Delaware City Township (part 2 of 2)

E. T. NELSON, Professor Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, was born in Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1845, and is the son of Rev. Alexander and Jane (Morrison) Nelson, his mother a native of New Hampshire and father of Vermont ; the latter settled in Ohio as early as 1835, and has been a Methodist clergyman for the last forty years ; he was the first President of the Iowa Wesleyan University, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, where he remained two years ; was afterward connected with the Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. Prof Nelson graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1866, and in 1869, graduated from Yale College, as Doctor of Philosophy ; from 1869 to 1871 he was Professor in Hanover College; in 1871, he came to Delaware, and accepted a position in the Ohio Wesleyan University, as Professor of Natural History, which chair he has filled ever since, with marked ability. Prof Nelson was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in the 145th 0. V. I., Co. D, of which company he was Captain.

REV. ISAAC NEWTON, Presiding Elder of the M. E. Church, Delaware, was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 10, 1823, and is son of John and Mary (Shaw) Newton, both born in England. Our subjwt, when a young man, began to learn the trade of a whitesmith (machinist), in Sheffield, at which he worked until 25 years of age, when he sailed for America ; after being at sea seven and a half weeks, he landed in New Orleans ; he went to Galena, 111., arriving at that place with five cents in his pocket ; he obtained work at his trade, and remained there for several months, when he entered Rock River Seminary, where he prepared himself for college. After graduating at this seminary, he came, in the fall of 1852, to Delaware, Ohio, and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University ; here he graduated, in 1856, when he immediately joined the Delaware, now Central Ohio, Conference, and was given a charge at Delphia Station, Allen Co., where he remained two years ; thence to Greenville, Darke Co., two years ; at Marion, Marion Co., two years; Bucyrus, Crawford Co., three years; Toledo, one year; Findlay, Hancock Co., three years ; Bellefontaine, three years ; Canton, three years; Fremont, one year; William st., Delaware, two years; Lima, one year, from Lima returned to Delaware, where he has been Presiding Elder ever since. Mr. Newton was married, in 1856, to Miss Susan B. Bell, of Sandusky, Ohio ; they have two children.

T. C. O'KANE, books and stationery. If any man has advertised the name of Delaware, east, west, north and south, it js the above-named gentleman, who was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 10, 1830 ; son of James and Julia (Williams) O'Kane ; his mother was born in New York, and his father in Virginia ; at 8 years of age, he moved with his parents to Franklin Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1849, during which time he received a district school education and engaged in teaching ; in 1849, he came to Delaware and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in 1852, and was chosen Tutor of Mathematics in the university, where he remained until 1857, when he resigned and went to Cincinnati, and was made Principal over fourteen district schools of that city, where he remained in connection with the public schools until 1864; he then accepted a position in the well-known music house of Philip Phillips & Co., of Cincinnati, and remained with them until 1867, when be came to Delaware, and was engaged for a number of years in traveling for an American house throughout Ohio ; in 1873, Mr. O'Kane entered his present business in company with L. S. Wells, under the name of T. C. O'Kane & Wells, which continued until 1878 ;»this house is the leading book and stationery establishment of Delaware, also doing a large business in wall-paper ; in 1868, Mr. O'Kane began the compilation of a series of Sunday-school singing-books which are among the most popular singing-books in Sunday schools throughout the United States ; he has compiled and published six works, with a circulation of over 600,000 copies ; the sale of these works are as follows : " Fresh Leaves," 75,000 ; " Dew Drops," 100,000; "Songs for Worship,'^ 120,- 000; "Every Sabbath," 100,000; "Jasper and Gold," 150,000; "Joy of the World" (just published), 70,000. Mr. O'Kane is a member of the Williams Street M. B. Church, and hasbeen its Sunday School Superintendent for the last four year^, as well as leader of the choir. He was married in 1 853, to Miss Laura E. Eaton, of Delaware Co., Ohio, daughter of James Eaton, one of the pioneer settlers of Delaware Co.; two children, sons.

REV. C. H. OWENS, Delaware ; was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, April 8, 1819 ; the son of John and Grace (Humphries) Owens, both born in North Wales; in 1820, the family sailed for America, and, after being at sea for some eight weeks, safely landed at Philadelphia, then by private conveyance came to Delaware Co., and located in Radnor Township ; from there they went to Sandusky, where his father was engaged in building the old Wyandot Mission house; from Sandusky they returned to Radnor Township, and, during his residence here, the elder Owens was engaged at his trade, as a brick and stone mason, in constructing some of the principal business buildings of Delaware, such as the Liitle and Williams Blocks ; also built the foundation for the Mansion House, now used by the Ohio Wesleyan University, and known as Elliot Hall; the mother, Grace (Humphries) Owens, died in Delaware Co., Aug. 9, 1851, at 68 years of age; John Owens moved to Upper Sandusky, where he remained until 1856, when he moved to Mount Gilead, and died there in October, 1857, at 72 years of age ; the son, C. H., attended the first school of the Ohio Wesleyan University ; in 1841, he - commenced the study for the ministry, and the same year attended the North Ohio Conference; and united with it in 1843, since which time he has not missed being present at their meetings ; the Rev. Mr. Owens has been located in difierent parts of Ohio, his first appointment being at Greenville, Darke Co.; in geptember, 1874, he closed his pastoral woik and accepted a position as collecting agent for the Ohio Wesleyan Female College ; in 1877, he entered upon the work of a similar position with the Ohio Wesleyan University, which place he now holds ; Mr. Owens mar- ried in July, 1851, Miss Charity Whitaker, of Pennsylvania ; they had one child ; Mrs. Owens died in December, 1852 ; he married his present wife, Miss Sarah Jane Welsh, of Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 24, 1857.

C. V. OWSTON, City Marshal, Delaware; born in this city Sept. 15, 1845, and is the son of William Owston, who settled here at an early day, where he has been engaged at his trade as bricklayer and contractor, assisting in the construction of some of the leading buildings of Delaware ; C. V. Owston learned his trade as a carriage-body maker at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked for some two years, when he came to Delaware and followed his trade for three years longer. In 1870, he was nominated and elected to the office of City Marshal by a majority of some three hundred votes ; this office he filled with such satisfaction that, in 1872 and 1874, he was reelected with an increased majority, and, in 1878, he was again reelected, and still holds the office, which is the best evidence of his fitness for the position. He was a soldier in the late civil war, having enlisted in the 145th 0. V. I., doing service at Arlington Heights, Washington, D. C. He is a Democrat, and a hard worker in his party.

PETEK PKAUL, farmer; P.O. Delaware; born in Warren, N. J., June 22, 1819 ; son of Aaron J. and Elizabeth (Lewis) Praul ; his father was a soldier of the war of 1812 ; his mother died in New Jersey; in 1848, Mr. Praul's father and three children came to Ohio io wagons, via Zanesville, and located in Delaware Township, near the present homestead ; here he purchased what is now known as the Williams and Beards farms, and, soon afterward, purchased the farm that Mr. Praul now lives on, these farms comprising in all 283 J acres; our subject was raised on the farm, where he remained until about 19 years of age, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed about ten years. In 1846, he was married to Miss Elizabeth "V ought; in 1848, with his wife and two children, he started in a carriage for Delaware Co., and, after being on the road a number of days, arrived in October of 1848, and located on the farm that he now resides on ; then he set out- in farming, in which avocation he has continued ever since ; on this homestead Mr. Praul's father died at 92 years of age - a respected and honored citizen ; his father lived to be 105 years old, and his grandfather 110 years old ; of the family of Prauls that located here, only two are living - William Praul, of Illinois, and the subject of this sketch, who has remained on the old homestead since 1848; he owns 140 acres of land; has been a nnember of the M. E. Church for the last forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Praul have had eleven children, seven now living - James K., born in New Jersey, Sarah Catharine, Emma J., Franklin E., Lewis J., Eva L. and Thomas K.; the last six were born on the old homestead in Delaware Township ; the old clock that stands on Mr. Praul's mantle is an old family relic, and was bought by Mr. Praul's father in New Jersey in 1823, and was one of the first wooden clocks sold in that neighborhood, he paying $24 for it; this wonderful clock has been running ever since, and has never been to the shop for repairs, and yet to-day, over 57 years old, it keeps good time.

