Grand Township

Organic History

GRAND TOWNSHIP was organized June 7, 1824, the first day of the Commissioners' first session after the organization of the county, and it was then the largest township in the county, as it comprised three full surveyed townships and sufficient Virginia Military Lands to form the fourth, all of which will appear from the following entry:

Commissioners of Marion County met for the first time after the organization of said county. Present: Matthew Merit, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman; Auditor, Hezekiah Gorton.

Ordered, That surveyed Townships 3, 4 and 5, in Range 13, and so much of the Virginia Military Tract as lies south of said townships in Marion County, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Grand Township.

Thus it will be seen that Grand Township, when organized, included what is now Grand, Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships, in Marion County, and one township which has since been cut off and added to Wyandot County as Marseilles Township. In December, 1831, the territory now included in Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships were taken from the southern portion of Grand Township and formed into Montgomery, as will appear from the following entry of that date:

Ordered by the Board, That Township No. 5 south, Range No. 13, and all the Virginia Military Land lying due south of Township 5, Range 13, within said county, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Montgomery.

At a subsequent date, Bowling Green Township was formed out of that portion of the Virginia Military Land which is included in the above entry; and at a still later date, when the county of Wyandot was erected and the boundaries of this and Crawford Counties were changed, surveyed Township 3, Range 13, and two tiers of sections off of surveyed Township 4, Range 13, were taken off of the northern portion of Grand and are now in Wyandot County. The Commissioners of this county, after the passage of the act of the General Assembly erecting the county of Wyandot, re-organized the remaining portion of Grand, in common with all the other fractional townships in the northern tier of townships of this county, as appears from the following entry:

Ordered, That the several fractional townships of Washington, Tully, Scott. Grand Prairie, Salt Rock and Grand iu Marion County, by reason of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled "An act to erect the new county of Wyandot, and alter the bounds of the county of Crawford." passed February 3, 1845, be and they are respectively organized into separate townships, and that said townships so organized respectively retain their original names and numbers on the records and duplicates of Marion County, for all purposes whatever.

Physical Features

Grand Township is now the smallest division in the county, containing only eighteen sections of Congress Lands; but it comprises some of the fairest portions of our territory, and those also which are adapted to agriculture and stock-raising as well. The lands are fertile and productive, yielding wheat, corn, oats, clover seed, and other cereals in abundance. The natural drainage afforded by the Tymochtee and numerous other creeks and rivulets renders the land everywhere tillable. Constantly flowing and never-failing springs, together with a number of artesian wells, furnish most excellent water privileges for both man and beast, and even in the midst of seasons of drought, no living thing need want for pure, fresh water to quench the thirst.

Several almost inexhaustible quarries of excellent building stone are found within the township, and innumerable gravel banks of much value also lie beneath the surface in this territory. Excellent timber of different variety is found in all parts of the township, and especially along the streams is its growth wonderfully abundant. Public roads were early established here, and to-day they traverse the township in every direction, thus affording ample facilities for public travel and for marketing grain and other produce.

Name

This township received its name - Grand - from the fact that at the time of its organization it was the largest division of the county, and therefore designated the "grand" division, or, more properly, Grand Township.

Settlement

At the time of its organization, there were within its boundaries quite a number of settlers. At the first election, held June 26, 1824, twelve votes were cast for William Cochran, who was elected Justice of the Peace. At a subsequent election, held October 12, 1824, thirteen votes were cast for Jeremiah Morrow for Governor and six for Allen Trimble, showing an increase of seven in the vote in the space of four months.

Among the first permanent white settlers within the present limits of this township were James Stiverson and family, who settled on the north part of Section 26 in 1821-22. Joseph and Myrick Higgins and their fami- lies, and Jacob Seaburn followed some time between the above date and 1828; Henry Deal and Elisha Davis (with wife Nancy), in 1828. Champness Terry and family, from Virginia, came in 1830; Walter Davis and his family, in 1832; Noah Gillespie, in 1835; James and Joseph Lindsay, in 1834-35; David Bower and family, in 1835; Jonathan Neal and family, 1834; Edward, Thomas and Joseph Rubens, Charles Merriman, Hugh Long, Gilbert Olney and son Benjamin, George Barnes, John Lindsay, Thomas Lapham, George Gray and others.

Among the first schoolhouses in thia township was one about a quarter of a mile west of the east line of the township, on what would be the road dividing Sections 36 and 25. It was built about the year 1827 or 1828. Mrs. Seaburn says there was a log schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of Section 25 when she settled here in 1828, and thinks that probably it had been built one to three years. Mrs. Nehemiah Davis, formerly Mary Ann Smith, says she attended school at this bouse in 1826. The first teacher she remembers was Miss Nancy Brown. Another was Michael Vincent, a good teacher, but cross, and followed the old-fashioned theory that if you spared the rod you spoiled the child. Thomas Lapham was another teacher in an early day. This schoolhouse was built of hewed logs, which were afterward taken down and removed to Scott Town. There are now three schoolhouses in Grand Township, namely, on Sections 22, 25 and 28.

Before the Union Church was erected, the Methodist and Christian societies held meetings in 'what is now kuown as the Seaborn Schoolhouse. on the northwest quarter of Section 25. The church, on this section, was built in 1869, at an expense of $2,200, besides $50 for the ground. Threefourths of the expense was incurred by the Methodists and one -fourth by the Christians. Of the Methodists, Nathaniel Osborn paid about $300: Benjamin Roney, $400; Abram Smith, $300; Milton Roads, $300, and others. Of the Christians, Jacob Seaburn paid $550, and others paid small amounts. The church is 36x46 feet in dimensions, will seat 250 to 300 people, and was built under the supervision of Rev. Avery Wright, and Rev. Harvey Wilson preached the dedication sermon.

Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. - The present membership of this church numbers fifty, who hold regular meetings at the above place once in two weeks. Sunday school every Sunday, with about fifty pupils. The ministers have been Revs. Avery Wright, Dwight Cook, Randolph Cook, David Rhinehart, Staley, Hager, Cameron, Senters, Downing, Lucas, and P. T. Webster, the present pastor.

Paw Paw Free-Will Baptist Church was organized March 16, 1850, by Revs. John Wallace and A. Hatch. James Otis, John King and Myrack Higgins were among the first members and were elected Trustees; John King, Clerk. Meetings were held for a time in the house of Myrack Higgins, but he soon gave a site for a house of worship on Section 33 in Grand Township, and a church edifice was built the following year and dedicated.

Rev. John Wallace was the first pastor. After his labors closed, Revs. G. W. Baker and G. H. Moon and others preached at intervals. The membership remained small. At last, public services were discontinued for several years and the house became dilapidated.

About the year 1872, the Free-Will Baptists and Methodist Episcopals jointly repaired and used the house. About that time the second Montgomery Free-Will Baptist Church, which was organized February 28, 1852. by

Revs. A. Hatch and K. F. Higgins, consisting of John Kiug and wife, Joshua Davis and wife, William Lauderback and Hiram Owens, and whish enjoyed the pastoral labors of the two ministers who organized it, and afterward of Revs. G. W. Baker, D. D. Halsted, James Aldrich, and perhaps others, disbanded, most of the members uniting with the church at LaRue, but some of them uniting with the Paw Paw Church. Since then the congregation has held its usual number, though still small, and preaching has been sustained portions of the time except for the last year, when both societies have been without preaching, and the house been unoccupied, except on funeral occasions.

