Fulton Township (part 8 of 34)

Switzerland were the following! 1st, Jacob Kibler and wife, Susan Meister, and seven children; 2nd, John George Meister and wife, Margaret Keller, and 12 children; 3rd, John 1 an Gundy, a widower, having four children

"Our immigrants, in view of their large families and limited means, after due consultation resolved to go further west, and select lands for themselves. The following persons were chosen to make selections: Jacob Kibler, J. George Meister, Christian Rupp, and Peter Wyse. Mr. Wyse, a resident of Wayne county, accompanied them in the capacity of guide and interpreter. In the meantime, the rest of the immigrants remained in Wayne county. The committee appointed proceeded on foot to Putman county, but finding there the land too wet and level, and solid timber too scarce, they went into the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana. There they found the land and timber much the same as in Putman county. From Fort Wayne they came back to Defiance, Ohio. There they heard of one Joseph Bates, eighteen miles north, a noted hunter, and a. man with a broad and accurate knowledge of the country. Mr. Bates then lived on what is now known as the John Shilling Farm, in the southwestern part of Franklin Township, Fulton county. To him they gladly came. They found him to be the locate. They selected eight hundred acres of land, went to the LT. S. Land Office, at Wapakoneta, and entered the same, after which they returned to Wayne county, having spent two weeks in the business, and having done all the travelling on foot. The next important practical question was how, with their families and goods, to reach their newlv-acquired lands in the wild woods, a hundred and sixty, or more, miles distant. To accomplish this five wagons and five yoke of oxen were purchased. Each of the five families that went to the new homes purchased a wagon and yoke of oxen. The following are the families and persons who first came to what is now German Township, and made the first settlement therein : 1st, Jacob Binder and wife and the following of his children : Anna, Jacob, Sophronia, and Regina. Mr. Binder's other daughters came a little later: 2nd, Christian Lauber, wife and four children ; 3rd, Jacob Kilber and the following of his children : Jacob, George, Heronimus, Elizabeth and Mary. Mrs. Kilber, Susan and Melchoir remained for a time in Wayne county: 4th,

J. George Meister, and the following of his children: Jacob, George, John, and Anna. His wife and other children came later; 5th, .John Van Gundy, and his three children, Joseph, the fourth and youngest, dying at Providence, on the way out from Wayne county.

"Accompanying these families were Nicholas King, Samuel Burkholder, Christian Reigseker and Nicholas Gehr, otherwise called Nicholas Wenger, because Mrs. Wenger, a widow lady, brought him to this

In crossing the river, there being no bridge. Mr. Binder, with his wagon, struck a large stone, and but for the help of the others would have been unable to extricate himself. Having crossed the river they proceeded westward to Napoleon, which place they reached after a very tedious journey (of sixteen days) having travelled at the rate of about ten miles log house. This, our subject thinks, was occupied, in part at least, by a man named Wolfe, others say by a Mr. Hueston. It is not improbable

They finally decided to employ a surveyor to locate the most direct route. They estimated that no more than two days would be required to do this. Eight men accompanied the surveyor, to blaze trees, and otherwise assist in the work. At the end of the first day, the company found that they had advanced only eight miles. Here, in the thick woods and countless' myriads of mosquitos, they were compelled to camp for the night. Realizing that the supply of food for the trip was inadequate, they despatched two of their men to Napoleon for additional rations, the remaining men continuing the survey. Instead of at Lauber's Hill, the surveyors came out where the village of Burlington now is, two miles west of the point aimed at. When they finally reached the place sought, it was night, and they were without food, shelter, or bed to sleep on. To still further add to their discomfort, a heavy rain and thunderstorm came on, and they all became thoroughly wet to the skin. They built a large fire and stood about it with clothes wringing wet, the long, long night through, the wind blowing, the tops of the trees waving, the thunder roaring, and the lightning flashing. . . .most of the night. In the morning, without supper or breakfast, without sleep or rest, and still wet, they had no alternative but to begin their return men with the provisions ordered. Scarcely ever, perhaps, was food devoured with keener relish. The night following they camped where they had. . . .the first night. . . .The next day they reached Napoleon. Here they found six of their companions down, sick with those other plagues of the West, fever and ague. Orders however, were at once issued for all who had 'hands and feet,' to lay hold and open a road on the surveyed line, the wagons and all together advancing as the road was opened. At meal times, forks were driven into the ground, on which poles were placed. On these, pots for cooking were hung. Water was secured, such as it was, from holes dug two or three feet in the ground At night, they slept in their wagons, or otherwise, as best they could, and fought mosquitos with fire and smoke. After eleven long days spent in severe toil and slow movement, they finally reached, August 22nd, 1834, the point in the forest where they proposed to make their future homes. Here in the deep woods, without a house, or a foot of cleared land, strangers, unacquainted with the laws of the country and its general customs and language, more than four thousand miles from their native land, totally ignorant of frontier life and of its methods and instruments of labor, many of them, too, already sick, and thirty miles or more from market or doctor, the situation was gloomy indeed. In the face of all these difficulties and discouragements, the heroic people resolved bravely to persevere in their effort to make for themselves independent homes. For a time they slept in their wagons, and under roofs constructed of brush and leaves. The first house built was a cabin, about 20x24 feet, on Mr. Christian Lauber's land, about thirty rods north of the site of the brick house, in which Samuel Lauber, a grandson, now resides. By reason of sickness, only six men of all the settlers were able to help put up the house. Joseph Bates, and his hired man, kindly came about six miles, and greatly assisted in raising the building. It took them two days of hard labor to erect it . . . Other buildings, of a similar character, were soon after erected for the different other families, on their respective lands, except that for Mr. Binder, because of his disability occasioned by constant illness for six months, a small cabin was built near Mr. Lauber's house and on his land. Of this cabin, about 12x14 feet, one half the floor was made of split puncheons. The other half was the ground. In this shanty, without chimney - the fire being built on the ground - -the Binder family lived

In the spring, the family and goods in the house were about the color of smoked ham. While smoke thus gave the settlers annoyance it did them almost invaluable service, in shielding way of Napoleon. This made the distance about forty-five miles. It generally took a week's time to drive there and back with there ox teams, over such roads as they then had. The roads, especially in wet weather, another of the settlers, took a wagon and two yoke of oxen, and went to Maumee for provisions. On their way back they reached Brush Creek, about two miles distant from their homes. The creek at that time was wide and deep, the ground underneath soft, and from the long journey with the wagon and load, over bad roads, the oxen were jaded and tired. Still, impelled by a keen sense of their nearness to their homes and with the knowledge of the necessity of being there with the provisions, they urged the oxen into and half way across the stream. There, however, the oxeri stopped, being entirly exhausted. All effort to get them to move on was fruitless. It was night, and the men unyoked the wagon, and went to their homes. Returning next morning, they found the wagon and oxen where they had left them the evening before. It was cold, and during the night ice had frozen over the creek. The tails of the cattle were actually frozen fast in the ice. The men broke the ice over the water, waded in and drove the oxen out, and home, leaving the wagon and provisions. The followng night the ice froze so solid that the men came next day and slid the provisions over the stream on the ice.

"Sometimes, from waiting too long before starting to mill, or from detention on the way, the settlers came near perishing for want of food. Raccoons, woodchucks, the flesh of animals that had starved to death, wild weeds, vegetables not esteemed fit for human food, and bran and water mixed, were used for food, in order to keep soul and body together. For the cattle, for sometime after the settlement began, little grass or hay could be secured. To keep their cattle alive winters - they had no horses for years - trees were cut down by the settlers that of food. Why, it may be asked did not these people kill wild game in the woods, where, in large numbers, such game abounded? The answer is, those people were not hunters, and had for quite a time says they never had any relish for hunting. lie, in common with the rest of the first settlers, very much preferred chopping, rail-making, and kindness of his three sisters, Catherine, Anne, and Barbara, who obtained from fifty to seventy-five cents a week by employment among residents along the Maumee River, Mr. Binder tells us, he believes his father and the family would have certainly perished."

Despite all handicaps, however, these determined pioneers eventually conquered, and gradually won much more than the mere wherewithal to live ; they developed agricultural estates such as they never thought, while they were still in their native land, it would be ever their good fortune to own.

There were no other settlers in German Township in 1834, and before the end of that year two of the sons of Mr. Meister died of ague. Physicians were unobtainable, and only simple home medicines were available.

The settlers in 1835, according to Albert S. Fleet, who wrote a "History of German Township," in about 1876, were Augustus Hull and wife; Peter Wyse, wife, and children; Christian Funkhouser; Peter Leithy ; Peter Rupp ; W. Grisier and family ; Christian Beck and family ; Nathan, Job and John Borton and their mother; Bethuel Borton and wife; Joseph Borton and family. The last named family came from New Jersey, and settled on Bean Creek.

In 1836, John Reynolds and his sons, Isaac, Adna and John came from Vermont, and settled on the east bank of Bean Creek, on land now in Franklin Township; Jonathan and Dorsey Barnes, with their familias, came from Virginia; George Ditto and family came from Seneca County, Ohio; Daniel Schad (Shorr) and family, direct from France;

Settlers in German Township in 1837 were Samuel Burkholder and family; Peter Naufsinger (Nofziger) and John Rivnaugh (Rufenact), from Europe; -John Lutes, Henry Lutes and family, from another part of Ohio; George Johnson, William Johnson, and Benjamin Lee, from England; Samuel Gibbons and family, and Joseph Naufsinger (Nofziger), from France. Roswell Reynolds and family also came and settled near his father, John Reynolds. About the same time, says Roseborough, "old Mr. Eaton came out from Seneca, county purchased a farm on the west bank of Bean Creek, about a mile south of where Johnson's mill was subsequently erected, laid out a portion of it into town lots, and called it Eatonburg. A few log houses were put up, and a small store started by one Montgomery Hooker Fitch, a half-breed Indian, who sold the first goods that were ever sold in German Township. One Hastings was, it is thought, the next merchant. Eatonburg was the first village in the township. There is but little of it now remaining, and what does remain looks shabby enough to warrant one in believing that it was built at least a century before Noah's Ark," stated J. W. Roseborough, writing of German Township in 1870. Another settler in 1837 was Benjamin Brown, who later 'became prominent in the township. Lie came from Vermont and settled on section 17. He was a son-in-law of John Reynolds.

