Defiance Township (part 6 of 11)

George AV. Bechel is the second child of Michael and Elizabeth (Grabast) Bechel, the former born September 29, 1804, in Alsace, Germany, the latter born in 1812, in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. B. immigrated to America October 3, 1830, arriving in New York November 3, 1830; arrived in Cauton, Ohio, November 27, Mrs. B. coming a year later. They were married December 8, 1834, at Canton, Stark Co., Ohio. To them were born three children, one daughter and two sons. Caroline, the eldest, and now the wife of Dr. O. E. Brownell, of Akron, Ohio, was born in 1835, at Canton, Ohio. A\'illiam F., the third child, was born in Canton February 28, 1841; married Lucy Hainsworth, of Newport, Ky. , a lady of English birth. Ho is now engaged with the Pacific Express Company as Auditor. George W. , the subject of this sketch, was also born in Canton, June 13, 1838. When about eight years of age his father died, September 27, 1804. Thus early deprived of his father, he was soon thrown upon his own resources for a living, and spent his boyhood days working on a farm, attending the district school in winter, until sixteen years of age, when he entered the shop of his brother in-law, in the village of Manchester, Summit Co., Ohio, to learn the harness-making trade, working there three years and a half. He then went to the town of Kent, Portage Coxmty, then known as Franklin Mills, Ohio, whore he remained about fourteen months, then took his departure for Defiance, arriving here October 8, 1860. Abandoning the harnessmaking business, he entered the drug store of Dr. J. lluhl and clerked for him, and reail medicine tor about a year, at which time he was married to Miss Catharine Smith, daughter of A\illiam and Susan

(Krum) Smith, September 3, 1861, residents of Ionia County, Mich. Of this union eight children have been born - William M., born November 11, 1802; S. Lizzie, born May 28, 1864; Frank and Freddie (twins), born August 30, 1866 (Freddie died in infancy, Frauk die.l March 29, 1881, aged fourteen years nine months); Delia K.,born June 1, 1869; John A., born Sdptember 14, 1871; Lucy, born April 13, 1874, and George W., Jr., born October 31, 1877. In 1863, Mr. Bechel bought out his employer. Dr. Ruhl, and continued the drug business in the same building, which is still standing at the foot of Clinton street, on the bank of the Maumee, where the bridge crosses the river, and is used as an agricultural warehouse. This building was built by Dr. O. H. Allen for a drug store, and occupied by him as such for a number of years; then followed Taylor & Landis; next. Dr. John Paul; then Dr. J. Euhl, and lastly Mr. Bechel, who continued the drug business seven years, when he moved to his present place of business, No. 27 Clinton street. The post ofiice was kept for a time in this building, with Joseph Ralston as Postmaster. The upper room of this building was used by the Presbyterian congregation at an early day as a place of worship. Afterward it was used for a printing office. In 1869, Mr. Bechel was chosen Secretary of the Defiance Agricultural Society, and served as such for two or three years, being chosen Treasurer and continuing until 1880, at which time he resigned. In the spring of 1882, he was elected to the City Council, being its President for the term of one year.

John D. Graper was born in Hanover, Germany, near the little town of Uchte, January 22, 1817, and immigrated to this country with his parents, K. H. Graper and Catharine (Hasfield) Graper, arriving at Defiance, Ohio, September 18, 1834. Their family consisted of five children - John D., Sophia, Henry P., Christian 0. (who died in August, 1802) and Frederick W. (died February 7, 1872). Mr. Graper took passage on the steamboat Atlas from New York to Albany, from there to Schenectady by rail, and from there to Buffalo by canal-boat. The cholera raged badly at that time, and there wore several deaths on the boat. "\A'hen they arrived at Rochester, N. Y., the Captain and crew all left the boat, the Captain saying to the emigrants they must do the best they could for themselves, there being six other families on board besides the Graper family. There was one corpse on the boat when the Captain left, two more afterward, and two more when they got to Buffalo. After living at Rochester several days, the physicians came to their assistance, and they were soon able to resiime their journey. Of these five deaths, four of them were of one family - father.

mother and two daughtRrs by the name of Doepke. These families all came on to Defiance, and after resting here for a few days took their departure for Cincinnati, except the Graper family, who became residents of this place. Mr. Graper died here April 4. 1843, aged about fifty-one years. Mrs. Graper lived on to a good old age and died August 8, 1871, aged fourscore years. John D. Graper was married October 12, 1848, to Nancy Wells, of Defiance. They had ten children - "William H., Ada, Ida, Frank O., Inez, Edwin F., Emory, Fannie, Walter and Edgar P. Of these five are dead, viz. . William H., Ida, Inez. Edwin F. and Walter - all died young, except Inez, who was about twenty-two years of age. Mrs. Graper' s parents, John Wells and Mary (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County, Ohio, to Defiance in the fall of 1834, and settled about a mile from town up the river, on the banks of the Auglaize. They had nine children, three boys and six girls. Four of the girls are married, and live in Defiance; viz. : Mrs, Sarah Kniss, Mrs. Jane Myers, Mrs. Eliza Fritz, and Mrs. Nancy Graper, and Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, who is living at Toledo, Ohio. Reason is also a resident of Defiance, and married Alice Preston, of Goshen, Ind. John is living at Saginaw, Mich. ; Henry is dead, also Sybil Ann. Mr. Graper says, when he came to Defiance in 1834, he found about fifteen cabin residences and five or six small trading places. P. C. Parker kept a general store on Water street, between Clinton and Wayne; also the hotel, called the Exchange, stood on the corner of Clinton and Water streets, where Hofi'man & Geiger's furniture store now stands. E. C. Case was doing business on the corner of Water and Wayne streets. John and Albert Evans were on Jefferson street, south of the Pavilion Hotel, which was kept by C. C. Waterhouse; connected with the hotel was a barn, sufficiently large to accommodate fifteen or sixteen horses over night (travel being altogether on horseback at that time), in the construction of which there was not a scrap of iron used. It was pinned together, had wood latches and hinges, and the clapboards were weighted down by polos. One door south of the Pavilion, Foreman Evans had a store, and across the street, opposite Evans, Isaac Hull kept a store. The first frame building was built by Dr. John Evans, and stood near the old fort grounds. The first stol'e (log) was also built by the Doctor, in 1828 or 1820. A little frame, 7x9, stood on the fort grounds for a store or post office. Mr. Graper first started out, after his arrival here, clerking for Pierce Evans & Sons; remained with them ten or twelve years. Then he went into the grist mill with William A. Brown, keeping the books and doing the buyincr and selling, etc., for about five years. He then went into the dry goods business, on his own account, for about four years; then into the lumbering, which about used him up, financially; then opened up a photograph gallery for a time. He has had charge of the Defiance Rural Cemetery for the past eight or nine years. Mr. Graper has one brother living in Kansas, and his only sister, Sophia (Mrs. Widow Downs), is still living here at Defiance.

Joseph I. Levi was born in Europe on the 8th day of January, 1852. In 185G, at the age of four years, he came to America with his parents, landing at Utica, N. Y., and at the age of eight years commenced to learn the cigar-making business at Buffalo, N. Y. At the age of thirteen he went to Detroit to work at his trade, and after a lapse of one year and a half his parents followed him, and settled down at Detroit also. At the age of fifteen, he bought a halfinterest in a small cigar factory at Fentonville, Mich., owned by one Daniel Cohen, paying therefor 170. This investment young Levi soon found was not a paying one, and after six months' hard labor and economy sold out his interest to Cohen for the amount invested, $70, taking his pay in cigars, and with his cigar stock in hand instead of his cash retTirned again to Detroit, where he converted the same into cash and again went to work at his trade for one and a half years, at which time his cash capital amounted to |125, with which he commenced business for himself at No. 92 Michigan avenue, and at the age of eighteen found himself in possession of a capital of 1450. He then went to Chicago, where he remained about one year, working "jour" work; then returned to Detroit again, and for the benefit of the younger brother, started a small shop in the house of his parents, working evenings with his brother, but day times for other parties; but soon (as seems to be characteristic with yom- cigar-makers) became uneasy, and next located at Beloit, Wis., remaining there two and a half years, where success favored him, and ho again returned to Detroit to choose another partner in business, and on the 5th day of May, 1875, was married to Miss Rachel Ginabiu-g, and returned again to his business, with his young bride, to Northwestern Wisconsin, and remained there one and a half years longer and then returned and visited friends at Detroit (having sold out in Wisconsin), and on April 10, 1877, settled down in Defiance, starting shop with six men, and at this writing (1882) employs fifteen to twenty hands. He has now ceased his wanderings, and made a permanent settlement in Defiance. Burr B. Southworth, born in Vermont March 30, 1806, was a descendant of Constance Southworth, who came from England in the Mayflower. He was married to Harriet Crosby, September 15, 1829. Mrs. Southworth was from Worcester County, Mass., born September 27, 1801. Her grandfather was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary war. Dr. Samuel Orosby, who was attached to (Jen. Washington's staff. H(ir ancestors came from England. Mr. Southworth and family moved from Rutland County, Vt., to Ohio, in 1838. Before coming to Defiance in November, 1842, they had taught school in Stark County, Ohio. The winter of 1842, Mr. Southworth taught school in Richland Township; afterward he taught one term in Defiance, and others in the county. He gave special attention to spelling, history and penmanship in his school, and was also a singer. For seven or eight years, in the summers, he worked at the trade of house and sign painter. Being fond of hunting, he killod numbers of deer and other game that was abundant. On public occasions, he served as Marshal of the Day, several years. The inhabitants of Defiance County suffered much with sickness; when not sick tliomselves, Mr. and Mrs. Sou.thworth were ever ready to wait upon the sick, or sympathize with those who mourned. The seasons the cholera prevailed, Mr. Southworth never failed to do all possible to help the sick. It was often said, Mr. Southworth was sent for before they had sent for the doctor. The last three years of his life, he kept the American House, Clinton street, where he died of apoplexy December 0, 1 858. Mrs. Southworth continued to reside in Defiance twenty years, respected for industry, intelligence and fortitude in affliction. October 18, 1873, she moved to ]^lvansport, where she now lives. She joined the Presbyterian Church by letter when she came to Defiance, and has been identified with it more than forty years. She was President of the (Ladies') Aid Society during the war, and now, at the age of eighty -one years, she can repeat more than forty hymns, besides poetry, and passages from the Bible, which she reads daily, also newspapers and books of the day; makes and takes care of all her clothing; pieces patchwork quilts, and does her own housework, which is neatly done. She is nearly deaf The children of Mr. and Mrs. Southworth were Lucy C. Southworth, born August 24, 1830, married to Thomas Rethmell November 3, 1853; they lived on a farm near Evansport ever since their marriage, where they now live; Charles B. Southworth, born July 24, 1832, died by the hands of the Mexicans in Arizona, with Co). Crabbe's whole expedition from California, A|iril, 1857; Susan E. Southworth, born January 19, 183(5, nmriied to William F. Ferris December 19, 1853, died at Defiance October 0, 1870. They had one son, ilonry C. Ferris, who was born November 2, 1855, at Defiance, married to Ellen N. Cameron, at Evansiwrt, June 30, 1878; their children are Charles W. and l^'loyd Ferris.