Miscellaneous

The Clerk's books containing the records of Grand Township were destroyed by fire about the year 1880, and hence some of the data of history are irrecoverable.

Biographical Sketches

DAVID J. BOWER was born in what is now Marseilles Township, Wyandot County, Majr 27, 1835. He is a son of John N. and Gertrude D. (Demarest) Bower, natives of New York State. They were married in New York in 1834, and in the fall of the same year came to Ohio, and settled on land in Grand Township, which has since been included in Marseilles Township, Wyandot County. Mr. Bower died December 16, 1877, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Bower resides on the homestead in Marseilles Township, in the eighty -first year of her age. They were the parents of three children - David J. ; Mary, now Mrs. E. H. Rubins, and Olive M. Mr. Bower was Trustee of Grand Township, and also of Marseilles Township. In the latter township he served as Justice of the Peace six years. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the homestead. In 1860, he rented a farm in Hardin County, and in January, 1862, purchased his present farm in Grand Township. He has cleared and well improved this farm, and has made all the improvements. He is engaged in farming and rearing Durham cattle and Spanish Merino sheep. December 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Julia E. Vanarsdall, daughter of Thomas and Lucy Vanarsdall. She was born in York State September 15, 1838; of three children born to this union two are living - Charles H. and Sophronia J. May 2, L864, Mr. Bower enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortyfourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He was engaged in the battle of Monocacy and Berryville. Be was discharged from the office of Sergeant, August 31, 1864. September 23, following, he was drafted into Company B, Thirty eight Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was injured by falling from a train near Chattanooga, Tenn., and thus disabled from further service. He was discharged, June 10, 1865. Mr. Bower and family are members of the Marseilles Presbyterian Church. Mr. B. is identified with the orders of P. of H. and G. A. R. He served Grand Township as Trustee one year, and as Treasurer five years. He owns a farm of 160 acres.

JACOB P. BOWER was born in Chester County, Fenn., July 9, 1809. His parents, David and Susan (Kepner) Bower, were also natives of Chester County. They removed to New York State in 1810, and in 1835 to Grand Township, Marion County, where Mr. Bower entered 240 acres of land, and died April, 1861, aged seventy-five. Mrs. G. died io. August of the same year, at the same age. They had born to them eight children, of whom five are living. Our subject passed his early life on a farm When of age he took up the carpenter and joiner trade, and followed it about four years. He purchased land in Grand Township, which was afterward attached to Wyandot County. In 1837, he moved to Hardin County, and resided there most of the time till 1877, when he returned to Grand Township. October 1830, he was married to Miss Sarah Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Johnson. Mrs. Bower is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., was born July 5, 1808. They were blessed with four children, three of whom are still living - Helen, wife of Oscar Ralls ; Catherine L., wife of Isaac Clark; and George M. Adam died aged twenty-six y ears. Mrs. Bower departed this life March 31, 1877. Mr. Bower is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles.

ENOCH CLARK (deceased), one of the earliest settlers in the north part of Marion County, was born in Connecticut May 30, 1792, and was a son of John Clark, who was also a native of that State. Mr. Clark spent his youth and early manhood in his native place. In September, 1819, he emigrated to the West and settled in Union County, Ohio; and in February, 1821, came to Salt Rock Township, where he entered ninety -nine acres of land, and at the same time entered eighty acres over the line in Grand Township. These were the first lands entered northwest of Big Island. He settled in Salt Rock and cleared up the woodland, and improved the prairie. He was one of the very first settlers in the region of Salt Rock and Grand Townships, and aided in many of the first public improvements in that section. Although, at that time, not a member of any church, he aided by liberal contributions to the building of the Big Island Union Church, and Baptist Church, east of Pleasant Hill. He erected a mill on Enoch Creek, which years before had taken his name, and operated it about twenty years. During the latter part of the war of 1812, he was drafted into the service and served two months as a private. He married Miss Fanny Butler, daughter of William Butler, and a native of Connecticut. Seven children were the fruit of this union; of these four are living - Elisha, now of Nevada County, Ark.; Mary C. ; Sarah, widow of William A. Butler; and Isaac, the youngest. Enoch, Jr. (deceased) married Ruth Harkness and died in March, 1881, aged fifty-four. Caroline, married T. B. Kerr, and died in June, 1870; Mr. Kerr died in February the same year. An infant is also deceased. Enoch Clark, the subject of this memoir, departed this life March 28, 1878; he was a man honorable and upright in character, and generally esteemed. He started in Marion County with merely enough money to enter his land, and by his industry and energy he accumulated much valuable property. He made subsequent additions to his original entry, till he owned at one time over 1,200 acres of land. He was a man of public enterprise, and died after dividing considerable property among his children, leaving an estate valued at $40,000. For many years he handled stock, and in early days he bought and drove hogs to the cities on the lake, where he butchered and packed them. Mrs. Clark, wife of Enoch Clark, was born January 9, 1794, and died March 18, 1871.

ISAAC CLARK, the youngest son of Enoch Clark, was born in the old homestead in Salt Rock Township March 15, 1833. He passed his early life on the farm and obtained his education in the common schools. He remained at home and aided in clearing up and improving the homestead. In October, ]8G3, he bought eighty acres of his father, located in Grand Township. His farm now contains 1C3 acres, of which three acres are situated in Salt Rock. Mr. Clark is engaged in farming and stock-raising. For the last twenty years he has handled stock, shipping to Eastern markets, and ranks as one of the leading stock shippers in Marion County. September 22, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine L. Bower, daughter of J. P. Bower, an early settler of Marion County. Mrs. Clark was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, April 9, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Scott Town. He was one of the principal contributors to the erection of this church and is now serving as its Trustee. He filled the office of Trustee of the township four years and as Assessor two years. Mr. Clark is a man of public spirit, and "was one of the chief instigators of securing the important improvement of pikes in his township. In politics, he is a Republican.

HENRY DEAL, one of the oldest pioneers of Grand Township, was born in Frederick County, Va. , October 20, 1806. In 1809, his parents. George and Catharine (Hott) Deal, removed to Ohio, and settled in Harri - son Township, Pickaway County, where they resided till April, 1823, when they came to Marion County, and located in Salt Rock Township. Mr. Deal entered 260 acres, paying the Government price, $1.25 per acre. He died in June, 1851, aged seventy-two. He was a Lieutenant of Capt. Hugh Creighton's company in the late war with Great Britain. His father, Coonrad Deal, came from Prussia, and was pressed in the service of the Revolution on the British side. He served a short time, and escaped to the American side. Mrs. Deal, our subject's mother, died in August, 1851. Of nine children born to George and Catharine Deal, three are living; of these our subject is the eldest. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and has always followed that avocation. In 1828 29 he entered eighty acres, his present farm in Grand Township. He cleared a site and erected a log house 16x18 feet in size, which he occupied about twenty years, then erected his present residence. Mr. Deal has cleared and improved all but ten acres of his farm, and has aided in making many of the first roads in the township, and building its first schoolhouse. In 1831, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Seaburn, a daughter of William Seaburn. She died in 1837, leaving three children; of these two are living - George and William. George resides in Missouri, and William is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Central Ohio Conference. Mr. Deal again married in October, 1837. This time to Miss Mary Wolf, daughter of Frederick Wolf. Mrs. Deal departed this life in September. 1872. Mr. Deal adopted a child, Elijah Kennedy, and raised and educated him. He now has charge of Mr. Deal's farm. Mr. Deal is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns the land he entered over fifty years ago, and is one of the oldest pioneers of northern Marion County.

