Berlin Township

Berlin Township

father, Abraham, was born in Luzerne Co. Penn., and died at the age of 73 ; his mother was a daughter of a Mr. Dixon, of Pennsylvania ; they had nine children. The son, G. W., remained with his parents until married ; he helped to build the first schoolhouse in Genoa Township ; was put up without nails ; he can well remember the slab seats and greased-paper windows ; his sister taught in an early day at 75 cents per week. Mr. Wells married, Feb. 2, 1833, Margaret, a daughter of John Williams, of Virginia ; she was born in September, 1 809 ; they lived on the old homestead until 1868, at which time they bought property in Delaware City, where they moved for the purpose of educating their younger son ; they returned to Galena in 1869 ; he has been engaged in the stock business for thirty years ; also in grain and flax seed ; he shipped during one fall thirtysix car loads of flax-seed from Lewis Center ; in August, 1878, he entered a partnership with Dr. Utley in the general drug business, at Galena, which he still continues ; the business is managed by Dr. Utley and Charles, the son of Mr. Wells ; he has had seven children, four living - Clark (now in Missouri, and is a farmer ; was in the war), James (living at home with his father, and married Lucy, a daughter of W. H. Allen, deceased), Nathaniel (is in Columbus, Ohio, and is engaged in the organ and sewing-machine business), Mary (married Dr. Utley, she died June 1, 1878). Mr. Wells has served as Justice of the Peace in Genoa Township eighteen years, and of Berkshire three years ; and has held the offices of Treasurer and Trustee of Township for years ; has also been Notary Public and followed auctioneering for twenty-five years. He and his wife have been connected with the M. B. Church for thirty years ; he is a member of the Sparrow Lodge, No. 400, A., F. & A. M., and Chapter of Delaware ; also of the Galena Lodge, No. 404, I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Wells has made rails at |5 per 1,000 ; cut three-foot wood at 25 cents per cord, mowed grass at 5(( cents per day, cradled wheat for$l per day ; he has watched deer-licks at night and killed many of the animals ; has built pens to keep the wolves away from their stock ; when he settled with his father in Genoa Township, their first night was spent in a roofless cabin, and when they awoke in the morning they found three inches of snow on their beds ; his father made a loom for a man and received in pay a fatted hog. MRS. SARAH WIGTON, farmer; P. 0. Berkshire ; is a daughter of James and Catharine (Slack) Chadwick ; her father was born in London, Eng., and emigrated to America when a young man. Mrs. Wigton is one of ten children, and was born Aug. 27, 1833, in Oxford Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, where she remained until 1857. She was married, June 23, 1852, to William A. Wigton; he was born March 4, 1828; they farmed in Oxford Township until 1857, when they bought 156 acres in partnership with his father, one of the old pioneers of Delaware Co., who died Aug. 1, 1879, at the ripe old age of 99. Mrs. Wigton's husband died April 18, 1873 ; they had seven children, five of whom are living - Charles D., married Nov. 4, 1879, to Rose E. Loren, a daughter of J. Loren ; Ella E., Emma A., William Perry, Frankie A., Eugene (deceased in 1855) and Mary I. (deceased in 1861). She is a member of the M. E. Church, at Berkshire Corners ; Charles is also of the same denomination, at Sunbury. They now own 176 acres of well-improved lancj in Berkshire Township.

WILLIAM BEARDSLEB, farmer; P. 0. Constantia ; born in Bradford Co., Penn., April 1, 1827 ; the son of Tolman and Mahala (Knapp) Beardslee. The mother was born in Bradford Co., Penn., ,and her husband in Connecticut. William is the seventh of a family of thirteen children, all of whom lived to maturity. The family emigrated in 1839, locating at first in Dublin, Franklin Co.; after one year, they moved to

Orange Township, this county, where they lived .three years; then to Genoa, and after a sojourn of two years, removed to Orange Township ; after one year's residence there, they went to Berlin, residing eight years ; thence to Orange again, residing six years ; then returning to Berlin, where they have since remained. When Mr. Beardslee was 19 years old his father died ; he lived with his mother until she married. At the age of 22, he bought forty-eight acres of land in the southern part of Berlin, for which he was to pay $8 per acre ; he ran in debt for the entire amount ; cleared up part of the land and soon paid for it. In his 26th year, he was married to Mary E. Thompson; born in 1831 in Trumbull Co.; daughter of John and Lucy (Leonard) Thompson, natives of Massachusetts. In March, 1864, they located on the farm where they now live, east side of Berlin Township ; he has 144 acres of land ; when he began in life, he was without a dollar, but owed $10, instead, for a suit of clothes ; yet, from this beginning, is to-day one of the wellto-do farmers and self-made men. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church ; they have had nine children - Andrew (deceased), Isadore, now wife of A. H. Osborne, of Berlin Station, Darwin, RUey, Walter, Lucy, AUeward, Emma and Ancil.

WILLIAM F. GARNS, farmer; P. 0. Berkshire; was born April 13, 1844, in what is now Morrow Co.; the son of William Cams, a native of York Co.', Penn., who emigrated to this State with his parents when he was 3 years of age ; his minority was spent in Guernsey and Belmont Counties; in the spring of 1845, he moved to this county, settled in Porter Township, and died in 1876. William's mother's name was Jane Harris before marriage ; she was born in Virginia, and came to this State when she was 15 years of age, and was married to Mr. Cams in Morrow Co. Mr. Cams' grandfather was in the Revolutionary war, was taken prisoner at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was one of three of his company who survived. His father was a participant in the war of 1812. Aug. 6, 1862, Mr. Cams volunteered his services in the war of the rebellion, in Co. G, 96th 0. V. I., and served until the close ; he was in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Coteau, Sabine X Roads and Fort Morgan. March 4, 1869, he married Nancy Hopkins, born in 1848 in Porter Township, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Hopkins, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio ; Mr. and Mrs. Cams moved to this township in 18,72. He has 119 acres of land ; both are members of the M. E. Church ; he is a member of Sunbury Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 400.

C. RIPLEY CAULKINS, farmer ; P. 0. Constantia; born Dee. 25, 1822; the sixth child of a family of eight, of Lovell and Jerusha (Smith) Caulkins, who were among the prominent families of Connecticut. The elder Caulkins came out in 1809, returned to Connecticut on foot, and came out afterward with several families, and located permanently; he was in the war of 1812 ; a carpenter by occupation, and assisted in building the residence of Bishop Chase, the uncle of Salmon P. Ripley is a cousin of the noted Gen. Ripley, of Confederate fame. In the early part of Mr. Caulkins' life he was engaged in teaching ; he has quite a reputj,tion as teacher of penmanship, having at one time 500 scholars under his care ; was for several years in the (fine) stock business with parties in Kentucky ; traded also in mules ; was two years in business at Lewis Center, in the grocery and grain trade ; since that time has been engaged in farming and stock-raising; in 1848 was united in marriage to Catharine Thompson, born in Franklin Co. ; she died in 1865, leaving six children - Henry E., Edwin C, Abein, Mary G., Charles L. and Orril; he was marrie^ a second time to Mrs. Sarah Standish (maiden name was Preston) ; they have one child, Josie. Mr. Caulkins, during the war, was appointed as enrolling and recruiting officer ; was out in the three-months service as 2d Lieutenant Co. H, 145th 0. N. G. ; his grandfather was in the battles of Bunker Hill apd Monmouth, and had two of his comrades shot down at either side. Mr. Caulkins has a set of stone bullet-molds used by his grandfather at that battle. They have 132J acres of land.

