clerk; Hector Sanford, John Clerigan and Dennis Collins. A comparatively early settler, and one whose name is well known throughout the township, was Judge Daniel McKinnon, a Virginian, who came to this section in 1808, and settled on the ground where New Moorefield now stands, in Sections 3, 1, 9 and 10, corner. He had a family consisting of his wife, three girls and five boys, all of which children are now scattered over the couutry outside of the township. The father died on the land he entered, and was buried in the old graveyard. Michael Arbogast came to Moorefield in 1811, from Pendleton County, Virginia, and entered a half- section of land on Ruck Creek. He had five sons at)d two daughters, who were left fatherless by Mr. Arbogast's death, which occurred in 1813, two years after his entrance into the settlement. His early demise prevented him from making the payments on his land, and his widow found herself very much in debt, but, by industry, economy and extreme frugality, she succeeded in- meeting all demands made. Her third son, Eli, was born in 1799. before they left Virginia. In 1823, he married Miss Nancy Henkle. also a Virginian, who was then twenty two years old, and by this union they had born to them nine children. For twelve years after marriage, they lived on rented land, but in 1835 Mr. Arbogast bought the property in Section 21, where he now resides.

it. was a groat many yoars before tlie land was all taken, it would be useless to follow the settlement any further. We have given what we started out to give - -the names of the first white men who commenced demolishing the work of nature and substituting in its stead their own. There are in this township but three churches - a Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Methodist and Baptist The Methodist Episcopal was the first organized. It was organized, in 1 812, through the personal efforts of Robert Miller, whose life is spoken of above; the first meeting was held in the log house of Judge McKinnon, on the banks of Buck Creek, where New Moorefield now stands. It was called " Miller's Church" until 1833, when the first church building was erected; previous to which, services were held in the houses and barns of the pioneer members. The first v church was a frame structure, on ground given to the congregation by Robert Miller. It was built at a cost of $600. The glass for the windows was purchased in Cincinnati. The name at this time was changed to the " Moorefield Methodist Episcopal Church." In 1834, the year following its completion, Granville Moody, that famous old fighting Methodist, was announced to speak to the members, and at the appointed time he took his place in the pulpit, choosing for a text the words, "Ye must be born again." As soon as be had read his text, he grew very red in the face,- and, muttering something about being sick, look his seal, amidst the suppressed laughter of his hearers. He left the churchy and at the next station on the circuit told a brother minister that he had made a failure at Moorefield, and wasn't going to try to preach any more, but the brother persuaded him, and the world has seen and reaped the result. In 1817, there were about seventy members in the church, and in 1859 the congregation had assumed such proportions that a new church was found necessary; and it was built in the same year, being the one now occupied by the church. The roof was torn off by a tornado which passed over the country during the rebellion.

The Protestant Methodist Church was organized in 1846, and a few years later the church was built where it now stands, in Section 15, at a cost of $736. Though the congregation is not large in numbers, it is mighty in interest and good-fellowship, and receives its full merit of encouragement from the surrounding township. The third and last church organized was the Baptist, which _ is still in its infancy, having been organized only since the 18th of November, 1879. It was organized in the Union Schoolhouse, in District No. 2, Union Township, Champaign County, with seventeen members. In the winter follow ing. a neat little church, 3*2x48 feet, was built, at a cost of $1,315. It was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies March 7, 1880, Rev. E. A. Stone, of Urbana, officiating. It is situated on the Clark & Union Turnpike, two miles northeast of New Moorefield; the membership at present numbers twenty-one, and promises to increase steadily until it reaches the full measure of a model church in the Master's vineyard. As to the schools of this township and their history, very little can be said, and nothing more than can be said of almost every township in the State. They had their subscription schools in little log schoolhouses, of which the first was in 181(4, taught by a man named Redwood. The next was a few years later, in ttrn western part of the township, and was taught by Squire Lemon. These subscription schools sprung up in each settlement, and were long the only dispensatories of knowledge, nor did they entirely disappear until all the Legislative enactments relating to district schools were passed, and district. schools regularly and generally established, which was not until after 1838. There are now nine districts in the township, with a $1,000 brick schoolhouse m each, and school taught for from six to nine months in each year, giving the children every advantage educationally that their fathers were deprived of. AVhen the law made it optional with the township to sell or not the Section 16 grist and saw mill occupying the places of the burned buildings, which were I started in 1862, the grist-mill having been hauled by wagon from Urban?, whereit was formerly used. The first regular doctor in the township was Dr. Banes, ! who commenced practicing in 1840.

