Wood County, Ohio - Chapter 36: Middleton Township, 1897

Chapter 36: Middleton Township

Its Survey and Early History - Men of 1889 - The Pioneers - Township Organization - Township Officials - Schools - Cemeteries; Miltonville - Hull Prairie - Duxbridge - Roaciiton - Dowling - Sugar Ridge - Haskins - Post Offices - Churches - Societies. Etc.

THE survey of the exterior lines of this township was made by I. T. Worthington in the west part, and by Holmes brothers in the east part, in 1819, while the section lines were surveyed in 1821 by Worthington and Kellogg. The population in 1890 was 1,606.

line between River Tract, No. 55, and Sec. 16, T. 1, U. S. R. , thence east to the line between T. 1 and 4, U. S. R. of twelve miles square; thence to the S. W. corner of T. 4; thence east to the S. E. corner of that township; thence south to the S. E. corner of T. 5, R. n; thence west to the S. W. corner of T. 5, R. 10; thence north to the Maumee river, and along the river to the place of beginning. Waterville township, established December 6, 1830, included Grangers (now Dodds), Roche de Boeuf and Missionary Islands, thus cutting off Middleton from any claim to these river formations. On June 3, 1833, that part of Middleton in T. 5, R. 1 1, and so much of T. 5, R. 10, as lay south of a line drawn between the second and third tier of sections in its northern half, were attached to Portage township, and subsequently other changes in boundaries were made, until the irregular lines of to-day were confirmed. On December 3, 1838, the commissioners refused to consider a petition for attaching this township to Washington. In June, 1839, Secs.. 13, 14, 15. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36, of Fr. T. 6, were attached to Perrysburg; while on March 3, 1840, River Tracts 56, 57, 58 and 59, with the S. E. J of Sec. 16 in original survey of U. S. R. , and Fr. Secs. 16, 17, 20 and 21 of Washington were attached to Middleton j township; but in June, 1841, all this territory, ' except Fr. Secs. 17, 20 and 21, was set off to Perrysburg township. Again, in 1844, Middleton lost the south \ of Sec. 36, T. 6, R. 10, set , off to Plain, and the south J of Sec. 31, T. 6, R. 1 1, set off to Center township.

In traveling down the river road, from Miltonville to Perrysburg, one may look across the river and see the site of the home established by Count Pierre Louis La Point, who left France in boyhood to take part with La Fayette in aiding the Continental army under Washington. He did not return home, but selected a spot west of Presque Isle hill for a large residence, surrounded himself with male attendants, and held two receptions there annually until his death. He was j buried in the orchard, with an apple tree for a headstone. Joel Foote states that he was much beloved by the settlers.

Men of 1S39. - The male inhabitants of Middleton, in 1839, over twenty-one years of age, were Andrew Hood, Andrew Hood, Jr., James Robertson, James Robertson, Jr., John Robertson, John Nicholson, Epaphroditus Foote. G. W. Baird, Moses Decker, Isaac Allen, Abraham Yount, Henry Hanford, Andrew Race, John W. Ulrich, H. H. Smith, Silas W. Reed, William R. Peck, George Loomis, William Ewing, W. L. Fowler, Samuel Pierce, James Fowler, Guy Nearing, James Pierce, Ernileus Nearing (deaf and dumb), John White, L. E. Ellsworth, Richard Foster, Joseph Zerbe, Johnston White, Gabriel Yount, Nathan and John White. Joel Foote was then in Perrysbmg. They with their families were the pioneers who cleared away the forest, and converted the township into one of the richest agricultural districts of the county, almost sixty years before the oil men came to create a new industry, and ten years after Michael Sypher made his temporary home a half mile above Miltonville.

The Pioneers. - The pioneer arrived in 1810, from New York State, traveling overland to Buffalo, thence by schooner to Port Clinton, thence overland to Orleans, where he halted at Aurora Spafford's house, while exploring the country. The name of this adventurer was Jesse Skinner, who selected what was afterward known as River Tract, No. 50. Samuel H. Ewing, Andrew Race, Samuel Merritt, Jesse Murray, Cyrus Hitchcock, Robert Race, David. Race and others accompanied the pioneer toOrleans, but did not select land in this township. Samuel Ewing selected land three miles away. Some returned to New York State the same year; but in June, 18:2, the majority of them brought their families to settle in the wilderness. His fellow travelers assisted Shinner in building a cabin (just east of the south approach of the Waterville bridge), and, with Ewing and a French-Canadian trader named Lumbar, who lived at the mouth of Xontogany creek, occupied the south side of the river above the site of the Spafford settlement. The British, in 1813, ordered the Indians to drive the settlers on the Maumee from their homes. In 1815-16, most of them returned to find that their homes had been destroyed. In 1822, David Hull, also a New York man, located some one and one-half miles north of the present village of Haskins (afterward the eighty acres owned by Epaphroditus Foote). Some years after, the sheriff called to levy on his property, and seized on a favorite pony This act grieved the pioneer, who proceeded to cut his throat. The sheriff sent for Dr. Conant, the unfortunate man's life was saved, but his reason was gone. Years afterward he died in a lunatic asylum, one of the martyrs to pioneer times in this county.

