Harrison Township (part 3 of 3)

Sometime the parties would miss the "through train," and would be compelled to advance without a conductor. About thirty years ago, a party of this kind was travelling up the pike from Oxford, when a man on horseback overtook them, and tried in every manner to hinder them, and thus assist their masters, who where in close pursuit. The frightened negroes took refuge in the house of a colored man who lived in Claysburgh, and the avaricious watcher, thinking that they were trapped, quietly awaited the arrival of their masters. But the shrewd darkies had escaped from a back window, through the cornfield into the adjoining woods, and were rapidly conducted into Indiana. Their sable conductor was none other than Gabriel Smith, known all over the country as "Old Gabe."

Nearly forty years ago, an emigrant from the South came into Israel township bringing his two slaves with him, but as it was unlawful to hold slaves in Ohio, he settled just across the Indiana line. One of the slaves was old Gabe, who afterwards settled at Claysburgh. He was a fine singer, and the fiddler of the county, and was quite a character.

In 1858, a gentleman by the name of Sloan, who lived on a plantation in Newbury district, South Carolina, feeling that the end of his life was approaching, and desirous of freeing his slaves before his death, decided to make a trip to Ohio. He had probably heard of the Israel township settlement from South Carolina, and it was thought best to make this township the terminus of the jonrney. Accordingly, he started with his fourteen slaves, and proceeded by wagon over the mountains to Ohio, arriving after several weeks of weary journeying. Mr. Sloan purchased a few acres of land adjoining Morning Sun, and after seeing his people comfortably settled, returned to

There is no other township in Preble county whose history of every day life is so thoroughly identified with that of the church. It has been well remarked that the history of Israel township is the history of her churches. Her pioneers were her preachers,and her early settlers were her church members. As has already been noticed, the majority of the pioneers of Israel emigrated from that most of them were supporters of churches in the south, and for conscience sake took their departure from their native State, and came north into the virgin State of Ohio, to battle with the wilderness and suffer the rigors necessary to settlement and acclimatization: and all this because of their love for God and their abhorrence of evil. Men. who would voluntarily leave good homes for such cause must have been made of true metal, and their subsequent history has proved it.

The original stock was Scotch-Irish, and in the rocky fastnesses of Scotland they had imbibed the strongest Presbyterianism. Many of them settled in the Carolinas. In 1743 the Covenanters, and in 1732 the Reformed Presbyterians, seceded from the mother church in Scotland, and it was to these two parties that the Carolina settlers of Israel township belonged. Both churches were well represented in the township from the very first, and as a matter of course the rock-ribbed Christians immediately proceeded to organize their respective churches, and it is not strange that their influence has molded the character of the people.

The Covenanter Church

Prior to the year 1810 the Covenanters, who had made their homes in the township, assembled in private houses in the neighborhood, and it was not long before it was deemed expedient to enter into the organization of a church of their own denomination. They immediately proceeded with the work, and very soon, under the ministration of Rev. Donnelly, a minister of their church, succeeded in effecting an organization with a very considerable number of members. This organiza tion took place in the cabin of James Faris, in section twenty-six, near the spot where the church was afterwards erected. Rev. John Kell was among the first ministers who labored among them. Rev. John Black, of Pittsburgh, preached after Mr. Kell, and he in turn was followed by Rev. Lusk, and soon afterwards by Rev. Gavin McMillan, who was the faithful shepherd of the flock for many years. It was during his pastorate, in the year 1834, that the Covenanters, while in general assembly at Pittsburgh, became divided into two parties, the dissenters taking the name New Party and the remainder calling themselves members of the Old Party. This division, originating in the presbytery, became general throughout the Covenanter churcb, and it soon became necessary for the Morning Sun congregation to declare itself The shepherd of the flock, Rev. Gavin McMillan, thought best of the New Party, and accordingly announced the fact to his people, who, naturally enough, followed him almost ez masse into the new pasture, though a few positively declined to leave the Old Party. At this time they had a commodious brick church, which, until quite recently, stood in the midst of the cemetery where most of the original members lie buried. During the controversy between the two congregations for the possession of the church building, an amusing incident happened which is worthy of record. William Ramsey, one of the conservative party, got possession of the church one Sabbath, and opened the doors to the members of his party. He took his stand beside the high, old fashioned pulpit, and was about to conduct services when Mr. McMillan hurriedly entered the church, and before Mr. Ramsey was aware, had nimbly swung himself over the balustrade of the high pulpit, and the day was his. But Elder Ramsey, though amazed, was not altogether nonplussed, and with ready and keen wit he exclaimed: 'He that entereth not in by the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Then he, with his followers, withdrew to the school-house opposite the church, and the new party remained the possessors of the house of worship. Mr. McMillan continued to preach to this people until within a short time of his death, which occurred in the winter of 1867, in the fortieth year of his ministry. Rev. J. H. Cooper, while pastor of the church, decided to unite with the United Presbyterian church, and accordingly, with the majority of his people, was received as a member of that church. They continued to worship in "Beechwood" church, and many of the eastern portion of the Hopewell congregation united with them. Several years ago these people, under the name of the Morning Sun congregation, together with one hundred and one members of Hopewell church, organized and immediately proceeded to build their present handsome brick church, at an expense of nearly fourteen thousand dollars. The old church was sold and torn down. Samuel McQuiston used the bricks to build his new house. Only the outline of the old foundation remains in the cemetery as a monument, and together with many of the old members who are buried around it, is it mouldering to dust. Its young successor, the. Morning Sun church, is in a flourishing condition. After Mr. Cooper, Rev. H. A. McDonald became the pastor of this congregation. He was followed ty the present pastor, Rev. J. M. Johnston. The present eldership is as follows: Hugh McQuiston, sr., Hugh Elliott, Dr. Sloan, Samuel Mc- Quiston, William Wright, Dr. Harris, John Marshall, James Cook and James Faris. There are two hundred and eight members of the church, and about two hundred in the Sabbath-school. John Elliott is superintendent,

United Presbyterian

In the preliminary remarks upon the early history of Presbyterianism, it was stated that the emigrants from the south belonged either to the Covenanter or Reformed Presbyterian church. The history of the Covenanters of Israel township has been closed, and we see its vigorous life continued in the flourishing Morning Sun United Presbyterian church.

Taking a retrospect of the course of the Reformed Presbyterians who settled in the township, it will be discovered that they hardly waited to build their cabin homes before they proceeded to organize their church. It will be seen that the nucleus of the United Presbyterian church in Israel township was formed by the emigrants from the south.

The Hopewell Church

In the years 1806 and 1807 several families, members of the Associate Reformed church, emigrated from the States of Kentucky and South Carolina, and settled in Israel township in the midst of the Beech Woods. Rev. Risk, a minister of the Associate Reformed church, preached to them soon after their settlement. In the fall of 1868, at the house of William McCreary, in section thirty-six, they formed themselves into a society, and in conjunction with the people of Concord petitioned the presbytery of Kentucky for supplies. Among those who occasionally supplied them were, Revs. McCord, McGill, Samuel Crothers and Abraham Craig. September, 1808, the people assembled in the double log barn of David McDill's, and Mr. Craig, after preaching, organized the congregation into a church of nearly fifty members. Prominent among these first names on the church roll were the McDills, McQuistons, Boyses, Ramseys and Elliotts. At the time of the organization the following elders were chosen by the congregation: David and Andrew McQuiston, James Boyse, Ebenezer Elliott and John. Patterson, all of whom had been ordained previous to their settlement in the township. The church continued to receive supplies from the Kentucky presbytery, and the number of members was increased by immigration, but the prospect of having a settled minister among them did not open until 1814, when Rey. Alexander Porter, the pastor of the Associate Reformed church at Cedar Springs, Abbeville district, South Carolina, being previously released from his charge, came on a visit to the western churches, and to the Israel township congregation preached on two Sabbaths and one week day. By this time the congregation had increased to more than fifty families, and the people were more than ever desirous of securing a pastor and of erecting a house of worship. Accordingly they drew up a call for Mr. Porter, and presented it to the presbytery of Kentucky. A copy of the call is now in possession of the Hopewell session. It is drawn up in the usual form, and prays that Mr. Porter become the shepherd of their souls, and promises him all due respect and support. It was signed by the following persons, who constituted the first membership of the church: David M., Andrew and Hugh McQuiston, William, Moses and James McGaw, David and Mary McDill, James and Robert Boyse, Ebenezer and Robert Elliot, John and Samuel Patterson, John, Robert, David, Joseph and Samuel Pressly, Tames and Thomas McDill, Nathan Brown, John Brown, Hugh Ramsey, Richard Sloan, George and James Brown, Gavin Mitchell, William McCreary, Robert, Joseph and John Douglas, William Morris, John Foster, Alexander Hamilton, David Fares, John and James Hathorne, William, John and Robert Buck, William Pinkerton, David and Samuel Hathorne, William Allen, William Morris, John and Samuel Wiley, John and James Baine, Reuben C. and Andrew Weed, James Giles, John Wilson, John and James Alton, Andrew and Mary Martin, Robert Gamble, Joseph and William Steel, Richard and James Scott, Matthew and James McClurken, John Caldwell, Alexander Young, William Robison, Gilbert Marshall, David Bonner and Andrew Baird. Mr. Porter was promised three hundred and thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents yearly salary for two-thirds of his time. For the other third of his ministerial labors the congregations of Hamilton and Concord were to pay one hundred and sixty-six . dollars and sixty-six cents, with the understanding that as soon as these churches could be provided with a settled pastor, Hopewell would receive the whole of Mr. Porter's labors.