Moorefield politically is Republican, as was shown by the vote for President j in 1880, wherein the Republicans received 228 votes, and the Democrats 141.

the feelings of the people at that time. A man named Chaimcey Face, who cast the first Abolition vote in the township, was accused of being a member of the ^Underground Railway," or, in other wTords, of harboring runaway slaves and assisting them to escape to Canada. At last, obtaining what they considered j conclusive proof of his guilt, the mob took him from his house, tarred and feath- 1 ereu him, and rode him on a rail. They then gave him notice to leave the dis- ; trict. The prevailing sentiment existing among them now is somewhat different j from what it was at that time, and all will admit that the change is for the best. J

Sixty-three years ago the township of German was formed, and desig- j nated as the Territory included within the following .boundaries: Beginning at j a point on the north line of the county of Clark, where the same is intersected by a line dividing Townships 3 and 4, thence east with county line to the west ! line of. Townsbip> 5, thence south with said last-mentioned line to the south - boundary of the 10th Range, thence west with said range line until the same crosses Mad River; thence down the same with the meanders thereof to the north line of Section 11. fourth township and ninth range; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 36; thence north with the line dividing Townships 3 and 4 to the pfiaee of beginning. The elections were to be held at the house of Archibald McKinley. The township) then comprised besides its present land, portions of Moorefield Township, which, in the year 1835. were taken from it leaving it with the present territory. It is in the northern tier of townships, and west but one, lying south of Champ>aign County, west of Moorefield Township, north of Springfield and Bethel, and east of Pike Township. The surface in general is an elevated table-land, beautiful and very fertile valleys extend from one-half to three-quarters of a mile on either side of Mad River, and Chap>- man's Creek, its greatest tributary in this section. The bottom-lands along these streams in point of fertility are excelled by none in the county, the soil being of that rich black loam composed of decayed vegetable matter, whose producing qualities are of the best, the lands fully warranting the supposition that this region was formerly a dense forest. West of Mad River Valley and south of the valley of Chapman's Creek, are hilly tracts of country presenting a clayey soil. The timber is of that variety known to this part of the State, sugar maple, hickory, beech, walnut, ash, poplar, etc., etc., the latter at one time predominating. The la] ids are well watered by Mad River, Chapman's Creek and their numerous tributaries. The former stream hows south crossing the eastern part of the township from north to south, and in its southern half forms the boundary lino between this and Moorefield Township. And Chapman's Creek, so called in honor of the first white man that settled on its banks, entering the township within a mile of its western limit, and flows through the northern portion and emptying into Mad River near Tremont. The trees in these localites in their primitive growth were grand and stately, and the red-bud skirted the streams, which in early spring reflected a bright wreath of flowers among the green and luxuriant foliage, thus presenting a picturesque scenery. It was here in the vicinity of Tremont where Mad River first strikes the rock underlying this entire region, but it is not continuously bedded or bordered with rock until it reaches Snyder's Mill several miles below Springfield Township. The limestone comes to the surface' about a mile south of Tremont, where a quarry was opened and lime burned about the year 1840. Beneath the soil in the neighborhood of Tremont, there lies a bed of gravel some two feet in thickness, and water is reached at a comparatively slight depth. Scattered through the township are seen many gray or nigger heads as they are generally called, evidently of glacial deposit,

Here upon a hill that has been terraced by Gabriel Albin and Dr. McLaughlin have been exumed many bones and several skulls of human beings differing from those of our race. These were merely accidental findings, but it is to be hoped that in time further examinations will be made, and whatever secret may there lie hidden, bo exposed to the scrutiny of science. The township is crossed in all directions by numerous and well-built pikes, which are intersected with line summer roads rendering all points in this and adjoining districts accessible, but still the toll-gate - we were about to- say - -that relic of barbarism, is seen by the weary traveler by day afar oil, and, by night, frequently felt by the horse as he plunges against it. Among these pikes are the Clark and Miami, and the Tremont and St. Paris, the former crossing the township in its southwest corner, and the latter running across the opposite corner. It is mainly an agricultural district, having only two small towns or villages - Tremont and Lawrenceville.

