Darke County, Ohio - The whole text, 1880 (part 15 of 31)

Again, this time in 1869, we survey the prospects of the city. Never in its previous history had the town made such rapid advance in the constru<tion of new buildings. In May of this year, there were over sixty buildings in curse of construction or of remodeling. A foundry and machine-shop was erectedand put in operation by Messrs. James McKhan, A. T. Bodle and John Stoltz. o\ Third street. A building and loan association was organized and in full (peration. stimulating and aiding in the building of homes. Messrs. Linderworth a Winget were busy running their planing-mill. The German Reformed congre<ation had bought the Presbyterian Church, on Broadway and Fourth streets. Sreets had been graded, the question of a park was mooted, and. while teacher? institutes indicated interest in education, popular attention was being directed tithe public schools.

The town had become now, if not before, a prominent business commercial center, with rich and wealth-producing surroundings. The principal merchants of this time were La Mott & Farver, also, in the fur trade ; Sumter & Cmpton, F. & J. Waring. Workman & Daily. Hart. Arnold & Co.; G. B. Wilson kep'a book store on the coiner of Main street and the public square, and John Vn Mater was successor to Schmidt & Knox. There were dissolutions of old pntnerships and new combinations. There was selling out and moving in - all the ehnges incident to vital energy, restless activity, dissatisfaction and plucky hopefulnss. while some few, continued year after year in one place, in the same business, and, in time, became known and prosperous. A large, artistic school building attracted the eye, and exerted an attractive influence on the stranger. Along the broad streets were lines of shade-trees. Old structures were demolished, and upon their sites rose new ones. In June, there were in process of erection twenty-three dwellings, and a number more were contracted for the near future. In the line of manufacture, there was the steam planing-mill of Messrs. T. P. Turpen. William Kerr and M. C. Benham ; on the first floor were four machines, a planer, rip and other saws, operated by Messrs. Wallace and Mills. There were turning rooms, cabinet finishing rooms, and on the second floor were seven machines in use for finishing. The buoyancy of hopeful expectation lent courage to business men and professionals and" to citizens, and in both public and private concerns the county seat felt the healthful stimulus of trade and improvement in the count}', and maintained its supremacy unbroken. An event calculated to exert a potent influence on the fortune of Greenville transpired in the spring of 1877. On more than one occasion, citizens of large tracts of closely built cities have been alarmed by claims to the ownership of their lots, and to this Greenville was another instance. Samuel and James Armstrong, of Cincinnati, two brothers, sons of the early proprietor of Greenville, and owners of considerable real estate about the city, put in the market sixteen acres at $15,000. This was laid off in the south-middle part of the town, streets were graded, and already full half the area is occupied by good residences. The Armstrongs still hold over an hundred acres. Railroads and the schools take off a part. In 1859, four acres were condemned by the city and appropriated for school sites, upon which the present imposing and roomy structure stands. The brothers left Greenville in their boyhood and returned about 1850, to assert that lands in the city were held by a defective title, that the right of ownership was in their hands, and they served a notice of ejectment upon persons residing upon the disputed lands. The citizens employed able attorneys, and the litigation continued four or five years, at considerable expenditure of money. The prospects were dark and discouraging, when aid came from an unexpected quarter. The son of a former Sheriff, at Troy, Miami County, while looking over the papers of his father, espied an old receipt with the name of Armstrong attached. This paper was promptly sent to the city's attorne3rs, at Greenville, and proved to be a receipt for the final payment on the disputed territory. This, being adduced as evidence, decided the case and gave the citizens security.

In 1851, Moses Hart, Esq., erected a steam flouring-mill, which was put in motion by the proprietors, Messrs. Turner. The millwright work was done by D. R. DeRush, of Preble County. The mill had a capacity to grind and pack 150 barrels of flour per day. This improvement noted here was at the time spoken of as one of the most important thus far made in the county. At the commencement of business, numbers of citizens were assembled and expressed their gratification at the result. This, in connection with the building of five large, commodious business houses, each of three stories, dwellings in process of construction and churches contracted, marks one of the most favorable crises of the cit}'. The old court house stood in the center of the capacious public square, and as a new house was imperative to meet the demands of a greatly increased official business, and to make a proper representation of Darke County, a dispute arose among citizens generally, and the business men located about the square, concerning the location of the new house. In 1874, it was intended to leave the old walls of the court house standing, and to build a vestibule tower to them, which would make the. building the same as at present, but after the tower was built, excavation having been made for a basement, a wet time set in, during which the rain undermined a corner of the building, it settled, and an ominous crack showed the necessity of pulling it down, which was done, and the present handsome structure was erected, and is known and used as the city hall. It is of two stories, sixty-five feet square, a hall above, and Maj'or's office, engine room and election I'oom below. The

There arc in this new-old town a number of house| which have stood many years, and are, for this reason, noticeable. One of these stands on the north side of the public square, and is in use as a livery stable. It is a brick structure, among the very first erected here. The brick structure of John Hoofnagle. built by Dr. Perrine, many years ago ; the brick house of Dr. Briggs, now occupied by J. K. Knox, his son-in-law; the Wagner House, with timeby additions, stands as one of the first in town, and still in use according to the original purpose, and the - poor house," now occupied by T. P. Barkalow, and situated on the west end of Main street, are examples of structures of the earlier day. Prominent even in the present, they were doubtless imposing in the past, and stand as monuments of an earlier enterprise.

Greenville has many fine residences, of which brief mention is here made of notable examples. The home of Charles Roland, at the west end of Fourth street, is a handsome dwelling, with tasteful grounds. It was built at a cost of $10,000, by E. C. Shay, in 1871. In 1861, William King built on Main street, at a cost of about $5,000, the residence of Michael Miller. In 1876, E. C. Shade erected the building on East Main street, occupied by Daniel Harney. Judge D. L. Meeker is now having built a residence, which, when completed, will be the finest in the county. Among others to attract the attention are the homes of Dr. G. Meesie, West Third street, and of G. W. Studabaker.

The fire department of the city is of recent date, and all the more complete and reliable. Previous to its organization, Greenville was dependent upon voluntary aid of citizens, as occasion required. On December 13, 1855, the Buckeye House took fire in the third story and burned to the ground. The night was favorable to the people, the air was quiet, and a rain had wet adjacent roofs, and these concurring circumstances confined the conflagration to the one building. Fears of a general destruction of property induced the removal of goods from the stores on the east side of Broadway, from the square to Third street. Goods were damaged, but the losses were covered by insurance. The house was owned by John L. Winner, and, as there was no insurance, the loss to him was heavy. The citizens, who had put forth strenuous exertions to restrict the fire to the hotel, congratulated themselves on their success. Meetings were held shortly after this experience, for the purpose of purchasing a hand fire-engine and organizing a company, but the excitement soon died away and nothing was done. A destructive fire early in 1871 again awakened public sentiment to the necessity of having some efficient protection, and led to the ordinance creating the fire department.

The ordinance creating and regulating the Greenville Fire Department was passed by the Council on June 1, 1871. A Silsby steamer, entitled 'Greenville," and two hose carts were purchased at a cost of $7,200. A company was enrolled, of which II. K. McConnell was Chief; P. P. Turpen, First Assistant: Frank E. Moore, Second Assistant; John C. Turpen, Secretary; D. M. Stevenson, Treasurer, and E. J. Hickox, Engineer. Ten months later, the last named resigned to accept the position of Marshal, to which he had been elected, and Mahlon Swartz succeeded as engineer till November, 1878. when Mr. Hickox assumed the position. which he has since held. J. L. Bascom was appointed Assistant Engineer February 1, 1877. The present officers of the Greenville Fire Department are : Chief, J. H. Rice ; First Assistant, A. H. Hyde ; Second Assistant. J. P. Winget ; Secretary. Jonas Halm ; Treasurer, M. Huhn ; Engineers as stated. The department has 1,500 feet of tirst-class hose, and 600 feet of second-class. The enginehouse is in the rear of the City Hall, and is 22x45 feet, with thirteen-foot ceiling, plastered neatly wainscoted in oak and walnut, and numerous pictures hang upon the walls, and adding to the attractiveness of the room. It is claimed for the " Greenville " that the steamer has projected water twenty feet higher than the eagle above the dome of the new court house, or about one hundred and ninety feet perpendicularly, and that water has been thrown by it 275 to 280 feet horizontally, and much confidence is based on her power when needed in extremity. In 1871 and 1874, at well-remembered fires, the department, with their steamer, confined the flames to narrow limits, and prevented what might have been, otherwise, disastrous fires. There are three Fire Wardens. The members of the company receive pay when on duty, filling cisterns, etc., by order of the Council. The salary of the engineer is $50 per month, and of his assistant, $35. The water supply is furnished from five cisterns, as follows : Public square, corner of Ash and East Main streets ; corner of Third and Broadway, corner of Third and Locust, corner of Main and Elm, and on the corner of Elm and Fourth streets. The present Wardens are Daniel Murphy, Alexander Harter and Joseph Saettle. The Greenville Gas Company is another public improvement, contributing greatty to the comfort and convenience of the population, and handsomely rewarding the projectors of the enterprise. The Greenville Gas Company, of Greenville. was incorporated June 11, 1874, by C. Calkins, Charles Roland, John L. Winner and Wesley Gorsuch. The capital stock is $30,000, divided into 600 shares of $50 each. The first annual election of officers, held June 17, resulted in the choice of Hon. William Allen, President ; John Devor, Secretary ; J. T. Meeker, Treasurer, and for Directors - Messrs. Allen, Devor, Moore, Meeker and Cole. In 1877, Elijah Devor superseded H. M. Cole as Director. In 1878, J. A. Ries succeeded Mr. Moore, and Mr. E. Devor became Treasurer, vice Meeker. On January 17. 1880, Hon. AVilliam Allen was President ; John Devor, Secretary ; Elijah Devor. Treasurer. These three gentlemen own the greatest part of the stock. A contract to build works was completed with Messrs. Connelly, Nay lor & Co., of Pittsburgh, Penn., for $27,000. Ground was broken April 1, 1875, and the work was completed b}T August 17 of the same year.

