Eden Township

Eden Township

THIS township boasts of being the first agricultural settlement in the county, and the first in fertility of soil and beauty of landscape. In 1820 it was known as Township 1 north. Range 15 east, and in this yeai' it was surveyed in quarter-sections by David Risdon and James T. Worthington, the Van Jleter Reservation being the exception. This reservation extended west fi-om the center of Sections 5 and 8 to the west line of the township, or the east line of the Walker Reservation in Bloom. The treaty of the foot of the Rajiids of the Miami, negotiated April 29, 1817, jsrovided for the establishment of this reservation in the following words: '"To John Yan Meter, who was taken prisoner by the Wyandots, and who has ever since lived among them and has married a Seneca woman, and to his wife and wife's three brothers, Senecas (Brandts), who now reside on Honey Creek, 1,000 acres, to begin north, 45° west, 140 poles from the house, in which the said John Van Meter now lives, and to run thence south 320 poles, thence and fi'om the beginning east for quantity." This tract was purchased by Lloyd Norris in 1828 from John Van Meter, Jr., and his uncles, the Brandts, and forty years later formed the farms of Clementine Kishler, J. W. Miller. S. J. Seed. Thomas Lahere, M. A. Trexler, H. Lease and Eden Lease. The greater part of the Van Meter Huckleberry Swamp was in the south center of the northwest quarter of Section 7, and the lake on the northwest quarter of Section 8, within the reservation.

The Sandusky Kiver courses tlu-oiigh Section 31. Hone Creek, an Eden like stream, enters the township in Section '24. flows southwest liy Melmoroiuid enters on its northwestern course in the southwest quarter of Section 27, " leaving the township in the northwest quarter of Section 0. Rock Creek enters the township in Section 1, flows south to Section I'i; thence in a general coui'se west to Section 10, and northwest to Section 4, leaving the township in the northeast quarter of that section. Brandt Creek, which flows thi'ough a small lake on Section !S, enters Honey Creek above the mill-race. Numerous streams coui'se thi'ough this favored division of the county, and springs, as well as spring creeks, are found in almost every section. The surface is generally rolling, broken along the streams, and the soil fertile.

Organic mid Official. - Eden Township was set off in 1821, and the first election held June 4, 1821, at John Searles' house. Hem-y Craw, James ^Mathers and John A^'elch were elected trustees; David Clarke, clerk; John Searles, treasurer; Ira Holmes and John Searles. overseers of the poor; Daniel Pratt and John Searles, fence viewers: Hugh A\"elch and Ira Holmes, ajipraisers; Samuel Knapip and John Welch, road supervisors, and Thomas AVeleh. constable. The early records were kept so very poorly, the board contracted with John Lamberson in 1834 to have them copied. The board of trustees from 1824 to 1827 comprised Richard Jaqua, I. J. Halsej- and Elisha Williams. In the following record the names of trustees are given first, while the name of the clerk holds the last place on each line:

1885. - G. W. Snyder, Adam Keifer, George Heabler, trustees; H. G. Pittman, clerk; Josejjh Rhodes and James Patton. jvistices of the peace: Isaiah Kline, treaaiu'er; R. A. Cole, assessor; William Osborne and John GaiToll, constables.

The valuation and taxation of Eden Township for 1884-85 are given as follows: Acres of land, 22.793. valued at §918.4(10. with personal property valued at §235,750. making a total of §1.154, 150. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,598, to each of whom (were such a thing as communal division possible) §722.02 would be given. The total tax for 1884-85 is placed at §12,719.29, together with §93 dog tax. The State tax forms §3,231.(52 of the total. The true valuation of this township approximates §3,20(1.000. The general statistics of Eden Township for 1884 are as follows: 4.342 acres of wheat; 23 of rye: 3 of buckwheat: 1.342 of oats yielding 52.274 bushels: 2.995 of corn producing 82,850 bushels; 1.011 acres of meadow, 1.31() tons of hay; 1,516 acres of clover, 1,916 tons of hay, 1,259 bushels of seed, and 31 acres plowed imder: 107 acres of potatoes, 12,338 bushels: home-made butter, 55, 250 pounds; 1 acre of sorghum, 44 gallons: 788 pounds of maple sugar, 583 gallons of maple sjTup; 92 hives, 1,038 pounds of honey; 34,675 dozens of eggs; 4 acres of vineyard, 700 poimds of grapes in 1883, 10 gallons of wine; 10 bushels of sweet potatoes ; 402 acres of apples, 4.837 bushels: 2 bushels of peaches, 230 of pears, 9 of cheiTies and 2 of plums; 15,380 acres of land cultivated; 2,304 in pasture; 4, 144 in woodland, 1 19 acres waste ; total acreage. 21.947; wool, 47,432 pounds; milch cows in 1883, 551: dogs, 94; sheep killed and injured by dogs. 11; domestic animals died of disease. 28 hogs, 89 sheep, 13 cows and 6 horses.

School >'Slatifiti('s. - In Juno, 1S8S, the township of Edon was laid ofF into nine school districts, and the first regular school organization established. Tho ])resent condition of the schools of Eden is set forth as follows: Local tax, !?'J.OS(i; receipts, §r),4'.)7: expenses, $8,485; schoolhouses, 10; value of property, -'?'2,7(l(h number of teachers, l(j; average pay, $40 and $20; male pupils, 100: female pupils, 110.

Pioneer Hi.stori/. - The first settlers of the townshiji were undoubtedly the remnant of the Mohawk band of Indians, who came here about the last quarter of the last century, a few ^^ yaudots, and their eai)tives, Catherine ^\'alker and John Van Meter. Consul Buttertield, the tii-st historian of the county, and himself a pioneer of this township, wi'iting in 1847, says: " Vanmeter was cai)tiu'ed by the M'yandot Indians, in the month of March, 177S, at the age of five, at Greenbriar, near "West Liberty, in the State of Virginia. The people in the neighVwrhood, having been frequently alarmed by Indian aggressions, had assembled for the purpose of building a fort to protect themselves from savage cruelty. It was a l^eautiful day in the spring of the y(>ar, and two of the elder boys of the family were directed to proceed to a 'chopping,' and arrange somi' brands. John accompanied them, and the father proceeded to the fort. The boys had but just commenced their work, when they were suddenly beset by a. party of Indians. The elder boys made good their escape, Init John was easily captiu'ed. Tho Indians then directed their com-se to the house of 'N'anmeter. set it on tii'e. murdered his wife and daughter, and immediately fled to the wilderness, carrying with them their captive boy. He ever afterward lived among the Indians, completely forgetting his native tongue, though ho learned it again before he died, so as to converse quite fluentlj-. He was afterward induced to visit his relatives and fi'ieuds; but refused to remain among them, prefeiring, as ho said, " the innocent and unrestrained indulgences of the Indian's life to the arbitrary restraints of civilized society.' Vanmeter was a man of more than ordinary decision of character, of a benevolent disposition, and friendly to the whites. Owning a large stock of cattle and several horses, early settlers relied much upon his generosity; and it was not in vain that they sought relief at his hands in times of distress and destitution. Ho maniod a woman of the Seneca nation (a relative of tho celebrated Brandt, whose name is well known in the State of New Yoi'k). and died some years ago on the grant made him by the United States. "" Johnny married a Mohawk Indian woman, commonly called Susan Brandt, and became an Indian of the Indians. The marriage ceremony was very simple: Johnny went into the forest and killed a deer, which he brought to Thomas Brandt's cabin. Susan gathered some corn, and returning to her brother's cabin received Johnny's present of the deer, cooked the corn and venison together, of which both ate in the presence of witnesses, and thus a marriage ceremony was gone through. Some few years after the death of one of the '\\'eleh brothers, about 1S26, John Vanmeter, Sr. . died here. Having learned to speak the English language between ISliJ and the date of his death, he became a favorite with the first white settlers, all of w'hom attended his funeral, and one of whom e.\humed his body in 1S2U or ISHO for the purpose of obtaining the skeleton. The families of John Vanmeter, Jr., old Susan Vanmeter. the three families of the Brandts, the negro preacher, Jonathan Pointer, and twenty other lodges of Mohawks left their happy hunting-gi'ounds on Honey Creek for that portion of Kansas now known as Cherokee County, but subsequently moved 100 miles south to tho Lower Neosha Country.