The political campaign is Democratic and strongly so, there being at the November election (1880) 84 V) Democratic votes cast for the President and Vice President, 141 Republican, and six Prohibition votes. There is something in the political history of the township striking and worthy of mention. In 1886, the vote polled was largely Whig, Gen. Harrison receiving for President a great majority, and this status so remained until 1842, when was rolled up a Democratic majority equally as large, which lias from that year to this been repeated. There are two voting precincts in the township, namely, Lawrenceville and Tremont, the latter having been established in 1877, through the efforts of Esquire John Fennimore. The people are moral, industrious and frugal, being descendants of that plain, and. unassuming class peopling this region, which began to be settled at the close of the eighteenth century. Then, as tradition transmits to us, a little settlement was effected in the country north of the present village of Tremont, along the section which since became the line separating the counties of Clark and Champaign. In this region settled Nathan Adams, Thomas Cowshick ana Henry Storms. At that day there was no Champaign nor Clark County, but in later years when these counties were formed, it appears that the land upon which they squatted was on either side of the county line. These men, however, only effected a temporary settlement in this immediate locality, merely squatting as it were, yet remaining long enough to make some little improvement, then pulling stakes and going further north. The stream emptying into Mad River in the extreme northern part of the township was called Storm's Creek, after the man Storms in question. Soon afterward came Charles Rector and Archibald McKinley, emigrating from Mason County, Ivy., settling upon lands previously occupied by the above-named squatters.

Rector entered a section of land in Champaign County, and a portion of Section 11 in German Township, Clark County, on the present site of Dr. Card's farm. Here in this township he built his cabin, in which he with his family, twelve in all, dwelt for several years, when he again built, but this time in Champaign County. His wife's name was Sarah, and those of his children (as many of whom as we have any knowledge), "William, Samuel, Fanny, Susan, \vinneiom, Cuaries, Benjamin, Conway and Margaret, the latter marrying Isaac. Turman in 1802, who purchased land entered by William Chapman just south of Tremont, and there passed his days. His wife survived him a number of years, living on the same site, when, in 1847, the farm was bought by Silas Card, who now resides upon it.

Father Rector was a great Methodist, one of the early Class-leaders, and his word and opinion had much weight with the early settlers, by whom he was highly respected. He died in Indiana, near Peru, and his remains rest in that State.

The last relic of this family - "Aunt Fannie" Thompson as slie was familiarly known, died in 1878, near the homo of her childhood, where she had resided the greater part of her life. She was a remarkable woman, retaining up to the last almost unimpaired all her mental faculties. She was bright, active, and for years an active speaker in the pioneer assemblages. She was born in 1793, coming to this region when it was a dense wilderness inhabited only by the red men. How great must have been the change witnessed by this pioneer woman! She often rehearsed the happenings of the days of yore to later generations, who frequently gathered around her blazing lire diming the long winter evenings, to hear her interesting narratives of the past. She had often slept in the cornfield for fear of the Indians, and remembered distinctly the "block-houses" that stood up and down the valley. By her at one of the pioneer meetings held just prior to her death, was exhibited cotton fabrics she had woven and colored; showed calico she had purchased the first time she was ever in Frbana, when the village had but one store kept by John Reynolds, giving 75 cents per yard for it. Another piece of calico her mother had bought of a peddler at s[ per yard, and still another scrap that they had gotten of the Indians. Archibald McKinley settled in Section 17. His family was composed of his wih* Polly,, several daughters and sons - Archibald, Westley, William and James. Mr. McKinley did not live long, dying a few years after his emigration to the West. His children were associated with the early progress made in the township. In 179\ William Chapman and William Ross, with their families, came, the former from Virginia and Ross from Mason County, Ivy. Chapman, his wife and two or three children reared tlieir cabin on the farm now owned by Silas Card in Section 10, having entered that and several other sections in this vicinity. To this couple, in the year 1800, was born a son.

Jesse Chapman, the first white child born in the territory now comprising this township. This was another Methodist family, and the head of it a local pronrher. However, in later years, he joined what was then called the New Light Church.

