Clark Township

Clark Township

CLARK township is the middle one of the five northern townships, touching Holmes county on the north. Mill Creek township on the east, Bethlehem on the south, and Monroe on the west. Its surface is broken and hilly, except along the streams, where the alluvial deposits broaden into fertile valleys. The soil in the bottoms is usually a heavy clay, and sometimes of a gravelly constituency ; on the hills, it is in jilaces clayey, but generally sandy. The whole township was heavily timbered when first the settlers began to occupy its territory, and among the varieties of wood most abundant were red, white and black oak beech, sugar, chestnut, hickory and poplar. A vigorous growth of the last mentioned variety flourished on the hills, and large C[uantities of it were rafted down the Killbuck in early daj'S, to Roscoe and Zanesville. Wheat and corn are largely grown, and much of the hillside lands is devoted to pasturage. Killbuck creek, which perpetuates the name of a famous Indian chief, is the main stream that courses through the township.

It enters fnmi the north, flows circuitously about and crosses into Bethlehem township at a point almost dircetly south of its point of entrance. Three wooden bridges sjian its waters witliin the limits of the township.

Its principal tributary is Doughty's fork, commemorative of the name of another Indian brave well known to the first pioneers. He doubtless pitched his wigwam upon the banlcs of this stream ; but not here only, for Captain Doughty was familiarly known to the early settlers on Will's creek in Linton township, and also in Virginia township and elsewhere. The stream that bears his name enters the northeastern part of Clark township from Holmes county and unites with Killbuck a short distance west of the township center. Smaller streams than these are Big run and Hoagland's run, both western tribtitaries of Killbuck, and Buckalew run which enters Bethlehem township and flows into Killbuck near its mouth.

The northern half of the township consists of military land ; the southern half is congress land, which was surveyed into sections for settlement in 1803 by Silas Bent, Jr. Of the military portion, the western half or second section was survej-ed into forty 100-acre lots by William Cutbush in 1808, and located by diflerent settlers in tracts of 100 acres or more. The northeast quarter of the township, or the first military section, a body of 4,000 acres, was granted by President John Adams to Jonathan Burrell, of New York City, by patent, dated March 2!», 1800. It was located for him by John Matthews, who received in compensation 284 acres from the northeast corner of the quarter. Li 1S07 Sir. Burrell disposed of the remainder of the section to Philip Itskin, of Baltimore, Maryland, who sold it in parcels to various persons.

The township was organized with its present limits in 1829. At the coming of the first settlers it was a part of Mechanic township. The adjoining township in Holmes county still bears this name. When Monroe towmship was formed, in 1824, it became a portion of it, and when Bethlehem was organized, in 1826, the southern part of what is now Clark was united to it. When this territory yet belonged to Mechanic township, the elections were held for a few years at the cabin of John Craig, near Bloomfield. The new township of Clark, in 1829, was organized at the house of Peter Buckniaster. Only fifteen or twenty votes were cast. ]5enjamin Patterson was elected clerk, and William Craig justice of the peace. John Duncan was the second justice, and was succeeded by Joel Glover, who served his township as '"squire" for twenty-one years. He was elected to his first term by a majority of one vote only. The township elections continued to be held at dwelling houses until the erection of the present township house, on the farm of Nicholas Mullet, some twenty years ago.

The townshiji was named in honor of Samuel Clark, then a county commissioner, who was among the earliest and most highly esteemed citizens of the Killbuck valley, a resident, however, of Bethlehem township

The first settlement in the township was made, probably, about 1815, though it is impossible to be exact, as the recollection of no one now in the township extends back beyond 1817 or 1818. IsiUic Hoagland was among the first arrivals, and probably was the first to settle permanently in what is now Clark. Has was also among the foremost pioneers of this county, coming in 1800, with Charles Williams, to " the prairies," in Bethlehem township, and the next year occupying, with him, the first house built in Coshocton. He was a soldier in Captain Adam Johnson's company, which did service on the frontier, in 1812. It is not know^n when he moved to this township. His farm near the Killbuck comprised the southwest quarter of section 16. Both he and his wife, a Carpenter, sister of Charles Williams' wife, died and were buried upon this place. They had a large family of children, some of whom died here, the others removing to the West, chiefly to Illinois. Mr. Hoagland is remembered as a genuine frontiersman, and wore the hunters garb up to the time of his death. Dressed in an old linsey hunting-shirt, belted around the waist, and fringed below, he spent much time in roaming the wilderness, in quest of game. In stature he was t;ill and, like most other settlers of that day, was unlearned in things pertaining to books.

