Darby Township

Darby Township

Darby was among the first townships settled in Madison county, its history dating as far back as 1795. The first white man to locate within this township was Jonathan Alder, who was discovered by Benjamin Springer living on the banks of Big Darby creek with his Indian wife in 1790. Alder was born in New Jersey, about eight miles from Philadelphia, September 17, 1773. His parents were Bartholomew and Hannah Alder. When Jonathan was about seven years old, the family moved to Wythe county, Virginia, where the father soon afterward died. In 1782 he and his brother were captured by a band of prowling Indians, his brother being killed but he being held a prisoner. He was adopted by the tribe and became, in practically every sense, an Indian. He married an Indian woman and made his living by hunting and farming through the country now covered by -Madison county.

In 1796, as mentioned above, Benjamin Springer, with his wife and two sons, Silas and Thomas, also his son-in-law, Usual Osborn, and wife, settled on Big Darby creek. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and built their cabin on land later owned by John Taylor, close to the north line of Canaan township and just within the limits of the same. But their names are mentioned here because of their close proximity and close relations with the early pioneers of Darby township. In 179S, the Ewing brothers, James and Joshua, emigrated from Kentucky to present Darby township and settled a short distance northeast of the site of Plain City. They bought farms lying on both sides of Big Darby creek. One reason for making their purchases on both sides of the stream was that they might have ready access to the prairie grazing lands, and at the same time have tillable lands on the elevated bottoms along the creek. They supposed, as did many others, that the open prairie land would afford them pasturage for many years to come. In this, however, they were mistaken, for they were in time owned by industrious farmers and inclosed with good fences.

Financially, James Ewing was more favored than the average pioneers and was known in the neighborhood as a rich man. lie was one of the directors of the Franklin Bank, of Franklintown. Ohio, and this connection made him useful to the community in which he resided. The person in need of capital, by getting Mr. Ewing's recommendation as to the financial safety of his note, could always get ready cash. For many years the only postoftice in that region of the country was kept by him for the accommodation of his neighbors, and in connection with it he handled dry-goods, groceries, notions, etc., in such quantities as would meet the pressing demands of those early people.

Joshua Ewing died during the "sickly season" of 1822-23. He was a surveyor and made many of the early surveys of Madison county. Upon the erection of Union county, in 1820, the property of the Ewing brothers was thrown into the new county.

The Taylor brothers. John. Daniel and Richard, natives of New York state, emigrated to Kentucky in 1795 and settled on land they purchased near Lexington. They became discouraged and disgusted because of the constant litigations over titles, and determined to seek new lands. John Taylor, going to the man from whom he had made his purchase, made a trade with him for lands in the then territory of Ohio. By this exchange he became the owner of Ihree hundred acres of land on the banks of Big Derby, now in Union county. He moved to bis new farm in 1800, sold bis first purchase to Frederick Sager, and bought another about one mile south of Plain City, on both sides of Big Darby creek, from John Graham. Here be erected a log cabin, stable and outbuildings, and soon afterward, probably about the year 1804, be married a widow McCullough, sister of Judge Mitchell. Two children blessed this union, a daughter and a son. The daughter died in infancy, but the son, John Taylor, Jr., lived on the old homestead for many years, and is still remembered by the older residents of Darby township.

The other Taylor brothers followed John from Kentucky about 1803. They had lost much of their property in the bogus land titles of Kentucky, and were, like most of the early pioneers, comparatively poor. Daniel Taylor, with his family, went directly to the Indian village above Plain City, where Jonathan Alder was at this time living. Alder surrendered the use of his hut to Taylor and his wife, and they immediately took possession. He, however, soon afterward built another beside this one, the former being used for a kitchen and the latter for bed, parlor and sitting room. There the children of Mr. Taylor and those of the Indians became intimately associated in their plays.

Another early pioneer of this township was James Norton, who came here with his family in about 1810 or 1S12, purchased a farm on Sugar run, east of Big Darby, and lived there until his death, in 1836. With him came his two sons, John and Solomon Norton. John Norton, in 1820, married Sarah Taylor, daughter of Daniel Taylor.

In the year 1814 Jeremiah Converse, a Revolutionary soldier, and Rhoda Converse, his wife, emigrated with their family to this township. Converse was born in New Hampshire in 1760. He emigrated with his father to the state of Vermont prior to the Revolutionary War. Before the close of this conflict he enlisted in the American cause. During his service he was severely wounded, and was discharged. He subsequently became a traveling minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. On his arrival in Darby township he and most of his sons bought land in close proximity to each other and about three miles west of Big Darby creek, on what was then known as the Darby Plains. The Rev. Mr. Converse was the first pioneer minister in this portion of the county. He always lived on the farm he first purchased, where he died in 1837, at the ripe age of seventy-eight years. His eldest son. Sanford Converse, settled in Licking county, Ohio, but the following sons settled near their father: Parley, Squire, Latlirop, Jeremiah, Jr..

Parley Converse was a farmer and mechanic. He was an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church for over forty years. He was also elected a justice of the peace and filled that office with great credit to himself and justice to the persons he met officially. On his retirement from his farm he moved to Plain City, where he died in 1866. He was the father of two sons, Caleb and Parley, .Jr., who were both for many years residents of Union county. Squire Converse was also a farmer, settled on the plains and died during one of the sickly seasons. He was the father of Jasper R. and Edwin Asa Converse. Jasper R., the eldest, was a large farmer on the plains and made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred sheep. He died in 1859. He was the father of Augustin Converse. Lathrop Converse, a son of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, lived on the plains until his death, in 1822. one of the sickly periods. He had three sons, two of whom were Darius and Joel N. Orinda. daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Converse, married Samuel Sherwood, who lived in Canaan township.

Jeremiah Converse, Jr., son of the Rev. Jeremiah Converse and a native of Vermont, was born in 1790. In 1813 he married Malinda Derby, a descendant of the titled family of Derbys in England. He emigrated with his and his father's families to Darby township (71 in 1814. He was tlie father of a large family, and, like others, suffered many privations incident to the life of the pioneer and early settler. lie bought a small farm of AValter Dun, for one dollar and a quarter an acre, and even at this low price it took him nine years to complete his payments. lie was a drum major in the militia regiment of this county under the then existing military laws of the state. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over thirty years. He died in 1849. He was the father of C. D., Jeremiah and L. D. Converse. The eldest son, C. D. Converse, became the owner of one of the finest farms in the township and was a resident of the township for many years. Doctor Jeremiah, the second son. practiced medicine in Darby township for years. L. D. Converse, the youngest son, also became a farmer and spent his life in Darby township.

Silas Converse, another son of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, came as a young man with his father to this township in 1814. He was married four times. Charles Converse, the youngest child of the Rev. Mr. Converse, was a mere child when they emigrated to this state. During his childhood he was subject to terrible attacks of inflammatory rheumatism, which left him a cripple the rest of his life, necessitating the use of crutches in walking. He became a prominent stock raiser in the township. He died in 1809. He was the father of three sons, James N., R. B. and Charles Converse.

Later in the same year that the Converse family came (1814) Abner Newton, Sr.. emigrated from the state of Vermont to this township and purchased a farm in the Converse settlement. He was a wheelwright and chair manufacturer. The demand of the times for that class of articles made him rather prominent in the affairs of the township. His wheels were unsurpassed for workmanship and were a necessary article in almost every family. The chairs he made were less in demand, but were purchased as the people became able to afford such luxuries. The more common seats used were long benches, or three-legged stools. Prior to and after Mr. Newton's death, his youngest son. Abner Jr., continued to manufacture the above articles as long as they were in demand or until machinery supplied their place. He later became quite an extensive manufacturer of boots and shoes, and partly in connection with it. or soon after, he dealt in dry-goods, groceries, etc. His health later broke down and he was forced to retire.

