Claibourne Township (part 4 of 8)

C. D. SIDLE, former, P. O. Richwood. Rev. John C. Sidle, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1812 and died in Richwood in 1877. He came to Union County with his wife, Elizabeth (Himilton) Sidle, in 1838, and for nearly half a century officiated as a minister of the Methodist denomination in this county. In addition to his ministerial duties, he devoted considerable lime to farming, and at one time owned 1,400 acres of land in Union County. He was an honorable gentleman, of a genial, social disposition, a good linguist and fluent speaker, charitable to a fault, and wonderfully attachedto his children. He was Trustee of Claibourne Township for a time, and for twenty years served as a .Justice of the Peace. It is said of him that he married more couples than any man that ever lived in the county. His family consisted of seven children, and included three pairs of twins, viz.: John, now a merchant in Chicago; Mary and Martha, the latter deceased and the former now.the wife of J. J. JollifF; W. H. and Hannah, now wife of W. H. Tanner; and Sarah R., deceased, and our subject. The latter was born in Claibourne Township March 17, 1883, and wis reared on the farm, receiving the rudiments of his education in the common schools, after which he attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and graduated in 1867. He has followed farming for a livelihooil and owns a good farm of 132 acres in the town ship. , In 1869, he married Emeret Wood, a daughter of Benjamin Wood, of English descent. By this union three children were born, viz., Laura C, C. D. and Jacob P. Mr. and Mrs. Sidle are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

W. H. SIDLE is a farmer of this township, where he was born November 18, 1839. In 18T8, he married Martha A. Dilsaver, daughter of Adam Dilsaver, whose sketch appears in this work They have one child - Frederick C. Mr. Sidle and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He is a member of the Odd Fellow and Masonic fraternities ; a Republican, and owner of 121 acres of land. His first wife, Malissa Kinney, died in 1875, leaving one child, Anna L., the only survivor of her two children.

J. D. SLEMMONS, carpenter, Richwood, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 26, 1841, and is the sou of James L. and Susannah (Osborn) Slemmons, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania, both of English and Irish descent. Our subject was reared on his father's form and received a common school education. In 1864, he came to Union County and for eight years clerked in the store of John Landon at Richwood. In 1876, he engaged in the insurance business, as agent for the Richwood Mutual Company, in which capacity he continued for some time, with success. He has for many years been engaged more or less as a carpenter, but has never devoted his time exclusively to that trade. He is a Republican, and the owner of a house and four acres of land lying in the corporation of Richwood. His father died in 1865, and since that time his mother has lived with him and attended to the household duties of his home.

ISAAC SMART, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Union County May 16, 1850, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah C. (Cowgill) Smart, natives of Ohio, of German descent. They came to Union County in 1849, and located on a farm in Claibourne Township, where the father died in 1879. The mother now resides with our subject, who is engaged in farming, at which he has worked all his life. He was educated in the district school, and in 1872 married Harriet Wurtsbaugh, whose people were of German and Irish descent. By this union two children were born - Lora and Lawrence. Mr. Smart was the ninth child of his father's family of ten children, six of whom reached their majority.

ROBERT JAMES SVIITH (deceased) was born in Franklin County, Penn., February 2, 1800, and died April 23, 1882. When he was two years of age, his parents moved to Washington County, Md., where the early portion of his life was spent. On the 22d of April, 1824, he married Miss Catharine Kuhn, who lived but one year and seven days after their marriage. In the early summer of 1828, he moved from Maryland to Muskingum County, Ohio, making the trip across the mountains on foot. On June 23, 1830, he was again married, to Miss Mary Haines, with whom he lived until September 17, 1874, when she was called from him. In the spring of 1851, they removed from Muskingum County, the last dwelling-place of both. To them were born nine children, five of whom preceded them to the spirit land, and four are left to mourn their loss. Mr. Smith's remains were interred in the Claibourne Cemetery. In his death, the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he had been a member for half a century, lost one of its most conscientious, faithful and incorruptible members ; the family a noble father ; and the community a man and a fellow-citizen of sterling wortu and unsullied excellence of character, in whose ripe years nature fulfilled her work and loaded him with the fruit of a wellspent life. In his death, he closed a career of exemplary fidelity to his aim in life - to be a quiet, unassuming and honorable man and an humble Christian, which he followed through many changes and trials with quiet confidence to the end;

GEORGE SMITH, grocer, Rich wood, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 15, 1846, ani is ason of Robert J. (deceased) and Mary (Haines) Smith deceased, the former a native Maryland, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Ohio, of English descent. He was educated in the graded schools and raised on a farm. In 1851, he came to Richwood and followed farming as an occupation until twenty-six years of age. In his twenty-seventh year he began clerking for John Landon in the dry goods store and two years later assumed the management of the grocery department of Mr. Landon's store, in which he was engaged live years. In 1879, he began business for himself and has met with more than average success. In 1874, he married Mattie Landon, a native of Marion County. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he has been steward and trustee, and an active worker in the Sabbath school. He also takes an active interest in the cause of education, and is a member of the Board of Education of Richwood. He is a Republican in politics.

ISAAC SNARE, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Pennsylvania December 28, 1819, and is a son of David and Catherine Snare, natives of Maryland. His father was a carpenter, but died in 1823, and Isaac was raised on a fiirm, his e lucation being very meager. In 1845, he came to Licking County, Ohio, and in the following year returned to Pennsylvania for his mother, who lived with him until her death. In 1853, he came to Claibourne Township and settled on the farm of fifty-two acres where he now resides, taking the laud in its wild state and improving it. When he first came to this township, he killed thirteen deer and forty-eight wild turkeys in one winter. In 1847, he married Phebe Edwards, daughter of Ira and Ann (Evans) Edwards, and by her has had seven children, viz.: Susannah L., Edith, Minerva, Eliza, George W., Anna A. and Mary. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Snare is a Republican in politics. During his long life in a new country, he has met with many narrow escapes of injury, and has frequently had his life placed in imminent jeopardy.

MOSES SNEDEKER, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in this State June 2, 1846 ; he is the son of John F. and Sina Snedeker, who were of Dutch descent. The former was in early life a school teacher, but after coming to this county in 1852, he followed farming until his <ieath in 1870. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving an ordinary district school education, and in 1872 married Mary F. Preston, daughter of John Preston, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Charles E., Cora M. and Lina M. Mrs. Snedeker is a member of the Disciples Church. Mr. Snedeker is a stanch Republican in politics, and watches with interest all the movements of his party. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and very well spoken of by his neighbors.

LUCIUS H. STEPHENSON, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, v?as born in Licking County, Ohio, April 25, 1823 ; he is a son of John and Nancy (Baker) Stephenson, natives of Vermont, the former of Turkish and the latter of English descent. His father was a shoe-maker, and came to fjicking County in 1820. Our subject was raised in Knox County, Ohio, receiving a common school education, and early adapted the occupation of a farmer, which he has followed withsuccess most of his life. In 1850, he went to California and for two years engaged in mining, obtaining his start in life in that way. He came to Union County in 1852, and purchased fifty acres of land, to which he has since added from time to time until he now owns 177 acres in addition to his residence in Richwood. In 1852, he married Mrs. Rebecca Chapman, who died in November, 1858, without issue. On April 5, 1859, he married Mrs. Abigail (Graham) Hamilton, a widow with five children, and by her has had three children, viz.: Sylvia, Alwildaand Bluma. The parents are members of the Church of Christ, in which he has been an Elder. He is a Republican in politics.

JOHN C. STUBERT, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 13, 1838, and is a son of .John and Clarissa (Biddle) Stubert, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and a salesman in a boot and shoe store most of his life, and the latter a native of New Jersey, of English descent. Our subject was educated in the graded schools of his native city, and early in life learned the trade of a carriage-maker. In 1861, he enlisted in Company K, of an independent cavalry regiment known as " Col. Mill's Horse," which was recruited from most of the Northern States. He was Third Duty Sergeant, and served with his command three years, in that time missing but one scouting duty. In 1864, he came to Richwood and purchased seventy acres of land, with money saved while in the service. In 1865, he married Sarah M. Hoyt, who was born August 1, 1838, and by whom he has had one child - Anna G., born August 29, 1867, and now is in school at Cincinnati. Mrs. Stubert is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Richwood. Mr. Stubert is a Republican in politics,

MRS. SUSANNAH SWARTZ, Richwood. The venerable lady whose name heads this sketch is one of the early pioneers of the State. She knew Union and Delaware Counties when they -were one vast wilderness, and has witnessed the many changes that marked their settlement and that developed them into fine farming communities. The extensive fields of grain, so familiar to us, she remembers as dense forests, only inhabited by wild beasts. She was born in Hocking County, Ohio, December 9, 1799, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dils) Shoup. Her father, and her grandfather, Sebastian Shoup, were both all through the Revolutionary War. Her parents came to Ohio in an ox cart, in 1799, and settled in Hocking County. They had «leven children, Mrs. Swartz being the seventh. Her father was a millwright, and erected the first mill in Hocking County. Mrs. Swartz never saw an apple until in 1812 ; her father purchased a peck of a neighbor, who had brought some from New York. They cost $1, which waa equivtilent to two or three days' work, per peck. In 1817, she married Daniel Swartz, who was -born in Pennsylvania December 3, 1797. This union was blessed with five children, all of whom grew up, but have since died. The sole representatives of this old lady are two grand- -children and four great-grandchildren. She is now living with Jacob E. Swartz, who was born in 1860, and now lives on a farm within the corporation of Richwood, where she has lived since

1834, In her younger days, she was accustomed to driving four-horse teams, and often made the trip of eighteen miles to the nearest mill. She was a remarkably strong and hearty woman, not afraid of labor, and could make a full hand at any work ; she could feed, harness, hitch and drive a team, milk the cows, feed the hogs, chop wood, saw and roll logs, pitch and stack hay, and indeed do anything that was required on a farm in the infancy of our country. She often took her spinning-wheel on her shoulder and walked five miles to do a week's spinning, for which she would get 50 cents. She has spun and woven thousands of yards of cloth, and made all the clothing worn by the family, in addition to doing her household work and assisting the men about the farm. She has been a rigid member of the church for over a half century, -and is highly respected and esteemed for her many Christian virtues. Though now over four, score years of age, she has full possession of her faculties, enjoys good health, and has a very robust constitution for one of her years.

