Hardin County, Ohio - Chapter 11: Pioneer Systems of Medical Practice - Hardin County Medical Society, 1883
From The History of Hardin County, Ohio, published 1883. 4,814 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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Chapter 11: Pioneer Systems of Medical Practice - Hardin County Medical Society
IT is presumable that the many different isms and systems of practice that have prevailed here have prevailed in common elsewhere throughout the country; but it may not be amiss to mention that, owing to the scarcity of physicians, and the difficulty that the early settlers experienced in obtaining the wherewithal for a quid pro quo when they were obliged to employ them, cheaper systems of practice were introduced by charlatans. One of these was the system of ' ^ steaming " the patient. The practice was to place the patient in bed, closely covered. Then a large kettle of water was placed over the fire, in the open fire-place, with a close fitting lid, through which a long tin spout was inserted. When the water began to boil, the farther end of the spout was thrust under the bed clothes, and all the generated steam was thus turned on the patient.
Upon the heels of this system came the Thomsonian or botanical mode of practice. For this system they sold "family rights." Their different preparations were numbered and labeled. No. 1 was good for one thing, and No. 2 for another. Their favorite number was "No. 6." To take a teaspoonful of it one would think they had made a mistake and got No. 60 Capsicum. Cayenne pepper was the chief ingredient. " Dr. Gunn," a work on domestic practice, was placed on the table by the side of the Bible and Fox's Book of Martyrs. But this was a great improvement over the "steam doctors." But No. 6 and lobelia, as universal panaceas and specifics, have had their day; a new light has dawned, mure rational systems prevail, and the main differences now existing are mostly in name. Under the laws of Ohio, all practitioners are required to be graduates of some regularly chartered college; and most of the physicians of this State, are moderately well qualified for the responsibilities and requirements of their profession.
According to previous notice, a large majority of the allopath physicians of Hardin County met at the court house, July 8, 1850, for the purpose of organizing a Medical society. The meeting was organized by appointing Dr. Samuel Watt, President, and George Watt, Secretary, On motion of Dr. William Jones,
Resolved, That the chair appoint a committee of three to examine and report on the credentials of proposed members. Said con'imittee consisted of Drs. William Jones, William McKean and George Watt. On motion.
Resolved, That said committee have till next meeting to report progress. On motion of Dr. Jones, Drs. Samuel Watt, William McKean and Usher P. Leighton were ap- ^inted to draft a code of medical ethics. On motion, the chair appointed Drs. George Watt, William Jones and William McKean, to prepare a draft of a Constitution and By-Laws.
Resolved, on motion of Dr. McKean, that all the committees be required to report at the next meeting, which was designated to take place at the court house, July 20, 1850. The organizing members of the Society were as follows: Samuel Watt, U. P. Leighton, William Jones, Michael Holmes, A. K. Mecaskey, A. W. Munson, H. C. Russell, George Watt, William McKean, J. D. Davidson, J. M. Chesney and R. M. Bray ton. Of these, Dr. A. W. Munson is now the only one remaining in Hardin County.
At the second meeting, a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, also a code of medical ethics and a bill of charges established. The election of permanent officers resulted in the choice of Dr. Samuel Watt, President; Dr. U. P. Leighton, Vice President; Dr. George Watt, Secretary, and Dr. William McKean, Treasurer. Censors, Drs. Michael Holmes, H. C. Russell, A. K. Mecaskey, A. W. Munson and William Jones. Committee on malpractice, Drs. J. M. Chesney and George Watt. Drs. William Jones and George Watt were appointed to deliver essays at the next meeting. A series of motions relating to the general affairs of the Society were then passed, and the permtment establishment of the Hardin County Medical Society was an accomplished fact.