from Bloomfield, on a 300-acre tract, and in ISIS, about twenty-five acres of it was cleared. He .sold it, however, about 1817, to William Austin, and removed elsewhere. Mr. Austin came from Chautauqua county, New York, with his only daughter, Lucy, a servant. Shurey Odlc, and a negress. Two sons remained in New York. Mr. Austin's sojourn here was brief, for he died in 1819. In this year William McBride came from Virginia to the Austin farm, and remained there until 1824. He then removed to Warsaw, but the year following he was drowned in the Walhonding, at Fry's ford, while attempting to cross the river on a horse His widow survived him many years, terminating her earthly career at the house of her daughter, Mrs. Martha Buckalew, in Monroe township.

John Craig settled on the location lot of the first section in 1818. He was born in Ireland, and emigrated to Washington county, Pennsylvania, from his native land when a youth of sixteen years. Thence he moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, and from that county here. A daughter, Mrs. Mary Dougal, had removed with her husband to Richland county. His son, William Craig, accompanied him to this township. They first built a house near the southeast corner of the township, but the next year, 1819, William erected a cabin for himself on the spot now occupied by the dwelling of Washington Lawrence, in Bloomfield. Both were engaged in agricultural pursuits. John Craig died in 1824; aged sixty-two years. William died August 17, 1853, having almost completed his seventieth year. John Craig served as justice of the peace from 1819 to 1822, when this territory belonged to Mechanic township. William, as stilted above, was the first justice of Clark township. His son Charles, also, has now for many years served the township in this capacity.

Abraham Miller settled upon the southeast quarter of section 16 in 1818 or 1820. He was the son of George Miller, a pioneer of Lafayette township was originally from Virginia and had been a member of Captain Adam Johnson's company in 1812. He was yet a young man when he came to this township and remained in it till his death. He had married a Miss McNeal, and his brother-in-law, Archibald McNeal, an Irishman, moved to his farm and lived there with him the remainder of his life.

Parker Buckalew came in about 1817 from Virginia, settling on the northwest quarter of section 25, where he remained the rest of his life, tilling the soil as an avocation, though spending much time in hunting, of which he was very fond. He was well respected by the community in which he lived, and upon his death was buried on the home farm. His children are still living in this vicinity. His brothers Samuel, James and John, afterward took up a residence in this township.

Eli Fox entered the township in 1820, locating in the eastern part of sectior^ 18. He was originally from Hartford county, Connecticut, and came to Zanesville at an early day. By trade he was a ship-carpenter, and after his emigration to Ohio devoted much attentio.. to milling. He rented the mills of Mr. Dillon, at East Zanesville, and operated them for some years, then purchased property and lived a short time in Granville township. Licking county. Not liking this country he returned to Zanesville and leased a piece of land near by. Soon after, he obtained the contract for building the first bridge across the Scioto, at Chillicothe. A little later he resolved to seek a more unsettled neighborhood and erect a mill. With this purpose in view he came to this township in 1820. He brought with him Piatt Williamson, William Barl and a Mr. Brooks, to assist in its erection. The mill was built about one-fourth mile above Helmick. In a few years it was burned, but was replaced by another on the site of the present mill at Helmick. Mr. Fox boarded with Piatt Williamson the first year, and in 1821 removed his family from Zanesville to his new home. He spent the remainder of his life here, and hisdescendents still cultivate the soil of the old home place.

Piatt Williamson was a native of New Jersey. In December, 1819, he emigrated to Zanesville, where he remained a year. He was a blacksmith, and followed this occupation in Zanesville. For one year after his arrival at Clark township, he remained in Mr. Fox's employ, performing the work connected with his trade necessary to the construction of the mill. He then bought SO acres of land from Mr. Kinney, and the next year entered 80 more. From this time until his death he carried on his trade and farming together. When a lad of seventeen, an apprentice in a blacksmith shop under an older brother, near Jersey City, he enlisted in the army during the war of 1812. His children are still residents of the township.

