Clinton County, Ohio - Chapter 14: The Military History of Clinton County, 1882 (part 9 of 14)

We have thus reviewed the history of our township as far as circumstances have permitted the collection of items of interest. Let us close by noting down, for future reference, some items of the present condition of the township. The population of the village of Martinsville, according to the census of 1880, was 355. It contains three dry goods stores, two of which keep groceries, besides two drug stores, which also keep groceries; one saloon and grocery, one hotel, one harness shop, four blacksmith shops (which include two carriage manufactories and repair shops), one wagon shop, two shoe shops, one bakery, one mill, one cabinet shop and three physicians. A bank was established in 1863, by F. M. Moore and Nathaniel Hunter, who were succeeded, August 1, 1873, by Cl el and & Hunt.

A telegraph office was opened about 1863 or 1864, by I N. Miller. From this station, during the fall and winter of 1881, about $100,000 worth of hogs were shipped, and $20,000 worth of wheat.

The valuation of town lots in Martinsville, according to the assessment of 1880, was $11,813; valuation of dwellings, $30,345; valuation of other buildings, $2,965; valuation of mill property ,$1,400; total value, $46,523. In the township, the number of acres of plow land is 13,153.16; number of acres of meadow land, 4,361.06; number of acres of woodland, 5,523.88; total, 23,038 acres. The valuation of this land by the last assessment was $613,390; valuation of dwellings, $53,485; valuation of other buildings, $22,845; valuation of mill property, $1,200; total value, $690,920; adding value of real estate in Martinsville, $46,523, makes a total valuation of real estate in township of $737,443. In the township there are five houses for worship: The

Friends', at Martinsville, valued at $825; the M. E. Church at Martinsville, valued at $2,000; Universalist Church at Farmers Station, $1,500; West Chapel (M. E.), $500; Pleasant Hill, $250; total value, $5,075. There are ten schoolhouses in the township, valued at $4,410. The population of the township in 1870 numbered 1,877. In 1880, it was 2,007, an increase of 130. At the Presidential election in 1880, 492 votes were cast. The township has furnished two Probate Judges, three County Treasurers and one Representative in the General Assembly. According to the statement of a Trustee, there have been 120 paupers sent to the infirmary during the last twenty-seven years, of whom the main cause of pauperism, for at least two-thirds of the number, was whisky and tobacco.

It is regretted that the number of soldiers furnished during the war, and the number lost in battle or by sickness, cannot be ascertained. The first volunteers were Elsworth Rizer, Zach Johnson and , who answered the

One peculiar feature of our history was the long-continued residence of many of the early settlers and their immediate descendants in this vicinity; then the great change which took place during a few years following the close of the war, by removals to the West and by deaths. So great a change was thus produced that, at the time of writing this history, but few individuals remain who were witnesses of the early events of our history. Soon the dark vale shall intervene between us and these, and the last link which connects us with the characters who figured in early days shall be severed; but their footprints have been left upon the sands of time, so indelibly impressed by the character of thoir lives and work, that an imperishable monument of gratitude will ever remain in the heart of every true citizen to their memories.

By C. G. Bowers, Esq

/"''j REENE Township lies in the southeast part of Clinton County, Ohio. On VT the north, it is bounded by Union and Wayne Townships; on the northeast by Wayne Township; on the southeast by Highland County; and on the west by Clark, Washington and Union Townships. Its form -is rhomboidal. Its most northern point a little west of north of a straight line drawn from the center of the southeast line bordering on Highland County. This line is about six miles long. The southeast line is six miles in length. The irregular line on the west side is about eight miles. The line bordering the north and northeast is about eight miles in length. It contains about forty-three square miles of surface. The northeast part of the township lies on the waters of Paint Creek; the southwest part on the head-waters of the Little Miami River.

Surface

The surface is gently undulating for the most part, some of it very level. Probably not an acre of the surface but what is plowable, except the beds of the several little streams, natural and artificial, whose little curves pass over various parts of its surface.

Soil

The soil is excellent; none better may be found in the county. The larger part is a black loam of great depth, and is very productive. In its natural condition, parts of the township were very swampy. Many supposed it never could be delivered and made available for farming; but improvement has shown the contrary. The formerly rejected swamps are now the best lands - most and most productive.

Water

There are no large streams of water in the township. East Fork of Little Miami, Cowan's Creek, another branch of the Miami, and Lee's Creek, or the waters of Paint, are the only streams of any note in the township, and these are comparatively small streams. There are few if any springs in it, yet but a few feet below the surface abundance of water can be obtained. It would require but little labor to secure a supply of water sufficient to run machinery, to an unlimited extent.

Virgin Condition

At the close of the nineteenth century, this township, like the adjacent country, was an unbroken wilderness. The bear, deer, wolf, raccoon, opossum and other wild game were abundant. The wild, uncultured Indian, ''who sees Ood in the clouds, or hears Him in the wind, ''roamed through its forests in quest of game, or to execute his murderous work of Bavage warfare. Few white men had dared to pass through its " tangled copses."

Appearance Of The White Man

The exact time of the white man's appearance as a permanent fixture is now and probably will remain forever in doubt. The first settlers are all gone. Few if any of the second generation live to inform us of the early settlements. Hence, we are compelled to depend chiefly on the third and fourth generations for our information. Through these we can obtain many facts, but not

From the best evidence in our reach, it is believed that 1800 marks the year of the coming of the first settler in the township. In the history of Clinton County, compiled by Lake, Griffing & Stevenson, published in 1876, may be found the following statement: " Among the early settlors of the (Greene) Township were Joseph Anthony, from Virginia, on the land now occupied by Henry Nordyke; Abner Van Meter and Samuel Clevenger, on the land now owned by Isaac Pongate; Morgan Van Meter, a native of Morgantown, Va., settled in the vicinity of Snow Hill in the year 1800, on the land now owned by Zephaniah Spears." " Van Meter's purchase was 200 acres of land, on which he erected a double log cabin, the first of the kind in the township. " This statement agrees very nearly with those made by the oldest and most reliable of our citizens now living. Some slight discrepancies in regard to names and dates appear, but these are few and trivial. Hence, we may be assured that about the year A. D. 1800, the first settlement was made in Greene Township.

Places Of Settlement

The first settlement was made a little southwest of the center of the township, on the East Fork of the Little Miami. Shortly after this, probably in 1804, Micajah Nordyke, a native of North Carolina, settled in the vicinity of Van Meter and Clevenger, who had preceded him three or four years. In the same year, Israel Nordyke settled on the farm now occupied by Michael Johnson.

In the autumn of 1806, Micajah Nordyke, having sold his former claim, bought and settled the land now occupied by John Malone. The Nordyke brothers were natives of North Carolina, but quite early in life moved from their native State to South Carolina, where they remained but a short time, and then removed to Tennessee, on a stream called Lost Creek. From this place they again took up their journey, and found a lodgment in Greene Township, Clinton County, Ohio, where they remained upon the lands above named until they journeyed to the country beyond the vale of this life. They bought their land of Col. A. Buford, who then owned a large tract in this region. They paid $2.50 per acre for their land.

This small settlement in the far-off wilderness became the nucleus around which many others gathered. In 1806 or 1807, Joshua and Stephen Hussey emigrated from North Carolina, their native State, and bought land, a portion of which is included within the present limits of the town of New Vienna. It extended eastward and included the farm now owned by Charles Good. The first house built by these brothers was situated very near the present site of Frank Woodmansee.

In 1810, Charles Harris, father of Elisha Harris, of Snow Hill, bought the land now owned by Jonathan Leeka, and settled upon it, and commenced the work of improving it. About the same time, the land now owned by Carey Clark and Hezekiah Hildebrant was settled by Thomas Cox, grandfather of Vincent Cox, blacksmith of New Vienna; and Joseph Anthony settled the land now owned by Messrs. Levi Miller, Hr. E. M. Woodberry and Henry Nordyke. William Noble, Sr., settled south of the Harris farm, and Aaron Cox where William Elliott now lives. Elisha Noble settled the Thomas Nordyke farm. Charles Harris built the "Snow Hill House," and opened a tavern there, probably the first in the county. His brother-in-law, Samuel Wasson, near the same time, built a house near where Cyrus King now lives, and commenced to entertain travelers.

so early as the south and southeastern parts, the parts just described. The means of knowing precisely the time of the settlement in that part of the township are not within our reach at present; but the principal names of the early settlers there are Vandevort, Bashore, Hodgson, Rogers, Gregory, Hulse, Cashman, McKenzie, Walker, and perhaps others. The land of this region was held originally in large tracts, which Congress had bestowed for military services rendered in our Revolutionary struggle, or in repelling the attacks of the savage aborigines of the country. The first settlers purchased their lands of these original patentees. The pioneers of this region, like the pioneers of all countries, were brave, large-hearted, truthful, generous and kind. They left the civilization of their early homes and industriously sought their fortunes in the wilds of the Mississippi Valley. The first thing those brave men did when they found the lands they had bought, was to erect a rude structure called a cabin, for the protection of those for whom they were ready to sacrifice even their lives. When they found suitable sites whereupon to erect their cabins, they at once began the work of construction, and in a marvelously short time there would rise in the woods these embryo homes, where the loving housewives and playful children were afterward to share the love and caresses of their noble husbands and sires. The houses were usually small, containing but a single room, of probably sixteen or eighteen by twenty feet iu the square, eight or nine feet high, made of unhewn logB of moderate size, covered with clapboards three or four feet long, six to ten inches broad, laid in layers and held to their places by poles of sufficient size to accomplish what was desired. The spaces between the logs were filled with timber and covered with mortar made of clay and water. The floor was rough, made of puncheons or slabs split from the trunks of trees, of suitable size, and one side hewed. This hewn Bide was placed upward, and constituted the floor. The chimneys of these homely but hospitable palaces were constructed by cutting away three or four of the lower logs, at one end of the building, and removing them three or four feet out from the wall, then building them to the house again, by attaching pieces between the ends of the logs removed and the parts still remaining in the building. Against these logs and timbers stones were built, against which the fire was to be placed. This was called the back-wall; from the top of this back-wall the chimney was constructed by building together small pieces of timber and plastering theso within and without with clay mortar. Such is a brief description of the first houses erected in this region. The dress of the people corresponded to their houses. The people had not then learned the refinements (?) of modern aristocracy. Their clothes were made, both fabric and form, by the labor of their own hands. Industry, economy and thrift were marks of that time. Under such a regime it took but a comparatively Bhort time until in place of forests, fields full of grain, with peace and plenty, appeared.