The members were generally known as New Lights, which title did not suit Mr. Chapman, and some of the bretliren on meeting him for the first time after the change had taken place, addressed him in substance as follows: "'Well, so you are a 4 New Light,' are you?" " No," says Mr. Chapman. "I am an old light newly snuffed." This man was one of the active and enterprising men of his day: was well known over the county and highly esteemed by all, and what ever " Billy " Chapman said was thought to be " law gospel." He left the township in 1818, going to Missouri, where he died in 1822, His son Jesse remained in this neighborhood until about 184.0, then going to the Pacific coast. The daughter of the son of the last-named Chapman, married U. S. Grant, Jr., son of the late President, and great soldier. "Billy" Chapman as he was known far and wide, was one of the early inn or tavern keepers of this part of the county, living on the direct road between Dayton and Ur ban a; he had an extensive custom from the wagoners. William Ross, though not a native of the "Blue Grass" State, emigrated from Kentucky in 1797 to Ohio, stopping temporarily in Warren County, and remained about one year, thence moving to the vicinity of Tremont, entering a section of land just north of that village. At the age of thirty years, he was united in marriage with Winneford Rector, a sister of Charles Rector above mentioned, which union was blessed with eight children, seven of whom were born in Kentucky, namely, William, Elijah, Nancy, Elizabeth, John, Presley and Mary. Charles having been born after their arrival. The father resided on what is now known as the north farm of C. F. Rohrer, where he built, in 1812, the first frame house is this region of country. It was quite a modem house, two stories high, with a shingle roof with tin spouting, the latter being done by Daniel Harr, a son-in-law, of Urbana. This house is still standing and is well preserved. Elijah farmed this ground with his father until 1825, when he moved out of the township and Charles took his place, and later Presley bought out Charles' interest and there died in 1852. He had previously fanned the present J. S. Gard place, and John resided on the Blase land and William, Jr., at one tiin. on the same property. This pioneer, Father Ross, has a remarkable history. When but five years old, while fishing with a white man was kidnapped by two Indians, and was about to be burned, having been sent to gather the fagots by which the burning was to be accomplished, when happened along a French trader, and interceded in the boy's behalf, giving them each a blanket and thereby saving his life. Ross was taken by the trader to Detroit, where he was made a page to the trader's daughters. In those days it was fashionable for the French ladies to wear very long trails, which were carried by pages. He had been gone for years and given up by his parents as dead, when, during the French and Indian war, his brother John was among the soldiers at Detroit, and there seeing the boy, recognized him and took him home. Mr. Ross was a great Methodist, and his house was the preaching-place for that denomination for years. He was a valuable man in the community. His sons settling around him and being industrious, soon made a visible mark in the forest. His son John served in the war of 1812; was among the early to marry in the township, being united in marriage with Miss Rachel "Wallace in the year 1800. He lived to the advanced age of fourscore and four years. The settlement was increased in 1801 by the coming of Jacob Kiblinger, a native of Virginia, who purchased eighty acres of land and returned to his native State, and, between the years of 1801 and 1805, made four trips to this vicinity, moving several families of the Kibiin- gers and Pences. Among the latter was a John Pence. Those all became permanent settlers in German Township. Jacob Kiblinger, Sr., father of the one above giro?'!, erected the first saw and hemp mill, located on Mad River near where the ".Eagle Mills" now stand, in this section of the country. Another from the "blue-grass" region came in 1802, in the person of Elijah 'Weaver, a native of Virginia. In 1.807, he married Mary McKinley, and settled in the northeastern part of the township. They had a son, Newton, born to them in 1810. Elijah died three years later. Virginia again responded to the call for emigrants, and, in 1804, sent forth David Jones and family, consising of his wife Margaret and the following children: Alary, Margaret, James M., Lydia and

