Anderson Township (part 1 of 4)

Boundaries And Topography

Anderson, the soiitheasternmost township in Hamilton county, and the only one of this county lying east of the Little Miami river - that is, in the Virginia Military district - is bounded on the south by the Ohio river, on the west by the Ohio and the Little Miami, on the north by the latter stream, which divides it from Columbia and Spencer townships, and on the east by a line drawn from the southeast corner of fractional section numbered twenty-two, in Columbia township, or from the mouth of the East fork of the Little Miami, south of its intersection with the Ohio at the mouth of Eight Mile creek. By this line it is separated from Clermont county on the east, and is the only township of Hamilton which immediately adjoins Clermont, without the intervention of a stream. The greatest length of the township, about nine miles, is on this hne, but the length of that portion of the Little Miami that touches Anderson township is very nearly the same. The other sides, being bounded altogether by the Ohio and Little Miami rivers, are exceedingly irregular in their boundary lines; but the township, varying from the breadth of a few yards at its northeasternmost and southeasternmost points to its greatest breadth of six and a half miles on an east and west line from the mouth of the Little Miami, has an average width of five miles. Its area is equivalent to nearly thirty-seven sections, or twenty-three thousand five hundred and seventyone acres. A large part of this tract, on the west and north sides of the township, lies in the broad, fiat, and fertile valley of the Little Miami, upon which the site of Newton lies, and near which, in a commanding position, Mount Washington sits upon the hills, easily overlooking a broad view of the valley. The general level of the hilltops in this township is high, Mount Washington being five hundred feet above low-water mark in the Ohio, and other heights almost as lofty. One or two points in this township are said to be the loftiest in Hamilton county. The ancient plateau of this region has been deeply cut through, not only by the greater waters of the Ohio and the Little Miami, but by several small streams, prominent among which is Clough creek, with its two principal headwaters or branches taking their rise, respectively, in the eastern and southern parts of the township, uniting east of Mount Washington, and flowing thence in a general northwesterly and westerly course to the Little Miami below Union bridge. Its valley and the bordering hills are exceedingly picturesque, and comprise many valuable farms and fine farm buildings. Five Mile creek is another stream of some local importance in the south of the township, likewise formed by the junction of two headwaters, one rising a little northeast of Cherry Grove, near the county line, and the other just south of the Ohio turnpike, a mile and a half west of the same place. They unite their waters - like Clough creek, also receiving a very small stream near their point of junction - about a mile north of the Ohio, and after a westerly and southwesterly course of some two miles, reach that river about midn^ay of its course along the southern border of the township. Three or four minor tributaries of the Ohio also aid m breaking down the hills on this side of the township, the highlands here, as in Columbia and all the river districts of Cincinnati east of the old city, crowding closely upon the river, and leaving scarcely room enough for the wagon-road long existing there and the track of the projected Ohio River & Virginia railway. A few rods above the mouth of the Little Miami a petty stream sets into that river, bearing the name of the noted creek that ploughs through the western hills of Cincinnati - Lick run. Three other brooks, more or less ramified toward their sources - two of them bearing the names, respectively, of Little Dry run and Big Dry run - feed the Little Miami at various points in the township above Clough creek; and channels or mill-races of some size, in two instances, connect points on the river northeast, northwest, and north of Newtown, thus virtually forming islands of two and a half to three miles in circumference, which nearly adjoin each other just opposite Plainville, and about a mile due north from Newtown. It is a remark-

Besides the natural features of Anderson which vary its topography, its broad surface is further intersected by the Batavia turnpike in the northern part, which takes Union bridge and Newtown on its way; the Richmond turnpike on the extreme south, passing California and hugging the river closely until its exit from the county, shortly after which it trends rapidly northeastward; the Salem and Ohio turnpikes, also in the southern half of the township, the latter passing through Mount Washington and Cherry Grove; a number of other good wagon roads; the Cincinnati & Eastern narrow-guage railway, along the valley of the Little Miami, by Newtown, in the north part; with a branch from a point a mile and a half east of Newtown, running up the valley of Dry run, to a point due east of Mount Washington, where it leaves the township; and the Cincinnati & Portsmouth narrow-guage railway, cutting the southern and eastern parts in an exceedingly tortuous line, as compelled by the broken country, from the crossing of the Little Miami southwest of Mount Washington to the departure from the township and county considerably to the northward, near Mount Carmel, in Clermont county. As well as the nature and demands of the township will permit at present, it is served with means of transportation; but other railroads have been projected, as that already mentioned along the Ohio.

Ancient Works

The observations of an intelligent man, who saw the mounds and other ancient remains in this region in the early day, must ever be of interest. The following remarks were made by the Rev. Philip Gatch, who came to Anderson township in 1798, in his autobiographic sketch:

This beautiful land has been a hidden space to civilization for many ages. There are traces in many parts of ancient fortiiications and other works which could not have been made by the Indians, but by a people much further advanced in civilization than they now are. The growths of timber upon these works, consisting of mounds and elevated embankments, seem to be the same as on the ground generally, which shows their great antiquity. What people or race constructed these works is not now known, and probably never will be. Some think these formations were before the flood ; but this notion, it appears to me, is refuted by timbers being found in the earth to a great depth. I saw timber that was found on digging a well on high land ; also by salt water shells being found in high places. Nature is a grand laboratory, and it is ever in progress - imperceptible it may be to the eye, but its doings are marked by centuries. The process of change in the natural world is ever in progress.

Much later, but still so far in the past as to lend some special interest to the narrative - in Mr. E. D. Mansfield's Monthly Chronicle for August, 1839 - one "T. C. D." (said to have been Timothy C. Day) gave an interesting description of the works as they were to be seen in his time :

In perhaps no portion of this State are these gigantic vestiges of an unknown and populous age so abundant as in the alluvial bottoms and adjacent neighborhoods of the iVIiarai. They are to be met with at almost every step, and in groups so numerous that the eye can scarcely embrace their number. Mounds of every description, size, and shape, circular forts, embankments miles in length, and of great size, point out the immense labors and workmanship of a mysterions people. Allowing for the probable absence of the requisite implements for their erection, and the washing of their friable soil for centuries, they may be truly reckoned as successful rivals to the greatest of their prototypes of the sandy plains of Egypt. Some are even so stupendous that, were it not for the evident signs of human mechanism that mark their construction, they might claim the impress of a mightier hand.

About a mile east of Newtown, in this county, on the farm of Levi Martin, is a mound of the largest class. Its shape is an oval oblong, rounding to its apex with the most perfect accuracy. It is situated on a shelf of land about thirty feet above the alluvial bottom of the Little Miami. The soil around it is gravelly, but the material of its structure, as usual, is a brick clay. Near its summit is a large beech, probably two feet in diameter, and its sides are covered with a thick growth of underwood, with several large forest trees. It is within three hundred yards of a high range of hills, and could not, therefore, have been erected as a watch-tower or a place of defence. It has never been opened, but the most probable conjecture is that it is the monument of some mighty chief, who lies interred in its centre. The plain around its base is perfectly level, except within twenty feet of what was probably its original circumference; the washing of rains has filled it up to a considerable height. The dimensions of the mound, from actual admeasurement, are as follows:

Last summer the workmen, in procuring gravel for the Batavia turnpike, immediately in the rear of Newtown, in the bank of a small stream called Jennie's run, disinterred an immense number of human skeletons. This ancient burial ground is on a gravelly point that juts out from the bank into the run, forming an acute bend. The graves are not, on an average, more than two feet in depth, though probably they were originally a great deal deeper, as the ridge has evidently washed to a considerable degree. As far as caved, the point is a solid body of coarse gravel till within about two and a half feet of the surface, which is composed of sand and loam. The skeletons lay in the sandy stratum, between the gravel and earth; and so far as preservation is concerned, it has answered the purpose well. Whole anatomies have been exhumed in an excellent state of soundness - the teeth particularly, some of them, as white as ivory, and perfect in every respect. Forest trees, such as beech, sugar, and oak, some at least two feet in diameter, were growing immediately over the graves, and their gnarled roots twisted fantastically through the skulls of these remnants of an ancient people.

A fall of gravel would frequently leave bare the whole front of a grinning skeleton, seemingly thrust in the grave feet foremost; and, in fact, the whole of the bodies bore evidence of a promiscuous burial, some placed horizontally facing the west, others level, anon a group of four heads within the space of two feet, and in every imaginable position. About twenty feet from the first discovery of the bones, the workmen came to a large body of charcoal and the remains of a stone fire-place. An earthen vessel was found by some boys, which was broken and destroyed before an actual description could be obtained. Several of the skulls exhibited traces of violence, such as^ would lead one to suppose that this had been a scene of carnage, and the dead bodies thus furnished a rude and hasty burial.

Several curiosities have been found in the neighborhood, such as pipes, earthen pots, and copper plates. Two small limestones, hollowed out from an inch on the outer edge to an eighth in the center, were found in a ploughed field. They are perfectly round, and are very neatly carved, the one about two-thirds the size of the other. The largest is about four inches in diameter.