The company has four miles of main pipe, and eighty-nine street lamps in use, at $2.50 per month each, and 180 customers, at $3 per thousand feet, with a reduction for prompt payment. The average of private consumption is 100,000 feet per month. There are six retorts, but only three are required to furnish the above supply. The gasometer measures thirty-eight feet in diameter by twelve feet hi height.

Railroads have done much for Greenville, as the city contributed much to secure their assistance. The old depot was located on part of Lot 21, near to the Christian Church, on Walnut street. It is still standing, but not occupied. The new depot is a fine frame building, situated at the intersection of Walnut, Jackson and Martin streets, on a part of Jackson street vacated for the purpose and donated by the city to the company. It was built bj J. J. Bloomer, of Indianapolis.

The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis depot, a frame, was built in 1867, at a cost of $4,000. Its dimensions are 72x42 feet. Frank McWhinney was the builder and owner. The old depot, now standing about one hundred rods west, was abandoned on completion of the new structure.

Greenville Lodge, No. L'r?>. F. A. M.. reaches into the past thirty-three years. On July 3, 1847. John C. Potter. Elias Brumager, William Schmidt* David Beers. William M. Wilson. Adam Koogler, Simon B. Carey and John Tomlinson. all Master Masons, met and resolved that an application should be made for a charter to the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Thereupon, a petition to that effect was prepared and signed by the above-named brethren, and subsequently by John Sweetzer, R. D. Oldfield and A. W. Sanford. This application was recommended by Ward Lodge. No. 24, of Piqua, Ohio, and July 24, 1847, a dispensation was issued to the above-named brethren by George Keiffer. D. G. M. of the Grand Lodge, Bro. W. M. Wilson to be first W. M: John Tomlinson, S. W.. and Adam Koogler. J. W. On the 20th of* October, 1847. a charter was duly signed and sealed by the Most Worshipful Master of the Grand Lodge, to the brethren above named, constituting

Grreenvilh Chapter, No. 77. was chartered October 17. 1857. It is one of the best-working and most prosperous chapters in the country. It has eighty-seven members. The following presents, in order of service since the date of the charter, the names of those who have officiated as High Priest : W. M. Wilson, 1857 to first election ; A. P. Gorsuch, December, 1857, to 1861 : E. B. Putnam, 1861 to 1865 ; C. G. Matchett, one year; W. H. Matchett, 1866 to 1870 ; Mr. Gorsuch, one year : C. G. Matchett. one year ; E. J. Kickcox, 1872 to 1873 ; W. 11. Matchett, three years ; C. G. Matchett, 1876 to 1878, and W. H. Matchett. 1878, and yet presiding.

Education in Greenville at an early day received but little attention. There were schools in churches and other localities b}T various persons. Two ordinary brick houses were built about 1839 or 1840. Some desired to unite effort and build one good house, but this was overruled, and two buildings were erected. One stood on the lot numbered 13, granted by the county in lieu of the lot sold by the Commissioners b}' mistake. These lots were sold a few years since. Of the teachers were John Talbert, John Beers, H. P. Williams, persons who. according to method prevailing, taught three-months winter schools. In 1851, the first effort was made to grade the Greenville school by Ebenezer Bishop, who was employed at $400 a year to take general charge of the school. This effort was only partially successful, and the schools were afterward organized in four grades. and for a number of years were successfully conducted under A. T. Bodle. L. S. B. Otwell, F. Matchett (now deceased) and G. H. Martz, all efficient teachers. Mr. Mays, of Troy, Ohio, was afterward employed as Superintendent, the school was graded, and has been conducted as a graded school in charge of a superintendent to date. J. W. Legg, of Van Wert; William T. Wallace, of Columbus * Alexander Miller, deceased ; J. W. Muck, E. J. Macomber, J. S. Wilson and J. T. Martz have respectively superintended the same, and the school has had a constant growth in numbers and efficiency. The Greenville High School was organized in 1868. Henry Guilder, Superintendent of the public schools of North Manchester. Ind., was the first teacher. He is a self-made man, is thorough in his explanations and practical in their application. G. S. Harter, now a teacher in the Dayton High School, had charge of the Greenville High School for four years, and though he had but little experience in teaching when he assumed the responsible position, by perseverance, diligence and strict attention to his schoolroom duties, he soon established himself as a successful teacher.

In August, 1862, being then only sixteen, Mr. Harter enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the war. In the battle of the Wilderness, in the spring of 1864, he was taken prisoner by the rebels, and for four months suffered the horrors of Andersonville, and for three months more those of Florence Prison. Upon his liberation on Pecember 7, 1864, he was found reduced to a living skeleton by exposure and starvation, and was sent home to die. Under careful medical treatment he recovered. returned to his regiment, and. in June following, was mustered out of the service. His education was obtained in a two years' course at Heidelberg College. Tiffin, and a five years course at Western Reserve College. Hudson, Ohio, from which latter institution he graduated in the summer of 1875. He is a close student, and is devoted to his profession. E. B. Seitz, now Professor of Mathematics in the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo., had charge of the mathematical department of the Greenville High School for several years, and was a member of the Board of Count}- School Examiners during this "time. He took a mathematical course in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, leaving that institution in the summer of 1870, and has been following the profession of teaching since that time. Mr. Seitz possesses very superior mathematical talent; has a special fondness for this branch of study, and has already taken rank as one of the very finest mathematicians of the State, for we still claim him. He is, moreover, a contributor to the leading mathematical journals of the country, among them the Analyst, the Mathematical Visitor, and the Educational Times, of London, England. He is a close student, a fine reasoner, and perfectly at home in the mathematical and scientific, as well as the astronomical field.

C. H. Frizell, one of the present teachers in the High School, was born in the town of Greenville. His father was Colonel of the Eleventh and Ninety-fourth Regiments Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Our teacher's parents are both dead. He entered the Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Md., but, his health failing, he was compelled to resign his position. His education was principally obtained in the school which he is now teaching, and the facilities there offered enabled him to obtain a thorough knowledge of the sciences and mathematics, as well as a familiar knowledge of the "Latin and German languages. He is thorough and practical in his teaching, mild but firm in his methods of government, and has secured the confidence and esteem of his pupils.

H. L. Frank, also teacher in the high school, was born in Darke County. Having a desire to obtain a good education, he repaired to Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and completed a six-years classical course, graduating with honors in June, 1876. He has taken a complete course in mathematics and the languages, is a good scientific and classical scholar, and is familiar with the branches he teaches. He was promoted from a lower grade in the Greenville school to his present position, and has sustained himself in both grades.

The Greenville High School was organized in 1868. It now enrolls over one hundred pupils, and is in a prosperous condition. The room is furnished with ninety-eight single seats and desks for pupils, two teachers' desks and an organ which cost $175. It is the largest and best furnished school room in the county. Of the pupils attending, sixty-two studied United States history ; ten physiology ; nine, physical geography ; fifteen, natural philosophy ; twenty, German ; thirtytwo, algebra ; fifteen, geometry ; eight, trigonometry ; seventeen, Latin ; two, Greek ; thirteen, Constitution of the United States ; ten, chemistry ; eleven, geology ; ten, botany ; eight, book-keeping ; ten, surveying ; thirteen, astronomy, and two, meteorology. The school building was completed in 1868. It covers an area of twenty-four and one-half square rods, is three stories high, contains seventeen rooms exclusive of the basement, the laboratory and Superintendent's room. The building contains over seven hundred and twenty-three thousand bricks, and was erected at a cost of $25,000, exclusive of heating apparatus and gas fixtures. The basement contains the coalroom, janitor's workroom and furnace and boiler. The entire building is heated by steam supplied from this boiler, which is twentysix feet in length, four feet in diameter, and contains a capacity of seventy barrels of water. The heating apparatus has not given general satisfaction, because of the want of proper arrangement of the heating surface, and the school board has been at a heavy expense yearly in increasing the heating surface, and making the necessary repairs. Citizens have also objected to the location of the boiler in the basement of the building, deeming it unsafe ; and the intention is to remove it at the close of the present school year. The laboratory contains over $500 worth of philosophical and chemical apparatus, and the Board of Education has placed in the library the Revised American Encyclopedia, and Webster's Unabridged

Pictorial Dictionary, at a cost of $104. The rooms are supplied with the necessary globes, outline maps, charts, cubical blocks, etc., and the school is in a prosperous condition. Within the past year, the board has placed a neat, substantial iron fence around the school lot, at an expense of $1,975, while the lot, containing over four acres of ground, has been set in costh' shade trees, making it thereby both pleasant and attractive to the pupils. At present, there are fourteen grades in the school, with a total enrollment of 000 pupils. Many non-resident students avail themselves of our school facilities, and the tuition paid into the treasury from this source has been over $2.50 per year, exclusive of the amount received from the normal school.

The average cost of running the school one year may be summed up as follows : General expenses, including janitor's salary and his fuel, $1,313 ; coal, for furnace, $460.70 ; salary of seventeen teachers, $7,365 ; total cost of school one year, $9,138.70.

