Clark County, Ohio - The whole text, 1881 (part 5 of 20)

The first of the above schools was held in a building which stood on the site of the present residence of Edward P. Torbert. The second was in the front or ''office part" of what was "Jake Lingle's pottery," on the northeast corner of Spring and North streets. *

Mr. Kizer brought a small library of books with him, and, being inclined to scholarly habits, bis house was the headquarters of the literary element of its neighborhood.

By Madison Over

The township bearing the above name was formed on the organization of Clark County in the year ISIS, when, at the June session of the Commissioners, the county was divided into ten townships. The boundary linos of Pike were then designated, viz.: Beginning on the line of Miami County at the northwestcorner of Section 36; thence east with north line of Clark County to the line dividing Townships 3 and 4; thence south with said line to the line dividing the fifth and sixth tier of sections in Range 9; thence west with said line to Miami County; thence north to the place of beginning. Elections to be held a the house of William Black.

The geographical location of this township is in the northwest corner of the county. It is in the form of a square, and is the [only township in the count;, which is exactly six miles either way. The land is generally level, being slightly hilly along the streams, especially in the south and west. The soil is generally fertile and tolerably well drained naturally. The artificial drainage, however, of the last fifteen years, has worked a vast and beneficial change in the face of the country as well as in the average of the crops. The w'et arid unproductive spots being transformed by the laying of tile into the most fertile lands in the township. In fields where thirty years ago the gathering of a crop depended altogether on the rainfall, and was considered a matter of luck, good crops are raised almost without a failure. As in almost all the territory between the Miami Rivers, timber, stone and water are abundant. The prevailing timber is beech, sugar maple, ash, hickory, poplar, -walnut and the different varieties of oak. The finest trees have disappeared from our forests however, having yielded to the storms of heaven, the necessities of the settler or the temptations offered by the timber speculator, until now there is rarely found in the towmship a piece of timber lam w ell enough preserved to contain any specimens of the fine old yellow poplars or black walnuts of fifty years ago. It seems that there should be some means adopted whereby a few at least of the old monarehs of the forest would be preserved for the purpose of showing the future generations the quality of the timber which once covered the now fertile farms' of Pike Township. The prevailing timber in regard to the number of trees is undoubtedly beech, and that is fast disappearing. It is a timber which, apparently, cannot endure civilization , and shows a tendency toward dying at the top when it is at all interfered- with. In the western and southern portions of the township, limestone crops out at the surface. A good quarry of building stone is now being worked on the East Fork of Honey Creek by Peter S. Zinn, one of the present Trustees of the township. The stone, excepting in the bed of the creek, is deeply covered by a clay drift, and the quarry is worked at a considerable expense. Quantities of lime have frequently been burnt in the township, but this industry is mostly monopolized now by the immense kilns in the neighborhood of Springfield. The township is well watered, the streams running iu a general southerly direction through the township. The following are the names of the principal streams: Dounei's Creek. Jackson Creek and the East and West Forks of Honey

Creek. Formerly there was good water-power on most of the streams, which was utilized to a vast extent in sawing the timber and grinding the grain of the early pioneers, but the clearing of the country of The forests, and the better draining of the lands both by open and tile drains, together with a probable diminution of the rainfall during the summer months, have rendered these creeks almost valueless as to furnishing motive power to machinery. This loss is, however, more than compensated by the marvelous improvements in the steam ermine. When a tanner now wishes to build a barn or house, or have a lot of timber sawed for any purpose, he engages a man with a portable steam saw-mill who brings his machinery to the timber, instead of bringing the timber to the mill, and saws it, and moves on to another job. Formerly a great deal of sawing was done on DonneTs Creek, there being not less than three saw-mills in operation on that stream, besides several on either branch of Honey Creek in the township.

Early Settlement

Unlike the neighboring townships, Pike was not settled comparatively speaking, until a later day. It wras not until the year 1805, that we have any trace of a settlement in what now comprises this subdivision. This year came from Virginia two brothers, Andrew and Samuel Black, who together selected and later entered Section 25, dividing it between them, the former coming in possession of the southern half. They returned to their Virginia home where Andrew had left a wife and one child. Samuel was an unmarried man. Tire ,;ioiiow ing year u>uo), alter due preparation had been made, Andrew, accompanied by his family and brother, again turned his course westward for the chosen spot of their future home. Upon the southern half- of Section 25, was erected the first cabin in the township it w as the rude log pole cabin of the day. The work of the pioneer here began. Soon the space of five acres was deadened and the underbrush cleared, and the first crop of corn planted, which was carefully cared for byr these first comers, but the squirrels were so numerous that, despite the effort on the part of these men, the entire crop wras almost consumed byr them, however, the gathering season came, and as the result of their labor but three bushels were gathered, this was garnered up in the bin (then the loft of the cabin), for future use. The season 'for its demand soon approached, and Andrew contemplated a journey to the mill, but imagine his surprise on looking for the treasure to find that the entire yield had been destroyed by mice. So much for the first settlement and lust crop. These men were both natives of Montgomery County, Va., Andrew being born March 0, i783, and was united in marriage, December 20, 1804, with Susannah Ross, who was also a native of Montgomery County, Va., born December 7, 1781. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel A., Mary, James, William, Thomas, Jane, Andrew. Edward and Susannah. Father and mother Black died on the homestead October 18, 1854, and September 25, 1845, respectively, and their remains rest in w hat is now known as the Black Cemetery. The brother Samuel died in the year 1814, and was interred in the same burial-ground. He served as Captain in the war of 1812, where he contracted the fatal disease of consumption, which terminated in his death. Andrew also performed some service as a scout in that war. The next settlement of which we could gain any knowledge was effected in Section 19, by Adam Verdier, some time during the year 1806. Mr. Verdier was a man of family, having married Elizabeth Mercer. Both were natives of Jefferson County', Virginia, where they' were married and whence theyT emigrated to the township of Pike. They left Virginia as early as 1804 or 1 So5, but stopped for a while in what is now Montgomery County, this State. The southeast quarter of Section 19, was entered by Mr. Verdier. In later years lie became quite a heavy land owner, possessing nearly five linn dred acres in Champaign County*, and a half-section in Shelby County. The mother died in 1858, and the father some years prior. Both are buried in the

Black graveyard. For a few years immediately following the coming of the above-mentioned pioneers, we have little knowledge of settlements made, and of those making of them. William Simms and Samuel Brandenburg, the latter from Kentucky, entering land in Section id, were early settlers of Pike, but as the dates of their coming and further knowledge of them we have been une.blo to obtain. In the year 1811. tile little colony was increased by the arrival of Thomas Stafford and family. They, too, hailed from the State late known as the " Mother of Presidents." coming from Giles County, Ya., and entering the northwest quarter of Section 81, and there beginning the work of the pioneer.

Mr. Stafford was a native of Ireland, and, at the age of ten years, arrived in - Virginia, in which State he married Catharine Williams, a native thereof.

This couple, with three children - Peggie, Nancy and George W. - emigrated to this vicinity on horseback, making the journey in twelve days. In after years, there were born to the parents the following children : Elizabeth. J ames, Melinda, Thomas, Susan, -John, Moray. Joseph, Catharine, William and Lucinda. The father reached the age of eighty-two years, and the mother fifty-four. They lived and died on the homestead, and are buried in Miami County. The former served as a scout in the war of 1812. Ralph Stafford, a brother of Thomas, accompanied the latter, but entered land in Miami County and in. later years came to Pike Township and here died. During tins same year (1811), came from Virginia James and Jolm Black, brothers of Andrew and Samuel Black above mentioned. J ames made a temporary stay with his brother Andrew; then entered the southeast quarter of Section 20, on which land he resided until his death, in the year 1858. He was bom August 17. 1789. His wife's name was Catharine. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Pike Township, namely, Mary, Matthew, Susannah, Catharine, Dorcas, Joseph, Samuel. James, Julia and John A. John was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ross, and they were blessed with eight children, five of whom are now living. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 19, and there lived and died. A little later came William Black, Sr., and uncle of the Blacks just spoken of. He was from the same pail of Virginia - was quite an old man when lie came out. He entered the northwest .quarter of Section 18, and there ended his days. About the year 1813, anothe * of the Stafford brothers. George by name, came from the Stafford neighborhood in Virginia, and entered the west half of Section 31. His wife was Catharine Fair. They reared a large family of children. This same year ** (1813), James Fuller with his family left Montgomery County, Ya., stopping one year in Kentucky, thence proceeding to the vicinity of New Carlisle, in Bethel Township, where he remained- about two years, and thence into Pike Township, entering the west half of Section 21, for which he paid 82 per- acre.

