Jackson Township (part 4 of 5)

Franklin N. Fudge

son of Jacob Fudge, sr., a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere, was born in Lanier township, Preble county, Ohio, December 15, 1826. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm in the hard work required at that early period. There being a large farm, and only three of the thirteen children being boys, it was necessary for them to work very hard, and even some of the girls had to take a hand at out door work. But this was not a rare thing with farmers' daughters in those days. A farmer's life in the early settlement of the country was one of stern conditions, requiring constant toil and struggle. The subject of this sketch enjoyed but few educational advantages, attending only the district school, and that but a few months in the year. He grew to manhood trained to habits of industry and economy, which have enabled him to secure a much larger share of this world's gocds than falls to the lot of the average agriculturalist. He was married September 30, 1849, to Susannah Markey, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, August 5, 1830, and who came to Preble county with her parents when seven years of age. After his marriage Mr. Fudge located where his son Ira now lives. In the fall of 1854 he had cleared one hundred and fifty acres where he now lives, and moved on to the place in the following spring. He also received a deed from his father for a like amount of land, making him the owner of three hundred acres of excellent farming land. Since he bought the home place he has remodelled the residence and erected all the other buildings. This property is one of the best improved in the county, as will be seen from the view of it given on another page. Mr. Fudge has added to his original purchase from time to time until he is at present the owner of seven hundred and fifty acres of land. He is not ambitious to own a large estate so far as he is per- was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 22, 1801. He was of German descent. His parents died in Rockingham county in his early youth. He had few opportunities to gain that education of which he desired to be possessed; but by application during the limited time that he attended school, he managed to secure at least the rudiments of what is now known as a common school education.

Early left to care for himself, he learned the trade of the brick-mason, and for some time was engaged in building. Being steady and industrious, and having been enabled to lay by a portion of his savings, he found himself at the age of twenty-nine the possessor of a snug little sum of money, sufficient to give him the means to settle down in life. March 18, 1830, he was married to Elizabeth, the eldest child of Samuel and Catharine Bowman, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, July rr, 1809. Her father and mother were natives of Virginia, the former having been born in Rockingham county, June 1, 1787, and the latter in Shenandoah county, October 28th of the same year. Mrs. Trout has two brothers living: John J. in Virginia, and Jacob C. in Texas. Being the eldest daughter, Mrs. Trout had to work very hard. Her mother taught her in the arts of spinning and weaving articles for domestic use.

_ After Mr. Trout's marriage, with commendable enterprise he made a prospecting trip to Ohio with a view to permanent settlement. Accordingly in the summer of 1830 he set out on horseback, and in due time arrived in Preble county. Being well pleased with this territory, he purchased a tract of two hundred and twenty acres of land in section twenty-eight of Lanier township, which farm is still occupied by Mrs. Trout. After securing his land, Mr. Trout returned to Virginia for his wife.

In the middle of October, 1830, Mr. and Mrs. Trout started for their Ohio home. They made the whole journey in a two-horse wagon, bringing with them only the necessary clothing and bedding. Mr. Trout also brought with him three head of Virginia cattle, with which to stock his new farm. They were three weeks on the way, and November 3, 1830, they arrived at their new farm. They found ready for them a weather-boarded log house, which is still a part of Mrs. "Trout's residence. Since then, an addition of brick thirty years ago, ` and one of frame sixteen years ago, have increased the size and improved the looks of the house. At the time of their removal to the

During the first night of their residence in Preble county, Mr. and Mrs. Trout made themselves comfortable without furniture. On the next morning, which was Saturday, they drove to Eaton, a distance of seven miles, and purchased furniture and necessary household utensils. They were soon comfortably settled in their new home. Here they continued to live happily until death separated them, April 2, 1872, when Mr. Trout finished his work on earth and went to his reward above. Fora number of years prior to his death, he was an exemplary member of the Lower Twin Creek German Baptist church. Mrs. Trout has for years been a faithful and consistent member.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Trout consisted of eight children in all, six of whom lived to maturity: Samuel B., born October 4, 1831, died March 21, 1835; Sarah R., the wife of Benjamin Deardorff, was born December 29, 1834, and died July 5, 1857; Mary J., who was born October 12, 1838, married Alfred Johnson, and has three children; Catharine E., born February 1, 1841, married John Halderman, and has four children; Joseph, born December 23, 1842, died April 24, 1863; Lavinia V., born May 28, 1845, died January 17, 1865; Henry M., born November 24, 1849, died May 28, 1863.

Mr. Trout at his death left his widow the possessor of five hundred and forty acres of valuable land, in two farms - the home place of two hundred and twenty acres, managed by Alfred Johnson, and a farm of three hundred and twenty acres in sections twenty-three and twentysix of Lanier township, under the management of John Halderman. The homestead farm and residence are beautifully situated on the border of the valley of Twin creek, on the Winchester and Middletown pike, with Winchester and West Alexandria not far distant.

Although in her seventy-second year, having already exceeded the limit of human life, Mrs. Trout enjoys better health than she did in her younger days, when frequently her strength was overtaxed by burdens too heavy to be sustained. Six or eight years ago she was severely afflicted with rheumatism, which for a time checked her activity, but she recovered, and is finishing her days in health and peace. She still takes her old home paper, the Rockingham (Virginia) Register, thus keeping fresh in her memory the scenes of her youth.

sonally concerned, and indeed, controls but a part of that which now stands in his name, but is desirous of being able, eventually, of giving each of his eight children the same number of acres which he received from his father. He is not a church member, but has always been a liberal supporter of religious and benevolent enterprises. Mrs. Fudge is an earnest member of the German Baptist denomination. Their children are: Ira, born January 31, 1851, married Ellen Clark, and lives on a part of his father's farm; Ada Jane, born May 9, 1852, now the wife of John W. Kinsey, and lives in Montgomery county; Eliza Ann, born June 27, 1854, now the wife of V. J. Drayer, and resides in Winchester; Nancy, born September 24, 1858; Samuel, born December 4, 1860; Laura Elizabeth, born August 3, 1862; Amos, born June 27, 1868; Susan, born June rr, 1871; all living at home.