Thomas and Hugh AVelch. who settled in Eden Township in February, 1810, on land which was the property of David Olmstead in 1847, and Martin and

John Welch, who settled in Eden in June, 1819, were the pioneers of American civilization. Butterfi eld noticing the settlement says: "In the month of Febniaiy, 1819, Thomas and Hugh Welch started from Hiu'on County to seek a home in the wilds of Seneca. Having reached the limits of the county, as since defined, they soon strack a beaiitifiil stream of water, where they encamped for the night. On awakening in the morning a beautiful sight met their vision. The sun just peeping over the distant horizon, giving a fantastic glimmer to the lovely forest trees, whose lofty stems and wide-spread branches, the latter covered with verdant leaves, and overshadowing them as they lay under the broad canopy of heaven, shielded by naught but these ' monarchs of the forest, ' the grand old oak, the now precious black walnut, and the less pretentious hickory! All these trees, in natiu'e's bounteousness, thickly grou]ied together, formed one dense, but valualile forest. Here and there, amid this beauteous scene, were growing in the infant spring the odoriferous leek, and a few wild flowers disseminated their fi-agrance in the silent woods. The spot was protected from the severity of winter by the overhanging branches of the siurounding trees, which assisted nature in the production of this early vernal vegetation. The stream where they had encamped was Honey Creek. .The following morning they proceeded down the stream imtil they an-ived within the present limits of Eden Township. In the vicinity of what is now the i-esidence of "William Fleet, they came iipon a band of Seneca Indians employed in making sugar, and with them they again encamped for the night. The next morning, pursuing their journey down the creek, they anived at a jNIohawk In dian village, consisting of about twenty log-huts, pleasantly sitiiated upon both sides of the stream. This village w;is located on a tract of land of 1,00(1 acres, granted at the treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie to one John Yanmeter, a white man, and to his wife's brothers."

John Searles, of whom reference is made in the history of Tiffin and Fort Ball, was one of the first resident citizens within the old fort in 1820. He moved to Eden Township in the fall, and, in April, 182 1. assisted by the Welch brothers, including Henry, not hitherto mentioned, opened a road from Section 30. Clintop, to Section 4. Eden. This Searles was a soldier of 1812, and a useful citizen of the county up to his death in 1844.

Ira Holmes, an old settler of Chenango County, N. Y. . and a native of that State, came in immediately after the Searles family, and about the same time the Sponables, Clarks, Browns, Knapps, Craws and Daniel Pratt came to the county and decided on making their homes in Eden.

Baker family, four brothers, Franklin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four sisters, Mary Baker, Sophia (Baker) Stearns, Lucretia (Baker) Ainold and Ann (Baker) Knapp, all children of Samuel Baker, and natives of Connecticut, were represented in the township in 1822 by Franklin and Thomas. John came in 1823; Sophia (Stearns) settled with her husband on Eock Creek in 1828, and Richard near Melmore in 1885, the latter coming from Steuben County, N. Y. . . . .John W. Barrick, born in Maryland in 1817, and his mother. ]\Ii-s. George Barrick, who died in 1858, settled here in 1846. . . .Rev. Joseph Bever, a native of Virginia, after doing considerable ])ioneer work in other jsarts of the State, settled here in 1823. . . .Peter Bever came at the same time. . , .George Bever, a native of Rockingham County, Ya., in 1800, and one of the old residents of this county, died in 1 869 .... John and Eliza (Lewis) Bigham. natives of Maryland, parents of John Bigham, of Jackson Township, came to Eden Township in 1834. . . .Mrs. Sarah BorofF. of Yu-ginia, widow of Henrj' BorofF, came to this county at an early day, bringing four children, of whom Mrs.

John L. Cross, of Eden Township (married in 183'J), is one.... Jacob and Phila (Wolf) Bretz, p:irents of Mrs. Capt. R. H. Bever, of Tilfin, were pioneers of Eden Township .... Th(> Brundaijjo family came in 1824 .... Aaron Burton, who died in the county inlirmary in December. 1884, resided in Eden for over half a centm-y. It is said that he was between one hiuub-ed and three and one huutb-ed and four years old at the time of his death. He recollected and could relate many incidents oi the Revolutionary war, and remembered distinctly having seen the horse rode by(ien. George Washington . . . .An.son Burliugame, of Chinese treaty fame, was an early settler and school teacher of Eden Township. . . .Jacob and Adeline (Wilson) Buskirk came fi'om Pennsylvania in 1832, to Melmore, bringing their infailt son, Albert Buskirk, who was born that year in Pennsvlvania. Here Jacob Buskirk died in 1887; his widow died in Lima, Ohio. inbSSO Amroy Butterfield, who was killed July Hi, 1830, at Melmore, was one of the early settlers of Eden. His son. Consul Buttertield, was the Urst historian of the coiinty, publishing a small book in 1848, and a history of Crawford's campaign and death. subsequently. His daughter, a contributor to Madame Demorest's Magazine, New York, and subsequently a correspondent of the New York Herald at Paris, man-ied the ex-priest Hyacinthe, at one time a celebrated preacher. There were six other chikh'en, all of whom were pioneers of this township .... Ezra Brown, who settled in Eden Township in 1 82 1 , with his brother. Case Brown, was a soldier of 1812, and a comrade of Richard Jaqua, escaping with him from Canada, and participating in many of his adventures.

Jacob and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chamberlain, parents of Scudder Chamberlain, of Tiffin, who was born in New Jersey in 181*J, came from New Jersey, settling in Melmore in 183(5. .. .Matthias Clark and his wife, Maria (Copeland) Clark, natives of Pennsylvania, were pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, and early residents of Seneca County, Ohio .... Samuel Clark, of Eden Township, died in 1832 .... James Corbett, father of Martin Corbett, settled in Eden Township prior to 1830 .... John and Deborah (Comegys) Cross, natives of Maryland, parents of John L. Cross, of Eden Township (who was born in Virginia in 1812), came to Eden Township in 1828.

John and Elizabeth (Eckhart) Ditto, man-ied October 14, 1814, settled in Clinton Township in 1822, and also owned an eighty acre tract in Eden Township. John died in 1853. He served in the war of 1812, located at Pickaway, Ohio, after the war. and came to Seneca to share in the hunt with the Mohawks and W'yandots .... Mi's. Eliza Ditto was born on the Atlantic Ocean, while her parents were emigrating to America from Germany. June 23, 1795. She and her husband settled in Seneca Coiinty at a veiy early day, and for over sixty years resided on their farm. She died August 9, 1885. . . .John and Caroline (Holden) Downs, former a native of Virginia, latter of Kentucliy, parents of John L. Downs, of Eden Township (who was born in Ohio in 1N12), came to Eden Township in 1824, Mi*. Downs having previously been here to enter and clear up land.

William Ferguson, born in Pennsylvania in 1817, came to Seneca County in 1845, first living on SUver Creek, then piu'chasing the farm where he now resides in Eden Township .... William Fleet, a native of New York State, father of Dr. W. D. Fleet (who was born in 1849 in Eden Township), came to Ohio in 1830, settling in Eden Township, whore ho afterward owned about 1.000 acres of land. He died in 1880. . . .Charles C. and Caroline B. (Boyd) Fox, former a native of New York, latter of Pennsylvania, parents of James B. Fox of Fostoria (who was born in 1840 in Eden Townshiji), were pioneers here. Charles C. died in Wyandot County in 1880, aged seventy-six years.

Madison P. Geiger, a native of Baden, Gennany, came to Seneca County in 1885; died in 1861.... John Gibson, whose parents came fi'om Ireland about the period of the Eevohitionaiy war, settled in Eden Township late in the summer of 1822, and there had erected on his farm the first barn ever raised in Seneca County. He was a most estimable citizen. In early years it was his custom to call his sons together in the evening, propose a subject for discussion, and apportion, as it were, to each the aifii'mative or negative. The debate w^s carried on in his own presence, and followed by his criticism and judgment. Gen. Gibson, his son, who was brought to the township in 1822. the year of his birth, is an example of what such a training is capable of developing .... Dr. Selden Graves, James Gray and a few others mentioned in the chapters on lawyers, physicians and general histoiy, were among the pioneers.

