Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 1 of 25)

History Also

'^ T is a source of regret that more care has not been taken to preserve the history of the early settlers of the County of Greene. As an illustration of this neglect, we give the following and only surviving and fragmentary history of John Paul: "John Paul sold to Joseph C. Vance, director for the per- VJIF manent seat of justice for said county, the 257'[ acres of ground, which con- and fifty dollars. He was also appointed to act as the first Clerk of Courts for said County, which office he held from the year 1803 until December 7th, 1803."

We find in the minutes of a special court that had been called, the following communication from Mr. Paul: "To the Commissioners of Greene County:

" Mr. Josiah Grover will attend as Clerk at your next meeting, and at the end of the same you may proceed to choose another Clerk in my place.

"John Paul, Clerk of Courts." The above is about all that we know of the original proprietor of the city of Xenia. and what applies to Mr. Paul is also true in regard to the most of our grand old pioneers; At the end almost of the ist Century of our State and County's birthday we find ourselves asking: Who was John Paul? From what state did he come? What became of him? Who were his ancestors, and who his decendants?

We seek in vain for an an answer to these questions in the old County histories. Those who could have answered are dead. One source only remains; the old official papers of the county that were supposed to have had "their day", and like a well worn garment were cast away, bo.xed up and put into many of the out of way places of different public county buildings.

In the early spring of 1897 the compiler of this work, having discovered the whereabouts of said papers, and being interested in the early history of our county, called the attention of the Commissioners then officiating, Messers. John B. Stevenson, John Fudge, James W. Pollock, and soon after, Lewis Smith, to the fact that in an upstair room of the Court House there were nine bo.xes stored away containing valuable county papers. No one knew what they were beyond the fact that many of them were the first papers of the county, and for lack of room, on account of the rapid increase of the legal business they had been carted away, thus making room for the papers of a later date.

Preface

We were told by the commissioners that they were aware of facts stated, that others before them also recognized that something should be done, but who could do the work ? The result was that the compiler of this work secured a contract for a small compensation per week to sort out and classify the records.

Out of twenty-five hundred cases at law, eleven hundred or more were found that were valuable on account of being decisions in regard to the first ownership and division of land. They were carefully assorted and put in shape, so that, when called for, could be found as readily as other papers of the county. In addition to the above mentioned papers there were found also the four books of the enumerators that had been appointed to take the names of the voters of the four townships into which Greene County had been divided at the first organization of the county, May lo, 1803. In these books were found the names of four hundred and thirty-nine persons, who, from the years 1803 to 1805, were living on land now comprised in every county north of Greene to the north boundary line of the state, and during which time Champaign County was established, which deprived Greene of her large northern domain. Also there were found the poll books of elections of the different county townships from its organization in 1803 to 1840.

Many reasons could be given why our pioneers failed to leave on record the many facts that we would like to know, but of which we today are ignorant. No nation under the sun has such a history as ours. Beginning with the small handful who first discovered the country, it has increased rapidly in growth, until now, in the morning of the year 1900, we have a population of seventy- five million inhabitants. Ohio, our own loved state, what a contrast we see between the Ohio of the year 1803 and the Ohio of 1900!

About the year 1830 we find a disposition among the first settlers to meet and talk over matters in reference to the organization of pioneer associations, and in almost every decade after in the history of the county, efforts would be made for that purpose; and in all their constitutions and by-laws we find a law as follows: "The object of this association shall be to preserve a true record of the early settlement of our county and its pioneers."

As far as we know, they failed in their laudable efforts. For a few years they would assemble and entertain each other, and then they would forget for years to meet. Many valuable articles would be read and afterward published in the papers of the day. The papers would be lost, and in those papers history that would be beyond price to us who are now living at the close of the first century of our state's history. However, many valuable papers have been found and have helped much to add interest to this effort to compile a History of the Pioneers of Greene County, from 1803 to 1840.

In my travels over the county from North to South, and from East to West, I have visited every graveyard in the county, and collected from the tombstones historical data which could not be obtained elsewhere. Many times would the beautiful parable found in the book of Ezekiel, thirty-seventh chapter, come to mind, whilst in some of the lonely graveyards of Greene County, and mentally, the question would arise, "Can these dry bones be made to live.'" By the aid of these same old papers and by patient research much has been found which I trust will be of interest to the people of Greene County.

And now, in conclusion, I desire to thank one and all who in any way gave aid to me in this work by their uniform courtesy, patience in answering questions, and granting the privilege of access to historical data which was in their care and keeping. Without mentioning names this will apply to the ofificers of our old Court House, to the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, to the Adjutant General of Ohio, the General Assembly of the State, War and Pension Department, Washington, D. C, to the men on their farms, in the towns, and to all who in this and other states have so promptly and readily responded to, and answered letters of inquiry in regard to their ancestors.

Oliiu was the first honi state uf the Xurlliwcst 'I'errilury ni.rth ui the Ohiu ri\- er. Its territurial era was from 1788 to J 803, under the ordinance of 1787. The first territorial legislature met at Chillicuthe Xovember 24, 1799, and adjourned January 29, 1801. The second territorial legislature met November 23, 1801, and adjourned January 23, 1802. According to William A. Taylor's grand compilation of facts, found in his able work, "Ohio Statesmen and Annals of Progress,"' a political revolution ensued at tlie close of the year 1802. The territorial government was overthrown, and tiie state government established. Thirty-six able men were chosen to formulate a state constitution, and take the necessary steps for admission to the Union of States. They met at Chillicothe Xovemljer i, 1802. Among the number were two who were at that date credited to Tlamilton county, but were at the time residing in the bounds of what is now Greene county, Greene as yet not organized. They were

John Wilson, living three miles south of the present site of Bellbrouk, near "Clio," and Ciil. John Paul, residing at what is now known as 'J'rebeins Station, and afterwards known as the founder of Xenia, Ohio, and also of Madison, Indiana. Under this constitution the state emerged from its territorial stage finally, by the passage of the act February 19, 1803. by congress, empowering the state to execute laws, by which she was admitted and fully recognized as one (if the states of the Union and thus becoming the seventeenth star as represented on the flag.

In tracing the original organization of our county of Greene, and the locating of the temporarv "Seat of Justice." for the same, we find that we are brought into near relatimiship with i'we counties of the state. Mannltun county was organized January 2, 1790, by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, and Ross was established eight years later, August 20. 1798. Without goin^;- into details as to the boundaries of the two counties from which, by an act of the legislature, the counties of \\'arren, Butler, Alontgomerv and Greene were taken, we would refer the reader to the authority, as to wlio it was wiio ga\-e to our county its name, Greene, and to whom we are responsible for our first courts being held in the township of Beavercreek, at the house of Owen Davis, or was sometimes called the house of Peter Borders. The township was named after Bea\-er creek, a branch that emptied into the Little Miami river.

\\'e find in vdlume one, page 303, of the Laws of Ohio, under date of March 24. 1803, an act for the division of Hamilton and Ross counties. Section i of said act applies to the formation of Warren county; section 2 of said act ai>[3lies to the formation of Butler county; section 3 of said act applies to the formation of Montgomery countv; section 4 of said act applies to the formation of Greene county ; section 5 of said act applies to, and reserves the right of Hamilton and Ross counties to make distress for all dues, and officers' fees unpaid by the inliabitants within the bounds of said new counties at the time of such division, etc. Section 6 provides that until a permanent seat of justice shall be affixed in the several new counties by commissioners appointed for that purpose, the following places shall be temporary seats of justice, and courts shall be lield thereat. In the countv of \\'arren, at the house of Ephraim Hathaway on Turtle creek. In the county (if Butler, at the house of John Torrence, in the town of Hamilton. In the county of Montgomery, at the house of George Newcome, in the town of Dayton. And for the county of Greene, at tlie house of Owen Da- \is, on Beaver creek.

they gave the new made counties just formed. The first county, Warren, named for General Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Llill. The second count}" formed, Butler, was named for a distinguished officer of the Revolution, General Richard Butler, who fell in St. Clair's defeat. The third county organized, Montgomery, was named after General Richard Montgomery, a soldier of the Revolution, killed in the assault upon Quebec. The fourth and last organized, Greene county, named for General Nathaniel Greene, another distinguished officer of said war.

Section 7 of this act also shows that our legislative fathers did not want anything like injustice to result from any action of theirs, and therefore enacted further that all the inhabitants of the counties of Montgomery and Greene, who lived north of the eighth range shall be exempt from any tax for the purpose of erecting court houses and gaols (jails) in the aforesaid counties of MontgO'Uiery and Greene.

Section 8 of this act provides that this act shall commence and l)e in full force from and after the first day of May next, making as it were I\Iay i, 1803, the birthda\- of Greene, Warren, Butler and ^lontgomery counties.

Thus it is shown by this act that in the formation of Greene and Montgomery counties to them was given a large exent of territory, extending from their present southern boundary to the north line of the state, and from the west line of the state to the cast line of (Iretne county.

.\s it is a matter of historical interest in \"iew of the fact that volume one of the Laws of Ohio enacted in the town of Chillicothe, at a meeting of the first general as- jemhlv of Oliio, is \'ery rare, and hence more ^-aluable, from it will give entire the original boundary of Montgomery and Greene counties as found in that number.

