Bethel Township (part 1 of 3)

Bethel Township

The first settlement in Clark County was made in Bethel Township, by David Lowry and Jonathan Donnels. They formed part of a surveying-party headed by Israel Ludlow, surveyor of the Miumi country, During 1795, ® purchase and Patter Strorts was an original Lowry lived at the mouth of a creek Dounels's home was by a spring, upon land where Kifer

William 'Taylor and family, from Pennsylvania, settled in Bethel in 1795. The family consisted of his wife Susan ond eleven children, five boys and six girls. Taylor bought three or four sections of Jand, aud gave each of his family a farm. Hughel and family, of Virginia, settled during 1801 or 1802 on Jackson's Creek. Daniel, a son, was a noted hunter, and it is said that during their first winter himself, Cather, nd oldest brother killed over four hundred deer. John Ilusted, a Virginian, arrived at Bethel about 1808, with a large family of boys and girls. Tho old man followed farming. Solomon Iusted, © son, was one of the most skillful gunsmiths iu the country, and men came thirty to forty miles lo have guus made for them, Moses, another son, was a chopper of cord-wood all bis life, and jt would live been in order to find that he died on a log. Michael Mitnick located south of what is now Donnelsyille; be had three sons; one was a carpenter, tnd built, in 1825, the house in which Mrs, Minnick resides.

George Croft und family, from Virginia, in 1508 settled near tle valley pike. He begun distilling, and kept it up for forty years. Two sons ussisted the father it that business, and George, a cripple, picked up a knowledge of shoemaking and wont from house to house, stopping a week ata place, cobbling and making shoes.

Ilenry Brandenburgh, no settler on Jackson Creek about 1812, was the second distiller in Bethel. Te was a trader in four aud bacon, and mado several trips to dispose of his wares in the New Orleans market. Joseph MeKinney and foiily Jocatod in LSO- or 1809 on the line of the National road west of Donnelsville, on Jand now owned by J. He Confer, Most of the families thus brietly noticed wore more or less related, und formed a scattered colony.

Thomas Williams came to this region in 1796, and entered on « hunter's life. Tle ownod no land, and was regarded az a Western Arab, spending his time in the forest and visiting the settlement to dispose of furs und obtain supplies of ammunition. John, James, and Willian Lamme settled between Medway and Donnelsvillo. Letfel and family were settlers from Virginia. Jacob, a son, was a horse-doctor, and lately died at Osborn, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.

skirmished at Otter Creek with the rebels, and on the 17th the rebel line was cncountered. The cavalry were overmatched and about to retreat, when the infantry arrived and held the pozition. A night passed, and the duy cnmeund went against our men, Night and dlay pussed, und our retreating fyrees found no rest. From untiring pursuit. The Sth was sent back to help the rearguard. 'hey fought a whole brigade of mounted infantry, and lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, seventy-one men. The rebels charged on the artillery train, the Sth dismounted and retoak the gune. phur Springs, und there divided.

Near Lewisburg, the regiment woe ordered to White Sul- The dismounted proceeded to Charleston, (he mounted to Beverly, where they avrived on June 3, having marched nearly six hundred miles. On August 28 Companies C, Il, und K, eighty men in all, were surprised und captured at Iutlonsville. 'he men were set free, their equipments Conpauy A soon suffered the same fate, and some of them, including their captain, visited Riehmond.

The men Ags the pickets fired, the men seized their carbines, formed behind the horse-rucks, nnd checked the ouset, Vhe rebels came on, front, flank, and rear; the men fought hand to band. squad tighting.

There was individual, couple, and The carbines wore used as clubs, and unarmed men, grappling, tried to ehoke each other. A partly gathering at the officers' quarters, twice mado a rush and drove the rebels. A soout, returping, shot the rebel loader, Major Ifill, of the 62d Virginia Infantry. As ho fell the rebels fled, completely routed, losing seventeen killed, twenty-seven wounded, and ninety-two prisoners; while the Sth lost eight killed, twenty-five wounded, and thirteen prisoners, December |,the regiment were reunited, The detachment had charged at Winchester, fought at Fisher's Will and Cedar Creek, and goaded Lurly on his retreat. Once more, on January Tt, 1865, early in the morning, the rebels surprised the weakened cauwp. Some escnped; twenty-five were killed and wounded, pnd five hundred and seventy-five men and cight officers tuken prisoners. Taurd-marehed, suffering with cold, wading streams, and sleeping unprotected on the snow, they marched one hundred and sixty-two miles in seyeu days, during which they liad but two At Binunton, seventy to the ear were pub into stock curs and made life a misery. February 14, they went Via Annapolis to Columbus. In August the Instof the regiment was mustered out at Camp Dennison, The 110th Ohio Inthatry was organized at Camp Piqua, October 5, 1862. Jununry 1, 1863, at Winebester, the regiment wasassigned lo the First Brigude, Seooud Division, Eighth Army Corps, first time at Kernstown, and bravely disputed its ground aguinst a stronger force.

Next morning, the [10th held an earth-work, three-foarths of & mile from o maiu fort. colamns of the enemy moved to the assault, sud drove out the regiment at the point of the bayonet,

After w severe two hours! fight during the night, the men reached Harper's Ferry. 'The regiment camped fora time near New York and Brooklyn. September 6, they guard a train in Virginia, Oclober 10, they stund to urms all wight, and next day take pluce on the first line nem the Rappabunnock. November 7, they cornered and captured ao number of prisovers. Shelled at Brandy Station, acting vs train-guard, and fighting at Locust Grove, the men finally go into winter quarters at the Station. May 4, the regiment buving passed the Rupidan at Germania Ford, take position on the extreme right iu the Wilderness. They skirmish, charge, and, driving the enemy, hold bis works till dark, and then go back for ammunition. Ilere they lose ninelcen killed, eighty-cight wounded, and eleven missing. Next day they withstand artillery, and wt night fall buck, After several skirmishes, the 110th engage the one upon the banks of Mad River, the other on a tributary, and supplied a convenionce to the farmiug interest. James Leffel is imperfectly known as the inventor of the double turbine water-wheels, g0 extensively manufactured at Springfield, and generally demanded the world over. Personally the inyention was not lugrative, but his widow realizes fro this source u bandsome income. Sumuel Smith was w settler on the creek above Donnelsville in 1510, Ile was no eceentri¢ character. In 1808, Jacob Funderbaugh, of Virginia, bronght on a family of eight children, John, Daniel, and David Miller took up lands in tho north of the township. Dounelaville, a village of two or three hundred inhabitants, was laid out August 6, 1886, by James Donnels and Alwabam Smith, Reuben Miller being surveyor. Its growth waa rapid for Lwo or three years, and then ceased, The first house was moved from Lowry's paper-mill. Donunelg kept the first tavern, John Movorehonse the first store, and Wood tho first The Methodists erected here a church in 1842, was platted August 24, 1816, by Archibald Stoel, and the auknowledgment taken before Samuel Smith, a jnstive of the ponce. The first house was built ly Jacob Hersey, the proprietor of whut was culled the MeQueen Mill." also the first postmaster of the village. New Carlisle, a town of some hundred people, was formerly known as Monroe. It was laid out by Wim. M. Rayburn on July 25, 1818, John Cram beiag justice of the peace at the timu.

lor, Phillips, and J.S. Muzzy were early merchants in the place. churches built about 1830. Dr. Robbins was a physician there in Issi0, 1834 p school-house was ereoted at o cost of twenty-five hundced dollars.

Jonathan Tay- Lt bod three Th Mr. The first person to keep tavern in Bethel Township was Jonathan Littlejohn, in an extinet town, then known ns New Boston, and a competitor with Springfield for the County seat, on County seat or nothing, and won the latter,

Jobn Layton was the first justice of the peace. Ie wis eleeted in S04, and helil the office till his death, in 1830. Among carly murriages by Squire Layton was that of Joseph Kifer to Mary Smith. General Wifer, a prominent attorney of Springfield, is a son from this family. Of early births, Malyn Luyton'= ve. curred in 1806, Elisha Laytou's in 1S04, Hester Layton's in 1806. Joho Layton tnught, iu TS08, the first schoo! in Bethel, in uw shanty at Lhe foot of Minnick's hill. to school, - some on foot, others on horseback. - Authority for Bethel history, Squire Layton.

