Defiance County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 10 of those read), 1883

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 10 of those read)

Farmer Township was organized in the fall of 1830. At first it was called "Lost Creek" Township, bnt afterward received the name of " Farmer," in honor of Nathan Farmer, who came into the township as early as lS:):j. The township was heavily timiijivotljiiii. KninAvvlint. wet: but after the farms were

The Indian name of the creek running through the township is Bnck-quo-o-ke-uh. Interpretation, Marsh Creek. This name was appropriate. The head branches were marshes, made by beaver dams, at every tangible point, and their selections for damg conld not have been surjiassed by modern engineers.

Received Too Late For Insertion In Proper Plage

MILLER ARROWSMITH, of Farmer Tojvnship, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 14, 1808, and was married in the same county, July 1, 1832, to Miss Celinda Caraway, also a native of the same county. Mrs. A. died at Dotiance, August 10, 1847. The tirst visit of Mr. Arrowsmith to the Maumee Valley was in June, 1833. He then bought land near Defiance, on which he settled in October following. Judge John Perkins was then County Surveyor, and, from age, and being engaged in other pursuits, he did not wish to perform the work of the office, and appointed Mr. Arrowsmith Deputy County Surveyor, the duties of which he discharged with accuracy and fidelity during a period of fifteen years. He is one of the oldest Surveyors in Northwestern Ohio. The Genera) Assenibly of Ohio, at its session of 1845-46, elected Mr. Arrowsmith a member of the State Board of Equalization, and he proved one of the most efficient members of that, body. From 1848 to 1852, he was Auditor of Defiance County and Postmaster at Arrowamith's, during a period of about fifteen years. Excepting minor of&ces, those enumerated fill the measure o£ his public life. Mr. Arrowsmith might have continued in office, and filled a larger space in the public eye, but his tastes and inclinations led him, in 1852, to engage in agriculture, and in this favorite pursuit, on his well-cultivated acres, and among books and friends, in Farmer Township, he is spending the evening of his days. He is now in his seventy-sixth year, and quite vigorous and active. The pioneers of the valley are ever specially welcome under his hospitable roof.

ICager, Ouey uico, oney ixice, dr., uonn nice, vviuiam Powell, Levinus Bronson, Edward Lacost, James VV. Fisher, Isaac Wartenbe, Daniel Comstock, James Crain, Laura Hopkins (widow) and William Wartenbe.

James W. Fisher was elected the first J ustice of the Peace, but failed to qualify, and Onoy Rice, Jr., was elected at special election; Williajn G. Pierce, Constable; Levinus Bronson, Clerk.

The present Justices oP the Peace for Farmer Township are A. Stone and William Lane; the Trustees are Charles Case, Oney Allen and Wilson Nichols; the Treasurer, John Murray; the Clerk, E. 0. Stone.

Norway, by act of the Legislature, and authorized by Auditor John M. Sewell. The lots had been sold to various persons prior to that time. The town has I'JO inhabitants, one hotel, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, two groceries, two dry goods stores, one good school, eighty scholars, a brick schoolhouse and a number of private dwellings. The town is growing moderately, and is handsomely located. It is in cen ter of township.

There are two cheese factories in this township. One company was organized in 1875 It has a capital of forty shares of $50 each. The Secretary is L.

C. Coukey ; Treasurer, John Norway. The Directors for 1880 were 0. F. Goler, B. H. Conkey and G. D. Enriigu. The other company is a private one, and orsanizoil in 1S7.) at Williams Center. It has a capital of about 11,500. Mr. CTiles H. Tomlinson operates the factory It is an individual affair, and not joint-stock.

First Voters Personal Reminiscences

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. Enoch Farmer was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, April 29, 1828, and came to Farmer Township, Defiance Couiaty, in May, 1839, with his parents, who purchased the farm now owned by James Gardner, in Section 1, in October, 1S33. His father helped or ganize the township in 1835 and was elected Trustee, and repeatedly re elected to the same office. His father was from North Carolina, Surrey County, born in 179(3, and died in Wisconsin December 10, 1871, aged seventy-five years. He lived near Daniel Boone, on the Yadkin River, in North Carolina. He followed

Boone's trace to Kentucky when but seventeen years old, and led his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, five miles from Dayton. He went from there to Indiana in 1829, and stayed there two years. Mrs. Parmer died January 1 2, 1830. He then returned to Montgomery County, Ohio. He then came to Farmer Township, in 1833, and remained there until 1835, and then removed to Howard Coiinty, Iowa, and remained there five years, and then removed to Minnesota in 1800, and remained there a short time and returned to North Carolina, where he remained a short time, and again removed to Brown County, Minn., where he died in 1871. He seem<}d to have been very restless, and not contented until he changed his abode. In his meanderings he passed through many hardships. He had a good farm in Parmer Township, and sold it for 125 per acre. Still he desired to go West.

Mr. Enoch Farmer married Miss Mary Deardorff, May 11, 1851; she died February 16, 1874. His family are Edom (dead), Hattie I., Nora E., Howard W., Mary B. (dead). He married for his second wife. Miss Mary A. AVannamaker.