Rev. H. M. Herman

pastor of the Reformed church at West Alexandria, is the son of Samuel and Susan Herman, and was born in Lampetre, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the twentieth day of March, 1834. He attended the common schools until his twelfth year, and subsequentlv entered the dry goods store of Benjamin Bowers, one of the old merchants of Lancaster county, with whom he remained until his eighteenth year. He then entered the academy at Lancaster city, where he diligently pursued his studies for two years. For the next two years and ten months he taught the district school at Safe Harbor, and while thus engaged, took private instruction also in the classics. He attended Marshall academy, and afterward entered the freshman class of Franklin and Marshall college, from which institution, he in due time, graduated. He immediately afterward entered the theological seminary at Mechanicsburgh, and after completing his theological course, was chosen vice-principal of Clairion Collegiate Institute near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This position he subsequently resigned to accept the pastorate of the Reformed church at West Alexandria. He entered upon his regular pastoral duties December 16, 1861. Mr. Herman is a man of unusual energy and industry. His unceasing activity is a good illustration of the scriptural injunction: **Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might." During his pastorate of nineteen years he has preached two thosand eight hundred and two sermons, and delivered seven hundred lectures. He has received into the church five hundred and fiftyeight members, married twohundred and thirty-six couples, and officiated at four hundred and fifty-five funerals, besides making about four thousand regular pastoral and the usual social and friendly visits. It will thus be seen that Mr. Herman's pastorate has not only been an unusually busy one, but attended with the most gratifying success. The relationship of pastor and people has been a most pleasant one. j

Mr. Herman was united in marriage, April 1o, 1862, to Miss Bella D., eldest daughter of Hunter and Margaret L. Orr of Lawsonham, Pennsylvania, and has a fami- was born in Concord, Massachusetts, September 8, 1807. When four years of age, in the winter of 1811 - 12, his parents moved to Genesee county, New York, making the journey with a sled. When about eleven years of age the family moved to Allegany county, in the same State, and in 1819 to Clermont county, Ohio, by way of Cincinnati; the journey to that city being made with a raft. Nathan Heywood was united in the holy bonds of matrimony March 5, 1829, to Margaret Frey, who was born near Middletown, Maryland, January 12, 1808. After his marriage he settled near Goshen, in Clermont county. In 1833 he removed to Preble county, and settled in Gratis township, but only remained two years, when he returned to Clermont county. He resided there until 1856, when he removed to Knox county, Illinois. A combination of circumstances, however, caused him to again move back to Clermont county in 1858. In 1865 he removed to Madison county, Indiana, and after a residence there of some eighteen months, he came to Preble county, Ohio, where he has since lived. His occupation has mainly been that of a farmer, but he formerly worked for about seven years at the trade of wagon making. Mr. Heywood many years ago united with the German Baptist church, and in 1838 or 1839 was elected by the church in Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio, to its ministry, and has filled that office from that time to this, and for the last thirty years as an ordained elder. He is now the senior bishop or elder of this, the upper Twin district. He is a man of deep piety and earnest religious zeal, and his labors have been greatly blessed.

There have been born to Nathan and Margaret Heywood eight children, two of whom are deceased. All of them were born in Clermont county, Ohio, except Anna, who was born in this county. The following are their names in the order of their birth: Mary, born February 5, 1830, married for her first husband Edward Harris, of Clermont county, and for her second husband Joseph Radall, in Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio. "They now reside in West Alexandria. Lydia, born June 9, 1831, married Job Randall; she is now a widow and resides in Eaton. Anna, born January 21, 1833, married William Jones, of Clermont county; he is deceased and Mrs. Jones has since lived with her parents. David, born May 1, 1835, died in Eaton; Nathan, jr., born June 17, 1837, is now living near Eaton; John, born October 12, 1839, died in Illinois; Alfred, born January 20, 1842, is living in Clermont county, Ohio; Isaac, born March 8, 1844, is living in the same county.

Mon Roe

Monroe township lies in the northern part of the county, and is bounded on the east and west by Harrison and Jefferson townships. To the north lies Darke county, and on the south it borders on Washington township. It is designated in the congressional survey as township nine of range two.

In appearance this towhship presents an attractive picture of rural life. The country is level and well cleared, and the eye can see long rows of fields extending into the distance, dotted here and there with the darker grouping of timber. Fortunately, a large quantity of the latter is still standing, and adds much to the appearance of the township. 'The soil is clay on limestone sub-soil, and is of a highly productive character. The cereals - such as corn, wheat, etc. - are raised in large quantities and form the staple articles of production. An improved system of agriculture is pursued and the prosperous condition everywhere apparent demonstrates the complete success with which this system has been met. The neat and tasty residences, the well kept farms, and the general air of plenty shows the cheerful and thirfty condition of the inhabitants. Those of them who engage to any extent in business or political life, are a wide-awake and energetic class, intelligent enough to comprehend how much to their advantage it is to follow closely the advance of progress. They are generally well read and well informed persons. Some exceptions exist, where, either through prejudice or from religious restraint, the people are debarred from the pleasure and instruction procured by an extensive knowledge of affairs at home and abroad. These latter, although belonging, at times, to the moneyed class, still cannot be classed among the intelligent or better read class of inhabitants. They rarely vote or show any interest in political affairs, and while by a peaceful disposition they do so much to insure the quiet of the township, they lend no assistance to its progress.

'The land of the township was at first considered almost irreclaimable. The soil was boggy and treacherous, and, in consequence, Monroe township was among the last to be entered by the settlers. But, by means of drainage, the soil has been brought into a firm and productive condition. Immense labor has been expended, and many rods of tile laid, to bring the land into its present condition. There are three tile factories in the township, all doing a large business. Some of the older inhabitants can still recall the time when cattle were often found fastened in the bog in places now covered with fine harvest fields.

sugar maple. The growth of poplar and walnut which predominated at the time of the first settlers, has been exhausted. A few fine specimens of these trees are still found, but not in large enough quantities to make them valuable. An interesting incident is preserved relative to the age of some of these old giants of the forest. In 1865 Mr. P. M. Pense felled a huge poplar tree, and at the height of seven feet from the ground, found a flint embedded in the wood. It was evidently the head of an arrow. The bowman had broken off the stem, and left the head embedded. When found, the flint was in the heart of the trunk, and Mr. Pense asserts that he found three hundred growths outside of the flint. This seems almost incredible. If the belief that each year adds one growth, and only one to the girth of a tree is correct, the arrow was shot in the sixteenth century. To our mind there is nothing absolutely incredible in the story, although it is certainly marvellous. The flint is still in the possession of the finder.

There are four streams of some size in the township, but only two of them pass through any great extent of territory. Price's creek, named after Major Price, an early settler on its banks, crosses the township from northwest to southeast. Parallel to the latter, about two miles to the northeast, is the Dry fork of Twin, which rises in section ten, and flows to the southeast. In the southwestern corner, crossing two or three sections, is Banta's fork, near whose junction with Twin creek in Lanier township is the famous mound, attributed to the Mound Builders. Twin creek itself crosses section one of Monroe township in the extreme northeastern part.

There are several small towns within the limits of the township; of these, Eldorado is the only one that is incorporated. The others are West Manchester, Hamburgh and Brown's station. Hagerstown is a place long since fallen into oblivion. Brown's station is a mere railroad station. Hamburgh was formerly a place of some local importance, but it is rapidly becoming an unrecognizable place. Eldorado and West Manchester are the two growing places, and will receive a detailed notice in the proper place. A railroad - the Dayton & Western, the only one in the township, passes through these two latter places, and its presence is chiefly instrumental in advancing the growth of these towns.