The township was organized while it was yet within the territory of Highland Count}'. Clinton County was organized in 1810, from territory which belonged to Highland and Warren Counties; but Greene Township had been organized prior to this date. This is evinced from the following record taken from one of the township books:

"(1.) October 28, 1809, William Noble's ear mark of his hogs, sheep and cattle is a crop and under-slit in the right ear and a hole in tho left."

" (2.) December 4, 1809, Thomas Cox's oar mark of his hogs, sheep and cattle is a swallow-fork and under-bit in the left oar, and a crop and slit in the right ear."

"November 9, 1809. Received of Micajah Nordyke his State and county tax; State tax, $2.25, county tax, 45 cents; 300 acres of land, No. 4,397."

This view is sustained by the testimony of Stephen Hussey and Henry Nordyke, two of the oldest citizens of the township. Both of these men, now nearing fourscore years of age, testify that they believe the township was organized about the year 1809. Snow Hill was made the voting place from the organization of the township until about 1858; then it was divided into two precincts. New Vienna was made the voting place of the southeast precinct, and New Antioch of the northwest precinct.

Incidents, Anecdotes And Amusements

Micajah Nordyke reached his land too late in the autumn of 1806 to complete his rough cabin for the use of his family before the winter stopped his work. In this half-finished house, with no chimney, warmed by a fire built in the center of the house, he and his family wintered. Here, in the midst of the forest, the wife of Mr. Nordyke often sat through the night season in the absence of her husband, with her little children around her, and listened to the howl of the wolf, whose desire for food often led him even to the door. Here, also, she often cooked food for the straggling Indian. Henry Nordyke says he remembers an old chief by the name of John Cold water, who often visited those early settlers and enjoyed their hospitalities. Upon the knee of this old savage he often sat while his mother prepared his meals. This friendliness of the white and red men had grown up in this region because each respected the other's rights.

Hunting the wild hog in the fall and early winter was quite an amusement, but often rather dangerous. The wide forest, through which the swine could range, caused them to grow wild and sometimes ferocious. They could only be taken by strategy. A little corn, of which his hogship is very fond, would be scattered along a line in the woods toward an inclosure purposely prepared, and then a quantity would be thrown out in the field, and the gap in the fence left open and carefully watched until the swine would get well into the field; then a rush upon the gap was made to close it. After this, help was obtained, and as many hogs as were thought necessary were slain.

The first death among these pioneers was a child of Abner Van Meter. This cast a gloom over the thinly settled community, but their souls were stayed on the word of Him who said, ' ' Suffer the little ones to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven,"

Development

Seventy-five years ago the territory of this township was nearly without inhabitants; the most part of it low, flat and swampy, and all of it heavily timbered. It then had few houses, few settlers, no roads, no schoolhouses, and no churches. Now, it is delivered from this condition. The forest is nearly all gone, the low and flat lands are cleared off and well drained. Swamps have disappeared, and timber is scarce. The whole territory is thickly settled; inhabitants are numbered by thousands; schoolhouses and churches are plenty. For several years after the coming of the first settlers and the first sounds of civilization, progress was slow. Emigrants from the East and South moved in gradually. By 1820, however, population had so increased as to occupy most of the lands of the township. TheD the work of clearing and fencing the wild lands and subduing them to the interests of the settlers went forward rapidly. Soon thousands of acres were under cultivation, and covered with flocks and herds and golden grain, rich reward to the honest, earnest and industrious noblemen who settled here. Through those years of development the people were sociable, benevolent and kind, and though without many books, they were not without learning. Their minds were trained to think. They reasoned for themselves, solved their own problems, and acted as individuals. True, they were rough in dress, and often lacked the refinements (?) of our modern aristocracy; still, they possessed the elements of a true, noble and independent manhood. The pioneer came to this forest home without money and without machinery; hence, his struggle was protracted, and his victory slow but sure. The log cabin has given way to the stately mansion; wealth has taken the place of poverty; the forests have vanished and orchards of richest fruits fill their places. Population is now numbered by thousands; the house-raisings, log-rollings, flax -pullings, corn-huskings, spinnings, quiltings and singing-schools have given place to others, and it is thought, more refined( ?) amusements, such as pools, cards, the dance, base ball, croquet, etc. In reference to these changes it may be questioned whether the progress has been forward or backward, upward or downward.

The site of the first schoolhouse in this township is somewhat uncertain. Lake, Grilling & Stevenson, in their Historical Atlas of Clinton County, say it was on the land now occupied by Henry Swing] ey. Stephen Hussey locates it pear the site of his present residence, within the village of New Vienna. We have no means of settling this dispute, and must leave it to those whose tastes may lead them to further inquiry. It was built about the year 1812. In this house one Robert Peggin was employed to teach, but his intemperate habits caused his dismissal. After this, another man by the name of James Savage was employed, but he in his habits was but little better than Peggin; hence, he remained but a short while. This was the beginning of the schools of the township. Now there are nine subdistricts, one special and one village district. At first the schools seldom ran longer than three months in the year; now they average about eight months. The special district is at New xlntioch, in the northwest part of the township; the village school in the southern part, at New Vienna. The special district has a good brick house, two stories, and

This district was organized about eight years ago, or in 1874. James Dodd, a graduate of Bethany, W. Va. , was the first Principal. Since he left, Profs.

The school has done good service, and is still prospering. The district has furnished many thoughtful men and women, and several teachers, who havo been eminently successful in school work. It may be interesting to note a few facts in reference to some of the sub-districts of the township, showing population, term of schools, wages paid, etc. I shall have to transcribe a few things from the records of the Township Clerk:

Report of District No. 1 : - September 25, 1838. Our school commenced October 20, 1837, and expired April 20, 1838; Ihe term of six months. There was $120 paid by subscription. No school tax. The number of pupils that attended school, fifty-eight. The branches taught - common reading, writing, arithmetic and geography. No building; no repairing. We find on a settlement with the Treasurer, that there remains, after paying the Clerk for taking and returning the number of youths for 1837, $1.50, and leaves in his hand $17.80. After proposing to the meeting repairing schoolhouse, proceeded to business.

Report of District No. 2 : - September 21, 1838. The number of schools the past year is one for three months; the number of scholars in attendance, boys thirty-three, girls thirty; average attendance, thirty and a half. The branches taught were reading, writing, arithmetic and English grammar. The amount of public funds made use of this year was $15; the balance was raised by subscription. Amount raised by tax, none. We have received no school funds from the County Treasurer since the proportion of 1837. The balance remaining in the hands of the Treasurer is $38.85£.

Such are mere samples of early reports of the public schools of the township. It will be seen that wages were low, time of schools short, attendance small, and, it may be added, qualifications of teachers very moderate at best. At present there are nine subdistricts in the township; eight months, average length of schools; attendance, good; wages average $35 per month; teachers' qualifications, fair. The teachers in the subdistricts are generally energetic and worthy of the trust committed to them. Subdistrict schools, or as they are more generally styled, common schools, are doing more in promoting intelligence among the masses and giving permanency to our Republican institutions than are our graded schools. They develop more thought, more intellect, less form, less style than do the graded schools. This tendency of our graded schools to inculcate mere form and style, with little thought, is the bane of these schools, and must, sooner or later, if not abated, prove their disgrace, perhaps their destruction.* The township may be proud of the general intelligence of her population.

Population

In the census of 1880, the population numbered about two thousand seven hundred. This population is chiefly permanent, made up of land-owners, mechanics, merchants, professional men and laborers. The most part of all have homes, and are well to do.

The roads of the township are good. Most of the highways are now gravel pikes. It is now pleasant traveling at any time of the year, so far as the roads are concerned. It would be difficult to describe the difference between the swamp and mud roads of twenty and fifty years ago with the solid pike of to-day. These roads have cost a great deal of money, yet few, if any, would have them removed if the money they cost was paid back with heavy interest.