The principal pre-historic monuments in Anderson township, as previously intimated, are found, like those generally in the eastern parts of Hamilton county, in or near the valley of the Little Miami. They are :

I. A large mound in the doorway of the old Turpin homestead, now occupied by Philip Turpin, esq., about a mile northeast of the Union bridge, on the Batavia turnpike. Although undoubtedly much smaller than when first heaped, it is now ten feet in height, with a circumference at the base of one hundred and seventy-five feet. It is situated directly in a line between the front gate and front door of the premises, and the foot-way between these points runs around it. It thus forms a com- manding and very interesting object in the scene, as viewed by the passer-by on the turnpike. About it is an ancient cemetery, probably not older than the Indian period, however, from which human remains may be exhumed with almost every lift of spade or shovel. Upon the same premises, it may be here remarked, was the camp of Tod's company of independent scouts, for some time during the Morgan raid and scare of 1863. It was, although bearing an "independent" name, a regularly organized command under the leadership of Captain Wheeler, and named from Governor Tod, then at the helm of the State. While here it did considerable scouting, marching, and countermarching, but was not called upon to burn much powder in the face of the enemy. The marks of its occupancy are yet to be seen in the boards and fences gnawed by the horses, in the stabs of bayonets upon the house-doors, and otherwise. Some distance south of Union bridge is a rather curious old brick school-house, situated below the roadway to Mount Washington. It was built in 1847, and is still used with tolerable convenience for the needs of the sub-district.

2. Nearly a mile and a half across the hills from the Turpin homestead, and about three-quarters of a mile south of Newtown, in the valley of a small tributary of the Little Dry run, on Colonel Jewett's farm, is a large mound. This reaches fifteen feet in altitude, and is two hundred and twenty-five feet in circumference at the base. It is further in the interior than any of the important tumuli of this part of the valley.

3. In Newtown itself formerly, immediately before the old Methodist church, at the junction of the Plainville road with the Batavia turnpike, was a mound of size enough to make its removal worth while for the sake of the material, which was used in the construction of the Plainville highway. We do not learn that any specially noticeable relics were discovered in the process of removal.

4. Near this spot, east of Newtown, and on the line of the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, is the Odd Fellows' cemetery, in which is a beautiful mound of ten feet height and a base circumference of two hundred and ten feet. It is a very appropriate mark and ornament of the cemetery.

5. A tumulus existed until recently on the Plainville road, three hundred yards northwest of the cemetery mound. It was about seven feet high and one hundred and fifty feet around at the base. It was thoughtlessly and remorselessly removed two or three years ago, simply to fill hollows in the road; and in the process of removal sundry bones, pieces of charcoal, and other objects came to light, unmistakably identifying it as an artificial work and a veritable relic of the Mound Builders.

6. Southwest of both these, on the bank of the Little Dry run, on the "first bottom" of the Little Miami, and at the foot of the hill cut by the Batavia turnpike, was a mound which was destroyed when that road was built, and some bones and other relics were found in it, as described in the article of "T. C. D."

from its ancient height by the long processes of cultivation upon it, its surface having been annually plowed over for many years. Its site is upon the Levi Martin estate, south of Little Dry run.

8. Upon the same property, three hundred yards south of east from the last mentioned, is the "Big Mound," as it is familiarly known. Says Dr. Metz, in his article on "The Pre-historic Monuments of the Little Miami Valley" (Journal of the Cinciimati Society of Natural History, October, 1878):

This is tile largest mound in this vicinity, and in the country. Its present elevation is about thirty-nine feet, with a circumference of six hundred and twenty-five feet at base. It has been cultivated for the last thirty years, with the exception of the last two years, and is now overgrown with blackberry bushes. It was at one time covered with forest trees. A large oak on its top had a diameter of four feet : this I have from reliable authority. It has not been explored ; the proprietor desires to let the dead rest, as he expresses it.

9. Recrossing Little Dry run nearly half a mile north of east, we come upon two low mounds, near the Batavia turnpike - one five feet high and the other three and a half above the general level.

10. North of these, across the turnpike on the estate of William Edwards, is a scattered group of four mounds, but nearly in a line from east to west, with an average distance from each other of two hundred feet. The easternmost of the four is in the first bottom of the Big Dry run, and but a few yards west of that stream. It is excellently preserved, very regular in its form, eight feet high, and about eighty feet in diameter at the base. Upon an elevation of thirty to forty feet above the level upon which this mound stands - that is, upon the second terrace or bottom of the Miami valley - are the other three mounds. The two in the centre of the group are each about four feet in height; the fourth, or westernmost, is ten feet high, and has a circumference about the same as that of the mound at the foot of this terrace. The smaller tumuli were once, very likely, as high as this; but they have been plowed over annually for a long time.

11. Two miles northeast of this group, almost in the northeastern comer of the township, on the farm of Michael Turner, is another very interesting series of ancient works, consisting of one large and one smaller enclosure and four mounds. The large enclosure, north and west of the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, which, together with a small stream, passes between this and the other members of the group, is designated as No. i upon Dr. Charles L. Metz's chart of the pre-historic monuments of the Little Miami valley; the smaller enclosure, about a fifth of a mile north of east of the other, and the northernmost of the four works east of the Cincinnati & Eastern track, as No. 2 ; the two mounds next south of this, in order, as Nos. 3 and 4 ; and the eminence east of No. 3 as No. 5. This explanation will render intelligible the following description, which is extracted from Dr. Metz's article accompanying the chart, in the Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, for October, 1878:

No. I is the largest and most interesting work in the Miami valley. An extract from an article by T. C. Dale, or Day, on the antiquities of the Miami valley, published in the November number of the Monthly Chronicle, in 1839, is as follows: "The site of this stupendous fortilication, if we may so call it, is a few rods to the right of the road lead- ing from Newtown to Milford, and about midway between them. It is situated on a ridge of land tliat juts out from tlie third bottom of the Little Miami, and reaches within three hundred yards of its bed. From the top of the ridge to low-water mark is probably one hundred feet. It terminates with quite a sharp point and its sides are very abrupt, bearing evident marks of having once been swept by some stream of water, probably the Miami. It forms an e.Ktremity of an immense bend, curving into what is now called the third bottom, but which is evidently of alluvial formation. Its probable height is forty feet, and its length about a quarter of a mile before it expands out and forms the third alluvial bottom. About one hundred and fifty yards from the extreme point of this ridge the ancient workmen have cut a ditch directly through it. It is thirty feet in depth; its length, a semicircular curve, is five hundred feet; and its width at the top is eighty feet, having a level base of fortv feet.

At the time of its formation it was probably cut to the base of the ridge, but the washing of the rains has filled it up to its present height. Forty feet from the western side of the ditch is placed the low circular wall of the fort, which describes in its circumference an area of about four acres. The wall is probably three feet in mean height, and is composed of the usual brick clay, occasioi.ally intermixed with small flat river stone. It keeps at an exact distance from the top of the ditch, but approaches nearer to the edge of the ridge. The form of the fort is i perfect circle, and is two hundred yards in diameter. Its western side is defended with a ditch, cut through the ridge in the same manner as the one on the eastern side. Its width and depth are the same, but its length is greater by two hundred feet, as the ridge is that much wider than where the other is cut through. The wall of the fort keeps exactly the same distance from the top of this ditch as of the other, viz., forty feet. Its curve is exactly the opposite of that of the other, so as to form two segments of a circle. At the southeastern side of the fort there is an opening in the wall thirty-six yards wide; and opposite this opening is one of the most marked features of this wonderful monument. A causeway extends out from the ridge .about three hundred feet in length and one hundred feet in width, with a gradual descent to the alluvial bottom at its base.

The material of its construction is evidently a portion of the earth excavat.ed from the ditches. Its easy ascent and breadth would induce the belief that it was formed to facilitate the entrance of some ponderous vehicle or machines into the fort. To defend this entrance they raised a mound of earth seven feet high, forty wide, and seventy-five long. It is placed about one hundred feet from the mouth of the causeway, and is so situated that its garrison could sweep it to its base. The whole area of the fort, the wall and causeway is covered with large forest trees; but there is not a tree growing in either of the ditches, and there are but a few low underbrush on their side.

At present the circular wall is almost leveled, but can be readily traced by the color of the soil and the large number of flat river-stones. The ditches can be easily recognized. The mound is still prominent. It measures now in height five and one-half feet, diameter twenty-five yards, circumference seventy-five yards. The causeway is cut through by the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, the forest cut away, and the soil cultivated annually.

No. 2 of this group is a large, circular embankment, with a diameter of about one hundred and twenty-five yards. The material forming theembankment is evidently taken from within theenclosure. This work is a perfect circle, with an opening or gateway thirty feet wide to the soudi. It is about three hundred yards distant from the fiist work of this group.

Two htindred yards to the south of this circle are two mounds, No.*4 on chart being the larger. It has a circumference at base of two hundred and fifty feet and an elevation of twelve feet. One hundred and fifty yards east of these mounds is another of very regular shape (Group D, No. 5, on chart); height, four feet, circumference one hundred and fifty feet.

Members of the Madisonville Scientific and Literary society have done much excellent work in the survey and description of the works in this part of Anderson township ; and to the chart and accompanying article of Dr Metz, of that society, we acknowledge invaluable aid in preparing the above notice.