The object of this sketch being rather to give a brief historical resume of the more important features of the Society, the details of each meeting will not be adhered to closely; but only what we consider as the most essential points to our readers will find a place in these pages. At nearly every meeting, some subject relating to medical science was discussed and analyzed by one or more members of the Society. It was therefore a school for the dissemination of medical knowledge among physicians, and the establishment of a high standard of practice in the profession. In April, 1851, Dr. Edwin Ashton became a member of the Society. On the 12th of July, 1851, the annual election resulted as follows: William Jones, Presiident; A. K. Mecaskey, Vice President; George Watt, Secretary; U. P. Leighton, Treasurer; Censors, Samuel Watt, William McKean, A. K. Mecaskey, A. W. Munson and George Watt.
On the 10th of July, 1852, the choice of officers for the ensuing year were: IT. P. Leighton, President; William McKean, Vice President; A. W. Munson, Secretary; Edwin Ashton, Treasurer; Censors, Drs. Jones, Holmes, Ashton, Munson and Samuel Watt. At the annual meeting, held July 9, 1853, Drs. J. F. Perkey, I. E. Nagle, Solomon Kraner, Horace Lawrence and J. A. Rogers were admitted as members. An election was then held for officers, and the following chosen: William Jones, President; R. M. Brayton, Vice President; A. W. Munson, Secretary; Edwin Ashton, Treasurer; Censors, Drs. Rogers, Lawrence, Kraner, Brayton and Samuel Watt.
In November, 1854, Drs. H. P. Delong and A. F. Stanley became members of the Society, but there is no record of any election held that year, in fact, there are no minutes of any meetings held from November, 1854, until April 11, 1856, on which date Drs. W. H. Phillips and C. I. Neff were admitted to membership. At this meeting, the code of ethics of the "American Medical Association" was adopted, the bill of prices revised and stringent rules passed for the government of medical practice in Hardin County, whereby physicians would be enabled to get pay for their services. Dr. W. H. Phillips was appointed Treasurer, to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Dr. Ashton.
More than ten years now elapsed ere another meeting took place, and the Society was virtually dead. On the 7th of June, 1866, a meeting was called at the office of Dr. Phillips, for the purpose of resuscitating the corpse. Dr. J. A. Rogers presided, and the old constitution and by-laws were adopted, whereupon Drs. J. A. Stansell, J. B. Young, M. M. Stimmell, William M. Chesney, Henry Carver and William Watt were admitted to full membership in the old organization, which was decided to be yet in existence, though practically defunct for ten years.
On the 14th of July, 1866, the Society adopted a new fee bill, and revised the constitution and by-laws in several particulars, one of which made the society ah auxiliary of the State Medical Society. The following gentlemen were admitted as members at this meeting: J. S. Blair, J. S.
Pollock, Jesse Snodgrass and C. H. Smith. The officers chosen for the coming year were: William Jones, President; W. M. Chesney, Vice President; A. W. Munson, Secretary; C. H. Smith, Treasurer; Committee on Ethics, M. M. Stimmell, J. A. Rogers, J. B. Young: Censors, Solomon Kraner, A. F. Stanley, W. H. Phillips, J. S. Pollock, William Watt.
The next regular meeting was held July 11, 1867, and the following officers elected, viz.: J. A. Rogers, President; W. H. Phillips, Vice President; J. A. Stansell, Secretary; William Watt, Treasurer; Committee on Ethics, M. M. Stimmell, William Jones, J. B. Young; Censors, A. W. Munson, Jesse Snodgrass, Solomon Kramer, J. S. Pollock, A. F. Stanley. In October, 1868, four members were admitted, viz. : H. K. Nott, R. L. McClure,
D. M. Carter and J. W. Morris, while D. W. McConnell, who was not a graduate, was granted a certificate to practice medicine for one year. Dr. Snodgrass was appointed Secretary pro tern, at this meeting, and served in that capacity. July 8, 1869, the Society, at its regular meeting, admitted
Vice President; E. W. Moore, Secretary; W. H. Phillips, Treasurer; Committee on Ethics, Drs. Young and Kraner; Censors, Drs. Kraner, Stanley, Chesney, Phillips and William Watt. At the July meeting, 1870, L. T. Guerin was received as a member, and the following officers chosen: William Jones, President; Jesse Snodgrass, Vice President; E. W. Moore, Secretary; J. A. Rogers, Treasurer; Committee on Ethics, Drs. Young, Phillips and Watt; Censors, Drs. Stansell, Munson, Phillips, Watt and Snodgrass. In October, 1870, D. H. Le Van was admitted to membership. April 13, 1871, J. C. Banning became a member of the Society, and at the same meeting the lately revised constitution, by-laws and fee bill were adopted, and ordered to be printed for the use of the members.
