Dinsmore Township (part 6 of 6)

was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 27, 1825 ne is a son of Philip and Nancy Young, who came to Shelby County in 1831, and settled in Franklin Township, where Stephen M. passed his minority days on the farm with his father. December 2, 1847, he married Miss Mary . A., daughter of Lewis and Margaret Woodruff, who was born in Cincinnati September 28, 1824, and came to Shelby County with her parents October 25, 1836, who settled in Washington Township two miles south of Hardin. Mr. and Mrs. Young settled on his father's farm. They lived on several different farms in Shelby County until 1862, when he moved to a farm of forty acres, on which they have since resided. He now owns a farm of sixty-four acres. August 18, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 20tb O. V. I., served until March 16, 1862, when he was discharged from the service on account of disability. He filled the office of trustee of Turtle Creek Township six years.

was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 2, 1836. He moved to Miami County with his parents, John and Catharine Rauch, in 1850, and located in Newberry Township. In 1855 he began working at the carpenter trade, which he made his vocation for a number of years. December 21, 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Fetter, of Miami County, born November 1, 1840, daughter of Daniel and Mary Fetter.

Mr. and* Mrs. Rauch settled in Miami County, and in the spring of 1866 he purchased and moved on a farm in Newberry Township, which he conducted in connection with his trade and the business of threshing for several years, in 1876 he sold bis farm and came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the farm in section 1, Turtle Creek Township, on which he has since resided. Since his settlement in this county he has made farming his vocation, giving thejnisiness his entire attention.

In April, 1879, he was elected justice of the peace of Turtle Creek Township, which position he is now filling. His companion died July 6, 1880, leaving him wilh three children, Cora A., Charles B., anil Mary C. March 24, 1881, he married Miss Margaret J. Woodruff, daughter of Alfred and Christena Woodruff, who was born August 14, 1855. By this union he has one child, Alda D.

Mr. Creegan was born in Burlington, Iowa, October 22, 1845. He is a sou of Daniel Creegan, who was a former resident of Shelby County, but afterward a citizen of Burlington, Iowa, where he died some time during the winter of 1864-65, from injuries received while in the army. His lather, James Creegan, was one of the early surveyors of Shelby

County, and John H. Creegan, subject of this sketch, is the only survivor of the name now living in Shelby County who is a descendant of the old surveyor Creegan. March 13, 1864, John H. Creegan enlisted in Company C, 2d Iowa V. V. I , and served until August 6, 1865, when he was discharged from the service. In the fall of 1865 he purchased a brush factory, which he conducted until the fall of 1867, manufacturing all kinds of brushes. He then engaged in the business of contracting and building, which he conducted several years. In 1868 he came to Ohio, and located in the neighborhood of Sidney, where he continued in this business of contracting and building. In 1869 he emigrated to Nebraska, remained until 1873, when he returned to Shelby County, and, on the 22d day of May, 1873, he married Miss N. Cecil, daughter of Boston and Sarah Cecil, of Turtle Creek Township, and then returned to his home in Nebraska. In 1875 he and his wife went to California, and located in Nevada County, remained until the winter of 1878, when he returned to Shelby County, and settled in Hardin, where he carried on bis business as a carpenter until April, 1880, when, leaving his wife in Hardin, he went to Colorado Springs under contract to superintend a job of carpenter work, remained about nine months, and then returned to his home in Hardin. In March, 1881, he succeeded G. Sechman in the mercantile business in Hardin, which he has since been conductiug with success.

was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 7, 1832. He is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca Thomas. In 1848 he came to Shelby County with his father, and settled in Turtle Creek Township, near Hardin. When he had reached the age of eighteen years, he began working at the carpenter trade, which he followed until 1865, when he purchased an interest in a steam saw-mill* located near Hardin, which he has since been conducting with success, manufacturing and dealing in all kinds of hard wood lumber.

February 2, 1854, he married Miss Margaret Sturgeon, who was born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, in 1831, daughter of Robert G. Sturgeon. By this union he has three children, one son and two daughters. He is one of the present trustees of Turtle Creek Township.

deceased, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, Feb. 18, 1796. He was brought up on a farm, and he made farming and clearing land his principal vocation through life. He served in the war of 1812, and some time after his death his family received a land warrant from the Government calling for eighty acres of land, and a few years later a second warrant calling for another eighty acres, was received by his family for his services during that war. Nov. 24, 1818, he married Miss Rebecca Davis, of Fauquier County, Ya., where she was born Aug. 1, 1793. She was a daughter of Rev. William F. R. Davis, a Revolutionary soldier, and an early settler of Turtle Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled in their native county and remained until 1823, when they came to Ohio and located in Gi^eene County. Ten years later, or the spring of 1833, found them located on the north half of section 16, Franklin Township, this county, where they remained three years, when he sold his half section of land in Franklin Township, and moved his family on section 32, Turtle Creek Township, near Hardin. On this farm they passed the remainder of their days. He died Jan. 15, 1845. His companion survived him until March 29, 1862. They reared a family of eight children, viz., Mary E., Edwin E., Rachel F., William M., Hamilton J., Thomas C., Martha A., and Loviita J. Mary E. Bell died Sept. 22, 1843; Edwin E. and William M. now reside on the home farm near Hardin ; Richard T. lives in Sidney; Hamilton J. resides in Cincinnati; Thomas C. is living in Oregon City, Oregon; Martha A. and Lovina J. are now living in Greene County, O. Thomas C. Bell served about three years in the war of 1861.

was born in Greene County, Ohio, February 20, 1824. He is a son of William and Rebecca Bell. He came to Shelby County in 1833 with his parents, located in Franklin Township, and remained about three years, when they moved to Turtle Creek Township, where young Bell grew to manhood. January 11, 1848, he married Miss Laura M. Clough, then of Oxford, Ohio, but a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where she was born December 12, 1822, daughter of John P. and Minerva Clough. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled on the north half of his father's home farm near Hardin, on which they have since resided. They have a family of five children, viz., Laura E., John W., Horace E., Frank, and Charley V.

Mr. Bell filled the office of treasurer for Turtle Creek Township one year, the office of trustee two years, clerk one year, and constable one year. He owns a farm of eighty acres, which is a part of his father's home farm.

was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 31, 1827. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1833. April 12, 1858, he married Miss Josephine H. Thompson, daughter of Mark and Asenath Thompson.

