Delaware County, Ohio - Chapter 18: Townships and Towns, 1908 (part 1 of 16)

Chapter 18: Townships and Towns

Settlement and Organization of the Townships - Settlement ami Founding of the Towns - Sketches of Ashley, Galena, Sunbury, O steamier, Lewis Center, Powell, Radnor, and other Towns.

Note - In order to avoid the excessive duplication of data, a considerable amount of matter coming naturally under special headings, as Churches, Military History. History of the professions of Law and Medicine, Public Institutions, Banks, the Press, etc., have been omitted from this chapter and will lie found in the special chapters devoted to the respective subjects mentioned, or elsewhere in the general history.

Was third among the townships now constituting Delaware county, inhabited by a white man. Col. Moses Byxbe and his small company settling there in the fall of 1804. It was formed of United States Military land, known in the United States Military survey as Township 4, Range 17, and is now five miles square, but during the early existence of Berkshire Township its boundary lines and area were frequently changed. Prior to 1806, it was a part of Sharon Township, in Franklin County, but in that year, through the efforts of Major Thomas Brown, on petition, was organized as a separate township to include the fourth section of what is now Brown, the third section of Kingston, the east half of Berlin and Orange Townships, and the west half of Genoa and the present Berkshire Townships. This township was given the name, Berkshire, in honor of Berkshire County. Massachusetts, from whence had come Major Brown, Colonel Byxbe and other of the prominent early settlers of the community. As new townships were organized from time to time, section after section of

Berkshire was set off until, of the land originally embodied in the township, but the western half of the present Berkshire Township remained and was joined to the eastern half, which had been set off from Sunbury Township. Sunbury Township had been established at the first session of Commissioners' Court after Delaware County had been separated from Franklin in 1808, and included, originally, the present townships of Harlem, Trenton and Porter, with the east half of the townships of Kingston, Berkshire and Genoa, besides the townships of Bennington. Harmony. Peru and Lincoln, now in Morrow County. The surface of Berkshire County is rolling, lies high, and is admirably adapted to farming. It was covered with a heavy growth of timber, excepting a small prairie northeast of Berkshire Corners which in the early days was noted as a deer lick and the resort of immense flocks of wild pigeons. The land lying between the Little and Big Walnut Creeks, which afford excellent drainage for the township, was covered almost exclusively with oak, while in other parts was a variety, including maple, walnut, hickory, butternut and elm. The soil is a light clay, with the exception of the elm swamps and prairie land, which are of a rich, black loam.

The first settlers in Berkshire Township came from Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Colonel Moses Byxbe, a man of wealth and standing, kept hotel and conducted a general store in the town of Lenox, in that county, and in the course of business came into possession of a large number of soldiers' land warrants, which he located in section 2 of what is now Berkshire and section i of the present township of Berlin, 8,000 acres in all. 1 [e afterward acquired other land in Brown and Genoa Townships and was the largest landowner ever resident of Delaware County. In June, 1804, he fitted out a four-horse team with Orlando Barker as driver, a three-horse team with Witter Stewart as driver, a singlehorse wagon in charge of Solomon Smith, and, after loading with his store stock and household goods, started for his new possessions in the West, leading the way with his family in a carriage drawn by two horses. He was also accompanied by Azariah Root, a surveyor from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Edwin Potter, a nephew of Colonel Byxbe, thirteen years of age. After an adventurous journey, he arrived at Worthington in August, and. this being the nearest point to his destination, built a two-story frame house, in which he and his family lived for three months. During this time he went to his land in Berkshire, and erected cabins for his home and stables on the prairie, on the bank of the Little Walnut. He also erected a cabin for Mr. Root on the Berkshire Road, a half mile south of Berkshire Corners. In November, 1804, he moved with his household goods and his family into the new home. Berkshire Street was surveyed through his land, and farms laid out abutting it, plans being rapidly advanced to bring in new settlers. The next to join the settlement was a Mr. Curtis, a shoemaker, who came in January, 1805. followed closely by John Kilbourn, Ralph Slack, Elam Vining, Sr.. James Harper, who was a blacksmith. Adonijah Rice, and two colored women, Sarah Brandy and Polly Noko. Major Thomas Brown, who had visited the- settlement in 1805, returned to take up his residence in 1S00. being accompanied by David Prince and John Patterson. Nathaniel Hall. James Gregory, Solomon Jones. Joseph Patrick. John B. Grist. David Armstrong, Samuel and David Landon, Gideon and William Osterhaus, a Mr. Helt, George Fisher and Joseph

Prince also appear on the roster of names for that period. In 1807, came Ichabod Plumb and Dr. Reuben Lamb, with their families, from Worthington, and in 1808, Hon. Ezekiel Brown. The first white child born in the township was Albert Root, born in 1807, followed shortly by the birth of Ralph Slack. The first death recorded was that of the wife of Elam Vining, Sr., in 1806. Major Brown, in 181 1, erected the first brick house, which is still standing, in the township, made of brick manufactured near where the house stood, and in 1 816 David and Joseph Price built the first frame dwelling'. Thus it is seen brick antedates lumber as a building material in Berkshire Township, an anomalous situation due to the fact that the settlement numbered among its citizens a brickmaker and mason. The first mill in the community was that of Nathaniel Hall, built in 1808, on Alum Creek in what is now Berlin Township. Asa Scott was the first township treasurer, and David Prince, one of the first trustees, but the other officers of the township at its inception are unknown. Major Brown conducted the first store in the township, and probably the first in the county. Adonijah Rice conducted the first tavern in the township at Berkshire Corners, and was also first post master there. The early industrial enterprises of Berkshire are treated of in the chapter on manufacturing.

. Berkshire Township lays claim to two healthy, vigorous villages in Snnbury and Galena, and two settlements, Berkshire Corners and Rome, the two latter not fulfilling the promises of future greatness made by their founders. Colonel Byxbe displayed great ability in interesting a good class of citizens in Berkshire Corners, pointing out its desirable location and its prospects of becoming a county seat, possibly a state capital, but with the disposition of his property there, the deith knell of the settlement's pretentions was sounded. It was without its leader, he having diverted his zeal and energy to the development of Delaware, where he had acquired large interests. Although it was never platted, nor rose to the dignity of a village, it was nol without its prestige in the early days. Major Brown conducted his store there until his death in 1816, then was succeeded by Flavius Fuller, whose business ceased to be a paying enterprise and was discontinued when Sunbury began to boom as a business center. Mr. S. S. Bennett was an extensive stock dealer at this point, and did much to keep it alive as a center of trade for some years.

Sunbury, located in the east central part of the township, on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, was laid out by William and Lawrence Meyers on land formerly owned by a Mr. Alden, the plat bearing the date of November 9, 1816. It was well chosen as a townsite, being located on the Columbus and Mt. Vernon Road and contiguous to a large area of country without a trading point at hand. The first merchant was a Mr. Whitmore, who had established a store a year hefore the town was started, but after a short time he was succeeded by Benjamin Webb. A third store was built and conducted by Steven R. Bennett. In 1816, the first hotel was started by a Mr. Rogers, who continued until 1820, when the stage began running through the town. Increase in hotel trade brought a competitor, in the person of Lawrence Meyers, who by erecting a suitable building was able to command the patronage, and Mr. Rogers retired from the field. B. H. Taylor and B. Chase built a fulling-mill, equipped for carding and pressing, which was conducted with success for many years, drawing patronage from many miles distant, as it was without competition in that vicinity.

The following is a list of the mayors of Sunbury since its incorporation in 1882: I. A. Torts, 1882; R. D. Robinson, [883; John Roberts, 1880; I. A. Ports, 1887; P. D. Robinson, 1888; C. C. Brooks. [890; I. A. Ports, [894; C. C. Brooks, [896; \V. F. Whittier, 1898; C. C. Brooks', 1902; Miles Gregory. [906, and Samuel Hopkins [908. The names are given in the order of succession, the dates being those when the duties of the office were assumed. The present members of the Council are Dr. T. J. Williams, president ; O. F. Etling, J. A. Loar, C. L. Boyd, James Furry and J. W. Longwell. The following gentlemen are members of the Board of Educatii m : D. H. Davis, George Axline, Robert II. Larrimore, James Cockrell and Clayton W. Barton. The Board of Health is composed of the gentlemen: Dr. J. H. Gerhardt, health officer; Dr. H. B. Kistler, secretary; Dr. T. J. Williams, T. F. Blakely, James Cockrell and H. H. Herlocker.

Other township officals whose terms began in 1907, are: I. S. Sperry, justice of the peace; Leon Hough, and C. W. Barton, trustees ; W. E. Loar, clerk ; O. A. Kimball, treasurer; J. W. H. Webster, assessor Sunbury Village; E. H. Furniss, assessor Galena Precinct; John P. Hupp, Sunbury Precinct; Ansel Stanforth, Berkshire Precinct; C. E. Budd, constable.