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passes through the southern part of the township. This road does an immense business. It furnishes a good outlet for all exports and inlet for all imports. The road is in good condition and ably conducted. Two other railroads are now in prospect - -one from Maysville to Columbus, and the other from Cincinnati to the Hocking Valley coal fields. If these roads are ever built, they will open up ample competition for the advantage of shippers who live in this region. They will cross the township at right angles to each other, the one east and west, the other north and south. The Cincinnati & Marietta would pass through the center north and south, and the Cincinnati & Hamilton through the southern part. Nearly all crossings of streams are bridged; hence, weather can have little to do with travel. None are detained on account of lack of facilities, roads, bridges, etc.

Churches in this township, outside the villages, are two in number; one, the Methodist Episcopal Church near Snow Hill, on the New Vienna & Wilmington pike, was built twenty-eight years ago, or about 1854. Like most other churches, this one has seen both prosperity and adversity. At present, however, it is without regular service. The other church belongs to the

Friends, and is situated on the pike leading from Lexington to New Antioch, about five miles southeast of the latter. It iB a comparatively new house, having been built about twelve years. The house is a good one, and the church in good condition. The other churches of the township will be noticed in the history of the villages where they are located.

The first village laid out in the township was called Morgantown, and was situated on the farm now owned by Washington Spears, near Snow Hill. There were but a few houses built here. It remained a town but a short time, and was then vacated, and became a part of the farm above mentioued.

The second village was New Vienna, now a pleasant town of about a thousand inhabitants, situated about the middle of the southeast boundary of the township.

New Vienna was laid out by Thomas Hussey, in 1827. Jonathan Haworth was the first settler in the town after it was laid out. He settled the lot now owned by Thomas L. Rogers, and on the back' part of the lot he and Thomas Reese erected a carding machine.

About the same time, Thomas and Joshua Hussey built a tread mill on the lot now occupied by Rev. C. C. Lazenby. This was afterward changed to a steam mill, and a sawing department added. This mill was built in the woods. It was a haunt for squirrels. The frisky little animals generally shared with the miller the toll of the grain, and for their thievish conduct many of them suffered capitally. The deadly rifle of the early settler was daily used upon them with terrible effect to the poor squirrels. The squirrel hunt was frequent, and an occasion of much merriment to both old and young.

About thiB time James Johnson and Ellis Nordyke, both then but mere boys, wrote a poem which has been preserved, and I here transcribe. Johnson wrote four lines, then Nordyke four. It is headed "The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness," and reads as follows:

This poem was written when lots were being laid out for the villago of New Vienna, called in the poem "Buzzard's Glory." Reasons for this name we cannot give. No doubt there was some cause for the name, but none seem to know the reason now.

To return. In 1828, Stephen Hussey, Jr., and William Reese put up a building on the property now owned and occupied by Mr. Wooddoll, and opened a store of groceries and dry goods. This was the first store in tho villago. In 1827 or 1828, Stephen Hussey started a tannory just north of tho property now ownod by W. D. Moore. This property passed into the hands of Samuel Myers about 1835, who did a considerable business in his lino. He secured the help of a colored man by the name of William Gullifer. Gullifer waB a good workman. He had a small family. This was the first colored person who had found a lodgment in the village or even settlement; hence, it created no small stir. Though he was a good citizen, yet the people said in suppressed tones, "The darkies are settling among us!"

The family at first lived on Main street, between First and Third streets, then moved into a little log house on the corner of Main and First south side. Mr. Myers lived at this time near where Stephen Hussey now lives. One evening, after Myers and family had gone to bed, a few men and boys got together at the store of Mr. Thornburg, successor of Stephen Hussey and Mr. Reese, and entered into an agreement binding all to secrecy, to build a house of brick from the kiln of Mr. Myers, high enough for a boy to stand straight in, say four feet high, which they did that night; and, after covering it with boards, they wrote and fastened to the door the following: "Please take this colored family over to Canada and relieve the village of them." In this way the northeastern part of the village has ever since been called Canada. Nothing further, however, resulted from this prejudice of race; but the community has long been strongly opposed to slavery in all its forms.

A Mr. Rains erected an oil factory where Dr. Quinn now lives, and was quite successful for awhile in his enterprise. Silas Woodmansee and George W. Matthews opened the second store in the village, but fortune was against them, and they soon closed.

A. S. Amberg, the present Mayor of the village, and a Mr. Guiteman opened the third store. This store, under the direction of Mr. Amberg, continued many years, but finally adversity overtook it, and it was closed five or six years ago.

On the property where Adolphus Woodmansee now lives, Jared Morgan opened the first hotel in the village. This has been succeeded by many others at different times and places in the town. But the names of proprietors or the dates of their commencement is not now known. There are at present two hotels, one boarding-house and two eating saloons. The hotels are kept by William Barnard and John Harrison; the boarding- house by Isaiah Brewer; the eating saloons by L. F. Craven and J. N. Underwood. These are all worthy men and keep good houses.

At present, the town boasts of one clothing, four dry goods, three fancy, six grocery, three shoe and boot, two stove and tin, and three drug stores, all situated on Main street between First and railroad depot. These stores are owned and conducted by Messrs. W. A. Brown, A. B. Beard, S. Hetherington, Dr. A. H. Lindley and Hussey, J. N. Underwood, Charles Kelly, Williams & Henry, A. Mohleinpage, F. Conard, John Eakins, W. E. Beard, George Haynie, Dixon & Son, James Santee, H. L. Day, McWright, Osborne & Allison, all of whom are gentlemen of high order, to business bred; Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Mrs. Hetherington and Mrs. Gray control the notion stores.

The village has also two harness, three shoe and three blacksmith shops, all of which are in a prosperous condition. It has two wagon shops, and one buggy and carriage shop, one sash and blind factory, three livery stables and one furnishing and undertaker's establishment. The stables are owned and run by Nordyke & Sons and Homer Hussey; the blacksmith shops by the Hunt Bros., Vincent Cox and H. Deriven; the carriage and buggy shops by Samuel Hixon & Son; the wagon shops by S. Hixon and Allen Dennis; the shoe shops by S. Hetherington, J. Eakins and T. Dowden; the sash and blind factory by James Nevin & Son. It has two mills, both of which grind and saw. One is owned by C. C. Lazenby & Co., the other by Benjamin Baker. The post office is located on Main, between West street and railroad, west side. It is easy of access, and in a very commodious building, erected by tbe present Postmaster, George E. Barrow, for the special use to which it is applied. There are two tailor shops, presided over by Joseph Williams and P. Mohleinpage. There are also two coaleries, under control of John Bernard and John Philips. There is one extensive grain and lumber firm, conducted by Routh & Livery. All these institutions are doing a good business. They, moreover, go to show the thrift and enterprise of the people of the village. The township in 1882, had $32,000 more of taxable property than in 1881. The town has one bank, called the New Vienna Bank. Dr. E. M. Woodberry is its President, E. Arthur its Cashier. The Directors are Stephen Hussey, J. M. Hussey, Charles Good, Ellis Good, E. P. Johnson and. Mr. Guthrie. The bank has been occupying a small brick building on the north side of West street, a little west of Main street, but has recently sold its building to the Town Council, and proposes to build a new and commodious structure on Main, east side, opposite the Odd Fellows corner.

There are, we are sorry to say, two drinking houses. These are located near the railroad depot. One is run by Mrs. Bice, a Jewess, and the other by Mr. Dunden, an Irishman. No native American is engaged in the business.

The town has one Building and Savings Association, organized in November, 1881. Its capital stock is $500,000. It has so far done well by its stockholders. Also one Library Association, with headquarters in Dr. Con nard's office on Main street, north of the post office. It has several hundred volumes, and is being read extensively. The books consist of encyclopedias, history, general and biographical, literary and scientific works, poetry and fiction. It is enlarged yearly by dues and memberships. It was organized about 1878.

Editors - Daniel Hill is editor of the Friends' papers, such as Messenger of Peace, Olive Leaf, Christian Worker, and Sunday School Lesson Leaf.

Mr. Wilson and Samuel DeLa are editing a weekly paper under the title of the New Vienna Record. Mr. John Hussey is the publisher and proprietor of all these papers. He owns the press and supplies the labor and materials for publishing them.

Physicians - There are two schools represented, the allopathic and the homoeopathic. Of the first school there are four, viz., Drs. A. T. Johnson, George Connard, R. T. Trimble and T. C. Quinn. Of the second school there is but one, Dr. E. W. Brown. A. T. Johnson is the senior physician of the place. He is a very intelligent gentleman, with an immense surgical experience. He served four years in the great rebellion as Surgeon. The others are all well road and practical men.

Attorneys - There are three attorneys, viz., William West, C. C. Bowers and W. D. Moore. George E. Barrow is Postmaster, and also Notary Public.

The village supports a graded school of six rooms, five teachers and a Principal. Its enumeration is probably nearly three hundred. The school grew up gradually out of the common schools by the increase of population. Prior to 1860, many good teachers had been employed in the district, and quite an interest in education had been awakened. This interest induced a joint-stock company to build a two-story brick house with two good rooms below and two above, and to employ teachers to organize a seminary. This was done, but it was but a short time until the religious sect called German Baptist bought the house of the company and started a school of their own. For a time the enterprise was successful, but success did not last long, though the denomination worked with a zeal worthy of permanent success, yet the school failed to be self-supporting and had to be abandoned, as every such enterprise must, unless supported by an endowment.

