Union County, Ohio - The Town of Marysville - Paris Township, 1883 (part 1 of 3)

The Town of Marysville - Paris Township

EN: original plat of Marysville was laid out in 1819, and the following de- E scription thereof is from the records of Delaware County, which then included the site:

« Plat of the town of Marysville, which is situated on Mill Creek, a branch of the West Fork of the Scioto River, in Delaware County, Ohio, which was surveyed ' and laid out, agreeable to the above plat, for Samuel Culbertson,* Esq., proprietor of said town, as laid out to the cardinal points of the compass. The streets and alleys all at right angles ; the lots are five perches in front, or north and south, and eight perches back, or east and west ; the lots contain one-fourth part of an acre each, except the fractional lots which join the public square are less ; the streets are all four perches wide except the two streets running north and south, one of which being on the east side of the public square and the other on . the west side, are thirty-three feet wide each ; the alleys are all sixteen and onehalf feet wide each, all of which is fully delineated on the above plat.

The lots in this plat were numbered from one to ninety-six ; the public square was in the shape of a diamond. The land included in this plat is a part of Edward Dowse's Survey No. 3351, surveyed for him in 1798, by Nathaniel Massie, D. S., on certain military warrants held by Dowse. Stephens Thomson Mason, of Loudoun County, Va., purchased the warrants and received a patent from the United States Government May 7, 1800, for the whole survey, 1087 acres, "situate, lying and being between the Little Miami and Scioto Rivers, northwest of the River Ohio." March 21, 1801, Mason sold it to Joseph Scott, of Philadelphia, for five shillings, and the latter, on the 22d of September in the same year, disposed of it to Francis Bailey, of Lancaster County, Penn., for the sum of $187. Bailey, who owned a printing establishment in Philadelphia, on the 15th of March, 1813, conveyed the land to Margaret Bailey, "a single woman," for $1. July 10, 1817, Miss Bailey sold the west one-third part of her purchase to Samuel W. Culbertson, also for $1. By. this Mr. Culbertson became the owner of what a subsequent survey proved to be 450 acres of land. It is thus described in the deed to him: "Beginning on the bank of Mill Creek, in Delaware County, Ohio, above where the present road passes from Delaware to Urbana, at two sugar trees and lyn, the northwest corner Edward Dowse's Survey No. 3351 ; thence seventy and one-half east 152 poles to a hickory, sugar tree and ash in the line of said Dowse's survey, at one-third of the whole distance - 456 poles ; thence south ten east 436 poles to a post in the south boundary of said Dowse's survey, crossing the creek at 189 poles ; thence south eighty west 152 poles with said south boundary to a large white oak and three sugar trees southwest corner to said Dowse's survey ; thence north ten west 436 poles along the west boundary of said Dowse's survey, crossing the creek to the beginning."

Culbertson lived at Zanesville, Ohio. June 28, 1820, his wife, Mary* Culbertson, granted him a power of attorney to convey for her the interest she owned in any lands in Union County which he wished to sell. July 25, 1822, the following power of attorney was granted by Culbertson and wife to Silas G. Strong, of Marysville :

« Know all men by these presents, That we, Samuel W. Culbertson, and Nancy, his wife, for divers good causes and considerations us thereunto moving, and the sum of one dollar to us in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do and by these presents have nominated, constituted and appointed Silas G. Strong, of Marysville, our true and lawful attorney in fact, for us and in our names, to sell any and every inlot in Marysville, as laid out by Samuel W. Culbertson, beginning with lot number one and taking every odd lot progressively as high as lot number ninety-six, the even lots having been already disposed of; and lots numbers one, three, forty-five, fifty-one, he is to be restricted to the prices as marked on the plat this day furnished him, subscribed by S. W. Culbertson ; the lots to be sold for one-fourth in hand and the residue within three years from the date, with interest from the sale ; when the sale is made, our attorney to give to the purchaser a title bond in our names, to bind us to make a complete legal title to the purchaser on the payment of the whole purchase-money to him or us ; he is also to make and give leases for small outlots for improvements, until outlots are laid out for sale, at which time the leases are to be void on the leasee being paid for his improvement. All our attorney's acts done by him agreeable to this power are to be done by him in our names, which he is to subscribe until this power is revoked by us ; and we do hereby obligate ourselves to ratify and confirm whatever our said attorney may do by virtue of this our authority, as witness our hands and seals at Marysville this 25th day of July, 1822.

Mr. Strong received like documents from other non-resident property holders, to sell or lease land for them, and was a man of extensive business for those days.

Marysville having been fixed upon as the seat of justice for the county of Union, David Comer was, on the 10th of July, 1820, appointed Director of said town, with Thomas McDonald and George Harris as his bondsmen. On the day following it was * Ordered by the Court, That David Comer, the Director of the town of Marysville, be governed in his proceedings by the following rules, to-wit : That he select the grounds and lots; that he receive deeds for the county ; that he sell the lots at public sale, giving first thirty days' notice in the neighboring papers ; that he sell for one-tenth in hand and the balance in four equal annual payments ; that he lay out the land in lots (either in or out lots as the ground may best suit); that he make any alterations in laying out the town which Culbertson and himself may think expedient; that he take bond, with security, from purchasers. After the public sale he may sell at private sale, and clear off the ground before the sales and make such other improvements as may be advantage- - ous to the county."

April 18, 1821, a plat of Marysville was placed on record in Union County, having a total of 144 lots; this was laid out by Mr. Comer, as Director, the lots from 98 to 144, inclusive, having been donated by Mr. Culbertson for the use of the county. The space between Center and North streets, extending east the width of one lot beyond Water street, was called * Military Square," and has since been laid out into lots. It was 43 poles and 4 links east and west, by 28 poles north and south, and contained 7 acres 47 poles and 9 links. Culbertson and his wife, upon the establishment of the seat of justice at Marysville, deeded to David Comer, in trust for the county, all the even-numbered lots in the original plat and

Mr. Culbertson sold the following, making deeds of a number of them after he had conveyed to his son-in-law, Joshua Mathiot, the entire 450 acres, except such lots as had been already sold or contracted for, the transfer occurring April 10, 1828 :

April 12, 1851, Joshua Mathiot's widow sold to John Cassil her dower estate in Survey 3,351, described in a deed bearing that date. The administrators subsequently sold a number of lots in Mathiot's addition. In March, 1849, the Commissioners ordered a re-numbering of the lots in Marysville, in compliance with an act of the Legislature passed February 2, 1848, and the Auditor and Recorder performed the work, making a few changes from the original numbering. The following additions have been made to the town, aside from those already mentioned :

Mathiot's Addition - April 16, 1851, lots added from 172 to 221, inclusive, and several outlots, principally south of original town, but extending a little to the east thereof. i

Southwick's Addition - Weaver and Center streets (east of Weaver and south of Center, crossing South street), by E. R. Southwick, May 18, 1876.

Freshwaters Addition - Between Vine and Water streets, and between Center street and the railroad, by William Burns, executor of will of William Freshwater, March 2, 1880.

he name ^ Marysville" was given to the town hy Mr. Culbertson when he laid it out, in honor of his daughter Mary, who subsequently became the wife of Gen. Joshua Mathiot. The banks of Mill Creek, at Marysville, are 480 feet above the waters of the Ohio River at Portsmouth - the mouth of the Scioto. The stream is here not large. but furnishes slight power. During the dry season its channel is nearly filled with a vegetable growth.

Early Settlement

The first cabin on the site of Marysville is said to have been built by a Quaker named Jonathan Summers, about 1816. After the town was platted, its first settlers were Matthias Collins, Samuel Miller and John Leeper. George Snodgrass, the oldest living resident of Union County, in a letter dated at Urbana, Ohio, December 18, 1882, contributes from his recollection substantially as follows :

«When I came to Marysville to live, in February, 1824, there were but four families living on the town plat; it was literally in the woods. Silas G. Strong had just moved in a new log house, just where the house of Judge Woods, deceased, now stands, opposite the jail, on land he had purchased at $3.50 per acre. Daniel Miller, a brother-in-law of David Comer, lived in an old log cabin built probably by a squatter. He had four children, was a brick-maker by trade, and died here after a few years; his widow removed from the place. Matthias Collins was here when I came. He had one or two children. His wife died at an early date. Collins was a carpenter, and built a little one-story house on East Center street, just on the east side of the branch. Dr. Henderson owns the site now. Collins got married in 1830, perhaps; moved on a farm, liveda few years and died. The fourth family was that of Stephen McLain. He was raised in Champaign County, Ohio, married in the fall of 1823, moved to Marysville, and was jailer, living in the jail when I went there in February, 1824. Those were the citizens of Marysville then.

"Between that date and the fall of 1827, two families located in the place - George Minturn and wife, from Champaign County, and Newton Hicks and wife. Minturn was a wheelwright by trade, and made little and big spinning wheels. : People at that time manufactured their own wearing apparel. Newton Hicks was a tanner. I built the first two-story frame to live in that was put up in Marysville. I think Iam safe in saying that I taught the first school that had any scholars, in the corporation or town plat.

"T recollect David Comer distinctly. He was a man of considerable ability, and a gentleman. He was our Captain; I have mustered under him. He was elected Commissioner of Union County at an early date. He owned a good farm three miles west of Milford, and died about the year 1830. Some years after that the widow married a fine man by the name of Ralph Cherry. They are both gone. As regards Clark Provin, I can say but little. My recollection is that he was appointed Clerk of the Court until one could be elected ; if so, then Silas G. Strong was elected. I am not able to state what became of him.