The building and grounds are in charge of Harvey Tucker, the janitor, who is also the engineer. He is a practical workman, diligent and careful in the discharge of his duties, is an ingenious mechanic ; makes the erasers as wrell as the blackboards in the school building, and thus saves the board many items of expense. His salary is $40 per month, with his house rent and wood furnished. The Board of Education has also provided a fund which furnishes books for those pupils whose parents are unable, financially, to get the same, and thus no child is deprived of the advantages of education which the school affords.

The Greenville Board of Education consists of six members. L. E. Chenoweth, the President, is a young attorney of marked ability. His father is a resident of Washington Township, this county ; is one of its pioneer settlers and has been a Justice of the Peace for many years. At the breaking-out of the rebellion in the spring of 1861, Mr. Chenoweth, though attending school at the time, resolved in his own mind that his first duty was to his country, and, with fourteen students of the same school, offered his services to the Government. He enlisted as a private in Company E, Sixt}r-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, by meritorious conduct, was promoted to First Lieutenant, and to Captain of Company I, Sixt3-ninth Regiment, after which promotion he was appointed Assistant Acting Quartermaster of the Second Brigade. First Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, on the staff of Brig. Gen. George P. Buell. and, at the close of the war. was honorably discharged from the service. He married Miss Effy. second daughter of Noah Arnold. Esq.. a wealthy farmer of the county, who has also been mentioned as one of the first teachers in the county. Mr. Chenoweth acted as agent for a school-furniture company, knows the wants of the schoolroom, for he. also, has followed the profession of teaching, and supplies the same so far as it is practicable.

Daniel Hemic. Clerk of the Board, is a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1857, locating near Hamilton, Ohio. At that time he had little of this world's goods, but he was not ashamed to work, and engaged himself to a fanner at monthly wages. By diligence and economy he had saved $867 in six years. In 1863, he returned to Germany, and stayed there two years, at the end of which time he returned to his employer near Hamilton, engaging to work for him at $26 per month, when other hands were getting only $13. In 1867. he came to Greenville, married Miss Anna Weitbrecht, and went into business in the fall of the same year. By close attention to business, he has accumulated property whii h places him in easy circumstances, and. as a grain merchant, during the past year, has been remarkably successful in applying the changes of the markets to his own advantage. He buys and sells about four hundred car loads of grain annually ; loading S00 bushels of oats to the car : 470 bushels of wheat, and 500 bushels of corn. He is a practical business man. and has a good education in German. He has been Clerk of the School Board five years ; has been Township Treasurer three years, being re-elected to both offices by increased majorities, and . as an officer his acts give general satisfaction.

Jahugh Compton, Treasurer of the Board, was born in Greene County, and is one of the first business men of Greenville. He has been a member of the School Board since 1862, and has a thorough knowledge of the practical workings of the school. Under his official notice, he has seen the school grow from/owr to fourteen grades ; assisted officially in condemning the present school lot. and was active in taking the initiatory steps which resulted in the erection of the present commodious school building. He has always favored those enterprises which inure to the public benefit. He is a practical business man, acts from a sense of duty, and is always found advocating those measures that tend to advance the interests of the school and community. D. S. Heim is one of our practical business men, is systematic in his work, prudent and sound in judgment, and a warm friend of education. He has lived in Darke County since 1839. and has been a resident of Greenville twelve years, ten years of that time being spent in public business. As a member of the School Board, he is careful, prudent and consistent. His acts met with public approval, and he was re-elected by a largely increased majority. W. J. Todd has been a member of the Board of Education for four years, and has been in public business during the greater part of the time he has resided in Greenville. During the late war, he was one of those who heeded the call of his country, and enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Battery, in 1862. He became Quartermaster of this battery, and remained in the service three years and three months. More than one year of this time was spent at Vicksburg, and he was also stationed at Natchez and Yazoo City. Mr. Todd was attentive to his duties while in the service, and was honorably discharged. He is a successful business man, appreciates education, is in favor of furnishing those facilities necessary to conduct the school successfully, and his views relative to educational matters secured his last election by a vote five times as great as his competitor. M. T. Allen is the youngest member of the Board of Education, and was elected by a handsome majority. He was born in Darke County, received a common-school education, but having a desire for a more extended education, he repaired to Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, where he remained as a student for one and a half years ; he then attended a school at Da}rton for one term, after which he taught school for several years, and read law during this time. In 1869, he commenced the practice of law in Winchester, Ind. He finally came to Greenville in the spring of 1872. commenced the practice of law, and has continued in the profession to the present time. Mr. Allen is a man of fine personal appearance, easy address, and fluent in speech. He has a good knowledge of law, is attentive and persistent in protecting the interests of his client, and is a successful practitioner. Having been a teacher himself, he has a practical knowledge of the wants of the schoolroom, and seems to comprehend what is necessary in order that the school may move along harmoniously. He is a practical business man, favors all those enterprises that will result beneficially to the public, and his election was secured by cause of the interest he has manifested in the successful carrying-on of the school here. He acts in complete harmony with the other members of the board, and this cannot but result beneficially.

In addition to the high school mentioned, the Preparatory High School Grade is taught by James H. Woodbury. In this grade, some of the high school branches are begun, and the pupils prepared, by thorough drill and examination, for the higher grade. Mr. Woodbury is a practical teacher, a thorough disciplinarian, and his pupils make that progress in their studies that is commendable to both teacher and pupil. Frank M. White has charge of the "A" Grammar Grade. He has had five years' employment in the school. He labors under a great disadvantage, in having lost both of his arms, and using artificial substitutes ; but his teaching is thorough, his government is mild but firm, and his pupils soon learn to respect and love him. He is also a member of the Count}' Board of School Examiners, having served in that capacity about eight months. Estevan Lawrence is teacher of the vv B " Grammar Grade ; this is his first year's experience us a teacher in the Greenville School. He is a cripple, being injured in one of his limbs, and walks at a great disadvantage, but his pupils respect him ; he is thorough in his explanations, an experienced teacher of vocal music, and a graduate in bookkeeping and commercial arithmetic. In addition to his grade, he has charge of the commercial department of the high school, and pupils receive a thorough drill in this department. James 13. Robinson has charge of the " C " Grammar Grade, and this is his second year's experience as teacher in the Greenville School, and was a student at Otterbein University, Westerville. He also teaches a class in physiology, from the high school, and has taken special pains to illustrate the subject practically by a skeleton and chart. His teachings in this department, as well as in his own proper grade, have been quite successful. He makes his teaching plain, nothing is passed until it is thoroughly understood, and pupils need not, in a higher grade, review the studies passed over here. Mr. Robinson is a practical chemist, having had charge of a drug store for a number of years. He thoroughly understands vocal music, and is a practical business man. Miss Maggie ('. Mead has charge of the " A" Grade, Intermediate Department, and has been a teacher in the school nine successive years. She is a good disciplinarian, thorough and systematic in her teaching ; her pupils are orderly and respectful, and her room is governed with seemingly little effort on her part. She is quiet in the schoolroom, and her pupils imitate her in this respect. Her motto is, " A quiet teacher insures a quiet school." She requires thoroughness on the part of her pupils, and will not recommend promotion to a higher grade without being satisfied that the pupil can sustain himself in that grade. Mrs. Sarah K. Hetzler has charge of the " B " Intermediate Grade, and is teaching her seventh successive year in the school. She is a widow, and supports herself and three children by her own industry. As a teacher, she has given general satisfaction, and her pupils are required to understand a subject well before an advance is made. The " C :' Intermediate Grade is taught by Miss Kate Schmermund, who has been employed for eight successive years. She has sustained herself well in her grade, is a good disciplinarian, and order and system prevail in her room. The study of geography is begun in this grade ; it is taught by topic, and. while the study is new to the pupils, they soon become interested in all their studies. Miss Lizzie McKennan has charge of the " A " Primary Grade, this being her first year. She is a member of the graduating class of 1880, received her education in the Greenville School, is a good scholar, and, as a teacher, has given entire satisfaction. She has not only taught her grade this year, but has also kept along in her studies, reciting in the morning and evening, and thus, by industry and perseverance, has completed the high school course of study with her class. Miss Sarah White has had charge of the " B " Primary Grade for five successive years. This grade is necessarily large, but the best of order prevails in the room. She is prompt and systematic in her methods of instruction, teaching her pupils the necessity and importance of being quiet and orderly in the schoolroom. The pupils in this grade make very commendable progress. Miss Mary E. Allen has charge of the i: C "' Primary Grade. She has been a teacher in the Greenville School for eight successive years. She had charge of the Primary Grade before it was divided. She is kind and attentive to small children, careful in her methods of instruction, requiring her pupils to give the elementary sounds of letters, speak the words correctly, and observe the rules of reading taught to primary pupils. Mrs. Lucinda Ratliff has charge of the " D " Primary Grade. Here the pupils receive their first lessons in schoolroom duties. Writing, lettering, figures, letters and words on the slate and blackboard is required of the pupil ; object lessons are taught, together with the first principles of reading. New pupils are constantly being introduced in this room, and the grade is difficult to teach successfully. Mrs. Ratliff is particularly adapted to this kind of work, and has given general satisfaction as teacher. She has been employed for five successive years, and is doing a good work in her department. Miss Anna Stallman has charge of the German Primary Department, She is a graduate from the Greenville High School, and during the first year of her teaching, she continued her studies and graduated with her class at the close of the }"ear. She teaches the English classes in the German and English department, alternating with the teacher in the charge of the two rooms. She has good executive ability, is mild but firm in her government, and, as teacher, gives general satisfaction. Louis Hoffman is the teacher of the German and English Department, and teaches the classes in German from the high school. He has taught ten years in the Greenville School, and understands vocal music, which he' teaches to his pupils successfully. Mr. Hoffman is versed in several languages, and teaches the German in two grades. Vocal music is taught in all grades daily. This department is in charge of J. A. Porter, formerly employed in the schools of Galion, Ohio. He is also a teacher of instrumental music. In May, 1873, thirteen teachers were employed, and in June, 1878, seventeen. The enrollment for the latter year was 894. Of these, 465 were males and 429 females. The enrollment in the high school was 156. The average monthly enrollment was a total of 684 ; of these, 95 were enrolled in the high school. The average daily attendance was 621 ; of these, 88 were enrolled in the high school. The per cent of attendance was 93 in the high school, and 91 in the other grades. Tuition received from non-residents is an item of revenue to the district. Five commencements have been held since the high school was organized. The names of graduates are as follows :