The pioneer millwright of this portion of the county was Daniel Bowers, who came to Darby township in 1814. He settled near the present village of Amity, being a single man at the time of his emigration, but within a few years thereafter he married Diadam Phiney, a young lady who came with Abel Beach and family in the same year. He was early employed by Frederick Sager to put up the building and make all the necessary machinery for a water-power grist-mill. This was the first mill of the kind ever put up in this part of the county and was situated about one mile north of Plain City, on Big Darby, which at that time was in Darby township, lmt now in Union county. Tbe grinding-stone used in this mill was made from a great boulder taken from the farm of John Taylor, being worked and dressed into proper shape by Mr. Sager himself. This part of the machinery was used for many years, being almost equal to the French buhr. He was later employed by Uri Beach to build a saw-mill, and, soon afterward, a cardingmachine. This latter was run by horse-power. The nature of the tread power used was a great novelty, consisting of a great wheel, perhaps twenty feet in diameter, with a strong center shaft and iron journals and bearings. Into this shaft strong arms were framed, extending about ten feet from the center and well braced underneath, and the whole was covered with a tight floor. The wheel was then set inclined, one side much lower than the other. The horses were harnessed, taken upon the floor and hitched to a stationary post or beam; hence their weight and the act of walking revolved the wheel beneath their feet, and thus set the machinery into motion. This was considered a wonderful achievement over the former method of carding all the wool for clothing by baud. In the settlement by the government of some Indian reservations, Mr. Bowers was employed by the agency as an interpreter, being the only person here who understood the Wyandot language. His trade being insufficient for the support of himself and his family, he purchased a farm in the Converse settlement, where he lived until his death, in 1834. There were three children in this family, two sons and a daughter. The eldest, John P. Bowers, resided for many years on the old home estate as a farmer. He became a man of great promise in the township, being several times elected to the office of trustee, also as township assessor, real estate assessor, and held the place of justice of the peace for twenty-seven years. The youngest son, S. W. Bowers, likewise became prominent in agricultural circles of this part of the county.

Charles Warner also came to the Plains in the year 1814 and purchased a farm that was to become known many years later as the I. W. Converse farm. I-Iere he made farming his business and, as a side line, took up distilling. He erected a distillery, where he made whiskey and peach brandy for the market. He usually kept three or four yoke of cattle, which were used in wagoning the products of his still to the chief trading points - Chillieothe, Sandusky and Zanesville - taking, in exchange, salt, glass and such other articles as were in demand among the pioneer families. During the spring of the year he turned his heavy ox teams to good account by breaking large quantities of the prairie sod, which was too tough for the ordinary horse team to plow. He died quite early in the history of the township and left no descendants.

Also in the year of 1814 came Charles McCloud, Sr., to Darby township, buying a farm and settling near the post road. Here he supported his family and made an honest living out of his farm. He died at his son-in-law's in 1844. He was the father of two sons, Curtis and Charles McCloud.

Charles McCloud, the youngest of these two sons, lived and worked on the farm of his father until of age, when his inclination and desire for a profession induced him to select the science of medicine as being the most congenial to his nature. He went to Granville, Ohio, where he studied in the office of Dr. Alpheus Bigelow. On completing his studies, he returned and settled in Amity, and for many years, by close application and undivided attention, he was not only a successful physician, but a leader in the profession. But, like many others in a new country, as this was at that time, with almost impassable roads at times, he became weary of the hardships incident to the profession, and longed for a more retired and less responsible life. With this end in view, he, in company with Wesley Carpenter, purchased quite an extensive tract of land below Amity, with a view of making stock-raising and farming a specialty ; but, by a few years' experience in this new enterprise, he was convinced of the fact that bone and muscle, especially in those days, were among the essential features of success. He, therefore, sold his interest in the farm to Mr. Carpenter, and immediately purchased a large stock of dry-goods and groceries and entered the general merchandise business in Amity. Here he remained until after that place was visited by the Asiatic cholera. He subsequently sold his property and purchased in Plain City, where he engaged largely in the mercantile business. In 1844 he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature and filled that position with credit to himself and his constituents. During the campaign of 1840, he had taken a very active part in county politics. He made quite a reputation for himself as a public speaker and so favorably impressed the people in this and subsequent campaigns that when the call came for delegates to the constitutional convention of 1852 he was the people's choice. He died at his home in Plain City in the year 1800, survived by his widow and two sons, R. C. and Newton McCloud.

Early in the history of the township came Titus Dort, who purchased a farm about one mile south of Plain City. As he was a blacksmith by trade very little of his time could be taken up on his farm. At this time good blacksmiths were very scarce, but very necessary, as tlie people were dependent upon them for most of their farm implements, such as trace chains, hoes, axes, plows, and many necessary and indispensable articles.

In the year 1S18 Samuel Smith and family came from the state of Vermont and settled in this township, lie purchased aillarge tract of land, containing about six hundred acres. On this farm he built the first brick house on the plains. The roof of this house was made by pine shingles, purchased in Cincinnati, from the dairy products, and wagoned through an almost trackless forest, requiring two weeks or more to make the round trip.

Simeon Hager, who was born in 1700, emigrated to Ohio and settled in this township in 1S14. Soon afterward he purchased a farm near Plain City and spent the remainder of his life in its management. He died at his home in 1843. He was the father of Simeon, Jr., Baldwin and Aurelius Hager.

In the year 1817 Isaac Bigelow came to this part of Ohio with the idea in mind of opening up a great stock farm, and purchased land now covering, in part, the site of the village of Plain City. But the tide of emigration seemed toward the central portion of Ohio. The chief trading points of Zanesville, Chillicothe, Cincinnati and Sandusky were so distant that Mr. Bigelow conceived that idea of platting a, new town for the convenience of the future settlers, where they might make their necessary purchases of nails, glass, salt, etc., and so planned to lay out a new town. Accordingly, in 1818, the original town plat of Plain City was laid out by him, but a more comprehensive sketch of the founding of Plain City will be found in the history of that village. Mr. Bigelow was a physician by profession and for many years enjoyed a wide practice in this and neighboring townships.

Israel Bigelow, his father, came to the township in 1828 and purchased property in the village of Plain City. He was also a practicing physician and for several years followed his profession in Plain City and the surrounding country. He died in Plain City in 1838.

Dr. Daniel Bigelow, a son of Israel and a brother of Isaac Bigelow, settled in the township in 1831, and likewise spent his life in the active labors of a medical practitioner. He was ever ready to attend all calls in his profession, and his greatest delight was embodied in his efforts toi mitigate the sufferings of his fellow creatures. He was sociable, pleasing and winning in his manner; his presence in the sick room dispersed the gloom of his patients, and, in a word, cheerfulness was traceable in every lineament of his features.

Another settler who arrived in the year 1818 was Eber McDowell, who purchased a farm about two miles west of the Converse settlement. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. With others, he experienced many of the hard struggles incident to pioneer life. Though the price of land was seemingly very low, yet all the farm products were correspondingly reduced in price, and, in order to make the last payment on his farm, he sold and delivered two hundred bushels of corn to a Mr. Wright, of Dublin, Franklin county, for ten cents per bushel. This delivery was made by hauling the corn, with a heavy pair of cattle, a distance of fifteen miles, requiring two days to make the round trip. The oxen were also sold to the same person for twenty-seven dollars. The money thus obtained enabled him to procure a deed for the farm, on which he spent his days. He died at the advanced age of ninety-six.

Amos Beach emigrated from Vermont to Darby township in 1814. He became the owner of a small farm on the Plains, where he lived and which he successfully managed until about the year 1830, when, selling his property, he removed to Union county. He later returned to this county and lived in Plain City, where he died.

Abner and David Chapman, two brothers, came to this township in about 1810. Abner Chapman, a man of good education, first purchased a farm near Plain City, but later sold this and located on the banks of the Big Darby. It was included in Union county on its erection in 1820. He spent a portion of his time for several years in teaching school. His brother, also a young man of good education and a surveyor by profession, taught school and did a great deal of surveying for Walter Dun, of Virginia. At this time there were many small strips of land that had been unentered by former speculators. Many of these were now entered and patented by him. He later married a daughter of Joshua Ewing and for many years lived on his farm on the Plains. He later, however, moved to Union county and from there to the state of Iowa.

William McCune, a step-son of Andrew Noteman. came with the latter in 1803 and settled on the east bank of Big Darby creek, immediately opposite the Indian village or camping ground referred to above. In the creation of Union county, he was included within its territory. But the stepson above referred to began to support himself early in life. At the age of twelve, he went to Franklinton to learn the trade of blacksmith. He remained there for some time and, it is said, assisted in the forging of the nails that were used in the construction of the old state house at Columbus. Mr. McCune afterwards went to Buck Creek and learned the tanning business, but, after completing his trade, he came back and purchased and moved onto a farm near Plain City. Mr. McCune' s tannery was one of the first in this part of the county. Here was an accommodation kindly appreciated by the people, and his thorough knowledge of the business, in connection with his honesty, won for him a large proportion of the custom of the county. A few years prior to his death, he became entirely blind. His home was cut off from Darby in 1820.