October, 1814. His parents came to this State when he was a lad about two years old. They had six children - Elizabeth, Jacob, Peter, Polly, John and Andrew. Two of these are dead - Jacob and Andrew. John Knis.s came to Defiance in 1827, and was mai'- ried in 1839, March 10, to Miss Sarah Wells. They have six children - Eliza, Benjamin F., Henry W., Jacob W., Charles W. and Ida M. All are living neai- by. His wife's parents, John Wells and Elizabeth (Mason) Wells, came from Muskingum County to Defiance in the fall of 1834. Mrs. Kniss has but one brother living - Reason Wells - and he is a resident of Defiance. Mr. Kniss says he has worked at the boot and shoe business in this town about fifty years, and that his father was the first shoe-maker here, and thinks Benjamin Leavell kept the first store, " was here but a short time," and that James Craig was the first to do any tanning here, and the first blacksmith was Arthur Burras, who worked on the north side of the Maumee and had a little shop near the place where Peter Dickman's shop now stands. Walter Davis was the first cooper, and bethinks William Barton and Pierce Taylor first cabinet-makers.

John Uowe, dealer in railroad timber and ties, hoops, hoop poles, etc., was born May 19, 183-, at Steubenville, Ohio, and was son of Adam and Catharine Rowe, now residents of Adams Township, in this county, and who came to Steubenville in 1837, and to Adams Township in 1839. John Rowe resided with his parents until 1857, when he came to Defiance and clerked for Adam Wilhelm, in his grocery and provision store, for four years, when he entered into partnership with his employer for five years. He then went into the same kind of business on his own account on Clinton street until 1880, since which he has been in his present business of railroad timber, etc. In 1862, he married Matilda Reusch, of Henry County, Ohio, and they have been the parents of twelve children, of whom four sons and four daughters still survive. The parents of Mr. Rowe were natives of Bavaria, those of Mrs. Rowe came from Oreifswolde, in Prussia.

Christian L. Geiger, bom February 15. 1830, in Geislingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, was one of a family of ten children of Coonrad and Catharine (Feigel) Geiger. The former died in his native land, the latter came to America, and died in Defiance. There are but three of the children living, viz., Coonrad Jr., Christian L. and Gotlieb, all residents of Ohio. At the age of fourteen, the subject of this sketch was bound out as an apprentice for three years to learn tm'ning, and took his place at the lathe, where he soon fouiid he had to learn to live on porridge made from the chips, or, in other words, his food consisted mainly of water, a pinch of salt and crumbs of bread, which formed a ver\' thin dish of soup, with a cup of coffee occasioually added for breakfast. This, says Mr. Geiger, was the fate of many a poor apprentice of the old country. Young Geiger was serving his time, distant about twelve miles from the parental roof, which he was permitted to visit occasionally, on the Sabbath, but had to be at his post promptly on Monday morning, performing his journey on foot. His parents used to slip an odd shilling into hia pocket, with which to get an extra lunch. Thus young Geiger struggled on, in a half- starving condition, for about two years and a half, when his father bought his time and set him free. At the age of eighteen, he sailed for America, arriving in New York February 15, 1854; from there came to Defiance, where he landed February 25, and worked on the Wabash Railroad, which was being built at that time. In November he went to Adrian, Mich., and worked at his trade for AVilliam Campbell for |6 per month and board for two .months, after which he worked by the piece, remaining there about three years, until the panic of 1857, when he was thrown out of business and came back to Defiance, and went into the woods in Henry Count}', where his brother Coonrad had settled. Here he put up a foot lathe, turning out bedstead and chair stuft', until the fall of 1S58, when he returned to Michigan and secTired a job in the town of Hudson, where he remained until the spring of 1859, whfn. in company with "\'\'illiam Hoffman (whose acquaintance he made at Hudson), he returned once more to Defiance, secured water-power from ihe canal of William Groeher, erected a small shop, and commeuci'd the furniture business on a small scale, Geiger turning out and manufacturing the material, Hoffman, lieing a cabinet-maker, put the material together and finished it up ready for market. Alx)ut two years thereafter, they purchased from Dr. I. N. Thacker, at a cost of .f275, the lot upon which their large furnitui'e factory now stands, Mr. Geiger trading his gold watch for 9,000 feet of oak lumljer with which to build, putting in an eight-liorse-power at $-100, purchased from Capt. A\'illiamH, Thornton on credit for four 3'ears. War times coming on, business became brisk and money jjlenty, and they soon got out of debt. In 1865, they added largely to their factory, and put in an engine of twelve horse-power. In 1871, purchased fifty feet front on the corner of Clinton and Front streets, and in 1873 built thereon their fine three-story brick block forwarerooms Mr. Geiger was married, at Defiance, May 2, 1851), to ]\Iiss Caroline ICerner, an orphan girl, who was Isorn in Germany May 21, 1842. Nine children have been born to them - Catharine, born September 10, 1860; AVilliam,born January 'j!9, 1863; Emma, l)orn September 10, 1865; Reinhold, born Norember 9, 1867, died

William G. Hoffman was born February 15, 1830, at Ditzingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, he being the youngest of a family of four children of Carl and Anna Mary (Epple) Hoffmann - Carl, Fredericka, Andrew, William. His father died in his native land. His mother, accompanied by the daughter and the subject of this sketch, arrived at New York July 20, 1854, after being on the waters of the Atlantic sixty days. From New York, he went to Lancaster, Penn. , his mother and sister remaining at Lancaster, where the daughter was married. Mr. Hoffman's mother came West in the spring of 1857, and settled at Ann Arbor, Mich., where she died April 8, 1879, at the advanced age of ninety years seven months twenty-five days. Mr. Hoffmann soon after took his departure for Columbia, Penn.. where he remained eleven months, working at his trade, and then took up his journey across the country on _foot for Adrian, Mich., being fonr weeks on the road, ac complishing 900 miles in this time. He .soon found work after reaching Adrian, with a Mr. Fisher, i-emaining three months. He then worked in the Michigan Railroad shops, where he continued two years. During this time he formed the acquaintance of Miss Catherine Koerner, to whom he was married December 1, 1856, at Edgerton, Ohio. Mrs. Hoffmann was born October 4, 1830, at Affalterbach, Wurtemberg, Germany, she being the fourth child of a family of eight children of Michael and -Catherine (Heiizler) Koerner. Mr. Hoffmann has had a family of six chilih-en - Caroline M., Catherine J. (dead), Bertha J., Charles C, Edward W., Gertrude M. F. Mr. Hoffmann came to Defiance May 1, 1859, and, with Mr. Geige]-, went into the furniture business, under the firm name of Ploffmann & Geiger, commencing on a small scale, Mr. Hoffmann doing cabinet-work and Mr. Geiger turning. Before going into business, Mr. Hoffmann had been working at his trade fifteen years, ten years of this time being spent at Stuttgart, Germany, where his trad(^ was learned. About two years after they went into Imsiness, they purchased the property on which their factory now stands, on Perry street, and in 1871 purchased the lot on corner Clinton and Front streets, and in 1873 built thereon their fine three-story brick block for salesrooms, at that time being the finest in the city. They still continue business, doing an extensive wholesalp and retail trade.