His children were Ellen, Sarah, James C., Moses, Bradley' and Rhoda, of whom James C. is now residing on the old homestead. The mother died in 1844, and the father in February, 1872, the latter in his eighty- fourth year. Both are buried in the Black graveyard. Northrup Fuller, the -father of James, ' settled in Section 22, a little later entering the southeast quarter Besides the son mentioned there were the following children: John, Moses, Obadiah, William, Robert and Sarah, all settled in Clark County, and tilt* greater part of them * in this township. In the year 1812, Benjamin Canuin and family came from the State of Maryland and entered land in what is now Pike Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year .1827. Mr. Carmin was a native of Blackford County. Md., and his wife of Virginia. About the. year 1816, Jacob Frantz settled in Section 7, the northeast quarter of which had been by one Hanline, at least the patent was granted to Mr. Frantz as the assignee of the Hanline heirs. At any rate, the person entering it was not able to meet the payments, and the land was purchased by Mr. Frantz, and the grant given as aforesaid. Louis l\ay and family emigrated from tlie State of Virginia in the year 1812, stopping at Cincinnati, where they remained one year; then came to Clark County, locating near Springfield, and four years later purchased land iii the \icinity of North Hampton, Pike Township. He married Elizabeth Zigler, and raised a family of ten children, six of whom are now Jiving. The southwest quarter of Section 3 was entered about the year 1815 or 1816, by George Overpack, another Virginian. His wife was Martha Currene, both natives of that State, which they left in the year 1807, going to Miami Comity on Indian Creek, thence to Springfield Township, and up into Pike as aforesaid. They were Methodists, and their house served as the place of worship for years. Mi'. Overpack raised a large family, consisting of the following named children: Mary, Susan, Margaret, Iluth, William, Elizabeth, Maria,

Samuel, Isaac, Phebe and George, two of whom still reside in the township. Father died in January, 1846, and the mother in January, 1806. Both were buried in Asbury graveyard. William Spence and family settled in the vicinity of North Hampton in the year ISIS, they having emigrated from England in 1816, stopping in Cincinnati two years. There were thirteen children born to the parents. The Bixlers, Basingers, Forgys and LeiTels were also early settlers. The Basingers, were from Virginia. The southeast quarter of Section 9 was e-ntcicu bv Obeuiah Lippincotfc, who with his wife Margaret Ileed came from New Jersey about the year 1810, first stopping in "Warren County; thence going to Greene County and to Pike Township. They were born in the years 1786 and 1787 respectively. Both are buried in Asbury graveyard. The Priests were early settlers, too. John in an early day emigrated to Kentucky (from Virginia), and thence to this vicinity, entering the northwest quarter of Section 27.

New Jersey was again represented, and this time in the person of Jesse and Sarah (Sutton) Maxon and family, who are quite early settlers in Clark County, having settled on Mud Bun prior to 1815, and a few years later traded their land there for the southwest quarter of Section 15. Thus ends a meager sketch of some of the pioneers of Pike Township, who made possible the high state of civilization, and. advancement she has to-day attained. It may be thought that too much prominence has been given to some and too little said of others, and very probably no mention made of some deserving prominence, but we assure our readers that under the circumstances and the meager source from which to obtain facts, the best has been done that at this late day could be. Most of the above settlers have left, worthy descendants, who still reside in the township. And let us add that in the development of the material resources of Pike, there has been no check; that all have done their duty well; that no community can show better schoolhouses, better organized churches, more efficient teachers, a more moral society or a smaller percentage of crime.

The first denominations to hold religious services in the township were probably the Presbyterians and Methodists. In the early settlement of the township, the Methodists held services at the house of Adam Verdi er, also at Mitchell's, and later at the present site of the Beech Grove Church. A church of the Christian denomination was early established at North Hampton. Also an organization of Seventh-Day Baptists in the same vicinity. Both of the latter congregations, however, are now scattered, and the houses of worship removed or abandoned. Kev. Steele, a Presbyterian minister, also held services in the vicinity.

One of the pioneer Methodist organizations of the township was the Beech Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized in the year 1833, at the house of George Otewalt, by the Rev. Jesse Goddard, of Champaign County, a pioneer minister of the above church. The first house of worship was built on the site now occupied by the present neat chapel in 1840. The ground was donated by Samuel Ilranclonburg, by deed bearing the date June 20, 1840.

George Otewalt. Joseph Stott and W. P. Black were the organizers and Trustees: Joseph Stott being the first Class-Leader. The present house of worship was built in the year 1857.

Laws, Elswortli, Corny, Newson, Musgrove, Fields, Creighton, Dinkins, "Williams, Purkiser, Brown, Black, Robinson, Peck, Whitmer, Verity, Jackson, Rector, Edgar, Kirk. Fidder, Cheney, Shultz, Peak, Deam, Prince, Baker, Zink and the present Pastor, A. D. Raleigh. The above list constitutes the complement of ministers of the methodist Episcopal Church who have filled the circuit of which the Beech Grove charge constitutes a part, and whose names will be recognized by all old Methodists of the township.

The German Reformed Church has two houses of worship in Pike Township, one in North Hampton and one near the- center of the township calied Emmanuel Church. The church of this denomination in North Hampton was dedicated in November, 1858. The members of the Building Committee were Geoxgo Cose, D. R. Finn end Jacob Rust. The first minister who preached in the church was the Rev. T. H. Winters, of Dayton, who is still living at a very advanced age. The church first organized with twenty-one members, which was in a few days swelled to thirty-seven. The first Trustees were Peter Mar quart, Peter Baisinger and Harrison Miller. The first Elders were George Cost and Peter Marquart. The first Deacons were Peter Baisinger and Benjamin Strawsburg. The church edifice is of brick, and has lately been handsomely remodeled. The ministers of the church have been Rev. Jesse Richards, Rev. Shaw, Rev. Swander, Rev. Winters, Rev. Shaul and the present Pastor, Rev. D. R. Taylor. The above clergymen have all been men of ability, and gave good satisfaction to their parishioners. The church owns a parsonage in North Hampton, which is occupied bv the minister, who lias charge of the four churches of the Reformed faith in this vicinity.

Emmanuel Church was organized by the Rev. Jesse Stiner about the year 1854, Wiley Tenkins, Jonas Michael, Daniel R. Zinn and David Stimogeon were among the first members. The organization was effected in a log church which was purchased from the Christian denomination, and it stood west of the present church building, which is a one-story frame erected in 1856. Present Pastor, Rev. D. R. Taylor; membership about sixty.

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. The society of Methodists at an early day worshiped at the house of George Overpack, which was the regular preaching place for years, the Rev. George Maley being one of the early ministers. Elizabeth and Alary Ray, Elizabeth Spence and Ellen Patterson were some of the pioneer members. They were not organized into a church until about the year 1840. The first church was built about the year 1849, a onestory7 frame now standing in North Hampton, and used as a storeroom. This was replaced in the year 1858 by the present frame building. The church was dedicated July 4. 1858. Sermon preached by Rev. John T. Mitchell. Present minister in charge is Rev. C. C. Kalbfus. Membership about sixty. It is located at North Hamption.

The Christian Church was organized in 1839, at the house of Elijah Priest, under the charge of Rev. J. Kirby. The original members were John Priest and wrifa Catharine, Andrew Clark and wife Nancy, and Alary Clark, John Richardson and wife Elizabeth, L. Davis and wife Sarah. At first they worshiped at the houses of the members. In 1840, a hewed-log house w'as built on the corner of L. Davis' land, and, in 1852, the present one-story frame building, situated on Section 31, was erected at a cost of about $1,000.

Elders McLain, Whetstone, McMillon, T. S. Wells, X. S. Rush, P. McCullough are among those who have served the church. The present Pastor is Liuer Diiiz, and the membership is about seventy.

Liberty Church, Brethren in Christ, was organized at the house of Mrs. Elizabeth Ellery, by George Ellery and Isaac Xoyeswander, in the year 1875. The parents of the church are John and Elizabeth Ellery. The house of worship is a one-story frame situated in Section IS, built in 1870 at a cost of about $1,200. The ground upon which it stands was given by George Ellery. Present membership, about sixty. Ministers, George Meranda, George F underburg and David Xoyeswander.

The German Baptist Chinch was organized as early as 1816, by Elder Christian Frantz, the first Elder in this locality. The present meeting house, a one-story frame building, was their first. It was erected about the year 1844. The present Elders of the church are Joseph Koffman and John Frantz. Other early Elders were John Frantz (just mentioned), a nephew of the first Elder, and Jacob Omert. Their membership at present is in the neighborhood of three hundred.

Cemeteries And Graveyards

Of these hallowed spots there are some seven or eight, besides several private burying grounds, for it was customary among the early settlers to bury on their farms.

The most ancient yard is what is now known as the Black Cemetery, beautifully situated on high and rolling ground, near a heavy piece of timber in the northern part of Section 25. Prior to the year 1814, Samuel Black gave threequarters of an acre of ground for the purpose of a nqighbcrhood graveyard. The site above described was selected by the brothers Samuel and Andrew Black, Sr. The former was the first person buried there, This was in the year 1814. A quarter of an acre was added to the original tract in the year 1853, purchased of Irvin Stafford, when Trustees and other officers were elected and the places of burial styled a cemetery. It was never regularly laid out into lots, but is now being surveyed for that purpose. It is graced with several tine monuments and many substantial and neat marble slabs, and is dotte 1 here and there with shrubbery. Here rest the remains of many of the pioneers of Pike Township.

Asbury Cemetery, near Xorth Hampton, is beautifully situated on a ridge near Donnel's Creek. Originally it contained about one-half acre, which was deeded to the Township Trustees by George Overpack for a graveyard. Burials were made there as early as 1820. Maria Overpack and a daughter of Obadiah Lippincott were among the first interred there. In after years, an addition was made to it by John liay. It was never regularly laid out. Many neat marble shafts and some costly monuments mark the numerous graves beneath whose mol dering heap,

The Seventh-Day Baptist Burying Ground, located at Xorth Hampton, includes about one-quarter of an acre of ground, given by Obadiah Lippincott about the year 1825. But few have been interred there, and it has long since been abandoned as a place of burial.

The German Baptist Graveyard includes about one acre of ground, situated in Section 7, given by Jacob Frantz and John Near. The first person buried in it was the wife of Michael Frantz, in the year 1823. It is a pretty site.