Prior to this call the first church building had been erected just west of the present house. It was a log structure thirty feet square, and afterwards, to accommodate the growing congregation, received an addition of thirty feet. The pulpit was in the middle of the west side, with two small windows just back of it. The seats were made of slabs hewed from logs. They were provided with stiff, upright backs. The present church building is a commodious frame, and is kept in good repair.

In October, 1814, Mr. Porter, having accepted the call, came to his new pastoral charge at Hopewell, and settled with his family on the farm in section sixteen, now occupied by Alexander Orr. In the following July he was solemnly installed by Rev. John Steele. Shortly afterwards the congregation was much enlarged by emigrations from Mr. Porter's old parish, in South Carolina, and six members were added to the session who had been elders of the church in South Carolina. In 1816 the congregations of Hamilton and Concord having the prospect of a pastor, Mr. Porter discontinued his labors among them and devoted all of his time to Hopewell, which continued to increase in numbers and influence. In 1833 Mr. Porter was attacked by a severe sickness, and it was thought that his days were about numbered, and he resigned his charge, though he rallied and lived three years after his resignation. In 1834 presbytery granted the petition for the moderation of the call, which was accepted by Rev. A. Bower in October, 1834, and on the third Wednesday of December, of the same year, he was installed as pastor by Rev. David McDill, D. D. The congregation soon became too large for the house, and also too large for the pastoral care of one minister. Consequently, in the spring of 1834, arrangements were made for the building of a meeting-house at Fair Haven, and in the following summer a church was built there, and in the fall a petition was presented to presbytery that the portion of the congregation of Hopewell, contiguous to Fair Haven, be struck off from the main church, and, if considered expedient, to grant the moderation of a call for a pastor. This petition was granted and the history of the Fair Haven church tells the rest.

John Pinkerton had been session clerk until this time, when he joined the new church at Fair Haven, and John Caldwell was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by his removal. Owing to difficulties that arose in the congregation the pastor, Rev. A~ Bower, resigned in juneyti9370 0 he church was supplied until September 19, by Rev. S. W. McCracken, who was installed pastor on the last Tuesday of December, 1839. It was just prior to this time that a number of the congregation, living near Oxford, joined the United Presbyterian church at that place. Mr. McCracken labored for twenty years, during which time the congregation gradually increased, and although another swarm left the hive to form the Unity church at College Corner in the winter of 1849-50, and a very considerable number emigrated to the west, the church was as strong, numerically, at the close of the pastor's labors, as it was at the beginning. He died September 10, 1859, loved and lamented by all: August 7, 1860, Rev. J. McHatten was called, and soon afterwards installed.

As has already been stated the Morning Sun congregation became a separate organization of the United Presbyterian church, and on December 28, 1877, one hundred and one of the members of Hopewell were dismissed to that church.

In October, 1877, Rev. J. C. Campbell, the present pastor, began his labors among the people of Hopewell. The church, at present, is in a flourishing condition. The records show that since the establishment of the church there have been eight hundred and sixty-four baptisms and one hundred and forty-two deaths in the Hopewell church proper. There have been fifty ruling elders, as follows: Alexander Hamilton, William Mc- Gaw, John Pressly, John Patterson, Ebenezer Elliott, James Boyse, David McQuiston, Nathaniel Brown, John Foster, Andrew McQuiston, John Pinkerton, John Giles, William Gilmore, John Douglas, Samuel McDill, James Brown, sr, John Caldwell, Thomas Pinkerton, David Robertson, William McCaw, Archibald McDill, James Brown, jr, Hugh McDill, David McDill, John Ramsey, George Ramsey, Andrew Hamilton, John McDill, John Buck, Robert Marshall, Robert Simpson, Richard Sloan, Hugh McQuiston, James McCracken, James Davidson, John Simpson, Hugh Elliott, Thomas Buck, Samuel B. McQuiston, William Caskey, Hugh Ramsey, James A. Brown, William Bell and A. B. Rock. The Sabbath school has about one hundred scholars, with James A. Brown superintendent,

A remarkable coincidence is the fact that the first of the original members of Hopewell, who was called away by death, was Thomas McDill, and that the last of these

The Fair Haven Church

As soon as that portion of the Hopewell congregation living in the vicinity of Fair Haven had been stricken off, the petition to moderate a call had been granted by presbytery, a call was made out and moderated by Rev. Alexander Porter, and accepted by Rev. Jeremiah Morrow, son of ex-Governor Morrow. He was installed in the following spring. The congregation consisted of about fifty families, and the new church immediately commenced its career of prosperity. The following were the first elders of the church:

John and Thomas Pinkerton, John Foster, William MaGaw, and William McCaw. The present elders are William MaGaw, Morton Gordon, William A. Pinkerton, David Ramsey, William Simpson, and Robert Beckett. Mr. Morrow preached seven or eight years, and was obliged to resign on account of failing health. He died soon afterwards in Chillicothe.

In the spring of 1845 Rev. John Reynolds became pastor, but he died in about a year, and was the first person buried in the Fair Haven cemetery.

June 20, 1847, Rev. John Y. Schouller, a graduate of the Alleghany Theological seminary, took charge of the church, and still continues in this his first and only pastorate.

Methodist Episcopal Church

The organization of the Fair Haven Methodist Episcopal church was effected at a comparatively recent date. For a number of years before any house of worship was erected by'this society, its members held class meetings in the neighborhood. A few years after the organization of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven, a building was put up by the citizens of the place and vicinity to be used for public purposes. The members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was their right, held services in their house from time to time, and to-day they hold undisputed possession of the building, and have a thriving though comparatively small society. United with the Sugar Valley church, the Fair Haven Methodist Episcopal church is strengthened, and is influential for much good.

Friends' Meeting House

. Like the United Presbyterians and Covenanters, the colony of Friends emigrating from New Jersey to Ohio, and finally to Israel township, brought their religion with them, and together with the first dwelling house was the house of the Lord erected. The church is situated in the extreme northeast corner of section twelve. The first building was of frame, and was erected in 1821, The second, of brick, was put up about 1850. The society was organized with a goodly number of members, and for many years the congregation was large. Of late years, owing to repeated emigrations of members to the west, and the death of many of the old and influential members, the congregation has been diminished considerably. The peculiar institutions of the Friends discourage the employment of regular ministers, and in general their meetings have been conducted by their own members. However, they occasionally have a regular sermon, and among the earliest preachers who labored to firmly found their church, are found John Stubbs anc Samuel Edgerton. In 1827 there was a division among the Society of Friends at large, and the two pàrties were known as Orthodox, and Hicksites, after Elias Hicks, the founder of the new party. The Israel township congregation joined the ranks of the Hicksites. The oldest member of the church is Mrs. Sarah Brown, widow of the late John Brown. She is undoubtedly the oldest woman in the township, having been born in Trenton, New Jersey, June 29, 1786. She is now in her ninety-fifth year. Her parents were Presbyterians, but after her emlgration to Ohio she went with her husband into the Friends' society. Many of the old members of the church are buried in the graveyard adjoining the church.

The Beech-Wood Bible Society

was organized about the year 1820, under the leadership of Rev. Gavin McMillan. Among the first members were: Rev. Gavin McMillian, president; Ebenezer Elliott, librarian; James Elliott, corresponding secretary ; Squire John Caldwell, recording secretary and treasurer. It is an undenominational society, and since its organiza tion, has contributed large sums to the bible cause, and is now in the first ranks.

It might not be uninteresting to name in this connection, the ministers who have arisen in Israel township. The following is the list: David McDill, James Worth, John Pinkerton, John Reynolds, Martin Bennett, Andrew Foster, John Milligan, James Brown, James Orr, David McDill, John M.. Graham, Ebenezer Elliott, Samuel Rámsey, E. C. Simpson, Samuel McGaw, Nathaniel Weed, William Boyse, John Reynolds, James Porter, John McDill, William M. Graham, Mitchell Brown, Nathan McDill James H. Ramsey, James B. Foster, Samuel Pinkerton, John N. Pressly, R. C. Hamilton and Samuel Buck, in all twenty-nine.

Always intelligent, the people of Israel township believed in education, and they have never neglected an opportunity to get wisdom. The first settlement of the township had its school-house. The earliest one, in the memory of the oldest.inhabitants, was situated about one half a mile east of Morning Sun, on the farm now occupied by Robert Joe Brown. This house was put up prior to the year 1809.

Samuel P., son of John Pressly, was among the first teachers of this school. He graduated at a South Carolina college; taught a few years there; taught some in Ohio, but was compelled to seek the south in search of health. He died on the way back to the home of his childhood.