Class of 1873 - A. C. Lindermuth, George Gunder. E. L. Matchett and Florence Lansdowne (Matchett died August 5, 1877, and Lansdowne November 30, 1874), Amelia Sorber, Allie Smith, Mary E. Roland, Lizzie Mc Alpine, Kate Hicks and Ma}r Lynch. Class of 1875 - Emma Kelin, Victoria Lindermuth and Mollie Mitchell (since died). Class of 1876 - Charles Roland, Allie McNeal, Ida Lynch and Sadie McCune. Class of 1877 - Ella Ault, Flora Meeker, Minnie Garber. A. C. Robeson, Delia Klinger, Clara Roland, Anna Stallmann. C. E. Porterfield. Class of 1878 - Rollin F. Crider, Frank D. Meeker, Sadie Meeker, Henry T. Miller. Dema Martin, Estella Dunlap, and the graduating class of 1880 are Leona Shade, Ada Lindsev. Callie Rettimer. Lizzie McKeman, Amnion Mider. Allie Judy, D. L. Gaskill and J. H. Martz.

The ecclesiastical history of Greenville is really to a great extent that of the county, since from the city have gone forth the elements of outside organization. The Presbyterians seem to have perfected an organization as early as February 14, 1821, when the following-named persons signed a call for the formation of a corporate body : L. Rascom, James Craig, William L. Wilson, John Craig, William McKhann, Jesse McGinnis, John Armstrong, John Devor, Renjamin Murphy. David Fisher. John McFarland, William Clark, John Reers, Robert Hood, James Ruchanan, Heman L. Aiken, Stephen Perrine. William Martin. David Irwin. James Devor, A. Scribner, Eastin Norris, James Stevenson (senior and junior). H. McCune, George I. Isham, Erastus Putnam, John Miller. William Lipe, Thomas Stokeley, Charles Steward, George W. Hight and John Rriggs. Agreeably to legal notice, the above-named met at the house of Linus Rascom on March 10. 1821, and elected Eastin Norris Clerk, and for Trustees Renjamin Murphy, William Martin and Linus Rascom. and they also placed the organization on record as the " Greenville Presbyterian Society." September 9, 1825, a congregation collected at the house of Renjamin Murphy for the purpose of being organized into a church. The Rev. John Ross officiated, and. having concluded religious exercises, he set apart Renjamin Murphy and Linus Rascom as Elders, and Robert Robinson was re-elected as Elder. John Ross commenced preaching in 1825. and remained with the congregation till 1831. In 1833, the society, at a called meeting, detached a portion of their number living in Adams Township to form the Mount Pleasant Church, now the Gettysburg Presbyterian, whose first Pastor was Rev. Isaac Ogden. The society at Greenville did not have regular preaching for some time previous to October. 1841. when Alexander (lulick was installed Pastor.

and divided his time between the two societies named, remaining two years November 31, 1844, Rev. Badeau was engaged, and served four years. May 12. 1849, Rev. John A. Weeks commenced preaching, and was succeeded in 1853 by Rev. R. M. McCullough, who was Pastor but one year. Hew Orlando Clark was secured for the year 1 s 7> 7 . Two years later. D. B. Wycoff served six months. previous to departure for India as a missionary. In .June. 1860. Rev. C. B. II Martin became Pastor, and served a year very acceptably. Next came John W. Drake, from 1862 to August, 1865. II. A. Newell to 1868, an excellent speaker, easy of bearing and portly in person. The society received its greatest stimulus during his pastorate, either before or since. John S. Gourlay, a talented man, preached for a jTear or so. then, on April 7. 1872, J. C. Eastman was invited to occupy the pulpit as a temporary supply, and remained from that time until April.' 1880.

The Second Presbyterian Church was formed June 21, 1843. and continued its existence until the 3^ear 1865, when. February 21, the elders of this and the other church met. and, after a full consultation, passed the following resolution, to be presented to their respective congregations : Resolved, 1 , That we unite with the Old School Presbytery, and take the First Church for a house of worship, the united church to make a call for a Pastor.

Both congregations unanimously acceded to these propositions, and the united societies met February 28, and formally agreed upon the union of their interests. On May 8, 1865, an election of a Board of Trustees was held, and James B. Avery was Chairman and William Kerr. Clerk. The election resulted in the choice of James B. Avery. A. Gaskill, M. Creager, Stephen Baird, Charles Tate and David B. John. April 6. 1877, the membership actual was 182 ; the Sabbath school membership was 166 ; amount contributed for Pastor's salary, parsonage and other objects, was $2,014. A year later, there were 210 members. The statistical report for the year ending April 12, 1880, is in part as follows : Whole membership. 185 ; contributions, $1,416.83 ; number in school. 169.

St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church dates from the year 1832. In that year. Rev. Alva Guion, recently located at Piqua, visited Greenville to address the people on the importance of sustaining a Sunday school, and of establishing a library of religious books for children. This was done, although at this time, there was not an Episcopalian in the village. In the spring of 1833, Rev. Guion, on visit, was pleased to find a convert in the person of Mrs. Eliza A. Briggs. In 1835. an article of association was drawn up and circulated in Greenville, twelve persons subscribed their names to it, and in 1836. nine more were added, and the next spring the number was increased to twenty -five. The following is a copy of the article, and of the names attached. May 20, 1837 : "We, whose names are herewith atlixed, do hereby associate ourselves together under the name of the Parish of St. Paul's Church : John and Eliza A. Briggs, W. B. and Mary A. Beall, Jane E. Ross, Evaline Dorsey, Margaret Kilbourne, Daniel H. and Ann B. Davis. Margaret Baird. Joseph Ross. Thomas F. Kilbourne. Stephen Perrine. \V. M Wilson. Eliza Duncan, Elisha Dawes, Hiram Potter, Francis Waring. William M. Crane. William McKhann. A. L. Northrop, John Wharry, II. Arnold. II. D. Williams and Chloe Herkeiner."

Pursuant to canonical notice, members assembled May 20. 1837, at the dwelling of Dr. John Briggs, to organize a parish, and the following names were elected to the Vestry : John Briggs, W. B. Beall. Thomas V. Kilbourne, Joseph Ross and A. L. Northrop. A building committee was chosen January 13. 1840, which consisted of William M. Wilson. W. B. Beall and Hiram Potter. In due time. Unbuilding was creeted, completed and properly furnished. Cpon its site, on the northwest corner of Third and Walnut streets, on the site of the present new chapel, the pioneer church stood until 1S7!» or 1SSII. a period of forty vears. From 1*40 to 1852, N. Badger, of Troy. .1. J. Okill, J. W. Talford, William Miller and Rev. Wiggins officiated at regular intervals. In 1846, nine persons were confirmed by Rt. Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine. In 1851. Daniel E. Rrown became Rector, and maintained that relation to St. Paul's Parish until 1860. May. 17, 1859, fourteen persons were confirmed. Up to March 23, 1868, confirmations were forty-three, J. N. Lee became Rector, November 17, 1860, and served until November 30. 1862. From this date until 1866, there was no regular minister. Rev. J. H. McElray then served a 3'ear. when there was an interval until January. 1871, when Richard Wainwright was installed Rector, succeeded by George B. Sturgis, who closed connection with the church July, 1874. The present incumbent is Rev. David W. Cox, in charge since 1877. The new church is of recent construction, and as said, occupies the old site of the pioneer structure. The membership is about forty. The Sabbath School Superintendents between 1832 and 1853 were Mrs. E. Briggs and Evaline Dorsey. Later, the school was conducted several years by B. Hubbard, until 1859. Mr. Webb is now in charge. The school attendance is sixty.