Mrs. Cassandra Haller was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 12, 1810, and came to Brnnersburg. Defiance Co., Ohio, with her husband, Jesse Haller, in 1831, and remained there until 1837. Jesse Haller, her husbaad, was a tanner, and carried on the business in Brunersburg about seven years, and then removed to Farmer Township in 1837, and settled on Section 32, where Mrs. Haller now resides. Jesse Haller died September 30, 1870, aged about seventy-one years. He was born March 21, 1805, in Mason County, Ky. His father, John Haller, emigrated from Kentucky to Urbana, Ohio, in 1802. Ho came to Brunersburg October 22, 1833, aged sixty-five years. He had been married twice. His first wife was Mary Allen, who died in Mason County, Ky., January 28, 1811. His second wife, Mary Weaver, died in Champaign County, Ohio, January 3, 1815. Jesse Haller was married, December 22, 1830, in Champaign County, Ohio, to Miss Cassandra Arrowsmith, sister of Miller Arrowsmith, of Farmer Township. In November, 1831, he, with his family, removed to Williams Comity, Ohio, then including the present county of Defiance. Their household goods were hauled in a wagon to the Auglaize River, iind then shipped to Defiance in a pirogue. The family traveled on horseback, fording the brooks, then flush from recent rains, one of which was too deep to ford, and the only ferry-boat untried horses, but they carried their riders across in safety. In their new home they were again upon the frontier. The Indians were more numerous there than the whites. He located on the right bank of Bean Creek, below the present town of

Brunersburg, where he established a tan-yard, and remained there until September 30, 1837. He then moved upon the land he occupied at the time of his decease. His family are William M., Amanda L. (dead), May Elizabeth, who married F. N. Horton, Commissioner of Defiance County. Mrs. Haller says the trip, when she and her husband moved from Brunersburg in 1N37, consumed four or five days. A road had to be cut through swamps and marshes that required four days. The underbrush had to be all cut and removed, requiring much labor and causing considerable delay. Mrs. Haller relates that when she first came to the township a stranger was found dead in a cabin - a hunter, who had died alone. Mr. Arrowsmith sent a statement to the Defiance Democrat that his first visit was in the fall of 1834. At that time, Nathan Farmer and John Hickman lived on Section 1 . Keelin Leonard had raised a cabin on Section 2, on lands afterward owned and occupied by Colin Tharp. A hunter had lived on the east side on Lost Creek, in Section 32. But four entries of land had been made in the township. This stranger was found dead in the hut on Section 9. The coffin was made by Obadiah Webb, who lived on the east bank of Bean Creek, opposite to the farm now owned by Lyman Langdon. The coffin was lashed on a pole, and carried by Abraham Webb and William Sibble, on their shoulders, to the hunter's camp, a distance of nearly thirteen miles in a direct line and their route was through the woods, without a path to guide them. They crossed Bean Creek at dusk, and, with a pocket compass to guide them, and a hickory torch to light their way, they set ou with their burden on their lonely route, and reached the hut at 3 o'clock in the morning. He was buried on the northwest quarter of Section 10. This was the first death in Farmer Township.

William M. Haller was born September 30, 1831, in Champaign County, Ohio, and when about six weeks old his parents, Jesse Haller and Cassandra, his mother, came to Noble Township, then Brunersburg, where his father established a tan-yard, where he worked. His father removed to Farmer Township about 1887, and located on Section 32. His father, Jesse Haller, died on said section in 1876, aged about seventy- one years old. His wife is still living, and is seventy-one years old. His family were William M., Amanda L. (died), Mary B., married Mr. F. N. Horton, now one of the Commissioners of Defiance County. William M. Haller married Miss Amanda Price, July 4, 1858, the daughter of John Price, who settled in this county in 1830. Her famUy is Clara A. and Vernon S., both living. In an early day, Mr. H. saw the eccentric and strange old adventurer,

" Johnny Appleseed," who frequently visited Farmer Township, and died near Fort Wayne about 1847. He knew many of the eccentric peculiarities of that strange man. Ho was often in this neighborhood, intent on planting apple trees, but always harmless and lonely, Johnny Appleseed attended a camp meeting at the farm now owned by Arrowsmith & Eidenour, in 1843, but was an attentive hearer. He frequently rebuked the young men for their levity, and appeared much displeased if they were not attentive hearers. Appleseed's appearance was peculiar. He wore a coffee sack for a coat, drawn on over his head, and his dress in other respects was equally curious. The Ottawa Indians were removed by Dr. Colby about the year 1843, so that he knew but little of them. They had for a long time gathered in Farmer Township and also along the St, Joseph Eiver, and annoyed the early settlers a good deal. They were quite unruly wht^n they could obtain whisky from the traders, but always refrained from murder.

At the time of Mr. Haller's arrival, the neighbors were Isaac Wartenbe, William Wartenbe, M. Arrowsmith, James Fisher, Martin Johnson, Jared Hulbert and others. Dennis Boyles, Ezra Crary, Blias Crary, Darius Allen, Levinus Bronson, Jacob Conkey, Dr. Oney Kice, Spencer Hopkins, John Rice, Edwin Lacost: these were the earliest neighbors, and first in the township and in the adjoining one. Many of them were voters at the first election.

The "Lost Creek" Presbyterian Church was built about 1853. Mr. James Quick, of Hicksville, is their pastor. The membership is about seventy. The church is of frame and cost about $1,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1859, and cost about $1,500. The membership is about seventy. Their preacher is Eev. Mr. Long, of Hicksville. It is quite a strong church. Neither of these churches has a bell. The Lutheran Church was built in 1860. The preacher was Eev. Mr. Long, of Hicksville. In point of membership, it is quite strong; cost, abovit $1,500. It has no bell and is a frame. These churches are all in the northwest corner of the township. Farmer Township has expended a good deal of money in the erection of schoolhouses. There are about nine schoolhouses in the township-), two of which are of brick. Much interest is taken in education, aad the fitness of teachers is well guarded. Mr. Haller has a post office at his house, named " WilseyviUe." There is also another office at Farmer Center, and both are regarded as quite a convenience. The offic^ was established in 1842. .Mr. Haller is Postmaster; was appointed in 1867.

tiT. He saw miich active service, and participated in many of the hard-fought battles of the war of 1861- 05. He was wounded in the right wrist at Dallas, Ga., a rnuskct ball passing through the bone. He was honorably discharged at Columlms, Ohio, in July, 1805. He has served as Trustee of the townshijj five terms. He owns eighty acres of excellent land, on which he has recently built an elegant residence.