Miss Thompson was bom in Butler County, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1831, and catne to Sidney with her parents in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Bell settled on the south half of his father's home farm, near Hardin, where they have since resided. They have three children, viz., Herbert R., Ada J., and Martha I. Mr. Bell filled the office of township clerk for Turtle Creek Township near twenty years, and acted as trustee of the township six years. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns a good farm, which is a part of the home farm.

deceased, a native of Virginia, was born in 1783. When yet a small boy he wns taken to Maryland, where he passed his minority days. On the 2d day of August, 1808, he married Miss Elizabeth Malahan, of Maryland, who was horn in 1792. They settled in Maryland, remained seven years, when they came to Shelby County, entered, made improvements, and settled on the south half of the Is. E. quarter of section 31, Turtle Creek Township. He remained one year; then, on account of some threats made by the Indians which camped in that neighborhood, he became alarmed and moved his family to Hocking County, where they remained about one year, or until 1817, when they returned to their home near Hardin, where they passed t he remainder of their days. His companion, Elizabeth Lenox, died Aug. 23, 1870. He survived her until May 16, 1874, when he died at the age of ninety-one. They reared a family of eleven children, viz., John, Amanda, Calvin P., Julia, Hamilton, Nancy, Sabina, James, Mary, Richard A., and Adaline E. Calvin P., Julia, and Nancy, are now dead. James Lenox served three years in the war of 1861. Richard A. Lenox is the only one of the family that is now residing in Turtle Creek Township, and he now owns and is living on his father's home farm. May 13, 1852, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Bennett and Susannah Thomas, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 13, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Lenox settled on his father's home farm near Hardin, where they have since resided. They have a family of six children, two sons anti four daughters.

'son of James and Elizabeth Moore, was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, April 1, 1842. He received his education in the schools of Wilmington, Del., and at Champaign, Illinois. July 10, 1861, he entered the army as a private in Company 1, 2d Illinois Cavalry, and served as such near three years, or until the spring of 1864, when lie reenlisted as a veteran in same company and regiment. Shortly after his reenlistment he was appointed as hospital steward, and while performing the duties of a steward he began the study of medicine during the latter part of the winter of 1864-5. Shortly after the close of the war he went with his company to Texas, and while in Texas he acted in the capacity of assistant surgeon until Jan. 1, I860, when he was honorably discharged from the service of the United States. He then returned to his home in Champaign, 111., where he continued the study of medicine until he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended one term of lectures, and from thence to Philadelphia, where he graduated in the class of 1868 in the Medical University of Pennsylvania. In 1869 he began the practice of his profession at Humboldt, Kansas, and two and one-half years later found him located in Hardin, where he has since been engaged in his professional labors. April 30, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Hugh ami Mary E. Wilson, by whom he has one child, a daughter.

Tn Amherst County, Virginia, on the 23d day of December, 1776, Mr. Savage was born. When at the age of twenty-one years, or in 1797, he left home for a trip south, and one year later found him at Fort Massac, on the Ohio River, where a part of the United States troops under the command of Captain Thomas Pastuers was stationed. When he reached that place he found himself far from his friends and destitute of money. The Captain offered him sixteen dollars as a bounty, eight dollars per month as wages, and a commission of sergeant of the company, providing he would enlist for five years. He accepted the Captain's offer, and in September, 1798, he enlisted and entered the service of the United States. He served as sergeant of the company until the expiration of his term of enlistment, which expired in Sept. 1803, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He then continued his journey southward, and a few months later found him at Natchitoches, on Red River. Here a part of the U. S. troops were stationed, under the command of Captain Shamburgh. Here he again entered the service of the U. S. as orderly sergeant of an artillery company, and served as such until discharged from the service in 1807 - in all making near nine years of his life spent in the U. S. Army. After leaving the army he determined to return to his native home in Virginia, so he turned around and began to travel northward. After wandering from one place to another, stopping for awhile at different places, he reached home in 1810, after an absence of fourteen years. Shortly after he left home in 1797 Iiis parents received word that he had been billed by the Indians and buried near Crab-apple Orchard, Keutucky, and as they had not heard

| from him after he left home, they supposed the report to be true. The reader can imagine the surprise and joy of the parents at the return of their son whom they had supposed to have been dead for several years. Dec. 27, 1812, he married Miss Elizabeth Miller, of Virginia, born Nov.

Wilson, and Margaret, all of whom are now dead except John J. Savage, who resides in DeKalb County, Missouri. He came to Ohio with his family and located in Montgomery County, where his companion died, leaving him with five small children. August 7, 1823, he married Miss I .Catharine Miller, of Virginia, where she was born April 1, 1792. By this union he reared four children, viz., Elizabeth, Moses, Washington, and Hannah, all of whom are now dead except Washington, who now resides in Turtle Creek Township, on the old home farm. In 1825 or '6 he came to Shelby County with his family, and settled in Washington Township, on the farm now owned by John Alexander, on the canal. Here he engaged in keeping a public house in connection with farming, which he conducted successfully for several years, or until 1839, when he purchased the farm in section 33, Turtle Creek Township, now owned and occupied by his son, Washington Savage, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He. died May 13, 1847. His companion died July 21, 1852.

son of George P. Savage, was born in Washington Township, this county, Jan. 26, 1831. He was reared on a farm, and has made farming and stockgrowing his avocation through life. March 11, 1851, he married Miss Mary E. Gump, daughter of George W. and Sarah Gump. Miss Gump was born in Miami County, O., Feb. 1, 1833, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Savage settled on his father's home farm in Turtle Creek Township, where they have since resided. Their union resulted in ten children, viz , George W., Sarah C., Alice A., John F., William E., Edwin M., Charles L.., Winfield S., Sarah E., and Adelia P. Sarah C. is now dead. Mr. S. filled the office of treasurer of Turtle Creek Township about five years.

deceased, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, January 29, 1790. When he was .yet a small boy he came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, where he grew to manhbod. In 1812 he enlisted in Captain John F. Fleming's company of Ohio militia, and marched forth with his comrades to face the British lion, which at that time was rampant. When peace was declared he received an honorable discharge from the United States service. He received no pension until in 1871, when, through the exertions of his attorney, J. S. Conklin, he was awarded eight dollars a month as a survivor of the war of 1812. After the close of the war he returned to his home in Dayton, where he engaged in the boating business. He would load a flat boat with what he thought would sell most readil}' in the Southern cities, and float it down to New Orleans, where he would sell his merchandise and boat as well, and walk all the way back to Dayton. Getting tired of this unsettled life, he turned his attention to farming, which he made his principal avocation until old age compelled him to retire from business. In 1 836 he came to Shelby Count}', entered, made improvements, and settled on a piece of land in Cynthian Township, on which he lived until 1871, when he left his farm, came to Turtle Creek Township, and made his home with his nephew, George W. Gump, for two years, or until 1873, since which time he made his home with his niece, Mrs. Washington Savage, of Turtle Creek Township, where he died January 18, 1881, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, lacking eleven days. He was never married.

deceased, was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, January 27, 1801. He was a son of Peter and Barbara Rinehart, who came to Ohio in 1804, and located in Fairfield County, remaining until in 1826 or 'f, when they came to Shelby County and settled in Perry Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. Peter Rinehart served in the war of 1812. He was a native of Germany, and came to America with his parents a short time prior to the war of 1776. His father was killed while serving in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.

