Brown Township (part 4 of 5)

The chorography of Spring Creek Township does not differ materially from that of the surrounding townships. An inconsiderable ridge rises in the northeastern part of the township and extends northeast and southwest through Sections 3, 8 and 13, causing the streams east of it to flow southeasterly, while those of the opposite side take a southwesterly direction and some of them a very tortuous course before emptying their waters into the Great Miami River. The surface of the remainder of the township is slightly undulating, sloping gradually to the southwest. The most important branch of the Miami River in Spring Creek, is Rush Creek, a stream of considerable usefulness in draining the northern part of the township. It rises in the northeast quarter of Section 14, and flows directly north, then west to the northwest quarter of Section 21, where it takes a southwesterly course to the southern part of Section 32, where it again bends in its channel and flows southeasterly, emptying into the Miami at the southeastern quarter of fractional Section 31. Shawnee Creek, a stream of some importance, rises in the southwest quarter of Section 8 and flows in a generall}' southwesterly course, pouring its waters into Rush Creek just before it empties into the Miami River. Besides the streams of which mention has already been made, there are quite a number of minor importance, which are branches of these, and several others, which, having their source in Spring Creek, flow through Staunton Township before losing their identity by being merged into the Miami, which is the common reservoir for all the surplus waters, not only of this township, but for all the others in Miami County. Orange, one of the southern townships of Shelby County, bounds Spring Creek Township on the north. Brown, the northeastern township of Miami County, bounds it on the east, Staunton Township on the south, and the Great Miami River separates it from Washington Township on the west. It embraces twenty-one full and seven fractional sections ; the latter, situated in the western part of the township, are made so b}T the tortuous course of the river in this part of the county. The Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad enters the township at the central line of Section 6, and passes directly east and west through the township till it reaches the central part of Section 30, when it assumes a direction slightly northwest before it passes into Washington Township. The Dayton & Michigan Railroad enters Spring Creek Township at the northwest quarter of Section 21, and passes southwest to the central part of the township, where it takes a southeasterly course, leaving the township at the southeast quarter of Section 29. The township is crossed in almost every direction by a venous interlacing of free pikes ; of these the oldest is the Piqua and Urbana pike, which passes directly east and west through the township. These pikes were built at an average cost of about $1,200.

Taking into consideration the many advantages hitherto enumerated, Spring Creek Township will readily be seen to possess facilities for carrying on the various enterprises of life, excelled by none, and equaled but by few townships in Miami Count}7. An excellent system of draining has been introduced and extensively used by a majorit}7 of farmers in the township, so that the bottom lands, which, three-quarters of a century ago, were considered utterly worthless and fit only as a home for the wild denizens of the forest, have not only been reclaimed from their original worthless condition, but have been brought to the highest degree of cultivation, and to-day are the most productive farms in the township. Had it ever entered the heart of man to predict, in the days of the township's infancy, that by the time their farms had been cultivated seventy-five years, the owners would be able to command the then fabulous sum of $100 per acre, he would have been considered by the settlers as a person whose predominant passion was an inexcusable proneness to exaggeration, and }7et there are now many farms in the township that could not be purchased for that amount of money per acre, and but very few of the land-holders in Spring Creek would dispose of their highly productive farms for a less price than this. Almost every species of forest tree indigenous to American soil were found here in such abundance as to impress the early settler with the thought that even old Nature either forgot or saw no reason why she should economize in the materials provided for her use, and, apparently in a mood of apathetic indifference, grew extravagantly profuse both in regard to the kind and quality of these gifts which she scattered so indiscriminately over all parts of this township. The kinds of timber most abundant when the first settlers came here were the oak, beech, maple and ash, while walnut, elm, hickory and basswood were found in quantities by no means inconsiderable. The greater portion of these spontaneous products of the soil have long since passed away, and now but a comparatively small portion of the township is timbered, and these wooded parts that still remain have been so thinned out for building purposes, as well as for fuel, that, instead of the wild appearance it originally presented they have been converted into beautiful groves, which, threaded by murmuring streams of pure water, afford an inexhaustible quantity of excellent pasturage. Great quantities of the most durable limestone are to be found in many parts of the township, and, from the quarries now being operated, not only is enough material for the stone-work of all buildings within the township obtained, but there is also a considerable surplus over what is needed for home consumption, which is shipped, not only to different parts of our own State, but also the demand from other States proves so extensive as to be highly remunerative to those who engage in this traffic.

The first white settler in the township was John Hilliard, who emigrated from New Jersey in 1792 ; went first to West Virginia,, where he remained till he came to Ohio, and located in Hamilton County, coming from there to Spring Creek Township, Miami County, the 4th of April 1797, and permanently located himself on fractional Sections 30 and 36, Range 12. Previous to this, a Frenchman had settled in a log-cabin near the same place, who kept a supply store and traded his wares to the Indians for their furs and venison, of which there was always a great supply at that period ; but, as this trader had entered no land, Hilliard became the first land-holder and permanent settler in the township. Mr. H. was accompanied to his new home by his family of four boys and two girls. Two men, whose names were Broderick and Hutchinson, also journe}7ed thither with their families, at the same time, in company with the Hilliards, but, after pitching their tents here for only a short season, they grew weary of the place and determined to seek another, where fewer difficulties would have to be contended with, and accordingly "pulled up stakes" and took their march farther into the wilderness. There was at this time, a small piece of ground, scarcely two acres in extent, which had been burned off by the Indians, and here this family raised the first crop of corn, beans, and vegetables, that had ever been cultivated by members of the Caucasian race in the limits of Spring Creek Township. The family at first took up their residence in a little bark hut which had been vacated by the Indians, and, although a very humble-looking and unpretentious structure, proved a home to the growing family.

After the first winter spent in this primitive dwelling, Mr. H. built one more substantial from round poles, which, although by no means elegant, was quite an improvement on the bark hut. The roof of this house was of rude clapboards, and the chimney a most inartistic pile of mud and sticks ; the floor was partially covered with puncheon plank, while, in lieu of a door, a large, old quilt hung, curtainlike, over the aperture, which answered the purposes of ingress and egress. Having thus secured for himself a house of his own making, Mr. H. turned his attention to the labor of enlarging the cleared space upon his farm, and bjr dint of his indomitable will and unswerving perseverance, united with the great strength of his muscular powers, he soon succeeded in reclaiming a considerable portion of his farm from its originally worthless condition and bringing it under a tolerably fair state of cultivation. The nearest mill to the pioneer's cabin was at Dayton, which town, at that time, contained but three or four houses, and to this place, along a blazed pathway through the forest, the sturdy farmer rode his horse to mill, where he obtained the corn-meal which constituted the principal article of diet for the old settler. There being no marketing done in Dayton at this time, it became necessary at times to take a journey to Cincinnati, for the purpose of laying in family supplies. After a few years hard labor in the new settlement, John H. died, and the members of his household, accompanied by a little handful of sympathizing Indians, formed the first funeral procession in the community. That burial presented a scene worthy of being described by an artist's pen ; the little group of mourning friends, assisted in the solemn burial rites by the awe-stricken natives, the solemn, awful stillness of the surrounding forest - all these present a picture to the mind well worthy being reproduced upon the canvas of some modern Raphael Charles Hilliard, a son of this family, was the first white man who married from Spring Creek Township. In 1804, he became the husband of Sarah Manning, a daughter of one of the pioneer settlers of Washington Township, who lived just across the Miami River from the Hilliards. John William Hilliard, born to this couple in 1805, is the first person of his race who saw the light of the sun for the first time in the township. This gentleman is at present a resident of Piqua, and, although his health is greatly impaired, yet his e3'es kindle with enthusiasm and the blood runs more rapidly through his veins as he describes the scenes and recounts the incidents, so full of interest, of those good old times. The Hilliard family contended alone with the difficulties of frontier life for several years before the settlement was increased by the addition of any other families.

Probably the second settler in the township was John Dillbone, who immigrated here from Pennsylvania in 1804 or 1805. He was accompanied by his wife and one son, the family being increased, after their residence here, by the birth of one son and two daughters. Mr. Dillbone located on the northeast quarter of Section 1, at that time an unbroken wilderness. He immediately erected a rude cabin and began clearing his ground preparatory to planting his first crop. Upon his arrival here, he possessed nothing to assist him in his labors but his two willing hands, which found plenty of work to do. There had, by the time of his arrival, been a trading-post established near the present site of Tro}', and here they obtained what provisions they needed at first. Mr. Dillbone worked by the month for a man near Troy for the money with which he bought his first cow.

Mrs. Dillbone was noted for being an excellent spinner, and manufactured all the clothing material for her family, for which purpose they, as well as the other early settlers, always raised a field of flax, and it was while laboring writh the flax, in the fall of 1812, that both these people met an untimely and horrible death. Pears, about this time, began to be entertained that a general outbreak among the Indians was imminent. Whisperings of the terrible atrocities of the savages in other places reached the ears of the white settlers here, and caused the hearts of many to beat more rapidly under the dreadful apprehensions of danger that possessed them.