At the next regular meeting, held July 13, 1871, A. W. Munson was elected President; J. B. Young, Vice President; Jesse Snodgrass, Secretary; J. A. Rogers, Treasurer; Committee on Admissions, Drs. Chesney, Le Van and Stansell; Committee on Ethics, Drs. Jones, Phillips and Banning. In July, 1872, E. H. Pinney and Silas Protzman joined the Society. At this meeting, the following officers were elected: William Jones, President; J. A. Stansell, Vice President; Jesse Snodgrass, Secretary; J. A. Rogers, Treasurer; Drs. Phillips, Chesney and Munson, Committee on Admissions; Drs. Watt, Stansell and Le Van, Committee on Ethics. On the 23d of June, 1874, the Society granted Henry A. Tobey, of Mount Victory, a certificate to practice medicine. Dr. Tobey is now the Superintendent *>f the Asylum for the Insane at Dayton, Ohio, and ranks high in the profession.
who had been absent for several years, was restored to full fellowship. The officers chosen at this meeting were as follows: W. M. Chesney, President;
R. M. Brayton, Vice President; Jesse Snodgrass, Secretary; J. A. Rogers, Treasurer; Censors, Drs. Stansell, Munson, Phillips, Watt and Snodgrass; Committee on Admissions, Drs. Munson, Phillips and Protzman; Committee on Ethics, Drs. Watt, Stansell and Le Van. In January, 1875, Dr. E, B. Hiestand became a member of the society, and was the last physician who was admitted to membership.
We find that a feeling of apathy again took possession of the Society, the attendance grew smaller and smaller, until finally active interest ceased altogether. The last regular meeting was held April 8, 1875; but a special called meeting took place August 27, 1878, for the purpose of passing appropriate resolutions on the death of Dr. U. P. Leighton, one of the founders of the society. Since that time, no meetings have been held, or if sa there is no record of such meetings, and practically speaking the Hardin County Medical Society has again ceased to exist. There is, at present, some talk of an effort to revive the old Society or organize a new one. Yet, as nothing has been done in the matter, it is impossible to predict how soon the subject will take practical shape,
Looking through the records of the Hardin County Medical Society, during its active operation of about sixteen years, we find that subjects of vital interest to the profession have constantly engaged the attention of its members, and great benefit has, doubtless, been derived from the essays and discussions, not only to the medical fraternity, but to the community at large. A more elevated standard of medical ethics has been secured than otherwise would have existed, while incompetence and charlatanism was uniformly rebuked. Many of the leading questions connected with the progress of medical science for the last thirty years have been canvassed, prevailing diseases and local epidemics considered, and a vast amount of co operative work done in the Society's sessions, the valuable results of which the citizens of Hardin County are now receiving, almost wholly unconscious of the source whence, to so great an extent, they have come.
Since the organization of Hardin County in 1833, the question of organizing a Society whose 'object would be the preservation of the names and records of the pioneer fathers and mothers,has been agitated at different periods, but it was not until thirty-five years after the civil organization of the county that a permanent Society was established. On the evening of June 5, 1868, a number of pioneer citizens met at the office of Judge Anthony Banning, and organized by calling Judge Hugh Letson to the chair and appointing Dr. A. W. Munson as Secretary.