A. J. THOMAS is a dentist in Richwood, Ohio. He was born in the State of Pennsylvania, Indiana County, February 16, 1847. His parents were also natives of the Keystone State, his father of Welsh and his mother of English descent. The subject of this sketch entered the army at the age of sixteen years, where he served three terms and was honorably discharged from the service August 4, 1865. After spending several years in his native State, and in the District of Columbia, he adopted the profession of dentistry, which he has followed since 1873. He located in Richwood in 1877, where he has practiced his chosen profession.

GEORGE B. TUCKER, carriage manufacturer, Richwood, was born in Cincinnati April 3, 1843, and is a son of Albert G. and Eliza J. (Evans) Tucker, the former of English and Welsh, and the latter of English descent. His father was a jeweler and silversmith, and carried on business at Lebanon, Ohio, from 1849 until the time of his death, in 1858. Our subject received his education in the Normal School at Lebanon, and learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed until the breaking-out of the war. In 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Infantry, and served three years, without a day of sickness, and was a participant in all the engagements in which his connhand figured. In 1864, he came to Richwood and in the manufacture of bodies for buggies and carriages, and in selling wagons. In 1871, he married Sarah J. Moore, a native of Licking County, who died in 1880, leaving one child - Elsie J. Mr. Tucker is Captain of Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and Chief of the Richwood Fire Department, and has been Marshal of the village. He is a member of the Protestant Church, of which he has been a Trustee, and takes an active interest in the Sabbath school.

RICHARD TYLER, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1815, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Smart) Tyler, the former a native of Maryland, of English -descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. His parents were early pioneers of Ohio, who settled where Columbus now stands, before the existence of the town. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, aid by occupation a manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes. Our subject attended the select schools of this State, and on December 24,

1835, married Lavina, a daughter of Rev. H. and Sarah (Vinney) Barker ; her father was a minister of the Christian Church, and a native of New York, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler have five children, viz.: Rosanna, Leroy, Isaiah, Marion and Arminda F. In 1865, the family came to Claibourne Township and settled one and a quarter miles east of Richwood, where they still reside. The parents are members of the Christian Church, to which Mr, Tyler has belonged since he was fifteen years of age. He is the owner of fifty-five acres of land, on which they reside, and which he is engaged in cultivating.

STEPHEN VAN R. YOUNG, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 26, 1831, and is a son of Elijah and Amy (Larkins) Young, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York State, both of English descent. They were among the pioneers of Delaware County, where they settled at an early day. Our subject received an ordinary education, and early adopted the occupation of a farmer. In 1856, he went to California and spent four years and a half in the mines, with moderate success. In 1861, he returned to Ohio and married Miss Berthena Belfield, a native of England, and a daughter of William Belfield, who came to America in 1843, and settled in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs, Young have had three children, viz.: Willis E., Lutell, and Maggie C, deceased. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Young is a Republican, a strong temperance man, and a lifelong farmer, now owning ninety-five acres, nearly ten of which are in the corporation of Richwood. He was President of the School Board when the new schoolhouse was built, and donated a part of the ground for a site. He came to Union County and settled on the farm, where he now resides, living in a log cabin, which has since been replaced by a handsome brick residence.

S. W. "VAN WINKLE, attorney at law, Richwood, was born in Indiana County, Penn., April 4, 1852. He is a son of Isaac and A. T. (Davis) Van Winkle, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, and the latter a native of New York, of Irish descent. Our subject received a good English education in the common and high schools, and in early manhood began teaching, which he followed for some lime. Being anxious to see more of the world, he engaged with a New York publishing firm, and proved himself to be both a good. salesman and a good collector. His determination was to become a lawyer, and this business afforded him an excellent opportunity to study human nature. As soon as it became financially practicable, he entered the law office of Powell & Fulton to begin the study of his chosen profession, and in this he applied himself so diligently that he completed the two years' course in eighteen mouths, and in 1882 was admitted to the bar. He immediately began the practice at Richwood, and is now also agent for eight insurance companies, among them the best in the United States. He is a Democrat, a member of the Board of School Examiners, and President of the Teachers' Institute. He was married, in 1881, to Jennie Loveless, of Richwood.

SOLOMON WALKER, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Cane) Walker, the former a native of Pennsylvania of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Virginia of Scotch descent. He was born in Delaware County, Oliio, March 14, 1824, and being left an orphan at the tender age of three years, was raised by his eldest sister, who was the wife of Rev. Levi Meredith. He was raised on a farm, and followed farming until twenty-six years of age. He began life by farming rented land, and was soon able to purchase a small farm of forty acres, which he has since increased to lOG acres. He came to Union County in 1851, and has since made it the place of his residence. He is a dealer in French Norman horses, and is said to be a first-class horseman, but makes a specialty of draft horses. In 1870, he purchased an interest in two horses imported J)y the Union County Importing Company. He has sold horses of his own raising as high as $1,000 per head. He is a successful business man, charitable in his dealings with the poor, and a liberal supporter of all worthy enterprises. He is a Democrat in politics, and has often represented his township in the county conventions of his party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows society, and a charter member of the lodge at Richwood. On September 17, 1846, he married Elizabeth Winchell, a native of New York, and a daughter of Thomas Winchell, who settled in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have never had any children of their own, but they have adopted and raised six children.

WILLIAM WALLACE, deceased, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, April 12, 1820. He was a son of John and Mary (McFadden) Wallace, natives of Ireland, who entered Harrison County at an early day and located on the farm where our subject was born. He was raised on a farm, and followed farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred January 3, 1869. In 1850, he married Miss Martha Ross, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1827; she is a daughter of William and Elsie (Cooper) Ross, the former of Scotch, and the latter of Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were the parents of five ciiildren, viz.: John W., Thomas B., Ross H., S. May, the wife of Albert Baker, and Mattie J. In 1852, Mr. Wallace came to Claibourne Township, where he was engaged in farm operations; his widow resides on a farm of 140 acres in that township.

REUBEN W. WEISZ, retired, Richwood, was born at Lancaster, Ohio, June 20, 1820; he is the son of George and Catharine E. (Shuman) Weisz, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They clung to the habits of the fatherland in their family, speaking German exclusively and teaching that language to their children before they did English. The subject of this sketch could speak two languages at the age of twelve years, and later in life learned a third. When about thirteen years of age, he left home and until 1843 clerked in a dry goods store. He resided in Hocking County a number of years, and while there was engaged as a merchant and hotel-keeper and also as a dealer in lumber. In 1855, he came to Richwood and has since been variously engaged, but latterly he has retired from active business life. In 1844, he married Mary A. Abbott, a native of Fairfield County, and a daughter of Orrin and Rosanna (Hayes) Abbott. She died in 1850, leaving three children, and in 1857 he married Mary H. Thompson, a daughter of Hugh and Mary W. (Cotton) Thompson. His second wife died in 1874, also leaving three children. In 1875, he married Miss Nancy M. Waters, a native of New York State and a daughter of Nathan P. and Susan D. (Perry) Waters. She died in 1879, leaving one child. Mr. Weisz takes a great pride in his home, which is presided over by his youngest child by his second marriage, while he superintends his business alfairs. He has met with success in all of his business operations, has always enjoyed a comfortable portion of this world's goods and now has a competency sufficient to support him in his declining years. He was for twenty-six years a member of the German Reformed Church, of which his father was a minister for forty years, but there being no church of that denomination in Richwood, he has since hia residence here been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN WERllICK, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Greene County, Penn., April 16, 1822, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Armstrong) Werrick, natives of Maryland, the former of English and the latter of Dutch descent. His father emigrated to Ohio in 1824 and located in Knox County. He was a shoe-maker by trade, but, after his settlement in this State, followed farming. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common-school education, and later in life learned the carpenter's trade! In 1847, he enlisted in Company H, Col. Roll's Regiment of Missouri Infantry, for sei'vice in the Mexican war, and was detailed to assist the Surgeon. In this way he gained some knowledge of medicine, which he found most useful while crossing the plains to California. In 1856, he came to this county, and on October 8, 1858, he married Elvira Cameron, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Reed) Cameron, the former a native -of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. By this union six children were born, viz., W. W., Thomas J., Sarah J., Charlotte B., J. A. and Carrie E.