"Silas G. Strong was an Eastern man. He had a good education, and was smart, shrewd, and capable of filling any office in the county or State. He came to Marysville soon after the organization of the county. He was of the Presbyterian order. When I came to live with him he was Clerk of the Courts, County and Township Recorder, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster. He was a good surveyor, was agent for a good many tracts of land, and his having no family except his wife was the reason I went to live with him ; he wanted some one to assist him in his business. I was to stay with him three years. When I was not engaged for him, he was to educate me in his own house. He was to give me $33 the first year, $66 the second, $100 the third, and board me and do my washing ; I was to furnish my own clothing. I lived with him three years, then got married, rented his house and kept tavern, Strong and his wife boarding with me. He always treated me well, never a cross word passing between us. During that time, I taught school nine months in one place, a mile and a half from Marysville, at $12.50 per month.

"Amos A. Williams was then Sheriff of the county. He was a carpenter by trade, and as the business of his office did not give him constant employment, he made me his deputy and left the entire business with me. I was then twenty years of age. He was elected for a second term, and I still remained with him making three years altogether, to the satisfaction of all concerned."

Mr. Snodgrass further says: " My futher's name was Robert Snodgrass. He came from Pennsylvania and settled near Milford in the year 1800, with five or six other families - relatives. At that time the country was a wilderness; Indians were very plenty, but friendly. Our family numbered ten persons, of whom four were born in the bounds of Union. I was born June 8, 1805."*

About 1835-40, Silas G. Strong changed his religious views and went, with his wife, to the Shakers. After one year he became dissatisfied and returned to Marysville. He then embraced the doctrine of the Second Adventists and became enthusiastic in that belief. W. C. Malin relates of him that he had his " ascension robe" ready on several occasions, and at one time took a man's cow and wanted the cow back, saying that his family was nearly starving. Strong told him it made no difference; the people would all be "called up" in a few days any way - referring to the predicted "end of the world." After a number of years Strong went to Nauvoo, Ill., and joined the Mormons, and there died. Some time later his wife returned to her friends in the East.

David Wittert was the third Sheriff of Union County, elected in 1828 and re-elected in 1832. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1786. His father, Elijah Witter, removed to Ontario County, N. Y., about the beginning of the present century. In that county, near Geneva, David continued to reside until he was about twenty-eight years old. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and as such participated in the battle at Queenstown Heights, in Canada, fought in October, 1812. He belonged to the force under Col. S. Van Rensselaer, which assaulted and took the enemy's works, but a re-enforcement of the enemy came up and retook them.

In 1814, Mr. Witter moved to Ohio and bought land and settled in Union County, on the Darby Plains. Here he improved a large and valuable farm, and was greatly prospered while he resided on it. At the public sale of town lots in Marysville, in 1820, Mr. Witter bought a large number of lots, among others the lot on which the American Hotel building now stands. He erected that structure in the summer and fall of 1829. It was one of the best hotel buildings then in this section of the State; there was at that time none superior to it either in Springfield, Delaware or Columbus. Mr. Witter owned some three hundred acres of land adjoining Marysville on the east, coming up to what is now known as Weaver street, including the Richey farm, part of the D. Longbrake farm, and part of Mrs. McFadden's farm. The land that he then owned in this vicinity is now of immense value, but was sold by him before it had appreciated much.

Mr. Witter was a man of great enterprise and activity, and very successful in business for many years; but in 1840 he engaged in buying hogs and cattle, and sustained heavy losses. He subsequently sold out and paid his debts, and in 1845 removed to Logan County, Ill., where he had entered one thousand acres of land in 1835. He remained on this land until 1857, when he sold out and moved to Pike County, IlL, where he died in June, 1857. Mr. Witter was married three times; first to Sally Witter, a distant relative ; this was in 1810. She died in 1838, and he married Mrs. Eliza Moran, in 1839, in Union County, Ohio. In 1857, he married a Mrs. Fuller, in Illinois. By his first wife he raised six children, five daughters and one son, as follows :

Clarissa, born in 1812, married to T. L. Campbell ; moved to Texas, raised a large family, and died just before the breaking-out of the rebellion.

Joshua, born in 1815, married in Union County ; moved to Illinois in 1845, and from thence to Texas in 1853. He remained there until the opening of the rebellion, when he was compelled to leave on aecount of his undisguised Union was one ot the chain-carriers for the surveyor who was authorized to lay out the Marion road, also the Newton road. Ta alas the entire distance from Marysville to the north part of the county, they saw but two or three cabins, One was in the valley of Boke's Creek, just north of Pharisburg, and another on Fulton Creek. The latter was occupied by Cyprian Lee. Levi Phelps, who surveyed the road, was then a young, unmarried man, and at Mr. Lee's house, where the party made its headquarters for several days, he met, in the person of Mr. Lee's sister, the lady who sentiments. His son made his way to the North before his father did, and joined the Union forces and served during the balance of the war. :

Mary married Horace G. Ballou, who removed from Marysville to Logan County, Ill., in 1850, where he practiced with success until 1855, when he died. His widow died in 1865.

Armuda P. married George Downing, in Logan County, Il., in 1845. He died in 1853, and she afterward married John England, who died in 1869. She is now a widow, and resides at Lincoln, Ill.

Sarah Ann married Levi Rinker, in Logan County, Il. He was a soldier in an Illinois regiment, and fell in battle near Atlanta, Ga. She resides near Fort Scott, Kan., and is a widow.

Mr. Witter had been unfortunate in business just before he left Ohio, but had repaired most of his losses before his death and left a good property to his children at his death. í

Adam Wolford, Sr., was raised in Guernsey County, Ohio, where he was probably born. He removed to Mt. Vernon, Knox County, where he was married on the 10th of May, 1821. Immediately after his marriage, he came with his wife to Union County and settled on a farm near the site of the present fair ground, a short distance outside of the corporation as it now exists. His daughter (Maria) was born December 18, 1825, and before she was a year old her parents moved into the village and located on a lot on the north side of South street, just east of the "town run; " the family took up its residence in a log house on said lot. At that date it is likely that log houses were the only kind to be seen within the limits of the place. Mr. Wolford was a carpenter by trade, and had most of the work in that line to perform for a considerable period; a great portion of the carpenter work in the court house recently abandoned was done by him. He afterward moved to the lot in the southwest part of town, on which the West School building now stands. Wher said building was erected, the frame house which occupied the site, and in which Mr. Wolford lived, was moved to the south side of the street and is now occupied by R. L. Partridge and family. Mr. Partridge married Mr. Wolford's daughter (Maria), mentioned above. Mr. Wolford died June 10, 1863, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife (Katharine Wolford), died October 17, 1865, aged sixty years.

Adam Wolford, Jr., brother to the wife of Adam Wolford, Sr., settled in Marysville with his widowed mother, Charlotte Wolford, about 1828. She afterward married Jacob Slicer, and both are now deceased. Adam Wolford, Jr., was only four years of age when his mother came with him and his brother and two sisters to Marysville. After a residence of forty-one years in the town, he removed to Missouri in 1869. He now resides near North Lewisburg, Ohio.

Richard Bancroft was born August 11, 1797, at Wakefield, England; came to America when nineteen years of age; married Mary Graham, February 14, 1822, in Clark County, Ohio, and soon after located at Marysville, where he resided over fifty years. He died August 22, 1880, in Iowa, while on a visit with his wife to their daughter. Mrs. Bancroft died at Anamosa, Iowa, at the residence of her daughter, July 13, 1881, in the seventy-eighth year of her age.

Thomas Snodgrass died at Marysville on the 21st of April, 1880, aged seventy-three years. He was a native of the county, and had spent the greater part of his life in Marysville. He established the first Methodist Sunday school in the place, connected himself with the church in 1828, became a class leader, and led the singing until about 1859. He remained a prominent member of the church until his death, and was a citizen greatly respected and esteemed. He was a man of marked character, and will long be remembered by those who knew him.

"Several of the older States were represented by the pioneer settlers of Union County, and Connecticut had a representative in Cyprian Lee, who was born in Berlin, Hartford Co., Conn., April 10, 1792. He was the son of John and Mary (Hart) Lee, and spent the early years of his life on the farm homestead of his father, in Kensington, in the town of Berlin. After he had become of legal age, he spent several years with his uncle, John Hart, who had removed from Connecticut to Petersburg, Va. On the failure of the health of his uncle, who then returned to Connecticut, his business was committed to him to settle up, and through this arrangement he became the owner of an undivided half of a tract of about 2.000 acres of land situated ou Fulton Creek, in what is now Claibourne Township, Union Co., Ohio. He first visited Ohio about the year 1820, remained for a time in Delaware, and there, about 1821. married Elizabeth Cooper, whose parents were from Vermont. Iu 1822, he concluded to settle upon his land in Union . County, and with this view he obtained an order of partition of the tract referred to, and the boundaries of the half belonging to him were established. He then sold a small parcel to a man who engaged to locate upon it and assist him for a time in the preliminiaries of his own settlement. 'The first work to be accomplished was the opening of a way for about four miles through a heavily timbered region, to get access with teams and wagons to the spot where he was to locate his log cabin; then the rearing of his cabin and the beginning of the clearing of the land for cultivation.