In 1838, among the incoming settlers were John Wyse, James and Joel Smith and families, Christian Becknor (Rychener), Peter and Jacob Rupp and families and Jacob Deppler. Verity also recorded the following as among the immigrants of that year: Samuel B. Darby; Jacob G. Wilden (or Wildin) and family; Jonathan Rogers and family; James F. Rogers and family ; Michael Gish; John Reid, and Henry Roth. Fleet's version is that James Rogers and wife came in 1842 ; Jonathan Rogers in 1846 ; and the Wilden family in 1842. Albert G. Fleet came in 1840, and became quite prominent in agricultural movements, being president of the county agricultural society for many years; therefore it is probable he was able to become very intimate with the farming families of his own township. His record is consequently here given" first place. He stated that Joseph Sander and family, Hugh Fairfield and family, and Augustus Clair and family came in 1839; that Joseph Schad (Short), Fred Crouse (Krauss), Peter Weaver (Weber), and Jacob Leininger, with their families, came in 1840; that John Leininger and family came in 1841; that Peter Clopfenstein (Klopfenstein), and Anthony T. Moine and families, settled in 1842; that Joseph Rupp came in 1843 ; Joel Smucher (Schmucher) and family, in 1844; Moses Stutzman, Warren McCutcheon and family, Peter Grim and family, and A. Grim and family, in 1845.

Other recorders agree that the following named pioneers ca'me into German Township, to settle therein, between 1840 and 1850: George Gasche, Jacob- Lipe (Lupp), Samuel Ames, Peter Short, George Betts, John L. Betts, Jacob Vernier, George Vernier, J. A. Wolverton, J. P. Flory, Jacques Grisier, and many others.

Henry and John Lutes were both local preachers of the M. E. church. Both later took active and leading part in the affairs of the community.

"The first mill put up in German that was worth any great credit to the township, as an industry, was put up on the west bank of Bean Creek, where the State road crosses the creek upon section 7, running to West Unity. A grist and saw mill, run by the waters of Bean Creek, was put up by the two brothers, William and George Johnson, on lands bought by them as early as 1836. They were Englishmen. They commenced building the mills in 1841, and completed them in 1842, so as to saw and grind for the inhabitants. The industry was a good one, and the proprietor's made themselves well off. Before the erection of this mill in German Township, the nearest mill was at Evansport, on Bean Creek, ten miles southwest; the next was at Medina and Canandaigua, Mich., some 25 miles north ; and one at Defiance, Gilead and Maumee, on the Maumee. This forever after put a stop to long trips, to a large scope of country, and very much lightened the burdens of pioneer life.

The Johnsons carried on the 'milling business until about 1857, when George Johnson, one of the firm, died. The labor was assumed by the sole partner, William, and afterwards sold and transferred to Reverend Cook, who successfully handled the industry until the burning of the mills some time in the latter part of the '70s. The milling business there has never been revived, as competition is so strong at more favorable points as to make the industry unprofitable away from railroad centers."

Jonathan Barnes was always a leader in the township. The first election was held in his house, and he was the first resident of German Township to be honored by election to a county office. He became county commissioner, and filled the office with much credit until shortly before he died. Warren McCuteheon took his place for the unexpired portion of his term.

Samuel B. Darby was the first justice of the peace, and also the first school teacher. He was also the first postmaster in the county, stated J. W. Roseborough, the mail route being from Defiance to Michigan. He died in 1884, aged 77 years. He was also the first township clerk, and was sworn into office by "Long Bill" Jones, of Clinton, afterwards of Dover.

Jacob G. Wildin was "the most active and useful man of his time" in the township. He laid out the town of Burlington in 1839. He was the first merchant in Burlington. He erected a log building for a store-room, and catered especially to the needs of the incoming settlers, maintaining a good supply of goods such as the settlers would be likely to need. And in 1843, he built an ashery, nearby, or adjoining. "This store and ashery were just what the people needed, and Mr. Wildin was just the active, liberal, public-spirited man required. He sold the settlers what they needed, and took pay in work, ashes, deerskins, and anything else they had to sell. He owned land, and ran a blacksmith shop, by means of hired help. The men he sometimes had to work for him were so numerous as to resemble a small army. He built a saw-mill also, and without doubt materially aided the pioneers to prosperity. In the earliest days in German Township, the settlers were so poor that they wore wooden shoes, some had only wooden knives and forks, with "a huge log, levelled on the top, for a table" ; while their bed-ticks would ibe filled with dry leaves, and placed upon bedsteads made out of poles cut from the forest, with basswood bark for cords. But, stated Fleet, with the establishment of "Johnson's mills, and Wildin's ashery and store, the people became almost extravagant. Conrbread and wooden shoes were not sought for; a new era had commenced and we began to feel like shouting. The day began to dawn; our roads were getting good, and life was pleasant."

It was in boring for water, with which to supply the needs of his ashery, that Jacob Wildin and others became cognizant of the presence of natural gas in the township. His was probably the first well boring in the township, and Albert S. Fleet, who lived within a mile or so, describes the disastrous happenings that followed' the boring thus:

"Sometime in 1843, or 1844, from scarcity of water, Mr. J. G. Wildin commenced digging a well, to get water to supply his ashery; after digging some forty feet in the blue clay, and no signs of water, he caused the well to be curbed with a substantial framework, or at least I thought so. He reached the hard-pan, as it is called, and at this point found some water, and a strong supply of gas. The water raised some inches in the bottom of the well, and the gas Mowed profusely. The auger refused to take in the hard-pan, and consequently one hand could play it like a top. At this point of time, I visited the well, went to the bottom, saw a Mr. Beck turning the auger, and standing in the water half-leg deep, and the gas rushing up through the water, making a great bubbling. Feeling somewhat uneasy I ascended, and felt like keeping out of that place. The next morning, we heard something like a cannon, and soon heard that found the framework of the well in bad condition. Mr. Wildin was very badly burned in the face, and injured otherwise, Philander and Othello 'Church were somewhat injured; one was thrown on the top of the ashery, and Othello coming down lit on some fixings over the well, and escaped without injury." for the night. Before renewing their digging in the morning, they tested the well, by letting down a lighted candle; it went down safely until very near the bottom, when the candle ignited what was supposed to be gas, but no explosion followed; the flames gradually arose in the well until near the surface, when a terrible explosion took place, which was heard seven or eight miles distant. Several persons were injured, among them Mr. Wildin himself, who by the seriousness of the accident was compelled to retire from business. The well was allowed to fill up, and was never completed for use."

While on the subject of wells, it may not be amiss to record here some other early borings, in German Township, as noted by Fleet, who, after describing the Wildin disaster, continued : plenty of gas, but no water to any amount, and abandoned the well. Mr. Smith, passing the well with a light in the evening, ignited the gas, and it made a warm time until it was put out. After this, Solomon Rogers confined the gas in boxing, or tubing, and at evening would ignite it, for diversion. It would make a beautiful light, illuminating the town (Burlington) beautifully. Soon after this it became a common occurrence to get gas-wells with water, and without water; the strongest fountains were got with the least gas. Mr. Quillet got a very strong gas and water fountain. It would throw a stream of water and gravel as high as the tallest trees, and some stones that resembled stone coal. Mr. Schad struck gas very strong; it would boil a five-pail kettle full of water in fifteen minutes. It burned one time three weeks steady; and in case of sickness in his family, it being near his house, he did not burn any other light. On Christian Schad's place the gas was so strong that it made a blaze as large as a large brush-heap, and it made such a light that one could see to read a quarter of a mile from the well in the night. Joseph Clair struck the gas in force; it made lively times; threw stone and water 100 feet high; it threw one stone that fell several rods from the well, that weighed twenty-two pounds. Fountains, or fountain-wells, are quite common in the township at present (1870)."

Erastus Crandall, J. P. ; that of David Ely to a Miss Schafer, in the same year; and that of Ransom Reynolds to Perlona Crandall, on July 28, 1838, the ceremony being solemnized by Nathan Borton, a justice of the peace.

The first stores and businesses established in German Township were probably those of the town of Eatonburg (or Edinburgh, as one records the name), but as that town was only actively so for about four years - from 1838 to 1842 - they have been overlooked. Michael Gish built and ran a tavern in Edinburgh ; a saddler, named Aberight, had a harness shop in the town; there was a tailor shop, that of Mr. Case; and Milton Sawyer had a cabinet and carpenter's shop in that place.

The first English preachers in the township were Henry and John Lutes, and Joel Smith, the three being local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first religious service conducted in the English language in German Township was that held in the house of John Reynolds, probably in 1837, Henry Lutes conducting the service. John Bowser was also a pioneer preacher; he belonged to the United Brethren Society, and was "a most devout and excellent man." The first religious meeting held in the township was, however, undoubtedly that held in Christian Lauber's house in the fall of 1835, presided over, as preacher, by Christian Beck, of the Mennonite Church.