N. P. WESTHEIMER, of the firm of Westheimer & Taylor, grocers, Richwood, was born in Germany September 22, 1837, and at the tender age of three years was thrown upon the care of strangers by the loss of his parents. At the age of nineteen years, he emigrated to America, and, after spending two years in the State of New York, he came to Ohio and settled in Logan County, where he embarked in the mercantile business, which he has since followed in diflferent parts of the State. He has been in business in Richwood since 1859, and is the oldest surviving business man of that place. He has built several buildings in the village, and has aided very materially in the improvement of that place, having also built a handsome brick dwelling in which he resides. In 1875, he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade, but is now dealing entirely in the latter. He had his store burned to the ground at a very considerable loss to himself, but being a man of unusual energy and ability, he was soon enabled to overcome his reverses. He is an earnest advocate of total abstinance and, though formerly a Republican, now supports the Prohibition party. He is a member of tlie Odd Fellows, society, and a charter member of the lodge at Richwood. In 1861, he married Sarah E. Irwin, a native of Union County, and a daughter of Richard M. and Eliza B. (Duckworth) Irwin. By this union one child was born, viz., Ida May, who graduated from Delaware University in 1882.

PENROSE WILEY, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in this State February 17, 1839. His father Absalon Wiley, son of Solomon and Maria (Messier) Wiley, was born in Pennsyl- i vania August 15, 1808, his father being a native of the same State, and his mother of New Jersey. He was educated in the common schools of his time, and followed kwming all his life, with the exception of two terms of service as Sheriff of Union County. He was the Commander of the Second Brigade, Fifteenth Division of State Militia, in 1840, and was with Ohio's statesman Tom Corwin on his "water-melon raid." He came to Union County in 1844, and settled in Claibourne Township, where he followed farming. His father, Solomon, was a soldier of the war of 1812. Our subject was raised on a farm and has devoted his life to that honorable avocation, now owning 130 acres of good land. In i864, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1872, he married Joanna, daughter of C. E. Fish, and by her has two children - Wilbert and Delphia. Mr. aud Mrs. Wiley are members of the M. E. Church, in which he has been a Trustee. He is a Republican, in politics, and has served as Trustee of his township. His brother John was at one time Auditor of the county.

TIMOTHY J. WILLIAMS, grain dealer, Richwood, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 6, 1844; he is a son of David and Elizabeth (Lewis) Williams, natives of Wales, who emigrated to America in 1817, and in 1830 settled in Delaware County, Ohio. His father was born in 1807, and died in 1876 ; he was a life-long farmer, and resided until his death in Delaware County. Our subject received the advantages of the college at Delaware, and when twenty years of age began teaching school, an occupation he followed for ten years, six of these years being spent in one school of his native county. He came to Richwood in 1875, and has since made this the place of his residence. He was married in 1870 to Miss Margaret C. Kyle, a native of Delaware County, and a daughter of .James Kyle. By this union two children were born, viz.. Ha May and Guy. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Williams is a Democrat in politics. In 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was also a member of the State Guards, and with his command was called oat to repel Morgan in his raid through Southern Ohio.

DAVID H. WILLOUGHBY, tailor, Richwood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 7, 1848, and is a son of Birdsey and Nancy (De Wolf) Willoughby, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecticut, both of English descent. He was raised on a farm, and in early life learned the tailor trade, which he has since followed. He is a man of steady habits and a good workman, and for the past seven years has been engaged with W. H. Richards, at Richwood, where he resides. He was married in 1874, to Civilla Cain, by whom he had one child - Harvey, who died in 1877. Mrs. Willoughby died in 1878, and on January 1, 1882, Mr. Willoughby married Lillie B. Frye. They are both members of the Richwood Baptist Church.

JAMES W. WOODRUFF, drayman, Richwood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 22, 1835 ; he is a son of John and Julia (Cunningham) Woodrufl^, natives of Licking County, of German and English descent. His father was a shoe-maker and farmer, and settled in Claibourne Township in 1841, and at that late day is said to have shot deer and wild turkeys from his cabin door. Our subject was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education, and remained on the farm until 1881. In 1855, he married Emily Collier, a native of Licking

County, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Mary (Ford) Collier. By this union three children were born, viz.: Minerva Ann, wife of F. Merritt, Benjamin (deceased) and Houston. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff are members of the Baptist Church of Richwood.

G. H. WOODS, Richvyood, v?as born at Richwood, Ohio, August 8, 1834; he is a son of John and Sarah (Brookins) Woods. His father was born in Ireland, in 1799, and came to Pennsylvania, with his parents, in 1801 ; he was a tailor by trade, and conducted a tailor shop for several years in Richwood, where he died in 1874 ; he devoted a large portion of his life to farming, in which he was very successful. Our subject received his education in the schools of his native village, and started in life as a farmer boy ; he engaged in the drug business in Richwood in 1868, and after following it for three years, embarked in the dry goods business, which he followed ten years, selling out in 1882 to J. B. Miller. In 1870, he married Lovina Siples, who was born in iSIarion County in 1844. They have four children, viz.: Minnie Francis E., Wilke Gaylord and Anna L. Mr. Woods is a Republican, and the owner of ninety-three acres of land in this township. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge in 1878 and 1879 ; he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

P. G. WYNEGAPt, pike contractor, Richwood, was born in Highland County, Ohio, March 18, 1826, and is a son of David and Catharine (Grim) Wynegar, natives of Virginia, of Dutch descent. He was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education, and followed farming until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the manufacture of brick, which he followed four years in Springfield. He came to Richwood, and for eight years followed farming and brick-making. In 187G, he commenced taking contracts for building pikes, and. now has a contract for $19,000worth of work. He usually employs about thirty teams, and has employed as high as eighty-two. He owns 100 acres of land in Leesburg Township, where his father settled in 1838. He was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Ross, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. J. N. Ross. This union has been blessed with nine children, four living, viz.: William C, Ida J., Philota and Estelle. Mrs. Wynegar died February 9, 1874.

MORGAN YOUNG, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 27, 1837, and is a son of Elijah and Amy (Larkins) Young, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and early settlers in Delaware County. He was reared on a farm and received a limited education, after which he began life for himself as a hired hand, working by the month. He also followed mining in California for two years, but since 1861 he has been a resident of this county, now owning 118 acres of land, made entirely by his own efforts. He is a. Republican in politics and a member of the Odd Fellows society of Richwood. He was married August 26, 1862, to Elenora Finch, by whom he had five children, viz.: Frank, Ed., Vinnie,. Vellie and Otis M.

Source changes here: from The History of Union County Ohio, by Various, published 1883; 67,031 words in this source stream.

Claibourne Township

Ac territory of Claibourne has sucessively formed a part of many townships. In 1825, shortly after the first settlement was made here, it became a portion of the new township of Leesburg. In 1829, at the formation of Jackson, most of its territory was embraced in it, and so remained until the organization of Claibourne, in 1834.

" This day Cyprian Lee presented a petition for dividing the township of Jackson into two townships, the sonthern part to be called Claibourne, and the northern part to retain the name of Jackson; whereupon the Commissioners order that said township of Claibourne be laid off from said township of Jackson, beginning at the fourth mile tree southwardly from the northeasterly corner of said Jackson Township; thence parallel with the north line thereof."

March 5, 1833. - " This day it was ordered by the Commissioners that Levi Phelps proceed to lay off the township of Claibourne, beginning at the fourth mile tree southwardly from the northeast corner of the township of Jackson; thence running westwardly, parallel with the north line of Jackson Township to the division line between the township of Liberty; to be done as soon as convenient." :

"March 5, 1834. - This is the day it was ordered by the Commissioners - on the application of various individuals - that a new township. to be called Claibourne, to commence on the east boundary of the county of Union at the first mile tree south of the Indian Boundary Line; thence west, parallel with the northern boundary of said county to ihe u of York, to be laid

; run by Levi Phelps, prior to the next June session. = Ds met Seaton for Site ana county officers was held October 14, 1834. Absalom Carney, Nathaniel Wilson and George Clark were elected Judges; William Price and John P. Brookins, Clerks. Nineteen votes were cast - those of Nathan Richardson, Absalom Carney, John T. Evans, J ohn Carney, William Price, Nathaniel Wilson, J. P. Brookins, Philip Plummer, William Panes George Clark, John Calloway, John Dakin, William Sirpless, Adam Burge, Lar- kin Touguet, John Dilfavor, Eleazor Rose, Hiram Andrews and William Jackson. For Governor, Robert Lucas received 14 votes, James Finley, 5; for Congressman, Sampson Mason, 18, Samuel Newell, 1; for Representative, Nicholas Hathaway,13, Otway Curry, 6; for Senator, Samuel Newell, 18; for Commissioner, Thomas Parr, 19; for Sheriff, Calvin Winget, 19; for Coroner, John Adamson, 19.

Politically, the township was for several years Democratic; it then became Whig, and that party maintained the ascendency until its extinction. Since then it has been strongly Republican.