The tragedies of early days, enacted near the township line, were the murders of Ewing and Richardson about the time that immigration had set in, and that of Bill Ironsides (a Canadian half-breed), in 1835, by the Griffin brothers - Orrin and Henry. That cruel and unprovoked murder of the trapper took place at the foot of Mission Island. The perpetrators were sentenced to a short term in the penitentiary. Some time after Ewing settled in the Valley, a dance took place at the mouth of Tontogany creek, during which a young Indian named Nauquazike stabbed and killed Pamquak, another young savage who

1832, Guy Nearing being moderator; Isaac Van- Tassel, clerk; Johnston White, Sidney L. Brewster and James Rutter, judges; and Epaphroditus Foote, assistant clerk. Guy Nearing, Sidney L. Brewster and Michael Sypher were elected trustees; Isaac Van Tassel, clerk; Epaphroditus Foote, treasurer; Jacob Bernthisel and James Rutter, overseers of the poor; and John Wade and Jesse Bough, fence viewers. On January 21, 1833, Nearing, Sypher, Rutter, Van Tassel and Brewster, with Mrs. E. Foote, A. G. Skeed, Lewis King, A. Hamilton, Hiram Wade, Noah A. Reed, Silas W. Reed and Elias Crago, subscribed twelve and a half cents each toward purchasing a record book. That book was found in the calaboose at Haskins May 22, 1895, looking aged, of course, but strong and intact. The first work of the trustees was to divide the township into four road and school districts. School District No. 1 was to elect directors at Guy Nearing's; No. 2, at the mission station; No. 3, at Barone's house; and No. 4, at the house of Thomas Cox. These orders were made January 1, 1833, and on March 4, that year, a tax levy of one mill on the dollar was ordered for township purposes. In April, 1833, there were 36 votes cast, James Johnston receiving 28 for senator; John E. Hunt, 25 for representative; and Guy Nearing, 28 for commissioner. In March, [834, j the officials donated their services for the past year to the township. At the same time an orphan, named John Rice Cassity, was appren- . ticed to William Culver, a blacksmith, to serve until September ,i, 1839. In 1835, the chopping and clearing of a road from Miltonville to Maumee Station was awarded to Joseph Logan on his bid of $27.46. In April, 1838, the work of ! ditching one mile, on the Findlay road, was awarded to W. P. Alexander, John Howard and Moses Shallenbarger; but, they failing to do the work, it was given to Robert Motley and William McLain, on their bid of fourteen cents a rod.

Tne first record book covers the transactions of the board down to March, 1857, together with the records of ditches Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and the records of ear marks and estray notices. Book No. 2 was found in the old Cunning building, now the Woodford store, among many old volumes, and owing to this fact the list of trustees, clerks, treasurers and assessors, from 1857 to 1 895, can be continued. The trustees from 1857 to the present time are named as follows:

/ ustiees. - The justices were Michael Sypher, who qualified July 8, 1833, and Guy Nearing, September 4, 1833; Atnasa Ballou and Michael Sypher, 1836; Jeremiah Ward, 1837; William Fowler, 1837; Jeffrey Nearing, 1838; Guy Nearing, 1 839; Seneca Sterling, 1 840 -49; George W. Baird, 1840 -43; Epaphroditus Foote, 1841 (no notice of qualification); James Robertson, 1843; James Hood, 1847; Jeremiah Case, 1849; William Ewing, 1850 to 1865; Amelius Robertson,

In April, 1837, Emilius Wood, Amasa Ballou and William R. Peck were elected school examiners, they being the first referred to in the records. In March, 1838, Epaphroditus Foote, William Fowler and Henry Hanford were appointed school directors under the law of that year. In 1848, Sections 19, 29, 30, 31 and 32, were added to Secs, in T. 4, U. S. R., to form a new school district, David Ladd and A. Spafford representing Perrysburg township as trustees. On July 26, 1835, the school trustees employed Guy Nearing to erect a frame house 22x15x15 feet for $40; to furnish lumber at $10 per M. ; to put in twelve window frames at $1 each, and two door frames at $1.50 each; to make and hang two panel doors at $3, and to lay the lower floor for $3.30. This contract refers to the Miltonville school, rules for the government of which were adopted November 10, 1839. William R. Peck, one of the first teachers of District No. 1, made the following list of pupils enrolled in November, 1839: Milton Baird, Daniel Ellsworth, Charles Pierce, each aged ten years; Charles Baird, Benjamin Fowler, William Motley, Nancy Pierce, Lovinia Hyndman, Sarah Austin and Jeremiah Decker, each eight years; Leroy Foote and Walter Sherwin, seven years;