Section 3 of an act dividing Hamilton and Ross counties is as follows : That all that ])arl of Hamilton countv included within the following boundary, viz: Beginning I in the state line at the northwest corner of the county of Butler, thence east with the lines of Butler and Warren U> the east line of section number sixteen, in the third township, and fifth range; thence north eighteen miles, thence east two miles, thence north to the state line, thence with the same li> the west boundary of the state; thence south with said boundary to the lieginning, shall compose a thirtl new county called and known by the name of jMontgomery.

Section 4 of said act enacts that all that part ijf the county of Hamilton and Ross included m the following bounds, viz: Beginning at the southeast corner of Montgomery county, running thence east to the Ross county line, and the same course continued eight miles over the said county of Ross; thence north to the state lin^ thence westwardly with the same to the east line of Montgomery county, thence bounded by said line i.if Montgomerv to the beginning, shall comix)se a fourth new county called and known by the name of Greene.

From this it can be seen that part of the land then called Montgomery and Greene counties, was held but temporary, and the time would come when other counties would be formed from them. Such was the case with Greene, when February jo, 1805, Champaign county was organized, thus curtailing Greene -of her large northern botmdary. The founders of our county Greene. as will appear, were men who were well

At the same session of the general assembly, March 28, 1803. was enacted a law for establishing seats of justice for new made counties, as f(jllows:

Section i. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Ohio, that for each new county estal)lishe(l during the present or any future session of the legislature three commissioners shall be appointed whose duty it shall he to examine and determine wJiat part of said county so estal>- lished is the most eligible for holding the several courts within the said county, and it sliall be the duty of the secretary of state immediately to notify the persuns of their several appointments.

Section 2. And be it further enacted that no person residing within the county so established, or holding any real property within tiie same, and who has not arrived at the age of twenty-five years, and been a resident of the state one year, shall be eligil>le as a commissioner.

Many reasons ha\e been given w hy the first site chosen as the tempcrar)- seat of justice, five and one half miles west of the present city of Xenia. on what is now known as Ihe llarbinc farm, was not continued as the permanent county seat of Greene county. The best reason that we find, and we think the correct one. is to be found in secton 3 of this act. defining the duty of said section stating that they shall proceed to examine and select the most proper place as the seat of justice as near the cctifcr of the county as possible, paying regard to the situation, extent of population, and quality of the land, together with the general convenience and interests of the inhabitants.

Robixsoas History Of Greexe Couxty

after having agreed upon the place for the seat of justice, shaU make report thereof to the next court cf common pleas to he held in said county, if it appears no town has heen previously laid off at the place agreed on hv the commissioners, the court shall appoint a direct(n-, who. after giving sufficient hond for his faithful performance, shall he fullv authorized to purchase the land of the prol^rietor ur proprietors for the use and behoof of the county, and proceed to lay off said land into lots, streets and alleys under such regulations as the court may prescribe (see \'ol. I, page 109. Laws of Ohio, Alarch _'8, 1803).

^\'e are filled with admiration at the jjromptness to act, of our pioneer fathers. - "in the beginning" - as we have seen the formation of the four new counties was accomplislied by an act of the legislature, March 28, 1803, by the passage of an act for that purpose. Said act to commence and be in force May ist, 1803.

Ten tlays afterward. ]\Iay 10, 1803, in obedience to an act of the general assembly, passed April 16, 1803, wherein was made the duty of the associate judges of the court of common pleas, in each and every county \vithin the state then orgamzed, to meet on the lOth day of May, 1803, following at the places that had been designated where courts were to be held, and proceed to lay out these counties respecti\-el}- into a convenient number of townships, and also to determine for each township a proper number of justices of the peace, who were to be elected on the 2 1 St of June following.

This first meeting of the associate judges was called a court, but it was not for the trial of cases, but for the transacting of Inisiness pertaining to the organization of the countv under the laws which have been cited. William Maxwell, Benjamin Whiteman and James Barrett were the first associate judges, and as Mr. ]\Iaxwell had Ijeen a member of the first general assembly, and had helped to formulate and pass the laws which have been mentioned, and there can be no doubt but it was he who had selected his two associates. Whiteman and Barrett, and had himself taken the oath of office of associate judge, before lea\ing Chillicothe to attend this court, and the record says "he administered the oath to Benjannn Whiteman and James Barrett."

May 10. 1803. Court being duly organized. Col. John Paul was appointed clerk pro tail, to said court, and took the oath of office. The court then proceeded to lay off the county into townships, as follows : there lieing no counties north of Greene, the large strip of land extending from the present southern boundary of the county, to the north boundary line of the state, by the width t)f the county, was divided into four townships, namelv : Sugarcreek, Ceasarscreek. ^lad-River, and Beavercreek.

Tlie west line of Sugarcreek was the same as now, seven miles long, the northwestern corner of the township being at the northwestern corner of the tenth section in the western line of the county ; from this jioint tlie line extended south, along the western line of the county: seven miles, to the southwest corner of the same ; thence, east, crossing the Little Miami River, and the same course continued four miles east of the river \-ery nearly to the southeast corner of wliat is now Spring-Valley township; thence north ten miles, to a point due east from the point of beginning. This point, tile nnrtheastern corner of Sugarcreek township, was about two miles south, by a little west from the present city of Xenia. The township included what is now Sugarcreek, nearly all of Spring-\\illey, and the southwest part c.f what is now Xenia township.

In compiling and separating the old papers of the county, the four books, in which were tlie names of the first to settle in the four original townships were found, signed bv the enumerator of each of the f<iur townshi])s. James Collier took the names of those living at the time in Sugarcreek township, who were free white male inhabitants, v.ver the age of twenty-one. He comirer.ced the work August 3, 1803, and com- P'leted it .\ugust 10. 1803, reporting a total of 71. W'c will copy from his little book the names (if tlnise nf the aforesaid dale who were living in Sugarcreek township: Seth Anderson, Samuel Anderson, Alexander Armstrong, Robert Buckles, \\'illiam Buckles. James Buckles, Ejihram Bnwen, James Barrett, Sr.. James I>arrett, Jr., Samuel Brewster, Alexander Barnes, James Barnes, James Bruce, James Cunningham, James Clancey, James Collier, David Curry, Rev. Joshua^Carman, Joseph Campbell, John Ennis. Thompson Ennis, Samuel Ennis, Jeremiah Ennis, Isaac Gerard, John Gowdy, Thomas Hale, John Hale, Joseph Hale, Jacob Horner, Benjamin Horner. John Heaton, Jacob Hosier, John Irwin, Joseph James. John Knight, Capt. X'athan Lamme. Samuel Martindale. Ezekiel ^lartin, Samuel Alarlin. Isaac Martin, Miller. Roliert Marshall, John ^Marshall, John Mc- Knight, John McLean, Willis Xorthcutt, Joseph Robinson, Joseph Robinson, Jr., Edward Robinson, William Snodgrass, Sr., William Snodgrass, Jr.. James Snodgrass, Sr., James Snodgrass, Jr.. Robert Snodgrass, James Snowden, Jacob Snowden, Cyrus Sackett, Daniel Thomas, Abraham Thomas, \Mlliam Tanner, James Tanner, Abraham V'anEaton, John \'ance. Sr., John X'ance, Jr., Joseph C. Vance, Joseph \'ance, John Wilson, Sr,, John Wilson, Jr., Daniel Wilson, George Wilson and .\ndrew Cicnvdy.

Ceasarscreek township began at the ni:;rtheast corner of Sugarcreek. running thence Udrth to the Little Miami. It ran about half a mile west of the present city of Xenia, and intersected the Little Miami river west of Oldtown, at the mouth of Massies creek ; thence it extended east to the east line of the county. On the east and south it was bounded by the county lines. This township was about four times as large as Sugarcreek, extending north from the southern boundary about fifteen miles, and inchuled all of the .southeastern part of the county. The population of Ceasarscreek township at the time of its organization, ]\Iay 10, 1803, of the free white males, over the age of twenty-one, as taken by Joseph Price, first assessor of said townshii), was iifty-eight, old enoug'h to vote, and following are the names : James Bonner. Isaac Bonner. Jacob Bone, Samuel Bone, John Bellington. Josiah Elam, John A. Hoop, Stephenes Hoggert. Josiah Hunt, James Lijwrv. Joseph Lambert. Samuel Lee, John

Kobixso.Vs History Of Greene Couxty

Mad Ri\er township was Xo. 3, and its population at the time of organization was 156 of free white males over the age of twenty-one, taken by John Daugherety, of Springfield, first enumerator. Springfield liad been designated by the associate judges as the place in the afore.said township for holding electi(,ns, and at the house of Griffith Foose. This was the third tnwnsliip organized ; its southern boundary line was the south boundary of the loth range of the town.ship in what is now Clark county. This line extended east and west, and is two miles north, passing through the city of Springfield. Clark county, along which the national road passes. It was the largest township in the county; its width from east to west was the same as that of the county, and it extended to the northern limits of the state.

Robixsows History Of Greene Couxtv

Bea\ercreek was tiie next largest township, and the population of same as ascertained by Peter Popenoe. assessor of said township. May 10. 1 803. of all the free white male inhabitants over the age of twenty-one years,- was one hundred and fifty-four. It c(impriseil the remaining part of the county III it included in the three townships named; that is, all north of Sugarcreek and Ceasarscreek. and all south of ]Mad River township. The village -'of Springiield was in Beavercreek township, and the old fore?? trees that \vere then growing on the site of Xenia were in Ceasarscreek township.