Mr. Dillbone, being a bold, fearless man, disdained to be intimidated by the flying rumors of the day, and expressed himself so freely on the subject as to in some manner incur the suspicions of the Indians, who resolved upon his destruction, together with Mr. Gerard, of another township ; and so well did the}^ lay their plans that they succeeded in murdering their victims the same hour of the same day. Mr. and Mrs. Dillbone were in the field pulling flax, while their children were all close by, under the shade of a large tree. The field was partially planted with corn, and in this the red men secreted themselves, ready to seize upon the most opportune moment for the completion of their hellish designs. The sinking sun, casting its lurid glare on the surrounding forest, and the evening shades, fast settling down upon that sultry August day, warned the tired laborers that their day's work was about completed. Little did they dream how soon a period was to be put to their earthly labors ; but so it was to be. They suddenly were aroused to the knowledge of some intruder's presence by the barking of a dog, and Mr. Dillbone raised himself from his stooping posture to see what disturbed the peace of the dog, and the same instant fell dead, pierced in the breast by a bullet from the gun in the hands of an Indian, who at that moment sprang from his place of concealment in the corn, in order to scalp his victim. Mrs. Dillbone, taking in the situation at a glance, started to the corn for protection, but was overtaken in her flight by the savage, and a single blow from his tomahawk felled her to the ground, where, after taking her scalp, the Indian left her weltering in her own blood.

During all the time this butchery was taking place, the infant children were compelled to remain lookers-on of the dreadful scene which made them orphans, with no power to render the least assistance to their dying parents, and knew not how soon they would be called upon to share the same fate. At one time, the Indian walked toward them as if intent upon killing the remainder of the family, but, before reaching them, stopped a moment, and, looking satisfactorily around upon the ruin he had already wrought, seemed to think his brutal thirst for blood and vengeance appeased, as, leaving the children unharmed, he took to his heels, and was soon lost to sight in the wooded depths. The oldest boy, who, all this time, had held the seven-months-old baby in his lap, now rose and ran to the nearest neighbors, and, procuring the assistance of James McKinney, returned to the spot, where they found the victims of the terrible outrage, and removed them to Mr. McKinney's house. The horrible news soon spread, and the settlers, collecting together for miles around, went for the night to the blockhouse, expecting to hear of greater depredations, but, save the murdering of Gerard at the same time, no other scalps were taken, and the settlers finally returned to their homes. The Indians who committed these horrible butcheries were never discovered.

Probably the third settler in this township was William Frost, who. with his wife, emigrated from North Carolina, in 1805, reaching Spring Creek the same year, where he entered the northeast quarter of Section 20. The first year of his living here, was spent in building his cabin, and preparing a small piece of ground to plant in corn the following spring, and, being entirely without assistance, for on his arrival here he had no children, the work progressed but slowly ; however, by constant application to the work before him, he managed to clear a piece of ground, consisting of several acres, from which, in the summer of 1806, he raised the first crop of corn ever harvested in that part of the township. His son, Ebenezer, born in 1807, is probably the second white boy born in the township. He resides at present on the old homestead of his father, which he has succeeded in perfectly transforming, and which now is one of the most productive farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Frost, in his youth, had a great fondness for the chase, and in his day has, with his trusty rifle, laid many of the noble brutes of the forest at his feet, and, old as he now is, his youthful passion for this kind of sport still clings to him, and he often scours the woods for J lours, hunting squirrels, well remembering the day when this species of game was considered too small to waste powder and shot on, and the hunter would consider the day spent uselessly unless he had managed to kill a deer or two, and thus provide the family with the best of meat for several weeks. The only tile factory in the township is the property of Mr. Frost, who has operated it quite a number of years, and produces a good quality of tile.

which has been extensively used in his immediate neighborhood. John R. McKinney was probably the fourth permanent settler in the township. He immigrated here in 1805, having left his native State, Pennsylvania, the same year. He was an unmarried man, and consequently labored under many and great disadvantages ; but, believing in the old adage which advises young men to procure a cage before trying to catch the bird, he labored manfully alone, put up his log hut, into which he moved his furniture, consisting of an oaken bench and rude table of his own make ; and to this rather limited stock of household goods he added a bed, which, by the way, is described as not being as soft as downy pillows are. These articles, together with the few utensils necessary for his culinary department, constituted the bulk of his earthly gear at that time. Better days were, however, in store for the lonely bachelor. Upon his arrival here he entered the whole of Section 32, and, being a man of extraordinary bodily strength, succeeded in accomplishing nearly as much with his single pair of hands as other farmers in the neighborhood would with the assistance of two or three boys. After working alone for five years, Mr. McKinney grew tired of spending the winter nights alone by the side of his fire-place, and made things more agreeable all around by marrying Miss Jane Scott, a native of Kentucky, in 1810. From this time forward his immediate surroundings grew more pleasant and home-like, and in time the log-cabin gave way to a house of more pretentious dimensions Mr. McKinney died in 1834, universally regretted. He had been a prominent man in the little settlement, and played a conspicuous part in all questions of a public character that agitated the minds of the community at that earl}' day. At about this date settlers began to pour into the township more rapidly than heretofore. John Millhouse emigrated from Maryland in 1808, and located in the southwest quarter of Section 21. His family at that time consisted of two sons and two daughters. Mr. M. erected his cabin and cleared his land, as had other settlers before him. and remained upon the farm now occupied by his grandson, till his death.

Gardner Bobo immigrated to this township in 1808. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 21, now owned by William Geiserman. He was accompanied to his Western home by his large family of sons and daughters. This being in the northern part of the township, near the Shelby Count}' line. Mr. Bobo did his milling at Berry's Mill, in that county, to which place a pathway was blazed through the woods for the convenience of the settlers in this part of Spring Creek Township. Grain was always taken to mill on horse-back, and, as wagons had not yet come into vogue in this neighborhood, a simple path through the woods was all that was required to accommodate all the travelers of the day. The first wagon in the township was the property of old Mr. Dillbone.

Mathias Scudder located in Spring Creek Township prior to 1808. Uriah Blue, James L. McKinney, Dennis Bindley and Henry Millhouse all entered land in different parts of the township about 1808. At this period domesticated animals had become quite numerous. Especially hogs were raised by all the farmers in considerable abundance. Railroads being at that time an invention yet to be discovered, to drive the stock to a market was the farmer's only alternative. They drove them through to Baltimore, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and other places, and, much of the way being through miry woods, many weeks were required to make the journey and return. Owing to the fact that fences were not kept up by the early settlers, their stock roamed the woods at large, and hogs, especially, not being so easily distinguished from others of their own kind, became, at times, mixed with those belonging to a different herd, and, in attempting to separate them, it was found impossible to do so satisfactorily to all parties, so that it was deemed necessary to devise some means by which this endless and unpleasant disputing could be avoided. A system of marking was consequently agreed upon, so that every man had his own mark, by which he could distinguish his stock from that of his neighbor, which always bore a different mark from his. Each man chose his own mode of marking his own stock; and this mark was recorded in a book kept for that especial purpose, which was deposited with the Township Clerk, so that, after this, all such disputes were settled hy referring to this book, which contained such declarations as the following : " This is to certify that the mark used by Uriah Blue for the year 1815 will be two slits in the upper side of the right ear." Another reads : "The mark used by Gardner Bobo for the year 1815 will be a notch cut in the tip of the left ear." This settled the matter, and from that time on no trouble was experienced from this source.-

At this period in the history of the township, the stream of immigration suddenty ceased for the time being. Wars and rumors of wars had spread throughout the country, and preparations were being made in all the States to repel the invading Indians. The few inhabitants of Spring Creek Township, anticipating an outbreak in their locality, convened in a meeting held for the purpose of devising means for self-defense, and decided on the erection of a blockhouse, where they might assemble at night and unite their forces for the mutual good ; this was built on John Hilliard's farm, a few rods from the present house. It was a large double log-house, built from round logs, capable of containing, at that time, all the population and much of the household goods in the township, and here the settlers would gather, with their wives and children, and pass the nights in comparative safety. Save the killing of the Dillbones, however, nothing occurred to disturb the peace of the little colony, and in time the old fort was abandoned, after which it was used by Mr. H. for a barn for a great many years, and then, yielding to the shattering influence of the elements, it crumbled away, and its very existence is a fact not remembered by more than one or two men in the township. After the excitement consequent upon the war was over and the fears of the people allayed, settlers again began to pour in from the older States. Among the first of these to reach Spring Creek Township was Samuel Wiley, who came here from Maryland in 1812 and settled on Section 25 and fractional Section 31. He was accompanied by his three sons. The family, after reaching Pittsburg, procured a raft and the services of a man to carry them down the Ohio to Cincinnati, which place they reached after a perilous voyage of several days, in which they all narrowty escaped drowning ; one woman of the company being thrown from the boat, succeeded in reaching a large rock in the middle of the river, from which she was released with difficulty. Their destination was finally reached without the loss of any lives. The family reached this township the same day Mr. and Mrs. Dillbone were killed. Samuel Wiley, Jr., was the father of sixteen children, and, during one presidential campaign, twelve of his boys voted for Buchanan. These were prominent men wherever they lived. Their grandfather, Samuel, Sr., had served as an aid to George Washington during the war of the Revolution, by whose side he had fought many a bloody battle during the struggle of our country for its independence. On Section 25, entered by Mr. W., there are several mounds, which indicate the existence, in this locality, of a prehistoric race. The largest of these earthworks embraces about two acres in extent, and is some three feet high. Various pieces of workmanship found upon the spot, such as arrow-heads, pieces of pottery, and images carved upon stone, go to prove that this people were not wholly unacquainted with the fine arts, and that they possessed more than the ordinary intelligence of the Indian. Upon this mound a human skeleton was plowed up, which, although badly decayed, was judged, by those who examined it, to have been that of a man at least seven feet in height. An ash tree, more than a hundred years old, growing on one of the mounds, shows that they must have been built at a period of time very remote from the present.