Samuel Herin born in 1812, in Pensylvania. came to Ohio in 1828, with his parents, James and Mary (Smitli) Herin, and settled near Tiffin, where his father, who died in 1833. had entered eighty acres of land. He afterward bought and moved to the farm where he now resides. .. .Micajah Heaton settled in Eden in 1829; died in 1 866 .... Jonas and Martha Hershberger, parents of Mrs. William L. Keid, of Bloom Township, came from Virginia and settled in Eden Township in 1833. . . .Dr. Daniel Hough came in 1822.

Richard Jaqua, born in New York in 1787, moved to Leeds County, Ontario, Canada, in 179(*. with his parents; was mamedto Eliza Ouilsee in 1810. In 1812 he was drafted, but escaped ser\'ice in the British army by crossing the St. Lawrence. He subsequently engaged in the dangerous work of assissting Americans, who, like himself, were drafted, but wished to serve then- own country. His adventiu'es and escapes in this sei-vice were muneroiis and thrilling. In 1814 he entered the United States regular service and worked earnestly and well for the young Union, In 1813 he brought his family to the United States, moved to Eden Township in 1822, and died here September 26, 1878. His wife died in May, 1877. in her eighty-seventh year. From 1872 till his death he was a pensioner of the war of 1812. this consideration being won for him thi-ough the exertion of Congi'essman Charles Foster .... John C. Jones who erected the first house at Melmore in 1824, died there in 1828.

Abraham and Elizabeth ( Wrouff) Kagy, (parents of the widow Barbara Martin, late of Eden Township, ) were among the pioneers . , . . John Kagy. one of the pioneers of Eden, died at luka. 111,, in March, 1885, while visiting with his daughter Mrs. Huddle. He was about ninety years old .... Isaac Kagy was appointed coimty treasm-er in 1885, to succeed John Heabler. He served as auditor fi'om 1862 to I860; was elected representative in 18(55. and was appointed auditor to till vacancy in 1 872 . . . . H. P. Kennedy, a native of Ohio, settled in Eden Township in 1845; Samuel Koch, a Pennsylvanian, came in 1853, and George "W. Kishler in 1854. . . .Coi. James Kilbourne, one of the pioneer surveyors, laid out the town of Melmore for Case. Jolly and Ezra

Olive Knight is alleged to have burned the dwelling house of Joseph Trask, in Eden Township. She was brought to trial in March, 1832, when the jiirjdeclared her not guilty. >

Dr. Hem-y Ladd, a native of New York State, settled in Eden, in 1839 .... Otho and Belinda (Street) Lease, parents of Lloyd Non-is Lease, of Tiffin, were natives of Maryland; located in 1832 in Eden Township (where Lloyd Xoiris was born in 1838). and removed to Sandusky- County in 1846. Eden Lease, born in Maryland in IS 13. settled in Eden in 1835, and shortly after piu'chased his proseiit farm .... Esau (t. Leiilv, Ijoni in Columbiana County, Penn., July 28. 1817, settled in Edeu Township in 1 834, died June T). 1885..!. Peter Lantz located in Wyandot County, in 182U, moved thence to Seneca County, and died in ISTd. . . .Clarence Linn, a native of Ohio, settled at Melmore in 1841 ... . Ruel Looinis settled on Section 1(5, Eden, 1822, with his wife Anna (Lyon) Loomis and son Wildman Loomis. He died in I8r)2, and his widow in 1857.

:Mi-s. Elizabeth (Boyd) McClelland (widow of Hucrh McClelland, who died in about 1823), mother of Samuel B. McClelland, of Bloom Township (who was born in 1818, in Pennsylvania), came to Eden I'ownship with her young family in 1830. Samuel B. McClelland moved into Bloom Township in 1853, and there settled. . . .Samuel and Mary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, jiarents of Robert M. C. Martin, late of Eden Township (born in 1822, in Perry County, Ohio, died in April, 187!)), came to Seneca County in 1827, locating on land in Section 19, Eden Townshi]). which land Samuel Martin held until his death in April, 18(34. . . .Hamilton McCollister was a justice of the peace of Eden Township in 1825, and for many years after was a well known character in pione(>r times. He it was who had Judge Matthew Clark lirought before him for driving hogs on the Sabbath, and imposed a tine on Judge Lane's old associate. Clark appealed the case, and also (>ntered suit for $3,000 against McCollister. . . . Josiah Meeker, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1831 .. . .John Mimm was among the pioneers, but little of him can be learned, and that little unauthentic. . . .Miles Mitten settled in Seneca in 183S; moved to Wyandot in 1843. died iu 18()5. . . .Joshua D. Munsell, who died in 1833, owned lands in this townshi |i in Town 1 north, Kange 15 east.

Lloyd Norris, who settled in Eden Township in 1828, is said to have served in the ilexicau war. His death took place December (i, 1800, aged sixty-one years and six mouths.

John O'Connell. one of the early settlers of Eden, came from Stark County, Ohio. . , .Mrs. S. M. Ogden, died April 8. 1884, aged sixty-one years. . . .Jesse S. Olmsted and David Olmsted were among the pioneers.

Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price (both deceased), natives of Virginia, parents of Daniel Price, of Eden Townshi]> (who was* born here in 1835), settled on Section 20, Eden Township, in 1823, where .JacoV) Price's father-inlaw had entered land .... Philip J. Price, an early settler, is noticed in the historv of Melmore.

of John T. Reid, of Bloomville, was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and came to Eden Township with her widowed mother. Mrs. Elizabeth McClelland, iu 1830. . . .George Robert.son, owner of the south part of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, Town 1 north. Range 15 east, died about 1834. . . .Barnabas Rogers, a native of Vermont, father of Lorenzo Rogers, of Eden Township (who was born in 1810, in Lake County, Ohio), when a young man. came to Ohio on foot, making shoes as he journeyed. He entered laud in 1824, in Eden Township, and here died in 1870. His wife died in 1874.

Lewis Seitz (son of Joliii Seitz. (ierman immigrant, of 1707) entered lands in Bloom Township, in 1821. His son, Lewis Seitz, Jr., now eighty-three years old, is still living; while his gi'andson. John Seitz, born in Bloom Township, in 1825, is a resident of Eden Township since 18t)5. . . .Magdalene, wife of John Seitz. who came to this county in 1823, died Februaiw 20, 1802. . . . Mi-s. Ann Seitz. wife of Abram Seitz, died at San Francisco, Cal. , June 0, 1883. aged sixty -seven years. She moved fi'om Melmore to the Pacific Coast eighteen years prior to her death .... Samuel Saul, bom in Pennsylvania in

'1801. settled in Edeu Towiibhip iu 1828 .... John Searles. a soldier of the war of 1812. located at Fort Ball in 1820; moved to Eden in 1821; settled there iu 1825; died in May, 1844, and his widow, Jane (Dunken) Searles, in 1870. . . . Hezekiah Searles, born in Fairtiekl County, Ohio, December 4, 1810, came, in September. 1820, to Fort Ball; moved with parents to Eden Township in 1821 . . . .David and Nancy (Beery) Stalter were old residents of Eden Township, former one of the township" s most enterprising farmers until 1S()8 .... James M. Stevens, of Melmore. died in December, 182'J. leaving live chilch-en. of whom Elizabeth Ann Stevens was the only one over foiu'teen years old. A. Coffinberry was their guardian ad litem. He settled here in 1827. and Ijuilt the hrst grist mill in the township. . . .Thomas Stripe Settled on the Vanatta farm in 1822; moved to Lower Sandusky in 1825 .... John Sweinhelm. now of Wyandot Coiinty, came here in lS4(t. . . . J. W. Stewai-t settled in 1845, and R. C. Steele in 18yO. . . .Joseph and Susanna Swigart. natives of Maryland, were early settlers of the township.

Jojiathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of John Tittle, of Eden Township (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1820), came to this township in 1 840 .... The Trasks were also early settlers. Joseph Trask' s dwelling house was the tirst destroyed l)y tire in the township.

Dr. T. J. West, born in the county in 1836. His father. Thomas West, settled in the county in 1820. and located lands in Eden in 1822 .... James B. Watson settled in Eden Township in 1831 .... Martin Welch, brother of Thomas Welch, settled in Eden in June, 1819; moved to Wyandot County ; is deceased. . . . .John Welch, brother of Martin Welch, settled in Eden in June. 181U (see Political History); is deceased. . . .Thomas Welch settled in Eden Township in February. 181U, and died there in 1821 . . . .Henry Welch settled here with his family, but moved to Tiihn in 1822. and build one of the tii'st cabins there .... Hugh Welch settled in Eden Township in February, 1819, and, with his brother, Thomas, made the first white settlement there. He is the second senior settler of the cofinty.

There were others who could claim memliership with pioneers, of whom little or nothing of an authentic character can lie learned. In our researches we find following names of parties residing in Eden Township, outside of Melmore. in 1847-48, as subscribers to Buttertield's History:

Melmoke Village

The town of Melmore was projected and surveyed by James Kilbourne on Honey Creek, north of the islands known as Mill, Middle and Duck Islands, in 1826, and the plat accepted Februarj' 24, that year. The principal part of the town was laid out on the west half of southwest quarter of Section 23, Town 1, Range 15 east, and minor parts on the lands of Case, Jolly and Ezra

The first il welling house at Melmore was erected in 1!S'J4 by John t,'. Jones, who died there in IN2S. Buckley Hutchins ojx'ned the first store at Mehnore. Sej)teinber '2S. 18'J4, and carried it on in connection with the ])ostoffice for a nunilier of years. Joshua D. Munsell kept the first tavern at Melmore. Selden Graves, the first I'esident and jiracticini; physician of Seneca, settled in Eden To\Ynship. March ISHl'. Dr. Daniel M. Bate was the first resident j)hysician at Melmore. The physicians at Melmore, in 1S47. were liobert McD. Gibson, Timothy 51. Smith and Henry Ladd. Dr. West practiced here for some time [)rior to his removal to Tiffin. Dr. R. G. Steele is now one cif the resident j)hysicians.

Postiiiafiti'rfi. - Hugh Welch, the first postmaster appointed in the c(innty. was the tirst in Eden Township, holding the office fi'om August 4, l!Sl!.">, and carrying it on at his home. Buckley Hutchins was the lii'st postmaster appointed at !M<>liiiore. He was succeeded by Philip J. Price, who held the office in 1S4T. In November, 1S47, a meeting was held at Melmore. with Richard Jaqua, presiding, and J. M. Smith, secretary, to consider charges againt Postmaster Philip J. Price, made by fi'iends of Dr. D. M. Bate. Resolutions of contid(>nce in Price were adopted. W. B. Matthewson, Levi Chamberlain and Isaac Arnold formed the committee on resplutions. Horace Arnold was succeeded l)v (J. A. Allen in September, LSSo.

.V(7/.s (iiiil Millers. - The first grist-mill erected in this county was built in 1S21 by Ezra Brown and Case Brown, above Melmore. Here (George Free, of Bloom Township, brought the first grist and had it groinid l)y the enter])rising millers. John Kinger's grist-mill was erected on Honey Creek, below Melmore, in 1N27. The MoitIs grist-mill on Vanmeter Creek, near Honey Creek, received its power fi'om water drawn from the lake through a race. This mill was burned down some years ago. The Stonebreaker INIill on Honey Ci'eek. was operated by George M'. Cunningham in ISafi. The Warner Flouring-mill at Melmore. and the Meyer's Saw-mill are thriving industries. The Lotunis Mill on Section "2(1, the Huddle Mill on Section U. the mill and race in the bend of Honey Creek, Section 27,' the Grelle Mill, Stewart Mill and other industries mark the jirogi-ess of the township. '

In 1!S80. when it was evident that Melmore was to lose the line of the Mad Kiver \- Lake Erie Railroad the citizens joined together in an enterprise which i)romised to meet the loss of the pioneer railroad. The Melmore & Kepnl)lic Railroad Company was organized, books were opened at Jacob Bnskirk's Temperance Hotel (the pioneer temperance honse of Ohio), Melmore. at the Miller Tavern, at Republic, and Bradley's Washington House, Tiffin, in July, 1830, while the following named citizens and directors worked day and night to obtain a railroad for the \'illage: B. Hntchins, P. J. Price, Case Brown. M. Heaton. Selden Graves. T. J. Baker. W . Patterson. I. J. Halsey. William Cornell. T. P. Roberts. Samuel Waggoner. H. McCollister and Calvin BratUey.

Churcfu's. - The Methodist Society of Eden Township was the first organized in the county, about 1S21 or 1822. In 1828, this society erected the first l()f;-chiu-ch building on Section 28, in the Shock neighljorhood. Among the early preachers weri> James M'ilson, W. Brock, Martin G. W . Breckim-idge, J. IX. Jewett. Thomas Thompson and William Eunueels. all of whom preached in Eden Township, prior to 1818. The first class at Melmore was organized by Kev. Thomas Thompson, in Levi Cunningham's shop, no church building being then in existence in the village. The members of this class were ^\'illiam Brown, Rachel Lucretia Arnold Brown, Nancy Cunningham, Maria Coleman, Harriet Hoyt, Martin A\'elch. Sarah W(»lch; Martin Welch was the first class leader. Samuel Baker has been recording steward since 187.").

The first Methodist Episcojial Church in Melmore was built and dedicated in 1830, by L. B. (iurley. Thomas Thompson and Philip \\ areham were circuit preachers. The present church (1885), was built in 1850. and dedicated winter of 1850-51. Amroy Butterfield, of Melmore, was killed July 10, 1N80, while engaged in raising this Methodist meeting house. The preachers since 1848 are named as follows : Leonard Hill, 1848; Ralph Wilcox and C. Bavlor, 1849; W. C. Huestis and N. B. Wilson, 1850; Heniy Warner and George W. Collier. 1851; T. J. Monnett, 1852; L. S. Johnson and W. R. Kisler, 1853; W. M. Spafford, 1854; Uri Richards, 1855-50; Ralph Wilcox, 1855; John R. Jewett, 1857; Dennis Dreskell. 1857-58; Jesse Williams and Thomas Thompson, 1850; Newell J. Close and W\ C. Huestis, 1801; George "\\". Dunn, 1802; John McKean, 1808; George McKillips and Orlandt) Pearce, 1805; A. P. Jones, 1807; Thomas Thompson. 1807-08: T. J. Gard, Thomas Thompson and S. D. Seymour. 18()U; Luke S. Johnson. 18il: G. L. Hanawait. 1872: AV. C. Huestis and E. S. Thompkins. 1873; J. A. Kaull, 1874; Joshua Crawford, 1875; A. P. Jones, 1877; William Jones, 18(8; Joseph Mattock. 187U; T. J. Gard, 1881; James A. Kellam, 1885-80.

In 1830 the Rev. John Robinson j)reached to the Presbyterians of the county, and about this time the first Presbyterian Church was founded at Melmore. On the organization of the Presbj-terian Church at Tiffin inJidy, 1831, a number of the original members withtb'ew to join that society, and in September of the same year, the new society at Republic claimed another quota of (he old church membership.

The Presbyterian congregati(jn of Melmore, comprising the members of the first Presbyterian Church of Eden Township, was incorjiorated August lU. 1848, with Hugh McAllister. L(ivi Chamberlin and Benjamin M. Gibson, trustees, and R. McD. Gibson, clerk. Rev. A. D. Chapman was chairman of the meeting.

Throughout its early history the preachers named in the history of the Tiffin and Republic churches were identified with this church at Melmore. Rev.Mc- Cutchen followed Rev. Thompson; Revs. A. S. Dunton and John ^\'hipple filled the puli)it from 1837 to 1.S52.