Among the principal industrial and business enterprises of Sunbury we may mention The Sunbury Co-( )perative Creamery, The Farmers' Bank, Burrer's Flouring mill, a saw mill, a poke factory and a factory where hay-balers are made. Blakely & Williams and C. B. Morris & Co.. are general merchants; Wheaton & Cummins and Benoy & Benoy, hardware dealers; W. O. Buckingham & Sons. warehouse and dealers in lumber and farm implements ; E. E. Root, bakery and fruit dealer, and Harry Fleckner, fruit ; John P. Skeels, grocer; R. P. Anderson, druggist; Mr. Strosnider, undertaker; H. S. Cook, harness-shop; The Delaware County News Item, a live newspaper published by W. F. Whittier; hotel conducted by the present mayor, Samuel Hopkins; two livery stables kept by Hopkins Brothers and Frank Alberry, respectively.

Located between the Big and Little Walnut Creeks, near the point of junction, is the village of Galena, through the northwest corner of which passes the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus Railroad. It was platted by William Carpenter. April ,}, 181 6. and recorded on the 2T,d day of the same month. The first building erected was the little log house which served as school and church prior to the inception of Galena. Gilbert Carpenter, Sr., built a saw mill in 1809. the power being furnished by water in a race constructed by him, joining the Walnut Creek. About 1818 Benjamin Carpenter, Jr., constructed a second race, just south of the first one, and established a grist mill, which in later years was operated by George Vanfleet. The first store, started in 1810, by a man named Manter, was in a log cabin near the bridge. Soon after, Elias Murray established a store on the southwest corner of the square. The village was known by the name of Zoar until a postoifice was acquired, and was then named Galena, at the suggestion of Nathan Dustin. as there existed another town of Zoar in Ohio. The growth of the village was steady, but at no time rapid, as no effort was ever made to create a b » mi. The citizens, however, were men of enterprise, and by subscription the sum of $13,000 was raised to get the old Columbus & Alt. Vernon Railroad to pass through the town, in addition to which they donated three acres for depot purposes.

Rome was the only village of Berkshire Township incorporated, but this honor added little to its development or welfare. It was incorporated in 1838, by Almon Price, who had laid off his farm into lots, but as there was nothing to stimulate its growth, the act of incorporation was annulled on petition of the lot holders.

Some of the earliest settlements in this county were made in Berlin Township. At that time, however, its metes and bounds were not those now shown on the map. From 1806 to 1820, Township 4, Range 18 of the United States Military lands, was divided between the townships of Liberty, Delaware and Berkshire. In 1806, Sections 1 and 4, together with what was then the rest of Berkshire Township, were set off as a township. This was the shape of Berlin when the first settlers came here. The peculiar division of townships when Berkshire was laid off is probably accounted for by the fact that Col. Moses Byxbe owned Section 1 of the fourth township in Range 18. Berlin Township as now constituted was set up January cS, 1820. At that time the 1st and 4th sections were taken from Berkshire, the 2nd section from Delaware and the 3rd section was taken from Liberty. The township as thus formed is bounded on the North by Brown, on the South by Orange, on the East by Berkshire and on the West by Delaware and Liberty Townships. Asa Scott started the petition for the new township and suggested its present name. At that time Scott was treasurer of Berkshire Township, which included Berlin, and in going over the figures, discovered that the population was large enough to justify a separate organizatn m. and so he headed the petition to the Commissioners. Dr. Loofbourrow was made township clerk; Joseph Eaton was made justice of the peace, and Scott was continued in his position as treasurer at the first election.

Alum Creek is the principal stream. It flows in a southerly direction in a winding course through about the middle of the eastern half of the township. It drains a wider area on the east than it does on the west. The eastern bank of the stream is marked by many bluffs, and back of the bluffs the land is more or less broken. In the southeastern part of the township, the land is less broken and rich bottom lands. East of the creek the soil in the eastern part is the usual mixture of clays, well adapted to grass and corn. The lower lands west of the creek are rich, but an immense amount of ditching and tiling has been necessary to make them tillable. This region was originally covered with vast forests, the hard woods common to this section growing on the high lands, with burr oak, elm, basswood, buckeye, etc., with an underbrush of paw-paw and spice bush, in the swampy portions. Ever since markets have been fairly accessible, stock-raising and stock-feeding have received considerable attention.

Joseph Constant, of Peekskill, New York, was the first purchaser of land in this township. He bought Section 4 from the Government, paying $2 per acre and receiving a deed signed by President John Adams. He was popularly known as Judge Constant, but whether he ever held any judicial position is not known. It was claimed that he had been a Colonel in the army during the Seminole War in Florida, and that it was there that he contracted the disease from which he died. Some time before he died, he gave fifty acres of land tn David Lewis. Sr.. on condition that he would settle upon it. However, George Cowgill, who in November, 1805, located about a mile north of the Delaware and Sunbury Pike, was the first permanent settler. He was closely followed by David Lewis, Sr., who was accompanied by his daughter. Hannah, and suns John and David, Jr. The latter was married, and on September 29, 1806, had a son born,, whom he named Joseph Constant Lewis, for Judge Constant. This was the first white child born in the township. Their land was on the west side of Alum Creek, on the hill about opposite the cemetery south of Cheshire. In the spring of 1806, Joseph Eaton, Sr., and John Johnston brought their families from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and settled on Olive Creek or Big Run about two miles north of Cheshire. Others who came into the settlement in that year were David Isaac, Philander Hoadley. and Chester Lewis, with their families from Waterbury. Connecticut. They settled on Section 4. In 1807, Philo Hoadley, with his wife, three sons, and Lovell and Lucy Calkins, and Asa Scott came from Connecticut. Lovell Caulkins began at once to clear land whereon to raise sustenance for his father's family, who were to follow him into the wilderness, and while he was thus engaged, his sister began to teach school. In 1808. Lovell Caulkins returned to Connecticut and made up a company of emigrants, composed of the families of Roswell Caulkins. Samuel Adams, Jonathan Thompson and John Lewis, forty persons in all, and on September 20, 1809, the little company started for the West. Capt. John Lewis, of this party, was the first permanent settler in the southeast quarter of the township. After this, there was a slow but steady increase in the population of the township.

When the earlv settlers reached this region they found Indians "as thick as blackbirds," as one of the pioneers expressed it. For the most part, they were treated fairly and kindly by the settlers, and the Indians, as a rule, responded with similar treatment. They did nol dispute the settler's right to hunt and fish, and they were slow to learn that they were not equally entitled to help themselves to the corn and vegetables which they found in the gardens of the settlement. During the period covered by the years 1811-T3, this community shared the feeling of fear and anxiety that pervaded the entire Northwest. The feeling of tranquility awakened by Harrison's brilliant victory over Tecumseh was soon dissipated by the opening of the second war with England. The settlers knew as well as the British how unprotected they were, and how easy it would be for the enemy to stir the Indians to a fever heat and send them against these almost defenseless frontiers like a devastating cyclone leaving death and destruction in their trail. It is not strange, therefore, that the settlers were constantly on the "qui vive," and it is easy to understand how Drake's stampede, the story of which is still familiar to everyone in the county, could have happened. This experience taught the pioneers a well-needed lesson, and they immediately began to make the necessary preparations for defense. Valuables were buried deep in the ground, care being taken to leave no surface indications that would lead to their discovery. It was decided to build a block house at once. The site selected was on the road running along the west bank of Alum Creek, on the rise of ground south of the cross-roads near Cheshire. A two-story structure, forty feet square was erected. The upper story projected over the lower one about two feet, affording opportunities for defense against close attacks or attempts to fire the structure. It was built of hewed logs, a foot square, the ends securely joined so as not to leave the smallest crevice between the logs. There was no opening in the lower story, except the door, which was made of a double thickness of three-inch planks, barred and cross-barred. The upper story was furnished with rifle embrazures in the side, and convenient holes in the floor of the projection for purposes of defense in a close attack. When built, the fort was well stocked with provisions and ammunition, so as to be ready at a moment's warning, and signals were arranged that the remoter settlements might learn of their danger.