Kiziah. Mr. Jones purchased land on Chapman's Creek, about one and a half miles west of the village of Tremont. The timber here was very thick and exceedingly large, and it is said that Jones on the occasion of felling some trees just previous to erecting his cabin, spent one entire night in chopping to fell one mammoth walnut tree, it being so large that he was compelled to cut steps "into it. to enable him to reach it with the ax. What would our walnut tree men of to-day pay for such timber? And this timber was so thick that when felled one could walk over acres of ground without stepping off of logs, then so pine *fM. tin wands ' of feet being burned to get it out of the way. Now how scarce and costly. The rude cabin was here built of email logs with its clapboard roof and weight-poles, aud the split puncheon door swung on its hinges of wood, with the wooden latch and string, and the chimney of sticks and mud, and the greased paper window was soon ready for occupancy. Air. Jones died in his ninety-fifth year, his wife died in 1850, in her seventy-third year. His mother lived to be one hundred and nine years old. At one hundred and three, she walked a distance of two miles to attend church, and at that age could knit nicely. The children are all living except Janies AL, who died at Tremont August 16, 1880, and several are in this township. The following year emigrated from Virginia Daniel Gentis, entering 160 acres of land in Section 23. He had a large family of children, the boys settling in the neighborhood and did much to develop the country. Job Gard came about the year 1803, or perhaps a little later. He was a native of New Jersey, but had emigrated to Kentucky and from that State to the township of Gorman, settling in Section 17. This family on their arrival was composed of eight persons, wife Elizabeth and six « children - -Gersham, Daniel, Simon, Rachel, Sarah and Phoebe. Quite a number of the descendants of this family are now' living in the township, and are among the substantial men of the community. The father erected several mills along Mad River in an early day; was in the war of 1812; a very useful citizen, an active pioneer and business man. The settlement was augmented in. 1805, by the families of Philip Ivizer, George Glass, Daniel Gentis and Abraham Zerkle. Kizer settled east of Tremont. having come from Virginia; served in the war of 1812 as Captain. Zerkle was from Virginia, and entered land in Section 9. The Weavers, William and Christopher, were very early settlers in this locality, coming about the beginning of this century. AVilliam Haller, from personal knowledge of several of these pioneers, speaks of them as follows: "AVilliam Ross was of medium stature, and had wonderful strength and endurance. Charles Rector was larger, was strong and very hardy. Those men and families were fitted for a new country life, and were valuable Christian men. Weaver was also a man of fine stature, an upright and Christian man." At the beginning of the century, when most of the above-named pioneers entered this region, it was a dense wilderness, inhabited only by the red man, and roamed over by wild beasts. The Indians were very numerous and quite hostile, so that the settlers lived in constant dread of them, many times being compelled to collect together for mutual protection. In 1806, during one of their out breaks, all of the whites for miles around collected at the old block-house at Boston, when Col. Ward and Simon Kenton and other prominent men made a treaty with them. John Boss remembered well Tecumseh and ether noted chiefs, and the oratory displayed by the former at this conference. False alarms were occasionally given, creating sometimes scenes of great laughter.

The pioneers of 1S06 were Daniel Kiblinger and Thomas Xauman, Jr., the former hailing from that State, in after years designated as the "Mother of Presidents," whence so many of our pioneers came. Nauinan too was a native of Virginia, and came to this vicinity on horseback and made his home with Matthias Friermood, who was a settler at a still earlier date. In 1809, Thomas Xauman, Sr., and family, settled in the township. He was one of the patriotic men who, just prior to the war of 1776, assisted in throwing overboard the cargo of tea in Boston Harbor. In 1810, Felty Snyder, of Virginia, effected a settlement in this locality. Benjamin Morris, from the same State, came the year previous, and, in 1810, entered 160 acres in the southern part of the township. Served in the war of 1812. He died at an advanced age. Samuel Baker and -John Keller were added to the colony in the year 1811. And the next year, Rudolph Baker and Benjamin Frantz, the former from Virginia, and the latter from Pennsylvania. Frantz was another who served his country in tne war then waged by the mother country. Virginia continued to send forth her sons, Samuel Meranda emigrating in 1811, purchasing a tract of land where Jefferson Meranda now lives, and, in 3 SIC, came Matthias Bust and Frederick Michael. Jacob Maggsrt, his brother David, and Philip Goodman, are also numbered with the pioneers of the township. At a very early day, Jeremiah Simms and family came to this section of the county, but the country was so new and thinly settled that they returned to Virginia and again came out in about, 1806, and entered a quarter- section of land in the southern part of the township (Sintz neighborhood). He was a valuable id.au, being a blacksmith by trade, a mechanic then greatly needed in the settlement. One of his sons, Jeremiah, Jr., was a local preacher, and preached the first sermon proclaimed in ltector Church over the remains of Catharine Peck in the year 1 822. George Wei chans and William Enoch, the former of Pennsylvania, and the latter from Virginia, settled 1 ere in 18US. John Kemp, of Virginia, and Thomas Hays, a native of Kentucky, came in 1809, the former settling in Section 14, and the latter in Section 25. In 1812, Oden Hays, a son of the one mentioned, was lost in a snow storm and afterward found dead in a hollow log in Section 32. Joseph Perrin came from Virginia in 1810. Jacob, Henry and Martin Baker were all early settlers of German Township, and natives of Virginia. Jacob settled on Section 14, died in 1821. and is buried in the Lawrenceville Cemetery. His sons Philip, Henry, Jacob. Martin, John and Samuel, as well as three daughters, resided in this township. Andrew and Emanuel Circle settled in the southeastern part of German, on Mad River, at an early day. They were natives of Virginia, and have descendants yet living in the township. Benjamin Beam, of Pennsylvania, settled with Iris family iu Section 32 after tin war of 1812, in which he served; and. in 181.0, John Lorton and his wife Rachel, natives of Kentucky, settled in this part of Clark County; also Matthias Staley, of Maryland, who was a carpenter b\ trade, came in 1820, and each of these last -mentioned pioneer families have descendants now residents of German Township. Among others who we may well call pioneers are Adam Rockel and Philip Kern, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Section 9 in 1822. Mr. Rookie married Polly Baker, daughter of Philip Baker, who had live children born to her, viz.. Peter, Henry, William. Harriet and Mary. Mr. Roekle and wife vet reside at the old homestead, and are well known and respected. Mr. Kern married the sister of Mr. Roekle, and their son Adam now lives upon the old place. John Reamer came from Virginia in 181G, settling on Section 13. His wife was Elizabeth Mulliolland, and they had three children, viz., Thomas, Valentine and Eliza, the latter now the wife of Dr. McLaughlin, of Tremont, being the only survivor. Mr. Beamer .and wife died on the old homestead. Another family well worthy of mention is that of William Ballentine, a native of Ireland, who came to Ohio in 1831, and, in 1832, settled in German Township, where he died in 1851. His wife was Nancy Nail, also a native of Ireland, where the}' were married and of which union were born twelve children, five of whom are living, viz., Robert, Margaret, David, Elizabeth and James V., the latter being one of the present Justices of the Peace of German Township, and who perhaps has done as much as any other man in the township to build up its material resources, and who has ever taken a dee]) and active interest in all public measures, whose object was the benefiting of the community at large. There may be others who would bo called old settlers aud whose names we would have been glad to mention, but we have given all whom we could hear of in a careful canvass of the township, and if any have been left out it is the fault of those pioneer families who have taken such little interest in handing down to posterity the records of those brave men and women who built and developed the county. $