Robixso.Vs History Of Greene Couxty

The above mentioned townships, which, as we have seen, occupied much more territory than is now comprised by Greene comity, were organized l)y tlie associate judges of the court of common pleas, and was the last act of the aforesaid judges in organizing townships for the county.

The total numlier of \-oters in Greene county when first organized : Sugarcreek township, 71; Ceasarscreek township, 58: Mad River, 156; Beavercreek, 154; total vote of the ccnnity. 4,39.

a century, much of historic interest is brought to light, and from them we find that John Paul, the founder of Xenia, Ohio, was a resident of what is now ( igoo) known as Trebines Station, in fact, had settled there in the year 1800. and had been the first to harness the waters of the Little Miami at that point, liaving Iniilt a sawmill, run by water power, and that station was then known as "Pauls ]\Iill." Tradition says while living at that jilace be had learned that the permanent seat of justice was to be located at the forks of Shawnee creek. PIj therefore hied away to Cincinnati and purchased the land on which the now city of Xenia is built. Subsequent events would indicate that such was the case.

August 2, 1803, was the day set for the first meeting of the ccurt of common pleas for Greene county. On the second day of this term (jcneral Joseph C. Vance was apjxiinted director, with power (according to tlie law that had been enacted for such purposes) to purchase the land for the use of said county, and proceed to lay oflf said land into lots, streets and alleys under such regulations as the C'lurt may prescribe. See laws of Ohio, page 309, \'ol. i. Sec. 4, of said act.

From tliis we would infer that previous to the meeting of this first court of common pleas the commissioners had 1)een appointed, and had located the permanent seat of justice, had settled all claims of competing towns, such as Ceasarsville. Pinkney and other places which tradition says wanted to be the county town of Greene county, and had decided in favor of the forks of Shawnee creek, tiirec miles fmm the mouth of where said creek emptied into the Little Miami ri\er.

Robixso.Vs History Of Greexe Couxty

\Micn the question is askecl, wlien was the present city of Xenia laid out? we knowthat at this first meeting of the court much liad l)cen clnne in that direction, and early in tlic fall of 1803 the work was finished.

James Galloway, Sr., was appointed treasurer of said county tlie next day after ^Ir. \'ance, winch was August 4. 1S03. At the Decemijer term of the court, 1803, he received $49.25 for his services. He, it is said, furnished his own chain men in making the survey, made a plat of the ti:\\n, and sold some lots. He had also ])urchased tlie land of Colonel John I'aul. And to the new made treasurer of Cirecne county Mr. \'ance is firmly Ijound as director of the new county seat of Greene county.

Inasmuch as tliis first Ixnid (the original of which is in the hands of the writer), the first bond given by any c)fticer in Cireene county, is of historic interest we will give entire the following true copy: Auditors office, Greene county, Aug. 4, 1803.

Know all by these presents that we, Joseph C. Vance. David Huston and Joseph Wilson, of Greene county, are respectfully held and firmly bnund unto the treasurer of said county and state of Ohio, or his successors in office, in the penal sum of fifteen hundred dullars as witness our hands and seals, etc.

The condition of the above mentioned obligation is such that if the above mentioned Joseph C. \'ance shall well, truly and faithfully discharge all and singular the duties, etc., of director for the purchasing of land, laying off and selling lots, at the seat of justice, for the aforesaid county of Greene, as established by the commissioners appointed bv the general assembly of the state of Ohio for that purpose, agreeable to an act in such cases made and provided, the obligation is V(;id and of none effect, otherwise it willstand in full force and \irtue.

As we have said, the first court was held in the house of Owen Davis, which was five and one-half miles west of the present city of Xenia, on what is now known as the Harbine farm, in Ikavercreek township.

The June term, 1804, was the last term of court held in the old log house down on Beaver. The present site of Xenia having been selected as the permanent seat of justice, Mr. \\'illiam A. Bealty, from Kentucky, was busy in front of our present court hcr,'>e cutting the logs to erect the first tavern in the new county seat. He had also rented the west room up stairs to the county for a court room, and it was a race between him atid Rev. James Towler which would be the first to finish their two-story log- cabins. Mr. Frederick Boner was building for 'Mr. Towler, on the lot now covered by H. H. Eavey's wholesale house. The tavern of Mr. Beatty was on the site now covered by the Leaman block, opposite the present court house. The evidence is in favor of ^Ir. Beattv as to who won the race, as his Ijuilding was finished and opened for business October i, 1804. The house was a hewedlog. double structure, two stories high, its length was from east to west, and width frt'ni north to south, and its west end was about fortv-five feet east of the southeast

The place that had been selected for tlie permanent connty seat of Greene connty was at tliis time covered by a dense growth of forest trees, as some one beautifully expressed it, "The whole country around the present city of Xenia Avas one unbroken forest, beneath whose sylvan shades the timid deer lay down to rest ; among whose branches tlie playful squirrel sported in freedom, the songs of birds made the forests redolent with music and was altogether a scene of natural lieauty and harmonv presenting itself to the senses - delightful and enchanting. But as if nature could not blend in such harmony, the charm is broken, the spell dispelled by the dismal howl of the \yo\i, i,r the blood-curdling wlioop of the red men. "^lid such surroundings our forefathers hewed a home for themselves and made it possible fi.;r us to have tlie beautiful homes we have to-day."

Down in what is now known as Clermont county, on its southern border near the Ohii) river, was a little town by the name of Bullskin, named for a small creek of the same name. From that place running north was a trail passing through Xew Burlington, thence what is now (1900) known as Detrcjit street. Xenia, and terminating at Urbana, Ohio. Starting west was another trail througli Franklinton, near the present city of Columljus. thence west over what is now known as Main street, Xenia, intersecting the Bullskin trail at the northwest corner of the public square, thence in the same direction t(j what is known as \\'est street. Xenia. thence south from that point througli Wavnesville. Lebanon and on to Cincinnati.

On the farm of Paris Peterson, four miles southeast of Xenia, had been commenced what was known as the town of Ceasarsville, by one Thomas Corneal, as early as the year 1800. A court house had been built, a public well also near by, and scattered here and tliere were cjuite a number of log cabins. In the early marriages of Greene county many parties were made one in tliat building, which had been erected for the court house by William I. Stewart, Esq. And it is also a fact that Ceasarsville was the one place of voting for Ceasarscreek township from May 10. 1803, until the organization of Xenia township .\ugust 20, 1805, when, as the record says, the first election for Xenia township shall be held in the house of \\'illiam A. Beatty, of Xenia.

Tlie compiler of this has in his iwssession the original tally sheet of elections held in Ceasarscreek township from the first di- \iding tlie county into townships, which was done ]\Iay 10, 1803. and from thr.t time until the organization of Xenia township the few pioneers then living at what is nowknown as Xenia voted at the house of William I. Stewart at Ceasarsville, going out the trail now known as the Wilmington pike.

In making arrangements lo remo\e from the old Court house some very valuable old papers have been found, which help to tell some of the stories of the past. Among them one which tells the names of the commissioners that had been appointed Iw the legislature to locate the permanent county seat of Greene county. They were Ichabod B. Helsey, Balden Apsby and \\'illiam Mc- Clelland. The same commissioners acted as such for ^Montgomery county.

Robixsox'S History Of Greexe Couxty

to show the aiithorit)- for every move that was taken to i rganize the county of Greene "in the beginning." And now we come to the time wlicn tlie permanent county seat liad been cliosen. an<l will proceed to tell how the said county seat came to be called "Xenia,"' and by whom named.

A few months ago the compiler of this sketch had the pleasure of meeting at Springfield. Ohio, Mrs. Maria Stone, youngest daughter of General Benjamin W'hiteman. Although in her ninety-third year, her mind was as clear as a perfect sounding bell when it came to talking of the long ago. It was with pleasure that we sat and listened as she gave her rccollectinns of tiie christening or gi\ing a name to the new seat of justice for the county of Greene, as she said she had heard her father tell time and again.

She rememhereil to have heard him speak of the time that he and his father-inlaw. Owen Davis, antl his good wife, Laticia Davis, had receixed an invitation from Joseph C. Vance, John I'aul. William A. Beatty and others, to meet witli them at the "cross-roads" (where Main street now intersects Detroit), and assist in giving a wAwt for the new seat of justice that had been selected and laid out by Joseph C. Vance. Of course, the invitation was accepted, and the (ieneral and his family were present that day with other pioneers who had been also invited, and there was somewhat of a crowd. Many names were proposed : ami.ing" them were the names of ^^'ashington, Wayne and Greenville. And it is also said that at this time there was a stranger, a scholarly-looking man, who stepped forward and said : "Gentlemen, allow me to suggest a name for your county town. In view of the kind and hospitable manner in which I have been treated whilst a stranger to most of you, allow me to suggest the name of "Xenia," taken from the Greek, and signifying hospitality.

Th.e name was accepted and placed among the names that were about to be balloted for. Several ballots were taken, and at last a tie between Xenia and another name which she could not recall. Out of compliment to Owen Davis, ilrs. Stone's grandfather, and who was also the owner of the building where the first courts of Greene county were held, and also the first miller in Beavercreek township, and a few years after the first miller in Miami township, near the present town of Clifton, Mrs. Davis was allowed to cast a vote, wliich vote was in favor of Xenia. And it is said that the stranger, as he started to ride away, after hearing the ballot was decided in favor of the name he had given, said, "Gentlemen, I thank you for deciding in favor of Xenia." That stranger was the Rev. Robert Armstrong, who one year later became the pastor of the Massiescreek and Sugarcreek associate congregations of Greene county.

