Lawrence Township (part 2 of 2)

This was a very remarkable family, all large, healthy men, with about one hundred and ninety pounds average weight, and what is yet more remarkable, no death occurred in the family under forty-seven years. The father, George Brown, was almost pure English. His father, Thomas Reeth Brown, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came to Virginia about the year 1774. When the Revolutionary war broke out he enlisted as a soldier of his adopted country. He married Margaret Tacket, whose mother was a French lady and her father an Englishman. She was born and raised near Old Point Comfort, Va. All of their children were born and raised in Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, Va. About the year 1800 they emigrated to Mason County, Ky., bringing with them their children. After a short residence in Kentucky they moved across the Ohio River and settled in Brown County, Ohio, immediately opposite to Mason County, where they remained the balance of their days. The father lived to the age of eighty-five years, and the mother survived him, and lived to the great age of one hundred and four years. Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of these old people, died only a few years since, at the extreme age of one hundred and eight years. Mary (Lee) Brown, mother of John L. and the others of this family, was a descendant of the celebrated Lee family, of Virginia, being a relative of Gen. Robert E. Lee, of the Confederate army. Her father was Lewis Lee, a brother of Gen. Harry Lee and Peter Lee. Her father, with his brothers, settled in Mason County, Ky., and for some time lived in a block-house, which was then called Lee's Station. They took up large tracts of land, which were called surveys. Some of those old titles are yet in the hands of the Lee family. The father and mother of the subject of this sketch were married in the year 1802, in Washington, Ky., and lived together for twenty-eight years, when the mother died in Maysville, Ky. In 1832 the father sold his farm in Ohio and emigrated to this county. The four unmarried sons, Thomas, Richard, John, and Daniel, came with the father, and settled in the woods, three-quarters of a mile north of where Lawrence now stands, paying one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for his land. The next fall James came and settled near by. Lewis had preceded the family six years, and also owned land adjoining. This family furnished seventeen good soldiers (their own sons) for the Union army during the late Rebellion. Two of those lost their lives in battle. The father died in the spring of 1847. At that time all of his children were living, but now all but three are dead, leaving Lewis L., John L., and Daniel R. living at this date (Nov. 11, 1883). The wife of John L. was born in Brown County, Ohio. Her maiden name was Caroline D. Mason, daughter of John Mason and Mary, his wife. The mother is still living at the home of her daughter, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Mary Mason was a daughter of Charles O'Connor, an Irishman by birth, who came to this country in the latter part of the last century. He was educated for a Catholic priest, but never entered upon the duties of the priesthood. John Mason was born in Adams County, Ohio ; was of English descent. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Francis Marion. John L. Brown and Caroline D. Mason were married in 1851, and are still living on one of the farms in Lawrence township. They have five children, - Mrs. C. Martin, who is now living with her husband, Reuben Martin, on their farm in Brown County, Ohio, the same farm where John L. and Daniel R. were born. Mrs. L. Hufi^, the wife of A. M. Hufi^, living on their farm in Lawrence township. The other three - Clara, William, and Daniel - are living at home with their parents. John L. and Caroline Brown have also raised six orphan children. In politics the subject of this sketch is a Republican, as is also the whole family of Browns of this large relationship, most of them have been active and very decided in their political views. Mr. Brown says his experience in clearing up this country was a very laborious undertaking, but he has no regrets now. It is true, he says, they had many privations, but always had plenty to eat, sometimes plenty of game, such as deer, turkeys, squirrel, and pheasant, and always certain of plenty of pork, with turnips and cabbage, and, if the season was favorable, potatoes. In the summer wild plums, roasting ears, and pumpkins generally in abundance, especially after the first year. Corn-bread always on the table, for the best reason in world, - they had no wheat to make flour, and if he had there was no mill to grind and bolt it, only on the regular corn-stone, and had to bolt by hand, that made the flour dark and clammy ; but notwithstanding all the hardships and privations, if he knew of a county as good as this, he would be willing to try the same over again.

The following is a list of early settlers, not previously noticed, who came to Lawrence township about the year set opposite their names, viz. :

James T. Wright came to the township with a large family at a comparatively late period, but it can be truly said of him that he accomplished as much for the morals of the people of the township as any other man that ever resided within it. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years labored zealously for the cause of Christianity and the welfare of his fellow-men. He was beloved by all who knew him, and the moral, temperate. Christian influences by him spread among the people were lasting. He was the founder of the Castleton Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years preached " without money and without price" to the people at various points in the townships of Washington and Lawrence.

The first two white children born within the limits of the township of Lawrence were William Perry Reddick and John Newton Reddiek, twin sons of Elisha and Margaret Reddick.

The first marriage in the township was that of David Cothran to Lucinda Reddick. They were married in May, 1825, by William Rooker, in the log house of William Reddick.

The first white person known to have died in the township was the wife of a man named Canada, who had squatted on public land. She died and was buried on the farm now owned by Hettie M. and John E. Hunter. She was buried by James Ellis, Robert Warren, and John Sellers in a piece of an old canoe on the top of the high hill just west of the residence now upon the farm. This occurred in the fall of 1 823, and so frightened Mr. Canada that he took his departure for Kentucky the day after his wife's burial.

Silas Ashley was the first white man and the second white person buried in the township. His grave was dug within ten feet of the corner-stone now standing on the township line just west of the Millersville Flouring-Mill.

The first funeral sermon preached in the township was by a Presbyterian minister named Mooreland at the burial of Charles Johnson, in the Joshua Reddick graveyard, in 1827.

The first burial-ground in the township was upon the farm known as the Joshua Reddick farm, and the ground was set apart as a burial-ground by William Reddick. The place is still used as a

The first physician who practiced in the township was Dr. Isaac Coe. His route was up and down Fall Creek. In the early settlement of the township chills and fever were prevalent, and the doctor used to make the statement that frequently in making his trips he would find whole families down at one time with the then dreaded disease. The next doctors who came into the township were Drs. Jones and Dr. Stipp, who were successful practitioners.