S. C. DODDS was born in Union County, Ohio, August 20, 1835. His father, Thomas Dodds, was born in Washington County, Penn., February 15, 1800; and his mother, Mary Comer, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Julyl, 1810. Mr. Dodds. the father of our subject, came to Ohio with his father, Andrew Dodds, in 1813, and settled in Delaware County. A few years afterward he went to Urbana, and learned the trade of a spinster.

which be followed for a time. In 1831, he married and settled in Allen Township, Union County, at which place he resided till 1846, when he removed to Hardin County, where he died in January. 1866. His wife preceded him November 24. 1850. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third. He passed his early life on a farm, and received his education in the common schools. When eighte n, he left home and obtained employment on a saw mill in Montgomery Township for two years. He then turned his attention to farming, and in January, 1868, he bought his present farm, which contain 160 acres. He has cleared most of this farm, and made all the improvements. August 22, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha' E. Frame, daughter of Smith and Lovey Frame. Mrs. Dodds was born in Big Island Township August 22, 1841. Six children were born to this union - Melvin S., Lovey J., Owen F., Mary T. , Samuel C. and Martha E. , deceased. Mr. Dodds served as Trustee of Montgomery Township three years during the war, and as Land Appraiser of Grand Township in 1880. He was a member of the Board of County Commissioners one term, and member of the Agricultural Board of the Agricultural Society eight years. Mr. Dodds is a man of enterprise, and is highly respected. Politically, he is Democratic.

NEHEMIAH DAVIS, a substantial farmer of Grand Township, was born in Washington County, Ohio, August 14, 1816. He is a son of Elisha and Nancy (Ellison) Davis. His mother died in 1818, and his father married Susan Mason, and in 1828 removed to Marion County, settling in Grand Township, where he entered 160 acres of land, which has since been included in Marseilles Township, Wyandot County. He resided on the land he took up from the Government till 1840; then removed near Five Points, Montgomery Township, and purchased 160 acres of land, on which he died April 22, 1841. His widow, after his death, returned to Washington County, Ohio. Our subject is the second son of five children. He came to the county with his father when twelve years old, and has since re sided within its limits. He remained with his father till he died, when he became the owner of 120 acres of the homestead. In 1842, he settled on their farm, and the following year moved to the land nis father had entered, and in 1844 he bought 210 acres of his present farm, on which he has since resided. To this original purchase he has made additions till he now owns 899 acres located in Grand and Salt Rock Townships. October 26, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Hugh V. and Sarah (Yazel) Smith. Mrs. Davis was born in Clark riounty, Ohio, October 5, 1820. To them were born three children. William E. mai-ried Princess Everett ; Hugh V. married Julia Clements; and Sarah E. , now Mrs. Taylor Everett. Mr. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican. He has always pursued the avocation of farm ing and stock-raising, and his broad and well-stocked farms attest to his success.

WILLIAM EVERETT, a farmer of Grand Township, was born in Lincolnshire, England. October 27. 1821. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Day) Everett, were natives of Lincolnshire, where they both died, the former at the age of eighty six, and the latter seventy-five. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the common schoolsof his native place May 14, 1853, i e was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Cummins) Blow, both natives of Lincolnshire. England. They emigrated to America with William Everett in 1857, and settled in Grand Township, where they died in 1867. To Mr.

and Mrs. Everett have been born four children - George, born in England in 1855; Edward, born in Marion County in 1857; Olive, born in 1859, and Rachel, born in 1863. Mr. Everett owns a farm of 340 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. He has made improvements on it which increased the value from $17.50 to $75 per acre. He is a successful farmer and well respected citizen. In 1864, ho enlisted in Company K, Thirtyeighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied Gen. Sherman on his noted march to the sea. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at the close of the war. William Everett served in the capacity of Town Trustee six years. He is connected with the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.

VALENTINE FEHL was born in Adams County, Penn., September 15, 1817. His parents, John and Sarah (Wolf) Fehl, were natives of the same countv. They were married about 1816, and in 1833 emigrated to the West, and settled in what is now Marseilles Township, Wyandot County, which then formed a part of Grand Township. Mr. Fehl bought at first 120 acres, mostly woodland, to which he made additions until his farm contained 500 acres'; of this 120 acres he entered in Grand Township. His death occurred July 12, 1868, aged seventy-six; Mrs. Fehl resides in Grand Township, in the ninetieth year of her age. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fehl, five are living. Our subject, the eldest child, was reared to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the district schools. In 1850, he bought 160 acres of woodland in Grand Township. He cleared a place and erected a house, which he occupied till the erection of the present residence in 1866. Mr. Fehl has increased his farm to 280 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. H^ has always followed farming and stock-raising, and with success. His first marriage took place in 1842, with Miss Rosanna Studebaker, a daughter of Abram and Mary Studebaker. She died in 1847, leaving two children - Olive (wife of Jacob Williams) and Caroline (wife of James Emptage. Mr. Fehl celebrated his second marriage November 9, 1851, with Miss Clara Otis, daughter of Stephen and Mary Otis. Mrs. Fehl, a native of Washington County, Ohio, was born September 8, 1834. This union was blessed with eight children; of these seven are living - Orlando O. , Sarah A. (wife of William McCleary), Maggie E., Etta, Finley J., Julia and Otis V; Clara M. died in infancy. Mr°Fehl and family are members of tbe Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican; he served as Treasurer of Grand Township tw lve years, and as Trustee six years.

NOAH GILLESPIE was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 1, 1817. He is a son of Robert and Sarah (Rice) Gillespie, natives of Virginia; Robert Gillespie was born in 1788, and Mrs. Gillespie in 1791; Mr. Gillespie came to Ohio with his father, William Gillespie, in 1802, and settled in Muskingum County. William Gillespie was born in Ireland, and crossed the waters before the Revolution; he served three years in that war, and was engaged in the battle of Brandywine; he died in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1828. Robert Gillespie, the father of the subject of this sketch, entered the war with Great Britain in 1814, in Capt. Van Horn's company, under Gen. Tup per, and served one year, receiving his discharge at Fort Meigs. He returned to Gallia County, where he married Sarah Rice in 1815, and in May, 1835, came to Marion County, Ohio. He bought forty acres of land, and entered eighty acres in Montgomery Township the subsequent year. In 1851, he sold for the purpose of going West, and purchased 160 acres on the southern line of Grand Township, where he died July 17, 1860; his widow survived him till February 11,1 877. They reared eight children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm; in 1889, he engaged in teaching, which profession he followed during the winter seasons for twenty-one years; in 1847, he took charge of the homestead, and subsequently became the owner of it. June 19, 1847, he was joined in marriage to Miss Emaline C. Owens, daughter of Margret and Isaac Owens. Mrs. Gillespie was born in Sussex County, Del., March 18, 1820. To this marriage were born seven children; of these five are living, viz., Lauretta (wife of Walter James), Harrison D., Hiram E., Horace G. and Florence (wife of Thomas Anderson) ; Byron and La Fayette are deceased. Noah Gillespie has served in various capacities of official trust in his county and township; he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners one term; Justice of the Peace sixteen years in succession; Trustee ten years, and Assessor twenty years. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm of 200 acres.