The Original Land Owners

of Hamilton county which lies on the Virginia military tract, reserved between the Little Miami and Scioto, for land bounties to the soldiers of the Virginia line, serving in the_ war of the Revolution, on Continental establishment. The history of this reservation, with many interesting facts pertaining thereto, will be found in the chapter on land titles, in the first division of this work. The following memoranda indicate the original owners of the respective surveys noted in that part of the Military tract which is now Anderson township :

No. 410. Major John Crittenden, one thousand acres. He was the father of John J. Crittenden, the Kentucky statesman, and was an officer in tne Revolutionary war, settling afterwards in Woodford county, Kentucky. His tract was one of the finest in the Little Miami valley; and yet, so little was the value of land esteemed in those days, that he traded the whole thousand acres of splendid bottom and hill land to Major John Harris, of Mannicantown, near Richmond, Virginia, for a mosquito bar. Harris in his turn sold it to Dr. Turpin, of the same place, for a pair of blooded mares; and Turpin made a present of it to his son Philip, who settled it, and developed it into a rich estate, which is still held by his descendents.

No. 535. Robert Blair, William Cassel, John Demsey, Benjamin Gray, John Halfpenny, Daniel Sahon, one thousand acres; also John Green and James Giles.

No. 1,581. General James Taylor, five hundred and fifty acres. This gentleman was the well-known Newport pioneer, father of the venerable Colonel James Taylor, who still resides upon the old place on the Kentucky shore, and retains large landed interests in Anderson township. We here acknowledge much indebtedness to him in the preparation of this work. General Taylor became possessor, first and last, of a very large share of the lands in the township, most of which he re-sold.

No. 1,677. Colonel Richard Clough Anderson, four hundred and fifty-four acres. He was the chief surveyor of the Military district, appointed to that office by the State of Virginia. He resided ten miles south of Louisville, where he kept the office for many years, and until it was removed to Chillicothe, in this State. He was father of the late Hon. L. Anderson, of Cincinnati, and Marshall P. Anderson, of Circleville, also a well-known citizen, more recently deceased. The township takes its name from Colonel Anderson.

No. 1,775. General George Washington, President of the United States, nine hundred and ninety-seven acres. A very appropriate number for the greatest of Revolutionary heijoes to hold. It was in the year 1775 that he took command of the Continental armies, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. His was the triangular tract next the present Clermont county line, the northeasternmost survey in the township, the point of it resting on the Batavia turnpike, but a little way from the mouth of the East fork of the Little Miami.

No. 2,276. General Nathaniel Massie, six hundred acres. This owner was one of the most active and enterprising surveyors in the Military district, and the founder of the earliest towns within its borders - Manchester in 1794, and Chillicothe in 1796.

The first settlers upon the present soil of Anderson township were probably Abram or Abraham Covalt and companions, who pushed up the Little Miami in 1790 or 1 79 1, and established a station on Round Bottom to protect themselves, about twelve miles from the mouth of the river, as it runs. This was known as Covalt's Station, and was considered important enough in 1 791 to secure a garrison of twenty soldiers from Fort Washington. In the absence of the soldiers, however, Mr. Covalt, while hunting with two others, was attacked by the Indians, killed and scalped near the station. Wood was sent to Columbia village, and a relief party started out at once; but without much effect. Mr. Daniel Doty was of this party, and left some interesting notes of the affair. He then .saw for the first time a scalped man, and was naturally much shocked. He records that "when a person is killed and scalped by the Indians, the eyebrows fall down over the eyeballs and give them a fearful look. " derived from the narrative of Thomas Fitzwater, a descendent of William Fitzwater, who had personal knowledge of the affair. It is contained in the history of Clermont county:

Towards noon on the first day in which Buckingham, Fletcher, and Covalt started on their hunt, Covalt began to get very uneasy and to urge the others to return home, saying there might be Indians about. The other two told him there was no danger, but this did not satisfy him. The nearer night approached the more importunate he became, and the more he urged them to return. This uneasiness in Covalt's mind Buckingliam always viewed as a bad omen. His entreaties finally prevailed on the others and they consented to return. So they left the 'licks' in order to reach the station while it was yet daylight.

Arriving opposite to where Buckingham's mill now stands, while Covalt and Fletcher were walking close together, and Buckingham about three rods behind, suddenly three guns were fired about twenty yards distant. Buckingham looked forward and saw Covalt and Fletcher start to run down the Miami, and also saw three Indians jump over a log, yelling and screaming like demons. As Buckingham wheeled to run up the river he tried to throw off his blanket, but it hung over his shoulders like a powder-horn, as the strap passed over his head. When he did get it loose it took his hat with it. He ran up but a few poles, then took up the hill, the river and hill being close together. As he went up the hill he looked back several times, but saw no one in pursuit. When he arrived on the top he got his gun ready for emergency, then stopped, looked back, and listened. While thus standing he heard the Indians raise the yell down in the bottom, thirty or forty rods distant, then he knew they had caught one or both of the others. When he found the Indians were that distance from him, he knew that he could make tracks as fast as they could follow him. So he steered over the hills and came to the Miami, at what is now Quail's railroad bridge. Getting to the station he found that Fletclier had got there a few minutes before him. By this time it was night.

Fletcher's story of the affair was that he and Covalt ran together some distance, when Fletcher's feet became entangled in a grape-vine, and down he fell, where he laid perfectly still until the Indians passed him. One passed close to him, no doubt thinking he had fallen to rise no more. And they all kept on in hot pursuit of Covalt. As soon as they got out of sight Fletcher made his escape down the river. Ne.xt morning a party of men left the station to look for Covalt. Arrived at the place they found his body, his scalp, gun, tomahawk, powder-horn, blanket, knife, hat, and part of his. clothes gone, and an old broken rifle left near his body. The Indian traces showed that they had crossed and re-crossed at Indian ripple. They were not traced any farther.

Enoch Buckingham (one of this party) continued with his family at Columbia, from the spring of 1790 to 1795. Some time this spring they moved into a log cabin on the banks of the Miami, on the lower Buckingham farm.

A Fortified Station

Probably as early as 1790, the eyes of some of the settlers, or newcoiners to Columbia, were turned to the broad and fertile tracts in the valley east of the Little Miaini, and a party of colonists soon attempted to make a home there. Their first settlement was opposite Turkey Bottom, at the foot of the hills on survey number five hundred and thirty-six, about a mile below the present site of Union ridge, on the land now owned by Colonel James Taylor. Here, for their protection against the Indians, as the custom then was, they built a small block-house, or stockade, which, from the principal man of the party, the father of the late John H. Gerard, exsheriff of Hamilton county, received the name of "Gerard's Station." Other settlers to be protected by it are said, by Colonel Taylor, to have been Joseph Williamson, Stephen Betts, Stephen Davis, Major Stites, Captain Flinn, and others. He says that the block-house stood on the side of the hill near what is called Big spring, and not far from Flinn's ford across the Little Miami, which was on the principal land-route, in the early day, from Cincinnati and Columbia eastward. Stites and Flinn are reputed to have had at least one sharp fight with the redskins at this station. Some traces of it were to be observed until quite recent times.

Anderson township was erected by the court of general quarter sessions of the peace, in 1793. It was then bounded by the Little Miami to the east fork, from the mouth of which a line was described to a point nine miles east, thence another due south to the Ohio, and from the point of intersection the Ohio formed the boundary to the place of beginning. It must have been afterwards enlarged, as settlements increased, since it is otherwise said* to have included all of Hamilton county between the Little Miami and the Elk river, or Eagle creek. So lately as 1803 it is officially described as "all that part of Hamilton county east of the Little Miami river," which then, however comprised only the present limits of the township, or about the same. The voters were then to meet at the house of Thomas Browne, in Newtown, and elect three justices of the peace.

In the latter part of 1799 two townships were set off from the eastern part of the large old township of Anderson - Washington township, which included all the northern part of the present Clermont, and the south part of Warren county; and Deerfield township, which covered all the southern and central portions of Clermont and Brown counties to the aforesaid Eagle creek. The same year a county called Henry was set off" by the territorial legislature along the river next east of the present Hamilton, with Durhamstown (now Bethel) as the county seat, but the act was negatived by Governor St. Clair, who pocketed it with several other bills of similar character, as he claimed that the legislature in passing them usurped his own prerogatives; the next year he, by proclamation, erected the desired new county in this direction by the name of Clermont, when Anderson township and Hamilton county, on the southeast, were reduced to their present boundaries.

Anderson, as the fifth township created in the old Hamilton county, was directed by the court of quarter sessions to take for its cattle-brand the letter E. The first township officers were as follows :

John Garrard, clerk; Jesse Garrard, constable; Richard Hall, overseer of roads; Joseph Frazee, Jacob Backoven, overseers of the poor; Joseph Martin, Jonathan Garrard, viewers of enclosures and appraisers of damages.