Henry B. Hall was born in Newton, Sussex Ca., N. J., 1814; was married, June 4, 1836, to Miss Maria Dean," of Stanhope, Sussex Co., N. J., im- migrating to Ohio the same year, locating in Huron County, and, being a millwright by trade, put up a Houring mill on the Mohickin River, in that county, for one Mr. Smith. In 1840, moved into Erie County, Ohio, to the town of Venice, three miles west of Sandusky City, and assisted George Lawton in putting up a large mill, 108 i'eet in length by 80 feet in- width, with eight run of stone. This mill was built by Mr. R. H, Haywood, of Buffalo, N. Y., and was located one and a quarter miles northeast of Venice, on a stream called Cold Creek, proceeding from several largo springs, and of great depth and clear as crystal. In 1842, he left Venice and located at the small town of Delaware, in Upper Canada, and there built a small mill for one Acres. In 1844, he moved to Defiance County, and took up eighty acres of wild land in TiiSn Township, on Tiffin River, and cleared up forty-five acres and set out a line orchard, numbering seventy-five trees. Mr. Hall was not calculated for a farmer, and in IN 49 built and jnit in running order a grain elevator in John Tuttle's warehouse at Defiance, and the next year put the machinery in a mill for William A. Brown (late of Defiance) for the same purpose. In 1851, he sold his farm to John Grass, and moved to North Defiance and built on Lot No. 10 (then Williamatown), where he has contimied to reside ever since. In October, 1857, he entered into a contract with R. H. Gilson (who had been appointed Receiver) to finish up the hotel - "Russell House" - which had been commenced by S. S. Si.rague. In 1849 or 1850, INIr. H. built the two-story hotel building which is still standing opposite John Tuttle's warehouse, north side of the Manmee, for Reuben Straight, who ran it for a number of years, and it was called ihe Exchange. Afterward, it was kept by Frederick Cox, Samuel Iviutigh, Lorenzo Thomas, George Thompson and Gideon Yarlot (who now owns and occupies the same, but not as a hotel). Mrs. Hall died February 8, 1870. They had a family of seven children, viz.. Isabella A., Jonathan (who died in infancy), Nancy Jane, Elizabeth, Sarah C, Theodosia M. and Stephen E. Of lihis number tln-ee are living - Isabel, Theodosia and Stephen E. Mr. H. married, for his second wife, Evelyn A., daughter of Jacob J. Myers, of Defiance, March 13, 1877. From 1848 to 1874, IMr. H. did a groat amount of contracting and building. The first dwelling-house built by him in this town was for John-M. Stilwill, southwest corner of Washington and Second streets, near Second street bridge, now the residence of Alfred A. Ayers. He built the former woolen mills for Gibson & Brown and machine shops for Kettenring & Strong, all destroyed by fire in 1804. In 1869, he built the Baptist Church, northeast corner of Wayne and Third streets, besidosi many fine brick residences of the town, such as Peter Kettenring's, E. P. Hooker's and others. Mr. H. has followed the undertaking business in this town for the j^ast twenty-eight years, aad is now devoting his whole time to that business.

Mrs. Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of Capt. Lawrence Teats, was born at Adelphia, Ross County, March 23, 1825. Her grandfather, Christopher Teats, was in the war of the Revolution. Her maternal grandfather (Maj. Engle) also in the Revolutionary war, was a native of Virginia, and came to this State in 180G. Capt. Teats was in the war of 1812. He was born in New Jersey in 1791, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Engle, of Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, by whom he had six children, five sons and one daughter, Elizabeth, the subject of this sketch. He died at Adelphia, Ross County, in 1834. Mrs. Teats removed from there with her little family to Defiance, in 1840, and died in A\'illiams County, September 29, 1876. Our subject married David L. Oliver, of Defiance, December 27, 1S40, whose father, John Oliver, was one of the early settlers of this county, coming from Piqua, Miami County, in 1822, and entering the farm on which Job English now Jives, in Defiance Township, which he cleared up, and set out a fine orchard. He moved from there on the farm now occupied by C. Biede, which he mostly cleared up, and set out another fine orchard. From there he moved into the town (Defiance), on the lot now occupied by S. T. Sutphen. Surrounding the fine brick residence of Mr. Sutphen we find quite a number of fine apple trees which were set out and grafted by Mr. Oliver with grafts brought by him from Piqua on horseback, that being the only method of travel in those early times. Wolves were plenty in those days and for their scalps there was quite a bounty ofl'ered both by the State and county, and the early settlers received quite a revenue from them. A.t one time, Mr. Oliver being from home for several days, Mrs. Oliver visited a large pole wolf-trap erected by her husband and upon her near approach was soon made aware of a captive by the snarling, growling and snapping of teeth of a hungry wolf. Mrs. Oliver, like many others of our pioneer women, was too much accustomed to the nightly visits of the wolves, which came in droves howling around their log-cabin homes ,to be easily frightened at the sight of one of their number, and especially when in so secure a prison. Mrs, Oliver returned to her house and provided herself with a good, sharp and substantial pitchfork and returned to the trap, and by inserting the fork between the logs soon succeeded in spearing the prisoner to death. Mr. Oliver moved from Defiance in 1S37 to Lueasville, Scioto County, at which place he died in 1842. To David

L. and Elizabeth were bom seven children, two sons who died in infancy, and five daughters, viz. : Katie E., who married Frank G. Brown, a resident of Defiance; Carrie, married James Thiebaud, of Vevay, Ind., where the)' now reside; Eliza J., married Andrew Poutious, of Defiance, now a resident of Cincinnati; Ella A., married Isaac T. Waterhouse, of St. Paul. Minn.; Jessie J., the youngest, who remains at home with her mother. Mr. Oliver was a carpenter by trade and put up many of the early frame buildings of Defiance, among them the Methodist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian Churches. He was among the tirst to do cabinet work for his neighbors, and also made coffins which were sent to different parts of the country as per order (there being no undertakers here in those days), and the friends woald call and settle at a convenient season as they came to town. Mrs. Oliver relates an instance which occurred in her girlhood days, as related to her by Mr. Oliver at her father's house, on one of his visits while a young man. He said he had met on his way an old acquaintance whose coffin he had made for his burial several weeks before, which quite surprised the Teats family until Mr. Oliver explained by saying the man had informed him that he was alive and well and had no immediate need of the coffin; a fact not known to Mr. Oliver until informed by the gentleman himself, whom he supposed was dead and buried. Mrs. Oliver recollects when the pickets of Fort Winchester were standing on the grounds where she now resides. Also relates a circum.stance in connection with the big apple tree now standing on the north bank of the Maumee as related to her by Pierce Taylor (deceased), one of the early settlers of Defiance, who stated that he was acquainted with an old Indian chief " who said he was born under said apple tree," and as near as Mrs. Oliver can recollect dates, thinks the tree is at least 155 years old, but by whom planted, or how it came there is mere conjecture. Mrs. Oliver and brother Jacob kept house five weeks for one Mr. Fox, who lived in the woods near where Charloe now is in Paulding County, while he and his wife were gone away on a visit, and saw none of her sex during that time, their nearest neighbors being two miles distant, and the next five miles distant. Indians were frequent callers, it being in the fall of the year and their hunting season, although they were friendly. Her husband, David L.Oliver, was born in Marietta, Ohio, June 7, 1813, and died at Defiance, Ohio, May 13,1856, aged about forty-three years. Mrs. Oliver married for her second husband, Simon P. Moon, who was born October 28, 1815 near Winchester, Ya. ,wlio for about twenty-five year-s preceding his coming to Defiance was a resident of New Orleans, and was quite an extensive dealer in hay and grain. Their present place of residence is very pleasantly situated on the banks of the Auglaize near the place where stood Fort Winchester, and within a stone's throw of where once stood the old fort, Defiance.

John W. Garman, son of George P. Garrnan, was born in Union County, Penn., February 16, 1818; came to Defiance County with his father in the fall of 1846 -and settled on Section 8, Defiance Township, at which place his father died the next year after his arrival. He is still living on the homestead and remembers the following families who were living in the township outside of the town when he came, viz. : Elias Shirley. Nathan Shirlej', Adam Hall, Jeremiah

Jesse Hilton, a cousin of Mrs. Joshua Hilton, was born and raised in Somerset County, Me., and moved with his family to Highland County, Ohio, in 1815. He sold his property here in 1822, and with Joshua Hilton removed to Defiance Township, purchasing the farm immediately west of the Baltimore & Ohio depot. He cleared this land and remained in possession until 1834, when he sold it, removing to Brunersburg and kept tavern for two years. He then immigrated to Michigan, but returned to Pulton County, Ohio, where he died a few years ago. Mr. Hilton was a Whig in politics and in religious belief a member of the United Brethren. Maurice S. Holsto , son of D. F. and Sarah (Russell) Hulston, was born May 17, 1852, in Philadelphia, Penn. His parents were born, the former in the State of New Jersey, the latter in the State of Delaware. They had six children, five now living - Maurice S., Ella J., Lewetta, Lottie M. and Mary R. Maurice S., the subject of this sketch, received his education in Wilniington, Del, and attended college there, At the age of sixteen, he returned to Philadelphia, and entered the Boston Book Publishing Company's house as clerk, remaining there three years. In 1874, he came with his parents to Van Wert County, Ohio, and was engaged in the hoop manufacturing business at that place. In 1S7G, the company started a branch business at Holgate, in Henry County, Ohio, to which place he came the same year. On J anuary 6, 1877, he was married to Miss Clara H. Sapp, of the same county, daughter of Lemuel and Catharine (Rettig) Sapp. The fruit of this marriage is one daughter, Eachel J. Holston, born November 28, 1877. Mr. Holston came to Defiance County in the spring of 1 879, and commenced the hoop manufacturing on a very extensive scale at De- fiance in company with his fatbor, D. F. Holston, fcnrning out by steam power 32,000 per day. A brief sketch of the works appears in another part of this work.