The United Brethren Church of Melmore. the first established in Seneca County, was organized at Melmore. May 12. 1834, at the home of I'hilip Breta;. There were i)resent Samuel Hiestand. Jacob Bowlus, John Russell. John Eekert, Jacob Baer. Israel Herrington, D. Mechlin, Orange Strong, William Tracy. Nathan Smith, John Crum. John Alsap. Benjamin Moore, Henry Errett. John Smith. John Fry. Torence Esterly. Ludwick Cramer, James Track. H. Vreimberling. Jacob Crum. John Long. Philip Cramer. George

Hiskey, Henry Huber: Israel Hen-ington was ordained elder. In 1846 the conference met in the stone church, known as Bretz"s Meeting House, a mile up Honey Creek from !Melmore. This was the first United Brethren Church in the county and continued in use uutil about 1858. when the present chiu'ch at !Melmore was erected.

Up to 1 N48 Honey Creek was a part of Seneca Ch'cuit. but the conference held that year at JMelmore set off the Honey Creek Circuit as a mission of Seneca Circuit, with D. Glancy. preacher. In 180"), the missions known as Seneca Union, Honey Creek Chapel and Liberty were detached fi'om Seneca Cu'cuit, Base Line fi'om Benton Circuit, Berwick from Van Lue Circuit, and all formed into the Honey Creek Circuit, with Rev. Isaac Crouse, preacher. T. J. McKeeu came in 18(K); H. K. Berry, in 1807: B. Struble. in 1S(J8, with ^Villiam Mathers (Protestant Episcopal); W. Miller (Protestant Episcopal) in ISOIJ; \V. A. Keesv in 1870-71: C. Hepler, 1S72: E. B. Maurer, 187::i-74; H. C. Bevington, 187"r); W. AV. McCurdy. 187(j-77: N. S. Long, 1878-79; M, E. Spahr. 1880-81; G. P. Mackliu, 1.S82-83, and J. H. Arnold, 1884. The member.ship is 204.

The church of the Evangelical Association at Melmore. of which Kev. E. Wengard is pastor, is one of the old churches of this society in Seneca County.

Cemeteries. - The Buckeye Cemetery Association of Eden Township, composed of persons interested in the old cemetery on the farm of Solomon Brundage, was organized June 29, 1801, with Joseph Smith, Gamaliel Cowles and John Bigham, trustees. There are no less than live burial-grounds in the township. Of the Indian cemeteries not a vestige remains, if we escep)t the mysterious mound and fortification referred to at page 195.

Conclusion

This pastoral and picturesque division of Seneca was formed on foundations which promised teeming wealth and sunny prosperity, by the enterprising pioneer farmers who came here to stay and develop. Few of the original builders are here, but they live again, not only in the brighter land beyond the "swift Borysthenes, " but also here in spirit among the generations for which they labored late and early. The di-ama, which they tir.-t placed upon the stage, goes on, each year adding an act and each actor widening the scene, promising the play to hold the stage until the firmament is rolled uji, and time here ceases to be time. The hard hands which prepared the way forthe.se pretentious homes, these orchards, gardens, fields of golden grain; for filling the cities with the habitations of men, building schools, chiu-ches and all substantial evidences of Ijrosperity, are <juietly resting in old mother earth. The historian, conscious of a dixty, dwells among them for a time in study, and brings up a hundred names of those who commenced the work of civilization here, and blends them with present names, thus In-ingiug history down to our own times, and covering sixty-six years of the township's life under American laws, customs and manners.

BAKER FAMILY. Among the well known pioneer families of Seneca County, and of Eden Township, was the Baker family of four brothers: Franklin, Thomas, John and Richard, and four sisters : Mary Baker. Sophia Stearns. Lucretia Arnold, and Ann Knapp. They were the children of Judge Samuel Baker, a native of Branford, Conn., and a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Baker, who settled at Milford, Conn., in 1639, whence in 1650 he removed to East Hampton, L. I. , which town he represented in the Colonial Assemblies of New York and Connecticut. Dtiring the invasion of New York by Burgoyne, Samuel Baker, then a boy of thirteen, was captured by Indians, taken to Bui-goyne" s camp and sold to a British officer. He was released by the sun'ender of Burgoyne' s army, and afterward enlisted in Col. Marinus Willett's regiment and served until the close of the war. He was one of the first settlers in Steuben County; was for many years first judge, and one of the most prominent citizens of that county. Fi-aoklin and Thomas Baker came to Eden Township in ]8'22. Franklin entered the farm knovm as the Fmsted farm on the Kilboiu'ne road, where he resided until his death in 1831. Thomas entered the farm adjoining, and there lived until his death in 1863. Samuel Baker and Mrs. C. Y. Brundage. of Eden Township, and Mi's. Albert Ewer of Tiffin are children of Thomas Baker. His widow. Sarah B. Baker came to Seneca County with her father. Col. Boyd, in 1821, and since 1863 has resided in Tiffin. John Baker came soon after his brothers and settled upon the farm on Rock Creek upon which he died in 1876. Mary Baker, with her husl)and. Joseph Baker, settled in Scipio Township in 1822. Mr. and Mi's. Stearns set tied on Rock Creek in 1828. Ten years aftenvard Mr. Stearns died, and his widow married the late AVilliam Fleet, and soon afterward died. John B. and George W. Stearns, two of the largest farmers of Scipio Township, are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Stearns. Mi's. ELnapp and Mrs. Arnold removed to Garden Grove, Iowa, where they now live. Richard Baker, the youngest of the four brothers, came to Seneca County in 1835. and pirrchasing several small farms made the fine farm of 400 acres upon which he resided until 1871, and which is now owned by his son. Grattan H. Baker. In 1836 he was married to Fanny Wheeler, daughter of Grattan H. M'heeler. who was a member of Congress, and for many years a State Senator from Steuben County. N. Y. , and grand-daughter of Captain Silas Wheeler, who, in April, 1775. enlisted in Capt. Thayer's company of Rhode Island Volunteers: was at Bunker Hill: \Vith Arnold in his ten-ible march through the forests of Maine and Canada, to attack Quebec; was captm-ed in the unsuccessful attack on Quebec, in which Montgomery was killed and Arnold woimded. and kept a prisoner and in irons until August, 1776, when he was exchanged. He again entered the army: was again captiu-ed and taken to Ireland, whence he escaped to France through the aid of Henry Grattan, the Irish orator and patriot, after whom he named his only son. In 1871 Richard Baker removed to the farm adjoining Melraore, on which he now resides with his wife, whom ho brout:fht to what was then little more than a wilderness almost iifty years ago. Time and fortune have dealt kindly witli them both. A\'ith six sons and twenty gi-andchildren, into their family, death has never come. Notwithstanding (be weight of seventysevtMi years. ;\Ir. Eaker is still erect, vigorous, strong, self-reliant, but kind and tender-hearted. For years his class in the IMethodist Sunday-school (of which church he and his wife have been members for more than foiiy years) has been the infant class into which no child was too small to enter, and fi-om which no child was ever willing to go. Of the six sons of Richard and Fanny Baker, Silas is a farmer in Dickinson County, Kas. ; Frank, a lawyer in Chicago; Job, a farmer in "Wyandot County; Grattan H., a farmer, and the owner of the old homstead: Rali)h. a fanner at Garden Grove, Iowa, and Kiehard AV. , still at home. Richard Baker brought to his farm, in 1S;57, thirty jiure Spanish merino sheep, the first lirought into Seneca County, and probably the first in northern Ohio, and has been one of the most successful wool growers, as well as one of the liest grain farmeis in the county.