Early Settlement

Immigrants to the Miami county did not turn so readily to the Military district as to the Symmes Purchase and the Congress lands, since the titles to the latter were considered better and more rehable, and less likely to involve litigation. As early as 1790, some white settlers are believed to have set down their stakes within the limits of the .present Anderson township; and, as we have seen, a fortified station against the Indians probably existed upon Anderson soil that year. The first settlements, according to Colonel James Taylor, of Newport, were made upon Bennett Tompkins' survey at the mouth of the I,ittle Miami; Crittenden's survey, settled by Philip Turpin, near the present Union bridge; Powell's, Massie's, Richardson's, John Andersons', Bland's, and Moore's, and the surveys numbered one thousand five hundred and twelve and one thousand seven hundred and twentythree. Besides those named in connection with Gerrard's station and Philip Turpin, who was among the earliest, there were Isaac Vail, John Grimes, the Edwardses, Corblys, Debolts, Johnsons, Clarks, and Durhams, whose families were upon the soil of Anderson during the closing decade of the last century or the opening one of this. Settlers were not numerous, nor their improvements large, for obvious seasons, until after the pacification of the Indian tribes in 1794, by Wayne's victory at the battle of the Fallen Timbers. Many memoranda of individual settlements in the early day will be found in the paragraphs below:

Other Notes Of Settlement, Etc

Mr. John Betts, grandfather of George'M. Betts, came to Anderson township at a very early day. He was of Irish descent, and emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio. John R. Betts, father of George M., was born in this township. For several years he was in the pork business in Cincinnati. His wife's name was Sarah S. Martin. She was a daughter of George Martin, who died in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was here when the old fort was at Columbia. His wife was a Rigdon. She was the first white child on the north side of the Little Miami river. Mr. John R. Betts had three children: George M., Elizabeth (Mrs. S. Burdsall), and Emma (Mrs. George Pike). The son is now superintendent of the Mount Washington Canning company, which cans from twelve to fifteen thousand cans of fruit and vegetables per year.

AquilaJDurham was born in Maryland in May, 1779, and died in September, 1870, in hisjiinety-second year. He was^~fRe'youngest orTTaniily of eleven children, six of whom lived to be over eighty-five years of age. The family was noted for longevity. His father died at the age of ninety-six, and had six brothers and two sisters, each of whom lived to be over eighty. Their father came from Durham, England, in 1722. and settled in Maryland. JosHua~I)urham, father of the subject"ortliis sketch, sold his estate and slaves in Maryland soon after the close of the Revolution, and started for the West. But, owing to the depreciation of the continental money, he and his family were obliged to remain in Pennsylvania several years. They arrived in Cincinnati in June, 1797, only eight years after its settlement, and pushed right out into the wilderness to make a settlement, and built a cabin in the Miami bottoms, about ten miles from Cincinnati. Aquila was then eighteen years old. He helped his father open a clearing in the woods, and,..being a skilful hunter, kept the family supplied with game. Many hardships were encountered; but they were so accustomed to them that they seemed rather to enjoy the dangers of the chase and the hard labor and privations they had to undergo. When General Harrison was governor of the Indiana Territory, with headquarters at Vincennes, Aquila kept him supplied with sheep and cattle, which had to be driven through the unbroken wilderness. Many thrilling adventures were experienced by his parties when on the road. Wild animals were troublesome at night, and the Indians were constantly on their path. IniSo^Jievvas married tn_H'""ript Thompson, daughter of Barnard Thompson, a Revolutionary soldier. They settled nearhis father's, and two years later moved upon the farm now owned by Thompson Durham. He lived on that farm for sixty-two years. They raised ten children, all of whom lived to be over forty-five years old. Seven of them still live. His wife died in 1868, after sixty-four years of married life. He voted in 1802 at the first election held in Ohio, and never missed an election as long as he lived. He attended the Cincinnati markets for almost sixty years, at first carrying his produce to market on hoseback, then in wagons to the river and thence in a boat. After roads were opened, he went through to the city in his wagon. Every Tuesday and Friday found him in the market. Many of the old citizens wer'e his customers, and well remember him. It was his. pride and boast that no one ever said he was not honest.

Walter Johnson settled in Anderson township in 1804, where his death occurred eighteen years after. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1782. He was a leading farmer, and was several times a member of the board of trustees of the school board. His wife was Anna Bridges. The surviving members of his family are Rebecca Cox, W. W. H.Johnson, Franklin Johnson, Hannah Cord, Charles Johnson, Walter R. Johnson, Anna Johnson, and Sallie Norton. Charles Johnson's birth is dated in the year 1820. He has filled several township offices. He married Rebecca Corbley, and their children are John C, Walter R., Van R., and Leonidas.

Francis H. Jewett is the son of David Jewett. His mother's name was Eunice Rider. The father, who was born in Maine, emigrated from New York to Cincinnati in the year 1835. In the last named place, in 1840, the son was born. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to Catharine Henn. Three years later he began the dairy business in Covington, Kentucky, where he remained up to the year 1876, when he removed to his present place in Anderson township. He is said to possess excellent business qualifications - in fact is the successful owner and manager of the largest dairy in the township.

David Jones, and his wife, Mary S. Jones, emigrated from Virginia to the State of Ohio, and were among the first settlers in Anderson township, where the former died in

1872. Abner Jones, grandson of the preceding, was born in 181 6. In 1849 he was married to Miss Emily Bennett, daughter of Samuel D. Bennett, of the same township. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and for twenty-four years has held the office of justice of the peace.

Mr. John Webb was taken to Cincinnati with his family early in 1790. He was born in Monmouth, New Jersey, four years previous to this time. His death occurred in Newtown, in 1857. His wife's maiden name was Hannah Frost. She was one year her husband's senior; her death occurred in 1857. The surviving members of the family are Sidney Webb, of Delta, Ohio, and L. A. Webb, of Anderson township. The last named son in 1840 married the daughter of John Frost, of Hamilton county. Ten years later he built the house in which he now resides, the site of which is said to be the highest elevation of land in Hamilton county. Among the leading farmers of the county the subject of our sketch holds a prominent position.

Michael Lawyer emigrated from New'Jersey to Hamilton county in 1 81 5, and thence to Clermont county* in 181 9. He was born in that State in 177 1, married Nancy Martin, and remained in New Jersey about ten years after marriage, when he took his family across the mountains into Pennsylvania and settled in Green county, where they lived fourteen years. In 181 5 they removed to the west, coming down the Ohio on a flatboat, commonly called a "family boat," and stopped at the mouth of the Little Miami. They resided in this valley four years, and then removed to Clermont county, where the father died in 1835, and the mother ten years afterwards. The surviving children are Catharine Paul, Isabella Becker, and Michael Lawyer. The last-named was born in 1812, and was consequently but three years old when his people landed in the Miami country. In ^1839 he married Cynthia Robinson, daughter of John Robinson, and ten years thereafter removed from Clermont county to the farm he now occupies in Anderson township, where, in 1859, he built the fine residence in which he makes his home. Winfield S. Durham was born in 18 17. His marriage occurred in 1844. The same year he built the home where he now lives in comfort, having secured a fine competence in the business of farming. His mother was Narcissa Wilmington, the daughter of Joseph Wilmington, of Clermont county. The parents of Mr. Durham first settled near the mouth of the Little Miami. They have six children living at the present time.

Isaac Edwards, born in New Jersey in the year 1800, was a settler of Clermont county, where he died in 1855. His wife's name was Alice Sawyer. They have three children now living, of whom William Edwards, jr., was born in 1830. He was married in May, 1863, to Miss Ellen Dole, of Olive Branch, in the same county, by whom he has nine children, all living. The next spring after his marriage he removed to the fine place he now occupies, immediately adjoining the Edwards station on the Cincinnati & Eastern railroad, in a handsome house upon the farm of his uncle, William Edwards, sr. Here he has devoted himself closely to his legitimate business of farming, without any turn for speculation or public life. He is now hard upon fifty years old, but is still in the prime of his powers, a strong man and an excellent farmer.

Samuel Johnson, father of James O. Johnson, was among the first who settled on Clough creek, where he remained during the rest of his lifetime. He was born in Virginia, from which State he emigrated to Ohio, and was a leading resident of Anderson township. His wife's name was Nancy Estel.

Joseph Martin settled in Anderson township as early as I7QS_ He was born in Bedford. Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to Ohio. His death occurred in the same township in the year 1846. He was in the old blockhouse at Gerard Station. His wife was Miss Rebecca Gerard. Four children are still living, of whom their son, Gano Martin, was born in 181 1. At the age of twenty-nirie, he was married to Elizabeth Curry, the daughter of Colonel William Curry. They still live on the old homestead. Mr. Martin has always been in politics a Republican. Since 1840 he has been an active rnember of the Baptist church of Newtown, in which he has always taken great interest, and for the support of which his contributions have been no small part.

W, H. Markley was born in 1827, at the place where he now resides. He married Catharine 'Silvers, with whom, surrounded by a large circle of friends, he enjoys his large farm and beautiful home. His father, Jacob Markley, first settled in Anderson township in 1814. He was born in West Maryland in 1803, but emigrated from Virginia to Ohio. He died in this township in the year 1879. He was a large land-owner, and also followed the business of boating on the river to New Orleans. His wife's maiden name was Emeline Martin. There are five children living at the present date.