Schools can never be self-sustaining if they depend only upon the tuition fees for support. Hence, no adverse criticism should fall upon the people who made this attempt. They did what they could, and probably as much as any others would have done under like circumstances; yet they failed - failed only because the plan they adopted must always fail. At this time, the district had begun to enlarge rapidly, yet it was only a subdistrict. The records of the district call it a subdistrict as late as April 9, 1860. On this day the voters elected Directors as follows: John Matthews, now Probate Judge, for three years; 0. C. Bowers for two years, and J. B. Truitt for one year. On the 16th of the same month and in the same year, I find it called an Independent District. On this day the board, which had been elected on the 9th, or seven days before, met under the title of the Board of Education of Independent District, No. 1, and organized by appointing J. B. Truitt, Chairman, and J. Matthews, Secretary.. At this meeting the Board resolved to levy a tax for school purposes, amounting to $350, and also $150 for contingent fund. They also ordered J. Matthews, the Recorder, to make a plat of the additional territory to the corporation of Independent District No. 1, Greene Township, Clinton County, Ohio. From these facts it seems evident that the district was detached from the subdistrict of the township, and became an independent one in April, 1860. Between April 16 and August 4, 1860, J. Matthews resigned his office as Director, and on the 4th of August J. L. Swarts was appointed by J. T. Crawford Township Clerk to fill the unexpired time of Mr. Matthews. He was sworn into office August 14, 1860, and on August 22, a meeting was held by the Board, and C. C. Bowers offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a tax of $4,000 be levied on Independent District No. 1, Greene Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, for the purpose of building or buying a schoolhouse for said district; one-fourth to be paid in June, 1861; one-fourth in December, 1861; onefourth in June, 1862, and one-fourth in December, 1862.

But this resolution was never carried into effect on account of its illegality. In April, 1861, T. L. Rogers and Nathan Hussey were elected Directors of the district, one for three and the other for two years. At their first meeting following the election, they voted a tax for school and incidental purposes of $500. At the same meeting the Board levied a tax of $3,000 for a house, $1,- 500 to be paid in 1861, and $1,500 in 1862; and they appointed T. L. Rogers to see to the selling of the old property. Subsequently, an election was held to determine whether the tax above named should be levied or not; the votes stood in favor of the tax. Asa Nordyke was elected in 1862 in place of C. C. Bowers, whose time expired then. In 1863, George Mory was elected as Director; in 1864, J. C. Green was elected to the same office. In 1864, the Board raised the tax for school purposes, etc., to 4 mills. In 1865, Asa Nordyke was re-elected. This year the people voted a still greater tax. In 1866, George Mory resigned, and A. T. Johnson was appointed in his stead, and was afterward re-elected. The school officers from 1866, elected in April of each sue- ceeding year and appointed to fill vacancies, are as follows: A. F. Johnson, reelected; J. F. Crawford, Daniel Hill, B. Y. Seigfried, Silas Routk, George Mory, Granville Osborne, A. S. Amberg, Asa Nordyke, A. B. Beard, Edwin Shockley, G. R. Connard and C. C. Lazenby. The three last named constitute the Board at present.

Somewhere between 1860 and 1865, the old subdistrict schoolhouse was vacated and sold to the Catholic Church, and the house owned by the German Baptists was bought. There is nothing definite in the records by which to determine with accuracy the time of said purchase; but it seems probable that it was made about 1862. This house continued to be occupied until 1878. Preparations, however, had been made to erect a new building more in accord with the advance of the times, in 1877. The work of collecting material, etc., was well on the way in this year, and early in 1878 the workmen proceeded to erect the house. The house waB ready, and school opened the last Monday of September, 1878. It is a substantial brick structure, two stories and cellar, with hall above and below stairs. It contains, besides the cellar, six school rooms, and a commodious hall. The building speaks well for both the heads and hearts of the people whose skill and money put it up.

The following are the teachers as far as can be ascertained, who have been employed since i860: Prof. William Haydock was probably the first Principal; his wife assisted him; also J. E. Powell and Hannah Lewis; Mary A. Powell and Flora Higgins were also employed some part of the time of Mr. Haydock's principalship. In 1867, Prof. W. R. Spooner was employed as Principal at $65 per month. Misses Jennie Holliday, Hannah Lewis and Mary A. Powell were his assistants. The length of school in this year was six months. In 1868, M. L. Ent was employed as Principal at $65 per month; Allen Terrill at $50 per month; Mary A. Powell, $35, and Hannah Kinsey at $25; six months length of school. In 1869, Allen Terrell was employed as Principal at $80 per month; Ettie Blair, $40; Hannah Lewis, $35, and Hannah Kinsey, $35; length of school eight months. In 1870, J. M. R. Bateman was employed as Principal, and continued to fill the place acceptably for four years, or including 1873, when he resigned and moved to California, where he has since been engaged in the schools of that State. He was a good scholar and educator. The names of the teachers under him for these four years were D. J. Bateman, Misses Rhoda Francis, Lidie Oldaker, Clara Rhodes, Sallie Hunt, Allie Mory, Michael Nordyke and Mr. Samuel DeLa. During these four years, the schools ran about eight months each year. WageB much the same as those before recorded. In 1874, S. A. DeLa was employed at $75 per month as Principal, and Mr. Cyrus B. Austin, Misses Allie Mory, Michael Nordyke and Jennie Kinsey were his assistants. Miss Kinsey, soon after the close of the school, married a Mr. E. Good and left the school, and Mr. Austin attended Delaware College till he graduated, and then obtained a professorship in his Alma Mater. In 1875, W. D. Moore was employed as Principal; he continued in this position till April, 1880; his assistants were L. A. Henry, Grammar School four years; Miss Lacy, now [Mrs. Conard, one year; Miss Flynn, now Mrs. Brown, four years in first and second departments, and Mrs. Craig, one year in second department; Mrs. O. Henry, wife of L. A. Henry, five years; Miss Allie Mory, five years. These were all good workers in the school.

In 1880, "the board met pursuant to adjournment," May 18, the members of the board all present. The following work was then dono: They determined that school should commence the first Monday in September, 1880, and run eight months, with one week vacation at holidays. They levied 4 mills to the dollar for furnishing means to pay indebtedness on building, and 5J mills for school purposes. They then elected the following teachers: "For Principal, J. F. Fenton, at $75 per month; for Grammar School, L. A. Henry, $45 per month: Second Intermediate, Allie Mory, $35 per month; First Intermediate, Annie F. Brown, $35 per month; Second Primary, Frankie Smith, $35 per month; First Primary, Clara Henry, $35 per month."

"May 27, 1881, board met pursuant to adjournment; members present. * * * Resolved that the board proceed at once to the selection of Principal and subordinate teachers for the term commencing September 1, 1881, upon the following conditions: That each teacher elected deposit with the Clerk during the month of June a certificate covering the length of time for which each is employed. * * * The board then proceeded to ballot for Principal, which resulted in the election of Prof. J. F. Fenton, after which L. A. Henry was chosen to the Grammar Department; Alice Mory to the Second Intermediate; Emma Wright, First Intermediate; Miss Frankie Smith, Second Primary, and Mrs. Clara Henry, First Primary." The school was run this year eight months.

On May 1, 1882, Prof. J. F. Fenton was again for the third time chosen as Principal; Mrs. Clara Henry, First Primary; Second Primary, Miss Frankie Smith; First Intermediate, Miss Emma Wright; Second Intermediate, Mrs. Clara E. Brown. School to run nine months. Wages, $90, $45, $40 and $35. Such is a brief view of the schools for the last twenty-two years.

The Friends' Church was organized many years ago. Their house at that time and for many years stood nearly three-fourths of a mile west of north from the village. The house at that place growing old and considerably dilapidated, made it necessary to build a new house. This house was built on Church street, between Second and Third streets, in the year 1871. It is a substantial brick edifice, capable of seating comfortably about three hundred persons. The Friends' Church is in a prosperous condition; they hold regular services every Lord's Day, and have a fine Sunday school. The Friends have their principal printing office of the United States in this village. They send off an immense amount of printed matter, in weekly papers, monthlies, books, etc.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized early in the history of the village, probably about the year 1843; their first bouse of worship was built about 1850, on or near the site of their present house. This continued until 1876, when they erected a two-story brick edifice, which they at present occupy, though the auditorium is not yet completed. There is hope, however, that it will soon be ready for use. Rev. C. B. Warrington, an itinerant, was the first preacher of the denomination who visited the place, and, at the commencement of his first meeting, Mrs. Mary Bowers, wife of Rev. C. C. Bowere, was the only member in the town. During his first meeting several professed religion and were organized into a congregation;, subsequently, not being able to build a house, they rented the Baptist Church house for one year; then fitted up a house standing at that time on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Eliza Dennis, in which they continued to hold services until 1850, when they built their first house, above referred to. Among the names associated with Mrs. Mary Bowers in the first organization, are found Julia Moyer, now wife of Rev. C. H. Savidge, of Minnesota; Eliza Matthews, widow of George Matthews, of Leesburg; William Noble and his wife, Ann Noble. There were perhaps others, whose names are not now known. Many of the first members have passed to their reward. The names of ministers who have labored for this church are as follows, given in the order of the time of their labor: Revs. C. B. Warrington, Francis A. Timmons, James Webb, Jeremiah Ellsworth, Levi Cunningham, T. M. Gossard, Anthony Musgrove, a blind man; Joseph Gatch, John S. Jackson, Allen Thompson, D. Calahan, A N. Spahr, S. A. Brewster, H. Stokes, T. A. G. Philips, M. P. Zink, E. II. Field, John Shinn, James Porter, Wesley Webster, J. H. Middleton, S. W. Edmiston, J.