On motion of Judge Anthony Banning, the chair was directed to appoint a committee of five to draft the necessary rules and regulations to govern the Association, whereupon the chair appointed R. D. Millar, Dr. A. W. Munson, Judge Anthony Banning, Dr. IT. P. Leighton and James L. Stevenson.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at the court house on Tuesday evening the 9th inst. , at which time the committee was directed to report.
The meeting convened at the appointed time and place and reported the following articles for the government of said Association, which were adopted :
Art. 2. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, Vice President and Secretary, who shall be chosen annually by the members of the Association, who maybe present at such annual meeting, to perform the duties usually pertaining to such offices.
Art. 4. The Association shall convene at Kenton annually on the 4th of July, unless otherwise ordered by a majority of the members present at such annual meeting.
Art. 5. A book shall be provided in which the name of each member, and the date of his or her settlement in the county shall be entered, and said book kept in the custody of the Secretary.
On motion of J. L. Stevenson, the following persons were selected as a Central Committee of Arrangements, viz., John Parkinson, Dr. U. P. Leighton, A. M. Davis, Luther Furney and Judge David Goodin. The following gentlemen were selected as auxiliary to the Central Committee: Roundhead Township, Allen F. McArthur and Henry Nagle; McDonald, Alexander Given and Enoch Harvey; Lynn, Daniel Vermillion and Samuel Stevenson; Taylor Creek, Homer Stevenson and Joshua Caseman; Buck, Samuel Mentzer and James Paver; Hale, Abraham Dille and James Andrews; Dudley, Judge Portius Wheeler and Miles W. Van Fleet; Goshen, William A. Kelly and Samuel Haines; Pleasant, Dr. U. P. Leighton and John Parkinson; Cessna, Bernard Mathews and Jonathan Mathews; Marion, Henry Thomson and Beni Garwood; Liberty, John Tressler and Richard Johnson; Washington, Andrew Kridler and Morgan Gardner; Blanchard, D. H. Edgar and James A. Thompson; Jackson, Thomas E. Hueston and John McVitty.
The first annual celebration of the Society was held at the court house July 4, 1868, at which time Article 2 of the constitution was so amended as to provide for a Vice President from each township. Judge Hugh Letson was chosen President, and the following members elected as Vice Presidents: Roundhead Township, Benjamin Rutledge; McDonald, Alexander Given; Lynn, Daniel Vermillion; Taylor Creek, Joshua Caseman; Buck, James Dunson; Hale, James Andrews; Dudley, Miles W. Van Fleet; Goshen, Samuel Haines; Pleasant, Dr. U. P. Leighton; Cessna, Bernard Mathews; Marion, Isaac McElhaney; Liberty, John Shanks, Washington, Elihu Mathews; Blanchard, James A. Thompson; Jackson, Thomas E. Hueston. Dr. A. W. Munson was elected Secretary.
In the Afternoon, the Association met pursuant to adjournment, with Judge Hugh Letson in the chair. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. C. W. Show, after which Dr. A. W. Munson read the Declaration of Independence, followed by the opening address delivered by Judge Anthony Banning. An original poem was then read by Dr. U. P. Leighton, and sung by a choir of ladies and gentlemen who had volunteered their services for the celebration. As this poem was composed by Dr. Leighton for the occasion, it will be but a fitting tribute to his memory, and the deep interest he always manifested for the welfare of the Association, to give it a place in this article:
1 The audience was addressed by Dr. William Jones, Kev. C. W. Show, Thomas E. Hueston and Dr. A. W. Munson, who gave lucid discriptions of J the hardships and privations which attended the early settlement of the I county. The event was one long to be remembered, and as each rehearsed his or her story of bygone days, they again lived over in memory the scenes i of the past, when Hardin County was a wilderness into which they came to brave the trials and dangers of frontier life. Thus was founded this i Society, which has lived and flourished up to the present, holding its an- I nual celebrations at Kenton.