Thomas Mears, a native of London, England, came to America and became a resident of Philadelphia about the year 1794. From this city he removed to Cincinnati at a very early date, where he practiced law. His brother John was a coppersmith, at which trade he amassed a large fortune. Some branches of the family still remain in Cincinnati. In 1858 he was killed by being thrown from a carriage. His father, a physician, was a man of remarkable bravery. He died in the West Indies from yellow fever, where he was practicing at the time. He was a great traveller, and when the country was new is said to have driven from New Orleans to Cincinnati in a gig. The wife of Thomas Mears was Polly S. McCormick, daughter of Rev. Francis McCormick, one of the founders of Methodism in the west. The children of this marriage were William E. Mears; Francis Mears, of Clermont county; John Mears, of Anderson township; and Eliza C. Mears, now Mrs. Stoms, also of Anderson township; Esther Mears, afterwards Mrs. Whetstone, deceased; Isaac Mears, now in Colorado; and Patsy, who died in infancy. William was born in Columbia in 1835. Previous to 1875 he was a merchant a large part of the time. At that date he became a member of the postal corps, where he remains at the present. His wife was Miss Hannah A. Sutton,

Robert Martin was born in Ireland in 1772. He settled in Sycamore township in 1820, and died in Symmes township in the year 1850. He was educated for the ministry, but was a teacher the greater part of his life. His wife was Jane Luckey. The surviving members of the family are Belinda Clemmens, Jonathan T. Martin, and Dr. J. S. Martin. The last-named is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical institute, of Cincinnati, of the class of 1849. Since that time he has been practicing in the town of Mount Washington, with the exception of three or four years spent in the south and west. His present wife was Julia C. Bishop, of Anderson township. The have two children, Matilda Elms and Olive May Martin.

Absalom H. Mattox first settled in Springfield, Ohio, in 1840. Before this time he was one of the early settlers of central Ohio, serving as sheriff of Clark county from 1825 to 1830. He came to Cincinnati in 1865, and died ten years later. His business was that of a merchant. His wife was Drusilla Haskell, and the members of his family now living are Absalom H. Mattox and F. G. Mattox, the latter a lawyer by profession, and at present clerk of the United States court at Columbus. Absalom H. became associated with the editorial corps in 1872, where he still remains, and since 1865 he has been connected with the Cincinnati Gas Light company.

Isaac Turner was born in Virginia in the year 1780, but emigrated from Green county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio. He settled in Columbia township as early as 1816. His death occurred in Anderson township in July, 1833. He was considered a leading farmer at that time, and had a decided reputation for industry. His wife, Sarah Turner, died in 1848. The surviving children are Electa Highland, Rachel Martin, Michael Turner, and Syrena Light. Michael Turner was born in 1809. At twenty-six years of age he was married to Nancy Flinn. They have six children living: Isaac D., J. J., George W., Anna E., John W., and E. J. He has remained on the old homestead and followed the business of farming the greater part of his life. At one time he was extensively engaged in pork-packing, in which he secured a fine competence.

Louis Drake was among the pioneers of Columbia township. Born in New Jersey, he emigrated from that State to Ohio, where he died in 1832. He was in the War of 181 2, and at different times filled several township offices. His wife's name was Elizabeth Kennedy. They had eleven children, only four of whom are now alive. T. T. Drake was born in Columbia in 1818. He has followed the business. of farming in a large way, and, having secured a good property, has now retired from active life. His present residence is in Newtow-n. His wife was Lydia Mills, and there are two children, Louis D. Drake and Ordeha L. McGill, both of whom are also residents of Newtown.

Martin Hess was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, from which State he emigrated to Anderson township in 1828, when he took immediate charge of the Turpin mills. He continued in his position, respected by all, for twenty-five years, and died in 1855. His wife - Eliza Flint previous to her marriage - was born in 1806, and is still living, at the advanced age of seventy-four. The children are Sarah Muchmore, Martin V. Hess, G. W. Hess, Lottie Searles, and Amanda Hess. Mr. M. V. Hess was elected township clerk in 1868. Two years later he became township treasurer, which office he has since held, with the exception of two years. He is the present incumbent.

Isaac Edwards emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, and settled in Clermont county about 1805. Two years afterward he came to Anderson township, where he died in 1827, being a leading man of his time. His wife was Hannah Martin. She died in 1837. The surviving children are William Edwards, of Anderson; Rebecca Horn, of Knox county; Elizabeth Day, of Van Buren county; Samuel and Edward Edwards, both of Anderson township. Edward Edwards was born in 181 2, on the old homestead, where he yet lives. The farm consists of two hundred and ninety-six acres of rich bottom lands. His wife's name was Eliza Glansey. The children are Euphemia Jones, Laura Jewett, Harry Edwards, Melvin Edwards, and Clara Hammel, all living at the present time in Hamilton county.

William_IL_Ayres was born in the year 1849. Leaving school at the age of nineteen, he entered the employ of Mr. W. R. McGill, and still holds his position, respected by all who know him. The first representative of his family in Ohio was his grandfather, John Jones, whose wife was Hattie Durham before her marriage.

R. W. Hibben first setded in Anderson township in 1839! lle~was born in Charleston. South Carolina, and came from that city to Ohio. He died in~i844. His wife's name was Rebecca E. Goodman, and they have seven children living. Duke G. Hibben, the son of the preceding, was born in South Carolina in 1829. At the age of ten he came to Anderson township, and still remains on the old homestead, surrounded by many friends.

Samuel Shaw settled at Newtown in 1828. He was a Pennsylvanian by birth, but emigrated from there to Ohio, where he lived until the time of his death in the year 1848. He was the proprietor of a hotel for thirty-one years. His wife was Isabel Jefferies. Five children are living. The son, Moses Shaw, was born in 1833. In 1861 he was married to the daughter of Jacob Ross. He has always followed the business of farming.

Elisha Miller settled in Anderson township in 181 2. He followed the business of blacksmithing and farming, and has given the art of wood carving a deal of attention, receiving a diploma for the finest carving on exhibition at the tri-State fair of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. He was married, in 183-, to Hester J. Hopper, daughter of Abraham, who is noticed elsewhere with the Hopper family. He is a man respected by all.

The oldest bouse remaining in the township is a hewed log house near the site of Gerard's station, which was built in 1805 by Josiah and Samuel Holley. It is much in repute as a veritable relic of the olden time, and one of the most venerable dwellings in Hamilton county.

Wilson's survey No. 2,204, at the rapids of the Little Miami, about two miles from its mouth and below the mouth of Clough creek, not far from the present site of Union bridge. Colonel Taylor says his father. General James Taylor, was at the mill in 1792; and further:

He went with a servant with two bags of corn to have it ground. The mill, he said, was a rough affair, constructed out of two Kentucky flat-boats, which made meal of a very coarse chaiacter. He said travelling to that spot at that day was not considered very safe, as Indians had been seen a few days before on the trail leading to the mill from Fort Washington, and in fact had killed a man. Philip Turpin, who settled on Crittenden's survey No. 410, about 1795, subsequently built a flouring-mill near the spot where Wickersham built his mill. Said mill stood thereuntil within the last ten years, when (1870) it was torn down by his heirs.

The Turpin mill, which was a very fine one for its day, and did excellent service for two generations, was built about 1805. In the same year the first ferry over the Little Miami was established in the vicinity by the Holleys before mentioned, which they leased for one hundred dollars in cash and one hundred gallons of whiskey. This beverage was then made in considerable quantity at a large distillery half a mile from Turpin's mill, upon or near the site of the old block-house.

All ferries across the river in this region have long since been superseded by bridges, the finest of which is the Union bridge, between Mount Washington and Linwood, so-called from the former union of Hamilton and Clermont counties in sustaining the expense of the construction of a bridge built in 1836, at the old Flinn's ford, about a mile below the present site of the bridge. It was a plain wooden structure, which was removed in 1875; and in that year and the next the fine suspension bridge now used was erected upon its more eligible site by the Cincinnati Iron Bridge company. Its expense, seventy-nme thousand eight hundred dollars, was sustained by Hainilton county alone, a bonded indebtedness being created therefor, upon authority granted by the legislature. It is three hundred and fifty-three feet long, and every way a substantial and graceful structure. The river, on the Miami front of Anderson township, is also spanned by two railway bridges, erected for the Cincinnati & Eastern and the Cincinnati & Portsmouth narrow-gauge railroads. There is also a wagon brid.ge for the turnpike near the mouth of the Little Miami, and another across the river at Plainville, from which a plank sidewalk connects it with Newtown - an improvement made by the enterprise and liberality of the citizens of the latter village.

Early Religion

The Miami Island church, the second church of the Miami association in order of time (afterwards Little Miami Island church, and finally simply Miami), on one of the islands in the river of that name, was formed about 1795, by settlers of the Baptist faith removing from Columbia, and was served at first by Elder John Smith, of the latter place, who had then or a few years afterwards a mill at the island, about eight miles from Columbia. He was also pastor from 1801 to 1804. Elder James Lee was pastor from 1799 to 1801. Elder John Corbly, who had settled a few miles below Milford, preached here for some time afterwards. In 1808 Moses Frazer was called as pastor, and was still with the church when it was dismissed in 1816, with eight others, to form the East Fork Baptist association. James Jones was pastor in 1816. In 1799 the membership here was reported to the Miami association as sixty-two, nearly twice the number of any other church in that body, and almost exactly one-third of the entire membership of the association, although it then consisted of six churches. William Milner was a lay-delegate from this church to the meetings in 1797-8, to organize the association, and was on the committee to draft its "principles of faith, practice and decorum."