R. Hunter, J. McShultz, Lafayette Young, R. E. Smith, G. M. Edgar, J. G. Black. The Presiding Elders, as far as known, are William P. Ellsworth, George W. Walker, George C. Crum, M. Kaufman, M. Dustin, James Kindal,

S. D. Clayton, J. T. Baile, L. F. Van Cleve. Under the labors of this ministry, this church has had its share of trials and difficulties," its ups and downs; yet, withal, progress has, on the whole, attended it. Hundreds have held membership with it. But through deaths and removals its numbers now stand at about 110. It has regular preaching each alternate Lord's Day, and a good Sunday school, which meets in the morning of every Lord's Day. Its future is hopeful. Its resident or local ministers are C. C. Bowers and C. C. Lazenby, both of whom are zealous and energetic men.

Baptist Church. - This church was organized at first a mile or two east of the village, and continued there several years. It was then known as a " Hardshell " Baptist Church. However, after a time, a division occurred, when the more liberal-minded collected themselves together and kept up worship about at the houses of friends till the band grew strong enough to erect a house of worship. Their first house was built in the village about the year 1840. The leading spirits of this missionary Baptist society were Joseph Haskins and wife, Istma Harris and wife, Charles Posegate and wife. The other division of the church remained in possession of the old house and decayed and died as the old house rotted down. The missionary Baptists enjoyed the labors of Revs. Eli Frey, Hiram Burnett, J. B. Sutton, Mr. Waters, Henry Brown, J. W. Dinkleman, J. R. Sargent, Eli Tilson, G. W. Churchill, B. Z. Seigfried, H. H. Witter, J. R. Powell and others whose names we do not have. The church has been quite prosperous. It has in it now many of the most substantial citizens of the town and vicinity, such as Isaac Routh, Isaac Posegate, A. B. Beard, John Routh, Cleyborne Burnett, William Burnett, L. A. Henry, etc., and their families. They number about 120 members, with a fine Sunday school, which has been under the management of A. B. Beard, a man every way worthy of the place. They are erecting a fine brick edifice, which, when finished, will cost about $10,000.

Catholic Church. - This church has been organized but a short time, probably fifteen or twenty years. At first, it bought and used the old school building, but within the last five or six years, it has removed that building and replaced it with a new brick structure of a plain, neat finish. The house is not large, but sufficient for the church, except on great occasions. It has no pastor settled in the town, but one visits it regularly and instructs it in its special theology. The members are mostly of foreign birth or descent. The names of the leading men are Augustus Kernan, Thomas Higgins, Patrick Tooey. The numerical strength of this church is not large, but the membership is earnest and devoted to the interests of the church. Most all, if not all, of this church are either of foreign birth themselves or children of those who are of foreign birth. The church is not aggressive here. Its increase is from those who move to the place.

Church of Christ (ordinarily called Disciples). - This church has existed as an organized body since 1860. The ground-work was laid by W. D. Moore, who was a missionary at this place under the auspicos of Mt. Olivet, Bethel and New Antioch Churches. These churches employed him one-fourth of his time for one year, commencing in the fall of 1859, to labor at New Vienna. A result of this work was to call out many into the services of God and to unite them on the Bible alone. In June, 1860, W. D. Moore and Rev. Mr. Bacon held a discussion involving the doctrine of Universal ism. This discussion was fruitful of good, as it is believed, as it has settled that question in this community, and few are left to advocate the doctrine of unconditional salvation. Many were called to a fuller realization of their obligations to God. Mr. Moore collected and united within this year some forty or fifty persons as Disciples. In the fall of 1860, from $1,000 to $1,500 were subscribed for building a church house, and the work was postponed till spring. When the spring came, the great rebellion came with it, and in a large degree stopped almost all religious enterprises; so the work was not begun again until after the war ended, when Elder F. D. Garvin and others renewed the thought of building, which was carried out in 1866 or 1867, and the house dedicated to the worship of God and a congregation organized, with ZephaDiah Spears and Clark Dixon aB Overseers. Clark Dixon, who withdrew from the church, was succeeded by Brother C. B. Tattershall; Brother Z. Spears by George E. Barrow, and he by W. D. Moore, with whom J. W. Ruble was associated for two years; but at present, and for the past two years, W. D. Moore is the only Elder in the church. At present, Washington Spears and Dora Hildebrant are the Deacons; Zephaniah Spears, John Pond and Dora Hildebrant are the Trustees. The church is in good condition. It numbers about eighty members, with a good Sunday school. It has preaching once a month by W. D. Moore, who has worked for it more or less for the last ten years. It has had hundreds of members in fellowship; but death, emigration and other causes have kept it depleted until it is numerically small. It has been, and still is, a liberal church, ever ready to assist in whatever tends to promote the true interests of society.

Benevolent Societies

There are three lodges in town - one Masonic, one Independent Order of Odd Fellows and one I. O. O. F. Encampment. These are all in good condition. All have hallB of their own. The Masons owd the second story of a brick building east side of Main street, south of Third street, over Frank Conard's grocery. The Odd Fellows own a building on the west side of Main street, north of West street, on the corner and opposite the Masonic room. It is two stories, two business rooms below and lodge-room above. This lodge is wealthy. The Encampment meets in the same hall.

Such is a brief and succinct statement of facts, as far as necessary, to show the present condition of the town. Industry, economy and thrift are marked characteristics of the people of the village. They are, moreover, an average for enterprise and general intelligence.

New Antioch

This place is but a hamlet of probably one hundred inhabitants, situated a half-mile to the northeast of the New Vienna & Wilmington pike, and about eight miles from the former place. Its buildings are all frame, but are good and substantial. It takes on quite an appearance of thrift. It has two pikes passing through it. It has one mill, owned and run by John Duchane, a very worthy citizen; two stores, run by the Layman Bros, and the Rulon Bros. They seem to be doing a fair business; John Barrett makes shoes and boots for all who call upon him, and Pressly Rulon furnishes harness to those who wish. Both these are enterprising young men. Jesse Pond is a citizen of the hamlet, and trades extensively in grain and stock. It has two physicians - Drs. Barriere and Farabee, both worthy men.

Seventh-Day Adventists. - This church is but of three or four years' standing, and is small numerically and not rich in purse. John Durham, William Bloom, the family of the late Richard Yandervort, the widow of G. L. Haynie and wife of Jesse Pond comprise the principal membership. They meet on each seventh day for worship and for the study of the Scriptures.

Church of Christ. - This is one of the oldest churches of the county, having been organized about 1820. Its influence has been far-reaching. It has numbered among its members nearly every person who has lived any length of time within five miles around it. It has had the labors of nearly all the pioneer preachers in what is known as the Reformation of the nineteenth century. Walter Scott, A. S. Hayden,' Benjamin Wilkins, S. K. Hoshour, James Challen, Aylett Rains, J. M. Henry, John Rogers, Samuel Rogers, L. L. Pinkerton, William Pinkerton, J. B. Lucas, D. S. Burnett, Jonas Hartzell and many others have labored more or less for this church through the first fifty years of its existence. Since then, it has enjoyed the labors of many younger men, whose names it is not necessary to record. The church has numbered as high as 350 at one time. It seldom fell below 200 members. This is probably about its present strength. It has no regular pastor and has not had one for several years. It has occasional preaching. P. H. Yandervort, John Vandervort and Thomas Starbuck are its Elders at present. It has for years carried on a successful Sunday school. A young man by the name of Utter is its present Superintendent.

Benevolent Institutions

In the foregoing, the progress and present condition of Greene Township may be seen. Brevity has been studied, and no effort at rhetoric has been made. The plain, simple facts, plainly set forth has been the only aim of the writer.

In writing the history of the township, the subject above named was overlooked till the work was finished; then it was thought advisable to add this postscript, setting forth such facts as may be at hand and of interest touching her action in the war of the rebellion. It is but just to say that she stood in the front of the townships of the county in furnishing her quota of men and money to sustain the flag of her country; she never lost faith in it for a moment. Her people were nearly a unit on all the great questions of that time, and especially in regard to the maintenance of the National integrity. No call was ever made, either for men or money, that she did not respond to at once and with zeal. Following we record the names of soldiers from the township, indicating the officers and the dead as far as known:

As a finale to the war record of the township, we transcribe a poem written during the war by Miss Morley Amberg, daughter of the Mayor of the village:

"Captain John Drake, with his brave men, Whom he had led through marsh and fenr Was shot upon the battle ground And here his last remains were found.

By Iion. Thomas 8. Jackson

THIS is one of the southern townships of Clinton County, named in honor of the third President of the United States, was organized in the year 1839 from territory taken from Clark and Marion Townships. The survey was made in the winter season by Peyton West, one of the pioneers of the county, who was elected and served as County Surveyor for several terms, and resided in Clark Township, where he died in the year 186-. James H. West and John W. Smith were chain carriers and David Wright, marker.

