Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Lykens Township, 1912

Boundaries of the Township - Its Erection - Justices - First Settlers - Drainage and Soil - German Immigration - Lost in the Woods - Runaway Slaves - Early Mill's - Stores - Lykens P. O. and Postmasters - Schools and Churches - Lodges - Quarries.

Lykens township is situated in the northwestern part of Crawford county, having to its west only the narrow township of Texas. On the north is Seneca county, while it is bounded on the east by Chatfield township and on the south by Holmes. For a number of years previous to 1828 Lykens was .attached to Sycamore township, of which also the present Texas township was a part until 1845. But owing to the considerable increase in population in the northern part of the county, the inhabitants of what is now Chatfield township presented a petition to the county commissioners to have Chatfield set off as a separate township, and the petition was granted on March 6, 1828, and at the same time a new township was erected west of Chatfield and called Lykens. The name of Lykens was suggested by Jacob Lintner, a prominent German settler living near Portersville, who had come from a town of that name in Pennsylvania, and after some discussion it was adopted. The township when erected had not sufficient population to be organized, and the first election was held at the home of Jacob Foy in the spring of 1832. According to the most authentic accounts, the officers selected at that time were as follows : Benjamin Huddle, justice of the peace ; Levi Gifford, constable; John Elliott, clerk; Jacob

Lintner, treasurer ; Joseph Hall, Joseph Muchler and Robert Knott, trustees, with two others selected as fence viewers. It is said that almost every settler was honored with an office, which, if true, would indicate that the population cannot have been very numerous. At that time the township, with a portion of sections 31, 32 and 33, which belonged to the Wyandot reservation, comprised its present territory, and, in addition, the western tier of sections in Chatfield township. In 1835 all that portion of the township belonging to the Wyandot reservation was annexed to Lykens. In 1845 the eastern tier of sections was attached to Chatfield, leaving Lykens thirty sections, the territory it comprises at present.

When Lykens township was created in 1828, Jacob Foy and Robert Mays were probably appointed the first Justices of the Peace. The following are the men who have served in that position, Frederick Smith who had the longest term of service, dying while in office:

The first settlers who appeared in Lykens selected land in the western and northwestern portions, as the land in that part seemed to promise a speedier and more abundant return for the labor of cultivation; the eastern and southern portions were not settled until five or six years later. The soil of the township is chiefly alluvial, there being but little surface clay or sand. In early years the land in most parts of the township was very wet, owing to lack of drainage, and probably also to the abundance of timber, which, as shown by observation, exercises a potent influence in inducing rain. The disappearance of the timber in large measure, and the systematic drainage operations, have changed this condition of things, and the wet and mirey lands bordering on the swampy character, are no longer in evidence. The soil is rich and peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of com, large crops of which can be raised year after year on the same piece of land, without any appreciable decrease in the quantity or deterioration in the quality of the product. This is especially true in the eastern and southeastern parts, where the deep black soil predominates; the western part being better adapted to wheat and kindred grains, owing to the larger proportion of sand and clay which the soil there contains.

The township is drained in the central and western portions by Sycamore creek and its numerous' Ismail branches, jthe 'principal of which, known as Little Syciamore creek, rises in the flat land near the southeastern corner, and flows northwest until it unites with the main stream in section 20. Along the course of Sycamore creek there is found an abundance of corniferous limestone, especially in section 16, where the stone is covered with a layer of earth of from six inches to eight feet in thickness. The stone is blue, and though less pure than that obtained at the

It is not known who was the first settler in Lykens township. At an early day - probably about 1825 - settlers of English descent came into Lykens from Seneca county, where they had been disappointed in finding the most valuable lands already taken up, but it is not likely that all of these remained in the township permanently. About 1830 pioneers entered the southern part of the township and two years later the settlement of this portion was increased by a large influx of German settlers, who arrived in a body directly from Germany. Many of these had entered land at the land offices without having first inspected it, and when they arrived they found their farms almost entirely under water. Not being a people easily discouraged, however, they went to work with energy to improve conditions, paying their first attention to the drainage of their lands, after which they began their clearings, established farms, and in time were abundantly rewarded by an ample prosperity.

Among those who came to the township in the early days were Christopher Keggy in 1825 ; Jacob Miller in 1826; Jacob Foy and Gottleib Hoss in 1827; Robert Mays, John Elliott, Levi Gifford, Jacob Lintner, Michael Shupp and Joseph Trask in 1828; James Ferguson, Joseph Hall, Benjamin Huddle, Samuel Hall, Samuel Spittler, and Daniel Pratt in 1829; John and Solomon Babcock, Robert Knott, Joseph Muchler, Seth and Benjamin Parker and Lewis Warren in 1830.

