Crosby Township (part 1 of 2)

Geography And Topography

Crosby is bounded on the south by the Great Miami and Whitewater townships, on the west by Harrison township, on the north by Butler county, and on the east by the Great Miami river, which separates it from Colerain township. Its present lines begin at the point on the Great Miami where the parallel between sections twenty four and twenty-five intersects the river, thence west of the southwest corner of section twenty-two, thence north to the Butler county line, thence east to the Great Miami, and down that stream along its course to the place of beginning. The south line, separating this township from Whitewater, is but two and three-fourths miles long, its west line four miles, its north line six and a half miles.

Crosby township, as cut down to its present limits by the formation of other townships, is the smallest in the county, with the exception of its neighbor, Harrison, and of Delhi and Spencer. It comprises but fifteen full sections and seven fractional sections, the latter being those which abut upon the Great Miami river. Its total acreage is twelve thousand three hundred and eightytwo. The section lines in this township are exceedingly irregular, far more so than in any other township of Hamilton county west of this stream, a fact thoroughly surprising in view of its location altogether upon the Congress lands, with which Judge Symmes' blundering surveyors and surveying purchasers are supposed to have had nothing to do. The second tier of sections from the west, for example, has an average breadth scarcely more than half as great as that of the sections in the tier next on either side of it. Those in the westernmost tier are considerably broader from east to west than from north to south, but are tolerably perfect parallelograms, while those next to the east, the three entire sections in the third tier from the west, and the two full sections in each of the next succeeding tiers - that is, to say, all the full sections in the township, except those of the westernmost tier - are trapezoids, by virtue of the divergence or convergence of their meridian lines. The other lines are parallel, and the north line of the county, west of the Great Miami, separating Crosby and Harrison townships from Butler county, is perfectly straight, unlike the boundary line resulting from Symmes' surveys between the Miamis. It, however, strikes the Great Miami about half a mile below the point where the north line of Colerain intersects that stream. Had the parallel of Colerain been continued westward, as the north boundary line of the county west of the river, it would have brought into Hamilton the village of Venice, now in Butler county.

The ranges in which Crosby township lies are: Range one, township three, comprising within it the three western tiers of sections, and so by far the larger part of the township; and range two, township two, comprising the five full and six fractional sections east of the range line.

The principal waters of Crosby are the Great Miami river and the Dry fork of the Whitewater river. The former curves in and out in a most remarkable manner on the eastern and southern fronts of this township, and contrives to wash about nine linear miles of its territory, in making southward across but four miles of latitude. Its general course is to the southwestward, though it flows toward every point of the compass in passing this township, and making its wonderful twists and bends. The great bend noted at some length in the history of Colerain township, as nearly enclosing the peninsula upon which stand the famous ancient work and the site of Dunlap's station, projects its nose into Crosby township. The river receives, near the northeast corner of this township, a small tributary which heads across the line near Venice; a mile below New Baltimore it welcomes the waters of Paddy's run, which also takes its rise in Butler county, but, a little more than midway of its course, upon section seven, gets a small affluent which is altogether in Hamilton; and just before leaving the township has another but petty tributary.

The Dry fork of Whitewater intersects witli an exceedingly tortuous course the entire western part of the township, entering upon section three, near the northwestern corner of the township, passing to the south and eastward until near the eastern line of the second tier of townships from the west, and thence making its way southwestward to its point of exit almost at the southwestern corner of Crosby. In its many turnings and windings it must, like the Great Miami, measure scarcely less than nine miles in length of channel while making the four miles of distance across the township. It takes its singular name from the disappearance of its waters in the dry season before reaching their usual debouchure into the Whitewater west of Hunt's grove, in Whitewater township. Two of its larger tributaries - Howard's creek, which rises in Butler county and enters the Dry fork at New Haven; and Lee's creek which comes from Harrison township, joining the Dry fork not far from the town line in section twenty-two - take their names from noted old pioneers.- Several other streams of moderate size, mostly flowing

Thomas Enoch Sater Mrs. Thomas E. Sater

This gentleman was born November 2, 1831, in Crosby township, as were all his brothers and sisters. He is the youngest child of William and Nancy (Jones) Sater. He married IVlary Ellen Pottinger, of the wellknown pioneer family, December 19, 1855. She was the daughter of James W. and Mary Pottniger, of New Baltimore and then of Harrison township. Dearborn county, Indiana. Her day of birth was October 10, 1837, of death May 25, 1B5B, after a lingering illness with consumption. By this marriage was born one son - James Pottinger, born November 14, 1856; married February 14, 1878, to Miss Libbie Crocker, of Middleton, Iowa. They have two children - Arthur C, born December 29, 1878, and a daughter, not yet named, born January 28, 1881. He resides at the old home of his mother in Dearborn county, Indiana. A second time Mr. Sater was married, September 26, i860, to Miss Mary Gwaltney. By her he has children as follows: Olive May, born October 26, 1861; Eliza Ann, born February 4, 1865; Joseph T., born June 5, 1870. All these are with their parents at home. Mr. Sater was educated simply in the district schools of his childhood and youth, but has supplemented early deficiencies by much reading and observation of the world. His father died when he was but sixteen years old; he continued at home, assisting in the management of the farm until the property was divided in 1850, when the homestead, with seventy-five acres attached, fell to him, to which he has since made substantial additions, owning now one hundred and one-half acres. He has remained a quiet farmer at the old home since, but has often been called to fill public offices, as township clerk, assessor, and the like, and was member of the house during the Sixtyfirst general assembly of Ohio, in 1874-5, being elected on the Democratic ticket, to which he has given a lifelong allegiance. Here he was assigned to service on the important committees of agriculture and retrenchment. In all public and private stations he has borne himself as a man of integrity and energy, and bears a high reputation among his acquaintances and friends. In connection with his brother, presently to be noticed, he has been influential in the counsels of the Democratic party and in keeping his township generally true to that faith. He has been a Free and Accepted Mason since May, 1852, and has advanced to the degree of Knight Templar. In this order he has filled about all the offices of the Blue Lodge, and is now a member of Council, Chapter, and Commandery, of Cincinnati. Mary (Gwaltney) Sater is a daughter of the late Dr. Samuel and Sarah Gwaltney, of Crosby, formerly of Anderson township, where the father is believed to have been born November 2, 1799. In this township he was married to Sarah Wheatley, January 6, 1820. She was born April i, 1794, and died October 16, 1871. He died May 25, 1872, also at New Haven. Their daughter Mary was born November 4, 1828, in Colerain township. Other children of the family were: James, bom April 2, 1821, married Sarah Sater February 7, 1843, and resides in Morgan township, Butler county: Martha Ann, born December 7, 1822, died January 4, 1861: Josiah, born August 26, 1834, married Mary Ann Atherton Septembfer 12, 1859, and after her death, Mrs. Catharine Mason in 1875 or 1876, and resides on a farm adjoining that of his brother-in-law, Mr. Sater; Robert J., born August 3, 1826, married Elizabeth Smith September 3, 1854, and is a physician living in Fayette county, Indiana; Washington, born October 21, 1830, died July 19, 1831; Elizabeth, born May 14, 1832, resides with her brother-in-law, Thomas E. Sater; Rhoda, born May 14, 1832, married Oliver W. Clark October 1859, and lives near Rockport, Spencer county, Indiana.

Dr. Gwaltney was in his day, and for many years, a prominent physician in Anderson and Colerain townships, in Crosby township from 1825 to 1844, and Fayette county, Indiana, from 1844 to the fall of 1849, when he moved back to the village of New Haven, Crosby township, where he spent the remainder of his days, being at the time of his death by far the oldest physician in this region. It was at his house, in July, 1863, during the passage of John Morgan's rebel force through New Haven, that Morgan and Colonel Basil Duke held a council in regard to their future movements through Hamilton county and the State.

Mary Gwaltney remained with her parents in Colerain and Crosby townships until her marriage with Mr. Sater. She was educated in the district and village schools. Since her marriage herhistory has been almost altogether that of her husband.' She was reared in the Baptist faith, to which her parents were attached.

So well-watered a tract, considering the general character of the Miami valleys, naturally does not abound in hill-country. The township is largely taken up by the level, fertile belts of alluvial land adjoining the stream; but is pleasantly diversified in places by higher spots, in hills and ridges, none of which, however, are lofty or particularly abrupt.

Crosby is the only township in Hamilton county, except Colerain, which has not a foot of railway upon its soil. The route of the projected Liberty, Connersville, and Richmond railroad is, however, surveyed to enter this township from Butler county, near the centre of the north line of section six, running thence south and east about four miles to New Baltimore, a little east of which it will cross the Great Miami. There is also a rather unsual paucity of wagon-roads in the township, but seemingly sufficient for the needs of the people.

The township has at present but three villages - New Haven and Whitewater, in the western part, and New Baltimore, in the southeast, about five miles from New Haven.

Ancient Works

A number of mounds, and at least one enclosure of some importance, exist in this township. The latter is a little north of New Baltimore, on the Great Miami, in a bend of which it is located, and corresponds to its curves, making an imperfect semi-circle. Human remains have recently been taken from a mound at this place.

Two miles and a half southeast of New Haven, on the farm of Mr. Daniel Whipple, is an ancient buryingground, now thickly overgrown with underbrush. It is said the graves in this are marked by stones. On the same range of hills, three miles south of New Haven, on J. W. Scott's place, is a superb mound, the finest in this region, which has never been excavated. Both of these lie not far from the lower or shorter road from New Haven and New Baltimore.