JONATHAN DUNHAM, Alum Creek ; is a representative of one of the early settlers, and has been a resident of the county since his birth, 65 years ; was born in Berkshire Township Nov. 4, 1815, and is a descendent of Puritan stock. His father, Jonathan Dunham, was born in 1783, in Northampton, Conn., and married Lydia Butler and moved to this county in 1807, subseqi:^ntly to Berkshire, where he died in September, 1858 ; his mother April 13, 1869. Jonathan remained at home until he was 25 years of age, when he married Elizabeth'Hardin, born in Pennsylvania in 1823 ; came here with her parents when a child ; after their marriage, they lived several years on the homestead, and, about the year 1855, came to this township and located on the pike, where they have since lived on his farm ; they have had ten children, all living - Avis, now Mrs. Davenport ; Linn M. and Laurens R. (twins) ; Ampudia A., Hamer, Silas P., Err H., Ernestine, Elizabeth and Alice. Mr. Dunham is now serving his third term as Justice of the Peace ; was recently elected Land Appraiser. He is a man that is well read

WILLIAM H. DUCKWORTH, Lewis Center; was born in Harlem Feb. 22, 1840 ; son of James and Rebecca (McClara) Duckworth, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter from Licking Co., Ohio ; they located in Harlem, where they still reside. William received good school advantages, completing the same at Central College ; began teaching at 16, which he has continued at intervals up to the present time, having taught in all forty- four terms ; was two years in Columbus in charge of one of the wards in the insane asylum ; also some time in the employ of one of the prominent publishing houses as general agent, introducing school-books. Nov. 8, 1863, was united by 'marriage to Miss Vinnie Brighton, born in April, 1846, in Shelby Co., 111., daughter of James and Rebecca (McClara) Brighton ; natives of New York ; in 1865, Mr. Duckworth moved to Union. Co., remained until 1874, where he was engaged in teaching and farming ; since that time, he has been a resident of this township ; has 100 acres of land, which is under first-class improvements ; has two children - Minnie R. , horn July 20, 1866 ; James, Oct. 11, 1870. Mr. Duckworth is Democratic ; has served as Township Trustee, and was a candidate for County Commissioner and was only beaten by a small majority, the county giving a Republican majority. He and wife are members' of the Christian Union ; is a man, generous and social in his nature, a liberal patron of the public journals, and well posted on the issues of the day.

JACOB EKELBBRRY, farmer; P. 0. Alum Creek ; was born in this county Sept. 13, 1841, the youngest child of Jacob Ekelberry, and a namesake of his father's ; he was raised -up under the care of his parents, and in December, 1863, he was united in marriage to Maria E. Redman, born in Brown Township ; since their marriage, they have resided in the northern part of Berlin ; he has 255 acres of land - sixty-seven acres in Berlin, and the remainder in Brown. Mr. Ekelberry has served as Township Trustee four terms ; is a member of the Grange, and the Order of Red Men, Lodge No. 95. Has three children - Stephen, Joanna and Bertha. .

MRS. MARTHA C. GEARY, Constantia; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 15, 1807, daughter of John Cochran, who married Martha Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania. The Cochrans are descended from Lord Cochran, of

Scotland. John Cochran was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; came to this State, locating in Knox Co., afterward bought land and improved the same ; remained there until his death, which occurred in 1846. Mrs. Geary was married to William Geary (cousin of General and afterward Gov. Geary, of Pennsylvania) ; their marriage occurred April 1, 1830 ; after its consummation, they moved to Brown Township, in this county, remaining there about twenty years ; he died April 14, 1869 ; they had seven children - Mary at home; John and William in Buffalo, stock-dealers ; Frances E. (deceased) ; Joseph T. (deceased) was an M. D.; Samuel D., in Mattoon, 111.; Tina E., clerk in Delaware. Mrs. Geary is a sister of S. D. Cochran, professor of languages, and a prominent minister in Missouri ; has recently written an able work on theology. Mrs. Geary purposes leaving the farm and moving to Delaware.

EDWARD JACOBUS (deceased) ; was one among the prominent and successful farmers in this county, who was born May 22, 1821, in Essex Co., N. J., and emigrated to this State when he was 17 years of age ; his parents settled in Trenton Township June 7, 1842. He was married to Mary C. Condit, who was born in Essex Co., N. J., daughter of Joseph and S. Condit, the former a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Jacobus and wife remained in Trenton where he was engaged in farming; in 1864, they moved to Shelby Co., 111., but the climate not being satisfactory, they remained but one season, and returned to Delaware Co., locating in the northern part of Berlin on the pike; his death occurred Dec. 24, 1879; he begun life poor, yet was a very succcessful farmer ; had accumulated at the time of his death, about 600 acres of land, which was clear of any incumbrance ; they have had nine children, eight living, all married but one, and doing for themselves. Mr. Jacobus and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church ; Mrs. Jacobus resides on the homestead with her son Charles.

M. T. JANES, farmer; >P. 0. Constantia; started West in the spring of 1833, a lad of 19 years of age, with his earthly possessions encased in a pocket-handkerchief; wended his way on foot from Franklin Co., Vt.,to Pittsfield, Mass., where he took the stage to Albany ; then by canal, he came to Buffalo, and by lake to Cleveland, and by stage again to Sunbury ; he was born March 15, 1814, in the county and State from which he made his start West, the son of Elijah and Anna (Baker) Janes, Nov. 14, 1833 ; same year of his arrival in Sunbury, he was married to Marcia Caulkins, who was born in Berlin Oct. 9, 1812, the fourth child of Lovel Caulkins ; after their marriage, they located on Alum Creek, in Berlin. In 1837, they made a visit to Vermont, where they remained until 1840; while there, Mr. Janes was drafted in the Canada rebellion, and afterward, at the hands of Abraham Lincoln, received a land' warrant in consideration for his services ; after their return to this county in 1840, they located on the place Mr. Janes now owns, which he bought for $4 per acre - ^built him acabin and began work in earnest. They ha.ve had seven children, but five of whom are now living - Elbert, now of Knox Co.; Charles M., of Delaware; Alfred T., now practicing medicine at Pettis Co., 'Mo. ; George L. and Willie, in Delaware. Mr. Janes did his pa[rt in furnishing men to put down the rebellion - sent three sons, Elbert, AJfred and Lester, the two first were in the 43d 0. V. I., and served three years or more ; Lester was in the 100-day service. AH of his boys have left him and are doing for themselves. Mr. Janes has 107 acres of land, and is a well-todo, farmer. He is a stanch Kepublican, and one of Berlin's substantial citizens.

DANIEL B. JANES, farmer; P. 0. Constantia; was born Nov. 30, 1837, on the farm where he now lives, located.in the southeast part of Berlin, east of Alum Creek ; the son of Harry Janes, who was born on Grand Isle, Vt., in 1799 ; he started West with his parents in 1812, got as far as Massachusetts, and anticipating trouble with the Indians, they remained there three years, and arrived here in 1815 and settled on the west side of Alum Creek in Berlin Township ; Daniel's father was engaged in his early manhood in the manufacture of potash, and acquired enough means to enable him to enter 100 acres of land ; he built him a cabin. He married Alma Dickerman, sister of Benoni Dickerman, and came with the family in 1815 ; he remained on the place where he settled until his death, Feb. 14, 1865 ; his wife died the year following. Daniel was raised at the old homestead, and was married, Oct. 25, 1860, to Sarah Adams, born March 1, 1839, in Berkshire Township ; she was the daughter of Rev. Bartholomew and Helen (Van Nostrand) Adams, both natives of New York ; since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Janes, they have remained on the farm where they now live ; they have two children - Lurie A., born in November, 1864 ; Harry, May 17, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Janes are members of the Presbyterian Church ; he has 207 acres of land ;

Mr. Janes' great-grandmother was a convert under the preaching of George Whitefield (of John Wesley's time) ; she lived to the age of 103 years.