| Oscar and Fred. Foote, Henry Pierce, Margaret | White, Sarah Motley, Theodore Ewing, Sarah L. Peck, Elias Austin, and Isaac Nearing, six years and under. The senior pupils were Epaphroditus Foote, William Nason, Smith Motley, Henry Nearing, Sophia Hyndman, Sabrina | Austin and Elisha Hyndman, from thirteen to j fifteen years of age; Judith R. Allen, Nancy Sherwin, Allen Austin, Oliver Decker, Martha Motley, each about twelve years, and Merritt Flint, a school urchin of twenty-two winters. In April, 1840, Lucy A. Crosby succeeded teacher Peck; Isaac Van Tassel taught in March, 1841; Lucy A. Crosby in October, 1841; A. C. Davis, 1842; M. L. Bamber. 1843; Jeremiah Case, 1844; S. G. Brown, 1845; W. C. Matthews, 1847; Morris Brown, 1848; Sophia Barlow, 1848; Smith Dunham, 1849; Amanda F. Howland, 1849; Nathan W. Minton, 1850; Sophia A. Barlow, 1850; Henry C. Strow, 1851; Elise Birdsail, 1851; A. P. Donaldson, 1852; Harriet E. Burkhart, 1852; O. W. Parrish, 1853, and J. Foster, 1854. Oscar Foote was teacher of the sub-district in 1855.

Augustus Schaller, Adam Beil, John Callia and John Sullivan. Many of the officers named in the township history have filled positions on the school board.

Cemeteries. - A petition of forty-three citizens of Perrysburg township was presented to the trustees of Middleton in 1888, asking that a cemetery be established on five acres of land, belonging to H. B. Shoemaker, in Sec. 33, T. 4, U. S. R. About the same time, Perrysburg, Middleton and Webster townships were interested in enlarging the Bellville Ridge cemetery. In December, 1893, came the election on the prohibition question, when eighty-seven votes were recorded for the sale of liquor and 188 against such sale.

Milton V1Lle

Miltonville was surveyed in August, 1835, for William Fowler and G. W. Baird, who named it Miltonville, after Milton Baird. In 1835, Guy Nearing took the contract to build a sawmill and dam for Fowler & Baird (in connection with their Miltonville town project), a half mile below the town. The building and dam cost about $5,500. Joel Foote left Hull's Prairie in 1835, moved into Miltonville, bought the Ezra Sanger dwelling i and store, refitted the log house and kept the hotel there until 1840, when he returned to his farm. Of the other hotel, it may be said that William Ewing and Guy Nearing constructed the frame; that Ewing furnished it and named it " Uncle Guy House," and that after its sale to G. W. Baird, it was named "Taylor House." The hotel and store of Fowler & Baird were by no means the first houses on the site, for Ezra Sanger, in 1833, erected a log cabin there (the "Foote Hotel"), and James Conway owned a small frame building, which he occupied until his removal to a farm west of Tontogany. Samuel Silsby and Johnson White were the ferrymen of the place, and, later, Morehouse, William Ewing and Whitcomb Haskins operated the rope ferry prior to 1856, when J. W. Ovitt purchased the interest of Haskins, and was ferryman for a few years, until the first bridge was completed. In 1840, there were only 105 in-lots listed for taxation, all being in the names of ten persons, who were considered responsible for taxes. Miltonville post office was established September 29, 1837, with Epaphroditus Foote in charge. When the D. & M. railroad was completed, in 1859, this office was discontinued.

In November, 1887, a span of the Waterville bridge, 170 feet long, fell, carrying with it six men, one of whom, named Jeffers, was killed. The work of tearing down the old bridge was then in progress, but the workmen did not realize the danger until too late.

