Hilliar Township

Hilliar Township

Was laid off from Miller, upon petition of its citizens, August 28, 1818. It is the southwestern township of the county. The first settlement was called " Houck's," and was principally made up of the families of James and Jacob Houck and Joseph Jennings, who erected the first cabins, and graced the principal building, through Mr. Lamson, with the first brick chimney put up in this township. This settlement was about one mile southwest of the present village of Oenterburg. When the township was formed the settlers agreed to the name of Hilliar, in compliment to Dr. Richard Hilliar, who was then the largest landholder residing in the limits ; he dwxlt in a cabin in the southwest corner. It had 16,000 acres of land upon the tax list in 1830. In 1832, there were but 40 voters. In 1810, the population was 1,012 ; in 1850, 1,111 ; and in 1860, 1,088. Oenterburg, its principal mart of business, is on the old stage route from all the "north countrie" to the State Oaj)ital. It is 13 miles from Mt. Yernon. We have heard it said that it received its name from the fact that Harvey Jones presumed it to be the exact geographical center of Ohio ; and many long years ago, when politicians and legislators threatened to move the Capital, some of tlic oldest inliabitants there believed it iniglit become tlie Capital of the Buckeye State. If such a thing was hinted at by members who occasionally had the good luck in cold weather and muddy roads to call on Harvey Jones, enjoy his feast of fit things, and rest in his soft and downy beds, it is no wonder that by contrast with the then Columbus fare they " smiled" at the idea, and took anotlier encouraging horn upon the strength of it with " mine host." As early as 1820 travel from Northern Ohio to the Capital through or by this route dates. Business may be said to have started with Mr. Jones, who was the most enterprising man at Centerburg from 1831 until 1818. He was a corpulent, jovial, kind-hearted man, who held out by unmistakable sign that he had good fare, and enjoyed the good things of this world.

In tlie early days the people were disposed to *' pull together" at elections. It was their custom to meet when the day of voting came round, and canvass in a friendly manner the merits of candidates, and to make their voice felt by voting "plumpers." The electors would set down upon logs before any ballots were cast, and read over the names upon the tickets, and settle all conflicting opinions by voting unanimously for the same men. In this way they made, as an old one of their number said, the candidates who were defeated "to howl," and caused aspirants to look with fear and trembling for the returns from Hilliar. In 1818, the entire vote was 17, unanimous for Ethan A. Brown for Governor; Benj. Martin, Congress; John Spencer, State Senator; W. W. Parquhar,

Representative. In October, 1824, there was one stubborn man who would vote for Allen Trimble for Governor ; the other 14 votes were cast for Morrow. The first place of public entertainment kept in this part of Knox county was by Joseph Jennings.

Great difiiculty was experienced by the early settlers in getting to and from mill. We find as early as April 26, 1810, Jacob and James Houck, Joseph Jennings, John and Josias Simpson, Henry Matthews, John Karr, John Hinton and others, met at doctor Hilliar's farm and united in petitioning for a road to Douglass' mill. The prayer was granted, and Wm. Gass, Charles Cooper and Isaac Bonnet were appointed viewers. They met at Clinton at the time named, but refused to j)roceed to view what, in their opinion, was an unnecessary road. Nothing daunted, the few petitioners added two or three more names to their request and sent up another petition on the 17th of September, and Jabez Beers, Henry Boberts and William Mitchell, were appointed viewers, and Ichabod Marshal, surveyor. The viewers met and the surveyor declining to act, S. H. Smith accompanied them as surveyor, and returned a report and plat of the road, IG miles in length - the surveyor reporting "it can be a tolerable good road, is very good ground, but the viewers say that at tliis time it would be too burthensome to the county to open said road." " Ordered, therefore, that the same cannot be granted."

township, wliicli they succeeded in getting in August, 1818, and the first election was held at the house of Thomas Merril. The Judges of that election were Joe Jennings, Jas. Houck, Jas. Pell; Clerks, John Borden, Wm. Eeynolds. In 1819, Jacob Houck listed Hilliar, and was paid a $4 county order therefor. The same duty he performed, for like pay, in 1820. The Judges of election, October, 1820, were Joseph Jennings, James Severe, Wm. Reynolds ; Clerks, John Borden. John Davis. Henry Matthews, Bcnj. F. Hilliar. John Severe, James Pell and John Pell were other early voters. The Messmores, Mahannahs, Hollisters and Bottomfields were other settlers of a later period. John Thomas projected a town in 1834, but it never made headway. Bich Hill is a new business point that is thriving considerably.

Source changes here: from History of Knox County, Ohio, Its Past and Present, Containing a Condensed, Comprehensive History of Ohio, Including an Outline History of the Northwest; a Complete History of Knox County ... a Record of Its Soldiers in the Late War; Portraits of Its Early Settlers and Prominent Men ... Biographies and Histories of Pioneer Families, Etc, by Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), Comp, published 1881; 8,873 words in this source stream.

Hilliar Township

HILLIAR township is situated in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and was erected from- territory formerly a part of Miller township, as appears by reference to the journal of the county com.missioners. The entry is made August 28, 1 8 18, and reads as follows:

On the petition of sundry inhabitants of Knox county praying for a new township to be laid out - Ordered - That the following boundaries be, and are hereby laid out into a separate township as follows :

Beginning at the southwest corner of said county and running east on the line between the counties of Knox and Licking, seven and a half miles ; thence north five miles, to the line dividing the fifth and sixth townships ; thence west, seven miles and a half, to the west boundary of Knox county ; thence south, five miles to the place of beginning ; which shall be known and called by the name of Hilliar township.

The township thus constituted contained sixteen thousand acres, and was divided into four equal parts, owned by different individuals and named respectively the "Rathbone," "Dayton," "Hilliar" and "Parker" sections. The Hilliar section was the first to come into market, and that upon which the first settlement was made; hence the new township was named in honor of Dr. Richard HiUiar, one of the original proprietors.

The physical features of HiUiar township are not characterized by great diversity. The surface is nearly level, or gently rolling. The water courses have sufficient descent to afford good drainage, but do not fall rapidly enough to present any attractions to the millwright; although the early mills were necessarily water mills. The north fork of Licking creek traverses the township from northwest to southeast, passing near the village of Centreburgh.

Dry creek drains the northeast corner of the township, and several other smaller streams, the southwestern portion, furnishing sufficient living water for stock and other purposes.

Geologically considered, the soil of Hilliar township is composed of the debris of the olive shales of the Waverly, intermingled with glacial drift, strongly impregnated with lime, and generally covered with a rich alluvial deposit. When cultivated it yields ample returns for the labor of the husbandman, but the principal energies of the farmers appear to be expended in raising sheep, as appended statistics show.

The land was originally heavily timbered with black walnut and sugar maple; the former being mostly destroyed before its value was appreciated. The timber remaining is principally of the following varieties: Ash, white oak, beech, hickory, elm, walnut and maple.

As Knox county lies almost entirely outside the great Appalachian coal fields, coal must be brought from other points, and costs the consumer at this point about four dollars and a half per ton.

That mysterious people, the Mound Builders, have left behind them in this locality but few remains. Two small mounds on the property of Edward Roberts and one on Mrs. Thurston's property are all that appear in the township.

came to Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1805, and being a man of enterprise bought of William Stanbery, of Newark, Licking county, Ohio, eighteen hundred acres of military land, situated in Knox county. In 1806 he repaired to his new purchase and built a cabin in the southwest corner of what is now Hilliar township, moving his family into it. After Dr. Hilliar, came Joseph Jennings, Jacob Houck, James Houck, Joseph Kerr, and George Hinton, with their families, located near Hilliar on land purchased from him. William Russell, William Reynolds, John Borden, and Elijah Dowell came soon after, and the woods began to resound with the sturdy strokes of the hardy pioneers.

At first the Indians were not very troublesome, but as the difficulties increased - which culminated in the War of 18 12 - they became a constant source of dread to the settlers, who never ventured to st^p outside their cabin doors without their trusty rifles in hands; no actual outbreak occurred, however, and after the war the red men

The pioneers were generally equal to the difficulties that surrounded them. The Hilliar settlement seems to have been no exception to the rule. A few anecdotes will serve to illustrate the temper of the settlers. Being destitute of mills, and roads to get to those built elsewhere in the county, they petitioned the county commissioners for a road to Shrimplin's mill on Owl creek, east of Mt. Vernon, It was surveyed and reported on, but the commissioners refused to confirm it on account of the cost of constructing a road such a distance through the woods. Nothing daunted they went to work themselves and cut a road from Houck's to the settlement near Mt. Vernon. Previous to this time they had gone to Zanesville, in Muskingum county, to get grinding done.

On one occasion, during an apple-bee at Jacob Houck's, a "scap" of bees mysteriously disappeared, and suspicion rested on one Ferdinand McLain, who indignantly denied it, and challenged young James Houck to seftle the matter according to the frontier code, /. e. take it back or take a whipping.

Houck chose the latter horn of the dilemma, and took the beating, but when it was over he said: "Of course you can whip a sick man, but I'll see you about this next election day." Accordingly on election day they met, and Houck struck McLain with such force that he was rendered insensible, and it was with much difficulty that his friends resuscitated him. This should have ended the matter, and probably would, but whiskey got the better of them, and the difficulty was only settled after eight more bloody battles had been fought. That was regarded as very fair amusement for one day.

