Miami County, Indiana - Chapter 16, 1887

PERRY TOWNSHIP, the largest division of Miami County, forms the northeast corner of the county, and embraces a geographical area of forty -two square miles, all of w hich is included in Township 29, North, Ranges 4 and 5, East, of the Congressional survey. It joins Fulton County on the North, Wabash County on the East, Richland Township on the South, Union and Allen Townships on the West, and was named in honor of Commodore 01i\er II. Perry, the gallant hero of Lake Erie. The surface of the township is pleasantly diversified, the general face of the country being gentlj' rolling, with occasional hills along the streams. Like other parts of the countj^ it was formerly well timbered, but large areas of woodlands have long since been cleared away and put in cultivation. Much valuable timber was wantonly destroyed, which, if now standing, would more than equal in value the land upon which it grew. The soil is generally a sandy loam, resting upon a clay subsoil - very durable and well adapted to wheat, corn, oats and the other cereals and fruits indigenous to this latitude. In fact, the abundance and variety of its productions are such that it can challenge competition with any part of the county. The natural advantages have been so well improved by skill and industry, that Perry Township may be, in some respects, regarded as a model for imitation by farmers in other parts of the county.

Settlement. - James Malcolm was the first white man to lead the march of civilization into what is now Perry Township. He came to the country as early as 1833, and obtaining a small log cabin from an Indian village soon after fixed his home on what is now known as the Jacob Wiles farm, not far from the southeast corner of the township. " He doubtless entered the deep forest, as did the majority of young pioneers, with e.xult- ant hopes, looking forward to the time when the dense woods should be cleared away, and when line farms should appear in their stead." He lived to see all these changes take place, but, contrary to his expectations, instead of accumulating a competency and living to enjoy the same, was compelled to pass his declining 3-ears in the county poor house, where he died a common pauper. The next man who sought a home in the new country was William Akright, who located in the southeast corner of the township, where Ananias Harmon now lives, some time in the year 1S34. Mr. Akright was in the true sense of the word a pioneer, and, like his predecessor, was doomed to bitter disappointment, so far as the accumulation of property was concerned, dving in indigent circumstances in the year 1884. His son, John Akright, came the same time, figured as an early school teacher of the township, and later sold goods for a number of years in the village of Gilead. The same year Matthias Mo\er settled near the eastern boundary of the township, where he cleared a good farm and set out one of the first nurseries in the county. " Benjamin Musulman and Jacob Gill were early settlers in the same locality, but did not purchase land at that time, both of them leasing a part of Mr. Moyer's place."

During the year 1835, -^ number of substantial men were added to the population of the little colony, conspicuous among whom was John Rhodes, who entered a large tract of land near the central part of the township, upon which he lived the remainder of his life. Unlike the majority of settlers in a new countr\% Mr. Rhodes was a man of considerable wealth, by means of which he was enabled to secure a valuable property and live in comparative ease. His son, Adam E. Rhodes, accompanied him to this country and settled upon the present site of Gilead, of which village he was proprietor. He was a man of great energy and superior business qualifications, and ranked as one of the leading citizens of the county for a number of years. Another prominent settler of 1835 was Ira Mitchell, who located a short distance east of Gilead, on what is now the John Baker farm. John Close came the latter part of the same year and made an improvement near the eastern boundary of the township, and James Waddle is reputed to have been living on the Samuel Seidner place not far from Niconza, prior to 1836. Among others of 1835, were Peter Onstatt, two and a half miles southeast of Gilead; James Fiers, on the Tombaugh farm in the southeast corner of the township; Rev. Wesle}' Borders, a Methodist preacher and earlj- Justice of the Peace, in the same locality; Joseph Wildman and his son Joseph, near the Keesling farm, southwest of Gilead; Alfred Doud, a half mile west of the village: Charles Cleland, in the vicinity of l)o\vd"s place; James Cleland, brother of Charles, and an early trader, about four miles southwest of Gilead; James Biggs, northwest of Gilead; Benjamin and David Marquis, on the Sickafoos farm; Willis Hill, on the Graft farm, in the southwest part of the township; Jacob Richard, son-in-law of Alfred, near the central part of the township; John Walters, on the Joseph Grogg farm: John Anderson and Matthias Bird, near Gilead; and James Bunton. who purchased land owned at the present time by Jacob Kessling and Fred Kircher, where he died within a short time after cominsr to the county.