Another pioneer who hailed from New England and who came to settle in Darby township was Richard Morgridge, who came with his family from Connecticut to Licking county, Ohio, in 1816. Here he was compelled to stop and remain a short period because of sickness in his family. He came with more property than was customary among those early, hearty woodsmen. He emigrated with a good pair of horses and wagon, and with him he brought a large box of Yankee clocks, which he had purchased very cheap in his native state, but which he sold at a great profit in the new country. All this property was converted into cash within a short time. However, this cash was in paper and, being issued by many different banks, he went to Marietta and there exchanged it for notes of the Muskingum Valley Bank of that place. This banking house became insolvent a short time afterward and closed business, leaving him penniless and with his property gone. The sickness in his family forced him to remain in Licking county for three years and also forced him to incur expense that he could not meet. In 1819 he purchased a yoke of oxen and moved his family to Darby township. There he purchased, or rather contracted for, one hundred and thirty acres in the Converse settlement of "Walter Dun. The debts incurred in Licking county were still hanging over him. and his creditors came and attached all of his chattel property ; but, this being insufficient to satisfy their claims, his body was also taken by the sheriff, to be lodged in the county jail for debt. But. before leaving home with that officer, his wife placed in his hands all the money in their possession, being one dollar and thirty cents. After they had proceeded some distance, it occurred to Mr. Morgridge that the law required the creditor to support the debtor while in jail, if he had no means of supporting himself. Therefore, he made an excuse to stop by the roadside, where he secretly placed his money under a rail in the fence, near a large tree. After their arrival in London, a search was instituted, and he was found without any means of supporting himself. The creditor was then asked to give bond for the maintenance of the prisoner while in jail, which he refused to do, whereupon Mr. Morgridge was set free. Richard Morgridge never completed the payments on his farm, but, after his death, the family met those obligations.

homes and pushed on to more remote parts, and among these should be mentioned the Marquis, Petty, Nickels and Frazell families. The emigration to this part of the county from 1S12 to 1S20, as shown in the pages above, was little short of wonderful. By far the greater portion of them, came from the New England states, whose soil was so inferior in fertility to that of Madison county that the fame of the latter became proverbial for its fertility and productiveness. Tbe sad years of 1822 and 1823, with their murderous "sickly seasons," cast a great cloud of gloom over the township and draped the previously prospective outlook for a rapid and early development of her resources, with death and disease that threatened depopulation. The shock thus produced was felt all over the county, but the heaviest burden of it seems to have fallen on Darby and Canaan townships. Emigration ceased, practically, until 1830 and 1832. The only residents of the township from 1S23 until 1S30 were the survivors of those two sickly seasons, and even some of these returned to their native states or moved on to other settlements. The great portion of the present inhabitants of Darby township are the descendants of these pioneer families.

Early Stock Speculators

The chief draw-back to stock raising in pioneer times was the great difficulty of marketing the animals. It was neither expensive nor difficult to raise the cattle and bogs, but they must be driven to distant market places. Moreover, there were just a few marketable points within the reach of the settlements, and the demand at these markets was limited. At Sandusky and Detroit the government agencies were ready purchasers of small amounts of this kind of produce. In addition to these places, Cincinnati, Chillicothe and Cleveland did a small amount of this kind of business. Here, then, were the points of marketing, but the serious problem was that of transportation. The only method possible at that time was by driving. But the driving on foot of a great amount of stock a distance of from one to two hundred miles, with such surroundings as were peculiar to a new country such as this was, was a great task, beset with many difficulties and dangers.

Perhaps Butler Comstock, of Worthington, was the first of the extensive cattle buyers and speculators who operated in Darby township. His purchases were usually made in the spring and comprised one hundred or more head of four-year-old steers, for which he paid, on the average, between four and seven dollars a head. These cattle were herded and grazed on the prairie until early autumn, and then driven to one of the abovementioned markets or to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.

In 1818 a young Canadian by the name of James Guy came to this township. He possessed fine business qualifications and at once began buying cattle - in limited quantities at first, however, but increasing as his means increased. The points of trade sought by him were in keeping with the kind and condition of his stock. His fat cattle were driven to Sandusky or Detroit, but his stock cattle were taken to the neighborhood of Chillicothe and sold to the feeders of the Sciotio bottoms. This method of doing business was too circumscribed to meet his enlarged views and speculative usefulness. This increased trade upon his part was in keeping with tbe increased supply, for, by this time, the people had learned that stock-raising was the most profitable, if not the only, industry that brought the ready cash. The current price for a four-year-old steer during the years from 1830 to 1840 was from seven to ten dollars per head. In his traffic in cattle. Mr. Guy did not limit himself to this township or county, but pux-chased large droves of cattle that were driven on foot over the Alleghany mountains to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Sometimes his herds assumed mammoth proportions, numbering from three to five hundred head. He followed this business for nearly twenty years. At one time he was the owner of fifteen hundred acres of the finest grazing land on the plains. In 1846 lie, in company witli David Mitchell, son of Judge Mitchell, entered on an extensive scale into the pork-packing business in Columbus. Many thousand head were slaughtered, for which they paid from five to six dollars per hundred pounds; but before this great bulk of packed meat could be put on the market, there came that great financial crash of 1S47, wrecking them upon the sand-bar of finance. He lost all and made an assignment to his creditors. However, he was not the kind to sit idle and brood over his reverses of the past and, when the California gold fever swept the country, he joined that procession of "Forty-niners" to "Ophir" to gather the precious dust. He remained there for four years and came back with five thousand dollars in nuggets, with which he purchased a farm, partly in this and partly in Union counties, where he lived until his death in 1SS2.

A stockman of great prominence at a later date was Daniel Boyd. He was the grandson of James Boyd, who came to Canaan township in 1820 and lived there until his death in 1831. As the railroad lines extended westward, many of the old stock speculators and drovers retired from business and a new generation stepped to the front. One of the leaders of these was Daniel Boyd. His early business training was in connection with the cattle herds of Darby township. Accordingly he made his first shipments to the Eastern markets in 1855. After a few years' experience, he practically abandoned the shipment of cattle and confined his efforts to the shipment of hogs, sheep and wool. He was engaged in this business in the county for over thirty years and many of the older residents remember the times when his business was most flourishing.

"Ordered, that all that tract of country comprised in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, created into a separate township, to be known by the name of Darby, and bounded as follows, to wit :

"Beginning at the upper corner of Jefferson township, thence north with line to Delaware county; thence with said line east, to the northwest corner of Franklin county; thence with said line to the place of beginning."

This creation lasted for only one year, when it was declared void. The reason for this action is not given, but the following is of record under date of June 11, 1811:

"At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, ordered, that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, created into a separate township by the name of Darby, and is bounded as follows :

"Beginning at the northeast corner of Madison county, thence south with Franklin county line, so that a point turning west will strike Calvin Cary, Sr.'s lower corner; thence westwardly to Abraham Johnson's lower corner, on Little Darby; thence to Peter Paugh's southeast corner; thence westwardly so as to strike the Champaign county line, two miles north of William Frankabarger, Sr.'s; thence with said line to Delaware county line; thence with Delaware county line to the place of beginning."

This creation has been greatly reduced by subsequent creations; Canaan township was taken from Darby in the year 1814 and Pike township was formed from Darby in 1819. And when Union county was created in 1820, from the territory of Delaware and Madison counties, a strip of land two and a half miles wide was taken from the northern boundary of Darby township. Thus It has been reduced in territorial advantages until it is among the smallest townships in the county.

Soil

The soil of Darby township is of greater variety. Near the streams it is a reddish, gravelly loam, very deep and well adapted to mixed agriculture, such as the production of wheat. rye, oats and corn, as well as root crops. After leaving the streams on the east, the soil, on the more elevated lands, partakes of a light-colored clay, with a small admixture of gravel, better adapted for grass and grazing purposes. But the greater portion is a black loam*, and when once thoroughly drained is well calculated to grow any and all of the agricultural products adapted to this climate. The western portion of the township - the prairie land - is composed of a deep, black loam, presenting the appearance of having been composed of vegetable decomposition, upon which, in its native state, grew a wonderful growth of vegetation.

The only stream that enters Darby township is Big Darby creek and its tributaries. Big Darby creek finds its source in the northeastern portion of Champaign county, wends its way across the southern portion of Union county, passing through Darby and a portion of Canaan townships, and thence forming the boundary line between Madison and Franklin counties. This stream received its name from the Wyandot Indians who named it after a chief of theirs by the name of Darby, who for a long time lived on its bank, near the present Madison and Union county line. Sugar creek rises in Union county, flows through the eastern portion of the township and empties into the Big Darby. To the early settlers of the township this stream furnished important and indispensable water power, with which they ran their grist- and saw-mills.