William Barl was also a New Jersey man by birth and a resident of Zanesville prior to his removal hither. He lived on section 18 and hunted and trapped a great deal. After a few years' stay in this township he removed to the vicinity of Marietta. Brooks remained here but a short time and returned to Zanesville.

Andrew Weather wax, a glass blower by trade, removed from Albany county, New York, to this township in 1821 and settled upon the southwest quarter of section 2.5, purchasing the land from James Buckalew. After his arrival he followed his trade a while in Zanesville, but devoted most of his time to farming. He died while visiting his sister in Bedford township in June, 1872, aged eighty-four years. His brothers Leonard and Adam settled here some ten or twelve years after his arrival.

William Estap was another early settler. He came into this township from Holmes county, purchased and occupied ninety acres about a mile west of Bloomfield, then a tract of two hundred acres two miles south of this village. He afterward removed to Monroe townshijj.

Isaac Purdy, from Pennsylvania, settled upon lot 11, section 2, prior to 1822. He tilled the soil here the remainder of his life. Jacob Frazier was another settler, who was a tax payer on real estate in section 25 as early as 1822. He was a shoemaker and followed this calling in this vicinity for a few years in connection with farming. He removed subsequently to Muskingum county and there died.

William Shepherd settled in section 24 probably as early as 1820. He was from Virginia.and, unlike the other settlers who made this township their home, came provided with bountiful means, driving a six-horse team and possessing a comfortable cash-box. But this proved a hinderance rather than help to him in developing his backwoods home. He was not spurred by necessity to exertion, and having no settled taste for hard work, he lived at ease until his available resources were exhausted, and then found that the sturdy blows of his neighbors had wrought a transformation in the value of their farms not discernable in his. A brother, Samuel, and a sister, Nancy, lived with him. He died in this township.

Isivac Johnson settled on eighty acres in the southeast quarter of section 23 about 1827. His mother was a sister of Isaac Hoagland, and he was the brother of John and Henry Johnson, the two lads who daringly killed their Indian captors in Jefferson county and escaped unhurt. Mr. Johnson subsequently dwelt for a time in Bethlehem township, then emigrated to Indiana.

Jonathan Maxon, Thomas Endsley, Benjamin White, Daniel Fulton and John Bise were other early settlers. Mr. Bise came in 1825 or 1826, settling upon the west half of the southeast quarter of section 23. In 1829 he sold this place to Joel Glover and removed to Muskingum county.

Mr. Glover is one of the few pioneers who still survive. He was born in JefTerson county in 1808 ; removed to Crawford county in 1826, and three years later to the place he now occupies. Wh.n he entered the township he moved into a deserted school-house, located on the place he had purchased. It was about fourteen by sixteen feet in size, built of split poplar logs, with a rude fireplace extending across one end of the room. In lieu of windows, a log had been removed from each side, to admit the light, and over this open space strips of oiled jiaper had been pasted.

The usual wild animals prevailing in this State in pre-colonization times, were numerous in Clark township, and the earliest white arrivals had abundant opportunities to gratify that love of hunting which is common to backwoodsmen. Deer, bears and wolves, and occasionally- a "painter," were the types of game the country aflbrded. Bill and Tom McNeal, sons of Archibald McNeal, on one occasion tracked a bear to a tall, hollow oak stub, in which it had taken refuge. The most feasible plan of obtaining the game was adopted; accordingly Bill clinied a hickory tree close by, and, having reached the proper height, crossed over and sat astride the hollow stub; his musket was handed him by Tom, who, at the foot of the tree, watched and waited, while Bill thrust the muzzle of his gun into the hollow tree and fired. The shot took effect, but only irritated the bear, and before Bill could realize his situation, the wounded bear was at the top of the tree. He had just time to drop his gun, seize a branch of the hickory tree and swing himself away from the bear's clutches. The bear hastily descended the tree and ran away. Tom shot and wounded bruin as he ran. The two young hunters followed up their game for about a mile, and discovered the bear behind a log, plugging its wounds with hair. This time both discharged their gun.s simultaneously and the bear fell dead. No Indian village is known to have been located in the township, but hunting parties of the red-skins frequently encamped on the Killbuck and Doughty fork. An Indian camp, built of split logs, and having only three sides, stood in a bend, on the north side of Killbuck, in the northeast quarter of section 17. The fourth side was wholly open, and when the camp was occupied at night, a log fire must be built across the open side, to protect the sleeping inmates from prowling animals. Tom Lyon was an Indian brave, who was wont to encamp on the banks of the Killbuck, with several other Indians. He was a tall, slim savage, and when irritated or intoxicated, taunted the white settlers who chanced to be within his hearing, by telling of the many pale-faces he had slain. He had taken ninetynine scalps, he said, and wanted one more to make it an even hundred. Becoming enraged at Abram Miller, one day, he boasted that he had shot Miller's grand father, in Virginia. John Hoagland, a lad of fifteen years, the son of Isaac Hoagland, was so incensed at the idle boasts of the Indian, that it was with difficulty he was restrained from shooting him. Lyon frequented his old haunts on the Killbuck, until about 1825, when lie bade them a final adieu, and started westward, in search of happier hunting grounds.