Date of | Date of NAME. LOCATION. pened NATIVITY, Post-Dfive Addross. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, NAME. LOCATION, Sattle- NATIVITY. Post-Office Address, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. | went. ment, Buker, L, J. M...... Section 1824 Ohio.. ers tysenegasts BOM geescvens tetired farmer. Lowery, W. D...... Section Qeccscseccesee PEBD pO Oviveesyarscesges Donnelsville. Furmer, Bodkin, John....... te 1828)' ... New Carlisle.) Farmer. Lowery, R. M....... ae Di anadsassazid THIS: |) So sisssisessasees vt tetired farmer, Binkley, G, A....... ts 1865 /Mary i anit rite z3 ve 6 Myers, Daniel, Sr th WO, sacs sesee L887 Pennsylvania..... New Carlisle, i ue Bowman, John... se 1867 'Penns sylvania.... Donnelsville, " and stock grower. Moores, R. B........ is (DT, 1869 Ohi0...e.4- case: .. Springfield... Parmer and stoek grower, Crolts Wissssoasassvere Hf ISL: OLD vceseeieerogess a st Minnieh, C. W...... ut Be cevsaugsGees RGaT P38" acccscspesaaszes Knons ssssseee Ly Croft, Sophia Ke... ye [834 |Pennsylvania,... nt Pen vere Minnich, M. 5....... te BS wparsapaaees T8380) RP og sev veopavw eases u i ie te He Orane, J, Asscsacsees ' PSR OWA ssscsscccscisses Springfield... | i McKee, David....... HM OD) ssceene casas 1840 HS: cccsessagseanved New Carlisle, « & prop. saw & flour mill, Doner, D. R.........: 1867 ee es yw. Medway... be DVGdT), Biveveseyensresce>s Ala Bess sscasensag. 1887 Pennsylvania... i Physician & surgeon, memb. Lag- Detrick, Johnw...... 1850) | Virwinin. si35 Springtield... Retired farmer. Peters, George....... Jefferson Sta... 1869 ve bade "a Nurseryman. [is suture. Funderburgh, L. &. : 1BAD |ONIC......-2s0eceees New Carlisle.) Farmer and thrasher. ), Perrine, Garreétt.....)Seetion 35.,,......04 1821 New Jersey...... es Farmer. fFarver, Bu Crsissss-. r 1831 | Virwinin......0.. ' ue | and stock grower. | Perrine, T, M........ | WY BB ssasspcaree IS4G (Olio... Didderce | te i Garver, Ruth A.....| VESS! | Olia...ssa-ecvsexee tf llevaxseses¥e's 1 Smith, W. H........+| Moaiiy Stisccscssscasciic 1860 | Pennsylvania... at Nurseryman. Herr, Teobscsecsseus } oe 1840 | Pennsylvania.... Medway....... tetire 'd farmer and t'w'p trustee, | Smith, D. J..........- Section B4........066| 1814 Scotland....... tf Retired farmer. Hurnish, Reuben.... ' 1847 re a ee Cooper and farmer, | Snider, Murtin...... tk Sais sesieses3 1830 Pennsylvyania.... Donnelsville. Farmer & prop,saw & grist mills. Johnson, Johu F...)Church St LEBO! [OMY <. seccseesissee New Carlisle. Retired farmer. | Shellabarger, J. N.. is Dayas repens 1832 ue ee tetired farmer. 7 Kline, Elias.........., [Ma ain & Sycamore... 1847 | Pennsylvania... Medway....... Dealer in general merchandise. | Shatner, Peter...... ve Elis caisressces 1887 |Germany.......... Springtield... Farmer. Letfel, Jacob Waseof 1837 [ONIG, .5526 «.aeees Donnelsville.; Farmer, - Taylor, H. N | Mail Sbsccsisasssssiass BIT OWI. .05c0cecersesn, New Carlisle. Notary public and township clerk. Lettel, Jeremiah... UGA |) ME scsasesesssaeses 0 and ninfr, sorghum syrup. Triumbo, Silas... SH uisgdardespeceas B4 | Virgtinins... cee Donnelsville. Carriage mnfr. & justice of peace. Letfel, Jolin.........| 1S37 . sanceseesveneent af and horse dealer. : Trumbo, Moses W. Section 5.......0 4 PARTE ; tt Furmer. ; Lammnic, J. E......... 1813 Oe sc uahis ETATUD Medway.......| Retired tarmer. Trumbo, Maria J... BS. FER ote 058 ObiOses ese casisss ais Ln COT TT Lumme, W, A... | 18lt WY scacccatsstazsa + Farmer. Verity, Jolin... Main Sti.ss.s5%0- Eng hitiducsccecees New Carlisle. Furniture dealer und undertaker. Lowery, D. W...... 1815 OU patagiicwaeahep Donnelsville. sf Wallace, Smith...... le cogacasassavaseeansssaKaes Ohio... seERASs Donnelsville, Retired farmer.

Source changes here: from The History of Clark County Ohio,, by Various, published 1881; 41,531 words in this source stream.

Bethel Township

This is the southwest corner township in Clark County. Pike and German Townships join it on the north, Springfield Township on the east, Mad River Township southeast and south, Greene County on the south, Miami County on the west. Bethel Township eontains twenty-seven entire seetions in Township 3, Range 9; four whole and two fractional in Township +, and one entire fractional section in Township 3, Range 8. The Mad River forms the boundary of the towship from the east line of Section 27, in Township 4; thence southwest to the southeast corner of Section 35, Township 3, Range 8. This diagonal course of the river makes eight fractional sections to be added to the number given above. The soil of Bethel Township is limestone clay, with a gravel subsoil. At several points in the township the limestone rock is found near the surface, where quarries have been opened, furnishing an abundance of the finest stone for building purposes and making lime. The soil as a rule throughout Bethel Township is of the most productive kind, the upland is somewhat rolling, just enough for good drainage with none or but little waste land. The bottom land both first and second of Mad River, Donuel's and Honey Creeks, are among the finest in the world. Bethel was originally very heavily timbered, there having been but very little open land in the township. In the northern part of the township, the timber was principally beech, interspersed with the differee oe EE NIE RE ent varieties of oak, sugar, walnut, poplar. hickory, elm and linn; with a heavy growth of hazel and spice wood. In the central and southern part the beech almost entirely disappears, but oaks, walnut, maples, hickory, elm, linn and poplar are found. Along the streams buckeye were abundant; the past tense is used because there is but little more timber left that can be spared. The township is ad. mirably watered. Mad River along the entire southern border; Donnel's Creek and its branches in the east; Jackson Creek in the middle, both running quite across the township; Honey and Mud Creeks in the west. "These with their lateral branches furnish abundant water for all farm purposes, as well as the power needed for milling. On Section 25 is a chain of lakelets, four in number, filled with pure fresh water, well stocked with our common fish. One of these lakes has recently been appropriated by a stock company for the purpose of propagating the more valuable sorts of fish. This series of lakes are evidently the remains of a mighty river, that once rushed through the valley in which they are situated.

Bethel Township is somewhat classic in the history of the State as well as the county. She stands at the head of the list of townships in being the first settled in the county, if not the home of the first white man settled in the Miami Valley north of Cincinnati. On the farm now owned by L. Baker was the Indian village of Piqua, which has become famous as the birthplace of the noted Indian chief Tecumseh. At this same place was fought the battle between the whites under Gen. Clarke, and the Shawnee Indians in August, 1780. On the farm now owned by Mrs. Sarah Smith of Section 34, stood the ancient Indian village of Chinchima.

The date of the first settlement of Bethel Township is somewhat obscure, but from indubitable evidence we are able to say that John Paul was living at the forks of Honey Creek in 1790, and that same evidence points just as clearly to an earlier period. Relatives still remember well of hearing Mr. Paul speak of crossing the Ohio River at the point where Cincinnati now stands, before any settlement was made there; that his father was killed by the Indians soon after crossing the river. The remainder of the family escaped. The same night Mr. Paul went back, found the body of his father (which had been scalped) and buried it. Mr. Paul wandered on with the rest of the family, himself the eldest, a brother and a sister, and made their final stop on what is now part of Section 29. Mr. Paul died in 1853, aged ninety years. The older citizens well remember that the habits of caution and care necessarily acquired in the dangerous times, followed him as long as he lived.

David Lowry was the next settler in the township. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1767, and, in 1795, he settled in Section 3, Bethel Township. He afterward bought the whole of Section 14, which he sold and then entered land in Section 9, where R. M. Lowry now lives. He was married in 1801 to Sarah Hammer, of Miami County, Ohio, who died in 1810, leaving four children, viz., Sarah, Nancy, Susan and Elizabeth. All are now dead but Susan, the wife of John Leffel. In 1811, he married Mrs. Jane Hodge, whose maiden name was Wright, by whom he had four children - Martha S., David W., Robert M. and Sarah R., all now living. He died September 9, 1859, and his widow followed him August 15, 1807. He was a robust, enterprising Christian pioneer, and did much toward the growth and civilization of his adopted county.

Jonathan Donnels, a native of Lycoming County, Penn., was the companion of David Lowry, and was a surveyor, He settled on Seetion 33, where Leander Baker now lives,in 1795. In 1797, he returned to Pennsylvania, bought out his brother James, who was then but eight years old, but was a great help to him in his cabin. Jonathan married and was the father of five children, viz, John, who removed to Oregon, where he died; Jonathan, who is living in

Iowa; Elizabeth, who married George Layton; and Lucinda, who married and moved to Michigan. Mr. Donnels last years were embittered by family troubles, and, in a fit of temporary insanity, he hung himself on the Holcomb limekiln farm in Springfield Township, whither he had moved after selling his old home. He was a man of sterling traits of character, generous and whole-souled, and was very well read for those early days, and was indeed one of the noblest of Clark County's pioneers. His brother, James Donnels, who came in 1797, grew up under his care and married Mary Hopkins, settling where John Leffel now lives. He had eight children, but three of whom are living, viz., Susan, the wife of Jesse Boyd; Eliza, the wife of Lewis Huffman; and Jonathan. Mr. Donnels moved to the northeast corner of Springfield Township; thence to the farm where Jesse Boyd lives in Harmony Township, and finally to the farm where his son Jonathan now resides, where he and his wife died.

Hugh Wallace was born in Kentucky August 14, 1778; came to Bethel Township about 1798, and began working for David Lowry, with whom he stayed several years. He was married to Margaret Smith, who died in 1814, and he then married Eleanor Richison, who was born in the Northwest Territory in 1793, and had nine children, seven yet living. He was in the war of 1812, and died in 1864. His widow died in 1875.

Joseph Tatman was born in Virginia in 1770, and his wife Rebecca in North Carolina in 1772. They came to Brown County, Ohio, in 1798, and, in 1501, to this township. He was appointed Associate Judge after the county was organized, and held that office several years. He was also a member of the Legislature. They had thirteen children. He died in 1827, and his wife in 1864.