Prominent among the arrivals of 1836 was Peter KciSsling, who, the previous fall, purchased the land where Willis Hill had settled, to which he moved his family the following spring. He was a prominent citizen of the township until his death in i860, and can be appropriately classed with the earh' representati\e men of Miami County. His sons, Jacob, Titus, Peter, James and Jackson, came the same \"ear, and Samuel a little later. They were all substantial citizens and left the impress of their characters upon the communities in which they resided. Jacob Kessling, the onl\- one of the brothers here at the present time, is one of the oldest and wealthiest citizens of the township.

Samuel Shoemaker settled in the southeast corner of the township in 1836, and before the close of that year the population had been increased by the following comers: Samuel Essick, on the Timothy Baker farm; Peter Sager, a short distance south of Gilead; Jacob Huffman, in the northeastern part of the township; William J. Keever, who purchased part of the Marquis land, and John Clifton, about three miles north of Gilead. During the interval from 1837 to 1839, ^^^^ following settlers, with others, sought homes within the present limits of the township: John Grogg, where he is still living; George and Joseph Grogg, the former in the northern part of the township and the latter where his sons are still living: Hiram Butler, an earl)- Trustee and County Commissioner, near the southern border; John D. Haken. father-in-law of Jacob Kessling, in Section 16, eastern part of the township; John Tombaugh, on land now owned by Noah Miller; John Bowers, where Michael Thomas lives; John Meyers, eastern part of the township, Section sixteen; Larkin Norman, southeast corner: John Cliambers and sons. Pleasant and Elijah, in same locality; William Hester, first Justice of the Peace, near the center part of the township; Zera Sutherland, near Gilead: Henry and John Daggy, on land owned at this time by Andrew Yarian; Jesse Butler, on the road leading from Gilead to Peru; Robert Meek and John Tracy, in southern part of the township; Peter Shrig, a transient settler who lived in various places; Alexander Jameson, where Daniel Cams now lives: Allen Jameson, on same place; John Olds, Prior Wright, and Joshua Murpliy, in southern part; Amos Ellison, central part: Caleb B. Ash, one of the first school teachers, ten miles north of Gilead, and James Chapen, northeastern part. Among others who came in from time to time, were the following: Charles S. Low, Thomas Carpenter, Daniel Keim, George Keim, J3enjamin Keim, Calvin Tracy, Hezekiah Tracv, John Gilliland, Joseph Oldfather, Samuel Thompson, Vinal Thurston, Samuel Rank, Reeder Drake, William A. Sower, Barnes Dowd. James S. Love, Hiram Daines, Peter Mowry, Adam Daines, Jacob Barnhcisel, John Gaerte, Jacob Myers, John Myers, Dennis Garber, Jacob Miller, Joseph Miller, John Fiers, Thomas Goudy, Henrj- Bidding, James Goudy, John Goudy, Henry Koffle and John Slagle, the majority of whom became residents as earlv as 1840. The following are the names of a few who came in after that date: Hugh Miller, James Trac}', Michael Smith, Philip Smith, William Garber, George King, Jacob Seidner, Samuel Seidner, Jacob Harmon, Robert Love, John Cregg, David Love. T. L. Hurlburt, Isaac Hester, Cyrus Kreig. William Smith and Fleming Smith.

Early Laud Entries. - Quite a number of the settlers enumerated purchased their lands directly from the (joverment, and obtained patents for the same within a short time after coming to the countv. The following is a list of those who entered land during the vear 1S35, several of whom became residents of the township: Nathan Seavay and Andrew Onstatt, Section 13, Township 29, North, Range 4, East: Jos. Cox, John McCrea and Chas. S. Lowe. Section 22; Nathan Seavay, Section 24; John R. Wright, Section 27: Jerome Hoover, Section 3, Township 29, Range 5, East; Samuel Wallace, Section 4: Noah Webb, John Wiseman and Adam Weaver, Section 6; Ira Mitchell and W. H. Dubois, Section 7: James Adams and A. E. Rhodes, Section 9; William Akright, Philip M. Tabb. James Waddell and John Mowry, Section 15: Orion Taylor and Ann Huff, Section 17: John Rhodes, Section 18; Jonathan Science, Section 19; John Close, Jacob Flora and John Bailey, Section 21; Nathan Moyer, William M. Duff and Peter Onstatt, Section 22; Daniel Hawkins, Section 27; William Butler, Elihu Plummer and Thomas Plummer, Section 28; David Hiatt, Section 29: Hiram Butler and William Ikitler, vSection 30: James Malcolm, William Clark and Samuel Essick, Section 33.