Thomas M. Alexander was born July 17, 1813, in Trumbull County, Ohio, and removed to ^Vavne County with his parents in 1815. He remained there until he was twentj -five years of age. He married Miss Sarah Firestone, February 14, 1829. His family consists of Harriet E., Solomon F., George F., Eleanor A., John A., William S., 'Willard O., Frank E. All grown and living but Sarah C, but none married. Mr. Alexander came to Farmer Township in 1855. He purchased a farm of eighty acres and added 160 acres to it. He then sold eighty acres of that and purchased 292 as a homestead. He has a good house and improvements. He jiossesses the oldest barn in the settlement. He has a fine orchard, having many trees from nurseries planted by the eccentric " Johnny Appleseed. " The trees are very large. and bear very well. The diameter of two trees is six feet and six feet three inches. Mr. Alexander went to the polls at the Presidential election in 1880, at the head of five sons, and voted for the candidate for President. It is rare that a pioneer heads such a delegation. Mr. A. has done much labor in clearing up and preparing his farm. He attends mill at Hicksville, as it is the most convenient place for trade and milling at all seasons.

Susannah KidenoUr was born October 13, 1811, in Frederick County, Md. , and came to Harrison County, Ohio, with her father, Daniel Helbert and Catharine Helbert, her mother. She married John Kidenour January 29, 1S39. He removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, and remained two years, and then to Wayne County, where he remained five years, and in 1845 removed to Farmer Township, on Section 18, where Mrs. E. now resides with a daughter, Mrs. Aaron Sellers. Mr. John Ridenour died November 11, 1860, aged fifty-three years. His family was Alfred, Augustus L., Eebecca, Martha, Lowman, David, Daniel. Darius, Margaret J. (dead), Ralha, Anne fdead). She is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has been since she was fourteen years of age. She has been a widow twenty years, and in raising her family saw many hard times. Her sons are all grown and married.

Mrs. Harriet M. Allen, wife of Darius Allen, was born December 27, 1819, in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and came with her parents, Oney Rice and Ammarilla (Clark) Rice, of Rutland, Vfc., in 1836, from St. Lawrence, N. Y. , and landed in what is now Farmer Township, and located on Section 17, southeast quarter. Mr. Allen died February 8, 1869, aged sixty-two years. The members of her family are Oney (deceased) and Ephraim 0. The early settlers were John Rice, Oney Rice, Sr., Jacob Conkey, Laura Hopkins, Randall Lord, ^Y. G. Pierce, Edward Lacost, Harrison Conkey, Lavinus Bronson, Lyman Powell, Isaac Wartenbe, "William W^artenbe and Nathan Farmer. Levinus Bronson came March 6, 1836, with his parents, Levi and Sarah Bronson, and was present at the organization of Farmer Township, and wa^ elected first Clerk. He married Almira Powell November 24, 1833. Almira, his wife, died June 17, 1851, aged fifty-seven years.

Mrs. Lydia Rice, widow of Dr. Oney Rice, was born in Bennington County, Vt. , November 20, 1808, and came to St. Lawrence County, N. Y. , witti her father, Aaron Barrows and Huldah Langdon, his wife, in 1813, and there, having married Dr. Oney Rice, Jr., November 10, 1831 (Rev. Mr. Cannon having performed the marriage ceremony), came to what was then Farmer Township, in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1836. The family of John Rice, Laura Hopkins, Oney Rice, Sr. , came in June, 1836. The families of Oney Rice, Sr., Jacob Conkey and wife, William G. Pierce and wife, Randall Lord and wife, entered the township at the same time. The township was organized in the fall. Dr. Oney Rice and family settled on Section 21. The Doctor built a log cabin, in which he and his family lived. The settlers were Edward Lacost, John Rice, Spencer Hopkins, Harrison Conkey, all came and helped raise his cabin. * It was of split logs, forthe up^^er and lower fioor, made of basswood logs, and windo^^^ frames and sashes bought in Defiance; the door was made of pine boxes. The cabin was about the third raised in the township, that of Mr. Wartenbe being the first. The Doctor continued to practice until July, 1848, and had a great ride in the county and in the adjoining parts of Indiana. The only rival he had was Dr. Ladd, in Clarksville. He (Dr. Ladd) died about 1870, near Clarksville. Dr. Rice kept up a large practice until he was compelled to suspend the increasing labor. He was about fiftyone years old in 1848, when he died. His family, Uretta I\I., Ellen A., Hiram. P., Aaron A., all living. Hiram was in the war of 1861-65. He was wounded in August, 1862, and came back in July, 1865. He was wounded in the right hip bone in the battle of Dallas, Ga. The limb injures him when he plows, and it is easily lamed. Mrs. Rice is now seventy-five years old, and resides with her son at the old homestead. Mr. Oney Rice served as Justice of the Peace, and was appointed the first Postmaster at Farmer

Center; was also a Oommissiouer of the couuty, and one of the founders of the L'uiversalist CUmrch in this township. "\\'ms a man greatly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

