Claibourne Township (part 1 of 8)

Claibourne Township

Claibourne is the newest village in the county, and, though yet in its infancy, bids fair to surpass, in size and prosperity, some of the earlier settled villages. It is situated in the extreme southwestern part of Claibourne Township, on the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad. The plat was surveyed March 14, 1881, by Frederick J. Sager, and contains ten and three-' fourths acres, divided into thirty-nine lots. William Jolliflf, Jr, was the proprietor. He made an addition of five lots, March 4, 1882. G. M. Warner was the first resident of the place who anticipated the location of a village. He was appointed Postmaster in August, 1879, a position which he yet retains, and in September of the same year opened a stock of general merchandise in a building which he had just erected. Through his exertions and representations, the railroad company laid a side-track, and during the winter of 1880- 81 built and opened a station. The first dwellings were erected in 1881. About fifteen families compose the population. One physician. Dr. T. F. Wurtsbaugh, is in practice here. The village contains a saw mill, owned by Bell & Shearer, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, one hotel, a millinery store and two general stores. A neat brick school building has just been erected, and a Methodist Protestant Church is close by. The village is six miles distant from Richwood.

Richwood, the second town in size and importance in Union County, is located in the central part of Claibourne Township. It is a wide-awake, business place, with an enterprising, public-spirited class of citizens, and for many years has competed successfully in trade with larger towns in surrounding counties. Its streets are broad and regularly laid out. Substantial and spacious business blocks are being constantly added to the number already erected, and the indications of a prosperous, active town are everywhere manifest. It has just completed its first half -century of existence. For thirty years its crowth was slow; during the last two decades, it has been more rapid. Its success is due, principally, to the building of the railroad through the place. A tine agricultural region surrounds the town, and the facilities for commerce, which the railroad afforded, made it at once the center of a large and widelyextended trade. The population in 1840 was 99; in 1870, mainly through the growth of the last few years, it had reached 436; in 1880, it was 1,317, a ratio of increase rarely attained.

Philip Plummer was the proprietor of Richwood. He had come into possession of the William Polham Survey, No. 6,307, of 1,200 acres, or the greater part of it, and in the summer of 1832 visited it, from Mount Vernon, Ohio, with his brother, Thomas Plummer, Elisha Merriot and Dr. John P. Brookins, a physician in search of a good location for practice. They traveled in a large two-hoi'se wagon, and stopped on the way overnight at Daniel Swartz's house on the Scioto River. The village was suiweyed and platted in the midst of a dense wilderness, August 8, 9 and 10, 1832, by Thomas G. Plummer, Special Deputy Surveyor, under the direction of the County Smweyor, Levi Phelps; and the plat was acknowledged before Ira Wood, Justice of the Peace, August 20, 1832. They all returned to Mount Vernon, and soon after Philip Plummer and Dr. Brookins returned to Richwood.

The original plat contains a full description of the location; stating that it IS situated in a tract of land known as " Richwoods," about four miles west of the Scioto River, at the head -waters of Ottaway Run, on a broad and beautiful knob of table-land, unsurpassed in fertility. The distances from many towns and cities are minutely given, and it is said that " the signs, by timber, of the fertility of the soil in the Richwoods are beech, blue ash, gray ash, black ash, hackberry or hoop ash, mulberry, wild cherry, black walnut, white walnut, white oak, red oak, buckeye, honey locust, lyden tree, coffee tree, a species of mahogany, hickory, red elm, white elm, sugar or hard maple, soft maple, box elder and dogwood, with a copse wood of spice brush and prickly ash, bui-ning bush, grape vine, bladder bush and bramble. The herbage is principally maidenhair, pea vine, yellow root, ginseng, Indian and madder, etc. The soil is of the richest loam, mixed in a small proportion of sand; the substratum is limestone and gravel, mixed with clay. The town plat is at an elevation of from fifteen to twenty feet above the bottom."

The plat covered an area of 44.788, acres, was 84 poles and 1 foot square, bearing north 17^ degrees west, or south 11^ degrees east, and north 72^ degrees east, or south 72^ degrees west. The principal street, north and south, was Franklin, 100 feet wide, with Fulton and Clinton streets, each five poles wide, parallel with it, the foi'mer west and the latter east of it. The three streets east and west were Blagrove, Ottaway and Bomford; Ottaway, one hundred feet wide, the other two five poles. There were four alleys running each way, each one pole wide. The lots on Franklin and Ottaway streets, Nos. 1 to 112 inclusive, were each eight poles long and two wide; the lots on the other streets, Nos. 113 to 152 inclusive, were eight by four poles in

A reservation was made of tirober not exceeding one foot in diameter that stood fifteen feet in front of the line of lots on Franklin and Ottaway streets as shade trees, and all timber of the same size that stood twelve feet in front of the line of lots on Bomford, Blagrove, Fulton and Clinton streets.

The following donations of lots for public purposes were made: Lots 13 and 69, on Franklin street, to the first and second fire companies that might be organized, to consist of fifty or more persons each, and own engine and hose, or buckets and ladders; Lot 44, to the town for a public libraiy, when it would appoint trustees and own 200 volumes of useful and miscellaneous publications; Lot 100, to the town for a museum, as soon as a council of fifteen members would be legally organized and appoint a naturalist to take charge of it; Lots 117 and 118, to the Mayor and Town Council as soon as the town was chartered; Lots 137 and 138, for a market-place for the town and country people; Lots 122, 123, 142 and 143, for common schools; Outlot 5, for a place of worship for the people of town of all denominations together, to be managed and regulated and organized on the 4th of July and at Christmas by the whole people together; Outlot 14, a botanical garden, to the literary, scientific and medical men when they would form a society of one hundred or more members, the lots to be completely under the control of the Town Council, when properly organized, or a majority of the whole people, composing a number of two hundred or more. By an act of the State Legislature, passed a number of years before Richwood was incorporated, the ownership of all these lots was restored to Philip Plummer and his heixs.

In 1832, but three families settled in the new, forest-covered village; those of Philip Plummer, John P. Brookins and Absalom Carney. Philip Plummer was born in Maryland, and emigrated from that State to Mount Vernon, Ohio. Some time after he came to Richwood, he became a Methodist minister, and preached for a number of years at Richwood and elsewhere. He afterward returned to Mount Vernon with his family, and there died. He was a man of moral principles and temperate habits, but did not possess that kind of nature to accumulate and retain property. His character is differently estimated by persons who knew him. Mr. "William Philips, one of the earliest pioneers of Richwood, thus speaks of him : " Mr. Plummer was a man of taste and refinement, and loved good society, so, while the better class of people appreciated him, there were those who disliked him. He was kind and obliging; ready to do anything in his power to help along new comers. He made it a point to go from one cabin to another to encourage them and reconcile them k) the privation that must be endured by the pioneer. In this he seldom failed. He was an excellent talker. He was a thorough temperance man, and, selling lots, he would sell to none who would sell whisky, believing that it would injure the property of the town and community. In this most of the new settlers encouraged him, and consequently log-rollings, house-raisings and the like were done on temperance principles, and never distinguished by ruffianism. An orderly community grew up, and its good example and correct principles are felt to-day in the society of our village."

Dr. John P. Brookins was one of the leading citizens of Richwood during its primitive days. He was born at Shippensburg, Penn., March 1, 1801, and emigrated to Ohio, settling first at Mount Vernon, and engaging in his profession - medicine. He there became acquainted with Mr. Plummer, and decided to cast his lot with the little village to be founded on Mr. Plummer's land. He moved, with his wife, Margaret (iMeClay), and two children, Mary Jane and William C, and erected the first cabin on the village site. It stood on

Lot 97, at the southwest corner of Franklin and Ottawa streets, where Miller's store now is. The first sad event in the village was the accidental burning of the Doctor's little daughter, Maiy Jane, a promising child, which occurred in August, 1833. While playing near a log-burning in the street, her clothes took lire, and she was so badly burned that death ensued the next day. la his family, also, occurred the first birth and the first marriage. The bride was Miss Jane Coffee, the Doctor's niece. Dr. Brookins was a very small, spare man, physically, but very jovial. He was a social, genial spirit, and possessed an uncommon fund of good humor. He always had a good story to tell, and usually kept a crowd in a roar of laughter. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and also Postmastei*. He was the first physician in the township, and pursued the practice of his profession here successfully until 1847, when he removed to Eaton, Ohio, where he died January 20, 1878. His son, William, is now a resident of that village.

Absalom Carney was a blacksmith, and built his shop on Lot 14^, east Bumford street. He did not remain many years, but removed West. It was reported that he and all his family, except one daughter, were killed by Indians in Missouri.

In September, 1833, William Phillips, with his wife Isabella (Woods), emigrated from Shippensburg, Penn., and settled on Lot 48, southeast corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets. He had a family of eight children - William J., who died in Pennsylvania; Jane Elizabeth, wife of Edwin Bruck; John A. ; Alfred G., killed at Atlanta July 22, 1863; Sarah W., wife of Harvey S. Wood, of Marysville; Mary H, wife of Joseph Swartz (deceased); William Fletcher (deceased), and Isabel W., wife of Austin G. Converse, of CaiToll, Ohio. Mr. Phillips was highly esteemed as a citizen, and was identified with all the movements to elevate and improve his fellow- men. He was a thorough temperance advocate. He died January 15, 1880, at Marysville, where he had removed two years previously. By trade and occupation, for many years, he was a potter. For about twenty-five years after he came to Richwood, he was engaged in the manufacture of pottery. The following items, taken from his account book, furnish the market value of a number of commodities in those times :

John Woods, born December 9, 1799, emigrated from Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Penn., to Kichwood, in July, 1833. He purchased 112 acres of land just north of the original plat, but now included within the corporation. He was a tailor, and, in connection with clearing and cultivating his farm, he followed his trade. His wife was Sarah (Brookins), and a son, George Woods, now resides in Richwood. Mr. Woods died on the home place May 12, ^1874.