Christopher Keggy came from Fairfield county, and first located in Seneca, coming over to Lykens township about 1825. He had hunted all over the section before he located in the township. His life was that of a hunter and woodsman, and he made his living from the sale of furs and game. Later what little land he had cleared he sold out to Reuben Keran, and left the county. Jacob Miller was also a hunter, and did little at clearing land or farming. Joseph Trask came from Seneca county, but after clearing a few acres, remained only three years when he returned to Seneca county.

Michael Shupp arrived at Bucyrus with his family, May 26, 1828. He entered 80 acres in Lykens township, which he developed and sold, purchasing 160 acres. His son Michael was 18 years of age when he came with his parents to this county. He commenced life for himself in 183 1. He worked one year for others, earning $100, then entered 80 acres of land, which he improved and sold, like his father purchasing 160 more. This latter he cleared and kept and added to as the years went by. On March 4, 1834, he married Susannah Miller. Michael Shupp, Sr., died in 1836, and his little daughter, Mary Ann Shupp made her home with her brother, Michael, until Dec. 20, 1847, when she married Frederick Smith, who came to the township in 1840. Mr. Smith was a stone mason, who had contracts for bridges on the National Pike, and had saved several hundred dollars, and with this, in 1840, he bought a quarter section of land in Lykens. He and his descendants were prominent in the affairs of Lykens township and the county.

Joseph Hall and wife, with their son, Samuel, came to Lykens in Deccember, 1829, settling on a quarter section of land in the northern part of the township. Later Samuel secured a farm in the center of the township, which was in after years the William Tippin farm. The land at the time was partly cleared. Here he lived for many years, but in 1866 removed to the farm, where he died, Aug. 25, 1863, and was buried in St. John Reform graveyard, three miles northwest of Lykens. May 4, 1843 he married Elizabeth Telford, who in 1835, came with her parents from Washington county, N. Y., making the trip in three weeks and four days in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen.

James Ferguson, who came to the township in 1829, was probably a brother of Thomas Ferguson, who settled in Sandusky township in 1 81 7. James entered his land in the western part of Lykens township along the Sycamore creek, and although he was a skillful hunter, he cleared some land as well and devoted much of his time to farming. He was an expert in woodcraft, and during the war of 1812 was the bearer of important dispatches from one commander to another, and it was while engaged in this work he first passed through Crawford county and was so pleased with this section that later he located in Sandusky township. He stated later in life that on one occasion he was the bearer of dispatches from the headquarters at Columbus, to a point in northwestern Ohio, when he was followed by the Indians for two days before he finally succeeded in eluding them. After remaining in Lykens a few years he removed to the west.

Following these first settlers were Adam Braden, Gottfried Brause, Daniel Coon, Nelson Holt and David Hill in 183 1; Ira Cory, Barnaby Harper, and Solomon Seery in 1832; David Albaugh in 1833; John Aupt, Nathan Coran, Joseph Dellinger, Lucas and Adam Shook, William Swalley, Samuel and Timothy Parks, John Shoulter, Eli Winter, Milton Waller and Frederick G. Hesche in 1834; John Apple, Ira G. Allen, Anson Brown, Otto Fieldner, Conrad Hass, August Jacobs, Reuben Keran, Joseph Kennedy, Jacob Oberlander, and Jonas Yingling in 1835; William Burgett, and Moses and Aaron Pugh in 1836.

Gottfried Brause and wife came to the township Sept. II, 1 83 1, being accompanied by their son Rudolph, then aged five years. The latter subsequently married a daughter of George and Catherine Klink, who came to Crawford county about 1829.

William Swalley, born Nov. 20, 1810, was a son of John Swalley, a weaver, who came to Ohio in 181 7, settling fifteen miles south of Zanesville. The father died and the family then returned to Pennsylvania, their home state. Later his sons, William and John, came to Lykens township and in 1834 the mother arrived with her two daughters, and they all made their home in Lykens township. William was married Dec. 8, 1833 to Catherine Wonsetler.