Livingston E. Beardsley, photographer, Defiance, was born January 30, 1840, at Macedonia, Summit County, Ohio. His father, Rev. Leonard E. Beards ley. came from Batavia, N. Y. , to Ohio in 1835. He was educated at Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, and i.s a member of the Erie Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Crawmer, whnso parents moved from Livingston County, N. Y., to Summit County, Ohio, in 1814. Our subject accompanied his parents to Cleveland, Ohio, in 18 (6, in which place his youthful days were passed, and his early education acqu.ired in the public schools of that city. In July, 1800, he went to Maumee City, Ohio, and received a course of instructions in Maumee Commercial College. In the spring of 1861, upon the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he shouldered his musket and enlisted in Company C, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in their three months' organization, and, upon the expiration of that term of service, re-enlisted for three years in Company A, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Toledo, Ohio, September, 1861, and again re-enlisted as a veteran at Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1803, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. He entered the service as a private, but was soon promoted to the office of Corporal, then to Sergeant, and subsequently to that of Sergeant Major of the regiment, which position be held until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Chiekamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta, Jonesboro, and about thirty other smaller battles and skirmishes, and was with Gen. Sherman in his memorable march to the sea. At the close of the war, he came to Defi-ance and engaged in the business of photography with his oM acquaintance and friend, W. D. Blackmau, who retired from the business in the fall of 1868. September 28, 1865, be was married to Miss Martha A. , daughter of Jo.seph G. Cass, Esq., of Lucas County, Ohio, and one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley. His success in the practice of his chosen profession has been flattering in the extreme, and in artistic photography he has not a rival in Northwestern Ohio. His work in all its details shows a perception of true artistic effects. His management of light and shadow is excellent and the whole furnishes a composition most pleasing. While many photographers seem to possess a good mastery of the methods of manipulating, yet often there is lacking what may be termed " finish;" again while the workmanship may be pronounced perfect, grace in position is often lacking, and an ungainly pose will often spoil the effect of an otherwise good work. Such faults are never to be found in the work of this establishment. The most trifling detail is not omitted, and the result is a picture of artistic excellence; or in other words, a work showing harmony in its composition, beauty in its finish and truth in its outlines. His apartments are well fitted up and possess every facility for the convenience of patrons, and in calling the attention of our readers to the high excellence of his work we are only paying a just tribute to his efforts, and which have brought him a patronage he richly deserves. In short this establishment deserves the consideration of the public whom it endeavors to please.

Christian Harley, retired merchant, Defiance, was born in Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in lSli'2, and is a son of John and (Bertch) Harley, who emigrated to this country in 1835, and located in Columbiana County, Ohio, on a farm for some years, then removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where they died. They were parents of four children, viz. : John, Alexander, Jacob, and our subject. By his first wife he had one child, viz., Christopher. After arriving in this <;ount}', om' subject was apprenticed to a shoemaker in Pennsylvania, with whom he served the reg. ular time. In 1842, he settled in Florence, Erie County, Ohio, and began business for himself. In December of the same year, he was married to Regina Stilzer, a German lady. Here he followed his business until 1S46, when he engaged in the mercantile business in the same place, which he followed until 1861, at which time he sold out and came to Defiance, and entered the employ of Cobb, Pearson & Squires, as salesman, and soon after he and Mr. Cobb bought out the interest of the other two and the firm became known as Cobb & Harley until the following April, when he bought Mr, Cobb's interest and conducted the business alone several years, when he took in his son, Charles A , as a partner, and afterward his son Alonzo. In April, 1877, he sold his interest to his two sons, since when he has lived a retired life. To Mr. and IMrs. Harley were born nine sons and four daughters, all living, viz.: Helena A., Caroline Q., Charles A,, Alonzo ¥., Henry A., Clinton C, Perry C, Matilda N., Edward, Willie M., John X. Q., Nellie and Jay D. E. Forrest. His grown-up children are all in business and in good circumstances. Mrs Harley died in 1880, at the age of fifty-five years. His second marriage was celebrated with Miss Mary R. Stoody, of Toledo. Ohio, in 1882.

Mr. Harley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected since 1841. In religious matters, lie has always been deeply interested, and accredits bis great success to the influences of Christianity. In the church he has held the responsible positions of Trustee, Class Leader and Steward.

Ohaptee Xxi

"^HIS towuship occupies the northeast corner of Defiance County. Tiffin Township is on the west and Richland on the south. Henry County bounds it on the north and east. It was organized while belonging to Henry County, April 6, 1836, and was named after Judge Bishop Adams, who was the first settler in the township, Section 18. Among the earliest settlers were Eli Markel, Jacob Schock, John Hornish, Jacob Tittle, Tollman Voorhees, A. Bottenberg, Joseph Frantz, Jacob Swartzel, Darius Jones, John Scott and John Hively.

A.dams is a full township and contains thirtysix sections. The great prairie is in Section 16. The county ditch has nearly drained it. It was formerly a great marsh or pond, created by beavers cutting timber and damming it by embankments. In draining it, a number of relics were found, such as elk horns, many skeletons, etc. It is now owned by William Allen, and contains about two sections of land. The Ridge or Adams road seemed to have been an ancient lake shore and ran from the Maumee at Independence, to Detroit, Mich. It makes a high and sandy road and was much traveled by the ancient red men from -near Detroit.

There are two Lutheran Churches, one on Section 13, and one on Section 10, and one German Baptist or Dunkard, on Section 31. It is a frame, has no bell; one Catholic Church on Section 28. The Lutheran Church cost $2,000 ; the Dunkard Church cost |] ,500; the Catholic Church cost about $2,500. The United Brethren Church has no bell; it is a frame, and cost about 11,200. There are nine school districts in the township but only eight school buildings. The people of Adams have always taken a lively interest in education. One saw mill in the township is owned by Mr. Diehl, on Section 20, steam power, and cost $2,500, It was built in 1877. There is one portable saw mill owned by Peter Celing & Co., worth $2,000. It sometimes propels a threshing machine. The present Justice is John Knape, who is now filling his third term, and Munson Whitney, who is now filling his second term.

Personal. Reminiscences

Aaron Diehl was born April 9, 1814, in Montgomery County, Ohio, ten miles west of Dayton, and remained there until 1843, at which time he came to Adams Township. He is of German descent, his great-grandfather having come from that country. An uncle, John Diehl, was one of " Marion's men " in the war of the American Revolution, in North Carolina. His father was a substitute in the war of 1812, and deserved a pension. He then lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, where he died August, 1875, aged eighty-six years. His wife, Susannah Miller, was born in Virginia, in 1791, died April 5, 1878, aged eighty-six years ten months and two days. Their family were Aaron, Jacob, Samuel, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abraham, John, Eli and Noah, all living but Elizabeth and Hannah. Mr. D. was married, April 5, 1838, to Miss Catharine Russell, of Montgomery County, and formerly from Washington County, Md. She died in the spring of 1881. Their family consisted of David, Susannah, Margaret, John H., Mary C, Russell A. and Nancy. Of these, Susannah, Margaret and Nancy are dead. The rest are living. Mr. Diehl began his homestead ou Section 21. He has 160 acres, which he piu'chased in 1835. The pioneers were Darius Jones, Charles Tubbs, J. Swartzel, John Shrimplin, who ia Township Clerk, John Hornish and Ephraim Markel. Mr. D. has held the office of Trustee two or three years, and has been Treasurer three terms. He has never been an office-seeker.

Ephraim Markel was born February 4, 1819, in Delaware County, and came to Adams Township in 1835 with Eli Markel, an uncle, in September, and was seven days making the trip. Eli Markel died about 1860, his wife about 1869. Mr. Markel mar- ried Mibs Barbara Layman, April 19, 181=0. Hia children are Mary A., Aaron, Daniel, Eli and Nancy, all living but Nancy and all grown and married. His homestead contains eighty acres. The township was very wet at an early day, the lands being overflowed from the "big swaui[)" or marsh, which is now drained and mostly cultiviitod. At an early day, Markel spent much time as a hunter for bear and deer. He generally killed three or four bears and about forty or fifty deer. Ho was (jaite successful in tra}iping wolves, which were then plenty. He also used a ii'ap for bears and caught a good many.

John Shrhnpliu was born November 10, bS40, in Knox County, Ohio, and came to Adams Township, Deiiance County, Ohio, with his parents, Abraham Shrimplin and his mother, Susannah. His mother died April 10, 1875. Mr. Shrimplin yet resides in this township and js its present Clerk.

John Hornish was born December 30, 1823, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and came with his father, John Hornish, Sr. , to Adams Township, Henry County, Ohio, but now of Defiance, in 1836. When his father landed, there had been four families who preceded him, viz. . Eli Markel, Mr. Grubb, Mr. Rodman and Jacob Shock. The three former had been here somo time. Markel and Grubb were the oldest in the township. Grubb had preceded Markel some time. John Hornish, Sr. , born January 12, 1788, died August 2, 1866, aged seventy-eight years six months and twenty days. His mother, Catharine Ely Hornish, died about August 2, 1854, aged fifty-nine years. John Hornish, Sr., was born in Rockingham County, Va., and Mrs. Hornish in Washington Covinty, Penn., and came to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1819. His family consisted of Henry, Nancy, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Catharine and Eli. Of these, Nancy, Henry, Catherine and Eli are dead. The rest are living and married. John Hornish, Jr., married Miss Eve Frese December 27, 1846. Their family are Catharine, Eli, Henry, Elizabeth, Samuel, John W., Peter, Mary A. , George, Nancy E., Emmii and Ida. Of those, three are dead -Eli,, Henry and Ida. Mr. Hornish has been a great hunter since he came to this county. When he was about thirteen years old, he had t£uito an adventure with a large buck. He wounded it quite severely and it was brought to bay by the dog; the buck at once stood for tight with glaring eyes, within a few feet of Mr. H., who stood his ground and snapped his gun several times; finally the gun went off, shooting it in the breast, when it at once made a dash at Mr. H., but in doing BO caught one antler under a root, which checked it lone enough for Mr. H. to dispatch it with his knife. Some years after this occui'rence, Mr. H. and J. K. Potter were hunting along tlie banks of a small creek in Adams Township, near where Mr. Potter now lives. Mr. H. was on one side of the stream and Mr. Potter on the other side, when they came upon an old bear and her cubs, and after firing several shots they brought her to the ground. Appearing dead, Mr. H. stepped up, picked up a club and struck the bear across the head, when he found that she had been playing " possum," for she sprang to her feet and struck a terrible blow at Mr. H. , barely missing him, making it necessary to call Mr. Potter to shoot her. Mr. H. has 650 acres of land and about 200 acres cleared and well improved. It makes a valuable homestead.