William Sirpless settled in the village in 1833, coming from the Scioto River, in Delaware County. He built his cabin on Lot 119, just south of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He performed rough carpenter work while staying here, which was only a few years. He then went West.

John Wilson, a son of Nathaniel Wilson, in 1833 moved to Richwood, and resided on Outlots 9 or 10, opposite Canan's grist mill. He, too, came from the Scioto River, to Delaware County; was a laborer, and assisted in the erection of cabins. His first wife was Mary Dilsaver; his second, Elizabeth Atwood; his third, Mi's. Butts. He removed to Hancock County, and, when last heard from, he had buried his fourth wife.

John Carney, the father of Absalom Carney, arrived at Richwood in 1833. He was quite old and feeble at the time, and did not survive many years. He was a Baptist minister, and occasionally held services in the village. The only other settler in Richwood in 1833, besides Messrs. Burdick and Calloway, was Mortimer Bentley. He was a carpenter, or cabinet-maker, and stayed only a few years.

In 1834, there were a number of accessions, including Christian Goul, Nathan Richardson, Adam Burge, William Price, John T. Evans and Henry Sayer.

Adam Burge was a " Thomsonian " or " steam " doctor, and practiced among the few believers of his school in this vicinity. His house and office was on Lot 105, Franklin street, where the residence of Dr. King now stands. The Doctor remained at Richwood only a short time, as his practice was not very remunerative. Nathan Richardson was a carpenter. He came from Champaign County, and about 1840 returned there. Christian Goul was a shoe-maker, from near Mechanicsburg, and his stay was also of brief duration. John T. Evans was also a manufacturer of boots and shoes. His bench was in Burdick & Calloway's store. He was unmarried, and a skillful workman, but the settlement was too sparse to furnish him with steady employment, and at the expiration of a year he sought a new tield of labor. Henry Sager was a brother-in-law to Absalom Carney; built a cabin on Franklin street, but before it was furnished with door, floor or window he took his departure for the West. - The village grew very slowly from this time. In 1840, it contained about eighteen or twenty families. The following were here in that year: David Houk, a wagon-maker, who came about 1835; Sterrett Irwin, a carpenter; Hugh Thompson, a farmer, who died soon after; L. H. Hastings; J. B. W. Haynes, who came, in 1840, from Virginia, was an earnest Abolitionist, a realestate agent and a prominent citizen, and who died August 20, 1869, aged seventy-six years; Samuel Jenkins, a laborer; William Sirpless; William Price, who afterward operated a small grist mill here; Dr. Brookins; Ziba Brown, a local Disciple minister; William Phillips; John Woods; Enoch Fisher, a farmer, who had been in Indian service under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and who died in the village at the advanced age of one hundred and one years ;

Rev. Brown, the Methodist Episcopal minister; Isaac Cade, a Disciple preacher, who afterward died here; Henry Swartz, and the Widow Barkdull. Her husband, William Barkdull, was a shoe-maker, and came to Richwood from Mount Vernon in 1835, but soon after returned and died there. His widow, Mrs. Priscilla (Fisher) Barkdull, then moved with her children again to Richwood. In 1840, there was but one frame house in the village. It was owned and occupied by Hugh Thompson. The other dwellings were the primitive log cabins.

The first store was opened at Richwood in a little log building, which stood on Lot 102, now occupied by Ferrier's saddlery shop, by Burdick Calloway, in August, 1833. Hezekiah Burdick was a local Methodist Episcopal preacher, and had owned and cultivated a small farm three miles southeast from Marysville, on Mill Creek. John Calloway was born at the Scioto salt works, in what is now Jackson County, in 1802, where his father was engaged in making salt. A year or two later they removed to Yellow Springs, Greene County, where Mr. Calloway was proprietor of a tavern for two years. He then entered a half-section of land in that county, and, after occupying it for eight years, was defrauded of it by a process of legal chicanery He then removed to Clark County, and from that county young John went to Marysville to try his fortunes, and by industry became the owner of a small property near Marysville and two town lots.

Messrs. Burdick & Calloway purchased a small stock of goods at Marys ville, owned by L. H. Hastings, and removed them to Richwood. The stocli: embraced a few staple groceries and dry goods, and the entire amount was con - veyed to Richwood in one load. As both the purchasers were inexperienced in merchandising, it was stipulated in the contract of sale that Mr. Hastingshould remain with them several weeks, till Mr. Calloway could become accus tomed to his position behind the counter. This store remained in operatioiv about two years. Mr. Calloway withdrew, and soon after Mr. Burdick closed. . out his entire stock. Financially, the first store was not a brilliant success. Mr. Burdick soon removed to other parts, but " Major " John Calloway, as he is universally known, took unto himself a wife, Clark}^ R. Tonguet, in 1835, and settled down to rural life near Richwood. He has resided on his little place ever since, and is now a hale and hearty old gentleman of past eighty years.

The next mercantile venture was made by Cyprian Lee and Mains Wasson. Foreseeing the retirement of the first business house, they purchased a stock of goods and brought them to Richwood in 1835. The management of the store was intrusted to L. H. Hastings. About a year later, they sold out to Henry Swartz and Dr. J. B. Brookins. A few weeks after this transfer, Ira Reynolds, a merchant at Homer, on Darby Plains, decided to open a branch store at Richwood, believing that a second store would prove remunerative. He secm'ed the services of Mr. L. H. Hastings, who soon after became a partner in the business, and afterward purchased Mr. Reynolds' interest and became sole proprietor. The store of Swartz & Brookins in time dropped out of existence, and in 1840 Hastings' store was the only business house in Richwood.

There has been no merchant so intimately associated with the business interests of Richwood as has Levin H. Hastings. For almost forty years, he had been an active and leading business man in the village, and was its first successful merchant. He was born in Maryland September 1, 1806, and, removing to Laurel, Del., became a clerk in a store there. Possessed with a desire to see the West, he came to Ohio, remained a short time in a store at Columbus, and then attended school at Delaware, Ohio, for a term or two. Returning to Laurel, Del., he taught the winter school and clerked again for a short time, then purchased a stock of goods at Baltimore, and brought them to Marysville in the spring of 1833. In the fall of the same year, he sold to Burdick & Calloway, and after spending a few weeks in Richwood returned to Delaware. While visiting Richwood in 1832, he had purchased 500 acres of land, located just east of the village, from Silas C. Strong. He married Mary Carroll, of Delaware, March 24, 1834, and again came to Ohio and settled at Richwood. Several years later, he purchased an interest in Reynolds' store, and from that time until 1874 remained in active business life in Richwood, except two short intervals, which he spent in Illinois and at Marion, Ohio. In 1874, he retired from business. He died at Richwood, July 30, 1882; and thus closed a life of usefulness and activity. His widow still resides at Richwood.

Merchandising in early times was attended with difficulties that are unknown in the present day. Money was scarce, and the store was oftener the scene of a barte r or exchange than of a sale. The merchant had, occasionally, as great difficulty in disposing of the products taken in exchange for his goods as in the original sale of the goods. Eggs were usually quoted at 3 cents per dozen, and there was no demand for them. Nearly every family kept a cow, and butter was a drug in the home market. These products were, however, accepted in exchange for goods usually, and disposed of to traveling agents, who sold them in Cincinnati or Columbus. In the absence of money, credit became almost a necessity, and by the shifting about of many early settlers from one settlement to another, many accounts were lost. Coon skins, deer skins, home-made sugar, pork, honey and saddles of venison were the most current articles of exchange. Venison was sold at from 50 cents to 75 cents a saddle, consisting of the two hams, and was packed and taken to Columbus. By the fluctuation in the value of these articles, the merchants often suffered losses.

Incokporation And Officers

Richwood was incorporated as a village by the County Commissioners - William Purter, William F. Fulton and Nelson Cone - March 6, 1855, by reason of a petition from forty-one citizens of Richwood, who named B. F. Mc- Millan, J, B. W. Haynes and H. O. S. Heistand to act as their agents in the premises. This action was taken by the citizens of Richwood, it is said, in anticipation of the immediate building of the projected Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, by which it was expected the village would be greatly improved. Charles W Rosette was elected Mayor in 1855, and re-elected in 1856 and in 1857. The railroad was not built as expected, and for some reason the people allowed the incorporation to lapse, or remain dormant. For a few years, no borough officers were elected, nor was there any village government. James B. W. Haynes was the next Mayor, elected in 1864, and re-elected. He was succeeded by J. W^ Jones, who was elected in 1868. The Clerks' record begins with the year 1868, and since then the following have been the officers of the village:

1870 - Mayor, T. P. Cratty; Recorder, T. P. Owens; Council, two years. V. F. Collier, afterward resigned, P. Overshiver, resigned, and N. P. Westheimer, one year, D. F. Parsons, G. W. Holland and O. Curry; Treasurer, G. W. Canan: Marshal, F. A. Graham.

[, 1872 - Mayor W. W. Kile;'Clerk, L. J. Blake, resigned and P. H. Bauer elected; Treasurer, G. W, Canan; Marshal, G. B. Tucker, resigned; Street Commissioner, E. W. Tanner; Council. D. W. Godman, E. Y. King and G. W. Holland. April 17, 1872, W. W. Kile resigned and J. L. Blake was appointed INIayor. July 10, 1872, Hylas Sabine was elected Mayor, vice L. J. Blake, removed.