Emmanuel Church Graveyard, ground formerly owned by Daniel Zinn, who gave about one acre for church and place of burial. The first interment there was the body of Jane K ester in 1856 or 1857.

The Christian Graveyard, at the church of that name, had its origin in 1852, by the donation of one acre of land by William Leffel. for the purpose of the establishment of a place of burial. John Leffel, dying September 27, 1852, was the first to be buried there.

The Ellery Graveyard, situated in Sections 18 and 24, comprises one-half acre of ground given to the Trustees of the township and to their successors, by George Ellery, for the purpose for which it is used. The first burial was made in 1859, and was the remains of David Ellery.

/ The first and only village ever laid out in Pike Township is North Hampton, which was platted by Peter Baisinger on the 13tli day of January, A. I). 1829.

The original number of lots was sixteen. The survey and plat were made by Reuben Miller. The population of the village is about two hundred inhabitants. It is the present voting-place of the township. The village has always been circumscribed and dwarfed in growth by a lack of building lots, parties owning the adjoining farms not wishing to part with lots. The first merchant of the village was Joseph Smith, who removed to the State of Michigan in I835j and became quite wealthy, dying in 1879 at Cassopolis, in that State. His first capital at North Hampton was 8150. The first frame house of the place was built by him in the year 1830, and stood on Lot No. 15, but in after years was removed on Lot No. 3. In size it was about sixteen by twenty-two feet, and was used both as a store and dwelling. It is still standing, and is owned by Mrs. Turner. Other merchants of the township were Bennett & Garlough, John Ramsey, John Davis, "William Spence, Spence Brothers, Conklin, French & Dickinson, Meranda A Heath, 4, E. Fennimore, Jacob Overpack, Michael Hartman, J. P. 'JLockett, J. 51. Austin, J. A W. Morningstar and Levi WTngert. All of the above-named did business in North Hampton. The first village blacksmith was John Croy, who had a shop near the present site of the hotel. The post office was established in 1835, with Daniel Raffensperger the first Postmaster. William Morningstar is the present incumbent.

In the northeastern pail of the township is the industrious little settlement of Dialton. It contains a good country store, kept by William Michael during the last twenty-five years or more. Also a post ofiice of the same name, which was established February 20, .1865, with William Michael as the first Postmaster. He has ever since served in that capacity, and is the present incumbent. The hamlet was called "Dialton" for Judge Dial, of Springfield, in remembrance of his efforts in Buchanan's time to have a post office established there. The set tlement had its origin in the building of the mill heretofore spoken of. Two blacksmith-shops, run by Jacob Hartman and Jacob Lehman respectively, One ^wagon-shop, operated by W illiam Arnett. Also an extensive tile factory, oper ated by Rust A Welehaus. And lastly the important hub and spoke factory and bending apparatus of J. A J. Myers, which has been an important industry for many years. The factory has attached to it a saw-mill and cider-press, all operated by steam, and gives employment to quite a number of hands.

The first hotel in the township was built and kept by Alexander Johnston on {.Lo southeast corncx uf the cross streets, in North Hampton. Mr. Johnston died about the fatal year of 1843 of typhoid fever, during the prevalence of that dread disease in this township. Here he began the business about the year 1833. Lewis Hughel then started a public house opposite the former site on the northeast corner of the cross street in North Hampton. He was succeeded by Samuel Overpack, and he in turn by John Meranda, who remodeled and rebuilt the hotel property, and then sold to Madison Over, who is the present landlord. A public house "was also once kept by John Olinger in the western part of the township, on the old Troy and Springfield road. In 1834, a log hotel was built two miles south of North Hampton at the cross roads, by John Thomas, who' kept it twenty years, and, in 1854, was succeeded by John Meranda, who kept it ten years, since which time it has been abandoned. It was known as the "Black Horse Tavern."

Toll Pikes

The first graveled road was the North Hampton and Donnelsville Turnpike; which was begun about the year 1844, and completed a few years later. The next turnpike road was the Clark and Miami Turnpike, connecting Troy and Springfield. This road was a great aid in the development of the- township, giving the farmers access by a fair road to the markets of both Springfield and Troy. It was begun in the year IS 46, and finished several years later. The capital stock was originally $25,000, but that amount being inadequate for the completion of the road, the company borrowed $10,000 to complete the work, mortgaging the road to secure the payment, and paying 10 per cent interest on the loan. The company by good management succeeded in paying oil' the debt, though it took many years time to do so.

The first mill in Pike Township was the "Black" Mill, built by James Black, in the year 1814, located on the East Fork of Honey Creek. It was a small affair, having but one set of buhrs used for grinding II kinds of grain, either wheat, corn, rye, etc. In that early period it was designated as a " corn cracker." This mill is still standing, and is owned and operated by his son, John A. Black, who has since remodeled it. The mill has never been out of the Black name. It is now, however, only what is styled a chopping mill, and is used for grinding com only. The first saw-mill of this township was also erected by James Black. It stood about two hundred yards above the grist-mill on the same stream. The first steam saw-mill in the township was the old "Peter Baisnger" Mill, first run by water, built by that gentleman about the year 1820 on Donne? s Creek. It was later converted into a steam mill by George Cost. It is now the North Hampton Mill, and is owned and operated by Jacob K. Mmich. There is a steam saw-mill on the West Fork of Honey Creek, now operated and owned by Daniel Leffel. It was originally a waterpower mill, and has only recently been changed to a steam mill. In the year 1851, Jacob N. Myers and Jonathan Lehman built a steam saw-mill on the present site of the Myers Hub, Spoke A Bending Mill. Within two years, Myers bought out Lehman, and operated the mill until 1860. when it was converted by him into a hub and spoke factory, and was so conducted until 1865, when it burned down. That fall it was rebuilt by Jacob N. Myers A Sons. The father died in 1866, and it has since been operated by the sons, under the firm name of J. & J. Myers. The building is a two- story frame. Twenty-two men are employed, and an extensive business carried on. It is known as the Dialton Mill. Jacob Frantz, Samuel Sprinkle, Jonathan Brubaker and James Johnson have been associated with the mills of the township. In an early day the old Kiblinger Mill, later known as the Baker Mill, and now as Hockman's Mill, on Mad River, in German Township, was pretty extensively patronized by the people of Pike.

The first school-teachers of which we have any account were Ira Wood, Joseph Morrison, William Wilson, James Black, Archie Mitchell, David Morris. Mary Ever sole, James E. Chestnut, Jacob and George Hamer. The above teachers taught of course mostly "subscription" schools. They labored under -er'ons disadvantages, Compared with the teachers of the present time. The school rooms were poor log cabins, and the furniture and apparatus were of the most primitive kind. The distance to school was necessarily great in many cases, and the wonder is that the generation of that period was as well informed as they were. The above teachers no doubt did their whole duty as well as they could under the circumstances, at salaries ranging from 88 to 812 per month. At the present time there are nine new brick schoolhouses in the township, each located in the geographical center of the subdistrict, the township being exactly six miles square; one of the schoolhouses - -that at North Hampton - being two-story and accommodating a graded school, employing two teachers. Wages range now during the winter terms in Pike Township from $40 to 855 per month,, and during the summer term generally from 40 to 50 per cent less.

The township does not support a single saloon, and i idustry and sobriety are the rule, and idleness and intemperance are the exception. The part that Pike Township has taken in our wars has always been patriotic. During the war of 1S12, and the Mexican war, and also through the trying period of' the great civil war. Pike Township was never called on in vain. During the latter war it is still the pride of the citizens of all parties that the quota of Pike Township was always filled by volunteers, many of whom laid down their lives for the "Union.

The township polls on a full vote about four hundred votes. It is Democratic usually by about twenty five to forty majority. It will be seen by the above figures that the ma jority is so small as to insure a good nomination generally by the majority, else the minority will defeat the ticket. The Democratic margin is too small to take any odds. In the last two years, the Republicans have elected a Justice of the Peace and Land Appraiser. Generally the best of feeling prevails in the township between the contending parties, and the contests are nearly always good humored. We consider this an indication of a liberal spirit of toleration not always seen in township contests. The strength of the contending parties lias been about the same relatively for nearly thirty years.

It seems that there are no township records preserved in the ofiico of the Township Chirk of Pike Township of an earlier date than the year 1828. The first commission of James Johnson as Justice of the Peace is dated in 1830.