Upon a hill west of John Meyers farm, in this township, are two or three mounds, from which portions of skeletons have been taken. Similar remains have been found in the township, exactly south of New Haven, on the range of hills along the Dry fork of Whitewater, where seems to be a regular ancient cemetery, in which, it is said, the bodies were placed in square spaces, protected on all sides by a kind of red limestone. About fifty graves have been identified there, with one or two mounds. Dr. Bartlett, the veteran practitioner at New Haven, declares that the bones found here are not those of the red man.

Southwest of New Haven, half or three-fourths of a mile, on the Simonson farm, is another mound, of eight to ten feet height. Besides human remains, . there have been taken from the ancient works of Crosby township well-executed pipes, stone articles of admirable workmanship and finish, pottery in various shapes, and other evidences of at least a partial civilization.

arid hero of some of the most remarkable stories of the border warfare, particularly of the conflict with the chief Big Foot. His remains are interred in the buryingground used by the North family of Shakers, one to two miles from New Haven.

First Settlements

Joab Comstock was probably the pioneer white in Crosby township. He immigrated from the vicinity of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1801, made a large entry of land, embracing several sections, and made his home about one mile and a half east of the present village of New Haven (Preston post office), with his farm reaching the bank of the Great Miami and the road to Venice, Butler county. He was the founder, in 1815, of the village of New Haven, in this township. He laid out the village of Crosby soon after coming, giving it his moth- . er's maiden name, the township subsequently formed also taking its name from it. This was the only village of much account in the whole valley when the township was set off.

In April, 1801, when the public lands west of the Great Miami were first offered for sale at Cincinnati, a notable purchase was made in the northwest part of what is now this township. Jeremiah Britterfield, an enterprising young Massachusetts man who had come to Cincinnati shortly before as a prospector, and had assisted Colonel Ludlow to run the boundary line between the territory of the United States and that of the Indian tribes, as prescribed by the Greenville treaty, formed a company with Knoles and Alvin Shaw, their father. Esquire Shaw, Asa Harvey, and Noah Willey, to make investments in the lands. They bought at the first sales two full sections and as many large fractional sections, extending from near the mouth of Indian creek, in what is now Butler county, about three miles down the Great Miami into this township and county. The tract comprises about two thousand acres, nearly all bottom land, perfectly level, and exceedingly fertile. In order to secure it the company bid ten cents per acre above the minimum price, thus getting for two dollars and a dime an acre a tract probably now worth not less than two hundred thousand dollars. The six joint owners then divided the land, under a survey made by Emanuel Vantrees and according to the amounts they had respectively paid, each having a front on the river and his piece stretching back to the west line of the tract. Mr. Butterfield thus obtained eight hundred acres, partly in Buttler and partly in Hamilton county. . His own residence he fixed at a point near where Venice has since been founded. He handsomely improved his place, being the first in that region to plant an orchard, became an influential and wealthy citizen, and died at a good old age June 27, 1853. His sons Sherebiah, John, and Jeremiah, have since lived prosperously on parts of the ancestral estate, in Crosby township. The first named was during many years a justice of the peace for the township.

Among other early settlers were the Cones, the Dicks, the Wakefields, and other well known families, many of whom will be further noticed in this chapter.

The Original Records

of Crosby township were kept by Hartman Vantrees, Robert Simmonds, Elijah Thompson, Daniel Bailey, C. Atherton, and Patterson Blackburn. The ear-marks of stock owners were duly and numerously recorded, as the law required in that day. Some of the entries are as follows :

No. I. June 25, 1803. Hartman Vantrees' ear-mark is a crop off left ear and a hole in the right ear. His brand is H. V. . No. 2. July 14, 1803. Noah Willey's ear-mark is a half crop on the under side of the left ear. (Taken up by Israel Buell).

Township Clerk. No. 50. August 30, 1814. Clark Bunnell's ear-mark is a crop off each ear and an under-bit off both ears, with a slit in the end of the left.

No. 53. January 24. 1815. Joseph Saters ear-mark is a crop and a slit and an upper and an under-bit, all on the right ear. His brand isj. S.

Township Clerk. No. 70. July 24, 1817. Isaac Frost's ear-mark is a crop off the left ear, a slit on the right, and an under-bit out of the left.

No. 107. October 6, 1838. John Baughman's ear-mark is a large under-slope off both ears, so made as to take both the point and heel of the ear, which mark is sometimes called fo.xing.

Joab Comstock

February 10, 1824. State of Ohio, Hamilton county, to Enoch C. Hunter, constable of Crosby township: You are commanded to summons Polly Mathews to depart from this township with her family, if she has any, in time prescribed by law, and of this writ make due return.

These documents show that Hartman Vantrees was township clerk in 1803-5; Robert Simmonds in 1809; Daniel Bailey, 1815; Elijah Thompson, 1817; John Cavender, 1826; and Joab Comstock, 1838. James Scott, it also seems, was a justice of the peace in Crosby in 1826, and Nathaniel Crookshank then an overseer of the poor. We have also notes of the following justices in the years designated :

The Crosby Town-House

During the last few years of the late Rebellion, there was an organization composed of the voters in the township, for the purpose of aiding persons who were drafted. Each member deposited a certain sum of money with the treasurer of the society. Of course the entire aisociation was not hkely to be called to the army at the same time, hence when a member was drafted a substitute was sent in his place, paid out of the treasury of the organization: thus it only cost the unlucky man a proportionate share of the expense. When the secession ended there remained some twelve hundred dollars in the treasury. The question was finally decided that a township house should be built with the remaining funds.

An Incident

Perhaps the most remarkable case of lightning stroke on record, so far as it relates to effects upon the human being and remarkable recovery from terrible injuries thereby, occurred in this township about the year 1835, upon a farm one and a half to two miles northwest of New Haven. Captain James Cummins, who resided there, is the principal hero of the story. It was in the early spring, upon an afternoon, that a heavy thundercloud, threatening rain, was observed in the west. As it came up in the sky, it spread along the horizon, and from the horizon toward the zenith, making repeated and powerful lightning discharges during its approach. One of these at length descended upon the premises of Captain Cummins. The astonishing effects upon the house and its occupants, and especially upon the head of the family, are thus told in a letter to the Harrison News of February 19, 1880, from Burlington, Iowa, by Mr. Joab Comstock, jr., who 'H'as at the time a student of medicine with Dr. James Comstock, at New Haven:

It struck the chimney of the house, ran down on the west side of it to the ridge of the roof, but soon parted, one stream passing down on the north side of the roof, zigzagging across the shingles until about midway, when it took down over the eave and the casing of a window, and thence to the ground. The other stream passed in like manner diagonally across the south side of the roof, but before reaching the eave divided again, one stream running over the eave and down the casing of a front window; the other stream going on further in like manner, ran down the casing of the front doOr, then into the ground. Mrs. Cummins was sitting in the west room, near its middle, rocking the cradle. John, the oldest son, was in the cham jer above, lying on the bed reading. Nancy, the eldest daughter, was doing something before a bed that was in the room, where her mother sat. Two younger girls were in the other room attending to the work there. The mother was severely shocked, but not seriously hurt. Nancy was thrown forward onto the bed before which she was standing, but not much hurt; John, who was up-stairs, was stunned so much, as he told me. that the first thing that he remembered he was half way to New Haven for a doctor.

Residence And Mills Of Geo Abnitz, New Baltimore, Ohio

IMr. Cummins called Adam, the second son, to help him carry the new wagon under the shed. Adam took the end of the tongue, it being a stiff tongue, and the father took the a.xle. Adam had passed under the shed, and Mr. Cummins had reached a position directly under the point of the scythe that hung above him, when a stream of lightning, which, no doubt, had become detached from the main shaft, was attracted by the scythe, and by it conducted to its point, dropped on the top of the captain's head. It made a small hole in the middle of the hat-crown, much like a small bullet-hole; the body and rim of the hat, which was of strong felt, were literally torn to pieces. The neighbors picked up and counted si.vty-three pieces. The crown of the hat remained entire, except the hole through the centre. His underclothes were badly torn and set on fira. The pants, of nearly new and strong casinet, had the backs of the legs torn literally into shreds. His shoes, nearly new and of strong cowhide, had the outside quarters literally torn out. The stream, after penetrating the hat-crown, struck Mr. Cummins just in the crown or curl of hair on the top of his head. It spread out into a stream some three inches wide, passing down the back bf his head and neck, burning the hair into a crisp, and matting it to the scalp so firmly that I presume I was an hour in detaching it from the scalp. On the back of the neck the stream divided, one part passing on down the spine to the hips, burning a wide strip all the way as broad as your hand and setting the clothes on fire. There were two or three places burned so deeply that subsequent sloughing took place. At the hips the main stream, as I call it, divided, the two streams passing down the back of each leg, and off at the heels, as above stated. The stream that parted from the main stream on the neck wound around the side of the neck to the sternum or breast-bone, passing down the sternum to the pit of the stomach; then it divided and wound around each side to the hips, and tliere united with the stream already described; and thus united, passed off at his heels.

Captain Cummins was of course very severely injured by the tremendous shock and the burns received. It is almost beyond belief that one could have such an electric discharge pass through, or rather over him, and not be instantly struck out of life. He did lose his hearing, at once and forever. Mr. Comstock tells the rest of the story in these words :

He recovered slowly, but suffered a great deal from his burns and the shock his nervous system had received. I visited him and dressed his wounds every morning for two or three weeks. It would take as much plaster to cover his burns as would cover the leaf of a common breakfast table. He finally recovered his health, and became hearty and well, and in 1839 moved with his family to Iowa, and settled at Middletown. He subsequently died of cholera; so that what lightning failed to accomplish the cholera did. I have nevei» read or heard of a parallel case to this, and I do not believe there can be a case to equal it found on record.