1874 - Mayor, L. A. Hedges; Council, F. H. Thornhill, P. T. Lightner and J. J Goldsmith; Clerk, William H. Reeves; Treasurer, A. Z. Converse, Street Commissioner, J. P. Brookins; Marshal, George K. Stewart.

1879 - Council, T. H. Moore, C. W. Hoffman and G. H. Woods, resigned October, 1879, Robert Ferrier elected Councilman, vice Carter resigned, A. Ferris also elected to till vacancy.

1882 - Mayor, H, M. Wright; Clerk, A. J. Thomas; Council, J. L. Horn, William Burgner and Henry Long; Treasurer, Robert Smith; Marshal, John Ogan.

The following are the additions that have been made to the original plat of Richwood. T. B. Smith, July 31, 1857, made an addition of eight lots, and had the plat recorded, but the addition must have been forgotten; for subsequent additions were made of the same land. The lots of the first and now forgotten addition were not numbered, but all others continue in order with the numbering of the original plat. Joshua S. Gill's First Addition was surveyed May 27, 1864, by A. S. Mowiy. It consisted of 14 lots, Nos. 153 to 166 inclusive. Hugh S. F. Hogan's Addition of 21 lots, 167 to 188, was surveyed January 14 and 15, 1804, and corrected June 2, 1865, by B. A. Fay. John A. Cook's Addition of 8 lots, 188 to 195, was surveyed May 3, 1866, by John Sidle. John Wood' a Addition. 14 lots, 196 to 209, was surveyed November 2, 1865, by E. Dix. The addition of H. H. & E. F. Poppleton, executors of Samuel Poppleton, deceased, 13 lots, 210 to 222, was surveyed July 20 and 21, 1865, by A. S. Mowry. O. P. Stephen's Addition, 11 lots, 223 to 233, was made in July, 1869. Henry J. Merriott's Addition, 61 lots, 234 to 294, was surveyed October 1, 1871, by Hylas Sabine. Proprietors of subsequent additions, with dates of survey are C. Landen, 6 lots, 295-300, November 15, 1871; Edward Norris, 21 lots, 301-321, February 14, 1872; J. S. Gill, second addition, 175 lots, 322-342 and 393-546, and M. W. Hill, 37 lots, 547-583, a joint-survey, November 4, 5 and 6, 1872, and January 8, 9 and 10, 1873; William G. Beaty, 50 lots, 343-392, November, 1872; W. G. Courts, 11 lots, 584-594, April 1, 1873; H. Sabine, fii-st addition, 14 lots, 595-608, not recorded; School lot subdivision, 8 lots, 609-616, recorded March 10, 1878; Alex-

The limits of the corporation were extended May 23, 1867, and again November 18, 1875, by order of the County Commissioners, in accordance with a petition from the Village Council^ presented September 6 previous.

Fire Department

The corporation owns an engine house, which was built in 1875, at a cost of about $1,300, and has a fire department, complete in all its appointments. A destructive tire occurred on Friday evening, April 9, 1875, on the east side of Franklin street, between Blagrove and Ottaway streets. It was discovered in a barn at the rear of Westheimer's dry goods and grocery store, and soon the frame hardware store of Godman, Thornhill & Co., across the alley, took fire; a barn farther to the east, at the rear of the Methodist Protestant Church, caught, and communicated the flames to the church, which was destroyed. Telegrams for help were sent to Urbana and Marion, and the latter responded by sending a hand engine; but before it arrived the flames were extinguished. Nine buildings were destroyed in all, and the loss amounted to considerably more than $25,000. Although the Council had previously taken action looking to the establishment of a fire department, this destructive conflagration caused them to push it to completion with greater vigor than before. A hook and ladder company, composed of thirty members, was organized in May, 1875, with Col. W. L. Curry as Captain. The Council had previously purchased a few hooks and ladders, and had ordered a wagon made. A steam engine was ordered directly after the fire had occurred, from Silsby & Co., Seneca Falls, N. Y., and was received June 11, 1875. It, with the hose cart and 800 feet of hose, cost $5,250. A hose company and engine company were organized in June, 1875, and J. S. Gill was elected Engineer; he still fills this position. The fire department was a volunteer organization until 1881, when the Council organized three departments. The hook and ladder company consists of nine members, with N. W. Spratt, Foreman. The hose company contains nine men, and has V. F. Collier for its Foreman. W. S. Bowers is Foreman of the engine company, which has seven members. The members of the department are now paid for all services rendered, either during fires or while on drill, and a more efficient force in a village of 1,500 people it would be difficult to find. Scattered over the village are eight cluster wells, each with from fourteen to twenty branches, driven into the ground twenty-one or twentytwo feet. The branches center in a five inch hydrant, and the water supply from them is regarded as inexhaustible. The wells costs about $350 each.

W. W. Kile was the first Chief of the department. He served two years, and was succeeded, for one year, by O. Curry. George B. Tucker was then elected Chief by the company about four years ago, and when the department was re-organized by the Council he was appointed to this position, and still holds it.

Dr. J. P. Brookins was the first Postmaster, and he retained the office until his departure fi'om Richwood, in 1847. In his day, the mails were very irregular and scant, but it is said he would never permit the mail bags to leave without something in them. If there was no mail to send, he himself would hastily write a communication to some friend, and inclose it in the empty sack William Ferguson succeeded him, and held the position for quite a number of years. George Roberts then became Postmaster, and at the expiration of his service the office recurred to the possession of William Ferguson. The subsequent dispensers of mail, to the present time, have been successively A. J. Blake, Sarah Moore, Jane Moore, Mrs. Mary Boggs, William W. Kile and E. S. Hubbard. The present incumbent entered upon his duties May 1. 1876.

Militia

Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guard, " Gibson Guards," was organized at Richwood July 17, 1877, with forty-three men. Its first commissioned officers were John P. felemmons, Captain; James Hughes, First Lieutenant; George B. Tucker, Second Lieutenant. In the fall of 1878, Lieut. Hughes resigned; Mr. Tucker was promoted to the vacancy, and John G. Ropp elected Second Lieutenant. Capt. Slemmons resigned in the spring of 1880, and Lieut. Tucker was elected Captain and A. H. Miller First Lieutenant. Lieut. Ropp died in February, 1882, and John Ogan was elected to the vacancy thus occasioned. The company was re-organized July 17, 1882, and retains the officers as above given. The following is its roster of non-commissioned officers. Sergeants, M. V. Watson. John Cunningham, J. C. Irwin, W. S. Smith and W^ilbert Ferguson; Corporals, Larkin Tonguet, O. H. Vorhees, Noah Swartz, M. K. Baker, William McGee, F. S. McMahan and Willis Young. The company now numbers sixty-seven members. At the State Tournament of the Militia, held at Columbus in July, 1880, the team prize for target shooting was won by Company G. It is a heavy, handsome gold badge, still in the possession of the company. AIro, four of the eight individual prizes were gained by the Richwood team.

Mount Carmel Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 303, was chartered October 21, 1858, and organized November 9 following, by John Barber, under proxy from the Grand Master. Members of the fraternity from Marysville assisted in the organization. The Marysville Band was also in attendance. The following were elected the first officers of the lodge: John Sidle, W. M. ; J. C. Sidle. S. W. ; J. Beardsley, J. W. ; L. Barber, S. D. ; Mr. Radebaugh, J. D. ; John Wood, Treasurer; J. S. Gill, Secretary. G. Myers, Leet Bonham, John Wirrick, J. B. W. Haines and J. M. Longfellow were also charter members. The lodge was organized in the log house of Dr. J. N. Ross, opposite the Beeni House. Meetings were held there for awhile, then at the southeast corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets, and afterward in tho block at the southeast corner of Franklin and Ottaway streets. In 1873, the third floor of the Courts Hall became the hall of the lodge, and meetings are now held there every Tuesday night, on or before the full moon. The present officers are A. J. Blake, W. M. ; C. D. Sidle, S. W. ; C. O. Bishop, J. W. ; J. L. Jolliff, S. D. ; Robert Smith, J. D. ; G. H. Woods, Secretary; P. H. Bower, Treasurer; J. W. Mc- Cracken, Tiler; P. J. C. Irwin and W. H. Richards, Stewards.

Richwood Lodge, No. 443, I. O. O. F. , was granted a dispensation May 10, 1870, and instituted June 11, 1870. The charter members were Andrew Spratt, Bvron Andrews, R. C. Bigelow, Solomon W' alker, W. H. Robertson, Richard Biddle, Robert Ferrier, Henry Biddle, G. W. Canan, N. P. Westheimer, William Drumm, Morgan Young and two others. The first Noble Grand was Morgan Young; the first Vice Grand, Andrew Spratt. The present officers are G. W. Holland, N. G.; Dr. W. B. Duke, V. G.; Henry Hazen, Sec; W. J. Slemmons, Per. Sec.; R. Ferrier, Treasurer. Two of the charter members are deceased, Richard and Harry Biddle. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and meets every Satui'day evening. It was organized in the Westheimer Block, w^hich burned in 1875. Several years before that, however, they built the third floor of the John A. Woods building, on west Franklin street, at a cost of $2,250, and have since had a commodious and neatly furnished hall. The present membership is about one hundred and ten.