Jacob Huffman, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in the eastern corner of the township in 1802. He died December 1, 1542, aged seventy-two years, and his wife Catharine, died in August, 1866, aged eighty years. They had ten children who grew up - five yet living, viz., Henry, Reuben, Martha, Rachael and Samuel. He built a fine stone house which is yet standing.

George Croft was born in Pennsylvania in 1771, and was married in Virginia, in 1799, to Mary Critz, of that State. In 1504, they came to Bethel Township with two children, and seven were born to them afterward. Mrs. Croft died in February, 1846, and her husband after re-marrying died in October, 1855.

. Thomas Cory was born in Essex County, N. J.,in 1738. He came to Ohio in a very early day, and settled in Warren County, whence he came to Bethel Township, this county. in 1803, bringing his son Elnathan, with whom he lived until his death in 1813.

Elnathan Cory was born in Essex County, N. J., January, 1776. He came to this township with his father in 1803, and entered the northwest quarter of Section 24. During the war of 1812, he was an extensive contractor with the Government for army supplies. He married Hannah Jennings in June, 1800, and by her had eleven children, of whom eight lived to adult age and three died in infancy. Four are now living, viz., Judge David J. Cory, Eliza Miller, Rhoda W. Cross and Sarah Smith. Mrs. Cory died August 20, 1834, and her husband June 8, 1842.

Abraham Brooks Rall was born in Essex County, N. J., September 9, 17776, and, at the age of eleven years, ran away from 'home with an expedition that went to Western Pennsylvania. In 1789, he went to Cincinnati, where he worked with his uncle in a mill for three years, when he commenced learning the brick-layer's trade. In 1798, he returned to his Eastern home, where he married Elizabeth Lambert. In October, 1804, he again came to Cincinnati with his wife and one child, and, in the December following, came to this town- ship, where he entered the northwest quarter of Section 33. He continued to work at his trade during the summer months until 1825, when he retired to the quiet of his farm. He had eleven children, nine of whom lived to be married. He died April 20, 1864, and his wife March 28, 1844.:

William Layton, with a large family of children - Joseph, Robert, Arthur, John, William, Jr., Polly, Sally and Betsey - came to this township in 1803, settling in Section 2, on Mad River, not far from the mouth of Donnels Creek. He was a Pennsylvanian, and died on that farm. The descendants of this family are among the most prominent people of the county, Joseph having been Judge of the court, John being one of the first Clerks of the county and a E d Commissioner, and John E., the son of John, was Sheriff from 1850 to 1860.

Henry Williams and his wife Elizabeth came from Virginia with four children in 1805, and settled on the land now occupied by their son Rev. Henry Williams. They had nine children - five born after they came to this county. Mr. Williams was a soldier in 1812, and died in 1845, his wife having died in 1829.

George Keifer was born in Maryland in 1769, and there married, in 1799, to Margaret -Hivner, a native of that State, born in 1772. They came to this township in 1812, and bought a large tract of land which was the birthplace of Tecumseh, the noted Indian chief. They had five children- - Mary, Sarah, John, Catharine and George, who all grew.up on this farm, and here the parents died leaving descendants, who have since become prominent in county, State and national affairs.

John McPherson came about 1800, and settled on Section 21. John Forgy, James Forgy, Stewart Forgy and Presly Forgy came in 1806. Their father John Forgy came much earlier, and settled in Mad River Township. Samuel McKinney came about the same time; he was a prominent music teacher in the early times. In about 1808, came John Wallace, Sr., from Kentucky; he was the father of James Wallace, many years a prominent merchant, and Dr. Joseph Wallace, late of Springfield. Leonard. Hains, Reuben Wallace, John and James Lamme, John Crane, Sr., came first to the county in 1802, settled on Bethel in 1806. George Lowman came in 1810; the next year built the "stone house" which for many years was a wonder, and the only house other than wood in the western part of the county. Joseph Reyburn, William Holmes, John Crue, Abraham Keever, Joseph Butler, Edward Riggs, Oliver Walker, William MeCoy, Jacob Bingerman, Benjamin Pursell, John Jackson, Jacob Loofborow, John Whalen, Ezekiel Paramee, all came to Bethel prior to 1810. This list is doubtless incomplete, as at this late day it is impossible to get the best account of the early times.

Among the old settlers who came later than the above, mention might be made of the following and their places of settlement: John Husted, who settled on Donnel's Creek, Section 9; Jacob Funderburg, on Section 9; John Richinson, on Section 9; and Jacob Leffel, who settled on Section 17 about 1817. He was a native of Virginia, and had a large family, two of whom, John and Peter, now reside in Bethel Township, and James in Springfield. Jacob had the following brothers: Samuel, Daniel, Anthony, John, James P. and Thomas, who have: all left descendants in this county, who are well known and respected ; in fact "the Leffels" is a name that is a household word throughout the State, having gained a world-wide celebrity from the invention of the turbine waterwheel by James Leffel, who was long a resident of Springfield, but died a few years ago.

In educational matters Bethel Township seems at the first settlement as well as now to have occupied the front rank. As early as 1805, a schoolhouse was erected on the farm of Capt. McPherson, about the same time another was erected on the farm owned by George Lowman, both of which were long known as landmarks, and used as points of reference by the early settlers. Those schools were of course supported by subscription, as there was no State provision for schools until 1821. The writer has before him the ledger of a teacher who taught at the Lowman Schoolhouse in 1810. The book is so much mutilated it gives no clue as to who he was. The teacher was a man well adapted to to those pioneer times, and therefore made himself generally useful as will beseen farther on. The charges for tuition and style of payment would astonish the teacher of the present day. Charges and credits like the following are found in the ledger mentioned:

The account amounts to fifty odd dollars, and was all paid in "trade" as were nearly all others found in the book. The teacher of those times was usually a middle-aged or elderly man (we mean in the new settlements) with but little education himself, and higher aspirations than his neighbors, feeling keenly his own needs, devoted himself and his good sense to improving the minds of his neighbors children, although the schoolhouse and the teacher offered but few advantages by which aneducation might be obtained, yet "burly chiefs and clever Lizzies, were reared in sie a way as this is." The ledger shows that many of the patrons of the school were residentsof the adjoining townships, and some from a considerable distance, proving the teacher to have been trustworthy. Bethel Township is organized into eleven school districts; all have substantial buildings; six districts have two-story buildings for graded schools. The Board of Education have always been well up to needs of the times, and supplied each schoolhouse amply with all the furniture and apparatus necessary for successful teaching.

Bethel Township has three villages. The Rev. Archibald Steel settled on part of Section 19, Township 3, Range 9, in 1807; soon after built a grist-mill, which formed the nucleus of the town of Medway. It is situated on the Valley Pike, nearly midway between Dayton and Springfield. The last census gave 21! inhabitants. Medway is surrounded by one of the finest farming districts in the world - which, however, is the character of the whole of the Mad River Valley. Medway has one dry goods store, an? one grocery and provision store, a carriage-faetory, wagon and blacksmith shops, a mill for the reduction of wood to pulp for the manufacture of paper; this establishment employs a number of hands, and will soon be increased to more than double its present produets. The Woodbury flouring-mills, adjoining Medway,

New Carlisle was laid out in 1510, by Wiliam burn; the first location was about eight; rods weet A the present tow: and was York. In 1512, the pres ent was laid out, and called Monroe, In 1925, the name was changed to New and the eenens of 1990 gives it 912 inhabitants. The village is located 9n fie west bank A Honey Creek, about twelve miles west of Springfield, and about sixteen miles northeast A Dayton; the streets are at right angles, and the free use ot A, which is Amodar and easily dhane, has made ther first ass, The ere generally good, among them some very hine and enntortable resdenees The town hall Odd Felloss and Masonie buildings, znd the eurches, Svein number. cre 2000, subetantial structures, The village was ineoporzted im 1527 Though reme from raileoods, Carlisle has a very fær general trade: there are two ime stocks of gode, two árug stores, ive grocery ond provision stores, me genera) tk of bardware and queeneware, one AL-

Show zm akut fneredible cass A whet, eor, rye, barley, fiax-seed, potatoes, 5, be. . Sheep, grass sende, produeesd in «n area of Tour miles around the e s] is 2iso well adapted to the growth of frut trees, ae is shown st the umsserics tiat Ajn the village. bundreds of thousands A which are chipped ^ac onbres place 2nd distributed 21] over the amry, to both wholesale ad