The objec't of this sketch is facts and not tradition. In this version w-e have ample proof of the statements made of its correctness. James E. Galloway, yet living (May, 1900), says he retnembers to have heard his father, Major James Galloway, Jr., speak time and again of the circumstance as above related. In the records of the court held December term, 1803, we find that Rev. Robert Armstrong took out license to solemnize a marriage. That was about one year previous to his coming to settle permanently in this county, and while here he was called on for the purpose of joining a happy couple, and before doing so had to have a license.

Robixsox'S History Of Greexe Covxty

Ill the Cincinnati Commercial, underdate of April, 1854, also comes the following from ^liami Uni\ersity, signed "AI.." whiclT gives the same story with some slight changes. This writer claimed to have been a son of one of the early settlers of Xenia :

"The place contained a few houses, yet 't aspired to the dignity of a town, and commissioners, or whosoe\-ers business it was, had assembled at the tavern to decide on a name: many names were proposed, some whiskey drank, and the afternoon spent, hut on no name could the}' agree ; the evening came and went, and yet they were undecided. In the meantime a stranger had put up at the tavern, and his manner and dress bespoke one of education : they agreed that to him should be left the name for the village. The stranger was informed of their decision, and consenting to the arrangement promised them a name in the morning. Breakfast being over, the name was re- C|uested. He gave them "Xenia,' saying it was a Greek word meaning 'hospitality,' and that he gave it in consideration of his hospitable reception while a stranger in their midst.''

By an act of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, passed February 14, 1804, the ofifice of county commissioner was created as it stands to-day. Tlie first commissioner under this act was elected on the first Monday in April, 1804. They held their first court for the transaction of the business of the county in the following June, and at that meeting the following record was made : "At the liouse of Peter Borders, in Beavercreek township, June. 1S04. Jacob Smith, James Snowden and John Sterrett, Gents., produced certificates of their being duly elected commissioners for the countv of

Greene, and then there was a court held by the board of commissioners for said county, and John Paul was appointed clerk of said board of commissioners, and said commissioners cast lots for rank; Jacob Smith drew for three years, John Sterrett for two years and James Snowden for one year."

August 20, 1805, James Collier, John Sterrett and James ^IcCiiy and others presented a petition to the board of commissioners, at that time in session, for the above purpose, and was so ordered as follows :

It is considered by the board of commissioners that there shall be one township organized out of parts of Ceasarscreek and Beavercreek townships.

All that part of Beavercreek township east of the Little Aliami and above the mouth of Massies creek, thence with Beavercreek to\\nship, t(i the east corner of Sugarcreek township, thence with the Sugarcreek line to the mouth of Anderson's fork, thence up the main fork of Ceasarscreek with the meandcrings thereof to the east line of said county; thence north with said line to the northeast corner, thence west to the Miami, thence down the river to the beginning, whicli shall be called and known by the name of Xenia township. The first election shall be held at the house of William A. Beatty in Xenia. Previous to this the elections ha\-e been held at the house of William I. Stewart, Ceasarscreek township, at Ceasarsville, near the present residence of Mr. Pad Peterson.

Robixsox'S History Of Greene Couxty Robixsox'S History Of Greene Couxtv

At the time Xenia township was organized the following were then in office in Greene county: John Paul was clerk of courts and county recorder: William JNIaxwell was slieriff : James Galloway, Sr., was treasurer of the county : and the county commissioners were Jacob Smith, James Snowden and John McClain: the county surveyor was James Galloway, Jr. ; and the associate judges were Benjamin \\'hiteman and James Barrett, Sr. James Galloway, Sr., acted as treasurer of Greene county from the time of his appointment in 1H03 until the middle of June, 18 19, when he ga\-e way to Ryan Gowdy. Jolm Hi\-ling never was treasurer, neither was James Popenoe, hut were simi)ly tax collectors. They were both sheriffs at the time they were said to have been treasurers of the county, and as such were collectors of taxes.

Bath township was organized March 3, 1807. being taken from the territory of Eeavercreek, its sf)Uth line originally, as now, running east and west along the north boun- of the fifth of sections in the seventh range of townships. This line is one miie south of the village of Byron, extending from the west line of the county eas.t to the Little ^liami ri\er. The township included all the territory west of the Little Miami ri\er beween this line and what was then the south line of Champaign county. Bath township therefore extended two miles south of the present village of Osborn, and it included nearly all of what is now Mad Ri\-er and Green townshijis in Clark county, also the northwest corner of Madison townslnji in the same county.

The first election in this township was at the house of Andrew Reed, April 29, 1807, for the purpose of electing two justices of the ]jeace, which resulted in Andrew Reed being selected for the western portion of the township and Thomas Fream for the eastern portion, but both had quarters at what is now the village of Yellow Springs.

Mr. David Sleeth had been appointed to take tlie enumeration of all the free white males over the age of twenty-one years, and the following are the names of those he found in the new township of Bath : Jame.-- Andrew. Hugh Andrew, William Anderson, John Anderson. John .\dams, Darrow .\ims, Zachariah Archer, Samuel Aldridge, John Blue. Sr., John Blue. Robert Blue. David Blue, John Black, George Brown, Samuel Brown, Robert Bell, John Burgess. Samuel Butler. Enoch Bots, Richard Bennett. Jacob Beall, John Badlcy. James Beck. Oding Barton, Thomas Barnes, John Buffanbarger, Joshua Bozarth, John Barton, Thomas Barton, George Botkins, Adam Chambers, James Chambers, Joseph Carpenter. Christopher Carpenter. John Carpenter. Isaac Cruzan, Job Clemens. Jolm Casad. Sr., John Casad, Jr., Aaron Casad, Jacob Casad, Sr..

Robixsox'S History Of Greene Couxtv

Miami township was organized on the 8th day of June, 1808, being taken from Bath and Xenia townships. Its northwest corner was in the present Mad River township. Clark county, in the south line of Champaign county, two miles north of the present nurtheast corner of Bath townshii). From this point the west hne of Miami extended south seven miles to the southern line of Bath township : thence it extended east to the east line of the county. The present southern line of Miami is part of the original line. Extend the present southern line of Aliami two miles west and then east to the east line of the county and we shall havi the original line. ]Miami township then included in what is now Greene ctjunty, the nijrthern portions of what is now Cedarville and Ross townships, and in Clark county about one-third of Mad River township, all of Greene and one-half of ^^ladison township. The first election was held in the house of David S. Brodick at Yellow Springs.

Silvercreek township was organized ]\Iarch 4, 181 1, being taken from Ceasarscreek and Xenia townships, the greater part from Ceasarscreek. Its southwest corner was in the southern line of the county, one mile east of the old Ross county line; that is sex'en miles west of the southeast corner of the county ; thence it extends north eight miles, thence east seven miles to the east line of the county; thence south with said county line to the southeast corner of the county ; thence west to the place of beginning. Its northern limit originally was the same as that at present; it included all of what is now Jefferson township, and the eastern ])art of Spring Valley, about onefourth of the township. The first election was held at the house of Noah Strong in said township. At the organization of Jasper township, the 9th of June, 1853, a portion of Silvercreek township was added to the aforesaid township, and again on the "th day of June, 1858, Jefferson township was taken entirely from Silvercreek township.

Previous to the formation of this township there had been an election precinct at Bowersville. The petitioners for the new township were mostly from that part of the township. By the formation of this township, Silvercreek was reduced in size onehalf and to its present boundary.

Ross township .was organized on the same day with Silvercreek, March 4, 181 1. It was taken entirely from Xenia township, and is bounded as follows : Beginning at the northwest corner of Silvercreek township, it extended north to the south line of Miami, a distance of nearly six miles, thence east with the Miami line to the east line of the county; thence south to the northeast corner- of Silvercreek; thence west to the. place of beginning. Since its organization in 181 1 a portion of Cedarville township has been taken from it, and a portion of Miami added to it. In form it was originally a rectangle, seven miles in length from east to west, and nearly six miles in width from north to south. The first election was held at the house of John Bozarth.

From the old records of the county we find that Wilson McDonald, as lister, took the enumeration of taxable property in said township May 26, 1813, and from his returns we gather the following names as to who the residents of the township were at

At a court held at the court house in Xenia. on the 31st day of October, 1812, there being present Thomas Hunter, Peter Pelham and Benjamin Grover, commissioners, it was ordered that Miami township l)e divided as follows : Beginning at the northeast corner of section 30, in tifth township on the north side of Greene county line, thence south with the section line to the Miami river, thence to the northwest corner of Ross township: thence with said tijwnship line to Greene, continuing thence with said county line to the place of beginning. The said new township shall lie called and known by the name of X'ance township. It was ordered that Samuel Kyle, Esq., do survey and lay off \^ance township, agreeable to the above order, and make rejxirt thereof to the ne.xt court of commissioners. It was further ordered that the first meeting of the electors in \ance township for the purpose of electing township ofificers shall be at the house of Adam Peterson in said tow-nship on the first ]VIonday of November next.