REV. N. E. PILGER, Pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Delaware ; was born in Prussia in 1842; in 1847, he came to America, and in 1856 began his studies at Bardstown, Ky.; he graduated at St. Mary's, near Cincinnati, Ohio, in June, 1862, finishing his theological course at the same institution ; in 1865, he was ordained by Bishop Rosecrans, and he was first located in Monroe Co., Ohio, where he remained seven years, thence to Newark and Lancaster, and in December, 1874, to Delaware, where he has remained in charge of St. Mary's Catholic Church ever since.

C. D. POTTER, Delaware ; was born in Delaware, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1827, and is the son of Edward and Abigail (Denison) Potter. Edward Potter was born in New London, ConUi, June 13, 1791, son of John and Elizabeth (Witter) Potter ; his father in the latter part of his life followed fishing ; he was employed in guarding the prisoners in New London at the time the town was burnt by the British ; Edward Potter lived in New London until 13 years old, when he went to Lenox, Mass., to live with his uncle ; in June, 1804, he, with his uncle, Col. Byxbe, wife and five children, Witttr Stewart, Orlando Barker, Solomon Smith, Azariah Root and family, started in wagons for the Far West, crossing the Hudson River at Fishkill, thence through the towns of ' Harrisburg, Carlisle and Strasburg, over the mountains to Bedford ^nd Redstone (now Brownsville), where they built a flatboat and floated down the river to Wheeling ; there they loaded their wagons and again set out traveling by wagons, a Mr. Hutchinson taking the boat to Portsmouth; from

Wheeling they went to Zanesville, Lancaster and Franklinton, crossed the river at Columbus, thence to Worthington, where they remained a short time ; they finally reached Delaware Co., and located in Berkshire, making the first settlement in Berkshire Township ; here Edward Potter remained with his uncle, Col. Byxbe, untU 1805, when he returned to his home in New London) Conn., and thence to Saybrook, where he learned his trade as a hatter, and remained there some nine years ; thence to Colchester, Conn., and entered the hat business, where he remained three years ; during the war of 1812, Mr. Potter lost about all his money ; he then set out on foot looking for a location and visiting friends ; during this time he walked over three thousand miles; in 1819, he walked from Connecticut to Ohio, and purchased 50 acres of land at $5 per acre, in Delaware Township, west of Delaware ; he then footed it all the way back to Connecticut; in 1820, he returned with his wife and a one-horse wagon to Delaware Co., Ohio, 'and settled on his land ; in 1825, he moved to Delaware, and commenced the manufacture of hats ; he continued at this until 1838, and was successful ; in 1838, he moved to his present homestead, where he has been an honored citizen ever since. During Mr. Potter's residence in Delaware, he held several offices of public trust, and was Supervisor and Councilman. Mr. Potter is the oldest living settler of Delaware Co., having first made his home here in 1804. He has been married twice, first to Abigail Denison, who died in 1831, then to his present wife, Elizabeth Reynolds, in 1832 ; she is the daughter of E. Reynolds, Esq., who came to Delaware Co. in 1815 ; Mr. Potter has three children living, all by the first wife - Emeline, Abigail D. and Charles D. Charles was engaged on his father's farm until he was 21 years of age, when he entered the hardware store of John B. Johns, as a clerk, and afterward became a partner ; the firm was C. D. Potter & Co. from 1852 to 1874, during which time Mr. Potter was in partnership with H. H. Hustedand Z. P. Hammond ; during the latter years, Mr. Potter was alone in business. Mr. Potter was married, Jan. 27, 1853, to Miss Mary K. Hammond, of New Jersey, daughter of John Hammond, who moved to Ohio about 1849 ; they have four children.

BENJAMIN POWERS, banker, Delaware. Ever since its organization, the First National Bank of Delaware has been presided over by Mr. Benjamin Powers, the subject of this sketch, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1800, and is the son of Avery Powers, who was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was killed near Maiden; during his childhood, the family moved to Franklin Co., now Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1801; when 11 years of age, he began to learn the printer's trade which he finished at 15 ; in 1815, he came to Delaware and clerked in a store for about six years ; he at length became a partner, and remained in mercantile business until about 1 848 ; on the organization of the Delaware County Bank, in 1845, as a branch of the Ohio State Bank, he was made Cashier, which position he filled for a number of years ; he was also a Director of the bank until the death of Judge Williams, its President ; in 1864, upon the organization of the First National Bank, Mr. Powers was made its President, and has carried it through all the financial crises since then unimpaired, and it stands to-day strong in its own resources, and doing a large business ; it has always been managed in a cautious, yet liberal manner, these traits being characteristic of the officers, as well as the Directors, of the bank, all of whom are among the responsible citizens of Delaware ; in February, 1880, Mr. Powers resigned the presidency on account of his health, but is still one of its Directors ; Mr. C. B. Paul was then made President, having been Vice President some three years. ,

C. B. PAUL, President of the First National Bank of Delaware, was born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1832, and is the son of M. and Henrietta (Bell) Paul, both born in Pennsylvania ; they came to Ohio and located in Knox Co., where they remained three or four years, and in 1838 moved to Delaware Co.. and located in Harlem Township ; Mr. C. B. Paul was engaged in farming in Harlem Township until 1861, when he moved to Delaware, which has been his home ever since; in 1862, he was elected by the Republican party Treasurer of Delaware Co., which office he filled with honor and credit until 1866; he was also County Commissioner for six years ; in 1864, Mr. Paul became a stockholder in the First National Bank of Delaware, and in 1875 was made its Vice President; in 1880, on the retirement of Mr. Benjamin Powers, he was made President of the Bank ; Mr. Paul has engaged largely in dealing in wool for the last fourteen years.

DR. CHARLES H. PAYNE, President of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, was born at Taunton, Mass., Oct. 24, 1830, of Scotch-English parents, who came to the United States with the

Pilgrims in the Mayflower; at an early age, Dr. Payne was compelled to rely upon his own efibrts for a livelihood ; he lost his father from drowning while he was an infant ; from the age of 8 to 15, he labored sometimes on the farm, sometimes in the factory, and sometimes upon the shoemaker's bench, attending the public school in the winter time ; at 15 he entered a store, where he remained three years ; about^this time he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church ; after leaving his clerkship, he began a course of preparation for the ministry at a school at Taunton, and in the Providence Gonferenee Seminary at Bast Greenwich, R. I., from which he entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., graduating in 1854 ; he then attended the Biblical Institute at Concord, N. H. (now the Boston School of Theology), and from there entered the ministry ; during his course at college, he met his entire expenses by teaching, sometimes as a private tutor, and sometimes in the public schools, but always keeping up his studies while absent from the university. In 1857, he married Miss Mary Eleanor Gardiner, and soon after joined the Providence Conference where he remained eight years. In 1865, he was transferred, to the New York East Conference and stationed at St. John's, Brooklyn, where he induced the people to build a new church, which is one of the finest of that denomination in the country. At the close of this pastorate, he was transferred to Philadelphia, where he took charge of the Arch Street Church, and was afterward stationed at Spring Garden Street Church, and from there removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he occupied the pulpit of St. Paul's Church. In the summer of 1875, he was elected President of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, succeeding Dr. Merrick. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn., in 1870, and that of LL. D.*by the Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, in 1876.