That of John Black is dated in the year 1834, though he seems to have been in office earlier. George Cost was first elected in 1837, and Henry Long in 1838. The commission of Joseph B. Craig is dated April 10, 1843, and Samuel Yv . SterreUs first commission is dated October 15, 1814. Samuel 1C Sims was elected in 1847, and James Spence in 1848. Thomas P. Thomas was. commissioned November *28, 1855, and previous to him John Meranda served from 1845 to 1855; was again elected in 1858, and served until 1867. Thomas F. Hardac-re was elected in 1859, and the commission of William K. Jordan bears the date of November 8, 18(30. Samuel Mock was elected in 1866, and "William Jenkins in 1867. Afterward John A. Black and John "W. Cost served as Justices of the Peace, and the present Justices are Madison Over, elected in 1879, and Thomas Swonger, elected in 1880. Many of the above officers were re-elected, some for several terms. Among the earlier names of those who have filled the office of Township Clerk, cotemporaneous with the above Justices of the Peace, may be mentioned James Black, George C. Homer, Jacob Harner, John Meranda, George Cost, Simon Spence, Andrew Clark, Philip Marquart, Asher B. Heath, J. R. Lippincoti, J. E. Fennimore, Jeremiah Ream, William Jenkins, P. M. Hawke, S. S. .Jenkins, and the present incumbent William Myers. The above sixteen persons have served Pike Township as Clerk for the period of about iAvy y utus, and have loft the reputation of having been upright and efficient officers. The present board of township officers in full consists of the following persons:

This is the southwest corner township in Clark County. Pike and German Townships join it on the north, Springfield Township on the east. Mad River Township southeast and south, Greene County on the south, Miami County on the west. Bethel Township contains twenty-seven entire sections in Township 3, Range 9; four whole and two fractional in Township 4, and one entire fractional section in Township 3, Jtange 8, The Mad River forms the boundary of the towship from the east line of Section 27, in Township 4; thence southwest to the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 3. Range 8. This diagonal course of the river makes eight fractional sections to be added to the number given above. The soil of Bethel Township is limestone clay, with a gravel subsoil. At several points in the township the limestone rock is found near the surface, where quarries have been opened, furnishing an abundance of the finest stone for building purposes and making lime. The soil as a rule throughout Bethel Township is of the most productive kind, the upland is somewhat rolling, just enough for good drainage with none or hut little waste land. The bottom land both first and second of Mad RiveV. Donuel's and Honey Creeks, are among the finest in the world. Bethel was originally very heavily timbered, there having been but very little open land in the township. In the northern part of the township, the timber was principally beech, interspersed with the differ- ent varieties of oak, sugar, walnut, poplar, hickory, elm and linn; with a heavy orowth of hazel and spice wood. In the central and southern part the beech almost entirely disappears, but oaks, walnut, maples, hickory, elm, linn and poplar are found. Along the streams buckeye were abundant: the past tense is used because there is but little more timber left that can be spared. The township is admirably watered. Mad River along the entire southern border; Dormer s Creek and its branches in the east; Jackson Creek in the middle, both running quite across the township ; Honey and Mud Creeks in the west. These with their lateral branches furnish abundant water for all farm purposes, as well as the power needed for milling. On Section 25 is a chain of lakelets, four in number, filled with pure fresh water, well stocked with our common fish. One of these lakes has recently been appropriated by a stock company for the purpose of propagating the more valuable sorts of fish. This series of lakes are evidently the remains of a mighty river, that once rushed through the valley in which they are situated.

Bethel Township is somewhat classic in the history of the State as well as the county. She stands at the head of the list of townships in being the first settled in the county, if not the home of the first white man settled in the Miami Valley north of Cincinnati. On the farm now owned by L. Baker was the Indian village of Biqua, which has become famous as the birthplace of the noted Indian chief Tecmnseh. At this same place was fought the battle between the whites under Gen. Clarke, and the Shawnee Indians in August, 1780. On the farm now owned by Mrs. Sarah Smith of Section 34, stood the ancient Indian village of Chinchima.

The date of the first settlement of Bethel Township is somewhat obscure, but from indubitable evidence we are able to say that John Paul was living at the forks of Honey Creek in 1790, and that same evidence points just as clearly to an earlier period. Relatives still remember well of hearing Mac Paul speak of crossing the Ohio River at the point where Cincinnati now stands, before any settlement was made there; that his father was killed by the Indians soon after crossing the river. The remainder of the family escaped. The same night Mr. Paul went back, found the body of his father (which had been scalped) and buried it. Mr. Paul wrandered on with the rest of the family, himself the eldest, a brother and a sister, and made their final stop on what is now part of Section 29. Mr. Paul died in 1853, aged ninety years. The older citizens well remember that the habits of caution and care necessarily acquired in the dangerous times, followed him as long as he lived.

David Lowry was the next settler in the township. Ho was born in Pennsylvania in 1767, and, in 1795, he settled in Section 3, Bethel Township. He afterward bought the whole of Section 14, which he sold and then entered land in Section 9, where R. M. Lowry now lives. He was married in 1 SOI to Sarah Hammer, of Miami County, Ohio, who died in IS 10, leaving four children, viz., Sarah, Nancy, Susan and Elizabeth. All are now dead but Susan, the wife of John Left el. In 1811, he married Mrs. Jane Hodge, whose maiden name was Wright, by whom he had four children - Martha S.. David W., Robert M. and Sarah R., all now living. He died September 9, 1859, and his widow followed him August 15, 1867. He was a robust, enterprising Christian pioneer, and did much toward the growth and civilization of his adopted county.

Jonathan Donnels, a native of Lycoming County, Penn., was the companion of David Lowry, and. was a surveyor, He settled on Section 33, where Leander Baker now lives, in 1795. In 1797, he returned to Pennsylvania, bought out his brother James, who was then but eight years old, but was a great help to him in his cabin. Jonathan married and was the father of five children, viz., John, who removed to Oregon, where he died; Jonathan, who is living in

Iowa; Elizabeth, who married George Layton; and Lucinda, who married and moved to Michigan. Mr. Donnels last years were embittered by family troubles, and, in a tit of temporary insaiiity, he hung himself on the Holcomb limekiln farm in Springfield Township, whither he had moved after selling his old home. He was a man of sterling traits of character, generous and whole-souled, and was very well read for those early days, and was indeed one of the noblest of Clark County's pioneers. His brother, James Donnels, who came in 1797, grew up under his care and married Mary Hopkins, settling where John Leffel now lives. He had eight children, but three of whom are living, viz.., Susan, the wife of Jesse Boyd; Eliza, the w7ife of Lewis Huffman; and Jonathan. Mr. Donnels moved to the northeast corner of Springfield Township; thence to the farm where Jesse Boyd lives in Harmony Township, and finally to the farm where his son Jonathan nowT resides, where he and his wife died.

Hugh Wallace was born in Kentucky August 14, 1778; came to Bethel Township about 1798, and began working for David Lowry, with w'hom he stayed several years. Ho was married to Margaret Smith, who died in 1814, and he then married Eleanor Bichison, who was born in the Northwest Territory in 1793, and had nine clrildren, seven yet living. He was in the war of 1812, and died in 18(54. His widow died ill 1875.

Jo&oplx Tatuum was burn i.u Virginia in 1770, and his wife Rebecca in North Carolina in 1772. They came to Brown County7, Ohio, in 179S, and, in I SOI, to this township. He was appointed Associate Judge after the county was organized, and held that office several years. He was also a member of the Legislature. They had thirteen children. He died in 1827, and his wife in 18(54.

'w Jacob Huffman, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in the eastern corner of the township in 1802. He died December 1, 1842, aged seventy- two years, and his wife Catharine, died in August, I860, aged eighty years. They had ten children who grew up - five yet living, viz., Henry, Reuben, Martha, Rachael and Samuel. He built a fine stone house which is yet standing.

\ George Croft was born in Pennsylvania in 1771, and was married in Virginia, in 1799, to Mary Critz, of that State. In 1804, they came to Bethel Township with two children, and seven were born to them afterward. Mrs. Croft died i? February, 1846, and her husband after re-marrying died in October, 1855.

Thomas Cory was born in Esses County, N. J. in 1738. He came to Ohio in a very early day, and settled in Warren County, whence he came to Bethel Township, this county, in 1803, bringing his son Eluathan, with whom he lived until his death in 1813.

Elnathau Cory was born in Essex County, N. J., January, 1776. He came to this township with his father in 1803, and entered the northwest quarter of Section .34. During the w ar of 1812, he was an extensive contractor with the Government for army supplies. He married Hannah Jennings in June, 1800, and by her had eleven children, of whom eight lived to adult age and three died in infancy. Four are now living, viz., Judge David J. Cory, Eliza Miller, Rhoda W. Cross and Sarah Smith. Mrs. Cory died August 2o, 1834, and her husband June S, 1842.

Abraham Brooks Rail was born in Essex County, N. J., September 9, 1776, and, at rhe age of eleven years, ran away from 'heme with an expedition that went to Western Pennsylvania. In 1789. he went to Cincinnati, where he worked with bis uncle iu a mill for three years, when he commenced learning the brick-layer's trade. In 1798, he returned to his Eastern home, where he married Elizabeth Lambert. In October, 1804, he again came to Cincinnati w ith his w ife ancl one child, and, in the December following, came to this town- ship, where he entered the northwest quarter of Section 33. He continued to work at his trade during the summer months until 1825, when he retired to the rnn'pt of his farm. He had eleven children, nine of whom lived to be married. He died April 20, 1864, and his wife March 28, 1844.

William Layton, with. a large family of children - Joseph, Robert, Arthur, John, William, Jr., Polly, Sally and Betsey - came to this township in 1808, settling in Section 2, on Mad River, not far from the mouth of Donnels Creek. He was a Pennsylvanian, and died on that farm. The descendants of this family are among the most prominent people of the county, Joseph having been Judge of the court, John being one of the first Clerks of the county and a County Commissioner, and John E., the son of John, was Sheriff from 1856 to 1860/

Henry Williams and his wife Elizabeth came from Virginia with four children in 1805, and settled on the land now occupied by their son Rev. Henry 'Williams. They had nine children- - five born after they came to this county. Mr. Williams was a soldier in 1812, and died in 1845, his wife having died in 1829.

George Keifer was born in Maryland in 1769, and there married, in 1799, in Margaret Hivner, a native of that State, born in 1772. They came to this towns] iip in 1812, and bought a large tract of land which was the birthplace of Tecumseh, the noted Indian chief. They had five children Mary, Sarah, John, Catharine and George, who all grew up on this farm, and here tbe parents died leaving descendants, who have since become prominent in county, State and national affairs.