JOHN W. BARKICK. farmer, P. O. .^lorris. was born January, lSi7, in Frederick County, Md., son of George and Margaret (Cramer) Barrick, also natives of Maryland. George Barrick died in Maryland, and in 1840 his widow came to Ohio and settled in Eden Township, this county, where she died in IS'iS. Their children were six in number: William. Catharine (Mrs. Dean), Margaret (deceased), John W.. Maiy C. (widow of Mr. Shriner) and All)oi-t. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1S39. with Catharine S. Devilbiss, by whom ho has seven cliildi-en: George M'.. mairied to Elizabeth Ogden; Simon F., married the first time to Martha Burnsido (by whom he had one child, Howard: and the second time to Ella Kemp, by whom he has one daughter, Bertha); Margaret, wife of A. Cox: Virginia R. : Alice A. ; Marj- C. ; and Walter, man-ied to Sarah Kemp. Mrs. Barrick died in 18S1. 0»u' subject, in 1840, moved on the farm where he has since lived, and which was partly improved. He has been very siiccessful; has served as assessor, assisttant assessor, and as school director. He is a member of the Reformed ChiU'ch of Tiffin.

JAMES H. BRINKERHOFF. farmer, P. O. Melmore. was born 3Iarch IT, ISIU. in Gettysburg, Adams Co., Perin. ; son of Hez<>kiah and Jane (Kerr) BrinkerhofT, natives of Pennsylvani;i. Hezekiah Briiikerhoff came to Ohio in 1834, and settled in Seneca Townshij), this county, where he purchased land, made a home for his famOy. and there remained until his death in 1847. Of his ten children six are now living: Alexander W,, Sarah J., Margaret M. , John N., George F. and James H. Oiu- subject, who received his education in his native State, taught school after coming to Ohio. He was roared on a faiTQ, and has follow(>d agricultural pursuits as an occup;ition. Mr. Brinkerhoff was twice married; first, in 1843, to Esther McGeehan, who bore him one child; Robert A., married to Flora Stewart (have two children). Oiu- subject was married on second occasion, October 23, 185'J, to Sarah A. Marquis, and to this iinion wore born two children: Nelson M. , maiTiinl to Mary F. Bums, and Elizabeth, wife of G. A. Bassett. Mi\ Brinkerhoff is one of Eden Township's thorough-going farmers and good business men. Politically, he is a Republican.

JOHN L. CROSS, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born July 17. 1812. in Berkeley County, Va. ; son of John (a farmer) and Deborah (Comegys) Cross, na tives of Maryland, and who came to Ohio in 1828, settling in Eden Township, this county; their family. Maria, Benjamin C John L. , Deborah A. and Cornelius, accompanying them. Of this family only John L. and Deborah A..

(Mrs. Boroff) sui-vive. Here John Cross entered a piece of animproved land, and began the life of a pioneer. Oiu' subject has lived in this coiinty since ho was sixteen years old. He was mairied. in 183'J. to Eliza, daughter of Henry and Sarah Boroff. of Yu'ginia, and who was one of four ehildien to come with their widowed mother to this county, their father having died in Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Cross have been born seven childi-en: Mary E. (wife of A. ^\"oolpert), Henry C. (maiTied to Marj' R. Geary^, Hamilton J. (married to Susan Kinser). Newton (man-ied to Ida Geary), Lewis C, Beujamiu F. and Eliza J. (The three last named are deceased.) Our subject owns a farm of 11(2 acres in this countv, and eighty acres in Wvandot County. Ohio.

WILLIAM R. DE TRAY, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born Jime 1(), 1811, iu the village of Johnson, R. I., a son of Anthony and Amy (Mathewson) De Tray, the latter a native of Rhode Island. Anthony De Tray, born in Connecticut, emigrated to New York State in 1S21. where he remained until 1822. when he came to Ohio and settled in Crawford Cotuity. near Melmor(>, and there spent the remainder of his days. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters: Amy, widow of Philip Pei'dew: Jackson, who died in Michigan; Nancy, formerly the wife of R. Weeks, now Mi's. Bartlett. and William R. Our subject was manied, December 28. 18-S6, to Mary S,, daughter of Robert Weeks, and bj' this union were born six ehikb'eu : Mary E. . now Mrs. Ebersole (the only one surviving, has one child named Minniej, and Annie. Anthony W.. Charles, Alice and Willie, all deceased. Anthony W. had two childi-eu: William W. and Josephine. Mi'. De Tray came to this county and settled in Eden Township, where he still resides, having a farm of 160 acres of land, with tine improvements, located on the Melmore Road. He is a thorough -going and successful farmer, and a highly respected citizen. The family are members of the ilethodist Episcopal Church of Tiffin and Rock Creek.

JOHN L. DOWNS, farmer, P, O. Melmore. was born August 22. 1812, in Ross County, Ohio: son of John and Caroline (Holden) Downs, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentuekj'. John Downs, Sr. . came to Seneca County in 182 1 . and with his brother entered 4S() acres of land, which he aft«»rward took himself. In 182;! he came again, and let the job of clearing ten acres and putting up a cabin. The following year he brought his family and began pioneer life. There were fourteen children in his family, four of whom are living: Catharine (Mrs. P. Minich), Eliza M. (ilrs. J. Corbett). Lemuel, a neighboring farmer, and John L. Our subject was married, in 1845, to Margaret A. \\'heatou, Viorn in Brown County. Ohio, daughter of Jehosaphat AVheaton. and who bore him ten children: Jam(>s (deceased), Frances A., Orville. Caroline (deceased wife of C. H. Funk, had one child - Nettie M. ), Sarah J., Lehre, Katie. Dora, Ida M. and Mertie (latter died iu infancy). Mr. Downs ofcujiies the land which his father entered, now a well-improved fann of 200 acres. Having been a successful farmer, he is now enjoying the finiits of his lal)or. His ih'st vote was cast for Martin Van Buren for President.

WILLIAM FERGUSON, farmer, P. O. Rockaway, a native of Penn.sylvania. was born May 6, 1817; son of Thomas and Jane (Marshall) Ferguson, also natives of Pennsylvania, and who were the parents of twelve children (all of whom grew to matiu'ity and had families), nine surviving. Our subject, the second born, is the only one of the family now living in Ohio, the others reside in Virginia, Pennsylvania. Illinois and Missoiui. William Ferguson received his education iu his native State. There he was married, in l843. to Martha C. Tittle, by which union there were six children (two now living): an infant (deceased, not named); Marshall Beatty. educated at Heidelberg College and fjvaduated from Wooster University, and was one year at Princeton Theological Seminary of New Jersey, and died soon after, March -], 1877; J. T., di(>d July '2f), 1850: and J. A., died June 7. ISO'i: Thomas Calvin received his education in Heidelberg College, and was maiTied to Gusta Philips (have foui' children; Nellie May, Martha Louise, (iraceand Kate); and \\'illiam Wilson, who received his education at Hi'i<lelberg College, and graduated at Iron City College, Pittsburgh, Penn.. and inamed Tilly Outhwait. William Ferguson came to Seneca County in 1X45. and lirst lived on Silver Creek, afteiward purchasing tlii! fanii of forty acres on which he now resides, and to which he h;is added thirty acres from the old Clark farm and sixty acres from Mr. Breininger"s farm. ^Ir. Ferguson has been fully alive to the advantages of his childi-en, giving them good education. His grandfather, William Marshall, was held prisoner l)v the Indians in this countv at an earlv dav.

DR. W. D. FLEET, farmer. P. O".. Tiffin, was born January 8. 1849, in Eden Township, this county, son of William and Eliza Ann (Ogden) Fleet, natives of New York State. William Fleet, who began in the world a ])oor boy, came to Ohio in 188(1 and settled in Eden Township, where he worked by the month for u time: afterward he went to Indiana, where he entered land near Waterloo: while there, on one occasion, he was lost in the woods and remained with a tribe of friendly Indians until morning when they put him on thi' right track for Fort Wayne; he was twice man-ied, on first occasion to Sophia Sterns, by whom there is one child living, Mrs. Sophia Nolan; he was again married, this time to Eliza .Vun, daughter of Amos Ogden, and she bore him five children: Dr. WilliainD. : Frank, married to G. H. Baker: Abram K. , married to Hattie Wood; Lucy M. . maiTied to Newton Ward: and Grettie L. William Fleet. Sr. . had about l.nOO acres of land in Eden Township, this county, which was divided among his family at his death, which occurred June 20, 1880. He extensively engaged in stock-raising, was a successful farmer, and gave his children the advantage of a good education. Our subject was married, February 15, 1870. to Laura, daughter of James Dunlai>, of ^Vyandot County. Ohio, by whom he has three chikfren living: William, Nellie M. and Eliza. Dr. W. D. Fleet and his brother Abraham occujiy the old home farm in Eden Township.