1 On the 3d of July, 1869, the following officers were elected for the en- ^ suing year: President, Thomas E. Hueston, of Jackson Township; Vice I Presidents, D. H. Edgar, of Blanchard Township; David Warner, of Jack- ' son; William A. Kelly, of Goshen; Miles W. Van Fleet, of Dudley; i James Andrews, of Hale; Samuel Mentzer, of Buck; Paul K. Seig, of ! Taylor Creek; Alexander Given, of McDonald; Samuel Stevenson, of ^ Lynn; A. F. McArthur, of Round Head; James Thompson, of Marion;
John Shanks, of Liberty; Elihu Mathews, of Washington; Lemuel Wil- ^ moth, of Pleasant; Bernard Mathews, of Cessna; Secretary, A. W. Mun- I * son, of Pleasant Township.
i At the annual meeting, held July 4, 1870, Alexander Given, of Mc- ] Donald Township, was elected President, and the following gentlemen Vice 4 Presidents for the coming year: John Pfeiffer, of Round Head Township;
Joseph McArthur, of McDonald; Joshua Caseman, of Taylor Creek; Sam- 1 uel Stevenson, of Lynn; Samuel Mentzer, of Buck; Harrison Lake, of Hale; Amos Wheeler, of Dudley; D. K. Gilmore, of Goshen; Daniel Bar- I ron, of Pleasant; John D. Cessna, of Cessna; James Thompson, of Marion; j On the 17th of June, 1871, the constitution was altered so as to admit every citizen who had settled in the county prior to December 31, 1840, I and an invitation was extended to said citizens to join the Association.
Hon. John Carey, of Wyandot County; William Walker, the half-breed Wyandot Chief, of Kansas; Thomas Shanks, the venerable pioneer who was more than one hundred years old, and Rev. Benjamin Waddle. The association elected Dr. D. P. Leighton, of Kenton, President, and the following Vice Presidents: John Pfeiffer, of Round Head Township; Enoch Harvey, of McDonald; D. S. Vermillion, of Lynn; Paul K. Seig, of Taylor Creek; Abraham Dille, of Hale; John Mentzer, of Buck; Joshua Cope, of Dudley; Samuel Haines, of Goshen; Abel Allen, of Pleasant; Benjamin F. Wheeler, of Cessna; Henry Thompson, of Marion; John Shanks, of Liberty; David Obenour, of Washington; W. D. Edgar, of Blanchard; Jasper Pimperton, of Jackson. Dr. A. W. Munson was again chosen as Secretary of the society. Addresses were delivered by Hon. John Carey, William Walker, Joel Goodin, John W. Williams, of Hancock County, and other members of the Society. The usual exercises and festivities were gone through with, and the day generally enjoyed by all who participated therein.
On the 4th of July, 1872, Miles W. Van Fleet, of Dudley Township, was elected President; Dr. A. W. Munson, Secretary, and the following gentlemen Vice Presidents: Joseph McArthur, of Round Head Township; Alexander Given, of McDonald; Basil Bailey, of Taylor Creek; David Stanford, of Buck; Thomas Dunson, of Hale; William D. F. Mathews, of Dudley; William A. Kelly, of Goshen; Lemuel Wilmoth, of Pleasant; John Gramleich, of Cessna; William H. Connor, of Marion; Richard Johnson, of Liberty; Elihu Mathews, of Washington; Alonzo Lynch, of Blanchard; John McVitty, of Jackson. The day was celebrated in the usual manner by addresses, music and social pleasures common on such occasions.
In 1873, a change took place in the number of officers chosen. When the Association met as usual at the court house, July 4 of that year, Judge Anthony Banning moved that the constitutional rule in relation to the election of officers be suspended, and that the Society elect said officers by a viva voce vote, whereupon Asher Letson was chosen President and Anthony Banning Secretary. There do not seem to have been any Vice Presidents elected at this meeting, and if there were, their names do not appear on record in the minutes. The time of holding the annual celebration was changed to the first Saturday in June, and a Committee of Arrangements, consisting of John Parkinson, Harvey Buckmister and Daniel Barron, was appointed for the ensuing year.
