Brown Township

Brown Township

BOLINGER & COLE, blacksmiths, Kilbourn. Frank Bolinger was born Feb. 22, ,1852, is the son of Jacob Bolinger, a native of Germany, whose wife was Catherine Smith, from the same place ; Frank was born in Delaware City, where he grew up, and there learned his trade; afterward worked there two years. September, 1873, he married Lemma Brownsberger, born in 1854, and raised in Stark Co.; was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Brownsberger. Frank worked one year and a half in Marion Co.; in 1876, came to this place-and set up in business for himself; has two children - Edward and Adelbert. Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran CKurch. January, 1880, he associated in business with Charles Cole, born in New Jersey Oct. 17, 1842, son of Henry and Nancy fMarquette) Cole ; learned histrade in New Jersey, and came West in 1860 ; located in Galena, worked at his trade until the breaking-out of the rebellion. He enlisted in Co. I, 32d 0. V. I.; was four years and five months in the service, and returned with life and limb unscathed, and in 1865 married Mary Loop, born in this county ; she died in 1875. Feb. 2, 1876, he married Lenora Hornback, his present wife, she was born in Knox Co.; had five children by his first wife; one by the second. Mr. Cole has worked in various places since he came West - Cheshire, Sunbury, Lewis Center, Eden Station, and to this town in 1869. He is a member of the Prohibition party. The firm are now associated together under the firm name of Bolinger & Cole, doing general blacksmithing in a satisfactory manner.

ABEL W. BARTLETT, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourn ; is a descendant of one of the early settlers of the county ; he was born in Kingston Township April 12, 1826, the ninth of a family of ten children born to Abner and Obedience (Mix) Bartlett ; Abner was born at Catskill, N. Y., his wife in Vermont ; after their marriage, came to this State at an early period of this county's history, locating in Kingston, when there were but three houses in Delaware City ; he lived in Kingston until the year 1834, sold out and moved to Columbus, and was engaged in the manufacture of ropes ; he remained there until the time of the cholera plague, of which he was a victim ; at the age of 14, Abel went to learn the tailor's trade at Mt. Vernon ; in his 20th year, located at Cardington, setting up nn business for himself, continuing there until the year 1847; Sept. 25, same year, married Zillah' Grant, daughter of Andrew Grant, from Pennsylvania; they moved to Marion Co., stayed one year, engaged in the hotel business ; this not suiting them, they went to Cardington where he resumed his former occupation, and added to it the merchant tailor and clothing business ; his wife died Jan. 6, 1867, leaving two children - Andrew W. and Adelbert G.; Andrew, at Cardington, engaged in the transportation business ; Adelbert met with a tragic end ; in, the spring of 1867 moved to Ashley, Oxford Township, was engaged in the merchant tailor business two years; in 1869, moved to Morrow Co. and engaged in farming. Oct. 27, 1868, mar^ ried Eliza M. Peak, born in 1836 ; her parents were from Windsor Co., Vt.; in the spring of 1876, moved to the place he now owns, situated one mile south of Eden on the J. P. Slack farm, later owned by M. M. Glass ; he has seventy-six acres of land ; has one child by his present wife, Olin Webb, born April 11, 1872. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church ; he is a strong advocate of temperance principles, and a zealous member of the I. 0. 0. F., having represented that body in Grand Lodge on several occasions ; he is a liberal patron of the public journals. ENOCH BAKER, farmer ; P. 0. Berkshire ; was born July 19, 1812, in Wayne Co.; is a son of Jacob and Barbara Baker, who emigrated to this State from Virginia in 1809 on horseback; among the utensils brought wit^ them, was a Dutch oven ; they made their way through the trackless forest, and were among the hardy pioneers of this county ; Enoch was the second of a family of seven children ; he remained with his father until he was 24 years of age ; then started for himself and lived ' the life of a bachelor until he was 36. May 28, 1848, was married to Hannah Baker, born in New Pittsburg, Wayne Co., Nov. 22, 1829; is a daughter of Ignatius and

Catharine (Boocher) Baker, both from Harrison Co., Va.; after marriage, Mr. Baker located in Licking Co., remaining there until 1868, then moved to Brown Township, southeast corner, his present home ; has 115i acres of land; they have had nine children, four living - Barbara, wife of J. Barber; Jacob W., William L., and Milan L.; Mrs. Baker's father was for twenty years Justice of the Peace, and represented his county in the Legislature ; Enoch began life poor, he received about $100 from his father's estate, this was his beginning.

EZEKIEL EKELBERRY; P.O. Alum Creek; was born in Fairfield Co. Jan. 20, 1827; is the fourth child of Jacob and Elizabeth (Whitman) Ekelberry. Jacob was born June 9, 1799, in Pennsylvania, and came West when a lad, and, after a residence of twenty years in Muskingum Co., moved to Fairfield Co., where he remained until the year 1834, when he settled in this county. Ezekiel's mother was born in Fairfield Co. Nov. 17, 1800. Ezekiel was a lad of about 7 years old when his parents located in this township. His father bought land at $3 per acre ; settled in the southeast part of the township, where he lived until 1870, when he moved to Delaware, remaining until his death, which occurred July, 1872 ; his wife died in October, 1 854. Ezekiel was married in his 23d year to Julia Ann Edelblute, daughter of John Edelblute: she was born in Licking Co. After their marriage, they lived about two years in Berlin Township ; then came to his present place of abode on the homestead and has since remained. Were blessed with ten children, but seven of whom are living - Ann (now Mrs. Charles Miller, of Delaware), Theodore, Mary B. (now Mrs. W. Hultz), Drusilla, Francis, Alice and Ross. Mrs. Ekelberry has 140 acres of land.

JOHN EKELBERRY, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne. John was born Oct. 1, 1824, in Fairfield Co.; is {he eldest of a family of eight children, whose parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Whit^ man) Ekelberry ; the former was from Pennsylvania ; his wife was born in Fairfield Co. John was married Oct. 14, 1 852, to Cecilia Longwell, born in this township in 1834; daughter of James and Phebe Longwell, who were_^ among the stanch families in this county ; since the marriage of John and wife, they have lived in Brown Township ; the first few years of their married life were spent in a log cabin ; subsequently, moved to their present place of residence, where they have 225 acres of land, and he is among Brown's best farmers ; they have a very interesting family, four boys - Frank J. (now practicing medicine in Concord, at Belle Point), Charles J. (teacher), Louis A. and Norton (at home). Mr. Ekelberry is a member of Floral Grange, No. 366, also of Hiram Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 54.

NELSON FLEMING, farmer; P. 0. Leonardsburg. Like many of Ohio's citizens, Mr. Fleming is of Pennsylvania ancestry, commencing with Henry Fleming, who was born in the Cichacocholis "Valley, Mifilin Co., Penn., in 1770 ; his son Isaac, father of Nelson, was born April 7, 1794, in Mifflin Co. His wife, Elisabeth Wyan, was born May 10, 1796, and stood before the altar with Isaac Nov. 7, 1816 ; their nuptials were celebrated in accordance with the laws of that commonwealth. The foregoing persons were among the first emigrants who settled on Alum Creek, arriving as early as the fall of 1817. Nelson Fleming was born Sept. 19, 1832, in Delaware Co., Ohio, and, Aug. 9, 1854, married Elisabeth Barton, whose birth occurred Sept. 18, 1829. They were married by the Rev. Ezekiel Gavitt, who in this way stands connected with the history of many of the citizens of Delaware Co. Nelson has but one representative to hand his name to ftiturity, and that in the person of James Edward Fleming, who was born Sept. 27, 1858. By occupation. Nelson Fleming is a farmer, of more than ordinary success in all the departments of stock-raising. Singularly particular in his selections in breeding, he has brought some classes of his stock (especially cattle) to a high standard ; having several premium bullocks, one of which, at the age of 3 years, attains the enormous weight of 2,200 pounds. Whatever Mr. Fleming has attained has been the result of indomitable will and energy, having taken his beginning in life in very moderate circumstances. He is one whose progress is sure, and who strictly adheres to principles of honesty as the best policy.