Notes Of Settlement

Ezra Sherman, sr., was born in Cqnn.e-Cticut in the yeari76^;__ He served for a short time in the Revolutionary war, and also took part in Wayne's campaign. He was a member of the Methodist church, and for a number of years was a minister in that denomination. Coming to this State with the Ohio company he settled in Washington county, near Waterford. He was one of the first settlers who ventured into what was then the Northwestern Territory, and remembers seeing the first steamboat that sailed down the Ohio river. He married Mary Pierce, a native of Connecticut. After a few years in Ohio he removed his home to Kentucky, and thence, after a stay of six years, to Indiana, where he lost his wife in 1822. After her death, the father and three of his children joined the society of Shakers, in which they remained till death. The family consisted of five children - Anna, who married David E. Whitney, of Hamilton county; Manley, who married Frances Sterritt, of the same; Abel, married Ann McGuire, of Alabama; Ezra, who never married, and lives in this township; and Mary E., also single, and living in Indiana.

Ezra Sherman, jr., one of the first trustees of the society of Shakers, was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1805. When seven years old he went with his parents to Kentucky to live, and afterwards to Indiana. In 1826 he joined the society of Shakers. At various times he has learned the boot and shoemaker's, the stonemason's and the blacksinith's trades. He is a natural mechanic, and can do at once almost anything in the manufacturing line. He understands farming equally well, and has given especial attention to bee culture. Owing to the rules of the society, he takes no part in political affairs. He has voted for President of the United States only once, and that was for John Quincy Adams.

Joab Whipple was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 20, 181 7. About the year 1839, he removed to this county. His wife's maiden name was Jane J. Lutis, daughter of Isaac Lutis. They were married January 12, 1837. Nine children were duly born to them - Elizabeth L., Albina, Eunice J., Phoebe L., Isaac L., Zachary T., David J., Charles F., and Joab C. Of these, only five are now living - Elizabeth, Eunice, Isaac, Zachary, and Joab. Elizabeth married Henry Cone, and resides in Butler county; Isaac married Miss Inia L. Davis, and is a resident of Frankhn county, Kansas; Zachary married Miss Letitia A. Davis, and also is in Butler county, Ohio; Joab married Miss Elizabeth Wabnitz, and lives in Crosby township. The last-named lives on the old home, his sister Eunice living with him. He was married March 17, 1880. Mrs. Whipple is a member of the church of United Brethern, and is one of its most liberal supporters. Joab Whipple, jr., is now a leading farmer in Hamilton county. His father died July 4, 1859, aged forty-six years. He was a man respected by all who knew him.

Charles Cone, one of the pioneers, was born in Connecticut in the year 1772, whence he emigrated with his family in the spring of 1800, and was a resident of the county up to the time of his death, April 26, 1853. He was married to Miss Jane Harvey, who became the mother of twelve children : Rufus, Philena, Ann, Charles, Asa, James, James S., Thomas H., Grace, Rachel, William, £ind Martha. All of these but one, William, are now alive. He was born in this county January 2, 1810, and has been a resident of the county all his life, with the exception of about two years. He has been twice married; first February 6, 1834, to Miss Mary Atherton, daughter of Henry Atherton, of Massachusetts. Three children followed: William H., Charles, and George M. February 9, 1841, he married Miss Mary Brown, daughter of Joseph Brown, of Butler county. To them were born two children : Rachel J., and Joseph. All the children have been married and are living. Mr. and Mrs. Cone are both members of the Presbyterian church, of which they are liberal supporters. When the elder Mr. Cone came to Ohio the country was all in woods. The first thing he did was to build a cabin to shelter his family. At a later day he built an inn on the bank of the

Great Miami river, and kept a ferry-boat for taking people across. The Indians at that time were exceedingly troublesome. William,' the son, is now living in the same yard where the house stood in which he was born, and has reached the ripe age of seventy. His memory is still good, and ^he looks as though he might live many more years.

.William W. McClure, jr., fourth child of William Mc- Clure, sr., was born in Franklin county, Indiana, November 6, 1830. In 1 86 1 he moved to Hamilton county, where he has remained to the present day. February 18, i860, he was married to Miss Martha A. Simonson, daughter of Barney Simonson, and to them were born six children, two of whom, William and Martha, are dead, and Elizabeth, Barney, Mary, and James, remain at home. Mr. McClure is considered a model farmer and one of the most influential citizens of the county. He is a consistent Christian, too; has long been a reUable member of the Christian church of his vicinity. At the present date he is serving his second year as school director in the township for district No. 2.

Andrew Nugent, sr., one of the pioneers, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1786. From this place he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1812. He was married to Miss Mary Hill March 4, 1814. Seven children were given them : Christiana, Catharine, James, John, Andrew J., William S., and Julia. Of these, all are living, with the exception of John. The mother died August 2, 1865; the father followed November 14, 1872. William was born in Whitewater township, Hamilton county, February 23, 1830; came to Crosby township in i860, and has been a resident there ever since. He was married twice; first to Miss Elizabeth F. Lacy, daughter of Thomas Lacy, on the first of March, 1855. Ten children were born to them; three are now dead, and the mother also died November 12, 1875. His second marriage was to Mrs. Lydia Breese, daughter of Curtis Dean, and the widow of John Breese, on the eighth of March, 1878. Mrs. Nugent is a member of the Methodist Epis- * copal church, and has always been active in its work and reliable in its support. Her husband connects himself with no organization. He is, however, a good moral man in his life, and has always been a worthy and respectable citizen. Andrew J. Nugent, the fifth child, and brother of the preceding, was born in Whitewater township on the fifth day of July, 1826. About the year 1854 he moved to Crosby township, and has been a resident here from that date to the present. He was married first to Miss Mary Baughman July 23, 1853. Eight children were born to them. Mrs. Nugent died on the second of October, 1873. He was married, the second time, to Miss Mary A. Bacon, of Miami township, August 2, 1879. One child has been added to his family. Mr. Nugent joined the "hundred days'" service during the late war of the Rebellion. He is now an enterprising farmer and a respected citizen.

William G. Oyler, second son of George and Sarah Oyler, was born in Kent, England, August 22, 181 7. In 1828 he came to America. His home was with his parents in Crosby township, and he has remained in the same location, with the exception of four years' residence in Indiana. He was married first to Miss Rebecca Phillips, of Butler county, on the fifth of April, 1839. Their family consisted of six children. Of these three are living - Harriet, Sophia and Sarah. All are married : Harriet to Franklin Washburn, and is residing in the State of Indiana. Sophia married Alexander Campbell, and remains in this county. Sarah married William H. Guy, July 25, 1850, and lives in Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Oyler married for his second wife. Miss Eliza Vantress, daughter of Isaac Vantress, of Indiana. She had nine children; Rebecca, James'A., Alice C, Ada M., Elizabeth, Electa J., McClellan, William T., and Lida B. Of these seven are hving, Rebecca and Elizabeth having died. The seven are all at home, excepting Alice, who married Charles L. Purlee on the sixth of October, 1880, and James, who has made his home in Kansas. Mr. Oyler has served as trustee in Crosby township for a period of fourteen years, and in every way ranks in his neighborhood as a leading citizen, and a genuinely good man.

Samuel Pottinger came with his family to Hamilton county in 1815, and continued a resident of that county up to the time of his death. He was the father of eighteen children. John, the father of our subject, was born near Bardstown, Kentucky, April 2, 1797. He was married to Sarah Cornick about the year 1821. Eleven children were afterward born to them : Susanna, David H., Eliza A., James, Mary J., John, Samuel, Thomas, Sarah J., Nancy, and Elizabeth E. Of these, seven are living and four dead. David H,, the second child, was born in this county February 11, 1825, and has remained a resident all his life. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Atherton, daughter of Amos Atherton, October 10, 1847. Five children followed this union: John W., Mary A., David F., William, and Sarah E. - all living except William. Two are at home, and two are married. John married Maria A. Simonson, and they are living in Crosby township. Mary married George Kemp, and they reside in Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pottinger are members of the United Brethren church, and are classed among the most prosperous and worthy citizens of their township and county.

Hugh Montgomery, the fourth child of Henry Montgomery, was born in Butler county, Morgan township, in the year 1821, February 28th. Hemarried Miss Phoebe Brisbin, daughter of Robert Brisbin, January 18, 1849. Of this union were born twelve children : Ellen, Aaron, Mary, James, Thomas, Sarah, Henry, William and Nancy, living; and Mary, Andrew and George, dead. Seven of the children are still at home. James married Martha Sefton, and is a resident of Crosby township. Ellen married Benjamin Hawk, and they reside in the same township. Mr. Montgomery has long been one of the leading citizens of this county, and served as trustee for Crosby township during the term of four years, ending about 1876.