Jonas Yingling was married in Portage county to Mary Thomas, and the bride and groom came immediately to Crawford county to make their home. He entered 80 acres of land in Lykens township. He was a mason by trade, and worked on the Baltimore and Ohio road when it was building, securing cash which he invested in land. Besides clearing his land in Lykens township and raising his crops, he worked at his trade, and during his life owned several farms. Soon after settling in the township death visited their little cabin and they were called upon to mourn the loss of their first child, John Yingling, who died Aug. 3, 1S36, and was buried in the Lutheran Graveyard south of Chatfield, the oldest burial stone now readable in that graveyard.

George Rhoad came to Crawford county in the early thirties, and lived in Lykens township for tw'o years. He then moved with his family to Seneca county, where they helped to clear the land, on the site of the present town of Republic.

Christopher Perky, a veteran of the War of 1812, came to Ohio in 1819, settling in Seneca county in 1827, his son David taking a farm in Lykens township. The latter married Mary Seitz, and four of their sons entered the army during the civil war, three of them losing their lives in the service.

Solomon Seery, one of the pioneers of Lykens, came to Crawford county from Ross county in 1832, with his two eldest sons, and entered three 80-acre tracts. He then returned to Ross county, where he remained during the winter. Coming back in the spring of 1833, he built a cabin and planted a small crop of corn, and then, leaving his eldest son and daughter to keep house, he went back to Ross, harvested his crop there and brought his entire family to Crawford, arriving with then Sept. I, 1833. Soon after settling in the township death invaded their home, and the Seery graveyard was started on the Seery farm two miles east of Benton, the first burial being John Seery, who died Nov. 11, 1835.

Eli Winters was born February, 1802, in Jefferson county, entered land in Lykens in 1833, moving on to it in 1834. With the aid of his sons he developed the land, his chief helper being his son, Eli, Jr. In order to increase the family income Mr. Winters established a night school at his home, and here the children learned to read and write, the son Eli teaching his younger brothers and sisters. The latter became an enterprising and prominent citizen. At a comparatively early age he ran a threshing machine, had a half inrerest in a saw-mill at Bui jo (Lykens), and also started a store. He was elected justice of the peace in i8t;8 and held the office up to 1880, except for a few years during the war.

Milton Waller came to Lykens township in 1834, making his home on 80 acres of land which he had entered the year previous. This took all his capital, and he secured a further 40 acres by working by the day for others, and being a cooper by trade during bad weather and in the evenings he made buckets and tubs for the neighbors, thus giving hiin needed cash. Two little sons came with him to the county, Lysender aged seven and Stephen aged three. These boys as they grew older helped in the clearing and developing of the farm. Both r,ons took an active hand in the affairs of the township and county, Lysander Waller being one of the County Commissioners for two terms. On Dec. 25, 1853, Stephen Waller married Martha McKinley, a daughter of James McKinley, and the aunt of the late President McKinley.

August Jacobs was a native of Saxony, Germany. He learned the carpenter's trade in his native land, where also he married Rachel Bair, and later started for America, landing in New York with only 25 cents in cash and owing $11. With his bride he came west, found work on the National pike, and later made his way to Crawford county, where he bought land, which was then entirely covered by the forest, and was mostly swamp land. He cleared his land slowly by working in the evenings, following his trade during the day, doing carpenter work for the neighbors. He finally sold his land and bought a larger tract, also covered with timber, which he cleared.

David Wickham, served in the War of 181 2. The family came to Crawford county in 1837 and secured a partly developed farm in Texas township. His son Willard, having previously taught school for a few terms, in 1840 purchased a tract of land covered by the forest, in Lykens township which he cleared and developed into a good farm. He was subsequently appointed by Gov. Pierce as Indian agent to the Winnebagoes at Long Prairie, Minn., and after several years ser^^ice returned to his home in Lykens where he lived until his death in 1899.

ents to America, settling in Stark county. He married there, and in the '30s came to this section where he entered 80 acres in Seneca county, later having land in Lykens township. They walked the entire distance from Stark county, and his entire possessions were his wife, an axe, 50 pounds of flour which he had carried the entire distance on his back, and $1 in cash. Of course he succeeded, and when each of his seven children started in life for themselves they were all assisted by him.

Eli Adams came to Crawford county in 1825, settling on 80 acres of land in Texas township. His son Ephraim married Mary Andrews, daughter of another pioneer, and built his cabin in the woods in Lykens township.

John and Frederica Solze came to Lykens township in 1841 with six children. Even as late as this date, they walked from Attica to Lykens township and losing their way were compelled to pass the night in the woods under a large tree. The next day they reached friends, who accorded them a hearty welcome. They started with 40 acres on which a small improvement had been made.