WILLIAM H. McWILLIAMS ; P. 0. Tanktown ; was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Deo. 29, 1839 ; son of Marshall and Clarissa (Smith j McWilliams, both natites of New Jersey ; they moved to this State when William was but 5 months old, and remained a short time in Genoa ; in March, 1841, came to Berlin, and located on the land now occupied by WiUiam, which, at the time, was unimproved, where the father died in 1876, after his return from the Centennial. He was a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. His widow still survives him. William enlisted- Aug. 12, 1862, in Co G, 45th 0. V. L, and served until the close of the war ; fourteen months of the .time, was in Confederate prisons at different points. March 26, 1868, was united by marriage to Prudence Mcintosh, born July 16, 1848, in Champaign Crf.; they have three xshildren - John S., born Feb. 13, 1869 ; William E., born May 2, 1871, and Emma G., born Nov. 23, 1878. Since remained on the homestead.

GEORGE NBILSON, farmer; P. 0. Delaware ; was born in Fairfield Co. Sept. 12, 1824; the fourth child of a family of ten children ; his father, John, was a native "of Luzerne Co., Penn., and came to this State in 1818, locating in Fairfield Co.; his father was a British soldier in the Revolutionary war ; deserting, he was pursued by hounds, and escaped to the American side. George's mother'^ name was Elizabeth Raudbaugh, from Berks Co., Penn.; came to this State in 1805. George remained in Fairfield Co. until 1826 ; his father moved to' Berkshire Township, and located ; he was a millwright by trade ; lived there until his death, in 1854 ; the family are of Scotch de- SGsnt ; George was raised on the farm until his 16th year, when he went to learn the trade of a brickmason. Oct. 26, 1847, he was married to Sarah Sharer, born May, 1829, in Maryland; daughter of George and Caroline (Sykes) Sharer, who were of Yankee descent ; they came to this State when she was 3 years of age ; after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Neilson settled in Delaware City, where he engaged at his trade up to 1854; then moved to the northern part of Berlin Township, on the pike, in which place has since remained ; he has 118 acres of excellent land, which has been brought to a high state of cultivation through his own efforts ; when he came here, it was entirely unimproved - "all woods;" his land is now underdrained, and, for the size, is one of the best farms in the county ; they have had five children, four living - Caroline, now the wife of H. Miller, of Troy Township, Wilmer G., Edward J. and Carper W., at home. Mr. Neilson was out in the late war ; served in Co. H, 145th 0. V. I. Has served the county in several official capacities ; was a member of the Agricultural Board for twenty years ; now a member of the Central Ohio Board ; also as Infirmary Directol' for nine years ; is also a zealous advocate of the Masonic Fraternity, being a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 18, and Delaware Chapter, No. 52. His father was a Jackson Democrat, but he has been identified with the Kepublican party, and is a strong temperance man.

ANDREW H. OSBURN, tile manufactory, Tanktown ; was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Dec. 8, 1851 ; the son of Henry and Mary Osburn, whose maiden name was Havens ; came to this county when he was about 1 year old, and located in this township, where he has since lived. Jan. 15, 1874, Mr. Osborn was married to Isadore Beardslee, eldest daughter of William Beardslee, of this township. Since he married, he had been engaged in farming, until March 24, 1879, when he associated with J. T. Cartnell, in the tile business, since dissolved. They have one one child - Anna Mary. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is now associated with Ancyl Stanforth, in the tile manufactory - the firm name of Osburn & Stanforth ; they are now prepared to make all sizes of tiles, from 2 J inches to 14, of superior quality, which they furnish at bottom prices to those who patronize them ; those who are in need of tile will find it to their advantage to call on this firm.

W. S. PIATT, farmer ; P.O. Tanktown ; born in Augusta Co., Va., Nov. 3,1818; the seventh son of James and Mary (Donahue) Piatt; on his father's side, his ancestry hail* from France, and his mother'.s, from Ireland ; William emigrated to this State when he was 10 years of age ; his parents located in Marlborough. William left home at the age of 15, and began for himself; commenced driving stage, which he followed for about ten years, in the employ of Othel "Hinton (stage agent) ; during the latter part of the time he was engaged in this business, he ran an opposition line against Neal, Moore & Co., and after a lively competition they were glad to buy him off. After a successful career in staging, he railroaded, as baggage-master, for three years, on the Mad

River & Lake Rrie Road. In 1840, he bought fifty acres of land, in Berlin Township, at $4 per acre ; moved on it in 1850, and began improvements; built a cabin, deer and turkey often visiting their primitive dwelling. Nov. 3, 1839, was married to Betsey Fowler, born March 12, 1820, in Winsor, N. Y., daughter of James B. and Polly (Clauson) Fowler ; they came to this State in 183? ; were twenty -six days upon the road. They have had five children - Phoebe L., George A., Francisco and Frank ^twins), and Charles W.,all living in this township but George, who is in McHenry Co., 111. Mr. Piatt has been successful in life ; began poor and has accumulated a good deal of property, and ranks among the most affluent in this part of the township. Mrs. Piatt's father first settled in Orange, and had a truly pioneer experience.

MRS. MARGARET ROLOSON ; P. 0. Tanktown ; was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., Feb. 16, 1814. Her father was born Feb. 4, 1763 ; her mother's maiden name was Catharine Kirk, born in August, 1769 ; both natives of Pennsylvania ; they emigrated to this State in 1817 ; located first in Berkshire, afterward moved to Berlin, where they died - the mother April 5, 1831, the father April 13, 1842. Mrs. Roloson was married in September, 1837, to Joseph Roloson, born April 20, 1800, in one of the Middle States; his father lived to the age of 102 years. Early in life, Joseph learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for many years ; he died in July, 1877, on the farm they located about the year 1852, and where Mrs. Roloson now lives. Five children were born to them - Simon, the eldest, lost his life in the battle of Gettysburg, as a member of the 4th 0. V. I., his term had nearly expired ; Henrietta, or " Nettie ; Lemuel, served one year in Co. G of the 96th 0. V. I., lost his health and was discharged, and died at Columbus while on his way home ; Louisa, now wife of W. H. Smith, of Kingston, and FideUa, at home. Nettie was the wife of Chauncey W. Smith, son of Rodney Smith ; C. W. was out in the 96th 0. V. I., Co. G, served until the close of the war, and was a true and valiant soldier ; he was taken prisoner at Atlanta July 22, 1864, and spent several months in rebel prisons, where his health was seriously impaired, which was the probable cause of his death - May 6, 1879 ; he kept a series of interesting accounts during his term of service. They were married August 30, 1865. During his life served as Township Clerk and other official stations, and was, at the time of his death, a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church, of which the family are all members. Mr. Roloson had been one of the Elders for twenty years. Mrs. Smith has 100 acres of land. UTLEY ROLOSON, farmer; P. 0. Alum Creek ; was born in the northeast cbrner of Berlin Township Deo. 30, 1826, in the same house where he now resides ; he is the fifth child of Nathaniel Roloson, who was a native of Essex Co., and emigrated to this State in the year 1816, remained in Kingston one year, and the year following came to Berlin. His wife's name was Phoebe Rosecrans, cousin of Gen. Rosecrans, of military fame ; he was a permanent resident of this county, with the exception of two years spent in Marion Co.; he died in 1877, and his wife in 1865. Utley, at the age of 21, launched out for himself, and the May following, was married to Griscilda Myres, born in Berlin Township May 26, 1829; she is a daughter of John Myres, of Harrison Co., Va.; her mother's maiden name was Grace Roush, a native of this State; after their marriage, they located on the place where he now lives. Mr. Roloson was out in the three-months service ; is a member of Co. H, 145th 0. N. G. They have had seven children - Arthur (deceased), Alvin (an artist), Stephen, Byron (law student), Grace, Elmer and Lester. Mr. Roloson has a good snug farm, well managed, and has acquired a competency for himself and family ; is a man of good information, and loyal to the principles of Republicanism.