W. H. FRY, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne; born in this township Sept. 14, 1849 ; is a son of Andrew and Emily (Adams) Fry, who were natives of the Middle States. The subject of these lines was but 3 weeks old when his mother died ; he was then placed in the care of his uncle, Jacob Fry, who "raised him to maturity. Jacob Fry was born in Pennsylvania, and lived in this township until his death, March, 1869. Since this time, he has Been living with his aunt, Jane Fry, whose maiden name was Cooper, born in Franklin Co. Jan. 24, 1818. The farm consists of seventy acres, and at her death goes to W. H. Fry. Sept.

Biographical Sketches

27, 1869, he was married to Laura B. Andrus, born in Berlin in 1 850 ; daughter of Daniel Andrus, of that township. Mr. Pry has for several years been engaged in running a thrashing machine during the fall and winter season.

CHARLES T. GRANT, farmer ; P. 0. Leonardsburg ; is the descendant of two ancient families, the Grants and the Whipples ; the former reaches back to the time when the deadly feud existed between them and the McPhersons ; Ebenezer Grant, a Scotchman, came to the colonies before the Revolution, and settled in Rhode Island ; he had seven sons - Bryer, Jabez and John, by his first marriage, and Rhodes, Eliphaz, Aaron and Rufns by the last marriage ; Bryer and John , served in the army of the Revolution under Gen. Washington, Bryer as fifer, and John as drummer ; both were in the battle of Bunker Hill, under Gen. Warren ; Aaron Grant, first son of Ebenezer, was the father of Aaron the second, who was born Jan. 25, 1800, in Rhode Island, and who, Sept. 3, 1821, married Diana Whipple, a descendant 6f one of the oldest families in Rhode Island, many of whom served in the war for independence ; she was born Dec. 19, 1799, in Rhode Island ; in October, 1829, Aaron, with his family, started from Rhode Island and arrived at Sandusky City in November, where he employed a wagoner, named Morris, to haul them to Delaware Co.; he started with a five-horse team, much of the way, cutting out the road until they arrived at the home of his father-in-law, Reuben Whipple ; Indians were discoverable along the route ; Aaron purchased his land from one Milton Vanduser, who had erected a double log cabin ; wild turkeys were in great abundance, and would pass between the cabins in search of corn ; the Indians occupied the forest on these premises only about one year previous to the settlement of the farm, and the evidences of two camping-grounds are still visible. Charles T. Grant, eldest son of Aaron Grant, Jr., was born Jan. 28, 1823, in Providence, R. I., and came, with his parents, to Ohio in 1829. Feb. 17, 1861, he married Diana Hibbard, a teacher, of culture and fine mental endowments, who was born Jan. 6, 1812, in Morrow Co., Ohio; they have two children - Horace Plum, born April 8, 1862, and Mary Emma, July 12, 1866. Mr. Grant is a farmer and dealer in stock, a man of energy and generous impulses ; has figured conspicuously as a private citizen and as a Director of the County Infirmary for a term of three years ; his demeanor as such was creditable to himself and satisfactory to his friends ; in many observable ways, Puritan blood crops out in the form of fixed traits of character, which individualize but do not detract from the individual.

M. M. GLASS, farmer, P. 0. Kilbourne. Mr.. Glass is a native of Warren Co., N. J.; born June 24, 1828, and was the fifth child of William and Elizabeth (McWilliams) Glass ; she was a native of New Jersey, and her husband of the " Keystone State ;" they emigrated to this State in 1838, locating in Genoa Township, where they lived until their death, both living to a ripe old age father died at the age of 87, in the year 1868 ; mother, in the spring of 1879, at the ripe age of 88. Marshall remained at home until he attained bis 32d year ; at the age of 18, he began teaching music, continuing at this during the winter season, and working on the farm during the summer season. On Jan. 1, 1856, married Angle Leonard, born in 1840, in Knox Co., on the Dillno farm ; she is a daughter of George and Mary (Jewett) Leonard ; subsequent to their marriage, they located in Brown Township ; have since remained there ; spent one season in Illinois, in the sheep business ; he owned, at one time, the farm now in the possession of A. W. Bartlett, but has since abandoned farming. In the spring of 1876, he was placed in charge of the infirmary, and has since had charge of the same, and the manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office has justly merited for hiin the approbation of the people, and he is justly styled the .'' right man in the right place." He has the love and good will of all the unfortunates under his charge, and the sanitary measures he has inaugurated since his advent to the place, have reduced the mortality from 9 to 2 per .cent ; in short, Mr. Glass has acquitted himself in a Creditable manner, and to the satisfaction of the people ; has one daughter - Evaline.

J. SANSOM HARMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware. Mr. Harman was born July 8, 1831, in Washington Co., Penn., the eldest of a family of seven children born to Silas and Sarah (Leonard) Harman, both natives of Cumberland Co., Penn. The Harmans are of German descent, the Leonards of English ; the family emigrated to this State in 1839, and located in the southeast part of Brown Township, on Alum Creek, where he lived until 1851, when he moved to Radnor Township, where he stayed until 1864, and finally located in this township, on the farm now owned by Sansom ; he was a farmer and stock-trader, which business he was engaged in at the time of his death, which occurred in Pennsylvania, while there with a lot of cattle on the market. Sansom was raised to the occupation of his father. In March, 1858, he married Margaret Davids, born Nov. 27, 1838, in Marion Co.; she is a daughter of William and Magdalene (Jenkins) Davids, and was the youngest of eleven children ; both her parents werb natives of Wales, emigrating to this country when they were young ; came first to Pennsylvania, afterward to Radnor, where they settled permanently ; he was in the war of 1812, and was at Hull's surrender ; was born Dec. 27,

1794, died Nov. 26, 1866 ; they emigrated to this country in 1800. After the marriage of Sansom, they resided seven years in Delhi, then spent six years in Marion Co., and in 1871 came to his present place of residence, where he has 173 acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the best grade of hogs, which he raises for the market. He has two children - Nannie B. and William D. He is a member of the 'Baptist Church, G-range and Masonic Order.

ISAAC N. HUMES, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware ; was born in Ohio Co., W. Va., March 24, 1838 ; is the youngest of a family of ten children. His father's name was John, who was born near Carlisle, Penn., who married Margaret Carrel, and subsequently emigrated to this State in 1851, and settled in Brown Township, four miles east of Delaware, where they remained until their death ; father died July 22, 1878, mother July 27, 1877. Sept. 15, 1864, Isaac was married to Mary Overturf, born Feb. 12, 1845, in this township ; she is a daughter of William Overturf ; mother's maiden name was Flulks. After their marriage, they located on the farm he now occupies, consisting of 110 acres ; he has five children - three boys and two girls - and is a member of the M. E. Church, at East Delaware. Isaac had two brothers - William and Josiah - who were out in the late war - 121st 0. V. I. William died in the hospital at Nashville, of typhoid pneumonia. Josiah returned home with the loss of two fingers and a wound in the leg.