Delpha Lodge, No. 99, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted August 10, 1874. The original members were Will H. Reeves, John Drum, J. H. Randall, E. Y. King, W. H. Conkright, L. A. Hedges, N. E. Paterick, Mrs. E. A. Reeves, Mrs. J. Drum, Mrs. Maud Randall, Mrs. E. Y. King, Mrs. W. H. Conkright, Mrs. L. A. Hedges, Mrs N. E. Paterick, Mrs. Solomon Walker, Mrs. A. Spratt, Mrs. Charles Canan, Mrs. Robert Ferrier, Mrs. A. Lower, Mrs, R. White, Mrs. L. Case, Mrs. N. P. Westheimer, Mrs. L. Fisher and others. The lodge was in a prosperous condition for a few years, and still retains its charter.

Rising Sun Lodge, No. 71, Knights of Pythias, was granted a charter May 27, 1875, and instituted June 8 of the same year. The charter members were S. J. Finch, H. W. Finch, J. H. Randall, J. Critchfield, T. C. Owen, J. H. Vaughan, P. E. Barnes, Will H. Reeves, G. R. Gum and J. J. Woodruff. The membership has increased from ten to seventy-eight, and the lodge is now officered by J. C. Irwin, P. C; C. E. Hill, C. C; Jerry Bigelow, V. C; W. S. Smith, Prelate; J. W. Scott, M. at A.; J. E. Robinson, K. of R. and S.; John Lake, M. of Ex. ; J. C. Lough, M. of F. ; N. W. Spratt, I. G. ; M. K. Baker, O. G. Meetings are held every Wednesday evening. For two years the Odd Fellows Hall was the place of meeting, and the lodge then rented a hall on the second floor of W. S. Bowers' building, and occupied it until the fall of 1882. Diu'ing the summer of 1882, it erected the third story of the Cooper Building, corner of Franklin and Blagrove sti'eets, at an expense of $1,600, aud now has a handsome and nicely furnished hall. But one death has occurred in the lodge since its formation - that of George D. Winchell. The lodge has a drill corps of seventeen uniforms, and in the near future it is believed a Division will be formed here.

Union Lodge, No. 5, of the Prudential Order of America, was organized July 25, 1882, with twenty- four members. Its first and present officers are John Brookins, P. R. ; Charles Lyons, E. R. ; William Guthrie, V. R. ; Thomas P. Fadley, Prelate; Joseph Scott, Ins.; O. H. Gaines, Rec. Sec: James Moore, Fin. Sec; H. A. Thomas, Treas. ; Thomas Gill, I. W. ; Clifton Smith, O. S. ; David Willoughby, Conductor. The lodge meets every Monday night, and now has a membership of thirty six. It was organized at the K. of P. Hall, and now meets in the Bowers Hall. The order is a recent one, and in its nature is both a fraternal and a mutual insurance association. Its membership is Charles H. Jacobs, R. W. Connell, D. B. Willoughby, Clifton Smith, W. H. Richards, T. P. Fadely, Charles Lyons, W. A. Guthrie, L. J.

Richwood Diyision, No. 74, Sons of Temperance, is the latest organization. It was instituted by A. M. Collins November 7, 1882, and began its existence with a membership of forty. Tuesday evening of each week is the time of meeting. Its officers are L. Myers, Worthy Patriarch; Mrs. E. J. Tucker, Worthy Associate; Miss Lettie Layton, Recording Scribe; Charles Bailey, Assistant Recording Scribe; P. R. Ken', Financial Secretary; Mrs. S. V. R. Young, Treasurer; Rev. E. G. Brombaugh, Chaplain; O. H. Games, Conductor; Miss Maggie Burgner, Assistant Conductor; Miss Ruth Wilcox, I. S. ; John McElfish, O. S. ; Miss E. Simpson, Past W. Patriarch; P. R. Kerr, Division Deputy; O, Beem, Thomas Livingston and M. Vestal, Trustees.

Dr. John P. Brookins was the first - and for many years the only - regular resident practitioner of Richwood. J. N. Ross was probably the next. He came, in 1840, from Zanesville, and remained in practice until his death in 1869. Benjamin F. McMillan located here in the summer of 1847, the date that Dr. Brookins' removal to Eaton. He came from Licking County, and maintained a successful practice until about 1867, when he removed to Mahaska County, Iowa, Dr. Atwood came about the same time, but remained for only a short period. H. O. S. Heistand removed to Richwood from Mansfield about 1852, and continued in practice until his death a few years later. Aaron Irwin read medicine iinder his instructions, and at his death acquired his practice. Dr. Irwin died in service. Dr. White located here at the close of his service in the late war, and practiced for several years. He then re moved to Pickaway County. Dr. Stephenson came from Westerville, about 1867, but soon after removed to Springfield. Dr. T. C. Owen settled at Richwood about 1865. He had been a Sui'geon in service. He practiced here until a few" years ago. Other physicians, who have been located at Richwood for only a short period, are Dr. I. N. Hamilton, Dr. Randall, Dr. Thomas Mather. Dr. Miller, Dr. Harris and Dr. Leach, a homceopathist. Dr. R. D. Connell was the first homceopathist to locate here. He came, about 1873, from Mansfield, but removed to Columbus in J 879, and is now engaged in practice in that city.

Dr. King is an allopathist, and located at Richwood in 1866, coming from Fredericktown. Dr. Bauer settled here in 1871. His partner, Dr. Hall, came in the spring of 1882. Dr. Duke is a practitioner of the eclectic school. He has been here since 1875. Dr. Connell, a homceopathist, located in March, 1877, and Dr. Barbee, of the same school, in August, 1880.

The bar of Richwood is not very strong, numerically speaking, though it has sufficient legal talent to attend successfully to the litigation that arises here. In olden times. Col. J. B. W. Haynes figured prominently as a pleader before local magistrates, and somewhat later Hylas Sabine and T. B. Cratty were often called upon to represent their neighbors and friends before the justices.

Louis J. Blake was the first admitted attorney to locate at Richwood. He is a graduate of Litchfield Law School, and in 1871 opened an office at Richwood. Two years later, he removed East, and is now in practice at South Norwalk, Conn. P. R. Kerr came next, and is still practicing. S. S. Gardner, in 1877, located here, and is still in practice. The latest disciple of, Blackstone in Richwood is S. W. Van Winkle. He opened his office in the summer of 1882.

Of the early schools of Richwood, only a few facts can be gleaned. The first ones were conducted on the customary subscription plan, and the children of those who could not afford this voluntary per capita tax were deprived of the benefits of the education, which, at best was very meager. The village has had fou.r schoolhouses; one log, two frame and the present handsome and durable brick building. The first school was taught about the year 1834, in an unoccuj^ied cabin, which stood on Lot 8, southeast corner of Franklin and Bomford streets, afterward the residence of L. H. Hastings. William Phillips had the honor of teaching this primitive school. About 1835, the citizens of the village raised a log schoolhouse on Lot 142, Blagrove street, where now stands the residence of C. Hufiman. It was rudely furnished, without any of the modern appliances now deemed necessary, and was occupied as a schoolhouse until about 1840, when it became too small and too dilapidated to be any longer suited for the purpose. Richwood did not furnish many of the early teachex's. They were usually young men and women from Marysville and other surrounding towns. Mary Waters, from near Prospect, Delaware County, taught two terms here between 1836 and 1839. Other teachers who held sway in this log schoolhouse were Horatio Hickok, Miss Clarissa Price, the daughter of William Price, Miss Henrietta Skinner, of Marysville, and Miss Matilda Munson, of Norton. The latter taught here during the summer of 1838. John W. Hamilton was the teacher during the winter of 1838-39, and Miss Henrietta Skinner during the following summer. Cornelius Hamilton taught the winter term of 1839-40. This was probably the last school held in this building.

Another schoolhouse was not erected immediately, but for a few years instruction was given in the churches of the village. Col. J. B. W. Haynes taught during the winter of 1840-41, in the old Methodist Protestant Church, which stood on Franklin street. The next winter James Dara taught in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Succeeding teachers of winter schools in these churches were James C. Dobey, John P. Graham, C. S. Hamilton, who resigned on account of sickness and was succeeded by Lucy Johnson, of Marysville, Jacob Spaflbrd and John Barber. Miss Johnson was an accomplished and thorough teacher. Under her control, a marked improvement was made in the efficiency of the schools. Her successor, Mr. Spafford, was an energetic and skillful instructor, as was also Mr. Barber, and under their management the Richwood School lost none of the prestige it had gained under their predecessor. William H. Ferguson then taught for two winters, in a building which occupied the site of Blake's drug store. Lot 4". H. C. Hamilton, during the winter of 1849-50, taught in the Methodist Protestant Chm'ch. The attendance was so great that the services of an assistant teacher, Miss Jane Thompson, became necessary.

The subject of a new schoolhouse was then agitated, and, about 1850, a small frame building, containing but one room, was erected on Lot 113, Fulton street. Its limits soon became too contracted to accommodate all the youth of the village, and the adjoining Methodist Episcopal Church was called into requisition, to afford room for an overflow department. These buildings were in use until 1860. During this period of about ten years, the following teachers were employed: Julia Brown, of Marysville, William Ferguson, Thomas Barkdull, now a Methodist Episcopal minister of Toledo, Ohio, Israel Kinney, Jamen Eurts, J. S. Gill and John Swartz.