The venerated name of Rev. Philip Gatch will ever be associated with the records of pioneer settlement and early religious movements in Hamilton and Clermont counties. He was one of the most remarkable men of his time in the Little Miami valley. Mr. Gatch was born near Baltimore, Maryland, March 2, 1 751, of Prussian stock on his father's side and Burgundian on his mother's. He was converted under Methodist influences in 1772; began to speak as an exhorter in the same year; the next year was sent into New Jersey as the first itinerant of the church ever sent into the State. He and the Rev. Mr. Walters, then laboring in Virginia and Delaware, were, indeed, the first preachers recruited for the Methodist itinerancy in this country. At the conference of 1774, held in Philadelphia, he was one of five received into full connection. January 14, 1788, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Powhatan county, Virginia. After mucinaBbrious and abfe service at the east, part of the time under severe persecution, being often threatened, once dangerously assaulted, and once plastered with tar, he engaged in farming for a time; emancipated his slaves in December, 1780, removed to Buckingham, Virginia, and improved a large farm. In 1798 he resolved to emigrate to the Northwest Territory, and set out for the land of hope Oclot5ef~iith, of that year, with his brother-in-law, the Rev. James Smith, and family, and a near friend, Mr. Ambrose" Ransom and his family. Thirty-six persons, white and colored, were in the colony. After many tribulations, by land and water, they reached the Little Miami valley. Says Mr. Gatch in his journal:

From Williamsburgh we passed on to Newtown, and for some days pitched our tents in Turpin's bottom, and tliere, withi those who were with me, were accommodated with a small shop used by a mechanic. On Sunday morning after our arrival the boats landed. My heart was dissolved into love and gratitude to God for his care over us on our journey, and bringing us safely into this desirable and distant land. I rented a house in Newtown, and we were treated kindly by the people, though they cared little for religion. The land which I had taken in exchange for my fatm in Virginia did not answer for a settlement, so I purchased a tract in the forks of the Little Miami river.

His residence in Anderson township was, therefore, brief, lasting only till the middle of the next February, when his cabin was finished and he moved beyond the East fork into it. His history thenceforth belongs mainly to Clermont county, which he served long and ably in public stations, as justice of the peace, associate judge of the court of common pleas, member of the first constitutional convention, and otherwise. He remained identified, however, with the religious interests of the lower Miami valley, preaching regularly at Newtown and other places, though not as a circuit preacher until circuits were regularly established and appointments made to them, and frequently preached thereafter. He died in the fullness of years and honors December 28, 1835, and was laid to rest beside his venerable wife, in the burying-ground upon his farm.

The conference did not appoint a preacher to Miami circuit in 1800. There were at the time four or five local preachers in the Miami country, and they went everywhere preaching the word. They systematized their operations, preached not only on Sabbath, but also on other days, held two-days' meetings, and kept up a routine of quarterly meetings. They were much encouraged in seeing the pleasure of the Lord prosper in their hands. Those popular meetings were held at different points, but most of them were held in the forks of the Miami, and it was matter of astonishment to see the numbers that attended; women would walk twenty and even thirty miles to attend them. The whole care devolved on three families; each would have frequently to provide for from fifty to a hundred people. The men at night quartered in barns and out-buildings, while the women lodged in the cabms.

It was a striking scene to witness the breaking up of one of these night meetings. The people, though coming from a distance, had no way of returning in the darkness but by dim paths or traces, some of which had been first formed by tlie tread of wild beasts. To obviate this difficulty they «ould procure fagots made of bark from the trees or splinters made fine and rendered highly combustible; these would be fired up on starting home, and in every direction they might be seen like so many meteors, bounding amid the thick forest and gilding the foliage of the loftiest trees, while the air would often be made vocal with their songs of rejoicing and praise.

Bishop McKendree, in one of his letters, speaks of a meeting at Mr. Gatch's house in June, 1802, which some women walked thirty miles to attend. A powerful revival occurred at this meeting. Another remarkable service was held in 1805, under an awning in front of Mr. Gatch's cabin, by Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat, and their travelling companion, the Rev. J. Crofford. When each of these had preached at the same service, it was insisted by Bishop Asbury that Mr. Gatch should preach also, which made four sermons in succession. And yet, says Mr. Gatch, "so precious was the word of the Lord in those days that the congregation evinced no uneasiness, but paid the greatest attention to all the discourses." He elsewhere writes : "The first circuit that was formed here extended over a tract of country from the Ohio up the Miami rivers to Mad river, and the labors of the preachers who travelled it were great. Now [1827] there are seven circuits within the bounds of the first one." The quarterly meetings were held commonly at the house of Mr. Gatch, when his patient, devoted wife would have to provide for the entertainment of fifty to one hundred persons.

Aaron Hopper, fruit and produce commission merchant, Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of Anderson township. His father, Abraham, settling in the centre precinct of that town about the year 1812, having moved from New Jersey to that place, he carried on blacksmithing for about twenty years, but finally purchased four or five hundred acres of land, and farmed quite extensively before he died, which was about the year 1867. His wife died in 1861. They raised a family of twelve children, five of whom are still living, near Mount Washington. Aaron Hopper was born in 1820; was raised a farmer, receiving such education as the winter schools of his day afforded. He began the produce business some fifteen years ago on a small scale, more, however, for the express purpose of disposing of the products of his own farm than as a general business. For this work the winter seasons were the time, the summer time being spent on the farm ; but as years advanced experience in the business was gained, and now the store-room is kept open during the twelve months in each year. In 1875, Mr. Hopper was elected county commissioner, which position he held until 1878. As one of the custodians of the county he manifested considerable interest in its welfare during his stay in office, and, notwithstanding the bribes by the hatful that were offered him, is proud of his clear record when he retired. He has filled other positions of trust, having been in officefor fully twenty years, as township trustee or clerk, etc.

Abraham Hopper, salesman in a commission house on Sixth street, was born in 1825; has his residence near Mount Washington, where he owns a valuable farm, and was married to a Miss Johnson, of that vicinity.

J. R. Silvers, of Anderson township, book-keeper for the Cincinnati Grange supply house. Third street, Cincinnati, was born April 2, 1857; completed his education in Lebanon, Ohio, and in Bryant and Stratton's commercial college. He was raised a farmer, but after teaching school six years, became shipping clerk for a fruit house on Sixth street, and afterwards for the Grange supply house. He was married in 1877 to Miss Emma Johnson, of Mount Carmel, Clermont county, Ohio, and has two children. His grandfather, John Silvers, came to Anderson township in an early day from New Jersey. His wife was Catharine Springer, relation of Jacob Springer, the wealthy citizen of Wilmington, Delaware. Of the six children raised, Joseph E., J. R. Silver's father, born tenth of March, 1825, was the fourth child, and a well-known citizen of Anderson township. He was married to Sarah Hawkins, of the same place, in 1850, by whom he had seven children - the subject of this sketch being the second child.

Moses S. Shaw, formerly a teacher but now a prosperous farmer residing in California, is one of the best known men in Anderson township. Intelligent and humorous, he counts his many friends all over the eastern part of Hamilton county. Mr. Shaw has always taken an active interest in school affairs, and by his hilarious good nature has done much to keep down the political animosities of old Anderson. Mrs. Shaw, an estimable woman, is the granddaughter of Ignatius and Antoinette Ross, old settlers at Columbia in the early days. The graves of these old pioneers may be seen on a beautiful knoll near the Ohio, in eastern California. They died, the wife in 1827 and the husband in 1829. It is related by one of the old folks, that once upon a time Mrs. Ross was engaged boiling maple syrup, on what is now the town site of California, when, during momentary absence, the Indians stole the syrup and broke the kettles. At another time, when the Indians were threatening an attack, Mrs. Ross buried the family treasures, gold and silver, in an old kettle. It was never taken up, and is yet to be plowed out by some astonished farmer.

Aaron Hopper lives near Mt. Washingtoil, and owns the splendid farm known as "Fruit Hill." He was born in Anderson township in 1818; was county commissioner in 1875-76-77; and has served near thirty years in township otifices as trustee and on the board of education. His father, Abram Hopper, came from New Jersey to Anderson in 181 2, and with Morris Sharp and James Stagg bought large tracts of land in 1814. Mr. Hopper is a public-spirited man, doing much for the comfort, good name and happiness of the neighborhood. He is also engaged as fruit dealer and produce merchant in Cincinnati.

Dr. W. W. Highlands, of Newtown, was born in Columbia township, and came to Anderson in 1849. He was a surgeon in the late war. The doctor is an intelligent and estimable gentleman who has practiced about thirty years in Anderson township. He has served many years in the board of education at Newtown, and is now superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sundayschool.

F. W. Boye, of Mount Washington and of the firm of A. A. Colter & Co., wholesale and retail grocers, of Main and Sixth streets, was born in Hanover, Germany, in the year 1833. In 1849 his lather, with his family, emigrated to America, and came directly to Marietta, Ohio, where he run a mill, also carried on farming, but F. P. Boye found a situation in a store, where he obtained his first ideas of carrying on business. In 1857 he came to Cincinnati and kept the books for B. P. Baker & Co., corner Walnut and Columbia streets, and afterwards for Mill & Kline, No. 56 Main street, and in 1862 came here, and in 1863 became a member of the firm. In 1863 he married Miss Sallie Colter, sister of A. A. Colter, the wellknown grocer. He resides in Mount Washington in an elegant, substantial homestead of that place.