for terms of two or three months only in deserted cabins, or whatever buildings could be obtained for the purpose. The son of one of the earliest settlers relates that the "schooling" of his boyhood was as follows : The first school he attended was taught in an old cabin on Abe Miller's farm bj' Alexander Young. It was two months in duration. The next was one held on what is now J. J. Gamersfelter's land, in the southern part of the township. Adam Clark was the teacher of this school. The third was taught at the same place as the first, by Leonard Hogle; then one just south of this on the Opdyke place, taught by Mary Bassett The fifth and last was on Piatt Williamson's place, and was presided over by Durius Snow, a venerable, itinerant preacher of Monroe township. These five terms of two or three months each scarcely amounting to one year in all, constituted the extent of his school privileges between the ages of eight and twentyone years. The greater number of the neighboring children were equally limited in educational advantages. Other schools had been held not so remote as to render attendance impossible, but the tuition of the subscription schools, small as it now appears, was an item of expense that could not well be allowed every year by the majority of the settlers. The text books usually employed were the spelling-book and the new testament. When the first was completed, the pupil must continue his spelling lessons in the testament, and half the book would be spelled sometimes before the pupil was able to read a verse correctly. One of the earliest schools in the township was taught just west of JBloomfield, about 1828, by George Elliott.

The first, and for a long time the only, mill in the township was the one erected by Eli Fox. A saw-mill was first erected, and a little later a large grist-mill, containing one run of buhrs, afterward two. The buhrs were rude, rough stones, incapable of reducing the grist to impalpable fineness^ but they answered their purpose very well in those days. In 1829 the mill was burned. In a few years Mr Fox built a saw-mill about onefourth of a mile farther down the stream, at Helmick, and some time after the grist-mill was rebuilt at the same place The mill was afterward operated by James Clark, Albert and G. W. Seward, Absalom Petit and Benjamin Beck Mr. Beck is the present owner, and has owned it for about ten years He has rebuilt the saw-mill, constructed a new race, refitted the grist-mill, and is doing a good custom trade at present. Mr. Beck is also proprietor of a store located here. He is a resident of Holmes county, and the store is managed by Eugene Henderson. It was opened by Mr. Nelson, and by him transferred to Mr. Terrell. J. P. Henderson and William Jack were the next owners, and sold the property after a time to Mr. Robinson, W'ho disposed of it to Oliver and Saul Miller. Saul retired, and after a while it was purchased from Oliver Miller by the present owner.

A postoffice designated Helmick is located at the store. It was named in honor of William Helmick, of Tu.scarawas county, formerly the -congressional representative of this district. It was through his influence that the office was obtained. Absalom Petit was the first postmaster. Since the store was started the appointment has been held by the merchants successively operating here. A large amount of business is transacted at Helmick, much greater than the external appearance of thing,* would indicate. No village is situated near this point, it is readily accessible from all directions, and the postoffice, mills and store supply the wants of most of the farmers within a radius of several miles.

Two mills are at present located on Doughty's fork. One of these a combined saw and grist mill is situated a short distance below Bloomfield and is now owned by Michael Kaiser. A sawmill and a small "corn-cracker " were built on this site many years ago by Jacob Haviland. The property after a time came into the possession of John Duncan, who refitted the saw mill and built a large carding mill. The woolen factory remained in operation a number of years and was finally torn away to be replaced by a grist mill. Years later Benjamin Beck purcha.sed it, and several years ago he sold it to the present owner.