It was about this time that a party of settlers were out in the woods, some distance from the "improvements," clearing up a spot to build a cabin for some new arrival. Among the party were Chester and John Lewis, David Lewis, Sr., and Asa Scott, besides some boys who were there to look on or pile brush. As w as the custom, each man had his gun. with him, leaning against a tree, and David Lewis, Sr., was on duty as scout to note the approach of Indians. It was arranged that if he saw any he was to return and report "bears" in the woods. Some time after noon, he was observed coming rapidly toward the party, and as soon as he got within hearing, he said, "There are bear-tracks in the woods, so fresh that the water has not yet settled in them." The men quietly ceased their work, took up their guns, and prepared to put things in a state of defense. The boys were sent home, and, not to alarm the settlement, all but Chester and John Lewis slowly sauntered toward the settlement. Then the state of the case was explained, and those families which were situated near at hand were escorted by the old men into the block-house. Blankets were hung up to divide off the space for families, guns were carefully examined, and by nightfall, everything at the fort was in readiness for attack. But the cabins of some of the party of choppers were too far off to make it wise to try to reach the fort in the dark. Scott's cabin was some distance to the north of the load crossing, and the cabin of Jacob Aye was still further to the north and east of Scott's. There was a large family of the Aye boys and girls, and they felt reasonably secure, or had not learned of the discovery. Late that night. after the boys had gone to bed. one of the sisters, delayed by some household cares, heard the dogs making a disturbance, as though the cattle or hogs were prowling about. Soon she heard some one trying to quiet the dogs, and she at once concluded it was Indians. She made every preparation against being taken by surprise, hut did not summon the boys, lest in their foolhardiness they might rush out and be killed. The dogs finally became quiet, and the Indians, going towards the blockhouse, came upon Scott's cabin. Here the dogs, who had an instinctive hatred of the savages, commenced rushing out into a cornfield near by and then back again against the cabin, growling, and manifesting symptoms of rage and fear. Old Mr. Scott knew what such conduct on the part of the dogs meant, and, calling up his two boys, prepared for defense. The windows were only closed by greased paper, and, stationing one with an axe at each of the two windows, he gave them instructions to split the first head that came through. Putting out the glowing embers oil the hearth, he barricaded the door with what movable furniture he could reach, and took a position with his rifle commanding all points of entrance. Here the Indians endeaverod to pacify the dogs in wain, and finally passed along. Soon after, the Scott family heard a rifle-shot, followed by a rapid succession of lighter guns, and then came. one. two, three in measured succession - the warning guns from the blockhouse. Meanwhile at the fort another scene was enacting. The little band cooped up in their narrow quarters momentarily expected an attack. After waiting for some time in such suspense, David Lewis, Sr., accompanied bv Philo Hoadley, started cautiously out to reconnoiter. The night was described as admirable for this purpose. Clouds heavily veiled the moon, so that an object standing out clear could readily be discerned, while one groping in the shadows and along the ground could be discovered only by close scrutiny. The land sinks from all points at the road crossing, forming there a sort of basin. South of the east and west road, a tree bad been felled parallel with the road, and, falling down hill, had left some space between the butt of the tree and stump. Across this road was Hoadley's cornfield, divided from other land by a brush fence. Coming down to the crossing, a suspicious noise was heard in the cornfield, and Lewis remarked to Hoadley that there were either hogs, cattle, or Indians in his field. Listening attentively for a moment, he exclaimed, "There goes another ear; Hoadley, it's Indians!" Lewis, who was an excellent shot, and an intrepid man. told Hoadley to remain at the crossing, and takingshelter behind the trunk and top of the fallen tree, he would gain the rise of ground by the stump, and scan the cornfield situated across the road and on a little lower ground. Lewis succeeded in reaching the stump, and ensconcing himself among the shadows between the tree and stump, awaited the issue of events. Soon he saw a dark body jump upon the brush fence and over, and then another, but his practiced eye had seen the second one over the sights of his gun, the report of which was followed by the heavy falling of the body. Lewis immediately made for the fort as fast as his feet could carry him, with Hoadley just in advance. There was a discharge of several guns in rapid succession from the cornfield, and Lewis, striking his knee against the stump of some sapling that had been cut off. went sprawling to the ground. He imagined himself shot, but, regaining his feet, made for the fort. Within the fort everybody was on the alert, and Roswell Caulkins stood sentinel at the door. As Lewis and Hoadley came rushing up to gain entrance, Caulkins hesitated to unbar the door. David Lewis, Jr., who was celebrated as a keen hunter and woodsman, recognized the steps of his father and Philo and cried to the sentinel, "Roswell, unbar the door! Those are shoes that are coming. It's father and Philo!" And, before the sentinel comprehended the force of what young Lewis was saying, the bars had been taken down by others, and the two men. half out of breath, admitted. The feelings of those in the f( irt can better be described by one who was there, and we add from a manuscript by Mrs. Ripley : "An attack was every mi iment expected. The alarm guns were fired. The horrid work of the scalping-knife and uplifted tomahawk was, in imagination, ready to be executed. There was neither shrieking nor fainting, but the women stood at their posts in the upper story, prepared for defense." Happily their expectations were not realized. The next morning broke on their anxious hearts calm and bright, and. as no traces of Indians could be discovered from the block-house, a party went out to see if the settlers in isolated cabins had been massacred. They wen- found, as we have related, frightened but not harmed. In the cornfield were found moccasin tracks with considerable traces of blood. The trail led -11 to the northwest, and indicated that one ol their number had been carried. Who they were or what was the reason for their visit, was the subject of considerable conjecture, but it never reached a satisfactory explanation. While the settlers were kept in a chronic state of fear and dread during the war of 1812, they were not without some compensating benefits. The necessities of the armv created a market where there had been none before for farm produce. Prior to 181 2, the settler's chief ambition was to provide a comfort able home and as good a living as was possible with the conditions under which they lived; but during the war production was stimulated, and the income thus secured was devoted to obtaining some of the commoner comforts which had been theirs before they had turned their backs on civilization. The' cling of the war deprived them of their markets, money again became scarce and a period of hard times set in which added greatly to the hardships they otherwise were called upon to bear. It was not until about 1S30 that business began to revive, and a market worth mentioning was found for the products of the farm.

At the end of the first ten years there were only about forty families in the township. Half of these had come from Waterbury, Connecticut, and had located on Judge Constant's land in the southeastern part of the township. Among these people there had been eight marriages. The first of these, which was also the first in the township was performed by Rev. Joseph Hughes, Elias Adams and Harriet Lewis being the contracting parties. Ten families had located on Colonel Byxbe's land. and there were about eight families in the northwest corner of the township. The first death in the township was that of Elanson Lewis, which occurred in 1807. He was buried in the first cemetery in the township, which was laid out on the site where a block-house had once stood. The next adult who died was Emma Lewis, who passed away in 1811, and besides these two, four children made up the total number of deaths during the first decade. One of the early cemeteries was located on the road to Berlin station, near the town hall. The Nettleton Grove Bank Cemetery Association was organized October 10, 1853. The first officers were Joel Cleveland, president ; Lewis Thompson, clerk ; and Vinal Stewart, treasurer. They laid out a fine cemetery just south of Cheshire. Roswell Caulkins, who was a carpenter and joiner, was the first mechanic in the township, and worked at his trade while he was clearing up his farm. He superintended the construction of the block-house and did most of the hewing. One of his first pieces of work was a hand-loom for Airs. Chloe Scott. In 1820, James Eaton and Daniel Xettleby erected the first frame residences. Both were east of the creek and near Cheshire. Nathan Sherwood kept the first store in his cabin. The early mills, schools, churches, etc., aic treated in the chapters devoted to those subjects.

Cheshire, the principal settlement in the township, is located on a barren clay knoll. Because of this fact, Jesse Hultz gave it the name of "I'eth," "for," as he explained, "what don't run away will starve to death." Samuel Adams owned the farm where the village stands, and it was he who laid it off into lots. L. R. Ryant kept the first store here in a little room seven feet by nine. A few years later he added another room, where he sold ready made shoes and made shoes to order. He was the first postmaster, his commission bearing date of August 10, 185 1. The "Underground Railway" passed through Cheshire. From the earliest times there was a strong sentiment in the township in symapthy with the slaveowners, and it was only under cover of the night that the negro seeking liberty could be conducted from Orange along Alum Creek to the Quaker settlement, and then on to Oberlin or some other outlet. .

E. R. Durfey, treasurer; S. P. Dunham, assessor; Charles Evarts and Willard Shank, constables; Willard A. Young and J. T. Sweeney, board of education. The above began their terms in 1908, according to report to county auditor.

For the facts and for a large part of the language used in the following sketch of this township, we are indebted to an article prepared by Dr. S. W. Fowler, many years ago, whose permission we have to use it. At the time he wrote, Dr. Fowler had access to sources of information no longer available, and it would be impossible, therefore, for us now to secure more data than he had, while he, representing as he does one of the oldest families in Delaware County, speaks with authority.

The history attaching to this subdivision of Delaware County really begins about 1804 or 1805, with the discovery of salt in the vicinity, although the first permanent settlement within the present boundaries of the township extends no farther hack than 1817. The lapse of sixty-three years ( 1S17 to 1880), imperceptible in the estimate of an eternity, is a longtime in human life. It removes two generations into darkness and dust, and places another in their seats who have nearly run their course.

Brown Township originally occupied the central portion of the county, and, later, the north-central portion, lying in Range 18, and, by the United States Military Survey, is Township 5. It is bounded on the north by Oxford, on the east by Kingston, on the south by Berlin, and on the west by Delaware and Troy. The record book of the county commissioners containing the date when Brown Township was erected into a separate township is lost, but it was probably about 1826.

The township has but one large stream of water - Alum Creek. It passes through the eastern part, entering near the north-east corner, and flowing south, passes out near the south-east corner into Berlin Township. There are several small streams that flow into Alum Creek. Some of these are noted for having been the sites of Indian encampments, at a time when the Scioto Valley formed a part of the hunting-grounds of the Delawares and Mingoes. Among these tributaries we may mention Leatherwood Run, which derived its name from a peculiar shrub found growing upon its banks, the wood and bark of which \\a> highly valued by the early settlers for a variety of uses. Big Run, Sugar Creek, Longwell's, Dutton's and Matthews's Runs are some of the principal streams. Sugar Creek, which rises in the western part of Berlin and flows into the Olentangy at Delaware, was made use of by Mr. F. P. Vergon when he constructed Greenwood Lake. The land east of Alum Creek is particuarly adapted to grazing. Near the creek it is broken and the soil is rather thin, while at a greater distance it is gently undulating, and not only good grazing land, but well adapted to farming, there being less clay and more rich black loam than nearer the creek. Along the west side of the Alum, the land is also undulating, and was the first to be brought under cultivation by the early settler. The land farther west was low and wet, defying horseback or wagon travel through its swamps, and even barring roadways for years. Owing to the tile and open drainage systems, however, this wet, swampy land once considered worthless, has become the most productive in the township.