"Such an enterprise for a young man and a young wife, who had not been inured to life under such conditions, demanded courageous and resolute spirits, with. willing and strong hands, to endure the hardships and overcome the difficulties incident to such an'undertaking, and of his wife it can be truly said that she united the courageous, heroic spirit with the gentle and amiable traits of a true ' woman. He was a man of large frame, of great muscular strength, very supple and active, and he had courage and resolution. Addressing himself to the difficulties of his situation with ambitious earnestness, his exertions resulted in subjecting him to rheumatic disease, which so interfered with his farming pursuits that after two or three years he found it expedient to seek a different location and a different occupation ; accordingly, in 1824 or 1825, he removed to Marysville, and for a time kept a hotel. At the time of his residence on Fulton Creek, and during the earlier years of his residence in Marysville, there were some men in the vicinity who, while they were physically powerful, were of quarrelsome dispositions and fighting habits ; and there were several instances in which men of this sort challenged the manhood of Mr. Lee in ways which he could not allow to pass without asserting his manhood in a contest, the result of which was that in each case the assailing parties met their master. These demonstrations of his power and prowess becoming known to the near residents, led them to regard him with more than common respect; and, as he was of a very social nature, kind and generous hearted, and in his disposition the opposite of a quarrelsome man, he had many and warm friends. Besides heing of a genial, social nature, he had a cheerful, joyous temperament, and entered heartily into the innocent sports of the time - engaged in the games of ball with the men or the boys, as also in the hunts for game, and made himself an agreeable companion with all who were disposed to conduct themselves with moral propriety ; and very naturally, in such associations, he often took the place of leader, or captain, as for a period of several years he was the chosen Captain of the local militia. ex "Such were some of the incidents of the early years of his life in Union County, and such were some of his natural characteristics. He did not remain long at hotel keeping, but leaving that, engaged in mercantile business. He entered into the latter in company with others, having a number of different partners during the period in which he was engaged in trade, which continued up to the time of his death, which occurred September 24, 1854. He was elected Treasurer of the county, and held that office from 1845 to 1851; was elected Coroner in 1851, and served one year, and was once elected Mayor of Marysville, but declined to serve. He was not ambitious of official distinction, nor was he ever actuated by an eager desire to accumulate property. His business yielded him a sufficient income for the comfortable support of his family, with something more with which to gratify the generous and benevolent impulses of his nature. He had no disreputable habits, and his character was not stained by any immoral practices. It remains now to speak of him in relation to his religious character, and in this respect it may be said that he was a man of religious faith and precepts for some years before he made a public profession by connecting himself with a Christian Church; but, in 1841, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Marysville, was elected an Elder in 1843, and the same year became the clerk of the church session, and continued to hold these offices until his death, a period of twelve years. In 1841, he was elected Depositary of the County Bible Society, and in 1842 was elected to the Presidency of this society, and was continued in this office for twelve years. These facts are significant of the estimation in which his religious character was held by those with whom he was associated in the church, and in the County Bible Society; and they show that in some good degree he was true to his genealogical lineage. There coursed in his veins and pulsated in his heart the blood of Rev. Thomas Hooker, Deacon Stephen Hart and John Lee, all of whom were of that company of colonists that removed in 1636 * from Cambridge, Mass., to Hartford, Conn., and made the first ` settlement there. The John Lee of that colony, then a youth, subsequently married Mary Hart, daughter of Deacon Stephen Hart. Ata later period, Samuel Hart, a grandson of Stephen Hart, married Mary Hooker, a grand-daughter of Rev. Thomas Hooker. Still later, John Lee, of the fifth generation from John Lee, the colonist, married Mary Hart, a descendant of Deacon Stephen Hart and Rev. Thomas Hooker ; and this John Lee and Mary Hart Lee were the parents of Cyprian Lee.

"Few men were more prominent in the early history of Connecticut in shaping the religious and civil institutions of the State than Rev. Thomas Hooker ; and both the Harts and the Lees, for successive generations, were of devout religious proclivities, and stanch supporters of the religious institutions of their State, as also earnest advocates of the liberty of conscience and the natural rights of men under governmental arrangements, both civil and ecclesiastical. Cyprian Lee owed it to his ancestors to belong to the Christian Church, and to stand for the distribution of the Bible as he did. His children were: Mary, born October 10, 1823; Lewis Hart, born January 8, 1826; Samuel Cooper, born August 6, 1828. These are all living and have families, but none of them are now residents of Union County. The young wife, who shared heroically and affectionately with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life on Fulton Creek, died before the lapse of ten years from the time of their marriage. He subsequently married Me ADI of this county, who survived him but a few years, but left no chilren.

Tobias Beightler, from Fairfield County, Ohio, removed to Paris Township, Union County, in 1825, when twenty-one years of age. He was then possessed of limited means, but in the subsequent years accumulated enough to make him comfortable. According to his recollections as published in the Marysville Tribune in 1880, there were only seven voters in Marysville upon his arrival in the town; those were Matthias Collins, Thomas Collins, Eli Lundy, George H. Houser Hezekiah Bates - a blacksmith, who had a shop on the site now occupied by the People's Bank; Samuel Osborn, who had a small tannery where the city hall now is, and Silas G. Strong. The walls of the old American House, according to the

*This date should be October, 1635, at which time a colony of sixty persons left Boston, and, after passi Central Massachusetts, settled at Hartford, Wiudsor and Wethersfield, in Connecticut. - P. A.D. ine Rip memory of Mr. Beightler, were laid by Squire Gladhill and a man named Sprague. George H. Houser was a brother-in-law of Mr. Beightler, and in the year the latter arrived here killed seventy-seven deer, two bears and seven wolves, while Eli Lundy killed the same number of deer and two wolves.

Charles L. Mullen was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1814, and in 1829 came with his father to Marysville, where he resided until his death, February 4, 1882. It is said that he carried the first brick and mortar used in the construc. tion of the old court house. He was twice married - first, in January, 1843, to Sarah Bancroft, who died seven years later, and second, to Elizabeth J. Marfield, who survived him; each bore him four children. i

Calvin Winget was born in 1801, and very soon afterward his father, Stephen Winget, Sr., removed from Marietta, Ohio, to what is now Darby Township, Union County, where he died in March, 1807. The family was originally either from Pennsylvania or Virginia. Calvin Winget married Cynthia Irwin, sister of Gen. William B. Irwin, who is mentioned elsewhere. He lived for a time at Milford, where his son, William M. Winget, now of Marysville, was born June 1, 1829; four months after that event, he removed with his family to Marysville, where for a number of years he was engaged in the cabinet-making business, as were also his brothers, Stephen and David. Calvin Winget, on his arrival in the town, or soon after, occupied a house - part frame and part logs - which stood on the site of the present brick dwelling immediately east of the Congregational Church. He subsequently owned a house on the west side of Main street. opposite the American Hotel. This, together with the dwellings of two men named Hicks and Thornton, and a new building erected by John Adamson for a store and dwelling and not yet occupied by him, were destroyed by an incendiary fire in 1831. Adamson had a stock of goods in his store, and thieves had entered and stolen quantities thereof, afterward setting fire to the building. Two white men and a colored man were arrested the following day for the offense, tried and sentenced to the penitentiary. The families who had been burned out took rooms in the upper partof the hotel which David Witter had built, although it was not yet quite completed. The widow of Stephen Winget, Jr., from whom this information was derived, does not recollect who was then keeping the hotel, which had, in its incomplete state, been thrown open to the public, but thinks a man named Rice became its landlord soon after. Calvin Winget died in 1840, of milk sickness. In the possession of his son, Squire William M. Winget, is the original seal of Union County. It is made of brass and has upon its face the State coat-qf-arms, the words * Common Pleas of the County of Union," and the date 1820. The impression was made by placing its face over the instrument to be sealed and striking the back side with a hammer, and it bears many a dent from the blows inflicted. Squire Winget is one of the prominent citizens of the town and county, and has been honored with numerous Official positions - Justice of the Peace, County Clerk, etc.

Stephen Winget, Jr., was born in Darby Township, Union Co., Ohio, in April, 1807, a month after the death of his father, Stephen Winget, Sr. In 1829, he married Matilda Marshall, daughter of Thomas Marshall, and in May, 1830, removed with his wife to Marysville and entered into the cabinet-making business. His health afterward failed and he moved upon a farm he had purchased on the Milford road, but finally returned to Marysville and resumed his former occupation, For eight years he was associated with Jesse Gill in a saw-mill at North Lewisburg, Champaign County; both men are now deceased, Mr. Winget's death occurring at Marysville, December 19, 1879. Upon his arrival in this town in May, 1830, Mr. Winget moved in with his brother Calvin and lived for a few months in the upper part of the house occupied by the latter. He afterward occupied for a time a small frame building owned by Silas G. Strong, which stood opposite the present site of the Presbyterian Church, on the south side of West Center street. Strong had kept store in said building, carrying probably a general country stock. Stephen McLain was then a prominent citizen of the town, and occupied a central location, somewhere near the spot on which the Union Block now stands. The surroundings of the village at that day were rather dreary and unpleasant; scrubby brush, wet land and heavy timber made up the landscape, and about where the Presbyterian Church now is, and for a considerable space around, a "cat-tail" and willow swamp presented its beauties to the eye of the beholder. There was scarcely an indication that the village in a mud-hole would ever become the prosperous, thrifty and beautiful town which is the pride of its citizens to-day.