The early roads of the township were almost impassable, and during the spring of the year many of the present ones are nearly so. The first road laid out in the township was what is now known as the old Pendleton State road, and which was at one time a noted Indian trail. This route was used before the settlement of the township by people traveling between Indianapolis and Anderson. It was " cut out" by the voters of the township during the winter of 1825-26. Before that time it was simply a track that wound around between the trees and brush. Samuel Morrow was the supervisor. Beginning at a point where the toll-gate stands northeast of Millersville, they worked in a northeasterly direction, and meet a gang of men engaged in a similar work, from Pendleton, at a point on the county line west of where Germantown now is. Several years ago the township received from the government what was termed the three per cent, fund, and with it crosslaid the highways wherever needed.

The public highways of Lawrence have never been in good condition, though they have received great attention, and a very large annual outlay of money and labor has been made to maintain them in even a passable condition. There are one hundred and eleven miles of public highway in the township, nine- > teen miles of which is turnpiked, and eight miles of that is free. The levy for road purposes for the year 1883 is fifteen cents on one hundred dollars.

The water-power of the township is, and has always been, chiefly derived from Fall Creek, though many years ago three mills were erected and operated for some time on Indian Creek ; but as the country became cleared the water-power diminished until they could be operated only a short time during each year, hence the business proved an unprofitable one, and the mills were abandoned.

John Cory built a saw-mill on Indian Creek in the year 1836, just west of where Oakland now is. It was operated until about 1850, and then allowed to go down. David Hoss built a frame saw-mill on Indian Creek, two miles southwest of where Oakland now is, about the year 1836. It was operated about fifteen years, and then abandoned. About the year 1833, Samuel Williams built a log grist-mill on Indian Creek, upon the land now owned by Benjamin Smith. It had one run of stone, upon which both wheat and corn were ground. Its capacity was two bushels per hour. The flour was bolted by hand, and the bolt consisted of two boxes so adjusted that one would slide upon the other. Every man had to bolt his own grist, and it required two hours' work to bolt the flour made from one bushel of wheat. Mr. Williams built the mill and dressed the stone out of granite rock, performing all the labor himself For some time after the completion of the mill nothing but corn was ground. About the year 1837, Mr. Williams sold the mill to Alexis Riley, who operated it about ten years, and then abandoned it because of the lack of water in the creek in the dry season of the year.

A grist-mill was built in the fall of 1825 on the east bank of Fall Creek, just north of what is known as the " correction line," and owned and operated it about two years. It proved to be worthless, and he let it go down. He then hired Messrs. Cooney and Van Pelt, two millwrights of Pendleton, to build another mill (grist-mill and sawmill combined). It was erected on the opposite side of the creek from the first one, and a dam seven feet in height with force-head was built. The mill was operated by various parties for twenty-four years, and was destroyed by fire in 1851, and never rebuilt. The capacity of the mill was eight bushels of corn and one thousand feet of lumber per day.

Samuels & Son built a saw-mill, about 1837, on Fall Creek, at a point known as the Emery Ford. The fall being insufiScient and the mill of not much account, it was torn down about the year 1842.

Abraham Sellers built a saw-mill on Fall Creek about 1853. He ran it two years, and sold out to James Hines. In 1855 or 1856, Mr. Hines built a grist-mill on the west side of Fall Creek, opposite the saw-mill. About the time of the completion of the grist-mill building Mr. Hines died. The property was then sold to Benjamin Chroninger, who in turn sold it to Leonard & Francis Chroninger. James Floor then bought the property, and completed the mill and put in the machinery. He failed to pay for it, and the ownership reverted to Leonard & Francis Chroninger. They owned and operated it till 1864, and then sold it to William Roberts, who has owned and operated it ever since. The mill is a good one, and is supplied with improved machinery.

John Beaver, an old pioneer, erected a grist-mill in about the year 1832 on Fall Creek, about one-half mile below where the creek first enters the township. He owned it until his death, and his heirs sold it to William Bills about the year 1844. He sold it to

1862. Baughman lost his life by an accident received at the mill. In the year 1873 the ownership became vested in Enoch Hanna, the present proprietor. It is known as the Germantown Mill, and did a good business prior to 1873 ; at present the expenses of operating it exceed the income.

The mill built by Seth Bacon and Peter Negley in 1824 on Fall Creek, near Millersville, also the mills on the same stream and near the same place owned by Daniel Ballenger, Noah Leverton, Jacob Spahr, William Winpenny, Tobias Messersmith, and others, are mentioned in the history of Washington township.

Elections, - The Democratic party has ever held the ascendency in the township, and at present its majority is in the neighborhood of eighty. On the first Saturday in October, 1826, the first election was held in the township. A justice of the peace and a supervisor were elected. The polls were opened at the cabin of John Johnson, on Fall Creek, a short distance southeast of where the " correction line" crosses the creek. Thirteen votes were cast, and Peter Castater was elected justice of the peace, and Samuel Morrow was elected supervisor. The following persons voted, viz. :

At the second election, which was held at the same place in 1826, there were present nearly forty voters Subsequently elections were held at Joseph Johnson's blacksmith-shop, near where No. 5 schoolhouse now stands ; at Fount Kimberlain's residence for several years (it was held there in 1840) ; at Baker's school-house for several years (it was held there in 1842 and 1843) ; at Andrew Bolander's blacksmith-shop and at his residence, situate on the east forty-acre tract of land now owned by William K. Sproul (the election was there in 1849) ; and at Spring Valley school-house No. 8, and was held there until three voting precincts were established. The election was then held at the residence of Henry Cronk, one mile east of Castleton, at Spring Valley school-house No. 8, and at William Hoss' residence, at the cross roads near the David Hoss farm, southwest of Oakland, until the township was divided into three precincts for election purposes and polls established at school-houses Nos. 3, 6, and 9, which are the- present voting places, as follows : Precinct No. 1, at Oakland; Precinct No. 2, at Vertland; Precinct No. 3, at Lawrence.

Bailroads. - Two railway lines pass through the township. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad enters it, from the southwest, at a point about three miles south of the northwest corner, passing through the township in a northeasterly direction a distance of three and one-half miles, and leaving it at a point one and three-quarter miles east of the northwest corner. The road was completed through the township in the winter of 1851. Castleton is the only station on the road in the township.

The railway now known as the Bee Line was completed through the township in the winter of 1850. It enters the township two miles east of the southwest corner, and passes across the southeast corner, a distance of eight and one-half miles, and leaves it at a point four and one-quarter miles north of the southeast corner. The towns of Lawrence and Oakland enjoy the facilities offered by this railroad.