Vote For Governor

In 1829, Henry Swartz was commissioned Justice of the Peace for Leesburg Township. He resided in the portion that is now Claibourne. Philip Plummer was the Justice of Jackson Township, who resided in what is now Claibourne at the time of its organiztion. His commisssion expired in 1836. Since that time the justices have been as follows: J. P. Brookins, 1836; Philip Plummer, 1837; John P. Brookins, 1837; William Jackson, 1840, resigned 1841;

The original surveys which compose the present limits of Claibourne Township, together with their original propri etorships, areas, surveyors, and dates of survey, are as follows:

Richard Claibourne, No. 220, 1,250 acres, surveyed September 7, 1811, by Joseph Kerr; Richard Claibourne, No. 220, 416 acres, same surveyor and date; John Nicholas, No. 5,809, 2,000 acres, surveyed June 1, 1809, by James Galloway, Levin Joynes, No. 6,107, 6334 acres, surveyed by Joseph Kerr, September 10, 1810; John Crouse, No. 6,161,823 acres, surveyed by Joseph Kerr, February 15, 1809; John Evans and Edward Owings, No. 6,228, 500 acres, surveyed by James Denny, April 18, 1811; heirs of Buller Claibourne, No. 6,293, 4,267 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., July 21, 1809; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 1,200 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., November 16, 1809; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 1,200 acres, same date and surveyor; William Pelham, No. 6,307, 380 acres, surveyed by James Galloway, Jr., November 14, 1809; William and Isaac Corruthers, assignees, No. 7,008, 2,400 acres, surveyed Octoher 28, 1808, by James Galloway, Jr.; Andrew Moore, No. 7,008, 800 acres, surveyed October 29, 1808, by James Galloway, Jr.; William Murdock, No. 12,654, 500 acres, surveyed July 10, 1829, by Allen Latham; Cadwallader Wallace Nos. 13,440, 13,449 and 13,526, 614 acres, surveyed by proprietor, May 9, 1834; William Pelham, No. 6,308, 280 acres, partly in Delaware County, surveyed November 14, 1809, by James Galloway; John Gibson, No. 7,869, 800 acres, surveyed August 25, 1813, by John Kerr; representatives of Thomas Ruffin, No. 6,301, 400 acres, surveyed July 20, 1809, by James Galloway, Jr. There are also in the township small fractions of Nos. 6,129 and 6,162, which are mostly in Delaware County.

Claibourne Township is located in the northeastern part of Union County. It is boundedon the north by Jackson Township, on the east by Marion and Delaware Counties, on the south by Leesburg and Taylor Townships, and on the west by York. It is one of the largest townships in the county and the second in population Its name is derived from the Buller-Claibourne Survey, which is the largest in the county, and which at the organization of the township contained nearly all the settlers, then within its limits of the lat. ter. Fulton Creek is the principal stream. It enters at the northwest corner of the township from York and flows out near the southeast corner. It is said that the.stream received its name from the fact that Mr. Fulton, an attache of a surveying party, which was surveying land in this vicinity, while attempting to cross the creek over a log one cold winter day, slipped and fell into the water. The stream was high and it was with difficulty that he was rescued by his comrades. The soil is argillacious; the surface, generally level and in places slightly rolling. A heavy growth of timber covered the ED when first settled, interspersed with a thick growth of underbrush and vines, as the following incident will testify: Daniel Swartz, residing just north of Richwood, on going to mill once to Millville, thirteen miles distant, directed Mrs. Swartz to watch the cattle and not permit them to stray far from home. After a while, not seeing them, shé climbed an old log that had fallen partly to the ground, not far from the cabin door, and on looking around discovered the cows only a few yards away, almost at her feet, in the thick brush, that had obscured her view from below. INDIANS.

The Indian occupancy of the soil now embraced within the limits of Claibourne Township, as a hunting ground was for a long time undisturbed by the presence of white men after the settlement of pioneers in other parts of the State. It lies adjoining the Greenville treaty line, the territory north of which had been reserved by treaty for the exclusive use of the red men. Within the township were some favorite hunting grounds. The site of Richwood, elevated slightly above the surrounding country, was rich not only with an abundant growth of plants and forest trees, but in game as well, and that the Indians often tented on these grounds is handed down by tradition, and is established by the many relics that have been found in the vicinity. Knives, fragments of Indian saddles, brooches, tomahawks and all the accoutrements of camp life have been brought to light, in the preparation of the soil for agriculture. In the gravel pit owned by Mrs. Susanna Swartz, situated just north of Richwood, numerous skeletons have been exposed.

After the earliest pioneers had taken possession of the country, the forests were ranged by hunters from both races for many years. The Indians would not tolerate the presence of white men north of the Greenville line, but frequently hunted south of the line. The best state of feeling did not exist between the Indians and settlers, though amicable relations were usually maintained. Whether the red or white men were the first aggressors is not known, but if either committed a wrong, however slight, retaliation would surely ensue. The Indians, either in a spirit of retaliation or from an innate proneness to evil, would occasionally shoot the settlers' hogs as they were feeding in the woods, and commit other depredations. In bee-hunting, it was a custom sacred among the pioneers engaged in this pursuit that when a bee tree was found by one of them and marked with the finder's initiale it at once became his property, to be relieved of its honey at the hunter's leisure; and for another to abstract the honey was regarded as detestable a crime as to steal a horse. The Indians, however, were not affected by any such scruples, and when one of them discovered the home of a swarm of bees, he rifled it of its treasure, whether or not a prior badge of ownership had been stamped upon the tree. Such proceedings naturally incensed the settlers. The principal game was deer, but the practice of the Indians while hunting on the white man's hunting ground, were such as to drive the game from the vicinity. They would crouch low in the tall grass, and, imitating the bleating of a fawn, attract the doe to the spot where they were concealed. They would then kill and skin it, leaving the young to perish. The stench arising from the decaying carcasses would drive the deer to other grounds. An old hunter claims to have counted in one Indian camp, between Fulton and Bokes Creek, the hides of sixty deer that had been killed in this way. Yet a friendly relation was maintained. The Indians would call at the cabins of the settlers and eat with them. They would engage with them in foot races and various kinds of games, and often hunt in their company

The tradition prevails that Henry Swartz and Ned Williams, two of the first settlers of Claibourne, killed two Indians on Peacock Run, in the south- ern part of the township. The fact was never established, but the missing Indians were never heard of again, and cireumstances pointed strongly to their removal from this world by these two primitive backwoodsmen. Mr. Swartz possessed an irascible temper, which would often vent itself on the heads of the savages. On one occasion he beat one of them with the ram-rod of his gun. He would steal into their camps while they were off hunting and there play annoying tricks. The Indians sought Swartz and wanted a reconciliation. He gave them nosatisfaction. They then set up sticks with bullets on the ends around their camp to indicate war. Soon after, two Indians who had gone hunting did not return. Their comrades searched diligently for them, but withoutanyresults. Suspecting foul play, they carefully examined brush heaps and thickets and wandered excitedly along the banks of the creeks peering intently into their depths, but no trace of the lost men was found. They had traced them to Peacock Run, but there found no further indications of their presence. Capt. Henry Swartz and Ned Williams had been clearing land and burning brush in this vicinity, and the Indians suspected them. They visited Swartz's cabin; he was apparently unconcerned, but watchful. They wished to be friendly, they said; wanted to shoot at a mark with him and to borrow his gun, but he refused every request. One day an old Indian hunter came to him and proposed a huut, to which Capt. Swartz at length agreed. The Indian. desired Swartz to lead, but the latter declined. They hunted for a long time, ` watching each other more closely than for game. Finally the Indian brave

` proposed that they divide. " You take that side and I this," he said. "No, replied Swartz, "you take this side and I that," choosing the side toward home. They separated, and when Swartz supposed he had Jeft the Indian out of sight, he turned and hastened rapidly home. The Indian soon followed and in a great rage exclaimed, "You lie, you no hunt, you lie." But as a discharge still remained in the rifle of Capt. Swartz, the Indian made no further demonstration and departed speedily. Mr. Swartz was always afterward very cautious and vigilant when he believed the Indians were near him. They soon afterward withdrew permanently from the region. -

Capt. Swartz, when afterward asked about this affair, would never commit himself, one way nor the other. He neither denied nor admitted that he killed or knew of the death of the Indians. But " Neddy " Williams, when he was made somewhat indifferent to consequences by a few drinks of liquor, loved to boast that he knew where there were two good rifles in a hollow sycamore tree, and said they were put in by climbing a slender tree by the side of a sycamore and dropping them through an opening in the tree made by the breaking off of the upper part of the trunk. There was a well-beaten path along the bank of Peacock Run by the side of which stood an old sycamore, from which had fallen a large limb, sinking deep into the ground. This was near the place where Swartz and Williams had been clearing, and around the limb a large fire had been made. After a fall of snow, Mr. Zach Stephens, « brother-in-law of Henry Swartz, while hunting for some lost cattle, stepped into the hole made by the limb. He fell, and on withdrawing his foot found the lower jaw bone of a human being clinging to the heel of his boot. Suspecting the manner in which it had been placed there, he took it with him to Swartz's cabin, and holding it before the proprietor of the domicile, said: " Henry, do you know anything about this?" Swartz grew pale, but made no response. It was currently believed that he and Williams had killed the Injans uried the remains. l en Lee, is universally accredited with being the first settler of Claibourne Township. He was heir to one-third of the Buller Claibourne Survey of 4,267 acres, and for his share took the southern third. The exact date of his settlement here is unknown, though it was some time between 1820 and 1825, and probably not far from the first-mentioned date.* Mr. Lee was from Delaware. He first came out about 1820, a young unmarried man, and to find and see the land he owned. He then returned to Delaware, married Elizabeth Cooper and returned to his backwoods home with his young wife. By trade he was a shoe-meker, and he followed the business to some extent in this township. In physique, he was short and muscular and quick in action. His was the first cabin built west of the Scioto River in this region, and the date of its erection was a gala day for the settlers on the river. It stood several miles south of Richwood on the south bank of Fulton Creek, a few rods west of the bridge on the Marysville pike. The men who helped raise the cabin were mostly from the Scioto River. Among them were John L. Swartz and his two sons, Henry and Abram, John B. and Zachariah Dilsaver, James Cochran, Sr., John Hurd, Russell Fields and William Gallant. The occasion was one of great hilarity, and the popular beverage flowed freely. It was proposed, when the cabin was completed, that the place of the settlement of Mr. Lee should be named. John L. Swartz, an old but jovial German, said, Boys, ketch Lee." Lee eluded their grasp for some time, but finally submitted with good grace to the ordinance of christening. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Swartz, who took a flask of whisky, and pouring the contents on the uncovered head of Lee, exclaimed with all the solemnity he could assume, " Vell, ve calls it Leesburg." The name survived the occasion and was afterward given to the new township formed from this and other territory. Mr. Lee did not remain on his farm here longer than a few years. He was elected County Treasurer, and removed to Marysville, where he engaged in business aud became a prominent citizen.