On the 2d of January, 1812, Samuel Kyle reported as follows: "Pursuant to an order from the honorable board of commissioners of Greene county, I proceeded on the 31st day of December, 181 2, to survey and lay off Vance township as follows, viz. : Beginning at a stake and white oak northeast corner to section No. 30 in township 5 and range 8, thence south with the line of this section ( crossing a branch at three miles and seventeen poles, and the north fork of the Little Miami three miles and 143 poles, again at three miles and 169 jjoles) f(3ur miles and 135 poles to the Little ]\Iiami river ; thence south seventeen, east two miles, 202 poles to three elms and a burr oak, corner to Ross township; thence east seven miles to three white oaks in the line of Greene county, corner also to Ross township, thence north (crossing east fork of the Little Miami at three miles and 255 poles, and a branch at five miles and 129 poles) seven miles to a black oak, white oak and hickory, corner to Greene countv: thence west

(crossing a branch at 136 poles, and the nortli fork of tlie Little Miami at six miles and 19(1 poles) seven miles and 242 poles to the beginning.'*

An Old-Time Consent As To Marriage

This may certify tliat John B. Lawrance, of Ross township, Greene county, applied to me for my "Consent" to join in matrimony with my Daughter Armelia Vickers, of Vance Township, County of Greene. I have therefore granted the above John B. Lawrance, his request, to marry my Daughter in a Lawful manner agreeable to an act made and found for such cases. Therefore you may grant said License for the above named purpose, without any doubt of being called in question in any further jjeriod.

Given under my hand and Seal the day and year first written in pursuance of its being done in Vance Township, Greene County- Ruth Vickers. (Signed) John B. Lawrence,

Cedars-ille township was organized on the 6th day of December, 1850. It was taken from the townships of Xenia, Ceasarscreek, Ross and Miami; it was the first township organized with very irregular boundary lines, and therefore created corresponding irregularity in the boundary lines of the townships out of which it was taken. This township has been changed but little since its first organization.

In 1848, when an effort was made to form the township of Cedarville, some citizens of Ross objected to the measure, entering a vigorous protest against it, the parties making this protest saying to the commissioners: "Our reasons we will fully set forth in your presence, only adding here that we are not wiUing to have any of our township cut off. wliicl: is ah'eady too small, to gratify the caprice or spleen of any."

The commissioners ordered a notice to be given in three different public places of an election of three trustees, a clerk and a treasurer to be held on the 21st day of December, 1850, in the town of Cedarville, at the house of John W. Walker.

Was organized on the 7th day of June, 1858, being taken entirely from Silvercreek township. Previous to its formation there had been an election precinct at Bowersville, and the petitioners for the new township were mostly from that part. By the formation of this, the last township in this county, Silvercreek was reduced in size about one-half.

John P.Aul, The Founder Of Xenia, Ohio

Jdhn Paul was clerk of the courts of Greene county from 1803 to 1808. It is a source of regret that more care had not been taken to preserve the historv of the early pioneers of our county of Greene. Wt have the statement in a few words. "John Paul donated to the town of Xenia and county of Greene the ground for the public buildings," and again in answer to the question "Who was the founder of Xenia?" the answer is, "John Paul sold to the proper persons, who had been appointed to receive it, the two hundred and fifty-seven and three-fourths acres of ground which constituted the original corporation of Xenia." But who was John Paul, where did he came from, and what became of him? The compiler of this sketch had thought there would be no doubt but what our honored old townsmen, Thomas P. Townsley, could answer the aforesaid questions, but he said he could not. He said that when he made up his mind to marry he went to Pennsylvania and secured his "Paull," and that the founder of Xenia was no relation to his wife's people that he was aware of. he spelling his name Paul, whilst his wife's was Paull.

We gather the following from the records of Greene county : At the first organization of the county John Paul was at that time a resident of Beavercreek township, and at the first meeting of the associate judges at the "house of Peter Borders" for the purpose of laying off the county into townships John Paul was appointed as clerk of courts. In the minutes of said court.' which was held on the loth dav uf Mav, 1803. appears the following: "Jiihn Paul was a])])ointed to act as clerk for said cimrt, and tnok the oath of office," He continued to act as such until December 7. 1808, when we find in the minutes of a special court that liad been called the following communication from Mr. Paul : "To the Commissioners of Greene County: Mr. Josiah Grover

Captain Benoni Nesbitt (now deceased) gives us a very interesting story of John Paul. He intimates that before the selection i)t a permanent site for the cmmtv seat had been determined, Mr. Paul was then residing in a cabin "down on Beaver," and while there he learned that the point selected for the site of the county seat was at the fork of Shawnee creek. He forthwith closed his cabin, and was away to see the parties who were agents for the land that would comprise the new county seat, from whom he purchased two thousand acres, which would take in all, and more, of the aforesaid county seat. We find on an examination of the records that the story of Captain Benoni has some foundation. In Vol. I, Records of Deeds, page i6, api>ears the following under date of June 7, 1803: "Bought of Thomas Richardson and wife Elizabeth, of Hanover county, Virginia," and goes on to describe the tract. Mr. Nesbitt was mistaken in the name of the party to the story, calliiiig him Jonathan (see history of Greene county, page 425) instead of John. "Jonathan Paul entered the land that is now called the John B. Lucas farm (see Vol. No. i. Deeds, page 542) and erected his cabin near where now the home of John B. Lucas stands. Jonathan Paul bought of Thomas Parker and his wife Sallie, of Frederick county, Virginia," and the deed is dated October 8, 1808. So it can readily be seen that John and Jonathan were not one and the same person. Jonathan was the youngest brother of Colonel John. Mr. Paul in his generous gift of the one and onehalf acres of ground to the town of Xenia and county of Greene for public buildings was not exorbitant in his price for the balance of the land, which he sold to the parties representing the new county seat for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for the two hundred and fifty-seven and threefourths acres which constituted the original corporation of Xenia. Yet while Mr. Paul was liberal, there is evidence to show that while he was a good clerk of courts for Greene county he was also a man of good business qualifications, and had an eye to reaping benefits in the future as the new town would grow and improve. We have evidence to show that he was what is called today in the west "a town boomer," and that he had much to do in having the county seat of Greene county located at this place.

In a map of Xenia which the compiler of this sketch has in his possession a number of lots all over the town are marked as the property of John Paul. Josiah Grover, his agent, was his brother-in-law.

From the best information that can be obtained Mr. Ptul, soon after he resigned as icelrk of courts of Greene county, removed to the present site of the city of Madison, Indiana, and became the founder of that city.

Among the records of this county is a transcript taken from the courts of Jefferson county, Indiana, in the year 1816, and certified to by John Paul, clerk of courts of Jefferson county, Indiana. In comparing the hand writing- it is the same as our John Paul's, ex-clerk of courts of Greene county. In addition to this is evidence taken from the Cincinnati Gazette of some correspondent who had been a former resident of this county (and who does not give his name).

Robixsoxs History Of Greene Couxtv

but does give some very interesting pen pictures of some of tlie early residents of Xenia. Of Mr. Paul he says : "He was the original proprietor of Xenia, Ohio, and also of Madison, Indiana, and that he was a pioneer from Kentucky. A man of great enterprise, and was for several years the intelligent and active clerk of courts of Greene county, Ohio." He was also the father-inlaw of Governor \\'illiam Hendricks, who was an honor to the state in which he lived, and tilled the office of a legislator, governor, representative and senator in congress with ability and rare integrity: and who, with his pioneer father-in-law, John Paul, the proprietor of two flourishing cities in Ohio and Indiana, sleeps in death in the cemetery in Madison, Indiana.

Many of the early settlers of Greene county followed Mr. Paul to Madison and located there and in that vicinity. Major George Gordon mcn-ed him to that place in 1809.

In fixing the date when Mr. Paul first came to Greene county, Ohio, we quote from his family history: "In 1794 he was married to ]^^^ss Sarah Thomberry Grover. sister of Josiah Grover, the second clerk of courts of Greene county, at Danville, Kentucky. They had four children, the first child, Mary Berry, dying when quite young. The next child, ^Ann Parker, was born in Kentucky (Hardin county) March 18, 1799. John P.. the next child, was born in what is now Greene county, Ohio, December 23, 1800, which is near the time he first came and purchased of the United States the land known to-day (1900) as 'Trebein's,' three miles northwest of the Little Miami river. And it was Colonel John Paul who was the first to harness the waters of the aforesaid ri\er to get power to run his grist and sawmill at that point, and it was then known as "PauFs Mill." At the close of the year 1802 the territorial government was overthrown, and the state government established. Accordingly representatives were chosen to formulate a state constitution, and take steps for admission to the union of states. Mr. Paul, then living in that part of Hamilton county which was soon to be Greene county, was chosen as one of the representatives, and helped to formulate the first constitution of the state, under which we lived for nearly one-half a century. Colonel John Paul was also a member of the senate of ,the first legislature that convened at the town of Chillicothe, March i, 1803. He had also a near neighbor of his in the house of the legislature in the person of William Maxwell, who was chosen as one of the first associate judges of Greene county." This brings his history down to the time he was chosen as clerk of courts Mav 10 1803. '

Colonel John Paul was the fourth child and second son of Michael Paul and Ann Parker, who were married at Germantown, Pennsylvania, about the year 175 1 or 1752. Michael Paul was a native of Holland. The time and place of his birth are unknown, as is also the date of his emigration to this country, and the fact as to whether he came alone or with others of his family. However, it is known that he had two brothers who lived at the same place, Germantown, Pennsylvania. He left Germantown m the year 1766 or 1767 and went to Red Stone (Old Fort) now Brownsville, Pennsylvania. From there he went to \\hat is