C. POTTER, C, C, C. & I. R. R. roadmaster. Among the prominent men of Delaware may be mentioned the above-named gentleman, who was born in County Meath, Ireland, March 27, 1831. His father was a well-to-do farmer, near Dublin, and there the son remained until 1844, when with his parents he emigrated to America, landing in New York City a poor boy; at 13 years of age, he started out in life, working at odd jobs, and received for his first work $3 per month ; when about 17 years old, he became night-watchman on the N. Y. C. R. R., being stationed at

Oriskany, N. Y., where he received $20 a month ; this proved his starting-point in life ; next he was a fireman on the L. S. R. R., running between Syracuse and Utica; he remained there until 1859, and, during this time, was conductor of a construction train; in 1859, he commenced work for the C, C, C. & I. R. R., as section boss, having charge of twelve miles of road between Columbus and Delaware, a position he filled for a number of years. He had a large contract with the C, C C. & I. R. R. to furnish them wood, and for five or six' years furnished them 40,000 cords of wood a year ; Mr. Potter, during that time, owned 800 acres of land in Delaware Co., making his home in Orange Township, of which township he was elected Trustee. Mr. Potter was married in 1852, to Miss Kate Burns, since deceased. He married his present wife. Miss Emily Moran, in 1860; by this union he has five children, four sons and one daughter. Mr. Potter is a Democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church. He first had charge of the C, C, C. & I. R. R. from Delaware to Springfield ; then he became roadmaster from Delaware to Cincinnati, which position he now fills.

GEN. EUGENE POWELL, of the Delaware Fence Co., Delaware ; was born in. Delaware, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1838, and is the son of Judge Powell, one of the pioneer settlers of Delaware ; he received his education in Delaware, and, in 1858, went East and entered the machine-shopsiat Meadville, Penn., where he remained until 1860 ; he then returned to Delaware, and worked in the Delaware machine-shops until the breaking-out of the late war, when he helped organize Co. C, of the 4th 0. V. I. ; he enlisted, and, on the organization of the regiment, was made Captain of Co. C, in which position he served some three months ; he was then transferred to the 66th 0. V. I. as Major ; in 1862, was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 66th Regiment, and remained such until the i close of the war, when he was made Colonel of the 93d 0. V. I., where he remained until September, 1865; he participated in some of the most severe marches and battles of the war - Rich Mountain, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Dumfries, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg; thence west with " Fighting Joe " Hooker, to Lookout Mountain, siege and capture of Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek, and with Sherman's march to the sea ; at the close of the war, he returned home, and was made Collector of Internal Revenue, which office he held until 1872, when he was elected to the

Biographical Sketches

Legislature, and filled one term with marked ability ; in 1872, he entered his present business, in which he has coiitinued ever since. In 1878, Mr. Cyrus Falconer, Jr., became a partner in the business. Mr. Falconer was born in Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1856, and is a graduate from the Hamilton High School ; he was, for a short time, engaged in the manufacture of pig iron in the Hocking Valley, where he remained until 1878, when he came to Delaware, and entered the manufacture of fenceSj^and has proved himself a valuable addition to the Company.

S. J). POLLOCK, insurance agent, Delaware ; was born in Lake Co., Ohio, in 1824, from which place he moved to Akron, thence to Medina Co., where he was engaged in farming ; in 1870, Mr. Pollock moved to Delaware, where he commenced the insurance business, and now represents such leading companies as the Richland Mutual, Western Mutual, Merchants & Manufacturers', Ohio, Glens Falls, Delaware Mutual, Cooper of Dayton, and the Ohio Farmer's; the latter company was chartered Feb. 8, 1848, and was the first farmers' insurance company incorporated in Ohio ; the object of its organization was to furnish the farmers of the State safe and reliable insurance at cost; it confines its risks strictly to unexposed buildings and farm property ; from the beginning, its Directors have been farmers, who are annually elected by the members, and whose only object has been to advance the true interest of the Company ; the accumulated capita] from its business belongs to those insured, who constitute the membership of the Company, and who have an equal voice in forming its by-laws and electing its Directors, bi^t no member of the Company is liable to assessment ; the result of the examination of the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company, made by William Bwing, late Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, foots up as follows; Total assets (admitted), $847,007.08; total liabilities, $617,- 099.48. This Company has passed through every official examination with credit, and is considered one of the safest and most reliable companies now doing business, affording the farmer such protection at a minimum cost as cfin be guaranteed in no other way.

T. E. POWELL, attorney at law, Delaware. A son of Judge T. W. Powell ; is a native of this city, born Feb. 20, 1842, and a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he received his diploma in 1863 ; in that year he began the study of law in his father's office, and was admitted to the practice in 1865; he then engaged in the real-estate business, which he followed until 1867 ; in this year, Mr. Powell associated himself as a partner with Col. W. P. Reid, for the practice of his profession, under the firm name of Reid & Powell ; in 18'77, John S. Gill was taken into the firm, which was then changed to Reid, Powell & Gill; the following year, 1878, the senior partner. Col. Reid, died, when the firm name was changed to Powell & Gill, under which title it is continued to this day ; this association of legal talent from the start has been regarded as one of the strongest law firms in Delaware; Mr. Powell, now the senior member, enjoys and merits the reputation of being well up in his profession, and is called upon to practice in the courts of the surrounding counties ; in 1875, he was placed in nomination on the Democratic ticket for the position of Attorney General of the State, but his party being in the minority, he was defeated.

PROF. RICHARD PARSONS, Delaware, was born in Mote, Ireland, June 25, 1847, and is the son of Richard and Margaret (Payne) Parsons, both natives of Ireland ; in 1848, our subject, with his father and mother, emigrated to America and landed in New York City ; they came to Ohio and located in the city of Zanesville ; here young Parsons received a good common-school education, and in 1868 went to Wauseon, Ohio, and began teaching where he remained one year, thence to Holland, Mich., and taught in the Hope College for two years, when he went to Plymouth, Ohio, and engaged in teaching in the city schools for some five years ; in 1875, he came to Delaware and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, as tutor of languages; in 1879, he was appointed to fill the chair as Principal of the Normal Department, which position he now occupies.

CHRISTIAN RIDDLE, of Riddle, Graff & Co., cigar manufacturers, Delaware. This gentleman was born in Germainy, March 7, 1846, and is the son of Godfrey and Barbara Riddle, also natives of Germany ; in 1849, Christian, with his parents, emigrated to America and landed in New York City ; from there they came direct to Delaware ; in about 1857, he commenced to learn his trade as a cigar-maker, at which he worked until 1862, when he enlisted for three months in the 86th 0. V. I. ; after serving full time, he re-enlisted in the 145th 0. V. I., for 100 days' service, then in the 186th 0. V. I. ; here he served until the close of the war; he also served six months with the

Army of the Tennessee in the Quartermaster's Department. After the close of the war, he returned to his trade, working in different parts of Ohio and Indiana for some two years, when, in 1867, he embarked in business in the frame building npw occupied by Shea's grocery store ; here, in 1869, Mr. Graff was taken in as partner, under the firm name of Riddle & Graff; in 1871, they moved to the opposite side of the street from their present place of business ; in 1874, the firm of Riddle, Graff & Co. was formed; in 1879, they moved into their present building, which is a three-story stone front, erected by themselves, and is one of the most attractive pieces of architecture in Delaware ; it has a frontage of twenty and a depth of one hundred and five feet ; on the first floor is found the office, sales and ware rooms ; the salesroom is stocked with a full line of their twenty-four brands of cigars ; in the warerooms is stored in stock some 100 cases of natural leaf, of fine Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Havana tobacco ; the second floor is used for drying and packing, and the manufacturing is done on the third floor, where about sixty hands are employed constantly, and turn out weekly some 60,000 cigars ; this house pays out monthly to the Government for stamps $1,400, which indicates the immense amount of business done by them ; no enterprise in the city of Delaware enjoys a greater popularity than this, which is among the largest of its kind in the State ; the firm is composed of Christian Riddle, George L. Graff and Leroy Battenfield ; Mr. Riddle filling the position of buyer and shipper, and Mr. Graff that of General Superintendent.^

Mr. George L. Graff was born in Weddenburg, Germany, in 1842, having come to America in 1853, landing in Baltimore and came direct to Delaware, where he has been a resident ever since ; in 1856, he commenced to learn the cigar-maker's trade, working at this until the breaking-out of the late civil war, when he enlisted in the 86th 0. V. I. ; he served some three months, when he was honorably discharged ; afterward re-enlisted in "the 145th 0. V. I., and served until the close of the war, when he returned to Delaware and engaged in workiiig at his trade. In 1869, he established business for himself and the same year entered as partner with Mr. Christian Riddle.