Elizabeth Wyse, it seems, was the first white child born in German Township, her birth date being in October, of 1837 ; the second birth was that of Lorena Holt, on January 29, 1838.

The first postmaster was Samuel B. Darby. It was through his efforts that an office was established in May, 1839. It was named Elmira, and eleven years later was removed to the village of Burlington.

German Township was orgainzed, as hereinbefore stated, on March 4, 1839, and in the following month the first election was held. The polling place was in the residence of Jonathan Barnes, on section 14, near Lauber Hill, and thirteen votes were cast. (In the election of the previous year, 1838, the settlers had to go all the way to the cabin of Isaac Tedrow, in Clinton Township, to cast their votes; and in 1837 even further, the polling place being in York Center). The first German Township election, in 1839, resulted in the following named settlers being elected to the respective township offices :

Some historians have stated that the first election was held in 1840, but while the official township records do not give the date of the first election, they make it quite certain that the year in which the first election was held 1839, not 1840. The "Town Good of German Township" (which was saved for posterity from a pile of discarded justice records about twenty years ago, by Archbold's present mayor, August Ruihlev), appears at first glance to be merely an inexpensive note book, such as would be used nowadays for penciled notes. It in reality was the original record book of the trustees of German Township. The first entry, under date of April 29, 1839, records the names of men elected to township offices at first annual election; and from that record the names given above were taken.

German Township is unique in one respect; no other township in the county has preserved its trustee records intact. The destruction of records has been due to various causes, chief among them being probably, fire, although many records have undoubtedly been lost by the indifference of some township clerks to records other than those of the present. The distinctive position of German Township in this respect, thanks to the timely recognition by the present mayor of Archbold of the historical value of the cheaply-bound but allimportant original volume, is worthy of being perpetuated, by here naming all the trustees elected since the first board was constituted in 1839. The succession of trustees is as follows:

Samuel B. Darby and Jonathan Barnes were elected justices of the peace in May, 1840. Henry Bredt. was township clerk for many years, and August Ruihley was for about fifteen years. The last-named has been justice of the peace from 1895 until the present (1920).

The frugal manner of life of the early inhabitants of German Township is seen in the public expenditures by township officers during the first year of its existence, the "Treasurer's Report," for the year ending March 1, 1841, recording a total expenditure during the period of $13.23. Another indication of the careful conservation of public funds is seen in the following notice, which was spread in full upon the minutes of the township trustees:

Whereas we, the undersigned Overseers of the Poor of the Township aforesaid, have received information that there has lately come into said township a certain poor and dissipated man named Horace Crandall, who is not a legal resident thereof, and will be likely to become a township charge, you are therefore commanded forthwith

That the township properly cared for those who were legitimate residents of the township, and had become destitute, is proved by the following, -which was copied from the trustees' minutes :

Article of Agreement entered into this 10th day of March, A. D., 1852, between Jacob Fisher, of the first part; and John Wyse, Jacob Feather, and Warren McCutcheon as trustees of German Township, Fulton county, and their successors in office, of the second part, witnesseth: That the said Jacob Fisher agrees to support for the ensuing year, commencing on the 16th day of March, 1853, Mariah Hatt and Ooonrad Hatt, pauper's of the Township aforesaid, for the sum of Eighty Eight dollars ($88.00) and the said trustees agree to pay the sum aforesaid as follows: ten bushells of wheat, at 57 ^ cents per bushel!, on demand; ten dollars in cash, on the 15th day of May, 1852, and seventy-two dollars and twenty-five cents at the expiration of the year, in cash; and said trustees agree to clothe said paupers, and pay bills of physician, also to find material to repair Clothes belonging to said paupers, if needed.

Upon the township trustees' minutes also were spread the particulars of another instrument by which the trustees recorded dispositions made by them in the interest of the same poor family. The entry was entitled "An Endenfure of Apprentisship," which

"Indenture of Apprenticeship, under date of March 18, 1850, bound the township trustees, of the first part ; Franz Hatt, of the second part; and Henry Roth of the third part, as follows: "That the said himself, as an apprentis, unto the said Henry Roth, until the eighteenth day of February, 1859, to Labour in occupation of a farmer, and the said Franz Hatt, who is a child of Ann Maria Hatt, doth hereby consent with the said Henry Roth to faithfully serve him and correctly Demean himself during the term of his apprentisship ; and the said Henry Roth doth hereby covenant with said John Lutes and George Ditto, Trustees of said township, and Franz Hatt, and each of them, that he will teach him the said occupation, and will provide him during said apprentisship with Meat, Loging, Medicine, Washing, Clothing, and all other necessary s suitable for an apprentis; and will teach him, or cause him to be taught to Read and Write, and so Much of Arithmetic as Will enable the Single Rule of three; and at the expiration of said term of service Will furnish the said Franz Hatt With a New bible, and Least two suits of Wearing Appearel, and one Hundred Dollars in cash."

The settlers were, mostly, of humble origin, and of very little means when they came into the township. They lived simple lives, had few wants, and for the most part were happy and contented in the hard work of clearing and cultivating their farms. They were, mostly, of kindly hospitable nature, and were ever ready to rally around one of their number who might, through the death of the bread-winner, or from other unavoidable cause, have become destitute.

But they were mostly people of upright life, commendable thrift, and a consistent endeavor to become useful citizens, and therefore could not countenance poverty that came by dissoluteness of habits, by laziness, or improvidence. The average settler was not very much richer, when he first came, than was James F. Roger's, who, in 1842, came to his log cabin, 16x18 feet, possessed, it is true of eighty acres of wild land, but of only $1.50 in cash. His life-story has been duplicated in that of more than one of the successful pioneers of German Township. He lived more than fifty years of his life in German Township, and at his death, in 1893, his biography was written by one who knew him for the greater part of his life. It appears that:

''James F., son of Jonathan and Martha (IJaviland) Rogers, was born in 1814 .... In 1838, he purchased of one Nathan Dix, for the sum of $175, eighty acres of land, then in Lucas county but now in German Township, Fulton county, Ohio. In the fall of 1839, Mr. Roger's, A. S. Fleet, John Baker, one Gehring, and a MoEaton, founder of Eatonburgh, better known as Edinburgh, all residents of Seneca, county, came together in a wagon to German Township, where and when Mr. Rogers first saw the land he had purchased the previous year. After remaining a few weeks and doing some underbrushing on his land, he returned to Seneca county. In the autumn of 1840 he came again to German, and there erected on his new farm a neat little cabin of 16x18 feet, into which Mr. Albert S. Fleet, with his wife, moved soon after its erection. After the completion of the cabin, Mr. Rogers again returned to Seneca county." In early 1842, James F. Rogers married Eliza Crosson, of New York state, and both for the spring and summer of that year were in the service of Sylvanus Arnold, a wealthy farmer and merchant of Melmore, Seneca county, Ohio. "In the fall of that year (1842) they moved to German Township, and began housekeeping in the little cabin he had built in 1840. One George Blackman moved them to their little home. Their personal effects, all told, consisted of one cow; one chest, containing his clothing; a small trunk with his wife's apparel; a box with a meagre supply of household goods; and another with a part of a set of cooper's tools. These, with $1.50 in his pocket, and an indebtedness of $25.00, constituted the total invoice of his goods and chattels. Thus, -without money or friends, with no improved land, in the deep unbroken wilderness, with wolves howling hideously about their lone cabin at night, without roads, churches, schoolhouses, mills, stores, or postoffices, did this plucky couple begin pioneer life overseer of the poor, a township trustee the next spring, and from that time up to almost the time of his death, he was almost constantly a public officer of some kind." He was a member of the Methodist Church at Elmira for more than forty years, and was an active church and Sunday-school worker until his death. lie had twelve children, and was a man of very strong character. Smoked and chewed tobacco for thirty years, and at 45 years of age "was an abject slave to the habit." Then, "thoroughly convinced of the sinfulness of the habit, he was hv God's help enabled to abandon its use instantaneously" and never again used it. "for which I am thankful for sustaining grace." he testified more than thirty years later.

the county seat, and many a weary trip thither did Mr. R. perform, in order to do jury service, or pay taxes. .... .One of the difficulties (of pioneer life) arose from distance of mills, and markets, and the absence or badness of roads. It was very often, he said, worth more than the market price of grain to get it to the mill and back again, or to deliver it, at the market, owing to the distance and to the condition of the roads. At one time, he said, he carried a bushel of corn five miles to Bird's mill, and brought the meal home on his back, through the dense forest, and over innumerable logs. Pork used to be hauled by ox-teams to Maumee, and there sold for 114 cents per pound.

Maumee from German, they had to go by way of Qttokee, Weir's tavern, Watkins, and Swanton, three full days being required to make the round trip. Ten cents was more difficult to get then than is a dollar now (1893), and yet, to purchase goods a dollar then had vastly less purchasing power than it has now.

One wonders how some of the pioneers managed to exist. They did so, presumably, only by the exercise of almost inconceivable thrift, and simpleness of life. The "Bird's Mill" referred to was probably the first erected in the towmship. It was situated in the northwestern corner, in territory which later formed part of Franklin Township. Fleet -wrote :

"Mills were far away, with the exception of Mr. Bird's, in the northwest corner of German, and was taken with the territory from German to make Franklin ; bnt the mill was the same, and never have we had a better one for good work than when Mr. Bird was miller himself. But the water failed in dry weather. Mr. Bird built his mill some time before the organization of the township."

Burlington was the second town to be established, and until the coming of the railroad and the founding of Archbold, it was a prosperous and busy trading centre.