HARVEY S. HUBBELL, farmer; P.O.Kilbourne ; born in Knox Co. in September, 1817 ; eldest of a family of three children, whose parents, Preston and Betsey (McEuen) Hubbell, were natives of Connecticut, and emigrated to this State in 1817, locating in Bloomfield Township, Knox Co., there being but five families in the township at the time. They entered land there, which his mother still occupies. Harvey's father died when he was 4 years of age, and was then raised up by his mother, until he was 16 years of age, when he started to learn the cabinet-maker's trade, but, his health failing, he abandoned it ; he worked out by the month somejtime. His education was such as the days of log sohoolhouses afforded. In 1836 , he went to Kentucky, where he lived eight years and taught school some of the time. At the age of 21, was married to Lurania Hitt, by whom he had ten children, nine living. In 1845, Mr. Hubbell moved to Morrow Co., where he lived until 1851 ; then resided in Harlem Township until 1875, when he moved to Brown Co., and has since remained. His wife died in 1863, and was since mwried to Clarinda Adams, born in Harlem Township, and daughter of Ruloff Adams, whose wife was Elizabeth Jones, both from Pennsylvania. Mr. Hubbell was out in the late war, Co. E, 45th Heavy Artillery ; also, three sons - William, in 32d ; Daniel, in 45th; Alonzo, in 131st - all returned, except Daniel, who died in Andersonville ; he was captured at Knoxville. Mr. Hubbell has 115 acres, of land. His wife and mother are members of the M. E. Church.

JOHN HEAVERLO, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne ; born on the same farm where he now resides March 29, 1834 ; is the sixth of a family of nine - six now living - born toStapleford and Hannah (Pettitt) Heaverlo, both natives of the State of Delaware ; emigrated to this State in 1823, locating in what is now Marion Co., Peru Township ; he was a cabinet-maker, and was out in the war of 1812 ; came to this township in 1832, locating where John now lives, where he died Feb. 25, 1877 ; his wife is still living ; John, about the time of his maturity, was crippled by a falling tree, which incapacitated ,Mm for farm labor ; he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for about ten years; after the partial restoration of the use of his limb, resumed farming. Sept. 20, 1860, was married to Mary Ekelberry, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Ekelberry, born in this county May 13, 1839 ; they have but one child - Anthony, born Aug. 21, 1861. He has 160 acres of land, which he farms, giving some attention to sheep-raising.

EDWARD KEEFFE, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware ; was born in Tipperary Co., Ireland, June is a son of Edward and Catherine (Connell) Keefie ; learned the stonemason's trade, serving seven years at the same; in 1850, thinking to better his condition, he bade good-bye to the land of his fathers, and emigrated to this country ; spent one year in Dunkirk, and, in 1851, landed in Delaware ; slept the fiiflt night at a house which stood on the ground now occupied by the city hall (the house was kept by one Shaub). Mr. Keeffe worked at his trade while he remained in Delaware, and was engaged in building the most prominent buildings in the city, of which he was the contractor ; also built many of the bridges that now span the several streams and rivers of this county ; his superior ability as a workman, and the fidelity with which he fulfilled all his contracts, secured him more work than he could perform. On October 20, 1868, he moved to his farm, situated on the , Mud pike, three miles northwest of Delaware ; has a farm of ninety-three acres, and the improvements made upon the place, and the well-kept condition which the farm presents, indicates that he is a success at farming, as well as a mechanic. February 3, 1846, was the date of his matrimonial union with Eliza Quirk, a native of the same county as himself; they have thirteen children, but six living - Edward, who -was the first graduate of the college at the age of 17 ; James, Lizzie, John, Minnie and Bachel. Mr. Keefife's life has been characterized by industry and sobriety.

GEOKGE LEONARD; P. 0. Eden. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in another part of this work, was born in Western, Penn., on the Monongahela River, forty miles above Pittsburgh, July 8, 1800, and is the son of Lot and Elizabetb (Hoge) Leonard, the latter a second cousin of Gen. George Washington. His father was in the Indian war ; he was a Methodist minister. Our subject was born on the farm, where he remained until 21 years of age. He commenced, when he was a young man, dealing in stock, which business he followed for a number of years. Purchasing a large number of cattle, he drove them across the Alleghany Mountains, which mountains he crossed nine times. In 1821, he moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he remained some nineteen years, during which time he was engaged in the cattle and mercantile business, and also engaged in purchasing land ; was a partner in the stock business with Judge Black. Mr. Leonard has made several trips down the river on keelboats ; went South and engaged in the mill and mercantile business on commission, doing business up the Arkansas River, near Arkansas Post. From Mt. Vernon he came to Delaware Co., and located in his present township, where he has been one of its honored citizens ever since. The first two years after he came here, he had purchased some 600 acres of land, paying for it $8.35 per acre ; this land was located around and near Eden, and has greatly increased in value. Mr. Leonard has taken an active part in the improvements of his town, and has been a hard worker for the interests of the railroad to Eden ; has given largely toward building churches and schools. He married in Mt. Vernon, Miss Mary Jewett, who was born in Vermont, on the River Lamoille, in 1805 ; they had five children. Eleven years ago, Mr. Leonard was stricken with paralysis, which has rendered his left side almost useless. His motto in life has been, " Do unto others as you would be done by." A hard worker and good manager, and possessed of industry and economy, he has made a success of his life.

MRS. PHEBE LONGWELL, retired; P. 0. Kilbourne ; born in Washington Co., Penn., March 3, 1812 ; daughter of Zenas and Nancy Leonard, both of Pennsylvania ; she migrated to Marion Co., this State, with her parents, at the age of 11. There were but three families within a circuit of seven miles. Her father died the same year of their arrival. There were four children in the family, Phebe being the third. Abijah Leonard, her brother, located at Eden Station, and the place was named for him - " Leonardsburg.'' Nov. 9, 1826, Mrs. Longwell was married to James Longwell, born in Kentucky in 1808 ; came to this county in 1806, afterward moved with his parents to Marion Co. After marriage, he located in Brown Township, on the farm now owned by Samuel Walker, remaining there five years ; then sold out, and moved to the southeast pare of Brown Co. on the farm now owned by Enoch Baker, remaining there until April 12, 1867, when he sold his farm, and moved to Eden. Mr. Longwell's earthly career yraa brought to a close Feb. 14, 1873, in his 70th year. He had been a very conscientious man, honest and upright in all his transactions with his fellow-man, a kind husband, apd an indulgent father. Had been for over forty years an active member of the M. E. Church, also his wife, and for fourteen years their house was occupied as a place of worship during those times when church buildings were not in existence in that locality. They had six children - Mrs. Mary J. Short, of Tennessee ; Ira, now in Colorado ; Cecilia, now Mrs. John Ekelberry; Alfred L., in Van Wert Co.; John, in Berkshire Township ;

NORTON T. LONGWELL, farmer; P. 0. Kilbourne ; is a descendant of one of the early settlers and pioneers of the county ; born in this township April 20, 1842, and a son of Ralph S. and Elizabeth (Thurston) Longwell ; born in New York In 1804. Ralph Longwell was born in 1792 in Maryland, and emigrated to this State in 1806 ; located in Berkshire, and participated in the war of 1812 ; he died June 8, 1872, in this township. Norton T. was the tenth of a family of thirteen children, nine are living ; there were but two boys, one who was a surgeon in the army with the rank of Major, and died at Camp Chase. Norton was the youngest boy, and has always remained at home; Oct. 7, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 20th 0. V. I^ and served three years ; he was Orderly on the General's staff; since his return home, he has been engaged in farming ; has 1 64 acres situated immediately north of Eden. April 9, 1867, married Ella E. Hyde^ who was born in 1848 ; she is a daughter of Udney and Olive (Hunter) Hyde, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Connectfcut ; have two children - Carrie, born Sept. 29, 1872, and Raymond, June 21, 1874.