Dounecleorille was kod out about 1522 by Cay&, Abram Saith. The eens of 1990 gave 4 22? medias, who PA one Gry gods store, two grocery and provision shores 2 wegen zn Wiockenmitb chop, two ede shops, Douneleville is situated on the Nationa road, seven miles west of SpringGield, and eosfeine two ceurcbes The Methodist Epe Church was formed of 2 clam, fest im 1519 uet a£ be house of - - Che father of. Jeremih LSA, sho ved Bost two miles moríh A the village. to which it was removed about tucky, in 1798, at which time the denomination first took the form of a distinctive church. A letter before us, written by Judge David J. Cory, of Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio, says, * As to the date of the organization of the Christian Church in New Carlisle, I am unable to say. The first I recollect of it was in 1805, when I was about four years old; meeting was held in our cabin. I remember going to bed at dark, after getting a good nap, then be waked up by the singing, and lay in bed listening, and well remember how badly I felt." The Judge then says that he well remembers hearing his mother speak of incidents connected with the church that warrants the belief that the church was organized as early as 1799, or 1800 at the latest. After a time, the cabin on the Cory farm became too small to accommodate the people; a cabin church was builtopposite the cemetery, on the Crawford farm, west of the Cory farm, where they worshiped for a number of years. The church building in the village was erected about 1827; later, it was remodeled into its present condition - that of a substantial, comfortable place of worship. Among the earlier Pastors of this church were Stackhouse, Worley, Purviance, the Elder MeCoy, Potter, the Elder Simonton, Baker and Reeder, and others who are held in reverence as earnest, self-denying men of their times. The church has maintained its organization under the times of depression and through all the various vicissitudes it has been called to pass through. More recently, its membership has been increased under the labors of the present Pastor, Rev. T. C. Diltz The Presbyterian Church, or the Honey Creek Church, as it was formerly called, is also one of the ancient landmarks of the Miami Valley. "The first record of this church is found in the minütes of the Transylvania Presbytery, whose bounds are thus described in said minutes: * On the north by Cherokee Creek, on the east by the Alleghany Mountains, on the west by sunset, on the south by Tennessee." Rev. William Robinson was Pastor of the Mount Pleasant and Indian Creek Churches in Kentucky; salary, $110; resigned in 1802, and became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio, who worshiped in a log meeting-house that stood on the same lot now occupied by the court house. Mr. Robinson in the same year preached to a congregation on Honey Creek. The Rev. John Thompson, who was then known as the *Miami Joshua," preached to Presbyterian congregations in the Miami Valley in 1800, one of which was on the Mad River at Decker and Kreb's Indian Station, near Boston. Mr. Robinson and Rev. James Welsh visited Honey Creek occasionally until 1804, when Mr. Robinson organized Honey Creek Church and supplied it with preaching occasionally until 1807, when the Rev. Archibald Steel came to the county and settled where Medway now stands. Mr. Steel preached as a licentiate until ,1815, when we find the following minute in the record of the Miami Presbytery: *A. Steel was examined in Latin, Greek, history, philosophy and theology, as parts of trial for ordination. The examination was sustained." And thereupon the candidate was ordained in the log schoolhouse at Springfield, on Buck Creek, in Champaign County, June 22, 1815. The first meeting-house of Honey Creek Church was built of logs, in the cemetery south of Carlisle, about the time Mr. Steel began to preach to the church. The first Ruling Elders were Adam McPherson, Sr., John H. Crawford and Joseph Robinson, who were " set apart according to the book" by the Pastor, William Robinson, when the church was organized in 1804. The congregation continued to worship in the log church until 1828, when the present building was erected in the village. We will say here, the building was remodeled to its present appearance in 1866. Rev. A. Steel was Pastor from 1807 until his death, which occurred in 1831. Rev. William Gray succeeded Mr. Steel, and was Pastor from May 12, 1832, to April, 1841. Rev. E. R. Johnson, as a licentiate, was stated supply from February 28, 1841, to May 15, 1842, when he was ordained and installed Pastor (Dr. Lyman Beecher preached the ordination sermon), and continued to serve the church until his death, which occurred September 6, 1862. His pastorate extended over twenty years. Mr. Johnson was succeeded by the Rev. Lusk, he by Rev. G. Beaty, he by Rev. B. Graves, he by Rev. Thomas, then Rev. G; M. Hair, lastly Rev. H. P. Cory. The church is now without a Pastor. Number of members, 150. We find in the records of Honey Creek Church the names of many of the earlier settlers: among them were John Steel, the father of Rev. A. Steel, who died in 1818; John Forgy, Adam McPherson, Sr, Adam McPherson, Jr., Samuel McKinney, James Forgy, John Paul, John Wallace, Joseph Stafford, John Clengan. Stewart Forgy, William Holmes, John Ainsworth, John Montgomery, Abner Kelley, Ezekiel Paramee, who were among the solid men of the times. and did their share in -learing up the country, as well as sustaining the church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of New Carlisle has the same misfortune of many of the earlier churches in the loss of the first records. The first intimation hadof its existence is about 1812, when tradition has it a class had been formed and met at the house of Giles Thomas, who was its leader; the class met for a few years at the saine place, when a small church was built on the southwest corner of Pike and Jackson streets. Many of the early Pastors of this chureh were among the noted men of the times. Lorenzo Dow preached a sermon to this church; William Raper, James Findley, George Maley, Joshua Boucher, William Simmons and Joseph Laws were among the earlier Pastors. The present meeting-house was built in 1853, improved in 1869, and is among the best found in the rural districts: the interior is unusually good, and speaks well for the enterprise of the congregation. Membership, 200. The church owns a comfortable parsonage, occupied by Rev. J. McK. Shutz, the Pastor.

The Baptist Church in New Carlisle is in the same condition as most of the early church organizations. The first records are lost, aud there is nothing to indicate when it was instituted. The first records to be had commence in 1834. The history of the church from the above date discloses nothing of interest to the general reader. At one time, it was one of the strongest and the most influential in the Mad River Baptist Association, numbering over three hundred members. The records show that about twenty persons were ordained to the ministry. The church has a comfortable brick meeting-house, erected in 1850. In 1864, the German Baptists purchased the Old-School Presbyterian Church, and refitted it for their own worship, it being nearly equal distance from the Donnel's Creek branch and the Hickory Grove branch. It is used with somewhat remote appointments by both branches, and when traveling ministers are present.

The school interests of New Carlisle have always been well cared for. Prior to the enactment of the first school law, in 1821, subscription schools were supported in the village; after, it was a distinct school district. In 1835, a very commodious schoolhouse was built of brick; though thought to be ample for the accommodation of the district for all future time, a few years proved it to be insufficient, and other rooms had to be found for the primary classes. In 1865, the district was organized, under the Akron law. into a separate school district, containing four sections, with additions of farms outside. Soon after this arrangement, the district purchased the Linden Hill Academy building, this building giving ample accommodations for the pupils of the district, a high school was immediately organized, with a curriculum, for all the grades, extending over eight school years, thus preparing the pupils for a eollege course. The school has given satisfaction, and is patronized outside of the district. -

About 1850, the Rev. Berger, now of Dayton, started a select school, which continued two years with good success. In 1852, the Rev. Thomas Harrison came from Springfield to Carlisle and arranged with Mr. Berger for his interest in the school. The facilities of the school were extended so much that s Har- rison two years after erected (to which the citizens contributed largely) the Linden Hill Academy building. A large number of pupils already in attendance, the curriculum, was extended, embracing the classics. Mr. Harrison proved to be an earnest and successful educator. To-day, many of his former pupils are occupying honorable positions in many parts of the country. The present graded school in New Carlisle, with the high school department, offers such facilities for educational purposes as are seldom found outside of colleges.

New Carlisle Lodge, No. 100, A., F. & A. M., was chartered J anuary 5, 1831; meets Saturday night, on or before the full moon. An incident connected with this lodge may be of interest to members of the order. About the year 1832, the opponents of the Masonic fraternity brought such a pressure on the members of the lodge that they deemed it best to refrain from meeting for a time. They did so, and for several years no meetings were held. In the meantime, the jewels were safely secreted in a sand bank beside Honey Creek, not far from the village.

Bethel Baptist Church

A few persons holding the doctrines as taught by Baptist Churches, living in Bethel Township, near the branches of Donnel's Creek, were desirous of being formed into a Baptist Church. According to the custom of the denomination, a council was called, consisting of messengers from other churches, including Elders Joseph Morris, William Sutton and Luke Byrd, who were among the earliest Baptist preachers in Western Ohio, convened, on the 20th day of April, 1822, and there, Jonathan Lorton, James Lorton, Elizabeth Donavan, Sarah Stephens and James Key were regularly constituted as the Donnel's Creek Regular Baptist Church. The first meetings of the church were held in the cabins of the members, but mostly at the house of Mrs. Donavan, who lived on the land now owned by Thomas MeKee, until July 20, 1822, when they met in the log schoolhouse erected on the corner of the cemetery ground adjoining the present church building. Elder William Sutton was the first Pastor. The records show that Elders Joseph Morris, James Buckles and Chandler Tuttle frequently visited and preached for the church. In September, 1823, the church joined and sent messengers to the Mad River Baptist Association. The minutes of the proceedings of Bethel Baptist Church have been so carefully kept that they are a complete journal of the business of the church since its constitution. Of course, much of the records, though important to the church, would be of but little interest as a matter of general history. The church of course has had her difficulties to contend with. All was not always harmonious; members would be in conflict with each other; then came the duty of reconciling the adverse parties, by advising, rebuking, reproving, and finally excluding the incorrigible. This is all faithfully recorded. This church early took a decided stand against intemperance in the use of ardent spirits, though the practice of using spirits was so universal, extending to all classes of society, and no moral pressure against it in those primitive times, the records, quite early in the history of the

'church show a number of cases where her authority had been interposed to restrain those who indulged too freely. Benjamin P. Gains joined the church in

1823, and was made permanent Clerk Hezekiah Smith was ordained October 16, 1824, and became Pastor of the church, which position he held, assisted at times by Elders Joseph Morris, James Buckles and Chandler Tuttle, until 1826, when Elder John Guthridge became Pastor, serving fhe church until October, 1928. September 15. 1827, Jonathan Lorton was licensed to preach. Elder Guthridge was succeeded by Elder William Tuttle, who was called to serve one year at a salary of $24; he served two years. October 30, 1830, Elder T. J. Price was called to the pastorate of the church. Elder Price visited the church in 1824. Elder Price continued until October, 1832, and asked to be released from the care of the church. His request was granted. Elder Abram Buckles assumed the pastorate for one year, salary, $12 per annum. Elder Willis Hance became Pastor in November, 1833; February, 1936, a delegation of messengers, consisting of Brothers Miller, Donavan, Lawton and Gains, were sent to assist at the constitution of the church in New Carlisle At this time, viz, 1836, the church began to consider the expediency of building a house of worship; here again domestic troubles set in: some of the members opposed the movement; a large amount of bitter feeling was indulged in, and threatened the existence of the church, but the efforts to conciliate, made in true Christian spirit, prevailed. The minutes of the church faithfully record these adversities, as well as their prosperous times. The new building was completed in 1837, and all was lovely again. The ground, one acre, was donated by Daniel and Henry Miller, for church and cemetery purposes. This building cost about $700. Elder Hance's pastorate continued until the end of December, 1843. During this time, the minutes show the church was visited by Elders J. L. Moore, Enos French, H. D. Mason, William Fuson, John Ebert, John Kingham, who held, in connection with the Pastor, protracted meetings, at each of which were accessions to the church. The labors of these pioneer preachers was of the severest character; very few churches were able to have preaching more than one-fourth of the time, and none more than one-half of the time, consequently, many of those preachers would serve four churches, often at very remote distances from each other, and they seldom failed in meeting their appointments. This, with the meager salaries received - seldom over $100 a year - and being compelled to labor when at home, to live, they performed an amount of labor that would appal the modern minister. These men were peculiarly fitted for the times; little or no education, possessed of few books other than the Bible and hymn books, earnest piety, hard sense and vigorous physiques enabled them to bear the hardships self-imposed. Many of them possessed a large degree of native oratory, seldom surpassed at the present time, which compelled attention to the solemn, earnest messages they presented to the people.