Horace Willey, another of the pioneers, was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts, February 13, 1792. His father's name was Israel Willey. He came to Ohio

Daniel VVabnitz was born in Baden, Germany, in 1796. He came to America in 1844, and settled in Colerain township, upon the farm now owned by Theodore Ferrybaugh. He followed the business of farming from preference. He was a member of the German Lutheran church and in politics a Democrat. His wife was Hannah Roof, of Wurtemburg, Germany. He died in Colerain township in 1863, his wife died the previous year; They are buried in the cemetery at Bevis. Their family consisted of six children - Daniel, whose wife was Mary Hite, and who still lives in Hamilton county; Charles, married to Elizabeth Wike, and living now in Iowa; George, who married Frederika Wike, now living in this county; Louise, married to Rosini Wike and living in the same; Sarah, the wife of David Shearing, of Hamilton county; and Elizabeth, now in Baden, Germany. George Wabnitz was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1829. He came to America with his father and settled in the same place. After coming here he learned the miller's trade, in which business he is now engaged at New Baltimore, in connection with farming. In 1866 he bought the mill property, which he now owns, from George Andrews Since purchasing he has expended nine thousand dollars in repairs, and the mill is now second to none on the Miami river. He also owns a steam saw-mill immediately adjoining. Beginning business with very little, he has now a handsome property. At one time he was trustee of Crosby township. In 1879 he became infirmary director of the county, which office he still holds. In 1851 he married Frederika Wike. Their children are Caroline, wife of Andy Lower; Lena, married to Coonrod Jacobie; Elizabeth, married to Joel Whipple; George Emily, Katie, Rachel, Emma, and one tliat died in infancy without a name. Mr. Wabnitz is a member of the United Brethren church. Concerning politics he is a staunch Republicam in 1800, and lived in Colerain township until March, 1879. He was married to Miss Anne Tate, daughter of John Tate, of Pennsylvania. She was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1792. She came to Ohio in June, 1818, and on the seventh of March, 1822, married Horace Willey. They lived together until her death, January 7, 1879. There were seven children - Sarah J., John, Lewis, Lavinia, Marshall, Rachel, and Andrew J. Rachel and Marshall are dead. Since Mrs. Willey's death, her husband made his home with his son, John Willey, and subsequently with his son-in-law, Jeremiah Butterworth, where he died March 3, 1880. John Willey, the second son of the preceding, was born in this county, March 30, 1824, and has been a resident of the same all his life. He was married to Miss Roxy A. Buell, daughter of Chnton D. Buell, October 16, 1880. Their children are Lottie A., Aurelia E., and Emily. The last named has died; the others are still living at home. Mrs. Willey is a member of the Presbyterian church; her husband has no connection with any church organization, but is an industrious and respected citizen. He served as trustee for Crosby township between 1870 and '73. He has also filled the place of treasurer of the school board, in the district where he lives, for the last nine years.

Judah Willey, a pioneer of the county, and a native of New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hamilton county, where he continued to live at the time of his death, August 16, 1854. His wife. Miss Caroline Buell, was the daughter of Israel Buell. The children were Amanda, Roxy, William, Anne B., Samuel, Israel, and Mary. Of these, but three - Roxy, Israel, and Mary - are now living. Israel was born in Hamilton county, January 14, 1834, and has been a resident here all his life. He married Miss Amelia Hedges, daughter of . Stephen O. Hedges, April 6, 1859. They have five children: Anna, Stephen, Amos, Dora, and David, all living and at home. Mrs. Willey is an excellent member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Willey has never joined a church, but among the farmers of Hamilton county he is a most exemplary and respected citizen.

Jeremiah B.utteffeld, one of the early pioneers, was born in Massachusetts March 4, 1776, just four months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. When he was twelve years old his father moved to New York, and in i797"he leTt his home to seek his fortune in thFwest? He was married to Miss Polly Campbell in the year 1800, came to Cincinnati the same year, and was a resident of the county to the time of his death, which occurred June 29, 1859. He was the father of eight children. Jeremiah, the fourth child, was born in Hamilton county March 6, 1811, and has remained there ever since. March 14, 1844, he was married to Miss Sarah Wijl£.y^ They have had nine children: Anna M., Lavinia, Emma, Josephine, Horace W., Lydia, John, Ella, and Jennie. Josephine, Horace, Lydia, John, and Jennie are still living, and three are still at home. Josephine married Henry Brown, and lives in Butler county; Horace married Miss Wilhelmina Stephens, and remains in this county. Mrs. Butterfield is a member of the Presbyterian church, but her husband has never become a professing Christian.

Elijah Whipple was born in Vermont in the year 1781. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Comstock, of Hamilton county, about 1807. They had eleven children - Seneca, James, Sarah, Joab, Rebecca, Ruth, Elizabeth, Jerry, Daniel, Ennis, and Samuel. But four of this number are still living - Seneca, Elizabeth, Daniel, and Samuel. Daniel, the ninth child, was born in Butler county, December 22, 1821; moved to Hamilton county about the year 1845, and has been a resident of the latter county ever since, with the exception of two years spent in California. On the nineteenth of October, 1848, he married Miss Susan Pottinger, daughter of John Pottinger, who was born in this county in May, 1823. There were five children belonging to this family - Sarah, Austin, Ella, John, and Joab. Austin only is not living. Mr. and Mrs. Whipple are both active members of the United Brethren church in their vicinity. The older Mr. Whipple died in 1830. His wife died seven years after that date.

Josiah Bartlett was a native of the State of Connecticut, but emigrated from New York into Ohio. He settled in Crosby township abour the year 1838. In business he was a farmer all his life; as to politics he was a Whig until the Republican party started, after which time he was an active RepubHcan. His religious sympathies were with the Methodist church, of which he was a member. He married Anna Latham, a native of Vermont. Six children constitute their farnily, four sons and two daughters - Sarah, who married Robert Brown, and is now a resident of New York State; Latham S., who married Nancy Comstock and afterward Hannah Marsh, and is now living in this county; Lucy, who married Abner Phelps, and has her home in Indiana; William, who married Eliza Andrews and then Matilda - Winter, and is a resident of Hamilton county; David married first to Eunice Comstock and afterward to Phoebe Ellsworth; and Laurentine, who is also married and living in Indiana. The fourth child, William H., was born in New York in 1806, where he received a common school education. In 1823 he came to Ohio and settled at first in New Haven. The same year he began the study of medicine with Dr. Comstock. He continued his studies four years, and then began the practice of medicine in company with Dr. Comstock. He stayed in New Haven two years, when he went to Miami township, and remained nine years in the same profession. Then he moved to Cheviot, Green township, where he passed another nine years, when he sold his practice to Dr. Cruikshank, and from there he returned to New Haven, where he still resides. In August, 1880, he sold his practice to Dr. Shields. While engaged in full duty he had the largest practice of any regular physician in the southwest part of Hamilton county. When he began business he had very little capital, but he has now accumulated a fine fortune. He was an old line Whig until the birth of the Republican party, since which time he has belonged to that organization. His first wife was a native of Ohio. She died in 1835, ^^^.v- ing him three children. His second wife was from the State of New York. His children, Horace B. and Euphemia, are both residents of Hamilton county; Amanda married Nathaniel G. French and lives in Butler county.

John Blackburn, a native of Ireland, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1796, and settled at North Bend. He worked at farming all his life. His death occurred in Butler county in the year 1814. His children are Catharine, a resident of this county; John, who was killed in Kentucky by the Indians; Agnes and Robert, residents of Hamilton county; Margaret, now in Pennsylvania; and McConnel, Bryson, Hamilton, and Patterson, are still belonging to this county. Patterson Blackburn was born in Pennsylvania in 1780, and, coming to Ohio with his father, first settled at North Bend. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and followed it during his life. In 18 15 he went to Davis county, Indiana, where he stayed fourteen years; then he returned to Ohio and settled on the farm now owned by R. H. Blackburn, in Crosby township. He held the office of clerk in the township for a number of years. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Mary Ball, a native of Maryland, who died in 1843 at the age of fifty-two. He always took great interest in educational matters. Not a professed member of any church, still he always gave liberally for the support of the gospel. He died in Crosby township in 1843 at the age of sixty-two. He was the father of four children - Robert H., who married Catharine Chrisman; Hannah, who became the wife of Oliver March, of Indiana; Mary, who married Joseph Kendall, of Indiana; and one that died in infancy. Robert H., son of Patterson and Mary Blackburn, was born in the year 1813 in Hamilton county. He gained a good common school education, and learned the carpenter trade with his father. At the age of eighteen, giving up his trade, he turned his attention to farming,- in which business he is now engaged. Two years he has held the office of assessor of Crosby township. He is a liberal supporter as well as member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and gave liberally toward the erection of the literary institution at College Hill. In 1838 he was married to Catharine Chrisman, who bore him six children - Sarah and Rebecca J., both residing still in Hamiton county; Mary S., who married William W. Powell, of Missouri; Hannah A. and Catharine S., both of this county at the present date; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Charles Butts, also of this county.