The next three settlers were Edward Williams, Robert Cotrell and Henry Swartz. Each of them purchased a farm from Mr. Lee and settled in a cluster, neighbors to Lee. Of the three, Ned Williams, as he was familiarly called, was the first to arrive, probably about 1822. He bought 100 acres from Mr. Lee and settled on it with his wife, Rebecca (Wilson), and children, Sally and Wilson. He was a hard working, industrious farmer, and keenly enjoyed hunting, and often engaged in it, and who was somewhat addicted to the practice, then quite common, of indulging freely in the products of the still. He died suddenly while on his way with a load of wheat to Portland, Lake Erie. His widow after a time removed to other parts.

To Robert Cotrell is accorded the honor of being the third settler within the present limits of Claibourne Township. He came, perhaps in 1823. A native of Virginia, he emigrated to Ohio and tarried for aspace of two cr three years on the west bank of the Scioto River, in Delaware County, about two miles up the river from the mouth of Bokes Creek. He rented property here and farmed industriously, then bought 100 or more acres from Mr. Lee. He had married Elizabeth Tyler in Virginia, and had two children when he emigrated to Ohio, and several were born since their arrival in this State. They were Richard, Samuel, Gabriel, Eliza (Dilsaver), Jane (Lindsley) and Susanna (Kaiser). Mr. Cotrell was a small, rather slightly built man, but active and fond of fun. He owned only the few chattels which his neighbors did during the first years of his settlement, but when he was in a jovial mood he took delight in recounting to strangers the large amount of stock and other property he claimed to possess. The County Assessor visited him one year, and Mr. Cotrell was not aware of his official position. To the inquiries as to the extent of his personal wealth, he answered so much in accordance with the view of humor which then 'possessed him that his taxes were much greater than those of his neighbors. After some opposition, he paid the amount, but the experience made him more wary with strangers thereafter. All in all he was an industrious and upright man. He died on the place he first settled in Claibourne Township. .

Henry Swartz was born in Pennsylvania and emigrated with his father, > John L. Swartz, to Highland Count , Ohio; thence they moved to the Scioto River, in Delaware County. Henry Swartz there married Ann Stevens, purchased a forest farm from Cyprian Lee just north of the Sidle Methodist Protest. ant Church, and built his cabin northeast of Fulton Creek. The cabins of his three neighbors - Lee, Williams and Cotrell - were south of the creek. Mr. Swartz moved over to his new home about 1823 or 1824. He is described as being a tall, well-formed man, very strong, aggressive, not the least cowardly, and, withal, a kind, clever man. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and understood the Indian character very well and had no love for it. He was a great hunter, killing from sixty to eighty deer in a season and cutting as many as seventy bee trees in a single fall, besides taking a considerable amount of other game. He sold the farm he first purchased in this township and bought another just north of Richwood, where he lived a few years. He was also in business for a short time in Richwood, but at last removed to Defiance County, where he died at a ripe old age.

'The Clarks, four brothers - James, George, Henry and John - probably made the next settlement in Claibourne Township. The first three became the - holders of 1,675 acres of land off the north part of the Buller Claibourne survey, just east of Richwood, divided it among themselves and settled on it in 1826. They were from Amherst County, Va., and about 1822 emigrated to Miami County, Ohio, where they remained two years and then journeyed to the Scioto River in Delaware County. Two years later they entered upon their extensive land possessions. George came first. He was an old bachelor, and died on the place at the age of more than eighty yeara. Henry was married to Mary Fay, in 1824, in Delaware County. After residing in Claibourne Township for some time, he sold his property to Louis Hedges and removed to Illinois, where he died. James married Sarah Wilson, sold his land to Jacob Beem and took up his residence in Delaware County, where he died. John Clark came to Ohio in 1816 and settled first in Miami County. He re. mained there until 1824, when he removed to Delaware County. Four years afterward he purchased from one of his brothers a small place two and a half miles east of Richwood and settled there. He died in Delaware County, in 1850, aged seventy-seven years. ]

Mrs. Sarah Touguet, a sister of the Clarks, and widow, came with her eight children to Claibourne Township in 1826, and made the cabin of her bachelor brother, George Clark, her home. Four of the eight children still survive - Clarka, the wife of Maj. John Calloway, Henry, of Logan County, John A. J., in this, and Steward in Jackson Township.

David Field, a colored man, received 100 acres of land from Cyprian - Lee for two years' labor'and settled on it about 1826. He was born a slave, given his freedom and brought to Delaware County when a boy by John Mark. He was a strong, muscular man, and would not bear imposition. For a while he was industrious and economical, but through sickness his farm became involved and he finally lost it. He never regained any property and died a auper in an adjoining county. A Nathauicl nie a Ross County, Ohio, about 1830, and settled on the Cyprian Lee farm. He was of Scotch-Irish descent and by religious affiliation a Presbyterian. His four children were Joseph, William, Elizabeth, who married William Touguet and Sally, the wife of James Clark. Mr.

John Smith, or " Buffalo Smith," as he was universally called, a large, rough character, rough in physique and rough in manners, but kind hearted, took a "squatter's" claim on 100 acres in the Lee settlement very early and lived there for awhile. He then removed to Marion County.

The Henry Swartz place, three miles south of Richwood, was purchased by Henry Shisler, a German, who came to: Claibourne from Licking County about 1832. His children were John, William, Sarah (Beem), Mary (Rose), Elizabeth (Sturdevant), Lydia and Anna (Reed).

Eleazor Rose, his son-in-law, came about the same time and settled upon the same farm. He, too, was born in Licking County. After tilling the soil a number of years at this place, he removed to a farm on Rush Creek, and there spent the remainder of bis life.

Basil Bridge, in 1834, bought a farm of 114 acres, now the L. Myers place, just southeast of Richwood, from one of the Clarks, and settled upon it with his large family. It was then a dense wilderness. He was a native of Canada, but moved to New York in 1812 and enlisted in the American Army, though then but sixteen years old. In 1814, he married Almira Warner, a native of Vermont, and in 1815 emigrated to Ohio, settling in Ames Township, Athens County; thence he removed to the Scioto River in Delaware County, and to Claibourne in 1834. He died in 1859 in Marion County. His widow survived until December, 1874. Of their ten children, the oldest, Sarah Jane, the wife of John Dilsaver, is the only resident of Union County.

Zerah Lindsley, in the autumn of 1832, removed to Claibourne from Thompson Township, Delaware County, but not liking the country remained only till the following spring. Fifty acres of land then sold for one horse and the labor of splitting 1,000 rails. Mr. Lindsley now resides at Richwood.

Thomas Andrews, a German, came from Licking County about 1830 or 1832 and settled on what is now the Elijah Harris place, about one and a fourth miles south of Richwood. His wife was Phoebe, a sister of Ebenezer Rose; his children were Hiram, Peter, Phoebe and Elizabeth. Mr. Andrews sold his farm and removed to Marion County. He ultimately emigrated - to lowa and died there.

Adam Andrews, a cousin of the above, came about the same time and from the same place. He settled on a farm just south of Richwood, now owned and occupied by J. A. Phillips. He soon after sold it to Adam Dilsaver and moved West.

Adam Dilsaver came to Claibourne about 1832 from Fairfield County, after stopping a short time in Delaware County until he could look up a good location. His wife was Sally (Winstead), and his three children, Harrison, Elizabeth, and Ann Maria. After living for a few years on the place he had dide itg from Mr. Andrews, he removed with his family to Winnebago County, Ill.

John Dilsaver,in December, 1835, settled on the farm which he still owns, about two miles south of Richwood. He had married Jane Bridge July 14 preceding. He was born in Fairfield County in 1806, and about 1812 emigrated with his father, Michael Dilsaver, to the Scioto River in Delaware County. John remained here, working out some, however, in this township, until his marriage and settlement on his own farm. He was reared on the frontier, and in his youth wore deer-skin clothes, the usual garb of the backwoodsmen of that day. From the earnings of manual daily labor, he saved means enough to purchase his land, and has since accumulated more. He raised his family on this farm and is still a resident thereon, one of the old and highly esteemed pioneers of this locality.

Adam Imbody, about 1835, settled about three miles south of Richwood, north of Fulton Creek, on the farm now owned by D. A. Bigelow. He was a German, and had emigrated from the State of New York. He brought with him his wife and four children, and reared a large family. He moved after-. ward to Marion County and died there.