Minnewan Springs. - These springs, situate upon the farm of Hezekiah Smart, one and onehalf miles northeast of the town of Lawrence, are worthy of notice. These springs are situated in the midst of a grove. They came into public notice about the year 1860, and were supposed to contain valuable mineral properties. Great excitement prevailed and much comment was indulged in upon the first announcement of the wonderful curative power of these springs, but they have long since passed from public notice. These springs, three in number, " rise perpendicular through blue clay to the surface, one hundred and eighty feet above the water, in White River, at Indianapolis." Abraham Vines, the owner of the premises at the time of the discovery, sold them, on Aug. 27, 1863, to the Minnewan Springs Company, composed of speculators in Indianapolis. The company erected a bath-house, fitted up the springs, and otherwise improved the property so as to fully test the efiBcacy of the waters. Thomas D. Worrall was the manager. For several years thereafter the place became a favorite resort for people from the city. The investment proved an unprofitable one, as the springs, by careful chemical analysis, were found to contain but little if any medicinal virtues ; hence, on the 22d day of April, 1871, the company - J. L. Hunt, James Maulsley, and Ruth Maulsley - sold the premises to Hezekiah Smart, the present owner.

Post-Offices and Villages. - The following-named post-offices are located in Lawrence township, viz. : Castleton, Lawrence, and Oaklandon. At. and from each of these offices the mail arrives and departs twice daily. Mail matter intended for Germantown is sent to Oaklandon, and that bound for Vertland goes to Castleton.

Germantown, situated in the northeastern part of the township, on Fall Creek, is the oldest, and was laid out by John Beaver, Solomon Beaver, and George Beaver, on March 1, 1834. A part of the town was in Hamilton County and a part in Marion County. It contains a saw- and grist-mill combined, and one country dry-goods store. Anthony Snyder is the merchant, William Sala is the miller, and Harvey Smith the physician. The population is about thirty.

Lawrence was laid out Feb. 27, 1849, by James White, in the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 13, township 16 north, range 4 east, being south of the Pendleton road. Mr. White platted the town as Lanesville, and it was sometimes called Jamestown, after Mr. White. North Lanesville was laid out by James White, Dec. 27, 1850. Reuben Hunter laid out an addition June 14, 1852, and on Nov. 5, 1856, Samuel Records made an addition and subsequently four more additions. William M. Voorhes laid out an addition north of the railroad, and Robinson & Co. laid out an addition, just west of North Lanesville, containing three hundred and sixty-eight lots and four blocks. The latter addition was made during the great real estate boom, and never benefited the town. A post-oflBce was established at the crossroads south of the present town in 1847 or 1848, and James R. Beard was the first postmaster. The name of the office was Lawrence. Upon petition, the county commissioners about the year 1866 changed the name of the village from Lanesville to Lawrence, so as to correspond with the name of the post-office. This action was taken to obviate the difficulties continually experienced in mail matters. Mail intended for Lawrence would be taken to Lanesville, in Harrison County, and the Lanesville mail would constantly be sent to Lawrence, thus continually creating a source of annoyance and confusion. The first merchant in old Lanesville was Elijah Knight.

The town of Lawrence is situated nine miles from Indianapolis, in a direction north of east, on the Bee-Line Railroad. The streets are well graded and graveled ; the buildings are in good condition.

and the village is a lively little place, and the prettiest in the township. No village of the size in Marion County outranks it in enterprising business men. The Western Union Telegraph Company have an office there, and it has telephonic connection with all important towns in Indiana. It has a graded school, a Methodist and Baptist Church, an Odd-Fellows' lodge, and a lodge of Knights of Honor; two physicians (Dr. Samuel Records and Smith H. Mapes, M.D.) ; two general dry-goods stores, conducted by M. E. Freeman and H. M. Newhouse & Co., both doing a thriving business. William Hubbard has the oldest drug-store, is a man of the strictest integrity, and has an extensive trade. Mapes & White carry a large stock of goods, and although the firm is new, it is an enterprising one. Peters Brothers have a knifemanufactory. M. C. Dawson manufactures drain-tile, and does a business not surpassed by any firm in that line in the county. The population of the village is about one hundred and fifty. M. E. Freeman is the pqstmaster.

The village of Oakland is situated thirteen miles from Indianapolis, on the Bee-Line Railroad. It was laid out June 18, 1849, by John Emery. The name Oakland was suggested by Dr. Moore. The streets have never been improved and many of the houses are in a dilapidated condition, and the village presents the appearance of age and decay. Subsequent to 1849 John Mock, Andrew F. Cory, John ' W. Combs, and Enoch Hanna laid out additions. The first merchants were the firm of John W. & William Combs ; the first practicing physician was James W. Hervey. The town has a population of about two hundred, and has a telephonic connection and a Western Union Telegraph office. The railroad company recently completed a commodious depot, which adds greatly to the comfort of the traveling public. The present merchants are David G. Hanna and Naaman G. Plummer, both of whom are dealers in general merchandise. Andrew F. Cory and Jeff. K. Heltman are the physicians, and Naaman C. Plummer is the postmaster. The name of the postoffice is Oaklandon. The town has three churches, - a Methodist, a Christian, and a Universalist. The last two named have a large membership and are well attended. The first Darned, however, is in a precarious condition. The village contains a graded school, and the Masons, Odd-Fellows, and Grangers have lodges located there.

Vertland is situated eleven and a half miles northnortheast of Indianapolis, on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad. It was laid out by Milford H. Vert, March 14, 1851, and given the name of Bellefontaine. It was so called until June 13, 1853, when, upon petition of Milford H. Vert and seven other citizens of Bellefontaine, all voters of said town, the Board of County Commissioners ordered " that the name of said town be, and it is hereby changed to, Vertland ; which name it shall hereafter bear." Originally the town contained thirty-three lots, but many of them have been thrown back into farmingland, and no business of any kind has been carried on there for many years. The first merchants of the town were Hilary and Eaton Thomas. The Castleton Methodist Episcopal Church and the parsonage of the Castleton Circuit are located there. No. 3 school-house is also located there and a graded school taught. James I. Rooker is the only physician in the place. The population of the town is about twentyfive.