About the next arrival after the Wileys, was Joseph Kearns, who came from Pennsylvania, and located on Section 20, in this township, in 1815. This section was all woods at that time, and bee-trees were abundant, so that there was no lack of sweets for table use. Mr. Kearns put up a cabin of one room, with puncheon floor and clapboard roof, the chimney of mud and sticks being built on the outside. The table used by the family was also made of puncheon slab, by Mr. Kearns. Besides building his house, he succeeded in clearing two and a half acres of ground the same spring, which he planted the 10th of June, and from which he obtained a good crop, notwithstanding, it had to be watched ever}' day, till it was two feet high, in order to save it from the depredations of the squirrels, which, at that date, are described as being " as plenty as mosquitoes." Mr. Kearns had served in the war of 1812, for $5 per month, and kept himself; he was also intimately acquainted with Daniel Boone, whom he had often heard relate his wonderful experiences with the Indians, while on his hunting expeditions. Among the families that came to the township, between the years 1812 and 1816, the names of John Furrow, John Hendershot, John Wilson, Jacob Grates, John Webb, Ezekiel Boggs, Alexander Jackson, David Clark, David Floyd and Lewis Deweese may be mentioned. These were all men of excellent parts, and just such as were needed to bring order out of the original chaos. A meeting was held, to organize the township, the 4th of July, 1814, and the first . Monday in April, 1815, the first township officers were elected as follows: Henry Orbison, James L. McKinney and Uriah Blue, Trustees ; David Floyd, Treasurer ; Lewis Deweese, Clerk ; John Wilson and Jacob Gates, Constables ; John Webb, Lister ; and William Concannon, John Rogers, Ezekiel Boggs, Alexander Jackson, David Clark and Nathaniel Gerard, Supervisors. Officers for 1880 are David Manson, John Saunders and L. Devinney, Trustees ; Paul N. S. Pence, Treasurer ; J. R. Snodgrass, Assessor ; Messrs. Houser and Sims, Constables ; William Snodgrass, and Thomas R. Patterson, Justices of the Peace ; J. R. Duncan, Clerk.

There are two towns in the township, the oldest being Shawaneetown, laid out on ground owned by Mr. Hunter, and surveyed by J. Bellow previous to 1840. The first house in the place was a log cabin put up by David Gates ; it has long since ceased to be numbered among the occupied residences of the town. The village received its name from the Indian tribe that formerly had a permanent camp upon the spot.

Rossville was laid out on land owned by Mr. Ross, for whom it was named. The plat was prepared by William Knowles, between 1835-40. There are no business houses in the place, neither are there any in Shawaneetown save the furniture factory owned by Mr. Cron, which does an extensive business. Both of these villages being separated from Piqua only by the Great Miami River, which is crossed at each of the places by substantial bridges, the necessity for stores and groceries in their midst is done away with, the inhabitants preferring to do their trading in the larger place, which is so near at hand that the casual observer would suppose them to form a part of the town from which they are only separated by the river.

In the early settlement of the township the first thing needed in the line of manufactories was a mill where they could procure meal for family use. Settlers went to mill in Shelby County and other remote places till 1808, when this great want of the people was supplied by James T. McKinney, who erected his mill on the banks of Spring Creek. This was one of the old corn-crackers then so common in Ohio, and as wheat had been raised in but few places in the county, and corn meal being the only article of flour used for bread, this corn-cracker was considered a great convenience, and Mr. McKinney, being called upon to do the grinding for the people far and near, had but few moments to pass in idleness ; but this necessity for constant action did not dampen the spirits of the merry miller, who might always be found at his post ; and early and late, when the atmosphere was clear, the cracking of the old hopper might be heard for miles around.

Several years previous to the building of the grist mill. Charles Manning had erected a distillery in the township, which takes precedence of all other manufacturing establishments in Spring Creek. Mr. Manning ran this some time, and made an excellent quality of whisky, when he disposed of it to Henry Orbison. who continued to operate it. Mr. Orbison, by the way, was quite an influential man in the community, and was frequently called upon to occupy responsible positions in his township and county.

Silas Manning, who had settled in the township in 1811, built the second gristmill in about 1818 ; he operated it successfully a number of years, when it was sold. It is now the property of Thomas Patterson, but has not been used for years.

A grist-mill was connected with a carding-mill by Mr. Ross, in 1830, who did a, good business in both branches for many years, when the property was burned ; he afterwards rebuilt and operated for some time, when another fire destroyed the whole thing, which was never rebuilt.

The first saw-mill in the township was built by Samuel Wiley, who, after putting a dam across the creek, erected his mill upon its banks in 1815. The demand for lumber for building purposes being great, Mr. Wile}^ did an extensive business while running this mill, furnishing boards and planks for all the buildings in the township for several years. This mill has long since gone down, and not a timber remains to mark the spot upon which it stood.

About this date, Lewis Boyer, who had located in the township in 1810, started a distillery, not on a very extensive scale, it is true, but did a little work in that line for his neighbors, and is said to have manufactured an excellent article. Mr. B. had been a life-guard in the service of George Washington, and consequently was looked upon by his admiring friends as a great hero. His exterior was very uncouth, but he was one of those few men who are described as being diamonds in the rough, and is said to have been an unexceptional neighbor and valuable man in the community. He died in 1840, and was buried with all the honors of war. He was the second man in this township who fought side by side with the father of his country.

Elias Manning built a saw-mill on Spring Creek in 1815 ; after running it for awhile, he connected with it a grist-mill, with which he ground wheat as well as corn.

Dr. Jackson, the first resident M.D. in the township, put up the next saw-mill in 1826, near Spring Creek. The power was produced by water which was procured by conducting it to the mill in a large trough made for that purpose. The Doctor is said to have been quite successful in his profession, but his work in the saw-mill proved almost fruitless. He was a very eccentric individual, and invited men to help him raise his mill on Sunday, for which occasion he provided a large quantity of stimulating fluid. The crowd came, the mill was raised, and the occasion passed olf satisfactory to all concerned. Five or six logs were sawed after the completion of the mill, and then it was abandoned as an investment, which, in a financial point of view, was a failure. The Doctor subsequent^ moved farther west, where he died. Mr. Ross also had a saw-mill on the present site of Rossville, about 1825. David and James Caven also operated a mill of the same kind in an early day. These old mills, however, have long since been leveled by the destroyer, Time, so that now nearly all manufactured articles needed in the township are procured at Piqua. The only works in this line of any importance is the furniture factory in Shawaneetown, which was first built by the present proprietors some ten or twelve years ago. The Cron brothers have, up to this year, employed in the business regularly about one hundred hands. The original buildings becoming too limited for their steadily increasing business, the enterprising firm made arrangements last year to erect a more commodious building, and last spring began the construction of the immense brick structure now in a fair way for completion. The increasing demand for their work speaks better than words of the quality of the articles they manufacture. After the completion of the building now being built, they intend increasing their already large force of workmen by fifty men, making in all one hundred and fifty men, the largest corps of men employed in this business in Miami County.