In January, 1844, Elder T. J. Price was again called to the pastorate of Bethel Church, which continued until August, 1876, when the infirmities of old age compelled him to give up allof his ministerial duties. During Elder Price's pastorate, the record shows that the church had been visited and protracted meetings held by Elders Daniel Bryant, William Sym, John Hawk, W. Martin, William Fuson, J. Lyon, D. Runkle, N. Colver and Harris. During this, there were many additions to the church. The present Pastor, W. R. Thomas, was called in 1876. In 1879, deeming the old church building too small, and needing much repair, the church determined to build a new house. The liberal subscriptions of the members of the church and well-wishers outside resulted in the erection of the beautiful, commodious structure now occupying the site of the old building. The new house was dedicated January 25,1850. Elder J. B. Tuttle,

- of Springfield, preached the dedicatory sermon. A collection was given amounting to $99.60. Several hundred persons have joined the Bethel Church since its constitution; the present number is about seventy. B. P. Gains was Clerk from

1823 to 1854: his son, Aaron Gains. to 1578; since that time, Kemp Gains has filled the office. The Clerkship of the church has been an heirloom in the Gains family, and well have they done the work. The writer must express his thanks to Mr. Kemp Gains for the cordial manner in which he furnished facilities for composing this history. On the roll of Bethel Church are found many of the pioneer settlers in Bethel Township. embodying some of the best men and women of the region of the church.

The Old-School Mennonite Church

David Neff, John Neff and their wives had been living in Bethel Township for a number of years; became desirous of joining this denomination, and, no organization existing in their neighborhood, Henry Huber, who was a member, sent to Jacob Bowman, a Mennonite minister, living at Winchester, Franklin Co., Ohio, to visit and form a church, and receive the Neffs into the connection. Mr. Bowman, not having full authority, sent for the assistance of John Brenneman, of Allen County, Ohio, who came to John Neff's house inthe spring of 1858. These ministers held a meeting of days, during which David and John Neff and their wives were baptized, and they, with Michael Kaufman, Christian Mumma, John M. Crider and Henry Huber, and Elizabeth Kaufman, who were already members, were organized into a Mennonite Church, consisting of twelve members. The church held meetings at somewhat long intervals, being supplied with preaching by ministers from other churches. This continued until December 20, 1862, when John M. Crider was set apart and regularly ordained a minister. Mr. Crider has served the church as Pastor up to the present time, preaching every two weeks. From the organization of the church, they worshiped in the schoolhouses in the neighborhood until the fall of 1867; they built a meeting-house on the farm of Henry Huber, on the New Carlisle & Dayton Pike. Mr. Crider was consecrated Bishop in 1872. Present number of members, twenty-four.

The first cemetery in the township was in Section 3. It was begun in 1797, by the burial of Lettice Lowry, followed in 1800 by that of her husband. It is now known as the Minnich Graveyard. The land for it was donated for burial purposes by David Lowry, who owned the farm at that time. Many of the pioneers lie sleeping here, with but a rough stone at their head and feet to mark their last resting-place on earth.

The Boston Graveyard, in Section 27, on the Valley Pike, was one of the earliest in the township, but is now a dense thicket of weeds and trees. The Lamme Cemetery, in Section 14, is quite an old one, and there is also an old burial-place in Section 10, close to Donnelsville, now known as the Brandenburg Graveyard.

The cemetery on the land of Daniel Funderburg was given for burial purposes by Peter Heck (who then owned the land)in 1818. The first use was early in 1819, by Mr. Heck burying a daughter. Many of the pioneers lie there. A few years ago, the cemetery was deeded in trust to several members of the German Baptist Church. By that denomination the ground is now principally used. This cemetery is on the northeast quarter of Section 22.

A small burying-ground on the land owned by John Garver in Section 17 was set apart for that purpose early in the settlement of the country; the exact date is lost. It contains the remains of a number of the first settlers; among them are the bodies of the parents of the present owner. It is not used now as cemetery.

The cemetery adjoining Bethel Church was set apart for private burial purposes in 1821. The first body laid there was that of Frederick Miller, in 1822 Since that time, it has been the burial.place of most of the inhabitants dying in the vicinity. In 1837, the ground was deeded to Trustees, to be kept forever as a place of sepulture. These grounds have been kept, and are now, in the best of order, except the south side, which has been seriously injured by grading down the pike, even to the extent of exposing some of the graves.

A small graveyard on the farm of Leonard Haines has been used for fifty years; also the one on the farm of Jonas Haines is an old family cemetery.

The Reformed Mennonite Cemetery is on Section 30. It was begun about 1849, and now contains three acres. It is used by the whole neighborhood.

The New Carlisle Cemetery Association was organized October 8, 1856, under the State law regulating cemetery associations. Honey Creek Presbyterian Church, at its institution, appropriated two acres of land for burial purposes; on the same their first church was built; this continued until the organization Of the association, at which time the land was turned over to the association, who added four acres to the plat. A farther addition of nearly seven acres is now being negotiated for by the association. The care given, and together with the large quantity of valuable marble it contains, makes this cemetery truly a beautiful "city of the dead." Mr. John Garst is President, and Dr. B. Neff, Secretary of the association.

Bethel Township has the advantage of the best of roads, sufficient to meet the business necessities of the people; they are generally in the best possible condition. The National road, now the property of a private company, bisects the township into two nearly equal parts from east to west. The Valley Pike, along almost all of the entire southern border, affords easy transit to Springfield or Dayton; afree pike from Carlisle to Springfield along the northern border gives easy access to Springfield; a free pike running across the township in the west- . ern pàrt intersects the Mad River Valley Pike at the southern boundary. The township has but very little road that is not well graveled.

The first mill built in the township was erected on Donnels' Creek by Jonathan Donnels, about 1804, or perhaps earlier. It was swept away by a freshet. It was a rudely constructed building of logs, and was used as a saw-mill. Mr. Donnels had bought 160 acres in Section 3 for mill purposes, and in 1808 David Lowry built a grist-mill south of the site of Donnels' mill, on the same stream, in Section 9. The buhrs in this mill were made from what are known as " nigger-heads." Mr. Lowry put up a dam for his mill, which backed the water onto Donnels', who sued Lowry for damages, claiming that he was injured by not being able to get at his stone in the creek. The suit was tried in Urbana, and Donnels recovered damages, but the two old pioneers still remained good friends. Mr. Lowry added a frame saw-mill in a short time afterward, and in 1820 he put up a frame grist-mill, in which he put the buhrs of his old mill. This mill he ran until 1846, when the dam was washed out and he retired from business in favor of his son, David W., who continued it for about five years, when he quit, since which time it has never been in operation. It is now a wreck, the old frame yet standing on the road opposite to Mr. Lowry's house - a reminder of days gone by, and the haunted house of old."

Archibald Steel built a mill where Medway now stands, in a very early day, and a man named McQueen built a race and a saw and grist mill in Section

John Shartle built a grist-mill in Section 30, known as the Woodbury Mills, to which was added a distillery. On this site the Woodburys are still in operation, and doing a good business. In 1836, John Reyburn built a saw and grist will on Honey Creek, in Section 29, where there is now a saw-mill in operation. Maj. Abraham Smith built a saw-mill in Donnelsville about 1829, where there is yet a mill. Archibald Lowry also ran a saw-mill at Medway in an early day. George Croft built a grist and saw mill and distillery on a raceway close to Mad River, which was dug by him about 1830. Mr. Croft, with his sons, John and Jacob, ran this mill and distillery for years. It is now run as a saw and grist mill by Martin Snyder. A mill was built on Section 33, on the Crain farm, which ran for a few years, and a saw-mill was run by John Detrick for several years on his farm.

It has been something difficult to get the names of the first physicians who practiced in Bethel. Among them are, in New Carlisle and vicinity, McPherson, McCann, Robbins, Stephens, Hood, Haynes, Adams, Farquar, E. Garst, M. Garst, Hornbeck, Bull, V. Smith, Winans, Foster; Stockstel, Meranda, Neff, Young, Nesbet, Hensley; at Medway, Shackleford, Barr, Stonebarger and W. F. Meranda; at Donnelsville, Wood, Ferguson, Lindsay, Patten, Baker, Markwood, Pollock, Meyers. Dr. C. Smith lived near Donnelsville.