Good men were plenty in those days, and some of them, conscious of their muscular superiority, were quarrelsome, but the best man amongst them never picked a fight, and never was whipped. That man was Stephen Sutton.

One day while Ebenezer Bordon was passing through the woods he spied an old she bear and two cubs up a tree. One of the cubs being near the root of the tree he appropriated it, and started towards the settlement, but the old bear did not appear to relish his interference with her domestic affairs, and quickly descending gave chase, and Mr. Borden was reluctantly obliged to drop his prize and flee for his life. He proceeded to Houck's and securing re-enforcements returned to the sport, and succeeded in securing not only the cubs, but Mrs. Bruin also.

The following extract is taken from the statement of James Houck, one of the original settlers of Hilliar township. He resides at present in Iowa; is ninety-nine years of age, in good health, active in body, and his mental faculties unimpaired. He is a ready and fluent talker, and takes great delight in narrating the adventures of his early days.

In the spring of 1802, accompanied by five young men from the head waters of the Juniata, in Pennsylvania, I made the tour of cential Ohio on horseback. Zanesville then contained six lo.ET cabins and one hewed log house. In the winter of 1803, in company with a party of young men on a bear hunt we camped at ihe mouth of Dry creek, near where Hughes' tavern now stands. In company with Jacob Houck and James Jennings, I followed Dr. Hilliar to Knox county, Ohio, the doctor having preceded us about three years. There were then four or five families in the new settlement, and our nearest neighbors were the v.idow Perfect and her six sons, five miles west of us. Our next nearest neighbors were Higgins, seven miles northeast of us, and the Hardesties and Yoakams beyond.

one hundred bushels of oats at twenty-five cents per bushel, hauled the same to Upper Sandusky and sold it to the army quartered there at two dollars per bushel. It was there that I made the acquaintance of Simon Girty. When the Indians became troublesome the settlers took refuge in the Perfect block house.

In 18 1 1, the Wooster, iVFt. Vernon & Columbus road was laid out. I met the viewers and surveyors at Mt. Vernon, and volunteered to pilot them through. My services were accepted and I led them to the northeast corner of my brother Jacob's land ; thence due west along our north lines, laying the road all on Stanbery's land, north of us. Having passed our lands I again turned to the southwest, and led them to Zoar - now Galena. I cut the timber and brush from the road, from Higgins' to Zoar. Commissioner Mitchell gave me the contract. I knew Dr. Richard Hilliar. He was a good looking, ambitious man of medium size. He would never transact any business with a man who told him a falsehood. When we came to Hilliar township he lived in a pole house and had seven acres of land cleared ; the work was done by a man named Hyatt Willison, from the settlement ten miles north. Dr. Hilhar was affected with consumption and dropsy, but boasted that he lived eighteen years in spite of death. Before his death he broke down some brush near a cherry tree in the woods, about thirty rods southwest of the forks of the Sunbury road, and directed that he be buried there and his grave be left unmarked, and he wanted no man to say, "Here lies old doctor Hilliar." His orders were obeyed, and "no man knoweth of his grave to this day."

Early agriculture was pursued with difficulty. The first plows used were of a very primitive kind, familliarly designated as "go devils" and "bull plows." The Wood's plow was an improvement on the latter, and had an iron share, secured by a bolt and nut. Thomas Hinton was the happy possessor of one of these improved plows, and hired Philander Bailey to use it. After plowing a few rounds the new plow became unruly, and refused to penetrate the ground. Not to be outdone, the boy piled stones upon it until the weight kept it in the furrow. Mr. Hinton now appeared on the scene, and discovering the kind of work done, examined into the difficulty, and found that Bailey had lost the share off the plow, and haa actually plowed several rounds without it.

Grain, when raised, had to be threshed with the flail, or trodden out by horses, and then cleaned by winnowing with a sheet or a large wooden "fan." Sickles were the tools used to cut the grain, until William Reynolds, in 1820, constructed a "grip" cradle. This was not much of an improvement on the sickle, and was soon superseded by the grain cradle, which laid the grain in regular swaths to be taken up with the rake. The first windmill was

"Brad." Pollett, who introduced threshing machines, was noted for his recklessness in running the same: and while threshing at Gideon Sutton's, the cylinder bursted with a loud report. Follett coolly remarked, "I wish I had been astraddle of that."

An election for township officers was ordered to be held on the fifteenth of September, 18 18, at the house of Thomas Merrill; at which James Pell, James Houck and Jacob Houck officiated as judges; and John Borden and Joseph Jennings as clerks. There were eighteen voters, namely: James Houck, James Pell, Aaron Hill, John Davis, Benjamin F. Hilliar, John Pell, James Severe, Joseph Jennings, Samuel Sickle, James Bell and John Donelson.

The following officers were elected: James Houck, Joseph Jennings and James Pell, trustees; John Severe and James Bell, overseers; James Severe and William Houck, fenceviewers; Jacob Houck, lister; James Pell, appraiser; William Russell, constable; James Houck, treasurer; James Severe, supervisor.

At the Presidential election, November 3, 1820, only twelve votes were cast for electors. The vote stood - Jeremiah Morrow twelve, and John Mc- Laughlin twelve.

At the Presidential election held on the twentyninth of October, 1824, the Adams electors received fifteen votes each, and the Clay electors two votes each.

Dr. Richard Hilliar who was the first physician in the new settlement was the first on the list of mortality. He died in September 181 1, and was buried on his own property.

The first public graveyard was laid out on land donated by James Houck, for that purpose adjoining his homestead. The next graveyard was laid out at the Baptist church, southeast of Centreburgh. The first marriage on record is that of John Westbrook to Mary Houck, daughter of Jacob Houck.

The earliest mills were built on the north fork of Licking creek: One by Jacob Houck in 1835, situuated just north of the town of Centreburgh^ About the same time - or as some assert before - Samuel Hupp built a saw-mill on the creek, near the present residence of Harmon Debolt. John Vandeberg built one above Houck's, and John Rinehart another, followed by David F. Halsey. John Mahanna also built a saw-mill on the farm now owned by Rollins Long, which did a good business. White walnut logs were manufactured into finishing lumber and black walnut into weatherboarding. Lewi? Rinehart built a tannery near Rich Hill, about 1835, and in 1847 Gideon Sutton and Daniel Wolfe built a carding and fulling-mill in the town of Centerburgh. None of above named mills are now in operation. Smith and Hopkins built a steam grist-mill in Centreburgh in 1874, which is still doing a good business.

his saddle-bags containing a Bible, hymn-book, and a change of linen, was generally the first to penetrate the western wilds and raise the standard of the cross. Several of these pioneers of the gospel visited Hilliar township, and preached at various times and places, but no class was formed till 1834,

The original members were: John Rinehart, Harriet Rinehart, Samuel Degood, Julia Degood, Ferdinand McLain, Mary McLain, William Borden, Margaret Borden, and Daniel Chadwick and his wife. Ferdinand McLain was leader. Services were held in the school-house about one year; after that in the house of John Rinehart for several years, or until the place of meeting was moved to Centreburg in 1840, when the society assumed the name of the Centreburgh Methodist Episcopal church. In 1841 a frame meeting-house, thirty by forty feet square, was built just east of the public square, which was used as a house of worship until 1843, when a new frame church was erected, on lot fifty-five; size, forty by fifty feet; cost, two thousand, seven hundred dollars. The present membership is ninety-five. The class leaders are George Peardon and William Smith; the preacher in charge is Rev. Joseph McK. Barnes. A Sundayschool of ninety scholars is connected with this church, William Smith superintendent.

The Free-will Baptist church, of Centreburgh, is the result of the labor of the Rev. George W. Baker, a zealous preacher whose labors in the vicinity of Centreburgh finally culminated m the organization of a regular church in 1839, at the house of Absalom Debolt, three-fourths of a mile southeast of Centreburgh. The original members were: Philip Barnes, Tirzah Barnes, Laban Messmore, Mary Messmore, Jacob Wise, Harriet Wise, Elizabeth Debolt, David Marshall, Moses Hornbeck, and Sarah Reynolds.

The meetings were held in private houses, barns, and log school-houses, until 1842, when a frame building, thirty-six by forty feet in size, was erected, one-half mile east of the town of Centreburgh, still used as a house of worship by the congregation. Elder George W. Boker was pastor from 1839 till i860, when he was succeeded by Elder Kendall Higgins. Elder Wilford Whittaker came in 1863, and was succeeded by Elder O. J. Moore, after whose term of service Elder Kendall Higgins again became pastor. Elder A. H. Whittaker followed Higgins, and was succeeded by the present pastor. Elder S. D. Bates. The first deacon was Philip Messmore, and the present deacons are Harvey Messmore and W. T. Debolt. Mr. Debolt is also clerk. The present membership is ninety. The Sunday-school numbers fifty scholars. Lorenzo Barnes is superintendent.

The Centerburgh Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized August 18, 1840, at Centreburgh, by Rev. Harrison Thompson. The constituent members were as follows: James Huffty, Thomas M. Rusk, David F. Halsey, Thomas Hill, Jacob Waldroff, Annie Bottenfield, Morris Waldroff, Isaac Waldroff, Rebecca Hill, John Miller, Mary Miller, Lovina Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Aaron Hill, Fanny Rutan, Mehitable Bishop, Phebe Bottenfield, Elizabeth Bottenfield, Sarah Haiden, David Haiden, James Hill, Mary Hill, and Pamelia Huffty.