Archbold came into being with the coming of the "Air-Line" Railway, in 1855. Fleet asserts that it was originally named .Archbald, "a compound word, composed of Arch and Bald, names of two engineers of the R. R." That spelling seems to be corroborated by the municipal records. The first volume of council records contains, upon one of its first pages, a copy of the petition, which eventually brought corporate powers to the community. The handwriting is not very regular, but the name as there written seems to be Archbald,

One of the principal founders of the town, and for many years one of its most active and responsible residents, was George Ditto. Fleet records the laying out of the first division by ILeywood and Ditto, and the second addition by Wentzler, Schnetzler and Deppler.

The first ten years of the existence of Archbald (or bold), were so encouraging, that the responsible residents sought to obtain corporate powers for it in 1865. A petition, bearing date of December 23, 1865, was circulated, said petition reading as follows:

The undersigned citizens and inhabitants of the county of Fulton aforesaid, hereby respectfully ask your honorable body for an order authorizing the incorporation and organization of the following described territory, situate in the County of Fulton, and State of Ohio, to-wit: The northwest quarter and the southwest quarter of section

That said territory may be incorporated and organized as a village, to be called Archbald. A further description of said territory will be found in the plat hereto (annexed) attached. Your petitioners further represent that there are more than fifty qualified voters actually residing within the (limits) territory above described; and that the undersigned are a majority of the qualified voters, and .actual residents thereof. W e further respectfully inform you that Capt. Charles P. Schafer, Dr. S. Hubbard, and John B. Schnetzler are our authorized agents, and J. W. Roseborough our authorized attorney, to attend to and prosecute this our petition before your Honorable Board.

was held on August 8, 1868. Fifty votes were cast, and Peter Bourquin, indue of election, declared that Frederick Stotzer received fifty votes for election to office of mayor; Julius Whitehorne thirty-one, for recorder; and that the following had a majority of votes for election to trusteeship: Jacob V ernier, John B. Schnetzler, John Broadbeek, John Sloan, and Philip Thomas. With the exception of John Sloan, all accepted office, and the first council meeting of the incorporated village of Archbald wras held ten days later. Members present were: F. Stotzer, mayor; Jacob Vernier, J. C. Whitehorne, Philip Thun: as and John Broadbeek, trustees. Myron Whitehorne was appointed Trustee, in place of John Sloan. Peter Siegle was appointed marshal on August 29, 1866.

In the following year, 1867, John Sloan was elected mayor, receiving thirty-two of thirty-seven votes cast. He, however, was unable to complete his term his resignation on November 12 1867 making necessary another election. It was held on December 12, 1867, and John B. Schnetzler was elected to the office. Fortunately, the council records of Arohbold are complete, and the

The Archbold official list at present is constituted as follows: August Ruihley, mayor; Andrew Shibler, treasurer; Hy Nofzinger, marshal; O. E. Lauber, clerk; G. J. Vernier, N. J. Rychcner, G. Q. Morgan, Howard T. Scbaff, Henry Fraas,, Dr. C. F. Murbach.

In the first year of its corporate existence, Archbold was stated to have had a population of about 350; and the business interests of the village were as follows

Five general merchandise stores, those of Jacob Berthoud, Peter Bourquin (who was also a dealer in staves), and Bredt Brothers, Chas. B. and Henry C., Henry Grisier and Schumacher (who also were insurance agents), and George Vernier; there were three shoemakers, or shoe dealers, Bredt Brothers, Brandt and Frederick, John Brodbeck. and N. Welfel; one hardware store, Jacob Vernier's; two jewelry stores, John R. Hoff mire and Herman Iversten ; and many saloons, those of Clod Druhot Frank Druhot, Philip Druhot, Julius Houpel, Philip Thomas, George Vernier, Frederick Vernier. The physicians were S. Hubbard and Andrew Murbach, the former also conducting a drug store; John B. Schnetzler was postmaster, and was also a dealer in staves: Frederick Stotzer had a harness shop; Peter Grim and Peter Roth, in partnership, were brewers; Adam Imthurn was a tailor; Jacob Huit a furniture dealer; Washington G. Wilt was a painter; Coonrad Winsler had a sawmill on the south side of the railroad, and the brothers Whitehorne (Myron and Julius) on the north side; and there were two wagon-making establishments, Michael Weber's, and that of the Siegel brothers, Peter and John.

Archbold has always been an enterprising progressive town, and for it are claimed pioneer efforts in several phases of town planning and government. It. is stated to have been the first incorporated place in the county to install an electric lighting system for public places; that it was the first to lay paved sidewalks. And German Township also claims the distinction of being the first township to lay a gravel road. The gravel road was laid south of Archbold in 1894, but as a matter of fact, almost simultaneously Swan Creek Township undertook similar road improvements.

The first public works project of corporate Archbold was that authorized by one of the first ordinances of the first council, said ordinance authorizing the construction of a sewer, on the east side of Defiance Street, and stipulating that "said sewers shall be made of good white, or Burr oak planks, two inches thick, and twenty inches wide with the outer edge of the sidewalk." Apparently this sewer was an open one, and construction, seemingly was not at once begun, for it appears that the first sewer was not completed until March 31, 1873. That wooden sewer was dug up in 1896, when the sidewalks were prepared for paving.

It was ordained, on April 20, 1867, "that a building shall be built for the safe keeping of unruly characters." The specifications called for a building "two floors, 12x12 ft., 7 ft. high between floors, the lower to be made of 2 inch oak planks, the walls of 1 1-2x4 inch planks, spiked together, the foundation to be of oak timbers, 8 inches square, the building to have two window holes, firmly barred with iron, crossways, 10 inches square. Door 3x6 ft., made of 1 1-2 inch planks, double, hung with good strap hinges and good dead lock." A tax of $100 to build the jail was levied on June 7, 1867, and it was ordained, on June 8th that the jail "shall be built on Lot No. 28, in Hayward's Division, and be completed before July 3, 1867." Whether the jail was constructed in time for use in a possible Fourth of July requirement is not on record, but obviously it was built in that year, for on December 24, 1867, an order on the village treasury was given to Messrs. Shrenk and Richtor, for $150, 'in payment for building and the materials for jail," and the mayor was authorized to take $50 out of the Well fund, and apply it to the Jail fund.

well for the use of the village," which evidently had grown sufficiently to need the supplementing of private water provisions by a municipal supply. At a council meeting of July 25, 1868, it was decided to get . the public well dug by August 10th of that year, the well to be "six feet in diameter, inside to be bricked up, depth twenty feet." The contract for the digging of the town well was let to Felix Druhot but on August 4th lie was released from his contract, and the digging of the well was apparently completed by the corporation.

By various provisions, the civic authorities have .been able (to always meet Archbold's demands for water, and it now has a fine system, the present municipal water plant consisting of two eight inch wells, 160 feet deep and a tower 110 feet to base of tank, which has capacity for 60,000 gallons, giving a pressure of 50 to 57 lbs. Two motor-driven pumps each throw fifty gallons a minute; there are 156 customers, and the ILersey meter system meets the recording needs. The plant was completed in 1915, at a cost of $22,000, George Britseh, president of the water hoard, putting in the first tap on May 21st of that year.

Unfortunately the cemetery records have not been kept, and it is not possible therefore to review its history. It has been stated that the cemetery now in the guardianship of Archbold civic authorities was established in 1872. There is only one record in the early minutes of the council of Archbold, said record, of May 12, 1875, referring to the completion of "a contract with Joseph Smith, for land for a burial grcmnd," the notation stating that the clerk had given "an order on twp. funds for $37.60 for said land." The cemetery situated about three-quarters of a mile south of Archbold is controlled by that municipal corporation, and the cemetery situated about one mile wrest of Burlington and known as the Johnson Cemetery is the property of German Township.

Archbold has some thriving industries, including the level factory, and the glove factory, which are both growing industries. Mainly, however, its prosperity and trading is due to its central position in a rich agricultural district. The farmers of German Township are characteristically loyal to one another, and do most of their buying in their own township.

To those public-spirited citizens of Archbold who have given so much of their time to civic responsibilities is due much credit. The offices are practically honorary, the remuneration being nowT not much more, proportionately, than in 1871, when, for instance, the council recoids noted the presentation of a claim, by John B. Schnetzler, of $4.50, the sum representing remuneration due to him for six months service as mayor, at fifty cents a month. At the same time Henry Bredt, town clerk, claimed a similar monthly stipend.

any other fellow-townsman ; and Henry Bredt was town clerk for many years. August Ruihley, who now is in his third term as mayor, has been identified with the town and township administrations for much more than a generation. In addition to his other offices, he was clerk of the Township Board of Education for seventeen years, and although he never attended law school, he prepared more legal documents it has been stated than any other man* in the township.

In 1913, on Saturday night and Sunday morning of August 30 and 31st, Archbold was the scene of a disastrous fire, which laid a block in the business section in ruins, doing damage totalling to more than $150,000, Everything in the business block excepting the fireproof bank building was razed, The local fire-fighting equipment was totally inadequate to cope with the conflagration, and engine and hose companies came from Bryan, Wauseon, and Toledo. Regarding the local equipment one of the papers reported:

"Archbold's old Phoenix, purchased 35 years ago, was put to work at the cistern, near the opera bouse, and was throwing two streams of water at a good clip. At the most important moment, however, and just as the fire was being gotten, under control, the engine baulked. The valves failing to work, it was abandoned, and bucket brigades formed until the other engines from the surrounding towns could be put. to work."

"An old-fashioned hand pump, manned by volunteers, and a small size of hose, was all the equipment the village had. As the engine had not been tested out for several years, it was badly in need of repairs before rapid work could be done. As the pay of the enginehouse keeper had been reduced he did not receive enough to make it worth his while to look over the engine."