In 1860 or 1861, a large frame, containing three apartments, two on the first and one on the second floor, was erected on the large lot on South Franklin street, which has since become the School Subdivision of lots. Jacob Lowe, Mrs. Jacob Lowe and Miss Anna Irwin were the first corps of teachers in this school building. Clinton Case. Cadwallader Walker, Jacob Lowe and Miss Maggie Fisher were subsequent Principals in this schoolhouse. It remained in use until the erection of the present schoolhouse in 1875-76.

Until 1867, the schools of Richwood constituted a township school district. In May of that year, several citizens, wishing the village to withdraw from the township as a school district, gave notice as follows:

Notice

The qualified electors of Subdistrict No. 3, of Claibourne Township, Union CountJ^ Ohio, are requested to meet at the post office of Richwood, Ohio, at 2 o'clock, P. M., on Wednesday, June 12, 1867, and there to vote by ballot for or against a separation of said subdistrict from the township, into an Independent District under the law of February 26, 1849, and the law amendatory thereto.

At a special election for members of the new Board, the following were chosen: A. J. Blake and J. S. Gill for three years; J. D. Graham and T. C. Owen for two years; and G. W. Courts and J. J. Thompson for one year. The Board was organized with A. J. Blake, President; J. S. Gill, Treasurer; and T. C. Owen, Secretary.

The first Board of School Examiners in the new district consisted of W. H. Ferguson, H. Sabine and Prof. William Lowe. The first teachers elected under the new system were Prof. William Lowe, Principal; Miss Martha Graham, Teacher of the Primary Department; Miss Sarah Moore, Teacher of the Intermediate Dep.irtment,

One of the first acts of the new board was to build an addition to the schoolhouse, a one- story room on the east end of the old building. The partition between the two lower rooms of the old schoolhouse was removed, and the number of departments remained the same as before - three.

In 1868, William Lowe was re-elected Principal of the schools. In 1869, G, W. Buell was elected Principal, and re-elected the following year. In October, 1870, an additional rooro being needed, the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church was secured, and a primary school established there, with Miss Etta Clark as teacher. In 1871, J. W. Sleppy was elected Principal. He held the position two years. Id 1873, S. J. Flickinger was elected, but his eyes failed him and he resigned. O. J. Richards succeeded him, in November, 1878. He was re-elected in 1874. John Kelb was Principal in 1875-76. In 1873, another apartment became necessary to accommodate the increasing attendance, and a room on the second floor of D. F. Parson's building was procm-ed, at a rental of $8 per month.

At a meeting of the Board, January 6; 1875, a resolution was passed, to submit to the qualified voters of the district the question of authorizing the Board to issue bonds to the amount of $20,000, bearing seven per .cent interest per annum, payable semi-annually, and to levy a tax of $20,000 to meet the payment of the bonds for the erection of a new schoolhouse, the bonds to run ten years. February i, following, the election was held, and resulted - Yes, 134-, no, 49. Some disagreement was manifested in selecting a site for the proposed edifice; but Lots 141, 142 and 143 were finally purchased for $600. J. Mozier, of Toledo, architect, prepared plans and specifications, which were accepted; notice for proposals was issued, and the bid of Woodward & Son, to furnish all material and complete the building for $15,895 was accepted. The purchase of additional lots, grading and other expenses, aggregated the total cost of the building about $20,000. Its erection was commenced in 1875 aud completed in 1876. It is a large, handsome, brick edifice, containing eight departments; is surrounded by a broad, deep lawn, and presents, in a village the size of Richwood, marked evidence of enterprise and prosperity.

The first school tex'm in the building began in the fall of 1876. R. M. Boggs was Superintendent; Mrs. Minnie M. Coi'ey, Teacher of the Grammar School; Mrs. R. E. Connell, Intermediate Teacher: Mrs. J. P. Brookins, First Primary Teacher, and Miss Dora Armstrong, Second Primary Teacher. In October, 1876, Miss Anna Smedley was engaged as Assistant Teacher of the High School. At present there are eight departments - A. B, C and D Primary; A. B, C and D Grammar, A and B grades of the Grammar constituting one department, and the High School.

P. R. Mills, the present Superintendent, was elected in 1881, and reelected the year following. The schools are in a high state of efficiency. The High School course extends through three years.

Senior Year - First Term, Arithmetic, General History and Latin; Second 'l"'erm. Trigonometry, English Literature, Grammar and Latin; Third Term, Surveying, English Literature, Grammar and Latin. Rhetorical work is continued monthly throughout the entire covu'se.

Much of the information contained in this sketch of the schools of Richwood was kindly prepared by Mr. A. J. Blake, to whom, for this and many other favoi's, our thanks are due.

The Blchicood Gazette was ushered into the world August 16, 1872, by J. H. Vaughan and AV. H. Nicholson, with J. H. Yaughan as editor. November 13, 1878, Mr. Yaughan became sole publisher, and remained alone in chai'ge of the paper until October 20, 1879, when it was purchased and edited by Robert Smith and W. Ferguson. Just two years later, Mr. Smith purchased the interest of his partner, and exactly one year afterwai'd, or October 20, 1882, he disposed of a half-interest to George W. AYorden. During the Urst year. Friday was the day of publication. It was then changed to Thursday, and has so remained ever since. In politics, the Gazette is independent. It is a local paper, aims to pi'esent its readers with all home news of interest, together with a choice selection of miscellaneous matter, and is devoted to the interests of its town and county. Its circulation exceeds eight hundred copies.

The second joui'nalistic venture was made by J. S. Blake & Bro., January 28, 1882, by issuing the iirst number of the Ricluvood Reporter. The enterprise has proved a success, and indicates that there is ample room in Richwood for two newspapers. The Reporter is independent in politics, and is published every Satui'day. Although, at this writing, it has not yet completed its Iirst year, it has already attained a worthy subscription list, and bids fair to rank among the permanent institutions of Richwood.

"V\'illiam Sirpless was the Urst citizen of Richwood to provide entertainment for the wayfaring stranger. He made no pretensions to inn-keeping, but only accommodated those, at his log residence, who desired temporary lodging and board. David Houk succeeded him. His dwelling house served him as a tavern, but he made tavern-keeping a business. His house stood on the west side of Franklin street, just north of Merriott's store. Mr. Houk removed to Eaton, Ohio, in a few years. Jesse Reed afterward kept hotel at the same place.

About 1843, J. B. W. Haynes became a village host, at the northeast corner of Franklin and Bomford streets. A few years later, he crossed Franklin street, and occupied Houk's old tavern stand, then biiilt a two-story frame on Lot \)~, where Miller's store now stands. R. C. Bigelow siTcceeded him as landlord here.

About 1848 or 1850. John Mulvain erected a hotel where the Parsons House now stands, northwest corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets. It has since changed hards repeatedly, and has always since been occupied as a hotel. Since it has come into the possession of the present proprietor, D. F. Parsons, it has been extensively remodeled and enlarged.

In the winter of 1854-55, R. AV. AVeisz, then a merchant, built a hotel now known as the Beem House, and in June, 1855, moved into it as landlord. He sold it. in 1866. to John Meyei*. In 1869, it was used as a grocery store for awhile, then sold to J. J. Goldsmith, who restored it to its original intended use. O. Beem was the next proprietor. He then rented it for a year to J. Campbell, and in 18"] 7 J. "\V. Gaston purchased it. It has sincebeen conducted by A. Faris & Son.

The first bank in Eichwood was opened, in 1866, by J. M. Davids and G. Allen, with Mr. Davids as manager. The capital was limited, and the bank survived only a single year.

In 1867, the Bank of Eichwood was organized, with G. B. Hamilton, President. He was succeeded by W. H. Conkright, and he in turn by James Cutler, the present President, in 1880. B. L. Talmage was first and present Cashier. The stock amounts to $20,000, and the stockholders are James Cutler, B. L. Talmage, W. H. Conkright, I. and B. Cahill and the estate of Nicholas Money.

The Union County Bank was organized and began business January 1, 1874, with T. P. Cratty, President, and A. J. Blake, Cashier. J. Q. Eoads and S. M. Blake were each original stockholders, and the latter is still a member in the bank. J. P. Brookms is book-keeper.

Manufacturing Interests

In about the year 1842, J. S. Gill, Sr., began the manufacture of wooden bowls on an extensive scale at Eichwood; first on Lot 36, Clinton street, and afterward on Lot 438, South Fulton street. His factory burned here in 1869, but he rebuilt, and proceeded again with the manufacture for a year or two, then removed the establishment just across the Indiana State line, near Dixon, Ohio. This was the only manufacturing enterprise of any magnitude that is not represented to-day.

The largest establishment in Eichwood at the present time is the saw mill and planing mill of Beem & Biddle. In 1873, L. C. and Benjamin F. Biddle stationed a portable saw mill on the site of their present mills, and in the fall of that year built a two story frame mill, using the upper story for a carpenter shop. In 1874, George Johnson purchased the interest of B. F. Beem, but in a short time Orin Beem became a partner, and soon after Mr. Johnson sold his share to his two partners, L. C. and Orin Beem. December 1, 1875, Orin Beem retired from the firm, and C. N. Biddle became the junior member of the firm, which has since been Beem & Biddle. A stationary boiler and engine was substituted for the portable engine in the winter of 1874. The mill, with all the lumber, was totally destroyed by fire June 26, 1876, at a loss of $3,000; no insurance. The energetic, but now involved, owners rebuilt at once, mostly by their own labor, and, by their strictest economy and utmost industry, running night and day, during the ensuing winter they cleared themselves from all pecuniary liabilities. In the fall of 1877, they built the planing mill, 30x60 feet, mainly from the cullings of the saw mill. They adopted the novel method of making one boiler furnish the power for both saw and planing mill, by conveying the steam from the saw mill boiler to the planing mill engine, one hundred feet distant, through an undergiound pijDe. Befsides supplying the home market, the saw mill, in 1876, began to furnish Barney & Smith, car builders, Dayton, Ohio, with their oak lumber, and Aultman & Taylor, of Mansfield, with ash and hickory lumber for threshing machines, besides shipping lumber elsewhere. Foreseeing that the supply of this lumber would soon be exhausted, the firm, in 1880, sought a market for elm lumber, as the most available in this locality. In that year they began the manufacture of wheelbarrow trays for the Eevolving Scraper Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and this year (1882) have entered into a contract to furnish it with 100,000 wheelbarrow sets for $44,000, a set consisting of tray, handles, legs and strips. To meet this demand, their facilities must be increased, and over $6,000 was expended for new machinery, including a new Corliss engine. The lumber is taken from the stump, and to assist in prepar- ing it a saw mill has been erected in Jackson Township. About thirty men are employed at the mills throughout the year. Besides fulfilling this contract, Beem & Biddle do a general line of work in the saw and planing mill business.