Although many changes have taken place, and great improvements been made, for which the citizens of Spring Creek Township cannot be too highly commended, for the efficiency and high standard of her public schools, they deserve to be spoken of more laudably than for anything else, for, while her mills, and even churches, have nearly all perished, her schools, since their establishment, have been constantly improving, and to-day are in a better condition than ever before. The first schoolhouse in the township was built on Section 25, in 1815. It was a subscription school, taught by James Laird, who received for his services about $5 per month in the winter and " boarded round." This first instructor of the youth in this township was a native of the Emerald Isle, and is remembered as a peculiar individual. During a severe sickness, he had been salivated by the excessive use of calomel, which caused a deformity in all his joints, making it impossible for him to perform manual labor, yet, in the school-room, he is described as having been a host in himself, his only failing being a great fondness for whisky, of which he would partake freely every opportunity. Upon such occasions, woe be unto the tyro who failed to devote his attention to his books, or to recite his lesson in tones calculated to strike favorabty the then critical ear of the teacher. On such occasions nothing seemed to appease the anger of the teacher, till, with his big stick, he had brought the blood from the back of the offending child. The second school - house was built on ground now owned b}^ Stephen Alexander, in 1816 ; another was built on Section 21, in 1820. The first frame schoolhouse was built in the township in 1830. Among the teachers who taught between 1815-25, may be mentioned James Sims, George Lemons, James Cregan, "Aunt Sallie " Tucker, Thomas J. Larsh and " Pat " Murphy. The report of the Township Clerk for the year ending September 1, 1879, is as follows : Balance on hand September 1,

1878, $2,096.80 ; State tax, $708 ; irreducible funds, $138.97 ; township tax for school purposes, $1,770.34; fines, licenses, etc., $3.50 ; total receipts, $4,717.61. Expenditures - Amount paid teachers, $2,374.50 ; amount paid for building sites, $85 ; amount paid for fuel, etc., $253.32 ; total, $2,712.82 ; balance on hand September 1, 1879, $2,004.79. There are eight schoolhouses in the township, requiring the services of eight teachers, the average wages of male teachers being $39 per month, and female $26. The average number of weeks the schools were in session was thirty -three. Three hundred and eighteen pupils were enrolled, and of these forty-six were between sixteen and twenty-one years of age.

At the present time, there is only one church in the township. The colored Baptists built their neat brick structure in Rossville, about sixteen years ago. At an earlier day, however, there were several denominations here. The Methodists held meetings in the township as early as 1815 ; Rev. Henry T. Bascom was their first minister. The Baptists built a log church in 1818, and the New Lights another, on Spring Creek, in 1819. The United Brethren also preached here in 1820 ; Jacob Antram was one of the first ministers here. Services were held in the different churches, until Piqua had attained a good size, and, church privileges there excelling those in the country, the inhabitants of this township mostly removed their membership to that place.

The first frame house in the township, was built by Henry Orbison, in 1817 ; it was torn down years ago. The first brick dwelling was erected by Charles Hilliard, in 1818, while the first stone residence was built by Joseph Hilliard, in 1816. This last is still standing, apparently in as good condition as ever. It has been remodeled since its erection, the second story, which was added, being of brick. The walls of this house are two feet thick, and in as good condition as when first built. Charles and Joseph Hilliard also put out the two first orchards in the township, in 1809. The largest orchard in the township, is the property of Thomas J. Statler. It contains 1,500 apple trees, one-half of which were planted in 1860, and the remainder in 1865, the whole covering fifty acres of ground.

The first burial-ground in the township, was on Section 25, where John Hill iard was interred. This was used for such purposes, previous to 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Dillbone were buried in a field lying on the Piqua & Urbana road. No stone marks the spot where they lie. Another grave}rard, on the same road, was opened about 1820. Many of the old headstones have crumbled away, and the grounds, which have a gloomy appearance, have not been used for years.

The graveyard where the old Baptist Church formerly stood, is nearly as ancient as any in the township, and when the church was abandoned this ceased to be used. Cedar Grove Cemetery, near Piqua. is the propertv of the Jews. It is inclosed by a neat board fence, and contains but few graves. Thus closes thehistory of Spring Creek Township, which contains such facts as could be gleaned from tradition and from the remembrance of the few pioneers j^et living. Judging the future by the past, and noting the changes and improvements rapidly being made in the works .of man, it is safe to infer, that, by the time the c}'cle of' her hundredth anniversary is completed, there will be events to chronicle, the magnitude and importance of which have not yet entered into the minds of the most sanguine of her citizens ; and the appliances now used in the production of her mechanical and agricultural products, will, by that time, be comparatively rude and unmanageable.

JOHN ADLARD, retired silversmith ; P. O. Fletcher; was bora in England March, 1823, and is a son of John and Mary (Norton) Adlard ; his father was born about 1776, in Louth, Lincolnshire, England, died in 1828 ; his mother was 15 years his junior, and died August, 1848. Our subject was raised to town and city life ; in earty life, in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, England, he learned watch-making, which remained his occupation during his life in England. In 1845, he married Elizabeth Colton, who was born at Marhan-on-the-hill, near Horncastle, England, eight days his junior ; she is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Colton. John, Jr., and wife, in 1847, embarked for the United States ; after their arrival, they located in Waterford, N. Y., where they remained one year ; thence removed to Canal Dover, Ohio, where they remained about twenty years ; there he engaged in his former trade a portion of the time ; the remainder was spent in various pursuits ; after which a change or two was made, and about 1869 he located in Fletcher, Brown Township, where Elizabeth (his wife) died in 1875. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living ; Mr. Adlard married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza Looker, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1830, and emigrated to Ohio in 1852, and in the same year married Gipson R. Looker; Mrs. Adlard is a daughter of John and Eliza (Harvey) Johnson, who were both natives of Pennsylvania.

SYLVANUS ALLEN, retired farmer; was born in Mason Co., Ky., Feb. 10, 1797 ; when 8 years of age, he with his parents emigrated to Montgomery Co., Ohio, settling ten miles south of Dayton, on what is now the Dayton and Lebanon pike, where they lived and died, the father, Jeremiah Allen, in the 82d year of his age, and the mother in her 62d year ; they were the parents of twelve children, of whom six are now living, our subject being the second ; in 1830. he emigrated to Miami Co. and bought his present farm, the southwest quarter of Sec. 1, Brown Township ; for this he paid $700, and was soon located thereon, where he has since resided ; the farm was but little improved when he settled here, contrasting greatly with the well-cultivated fields and substantial buildings of to-day, which change has been brought about by hard work and industry, and the assistance of his noble family. In the early part of Mr. Allen's life in Miami Co., they had no post office conveniences nearer than Piqua or Urbana, a distance on either side of from twelve to fifteen miles ; the mail at that time was carried past his house, on horseback or otherwise ; owing to the inconvenience of mail facilities for him and his neighbors, he made application to have an office established at his residence, which was granted, and was a great accommodation, this office being the first one of its kind in Brown Township ; he held it for several years until the village of Lena was laid out and a small business established, when he of course was willing to have it moved to a more public place, which was done ; in honor of Mr. Allen the office took its name ; thus, Mr. Allen has passed through the frontier and pioneer life of Miami Co. In November, 1821, in Montgomery Co., Ohio, he married Miss Hannah Beckhorn, who was born in New Jersey April 11, 1803 ; by this union they had ten children, of whom seven are now living. Mrs. Allen's death occurred Jan. 31, 1875. Mr. Allen now resides with his son, A. J., who was born May 17, 1846, and June 3, 1873, married Miss Nora B recount, who was born in this county Jan. 23, 1847 ; they have one son, Edward H., born June 15, 1874.

R. B. ANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; son of John and Nancy Anderson ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1825. John Anderson died in 1826. Our subject being left fatherless when almost an infant, he was placed in the care of his grandfather, David Anderson, upon whom the duty devolved of raising him ; in 1829, he with his grand-parents emigrated to Ohio, locating in Warren Co.; and the following winter they pressed onward to Miami Co.; there David Anderson entered a large tract of land, of which 80 acres was entered for R. B., which is his present farm in Sec. 15, Brown Township ; he remained with David Anderson until 1843, at which time he took a trip East to see his motherr whom he had not seen since 1829 ; there he devoted his time to his mother's society for a few weeks, when he returned and soon after engaged in coopering in Warren Co.; farming was taken in connection with his trade, which was followed in Warren and Montgomery Cos., Ohio, until 1851, when he settled on his farm ; here he has since resided and made great changes in the general appearance of the same ; now there are 70 acres under cultivation. Aug. 27, 1850, he married Miss Marim Dickensheets, who was born in Bellbrook, Greene Co., Ohio, in 1826 ; they by this union have five children, of whom three are now living, viz. : Clara B, born June 17, 1851, now Mrs. M. Kemp ; Emma E., Dec. 15, 1852, now Mrs. G. Friling ; and A. Caroline, Aug. 14, 1854, now Mrs. Joseph Cyphers. The deceased are Charlie R., died Aug. 3, 1858, and Fannie C., born Dec. 3, 1858, died Aug. 4, 1879.

WILLIAM G. APPLEGETT, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1826, and is a son of W. H. Applegett, who was born in Kentucky about the close of the eighteenth century ; received a limited education and followed carpentering for a number of years ; emigrated to Hamilton Co., Ohio, about 1817. Three years later, married Miss Atlantic Golf, who was born at Cape May, N. J.; after marriage, resided chiefly in this county, where she died with cholera about 1834 ; he afterward went to Tennessee, where he died about 1840, They were the parents of five children, of whom three are now living, of whom Mr. Applegett is the oldest ; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a limited education ; after his majority, he entered upon the trade of carpentry,, which he followed twenty-five years ; in 1868, he bought a farm in Sec. 8, Town 2, Range 12, and the next year located on it. In 1851., he married Miss H. A. Davis; they have eight children viz. : Sarah M., deceased ; Mary H., John W., Melissa J., Arthur E., Charles, Clara E. and Kate. Mrs. Applegett was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1834, and is a daughter of Benjamin B. and Mary (Graham) Davis.