In 1874, the Association convened at the court house on the day appointed. William A. Kelly was elected President; Luther Furney, Vice President, and Anthony Banning, Secretary. Dr. Munson was selected to prepare brief biographies of the members who had died during the year. The usual addresses were delivered by the President, Vice President and other members of the Society.
In 1875, J. B. Bowdle was chosen President; H. Buckmister, First Vice President; John Parkinson, Second Vice President, and Dr. A. W. Munson, Secretary. After the usual exercises in music and speaking, Dr. Munson read the biographical obituaries of Judge Portius Wheeler and Jonathan Mathews, which he had prepared for the occasion by order of the Association. Rev. T. H. Wilson was selected as the biographical historian for the succeeding year.
There does not seem to have been any uniform or permanent rule for the government of the Association, fcr we find that the meeting, in 1876, took place on the 4th of July, although there is nothing in the minutes regard- ing such a change; also the custom of electing a Vice President for each township was again restored, after having been discarded for the past three years. The officers elected in 1876, were President, David H. Edgar; Vice Presidents, Frank Given, of Pound Head Township; Joseph McArthur, of McDonald; Daniel Vermillion, of Lynn; Samuel Mentzer, of Buck; Abraham Dille,of Hale; Joshua Cope, of Dudley; William A. Kelly, of Goshen; John Parkinson, of Pleasant; John Crumley, of Cessna; James Powell, of Marion; John Shuster, of Liberty; George Darst, of Washington; Moses Packer, of Blanchard; James Howey, of Jackson. For Secretary, Dr, A. W. Munson.
In 1877, the Association met at the court house on the 4th of July. Rev. T. H. Wilson was elected President; Dr. A. W. Munson, Secretary; and the following Vice Presidents: Frank Given, of Round Head Township;
Alexander Given, of McDonald; Paul K. Seig, of Taylor Creek; Daniel Vermillion, of Lynn; Samuel Mentzer, of Buck; Abraham Dille, of Hale; Joshua Cope, of Dudley; William A. Kelly, of Goshen; John Parkinson, of Pleasant; John Crumley, of Cessna; James Powell, of Marion; John Shuster, of Liberty; George Darst, of Washington; Moses Packer, of Blanchard; James Howey, of Jackson. The Rev. T. K. Wilson read obituary notices of Joshua Caseman, John Goodin, Cyntha Stevenson, Lydia Smith, Dr. Samuel Watt, Franklin Banning, Raymond Banning and Mrs. Ford, which were placed on tile. Article 3 of the constitution was so amended as to admit all citizens who had been continuous residents of Hardin County for thirty years prior to their application for membership. This amendment met with some opposition, but, as its advocates argued, unless it was adopted the association would, in a few years, become extinct for the want of members. Every year, the hand of death was laid upon some of the older members, and unless the time of eligibility to membership was changed, in a few short years none would be left to keep alive and further the objects of the Society. The opposition contended, that if the amendment was adopted, the Society could no longer be called "A Pioneer Association," and that it was founded solely to preserve the records of pioneers aind the early events of historical interest connected with the settlement of Hardin County. A vote was taken and the amendment was adopted by seventeen yeas to eight nays. Thus was the Association made perpetual so long as that amendment remains the law.
On the 29th of June, 1878, John Johnson was elected President, and the Vice Presidents of the preceding year were again chosen, as was also the Secretary, Dr. Munson. Rev. T. H. Wilson delivered an address on the deceased members of the past year, when, after a few brief addresses by other members, the meeting adjourned.
In 1879, the Society did not hold its annual meeting until September 6, on which date Dr. A. W. Munson, of Kenton, was elected President; Miles W. Van Fleet, of Dudley Township, Vice President; William A. Kelly, of Goshen Township, Secretary. After the usual address and routine of business was finished, the meeting closed.