Loveless, Howe & Bishop are the proprietors of a woolen mill on East Ottaway street, which was built in May, 1869, and has been operated since. Manufacturing is carried on, however, only during a portion of each year, and is chiefly confined to yarns and satinets. Besides this, the firm deals extensively in wool. It has offices in surrounding towns, and in the aggregate, buys from three to five hundred thousand pounds of wool annually. Hides, pelts and furs are also handled largely, the purchases amounting to about $12,000 per year. The mill was built by Messrs. T. S. Loveless and J. E Howe. C. O. Bishop became a partner in March, 1881. There is but one grist mill at Richwood, now operated in the name of D. H. Roland. Naman Price, as early as 1836 or 1888, constructed a tread grist mill on the site of the present mill. It consisted of a large inclined wheel, perhaps forty feet in diameter, from which the motive power was obtained by placing on one side of the wheel from two to four oxen, whose weight would cause it to revolve. A saw mill was afterward attached, and operated by the same power. This rude, primitive structui'e, which, however, fully supplied the milling necessities of the first settlers, was remodeled by John Fields, and steam power added. He had two runs of buhrs, and his business was confined to a little custom work. It afterward came into the possession of Thomas Dutton, and from him was purchased by G. W. Canan, in 1864. Mr. Canan rebuilt it, and added greatly to its facilities. It contains four run of buhrs, and its work is chiefly custom. Mr. Canan sold it in 1879, to the present proprietor.

The planing mills of S. M. & A. J. Blake were started by S. Carter and S. M. Blake about 1871. In the spring of 1874, A. J. Blake acquired an interest, and during the winter of 1878-79 Mr. Carter retired. Since then, the firm has been as at present. It began on a small scale, and has ever since gradually but steadily increased in business.

Four grain warehouses are in operation. That of Camp, Randall & Lyon, now superintended by T. J. Williams, does an annual business of from 150 to 200 car-loads, in gi-ain, coal, seeds and salt. The warehouse was built by E. Thompson, soon after the railroad was constructed, and was operated by Thompson & Graham for some time.

O. P. & L. Lennox started in business in August, 1881, and annually buy and ship large quantities of grain. D. H. Roland, also, deals largely in grain.

Camp, Randall & Lyon, in 1871, built a flax mill at a cost of $7,000. It was operated for about ten years. Flax has ceased to be a crop in this locality, and the mill suspended business from lack of material.

The mercantile business of Richwood is now represented by four dry goods stores, three clothing stores, three groceries, two bakeries, two jeweler stores, one provision store, one furniture store, two hardware stores, three drug stores, one tin and stove store, two boot and shoe stores, three millinery shops and one merchant tailoring establishment.

There are also here three meat markets, three livery stables, two lumber yards, two harness shops, one carriage repository, one i-epair machine shop, three blacksmith shops, several shoe shops and a cooper shop.

July 4, 1838, was observed in Richwood in old pioneer style. The people turned out en masse; a martial band was employed, consisting of James Landon, Cyrus Landon and Payne Landon. Tliey were paid 50 cents each, and came on foot, carrying their drums from Prospect, a distance of six miles. Rev. Jacob Young delivered the oration. In the morning, while the people were gathering, a foot-race was arranged between William Bennett and Benjamin M. Hamilton. The latter was young and quick in his motions; he had been in the habit of outrunning his schoolmates, in Muskingum County, and gave out word that he could outrun any one in Richwood. Bennett was an old hunter, and once a very powerful man, in which respect he was like all his brothers. They started, from what is now the center of town, and ran south, on the Marysville road. At first, Bennett allowed Hamilton to lead him by twenty feet or more, but, when about half way, began to lope off something like a deer; and in a few jumps he was in the lead. He then turned and ran backwards, calling on Hamilton to "come on," and not to be discouraged! Bennett won the race, making half the distance backwards. He then said he could beat Hamilton any distance, and carry old man Cade - who would weigh over two hundred pounds - on his back.

In the summer of 1842, when, I was twelve years old, and was a small boy, carrying the mail from Richwood to Marysville and back every Friday, I chanced to see an old-fashioned militia muster at Pharisburg. Capt. VVestenhoover was in command. The ground was wet and muddy; the Captain had on a large, bell-crowned beaver hat, and a blue spike-tailed coat with a great many brass buttons. He was in his bare feet, and had his home-made pants rolled up to the knees. As I came into Pharisburg from Marysville, Capt. Westenhoover came, leading his company south, with David Welsh in the lead and the Scott boys next. At what is now the south part of town, the Captain countermarched his company, and started north, and all went well until they came near the cross-roads, and to a large oak stump that was near the road. At this point, Welsh gave a knowing wink to those around, and then aimed for the stvimp and fell over it, and was followed by all the company, until they all lay in one pile around the stump, with their broom-sticks and corn-stalks in their hands, and raising a roar of laughter. This broke up the muster in a row.

About the year 1841, I chanced to go to Marysville on an errand. I went across the square, to the southwest side, to Rodney Picket's store, where I heard some men indulging in loud laughing. I was a timid boy, but got close enough to overhear the cause of laughter. A man, whose name I did not learn, had taken a contract to paint the court house, and had prepared his paint by mixing in buttermilk, in order to save money; but when he carried it to the building to commence work he left it for a short time, and some hogs drank it up - and this was what the men were laughing about.

In early times, there lived on the knoll east of the present residence of G. B. Hamilton, a person of some notoriety known by the name of " Dick;" and such we will call him in this history. Dick was an innocent kind of a fellow, whose lies were not of the kind to make mischief, and whose stealings were on a small scale, and of such things as he stood in need of. It was said of Dick that if he borrowed a horse he would feed it well, if he had to steal the grain from its owner to do so. He was always ready to do a kind act, and was looked upon as rather a good kind of fellow, in spite of his weakness. Ho was a man of some talent, had a passion for polemics, and was fond of talking of his skill as a debater. He had one besetting sin, that was not offset by a vii'tue sufficient, in the eyes of his neighbors, for the wrong; it was that of whipping his wife, whose name was Hannah. The old men of the community tried to scold and shame him out of su bad a habit, but it was of no use. Very frequently Hannah's screams would be heard all the country round, and the neighbors would be disturbed by his efforts to correct his wife. It was finally proposed that the young men of the neighborhood should take the mat ter in hand, and try the effect of a debate on " Poor Richard." The matter was duly considered, and plans matured. It was arranged to hold the debate in the upper room of Samuel Hamilton's house, which was the best room of the kind in the country, save the two churches in Rich wood. The time for meeting was set at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, that all might attend. First, there was to be a question discussed such as Dick was fond of, and he was to be one of the principal disputants, John Graham was to be President Judge of the first debate, and when it closed, and the decision of the judges was given, he was to retire from his chair and name his successor. Upon doing so, he chose Dick as the Pre-iident Judge on the debate to follow. The first one was cut short, to give time to the second. Richard, upon taking the chair, returned thanks for the honor done him, and stated that the next thing in order was to choose the Assistant Judges; whereupon Samuel Graham and Eleazer Rose were appointed - they being in league with the others in the scheme to give Dick a scorching. The three were placed on the seats of honor, with Richard in the center. It was further agreed that the question should be, "What crime should sink a man the lowest in the estimation of the community? " James C. Dobie and C. S. Hamilton were appointed leaders in the discussion. Dobie chose J. H. Hamilton and B. Graham as his assistants, while Hamilton chose John Graham and John Wells. Each leader was to choose for himself whatever crime he saw fit, as being the one that should sink a person the lowest in the esteem of his fellow-men, each speaker to be allowed two speeches. Dobie opened the discussion by choosing lying and stealing, as being the worse of all crimes. He was a fluent speaker, and made a good address, scoring Dick pretty heavily. He was followed by Hamilton, who had great difficulty in finding a crime that was as degrading as lying or stealing. After naming over all the crimes he could think of, he finally concluded to select " wife-whipping" as the one which, above all others, should sink a man the lowest in the scale of human existence. Poor Richard now saw that he was caught, but it was too late; for if he had attempted to leave, the two assistant judges would have held him to his post. Hamilton opened for his side, by admitting all that Dobie had said as to jthe meanness of the liar and thief, but argued that the man who would whip his wife was meaner still. When it came John Graham's turn to speak, he made a fine argument, tending to show that in the single act of whipping a wife were found all the crimes in the list - that the wife-whipper was a liar and a perjurer as well as a thief. Dobie's side made an effort to ward off some of the blows, and did well for some three hours, until it came Hamilton's turn to close the debate. He, no doubt, then made the best speech of his life; taking the position that a man might be a liar, a thief, a robber, a pirate, a murderer, and yet, if he had manhood enough left in him to live true to his marriage vows, he was entitled to some respect from his fellow-men; but that when he was so far gone as to beat his own wife^the mother of his children - he was so low down in the scale of existence that he was not entitled to any respect from either men or devils; and the wife-beater was to be shunned and scoroed in this life, as one would shun a viper; even in hell he would not be accounted worthy to associate with the lost, but that in one corner there would be a place by itself, in which to confine none but wife-whippers, for the reason that they were so low it would be unjust to compel others to associate with them, even in the regions of the damned. He tlien appealed to the judges to decide, without hesitating one moment, that wife-whipping should, of all crimes, sink a man lowest in the estimation of the community.