Abraham Kiuehart, subject of this sketch, was brought to Ohio by his parents in 1.804. In ls24 he married Miss Catharine Bretz, of Fairfield County, where she was born in 1802, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Bretz. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart settled in Fairfield County and remained until 1831, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on a piece of land one and a half miles north of Sidney, on which he lived about one year, or until 1832, when he moved to Sidney, where his companion died in October, 1836, leaving him with a family of four small children, viz., David B., Anna, Barbara, and Elizabeth. Barbara is now deceased. Elizabeth, now Mrs. Levi Ewing, resides in Sidney. Anna, now Mrs. John Key, lives in Perry Township. David B. resides in Hardin, Shelby County. In May, 1845, Mr. Rinehart married Miss Elizabeth Consoliver, of Shelby County, by whom he had six children, three of whom are now living - Jacob F., now a citizen of Texas ; John

W., now a resident of Sidney; and Benjamin W., who lives in Pemberton, this county. In 1855 or '6, he moved to Pemberton, Perry Township, where he died in November, 1817.

was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 21, 1825, and came to Shelby County with his patents, Abraham and Catherine Rinehart. His mother died when he was eleven years of age, or in 1836. He then went to live with his grandfather, Peter Rinehart, in Perry Township, with whom lie remained one year, or until 1837, when he went back to Fairfield County and made his home with his mother's sister, where he attended school until 1841, when he returned to Shelby County and begun teaching school in Perry Township. In 1843 he went to Dayton, Ohio, where he learned the baker and confectionery trade, and a few years later found him located in Sidney, engaged in the baking and confectionery business, which, in connection with a grocery and provision store, he conducted with success until 1861, when, leaving his home and business, he was one among the first men in the county to respond to the call from the Government for soldiers, and on the 6th day of April, 1S61, he enlisted in Company K. 15th O. V. I., for three months. He was discharged at the end of four mouths, being kept one month over his time of enlistment. Hu went out with the Benton Cadets as 2d lieutenant and served a short time, when he was appointed quartermaster, and remained as 'such until his discharge, and returned home, remaining one month, when the company was re-organized as Company K, 20th 0. V. I., for three years, or during the war. In this company he was commissioned us 1st lieutenant, and served as such until February, 1.863, when he resigned his office and returned home on account of physical rlisability. In the spring of 1864 he went out as captain of Company K, 134th O. N. G., and served four months, or until the expiration of the time of enlistment of the company. Soon after his return home from the army he engaged in the mercantile business at Montra, which he conducted about three years, and then sold his store and retired from the business. While engaged in business at Montra he was licensed as a local minister of the M. E. Church, and traveled one year as a supply on the circuit under the directions of the elder. In 1867 he began to prepare for the ministry, and in September, 1 SOU, he was admitted into the conference and ordained as a minister of the M. E. Church, and has since that time been engaged in his professional labors. He is now located in Hardin, where. he is engaged on the third year of his pastoral labors on the Hardin circuit. He has been twice married - first, on the 4th day of February, 1846, to Miss Julia A. Bachar, of Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he had two children, one of which is now living, viz., Margaret I. His companion died in 1849. On the 21st day of Novemver, 1850, he married Miss Catharine Etherington. By this union he has three children, viz., William A., Clara J., and Anna.

deceased, was born in Pulaski County, Virginia, October 8, 1786. On the 19th day of September, 1808, he married Miss Anna C. Wygal, of same county, born September 24, 1787. In the fail of 1812, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil came to Ohio and located in Clarke County, remaining one winter, or until in the spring of 1813, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on section 17, Washington Township, on which he resided until 1862, when he left his farm ami moved to Piqua, Miami Count} - , where he died September 12, 1865. He was married three times. His first wife died April 8, 1830, leaving him with a family of nine children, viz., Bryan S., Purlina, Rhoda, Mary E., Boston, Virginia, Ellen, Reuben, and De Witt C. Only three of the number are now living, viz., Bryan 8., Rhoda, and Boston. July 13, 1833, he married Mrs. Lydia Mellinger, nee Carey, by whom he had two children, John M., and Anna. Mrs. Cecil died August 1, 1838. He then married Mrs. Elizabeth Stephens, November 15, 1840, who was born February 27, 1794, and died August 3, 1856. Mr. Cecil was one of the first associate judges of Shelby County, when the court was held at llardin. He was elected commissioner of Shelby County in 1833, and served one term. He was elected justice of the peace soon after his settlement in Washington Township. His son, Boston Cecil, now resides in Turtle Creek Township.

deceased, was born in the County Down, Ireland, August 22, 1807, where he grew to manhood. May 11, 1827, he married Ellen Henderson, a native of Mahonan County, Ireland, where she was born July 17, 1811. In the fall of 1828 they emigrated to America, and located in Pennsylvania, remained until 1836, when they moved to Kentucky, where Mr. Jelly ilied near Lexington June 10, 1847, leaving a wife and six children to m'ourn the loss of a husband and father. By industry and economy Mrs. Jelly managed to keep her children together, and rear them to be men and women (and, in fact, none of them have left her yet except one daughter, who was taken away by death). In 1868 Mrs. Jelly, with her children, viz., Robert, Elizabeth A., Susan, William J., Hugh, and Thomas, came to Shelby County, purchased and settled on the west half of section 25, Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside. Since their settlement in this county one of the daughters, Eliza A., died. One of the sons, William J. Jelly, enlisted in the 14th Kentucky Cavalry, Company H, 1st Battalion, in August, 1862, and served until September, 1863, when he was discharged from the service.