Meetings were held at various places until 1855, when the congregation was moved to Rich Hill, a frame house thirty-six by forty-six feet erected, and the name of the society changed to Rich Hill Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. x\t this time Daniel Reynolds was clerk. In 1878 the church was moved back to Centreburgh, and assumed the original name A substantial frame building thirtythree by thirty-five feet was erected on lot one hundred and twenty, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, in which the congregration worship at present. The succession of pasters was as follows: Harrison Thompson, 1840; James McFarland, 1850; J. W. Cleaver. 1853; Enoch Baird, i866; James Best, 1867; George W. McWhorter, 1872; D. H. Green, 1875; J. W. Cleaver, 1877; R. N. Grossman, 1878; the latter being the present incumbent. The present number of members is sixtythree. The presiding elders are Ira Gearhart, Daniel Reynolds, and John K. Haiden. Mr. Haiden is also clerk. The Sunday-school has forty scholars. Sylvester S. Best is superintendent and Dr. D. H. Ralston assistant.

The Christian Church of Centreburgh. - Rev. M. Harrod organized this church December 20, 1872, in the town of Centreburgh, with the following membership: J. A. Willis, P. A. Willis, William Eaton, Matilda Eaton, Anna Arlin, William Wilson, Livonia Wilson, Aaron Gearhart, Sarah Gearhart, John Armstrong, Rebecca Armstrong, and C. D. Pelter. The Free-will Baptist meeting-house was occupied by this congregation the greater part of the time from its organization until 1879, when a neat frame building, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet square, was erected on lot one hundred and nineteen on the plat of Centerburgh, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars, and dedicated on the second day of September, 1879, by Rev. A L. McKinney. The names of the pastors who had charge of this church, together with the dates of their accession to the pastorate, are as follows: Rev. M. Harrod, 1873; A. C. Hanger, 1874; William A. Dobyns, 1876; S. A. Hutchinson, 1879; G. D. Black, 1880. The present number of members is eighty. The deacons are Theodore Crowel and John Armstrong ; clerk, William Eaton ; trustees, William Eaton, Aaron Gearhart, Theodore Crowel, John Armstrong, and Oscar Jennings. The attendance at the Sabbath-school is eighty. Hart Ross is superintendent and Charles Bishop assistant.

Miss Fanny Mitchell was the pioneer schoolteacher of Hilliar township. William Houck, father of Jacob and James Houck, built a blacksmith shop - the first in the township - on the property of Jacob Houck, on the main road. The abandoned shop was left standing, and in that Miss Mitchell taught the first school, in 1820. Her successor was Elizabeth Borden, who taught in the same shop.

In 1823 James Houck donated an acre of ground to the public for a graveyard and school-house. On this ground a small log house was built, which served its purpose well, and was the only one in the township for a number of years. As the settlement progressed other houses were built in various parts of the township, but the instruction imparted in them was of a rather inferior quality.

Seeing the need of improvement, Mr. W. H. Stephens, in 1855, organized a select school in a small building near the present Methodist church in Centreburgh. His first class was composed of seven pupils, viz.: Emeline Roberts, John K. Haiden, Sarah E. Williams, William Goodrich, Moses

Skillen, Pulaski Gear and Mary Annett. This was quite an innovation and required considerable courage on the part of Mr. Stephens to inaugurate, but the friends of education ralHed around him, and he was ably sustained by such men as Dr. Nichols, Gideon Sutton, John Riley, E. and W. Roberts, Ira Gearhart, George Skillen, James Headington and Ephraim Dally. His school increasing to one hundred and ten, he, in the fall, fitted up two rooms in the Jones hotel, where he taught three 01 four years. The common branches were taught thoroughly, with the addition of algebra and philosophy.

During the year i860 a joint stock company erected a substantial frame building on the public square in Centreburgh, and in the fall of the same year Mr. Stephens rented the same, procured the services of an assistant, and in addition to his select school taught the children of the village. At the flood tide of his success the tocsin of war sounded and Mr. Stephens, obeying a higher call of duty, enlisted in his country's service.

The building is still owned by the company that built it; the upper part is used for a town hall, and the lower part rented by the school board; but no select school has been taught in the village or township since 1861.

Hilliar township at the present time has six schools, two of which are in the village of Centreburgh, but controlled by the board of education of the township. The buildings are neat, substantial frames and in good condition.

The Centreburgh Lodge, No. 666, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Centreburgh, June 22, 1877, by Henry Hedges, grandmaster. The charter members were: CM. Jennings, George W. Granstaff, William A. Dumbauld, George Peardon, M. F. Hasson, John Burkholder, Ira Barr, William Mahan, William Crowell, J. E. Easterday, Levi Kile, William Smith, A. M. Murphy, John Miller, J. W. Hopkins, T. O. Freeman, James Headington and W. A. Paul. The original officers were: C. M. Jennings, N. G.; George H. Granstaff, V. G.; J. E. Easterday, R. S.; Levi Kile, P. S.; William Smith, treasurer. This lodge is in a healthy condition, and comprises in its membership the elite of the town and surrounding country; it meets every Saturday night in the

The early roads in Hilliar township were very indifferent in condition, and the bridges were of the primitive type, called corduroy. The principal road extended through the township from the northeast to the southwest corner, and on this the mail was carried on horseback by Thomas Merrill.

In February, 1829, the legislature of Ohio passed an act to establish a State road from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, and appointed James McFarland, of Knox county, Adam Reed, of Franklin county, and John Meyers, of Licking county, commissioners to locate said road. In performing their duties the commissioners, when passing through Hilliar, followed the route of the road formerly cut out by the citizens of this township, and filed a copy of said survey in the office of county commissioners of Knox, January 10, 1830.

A line of stage coaches was established by Colonel B. Barney soon afterward, and in 1831 Neil & Moore had a contract of carrying the mail, and were running a line of coaches on the road. Horses were changed three times between Mt. Vernon and Columbus, viz.: at Blendon Corners, Sunbury, and at Joseph Jennings' tavern in Hilliar township. William Houck and Benjamin Jennings were the original stage drivers on this road. Later, when an opposition Ime of coaches was established by Walker & Company, Samuel Clawson, John Landis and Reuben Jennings held the reins and plied the whip.

Centreburgh was laid out in October, 1830, by Edson Harkness, surveyor, and the plat recorded December 22, 1834, by Stephen Sutton and Jacob Houck, owners of the land on which the town now stands. They gave the new town the name of Centreburgh because it was in, the centre of the township, and supposed to be in the centre of the State. The principal part of the plat was located on the northwest side of the State road. The first house was built on lot thirty-five of the town plat by Harvey j

Jones, who also kept the first tavern, and opened the first dry goods store in 1835. Mr. Jones was a wide awake, energetic business man, and soon gathered around him a coterie of kindred spirits, who made Centreburgh the centr-e of attraction for miles around.

At this period the entire travel from the lake region to Columbus passed over the road through Centreburgh, and great efforts were made by the rival stage lines to secure the greatest number of passengers, and make the best time, as by these means each party hoped to secure the United States mail subsidy. The price of passage was reduced to a mere nominal figure, the life of a horse was lightly esteemed, and the driver who could rein up to Jones' tavern with the largest load of passengers, ahead of the opposition coach, was prouder than a king.

Centreburgh continued to flourish, houses were built, stores opened, and trade multiplied. Daniel Finch built a brick house on lot 17, - the first in the town and township, now(i88i) occupied as a hotel, and known as the Cent-. " house. This state of affairs was highly gratifying to the citizens of the village, and continued as long as the mail coaches kept on the road, but and when in 185 1, the Newark & Sandusky railroad was finished, and the mail and travel was diverted to that route, the coaches departed towards the setting sun.

About this time, too, the construction of a new railroad was commenced, called the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh railway, the survey of which passed through Hilliar township, near Rich HilL In anticipation of the speedy completion of the new road a town was laid out at that point, by Aaron D. Rinehart, August 11, 1852. To the new town the name of Hilliar was g'ven in honor of Dr. Richard Hilliar.

John Miller built a steam grist-mill, and Michael Ross kept a store. Hilliar at this time was quite a thriving village, and from its situation and prospects became a formidable rival to Centreburgh, but the failure of the railroad company - leavmg the road

The village now goes by the name of Rich Hill, and contains one store, one post-office - Joseph Riggs, postmaster; one grocery, one physician - G. B. Hubbell; one carriage shop and one blacksmith shop.