GEORGE W. RIDGEWAY, Constantia ; ;was born in Putnam Co., N. Y., in October, 1823 ; a son of Isaac Ridgeway, who died when George was 7 years of age. The Ridgeways are of English descent ; three brothers came from England - one settled in New Jersey, one in Utica, and Isaac, the grandfather of George, after his return from the Revolutionary war, where he served eight years and one month, settled in Putnam Co. In the spring of 1836, George came out to this State, located in Berlin Township, on the farm where Mr. Saunders now lives. He left . his stepfather, when a lad in his teens, to carve out his own destiny ; began at $6 per month, and worked four years by the month, and at no time did his wages exceed $-10 for a month's work ; subsequent to this, the Taylor land was offered for sale ; he bought and traded in' real estate, and was successful in his investments, and as time advanced, became one among the prominent landholders of the township. At the age of 22, he was married to Essie Andrus, born in this county ; her parents were from New York ; her father's name was Timothy, and her mother's name, prior to her marriage, was Naamah Andrus ; after the marriage of" Mr. Ridgeway, he located on the farm where he now resides ; his wife died July 2, 1864 ; two children were the result of their marriage - Cynthia, now the wife of C; J. Slough, of this township, and Josephine, at home. Mr. Ridgeway has been, for the last thirty years, one of the most prominent stock-dealers and traders in the county ; his bankers assert that for many years he has .done business to the amount of $200,000 annually ; his farm consists of 350 acres of land. Was commissioned as Captain, from Gov. Todd, during tne late war, but, on account of sickness of his wife, he never served.

WILLIAM B. SHAW, farmer ; P. 0. Tanktown; is the son of James L. Shaw, who was born in Prince William Co., Va., in March, 1795; he participated in the ,war of 1812, and emigrated to this State in 1817, stopping at Hamilton Co. where he remained until 1829, when he moved to Delaware City and married Sarah Shaw, who was born in 1800, and came to this State in 1811 with her people .; the senior Shaw was a cooper by trade, at which he worked until his settlement in Berlin in 1852. William B. was born Feb. 1,' 1835, and received his elementary education in the common schools; he subsequently attended two years at the university. Aug. 23, 1866, he was married to Josephine Gardiner, daughter of R. C. Gardiner, who came to this State from New Jersey in 1842; she died in December, 1873, leaving four children - Jessie M.," Lydia I., Alfred and Alice ; Mr. Shaw was married , the second time, his last wife being Irene Merrick, sister of his first wife, Aug. 5, 1874 ; they had two children - Charles H. and Paul ; his present wife had been a teacher for several years. After leaving Delaware, his father made several moves - first to the northwest corner of Berlin Township, remaining about four years ; then had a residence of eleven years in Brown Township, and then settled in Berlin, where he has remained; his mother died in December, 1877 ; she had been a member of the M. E: Church for many years, of which William and wife are also members. Mr. Shaw has sixty- four acres of land ; he has always been " a tiller of the soil."

of this township. He married Mary B. Osburn, daughter of Henry and Mary Osburn ; the ceremony was celebrated, in December, 1877 ; he has been, for three years past, a resident of Kadnor Township ; he recently bought J. T. Cartnell's interest in the tile manufactory, associating with his brother-in-law, Andrew Osburn, in the same business, under the firm name of Osburn & Stanforth. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child - Pearl Sumner; he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church ; he is a member of Olentangy Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.

CHARLES B. SMITH, farmer ; P. 0. Tanktown ; born in this township Jan. 1, 1836, and is tl^p fourth son of Rodney Smith, one of the old settlers in this township ; he received an elementary education at the district common school, and completed it at the college in Delaware ; he taught school several terms during the winter, and, in the summer, turned his attention to farming. Aug. 27, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 32d 0. V. I., and reenlisted Dec. 25, 1863, and served until the close of the war ; he participated in twenty-one engagements, and escaped without a wound ; some of the more important were McDowell, Harper's Ferry, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, Vicksburg, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro' ; he kept a diary during the entire term of his service, which makes a valuable record of events during an interesting part of his life; Mr. Smith received his discharge July 27, 1865 ; upon his return, he resumed farming. Nov. 15, 1866, he was married to Anna Twining, who was born Sept. 11, 1838, in Licking Co.; she is the daughter of Hiram Twining, a pioneer of Licking Co.; her mother's name was Lovey Pease ; she was a native of Maine, and her father was a native of Massa-' chusetts ; Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived on the homestead one year, and then moved to their present place of abode ; they have two children - Edward and Ernest. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church ; they have a good home and eighty acres of land.

RODNEY SMITH, farmer; P. 0. Alum Creek ; is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of Washington, Berkshire Co., March 11, 1801 ; son of William Smith, from Connecticut ; his mother's name was Lucinda, of the Witters family. Mr. Smith came out with his parents in a wagon, in 1816 ; the trip occupied thirty-five days ; first settled in the north of Berkshire ; they brought with them four horses, a small cow and three pigs ; what horses he has since raised, are descendants from one of the number brought. Rodney always remained at home. At about the age of 28, he was married to a Miss Reynolds, born in New York; she died April 19,-1866. For many years after he came to the county, money was very rare indeed ; everything went by barter ; salt about $4 per barrel ; corn they could not sell ; would sometimes get it distilled into whisky, getting about three quarts to the bushel, which would sell for 25 cents per ga^on ; has sold steers at less than 1 cent per pound, and sold dressed hogs at $1.25 per hundred, part pay in money and the balance in orders ; made their own clothes out of wool and flax ; yet they were sufficient for the time. After his marriage, Mr. Smith settled on the place where he now lives. They have had eleven children ; six now living - Albert C, Lucius D., in McLean Co., 111., Charles E., Thomas, Rose B. and Ralph. Several of his boys were in the late war - George W., in Co. G, 96th 0. V. I. (died at Memphis); Chauncey W., in the 20th 0. V. I.; Albert, in the 121st 0. V. I.; Charles, in the 22d 0. V. I.; Lucius, in the 100-day service. Mr. Smith cast his first vote for Harrison, and has never missed voting at an election when able to go. He has a large farm under good cultivation.

GEORGE B. STANFORTH, farmer ; P 0. Tanktown ; born Oct. 12, 1824, in Rockingham Co., Va.; the youngest of a family of two children, born to William and Helender (Matheney) Stanforth, both natives of the " Old Dominion " State. Geo.' B. was 5 years of age when he came West with his parents, arriving in Morrow Co. in 1829 ; stayed with his parents until 24 years of age. Oct. 11, 1848, he was united in wedlock to Minerva Gibson, native of Delaware Co.; daughter of Robert Gibson, from Pennsylvania. After his marriage, he located in Berkshire, where he lived six years ; in 1864, sold out and moved to Pike Co.; in 1872, moved to Berlin, near the Pike, where he has since lived ; has five children - Mary (now Mrs. Colflesh), Ancyl H., Emma, Frankie and George. Has been for many years a member of the M. E. Church, and is now Trustee of the township.