NATHANIEL OSBUN, a native of Eichland County, Ohio, was born June 4, 1829. His parents, Isaac and Margaret (Holmes) Osbun, were married in Richland County, and in 1833 removed and settled in Pleasant Township, Hardin County, where they both died. Mr. Osbun died in April, 1845, and his widow, August, 1876. They had ten children of whom our subject is the second. At the age of fourteen he took up the miller's trade, in a water-mill, near Kenton, and worked at it till of age, when he engaged working by the month, which he followed till 1856. That year he came to Scott Town and bought a sawmill, which he operated three years. In 1859, he purchased thirty acres of land, to which he added eighty acres in 1877. His occupation has been farming and stockraising. July 4, 1850, he was married* to Miss Joanna Hartman, daughter of Joseph and Jane Hartman. Mrs. Osbun died June 22, 1882, leaving eight children, viz.: Martha, Isaac E., Elinore, Sarah L., Nathaniel J.', Elizabeth A., Albert and Harry J.; William, Margaret J., Mary B. and John M. are deceased. Mr. Osbun and family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

EDWARD H. RUBINS, eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca Rubins, was born in Grand Township May 7, 1837. His early life was passed on the homestead, and his education obtained in the common schools. In 1868, he purchased eighty acres of land of his father, lying south of the homestead. He had moved on this farm in 1858. February, 1881. he bought his present farm, which contains 142 acres. December 29, 1880, his house was destroyed by fire on his other farm, and he moved to his present location. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and makes a specialty in breeding and rearing Spanish merino sheep. May 2, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He participated in the battles of Monocacy, July 9, where he received a bullet wound in the right arm, which necessitated amputation. He was honorably discharged, and now receives a pension of $30 per month. He was married, September 13, 1858, to Miss Mary H. W. Bower, daughter of Nicholas and Gertrude Bower. Mrs. Rubins was born in Wyandot County. Ohio, July 3, 1837. To them were born six children, all of whom are living - John E., Anna M. D., Thomas R, Charges H. , David W. aud Julia G. Mr. and Mrs. Rubins are members of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles. Mr. Rubins is a member of the G. A. R He is serving his fifth term as Justice of the Peace. He also filled the office of Clerk three years, and Assessor two years.

JOSEPH S. RUBINS, .second son of Thomas and Rebecca Rubins, was born on the homestead in Grand Township October '23, 1843. He was reared to manhood on the farm, and educated in the common schools. He aided in clearing the homestead, and in April, 1870, after his marriage, removed to a farm, three miles east of his birthplace, Avhere he purchased 160 acres of land, for which ho paid $5,400. March 6, 1875, he sold, and bought 200 acres of the homestead farm. He subsequently bought ninety - three acres, which makes a well- improved and highly cultivated farm of 293 acres. He is engaged in agriculture and raising fine stock. He makes a leading pursuit of breeding and rearing American merino sheep, and thoroughbred short-horn cattle. He purchased his sheep from the flock of P. F. & W. C. Coulter, of Licking County. He keeps a flock of 100 head, and sells annually about fifty. In the line of fine cattle, he keeps second to none in the county. He is also engaged in keeping French Norman and English draft horses. In fine stock pursuits, Mr. Rubins ranks as a prominent man in the county, and has been successful. He was married, December 29, 1869, to Miss Eugenia L. Cary, daughter of George and Lucinda Cary. Mrs. Rubins was born in Sussex County, N. J., November 17, 1843; four children were born to this union; of these two are living - Harry M. , born September 22, 1870, and Lettie M., born April 23, 1881. Mary R. and Louella are deceased. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He participated in the battle of Monocacy, and an engagement with Mosby's guerrillas. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 1, 1864. Mr. Rubins and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles. Politically, he is a Republican.

JACOB SEABURN, deceased, an old and much respected citizen of Grand Township, was born in West Virginia May 15, 1804; in the fall of the same year, his parents, William and Maiy Seaburn, removed to Ohio, settling in Pickaway County, where our subject was reared to manhood. He resided in Pickaway County till January, 1828, when he removed to Grand Township, Marion County. He purchased eighty acres of land, to which tract he added till his farm contained 170 acres. He was married, December 23, 1826, to Mary Conrad, a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., where she was born November 14, 1804. Mrs. Seaburn's parents migrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1813. Her grandfather, Oliver Conrad, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Seaburn was one of the early pioneer settlers of Grand Township, and aided in making many of its first improvements. He gave $500 to the erection of th« Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an active man in church work during his life. His death occurred October 20, 1874. He had filled the office of Trustee of his township twelve years, and of Treasurer thirteen years. He was a man of integrity, and was highly esteemed in the community. Mrs. Seaburn resides on the homestead of 167 acres, in the eightieth year of her age. A portrait of Mr. Seaburn appears in this work.

CHAMPNESS TERRY, the subject of this sketch, one of the oldest pioneers of Grand Township, was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., August 24, 1801. His parents, John a id Sarah (Hodnet) Terry, were natives of old Virginia. Mr. Terry enlisted in the Revolutionary war, and served eighteen months. He participated in the battle of Guilford Court House, N. C, and was discharged from the rank of Captain. He died at the advanced age of eighty -four years. He was the parent of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only surviving one. He was reared in his native place, and educated in the subscription schools of that day. In 1823, he began the trade of a carpenter, and followed it till the fall of 1831, when he emigrated to the West and located in Grand Township. He purchased 132 acres of land, for which he paid $5 per acre. This whole region of Grand was woods, and Mr. Terry aided in making many of the first roads. He cleared a site and erected a log house, which he occupied till the erection of his present residence. Mr. Terry has made additions to the original purchase till he now owns 250 acres, located in Marion, Hardin and Wyandot Counties. Mr. Terry has cleared and well improved his farm. The "Red Spring" is located a few rods from his home, and not unfrequently have the red men of the forest camped by this ever-flowing fountain. In 1812, Gen. Harrison and his army, while marching to Detroit, camped for the night at this spring. Mr. Terry handled live stock for sixteen years, and during that time kept a house of entertainment for stock-drovers. He furnished provisions to a great many pioneer families who came into Grand Township, and was one of the leading citizens of the township. Mr. Terry was married, March 20, 1829, to Rhoda Ann Thompson, daughter of David and Mary (Anderson) Thompson. She was born in Halifax County, Va. , September, 1 813, and died, leaving five children - Thomas J., Joseph C. and John H. ; Sarah J., David D. and William P. are deceased. David served three years in the late war, and was killed in the engagement at Snicker's Gap, while acting as Captain. Mr. Terry again married, February 26, 1843, this time to Rebecca Peters, daughter of Isaac and Mary Peters. Mrs. Terry, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, was born April 15, 1825. Of fourteen children born to this union eight are living, viz. : Mary A. (wife of Wilson Mason), James M., Luke A., George W., Ruth C. (wife of G. W. Bryant), Elizabeth A., Hannah J. and M. C. Zachariah L., Catharine L., Emma M., Susan R. and two infants are deceased. James M. and Luke A. were also soldiers in the rebellion. Mr. Terry is a Friend, religiously, and Mrs. Terry is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Terry is a Republican in his political views. He cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He has filled the office of Trustee of Grand Township for eighteen consecutive years. He has been an active and enterprising citizen, and by his energy and economy has achieved success in life.

Source changes here: from The History of Marion County Ohio, by Various, published 1883; 6,228 words in this source stream.