Hull Prairie

Hull Prairie was surveyed for John H. Weller, C. W. Carpenter and Joseph H. Gardner, in October, 1861. In the spring of 1831, aftertwo years' residence on Granger Island, Epaphroditus Foote moved to the farm he had purchased, on the north side of Hull Prairie, still known as the Foote farm. This land was once owned by David Hull, who located therein 1822, from whom the prairie took its name, and not from Gen. Hull, as is commonly supposed, Hull, Sypher and Bennett, having resided on the farm previous to its occupancy by the Foot family. James Robertson may be named among the first permanent settlers. In 1836, he and his family camped on the edge of the prairie. Having traveled from Perrysburg, they were fatigued; but sleep was not for them, as shortly after halting, five mounted Indians appeared, who gave the immigrants notice that they wished to burn the prairie. Within twenty minutes the high grass on that treeless tract was reduced to ashes. In 1837, Robertson built a log house on his land which was known as the " Half-way House.'' Shortly after the Robertson settlement was made, Henry Hood, Sr., and family selected prairie lands, followed by Andrew Pargellis and W. H. Wetmore, the last-named coming in 1840 or 1842. In 1 844 a log cabin was erected for school purposes on Section 24, over which Margaret Frazier, just arrived from Scotland, was appointed to preside. There, also, religious services and social meetings would be held, so that it was the center of the social life of the prairie settlement. In 1848, Ann E. Bruce, now known as Mrs. Frederick, the librarian at Perrysburg, taught the same school. The original Hull log house, owned by Schaller in 1889, was razed that year or the next.

Prairie Class of the M. E. Church was organized February 1 1, 1866, by James W. Boyd, leader; T. N. Barkdull, pastor; and H. S. Bradlev, presiding elder. There were twenty-seven members enrolled, namely; James W. and Malinda Boyd, B. R. and Maria Mason, John Jr. and Barbara Taylor, Richard and Nancy Carter, Catherine Crook, Sarah and James A. Spafford, Edward, Sr., Reuben, James, Bennett, Frank M., Darius B., Samuel and Caroline Carter, Ann and Sarah S. Smith, John C. and Calista Parkison, David and Rebecca Hackathorn, J. H. and Jane West, and Jairus and Jane Yoeman. In 1869, Richard Carter was leader, and Rev. C. Hong, of Millbury, circuit preacher. In 1875, Rev. J. W. N. Morrison preached here; J. C. Miller, in 1882; L. H. Lindsey, in 1885; L. C. Wilson, in 1886, when John Taylor was leader, who has been leader ever since. The Church is now in the Waterville circuit. With the Presbyterian Society, Prairie class enjoys the privilege of worship in Hood's church.

The Hood Presbyterian Church was incorporated January 20. 1877, with Henry Sarvis, R. Pargellis and John Hood, trustees. On the occasion of Henry Hood's death, in April, 1874, it was learned that he had bequeathed $2, 500 for the purpose of erecting a house of worship, to be held by the trustees of the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal Societies of the district, for their own use specially, and for that of evangelical Christians generally. On December 8, 1876, the following named members of the Haskins Church were dismissed to form this Church : Sarah E. , Maggie E., Elizabeth, Andrew and Robert Pargellis, Jane Hood, Ellen Tracy, Ann E., Geraldine, James A. and Elizabeth Robertson, Addie Rider, Charlotte Barr and Henry Sarvis. Rev. A. J. Hadley, of Haskins, with elders Robert Pargellis and James A. Robertson. Mr. Pargellis has served as clerk since the beginning, and the elders still hold that position. The pastors since Mr. Hadley's time: Messrs. Vance and G. A. Adams have preached here, the latter since 1856, save for the time that the membership was incorporated in the Haskins Church. There are thirty-six members. Forty-nine yearsago a branch of the Perrysburg Church was organized, by Rev. J. H. Newton. This society went into the Haskins Church when it was organized. Services

A union Sunday-school of Presbyterians and Methodists was organized here, which has been running for fifty years. F. R. Miller was secretary and Matthew Rose, superintendent. His successors were A. C. Pargellis, O. B. Brown, John Taylor, J. Boyd, F. E. Meagley (twelve years), A. C. Pargellis, Ann Smith, Jonathan West, Gilbert Jezzard.

Hull Prairie Grange, Xo. 74.6, was chartered in April, 1874, with Amelius Robertson, master; Robert Pargellis, secretary, and Mrs. Bernthistel, L. A. S. This grange continued in existence for three years, the manager purchasing agricultural implements and goods for the members. The Patrans of Husbandry was organized (May 21, 1890), with thirty-seven members; but the lodge dissolved within two years. A. C. Pargellis was first president; William Skinner, vice-president; F. R. Pargellis, secretary, and George Carter, treasurer.