The Methodist Episcopal Church began the construction of a house in 1S35, and its location was determined by the following circumstance ; Isaac Jay. a Quaker, identified himself with the Methodists, and himself determined to buy the present church lot, the northwest half of No. 5. in Greenville, and upon it to erect a suitable building. He was induced to make the purchase from impressions made by a dream, in which he saw sheep encompassed by wolves make a successful stand at this site - then a thicket of thorn bushes. He paid $40 for the site, then owned by Hiram and John C. Potter, and received a deed February 22, 1835. In 1836, the meeting-house was completed, under the supervision as building committee, of Mr. Jay, William Oliver, C. Martin, William Folkerth, William W. Jordan, Jacob Chenoweth and Hiram Bell, at a cost of $600. There was a debt of $70, which was discharged by each member of the committee pa3ring $10. A revival, adding thirty-seven to the church, followed the completion of the house. The Methodist Episcopal parsonage of Fourth street was purchased in the fall of 1848 ; Rev. Harmount being its first occupant. In 1852, the frame church was sold to William J. Bireley. for $50. and subscriptions were taken for the purpose of building a brick church, estimated to cost $5,000. The sum of $2,000, only part of which was paid, having been subscribed, work began but was greatly retarded by lack of means. Finally, $1,500 was borrowed, and the woi'k completed. In 1860, Greenville was made a station with one appointment. Isaac Newton, Pastor, drew large congregations, and much interest was shown. James H. Alderman was in charge next; then Jacob Feghtb}', sometimes called the "quiet brother." During his sta}* the organ was first introduced into the church, with strong opposition from aged members. In 1864, Fielding L. Harper began work, but in eonsequence of ill-health, discontinued work, and soon after died. Charles Reynolds was in charge in 1865, followed next year by Henry E. Pilcher. The parsonage was sold for $800, and another on the same street purchased for $2,500. Rev. L. C. Webster preached in 1867-68, and Joseph Avers, whose term of service expired with the latter year, was the Presiding Elder. The new parsonage was exchanged for another on the same street, the Trustees receiving $700 in addition to the same. The Sabbath-school was prosperous ; monthly concerts were held, and 200 children attended. During 1868, 1869 and 1870, Amos Wilson was preacher in charge, and Joseph Wyoks. Presiding Elder. Next came H. S.Bradley, and, in 1871, Rev. A. Berry was appointed to this charge, and remained three years. From the fall of 1874 to that of 1877, Rev. A. J. Fish was Pastor, during whose time the church was dedicated by Rev. A. Marine, now of Fort Wayne. Ind. The church membership reached 161. There was not a death during the year. Rev. 31. L. Albright came in the fall of 1877. and remained two years. The present Pastor, Rev. J. A. Ferguson, is in charge. Since the dedication in 1875, considerable improvements have been made at a cost of $6,900. The bell donated by William Allen, has a weight of 1.525 pounds. The building stands on the east side of Sycamore street. between Third and Fourth streets. The present actual membership is 200.

The Christian Church was organized January 3, 1841, by Elders Elijah Williamson, John B. Robertson, Hallet Barber and Elisha Ashley. At a regular meeting held July 31, various matters were adduced, among which was a resolution to attach the church to the Western (Blutfton) Conference. It seems that in October 15, 1833, Lot No. 2)i was deeded by Solomon Riffle and wife to William Martin. John Swisher. Alexander Craig, David Potter and John N. Parcell, for the use and benefit of the first Christian Church that might be organized in the town of Greenville, for the purpose of erecting thereon a meeting-house. A house was erected and at the time whereof we write the society by right took into possession house and lot. The members increased in seven months from ten to eighty-eight, and the Pastors in order up to August, 1841, were Elders J. B. Robertson, H. Barber, D. Purviance, L. Purviance, E. Ashley, I. Trenton and E. Williamson. The first Christian Church was incorporated January 21, 1842. In 1857, there were sixty-one additions, and August 25, 1859, there were 114 members. John Stephenson and John Van Meter were appointed Deacons August 1. 1846 ; Elder Williamson was chosen Pastor for one year from July 31. 1847. In April following, steps were taken toward the erection of a brick meeting-house. The old house was sold March 7, 1849, for $105. The Episcopalians allowed the society the temporary use of their house till their own could be built. August 10, 1854, Elder Marvin was Pastor, who. having resigned in 1856. Elder H. K. McConnell was invited to the pastorate, and was employed for 1857 and 1858. From this time a decadence set in, and in time but few members remained. On April 6, 1874, it was stated that besides Rev. McConnell. M. Palmer and Elder McWhinney were the only ministers to that date who had preached and labored for the society.

Evangelical Church. - Originally the Greenville appointment belonged to the Miami Circuit. Ohio Conference. At first, there was no regular preaching, but ministers visited this section from Dayton, Cincinnati and other places, and preached in private houses. A small class was formed in 1842. Peter Roth, afterward minister on this circuit, became the leader. Among members of the class were M. Kline, Renssellaer, Leetz and Koenig. The present church, a medium-sized brick structure, with a seating capacity of about three hundred, is located on the southeast corner of Fourth and Ash streets, was the first one built. The work was done in 1858, and the sermon of dedication was preached by Bishop Long, Revs. Platz being Presiding Elder, and B. Rush, circuit preacher. Indebtedness was paid off at this time, and later a comfortable parsonage was erected on the same lot. The following have been Presiding Elders from 1812 until the present: Revs. Censor, Sehaffer, Kopp. Fry. Dreisbach, Platz, Fisher, Myer, Fuchs, Krueger and Baumgartner. The preachers have been Abraham Sehaffer, Philip Por, Eli Kliplinger, Lewis Einsel, Jacob Keiper. John Hoffman. John G. Censor, B. Rush, Peter Roth. John Nikolai. C. Glaus. B. Uphaus, George Holley. Peter Getz, Christian Heiin. A. E. Dreisbach, Ph. Schwartz, Cluuies SchamOj George Nolpert. Edward Evans. E. R. Trover. Reuben Reigel, George Klepper, E. R. Trover. E. T. Hochsletler and F. Lanner. Greenville has not yet 1 teen made a station, but is still an appointment, with preaching once in two weeks. The membership of the circuit is 2 13. and of the town is 28.

German Methodist. - The first preaching in Greenville by a minister of this denomination was by Rev. William Floerke, October 2, 1S52. who remained two years. Services were held in dwellings. Some of the original members of the society were .). \Y. Fischbach, Charles Bittermire. Charles Klarig. Loveroy, EQarig, Fred Steinramp and J. G. Martine. The second minister was J. A. Schmeremund, under whose administration the presenl church was built in 1855, at :i cost of about $900. The parsonage was bought for $350 in 1857. It has been materially enlarged and improved. The lot. the site of church and parsonage, is Located on Ash street, between Main and Water streets. The entire property is valued at $2,501). The Sabbath school wasestahlished in 1850. and has been kept up ever since. There has also been regular preaching. The membership is small. Old members have died, new ones have moved away. The proportion of English-speaking Methodists has increased, and there is little numerical gain. It forms a part of the German Central Conference. Presiding Elders have been William Ahrens, M. Collander, J. A. Kline. Conrad Ghau, Jacob Rothweiler, G. C. Fritche, E. Reimschneider and L. Olinger. The pastors of this congregation have been from the first as follows : William Floerke, J. A. Schmeremund. William Ahrens, Conrad Bier, Charles Helwig, Henry Fuess, Paul Brodbeck, F. Severinghaus, John Leppert, L. Dunker, Jacob Gabler, Adam Weber, John Ficker.

The German Reformed Church. - St. Paul's congregation. The division of the Dallas charge by detaching the congregations of Beamsville and Gett}^sburg, gave rise to the organization of a central congregation on a new charge. In September, 1864, the Rev. T. P. Bucher, of Dayton, preached in Greenville, in the Old School Presbyterian Church, to a large congregation. Revs. W. McCaughey and

A. Wanner preached here subsequently. Sufficient interest seems to have been awakened to provide for the formation of a society, and, September 19, 1864, this was effected. Six members of the German Reformed Church were present at the meeting, and the names of five others were presented. The following names were entered - Philip Hartzell and wife, Mrs. Clem Barthing, S. Creager, Mrs. E. C. Baer and Mrs. Margaret Webb. The meeting was held in the dwelling of Mrs. Barthing. On March 12, 1866, Rev. W. McCaughey was still Pastor. A month or so later, a building committee was appointed, and, in September, the church owned b}7 the Christians was rented for six months from October 14. November 1, 1866. the Committee on Location reported a lot on the corner of Third and Vine streets, owned by John Harper. In the spring of 1869, the church became very dilapidated, and the house of the Old School Presbyterians was purchased for $4,000 cash. The funds were secured by borrowing $3,600 of Mr. Alter, of Cincinnati, but owing to the desire of the Presbyterians to wait for the union of the two schools, action was dela}red. In February, 1870, the property was sold at auction, to Turpen, Benham & Co. The Harper lot was sold, and a purchase made of part of a lot from Dr. T. J. Kindlesberger, for $1,000, on May 30, 1870. Church building was pushed, and, in 1874, the new St. Paul's Reform Church was dedicated. The Pastor, Rev. W. McCaughe}", was assisted by Rev. David Winters, D. D., of Dayton, and others. The entire cost of the building was about $5,400. In speaking of it a local paper said : u The church, a model of neatness and beauty, is pronounced the finest in the county, will comfortably seat about three hundred persons, is well ventilated, and is heated b}r a furnace. The walls and ceiling are beautifully frescoed, the design and finish of the windows really imposing, the pulpit tastefully constructed, the aisles carpeted, and the congregation have the handsomest house of worship in the town." The first communion season in the new church was held February 16, 1873. Rev. McCaughey, who had been with the church since its origin, tendered his resignation and preached his final sermon on the evening of September 6, 1874. The pulpit was for a time supplied by R.

B. Reichard, who, resigning in the fall of 1876, was succeeded by Jesse Steimer, who came in the spring of 1879, and remained till the fall of 1879.

January 1, 1880, Rev. Samuel Mere, D. D., assumed the pastorate, and is the incumbent. The membership is now about seventy-five. The Sabbath school connected with this church was organized in the spring of 1867, and numbers fifty-five.