Cyrus Broadwell was born May 9, i8or, in Anderson township. He spent part of his life in the south, from 1825 till 1830. He and his brother Jacob opened the first boat-store in Cincinnati, at the corner of Sycamore and Front streets, where they succeeded in building up a flourishing business, which continued until the death of Jacob, in 1840. Cyrus then retired to his farm, near Newtown, where he resided until his death, March 31, 1879. His generosity for all religious and charitable purposes is well known.

Carvil Hawkins, one of the oldest citizens of the township, was born in what is now Cincinnati, but was then outside of the corporation, June 24, 1813, and married Achy Shinn March 24, 1833. Mrs. Hawkins was born May 26, 1815. His mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five. Mr. Hawkins began life as a poor orphan boy, his father dying before he was born. He worked on the Little Miami bottoms when thirteen years old for eighteen and three-fourths cents per day, and is now one of the solid men in Anderson, owning two hundred and fifty acres of good, tillable land, and more than half a dozen dwelling houses. His entire life has been spent in the pursuits of industry, buying timbered farms, having the trees burnt into charcoal, and hauling it to Cincinnati, trading in all kinds of merchandise, and all the while engaged in farming. A great portion of his wealth was made in the thirteen years he was engaged in coal dealing. He is one of the men who have grown from childhood to old age in this county. He saw Cincinnati in its infancy, the first locomotive which entered the city, and Main and Sycamore streets when but a long row of stumps, and a rough bluff was at their foot, and when there were but si.x houses between Deer creek and the Little Miami river. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, are known and admired throughout the county for their Christian charity, and esteemed for their interest in all philanthropic endeavors.

Leonard Armstrong Webb was born February 7, 1826, on the island north of Newtown, and married May 16, 1846, Penthesilea Frost, in Harrison township, threefourths of a mile west of the old Lee's Creek Baptist church in this county. By this union three daughters have been born - Gertrude, Adelaide, and Martha Vanelia. Mr. Webb is grandparent of one child. Educationally, he dwelt altogether in our common schools. Religiously, he has been a member of the Regular Baptist church forty-one years. His father came from Monmouth county. New Jersey, in 1793. His mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Frost, came from Berkeley county, Virginia, at the same date, from Bunker Hill, a little town situated between Martinsburgh and Winchester. Mr. Webb owns a well-arranged farm of one hundred and seventeen acres, and according to good authority his dwelling occupies the highest point in the county.

Charles Johnson was born in Anderson township, December II, 1819, and married Rebecca Corbly October 17, 1 84 1. He is the father of five sons, four of whom are living. He is of Scotch extraction on his father's side, who came from Pennsylvania in 1790, and settled in this county. His mother is of Yankee descent, was Anna Bridges in her maiden days, and was the first white child who crossed over into Anderson township and settled permanently with her parents. Mrs. Johnson is of German origin on the line of her father, and from her mother received English blood. By trade Mr. Johnson is a carpenter, but is now particularly engaged in farming and fruit-growing. He is one of those men who obtained his knowledge outside of colleges and academies, but has that rare culture which comes from experience. During the early years of the war he raised a company of volunteers, was elected captain, and served with his men in the Seventieth Ohio regiment for three years. Among the township offices he held are such as justice, school director, and other positions, which show the estimation-. in which he is looked upon by the people.

Richard Ayres was born March 17, 18 17, in the southeast corner of Anderson township, in sub-school-district No. 3, and married December 27, 1842, Matilda Archer, of Clermont county. He is father of eight children - five sons and three daughters - two dead. Mr. Ayres during his entire life has been engaged in farming, but dealing a good deal in real estate. He began with seventy-live acres to which he fell heir by his father's death, (the latter came from Maine in 1800), and ended with seven hundred and twelve acres. Mr. Ayres' father was a ship carpenter, the son of a Hollander. His mother was Priscilla Durham, born in Hamilton county, but was of English extraction. Her mother came from Maryland. He has been an important influence in the common schools, and has taken an active part in religious matters, giving donations liberally. He has also always interested himself in turnpike building.

Abner Gerard Hahn, born in Newtown May 9, 181 2, was married December 23, 1838, to Lucinda Barrow. By trade Mr. Hahn is a blacksmith, in which business he continued for twenty years. In 1836 he was a tradesman in Cincinnati, but since that time has been employed mainly in farming at Newtown. About 1844-5 he was one of the trustees of Anderson township, and at several other times has held two or three minor offices. His entire life has been spent in the vicinity of his birthplace, making him one of the very oldest residents. His descendants will not feel ashamed of their ancestor.

John J., the father of William Ferris, came from Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1812, and settled at Linwood, where he lived until his death in 1857. Mr. Ferris is among the first families, and has often filled public offices. Hope M. Brown, father of Mrs. Ferris, was a practitioner of medicine at Newtown for forty years, receiving a diploma from the Miami Medical college. On the side of the husband farming has prevailed, while Mrs. Ferris' people have followed medicine.

William Meldrum Ferris, the subject of this sketch, was born at Lin wood October 19, 1832, and married Sarah A. Brown May 22, i86r, by whom two children have been born, both girls. Mr. Ferris' life has been spent on a farm from early childhood, except two years as a student at Farmers' college. He is now employed in surveying, engineering and improving real estate. He ceased to farm in 1868. Linwood, jjrincipally through his efforts, has been made what it is, he being one of the first who realized profits from the sale of lots.

Abram Bogart was born December 25, 18 12, in New Jersey, twenty miles from New York, in Bergen county, and came to Anderson township in 1814. There he has remained ever since. He married Patsy Bridges September 22, 1836, and is father of eight children, all of whom are living, and all married. He has been a farmer from boyhood. He saw Cincinnati when forest trees stood on Fourth and Fifth streets, and saw the high water of 1832 on Pearl street. He played in a locust grove on the beach of Cincinnati on what was called Western Row, now Central avenue. Mrs. Bogart was educated in a log school-house, with greased paper window panes. Her father came from New England and her mother from Virginia. John Bridges, her grandfather, was the first white man who built a house in Anderson. Both have been members of a Christian church for more than forty years. He has divided his property among his children, and now lives retired, but is superintendent of the Clough turnpike. He is respected by everybody.

Gano Martin was born February 4, 181 1, and has been married three times - first to Elizabeth A. Curry, by whom six children were born, two of whom are living, one son and one daughter. Mrs. E. A. Martin died October 31, 1 85 1. Second, to Mrs. Elizabeth Hulick, whose maiden name was Nash, April 29, 1852. By this marriage three sons were born, all of whom still live, the eldest being married. Mrs. Martin died June 20, 1865. Third, to Rachel Highlands, April 5, 1866. Educationally, he received his instruction in an old hickory log school house; religiously, his family from the beginning devoted themselves to the Baptist church. Mr. Martin joined this denomination in 1844, and was elected deacon in 1846, which office he yet holds. In politics he has always served his country first. He was paymaster under the old regimental system for six years; has been a school director for twenty odd years; during the Rebellion was township trustee, and one of those who forced the payment of the township loan of fifteen thousand dollars for war purposes to be paid at one taxation. In the Eastern railway he granted the right of way through most of his farm, and took shares in the capital stock. In 1879 he received a stroke of paralysis, from which he is still a sufferer. But, all in all, he will leave behind him an honorable record.

The father of C. C. Johnson was Jeptha Johnson. His mother's maiden name was Martha Estell, her native State, New Jersey. His father was born in Virginia. His wife's father, Abraham Hopper, was a native of New Jersey. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Conklin, a native of Ohio, born in this county. Christopher C. Johnson was born December 8, 1837; his wife, Joanna F. Johnson, April 17, 1843. They were married October 5, 1865. Their son, Ogden E. Johnson, was born December 10, 1867. October 16, 1874, was the birthday of their daughter, Carrie E. Johnson. All of the family were born in this county, and still reside here. Mr. Johnson followed the occupation of teacher in the common schools of Anderson township for ten years, and since 1868 has been engaged in farming.

John D. Moore, born in 1836 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Came to Cincinnati in 1838; learned the shoe business in early life with E. G. Webster & Company. Remained in the shoe business until 1865 - the preceding ten years being on Central avenue near Sixth street. Retired to a suburban life at Madeira. Not being suited to an inactive life he drifted into the real estate and building interest, being instrumental in subdividing and building the principal part of the town of Madeira, and engaged in improving his vacant property in Cincinnati. At present and for a number of years superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school at Madeira. Elected member of the board of education for three terms. Married to Miss Rachel Mann, of Indian Hill, now Madeira, in 1858, daughter of Joseph B. and Catharine Mann. Both of their parents, John Mann and wife and Jacob Hetzler and wife, settled here in the last century.

Major J. B. Mann was born in 1804, and died in i860 on the same tract of land his parents settled upon. Catharine Hetzler, his wife, was born in 1801, near by, and died on the same tract of land in 1875 - "°^ ^^^ residence of J. D. Moore. Major J. B. Mann was a successful farmer and business man; a public spirited citizen; a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Indian Hill; and is holding positions of trust in the community.