Eleven miles from Indianapolis, on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad, is situated the lively little town known as Castleton. It was laid out Feb. 25, 1852, by Thomas P. Gentry, aud contained nine lots. On April 29, 1875, David Macy laid out an addition east of the railroad, containing sixteen lots. Lewis Drounberger was the first merchant. The present merchants are Peter L. Negley, Solomon Kleffer, and Wadsworth & Son, all of whom deal extensively in general merchandise. Peter L. Negley is the postmaster, and A. W. T. Lyle and Hilary Silyey are the physicians. The town has telephonic connection. The present population is about fifty, having improved considerably during the past eight years, prior to which time no ground could be obtained upon which buildings could be erected and the village enlarged. It is situated in the midst of a fine farming region.

Societies and Associations. - There are five active secret and benevolent societies in the township ; one dormant and one defunct grange P. of H. ; one fair association ; and a horse company, as follows:

Oakland Lodge, No. 140, F. and A. M., was instituted under a dispensation dated Dec. 8, 1852, in Oakland, Ind. The following were the charter members : B. G. Jay, W. M. ; John W. Combs, 8. W. ; Nelson Bradley, J. W. ; James A. Harrison, Treas. ; James Hinds, Sec. ; Elias V. Kelly, S. D. ; Elias H. McCord, J. D.; Enoch D. Hanna, Tiler; James W. Hervey, Jacob Beatty, Clark Wait, and Nehemiah Brooks.

The lodge was chartered by the M. W. Grand Lodge May 25, 1853. The following ofiicers were elected under charter: Barzilled G. Jay, W. M. ; John W. Combs, S. W. ; Nelson Bradley, J. W.

The following persons have served as Worshipful Masters of the lodge the number of years noted, viz. : B. G. Jay, IJ years; Nelson Bradley, 1 year; John W. Combs, 2 years ; James W. Hervey, 2 years ; Thomas P. Hervey, 3 years ; Harvey Colwell, 4 years ; Joseph L. Harley, 1 year ; Andrew F. Cory, 7} years ; Naaman C. Plummer, 1 year ; Charles J. Negley, 2 years ; George W. Bolander, 1 year ; George W. Stanley, 5 years.

The lodge held its meetings in the attic under the roof of Enoch D. Hanna's store building until 1857. About that time the trustees of the lodge and the township trustee jointly erected the building now used as a lodge hall, and occupied by the primary department of district school No. 6. The lodge has fifty members in good standing, and meets on the Wednesday evening of or preceding the full moon of each month.

June 1, 1876, with six charter and six initiatory members. The following were the first oflBcers : F. Fellows, N. G. ; G. W. Bolander, V. G. ; George W. Karer, Rec. Sec. ; G. W. Teal, Treas.

The society meets every Thursday evening, and has about thirty-six members. The following ofiBcers were elected in June, 1883 : Thomas Shafer, N. G. ; Noel Bolander, V. G. ; William F. Combs, Sec; Stephen P. Riley, Treas.

Castleton Lodge, No. 518, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted by dispensation at Castleton, Dec. 21, 1875, by J. W. McQuiddy, P. G. Rep., special deputy. In the summer of 1881 it was consolidated with Broad Ripple Lodge, No. 548. The event was celebrated on Saturday, June 11, 1881, by a picnic in the beautiful grove adjoining Broad Ripple.

Lawrence Lodge, No. 375, I. O. 0. F. On the 28th day of June, 1871, W. H. De Wolf, Grand Master of the R. W. Grand Lodge of the I. 0. 0. F., granted a dispensation for a lodge at Lawrence, Ind., to bo known as Lawrence Lodge, No. 375, 1. 0. O. P., on the petition of the following-named persons, who became charter members : W. M. Babcock, John Bills, William Morrison, Isaac Bills, and Sylvester Gaskins, formerly of McCordsville Lodge, No. 338.

The lodge was instituted by Grand Secretary B. H. Barry, as special deputy, on July 15, 1871. After the lodge was duly instituted the following persons were initiated : John McCormick, Thomas Spong, John Newhouse, Richard Johnson, Henry Bell, John Delzell, Smith H. Mapes, George Springer, Henry C. Allen, John Shafer, and 0. N. Wilmington. No other signer of the petition for the lodge was present, except George W. Hunter, E. T. Wells, and Abel Wheeler, and they could not be admitted on card, not having complied with the law. The first oflScers elected were William M. Babcock, N. G. ; S. H. Mapes, V. G. ; 0. N. Wilmington, Sec. ; Henry Bell, Treas.

instituted in Newhouse's Hall on Sept. 30, 1876, by George Hardin, of New Augusta, Deputy Grand Dictator, with the following charter members, viz. : John Meldrum, Joseph W. Church, Joseph Meldram, William S. Newhouse, William H. Wheeler, Thomas B. Speece, Millard F. Church, George Newhouse, Christian Lout, James W. Jenkins, and A. J. Newhouse. There were other petitioners, but they did not become members. The first trustees were A. J. Newhouse, George Newhouse, and Christ. F. Lout. The first officers were Christ. F. Lout, D. ; Millard F. Church, V. D. ; John Meldrum, A. D. ; George Newhouse, Treas. ; Thomas B. Speece, Rep. ; J. W. Church, Fin. Rep. ; Joseph Meldrum, G. ; James W. Jenkins, Guard. ; William S. Newhouse, Sent.

The lodge meets every Wednesday evening, in Voorhis' Hall, in Lawrence, and has thirty-five contributing members. Thomas M. Elliott, M. Black, and Paul Klepfer are the trustees, and the following officers were elected at the last election, to serve one year, viz. : J. J. Marshall, D. ; John Tharp, V. D. ; H. B. Fisher, A. D. ; William White, Treas. ; Thomas M. Elliott, Rep. ; M. F. Church, Fin. Rep. ; John Meldrum, G. ; James W. Jenkins, Guard. ; B. F. Marshall, Sent.

Indian Creek Grange, No. 828, P. of H., was chartered Dec. 27, 1873, and instituted the same day, by Abner J. Pope, with the following charter members, viz. : Charles J. Negley, M. ; Lewis Hossan Jans, 0. ; Stephen P. Riley, L. ; Andrew M. Huff, S. ; John J. Snyder, A. S. ; Pressly Silvey, Chap. ; Joseph N. Day, Treas. ; Solomon Klepfer, Sec. ; A. J. Springer, G. K. ; Caroline Negley, C. ; Nancy Smith, P. ; Lizzie Riley, F. ; Margaret Snyder, A. S. Also Taylor Corey, John J. Sharp, John W. Kimberlain, and George W. Applegate.