Daniel Wilkins was born in Pennsylvania, December 23, 1773- He left his home and came to Hamilton county about the year 1792, and was a resident of this county at the time of his death, which occurred October 17, 1841. He was married to the Widow Vantrees May 23, 1809. The children are Daniel, jr., John, Susannah, Michael and Sarah. Three are yet living. Daniel was born in Hamilton September 30, 1810. He was married to Miss Eliza Shields, daughter of James Shields, of Butler county, March 6, 1834. Nine children have been born - James S., Clarinda, Sarah, Elizabeth, Maria, Ann, Parthena, John, and George - all living but Maria, who died in 1864. James married Miss Emma Miller, and now resides in Iowa; Elizabeth married James M. Tweedy, and is now living in Georgia; Clarinda married John Langridge, and they are in Alabama. The others are at their father's home. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins are members of the Congregational church in their vicinity. Emanuel Butterfield was born in Hamilton county in 1795, where he lived during his entire life. He was married to Miss Hannah Mow, and to them were born eight children - Charlotte, Amelia, Permelia, Hannah, Isaac, Daniel, Emanuel, and Hartman. Hannah and Permelia only are living. The former married Nathaniel Butterfield, but lost her husband October 11, 1857. Permelia lives with her sister Hannah. Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Butterfield have had seven children - Cummins, Jonathan, Quincy, Marshal, Celeste, Florence, Sebastian. The last named alone has died. Two are married. Cummins married Phoebe Demming, and is now living in Butler county. Jonathan married Miss Sarah Brown, and is also living in Butler. Marshal is a practicing physician in Venice, Butler county. The remaining three children are at home. Mrs. Butterfield still lives on the old farm, and manages the business with the assistance of her son. She and her daughter Celeste are members of the Presbyterian church.

David Smith was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, September 23, 1808. He was of German extraction, and belonged to a family of nine children. He came to this State with his father in 1822, crossing the mountains in wagons. They settled on a farm in Butler county, near Mill creek. In 1832 the family moved to Crosby township, where Mr. Smith lived to the time of his death, which occurred September 11, 1879. His wife was Miss Susanna Wilkins, and they had born to them eight children, who were all present at the time of the death of their father. He was a man well and favorably known throughout the county - honest, generous and kind. S. Newton, the youngest child, was born in this county January 9, 1853, and was married to Miss Frances Bevis, daughter of Jesse Bevis, October 9, 1873. Three children have been given them - Olive, Leonard W., and one infant child.

John J. Sater, sr., was born in Crosby township, June 13, 181 2, and has been a resident of the county all his life, excepting about four years, when he lived in Butler county. In January, 1832, he was married to Miss Nancy Larison, daughter of J. Larison, of Colerain township. They had thirteen children, Amos, William v., Mary, Jonathan J. L., Martin V. B., Jared, Hannah E., Milton, Jasper N., John E., Ira, Anson, and one not named. Eight of the thirteen are yet living. Mr. Sater died on the fourth of April, 1864. His wife had died the year previous. They were both members of the Baptist church. Martin, the fifth child, was born in Crosby township, November 16, 1843. He was married to Mary E. McHenry, daughter of Joseph H. McHenry, on November i, 1865. Their children are Mattie, Lovvrie, Pearley M., Nellie, Daisy D., Milton, Clinton, and one that died unnamed. Four are living. Mrs. Sater belongs to the United Brethren church. Mr. Sater has served as justice of the peace for six years. He has also been a trustee for the township for the past five years, and is a member of the executive board of the Agricultural Society of Hamilton county. In the late war he was a member of company C, Sixty-ninth Ohio infantry, and was honorably discharged.

Crosby Village

Next below Butterfield & Company's tract, on the west side of the river, a large piece was bought by Joab Comstock the same year. In 1803 he laid out a town site in what appeared to be an ehgible place near the Great Miami, below the famous bend, about two miles south of the county line, and gave the new town the name of Crosby, for the reason before given. For a time settlement was attracted thither, and its fortune was decidedly hopeful. A number of cabins and other houses were built ; a blacksmith shop and store began operations; other shops were opened; and many lots were sold. The ground selected proved too low, however, for permanent occupation; and the great freshet of 1805 thoroughly inundated the town site and invaded the buildings upon it. After this untoward event the place ran down, and was ultimately vacated altogether, not a single house remaining to mark the spot. In later times the property has been owned by the heirs of Judah Willey, son of Noah Willey, of the Butterfield Land company.

This village dates from 1815. It was laid off upon twenty acres of a hundred acre tract in the southwest corner of section eleven, bought from Robert Benefield by the proprietors of the new town - our old friend Joab Comstock, sr., and Major Charles Cone, another old settler in the township. Joseph Safer, another pioneer and father of some of the most prominent citizens of the township and county, served as surveyor, Major Cone carrying the flag-pole and Mr. Comstock himself notching the trees for landmarks. The site was probably determined, in large part, by its natural advantages, it being at the junction of Howard's creek and the Dry Fork of Whitewater, with a picturesque distribution of high lands in every direction in the near view. It took its name from the birthplace of Comstock in the "land of steady habits." When, however, it became desirable to establish a post office at this point, it was found that there was another New Haven in the State, and accordingly it became necessary to designate this office by another name - that of Preston being selected.

Main street intersected the town site from east to west. Parallel with it was a street on the south, through which ran the road from New Baltimore to Harrison; and another on the north, which was not opened for a long time. There was also a West street, on which ran the road to the Shakers' town. A small piece of ground to

*This account has been mainly abridged from tlie entertaining papers contributed to the Harrison -News in the fall of 1879, by iVTr. M. L. Bevis, of New Haven.

During the ten years following 1815, the proposed village was only made larger about once every six months or one year by the addition of a cabin, ox-shed, or log barn.

The first frame building was erected in 1826, eleven years after the town was founded. It is still standing on Main street, second dwelling west of A. T. Hawk's shop, and was recently occupied by the Rev. Mr. Rodebaugh. The first log cabin was put up long before, on the north side of Main street, near the centre of the village plat. Mr. Bevis humorously remarks :

It would defy the skilled Samuel L. Clemens [Mark Twain] to tell what New Haven resembled at that early day. Seven or eight log cabins were strewn up and down IVIain street, without sidewalks and numbers. The fragrant dog-fennel and jimson-weed grew luxuriantly beside the cabin doorstep; Main street and Shaker avenue were soon lost among the paw-paw bushes and Spanish needles a few rods from Dr. George Little's tavern.

The first tavern in New Haven was opened by Dr. Little. The first storekeeper had his place alongside of this - Mr. William Wakefield, whose grandson, Amos Wakefield, occupies a store upon nearly the same site. David Goshom and Wesley Thompson were the first blacksmiths. William McGuire, of whom Thompson was a son-in-law, was one of the first school-teachers in the place. Mr. William Ellsworth, a widower with two daughters, was another professional school-teacher residing in town. Thomas Makin, a bachelor, and his two maiden sisters, early opened a dry goods store. Dr. George Little was the first physician. Others among the earliest were Dr. James Comstock, who lived just south of the village; Noah Comstock, his brother; Edmund C. Archibald, wagon-maker; John Shrozer, cabinet-maker and undertaker; Leonard Hathaway, and Lathan S. Bartlett, shoemakers; and Lot Day, tanner, whose factory was in the southeast corner of the place, near Howard's creek. Mr. Bartlett had also an early tannery. Among the younger men were Drs. Hiram and Thomas Ball, students of medicine with Dr. Comstock. This pretty nearly or quite exhausts the list of the earliest settlers.

The date of the first brick house is fixed at 1832 - the dwelling now occupied by Mr. G. W. Milholland. It was early used as a saloon and residence by Enoch Hayden. Other saloonists of that pioneer time were named Welloson, Gibson, and Hyatt. Some of the old groggeries are now used for stables, and one is occupied by Dr. J. H. Duncan, as an office. In 1840 a large frame building was put up for a hotel, but left uncompleted by the owner for lack of means, and in time became much dilapidated. It was repaired, however, and is now occupied in part by the post office.

The first school-house was built of green, unhewed buckeye logs, on Howard's creek, south side of the street, at the southeast corner of the town. Elijah Thoinpson, father of Thompson the blacksmith, was first teacher in it. The second school-house which served the village, a plain frame building, was built half a mile north of town, also on Howard's creek and on "Shaker avenue." The frame of this academic structure afterwards did duty as a stable upon Mr. A. T. Hawks' place in the village. The present school building was put up in i860, on a slight eminence north of town, by Mr. James Williamson, upon property leased from Phebe Wakefield and A. McCoy. Its cost, exclusive of furniture, was one thousand three hundred dollars. A north wing, for another school-room, was added four or five years afterwards, by Edward Dunnick.

The post office was established in 1826. The petition of citizens for an office named Alexander Preston Cavender for first postmaster, and when the necessity for a name other than that of the village became evident, his middle name was chosen. The office was opened in a house now the residence of Mr. D. Clinton Buell. The mail was received in saddle-bags by horseback post from North Bend once a fortnight. John Carter, F. Opperman, and Francis Milholland are in the succession of local postmasters, the last named being now in charge of the office. The mail is received twice a week, besides what is obtained almost daily by visitors to Harrison, five miles distant.

Of late years a literary and dramatic society in New Haven added considerably to the interest of living in the place. In the year 1874 its receipts from public entertainments amounted to eighty-five dollars, which were given to the church of the United Brethren in Christ, in that place.

Dr. Jason F. Brevoort was oneofthe old practitioners in New Haven. He went there a boy of fourteen, with his parents, and eight years afterwards began reading medicine with Dr. Comstock. He had previously received some academic education at Oxford and at Augusta, Kentucky. Although he had no diploma of any kind, he practiced successfully here for twenty years, then for a time at Harrison, and finally removed to a farm near Columbus, Indiana. He was the second physician in New Haven.

Dr. William H. Bentlett came from New York State to New Haven, via Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, in 1825. He was then in his twentieth year, and at twenty-three began practice, after a studentship under Dr. Comstock. He has been a practitioner in New Haven for more than half a century, save nine years at Miamitown, and as many at Cheviot.

Two of the oldest ladies of the community - Miss Mary Cavender, of 18 18, the third year of the village, and Mrs. Lavina Wright, of 1825 - are still living in New Haven.