About 1809 Thomas Gamble taught a school on the farm now owned by Samuel Ridenour in section twentynine. Both these schools were afterwards supplanted by district schools, which are in the immediate vicinity.

During the prosperity of Miami university at Oxford, many of the young men of Israel township went there, and received a liberal education. Preparation for the freshman and sophomore classes was made at

The Morning Sun Academy

Cracken, while teaching in the district school on thesame lot whereon the academy was afterwards built, taught ambitious students some of the more advanced branches, and gave them a classical taste. He was followed by Rev. James Brown, who, in turn, was succeeded by Samuel Elliott.

In a short time, through the efforts of Mr. Elliott and others, the organization of a stock company was effected, and about four thousand two hundred dollars contributed for the establishment of a classical academy in Morning Sun. The house, two-story and commodious brick, was soon put up, the brick having been made on the farm of Hugh Elliot. Samuel Elliott, after teaching about ten years, was compelled to resign on account of poor health. At this time the attendance was about fifty. After Mr. Elliott the teachers have been: Rev. John Wilson, Rev. J. A. Reynolds, William Sloan, Tames S. Wilson, John Marshall, R. J. Miller, O. V. Stewart, T. H. Wiley, Homer Sheely and R. E. Sloan. For about two years the academy has been closed. Edward Paxton, a graduate of Monmouth college, is now attempting to resuscitate it.

The Fair Haven Lodge

No. 425, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Fair Haven in 1870. Though not strong in membership, it is in a prosperous condition, with hopes of increase. The officers of the lodge are: James H. Douglas, N. G.; Thomas Newton, V. G.; Robert C. McMillan, recording secretary ; Philip Murray, permanent secretary, and John M. Ramsey, treasurer. There are at present thirty-four members of the Fair Haven lodge.

In this as in most townships, the first burials were lonely, near the scene of death. A number of the earliest settlers were buried on the farms they settled. The first resident buried in the township was the little daughter of Dr. John Ramsey. She died about 1807, and was buried near the family residence. About this time a man by the name of Baird, a stranger in the neighborhood, was killed in the woods just north of William Ramsey's house, in section twenty-two, on the farm now owned by Nathan Ramsey, where the orchard now stands. His was probably the second burial in the township. There was a small burial place on the hill north of the south part of Fair Haven. Here among others were buried Joseph Caldwell and members of his family, and some of the McDivitts.

Hopewell Cemetery

was the first public burying ground in Israel township. As one family circle after another came within the confines of the township, each one, sooner or later, found its central and dearest spot in this country church-yard - the church, life's fountain; the yard, death's treasury, and scarcely a step between. Than this God's first acre, there is none other in the township so rich with precious dust. Throughout the township are the cheerful results of pioneer work, but there are no individual monuments to the sturdy workers, save in the graveyard, where

The first tree felled where Hopewell cemetery now stands, yielded to the axe of Thomas McDill, sr., about the year 1812-13, and the first man who was buried there was none other than Mr. McDill. He went into the War of 1812, and returned with impaired health, and soon after died, thus becoming the pioneer of the silent city. June 13, 1813, he was buried, aged thirtyseven. He and his wife Mary, were among the original members of Hopewell church. He was the first member called away by death, and strange to say, his wife, who died August 2, 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, was the last survivor of the original members. A plain block of marble in the center of the graveyard marks their last resting place. Around them lie more than a thousand. Most of the graves are marked, though a few have sunk almost out of sight, and entirely out of memory. Though there are quite a number of lowly grass-grown headstones, indicative of children's graves, it is noticeable that most of the dead lived out the full measure of their days, and entered the graveyard in the winter of life.

Approaching from the east, the first group of graves is that of a number of ministers of the Gospel. The first inscription is "To the memory of the Rev. John Steele, died January 11, 1837, aged sixty-four. A preacher mighty in the Scriptures, a scribe well instructed in the law" His monument almost touches one "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Alexander Porter, died march 29, 1836, aged sixty-six years. Born in 1770, in South Carolina, received the rudiments of a classical education in the south, and finlshed at Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Licensed to preach the Gospel of the grace of God in the Associate Reformed church, October 18, 1796; ordained in 1797, and labored in the Lord's vineyard nearly forty years." Near by, Rev. James B. Foster, who died February 27, 1873, though dead, yet speaks from his tomb-stone, "We shall rise again." Mr. Foster was born in Israel township, and became a United Presbyterian minister, afterwards joining the Presbyterian church. His last charge was at Cumminsville, near Cincinnati. Just beyond is the grave of Rev. Samuel W. McCracken, who died September 18, 1859, aged fifty-nine. Mr. Porter and Mr. Mc- Cracken were faithful pastors of Hopewell church. Mr. Steele presided at the installation of Father Porter, and it was at his earnest wish that he was buried beside Mr. - Porter, whom he especially esteemed. Mrs. Porter died in 1850, aged eighty-two, and Mrs. McCracken died in | - - - , they rest beside their husbands. A hurried review of | the various inscriptions shows that the following prominent settlers are here buried: William Ramsey died | 1838, aged ninety-one, and wife, Martha, 1842, aged seventy-one; David McQuiston, jr., 1870, sixty-eight; John Caldwell, 1838, forty-seven; William Gilmore, 1837, forty; Robert Gilmore, 1839, fifty-three; Hugh Ramsey, 1865, eighty-six; William Douglas, 1854, eighty-five; | Samuel McDill, 1851, eighty-five; Thomas McDill, 1813, | thirty-seven; David McQuiston, sr., 1823, eighty-eight; Hugh McQuiston, sr., 1845, eighty; Richard Sloan, 1848, eighty; Samuel Hamilton, 1822, forty-nine; David | Bonner, 1844, seventy-five; John Pinkerton, 1852, eighty-four; John Patterson, 1857, seventy-five; James | Brown, sr, 1834, fifty-five; James Paxton, sr, 1830, forty-eight; William McCreary, 1822, forty-seven; William MaGaw, 1836, eighty-six; John Buck, 1871, eightysix; William Buck, 1857, sixty nine; John McClanahan, 1860, eighty-five; George Simpson, 1859, eighty-four; David Boyse, 1827, sixty-four; David Gary, 1840, seventy-one; Robert Boyse, 1820, forty; James Marshall, sr., 1861, eighty-five; John Marshall, 1828, fifty-five; Ebenezer Elliott, 1849, seventy-eight; Ralph Brown, 1880, eighty-three; Alexander Waugh, 1840, seventy; John Douglas, 1840, sixty-four; William Pinkerton, 1848, fifty-four; George Pinkerton, 1854, fifty-one; Andrew McQuiston, 1821, sixty; James Boyse, 1842, seventythree; Henry Bell, 1851, sixty-two; David Robertson, 1879, eighty-three; Rebecca Whilman, 1877, ninety-one; Thomas Harper, 1814, seventy-three; James Brown, 1824, fifty-five; Samuel Paxton, 1854, seventy-six; George R. Brown, 1845, seventy-one; John Milligan, 1823, fortyfour; and Samuel Bell, 1867, aged eighty-six.

It is estimated that more than a thousand people are buried in this place. The original ground comprised -about an acre of land, but recently the cemetery was formally handed over to the township trustees, who have enlarged it, and otherwise improved it. Hopewell cemetery has for many years been the principal buryingground in the township.

The Covenanter Graveyard

which surrounded the old church in section twenty-five, was one of the earliest burying-grounds, and in it are buried many of the first settlers. This was the sacred ground of the Covenanters, as Hopewell is of the United Presbyterians. Here, too, is their preacher buried; and here, too, sleep the ancestors of many of the township. At present, however, the burying-ground is but little used. The tombstones tell best who were the fathers of the church, which stood near by. The following is a partial list of those buried in this cemetery, though there are yery many graves marked only with unhewn headstones: Rev. Gavin McMillan, born in Antrim county, Ireland, February, 1787, died in January, 1867, aged eighty years, and in the fortieth year of his ministry; Rev. Samuel Robinson, born in Ireland in 1783, and died in 1845; Matthew McClurken, 1847, ninety; John Robinson, 1850, eighty-five; Archibald Johnston, 1828, sixty-three ;

Alexander McMillan, 1820, fifty; William Milligan, 1839, sixty-four; John Wright, 1854, sixty-six; William Ramsey, 1861, eighty-four; John McClure, 1837, eighty; William Taylor, 1836, eighty-nine; John K. Steele, 1836, eighty-two; Robert Douglas, 1853, aged fifty-six, and many others. The earliest recorded death is that of Nancy Wright, who died February 20, 1819, aged twentyone.

The Fair Haven Cemetery

is situated on the hill on the east bank of Four Mile creek, a short distance from Fair Haven. This cemetery was not opened until 1846. The first burial was that of Rey. John Reynolds, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven. Since then many of the residents of Fair Haven and vicinity have passed away, and been buried on the hill. However, most of the earlier settlers are buried at Hopewell. The cemetery has a good situation, but is not easily accessible. 'There has long been a talk of making a more convenient entrance.