Richard Knight was born in Beaver Connty, Penn., Januwy 2B, 1816, and came to Wayne County with his pai-ents, when twelve years old, in 1N2S. That year he settled eight miles east of Wooster, and came to Fai'mer Township in 185(1 and built a saw mill iu Ftu-mer Center and ran it four years, and sold it to Mr. Iv. J. (Hbblen, and he to Mr. Perkins, in whose possession it was accidentally burned iu ISiiS. Mr. Knio-ht [rarchased what is now the John Rice farm, and improved it by putting up a barn and finishing the house, and sold to Ct. T. Hughes, and then removed to his farm of sixty-seven acres and the 200 acres south of the Center. He msu-ried. Sep. V2, 1S3U, Miss Harriet Firestone, of Wayne County. His family is Ellenor F., married to N. O. Foot, Eugenie, wife of K. V. Haymaker, married iu ISSl ; Eliza Jane, dead; Eugenie M. , dead; all girls. He formerly went to Brunorsburg to mill, trreat changes have taken place since he arrived in Farmer Township. Since the township -has been drained, land has become rich and valuable. - Mr. Knight is a carpenter by trade, and does a good deal of w "rk iu the township. He learned Iiis trade in "\Vayue County. Mr. Knight was one of the first Inlu'mary Directors, a ]u">siiion he held nearly one year, when he resigned ou account of failing health. He is a member of the order of Free and -4ecepted Masons, Bryan Lodge, and also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the same place. Has been a Director of the Farmers' National Bank at Bryan. Mrs. Knight was born in Wayne County, Ohio, September "2. IS'JO, and is a daughter of George and Rebecca (Carle) Firestone; he died in 18"il and she in 186S. Jacob aud Martha (Dickson) Knight, parents of the subject of this sketch, were natives of Pennsylvania; he died in ; 1S57, and she in ISl'iS.

Randall Lord was born iu Rutland County, Yt, , December 16, 1SP2, aud came to St. Lawrence County, jV. Y'. . and thence to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in 1S35. where he remained sis months, and then came to "Lost Creek," in Farmer Township. Defiance County, in July, 1836. The township was not then organized. Mr. Lord ai-rived in July, too late for the spring election. He tliinks Dr. Oney Rice was the first Justice of the Peace; William G. Pierce the first Con stable. He cannot name the Trustees nor Treasur- , ers, hut tliinks Bronson was elected Township Clerk. John Rice. Edward Lacost, Isaac and William Wartenbe were jiresent, and voted at the election, and there were twelve other voters. 'Sir. Lord is a shoemaker bv trade, and states that he had the honor of making the first pair of boots and shoes worn in Fariu(>r Township. He has worked at his trade over fifty years, and can do a good job yet. He has a shop at the Center, aud does a good deal of work yet. The

I old gentleman is very neat in person, and has a neat shop; in fact, in appearance he reminds the observer of an ancient New England gentleman in person and manners.

AVilliam Lord was boru May S, 1838, in Farmer Township, Defiance Co., Ohio. Attended school there during his youth. He married, April 18, 18<U, Miss Louisa Randall; she deceased, leaving one child. Mr. Lord maiTied, for his second wife. Miss Adeline Cos. Mr. Lord at present keeps the Farmer Hotel. His family is one son - David - seventeen years old. Mr. Lord served in the late war in Company D, private. One Hundred and Eighty-tnird Ohio Volunteers, February 1(), 1S(>3, and got back July 15, lS(i5: was in no battles.

, Saville, Medina Co.. Ohio, and when young moved to Smithville, Wayne Couutv, where he remained until about twelve years of age, when he went to Bridgewater, Williams Co., Ohio, where he remained until the spring of 1859. His mother having died in December, 1859, he remained at Bridgewater. There were four membera of the family left - Cyrus, Benjamin E. and Elizabeth A., one sister, Rebecca, havinoo died in 1859. Dr. Miller married Ella il. Cronser May 20, 1873. Their family consists of Charles E, and Maud Sh\\. Dr. M. graduated in Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1871, having attended the first course of lectru-es at Ann Arbor, 'Mich. , 1869 and 1870. Settled in Farmer Center in July, 1875. The doctor who preceded him was Dr. Martin Thi-all, who practiced about twenty years, and died in 187S. There have been about eleven physicians, at different times, who have practiced at Farmer Center since Drs. Rice and Thrall were here. Dr. Rice, in his day, had a large practice and few equals.

Dr. J. J. Reynolds was born in Henry County, Ohio, March 26, 1854, and attended lectm-es at Deti-oit. Mich,, in 1877 and 1870, and graduated at Deti-oit; read medicine under Dr. J. H. Bennett, of Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio; came to Farmer Center in !May. 1879, and entered into practice; married Miss Mary Duncan, of Detroit. March 16, ISSO.

Orley X. Foot was born February 11. 1818. in Vermont, and came to St. Lawrence County. N. Y. , when two >-ears of age. and remained there until he was of age. and then came to Defiance County in 1838, and within that year taught the Clarksville school three months. -Yt that time there was a gi-ist mill conducted at that place by a man by the name of Weldon. He owned the mill, but a man by the name of Jared Ball conducted it. It has chang-ed haiuls many times. There was then what was expected to be a thriving village there, the families of Dr. Ira Ladd, Guy C. Noble, L. G. Noble, Jared Ball, Mr. Bailey and a number of other families. The village was laid out by a man by the name of Clark. Thomas Slater, Sr., Widow Lewis, Thomas Olds, "William Sawyer, Thomas Sinkey, Jacob and John Green owned lands near the village. In 1839, he went to Farmer Township, and located one and a half miles north of Farmer Center. In 1839, he taught school at Pulaski, "Williams County, and in the spring of 1839, brought on his wife from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he had married in August, 1837, previous to coming out. Her name was Fanny Bowker. The family of Mr. Foot is Newell O., Julia O., Johnson O. Newell 0. is now deceased. Johnson O. served three years in the late war, and retm-ned safe from the war. Mr. Foot has been in business in. Farmer about forty- four years. He has dealt in stock, and traded much in property of that sort, and has been always trusty and the poor man's friend. There is quite a feeling for Mr. Foot, who is regarded as a benefactor to the farmers and stockgrowers of the township. He is indulgent and friendly to all.