HUGH B. MECAY, gardener ; P. 0. Kilbourne ; son of Alexander and Maria Mecay ; was born in Washingten Co., Penn., in 1840 ; removed to Ohio in 1853 ; enlisted at the commencement of the late war, in the three-months service, in the 12th 111. V. I., Co. C ; at the expiration of the time, re-enlisted in the same for three years ; was in the battles of Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson and Shiloh ; he was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, in the hand; lost one finger; was honorably discharged from the service in 1865 ; held the rank of Sergeant in the aforesaid regiment ; receives pension from the Government ; is noted for integrity and for his social qualities. Republican in politics.

McMASTER BROTHERS ; P. 0. Leonardsburg. Among the most successful farmers and stock-raisers in this county, there are none whose efforts are being attended with more gratifying results, and who are attaining greater success, than Lyman and Benjamin McMasters, who are sons of Robert G. and Mary (Worline) McMasters. They were married June 13, 1841, and settled in - this township and remained until their death, he dying Feb. 20, 1874, wife Dec. 10, 1847 ; they had five children born to them - Benjamin, born Sept. 15, 1842; Lyman P., April 6, 1844; Theodore D., Oct. 23, 1845, and Mary E., Dec. 3, 1847. Lyman and Benjamin carry on the business together ; Theodore lives with them, being an invalid ; IVfery E. lives With her uncle, H. B. McMaster, the wife of Mr. Jones. The McMaster brothers now own 640 acres of choice land, and, as farmers and successful business men, they have no superiors in this county, as their marked progress fully attests ; they are young men of energy, strictly upright and square in their business transactions ; and the management of their business evinces a sagacity and forethought which is not surpassed Jby men of large experience or riper years ; they raise and fatten the best stock that goes to the market ; December, 1879, shipped two car loads to Buffalo ; twenty head averaged 1,900 pounds, and two weighed 5,000 pounds; they were reported as being the best cattle sent to the market that year. The boys are living in bachelorhood. Lyman is President of the agricultural society.

HOSE A MAIN, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware ; was born in Troy Township Nov. 2, 1825 ; was the fourth of a family of six children, born to John Main, whose wife was a Wright, both natives of Virginia. Seven of the Main brothers came out in 1815, located in the coal settlement- in Troy Township, and settled permanently, and their descendants now occupy almost the entire eastern portion of the township ; John Main remained where he settled until his death, which occurred Sept. 21, 1836, and his wife Jan, 11, 1880, being in her 87th year ; Hosea was raised at home, where he remained until his marriage with Elizabeth Holt, born in Knox Co.; she died in January, 1878, leaving five children - Viola, Lorinda, Ancyl, Wesley and Jennie ; Viola, now Mrs. Silas Harman ; Lorinda, now Mrs. A. P. Scatterday ; in 1848, he moved to the place he now occupies ; he first built a cabin, which he lived in without doors or windows until he could afford better accommodations ; he acquired 500 acres of land since, which he divided among some of his children, and has now 180 acres with excellent buildings and improvements. Aug. 19, 1879, he married Mrs. Nina Minella, born in this county Nov. 17, 1847, daughter of Albert Pickett, Jr., and Anna (Reeser). Her father was fifteen years in public office, serving as Treasurer and Recorder ; he was a brother of Dr. Charles Pickett, one of the prominent physicians in the county, at one time ; Mrs. Main has two children - Vincent and Frank. Mr. Main has been a member of the Baptist Church at Marlborough about forty years.

Biogkaphical Sketches

ISEAEL POTTEK, farmer ; P. 0. Leonardsburg. One among the prominent farmers in the township is Mr. Potter, born Sept. 29, 1806, third child of a family of eight born to Asahel Potter, born 1Y76, whose wife was Annie Benton ; both natives of Connecticut, where they married and moved to Chenango; N. Y., where Israel was born, and in the year 1817 emigrated to this State with his parents. They stopped nearly one year in Fairfield Co., and the following year came to Franklin Co., near Worthington, and after three years' residence came to Delaware (now Morrow), settled permanently and was among the pioneers of that locality. Israel received his scholastic education in a log school-house, with .slab benches ; his father died in 1870; in this county ; Israel's grandfather was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, also the Revolution ; his' powder horn is now in Israel's possession, inscribed, "Crown Point, July, 1762." Israel remained with his parents until he attained his 35th year ; his early life was engaged mostly in trading, and handling stock was his favorite of -all pursuits ; he made sixteen trips to Michigan while engaged in this business ; was at Adrian when the first locomotive came in, in 1841 ; in his 36th year was married to Phoebe Gr. Whipple, born in 1822, in Morrow Co. After marriage, he located in Oxford Township ; after a residence of several years came to Leonardsburg in 1851, and has since made it his abode, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He began poor, has taught school at 33 cents per day, and from this small beginning he has arisen to his present position, and the owner of 600 acres of land ; he started in life with the resolution that he would not squander his- "property by the use of whisky and " going bail." Has five children - Anna M., Eliza F., Mary C, CeKa (now Mrs. Rev. H. R. Smith, a representative from Noble Co.), and Herman (only son). Mr. Potter and wife are both members of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been identified with that body for twenty-nine years.

ROBERT REED, farmer, P. 0. Kilbourne; was born Sept. 23, 1800, in Augusta Co., Va.;, is a son of Thomas and Polly (Currey) Reed who were natives of Ireland ; Robert's father died when he was but a few months old ; he was afterward placed under the guardianship of his aunts, with whom he liveduntil his union with Rebecca Conner ; he emigrated to this State in November 1849, and to Brown Township in 1850 ; he bought 150 acres of land, and since that time has made it his constant abode; his wife died Feb. 18, 1873; they had twelve children, ten living - James C, Mary J., Sarah E., Rebecca A., Thomas, Angelina, Rachel C., Robert B., Polly N., Amanda J., John C. and Martha V.; James and Mary (now Mrs. Longwell) in Van Wert Co.; Robert and Rachel (now Mrs. Murphy) in Iowa ; Amanda and Martha, both married Lotts, Thomas and Mrs. Rebecca Waldron in Kingston ; John, Ageline and Leonard in Brown Township. Mr. Reed now owns 175 acres of land ; he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for fifty-seven years ; John C. remains at home on the farm.