Other Physical Features

All land to the east of Big Darby creek was covered by heavy timber, made up mostly of walnut, ash. beech, white and black oak. hickory, basswood and white elm on the swampy lands. There were some rather extensive sugar groves along Sugar run and near Big Darby. Spice-bush was the principal underbrush and grew abundantly, especially on the flat lands. The land lying to the west of Big Darby and east of Little Darby creek was widely known as the Darby plains. However, this prairie was dotted here and there by occasional small oak openings, or a narrow, long line of scrubby burr-oaks, whose growth had been fatally interfered with by the annual prairie fires of the Indians. By far the greater portion of the timber of later times grew up after the stopping of these fires. This whole area was covered with wild grass and flowering herbs. The lower portions of the prairies were covered with a species of grass that came up in single stalks, very thick at the ground, with a large round straw, very tough, long, broad blades, and on top a head, somewhat resembling barley. This specie grew from six to eight feet in height, but was of no value for grazing purposes except when it first came up in the spring. On the more elevated portions of the plains grew two other varieties' that were known as the "limber-will" and "ledge-grass." The former of these came lip in single stalks, very thick on the ground, with long drooping blades and slightly sickle-edged. The latter variety grew in bunches, or tufts, very compact, with fine blades and center stalks very tall, smooth and round, like rye. These last two varieties were very nutritious, not only in a green state, but equally so when cut and made into hay. There were other, but unimportant, varieties.

The plains abounded with flowering vegetation. It would be almost impossible, at this late date, to give a full description of the vegetation, but a few species should be mentioned. The prairie dock had large, brittle roots, long, broad leaves, and. every alternate year, large center stalks. It grew to a height of six or eight feet and branched out near the top, upon each stem of which was a beautiful yellow blossom. When the stalks were cut near the ground, or the leaves punctured, a thick gummy exudation took place, which soon became semi-solid, and was gathered by the young people for chewing gum. The wild sunflower was a kind of weed that grew with a large, strong stalk, very

All of the ponds were surrounded by the wild blue flag. This was a very pretty, but very offensive, plant. At the top of each center stalk was a large, blue flower, very pretty in appearance, but its fragrance was of an offensive and sickening character. There were many other varieties that grew upon the prairies besides those that were found skirting and in the oak openings, such as the daisies, buttercups, wild pinks, coxcombs, lilies, and many others, equally as beautiful.

A large portion of these prairie lands was covered with water for most of the year, for what little outlet there was for the surface water was Altered through this dense growth of vegetation. The height and density of the wild grasses that -grew upon these prairies was such as was calculated to produce a feeling of despondency and desolation.

There is one peculiar feature in the topography of these lands, which very much retarded the early development and drainage of the prairies. It has only been within the last forty years that the fact was demonstrated and generally understood, that all the prairies lying east of Little Darby creek, with but one or two exceptions, drain to Big Darby. The first opinions were that, as these plains were situated between the two Darbys, that the drainage would be about equal distance to each. However, the dip of the country here is east and southeast. Here, then, was a stubborn obstacle in the way of a complete and thorough drainage, for no one or two men could afford to cut the necessary long and deep artificial drains to secure such benefits to the upper lands as were required to make the farming of those lands a success. But right here the legislative enactment of the state came to their relief, namely, that, by petition of twelve interested freeholders to the trustees of the proper township, an artificial drain could be located and the cutting of the same awarded to the land-owners along the line thereof, according to the benefits derived therefrom. The supposed worthlessness of these prairies by the early land speculators, who bought soldiers' claims and laid out their warrants in the Virginia military district, is clearly shown by their leaving out of their surveys as much as possible of the above lands. Another evidence in support of the same conclusion is that the first settlers made their purchases near or adjacent to the streams, supposing the- prairie lands would ever remain wet, worthless and uninhabitable. But the scientific truth in regard to this part of the country is, that her altitude is nearly equal to that of any other part of the state; and yet, her reputation has been that of being but little above sea level. There were two distinct periods or phases in the origin of the burroak timber that was growing on these plains when they were first discovered by the white man. The oldest of these were scattering and few in number, and are found growing on the highest points of the prairie lands. The limbs of these trees came out almost at right angles with the trunk, an evidence of the tree having stood alone, and dating back to the forming periods of all the forests of this country. The latter are of a more recent origin and date back from two or three hundred years. There is considerable uniformity in the age of the trees of each of these groups. Why so many years should elapse between the two periods is a question difficult of solution, but, by a thorough knowledge of the topography of these prairie lands, a reasonable hypothesis might be adduced that would remove the obscurity in part at least.

Topographical science has demonstrated beyond all question of doubt that the Darby plains are table-land. Such lands are always surrounded with one or more rims of a greater or less elevation, but of sufficient height to hold, as it were, like a basin, the rainfall or waters from any cause that may flow into it, and there to remain, unless otherwise dried up by evaporation. Many of the first settlers were greatly deceived as to the most natural and available points for the drainage of these lands, and, as a result some very unpleasant law-suits were prosecuted, to the detriment of all parties. The error consisted in mistaking the rim that formed the basin for the natural watershed between the two Darbys. This latter elevation is quite distinctive and is easily traced by the timbers that grow on either side. Upon the one side, it is characterized hy the kinds of timber that are found near all streams, and upon the other, by that which is peculiar to the prairies. This natural water-shed is generally found from one-half to one mile east of Little Darby creek, thus continuing for several miles, but gradually leaving the stream until it abruptly circles away, connecting itself with one or more rims of this table land. That these elevations, at some prehistoric age of the world, had been much more elevated than at present, or that the prairie depressions have been much greater, or both, is evident from this standpoint. That there was a time, a prehistoric period, when these lands were covered with water there can be no doubt. But these elevations have been slowly worn down hy the overflow of water and tread of the buffalo, elk and other wild animals, until some of the more elevated points of the prairie (or lake) appeared as dry land. This process of reasoning would date the period when those few and scattering burr oaks first sprang into existence. Hence, the conclusion that, as this wearing away and filling up continued, much larger portions were brought to the surface, upon which sprang the second growth, that was in existence when the first white men came. As this wearing away and filling up still continued, the whole of these prairies was covered with a heavy coat of vegetation. Thus, year after year, or perhaps centuries, this growth and decay had been going on until the depth of soil is unsurpassed by any other portion of the state. There is one more conclusive evidence in support of the theory that these prairies were for a long time submerged in water, for, when the lowest prairies were first broken by the plow, large quantities of snail and clam shell were turned up, which, however, soon crumbled on exposure to the atmosphere.

Geology

From the geological point of view, Darby township differs from many other portions of the county. There are no ores and but few limestone ledges, and these are found only near the banks of Big Darby and below the water, and therefore are inacessible and of no practical value. Gravel is found in abundance near the streams and of the very best quality, from which most of the excellent gravel roads have been made. In nearly all of these gravel beds, some relics of a pre-historic race, or of the North American Indians, have been found, such as human skeletons, stone hammers or axes, pestles, arrowheads, etc., and in one of these banks there were several skeletons found lying in close proximity to each other. By the side of each was found a piece of yellow ochre as large as a cocoanut, and is supposed to have been placed there under the superstitions idea that it would be required as a war paint in fighting the battles of the other world. There is one peculiar freak in the drift formation of the western portion of this township, which was unearthed many years ago. in cutting an artificial drain, east of Little Darby creek, through the only prairie lying west of the natural watershed. This prairie is about two miles in length, quite broad at the upper end. but, going down, the prairie is gradually contracted by the elevated lands and the timber until the latter finally closes in, obliterating the prairie and forming a dense mass of timber. In cutting this drain at the point where the timbers come together, and for some distance below, large quantities of white limestone were found in blocks, scattered here and there, sometimes- singly, and at others in close proximity, or lying one upon another; but. to convey the correct idea, they lay scattered in a promiscuous mass. These blocks were irregular in shape, but uniformly flat on either side, varying in thickness from three to ten or twelve inches. They were very soft and easily out when first removed, but soon hardened on exposure. They were found from six inches under the soil to as deep as the drain was built. Therefore the extent of this deposit is not known. Like many other portions of the county, there are here also those old, time-worn boulders, scattered here and there as monuments. They are not, however, as numerous here as in many other places, except at a few points on each side of Big Darby and near Sugar run, where they have been deposited in considerable numbers.

Source changes here: from History of Madison County Ohio, by Chester E. Bryan, published 1915; 7,780 words in this source stream.