GEORGE S ACKETT, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Tanktown; born in this township Feb. 27, 1840 ; only son of Augustin Sackett, a native of Delaware Co. ; his mother's name, before marriage, was Mary E. George, a native of New Hampshire, born July 22, 1813, and came to this State when she was but 6 years of age ; they located in this township in 1837, on Alum Creek, and two years later came to this place ; his father died Oct. 13, 1862 ; George had good educational advantages.

- In August, 1862, enlisted in the 96th 0. V. I. for three years ; he remained out one year, and was discharged on account of disability. April 10, 1864, he married Mary E. Roloson, daughter of Joel Roloson ; she died June, 1871, leaving two boys - Francis and Howard ; his second marriage took place July 13, 1876, with Anna Emerson, who was born Aug. 2, 1856, in this township, daughter of Capt. Silas Emerson, who lost his life in the late war as commanding officer of Co. K, 121st 0. V. I.; her mother's maiden name was Nancy A. Farris. Mr. Sackett has served two terms as Sheriff of this county, with due credit to himself and marked satisfaction to the people ; is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, both Lodge and Chapter, at Delaware ; has 285 acres of land, well improved, and is a successful farmer.

ELIJAH SHADE, farmer ; P. 0. Tanktown ; was born in Frederick Co., Va., Jan. 25, 1823 ; is the second child of a family of fourteen children, born to Phillip and Catharine (Shorky) Shade, who were natives of the Old Dominion ; Elijah came to this State, with his parents, in the year 1828, who located in Logan Co. ; his father entered the land upon which he settled and lived until his death ; at the time of their settlement, Indians were to be seen in considerable numbers ; no roads, except the Indian trail 'and th4 pathway blazed with the tomahawk. Mr. Shade remained with his parents until he was in his 24th year, when he was married to Emeline Potter, May 26, 1846 ; she is a daughter of Edward and Abigail (Denison) Potter, who were natives of Connecticut, the former of New London, and the latter of Saybrook; he came out in the year 1821, and is now a resident of Delaware. After the marriage of Mr. Shade, they located in Lqgan Co., and, in 1852, moved to this county, locating permanently in Berlin Township, where he purchased land ; they have had four children - Harriet, Leroy, Francis and Phillip. Mr. Shade was out in the 100-day service, Co. H, 145th 0. N. G. ; he has

LEWIS SLACK, farmer; P. 0. Constantia; born in Galena, Berkshire Township, Dec. 5, 1824 ; son of Capt. Henry Slack, who commanded a company in the war of 1812 ; he was a native of the Wyoming Valley, Penn.; came here in 1807, and afterward located at Galena ; he commanded the first company of light infantry formed in this county ; he died at Galena in 1830. Lewis' mother's name before marriage was Mary Denton ; she was a native of Orange Co., N. Y.; came here in 1805 ; died Dec. 25, 1875, at the age of 83 years. Lewis was the second'-of the family of four living children ; he was raised up at Galena, and was 5 years of age when his father died ; he remained with his mother until he was 25 years of age, then itiade a trip to California, where he worked in the mines ; was gone nearly two years, returning in December, 1851. Nov. 15, 1853, was married to Minerva Utley, who was born in Berkslyire in 1830 ; she is a daughter of Hon. Amos Utlev, born in Windham Co., Conn., in 1793, and enngrated to this State in 1820 ; he filled several offices of trust in his time, as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Treasurer, and represented this county in the Legislature in 1 830 ; now living with his daughter, Mrs. Slack. Before marriage, her mother's name was Sarah Stark, a native of Oranse Co., N. Y.; came here in 1815 ; born in 1802, died in Berkshire, February, 1872. Mr. Slack has two children - Howard and Clara. Mr. Slack moved to this township in 1872 ; has 116 acres of land.

G. W. STOVER, farmer and trader ; P. 0. Lewis Center ; was born in Fairfield Co. Aug. 25, 1826 ; youngest but one of a family of five children born to Benjamin and Sarah (Ohilcutt) Stover, both natives of Hardy Co., Va.; they moved to Fairfield Co. in 1811. Benjamin was a participant in the war of 1812 ; remained in Fairfield Co. until the year 1856, when he moved to Berlin and lived until he died in 1860. George commenced teaching school before he became of age, which he continued, during the winter season, for several years - in all eighteen terms - working on the farm during the summer. In his 24th year, was married to Elizabeth Green, born in Licking Co. in' 1830, daughter, of Benjamin and Mary Malone. He moved to Berlin 'Township in the year 1856, and bought 146 acres of land, and has since been engaged in cultivating the same. October, 1872, he began business in Lewis Center, in the grocery and grain trade, being the only grain-dealer in the place ; buys and ships about 30,000 bushels annually ; he also caWes on his farm ; has four children - Melissa, Mary B., Benjamin F., Samantha N. Mr. Stover is a member of the United Brethren Church ; has been prominently associated with that body since its organization in that locality ;

STEPHEN P. THRALL, farmer; P. 0. Constantia. Stephen was born in this township April 25, 1843 ; the son of Arza and Mary G. (Chandler) Thrall ; the former came to this State from Chenango Co., N. Y., about one-half century ago, and since has been a resident of the county. At the age of 18, Stephen enlisted in Co. D, 20lh 0. V. I., and, at the expiration of three years, reenlisted at Atlanta, Ga., serving until the termination of the war. He was wounded at Raymond, and, while in hospital, the Confederates captured them ; after thirteen days they were paroled and sf nt into the lines at Vicksburg ; his first engagement was at Fort Donelson ; while there, and assisting in guarding 1,400 prisoners on the boat, they formed a plot to overpower the guard and escape, but the secret leaked out just as they were about to execute it, when Maj. McBlroy, with pistol, covered the pilot, and ordered him to " pull for the middle of the stream," and, with sixty-five heavily loaded guns, with bayonets bristling at them, the prisoners were prevented from consummating their plan of escape. In March, 1866, Mr. Thrall was married to E valine M. Gilson, born in Geauga Co. ; they have five children - Rose A., Myrtie L., Annie M., Charles E., George W. They moved to the homestead in 1878.

GEORGE WHITMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Constantia ; was born Feb. 8, 1846, the son of Ezra and Lydia (Fairbanks) Whitman ; Ezra was a native of Maine, and came West about the year 1838-39, and settled in Franklin Co., where George was born ; he being the third of a family of eight children ; he remained with his parents until he enlisted in Co. K, 121st 0. V. I., for three years, and served about one year, when he was discharged on account of disability, when he came to this county and was united by maTriage to Mary Cole, born Nov. 22, 1849, in Franklin ; is a daughter of Alonzo and Sarah (Caldwell) Cole ; subsequent to his return from service, he was engaged one year, at Cheshire, in the mercantile business ; then moved his stock to Licking Co. and sold out; in 1870, he went to Putnam Co., where he was for five years engaged in the sawmill business ; then moved to this township, and, subsequently bought 114 acres of land, the place being known as the Eaton farm, situated on the pike near the town house ; has four children- Carrie A., Charles, Rolland and Florence. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

CHARLES WILCOX, farmer; P. O. Constantia; born in Licking Co. Oct. 30, 1834 ; is a son of Martin Wilcox, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., who married Charlotte Aller, born in Virginia. Charles was the eldest of a family of eight children ; he' had poor school advantages ; remained with his father until his 23d year. July 9, 1857, married Hannah Williamson, bom in Franklin Co. in 1838, daughter of Jonathan and Clarinda Williamson ; lived in Union Co. eleven years, where he bought and improved a farm ; in the spring of 1870, moved to Berlin Township on the State road, and bought the Kelsie farm of 100 acres, which has on it an adobe house, the only (known) one in this country ; they have had five children, three living - Chloe J., Annie C. and Lizzie Z.; Lizzie (the second) and Leonard, deceased. Leonard died with putrid sore throat while visiting his uncle in Franklin Co., he it seems had a presentiment of his death many months ere it occurred, he was very patient during his painful illness, and manifested a fortitude surpassing his years ; his death occurred Oct. 24, 1873, he was about 8 years of age. Mrs. Wilcox is a member of the Wesleyan M. E. Church. Mr. Wilcox is favorably disposed to all civil and religious societies.