The Kingery Burying-Ground

adjoins their meeting-house in section twelve, and in it are buried nearly all of the New Jersey settlers, who belonged to the Friends' society. It is now impossible to ascertain the first burial. A large number of the graves are nameless. Burials still take place in it. It is used now as a general burying-ground, and others besides the Friends here find their last resting place. THE KINGERY BURYING-GROUND is situated in section thirty-two, on the farm upon which Joseph Kingery settled. It has always been used as a private cemetery, and almost exclusively by the Kingery family. Here is buried Joseph Kingery, the first settler, his son Abraham, and others of the early residents of that section of the country.

The first mill he constructed was what is known as a "corn cracker." It was built on the stream that runs past John Sloan's. It was constructed somehow thus: A dam was made by felling a tree across the stream, thus affording a waterfall; a buckeye log was then pivoted to an upright support so that it worked vertically; in the lighter end of this beam a trough-like cavity was scouped out for the reception of the water, so that the weight of the water would overcome the weight of the other end, to which an inverted wedge was attached by means of a pin and ring. As soon as the water-trough approached the ground, the water would run out, and the heavier end come down with considerable force, crushing tke corn in a mortar made of a hollow stump. It was a slow but sure way of grinding.

About 1811, Peter Ridenour built a grist-mill on the west branch of Four Mile, often called Ridenour's creek. Afterwards he had a saw-mill in connection with it. Joseph Ridenour, a brother of Peter, afterwards built a mill further up the creek, but it did not do well.

Soon after this, William Ramsey built the grist-mill now known as McDil's mill He traded it to Mr. Mc- Dill for the farm on which his son, John Ramsey, now lives.

In early times almost every farm was provided with a still, and it would be well nigh impossible to name the first distillers or to locate the stills.

There are but two villages wholly situated in Israel township, Fair Havenand Morning Sun, the one in section nine, and the other in section twenty-six. Fair Haven, the principal town in the township, was laid out in 1832 by Jonathan Caldwell, and the place was recorded April 2oth, of that same year. There were originally thirty-two lots. It has since become a thriving village of two hundred inhabitants. Captain Bonny of Hamilton, called the village Fair Haven, because of its lovely situation in the Four Mile valley, in the midst of one of the richest agricultural regions in the township. The Caldwell residence was the first house. About the time that the town was laid out Jonathan Caldwell built the first tavern in the southwest part of town. At this time the travel between Richmond, Indiana, and Cincinuati was very extensive. Often in those early times did forty or fifty teamsters stop at the little log tavern. A store was soon put up near it by'Captain Bonny, of Oxford. The present store is kept by J. C. Henry. The post office was established December 28, 1833, with Richard Sloan, jr, postmaster. Since then the postmasters have been Hiram Evans, Charles Pierce, James Caldwell, T. P. Simmons, I. N. Sliver, John Scott, and the present incumbent, J. C. Henry.

Charles Pierce and son have a broom factory; Joseph Brown runs a saw-mill, and has a tile factory; Dr. J. M. Logan and A. M. Howe are the practicing physicians; Dr. Gilmore resides in the village, but does not practice, on account of poor health. There is a daily hack to and from Hamilton and Richmond, making communication with these cities easy. There are two churches, the United Presbyterian and Methodist.

Morning Sun, situated on the northwest corner of séction twenty-six, is a village of about one hundred and seventy-five inhabitants. The original plat of seventeen in-lots and one out-lot was recorded April 13, 1833, by James McQuiston, and an addition of out-lots two and three was made by James McQuiston, March 30, 1837. The first house in the town is the one now occupied by Alfred Sloan, colored. In this same house the first store was kept by James Pressly, before and after the village was laid out. Israel Hamilton opened his blacksmith

Thomas Little became the first postmaster, May 26, 1836. E. O. Coleman is the present postmaster. The store is kept by Isaiah Brown and E. O. Coleman. 6 Morning Sun United Presbyterian church is situated in the village. The classical academy is near by. There is a tile factory and a saw-mill close to the village.

The portion of College Corner located in Israel township was laid out and recorded February 18, 1868, by Frank, Mary Francis, William, David, and Ellis Shidler. Part of the town is in Union county, Indiana, part in Butler county, Ohio, and the rest in-the.southwest correr of section thirty-one; Israel township.

March 26, 1833, the hamlet of Claysburgh was laid out by Robert Boyse, William Nickol, Samuel B. Gilmore, and Samuel C. Foster, and the plat was recorded April 13th. The town was to be on the corner of sections nine, ten, fifteen, and sixteen. The only house is that of

Early Physicians

The first physician in the township was Dr. John Ramsey, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia, who emigrated at an early day to Woodford county, Kentucky, and in 1806 came to Ohio, and settled in Israel township, where he remained until the time of his death, which occured in 1826.

Soon after settling, impelled by necessity and a sense of duty toward the pioneers so far from medical aid, he undertook the practice of medicine in his neighborhood. Intellectually he was noted for the common sense bent of his mind, and on this base, by ciose private reading, he soon acquired a vast fund of practical knowledge concerning the science, of medicine. , He was highly esteemed for his sound judgment, honest intentions, and devotion to his patients,

Dr. Ramsey performed the first surgical operation in the township when he amputated the leg of William Allenwith, using for the operation a case of instruments that would make the modern surgeon shudder. Notwithstanding, the patient rapidly recovered, and hopped about for many years, an- unceasing source of close observation to the boys of the neighborhood, who had been told by their superiors in knowledge, that the old gentleman would be all right when his leg grew again.

Dr. Ramsey, though he never attended a medical col. lege, was not a quack, and though never at a school of pharmacy, was nota *yarb doctor." After practicing for twenty years, he was called away by that same grim foe he had been so successfully opposing for so many years. He died in 1826.

Dr. Samuel Pressly, a native of Abbeville, district of South Carolina, located at an early day in Israel township, near the present site of Fair Haven. He remained here but a short time, when he returned to the South, where he afterwards became a distinguished physician. Of his career in the county, it is learned that his professional and social standing was high. He was a skilful and fearless equestrian, and always visited his patients the *bee line," regardless of intervening forests, with their brush, logs, bogs, gullies, and stones. An old gentlethy man of Dixon township informed the writer, that when he was a boy he was sent to call Dr. Pressly to see a patient near what is now Concord. The ground was covered with ice, and travel on horse-back was very dangerous. But the doctor fearlessly responded to the call, and after advising the boy to ride home carefully, jumped into the saddle, and was like a wild Indian. The boy followed in mortal terror, momentarily expecting to find the crushed remains of the doctor, but upon his arrival home, found him already mounted for the return trip.

In 1825 Dr. Eli Gilmore emigrated from Rockbridge county, Virginia, and settled in the central part of Israel township. He immediately commenced the practice of medicine, and continued it for about thirty years.

Physically, while in his prime, he was a splendid specimen of robust manhood - tall, erect, active, tidy in dress, with an air of quiet dignity about him, that always made his presence feltand respected. In later years he became quiet corpulent, and never, until disabled by a

Intellectually, he far surpassed the ordinary standard. He had an exceedingly fine legal mind, and as a barrister would have been a giant. The dull routine of country practice; as neighborhood physician, did not give his fine powers of mind room for that activity of which they were capable. As a physician he felt the responsibilities of his position, and was quick to detect, and quicker to acknowledge merit wherever found. Jealous of the honor -of his profession, he was terrible to quacks. Correct in his judgement, and honest in his opinions, he succeeded as a physician. He died in 1857, and to-day sleeps with his fathers-in Hopewell cemetery.

Dr. S. C. Foster, of whom but little information can be gathered, commenced to practice about 1830, and after remaining in Israel township for a few years, removed to Indiana, and died there about 185o. He is buried in Richland cemetery.

Dr. A. W. Pinkerton, of Dixon township, commenced to practice in Fair Haven in 1845. During the war he served as surgeon in the Army of the Potomac. He was a young man of acknowledged ability, but was smitten in the flush of manhood by a fearful and sudden death at Liberty, Indiana, where he was buried.

Dr. Alexander Porter, son of Rev. Alexander Porter, the pioneer preacher, came with his father to Israel township in 1815. He grew up with the country; commenced the.practice of medicine prior to 1830, and continued to practice for more than forty years, with his office on the farm near Fair Haven, where he resided for so many years. He was apparently never robust, but he was gifted with the power of endurance, and as tough as a wild-cat. He worked and even slept in the saddle.

As a physician he was greatly esteemed, was conscien- - tious in the discharge of every duty, and as a citizen he had no equal. Now he isa feeble old man living at Oxford: with his son, Dr. J. B. Porter, and is only watching and waiting for his release from life.

five years ago, and continued in business until recently, when he became completely exhausted. Few men held more fully than he the confidence of his patrons. His business was varied and extensive, and to-day we find him confined to his home, not by old age, but by prostration resultant from exposure and over-work.

Dr. A. C. McDill, who was in an extensive practice for many years, sold out in 1855, and removed to Monmouth, Illinois, where he is living in retirement. His field of practice was in the vicinity of Fair Haven, which field has since been held by Drs. W. G. Gilmore, Fouts, Robison, Beverly, J. B. Porter, and at present by H. M. Logan and A. M. Howe.