The grange was in a flourishing condition at one time, with a membership of one hundred and eightyfour. The number of contributing members June, 1883, was about thirty.

Lawrence Grange was organized in No. 7 schoolhouse, Germantown Grange was instituted at Germantown, and Castleton Grange was instituted at Castleton, during the great grange movement of

1874. These granges all flourished lor a while, but io a short time they ceased to exist. Germantown Grange and Lawrence Grange were consolidated with Indian Creek Grange, No. 828. Castleton Grange became defunct after a short life. The present officers of Indian Creek Grange are Stephen P. Riley, M. ; Simon Klepfer, Treas. ; Charles J. Negley, Sec. The grange meets in the hall of the grange building in Oakland, on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month.

Highland Grange, No. 1182, P. of H., was organized Dec. 7, 1883, by J. J. W. Billingley, deputy. There were thirty petitioners and charter members, and the grange began its existence with seventy members. The first officers were Samuel Cory, M. ; Israel Pressly, 0. ; L. Y. Newhouse, L. ; Joseph E. Boswell, S. ; Henry A. Newhouse, A. S. ; John Mowry, Chapl. ; Benjamin Tyner, Treas. ; William B. Flick, Sec. ; Robert W. Cory, G. K. ; Hanna j Pressly, C. ; E. J. Newhouse, P. ; Nancy Miller, F. ; j Laura Cory, A. S. Samuel Cory served as Master until the grange became dormant. The grange ceased to work in the year 1881, because of the nonattendance of the members, numbering at the time only twenty-one. The grange can resume the work at any time, and probably will be resuscitated some time in the future.

The Lawrence Guards, of Indiana Legion, were enrolled and mustered during the late Rebellion, and held in readiness for several years for active service in the event they should be needed. At one time there were one hundred and six members of the company. They were fully equipped, and provided with Austrian rifles. The company drilled every Saturday, and often engaged in battalion drill. The company was in camp three days at Acton, this county. 0. W. Voorhis was the captain, James H. Thomas first lieutenant, and Robert Johnson second lieutenant.

The Lawrence Township Horse Company was first organized in the fall of 1845, in the Third Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, on Fall Creek. The object of the organization was "the detection and apprehension of horse-thieves and other felons." The following persona became members at the organization, viz. : Smith Bates, Madison Webb, Elisha Reddick, Joshua Reddick, and Moses McClaren. The first officers were elected at a subsequent meeting, when Madison Webb was made president and Allen Vanlaningham was selected as captain. After the adoption of the new State Constitution, in 1852, the company was reorganized in conformity to the new State laws enacted. The second charter expired in the year 1862, and on the 26th day of July of that year the company was reorganized. The fourth charter was obtained upon the expiration of the third, but for some reason the articles of incorporation were not properly filed and recorded, hence, as soon as the error was discovered, the company again reorganized. On the last Saturday in February, in the year 1879, the company was last chartered for a term of ten years under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, approved Dec. 21, 1865, and the Board of County Commissioners at their February term, 1879, granted thirty-two members of said company " all the power of constables." The following officers were elected for one year on Oct. 27, 1883, viz. : Hezekiah Smart, president ; Oliver W. Voorhis, secretary ; Jonah F. Lemon, treasurer ; William Apple, captain ; Solomon Klepfer, 1st lieutenant ; George F. Merryman, 2d lieutenant ; George W. Bolander, 3d lieutenant ; J. H. Herrin, doorkeeper.

The company is in a flourishing condition, with a membership of seventy -seven. A large surplus remains in the treasury, and no property has been stolen from its members for some time, and every horse stolen since its organization, in 1845, has been recovered. The organization has been instrumental in sending a number of thieves to the State's prison, and it has recovered a large amount of stolen property. Its regular meetings are held on the last Saturday in the months of January, April, July, and October of each year, at school-house No. 8, known as Spring Valley.

The Lawrence District Fair Association originated in Highland Grange, No. 1182, Samuel Cory, Worthy Master; W. B. Flick, secretary. After discussing the matter, arrangements were made, and the first exhibition, small, but interesting and successful, was held at Highland school-house Oct. 1, 1877. There were about three hundred entries, horses, cattle, farm products, women's work, etc. No cash premiums were given, but certificates of excellence only. Mr. Kingsbury, of the Indiana farmers, delivered an address, " Beautify the Home," and about two hundred persons were in attendance.

In the fall of 1878 a corn show was held, and proved to be a good exhibition, but not very well attended. In 1880 a joint-stock company, named the Lawrence Township Agricultural Association, was formed, with 0. W. Voorhis as president, and W. B. Flick, secretary. The first exhibition was held at Minnewan Springs, the beautiful grounds of Hezekiah Smart. No premiums were paid, and no admission fee charged. The show was good, and the attendance large. The whole exhibition was a substantial success. Dr. R. T. Brown made a good practical address. The encouragement received now determined the association to procure grounds of their own, improve them, and arrange for annual exhibitions to which people might come for pleasant reunion, to compare products and ideas, criticise, and profit by the result. The use of a beautiful grove and lands adjoining Lawrence was generously donated by President Voorhis, which was tastefully improved at an expenditure of fifteen hundred dollars by the association. Owing to the sickness of the superintendent, work was not begun in time, but by working hands night and day, and a cheerful energy upon the part of all concerned, the work took shape for the fair held Sept. 22, 23, and 24, 1881. The entries numbered eight hundred, and the attendance about twenty-five hundred. Receipts did not equal expenditures, but the association, with commendable honor, resolved to pay all premiums in full.

The second exhibition, held Sept. 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, 1882, proved to be a grand success, better than any one expected. The attendance on Thursday was over four thousand, the number of entries exceeded eighteen hundred, and in quality, beauty, and excellence the exhibition is seldom excelled. In vegetable and farm crops the display was immense and excellent. The show of stock, though not so large, was as good as the best. Again the premiums were paid in full. The association resolved to carry a debt rather than discount the premiums. The improvements made this year were good ones, and cost nearly eighteen hundred dollars. It having been ascertained that the State Board of Agriculture would not recognize the association under the previous name, this was changed to the Lawrence District Fair Association.