Mr. Thomas was born in Washington County, Md., October 25, 1806. He is a son of Tomny and Elizabeth Thomas. In 1828 he came to Ohio, and located in Montgomery County near Dayton, where, on the 30th day of April, 1829, he married Miss Rebecca Rideuhour, then of Montgomery County, but a native of Maryland, where she was born July 4, 1806, and came to Montgomery County in 1826.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas settled near Dayton, Ohio, remained until 1848, when they came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the northwest quarter of section 31, Turtle Creek Township, on which he now - resides. He reared a family of eight children, viz., Sarah, William, John, Mary, Frank, Eli, Tomny, and Rebecca. His companion died October 14, 1876, and on the 1 4th day of April, 1881. he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hager, nie Measel, of Dayton, Ohio, with whom he is now living.

a son of Robert and Esther Wilson, was born in Washington County, Pa., December 11, 1802. In March, 1829, he, in company with his father's lamily, came to Shelby County, Ohio, ami located in Washington Township on the farm now owned by Morris Honnell, where his parents passed the remainder of their days. His father, Robert Wilson, died July 29, 1829. Ilis mother, Esther W'iison, died in 1834.

In 1833 Robert Wilson, subject of this sketch, married Miss Sarah Shaw, then of this county, daughter of John and Margaret Shaw, who was born in Kentucky November 16, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson settled on his father's home farm in Washington Township, remained until 1853, when he sold the home farm, and purchased the east half of section 33, Turtle Creek Township, on which he died October 13, 1868. His companion is still surviving him, and is now living in Sidney. He made farming his principal avocation through life. He filled the office of township trustee for several years. He was the father of four children, only one of whom is now living, viz., John It. Wilson, who was born in Washington Township, this county, April II, 1839. He received a common school education, also attended school at Sidney several terms. In 1862 he began teaching school, which he followed as a profession about fourteen years, or until 1876, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Hardin Station, which he conducted with success about fouryears, or until April, 1880. when he retiied from the business, moved his family to the village of Hardin, where they now reside, and he has sinee been giving his attention to farming. He is now serving on his second term as justice of the peace of Turtle Creek Township. He is also the present clerk of the township. November 1, 1866, he married Miss Martha E. Burton, of this county, who was born January deceased, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., June 16, 1786. His education consisted of what could be obtained in the common schools of his minority days. He was brought upon a farm, and he made farming, in connection with teaming, his avocation through life. February 15, 1810, he married Miss Margaret Shannon, of Kentucky, where she was born January 27, 1785, by whom he had one child, which died when but four years of age. His companion died July 19, 1811. On the 27th day of October, 1812, he married Miss Abigail, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Stephenson, who was born in Kentucky February 9, 1790. Mr. and Mrs. Patten came to Ohio in the fall of 1830, purchased a farm of 167 acres in Orange Township, Shelby County, on which he passed the remainder of his days. He died May 10, 1854. His companion survived him until December 30, 1867, when she died in Sidney, at her son's, John

S. Patten, at the age of seventy-seven years. They reared a family of ten children, viz., William Patten, born in Kentucky July 5, 1813; Rachel A. Patten, born in Kentucky December 16, 1814; Margaret S. Patten, horn in Kentucky September 18, 1816; Joseph C. Patten, born in Kentucky December 15, 1818; Thomas S. Patten, born in Kentucky January 6, 1821 ; John S. Patten, born in Kentucky May 29, 1823 ; Hugh

Four of the above-named chi^lrcn are now dead, viz., Joseph C. Patten, died September 3, 1837; Rachael A. Patten, died September 5, 1839; Mary E. Patten, died January 12, 1854; John S. Patten, died July 2, 1881.

son of Joseph and Abigail Patten, was born in Bourbon County, Ky, October 3, 1825, and came to Shelby County with his parents in 1830. He received a common school education. He has made farming and stock growing his principal avocation, and he now owns a good farm near Hardin, in section 30, Turtle Creek Township, on which ho has resided since 1853. On the 19th day of November, 1857, he married Miss Lucinda, daughter of John and Susan Heffclman, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, February 14, 1835, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1842. By this union Mr. Patten has seven children, three sons and four daughters.

Mr. Blake is the second son of John and Matilda Blake. He was born in Perry Township, Shelby County, Ohio, March 9, 1834. - He received a common school education. He was reared on a farm, and made farming his avocation until January, I860, when he engaged in the butchering business in Sidney, which he conducted with success about nine years, or until 1869, when he purchased and moved on a farm in section 21, Turtle Creek Township, and again turned his attention to farming. In the fall of 1879 he purchased a part of section 21, same township (joining his home farm on the south), on which he moved his family in January, 1880, where they are now residing. On the 9th day of September, 1861, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Matthew and Margaret A. Ensey, who was born in Clinton Township, Sheiby County', October 4, 1837. They have a family of four children, three sons and one daughter.

son of John and Hettie Lenox, was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, May 25, 1850. He was reared on a farm, and has made farming his vocation. March 31, 1872, he married Miss Kate Ryan, of Auglaize County, daughter of James and Julian Ryan, where she was born August 3, 1855. In the fall of ls76 Mr. and Mrs. Lenox came to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on the farm in section 25, Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside. They have two children, Flora J. and William B.

was bora in Washington Township, Shelby County, Ohio, November 30, 1841. He fs a son of Hiram J. Wilson, who was one of the pioneers of Washington Township, of which he was a resident about fifty-seven years. On the 18th day of August, 1861, Henry V. Wilson, subject of this sketch, enlisted as a private in Company B, 20th O. V. I. ; served as such until December 31, 1863, when he was discharged on account of re-enlistment, and, on the 1st day of January, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran in same company' and regiment. February 1, 1865, he was commissioned commissary sergeant, which office he filled until July 15, 1865, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He was actively engaged in the following-named battles: Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862; Raymond, Miss., May 12, 1863; Champion Hills, May 16, 1863; the Siege of Vicksburg; Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia, where, on the 22d day of July, 1864, he was wounded by a musket ball, which rendered him unable for service. He returned home on a furlough, and it was not until November 4, 1861, that he returned to his regiment able for duty, and participated in the battles of Savannah, Georgia, and Orangeburgh, South Caiolina. Also several other minor engagements. , Soon after the close of the war he returned to his home in Washington Township.

November 15, 1866, he married Miss M. Adelia, daughter of John and Phcbe Betts, who was born in Washington Township, this county, May 2, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson settled on a farm in their native township, remained until March, 1868, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 32, Turtle Creek Township, on which they now reside. They have four children, viz., Ernest C., Frank E., Nina M., and Loie J.