The roads are generally kept in good repair, not so well, perhaps, as in those townships where the supervisors are regularly elected. In Monroe the road directors are appointed at the discretion of the trustees. Several pikes cross the township to the north and south. The old national road crosses the southern part from east to west, one of the most prosperous and influential farmeis of Monroe township, was born in Jackson township, Preble county, April 3o, 1827. His father, Jacob Kimmel, emigrated from Pennsylvania after this section of the State had been settled. George worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old, when he learned the carpenter trade and soon became a contractor. He employed alarge force of hands and superintended most of the building in Washington and Jefferson townships until 1856, when he retired from the trade and devoted his energies to improving the farm in Monroe township on which he now lives. He purchased this farm in 1851, it being two lots, one hundred and seventeen and one-half acres each, of the section set apart for the purpose of building up and mantaining a public school system.

Mr. Kimmel was married June 27, 1849, to Lettecia Harshman, whose father, Peter Harshman, was one of the first residents of Washington township. He was a Virginian by birth and for a few years after his coming to Ohio was compelled to live alone, the hostile disposition of the Indians who inhabited the forest by which his cabin was surrounded making it too dangerous for women to venture into the new country. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He died, on the farm which he improved, in 1862. Mrs. Harshman, mother of Mrs. Kimmel, is yet living. She was born in New Hamshire in 1803. i

Mrs. George Kimmel

16, 1860; Ozroe Franklin, born June 1, 1863; Orlando Perry, born December 25, 1866; Flora Viola, born December 28, 1873. Sarah Ellen Pottert, a niece of Mr. Kimmel, born March 29, 1859, was received into the family in infancy. John M. is engaged in the clothing business in Eldorado. William resides in Dayton, and Lincoln in Kansas. All the other members of the fam-

The farm which George Kimmel purchased in 1851 was then almost entirely native forest, and a couple of log huts were the only buildings. The rich soil is now under excellent cultivation, and the improvements are substantial and commodious. In 1872, while the present handsome residence was being built, the frame house in which the family then resided caught fire, and, with most of the household furniture, was consumed.

Mr. Kimmel has always been a leading citizen. For fifteen consecutive years, with the exception of one term, he was trustee of his township, and for three years was township treasurer. He was for a long time an officer in the Universalist church, of which he and Mrs. Kimmel are members.

In politics Mr. Kimmel is a Prohibitionist; during the war he acted with the Republican party. He contributed liberally to the fund to exempt Monroe township from the draft. When Breckenridge's raid threw this section of Ohio into a furor, Mr. Kimmel enlisted in the home guard, but was never called into active service. He is a radical temperance man, and believes in radical methods of reform.

tending a little to the south. The present Eaton and Greenville pike is the same as the old "Wayne trace," as it is called, made by Anthony Wayne on his march to Fort Greenville from Cincinnati or Fort Hamilton, as it 'was then a fort with only a few houses surrounding it. Owing to the level country, these roads are easily kept in order, and if they are at times found out of repair, it is in that part of the township where a slight elevation causes a "wash" in the road.

Early Settlements

Owing to the lack of positive authority we are unable to state the exact date of the first settlement in Monroe township. That it was settled much later than the other townships is certain, as the land was in such a condition as to discourage the pioneers from any attempt at settling. The whole surface of the township was boggy, and in places covered with stagnant pools. This was due to the fact that a great many small streams found their rise in this part of the county. The township was severed from Washington township on the twenty-ninth of September, in the year 1817.

It is certain that the country was quite settled before that time. Although the only positive date of entry is that of Josiah Davisson, in 1816, on section fourteen. Several years before this, however, Charles Armantrout moved from Rockingham county, Virginia. He made a camp in the woods and lived in it until he could build his cabin. He is familiarly known as "old daddy Armantrout," by those who can remember him. At the time of his entry he was single, but afterwards married Christina Gray, a daughter of one ofthe next settlers who came after Armantrout. He entered eighty. acres of land on the road passing through Hamburgh and Eldorado, and about one mile south of the former. His entry was at such an early.date that he was accustomed to have Indians stop at his cabin to solicit permission to warm and to borrow some fire to roast their potatoes.

After Armantrout, came William Brown, from Pennsylvania. He settled on section twenty-nine, in the southeastern quarter, on the farm now known as the Brown place.

Isaiah Adams, from New Jersey, settled on the eastern ` half of the section on which Hamburgh now stands. His house was the first one built there where the town is located. ^ Jacob Baker, from Rockingham county, Virginia, settled on section sixteen,

The above, together with the, Murdocks, who settled in section five, were doubtless the first settlers, but whether they are arranged in the order of their entry is a question no one now living can decide.

Josiah Davisson was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1742, and died in Monroe township, in 1825. He came to this State in 1816, and settled section fourteen of Monroe township. He was married twice, but none of his children are now living. By his second wife, Nancy Williams, who was born in Virginia in 1772, and whom he married about 1800, he had six children, all now deceased. Josiah, one of these children of the second marriage, was born in Harrison county, Virginia, in 1808. His first wife, whom he married in 1841, was Jane Blackford, born in Preble county in 1822. She died in 1845. Three children were born of this marriage, none of whom are now living. His second wife was Hannah Foos, born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1819. They have five children, viz: Francis M., Elizabeth A., Oscar E., Edward C., and Sarah A. Mr. Davisson was township trustee for twenty-one years, and a justice of the peace from 1857 to 1863. He also held several minor offices. His farm contained two hundred and three acres. In 1863 he died at the old homestead, where his widow and children-now reside. Mr. Davisson was a prominent citizen, and was always identified with the interests and improvements of the township and county. Francis M. Davisson was born in 1847. He was elected county surveyor in 1878, and is still holding that office, and gives general satisfaction.

Samuel Parks was born in North Carolina in 1771, and died in Preble county in 1848. His wife, Charity Runyon, was born in North Carolina in 1776, and died in Preble county in 1856. Eleven children were born to them, five of whom are living. Curtis, born in 1804, lives in Indiana; Katharine, born in 1809, widow of Ambrose Hnffman, lives in Indiana; Sarah, born in 1815, widow of Stephen Johns, lives in Illinois; Samuel, born in 1818, married and lives in West Manchester; Selina, born in 1820, wife of Thomas Murray, lives in Oxford, Ohio. Mr. Parks first settled in Dixon township, near Sugar valley. He was in the War of 1812.

Samuel Parks was born in Dixon township in 1818. In 1838 he married Lydia McDonald, born in Gasper township in 1822. They have seven children. His son Henry was in the war of the Rebellion for three years, as private in the Fifth Ohio cavalry. Mr. Parks owns a farm of two hundred and forty-three acres, part of which is farmed by his son. Hugh McDonald, father of Mrs. Parks, was born in Maryland in 1777, and died in 1856. Mrs. Parks is the only child now surviving.