David Wright waB one of the early pioneerB of the county, and, at the time of the survey, resided in Washington Township. He was a member of the jury that tried the first State case that was before the Court of Common Pleas in the county. James H. West, who was eighteen years old at the time of the survey, is a farmer now residing near Martinsville, Clark Township. John W. Smith died at Marathon, Clermont Co., Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day, in the year 1880, in the seventy -fourth year of his age

This township contains about twenty-three square miles, or 14,720 acres. It is bounded on the north principally by Washington Township, on the south by Brown County, on the east by Clark Township, and on the west by Marion Township. The surface is generally level, but is susceptible of drainage at reasonable cost. A small portion of the land along the West Fork and near the Brown County line is somewhat broken, but may be cultivated without difficulty. The principal stream in the township is the West Fork. It enters the township in the northeastern part and runs in a southwesterly direction to a point near the village of Westboro, where it bears south, crossing the Brown County line, and continues about one and one-half miles in the same direction and empties into the East Fork of the Little Miami River. The principal branches of the West Fork are Plum Run, Dry Run, Moon's Branch, Hale's Branch, Lick Branch, Sugartree Branch and Bee Branch.

Along the West Fork, Dry Run and Moon's Branch, there is considerable blue limestone, and large quantities have been hauled to other parts of the county for building purposes and walling wells, and no doubt the time is approaching when those lands along the creeks that contain large quantities of stone that can be quarried with reasonable expense will be utilized with profit to the owner. The most of the township may be regarded as fairly productive, with some portions quite fertile; all the cereals are successfully produced and the soil is regarded as particularly well adapted to the cultivation of the potato. On the level portions, which include by far the greater part, the compact nature of the soil and tho heavy growth of timber, which covered almost every acre of the township, have prevented its rapid settlement and improvement. The distinguishing varieties of timber were oak, hickory, white maple and elm, with specimens of almost all other varieties common to this part of Ohio. The white oak timber was extensive and valuable; much of it was large and tall, and was extensively manufactured into planks, boards, shingles and staves, and taken to other parts of the country for use; a large proportion of the white oak was of a tough quality, suitable for the manufacture of plows and wagons, for which purpose great quantities were shipped, as well as the hickory and some ash. The white maple has been extensively used for house building. Much of the timber within the recollection of tho writer has been destroyed for the purpose of clearing the land for cultivation. When no profitable use could be made of if, the only expedient was to cut down and burn, or deaden and finally burn on the ground.

The great tornado of May 22, 1860, made havoc with the timber. Much of it was broken down and torn up by the roots, or bent and damaged. This storm did great damage to buildings and orchards; many houses and bams were unroofed. A portion of the brick schoolhouse at Westboro was blown down while school was in session, but thanks to "Him who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb," no one was seriously injured; also a portion of the M. E. Church at the same place was blown down. Some stock was killed in the neighborhood, but no human lives were lost. This storm was probably the most remarkable occurrence that has been witnessed since the settlement of the township.

The first cabin built in the township was on the farm now owned by John Holaday, by Samuel Jackson, about the year 1812. He had emigrated from Tennessee in the year 1800, and settled in the eastern part of what is now Highland County, on Rocky Fork. His principal occupation was hunting, and during one year (1801) he killed two panthers and a large number of deer and bears. His hunting-grounds were the Brush Creek and Sun Fish hills. About the year 1818, he removed to the southwestern part of the township, and there settled on lands now owned by Alfred Daugherty and known as the Lyons farm. He soon after moved to Tennessee, and from Tennessee to Cass County, Texas, where he was living at the beginning of the late civil war, since which time the writer has been unable to learn anything from him.

The first settler in the Hale's Branch neighborhood was one Hale, who made the selection of a building site while in company with John Randall, John Brunson and Ephraim Jones. About the year 1812, this party, who were engaged in shipping salt from the salt works near Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, on flat-bottom boats, were returning on foot across the country, as was their custom. They encamped for the night in what was then a beautiful oak forest, near a branch not far from where Wilson Bailey now lives. As related by one of the party, in the morning, when about to break camp, Hale remarked that the place was so attractive that he intended to return and settle there. He did return, built a cabin, cleared a field, but soon left for some other parts, but where is not known to the writer. Jesse Hockett soon after settled on the same branch and became a permanent settler.

Joseph Hockett, who emigrated from Tennessee, built a hewed-log house, which was the first within the township, and cleared a field on lands now owned by William Scott, near Hixon's Schoolhouse, but soon after bought land in the Hale's Branch neighborhood, to which he removed and there remained until his death, about the year 1843. Thomas Comer, John Garner and Mr. Brunson were early settlers in the Bee Branch neighborhood. The first settlers in the vicinity of Westboro were John Starr, Richard Starr, William Starr and John Thornhill.

William Hammer settled in the southern part of the township in the year 1817, on the farm now owned and occupied by John Simcox. In the year 1816, William Hammer, while looking at the country, saw and killed a large black bear near the present residence of John Simcox. During the years 1817 and 1818, William Hammer and John Thompson built a saw-mill on the West Fork, the first mill that was built within the township. They operated the mill with some degree of success for a few years, but in the time of a great freshet, the dam, which was made of logs, washed away and was never rebuilt. The foundation logs remain there, to be seen even to this day, as memorials of

Thomas Sermon, an old Revolutionary soldier, settled in the southern part of the township, on the lands of James Taylor, of Kentucky, who would not sell to any one as long aR the old veteran desired to occupy it, and was apparently provoked to wrath when a party desired to buy, assigning as a reason why Taylor should sell "that the old fellow was cutting timber where he pleased and doing no good generally," to which Taylor replied in substance with his usual warmth when aroused, that " such a man as the applicant was not worthy of being a land-owner, and that he would not sell land to a man that sought to dispossess or disturb an old soldier, who had gone, as it were, with hiB life in his hand, and suffered to secure the liberty we enjoy." James Clark now owns and occupies the land.

Among the early settlers in the township who became permanent and prominent citizens, there were William Garner, Joseph Hinshaw, Granville Haines, in the Westboro neighborhood, with many other younger men, an account of which will be given in the biographical sketches; Thomas Moon, Nathan Hoggatt, Jesse Hookett and others in the Hale's Branch neighborhood; Joseph D. Moon, Daniel H. Moon, John Holaday, Thomas B. Johnson and John W. Johnson, living on and near the old road leading from Martinsville to West Woodville.

About the year 1831, William Moon built a saw-mill on the West Fork on the lands now owned by C. C. Miller, which proved to be a success and was a great public benefit, as large quantities of lumber were manufactured, which was much needed for building purposes and the manufacture of wagons, plows, and other implements. This mill continued in operation until about the year 1855. The first steam saw-mill that was built in the township was built by two brothers, Lewis and Thomas Hockett, in the year 1850. It was successfully operated for a few years by them and then sold to Jacob Rhonemus, who continued to run it for a considerable length of time, but was afterward owned by various parties and continued in operation for quite a number of years. The first flouring-mill was built by John Yandervort, at Westboro, in the year 1858, which has been kept in operation up to the present time. It is now owned by Settles, Lacock & White.

John Hammer, in the year 1838, built and put in operation a carding machine, on the west side of tiie West Fork, near where the village of Westboro now stands, to which he had a grist-mill attached, and continued to run the same for quite a number of years; but to him it proved to be a financial disaster.

The Westboro Woolen Mills, of Westboro, were built in the year 1868 by S. J. Spees, Tunmous & Adams, at a cost of about $7,000. The building is ninety feet long by thirty feet wide. It covers a commodious cellar, 30x60 feet, under that portion of the building which was originally built for a rail road depot building. In April, 1874, the establishment was purchased of S. J. Spees by S. Wickersham & Son, who still operate it, employing, when running, eight hands; they do both merchant and custom work, and have aided in supplying the following-named towns and their respective neighborhoods with jeans, flannels and blankets; St. Martins, Fayetteville, Cynt.hiana, Newtonville, Edenton, Goshen, Blanchester, Wilmington, Cuba, Clarksville, Martinsville, New Vienna, Washington C. II. and Lynchburg.

Note. - We have been shown by T. S. Jackson the marriage certificates of his grandparents, Jacob Jackson and Ann (Beals) Jackson, who wore united in

Slurry Comity, N. C., by the ceremony prescribed by the Society of Friends, on the " tenth day of the eighth month" (August 10), 1774. Jacob Jackson was the son of Samuel and Catherine (Plankinhorn) Jackson, of the same county, and his wife was the daughter of Bowater and Sarah Beals, also of the same county. The ceremony occurred at New Garden, at the meeting-house at Tom's Creek. The form of certificate is the same as that given in (Chapter V of this volume. - P. A. D.

Church Organization And Buildings

The first church organization was that of the Friends, about the year 1825. They first held their meetings in a house built for a schoolhouse on the north side of the West Fork, near where John Holaday now lives, but after the division in the society, which took place in the year 1828, the Orthodox Friends built a log house on lands obtained of Daniel H. Moon, nearly opposite the mouth of Hale's Branch, at which place they located a burying-ground of about one acre. The society continued to occupy the house till the year 1853, when they built the commodious frame house now on the same lot. The society has increased in numbers fully equal to the comparative increase in the population of the county. The society' s monthly meetings are held alternately here and. at Newberry (Martinsville). This is known as West Fork Meeting.

About the year 1838, the United Brethren, sometimes known as the German Methodists, organized a society made up of the citizens of the Plum Run and Westboro neighborhood. Among the leading members were Henry Garrett (a minister), John Barr, James T. Smith and others, who were early settlers in the township.