In May, 1830, there were but two or three frame houses in the place. Levi Phelps lived in one, a man named Powell in another, and Cornelius Sheltman, a wheeiwright,in another. Silas G. Strong was then keeping hotel on the ground lately occupied by Judge Woods, in a two-story log building, part of which was weather-boarded. Mrs. Stephen Winget was one of the ladies who attended the first Fourth of July celebration in Marysville, in 1828, and remembers it well ; SIX couples of young people were present from Darby Township. Mrs. Winget was born near Culpepper Court House, Fauquier Co., Va., and her father, Thomas Marshall, removed with his family to Logan County, Obio, when the daughter was five years old. In 1814, he changed his place of residence to Darby Township, Union County, and died, in the neighborhood of 1840, while living on Sugar Run.

Thomas Marshall Winget, oldest son of Stephen and Matilda Winget, was born in Marysville in August, 1830, and died at his home in the same town, December 27, 1877. He had been a respected citizen all his. life. His occupation had been that of a carpenter and cabinet-maker. He married Tabitha A., daughter of William M. Robinson, who, with three children, survives him.

« Philander B. Cole,* now the senior member of the bar of Union County, was born in Columbus, Ohio, October 10, 1815. He was the only child of James Cole and Jerusha, his wife. His father, James Cole, removed to Delaware County, where he bought land, about one-half of which was in Delaware and the other half in Union County, the family residence being in the former. This land was cleared and made into a farm, Philander assisting to clear and cultivate the same until the death of his mother, which took place in May, 1831. He was then in his sixteenth year. His father subsequently married again, at the happening of which event the young man carefully considered the situation and made up his mind to retire from the old home and seek his own fortune in the world. The first move he determined on for himself was to procure an education. To that end he immediately commenced attending school in the home district ; this was in the fall of 1831, and he continued at the same school, which was taught by three different teachers, until December, 1832, when' the teacher, a Mr. William Porter, frankly admitted that the pupil was as good a scholar as the master, and recommended him to seek better means of education elsewhere, advising him to go to Marysville and attend a school taught by his cousin, William C. Lawrence, which course he adopted ; and these are the circumstances which brought Philander B. Cole to Marysville. In the latter part of December, 1832, he called on Mr. Lawrence, at Marysville, and found him a very courteous and affable gentleman. He said he could receive him into the school if he could recite in classes already formed, and gave him a letter to Judge Silas G. Strong, recommending his adinission. Mr. Strong was one of the Directors, and very readily assented to the request of Mr. Lawrence. The kind treatment that Mr. Cole received from both those gentlemen on that occasion still remains fresh in his mind as a most pleasant remembrance. So the arrangement was made and he came to Marysville and entered the school on the 7th of January, 1833. He was then past seventeen years of age. He had been very carefully taught the rudiments of education, was a good speller and reader, was quite well informed on the rules of pronunciation, and had some superficial knowledge of arithmetic, geography and English grammar. He had a passion for reading, and perused over and over again the few books that had then come in his way; and he remembered their contents, for his memory was one of the most retentive. At the age of seventeen years, with these slender acquirements, he left home and entered in earnest upon the career of life. He entered the school of Mr. Lawrence, where he remained : until the following spring, and the next summer pursued his studies in the office of his preceptor, reciting to him privately. He entered the Baptist College, at Granville, Ohio (now Dennison University), at the beginning of the spring term in 1834, and remained until the end of the school-year, when, on to Marysville and commenced the study of law with William C. Lawrence, and was admitted to the bar by the Court in Banc, at Columbus, Ohio, in December, 1836.

" He returned to Marysville feeling elated and happy, for, notwithstanding he had no money or other valuable possessions, and was in debt over $200, incurred in prosecuting his studies, yet he was only twenty-one years old, and had succeeded in becoming a member of the bar under the most unfavorable conditions, and had secured the respect and confidence of the best men in the

"Tn the fall of 1838, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county, being the Whig candidate. His competitor was John F. Kinney, since a Judge of the Supreme Court of Iowa. He was re-elected in 1840, without opposition, and defeated in 1842 for the same office by Augustus Hall, on account of a division in the Whig party. Mr. Hall had sixteen votes majority. Mr. Cole was elected again in 1844, over C. W. B. Allison. In 1844, he and W. C. Lawrence started at Marysville the Argus newspaper; it supported Mr. Clay for the Presidency. They published it for one year. In 1846, Mr. Cole resumed the publication of the Argus, and continued to publish it until the fall of 1849, when he sold out to Cornelius S. Hamilton. It was a Whig paper.

"Tn the fall of 1850, Mr. Cole was nominated and elected Representative in the Legislature from the district composed of Union and Marion Counties. This was the last session under the old constitution. In 1851, he was re-elected for . the county of Union, it being entitled to a Representative alone under the new constitution. In his second term, he received the vote of his party for Speaker, but it being in the minority, his competitor, James C Johnson, of Medina County, was elected. The principal legislation of the sessions of 1850-51 related to the interest of railroads; bills authorizing counties, townships and cities to take stock, consuming much of the time. Mr. Cole supported these bills, which were the foundation of the present railroad system in the State, against strong party opposition, and drew all the laws authorizing Union County to take stock in the roads passing through its territory. The first term under the new constitution was oc- the amendment of almost every act in the statute books. Mr. Cole took an active and leading part in the work of the body, and participated in most of its discussions. After the close of the Legislature in the spring of 1853, he turned his at- with marked success. During the Presidential canvass of 1860, he was an carnest advocate of Mr. Lincoln's election, and supported the Government when the rebellion broke out, both with purse and as a public speaker and writer, and as Chairman of the County Military Committee to raise troops. In 1864, he was a Delegate to the National Republican Convention, and supported Mr. Lincoln for President and Daniel S. Dickenson for Vice President. The Ohio delegation agreed to vote as a unit for the man having a majority of the delegates, and as Mr. Johnson had a majority of one he received the whole vote of the State. In June, 1864, Mr. Cole was a candidate for Congress, receiving the vote of Union County solid and considerable support from Marion and Morrow, but Mr. Hubbell, of Delaware,

«Mr. Cole was elected to the State Senate in 1865, Col. Ramsey, of Kenton, being his opponent. He was appointed Chairman of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, and a member of the Standing Committees on Claims, Federal Relations and the Judiciary; and the Committee of Conference between the two Houses on the proposed amendment to the constitution allowing the right of suffrage to colored men. He was an active and prominent member of the Senate during his term. After its close, he continued to practice his profession until 1871, when he was elected a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which position he held for the constitutional term of five years. During his incumbency of this office, the subdistrict was composed of Union, Logan and Hardin Counties, and, the first two years, Shelby.

every enterprise and movement which tended to promote the material and educational interests of the people, and his voice and pen have exercised a potent influence in placing the county in its present advanced condition. He was a member of and President of the School Board in 1860, when the first new school building was erected, and he has served as President of the Town Library Association since its organization. The free turnpike system of the county is much indebted to him for its existence. He has held many important private trusts, all of which he has discharged with ability and fidelity. Asan advocate and speaker, he appears to the best advantage in the argument of equity cases to the court, the philosophical discussion of principles enlisting all the powers of his mind and arousing his energy and enthusiasm. He is still energetically engaged in prosecuting his private and professional business, takes the same interest in publie affairs as in earlier life, and bids fair to enjoy many years to come of usefulness and activity. . «Mr, Cole was married to Dolly B. Witter, daughter of David Witter, third Sheriff of Union County, on the 30th of July, 1839. They have six living children, all of whom were born in Marysville, and all now past the age of majority, as follows:

"Ulysses D. Cole, residing in Rushville, Ind. He graduated at Kenyon College, Gambia, Ohio, in June, 1862. He soon after enlisted as a private in the Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. He re-enlisted in the same regiment upon its re-organization, and was elected First Lieutenant. In 1864, he was commissioned a Captain in the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment, Company B, which he recruited, and served until the close of the war. He studied law with his father, took a course at the Harvard law school, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He practiced law in partnership with his father one year, and removed to Huntington, Ind., where he followed his profession and owned and edited the Huntington Herald for nine years. In 1876, he was elected Joint Representative of Huntington and Wabash Counties to the Lower House of the Indiana Legislature. In 1880, he removed to Rushville, Ind. He was married in 1873 to Miss Ella Purviance, who died in 1876, and again, in 1880, to Miss Siddie Mauzy, of Rushville.

"James B. Cole, residing in Marysville, Ohio. He graduated at West Point Military Academy in 1866, and served as Second and First Lieutenant in the Fourth United States Cavalry for five years. He resigned in 1871 and returned to Marysville, where he studied and has since practiced law. He was married in 1872 to Miss Mary McAlister, daughter of R. T. McAlister, of Union County.