J. B. BEAMER, M. D., Fletcher. Of the medical profession of the village of Fletcher, who has established a reputation as a thorough-read man in the science of medicine, is Dr. Beamer, who is a native of Champaign Co., Ohio ; when but a boy of 4 years, his father (being also a physician) located in Fletcher, and was favorably known for nearly thirty years, under whom J. B. read ; in the 19th year of his age, he commenced the practice of his profession in Fletcher ; two years later, he entered the United States Army as a private volunteer of Co. Er 71st O. V. I ; soon after the organization of the company, he was appointed as Sergeant ; he entered service, and remained ten months, when he was discharged, having received a wound in the right lower limb by a cannon ball, at the battle of Shiloh ; he was disabled from active duty in his profession for a period of eighteen months, when he again started in the practice of medicine, which he has successfully followed ; in the year of 1867, he graduated from the Philadelphia Medical University ; the Doctor is now well situated in the south part of Fletcher, where he has a fine little floral garden which he takes particular pride in caring for. The nuptials of Dr. Beamer and Martha F. A. Keller, a native of Maryland, were celebrated Dec. 16, 1869 ; they have one daughter, Lulu A., born May 24, 1873.

GEORGE H. BENHAM, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Brown Township Feb. 12, 1855, and is a son of Richard Benham, who was bom in Hamilton Co., Ohio, March 15, 1791, and was one of the patriots of the war of 1812 ; he was at the surrender of Gen. Hull, where he took the life of an Indian chief ; in 1813, he married Mary Nutt, who was a native of Centerville, Montgomery Co., Ohio, and died about 1846 ; he afterward married Mrs. Abigail (Underwood) Baltzell, who was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1813 ; they had two children ; the death of Richard Benham occurred March 1, 1870. George Benham was raised on the farm of which he now owns a portion, in Sec. 3, Brown Township ; in earl}7 life he received a fair education. His marriage with Millie Pence was celebrated in 1874 ; their children were three in number, of whom only one is now living, viz., Len Etta ; Mrs. Benham is a daughter of William F. and Emmeline Pence, natives of this State.

A. M. BERRYHILL, farmer, dealer in and shipper of stock ; P. O. Fletcher ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, April 15, 1828, and brought up on his father's farm, where he assisted in clearing it. A. M. B. in his boyhood days obtained no education, but since by continual practice and close application of mind to his business, he has now a fair business education ; in 1853, he came to Miami Co. and purchased 80 acres of his present farm in Sec. 14, Brown Township, where he took it all from its wild state to a fine degree of cultivation, and erected a fine house, barn and other improvements. Mr. Berryhill has by talent and industry made gradual financial changes until he now owns about 700 acres of land in this and Shelby Cos., with sufficient capital to successfully carry on his business ; he has since 1860 devoted his time to his present business, but in connection with it oversees a large amount of farming. Mr. Berryhill has, while residing in Brown Township, always been willing to aid and encourage all public interest to the welfare of the county or the vicinity in which he resides. His marriage with Sarah Brelsford was celebrated Oct. 13, 1853 ; she was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Dec. 16, 1832, and died June 9, 1857 ; she was the mother of two children, one living, Theresa, now Mrs. J. D. Caven. Mr. Berryhill married for his second wife, Catharine Brelsford ; she was born May 31, 1828 ; they have seven children, viz.: Sarah S., S. F., II. R., R. E., Mary M., Jennie B., deceased ; and John L. Berryhill.

F. M. BERRYHILL, farmer, and dealer in stock ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio. June 17, 1838, and is a son of Archibald Berryhill, who was born in Virginia Oct. 2, 1801 ; his entire life was devoted to farming ; in 1812 or 1813, he emigrated to Greene Co., Ohio, settling near Bellbrook ; he buried two wives, and married a third, with whom he lived until July 7, 1877, when he passed from the stage of life ; he was the father of nine children, of whom four are now living. F. M. was raised on the farm and taught the principles of farming by his father, and was given a limited education ; upon March 29, 1864, he emigrated to Miami Co., and settled on his present farm in Sec. 7, which consists of 160 acres ; when coming here, there were but 50 acres under cultivation ; he has since increased the tillable acres to 95, and manifests great interest in his farm pursuits ; since his residence in Brown Township, he has held the office of Assessor and others in the vicinity and township. F. M. Berryhill is a descendant of Charles Thompson, one of the first Secretaries of the United States. Upon June 17, 1878, Mr. Berryhill (being from home) was visited by a large concourse of relatives, friends and neighbors from far and near, accompanied by the band of Piqua. Soon after the arrival of the parties, a table 225 feet long was erected, and plentifully tilled. At the proper hour for refreshments, the band marched around the table, followed by the guests, numbering 517. Rev. F. Berryhill returned appropriate thanks, after which all enjoyed the bountiful repast ; after dinner, others arrived, and swelled the number to 635, who made it a day long to be remembered. Feb. 27, 1879, F. M. Berryhill married Miss Mary J. Hill, who was born in this county. They by this union have one son, born Feb. 29. 1880. Mrs. Berryhill is a daughter of Samuel and Eliza J. Hill.

Biographical Sketches

BRECOUNT & SONS, grain dealers, Conover. Daring the summer of 1855, S. Gr. Brecount and brother cleared away the unbroken forest, where the village of Conover is now located, and erected a warehouse on the Columbus, Pi qua & Indiana Railroad, which is now known as the Cincinnati, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, a through line from east to west. The structure and capacity of the building was based upon the expected patronage of the energetic farmers of the surrounding vicinity. On Oct. 11, of the same fall, they purchased their first load of grain from John Wolcott, Jr. S. 0. Brecount & Bro. carried on their business with some inconvenience and pecuniary disadvantages for a few years, but with a liberal patronage. Their partnership continued until 1858, when S. Gr. Brecount retired from its duties and turned it to his son, A. L. Brecount (the firm now being J. D. & A. L. Brecount). During this partnership, gradual improvements were made in the manner of handling grain. In 1859 or 1860, the third member, J. C. White, engaged in the business, forming the firm of Brecount & White. They also opened the first store in Conover, stocking it with general merchandise, where they soon built up a healthy trade in connection with the grain business. This firm trahsacted business until 1861 or 1862, when a third change took place, and the business was managed by J. D. Brecount alone until 1864, when E. R. Doup, with the above, formed the firm of Brecount & Doup, which lasted one year only, after which J. D. Brecount transacted the business alone until 1871. During this time the grain had been weighed on small scales in the house. At the lAst date, Gr. W. Brecount formed the firm of Brecount & Son, andlarge Fairbank scales were added to their facilities of weighing grain. In June, 1877, the last change took place by E. A. Brecount forming the firm of Brecount & Sons. Durthe past all the grain was handled in the original building. In the fall of 1877, their corn-house was erected, with a capacity sufficient to store 8,000 bushels of corn. Their dump for unloading corn is one of the best in the county. Their advantages for loading on the side track are such that a car has been loaded in the small space of ten minutes. In the summer of 1879, thej7 remodeled their first structure, erected in 1855. To this extra facilities were added to those previously connected with the building, and the following winter an office and scale-house were fitted up. They are now well situated and are doing a business second to none in the township. The first 37early shipments of the firm were small compared to those of 1879, which were 525,000 bushels of wheat ; corn, 33,500 ; oats, 27,000 and flax, 2,500. J. D. Brecount has, during the past transactions, held the leading position of the firm. He now entrusts the business, principally, to the junior members of the firm, who are intelligent, bright and chorough-going young men. They are making an excellent reputation as good business men. J. D. Brecount was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, April 16, 1827, and is a son of John and Sarah (Williams) Brecount. In childhood, with their parents, they emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio on flat-boats, locating where now the limits of Cincinnati extend. Here John Brecount, when a lad of 14 years of age, engaged in blacksmithing, serving as apprentice until he was 21, when his trade was completed. He did but little at this business during life ; he was otherwise variously engaged, passing through the pioneer days of Hamilton Co., sharing many of the difficulties connected with the war of 1812, of which he was a participant ; in 1837, he and family became residents of Champaign Co., where John and Sarah remained until in a feeble state of health, they came to Miami Co. to receive the care of their children, where they both passed away. Their children were twelve in number, of whom three are now living ; J. D., the only son, was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and, in his early life, had limited school privileges ; he came to Miami Co. in the same year the grain business was opened ; locating, with his brother, where the village is now built ; at that time it was all in the woods ; there he has since made and seen many changes, and his finances have much improved. Outside of his grain business, he owns 170 acres in Sec. 12, Brown Township, Miami Co., which is under good cultivation and is well improved. March 27, 1849, he married Esther

WILLIAM H. BRELSFORD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., in 1846, and is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Hand) Brelsford, and a grandson of Daniel, Sr., and Mary (Townsond) Brelsford, both natives of Pennsylvania ; in after years, they emigrated West and located in Brown Township, Miami Co., where the}7 both died, she in 1840, and he in 1852. William H. was raised on the farm, where he assisted his father in opening out the same until his majority ; soon after (in 1868), he married Hannah Staats, who was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, and was four years his junior ; in the following fall, they emigrated to Cedar Co., Iowa, where he commenced farming, and resided one year, when Hannah died, and he had her brought back to Miami Co. and interred ; he also remained there, and has since been engaged in farming in Ohio. One child was the fruit of the above union - Frank, born in September, 1868. In the fall of 1876, William H. Brelsford married Sarah Jones, who was born in Indiana in 1855 ; they had two children - Tessie (deceased in infancy) and Carrie. William H., in September, 1878, purchased his present farm of 40 acres, in Sec. 21, Brown Township, Miami Co., where he located the following spring.