Anderson Leas was born in Harrison township, Preble county. His father, John Leas was born in Lewisburgh, in 1809, and died in West Manchester in 1873. Anderson Leas was born in 1839. In 1864 he married Lydia: A. Townsend, who was born in Darke county in 1844. They have two children - J. Warren and John Edgar. Mr. Leas has been township assessor for seven terms - from 1874 to the present date. He and his brother Asa furnished substitutes in the three years' service, although not drafted in. John Leas, father of Anderson and Asa Leas, established their present business in 1857, under the name of Townsend & Co. They were engaged in the dry goods and grocery business, and were also large buyers of grain and wool. They were the largest grain buyers in the county. In 1863 Anderson Leas was taken in partnership, and his brother Asa in 1867. They now carry on the business under the name of A. & A. Leas.

Mr. Anderson Leas has been postmaster for about fifteen years. He has also had charge of the railroad office of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railroad for about twelve years. Their business amounts to about sixteen thousand dollars per year. Asa Leas was born in Harrison township in 1841. In 1867 he married Jennie Zarber, born in 1849. They have had four children, three of whom survive. Mr. Leas has been in business with his brother Anderson in West Manchester since 1867.

john Juday was the first of that family who came to Preble county. In 1805 he settled in Twin township. He was born in Maryland in 1768, and died in Darke county in 1868. His first wife was Mary Pense, born in Maryland about 1787, and died in Twin in 1833. Ten children were born to them, only three of whom are now living, viz: William, who lives in Jefferson township; Samuel in Indiana, and Andrew in Monroe township. He married for his second wife Margaret Swayne, by whom he had no children. At one period of his life Mr. Juday was township supervisor. Andrew Juday was born in Twin township in the year 1817. In 1840 he married Susan Disher, born in Monroe township in 1822. Ten children have been born them, six of whom are living. Mr. Juday has been a school director for seven years; also has held the office of township supervisor. His farm contains one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was elected ensign of the militia.

Jacob Shewman, sr, was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1778. In 1800 he married Hannah Holderman, who was born in Franklin county, Virginia, in 1786. Nine children were born to them, three of whom are living - Jacob, Martin and Susannah, In the early settlement Shewman came to Preble county and settled on Aukerman's creek, in Lanier township. He stayed there three years, and then moved to Gasper township. He had little or no capital when he came to this county, but had accumulated a property of a hundred acres of land before his death, which occurred in Monroe township in 1840. His wife died in 1861, in Darke county. Jacob Shewman, jr, was born in Gasper township in 1812. In 1837 he married Elizabeth Sayler, born in Gasper in 1820. They have had twelve children, seven of whom survive. Mr. Shewman .was township trustee for thirteen years, from 1850 to 1863. Martin Shewman, born in Gasper township in 1817, married, in 1841, Sarah A. Cosbey. She was born in Hamilton county in 1822. They have had eleven children, five of whom are living. He was township trustee from 1864 to 1877. He now owns and farms one hundred and twenty-three acres in Monroe township.

George Coppock was born in Tennessee about 1785, and from that State he emigrated to Ohio, and in 1812 settled in Washington township. His death occurred in Arkansas in 1830. During the War of 1812 he served under General Jackson. His wife, Elizabeth Zellers, was born in Virginia in the year 1797, and died in Monroe township in 1878. Six children were born to them, two of whom survive, viz: Louisa (Hammon) who lives in Indiana, and Charles. The latter was born in Washington township in 1822, and in 1850 married Mahala

Pense, who was born in 1831, and who died in 1869. He had six children, four of whom survive. - Mr. Charles Coppock owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres in this township.

Elias Bunger was born in Virginia in 1809, and in 1817 came to Preble county with his father. In 1830 he married Nancy Utz, who was born in Virginia in 1812. They have eleven children, all married. Mr. Bunger commenced in Preble county with a capital of fifty cents after paying the preacher for marrying him. By dint of hard labor he has accumulated two hundred acres of land, which he has given to his children.

Jonathan Shurley was born in- Augusta county, Virginia, in the year 1801. He came to Ohio in 1805, with his uncle, John Neff, and his mother. In 1826 he married Mary Pense, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1810. Eleven children were born to them. Annie, Julia, Mary, Clinton, Jane, Eliza, Harriet, Josephine and Sarah are the only ones now living. In 1815 he moved to Monroe township, and settled on section sixteen, where he lived until his death in 1879. Mr. Shurley was justice of the peace for twelve years, up to 1868, and also filled many other offices in the township. He owned one hundred and seventy-one acres in Monroe township, all of which he had helped to clear. At one time he owned over nine hundred acres. Before his death he gave each of his children a start of eighty acres. Mr. Shurley was always identified with the improvements in the township. Clinton Shurley was born in Preble county in 1836. In 1864 he married Minerva Delavan, born in 1844, in. Montgomery county. They have five children, namely: Jonathan, Jerome, Julia, Minerva and Clinton. Mr. Shurley has been a justice of the peace for eleven years. In 1868 he succeeded his father, and has held the office ever since. He served in the war in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. He now farms forty-five acxes part of the old homestead, and also lives in the old house.

Peter Pense was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1795, and in 1818 moved to Ohio, and settled on section thirteen of this township. His wife, Elizabeth Harshman, was born in Virginia, and died in Monroe township. Ten children were born to them, of whom seven survive, namely: Rosabel (Fudge), living in Monroe township; Barbara (Duffield) and Sarah (Stebbins) in Jefferson; Elizabeth (Cooper) in Washington; Andrew J. in Monroe township; Reuben in Illinois, and Peter M. in Monroe. Mr. Peter Pense was drafted into the War of 1812, but was not called on to serve, as his company had more than was necessary to fill out the complement.

Peter M. Pense was born in Monroe township in the year 1836. In 1858 he married Rebecca Hoover, born in Washington township in 1837. They have two children living. He has held several offices of importance in the township. His farm contains about one hundred and thirty-eight acres.

Daniel Disher was born in 1787 in Virginia, and was first married to Lydia Sheets, and after her death to Hannah Baker. By his first wife he had six children, two of whom are living. By his second wife he had nine children, five of whom are living. In 1844 two of his daughters were killed by lightning. He came to this county in 1819, and settled in Monroe township, section ten, where he owned one hundred and eighty-four acres of land. He was about to go into the War of 1812, when the war closed. He suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life, but by hard work secured a fine farm. He died in 1864.

His son, Peter, was born in 1827 in Monroe township. In 1854 he was married to Elizabeth Jane Fudge, born in 1836 in Somers township. Five of their six children are living. Mr. Disher has been township trustee for seven or eight years, and was militia captain for three years. He owns one hundred and twenty-two acres of land, and is a leading citizen.

Evin, son of Daniel Disher, was born in Monroe township in the year 1840. In 1860 he married Mary A. Creager, born in Washington township in 1841. Five children were born them, four of whom are still living.

