Union County, Ohio - Chapter 21: Jerome Township, 1915

Chapter 21: Jerome Township

jMarcli 12, i8ji - ninet}--tour \'ears ago - Jerome townsliip was organized, its first elediiiii lieing held on May loth of that }'ear. It was then that Clark Prox'in recei\-ed the entire fifteen ^-otes for the office of justice of the peace. The judges of the election were James Ewing, Frederick Sager and Simon Hager. with Jdhn Taylur and John AlcCune as clerks.

First Settlement

Be^'ond anv tloiilit the first to become permanent settlers in this township, as well as in the count}- of Union, were two brothers, Joshua and James Ewing, who settled in this tnwnship in i jqS and erected the first cabin of the township and count} . .\ town had been laid out the }"ear pre\'ious by Lucas Sullixant, who named his town .\ortli Liberty. This town never materialized, not even a house being erected by its proprietor. Then, all was wild and Indians roamed at will along Darby creek. The pioneer I)and of this township were remarkable men in many ways. They were temperate, intelligent, educated and a God-fearing people. It is to their credit that a saloon has ne\er cursed their fair domain and none of them or their descendants have e\er been con\'icted of a felon}". IMau}- of the first settlers emigrated from \'irginia, Pennsxhania, X>w Jerse}' and some one of the Xew England states. Manv were from Re\(ilutionary War ancestors and others had served in that struggle for independence. .Among others was Colonel James Currv, wlio recei\-ed a thousand acres of land in part payment for his services in that war. He was an officer for se\en long years during that conflict, belonging to the Virginia Continental line. Henry Shover, a settler of 1800 was also a soldier of the Rex'olution.. Some of the land granted to Colonel Currv is still held b}' members of the Curn- faniil}'.

The greater part of the original settlers in the township were stanch Presb}'terians and Seceders, the latter now known as the United Presbyterian church. This was, indeed, good stock from which to erect a prosperous division of the count\-. It was James Ewing who established the first store

It was not long after the settlement effected by the Ewings was made until a goodh- company came in and cast their lots with the little handful of settlers who had already set the stakes and commenced operations as home builders. Among those who came to the township and county within the next few years may be mentioned the Taylors, Robinsons, Mitchells, Kents, Currys, Cones, McCulloughs, Bucks, Provins, Notemans, McCunes, Sagers, Shovers, McClungs and Conners. A little later came in the families of the Wises, McCampbells, Liggetts, Robinsons, Beards, Woodburns, Hawns, M. C. Crory, Flecks, Ketches, Rue^hlens, Dorts, Crottingers, Nonnemakers, Beaches, Colliers, Bishops, Hudsons, Kiles, Stones, Donaldsons, Dodges, Pattersons, McKittricks, b^rys, Norris, Jacksons, Laugheads, Evans, Stewarts, Magill, Biggers, JNloss, Rickards, Roneys, Adams, Hernotts, Hensels, Chapmans, Ivilburys, Brinkerhoofs, Hagers. Morrisons, Wells, Cooks, Arnolds, Channels, Warners, Bethards, Cramers, Hills, Hoberts, Greens, McCunes, Bowersmiths, Cases. lierringtons and Wagners, all being considered settlers of an early date.

When the pioneer band first came here to make homes for tliemselves, Jerome township, especially along the banks of Darby creek, was a favorite hunting ground of the Indians. The marks left by their peculiar customs, their trails and wigwams, were all in evidence. The country was also full of wild game and beasts, including bears, deer, wolves, panthers and small game. Just to the north of Plain City, the Indians had a town or village where they lived in large numbers, in wigwams co\'ered with bark, until about the year 1800.

On the old Kent farm on Sugar run was a sugar camp where the Indians made maple syrup. Parties from Chillicothe frequently came here for the purpose of trading with the Indians, exchanging goods for their raccoon skins and other valuable furs. The Indians had by that date become quite friendly to the whites.

Pioneer fames Ewing brought the first sheep to Jerome township. He kept them in a high pen built of logs to keep the wolves from killing them. On a certain day a number of Indians called at his cabin and one of their dogs jumped into the pen and attacked the sheep, whereupon Mr. Ewing took his rifle and killed the dog. Oxer this incident the Indians were enraged and some troul)le arose in the settlement, but Jonathan Alder, who had been among the Indians manv years and fully understood their ways, interposed and [jeace was estalilislied between the I'ed-skins and the pale faces.