An Incident

In the history proper of the county, mention is made of a boat taken from here to Cincinnati by David Lowry in 1800. A similar incident in the history of this township is well worthy of mention. John Jackson, who married Nellie Lowry, built a flat-boat about 1825, on the north bank of Donnels' Creek, about thirty yards south of where David W. Lowry now lives. He launched the boat in high water, and, taking three or four of his children, floated down to Mad River, thence to the Miami, thence to the Ohio and Mississippi, settling in Tennessee, where he died. His wife and one or two of his children remained with the Shakers in Montgomery County, Ohio, this sect being the cause of the family's separation.

Of the Bethel Township men who served in State and county offices are found Reuben Wallace, who was a member of the Ohio Legislature from Champaign County when Clark County was included in Champaign, and did much toward the establishment of this county while there.

William G. Seniss was Associate Judge. Joseph Tatman was Associate Judge and member of Legislature. Dr. B. Neff was a member of the Sixtieth and Sixty-first Legislatures.

Gen. J. W. Keifer, the present member of Congress for the Eighth District of Ohio, who also served in the Legislature, is a native of Bethel Township.

Of natives of Bethel Township who are now holding honorable positions outside of the township are Ed H. Funston, who has served four terms in the Kansas Lower House of Legislature, two as Speaker; is now member elect of the State Senate; John S. Reyburn, member of Assembly several terms in Pennsylvania, is now member elect to the Senate.

William McClure is now Treasurer of Allen County, Kansas. Samuel Dailv was Treasurer of Boone County. Indiana; his brother, Calvin Daily, served in the same office in the same county. - - Warwick. Common Pleas J udge in Iowa.

Mention has been made in another place in this history of a select school taught in New Carlisle by the Rev. Thomas Harrison. It is but just to say that all of the above-mentioned natives of the township were pupils of Mr. Harrison. ae other of his pupils are filling responsible positions in the several States of

By Daniel Baker

A mere pathway, wide enough for one person, or one horse single file, now winding around a precipitous hill, now passing around the border of a swamp, now taking a straight course for the shallow fording of a river, such were the public highways one hundred years ago. And going back in imagination to a period of which we have no historic record, we find here and there evidences of a race of people prior to the red men, and altogether different in their habits and modes of life. They are by some writers called the Mound-Builders, and one of those large cone-shaped structures is about all the proof they have left in this locality to tell us they ever existed. Some antiquarians infer that these people, whoever they were, were fire worshipers, charcoal and appearances of rude altars being found in excavations made in those mounds; and who knows but in that unknown period, even before the war whoop of the Indian had ever been heard in these primeval forests - that even right here in Mad River Township, and on the Knob Prairie Mound, was heard the agonizing cries of little children whom mistaken parents compelled to pass through the fire to appease the ire of their offended God?

Mad River Township possesses, in common with the county of which it forms a part, many natural advantages not accorded to all other localities of like extent. A gentle, rolling upland of deep, rich soil, a second bottom level black, loamy soil, a prairie naturally wet in places, and in places swampy, but easily drained, excellent for pasture or meadow. An abundance of building-rock of excellent quality, inexhaustible quantities of excellent lime-rock, also here and there a specimen of fire-proof rock of a dark grayish color, soft and free from sand or grit, very durable for furnaces; abundance of gravel dispersed at convenient points, easily accessible and good quality for roads; abundance of water for stock, having on the north Mad River, a tributary of the Great Miami; toward the center flows the Muddy Run, a tributary of Mad River. and other smaller living streams interspersed at various points; also, large never-failing springs in many places, as the Layton Springs, situated on what is now known as the Rubsam farm - a spring that in fcrmer times was utilized for milling purposes, and forms a tributary of Mad River, emptying into that stream at the head of the Republic Paper-Mill dam, and contrib- utes largely to the power used for propelling the machinery attached to the Republic Works at Enon Station; the Partington Spring, a beautiful, neverfailing spring flowing from the rocks on the side of a very steep bluff, and having about twenty-five feet fall, and forming a power that, in former times, drove the machinery for a woolen factory; the Galloway Spring, on what is now the Frank Johnson farm, a large spring on the side of the hill overlooking Muddy Run bottom; the Indian Spring, near the present site of Enon, on the north side of Cox's Grove (since the ditch has been made, this spring boils up in the center of the ditch). This spring was once an Indian rendezvous, a regular camping-ground when on their hunting expeditions, and many other springs of more or less notoriety. The timber is of medium growth, principally oak of the different varieties; one variety, however, is likely to become extinct - the black oak, which, for years past, has been dying off rapidly; also hickory, some walnut, and along the bottoms are poplar, beech, ash and some other species; and now, looking back one hundred years, we behold all those materials which nature has furnished, and which are so necessary to the development of a civilized state of being, in possession of a race who appreciated a forest only as a retreat for game, and as a place of concealment from enemies; who regarded the steep cliffs along the Mad River, which are now being rapidly transformed into lime and building material, as nature's breastworks for the protection of the red man, and as barriers to the progress of his enemies. And now, to contrast the present condition of this region of country with what it was one hundred years ago, it is evident that some powerful agency has been at work to transform this once howling wilderness into fruitful fields; to replace the narrow, serpentine trail of the savage by the broad publie highway; to replace the little hut by a stately palace; to supersede the traffic in hides and pelts by horse and foot, by mammoth cargoes of produce and merchandise, live stock and human freight, borne forward with the speed of the wind by methods unknown one hundred years ago. The agencies that have brought about this wonderful transformation will oceupy an important place in the subsequent part of this historic record. First comes the backwoodsman with his ax, and levels the forest, and, with the aid of his oxen, breaks the soil and cultivates his crops. Next, or simultaneously, comes the mechanic, with a few rude tools; the minister of the Gospel, the school-teacher, the merchant and the medical practitioner follow, fine artisans, skilled mechanies, statesmen and lawyers bringing up the rear. Mad River Township has for its northern boundary, its entire length, the Mad River, the general direction of this line being from northeast to southwest. On the east iv is bounded by Springfield and Green Townships. On the south it is bounded by the Greene County line the entire length, commencing at the southeast corner of the township and running due west four sections, thence due north one section, thence west to Mad River at the western limit of the township. The entire length of the township from east to west in a straight line is about nine miles. The length of the boundary line on the north, without including the meanderings of the river, is between ten and eleven miles. The width of the township at the widest point is about six and a half miles, and from the description it will be seen it runs to a mere point at the extreme west end, and contains about thirty-three square miles.

The last census, taken the present season. gives Mad River a population of 1,512, against 1.493 in 1850; a gain of only 319 in thirty years. But it must be borne in mind that. during this period, a vast army has been steadily marching Westward, and that Mad River was not exempted from the draft to supply this vast and ever-increasing army with new recruits, and, in addition to this, the Soldiers' Monument in the Enon Cemetery bears the names of about thirty Mad River Township boys who were swallowed up in the maelstrom of the great rebellion. The first settler within the limits of the territory now comprised in Mad River Township was James Galloway. on what is now the Francis Johnson farm, Section 5, Range 8. Mr. Galloway came in an early day; the exact date is not fully determined, but not later than 1798. Hé came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and, on account of the insecurity of land titles at that time in Kentucky. owing to military claims, he removed with his wife to Ohio, as above stated, taking a tract of 400 acres, partly upland and partly rich bottom, along the Muddy Run. Mr. Galloway was a blacksmith, and he brought with him an anvil and a few tools, and, as he was the only blacksmith for many miles around, he had a good run of custom. His principal customers for a few years were Indians, who were then on friendly terms with the whites. There is a story about the anvil which he brought with him that we will relate, not vouching for its truth, however, and it is this: that he made a "lizard," a kind of sled, from the fork of a tree, and placed the anvil on it and drove in pins to hold it in position, and fastened the lizard or sled to his horse's tail, and thus hauled his anvil from Cincinnati to Muddy Run. The anvil is in possession of T. J. Barton, Springfield, Ohio, a relative of Mr. Galloway, and is in a good state of preservation, and will probably weigh 175 pounds. A day-book used by him is in possession of Francis Johnston, a relative of Mr. Galloway, having charges as early as 1794. Some of the entries on this book would appear singular if made at the present day, but, to illustrate the customs of those days, a few are as follows:

" March 7, 1800. - Robert McKinney, to one ax steeled of his steel 5s. 7d. "April 26, 1800. - David Lowry, to share laid of my iron, colter laid, 19s. 3d."