A little hickory house, about fifteen by thirty, with the bark hanging loose from the logs, a small low door that swung with a creack, seats made of blue-ash trees split once and legs put in the outer side, turning the wide, flat surface upward to sit on, a rude table or stand for a pulpit, and the first church in the community was completed. It stood on the bank, in the Baptist cemetery, one mile southwest of the village.

Moses Hornaday, one of the early circuit-preachers in the Miami valley, led the services. Since the erection of that church, two others have been built - one a frame and the other a brick, standing there now.

The church building now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal society was erected in 1830, although not in its present shape, it having since been greatly improved. Mr. Bevis says that "the old building, as it was fortynine years ago, would be a queer specimen of architecture compared with its present appearance. With doors on both the east and west side, portable seats of the old district school-house kind, stoves of mammoth proportions, minus shutters and curtains, without bell or belfry, it was certainly a unique structure."

The building was dedicated in January, 1831, and a Sunday-school organized therein immediately after. Another, a union school, had been kept in Mr. Comstock's barn, but was now transferred to Sater's school-house. Both schools were afterwards united on the union foundation, Mr. Robert H. Blackburn being the first superintendent of the united schools. He was born March 12, 18 1 3, in an old frame house still standing on Mr. John Hyatt's farm.

The United Brethren church in New Haven or-iginated with Rev. William Sturr, a young minister of that denomination, one of the oldest settlers in that township, and John Myers. A subscription was made for a house of worship, in April and May, 1850, signed liberally by Mr. Myers, Amos Atherton (who gave one hundred dollars), and others, and the house was put up in due time by Mr. John Shroyer. "At first," says Mr. Bevis, "the United Brethern church resembled our common country barns, square and upright, without the ornaments which add so much toward its beauty to-day." In 1866 a belfry and bell were added; and in 1874 the whole building was remodelled, new carpet put down, and an organ purchased.

In the spring of 1877 the Union Sunday-school was divided, the Methodist people taking their own from it. Since 1873 the Sunday-school concert has been an interesting feature of the summer Sabbath afternoons.

New Haven had a population of one hundred and twenty-eight in 1830, which had grown to one hundred and forty-one in 1850, and one hundred and sixty-one in 1870, each time leading any other village in the township in proportion.

Source changes here: from 1789 History of Hamilton County Ohio with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, by Henry A. Ford and Kate B. Ford, published 1881; 9,962 words in this source stream.

Geography And Topography

Crosby is bounded on the south by the Great Miami and Whitewater townships, on the west by Harrison township, on the north by Butler county, and on the east by the Great Miami river, which separates it from Colerain township, Its present lines begin at the point on the Great Miami where the parallel between sections . twenty-four and twenty-five intersects the river, thence west of the southwest corner of section twenty-two, thence north to the Butler county line, thence east to the Great Miami, and down that stream along its course to the place of beginning. The south line, separating this township from Whitewater, is but two and three-fourths miles long, its west line four miles, its north line six and a half miles,

Crosby township, as cut down to its present limits by the formation of other townships, is the-smallest in the county, with the exception of its neighbor, Harrison, and of Delhi and Spencer. It comprises but fifteen full sections and seven fractional sections, the latter being those which abut upon the Great Miami river. Its total acreage is twelve thousand three hundred and eightytwo. The section lines in this township are exceedingly irregular, far more so than in any other township of Hamilton county west of this stream, a fact thoroughly surprising in view of its location altogether upon the Congress lands, with which Judge Symmes' blundering surveyors and surveying purchasers are supposed to have had nothing to do. The second tier of sections from the west, for example, has an average breadth scarcely more than half as great as that of the sections in the tier next on either side of it. Those in the westernmost tier are considerably broader from east to west than from north to south, but are tolerably perfect parallelograms, while those next to the east, the three entire sections in the third tier from- the west, and the two full sections in each of the next succeeding tiers - that is, to say, all the full sections in the township, except those of the westernmost tier - are trapezoids, by virtue of the divergence or convergence of their meridian lines. The other lines are parallel, and the north line of the county, west of the Great Miami, separating Crosby and Harrison townships from Butler county, is perfectly straight, unlike the boundary line resulting from Symmes' surveys between the Miamis. It, however, strikes the Great Miami about half a mile below, the point where the north line of Colerain intersects that stream. Had the parallel of Colerain béen continued westward, as the north boundary line of the county west of the river, it would have brought into Hamilton the village of Venice, now in Butler county,

The principal waters of Crosty are the Great Miami river and the Dry fork of the Whitewater riven The former curves in and out in a most remarkable manner on the eastern and southern fronts of this township,-and contrives to wash about nine linear miles of its territory, in making southward across but four miles of latitude. Its general course is to the southwestward, though it flows toward every point of the compass in passing this township, and making its wonderful twists and bends. The great bend noted at some length in the history of Colerain township, as nearly enclosing the peninsula upon which stand the famous ancient work: and the site of Dunlap's station, projects its nose into Crosby township. The chver receives, near the northeast corner of this township, a small tributary which heads across the line near Venice; a mile below New Baltimore it welcomes the waters of Paddy's run, which also takes its rise in Butler county, but, a little more than midway of its course, upon section seven, gets a small affluent which is altogether in Hamilton; and just before leaving the township has another but petty tributary.

The Dry fork of Whitewater intersects with an exceedingly toriuous course the entire western part of the township, entering upon section three, near the northwestern corner of the township, passing to the south and eastward until near the eastern line of the second tier of townships

Crosby. In its many turnings and windings it must, like the Great Miami, measure scarcely less than nine miles in length of channel while making the four miles of distance across the township. It takes its singular name from the disappearance of its waters in the dry season before reaching their usual debouchure into the Whitewater west ofHunt's grove, in Whitewater township. Two of its larger tributaries - Howard's creek, which rises in Butler county and enters the Dry fork at New Haven; and Lee's creek which comes from Harrison township, joining the Dry fork not far from the town line in section twenty-two - take their names from noted old pioneers. Several other streams of moderate size, mostly flowing wereall his brothers and sisters. He is the youngest child of William and Nancy (Jones) Sater. He married Mary Ellen Pottinger, of the wellknown pioneer family, December 19, 1855. She was the daughter of James W.and Mary Pottinger, of New Baltimore and then of Harrison township, Dearborn county, Indiana. Her day of birth was October 10, 1837, of death May 25, 1858, after a lingering illness with consumption. By this marriage was born one son - James Pottinger, born November 14, 1856; married February 14, 1878, to Miss Libbie Crocker, of Middleton, Iowa. They have two children - Arthur C., born December 29, 1878, and a daughter, not yet named, born January 28, 1881. He resides at the old home of his mother in Dearborn county, Indiana. A second time Mr. Sater was married, September 26, 1860, to Miss Mary Gwaltney. By her he has children as follows: Olive May, born October 26, 1861; Eliza Ann, born February 4, 1865; Joseph T., born June 5, 1870. All these are with their parents at home. Mr. Sater was educated simply in the district schools of his childhood and youth, but has supplemented early deficiencies by much reading and observation of the world. His father died when he was but sixteen years old; he continued at home, assisting in the management of the farm until the property was divided in 1850, when the homestead, with seventy-five acres attached, fell to him, to which he has since made substantial additions, owning now one hundred and one-half acres. He has remained a quietefarmer at the old home since, but has often been called to fill public offices, as township clerk, assessor, and the like, and was member of the house during the Sixtyfirst general assembly of Ohio, in 1874-5, being elected on the Democratic ticket, to which he has given a lifelong allegiance. Here he was assigned to service on the important committees of agriculture and retrenchment. In all public and private stations he has borne himself as a man of integrity and energy, and bears a high reputation among his acquaintances and friends. In connection with his brother, presently to be noticed, he has been influential in the counsels of the Democratic party and in keeping his township generally true to that faith. He has been a Free and Accepted Mason since May, 1852, and has advanced to the degree of Knight Templar. _ In this order he has filled about all ter, and Commandery, of Cincinnati. Mary (Gwaltney) Sater is a daughter of the late Dr. Samuel and Sarah Gwaltney, of Crosby, formerly of Anderson township, where the father is believed to have been born November 2, 1799. In this township he.was married to Sarah Wheatley, January 6, 1820. She was born April 1, 1794, and died October 16, 1871. He died May 25, 1872, also at New Haven, Their daughter Mary was born November 4, 1828, in Colerain township. Other children of the family were: James, born April 2, 1821, married Sarah Sater February 7, 1843, and resides in Morgan township, Butler county; Martha Ann, born December 7, 1822, died January 4, 1861; Josiah, born August 26, 1834, married Mary Ann Atherton September 12, 1859, and after her death, Mrs. Catharine Mason in 1875 or 1876, and resides on a farm adjoining that of his brother-in-law, Mr. Sater; Robert J., born August 3, 1826, married Elizabeth Smith September 3, 1854, and is a physician living in Fayette county, Indiana; Washington, born October 21, 1830, died July 19, 1831; Elizabeth, born May 14, 1832, resides with her brother-in-law, Thomas E. Sater; Rhoda, born May 14, 1832, married Oliver W. Clark October 1859, and lives near Rockport, Spencer county, Indiana.