As the name suggests, the McQuiston family originated in Ireland. The first record of this family shows that in 1765, in county Antrim, there was born to David McQuiston and wife a son who was named Hugh.

In 1772 David McQuiston and family, together with his two brothers, set sail from their native land, and in due time arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, and immediately settled in Abbeville district.

In 1796 Hugh McQuiston married Margaret Gaston, who was born in Abbeville, district in 1767. Her parents, who were natives of Ireland, suffered all the horrors of a famine on ship-board while crossing the Atlantic. The Gastons were well represented in the Revolutionary war. They were all men of splendid physique, not one of whom was below six feet in stature, and being excellent marksmen, were often chosen for hazardous undertakings. Old Mr. Gaston was one of those valiant

The McQuistons remained in their South Carolina home until the spring of 1807, when it was decided to remove from the rich agricultural region in which they lived to the free soil of the then new State of Ohio.

In the above named year the journey to the north was undertaken. The McQuiston family journeyed in company with the family of James McDill The whole journey, which occupied six weeks, was made in wagons. While crossing the mountains the McDill wagon was upset and one of the little girls severely injured by the fall.

The little party arrived within the confines of their adopted State, and inasmuch as their was no cleared land ready for them in Preble county, Hugh McQuiston rented a patch of ground in Butler county, on the and fro were accustomed to cross the present bed of the Miami river on a slab which spanned the mill-race, which at that time was some distance from the river, but to-day is the bed of that self.same stream.

During the summer they raised a crop of corn which was their sole dependence for the winter's food. They remained all winter in a miserable little hut, and suffered much from the inclemencies of the weather.

In the spring of 1808 they arrived at their new place in Preble county, which was immediately made homelike by the familiar faces and hearty welcomes of their old neighbors, the Elliotts, McCrearys, the McDills, Douglas, and others Hugh McQuiston bought the southwest quarter of section twenty-four, of Israel township, and soon cleared a space of about two acres, in the midst of which he erected a hewed log cabin, covered with clapboards held down by weight poles.

To Mr. and Mrs. McQuiston were born five boys and one daughter. The little girl, Eliza, was burned to death while watching a gap near some burning brush piles. William, Joseph, David and Archibald lived to a ripe old age. Hugh, the only survivor, is in his seventy-first year. The latter is now known as Hugh McQuiston, sr. He was born in Preble county, September 26, 1810. His father died June 21, 1845, in his eightieth year, and his mother died July 17, 1852, in her eighty-fourth year. One by one have his brothers dropped into the tomb, and to-day he is the last of his generation. His youth was spent on the farm with his father. 'Though schools were poor at that early day, he managed by close application to acquire a practical knowledge of *the three R's," which added to native good sense, made him a man of rare common sense. October 9, 1833, he was married to Nancy, the daughter of Samuel McDill Four children blessed this union: Samuel G., born August 13, 1834, lives near Paxton, Illinois. Their second son, John C., who was born November 29, 1838, was quick to answer the call of his imperilled country, and in July, 1861, enlisted and was sent to the front. After serving about ten months he died of typhoid fever at Meadow Bluff, West Virginia. Eliza Jane, born October 19, 1843, is the wife of Henry Pinkerton, of Union county, Indiana. Their youngest child, Maggie, who was born June 3, 1853, is the wife of David Stephenson, of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Mrs. McQuiston died June 28, 1853, and on August 7, 1856, Mr. McQuiston was married to Elizabeth Wilson, who was born October 3, 1816, and whose parents, Matthew and Jenny Wilson, came from Kentucky to Israel township about fifty years ago. Mr. McQuiston lives on the same spot on which he was born. The primitive cabin gave way to a two-story log house, which Mr.: McQuiston's father erected not long after his settlement. In 1849 Mr. McQuiston erected the present commodious two-story frame residence.

barn, is a little spot of ground in which are buried Mr. McQuiston's sister, Eliza, who died in 1810, and the three daughters of David Faris.

Mr. McQuiston's farm is well improved, about one hundred acres being under cultivation. Though not a stock man, in a professional sense, he raises good stock, First a Whig, then a Republican, he has always been a faithful supporter of the principles of his party. He has never pushed himself into office, and is simply an honored and valued citizen.

When about seventeen years of agé^he joined the United Presbyterian church at Hopewell, of which his father was one of the original members. For more than thirty years he has been a ruling elder in the church, first at Hopewell and of late at Morning Sun.

Any one who has seen Hugh McQuiston will not soon forget his tall and erect figure and sprightly activity, which, for a man of his age, 1s extraordinary. He is one of the very few citizens of Israel township who 1s living on the place on which he was born. Like a sturdy oak which the blasts of succeeding winters have deprived of its companions, this venerable old gentleman is the sole survivor of a past generation of the McQuiston family.

the eldest son. of David and Jane McQuiston, was born in Israel township June 16, 1825. The general history of his family has been narrated above. His father, David McQuiston, the brother of Hugh McQuiston, sr., was born in Abbeville district, South Carolina, January r5, 1802. He was six years old when his parents settled in Preble county. Whenever he could be spared from the farm work he attended the pioneer school - mention of which is made elsewhere. However, he spent the most of his time assisting his father in the arduous labor of clearing away the heavy timber which covered the farm.

David and his wife settled on a farm of seventy-seven and one-half acres of land, given him by his father, and located 1n section twenty-one of this township. The ten acres belonging to the old Hopewell church adjoin this farm on the east. When he came into the possession of this farm, Mr. McQuiston found the timber so thick that it was necessary to cut away the trees to make room for his cabin, twenty feet square, which he located where the present house stands. The log house is still standing, and is used as the kitchen of the present residence. In this rude cabin David McQuiston and wife comraenced house-keeping, and in this place they lived and died - Mrs. McQuiston dying in 1845, and her husband in 1870.

The Old Homestead

Samuel B. McQuiston may well be proud of such a lineage as that of which he can with propriety boast. Being the firstborn, he was as the right hand of his father. As soon as he could lift a stick he helped his father clear the land, and still remembers many a hard day's work mid the brush piles. As work was almost his first lesson he learned it well, and to-day no- man in the community is a greater or more successful worker. Work has become his loved profession, and he has become not its slave but its master.

At the tender age of fourteen an event occurred which, in one day, as it were, changed the boy into a man. His widowed aunt, Martha Caldwell, having no children of her own, urgently requested that her nephew come and live with her. His parents reluctantly gave him up, and from that day until this he has lived on what is known as the Caldwell farm.

Manfully did the boy farmer go to work to earn the fortune which he saw in the farm thus consigned to his care, all of which he now owns, and not one acre of which did he receive by inheritance.

'The place first consisted of about three hundred and twenty acres of land, situated in the southern halves of sections thirty-five and thirty-six of this township. In all probability it was entered by a man named Latta, though there is no record of the original purchase. William Caldwell bought the place in 1828, and divided it between his sons, John and Nathan. John immediately settled on the northern half, and Nathan sold his half and remained in Butler county. John and Martha Caldwell went to house-keeping in the log cabin built by Mr. Latta, which cabin is still a part of the McQuiston house. The Caldwells added a one-story brick, and about twentytwo years ago a second story was built. In 1878, Mr. McQuiston made a two-story brick addition to the rear of the old residence. The brick used in the building of the addition was taken from the walls of the old Covenanter church.

Mr. McQuiston was married October 4, 1848, to Martha, the youngest daughter of John and Martha (Chestnut) Douglass, who came from Chester county, South Carolina, in 1834, and settled in Oxford township, Butler county, not more than half a mile south of the McQuiston residence. Mr. and Mrs. McQuiston have had no children.

the Caldwell place, and also owns land in Butler county. These farms are well improved and, consequently, very productive. He pays considerable attention to the raising of stock of excellent quality.

` He is a Republican, and has from time to time held important offices in the township. For many years he was an elder in the Hopewell church, and is now an elder in the Morning Sun church, of which he is a liberal supporter.