In this connection it is well to state that Jonathan Alder resided on the west side of the Darljy, just north of Plain City. He was taken prisoner by the Indians in Virginia when but a small lad and lived with them until he reachetl manhood, in Jerome township he lived with a scpiaw wife. He then talked the Indian dialect, but soon learned .the English. He sul)sequently parted from his squaw, she accompanying her tribe to the far north. He then married a white wnman, hut always feared that his first wife might make him serious tmuble. ( )n une occasion she did return during his absence and destroyed his \\hite wife's clothing. She then left the settlement and never returned. The following inscription is on the tombstone marking the resting place of Jonathan Alder:

At the beginning of the War of 181 2, it was feared that serious trouble would ensue in this section of the state, but the Indians remained friendly 1(1 the settlement. Some of the rougher class of pioneer settlers would join in the feasts and frolics with the Indians and this made the savages feel that the whites in this section, at least, were friendly toward them - hence peace pre\ailed. But there were numerous scares and threats enough to greatly alarm the whites. Many families were panic stricken and fled farther south. Finally, a party of settlers went to the Indian village to learn for themselves, if possible, the attitude held by the Indians toward the settlement. They found them engaged in a council, but after remaining all night they concluded it did not refer to an invasion or destruction of the white settlement but to other matters. This was reported at home and things soon quieted ckjwn. Among the number who went on this scouting trip w'as jNIoses Alitchell, then a lad of sixteen summers. It t<i()k much bra\'er}- and courage fur a small band of whites to enter an Indian cam]) when war was going on, as it was at that day, l)ut all ended well.

In the history of Jerome township published in 1913, Col. W. L. Curry wrote as follows: "James Robinson had one of the earliest orchartls in the ^-icinity, and after the trees approached the age of bearing he was greatly annoyed by the birds that had a strong liking for his choice fruit and manifested the design of indulging their appetites before it was ripe enough to pluck. Some Indian lads belonging '0 se\'eral families near by were very expert in shooting l)ir(.ls with small bows and arrows, and Mr. Robinson agreed with them, by means of signs, that for each bird they killed in the orchard he would give an apple. It happened the following day was Sunday and as Mr. Robinson, who was a God-fearing Presbyterian, was engaged in the usual morning prayers, the Indian lads rushed in with a bird the\' had killed. The conscientious pioneer could not tolerate the idea of profaning the Sabbath by this unhallowed sport and by shaking his head and gesticulating intimated to them that they must not engage in it that day. They departed highly incensed, thinking he had withdrawn from his agreement, and after the old folks had gone to church that day, the Indian youths amused tliemsehes 1;)\- pointing their weapons at the children left at home, who fled to the house for protection and remained within bolted doors till their parents returned."

Early Milling .And Other Industries

The first mill erected in the township was by Frederick Sager, who settled on Darby creek in the early years after 1800. Before this mill was erected the settlers had to use a pestle and stone mortar, the same as those in use by the Indians. In this manner they w'ould mash the corn and make coarse meal and hominy. At intervals they would place a wooden pack saddle on the back of a strong horse and load it up \\ith sacks of shelled corn. The pioneer would mount his horse and start on a long and tedious journey to Lancaster of Chillicothe followed by the pack-horse. This trip would consume several days and his return was anxiously awaited by the family and neighbors as he would not only bring the precious meal but the capacious saddle-liags would be filled to full capacity with newspapers and other reading matter which would be liberally distributed among the settlers.

The site of the old mill erected by Frederick Sager is just above the bridge on the California and Plain City road on the east bank near the farm of Samuel H. Ruehlen. The dam was built of logs and brush and this work was \er\- largelv done through the volunteer assistance of the settlers. The building was erected in the same manner as they were all intensely interested in this new enterprise.

The first burrs for this mill were chiseled out of a boulder that Mr. Sager found on the farm of John Taylor. After w-eeks of tedious work the boulder was split open and the stone dressed ready for use. As soon as the mill was in running order there was a great rush by the pioneers and also by the Indians who came both on foot and horse back from many miles around with their sacks of corn.

For a few years he only ground corn but there was a demand for flour as the farmers began to raise wheat and he instahed a flouring boU. For many )ears the bolting was done by hand. During the dry season the miU could run but little as there was not sufticient water, but when the creek was not frozen in the winter and spring months, it was a very busy place as farmers came with their grain for great distances. When the water power was sufficient the mill ran day and night.