As will be noticed, all the above settlers occupied farms on the Buller Claibourne Survey. Most of the other surveys were not yet in market, the proprietors doubtless withholding them for higher prices than were then current. Between 1835 and 1840, the settlements became more scattering, and at the later date dotted all parts of the township.

Among the most important settlements was that of the Grahams. Samuel Graham, son of John and Jane Graham, was born in Jefferson County November 3, 1800. From Jefferson he removed to Carroll County, and from it to White-Eyes Township, Coshocton County, with his parents, while yet in his youth. He was married October 16, 1821, to Sarah Butterfield, who was born in Fayette County, Penn., July 22, 1803, and came to Carroll County when two years old, with his parents. Mr. Graham remained in Coshocton County, engaged in farming, until 1836. In June of that year, he purchased 100 acres, just northwest of Richwood, from Henry Swartz, and in the following September moved to it with his family. He continued to reside on this farm until his death, which occurred by accident on the railroad, April 13, 1864. Mr. Graham had occasion to visit Marion. The railroad was then in process of building and he received permission to travel on the construction train. On his return trip, the weather was severe and the car upon which he was riding, with others, an open one. He was walking back and forth from one car to another to dispell the numbing sensation of cold, when a sudden jerk of the cars threw him beneath the wheels and he was instantly crushed. He had been an upright man, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church for thirty-three years. Of his twelve children, three died young; John, is a Methodist Episcopal minister at Richwood; Margaret is the wife of William Fisher, of this township; Thomas B., a Methodist Protestant minister, is now at North Lewisburg, Ohio; Samuel P.. died in Illinois in 1865; Francis M., died two years ago; Lydia Ann, occupies the old homestead; Joel D., resides in this township; William J., enlisted in the service and died in the Louisville, Ky., Hospital; Martha, wife of Benjamin A. Snowden, resides in Claibourne Township.

In 1837, John and Jane Graham, the parents of Samuel, moved from Coshocton County. and settled on a farm of 100 acres in the woods about one mile southwest from Richwood. Mr. Graham was born in Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish descent; his wife was a native of Ireland, emigrating to America when seven years old. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Graham died about 1848 or 1849. His wife preceded him to the grave two years. 4

John P. Graham, in September, 1836, accompanied his brother Samuel from Coshocton County and settled on an adjoining farm of 100 acres. It was then wholly unimproved, and he paid for it $3 per acre. Mr. Graham died at this place. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Graham, still survives. Their children are Jane, Abigail, William, Hannah, Margaret, John L., Isaac, Francis and Marion, some of whom lived in Claibourne Township.

Samuel Livingston, from Coshocton County, about 1839 settled on a small farm one and one-fourth miles southwest from Richwood, where he is still living at a venerable old age. He followed farming and blacksmithing. His wife was Jane Graham. Mr. Livingston furnished five boys for the service during the rebellion, and all returned uninjured.

Daniel Swartz, in October, 1834, purchased from Philip Plummer fifty acres of land, situated just north of Richwood, and he moved to it at once. He was born in Pennsylvania, but had emigrated when quite young with his father to Highland County, near Hillsboro. He died March 9, 1842, of consumption, aged forty-two years, leaving a wife and five children. The former. Mrs. Susan Swartz, aged eighty-three years, is still residing at the old place..

Peter Grace, in March, 1837, came from Licking County with his wife Nancy, and children, and settied one and a half miles west of Richwood, where he still owns and occupies a smali place. He was at one time a minister of the New Light Christian faith, but afterward became a Methodist. Protestant, and later of the Disciple Church.

In the western part of the township one of the earliest settlements was made by John Cahill. He there accumulated a large property and became one of the leading, energetic and influential citizens of the northern par! of the county.

William Hamilton was one of the early pioneers of Claibourne Township and for a period of almost thirty years one of the foremost men of Union County. He was born near Morgantown, Va., in 1789. In 1807, he emigrated with his father, William Hamilton, Sr., to Muskingum County, Ohio, arriving at their pioneer home on his eighteenth birthday. Here his energies were developed by his assistance in clearing the densely timbered land and reducing it to a well-improved farm. He acquired extensive possessions,and in 183% sold his large farm with the expectation to locate farther in the west. For one season he tarried in Licking. He then purchased from Cadwallader Wallace his survey of 1,000 acres, northwest of Richwood, paying $3,600 for it, and reached Claibourne Township, April 30, 1838. The survey was afterwardfound to contain nearly 1,400 acres. Mr. Hamilton remained at Richmond until he could build a log house, when he at once moved into it and remained . its occupant till his decease. This large tract was as yet untouched by the woodman's ax, and the arduous labor of again developing a farm devolve s upon him. He was a man possessed of energies greatly superior to those of average mankind, and carried an enthusiasm and determination into whatever enterprise he undertook which insured its success. In physique he was large and powerful. Though not cultured, he was thoroughy honest and public spirited, and was perhaps more influential in creating a healthy moral atmosphere in his community, by his example and teachings, of his withering denunciation of whatever was mean and contemptible, than any other individual. His spirit was chivalrous, and to the weak or oppressed he was unusually kind. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and for nearly forty years a local minister of this faith. In politics, he was strongly Whig, and later in life a Republican. He had served in Muskingum County as Commissioner and filled the same office in Union County. It was to his exertions and labors, largely, that the Infirmary farm was purchased and building erected. His death occurred August 12, 1867. Mr. Hamilton had been twice married. By his first wife, Miss Ewing, he had four children--Elizabeth, Samuel, William and Benjamin. Elizabeth, married Jacob C. Sidle, a prominent farmer of Claibourne; Samuel, is a farmer in Marshall County, Ill. ; William, a farmer at Wenona, same county; Benjamin, died in Claibourne Township. The second wife was LydiaSpringer. By this marriage there were eight children - Cornelius S. (deceased), an attorney of Marysville; John W., Professor of Surgery at the Columbus Medical College; Joseph H., a Methodist Protestant Minister, now at Mount Vernon, Ohio; Isaac N., a physician, at Marysville; Horatio C., of Richwood; George B., a farmer of Claibourne; Susan R. (deceased); and Thomas B., a physician, who enlisted as

; Lazarus Hartley accompanied Mr. Hamilton from Licking County, conveying his family and effects to the new'home in a two-wheeled cart. He leased a farm on the Hamilton tract and assisted greatly in clearing it. Mr. Hartley was illiterate but possessed a remarkable memory. Whatever he saw or once heard was always remembered, and it became quite a custom in the neighborhood where he lived to refer any disputed matter of fact to him for settlement. He after awhile acquired a farm in Claibourne and some of his children now occupy it. His death occurred a few years ago.

About 1835, Peter Jackson removed from Pickaway County and settled ona farm in Survey No. 7,008, on Peacock Run, three miles south of Richwood. His son occupied a portion of the same farm. After a few years, both, with their: families, returued to Pickaway County.

Junkin Mulvain came about 1839 from White-Eyes Township, Coshocton County, and settled on a farm in Survey No. 6,307, about two miles west of Richwood. He was a large, tall man, and a good citizen, and died in this township.

Jacob Beem was born in Alleghany County, Md, and when twelve years old emigrated with his brother's family to Jersey Township, Licking County. He there married Phoebe Rose and in 1834 came to Claibourne Township, settling on a farm about two and one-half miles south of Richwood. Mr. Beem possessed a strong and hardy character, well fitted to cope with the difficulties incident to pioneer life. He remained a life-long and well-esteemed citizen of the township. His death occurred in December, 1878.

John Beem removed from Licking County to Claibourne in 1832, but a few years later sold his farm to Jacob Beem and emigrated to Webster County, Iowa. j á Aaron Beem settled early, about one and one-half miles southeast of Richwood. The following settlers entered the township at some time prior to 1840, some of them several years before.

John Atwood was originally from Virginia, but came here from Muskingum County. He died on his farm about one and a half miles south of Richwood.

Alexander and George Cowgill, father and only son, came from Ross County, and dwelt for a time on Bokes Creek. They then settled in the southeast part of the township, where the father, Alexander, died. George removed to Jackson Township, and his family still resides there.

Michael Cramer from Knox County, settled just south of Richwood on land now embraced within the corporation limits. He was a farmer and died here. His son Michael removed to Marysville. f

Abraham Decker was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He emigrated to this township a widower, with his children, and settled two or three rniles east of Richwood. In a few years he removed to Mercer County.

Benjamin Fisher, now a resident of Richwood in his seventy-fifth year, in April, 1836, removed from near Mount Vernon, Ohio, to a farm one and a fourth miles west of Richwood. He had come the fall before with five or six men and built a cabin on the place. His brother-in-law, Atticus Neil, took immediate possession of it. Mr. Fisher occupied it during the spring of his removal until he had constructed a hewed-log house. At this time there were no settlers living between his farm and the village. He purchased 160 acres, paying for it $2.50 per acre. The York road was opened about the time he came. There had previously been a trail to the Miller settlement in York Township. His father, Larkin Fisher, came a few years later, but resided most of the time in Riehwood.

Isaac Gearheart about 1835 took possession of a farm about a mile south of Richwood. He subsequently moved to Rush Creek, where he passed the remainder of his life.

Sylvester Grindle, formerly a resident of Pickaway County, settled about three miles west of Richwood, and by economy and frugality acquired considerable property.

Isaac Headley, from Coshocton County, settled-about one and ahalf miles northeast from Richwood, and remained on his farm of 100 acres there through life. He followed carpentering to some extent in connection with farming.