About one and a half miles below this John Crosley built a saw mill and soon after a grist mill, containing one run of buhrs. A second pair -was afterward added. The building was a rugged and rough frame structure and the floor was bolted by hand. A large undershot water-wlieel furnished the power. Crosley sold to George Croy, who erected a new building. John Powers was the next owner and he made extensive improvements in the machinery, purch ising and inserting new buhrs and new bolts. Mr. Kaiser, the next possessor, carried on a little distillery in connection with it for a while, but this was soon abandoned and the mill also gradually suspended operations. It has been purchased by Ed. Buckalew and only the saw mill is now running.

On the southwest quarter of section 14 on Hoagland's run a little saw mill was built years ago by Leonard Weatherwax. His .son John next operated it and after him Williamson McLaughlin, the present owner, obtained it. It still does a limited amount of sawing but not so much as formerly, for steam jiortable mills have superseded water mills here as elsewhere.

Bloomfield is the only village in the township. It lies in the extreme northeastern corner. No village plat was laid out here, but the town has had a natural growth, beginning about forty years ago. The main street forms the line between this and Holmes county, and some of the buildings are across the line in the other county. There are twenty-eight dwelling houses, mostly in this county. Some of them are handsome structures, and almost all are neat and tasty, indicating thrift and enterprise on the part of the inhabitants. Few, or none of the dilapidated structures, usually met with in a country town, are to be seen here. Bloomfield is so situated as to be unaffected by railroads, there being none nearer than Millersburg, and is in possession of a wholesome country trade. The village contains two general stores, owned by A. J. Doak and J. J. Myser, the latter in Holmes county. A hardware and tin store was opened about a year ago, and now owned by Leslie Chase. Two steam .saw and planing mills do an extensive business. The one in Coshocton county, owned by Henry Reynolds, has been in operation about four years. That of John Conkle & Co., located on the Holmes county side, was started since. The three blacksmith shops of J. Luke & Brothers, W. D Doty and Isaac R. Thompson, are in this county. The

The first buildings in this vicinity were the cabins of the Craigs, built over sixty years ago; then one was built in Holmes county by Aaron Purdy. James Kerr, about 1835, erected a cabin on the spot now occupied by Doak's new storehouse. The first store was opened across the line about 1842, by Aaron Purdy, and afterwards kept by James Kerr. But it did not remain in operation long. Teachout & Towsley started the first store on this side about 1845, in James Kerr's house. Charles Poe, about 1846, built a house where Doak's old building stands, and commenced mercantile business there. He died soon after, and Patrick Foley, Robert Graham and the present merchant, have successively operated here in this line since.

After Purdy and Kerr ceased merchandising on the Holmes county side, John Fisher kept a tavern in the building, for awhile. The first tavern had been opened years before, by William Edgar. O. Williams is the present hotel proprietor of the village, the hotel being in Holmes county

The first postoffice in diis neigborhood was Clark's, and William Craig was the first postmaster. William Tidball then kept it, about a mile south of the village. Subsequent postmasters have been William Craig, Samuel Tidball and A. J. Doak. The original name, Clark's, is still retained. A daily mail is received, the office being on the Millersburg and Coshocton route.

The two physician of the village have had an almost life-long residence here. Dr. J. Beach has been in continuous practice since 1849, and Dr. J. G. Carr since 1854. They were classmates while attending medical lectures at Cleveland, and Dr. Beach settled here at once, upon completing his course. Dr. Carr practiced five years at East Union, prior to locating at Bloomfleld. Other former practitioners here were Drs. Smith, Caskey, Cowan and Barton.

A cheese factory was started at Blnomfield, in 18CG, by George Craig, William Renfrew, Solomon Snyder and Robert Graham. For three years it was carried on extensively; then Mr.

The village does not contain a school. The adjoining district schools in the two counties are each about a mile from town. During Rev. Duncan's pastorate of the Clark Presbyterian church, he held a " select school " in the village, the only school ever kept there.