The Archbold Fire Department has since been reorganized, and now, under Chief Henry Nofzinger, seems capable of handling and subduing all but very seriousi conflagrations, in Archbold, and the vicinity.

A little space must be given to the recording of a commendable public service, yet in its infancy. On April 3, 1916, the Women's Reading Club, of Archbold, decided to organize a public library, "to promote the reading of good books and literature." A committee of five called on the mayor and council, and were readily granted permission to use one of the rooms of the Town Hall for library purposes. In various ways, by entertainments, socials, and such like means, the promoters raised for library purposes in the first year $414.57. On August 1st, the Women's Reading Club formed an independent organization, called the Archbold Library Association, and transferred to it all the property and funds collected for library purposes. I

On October 11, 1916, the first quarterly meeting was held, and on Febuary 22, 1917, an open reception and book shower was held. It brought to the library donations amounting to $157.43, and 680 books. On January 1, 1920, the library owned 4015 volumes, and had a further 500 volumes supplied annually by the state, which latter supply is changed yearly.

The growth of the Archbold Public Library has been creditable to its early workers, which include Mrs. Levy. Miss Sarah Levy is librarian, and Miss Emma Vernier assistant.

The federal census figures for 1860 are not available, but the official statistics for the last five decadal periods are: 1870, ST'S; 1880, 650; 1890, 780; 1900, 958; 1910, 1082; and 1920, 1125. This last figure Is subject to correction, the "Preliminary Announcement of Population" being the only information yet released of the 1920 census.

All historians; J. W. Rose-borough (1870), Albert S. Fleet (1876), Verity (1888) and Mikesell 1905), agree that the first school in German Township was that established by Samuel P>. Darby, in 1839. The school house was situated on the state road, one-half mile west of Burlington. It was a log house, with appropriate primitive furniture. S. P>. Darby taught the winter term of 1839-40. Other pioneer teachers were Milton Zouver, Harriet Sell nail, daughter of the pioneer John J. Schnall, of Dover, Miss Baker, Miss Shipman, Miss Mary Ann Prettyman, Miss Geesey and Miss Darby. Regarding the pioneer schools and school teachers, Judge V erity wrote :

"At the time, the wages of female teachers was from one to two dollars per week and board, while the wages of the men were from ten to fifteen dollars per month and board, and all usually had to teach 26 days for a month, and later 24 days for a month.'

In the first building of soliool houses, when of logs, it was customary, if possible, to get slabs for seats, and if not to make them from split puncheon, smoothed upon the top with a broad-ax and holes bored, and legs put in with the ax, and the desks made in the same manner and placed against the wall of logs. They answered a very good purpose m those primitive times; and further, do not fool yourself into thinking that the teachers were no better, or as primitive, as the house in which they taught and the wages they got; many of them had splendid educations, acquired in the schools of the east."

Township trustee records show that in 1846, the township school districts were numbered up to 5, but only four had been organized. Prominent school directors then were Samuel Barr, John Leininger, Jacob Gaiman, Nicholas King, John Wyse, Christian Lauber, Peter Wyse, John King and Jacob Nofzinger. In 1853, there were ten school districts, and the representatives on the township Board of Education then were, respectively: Henry Lutes, Jacob Gasche, Wm. Albright,

Albert S. Fleet, L. Markley, Christian Shantz, Phineas Vernier, Jacob Barr, S. 0. Daily, and Christian Klopfenstein. On January 25, 1854, contract was placed with Solomon Rogers, "for building a schoolthouse (for district No. 2) 18x26, to furnish material and do the labor, for $160.00, furnished, with the exception of a little painting." In that year four more districts were organized, and the total enrollment was 537 scholars. There were seventeen schools in 18.59, and 408 male scholars and 338 female. School property was then valued at $2360. Although the average value of a sohoolhouse was then placed at not much more than $130, it would appear that the Board of Education of German Township was somewhat extravagant in establishing school districts in the late 'fifties. But the mode and manner of travel,, the state of the roads, and the difficulties of transportaion undoubtedly actuated the early school administrators to place simple schoolhouses wherever there were grouped a small number of children who could not attend other schools. However, as the state of the roads increased, so did the number of schools decrease, and the character of those used change. The log sclioolhouse passed away, the cheap badly-ventilated frame buildings in many cases were abandoned, and substantial airy brick schoolhouses took their place. In 1875, Fleet states, the enumeration was 770 pupils, and that there were eleven school districts, conducted at a total expense of $3538.10.

Among school teachers in the 'sixties were Hattie E. Schnall, T. H. Brown, Catherine R. Gettings, G. W. Griesinger, Catherine Fairfield, Daniel R. Morrison, Ardella Fleet, J. B. Lutes, R. Raymond, J. C. Long, Armida Wilden, and Esther P. Clifton. And among the men who exerted a powerful influence in the standard of education in German Township in early decades were A. Daily, George R. Betts, Benjamin Brown, Hon. L. W. Brown, Julius Whitehorne, and John W. Roseborough. These men, and others, laid the basis of the excellent educational system now possible in the public schools. At present (1920) there are twelve one-room schoolhouses in German Township, the twelve, with equipment, being valued at $15,775. They served 347 scholars during 1919. In addition there is an eight- roomed schoolhouse, valued at $28,100, in Archbold, attended by about 190 scholars of elementary grades, and bv sixty hi eh school students. There is also a rural school at Elmira, and a consolidated school at Pettisville.

The board of education of the four districts are: German Township: Win. H. Miller, president; 0. C. Lauber, clerk; Wm. Leininger, Frank Winzeler, S. R. Shaffer, and Geo. S. Leininger, directors ; Arohbold Village: Dr. E. A. Murbach, president; H. J. Walters, clerk; P. C. Burkholder, A. G. Siegel, and David Snyder; Pettisville: W. J. Weber, president ; Geo. McGuffm, clerk; A. J. Lantz, F. D. Lehman, Adam Britsch, directors; Elmira: S. D. Nofzinger, president; J. A. Rupp, clerk; Ed. Crossgrove, Cbas. Siegel,, and W. A. Spengler, directors. .

Further reference to German Township schools wilt be found elsewhere in this volume, in the general chapter regarding "The Schools, 1835-1920."

Undoubtedly, the first church society to be formed in German Township was that of the Mennonite Church. There was, in all probability, regular private worship by individual families in 1834, for such is one of the religious practices faithfully observed by devout people of the Mennonite Church, but the first gathering of settlers for religious worship of which there is record was in the fall of 1835, when services attended by Amish brethren were conducted in the log house of Christian Lauber, by Christian Beck, who later became a prominent minister and public worker in German Township.

There are several branches of the Mennonite Church in Fulton county, all off-shoots of the Amish body, which is the strongest church organization in German Township. It has always been so. Albert S. Fleet wrote, in 1876: "The Mennonite Church has the largest membership of any in this township today - membership, 265; church property, $2,500. They pay no salary to preachers. Preacher in charge, Nicholas King; subordinate ministers, Jacob Naufsinger, Christian Fryenbarger, Christian Stuckey, John Wyse; directors, Christian Wyse and Christian Schantz."

The Fulton county circuit, or diocese, of the Amish Mennonite Church is referred to in "The Mennonites of America," a somewhat recent publication, as follows : near Muhlhausen, was established in Pulton county. From 1834 to 1850 many families settled in what is now German township. Among the earliest settlers were Nicholas King, Jacob Binder, Christian Lauber, Christian Rupp, Henry and Jacob Roth, and John Gunday, who came in 1834. These were followed in 1835 by Peter Rupp, Christian Beck and others, and in the following years by those bearing the names Burkholder, Rivenaugh, Stutzman, Schmucker, Klopfenstein, Stuckey and Wyse. The congregation has since grown to large dimensions, and although it has within recent years furnished a number of recruits for the Egli branch of the church, it still contains a membership of about six hundred."

As at present constituted, the Fulton County Amish Mennonite Central Church has three places of worship, or church buildings. The largest building is in German Township. It is generally known as the Central A. M. Church, and it serves the largest group of Amish brethren. There is one church in the western part of Clinton Township, not far from the border line with German Township ; and the third is in reality not in Fulton county at all, being in Williams county, Brady Township, just across the line from German Township. The three churches are in the Fulton county diocese, of which Elias L. Frey has been bishop since March, 1908. The present ministers are Daniel J. Wyse, Henry Rychener, S. D. Griesier and Elias Rupp; and the present deacons are J. C. Frey and Daniel Sander. The membership of the three churches is now almost nine hundred, and the property is all deeded to the Fulton County Amish Mennonite Central Church. It exercises a powerful influence for good, and the Mennonite Church has been one of the most distinctive and stable factors in the development and propsperity of German Township. Believing, as they do, in I. Tim., 2, 9; I. Peter., 3, 3; Rom., 12, 2; I. Cor., 11, 5, and similar scriptures, its members are distinctive in dress, and are unique in many religious observances that come into their general every-day life. The members of the Mennonite Church undoubtedly have earned an enviable reputation for honesty ; thrift, hospitality and industriousness.

Unfortunately there is very little historical information presently before the compiler, by which he could review the history of the other branches of the Mennonite Church in German Township. The Egli, or Defenceless Mennonite branch is of long standing; and the New Mennonite Church had a membership of forty-five in 1875, when its church property was valued at $1,500. The minister in charge then was Benedict Meister, and the trustees were Jacob Bender and Christian Allion.