The Episcopal Methodists, in the year 1854, built the brick church now situated in the village of Westboro, and have ever since maintained a large membership for a village of its size. Among the early active members of the society there were John Adams, John Garoutte, Daniel Bailey, John Girton and other prominent citizens of the neighborhood. The church is in the Clarksville Circuit.

About the year 1868, the Christian society (sometimes termed New Lights to distinguish them from the Christian Church, sometimes known as Disciples or Reformers) built a large house at Westboro, and the organization is still maintained.

The military history of Jefferson Township here given must necessarily be very inadequate, as it would require more space than can here be allowed to give even a synopsis of the many deeds of valor and heroism that were performed in the late civil war by her volunteers, in common with other men of the county and State, or to enumerate the sufferings that they endured. Wecan therefore do but little more than give the names of those we have been able to obtain from the sources at oiu: command.

At the time of the commencement of the late civil war, there were living within the township some of the veterans of the war of 1812, among whom wore John J. Fisher, John Garoutte, George Chopson and John Stewart, the former having served under Gen. Scott at the battle of Lundy's Lane.

In accounting for the volunteers from Jefferson Township, it is difficult to give an entire list, as quite a number joined companies and regiments that were principally made np by men from other parts of the State, and if any names shall be omitted it will be on account of their names not being on the muster-rolls to which the writer has had access.

The first company that was officered exclusively from this township was Company E, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, viz., Allen S. Bundy, Captain, resigned; Andrew F. Deniston, First Lieutenant, promoted to Cap- tain; Charles J. Cunningham, Second Lieutenant: Obed G. Sherwin, First Sergeant, promoted to First Lieutenant, and wounded by the ball that killed O. S. Knote; James Page, Jesse Joseph (killed in battle), Nathan Joseph, Henry Moon, Stephen Girton, Hezekiah Little (taken prisoner), James Clark, John Girton, Lewis A. Hammer, Charles Springer, Ambrose Nott, Thomas E. Graham (died), John D. Moon, D. C. Moon (wounded), W. H. Orr, Andrew M.

In the summer of 1864, Company C, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was organized by Capt. A. F. Deniston, and this township furnished officers and men as follows :

C. E. Hixson served three years in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was the first volunteer from the township; was captured and confined in the rebel prison at Andersonville.

B. Robinson, First Lieutenant; John BottB, Color-Bearer, killed at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Ga., 20th of July, 1864. Privates - Samuel Goble, Joseph Hoggatt, John E. Andrew (wounded), Thomas Chopson, James Wolf, Isaac Schooley, A. C. Gorrell, John Stephens (wounded, lost leg), Robert Moon (wounded, lost arm), Jackson Littles, Henry Burns, William Black (died in the service). The company was engaged in thirteen battles.

The Hillsboro & Cincinnati Railroad, the first that was built in the county, runs through this township. It was completed from Loveland to Hillsboro in the year 1852. The Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad also runs through this township. When these roads were first built, and for some years afterward, they made an extensive market for wood, which gave employment to numerous men.

The Village Of Westboro

The voting-place in the township, is situated on the Hillsboro Branch of the Marietta Railroad, four miles east of Blanchester; is a village of about 200 inhabitants; has two dry goods and grocery stores, one drug store, railroad, ticket and telegraph office, and is the most convenient station for St. Martin's and Fayetteville. It is an important shipping station for hogs, grain, wool and hay. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows own a nice building, with hall in second story, the lower story now being occupied by Villars & Thompson, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements. The village contains a very good two-story brick school building, a Grange hall, two blacksmith shops, one wagon-maker shop and one shoe shop.

Clinton Valley

Clinton Valley is situated on the Marietta Railroad, at the crossing of Wilmington & Westboro Free Turnpike, twelve miles from Wilmington, and is noted for being a great coaling and water station for said road, which gives employment to a number of men. It contains about 100 inhabitants; has two good stores, which are patronized with a lively trade; one steam saw-mill; also a good brick schoolhouse.

Schools And School Buildings

The first school taught in the township was taught by Thomas Abbott in the year 1823, in a cabin on the west side of the West Fork, not far from where the village of Westboro now stands, Jesse Hockett was probably the next teacher in the township.

The first schoolhouse built in the township was on the north bank of West Fork, opposite the lands of John W. Jackson, which was also used for a meetinghouse by the Society of Friends. After the organization of Jefferson Township, it was divided into four districts, viz. : The Bee Branch neighborhood, as a fractional district, to which was attached a fraction of Clark Township; the Hale's Branch District; the James Thornhill District, and the West Fork District. In the latter, a dissension arose about where the house should be located. There appeared to be three parties, and, as the house had to be built by voluntary contribution, each party built a house, and schools were taught from time to time in each house until the re-organization of the districts, about 1844, when another district was formed and a new frame house built at W estboro.

The township is now divided into six subdistricts and one special district, the latter including the village of Westboro and territory adjacent thereto. The house is a two-story brick building, with spacious grounds surrounding it, which are ornamented with numerous shade trees, transplanted from the native forest. With the care that the enterprising citizens will no doubt take of the building and its surroundings, it will be an ornament to the village and country. In connection with the schools, in December, 1881, the literary and social society of Westboro, through the instrumentality of N. B. Van Winkle, M. D., and John T. Bishop, Principal of the school, was organized, with J ohn

T. Bishop, President; Miss Lettie F. Jackson, Secretary, and Miss Laura Jackson, Treasurer. The membership consisted of Misses Ada L. Sargent, Cora M. Aiken, Emma Hockett, Sallie Kumler, William Kumler and Benjamin E. Page. The object of the society is the cultivation and improvement of the social and literary tastes of the young people. The public schools of the township are generally in a prosperous condition. This township has been noted for the number of distinguished teachers and professional and business men it has furnished. The obvious reason of this is that it contained no wealthy families and that the young men had to rely upon their own exertions for success.

By Hon. Jesse N. Oben

LIBERTY Township is in the center of the northern tier of townships of Clinton County. Its entire northern line borders on Greene County. It lies immediately between Wilson Township on the east, and Chester, which is west of it. Its entire southern line borders on Union Township. It is three miles wide from north to south, and six miles long from east to west, and contains 15,460 acres of land. Anderson's Fork, a stream of considerable importance, flows through the entire length of the township from east to west, and discharges its water into Csesar's Creek about one-half mile below New Burlington. Dutch Creek flows through a very small portion of the southern part. Buck Run drains the southwestern part, and flows into Caesar's Creek outside the county. These streams, with their numerous tributaries, afford ample natural drainage, and serve as outlets for artificial drains.

Along Anderson's Fork, below Port William, the country is rolling, alternating with fine bottom lands. The waters of the creek are clear, and flow rapidly over a bed of stone and gravel. Above Port William, the country is level and the current sluggish. It is sufficiently rolling, however, to carry off the surface water. Geologists claim that this section has at one period been a shallow lake. It is now a deep, rich black loam.

The southern, central and southwestern portions are very much of the same nature - level, black land. In fact, almost the entire township, except along the streams, is level and, in a state of nature, was covered with water for more than six months of the year. The soil, being black and loose, and resting upon a clay subsoil, is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of the cereals - corn, wheat, oats, etc.

Vegetables of all kinds grown in this latitude grow to perfection. The grasses commonly grown in this part of the State do well, especially clover and timothy, which grow luxuriantly. Good grass and numerous streams of water, with plenty of living wells, where the streams are not easy of access, make this a very paradise for cattle.

This township was originally covered with a dense growth of timber of the following varieties, viz. : Burr oak, white oak, sugar tree, beech, black walnut, ash, elm, etc. Some of these varieties are becoming scarce - in fact, almost extinct, and all are unmistakably passing away. Each year adds to the acreage of cleared land, and the increased velocity of the wind observable reminds us more and more of a prairie country.

Stone And Geavel

Stone of a good quality (Clinton limestone) is found in abundance. There are ihree quarries that are extensively worked - one on the farm of W. F. Oglesbee, one on the farm of Franklin McKay, and one on Franklin Oglesbee's farm. The stone from these quarries is in great demand, and large quantities are shipped each year to neighboring counties. There is also plenty of gravel for the construction and improvement of roads. There was no listing of personal property by townships until 1826. At that time, the only personal property listed for taxation in this township was cattle and horses.

This township reported 143 horses, valued at $5,720, and 211 neat cattle, valued at $1,688, making a total of $7,408. Horses were valued at a uniform price of $40 a head, and cattle at $8 a head. The value of the real estate was $32,614, making a total of $40,022. In 1881, the value of all the property, real and personal, in the township, was $318,175. The population in 1880 was 1,382.

Eably Settlers

Liberty Township was organized July 15, 1817, but the history of this part of the county commences at a much earlier date. Stephen Mendenhall was the first white man who settled within the limits of what iB now Liberty Township. He was born in 1780, in Tennessee. At the age of nine years, he moved with his father to Guilford County, N. C., where he remained until born in 1781. In 1802, they moved to Ohio, and stopped at Waynesville until the spring of 1803, when they moved onto a farm of about one hundred acres on Dutch Creek. The farm is now owned by John Antram. The first summer, their only neighbors were a few Indians. There were no white families livingnearer than seven miles. They raised a family of seven children, who were all born on this farm, as follows: Mahala, Absalom, Joab, Susanna, Mary,

James and Sarah. But two of these are now living - Absalom and Susanna. In the fall of 1803, there were several families settled in the northern part of what is now Union Township. Mahala, the oldest child, was born April 9,

1803, and hers was the first birth in what is now Liberty Township. She died in 1838. Absalom, the second child, was born October 25, 1805, and was perhaps the first male child born in what are now the limits of this township. He succeeded his father in the ownership of the farm, and lived upon the same until the year 1851, when he sold out to Samuel Miars and moved to Richmond, Ind., where he at present resides. At the time Mr. Mendenhall settled here, the country was indeed an unbroken wilderness. A few Indians yet remained, and game of all kinds, such as deer, boars, wolves, turkeys, etc., were plenty. But the sound of his ax was the signal for a new era, that was then but just dawning.