Among the first marriages in the township were those of Thomas Pence to Mary Boss in 1801, and of Isaac Turman to Margaret Hector in the winter of 1802.

Many of the pioneer families as, doubtless, has been observed, were of the Methodist persuasion, yet there were some of other denominations, and at first it was expedient to unite, irrespective of sect, and worship harmoniously together. Dwellings were freely opened, and those little bands would worship together until each acquired sufficient strength, then societies were organized. For many years the houses of Jerry Simms, William Boss, Charles Rector and others were the preaching-places, schoolhouses being sometimes used. The Methodists of the locality built in 1820, a log church or meeting house just over the line in Champaign County, where persons for miles around worshiped. While this church was out of our territory, most of the early settlers of the township were closely identified with it, and in justice to the few pioneers now living, and to their descendants, many of whom now attend services there, this mention is made. The land upon which it was built was donated by Charles Rector, whose name it adopted. Conway Rector was the prime mover in its construction. At this time Rev. Arthur Elliott rode the circuit. The Presiding Elder of the district in which this circuit belonged in IS (JO was Rev. Daniel Hitt, and the preachers were Rev. Joseph Rawen and John Collinson. Later ministers were Revs. McGuire, Robert James, Findley and Collins. The Rectors, Charles and Conway, were early Class-leaders. At this church is an old burying- ground, where peacefully sleep the bodies of many of German's pioneers. In the year ISOS or 1809, or thereabouts, the Methodists in the southern part of the township organized a society at the house of Peter Sintz, Sr., in Springfield Township. They erected a log meeting house in 1832, on ground given for that purpose bv Robert Hays. Rev. Joshua Boucher was then in charge. Several of the first families belonging to this organization were those of Peter Sintz, Sr.. Jerry Simms, Benjamin Morris, Thomas Hays, the Lefiels and Samuel Meranda. The present brick church is known as tt Simms' Church,'' built in 1851, and was dedicated by Rev. M. Dustin, then Pastor of the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Springfield. The present membership is about forty. Rev. C. H Calbus in charge. There is a graveyard at the church in which the first interment w as made in I8f0, it being the body of Mrs. Margaret IV I. Pearson. The Lutheran and Reformed people of the township built a Union church at Lawrenceville about the year 1821. They continued to worship in this jointly built church until 18-14. In a year or two the Lutherans built the Mount Zion Church and there worshiped. Among the early Lui.Lto.au minister^ v.vro Itevs. Hoinieko, Philip Pence and Klapp, and those of the Reformed Revs. Peter Dechant and John Pence. The latter is still living, being a resident of the township and is strictly one of the pioneer preachers. He has passed his fourscore years and is yet hale and hearty, though more than a half century ago he rode the circuit of the church embracing a distance of forty miles in either direction, and has ever since served this people in his calling. In 1827 or 1S2S, Mr. Pence commenced occasional preaching at the house of "Widow Caffelt, and out of this grew the Jerusalem Congregation, a church having been built in 1832. This was a hewed-log building, which gave way to the present brick in 1853. The pioneers gave early attention to the training and education of their children,' for as early as 1803, a sclioolhouse was built on the Ross farm. Peter Oliver, a Kentuckian, was the schoolmaster of that day. He was succeeded by William Nicholson, who was later known as the first singing teacher in the township. In the early history of the township, the schools were carried on by subscription, which schools continued in vogue for many years, despite the several school laws passed looking to the establishment of the common school system. However, the educational interests of the township have always received that attention from the people that their importance demanded, and were early advanced to a flourishing condition. There are now ten school districts with a good and substantial school building in each, and a high school, in addition to these, located at Lawrenceville, and in all twelve teachers are employed, teaching from six to eight months during the year. The cost for carrying on the schools for the year 1879 was $4,328.77.