We of today, living in the towns or in the open country, where the timber has been largely cleared away, save for small patches here and there, can have little conception of the difficulty experienced by the pioneer settler in finding his way through the trackless and almost illimitable forest. Even the shipwrecked mariner, without a compass, in the midst of the vast ocean, can direct his course usually by means of the heavenly bodies; but the early settler, lost in an almost equally vast expanse of forest, had not even this advantage, for the trees, with their towering trunks and spreading branches, decked with a superabundant foliage, shut out for the most .part any view of the sun, moon or stars, and even in the middle of the day maintained beneath their branches a sort of half light or semigloom, while at night the darkness was impenetrable. The routes from settlement to settlement, or even from one neighbor's house to another, when the woods lay between, were marked by blazed trees, but it sometimes happened that a settler, in going to visit a neighbor at evening time, forgot to take a lantern with him, or perhaps thought he could find his way without it, and missing the path, was obliged to spend the night in the woods, having for his lullaby - if he were phlegmatic enough to try to go to sleep - the howling of the wolves, the moaning of the wind in the treetops, and the hoarse croaking of myriads of frogs in some neighboring swamp or marsh. The Park brothers one evening started to go to the cabin of Eli Winters about a mile and a half away, but failing to take a light, were caught by the darkness, and after groping for hours in the woods, and falling waist-deep into numerous swamps and bogs, passed the remainder of the night on a large log that lay half out of the water. In the morning they found an easy path from the swamp and reached Mr. Winter's home thoroughly prostrated from their experience.

On another occasion the wife of James Ferguson, accompanied by her ten year old son, started to bring home the cows. She had some trouble in getting the animals together, and in running about through the trees, trying to head them towards the house, she became bewildered and lost her sense of direction. Had she left the cows alone and followed them she would probably have reached home all right, for they soon began to go all in one direction, being really headed toward the homestead. Thinking she knew more about the matter than they did, however, she finally left them and set out with her son to find her way home alone. This she failed to do, and not knowing which way to go, and with night closing in about her, she lay down with her boy by the side of a large log, where she thought they might be safe from the notice of the wolves, whose howls they heard throughout the night. The next day she resumed her wanderings, calling out at intervals to attract the notice of some settler, but night again came without rescue and all day the mother and child had eaten nothing but a few berries. It was not until the middle of the next afternoon, after passing two nights and almost two days in the woods, that she heard the sound of a rifle and in a few minutes saw a neighbor walking toward her. He was one of a party searching for her, and was furnished with food, which the half famished mother and child eagerly devoured. She was about three miles from home and had been walking in a circle, coming

For some time previous to the Civil War Lykens township was often traversed by runaway slaves on their way to Canada. They always passed through at night, traveling north along the Tiffin road, during the day time lying hid in the dwelling of some abolitionist settler, some distance off the main track, and resuming theif journey towards dark. Several citizens in the township were known to be engaged in this work, but no special objection was ever made to it.

Grist and saw-mills are among the first industrial necessities in a new country, such as the Ohio frontier was in early days. The settlers in Lykens for many years went to Seneca County for their flour and lumber, mills having been established there many years previous to the settlement of this township, and that locality being easier of access than Bucyrus. John Moore remembers when they ground buckwheat through their coffee mill for a family of 9 children. The early gristmills were crude affairs and were sometimes known as "corn-crackers," for they were capable only of manufacturing a coarse kind of meal. Otto Fieldner erected one such, about 1836, about a mile south of the village of Lykens, which was furnished with one set of "nigger-head" stones, and which continued in operation for about eight years. In connection therewith he also operated one of the best of the early saw-mills, which, however, ran only about four months in the year, not being provided with sufficient water-power, owing to the small size and slow current of the stream on which it was located. He finally provided it with machinery to be worked by horses, after which it was continued in fairly steady operation.

A steam saw-mill was built and operated in the northwest corner of the township by Joseph Stammitz, as early as 1844, and was largely patronized. It continued in operation for ten or fifteen years, after which it was abandoned. It was run for some time by Eli Winters, Jr., a skillful sawyer, who was connected with several of the early mills.

the largest and best mills in early days. It was a large two-story frame structure, and was erected at the junction of the Big and Little Sycamore creeks. This mill had ample water-power and ground excellent flour and meal. Inch lumber from any wood was furnished for about 40 cents by the hundred, or a share was taken, varying from one-third to two-thirds. Numerous buildings, some of which are still standing were constructed from lumber furnished by the Foy saw-mill. After operating the mill for fifteen or twenty years, Mr. Foy sold the property to Moses Woodsides, who improved the mill and increased the output by substituting steam for water as the motive power. After running many years the' mill was finally abandoned. A man named Patrick built and operated a saw-mill on Sycamore creek about 1865 ; another was built and operated for many years by a Mr. Blanchard.