During all this long debate, of three or four hours, poor Richard sat with his head down, and only now and then made an ineffectual effort to look up. Afterward, he said to one of his associate judges that it was the hardest question he was ever called upon to decide! Dick was quite anxious to try the same game on some of his neighbors, with a view to their reformation. He would say to his chums, " Let us have a debate over such a fellow, and see if we can't break him of some of his mean tricks." Dick lived and died near Kichwood, and, so far as I know, was not known to whip Hannah after the debate.

Biographical Sketches

SIMEON A.DAMS, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Pennsylvania February 24, 1821. He is a son of Hazard and Elizabeth (Wort) Adams, the former a native of Connecticut, of English descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. Our subject was raised ;ind educated as a farmer, and has followed farming through life. He came to Union County in l'i41, and located on a farm of 150 acres, which he improved and which he still occupies. He was married, in 1850, to Elizabeth Schechter, who was born in Maryland March 28, 1828; she is a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Bond) Schechter. By this union five children were tiorn, viz.: Margaret, deceased; Jennie E., wife of C. McCallister ; Emma, deceased ; Frank L. "ind Henry H. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Adams is a Republican in politics, and has served as Trustee of his township two terms.

L. G. BAKER, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 1, 1836; he is a son of William and Lucy (Rowley) Baker, natives of Massachusetts. His father was a farmer by occupation, and came to Ohio in his early life, settling in Knox County, where our subject was raised, and remained until 1847, when he came to Union County. He received a common school education and adopted the occupation of farming, which he has since followed with success, now owning a good farm in this township. He was married in 1861, to Mary E. Monson, daughter of Theodore W. and Hester (rowgdl) Monson, who came to this county in 1826. She is one of five children, all of whom were teachers. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children, viz.: Hester A., Wealthy V., Lucina R. and Lyman E. The parents are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, in which Mr. Baker has been a class leader and trustee. He is a Republican in politics.

PORTER E. BARNES, of Richwood, Ohio, is the senior member of the firm of Barnes & Rosette, agents for Louis Cook's celebrated carriages, spring wagons, buggies and hand-made harness, J. B. Dennison & Co.'s, Lexington, Ky., buggies, United States Carriage Co.'s buggies, of Columbus, Ohio, the McCormick Harvester and Binder, and the Baker Drill, in Union, Marion and Delaware Counties. This enterprising firm is doing an extensive and successful business in Union and surrounding counties, their object being to handle the best articles in the market, find to make rapid and numerous sales, with small profits. They do business in a prompt and honorable manner, give universal satisfaction, and fully merit the liberal patronage they now enjoy. Mr. Barnes was born in the Empire State May 14, 1851, and is a son of Porter and Eliza (Tucker) Barnes, natives of Massachusetts, of English descent. His father emigrated from New York in 1855, and settled at Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he died in 1864. He was a wealthy and influential farmer, and an extensive breeder of and dealer in fine stock. The subject of this sketch attended Hiram College, where the late James A. Garfield was President, and in 1868 graduated at Baldwin University, Syracuse, N. Y. In 1870, he engaged as shipping clerk for Camp, Randall & Co., in the grain and flax business, at Warren, Ohio, and afterward conducted their branch establishment at Richwood, Ohio, spending altogether eight years in their and in that time superintending the building of the flax mill at Richwood. He is a member of Marion Chapter, and of the Knights Templar, A., F. & A. M., a charter member of Richwood Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and a Republican in politics. He served three years as Township Clerk, and was a member of the Building Committee of the Board of Education when the public school building was ei-ected. He was married in 1870, to Ophelia Herr. of West Salem, Wayne Co , Ohio. She was a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Elgin) Herr, natives of Virginia, where her father owned a plantation and 400 slaves at the breaking-out of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have four children, viz.: Alice D., Porter E., Earl R. and George H. Mr. Barnes owns a handsome residence near the depot at Richwood, in which he and his family reside.

JOB G. BEARDSLEY, retired farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., September 16, 1810. He is a son of William and Eunice (Gardner) Beardsley, natives of Con- necticut. His father was a shoe-makei* by trade, but spent most of his life farming. He came to Ohio in 1814, and settled in Licking County, removing from there to Knox County, lie died ai the age of eighty-two years; his wife lived to reach ninety years of age. Our subject remiiined with his parents in Kuox County until eighteen years of age, when he began learning the blacksmith's tiade, at which he worked ten years in Licking County. In 1843, he began farming, and has has since followed that honorable avocation, until recently, when he retired from active life. In 185"J, he came to Claibourne Tdwnship, and now owns a farm of 106 acres in this township He was married in Knox County, in 1834, to Patience Webster, a native of New York, by wh )m he had ten children, of whom six reached their majority and two now survive, viz: Mary, wife of Isaac Cowgill, and James W. Mrs. Beardsley died August 125, 1870, :ind in 1871 Mr. Beardsley married Nancy (Bell) Sifritt, widow of Andrew Sifritt, who at the time of their mar riage had two children, Lorenzo and Margaret. Mrs. and Mrs. Beardsley are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a prominent Republican in politics. He had one pon, William Webster, who enlisted in 1862, in the Second Ohio Infantry, and had his right leg shot off at the second battle of Bull Run, which resulted in his death two years later.

WILLIAM BEATHARD, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Jerome Township, Union County, March 18, 1820; he is a son of William and Mary (Chappel) Beathard, the former a native of Maryland, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. Our subject was raised on his father's farm, but in early life he learned the cooper's trade, which, with several other occupations, he has since followed, having been a farmer for the last twenty years. He owns a farm of eighty acres of land, on which he resides. In 1840, he married Dorotha Wasson, daughter of Thomas and Keziah (Noble) Wasson, and a native of New York. By this union six children were born, four surviving, viz., Thomas M., Charles W., Roxy M., wife of Sanford Wiley, and Cassia J., wife of Norman £. (Jahill Mr. and Mrs. Beathard are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been a Class Leader, Steward and Trustee; he is a Republiran in politics.

JACOB BEEjNI, one of a family of eleven children, was born in Alleghany County, Md.. March 4, 1799, and was the son of Michael Beem, who was born in Germany March 5. 17o5 . his father came to America when Mike was six years old. He had one brother, Richard, who was shortly after killed by a mule kicking him, leaving but one of the name in America, and i ; date we have never met any one of the name except the descendents of Michael. At about th.' time of the breaking-out of the Revolution, he married Elizabeth Green, niece of Gen. Green, (who was active in the Revolutionary struggle in gaining our independence). He enlisted earlv in the Revolutionary war, was on Gen. Washington's staff and was in service until the close i t~ the war, afier which he engaged in mercantile business, in Westernport, Md., for a time, the returned to farming. In 1812, he removed to Licking County, Ohio, where he engaged in fartiing. On the 15th of November, 1827, Jacob, the younger son, was married to Phoebe Rose, ti <- daughter of Rev. Philip Rose, and remained in that county until 1832, in which year he cam' to Union County, with the intention of buying 600 acres of land where Richwood now stands,, but was a few days too late, the land having been purchased by Philip Plummer. He, however, bought 400 acies of the Clarks, part of which he retained and lived on at the time of his deai!i in 1878. He was a man of strong physical, mental and moral powers, thought and acted for himself, would mold to the ideas of others only when they were consistent with reason and, upon the whole, just such a character as would brave the hardships of a new country an I pioneer life, and awakea energy, enterprise and moral force in the circle in which he moved. He bought, sold and traded ia lands and stock, farmed quite extensively and also took contracts to clear land. Perhaps he and his boys cleared more land than any other family in the township. He was a Universalist in religious belief, believing that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the character of God and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind, and that there is one God whose nature is love, revealed in our Lord Jesus Christ by one Holy Spirit of grace, who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness ; also that holiness and happiness are inseparably connected, and in order to he happy one must practice only such principles as produce the best results, denying self of all ungodliness and worldly lust. He was the father of nine sons and one daughter, being the only one in the township who could boast of a "seventh son." He died at the ripe age of seventy-nine years, leaving a wife and eight children to mourn his loss, two of the sons having given their lives in the service of their country in the war of the rebellion.