Stephen Mendenhall was a large-framed, rather raw-boned man, near six feet high, sandy complexioned and gray eyes, a hard-working, peaceable man, and one well calculated to help subdue the wilderness. He built the first frame barn that was built in the township. He died in 1840, and was buried in Centre Burying- Ground. He belonged to the religious denomination of Friends.

The second family to locate here was that of Samuel Miller, who emigrated from Kentucky in 1804, and settled on Anderson's Fork, on a tract of 600 acres. He located on that part of the tract where William Peacemaker now lives. Samuel Miller was born in Scotland in 1780; emigrated from there to Kentucky. He was married, in 1802, to Martha Scott. Three children were born to them - William, Polly and Abram. None of these are now living. He was married a second time, to Matilda Jenkins. Four children were the fruits of this union - -Martha, Jane, Elizabeth and James. These are all living. He died April 13, 1843. Martha, his first wife, died August 4, 1823. They, with their children, are buried in Miller's Burying-Ground. Samuel Miller was for forty years a leading character in this section of country. From the time of his settlement here until his death, he did as much, perhaps, as any one man to promote the interests of his neighborhood and township. He furnished the hand-mill upon which the early settlers ground their corn. He was the first Justice of the Peace of this township - in fact, was chosen Jus tice in 1814, two years before the township was organized, and from that time until his doath, a period of nearly thirty years, he held that position. Ho was also one of the first Trustees of the township. In religion, he was a strict Presbyterian; in politics, a Whig. He was a large, muscular man, full six feet in height, and capable of great physical endurance. As a neighbor, he was kind and obliging. He was very positive in his convictions, and possessed great force of character. He built the second grist-mill that was built in the township, in 1833. This mill was burned down a few years ago, and was rebuilt by Amos C. Hiatt, who at present owns the same. During the thirty years that he served as Justice of the Peace, there was but one appeal taken from his decision, and that was not sustained. As illustrative of his character as an officer and a man, I will relate the following incident which was given by an eye-witness: A certain case was being tried before Squire Miller.

One of the parties had employed a lawyer, Mr. Buck, of WTlmington. After the witnesses had been examined, Lawyer Buck arose and took off his overcoat preparatory to making an argument in the interest of his client. Squire Miller, pen in hand, looking up from his paper, said, "Mr. Buck, while you address the court, I will write out the judgment." It is said Mr. Buck did not make his speech.

In the fall of 1805, there was an addition of two or three families on Anderson's Fork. Abram Ellis and family, from Lancaster, Penn., settled just over the creek from where Squire Miller settled the year before, on what is now known as the Thomas Linkhart farm. Aaron Jenkins and family, from Virginia, settled on the farm afterward owned by his son Aaron; and Joseph Lucas settled where George Hiney now lives. Abram Ellis was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 1750. His father, Joel Ellis, came from Germany. The birth of Abram Ellis dates the farthest back of any pioneer in this township. He served for seven years in the Revolutionary war; participated in the battles of Brandywine, Long Island and many others; witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis, and helped guard the prisoners there taken; was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware. At some time during the war, he received a severe bayonet wound. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and soon afterward married Catharine Joel, daughter of Henry and Nancy Joel, and grand- daughter of an Austrian Princess of the House of Hapsburg. There is a little bit of romance connected with the life of this Princess, that, for the benefit of the numerous descendants in Clinton County, we take the liberty of inserting here:

Becoming enamored with the son of her father's gardener, whose name was Notel, she eloped with him and came to America and settled in Philadelphia, choosing rather to endure the privations of the New World with her true love than to share the courts of royalty with another. In the course of time, poverty overtook them. Her husband (Mr. Notel) returned to Austria, with letters from his wife to her royal relatives, asking assistance. They sent her many valuable presents. He returned to New York, converted the presents into money, and spent the same in riotous living. For this ungrateful act, Mrs. Notel renounced her true love and refused to claim him as her husband. She had two daughters, Nancy and Rosanna. Both were well educated. Nancy, the elder, married Henry Joel, an Austrian nobleman. There being a legacy coming to Nancy from the estate of her mother's relatives in Austria, her husband, Henry Joel, was sent with proper authority to receive the same. He collected it, but, on the return voyage, he, with all his possessions, was lost by shipwreck, in sight of land. Catharine Joel, their daughter, became the wife of Abram Ellis, the subject of this sketch, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war. In November, 1805, they emigrated to Ohio and settled on the farm above named. They raised a family of eight children - four sons and four daughters. Henry, the oldest, was also one of the pioneers of this township. He was born in 1781, and came here with his father; was married June 20, 1810, to Charity Harper, of Fayette County. He served in the war of 1812, was a surveyor, and helped to locate the Xenia & Wilmington road. Anna, his oldest daughter, married Jacob Strickle, who came to this State with hiB father-in-law, and settled on the farm where William Gannan afterward lived. Mr. Strickle moved to Wilmington at an early day, and was for many years a prominent citizen of that place. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Bickham, of the Dayton Journal, and Mrs. Col. Corbin, of Washington, D. C. Mr. Ellis' daughters, Rosanna and Margaret, married James and John Carman. Eli and Isaac were also his sons.

William Ireland was next in the order of early settlers. He was born in Ireland in 1770, and emigrated to this country with his parents when he was but three yearB old. Catharine, his wife, was born in 1771. In 1806, they moved from Scott County, Ky., and settled in what is now Liberty Township, on 100 acres of land, which is still known as the Ireland farm.

Mr. Ireland's brother assisted them in crossing the Ohio River, and then the Ireland family took up their line of march alone through the wilderness for their new home. They had two wagons, drawn by two horses each, two cows, with their calves, and six sheep. For some miles, Mr. Ireland, with his older boys, went before with their axes and cut away the underbrush so the wagons could follow. In March of 1806, they arrived at what was to be their future home. A dense wilderness surrounded them. Squire Miller, Abram Ellis and the Lucas family were the only settlers near. The underbrush was cut away to make a place for the wagons to stand. Four forks were set in the ground, poles were laid across, and these were covered with bark and brush. The boys slept in one wagon, the girls in another; father and mother occupied the tent. Pens were built of poles in which to keep the cows and sheep to protect them from the wild beasts. Large fires were built at night to keep off the wolves, that were then plenty, and made night hideous with their howls. At times in the morning, the bed-quilts under which Mr. and Mrs. Ireland slept would be covered with snow. They raised a family of eleven children, as follows: John, William, Sally, James, Nellie, Margaret, Samuel, Jane,

Catharine, Alexander and Nancy. But two of these are now living - Nellie Wilson, who is now in her eighty-third year, and lives in Wilmington; and Alexander, a few years younger, who lives in Indiana. Mr. Ireland was a tall, muscular man, fair complexion and blue eyes. He was a strict Presbyterian, and took a deep interest in religious matters. He taught the first Sunday school in the township. In 1819, he built the first brick house. He was a man well informed for that period, and, like those who had preceded him in helping to found a new State, peculiarly adapted to the work. He died January 15, 1850. Catharine, his wife, died March 22, 1889. They lie buried in the Miller Burying- Ground, near where they commenced life in the wilderness.

Christian Stephens emigrated with his family from Frederick County, Va., in 1806, and settled on Anderson's Fork, on the farm afterward owned by David Stephens (deceased). His father, Peter Stephens, from the same place, followed his son two years afterward (1808), and settled where his grandson, Henry Stephens, now lives.

John Johnson and Susanna, his wife, emigrated from Campbell County, Va., to Highland County, Ohio, in 1805. In 1806, ho moved with his family to the farm now owned by Silas Mathis. He spent the first winter in a camp. Mr. Johnson was a noted hunter, and for years supplied his family with meat with his gun.

They raised a family of twelve children. Four of them are still living- Ann Scutt, James, Polly Johnson (widow of J. M. Johnson) and Susan Bodkin. The first election in this township was held at Mr. Johnson's house.

John Unthank emigrated from Guilford County, N. C., in 1807, and settled on the banks of Anderson's Fork, where John Moorman lived and died. He was married, in his native State, to Mary Stanly. They raised a family of nine children. He was a half-brother to Hezekiah Hiatt, who came to this State with him. Mr. Unthank built a grist-mill where the present mill at Port William stands, in 1808. This was the first mill built in this section of country, and settlers for many miles came to " Unthank's Mill." The township elections were for several years held in this mill. It was also a great place of resort for the early settlers, who would congregate here on Saturday evenings and engage in sports common at that time, such as jumping, wrestling, footracing, etc. This mill was of such importance to early settlers that roads were opened to it. The road from Port William to "Wilmington was opened at an early day, so the settlers could get to Unthank's mill. Mr. Unthank removed to Indiana with his family in 1833.