*The branch of the Fairbanks family residing in Union County, Ohio, is descended from one of five brothers who emigrated from Wales to America at an early period. The first of the family of whom there is anything definite known is Luther Fairbanks, Sr., whose home was Pittsfield, Vt. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was captured in the attack on Quebec, and suffered great privations during his imprisonment. His son Luther was born September 10, 1780, and married Lucy Lewis, of Barnard, Vt., early in 1800. In 1835, they removed with their family to Ware Village, Mass. In the fall of 1837, they made another move, this time to the Darby Plains, Union Co., Ohio, where Mr. Fairbanks engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1842, when the death of Mrs. Fairbanks caused

" Edward E. Cole, residing in Marysville, Ohio. He graduated at the Ohi Wesleyan Universit Delaware, Ohio, in c 5 studi dE E ieii Masai A ,in the class of 1874; studied law, and has

"Jessie F. Cole, residing at Marysville, was educated at Western Female Seminary, Oxford, Ohio; and Dollie E. Cole, residing at Marysville, who was educated at Monnett Hall, Delaware, Ohio, and the Cincinnati College of Music."

.. James Turner, Judge of the Probate Court of Union County, died at Marysville while holding that office, December 26, 1859. He was a native of York County, Penn. and came with his father to Ohio about 1816, settling in Clark County. The Judge removed to Marysville in 1834, and continued a resident of the place until his death. He was almost constantly in office Guring his residence in Marysville; was Justice of the Peace many years, County Clerk several years, the fret Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas after the adoption of the new State Constitution, and at the expiration of his term was chosen Probate Judge, which position he held until his death. He was a man greatly esteemed for his excellent qualities, and stood very high in the community in which he lived.

Rev. James Ryan, who died at Marysville, March 14, 1868, aged nearly seventy-seven years, thus wrote of himself in 1856: "James Ryan was born July 27, A. D. 1791; joined the M. E. Church August 13, 1813 ; converted August 26, 1817, and received a greater blessing of love November 7, 1827. Received license to exhort in 1826; license to preach in September, 1832. Traveled Randolph Circuit three-fourths of the conference year, and in 1833-34 traveled all the conference year. Moved to Ohio in 1836, and settled in Union County, and here I expect to live out my days. * * *" Mr. Ryan acted as a lay minister in the M. E. Church after coming to Union County; was ordained Deacon by

E. S. Jones, in September, 1847. "In connection with Rev. Ebenezer Mathers, he organized the first Methodist society on Dun's Run, now called Mt. Hermon. The first class was composed of thirteen members. They met first in a private house, then the schoolhouse, and about twenty-nine years ago [1839] in the Mt. Hermon Church, which they built. Within six months, the old church has been evacuated and the society has resolved itself into two churches. The one at Dover is now [March, 1868] worshiping in a new house, and the other at Bonnet's is preparing to build. The thirteen have increased to 200, and many have gone to the Better Land.f " n, in 1843, to Massachusetts, where he remained twelve years, returning to Union County in 1855, where he remained until the time of his death, residing with his youngest son, Lorreston M. Fairbanks, at his residence near Unionville Center, Union Co., Ohio, The death of Luther Fairbanks occurred October 21, 1857. His family consisted of five sons and four daughters, the eldest of whom, Lewis Fairbanks, was the first of the name to settle in Union County. He emigrated from Barnard, Vt., in 1833, married Lavinia Tucker, and settled on the Darby Plains, where he pursued the trade ot clothier and also engaged in farming uutil 1843, then removed to Madison County, Ohio. He resided here until 1870, dying at the residence of his daughter, Lucy Ewing. One child survives him, Joel Fairbanks, residing in Madison County, Ohio. Lorreston M. Fairbanks, the youngest son of Luther, was born at Barnard, Vt., in 1824, and in 1837 came with his father to Union County, where, savin, interested in the politics of his State. January 1, 1846, he married Mary Adelaide Smith, who was born in New York State in 1829. Mr. Fairbanks was engaged in carriage manufacturing at Homer, Ohio, for five years atter his marriage, when ill health compelled him to abandon the business and engage in farming on his land near Unionville,

Genter, Union Co., Ohio, where his home still is, He is at this time (December, 1882) absent in the West, where he is The living family of L. M. Fairbanks consists of his wife and seven children, five sons and two daughters, all of whom are grown with the exception of the youngest son. Tha.eldest son, Charles W. Fairbanks, resides in Indianapolis, Ind. He is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan He is prominently connected with the railhim to break up housekeeping and retur

The second son, Luther M., has been for several years connected with railroad business, but of late he has been largely tensive grain business at Mansengaged in speculating in coal and timber lands in Virginia. He also carries on an ex The fourth son, Newton H., is a field, Ill. The third son, William D., is engaged in farming at Blue Ridge, Ill. student at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. The elder daughter, Jennie, is a student at Monnett Hall, Delaware. The youngest daughter, Nellie M., and youngest son, Henry S., are at home with their parents.

Mount Joy, Lancaster County, Penn., and about 1821 removed to Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., where he married Laura R. Kinney, daughter of Dr. 8. F. Kinney, who was long a resident of Marysville. In October, 1836, Mr. Wilkinson came to Marysville to reside. He was a carpenter by trade, and his first work here was to finish the interior of the court house, then being built. He was a fine workman. He held the office of Justice of the Peace several years, and was in all respects an exemplary and honored citizen. In 1857, he removed to Nebraska, in which State he died. While a resident of Butler County, in said State, he was elected to the position of Probate Judge.

Reuben L. Partridge was born September 10, 1823, in Essex County, N. Y., among the Adirondack Mountains, and in 1833, came with his father and family to Ohio, and settled near Worthington, Franklin County. His father, Cyrus Partridge, died in 1836, and the widow removed with her children the same year to Marysville, and made her home with her oldest son (by a former marriage), Rowland Lee. He was a wagon-maker, and had resided in Marysville a few years before the rest of the family arrived, which was on the 28th of April, 1836. The town had then about 100 inhabitants. The Presbyterians had the only church in town, and that had not yet been supplied with seats, the congregation using benches made of slabs. The Methodists were using the old frame court house, on the south side of Center street, and occasional meetings were held by other denominations in the same building. The present depot grounds were covered with timber, which extended northward nearly to Center street, and Mr. Partridge states that he has shot squirrels out of the trees where the depot grounds now are. Mr. Partridge learned the wagon and carriage maker's trade of his halfbrother, Mr. Lee, and remained with him eight and a half years. He worked one year as a journeyman in that business, and then commenced taking contracts in the carpenter and joiner line, which he has followed more or less since. He took the contract and built the first self-supporting bridge in the county, in 1855, and has built about 125 bridges in Union and adjoining counties since that time, of all forms and sizes, of wood and iron, at an average cost of nearly $500. He took out a patent on high truss bridges in 1872, and the large class of bridges has been built principally under that patent. Mr. Partridge has constructed seven-eighths of all the bridges in Union County, as he bimself states. His brother, Rowland L ee, removed from Marysville to Indiana, and died at Columbia City, Whitley County, in that State, about 1878-79.

Rodney Picket, born in New Berne, N. C., in 1800, was the son of a sea captain, who was lost at sea. The widow subsequently married again and removed to Connecticut, but died a few weeks later. The boy had no settled home for some time, but was finally taken as an apprentice to the tanning and shoe-making business, at which he served until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1837, he removed to Marysville and engaged in tanning, afterward entering mercantile business. He was a man of excellent business capacity, and, had he lived, would ee have accumulated a large property. His death occurred September 18,

Thomas Turner, a native of Maryland, removed with his parents to Ohio about 1816-18, and settled in Clark County. At the age of twenty-one years, while yet a resident of that county, he married Diana MeMullin, who died before his removal to Union County. He came to Marysville in the spring of 1838, and in 1840 was married to Jane Teas. Mr. Turner was a blacksmith by trade, and worked at blacksmithing and wagon-making during his residence here. He died October 13, 1868 ; his widow is still living in Marysville. Her father, Samuel Teas, from Nova Scotia, came to Ohio with his wife and two children, about 1802, and located in Chillicothe. He afterward took up his residence in Greene County, and in 1834 removed to Union County, and settled in Paris Township, about half way between Marysville and Milford. He was a carpenter by trade. In the spring of 1837, he located in Marysville, where he died in 1843, aged seventy-four years; his wife died in 1847. His daughter, Mrs. Turner, is the only survivor of the family, and was born near Xenia, Greene County, Ohio,

Samuel A. Cherry, from Oswego County, N. Y., came to Union County, Ohio, with his wife, in May, 1839, locating at Marysville, and opening a tailor shop ina small one-story frame building which stood on the south side of Hast Center street, west of the alley, where F. H. & W. Otte now have their tailoring establishment. In this Mr. Cherry had his shop and his residence, and in it, also, his brother, George W. Cherry, who had settled in the place a year or two previously, was carrying on the grocery business. The latter is now a resident of Baltimore, Md. W. H. J. W. Frank were at the same time proprietors of a cabinet shop which was located in the old frame court house, on the opposite (east) side of the alley. S. A. Cherry continued most of the time to work at the tailor's trade until about 1863-64. He had been somewhat interested in the saw-mill business, and had a mill north of where the fair ground now is. In the fall of 1865, he engaged exclusively in milling, operating a mill in the north part of the town where Thompson's saw-mill now is. He sold out to Miller & Snodgrass, who in turn disposed of the establishment to Moses Thompson, the present proprietor. In 1874, after working with a portable mill in various localities, in company with J. Smith Alexander, they located on the ground at the foot of Main street, near the railroad, where Mr. Cherry's mill now is, and continued together for a time. Mr. Cherry is now conducting the business alone, employing four or five hands at the mill, : besides others engaged in hauling timber for him. He works entirely in hard lumber, cutting shafts, felloe-strips, cross-bars, etc. but not bending them, and ships mostly to Columbus; he fills occasional orders from Dayton, Miamisburg, Erie, Penn, New Haven and North Haven, Conn., and other places. He has shipped as many as seventy-five car loads in a year. The mill is run by a twenty-five-horse power steam engine.