Darby Township

Darby was among the first townships settled in Madison county, its history dating as far back as 1795. The first white man to locate within this township was Jonathan Alder, who was discovered by Benjamin Springer living on the banks of Big Darby creek with. his Indian wife in 1796. Alder was born in New Jersey, about eight miles from Philadelphia, September 17, 1773. His parents were Bartholomew 'and Hannah : Alder. When Jonathan was about seven years old, the family moved to Wythe county, Virginia, where the father soon afterward died. In 1782 he and his brother were captured by a band of prowling Indians, his brother being killed but he being held a prisoner. He was adopted by the tribe and became, in practically every sense, an Indian. He married an Indian woman and made his liying by hunting and farming through the country now covered by Madison county.

In 1796, as mentioned above, Benjamin Springer, with his wife and two sons, Silas and Thomas, also his son-in-law, Usual Osborn, and wife, settled on Big Darby creek. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and built their cabin on land later owned by John Taylor, close to the north line of Canaan township and just within the limits of the same. But their names are mentioned here because of their close proximity and close relations with the early pioneers of Darby township. In 1798, the Ewing brothers, James and Joshua, emigrated from Kentucky to present Darby township and settled a short distance northeast of the site of Plain City. They bought farms lying on both sides of Big Darby creek. One reason for making their purchases on both sides of the stream was that they might have ready access to the prairie grazing lands, and at the same time have tillable lands on the elevated bottoms along the creek. They supposed, as did many others, that the open prairie land would afford them pasturage for many years to come. In this, however, they were mistaken, for they were in time owned by industrious farmers and inclosed with good fences.

Yinancially, James Ewing was more favored than the average pioneers and was known in the neighborhood as a rich man. He was one of the directors of the Franklin Bank, of Franklintown, Ohio, and this connection made him useful to the community in which he resided. The person in need of capital, by getting Mr. Ewing's recommendation as to the financial safety of his note, could always get ready cash. For many years the only postoffice in that region of the country was kept by him for the accommodation of his neighbors, and in connection with it he handled dry-goods, groceries, notions, etec., in such quantities as would meet the pressing demands of those early people.

Joshua Ewing died during the "sickly season" of 1822-23. He was a surveyor and made many of the early surveys of Madison county. Upon the erection of Union county, in 1820, the property of the Fwing brothers was thrown into the new county.

The Taylor brothers, John, Daniel and Richard, natives of New York state, emigrated to Kentucky in 1795 and settled on land they purchased near Lexington. They became discouraged and disgusted because of the constant litigations over titles, and determined to seek new lands. John Taylor, going to the man from whom he had. made his purchase, made a trade with him for lands in the then territory of Ohio. By this exchange he became the owner of three hundred acres of land on the banks of Big Derby, now in Union county. He moved to his new farm in 1800, sold his first purchase to Frederick Sager, and bought another about one mile south of Plain 'City, on both sides of Big Darby ereek, from John Graham. Here he erected a log cabin, stable and outbuildings, and soon afterward, probably about the year 1804, he married a widow McCullough, sister of Judge Mitchell. Two children blessed this union, a daughter and a son. The daughter died in infancy, but the son, John Taylor, Jr., lived on the old homestead for many years, and is still remembered by the older residents of Darby to' 7nship.

The other Taylor brothers followed John from Kentucky about 1803. They had lost much of their property in the bogus land titles of Kentucky, and were, like most of the early pioneers, comparatively poor. Daniel Taylor, with his family, went directly to the Indian village above Plain City, where Jonathan Alder was at this time living. Alder surrendered the use of his hut to 'Taylor and his wife, and they immediately. took possession. He, however, soon afterward built another beside this one, the former being used for a kitchen and the latter for bed, parlor and sitting room. There the children of Mr. Taylor and those of the Indians became intimately associated in their plays.

Another early pioneer of this township was James Norton, who came here with his family in about 1810 or 1812, purchased a farm on Sugar run, east of Big Darby, and lived there until. his death, in 18386. With him came his two sons, John and Solomon Norton. John Norton, in 1820, married Sarah Taylor, daughter of Daniel Taylor.

In the year 1814 Jeremiah Converse, a Revolutionary soldier, and Rhoda Converse, his wife, emigrated with their family to this township. Converse was born in New Hampshire in 1760. He emigrated with his father to the state of Vermont prior to the Revolutionary War. Before the close of this conflict he enlisted in the American cause. During his service he was severely wounded, and was discharged. He subsequently became a traveling minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. On his arrival in Darby township he and most of his sons bought land in close 'proximity to each other and about three miles west of Big Darby creek, on what was then known as the Darby Plains. The Rev. Mr. Converse was the first pioneer minister in this portion of the county. He always lived on the farm he first purchased, where he died in 1837, at the ripe age of seventy-eight years. His eldest son, Sanford Converse, settled in Licking county, Ohio, but the following sons settled near their father: Parley, Squire, Lathrop,: Jeremiah, Jr,. Silas and Charles Converse. :

Parley Converse was a farmer and mechanic. He was an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church for over forty years. He was also elected a justice of the peace and filled that office with great credit to himself and justice to the persons he met officially. On his retirement from his farm he moved to Plain City, where he died in 1866. He was the father of two sons, Caleb, and Parley, Jr., who were both for many years residents of Union county. Squire Converse was also a farmer, settled on the plains and died during one of the sickly seasons. He was the father of Jasper R. and Edwin Asa Converse. Jasper R., the eldest, was a large farmer on the plains and made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred sheep. He died .in 1859. He was the father of Augustin Converse. Lathrop Converse, a son of Rev. Jeremiah Converse, lived on the plains until his death, in 1822, one of the sickly periods. He had three sons, two of whom were Darius and Joel N. Orinda, daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Converse, married Samuel Sherwood, who lived in Canaan township.

Jeremiah Converse, Jr., son of the Rev. Jeremiah Converse and a native of Vermont. was born in 1790. In 1813 he married Malinda Derby, a descendant of the titled family of Derbys in England. He emigrated with his and his father's families to Darby township in 1814. He was the father of a large family, and, like others, suffered many privations incident to the life of the pioneer and early settler. He bought a small farm of Walter Dun, for one dollar and a quarter an acre, and even at this low price it took him nine years to complete his payments. He was a drum major in the militia regiment of this county under the then existing military laws of the state. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over thirty years. He died in 1849. He was the father of C. D., Jeremiah and L. D. Converse. The eldest son, C. D. Converse, became the owner of one of the finest farms in the township and was a resident of the township for many years. Doctor Jeremiah, the second son, practiced medicine in Darby township for years. L. D. Converse, the youngest son, also became a farmer and spent his life in Darby township.

Silas Converse, another son of Rey. Jeremiah Converse, came aS a young Man with his father to this township in 1814. He was married four times. Charles Converse, the youngest child of the Rev. Mr. Converse, was a mere child when they emigrated to this stute. During his childhood he was subject to terrible attacks of inflammatory rheumatism, which left him a cripple the rest of his life, necessitating the use of crutches in walking. He became a prominent stock raiser in the township. He died in 1869. He was the father of three sons, James N., R. B. and Charles Converse.

Later in the same year that the Converse family came (1814) Abner Newton, Sr., emigrated from the state of Vermont to this township and purchased a farm in the Converse settlement. He was a wheelwright and chair manufacturer. The demand of the times for that class of articles made him rather prominent in the affairs of the township. His wheels were unsurpassed for workmanship and were a necessary article in almost every family. The chairs he made were less in demand, but were purchased as the people became able to afford such luxuries. The more common seats used were long benches. or three-legged stools. Prior to and after Mr. Newton's death, his youngest son, Abner Jr., continued to manufacture the above articles as long as they were in demand or until machinery supplied their place. He later became quite an extensive manufacturer of boots and shoes, and partly in connection with it, or soon after, he dealt in dry-goods, groceries, etc. His health later broke down and he was forced to retire.