Middleton Lyceum was organized December 12, 1856, with H. Crook, president ; John Hood, vice-president; A. Pargellis, secretary, and Myron Brown, treasurer. The Carpenters, Taylors, Randalls, O. B. Brown, R. Pargellis, S. Whedon and Jonathan Du Hamel formed the membership. In 1859 a constitution was adopted, when Susan and Elizabeth Rowles, E. W. De Verna, the Woodruffs, Younts and McCaugheys, James Johnston and R. Skinner began to take a part in the debates. Rezin Skinner and James Johnston served as secretaries for short terms, when Robert Pargellis was again elected, and continued secretary to the end of the Lyceum, in November,

Hull's Prairie Farmers' Club was organized January 31, 1870, with Henry Hood (treasurer), Henry Sarvis, Amelius Robertson, James Johnston, Robert Crook, W. T. Barr, Alfred Robertson, Rezin Skinner (president), Frank Powell, Robert Pargellis (secretary), and John Johnston. In the record book of this club, the ideas of the members on every agricultural subject are given, sometimes with wonderful precision. On March 28, 1870, the last meeting appears to have been held.

Dunbridge was surveyed by Ferdinand Wenz for Robert Dunn, November 10, 1882. The Sentinel suggested the name Dunn-der-burg, but 1 the owner adopted the three first letters of his i own name and the six last letters of the name

Trowbridge, joined them, and christened his new village. William Davis opened the first store, and built the first mercantile house; a saloon was opened about the same time. Six years ago John Current opened a general store in Dr. Pope's building, where Spafford Brothers opened their store. The first hotel was opened by Charles Beauprey shortly after the town was platted, Lafayette Hale succeeding him. When the village was established, the report that John Watts, of Haskins, would establish a mill; Trowbridge & i Co., a stave factory, and the railroad company, a station, drew the attention of many to the village.

The Presbyterian Church was incorporated May 7, 1887, when the following named formed the society: Frank and Melvina Rogers, E. W. and Cecelia Taylor, William and Elza Clour, Oscar and Alice Moag, N. S. and Josephine Jones, j Edith Wallace and Flora Taylor. The pastors | of the Church have been Revs. C. L. Beving- j ton, George Gerlach, W. H. Cross and C. L. Herrold. The seven elders include Messrs. Rogers, Taylor and Moag (named above), with

F. Philo. Noah S. Jones was the first commander. Hugh Stewart, 1890; S. B. Gorrill, 1891; N. S. Jones, 1892; George Stevenson. 1893; and Hugh Steward, 1894 and 1895. George Stevenson, the first adjutant, was succeeded in January, 1890, by Frank Rogers, who has held j the position down to the present time, except in j

Dennis, N. S. Jones, L. A. Trepanier, William Remgar, Leroy Thompson, C. F. Seger, G. W. Robinson, James B. Cordrey, J. E. Ward, John Current, David Whitmore, O. C. Grover, C. M. Keeler and S. B. Gorrill. W. W. Hampton was the first noble grand, followed by W. J. Dennis, L. A. Trepanier, John Current. O. C. Grover, J. B. Cordrey, Leroy Thompson and S. B. Cordrey, the present grand; J. H. Bush is the present recording secretary. There are now sixty-three or sixty-four members. The lodge purchased the two-story frame school building in 1895, and remodeled it for lodge purposus. The new school house, erected in 1895, east of the railroad, takes the place of the older building sold to the Oddfellows.

Lida Re be k ah Lodge. No. pSi, was chartered May 17, 1893, with the following members: Malinda Hampton, Martha Hilt. Mary A. Dennis, Jane Sternaman, Marietta Ward, Sarah A. Nixon, Addie Griner and Mary Roper, with nine male members.

Roachton is the name given to a railroad and postal station southwest of Perrysburg. John S. Ellis and W. C. Perrin established a store here about twenty years ago, and Mr. Perrin was appointed postmaster. On the Lydorf farm, two wells were drilled for oil, but little show of oil was made. B. F. Clark, who has managed the post office and store for the last eight years, came here about sixteen years ago.

In 1847-48 and 1852, Anthony Weaver, Joseph Heidelman, the Cobley family, John Klaberger, George Shutz, George, Andrew and Sebastian Schipel, John Wershon, George Nabel, John and Martin Dumminger, Joseph Dreps, Wolfgang, Jacob and Michael Kazmire, Geo. Teinlnn, F. Steinlnn, Matthias Klephart, Frederick Getz, Peter Bower, and a few other natives of Germany selected the rich land east of Roachton for their homes. In 1848, Anthony Weaver deeded to the Rt. Rev. Amadeus Rappe sixty acres of land for Church purposes, and shortly after a small frame building was erected.

The Church of Our Mother of Sorrows, near Roachton, had its origin in the settlement referred to above. The little building, erected in 1851 or 1852, was burned in 1866. In 1868, forty acres of Weaver's grant were sold, and the proceeds expended in building the present church in 1868. In early years the mission was attended by the resident priest of Maumee, but, since the establishment of Perrysburg as a separate parish, Roachton has been attached to it.