William Steele was a young man who was raised in the family of Silas G. Strong, and succeeded the latter as Postmaster at Marysville. He was also elected Sheriff of Union County, and during his term of office succeeded in breaking up a gang of counterfeiters which included in its membership several of the prominent citizens of the town and county. It was thought by some that the spurious money was obtained in Cincinnati and placed in circulation by this combination of sharpers. Mr. Steele finally moved to Hancock County, Ill, und was placed in office by the citizens of that county. He had settled in Marysville about 1832-34.

Dr. S. F. Kinney located at Marysville, with his family, in 1839, when Union County was thinly populated. His death occurred May 31, 1872, when he had reached the age of eighty-three years. His wife, Roxana Kinney, died January 23, 1874, aged over eighty years. She was born in the State of Rhode Island, but removed with her father's family to New York, where she was married to Dr. Kinney. Both were highly esteemed citizens of the town of their adoption.

William C. Malin, a native of Urbana, Champaign Co., Ohio, served an apprenticeship in that place in the business of saddlery and harness-making, and on the 19th of March, 1840, came to Marysville and worked as journeyman for

He soon after bought out James W. Evans and became a partner with A. C. Jennings, of the old firm. Evans removed to Kansas. Jennings remained here three or four years, finally going to the city of New York and entering into partnership with his brother in the sale of manufactured straw goods. is now a resident of

'Champaign County, Ohio. Mr. Malin still resides in Marysville, and since his arrival. over forty years ago, has been engaged in the sume line of business, not relinquishing e anil serving as Sheriff of the county from 1850 to 1854, At the date of his settlement in the town, it contained, according to his recollection, two mercantile establishments, one cabinet shop, by William H. Frank, two blacksmith shops, by William Campbell and Thomas Turner (Alexander Bates also had a blacksmith shop in the place, but moved to Indiana a few days after Mr. Malin's arrival), two tan-yards - one owned and operated by Rodney Picket, just back of where W. E` Baxter's jewelry store now is on West Center street, and the other by Ransom Clark, in the northwest part of the village; one wagon shop, by Rowland Lee, in the eastern part of town; two physicians, Curl and Hosford; two hotels - the " Union Hall" (now American), by Chester Farnum, and another by Henry Kezartee, where the Continental now stands. The latter was the front part of the present hotel, and had been standing several years. It was, possibly, built by Henry Kezartee, now of York Township. Samuel Cherry, Leonard Geer (a German,) and Harvey Criswell were working at tailoring; the last-named person is now living at Kenton, Hardin County. Mr. Hughes, of the former firm of Hare & Hughes, dissolved in December, 1839, was still carrying on the hat business, his shop being where the Farmers' Bank now stands, at the southwest corner of the public square. Hughes was a very small man, and was familiarly known as " Banta." His partner, Mr. Hare, removed to West Jefferson, Franklin Co., Ohio, and thither Mr. Hughes subsequently followed him. Forman Carel was later engaged in the hat business at Marysville. That occupation was profitable in those days, as most of the hats worn in the locality were manufactured either here or in neighboring shops. In 1840 - the year of the Harrison campaign - many of the farmers converted coon-skins into head gear. When Mr. Malin came, a man named Churchill was either keeping tavern or had been engaged in that business, on a lot in the east part of town now occupied by James Field. The building was never completed, and rotted down. Mr. Malin's first wife was a daughter of Dr. S. F. Kinney and a niece of Silas G. Strong.

Jacob Slicer, from Pennsylvania, who came to Marysville previous to 1840, was the father-in-law of William H. Frank and Adam Wolford, Jr. His home was in a log house on the corner southwest of the Congregational Church, near the present residence of J. H. Kinkade. He lived many years in the town, and is now deceased.

Samuel Johnson settled in Marysville some time before 1840, and became a prominent citizen. He held the position of Justice of the Peace, owned property in town and two farms in the vicinity. He is now deceased.

Jacob Catro, a bachelor, with all the eccentricities ascribed to the class, was at one time a resident of Marysville, and boarded with Chester Farnum, proprietor of the Union Hall, now the American Hotel. He was a brother-in-law of Levi Longbrake.

W. T. Brophy, a tailor by trade, came from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and located in Marysville about 1841-42. He could find no rooms in which to setup a shop, and S. A. Cherry gave him shop room, thereby making of him a warm friend. He died about 1851-52, and his widow, who was his second wife, is now the second wife of Taber Randall, living in Marysville.

John G. Zwerner, who died at Marysville February 7, 1882, aged sixty-one years, had resided in the town over forty years, and was an esteemed citizen.

John Cassil was born in Washington County, Penn., February 19, 1803, and when very small removed with his parents to Jefferson County, Ohio, locating near Steubenville. There he grew to man's estate, and on the 17th of April, 1825, married Drusilla Gladden, with whom he removed to Greene County, Ohio, in April, 1832, remaining one year. In April, 1833, he came with his wife and four children to Union County, settling on the Darby Plains, probably in Darby Township, and remaining in that locality about two years. One child had died in Greene County before the family removed to Union. In April, 1842, they settled at Marysville. Mr. Cassil owned the printing establishment at this place, and was for several years engaged in the newspaper publishing business. He was chosen to fill numerous offices, among others that of Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, from 1839 to 1842. He owned at one time considerable property in Marysville and the surrounding region, and was always greatly interested in matters looking toward publie improvements. The " Cassil Block," which was destroyed by fire a number of years since, was built by him and stood on the northwest side of the public square. It was the first three-story brick building erected in the county. Mr. Cassil lost much of his property when the railroad was built through Marysville. He was a steadfast supporter of the temperance cause, and was for many years a highly respected and honored citizen of the town. He died June 15, 1869, near Carthage, Jasper Co., Mo., while on a visit to his son - settling him on a farm in that vicinity. The son died four years later; the remains of both lie in the cemetery at Marysville. The lot on which the new court house stands was purchased of Mrs. Cassil, after the decease of her husband. When the family took up its abode in Marysville, the village had a population of something over 300. The southeast corner of Main and Mathiot streets, where Mrs. Cassil now lives, was then in the thick woods; the corner next north of it had then a small house erected upon it, and on that lot Judge Cole lived at one time. The first two fairs of the agricultural society were held in the old court house yard, Mrs. Cassil states, and after that for a time in the timber south of Mathiot street. As fairs were something which many of the inhabitants had never before seen, they scarcely knew how to conduct themselves when in attendance upon them, and, deeming the articles on exhibition were for free distribution, helped themselves accordingly. One man exhibited a large cheese at one of the fairs, and people helped themselves to generous portions thereof. Finally, seeing that it would all be sliced up and carried away if he left it any longer, the gentleman took it to Mr. Cassil's and presented it to him and his family. Mr. Cassil's daughter, Martha Emily, now residing with her mother at Marysville, was born in the village, July 6, 1842, being the first child born to her parents after their settlement here.

James Kinkade, a native of the "pan-handle" in West Virginia, settled in Marysville about 1841, and on the 3d of June, 1845, married Hannah Cassil, oldest daughter of Judge Cassil:and wife. He was for many years engaged in the mercantile business here, being associated twenty-five years with Philip Snider. By reason of declining health, he removed to a farm, upon which the last four years of his life were spent. His death occurred October 31,1877. His son, J. H. Kinkade, is the present Mayor of Marysville.

William M. Robinson, known familiarly to almost everybody in the town as '' Uncle Billy," has been a stanch citizen thereof for many years, and is one of the oldest native born residents of the county. He was born on his father's old farm in Darby Township, in 1808, and was at the time considerable of a curiosity, from being the only boy in the neighborhood. He married Hannah F. Crawford, in 1829, rented a farm, and stocked it with twenty-five dairy cows, and made and sold butter and cheese at 5 to 7 cents a pound. Fat hogs were then worth from $1 to $1.50 per 100 pounds, and calves, when weaned, from 75 cents to $1 each. In a few years, he bought 125 acres of land, in the woods, for which he paid $2 an acre; a few years later he purchased the old homestead of his father, and moved. upon it in the spring of 1835. In 1837, he was elected Justice of the Peace, in Darby Township ; in 1844, the electors of the county made him Sheriff, and he removed that year to Marysville, where he purchased a small property. He returned to Darby Township in 1849, but was elected County Recorder in 1852, sold the old farm, purchased land adjoining Marysville (including that on which Robinson's addition has since been laid out) and after his term as Recorder expired, engaged in the grocery and provision business in this place. He figured in railroad building speculations, but did not find it a paying occupation. He was agent for different fire insurance companies for more than a quarter of a century. He raised a family of seven children - four sons and three daughters ; of these three sons are engaged in business in Kansas, and the others reside in Marysville. During his residence here Mr. Robinson has been Mayor of the town, for a long

James and Samuel Robinson, from the region bordering on the Susquehanna River, in York County, Penn., visited Tennessee, in the winter of 1799-1800, looking for land; there they met Lucas Sullivant, who told them that if they would come with him to the Territory of Ohio, he would put them in the way of purchasing some fine land. They accepted his invitation, came with him to what is now Union County, and purchased of him 600 acres lying on the northeast bank of Darby Creek, in what is now Darby Township. The purchase was made in the name of Samuel Robinson, who was the elder of the two. Neither was then married. James Robinson was not entirely satisfied with his part of the purchase--the north 300 acres, as it had no bottom land; he sold it to his father, James Robinson, Sr., and bought 300 acres adjoining on the north, which included some bottom land. His father never came West, but gave the property to his other sons, Thomas and John, the former moving out in 1805, and the latter in 1810. James Robinson, after making his purchase, returned, in 1801, to Pennsylvania, married, and in 1805, made the journey through from the old home in Pennsylvania to the new one in Ohio, with his wife, one child, an adopted child, and his brothers Thomas and Samuel. The latter stopped at Columbus, where he was subsequently married, and did not settle on his land until 1808; he raised a large family, and died on the place. The party who came through in 1805 made the journey with a fourhorse team, having in places to eut theirroad for a considerable distance. Mrs. James Robinson was the only. woman in the party. Samuel and James had made their first trip to the neighborhood on horseback. In the spring of 1806, a daughter was born in James Robinson's family, and she became the wife of Stephenson Curry, and mother of Col. William L. Curry, present County Auditor. Her brother, William M. Robinson, was born in April, 1808, as before stated.