And many other similar charges, showing that a very small amount of iron, that to-day would not be regarded or accounted of any value, was then carefully and economically used and strictly accounted for. The English currency, pound, shilling and penny, occurs in this book down to and during a part of the year 1805, during a part of which he used the English and United States currency interchangeably. After 1805, the United States currency prevails. Mr. Galloway was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The next settlers after Mr. Galloway were Joseph and Robert Layton, in 1801. They came from Pennsylvania, and Joseph settled on a part of Section 32, now known as the Rubsam farm. Robert Layton settled on a part of the same section, on what is known as the William Layton farm. Joeph Layton was elected one of the first Trustees of the township; was afterward elected Justice of the Peace, and became one of the first Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Clark County. In 1801, Abel Crawford came from Kentucky and settled on Section 27, Range 9, on what is now the property of Henry Snyder. On this farm there is an excellent spring of cold water, and a delightful grove, and, being convenient to the railroad, it is in the summer season a favorite resort for picnics and Sunday-school excursions, and as a pleasure resort is known as the "Cold Springs." The same year, James Woods, from Pennsylvania, settled on the Joseph Layton tract already described; also, in 1801, William Parmer, from New York, settled on what is now the south part of the Henry Snyder home place, Section 26, Range 9, near the Stilwell Springs. The same year, Christian Miller came from Kentucky and settled on what is now known as the J. H. Barringer land, Section 14, Range 8. Shrofe, from Kentucky, and Christian Shrofe, his son, settled about the same time on the Bunyan place, Section 22. Range 8; also Myers and Spencer, sonsin-law of Shrofe. Samuel Davis came from New Jersey in 1803, and settled in the west part of the township. About 1505, Moses Miller, from old Springfield,

Hamilton County, settled on the land now belonging to the heirs of Melyn Miller, Section 36, Range 8. A part of the farm is still occupied by the widow of Melyn Miller; also Uriah Blue, on the Hake, now the L. J. M. Baker, farm, Section 28, Range 8. About the same time and from same place came Reuben Winget, and settled on what is now the Reuben Shellabarger farm, Section 6, Range 8. The same year, Melyn and Jonathan Baker came from Butler County, the former entering Section 31, Range 9, and settled on the north part of the section, on what is known as the Daniel Baker tract. Mr. Baker came from New Jersey to the present site of Cincinnati in 1790, and bought 200 acres of land on Walnut Hills. He afterward sold out and removed to Butler County, and thence to Clark. In those days, the log cabins of the older settlers were thrown open to receive the families of those who came among them to settle, for such time as was necessary, with the assistance of the neighbors, to erect a similar structure for themselves. Melyn Baker, on several occasions, entertained new arrivals until they could' erect and occupy their own cabins. About the year 1807, Richard Hudjul and family and Henson Reeder and family were welcomed to the hospitalities of his primitive abode during the time they were building their own equally humble residences.

Reeder came from Hamilton County, and, after trying several locations on this side of the river, he removed to Bethel Township and settled on the John Crain farm. About 1806, Dewitt settled. near where the Enon Station is now located; removed after a short time, and joined the Shakers. About the same time, Daniel Mead came from Massachusetts and settled also near the present site of the Enon railroad station. A painful incident in connection with his family is remembered. Mr. Mead had ason about ten years old. Just across the river lived one James Templeton. Mr. Mead one day had occasion to send his son to borrow an auger of Mr. Templeton. In this connection, it is hardly necessary to mention that such a thing as a bridge across Mad River did not exist, so the boy went to the bank of the river, and, being within speaking distance, called over for the auger. Mr. Templeton took an auger and, aiming to land it across the river to one side of the boy, he threw it, and as it neared the opposite bank, the boy, seeing the auger, and perhaps mistaking the exact line on which it was coming, was seized with a sudden impulse to get out of the way, but, as the event proved, he came directly in the way, and the auger, coming point foremost, struck him in the head, piercing the skull. Medical aid was summoned, but death soon terminated the unfortunate boy's career.

In 1805, Jacob Reeder came from Hamilton County, and settled on a tract of land adjoining what is still known as the Elder Reeder farm. At the same time came Stephen Reeder, father of Elder Geo. Reeder, and settled on a tract of about 200 acres, which included what is now known as the Elder Reeder farm, Section 13, Range 9. At the same time came Rule Petersen, from Hamilton County; also, John Brocaw, from Hamilton County, and also settled on the tract years ago known as the Reed farm, Section 14, Range 9, now owned by Frederick Koblentz. In 1808, John Ambler came from New Jersey and settled on the Partington place, Section 24, Range 9; he afterward moved to Springfield and engaged in the sale of the first goods that were sold in that little villlage. At the same time, Thomas Collier, from Ireland, settled on what is now known as the Preston Love farm, Section 23, Range 8. About the same time, Benjamin Symington, from Delaware, settled on what is now known as the Cyrus Drake farm, Section 20, Range 8. In 1809, Elias Vickers, a Christian minister, came to the township. In the same year, John Tenney, from England, settled on what is now the Coffield place, on Muddy Run, Section 11, Range 8. John Rue, a native of Maryland, came about 1812; his wife, Sarah, was from Pennsylvania, and, previous to their coming to Mad River, had lived in Greene County, Ohio.

The first preacher was Thomas Kyle; after him. Reuben Dooly, William Kinkaid, David Purviance, Francis Montfort and Barton W. Stone; some of these were noted men in their day, having been able ministers in the Old-School Presbyterian Church, and claiming the right of private interpretation of the Scriptures, independently of the acknowledged standard of the church. They rejected the authority of her courts. and claimed to acknowledge no authority but the Bible alone in matters of conscience and religious duty. Barton W. Stone, above named, was a leading spirit in the controversy that ensued. He was once called to the Knob Prairie Church to explain some disputed theological questions that were agitating the church and threatening its stability. The Knob Prairie Church just referred to was the first church erected in Mad River Township. It was built in 1806, by the Christian denomination, on a tract of land donated by Judge Layton for a church and burying-ground. situated on a rocky bluff overlooking the prairie, on the old road, now vacated. leading from Yellow Springs across what was known as the Broad Ford on Mad River. to New Carlisle. This church was built of hewed logs; was about 24x32 feet; the floor was laid with puncheon, and the door was also made of the same matarial. Puncheon was made by splitting a log into flat pieces, two or three inches in thickness, straightening their edges and facing their flat sides as in hewing. As the use of puncheon went out with the introduction of saw-mills, so also the term, which was only of local origin. became nearly obsolete. The windows consisted of holes cut out through the logs, and, as glass was not then considered an absolute necessity, nor was it even a procurable commodity. greased paper was pasted over the opening to admit the light into this primitive teraple. where the early pioneers assembled to worship God, in a building erected for the purpose of protecting them from cold and storm, and not for style and vain show. This building was also furnished with puncheon seats, as it was considered a great step in advance for the worshipers to have a place to sit down during divine service. This period was many years behind the age of backs and cushions, which would doubtless have been regarded as a manifestation of wicked pride and luxurious ease incompatible with the rough and hardy customs made necessary by the exigences of those times. The building was covered with clapboards, and was, when completed, an object of pride, and considered an achievement worthy of the time and the occasion for which it was erected. The surrounding grove was once a great camp-meeting ground; the people came for thirty or forty miles, with tents, remaining several days to attend the meetings. This old log structure served its day, and was replaced by a more commodious frame structure, with plastered walls and ceiling, panel doors. and regular glass windows. This building has long since been torn away, the society having built a commodious brick building in the village of Enon. The next church was erected by the Old-School Presbyterians. about a mile south of Muddy Run. near the Greene County line, in 1816, and was known as the Muddy Run Church. It was built of logs. had plank floor. shingle roof and glass windows; was about 24x30 feet. A brick building now occupies the site of this primitive structure. The congregation was ina flourishing condition until shattered by political animoslties, growing out of the question of slavery and kindred topics. As among the early settlers of New England. after providing for immediate necessities, the next object of prime importance was to secure the education of the rising generation; so the Western pioneer, armed with his trusty rifle, provided with a cabin and a small clearing for raising a few scanty provisions for maintaining his family. next turns his attention to the work of providing educational facilities for his children. If the school children of Springfield. who have been accustomed to the commodious school buildings with which the city abounds, were some bright morning to be summoned together to attend school in a building guch as was the first schoolhouse in Mad River Township, they would not be able to express their astonishment at its extreme simplicity; even the attendants at our Enon school would be amazed at the contrast of this buildng with their own. The first schoolhouse was built in 1806, about thirty yards east of the Daniel Baker residence, on the old Dayton & Springfield road. It was a log building with puncheon floor, puncheon seats without backs; glass was too expensive for lighting schoolhouses; as a substitute, greased paper was used fcr window lights. The entrance was closed with a puncheon door, hung on wooden hinges, with a wooden latch, with a string attached for opening on the outside. The warming apparatus for this building was an open fire-place, with cat-andclay chimney, asa stove for warming a schoolhouse was not thought of in those days. Perhaps it would have been better for the health of thousands of school children who have been confined in close, illy ventilated buildings, with incompetent teachers or janitors, ignorant or reckless of the requirements of the human lungs, if the idea of a stove or heating furnace had not suggested itself to the inventive genius of our advanced civilization. After the first schoolhouse was finished, the first teacher to occupy it was Samuel Gillalan, from Lexington, Ky., and, although a recommendation at this late day will be no special benefit to him, he is said to have been a good teacher. The qualifieations of a school-teacher in those days required, in addition to the knowledge of a few of the primary branches, also the ability and the disposition to compel his pupils to walk in the pathway of knowledge. Cpmpulsory education in those days was a definite, tangible, unmistakable reality, as many a young pioneer could testify with tears in his eyes and large red stripes on his back. The school term was in the winter season, and lasted three mpnths. The expenses were paid by subseription, as we had then no publie school fund provided by taxation, as now. The second school-teacher was Robert Layton. The next schoolhouse was erected near the site of the Rocky Point Schoolhouse, at what is known as the head of the cliffs. The third schoolhouse was built at or near what is known as the Center Schoolhouse, so named because near a central point of the township. and was for many years the place for holding elections and for the transaction of township business generally.

As early as 1809, when gunpowder was not only a necessity, but very difficult to obtain, Thomas Barton supplied the wants of the people in that line by manufacturing on a small scale, by hand. He was then settled on Section 34, Range 5, which has long been known as the Barton farm, on the line between Greene and Clark Counties, which farm has lately passed into the hands of Jonathan Cox.

The first Sabbah school was organized by Jacob Morgan, David Garrison and Charles Moore in a paper-mill, built by Samuel Symington, at what was afterward known as the Partington Woolen Factory, already referred to, on the North Fork of Muddy Run.