John McPherson came about 1800, and settled on Section 21. John Forgy, James Forgy, Stewart Forgy and Presly Forgy came in 1806. Their father John Forgy came much earlier, and settled in Mad River Township. Samuel McKinney came about the same time; he was a prominent music teacher in the early times. In about 1803, came John Wallace, Sr., from Kentucky; he was the father of James Wallace, many years a prominent merchant, and Dr. Joseph Wallace, late of Springfield. Leonard Hains, Reuben Wallace, John and James Lamme, John Crane, Sr., came first to the county in 1802, settled on Bethel in 1S06. George Lowman came in 1810; the next year built the "stone house " which for many years was a wonder, and the only house other than wood in the western part of the county. Joseph Rey burn, W ill i am Holmes. John Crue, Abraham Keever, Joseph Butler, Edward Biggs, Oliver Walker, William McCoy, Jacob Bingerman, Benjamin Pursell, John Jackson, Jacob Lqofborow, John WTialen, Ezekiel Paramee, all came to Bethel prior to 1810. This list is doubtless incomplete, as at this late day it is impossible to get the best account of the early times.

Among the old settlers who came later than the above, mention might be made of the following and their places of settlement: John Husted, who settled on Donnel's Creek, Section 9; Jacob Funderburg, on Section 9; John Ricliinson, on Section 9; and Jacob Leffel, who settled on Section 17 about 1817. He was a native of Virginia, and had a large family, two of whom, John and Peter, now reside in Bethel Township, and James in Springfield. Jacob had the following brothel's: Samuel, Daniel, Anthony, John, James P. and Thomas, who have all left descendants in this county, who are well known and respected; in fact "the Leffel-:" is a name that is a household word throughout the State, having gained a world- wide celebrity from, the invention of the turbine waterwheel by James Leffel, who was long a resident of Springfield, but died a few years ago.

In educational matters Bethel Township seems at the first settlement as well as* now to have occupied the front rank. As early as 1805, a schoolhouse was erected on the farm of Capt. McPherson, about the same time another was erected on the farm owned by George- Lowrnan. both of which were long known as landmarks, and used as points of reference by the early settlers. Those sclioois were of course supported by subscription, as there was no State provision for schools until 1821. The writer has before him the ledger of a teacher who taught at the Lowman Schoolhou.se in 1810. The book is so much mutilated it gives no clue as to who he was. The teacher was a man well adapted to to those pioneer times, and therefore made himself generally useful as will be seen farther on. The charges for tuition and style of payment would astonish the teacher of the present day. Charges and credits like the following are found in the ledger mentioned:

The account amounts to fifty odd dollars, and was all paid in "trade" as were nearly all others found in the book. The teacher of those times was usually a middle-aged or elderly man (we mean in the new settlements) with but little education himself, and higher aspirations than his neighbors, feeling keenly his own needs, devoted himself and his good sense to improving the minds of hi neighbors children, although the schoolhouse and the teacher offered but few advantages by which an education might be obtained, yet "burly chiefs and clever Lizzies, were reared in sic a way as this is." The ledger shows that many of the patrons of the school were residents of the adjoining townships, and some from a considerable distance, proving the teacher to have been trustworthy. Bethel Township is organized into eleven school districts; all have substantial buildings; six districts have two- story buildings for graded schools. The Board of Education have always been well up to needs of the times, and supplied each schoolhouse amply with all the furniture and apparatus necessary for successful teaching.

Bethel Township has three villages. The Rev. Archibald Steel settled on part of Section .19, Township 3, Range 9, in 1807; soon after built a grist-mill, which formed the nucleus of the town of Medway. It. is situated on the Valley Pike, nearly midway between Dayton and Springfield. The last census gave 2.11 inhabitants. Medway is surrounded by one of the finest farming districts in the world - which, however, is the character of the whole of the Mad River Valley. Medway has one diy goods store, and one grocery and provision store, a carriage-factory, wagon and blacksmith shops, a mill for the reduction of wood to pulp for the manufacture of paper; this establishment' employs a number of hands, and will soon be increased to more than double its present products. The Woodbury fiouring-mills, adjoining Medway.

arc among the best in the Mad River Valley and doing a large business, having a never-failing supply of water, and is never stopped by the coldest weather. The buildings in Medway are generally better than are usually found in a village oi its size, it contains a graded school and two churches - the Methodist and a new Mennonite; a large proportion of the people in the vicinity are members of the latter church, and are noted as agriculturists of the most thorough sort. - . .

New Carlisle was laid out in 1 S10, by "William Eeyburn ; the first location was about eighty rods west of the present town, and was called York. 1 n 1 8 .1 2. the present plat was laid out. and called Monroe. In 1828, the name was changed to New Carlisle, and the census of 1SS0 gives it 872 inhabitants. The village is located on the west bank of Honey Creek, about twelve miles west of Springfield, and about sixteen miles northeast of Dayton; the streets are at right angles, and the free use of gravel, which is abundant and easily obtained, has made them first-class. The buildings are generally good, among them some very fine and comfortable residences. The town hall, Odd Fellows' and Masonic buildings, and the churches, five in number, are good, substantial structures. The village was incorporated in 1832. Though remote from railroads, Carlisle has a very fair general trade; there are two fine stocks of dry goods, two drug stores, five grocery ana provision sLoxt-o, one general stock of hardware raid queensware, one merchant tailor and clothing establishment, a bakery and confectionery, two harnessshops, two tin and stove stores, two furniture and cabinet shops, two hotels, one carriage- factory, one wagon-shop, five blacksmith- shops, one cooper, one shoe* store, two shoe manufactories, two livery and feed stables, one agricultural implement warehouse, two millinery establishments, one notion store, two meat markets and two nurseries. New Carlisle is surrounded by one of the most fertile grain- growing districts in the world. Some statistics, recently collected, show an almost incredible amount of wheat, corn, rye, barley, flax-seed, potatoes, hay, beef, pork, sheep, grass seeds, produced in an area of four miles around the village. The soil is also well adapted to the growth of fruit trees, as is shown at the nurseries that adjoin the village, hundreds of thousands of which are shipped every year from this place and distributed all over the country, to both wholesale dealers and agents,

Donneisville vras laid out about 1832 by Capt. Abram Smith. The census of 1880 gave it 232 inhabitants, who support one dry-goods store, two grocery and provision stores, a wagon and blacksmith shop, two shoe-shops. Donneisville is situated on the National road, seven miles west of Springfield, and contains two churches. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed of a class, who lived , about two miles north of the village, to which it was removed about the time the town was laid out. The church building is of brick, substantial and commodious. Membership, seventy-five. The Lutheran Church was organized about 1830, and met for a number of years at the house of Jacob Snyder. Later, a house of worship was built and occupied on the Valley Pike, known as " Croft Church." on the farm of George Croft, who was the main instrument in its erection and support. A few years since, the interest was removed to Donneisville, where a substantial and commodious house had been built for the accommodation of the congregation.

Donneisville has some very tasteful and pleasant private residences. A graded district school is held in a good and substantial two-story brick house.