J. H. SMITH, physician ; is a son of Matthias and Martha Smith, the former a native of Wurtemberg, Prussia, the latterof Pennsylvania, whose maiden name was Stainbrook ; the Doctor was born in Concord Township Nov. 9, 1844, and had fair school advantages ; was an apt scholar and a good student ; Oct. 3, 1861, at the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. B^ 48th 0. V. I., and participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged ; took part in the Vicksburg campaign, and was on^e Red River expedition ; was taken prisoner April 8, 1864, and for six months or more was confined at Camp Ford, Texas ; May 23, 1866, he received an honorable discharge, and upon his return home took lip school-teaching, which he followed tor some time ; subsequently he turned his attention to the study of medicine ; read with Dr. Constant, of Delaware, and graduated in February, 1873, when he commenced the practice at Eden, in Brown Township, his present place of residence. Sept. 21 , 1876, the Doctor married Alice W. Owen, who was born .in Scioto Township ; she died in Eden Eeb. 21, 1880, at the age of 23, leaving one child, Gertrude, who was born July 23, 1877 ; the Doctor is well up in his profession and commands a good practice ; he is a true gentleman and enjoys the confidence of the community in which he lives.

BENJAMIN SHEETS, Kilbourne. Prominent among the self-made men and successful agriculturists in this county, who have come up from poverty's ranks to wealth and affluence, and attained position through their own individual exertions, unaided by proffered patrimony or outside aid, is Benjamin Sheets; he was born in Augusta Co., Va., Aug. 28, 1817 ; is a son of Henry and Sarah Reese Sheets; they were of German descent. Benjamin came to this State when in his 18th year, in 1835; his parents were poor and unable to endow him with any patrimony ; their advice and counsel was all they had to bestow. Benjamin started out with the resolve and determination that he would some day have a home if hard labor and economy would accomplish this end ; his first work was done for Joseph Conklin at $10 per month, for which he took store pay ; the next month, he worked for Mr. Potter at the same price ; worked thirty-eight days in harvest for Kodney Smith, at 50 cents per day ; he husbanded his means, and was soon enabled to make a purchase of a small amount of land, and from this beginning he at length acquired 530 acres of land. Has been thrice married, first to Mary Ann Hagerman, who bore him five children, three living - Silas, Margaret (now Mrs. Alexander D. Finley), Celia (now Mrs. John M. Cowgill), all of this township ; after his marriage, he lived fourteen years south of Delaware ; in April, 1849, from Stratford came to northeast of Brown; his wife died Oct 22, 1855. Married, second time, Nancy E. Yates, of Delaware Co.; she died March 6, 1864, leaving one child, Edwin D. Oct. 22, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Reese, daughter of Joseph Park and Elizabeth Richards ; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where she was born Oct. 11, 1833, and emigrated to this State in 1852. Since Mr. Sheets' location here, in 1848, he has been a constant resident member of the M. E. Church ; was taken into the church under Henry E. Pilcher's ministration ; has officiated as leader in the same for many years ; Mrs. Sheets is also a member. Farming and stock-raising has been the business in which he has been engaged since his location on the farm.

DANIEL SHEETS, undertaker, Kilbourne ; was born in Augusta Co., Va., Oct. 17, 1815 ; is a son of Henry and Sarah (Reese) Sheets, both of German descent ; Daniel, early in'life, learned the carpenter's trade, and, at the age of 22, came to this State ; his parents preceded him a short time, settling in this county ; after his arrival in this county, he engaged at his trade. In April, 1842, he was married to Eunice Lake, bdrn in New York State (Steuben Co.) ; came West in 1836. After marriage, Mr. Sheets engaged in the cabinet business, and was in the saw-mill business at Stratford for several years ; he then built a cabinetshop there, and engaged in that business for some time ; then moved to Eden and engaged in the saw-mill business, which he followed for eighteeo years ; sawed many thousand feet at 25 cents per hundred, and never got qver 30 cents for sawing ; during this time, he was engaged in the cabinet business also ; lived in Eden about fifteen years ; in 1859, he moved to his present residence, onequarter mile west of Eden ;-has a good home and 40 acres of land ; is still engaged in the undertaking business ; manufactured his own coffins until 1872 ; has disposed of nearly one thousand outfits; has' also, in connection with his business, a sorghum manufactory, and make^ annually from one to three thousand gallons. Mr. Sheets began life poor ; his father had lost all by " going bail," and his children had no patrimony to begin with, and had to depend upon their own resources. Daniel Sheets is the father of ten children, nine of whom are living - Martha, Ellen, Rebecca, Caroline, Milo D., Joseph, Mary, Samuel and Ora B.- JOHN WATERS, farmer; P.O. Kilbourne; was born Nov. 11, 1829, in Athens Township, Harrison Co.; is a son of Basil and Margaret (Hills) Waters. The former was born in Hartford Co., Md.; his wife in Chester Co., Penn. They emigrated in 1818 to this State, and in 1832 to this county, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of these lines. John never left the homestead, but liv«d with his parents and took charge of the business affairs, and they in turn made their abode with him up to the day of their death. His father died April 7, 1879 ; mother, Oct. 28, 1852. In 1854, he was married to Miss Eleanor Sherman, born Nov. 14, 1830, in Beverly, Washington Co., daughter of Ira Sherman ; her mother was a Miss Nicholas, whose parents were among the early settlers in Washington Co. Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Waters, they have remained on the homestead. He has 140 acres of land. At the age of 16, he began teaching, and has been a pruner of the "young idea" ever since, during the winter season, carrying on the farm during the farihing season. Mr. Waters is one of the best-read men in the township, a man of excellent memory, generous and benevolent. He has three children - Eugene, Josephine and Bertha E.

H. K. WATTERS, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware ; was born Jan. 7, 1820, in Harrison Co.; is the third child of John Waiters, born Jan. 5, 1792, in Hartford Co., Md.; he removed with his parents, when young, to Alleghany Co., remaining some time, then located in Washington Co., and, after a residence of fifteen years, moved to this county in October, 1832, locating on the salt section, in Brown Township, where his father had bought land previous to his coming ; here he remained until his death, which occurred Sept. 2, 1866. Was for many years an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and had as few faults as most men ; he lived an upright, conscientious and Christian -life ; his remains now repose in the cemetery north of Eden, his ashes mingling with those of the partner of his joys and sorrows, Sarah ,(Kirkpatrick) Watters, born Feb. 7, 1797, in Alleghany Co., Penn, Hugh K., during his father's life, always remained with him, living under the same roof His father was twice married ; two sets of children were raised up together, the utmost harmony prevailing between parents and children. H. K. was married Sept. 16, 1841, to Elizabeth Finley, born in 1816 in Ohio Co., Va., daughter of William and Margaret (Walker) Finley ; after marriage, remained on the homestead until 1869 ; moved a short distance east on Alum Creek, remaining until Nov. 1, 1870 ; moved to Crawford, four and a half miles norrfiwest of Galion, remaining until March, 1874, then located on the line dividing Brown and Delaware, where he now- resides. Has had three children - Benjamin F., born June 13, 1842, now of Iberia, Morrow Co.; he was a soldier in the late war, in in the 121st 0. V. I.; enlisted in August, 1862, and remained until the close of the war; Charles T., born Oct. 15, 1850, died Jan. 3, 1864; Eva, at home, born Dec. 12, 1857, now the wife of A. Duncan. Mr. Watters is a man of remarkably retentive memory, of excellent informaltion. Has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty-five years, of which he and family are also members ; has a snug farm, and well improved.