Fort Meigs Sub-Association , No. 2223, P. 0. /. of N. A., was organized at the Loesch school house, May 12, 1890, with B. F. Pratt, Sr., president; Joseph Schipel, vice-president; John Schwind, secretaty; Frederick Schaller, treasurer; Geo. Schwind, sentinel; and B. F. Pratt, Jr., guide. They, with the following named, were the first members: G. A. and Frank Schipel,

Adam (Jr.), Ernest, John and Denis Hoffman, F. B., August and Simon Schaller, Thomas, James and John Warren, John and Anna Mosier, George Mahler, John H. Schmidtt, Herman Barz, Henry Edwards, Wm. Slater, Jerome Rutapaugh, and

F. F. and John Loesch. John Schwind, Joseph Schipel and F. F. Loesch have followed the first president, while B. F. Pratt, Jr., G. A. Schipel, Sam. Schaller and J. J. Kleeberger have followed the first secretary. The association is now presided over by John Schwind, with

The village of Dowling, on' the line between the townships of Perrysburg and Middleton, is said to carry on its religious enterprises on the Middleton side.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, in 1861, by Enos Bellville. A class book found at Stony Ridge, dated 1867-68, calls it the "Bellville Ridge Church," and credits it with the following named members: Elijah Hopper and family, Reuben Egbert, Henry Shoemaker, Alexander Beard, V. E. McCreary, Perry Beard, Erastus Lynam, Rebecca Bellville, Susan John- ; son and Martha J. Clague. James M. Brown, the recording steward, writing under date June 22, 1895, states that Rev. Jason Wilcox was pastor in 1861, and Elijah Hopper was the second recording steward. The class used the old school house until 1888, when the thirteen members then enrolled built a house for worship. The present pastor. Rev. C. M. Myers, reports seventy members, including the following named officers : William Roller, D. M. Shoemaker, was organized and incorporated October 18, 1890, with Henry Lendemeier, Thomas Lehmann, Emil Christen, John Janssen, John A. Dauer and W. M. Brinker and their families, members. The pastors have been Revs. Eugene Schmidt and Paul Hensge; C. Lembke is the present pastor. The first clerk was P. R. Van Ewegen, and the present clerk is J. A. Dauer. There are thirtyfive voting members, who own the church building on the east side of Dowling.

The United Brethren Church was organized by Rev. D. O. Tussing, in 1887, and a house of worship erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,500. The original members were Cynthia,- W. W. , Emma, George and Persilla Shoemaker; Alexander, Mary, Euritta and Anna Beard; Mary Jameson, Milton and Delia Egbert, and L. Parker. The pastors have been Revs. W. W. McCurdy, Wells, L. Sharp, C. B. Fletcher, T. J. Engle and J. W. Hicks; and the clerks. W. W. Shoemaker and Alex. Beard. The membership, on June 12, 1895, was seventy.

Sugar Ridge

Sugar Ridge was surveyed for Frank and Sarah Meeker, in 1882, by Ferd Wenz. The village is in Center and Middleton townships; but the limekilns, school, church and principal business houses and dwellings are north of the township line. The Sugar Ridge Stone and Lime Company's works employed, in July, 1895, twentyfive men, while the capacity is 400 barrels a day. The works were established in 1889 by Frederick Van Fleet and J. W. Urschell. The Snowflake Lime Co. have a branch of their works at Sugar Ridge, where thirteen men are employed. From 1891 to December, 1893, Worst, Wierman and Meeker owned it.

Sugar Ridge post office was established in ; 1883, with Gilbert S. Meeker, master. Jacob Wierman succeeded, in 1890, vice G. S. Meeker resigned, who was again appointed in 1893. The business of the office is rated at about $200 annually.

The first store was built in 1883, by G. S. Meeker ; Samuel Cooley built a store room the next year ; Jacob See and John Stacy erected a building for saloon purposes the same year ; then Cooley erected a second building for saloon purposes ; Cleugh & Van Buskirk put up a saloon building, in 1887, on the Center township side ; D. T. Richardson built a fourth saloon, close by, the same year ; while the " Last Chance " saloon i was built for George Cleugh in 1888. Fire de-

Sugar Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church was organized some years ago, with Mrs. Kate Meeker, Eliza Johnson and a few others. The present church was erected in 1893. The present society came into existence in June of that year, when Rev. W. N. Spencer organized it. Bertis Urschel was appointed class-leader in 1894, and he with J. W. and Helen Urschel, Eliza Johnson, Gilbert S. Meeker, Catherine and Myrta Meeker, James and Della May, Lucy Crane and Isabell Patterson were members. In October, 1893, W. S. Brackney became pastor, and in October, 1894, Rev. C. M. Myers was appointed. The church building was practically completed, in 1893, at a cost of eleven hundred dollars. The number of members enrolled in July, 1895, including probationers, was forty-five. The trustees are J. W. Urschel, James May and F. W. Van- Fleet.