Mr. Sager also erected the first saw mill in this township, attached to his grist-mill and run b\- the same w ater thus furnishing the first boards and sawed lumber used in the cabins. Before that date the floors and doors were made of puncheons split out of timber and smoothed by a drawing knife and adz. Mr. V. Hemingway finally purchased this mill and it bore the name of the "Hemingway Mill" for many years until it was finally abandoned for want of water power.

The Kahler boys erected a saw mill in the fifties on Robinson Run just above the bridge on the Plain City and California road which was run by water power and was the last mill in Jerome township operated by water power. They also erected a grist mill near the same site run by steam power which they operated successful!}- for a number of years.

The above described are the only grist mills that were ever erected in the township although some of the saw mills have had burrs attached for corn grinding.

]Many times a boy sent to mill on horseback on a sack of corn would have to wait all day for his grist. If the fishing was good he did not object as he always took his hook and line along. The miller did not exchange meal and flour for corn and wheat, as was the custom in later years, but took toll out of the grain. He did not have the facihties for weighing the grain and generally took the farmer's word for the amount that the proper toll might be taken out for grinding.

Other Industries

In the earlv days the tanning business was quite extensively carried on in the township. \Villiam iNIcCune operated a tan yard for many years just over the line in the township near Plain City. In those days in the spring when the sap was coming up many large white oak trees were cut down and the bark peeled for tanning purposes. Unless the trees were needed for rail timber they were frequently allowed to rot.

The tan-yard of Asa Converse, located on his farm just west of the David Moss farm, on the CaHfornia and L'nionville road, was perhaps the most extensive tannery of those days. In addition to the tanning business, he ran a boot and shoe manufacturing and repair shop. He employed a number of shoemakers during the winter season and did quite a large and profitable business.

Arthur Collier for a number of years carried on the tanning business in Jerome. The country tan-yard was so convenient to farmers in either selling hides or having them tanned for their own use, but is' now a business of the past and of which the younger generation has little knowledge.

Asheries for the manufacture of black salts and sometimes salteratus were quite common. The proprietors had wagons running all over the country buying up the ashes sa\ed by the housewives or by the boys in the springtime when burning logs in the clearing, and it was quite a source of revenue.

Kiburne and Amos Beach operated quite an extensive ashery in the village of Jerome for many years. Peter Beaver was also engaged in that business at New California, but these industries are all abandoned, although in the early days the business was quite profitable.

The manufacture of barrels was engaged in quite extensively in this township by a number of citizens. The McCampbell brothers, John, Joseph, Andrew and Charles, were all coopers by trade and engaged in that business on their farms during the winter season. Robert Curry, John Oliver, James and William Woodburn were also engaged in that line. They made sugar, flour and pork barrels, many of which were disposed of in the neighborhood, but the bulk of them was hauled to Columbus. They had great high racks on heavy wagons which were used to transport the barrels to market, and merchandise of all kinds was brought back in return. The loads were immense, and while we ha^'e no definite knowledge as to the number of flour barrels that could be loaded in (jne of these wagons, it seems that fifty would be a safe guess.

The tradesmen of all kinds were in the country, and there was scarcely a farmer's family that did not have some member who could do mechanical work, either as shoemaker, harnessmaker or a woodworker. Nelson Cone was, perhaps, the l>est mechanic along Sugar run. He made boots and shoes, harness and saddles. He was also a woodworker and made sleds, ox-yokes, plow-stocks and all kinds of farm implements.

Among the shoemakers were Perry Buck, the Fleck boys, David Beard and some of the Germans, a Mr. Myers and others. George Reuhlen. who arrived in Jerome township direct from Germany, along in the fifties, was an expert wood workman and erected one of the first cider mills and presses in the township. He also operated a saw mill for a number of years.

Nearly every farmer had a good set of tools and made and repaired all kinds of farm implements himself instead of running to town and to the shop of a carpenter or blacksmith every time it was necessary to have a nail driven or a board sawed. They were especially expert in the manufacture of ax handles out of tough hickory timber.

The fathers always took a great deal of pains to instruct their boys in the use and care of tools. There was one kind of work along this line that did not appeal to the farmer boy ]iarticularly, and that was filing a cross-cut saw. He was well aware that getting the old saw out in company with a rattail file meant hard work as soon as the saw was sharpened. If there was one kind of labor harder than another on a farm, it was for a boy to tackle a saw log about four feet in diameter with a cross-cut saw. for the other fellow was sure to "lay down" on the saw. Did you, my old farmer-boy friend - now three score and ten - ever know it to be otherwise? I think not.