Mr. Ewing was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, January 13, 1822, and came to Shelby County with his parents, Samuel and Margaret Ewing, in the spring of 1835, and settled in Washington Township, as elsewhere mentioned. He is a carpenter by trade, which he made his vocation about twelve years, and the remainder of his time has been given to farming, which he has conducted with success. He now owns a farm of 180 acres of good land in section 33, Turtle Creek Township, on which he lias resided since 1855. On the 20th day of November, 1855, he married Miss Hndassa J., daughter of Arthur and Eliza Glasgow, who was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 26, 1826, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1832 or '33. By this union .Mr. Ewing has a family of five children, viz., Frank A., Mary E., Wirt A., Lizzie J., and Low E.

was born near Dayton, Ohio, May 16, 1814. He was brought up on a farm, and has made farming his avocation through life. November 23, 1831, lie married Miss Rachel Baldwin, of Montgomery County, Ohio, where she was born March 29, 1807. In 1832 Mr. H. came to Shelby County, entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section 2, Turtle Creek Township, on which he erected a cabin, and moved his family in August, 1833, where he has since resided. He reared a family of seven children, viz., James H., Aaron B., Elizabeth, Mary M., Elvira, Hester, and Rebecca A. Elvira is now dead. Mrs. Harshbarger died September 18, 1878. On the 24th day of February, 1880, he married Mrs. Jane Robbins, nee Hardisty, with whom he is now living. He filled the office of township trustee for several years.

Source changes here: from History of Shelby County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hitchcock, Almon Baldwin Carrington, published 1913; 5,031 words in this source stream.

Dinsmore Township

Although this township was very late in its settlement and organization, its development was steady and its progress, along every line, rapid. It boasts of the two most important towns in the county, aside from the county seat, in Botkins and Anna, although the latter is partly in Franklin township. It is regular in its outline, being six miles square, and is centrally located in the northern tier of townships of Shelby county, its north line being bounded by Auglaize county. The commissioners' records show the township to have been independently organized on December 3, 1832. Pursuant to an order by the commissioners of the county, the citizens of the township met at the home of Joseph Green, December 25, 1832, and elected the various township officers.

Dinsmore township is level, practically speaking, and the soil is such as to attract agriculturists, being well adapted for the growing of the various grains and grasses. It is drained by a number of small streams which take their rise in the township. It seems the first real settlement was made here in 1832, which marked the arrival of a number of families, but it is reasonably certain some located farms here the previous year, notably Wilham Blakely, of Franklin county, Ohio, and Silas D. Allen, of Pickaway county, Ohio. There has always been a diversity of opinion as to who was the. first to take up residence within the township, many according the honor to George Turner, who came from Greene county, Ohio, in 1832. The latter did not remain long at that time, owing to the prevalence of milk sickness, but in 1837 again returned but took up a different farm. Mr. Turner was followed, in the same year, by Joseph Green, from Warren county, Ohio, who with his wife and five children, located on a farm in section 28, on a part of which the village of Anna is partly located; John Munch, of Greene county, Ohio, whose farm also lay in section 28, a^d was partly included in the village of Anna; Richard C. Dill, of Hamilton county, Ohio, who brought his wife and eleven children; Samuel Blakeley, of Franklin county, Ohio, who came here from Franklin township where he had settled in 1830; and Richard Botkin, who came from Hamilton county, Ohio. The following year, 1833, witnessed the arrival of: Alfred Staley, of Montgomery county, Ohio; Hector Lemon, of Chester county, Pennsylvania: Joseph Park, of New Jersey; Erasmus B. Toland, of Miami county, Ohio ; Philip Good, who'came from Greene county,

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Ohio, but was a native of Pennsylvania ; and Philip Hagelberger, a native of France. In 1834, there came: Jacob Wilford, his wife and five children, from Virginia; Philip Brideweiser, from Franklin county, Ohio; David Taylor, his wife and eight children, from Greene county, Ohio; Peter Boling and family, from Montgomery county, Ohio; William Ellis and family from Virginia; Frederick Oxburger, of Germany; and Samuel and William Elliott, w ho located in section 4 ; Thomas Iiams and family came from Warren county, Ohio, in 1835; Cornelius Elliott, of Licking county, Ohio, in 1835; Daniel Toland, of Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1836; William H. Abbott, in 1836; John Fahr, of Perry county, Ohio, in 1836; and Diadrich Schulte. in 1838. This is by no means regarded as an exhaustive list of those who came during the period mentioned, but time has thoroughly obscured facts once so easy to obtain. Settlement was quite backward in the early years, largely because of milk sickness, but became very general in the forties, and as a whole those who came were of a wholesome and progressive class.

Farming has generally claimed the attention of the rural residents of Dinsmore township, and such industries as have been fostered have been mainly in the villages. There was in earlier years considerable sawing done, but timber too quickly disappeared for that industry to be other than a small one here. A very successful plant, established in Dinsmore, on the William P. Davis farm, in 1871, was a tile yard which was given the name of the Montra Tile Yards, being three-fourths of a mile west of Montra. It was started by William P. Davis and M. Merkling and was operated by them some years before passing into other hands.

In 1849 a saw mill was established in section 26, operated by a forty-horse power engine. Silas D. Allen and George Duff, the original owners, conducted it until the death of the former in June, 1850, after which the latter carried on the business until in 185 1. He then sold a hali interest to Michael Fogt and the firm of Duff & Fogt continued for several years. It was then operated by several owners until 1861, then existed in a state of disuse until it was finally torn down. In 1874, Messrs. L. Davis and J. C. Linton established what was long known as the Linton steam saw mill, they conducting it in partnership until 1878, when Mr. Linton conducted it alone. The business was discontinued here many years ago. the proprietors moving to Dayton, Ohio.

The citizens got together in the organization of a branch of the Patrons of Husbandry. Estey Grange. No. 924. being organized May 25, 1874, by Deputy Johnson. It originally had twenty-four members and experienced a healthy growth.

The first regular school in the township was conducted in a crude log structure, about twenty feet square, with puncheon floor and seats. A large fire-place extended the full width of the building, on one side, and there was a stick chimney and a one-light window. It was built in 1836 and the first teacher there was William D. Johnson. A second building of similai type, except as to windows, was built in section 23 in 1840, and here William Wilson and E. T. Mede were early teachers. The third schoolhouse, also log, was erected in section 14, and became known as the Beck schoolhouse, the first teacher there being James Beck. The buildings of the next period represented the advancement from the round log to the hewed log and frame type, and were variously located throughout the township. A uniform plan of locating them came into being, a building being erected in the center of every four sections, thus making nine schools. An additional school was established for the colored children, but in 1870 race segregation was abolished. As new school laws came into effect, the districts were much changed from time to time. More detail with regard to the schools may be found in the chapter on Education.