Jacob Swartz was born November 2, 1802, in Warren County, Ohio, and came to Adams Township in 1836, and was at its organization. Mr. Swartz has been dead many years. He found the country wild, with bear, deer and wolves and plenty of Indians. The forests were very hoavy and water found in abundance everywhere. The neighbors of Mr. S. were one or two miles away. The principal settlers were Adams, Bishop and Phineas, Eli Markel, John Hornish, Darius Jones, John Scott, Jonathan Davison, John and Jacob Hively, Mr. Grubb, Jacob Shock, Mr. Swartz, etc. Mr. Swartz married Miss Sarah Becktell, of Montgomery County, Ohio, in November, 1828. His family consists of Sarah, Elizabeth, Philip, Catharine (dead), Rachel S. These are all married. Mi-s. Swartz died about 1866, aged about sixty-eight years.

Charles Tubbs was born January 21, 1810, in Oswego County, N. Y., and came to Adams Township in 1836, and settled on Section 11, where he now resides. He married Miss Lucy Howe, of Mexico, Os- . wego County, N. Y. She died August 16, 1870. Her children were William B., Alfred S., Charles D. and Arba F. He married the second time. Miss Charlotte Eobinson, February 25, 1871. Her family is Alice E., a girl six years old. W^hen he first settled in the township, John Scott, Darius Jones, John and Jacob Hively, James Davison, John Hornish, William Mozier, Jacob Swartzel. George Grubb and Eli Markel were in it. The voters were then all present and named. The first school was taught by Mrs. Tubbs in the summer of 1837. It was a subscription school. There were about nine scholar's. It was a hard township to clear and make roads in. Mr. Tubbs did not spend much time in hunting for game, but has been an industrious and successful farmer and is a friend to the common school system of Ohio.

Henry Lehman was born September 12, 1820, in Germany, and came to Adams Township in 1837, and located on Section 21. He married Miss Mary Jane Williams February 1, 1846. She died August 5,

1S70. The children were Adelia, John W. and Caroline, twins, Walter, Francis E., Mary Jane and Henry. Of these, Adelia is dead. Mr. L. married for his second wife Mrs. Annie Davis, a widow of Joseph Freed, who had live children - Eliza J., William D., Catharine, Elezan and Cora V., all living. She had no, family by Mr. Lehman. The Dunkard Chnrch, located on Section 31, was built in 1878. Its speakers are Henry Lehman, Aaron Diehl, Charles Williams, Joshua Domer,*Zadoc Clear, Isaac Flory, Oliver AVestrick, Ephraim Markei, Leonard Hire, John W. Lehman, John Plory, Jacob Lehman, Henry Flory, Richard Beheybible, John Hornish and William Hire.

T. J. Tittle was "iborn in Richland Township, Ohio, October 21, 1825. His father, Jacob Tittle, first came to Defiance County in 1824, and settled in Richland Township, where he lived until 1839. He then removed to Adams Township, where he died in 1840 or 1841, aged fifty-five years. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1785. The children, T. J. and James, with their families reside on the old homestead in Adams Township. Rachel lives in Williams County, Ohio. Mr. T. states that the United Brethren Church in Adams Township was organized in 1845. They held their first meeting in a log schoolhouse near where Mr. Tubbs now lives. They have now a new church edifice, built in 1870 at a cost of about $1,000, and have a membership of seventy-iive. Abraham Battenbury organized the class in Adams Township and was their first preacher. The present preacher is George W. Dinius.

Emanuel Hull, son of Andrew and Catharine (Thompson) Hull, who were Pennsylvanians by birth, was born in Berlin Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, March 14, 1830, and settled in this county in Adams Townshixi in October, 1S4'J, where he died February 7, 1882, aged fifty- two years ten months and twenty-four days. He was married February 19, 1851, to Miss Jane Osborn, of this county, who was also born in Berlin Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, August 29, 1833. They had a family of nine children, seven boys and two girls, as follows: Sylvester A., born July 3, 1854; Zachariah F., born February 23, 1858, died May 30, 1882; Mary E., born April 5, 1859, and deceased when about three years of age; George "W. was born April 3, 1862, and died in infancy; David W., born May 15, 1863; Levi W., born June 16, 1866; Ida J., born July 7, 1869; James E., born July 27, 1872; and Andrew V., born September 5, 1876.

Of this number (who are living) all are living at home on the farm in Adams with Mrs. Hull, except the eldest, Sylvester A., who is head clerk in Levi & Ginsburg's wholesale tobacco and liquor store in Defiance. He was married December 14, 1876, to Miss Barbara M. Peter, of Richland Township. To them was born one child, Philip Emauuel, November 26, 1879, and deceased at its birth. His wife, Barbara M., soon followed after. Her spirit departed from its tenement of clay, December 14, 1879, after which Mr. Hull lived a single life until August the 10th, 1882, when he married Sarah E. Peter, sister of his first wife. His mother, when a girl of fourteen years, came to this county with her father, Elijah Osborn, in February, 1846, her mother, Nancy, having died about'a year previous to their departure from Mahoning County, this State. February, 21, 1846, Mr. Osborn loaded three teams with his family and household goods and traveled across the State for a future home in Richland Township, this county, occupying six days in making the trip, Mahoning County being on the east line of the State and Defiance on the west. After pursuing their journey as far as Gilboa, Mr. Osborn concluded to make two loads of his effects and let one team return. By this arrangement it became necessary for the children, six in number, to pursue their journey on foot, which came very near costing all of them their lives, 'as they were soon broken out with measles and were obliged to wade through the mud and water of the Black Swamp, a distance of several miles, arriving at Independence on Saturday night the 25th, weary and sick. Here they put up and were kindly cared for, and in a few days were able to go to their new home, distant about three and a half miles, moving into an old schoolhouse until Mr. Osborn could get up his logcabin. Mr. Osborn died August 8, 1868.

John Wisda,8on of John and Mary (Slagel) Wisda, was born in Klatan, Bohemia, March 23, 1844; immigrated with his parents in August, 1854, arriving first at, Baltimore, Md., thence to Sandusky County, Ohio. His father's family consists of four sons and and two daughters - John, 'Joseph, Albert, James, Mary and Anna. Albert is eugineer on a Texas railway; James is a blacksmith residing in Fremont, Neb. ; the rest are residents of Defiance County. The father was billed by a tree he was filling about eight years after he came to Sandusky, in August, 1861. Mr. Wisda, our subject was married August 29, 1871, to Gertrude Lutz, daughter of Michael and Catharine (Hasset) Lutz. Their children are John G., born June 12, 1872; Anna C, born February 24, 1874; Michael A., born July 20, 1875; Joseph A., born August 9, 1877; Frank J., born November 14, 1879; Richard T., born October 21, 1881.

Mrs. AV'isda's father was from Bavaria, Germany, her mother from Ireland. They came to this country in 1841, to Seneca County, and thence to Adams Township in October, 1850. The subject of this sketcli came with his mother and family- from Sandusky County to Tiifin Township April, 1871 . His mother is living in this (Adams) township. Mr. W. bought eighty acres in Section 8. resided there about two years, then came to the farm of 140 acres, where he now lives on Section 20, in fall of 1876. Defiance is his present post office. Mrs. Wisda was born February 21, 1851, in Adams Township, where her father entered the land in Section 28. His children were Catharine, Mary M., Gertrude, John G., Michael J. , Helen, Joseph, Anna B. Of these, Catharine and Michael are dead.

Ohaptee Xxii Brethren Church At Sherwood-Personal Reminiscences

THIS township is located in the south-central part of Defiance County. Washington Township bounds it on the north. Noble and Defiance on the East and Mark on the west. Paulding County touches it on the south. The Mauuiee Eiver flows through the southern part of it, and the B. & O. Railroad crosses the township. Since the completion of this rbad, the township has improved rapidly. The two prosperous villages of Sherwood and Delaware owe their existoneo and their growth largely to the railroad.

Village Op Delaware Bend

The most conspicuous structure is the new Catholic Church, frame, with its cupola and bell, which was built in 1880, and cost $3,000. It is gothic in structure and quite imposing. There are about thirty members. Its priest is Frederick Ruhen. The membership had a church at first across the river.

The village was laid out by W. D. Hill & Co., in 1874. There are about fifty houses built, and the prospect for a branch railroad from Bryan, in Williams Couaty, is considered quite flattering. The lots commanded a fair price at the first sale. They number 170. The village was laid out ;^almost in the woods. The town has three groceries, two saloons, one blacksmith shop, one saw mill, one drj' goods store, two doctors, Wallace Moats and J. K. Denman, who has a drug store in Sherwood.