Joseph Murphy in 1836 came from Allegheny County, Penn., and settled on the Joynes Survey, in the southwestern part of the township, near the site of Claibourne Village. He pursued the avocation of farming, and died on his farm in 1857. His widow, Mrs. Rebecca Murphy, still survives. A brother, Samuel Murphy, accompanied him to this home. He was an old bachelor, hunted a great deal, and died at Richwood in 1882, aged eighty-one years. .

Charles Morse, probably about 1839, settled on a farm of 100 acres just aorth of Richwood. He was a Yankee, and afterward removed to Marysville.

Samuel Moses in 1835 changed his place of residence from St. Lawrence County, N. Y., to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The year following he came to Jerome Township, Union County, and soon after settled on a farm in the eastern part of Claibourne, where he still resides aged eighty-one years. His wife, Sally, died in 1882, aged eighty-two years. Of their eleven children, eight grew to maturity.

Abraham and James Moses, brothers, and distantly related to Samuel Moses, were also early settlers of Claibourne. Abraham died about a mile east of Richwood and James moved to Mercer County.

Isaac D. Stewart, from Muskingum County, settled in the southern part e: the township on Fulton Creek. He afterward moved to Iowa and died there.

William H. Sherman settled in the northeastern part of the township. Ho was from the eastern part of the State. Not liking Claibourne Township, he soon returned to his former place of residence. In answer to an inquiry as to the cause of his return, he said that the country was so wet that he could not find a dry spot large enough to set a hen, and had to use the stump of a tree for this purpose.

William and John Wynegar, two brothers, in 1837, eame from Highland County and settled on adjoining farms in the wilderness, about three miles west of Richwood, south of the Summersville road. In 1852, John moved to Winnebago County, Ill.; and in 1882, to Kansas, where he now lives. William removed to Starke County, Ind., in 1864, and died there.

Tobias Robinson, about 1838, became a resident of the western portion E an township, where he remained until his death. He was from Pickaway

In 1837, John Warner, from Coshocton County, settled with his wife and one child in the southwestern portion of the township, near Claibourne Village. He subsequently emigrated to Iowa.

Martin Walters and Abram Taylor, brothers-in-law to Mr. Warner, in 1833 removed to the same part of Claibourne from Coshocton County. Mr. Taylor died there, leaving a family which is now scattered, and Mr. Walters

The first road in the township was probably the one passing north and south through Richwood. About 1825, Cyprian Lee and Henry Swartz took the contract to cut this road from the southern to the northern line of the township. They only cleared away the under brush and small trees, leaving many obstacles in the shape of large timber. The road was made fifteen feet wide.

Milling

One of the serious problems that arose for solution ia the pioneer times in Claibourne as well as every other newly settled locality, was how to reduce the corn and wheat to a degree of fineness sufficient for domestic purposes. The family of Henry Swartz for several weeks grouad all the meal they used in a hand coffee mill. John Swartz, a settler on the Scioto River, was the happy owner of a little hand mill, upon which, by a vigorous exercise of muscle, a half bushel of grain might be reduced to a tolerably fine meal in several hours. It was much resorted to by Robert Cotrell and others of the earliest settlers.

Adam Dilsaver constructed a horse mill at his place a short distance south of Richwood, which was extensively used by his neighbors. His customers must furnish their own horse power, and as three or four horses were necessary to operate the cumbersome machinery, several would sometimes arrange to be there at one time in order to help each other; this, however, was rarely necessary. The capacity of the mill was so slight that it was usually in motion, and it was not uncommon for a farmer to start to mill at 2 o'clock in the morning in order to be first there, and consequently the first to have his wants attended to. Occasionally the mill would run all night.

Richard Irwin, whose farm was about one and a half miles east of Richwood, also had a horse mill. These mills were so almost interminably slow that they were used only during dry weather when there was no water power, or during muddy weatber when the distant mills were inaccessible. Some pioneers preferred going forty miles to a good mill to using a horse mill, and this distance was sometimes traveled. A large four-horse load was once taken to a mill on Mad River in Champaign County, where the press of business was so great that several weeks elapsed before the hungry settlers in this vicinity obtained their grists. A mill on Owl Creek in Knox County, was occasionally visited, but usually the mills on Darby Creek were available. No water grist mills are known to have been in operation in Claibourne Township.

John Dilsaver operated a small tannery for a few years on his farm south of Richwood. Another was for a long time operated in Richwood by the sons of John Graham.

A log cabin stood near the Sidle Methodist Protestant Church, a little northeast of it, which was built as a schoolhouse, and in which the first school in the township was held. The primitive pedagogue here was Mr. Lamphere, an aged man, who taught in various localities. The pupils were Ellison, James and Wilson Williams, Richard, Samuel] and Eliza Cotrell, J ohn A. and Elder Swartz, and perhaps the Wilson children and a few others from a distance. The term lasted only about two months.

Eleazor Rose was one of the earliest teachers in this locality. He dwelt in one apartment of a double log cabin, and in the other enlightened the understanding of the youth in this community. He. was reputed an excellent

It would be impossible to make mention of the first teachers in all portions of the township. The schools have had a gradual growth from very small beginnings, like all other institutions, and have now attained an effciency equal to that found anywhere else:in the county.

Richwood and vicinity, in Claibourne Township, was early noted for the order, morality, and religious character of its citizens. When the writer, in 1836, first became acquainted in the place, it was understood that all the inhabitants were a sober,, church-going people. And this continued to be its reputation for many years.

The first minister of the Gospel who settled in the town was Rev. John Carney, of the Regular Baptist denomination. He was an old man when the writer first saw him, and appeared to be in declining health, His home was a little log cabin situated some rods south of where the Baptist Church now stands. He had no church organization of his own denomination, and was able to preach but occasionally. I think it was in 1838, he seemed to grow more feeble than usual, and it became apparent that his work on earth would soon be done, unless his health should improve. This did not occur. He seemed, however, to desire to use his little remaining strength in giving his dying testimony in favor of the truth. He therefore had word circulated that he wished his neighbors and friends to come to his little cabin on a certain Sunday and he would preach to them once more. At the time appointed they came. The old gentleman opened the service in the usual manner; and when the time for the sermon came, he introduced his subject by saying, "I will read for my text the first and second verses of the Scriptures." He then read Genesis, i, 1,2, and preached his last formal discourse on earth. Soon after, his health became so feeble he had to remain in the house, and not many weeks after, he quietly fell asleep. His neighbors and friends laid his body carefully and respectfully in the little village gtaveyard, where his dust still quietly waits the call of the resurrection of the just.

Another generation of the Baptist people in Richwood have very recently learned that the little graveyard lot, on a part of which their church stands, contains the unmarked grave of the pioneer minister of this community. They have inquired out the spot, and declared their purpose to mark and protect the precious trust. This is well. For it is an honor to any congregation to be permitted to guard the resting place of the man who first preached the Gospel in the wilderness - the harvest of whose seed-sowing they reap and enjoy. £

As a fitting sequel to the above, it is proper now to say, that on March 24, 1878, the Regular Baptists, under the pastoral labors of Rev. W. R. Thomas, formally organized themselves into a church, according to the rules of their denomination, and thus adding one more church to Richwood's already fair supply. The namesof the persons who entered into this organization were Thomas Phillips, S. Carter, Joseph Powell, Susan Landon, Elmos Langstaff, Jane Langstaff, William Ferguson, S. A. Ferguson, Anthony Trickey, Mary Trickey, Robert B. Cook, Mary A. Gooding, Clara Crabtree, Kim Crabtree, Amanda Hanby, Louisa Wooley, Elizabeth Blake, Anne Cain, W. H. Richards, Annie H. Richards, Martha Merritt, Zella Merritt, E. M. Lindsay, M. J. Lindsay, Eliabeth Eagans. The regular officers of this church have been: Deacons - W. H. Richards, Elmos Langstaff; Clerks - 1st, William Ferguson; 2d, E. M. Devreaux; 3d, E. M: Lindsay; 4th, D. B. Willoughby; Treasurers - Ist, S. S. Carter; 2d, W. H. Richards.

The pastors of this church have been - 1st, Rev. R. W. Thomas, two years; 2d, Rev. W. Wilbur, eighteen months; 3d, Rev. J. W. Scott, who commenced m E In September 1, 1881, and continued to the present time, December,

The places of worship that have been occupied by this church have been, first, Westheimer's Hall; second, Marriott's Hall; and third, their new church, which they erected and dedicated on the third Sabbath of September, 1882. "This church is a neatly finished frame house, worth about $2,000, and paid for. The number of communicants in this church at the present time is forty-two. In September, 1880, this church organized a Sunday school, - which has been regularly kept'up, and is now in a prosperous condition.

This is the proper place to state that the colored members of the Regular Missionary Baptist denomination organized themselves into a church in Richwood, 'February 13, 1876, under the pastoral labors of Rev. L. B. Morse. The members who entered into the first organization were George Curry, I. Thornton, Bertie Curry, Lida Thornton, Joseph Williams, Lucinda Williams, N. V. Evans, Jordan Harrison, Fanny Harrison, Melvina Parker, Robert Malone, David Brown, Peter Snow. 'The officers of this church are: Deacons - N. V. Evans, R. Malone, D. Brown; Clerk - Jordan Harrison; Trustees - - N. V. Evans, J. Harrison, J. Malone; Treasurer - -Peter Snow. This church has built à good house of worship, worth $1,900, all paid for but about $125. This house was formally dedicated to the worship of God on the second Sunday in September, 1882. The communicants in the church now number thirty - six. They have organized and maintained a Sunday school.