SAMUEL HERIN. farmer. P. O.. Melmore. was born August 21. IS] 2, in Columbia County. Penn.. son of James and Mary (Smith) Herin. He is a grandson of Richard Smith, a native of England (who was sold to pay his jmssage to America) and John Herin. who came from Ireland, and both of whom were early settlers in the United States. James Herin (father of siibject) was united in man'iage in Bucks County. Penn., and had a family of ton chililren, of whom four are now living: Joseph, Hannah. David and Samuel. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1828, with his parents, and settled near Tiffin, this county, where his father entered eighty acro>s of land, making some improvements. He bought 100 acres of land on which he lived and wlioro he died in 18;5;l His widow, W'ho survived him five years, resided in Risdon (now Fostoria). Oiu- subject was man-ied. in 1885. to Tabitha A., daughter of A;u-on Umsted. and they were blessed with four childi'en: Mary E. (deceased); Ann C. (deceased): Caroline D. . wife of Philip Garrick (have seven children); Jennie L. . wife of Alfred P. Cook (have one child). Mr. Herin was elected justice of the peace in 1845. which position he retained nine years; he served three terms as coroner in the early history of the county; was county treasurer from 1850 to 1808. Previously he had bought the farm on which he now lives, and on which he settled at the expiration of his term as county treasurer. Mr. Herin. who is a genial, kindly old gentlemen, lost his wife in 1881 and has since made liis: home with his son-in-law Mr. Cook. He sold the laud on which the county infirmary was erected. His famUy were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he himself is not a member of any sect. Politically he is a Democrat.

EDEN LEASE, farmer, P. O., Melmore, was born October 29, 1818, in Frederick County, Md. , son of Heniy and Barbara (Jacobs) Lease, also natives of Maryland, where they lived and died. Of their seven children, six came to Ohio: Otho (deceased). Joseph (deceased), Jacob, Eden, Heni-y and Maiy (latter now Mrs. Walsh). The subject of oui- sketch early came to Ohio, arriving in this county May 17, 1885, where he went to work at his trade (carpentering), which he carried on in connection with running a saw-mill for some years. He was elected sheriff of the county in the fall of 184(3, and was reelected, serving in all four years. After this he commenced agriculture, purchasing a farm of Dr. Coon, which he afterward sold, then bought the property on which ho now resides. Mr. Lease was united in marriage, October 12, 1S43, with Mary, daughter of John Keller, of Clinton Township, this county, and by this luiion there were born eight childi-en: John D. ; Jesse (deceased in infancy); Lewis C. ; Ami (deceased in infancy): Clinton D. ; Almeda E., wife of James B. Gibbs, of Eden Township, this county; Maiy A., wife of Milton McComic: and Clementine B. Mr. Lease is now occupying a pleasant farm which is well-improved. He has filled the office of justice of the peace three years, and also served as infirmarv director for six vears.

WILDMAN LOOMIS. farmer," P. O. Tiffin, a descendant of one of the pioneers of this county, was born March 24, 1819, in Fremont. Sanduskj' Co., Ohio, son of Keuel and Anna (Lyon) Loomis. who had three sons: Samuel C, Rudolphos L. and Wiklman (the latter being the only siu-vivor). Reuel Loomis, a native of Massachusetts, came thence to Michigan, arriving in Detroit in 1811. where he was taken prisoner by the British and kejit in confinement for six months after Hull" s siuTender ; he then settled in Fremont, Sandusky Co.. Ohio, in 1814, where he remained until 1822, when he came to Eden Township, this county, and here lived on Section 16, untU his death in 1852, his widow following in 1857. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and also made shoes for his neighbors in an early day. Our subject was educated in Seneca County. He was married, in October, 1839, to Miss Catharine, next to the youngest in the family of nine children of George Myers. This union was blessed with five children: George, manied to Susan Beery: Elizabeth (deceased); Lucy, wife of Matthias Wagely (died leaving foui' childi'en); Maiy (deceased while young), and Omar, married to Alice AVoolf (have one child). All the family reside in this county. INIiv Loomis enlisted during the late war of the Rebellion, in 1804, serving 100 days as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment, under Col. Lee and Capt. Benj. M. Gipson. Mrs. Loomis took charge of the farm diuing his absence. Our subject lives on his father" sold farm, and on which the first schoolhouse (a log cabin, with slab desks and b;mches) in the township was built. He is one of the leading farmers aud has served many vears, at different times as constable.

ROBERT M. C. MARTIN'(deceased) was horn September 18. 1822. in Perry County. Ohio; son of Samuel and iLary Martin, natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to Seneca 'County in 1827. Samuel Martin first bought a tract of land in Scipio Township, which ho traded for land on Section 19, Eden Township, holding the same until his death, though he purchased other property at different time-s. Of his children, eight in number, five now survive; Absalom. Samuol, Natha", Nancy and Hannah. Hugh, one of the sons, and who became a noted lawyer, read law uuder Gen. Gib.so:i. opened practice in Iowa, and W!is killed by a rolling houldor at Colorado. Oiu- subject, the eldest son, received a fair education, and was reared a farmer. He was married, October 12. 1848, to Miss Barl>ara. dau<rhter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Wrouff) Kagy. and by this union there were thirteen ehildi-en, ten now living: Mary E.. Samuel S., Hannah J. (llrs. Clinton Lease), Eliza E., Isaac R. (married to Hattie Hovorstock), John V., Hugh Mc, Charles E.. Francis A. and Anna C. Robert M. C. Martin was a successful farmer, having acquired several large farms, together with everything that denotes prosjjerity. He was apjjointed county recorder to fill an unexpired term, and then was elected and subsequent ly re-elected to .this office. He was present at the last reunion of the Kagy family, where there were over 100 members of the family gathered. He died April 4. 1879. leaving his property to his widow during her life time, ami at her demise, to his childi-en. Mrs. Martin and some of her childi-en occup}- the homestead. She is a pleasant lady, striving to make home comfortable for her family.

DANIEL PRICE, farmer, P. O. Melmore,was born March 24, 1835, in Eden Township this county; son of Jacob and Esther (Heisbaum) Price, natives of Virginia, who came to Ohio in 1828. and settled on Section 20, in Eden Township, where Jacob Price's father-in-law entered land the same year, and where he liegan as a pioneer, having to cut the bushes to enable him to turn his team. Jacob Price's children were eleven in number, four living: Isaac. Daniel, Joseph and Esther, wife of Abraham Saul, residing in Indiana; all educated in Eden Township, this county. Our subject was married, in 18")'.). to Delila, daughter of Thornton Cross, and to this union was born one child. G. C. Price. The mother of this child died April 4, 1864, and Mr. Price then married, in 1867, Martha, daughter of Henry Berry, by which union there were fom- children : Pearl (deceased). Harvy, Robert M. and Dallas J. (latter deceased). Daniel Price' s parents are deceased, and he now occupies the old home farm, comprising 160 acres, well-improved and watered by streams. Mr. Price's family are members of the United Brethren Church.

LOREXZO ROGERS, farmer. P. O. Melmore, was born April 29. 1819. in Lake County. Ohio, son of Barnabas and Polly (Rider) Rogers, natives of Vermont and Connecticut res[)ectively, and who were parents of three children: Lorenzo. Orange and Martha, latter now widow of A. Lee, residing in Michigan. Barnabas Rogers, a tanner and currier by trade, when a young man came to Ohio on foot, carrying a kit of tools, making shoes as he joiu-neyed. He entered land December 24, 1824, and erected the first cabin on his place, in the township, where he engaged in cutting timber, farming, and part of the time working at his trade, establishing also a tannery, which he canned on for several years. He was a member of the Baptist Church. He died in 1879; his wife died in 1874. Our sul)ject received his early education in Eden Township. Ho was twice man-ied. the first time to Susan Babcock, by whom he had two children, both now living: Luther, married to Mai-y Sailor, and Eliza, mnrried to John Nichols. His second man-iage was with Mrs. Lucinda Shomaker. and by this union there is one child living, Mattie M. Our subject, who has been one of the prominent farmers of the township, and is a well-todo citizen, not being in the best of health, has rented his farm and now occupies a pleasant home of twenty acres on Section 27. He has served his township as trustee. Politicallv he is a Republican.