The third exhibition was held Sept. 11 to 15, 1883, inclusive, and was the most successful one ever held, the entries being one-third more than at any previous one, and the attendance one-third greater than upon any former occasion in the history of the association. The association paid nine hundred dollars in premiums, and expended thirteen hundred and forty-one dollars in improvements, such as enlarging Agricultural Hall, straightening, widening, and otherwise improving the track, erecting additional stalls, pens, etc. The receipts from all sources amounted to about twelve hundred dollars. Again the receipts fell short of the expenditures, but the premiums were paid in full.

Aims of the association : 1st. To hold an annual fair at the cheapest possible rate, so the masses may receive the benefits ; 2d. To make this annual gathering second to none in the State.

To accomplish this they propose to spend every dollar they receive over and above expenses in beautifying the grounds, in comfortable improvements for man and beast, and paying premiums. In another year the association will probably have forty acres of their own, which will give more room for improvements.

This, briefly, is a history of its rise and progress. President Voorhis has been prompt in helping the objects of the association, while Secretary Flick has been not only tireless in his eflforts, but has shown rare and excellent judgment in the discharge of his difficult and sometimes thankless duties.

Tlie following are the officers of the association for 1883: 0. W. Voorhis, president, Lawrence, Ind. ; John W. Apple, vice-president, Oaklandon, Ind.; Levi Bolander, treasurer, Oaklandon, Ind. ; James H. Thomas, general superintendent, Lawrence, Ind. ; William B. Flick, secretary, Lawrence, Ind.

Schools. - Lawrence township has turned out many excellent school-teachers ; it has the best public-school buildings, and it is one of the most enterprisiog in all matters pertaining to schools, of all the townships in the county. The first school in the township was taught by a man named Edmison, from Chillicothe, Ohio, in Elisha Reddick's cabin in the year 1828. The teacher took the measles and spread consternation among the few scholars, and thus the school was brought to a sudden termination. The first school building erected was in the year 1830, upon the northwest corner of the Eddie Newhouse land, now owned by James W. Jenkins. The first school taught there was a subscription school, and was taught by an old man named Lamb. The boys barred him out on Christmas day and asked for a treat. The demand was acceded to and a gallon of whiskey purchased. The boys drank of it quite freely, and many of them became intoxicated. The patrons held a meeting and discharged Mr. Lamb. Subsequently log school-houses were erected at various points, notably on the east side of the land now owned by William B. Flick ; on the northwest corner of the farm known as the Smay land ; on the northeast corner of Robert White's farm, and it was afterwards moved on to the southwest corner of the eighty-acre tract of land now owned by Mrs. Mary Ann Negley ; on Cornelius Wadsworth's land ; on the Bragdon farm, east of where Lawrence now is ; one near where each of Nos. 4, 5, and 8 school-houses now stand. School was taught at intervals for four years in a vacant house upon the farm now owned by John Johnson, south of Castleton. In the year 1834 William Hendrick taught school in a small roundlog cabin on Indian Creek, near Williams' mill. Spelling-school was held there quite often, and the boys had to carry brush to throw upon the fire in the fireplace in order to light the house. John Thomas taught the first school in the house on the Bragdon land in the year 1831. He taught three terms. Cyrus Smith taught the first school held in the house on Robert White's land. In the year 1835, Travis Silvey taught the first school held in the log house near where No. 8 school-house now township the schools were few and the terms of short duration, while a majority of the teachers were of an illiterate class. Many of the scholars were obliged to travel long distances through the brush and over swamps, often being obliged to " coon" logs for great distances.

The first public school-house was built of hewed logs, on the land then owned by John Bolander, and stood very near the spot upon which the new brick (No. 7) school-house now stands. Daniel Speece, if not the first, was one of the first persons who taught there. After the organization of the Congressional township system the schools were placed upon a solid and permanent basis, and their good eflFects began to be realized. The township system was adopted in 1853, and immediately thereafter the township was supplied with ten schools, and about three years thereafter with ten frame public school buildings, and the township ever since has had an excellent corps of teachers. The first teachers after the adoption of the township system were : School No. 1, Aquilla McCord ; No. 2, Henry Cronk ; No. 3, Nelson Hoss ; No. 4, John Cory ; No. 5, George Speece ; No. 6, Cyrus Smith ; No. 7, James Mc- Kean ; No. 8, Gilbert Ross ; No. 9, William Young ; No. 10, Nelson Hoss.

The term lasted sixty-five days, and they were paid as wages seventy-five doUare each. Cyrus Smith taught No. 6 in the Universalist Church at Oakland, and the trustees of the church were allowed nine dollars for the use of the building.

On April 29, 1853, the township trustees called " a special meeting of the voters of the township at usual places of holding elections on Saturday, the 28th day of May next, for the purpose of determining whether they will submit to a tax for building, removing, furnishing, and purchasing sites for school-houses of said township." The result of the election was : For tax, seventy-three ; no tax, fortyfour. The trustees then levied fifty cents on each poll, and thirty cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable property, and built a new frame school-house that year, and afterwards about four houses per year until the township was fully supplied with new houses. The estimated cost of eight school-houses

thirty-two hundred dollars, and it was ordered by the trustees that sixteen hundred dollars be raised in the year 1853 and sixteen hundred dollars in the year 1854. On June 21, 1853, the township trustees, Abraham Sellers, Samuel Cory, and Moses Craig, " Ordered, that the school districts now expending the school funds which was in their hands unexpended on the first Monday in April, 1853, be permitted to expend the same for tuition."

There are now twelve school districts in the township, distributed at convenient points. Districts Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, and 10 are supplied with commodious brick buildings, each containing thirty-eight thousand brick. District No. 3 has a two-story brick edifice, finished in modern style, and district school-house No. 9 is a beautiful two-story frame structure. District No. 6 has two frame houses, and the school is a graded one. The remaining districts have substantial frame buildings. The following is from the teachers' reports to the trustee for the term of 1882 and 1883, viz. : Whole number enrolled, 626 ; males, 341; females, 285; average daily attendance, 413 number studying orthography, 578 ; reading, 625 writing, 605 ; arithmetic, 570 ; geography, 339 grammar, 367 ; history, 75 ; physiology, 125.