MKS. ELMINA WIGTON, farmer; P. 0. Delaware; born in Liberty Township Oct. 11, 1819, on the banks of the Whetstone; daughter of William Perry ; her mother's maiden name was Electa Barber; the family are natives of Connecticut, emigrating to this county about the year 1807; when Elmina was very young, her mother was married to Benjamin McMasters ; at the time she was 6 years of age, they moved to Browii Township, where Horace B. McMasters now resides. Here she lived until her union with Sylvester Wigton, which event occurred June 11, 1837 ; he was a native of Luzerne Co., Penn.; he emigrated to this State with his parents when he was but 2 years of age ; they located in Berkshire Township, near Sunbury ; after Mr. Wigton's marriage they located on the farm she now owns, which they settled and cleared. Mr. Wigton died March 23, 1873, and his remains repose in the cemetery north of Eden ; he was a successful farmer, and acquired 202 acres of land, which Mrs. Wigton now owns, along with valuable property in Delaware; they had two children - Perry and Elmer ; Perry was a soldier in the 96th 0. V. I., and lost his life at the battle of Arkansas Post ; Elmer is now in the West. Mr. Wigton, during his life, was a, very moral, upright and conscientious man, and temperate in his habits ; he was not a member of any church, but a man that always respected Christianity ; Mrs. Wigton is an adherent of the Universalist doctrine.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. 0. Kilbourne ; was born in Fairfield Co. Feb. 11, 1809 ; son of Eli Williams, a native of New Jersey, who emigrated to this State in 1807 ; William's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Cretchfield, a native of the Middle States ; his parents died when he was small, and he was raised up by his grandparents, until the age of 14, when he embarked for himself; began work at $3 per month. His entire .schooling was embraced in four quarters, and after he was 12, never attended school, up to his 21st year, then attended fourteen days, yet succeeded in obtaining education to enable him to teach, which he did for eight terms. In October, 1837, in his 29th year, he was married to Joanna Loofbourrow, born in Clark Co., 1818 ; then moved to this county ; located north of Old Eden, where he has since lived. Has had eight children, three are living - Mary E., now Mrs. Rev. J. W. Bushong, of Missouri ; William W., of Missouri ; John L., physician, Green Bay, at the Indian agency. Mr. Williams has always been identified with the principles of Republicanism ; has filled many stations and offices of trust in the county, served as Infirmary Director, now serving his thirty-fourth year as Justice of the Peace, now serving his twelfth term, and Treasurer of the county for three terms ; has held sixteen commissions from the Government ; also served as Town Clerk and Trustee. Not a member of any church, yet is a liberal supporter of the Gospel.

ALMON WHEELER ; is a son of the Hon. Alfred and Maria Wheeler, and a cousin of Wm. A. Wheeler, Vice President of the United States ; he is a native of Fairfax, Vt., where he was born May 7, 1822, and belonging to a family of sterling qualities, who recognized the worth of knowlr edge, he was given the advantage of good schools.

Source changes here: from 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, by Lytle, James Robert, published 1908; 3,934 words in this source stream.

Brown Township

The early training of the pioneers of Brown Township soon made itself felt after their settlement in the wilderness. Though their trials and cares were heavy, they found time to read a chapter from the old Bible, and return thanks to God for preservation and protection. The first society formed in the neighborhood was in 1828. and of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. It was organized at Mr. Thurston's, and consisted of himself and wife, Joseph Thurston and wife, Zenas Leonard and wife, and Phoebe Thrall. Once a week they would meet together, and. as they were without a shepherd, prayer-meetings only were held. Soon after the Methodists got well into the harness, the Presbyterians commenced work. They organized a society at Mr. Thurston's, as his cabin seems to have been a kind of religious headquarters. For a number of years, these two societies continued their -meetings under these limited circum- stances. At length, a society of the New School Presbyterians was formed, with the following members: John Hestwood and wife, Hugh Lee anil wife, Robert Kinkaid and wife, James Kinkaid and wife. They, with the Baptists, in 1836, built a church of hewed logs, in which they worshiped for several years ; the Methodists also occupied it on special occasions. In 1841, a frame church building was erected by the congregation near the same spot. But they allowed their imagination to run away with them, and laid their foundation on such an extensive scale, that they were unable to complete the building. Finally they tore it down, and of the material erected a smaller one upon the same site. This building was superseded by a more pretentious one in 1855, and the old church converted into a residence, which is now occupied by Norton T. Longwell. This building was erected in the south part of the village of Eden. The New School Branch mentioned above was disbanded in 1S48, and nearly all the members united with the Old School Branch, and it was the united society that erected this church. The building has been improved at various times, and is still occupied by a flourishing congregation. During the existence of the New- School church, it was served by the following ministers : The first pastor of the congregation was Rev. Mr. Jenks. who had charge of a church in Kingston Township at the same time. A. D. Chapman, from 1838 to 1842; John Hunt, from 1845 to l840- The Old School Church was served by William D. Smith, occasionally; John Pitkin, 1841-1843; Ahab Jinks. 1S44-1854; David McCarter, 1 855- 1 860; Robert L. Adams, 1863- 1864; David H. Coyner. 1865-1866; J. L. Lower. 1868- 1871. Members in the vear 1871 numbered sixtv-eight. A. C. Crist 1872-1876; M. M. Lauson. 1877-1878; D. C. Porter and D. H. Green. 1879: W. E. Thomas, 1880-1885; T.' 1'. Atkins. 1 887-1888; E. A. Scott, 1892-1900; A. C. Crist, six months : Samuel Huecker, 1901-1906; present supply, H. Huffman, a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University.

took an active part in the Underground Railroad. The most of them are buried in the old cemetery by the place where the log church was erected.

There were others who took an active pari in the formation of a Free-Will Baptist Church, and the original members were John Moore, Thomas Cowgill and wife. Isaac Eaton and wife, Orlando Root and wife, Zenas Root and wife, Thomas Agard and wife. Spofford Root and wife. Nathaniel Arnold and wife, and Isaac Thurston and wife. Rev. Isaac Eaton was the pastor, assisted occasionally by Rev. S. Wyatt. In 1848. some twelve years after its organization - years of more or less usefulness - it was discontinued as a society. The next year, after the disbanding of this society, the Baptists and Methodists, together with Charles Neil, O. D. Hough. Vinal and Norton Thurston, and Thomas Hargraves. with their families, built the church in the village of Eden. Rev. William Godman. a son of Lawyer Godman, of Marion, was the preacher in charge of the circuit at the time the church was built. He was a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and a minister of considerable merit. An addition has just been added to this church and Rev. C. A. Edington, a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University, is the present pastor.

Leonardsburg M. E. Church. This church was organized in the winter of 1862. In i860. Rev. William Litell and some students of the Ohio Wesleyan University preached in the school at this place. In the fall of 1861 a prayer meeting was held on the Sundays when there was no preaching, and Isaiah Williams was the leader of this meeting. In the following January, revival meetings were held by Rev. H. Van Gundy and Valorus Pond (United Brethren preacher), Rev. Van Gundy being retained as pastor for one year. An M. E. society was organized and in 1862 a frame building was erected costing in all about $1,500, being dedicated about the first of January, 1868, by Rev. Harvey Wilson. The church now has a membership oi fifty, and Rev. Frank T. Cartwright is their pastor.