Elisha Tharp was born in Montour County, Penn., March 1, 1806, and came to Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1818, and resided there with a brother two years, and then removed from there to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1820, where he married Miss Anne Beck April 4, 1836. He then removed to " Lost Creek" Township, now "Farmer," in the spring of 1836. The township was organized in the spring of 1836, as "Lost Creek," but after due consideration changed to " Farmer Township, " believing it the better name, and called from an old settler by the name of Nathan Farmer. Mr. Tharp is the only person now living in the township who voted at its organization, and who voted for the first officers. James Fisher was the first Justice of the Peace, elected at a special election, but failed to give bond. Oney Eice was then elected Justice, and qualified in the proper manner and served the legal time. At the time Mr. Tharp came into the township, the following persons were there: Levinus Bronson, Oney Eice, Jr., John Bice, Nathan Farmer, Edward Lacost, Jacob Conkey, Harrison Conkey, Colin Tharp, James and John Fisher. The names of persons at the first election: Nathan Farmer, Elisha Tharp, Elijah Lloyd, Isaac Wartenbe and William Powell The first election was held at the residence of William Powell, where George Zigler now lives. The family of Mr. Tharp is Eachel M., Oscar P., Mary E. (dead), Emily J., Susannah B., Elizabeth (dead), Francis M. , Elmaretta, Alfred B.,

Elzara M. ; all grown ; two brothers and two sistei s single. Mrs. Anne Tharp was born July 15, 1815, and died June 1, 1868, aged fifty-three years. Mr. Tharp is of English descent. Mr. T. has many anecdotes to tell of the first settlers, the hard pioneer times, the game that existed when he first came, which make his reminiscences quite interesting.

John Norway, the youngest of a family of seven children of John and Elizabeth (Eandles) Norway, was born on a farm in the township of Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., December 31. 1836. His facilities for obtaining an education were the common schools of that time, with the addition of about two years in the academy at Ogden.sburg, N. Y., under the tutorship of Prof. Eoswell G. Pettibone. With the exception of about three months in his thirteenth year, when he sojourned in Canada with his sister Jane Eliza, then the wife of Hugh Mills, he never left the old farm home until the spring of 1857, when, with his sisters Eleanor and Elizabeth, he left for the then Far West, and joined the other members of the family, George, Charles and William Henry, at Chippewa Fails, Wis. , in the latter part of April of that year. He engaged with a United States surveying party, under a Mr. Fellows, as contractor, in making subdivisions in about fourteen townships on the upper Chippewa Elver during the summer months of 1858.

He came to Farmer Center, Ohio, on the 28th day of December, 1858, and has resided continuously in the township ever since. He was married to Miss Julia O, Foot March 5, 1864, and their family consists of Flora, born May 3, 1865; Laura, born October 9, 1867; Clark LeEoy, born July 26, 1874, died February 8, 1875; Clyde Eussell, born July 13, 1877, and John Ealph, born December 16, 1879. Mr. Norway was appointed Postmaster at Parmer Post Office by Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General, and commissioned May 10, 1861, and was 8^^oceeded by N. E. Cory in 1863, while Mr. Norway was temporarily located at Williams Center. He again assumed the duties of Postmaster, as Deputy, upon the decease of Newell O. Foot, October 8, 1865, and was appointed Postmaster again by ^Villiam Dennison, Postmaster General, and commissioned May 2, 1866, and holds that position to this date (1882). Mr. Norway was commissioned a Notary Public by Jacob D. Cox, Governor of Ohio, February 19, 1867, and by renewals of commission every three years has held that office ever since, his familiarity with the system of Government surveys, obtained while on Government survey, rendering him well adapted to the position of Conveyancer, in which capacity he is considered among the Isest. He has held many minor offices of trust, to which he has been repeatedly elected by the citizens of his township at various

James A. Gardner was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 2U, 1 818, and came to Farmer Township in 184'2. He married Miss Elizabeth Hartnian, of Farmer, November 11, 1845. She died January 14, 1847, aged twenty-one years. Ho married Miss Susan C. Miller, of Stark County, Ohio, Novtuuber 30, 1S48. His family is Cynthia S., by his lirst wife; Ira F., Celestia E., Mary E., Henry G., James B., Ada -L, George B., William P., Clement L, and Charles; all living, the oldest married. Mr. Gardner purchased the old " Nathan Farmer " place in Section 1 . The first cabin in the township was en>ctod on this farm in 1833. Mr. Gardner purchased it of Nathan Farmer. It then had about twenty acres cleared. Mr. Gardner went, at that time, to Brunersburg, to the Hilton mill and to Clarksville to get his milling done. It then took one or two days to make the ti ip to Defiance, when the roads were deep and new. Then game - suc)^ as deer, bear, turkey, wolves and the like - was quite plenty. The wolves soon disappeared, the bear followed, and deer about 1860. The forests were quite heavy, and it took much toil to clear up a farm. Since the land has been cleared and drained, farms have greatly increased in value and are quite productive, raising fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay. Mr. G. has a homestead of 160 acres, with gt)od barn and new frama residence.

Mrs. Susannnh Earlston was born near Earlston, N Y., Septembor '20, 1805, and married Abel Hartman in riMinsylvanin May N, 1823, Mr. Hartman died August 21, 1831. His children were Obed E., Elizabeth C, Mary J. and Sarah S. Mrs. Hartman married Isaac Earlston Januai-y 27, 1S72, in Marion County, Ohio, Mr. Earlston died December 23, 1877. His children wore Daniel E. (dead), February 16, 1863, at Bowliog Green, Ky.; Euth, who married B. P. Lord, February 1, 1868. Mrs. Earlston's children are all dead except two.