Mr. Disher was township constable in 1874. In 1877 he was elected township trustee, which office he still holds. He is also one of the school directors.

John Mills, a native of Ireland, settled in this township in 1820. His son, William C. Mills, a well known resident of Jackson township, was born in Monroe in 1821; married in 1843 Miss Harriet West. He was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and held the office nine years. "In 1865 he was elected county commissioner, which position he held six years, when he was succeeded by. Eli Conger. He is now township trustee, having officiated in that capacity for some fourteen years.

John Banfill was born in New Hampshire. He first settled in Washington township, where he died about 1839. He was drafted into the War of 1812. Nine children were born him, two only of whom survive: Asa, living in Tennessee, and Lina, widow of Enos Price, in Indiana. John Banfill, son of the above, was born in New Hampshire in 1791, and in 1812 married Hannah Price, born in Virginia in 1796. They had nine children, four of whom are still living - Rachel, John P., Elizabeth and Julia Ann. Mr. Banfill was in the War of 1812. He was township trustee for a great many years, and also a school director. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. He at one time ran a saw-mil in Washington township. His death. occurred in 1866, four years after that of his wife. John P. Banfill, son of the above, was born in 1823. In 1855 he married Mary E. Kestler, born in 1838. He has had nine children, eight of whom survive. Mr. Banfill has been road commissioner and school director. He is at present the owner of one hundred and eight acres in Monroe township.

William Pense was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1781, and in 1825 came to Preble county and settled in Monroe township, section thirty-one. In 1800 he married Christina Seller, who was born in Virginia in 1786. He died in Monroe township in 1849, and his wife died in the same year. He served as captain in the War of 1812. Fora number of years he was township trustee. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, which

Isaac Pense was born in Virginia in 1816. In 1840 he married Mary Ann Swerer, who was born in Preble county in 1819. They have had six children, five of whom survive. He owns two hundred and sixty acres of land.

The first man to build in Eldorado was Leroy Mc- Whinney, who built a dwelling house, store, mill, depot and grain warehouse in 1852. He owned the land on which the town is built, and also platted and named the town. He carried on the business for six years, and then sold out to his brother Frank, who in turn sold to Henry Lawrence in 1865. In 1870 it was bought by M. T. McWhinney, the present owner. Mr. L. McWhinney moved to Dayton in 1858, and afterwards to Crestin township, where he now resides. His first wife was Mary

Clevinger, born in Wayne county, Indiana. She died of cholera in Jackson township in 1849. They had four children, three of whom are now living. In 1851 he

Matthew T..McWhinney was born in Jackson township in 1842, and married in 1860. His wife, Mary A. Wilder, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1842. They have two children - Frank and Bertha. Mr. Mc- Whinney was the first mayor of Eldorado, being elected in 1876 and serving until 1878. He was also a member of the school board. He commenced his present business in Eldorado in 1870, under the firm name of M. T. McWhinney, general merchandizing and dry goods, also purchaser of grain and wool. He does a business of twelve thousand dollars a year. He has been agent for the Pittsburgh, St. Louis & Cincinnati railroad at Eldorado since 1870, and is also express agent for the American Express company.

Adam House was born in Virginia in 1805 and died in Monroe township in the year 1871. His wife, Sarah (Locke), who was born in Maryland in 1809, is still living in Monroe township. Twelve children were born to them, eleven of whom are still living, namely: John, living in Washington township; George, in Darke county; Levi, in Harrison township; Phillip, in Monroe township; Catharine, in Harrison township; William, in Knox county, Missouri; Andrew, in Lewisburgh, Adam, in Monree township; Sarah, in Illinois; Sophia, in Lewisburgh; and Simeon, in Harrison township.

Phillip House was born in Monroe township in the year 1834. He was married first in 1860, to Mary Kirkoff, who died in 1869. Two children were born to him by this marriage, only one of whom, Mary Ellen, is now living. He was married again in 1870 to Lydia M. Baker, who was born in Washington township in the year 1836. Three children were born them - Elsie F., Ezra C. and Charles L. John House was born in Monroe township in 1829. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Hoerner, who died in 1864, leaving three children, viz.: Adam, married and living in Monroe township; Amanda C. and Mary E. His first wife dying, John House married Eliza J. Bickel in 1866. She was born in Monroe township in 1830. Three children were born to them, two of whom, Dora B. and Sylvia E. J. are still living. Mr. House was in the war of the Rebellion during the hundred days' service. He is the owner of eighty acres of land in Washington township, sixty-four acres in Harrison, and one hundred and eighty acres in Monroe township. The latter is held in the name of Eliza House.

William M. Fowble was born in Maryland in the year 1825. In the same year he came to Ohio with his father, George Fowble. In 1854 he married Catharine Byers, who was born in 1835. They have three children - Susannah, Cosiah C. and Mary S. Mr. Fowble was called out in the hundred days' service, but sent a substitute. He is farming at present. His farm contains one hundred and forty acres. For ten years he was in the dry goods business in Eldorado, and also ran a steam sawmill He afterwards sold out to R. J. Robinson and returned to his farm.

F. K. Smith was born in Germany in 1798, and when a child was brought over to this country. The first place where they settled in Ohio was in Butler county. In the year 1828 they settled in Jefferson township, Preble county. F. K. Smith married Sarah Reed, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. Twelve children were born to them, nine of whom survive, namely: Daniel, W. G., Elias P., Silas A., Mary, Eliza, Nancy, Sarah and Elizabeth. William G. Smith was born in Butler county in 1824. When four years of age he came with his father to Preble county. In 1848 he married Katharine Stakebake, who was born in Preble county in 1830. They have four children - Matilda Ann, Sarah E., Theodore S.

John H. Ford was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in the year 1808. From that State he moved to Ohio, and in 1830 settled in section nine of Monroe township. He bought eighty acres of land and immediately built a log cabin. The first winter after his arrival was so severe that he was compelled to fell beech trees on which his cattle could brouse. His death, which occurred in 1840, in this township, was occasioned by injuries received from a falling tree. His wife, Rebecca Cooper, was born in Virginia in 1814, and is still living. Four children were born to them, only one of whom is living.

Alexander C. Ford, the eldest son of the above, was born in the year 1837, and in 1863 married Margaret F. Juday, born in 1843 in Monroe township. Seven children were born them, four of whom are still living. His farm contains seventy acres - a part of the old homestead. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Ford saw some hard service. He enlisted in 1861 in company E, Fifth Ohio volunteer cavalry. He was third sergeant of his company. In 1863 he was discharged on account of disability resulting from a gunshot wound in his right arm and breast, received at Corinth, Mississippi.

Jonathan Wearley was born in Virginia in 1806. About 1832 he moved to Ohio and settled in Preble county. He died in 1879 in Eldorado. His wife, Elizabeth Petry, was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. Four children were born them, two of whom are now living, viz.: Magdaline, wife of James T. Murphy, and Levi. Mr. Wearley settled in section eighteen in Monroe township. He had no capital when he commenced, but accumulated a property of about eighty acres.