Methodist Episcopal Churches. Henry and John Lutes, who settled in German Township in 1837, were both local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So also was Joel Smith, who came in the next year. The first religious meeting conducted in English in German Township was that held in the log cabin of John Reynolds in 1837, Henry Lutz officiating. In that year, he was authorized to preach, and in 1838, at Defiance Joel Smith was licensed to preach. Traveling ministers of the M. E. Church were early in the township, among the first to come being Austin Coleman and McEnder Capp. The first quarterly meeting was held in German Township in 1837, and John Jones was presiding elder. "The first organized English church in the township" was, stated Fleet, the Methodist Episcopal, at Burlington. Another historian states that the M. E. Church at Burlington "was the first organized body of that faith in the township." It had thirty members at organization, and in 1876 had thirty-seven. Its property was then valued at $600. The trustees were James F. Rogers, W. Roseborougli, Henry Pike and L. W. Brown. The M. E. Church at Archbold was established in the sixties, or early seventies. Prominent among the founders were J. C. Whitehorne and Frederick Stotzer. Soon after organization, a frame church was built at Stryker street Archbold, at a cost of $1,800. which was a commendable undertaking by the early members, their numbers being so few. In 1876 there were only ten members of that church, and the services were conducted by the Rev. John Poucher, of the Burlington church. He received a yearly salary of $100 from the Archbold body, and $150 from the Burlington church. Later, John Poucher, who was a capable and energetic minister, entered the milling business at West Unity. By birth an Englishman, he was much respected in German Township.

services the frame church building originally erected; and it still stands on Stryker street. About twelve years ago it was remodelled At present the Archbold church has about fifty members. The pastor is the Rev. F. Money, while Arthur Siegel is the active superintendent ot

In 1838, Lilley Bridge preached as a missionary of the United Brethren order. In 1875, the United Brethren society in German Township consisted of eighteen members, but they had no church, and no regular

PaS Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church was worthily active in missionary work in the earliest pioneer days in. Northwest Ohio. Missionary priests from Cincinnati came into the wild territory as. it became settled, and served the religious needs of people of that faith wherever a few could gather together in a log cabin. To the Catholic people of German Township belongs the distinction of having erected the first building in the township that was set apart exclusively as a place of worship. The early records state that that church was situated near the center of the township. Eventually a larger church was built at Archbold, and it was the center of clerical activities of the Roman Catholic Church in Fulton and William counties for many years. In 1876, the Rev. H. Delbaer was pastor of the Archbold Church, and A. T. Moine and Peter Grim trustees. Church property was then valued at $4,000; the pastor's salary was $700; and the membership totalled 120. The Rev. Wm. J. Carroll, present pastor of the Archbold church has, very considerately, undertaken research in early church records, and thus has been enabled to furnish for this review, the following data :

"Archbold, Ohio, was the first of the Fulton county towns to have a resident pastor. This occurred in 1875. It was his duty to look after the needs of all the Catholic people living along the 'Air Line' (the N. Y. C. R. R.) from Swanton to Edgerton, the territory including Swanton, Delta, Wauseon, Archbold, Stryker and Bryan. The records of priests go back to 1850 and baptisms, marriages, burials, first communion, and of confirmation, to 1859. The following priests have served Archbold and missions: About 1850, Rev. Thibieres; 1858-65, Rev. A. Hoeffel; 1865-67, N. Kirch; 1867-69, P. Baker (who built the second church, a frame structure, used until 1906) ; 1869-70, I. Eyler and Monsignor Rappe; 1870-73, Charles Braschler; 1873-75, L. Vogt; 1875- 77, H. (one record says Andrew) Delbaer, the first resident pastor. (He also started a parish school in his home. School was discontinued after his removal) ; 1877-81, N. S. Franche; 1881-82, F. Nunan; 1882-

"Construction of a new church was begun in 1906, funds then on hand, or promised, totalling to $13,000. The architect was W. Dowling, of Toledo, and construction was placed in the responsibility of a Napoleon contractor, a Mr. McComb, who however was unable to complete the work, the contract being eventually taken over by a Mr. Herman, a Toledo contractor. Cornerstone was laid on July 29, 1906 by the Rev. F. Muehlenbeck, and work was finished at Easter time of 1907. The church was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Koudelka on October 7, 1908. The cost of church building, exclusive of site, was $16,800. Other improvements to church and cemetery property were made dur- ing Father Janssen's pastorate. During his many years at Archbold, he had endeared himself to his people, and was much respected in the town and township. On June 29, 1916, Father Janssen celebrated his Silver Jubilee of ordination to the priesthood. The day was made most happy for him by the people of Archbold, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. He left Archbold in February, 1920, for Landeck, Ohio."

His successor, the Rev. Wm. J. Carroll, is a very much younger man, but of noticeable energy. He is striving to quickly clear the church indebtedness, and to establish a parochial school in Archbold; and there are indications that his popularity with his congregation will gain him their cooperation in such endeavors. St. Peter's is one of the beautiful church edifices of Archbokl, which is noted for the artistic splendor of its churches.

St. John's Reformed Church is another of the beautiful churches of Archbold; indeed it is claimed to be one of the finest, architecturally, in the county. It was built in 1914-15, during the pastorate of John J. Vogt. The architect was Abraham Bagley, and the dedicatory services were held during the week May 16th to 21st, 1915. The building committee included J. H. Miller, chairman and treasurer; R. S. Rodenhuis, secretary; David Snyder and George H. Rutz. The officers of the church at that time were : J. S. Schlatter, Daniel Snyder and Barnet B. Kutzli, trustees; Frank Winzler, Barnet B. Kutzli and Emil Spiess, deacons; J. J. Spiess, William Buehrer, and J. S. Schlatter, elders. The Archbold church was founded in 1852, and in 1876 had a membership of seventy-five. It then had church property valued at $2,325. The pastor then was John Neafoff, who received a salary of $400. The trustees were V. Theobald, M. Buerer and Jacob Zico.

The Evangelical Lutheran St. Martin's Church at Archbold, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary on June 25, 1916, when a historical review of its development during the period was read. The paper was as follows:

"Previous to the year 1866, Rev. K. Strauss, who resided near Okalona, Ohio., would occasionally come to Archbold, which at that time consisted of but a few houses, and conduct services for a number of Lutheran families who resided in and near Archbold. In the spring of 1866, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a Lutheran congregation. In a subsequent meeting a constitution was adopted. Thus the St. Martin's Lutheran Church came into existence. The charter members were: Karl Dimke, Jacob Huit, Gust. Dimke, John Brodbeck, Dan Burkholder, Peter Eva, Ft. AVetzel, Valentine Theobald, Fr. Brandt, Michael AVeber and N. AVaefel. The first officers were: N. AA^aefel, elder; Karl Dimke, secretary; and -Jacob Huit. trustee and treasurer. In the same year, the newly-formed congregation erected a church building, the first church built in Archbold. In 1869, the congregation got its first resident pastor, the Rev. A. Beroset, who served to the year 1879. He was succeeded by Rev. C. Schleicher, who was pastor to the year 1883. Rev. C. Schink was then called. Rev. T. Kluepfel took charge of the congregation in August, 1886, but died three months later. Rev. J. Kramstroh filled the vacancy, serving until July, 1887, when the present pastor, then a theological student, was called." on which site they caused to he built in 1896 the present parsonage, at a cost of $1,782. ' The original church building served for thirty-nine years, but in 1905 a new church was built, at a cost of $5,000. It was renovated and enlarged, in seating capacity, in 1916, and adequately meets the needs of the church. The church property is entirely tree of debt, and the church is in a vigorous state. There are about 34 voting members and 10,1 communicant members.

The Apostolic Christian Church of Archbold, or the Imthurn Baptist Church as it is sometimes called, was organized about sixty-five years ago. In 1875, the church had an active organization, having a membership then of fifty-five, and owning a church building at Lauber Hill valued at $600. Andrew Brown was the minister, and Adam Imthurn was deacon. Adam Imthurn was the first man to be baptized into that church in Fulton county. The immersion took place in Bean Creek. He eventually became the strongest pillar of the church, devoting his life to its affairs, and preaching over a wide area. lie was elder of the church for twenty-five or thirty years. He is now' infirm, being eighty-seven years old, and others have taken up his work, but the history of that church will always be associated with Adam Imthurn. He is an honored resident of Archbold and now its oldest resident. He had a tailor shop on the west side of Defiance street before the incorporation of the village.

The early churches of German Township served societies of many denominations. The first church erected in Pettisville, on the Clinton side, was for the Baptist society. That must have been built before 1855. On the German side of Pettisville there were two churches in 1875, the Disciples in Christ and the German Reformed congregations having buildings. The Methodist Episcopal society also was active in the village at that time.

There were quite a number of religious societies that were comparatively strong in German Township in its early decades, but not strong enough to need separate church buildings for their meetings. Among these early societies were Holdermanite, Free Methodist and United Brethren organizations.

There were many with well-built substantial church buildings and among those standing in 1876 and not hereinbefore referred to were: the Lutheran brick church one mile north and 2 1-2 miles east of Archbold. It was valued at $4,000, and then had a membership of twenty-four, the Rev. R. Kraft being the minister, and Fred Kraus, Jacob Leininger and Fred Schultze being the trustees; and the New German Baptist church, which property was valued at $1,000, and was erected by a strong society which, in 1875, stood at about one hundred members, under Sebastian Lipe and Michael Tyler, ministers, who were paid no salaries. And through the decades of progress in German Township these many church organizations have been the stabilizing power. The Hon. O. B. Verity, in a "History of German Township," published in the Archbold "Herald" in March, 1888, wrote:

"It has been well said: 'As a tree is judged by the fruit it bears, so is the enlightenment of a people and their prosperity gauged by the extent with which religious instruction is carried on.' These churches have not been merely for the sake of ornament, but for the convenience of true Christian family worship, and in furtherance of the Gospel cause, qualities which go to make up a membership. The form of church government in the most of them is congregational. They are policemen to arrest evil-doers, soldiers to quell riots, and courts to adjust difficulties. They are the visible monuments of a people's reverence for God, and a resort for young and old, to assist in beating back the tide of infidelity and the enemy of home."