The branch of this church, now called the Maumee District, located in Defiance County, west of Brunersbiu-g, between Georgetown and Emerald Station, fonnerly belonged to the Lick Creek District, Williams County, under the care of John Brown and George Stockman up to about 1854, when the above district was organized, Peter HufF and Daniel Shong being its ministers, with a body of members about thirty -five in number, Jacob Kintner, Sr, , J. G. Kintner, B. Lintz, D. Cover, G. Willhelm, holding the office of Deacon. In 1857, Eli Metz was chosen to the ministry, and in 1858 he was ordained to solemnize marriages and to baptize. On May 29, 1859, he baptized Jacob Kintner, Jr., for the first one, and his wife the second one. The church now began to increase in number, and in the fall of 1861, Peter Bollinger and Jacob Kintner, Jr., were chosen to the office of Deacon, aad on the 17th day of October, 1864, Jacob Kintner, Jr., was chosen to the ministry and Reuben Sponseller and Samuel M. Kintner to the office of Deacon. At this time the care of the church was given to Eli Metz and Daniel Shong, under whose care it was slowly on the increase. On the 13th of Oteober, 1868, Nelson Woodcox, David Shong and David Barrack were elected to the office of Deacon, and Jacob Kintner was ordained to solemnize marriages and baptize, and in 1870, on Christmas Day, Isaac Stockman and David Cover were chosen to the ministry. The church now numbered about eighty members. In 1873, Messrs. Stockman and Cover were ordained to the second degree of the ministry, i. e. , to solemnize marriages, and as Petor Huff died, and Eli Metz moved away, therefore John Brown, of Williams County, was appointed as Presiding

Elder over this congregation until October 8, 1878, at time John Brown resigned his care of this church, and Jacob Kintuer was ordained Bishop or Presiding Elder over this congregation, in which office he still remains. At the same time, Daniel Lorah, a minister, moved here from Missouri, was also ordained to the second degree in his office. In consequence of several series of meetings held at this time, the church rapidly increased, at the present numbering about 114 members.

Feeling the necessity of a hrmse to worship in, but being in limited circumstances financially, they came to the conclusion to build a cheap house of worship, in which they succeeded in raising the funds, and gave Jacob Kintner and David Shong the job of erecting a building, 34x56 feet in size and sixteen and one-half feet high inside, for the sum of $1,000, which was completed in 1873, being the first church birilt in this vicinity.

United Beethken Church At Shbkwood

About thirty years ago, the United Brethren Conference sent a minister by the name of Thomas to preach to the people along the Maumee River, who occasionally preached in the vicinity of the present location of Sherwood. A few years after, Conference appointed a camp meeting, which was held at that time, and another time a year or two later, on the same place where the village of Sherwood stands. In A. D. 1874, under the charge of Rev. Jonas Lower, a society was organized. In A. D. 1879, the class, assisted by the liberality of the inhabitants, built a nice, comfortable church house, at a cost of $1,350. The society at present has a membership of tb irty-eight, Eli Kaser, Class Leader. The Sabbath school is in a flourishing condition and has a total attendance of 110, superintended by G. N. Barnes. Rev. Longsworth is the present preacher.

Personal Reminiscences

William Snook entered his land in Delaware Township in the spring of 1824 (where the B. & O. R. R. now crosses the Maumee River), buying on both sides of the river. He moved with his family into the new home in the same tall. He first moved from near Trenton, K J., to AVarren County, Ohio. During the Black Hawk war, he was a private in the Ohio militia, who participated in the expedition that defeated and broke up the strength of that celebrated savage chieftain. Some time during the winter of 1827-28, my uncles, George, John and Peter, who were boys from fourteen to eighteen years old, went out on a coon hunt, as was the then prevailing custom of the country, as coon skins were the main medium of exchange - in fact, were ^legal tender for all commodities of life purchasable in the then vast wilds of Northwestern Ohio. In fact, they were in this county (Paulding) used to pay taxes with. After killing several coons, and being about three miles from home, they found what appeared to be a " den tree, " or a tree in which, as was often the case, several coons made a home during the winter months, and they proceeded to fell the tree. When it fell, my uncle George (being the eldest) with' the dog ran in to the top of it, to kill the coons as soon as they should run out of the hole. But instead of being a lot of coons, it proved to be a large black bear, which at once grappled with my uncle, giving him a true bruin embrace, and;at the same time laid hold of his left arm with its vice-like jaws, biting it through in three places, stripping the flesh from the bone; then biting him in the left cheek or side of his face, laying the bone bare.

All this time the other two boys, John and Peter, were doing all they could to disable the bear with their axes, using them with all the skill and force that boys of their age were capable of, and avoiding striking George with them. After some time spent in this unequal contest, uncle George succeeded in throwing his right hand and arm down the bear's throat so far that it choked him, and they both fell together in the snow, my uncle covered with his own blood, which flowed freely from his wounds. When bear and boy fell together in the snow, John and Peter succeeded in pulling (jeorge from the bear, and managed by strenuous exertions to drag him home, as he was so weak from the loss of blood that he could not walk or stand alone without aid. The next day an Indian ran across the spot where the fight occurred, and traced up the bear for a few rods from where it ocemTed, and found it so prostrated from the wounds received in its struggle with the boys that it could not rise from the place where it lay, and he dispatched it with his tomahawk. At the time my grandfather (William Snook) settled in Delaware Township, there was only one store (trading post as the}' then were called) in Defiance, and only some five or six families, and the old fort.

Montgomery Evans was my grandfather's nearest neighbor, he having settled about one and a half miles above and on the oppo'ute side of the river from him. "Uncle Sammy Hughes," as he was called, lived some three miles away. There were sume three or four more settlers, but I cannot recollect their names, who settled along the Maumee about the time ray grandfather did. There were no mills or roads in the country at that time, the river being the only thoroughfare, except Gen. Anthony A\'ayne'8 " trail" as it was called - a road cut through the woods on tho south side of the river from Fort Defiance to Fort Wayne, which at this date was impassiible except during the winter months, when well frozen up; then [)ersons going with a team must carry an ax to cut out any fallen timber which tho wind had blown down across tho " trail." Tho river, during spring, summer and fall, was used as a means of transportation, tho (uu-ly settlers using the canoa, "pirogue," or " slaptogotlier," which they pushed up and down the stream with the "setting pole," and after a time tho keel boat camo into use. During the winter months, when tho river was frozen over, it was UH(^d as a road, and heavy loads hauled from various points with ox teams mostly. As I above remarked, there being no mills in the county, my grandfather "hollowed out" a round hole in a birch log with his ax, then after burning this with fire to get out tho ax marks and then scraping out all the coal and cliarrod wood, placed tho corn in it and with the aid of a spring pole with an iron wedge fastened in the lower end of it, would in this way reduce the corn to meal, so they might have " Johnny-cake " with their hominy, venison and bear steak. Truly we of this modern age, civilization and improvements can hardly realize the hardships of our old pioneers, who first, ax in hand, began the herculean warfare upon our gigantic forests, and natural obstacles that our fathers had to contend with. In the fall of 1828, my grandfather ( Robert Murphey) on my mother's side, settled with his family in what is now known as Carryall Township, Paulding County, about one and one-half miles above where Antwerp is now situated. At that time there was only one other family in that settlomt'nt, Thomas Runyan, who had settled there in the s[)ring before. They both came from Hamilton County, on the Big Miami River.

Some time during the summer aad fall of 1.^32, Antwayne, a chief of the Pottawatomies, and several of his braves, after having imbibed somewhat freely of tho white man's " fire-water," paid my grandfather Murphoy's residence a visit, the men folks being all out at work, and only grandmother and aunt being in tho house. Tho Indians, as was their custom when peaceable and not on scalping bent, and bloody slaughter, unbuckled their belts, dojiositing scalping knives, tomahawks, guns and bullet ]wuches in one corner of the log-cabin, distributing themselves around tho capacious fire-place where grandmother was cooking the noonday meal. Antwayne squatted directly in the middle of it and in the way of her getting at her culinary efforts. This was not to be endured, and after grandmother had requested him several times to get out of the way, he replying in his broken English, " JVIe good Injin, me no hurt white squaw, Me big Injun, me heap good Injun, Me no hurt white squaw," she drew from its resting place over the " jice," the family rod, and at once bestowed " on l^ig Injun," good Injun's naked shoulders, with no light hand, good, sturdy blows, which made him howl with pain, and jump up in great surjnise. Giving the characteristic whoop of defiance, he sprang for his deadly weapons of war, but as he did so, the other braves caught and forced him out of doors, where they in one accord declared that he should not hurt white squaw who was " heap much brave, whi]) Injun." They finally succeeded in pacifying him, and after securing his accouterments they departed in good humor.

If they had not been under the influence of whis ky it is hard to tell how the rash act of grandmother would have ended, probably in a bloody tragedy.