Among the attractions that brought the early settlers to this region was the "Salt Lick." as it was called. When the United States Government sent its agents to survey the country, a salt lick was discovered in wdiat is now the north-east corner of Brown township. The Government reserved 4,000 acres of this and deeded it to the State for educational purposes. This was called the "Salt Reservation." About 1804 or 1805, Dr. John Loofbourrow moved into what is now Berkshire Township from Virginia, and located on what afterward became the Eckelberry farm, but after a short time sold out and moved to what was called the Durham farm, lying just east of Alum Creek on the Delaware and Sunbury Pike. He had with him his old faithful man "Friday,'' Oko Richey (colored). When the Doctor learned from some friendly Indians where they obtained their salt, he and Oko procured large iron kettles, built a large furnace and commenced the manufacture of salt. Their process was very slow, but they produced the article in sufficient quantities to partially supply the inhabitants, and very soon became noted as salt merchants. After some twelve years the salt business was investigated by other parties, who thought they saw in it a means of acquiring untold wealth. In 1817 they leased from the State 1,000 acres of land adjacent to. and 300 around, the salt lick and on the salt reservation. The contractors agreed to bore to the depth of at least 200 feet, unless salt water in paying quantities was sooner reached. They were to leave the well tubed with good copper tubing at the expiration of the lease. Loofbourrow now withdrew from the business and soon after removed to Wisconsin. After boring to a depth of 480 feet without finding salt water in paying quantities, the contractors notified the State authorities, who in turn reported to Congress, and the latter body ordered the salt reservation to be surveyed and sold. Accordingly, a Air. Carpenter, of Lancaster, Ohio, was authorized to survey it, which he did into 100- acre lots. In November, 1826. these lots were sold to the highest bidder, the early settlers and contractors being allowed the refusal of the lands which they had been for some time improving, a business they had foun'd more profitable than boring for salt.

The first permanent white settler in Brown Ti iwnship was Daniel G. Thurston, in the spring of 181 7. But as far back as 1809, a settlement was made in the extreme southwest o irner, by a man named Erastus Bowe, from Vermont. He built a cabin and called the place Bowetown, though it was never, we believe, laid out as a town, or populated, except by Bowe and his family, consisting of wife and two children. After a short time he moved to Delaware, and in 1817. he removed from there to Tiffin. Mr. Thurston moved into the township from the eastern part of Berlin, which at that time was the central part of Berkshire Township. He located on the summit of the first little hill west of the creek. on what is now the Delaware and Sunbury Pike. A cabin was built and into this he moved with his family and his brother Isaac, who had accompanied him to the West. The latter went to work in a distillery not far away, while Daniel worked in a saw and grist mill near by. In 1817, he sold out to Ebenezer Loofbourrow, who had just come from Virginia. After Mr. Thurston sold out to Loofbourrow-, he moved into the present township of Brown, where he had to begin his pioneer life over again, as it were. When his cabin was completed and his family located, Mr. Thurston entered into a co-partnership with James Eaton, and a man named Stephen Gorham. These gentlemen were the contractors in the famous salt speculation and the lessees of the "salt reservation." His new home was on this reservation, or on the "salt section." Isaac Eaton erected a cabin a little north of Thurston's. Mr. Thurston died in 1843. at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died in 1804, at the age of eighty-two years. They had a family of thirteen children, nf whom we have only the names of twelve - Harrie, Mary. Joseph, Elizabeth, Samuel, Sarah, Phoebe, Norton, Vinal. Eunice, Fannie and Barbara. Harriet first married Dr. Monroe, and. after his death, became the wife of Dr. John Loofbourrow. She had two children when she moved to Wisconsin. Mary married Israel Wood, a Quaker, who lived in Peru Township (then in this, but later in Morrow Count) I. She left twelve children. Joseph married in 1826, a daughter of B. F. Loofbourrow, who at the time was living on the Thurston farm. There were born tn him ten children. Elizabeth married Ralph Longwell, a soldier of iSu, and who died in 1N74. His widow drew a pension. She wa> the mother of thirteen children. Sarah first married Lyman Thrall, and. after his death. Andrew Thrall, his brother, Phoebe married William K. Thrall. Norton married a Miss Junes, and died in 1817. lie was the father of six children. Vinal married a Miss

Plant, and they had eight children. Eunice married Norton Harden, and they had eight children. Fannie married H. Walker and became the mother of six children. Samuel married, and was the father of eight children. Barbara married William Livingston, and was the mother of ten children. These were the children and grandchildren of Daniel Thurston, numbering in all 122.

The early settlers of this section were not without their Indian experiences. Although the Indians were supposed to be friendly, yet they were looked on with some suspicion by their white neighbors. The Thurstons, being one of the first families to locate in this region, and that some time prior to the removal of the Indians to reservations farther west, enjoyed a more extensive acquaintance with them than settlers who came at a later date. The Indians used to bring their game and furs to trade for corn, and as a general thing behaved well. The elder Thurston, who had a little mill, would grind their corn for them, and was on the most intimate terms with them, and was known far and wide among the neighboring tribes. When Joseph was a small boy, lint nine years old, he was one day sent out for the horses, which, when not in use, were allowed to run at large in the forests. He wandered through the woods for hours, but after a long and fruitless search, he gave up finding them and started to return home. After traveling for Mime time, he became lost in the forest, but finally struck an old Indian trail, which he followed some distance, when. much to his surprise and consternation, he came upon an Indian encampment, where he encountered an army of dogs, and was forced to take refuge in the nearest tree. The commotion produced by these ferocious beasts brought an old Indian from his wigwam to investigate the cause of so much disturbance. To the astonishment of the lad he found in him an old friend of his father, while the Indian, quite as much astonished as the ho), found the "game" treed by the dogs to be none other than the son of his old friend Thurston. The dogs were called off, and the boy invited to come down from his exalted perch. After he had related his adventure, a young Indian was ordered to catch a couple of well trained ponies, upon one of which he was placed, while the Indian boy mounted the other, and. acting as a guide, led him through the forests, and after several hours' ride he was restored to his already over-anxious parents.

Isaac Eaton, to whom we have already referred, was a son of Joseph Eaton, who was among the early settlers of Berkshire. He married a Miss Root of Peru township. William Williams, who bought out Isaac Eaton, came from Fairfield County to this township. Three years after he located he was chosen justice of the peace, an office he filled for many years. He also served the county as treasurer from 1846 to 1852, and as an infirmary director three years. He served the township in the capacity of clerk and treasurer, and was often chosen as administrator of estates and guardian of minor heirs.

Immigrants came in rapidly, and soon the entire salt reservation was settled up. One of the first families to move in after those already mentioned, was that of Benjamin McMaster, who came in about 1826. This pioneer was bom in New York. His father died when he was quite young, and his mother moved with her family to Ohio in 1813, and located on the Scioto River, in Franklin County. In the latter part of 1814, Benjamin McMaster came to Delaware County. In 181 7 he went to Champaign County, and the next year married a daughter of Lemuel G. Humphrey, of Liberty Township. His wife lived but a few years. After her death he came back to this county, where in a year or two he married again. At the sale of the salt reservation in 1826, he purchased 100 acres of land, where he built a cabin of the pioneer pattern. Here he lived until 1 85 1, when he started a warehouse and formed a business partnership in Ashley. In the spring of 1852. he sold his place to his son Horace. For many years, the latter devoted much attention to fruit culture.

the same land sales, purchased homes, among them, we may mention Andrew Finley, J. Fleming, Zenas Leonard; James, George, Ralph and E. Longwell, S. Harlow, Charles Cowgill, John Kensill and others. With such an influx of immigration the township rapidly settled up. Among those that came at a later date were John Walker and William Finley. Walker came from Virginia in 1832, hut was a native of Ireland. Finley was a son-in-law of Walker, and settled first in Kingston Township, but after a few years moved into Brown. The same year of Walker's settlement, a young man named Charles Neil, later known as "Uncle Charlie Neil," came in. He was also from Virginia, and also married a daughter of Mr. Walker. Mr. Neil carried on an ashery, and taught school for some ten years, when he was elected county surveyor. This office was given to him by the people of Delaware County from 1842 to 18(14 without any solicitation on his part. In the latter year, unknown to him. he was nominated, and afterward, elected to the office of county auditor, which office he held for two terms. During his second term as auditor he was elected mayor of the city of Delaware by an oxerwhelming majority. A short time after the settlement of the Thurstons, Eatons and others already mentioned, Hugh Cunningham came from Pennsylvania and located on what was later known as the Hann farm. In 1827 Hugh Lee located in Brown Township, on what was then called the Peter Baker farm." He was a branch of the illustrious Lee family. His son John Calvin Lee was born on this place, rose to the rank of brigadier-general during the civil war, and after its close, was twice elevated to the position of lieutenant governor of the State, on the same ticket that made Rutherford B. Hayes governor. Dr. Lyman Potter, a native of New York, settled in Peru Township in 1821. and in 1844 moved into Brown. When somewhat advanced in life, he began the study of medicine with old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, one of the early practitioners of the county. After practicing some years, Dr. Potter attended lectures at the Starling Medical College, from which he graduated in 1850. He then returned to his old location, the village of Eden, and continued practice some years, later retiring to a farm, and giving up his practice except in the immediate neighborhood. Israel Potter, a brother of the Doctor, settled in the same neighborhood and at the same time.