The Christian Church in New Carlisle is perhaps the very first of any kind planted in the whole region north of Dayton. Ln fortunately, the earliest records of the church were lost many years ago. What evidence we have, clearly shows that it is among the first formed after the great revival at Cane Ridge, in Ken- tucky, in 179S, at which time the denomination first took the form of a distinctive church. A letter before us, written by Judge David J. Cory, of Findlay. Hancock Co., Ohio, says, "As to the date of the organization of the Christian Church in New Carlisle, I am unable to say.. The first I recollect of it was in 1805, when I was about four years old; meeting was held in our cabin. I remember going to bed at dark, after getting a good nap, then be waked up by the sinking, and lay in bed listening, and well remember how badly 1 felt." The Judge then says that he well remembers hearing his mother speak of incidents connected with the church that warrants the belief that the church was organized as early as 1799, or 1S00 at the latest. After a time, the cabin on the Cory farm became too small to accommodate the people; a cabin chinch was built opposite the cemetery, on the Crawford farm, west of the Cory farm, where they worshiped for a number of years. The chinch building in the village was erected about 1827 ; later, it was remodeled into its present condition - that of a substantial, comfortable place of worship. Among the earlier Pastors of this chinch were Stackhouse, "Worley, Purviance, the Elder McCoy, Potter, the Elder Simonton, Baker and Reeder, and others who are held in reverence as eai nest, self-denying men of their times. The church has maintained its organization under the t imes of depression and through all the various vicissitudes it has been called to pass through. More recently, its membership has been increased under the labors of the present Pastor, Rev. T. C. Diltz. The Presbyterian Chinch, or the Honey Creek Chinch, as it was formerly called, is also one of 'the ancient landmarks of the Miami Valley. The first record of this church is found in the minutes of the Transylvania Presbytery, whose bounds are thus described in said minutes: " On the north by Cherokee Creek, on the east by the Alleghany Mountains, on the west by sunset, on the south by Tennessee." Rev. Willi am Robinson was Pastor of the Mount Pleasant and Indian Creek Churches in Kentucky; salary, $110; resigned in 1802, and became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio, who worshiped in a log meeting-house that stood on the same lot now occupied by the court house. Mr. Robinson in the same year preached to a congregation on Honey Creek. The Rev. John Thompson, who was then known as the "Miami Joshua," preached to Presbyterian congregations in the Miami Valley in 1800, one of which was on the Mad River at Decker and In'eb's Indian Station, near Boston. Mr. Robinson and Rev. James "Welsh visited Honey Creek occasionally until 1804, when Mr. Robinson organized Honey Creek Church and supplied it with preaching occasionally until 1807, when the Rev. Archibald Steel came to the county and settled where Medway now stands. Air. Steel preached as a licentiate until '1815, when we find the following minute in the record of the Miami Presbytery: "A. Steel was examined in Latin, Greek, history, philosophy and theology, as parts of trial for ordination. The examination was sustained." And thereupon the candidate was ordained in the log schoolhouse at Springfield, on Buck Creek, in Champaign County, June 22, 1815. The first meeting-house of Honey Creek Church was built of logs, in the cemetery south of Carlisle, about the time Air. Steel began to preach to the church. The first Ruling Elders were Adam McPherson, Sr., John H. Crawford and Joseph Robinson, who were " set apart according to the book " by tho Pastor, William Robinson, when the church was organized in 1804. The congregation continued to worship in the log church until 1828. when the present building was erected in the village. We will say here, tho building was remodeled to its present appearance in 1866. Rev. A. Steel was Pastor from 1807 until his death, which occurred in 1831. Rev. William Gray succeeded Air. Steel, and was Pastor from Alay 12, 1832, to April, 1811. Rev. E. R. Johnson, as a licentiate, was stated supply from February 28, 1811, to Alay 15, 1842, when he was ordained and installed Pastor (Dr. Lyman Beecher preached the ordination sermon), and continued to serve the church until his death, which occurred September 0, 1862. His pastorate extended over twenty years. Mr. Johnson was succeeded by the Rev. Lusk, he by Rev. G. Beaty, he bv Rev. B. Graves, he by Rev. Thomas, then Rev. G. M. Hair, lastly Rev. H. P. Cory. The church is now without a Pastor. Number of members, 150. We find in the records of Honey Creek Church the names of many of the earlier settlers; among them were John Steel, the father of Rev. A. Steel, who died in 1818.; John Forgy, Adam McPherson, Sr., Adam McPherson, Jr., Samuel McKinney, James Forgy, John Paul, John Wallace, Joseph Stafford, John Clengan. Stewart Forgy, William Holmes, John Ainsworth, John Montgomery, Abner Kelley, Ezekiel Paramee, who were among the solid men of the times, and did their share in 'dearing up the country, as well as sustaining the church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of New Carlisle has the same misfortune of many of the earlier churches in the loss of the first records. The first intimation had of its existence is about 1812, when tradition has it a class had been formed and met at the house of Giles Thomas, who was its leader; the class met for a few years at the same place, when a small church was built on the southwest corner of Pike and Jackson streets. Many of the early Pastors of this cTuue-h wore among the noted men of the times. Lorenzo Dow preached a sermon to this church; William' Paper, James Findley, George Maley, Joshua Boucher, William Simmons and Joseph Laws were among the earlier Pastors. The present meeting-house was built in 1858, improved in 1869, and is among the best found in the rural districts; the interior is unusually good, and speaks well for the enterprise of the congregation. Membership, 200. The church owns a comfortable parsonage, occupied by Rev. 0. McK. Shutz, the Pastor.

The Baptist Church in New Carlisle is in the same condition as most of the early church organizations. The first records are lost, aud there is nothing to indicate when it was instituted. The first records to be had commence in 1S34. The history of the church from the above date discloses nothing of interest to the general reader. At one time, it was one of the strongest and the most infhiential in the Mad River Baptist Association, numbering over three hundred members. The records show that about twenty persons were ordained to the ministry. The church lias a comfortable brick meeting-h >use, erected in 1850. In 1864, the German Baptists purchased the Old School Presbyterian Church, and refitted it for their own worship, it being nearly equal distance from the Donnel's Creek branch and the Hickory Grove branch. It is used with somewhat remote appointments by both branches, and when traveling ministers are present.

The school interests of New Carlisle have always been well cared for. Prior to the enactment of the first school law, in 1821, subscription schools were supported in the village; after, it was a distinct school district. In 1888, a very commodious sclioolhouse was built of brick; though thought to be ample for the accommodation of the district for all future time, a few years proved it to be insufficient, and other rooms had to be found for the primary classes. In 1865, the district was organized, under the Akron law, into a separate school district, containing four sections, with additions of farms outside. Soon after this arrangement, the district purchased the Lindeu Hill Academy building, this building giving ample accommodations for the pupils of the district, a high school was immediately organized, with a curriculum, for all the grades, extending over eight school years, thus preparing the pupils for a college course. The school has given satisfaction < and is patronized outside of the district.

About .1850, the Rev. Berger, now of Dayton, started a select school, which continued two years with good success. In 1852, the Rev. Thomas Harrison came from Springfield to Carlisle and arranged with Mr. Berger for his interest rison two years after erected (to which the citizens contributed largely) the Linden Hill Academy building. A large number of pupils already in attendance, the curriculum, was extended, embracing the classics. Mr. Harrison proved to be an earnest and successful educator. To-day. many of his former pupils are occupying honorable positions in many parts of the country. The present graded school in New Carlisle, with the high school department, offers such facilities for educational purposes as are seldom found outside of colleges.

New Carlisle Lodge, No. 100, A., E. & A. M.. was chartered January 5. 1831; meets Saturday night, on or before the full moon. An incident connected with this lodge may be of interest to members of the order. About the year 1832, the opponents of the Masonic fraternity brought such a pressure on the members of the lodge that they deemed it best to refrain from meeting for a time. They did so, and for several years no meetings were held. In the meantime, the jewels were safely secreted in a sand bank beside Honey Creek, not far from the village.

Bethel Baptist Chuecii

A few persons holding the doctrines as taught by Baptist Churches, living in Bethel Township, near the branches of Donnel's Creek, were desirous of being formed into a Baptist Church. According to the custom of the denomination, a council was called, consisting of messengers from other churches, including Elders Joseph Morris, William Sutton and Luke Byrd, who were among the earliest Baptist preachers in Western Ohio, convened, on the 20th day of April, 1822, and there. Jonathan Lorion, James Lorton, Elizabeth Donavau, Sarah Stephens and James Ivey were regularly constituted as the Donnel's Creek Kegular Baptist Church. The first meetings of the church were held in the cabins of the members, but mostly at the house of Mrs. Donavau, who lived on the land now owned by Thomas McKee, until July 20, 1822, when they met in the log schcoliiouse erected on the corner of the cemetery ground adjoining the present church building. Eider William Sutton was the first Pastor. The records show that Elders Joseph Morris, James Buckles and Chandler Tuttle frequently visited and preached for the church. In September, 1823, the church joined and sent messengers to the Mad River Baptist Association. The minutes of the proceedings of Bethel Baptist Church have been so carefully kept that they are a complete journal of the business of the church since its constitution. Of course, much of the records, though important to the church, would be of but little, interest as a matter of general history. The church of course has had her difficulties to contend with. All was not always harmonious; members would be in conflict with each other; then came the duty of reconciling the adverse parties, by advising, rebuking, reproving, and finally excluding the incorrigible. This is all faithfully recorded. This church early took a decided stand against intemperance in the use of ardent spirits, though the practice of using spirits was so universal, extending to all classes of society, and no moral pressure against it in those primitive times, the records, quite early in the history of the church show a number of cases where her authority had been interposed to re- -strain those who indulged too freely. Benjamin P. Gains joined the church in

1S23, and was made permanent Clerk. Hezekiali Smith was ordained October 10, 1824, and became Pastor of the church, which position he held, assisted at times by Elders Joseph Morris, James Buckles and Chandler Tuttle, until 1820, when Elder John Guthridge became Pastor, serving the church until October, 1828. September 18. 1827, Jonathan Lorton was licensed to preach. Elder Guthridge was succeeded by Elder AVilliam Tuttle, who was called to serve one year at a salary of 824; he served two years. October 30, 1830, Elder T. J. Price was called to the pastorate of the church. Elder Price visited the church in 1824. Elder Price continued until October, 1832, and asked to be released from the care of the church. His request was granted. Elder Abram Buckles assumed the pastorate for one year, salary, 812 per annum. Elder Willis Hunce became. Pastor in November, 1833; February, 1830, a delegation of messengers, consisting of Brothers Miller. Donavan, Lawton and Gains, were sent to assist at the constitution of the church in New Carlisle. At this time, viz., 1836, the church began to consider the expediency of building a house of worship; here again domestic troubles set in; some of the members opposed the movement; a large amount of bitter feeling was indulged in. and threatened the existence of the church, but the efforts to conciliate, made in true Christian spirit, prevailed. The minutes of the church faithfully record these adversities, as well as their prosperous times. The new building was completed in 1837, and all was lovely again. The ground, one acre, was donated by Daniel and Henry Miller, for church and cemetery purposes. This building cost about 8700. Elder Hance's pastorate continued until the end of December, 1843. During this time, the minutes show the church was visited by Elders J. L. Moore, Enos French, H. D. Mason, William Fuson, John Ebert, John Bingham, who held, in connection with the Pastor, protracted meetings, at each of which were accessions to the church. The labors of these pioneer preacheis was of the severest character; very few churches were able to have preaching more than one-fourth of the time, and none more than one- half of the time, consequently, many of those preachers would serve four churches, often at very remote distances from each other, and they seldom failed in meeting their appointments. This, with the meager salaries received - seldom over 8100 a year - and being compelled to labor when at home, to live, they performed an amount of labor that would appal the modem minister. These men were peculiarly fitted for the times; little or no education, possessed of few books other than the Bible and hymn books, earnest piety, hard sense and vigorous physiques enabled them to bear the hardships self-imposed. Many of them possessed a large degree of native oratory, seldom surpassed at the present time, which compelled attention to the solemn, earnest messages they presented to the people.