I was born in 1835, five years previous to the removal of the Indians from this part of the country by tho Government in 1840. My father's Indian name wai? " Tobochimo, " from the fact that he never in his dealings with them took any advantage of them in his trading. I recollect seeing our door yard filled with them, bartering coon and deer skins with my father for corn. In 1849, my father, Hon. Wilson H. Snooks, was elected as Representative to the Ohio Legislature. During the late rebellion, my family took an active part in it. My uncle, John S. Snook, being Captain of Company G, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and I, Quartermaster Sergeant in same company, during the first three months' service or first 75,000 troops called out by President Lincoln. At the organization of the Fourteenth Regiment for three years' service, my brother, J. S. Snook, Jr., enlisted as a private in August, 1861. and served in that command until the close of the rebellion with only the loss of two day's duty by sickness, being in every engagement that the regiment took part in and was the only one left of the color bearers on guard at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. , and the first one to scale the rebel works and carry our flag in triumph over the breastworks amidst the enemy. At the organization of the Sixty-eighth Regiment, my uncle, John S. Snook, became its Major, and I a private in the rear rank of Company C. The Major was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and at the battle of Champion Hill, Miss. , during the Vicksbm'g campaign under Gen. U. S. Grant, was instantly killed, beinar shot through the heart near the close of the battle when the victory was ours. He now rests in a gallant soldier's grave on the field he so bravely and gallantly helped to win, having the love and respect of all the " boys " who yet survive of his gallant Sixty-eighth. From Revolutionary days down to present time, whenever our country needed defend-

Elias Miller was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 19, 1817, and gi-ew up and attended the district schools of that county, and married Miss Rebecca Foose, June 10, 1841, and removed to Crawford County, where he remained about two years, and then removed to Delaware Township, Defiance County, in 1855, and commenced improving his present farm on Section 19. His family is Johnson, born April 9, 1842; Emanuel, born December 4, 1813; Vincent N., born December 18, 1845; Zeno H.,born October 7, 1848; Stewart W., born February 25, 1851. All living and grown. Johnson served in the war of 1861-65, and was wounded twice. The village of Sherwood which took its name from Secretary Sherwood, was laid out by William Taylor and William Rock in 1875. The number of lots north of the railroad is about seventy-five. Mr. Elias Miller laid out all south of the railroad, seventy-two lots, in 1879. The Miller brothers built the first store house in Sherwood. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built about 1868. It was organized by Elias Miller, Jacob Cone, Aaron Mitchell and wife, Uriah Smith and wife, John Rannel and wife. At first, preaching was by a local preacher. Rev. Archibald Robertson. The Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren unite in Sabbath schools. Mr. Miller had to go to Brunersbnrg to mill, and did his trading at Defiance. Mr. M. remembers one schr)olhouse here and one near the old farm of Peter Blair, now owned and occupied by N. Ij. Blair which was probably the first in this locality. There is one sohoolhouse at Sherwood.

F R. Gillespie was born August 9, 1852, at Sulphur Springs, Crawford County, Ohio, and remained there until 1860, when his parents removed to Paulding County, where he remained until 1874, and marrying Miss Mary Richner, September 2-, 1873. He removed to Sherwood in 1871, and engaged in business, keejiiug a boarding house and grocery. His family consists of Bertha, Walter and Charles B. Mrs. Gillespie died June 2, 1881.

George W. Hill was born August 31, 1804, in Washington County. Penn. His mother was of Irish descent; his father, James Hill, was born in AVashington County, I'enn. In 1813, they immigrated to this St:ite and settled at Lebanon, Warren County. In 1822. Mr. Hill came to Defiance County and purchased thi'. farm in Delaware Township where George W. now lives. After making the purchase, he returned to Warren County, where he died January 15. 1823, aged about forty-nine years. In Delaware Township, his wife, Jemima, died February 28, 1841, aged about sixty-six years, The Hill family were Thomas J., John, George W., Clarinda, Daniel P. , James M. and Mary E. Of these, but George W. survives, Mr. Hill married Miss Sarah A. Mulligan, of Defiance, March 16, 1834. His family are Josiah J., born March 17, 1835; Joseph E., born August 18, 1837; Henry H., born November 29, 1840; Mary Anne, born December 10, 1842; Benjamin F., born Februar}' 8, 1844. Of these, Mary and Franklin are dead. Mrs. Hill was born March 16. 1811. The family of Mr. H. was the eighth in the township. The families who were here or came about the same time, according to the recollection of Mr. Hill, are as follows: Benjamin Mulligan, Barnabas Blue, Samuel and Henry Hughes, Montgomery Evans, James Shirley, Thomas Warren and James Hill.

Mr. Hill thinks this township was organized in 1824. The number of voters present at the first election was twelve or fifteen. Montgomery Evans was elected Justice of the Peace, John E. Hill was elected Constable. The Trustees were Benjamin Mulligan, Thomas Hill and James Shirley. Mr. H. first located on Section 27, where the ancient village was, and the Delawares had large fields of corn. Wayne came there to cut down their corn and did them much damage by destroying their food, which caused their village to be abandoned. The first school was in Section 25; teacher, Uriah Mclnally. The Methodist Episcopal Church preaching was in the cabins of the settler.s andjia schoolhouses. They have now a church at Sherwood. Mr. Hill spent a year or two in the ancient mission iu Michigan on Grand River, and had to grind corn on a hand mill for food to feed some thirty jiorsons. The homestead of Mr. Hill contains some 280 acres on the banks of the Maumee. The old Indian orchard at " Delaware Bend " is probably from seventy- five to one hundred years old. Mrs. George W. Hill (Miss Sarah Mulligan) was born in Jackson County, Va. , in 1811. Her parents immigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County in 1814. From there they moved to this county in 1821, where Mrs. Hill has ever since resided. Their first settlement was made at what was then known as Delaware Town, a place on the Maumee River in Delaware Township. The place was so called from the Indians having once had a settlement there. Her parents located at that point with the intention of making large purchases of land when the sales would open, the lands belonging to the ludians having been put into market. Soon after Mrs. Hill's parents came, another family named McGinnis arrived and settled just opposite them, on what is now known as the Speaker farm. Mrs, Hill says McGinnis brought with him a barrel of whisky with which j he intended opening negotiations with the ladians, j During his absence the Indians found the whisky and the result was they all got so beastly drank and made things generally so lively for the white settlers that during the night at about 8 o'clock, they started down the river to D'llianoe. The attempt to go away in the night was a very difficult one. The whole country was a swamp and the horses were frequently knee-deep in uiud and water. A part of the way her father was obliged to go ahead oi' the team on his hands and knees in order to keep the path. The family following as best they could in the dark, guided by his voice. They reacheJ Fort Deliance about 2 o'clock in the morning, and the next day her father with others returned to Delaware and brought their household goods. They then settled on the bottom lam I just opposite the Bouton farm on the Auglaize River, where they remained three years. Mrs Hill says she can yet well remember the many privations they imderwent the fii-st year, which were such as few of to-day ever think of. Corn bread was the staple product for food. Flour could only be obtained at Perrysburg or Fort Wayne. After the lirst year, however, traders opened up here at Defiance, and the family frequently indulged in such luxuries as apple pie made with wild crab apples and pumpkins. Salt was very scarce and cost $11 and upward a barrel. Like all old settlers, they had their corn mills, made of two circular stones having parallel bases, about three feet in diameter, the lower one being stationary, with a bevel projecting over the upper surface into whiah the upper stone fits. This upper stone had an orifice into which they dropped the corn five or six grains at a time with one hand and with the other tui'ned the stone. On one side was an outlet and from this the corn came forth in the shape of pretty coarse meal. This meal was then sifted and the finest used for bread, while the remainder was boiled and made into what they called samp. During the year ]S'2L-22,Mrs. Hill lived with the Prestons, who at that time occupied the old fort, using the block-housea for storing grain. Preston kept tavern in a log house Dear the tort. His only guests were those who came as [)rospectors and those who were looking for futui'e homes. The block-houses were in excellent condition at that time. They were built of logs, the lower story baiag carried up about eight feet. Then the logs for the second story were allowed to project over about two feet. The floor of the pro jection was pierced with numerous holes for the purpose of allowing those inside to shoot down upon the enemy as they came up or down the river. In fact, the fort and its surrounding houses were then just as Gen. Wayne had left them. Many of oiu' citizens remember the bodies that were found at or neai' the site of the present residence of Mr. Myers, on Front street, and also the skull now in the possession of Dr. Downs, the latter remarkable for its won - derful preservation of hair. Mrs Hill says the ground just there was long used as a French burial place, and she remembers distinctly of persons being buried there and that at the head of some of the graves were large wooden crosses. While she was at the fort, the gi'aves were very distinct. In this place her parents buried their first dead. She also remembers the burial of a little girl of John Driver's. Mrs. Hill says in 1821 Timothy L. Smith was elected the first Justice of the Peace, and she thinks Arthur Burras was the first Constable of Defiance Township. When they came here in that year, 1 821, there were but twelve families living between Perrysburg and Fort Wayne. The first above Perrysburg was the family of Moses Rice. Next, John Perkins and Montgomery Evans; still farther up, John Hively lived on the Kepler farm. Near the famous old apple tree on Mr. Southworth's place, lived T. S. Smith ; just above Smith Burras located and started the first blacksmith shop in Defiance. William Presten lived at the fort and kept tavern. Robert Shirley lived still further up above the fort, while on the Auglaize, lived Mrs. Hill's family, John and Thomas Driver and James Hinton.

Mrs. Elizabeth Speaker was born May 9, 1817, in Lewis County, Ky. , and came to Defiance County. Ohio, and settled in Delaware Township, with family of James Shirley, in 1839, in what was known as the " Bend, " on the Maumee River. Thd persons arriving previous were Tobias Mulligan and father, Montgomery Evans and sons. Mr. Shirley improved his farm in the "bend." Elizabeth, married James Shirley, in June, 1839. He lived thirteen years and died in 1852. She then married Charles Speaker June 10, 1853. He died December 16, 1872. His estate caused much litigation. The children were - William, Robert, Eliza, Alexander, Louisa, Sylvester, Elizabeth, Emma and Prank, by her last husband. Four children are living, one by the first husband and three by the last husband. The family records are lost. The first settlers were George W. Hill, James Shirley, G. Lumbard, G. Blair and others.