Horace \V. Hill was born November 2, 1829, in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended school the.e, and came to Parmer Township in February, 1847; married Miss Ellen A. Rice, daughter of Dr. Oney Rice, December 25, 1856. His family are Forest W., Elsie L., IdaU., Mary F. (dead) and Clara Maud. The ancestors of Mr. Hill were English and Irish. The narne of his father was Ira. His brothers, Calvin and Joseph, resided in Ashland County. Ira Hill, his father, was a blind man; his blindness occurred in consequence of and being operated upon at "\Villoughby College, Ohio. He died some ) ears since in Vermillion Township, Ashland County. The mother of Horace W. died in Farmer Township in 1863, aged sixty-three, with cancer.

Ethan R. Welden was born January 9, 1813, in Clinton County, N. Y., near Plattsburg. Attended school at Plattsburg, where he learned the wagonmaker's trade. £[e resided at that time at Plattsburg, and remained there until about 1841, when he removed to St. Lawrence County, N. Y, where he resided until 1854. He married Miss Harriet Spauhling, at Plattsburg, February 14, 1839. In 1854, he came to Parmer Township, where he has since resided. As soon as he landed, he opened a wagon - shop, and has worked at his trade ever since, tlis family consists of Hiram O., Emily E. , Gilbert M., Edna (dead), Eugenia (dead), William S. Hiram and Gilbert, wagon-maker^. Mr- W. served as Juslice of the Peace in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. . and was twice elected Trustee of Parmer Township. Mr. W. was in the militia at Plattsburg during the war of 1812,

William Martin was born June 6, 1809, in Cumberland County. Penn., and came to Trumbull County, Ohio, and from there t Beaver County, Ohio, and remained there until nine years old, and then went to Columbiana County, and from there to Farmer Townsaip, Defiance Co., Ohio, in

1849. His family, Sarah, John (dead), Elizabeth, George, Henry, Maria and Emory; all living and grown but those mentioned. George Martin married Miss Sarah Gardner, and has three children living - Ora, Gertrude, Park; three dead - Moses, Blanch and Cloyd, Mr. M. has a homestead of 120 acres, and resides in a good frame house and has a good frame barn. He has cleared 100 acres of land and done much hard work.

George Waltz, born March 26, 1814, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and resided there until twentytwo years of age, and then went to Carroll County, Ohio, where he stayed eleven years, and from there removed to Farmer Township, Defiance Co., Ohio, in September, 1848, and purchased 126 acres of land and afterward added forty acres, making in all 160 acres in his homestead. Tie married Miss Mary Bowman in January, 1836. She deceased February 9, 1862, aged forty-four years. She left six children - Mary Jane, Henry B. (dead), Phoeba, Susan, William C. Henrietta and Virgil. Mr. Waltz married Miss Sarah Crabb March, 1867; has no family by this marriage. Mr. Waltz has about one hundred acres cleared in his farm. He states that he chopped many nights, in clearing his land, by moonlight. He has a good frame house and barn, but it was struck by lightning in 1876.

Anthony Huber (deceased) was born in Germany January 7, 1815, and was a son of George and Franciska (Harmon) Huber, natives of Germany. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the farm , and when old enough became a weaver. In 1836, he came to this country, and for five ensuing years worked at different kinds of labor. In 1841, he retui-ued to his native land, in which he stayed one year, and returned with his parents and brothers and sisters, all of whom settled in Hamilton, Ohio. December 26, 1842, he married Pranciska, daughter of Lewis and Catharine (Maer) Foghter. In 1843, he removed to this township, where he bought 148 acres of wild land, on which he built a log cabin and moved in without windows or doors. He cleared np his land, and lived there until his death, which occurred December 15, 1873. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are liviner - Georee, Lewis, Caroline T., Eliza and Agatha E., Harman, Franciska (deceased). At his death, Mr. H. owned over eight hundred acres of land, 300 of which were in Kansas. Mrs. Huber was born in Germany December 3, 1818.

William Price, farmer, P. O. Williams Center, Ohio, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., August 9, 1820, and is a son of John and Sarah Price, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Stark County, Ohio, in 1823; moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1834 located in Hancock County, Ohio. In 1845, the subject of this sketch settled one mile north of Parmer Center,, this township, where he purchased a farm of 160 acres, to which he has since added 130 acres, owning now 290 acres of well-improved and valuable land. In 1846, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Isaac L. Tharp, who bore him the following children: Orley P. (deceased), Sarah E., Joseph E. (deceased), Virgil T. (deceased), L. A. (deceased), John H. (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Rachel M. , Laura I. (deceased), and Orpha I. (deceased). Mrs. P. died August 31, 1878. His second marriage was celebrated with Mrs. Fanny D. Wolford, widow of Emanuel Wolford, May 19, 1880. Mr. P. has been Clerk of the township six years; he has been blessed with success and good health, and for fifty-one years he has not lost a day'*^ work on account of sickness. His second wife is a daughter of Thomas J, Sweet, a native of New York, who settled in Parmer Township in 1845, in which he resided for a number of years. Mr. P. is a member of the Parmer Township Detective Association, and a Trustee of the society.

John Price, farmer, P. O. Parmer Center, Ohio, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., July 27, 1814, and is a brother of William Price, whose 'sketch appears abov9. In 1850, he purchased eighty acres of land where he now resides, to which he has added by purchase, and at present owns 410 acres of well-improved land. He was married, in 1837, to Eachel, daughter of Caleb Beals, of Wayne County, Ohio, who has borne him eight children, six of whom are living, viz. . Amanda, Sarah, Mary E., Margaret, Eliza J. and Annabel M. ; Solomon and Oliver, the second and fourth children, deceased. Mrs. Price departed this life August 27, 1882. Mr. P. has filled the offices of Assessor and Trustee, and is a member of the Farmer Township Detective Association. He is one of the successful and intelligent farmers of the county, and has been the architect of his own fortune.

Emanael Wolford, deceased, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 12, 1827, and was a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Pox) Wolford, of Pennsylvania. He was married, Nov. 26, 1857, to Fanny, daughter of Thomas J. Sweei. To them were born four children, two of whom are living, viz., Frank W. and Carrie E. ; Ida 0. and Effie D. , deceased. Mr. W. died October 10, 1872. His father, Samuel, served in an Ohio regiment during the late war.