The settlement of Haskins is so closely allied with that of Hull Prairie it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between their claims to institutions, incidents and old settlers. When the town was surveyed by D. D. Ames for William King, July 23, 1862 - a few years after the railroad was completed - it was the idea of the owner to make it the shipping point and postoffice village of a growing agricultural district as well as the Mecca of church-goers for miles around. The Baptist and Methodist Societies were already organized, and commercial beginnings made, so that by the close of 1863 the village was a well-known point on the Bowling Green and Waterville road, eclipsing the older hamlet of Hull Prairie. In 1870 there were 243 inhabitants credited to Haskins, while in 1880 the enumerators found 381 persons within the village boundaries. Since that time the famous Sucker-rod oil field has been opened and the population of the village is subject to the fortunes of that narrow field. In the spring and summer of 1895 there were but few busier spots in oildom J than in and around this village. Many agreeable 1 surprises and many heavy disappointments were chronicled. The village benefited largely from the activity of the oil operators, imports and exports grew in volume, trade was prosperous, the population increased, and in every way the year I was a golden one in its history.

Prairie was the postal village for this part of the county. About the time the village was surveyed a petition for an office was presented at Washington, and in response thereto William King was commissioned postmaster. He was succeeded by J. M. Cunning and he by P. J. Feagles, who filled the office for twenty years, or five terms. William Cobley was appointed in 1885, and served until 1889, when Fred Peinert was appointed. On July 29, 1893, Charles S. W'oodford was commissioned.

Incorporation of the Village. - The village was incorporated January 1, 1869, the petitioners being Jonathan Ames, D. D. Ames, Howard Piper, Thurstin Tibbets, William Bear, Philip Meyer, George Miller, David P. Knapp, H. C. Worley, George Pitcher, R. H. Alexander, M. G. W'etmore, G. J. Pitcher, A. Knapp, George F. Sherwood, J. M. Cunning, and others. The mayors and councilmen, elected from April 12, 1869, to April, 1879, are named as follows:

The record-books of the corporation since 1880, in possession of the village clerk, are said to be well kept, and to them the reader is referred for the names of citizens who have served as councilmen. The clerks and treasurers of the village, during the first decade of its existence, held sinecures. The officers in 1895 were W. P. Cobley, mayor; A. M. Wickham, clerk; William Cobley, treasurer; E. L. Jones, Thomas Yount, A. F. Chase, Jacob Casler, George Hoagland and C. Osterhout, councilmen; W. H. North, marshal; and J. L. Wilson, street commissioner. The clerks were A. V. Perry, 1869; S. E. Manahan, 1871; L. P. Tribble, 1873; A. Baughman, 1874 (election invalid); L. P. Tribble, 1874; L. A. Baughman, 1875; I. P. Fisk, 1877; and L. P. Tribble, 1879. The office of treasurer, for that period, was filled by S. F. Bridges, 1869; James Johnston, 1873; S. F. Bridges, 1 874 ( election invalid); and C. Osterhout, elected in 1874.

In January, 1870, the Good Templars petitioned the council to close saloons and tippling houses. In December. 1875, the order to build \ a calaboose, 16x24 feet, was issued. In March, 1 1876, it was completed. In 1876, sidewalks were constructed by order of the council. Beyond the lighting of the village, keeping sidewalks in repair, and adopting ordinances for government, the council has not gone. ;

Ch urdus. - The Baptists may be said to be the first of the denominations to establish themselves at this point. On February 8, 1862, the society was organized as a branch of the Perrysburg Society. In the winter of 1863-64 Elder

G. D. Ovitt received six members. In the winter of 1866 Elder A. Brown and G. N. Thornton labored here, and on May 12, 1866, the Perrysburg Society disbanded, and on that day " Haskins Church " was adopted as a name. It was subsequently called "Middleton Church." G. N. Thornton was chosen clerk, and A. Brown, pastor. The society signed articles of incorporation September 6, 1873, and elected Ellwood Garrett, Henry Bernthisel, Henry Parker, Rezin Jewell and \V. Atkinson, trustees, and Amos Twining, clerk. On July 3. 1875, a building. 30 x 55, with ! basement, was authorized. The house was completed in February, 1876, and in May congratulations were conveyed to the Maumee Baptist Association, wherein Rev. G. N. Thornton is praised for his attention to the building and interests of the society. Rev. S. L. Gray was ordained in 1882; Elder N. Clouse was here in 1884; 1 C. A. McManus, in 1887; J. H. Palmer, in 1889: and in March, 1890, Rev. H. D. Osborne, the present pastor, occupied the pulpit. The clerks have been: Amos Twining, who succeeded G. N. Thornton; Elam Norris, in 1874 (when steps to build a church were taken); R. Jewell, 1878; J.