On the 12th of June, 1880, the following officials were chosen; Presidents, Miles W. Van Fleet, of Dudley Township; Vice President, Joshua Cope, of Dudley Township; Secretary, Dr. A W. Munson, of Kenton. These gentlemen were re-elected to the same positions October I, 1881, and served two years in succession.
Kenton, was elected President; William Kelly, of Goshen Township, Vice President; Dr. A. W. Mnnson, of Kenton, Secretary. On motion of Rev. T. H. Wilson, it was resolved to hold the next meeting at Kenton, on the first Tuesday in August, 1882, and to celebrate the day by an old-fashioned social gathering and dinner. Dr. A. W. Munson, William A. Kelly, Rev. T. H. Wilson, Mrs. James Bain and Mrs. William A. Kelly were appointed a Committee of Arrangements to prepare for the occasion such social enjoyments as would be necessary.
On motion of W. C. Ingman, the Chairman appointed the following committee to work up an interest among the pioneers throughout their respective townships, in favor of the Association: Goshen Township, W. C. Ingman; Blanchard, William Hall; Cessna, John Foit; Washington, Elihu Mathews; Liberty, John Shanks; Marion, James Powell; Round Head, Seth V. Henkle; McDonald, Alexander Given; Lynn, Daniel Vermillion; Buck, John Allen; Hale, Uriah Baldwin; Dudley, Miles Van Fleet; Taylor Creek, Paul K. Seig; Pleasant, Rev. T. H. Wilson.' Numerous addresses were delivered, and early reminiscences recounted, telling of the hardships and trials of the days that ne'er will come again.
The entertainment was held in the City Hall at Kenton, August, 1882, and was a very enjoyable affair. The next annual meeting took place at the court house June 28, 1883.
Dr. A. W. Munson has been Secretary of the Association from its organization to the present time, with the exception of three years, viz. ; From July, 1873, to June, 1875, and from September, 1879, to June, 1880. In 1880, he was President of the Society. It is only justice to add that he has done more toward keeping up a proper interest in the Association than, perhaps, any other member of the Society. His position as Secretary imposed upon him much labor that no other officer was compelled to undergo; and that the records are in such good condition, and the minutes so well preserved, is a creditable fact, for which he deserves the gratitude of the Association.
One of the main objects of the Society was to obtain a complete list of the pioneers of Hardin County, together with a brief record of the date and place of their nativity, time of settlement in this county, their place of residence prior to coming here, and, if deceased, the date of such event. It was also the intention to give short sketches of deceased members, but unfortunately their descendants have rarely availed themselves of this opportunity to preserve for posterity the simple story of their ancestors' lives. The record of the Association is therefore incomplete. In many cases nothing but the name appears, so, wherever the date and place of birth, time of settlement and death, etc. , are missing from this list, it is because the records fail to give the information.
Residence
The following is a list of those members of whom nothing appears on ord but their names : John Allen, A. N. Bird, Uriah Baldwin, Silas iley, Abraham Bolenbaugh, Isaac Bolenbaugh, Basil Bailey, William H. aner, 0. P. Cessna, Elias Collins, Elizabeth Castor, John Copeland, lliam T. Cessna, Abraham Dille, William C. Dewitt, William D. yar, Henry K. Ford, Gideon Gary, Morgan Gardner, William M. John- , James Beeper, Alonzo Lynch, John L. Mentzer, D. J. Mentzer, Joseph Arthur, Allen F. McArthur, Isaac McElhaney, Wilmot Munson, W. D. thews, James R. Millar, Obediah Osborn, Moses Packer, John Pool, >mas Price, H. M. Robey, Joseph Reed, William C. Ross, John F. Sny- ' James L. Stevenson, Benjamin Scott, Jeremiah Simms, James S. mpson, D. S. Vermillion, David Ward and S. C. Wilson. There are a names on the minute book of the Society whose record is missing, but lave supplied the dates, etc., and they will be found complete.
Provenance
Text from The History of Hardin County, Ohio, published 1883, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.