At this date, the deserted frame structures of former large distilleries standing on the banks of Mad River, evidence the early activity and later decadence of that traffic in this vicinity. Prior to 1810, Charles Rector built a small distillery at the mouth cf Storm's Creek. Later he put up a grist and saw mill near by. Chapman erected the first grist-mill in the township, on the stream bearing his name. Philip Kizer built a mill on Mad River in 1810, and later added a still. Messrs. Kiblinger Sc- Kneislev built a mammoth distillery, grist and saw mill on Mad River near Treroont in 1839, the deserted remains of which loom up to the approaching traveler reminding him of the "haunted house of legends old."

About the year ISOS, Jacob Kiblinger built a saw and hemp mill in Section 8, upon Mad River, which were used for many years, and, about 1 820. Adam and Daniel Kiblinger and Ira Paige built a grist-mill at the same point, which they operated 'until 1832, when Merriweather Sc Clark bought it, the former remaining as proprietor until about 1837, when he sold it to Adam Baker, who was succeeded by Baker Sc Haroffi who sold to Kiblinger Sc Stoner, whom Bryant Sc O'Rork bought out, and they were followed by Messer & Bryant, who disposed of the property to S. H. Hockman, the present owner, who is doing a very successful business. At an early day, a small saw and grist mill was operated in Section 23, upon Chapman's Creek, in the northern part of the township, and, about twenty years ago, Jacob Dibert erected a large flouring - mill upon the same site, which he operated until the spring of 1881, when he leased it to Blose Sc Weaver. Many other mills and distilleries were built and run upon the streams of German Township, which have long since been abandoned or removed.

In 1830, upon the site of the Seitz Mill at Tremont, there was a small carding machine, and that year John Ross erected a small distillery, both kind of neighborhood a Hairs. About these had clustered several families. Ross owned land there and began to sell small lots, and shortly the whole gave a village-like appearance. Further lots were sold and soon a survey was made and a village platted. The plat was recorded in 1838. This became the village of Clarksburg. In 1836-37, the Rosses. John and William, kept a store (in the dry goods line) on the Carter corner. In 1837, a hotel, or tavern in those days, was opened by John Hupp, the Rosses retiring. Where now stands the Hotel Fennimore stood a one-story frame building almost at right angles with the street occupied by William McKinley, who boarded Elias Darnall, the schoolmaster, William Ross the Clerk, John Ballantine the Constable, then as busy as any Sheriff, and I>r. A. C. McLaughlin the physician, busy too, the place being dead ripe for a doctor. Oh! yes, we must not forget Gabriel Albin the carpenter, who .constituted one of the boarders. One door east of the boarding-house, McKinley had a dry goods store, and on the opposite side was the blacksmithshop of Elias Heller. This was Tremont in 1836-37. The post office was established there in 1839, with Dr. McLaughlin as Postmaster. The name was then changed to Tremont. there being another town in the State of the name of Clarksburg. Benjamin Turman made an addition to the town in 1810. Several additions have since bee?i made. To-day this is a flourishing little village, beautifully located in the Mad River Valley, having a population of about three hundred. It has two good church buildings that would be a credit to any city, and several line stores; three blacksmith- shops and as many carriage shops. A steam saw-mill and a mammoth grist-mill, four stories high, in which are three sets of buhrs - two wheat and one corn - having a capacity of making ten barrels of flour per day. This mill was erected at a cost of $5,000, and is operated by Andrew Seitz. The village, has also a good hotel, and the proprietor, John Fennimore, has the happy faculty of making his guests feel at home. The school of the village is held in a substantial two-story brick building, and is in District No. 3. The number of scholars in attendance, in 1SS0, were ninety - nine, sixty-four in the lower room, taught by Alfred Blose, and thirty-five in the upper room taught by J. E. Smiley. Prior to 1838, the Methodists worshiped at Rector Church, and in that year they erected a brick building, which, was replaced by the present fine edifice in 1880. It is a large one-story building in the shape of a letter T, with a tall spire, containing a sweet-toned bell taken from the old church. In style, of Gothic architecture. The auditorium will seat 451 people. It has a reed organ. The church is nicely frescoed, and heated tliroughout by hot air furnaces. The dedicatory sermon was preached April 18, 1880, by Dr. Payne, President of the Ohio Wesleyan University'. The minister in charge is Rev. McHugh. The cost of the building was about 810,500. The German Reformed Church was organized in 1863, under the administration of Rev. Jesse Richards. The present building was erected in 1865, at a cost of about $4,000. While the new church was building, the congregation returned to worship in the old log structure which they first used, and had abandoned forty years before. This is an incident seldom or never occurring in the annals of church history. It stands on a hill overlooking the village. Present membership about one hundred and twenty-five. At this church is a regularly laid out grave-yard.