Centreburgh, which had been on the decline since 185 1, received a new impetus in 187 1. That year a new railroad company was organized, called the "Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware Railroad Company." The new company bought the right of way of the defunct "Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh Company," and used the old road-bed as far as the eastern line of Hilliar township. From there they surveyed a new route to Columbus, which brought the road through Centreburgh. The new road was completed as early as 1874, and caused Centreburg to spring into new life and activity. Town lots, which in i860, were not worth more than twenty dollars, are at the present time worth two hundred. Old buildings were repaired, and many new ones built ; business houses multiplied, and all the modern improvements were introduced. The following directory will give a fair idea of the business of the town : two millinery stores, Mrs. Mattie E. Updyke and Mrs. L. T. Barnes ; two livery stables, A. T. Borden and Peter Shaffer ; one undertaker, R. J. Pumphrey ; three blacksmiths, Isaac Pierce, sr., Henry Cappell and Henry Bunnell ; one shoe shop, Geo. Peardon, proprietor; one photograph gallery, E. M. Maynard, proprietor; one marble shop, Devereux Brothers, proprietors ; one tinshop, Jennings & Faraba, proprietors ; one carriage shop, R. J. Pumphrey, proprietor ; one tailor, Darling Barr ; two meatmarkets, Timothy Baker & Son and Willis Bedell, proprietors; one harnessmaker, P. D. Kasson ; three furniture stores, George Mc- Cracken, David Long and George McConchie, proprietors ; one agricultural depot, R. J. Pumphrey, proprietor ; two lumber yards. Bishop & Raney and George W. Barnes, proprietors ; one implement factory, Burkholder & Brentlinger, proprietors ; one paint shop, Burt & Beach ; one cooper, C. M. Tanner; one greenhouse, L. B. Barnes, proprietor ; two barbers, Clinton Jones and Rufus Webster ; one cigarmaker, S. W. Lyons, and one saloon, J. Anweller, proprietor.

Centreburgh is not a regularly incorporated town, with full municipal powers, but was, in 1877, made an independent district, which gives it control of its streets and highways.

E. B. Cook, J. W. Burton and R, B. Jackson are the trustees, and C. M. Jennings clerk and treasurer. The town at present contains one hundred dwellings and four hundred and fifty inhabitants.

The pioneer publication of Hilliar township was the Universalist Advocate. It was a sixteen page semi-monthly magazine, devoted to the advocacy of universal salvation, and was printed in a building on lot 45, in the village of Centreburgh. The following extract is from the first volume of this publication, issued September 26, 1848:

The Universalist Advocate will be published on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, on the following low terms: seventy-five cents per annum, paid in advance, one dollar if paid within the year. All communications intended for the Universalist Advocate must be address to Daniel Wolfe & Co., at Centreburgh, Knox county, Ohio. Free from postage.

T/ie Centrehirgh Mirror w^iS b. seven column four page independent newspaper, established in Centreburgh in 1878, but it was short-lived, and

The Centreburgh Gazette is the name of an independent seven column four page newspaper published weekly at Centreburgh ; the first issue appeared January 6, 1881. It is devoted to the interests of Centreburgh and surrounding country. George E. Kalb is editor and proprietor.

Harvey Jones was the first postmaster of Centreburgh. His successors were: Nimrod Bishop, Edward Gant, Chester Heldt, Smith Hadley, J. Scott, Enoch Nichols, Daniel Wolfe, Robert Woods, Enoch Nichols, Robert Jackson and Charles M. Jennings, the present incumbent.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad enters Hilliar township at the northeast corner and passes out at the southwest corner, passing through Centreburgh. The first passenger train passed over this road September i, 1874. The Ohio Central railroad also passes through Hilliar township, near the village of Rich Hill, and crosses the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus road at right angles near the town of Centreburgh. This road was completed in the month of November, 1880.

The Dayton section came into market shortly after the organization of the township in 18 18; the Parker section in 1831, but the opening of the Rathbone section to settlers was delayed till 1839; hence the development of the township was retarded, but notw^ithstanding this drawback Hilliar has made rapid improvements in growth and development.

Chapter Liv

JACKSON township was organized out of Morgan, September 4, 181 5. It was named in honor of General Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans. Topographically, the surface is broken, and in the southern portion of the township several large hills exist. The soil is productive and yields good crops of all the cereals. Valuable springs of water abound, one especially on the farm of William Darling being unusually large, and the source of a considerable stream. Several streams of water traverse the township, the largest being the Wakatomica. It rises in Coshocton county, running west across tue township near to the line of Clay, thence south in a meandering course passing out of the township into Licking county. Jug run rises near the centre of the township and runs southeast into Coshocton county. Iron ore of superior quality is found in the hills near to the Licking and Coshocton county lines, and in such quantities that it may be profitable to mine it, although no one has yet attempted it.

Every part of Jackson was once densely wooded, oak, sugar and chestnut being the principal varieties. Although much of this timber has been cleared away, yet the hills along the Wakatomica and elsewhere in the township exhibit a large growth of oak and chestnut.

The early settlers killed large numbers of deer, bear and other animals. Though multitudes of reptiles have been killed in former years, still at this later period they are to be found. In September, 1880, John Farquhar found a black-snake eleven feet in length, and after a desperate fight succeeded in killing it. Owing to the hills of Jackson township abounding with deer and other wild animals, it was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, who came from the region about Greentown and Upper Sandusky in large numbers, often camping weeks at a time.

From the time of the first settlement to the present, large numbers of Indian relics have been found, farmers ploughing up great quantities of arrow points, wedges and other stone implements. The old Indian trail from Greentown through to Coshocton county passed across Jackson township. This trail the first settlers found very convenient for a guide when travelling. Evidences of ancient fortifications, are to be found, one especially, on the farm of Mrs I. Kerr, being the most remarkable. It is a wide trench encircling a small hill on which her present residence is situated. It extended completely around the hill, and was of such width as to make it quite formidable to the foe. Early settlers found it very plainly indicated, but frequent plowing has almost obUterated it. One or two small mounds are to be found in the northern part of the township.

Robert Eaton is supposed to be the first white settler of Jackson. He came from Wheeling, West Virginia, in April, 1810, locating on section seven. He was one of the soldiers that helped to suppress the whiskey rebellion, and it is said, had seen General George Washington several times. After living many years in Jackson he emigrated to the west. Although Eaton had many opportunities of becoming rich, he did not succeed in amassing much wealth, being content to live on a small income.

David Meelick, the second settler, came to the township in August, 18 10, settling on section seven. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the Government at two dollars per acre. He was one of the first two justices of the peace elected after the organization of Jackson township, and served in that capacity several years. At the time of his coming, Jackson township was indeed a wilderness. The surface of the entire country was covered with a dense growth of hard wood timber ; the woods swarmed with game, and he had no difficulty in procuring ample supplies for the family larder. Being somewhat of a Nimrod, he succeeded in killing hundreds of deer, turkeys and other wild game. With the exception of Robert Eaton, the Indians were his only neighbors for some time after his arrival. It was his belief that the hills in the southern part of the township would remain an unbroken wilderness to all generations, but he lived to see them thickly settled. His descendants are still numerous in the township.

Andrew McCamment was a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to Jackson township in 181 9, selecting land in section nineteen. He was married August 19, 18 16, to Rebecca Strain, of Brooke county, Virginia, by whom he had eight children : John S., Mary, William, Alexander, James, Sevenah, Hannah Jane, and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. McCamment died December 14, 1864, after a long life of industry and usefulness.

George Holtz was from Belmont county, where he was born in March, 1800. He removed to Coshocton county about the close of the last war with England, and to Jackson township in 1S30. He entered eighty acres of Government land lying in the southern part of the township, and in a few years he purchased eighty acres more from the Government. He married Susan Mavisin in 1825, who bore him nine children.

Samuel Davidson was born near Baltimore, Maryland, November 4, 1788, and came to Jackson township in 1830, where he resided until his death August 8, 1880. He was a soldier of the War of 181 2, and was in the battle of Bladensburgh.

February 18, 1799. He visited Ohio in 182 1, with one dollar and fifty cents in his pocket, walking the entire distance from Pennsylvania, returning home in November. Soon after, he sold his household and other goods, settled up all his accounts, and having but eight dollars, started for Ohio on the fourth of February, 1822. He landed in Hilliar township the twenty-fourth of that month, and resided there until the twentieth of July, when he removed to Clay, where he purchased eighty acres of Government land at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. After paying for his land, he had eighteen cents remaining but possessing extraordinary energy and perseverance he soon cleared his land, and has secured, a competence. At that date the growing of tobacco was the principal occupation of the farmers of Jackson and the southern townships of Knox county. Mr. Houck was once gone eleven days in two weeks, to tobacco house raisings. While in Hilliar township, he purchased a cow and yoke of oxen, and brought them to Clay. They got out of the enclosure, and after a search of ten days, he found them at their old home in HiUiar. He found but four houses in twenty-five miles travelUng through the forests, but the few settlers that he did find were very clever and glad to see any one in their secluded homes. He subsequently sold his farm in Clay, and purchased some land on the site of the village of Bladensburgh, in Jackson township, where he erected a dwelling house, and also a hotel, engaging in that business several years. He also engaged in the mercantile business many years. He still resides in Bladensburgh.

John Donahey entered eighty acres on section twenty-six in 18 10. He came from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he was born June 27, 1799. He was probably the first settler who located land in the southern part of the township. His neighbors were the Indians, and the hills surrounding his habitation were full of wild animals and venomous serpents. He, like the other pioneers, killed large numbers of deer, bear, and turkeys. At that early date log-rollings and houseraisings were frequent, and Mr. Donahey spent much of his time assisting his neighbors in clearing their land and erecting their habitations. The work was often severe, owing to the scarcity of hands, but the festivities of the evening, after the conclusion of the day's toil, afforded ample recompense. He was married at an early age to Martha Rogers. They had nine children; five sons and four daughters. He died in Jackson township in 1873-

Peter Fry, who lived to be a centenarian, came to Jackson at an early period of its history. He was at St. Clair's defeat, and was forty years old at that time. He remembered many of the important events that transpired during the exciting period of the Revolution, and had often seen General Washington. He settled on section seven, but did not succeed in acquiring much property.