The trustee made the following school levy for 1883 : Tuition school, seven cents on the one hundred dollars ; special school, three cents on the one hundred dollars.

The school term now lasts six months, and the following are the teachers for the winter of 1883 and 1884, viz.: No. 1, Samuel Beaver; No. 2, A. E. Bragdon ; No. 3, Principal, Marion Bell ; No. 3, Primary, Annie Herrin ; No. 4, O. H. Tibbott ; No. 5, James Watson ; No. 6, Principal, William F. Landis; No. 6, Primary, Lou Abbott; No. 7, A. A. Johnson ; No. 8, F. A. Whitesides ; No. 9, Principal, Samuel Bolander ; No. 9, Primary, Jennie 0. Hensley; No. 10, Edward White; No. 11, Charies Bolander; No. 12, Belle Conkle. They are paid from $2.25 to $2.50 per day.

The township library contains about eight hundred volumes, some of them valuable works. They are about equally distributed": at the following convenient points, are in first-class condition, and in charge of the persons named : Castleton, Mrs. Anderson ; Lawrence, Grace Mapes ; Oakland, Dr. A. F. Cory.

Churches. - The first preaching held in the township after its settlement was in the year 1825, on the farm entered by William Reddick for his son Joshua, and in his cabin, situated northwest of the mouth of Mud Creek. Preaching was held there nearly seven years. The first sermon was delivered by a young man named Miller.

There are now ten church buildings in the township, under control of five different denominations, as follows, viz. : Five Methodist Episcopal, two Evangelical Lutheran, one Christian Church, one Baptist Church, and one Universalist Church.

Oakland Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1852, with a membership of twenty-four. The, meetings were held two years in an old log cabin, one half-mile east of Oakland, on the Combs farm. Rev. Manwell and Rev. Gillum were the first preachers. The present church building was erected in the summer of 1854. James Hines, Jr., was accidentally killed in May of that year, while engaged in adjusting one of the timbers of the cupola. The church was dedicated in 1855. Rev. M. Gillum was the first circuit preacher in the new building, and James W. Hervey, Henry Whittiker, and Fountain Kimberlain were the first trustees. The present trustees are John Mock and Ephraim Thomas. J. S. Ruggles is the circuit preacher. The church is on the Castleton Circuit. Paul Klepfer is the steward and class-leader. This society was at one time in a flourishing condition, but not so now. Present membership, twenty-five.

Lawrence Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by Rev. Trusler, from Virginia, at the residence of Benjamin Newhouse, one and one-fourth miles west of where the town of Lawrence now is, about the year 1838, with the following members, viz. : Benjamin Newhouse and Mahala, his wife, Henry Newhouse and Elizabeth, his wife, and Edmund Newhouse and Sallie, his wife.

Preaching was held at Benjainin Newhouse's several years, and afterwards at Henry Newhouse's residence. About the year 1848 the class built a hewed log house on the farm of Henry Newhouse, threefourths of a mile west of Lawrence, Mr. Newhouse donating land for the site. This church was called Concord, and was used and occupied by the class as a place of worship for twelve years. Concord was then abandoned as a preaching-point, and the ground conveyed back to Henry Newhouse. The society then went to the present frame church in the town of Lawrence, which was erected in the year 1860, the ground for the site and one hundred and fifty dollars in money being donated to the society by Henry Newhouse. The frame church was dedicated in 1860. Frank Hardin delivered the dedicatory sermon. The first trustees of the new church property were Amos Anderson, James Beard, and James Wheeler. The trustees of the property at the present time are Matthew C. Dawson, John Smith, and Franklin Joseph Johnson. The stewards are John Smith and Matthew C. Dawson. The present membership is seventy-five. The following ministers preached regularly at Concord, viz. : Frank Hardin. Bernhart, Johnson, Martin, Manwell, Greenmund, and Burt. The church is now on the Castleton Circuit, and Rev. J. S. Ruggles is the minister. The society is a strong one and in a good condition financially.

Spring Valley Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a class in Hilary Silvey's cabin, near the centre of the township, in the year 1832, with aboUt eighteen members. The first regular preacher was Rev. Ellsberry, the second Rev. Igoe, and the third Re¥. Sullivan. Services were held there for five years, and then from house to house until a preaching point was established at Spring Valley. A Sabbath-school was organized in district (log) schoolhouse by Abraham Vines, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the spring of 1852, and carried on successfully for two years. In about 1854 a preaching-point was established there, and the place called Vines' School- House. Preaching and Sabbath-school were held there until the completion of the present frame building. In 1859,

Abraham Vines, John Stires, and other moral men concluded to erect a frame building, thirty by forty feet, and soon succeeded in raising enough money to do so. The building was built in the years 1860 and 1861, near No. 8 school-house. J. H. Thomas did the carpenter-work, John C. Thomas was the plasterer, and Isaac N. Thomas the painter. The buillding was dedicated in 1865, the Rev. John V. R. Miller, the then presiding elder, delivering the dedicatory sermon. At that tim'e Rev. J. C. White was the circuit preacher. The first trustees were Joshua Huston, Thomas P. Silvey, and J. H. Thomas. In 1837 the church had thirty-two members. The following pastors followed Rev. J. C. White, who was on the circuit two years, viz. : Michael Black, 1 year; William Nichols, 2 years ; Samuel Pinkerton, 2 years; Richard Osburn, 1 year; W. S. Falkenberg, 1 year ; L. Havens, 1 year ; Alexander Jamison, 2 years. The present minister is J. 8. Ruggles. The church is attached to the Castleton Circuit. The present trustees are Hezekiah Smart, Pressly Silvey, George G. Johnson, John W. Russell, and William T. Johnson. Martha Speece is the only person remaining with the class who became a member in 1832.

Hopewell Methodist Episcopal Church edifice is situated on the west bank of Mud Creek, about one and one-half miles south of the Hamilton County line. It was built about 1850, by J. N. McCoy, Jacob Hoss, John Tate, Hiram Simons, Alexander McClaren, and others, who banded together for the purpose. John Burt was the first preacher, and Richard Hairgrave the first presiding elder. The church began with a membership of fourteen. The ground for the church site was donated by Jacob Hoss, and a cemetery surrounds the building. The church was abandoned as a preaching-point in 1878, but is kept in moderate repair and used upon occasions such as funerals or special preaching. The first trustees were Jacob Hoss, James N. McCoy, and David Fee. The present trustees are Henry Cronk, James N. McCoy, and C. B. Wadsworth. The church belongs to the Castleton Circuit. Alexander Jamison was the last pastor.