Francis Slee, a carpenter, built many of the early frame houses, and also manufactured chairs, looms, spinning-wheels and other useful articles. Milton Waller, previously mentioned as a cooper by trade, had a small shop at his house, where he made tubs, kegs and barrels, finding a ready sale for them. He was a prominent man and his sons grew up to be intelligent and enterprising citizens, among the best in the township. It has been said by some that Ira Cory was the first blacksmith in the township. He erected a small shop about a mile or so south of the village of Lykens. Others, however, claim that Nathan Coran was the first blacksmith. He built his shop as early as 1834 and worked at his trade for many years. William Jackson carried on a small business in tanning skins, beginning about 1840. Another industry that was also undertaken in Lykens township, between 1840 and 1850, was the rearing of silkworms and the manufacture of silk goods. A man named Blanchard tried the experiment. The chief adviser in this enterprise was Mrs. Breston, of Chatfield township, through whose influence others in Lykens township were induced to engage in the same pursuit. It failed, however, chiefly because it was found difficult or impossible to procure the necessary supply of mulberry leaves, which constitute the caterpillar's only food.

Sycamore creek, near where the station now known as Lykens on the Northern Ohio railroad is located. The next year Ira Cory started a blacksmith shop across the road from him, and a few years later James Drake built an ashery just north of them on the Sycamore near the crossing of the road from Bucyrus to Bloomville and the road from Sycamore to Plymouth. Several other industries were started near the cross roads, and stores were located there and a post office established under the name of Lykens Centre. At a very early day a saloon \^-as opened and became a carousing point for the more bibulously inclined in that section. One of the bar room stories current at that time contained a frequaint repetition of the expression "Having a high old time in Buljo," and this gave the nickname of Buljo to the place. It was also known as "Santa Fe" and "Buzzard's Glory." The town was regularly laid out by J. F. Feighner in October, 1870, by H. W. McDonald, the county surveyor. While several names have been given it, its correct name has always been Lykens.

The first house was built in the town by a man named Swetland, who also opened the first store; the latter was a very small affair, however, as his entire stock of groceries and dry goods was only valued at $200. A better store was opened by Anson Brown, in 1840, Air. Brown starting with a general assortment worth about $600. His store was burned in 1847, but he rebuilt and increased his business and stock, until in time the latter was worth nearly $8,000. He finally sold out to other parties. Byron Brown (no relation of Anson) started a store about 1848, with a stock, chiefly of groceries, worth about $1,000, and continued the business for about seven years.

After the Browns George Jackson carried on a small store for about five years. Samuel Martin started a general store about 1856, but having continued it with indiiiferent success for six or eight years, he discontinued it. James Drake built an ashery as early as 1845. which was located on Sycamore creek, near the southern limits of the town and here he manufactured as much as fifteen tons of potash per annum, for a number of years. He finally sold it to Anson Drake, who continued it on an even more extensive scale. Another ashery

There was a tannery in Lykens as early as 1846. It was built by Jerry Jolly, who carried on the business for about ten years, doing good work, and then sold out to Ephraim Adams, who continued it for five years, when it was abandoned. A man named Cummins had a blacksmith shop in the village as early as 1838 and was followed in the same line of business by a Mr. Madison. In 1847 ^ saw-mill was erected on Sycamore creek, in the village, by Peter Howenstein. He did good work and continued the business for about fifteen years, when he sold out. The mill was owned for a while by Eli Winters. The first resident physician in Lykens was Dr. James Dodge, who remained, however, only five or six years. Aftei him Dr. Harmon practiced for a few years and then removed; Dr. Ritchie came in 1856, but died at the end of four years.