Levi Wearley was born in 1835 in Monroe township. He has been township supervisor. His business is that of a butcher, which trade he has followed for several years. Besides a lot in Eldorado, he is the owner of a farm of eighty-seven acres.

Joseph Lee was born in the year 1829. In 1832 he came to Ohio with his mother, the widow of Abraham Lee. They settled in section twenty-two of Gratis township. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Shewman, of Gratis township. Three children were born to them, two of whom are still living. Mr. Lee was township trustee for one term. He has also held the office of township supervisor and school director. During the war of the Rebellion he served as corporal of company B, of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio national guard. He enlisted in May, 1864, and was mustered out in September of the same year.

William Brown was born in Monroe township in 1835. In 1856 he married Sarah Kyle, who was born in this township in 1838. They had eleven children, nine of whom are now living. Mr. Brown was a justice of the peace for fifteen years; he has also been trustee, clerk and assessor for the township. His farm is situated on section twelve of this township and contains one hundred and two acres.

Jeremiah Blackford came to Preble county in 1835. He was born about the year 1814. His first wife was Sarah Kennedy, who died in 1854. He had seven children by his first wife, three of whom survive: Abigail, John H., and Rev. L. P., of Connecticut. In 1858 he married Maria Long, of Cincinnati, born about 1830, by whom he has had three children: Alfred, Charles and Mary.

John H. Blackford was born in Preble county in 1843. He married Julia A. Kessler in 1865. Five children have been born to them, four of whom are now living: Harry, Lenore, Frank and Grace. Mr. Blackford is a minister in the Universalist church. Was pastor of church in Eldorado until 1879. He now officiates in Connover, Miami county.

Martin V., son of William C. Randall was born in Jefferson township in 1839. He married Zerilda Adams in 1861, who was born in Monroe township in 1839. They have had two children, only one of whom now survives. Mr. Randall has been township assessor eight times. During the late war he was first lieutenant of company B, of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio national guard. He was out in the one hundred days' service, and was present at the engagement of Faulk's Mills, Maryland. He went out in 1864, and was mustered out in 1865. Mr. Randall is engaged in business with J. M. McWhinney. He was elected mayor of Eldorado in 1879, and isthe second to hold that office since the incorporation of the town.

ship. His first wife, Louiza Fry, whom he married in 1865, was born in 1848. After her death, which occurred in 1868, leaving one child, he married Nancy Huffman, born in Gasper township, in 1841. They have one child. Mr. Richards has been township supervisor and school director.

Leander R. Brasier was born in 1842 in Preble county. In 1865 he married Margaret Harris, who was born in 1844, and who died in 1867, leaving onechild. In 1869 he married Rebecca Lawrence, who was born in Darke county in 1849. They have had five children born them: Cora, Jennie, Addie, Bessie, and Stella. Mr. Brasier was elected township trustee in 1874, and again in 1880. He served for three years in the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in company C, of the Seventyi fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served under Pope and Siegel, in Virginia. He served most of the time in the Shenandoah valley, and also during the last part of the war in Charleston and Georgia. He was at Hawley's Island at the fall of Fort Sumter. He was taken prisoner in Virginia, and confined in Belle Island, Andersonville, and Savannah. He was taken prisoner again in 1864 but was released at the end of the war. He was wounded in the side at the second battle of Manassas, and was engaged in the battles of Chancellorsville, Cedar Mountain, Gettysburgh, Siege of Charleston, and several minor engagements. He commenced business in Eldorado, in 1865, in a saw-mill. In 1875 he was burned out. He then moved to Indianapolis, but returned after a year's absence, and started in business. He keeps a livery stable, grocery and restaurant. Mr. Brasier is fitting up his building for a hotel. He does a business of eight or ten thousand dollars a year.

Charles Schreel was born in Pyrmont, Montgomery county. in 1842. He came to Preble county in 1854. In 1869 he married Mary Oswalt, who was born in Darke county in 1849. They have had three children, two only of whom survive, viz: Jennie and Franklin. Mr. Schreel commenced business in Eldorado in 1870; his business was dry goods, groceries, and general merchandise, and purchaser of wool. He has carried on the business ever since. - In 1878 he was elected town councilman. He was in the war of the Rebellion for over three years. He served in the Seventy-first veteran Ohio volunteer infantry. He was with Sherman till they left Atlanta and then with Thomas. He was engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Resaca, Atlanta, and many others.

Jacob Beard was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1820. In the year 1855 he moved to Ohio and settled in section four of Monroe township. In 1845 he married Mary E. Byers, born in Maryland in They have had twelve children, eleven of whom are living. For six years Mr. Beard was a constable of the township, z. e. from 1866 to 1872. He was also for nine years one of the board of directors of the schools, and has held the office of township supervisor He owns and farms eighty acres of land in Monroe township. Two of his sons are school teachers.

and settled in Eldorado. In 1850 he married Sarah Hamilton, born in 1834. She died in 186r, and in 1868 he married Katharine C. McCabe, born in 1842. He had two children by his first wife and two by his second, all of whom are living. Mr. Henderson has a farm of eighty acres. He has been township treasurer for five years, and was twice elected township assessor. During the war of the Rebellion he served as captain of company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio national guard.

William H. Stokely was born in Darke county in 1833. In 1869 he married Emma B. Allen, who was born in the year 1854. Two children were born to them - Albert Ellsworth and Forest Verner. In 1877 Mr. Stokely was elected township clerk and has served four terms. He came to Preble county in 1870, and settled in Eldorado, where he has practiced his trade as tinner ever since. He was in the late war for over four years, enlisting in 1861, and mustering out in 1864. He served in the First Ohio zouaves, in the Thirty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. He served most of the time under Sheridan, in Virginia, but was afterwards with Hancock in Washington and Baltimore. He was engaged in the battle of Charleston, and in some thirty-eight smaller engagements. Mr. Stokely's father, Thomas Stokely, sr., settled in Lexington, Preble county, in 1815. He came from Pennsylvania to Preble. From there he moved to Greenville, Darke county, where he died in 1855.

H. J. Lefevre was born in Warren county in 1834. In 1856 he married Eliza J. Stewart, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1835. They have had one child (now deceased). Mr. Lefevre came to Preble county and settled in Eldorado in 1873. He commenced in the drug business, which he has followed ever since. Since 1874 he has been postmaster. He studied the drug business under his brother, Dr. N. D. Lefevre, of Anna's station, Shelby county.

John Vance was born in Montgomery county in 1824. He moved to Preble county in 1875, and started in business with George Shreal, in Eldorado, under the firm name of Shreal & Vance. Their business is general dry goods and groceries, also purchasing grain and wool. They do a business of from sixteen thousand to twenty thousand dollars a year in Eldorado. In 1847 Mr. Vance married Emeline Davis, of Montgomery county. They have had five children born to them, three of whom survive - Rebecca Jane, Sarah, Emeline and Violetta Laura Belle.