Philip Snider, from Lancaster County, Penn., came to Union County, Ohio, with his father, Peter Snider, May 1, 1833, the family locating in Darby Township. The elder gentleman died in 1864 at St. Louis, Mo., where he was then living. Philip Snider removed to Marysville in 1846, eng ness, and in the fall of the same year was elected Sheriff, when he relinquished other business to attend to the duties of his office. His home has since that time been in Marysville. In 1849, he purchased the interest of G. A. Cassil in the dry goods business, and took his place as partner with James Kinkade, Jr., this partnership continuing from January, 1849, until August, 1873, when Mr. Snider bought his partner's interest and has since conducted the business alone. The first location of the store was where McCampbell's shoe shop now is, a little north of the public square, on the west side of Main street, in the Cassil Block. The old firm, Cassil & Kinkade, who had been in business a year or two, purchased the store of James S. Alexander, whose location was near the same site. The latter is now a resident of Rushsylvania, Logan Co., Ohio. Mr. Snider, who was about fifteen years old when he came to the county, says there was no improvement on the London road between his father's farm and Marysville, a distance of three miles. The village amounted to very little at that date. In 1850, Mr. Snider leased from Joshua Mathiot the land south of Mathiot street, then in the woods, fenced it in and held it about two years, when the property was sold by Mathiot's administrators. At this sale, Mr. Snider purchased three lots on South Main street. now owned by Mrs. T. M. Winget, at a very low figure.

The first tavern in Marysville, kept by Matthias Collins, was a log building which stood north of the public square, on the west side of Main street. about where Philip Snider's store now is. Collins lived afterward about four miles north of Marysville, and remained many years in the neighborhood; he finally sold out and went West. His brother-in-law possibly kept the old tavern after Collins went out of it. Among the proprietors of the old American Hotel, known by several names at different times, were Chester Farnum, Norman Chipman and Bill Welsh. 'The old hotel sign-post stood near the center of the public square.

At the time Henry Kezartee was keeping the hotel now known as the Continental,a blind man named James Ward, commonly called "Blind Jimmie," kept a tavern on the opposite (north) side of the street, and Mr. Snider remembers that he

- was keeping there in 1837, or earlier. His was a log building, weatherboarded, and - the institution was more of a liquor shop than a hotel Ward was never known - to be cheated on silver money; he would feel ofthe coin and bite it, and determine . accurately in that way whether it was genuine or counterfeit.

John B. Coats, Sr., father of Judge John B. Coats, of Marysville, was born December 25, 1785, in Guilford, Windham Co., Vt. Hespenta few years in Northern and Central New York, and in 1849 came to Ohio with his son. He resided in

In 1832, three years after the American Hotel was erected, a man who was always knownas Robson L. Broome came to Marysville and engaged board at said hotel. Hecontinued a guest of that house until his death, which took place in the early part of 1875. He amassed property to the amount of $50,000 or $60,000, and after his death there was much litigation concerning it. Broome was a mysterious and eccentric character, and was thought to have lived under different aliases during the years previous to his settlement in Marysville. He was over eighty years of age when he died, and will be remembered as one of the " characters" ofthe town. The mystery concerning him has not yet been clearéd up, although numerous parties have endeavored to establish claims to his property.

Col. Noah Orr, the "Union County Giant," died at Marysville July 1, 1882, and his funeral services were conducted by the Knights of Pythias, of which order he was a member. He was a respected citizen and a genial companion. He had a wide acquaintance throughout the country, having traveled with various exhibitions for fifteen or twenty years. When in good flesh, he weighed 550 pounds, was perfectly formed, handsome in features, and as active as a man of 200 pounds weight. He was for a time with Barnum's New York Museum, but later with the « Lilliputian Company," in which he was employed as a contrast to the midgets. As active labor was impossible for him, he earned a good support for himself and family by exhibiting his massive proportions over the land, and was everywhere admired. He delighted to relate his experiences in traveling. He was a member, also, of the Masonic fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men. His final illness was of about three months' duration, and death ensued only after he had been subjected to severe suffering.

Joseph Newlove died at the residence of his son Garrison, this county, on the 30th day of December, 1882. Mr. Newlove was born in Wold Newton, England, October 18, 1806, came to this country with his parents, Joseph and Ann, settled in Clark County, 1821, and was married to Miss Martha Carter by Rey. 8. Hinkle on the 6th day of December, 1827. They lived happily together for over fifty-three years, and had eight children, two of which died in infancy, and Mrs. Newlove, Martha, his wife, died December 13, 1880, lenving six children, four sons

Union County in 1849 and settled on Boke's Creek, Leesburg Township, and in 1853 was elected County Auditor and moved with his family to Marysville, where he remained a resident until his death. He was seventy-six years two months and twenty days old when he died. The deceased was a kind husband, an affectionate father and an honest, conscientious and honorable man. He was esteemed by all who became acquainted with him as a very clear head, pure in all his motives and was trusted with public business. He served as County Auditor eight years, gave full satisfaction to the people of the county, and the records he made during his term of office stand as a model for those who may follow him in that office, and since he retired from the Auditor's office he had been cashier of a bank up to death.*

A. F. Wilkins, from Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., came, when a young man, to: Union County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1836; the family settled in York Township. In 1854, he was elected County Surveyor, and removed to Marysville, the better to look after the duties of the office. He was married in 1844 to Harriet Jane Stuart, also a native of Saratoga County, N. Y. Her father had removed to Union County, Ohio, in 1835, and settled in Liberty Township. In the fall of 1858, Mr. Wilkins rented the American Hotel and conducted it two years ; then for a year he was out of it, and at the end of that time purchased the building and carried on the hotel until the winter of 1874-75. He made many improvements in the house, and was a popular landlord. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and for two years was Deputy County Treasurer and Treasurer, to fill out the unexpired term of D. D. Welsh, deceased. Mr. Wilkins died in the winter of 1875-76, and his widow and children are still living in Marysville. "The only daughter is the wife of Col. A. B. Robinson, present Representative in the Legislature from Union County.

Robert Graham, who died at Marysville on the 4th of February, 1882, had come to Ohio with his parents about 1815, when only six years of age. His father died when the son was thirteen years old, and the latter removed, with the family, to Union County, locating in Mill Creek Township, in which he married Judith Bell, when he was twenty-one years old. He removed to Marysville about

By the tax duplicate of 1825, prepared by Stephen McLain, Assessor for Union County, the following are shown as owners of lots in Marysville, at that time: James Bell, Samuel W. Culbertson, Matthias Collins, P. Lanphere, D. Witter, Thomas Collins, David Comer, George Harris, Rollin Harvey, Joseph S. Conklin, John N. Conklin, Leonard Kirkwood. Philip Jarbo, John Leeper, Stephen McLain, John McLain, David Miller, Hezekiah Bates, Levi Phelps, Daniel Miller, Thomas Osborn, Silas G. Strong, Joseph Stewart's heirs, Thomas F. Woods, Amos A. Willjams.

In 1840, the number was considerably greater, as follows : N. and J. Adamson, Joshua Antrim (not in the county), James 8. Alexander, William Alexander, Jacob Bouser, Hezekiah Bates, R. L. Broome (first appears on duplicate in 1834), William Campbell, Ransom Clark, Levi Churchill, Matthias Collins, Dennis Collins, Elijah Collins, Philander B. Cole, Otway Curry, Dr. Jeremiah Curl, William A. Denton (non-resident), James W. Evans, Heman Ferris, William Gregg, Christian Gowl, Sidney Gilbert, Joshua Gore (non-resident), James January, Samuel B. Johnson, Henry Kezartee, Benjamin F. Kelsey, Cyprian Lee, William C. Lawrence, Lee & Wasson, Stephen McLain, John R. McLain's heirs, Elizabeth Miller, Joshua Mathiot (non-resident), Rodney Picket, William M. Page, Alexander Pollock, Levi

Be Marysville, asmall post town and seat of justice for Union County. It is situated on the south bank of Mill Creek, in Paris Township, about sixteen miles from Delaware, thirty northwest from Columbus, thirty northerly from London, twenty-four northeast from Urbana and twenty southeast of Bellefontaine ; north latitude 40° 17', west longitude 6° 24'. It is situated on the western side of the Virginia Military Survey, No. 3351, which was surveyed for Edward Dowse and patented to Stephens T. Mason, of Loudoun County, Va, and that third part thereof, on which the town is laid out, was subsequently transferred to Samuel W. Culbertson, Esq., of Zanesville, who had the town surveyed. It contains a brick court house and a jail, forty-five dwelling houses, one tavern, three stores, one practicing physician, two attorneys and about 250 inhabitants."