Ann Parker, wife of Michael Paul, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1724. She belonged to the order of Dunkards. She was a cousin to Rev. Samuel Davis, D. D., :i noted Presbyterian iireacher of that day, and president of one of the early theological schools of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, perhaps at Princeton. She died in Hardin county, Kentucky, in June. 181 3, at the age of eighty-nine. They were the parents of seven children, John, the subject of this sketch, being the fourth. He was lx>rn in Germantown, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1758. and died June 6, 1830, in Madison, Indiana. He went with his father to Brownsville and tij X'irginia, and afterward to Kentucky. In the year 1778 he went with the expedition of Gen. George Roger Clark, in the campaign against the Indians in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. The expedition went by boats from Louisville, Kentucky, to Kaskaskia, Illinois. When they debarked at Kaskaskia the soldiers had to walk for a good distance in water up to the armpits, carrying their guns and powder horns above their heads to keep them dry, before reaching the fort. In 1794 he was married to Miss Sarah Thomberry Grover, at Danville, Kentucky. She was born in or near Baltimore. Maryland. March 21. 1775, and went to Kentucky with her parents somewhere in the decade of 1780. They had four children, Mary Berry, the oldest, dying when quite young. In 1809 Col. Paul left Xenia and came to the Indiana territory, landing with his family at the point wdiere Madison now stands, October 6. 1809. Previous to this he had gone to the "Vendue" of public lands at Vincennes. where he bought the land upon which New Albany now stands. Upon' this trip home from that sale he stopped at this purchase to fix a home, but concluding that it was an unhealthy locality he prospected along the river for a more liealthv situation. He decided upnn the present site of Madison as l>eing the best suited to his wishes, and went home to Ohio to await the ojjening of the sales at Jeffersonville, where this land was to i)e sold.

In the spring of 1809 he went to the sale and bought the land, and returned home and arranged for the immediate removal of his family tn this place, where he aferward lived until his death.

Colonel Paul was a man full of the milk of human kindness. His l>enefactions in the way of property for public uses are seen all along the pathway of his life. In Xenia. Ohio, he gave the site for the courthouse. In Madison, the ground for the old graveyard, on Third street, the site for Wesley chapel, now the opera house. In Ripley countv. Indiana, the ground for the graveyard in Versailles, and ground for the academy.

He was a practical surveyor and a very good judge of the (|uality of the land, as is proven by the fact that a great many tracts of the best land in this county and Ripley were bought by him from the United States Ciovernment. He was a man endowed by nature with all of the elements of a leader among men, and he was one. In this day and generation he would have been called an athlete on account of hisactivity, strength and powers of endurance. He was tall, of fine. attracti\'e physi(|ue ; he had a C(jmmanding appearance: kind-hearted: he was gentle in manner to all, tender to those in dis- tress; magnanimous, he was generous to a fault, always a friend to the poor and helpless, and ready to lift up and help forward young men. He was beloved by his friends and respected by all who knew him, even by his enemies, for like all men of positive character, he had them. He was an energetic business man, and engaged in farming, milling and real estate business.

He was the first representative in the territorial assembly from a part of Clark -county, Indiana, and was a member of the legislature after that county was organized. He was elected a senator from Switzerland and Jefferson counties, Indiana, to the first legislature of the state, which convened at Corydon, Monday, November 4, 1816. He Avas called to the chair of the senate as ohairman pro tempore, and was the first presiding officer of the senate. He was the first clerk and recorder of Jefferson county, Indiana, which office he held for many years.

Col. John \'awter, in a letter written in - 1850, says of Colonel Paul: "He was one of George Roger Clarke's men in the expedition against the British posts at Detroit, Michigan, and Kaskaskia, Illinois." He was at the capture of Vincennes, February 24, 1779.

At the time he located in this county Tiis family consisted of himself, his wife, Miss Ruth Grover, who was a niece of his wife, and who made her home with them, and their three children. The eldest, Ann Parker, was born March 18, 1799. in Hardin county. Kentucky. John P., who was "born in Greene county. Ohio, December 23, 1800, and Sarah G., who was born March 21, 1802. in Greene county. Ann Parker Avas married May 29, 1816, to William Hendricks. From this union were born nine children. She died September 12, 1887, in the eighty-ninth year of her age. John Porter Paul was a graduate of Washington College and became a surveyor. He was married to a Miss Eliza Meek. He died in Septeml:>er, 1835, in Clark county, Indiana, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Sarah G. Paul was married three times. Her firsf husband was Dr. Robert Cravens, who died lea\ing one son, Judge John R. Cravens, of Madison, Indiana, who is now deceased. Her second husband was Dr. Samuel M. (joode, who died leaving one son, now living in Madison, Indiana, and known as Dr. Goode. Her third husband was B. C. Stevenson, a Methodist preacher. She died in September 14, 1877. Mrs. Paul, the mother of the family, died May 8, 1866, in the ninety-second year of her age.

General Joseph C. Vance

An eventful life of usefulness, filled with exciting incidents. He was on; of those sturdy old Scotch Presbyterians, and previous to emigrating to the Northwestern Territory was a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania. A few years after the close of the war of the Revolution, he, with his family and property, embarked on a raft and commenced tiie journey down the Ohio. The trip was a dangerous one as well may be sup])osed. They were at times obliged to dodge the arrows shot at them by the wandering Indians, which came spinning Over the water and fastened themselves in the side of tlie boat. They frequently would wish themselves back in the old Keystone State, but to return would be as dangerous as to go ahead, which they did, and the southern shore of Kentucky was finally reached, and here for a time he resided. The war whoop and tomahawk and scalping knife were the greetings the savages gave to strangers, and the warmtli of their receptions was hardly such as to lend enchantment to the whites. The first matter to attend to on landing was the erection of a block house, and here the neighbors met whenever there was an attack by the red men, which was oftentimes the case. At such times the General's family would be enlarged by the gathering of his neighbors for refuge and assistance.

In the early spring of 1797 Daniel Wilson (one of the earl}- settlers in what is now Sugarcreek township, Greene county, Ohio), as he was returning to settle permanently on land near the village of Clio, which he had pre\iously entered, overtook Joseph C. Vance and John Vance in the valley south of where Lebanon now stands. They were on their way to this locality, and hence were the first settlers where now is located the town of Bellbrook. Joseph entered tlie land extending along the east side of what is now Main street, Bellbrook, being part of Sections 31, 32 (3.5). He erected a log cabin on the site that used to be occupied by Willoughby & Davis as a carriage manufactory, on the southeast corner of Main and Walnut streets. This was the first building that was erected on the site now called Bellbrook, and it was built in the year 1797. It was the building which was to become historic on account of the use that was afterward made of it. This was the building that James Clancey a few years afterward purchased of Joseph C. Vance, and ran his first tavern - the place whereon the organization of the county into townships was selected as the place of holding elections, and where on the aforesaid occasions would assemble the pioneers, from one-half mile east of the present village of New Burlington to the Montgomery county line on the west to cast their ballots for the men of their choice for the different offices. And in that cabin was the place where Rev. Robert Armstrong, the pioneer associate preacher, preached the word of life in the fall of 1804, and on that occasion was for the first time sung the beautiful songs of the sweet singer of Israel, in that part of Greene county. Among the number on that occasion was Gen. Joseph C. Vance and family, John Vance, John and James McKnight (cousins of the McKnight's that came later) ; William and James Tanner, John Gowdy, Sr., and his son, Andrew, who was the father of Alexander, who is yet living (1900) on West Main street, Xenia; two Snodgrasses, two Snowdens (Jacob and James), Capt. Robert McClellan, John Torrence, John Hutchison, Abraham Van Eaton, Capt. Nathan Lamme, James Collier and others. In the first organization of the county into townships May 10, 1803, Joseph C. Vance was the first clerk of the Sugarcreek township. He was also one of the number that was selected to sit as a grand juror "on the body of Greene county," as the old records express it. August 3, 1803, Joseph C. Vance was appointed to survey the county seat, and lay off the town of Xenia. This he did the same season, and at the December term of the Court of Associate Judges received $49.25 for his services. He furnished chain men in making the survey, made a plat of the town and sold some lots. He was selected to act as director of said town and served in that capacity until Tuesday, August 27, 1805, wlien he resigned and William A. Bcatty was appointed in liis place. Mr. Vance previous to his resignation as director must ha\e taken his departure from Xenia, for we find that according to our records Chrimpaign county was organized February 20, 1805. In the history of said county it is said that Joseph C. Vance was selected as clerk of courts, and was the founder of the city of Urbana. His military title was acquired on account of services under Gen. George Roger Clarke against the combined British and Indian forces at the time of the Revolution. He lived a useful life, died and was buried at Buck Creek churchyard, six miles southeast of Urbana, Ohio. His son, Joseph Vance, was governor of Ohio from 1836 to 1838. At the time of his canvass for that office some of his boyhood companions in Bellbrook, Greene county, remembered "Joe," who used to drive an ox cart over the Pickney road, when he was a lx)y at home on the site of where Bellbrook was afterward built.