The United Brethren had a church prior to the war, which was sold at auction, and bought by Prof. Martz, and used as schoolhouse ; then sold to Catholics about 1862, who greatly improved it.

constantly in the foreground of Aery prominent interest, social, financial, educational and religious, while their following is stanch and confident. In this we may learn the influence of energy, wealth and public spirit in developing and making attractive a village or a city. Greenville has fine buildings, private and public. Her interests are in sale hands, and the city offers many inducements to a residence there ; not alone in the sociability of the citizens, but in the influences of public institutions and prevalence of progressive and elevating tendencies.

This township was organized in March. 1819, and embraced what is now contained in both German and Washington Townships. In December, 1833, the north tier of sections of Township, 1 1 north was taken into the township, but a year later a subdivision was made, the southern part taking the name of German, thereby leaving a small indebtedness incurred in opening roads, for the old township to pay.

The township as now organized contains 20,982 acres of land, and at one time was heavily timbered. It is well watered by springs and by streams flowingover the surface. The soil is unsurpassed by any in the county for the production of all the grains and grasses adapted to this county, and for health none excel it. The facts of the history which follow are supplied b}- Joseph Cole, a native of the township, and now fifty -five }-ears of age. He speaks from personal experience, and of his own knowledge, when he says : " The task the pioneer farmer had in subduing the forest for his first crop was, to say the least, a very arduous undertaking, when with his own hand he grubbed, chopped, picked and burned all the undergrowth - that is to say. all what was called a foot and under ; and then, having the larger trees girdled, he was ready to commence plowing, or rather digging among the roots. A team of horses or cattle, harness, and a plow of a very rude structure, was his outfit to commence the task of preparing for a crop, and by diligence he usually raised a fair yield of corn, pumpkins, beans, potatoes and all kinds of garden vegetables. The first season, a small field was thus cleared and tilled. This ground was usually sown to wheat in the corn ground, or after the corn was cut up. And when the wheat was matured, it was gathered by hand with the sickle, hauled in and stacked. In winter it was either beaten off' with the flail, or tramped off with horses, when the grain was separated from the chaff by running through the windmill. This was not always practicable, for it sometimes occurred that the poor man had to cleanse his grain by fanning it by hand, using a linen sheet, or b}- throwing it from one side of his dirt floor to the other, repeating the operation until it was sufficiently clean for milling or sowing.

Field after field was added yearly until the farm was opened up. until, of the 20.(1(1(1 acres of forest, more than 14.000 are now under a fair state of cultivation. There was a steady adherence to the same rotation of crops as fields were added, giving lair yields for the labor : and, with what wild game could be killed, furnished the settler with provisions sufficient for himself and family, and a surplus to divide with the new-comer as he dropped in. And this hard way in this wild wood seemed not to depress, for the settlers were apparently the happiest people on the face of the earth. Thus all crops were raised, the entire work being done by hand ; and but little more was produced than home needs required. Prices were very low. Wheat was sold at '.) and 4 shillings per bushel. Daylaborers got from 2 to .'I shillings per day. or £7 to $10 per month : but how different now after the lapse of half a century. The farms are cleared of stumps and stones. and much of the work is done by machinery, horse-power and steam supplanting the sinewy arm and strong hand that handled hoe, sickle, cradle and flail. The grain is easily raised, and prices are greatly increased. Financially the first settlers were all poor, having gone into the unsettled part that they might obtain homes at the Government price. They understood fully the advantages of co-operating by mutual aid in raising cabins, and other efforts ; and as long as one had bread or seed, he divided with his less fortunate neighbor. Many lived to good old age, and beyond the allotted threescore and ten, relics of the past, observers of" the future, whose changes they could not have foreseen.

The first to locate in the township were Martin and Jacob Cox, from Pennsylvania. They settled on the right bank of Greenville Creek, on October 16, 1816, the former on Section 13, the latter on Section 14 ; there they made permanent homes, upon which they passed their lives. Jacob died in 1842. leaving his farm to his children; Martin occupied the farm about forty-two years, and made many improvements. An only child inherits his estate. James Brady and Samuel Cole, the two next settlers, came from Sussex County, N. J., in March, 1817. Brady located on Section 26, and thereon passed his life, dying at the age of fifty-one. in the year 1838. His widow, at the advanced age of ninety, still lives on the farm with her son, J. M. Brady. Samuel Cole settlecf on Section 27, where he remained till 1824, and here it was where the first white child was born within the township. Jane Cole was born April 20, 1817; she is now the widow Wintermote, and resides in Greenville Township, to which Mr. Cole moved and settled on Section 19, where he died February 21, 1866, aged seventy -nine. Samuel Cole, Sr., came in 1818. and lived with his son until his death in 1829, at the age of seventy-nine. Levi Elston from the same county and State as the above, settled in 1818, on Section 26, and made some improvements, but did not live long to enjoy them, but the farm remained in the hands of his widow and children for nearly half a century. In May following, John Snell and Daniel Shively both settled on Section 27. and cleared up lands bordering on the second branch of Greenville Creek ; with the others that gathered in, there was formed a Dutch settlement, thereby giving to the second branch the name of Krout Creek. Snell. after getting his land in a fair state of cultivation, sold and went to Missouri in 1839, but Shively remained on his farm until his death in 1841, aged forty-nine years. Others here were Peter and John Heck, the Millers, the Raricks, and Clapps from Pennsylvania. In 1818, a number of families from New Jersey settled here, forming what was called the Jersey settlement. William Martin entered a part of Section 25, made some improvements, but did not live long to enjoy his labors ; a part of the farm is still owned by Ins son, John H. Martin. John Chenoweth located on Section 32, in 1819, and erected a cabin, cleared land and gradually made extensive improvements. He raised a large family, and after a sojourn of between forty and fifty years, sold and moved to Illinois, where he died at an advanced age. He was frequently heard to remark that he could start at the Scioto, his native home, and travel all the way to Iowa with a team, and stay every night with some one of his connections.

From different States, the families continued to arrive during the year 1818. There was John Clapp, from Maryland, who settled on Section 34, cleared up his farm, and in 1823, built a mill, hereafter noted. He died here at the age of seventy, in the year 1846. Philip Rarick, from Pennsylvania, occupied part of the same section, raised a large family, and in time died. Joel Cosad, from New York, settled on Section 35, and in 1833, removed to Dayton. Nathaniel Skidmore and Jeremiah Rogers, both of New Jersey, entered portions of Section 28 ; the former cleared a large farm, upon which he resided until 1855, when he died, aged sixtysix years. Rogers died some years earlier. Samuel and Peter Kirnber, from New Jersey, settled on Section 23, improving the same, and living there until 1852. when Peter sold out, but still resided in the neighborhood until his death in 1870. at the age of seventy-nine. Christian Miller, came in 1819, and built on Section 22, and there passed his life. Clearing was continued by Jonah Miller, who occupied until 1867, when he went to Wabash County, Ind., where he died in 1878.

Henry Creviston, even in boyhood, was known at old Fort Greenville, during the war of 1812, and for some time after. About 1830. he made settlement in this township, on Section !-, and on this farm remained until his death. It was said by the old settlers, familiar with the old rough times, in and about the fort, that there was no one came to the fort his equal in activity and muscular strength. Ignatius Burns first located on Section 24, but soon sold, and Philip Manuel was acknowledged as the first to make permanent improvement on the same. He was from Kentucky, and died in the township on his farm, aged seventy -eight, in the year 1871. Moses Crumrine entered part of Section 22, made considerable clearing, and now, aged seventy-five, is still hale and hearty, and bids fair for many years. Jesse Gray, a noted hunter, settled on the border of Section 5, but the rifle, not the ax, was his weapon, and he moved westward to Jay Count}'. Ind., where he died at a very old age ; and there was Jacob Chenoweth, a wolf trapper, who occupied a rude cabin on Section 19, and at length, at a ripe age, died. There, too, was Joseph Cole, Sr., a settler on Section 21, in 1826. He was noted, not only as a firmer, but as a first-class country blacksmith. He is still living on the old homestead, although past his fourscore and four years. Those named were not all, examples only of the many. There were Conrad Harter. Charles Sumption, Solomon Harter, Joseph Dixon, L. D. Wintermote. Hezekiah Fowler, all early settlers, who helped in the great task of subduing the forest. And there, too. were David Wasson, John S. Hiller and Isaac Vail, and besides, there were Thomas F. Chenoweth, a settler on Section 23, where, at the age of seventy, he has lived nearly sixty years ; and Aaron Hiller, a farmer on Section 36, where he died, aged seventy. A single additional name is given, that of Johnson Deniston, who settled on Section 23. about the year 1825. It was on his farm that the boys me,t to enjo}' the holiday of all holidays - -the annual muster of the militia. This took place one week before what was called the Big Muster in Greenville, which was once each year. Mr. Cole says : -' Well, it was just about as much as a boy could stand, to hear the martial music, especially when John and Israel Cox were the fifers, as both were capital players, and Israel, especially, was excelled by none ; to see Capt. Marquis in his gay uniform, and hear his shrill command, and to see William Scott beat the tenor-drum. It was good enough for any boy of the day to see and hear, but big musters in regimental drill, with officers in full dress, mounted, was as much as the boy nature could endure. "

It would not be true to say that these first settlers found the country just as the red man left it, for he had not gone. He was friendly, molesting neither man nor beast, and frequently called at the cabin door for food. It is not enough to say of these pioneers that the}' were farmers, for they were mechanics, teachers and preachers, as well. They tanned their own leather, made their own shoes, did their own coopering and blacksmithing, taught their schools, and had. in the person of John Wintermote, what has been called a " Hardshell " Baptist preacher - the first minister to locate in the township.