Mr. Leroy Battenfield was born in Centreburgh, Knox Co., Ohio, March 5, 1846 ; in April, 1861, he moved to Delaware; Mr. Battenfield, like the rest of the firm of Riddle, Graff & Co., was a soldier in the late war ; he enlisted in the 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery for three years, and served full time, participating in a number of engagements and marches ; he was honorably mustered out, and returned to Delaware ; in 1874, he entered partnership with Riddle & Graff; in 1875, Mr. Battenfield commenced to travel for the firm, and has contributed his share in building up the firm to its present standing.

CAPT. R. W. REYNOLDS, merchant, Delaware ; was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, June 1, 1820, and is the son of Richard and Margaret (Rowland) Reynolds, both natives of Montgomeryshire, N. W.; the family, in 1823, sailed for America, and after being at sea for six weeks and four days, safely landed in this country and located in Madison Co.,"N. Y.; in 1834, the son, R. W., came to Delaware, and at 13 years of age was bound out for seven years to learn the tailor's trade ; he commenced in a shop located on the site where his present store is situated ; after serving three years, he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he finished his trade and then returned to Delaware, and embarked in business for himself; in 1848, Mr. Reynolds transferred his business to a room in the American House, where he carried on merchant tailoring ; in 1850, he went to California, where he mined and worked at his trade some ; during two months of the time, he made $10 per day working at tailoring ; after remaining in the gold country some fifteen months, he returned to Delaware ; here he followed clerking for awhile in a clothing establishment, and then formed a partnership in the clothing and merchant tailoring business ; in 1857, the present firm of Reynolds & Frank was formed, which to-day stands as one of the most prominent establishments of the kind in Delaware, located at 23 Main street, occupying two rooms ; the first floor, J0x80, is used as a general salesroom ; the merchant tailoring department is located up-stairs, in which are employed workmen of superior ability in their line. Mr. Reynolds was a soldier in the late civil war, having enlisted in the 145th 0. V. I., Co. E, of which company he was Captain ; the history of this regiment will be found in another part of this work ; after the war closed, Capt. Reynolds returned to his home, since which he has filled the position of Auditor of Delaware Co. one term, and has been a member of the Common Council of Delaware ; these offices he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency. He is a Republican in politics. Capt. Reynolds married Miss Harriet Byxbe, daughter of Appleton Byxbe, and a grand-daughter to the founder of Delaware, Col. Moses Byxbe ; she was, born in Delaware Township, Delaware Co., in 1 823 ; by this union they have had seven chilered, three only are living.

REV. D. EUTLEDGB, P. 0. Delaware ; was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, May 15, 1826; the son of William Rutledge; he lived, with his parents, on the farm until he was about 17 years of age, when he began teaching school, at which he continued some five years, when he commenced the study of law and was admitted to practice in about 1848, in Posey Co., Ind.; after a short time, he retired, and, in 1850, was licensed to preach, and entered upon his first duties in this profession in the West Liberty Circuit of Ohio, afterward in the North and Central Ohio Circuits ; during this time, he preached in Greenville, Bellefontaine, Toledo and Mt. Vernon ; his next efforts were as a missionary to Oregon, where he remained ten years, preaching in Portland, Oregon City and Salem ; he was then transferred to the Central Ohio Circuit, and afterward went as a missionary to Nashville, Tenn., where he remained ten years ; while there, he was connected with the freedmen's educational work, traveling in different parts of the country, raising funds for that cause ; in 1875, Mr. Rutledge came to Delaware ; during this time, he had charge of the Delaware district for four years.

ALONZO P. SCATTERDAY, farmer ; P. 0. Delaware ; was the youngest child of Euclid Scatterday, who was bom in Loudoun Co., Va., about the year 1796, and emigrated to this State when young ; subsequently married Deborah Pond, born near Philadelphia, Penn., and came out with her parents and located in Belmont Co., where Alonzo P. was born, Oct. 21, 1849 ; received his education in the common schools in that county, completing the same at the business college in Delaware. Sept. 17, 1875, he was united by marriage to Sarah L. Main, second daughter of Hosea Main ; she was born in Brown Township Oct. 9, T.851. He has sixty acres of land, with good buildings, which he erected, and the appearance of the place betokens him a man of industry and enterprise. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Delaware. His father died in Belmont Co.; his mother is still living.

HENRY J. SHARADIN, farmer; P. 0. Delaware ; is the son of Nathan and Margaret (Esser) Sharadin ; his father was born in Berks Co,, Penn.; came to Ohio about 1836, and settled in the ^reen woods on the farm now owned by the heirs ; he was a mechanic, and made threshing machines ; was also a tanner by trade ; he also drove stage coach from Delaware to Columbus at an early day, and died in 1873. Henry's mother was a daughter of a noted farmer of Pennsylvania ; she is living in Delaware, and is a member of the German Reform Church, with which her husband had long been identified ; they have six children, all living. Mr. Sharadin is now in partnership with his brother Charles, farming on the old homestead, and they are making a specialty of stock and grain. They have 122 acres of land worth about $75 per acre - one of the finest farms in the country. Charles Sharadin was born Oct. 9, 1845, in Belmont Co., Ohio, and married Anna Heed, daughter of Thomas Heed, of Belmont Co., Ohio ; her mother's maiden name was Irwin, daughter of Samuel Irwin ; she is still living in Delaware. Mrs. Sharadin was born July 28, 1854, in Belmont Co.; came to this county Dec. IT, 1874; they have one child - Henry Arthur - born Nov. 11, 1876.

JOSEPH W. SHARP, Principal of the Ohio Business College, of Delaware ; was born in York Co., Penn., Aug. 14, 1838, and is the son of John and Hannah (Benson) Sharp ; his mother was born in Maryland, and his father in Pennsylvania, and was engaged in farming. Our subject, in 1841, with hisjparents, moved to Ohio, and located in Morrow Co., near Cardington, where his father and mother died. They were both Quakers. Prof Sharp remained on the farm until 25 years of age, where he was engaged in farming in the summer months, and in the winter' attended the district schools ; after he received a common-school education, began teaching school in the district schools ; he then entered Oberlin College, from which institution he graduated in 1864 ; in 1865, he came to Delaware, where he. has been one of its honored citizens ever since, during which time he has been engaged in the Ohio Business College, of which an account will be found in another part of this work. Prof Sharp was a Republican until the Prohibitionist party was formed ; since then he has been a hard worker in its ranks ; in 1877, he was put on the Prohibitionist ticket for Representative of Delaware Co., and, in 1879, was put on the same ticket for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio,; he has just been elected as one of the four alternate delegates to Cleveland to the Prohibitionist State Convention. Prof. Sharp is one of the founders of the Delaware Signal, of which he was a leading editpr for three years. He was mar-