Thomas Nichols, still living in his eighty-eighth year, arrived from Virginia in 1828, and purchased his land from the Government. He settled in the southern part of Jackson, and still lives on the farm on which he first settled. Several of his children are still living in the township, in prosperous circumstances. For several years after first settling in Jackson he was troubled by wolves visiting his flocks of sheep at night and carrying away the choicest.

Jacob Strieker, Adam Earlywine, Robert Wilson, Joseph Scott, Daniel Massholder, Daniel Blue, Peter Miller, Christian Baughman, James Harris, John Wheeler, Elijah Harris, William Braddock, and Daniel Strieker, arrived at an early date, and a majority of them became prosperous.

William Darhng, who came from Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1820, to Butler township, and from Butler to Jackson in 1835, has long been an influential citizen. He has served as justice of the peace fifteen years, and held other important local offices.

Johnny Appleseed was frequently a visitor in this township. One of his largest nurseries in Coshocton county being near this locality, he found a market for his apple-trees in Jackson. Many of the first orchards were started from trees procured from his nursery, and there are still trees remaining in several orchards that originally' came from his Coshocton nursery.

the exact date being not now remembered. There were but few settlers in the township then, and the damage done to dwelHng houses and orchards was comparatively light, but many forest trees were prostrated, and cattle, horses and sheep killed.

The first grist-mill was erected by Samuel Wheeler about the year 1816, and the first sawmill by S. Brown about 18 18. These mills were busily employed to meet the demands of the increasing population, both for flour and meal for the sustenance of the settlers, and lumber for their dwellings.

Samuel D. Ross built the first carding-mill in 1818. Prior to the building of these mills, the inhabitants were compelled to go to Mt. Vernon or Zanesville for their meal and lumber.

There are two or three small iron bridges that j span the Wakatomica, and several wooden bridges spanning that stream and Jug run in the township, but no large bridges have been erected.

Until after the establishment of Bladensburgh in 1833, there were no stores in the township, and the settlers were obliged to go to Coshocton, Mt. Vernon, Zanesville and elsewhere for the purchase of the groceries, dry goods, and other necessaries for their families. About the year 181 7, I. D. Johnson started a store in Martinsburgh, then a village of about half a dozen houses. He purchased all kinds of produce, paying cash for the same. At that time tobacco was the principal crop of the farmers of southern Knox, and large quantities were annually raised by them on their newly cleared lands. Mr. Johnson purchased all that was offered him, and it is said, thus enabled many farmers of Jackson and surrounding townships to pay for their farms, who, if it had not been for Johnson, would have been unable to pay for them, as money was very scarce, and produce very low.

The distilling of whiskey was another business in which the early settlers engaged. They could convert their cereals into a smaller bulk, and as there was always a ready sale for whiskey at remunerative prices, they found it more profitable to manufacture their grain into whiskey than haul it to distant markets and sell it at low rates. The last still-house disappeared many years ago.

entire township. This school was held in private houses, and no school-house was erected for many years. At first the only school-houses were built of logs of very primitive style, but these have been superceded by substantial frame buildings. The first school, as near as can be ascertained, was taught by William Braddock. He was rather illiterate, but could "read, write and cipher to the rule of three," the "sum total" of his educational qualifications. He was induced to become a teacher more by the urgent solicitations of the pioneers, than by his own preference. Braddock continued the profession of teaching many years, and until it became necessary for teachers to have a certificate, when he ceased to be a pedagogue.

Abraham McLane was another of the early teach ers. His literary attainments were at par with Braddock's. He also continued teaching until certificates were necessary to enable teachers to draw public money for their services, when he also retired from the profession.

The people generally are a church-going people. There are five churches, three having an organized existence within the township limits, and two within the limits of Bladensburgh.

For many years after the first settlement there were no regular church organizations. Preaching was held occasionally in the houses of the settlers. One of the first ministers to proclaim the gospel to the inhabitants of Jackson, was a Rev. Mr. Cunningham, a Presbyterian divine. He was a very plain man in his dress and habits, and of moderate talents and ability. Being poor it became necessary to devise means for his support. A subscription paper was drawn up and circulated among the people. One of the signers was proprietor of a small distillery. When his subscription became due, on demand, he refused to pay it. After repeated demands and refusals he was sued, judgment for the full amount of his subscription was obtained against him, execution was issued, and the constable, into whose hands it was given, levied on a barrel of whiskey, sold the same, and thus satisfied the debt.

Rev. James Fry, a Baptist, was another of the early ministers, who labored earnestly to lead the people to eternal life. The Methodists were early in the field, but did not erect a house of worship, holding their meetings in churches of other denominations, or at private dwellings. At one time they were quite prosperous, but at present there are but few in the township.

The first Disciple church in Ohio was organized in this township in August, 1828. At that date Alexander Campbell, and his co-laborers, were zealously laboring in Ohio and other States. A few copies of his paper, the Millennial Harbinger, were circulated in the township, and being carefully read, proved to be seed sown in good ground, yielding a large increase. Elijah Harris, Washington Houck, and John Wheeler, with their wives, organized themselves into a Disciple church, which is claimed to be the first regular church organization of that denomination in this State. Rev. Charles Van Voorhes, still living, was the first pastor, and only preacher for many years.

Another Disciple church, known as Dennis chapel, was organized about 1830. It is situated in the southwestern part of the township. William D. Beatty and George Eley were the first elders, and William Braddock and Benjamin Eley the first deacons. Rev. James Porter was the first pastor, and continued in that capacity until 1839, when he was superceded by Rev. Charles Van Voorhes, who has preached to the people most of the time since.

At the first organization of this church there were about twenty members. At this date the organization has nearly one hundred members in full connection. A small frame church was erected soon after the organization, which was replaced by one thirty-six by forty feet in dimensions some years since. There is a flourising Sunday-school in connection with this church, S. E. Bell, superintendent.

The first Union church of Jackson township, was organized about 1870. The first trustees were John S. McCament, Uriah Blue, Henry Holtz, J. F. Way and Ephraim Anderson. John Way, Uriah Blue, and Jonathan Traver were the first elders. Rev. George Stevenson was the first pastor, succeeded by Revs. Ambi Welch, J. B. Clover, James Lamp, and Allen Mann, who is present pastor.

In 1879 a neat and commodious structure was erected in the southeastern part of Jackson, known as the Mt. Zion church. It was built for the accommodation of the people resident in that locality, and belongs to no particular denomination. The first and also the present trustees were Simon Ashcraft, Perry Harris, and William Mercer.

The first village in Jackson township was Front Royal. It was located, on the farm of William Darling, in the northern part of the township, about the year 1832. It had a smail store, blacksmith shop, and several dwellings. It flourished for some years, but owing to a deficiency in the title of the village lots the village was abandoned, and not a vestige of it remains to mark its location.

Bladensburgh was laid out u. 1833 by John and Samuel Wheeler and Washington Houck. The village lies in both Jackson :;.nd Clay townships, the main part being in Jackson. Washington Houck built the first house. Mr. Houck first started a blacksmith shop, and after a few months engaged in the keeping of a hotel. After following this business many years he engaged in the mercantile business.

John Wheeler started the first store in Bladensburgh in 1833. He was for many years a prominent citizen. Whig politician, and a zealous worker in the Disciple church. He subsequently removed to Iowa, where he died some years since. Mr. Wheeler was the first postmaster of Blandensburgh, and Washington Houck was the first mail carrier. He carried the mail once a week !rom Blandensburgh to Martinsburgh, a distance ol four miles, performing the journey on foot, and received as compensation eight dollars for eighteen months service.

x\ flourishing mill was erected on the bank of the Wakatomica, on the present site of the village, prior to the location of the place. It is now operated by Messrs. Anderson & Darling.

1 84 1. He is a son of Rev. James Scott, the pioneer Presbyterian preacher of Knox county. Dr. Scott has been a very successful physician, and still has a large and lucrative practice. He has served as justice of the peace, and held other offices.

Ohio Lodge, No. 199, Free and Accepted Masons, at Bladensburgh, commenced work under dispensation dated July 19, 1850, granted by the Most Worthy Grand Master M. Z. Kreider. The officers by dispensation were: Eli Farnham, W. M.; A. C. Scott, S. W.; Peter Berry, J. W.

Organized under charter by Mr. Henry Batton, proxy for Grand Master, on the third day of November, 1851, under charter dated October 28, 185 1. Its first officers were installed on that evening, and were: Eli Farnham, W. M.; A. C. Scott, S. W.; Peter Berry, J. W.; William Underwood, treasurer- James Loveridge, secretary; Obed Underwood, S. D.; D. J. Bentz, J. D.; Alexander Mc- Cament, tyier.

Following are the worthy masters of Ohio Lodge with terms of service: Eli Farnham, seven years; A. C. Scott, fifteen years; Levi Mercer, one year; Daniel Paul, two years; John G. McGaw, one year; E. W. Hall, one year; N. K. Kamsey, two years; Schooler Horn, elected November, 1879.

The following have served as secretaries: James Loveridge, Josephus Wheeler, Isaac N. Huey, John H. Miller, R. S. Conner, S. T. Schooler, R. D. Mavis, J. Fox Scott, Alexander S. Kerr, D. H. Tuttle, John W. Scott, F. P. Hess, George McCament, W. A. Harris.