The following is a full list of those who purchased lands from the government in 1836, in Township 29, North, Range 4, East: Noah Noble, James Biggs and Chas. Cleland, Section i ; Daniel Gilchrist and Chas. Smith, Section 2: Samuel A. Manon and Samuel Hoover, Section 3; William Bake and Miles Craig, Section 10; E. Dowd, Section 11; W. H. Duboi.s, A. Dowd and W. H. Stubblelield. Section 12; Wm. Robbins, Section 13; W. Hill and A.

Weaver, Section 14; Jos. Wildman, Sullivan Wait and Enos Wildman, Section 15; Luther Wait, Section 16; Cyrus Taylor, Wm. Bain, and P. Smith, Section 23; L. W. Sale and Jos. Tarkington, Section 24; David W. Murray, Section 25: Township 29, Range 5, East; Isaac Smallev, Section 3: James Adams, Section 4; John Webb, Townsend Hoover, T. Summerton, A. E. Rhodes and T. Evans, Section 5; Daniel Stimel, D. Cambell and Chas. W. Catheast, Section 8; Henry Worst and John Mowry, Section 9: Jacob Flora, R. M. Buck, Moses Bunton, L. Newton and S. Newton, Section 20; John Webb and John Bailey, Section 22; D. Clark, Section 27; Wm. Hester, H. Daggy, James Fiers, B. F. Town and D. B. Forman, Section 29; John Daggy and David Marquis, Section 30; B. Hill, Jos. Beckner, W. Brown and David Mowlsby, Section 30.

Tinvnship Organization. - Perrv Township was set apart as a separate jurisdiction on the 27th of February, 1837. "The same vear an election to choose the necessary officers was held at the house of Peter Onstatt, near the present site of Gilead, Aleaxander Jameson acting as inspector. William Hester, Hiram Butler and George Tombaugh were probably the first trustees of the township. The first Justice of the Peace was Wesley Borders, after whom served in an early day George Tombaugh and Jacob Richards."

Earlx Iniprovenients, /ndiis/rics. Etc. - The development of Perry Township during the early years of its history was not very rapid on account of the dense forests to be cleared away, the prex'alence of malarial diseases and the absence of mills, market places and the facilities for communication. Corn and potatoes were the first crops raised, and with game afforded the early settlers their chief means of subsistence. The first articles of commercial importance were ginseng, " yellow root,'" wild honey, maple sugar, \enison. deer and coon-skins, which were exchanged at the nearest market places for groceries, shoe leather, and what few dry goods the pioneers needed. The majority of the early families manufactured their own wearing apparel, and the spinning-wheel was a familiar object in almost e\ery household. The houses* in which the pioneers' made their first homes were of a similar kind to all earl}- habitations in a new country. The most of them were rude structures of unhewn logs, covered with clapboards rived from some convenient oak, and containing but a single apartment. They were daubed with clay mortar, and afforded a tolerable shelter from the rain and cold. At one end of the room a ver}' large fire-place was erected, from which arose a stick and mortar chimney. The unthinned wilderness supplied an abundance of fuel, and in that day with such splendid facilities for destruction, quantity was an object of little importance. The family food was cooked by the open fire, such arti- cles of luxury as cook stove being at that time unknown. Tiie furniture for the interior was in keepin<r with the habitation, simple and inexpensive, and provided without much dillkultv, as tiiere was then no neii^hborhood rivalry in the matter of ornamentation or extravagant disphi}-. In the absence of a more convenient and sightly bedstead, one was often improvised by inserting the ends of two small poles between the logs at a proper distance apart, while the ends within the room were laid upon forked sticks driven into the ground through holes made in the puncheon floor. Upon these was laid the foundation of the bed proper. In many cases the furniture for the entire bouse was of this cheap and primitive character. Notwithstanding the rudeness and unalloyed simplicity of all tiiese arrangements, notwithstanding the extreme toil and hardship of life in the wilderdess, here were found home, happiness and personal liberty. No prince could have greater affection for his palace nor lord for his castle than these dauntless pioneers cherished for their cabins.