P. B. SPRAGUE, County Judge, Delaware ; was born in Delaware, on the site where the American House now stands, on the 16th of July, 1825 ; his parents were Pardon and Mary (Meeker) Sprague ; his mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1799, the daughter of Col. Forest Meeker, who came to Delaware Co. and located in Stratford in 1811 ; his father, Pardon Sprague, was born in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, and was engaged in a cotton-mill, where he remained until the mill burnt, when he came West about 1816 to Zanesville and Granville, Ohio, where he remained a short time, then came to Delaware ; here he was engaged in the stock business ; he also kept a hotel on the site of the American House ; he was elected to the office of County Sheriff two terms, and, about 1825, was elected to the Legislature, which office he filled with honor and credit to his death, which occurred in 1828, at about 40 years of age ; he was a man respected and honored by all. Judge Sprague received his chief education in a private school taught by Mrs. Murray in a room near where the court house now stands ; he was also a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University during the first two years of its existence ; he remained a resident of Delaware Co. until 1850, when he moved West to Oregon, and remained there some eighteen years, where he was engaged the first few years in the manufacture of fanning-mills, and i^as the first to manufacture these mills on the Pacific Coast. In 1864 to 1868, Judge Sprague had charge of the Modoc and Clamouth Indians; during this time, he was located at Ft. Clamouth, Ore., and in different parts of the State in the vicinity of Ft. Clamouth. Sprague River was named after him. In 1864, he was made Captain of the 1st Ore. V. I., doing duty in Oregon and participating in several battles and a number of skirmishes with the Snake Indians. He learned to speak their language fluently and was a great friend of Captain Jack, the renowned Modoc chieftain, with which tribe the Judge states he was always on the friendliest terms. In 1868, he returned to Delaware Co., and located in Sunbury, where he engaged in the milling business, in which he has continued ever since ; for several years, he was engaged in mercantile business in Sunbury. In 1875, Judge Sprague was nominated by the Democrats as Probate Judge of Delaware Co., and was elected to

MRS. ANN P. SWEETSER, nee Miss Ann P. Ball, Delaware, was born in New York City, where her father died, when she with her mother and family came West about 1817 and located in Charlestown, Ind., where her mother died in 1821 ; in 1820, she came to Delaware, and in 1824 married Milo D. Pettibone, who was born in Connecticut in 1793, son of Gen. Chancy Pettibone, who was in the Legislature of that State some eighteen or twenty years ; Mr. Pettibone was a graduate from William and Mary's College, and also from Yale ; began the study of law in New York, in the office of a Quaker, and after being admitted to practice law, started West, visiting friends and relatives in Granville; in 1818, he came to Delaware, and soon became a sound and trustworthy lawyer, and occupied a responsible position at the bar to the time of his death ; he speculated in land, which turned to his advantage; Mr. Pettibone was every way a most estimable man ; he was social, honest and most exemplary ; he engaged in all the proposed improvements of his day, social, moral and religious ; he filled several offices of public trust in Delaware Co. ; was County Treasurer, Prosecuting Attorney, and a member of the State Legislature ; these offices he filled with honor and credit ; at his death he left a wife and eight children, of whom five are living - one son and four daughters ; two sons were in the late civil war - Waldermer Pettibone, who was killed on picket duty, and Channing Pettibone, a Lieutenant, acting as Captain at the battle of the Wilderness, where he was killed. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1846, to Charles Sweetser, who was born, in 1808, in Dummerston, Vt.; he came to Delaware Co. with his parents about 1812 ; there he began the practice of law, and was recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the bar ; he was elected to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses, which offices he filled with marked ability. He was a Democrat, and was recognized as one of the leading members of the party. He died April 4, 1864, of heart

W. 0. SEAMANS, Professor in Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware ; was born in Defiance, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1835, and is the son of Walter and Mary (Oliver) Seamans ; his mother was a native of Ohio ; her people having come to this State with the Massachusetts colony, which settled in Marietta ; his father was born in Virginia, and moved to Ohio in 1812, and was among the early settlers of Highland Co.; at 15 years of age, Prof Seamans, with his parents, moved to La Fayette, Ind.; in 1852, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he graduated in 1857 ; he was then elected tutor of languages in this university, and served two years, when he resigned and went to Leavenworth, Kan., where he was engaged in the mercantile business three years; in 1862, he was elected to the chair of natural science in the Ohio Wesleyan Female College ; he remained there until 1865, when he was connected with the chair of chemistry, where he remained until 1867, when he became Professor of Chemistry ; in 1873, physics were added to chemistry, since which Prof. Seamans has filled the chair of Professor of Chemistry and Physics ; he took courses in chemistry in Ann Arbor and Harvard Universities ; in 1874, he was placed on the Temperance ticket for the office of Mayor of the city of Delaware ; was elected, and filled the office for two years with entire satisfaction, being the first and only Mayor ever elected in Delaware on the Temperance ticket.

JAMES M. SNODGRASS, M. D., Delaware ; was born in Jefierson Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1808 ; son of Rev. James and Annie (White) Snodgrass, both natives of Ptnnsylvania. His father moved to Ohio, and located in Steubenville, Jefferson Co., in 1798; he was a Presbyterian minister, and belonged to that church for over sixty years ; he died in Ohio, about 82 years old. James lived in Jefferson Co. until he was about 16 years of age, when he went to Stark Co., and engaged in farming and teaching ; after remaining in Stark Co. about ten years, he moved to Richland Co., where he was in mercantile business for four years ; in 1840, he began to read medicine under Dr. Joseph Hall, a leading physician of Richland Co.; after studying some three years with Dr. Hall, he went to Lucas, and began the practice of his profession ; after remaining there some two years, he moved to Delaware Co. in 1845, and located in Ostrander, being the first resident physician of that place, where he continued practice a number of years ; he also practiced medicine at Gallia and Wooster ; then came to Delaware, and has been engaged in the practice of medicine since ; he also, for a number of years, was engaged in the drug business. Dr. Snodgrass married, in 1838, Miss Maria H. Robinson, of Ohio ; they have six children. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for the last forty-five years, being now an Elder of that church. He had two sons in the late war - James F., who enlisted in the 20th 0. V. I., and, aftei; serving faithfully for two years, was taken sick and died at La Grange, Tenn., and S. K., who served in the 100-day service, and was honorably discharged.

MRS. MARY SMITH, Delaware ; widow of G. Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania in February, 1827, where his parents died; he learned his trade of carriage-making in Pennsylvania, and, at an early day, he came to Delaware ; here he worked at his trade for several years, and, when he had saved a little money, commenced business for himself at Prospect, in which he continued for some three years; on account of ill health, he gave up business and returned to Delaware ; he worked in McCullough's lumber-yard for about four years, and then moved upon a farm in 1870, on the place where Mrs. Smith now resides ; it was then a very weedy piece of land ; he went to work and converted it into a very beautiful farm, with a fine residence ; he worked hard to accumulate his property, and died when success was nearly achieved; he died a Christian March 19, 1879, nearly 53 years of age, a respected and honored citizen, leaving a wife and seven children to mourn his loss ; he was a member of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Smith's maiden name was Mary Miller, of Pennsylvania ; she came to Delaware Co. when about 5 years of age.

S. STERNS & SON, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods, Delaware. As in most other branches of business, Delaware takes a leading position in the county in clothing and furnishing goods, having several of tl^e leading houses of this kind in Central Ohio. The largest clothing house is that of S. Sterns & Son, whose business has been established since 1865. Their large and commodious store is located on the southwest corner of Sandusky and Witter streets, Here they occupy two large rooms, 100x22 feet. The first floor is used for ready-made clothing, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, from the cheapest to the finest. The second floor is used for trunks and valises, of which they carry a full and complete stock. Besides their extensive store in Delaware, they have a similar store in Marysville, Ohio. They also conduct the leading business of that place. The senior member of the firm is S. Sterns, of Philadelphia.. He is a leading manufacturer of clothing, having been engaged in the business for a number of years. Mr.