Before the days of the Ci\il War the young people residing along Darby creek and Sugar run were noted far and near for musical talent, both vocal and instrumental. Every winter singing schools and literary societies furnished the principal entertainments for all, old and young.

These entertainments were held in the school houses of the neighborhood, and on special occasions, such as concerts or literary exhibitions at the close of the schools, they were held in the old Seceders' church, either at New California or in one of the churches at Jerome.

Until about the vear 1850, the old square or "buckwheat"' notes were used in the music book. The .first singing Ixjok that used the round notes was the Carmina Sacra, and the first teacher was a ]\Ir. Alaynard. Then came a Mr. Dixon, Pinney Case of Jerome. Mr. ]\Ioulton of Boston. William M. Robinson of Marysville. Sireno B. Phipps of Columbus. Samuel Robinson of Darby township and Nelson Cone. In later years James Curry, a Presbyterian minister, now a resident of Newark, California, taught a few terms.

After the regular terms of the singing school closed with a day concert in the spring, the teachers would insist that the young people keep up the practice during the spring and summer months. These practices were held in the evening and Dan Cone, James Currv and David C Robin.son were

There was great rivalry between the choruses of Jerome and Darby townships, and there were many concerts and musical contests. In the summer of i860 the singers of Jerome, Darby and Milford Center held an alldav concert in the grove on the farm of Michael Sager at Unionville. A number of the music teachers were present in the interests of their favorites and considerable feeling was displayed by the different factions, each chorus claiming the laurels.

There were few pianos and organs, and violins, flutes and violincellos were the principal musical instruments. Some of the young people were quite talented, and all of the Cone family of seven boys were violinists.

Xo public dances were held, but when the young people would meet in the evenings, even at the house of a strict jNIethodist or Presbyterian, they would indulge in a little social dance, a cotillion, swinging eight, Virginia reel, or French four, with a jig by a few of the boys to the tune of ^lony ilusk.

Then there was the apple cutting which closed at nine o'clock sharp, after all the tul's, jars and crocks had been filled with apples, pared, cored and quartered read}- to be strung on cotton cords two or three yards in length and hung to the joist aboA'e the fireplace to dry. There was no canned fruit and the apples and peaches were dried around the open fireplace or on kilns. The kilns were usually made in the orchard by digging a trench a foot deep, a yard wide and two or three yards long. This trench was arched over by brick and at one entl a chimney several feet in height was erected. The brick o\er the trench was given a coat of thick clay mortar, smoothed down carefull}*, and was soon dried ready for use by building a fire in the kiln. Newspapers or cloth were spread over the kiln to keep the fruit clean when it was put in and in this manner apples and peaches were dried for winter use.

\\"hen the apples were all pared and cut at these evening gatherings, the floors, without carpets, were swept, refreshments were served and the evening's festivities commenced. The old plays were Snap Up, March to Quebec and many others. Some of the older persons will remember the old songs as the boys and girls would march around the room by couples.

Then there were wood choppings, when the young men of the neighborhood would gather at some farmer's home, especially when the father or some of the boys were sick, Init frequently for a visit, chop wood and haul it to the home in long lengths, working all day and getting out a sufficient amount of wood to last many weeks. On tlie same day the girls would assemble at the house and have a quilting party. In the evening a great supper would be spread and all would be merry with songs until the "wee small hours.''

Corn huskings were also evenings of amusement and helpfulness among the farmers. There was always some strife among the bo}'S to see who could find the largest number of red ears, as ever}- red ear found entitled him to kiss his best girl. It would even be intimated that a girl would quietly pass a red ear to the right l)oy, or if a boy had any doubt about finding one, he would place an ear in a con\-enient pocket before he started to the husking bee.

The deljating society furnished entertainment and amusement for many winter e\enings at the school houses. These debates were participated in by many of the old settlers, who were well versed in current events and were good historians as well. In fact it may well be doubted if the average citizen of today is as well versed in the early history of the republic as the pioneers of fifty years ago, and these debates were usuallv quite interesting.

The best class of farmers usually took two or three weekly newspapers, one of which was the church paper, and it is recalled that the favorite one among the Presbyterians was The Watchman of the Valley, published in Cincinnati. The Dollar Xezvspaper. published in Philadelphia, was also a favorite among- the farmers, as, in addition to all the current news, it had continued stories by one of the good writers, which continued for months. There were no dailies outside of the cities and the arrixal of the weeklies in the Saturday's mail was hailed with great interest.