Besides those cemeteries mentioned, the one at the German Reformed Church at Lawreneeville is one of the earliest burial places in the township, and has always been used by all who desired to bury there. It is in good repair and has many handsome monument.-:. At the old Mount Zion Church, upon Section S. is a cemetery which was laid out many years ago, and is yet in use. At Jerusalem Church, in Section 35, is a graveyard; also a very old one at Simms' Church, in Section 25: one upon the farm of Jacob Ream in Section 32, and quite an old one on Section 24, near the Clark and Miami -Pike; also a small cemetery upon the farm of Jacob Flick in Section 33. \

Upon the site of the village of Lawrenceville, a store was built in the, woods by Elias Over about 1830, he having cleared out a patch upon which his building was erected. And a few years later three Germans named Rice, Dipple & It ice built and operated a pattern at the same point, employing a number of hands in the manufacture of crockery ware of all kinds. The present town was laid out by Emanuel Circle, and placed upon record in 1849. He called it Noblesville after a town of that, name in Indiana, which he fancied, and the original number of lots were fifteen. The post office was established in 1875, and the name was then changed to Lawrenceville, there being another Noblesville in the State. The first Postmaster and present incumbent is Alexander Michael. The high school heretofore mentioned, and also the lie formed Church, Mount Pisgah, are located here. The new church building w'as erected in 1852. There is one store, a shoe -shop, one blacksmith- shop and a wagon factory in the village.

From the first organization of the township until the present, the following Justices have watched over the legal interest of the citizens of German: John Goble, HughH. Frazier, John McCauley, Philip Kizer, William Enoch, Peter Minnich, George Michael. -Joseph Underwood, Elias Darnell, Samuel Pechtie, J. C. Gard, Thomas Elliott. Michael Bowman, Jacob Argobright, Peter McLaughlin, William W. Lee, Eli Kizer, Alexander Michael, L. Bechtle, James V. Ballenline mU -Urn. ,ti. dm i..-i tv. o being the present inc am bouts. Tiio growth and ctSvelopment of German Township has kept well apace with the other townships of the county; its people have ever been industrious and peace loving within its borders the promoters and abettors of the late rebellion found little sympathy, and the Union was upheld by all. The moral teachings of the pioneers have taken deep root, and the churches, as well as schools, are in a flourishing condition.

David Kizer was born in Shenandoah County, Va., December 20, 1779. Married to Eva Nawman, June 23, 1806; died December 31, 1847, and was buried iu Green Mount Cemetery. His wife was born July 11, 1787, and died September 8, 1869,

Mr. Kizer came to Clark County in the year 1809, and settled on Section 7, Town 4, Range 10, M It S, in what is now German Township (it was then called Boston), and took an active part in the public affairs of that day. He was chosen Justice of the Peace in 1811; was "out" in the war of 1812. and. upon the establishment of this county in 1 S 18, was appointed its first Recorder, to which office he was several times re-elected.

A man of undaunted courage and great strength of character, combined with a powerful frame and a good constitution, he was a superior representative of that old class of Virginia pioneers which contributed so much to the settlement of the West, and the establishment of American independence. He was what was called a good scholar in those earlv davs, and taught school in Virginia before he became a pioneer. Ig 1820-21, lie conducted a school in Springfield, which employment helped to piece out the scanty income of the Recorders office.