In January, 1844, Elder T. J. Price was again called to the pastorate of Bethel Church, which continued until August, 1870, when the infirmities of old age compelled him to give up all of his ministerial duties. During Elder Price's pastorate, the record shows that the church had been visited and protracted meetings held by Elders Daniel Bryant, AVilliam Sym, John Hawk, AY. Martin, William Fuson, J. Lyon. D. Bunkle, N. Culver and Harris. During this,' there were many additions to the church. The present Pastor, AV. II. Thomas, was called in 18 <0. In .1879, deeming the old church building too small, and needing much repair, the church determined to build a new house. The liberal subscriptious of the members of the church and well-wishers outside resulted in the erection of the beautiful, commodious structure now occupying the site of the old building. The new house was dedicated January 25, 1880. Elder J. B. Tuttle, of Springfield, preached the dedicatory sermon. A collection was given amounting to $99.00. Several hundred persons have joined the Bethel Church since its constitution; the present number is about seventy. B. P. Gains was Clerk from

1823 to 1854; his son, Aaron Gains, to 1878; since that time, Kemp Gains has filled the office. The Clerkship of the church has been an heirloom in the Gains f v td. i 1. y . and well have they done the work. The writer must express his thanks to Mr. Kemp Gains for the cordial manner in which he furnished facilities foi composing this history. On the roll of Bethel Church are found many of the pioneer settlers in Bethel Township, embodying some of the best men and women of tbe region of the church.

The Old- School Mennonite Cuurch

David Neff, John Neff and their wives had been living in Bethel Township for a number of years; became desirous of joining this denomination, and, no organization existing in their neighborhood, Henry Huber, who was a member, sent to Jacob Bowman, a Mennonite minister, living at '"Winchester, Franklin. Co., Ohio, to visit and form a church, and receive the Neffs into the connection. Mr. Bowman, not having full authority, sent for the assistance of John Brenneman, of Allen County. Ohio, who came to John Neff's house in. the spring of 185S. These ministers held a meeting of days, during which David and John Nett' and lledr Vkms were baptized, and they, with Michael Kaufman. Christian Mumma, John M. Crider and Henry Huber, and Elizabeth Kaufman, who were already members, were organized into a Mennonite Church, consisting of twelve members. The church held meetings at somewhat long intervals, being, supplied witli preaching by ministers from other churches. This continued until December 20, 1862, when John M. Crider was set apart and regularly ordained a minister. Mr. Crider has served the church as Pastor up to the present time, preaching every two weeks. From the organization of the church, they worshiped in the schoolhouses in the neighborhood until the fall of 1867 ; they built a meeting-house on the farm of Henry Huber, on the New Carlisle & Dayton Pike. Mr. Crider was consecrated Bishop in 1872. Present number of members, twenty- four'.

The ttrst cemetery in the township was in Section 3. It was begun in 1797, by the burial of Lettioe Lowry, followed in 1800 by that of her husband. It is ^ now known as the Minnich Graveyard. The land for it was donated for burial purposes by David Lowry, who owned the farm at that time. Many of the pioneers lie sleeping here, with but a rough stone at their head and feet to mark their last resting-place on earth.

The Boston Graveyard, in Section 27, on the Valley Pike, was one of the earliest in the township, but is now a dense thicket of weeds and trees. The Lamme Cemetery, in Section 14. is quite an old one, and there is also an old burial-place in Section 10, close to Donnelsville, now known as the Brandenburg Graveyard.

The cemetery on the land of Daniel Funderburg was given for burial purposes by Peter Heck (who then owned the land) in 1818. The first use was early in 1819, by Mr. Heck burying a daughter. Many of the pioneers lie there. A few years ago, the cemetery was deeded in trust to several members of the German Baptist Church. By that denomination the ground is now principally used. This cemetery L on the northeast quarter of Section 22.

A small burying- -ground on the land owned by John Garver in Section 17 was set apart for that purpose early in the settlement of the country; the exact date is lost. It contains the remains of a number of the first settlers; among them are the bodies of the parents of the present owner. It is not used now as cemetery.

The cemetery adjoining Bethel Church was set apart for private burial purposes in 1821. The first body laid there was that of Frederick Miller, in 1822. Since that time, it has been the burial-place of most of the inhabitants dying in the vicinity, in JooT, the ground was deeded to Trustees, to be kept forever as a place of sepulture. These grounds have been kept, and are now, in the best of order, except the south side, which has been seriously injured by grading down- the pike, -even to the extent of. exposing some of the graves.

A small graveyard on the farm of Leonard Haines has been used for fifty years; also the one on the farm of Jonas Haines is an old family cemetery.

The Reformed Mennonite Cemetery is on Section 30. It was begun about 1849, and now contains three acres. It is used by the Whole neighborhood.

The New Carlisle Cemetery Association was organized October 3, 1856, under the State law regulating cemetery associations. Honey Creek Presbyterian Church, at its institution, appropriated two acres of land for burial purposes; on the same their first church was built: this continued until the organization of the association, at which time the land was turned over to the association, who added four acres to the plat. A farther addition of nearly seven acres is now being negotiated for by the association. The care given, and together with the large quantity of valuable marble it contains, makes this cemetery truly a beautiful "city of the dead." Mr. John Carst is President, and Dr. B. Neff, Secretary of the association.

Bethel Township has the advantage of the best of roads, sufficient to meet the business necessities of the people; they are generally in the best possible condition. The National road, liow the property of a private company, bisects the township into two nearly equal parts from east to west. The Valiev Pike, along almost all of the entire southern border, affords easy transit to Springfield or Dayton; a free pike from Carlisle to Springfield along the northern border gives easy access to Springfield; a free pike running across the township in the western part intersects the Mad River Valley Pike at the southern boundary. The township has but very little road that is not well graveled.

The first mill built in the township was erected on Donnels' Creek by Jon a- _ than Donnels. about 1 SOI, or perhaps earlier. It was swept away by a freshet.

It was a rudely constructed building of logs, and was used as a saw-mill. Mr. Donnels had bought 160 acres in Section 3 for mill purposes, and in ISOS David Lowry built a grist-mill south of the site of Donnels' mill, on the same stream, in Section 9. The buhrs in this mill were made from what are known as " nigger-heads." Mr. Lowry put up a dam for his mill, which backed the water onto Donnels'. who sued Lowrvfor damages, claiming that he was iniured bv not being able to get at his stone in the creek. The suit was tried in ITrbana, and Donnels recovered damages, but the two old pioneers still remained good friends. Mr. Lowry added a frame saw-mill in a short time afterward, and in 1820 he put up a frame grist-mill, in which he put the buhrs of his old mill. This mill he ran until 1846, when the dam was washed out and he retired from business in favor of his son, David W, who continued it for about five years, when he' quit, since which time it has never been in operation. It is now a wreck, the old frame yet standing on the road opposite to Mr. Lowry's house - " a reminder of days gone by, and the haunted house of old."

Archibald Steel built a mill where Medway now stands, in a very early day, and a man mimed McQueen built a race and a saw and grist mill in Section

John Shartle built a grist-mill in Section 80, known as the AAHodbmy Mills, to which was added a distillery. On this site the AYoodburys are still in operation. and doing a good business. In 1830, John JR ey burn built a saw and grist mill on Honey Creek, in Section 29, where there is now a saw-mill in operation. Maj. Abraham Smith built a saw -mi 11 in Donnelsville about 1829, wheie there is yet a mill. Archibald Lowry also ran a saw-mill at Medway in an early day. George Croft built a grist and saw mill and distillery on a raceway close to Mad River, which was dug by him about 1830. Mr. Croft,, with his sons, John and Jacob, ran this mill and distillery for years. It is now run as a saw and grist mill by Martin Snyder. A mill was built on Section 33, on the Crain farm, which ran for a few years, and a saw-mill was run by John Detrick for several years on his farm.

It lias been something difficult to get the names of the first physicians who practiced in Bethel. Among them are, in New Carlisle and vicinity, McPherson, McCann, Robbins, Stephens, Hood, Haynes. Adams, Farquar. E. Garst, M. Garst, Horn beck, Bull. Y. Smith, AA'inans, Foster, Stockstel, Meranda. Neff, Young, Nesbet, Hensley; at Medway. Shackleford, Barr, Stonebarger and AY. F. Meranda: at Donnelsville, AYood, Ferguson, Lindsay, Patten, Baker, Markwood, Pollock, Meyers. Dr. C. Smith lived near Donnelsville.

An Incident

In the history proper of the county, mention is made of a boat taken from here to Cincinnati by David Lowry in 1800. A similar incident in the history of this township is well worthy of mention. John Jackson, who married Nellie Lowry, built a flat-boat about 1825. on the north bank of Pounds' Creek, about thirty yards south of where David AAA Lowry now lives. He launched the boat in high water, and. taking three or four of his children, floated down to Mad

River, thence to the Miami, thence toihe Ohio and Mississippi, settling in Tennessee, where he died. , His wife and one or two of his children remained with the Shakers in Montgomery County, Ohio, this sect being the cause of the family's separation.