The Bloomfield Methodist Episcopal church was built during the summer of 1871, and dedicated January 14, 1872. Its cost was about $2,500. The congregation was not organized until after the erection of the building. Its members had previously been connected with Elliott's church, situated four miles north of Bloomfield. The original class was composed of twenty members, including Enos Casey and family, John Casey, Dr. J. G. Carr and wife, William Duncan and family, J. A. Evans and wife, and W. D. Doty and wife. Three other congregations are connected with this charge - Elliott's, Wolf Creek and Killbuck, all in Holmes county. Rev. A. E. Thomas was pastor 1870-72, and under his labors thirty-three were addetl to the Bloomfield church. Following him, the ministers in charge have been, Edward Bache (supply), one year; Stephen R. Clark, one year ; W. W. Smith, one year ; George E. Scott, one year; C. Craven, two years; M. L. Wilson, q_ne year, and J. Sanford, present incumbent, two years. The present church membership is about seventy. It was organized in March, 1872, with E. J. Pocock as superintendent. He was succeeded by W. D. Doty, who resigned, and his unexpired term was filled by J. A. Evans, assistant superintendent. J. A. Doak was next elected, and is now serving his third year in this capacity. Since its organization, the school has not missed holding meeting a single Sunday. The enrollment of its membership is about 100.

Near Bloomfield is the Clark Presbyterian church. It was organized March 22, 1834, by Rev. N. Conkling, with a membership of twelve, including George Watherwax and wife, Thomas Guthrie and wife, Nelly Kerr, John P. Kerr, William Craig and wife and Robert Guthrie and wife. These had mostly emigrated from Western Pennsylvania. Before the congregation was organized, occasional services had been held here by Kev. Conkling and others. For three years the services were held in the house or barn of William Craig. The first church building was erected in 1837 by George Weatherwax. Its cost was about $200. The site of the building, originally donated, was deeded to trustees May 10, 184G, by William Craig and wife, in consideration of one dollar. In 1S67 a new edifice was erected on the same site. It is a good sized and neatly built frarne structure, erected by Jacob Miller, and costing $2,250. The ministers of the church have been: Nathaniel Conklihg, 1834-38; Revs. AVashburn, Turbit and George Gordon were supplies from 1838 to 1845; S. M. Templeton, 1845- 47; Samuel Hanna, 1847-51; John M. Boggs, 1851-56; R. AV. Marquis, 1857-72; A. S. Milholland, 1873-75; T. D. Duncan,- 1875-79; J. A. E. Simpson, April, 1880, present pastor. Before Rev. Marquis' pastorate, this congregation was connected with the Keene church; since then it has formed a separate charge. The elders of the church have been John P. Kerr, Thomas Guthrie, Robert Huston, George Weatherwax, Thomas Shannon, William Weatherwax, George R. Altman, James Endsley, Jr., and John T. Crawford. The last five compose the present session. The present membership of the church is about 150. A Sunday-school has been in successful operation for more than forty years. It was formerly conducted only during the summer, but at present the whole year. The average attendance through the entire year is about forty. Albert Altmanhas recently been elected superintendent succeeding John T. Crawford, resigned, who had had charge of the school for about four years.

Clark Township Regular Baptist Church, situated near Helmick, was organized June 19. 1833, by T. G Jones and E. Otis, with eleven members. Shortly after the organization, the church licensed one of her members, Benjamin White, to preach, and in June, 1834, he was ordained as an elder, and called regularly to the pastorate, in which relation he continued about nine years. Of the early members may be mentioned Edward Mattox and wife, Benjamin White, Piatt Williamson and wife, Jacob Mattox and wife, Sylvanus Haviland and wife, William Baldwin and wife, Collin Smith and wife, Mr. Moody, William Pugh and wife and William and Isaac Cross. The earliest services were conducted at the house of Edward Mattox, until the church was erected, in about the year 1840. It stood about two miles northeast from Helmick, in section 12. It w^as a rough frame building, of medium size, erected with a small outlay of money. Immediately after this meeting house was built a .series of revival services were held with great success by the pastor and Rev. Elijah Freeman. They resulted in twenty-five or more accessions to the church. After Elder White closed his labors as pastor of the church, a division arose in the councils of the congregation, owing to the desire of some for a removal of the church location, and in a short time two branches separated from the church and held services elsewhere, one at Baldwin's school-house, some distance southeast from the church, and one at Piatt Williamson's. By removals these branches became too weak to maintain separate organizations, and they were united as before, Elder White again becoming pastor of the church. The present house of worship was erected in 1868, on land donated for this purpose by Amos Fox. It was constructed by Isaac Williamson, is thirty-four by forty-four feet in size, with a seating capacity of three or four hundred persons, and represents a cash outlay of about $1,300. The pastors in order have been B. White, Elder Ammerman, H. Sampson, J. W. Dunn, 8. W. Frederick and Howard Clark. The last mentioned has been ministering to this people for the space of about three years. The estimated membership of the church is thirty.