Francis Dunlavey was born near Winchester, Virginia, December 31, 1761. His father, Anthoney Dunla\ey, came from Ireland about the year 1745. and afterward married Hannah White, sister to Judge Alexander White, of \'irginia. Of this marriage there were four sons and four daughters. Francis was the eldest of the sons. About the year 1772 the family removed from Winchester to what was supposed to be western Virginia, on the west of the Alleghany mountains, and settled near Catfish (Washington) in what is now Washington county, Pennsylvania. In this frontier settlement when the Revolutionary war broke out there was great exposure, as we have already seen, to Indian depredations. The men of the new settlements were constantly called upon to serve in longer or shorter tours of militia duty, which were considered essential to the safety of the frontiers. Mr. Dunlavey volunteered as a private on the ist of October, 1776, under Capt. Isaac Cox; his lieutenant was David Steele. His company encamped in the woods at Holliday's Cove, on the Ohio river. opix>site a large island in what is now Brooke county. West \'irginia, now known as Brown's island, above Steubenville, Ohio, but below the mouth of Yellow creek. Here the company erected a chain of log cabins, block houses, and scouted in pairs up and down the river for the distance of twelve miles. This fort or station was on the line of defense from Fort Pitt to Gravel creek, erected as a protection to the border against the Indians. Mr. Dunlavey afterward remembered that he frequently saw at this post Col. John Gibson, of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, who supervised the several stations on the river. His tour of duty expired on the 20th of December, and he was then discharged. During the latter part of the service of this tour he, with others, was detached and sent down the river about twelve miles, where Decker's Fort was erected, and where a small settlement was protected while the inhabitants gathered their corn. In July, 1777, Mr. Dunlavey served fijurteen days in the inihtia at Fort Pitt as a sul)stitute fur liis lather, Anthciney Dunlavey, wiio had been drafted for a month and had served the first half of it. General Hand had just arrived at the post. unaccomp;inied by any troops. Notwithstanding Mr. Dunlavey was a militia man. he did duty in garrison under officers belonging to the regular army. Capt. Harry Heath had command of the post upon the arrival of Hand. Col. John Gibson and some of his regiment. Thirteenth Virginia, were in the garrison a short time. Captains Scott, Bell and Steele, well known about Pittsburg before, during and after the Revolutionary war, were in Fort Pitt at this time. Simon Girty was also present, then a subaltern. He seemed wholly taken uj) in intercnurse with the Indians, many of whom were in and around the fort.

Mr. Dunlavey volunteered upon the ist of March. 1778, for one month's service. The rendezvous was at Cox's Station, on Peter's creek. Colonels Isaac Cox and Jnhn Canon attended to organizing the men; but in eight days the militia relinquished their arms to some recruits for the regular army, who relieved them and they returned home to attend to putting in their crops.

On the 15th of August, 1778, Mr. D'unlavey was again drafted for one month, the place of meeting was Pittsburg. He served this tour under Lieut. John Springer, the troops being attached to the command of Captain Ferrol, lately from the seaboard, who had a company detached from the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment. This body of men ranged the woods, visiting the stations on the frontier line between Pittsburg and Wheeling, and finally relieving a company of militia from Hampshire county, Virginia, at the latter place, commanded by Capt. Daniel Cressap, brother of the celebrated Mike Cressap. Mr. Dunlavey was discharged at Pittsburg at the end of the month's service.

About the 5th of October he again entered the service. He went this time as a substitute for Andrew Flood, joining the company of Capt. John Crow. His battalion commander was Capt. Hugh Stevenson ; regimental commander. Col. William Crawford. The army was then under the command of Brig.-Gen. Lachlin Mcintosh. Mr. Dunlavey afterward reinembered that Colonel Fvans was commander of one of the luilitia regiments, and that there were also present Col. John Gibson, of the Thirteenth Virginia, and Daniel Broadhead, colonel of the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment. It was this army that built Fort Mcintosh at the mouth of Beaver creek. The army marched into the wilderness on the 5th of November, crossing the forks of the Muskingum, and building Fort Lawrence on the west bank of that river. He afterward returned to Fort Mcintosh and was discharged on the 20th of December.

Mr. Dunlavey was again drafted on the 25th of August, 1779; the rendezvous, Fort Pitt. He was in camp three days at the "King's Orchard," on the Allegheny river. He then marched up that stream under Colonel Broadhead as chief ofiicer. Colonel Gibson next in command. His captain was one Ellis. In this army were Lieuts. John Hardin, of the Thirteenth Virginia, and Samuel Brady, of the Eighth Pennsylvania, both afterwards famous in Indian warfare. John Monteur, a half-blood (son of Andrew Monteur, a Frenchman), a man of informa- tion and education, but a great savage, accompanied tlie expedition, which consisted of about seven liundred whites, inckiding some light liorse. and about sixty Indians. Proceeding up the east bank of the Allegheny they crossed the Kiskiminitas, at its mouth, and a crooked creek, and came to Kittaning, where there was a garrison. The anny lay several days at an old Indian town on the river about twelve miles above the Kittaning. They then marched up the river and crossed about fifteen miles below the mouth of French creek. They then crossed the latter stream and moved toward the Monsey towns, meeting and defeating a small body of Indians, some thirty or forty in number. Four or five of the Americans were wounded, amone them Jonathan Zane, who was acting as pilot to the expedition. The Monsey villages were deserted. The army lay in the abandoned towns nearly a week, destroying several hundred acres of growing corn on the banks of the river. On their return a young man named John Ward was badly injured by a horse falling on a rock in a creek. Tliis accident occurred in what is now Butler county, Pennsylvania, where there is a township and post office called Slippery Rock. ]Mr. Dunlavey was discharged September 29.

In the spring of 1 782 Mr. Dunlavey was a student in Rev. Thaddeus Dodd's Latin and mathematical "log cabin" school at Ten- Mile, in Washington county, near Amity. He was then considered "a young man of superior talent and amiable disposition." He did not remain long in this school, for. in April of that year, he again volunteered against hostile Indians under a call from James Marshall, lieutenant of his county.

Tlie men rendezvoused at Decker's Station, or Fort, on the east bank of the Ohio, one mile above Cross creek. After a fe\v days the men were dismissed, a sufiicient number to have undertaken any important movement not having assembled. He was absent from home only ten days. No sooner was tiie expedition against Sandusky announced than Mr. Dunlavey once more shouldered his rifle. By the 15th of May he had returned to Decker's Station. He soon after crossed the Ohio to Mingo Bottom, and. upon the organization of the army, was made a lieutenant in Capt. Craig Ritchy's company. After the return of Mr. Dunlavey from the Sandusky campaign, and as soon as the peace of the country permitted, he was sent to the Dickenson College. He was afterward a student of divinity under Rev. James Hoge, of Winchester. Virginia, and finally taught a classical school in that state, having several pupils who subsequently were distinguished for their talents and learning. About the year 1790 he moved with his father's family to W'ashington, Kentucky, or that neighborhood. In 1792 he came to Columbia, near Cincinnati, where he opened a classical school in connection with the late John Reiley. of Butler county, Ohio. This school was continued for several years. He afterward moved to Lebanon, Warren county. Mr. Dunlavey was twice a member of the legislature of the Northwestern territory. He afterward was elected to the convention that formed the first constitution of Ohio. He was a member of the first state legislature, and was subsequently chosen presiding judge of tlie court of common pleas of the first circuit, which office he held for fourteen vears. The

In the old graveyard at Lebanon, Ohio, near the middle of the north boundary line, is the grave of this old hero. A modest looking monument bears the following inscription : "In memeory of Francis Dunlavey, who died October 6, 1839. aged seventy-eight years." He was among the first white men who entered the territory now forming Ohio, was a member of the territorial legislature and of the convention that framed the constitution of Ohio.

Gen. Benjamin W'Hiteman

One of Greene county's first associate judges died July r. 1852, at his residence near Clifton, Ohio, at the age of eighty-four years. He was born on the 12th of March, 1769, in 'Philadelphia, Pennsjdvania ; in 1782, and when about thirteen years of age, he emigrated to Kentucky about seven years after the first white settlement had been made there by Colonel Daniel Boone, and settled near Limestone, or Maysville, as it is now called. He was associated with Boone in defending the white settlements from the ruthless hands of the savages, enlistinig and serving as a volunteer in General Harmer's campaign, and also in Genera! Anthony Wayne's army, after the appointment of that gentleman by Washington as a successor of General St. Clair to the command of the army engaged against the Indians on our western frontier. In the month of Jklarch, 1792, he was in a desperate engagement with a party of Indians, headed by the gallant warrior, Tecumseh, in what is now Brown county, a few miles above where the town of AX'illiamsburg is nciw situated. Some horses had been stolen from Mason county, Kentucky; a party of men numbering thirty^six, cominanded by that veteran Indian fighter, Simon Kenton, started in pursuit. General Whiteman being one of the party.

On the morning of the second day, after crossing the Ohio river, twelve of the men gave out and returned, the weather being extremely bad. About noon, the same day, they came on the Indian camp, and found them so numerous that the attack was defrayed until night. They lay concealed until midnight, when the attack was made in three divisions, but the Indians stood their ground and returned the fire. The watch word of the Kenton men was "Boone," which being familiar with the Indians the name was shouted on all sides, and the combatants became blended together, as was also the watch-word. The night was dark and the flashing and roar of the rifles, the yells of the savages and the shouts of the attacking party made the scene awfully appalling. The Indians being re-enforced from a neighboring camp, Kenton ordered retreat, which was effected with the loss of but two men. The Indians had about one hundred men lost, foinrteen killed and seventeen wounded.

In 1793. when about twenty-three, General \\'hiteman married the daughter of OAven Davis, the old miller down on Beaver creek, owner of the house of Peter Borders, Greene county, Ohio's, first court house, with whom he lived for a period of about fifty-nine years. The fruits of this marriage was a numerous and a very respectable family.