MRS. DANIEL BRELSFORD ; P. 0. Fletcher ; Daniel Brelsford was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 2, 1823, and was brought up to farm life, receiving a common education; in 1840, he came to Miami Co., where he engaged in carpentering. Jan. 8, 1846, he married Nancy Hand ; she was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1825 ; they had eleven children, viz., William H., Martha A., Melissa F., Mary E., Alonzo T. (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), George W., Arthur J., Charley L., Maude D. and Claudie M. F. Daniel Brelsford, in 1850, commenced purchasing the farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 20, Brown Township, Miami Co., which he afterward completed, and cultivated until his death, July 2, 1874. Mrs. Brelsford is a daughter of Benjamin Hand, who was born in New Jersey, where he came when but a boy, with his parents. William and Phebe (Jennings) Hand came to Ohio and settled in Greene Co. permanently. Benjamin Hand married Sarah Sackett, who was a native of Kentucky, and, in 1835, the}7 came from Greene Co. to Miami Co., and bought 80 acres of Sec. 20, Brown Township ; Mr. Hand died there Aug. 1, 1841, and Mrs. Hand Jan. 8, 1872. Mrs. Brelsford is a granddaughter of Cyrus Sackett, a native of Connecticut, who, at the age of 21, emigrated to Kentucky ; in 1791, he was under the command of Gov. St. Clair, at the Wabash River, in Mercer Co., Ohio, where St. Clair was defeated and suffered a heavy loss ; but Cyrus, being among the survivors, returned to Kentucky, where he married Nancy Stableton, who was a native of Maryland ; when but a child, she was taken to North Carolina, where she remained during the war of Independence, and afterward rode on horseback to Kentucky ; she and Cyrus afterward emigrated to Greene Co., Ohio, where they both died at an advanced age.

II. S. CARMONY, farmer, and manufacturer of drain tile ; P. O. Conover ; was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 15, 1815, and is a son of Jacob Carmony, who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 6, 1790 ; he was raised to farm labor and distilling ; early in the nineteenth century emigrated with his parents to Ohio, and settled near Centerville, Montgomery Co., where his parents died at an advanced age. Jacob Carmony, during the war of 1812, was engaged in manufacturing liquors to supply the army ; in 1813, he married Mary Stansell, who was a native of Kentucky, born in 1796, and emigrated to Ohio about 1810 ; they both died in Montgomery Co., he in 1872, and she three years later. Mr. H. S. Carmony was brought up to farm pursuits ; at the age of 22, he began coopering, which trade he followed five years ; in 1842, he came to Miami Co., located on his present farm in Sec. 7, Township 2, Range 12, where he has since resided ; in 1872, lie erected his tile factory and engaged in operating the same, which has produced an annual income of about $2,000. March 20, 1842, he married Miss S. E. Munger, who was born in Warren Co., Ohio, July 3, 1823 ; they have had twelve

JAMES CARTER, retired farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1813, and is a son of James Carter, Sr., who was born in New Jersey. During the war of independence, and when but 5 years of age, he came with his parents to Pennsylvania, where he matured, and married Sarah Freel, a native of that State ; they emigrated to Ohio, passing through where Cincinnati now stands, when it consisted of three log cabins. They onward'pressed to Warren Co., where they entered 100 acres of land, four miles north of Lebanon ; here they settled in the wilds, and at once began to open out a farm, which was done in a reasonable time ; there they died, after having passed through the pioneer days of Warren Co., he in 1832 and she in 1827 ; their children were eleven in number, of which all grew to maturity ; the above family have possessed an extraordinary degree of health, and boast of never having a physician called to their assistance, not even in the illness of their father, as his disease was what they regarded as incurable (consumption) ; the family all possess a medium degree of health. James was brought up to farm labor, and obtained a common education ; in 1839, he emigrated to Miami Co., purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 6, Brown Township ; this he has since improved and cultivated, and now is one of the finest farms in Brown Township. James Carter, in 1834, united in matrimony with Catherine Williams ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1816 ; they have trod the path of connubial life for nearly half a century, and are the parents of nine children, of whom one, Jasper, was lost in battling for his country, in 1864 ; the remaining eight are now living, viz., William S., Maria, Joel, Eunice A., Cerelda, George, Jeannette and Charles G.

G. B. CAYEN, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born March 18, 1828, on the farm he now owns in Sec. 31 ; he is a son of John A. Caven, one of the early settlers of this county, who was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., in 1789, wdiere he grew to manhood, and in 1811, emigrated to Miami Co.; he entered the farm now owned by George B., which was in a very wild state. In 1821, he married Elizabeth Scott, who was born in Mason Co., Ky., in 1801 ; they both lived and died in this township. The grandparents of George B. were of Irish birth, and died in Spring Creek Township, she about 1828-30, their son following in 1838. G. B. remained at home and nobly assisted to clear and improve the farm ; he received as good an education as could be obtained in his boyhood days. In 1849, he began life for himself, and has since by habits of industry and good management bought and hired lands, until he now owns 250 acres of fine land in this county, of which 160 lie in and above said section, whereon he has erected good, substantial farm buildings. His attention for the past few years has been partially directed to the culture of bees. Oct. 14, 1852, his marriage with Catherine Simmons was celebrated ; she was born in this county, in 1829 ; their children were five in number, of whom all are now living, viz.: Alice, now Mrs. W. Hill ; John F.; Melissa J., now Mrs. R. C. Morrow ; Mary E., now Mrs. G. W. Sanders ; and Ruth I. Mrs. Caven is a descendant of the Simmons family, whose biograph}' will appear in some other part of this volume.

J. H. CODDINGTON, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Conover ; was born on his present farm Sept. 6, 1849, and is a son of David Coddington, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, in 1818, and in 1847, came to Miami Co., settling on Sec. 2, Brown Township ; two years later, he purchased 80 acres of land, improved and cultivated the same until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1860, leaving a wife and four children to mourn his loss ; his widow, Mary (Hill) Coddington, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, February, 1832 ; she married Thomas Roberts ; they now reside in her native county. Our subject was raised to the life of a farmer's son, and obtained a common-school education ; since 1873,. he has been gradually purchasing the shares of the home farm, of which he now owns all but the mother's interest, and is engaged in cultivating his property. Sept. 5, 1867, his marriage was celebrated with Jane Morris, who was born in

Champaign Co., Ohio, and is two years her husband's junior. Their children are Edwin F., born June 24, 1870 ; Alva T.. July 5. 1873 ; and Calvin H., March 6, 1877. Mrs. Coddington is a daughter of Calvin and Lydia Morris, who were both natives of Hamilton Co., Ohio, and were the parents of nine children, of whom eight are now living.

J. P. COFFIELD, grain and grocery dealer ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is located on the C., C. & I. C. R., where he has been favorably known for the past six years ; in connection with the above business, he has the care and management of the freight, ticket and express office, being also a telegraph operator ; he was born in Clark Co., Ohio, in 1845, where he grew to manhood on a farm : in his boyhood days, he acquired a common education, which was afterward cultivated and improved in schools of higher grade ; his attention during life has been directed to the profession of teaching, which he followed ten years in Clark, Greene and Miami Cos. ; since 1874, he has been permanently located in this county. He was married to Gorilla McAllister Feb. 18, 1879 ; she was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, June 14, 1856.

J. F. COLVIN, dealer in drygoods, boots, shoes, etc.; P. 0. Allen's. Although the firm of Colvin & Frazier have only been engaged in their present business in Lena since 1871, they have succeeded in building up an extended and health}' trade ; owing to their experience in the line of dry goods, their judgment is well exercised in adjusting their stock to the demands of the trade ; buying such quantities and of such goods as their customers are likely to demand, they have few remnants left on their shelves, and their stock, in consequence, represents an unexceptionally neat and attractive appearance ; they keep a full line of dr}' and fancy goods, boots and shoes, groceries, etc.; they are of the most successful and substantial business men of the place. J. F. Colvin was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1841 ; he is a son of I.. W. Colvin, who was born in Kentucky, Sept. 13, 1798 ; in 1820, he emigrated to Ohio, and located in Warren Co., where he, in 1824, married Mary Proud ; she was six years his junior ; they wrere the parents of nine children, of whom six are now living. Our subject is the grandson of Henry and Catherine (Williams) Colvin ; their decease occurred in Kentucky ; J. F. was brought up to farm labor, and received an academical course of education ; in 1860, he emigrated to Illinois, stopping in Champaign Co., where he engaged with Mr. Pratt in the grain trade ; he remained until fall of the same year, when he unfortunately had a limb broken, which disabled him from active service ; as soon after as possible he moved his quarters to Douglas Co., of the same State, where he began teaching public school, which he continued at intervals for a few years afterward ; he engaged a second time with Pratt, where he remained a short time, thence to Delaware, Ohio, and attended a course of study and reviewed its branches ; in 1 864, he returned home, took charge of his father's farm and cared for his parents until he entered into his present business ; since in business in Lena, he has been elected as Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Mary P. Vanhorn, who was born in Pennsylvania, and was three years his junior ; her death occurred Nov. 17, 1876 ; two children were born to them, of whom one is now living, Carrie May, born July 28, 1871.