The First Presbyterian Church, as organized July 25, 1869, elected Samuel F. Bridges, W. Chandler, John Fox, William King and John Hoagland, trustees. On January 14, 1872, the church building was dedicated. The three first named, with Mrs. Emma Fox, Mrs. Chandler, Sarah Hoagland, Roxanna Perry and Lucy Chandler, were the constituent members, and Rev. Perry C. Baldwin, the pastor. The latter's successors were Revs. J. E. Vance, S. D. Taylor, A. J. Hadley, N. C. Helfrich, H. G. Denison, and Thomas J. Dague, the present pastor. Messrs. Bridges, Chamberlain and Fox, with John Taylor, Sr., and F. E. Meagley, are the elders of this small Church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1862 by Rev. Thomas N. Barkdull. When Mr. Poucher had charge of the Bowling Green circuit, the building of a house of worship was commenced, but it was not completed until 1872. At that time, Sidney Warren was leader of the glass, with David L. Knapp, George C., Elizabeth, Sarah, George G. and Lucinda Miller, James W. and Malinda Boyd, Eliza Treadwell, Caroline Seger, Sarah Knapp and Mary Hoobler, members.

The German Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. C. F. Kaeding, in 1868, and named St. Paul's. Two years prior to that date, he organized a class at Custar, and worked earnestly in the interest of Lutherism.

Fires. - The village escaped serious loss from fire down to September 25, 1895, when a blaze started in the Burleigh cottage, spread to Dr. Greenfield's office, thence to P. G. Garrett's dwelling, and westward to the meat-market, and blacksmith and wagon shops, which were destroyed. The bucket brigade, the only fire department of the town, could not prevent the progress of the fire.

I. O. O. F. , or as it is written on the charter. " Rush-ta-boo ," No. 530, was chartered May 16, and instituted November 7, 1872, with John W. Ovitt, F. Zimmerman, M. G. - Wetmore, A. J. Ovitt, A. J. Orme and George Downs, members. The office of noble grand has been filled by the following named members: J. W.

E. C. Thornton, J. O. Robinson, Jacob Casler, A. J. Ovitt, H. P. and W. W. Bernthisel, A. M. Wickham, C. M. Keeler, M. K. Manley, Gurdon Pitcher, P. G. Garrett, Frank Cobley, Missoria Robinson, Mary Casler, Sophia Ovitt, Mrs. H. P. Barnthisel, Mrs. M. K. Manley, Electa A. Pitcher, Mary A. Yount, Katie Garrett, Jennie Woodford, Anna Smith and Anna Keeler.

Harry Carter Post, No. 56, G. A. R. , was chartered April )6, 1881, and named in honor of Harry Carter, who volunteered in the first Wood county company, served with the 21st O. V. I., and afterward in the 67th O. V. I. until his death. The original members of this command are named, as follows: Wilber A. Williams, W. T. Barr,

The Tent of the Order of Maccabees is a recent organization, being No. 149 in the order of charters. It was instituted with twenty-two members, of whom N. A. McCombs was elected first commander. William Cobley was elected in 1895. F. W. Peincrt, the first record-keeper, was succeeded by Thomas F. Enright, in 1895.

Excelsior Hive, No. 123, L. O. T. M., was organized in February, 1893, with Amy Cummings, Jennie Woodford, Carrie Bridges, Susie Rupp, May Daniels. Martha Enright. Nettie Decker, EmmaTibbits, Mina Peinert, Alice Decker. Emma Ousterhout, Frank Cobley, Artemesia Bemis, Virginia Greenfield and Clara Bowers. Mrs. Greenfield was past commander; Mrs. Cummings and Mrs. Woodford, the commander and lieutenant-commander, and Mrs. Rupp, recordkeeper. The hive, not having the twenty-five members, has not yet received a charter.

Conclusion

The township is one of the richest agricultural districts of the county, and its inhabitants are among the most progressive agriculturists in Ohio. The development of the oil field was conceived in 1861, after the Ballou well, at Turkey Foot, was drilled one thousand feet to rock. The Waterville well was drilled 1,125 feet, and forty feet deeper into the Trenton, in 1889. It was then that the Sucker-rod belt was explored, and shortly after developed. The field has added largely to the wealth of the township and county, and has given to Middleton first-class oil operators in addition to her first-class farmers. Most of the northern part of Middleton lies within the U. S. Reserve of twelve miles square, ceded to the United States at Wayne's Treaty, 1795.