The first marriage in this pioneer settlement occurred in 1818, when a daughter of Daniel Thurston was united to Israel Wood. He had emigrated from the old home of the Thurstons in New York. The first death was that of the infant child of James Longwell in 1828, and was the first burial in the old graveyard just north of Eden village. The law had its first representative in Daniel Thurston, who was elected Justice of the Peace in 1821, an office he held three years. Old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, was the first practicing physician. From 181 7 to 1842. he and Dr. Loofbourrow were the doctors for this section. The County Infirmary is located in this township. Its history will be found in the chapter devoted to the institutions of the county. The first railroad built through Delaware County passed through the western part of this township. It is now a part of the "Big Four" system. Leonardsburg, or Eden station, is the principal shipping point, and is located near the north line, six miles from Delaware. It was laid out by S. G. Caulkins in 1852, and was called Leonardsburg for A. Leonard, the first merchant.

The village of Eden was surveyed and laid out by Isaac Eaton, for the proprietors, Daniel G. Thurston and Isaac Leonard, who owned the land. The location chosen at the crossing of the road running east and west, and the one running north and south along the Creek, as an eligible site for a prosperous village. The first house in the village was a log cabin built by John Finley; the first frame dwelling was put up by William Williams soon after his removal to the neighborhood. Joseph Leonard was the first merchant. He had the trade all to himself until 1838. when Williams & Loofbnurrow opened a store, and thus created competition. About 1829 or 1830, a blacksmithshop was opened by C. Thrall. In 1838, the

Government commissioned C. M. Thrall the first postmaster at the village of Eden, and called the office Kilbourn. A little later a tavern was opened by Seymour Scott, the first in the place. The town hall was built by subscription, and is used for all public meetings.

Henry R. Smith and John Reed, justices of the peace; Henry Kunze, S. T. Sheets, and J. A. Waldron, trustees; Charles Leonard, clerk; F. A. Stickney, treasurer: Frank Heinlen, assessor; F. E. Mayfield and Harry Haney, constables.

Lying in the southwest corner of Delaware County, Concord is one of the county's most interesting townships in point of historical heppenings and incidents of pioneer life. The derivation of its name is unknown, but the popular belief exists that it was named from the town of Concord, Massachusetts, of Revolutionary fame. Delaware was set off from Franklin County in 1808, and three townships established in the new county, of which Liberty was made to include what is now Concord. When Union Township was created June 16, 1809, it included that part of Concord lying west of the Scioto River. April 20, 1819, Concord Township came into being, its boundaries being fixed in the following manner : "Beginning at the county line between Franklin and Delaware Counties, on the east bank of the Scioto River, and running up the river to where the range line between 19 and 20 strikes the river ; thence north on said range line to the southeast corner of fourth quarter, fifth township, and twentieth range ; thence west to the Scioto River, thence up said river to where the State Road from Delaware to Derby crosses the same ; thence westward along the south line of said road until it strikes the westerly line of survey, and extra No. 2,994; thence southwardly on said line and mi the west line of survey Nos. 2.993. 2.989, 2,998, 3.006, 3,005 and 2,991, to Franklin

County line; thence east to the place of beginning'." Very irregular in outline, it was taken from and added to so frequently in early days, it became a matter of jest as to whether those who resided near the border, would awaken in the morning in the same township in which they had sough repose the night before. About 1852. Scioto Township was allowed one school district from that portion of Concord lying east of Scioto River, extending north, between the river and Delaware Township, to the south line of Radnor. A few years later, on petition of the voters affected a school district was added from the southwest part of Delaware Township, for political reasons, it is thought; and still later a small triangular part of the southwestern part of Liberty Township was added, but in a fewyears restored to that township. A school district lying in the bend of Mill Creek, in the northwest part of Concord, was segregated and annexed to Scioto. This was the last of the many changes. That part of the township lying west of the Scioto River, originally formed a part of the old Virginia Military Lands, anil the farms were laid out by the claimants' surveyors to suit them, being extended one direction to include a desirable building spot, another direction to take in a valuable spring, and so on as their fancy led them, without regard to sections or section lines. This land was heavily timbered with oak, walnut, hickory, sycamore and maple, and east of the river, between Bellepoint and Delaware Township, there was a vast swamp, considered valueless in the early days. It was many years before there was a road to Delaware through this swamp, the settlers going to that city, either by the old pack-horse trail two miles south, or by Rigger's Ford, where the covered bridge on the Marvsville Pike en ^sed the Scioto, and the State Road. After the surrounding forest had been cleared away and an effective system of drainage instituted, the swamp land was reclaimed and became very valuable as it was exceedingly fertile. Scioto River. Mill Creek, Big Run and Deer Lick Run are the streams of Concord Township, and the first named, affording excellent rafting in the days before the construction of many dams, drew many of the early residents who were thus placed within easy reach of Columbus and other river towns. The business of rafting was carried on extensively, trips down the river being made, sometimes, as far as the Ohio River. Mill Creek excelled in its water power, not showing the effect of the dry seasons as early as did the Scioto.

The first white settler of Concord was George Hill, an old Revolutionary soldier, who, in 181 1, made his way from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on pack horses, and settled two miles south of Bellpoint on the banks of the river. He built a log cabin on the site of the old Hill home, which he built of stone in 1823. and there with his family lived among the Indians, who were his only neighbors for a short time. His brother-inlaw, Christopher Freshwater, followed him shortly to Delaware County, making the journey from Pennsylvania, afoot, being handicapped in his travel by a gun and broad-ax which he carried on his shoulder. He bought fifty acres adjoining Mr. Hill's, and for many years followed his trade of carpentering. Many of his descendants still reside in the county. Joel Marsh, the third settler in point of time, located near Hill and Freshwater, and his marriage to a daughter of the former, was the first in the township. George Freshwater, son of Christopher, was the first white child born there, and Mrs. Hill, mother of George Hill, was the first who died in the township, as well as the first buried in Hill Cemetery. She was eighty years old when the journey was made from Pennsylvania, and died in 182 1, aged ninety years. John Day. Sr., a negro slave. the property of George Hill, was brought here in 181 1 and immediately upon arrival was granted his freedom. After living there some years he moved to Delaware. Among others of the name linked with Concord's early history, may be mentioned those of William Carson, who came in 1821 ; George Oiler, who located on the east bank of the Scioto ; James Kooken, the original proprietor of Bellepoint, win 1 had l>een a man of prominence prior to locating in Concord in 1835; J. E. Hughes, step-son of James Kooken ; John Robinson ; William Jackson, who was a child when his father brought him to the vicinity (if White Sulphur Springs; D. W. C. Lugenbeel, who for more than half a century taught school without missing a term ; John Cutler, first township treasurer and owner of 800 acres of land ; Daniel Creamer ; Francis Marley. the pioneer blacksmith; Joel Liggitt ; Gilbert Smith; Jacob Wolford; John Black; Daniel Gardner: William Stone; John Jones; Aaron Gillett; John Artz ; Thomas Bryson ; and A. Depp, a colored resilient whose coming dates back to [834, when he purchased a tract of 400 acres. The last named was the organizer of the old colored Baptist Church, long since abandoned and torn down, which stood on bis property and was known as "Depp's Church." Dr. Samuel White, another colored citizen, came in 1836 and for many years was a practicing physician near the Industrial Home. Among the first to locate in the Mill Creek Settlement was Colonel Sebum Hinton, who bought and settled upon 1,000 acres of land. There he built the first saw and grist mill of the township, which afterward was enlarged and for many years did a flourishing business. In connection, he conducted a store at his mill. Others of Mill Creek settlers were William Smart, who came from Pennsylvania; Presley The first bridge in the township was built over Said; Daniel Robbins; and Randall Murphy. Mill Creek by the people of the neighborhood and was located on the line of the old Sandusky Millitary Road.

The White Sulphur Springs, or Fountain, as it is sometimes called, is the home of one of the State's most important institutions. The Girl's Industrial Home, one in which the county and state take a just pride. The history of the Springs date back to the time the firm of Davis & Richards made borings for salt, but instead of that article struck a great flow of sulphur water at a depth of (.60 feet. They left off operations in discouragement, and the well remained in an unfinished state until 1X42, when Nathaniel Hart conceived the idea of establishing a watering place for pleasure and health seekers. Purchasing the property of its owner, Christopher Freshwater, he erected a large building and several cottages for the accommodation of guests. His success was not such as anticipated and in time Mr. Hart sold to' Andrew Wilson, Jr.. who continued the place as a resort until 1865. At that date a transfer of the property was made to John Ferry, who remodeled, enlarged and refurnished the house at a considerable expense. He carried on the business with but little success until 1869, then sold the property to the State of Ohio, which established thereon the State Reform School for Girls, which project was the result of a petition to the Legislature by some of the benevolently inclined citizens of Delaware county. The name of the institution was changed in 1872 by special enactment of the Legislature to "The Girls Industrial Home."