J. W. COPPOCK & BRO., Fletcher, dealers in grain and Hour. J. W. was born in this county July 26, 1848, and is a son of Samuel Coppock. who was born in Monroe Township. Miami Co., Sept. 23, 1817 ; in 1839, he married Delany Blickenstaff ; she was born in Monroe Township, Miami Co., July 29. 1822 ; six children were the fruits of this union, of whom all are now living and are now married ; Mrs. Delany Coppock is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Crull) Blickenstaff; they are now both dead. J. W. Coppock was brought up to farm labor and received a medium education ; he followed farming until the spring of 1872, when he engaged in the grain business in Tippecanoe, where he remained until July 1, 1879 ; at this time he came to Fletcher and engaged in his present business, in company with his younger brother, the firm being J. W. Coppock & Bro., where they have had good success, and quite recently (in connection with their previous business) have fitted their building for a flouring-mill, an enterprise that Fletcher and the surrounding vicinity has long needed ; Coppock & Bro. are thoroughgoing young men, and only time is needed to establish a trade in their business. Sept. 25, 1873, J. W. married Miss Mary C. Heiker ; she was born in this count}' Feb. 17, 1853 ; they have had two children, viz., Blanche, deceased, and Ira D., now living ; Mrs. Coppock is a daughter of William and Anna (Keller) Heikes.

ISAIAH D. COUNTS, retired farmer ; P. 0. Conover. He was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., Nov. 3, 1815, and is a son of Elijah Counts, who was born in Virginia in 1787, and was of G-erman and Welsh parentage ; Elijah was brought up on the farm, and, in his earlier years, learned the harness and saddler's trade, which he followed until 1818. He married Margaret Wiley, of South Carolina, and, soon after their marriage, they emigrated to Kentucky, where they remained until 1819 ; they again removed and settled in Staunton Township, Miami Co., where he entered a farm of 80 acres near Casstown ; there they remained, clearing up their farm, until 1863, when they sold out and settled in Fletcher, where Margaret died Sept. 2 of the same year ; Elijah spent his remaining years in various places until Aug. 29, 1879, when he, too, passed away ; they had twelve children, of whom six are now living, our subject being the third son ; he shared all the pioneer difficulties of Staunton Township, where he nobly assisted his father in opening up the farm. The generations of the nineteenth century can look back over the pages of this history and see what their ancestors have passed through. In 1836, Isaiah began life for himself, and his time has chiefly been devoted to farming since ; in 1855, he moved from Staunton Township to what is now his farm of 120 acres, in Sec. 13, Brown Township ; this he rented one year and then bought an adjoining farm, where he remained until 1865, when he bought and located where he now is ; the above property has been accumulated by the energy and industry of himself and family. Nov. 12, 1843, he married Letitia Wilsoh, who was born April 13, 1820, and died Dec. 29, 1 851, leaving her husband with three children. Isaiah, Sept. 8, 1855, married Elsie Anna Ayers. The children of I. H. Counts are L. F., W. T. and J. W., now deceased. L. F., in the late rebellion, seeing the need of defending his native country, enlisted in Company E, 110th O. V. I., where he participated in two severe engagements and others of minor importance ; after serving three years, he was mustered out of service and returned home uninjured.

W. S. COX, practical physician ; Allen's P. O. Hr. Cox was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1828, and is a son of George Cox, who was born in Virginia near the close of the eighteenth century. Early in the nineteenth century, he with his parents emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton Co. About 1824, he married Elizabeth Shotwell, she being a native of Clermont Co., Ohio, and ten years his junior ; they in 1826 emigrated to Miami Co. and located on Sec. 4, Lost Creek Township, where they spent many years. In the fall of 1862, the death of George Cox occurred, from injuries received from a runaway team of horses ; his wife survived until 1873, when she, too, passed away ; their children were ten in number, of whom all reached maturity, and seven are now living, viz. : John S., now a druggist in Ogden, 111.; S. W., also a druggist in Bement ; Van B., now a farmer in Champaign Co., Ohio ; Paul V., now a resident of Fletcher; Elmira C., now Mrs. James Bradley ; Caroline, now Mrs. Samuel Havis, of Fairmount, 111. W. S. being the oldest, was raised on the farm and assisted in performing the labor connected therewith ; early in life he received an education sufficient for teaching, which occupation he followed several terms. During this time, he began the study of medicine, and in 1852, graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute ; in September of the same year, located in Plattsville, Shelby Co., Ohio, and began the practice of medicine, building up a good practice, and, as a young practitioner, was much liked ; here he remained until April, 1858, when he saw fit to change his location to that of his present one, where he has since resided, having lived in the village of Lena twenty -two years, and is the oldest physician of the place. The Doctor is located a short distance north of Lena, with all the conveniences necessary, and at present is in possession of 100 acres of land in Secs. 1 and 6, Brown Township ; he has for a number of years been a member of the Masonic fraternity. May 19, 1853, he married Nancy S. Duncan, who was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1830 ; the}7 liave six children, of whom five are now living, viz. : Ariminta 0. J., now Mrs. Isaac Wolcott ; Amanda E., now Mrs. A. J. Brantner, of Illinois ; R. Lorelly, now Mrs. Joseph Johnson ; Edward S. and George S. Mrs. Cox is a daughter of John and Deborah Duncan, whose names will be seen under T. P. Duncan's sketch in some other part of this work.

H. B. DENMAN, physician ; Allen's P. O ; was born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1843, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret A. (Stickle) Denman, whose death occurred in 1855 ; Abraham married, for his second wife, Catherine Lee, and now resides in Miami Co. H. B. was raised on his father's farm, assisting in all the duties connected with agricultural pursuits until his majority ; his early education was obtained in the district schools ; in 1 864. he entered the schools of Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until March 4 of the following spring ; at this time commenced the study of medicine under Prof. D. D. Bramble, of Cincinnati ; H. B. applied his time closely and allowed no thought on other occupations to trouble his mind ; in 1866, he attended his first course of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he graduated in 1869; on June 1, 1870, he commenced the practice of his profession in Lena, Brown Township, where he has since been located, attending closely to all duties of the medical profession. Sept. 24, 1874, his nuptial was celebrated with Rose H. Brecount, she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, July 30, 1846 ; one child was bom to them July 9, 1875, Mattie B. Mrs. Denman is a daughter of S. G. and Tamer (White) Brecount.

JOHN W. DILL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher ; was born in Greene Co., Ohio, March 18, 1830, and is a son of Burton and Elizabeth (Davis) Dill ; the}7 are both natives of Delaware ; their marriage was celebrated soon after the war of 1812, through which Burton Dill passed, enduring many hardships. About 1819, they emigrated West, locating in Sugar Creek Township, Greene Co., Ohio, where they both died, he in the 47th year of his age, and she in her 66th year. Their children were seven in number, of whom four are now living. John W. was raised on the farm, and secured a common-school education in his native county ; after his majority, he engaged in carpentering, which was his steady occupation for four years ; afterward he followed it in connection with farming. In 1869, he purchased his present farm of 50 acres, in Sec. 19, Brown Township, Miami Co. ; he located on his farm in 1872, and many changes have been made since ; at present his farm is all under cultivation and well improved. He married Mary Worthington, of Montgomery Co., April 28, 1855 ; her death occurred June 8, 1873, at the age of 33 years 1 month and 8 days ; she was the mother of three children - George A., Daniel and Sarah E., deceased. Mr. Dill married for his second wife, Jane Snodgrass, born in Spring Creek Township, Miami Co., who is a daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Snodgrass.