The writings of some of the standard prose writers and poets were in man}- households, including Shakespeare, Byrc^n, Burns, Shelley, Scott, Young, Josephus, Rollin and many standard histories. The Bilile and hyn-in book were alwavs on the stantl in the li\-ing room and thev were both used every day.

Jerome, sometimes known as Beachtown, Pleasant Hill or Frankfort, was platted in 1846 by William Irwin, county surveyor, for Henry Beach, and the Beach fan-iily was the only one residing there at the time. At an early dav it was a li\-ely little trading jjlace, but. like all other towns off the railroad, it has never come to be a place of any consideralile in-iportance. Good citizenship has always been the boast of its few people. The farming country around this pretty village is excellent and the busii-iess transacted by the few dealers there has generally been on the square deal order, and hence successful at all times. Amos and Kilburn Beach were the first to engage in merchandise, and William Case was the pioneer tavern keeper. Other dealers may now be recalled as H. B. Seely, Lattimer & Hamilton, George Dixon and Oliver Asbury. Coming down later, the dealers were Daniel Landecker and the H. B. Seel}' Company. This last-named firm descended from the old pioneer store of Herrick B. Seely, who for many years was a thrifty merchant and the postmaster of the village. He stood high among wholesalers and jobbers. At his death the business fell into the hands of his sons, one of whom still carries on the business.

The population of Jerome is about seventy-five. The following have served as postmasters in this village since the establishment of the postoffice, in April, 1848: Joel A. Converse, appointed April 17, 1848; Isaac N. Wells, April I, 1851 ; William Andrews, August 8, 1853; Dyman Andrews, June 3, 1854; William H. Brinkerhoff, February 22, 1856; Horace Beach, June 10, 1856; George Leisure, December 2^, 1857; Hurd Lewis, July 16, 1866; S. H. Brake, February 17, 1868; William O. Harra, May 18, 1869; John Latham, November 27, 1871 ; J. C. Collier, July 20, 1874; George Leisure, May 26, 1875; Joseph Brobeck, January 14, 1878; Jennie Wells, November 5, 1883; H. B. Seely, August 21, 1885; A. L. Seely, April 11, 1892; George H. Dickson, April 21, 1897; O. T. Asbury, March 17, 1899; George H. Dickson, February 16, 1903; Pearl E. Hyland, November 7, 1903; office discontinued December 15, 1905. It is now furnished with mail from the rural free delivery out of Plain City.

New California

This little hamlet was platted in 1853, and the first general store was opened by S. B. Woodburn and Dr. Albert Chapman. Soon after the plat was executed, Samuel Ressler, of Marysville, erected a two-story frame building on the southwest corner of the public square and there transacted a good business for a nun"iber of years. He carried a good grocery stock in the same building. New California soon became the center for live stock business in the southern portion of Union count}-. Scales were put in and hundreds of hogs were driven there for marketing in the swine shipping seasons. These hogs were usually driven to Worthington or Pleasant Valley, from which points they were shipped to New "S'ork. Some droves would exceed four hundred tat hog.s. Neighlioring boys were paid lifty cents a day to help dri\-e these hogs to market. As there were no bridges, it was a great task to land the hogs on the right side of half-frozen streams of water. It was the work of hours, even on the solid frozen ice, to force a large drove over the ice.

The first physician to practice medicine in the village was Doctor Culver, who was succeeded in turn by Milo Lawrence, Thomas J. Hayes, James Cutler, B. F. McGlade, J. S. Rowland, Doctor Merriman and Doctor Vigor.

The pioneer "Village Blacksmith" was John Walley, in whose shop, beside the glowing forge, used to congregate the school boys at noon hour. He used to interest the boys by telling wonderfully big stories, not all strictly true. He claimed to ha\e in\entcd a magnifying glass through which he could look into the earth three miles. With this glass he said he located several gold mines in the neighborhood, as well as rich silver deposits, but these were never developed for lack of funds. He never allowed anyone to see this magnifying glass, as he claimed he did upon one occasion let a man look through it and it magnified so strong that it killed the man.