Of the Bethel Township men who served in State and county offices art found Reuben AY allace, who was a member of the Ohio Legislature from Champaign County when 'Clark County was included in Champaign, and did much toward the establishment of this county while there.

AYi Ilium G. Seniss was Associate Judge. Joseph Tat man was Associate Judge and member of Legislature. Dr. B. Neff was a member of the Sixtieth and Sixty-first Legislatures.

Gen. J. AY. Keifer, the present member of Congress for the- Eighth District of Ohio, who also served in the Legislature, is a native of Bethel Township.

Of natives of Bethel Township who are now holding honorable positions outside of the township are Ed H. Funston. who has served four terms in the Kansas Lower House of Legislature, two as Speaker: is now member elect of the State Senate: John S. Rev burn, member of Assembly several terms in Pennsylvania, is now member elect to the Senate.

William McClure is now Treasurer of Allen County, Kansas. Samuel Daily was Treasurer of Boone County. Indiana; his brother, Calvin Daily, served in the same office in the same county. Warwick, Common Pleas Judge in Iowa.

Mention has been made in another place in this history of a select school taught in New Carlisle by the Rev. Thomas Harrison. It is but just to say that all of the above-mentioned natives of the township were pupils of Mr. Harrison. Many other of his pupils are filling responsible positions in the several States of the Union

By Daniel Baker

A mere pathway, wide enough for one person, or one horse single file, now winding around a precipitous hill, now passing around the border of a swamp, now taking a straight course for the shallow fording of a river, such were the public. highways one hundred years ago. And going back in imagination to a period of which we have no historic record, we find here and there evidences of a race of people prior to the red men, and altogether different in their habits and modes of life. They are by some writers called the Mound -Builders, and one of those large cone-shaped structures is about all the proof they have left in this locality to tell us they ever existed. Some antiquarians infer that these people, whoever they were, were tire worshipers, charcoal and appearances of rude altars being found in excavations made in those mounds; and who knows but in that unknown period, even before the war whoop of the Indian had ever been heard in these primeval forests - that even right here in Mad River Township, and on the Knob Prairie Mound, was heard the agonizing cries of little children whom mistaken parents compelled to pass through the lire to appease the ire of their offended God?

Mad River Township possesses, in common with the comity of which it forms a part, many natural advantages not accorded to all other localities of like extent. A gentle, rolling upland of deep, rich soil, a second bottom level black, loamy soil, a prairie naturally wet in places, and in places swampy, but easily drained, excellent for pasture or meadow. An abundance of building-rock of excellent quality, inexhaustible quantities of excellent, li rue -rock, also here and there a specimen of fire-proof rock of a dark grayish color, soft and free from sand or grit, very durable for f mu aces*, abundance of gravel dispersed at convenient points, easily accessible and good quality for roads; abundance of water for stock, having on the north Mad River, a tributary of the Great Miami; toward the center Hows the Muddy Run, a tributary of Mad River, and other smaller living streams interspersed at various points: also, large never-failing springs in many places, as the Layton Springs, situated on what i> now known as the Rubsam farm - -a spring that in former time.- was utilized for milling purposes, and forms a tributary of Mad River, emptying into that stream at the head of the Republic Paper-Mill dam, and eontrib- utes largely to the power used for propelling the machinery attached to the Republic Works at Enon Station; the Partington Spring, a beautiful, neverfailing spring flowing from the rocks on the side of a very steep bluff, and having ah out twenty five feet fall, and forming a power that, in former times, drove tlie machinery for a woolen factory; the Galloway Spring, on what is now the Frank Johnson farm, a large spring on the side of the hill overlooking Muddy Run bottom; the Indian Spring, near the present site of Enon, on the north side of Cox's Grove (since the ditch has been made, this spring boils up in the center of the ditch). This spring was once an Indian rendezvous, a regular camping-ground when on their hunting expeditions, and many other springs of more or less notoriety. The timber is of medium growth, principally oak of the different varieties; one variety, however, is likely to become extinct - the black oak, which, for years past, has been dying off rapidly; also hickoiy, some walnut, and along the bottoms are poplar, beech, ash and some other species; and now, looking back one hundred years, we behold all those materials which nature has furnished, and which are so necessary to the development of a civilized state of being, in possession of a race who appreciated a forest only as a retreat for game, and as a place of concealment from enemies ; who regarded the steep cliffs along the Mad River, which are now being rapidly transformed into Hum and building material, as nature's breastworks for the protection of the red man, and as barriers to the progress of his enemies. And now, to contrast the present condition of this region of country with what it was one hundred years ago, it is evident that some powerful agency has been at work to transform this once howling wilderness into fruitful fields; to replace the narrow, serpentine trail of the savage by the broad public highway; to replace the little hut by J stately palace; to supersede the traffic in hides and pelts by horse and foot, by mammoth cargoes of produce and merchandise, live stock and human freight, borne forward with the speed of the wind by methods unknown one hundred years ago. The agencies that have brought about this wonderful transformation will occupy an important place in the subsequent paid of this historic record. First comes the backwoodsman with his ax, and levels the forest, and, with the aid of his oxen, breaks the soil and cultivates his crops. Next, or simultaneously, comes the mechanic, with a few rude tools; the minister of the Gospel, the school-teacher, the merchant and the medical practitioner follow, fine artisans, skilled .mechanics, statesmen and lawyers bringing up the rear. Mad River Township has for its northern boundary, its entire length, the Mad River, the general direction of this line being from northeast to southwest. On the east it. is bounded by Springfield and Green Townships. On the south it is bounded bv the Greene Countv line the entire length, commencing at the southeast corner of the township and running due west four sections, thence due north one section, thence west to Mad River at the western limit of the township. The entire length of the township from east to west in a straight line is about nine miles. The length of the boundary line on the north, without including the meanderings of the river, is between ten and eleven miles. The width of the township at the widest point is about six and a ball miles, and from the description it will be seen it runs to a mere point at the extreme west end, and contains about thirty -three square miles.

The last census, taken the present season, gives Mad River a population of 1,812, against 1.493 in 1N50; a gain of only 319 in thirty years. But it must be borne in mind that, during this period, a vast army lias been steadily marching AYestv/ard, and that Mad River was not exempted from the draft to supply this vast and ever-increasing army with neiv recruits, and, in addition to this, the Soldiers' Monument in the Enon Cemetery bears the names of about thirty Mad River Township boys who were swallowed up in the maelstrom of the great rebellion. The first settler within the limits of the territory now comprised in Mad River Township was James Galloway, on what is now the Francis Johnson farm. Section 5. Range 8. Mr. Galloway came in an early day; the exact date is not fully determined, but not later than 1798. He came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and, on account of the insecurity of land titles at that time in Kentucky, owing to military claims, he removed with his wife to Ohio, as above stated, taking a tract of 400 acres, partly upland and partly rich bottom, along the Muddy Run. Mr. Galloway was a blacksmith, and he brought "with him an anvil and a few tools, and, as he was the only blacksmith for many miles around, he had a good run of custom. His principal customers for a few years were Indians, who were then on friendly terms with the whites. There is a story about the anvil which he brought with him that w'e will relate, not vouching for its truth, however, and it is this: that he made a " lizard," a kind of sled, from the fork of a tree, and placed the anvil on it and drove in pins to hold it in position, and fastened the lizard or sled to his horse's tail, and thus hauled his anvil from Cincinnati to Muddy Run. The anvil is in possession of T. J. Barton, Springfield, Ohio, a relative of Mr. Galloway, and is in a good state of preservation, and will probably weigh 175 pounds. A day-book used by him is in possession of Francis Johnston, a relative of Mr. Galloway, having charges as curly us 1791. Some of the entries on this book would appear singular if made at the present day, but, to illustrate the customs of those days, a few are as follows:

And many other similar charges, showing that a very small amount of iron, that to-day would not be regarded or accounted of any value, was then carefully and economically used and strictly accounted for. The English currency, pound, shilling and penny, occurs in this book down to and diming a part of the year 1805, during a paid of which he used the English and United States currency interchangeably. After 1805, the United States currency prevails. Mr. Galloway was a s< >ldier in the Revolutionary war. The next settlers after Mr. Galloway were Joseph and Robert Layton, in 1801. They came from Pennsylvania, and Joseph settled on a part of Section 32, now known as the Rubsam farm. Robert Layton settled on a part of the same section, on what is known as the William Layton farm. Joeph Layton was elected one of the first Trustees of the township; was afterward elected Justice of the Peace, and became one of the first Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Clark County. In .1801, Abel Crawford came from Kentucky and settled on Section 27, Range 9, on what is now the property of Henry Snyder. On this farm there is an excellent spring of cold water, and a delightful grove, and, being convenient to the railroad, it is in the summer season a favorite resort for picnics and Sunday-school excursions, and as a pleasure resort is known as the " Cold Springs." The same year, James Woods, from Pennsylvania, settled on the Joseph Layton tract already described; also, in 1801, William Parmer, from New York, settled on what is nowr the south paid of the Henry Snyder home place, Section 20, Range 9, near the Stilwell Springs. The same year, Christian Miller came from Kentucky and settled on what is now known as the J. H. Barringer land, Section 18, Range 8. Shrofo, from Kentucky, and Christian Shrofe, his son, settled about the same time on the Bunyan place, Section 22, Range 8; also Myers and Spencer, sonsin-law of Shrofe. Samuel Davis came from New Jersey in 1803, and settled in the w'est part of the township. About .1805, Moses Miller, from old Springfield.