Anna, a station on the C. H. & D. Railway, was surveyed for John L. and Fletcher S. Thirkield. in 1867, and lies in Dinsmore and Franklin townships. The name, Anna, was given it in honor of Mrs. Anna Thirkield. It is a prosperous place, the last census showing its population to be 460, and it is steadily growing. The plat of the town was recorded April 25, 1868, and in 1877 a petition was presented to the board of county commissioners for its incorporation as a village, the signers being: A. Clason, F. S. Thirkield, Lewis Kah, P. W. Young, J. D. Elliott and thirty-two others. The petition was granted June 26, 1877. and recorded as granted September 3. 1877. The first board of councilmen consisted of 1.. Kah. M. Norcross, A. Clason, M. Billings, Dr. Lefevre, and J. W'eatherhead. The first mayor'was L. Applegate, and the other first officers were : J. C. Koverman. marshal ; Dodfrey Kembold, treasurer; and F. W. Stork, clerk. The first postmaster was F. S. Thirkield, but his service long antedated the incorporation of the village. Anna has an adequate fire department, the equipment consisting of a gas engine, hose-cart and ladder. The present mayor of the town is R. D. Curtner.

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Among the principal commercial industries of Anna are the following: H. C. Hagelberger, clothing, tailoring and gents' furnishings ; business established nine years ago; R. D. Mede, stoves, tinware, tinners' supplies, metal work, roofing, buggies and carriages ; Mr. Mede has been established in business here for the past thirty years, and in addition to the commercial lines mentioned above, he is agent for the Oliver plows and cultivators.

E. B. Ballinger & Company are conducting the business established by J. L. Applegate, thirty-nine years ago, the present business style being assumed August 17, 19 1 2. The concern deals in furniture, carpets, mattings, linoleum, window shades, lace curtains, curtain poles, and sewing machines. Mr. Ballinger also conducts a business in undertaking and embalming. A. Weller, druggist, also dealer in stationery, wall paper, etc., has been established in Anna for the last twenty years.

P. W. Young is dealer in general hardware, farming implements, stoves, paints, oils, glass, etc. This business was established forty-one years ago by Elliott & Young; the former partner, Mr. Elliott, died about twenty-five years ago.

The Farmers and Merchants Bank Company was established in 1907 by parties from Columbus, Ohio. On May 29, 19 10, it was incorporated by Daniel Runkle, R. D. Curtner, William C. Heinrich, George D. Fridley and E. M. Martin, with a capital stock of $25,000. Its present officers are: Daniel Runkle, president; R. D. Mede, vice-president, and A. W. Fridley, cashier. The directors last elected are: C. C. Toland, J .W. A. Fridley, \V. M. Runkle (since deceased), E. M. Martin (not sworn in), R. D. Mede, Daniel Runkle, and George C. Schiff. The bank has undivided profits of $1,600.

Finkenbein & Manning, dealers in grain, feed, flour and, seeds, are proprietors of a grain elevator, the present firm having been established January 1, 1 91 2. The business is an old one, having been established forty years ago by K. H. Stock & Company, who were succeeded by L. Finkenbein, who had been a partner with Mr. Stock, and who conducted it for a number of years. In 1895 it came into possession of L. Finkenbein, Jr., which proprietorship was continued until the present partnership was formed. The firm has an adequate plant and is doing a successful business.

Martin Manufacturing Company are successors to the William Johnson spoke factory. They are now putting in new machinery and will engage in the manufacture of staves.

Milton C. Fogt is conducting a prosperous hardware business. Miss S. E. McCullough is proprietor of a millinery and notion store. M. H. Ailes conducts a general insurance business.

The grain business now carried on by C. C. Toland was established fifty years ago, the elevator being built at that time. John Thirkield conducted the business for fifteen years, his successor being Frank Thirkield, who was proprietor for about five years. The property was then leased to Farrington, Saluson & Nelson, by whom it was carried on for five or six years. The next proprietor was Judge Bowersox, of Sidney, from whom the business was bought by C. C. Toland. The business was conducted for some time as a partnership concern, under the style of Toland & Ludvvig, but about twelve years ago Mr. Toland bought out his partner and has since been sole proprietor. Mr. Toland deals in grain, seeds, salt, etc., and is doing a prosperous business.

Other business enterprises of Anna are Fred Woehrle, groceries; George Fleckinstine, drain tile; L. Finkenbein, groceries, dry goods, notions, etc.; C. McVay & Son, livery, established twenty-two years; B. F. Martin, notions, Mr. Martin being the successor of his grandfather, R. Martin, who established the business; Rembold Brothers, W. T. and J. G., boots, shoes and rubber goods, have been established four years, the business having been previously carried on for seven years by YV. J. Rembold alone.

Botkins, which is located on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, near the north boundary of Dinsmore township, was platted as a village for Russell Botkin, who owned the land, in July, 1858. It was certified by J. A. Wells, surveyor, and acknowledged July 31, 1858. The town became a prosperous trading center and had a steady growth. It aspired to the dignity of an incorporated village in 1881, a petition being filed with the county commissioners on March 7, of that year. Although strenuously fought by some of the citizens, through remonstrance and protest filed, the proposition was carried through, a majority of the people being in favor of it. The petition was granted August 2, 1881, and was recorded January 3, 1882. A special election was held, at which the following officers were elected : P. W. Speaker, mayor ; H. H. Varner, clerk ; F. M. Hemmert, treasurer ; J. B. Staller, marshal ; and John McMahon, Dr. G. M. Tate, Dr. P. K. Clienhens,' Alexander Botkin and J. B. Hemmert, councilmen. Since then the growth of the village .has been slow but steady. There has been no marked "boom" but business in general has flourished and the citizens are prosperous. Though some former industries and commercial enterprises have passed out of existence with the mutations of time, others have taken their places, and present conditions, on the whole, mark a satisfactory advance.

For a town of its size, Botkins has a very complete and efficient fire department, with a good engine house. The apparatus consists of a Howe gasoline engine, hook and ladder wagon and hose-cart with several thousand feet of hose. There is also an old hand engine which can be used when required. There is a good water supply, the water being obtained from cisterns (50 by 25 feet), which are sunk at convenient places on the streets. These cisterns are supplied from an artificial lake, covering two acres of ground and from twelve to fifteen feet deep, which is owned by the corporation. The department consists of a volunteer company numbering forty men, under the command at the present time of Chief John Morris.

The Botkins Herald, a six-column quarto weekly, was established about fifteen years ago by Adam E. Blakeley. who conducted it until his death, in January, 191 1. He was then succeeded by his son, Lowell E. Blakeley, who is the present proprietor. The paper is independent in politics and has a considerable circulation throughout this part of the county. A job printing office is run in connection with the plant and does a good business.' A new cylinder press has recently been installed, and the office is supplied with all the latest faces of job type. The proprietor. Mr. Blakeley, is the present postmaster of Botkins.