Organic History June 7

( i RAND TOWNSHIP was organized June 7, 1824, the first day of the Com-- missioners' first session after the organization of the county, and it was then the largest township in the county, as it comprised three full surveyed townships and sufficient Virginia Militury Lands to form the fourth, all of which will appear from the following entry: JUNE 7, A. D. 1824.

Commissioners of Marion County met for the first time after the organization of said county. Present: Matthew Merit, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman; Auditor, Hezekiah Gorton.

Ordered, Thai surveyed Townships 3,4 and 5, in Range 18, and so much of the Virginia Military Tract aslies south of said townships in Marion County, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Grand Township.

Thus it will be seen that Grand Township, when organized, included what is now Grand, Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships, in Marion County, and one township which has since been cut off and added to Wyandot County as Marseilles Township. In December, 1831, the territory now included in Montgomery and Bowling Green Townships were taken from the southern portion of Grand Township and formed into Montgomery, as will appear from the following entry of that date:

Ordered by the Board, That Township No. 5 south, Range No. 13, and all the Virginia Military Land lying due south of Township 5, Range 18, within said county, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Montgomery.

At a subsequent date, Bowling Green Township was formed out of that portion of the Virginia Military Land which is included in the above entry; and at a still later date, when the county of Wyandot was erected and the boundaries of this and Crawford Counties were changed, surveyed Township 3, Range 13, and two tiers of sections off of surveyed Township 4, Range 13, were taken off of the northern portion of Grand and arenow in Wyandot County. The Commissioners of this county, after the passage of the act of the General Assembly erecting the county of Wyandot, re-organized the remaining portion of Grand, in common with all the other fractional townships in the northern tier of townships of this county, as appears from the following entry: AUDITOR AND COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, Marron County, OHIO, March 28, 1845. Ordered, That the several fractional townships of Washington, Tully, Scott, Grand Prairie, Salt Rock and Grand in Marion County, by reason of the act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, entitled "An act to erect the new county of Wyandot, and alter the bounds of the county of Crawford," passed February 3, 1845, be and they are respectively organized into separate townships, and that said townships so organized respectively retain their original names and numbers on the records and duplicates of Marion County, for all purposes whatever. RICHARD HAUSE, ) JoHN UNCAPHER, > Commissioners. Hven V. SMITH, \

Physical Features

Grand Township is now the smallest division in the county, containing only eighteen sections of Congress Lands; but it comprises some of the fairest portions of our territory, and those also which are adapted to agriculture and stock-raising as well. The lands are fertile and productive, yielding wheat, corn, oats, clover seed, and other cereals in abundance. The natural drainage afforded by the Tymochtee and numerous other creeks and rivulets renders the land everywhere tillable. Constantly flowing and never-failing springs, together with a number of artesian wells, furnish most excellent water privileges for both man and beast, and even in the midst of seasons of drought, no living thing need want for pure, fresh water to quench the thirst.

Several almost inexhaustible quarries of excellent building stone are found within the township, and innumerable gravel banks of much value also lie beneath the surface in this territory. Excellent timber of different. variety is found in all parts of the township, and especially along the streams is its growth wonderfully abundant. Public roads were early established heré, and to-day they traverse the township in every direction, thus affording ample facilities for public travel and for marketing grain and other produce.

Name

This township received its name - Grand - from the fact that at the time of its organization it was the largest division of the county, and therefore designated the " grand" division, or, more properly, Grand Township.

Settlement

At the time of its organization, there were within its boundaries quite a. . number of settlers. At the first election, held June 26, 1824, twelve votes were cast for Wiliiam Cochran, who was elected Justice of the Peace. At a subsequent election, held October 12, 1824, thirteen votes were east for Jeremiah Morrow for Governor and six for Allen Trimble, showing an increase of seven in the vote in the space of four months.

Among the first permanent white settlers within the present limits of this township were James Stiverson and family, who settled on the north part of Section 26 in 1821-22. Joseph and Myrick Higgins and their fami- lies, and Jacob Seaburn followed some time between the above date and 1828; Henry Deal and Elisha Davis (with wife Nancy), in 1828. Champness Terry and family, from Virginia, came in 1830; Walter Davis and his family, in 1832; Noah Gillespie, in 1835; James and Joseph Lindsay, in 1834-35; David Bower and family, in 1835; Jonathan Neal and family, 1884; Edward, Thomas and Joseph Rubens, Charles Merriman, Hugh Long, Gilbert Olney and son Benjamin, George Barnes, John Lindsay, Thomas Lapham, George Gray and others.

Among the first schoolhouses in this township was one about a quarter of a mile west of the east line of the township, on what would be the road dividing Sections 36 and 25. It was built about the year 1827 or 1828. Mrs. Seaburn says there was a log schoolhouse on the northeast quarter of Seetion 25 when she settled here in 1828, and thinks that probably it had been built one to three years. Mrs. Nehemiah Davis, formerly Mary Ann Smith, says she attended school at this house in 1826. The first teacher she remembers was Miss Nancy Brown. Another was Michael Vincent, a good teacher, but eross, and followed the old.fashioned theory that if you spared the rod you spoiled the child. Thomas Lapham was another teacher in an early day. This schoolhouse was built of hewed logs, which were afterward taken down and removed to Scott Town. There are now three schoolhouses in Grand Township, namely, on Sectious 22, 25 and 28.

Before the Union Church was erected, the Methodist and Christian societies held meetings in what is now known as the Seaborn Schoolhouse, on the northwest quarter of Section 25. The church, on this section, was built in 1869, at an expense of $2,200, besides $50 for the ground. "Three. fourths of the expense was incurred by the Methodists and one-fourth by the Christians. Of the Methodists, Nathaniel Osborn paid about $300; Benjamin Roney, $400; Abram Smith, $300; Milton Roads, $800, and others. Of the Christians, Jacob Seaburn paid $550, and others paid small 'amounts. The church is 36x46 feet in dimensions, will seat 250 to 300 people, and was built under the supervision of Rev. Avery Wright, and Rev. Harvey Wilson preached the dedication sermon.

Zion Methodist Episcopal Church. - The present membership of this church numbers fifty, who hold regular meetings at the above place once in two weeks. Sunday school every Sunday, with about fifty pupils. The ministers have been Revs. Avery Wright, Dwight Cook, Randolph Cook, David Rhinehart, Staley, Hager, Cameron, Senters, Downing, Lucas, and P. T. Webster, the present pastor.

Paw Paw Free-Will Baptist Church was organized March 16, 1850, by Revs. John Wallace and A. Hatch. James Otis, John King and Myrack Higgins were among the first members and were elected Trustees; John King, Clerk. Meetings were held for a time in the house of Myrack Higgins, but he soon gave a site fora house of worship on Section 33 in Grand Township, and a church edifice was built the following year and dedicated.

Rev. John Wallace was the first pastor. After his labors closed, Revs. G. W. Baker and G. H. Moon and others preached at intervals. The membershipyemained small. At last, public services were discontinued for several years and the house became dilapidated.

About the year 1872, the Free- Will Baptists and Methodist Episcopals jointly repaired and used the house. About that time the second Montgomery Free- Wil) Baptist Church, which was organized February 28, 1852, by

Revs. A. Hatch and K. F. Higgins, consisting of John King and wife, Joshua Davis and wife, William Lauderback and Hiram Owens, and which enjoyed the pastoral laburs of the two ministers who organized it, and afterward of Revs. G. W. Baker, D. D. Halsted, James Aldrich, and perhaps others, disbanded, most of the members uniting with the church at LaRue, but some of them uniting with the Paw Paw Church. Since then the congregation has held its usual number, though still small, and preaching has been sustained portions of the time except for the last year, when both societies have been without preaching, and the house been unoccupied. except on funeral occasions. $

Miscellaneous

The Clerk's books containing the records of Grand Township were destroyed by fire about the year 1880, and hence some of the data of history are irrecoverable.