Dr. Gwaltney was in his day, and for many years, a prominent physician in Anderson and Colerain townships, in Crosby township from 1825 to 1844, and Fayette county, Indiana, from 1844 to the fall of 1849, when he moved back to the village of New Haven, Crosby township, where he spent the remainder of hi§ days, being at the time of his death by far the oldest physician in this region. It was at his house, in july, 1863, during the passage of John Morgan's rebel force through New Haven, that Morgan and Colonel Basil Duke held a council in regard to their future movements through Hamilton county and the State,

Mary Gwaltney remained with her parents in Colerain and Crosby townships until her marriage with Mr. Sater. She was educated in the district and village schools. Since her marriage her history has been almost altogether that of her husband. She was reared in the Baptist faith, to which her parents were attached. P

So well-watered a tract, considering the general character of the Miami valleys, naturally does not abound in hill-country. The township ig largely taken up by the level, fertile belts of alluvial land adjoining the stream; but is pleasantly diversified in places by higher spots, in hills and ridges, none of which, however, are lofty or particularly abrupt.

Crosby is the only township in Hamilton county, except Colerain, which has not a foot of railway upon its soil. The route of the projected Liberty, Connersville, and Richmond railroad is, however, surveyed to enter this township from Butler county, near the centre of the north line of section six, running thence south and east about four miles to New Baltimore, a little east of which it will cross the Great Miami. There is also a rather unsual paucity of wagon-roads in the township, but seemingly sufficient for the needs of the people.

The township has at present but three villages - New Haven and Whitewater, in the western part, and New Baltimore, in the southeast, about five miies from New Haven.

Ancient Works

bend of which it is located, and corresponds to its curves, making an imperfect semi-circle. Human remains have recently been taken from a mound at this place.

Two miles and a half southeast of New Haven, on the farm of Mr. Daniel Whipple, is an ancient buryingground, now thickly overgrown with underbrush. It is said the graves in this are marked by stones. On the same range of hills, three miles south of New Haven, on J. W. Scott's place, is a superb mound, the finest in this region, which has never been excavated. Both of these lie not far from the lower or shorter road from New Haven and New Baltimore.

Upon a hill west of John Meyer's farm, in this township, are two or three mounds, from which portions of skeletons have been taken. Similar remains have been "found in the township, exactly south of New Haven, on the range of hills along the Dry fork of Whitewater, where seems to be a regular ancient cemetery, in which, it is said, the bodies were placed in square spaces, protected on all sides by a kind of red limestone. About fifty graves have been identified there, with one or two mounds. Dr. Bartlett, the veteran practitioner at New Haven, declares that the bones found here are not those of the red man.

'to ten feet height. Besides human remains, there have been taken from the ancient works of Crosby township well-executed pipes, stone articles ofadmirable workmanship and. finish, pottery in various shapes, and other evidences of at least a partial civilization.

and hero of some of the most remarkable stories of the border warfare, particularly of the conflict with the chief Big Foot. His remains are interred in the buryingground used by the North family of Shakers, one to two miles from New Haven.

First Settlements

Joab Comstock was probably the pioneer white in Crosby township. He immigrated from the vicinity of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1801, made a large entry of land, embracing several sections, and made his home about one mile and a half east of the present village of New Haven (Preston post office), with his farm reaching the bank of the Great Miami and the road to Venice, Butler county. He was the founder, in 1815, of the village of New Haven, in this township. He laid out the village of Crosby-soon after coming, giving it his mother's maiden name, the township subsequently formed also taking its name from it. This was the only village of much account in the whole valley when the township was set off.

In April, 1801, when the public lands west of the Great Miami were first offered for sale at Cincinnati, a notable purchase was made in the northwest part of what is now this township. Jeremiah Britterfield, an enterprising young Massachusetts man who had come to Cincinnati shortly before as a prospector, and had assisted Colonel Ludlow to run the boundary line between the territory of the United States and that of the Indian tribes, as prescribed by the Greenville treaty, formed a company with Knoles and Alvin Shaw, their father, Esquire Shaw, Asa Harvey, and Noah Willey, to make investments in the lands. They bought at the first sales two full sections and as many large fractional sections, extending from near the mouth of Indian creek, in what is now Butler county, about three miles down the Great Miami into this township and county. The tract comprises about two thousand acres, nearly all bottom land, perfectly level, and exceedingly fertile. In order to secure it the company bid ten cents per acre above the minimum price, thus getting for two dollars and a dime an acre a tract probably now worth not less than two hundred thousand dollars. The six joint owners then divided the land, under a survey made by Emanuel Vantrees and according to the amounts they had respectively paid, each having a front on the river and his piece stretching back to the west line of the tract. Mr. Butterfield thus obtained eight hundred acres, partly in Buttler and partly in Hamilton county. His own residence he fixed at a point near where Venice has since been founded. He handsomely improved his place, being the first in that region to plant an orchard, became an influential and wealthy citizen, and died at a good old age June 27, 1853. His sons Sherebiah, John, and Jeremiah, have since lived prosperously on parts of the ancestral estate, in Crosby township. The first named was during many years a justice of the peace for the township.

Among other early settlers were the Cones, the Dicks, the Wakefields, and other well known families, many of whom will be further noticed in this chapter.

The Original Records

C: Atherton, and Patterson Blackburn. The ear-marks of stock owners were duly and numerously recorded, as the law required in that day. Some of the entries are as follows: left. = No. 53. January 24, 1815. Joseph Sater's ear-mark is a crop and a slit and an upper and an under-bit. all on the right ear. His brand is J. S. No. 54. January 24, 1815: the left ear and an under half crop off the right. DANIEL BAILEY, 'ip Township Clerk. No. 70. July 24, 1817. Isaac Frost's ear-mark is a crop off the left ear, a slit-on the right, and an under-bit out of the left. ELIJAH THOMPSON, _ Township Clerk.

No. 107. October 6, 1838. John Baughman's ear-mark is a large under-slope off both ears, so made as to take both the point and heel of the ear, which mark is sometimes called foxing.

Nathaniel Crookshank

These documents show that Hartman Vantrees was township clerk in 1803~5;: Robert Simmonds in 1809; Daniel Bailey, 1815 ; Elijah Thompson, 1817; John Cayvender, 1826; and Joab Comstock, 1838. James Scott, it also seems, was a justice of the peace in Crosby in 1826, and Nathaniel Crookshank then an overseer of the poor. the years designated :

The Crosby Town-House

During the last few years of the late Rebellion, there was an organization composed of the voters in the township, for the purpose of aiding persons who were drafted. Each member deposited a certain sum of money with the treasurer of the society. Of course the entire association was not likely to be called to the army at the same time, hence when a member was drafted a substitute was sent in his place, paid out of the treasury of the organization; thus it only cost the unlucky man a proportionate share of the expense. When the secession ended there remained some twelve hundred dollars in the treasury. The question was finally decided that a township house should be built with the remaining funds.

An Incident

Perhaps the most remarkable case of lightning stroke on record, so far as it relates to effects upon the human being and remarkable recovery from terrible injuries thereby, occurred in this township about the year 1835, upon a farm one and a half to two miles northwest of New Haven. Captain James Cummins, who resided there, ig the principal hero of the story. It was in the early spring, upon an afternoon, that a heavy thundercloud, threatening rain, was observed inthe west. - As.it came up in the sky, it spread: along the horizon, and from the horizon toward the zenith, making repeated and. powerful lightning discharges during its approach. One of these at length descended upon the premises of Captain Cummins. The astonishing effects upon the house and its occupants, and especially upon the head of the family, are thus told in a letter to the Harrison Jews of February 19, 1880, from Burlington, Iowa, by Mr. Joab Comstock, jr., who was at the time a student of medicine with Dr. James Comstock, at New Haven:

It struck the chimney of the house, ran down on the west side of it to the ridge of the roof, but soon parted, one stream passing down on the north side of the roof, zigzagging across the shingles until about midway, when it took down over the eave and the casing of a window, and thence to the ground. The other stream passed in like manner diagonally across the south side of the roof, but before reaching the eave di-- vided again, one stream running over the eave and down the casing of a front window; the other stream going on further in like manner, ran down the casing of the front door, then into the ground. Mrs. Cummins was sitting in the west room, near its middle, rocking the cradle. . John, the oldest son, was in the chamoer above, lying on the bed read-.

ing. Nancy, the eldest daughter, was doing something before a bed that was in the room, where her mother sat. Two younger girls were in the other room attending to the work there. The mother was severely shocked, but not seriously burt. Nancy was thrown forward onto the bed before which she was standing, but not much hurt; John, who was up-stairs, was stunned so much, as he told me, that the first thing that he remembered he was half way to New Haven for a doctor.