Among the principal commercial industries of Botkins at the present time are the following : The Botkins Hardware Company, John C. Koenig, propritor, are dealers in hardware, stoves, roofing, fence, pumps, buggies and implements. The business was established by Mr. Koenig about seven years ago and is in a flourishing condition. The store is large and well supplied with an ample and varied stock. H. W. Weigert & Company, dealers m clothing, dry goods, shoes, groceries and general merchandise, has been established about two years ago and gives promise of a successful future. W. C. Zaenglein & Brother, are proprietors of a well-equipped department store. W. H. Brideweser, dealer in harness, has been established in Botkins nearly eighteen years and is conducting a successful business. Thomas Kennedy Implement Company deals in hardware, stoves, wire fencing, fence posts, implements, cement, lime, plaster, etc., and has been doing a successful business for ten years or more. William Oppeman conducts a well-appointed livery stable. F. G. Gutman conducts a general store. J. H. M. Schurr, undertaker and furniture dealer, is successfully carrying-on the business established by his father, Christian Schurr, twenty-four years ago, B. A. Steinke is proprietor of a blacksmith shop. There are also several other stores, including the Blakeley Millinery, one or two barber shops and several saloons. A saw mill has been conducted here for a number of years by M. A. Roth, who also does ditch contracting. -The Paul & Shafer grain elevator is an up-to-date concern and is doing a good business. The old mill was built by Taylor & Marx, who were its proprietors for about five years, the business then being bought by Mr. Shafer, who conducted it under the style of Shafer Grain Co. About a year later, July 6, 191 1, it burned down, but in the same year the erection of the present mill was begun and in October, 1912, it was opened for business. In the meanwhile, or July 1, 1912, Mr. Paul became a partner with Mr. Shafer and the firm adopted its present style of Paul & Shafer. The concern deals in grain, seeds, salt, flour, coal and fence posts and building tile, and are buyers and sellers of live stock. The elevator is a commodious and up-to-date structure.

The Botkins Product Company was organized in the spring of 191 1, and was incorporated with a capital stock of $5,000. the following being the incorporators: J. M. Sheets, Louis Zimmerman. H. E. Sheets, Walter A. Looker and J. B. Reineke. J. M. Sheets was elected president; Louis Zimmerman, vice-president; H. E. Sheets, treasurer: and Walter A. Looker secretary. The company was formed to engage in the manufacture of "Kob Korn Krisp," the parching of corn on the cob.

Sheets Manufacturing Company, of Botkins, was established in 1903. by H. E. Sheets, who remains sole proprietor of the business. The concern has a large factory, well equipped with up-to-date woodworking machinery and is engaged in the manufacture of bent rims and spokes for wagons, -implements, carriages and automobiles. The factory contains 20,000 square feet of floor space and employment is given to about eighty-five men. About 10.000,000 feet of lumber is used annually, most of which is worked from the log to the finished product, the latter being shipped all over the United States, besides a considerable amount that is exported.

The Sheets Grain Company was established about thirty years ago by Philip Sheets, who continued the business until his death in 1905, when his sons, E. S. and H. E. Sheets, continued the business. The company handles grain, feed, seed, etc., having an up-to-date elevator in Botkins, and also own other elevators outside the county, namely, one at each of the following places in Auglaize and Logan counties : Wapakoneta, Lakeview, Waynesfield, Geyer and Gutman.

The Shelby County Bank was established at Botkins about 1897, by Philip Sheets, who conducted it as sole proprietor until his death in 1905, after which time the business passed into the hands of his sons, E. S. and H. E. Sheets, who continued it as a private bank until 19 12. It was then incorporated, with a capital stock of $25,000, with H. E. Sheets, president; Philip Sheets, Jr., vice-president, and E. S. Sheets, cashier, which is the official board at the present time, January, 19 13.

The greatest civilizing agency we have, the church, was not long in establishing itself, in fact before the township was more frhan sparsely settled. Brief mention is here made of the history of the various congregations :

St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. - One of the most beautiful church edifices in the county is that of St. Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran at Anna, which was dedicated August 4, 1907. The birth of this church was eighty years ago in 1832, when a few Lutherans, strong in their faith, settled in the virgin forest near Anna and the first preacher was the Rev. Henry Joesting, whose parsonage was a log structure of one room, which served as a residence, a schoolhouse, and a place for Sunday services. The names of John Altermath, Michael Altermath, Louis Bey and John Moothart, appear on the records, and they were soon joined by Germans of like faith.

In the fall of 1833 their number was increased by Philip Jacob Hagelberger, John Fogt, John Jacob Finkenbein, John Jacob Zimpher, Frederick Knasel, Henry Breitweiser, Henry Schaefer, Samuel Schaefer, and Benjamin Werth, with their families. A log church was erected in 1835-36, thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide, for which the contractor, Jesse Weistch, got $100 for his labor. The seats were boards on trestles. It was built on the site which afterwards was the Lutheran cemetery, David Sw ander giving the land.

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The first class was confirmed in 1836. The Rev. George Klapp served the church from 1840 to 1844, the Rev. Hursh till 1850, and the Rev. Spangler followed with a pastorate of seven years.

The congregation outgrew their old log church of twenty years and dedicated a new one October 21, 1855, which cost $1,100. The church, made of brick, stood its ground for seventeen years and eventually was torn down and used in the building of a tile mill. The Rev. Christian Sappes was pastor in 1857, followed by the Revs. Gottfried Loewenstein, J. F. Grassie, and John Bundenthal, and was followed by a theological student from Columbus, from 1871 to 1877. The brick church was soon found too small for it was such a Lutheran nest that if an inhabitant in that vicinity got scratched the chanches were Lutheran blood was spilt, so a frame structure 60 by 40 feet was built in 1870 and 1871 at a cost of $5,000.

Rev. John Michael Meissner served as pastor from 1877 to 1889, the longest term in its history. He baptized 303, mostly babies, for race suicide was not on their program, and he confirmed no. The Rev. E. H. D. Winterhoff took charge in 1889 and was succeeded by the Rev. R. C. H. Lenski, the editor of the Synodical Journal. At the time the present church was dedicated there had been during his pastorate of seven years 200 baptisms and 210 confirmations, 33 of whom were adults, making the number of communicants 550.

The sacred frame structure could not begin to hold the crowds firtfd with Lutheran zeal, and so a building committee consisting of the pastor as chairman, George C. Schiff, C. E. Fogt, C. C. Fogt and George Hagelberger signed the contract with the builders, Newmier and Hemmert, of Wapakoneta, for $17,490.70. The architect was R. C- Gotwald, of Springfield. The congregation was as harmonious as a colony of workipg bees, after the drones had been disposed of, and as the building progressed new and more extravagant ideas were advanced and approved until everything was done to make the interior of the church as artistic and perfect in its appointments as one could wish. Could the early saints in the Anna congregation be permitted to visit the earth again they would almost wish to leave Heaven for awhile to worship in so sweet a place. On Tuesday after the dedication the Rev. Emanuel Poppen, of Sidney, with 100 of his congregation, took charge of the past dedicatory services, his wife bringing out the possibilities of the new pipe organ with good effect.