For a couple of years after tlie date of the first settlement the pioneers experienced some difficulty in obtaining breadstuffs, and various devices were resorted to in order to obtain the staff of life. A common way was to crush the corn in a mortar made by hollowing out the top of a hickory stump. The pestle was usually an iron wedge made fast to a handle, with which a coarse but wholsome article of meal could be manufactured. Families that had no sucii contrivances, frequently had recourse to the common tin grater, an article with which every household was supplied. The first mill patronized by the early residents of Perry was a primitive affair on Squirrel Creek, just across the line in Wabash County, erected early in the thirties by Benjamin Mussulman. It was a saw mill with a corn buhr attaciied, and for several years supplied nearly all the lumber and meal used by the settlers in the vicinity. The first mill in the township was put in operation by John Bowers about liie year 1849 °'" '5°- ^^ ^^'^^ "^ ''''^^ "^'^' ''"^ stood on a branch of Squirrel Creek, from which it received its motive power. Its last owner was a man by the name of Wise. A steam saw mill was built a short distance we.st of Gilead m 1854 o'' 55 ^Y Alfred Dowd, who ran it quite extensivel}' for some years. It passed into the hands of other parties and was Anally moved from the township. Several other steam mills have been in the township from time to time, and the lumber business was formerly an important industry. A small distillery was started in the northeastern part of the township some time prior to the war by John Anglehart, who acquired the reputation of making a superior article of " apple jack," which found ready sale in tiie immediate neighborhood. Anglehart subsequently sold the estab- lishment to one George King, who was soon compelled to close it on account of a little misunderstanding with some of Uncle Sam's revenue agents.

There lived, in an early day, near the southern boundar}- of the township, a quaint old woman who distilled whisky in a common tea kettle and obtained a li\elihood bv retailing the same to such customers as saw tit to patronize her bar. Her little cabin stood near one of the principal highways of the countrj-, and many of the passers-b)- found it quite convenient to stop and " warm their toes" by the generous tire, which the old lady never let go out. It was equaMy convenient in summer time, also, the shadow of the house being reputed the " coolest" spot in the entire neighborhood.

One of the early mechanics of the township was Joseph Miller, a cabinet maker, who lived not far from the Wabash County line. He manufactured much of the furniture used by the first settlers, and also made the colfins in which a number of the pioneers were buried. The first blacksmith was Peter Onstatt, who opened a shop on his place, about two and a half miles southeast of Gilead, as early as 1836 or '37. He subsequently moved to the village and was the hrst workman in the place. Another early industry was a tannery operated h\ John Dagg}-, on the farm now owned by Andrew Yarian, as far back as the year 1840. Mr. Daggy made a good article of leather and carried on a small local business for a period of three or four years. About 1838 the clay of a certain portion of the townshi]-) being found valuable for earthen\\are, an establishment for the manufacture of potter}' was put in operation near Niconza by Elias Slagle. The enterprise, although not remunerative, was fairlv successful, and, during the time it was in operation, a considerable quanity of earthenware was manufactured and sold in the neighborhood.

About the vear 1836 a small store was started by James Waddle, at Niconza, his business house being a diminutive log cabin, 14x15 feel in size, about one mile distant from any habitation. His stock consisted of a few groceries and several pieces of dry goods, and his patrons were limited to the several families in the vicinity. The store was in operation about two years. The tirst brick in the township was manufactured a short distance west of Gilead bv Alfred Dowd, and among the first frame houses were those erected b\ Ira Mitchell and Jacob Meyers. A valuable industry of the township in an earh' day was the nursery set out by Matthias Mover, from which the trees for nearly all the orchards in the countrv were obtained. The nursery was kept up a number of Years, and proved the source of a comfortable revenue to the energetic proprietor.

counly in the spring of tliat year to maku preparations for moving his family in the fall, but took sick and died at the date gix'en above."' " He was buried in the Niconza graveyard, one of the oldest cemeteries in the county. Another death the same year was that of Mrs. Matthias Moyer.'" "There being no saw-mills there to furnish lumber, a cotKn was made from hewn puncheon." The death of Mrs. Peter Sager, in 1838, was perhaps the third e\'ent of the kind in the township. Iler's was the first burial in the Gilead grave3'ard. Other earl}- deaths were those of Adam Engle and a daughter of Richard Miller, both of which occurred as long ago as 1839.