Pettisville has to an extent suffered by its geographical position, situated as it is between and in close proximity to two larger towns, Archbold and Wauseon, the county seat. The fact that it is in two townships, Clinton and German, has also perhaps acted as a deterrent to general interest and natural growth. It nevertheless is a thriving village, and has several alert and enterprising residents.

Probably, to one John Dyer belongs the honor of having founded Pettisville. He orginally laid out a town there, and built the first house, locating it on the west side of Main Street, on the south side of the railroad track; after which Hope and Radcliffe bought a section on the south side and east side of Main Street, and laid opt the town in 1857. It seems that the village "takes its name from one Mr. Pettis, who no doubt was a favorite man and a sub-contractor in grading the road under Benjamin Folsom, the builder of the railroad" stated Brown's "Gazetteer" for 1868, adding that "At this point it is said Mr. Pettis erected several shanties for his men, while grading the road bed."

The population of Pettisville in 1868 was estimated to be "about 500" ; and the village then had one school and three church organizations. Methodist, Disciples and Lutheran, the Chronicler stating that "Steps have been taken towards erecting a church building this summer." There were three comparatively important industries in Pettisville in 1868, probably the most important being the Pettisville Woolen Mills, owned and managed by James McFellen, who manufactured "Satinets, Flannels, Jeans, Cassimeres, and other woolen goods." His mills were on Front Street. Then the Starr Flouring and Saw Mills, situated on the west side of Main Street, and owned by Edward G. Gowdy and Peter G. Gaiman, did good business. The third industry was that of M. Britton and Company, on Dame Street. They were oar and hand-spike makers, the partners in the enterprise being Mason Britton, T. C. Turner, and E. R. Phinney. Amos Broughton and Jas. M. Waddick were resident physicians, Dr. Waddick also being partner with Quincy Fairbanks in a general store business on Main Street. Grocers and storekeepers in the village were Frederick Barbier, Sereno Breeinard, Edward T. Graetz, Thomas Ratcliffe and the firm of Fairbanks and Waddick; James Killin conducted a millinery establishment, and was also a justice of the peace ; a wagon-maker, Daniel Clark, had a shop on Summit Street; and there were three blacksmiths in the village, William Cline, William Diinke, and Gottlieb Laher; while hostelrias were represented by Mrs. Luticia M. Sullinger, proprietress of the Mansion House, which was situated on the east side of Main Street, at the corner of Summit. Theo D. Fenton and his brother, Henry R., had a ding store on Main Street; John Narthein had a furniture shop on Dame Street; and Jacob Gaiman conducted a saloon on west side of Main. Julius A. Graetz was station agent

Disciples and German Reform; saloons, two; business places, seven; cabinet shops, one; physicians, two; intelligence office, one; one grist mill and one saw mill."

Some Pettisville history is embodied in the chapter on Clinton Township; while Pettisville school history is reviewed partly in the general chapter on "The Schools, 1835-1920", partly in the Clinton Township Chapter and early in this chapter. The development of the Pettisville Bank is reviewed in appropriate place in the financial chapter.

Chapter Xiv

Amboy is one of the pioneer townships of Fulton county. Its settlement began in 1833, and its early history and eventual development redound to the credit of the pioneer settlers; so much so, indeed, that descendants undoubtedly may be proud of the records of their ancestors. Yet, singularly enough, the ancestral homes have, with one exception, all passed out of the possession of the pioneer families' of Amboy, in which noticeable particular it differs strikingly from other townships of Fulton county, which today is peopled, in unusually large proportion, by the descendants of the pioneer settlers; and in very many cases the descendants still till the land, now rich and desirable, that once was swamp or wilderness, and was won to fertility and agricultural production by the brow-sweat of their forebears. The lands of Jared Hoadly, the pioneer settler of Amboy, of the Steadman, Blain, Roop, Gilson, White, Bartlett, IJallett, La- Bounty, Purdy, Welch, Lewis, and Richey families, all worthy pioneers of Amboy Township, have passed to strangers. The only farm in the township that has not in transfer passed out of the family of the original settler is, it is believed,' the Tripp Farm, on section sixteen. It was in 1838 that Norman N. Tripp entered wild land in that section, the property passing at his death to his son, Henry, whose widow still resides on and owns the estate, which is a rich one.

Part of Amboy Township in the first years of its settlement was in "the disputed territory", the Territory of Michigan and the State of Ohio claiming it, as has been elsewhere explained herein. Until the dispute was finally settled, all residents within the disputed strip had to recognize the authority of the Territory of Michigan, and consider themselves as being resident in Fairfield township, Lenawee county, and Territory of Michigan. The map made in 1834, one year before the organization of Lucas county, shows the territorial line. All parts of Amboy north of the "Fulton line" were accountable to Michigan, and until December, 1836, when the whole of the disputed strip became an integral part of Ohio, under the jurisdiction of Lucas county, the settlers were forced to transact their legal business and pay their taxes at the city of Adrian, county seat of Lenawee county.

The township of Amboy was organized on June 4, 1837, by taking all of town nine south, range four east, south of the Harris line, now the State line of Michigan, and all of fractional township ten south range four east, extending to the Fulton line, south. On March 1, 1841, Fulton Township was organized, Amboy losing to it all of town ten south, range four east, and in 1846, upon petition by Fulton Township, further territory, to wit: sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36, being the south tier of sections of town nine south, range four east. Amboy thus was reduced to an area of 16,677 acres, or twenty-six full sections of land ; and since 1846 there has been no change in its boundaries. The map shows its position sufficiently to make further verbal description unnecessary.

In early days the .territory was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, who remained in the territory for several years after settlement by whites had begun. It has been stated that bears, panthers, wolves, and wild-cats abounded in the dense forests of Amboy; while the settlers found in the deer and wild turkeys welcome sources of food.

Ten Male Creek runs through Amboy Township, emptying eventually into Maumee Ray. Smaller streams empty into Swan Creek. The land is mostly level, at the highest point being only 140 feet above the level of Lake Erie.

It was generally acknowledged among the pioneers that Jared Hoadly was the first to settle in the township. He entered his land in the month of July, 1833, and "late in the fall of that year" took up his abode on. the land, which was in section seven. It is understood that he built a log cabin thereon in the early part of January,

Many other settlers are supposed also to have come into the township in the year 1833, among them David Steadman and his sons Alvah and Aaron, Frank O'Neil, Charles and William Blain John and Joseph Roop, and Alfred Gilson.

aJu1? came -I01111 Blain; Jerry and David Duncan; Lorenzo Abbott; Seneca Corbin; Park White and his son David; Jonathan and Clark Gilson, James Hallett, John LaBounty; Samuel Purdy, Joseph Richey Nathaniel and Harry Welch.

Stevens and Caleb Remilie are stated to have come into Amboy and settled. And George Barnett is grouped with the incoming settlers of that year, as are also the Chapman, Griswold, and Koons families.

During the next five years many others came, including Job Duvall, Tunis and John Lewis, Charles Welch, Joseph Richey, William Irwin, Charles C. Tiney, Norman N. Tripp, and possibly others; while during the succeeding decade those who took up residence and began the clearing of land they had acquired were Morey S. Potter, Sullivan Johnson. ILezekiah Culver, Caleb Satterly, Thomas Cahoe, George Hackett, and his brother, and possibly, nay probably, many others. The activities of these men made Amboy quite a consequential township even before the organization of Fulton county. The village of Metamora was beginning its career at that time, and although its claims to consideration were not convincing there were some who thought, or perhaps hoped, the village might be chosen as the county seat of the new county.

Regarding the early settlers there is little biographical material on record. Jared Hoadly was one of the most influential men of Amboy in its first decades. Lie took directing part in most of the public affairs of the township, and came successfully through the first trying period, during which the settlers had to take their grain to Tecumseh, a journey of three or four days duration for an ox-team, for grinding. After many years of residence in Amboy, Mr. Hoadly moved into Michigan.

Alvah Steadman was, it is generally conceded, the second settler, closely followed by John and Joseph Roop. Alfred Gilson settled on section nineteen. The Blain family was a notable one among the pioneers of the first and second years. Charles and William, originally from Lodi, Onondaga county, New York, came via Toledo in the late fall of 1833. John Blain came with the Duncans in 1834. All were from Lodi, N. Y., and became worthy settlers in Amboy, the Blains raising large families and clearing the greater part of sections eighteen and nineteen. Sarah, mother of the Blain brothers died in Amboy Township in 1874, having reached the unusual age of one hundred and four years.

Joseph Roop. was an enterprising and industrious man; he was the first to make brick in the township, and he carried on that industry extensively for many years.

Frank O'Neil Is looked upon as the pioneer settler within the limits of the village of Metamora, although the log cabin he erected there in 1833, or 1834, cannot be considered to have had any connection with, or to have been the commencement of, the establishment of that village, which really did not come into existence until fifteen years or more had passed. Frank O'Neil was the first white settler in the northeastern part of Amboy, and for many years had no near neighbors.

Hiram Bartlett was originally from Cooperstown, N. A7., but spent about nine years in Port Lawrence (Toledo) before settling in Amboy, in 1835. lie died in 1875. His three daughters all married pioneers of Amboy Township. Elizabeth married Solomon Keeler, son of Samuel Keeler, who settled here in the same year as did Bartlett; Julia Ann married Norman LI. Tripp, who first visited Amboy in 1838, stayed a short time, but did not permanently settle until 1847 ; and Hannah F., who became the wife of George Gale.