This lodge has been fairly prosperous. It now owns one of the finest buildings in the village, erected three years ago, and is acknowledged to have the best arranged and finest finished lodge hall in the county.

A grange was organized several years ago and a hall was erected by the organization in 1878. The order is prosperous and numbers many of the substantial farmers of Jackson and adjoining townships as members. Several successful fairs under the auspices of this grange have been held at Bladensburgh since its organization.

For a long time after the village was started the village school was held in a small frame building, which was replaced by a large and substantial structure in 1878, now known as the Bladensburgh Union school. Professor Kennon, of Belmont county, is the principal.

There are two churches in the village - Disciple and Presbyterian. The first, known as the first Disciple church in Ohio, is described elsewhere in this chapter. It was organized before the village had an existence, and the present church building was erected some years after the founding of the town. It enjoys a good degree of prosperity at the present date.

The Presbyterian society was organized in 1846, and was originally an outgrowth of the Presbyterian church of Martinsburgh. Rev. Henry Hervey, pastor of the Martinsburgh church, having preached a sermon on "the evils of war," denunciatory of the war with Mexico, then in progress, gave such oftence to a portion of the, members of his church, that several seceded and organized a society at Bladensburgh. This society soon after erected the present church building. Rev. James Anderson was the first pastor. He was succeeded by Revs. Densmore, Brough, and Brombarger. The church has no pastor at present.

There are three dry goods and one grocery store, one jewelry establishment, two hotels, one barber shop, one millinery store, one harness and several blacksmith shops, also one grist- and one saw-mill. Its present population is about two hundred. Although Bladensburgh is a small village it is an enterprising one. Being at a considerable distance from any large town, large numbers of farmers do their trading at this place.

In February, 1869, a murder was committed which caused much excitement at the time. S. L. Roley, a very passionate and bad-tempered man, killed Joshua Cackler. Roley became offended at Cackler because of some slight misunderstanding concerning a trivial affair, when he procured a club, and, striking Cackler on the head, caused his death in a short time. Roley Avas caught after he had fled to another State, was brought back to Knox county, had his trial, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the penitentiary.

Source changes here: from History Knox County, Ohio, by N. N. Hill., Jr, published 1881; 5,010 words in this source stream.

Hilliar Township

ILLIAR township is situated in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and was erected from territory formerly a part of Miller township, as appears by reference to the journal of the county commissioners. The entry is made

On the petition of sundry inhabitants of Knox county praying for a new township to be laid out - Ordered - That the following boundaries be, and are hereby laid out into a separate township as follows :

Beginning at the southwest corner of said county and running east on the line between the counties of Knox and Licking, seven anda half miles; thence north five miles, to the line dividing the fifth and sixth townships; thence west, seven miles and: a half, to the west boundary of Knox county; thence south, five miles to the place of beginning; which shall be known and called by the name of Hiiliar township.

The township thus constituted contained sixteen thousand acres, and was divided into four equal parts, owned by different individuals and named respectively the "Rathbone," "Dayton," "Hilliar" and "Parker" sections. The Hilliar section was the first to come into market, and that upon which the first settlement was made; hence the new township was named in honor of Dr. Richard Hilliar, one of the original proprietors.

The physical features of Hilliar township are not characterized by great diversity. The surface is nearly level, or gently rolling. The water courses have sufficient descent to afford good drainage, but do not fall rapidly enough to present any attractions to the millwright; although the early mills were necessarily water mills. The north fork of Licking creek traverses the township from northwest to southeast, passing near the village of Centreburgh.

Dry creek drains the northeast corner of the township, and several other smaller streams, the southwestern portion, furnishing sufficient living water for stock and other purposes.

Geologically considered, the soil of Hilliar township is composed of the debris of the olive shales of the Waverly, intermingled with glacial drift, strongly impregnated with lime, and generally covered with a rich alluvial deposit. When cultivated it yields ample returns for the labor of the husbandman, but the principal energies of the farmers appear to be expended in raising sheep, as appended statistics show.

The land was originally heavily timbered with black walnut and sugar maple; the former being mostly destroyed before its value was appreciated. The timber remaining is principally of the following varieties: Ash, white oak, beech, hickory, elm, walnut and maple. +

As Knox county lies almost entirely outside the great Appalachian coal fields, coal must be brought from other points, and costs the consumer at this point about four dollars and a half per ton.

That mysterious people, the Mound Builders, have left behind them in this locality but few remains. Two small mounds on the property of Edward Roberts and one on Mrs. Thurston's property are all that appear in the township. | came to Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1805, and being a man of enterprise bought of William Stanbery, of Newark, Licking county, Ohio, eighteen hundred acres of military land, situated in Knox county. In 1806 he repaired to his new purchase and built a cabin in the southwest corner of what is now Hilliar township, moving his family into it. After Dr. Joseph Jennings, Jacob Houck, James Houck, Joseph Kerr, and George Hinton, with their families, located near Hilliar on land purchased from him. William Russell, William Reynolds, John Borden, and Elijah Dowell came soon after, and the woods began to resound with the sturdy strokes of the hardy pioneers.

At first the Indians were not very troublesome, but as the difficulties increased - which culminated in the War of 1812 - they became a constant source of dread to the settlers, who never ventured to step outside their cabin doors without their trusty rifles in hands; no actual outbreak occurred, however, and after the war the red men

The pioneers were generally equal to the difficulties that surrounded them. 'The Hilliar settlement seems to have been no exception to the rule. A few anecdotes will serve to illustrate the temper of the settlers. Being destitute of mills, and roads to get to those built elsewhere in the county, they petitioned the county commissioners for a road to Shrimplin's mill on Owl creek, east of Mt. Vernon. It was surveyed and reported on, but the commissioners refused to confirm it on account of the cost of constructing a road such a distance through the woods. Nothing daunted they went to work themselves and cut a road from Houck's to the settlement near Mt. Vernon. Previous to this time they had gone to Zanesville, in Muskingum county, to get grinding done.

On one occasion, during an apple-bee at Jacob Houck's, a "'scap" of bees mysteriously disappeared, and suspicion rested on one Ferdinand McLain, who indignantly denied it, and challenged young James Houck to seftle the matter according to the frontier code, z. ¢. take it back or take a whipping.

Houck chose the latter horn of the dilemma, and took the beating, but when it was over he said: "Of course you can whip a sick man, but I'll see you about this next election day." Accordingly on election day they met, and Houck struck McLain with such force that he was rendered insensible, and it was with much difficulty that his friends resuscitated him. This should have ended the matter, and probably would, but whiskey got the better of them, and the difficulty was only settled after eight more bloody battles had been fought. That was regarded as very fair amusement for one day.

Good men were plenty in those days, and some of them, conscious of their muscular superiority, were quarrelsome, but the best man amongst them never picked a fight, and never was whipped. That man was Stephen Sutton.

One day while Ebenezer Bordon was passing through the woods he spied an old she bear and two cubs up a tree. One of the cubs being near the root of the tree he appropriated it, and started towards the settlement, but the old bear did not appear to relish his interference with her domestic affairs, and quickly descending gave chase, and Mr. Borden was reluctantly obliged to drop his prize and flee for his life. He proceeded to Houck's and securing re-enforcements returned to the sport, and succeeded in securing not only the cubs, but Mrs. Bruin also.

The following extract is taken from the statement of James Houck, one of the original settlers of Hilliar township. He resides at present in Iowa; is ninety-nine years of age, in good health, active in body, and his mental faculties unimpaired. He is a ready and fluent talker, and takes great delight in narrating the adventures of his early days.

In the spring of 1802, accompanied by five young men from the head waters of the Juniata, in Pennsylvania, I made the tour of central Ohio on horseback. Zanesville then contained six log cabins and one hewed log house. In the winter of 1803, in company with a party of young men on a bear hunt we camped at the mouth of Dry creek, near where Hughes' tavern now stands. In company with Jacob Houck and James Jennings, I followed Dr. Hilliar to Knox county, Ohio, the doctor having preceded us about three years. There were then four or five families in the new settlement, and our nearest neighbors were the widow Perfect and her six sons, five miles west of us. Our next nearest neighbors were Higgins, seven miles northeast of us, and the Hardesties and Yoakams beyond.

one hundred bushels of oats at, twenty-five cents per bushel, hauled the same to Upper Sandusky and sold it to the army quartered there at two dollars per bushel. It was there that I made the acquaintance of Simon Girty. When the Indians became troublesome the settlers took refuge in the Perfect block house.

In 1811, the Wooster, Mt, Vernon & Columbus road was laid out. I met the viewers and surveyors at Mt. Vernon, and yolunteered to pilot them through. My services were accepted and I led them to the northeast corner of my brother Jacob's land ; thence due west along our north lines, laying the road all on Stanbery's land, north of us, Having passed our lands I again turned to the southwest, and led them to Zoar - now Galena. I cut the timber and brush from the road, from Higgins' to Zoar. _Commissioner Mitchell gave me the contract. I knew Dr. Richard Hilliar. He was a good looking, ambitious man of medium size. He would never transact any business with a man who told him a falsehood. When we came to Hilliar township he lived in a pole house and had seven acres of land cleared ; the work was done by a man named Hyatt Willison, from the settlement ten miles north. Dr. Hilliar was affected with consumption and dropsy, but boasted that he lived eighteen years in spite of death. Before his death he broke down some brush near a cherry tree in the woods, about thirty rods southwest of the forks of the Sunbury road, and directed that he be buried there and his grave be left unmarked, and he wanted no man to say, ''Here lies old doctor Hilliar." His orders were obeyed, and ''no man knoweth of his grave to this day."