Harry Sweet, son of Thomas J. Sweet, was a member of the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the entire late war, and was wounded twice.

Levi W. Wilder, so well known throughout this and adjoining counties as farmer, drover and violinist, was born at Three liivers, Canada, December 27, 1830. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to New Hampshire. In 1839, they again removed to Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, where, at the age of thirteen, Levi worked for William Skinner for 16 a month, going to school winters, and doing chores for his board. When sixteen, he came to this county, and when twenty he had [)aid for his present farm S295, including interest. When twenty -three, he married Olive A. Stone, and two children - Lillie Clarina and Otis Lee - have added to their married happiness. Mrs. Wilder is familiar with farm life from childhood, and is eminently qualified to adapt herself to every circumstance. Her practical good sense and sound judgment have contributed, in no small degree, to their financial prospects, while her social and intellectual attainments have made their home an attractive center of a large circle of friends, who are always welcome to their hospitable board. Mr. Wilder never took time to hunt, except for a couple of times, when he was highly successful, on the first day shooting the only deer of the party, who were old hunters. On the second time he hunted, his bearahip treed the valiant captain of the hunt, and after allowing the bear to escape the party were marched home. Mr. Wilder tells a good story of his hunting experience. In 1880, he wrote out an address to the citizens of Hicksville, the manuscript of which we have. He beginw by roferriuf^ to thirty-live years' resideuco in the county, and to the great changeB that have taken placn in that time, from a donso forest to smiling villages and farms. He deBcribes early scenes. How farmeTs, in some cases, had to dig up seed potatoes to save themselves from starvation Imagine, says he, a spring-pole, a pestl(<, a string, a hollowed out stump, a inw grains of corn, and a woman pounding up that corn to get dinner for the Hon. A. P. Edgorton! Young men roamed the woods barofootud, hunting, until the soles of their feet were impenetrable by thorns or briers. He goes on humorously to relate how, owing to the refusal of his horse to carry two, he had to walk while the girl (afterward Mrs. Wilder) rode, and when crossing the stream near Mr. Parmer's, the high-spirited steed leaped across, throwing off the young lady, who hungby the stirrup. Wonderful to relate, the horse, usually a kioker, stood still until Levi came up and released the lady. The address goes on cleverly to contrast the warm manners of the past with the formality of the present, "cold as the wiggle of a dead dog's nose." But in the last forty years a mighty change has taken place; carding and spinning by hand have gone, and the girls are to-day pleading at the bar, preaching in the pulpit, or editing newspapers. The sohoolhouse in which Mr. Boyington taught was about sixteen feet square, with holes bored in the logs and pins driven in, and boards nailed on for a desk; basswood logs split for benches, and puncheon floor. One day, Spencer Hopkins came to the school, and wished Levi to help him catch a wounded deer, and after going two miles, Hopkins directed him to catch it by the horns while he cut its throat. Levi did so, but let go without being told, The dccn-, as Levi expresses it, was a careless cuss, and put I)oth hind feet on his shoulders, and Levi thought for a minute or two that he had a dozen feet. The deer cut his pants on the bias, and put some beautiful stripes on them. This was the last deer he over caught. He never forgave Hopkins until he got a chance to stumble with him on his back (accidentally?) while carrying him across a mud-hole. Hopkins was dressed for church, but when he came out of that mud-hole be was hardly presentable. When Mr. Wilder came to Farmer, there were living there then Grandfather Rice and wife, Edward Lacost and wife, John Rice and wife, Joseph Barney and wife, AVilliam Reynolds and wife, Josiah and James and Isaac Tharp and wife, AmariHa Lord, Jacob Conkey, Dr. O. Rice and Spencer Hopkins; none of whom are here now. Mr. Wilder here pays a eulogy to Mr, Hopkins, with whom he had spent many happy days. " In the meridian of life he departed. Peace be to thy ashes, thou sharer of my boyhood pastime.

May the flowers bloom sweetly over all the old settlers' graves. May the journeying wind sigh sweetly, as year after year they pass o'er their grassy beds. May the solitary rain-clouds weep in darkness over the remains that lie in that Parmer's Cemetery. But when shall human tears cease to be shed? * * * What is death? Or what is life? Of what does it consist, that we put such a value upon it? Is it that frail breath that makes us weak, and suffer so much ? Why do we fear to lose it, more than anything in this world ? What is reserved for us after it, that the thought of death makes us tremble? Man has been talking about it for century after century. We all hink about it, but no one can tell; it is a mystery, all. How little we realize that we are so interwoven into the fabric of society, that not one fiber can be influenced for good or for evil without such influence extending to all in contact. Wheal brother "Wentworth sang his song here last year, it had its influence with me, and in a few weeks' time I had a song all cut and dried, ready for the touch of the old settler's match. If my time is not out, I will sing that song to-day; if it is, I will sing it in some future time, providing that old invader, Death, does not travel me over that road from which no traveler was ever yet known to return. It speaks of the residences, occupations, names and nicknames of quite a number of the first settlers. Por the benefit of late settlers and the young, T will explain the nicknames: Edge is the Hon. A. P. Edgerton; Nat, Rev. N. Crary; Boots, Mr. Elias Crary; Mullen, Mr. Spencer Hopkins; K, Mr. Seneca Sanford ; The Miller of Lost Creek, Mr, Miller Arrowsmith; Buckskin, the name of a creek where Mr. Lyman Langdon resides.

Pioneek Song

And our miller of Lost Creek Mills, T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K, O, carry nae back to the days ot my childhood, I'm willing to go any day.