Castleton Methodist Episcopal Church was organized with fifteen members about 1843, by James T. Wright. Its meetings were held at the residences of James T. Wright, William Orpurd, Milford H. Vert, and others ; also, in an old log school-house in the north part of Vertland, just west of the railroad, and in Milford H. Vert's warehouse, for twenty years. After which their meetings were held for twelve years in the new frame school-house. The present brick edifice was built through the instrumentality of Rev. James H. Stallard. It was completed in the year 1874, but was not occupied as a place of worship until the year 1876. The trustees of the church in their report to the Quarterly Conference, Aug. 16, 1882, represented the title as being good, and placed j the value of the property at three thousand five hundred dollars. James T. Wright, the founder of the church, was its first minister and for several years its sole pastor. Thomas Jones was the first preacher in the new brick. The church was dedicated in the summer of 1880, during the pastorate of Harvey Harris. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by J. K. Pye, the presiding elder. The present minister ; is J. S. Ruggles. The present membership is about \ sixty. The stewards are John J. Johnson, Henry | Cronk, and C. B. Wadsworth. The trustees are as j follows, viz. : Wilson Whitesell, John J. Johnson, Samuel T. Hague, Robert Johnson, John E. Myles, Robert B. Smith, James I. Rooker, William F. Wadsworth, and Andrew Smith. Prior to the building of the new church building the following circuit preachers were the most prominent : George Havens (3 years), John Burt (3 years), Wade Posey (2 years), R. D. Spellman, J. C. White, D. C. Benjamin, Samuel Longdon, and James H. Stallard.

The following have been the pastors of this church since the completion of the new building, viz. : Revs. Thomas Jones, Thornton, Alexander Jamison, Austin Reek, Harvey Harris, and William M. Grubbs.

Camp-meeting was held under the direction of Rev. Alexander Jamison in the vicinity of Castleton, in July, 1878, and again in 1879 and 1880, lasting each year for several days. The church is in a prosperous condition, having passed safely through a

The parsonage of the Castleton Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church is located at Vertland, and adjoins the Castleton Church building. The parsonage is under the control of the following trustees appointed by the Quarterly Conference : Wilson Whitesell, John J. Johnson, Andrew Smith, and Henry Cronk.

Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a class at the residence of Jeremiah Plummer, on Indian Creek, about the year 1835, and a circuit-rider preached there regularly every four weeks for two or three years. The hewed-log schoolhouse on John Bolander's land was then used for five or six years. About the year 1842 a hewed-log church was built by the moral men of the neighborhood on the northeast corner of the eighty-acre tract of land now owned by John Smith. John Shenkle donated an acre of land for the site of the church. The first trustees of the property were George Plummer, William Lakin, and John Obrian. It was the first church building erected in the township, and was commonly called the Plummer Church. The society numbered about fifty at the time the church was built. William Lakin, James H. Murphy, Benjamin Chapman, John Obrian, Ephraim Thomas, George N. Plummer, Jeremiah Plummer, and John Shenkle were the prominent members, and took an active interest in the building of the church. John B. Burt, Charles Morrow, et al, were the ministers of the church prior to the erection of the church building. George W. Bowers was the first preacher in the log church. Following him, the most prominent were Allen Beasley, L. M. Hancock, William C. Smith, Crouch, and Eli Rummel. The membership dwindled down to a few, the building became unfit for occupancy, and the class was unable to build a new one; consequently about 1857 meetings ceased to be held there, and the class disbanded. The building was left standing until the year 1867, when the crumbling structure was torn down and removed from the premises. The old site has long been used as a cemetery, and is known as the " Plummer graveyard."

The Pleasant View United Brethren Church was organized many years ago, and held its meetings at the cabin of William Hendricks, on Fall Creek, for several years. A hewed-log church was raised about the year 1845 on the east bank of Fall Creek, on a high hill called Mount Holy, near the Emery Ford, and used as a meeting-house nearly thirty years. The class disbanded years ago. The first preacher in the church was the Rev. Richardson. Amos Hanway was one of the most prominent ministers of the church. William Hendricks and Charles Emery were two of the first trustees. The house was built upon the farm of William Hendricks, now owned by Richard Johnson. The house has decayed so that it is in a condition to fall at any time.

The Salem Lutheran Church was organized at the residence of Abraham Sellers several years prior to 1848. During that year a hewed-log church was built upon an acre of ground donated as a site for the church by Joseph Swarm. It was built by donations from men of moral influence, and is situated on the Fall Creek and Mud Creek gravel road, about onehalf mile south of school-house No. 2. The church was dedicated one year after its completion, John A. Myers delivering the dedicatory sermon. Hugh Wells was the minister in charge at the time of the dedication. The present minister is Obadiah Brown. The first trustees were Joseph Swarm, Abraham Sellers, and Arthur Clawson.

The Upper Ebenezer Lutheran Church originated in 1824, in the old Ebenezer Lutheran Church of Washington township, which will be found fully mentioned in the history of that township. An account is there given of the division of that church and the sale of the church building in February, 1868. In consequence of the sale of the church building, about sixty persons were left without a house in which to worship. They resolved to build a new frame church after the modern style, and appointed John Mowry, J. G. Marshal, and John C. Hoss as a building committee, and selected John Negley as a suitable person to raise the funds. In due time the necessary money was secured, and the building erected in the year 1868 upon seventy-two square rods of ground donated to the church society by Hezekiah Ringer out of the southwest corner of his farm in Lawrence township. The church building was dedicated in 1868 immediately upon its completion. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. Samuel Sprecher, CD., of Springfield, Ohio, the then president of Wittenburg College. The Rev. Jacob Keller, the pastor at the time of the separation of the church, went with the Upper settlement and continued their pastor two years, until 1870. The old book of the original organization was kept by the congregation of the upper settlement. The congregation at present numbers forty-one active members. The pastors since 1868 have been as follows : Jacob Keller, 2 years ; E. Fair, 1 year ; J. Boone, 2 years ; Wm. H. Keller, 5 years; and Obadiah Brown, 1 year. The last named is the p