Source changes here: from 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, by Lytle, James Robert, published 1908; 4,597 words in this source stream.

Berlin Township

The Baptists were the first to enter the field in this township. Rev. Mr. Wyatt came early in this locality and organized a society in the Olentangy Valley, and went into Berlin Township once a month and preached in the cabins of the early settlers. He carried on his work as far East as Trenton Township, and from time to time as the membership would warrant it, would set off from the parent society in Liberty Township separate organizations.

The Alum Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1816. and met for the first time in the blockhouse which had done service in time of war. For eight years the Baptist Church held its meetings here, and then voted to erect a frame building, on the road about half-way between Cheshire and Berlin Station, where the old cemetery is. The building is now a town hall, and the cemetery is sadly neglected.

Among the members at that time were Isaia Muuroe, David Lewis. Sr., Joseph Eaton, and their wives, John Johnston, Sarah Brady and Polly Noko. The two latter were colored women. Sarah Brady died at the age of one hundred and fourteen. She was a servant in George Washington's family and for a long time was connected with the family of General Sullivan of Revolutionary fame. In 1854, the Baptist Church building now standing in Cheshire, was erected at a cost of $700. It was dedicated the latter part of the year, and a bell placed in the belfry the next year. Rev. Philander Kelsey was the first pastor in this edifice. Another minister contemporary with Rev. Wyatt was Elder Jacob Drake. He was a surveyor and was much among the people. His preaching was done mostly in the cabins of these early pioneers. An incident is related which shows that "chickens" were not considered then the only diet good for a minister. He came out from Delaware one morning- in 1808 before breakfast, and a meal was prepared for him. The table was a puncheon, smoothed off on the upper side, and supported by pins driven in the logs of the cabin. When the meal was announced he sat down to a single baked potato, with salt in a clam shell, and water in a gourd. He hail walked seven miles and relished this breakfast as well as we do our fine dinners.

Presbyterian Church

Probably the first Presbyterian minister who preached in the bounds of Berlin Township was a Rev. Stevens who came from the East on a missionary tour of exploration. Rev. Ebenezer Washburn came to Berkshire in 181 7. He organized the Presbyterian families in Kingston, Berkshire and Berlin Townships in a congregation in 181 8. A great revival occurred in 1828, and the families living in Berlin Township were organized into a separate congregation in October, 1829. The first elders were John Roloson. Stephen Chandler and Paul Ferson. In 1830 there were ninety members. Rev. Ahab Jinks liecame stated supply from 1829 to 1832. He was a man peculiar in more respects than his name. It is said that when a young boy he was the leader of a godless band of young ruffians, for whose support he would mimic the preachers he heard, giving their sermons verbatim. Going to hear Dean Swift, his course of life was changed, and he turned his ability toward the right. On one occasion he preached from Isaiah 1 .2. an especially brilliant sermon to his parishioners in Berlin, which greatly impressed them, and it was generally regarded that the minister had outdone himself. One of his parishioners went to Genoa in the afternoon where the heard to his utmost astonishment the same identical sermon delivered by Mr. Judson, the earliest of the Sunday school agents. At another time, desiring t* 1 get up a camp-meeting in Berlin, Mr. Jinks preached a sermon which carried everv obtacle before it, and aroused the people to the pitch of camp-meeting fervor. The arrangements were made for the meeting in the Dickermaii woods, and it was carried on with great success. Near the close, Mr. Jinks had a Rev. Mr. Pomeroy to assist in conducting the meetings. He came and delivered for his first effort the very sermon which had so aroused the people some time before. When asked to explain these coincidences, Mr. Jinks quietly remarked that he had heard them delivered, considered them good sermons, and thought he would give his parishioners the benefit of them.

During this time a frame church edifice was erected. Milton H. Sackett became an elder and Rev. Calvin N. Ranson was pastor from 1832 to 1837. At this date the membership was one hundred. Elders alter that date to 1870 were Benonah Dickerman, Joseph Roloson. A. M. Spear, Lewis Thompson, C. W. Smith and J. C. Ryant. Ministers, Darius C. Allen, Henry Shedd, A. D. Chapman, A. S. Avery, John W. Thompson. Since 1870, J. L. Tower, Thomas Hill, A. C. Crist. James Darah, W. F. Cellar, John McDowell, S. S. Arkman, M. W. Brown, James Hickling, E. M. Scott, Samuel Heucker. J. M. Wyhe have served the church, and at present J. G. Curry is the pastor. The church was rebuilt all but the old frame in 1875, under the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Crist, and is in good repair. The building stands about three-quarters of a mile south of Cheshire.

West Berlin Presbyterian Church

This church was organized in 187'). Rev. Thomas Hill, Rev. W. G. March, and Elders Dr. J. M. Briggs, being the committee designated by Presbytery, with thirty-two members, eighteen of these being dismissed from the Berlin church to join in the organization. For several months before the organization Rev. Thomas Hill had preached in the West Berlin schoolhouse, which led to the above result. A frame structure was soon erected, and is now the home of a substantial congregation of worshippers. The congregation has for the

Methodist Episcopal

This church was the third in point of time organized in the township. Rev. \ "inal Steward was the first minister who in 1814 formed a class composed of Jacob Aye, wife and children, John Jacob, Jr., Henry, Betsy, Katie, Polly, and Peggy, Lewis Sherwood and wife, John Lewis and wife. About 1829 they put up a hewed log meeting-house, north of Cheshire Corners in which they worshiped until 1845. They then held their services in the Presbyterian Church for about three years. A frame house of worship was erected at a cost of $500 in the village, and dedicated in 1849. In 1878 the society added a bell. The building is in good repair and occupied by a flourishing society.

The Wesleyan Methodists had an organization in the southwest corner of the township about 1870, and was continued for about twenty years. This society became extinct, and the Christian Union occupied the building for five years. This society has also become extinct, and a Society of Friends now occupy the building, which is known as the Fair View Church.

United Brethren

The Peach Blow Church in the southern part of the township belongs to this denomination. It was organized in 1857 with twenty members. Their meetings were first held in a schoolhouse in the west side of the township. The house of worship now occupied was erected in 1808 on land belonging to G. A. Stover. The building is a neat frame one and cost at the time $700. The first pastor was Virgil Pond. The church was dedicated as Berlin Chapel, but on account of the color which it was once painted, it is said to have taken the name of Peach Blow, the name by which it is now known. A few members of this denomination settled around Alum Creek Postoffice on the road from Delaware to Sunbury, and previous to i860 held services at the home of O. R. May. About this time, a frame building was erected on the land of Nathaniel Roloson, and was known as the North Berlin United Brethren Church. Mr. Roloson gave the aid he did with the understanding that the house would be open for the use of all denominations. The first pastor was Rev. William Davis. The society is now abandoned and the church not used.