Among the earliest marriages in the township, was that of Thomas Clemens to a daughter of Joseph Wildman, solemnized April, 1836; Peter Ihrig and Elizabeth, daughter of George and Susan Tombaugh, were united in marriage a little later, and in 1838 Jacob Richard and Mary J., daughter of Peter Kessling, were pronounced man and wife with appropriate ceremonies: Allen Jameson and Polly Wildman were among the early couples married, as were also George Harvev and Miranda Rhodes. It is impossible at this remote date to determine the name of the first child born within the present limits of the township, as birtiis occurred in manv of the families of the early settlers shortlv after their arrival in the county- Among the earliest, however, was Richard Miller, son of Robert and Rebecca Miller, whose birth occurred in 1838.

Wolves. - In the early settlement of the to\^'nship, the citizens were, for man\' vears, greatlv annoved bv the wolves carrying off sheep, pigs, etc. The barking of these troublesome animals was a familiar sound, but carried with it no alarm, save for the safetv of the stock, which had to be penned in tight enclosures at night in order to protect it from the fangs of the hungr\' scourges. The wolves were generally very cowardly and would flee upon the approach of man, but when emboldened by hunger they have been known to tr\- to get into houses, causing no little uneasiness to the inmates.

"In the winter of 1847, Squire Richard and Jacob Kessling started home from Peru at a rather late hour in the evening. It was a beautiful moonlight night, the ground was covered with snow, and the 'jumper,' in w hich our friends rode, bounded lightly over the crystal surface. About 10 o'clock. Mr. Kessling, looking behind, saw a large gray wolf pursuing them. The whip was applied to the horse, and for some time the}' had but little trouble in keeping a safe distance from their foe. Presently, however, both parties looking back, the horse was drawn from the road, and the 'jumper,' striking some obstacle, was overturned. Although one of the parties declared that the}' were not frightened, yet assures us that a lively scene followed the overturning of the sleigh. The wolf.

Strange to say, to the surprise and pleasure of all, stopped as if in utter astonishment at the strange spectacle before it. It did not attempt to advance until the 'jumper" had been properly adjusted and the journey again continued, when pursuit was commenced as vigorously as ever. Meeting with no accidents, however, our friends reached home in safety." " Soon after this it was determined to get rid of the troublesome animals." "To do this thev surrounded a large area of territory and closing in, drove the wolves to a swamp of about live acres on the Widow Akright's farm, where thej' were speedily killed by the hunters." " Many deer and other wild animals were killed at the same time."