Hezekiah Morton

The subject of this brief sketch is among the most substantial farmers of Israel township, and no man in the country is more universally known and respected than "Ki" Morton, as he is familiarly called by his neighbors. He is the sixth son and eighth -child of Benjamin and Hannah Morton, and was born August 27, 1827, on the homestead farm in section two of Israel township. The Morton family is of English descent. Benjamin Morton, the father of Hezekiah, was born in New Jersey in 1787. He was of poor but honest parents, and in early life realized the necessity of hard work as the basis of his fortune. He was young, vigorous, and brave, and with a keen insight into futurity foresaw that his future success was beyond the western horizon. Soon after, determining to go west he secured the posi-. tion of teamster of an emigrant wagon en route for distant Ohio, and after several weeks' tedious journeying the big wagon, or "Jersey ship," as it was called, stopped in Ohio, and Benjamin Morton found himself in a strange and new country, far from the home of his childhood. By dint of industry he obtained enough money to purchase a horse and saddle, and thus obtained the means of returning to New Jersey, and his parents. He sold his horse and saddle in New Jersey, and walked back to Warren county, Ohio, which he had adopted as his new home. Attwo other times ne made similar trips to the home of his childhood. He bought a little property in Warren county, and on the twenty-seventh day of March, 1817, he married Miss Hannah Janney, who was born in New Jersey, October 21, 1795, and whose parents emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Warren county at an early day. Inthe year 1819 Mr. Morton purchased the northeast quarter of section two of Israel township, Preble county, and immediately set to work to make ready a home for his family. He sold the western half of his land to one Benjamin Indicot, and the eastern half is still known as the Morton farm, and is occupied by Clayton Borradaile, the son-in-law of Hezekiah Morton, who owns the place. When Benjamin Morton bought his farm he owned no team, and was obliged to walk from Warren to Preble county whenever hé wished to put in a day on the new place. While engaged in clearing a space for the little cabin and adjoining corn patch, he camped by the side of a log, against which he was wont to build his fire. On the days when he intended to return to Warren county he was accustomed to work until nearly dark, and then start out on the long and lonely walk to his distant family, which he would greet sometimes in the wee sma' hours of the early day. After journeying back and forth in this way for several times, he removed his family and what little of this world's goods he possessed to the new abode in Preble county. 'Then and there did the Morton family struggle with every obstacle incident to pioneer life. The native forest offered a vigorous resistance to the stroke of the woodman's axe, and the work of clearing the farm proceeded slowly.

large family are living, and three brothers and one sister reside in Preble county. Hezekiah was the first child born in the old brick house which is still standing on the homestead farm Hezekiah Morton's whole life has been spent on the farm, and in early boyhood he learned how to work, and to this day he remembers these early lessons. His education, though not extensive, was not neglected, and to-day he possesses a practical education, valuable because the lessons were learned in the school of experience. His boyhood days were spent upon the home farm, where he assisted his father.

Skiver, who was born April 21, 1831, in Israel township. Her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Van Skiver, emigrated from New Jersey to Warren county, Ohio, and soon after removed to Preble county, and settled in Israel township, not far from the Morton farm.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Morton commenced housekeeping across the line in Dixon township, on the farm in section thirty-five, then owned by Benjamin Morton. After living on this place for about three years Mr. Morton found that the net result of years of toil was enough hard cash to enable him to purchase a farm of his own, and accordingly he bought one hundred and seventeen acres of land located in section thirty-six of Dixon township. The spring before his father's death found Hezekiah in possession of a home of his own, and the subsequent death of his father severed the tie that had in his boyhood days bound him to the parent tree, and he henceforth became the head of a distinct family.

Iu 1859 he bought the homestead farm of eighty acres, and soon after removed from Dixon township to his old home in Israel. About this time he added one hundred acres to his farm in Dixon township. Mr. Morton's family consists of his wife and four children, of whom there are three daughters and one son. The eldest child, Elizabeth Amelie, was born June 13, 1853, and married Clayton Borradaile, who now occupies the Morton homestead farm. Sarah Juliette, their second child, was born May 12, 1856, and is the wife of Levi Brown of Dixon township. Samuel Elmer, their only son, was born February 2, 1859, and their youngest daughter, Mary Alice, was born June 21, 1865. The two latter are living at home with their parents.

In the spring of 1874 Mr. Morton purchased one hundred and ten acres of land in section twelve of Israel township, and in the fall of that same year removed to the handsome residence which adds so much to the attractiveness of the farm, which undoubtedly is one of the best in the county.

During the time occupied in the accumulation of valuable property Mr. Morton was rapidly earning the esteem of his fellow-citizens, by his upright conduct and genial manners. He realized that **a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches," and. acting on that principle secured first the unsullied reputation and then the handsome property, which together made him one of the substantial and leading citizens of his community. Henow owns in all about four hundred acres of productive land, and has his farms in a good state of cultivation He is known as a stock man, and takes an active interest in stock raising. His cattle and hogs are always of the best. For eight years he has been a prominent and zealous member of the Preble County Agricultural board. Inasmuch as a substantial citizen of the township is the best material for civil office, Mr. Morton has from time to time filled various township offices. Though not obtrusive he has always taken an active interest in political affairs He always has been a thorough Republican, and is always ready to give an intelligent reason for his political belief. He is not a member of the visible church, but has the greatest respect for it. His liberal ideas upon the subject of religion have kept him from embracing a denominational creed. - Mr. Morton will always be remembered as a man of sterling worth.

is the son of Joel and Ruth (Hornaday) McCristie, and was born in the year 1827, in Wayne county, Indiana. His boyhood was spent in Preble county, Ohio, and he gained the rudiments of his education in the schools of the vicinity; but deciding to lead a professional life, he went in 1847, to Cincinnati, where he attended the Eclectic Medical college, during the year mentioned and also 1848, 1849 and 185o, graduating in the latter year. He first located at Huntsville, Randolph county, Indiana, where he remained two years in the practice of medicine, gaining the practical knowledge of experience which he needed to supplement his college education. Leaving Indiana, Dr. McCristie went to Camden, Preble county, and there practiced until the breaking out of the war in 1861. Hethen enlisted in the Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and served as hospital steward for four months. Returning home, he was engaged in the recruiting service until September, 1863, and then entering the Ninth Indiana cavalry in the capacity of surgeon, remained in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out August 9, 1865. Returning to Ohio, the doctor located at College Corners, where he has resided ever since, and followed very successfully his profession. Dr. McCristie married in 1850, Lovina C. Loop, who was born in 1825, and died in 1859. Two children were the offspring of this marriage: Endora, born March 9, 1851, and died December 18, 1862, and Wilbur Everett, born March 26, 1858, now residing at Camden. His second wife, Amanada Tucker, born in 1846, in, Union county, Indiana, and who is still living, Dr. McCristie married March 10, 1870.

Source changes here: from History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, by R. E. Lowry, published 1915; 4,751 words in this source stream.

Harrison Township

Harrison township presents a variety of soil, the bottom land along the streams being a rich loam, while in the western part of the township, and the northeastern part, the land, in an early day, was swampy and has required drainage. The balance of the township, and the greater portion, may be described as rolling land. Along the streams there is some broken land, but as soon as the hills, on either side of the stream, are climbed, the land presents long slopes of rolling land. The soil generally may be described as clay, but there are few hillsides that are not cultivated.

There are four principal streams : Twin creek, with its source in Darke county, flows across the comer of Monroe township and enters Harrison township from the west in section 6, then flows southeasterly, and easterly, but trending to the south, to nearly east of Euphemia, where it turns and flows a south course into Twin township, being joined, practically at the bend to the south, by Millers fork from the north, and Swamp creek from the northeast, both of which latter streams have their sources in Darke county.

Price creek, with its source also in Darke county northwest of Eldorado, flows southeasterly across section 31, of Harrison township, across Twin township and into Twin creek. The outcrop of stone along the banks of Twin creek, and where the small tributaries break down from the higher land to " the creek, from the earliest times have been a source of profit to many people. Down to within the last fifteen years many quarries furnished building stone for houses and public work, and from the quarry northwest of Euphemia much stone was shipped to other counties for such constructions, while there was a considerable home demand for the stone from all quarries; also south and east of Lewisburg and northwest of Euphemia were built and operated large lime kilns that burned great quantities of lime of the very best quality, which was hauled and shipped to many of the neighboring towns and cities. This burning of lime for many years furnished a ready market for the wood cut by the farmers. But times and business changed, and now the lime kilns are all blown out; many of the quarries abandoned as quarries, while the larger ones, notably the ones northwest of Euphemia, have installed large stonecrushing plants, into which the stone is fed, crushed, dumped into waiting cars and sent out, some to distant cities, for concrete or macadam work and road construction.

Early Settlement

The first settler in the township is generally conceded to have been George Leas, who arrived about 1801 or 1802, and settled near Twin creek, in section 21.

In 1804 the Tillmans located land on Swamp creek, in the eastern part of the township, and in 1805 Tobias Tillman, with his family, a large one, came from Tennessee and settled, forming a strong colony. The next year came Tillman's son-in-law, Alexander McNutt, who settled near Twin creek. Both men had been soldiers during the Revolution and both left large families, McNutt having thirteen children in his family. He was elected as the first surveyor of the county.

In 1805 J°h n Locke, from Maryland, settled where Euphemia is now laid out and later built the mill at the stone-arch bridge over Twin creek. The same year came Abraham Hapner, from Virginia, and in 1807 Jacob Werts came from Pennsylvania and settled in section 21.

In 1809 John Aikman came from Pennsylvania and settled in section 23. Thomas Wilson and John Ott also becoming residents of the township in that year.

In 1816 John Etzler, from Maryland ; John Brown, from North Carolina; William Swisher, from Pennsylvania; Henry Cassell, from Virginia, with others, now not remembered, settled in the township. Within the next five to fifteen years John Schlosser, Peter Studybaker, Christian Disher, Daniel Wolf and Peter Homan became citizens. Christian Disher was the father of Capt. Mathias Disher, and of Christian Disher who ran a quarry and lime kiln for many years on the old homestead, in section 35, near Lewisburg.

About the same time came Andrew Zeller, Elias Bunger, Jesse Smith, David Hoffman and Samuel Dinwidie. Nearly all of those early settlers left large families and the names given are among the most common in the township today.