Methodist Episcopal Church - The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Richwood, October 17, A. D. 1835. William Phillips was the first Class Leader, and the following-named persons were the members of this class, to wit: William Phillips, Isabella Phillips, Mortimer Bentley, Nancy Bentley, Elsie Sirpless.. Not long after the organization the following were added to the names above given: Sarah Woods, Margaret Brookins, Hezekiah Burdick, Catharine Burdick, Philip Plummer, Ann Maria Plummer, William Barkdull, Priscilla Barkdull, Adam Burge, Louis Burdick, Catharine Burdick. . e The pastor of the church at the time of its organization was Rev. Warren Frazell. The Presiding Elder was William H. Raper. William Phillips was elected as first Steward of the newly formed church; first Recording Steward of Richwood Circuit. UE

The first leaders' meeting of the church was held at Mr. Phillips' shop, with the pastor and class leader as the only members present. There was no church house of any denomination in Claibourne Township at the time this organization took place. The religious meetings, therefore, were held in such places as could be procured - sometimes in a shop, a storeroom, the little schoolhouse, or in the home of some of the members. These places were inconvenient, but the best that could be obtained at the time. The pastor next appointed in charge of the Richwood Circuit was Rev. Richard Doughty. He remained in the work but a short time; and when he left, the Presiding Elder, Rev. Jacob Young, employed Rev. Samuel M. Beatty, a local preacher, to take charge of the circuit. Mr. Beatty continued to serve the circuit until in August, 1836. Next after Mr. Beatty, Rev. Ebenezer T. Webster, a raeniber of the Ohio Annual Conference, was appointed in charge of Richwood Circuit. He arrived with his family on his work sometime in the autumn of 1836. His home was in Richwood, and he and his family, devoted themselves earnestly

During the year 1837,the Methodist Episcopal, Church erected in Richwood the first house of worship in Claibourne Township. This house was built of hewed logs, about, I think, 28x36 feet in size. It was finished in the plainest style. Its seats were rude benches without backs to them. It was warmed by one stove, placed near the center of the building. It stood on or near the spot where the residence of A. J. Blake now stands. It was dedicated during the Quarterly Meeting services, held by Rev. Samuel Hamilton, August 14, 1837, Mr. Hamilton, having been sent by the Presiding Elder to hold the Quarterly Meeting in his stead. Mr. Hamilton's subject of discourse on Sunday morning was the return of the prodigal son. This effort was & very happy one; many wept, and many others rejoiced aloud - all were deeply imressed.

3 Next after Mr. Webster, Rev. R. S. Kimber was appointed as pastor in Richwood. He did not move his family into the bounds of the work. He remained in charge of this work two years. He labored very faithfully, and was fairly successful in promoting the interests of the church. During the latter part of his second year on the circuit, Mr. Kimber had to assist him in his work, Rev. John C. Havens. In August, 1839, Mr. Kimber, Mr. Havens and Rev. Jacob Young, the Presiding Elder, all closed up, for the present, their ministerial labors at Richwood.

In the latter part of August or first of September, 1889, Rev. Jacob A. Brown and Rev. Jesse Prior arrived in Richwood as pastors on the circuit. Mr. Brown settled his family in Richwood, and Mr. Prior his in Delhi. They both remained on the work one year, with Rev. Zachariali Connell as Presiding Elder. They were all faithful and successful in their work.

At the General Conference, in May, 1840, a change was made in the boundaries of the Ohio Annual Conference, to which Richwood Circuit, up to this time, had belonged, and the North Ohio Conference was organized, with Richwood within its limits. At the first session of this conference, which met in Norwalk, Ohio, in the month of August, Rev. George Armstrong was appointed to Richwood, with Rev. W. S. Morrow as his Presiding Elder. Mr. Armstrong moved to Richwood and commenced his Jabors immediately. Soon after the year began, the Presiding Elder employed Rev. W. S. Rowe to assist Mr. Armstrong in his work. These two men were earnest and faithful. Mr. Rowe remained on the work but apart of the year; and when he left, Rev. T. H. Wilson was employed to fill out the balance of the year. They had fair prosperity in their work.

Next after Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Wilson, R. S. Kimber was re-t ppointed to Richwood, with George S. Phillips as his co-pastor. They were pleasant gentlemen and faithful to their labcrs. In the latter part of August, 1842, Jesse Prior and William Boggs took charge of Richwood as pastors. They were cordially received by the people, and indications seemed to promise a year of prosperity. The year had not advanced far, however, till Mr. Prior, the senior pastor, began to preach the peculiar doctrinesof Mr. Miller, who said "the world will come to its end in 1843." This new departure did not promote the harmony of the church, and controversy with dissensions abounded. Before this conference year ended, Mr. Prior withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church and identified himself with the newly organized sect. called " Second Adventists." Mr. Boggs proved true and faithful to the church, and did what he could to prevent disaster; and his efforts were so far successful that it was deemed best, by the authorities, to return him the second year to the charge. He was a judicious manager, a good preacher, and a devout man.

Joseph Jones was with him on the work during his second year. Mr. Jones was the senior in office. As near as I can now ascertain, the following is a correct list of the pastors who served the Methodist Episcopal Church in Richwood from 1844 to 1864, namely, Edward Williams, L. F. Ward, W. M. Spafford, B. Herbert, O. Burgess, A. Rumfield, J. Sterling, P. Plummer, F. W. Vertican, E. Hyatt, J. Frownfelter, S. D. Seymour, W. Knapp, P. Wareham, L. Herbert, L. L. Roberts, J. Blanpied, J. Good, J. M. Longfellow, J. Wykes, W. Lawrence, J. S. Deleal, H. M. Shaffer, J. K. Ford.

During the pastorate of Mr. Good and Mr. Longfellow, which lasted from 1856 to 1858, the most extensive revival of religion that this church has ever had in Richwood occurred. Almost 100 persons were converted and added to the church. During their pastorzte, also, the old log-meeting house proved entirely insufficient to accommoc the wants of the church. They, therefore, took measures to secure the building of a new house of worship. The result is the present church, which is a substantial brick building, well situated, and well furnished. It is large enough to accommodate the congregation, and is worth about $6,000. The present membership of this church is a little over 200. Its present pastor is Rev. D. Bowers.

The church has kept up a working, successful Sunday school from near the time of its first organization. It is now in prosperous working order. It has twenty-five officers and teachers, and 160 scholars.

The ladies of the church have kept up, for the last nine years, an efficient, earnest, working organization of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The society is now prospering. The church is doing good work.

Early in the history of Claibourne Township, there was a small society of the Methodist Episcopal Church organized some three miles west of Richwood, in what was known as the Wynegar neighborhood. They never built a house of worship. They kept up a feeble existence for some thirty years; but finally disbanded. Its old members are either dead or removed to other parts; and some have united with churches in other places. A church organization without a place of worship, or some convenient place for meeting, is like a family without a home - it cannot prosper.

The Methodist Protestant Church was formally organized in Richwood, September, 1836. John B. Lucas was its pastor at the time; and Samuel Graham was its first Class Leader. The names of its first members were Samuel Graham, Sarah Graham, John P. Brookins, Margaret Brookins, John Woods, Sarah Woods, John P. Graham, Eliza Grabam, Jane Houk, Jane B. Coffee. Its first place of worship was the little log schoolhouse which stood in the northeast part of town. Within some two years after its organization, there were important additions to the membership of the church in the persons of Rev. William Hamilton, Lydia Hamilton, Samuel Hamilton, Nancy Hamil ton, Benjamin Hamilton. These persons moved into the neighborhood, having been members of the church in Muskingum County, and joined by letter.

I think it was in the winter of 1839 and 1840 that Rev. John M. Young, assisted by a number of other ministers, held a revival meeting for the Methodist Protestant Church in Richwood, which was very successful. In it were converted the following.named persons who afterward became distinguished John W. Hamilton, now Professor of Surgery in the Medical College in Columbus; Joseph M. Hamilton, who has long been a leading minister in his church in the Muskingum Conference; T. B. Graham, who has for many years been a prominent minister in the Ohio Conference, and I. N. Hamilton, who is local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a physician. Many others were converted in this meeting who have proved faithful - some of whom have gone to the better land. This revival was probably farther reaching in its results than any other ever held in Richwood by this_ denomination. It was held in the Methodist Episcopal house of worship. After diligent inquiry, I have failed to obtain a consecutive list of the ministers who served this church in the early years - one of whom I remember, but I cannot recall his name. He treated this congregation to a surprise which was rather pleasant. He was preaching in the old schoolhouse one Sunday morning, when very unexpectedly Rev. Ziba Brown, with Miss Jane B. Coffee on his arm, walked into the house. Mr. Brown stepped into the pulpit and sat down behind the minister who was preaching. Miss Coffee sat down in the congregation. When the sermon was ended, the minister said - " There is a case of matrimony to be attended to. The parties will please present themselves." Whereupon Mr. Browu stepped down to where Miss Coffee sat, took her on his arm, they two presented themselves before the minister, and he, after requiring them to " plight their vows each to the other," pronounced them "husband and wife together." He then dismissed the congregation. All were pleased.