The Baptist Church at Leonardsburg was organized September 12, 1880. with a membership of eleven members, as follows: Edward Evans and wife, Elias Frost and wife, James Beckwith and wife, James Jones. C. Main and wife, Sarah Hornbeck and Sarah Evans. Only two of the number now remain. C. Main and Sarah Nelson, nee Evans. Rev. J. Wenman was chosen pastor and C. Main as clerk, and Edward Evans treasurer. In 1882, they erected a frame church, costing $860. J. Hevalow being the builder. The society now consists of nine members, but has no regular preaching.

For the facts and for a large part of the language used in the following sketch of this township, we are indebted to an article prepared by Dr. S. W. Fowler, many years ago, whose permission we have to use it. At the time he wrote, Dr. Fowler had access to sources of information no longer available, and it would be impossible, therefore, for us now to secure more data than he had, while he, representing as he does one of the oldest families in Delaware County, speaks with authority.

The history attaching to this subdivision of Delaware County really begins about 1804 or 1805, with the discovery of salt in the vicinity, although the first permanent settlement within the present boundaries of the township extends no farther hack than 1817. The lapse of sixty-three years ( 1S17 to 1880), imperceptible in the estimate of an eternity, is a longtime in human life. It removes two generations into darkness and dust, and places another in their seats who have nearly run their course.

Brown Township originally occupied the central portion of the county, and, later, the north-central portion, lying in Range 18, and, by the United States Military Survey, is Township 5. It is bounded on the north by Oxford, on the east by Kingston, on the south by Berlin, and on the west by Delaware and Troy. The record book of the county commissioners containing the date when Brown Township was erected into a separate township is lost, but it was probably about 1826.

The township has but one large stream of water - Alum Creek. It passes through the eastern part, entering near the north-east corner, and flowing south, passes out near the south-east corner into Berlin Township. There are several small streams that flow into Alum Creek. Some of these are noted for having been the sites of Indian encampments, at a time when the Scioto Valley formed a part of the hunting-grounds of the Delawares and Mingoes. Among these tributaries we may mention Leatherwood Run, which derived its name from a peculiar shrub found growing upon its banks, the wood and bark of which \\a> highly valued by the early settlers for a variety of uses. Big Run, Sugar Creek, Longwell's, Dutton's and Matthews's Runs are some of the principal streams. Sugar Creek, which rises in the western part of Berlin and flows into the Olentangy at Delaware, was made use of by Mr. F. P. Vergon when he constructed Greenwood Lake. The land east of Alum Creek is particuarly adapted to grazing. Near the creek it is broken and the soil is rather thin, while at a greater distance it is gently undulating, and not only good grazing land, but well adapted to farming, there being less clay and more rich black loam than nearer the creek. Along the west side of the Alum, the land is also undulating, and was the first to be brought under cultivation by the early settler. The land farther west was low and wet, defying horseback or wagon travel through its swamps, and even barring roadways for years. Owing to the tile and open drainage systems, however, this wet, swampy land once considered worthless, has become the most productive in the township.

Among the attractions that brought the early settlers to this region was the "Salt Lick." as it was called. When the United States Government sent its agents to survey the country, a salt lick was discovered in wdiat is now the north-east corner of Brown township. The Government reserved 4,000 acres of this and deeded it to the State for educational purposes. This was called the "Salt Reservation." About 1804 or 1805, Dr. John Loofbourrow moved into what is now Berkshire Township from Virginia, and located on what afterward became the Eckelberry farm, but after a short time sold out and moved to what was called the Durham farm, lying just east of Alum Creek on the Delaware and Sunbury Pike. He had with him his old faithful man "Friday,'' Oko Richey (colored). When the Doctor learned from some friendly Indians where they obtained their salt, he and Oko procured large iron kettles, built a large furnace and commenced the manufacture of salt. Their process was very slow, but they produced the article in sufficient quantities to partially supply the inhabitants, and very soon became noted as salt merchants. After some twelve years the salt business was investigated by other parties, who thought they saw in it a means of acquiring untold wealth. In 1817 they leased from the State 1,000 acres of land adjacent to. and 300 around, the salt lick and on the salt reservation. The contractors agreed to bore to the depth of at least 200 feet, unless salt water in paying quantities was sooner reached. They were to leave the well tubed with good copper tubing at the expiration of the lease. Loofbourrow now withdrew from the business and soon after removed to Wisconsin. After boring to a depth of 480 feet without finding salt water in paying quantities, the contractors notified the State authorities, who in turn reported to Congress, and the latter body ordered the salt reservation to be surveyed and sold. Accordingly, a Air. Carpenter, of Lancaster, Ohio, was authorized to survey it, which he did into 100- acre lots. In November, 1826. these lots were sold to the highest bidder, the early settlers and contractors being allowed the refusal of the lands which they had been for some time improving, a business they had foun'd more profitable than boring for salt.

The first permanent white settler in Brown Ti iwnship was Daniel G. Thurston, in the spring of 181 7. But as far back as 1809, a settlement was made in the extreme southwest o irner, by a man named Erastus Bowe, from Vermont. He built a cabin and called the place Bowetown, though it was never, we believe, laid out as a town, or populated, except by Bowe and his family, consisting of wife and two children. After a short time he moved to Delaware, and in 1817. he removed from there to Tiffin. Mr. Thurston moved into the township from the eastern part of Berlin, which at that time was the central part of Berkshire Township. He located on the summit of the first little hill west of the creek. on what is now the Delaware and Sunbury Pike. A cabin was built and into this he moved with his family and his brother Isaac, who had accompanied him to the West. The latter went to work in a distillery not far away, while Daniel worked in a saw and grist mill near by. In 1817, he sold out to Ebenezer Loofbourrow, who had just come from Virginia. After Mr. Thurston sold out to Loofbourrow-, he moved into the present township of Brown, where he had to begin his pioneer life over again, as it were. When his cabin was completed and his family located, Mr. Thurston entered into a co-partnership with James Eaton, and a man named Stephen Gorham. These gentlemen were the contractors in the famous salt speculation and the lessees of the "salt reservation." His new home was on this reservation, or on the "salt section." Isaac Eaton erected a cabin a little north of Thurston's. Mr. Thurston died in 1843. at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died in 1804, at the age of eighty-two years. They had a family of thirteen children, nf whom we have only the names of twelve - Harrie, Mary. Joseph, Elizabeth, Samuel, Sarah, Phoebe, Norton, Vinal. Eunice, Fannie and Barbara. Harriet first married Dr. Monroe, and. after his death, became the wife of Dr. John Loofbourrow. She had two children when she moved to Wisconsin. Mary married Israel Wood, a Quaker, who lived in Peru Township (then in this, but later in Morrow Count) I. She left twelve children. Joseph married in 1826, a daughter of B. F. Loofbourrow, who at the time was living on the Thurston farm. There were born tn him ten children. Elizabeth married Ralph Longwell, a soldier of iSu, and who died in 1N74. His widow drew a pension. She wa> the mother of thirteen children. Sarah first married Lyman Thrall, and. after his death. Andrew Thrall, his brother, Phoebe married William K. Thrall. Norton married a Miss Junes, and died in 1817. lie was the father of six children. Vinal married a Miss

Plant, and they had eight children. Eunice married Norton Harden, and they had eight children. Fannie married H. Walker and became the mother of six children. Samuel married, and was the father of eight children. Barbara married William Livingston, and was the mother of ten children. These were the children and grandchildren of Daniel Thurston, numbering in all 122.