Kaphael Sterns, a member of S. Sterns & Son, has had a number of years' experience in the clothing business, and is the gentlemanly manager of the Delaware store.

NICHOLAS S. SAMPSELL, physician and surgeon, Delaware ; was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, April 1, 1818, son of Paul Sampsell ; he was educated at a select school at New Lisbon, and learned the trade of a carpenter, at which he worked for several years ; he also taught school in the winter months, spending the summer in hard study, preparing himself for his chosen profession ; at 18, he commenced the stiidy of medicine under Dr. D. S. Silver, one of the leading physicians of Columbiana Co., and, after remaining in his office for three years, he was taken in as a partner, and continued the practice of medicine in Columbiana until 1843, when he went to Ft. Wayne, Ind., then West, and, on account of his health, returned to Ohio, and practiced medicine in Ashland and Kichland Cos. until 1858 ; in 1844, the firm of Sampsell Bros, was formed ; J. B. F. Sampsell was born in Ohio, and began the practice of medicine about 1842 ; in 1858, Dr. Sampsell moved to Delaware, and since living here has built up a leading practice. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in Columbiana to Miss Mary A. Rotzel ; they have had three children, two of whom are living, a son and daughter.

JOHN LEWIS SMITH, Sr., Delaware ; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Oct. 3, 1822 ; his father died when John was an infant, leaving the family in poor circumstances ; in 1829 or 1830, Mr. Smith's mother, with her family, emigrated to America and landed in Baltimore ; from there they came to Ohio, and located in Zanesville ; here Mr. Smith remained a few years, when he went to Columbus, where he worked at odd jobs at $4 a month ; in about two years, he went to Dayton, and remained there until 1840, when he came to Delaware, where he remained a short time, and returned to Columbus to learn his trade as a blacksmith, which business he followed until he enlisted in a company of mounted riflemen, to do duty in Oregon. They were sent to Jefferson Barracks, where they received orders to go to Mexico, and embarked at St. Louis, Mo., on a steamer for New Orleans ; from there the soldiers were put on steamers, and their horses on schooners ; the soldiers arrived safely, and landed at the mouth of the Rio Grande River ; the schooners containing the horses were lost in a storm on the

Gulf of Mexico ; the command was under Gen. Scott, who in March, 1846, laid siege to the strong castle of San Juan d'UUo, which defended the city of Vera CrvTz ; after four days' bombardment, both castle and city were surrendered ; Gen. Scott now began his march to the Mexican capital ; his progress was marked by a series of victories, defeating the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo, at Puebla, and advanced against their strong defenses in the valley of Mexico, immediately surrounding that city ; here he gained the battles of Churubusco, Contreras and Chapultepeo ; on the 13th of September, the American army entered the capital of Mexico, and remained there until peace was declared. Our subject, Mr. Smith, participated in these marches and battles, doing his duty as a brave soldier, filling the position at one time as Orderly under Gen. P. F. Smith ; at the close of the war, Mr. Smith, with the mounted riflemen, returned, and was mustered out at Jefferson Barracks, he as Corporal ; he remained at Columbus, working at his trade until 1849, when he returned to Delaware and followed his trade a few years ; he then commenced driving team, most of the time for himself Mr. Smith was married, in Delaware, to Miss S. Yeager, of Germany ; they have four children.

GEORGE SCHREYER, furniture dealer, Delaware, is a prominent furniture dealer and manufacturer of this city, who was born in Delaware in 1857 ; the son of George M. Schreyer, who was born in Germany, and came to Delaware, some twenty-flve years ago, a poor man, but by industry and energy has accumulated a good property, now owning the present building in which his son is doing business, and a fine farm in Delaware Co.; George Schreyer's place of business is located at No. 30 Sandusky street ; the salesroom, which is well stocked with a complete line of furniture, is 20x60 feet, and is a model of elegance and neatness; the room in which the work is done is 15x20 feet, and is supplied with all modern conveniences that are necescary in the manufacture of furniture ; Mr, Schreyer commenced to learn his trade as a cabinet-maker when about 16J years of age ; in 1877, he established his present business, where he has succeeded in building up a large and flourishing trade, brought about by his gentlemanly bearing toward his customers, and ihe quality and finish of his work.

1796, the son of William and Lucinda (Witter) Smith ; his mother was a sister to Col. Moses Byxbe, the founder of Delaware City ; his father was a native of Hartford, Conn., where he was born in 1766 ; and, in 1816, came West with his family, locating in Delaware Co., Berlin Township. Alwood remained a resident of Massachusetts until the winter of 1817-18, when he came to Delaware Co., and located in Berlin Township ; Mr. Smith, before he came West, was engaged in Massachusetts as a shepherd ; after coming here he commenced farming, which he continued up to 1861, when he moved to this city, where he has since made his home. Mr. Smith, during his residence in Berlin Township, was one of its Trustees for eighteen years. In 1820, he married Miss Martha Joy, daughter of Amos Joy, who was one of the highly respected old settlers of Delaware Co.; Mr. Smith has been married three times, his first and second wives being sisters. He married his present wife in 1868 ; her son, John L. Daniels, was a soldier in the late civil war, a member of a New York regiment; he became a veteran, and served until the close of the war, having participated in a number of hard-fought battles, and suffered as a prisoner in Libby Prison ; he was faithful to his duty and a brave soldier. Mr. Smith is the father of three children - Augusta, Harriet and Martha - one living, Augusta, the wife of Geo. H. Crookshank. JOHN SHEA, proprietor Delaware Marble Works, was born in Carlow, Ireland, June 17, 1824, and in 1849 emigrated to America, landing in New York City a poor boy ; he set out to look for work, which he obtained on a farm near Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained some four months ; then came to Ohio in a stage, and located near Chillicothe, where he worked on a farm ; Mr. Shea came to Columbus, where, on the 18th of February, 1851, he began to learn his trade as a marble-cutter; getting this well learned, he worked for wages until 1859, when he came to Delaware, and embarked in business in the firm of Williams & Shea, afterward changed to Covell & Shea, from that to Shea & Tibbals, and again to Shea & Doyle ; Mr. Shea continued in business for a number of years for himself, when, in 1879, the firm of John & W. Shea was formed. Mr. William Shea, the junior member, was born in the same house as John Shea; he has had some eleven years' experience in the marble business, and is a master in the «iarble-cutting business ; the Delaware Marble Works are located at No. 28

South Main street ; from these shops some of the finest works that now grace the Oakwood Cemetery have been turned out by this firm. They carry a large stock of finished and unfinished marble ; some specimens of the former on exhibition in their shop are marvels of l)eauty, and indicate that those who can turn out such work are artists of no inferior ability.