Horatio Stevens, who came at the same time as Calvin Skinner, Cyrus Fisher, and Caleb Remilie, all from Niagara County, New York, settled upon section twenty-nine, his farm later passing to Stephen Haughton. Joseph Richey and Marmaduke Bunting also settled in the township in about the same year. Lorenzo Abbott came through from Maumee, directed through the dense forest by a small pocket compass. He entered the land he chose, and lived upon it for about seven or eight years, selling, in 1843, to Sullivan Johnson. One record states that 'Sullivan Johnson settled in Amboy in 1838; another, that he came in 1843. He was a native of Vermont; came to Ohio when a young man ; married Adelia Worden in Toledo ; and soon thereafter came into Amboy Township. He interested himself much in public affairs, and at different times held practically every township office. For thirty-six years he was a justice of the peace, and for four years was sheriff of Fulton county. He died in Metamora in 1897, aged eight-three years.

One of the noted hunters of pioneer days in Amboy Township was David White, son of Park White. Eventually, as the settlers cleared the forest, and hunting and trapping became unprofitable in consequence, David White moved to wilder parts in northern Michigan.

Job Duvall (Davoll) settled upon section nine, and the familv has for many decades been a prominent one in Amboy Township, He came originally from Erie County, N. Y., settling in Amboy' according to one chronicler, in 1845, and, by the rendering of another, between 1836 and 1840. He died in 1869, aged 54 years, generally respected, "having been one of the influential citizens of Amboy Township, of which he served as treasurer for four years." E. S. Davoll, now of Metamora, and president of the Home Savings Bank of that place, is of the same family.

family of ten children. John W. Ritchey, his son, became one of the large landholders in Amboy Township, and eventually took up residence in Metamora, where from 1888 until the year of his death, 1900, he was a successful merchant.

Morey S. Potter, and Minerva, his wife, were the progenitors of many of that name who eventually became responsible and useful citizens in Fulton county. Calvin IT. Potter, their son, who was in the first vigor of young manhood when the family came into the township in 1842, is said to have cut and brushed six miles of road, four rods wide, through heavy timber, and to have eventually himself cleared the greater part of his farm of one hundred acres. The family came from New York state.

As before narrated, Frank O'Neil, in the 'thirties, built the first house, or log cabin, within what eventually became the boundaries of the village of Metamora, but no movement toward founding a village began for many years. Hezekiah Culver and Delbert Compton may be given the places of honor as the main founders of Metamora, although Jonathan Saunders was stated to have been one of the original proprietors of the village. It was in 1845 that the first impetus came in the erection then by Culver and Compton, or by Culver with the assistance of Compton, of a grist mill on land belonging to Culver. This enterprise, the first grist mill in the township, necessarily drew the attention of the settlers to the locality, for formerly they had to take their grain to Tecumseh for grinding; and it was only a matter of a short time before it became a center of trading. Lewis S. Hackett, now of Pittsford, Michigan, but seventy years ago a resident in Metamora, wrote "Metamora History" in 1912, the review, which appeared in the Metamora "Record" of January 19, 1912, issue, reading:

"On the 10th of September, 1849, _ my father, mother, and three children, left Macedon, N. Y., for Ohio, going by canal and lake to Toledo, arriving the morning of the 20th, and was until noon getting to Sylvania by rail. We reached the home of my uncle,- George Hackett, in Amboy Township, at 6 in the evening, having passed through the village of Metamora about 4 o'clock. The village at that time consisted of one grocery store, about 14x20 feet. H. Culver was proprietor, and he also owned a saw mill, and the land where the village stands. The grocery was about where the Home Savings Bank stands, and the mill about fifteen rods north and east, across the road, on the creek bank ; and about the mill was a yard for logs, except two small plank houses where Russell Packard and Delbert Compton lived, and operated the saw mill for Culver. There was one house on the west side of the creek, where Augustus Ries now lives, owned and occupied by Dr. Pomeroy, and that is the only building left in the village than as there at that time. About all kinds of groceries were kept in the little grocery, and a barrel of whisky in the comer. H. Culver was just building- a larger store on the corner, about 20x40 feet, 1U> stories high, where Pegg's Hardware is, and moved in that winter. In the fall of 1851 he built a hotel on the west side of the street (Bleyer's place). It wTas late in the fall when it was raised, and I remember and he was about five years old (Lewis was about two years his senior) . There -were only five houses and five families there then, but soon afterwards a blacksmith's shop was built, an ashery was put in by Garry Vrooman, and several houses were built. In 1852, or 1853, a plank road was built from Toledo to Morenci, and on the same road now paralleled by the T. & W. electric line. In fact, this road, or very little if any of it, has not been changed from Morenci to Toledo. This plank road was a great thoroughfare from the West, as all products were sent to Toledo, and the merchandise of all kinds used west, as far as Morenci and Fayette passed through Metamora. Hotel business was good, and soon another was built. G. Vrooman built a new store on the

For several years before the electric road was built, it (Metamora) did not improve very fast. Metamora has had several losses by fire, but each time it has seemed to be a benefit to the village, for larger and better buildings were put up to replace the ones burned. Since the T. & W. was built, the village has steadily improved, and today is a very prosperous and beautiful place, surrounded by good farms, and as good enterprising citizens as any place in Ohio, or Michigan, I believe. . Most, if not all, of the older class that started in Amboy in Amboy Township, living on the same farm that he did at the time (they first settled) and he at the time was twelve years old. Horace Tredway was another schoolmate of mine. Pie still lives on and

William Bailey is stated to have been the pioneer physician of Metamora. He settled near the German Church, about two miles to the westward of the village. And Dr. Pomeroy, who actually lived in the village, was early in practice, and at the time of the coming of Lewis H. Hackett was then an old man. After a few years of practice in Metamora, he died and was there buried. Jonathan Saunders, one of the proprietors of the village, lived there until his death. His son, Clark, established himself as a druggist in Metamora, and the Saunders family still has good business interests in Metamora.

How Metamora came to be so named is not on record. For very many years it was the only post-office in the township; in fact until 1880, when Siney post-office was established to serve the western part of Amboy. The post-office for the eastern half of Amboy, and the first to be established was situated about one-half mile west of Metamora, stated Lewis S. Hackett. Continuing, he gives the information that: "Morev S. Potter was postmaster. This office supplied mail to patrons for several miles away, in all direction. We (the Hackett family) lived six miles southwest, and each and every Saturday that was my job to go and get the Albany 'Argus,' a paper printed in Albany, N. Y. There were not many letters passing in the mails in those days, for the postage on a letter was twenty-five cents. The Toledo 'Blade' was then published in Toledo, but very few copies came to our postoffice."

Metamora in 1858 was probably as widely known throughout the county as it is today ; and it seems to have been quite accessible, if one may draw inferences from a circular printed in that year. The interesting paper was discovered in 1913, while A. L. Guthrie was taking out a window in the farmhouse of W. S. Edgar, near Seward; and jDrinted on it was the following invitation:

Industrial Metamora, in 1888, embraced: "One saw mill; one hotel, kept by Peter Holben ; four dry goods stores, owned by James Garnsey, Edward Duvall, and Fred Prickett; one barber shop." A large cheese factory was also in process of establishment. And the physicians then were Drs. S. M. Clark, Foster, Tompkins, and Markham.

As now constituted, Metamora is a thriving, self-contained, town ; has an elevator and a cement block factory ; two good banks, which are referred to in the general chapter on Fulton county banking; two churches ; an excellent high school ; some up-to-date and completely-stocked stores; a live newspaper; a hotel; and two restaurants. It is satisfactorily served by the Toledo and Western electric railway. The village of Metamora was granted corporate powers on June

I, 1893. Its first mayor was James H. Garnsey, George F. Frasch acting at first as clerk, but his duties being soon assumed by F. A. Seeley, who during the last generation has been one of the prominent residents of Metamora. J. Ott, Jr., was elected mayor in 1899; Carson Garnsey, in 1900; H. D. Robinson, in 1901; E. S. Davoll, in 1904; S. A. Morse, in 1908; II. Id. Tredway, in 1914; S. A. Morse, in 1916;

There are no township records earlier than the current books now in the possession of the present township clerk, and the earlier records cannot be traced ; consequently it is not possible to more than state the names of the present township trustees, L. M. Ries, Jacob Schug and Nick Mossing, and present clerk, A. D. Franklin, and to record the information that the first township election was held in 1837, in the log house of David Duncan.

One of the early industries of the township was the cheese factory established on section seven, in 1868, by Benjamin Davis, of Royalton. He conducted it for very many years, as the Amboy Cheese Factory, and did a flourishing business, as was to be expected, situated as it was in a growing agricultural district which had practically no other convenient 'way of marketing its milk product. Conditions have radically changed, since the establishment of the huge evaporated milk plants in and near Fulton county.

Early data regarding the Amboy Township schools is not available from official records, all early records having been destroyed, or lost, but Lewis S. Hackett, who passed his boyhood and early manhood years in Amboy, and has maintained a close interest with Metamora and the township, has contributed the following "Recollections of the Schools of Amboy Township seventy years ago." He writes:

"There were only four schoolhouses in Amboy Township in the fall of 1849: one near Metamora; one on a farm now owned by George Davoll, and called Davoll School; one on the town line west, near Santee Corners ; and one on east and west road, west of Bartlett's Corners. at the intersection of an angling road from Metamora, s. w. to said east and west road. That angling road now only follows where it then did for about forty rods of the six miles of angling road, i. e., for forty rods north of the Petter Berry farm.