Other blacksmiths were the Gowan boys, Wilson Martin and John Hickman, all possessing queer traits of character. Especially some of these characters should find a paragraph in the annals of Jerome township. While Martin, the blacksmith, was shoeing a farmer's horse, a boy came running into the shop and declared that there was a large flock of wild turkeys at a quarry not far distant. Martin dropped the half-shod horse's foot, seized his rifle, powder horn and bullet pouch. He fairly flew to the desigiiated spot. After two hours he returned with three very large turkeys swung over his shoulder. All the villagers assembled to see the big game. Martin related in his own pecifliar and elastic manner how he had driven these wild turkeys, swifter on foot than the fastest deer hound in the country, to co\-er and how he had brought them down from the highest oak trees with his good and unerring rifle. "Black Bess." It was really a thrilling story and well told. But it was not long before a neighboring farmer appeared at the shop looking for the man who had been killing his tame turkeys. Martin was much crestfallen when he learned the truth and the farmer, a very liberal man, presented Martin with the turkeys and bade him "sin no more." But the end had not come, for many years afterwards he had to listen to the ston' in a teasing manner from the \illage boys, who laughed him to scorn for not knowing a tame from a wild turkey.

great deal of travel on the old State road, running from Pleasant Valley to Delaware, as well as on the road from Columbus to Marysville. Many were the yarns spun in the ding}' old bar-room as travelers, drovers and others gathered around the open-front wood fire Franklin stove, smoking the pipes and "stogies" furnished by the genial landlord. The first mails came once a week on horseback from Dublin. The mail was usually carried in large saddle-bags and in these were the weekly papers and, of course, all were eager to hear the latest news - but a week old.

The postmasters (who also ran the one store in the village) serving at Xew California, according to a recent list forwarded from Washington, D. C. especially for this history, have been as follows: Samuel B. Woodburn. January 7. 1850; Perry Buck, July 8. 1856: John T. Liggett. Jr., June 19, 1857; Thomas Robinson, Jr.. September 9. 1858; William Thompson, June 2^. 1862: John P. McDowell, November, 1872; Nancy A. Bain. May ^20, 1S73; R. C. Hager, November i, 1875: H. M. Dort. June 26. 1879; Phineas Bell. December 7. 1885; J. W. Kuhus, December i, 1886; G. E. Herriott, Alay 11, 1891. Office discontinued May 14, 1904.

Plain City

The greater part of this sprightly town is within Madison county. It has one thousand five hundred population, about four hundred of whom reside over the line in Cnion county. The flouring mill of U. D. Beard, on the west bank of Darby creek, is in Jerome township. It was erected by Doctor Ballinger and Richard Woodruff in 1873, ^^^ has always been a prosperous plant. The Methodist Episcopal church building is also in this county. The society was organized at Pleasant Valley in 181 2. (See Church history chapter. )

At a very early day there was a tannery operated by William [NlcCune on his farm. Today this site is included in the beautiful Pastime Park, consisting of twenty-seven acres, with a fine race track. The grove makes it an ideal summer resort and here the popular Chautauqua meetings are held annually. Before the Civil War many of the Fourth of July celebrations were held at this beautiful spot. Long tables were erected and "the fat of the land" was placed thereon, free for all.

The postoffice was originally called Darby Creek, but changed to Plain City on September 6, 1871. The postmasters here ha\e been : (Darby Creek) James Ewing, July i, 181 1; D. K. Bigelow, March 22, 1837: Isaac Bigelow, August 17, 1843; P. E. Guitner, February 21, 1850; Israel E. Bigelow,

This is a new village, located on the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, at the crossing of the gravel road leading from Plain City to Xew California. The station and village were located in the fall of 1893 on land belonging to Mrs. George Arnold, for whom the town was named. It was first named "New California," after the old \illage, until a petition for a postoffice was presented to the department, when its name had to be changed, and ".Arnold" was wisely chosen. James Arnold, who established the first grocery there and was postmaster, discontinued business when the postoffice was discontinued. Fred Snnth was commissioned postmaster in 1896, but never performed the duties, as he sold his l)usiness just as his commission arrived. Carrie I'leck was then ajjpointed to the position and she, with her husband. Perry l-'leck. established a general store in the \illage in the fall of 1896. Mrs. Meek ser\ed as postmistress until the office was discontinued, March i, 19 10, by reason of the establishing of a rural free delivery route from Plain City. 2\Ir. and Mrs. Fleck, in 1914, were doing a thriving business and ran several produce wagons into Columbus each week. Other business factors are the grocery store iif J. W. Cumiingham, an ex-handle factory and two warehouses, Ijoth owned l)y J. R. Herriott. The ^'illage has about thirtv-fi\"e buildings and a population of over one hundred and twenty-five. The children attend the Central School at New California.

Jerome township occupies the southeastern corner of L'nion count\'. It is bounded on the east by Delaware and Franklin counties, on the south by Franklin and Madison; Darby township bounds it on the west and Mill Creek on the north.