The pioneer millwright of this portion of the county was Daniel Bowers, who came to Darby township in 1814. He settled near the present village of Amity, being a single man at the time of his emigration, but within a few years thereafter he married Diadam Phiney, a young lady who came with Abel Beach and family in the same year. He was early employed by Frederick Sager to put up the building and make all the necessary machinery for a water-power grist-mill. This was the first mill of the kind ever put up in this part of the county and was situated about one mile north of Plain City, on Big Darby, which at that time was in Darby township, but now in Union county. The grinding-stone used in this mill was made from a great boulder taken from the farm of John Taylor, being worked and dressed into proper shape by Mr. Sager himself. This part of the machinery was used for many years, being almost equal to the French buhr. He was later employed by Uri Beach to build a saw-mill, and, soon afterward, a cardingmachine. This latter was run by horse-power. The nature of the tread power used was a great novelty, consisting of a great wheel, perhaps twenty feet in diameter, with a strong center shaft and iron journals and bearings. Into this shaft strong arms were frxmed, extending about ten feet from the center and well braced underneath. and the whole was covered with a tight floor. The wheel was then set inclined, one side much lower than the other. The horses were harnessed, taken upon the floor and hitched to a stationary post or beam; hence their weight and the act of walking revolved the wheel beneath their feet, and thus set the machinery into motion. This was considered a wonderful achievement over the former method of carding all the wool for clothing by hand. In the settlement by the government of some Indian reservations, Mr. Bowers was employed by the agency as an interpreter, being the only person here who understood the Wyandot language. His trade being insufticient for the support of himself and his family, he purchased a farm in the Converse settlement, where he lived until his death, in 1884. There were three children in this family, two sons and a daughter: The eldest, John P. Bowers, resided for many years on the old home estate as a farmer. He became a man of great promise in the township, being several times elected *o the office of trustee, also as township assessor, real estate assessor, and held the place of justice of the peace for twenty-seven years. The youngest son, S. W. Bowers, likewise became prominent in agricultural circles of this part of the county.

Charles Warner also came to the Plains in the year 1814 and purchased a farm that was to become known many years later as the I. W. Converse farm. Here he made farming his business and, as a side line, took up distilling. He erected a distillery, where he made whiskey and peach brandy for the market. He usually kept three or four yoke of cattle, which were used in wagoning the products of. his still to the chief trading points - - Chillicothe, Sandusky and Zanesville - taking, in exchange, salt, glass and such other articles as were in demand among the pioneer families. During the spring of the year he turned his heavy ox teams to good account by breaking large quantities of the prairie sod, which was too tough for the ordinary horse team to plow. He died quite early in the history of the township and left no descendants.

Also in the year of 1814 came Charles McCloud, Sr., to Darby township, buying a farm and settling near the post road. Here he supported his family and made an honest living out of his farm. He died at his son-in-law's in 1844. He was the father of two sons, Curtis and Charles McCloud.

Charles McCloud, the youngest of these two sons, lived and worked on the farm of his father until of age, when his inclination and desire for a profession induced him to select the science of medicine as being the most congenial to his nature. He went to Granville, Ohio, where he studied in the office of Dr. Alpheus Bigelow. On completing his studies, he returned and settled in Amity, and for many years, by close application and undivided attention, he was not only a successful physician, but a leader in the profession. But, like many others in a new country, as this was at that time, with almost impassable roads at times, he became weary of the hardships incident to the profession, and longed for a more retired and less responsible life. With this end in view, he, in company with Wesley Carpenter, purchased quite an extensive tract of land below Amity, with a view of making stock-raising and farming a specialty; but, by a few years' experience in this new enterprise, he was convinced of the fact that bone and muscle, especially in those days, were among the essential features of success. He, therefore, sold his interest in the farm to Mr. Carpenter, and immediately purchased a large stock of dry-goods and groceries and entered the general merchandise business in Amity. Here he remained until after that place was visited by the Asiatic cholera. He subsequently sold his property and purchased in Plain City, where he engaged largely in the mercantile business. In 1844 he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature and filled that position with credit to himself and his constituents. During the campaign of 1840, he had taken a very active part in county politics. He made quite a reputation for himself as a public speaker and so favorably impressed the people in this and subsequent campaigns that when the call came for delegates to the constitutional convention of 1852 he was the people's choice. He died at his home in Plain City in the year 1860, survived by his widow and two sons, R. C. and. Newton McCloud.

Early in the history of the township came Titus Dort, who purchased a farm about one mile south of Plain City. As he was a blacksmith by trade very little of his time could be taken up on his farm. At this time good blacksmiths were very scarce, but very necessary, as the people were dependent upon them for most of their farm implements, such as trace chains, hoes, axes, plows, and many necessary and indispensable articles.

In the year 1818 Samuel Smith and family came from the state of Vermont and settled in this township. He purchased ailarge tract of land, containing about six hundred acres. On this farm he built the first brick house on the plains. The roof of this house was made by pine shingles, purchased in Cincinnati, from the dairy products, and wagoned through an almost trackless forest, requiring two weeks or more to make the round trip.

Simeon Hager, who was born in 1766, emigrated to Ohio and settled in this township in 1814. Soon afterward he purchased a farm near Plain City and spent the remainder of his life in its management. He died at his home in 1843. He was the father of Simeon, Jr., Baldwin and Aurelius Hager.

In the year 1817 Isaac Bigelow came to this part of Ohio with the idea in mind of opening up a great stock farm, and purchased land now covering, in part, the site of the village of Plain City. But the tide of emigration seemed toward the central portion of Ohio. The chief trading points of Zanesville, Chillicothe, Cincinnati and Sandusky were so distant that Mr. Bigelow conceived that idea of platting ainew town for the convenience of the future settlers, where they might make their necessary purchases of nails, glass, salt, etc., and so planned to lay out a new town. Accordingly, in 1818, the original town plat of Plain City was laid out by him, but a more comprehensive sketch of the founding of Plain City will be found in the history of that village. Mr. Bigelow was a physician by profession and for many years enjoyed a wide practice in this and neighboring townships.

Israel Bigelow, his father, came to the township in 1828 and purchased property in - the village of Plain City. He was also a practicing physician and for several years followed his profession in Plain City and the surrounding country. He died in Plain City in 1888.

Dr. Daniel Bigelow, a son of Israel and a brother of Isaac Bigelow, settled in the township in 1831, and likewise spent his life in the active labors of a medical practitioner. He was ever ready to attend all calls in his profession, and his greatest delight was embodied in his efforts to mitigate the sufferings of his fellow creatures. He was sociable, pleasing and winning in his manner; his presence in the sick room dispersed the gloom of his patients, and, in a word, cheerfulness was traceable in every lineament of his features.

Another settler who arrived in the year 1818 was Eber McDowell, who purchased a farm about two miles west of the Converse settlement. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. With others, he experienced many of the hard struggles incident to pioneer life. Though the price of land was seemingly very low, yet all the farm products were correspondingly reduced in price, and, in order to make the last payment on his farm, he sold and delivered two hundred bushels of corn to a Mr. Wright, of Dublin, Franklin county, for ten cents per bushel. This delivery was made by hauling the corn, with a heavy pair of cattle, a distance of fifteen miles, requiring two days to make the round trip. The oxen were also sold to the same person for twenty-seven dollars. The money thus obtained enabled-him to procure a deed for the farm, on which he spent his days. He died at the advanced age of ninety-six.

Amos Beach emigrated from Vermont to Darby township in 1814. He became the owner of a small farm on the Plains, where he lived and which he successfully managed until about the year 1830, when, selling his property, he removed to Union county. He later returned to this county and lived in Plain City, where he died.

Abner and David Chapman, two brothers, came to this township in about 1810. Abner Chapman, a man of good education, first purchased a farm near Plain City, but later sold this and located on the banks of the Big Darby. It was included in Union county on its erection in 1820. He spent a portion of his time for several years in teaching school. His brother, also a young man of good education and a surveyor by profession, taught school and did a great deal of surveying for Walter Dun, of Virginia. At this time there were many small strips of land that had been unentered by former speculators. Many of these were now entered and patented by him. He later married a daughter of Joshua Ewing and for many years lived on his farm on tle Plains. He later, however, moved to Union county and from there to the state of Iowa.

William McCune, a step-son of Andrew Noteman, came with the latter in 1803 and settled on the east bank of Big Darby creek, immediately opposite the Indian village or camping ground referred to above. In the creation of Union county he was included within its territory. But the stepson above referred to began to support himself early in life. At the age of twelve, he went to Franklinton to learn the trade of blacksmith. He remained there for some time and, it is said, assisted in the forging of the nails that were used in the construction of the old state house at Columbus. Mr. McCune afterwards went to Buck Creek and learned the tanning business, but, after completing his trade, he came back and purchased and moved onto a farm near Plain City. Mr. McCune's tannery was one of the first in this part of the county. Here was an accommodation kindly appreciated by the people, and his thorough knowledge of the business, in connection with his honesty, won for him a large proportion of the custom of the county. A few years prior to his death, he became entirely blind. His home was cut off from Darby in 1820.