Lazvlcssuess in Perry. - In its earh- history a portion of this township acquired an unsavory reputation on account of the presence of a set of lawless characters, who made it a resort to evade pursuit from other quarters, thus gaining for the neighborhood the reputation of being a community of horse thieves. This class infested the northwest as early as 1838, and, while they scrupled at the commission of no form of crime, they were especially annoying in their principal business of horse stealing and counterfeiting. Their plan of operations was to take the lighter horses of Illinois to Indiana and sell them, making their return trip witn heavy draft horses, which were disposed of in the northern part of the State and Michigan. For a time these depredations were carried on with impunity. The early settlers did not submit to this state of affairs without some effort to bring these parties to justice, but, singly, the pioneers proved poor trappers of this game. The thieves were known to be desperate characters, adepts in the use of weapons, and it often happened when a party got close upon them, discretion seemed the better part of valor and the pursuit was given up. Their success emboldened these robbers, and the early land and stock buyers learned to seldom travel alone and never unarmed. Burglary soon followed success on the road, and farmers became very cautious and suspicious of all strangers. For several years these lawless operations were carried on almost in open daylight. Their perfect acquaintance with the country, their man}- sympathizers, who aided while not engaged in the business, enabled them to elude pursuit. Counterfeiting was an e\il carried on to a considerable extent within the limits of the tow^nship, and caused a great deal of indignation among the honest settlers. The two classes of outlaws were united, and found ready and willing abettors everywhere throughout the sparsely settled region of the country. As early as 184O a gang of this description had their headquarters on the farm of one John Van Camp, a short distance west of Gilead, aud various means were resorted to to rid the country of their presence. Embold- enod by the success of their marauding exploits, they carried on their thieving with the greatest impunity, and at the least appearance of danger, which seemed to have been watched for and signaled from the tree tops, they hastily decamped with their stolen stock to some other of their numerous retreats. An incident in connection with their presence in this part of the country is told by a certain man, who ingratiated himself into the graces of the ring leaders under the guise of becoming one of their number. He soon became a general favorite with the outlaws, and such was the confidence reposed in him that he was at one time intrusted with the carrying out of a daring robbery in Marshall County, to accomplish which the murder of an old man seemed almost a necessit\-. The whole arrancfements for the robbery were skillfully planned, and after everything had been gotten in readiness for putting the same into effect, the spy, for such he proved to be, exposed every detail to the authorities at Rochester, who were not slow in putting the othcers of justice on their tracks. The whole plot was so admirably arranged by the daring detective that the outlaws implicated were captured almost to a man, and, in the trial which followed, several of them were convicted and sent to the State prison. This served to check the further commission of crime for a few months, but, the spirit of lawlessness again manifesting itself, more determined means were resorted to by the citizens, and an anti-horse-thief and vigilance committee was organized for the purpose of ridding the countrv of the daring rascals. It was composed of the best men in the settlements, and each member was constituted a detective to arrest or cause the arrest of any suspicious character. The effect of the company's work was prompt and salutarv. and before the organization was many weeks old the outlaws had quietlv departed for other and safer retreats. While a spirit of law and order was thus restored, putting an end to the overt acts of crime for the time being, there still remained a vicious element that scrupled not at the commission of various acts of pettv meanness, such as interrupting church services, stoning buildings and raising " sheol " generallv, whenever an occasion would permit.

In the fall of 1853, an attempt was made by these hoodlums to break up a temperance meeting in Gilead. The house in which the meetincf was held was surrounded and a number of large stones thrown through the windows, causing no little consternation in the audience, the greater part of which was composed of women ; one shot was fired into the crowd by one of the thugs, but fortunatelv no one was seriously injured. The same year one Nat JMvers was arrested for passing counterfeit money, and so plain were the proofs of his guilt, that he was convicted and sentenced for a term of rears to the penitentiarv. He was subsequently pardoned upon a petition signed b\- his friends and neighbors, but the lesson served as an effectual check to any further attempt on his part to " shove the queer." Prominent among the citizens of Perry, who took an active part in inaugurating a spirit of law and order, and in bringing offenders to justice, was Dr. E. H. Sutton, whose early efforts in behalf of the moral welfare of the settlement, were not without their legitimate fruits in due season. He was chiefly instrumental in bringing about the organization of the vigilance committee referred to, and also established the first temperance society in the township, a movement that encountered much opposition, not only from the lawless class mentioned, but also from many of the better citizens of the community, who looked upon the use and sale of whisky as not only legitimate, but eminenth' respectable. With the growth of the settlements, all species of outlawry- were crowded out, and for a number of years Perry has possessed a reputation as a law abiding community second to no other township in the county.

I^c/iiCioiis. - In the early settlements of the township the Methodists were the most numerous denomination here, and under the efficient preaching of the early circuit elders, was an important influence in shaping the character of the pioneer community. The township owes a debt of gratitude to these early harbingers of the cross, who frequently at their own expense labored for the spiritual advancement of its people at a time when no other help was nigh. So far as known, the first meeting for worship was held at the cabin of James Fiers as early as 1835. Soon after meetings were held at the residence of Alfred Doud b\ the same denomination, Revs. Arentis Doud and Ansel l^eech conducting the services from time to time. While meetings were thus held at regular intervals, among the sparse settlements no churches were organized nor houses of worship erected for several years later. The oldest organization is the Gilead M. E. Church, a life sketch of which will be found in the history of the village. The Otur Branch Methodist Church was organized about 1843, and for a number of years was the leading religions society of the township. Its prosperity, howeyer, began to decline seyeral years ago, and on account of the death and removals of its members, the society was tinall\- abandoned. The Niconza Baptist Church in the eastern part of the township, near the Wabash County line, is an old organization, and among its early members were a number of the lirst settlers of the county. The house of worship, a substantial frame, stands in Section 15, and has been used since about the year 1858. The church has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity during the years of its history, and is in a prosperous condition at this time, numbering among its members many of the substantial citizens of the community. A society of the Evangelical Association (German), was organized a short distance east of Gilead, in an earl}- day. and among the early members were Michael Smith and wife, Jacob Barnhcisel and family, John Ault, Mr. Hawkins and Cornelius Barnheisel and wife. The first meetings were held in private residences and school houses, and among the earliest ministers w ere Re\s. Platz and Schaffer. A house of worship was erected about the year 1858, on land donated by Cornelius Barnheisel. It is a frame structure, in good repair, and cost the sum of $700. The membership at this time is quite numerous, and the society is reported in a prosperous condition. Rev. James Wales is pastor in charge; Samuel Smith is class leader, and John Barnheisel, superintendent of the Sunday-school.