Biographical Sketches

DAVID J. BOWER was born in what is now Marseilles Township, Wyandot County, May 27, 1835. He is a son of John N. and Gertrude D. (Demarest) Bower, natives of New York State. They were married in New York in 1834, and in the fall of the same year came to Ohio, and settled land in Grand Township, which has since been included in Marseilles Township, Wyandot County. Mr. Bower died December 16, 1877, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Bower resides on the homestead in Marseilles Town-

Ship, in the eighty.first year of her age. They were the parents of three children - David J.; Mary, now Mrs. E. H. Rubins, and Olive M. Mr. Bower was Trustee of Grand Township, and also of Marseilles Township. In the latter township he served as Justice of the Peace six years. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the homestead. In 1860, he rented a farm in Hardin County, and in January, 1862, purchased his present farm in Grand Township. He has cleared and well improved this farm, and has made all the improvements. He is engaged in farming and rearing Durham cattle and Spanish Merino sheep. December 30, 1858, he was married to Miss Julia E. Vanarsdall, daughter of Thomas and Lucy Vanarsdall She was born in York State September 15, 1838; of three children born to this union two are living - Charles H. and Sophronia J. May 2, 1864, Mr. Bower enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortyfourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He was engaged in the battle of Monocacy and Berryville. He was discharged from the office of Sergeant, August 31, 1864. September 23, following, he was drafted into Company B, Thirty-eight Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was injured by falling from a train near Chattanooga, Tenn., and thus disabled from further service. He was discharged, June 10, 1865. Mr. Bower and family are members of the Marseilles Presbyterian Church. Mr. B. is identified with the orders of P. of H. and G. A. R. He served Grand Township as Trustee one year, and as Treasurer five years. He owns a farm of 160 acres.

JACOB P. BOWER was born in Chester County, Penn., July 9, 1809. His parents, David and Susan (Kepner) Bower, were also natives of Chester County. They removed to New York State in 1810, and in 1835 to Grand Township, Marion County, where Mr. Bower entered 240 acres of land, and died April, 1861, aged seventy-five. Mrs. G. died in August of the same year, at the same age. They had born to them eight children, of whom five are living. Our subject passed his early life on a farm. When of age he took up the carpenter and joiner trade, and followed it about four years. He purchased land in Grand Township, which was afterward attached to Wyandct County. In 1837, he moved to Hardin County, and resided there most of the time till 1877, when he returned to Grand Township. October 9, 1830, he was married to Miss Sarah Johnson, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Johnson. Mrs. Bower is a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., was Born July 5, 1808. They were blessed with four children, three of whom are still living - Helen, wife of Oscar Ralls; Catherine L., wife of Isaac Clark; and George M. Adam died aged twenty-six years. Mrs. Bower departed this life March 31, 1877. Mr. .Bower is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles.

ENOCH CLARK (deceased), one of the earliest settlers in the north part of Marion County, was born in Connecticut May 30, 1792, and was & son of John Clark, who was also a native of that State. Mr. Clark spent his youth and early manhood in his native place. In September, 1819, he emigrated to the West and settled in Union County, Ohio; and in February, 1821, came to Salt Rock Township, where he entered ninety-nine acres of land, and at the same time entered eighty acres over the line in Grand Township. These were the first lands entered northwest of Big Island. He settled in Salt Rock and cleared up the woodland, and improved the prairie. He was one of the very first settlers in the region of Salt Rock and Grand Townships, and aided in many of the first public improvements in that section. Although, at that time, not a member of any church, he aided by liberal contributions to the building of the Big Island Union Church, and Baptist Church, east of Pleasant Hill He erected a mill on Enoch Creek, which years before had taken his name, and operated it about twenty years. During the latter part of the war of 1812, he was drafted into the service and served two months as a private. He married Miss Fanny Butler, daughter of William Butler, and a native of Connecticut. Seven children were the fruit of this union; of these four are living - Elisha, now of Nevada County, Ark; Mary C.; Sarah, widow of William A. Butler; and Isaac, the youngest. Enoch, Jr. (deceased) married Ruth Harkness and died in March, 1881, aged fifty-four. Caroline, married T. B. Kerr, and died in June, 1870; Mr. Kerr died in February the same year. An infant is also deceased. Enoch Clark, the subject of this memoir, departed this life March 28, 1878; he was a man honorable and upright in character, and generally esteemed. He started in Marion County with merely enough money to enter his land, and by his industry and energy he accumulated much valuable property. He made subsequent additions to his original entry, till he owned atonetime over 1,200 acres of land. He was a man of publie enterprise, and died after dividiug considerable property among his children, leaving an estate valued at $40,000. For many years he handled stock, and in early days he bought and drove hogs to the cities on the lake, where he butchered and packed them. Mrs. Clark, wife of Enoch Clark, was born January 9, 1794, and died March 18, 1871.

ISAAC CLARK, the youngest son of Enoch Clark, was born in the old homestead in Salt Rock Township March 15, 1833. He passed his early life on the farm and obtained his education in the common schools. He remained at home and aided in clearing up and improving the homestead. In October, 1863, he bought eighty acres of his father, located in Grand Township. His farm now contains 163 acres, of which three acres are situated in Salt Rock. Mr. Clark is engaged in farming and stock-raising. For the last twenty years he has handled stock, shipping to Eastern markets, and ranks as one of the leading stock shippers in Marion County. September 22, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine L. Bower, daughter of J. P. Bower, an early settler of Marion County. Mrs. Clark was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, April 9, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Scott Town. He was one of the principal contributors to the erection of this church and is now serving as its Trustee. He filled the office of Trustee of the township four years and as Assessor two years. Mr. Clark is a man of public spirit, and was one of the chief instigators of securing the important improvement of pikes in his township. In politics, he is a Republican.

HENRY DEAL, one of the oldest pioneers of Grand Township, was born in Frederick County, Va., October 20, 1806. In 1809, his parents, George and Catharine (Hott) Deal, removed to Ohio, and settled in Harrison Township, Pickaway County, where they resided till April, 1823, when they came to Marion County, and located in Salt Rock Township. Mr. Deal entered 260 acres, paying the Government price, $1.25 per acre. He died in June, 1851, aged seventy-two. He was a Lieutenant of Capt.

. Hugh Creighton's company in the late war with Great Britain. His father, Coonrad Deal, came from Prussia, and was pressed in the service of the Revolution on the British side. He served a short time, and escaped to the Americanside. Mrs. Deal, our subject's mother, died in August, 1851. Of nine children born to George and Catharine Deal, three are living; of these our subject is the eldest. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and has always followed that avocation. In 1828-29 he entered eighty acres, his present farm in Grand Township. He cleared a site and erected a log house 16x18 feet in size, which he oceupied about twenty years, then erected his present residence. Mr. Deal has cleared and improved all but ten acres of his farm,and has aided in making many of the first roads in the township, and building its first schoolhouse. In 1831, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Seaburn, a daughter of William Seaburn. She died in 1837, leaving

'sides in Missouri, and William is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Central Ohio Conference. Mr. Deal again married in October, 1837. This time to Miss Mary Wolf, daughter of Frederick Wolf. Mrs. Deal departed this life in September, 1872. Mr. Deal adopted a child, Eliiah Kennedy, and raised and educated him. He now has charge of Mr. Deal's farm. ` Mr. Deal is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns the land he entered over fifty years ago, and is one of the oldest pioneers of northern Marion County.