The village of Bellepoint, situated in the angle formed at the junction of Mill Creek and Scioto River, was laid out by James Kooken in 1835, and wild speculation followed for a time, the value of lots going steadilv upward on the strength of a plan to slack the Scioto River and fit it for steamboat navigation. It was soon demonstrated that slack water navigation was impracticable, owing to the fall of the river between Bellepoint and Columbus, and choice lots in the new town became, suddenly, almost worthless. Its founder and a few others still strove to build up the town, but their efforts met with failure. A post office was established there in 1836-37, with Walter Borgan as postmaster. A tavern, conducted by Josiah Reece, the blacksmith shop of Francis Marley, a church and school house, together with a few dwellings, was the extent of Bellepoint' s claim to classification as a village.

Concord Township, peopled with an intelligent, refined and law-abiding class of citizens, was rudely awakened from its peaceful pursuits on September 8, 1838. when the news spread that a cold-blooded murder had been committed on the camp-meeting grounds, near Rigger's Ford. An Irishman, a stranger in tin- community, had been killed by Levi Bowersmith as the result of an argument over money matters. The Irishman had engaged the Bowersmith brothers, Isaac and Levi, to haul some goods from Columbus to the campmeeting grounds, and the job completed, it is said the latter demanded a larger sum of money than that agreed upon. Hot words were passed and the two brothers left the cabin in a rage, but Levi soon returned and with a club struck the Irishman on the back of the head, crushing his skull. The victim of this assault died soon after in the cabin of Protus Lyman. In the trial which followed, Isaac Bowersmith was acquitted, and Levi was found guilty, being sentenced to one year of imprisonment.

Delaware was originally set off as one of the divisions of the newly formed county of Delaware, on June 16, 1808. and included the whole of Township 5 and the northern halt of Township 4 of the United States Militan Survey ; Station 3 of Brown, and Section 2 of Berlin. In 1816 Troy was formed, taking off the northern half of Township 5, and on January 8, 1820, the Berlin Section was taken off. Brown was organized in 1826, leaving Delaware in regular sha.pe and five miles square, though composed of parts of two Congressional Townships. In 1852 a piece of territory a mile square was taken from the southwest corner of the township and annexed to Concord in compensation for the surrender of certain territory to Scioto, leaving Delaware in its present shape. It is bounded on the north by Troy, on the east by Brown and Berlin, on the south by Liberty and Concord, and on the west by Concord, Scioto and Radnor.

The township is watered by the Olentangy River and its tributaries, which stream enters near the center of its northern boundry and runs in a general southerly direction, with a slight eastern trend. The principal tributaries are Delaware, Rocky, and Slate Runs, which, together with the main stream, affords ample drainage for the greater part of the township.

on the north side of the run, about where Monnett Hall of the Ohio Wesleyan University now stands. The land along this western bank is high rolling ground, extending toward the northwest. Along the east bank are the rich lands known as "second bottoms." which consist of a fine gravelly loam, admirably suited to agricultural purposes. This changes to clay as the high lands farther back are reached.

Most of this district was formerly well timbered, especially along the banks of the Olentangy. which was fringed with a heavy growth of oak and maple, save for occasional clearings made by the Indians. South of Delaware Run there were also a number of elm swamps, while the black-ash and the burroak abounded and. indeed, may still be found. "The site of Delaware City was covered with a tall growth of prairie grass, with a fringe of plum trees along the run. with here and there a scrub oak or thorn apple."

Some years after Wayne's great victory over the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timber, or about 1802, the Delawares reluctantly tore themselves away from the land of their forefathers, never to tread its soil again as lords and owners. The vanguard of white settlers followed close upon the heels of the retreating redskins ; the sound of the axe was soon heard in the forests, and the log cabin of the hardy pioneer, surrounded by the usual clearing, here and there gave evidence of the new era of civilization and progress that arrived, and that the long centuries of primitive savagery - of barbarism in war and idleness in peace - had passed away forever.

The site of the present city of Delaware was early recognized as an admirable location for settlement. The main title of emigration in the comity, as has been pointed out by a previous historian, had made its way up the valley of Alum Creek, following the main Indian trail, "along the fertile hanks of the Scioto, and by the old Granville Road, forming settlements in Radnor, on the forks of the Whetstone, in Berkshire, and in Berlin. The first colony did, indeed, follow the Olentangy, but it stopped at Liberty, leaving Delaware an- 'undiscovered country.' Thus, while the forests all about were ringing with the blows of the pioneer's axe. the township of the greatest future political importance stood desolate amid the ruins of her early habitations."

In their excursions through the woods the first settlers here found growing in a tangled mass of tall grass and thickets an abundance of wild cherries, plums and grapes, and the neighborhood soon became the scene of many a frolic and pleasure excursion. In more recent years stock-raising has proved a profitable industry, and some of the finest specimens (if blooded horses, cattle and sheep to be found in the State may be seen here. While the progenitors of much of this stock were imported from England and other countries, many specimens, the result of local breeding, have been exported and have brought fancy prices abroad. More detailed information concerning this important industry may be found in other parts of this work.

The story of the rise and growth of Delaware City will be found given in a special chapter devoted to that subject, while an account of its leading industries, its churches, banks, public institutions, etc., pertaining to the city proper may be found in separate chapters devoted to those special subjects, and therefore need not be enlarged upon here.

From an early period the settlement of Delaware evinced so sturdy a growth as precluded the probability' of anything like rival villages within the limits of the township.

high land east of the river and just north of Sugar Creek, was laid out as a town, in 1852, by Dr. Ralph Hills, and has since become a part of the city. Stratford on the Olentangy was laid out in 1850 by Hon. Hosea Williams and H. G. Andrews, and consisted of seventeen lots on the west bank of the river fronting on Sandusky Street. The chief object of this settlement was to furnish homes for the hands employed in the mills at this point, a number of which have at different times been established here. The first mill was built as early as 1808 and afterwards became the property of Colonel Meeker, who rebuilt and enlarged it. in 1829 adding facilities for carding and fulling.

In 1838 the old flouring mill, with the privileges and property, were bought by Judge Hosea Williams and Caleb Howard for the purpose of establishing- a paper-mill. A newdam was erected and the mill commenced operations, October 1. 1839. It was John Hoyt, the first superintendent, who gave the classical name of Stratford to the place. In October, 1840, the building was damaged by fire, but the damage was shortly repaired and the building improved, and in the fall of 1844, Mr. Howard sold his interest to H. G. Andrews. In 1849 the old flouring-mill was fitted up for the manufacture of wrappingpaper and turned out about half a ton per day. In February, 1857, the mills were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $25,- 000, with an insurance of about $10,000. In the following November a two-story stone building, 50x80 feet, with several additions was built at a cost of about $30,000. Among those who have been associated in this business are J. H. Mendenhall, who became a partner in 1871, and V. T. and C. Hills. An artesian well was sunk 210 feet through solid limestone rock to furnish the water for purifying purposes.

The first purchase of land in Delaware Township was made by Abraham Baldwin and consisted of 8,000 acres, including the third section of Brown and the northeast section of Delaware. The patents were dated December 24, 1800, and were signed by John Adams.

Axd Representative Citizens

President of the United States of America. Mr. Baldwin came from a well known Connecticut family numbering main- distinguished men among its members. He was horn in New Haven and was graduated at Yale College in 1 77-. He served in the Revolutionary army, and alter the war, having studied law, settled in Savannah, Georgia, being soon after chosen a member of the Legislature of that State. He was the originator, and for some time president, of the University of Georgia. Fie was a member of the Connecticut Congress from 1785 to 1788. and a member of the convention that framed the constitution of the United States. From 1789 to 1799 he was a representative in Congress, and from 1799 to 1807 he was a member of the United States Senate, of which lor a part of the time he was president pro tern. He was a man of large wealth and owned considerable land in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Iowa. In Ohio he bad 16,000 acres in Licking County. March 1, 1801. he sold 500 acres of the original purchase to William Wells, one-half to be located on the northeast corner of Delaware Township, and the other on the northeast corner of Section 3. in Brown.

Mr. Baldwin never married and at his death, which occurred March 4, 1807. it was found that he had devised the remainder of this property to his three half-brothers and two halfsisters. The heirs being widely separated in point of residence, the property soon passed by power of attorney or purchase into the control of one of them - Henry Baldwin, a lawyer of Pittsburg. Henry Baldwin was subsequently approached by Colonel Byxbe and between them some arrangement was made which resulted in the founding of the city of Delaware. The further history of the platting of the town will be found elsewhere in this work.