Universalist

The Umiversalists made an attempt to get a foothold in this township in 1820. They held a camp-meeting in a grove near the bridge south of Cheshire, conducted by Rev. Mr. Rogers, but no results came of the effort.

Some of the earliest settlements in this county were made in Berlin Township. At that time, however, its metes and bounds were not those now shown on the map. From 1806 to 1820, Township 4, Range 18 of the United States Military lands, was divided between the townships of Liberty, Delaware and Berkshire. In 1806, Sections 1 and 4, together with what was then the rest of Berkshire Township, were set off as a township. This was the shape of Berlin when the first settlers came here. The peculiar division of townships when Berkshire was laid off is probably accounted for by the fact that Col. Moses Byxbe owned Section 1 of the fourth township in Range 18. Berlin Township as now constituted was set up January cS, 1820. At that time the 1st and 4th sections were taken from Berkshire, the 2nd section from Delaware and the 3rd section was taken from Liberty. The township as thus formed is bounded on the North by Brown, on the South by Orange, on the East by Berkshire and on the West by Delaware and Liberty Townships. Asa Scott started the petition for the new township and suggested its present name. At that time Scott was treasurer of Berkshire Township, which included Berlin, and in going over the figures, discovered that the population was large enough to justify a separate organizatn m. and so he headed the petition to the Commissioners. Dr. Loofbourrow was made township clerk; Joseph Eaton was made justice of the peace, and Scott was continued in his position as treasurer at the first election.

Alum Creek is the principal stream. It flows in a southerly direction in a winding course through about the middle of the eastern half of the township. It drains a wider area on the east than it does on the west. The eastern bank of the stream is marked by many bluffs, and back of the bluffs the land is more or less broken. In the southeastern part of the township, the land is less broken and rich bottom lands. East of the creek the soil in the eastern part is the usual mixture of clays, well adapted to grass and corn. The lower lands west of the creek are rich, but an immense amount of ditching and tiling has been necessary to make them tillable. This region was originally covered with vast forests, the hard woods common to this section growing on the high lands, with burr oak, elm, basswood, buckeye, etc., with an underbrush of paw-paw and spice bush, in the swampy portions. Ever since markets have been fairly accessible, stock-raising and stock-feeding have received considerable attention.

Joseph Constant, of Peekskill, New York, was the first purchaser of land in this township. He bought Section 4 from the Government, paying $2 per acre and receiving a deed signed by President John Adams. He was popularly known as Judge Constant, but whether he ever held any judicial position is not known. It was claimed that he had been a Colonel in the army during the Seminole War in Florida, and that it was there that he contracted the disease from which he died. Some time before he died, he gave fifty acres of land tn David Lewis. Sr.. on condition that he would settle upon it. However, George Cowgill, who in November, 1805, located about a mile north of the Delaware and Sunbury Pike, was the first permanent settler. He was closely followed by David Lewis, Sr., who was accompanied by his daughter. Hannah, and suns John and David, Jr. The latter was married, and on September 29, 1806, had a son born,, whom he named Joseph Constant Lewis, for Judge Constant. This was the first white child born in the township. Their land was on the west side of Alum Creek, on the hill about opposite the cemetery south of Cheshire. In the spring of 1806, Joseph Eaton, Sr., and John Johnston brought their families from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and settled on Olive Creek or Big Run about two miles north of Cheshire. Others who came into the settlement in that year were David Isaac, Philander Hoadley. and Chester Lewis, with their families from Waterbury. Connecticut. They settled on Section 4. In 1807, Philo Hoadley, with his wife, three sons, and Lovell and Lucy Calkins, and Asa Scott came from Connecticut. Lovell Caulkins began at once to clear land whereon to raise sustenance for his father's family, who were to follow him into the wilderness, and while he was thus engaged, his sister began to teach school. In 1808. Lovell Caulkins returned to Connecticut and made up a company of emigrants, composed of the families of Roswell Caulkins. Samuel Adams, Jonathan Thompson and John Lewis, forty persons in all, and on September 20, 1809, the little company started for the West. Capt. John Lewis, of this party, was the first permanent settler in the southeast quarter of the township. After this, there was a slow but steady increase in the population of the township.

When the earlv settlers reached this region they found Indians "as thick as blackbirds," as one of the pioneers expressed it. For the most part, they were treated fairly and kindly by the settlers, and the Indians, as a rule, responded with similar treatment. They did nol dispute the settler's right to hunt and fish, and they were slow to learn that they were not equally entitled to help themselves to the corn and vegetables which they found in the gardens of the settlement. During the period covered by the years 1811-T3, this community shared the feeling of fear and anxiety that pervaded the entire Northwest. The feeling of tranquility awakened by Harrison's brilliant victory over Tecumseh was soon dissipated by the opening of the second war with England. The settlers knew as well as the British how unprotected they were, and how easy it would be for the enemy to stir the Indians to a fever heat and send them against these almost defenseless frontiers like a devastating cyclone leaving death and destruction in their trail. It is not strange, therefore, that the settlers were constantly on the "qui vive," and it is easy to understand how Drake's stampede, the story of which is still familiar to everyone in the county, could have happened. This experience taught the pioneers a well-needed lesson, and they immediately began to make the necessary preparations for defense. Valuables were buried deep in the ground, care being taken to leave no surface indications that would lead to their discovery. It was decided to build a block house at once. The site selected was on the road running along the west bank of Alum Creek, on the rise of ground south of the cross-roads near Cheshire. A two-story structure, forty feet square was erected. The upper story projected over the lower one about two feet, affording opportunities for defense against close attacks or attempts to fire the structure. It was built of hewed logs, a foot square, the ends securely joined so as not to leave the smallest crevice between the logs. There was no opening in the lower story, except the door, which was made of a double thickness of three-inch planks, barred and cross-barred. The upper story was furnished with rifle embrazures in the side, and convenient holes in the floor of the projection for purposes of defense in a close attack. When built, the fort was well stocked with provisions and ammunition, so as to be ready at a moment's warning, and signals were arranged that the remoter settlements might learn of their danger.