In iSSo a society of the Reformed Lutheran Church was organized at the Buffalo school house, in the northern part of the township, by Rev. E. Hershej-; one year later a neat frame temple of worship was erected on land donated by Samuel King. The societv, although small in numbers, has already accomplished a good work in the community, and bids fair for a prosperous future. The following ministers have sustained the relation of pastor since the organization, viz: Revs. Mershe\-, Shultz, Uplinger, Myers and Rosenburg. Present membership about 20. An older Lutheran society formerly had an existence in the township, and meetings were held for a number of years in what is known as the Greenland school house. The organization for some cause was llnallv disbanded, and from the few scattered members was gathered the nucleus of the present class.

I "illage of Gilead. - The village of Gilead is situated a little north of the central part of the township, and is the site of one of the oldest settlements in the northeastern part of the count\'. The admirable location is in the midst of a rich agricultural region remote from any town, and the advantages it offered as a trading point for a large aiea of country', were the principal causes that led to the founding of the \illage. The projector of the town was Adam E. Rhodes, who about the year 1843 or 1844, employed a surveyor and laid out a plat of twent\"-nine lots and two squares in Sections 7 and 18, Township 29 North, Range 5, East, and Sections 12 and 13, Township 29 North, Range 4 East, several of which were soon afterward puix'hased and improved. Among the tirst residents of the place was a Mr. Swavzee, who started a small store earl\- in the forties, and sold goods with fair success for a limited period. Dr. I£. 11. Sutton became a resident about the year 1840, and that time until 1854, practiced the healing art from the village, acquiring a large and lucrative business in Perrj- and adjoining townships in the meantime. .

Another early comer to the town was Peter Onstatt, who started the first blacksmith shop, which he moved from his farm about two and a half miles distant. The second merchant was William H. Wright, who opened a general store in 1845, and continued the business on quite an extensive scale for a period of about twentyfour years. Zera Sutherland engaged in merchandising about the year 1846. He subsequently effected a partnership in the business with Charles Sutherland, and the th-m, thus constituted, lasted until 1849. Another early merchant was William D. Smith, who moved a stock of goods from Wabash some time in the forties, and remained three or four years. James T. McKim began merchandising in 1859, and continued until about the year 1865. John J. and O. P. Mohler opened a general mercantile house in ^865, and ran as partners several years, when the former purchased the entire interest and continued the business for about twelve or fourteen years. Prominent among the merchants of the town was John Akright, who engaged in business in 1868. He was quite successful for several years, but subsequently met with numerous reverses, and, in 1878, closed out and removed from the place. J. H. Waite and Jonas Lukenbill effected a partnership in the goods business early in the eighties, and in 1885 Mr. Waite purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted a general store with the most encouraging success, his stock of goods being one of the largest and most complete in the county, outside of Peru. J. T. Castle started a small general store several years ago, and is still doing business on a limited scale. One of the earliest industries of the village was a tannery, established by Samuel Essex as long ago as 1837. It was moved to the town in 1844 and operated by different parties until 1856, at which time it was allowed to fall into disuse. A steam saw mill was brought to the town in 1868, by Caple & Brother, who operated it a short time, doing a good business. It has passed through a number of hands, and at this time is operated bj' Messrs. Caple & Smith. Jeremiah Anglemeyer engaged in the manufacture of shingles in 1884, and still operates his mill, which has a capacity of about 6,000 per day.