About 1807 Zachariah Hole is said to have settled on Twin creek and in 1809 he built the first mill, later owned by Henry Horn; later yet by Perry Turner, and now by E. C. Crider, on Twin creek east of Lewisburg. It has been remodeled several times and is still doing good work.

Troublesome Redskins

In 1812 the Indians began being troublesome and a block house was built on the northwest quarter of section 11, and a greater or less force was stationed there for some two years, among which were companies from the central and southern parts of the county, as well as nearly every able-bodied man in the township. No fighting followed, but scouts were kept out, sometimes going long distances to discover signs of the red man, who, also discovering them, sought other places where danger to himself was less. A transcript of the discharge given those who served in this home defense is set out in the chapter on the War Record.

At different times, an Indian sneaking through the woods, tried to shoot William Myers, and again John Aikman, but in each instance the flint failed to ignite the powder and the snap caused the white man to seek cover before a second effort could be made. It is said that, later, Myers buried an Indian on his farm, and it may be that he got the drop on the Indian next time, but the Indian couldn't tell and Myers never would.

At one time an Indian tried to break into the house of Mr. Abbott, on Miller's fork, and was brained by Abbott. In 1812 Rebecca Sharpe, a girl, was captured by the Indians and taken north into Darke county, where she was kept about a year, at the end of which time she was brought back and released.

Graves And Graveyards

The cemeteries are five. The Union cemetery was located along the west line of the township, and in 1871 grew across the line into Monroe township. The cemetery originally called the United Brethren cemetery, lying just east of the town, was started by the United Brethren about the year 1835.

The Lewisburg cemetery, located at the northwest corner of Lewisburg, is the oldest in the township, having been started about the year 1815. . Prob- ably the first grave dug there was for the burial of Henry Sharpe, a brother of Rebecca Sharpe, the maiden named above. This burial place is well known over the county as Lewisburg cemetery. It is frequently stated that a daughter of Daniel Boone is buried there, but there are no records showing that the historic character known as Daniel Boone ever had a daughter who migrated to this county. There was a Daniel Boone, however, a nephew or cousin of the hunter, who, in an early day, settled about a mile south of Gratis on a branch, which still is called Boone's branch. He had a number of children, among them daughters, and it may be that one of his daughters is buried there.

The Verona cemetery or West Baltimore cemetery is of more recent origin and is located near the center of section 12. It was laid out in 1871, by deed record ; but it is said there were a number of graves there earlier.

Schools And Railroads

The first school in the township is said to have been kept in a building on section 24, about the year 1810. Soon after this, schools were started in sections 28 and 22 by the settlers thereabouts. Some forty-five years ago, the central section of the township got a law passed by the Legislature creating a special school district. No. 1, of a strip of territory two miles wide across the middle of the township, east and west, which continued until two years ago, when the present school "ripper" law was passed. The county school board is now dividing the township up differently, but until then there were three school houses in the north third of the township, three in the middle third, and four in the south third, besides the Lewisburg school, the middle third being controlled entirely by their own directors.

Three steam railroads touch the township, the Dayton & Western, now a part of the Pennsylvania Railway system ; the Dayton & Union, and the Cincinnati Northern; also the Dayton & Greenville interurban line crosses the northeast corner of the township. (See Chapter on Railroads.)

Sonora is located near the south line of sections 9 and 10, at the point where the section line is crossed by the Dayton & Western Railroad, and was really put on the map by the railroad, which was finished in 1852, and which established a station at that point to accommodate Lewisburg and Euphemia, two and one-half miles south, and the town just grew up around the station.

A township school house is located at the north side of the town. There is a United Brethren church, erected in 1861, and rebuilt in 1904 at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars, with a membership of ninety, and a Sunday school of one hundred and twenty-five enrolled, M. I. Comfort, pastor. The lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows moved to Ithica about 1885. There was a Methodist Episcopal church erected about 1850, and rebuilt in 1905 at a cost of two thousand, five hundred dollars, but which is not holding services now. A brass band of seventeen pieces provides music for the town. A postoffice was established about 1853. One remarkable circumstance is that though there are no doctors in the town, there are nine people there over eighty years old, all of whom seem healthy. In the town there is one grain elevator, two grocery and dry goods stores, one coal yard, one agricultural implement store, two wagonmakers, one blacksmith, one barber shop and the postoffice. The town is surrounded by a beautiful and fertile country and topographically is exactly on a level with Eaton.

Lewisburg and Euphemia are practically one town. A stranger passing through would not notice that they were not one. Lewisburg, which alone is incorporated, is situated in four sections, 27, 28, 33 and 34, while Euphemia is located in section 27, touching the west line of the section. The Cincinnati Northern Railroad passes through Lewisburg, whence all shipping is done, and the town is the business center of a large and prosperous community. A large number of the first settlers of the township located in and around Lewisburg. The village has all the assortment of trades, stores and business usually found in a live, bustling town of its size. Its business and growth were greatly retarded for want of a highway until the year 1826, in which year the great national road was surveyed straight across the country and cut out, about 1830, passing about a half mile north of what was then Lewisburg. Great talk was had of its future and John Mumma, who owned the land, conceived the idea of laying out a town on that great artery of trade, and making Lewisburg move to town. He accordingly laid out Euphemia on the great road, naming it after his wife, and for a while the project grew and boomed, but the railroads came, the great artery became a country road, and the people of Lewisburg stayed at home. Finally a railroad hit Lewisburg and the village rivalry ended for good.

The first store opened in Lewisburg is said to have been opened by Cornelius Vanausdal, of Eaton, early in 1816, on the west side of Greenville street near the center of town, a branch store. The first postoffice was established about the year 1825, the mail being brought on horseback or in hack from Dayton for a number of years, until the completion of the Dayton & Western Railroad, after which it was brought from Sonora, two and one-half miles north, until the completion of the Cincinnati Northern Railroad.

The early school history of the village seems to have been lost, by reason of lost records and the death of the old people who knew, who passed on without leaving any written history thereof. But tradition handed down to the present old people say that at an early day there was a school started in or near the village. As soon as the school laws gave the school directors power, they erected a school house in the village, near the cemetery, on North Main street, which served its purpose well until the year 1908, when bonds were issued and the present two-story, eight-room brick building was erected on ample grounds on Greenville street, near the north corporation line, one of the finest buildings in the county, built at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, the campus covering three and one-half acres of land. The school now enrolls one hundred and seventy-five pupils and Harry Huffman is the superintendent.

During the past sixty years the village has been blessed with some of the most progressive, wide-awake teachers of the county, the teachers, after all, being the bulwarks of a good school. A fine building and grounds may be some help, of course, but what man, in looking back, pauses to describe the school house? On the other hand, he grows enthusiastic as he describes the qualities of that teacher who worked him up, and set his thinking-machine going, making him hungry for knowledge. After all, the live teacher makes a good school. Among the teachers who have had charge of the schools at Euphemia and Lewisburg in the past fifty years are : F. M. DeMotte, for thirty years or more; Lon Disher, M. M. Leiter, Charles S. Bunger and one or two others whose names are not now remembered. It must be apparent that the people appreciate a good teacher, when it is remembered that Miss Anna Woods, the present primary teacher, has been continuously employed as such for forty years.

For over seventy years there has been a school house at Euphemia. The primitive building gave way to modern ideas about 1866, at which time a fine brick school house was erected near the big spring. This eventually developed into the township high school, and has for many years rivalled in quality and importance that of Lewisburg. During the last year it enrolled about one hundred pupils.

The Churches

The early settlers of Lewisburg and Euphemia seem to have been mostly Lutherans and Reformed German Baptist in their religious predispositions, the former seeming to predominate. About 1817 the two agreed to erect a union church and did so, making it a jolly affair, like a log-rolling, with a big dinner, the combined forces erecting a church thirty-two by thirty-six feet, of hewed log timbers, so smoothly hewed that ax marks were not seen. The benches were hewed puncheon. A fireplace was provided, but in winter it poorly heated the big room. This church was located in the edge of what is now the Euphemia cemetery. It stood until about the close of the Mexican War, when each denomination built its own church.

The Salem Evangelical congregation, about 1848, built a church costing about three thousand dollars, which continued to be used until about 1884. It then becoming too small and out of date, the present church was erected at a cost of about six thousand dollars. The members number about four hundred, with a Sunday school of about three hundred and fifty enrolled. This congregation built a parsonage about the year 1870. Hiram Peters has been pastor since 1909.

The First Reformed church was the first to leave the Union church, named above, the Reformed congregation building their own church about 1855, at a cost of about three thousand dollars, which they rebuilt in 1900, at a cost of more than twice that amount. This church numbers about one hundred and thirty members, with a Sunday school of one hundred and twenty-five enrolled. J. W. Miller has been pastor since 1905.

The Methodist Episcopal church erected a building about the year 1842, the Methodists previously having held meetings in private houses and in other buildings, until they felt strong enough to manage their own house. After that they grew until in 1875 the building became too small and they rebuilt. In 1899 they erected the present brick church, and it answers well the purpose. Within three or four years after building the first church the Methodists started a Sunday school. The church numbers about two hundred and the Sunday school about two hundred. W. C. Moon has been pastor since 1912.