Charles S. Muchmore, an enterprising and well-to-do farmer near Madisonville, was born in Hamilton county in 1 83 1. His grandfather removed from New Jersey to Madisonville about the year 1800. His father, David Muchmore, about the year 1820, married Miss Sarah Stites, niece of Judge Symmes and daughter of Benjamin Stites. David was born in 1777; his wife was born in 1776. They reared a family of six children, Charles being the only son now living. He was reared on the farm, in which business he has been careful and very successful, and is, in matters of an agricultural character, regarded by his fellows as authority. He was married to Miss Alvira Leonard January 14, 1855, daughter of a wellknown and prominent citizen of Hamilton county. Mr. Muchmore has been a member of the board of education of the Madisonville schools for the past fourteen years.

William Davis Mundell

William Davis Mundeil, of the firm of Short & Mundell. wholesale and retail grocers and produce dealers, 102 East Pearl street, was born near Mt. Washington, Anderson township, September 17, 1825. Jonathan Mundell, his grandfather, was one of the original settlers of the county; he came from Virginia to Ohio before the day log school-houses were erected, it being necessary then for the young philomatheans to assemble in squads at some convenient place and by mutual consent teach one another. Mr. Mundell was a gunsmith, a man of some genius, and one who could render service to his fellows in the early pioneer days. He settled with his family, consisting of himself, wife and five children, near Mt. Washington about the year 1795. Some pear trees planted by him soon after his arrival are still standing. He died about the year 1830. James Mundell, his son, and father of William Davis Mundell, was about two years of age when his father moved on this farm; he was reared a farmer, possessed no educational advantages, his time being taken up in tilling the land and warding off the hostile Indians, who were sometimes troublesome. In 1812 he served in the war, and received an honorable discharge fiom the ser\ice when it ended In 1815 he was married to Miss Marj McM-ihon daughter of Francis and Mary McMahon, pioneer set tiers of Columbi I town ship. The old log house, her birthplace, which wis then occupied by her par ents, is still standmg - weatherboarded a relic and tenement of the early days of Colum bia. Mrs. Myndell was the mother ol eleven chil dren, eight boys ind three girls, ten of whom li\ed to man and womanhood - Mary, Cathi drew, Hugh Davis, Jacksoi R., Martha A. and Oscar C. large a family, the duties incumbent upon her were truly irksome, but she was blessed with moie than ordinary will -md courage, and ha\ing that large hope tic of the pioneer parents, did not become, wuh all her hardships, disheart ened with her lot The religion of Christ was her support in ever) tr\incc hour, and her childit once a charge and sponsibility, li\ed t i her comfort, and to ch her declining years ! dying hour.

in wait three weeks organizing a force of forty wagons of six horses each. At Fort Kearney the company disbanded, seven teams proceeding along the northern Pacific route via of Fort Laramie to the Humboldt river, from which place the original six from Mt. Washington, after throwing away their wagon, and finally alone, proceeded, crossing the desert on packnd reaching Car- I laid in a supply - : dollars. At

Mundell and his broth horses, a distanct; of forty miles, going over in the nigh son river In the morning - Sunday - where they rested and also of provisions, paying for six pounds of flour the snug sum of n Sacramento City they sold their stock and footed it up into the gion on a mining expedition, but got sick and soon returned advised a trip on the sea as necessary to a speedy return to he. cordingly set themselves adrift in a sail vessel on the Pacific oce, becalmed for three weeks, and being disgusted with such slow brothers, upon putting in at Acapulco, went aboard a steamer, reaching Panama in December, 1850, after being on the water twenty-seven days. They crossed the isthmus to Shager's river on mules, paying forty dollars for their transit. At this point they took canoes to the mouth of the river, where, in company with about sixty others, they set sail in the schooner Thorne for New Orleans. The Mundell brothers had already experienced sore disappointments in their trip west, but the trying ordeal was yet to come. The little vessel when fairly out at sea encountered one of those tremendous and tempestuous storms, and for three days and nights was driven like a feather in a gale, and turned up finally on a coral island in the Carribean sea. The captain had lost his reckoning and the vessel had been driven far out of its course and among the many dangerous coral reefs with which these waters are filled. At first, upon the stranding of the vessel, the captain supposed the bark would go to pieces in half an hour and ordered the mate to scuttle the fresh water baths, but he disobeyed orders, and this probably saved the lives of the crew as the ship was resting with one side on the reef in about four feet of water, the depth ofv place of worship; little child, she wont to with her paren religious servic days it was t and necessity to goarmed, and her fatherahvays took with him his faithful rifle and stood sentinel at the door or house with others, to guard against the approach of hostile Indians, while the minister, old

Mrs. Mundell was born in Columbia township, Hamilton county, Ohio, April 25t.i7?7; was married in 1813; joined the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem, Ohio, in 1840; and died at the residence of her son, Hugh Mundell, Clermont county, Ohio, January 27, 1874, aged seventy-seven years. James Mundell died about the year 1853. William Davis Mundell was reared on the farm near Mt. Washington. He attended school in a log house in the Salem neighborhood a few weeks or months each winter, and frequendy religious worship at the same place on Sundays - the same house being used for both purposes. In the year 1843 he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Joseph Hime to learn the blacksmith trade, and was to receive about thirty dollars a year for three years for his services. The full time was served, with the exception of the last three months, which he bought off from his employer that the might attend school, feeling the need of a better education. The instruction received during these three months proved to be of incalculable benefit to him in after years. He afterwards opened up a shop in Mt. Washington, being the first blacksmith of that place. In 1850 Mr. Mundell and his brother Hugh organized a company, of six persons in all, from Mt. Washington, to cross the plains for California. The wagon for the trip was made by Mr. Mundell and Davis Whippy (one of the company), and was so constructed that it could be used as a boat when crossing rivers. They left Cincinnati for St. Joseph, Missouri, March 25, 1850, by steamer, and at that place lay now cast for occupancy in the long-boat, there being but the one and that only large enough to hold si.v or eight persons, and these were to be taken to a little barren egg-shaped island full fifteen miles off before it could be returned for another load. The Mundell brothers were by lots cast destined to wait till the last ones. Everything shadowed forth a precarious condition, and in an act of desperation they tore offloose boards from the side of the vessel with which they constructed a scow, hastily built but large enough to accommodate about fifteen, and in this frail structure they reached the island. The crew were all saved; provisions and water at the rate of one-quarter rations were divided among them. The captain upon taking his reckoning found that they were about one hundred miles from Old Town(?) (Balize), Honduras, and that it would take at least eight days to go for rescue and return. But the time from the stranding of the vessel (2 o'clock in the morning) until their rescue was about fifteen days, but deliverance carried them to Balize, from which place they sailed in a few days for New Orleans. Their stay on the barren island was attended with other dangers than those of abandonment and desolation. They were on one-fourth rations and water, and in a feverish and, to them, overheated, torrid clime, but fortune favored them with one or two showers, and the tents being up the rain-drops were collected and carefully saved. The island furnished the iguana, a species of lizard, and the couch which were of great use to them for food. At New Orleans Mr. Mundell and his brother took a steamer for Cincinnati, but, to make the circuit of accidents complete, we are in truth bound to say that the vessel was snagged in the river. But despite ill fortune they reached home about March i, 1851, and Mr. Mundell again resumed work at his trade. In 1852 he married Miss Pattie C. Corbley, and has since lived in Mt. Washington. During the war he served as a recruiting officer for some time, and during the Kirby Smith raid was made captain by the unanimous voice of the company, but was immediately afterwards put in charge of the regiment as colonel.

mere lad. He walked in the funeral procession of George Washington in 1799, and afterwards in that of Alexander Hamilton. Has passed through all the presidential campaigns from Washington to that of Garfield. Came to Cincinnati at an early day; was one of the original members of the Pioneer association and possessing more than ordinary powers of mind. Has passed through many and varied experiences of life since that time, having always taken an active part in matters of public concern, and has always been considered a very prominent man. He lives to-day a great-grandfather and possesses more than mere ordinary faculties of mind and body.

Charley B. Lewis, proprietor of bakery and lunchroom, 193 West Sixth street, came from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Cincinnati in the year 1861. His father, Thomas C. Lewis, now living, owned the rolling mills of that place, the only ones then west of Pittsburgh, in which mills Charley learned the business of machinist. The property is now owned by his brother-inJaw, George Baylis, who is probably one of the wealthiest men of the State. Mr. Lewis was for three years after coming to Cincinnati a driver of a bakery wagon, for which he received one dollar a day. From this he was promoted to a clerkship, and in 1866 bought out the entire business, since which time he has owned it himself. He also owns the building No. 206.

Mill Creek

Rev. Jerome Kilgersteen, in charge of St. Aloysius Orphan asylum, was born in Cincinnati February 22, 1847, his parents being early settlers of this city. Our subject graduated from the St. Francis college in June, 1863, and was ordained in 1870. His first charge was to St. George, of Corryville; thence to St. Stephen, of Hamilton, Ohio. From there he came to his present appointment, which he has been filling very faithfully since.

John Henry Dahman, superintendent of the German Protestant cemetery, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 27, 1836. He came to the United States and landed in New Orleans in 1853, coming direct to Cincinnati. He was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisted in the Second Missouri cavalry, company C, where he served for four years and nine days, being mustered out as sergeant of company C. He did good service, and was honorably mustered out. He then returned to Cincinnati, where he has remained since. In February, 1879, he was appointed superintendent of the cemetery, in which position he is giving entire satisfaction, gaining the good-will of all. He has made a good many improvements in the cemetery, and it is to-day one of the handsomest and neatest cemeteries.