From a copy of the first newspaper published in Union County - Our Freedom and Union County Advertiser - dated March 22, 1839, several interesting items have been taken. The "Marysville Lyceum" was then in existence, and the question for discussion at its meeting Saturday evening, March 23, 1839, was: " Resolved, that the course pursued by the Government of the United States toward the aborigines of this country has been and is unjust, and in violation of their natural and civil rights."

Henry Kezartee advertised that he would pay the highest price for oats. Levi Churchill, Jr., had for sale two inlots in Marysville, with a large two-story frame house and a stable. Stephen McLain advertised a "cabinet shop for sale." in this manner: "The subscriber offers for sale a lot of ground in the town of Marysville, situated on Main street, three lots from the publie square, with a shop suitable for carrying on the cabinet or chair making business. Said shop is furnished with three good turning lathes and a quantity of tools. Two of said lathes are operated upon by horse-power. N. B. - There is but one shop in operation in this place, so that the situation is a good one." Mr. McLain removed, previous to March, 1840, to Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio. W. H. & J. W. Frank owned the other cabinet shop, formerly occupied by Calvin Winget.

The copartnership previously existing between Harvey Criswell and Joshua Antrim, tailors, had been dissolved March 4, 1839. W. W. Woods, proprietor of the "cheap cash store," sold all sorts of merchandise, including pork and B. B. Clark's family medicines. Ward, Snodgrass & Co., at the "new cash store," advertised a general stock under date of February 8, 1839. Their establishment was on the northwest corner of the public square, where McCloud's drug store now is; they sold out to J. S. Alexander and the latter to Cassil & Kinkade. Hall & Kinney, and William C. Lawrence, attorneys and counselors at law, occupied offices in the court house. Joshua Gore was proprietor of a "new cash store" on Main street, "in Mr. Pollock's new building," and offered to take Man- | hattan money at par for all kinds of goods. William and A. S. Tharp had dissolved partnership. Union Hall, now the American Hotel, was then kept by Chester Farnum, and was a well-known and popular stand. It had been recently refitted, and Mr. Farnum advertised that he kept a good table, a good bar and good stock, and the bills were moderate. The property was offered for sale March 26, 1839, by its owner, Peter Igou, of Urbana ; Mr. Farnum was still occupying it. P. B. Cole, attorney at law, had his office one door north of W. W.

In the same paper, of date July 17, 1839, David Reed offered a farm of 115 acres, in Allen Township, for sale. April 25, 1839, Hare & Hughes began working at the hat business in Marysville, on the southwest corner of the public square, "directly opposite W. W. Woods' store." Samuel A. Cherry announced (date of advertisement, June 6, 1839) that he had begun the tailoring business in a shop immediately opposite the court house.

In the Union Star, dated December 20, 1839, it is noticed that Dr. M. Wood had an office on the southeast side of the public square, one door north of Mellvain & Harriott's. He died some time during that winter. Dr. J. Curl's office was on Main street, east of the court house, and Dr. Sewall Hosford, a reform botanical physician, was also a resident of the village. Curl and Hosford had both located in Marysville in the fall of 1839. Hare & Hughes and Mellvain & Harriott, two firms of hatters, dissolved partnership, the former in December, and the latter in November, 1839. Hughes continued at the business. In March, 1842, there was not a hatter in the whole county, and the citizens of Marysville were anxious to have one locate in their midst.

J. S. Alexander and L. P. Sturdevant announced in the issue of February 5, 1841, that they had bought the stock of James L. Ward, opposite the brick hotel, and were continuing the business. A.C. Jennings and W. C. Malin were partners in the saddle-and harness making business, at the old stand of Evans & Jennings, which firm had dissolved. Jackson G. Sprague, at his shop in the old court house, made and kept on hand wheels, reels, chairs, bedsteads, sash, etc. He afterward removed to Illinois. Otway Curry, attorney at law, opened an office in the town in 1840. Under date of January 28, 1841, is found the-following:

"Military alarm! All those who have muskets in their possession belonging to the Light Infantry Company in Marysville are required to deposit them with Major James M. Wilkinson forthwith, by order of Major General Bond."

In July, 1859, a census of Marysville, taken by Thomas Snodgrass and Smith Alexander, showed the place to have a population of 981 - forty less than in the previous December. In August, 1865, the place contained six dry goods stores, - one hardware store, nine or ten groceries, a mill, a woolen factory, and most of

In August, 1877, when excavations were being made for the foundation of the new city hall, the workmen unearthed an old tan vat. Its existence there was a mystery, until finally George Snodgrass, Sr., remembered that about fifty or fiftyone years before, a man named Kirkwood came to the place and put down two or three vats with the view of entering into the tanning business here. The overseers of the poor seemed to be afraid the man would become a charge on their hands, and warned him to leave the town; this so incensed him that he soon afterward became insane, and his death occurred at a little later period. When the old vats were brought to light after the lapse of half a century, the planks in them were as sound as on the day they were sunk. 'An.old well was also discovered at the same time the vats were found, and it became necessary to turn an arch over it in the wall of the city hall foundation. There was also an old cellar, filled up with bricks, chips, earth, etc.

The Marysville Post Office

It is not definitely known by the oldest citizens of the town when the office was established, but it must have been very soon after the place was made the county seat, as Silas G. Strong was Pustmaster in February, 1824, and had been a short time in office previous to that date. He was doubtless the first incumbent, and continued in the position until 1839 or later. He was succeeded by William Steele, who held the office but a short time. George W. Cherry, whose name appears January 1, 1841, succeeded Steele, and early in 1847 turned the: office over to John Cassil, his successor. January 1, 1851, the name of W. H.

Frank appears in the list, and he was succeeded by W. M. Smith on the 1st of November, 1853. The next incumbent was W. P. Anderson, who took the office in 1861. He was succeeded by C. Turner, in or previous to 1864. Early in 1865, David Edwards was appointed, but in March, 1867, he resigned and Alvin Thompson was appointed. Dwight Webb, the present incumbent, succeeded Thompson, February 1, 1880.

* January 4, 1838. - Peyton B. Smith moved into my house on part of Inlot No. 51, in Marysville, for which, and the use of Inlot No. 62, in Marysville, thè said Smith agrees to pay me $4.373 per month rent, the same to be paid monthly. A. PoLLocK."

In the winter of 1850-51, a steam saw-mill was erected by Joseph Paxton, in the northeast part of town. In September, 1878, the present iron bridge over Mill Creck, north of town. was built.

Early in January, 1859, A. Ream took charge of the "Union House," now known as the Continental. P.S. Ream was the owner. It was afterward known as the St. Clair House, and in the winter of 1876-77 was raised a story higher and a mansard roof put on by its proprietor, William S. Smith. The name was then changed to Continental Hotel. Smith rented the building to Harry Sheridan, in June, 1877, and the latter conducted it until December, 1882, when Mr. Smith again assumed charge.

First Celebration Of The Fourth Of July In Marysville

An article in the Marysville Tribune of July 10, 1878, contains the following account of the first celebration of the anniversary of the independence of the United States in this place:

* The first Fourth of July ever celebrated in Marysville was in 1828. The surrounding country at that time was a wilderness indeed, and Marysville was an insignificant point with apparently no future other than an obscure village. There were only seven families residing in it, viz.: Silas G. Strong, George Snodgrass, Stephen McLain, George Winters, Daniel Miller, Newton Hicks and a Widow Kiger - making 'with their families a population of about twenty. It was customary in all Fourth of July celebrations in almost every part of the country to get up a big dinner, and all who could raise enough money to pay considered it a patriotic duty to partake. Uncle George Snodgrass and Aunt Hannah, who were married the February before, got up the dinner for this pioneer celebration. The place where it was served was in the woods on the next lot west of that on which Judge Woods' residence stands, and on the spot where the Judge has his grape arbor. Silas G. Strong owned the lot on which Mr. Woods' residence is located. He had a log house erected on it, in which Uncle George and Aunt Hannah kept hotel. This was the first hotel ever opened in the village, and Mr. Strong and wife boarded with them. About seventy-five persons sat down to the table, each paying seventy-five cents for the repast. A Mr. Hubbell had a short time previous carted a few goods to this point from Springfield, and the groceries needed for the occasion were purchased of him. Tho dishes to set the table were obtained in Milford Center, there not being enough in this village and surrounding country to furnish the tabie. The cherries, currants and vegetables were purchased of Mr. Anson Howard, who resided south of Woodstock, on the farm now owned by his son, Pearl Howard. The speakers for the occasion were James Biggs and John H. - James, the latter still living and a resident of Urbana, Ohio. Toasts were given

(but were not drank in 'old rye,' as was not infrequently the case in that day) and responses were made at the table - a custom that has almost entirely died out. In the intervals between the reading of the toasts, a cannon was fired, or in lieu of a cannon a few rifles answered, and the patriotic crowd would add to the fervor by hearty hurrahs. A few are still living who were guests at that Fourth of July dinner.