Early agriculture was pursued with difficulty. The first plows used were of a very primitive kind, familliarly designated as "go devils" and "bull plows." The Wood's plow was an improvement on the latter, and had an iron share, secured by a bolt and nut. Thomas Hinton was the happy possessor of one of these improved plows, and hired Philander Bailey to use it. After plowing a few rounds the new plow became unruly, and refused to penetrate the ground. Not to be outdone, the boy piled stones upon it until the weight kept it in the furrow. Mr. Hinton now appeared on the scene, and discovering the kind of work done, examined into the difficulty, and found that Bailey had lost the share off the plow, and had actually plowed several rounds without it.

Grain, when raised, had to be threshed with the flail, or trodden out by horses, and then cleaned by winnowing with a sheet or a large wooden "fan." Sickles were the tools used to cut the grain, until William Reynolds, in 1820, constructed a "grip" cradle. This was not much of an improvement on the sickle, and was soon superseded by the grain cradle, which laid the grain in regular swaths to be taken up with the rake. The first windmill was

"Brad." Follett, who introduced threshing machines, was noted for his recklessness in running the same; and while threshing at Gideon Sutton's, the cylinder bursted with a loud report. Follett coolly remarked, "I wish I had been astraddle of that."

An election for township officers was ordered to be held on the fifteenth of September, 1818, at the house of Thomas Merrill; at which James Pell, James Houck and Jacob Houck officiated as judges; and John Borden and Joseph Jennings as clerks. There were eighteen voters, namely: James Houck, James Pell, Aaron Hill, John Davis, Benjamin F. Hilliar, John Pell, James Severe, Joseph Jennings, Samuel Sickle, James Bell and John Donelson.

The following officers were elected: James Houck, Joseph Jennings and James Pell, trustees; John Severe and James Bell, overseers; James Severe and William Houck, fenceviewers; Jacob Houck, lister; James Pell, appraiser; William Russell, constable; James Houck, treasurer; James Severe, supervisor.

At the Presidential election, November 3, 1820, only twelve votes were cast for electors. The vote stood - Jeremiah Morrow twelve, and John Mc- Laughlin twelve.

At the Presidential election held on the twentyninth of October, 1824, the Adams electors received fifteen votes each, and the Clay electors two votes each.

Dr. Richard Hilliar who was the first physician in the new settlement was the first on the list of mortality. He died in September 1811, and was buried on his own property.

The first public graveyard was laid out on land donated by James Houck, for that purpose adjoining his homestead. The next graveyard was laid out at the Baptist church, southeast of Centreburgh.

The earliest mills were built on the north fork of Licking creek: One by Jacob Houck in 1835, situuated just north of the town of Centreburgh. About the same time - or as some assert before - Samuel Hupp built a saw-mill on the creek, near the present residence of Harmon Debolt. John Vandeberg built one above Houck's, and John Rinehart another, followed by David F. Halsey. John Mahanna also built a saw-mill on the farm now owned by Rollins Long, which did a good business. White walnut logs were manufactured into finishing lumber and black walnut into weatherboarding. 'Lewis Rinehart built a tannery near Rich Hill, about 1835, and in 1847 Gideon Sutton and Daniel Wolfe built a carding and fulling-mill in the town of Centerburgh. None of above named mills are now in operation. Smith and Hopkins built a steam grist-mill in Centreburgh in 1874, which is still doing a good business.

- his saddle-bags containing a Bible, hymn-book, and a change of linen, was generally the first to penetrate the western wilds and raise the standard of the cross. Several of these pioneers of the gospel visited Hilliar township, and preached at various times and places, but no class was formed til! 1834, when the Rev. Morrow 'organized one at the log school house near Rich Hill.

The original members were: John Rinehart, Harriet Rinehart, Samuel Degood, Julia Degood, Ferdinand McLain, Mary McLain, William Borden, Margaret Borden, and Daniel Chadwick and his wife. Ferdinand McLain was leader. Services were held in the school-house about one year; after that in the house of John Rinehart for several years, or until the place of meeting was moved to Centreburg in 1840, when the society assumed the name of the Centreburgh Methodist Episcopal church. In 1841 a frame meeting-house, thirty by forty feet square, was built just east of the public square, which was used as a house of worship until 1843, when a new frame church was erected, on lot fifty-five; size, forty by fifty feet; cost, two thousand, seven hundred dollars. The present membership is ninety-five. The class leaders are George Peardon and William Smith; the preacher

The Free-will Baptist church, of Centreburgh, is the result of the labor of the Rev. George W. Baker, a zealous preacher whose labors in the vicinity of Centreburgh finally culminated in the organization of a regular church in 1839, at the house of Absalom Debolt, three-fourths of a mile southeast of Centreburgh. The original members were: Philip Barnes, Tirzah Barnes, Laban Messmore, Mary Messmore, Jacob Wise, Harriet Wise, Elizabeth Debolt, David Marshall, Moses Hornbeck, and Sarah Reynolds.

The meetings were held in private houses, barns, and log school-houses, until 1842, when a frame building, thirty-six by forty feet in size, was erected, one-half mile east of the town of Centreburgh, still used as a house of worship by the congregation. Elder George W. Boker was pastor from 1839 till 1860, when he was succeeded by Elder Kendall Higgins. Elder Wilford Whittaker came in 1863, and was succeeded' by Elder O. J. Moore, after whose term of service Elder Kendall Higgins again became pastor.' Elder A. H. Whittaker followed Higgins, and was succeeded by the present pastor, Elder S. D. Bates. The first deacon was Philip Messmore, and the present deacons are Harvey Messmore and W. T. Debolt. Mr. Debolt is also clerk. The present membership is ninety. The Sunday-school numbers fifty scholars. Lorenzo Barnes is superintendent.

'church was organized August 18, 1840, at Centreburgh, by Rev. Harrison Thompson. The constituent members were as follows: James Huffty, Thomas M. Rusk, David F. Halsey, Thomas Hill, Jacob Waldroff, Annie Bottenfield, Morris Waldroff, Isaac Waldroff,, Rebecca Hill, John Miller, Mary Miller, Lovina Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Aaron Hill, Fanny Rutan, Mehitable Bishop, Phebe Bottenfield, Elizabeth Bottenfield, Sarah Haiden, David Haiden, James Hill, Mary Hill, and Pamelia Huffty.

Meetings were held at various places until 1855, when the congregation was moved to Rich Hill, a frame house thirty-six by forty-six feet erected, and the name of the society changed to Rich Hill Cuinberland Presbyterian congregation. At this time Daniel Reynolds was clerk. In 1878 the church was moved back to Cenireburgh, and assumed the original name A substantial frame building thirtythree by thirty-five feet was erected on lot one hundred and twenty, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, in which the congregration worship at present. The succession of pastors was as follows: Harrison Thompson, 1840; James McFarland, 1850; J. W. Cleaver, 1853; Enoch Baird, 1866; James Best, 1867; George W. McWhorter, 1872; D. H. Green, 1875; J. W. Cleaver, 1877; R.N. Grossman, 1878; the latter being the present incumbent. The present number of members is sixtythree. The presiding elders are Ira Gearhart, Daniel Reynolds, and John K. Haiden. Mr. Haiden is also clerk. The Sunday-school has forty scholars. Sylvester S. Best is superintendent and Dr. D. H. Ralston assistant.

membership: J. A. Willis, P. A. Willis, William Eaton, Matilda Eaton, Anna Arlin, William Wilson, Livonia Wilson, Aaron Gearhart, Sarah Gearhart, John Armstrong, Rebecca Armstrong, and C. D. Pelter. The Free-will Baptist meeting-house was occupied by this congregation the greater part of the time from its organization until 1879, when a neat frame building, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet square, was erected on lot one hundred and nineteen on the plat of Centerburgh, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars, and dedicated on the second day of September, 1879, by Rev. A. L.

McKinney. The names of the pastors who had charge of this church, together with the dates of their accession to the pastorate, are as follows: Rev. M. Harrod, 1873; A. C. Hanger, 1874; William A. Dobyns, 1876; S. A. Hutchinson, 1879; G. D. Black, 1880. The present number of members is eighty. The deacons are Theodore Crowel and John Armstrong; clerk, William Eaton ; trustees, William Eaton, Aaron Gearhart, Theodore Crowel, John Armstrong, and Oscar Jennings. The attendance at the Sabbath-school is eighty. Hart Ross is superintendent and Charles Bishop assistant.

' Miss Fanny Mitchell was the pioneer schoolteacher of Hilliar township. William Houck, father of Jacob and James Houck, built a blacksmith shop - the first in the township - on the property of Jacob Houck, on the main road. The abandoned shop was left standing, and in that Miss Mitchell taught the first school, in 1820. Her successor was Elizabeth Borden, who taught in the same shop. -

In 1823 James Houck donated an acre of ground to the public for a graveyard and school-house. On this ground a small log house was built, which served its purpose well, and was the only one in the township for a number of years. As the settlement progressed other houses were built in various parts of the township, but the instruction imparted in them was of a rather inferior quality.