A. THRALL, livery and feed stable, Delaware; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March 18, 1818 ; son of Daniel and Amanda (Gordon) Thrall ; his mother was born in New York, and his father in Connecticut ; they were married in New York, and in 1820 started for Ohio in wagons via Buffalo, thence to Ohio by the lake, and lost most of their household goods in the lake ; after being out some six weeks, the family arrived in Berlin Township, Delaware Co., Oct. 20, 1820, in very poor circumstances, and began farming ; his mother died when Mr. Thrall was about 8 years old ; his father died when he was 10, leaving him a poor boy. At 15, he went to Columbus, and commenced to learn the trade of a harness and saddle maker, where he remained about four years ; he then came to Delaware, and worked at his trade a short time, when he went to Chillicothe, where he remained one summer, and then returned to Berlin Township, Delaware Co., and commenced farming and working at his trade ; he gradually improved and accumulated good land, until he became one of the leading farmers of that town- ship ; he was Constable of Berlin Township for thirteen years, and Coroner of the county one term ; in 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 20th 0. V. I., and was detailed to do duty in the hospital, where he served faithfully until the close of the war; while serving here, he fell among some boxes, from which accidenc he is a cripple for life; he was wardmaster of East Hospital, and La Grange Hospital ; at the close of the war, he returned to Delaware Co^and engaged in farming until 1878, when he entered the livery business at Delaware ; he is prepared to furnish livery at reasonable prices. He married Mary A. Chandler, of New Jersey, in 1840, who came to Ohio in 1823 ; they have ten children. Mr. Thrall is a Republican, and has been a member of the Baptist Church for forty yearsr

JOHN TRAUTMANN, Delaware; was born in Berks Co., Penn., Oct. 5, 1805, and is the son of John and Mary M. Trautmann, both natives of Pennsylvania ; his father was a stonemason, and died in Pennsylvania. Mr. John Trautmann

Source changes here: from 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, by Lytle, James Robert, published 1908; 2,950 words in this source stream.

Delaware Township

There have been two organized churches in this township, outside the limits of the city of Delaware, Wood Grove, and Stratford, both Methodist Episcopal.

Wood Grove. This church was organized in the early fifties, and a frame building erected on the Bellepoint Road, about two miles southwest from Delaware. It formed a part of the Delaware circuit. Regular preaching services were maintained only for a few years, and then it became a mission in connection with St. Paul's Church. A mission was established in South Delaware about this time by St. Paul's church, and the Wood Grove building was purchased by the Presbyterian Church of Delaware, under the pastorate of Rev. N. S. Smith, about 1874. A Sabbath school w^as maintained by the Delaware church for several years and among the workers was Dr. H. N. Allen, who afterwards went to Corea, and became the noted missionary worker in that land. The school was maintained irregularly until five years ago, when the building was sold to Wayne Hazelton. Mr. Hazelton moved the building to Eaton

Stratford Methodist Episcopal Church. After a lapse of more than sixty years, since a church was first built in what is now Stratford, and with the absence of all the old pioneer ministers, elders, class leaders and members, either in other sections of the county, or in the Happy Land, it is a very difficult matter to give a definite account of its original and early history.

A little later than the middle of the 30*s, Messrs. Hosea Williams and Caleb Howard, of Delaware, secured a site and commenced work on a large stone structure for the purpose of manufacturing paper, and while one set of men were engaged in this, another set were engaged in building a commodious frame house a few rods farther north for a boarding house. This was completed first, and here was the first public preaching place. In fine weather, the preacher stood on a porch on the south side of the house, the congregation seated in the shade of a mammoth elm tree, apparently of several centuries' growth. In bad or indifferent weather, services were held in the large west room. The first preaching was done by an Episcopalian minister from Delaware, Mr. Fairfield, the first boarding-house keeper, and Mr. Howard, both being members of that denomination. Rev. James McElroy and Rev. Mr. French, being some that I recall. The second boarding-house keeper was Alex. Anderson, of Delaware, a Presbyterian, and while he was there, the people listened to Revs. Putnam and Henry Van Deman. During this time, a large Sunday school was in existence during the summer, held in the Meeker schoolhouse some distance north. Stratford was named July 4, 1841. a few months after the paper mills first burned out.

After some trouble in securing a site, work was started early in 1842, on what is now the present Methodist Episcopal Church at Stratford. This church was about midway between Delaware and the Cellar (Presbyterian) Church in Liberty Township. The first public service held in this new church building was on July Fourth, 1844, on the occasion of the celebration of the sixty-eighth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It was filled from pulpit to the door. There was fine singing, an eloquent prayer, reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a grand oration by Rev. Adam Poe, of Delaware ; then a procession was formed which marched to the yard at the Meeker homestead, where, under the cedar trees, a great dinner was spread; after this was disposed of, some fancy drills were given by the Delaware Lancers under command of Captain Eugene Pi well. (This Fourth was on Thursday.) For nearly three years, the congregation and Sunday school continued like the small cloud, no larger than a man's hand, until the winter of 1846-47, when came what was popularly called for long years thereafter, "Pilcher's Revival." This meeting was opened early in January, 1847. and continued until "sugar making." At the same time, the Olentangy River was a mighty flood of waters. Rev. H. E. Pilcher, of Delaware, had general charge, while Methodist Episcopal ministers from Delaware, Professors in the College, students and local exhorters assisted. A long list of souls were happily converted and added to the church. It soon became under Methodistic control, and for some years, the congregation worshiping there was the largest of any single Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware County. Through deaths, removals and other good reasons, for many years, the attendance has greatly decreased. Not long since the building was enlarged, improved, and will compare favorably with any in this section. It is attached to the Lewis Center Circuit, and the pastor, a Rev. Mr. Davis, is a good and worthy man residing there. The presiding elder, Rev. A. Mann, resides in Delaware.

Delaware was originally set off as one of the divisions of the newly formed county of Delaware, on June 16, 1808. and included the whole of Township 5 and the northern halt of Township 4 of the United States Militan Survey ; Station 3 of Brown, and Section 2 of Berlin. In 1816 Troy was formed, taking off the northern half of Township 5, and on January 8, 1820, the Berlin Section was taken off. Brown was organized in 1826, leaving Delaware in regular sha.pe and five miles square, though composed of parts of two Congressional Townships. In 1852 a piece of territory a mile square was taken from the southwest corner of the township and annexed to Concord in compensation for the surrender of certain territory to Scioto, leaving Delaware in its present shape. It is bounded on the north by Troy, on the east by Brown and Berlin, on the south by Liberty and Concord, and on the west by Concord, Scioto and Radnor.

The township is watered by the Olentangy River and its tributaries, which stream enters near the center of its northern boundry and runs in a general southerly direction, with a slight eastern trend. The principal tributaries are Delaware, Rocky, and Slate Runs, which, together with the main stream, affords ample drainage for the greater part of the township.

on the north side of the run, about where Monnett Hall of the Ohio Wesleyan University now stands. The land along this western bank is high rolling ground, extending toward the northwest. Along the east bank are the rich lands known as "second bottoms." which consist of a fine gravelly loam, admirably suited to agricultural purposes. This changes to clay as the high lands farther back are reached.

Most of this district was formerly well timbered, especially along the banks of the Olentangy. which was fringed with a heavy growth of oak and maple, save for occasional clearings made by the Indians. South of Delaware Run there were also a number of elm swamps, while the black-ash and the burroak abounded and. indeed, may still be found. "The site of Delaware City was covered with a tall growth of prairie grass, with a fringe of plum trees along the run. with here and there a scrub oak or thorn apple."

Some years after Wayne's great victory over the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timber, or about 1802, the Delawares reluctantly tore themselves away from the land of their forefathers, never to tread its soil again as lords and owners. The vanguard of white settlers followed close upon the heels of the retreating redskins ; the sound of the axe was soon heard in the forests, and the log cabin of the hardy pioneer, surrounded by the usual clearing, here and there gave evidence of the new era of civilization and progress that arrived, and that the long centuries of primitive savagery - of barbarism in war and idleness in peace - had passed away forever.

The site of the present city of Delaware was early recognized as an admirable location for settlement. The main title of emigration in the comity, as has been pointed out by a previous historian, had made its way up the valley of Alum Creek, following the main Indian trail, "along the fertile hanks of the Scioto, and by the old Granville Road, forming settlements in Radnor, on the forks of the Whetstone, in Berkshire, and in Berlin. The first colony did, indeed, follow the Olentangy, but it stopped at Liberty, leaving Delaware an- 'undiscovered country.' Thus, while the forests all about were ringing with the blows of the pioneer's axe. the township of the greatest future political importance stood desolate amid the ruins of her early habitations."