Robixsox'S History Of Greek E Couxty

young family to Greene county, Ohio, and settled near the mouth of Beavercreek, in the vicinity of what is now known as the Harbine farm. In this neighburhood he lived about five years, and in 1799 he built the house in which the first court was held in the county. In this connection it will not be amiss to introduce the testimony of General W'hiteman himself as to when he first settled in Greene county, and while it will throw light on matters that have been settled, yet from his evidence will show conclusively that errors will sometimes be accepted as truth.

A court of the master commissioner ( Josiah Grover) was being held at the house of Amassa Reid, at old Chillicothe, or Old Town, for the purpose of taking depositions of some of the oldest pioneers, to be used in suits of ejectment against different parties then pending in the court of Greene county. General Benjamin Whiteman, in answer to the question "At what time did you become acquainted with the old Chillicothe, on the Little Miami river?"- said : "In the month of October, 1790. In 1792 I, together with a detachment of militia from Kentucky, encamped on that point of land that lies just beyond Old Town, between what is now known as Massies creek and the Little Miami river. It was then ^generally spoken of as an island amongst us. and I always believed it to be an island until I became a resident of this county, in 1799. Alx)ut one year after I settled in this county I had occasion to go to the falls of the Little Miami, and, traveling up Ijetween the Little Miami and Massies creek, I found them to be separate streams, and as to the island below the mouth of Massies creek, at which I have since understood Jamison's entry commenced at or called for, I have no knowledge of nor never heard of such a one until several years after I settled in this county. I first settled on Beavercreek, about six miles from the Old Chillicothe, in what is now the bounds of (jreene county, and there was no settlement at that time above Davis' mill, above Beavercreek, except three families on the Little ]\Iiami, in the limits of what is now Greene county, and the settlement on what I then lived on Beavercreek, and it did not exceed six or eight families."

The three settlements spoken of above were those of James Galloway, Sr., George Galloway, cousin of James, Sr., and Robert Boggess, the last named near the falls of the Little Miami, and the first two spoken of were located, James Galloway, Sr., on the left of the road across the Little Miami, going north, and George Galloway on the right opposite what is now (1899) the IMiami Powder Works. General W'hiteman was asked "How often had you passed through or near Old Chillicothe?'' and he answered, "I passed through that point of land three times in three different years, between the years 1790 and 1794, once under the command of Colonel Edwards, with about four hundred volunteers, and twice on small scouts."

General Whiteman resided in Beavercreek township for about five years, and there built the house in which the first courts were held in the county. In 1805 he removed to a tract of land which he had purchased in the vicinity of Clifton, and on the spot where his old mansion now stands he lived for a period of forty-seven vears. He was present at the naming of the new county seat of Greene county, when the forks of the Shawnee creek was chosen as a per- inaiieiit location, and was one of the tirst associate judges of the first court held in the county. He was associated with Generals Gano, Findley and others in first organizing the military system of Ohio, and held a commission of lieutenant colonel in the militia of Greene county in 1805, and was also at the time president of the court of inquirj- of said count}'. W hen the war hetween this country and Great Britain broke out he was appointed brigade general of this division, and having entered upon the active duties of his office he continued to serve his country to tlie end of the war.

After the war closed he retired to his country residence, in the vicinity of Clifton, where he spent the remainder of his days in educating his children, and enjoying the sweets of domestic life. He was one of the early pioneers- of Greene county, his name being associated with the earliest recollections of the old settlers. It is incorporated with our social, civil and militarv affairs in their earliest history. He lived to witness the origin, progress and development of our county and state from the time she was rocked in the cradle of infancy until she look her stand as the third state in this great confederacy. General Whiteman was both a soldier and a patriot, as well as a dignified gentleman of honest and high-minded principles, who scorned a mean action, was a good citizen, a pleasant neighbor and a kind father.

We have the assurance also from the testimony of Rev. Moses Russell, to whom we are indebted for part of this sketch, that among the last acts of his life was a distinct avowal of the principles of Christianity, and especially the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, and the expression of a hope

How much has been Icjst to Greene county in the death of this grand old pioneer. Could his biogra])hy have been written of the many facts of local history, which he had in reference to the early times and settlement of this county, it would have made a large volume, almost priceless in value. In the cemetery at Clifton, Ohio, his body lies buried with the simple and modest inscription on his monument, "Benjamin Whiteman, born ^larch 6, 1769; died Julv i, 1852." Nothing to indicate his record as a soldier, or which W(juld lead one to think of the biave and daring life that he lived as a soldier, the stirring events that have been his to share. Ma\- he rest in peace.

On account of Mr. Maxwell's early death, which occurred in the year 1809, and his immediate friends and descendants having removed from the county, it has been a very difficult task to compile and pay anything like a just tribute to his worth as a bra\e and enterprising pioneer of Greene county. The facts that we have been enabled to gather here and there read almost like fiction. We learn from the early history of Hamilton county that he was a native of New Jersey, and not long after the organization of said county he came out and settled on the site now known as Cincinnati, Ohio. \\'e also find that Mr. Maxwell had the honor of publishing the first newspaper that was published in that city, if not the first one that was published north of the Ohio river. He came to the front in that capacity November 9, 1793, being encDurajii'ecl lie set up an office. It was a primitive affair, located in a small room in a log cabin, which stood on the corner of what is now known as Front and Sycamore streets, near the river. The settlement at that time contained not more than two hundred souls. His press was brought down the river from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The name of the paper was "The Sentinel of the Northwestern Territory." He was also the second postmaster of Cincinnati, the ^'uccessor of Abner Dunn. It was along about this time that an event occurred which is related by his granddaughter, Mrs. Sarah Beath, of Normal, Illinois, who says : "My grandmother's (the wife of William Maxwell) maiden name was Nancy Robins. Her father was killed by Indians in Virginia, and her mother with two or three children escaping to Cincinnati took refuge in the block houses there, when the village was beseiged by the Indians." Mrs. Beath's great-grandmother afterward became the wife of Ebenezer Zane, the founder of Zanesville, Ohio. And it was under trying times, as above stated, that William Maxwell, ex-representative to the first legislature that met at Chillicothe, to formulate and enact laws for the new county of Greene and state of Ohio, ex-associate judge and exsheriff of Greene county from Deceml)er 7, 1803. until 1807, met, won and married Nancy Robins. From the old records we find that Mr. Maxwell and his little family in 1799 removed to the then more northern part of Hamilton county to what is now known as the Ma.xwell farm situated* in Beavercreek township, Greene county, Ohio. Many facts which are a mystery are made plain by the aid of which we term the "old records." Many questions never could have been answered had it not been for the light from them that is thrown backward down the road that leads back to the "long ago." For example, when the first legislature convened at Chillicothe to designate the temporary county seat for the new made county of Greene, how did they know about the house of Owen Davis on Beaver creek ? The answer to that is, William Maxwell, the subject of this sketch, and a member of that body at that time, had been living for more than five years in sight of the house of Owen Davis, or, as it is sometimes called, the house of Peter Borders. His land adjoined, and in many places was the boundary line, of the land then known as the Owen Davis farm, now the home of our honored fellow citizen, Jacob Harbine.

Mr. Ma.xwell was also an officer and an active worker in helping to establish the militia in Greene county. As far back as 1805 he held the position of major. Deceml)er 7, 1803, having resigned the office of associate judge, he was elected sheriff of the county in place of Nathan Lamme, who had resigned said office on account of his large land interests. .Among the old relics of Greene county in the way. of historical papers are three of the original bonds igiven by Mr. Maxwell for faithful performance of duty : two of said Ixrnds are for the office of sheriff, the other is for the office of collector of taxes. After Mr. Maxwell's death his widow married John White. The children of William Maxwell and wife Nancy are as follows : sons, William, John, EJias, George, Ludlow, and daughters, Nancy, who married John Sayers ; Eliza, who married Samuel Owens ; and Levina, who married Baker Butler.

Robixsox'S History Of Greexe Couxtv

of the village of Alpha, not far clown the Little Aliami river from what is known as the "Indian Riffle Bridge," on ascending the hill can be seen the stones that were placed there by the hands of him of whom we write, as the foundation of his spring house. Not far from the spring was the first cabin which he erected as his home, and not far friim the spring on a high point of land is the grave of William Maxwell. Sr., but \\here the spot is where loving hands laid him to rest in 1809 none as yet can tell.

He was a native of the state of Virginia. The first notice of Mr. Barrett as a public man we find to be that on the 6th day of .\pril, 1S03, the two houses oi the first legislature of Ohio, which had assembled at Chillicothe, met in joint cnn\'ention anrl selected three associate judges for each of the then existing and newlv organized counties. The gentlemen selected for Greene county were Benjamin ^^'hitema^, James Barrett and \\"illiam [Ma.xwell. After his appointment Mr. Barrett served as such until the }ear 1810. He was at this time well up in years and the infirmities of age were growing u])on him. He first purchased one half of a section of land in what was then known as Hamilton county, in the early part of the year i8oj. This land was in the first entire range of townships, and in the second townsb.ip and known as lot Xo. 32 in said township on the general map of the ]\Iiami purchase ; the north part of said section was set of¥ to James Barrett. Islv. Barrett's fanfily at this time consisted of his wife Elsie and four children, two sons, James and Philip, and two daughters, Eleanor and Hannah. His son James at this time was upwards of twenty-one years of age and his brother Philip was nineteen.