Of the improvements of Washington Township, it is hard to tell where to begin, as it was an unbroken wilderness. The first road or trace to this settlement from Greenville was to cross Greenville Creek, just above what is now known as George Van Dike's ashery ; then by the D. Irwin farm, winding up the north side of Greenville Creek, by Dean's mill, to what was then known as the Byram cabin, about where A. I lays now lives, and crossing Greenville Creek just below the Murphy graveyard ; thence by D. Williamson's and Daniel Potter's. The next road was what was called the Jersey road, crossing Greenville Creek at the same point: thence, recrossing at Tecumseh's Point: thence, keeping south of the creek, crossing the west branch north of George Fox's mill, and so on west to the Jersey settlement and Krout Creek.

The first grist-mill erected within the township was built by John Clapp, in 1823. on tlii' second branch, on what is now known as the Bartow farm. It was a very rude structure, but as good as the times and financial conditions would permit, although the greater part of the work on the dam, digging the race and putting up the house, was done by volunteer work. The next, in the way of mill improvements, was a saw-mill, built by Jeremiah Rogers, on Hoover's Branch, on the farm now owned b}' Peter Skidmore, which was of service many years : but of these two old mills, only the landmarks are left.

Soon after these mills were built, David Clapp, early in 1832. commenced to build a flouring-mill on the second branch. The same fall, a saw-mill was running. The grist-mill began to run in the following year. The race was dug nearly half a mile through the roots of the primitive forest. Samuel Hatter and Joseph Rarick took the job for $100, and they hired William Baldwin, William Dennison. John Dixon and George Young to assist them. These men worked at prices ranging from 2 to 3 shillings per day. Andrew Bickel was also employed. Being considered rather an extra hand, he was paid 43 cents per day, the understanding being that he should keep the fact of greater wages to himself. Prior to the erection of this mill, the people here were used to going to a small flouring-mill near Coletown. The year 1832 was marked by a severely cold winter, and the mill froze up. Mr. Bickel tells of working, in company with two others, nearly all day to get the ice cut out, and all the grinding done by night was a half-bushel of cornmeal. This they divided between them, in shares proportioned to the size of the respective families. There are now four water and two steam saw-mills in the township. McClure's mill is run by water and by steam ; it has been repaired and rebuilt, until it is now a first-class flouring-mill. and is worthy of the patronage given.

These enterprising pioneers soon began to want a little nicer and safer chimney than the one of mud and sticks, so, with John Snell at the lead, they in common set to work to burn a brick-kiln, but in order to succeed they were obliged to go over to Greenville Township to call upon Hiller to assist in the molding and burning. They did good work, as some of the old chimneys will yet testify. James Brady and John Chenoweth were the first to burn brick and to build brick houses, but Joel Cosad was the first to build a frame house. It was about 18x20 feet base and one story high. One fact in this connection is worthy of note, that is, but few ever left the county who once settled in it ; they were either satisfied with the country or were else too poor to get away. As we have indicated, there are quite a number that have lived in the township from fifty to sixty years. In early times, there was a struggle for village notoriety between Nashville and Hill Grove, but long ago Nashville yielded the contest and not a building is left to mark the site of the would-be village, and Hill Grove came very near being absorbed by Union City. In this connection, it is well to recall Colona, a village located on December 31, which bloomed and died in a brief time. A few lots were laid out and sold, and a few dwellings were erected, but it soon became apparent that there was nothing to incite effort or induce settlement, and the vestiges of occupation soon disappeared, and few, if any, of the citizens of the township in 1880 remember or ever knew that the village of Colona ever had existence. It, like Nashville, was laid out on the old State road, and afforded a halting place to movers and travelers, where they might rest and might obtain food for themselves and for their teams.

The village of Hill Grove is situated at the northwest corner of Section 4. It was laid out in 1818, by W. McKee. The population numbers about two hundred persons. It is distant from Union City but little more than two miles, and from Greenville nine and a half. The Greenville & Union pike and the Dayton & Union Railroad run through it. It contains three churches - the German Reformed, United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal. The former was originally built by the Old School Presbyterians, and purchased by the society named in 1876, and Rev. J. Stuck has been Pastor ever since. It was rebuilt during the summer of 1879, and is a neat brick structure, pleasantly located on the north side of Liberty street, in the northeastern part of town. The United Brethren

Church is a neat frame, medium-sized building, near the township line, and built in 1878. The Methodist Church is situated over the line a short distance, in Jackson Township, in the northwest part of the village and near that end of Main street. The schoolhouse, which has a school enrolling ninety-four pupils, is located on Main street, opposite the southeast end of Locust street. On the corner of Cherry and Liberty streets stands a two-story grist-mill, originally built as a warehouse when the railroad was put through. It has two run of buh'rs. and is employed exclusively in custom work. Its present owner is Louis Limperd, and it is run by Samuel Limperd. J. A. Bickell's general store is located on the southeast corner of Main and Liberty streets. On the opposite side of .Main street but farther south, on Lot No. 27, is a blacksmith-shop, built by J. Conspue in is.'x ; the old part was built by Wash. McKee about 1834. Mr. McKee kept the first store in Hill Grove, but a short time before there had been a trading station run by Charles Sumption. Herman Searles was among the early storekeepers in the township, and George Clapp built the first blacksmith-shop ; it was located about half a mile southeast of the present village. As to the schools, they were generally taught in old deserted cabins until the settlers saw fit to select some convenient site and unite on some day to build a cabin ; afterward a teacher was hired by the process of joint subscription.

There is as yet no school law, no defined districts, and there is something yet lacking. It is the year 1822, and the house stands surrounded by a pathless forest and the woodmen's children cannot find their way securely. Parents and older boys select the best and nearest paths, which they blaze and cut away brush from. They cut small trees across slashes and branches. They put up hand poles to steady the children in crossing, and then, with Webster's Speller, English Reader, Pike s Arithmetic, slate and pencil, one-half quire blue paper, one-half dozen goose quills and a bottle of home-made ink, the most ad\ anced was thoroughly equipped, and. not unfrequently, several of the same family were used to study the same meager set of books.

In this rude state, the children sat for hours on a bench, crowded together with feet swinging between bench and floor from morning till noon, and not allowed to whisper or scarcely look off their books without being liable to punishment.

As to the teachers, they were usually limited in qualifications, being generally competent to instruct in orthography, reading, writing and arithmetic ^sometimes knowledge of the latter was very limited. All were skilled in the use of the rod, which was plied unmercifully on the slightest neglect or provocation. There were only three months' school each year, and these were in the winter, and unexceptionally taught by school masters.

The first school taught in the township was under control of Samuel Cole during the winter of 1818-19, in one part of his double log cabin, on the farm now owned by Dilmon Mote. The pioneer school building was raised on the farm 01 John Snell, now owned by Samuel Elston, in the year 1821 or 1822. The first schoolhouse in the Bickel neighborhood was built at an early day, not later than 1835. \ arious persons taught subscription schools for short' terms therein. Still earlier, schools were kept as above stated. The first school taught in this house, after public money had been granted in partial support of education, was by 3. H. Williamson. His first school, taught when he was but fourteen years of age was ma neighboring district, the previous winter, lie afterward taught at McClure's Mills, and m various other districts. Joseph Worth taught three winters, amountin- to ten months of twenty-six days to the month, for $lu per month, and boarded himself, save when (he weather was too bad for him to go home. Another pioneerlike schoolhouse was built in 1831. on the place of Martin Cox. and another of the Old teachers was Thomas Hoffman.

Contrast the past with the present. There are now in the township eleven school districts, with a large brick house in most of them. Each house will seat an average of sixty pupils. There are elegant seats, fine desks, good blackboards, charts, and well-arranged rooms. Pupils are well supplied with as many books as they can well cany, and thrice as many as they can well study. There are competent teachers, well paid, and free schools full six months each year. The contrast of wages is from the $25 to $35 per quarter of sixty-five days' term olden times, paid in produce in part, to the from $100 to $120 per quarter of sixty days, cash in hand.

A brief reference to the churches is appropriate in the detail of important social organizations. The Hiller Church, built on Section 36, was the first built in the township, and, also, was the first built in the county. The date of its construction is traditionally fixed in 1819, and it was the volunteer labor of the able-bodied men of the whole settlement, and, when it was completed, it was free to all. It was known as a Methodist Episcopal Church, and still stands. The next church was the Chenoweth Church, built on Section 32, at an early date, by the Methodists. It subserved the purpose of its construction, and has long since been leveled to the earth. The third building for purposes of worship was erected on the farm of Martin Cox, on Section 14, by the people of the Presbyterian society. It was known as the " Cox Meeting-house." These were points and places well known, but the usual place of worship was the cabin or barn of the settler, or, in warm, pleasant weather, in Cod's first temples - the shade of noble forest trees.

A German Baptist Church is located on the northeast quarter of Section 9, about one and a half miles southeast of Hill Grove, on the Greenville and Union pike. The lot on which it was situated, comprising three-fourths of an acre, was donated by John Flory. The church was built during the spring of 1878. It is a neat frame structure, costing $800. The building committee were Jacob Merrick, John Flory and Daniel Wagner. The following-named preachers have officiated therein : William Simmons, Washington Wenrick, Samuel Puterbaugh and Benjamin Bowman. Services by some of the above were held on almost every Sunday. There is a good membership, but no Sabbath school.