Seeing the need of improvement, Mr. W. H. Stephens, in 1855, organized a select school in a small building near the present Methodist church in Centreburgh. His first class was composed of seven pupils, viz.: Emeline Roberts, John K. Haiden, Sarah E. Williams, William Goodrich, Moses

Skillen, Pulaski Gear and, Mary Annett. This was quite an innovation and required considerable courage on the part of Mr. Stephens to inaugurate, but the friends of education rallied around him, and he was ably sustained by such men as Dr. Nichols, Gideon Sutton, John Riley, E. and W. Roberts, Ira Gearhart, George Skillen, James Headington and Ephraim Dally. His school increasing to one hundred and ten, he, in the fall, fitted up two rooms in the Jones hotel, where he taught three or four years. The common branches were taught thoroughly, with the addition of algebra and philosophy.

During the year 1860 a joint stock company erected a substantial frame building on the public square in Centreburgh, and in the fall of the same year Mr. Stephens rented the same, procured the services of an assistant, and in addition to his select school taught the children of the village. At the flood tide of his success the tocsin of war sounded and Mr. Stephens, obeying a higher call of duty, enlisted in his country's service.

The building is still owned by the company that built it; the upper part is used for a town hall, and the lower part rented by the school board; but no select school has been taught in the village or township since 1861.

Hilliar township at the present time has six schools, two of which are in the village of Centreburgh, but controlled by the board of education of the township. The buildings are neat, substantial frames and in good condition.

The Centreburgh Lodge, No. 666, of the Inde. pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Centreburgh, June 22, 1877, by Henry Hedges, grand master. The charter members were: C. M. Jennings, George W. Granstaff, William A. Dumbauld, George Peardon, M. F. Hasson, John Burkholder, Ira Barr, William Mahan, William Crowell, J. E. Easterday, Levi Kile, William Smith, A. M, Murphy, John Miller, J. W. Hopkins, T. O. Freeman, James Headington and W. A. Paul. The original officers were: C. M. Jennings, N. G.; George H. Granstaff, V. G.; J. E. Easterday, R. S.; Levi Kile, P. S.; William Smith, treasurer. This lodge is in a healthy condition, and comprises in its membership the e/#fe of the town and surrounding country; it meets every Saturday night in the

The early roads in Hilliar township were very indifferent in condition, and the bridges were of the primitive type, called corduroy. The principal road extended through the township from the northeast to the southwest corner, and on this the mail was carried on horseback by Thomas Merrill.

In February, 1829, the legislature of Ohio passed an act to establish a State road from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, and appointed James McFarland, of Knox county, Adam Reed, of Franklin county, and John Meyers, of Licking county, commissioners to locate said road. In performing their duties the commissioners, when passing through Hilliar, followed the route of the road formerly cut out by the citizens of this township, and filed a copy of said survey in the office of county commissioners of Knox, January 10, 1830.

A line of stage coaches was established by Colonel B. Barney soon afterward, and in 1831 Neil & Moore had a contract of carrying the mail, and were running a line of coaches on the road. Horses were changed three times between Mt. Vernon and Columbus, viz.: at Blendon Corners, Sunbury, and at Joseph Jennings' tavern in Hilliar township. William Houck and Benjamin Jennings were the original stage drivers on thisroad. Later, when an opposition line of coaches was established by Walker & Company, Samuel Clawson, John Landis and Reuben Jennings held the reins and plied the whip.

Centreburgh was laid out in October, 1830, by Edson Harkness, surveyor, and the plat recorded December 22, 1834, by Stephen Sutton and Jacob Houck, owners of the land on which the town now stands. They gave the new town the name of Centreburgh because it was in the centre of the township, and supposed to be in the centre of the State. The principal part of the plat was located on the northwest side of the State road. The first house was built on lot thirty-five of the town plat by Harvey

Jones, who also kept the first tavern, and opened Mr. Jones was a wide awake, energetic business man, and soon gathered around him a coterie of kindred spirits, who made Centreburgh the centre of attraction for miles around.

At this period the entire travel from the lake region to Columbus passed over the road through Centreburgh, and great efforts were made by the rival stage lines to secure the greatest number of passengers, and make the best time, as by these means each patty hoped to secure the United States mail subsidy. The price of passage was reduced to a mere nominal figure, the life of a horse was lightly esteemed, and the driver who could rein up to Jones' tavern with the largest load of passengers, ahead of the opposition coach, was prouder than a king.

Centreburgh continued to flourish, houses were built, stores opened, and trade multiplied. Daniel Finch built a brick house on lot 17, - the first in the town and township, now (1881) occupied as a hotel, and known as the Central house. This state of affairs was highly gratifying to the citizens of the village, and continued as long as the mail coaches kept on the road, but

And leaves their time to fall, and when in 1851, the Newark & Sandusky railroad was finished, and the mail and travel was diverted to that route, the coaches departed towards the setting sun.

About this time, too, the construction of a new railroad was commenced, called the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh railway, the survey of which passed through Hilliar township, near Rich Hill. In anticipation of the speedy completion of the new road a town was laid out at that point, by Aaron D. Rinehart, August 11,1852. To the new town the name of Hilliar was given in honor of Dr. Richard Hilliar.

John Miller built a steam grist-mill, and Michael Ross kept a store. Hilliar at this time was quite a thriving village, and from its situation and prospects became a formidable rival to Centreburgh, but the failure of the railroad company - leaving the road

The village now goes by the name of Rich Hill, and contains one store, one post-office - Joseph Riggs, postmaster; one grocery, one physician - G. B. Hubbell; one carriage shop and one blacksmith shop.

Centreburgh, which had been on the decline since 1851, received a new impetus in 1871. That year a new railroad company was organized, called the "Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware Railroad Company." The new company bought the right of way of the defunct "Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh Company," and used the old road-bed as far as the eastern line of Hilliar township. From there they surveyed a new route to Columbus, which brought the road through Centreburgh. The new road was completed as early as 1874, and caused Centreburg to spring into new life and activity. Town lots, which in 1860, were not worth more than twenty dollars, are at the present time worth two hundred. Old buildings were repaired, and many new ones built ; business houses multiplied, and all the modern improvements were introduced. The following directory will give a fair idea of the business of the town: two millinery stores, Mrs. 'Mattie E. Updyke and Mrs. L. T. Barnes ; two livery stables, A. T. Borden and Peter Shaffer ; one undertaker, R. J. Pumphrey ; three blacksmiths, Isaac Pierce, sr., Henry Cappell and Henry Bunnell; one shoe shop, Geo. Peardon, proprietor; one photograph gallery, E. M. Maynard, proprietor; one marble shop, Deyereux Brothers, proprietors; one tinshop, Jennings & Faraba, proprietors ; one carriage shop, R. J. Pumphrey, proprietor ; one tailor, Darling Barr ; two meatmarkets, Timothy Baker & Son and Willis Bedell, proprietors; one harnessmaker, P. D. Kasson; three furniture stores, George Mc- Cracken, David Long and George McConchie, proprietors ; one agricultural depot, R. J. Pumphrey, proprietor ; two lumber yards, Bishop & Raney and George W. Barnes, proprietors; one implement factory, Burkholder & Brentlinger, proprietors; one paint shop, Burt & Beach ; one cooper, C. M. Tanner; one greenhouse, L. B. Barnes, proprietor ; two barbers, Clinton Jones and Rufus Webster ; one cigarmaker, S. W. Lyons, and one saloon, J. Anweller, proprietor.

Centreburgh is not a regularly incorporated town, with full municipal powers, but was, in 1877, made an independent district, which gives it control of its streets and highways.

E, B. Cook, J. W. Burton and R. B. Jackson are the trustees, and C. M. Jennings clerk and treasurer. The town at present contains one hundred dwellings and four hundred and fifty inhabitants.

The pioneer publication of Hilliar township was the Universalist Advocate. It was a sixteen page semi-monthly magazine, devoted to the advocacy of universal salvation, and was printed in a building on lot 45, in the village of Centreburgh. The following extract is from the first volume of this publication, issued September 26, 1848:

The Universalist Advocate will be published on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, on the following low terms: seventy-five cents per annum, paid in advance, one dollar if paid within the year. All communications intended for the Universalist Advocate must be address to Daniel Wolfe &

The Centreburgh Gazette is the name of an independent seven column four page newspaper published weekly at Centreburgh ; the first. issue appeared January 6, 1881. It is devoted to the interests of Centreburgh and surrounding country. George E. Kalb is editor and proprietor.

Harvey Jones was the first postmaster of Centreburgh. His successors were: Nimrod Bishop, Edward Gant, Chester Heldt, Smith Hadley, J. Scott, Enoch Nichols, Daniel Wolfe, Robert Woods, Enoch Nichols, Robert Jackson and Charles M. Jennings, the present incumbent.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad enters Hilliar township at the northeast corner and passes out at the southwest corner, passing through Centreburgh. The first passenger train passed over this road September 1, 1874. The Ohio Central railroad also passes through Hilliar township, near the village of Rich Hill, and crosses the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus road at right angles. near the town of Centreburgh. This road was completed in the month of November, 1880.

The Dayton section came into market shortly after the organization of the township in 1818; the Parker section in 1831, but the opening of the Rathbone section to settlers was delayed till 1839; hence the development of the township was retarded, but notwithstanding this drawback Hilliar has made rapid improvements in growth and development.