Big Darby creek, its principal stream, crosses the southwest corner. Sugar run flows southward thr()ugh the central i)ortion, and farther east several small streams take their origin and flow into Delaware and Franklin counties. The surface is level or slightly rolling. The valley of Big Darby is narrow, and the soil of it is a rich, black loam. Back of this a ridge of land rises, having a width of perhaps one-half mile, the soil of which is somewhat gravelly. A fertile black soil is found beyond this, covering much of the southern portion of the township. Farther to the north, clay predominates. In early times the entire surface was densely forested and much timber that would now possess great value, including black walnut and cherry, was felled and burned in large heaps, to make way for crops of corn and grass. Hickory, oak, walnut, elm, beech and swamp ash were the prevalent types of timber.

The first election was held May 10, 1821, for the selection of a justice of the peace. Clark Provin received the entire fifteen votes cast. James Ewing. who was then sheriff of the county, and Frederick Sager and Simeon Hager were the judges of this election. John Taylor and John McCune were the clerks.

It was only a short time after the first settlers came that the woods were filled with wild hogs. Most of the early settlers brought a few hogs with them, and as the mast of the forest was amply sufficient for their sustenance, they were allowed to run at large. Each settler branded his hogs with a private ear-mark, and could thus identify his own property. Many of these swine were lost; they multiplied rapidly and a breed of wild, vicious hogs was the result. They would attack dogs and sometimes men, when the branches of a tree would be the only retreat. For many years it was customarv for the settlers to allow their hogs to run at large during the fall and when winter approached it was often extremely difficult to get them back w ithin inclosures. Good hog drivers were in great demand and received high wages. The unruly animals were usually driven in large droves by men on horseback, assisted by dogs, into an inclosed field, where they were assorted and their ownership determined Ijy the ear-marks. Sometimes wide circuits, miles in extent, must be made before they could be secured. Those belonging to widows were always brought in free by the neighbors.

W'ohes were plenty at first, but the bounty of four dollars a scalp paid by the county made them nnich sought after by hunters and the forests were cleared of them before other large game disappeared.

James Ewing ^\as one of the best and foremost citizens of Union county during the first thirty years of its existence. His old homestead in Jerome township was in survey 12,125, where he li\ed to the time of his death. He was elected and served as the first sheriff of Union county. In religious belief he was a Presbyterian and a firm member and for many years a ruling elder of Lower Liberty church. In politics he was an unflinching Whig. In 1810 ^Ir. Ewing purchased a stock of goods at Chillicothe, brought them to his fami and opened a country store, thereby becoming the first merchant in what is now L'nion cminty. Through his efforts a postoffice was secured and he was appointed the first postmaster. He operated the store for about ten }ears and then withdrew for a time from the mercantile business. In 1833 he erected a large frame store room adjoining his dwelling and filled it with an extensive stock of goods. He continued in business this latter time only two years. In 1835 his vounger son, David, to whom he was deeply attached, met with an untimely death just as he was entering upon a life of brilliant promise and under his sense of loss Mr. Ewing retired permanentlv from business. He had been the possessor of some means when he came to Ohio and by his stern, honorable business qualities he accumulated considerable property. He was one of the first trustees of the bVanklin County Bank. He was scrupulously honest in all his dealings and his word passed current for almost any amount. Small currency was \-er\' scarce, and in order to meet the demand for this kind of money, and facilitate trade, he issued what was termed in those days "shin plasters,"' payable on demand. They were considered by the people as good as coin and were never dishonored bv their maker.

The Taylors were among the foremost pioneers of Big Darin- in Jerome township. There were five brothers by this name, Richard, Daniel, Isaac, William and John, all of whom settled on the creek in close proximity to each other. They came in 1800 or 1802. They were \^irginians who had settled in Kentucky, but, not liking the country there, emigrated to Ohio.

Another of the earliest settlers on Big Darby in Jerome was Andrew Noteman. No record has been kept of the date of his settlement and the time cannot be definitely determined. The date of his deed is 1802, and it was probably about that year or soon after that he arrived. He was born June i, 1773, near Harper's Ferry, Maryland.

The Sagers were also among the earliest settlers and occupied some of the best land in the township. Henry. T^Vederick and Abraham located in Jerome.

Patrick Conner was the first settler on Sugar nm. coming from Pennsylvania about 1804-05. He owned and occupied a small farm in the lower part of survey 5.132. He was of Irish descent and a A-er\- intelligent man. Joseph McClung came to Sugar run fmm Pennsylvania ver\- early. He was in the War of 1812. John Kent settled in survey 5,126, on Sugar run, in ic%6.