Though the first purchase of land in Delaware Township was made by Abraham Baldwin as above stated, the first actual settler within the township's limits was John Beard, who took up land in the southern part of the township. December 2, 1807, be purchased of Benjamin Ives Gilman, of Marietta, Ohio, 624 acres in a square piece situated on the west bank of the Olentangy River, its southern line forming a part of the boundary line of the township. After erecting a cabin on the bank of the river he brought his family there, and in the following spring commenced the erection of a log grist-mill, being assisted by Ira Carpenter of Liberty. He seems not to have been very successful as a pioneer settler, however, and in February, 181 1, he sold his property to Colonel Forest Meeker, a native of Rutland, Vermont, who had emigrated to Pennsylvania in 170,7, and who had subsequently resided for a time in Chillicothe, Ohio, and in Bourbon County. Kentucky. Colonel Meeker soon had plenty of neighbors, as later, in 181 1, quite a colony came from Virginia and another from Pennsylvania, settling in his vicinity. Among the Virginians were Robert Jamison, John Shaw and Matthew Anderson, while the leading Pennsylvanians were Frederick Weiser, Robert McCoy, Joseph Cunningbam, John Wilson and Andrew Harter. In the following year came Samuel Hughs from Virginia, in 181 3 Elias Scribner, and in 1814 Reuben Ruby came from Kentucky.

This settlement being within easy reach of saw and grist-mills, furnished with practicable roads, and with a regular mail service, grew and prospered. The best farming lands being found along the river were soon taken up byr the settlers. About 1812 John and Henry Worline bought land on the east side of the river, but sold out in three or four years and moved to a more northerly part of the county. Albreight Worline came in 181 4 with his family of four boys and two girls, the boys being each old enough to render assistance in clearing a farm. William Sweetzer settled north of the Worlines on the same side of the river, coming from Dummerston, Vermont, in 181 5, after a journey of forty days through the wilderness. He bought the property of John and Henry Worline. His family consisted of his wife, five boys and three girls, the youngest child being only six months old at the time of their settlement here. With them came Hosea Miller and family and two young men - Solomon and Wilder Joy. Rutherford Hayes came in 1817 from Vermont,

After the War of 1812 settlements began to increase west of the river and along Delaware Run, the good fanning lands being speedily taken up. The following names are taken from the Delaware poll-book of the first election held October 11, 1808, and are given in the order of their voting: Thomas Vanhorn, Asahel Hart, John Aye. Pennsylvania, Jacob Filgey. George Soop, Moses Byxbe, Massachusetts, Peter Ealy, Silas Dunham, Rhode Island, Appleton Byxbe, Massachusetts. Timothy Squire. Solomon Smith, Massachusetts, Ira Carpenter, Pennsylvania, Solomon Finch, Roderick Crosbey, Moses Byxbe, Jr.. Massachusetts, William Little. Connecticut, Noah Sturdevant, Jacob Drake, Pennsylvania, Nathaniel Little, Connecticut, Thomas Butler. Massachusetts, Salmon Agard, Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Osborn, Azariah Root, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Disbury, Alford Carpenter, Clark Beebe, Charles Robbins, Alexander Enos, Noah Spaulding, Vermont, Daniel Munsey, Josiah Grant, and Reuben Lamb.

The rest of the history of Delaware Township is closely bound up with that of the city and will be found as already intimated in the various chapters devoted to special subjects to be found in this work, and to some extent in the lives of prominent citizens herein given. The following are the township officers for the year 1908. as reported to the county auditor :'

Genoa Township is bounded on the north by Berkshire Township: on the east by Harlem; on the south by Franklin County and on the west by Orange Township. It is five miles square, and is in the territory known as United States Military Lands. The western half of the township was included in the original township of Berkshire, and the eastern half was in the township of Sunbury. When Harlem Township was cut out of Sunbury, it included all of what is now Genoa Township. The present bounds of Genoa Township were established June 4, 181 6. Its name was suggested by an early settler who wished to do honor to the birth-place of Christopher Columbus. Running through the western half of the township from north to south, on the line traversed by the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus railroad, is a ridge which forms the water-shed between Big Walnut Creek on the east and Alum Creek in Orange Township. On either side of the ridge, the land is comparatively level, although the surface is broken up considerably along the banks of the Big Walnut, and east of 'the creek is more or less rolling. The highest shale cliffs in the county are to be found in the northern part of the township, on what is known as "Yankee Street," about two miles south of Galena. Here as elsewhere along the banks of Big Walnut, are to be found outcroppings of fine Waverlv sandstone. Here and there in the beds of shale a thin layer of an inferior limestone is to be found. Some of the early builders were tempted to use this because of the ease with which it can be quarried, but they soon had their labor for their pains, as this stone disintegrates when exposed to the air. The Big Walnut Creek, to which reference has alreay been made, is the principal stream. It Hows in a sinuous course from north to south through the eastern half of the township. Originally its banks and the lands adjacent were heavily timbered with black walnut trees. The bottom lands along the creek are especially fertile, but these places are frequently overflowed in seasons of freshet, causing the loss of a crop occasionally. All the older men now living here remember the freshet in September. 1866, when cattle, sheep and hogs were drowned, and haystacks and small sheds and buildings were floated and carried down the stream.

Jeremiah Curtis, a native of Hartford, Cmnecticut, was the first settler in this township. He arrived in Berkshire in 1805. but soon after he purchased a section of land on Yankee Street from Colonel I'.yxbe, upon which he located in 1806. I lis land was on the Big Walnut near the oxbow head of the creek. At that time Chillicothe was the nearest milling point, so Curtis built a mill, and still-house, which was a great convenience to the settlers. In 181 1 he moved to Marietta, tor the protection of his family during the war which was impending, and which he believed was sure to come. He died June 21. 18 13. Later his son. who became the Hon. John Curtis, came hack with the family to the farm in this township. He was ten years old when the family first came to Ohio, and became a prominent and influential man who was sought for positions of responsibility. John Williams, who was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, came here and erected a cabin on the hill where the covered bridge crosses the Big Walnut, and the following summer brought his wife and ten children to their new home. He was a devout man. and like the apostle Paul, worked with his hands while he preached. His first sermon in this neighborhood was preached in Joseph Latshaw's cabin. He died five years after coming here his son William joined a part of the army, in 1812. that was on its way to Fort Meigs, and fought the British and Indians there under Harrison. When the war was over he returned to the township and settled near his father's farm. Thomas, another son. had .1 farm nearby on the Creek. His oldesl son, James, was the first white child born in Genoa Township. A Xew Englander by the name of Joseph Latshaw came here in 1807 from Berkshire Township. His farm was in the northern part of the township, southwest of Galena In the latter part of the same year, David Weeks emigrated from Saratoga County, Xew York, and located in the northern part of the township. William Cox. a Pennsylvanian, also came into the township that year. He located in the oxbow bend of the Big Walnut. where he resided until his death. The next year, 1808, Marcus Curtis, a brother of Jeremiah Curtis, and Elisha Newell came with their families from Connecticut. Curtis bought 681 acres of land in the northeastern part of the township, on Yankee Street. He soon began to make brick from the clay which he found on his farm, and erected the first brick structure in the township. He also introduced short-horn cattle into the township. He bought his brother's saw- and grist-mill and operated them both for a time, but as this venture was not successful he disposed of the mill to Hezekiah Roberts. The same year. Alexander Smith came from Pennsylvania and settled in the central part of the township. He became a prominent citizen. He was a successful farmer, held township offices and was an elder in the Presbvterian Church.

In 1809 Elisha Bennett came here from Pennsylvania. When it was decided to set off and organize the present township of Genoa, it was he who suggested the name which was adopted. His farm was near Maxwell Corners. One of the early settlers was Jonas Carter, but it is not known just when he came from Xew England. He settled on the Big Walnut, hut after clearing a small part of his farm, he sold it to Jonathan Dyer and went to Indiana.

In the spring of 1810 Hezekiah Roberts came to this township from Pennsylvania and bought Joseph Latshaw's farm. He was a blacksmith, and he set up the first shop for that kind of work in this region. He was one of the first farmers to raise flax. He bought the old Copeland mill and moved it to the west side of the creek, where he ran it for a number of years. His son, later familiarly known as "Long John" Roberts, was the second white child horn in the township. When his father was no lunger able to follow his trade. John succeeded to the business, which he carried on for forty years. Fulrad Seebring also came to tin- township in 1810. His farm was located on the Big Walnut, about midway of the township from north to south. The same year Ary Hendricks located on a farm southwest of Galena, and Thomas Harris and his son-in-law Henry Bennett came here.

They came here from Hocking County, to which they had emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1805. Three years later they settled in what is now Harlem Township, and in 1810 came over into this township, and located on Yankee Street. Thomas Harris lived to be one hundred years and six months old. His son Samuel was frozen to death in his wagon on his return from hauling provisions to the soldiers at the north. Byxbe Rogers, who had served during the entire, seven years of trie Revolution, came here in 1810, from Knox County, to which he had emigrated the previous year from Pennsylvania. He was largely influential in bringing about the establishment of the township of Genoa. His death occurred in 1825. The first shoemaker in the township was Jacob Clauson, who came from the Keystone State in 1810. He found that there was not enough work here to keep him busy at his trade, and so after a short time he closed up his shop and went to Franklinton. While looking lor work there, he assisted in raising the first log cabin upon the site where the city of Columbus now stands. He found work as hard to get in Franklinton as in Genoa, so he came back here, cleared a piece of ground and followed farming as long as he lived.