The prairie in those eariy times was covered with a heavy growth of tali grass, and in the night season the deer would come down from the timber, in which they took shelter in day-time, in quest of water and to mow the tall grass, and also to eat a certain kind of moss that abounded along the border of the big pond, as it was then called. But since then, the spade of the Hibernian in the construction of two railways along the border, as also a number of ditches, has deprived it of much of its original character. This pond was a resort for deer at night, and it also abounded with fish. The deer and fish attracted thither the hunter with his rifle, and the fisherman with his hooks and nets. In taking the deer on dark nights, the hunter would carry ligthed torches, and by this means could approach very near the deer, its eyes being blinded by the glare of the torch and, reflecting back the lightthus thrown, formed a splendid target for the hunter's rifle, and many a deer was thus deluded to its death by the glare of the hunter's torch in the darkness in those early days along the borders of this pond, when hunting and fishing were as really a visible means of support as is farming or any other legitimate calling at the present day. About 1812, William Donnels built the first tavern in the township, about a mile and a half west of where the village of Enon has since been located, on the old Dayton & Springfield Road. This tavern was built of hickory logs, and hence it bore the appropriate title, and was known far and near, as the " Hickory Tavern."

Travelers through this region in those days were glad to avail themselves of the accommodations furnished by the landlords of those log-cabin hotels, as they were the best the country afforded. The internal arrangements of this tavern were in harmony with the external appearance, but a generous hospitality supplemented style, and the traveler, leaving the threshold of this temporary abode realized that, while his entertainment was not princely, it was nevertheless up to the times and the circumstances of a new settlement not yet initiated into the mysteries of foreign trade and commerce. This hotel, with its proprietor, has long since passed away. The next hotel was built in Enon, by Franklin Cook, in the year 1838. It was built of stone and rough cast, and has been in constant operation, under various proprietors, ever since, and is still the only hotel in the village. This hotel has at different times been under the management of, first, Franklin Cook, the first landlord; next, Judge Hunt, Hagenbuch, J. H. Barringer, Dr. H. C. Foster, J. R. King, Frederick Drexler, Jacob Dunkle and T. P. Brewer, the present landlord. A central point for the transaction of business from 1818 to 1838 was at what is now known as Snyder's Station. About 1818, John and James Leffel erected a grist-mill at this point, and John Leffel died soon after, and James run the mill. Previous to this time, the nearest mills were at Clifton, in Greene County, or at Harshman's, in Montgomery County. Great inconvenience was experienced in the early days for the want of grist-mills at convenient points. At one time, the people here were entirely destitute of flour or corn-meal, and could not procure it at any price. The occasion of it was an unexpected and sudden cold change that froze up the mills before the people had laid in a supply for winter, and, as there were no flour stores then, and no place to get flour but directly from the mill, the people for several weeks subsisted on hominy and pork. To go to mill in those days was a two-days journey, including the time required to grind a grist. The grists were usually carried on horseback, partly on account of the roads, and for the want of other means of conveyance. Hence, the erection of the Leffel mill in 1818 was of great advantage to the people of this community, and, as the mill got into operation, and a great many people came there with their grists from a distance, it finally grew into a favorable point for general traffie, and here were established the first dry-goods and grocery store in this community. The first store was started by Mr. Mills, father of the late Judge Mills; he was succeeded by Knott & Johnson; Isaac Wilson succeeded them; William Johnston moved to Clifton and was for a time one of our County Commissioners. Afterward, a store was established at Brottensburgh, and about 1837 a post office was established there, with J. R. Miller, Postmaster; previous to this, the nearest post office was Springfield. Brottensburgh was built on the old Springfield & Dayton road, on what is known as the Roberts, or Stilwell, place; was built mainly of logs, and was peopled principally by persons who were employed in some capacity or other in connection with the mill under its various managements, either as coopers, distillers, teamsters, or some other kindred occupation. This Brottensburgh tract was once the property of the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow.

The mill referred to was run until about 1831 by Mr. Leffel, and sold to Minard, who made some additions to the property, among the additions being a large brick distillery. Mr. Minard ran the mill about three years, and, being unfortunate, the property fell into the hands of the Sheriff, and was bought by Daniel Hertzler. who ran the mill and distillery suecessfully for about twenty years, amassing a large fortune. The property has changed hands several times since, but for nearly twenty years past has most of the time been lying idle. The village of Enon, to which reference has already been made, was founded in the year 1838, it being on the direct road from Springfield to Dayton, and nearly a central point between Springfield and Fairfield, and at the intersection of the road leading from Xenia to New Carlisle. Enon was established simultaneously with the location of the Springtield & Dayton Turnpike, which at this point followed nearly along theline of the old Dayton & Springfield road. The town was first started by Ezra D. Baker and Elnathan Cory, their land joining, and being divided by the range line passing through the town from north to south on what is known as Xenia street. Additions were afterward made to the town by David Cross, who succeeded to the Cory tract, and also by David Funderburgh, along South Kansas street, on the east part of town. This Kansas street has a local history, as the name suggests. When this street was new and unnamed some of the denizens along the lineof this unnamed street were disposed to quarrel with each other, and a street fight was no uncommon affair, and the Kansas war being at its height, some ingenious person, associating the condition of this street with the condition of that gory young embryo State, named it Kansas street. Although both have laid aside their belligerent characters, yet the name remains, and will ever be a reminder of the struggles of the squatter sovereigns of Kansas with the border ruffians over twenty years ago. The first church erected in the place was a Methodist Episcopal, corner of Broadway and Pleasant streets; is still occupied by them, and is in a good state of preservation. This society was organized about 1840, in a small log house which stood in a grove between the village and what was then the residence of Eza D. Baker, now the John Hamaker residencé. The grove and the log house have long since disappeared, as have also all who constituted the society in its first organization. The first regular ministers of this society were Levi P. Miller and Noah Huff. The sermon on the dedication of the church referred to above was preached by Mr. Walker, who, it was said at the time, was educated within the pale of the Catholic Church, with the priestly office in view, but apostatized from the Catholic faith and became a Methodist minister. The first local minister resident of the village was Frederick Snyder. The next church erected in the village was by the Christian denomination. The first resident minister of this denomination was Elder Ladly, who removed to Yellow Springs, where he resided until his death,a few years ago. The first schoolhouse erected was built on North Xenia street, was built of brick, one story, and is still standing; is now occupied as a dwelling. The next schoolhouse was built on South Xenia street; is a two-story brick building, has three rooms - two below, one above, the upper room being occupied by the highest classes, the rooms below by the intermediate and primary classes. The school is not entirely under the control of the village, but is sustained by an incorporated district, extending, for school purposes, outside of the corporate limits of the village. The village has usually been favored with good schools of a common grade; but little effort has been made of late years to establish a school of as high a grade as should be sustained by this community. This lack of interest on the part of the citizens in the cause of education has doubtless been very detrimental to the development of the best interests of the village and its surroundings. The health of this locality is such that no fatal epidemic has ever gained a foothold here, nor have the honored disciples of Esculapius been able to reap large harvests here from the ills that flesh is heir to in less favored localities. This place is also favored with convenient railroad, mail and telegraphic facilities.

The first house in the village was erected by Jesse Rhodes. The first merchant was John R. Miller. He came hereinanearly day with a stock of goods and the post office, he having been previously established in Brottensburgh, where was located the first post office within the township. After Mr. Miller, Stephen Wilson came from Hertzler's Mills, now known as the Bank, or Snyder's Station, with a stock of goods. In those days, our merchants usually went twice a year to Philadelphia or New York to lay in a stock of goods. They went by stage, canal, and sometimes a portion of the route by steamboat, it requiring several weeks to make the journey, and still longer for the goods to be transported to their destination. Opening out a lotof goods, then being only a semiannual occurrence, and not daily, as now, was an occasion of universal interest to the people generally, and especially to the ladies, who are always interested in the very latest New York and Paris styles. Other merchants were Melyn Miller, Conrad Kurtz, Robert Gaston, who came with his two sisters and uncle from Ireland and bought out the stand formerly occupied by Stephen Wilson. Taylor and Gardner were for a time engaged in the business here; their storeroom was on what has long been known as the burnt corner, being at or near the northeast corner ot Mr. Hagar's lot; the establishment was burnt out, supposed. to have been by an incendiary. J. L. Conklin afterward established a store in the village, and was also burned out. David Zeigler was also engaged in the business; Smith & Ohlwine, John H. Littler, Anthony Beam, John Goodwin, Miller & Wolf, H. Strauss, John Wallace, and others.

Among the blacksmiths, Joseph Sipes was the first; after him was Nelson Hardman, T. J. Barton, John Hall William Pottle, Franklin Roch. James Vanostran, who was also a plow-maker, was for a time engaged with William D. Miller in the village in the manufacture of the well-known " Miller plow." The first resident shoe-maker was Mr. Weaver; after him, J. R. King, Davidson Maple, J. Blackert, J. Hammond, William Maple and others. Cabinet-makers, the first was Hitchcock; after him, Conrad Kurtz, who also for a time engaged in the undertaking business. At that time, it was common to run a hearse with a single horse. Mr. Kurtz followed the usual custom in this respect. Among the early residents in the cooper trade were William Barton, Silas Chappell, Peter Miller, Edwin Barton and others.

The first trial, either civil or criminal, we ever witnessed was held in the old schoolhouse, and the case, as near as memory serves, was this: William Barton, with a hand, were working in the shop together, disagreed and came to blows, and the hand struck Mr. Barton near the shoulder blade with a cooper adze, penetrating almost to the lungs, inflicting a dangerous wound. A charge for assault and battery with intent to kill was brought, the party was arrested, brought before Squire Coffield; the trial was held at night, in the old brick schoolhouse in Enon, then occupied in day-time for a common school, and taught by Blair Wilson, afterward Col. Wilson, of the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was then a young man teaching school and studying law. ie