One of the few Revolutionary officers who settled in Union countv was Col. James Curry. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, in 1752, came to America with his father when ten vears of age, and located in Augusta county. \'irginia. After a most honorable service as an officer of the army tliroughout the Revokitionary War. he removed, in the year 1797, to Ohio, settHng first in Ross county. In 181 1 he came with his family to the territory now known as Union county, where he located a large body of land and on which he erected the cabin in which he died. He was a member of the Legislature when the county was organized and was for many years after one of the judges of its courts. The following are brief notices of his children: James A., burn in Virginia ^klarch 30. 1787: Harriet S., born June 7, 1791 ; Stephenson, born December 3, 1801 ; Otway, born March 26, 1804; Louisa, born Jul}' 24, 1807: Roljert Burns, the youngest of this family, born June 3, 1811.

Samuel AlcCullough was a son of Samuel McCullough. Sr., who died in Darby township in 1800. He lived with his mother, who married John Taylor in Madison county, till he arrived at the age of. maturity. He then purchased a small farm in the southwestern part of Jerome township.

Survey 5,132 of six hundred acres, on Sugar run, in the south central portion of the township, was purchased at an early date by Judge Mitchell, of Darby township. He divided it into three portions, upon each of which one of his sons located. George Mitchell came first, probably as early as 1 814. David Mitchell, Jr., his brother, settled on the adjoining tract about 1816. The third son of Judge Mitchell, who occupied land on this survey, was Jesse Mitchell. He was the first white child born in what is now Union county. The date of his birth was November 4, 1799, a few weeks after his parents had settled in Darby township. Jesse remained with his parents until his marriage, in December, 1823, to Elizabeth Robinson, daughter of Rev. James Robinson, then of Union township. He at once settled with his young wife on his farm on Sugar run. l\Ir. Mitchell remained on the farm, an industrious, energetic farmer until his death, ]\Iay 13, 1881. He had nine children, all of whom are deceased.

Pbilli]) Hawn settled on survey 3,750 of one hundred acres, in the western part of the township in 18 19, and remained there till his death. Simeon Hager and Abner Chapman were pioneers. Samitel P. Morrison came from "N'ork county, Pennsyhania. about 1820. Simeon Rickard, a native of Virginia, a soldier of the War of 1812, in 1828 emigrated to Darby township, and a year later to southwestern Jerome. Landon Bishop emigrated from Virginia to Franklin cnunty, Oliin, in 1824, and three years later came to Jerome township.

All of the al)o\'e named settlers located in Jerome township prior t(j 1830. Soon after came rnanx^ other prominent families, whose descendants still reside in the townshii), among whom were Nelson Cone, Jndah Dodge, Titus Dort, Jesse (iill. William McCampbell. Sr., S. B. Woodburn, Dickey Beard, John Fleck, Chester l-nx, William Bigger, John W. Evans, Samuel Herriott, William McCrory, John R. McDowell, John AIcKitrick, John Moss, John F. Norris, Jesse \Yeldon, Jacob Frederick, John, William and Templeton Liggett. James D. Robinson and John ]\I. Robinson. George Ricard, Samuel C. Ryan and many others came in later.

William McCampbell, Sr., emigrated from Rockbridge county, \'irginia, in 1S35 and settled in Jerome township. He was a prominent citizen, and he, with his large family and the Beard family, whi:i came at the same time, were the principal organizers of the Seceder church in that townshi]). .Vdilison T. McCampbell, a grandson, visited, a few^ months ago, Staunton, Virginia, and examined the records of marriages, wills and lands, where he found some interesting data connected with the family history, which is of interest to the large number of descendants. As shown by the will of his great-grandmother, she gave to her grand-daughter, Polly McCampbell, a "sla\e maid," which it is understood she brought to Ohio in 1835. Polly married Da\id Beard, a fanner, school teacher and surveyor, and thev resided in the townshi]) until about the }-ear 1855, then emigrated to Iowa, where the}- bntli died at an advanced age. Mr. McCampbell also \isited the old stone church still in use at Timl)er Ridge, erected in I73'i, where his ancestors worshiped, and read the tablet erected in menK^ry oi tlie women of the church "who made and carried the mortar used in the building." The great-grandfather, William McCampbell, served in the War of the Revolution. He also found records of the marriages of the Curry family, who came to the township early in 1800.