ORRIN BEEM, pike contractor, Richwood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 24, 1830; he is the son of Jacob and Phoebe (Rose) Beem, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Licking County, Ohio, of English and German descent. His father came to Union County in 1830 and settled in Claibourne Township. Our subject was raised on a farm and followed farming until thirty-four years of age. In 1855, he went to Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, Company K, under Col. Goodwin, and served as First Lieutenant of his company until the close of the war. He carried his Christian character with him in the army, did his duty like a good soldier and was highly respected by both officers and men. On his return tc civil life he returned to this county and purchised the hotel still known as the Beem House, iu Rich- wood, which he conducted for some years. He operated a saw mill in 1872 and has since been variously engaged, now being a partner of P. G. Wynegar in contracting for and building turnpike roids. He owns forty or fifty town lots and a handsome residence now occupied by his family. He laid off Beem's Addition to the town of Richwood and takes a deep interest in any thing tending to the growth or improvement of his town. On June 11, 1855, he married Ellen B. Woodwsyd, a daughter of Moses Woodward, a native of Vermont, of Ecglish and German descent. Seven children are the issue of this marriage, viz., Isaac N.; Mary, wife of Dr. M. J. Jenkins; Aurora, deceased; Minnie, a graduate of the Piichwood High School in the class of '80; Rose, a junior in the Pdchwood High School; .lacob and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Beem are members of the Protestant Church of Richwood.

LEWIS CLEMONS BEEM, of the firm of Beem & Biddle, manufacturers, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Claibourne Township, Union County, November 15, 1847 ; his father, Jacob Beem, was born in Md., in 1799, and came to Union County at an early day, settling in Claibourne Township. He was a life-long farmer, and at the time of his death in 1878, owned 237 acres of good land. His wife Phebe Rose, was a native of Franklin County, Ohio, of English descent. Our subject was raised on the fixrm, attending the district schools and a select school, and in early life taught school for a time. In 1871, he engaged in the saw mill business with hia brother, and in 1873 he came to Richwood. In 1875, he embarked in his present business with Mr. Biddle. They began business with little capitnl, but now have one of the most successful enterprises in Richwood. In 1881, Mr. Beem married Margaret Graham, daughter of Patterson Graham ; she is a native of Union County, and a member of the Protestant Church. They havehad one child, Ada, deceased.

B. F. BEEM, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Claibourne Township October 31, 1850, and is a son of .Tacob and Phebe (Rose) Beem. He was raised on a farm, receiving a common school education, and when eighteen years of age engaged in saw milling with his brother, Lewis Beem, following that business in Claibourne and .Jackson Townships until he reached his majority. He then began farming and has since followed that occupation, with more than average success, now being the owner of 200 acres of land, on which he has erected a $2,000 residence. He is purely a self-made man. On December 28, 187G, he married Miss Laura J. Walker, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Allen) Walker, and a native of Marion County, Ohio, where she was born September 13, 1855. They have one child, Fannie Belle. Mr. Beem is a Republican in politics.

JOHN W. BELL, proprietor of sawmill and manufacturer, P. 0, Claibourne, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, January 5, 1845, and is a son of William and Margaret (Shipley) Bell, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and the latter a native of Wayne County, (Jhio, of Scotch descent. Our subject was raised on a farm, where he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in operating a saw mill for others. Two years later he purchased a half interest in the mill. After several changes he came to Claibourne Village and engaged in saw milling with Mr. Shearer, a pioneer miller of this county, with whom he still continues. They manufacture spokes and felloes for wagons and are doing a good business in the sawmill. Our subject was married October 10, 1878, to Mary Brown, daughter of P. G. and Sarah Brown, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Bell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Bell of the Baptist. He is a Democrat in politics, but always votes for the man and not the party.

HENRY BIDDLE (deceased). Prominent among the early farmers of Union was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in England August 27, 1829, and in 1832 emigrated to America, with his parents, Joseph and Maria (Williams) Biddle, who settled on a farm of 110 acres, south of Richwood, a part of which is now in the corporation of the village. His father was a heavy set man, weighing over two hundred pounds, active and energetic, and before his emigration, had gained considerable fame as a professional wrestler, which was a characterstic very much admired at that time in England. He was a millwright by trade, and built several mills in America, among them the mill at Richwood. He died in 1866. Henry received a very limited education and followed the occupation of farming, at the time of his deatit being the owner of 180 acres of land. He was married in 1850 to Eunice Latson, who was born in New York in 1832, of German and English parentage. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, viz. : George, who was born in Claibourne Township, August 10, 1852, and on October 15, 1879, married Ann Lake, a sister of John Lake, by whom he had two children, Harry and Carrie Bell. He has been a life-long farmer. The second child, Seneca, is deceased. The third, Thomas H., was born in this township December 12, 1856, and is likewise a farmer, now owning eighty-three acres of land. In 1876, he married Lydia A. Hamilion, a daughter of Benjamin and Abagail (Graham) Hamilton, and a member of the Deciples Church. They have three children^Maggie, M.,Tearl C, and Florence Abagail. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of Richwood. The fourth child, Annie M., is now the wife of M. B. Hill. The fifth, Emma is deceased. The sixth, Sarah E., now a resident of Columbus. The seventh died in infancy. The youngest child, Jennie May, born in 1871, is now attending school. Mr. Biddle was a charter member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge at Richwood, and a faithful member of the fraternity until death. He died December 15, 1877. His widow resides on the old homestead at Richwood.

CHARLES BIDDLE, of the firm of Beem & Biddle, manufacturers, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Columbus, Ohio, March 8, 184H, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Perry) Biddle. His father built a planing mill in Columbus, in 1849, which is said by him to have been the first built in the State. Our subject worked in the planing mill until nineteen years of age, when he worked on the railroad as a fireman for a short time ; after which he took charge of the railroad round house and held it till the strike of 1873. He did not join the strike, as he does not believe in them, but resigned his position because he thought it policy to do so. In 1874, he went to work in the planing mill at Columbus, and in 1875 came to Richwood and embarked in his present enterprise with Mr. Beem. They employ about thirty hands, do an extensive business and ship goods of their production all over the world. ]Mr. Biddle has ingeniously contrived several inventions that have materially increased their capacity for production. They manufacture wheelbarrows that have an extensive sale throughout the United States, single orders being sent in for as many as 100,000 at one time. Mr. Biddle, was married, in 1874, to Anna Fisher, a native of Union County, and a daughter of William Fisher, and by her has had two children - Laura and William. Mr. Biddle is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

CHARLES O. BISHOP, of the firm of Loveless, Howe & Bishop, proprietors of the Richwood Woolen Mills, and dealers in wool, grain, hides, furs and staves, Richwood, Ohio, was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 10, 184o ; he is a son of Thomas and Sabina (Schenck) Bishop, natives of New Jersey. His father died when Charles was twelve years old and his mother lived a widow until her death in 1875, at the age of seventy-six years. Our subject was .the fifth of a family of eight children. He was raised on the farm, receiving a common school education, and worked at farming until 1871, when he came to Richwood and embarked in the stave trade. In 1880, he combined his business with his present partners, and established the firm as it now exists. In 1870, he married Adelaide Fawn, a native of Union County, and a daughter of Edward Fawn, who was a farmer of this county for forty-six years of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Bishop one child has been born, viz., Newton Otto. Mrs. Bishop is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN BLAIR, farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, Richwood, was born in Bedford County, Penn., May 25, 1831. His parents were Edmond and Esther (Casteel) Blair, natives of Pennsylvania, of English descent, who came to Ohio in 1832, and passed their entire lives on the farm. Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common school education. He has followed farming during the greater part of his life, and at present is also engaged in the sale of farming implements, at Richwood. He received a liberal start in lile, from his father, who was well-to do, and now owns 300 acres of prime land in this county. He was married in 1852 to Camellia Hodson, a native of Ohio, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Edmond, deceased, S. Milton and jjohn Frank. Mr. and Mrs Blair are members of the Methodist Protestant Church at Bethlehem, in which he is a Trustee. He is a Democrat in politics and has held most of the offices of the township. He came to this county in 1872 and settled two miles south of Richwood, where he now resides. He makes a specialty of Norman horses, -on which he has taken the premium twice at the State Fair, and has also a tine stock of cattle.

S. M. BLAKE, Richwood. Prominent among the enterprising business men of Union County figures the subject of this sketch, who is a member of the firm of S. M. & A. J. Blake, bankers, lumber dealers and proprietors of Richwood Planing Mills, and also senior member of the firm of S. M. Blake & Co., druggists. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, April 3, 1831, and is a son of James and Betsey (Avery) Blake. His father was a farmer, and emigrating to Ohio in 1826, located in Portage County. Our subject was raised on a farm, receiving a common school education and followed farming until 1874, when he moved to Richwood and engaged in the lumber trade and banking, both of which he has since followed with more than ordinary success. He subsequently embarked in the drug business and in 1881, associated himself in this business with C. E. Hill, under the firm name given above. He is a thorough business man, and takes an active interest in everything that pertains to the best interest of Richwood. He is a Republican in politics, and though he has no aspirations for official honors, he nas been called upon to till several of the town and township offices. He was married in 1857 to Harriet Parsons, by whom he has had seven children, four now living, viz.: Bessie, wife of J. E. Robinson, who has charge of the lumber yard of the firm of S. M. & A. J. Blake ; Gracie, Harry and Sylvia.

ADONIRAM JUDSON BLAKE, of Richwood, was born in Brimfield, Portage Co., Ohio, on November 15, 1835. His parents were from Litchfield County, Conn., having emigrated from there in the year 1825; he was the youngest of four brothers. There were also two sisters in the family, one younger and one older. During the first sixteen years of his life, his labors were such as are incident to a farmer boy's life, with only such school advantages as were oifered by the district school. For the next two years, he attended a high school a part of each year in an adjoining village. It was while attending one of these schools, known as an "academy," that his father "hired him out," to teach the winter term of school in one of the subdistricts of his native township. He entered upon this work a few days before he was eighteen years of age. His success in this, his first "term," can be measured by a proposition made to him by the School