S. DODDS was born in Union County, Ohio, August 20, 1835. His father, Thomas Dodds, was born in Washington County, Penn., February 15, 1800; and his mother, Mary Comer, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 1, 1810. Mr. Dodds, the father of our subjeci, came to Ohio with his father, Andrew Dodds, in 1818, and settled in Delaware County. A few years afterward he went to Urbana, and learned the trade of a spinster, which he followed for a time. In 1831, he married and settled in Allen Township, Union County, at which place he resided till 1846, when he removed to Hardin County, where he died in January. 1866. His wife preceded him November 24, 1850. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third. He passed his early life on a farm, and received his education in the common schools. When eighte n, he left home and obtained employment on a saw mill in Montgomery Township for two years. He then turned his attention to farming, and in January, 1868, he bought his present farm, which contain 160 acres. He has cleared most of this farm, and made all the improvements. August 22, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha' E. Frame, daughter of Smith and Tovey Frame. Mrs. Dodds was born in Big Island Township August 22, 1841. Six children were born to this union - Melvin S., Lovey J., Owen F., Mary T., Samuel C. and Martha E., deceased. Mr. Dodds served as Trustee of Montgomery Township three years during the war,and as Land Appraiser of Grand Township in 1880. He was a member of the Board of County Commissioners one term, and member of the Agricultural Board of the Agri. cultural Society eight years. Mr. Dodds is a man of enterprise, and is highly respected. Politically, he is Democratic.

NEHEMIAH DAVIS, a substantial farmer of Grand Township, was born in Washington County, Ohio, August 14, 1816. He is a son of Elisha and Nancy (Ellison) Davis. His mother died in 1818, and his father married Susan Mason, and in 1828 removed to Marion County, settling in Grand Township, where he entered 160 acres of land, which has since been included in Marseilles Township, Wyandot County. He resided on the land he took up from the Government till 1840; then removed near Five Points, Montgomery Township, end purchased 160 acres of land, on which he died April 22, 1841. His widow, after his death, returned to Washington County, Ohio. Our subject is the second son of five children. He came to the county with his father when twelve years old, and has since re. sided within its limits. He remained with hie father till he died, when he became the owner of 120 acres of the homestead. In 1842, he settled on their farm, and the following year moved to the land his father had entered, and in 1844 he bought 210 acres of his present farm, on which he has since resided. To this original purchase he has 1nade additions till he now owns 899 acres located in Grand and Salt Rock Townships. October 26, 1842, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of Hugh V. and Sarah (Yazel) Smith. Mrs. Davis was born in Clark County, Ohio, October 5, 1820. To them were born three children. William E. married Princess Everett; Hugh V. married Julia Clements; and Sarah E., now Mrs. Tavlor Everett. Mr. Davis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities is a Republican. He has always pursued the avocation of farm. ing and stock-raising, and his broad and well-stocked farms attest to his UU WILLIAM EVERETT, a farmer of Grand Township, was born in Lin. colnshire, England, October 27, 1821. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Day) Everett, were natives of Lincolnshire, where they both died, the former at the age of eighty six, and the latter seventy-five. Our subject was reared to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of his native place May 14, 1853, ! was married to Miss Hannah, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Cummins) Blow, both natives of Lincolnshire, England. They emigrated to America with William Everett in 1857, and settled in Grand Township, where they died in 1867. To Mr.

and Mrs. Everett have been born four children - George, born.in England in 1855; Edward, born in Marion County in 1857; Olive, born in 1859, and Rachel, born in 1863. Mr. Everett owns a farm of 340 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. He has made improvements on it which increased the value from $17.50 to $75 per acre. He is a successful farmer and well respected citizen. In 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Thirtyeighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied Gen. Sherman on his noted march to the sea. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, at the close of the war. William Everett served in the capacity of Town Trustee six years. He is connected with the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. j

VALENTINE FEHL was born in Adams County, Penn., September 15, 1817. His parents, John and Sarah (Wolf) Fehl, were natives of the same county. They were married about 1816, and in 1833 emigrated to the West, and settled in what is now Marseilles Township, Wyandot County, which then formed a part of Grand. Township. Mr. Fehl bought at first 120 acres, mostly woodland, to which he made additions until his farm contained 500 acres; of this 120 acres he entered in Grand Township. His death occurred July 12, 1868, aged seventy-six; Mrs. Fehl resides in Grand Township, in the ninetieth year of her age. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fehl, five are living. -Our subject, the eldest child, was reared to manhood on a farm, and was educated in the district schools. In 1850, he bought 160 acres of woodland in Grand Township.. He cleared a place and erected a house, which he occupied till the erection of the present residence in 1866. Mr. Fehl has increased his farm to 280 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. Ho» has always followed farm. ing and stock-raising, and with success. His first marriage took place in' 1842, with Miss Rosanna Studebaker, a daughter of Abram and Mary Studebaker. She died in 1847, leaving two children - Olive (wife of Jacob Williams) and Caroline (wife of James Emptage. Mr. Fehl celebrated his second marriage November 9, 1851, with Miss Clara Otis, daughter of Stephen and Mary Otis. Mrs. Fehl, a native of Washington County, Ohio, was born September 8, 1834. This union was blessed with eight children; of these seven are living - Orlando O., Sarah A. (wife of William McCleary), Maggie E., Etta, Finley J., Julia and Otis V.; Olara M. died in infancy. Mr. Fehl and family are members of tbe Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican; he served as Treasurer of Grand Township tw.lve years, and as Trustee six years.

NOAH GILLESPIE was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 1, 1817. He is a son of Robert and Sarah (Rice) Gillespie, natives of Virginia; Robert Gillespie was born in 1788, and Mrs. Gillespie in 1791; Mr. Gillespie came to Ohio with his father, William Gillespie, in 1802, and settled in Muskingum County. William Gillespie was born in Ireland, and crossed the waters before the Revolution; he served three years in that war, and was engaged in'the battle of Brandywine; he died in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1828. Robert Gillespie, the father of the subject of this sketch, entered the war with Great Britain in 1814, in Capt. Van Horn's company, under Gen. Tupper, and served one year, receiving his discharge at Fort Meigs. He returned to Gallia County, where he married Sarah Rice in 1815, and in May, 1835, came to Marion County, Ohio. He bought forty acres of land, and entered eighty acres in Montgomery Township the subsequent year. In 1851, he sold for the purpose of going West, and purchased 160 acres on the southern line of Grand Township, where he died July 17, 1860; his widow survived him till February 11, 1877. They reared eight children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm; in 1839, he engaged in teaching, which profession he followed during the winter seasons for twenty-one years; in 1847, he took charge of the homestead, and subsequently became the owner of it. June 19, 1847, he was joined in marriage to Miss Emaline C. Owens, daughter of Margret and Isaac Owens. Mrs. Gillespie was born in Sussex County, Del., March 18, 1820. To this marriage were born seven children; of these five are living, viz., Lauretta (wife of Walter James), Harrison D., Hiram E., Horace G. and Florence (wife of Thomas Anderson); Byron and La Fayette are deceased. Noah Gillespie has: served in various capacities of official trust in his county and township; he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners one term; Justice of the Peace sixteen years in succession: Trustee ten years, and Assessor twenty years. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm of 200 acres.