The Sunday-school, held only during the summers, has been an efficient aid in the church work almost from the organization of the society. It now has a membership of fifty, and is under the supervision of William Williamson.

Two organizations of the Evangelical association belong to this township - Hopewell church and Salem church. The former is situated near the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 17. The society was organized about 1863 in the school-house adjoining. A Methodist class, including some of its members, had been formed a few years before by Rev. Henry Lawson, and the failure to fill appointments for services produced its decline. The first meetings were held in the school-house. During an early revival, this becoming too limited to contain the the congregation, the services were transferred to the lower rooms in Johnson Williamson's house. Amongst the earliest members, were Jackson Miller and wife, Johnson Williamson and wife, William McLaughlin and wife, Lizzie and Rose Orney, Susan Mullet, Josiah Green, Peter Buckmaster and wife, and Nelson Bartlett and wife. In 18(39 the congregation erected a substantial and commodious frame house of worship, at a cost of about $1,100. Jacob Rasselar and George Hossenflaug were the first ministers. Revs. H. T. Strouch, Shultz, Strome, William King, J. S. Hawks, W. H. Engle, C. Haldeman, John Duly, Elisha Pier, J. J. Conaghy, F. R. Tuthero, Otto Spreng, J. W. Smith and J. R. Reinhart, have since served in this capacaty. The present membership is ninety-four.

A Sundy-school is in constant and successful operation, under the present superintendency of Elisha Pier. It has a membership of about forty. Its organization dates contemporaneously with th.at of the church and soon after its formation ; under the m.anagement of John Smaile it attained an unrivaled degree of prosperity, its membership at one time very closely approximating 100.

Salem church is located on lot 8, of the second quarter, close to the northern line of the township, and its membership probably is as strong in the adjacent county as in this. It was organized as a German class, in 1862, with a membership of twenty-six, including John Dobbert and wife, H. Scheibe and wife, Gottfreid Soheibe and wife, Valentino Scheibe, Jacob Mullet and wife, Herman Rodhe and wife, Fritz Grafe, Joseph Lint and wife, and Francis Schueberger and wife. Rev. William Pfeiffer was the first minister. The church belongs to the same circuit that includes Hopewell Church. The early meetings were held in an old log church, near the present church, formerly occupied by a United Brethren congregation, which for a few years maintiiined an organization here. In 1871, the church building now in service was erected, at a cost of $1,000. It is a frame building, the dimensions of which are twenty-five by thirty-five feet. In 1876, an English class was organized, and the two h.ave since been carried on separately. The German class cont;iins sixteen members at present; the English class, fifty-five. The services are now usually conducted in English.

A Sunday-school was started soon after the church was built, and has maintained a successful existence since, during the summer months. Michael Kaiser is its present superintendent. In membership it numbers seventy-three.

A Disciple churdi stands close to the western line on lot .37 of the second section. It is a modest frame structure erected in the summer of 1874 at a cost of $450 and dedicated December 27 of the same year. Prior to this, services had been held for sometime in the adjoining schoolhouse. Its early membership included the names of ^ohn Foster and wife, Jackson Stover and wife, Sarah McNeal, Catherine Foster, Nancy Smith, Ingabew Hughes, Mrs. Martha Buckalew and Mary Woolum. Rev. Urias Huffman was the founder of the church. He was succeeded in a ministerial capacity by Thomas Stewart, who had charge of the church for about two years, and was succeeded by his predecessor. During the last few months services have not been regularly conducted. The membership is quite small at this time. A Sunday-school was organized in the spring of 1875 and has been held every summer up to this date.