It was about this time that a party of settlers were out in the woods, some distance from the "improvements," clearing up a spot to build a cabin for some new arrival. Among the party were Chester and John Lewis, David Lewis, Sr., and Asa Scott, besides some boys who were there to look on or pile brush. As w as the custom, each man had his gun. with him, leaning against a tree, and David Lewis, Sr., was on duty as scout to note the approach of Indians. It was arranged that if he saw any he was to return and report "bears" in the woods. Some time after noon, he was observed coming rapidly toward the party, and as soon as he got within hearing, he said, "There are bear-tracks in the woods, so fresh that the water has not yet settled in them." The men quietly ceased their work, took up their guns, and prepared to put things in a state of defense. The boys were sent home, and, not to alarm the settlement, all but Chester and John Lewis slowly sauntered toward the settlement. Then the state of the case was explained, and those families which were situated near at hand were escorted by the old men into the block-house. Blankets were hung up to divide off the space for families, guns were carefully examined, and by nightfall, everything at the fort was in readiness for attack. But the cabins of some of the party of choppers were too far off to make it wise to try to reach the fort in the dark. Scott's cabin was some distance to the north of the load crossing, and the cabin of Jacob Aye was still further to the north and east of Scott's. There was a large family of the Aye boys and girls, and they felt reasonably secure, or had not learned of the discovery. Late that night. after the boys had gone to bed. one of the sisters, delayed by some household cares, heard the dogs making a disturbance, as though the cattle or hogs were prowling about. Soon she heard some one trying to quiet the dogs, and she at once concluded it was Indians. She made every preparation against being taken by surprise, hut did not summon the boys, lest in their foolhardiness they might rush out and be killed. The dogs finally became quiet, and the Indians, going towards the blockhouse, came upon Scott's cabin. Here the dogs, who had an instinctive hatred of the savages, commenced rushing out into a cornfield near by and then back again against the cabin, growling, and manifesting symptoms of rage and fear. Old Mr. Scott knew what such conduct on the part of the dogs meant, and, calling up his two boys, prepared for defense. The windows were only closed by greased paper, and, stationing one with an axe at each of the two windows, he gave them instructions to split the first head that came through. Putting out the glowing embers oil the hearth, he barricaded the door with what movable furniture he could reach, and took a position with his rifle commanding all points of entrance. Here the Indians endeaverod to pacify the dogs in wain, and finally passed along. Soon after, the Scott family heard a rifle-shot, followed by a rapid succession of lighter guns, and then came. one. two, three in measured succession - the warning guns from the blockhouse. Meanwhile at the fort another scene was enacting. The little band cooped up in their narrow quarters momentarily expected an attack. After waiting for some time in such suspense, David Lewis, Sr., accompanied bv Philo Hoadley, started cautiously out to reconnoiter. The night was described as admirable for this purpose. Clouds heavily veiled the moon, so that an object standing out clear could readily be discerned, while one groping in the shadows and along the ground could be discovered only by close scrutiny. The land sinks from all points at the road crossing, forming there a sort of basin. South of the east and west road, a tree bad been felled parallel with the road, and, falling down hill, had left some space between the butt of the tree and stump. Across this road was Hoadley's cornfield, divided from other land by a brush fence. Coming down to the crossing, a suspicious noise was heard in the cornfield, and Lewis remarked to Hoadley that there were either hogs, cattle, or Indians in his field. Listening attentively for a moment, he exclaimed, "There goes another ear; Hoadley, it's Indians!" Lewis, who was an excellent shot, and an intrepid man. told Hoadley to remain at the crossing, and takingshelter behind the trunk and top of the fallen tree, he would gain the rise of ground by the stump, and scan the cornfield situated across the road and on a little lower ground. Lewis succeeded in reaching the stump, and ensconcing himself among the shadows between the tree and stump, awaited the issue of events. Soon he saw a dark body jump upon the brush fence and over, and then another, but his practiced eye had seen the second one over the sights of his gun, the report of which was followed by the heavy falling of the body. Lewis immediately made for the fort as fast as his feet could carry him, with Hoadley just in advance. There was a discharge of several guns in rapid succession from the cornfield, and Lewis, striking his knee against the stump of some sapling that had been cut off. went sprawling to the ground. He imagined himself shot, but, regaining his feet, made for the fort. Within the fort everybody was on the alert, and Roswell Caulkins stood sentinel at the door. As Lewis and Hoadley came rushing up to gain entrance, Caulkins hesitated to unbar the door. David Lewis, Jr., who was celebrated as a keen hunter and woodsman, recognized the steps of his father and Philo and cried to the sentinel, "Roswell, unbar the door! Those are shoes that are coming. It's father and Philo!" And, before the sentinel comprehended the force of what young Lewis was saying, the bars had been taken down by others, and the two men. half out of breath, admitted. The feelings of those in the f( irt can better be described by one who was there, and we add from a manuscript by Mrs. Ripley : "An attack was every mi iment expected. The alarm guns were fired. The horrid work of the scalping-knife and uplifted tomahawk was, in imagination, ready to be executed. There was neither shrieking nor fainting, but the women stood at their posts in the upper story, prepared for defense." Happily their expectations were not realized. The next morning broke on their anxious hearts calm and bright, and. as no traces of Indians could be discovered from the block-house, a party went out to see if the settlers in isolated cabins had been massacred. They wen- found, as we have related, frightened but not harmed. In the cornfield were found moccasin tracks with considerable traces of blood. The trail led -11 to the northwest, and indicated that one ol their number had been carried. Who they were or what was the reason for their visit, was the subject of considerable conjecture, but it never reached a satisfactory explanation. While the settlers were kept in a chronic state of fear and dread during the war of 1812, they were not without some compensating benefits. The necessities of the armv created a market where there had been none before for farm produce. Prior to 181 2, the settler's chief ambition was to provide a comfort able home and as good a living as was possible with the conditions under which they lived; but during the war production was stimulated, and the income thus secured was devoted to obtaining some of the commoner comforts which had been theirs before they had turned their backs on civilization. The' cling of the war deprived them of their markets, money again became scarce and a period of hard times set in which added greatly to the hardships they otherwise were called upon to bear. It was not until about 1S30 that business began to revive, and a market worth mentioning was found for the products of the farm.

At the end of the first ten years there were only about forty families in the township. Half of these had come from Waterbury, Connecticut, and had located on Judge Constant's land in the southeastern part of the township. Among these people there had been eight marriages. The first of these, which was also the first in the township was performed by Rev. Joseph Hughes, Elias Adams and Harriet Lewis being the contracting parties. Ten families had located on Colonel Byxbe's land. and there were about eight families in the northwest corner of the township. The first death in the township was that of Elanson Lewis, which occurred in 1807. He was buried in the first cemetery in the township, which was laid out on the site where a block-house had once stood. The next adult who died was Emma Lewis, who passed away in 1811, and besides these two, four children made up the total number of deaths during the first decade. One of the early cemeteries was located on the road to Berlin station, near the town hall. The Nettleton Grove Bank Cemetery Association was organized October 10, 1853. The first officers were Joel Cleveland, president ; Lewis Thompson, clerk ; and Vinal Stewart, treasurer. They laid out a fine cemetery just south of Cheshire. Roswell Caulkins, who was a carpenter and joiner, was the first mechanic in the township, and worked at his trade while he was clearing up his farm. He superintended the construction of the block-house and did most of the hewing. One of his first pieces of work was a hand-loom for Airs. Chloe Scott. In 1820, James Eaton and Daniel Xettleby erected the first frame residences. Both were east of the creek and near Cheshire. Nathan Sherwood kept the first store in his cabin. The early mills, schools, churches, etc., aic treated in the chapters devoted to those subjects.

Cheshire, the principal settlement in the township, is located on a barren clay knoll. Because of this fact, Jesse Hultz gave it the name of "I'eth," "for," as he explained, "what don't run away will starve to death." Samuel Adams owned the farm where the village stands, and it was he who laid it off into lots. L. R. Ryant kept the first store here in a little room seven feet by nine. A few years later he added another room, where he sold ready made shoes and made shoes to order. He was the first postmaster, his commission bearing date of August 10, 185 1. The "Underground Railway" passed through Cheshire. From the earliest times there was a strong sentiment in the township in symapthy with the slaveowners, and it was only under cover of the night that the negro seeking liberty could be conducted from Orange along Alum Creek to the Quaker settlement, and then on to Oberlin or some other outlet. .

E. R. Durfey, treasurer; S. P. Dunham, assessor; Charles Evarts and Willard Shank, constables; Willard A. Young and J. T. Sweeney, board of education. The above began their terms in 1908, according to report to county auditor.