Johnson Pelton and Sylvester Hough came into this township in 1812, and settled just south of Galena. Another of the early families to come in here was the Mitchum family from Xew England. The husband and father died at Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, while enroute, but the family continued the journey until they reached Genoa. An interesting story is told of Hines Mitchum, one of the family. He was a very religious man, and used to journey to great distances, for the purpose of participating in the church exercises. Moreover, he was an excellent singer, and his presence was often sought, and always appreciated. There was a quarterly meeting (it will be seen by this that he was a good Methodist) to be held at the little town of Westerville, on a certain evening, and as the meeting was to close with singing and other appropriate exercises, he was cordially invited to attend, and on the afternoon preceding the evening of the I clay on which it was to be held, he started for Westerville. At that time, a dense woods stretched away for miles in every direction, and there was not even an Indian trail leading- from the settlement on the Big Walnut, in Genoa Township, to the town of Westerville. But Mitchum, trusting in his knowledge of the woods, started in the direction of the town. Dusk found him quite a distance from his destination, and he was plodding along, unmindful of the shadows that were creeping down upon him, when he was startled by a long howl, which set the blood curdling to his very heart. He knew that sound too well to be mistaken. It was the hungry famished cry of the gray wolf. Soon he heard the same cry at the north, then at the south and from every direction. He knew that he was surrounded, that he had not a moment to lose, so, selecting a tree that stood near, he was soon hidden among its branches, and none too soon, for scarcely had he seated himself on one of the limbs, than, with a mighty bound, a huge wolf sprang upon the spot he had just vacated. In a short time, the entire pack assembled at the bottom of the tree, and expressed their disappointment in howls of baffled rage. Mitchum appreciated the fact that he was in rather an uncomfortable position. Night was last approaching, and the idea of remaining in that tree until the next morning was anything but pleasant. Suddenly the thought struck him that he would sing. The idea was certainly a novel one. but worth the attempt, so striking up one of his familiar airs, he poured forth the notes in his most melodious strains. He had sung but a short time, when he was surprised to find that the wolves had ceased howling, and thus encouraged, he continued singing, while they all sneaked off. Whether they left in disgust, or felt the overpowering influence of his voice, he never said, but it is related that when he arrived at Westerville, just alter the meeting closed, he gave an account of his experience by saying that he had just come from a praise meeting, where the voices were naturally strong, but needed cultivation.

the East. Penny was one of the first teachers in the township. John Roberts settled on Yankee Street before the War of t8i2. He served under Harrison at the siege of Fort Meigs, and returned to his farm on the Big Walnut at the close of the war. The first physician in the township was a Dr. Duell, who came at an early date. Dr. Skeels was another early settler. William Hall, a native of the Green Mountain State, came to Ohio at an early date. He served in the War of [812, and after his discharge, he married Polly Curtis, in 1815, and settled on the Curtis farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. Other earlv settlers were Joseph Linnabury. win 1 emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in the south central part of the township. From 1816 to 1819 a number of families came into the township, among whom we can mention Dr. Eleazer Copeland and George Copeland. Diadatus Keeler, who introduced finewooled sheep and the China and Berkshire breeds of hogs into the township. Jacob Hartburn, Abraham Wells, E. Washburn, Roswell Cooke and the Dusenbury family were among those who came about the period mentioned. Rev. E. Washburn, a Presbyterian minister, became universally beloved. The people of this township have continued up to the present time to keep abreast of the progress of the age, making Genoa Township the peer of any other township in the County.

This township was named for that portion of New York City known as Harlem, which was given that name by the earlv Dutch settlers of that region in honor of a prosperous city of that name in their native land. This township contains even 16,000 acres of land, and is known and designated on the map of the United States Military Lands as Township No. 3 and Range 16.

The origin of these Military Lands is explained in the chapter devoted to the settlement and organization of the county. It is bounded on the north by Trenton Township ; on the east by Monroe Township, Licking County ; on the south by Plain Township, Franklin County, and on the west by Genoa Township. Of the larger streams running southward through Delaware County not one touches Harlem Township, but notwithstanding this fact, this township is well watered. Large runs and brooks, supplied by springs and spring runs. How from the east line of the township, in a south-westerly direction, to Big Walnut Creek. Among these we may mention Spruce Run and Duncan Run. A fewrods distant from the north line and about a mile and a half from the northwest corner of the township, is located a sulphur spring, on a farm that was long known as the "Dustin Farm." The character and water of this spring have been declared by competent chemists to be strongly impregnated with sulphur and magnesia, and other minerals, and is very similar in quality to the water of the White Sulphur Springs of the Scioto, and the Sulphur Springs at Delaware. The land in this township is almost uniformly level. Near the mouth of Duncan Run and the mouth of the Spruce, there is some rolling land; but of the eighteen townships of Delaware County, this in the character of the soil is most uniform. The soil is a deep black loam, and very productive; the general yield of all cereal and vegetable products in this township is much above the average, compared with other townships of the county. There is no waste land in the township. The timber in its native forest was luxuriant. Upon the high and rolling land was white oak. ash, sugar maple, hicl and beech, but the level lands were covered with burr-oak, white elm and black ash. Stock-raising has received considerable atten- tion here. Almost the entire population is engaged in fanning. There is little if any manufacturing. There are no mines, no canals, navigable streams or railroads nor any important town. Along and near the lower part of Duncan Run there are extensive stone quarries, which produce Waverly stone of the very best quality, but on account of the lack of transportation facilities, they have been worked but little.

There seems to be more certainty regarding the early settlers in this township than of the settlers in most of the other townships in the county. In 1803 a man named Duncan purchased Section 3 from the patentee, but failed to pay the purchase money, and in 1807, the sheriff of Franklin County sold the entire 4,000 acres at public auction to Benjamin Cook, Esq., for forty-two cents per acre. An amusing incident, illustrating the shrewdness and caution of this early pioneer, is quite appropriate in this connection. Among the New England families who emigrated to Ohio in 1805-06, was Mr. Cook, who came to Granville from Connecticut. While living there, he learned that this tract of land was to be sold to the highest bidder by the sheriff. He immediately prepared himself with the necessary funds, as lie supposed, to make the purchase. The terms of sale were cash in hand. He was compelled to keep his money upon ins person, to be read)- to make the purchase, in case he became the lucky bidder; and then again, he was going among strangers and was liable to be robbed. He dressed himself, foi In- own protection, in old clothes covered with patches and rags, permitted his beard to grow long, and put on a dirtier shirt than usual; in short, he presented an appearance of wretchedness and poverty. Beneath his rags ami patche- lie concealed his treasure. No one suspected that he had any money or was other than a beggar, and when lie commenced tii bid. the rival bidders ceased their competition. They supposed his bidding was a farce. and that he could not pay for the land if it was struck- off to him. In this shrewd transact ion, he illustrated the true Yankee character, to the amusement of those he outwitted.

He paid the sheriff the purchase money, obtained his deed, and immediately moved by way of Berkshire onto his new purchase. He kept five hundred acres of this tract, selling the balance to Colonel Moses Byxbe. He was the first settler in the township, and when he moved upon his claim, there was not even a cabin upon it, and until one was built, his family occupied an Indian shanty. Mr. Cook died in 1839. He was the first justice of the peace of the township, and held other official positions with honor and credit. Calvin Tracy Cook was the first white child born in 1 larlem Township. His birth occurred in 1808, and he died in 1831. The oldest child of Benjamin Cook was Benajah S. Cook, who was born in Connecticut in 1794, and was brought by his father to Harlem, where he married and settled on a large farm near his father's homestead. He was a great hunter in his day.

Stephen Thompson, who was a squatter, was the next settler in the township. He came here in 1808. He came with his parents when quite young, and before the American Revolution, from Ireland. The family settled in Pennsylvania. Me was a drum-major in the Revolution. At about the same time, a number of families came to this count}- from the same part of Pennsylvania - the Wyoming Valley. In 1S09, Rev. Daniel Bennett and family settled in 1 larlem on a farm near the center of the township. He was a local preacher and led an exemplary lite. His wife was a Miss Adams, the sister of Elijah Adams, w In 1 for many years was a squire. Rev. Adams's oldest daughter married B. Roberts, who settled in Centerville, probably nearly eighty years ago. Their oldest daughter became the wife of the late C. B. Paul, of Delaware. Mr. Paul filled several of the Harlem Township and county offices. He was the largest landholder in the township at one time. Before the Civil war, he served as count)- commissioner, and the first year of the war he was elected county treasurer, and held this office four years.

of Benajah Cook, and raised a large family. His oldest son, Abraham Adams, was admitted to the Bar, but died soon after at his residence in Columbus. Another son, Elijah B. Adams, was graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, just previous to the war. He enlisted as a private but soon rose to the rank of captain. Early in the war he had all the fingers on his right hand cut off by a sabre in the hands of a rebel officer. Unable longer to perform active service, he entered the invalid corps, where he remained until the close of the war. In [872 he was elected county recorder and re-elected in 1S75. -^e gave the people of the county a satisfactory administration of the office, ana upon his retirement in 1879. he removed to Columbus. Another brother, John Adams, was a justice of the peace in Harlem, but removed to Colorado.