Albert W. S. Lock was born in Fredericksburgh, Maryland, in 1851. In 1877 he married Keziah Fowble, who was born in 1857. Mr. Lock is a great-grandson of Captain John Lock. In 1872 hecame to Preble county and worked in the grist-mill of Mr. Fowble. In 1878 he bought Mr. Fowble's saw-mill, and has since that time run it himself. The mill has a capacity of about eight thousand feet a day.

William Shewman was born in Gasper township in 1838. In 1866 he married Olivia Eidson, born in 1845, in Montgomery county. They have one child, Daisy L. Mr. Shewman is a carpenter by trade, and has worked in Eldorado for twelve years. He was in the war of the

Rebellion, first as corporal in company D, of the Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and afterwards in the Fifth Ohio volunteer cavalry. He was discharged in 1862 for inability. In 1864 he re-enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served. until he was mustered out in August, 1865. He was with Sherman during his campaign against Johnston, and was at Greensborough at the time of Johnston's surrender.

Charles S. McCoy was born in Maine in 1812. In 1826, at the age of fourteen, he was brought to this country by Leander Roberts. In the year 1842 he married Maria Lugar, born in Virginia in 1822. Twelve children have been born to them, eight of whom survive; Elizabeth Caroline, Samuel L., George W., Lavina, William F., Huldah Jane, Mary Ellen, and Clara B. Samuel L. was born in Monroe township in the year 1844. In 1874 he married Martha A. Pense, who was born in Preble county in 1850. They have one child, LeRoy A. Samuel L. McCoy was in thelate war in the One hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and also in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio volunteer infantry. He was engaged at Fox's Mills. After the war he was agent for the Indianapolis Wagon Works, and sold the first wagons ever sold in Preble county. In 1874 he started in business for himself, as harness maker, with two hundred dollars. He now has an extensive business in agricultural implements, buggies, wagons, harness, etc. He is agent for the Singer Sewing Machine company. In 1879 he did a business of twenty thousand dollars, and in 1880, of thirty thousand dollars.

Jacob Bickle came to Preble county from Augusta county, Virginia, in 1814. He was the first of the family who came to Ohio. His son, William C., is now living in Monroe township.

James Fudge was born in Washington county in the year 1812, and died in this township in 1865. His wife was Rosabel Pense, born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in the year 1818. He had seven children born to him, three of whom are living, viz: Mary E. (Richards) and David L., in this township, and Peter M., in Indiana, David L. Fudge was born in 1853, and in 1874 married Sarah Young, who was born in Preble county in 1854. Four children have been born to them. His farm, which is situated in this township, contains sixty-seven acres.

This is the only regularly incorporated town in Monroe township. It was incorporated May 13, 1872, al though the plat was recorded by L. R. McWhinny De. cember 31, 1852. At the time of the recording of the first plat there were only eighteen lots laid off. Additions, since that time, have been made by A. C. Ford, Henry Lawrence, and Samuel Banfill. The first officers were elected in the year 1876 as follows: M. T. McWhinney, mayor; J. M. Campbell, corporation clerk; M. L. McWhinney, treasurer; J..H. Shoemaker, marshal; M. V. Randall, W. H. Stokely, W. G. Smith, J. W. Juday, John Disher and John Eddins, councilmen. The board of education was composed as follows: M. V. Randall, president; J. M. Campbell, clerk; M. T. Mc Whinney, treasurer; John Disher, W. G. Smith, and J. F. Irvin. The present officers are: M. V. Randall, mayor; J. M. Campbell, clerk; George Schreel, treasurer; J. W. Clayton, marshal; J. F. Irvin, J. H. Shoemaker, J. W. Cawley, Charles Schreel, C. G. Mastin, and Benjamin Fouts, councilmen,

Eldorado is situated in the southeastern part of section five. It is a thriving business place, and is growing rapidly. Its growth is due entirely to the Dayton & Western railroad. The first settlement that could be called a town was at Hamburgh, a mile south of Eldorado, where Samuel Adams built the first store;on the place now owned by Mrs. Polly Kitson:-It was in this place that the church interest first sprung up, and here the first churches were built. After the building of the railroad through the northern part of the State, the business gradually centered at Eldorado, and finally Hamburgh became deserted. It is now only recognized by a few houses standing at the cross roads. In 1852 Leroy R. McWhin. ney built the first store in Eldorado. Samuel Rhodes

J. H. Blackford is now standing, in the northern part of the town. One had been built by Edward Dyell, near by. Since that time the town has grown rapidly until today it is a place of considerable importance. Several manufactories are located within its limits, and the several branches of business are well represented, as the following list will show: Groceries, J. Eddins, L. R. Brasier, and Nelson Beard; dry goods, M. T. McWhinney, Charles Schreel, and Schreel & Vance; drugs, H. J. Lefevre; harness, S. M. McCoy; agricultural implements, S. M. McCoy and McCabe Brothers; clothing, J. M. Kimmell; millinery, Mrs. Sally Beard; tinware, W. H. Stokely. There are two hotels in the township, kept by W. G. Smith and L. R. Brasier. The latter has just opened his house, with the modern improvements. The house kept by Mr. Smith is the oldést in the town, and for many years was the only house of its kind around. Besides the above there is a large flour and grist-mill in town, rented by Stubbs & Company, which is doing a large business, also a tile factory, owned by F. P. Campbell, and two carriage shops run, one by Harvey Ault, and one by McCabe Brothers,

There are three church buildings in Eldorado, two of which are strongly supported, and are handsome edifices. The third is now not regularly used. The people are a quiet and prosperous class. No intemperance is found, as the people do not tolerate the sale of spirituous liquors.

The business of M. T. McWhinney is by far the largest in the town. Besides his store he has a large grain warehouse. He is a wheat buyer and handles immense quantities of grain every year.

The school board of the town is composed of the following gentlemen: M. V. Randall, president; J. H. Campbell, clerk; M. T. McWhinney, treasurer; J. H. Blackford, J. F. Irvin, and John Disher. The school building is a large, tasty structure, standing in the northeastern part of the town. There are two grades, each headed by a competent and experienced teacher.

albout fourteen miles southwest of Greenville, the countyseat of Darke county. The streets are clean and well kept, and the whole town presents an attractive appearance.