NATHANIEL OSBUN, a native of Richland County, Ohio, was born June 4, 1829. His parents, Isaac and Margaret (Holmes) Osbun, were married in Richland County, and in 1833 removed and settled in Pleasant Township, Hardin County, where they both died. Mr. Osbun died in April, 1845, and his widow, August, 1876. They had ten children of whom our subject is the second. Atthe age of fourteen he took up the miller's trade, in a water-mill, near Kenton, and worked at it till of age, when he engaged working by the month. which he followed till 1856. That year he came to Scott Town and bought a saw-mill, which he operated three years. In 1859, he purchased thirty acres of land, to which he added eighty acres in 1877. His occupation has been farming and stockraising. July 4, 1850, he was married; to Miss Joanna Hartman, daughter of Joseph and Jane Hartman. Mrs. Osbun died June 22, 1882, leaving eight children, viz.: Martha, Isaac E., Elinore, Sarah L., Nathaniel J., Elizabeth A., Albert and Harry J.; William, Margaret J., Mary B. and John M. are deceased. Mr. Osbun and family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

EDWARD H. RUBINS, eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca Rubins, was born in Grand Township May 7, 1887. His early life was passed on the homestead, and his education obtained in the common schools. In 1868, he purchased eighty acres of land of his Saai lying south of the homestead. He had moved on this farm in 1858. February, 1881, he bought his present farm, which contains 142 acres. December 29, 1880, his house was destroyed by fire on his other farm, and he moved to his present location. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and makes a specialty in breeding qnd rearing Spanish merino sheep. May 2, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He participated in the battles of Monocacy, July 9, where he received a bullet wound in the right arm, which necessitated amputation. He was honorably discharged, and now receives a pension of $30 per month. He was married, September 18, 1858, to Miss Mary H. W. Bower, daughter of Nicholas and Gertrude Bower. Mrs. Rubins was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, July 3, 1887. To them were born six children, all of whom are living - John E., Anna M. D., Thomas R, Charles H., David W. and Julia G. Mr. and Mrs. Rubins are members of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles. Mr. Rubins is a member of the G. A. R. He is serving his fifth term as Justice of the Peace. He also filled the office of Clerk three years, and Assessor two years.

JOSEPH S. RUBINS, second son of Thomas and Rebecca Rubins, was born on the homestead in Grand Township October 23, 1843. He was reared to manhood on the farm, and educated in the common schools. He aided in clearing the homestead, and in April, 1870, after his marriage, removed to a farm, three miles east of his birthplace, where he purchased 160 acres of land, for which he paid $5,400. March 6, 1875, he sold, and bought 200 acres of the homestead farm. He subsequently bought ninetythree acres, which makes a well-improved and highly cultivated farm of . 298 acres. He is engaged in agriculture and raising fine stock. He makes a leading pursuit of breeding and rearing American merino sheep, and thoroughbred short-horn cattle. He purchased his sheep from the flock of P. F. & W. C. Coulter, of Licking County. He keeps a flock of .100 head, and sells annually about fifty. In the line of fine cattle, he kbeps second to none in the county. He is also engaged in keeping French Norman and English draft horses. In fine stock pursuits, Mr. Rubins ranks as a prominent man in the county, and has been succeasful. He was married, December 29, 1869, to Miss; Eugenia L. Cary, daughter of George and Lucinda Cary. Mrs. Rubins was born in Sussex County, N. J., November 17, 1848; four children were born to this union; of these two are living - Harry M., born September 22, 1870, and Lettie M., born April 23, 1881. Mary R. and Louella are deceased. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He participated in the battle of Monocacy, and an engagement with Mosby's guerrillas. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 1, 1864. Mr. Rubins and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Marseilles. Politically, he is a Republican.

JACOB SEABURN, deceased, an old and much respected citizen of Grand Township, was born in West Virginia May 15, 1804; in the fall of? the same year, his parents, William and Mary Seaburn, removed to Ohio, settling in Pickaway County, where our subject was reared to manhood. He resided in Pickaway County till January, 1828, when he removed to Grand Township, Marion County. He purchased eighty acres of land, to which tract he added till his farm contained 170 acres. He was married, December 23, 1826, to Mary Conrad, a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., where she was born November 14, 1804. Mrs. Seaburn's parents migrated to Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1818. Her grandfather, Oliver Conrad, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Seaburn was one of the early pioneer settlers of Grand Township, and aided in making many of its first improvements. He gave $500 to the erection of the Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an active man in church work during his life. His death occurred October 20, 1874. He had filled the office of Trustee of his township twelve years, and of Treasurer thirteen years. He wasa man of integrity, and was highly esteemed in the community. ` Mrs. Seaburn resides on the homestead of 167 acres, in the eightieth year of her age. A portrait of Mr. Seaburn appears in this work. _

CHAMPNESS TERRY, the subject of this sketch, one of the oldest pioneers of Grand Township, was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., August 24, 1801. His parents, John a:d Sarah (Hodnet) Terry, were natives of old Virginia. Mr. Terry enlisted in the Revolutionary war, and served eighteen months. He participated in the battle of Guilford Court House, N. C., and was discharged from the rank of Captain. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was the parent of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only surviving one. He was reared in his native place, and educated in the subscription schools of that day. In 1823, he began the trade of a carpenter, and followed it till the fall of 1831, when he emigrated to the West and located in Grand Township. He purchased 132 acres of land, for which he paid $5 per acre. This whole region of Grand was woods, and Mr. Terry aided in making many of the first roads. He cleared a site and erected a log house, which he occupied till the erection of his present residence. Mr. Terry has made additions to the original purchase till he now owns 250 acres, located in Marion, Hardin and Wyandot Counties. Mr. Terry bas cleared and well improved his farm. The '' Red Spring" is located a few rods from his home, and not unfrequently have the red men of the forest camped by this ever-flowing - fountain. In 1812, Gen. Harrison and his army, while marching to Detroit, camped for the night.at this spring. Mr. Terry handled live stock for sixteen years, and during that time kept a house of entertainment for stock-drovers. He furnished provisions to a great many pioneer families who came into Grand Township, and was one of the leading citizens of the township. Mr. Terry was married, March 20, 1829, to Rhoda Ann Thompson, daughter of David and Mary (Anderson) Thompson. She was born in Halifax County, Va., September, 1813, and died, leaving five children - Thomas J., Joseph C. and John H.; Sarah J., David D. and William P. are deceased. David served three years in the late war, and was killed in the engagement at Snicker's Gap, while acting as Captain. Mr. Terry again married, February 26, 1843, this time to Rebecca Peters, daughter of Isaac and Mary Peters. Mrs. Terry, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, was born April 15, 1825. Of fourteen children born to this union eight are living, viz.: Mary A. (wife of Wilson Mason), James M., Luke A., George W., Ruth C. (wife of G. W. Bryant), Elizabeth A., Hannah J. and M. Zachariah L., Catharine L., imma M., Susan R. and two infants are deceased. James M. and Luke A. were also soldiers in the rebellion. Mr. Terry is a Friend, religiously, and Mrs. Terry is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Terry is a Republican in his political views. He cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He has filled the office of Trustee of Grand Township for eighteen consecutive years. He has been an active and enterprising citizen, and by his energy and economy has achieved snccess in life.