Another pioneer who hailed from New England and who came to settle in Darby township was Richard Morgridge, who came with his family from Connecticut to Licking. county, Ohio, in 1816. Here he was compelled to stop and remain a short period because of sickness in his family. He came with more property than was customary among those early, hearty woodsmen. He emigrated with a good pair of horses and wagon, and with him he brought a large box of Yankee clocks, which he had purchased very cheap in his native state, but which he sold at a great profit in the new country. All this property was converted into cash within a short time. However, this cash was in paper and, being issued by many different banks, he went to Marietta and there exchanged it for notes of the Muskingum Valley Bank of that place. This banking house became insolvent a short time afterward and closed business, leaving him penniless and with his property gone. The sickness in his family forced him to remain in Licking county for three years and also forced him to incur expense that he could not meet. In 1819 he purchased a yoke of oxen and moved his family to Darby township. There he purchased, or rather contracted - for, one hundred and thirty acres in the Converse settlement of Walter Dun. The debts incurred in Licking county were still hanging over him, and his creditors came and attached all of his chattel property; but, this being insufficient to satisfy their claims, his body was also taken by the sheriff. to be lodged in the county jail for debt. But, before leaving home with that officer. his wife placed in his hands all the money in their possession, being one dollar and thirty cents. After they had proceeded some distance, it occurred to Mr. Morgridge that the law required the creditor to support the debtor while in jail, if he had no means of supporting himself. Therefore. he made an excuse to stop by the roadside. where he secretly placed his money under a rail in the fence, near a large tree. After their arrival in London, a search was instituted, and he was found without any means of supporting himself. The creditor was then asked to give bond for the maintenance of the prisoner while in jail, which he refused to do, whereupon Mr. Morgridge was set free. Richard Morgridge never completed the payments on his farm, but. after his death, the family met those obligations.

homes and pushed on to more remote parts, and among these should be mentioned the Marquis, Petty, Nickels and Frazell families. The emigration to this part of the county from 1812 to 1820, as shown in the pages above, was little short of wonderful. By far the greater portion of them came from the New England states, whose soil was so inferior in fertility to that of Madison county that the fame of the latter became proverbial for its fertility and productiveness. The sad years of 1822 and 1823, with their murderous "sickly seasons,' cast a great cloud of gloom over the township and draped the previously prospective outlook for a rapid and early development of her resources, with death and disease that threatened depopulation. The shock thus produced was felt all over the county, but the heaviest burden of it seems to have fallen on Darby and Canaan townships. Emigration ceased, practically, until 1830 and 1832. The only residents of the township from 1823 until 1830 were the survivors of those two sickly seasons, and even some of these returned to their native states or moved on to other settlements. The great portion of the present inhabitants of Darby township are the - descendants of these pioneer families.

Early Stock Speculators

The chief draw-back to stock raising in pioneer times was the great difficulty of marketing the animals. It was neither expensive nor difficult to raise the cattle and hogs, but they must be driven to distant market places. Moreover, there were just a few marketable points within the reach of the settlements, and the demand at these markets was limited. At Sandusky and Detroit the government agencies were ready purchasers of small amounts of this kind of produce. In addition to these places, Cincinnati, Chillicothe and Cleveland did a small amount of this kind of business. Here, then, were the points of marketing, but the serious problem was that of transportation. The only method possible at that time was by driving. But the driving on foot of a great. amount of stock a distance of from one to two hundred miles, with such surroundings as were peculiar to a new country such as this was, was a great task, beset with many difficulties and dangers.

Perhaps Butler Comstock, of Worthington, was the first of the extensive cattle buyers and speculators who operated in Darby township. His purchases were usually made in the spring and comprised one hundred or more head of four-year-old steers, for which he paid, on the average, between four and seven dollars a head. These cattle were herded and grazed on the prairie until early autumn, and then driven to one of the above mentioned markets or to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.

In 1818 a young Canadian by the name of James Guy came to this township. He possessed fine business qualifications and at once began buying cattle - in limited quantities at first, however, but increasing as his means increased. The points of trade sought by him. were in keeping with the kind and condition of his stock. His fat cattle were driven to Sandusky or Detroit, but his stock cattle were taken to the neighborhood of Chillicothe and sold to the feeders of the Sciotio bottoms. This method of doing business was too circumscribed to meet his enlarged views and speculative usefulness. This increased trade upon his part was in keeping with the increased supply, for, by this time, the people had learned that stock-raising was the most profitable, if not the only, industry that brought the ready cash. The current price for a four-year-old steer during the years from 1820 to 1840 was from seven to ten dollars per head. In his traffic in cattle, Mr. Guy did not limit himself to this township or county, but purchased large droves of cattle that were driven on foot over the Alleghany mountains to Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. Sometimes his herds assumed mammoth proportions, numbering from three to five hundred head. He followed this business for nearly twenty years. At one time he was the owner of fifteen hundred acres of the finest grazing land on the plains. In 1846 he, in company with David Mitchell, son of Judge Mitchell, entered on an extensive scale into the pork-packing business in Columbus. Many thousand head were slaughtered, for which they paid from five to six dollars per hundred pounds; but before this great bulk, of packed meat could be put on the market, there came that great financial crash of 1847, wrecking them upon the sand-bar of finance. He lost all and made an assignment to his creditors. However, he was not the kind to sit idle and brood over his reverses of the past and, when the California gold fever swept the country, he joined that procession of ''Forty-niners" to "Ophir" to gather the precious dust. He remained there for four years and came back with five thousand dollars in nuggets, with which he purchased a farm, partly in this and partly in Union counties, where he lived until his death in 1882.

A stockman of great prominence at a later date was Daniel Boyd. He was the grandson of James Boyd, who came to Canaan township in 1820 and lived there until his death in 1831. As the railroad lines extended westward, many of the old stock speculators and drovers retired from business and a new generation stepped to the front. One of the leaders of these was Daniel Boyd. His early business training was in connection with the cattle herds of Darby township. Accordingly he made his first shipments to the Eastern markets in 1855. After a few years' experience, he practically abandoned the shipment of cattle and confined his efforts to the shipment of hogs, sheep and wool. He was engaged in this business in the county for over thirty years and many of the older residents remember the times when his business was most flourishing.

"Ordered, that all that tract of country comprised in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, created into a separate township, to be known by the name of Darby, and bounded as follows, to wit:

"Beginning at the upper corner of Jefferson township, thence north with line to Delaware county; thence with said line east, to the northwest corner of Franklin county ; thence with said line to the place of beginning."

This creation lasted for only one year, when it was declared void. The reason for this action is not given, but the following is of record under date of June 11, 1811:

"At a meeting of the commissioners of Madison county, ordered, that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundaries be, and the same is hereby, created into a separate township by the name of Darby, and is bounded as follows:

"Beginning at the northeast corner of Madison county, thence south with Franklin county line,-so that a point turning west will strike Calvin Cary, Sr.'s lower corner ; thence westwardly to Abraham Johnson's lower corner, on Little Darby; thence to Peter Paugh's southeast corner; thence westwardly so as to strike the Champaign county line, two miles north of William Frankabarger, Sr.'s; thence with said line to Delaware county line; thence with Delaware county line to the place of beginning."

This creation has been greatly reduced by subsequent creations; Canaan township was taken from Darby in the year 1814 and Pike township was formed from Darby in 1819. And when Union county was created in 1820, from the territory of Delaware and Madison counties, a strip of land two and a half miles wide was taken from the northern boundary of Darby township. Thus it has been reduced in territorial advantages until it is among the smallest townships in the county.

Soil

The soil of Darby township is of greater variety. Near the streams it is a reddish, gravelly loam, very deep and well adapted to mixed agriculture, such as the production of wheat, rye, oats and corn, as well as root crops. After leaving the streams on the east, the soil, on the more elevated lands, partakes of a light-colored clay, with a small admixture of gravel, better adapted for grass and grazing purposes. But the greater portion is a black loam, and when once thoroughly drained is well calculated to grow any and all of the agricultural products adapted to this climate. The western portion of the township - the prairie land - is composed of a deep, black loam, presenting the appearance of having been composed of vegetable decomposition, upon which, in its native state, grew a wonderful growth of vegetation. STREAMS,

The only stream that enters Darby township is Big Darby creek and its tributaries. Big Darby creek finds its source in the northeastern portion of Champaign county, wends its way across the southern portion of Union county, passing through Darby and a portion of Canaan townships, and thence forming the boundary line between Madison and Franklin counties. This stream received its name from the Wyandot Indians who named it after a chief of theirs by the name of Darby, who for a long time lived on its bank, near the present Madison and Union county line. Sugar creek rises in Union county, flows through the eastern portion of the township and empties into the Big Darby. To the early settlers of the township this stream furnished important and indispensable water power, with which they ran their grist- and saw-mills.