John Musselman was born May 30, 1803, in Shenandoah County, Va., and immigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he remained five years and married Miss Eliza Clemmer, in January, 1832, and came to Paulding County, Ohio, in 1834, now Delaware Township, Defiance County, on the banks of the Maumee, where he now resides. The township was then covered by a heavy forest and much wet land, so much so that it was settled only along the river. At that time it was known as Williams County. In 1843, Mr. Musselman put up a small tannery, where he tanned all kinds of leather. The yard is now useless, and much like himself. John Cummings, who came in ^\^ayne's expedition in 1794, lived with and died at Mr. M.'s. George Platter, George Platter, Sr., George Platter, Jr., and Joseph Miller were early settlers. They settled mostly along the river. It was supposed that the sotlements would be only along the river, and that nothing would grow but grass, where now good wheat is produced. Tile drainage is now much used and is redeeming the land. Mr. M. acted as Justice of the Peace for Delaware Township for about nine years when in Williams County, and was Commissioner of Paulding County. Understanding the diseases of the country, though not having been a graduate, he was often employed to treat the sick among his neighbors, which was done quite successfully. He often met the eccentric " Johnny Appleseed," who frequently passed up the Maumee planting nurseries of apple-seeds. He planted seeds on different fai-ms along the river. Mr. M. has some trees on his farm planted by '' Johnny " at that time, grown from seed planted by him, that have fine fruit. His last appearance was about 1845, when he went to Fort Wayne. Mrs. M. died September 18, 1880, aged about sixty-six years. She was the mother of fourteen children, twelve living; these were named David, Amos, Diana, John, Mary, Cyrus, Eliza, Jane, Minerva, William, Ira and Ida, all married. Amos was in the army in 1801^65. Martha died July 25, 1840, Letitia, died August 17, 1846.

George Kintner was born November 30, 1822, in Cohimbiana County, Ohio; removed to Crawford County with his parents in 1831, and came to Delaware Township in 1851. He married Miss Susannah Hockert, July 4, 1847, in Crawford County. Their family consists of Eebecca A., Catharine Anne, Jonas, Lovina, Lewis and George A. These all survive but Jonas, George A. and Samuel, who died young. When Mr. K. first arrived, his neighbors were James Gordon, Jonathan Peffly, Peter Blair, Frederick Slough, Peter Krughton, Nicholas Huffborn, C. B. Mulligan and Montgomery Evans. The old orchard, he thinks, was planted by M. Evans, from seed obtained of Johnny .'Vppleseed. There was plenty of game at the time of his arrival.

Mr. E. B. Smith was born May 9, 1837, in Crawford County, Ohio, and came to Defiance County in 1850. He married Miss Rebecca A. Shoe, of Clermont County, Ohio. His family are Elizabeth, Louella, Charles, Isaac, Oscar, Lucia U. (died when tbree months old). He purchased and built at Delaware Bend in 1847. Mr. S. says his orchard was set out in 1880, by Mr. Snook, on the edge of the bottom. The apple trees planted by Montgomery Evans,

Catharine Lewis was born Jitly 19, 1812, in Muskingum County, near Zanesville, immigrated to De-- fiance County when about nineteen years of age, June 1, 1831, with her husband, James Lewis, and stayed in Defiance one year; then went to Huron County and remained there about two years and returned to Defiance and settled in Delaware Township about 1850, where Mr. Lewis died August 8, 1854. His children were Ellen ^iaria, James B. and William, who died young. The settlers were few, John Mothersbaugh, William Ronch, George Ronch, Virgil Moats, Henry Funk, John Kinsley and Daniel Swinehart, " The first man that settled on Mud Creek," Elliott Cosgrove, Daniel English and Harry McFeetera. When Mr. L. came to Defiance, there was a log church used by the Methodists. It stood where the Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. The Indians often got into the old log church to stay, and got out the next morning with bloody noses and much bruised from fighting, the result of bad " firewater." Two Indians named Cepenash and Segatehena, fought and pulled rings from their ears and made a bloody time of it in the church. She has often seen the chief, Oquonoxa, who resided where Charloe now stands. Milling was done at Brunersburg, some four miles away. People came some forty miles to it down the Maumee River in pirogues. She remembers " Johnny Appleseed," Jonathan Evans, Foreman Evans, Pierce Evans, John Evans, the only doctor in the country, David Hull, Mr. Wasson and his nephew William Simmons, Mr. Preston, Mr. Gardenshire, Mr. Hateley, John ' Oliver and son David. There were then about twenty houses in Defiance, mostly log.

Charles Smith was born in York County, Penn. , April 24, 1809, and attended school and grew up in that county and married Miss Susannah Crowl, of the same county, September 8, 1833; continued to live there until 1837, and then removed to Licking County, Ohio, Harriscm Township, remaining there until 1857, when he came to and settled in Delaware Township, Defiance County. He settled on Section 10, in Delaware Township, where he now lives. Had to foot it some distance on logs along the path to his land, to keep out of the water. The timber was quite large and very heavy, and ponds were plenty and nearly covered the surface of the ground. The land is now well drained and makes good farms, and is easy to cultivate. His children are Lydia A., 'William H , Lucinda, and Francis M., all living and grown and married and have families. Both boys, Francis M. and William H., were in the war of 18G1-G5. Jacob Smith, an uncle, was in the v?ar of 1812. Mr.

Growl (Mrs, Smith's father) was in the war of Independence, in 1770. Mrs. Smith is dead. She went with her husband to Matt(jon, 111., and was there but sixteen days when she took sick and dind April 30, 1880, aged sixty-nine years. Door were <|uite plentiful when he arrived in the country. Coons and turkeys are yet numerous. William H. married Kachel McFeeters February 2(), 1805; and has three children - Clara, Anna and Charles Ray. Francis M. married May E. English November 2(), 1808. They have had two children - Alice Netla and Harry E. Alice is not living. Lydia married Mr. H. C. Sinsobaugh, of Licking County, September, 1850, and is at Mattoon, Northern Illinois. Lucinda married John M. Johnson. Mrs. Montgomei-y Evans was a sister of Thomas Warren, and was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., 1787, and died August 1, 1875, aged eighty-eight years and four months. Her father moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1811, and to Delaware County in 1812, where she was married to Mr. Evans in 1815, and in the following year they packed their household goods, loaded them on twc horses, one of which Mrs. Evans rode and carrii'd their infant son, and following an Indian war trail they wended their way to Defi anco to lill tlio mission of the pioneers. Their route was through an unbroken forest, and a solitary campfire at night, the ho%\l of the wolf, the gloom of the forest were all in striking contrast with the homo the young mother had left. Mr. Evans was at home in the woods, having served as a spy xmder Gen. \\'inchestor and Harrison. Now they were g ling to reside amongst the tawny ti'ibes so recently their deadly foes. Wo may well imagine the feelings of a mother, surrounded by hosts of these same Indians, with but few whites on the river. Arriving at Defiance, they first located in one of the block-houses in Wayne's fort, using the magazine for a cellar, where they remain I'd about eighteen months. They then moved to Camp No. 3, on the left bank of the Maumoe, about five miles below Defiance. Here Mr. Evans remained until 1823, when he in company with Thomas Warren, moved to Delaware Township on (ho right bank of the Maumee, some seven miles west of Defiance. The river was frozen over and they moved on the ice. The next spring, James Partee and John Plummer made sap troughs and tapped a few sugar trees, from which Mrs. Evans made 300 pounds of sugar. About the year 1825, an express mail was established from Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), by Fort Wayne to Detroit. The mail was carried by a Frenchman, who passed over the route once in two weeks. Mr. Evans' house was a regular station on this route. After locating at Delaware, his provisions became exhausted before they could raise a crop. Mr. Warren went down to Prairie Damasque then the residence of Samuel Vance (brother of ex- Gov. Vance, of Ohio), where he bought two bushels of wheat which he wished to sow, but failed to get any corn for bread. On his way home, he thought of the destitution of his sister and her little children, and made up his mind to get his seed wheat ground at a horse mill just started by Mr. Hively, about three miles below Defiance. He called at the mill and proposed to pay for the grinding, but Mr. Miller, like Mr. Warren, wanted bread. The toll amounted to about one-third of the two bushels. He reached home with liis unbolted flour. It was then sifted and divided into three grades. The bran they ate when they wore very hungry, the other grades were used as occasion required.

Henry Slough was born September 10, 1813, near Baltimore, Md., and removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1821, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Hayes, of Pickaway County, April 10, 1834, and in 1842 he removed from there to Defiance County, settling in what was known as Newberry, in Delaware Township. He fonnd the country new here, with few settlements except along the Maumee River, and extensive tracts of low, wet timber land extending for miles on either side of the river, with game, such as deer, bear, turkey, wolves, wild cat, etc., plentiful. The roads were new and almost impassable. He went to Brunersburg to mill the first time on horseback, and to Defiance to do his tradino-. From here Mr. Slough removed to Paulding County, renting a farm near New Rochester, and after remaining in said county some six or seven years, he removed back to Defiance County, settling on a tract of 120 acres of land, he had purchased in Section 16, Delaware Township, and erected a cabin house and commenced clearing up a farm where he now resides. Mr. Slough's family consists of Isaac N., William A., John W., Henry H., Henry J. and Harriet J.; all liv. ing except Heru-y J. The boys have all been honored by their fellow-citizens with the offices of Justice of the Peace and other township offices. J. W. Slouo-h was Sheriff of the county four years, from 1864 to ISOS, and ^^'illiam A.. Slough was Auditor five years, from 1870 to 1881.