In 1837 Sidney Holt was one of the prominent men in Lykens township, and he decided he would like to have a post office for the convenience of himself and his neighbors. Congressman Hunter of Huron county who then represented this district, was a personal friend of Holt's and the office was easily secured, and was named Holt's comers, Sidney Holt being appointed the postmaster on July ID, 1837. The office was established in Holt's residence, but Air. Holt soon tired of the responsibilities of office, he could secure no neighbor willing to undertake the job, and after

What is thought to have been the first schoolhouse in the township was built about two miles west of the village of Lykens, near the farm of Eli Winters, in 1834, the people generally uniting in its erection. Isabel Hall was the first to teach school in this building. This school was supported by subscription and the attendance was large enough to make the teacher's remuneration come to about $10 a month. Other early teachers in this school were a man named Andrews and Miss Lucinda Warren. After being in use many years this building was subsequently replaced by a better one at a cost of $500. The Ransom Schoolhouse, a log building, was built in 1836. In a few years it was replaced by a small frame building, and this in turn by the building known as the "Frog-pond Schoolhouse." In 1840 a schoolhouse was erected about a mile north of Lykens village. The village itself had no school building until 1851, the village children attending the one about a quarter of a mile north of town, which had been erected many years before. Section 29 had a log school building as early as 1838; in 1854 it was replaced by a frame building, and the latter was used until 1880, when a large brick schoolhouse was built at a cost of $1,600, which is still in use. In the southeast corner of the township a cabin for school purposes was erected in 1840 and has since been replaced by two or more others. Spelling schools and singing schools were among the educational diversions of early days. David Spittler taught one of the latter during the winter months for many years. Many amusing incidents are doubtless stored away in the minds of the few survivors who attended these schools, and could they all be gathered together and published would make interesting reading for the present generation.

The pioneers settlers in Lykens attended church in Seneca county, but after the population of the township had been increased in 1832 by a large German immigration, it was deemed advisable to erect churches nearer home. The Free Will Baptists in that year began holding meetings in the cabins of the settlers. Among their earliest ministers were Seth and Benjamin Parker, Rev. James Ashley and Comfort Waller. The families of Comfort Waller, David Hill, William Swalley and Lewis Warren were among the first active members of the organization. In 1842 this society erected a church on the farm of Comfort Waller. This church, which was the first in the township, was a low frame building, with clapboard seats fastened to poles laid lengthwise of the house. The pulpit was of planed poplar lumber, and the building was furnished with a large fire-place. It was used for many years and was then superseded by a new building, which was erected at a cost of $1,200.

Among the early Presbyterians in Lykens township was Solomon Seery, at whose home meetings were held about 1834, as well as in the cabins of others of that faith. A society was gradually formed, which was visited for a number of years, at regular intervals, by Rev. Mr. Tracy, a circuit rider, who traveled over several counties. After the society had continued on this basis for a number of years, receiving gradual accessions, a church was built at Seery Corners, which has since been known as the Seery church. It was a small frame building, with seats and pulpit of rough poplar lumber, and without paint or varnish. It was superseded by a new building in 1870. This society was built up and placed on a finn footing, both with respect to finance and membership bv Rev. Mr. Lillibridge, a well known and particularly effective preacher of those days, who labored with the congregation for many years.

In 1850 the German Lutherans and the members of the German Reformed church organized a society in the northwestern part, their first meetings being held in a schoolhouse and later in a barn belonging to John Klaes. The barn being destroyed by lightning, the meetings were transferred to Mr. Klaes' house, and were there continued until the summer of 1852, when a small brick church was erected. The first minister was Rev. John Bentz, his immediate successors being Rev. William Veiler, Rev. Elias Keller and Rev. John Winter. During Mr. Winter's pastorate, in 1859, the congregation divided, a separate church being erected by the Reformers in close proximity to the old one. Two years later the old church was abandoned by the Lutherans. The Reformed congregation has had a steady growth and is one of the strongest church organizations in the township. A burial ground was here long before the establishment of the church as in the graveyard is the first recorded burial in the township that of Samuel Huddle, little son of Benjamin Huddle, who died June 27, 1832.

The Lutherans residing in the southern part of Lykens, for many years attended a church of that denomination which was erected at an early day in the northern part of Holmes township.

About 1890 the Pittsburg, Akron and Western was extended from Gary through Lykens township. It follows a half section line through the township, and passes half a mile south of the village of Lykens. A station was erected, and a store was started at the station with two or three industries, the most important being the bending works and a grain warehouse. An attempt was made to take the main body of the town to the station but it never materialized, and even the store was abandoned.

In 1872 a lodge of Odd Fellows was organized at Lykens with fifteen members. It more than doubled in membership, and when the railroad came the lodge room was moved to the building at the station. This proved so inconvenient for the members that the lodge was finally discontinued.

The fine quarries west of the town were wgrked for many years, 'and when the era of pike building was commenced they again became useful in the furnishing of the stone for much of the road improvements in that section.