The early settlers of this section were not without their Indian experiences. Although the Indians were supposed to be friendly, yet they were looked on with some suspicion by their white neighbors. The Thurstons, being one of the first families to locate in this region, and that some time prior to the removal of the Indians to reservations farther west, enjoyed a more extensive acquaintance with them than settlers who came at a later date. The Indians used to bring their game and furs to trade for corn, and as a general thing behaved well. The elder Thurston, who had a little mill, would grind their corn for them, and was on the most intimate terms with them, and was known far and wide among the neighboring tribes. When Joseph was a small boy, lint nine years old, he was one day sent out for the horses, which, when not in use, were allowed to run at large in the forests. He wandered through the woods for hours, but after a long and fruitless search, he gave up finding them and started to return home. After traveling for Mime time, he became lost in the forest, but finally struck an old Indian trail, which he followed some distance, when. much to his surprise and consternation, he came upon an Indian encampment, where he encountered an army of dogs, and was forced to take refuge in the nearest tree. The commotion produced by these ferocious beasts brought an old Indian from his wigwam to investigate the cause of so much disturbance. To the astonishment of the lad he found in him an old friend of his father, while the Indian, quite as much astonished as the ho), found the "game" treed by the dogs to be none other than the son of his old friend Thurston. The dogs were called off, and the boy invited to come down from his exalted perch. After he had related his adventure, a young Indian was ordered to catch a couple of well trained ponies, upon one of which he was placed, while the Indian boy mounted the other, and. acting as a guide, led him through the forests, and after several hours' ride he was restored to his already over-anxious parents.

Isaac Eaton, to whom we have already referred, was a son of Joseph Eaton, who was among the early settlers of Berkshire. He married a Miss Root of Peru township. William Williams, who bought out Isaac Eaton, came from Fairfield County to this township. Three years after he located he was chosen justice of the peace, an office he filled for many years. He also served the county as treasurer from 1846 to 1852, and as an infirmary director three years. He served the township in the capacity of clerk and treasurer, and was often chosen as administrator of estates and guardian of minor heirs.

Immigrants came in rapidly, and soon the entire salt reservation was settled up. One of the first families to move in after those already mentioned, was that of Benjamin McMaster, who came in about 1826. This pioneer was bom in New York. His father died when he was quite young, and his mother moved with her family to Ohio in 1813, and located on the Scioto River, in Franklin County. In the latter part of 1814, Benjamin McMaster came to Delaware County. In 181 7 he went to Champaign County, and the next year married a daughter of Lemuel G. Humphrey, of Liberty Township. His wife lived but a few years. After her death he came back to this county, where in a year or two he married again. At the sale of the salt reservation in 1826, he purchased 100 acres of land, where he built a cabin of the pioneer pattern. Here he lived until 1 85 1, when he started a warehouse and formed a business partnership in Ashley. In the spring of 1852. he sold his place to his son Horace. For many years, the latter devoted much attention to fruit culture.

the same land sales, purchased homes, among them, we may mention Andrew Finley, J. Fleming, Zenas Leonard; James, George, Ralph and E. Longwell, S. Harlow, Charles Cowgill, John Kensill and others. With such an influx of immigration the township rapidly settled up. Among those that came at a later date were John Walker and William Finley. Walker came from Virginia in 1832, hut was a native of Ireland. Finley was a son-in-law of Walker, and settled first in Kingston Township, but after a few years moved into Brown. The same year of Walker's settlement, a young man named Charles Neil, later known as "Uncle Charlie Neil," came in. He was also from Virginia, and also married a daughter of Mr. Walker. Mr. Neil carried on an ashery, and taught school for some ten years, when he was elected county surveyor. This office was given to him by the people of Delaware County from 1842 to 18(14 without any solicitation on his part. In the latter year, unknown to him. he was nominated, and afterward, elected to the office of county auditor, which office he held for two terms. During his second term as auditor he was elected mayor of the city of Delaware by an oxerwhelming majority. A short time after the settlement of the Thurstons, Eatons and others already mentioned, Hugh Cunningham came from Pennsylvania and located on what was later known as the Hann farm. In 1827 Hugh Lee located in Brown Township, on what was then called the Peter Baker farm." He was a branch of the illustrious Lee family. His son John Calvin Lee was born on this place, rose to the rank of brigadier-general during the civil war, and after its close, was twice elevated to the position of lieutenant governor of the State, on the same ticket that made Rutherford B. Hayes governor. Dr. Lyman Potter, a native of New York, settled in Peru Township in 1821. and in 1844 moved into Brown. When somewhat advanced in life, he began the study of medicine with old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, one of the early practitioners of the county. After practicing some years, Dr. Potter attended lectures at the Starling Medical College, from which he graduated in 1850. He then returned to his old location, the village of Eden, and continued practice some years, later retiring to a farm, and giving up his practice except in the immediate neighborhood. Israel Potter, a brother of the Doctor, settled in the same neighborhood and at the same time.

The first marriage in this pioneer settlement occurred in 1818, when a daughter of Daniel Thurston was united to Israel Wood. He had emigrated from the old home of the Thurstons in New York. The first death was that of the infant child of James Longwell in 1828, and was the first burial in the old graveyard just north of Eden village. The law had its first representative in Daniel Thurston, who was elected Justice of the Peace in 1821, an office he held three years. Old Dr. Carney, of Berkshire, was the first practicing physician. From 181 7 to 1842. he and Dr. Loofbourrow were the doctors for this section. The County Infirmary is located in this township. Its history will be found in the chapter devoted to the institutions of the county. The first railroad built through Delaware County passed through the western part of this township. It is now a part of the "Big Four" system. Leonardsburg, or Eden station, is the principal shipping point, and is located near the north line, six miles from Delaware. It was laid out by S. G. Caulkins in 1852, and was called Leonardsburg for A. Leonard, the first merchant.

The village of Eden was surveyed and laid out by Isaac Eaton, for the proprietors, Daniel G. Thurston and Isaac Leonard, who owned the land. The location chosen at the crossing of the road running east and west, and the one running north and south along the Creek, as an eligible site for a prosperous village. The first house in the village was a log cabin built by John Finley; the first frame dwelling was put up by William Williams soon after his removal to the neighborhood. Joseph Leonard was the first merchant. He had the trade all to himself until 1838. when Williams & Loofbnurrow opened a store, and thus created competition. About 1829 or 1830, a blacksmithshop was opened by C. Thrall. In 1838, the

Government commissioned C. M. Thrall the first postmaster at the village of Eden, and called the office Kilbourn. A little later a tavern was opened by Seymour Scott, the first in the place. The town hall was built by subscription, and is used for all public meetings.

Henry R. Smith and John Reed, justices of the peace; Henry Kunze, S. T. Sheets, and J. A. Waldron, trustees; Charles Leonard, clerk; F. A. Stickney, treasurer: Frank Heinlen, assessor; F. E. Mayfield and Harry Haney, constables.