Other Physical Features

All land to the east of Big Darby creek was covered by heavy timber, made up mostly of walnut, ash. beech, white and black oak, hickory, basswood and white elm on the swampy lands. There were some rather extensive sugar groves along Sugar run and near Big Darby. Spice-bush was the principal underbrush and grew abundantly, especially on the flat lands. The land lying to the west of Big Darby and east of Little Darby creek was widely known as the Darby plains. However, this prairie was dotted here and there by occasional small oak openings, or a narrow, long line of scrubby burr-oaks, whose growth had been fatally interfered with by the annual prairie fires of the Indians. By far the greater portion of the timber of later times grew up after the stopping of these fires. This whole area was covered with wild grass and flowering herbs. The lower portions of the prairies were covered with a species of grass that came up in single stalks, very thick at the ground, with a large round straw, very tough, long, broad blades, and on top a head, somewhat resembling barley. This specie grew from six to eight feet in height, but was of no value for grazing purposes except when it first came up in the spring. On the more elevated portions of the plains grew two other varieties that were known as the "limber-will" and "ledge-grass."" The former of these came up in single stalks, very thick on the ground, with long drooping blades and slightly sickle-edged. The latter variety grew in bunches, or tufts, very compact, with fine blades and center stalks very tall, smooth and round, like rye. These last two varieties were very nutritious, not only in a green state, but equally so when cut and made into hay. There were other, but unimportant, varieties.

The plains abounded with flowering vegetation. It would be almost impossible, at this late date, to give a full description of the vegetation, but a few species should be mentioned. The prairie dock had large, brittle roots, long, broad leaves, and, every alternate year, large center stalks. It grew to a height of six or eight feet and branched out near the top, upon each stem of which was a beautiful yellow blossom. When the stalks were cut near the ground, or the leaves punctured, a thick gummy exudation took place, which soon became semi-solid, and was gathered by the young people for chewing gum. The wild sunfiower was a kind of weed that grew with a large, strong stalk, very

All of the ponds were surrounded by the wild blue flag. This was a very pretty, but very offensive, plant. At the top of each center stalk was a large, blue flower, very pretty in appearance, but its fragrance was of an offensive and sickening characier. There were many other varieties that grew upon the prairies besides those that were found skirting and in the oak openings, such as the daisies, buttercups, wild pinks, coxcombs, lilies, and many others, equally as beautiful.

A large portion of these prairie lands was covered with water for most of the year, for what little outlet there was for the surface water was filtered through this dense growth of vegetation. The height and density of the wild grasses that grew upon these prairies was such as was calculated to produce a feeling of despondency and desolation.

Topography

There is one peculiar feature in the topography of these lands, which very much retarded the early development and drainage of the prairies. It has only been within the last forty years that the fact was demonstrated and generally understood, that all the prairies lying east of Little Darby creek, with but one or two exceptions, drain to Big Darby. 'The first opinions were that, as these plains were situated between the two Darbys, that the drainage would be about equal distance to each. However, the dip of the country here is east and southeast. Here, then, was a stubborn obstacle in the way of a complete and thorough drainage, for no one or two men could afford to cut the necessary long and deep artificial drains to secure such benefits to the upper lands as were required to make the farming of those lands a success. But right here the legislative enactment of the state came to their relief, namely, that, by petition of twelve interested freeholders to the trustees of the proper township, an artificial drain could be located and the cutting of the same awarded to the land-owners along the line thereof, according to the benefits derived therefrom. The supposed worthlessness of these prairies by the early land speculators, who bought soldiers' claims and laid out their warrants in the Virginia military district, is clearly shown by their leaving out of their surveys as much as possible of the above lands. Another evidence in support of the same conclusion is that the first settlers made their purchases near or adjacent to the streams, supposing the prairie lands would ever remain wet, worthless and uninhabitable. But the scientific truth in regard to this part of the country is, that her altitude is nearly equal to that of any other part of the state; and yet, her reputation has been that of being but little above sea level. There were two distinct periods or phases in the origin of the burroak timber that was growing on these plains when they were first discovered by the white man. The oldest of these were scattering and few in number, and are found growing on the highest points of the prairie lands. The limbs of these trees came out almost at right angles with the trunk, an evidence of the tree having stood alone, and dating back to the forming periods of all the forests of this country. The latter are of a more recent origin and date back from two or three hundred years. There is considerable uniformity in the age of the trees of each of these groups.. Why so many years should elapse between the two periods is a question difficult of solution, but, by a thorough knowledge of the topography of these prairie lands, a reasonable hypothesis might be adduced that would remove the obscurity in part at least.

Topographical science has demonstrated beyond all question of doubt that the Darby plains are table-land. Such lands are always surrounded with one or more rims of a greater or less elevation, but of sufficient height to hold, as it were, like a basin. the rain- | fall or waters from any cause that may flow into it, and there to remain, unless otherwise dried up by evaporation. Many of the first settlers were greatly deceived as to the most natural and available points for the drainage of these lands, and, as a result some very unpleasant law-suits were prosecuted, to the detriment of all parties. | The error consisted in mistaking the rim that formed the basin for the natural watershed between the two Darbys. 'This latter elevation is quite distinctive and is easily traced by the timbers that grow on either side. Upon the one side, it is characterized by the kinds of timber that are found near all streams, and upon the other, by that which is peculiar to the prairies. This natural water-shed is generally found from one-half to one mile east of Little Darby creek, thus continuing for several miles, but gradually leaving the stream until it abruptly circles away, connecting itself with one or more rims of this table land. That these elevations, at some prehistoric age of the world, had been much more elevated than at present, or that the prairie depressions have been much greater, or both, is evident from this standpoint. That there was a time, a prehistoric period, when these lands were covered with water there can be no doubt. But these elevations bave been slowly worn down by the overflow of water and tread of the buffalo, elk and other wild animals, until some of the more elevated points of the prairie (or lake) appeared as dry land. This process of reasoning would date the period when those few and scattering burr oaks first sprang into existence. Hence, the conclusion that, as this wearing away and filling up continued, much larger portions were brought to the surface, upon which sprang the second growth, that was in existence when the first white men came. As this wearing away and filling up stiH continued, the whole of these prairies was covered with a heavy coat of vegetation. Thus, year after year, or perhaps centuries, this growth and decay had been going on until the depth of soil is unsurpassed by any other portion of the state. There is one more conclusive evidence in support of the theory that these prairies were for a long time submerged in water, for, when the lowest prairies were first broken by the plow, large quantities of snail and clam shell were turned up, which, however, soon crumbled on exposure to the atmosphere.

Geology

From the geological point of view, Darby township differs from many other portions of the county. There are no ores and but few limestone ledges, and these are found only near the banks of Big Darby and below the water, and therefore are inacessible and of no practical value. Gravel is found in abundance near the streams and of the very best quality, from which most of the excellent gravel roads have been made. In nearly all of these gravel beds, some relics of a pre-historic race, or of the North American Indians, have been found, such as human skeletons, stone hammers or axes, pestles, arrowheads, etc., and in one of these banks there were several skeletons found lying in close proximity to each other. By the side of each was found a piece of yellow ochre as large as a cocoanut, and is supposed to have been placed there under the super stitious. idea that it would be required as a war paint in fighting the battles of the other world. There is one peculiar freak in the drift formation of the western portion of this townsbip, which was unearthed many years ago, in cutting an artificial drain, east of Little Darby creek, through the only prairie lying west of the natural watershed. This prairie is about two miles in length, quite broad at the upper end, but, going down, the prairie is gradually contracted by the elevated lands and the timber until the latter finally closes in, obliterating the prairie and forming a dense mass of timber. In cutting this drain at the point where the timbers come together, and for some distance below, large quantities of white limestone were found in blocks, scattered here and there, sometimes singly, and at others in close proximity, or lying one upon another; but. to convey the correct idea, they lay seattered in a promiscuous mass. These blocks were irregular in shape, but uniformly flat on either.side, varying in thickness from three to ten or twelve inches. They were very soft and easily cut when first removed, but soon hardened on exposure. They were found from six inches under the soil to as deep as the drain was built. Therefore the extent of this deposit is not known. Like many other portions of the county, there are here also those old, time-worn boulders, scattered here and there as monuments. They are not, however, as numerous here as in many other places, except at a few points on each side of Big Darby and near Sugar run, where they have been deposited in considerable numbers.