J. A. DUER, retired farmer ; P. 0. Fletcher. Another of the pioneers of Miami Co. is J. A. Duer, who was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in 1809, and is a son of William and Charlotte (Anderson) Duer. J. A. was raised to farm life until 17 years of age, during which time he procured a common education. In 1826, he engaged in the blacksmith trade, which he completed in 1830 ; the same spring he emigrated West, first stopping in Warren Co., Ohio, as a journeyman ; in the fall of 1830, he came to Miami Co., and bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 8, Brown Township, where he opened up a shop in the wilds, to do such smithing as the pioneers might need. Remaining a few years, he located in Fletcher, and continued his trade until the purchase of his present farm of 160 acres in Sec. 13, Brown Township, and afterward worked at his trade in Montgomery Co., Ohio, a quarter of a century ; from that time thence to 1874, his entire time was devoted to the farm ; he then turned it to his son, and now lives retired on the same. Mr. Duer came to Miami Co., when wilds abounded, and since then, he with other pioneers, has made man}' changes. In 1833, married Sarah Fry back, who was born in Montgomer}r Co., Ohio, in 1814 ; ten children have been born to them, of whom five sons are living, viz., George W., William A.. John, Elias F. and James T. Mr. and Mrs. Duer have been consistent members of the Presbyterian Church of Fletcher for nearly twoscore 3rears.

WILLIAM H. DUER, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Juty 15, 1836, and is a son of George S. Duer, whose name can be seen under the sketch of Joseph S. Duer ; received a common education, and was brought up to farm labors ; after coming West he continued at home, and assisted in all the duties connected with farm life until his majority, after which, he entered the path of life for himself, and by diligence and forethought, financialljT progressed until 1866 ; he then purchased his present farm of 80 acres in Sec. 14, Brown Township, where he is well situated. Upon November, 1859, his marriage with Susannah Moore was celebrated ; she was a daughter of William Moore, who was born September, 1831, and died in 1874, leaving husband and two children, viz., Mary S., born Nov. 16, 1860, and James L., born Oct. 3, 1866. Mr. Duer married, for his second companion, Sarah E. Worthington, March, 1876 ; they have one son, George F., born Oct. 18, 1877.

JOSEPH S. DUER, farmer ; P. 0. Conover ; was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Sept. 9, 1838, and is a son of George S., who was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 1, 1796, and was raised on a farm. About 1823, he married Sarah Titus, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1804 ; they were the parents of two children, of whom one died in infancy ; the mother, in 1829, was called away ; George S. afterward married, for his second wife, Mary Slack, who was a native of Pennsylvania ; they, in 1852, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Sec. 8. Brown Township, Miami Co., where her decease occurred Dec. 12, 1876 ; three children were born to them, of whom Joseph S. is the youngest ; he was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and received a common education. Sept. 9, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th I. Y. I., to defend his country ; while in the service he participated in one severe battle ; was mustered out of service Sept. 9, 1864, and returned home, where he again engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation. He has since his majority been elected to and filled the office of Township Trustee. Upon Nov. 12, 1867, his marriage with Jane N. White was celebrated ; she was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1845 ; their children are four in number, of whom all are now living, viz-, Claire R., George O., Anna M. and Charlie S. ; the parents of Mrs. Duer, George and Mary J. (Anderson) White, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, in 1831, and removed to Miami Co. in 1851, where their decease occurred, his in 1869 and Mrs. White's in 1878.

T. P. DUNCAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Fletcher; is a son of John Duncan, who was born in Ireland Aug. 16, 1797, and received a medium education under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church ; in 1817, he emigrated to New Brunswick where, Aug. 18, 1819, he married Deborah Knoop ; she was born in New Brunswick March 22, 1796 ; in 1822, they emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Elizabeth Township, Miami Co., where they remained five years ; they then removed to Brown Township and located on Sec. 24, where they spent many happy days ; they were consistent members of the Baptist Church ; Jan. 15, 1870, Mrs. Duncan died ; Mr. Duncan still survives, and resides in the village of Fletcher ; he was the father of eleven children, of whom seven are now living, two being ministers of the Baptist denomination. T. P. Duncan was born on what is his present farm in 1832, and was brought up to agricultural pursuits ; his education was that of a common-school course. In the rebellion of 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 147th O. Y. I., to defend his native country. After his return, he continued his farm pursuits. Sept. 14, 1854, he married Abigail Branson, who was born in this couffiy Feb. 26, 1836, and died March 19, 1876, leaving four children ; four had passed away previous to her death. T. P. married for his second wife Mary E.

MICHAEL DUNCAN, Justice ofthe Peace ; P. O. Fletcher; was born April 8, 1822, near the St. John River, New Brunswick, a few miles from Fredericton. Mr. Duncan is a son of John Duncan, whose name will be seen under the sketch of T. P. Duncan in some part of this volume. Michael is one of twelve brothers and sisters, of whom seven are now living, of which he is the oldest ; he was raised to agricultural pursuits and obtained a medium education : his farm duties were continued until 1840. at which time he engaged in saw-milling ; ten years later, he commenced to clear a farm of 40 acres in Brown Township ; this work was continued until 1852, when he engaged in general merchandising in Fletcher, Miami Co.; this was continued until four years ago ; during this time his attention was directed to the buying and handling of grain. Mr. Duncan, since 1876, has been called upon by his friends to fill many of the public offices in his township. The marriage of Mr. Duncan and Lj'dia C. Howland was celebrated Dec. 25, 1845 ; Lydia was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1825 ; the children of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are Caroline H., now Mrs. John Robbins ; John, and Hannah J., now Mrs. William W. Hobart. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have for over one and a half score of } ears been consistent members of the Baptist Church. The father and mother of Mrs. Duncan were both natives of New Jersey; they emigrated to Ohio soon after the war of 1812, locating in Warren Co.: afterward came to Brown Township, Miami Co., where they both passed away, Mrs. Howland Jan. 20, 1860, in the 56th year of her age ; Mr. Howland May 3, 1873, in his 76th year.

ANDREW DUNN, carpenter ; P. 0. Fletcher ; is a son of Simeon and Sophia (Read) Dunn, who was a native of New Jersey, his wife of Ohio ; their marriage was celebrated in Greene Co., Ohio, where they both passed from the stage of life; ten children were born to them, Andrew being the fifth one ; he was born in Greene Co., J une 22, 1816, and brought up on the farm to the age of 15 years ; in the mean time, he procured a moderate education ; in 1831, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, under Samuel C. Michell ; he located in Fletcher in 1838, where he has since resided ; soon after his arrival he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law ; they at once commenced contracting and building ; this partnership has since been dissolved, but Mr. Dunn has been favorably known as a carpenter. May 10, 1840, he married Belinda Earhart ; she was a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; her death occurred the same }^ear in which she was. married. Mr. Dunn married, for his second wife, Mrs. Juliana (Earhart) McQuillen ; she is also a native of Butler Co., Ohio, born in 1821 ; their children are four in number - Franklin, Simeon H., Wilson S. and David T.

D. B. EARHART, teacher, Fletcher, was born in Brown Township, Miami Co., Feb 16, 1841 ; he was raised to agricultural pursuits, and his early education was acquired in the district school ; he attended the high schools of Troy and Piqua, thereby amply preparing himself for the profession of teaching ; this has been his entire occupation for several years ; he is now located in the village of Fletcher, where he has charge of the schools of that place. His nuptials with Elizabeth Weatherhead were celebrated in 1867 ; the issue of the union are Etfie E., Myrtle C., deceased, Clara M., deceased, and Wilber S. ; Mrs. Earhart was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami Co., and is a daughter of James and Elinore (Sayers) Weatherhead.

J. N. FRAZIER, general merchant, Conover. Mr. Frazier was born in Montgomery Co., Ohio, Aug. 27, 1818, where he was brought up to farm labor ; in 1828, he came to this county and continued farm pursuits until 1836 ; in the mean time he received a moderate education ; about 1836-37, he engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he continued until 1859, when he changed his pursuit to his present business, locating in Fletcher, Brown Township, where he carried a stock similar to that which he now carries in Conover ; he continued his business in Fletcher until 1862, when he removed to where he now is, having an investment, in goods and property, of about $5,000 ; Mr. Frazier, since his majority, has held the most prominent offices of Brown Township. Aug. 29, 1841, he married Rhoda V. Brecount, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, and is two years his junior ; their children are four in number, of whom all are living, viz., Sarah P., Solomon G., Anna A. and Franklin B., of whom all, save the youngest, are now married. The father of J. N., Benjamin Frazier, was born in Burlington Co., N. J., about 1788, where he was brought up to the blacksmith's trade, which was his chief occupation during life. During the war of 1812, he married Beulah Norcross, who was a native of New Jersey, and six years his junior ; in 1814, they emigrated to Ohio, and located in Centerville, Washington Township, Montgomery Co., where they remained a number of years ; they afterward removed to Shelby Co., Ohio, where they died, Mr. Frazier at the age of 70 years, and Mrs. Frazier attaining 88 years ; eight children were born to them, of whom all are now living ; seven are married and have families.

S. G. FRAZIER, general merchant, Allen's, was born in Fletcher, Brown Township, Miami Co., Jan. 20, 1847 ; he is the junior member of the firm of Colvin & Frazier, and spent his earlier days on the farm, receiving a common education ; in the year 1867 or 1868, he began life for himself, and has been variously engaged until entering upon his present business, which is described in the sketch of J. F. Colvin. Mr. Frazier's marriage with Belle Robinson was celebrated Aug. 20, 1878 ; she was born in Miami Co., Ohio.