Among the early mechanics of the village were A. M. Grogg and a partner, name unknown, who opened a blacksmith and plow shop prior to 1840. They manufactured many of the plows used by the early settlers, and for a couple of years carried on a very thriving business. Barnes Dowd was the first shoe-maker, and among other early residents of the village are remembered Adam Rhodes, Adolphus Stone, Nelson Hawley and Peter Ihrig, all of whom came to the place about the time the survey of lots was made. .\s already stated. Dr. E. H. Sutton was the first practicing physician of Gilead. Others who practiced in the village from tim to time were as follows: William T. CJeland, John A. Marine, C.

The present mechanics of the yillage are John J. McKee, blacksmith; Adam K. Daniel and B. F. Boyer, shoe-makers and Orlanda A. Paul, carpenter. The onl}- hotel in the place, the Gilead House, is kept by Alvin K. Madeford.

Gilead Lodge, No. JS4, F. und A. M. - Efforts to establish a Masonic Lodge in Gilead were first made on the 9th day of February, 1866, at which time a conyention of the few members of the order in the yicinity, was con\ened for the purpose of petitioning for a dispensation, John Akright acting as chairman and J. H. Waite as secretary. The petition vyas granted, and on the 28th of June following, the lodge was instituted under a warrant of dispensation from the following officers, viz: James L. McKim, W. M.: Jacob Smith, S. \V.; Jesse Elliott, J. W.; Wm. H. Wright, Treasurer; J. H. Waite, Secretary; John Akright, S. D.; Elijah Barnes, J. D. and William Kircher, T3'ler. A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, bearing date of May 29, 1867, at which time the membership did not exceed fourteen. The first meeting was held in a room over the store of John Akright. For a short time subsequently the meetings were held at the same place until a more convenient place could be procured. The hall in which the lodge now meets was built in 1868. The membership at this writing numbers thirtj-one and the organization is enjoying a fair measure of prosperity. The present officers are: William H. Smith, W. M.; James H. Smith, S. W.; John J. McKee, J. W.; John Grogg, Treasurer; C. C. Brady, Secretar}', J. H. Waite, S. D.; John Baker, J. D., and Jonas Lukenbill, Tyler.

Gilead M. £. Church was organized about the year 1843, the first meetings being held in the village school house. Among the early members were Alfred Dowd. first class leader; Dr. E. H. Sutton and wife, Nelson Hawley and wife, Mrs. Faith Dowd, Mary Dowd, Louisa Welton, Charles Cleland and wife, Lorenzo Dowd and wife, Sullivan Waite and wife, and Chauncy Welton. Rev. Mr. Bennett was one of the first preachers, and in an early day, Aventis Dowd, a local preacher, ministered to the society in the absence of the regular pastor. Revs. Green, Beech, Birch and Black ministered to the little class during the first few years of its history, and later came a number of others whose names were not given the writer. The first house of worship was a log structure, erected in 1846 on ground occupied by the present building. It had a comfortable audience room, and was used as a meeting place until 1867, at which time it was replaced by the present frame building. The society at one time was quite strong in numbers, but, during the last few years, has so diminished until now it is one of the weakest points on the Perrysburg circuit. The present pastor is

Rev. J. J. Cooper. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of L. R. Dukes, has been the means of accomplishing much good in the community.

Gilccid Presbyterian Chtireli was organized in 1846 by Revs. A. Johnson and O. V. Lemon. .\ frame house of worship was built in 1848, and for a number of years thereafter the society maintained ser\ices at regular intervals, and did a good work in the village. It was never strong in numbers, however, and the removal of several of its leading members from lime to time, finally led to the abandonment of the organization. The last meetings were held in 1868, and among the latest pastors was Rev. Mr. Jack. The building standing is used at this time for a store room.

Stockdale - A part of the original plat of this village lies in Perry Township, but the greater part lies across the line in Wabash County. It was laid off b}' Thomas Goudy in the year 1837, and for a number of years was the chief source of supplies for a large community in the two counties. The construction of the Eel River Railroad through the countrv, and the consequent springing up of the town of Roan not far distant, served to check the growth of the place, and within the last few years its business interests have been transferred to more favorable localities. A few woe-begone houses are all that now remain of the town.