In their excursions through the woods the first settlers here found growing in a tangled mass of tall grass and thickets an abundance of wild cherries, plums and grapes, and the neighborhood soon became the scene of many a frolic and pleasure excursion. In more recent years stock-raising has proved a profitable industry, and some of the finest specimens (if blooded horses, cattle and sheep to be found in the State may be seen here. While the progenitors of much of this stock were imported from England and other countries, many specimens, the result of local breeding, have been exported and have brought fancy prices abroad. More detailed information concerning this important industry may be found in other parts of this work.

The story of the rise and growth of Delaware City will be found given in a special chapter devoted to that subject, while an account of its leading industries, its churches, banks, public institutions, etc., pertaining to the city proper may be found in separate chapters devoted to those special subjects, and therefore need not be enlarged upon here.

From an early period the settlement of Delaware evinced so sturdy a growth as precluded the probability' of anything like rival villages within the limits of the township.

high land east of the river and just north of Sugar Creek, was laid out as a town, in 1852, by Dr. Ralph Hills, and has since become a part of the city. Stratford on the Olentangy was laid out in 1850 by Hon. Hosea Williams and H. G. Andrews, and consisted of seventeen lots on the west bank of the river fronting on Sandusky Street. The chief object of this settlement was to furnish homes for the hands employed in the mills at this point, a number of which have at different times been established here. The first mill was built as early as 1808 and afterwards became the property of Colonel Meeker, who rebuilt and enlarged it. in 1829 adding facilities for carding and fulling.

In 1838 the old flouring mill, with the privileges and property, were bought by Judge Hosea Williams and Caleb Howard for the purpose of establishing- a paper-mill. A newdam was erected and the mill commenced operations, October 1. 1839. It was John Hoyt, the first superintendent, who gave the classical name of Stratford to the place. In October, 1840, the building was damaged by fire, but the damage was shortly repaired and the building improved, and in the fall of 1844, Mr. Howard sold his interest to H. G. Andrews. In 1849 the old flouring-mill was fitted up for the manufacture of wrappingpaper and turned out about half a ton per day. In February, 1857, the mills were totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $25,- 000, with an insurance of about $10,000. In the following November a two-story stone building, 50x80 feet, with several additions was built at a cost of about $30,000. Among those who have been associated in this business are J. H. Mendenhall, who became a partner in 1871, and V. T. and C. Hills. An artesian well was sunk 210 feet through solid limestone rock to furnish the water for purifying purposes.

The first purchase of land in Delaware Township was made by Abraham Baldwin and consisted of 8,000 acres, including the third section of Brown and the northeast section of Delaware. The patents were dated December 24, 1800, and were signed by John Adams.

Axd Representative Citizens

President of the United States of America. Mr. Baldwin came from a well known Connecticut family numbering main- distinguished men among its members. He was horn in New Haven and was graduated at Yale College in 1 77-. He served in the Revolutionary army, and alter the war, having studied law, settled in Savannah, Georgia, being soon after chosen a member of the Legislature of that State. He was the originator, and for some time president, of the University of Georgia. Fie was a member of the Connecticut Congress from 1785 to 1788. and a member of the convention that framed the constitution of the United States. From 1789 to 1799 he was a representative in Congress, and from 1799 to 1807 he was a member of the United States Senate, of which lor a part of the time he was president pro tern. He was a man of large wealth and owned considerable land in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Iowa. In Ohio he bad 16,000 acres in Licking County. March 1, 1801. he sold 500 acres of the original purchase to William Wells, one-half to be located on the northeast corner of Delaware Township, and the other on the northeast corner of Section 3. in Brown.

Mr. Baldwin never married and at his death, which occurred March 4, 1807. it was found that he had devised the remainder of this property to his three half-brothers and two halfsisters. The heirs being widely separated in point of residence, the property soon passed by power of attorney or purchase into the control of one of them - Henry Baldwin, a lawyer of Pittsburg. Henry Baldwin was subsequently approached by Colonel Byxbe and between them some arrangement was made which resulted in the founding of the city of Delaware. The further history of the platting of the town will be found elsewhere in this work.

Though the first purchase of land in Delaware Township was made by Abraham Baldwin as above stated, the first actual settler within the township's limits was John Beard, who took up land in the southern part of the township. December 2, 1807, be purchased of Benjamin Ives Gilman, of Marietta, Ohio, 624 acres in a square piece situated on the west bank of the Olentangy River, its southern line forming a part of the boundary line of the township. After erecting a cabin on the bank of the river he brought his family there, and in the following spring commenced the erection of a log grist-mill, being assisted by Ira Carpenter of Liberty. He seems not to have been very successful as a pioneer settler, however, and in February, 181 1, he sold his property to Colonel Forest Meeker, a native of Rutland, Vermont, who had emigrated to Pennsylvania in 170,7, and who had subsequently resided for a time in Chillicothe, Ohio, and in Bourbon County. Kentucky. Colonel Meeker soon had plenty of neighbors, as later, in 181 1, quite a colony came from Virginia and another from Pennsylvania, settling in his vicinity. Among the Virginians were Robert Jamison, John Shaw and Matthew Anderson, while the leading Pennsylvanians were Frederick Weiser, Robert McCoy, Joseph Cunningbam, John Wilson and Andrew Harter. In the following year came Samuel Hughs from Virginia, in 181 3 Elias Scribner, and in 1814 Reuben Ruby came from Kentucky.

This settlement being within easy reach of saw and grist-mills, furnished with practicable roads, and with a regular mail service, grew and prospered. The best farming lands being found along the river were soon taken up byr the settlers. About 1812 John and Henry Worline bought land on the east side of the river, but sold out in three or four years and moved to a more northerly part of the county. Albreight Worline came in 181 4 with his family of four boys and two girls, the boys being each old enough to render assistance in clearing a farm. William Sweetzer settled north of the Worlines on the same side of the river, coming from Dummerston, Vermont, in 181 5, after a journey of forty days through the wilderness. He bought the property of John and Henry Worline. His family consisted of his wife, five boys and three girls, the youngest child being only six months old at the time of their settlement here. With them came Hosea Miller and family and two young men - Solomon and Wilder Joy. Rutherford Hayes came in 1817 from Vermont,

After the War of 1812 settlements began to increase west of the river and along Delaware Run, the good fanning lands being speedily taken up. The following names are taken from the Delaware poll-book of the first election held October 11, 1808, and are given in the order of their voting: Thomas Vanhorn, Asahel Hart, John Aye. Pennsylvania, Jacob Filgey. George Soop, Moses Byxbe, Massachusetts, Peter Ealy, Silas Dunham, Rhode Island, Appleton Byxbe, Massachusetts. Timothy Squire. Solomon Smith, Massachusetts, Ira Carpenter, Pennsylvania, Solomon Finch, Roderick Crosbey, Moses Byxbe, Jr.. Massachusetts, William Little. Connecticut, Noah Sturdevant, Jacob Drake, Pennsylvania, Nathaniel Little, Connecticut, Thomas Butler. Massachusetts, Salmon Agard, Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Osborn, Azariah Root, Massachusetts. Nathaniel Disbury, Alford Carpenter, Clark Beebe, Charles Robbins, Alexander Enos, Noah Spaulding, Vermont, Daniel Munsey, Josiah Grant, and Reuben Lamb.

The rest of the history of Delaware Township is closely bound up with that of the city and will be found as already intimated in the various chapters devoted to special subjects to be found in this work, and to some extent in the lives of prominent citizens herein given. The following are the township officers for the year 1908. as reported to the county auditor :'