We have said that not unusually services were held in the forest. The Methodist frontier camp-meetings were once an institution that could not well be dispensed with, and seemed to be a recruiting point for the M. E. Church, and a place where all met on a common level for the renewal of their spiritual strength, and to extend a general acquaintance among the brotherhood. The first meeting or encampment of this kind held anywhere in Darke or adjoining counties, so far as known, took place in Washington Township, on Section 33, in the vicinity of what was then known as the Devor Spring, but what is now denominated the Houpt Farm. The date of the meeting is not remembered. In 1838-39, a Methodist camp-meeting was held on the farm of John Chenoweth, on Section 32. Of the ministers present and actively engaged, but one is recalled, and this was Rev. W. W. Jordan. The camps were built of poles, and on three sides, forming what might be termed a hollow square, with the seats between the camps, and the pulpit having a central position at one end, facing the center. The period of encampment usually lasted from ten days to two or three weeks. It is needless to say that the "rowdies," as styled by the church people, had their full share of recreation at these assemblies.

The oldest record that can be found of the board of township officers commences with 1828, yet there is a record of the ear marks of animals running at large which goes as far back as April 20, 1819, thereby preserving the names of the Township Clerks that far back. The first Township Clerk's name thus obtained is Moses Rush for 1819 ; the second John McNeal, for 1820 ; John Wintermote for 1821-22 ; Samuel Cole for 1823, and Christian Miller for 1824. In 1828, there is a full board given, as follows : Charles Sumption, James Brady and Leonard Wintermote, Trustees ; Samuel Kimber, Treasurer ; John S. Hiller, Clerk. The governing motives of those early officers of Washington Township was undoubtedly purely patriotic, for no Trustee, Treasurer or Clerk ever charged one cent for his services until 1838, when the Clerk, Aaron Ilillor. who had to perform extra services in regard to school affairs, made a charge of and was allowed the sum of $5. All settlements prior to this show that the Township Board gave their services gratuitously.

The receipts and expenditures of each year, from the formation of the township up to 1835, range from nothing to $12 : but in this }Tear the amount in the hands of the Treasurer was $43.00;}, mostly from the sale of stray animals.

In like manner the settlements run until 1840, when money matters began to increase, especially as the public money for school purposes was handled by the Treasurer. The records show that but five different men had filled the office of Treasurer since 1827, namely : Samuel Kimber, James Brady. Aaron Hiller, John McClure and George McClure. John McClure has filled the position continuously since 1838, save one term when he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, being Treasurer thirty-six years. The office of Justice of the Peace has run much after the style of Treasurer. Aaron Hiller served as Justice for twenty-one years, and T. F. Chenoweth for twenty-three years, and is still (187(3) holding that Office.

In 1824, the political cast was all on one side, nearly all voting for Andrew .Jackson for President, there being but three votes cast against him. Though in Utter years not so radical, except in 1854, when the township took another freak, and all went solid for the Know-Nothing ticket, except seven who voted the Democratic ticket. These were the extremes. Usually in township elections there has been but little party strife.

The citizens are strictly agriculturists. The township expenses have been moderate, and the rate of taxation has always been among the lowest in the county, while her improvements have equaled the best. The old survivors of the early day have seen much change. Where Indian traces wound their sinuous way through the forest, there are now many miles of turnpike roads and well-improved dirt roads. Log house and stump-marked clearing are replaced by handsome homes, well-tilled fields and well-drained lands, and tin- present of the township is a constant source of satisfaction to pioneers as the rightful result of years of toil.

Located in the west tier of townships and in the second tier from the south. U has been formed since December, 1820. Its lands were taken from the south part of Washington and the north part of Harrison, the north tier of sections in the last-named township being added. Then the northern boundary was a line running some forty rods north of the Whitewater road. In June, 1827, it was reduced to its present size, which includes all of Town 11 north, Range 1 east. In December, 1833, the north tier of sections was thrown into Washington Township, but these were returned to the township in December, 1834.

In area, it includes about thirty-three square miles, or over 21,000 acres of land. The surface in the eastern part is gently undulating, and in the western part flat and level. Several sections in the south central part are considerably broken. West Branch Creek and Second Branch Creek are the principal streams. West Branch Creek drains the eastern portion. Extending along the line of its general course there is to be seen a beautiful and valuable tract, known as West Branch Prairie. In the early day, this ground was wet, boggy, and generally deemed useless for agricultural purposes, but it has been reclaimed in the main, and is productive of heavy crops. There are few places more fascinating to the eye than is this prairie as it gently slopes upward on both sides of West Branch Creek. There are numerous springs along its course, which supply it the year round with pure running water. There is virtually no waste land in the township, and there is nowhere any soil better adapted to tillage. As is well known, but not realized, the surface was in the early day covered with a growth of a great variety of forest trees. In places the sugar maple abounds, and has been utilized to the rnanuacture of sirups especially. Many extensive gravel beds of the best quality are interspersed throughout the southern and eastern parts. Many of them are of use in the improvement of the highways, most of which are excellent.

From indications, this township was a favorite resort for the aboriginal occupants. On the arrival of the whites, several Indian camps were found, but within a few years, they disappeared. The prairie, heretofore mentioned, was a favorite resort, having for the red man a peculiar attraction.

Old settlers affirm that a spring on the lands of Elias Ross was a special attraction, not only to the Indian, but to troops of wild animals, on account of the purity and sweetness of its waters.

Indications show at least two Indian villages of considerable size within the present limits of the the township. One of these was located on Section 10, and the other on Section 3, both near fine springs. Indian implements of great variety and in considerable abundance are found strewn over the surface in the vicinity. A collection of such relics, made by C. M. Young, resident upon Section 3, within the years from 1876 to 1880, consist of about 1,000 specimens, most of which were found in this township, and many of which are rare. Remains of skeletons, supposed to have belonged to Indians, are found in abundance in many of the gravel banks, which have been opened up. One skull was found near the residence of Jesse Woods, of remarkable size.

The topography of the township shows that it possessed many points of interest and attraction ; its running waters, its prairies and its gently rolling surface were points at once marked to the quick, searching eye of the pioneer, and the date of its settlement was far back toward the beginning of the century. To whom the titular honor of being the first settler belongs is hard to determine. It lies between James Cloyd and Jonathan Pearson, with the evidence in favor of the former. Mr. Cloyd was born in Virginia, in 1790, and removed to Ohio when a child. Engaged as a soldier during the war of 1812, he was stationed much of the time at Fort Greenville. In 1815, he married Elizabeth Norftsinger, daughter of Andrew Norftsinger, one of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Norftsinger had built a block-house during the troublous period, and in this he lived until peace was declared. The site of this old fortification was in Neave Township.

In 1814, Mr. Cloyd moved to this township and settled on the prairie, just south of the present site of Palestine. He was one of the first grand jury empaneled in the county, and bore a good name for energy, generosity and benevolence. His death took place May 20. 1872, and his remains rest in the Palestine

Cemetery. Jonathan Pearson settled on the prairie southeast of the village named, about 181 (i. but little was known of this man more than that he came originally from South Carolina, as did. also, Alexander Pearson, who was. perhaps, the third settler. Samuel Loring, who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 14. and who laid out the town of Palestine, was the next permanent settler. Peter Crumrine moved into German Township on March 12, 1817. The name of Daniel Wagner is associated with those of the pioneers. The family of which he was a member located on the northeast quarter of Section 24, on the edge of the prairie. They were originally from Berks County. Penn.. whence the}' migrated, in 1806, to Ohio and then to this county and township. The elder Wagner was a soldier in the war for independence, and, at its conclusion, like other of the Continentals, returned to peaceful pursuits and derived a good farm for the family growing up about him. John Wagner had ten children. His oldest son, George, who was an early settler in Neave Township, was a solder in the later war of 1812, and was one of those surrendered by the cowardly Hull at Detroit, Mich. Two other sons, Daniel and William, located in German Township. The latter, still living on the homestead, has been a resident of the township since the fall of 1816, with the exception of a single year. He was born December 1, 1806, in Montgomery County, near Germantown, and was consequently only a mere lad when he came to the township. Himself and brother Daniel, six years his senior, were sent to the farm with some stock to winter through on prairie hay, which they had cut and stacked near where the house now stands. They came with their cattle in the fall of 1816, and built a hut to serve as a temporary shelter till the family could join them in the spring. In this rude dwelling, with a family or two of Indians for their nearest neighbors, the first winter went by. They were shy and distrustful of the " sons of the forest," for the memory of atrocities committed upon the whites a few }Tears previous was yet fresh in their minds. Daniel Wagner died March 9, 1876, just seventy-six years of age. He is remembered as a man of enterprise, fearless and free-hearted. The Wagner family were of German descent.

The fall of 1817 marked the actual beginning of the settlement of the township. A number of families arrived at this time and entering lands began the work of providing home and field. Martin Ketring and family and George Teaford. then a young man, arrived this fall and entered a part of Section 22. These people were likewise of German descent. The former was a native German. Their more immediate previous home was Fairfield County, Ohio. John, son of Martin Ketring, had been married previous to coming here, and is still living at a good old age. Teaford was soon married to Miss Magdalina Ketring and raised a large family, two sons of whom still live in the township and are among the largest tanners in it. The same fall, and in October, Henry Ross, a native of Virginia, located on land in the northwest part of Section 24. He came here from Pickaway County, and, about the same time, George Stingley and family, Virginians, located on the southeast quarter of Section 12, where a son now resides. The settlement in the extreme southwest part of the township was dela3'ed until 1826, on account of its wet, level nature. Thus, briefly, we have noted the founders of improvement in German Township, and spoken of those who more than three score years ago laid the foundation for subsequent labors.