No toll Imt her own did she take. T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another wo used to call K. O, carry me back to the days of my childhood, no stealing or tolling for pay.

Would corner them up with coon skins. T'was Edge, it was Xat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K. Pins, nei'dlcs and whisky they scarcely did deal in, but always had money to pay.

And the opossum have all gone astray. T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K. O, carry me back to the place of my childhood, when hunting was nothing but play.

And Ilinkle was honest thej' say. T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K. O, carry me back to the days of my childhood, they were honest if not quite so gay.

There were the Wentworths and Travis, the Evans and Curtis, Oh, Sid Sprague don't forget "by the way," For in building he was a giant, he built up Defiance

Without any money to pay. T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K. O, carry me back to the days of my childhood, when cities were built without pay.

That his dry leg kept running around. T'was Edge, it was Nat, it was Boots, it was Mullen, and another we used to call K. O, carry me back to the days of my childhood, when dry legs kept running away.

And nothing can beat him they say. Now 'tis the Hon. A. P. and the Rev. N. C., but his doctoring ain't all K. O, carry me back to the days of my boyhood, when fiddlers made preachers that way.

A mother meet her son. Your ambitious life's been a tedious one, its led some to renown, But your bodies soon they must decay, and fade and totter down.

But I'll try and do better next time. But time goes marching swiftly on, and we are growing old, We can't go back to our youthful days, we can't for love or gold.

Oney Kice Hopkins, merchant, Farmer Center, was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y , March 1, 1818, son of Truman and Lam'a Hopkins, natives of Vermont. When he was about sixteen years of age, his father died, leaving a family of six children - Spencer, Oney Rice, Laura Elvira, Marinda, Uretta Cordelia and Hannah Sabrina - vsrho, with their mother, removed to Ohio in the fall of 1835, and set- tied in what was then Williams County. O. R. Hop kins was one of the Cour men who built the first log house in the town. The names of the other three were John Rico (his unole), Spiuicor Hopkins (his brother) and Edward Lacosi, they having to walk from Defiance, a distance of twenty miles, carrying their axes and provisions to last while they cut five miles of road and'built a shanty to sei've them while building the first log house. The subject of this sketch is I he only survivor at this time (Feliruary, 18S3), the other throe having died several yciu-s ago. On the 'S.'td of July, 1840, Mr. llopkins married Artemisia Sawyer, who was born March <S, IS'.!;!, in Rushville, Yates Clo., N. Y. , daughter of Pi'esoott and Zernia Sawyer. In 1H43, he engaged in the mercantile business, keeping the first store in Farjnor Township. In July, 1 S4 5, he settled in Green County, W is. , where he remained till the fall of 1817, then to Muckwonago, Waukesha County; in April, LST)!, went to Mailison, Dane (lo.. Wis., and in November, 1858, miived to Milwaukee and took charge of the woodwork department of the Milwaukee Threshing Machine Company, where he remained about fourteen years in the same business. In 1805, he removed to Chicago, 111., and went into the manufacture of zinc washboards, in company with his sons, A. R. and S. R. Hopkins (firm named O. R. Hopkins & Sons). In the spring of ]8G(), he bought a farm in the town of Vernon, Waukesha Co., Wis., where he followed farming four years. 1800, joined the order of I. O. O. I'., to which society he still belongs, as a zealous worker. In the spring of 1870, he rented his farm and returned to Chicago, where he again went into manufacturing, and continued in that until the great Chicago fire, in October, 1871, when he lost his house and shop by fire, losing about $8,000. After the tire, he re-built his shop and continued the same business, with the addition of sash, doors and blinds. In August, 187'i, he moved to Rossville, Shawnee Co., Kan,, but only remained there till fall, when he returned to. Chicago, and, the spring following, built a residence in Jefferson, one of the suburbs of Chicago, and occupied it one year, then sold it and broke up hoiisekot'ping and spent some time iu Ohio. In May, 1875, he removed with his family to Denver, Colo., but remained only three months, then returned to Chicago for the fourth time, stayed about three months, then went to Edgorton, Williams Co., Ohio, and engaged in selling agricultural implements in company with M, C. Farnham. In May, 1876, he sold his interest in the business to his partner and removed to Waujmn, Wis., where he was engaged in the manufacture of windmills five years. In June, 1880, he was representative to the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the State of Wisconsin, held at Madison June 1 to 1; through the summer of the same year, kept the Westciii Hotel, in the city of Waiijniu, 'Wis. His wife died February 17, 1881; soon after, he broke up house Ivooping, and on his way to New York, while stopping in Ohio to visit friends, he married, for his second wife, Ellen M. Thrall, widow of Martin Thrall, M. D., who resided at Farmer Center, Defiance Co. , Ohio. After spending the summer in New York City, returned to Wisconsin in the fall. He engaged again in the manufacture of zinc washboards; the February following was again biirned out, losing some 11,500. In the spring of 18^2, he went again to AVaupun, Wis., and the following fall removed to Beaver Dam, Wis. ; engaged in the restaurant and confectionery business; then to Farmer, Defiance County, vvhere he has rented a store; is putting in a stock of goods.

Mr. Hopkins had eight sons by his first wife. The. eldest, Arba Ransom, is living in Waupuu, Wis. The second son, Selden Rich, enlisted in Company K, Twenty-fourth Regiment A\'isconsin Volunteers, served but a few months, when he was taken sick and placed in the hospital at Nashville, Tenn. His father went to Nashville, got his discharge, and returned home to Milwaukee. In a short time he recovered his health so as to engage as Military Telegraph Operator, stationed in Tennessee, which position he held until about the close of the war. He is now editor and publisher of the Bookkeeper, in the city of New York. The seventh son. Dr. Truman Prescott, is living in Milwaukee. Is engaged as Master Mechanic by the C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co. His other five sous died quite young, their ages being from eight days to three years.