SAMUEL SAUL, farmer. P. O. Tiffin, was born September 2"), 1801. in Northi iipton County, Penn., son of Leonard and Eve (Hubrecht) Saul, who were the parents of ten children. Leonard Saul, a native of Germany, came to America and to Mahoning County, Penn., when but six years old. with his parents, who had a family of live sons and two daxighters. four living - three of whom are residents of Ohio: John. Man,' (Mrs. Raider, a widow in Franklin County), and Samuel. Leonard Said came to Ohio in 1815 and settled in Franklin County, purchasing land, where he lived the remainder of his days. Our subject has been twice man'ied. first in Fairfield County, Ohio, to Miss Ann Spitler. and by this union had seven childi-en: Edward (deceased), was married to Lovina Kagy; Rachael. wife of David Fowley; Abraham, niamed to Hester Price; Eliza (deceased wife of William Martin); Regina. wife of Michael Bair; Ann, wife of Thomas Singer; Elizabeth, wife of W. Southerland. This wife dying. Mr. Saul was subsequently maiTied to ili\s. Catharine (Slimmer) Coleman, a widow, by whom he had three childi-en: Jesse, married to Sarah Kirshner (have one son, L. H. ). and occupies the farm north of the homestead: Martha, wife of Davied Geis; Mary, a maiden lady keeping hoiiae for her father (who is partially blind), her mother having died in 1877. Foiu of Mr. Saul's children reside in this county. Oui- subject came to this county in 1S2S, began pioneer life, enteiing eighty acres of land, and built a house where he still resides. He was a leading farmer in his earlier days. Was elected county commissioner, seiwing six vears.

JOHN SEITZ. farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born March 12, 1829. in Bloom Township, this county; son of Lewis and Barbara (Kagj-) Seitz. natives of Fah'field County, Ohio, and Virginia, respectively, and grandson of Lewis Seitz, Sr. , and great-grandson of John Seitz. who with his young wife came to York County, Penn., from Prussian Germany in 17(57. He reared a family of nine childi'en - three sons. Lewis, John and Andi'ew, and six daughters: Catherine, Anna Mary (married Zeller, and Stabler), and the four youngest girls came to Fairfield County. Ohio, and were married to Keller, to Einsel. to Leib and to Swartz. respectively. John lived and died in York County, Penn. . after rearing a family of fourteen ehildi'en : Andrew moved to ilaiyland. Lewis Seitz, Sr. . left York County, Penn.. in 1789. and moved to Rockingham County, Va. , where he remained twelve years, and there had ten children. In 18(tl he moved to Fau-field County (one of its fii'st settlers). Here four more children were born; foiu'teen of the family gi-ew to manhood and womanhood and reared families, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to be over sixty years of age, and of whom two now survive: Lewis (father of o\\r subject) and Rebecca (]\Irs. Friesner. of Illinois). Lewis Seitz. Jr., came to Seneca County in 1825. locating on lands his father had entered, and here began as his father had done before him as a jiioneer. and like his father he was a minister of the Old School Baptist Church, and labored among the people for many years. Lewis Seitz. now eighty-thi'ee years old, was twice married, his children by his first wife numbering foiu'teen: (Catharine. Lydia. Elizabeth, John. Marv',Anna. Daniel, Barbara, Hannah, Abraham, Lewis, Aaron, Lavina and Jonas, eight of whom are living (Daniel and Jonas died in infancy). Om- subject was reared on a farm, educated at the common schools and Seneca County Academy, then under Prof. T. \\'. Harvey. He was married. April 9, 1N51. to Miss Celia. daughter of David Hite. a pioneer of Marion County. Ohio, and by hw he has had seven children, five now li^^ng: Milford K. , Omar B. (married to Susie Richardson). Marshal. May (wife of R. ^\". Thornburg), Nettie, Orin and Jay. The three oldest sons are in Texas, engaged in sheep rearing. Our subject was elected justice of the ])eace of Bloom Township in 1802, which office he held till 18(55, when he removed to Eden Town.ship, where he purchased a farm which is now finely cultivated and improved. He was elected a member of the State Legislatiu-e of Ohio in 1869. where he served four vears. aft(>r which, in the fall of 187;l he was elected to the Senate from the

Thirty-flrst District of Ohio, which [W-sitioii lie hold two years; was ro cloctoil in IS (7. and after sorving four years roturnod to his farm. ]Mr. Soitz. dnrin<; his second term in the Oliio Senate introduced a lull which became and is now law: to make it a felony to bribe or intimidate a voter at any general election, or during th(^ canvass of any candidate for "nomination" or election, and makes a guilty candidate ineligible to hold the office, though elected. This statute is now known throughout the State as "the Seitz election law." Of the legislative r(>cord of Mr. Seitz it is said of him in the biographical sketches of the General Assembly of Ohio (H/M) and other State officials: "He has made a brave member of the Senate; brave because it requires courage of the highest order for a representative of the p(>ople to feai'lessly fight the schemes of a powerful and active lobby, whit^h is doing more legislation than the Lpgislature. Mr. Seitz has l)een severe in his ;idvocacy of retrenchment in public expenditiu-es, and has justly earned the title of -"the watch dog of the treasury.'" In 1S80 he was a candidate for Congi-ess on the Greenback labor ticket, and in 1881 candidate for governor, on same ticket. He is a leading politician, and in 1882 was before the people as candidate for Congi-ess, making no canvass. In 1888 he was candidate for State Treasm-er. and in 1884 was cjindidate (Greenback labor ticket) as elector at large.

JOHN TITTLE, farmer, P. O. Melmore. was born November 20, 1820. in Westmoreland County, Penn.. son of Jonathan and Susan (Beaty) Tittle, also natives of Pennsylvania. Jonathan Tittle came to Ohio in 1840, and settled on Honey Creek, Eden Township, this county, where he bovight a farm of Thomas West, of which a few acres were cleared, now one of the most valuable farms in Eden Township, with line improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Tittle had six sons and three daughters when they came to this county, and were parents in all of eleven children: Martha C. (wife of William Ferguson), John, Sarah, two infants (deceased). Ralph W. (manied to Agnes Spittle). Benjamin B. (man'ied to Rachael Finch). Jonathan. Allen (married to Amanda Johnson), William W. (married to Emily Johnson), Samuel W. (man-ied to Hattio Beals). Our subject was united in mamage. in June, 1857, with Lina, daughter of John and Nancy (Weidner) Chamb(>rland. Mr. and ]Mi-s. Tittle have no chiklren of their own, but liave an adopted daughter, Lottie. Our subject now owns the old home farm on which his parents lived, and is a thrifty, neat fanner living at his ease, enjoying the fruits of his labor. He has served as township trustee.

JOSEPH WALTER, P. O, Tiffin, a well-to-do farmer of Eden Township, was born September 4, 1832, in Northumberland County, Penn., only child of David and Nancy (Huntsicker) Walter, who came to Ohio in the fall of 1851. purchasing a farm and settling in Richland County. David \\' alter di(>d in Mansfield. Ohio, in 18(i4; his widow now makes her home with her son. Our subject received his education in his native State. He was a fanner in his earlier days, but later entered the dnig business at Mansfield, in which he continuetl for ten years. He was man'ied, in 1855, to Susan, daughter of Joel Keller, of Pennsylvania, and who came to Ohio in an early day, settling near Mansfield. Of their children, eight in number, four are now living: Anna E. : David K. : Amos J., married to So])hia Ker.schner (have one child. Grace), and Albert C. Mr. Walter came to this county in the spring of 1880. and jnir chased, of Samuel J. Seed, the farm of 157 acres, with fine improvements, located on the Mohawk road, where he now resides. He is proprietor i)i the hack lines of Tiffin,