The United Brethren began their organization in the early thirties and held meetings at private houses and elsewhere, as best they could, until about

1840, in which year they built a brick church costing about six thousand dollars, which they remodeled in 1894 at a cost of about three thousand dollars. They have about four hundred members, with a Sunday school of about three hundred and fifty enrolled. W. T. Frank has been pastor since 1912.

The Memorial Evangelical church was organized and the congregation built a church in Euphemia in 185 2. This church proving inadequate, the congregation purchased land on the west side of Main street in Lewisburg and in 1893 built the present brick church. It has a membership of about one hundred, with a Sunday school of about the same number. At present this flock has no regular pastor^

Lodges And Their History

Lewisburg Lodge No. 571, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in 1872. The members rented a lodge room until 1899, m which year they built a three-story frame building at the southwest corner of Greenville and Water streets at a cost of six thousand dollars. They rent the lower story and now are out of debt. This lodge numbers one hundred and twenty members. In 1882 they organized an encampment lodge, No. 225, which now has eighty-five members. In 1897 they organized Preble Lodge No. 444, Daughters of Rebekah, which now has one hundred and ten members. All three lodges use the same building.

Lodge No. 695, Knights of Pythias, was organized in January, 1896, with forty-two charter members, Albert Douglass being the first chancellor commander. This lodge rents a room in the Wilson store building. It now numbers one hundred members.

Twin Valley Grange, No. 657, was organized in 1874, Mathias Disher being the first master. The lodge soon grew strong and bought a lot on the west side of Dayton street, between Greenville and Main, on which it erected a two-story frame building at a cost of about three thousand dollars. This lodge now has one hundred members.

Libanus Lodge No. 80, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered in October, 1845, w*th the following charter members: William Collins, James Boleus, W. B. Gray, J. A. Boleus, John C. Werts, A. L. P. Varine, Irwin E. Freeman, Andrew McCampbell and John Singer. For some twenty, years the Masons rented a room, but in 1866 they purchased a lot and erected their present building, which since, with repairs and remodelling, has furnished them a splendid lodge home. The lodge now numbers about eighty members.

An Important Industry

Joseph F. Wilson operated a stone quarry on a large scale at the old Swisher mill, a mile northwest of Euphemia. In 1907 he sold out to the Lewisburg Stone Company, capitalized at one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, which put up a large stone-crusher plant, elevator, steam drills and shovels, with an annual crushing capacity of two thousand cars, crushing stone for roads and concrete. The company owns its own switch track from the railroad, over a mile long, and is busy all the time, doing the most extensive business in the county in that line. Joseph Patterson, of Lima, Ohio, is president, and E. T. Paul is manager.

About 1912 the Interstate Stone Company was formed, with a capital of forty thousand dollars. This company purchased land one and one-half, miles south of Lewisburg and erected a stone-grinding plant to pulverize, for agricultural purposes, the limestone found there, the state analysis giving the quality as ninety-six per cent. The pulverized stone is sown on land and also used as a fertilizer base. This plant has a daily capacity of one hundred tons. This company also quarried and shipped two thousand tons of stone * last year to sugar refineries, this being the latest business started in the county. E. T. Paul is president and general manager and J. J. A. Zeller is the treasurer.

There have been several physicians in the past who resided at Lewisburg and Euphemia, who had a good practice and enjoyed the confidence of the community, but who long since have gone over the river to rest on the farther shore. Among these were : M. Pretzinger, William B. Gray, E. P. Ebersole, who served as county treasurer, and John C. Fall.

The physicians who are at present in the active practice are W. G. Brown, P. H. O' Hara and Osa Hoerner, doctors of medicine, and Edmond Coffman, dentist. I can say all are good men. Of course, it behooves all to speak well of the doctor, because we may fall into his hands sometime, but it is a pleasure to do so when we feel it is truthfully said.

Public Service And Commerce

On the east side of Greenville street, just south of Dayton street, a large spring gushes out of the rocks, and in those early days, when transportation was by teams, quite a little plot of ground around this spring was reserved by the town as a place for feeding teams and watering them. In 1899 the town built a fine town hall and assembly room along the side of the spring at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars.

In 1912 Lewisburg built a water-works system at a cost of twenty-six thousand dollars, for which bonds were issued. The water is obtained from three driven wells in Twin creek bottoms, just east of the town, at a depth of about sixty feet in gravel, from which the water is pumped to a standpipe about one hundred and twenty feet high, built on the hill near the west corporation line.

The electric lights, both for street lighting and commercial uses, were installed in 1913 by the company at Greenville, from which city the current is obtained. A gas-pipe line was put in by the Jantha Lighting Company, natural gas, in 1913, and has about two hundred patrons in the two towns.

The business of the two towns is conducted by the following: One bank, six groceries, three dry-goods stores, five restaurants, two bakeries, one hardware store, one furniture store, two plumbers, one drug store, two agricultural implement stores, one grain elevator, four tobacco warehouses, two coalyards, one lumber yard, two jewelers, one woodworker, three livery barns, one garage, one auto repair shop, two hotels, one cement block and vault plant, one saw-mill, two blacksmith shops, three butchers, two undertakers, one monument works, and no lawyers, the people being peaceable.

Verona

Verona is the latest incorporated village of the county, it having been incorporated in 191 1, with a population of about five hundred. It was originally called West Baltimore. Verona is situated in both Preble and Montgomery counties, at the junction of the line between sections 1 and 12 of Harrison township with the county line, but much the larger part of the village is in Preble county. The Dayton & Union railroad and the Dayton & Greenville interurban railroad pass through the village.

Verona is surrounded by a very fertile country in both counties, and the business done is quite considerable. The town has one bank, five tobacco warehouses, one grain elevator, six groceries, one lumber yard, one general store, one hardware store, one grist-mill, one hotel, two restaurants, one plumbing shop, one coal yard, one bakery, one shoemaker, one tinner, one barber, one machine shop and one woodworking shop. The town is now engaged in putting in electric lights, both street and commercial, the current being obtained from the Greenville company. It has been decided to pave Main street, about three-fourths of a mile long, with bituminous macadam, the expectation being to complete the work in 1915. The first mayor of Verona was E. M. Mc- Griff ; V. J. Shilt, clerk.

The Werts grist-mill was moved from Pyrmout to Verona in 1864, by David Werts and two or three others, the people of the community turning out with wagons and teams to help, so they should have a mill. This mill is still owned by the son, Perry Werts, and his family, who have had possession since 1890. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels and has been a steam mill, but electricity is now being installed as the motive power. The mill does good work and is well patronized by the people.

Schools, Churches And Lodges

Until 1882 the children of Verona attended the township school, about one mile west of the village, but in that year the townspeople built a tworoom brick school house. A movement is now being agitated for a larger and better building, which the town will soon have. The enrollment of the school the past year has been about one hundred pupils, and V. ,J. Shilt has been principal since 1899.

There is but one resident physician in the village, Dr. William I. Christian. Dr. H. Hunter practiced in the village for many years and died there some twenty years ago.

The United Brethren church organized a society in the town about the year 1850, holding meetings in the cooper shop. In 1855 the congregation built a brick church, just east of the county line, on land donated by Peter Snyder, who was a Baptist. Reverend Downey was pastor. The congregation grew and the building became too small. In 1906 they built the present brick church, at a cost of about four thousand five hundred dollars, and in 1904 they built a parsonage. The church now numbers about two hundred and twenty members, with a Sunday school enrolling over three hundred. M. I. Comfort is the pastor.

The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1883, and in the same year the congregation built a frame church at the west edge of town, on the east bank of Swamp creek, at a cost of some one thousand six hundred dollars, much of the work being donated by the members. In 1905 the church was remodeled at about the same cost. When the church started it had twelve members. Reverend Kalbfuss, pastor. William Frye, who is still living, started the movement with a petition signed by those of that faith. The church

Lodge No. 544, Knights of Pythias, was organized on February 22, 1892, with twenty-seven charter members, P. D. Werts, first chancellor commander. At first the lodge rented a room over Werts' store, then bought a half interest in the building, which it later sold, and in 1909 built its own two-story frame building on the south side of Main street, just east of the electric railroad, at a cost of about five thousand dollars, renting the lower stoiy for business purposes. The lodge now has one hundred and eighty members.

Lodge No. 1 5 1, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, was organized in 1902 in Shivadecker's blacksmith shop, with twenty-five charter members. It rented until 1910, in which year it bought the old Knights of Pythias hall on Commercial street and remodeled the same to suit, at a cost of over one thousand dollars. George Shivadecker was the first counsellor. This lodge now has sixty-five members and meets every Wednesday evening.

Verona Grange No. 1630 was organized with sixteen charter members on April 1, 1905, the first master being D. E. Hoffman. The grange owns its own building on East Mill street, costing over two thousand dollars. It now numbers one hundred and fifteen members, meeting weekly, Dan Weaver, master. The granges are doing much good for our agriculturists. To the writer's knowledge, the displays made by this and sister granges, at our county fairs for years past, have been the finest ever made in the county by any parties.