The Rev. Lenski accepted a call to Columbus in August, 191 1, and was succeeded by the Rev. C. J. Gohdus, who served a year and he was followed December 8, 1912, by Rev. H. J. Schuh, the present pastor, who came here from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he had served a pastorate of twentyeight years. The congregation now numbers 579 communicants.

Botkins Methodist Episcopal Church - The congregation of this church was in existence some years before a church edifice was erected. It was organized in 1833 or 1834 at the home of Richard Botkin, by the Rev. Daniel D. Davidson, assisted by Rev. James Smith. Among the prominent early members were: Richard Botkin and wife, Henry Hildebrant and wife.

Cornelius Montfort and wife, Cornelius Elliott and wife, and Samuel Elliott and wife. For several years services were held in the home of Richard Botkin, and subsequently in a log house in Botkins until 1841, in which year they erected a hewed log church, on ground donated for that purpose by Richard Botkin. This was in i860 replaced by a frame church building, dedicated in the fall of that year by the Rev. Wilson, assisted by the local pastor, Patrick G. Goode. In 1881 they erected a substantial brick building at a cost of $2,040, and this was dedicated June 18, 1882, by Rev. Watters, assisted by Rev. J. S. Ayers, presiding elder of the Bellefontaine district. This church has since maintained its organization and has a live membership. Services are held Sunday afternoon and evening alternately. The present pastor is Rev. J. W. Miller.

The Lutheran church, Botkins, Rev. A. Pnenger, pastor, holds alternate services Sunday mornings and evenings, with Sunday school in the forenoon.

Anna Methodist Episcopal church, originally known as Mt. Gilead Methodist Episcopal church, was organized at the home of Richard C. Dill, in 1833, Rev. D. D. Davidson and Rev. James Smith. Services were for some years held in the homes of Mr. Dill and Joseph Park, and from 1840 until the completion of a house of worship in 1841, at the home of Mary J. Young. It was built a quarter of a mile north of Anna, was of the hewed-log type, and served the congregation until a frame structure was erected some years later, in the same vicinity. The latter was dedicated in July, 1858, by Revs. Wilson and P. G. Goode, the latter being then pastor. Among the original members were Mrs. R. C. Dill, Jane Dill, E. B. Toland and wife, Thomas Iiams and wife, Mrs. Forsha, John Lucas and wife. The present Methodist Episcopal church in Anna was dedicated November 1, 1886. The church is a brick structure, with slate roof, stained glass windows and having an audience room, lecture room, and two class rooms. The regular preaching services are held one Sabbath morning, the next Sabbath - morning and evening and so alternately. The church now has 126 members. Rev. J. W. Miller is now in his second year as pastor, having succeeded Rev. W. W. Motter.

Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Botkins, Ohio. - The history of this congregation dates back more than six decades, when a few Roman Catholic families settled in the vicinity of the present town of Botkins. They were all German immigrants, and hence possessed but scanty means wherewith they might contribute toward the erection of a church, and the support of a pastor. Missionaries, however, came at regular intervals from surrounding well-settled communities, and provided for the spiritual wants of their poor brethren. Divine service was held at first in the residences of some families, later on in an old schoolhouse, and subsequently in a log church, which finally was replaced by the present church. The first church organization was formed in 1865, and immediately preparations, were made and measures taken for the erection of a suitable house of worship. Two years afterwards in 1867 the zealous people of the congrega- tion worshiped for the first time in the new edifice. The church, which had been erected at a cost of about $8,000, is a handsome brick building of 85 by 45 feet, crowned by a neat steeple. In 1875 the congregation purchased the home of Andrew Gutman, which was first occupied by the reverend pastor but later became residence for the teachers. Clemens Huber, a pioneer of the congregation, donated in 1878 two acres of land for a new cemetery. The want of a school was provided for in 1881 by the purchase of the old Methodist Episcopal church, which has received an annex at the cost of $800. In 1887 the new parsonage, a two-story brick building, was completed at a cost of $3,000. The church was remodeled and highly embellished by the brush of the able artist, F. H. Hefele, 1898, and but one year later new beautiful stained glass windows were put up to give the renovation a finishing touch.

Father Joseph Goebel was the organizer of the congregation, and remained in charge of it till 1871. when he was succeeded by Rev. Henry. Daniel. In 1873, Rev. Nicholas Eilermann, a pious and energetic priest, was appointed pastor and he fulfilled his duties most successfully until his demise, June 24, 1893. Since that time the Rev. Henry Daniel has reassumed the pastoral charge of the congregation.

St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Rheine. - This church is located near the southwest corner of section 36, Dinsmore township, three miles east of Botkins, on the Botkins pike. With about twenty families, Father Henry J. Muckerheide started a congregation in 1856, and held divine service for them in the schoolhouse of subdistrict No. 1, Dinsmore township, until another and more spacious building could be erected. At' a cost of about $2,100 the newly organized congregation reared a new church of brick structure 50 by 40 feet, and in the autumn of 1858 Rev. H. J. Muckerheide was already enabled to dedicate it to the service of the Most High. In the spring of 1893 the cornerstone for a new church was laid, and on Christmas following it was successfully completed. The beautiful edifice as it now greets the eye of the traveler is a massive, yet handsome, brick building of 80 by 43 feet, which had been erected at a cost of $12,400. The solemn strains of bells invite all to enter its hallowed walls. Moreover, new altars, and the excellent frescoing by F. H. Hefele have embellished the interior aspect, while a new furnace has helped to increase the comfort of the church. Most Rev. Archbishop Henry W. Elder, of Cincinnati, dedicated the new building with grand ceremonies, August 26, 1894. A two-story brick schoolhouse, 48 by 36 feet, was erected in 1878 at a cost of about $1,800.

Several fraternal orders have lodges in Botkins. Botkins Lodge No. 903, I. O. O. F., organized four years ago, has now between fifty and sixty members. They hold regular meetings in their own hall.

Summit Camp No. 131, Woodmen of the World, was established here six years ago and now numbers forty members. They also have a hall for meeting purposes.

The Catholic Knights of America, a Catholic insurance order, flourishes under the auspices of the Catholic church. The members meet at the Knights of St. John hall.