Nitz, New Baltimore, Ohio

Mr. Cummins called Adam, the second son, to help him carry the new wagon under the shed. Adam took the end of the tungue, it being a stiff tongue, and the father took the axle. Adam had passed under the shed, and Mr. Cummins had reached a position directly under the point of the scythe that hung above him, when a stream of lightning. which, no doubt, had become detached from the main shaft, was attracted by thé scythe, and by it conducted toits point, dropped on the top of the captain's head. It made a small hole in the middle of the hat-crown, much like a small bullet-hole; the body and rim of the hat, which was of strong felt, were literally torn to pieces. The neighbors picked up and counted sixty-three pieces. The crown of the hat remained entire, except the hole through the centre. His underclothes were badly torn and set on fire. The pants, of nearly nev@and strong casinet, had the backs of the legs torn literally into shreds. His shoes, nearly new and of strong cowhide, had the outside quarters literally torn'out. The stream, after penetrating the hat-crown, struck Mr. Cummins just in the crown or curl of hair on the top of his head. It spread out into a stream some three inches wide, passing down the back of his head and neck, burning the hair into a crisp, and matting it to the scalp so firmly that I presume I was an hour in detaching it from the scalp. On the back of the neck the stream divided, one part passing on down the spine to the hips, burning a wide strip all the way as broad as your hand and setting the clothes on fire. There were two or three places burned so deeply that subsequent sloughing took place. At the hips the main stream, as I call it, divided, the two streams passing down the back of: each leg; and off at the heels, as above stated. The stream that parted from the main stream on the neck wound around the side of the neck to the sternum or breast-bone, passing down the sternum to the pit of the stomach; then it divided and wound around each side to the hips, and there united with the stream already described; and thus united, passed off at his heels. :

Captain Cummins was of course very severely injured by the tremendous shock ahd the burns received. almost beyond belief that one could have such an electric discharge pass through, or rather over him, and not be instantly struck out of life. He did lose his hearing, at once and forever. Mr. Comstock tells the rest of the story in these words:

He recovered slowly, but suffered a great deal from his burns and the shock his nervous system had. received. I visited him and dressed his wounds every morning for two or three weeks. It would take as much plaster to cover his burns as would cover the leaf of a common breakfast table. He finally recovered his health, and became hearty and well, and in 1839 moved with his family to Iowa, and settled at Middletown. He subsequently died of cholera; so that what lightning failed to accomplish the cholera did. I have never read or heard of a parallel case to this, and I do not believe there can be a case to equal it found on record.

Notes Of Settlement

Ezra Sherman, sr., was born in Connecticut in the year 1765. He-served for a short, time in the Revolutionary war, and also took part in Wayne's campaign. He was a member of the Methodist church, and for a number of years was a minister'in that denomination.

in Washington county, near Waterford. He was one of the first settlers who ventured into what was then the Northwestern Territory, and remembers seeing the first steamboat that sailed down the Ohio river. He married Mary Pierce, a native of Connecticut. After a few years in Ohio he removed his home to Kentucky, and thence, after a stay of six years, to Indiana, where he lost his wife in 1822. After her-death, the father and three of his children joined the society of Shakers, in which they remained till death.. The family consisted of five children - Anna, who married David E. Whitney, of Hamilton county; Manley, who married Frances Sterritt, of the same; Abel, married Ann McGuire, of Alabama; Ezra, who never married, and lives in this township; and Mary E., also single, and living in Indiana.

Ezra Sherman, jr., one of the first trustees of the society of Shakers, was born in Washington county, Ohio, in 1805. When seven years old he went with his parents to Kentucky to live, and afterwards to Indiana. In 1826 he-joined the society of Shakers. At various times he has learned the boot and shoemaker's, the stonemason's and the blacksmith's trades. He is a natural mechanic, and can do at once almost anything in the manufacturing line. He understands farming equally well, and has given especial attention to bee culture. Owing to the rules of the society, he takes no part in political affairs. He has voted for President of the United States only once, and that was for John Quincy Adams.

Joab Whipple was born in Butler county, Ohio, March 20, 1817. About the year 1839, he removed to this county. His wife's maiden name was Jane J. Lutis, daughter of Isaac Lutis. They were married January 12, 1837. Nine children were duly born to them - Elizabeth L., Albina, Eunice J., Phoebe L., Isaac L., Zachary T., David J., Charles F., and Joab C. Of these, only five are now living - Elizabeth, Eunice, 'Isaac, Zachary, and Joab. Elizabeth married Henry Cone, and resides in Butler county; Isaac married Miss Inia L. Davis, and is a resident of Franklin county, Kansas; Zachary married Miss Letitia A. Davis, and also is in Butler county, Ohio; Joab married Miss Elizabeth Wabnitz, and lives in Crosby township. The last-named lives on the old home, his sister Eunice living with him. He was married March 17, 1880. Mrs. Whipple is a member of the church of United Brethern, and is one of its most liberal supporters. Joab Whipple, jr., is now a leading farmer in Hamilton county. His father died July 4, 1859, aged forty-six years. He was a man respected by all who knew him.

Charles Cone, one of the pioneers, was born in Connecticut in the year 1772, whence he emigrated with his family in the spring of 1800, and was a resident of the county up to the time of his death, April 26, 1853. He was married to Miss Jane Harvey, who became the mother of twelve children: Rufus, Philena, Ann, Charles, Asa, James, James S., Thomas H., Grace, Rachel, William, and Martha. All of these but one, William, are now alive. Hewas born in this county January 2, 1810, and has been a resident of the county all his life, with the exception of about two years. He has been twice married; first February 6, 1834, to Miss Mary Atherton, daughter of Henry Atherton, of Massachusetts. Three children followed: William H., Charles, and George M. February 9, 1841, he married Miss Mary Brown, daughter of Joseph Brown, of Butler county. To them were born two children: Rachel J., and Joseph. All the children have been married and are living. Mr. and Mrs, Cone are both members of the Presbyterian church, of which they are liberal supporters. When the elder Mr. Cone came to Ohio'the country was all in woods. The first thing he did was to build a cabin to shelter his family. Ata later day he built an inn on the bank of the

Great Miami river, and kept a ferry-boat for taking people across. blesome. yard'where the house stood in which he was born, and has reached the ripe age of seventy. His memory is still good, and "he looks as though he might live many more years.

William W. McClure, jr., fourth child of William Mc- Clure, sr., was born in Franklin county, Indiana, November 6, 1830. In 1861 he moved to Hamilton county, where he has remained to the present day. February 18, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha A. Simonson, daughter of Barney Simonson, and to them were born six children, two of whom, William and Martha, are dead, and Elizabeth, Barney, Mary, and James, remain at home. Mr. McClure is considered a model farmer and one of the most influential citizens of the county. He is a consistent Christian, too; has long been.a reliable member of the Christian church of his vicinity. . At the present date he is serving his second year as school director in the township for district No. 2.

Andrew Nugent, sr., one of the pioneers, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1786. From this place he emigrated to Ohio about the year 1812. He was married to Miss Mary Hill March 4, 1814. Seven children were given them: Christiana, Catharine, James, John, Andrew J., William S., and Julia. Of these, all are living, with the exception of John. The mother died August 2, 1865; the father followed November 14, 1872. William was born in Whitewater township, Hamilton county, February 23, 1830; came to Crosby township in 1860, and has been a resident there ever since., He was married twice; first to Miss Elizabeth F. Lacy, daughter of Thomas Lacy, on the first of March, 1855. Ten children were born to them; three are now dead, and the mother also died November 12, 1875. His second marriage was to Mrs. Lydia Breese, daughter of Curtis Dean, and the widow of John Breese, on the eighth of March, 1878. Mrs. Nugent is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always been active in its work and reliable in its support. Her husband connects himself with no organization. He is, however, a good. moral man in his life, and has always been a worthy and respectable citizen. Andrew J. Nugent, the fifth child, and brother of the preceding, was born in Whitewater township on the fifth day of July, 1826. About the year 1854 he moved to Crosby township, and has been a resident here from that date to the present. He was married first to Miss Mary Baughman July 23, 1853. Eight children were born-to them. Mrs. Nugent died on the second of October,'1873. He was married, the second time, to Miss Mary A. Bacon, of Miami township, August 2, 1879. One child has been added to-his family. Mr. Nugent joined the "hundred days'" service during the late war of the Rebellion. He is now an enterprising farmer and a respected citizen.

William G. Oyler, second son of George and Sarah Oyler, was born in Kent, England, August 22, 1817. In 1828 he came to America. His home was with his parents in Crosby township, and he has remained in the same location, with the exception of four years' residence in Indiana. He was married first to Miss. Rebecca Phillips, of Butler county, on the fifth of April, 1839. Their family consisted of six children. Of these three are living - Harriet, Sophia and Sarah. All are married: Harriet to Franklin Washburn, and is residing in the State of Indiana. Sophia married Alexander Campbell, and remains in this county. Sarah married William H. Guy, July 25, 1850, and lives in Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Oyler married for his second wife, Miss Eliza Vantress, daughter of Isaac Vantress, of Indiana. She had nine children: Rebecca, James A., Alice Ada M., Elizabeth, Electa J., McClellan, William T., and Lida B. Of these seven are living, Rebecca and Elizabeth having died. The seven are all at home, excepting Alice, who married Charles L. Purlee or the sixth of October, 1880, and James, who has made his home in Kansas. Mr. Oyler has served as trustee in Crosby township for a period of fourteen years, and in every way ranks in his neighborhood as a leading citizen, and a genuinely good man.

Samuel Pottinger came with his family to Hamilton county in 1815, and continued a resident of that county up to the time of his death. He was the father of eighteen children. John, the father of our subject, was born near Bardstown, Kentucky, April 2, 1797. He was married to Sarah Cornick about the year 1821. Elev. children were afterward born to them: Susanna, Daviu H., Eliza A., James, Mary J., John, Samuel, Thomas, Sarah J., Nancy, and Elizabeth E. Of these, seven are living and four dead. David H., the second child, was born in this county February 11, 1825, and has remained aeresident all his life. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Atherton, daughter of Amos Atherton, October 10, 1847. Five children followed this union: John W., Mary A., David F., William, and Sarah E. - all living except William. Twoareatho. "ndtwoaremarried. John married- Maria A, Simon.un, and they are living in Crosby township. Mary married George Kemp, and they reside in Butler county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Pottinger are. members of the United Brethren church, and are classed among the most prosperous and worthy citizens of their township and county.