Manchester

or West Manchester, as it is more properly called, is a thriving village of about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, in the northeastern part of the township, in sections two and eleven. It has never been incorporated, although some attempt has been made in that direction, and the probabilities are that it will soon be a regularly incorporated town. Its growth is rapid, and the business increases to such an extent as to justify the expectations of some of its inhabitants that it will, some day, bea place of more than local importance. Like Eldorado West Manchester has grown up entirely since the building of the Dayton & Western railroad. The first collection of houses in this part of the township was at Hagerstown, a place about a mile northeast of Manchester. At Hagerstown the first post office in the township was opened August 29, 1832, and was kept by Jacob F. Miller. This office was afterwards moved to West Manchester on the fifth of December, 1855, and there kept by John Felton. Hagerstown is now scarcely recognizable. All of the business is concentrated at Manchester, and Hagerstown exists more in its name than in anything else. The following list shows the principal business houses in West Manchester: James W. Richards and James M. Trone, groceries: A. and A. Leas, dry goods ; J. E. Bodine, drugs; George Grottle, tinware, and John Schram, harness. Besides the above there are several minor businesses, such as blacksmithing, barber shops, etc. The lodges of both the secret organizations of the township are located here. The business of Messrs. A. & A. Leas is the largest in the township, and equals that of any house in the county. Besides their extensive dry goods establishment, they are heavy buyers of grain, handling many thousands of bushels of wheat annually. There are two physicians in the town: Drs. J. E. Horn and F. C. Estabrook. The only church building in Manchester belongs to the United Brethren. West Manchester is on the Eaton & Greenville pike, about eleven miles from the former place.

Ecclesiastical History

There are seven religious organizations in the township: Three of the United Brethren, one of the Methodists, one of the Universalists, one of the Baptists, and one of the Dunkers, or German Baptists, as they prefer being called. The first church building of which any account can be fouud, was built in 1830, on section twenty-three, by the United Brethren, on Aaron Chrisler's place, now owned by Daniel Grubbs. It was torn down over twenty years ago. Isaac Robinson was one of the first preachers. In 1832 a log church was built by the Baptists in section fourteen. A building used as a union church was burned down in 1873. It stood in section one. There is no organization there now.

The Baptists

The Dry fork of Twin church was organized about the year 1822. In 1832 their first building was erected. It was built of logs and weather. boarded, and was situated in the eastern part of section fourteen. This old building stood until 1880, when it was torn down. A new building had been erected a few months before, near the old one, at a cost of four hundred dollars, having a seating capacity of about two hundred. The present pastor is the Rev. G. M. Peters. The membership is twenty-three.

The First Universalist Church The United Brethren

at Eldorado was organized in 1849, by the Rev. E. Moore. He was originaly a preacher in the Baptist church. In 1845 he began to preach the doctrine of Universalism in Eldorado, and four years after the present church was organized with thirteen members, as follows: Daniel Disher, Hannah Disher, Franklin Baker, Mildred Baker, George Fudge, Mary Fudge, William Eddins, Sarah Eddins, Mary Disher, Henry Fudge, Sarah Fudge, Evan Baker, and Jane Baker; of these only Mary and Henry Fudge and Mary Disher survive. A meeting-house was erected immediately and dedicated in 185o, by Rev. Messrs. E. Moore and D. A. Sweet. The house was built on Daniel Disher's farm, and was known as the Monroe Universalist church. The house is still standing on section nine. Itis used now for occasional services and for funerals, as it stands near the cemetery. After the building of the railroad and the consequent growth of Eldorado, the church thought proper to build at the latter place. In 1869 a brick church was built in Eldorado, and was known as the First Universalist church at Eldorado. The present pastor is the Rev. J. N. Blackford. The active membership is about fifty. THE UNITED BRETHREN of Eldorado were organized in Hamburgh, about the year 1838, by Rev. Samuel Adams. For a good many years they held meetings around in the houses of the members. In 1848 they built their first building, a frame house, which stood directly west of Hamburgh. In 1868 thecongregation was induced to build at Eldorado, and a tasty building was erected, which stands in the northern part of the town. The present pastor is the Rev. H. M. Ambrose. The church has now seventy-three members.

The United Brethren

at West Manchester built their church building in 1868, a short time after their organization. The first class numbered only about twelve persons. The Rev. George Gilbert was the first pastor. Soon after the building of the church the Sunday-school was organized. The house is a frame building, built at a cost of one thousand seven hundred dollars, and will seat about two hundred and fifty persons. The present membership is about fifty-seven. The Rev. H. M. Ambrose is in charge.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

nally belonged to one which had existed as early as 1835, in the central part of the township, and who had a church building on what was called the Chrisler place in section twenty-three. The class afterwards divided, and those living in the southeastern part re-organized and built a church building in the eastern part of section twenty-five, on the township line. The Rev. Charles Miller was the starter of the church, and during its erection worked as a laborer. He was also the first pastor The building is la frame one, capable of seating about three hundred persons. The Sunday-school was organized at the time of the building of the church. The members at present number about forty. The Rev. J. D. Holsinger has charge of the parish. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH at Eldorado was organized in Hamburgh, about the year 1850. Andrew Sterling was the class leader, and the Rev. Levi White the first preacher. The class at first used a two-story building owned by Frank McWhinney at that time. It is now in the possession of W. G. Smith. In 1859 their church building was built, at a cost of one thousand one hundred and fifty dollars, dedicated, and their Sunday-school was organized at the same time. The church gradually grew too weak to support a preacher, and since 1877 they have had no regular preaching. At the time of closing the members did not number over twelve. The Rev. Mr. Hull was preacher at the time the organization ceased.

The German Baptists

claim to have been organized in this township about sixty years ago. Their present district extends six miles north and reaches into Darke county, east to Twin creek, east of Lewisburgh, south about one mile south of the township line, and west into Indiana, near Richmond. They have about one hundred and forty members, and have their church buildings, two in this township and one in Darke county. One of those in this township was built in section twenty-two, on Price's creek, at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The other is a Union church, but it was necessary for some denomination to hold the deed, and it was deeded to the German Baptists. It is situated on Twin creek, in section twelve. Messrs. Samuel Petrey, R. Stephens, and H. P. Wehrley are the preachers for this denomination.

Educational Interests

The first school in the township was taught by Jerry Pense, about the year 1825. The school-house was located on the southwestern quarter of section ten. This building was burnt down in 1829, during the time Jsaac Robinson was teaching. He lacked one month of completing his term, and during this month he taught school in a smoke-house. Mr. Robinson was one of the most prominent of the early teachérs of this township, and is remembered by those of his former pupils who are still living, with esteem. A school building was erected the year after the destruction of the one mentioned above, and Isaac Robinson again taught there. After his retirement the school was taught by Miss Lucy Walker. About 1828 a school-house was built on section twenty- nine, and for several years there was a regular school held there. No record can be obtained regarding its teachers. The building was burnt down afterwards. The blame is laid on some of the women, although no reason, however, has been assigned. This was the second house destroyed in the same manner. The first was doubtless done by one of the pupils, and this last probably by some woman who was jealous of the teacher's ascendancy over his pupils. A school-house was soon afterwards built in the southwestern corner of the township. As the settlements grew and the population increased, a number of schools sprang up-all over the township, taught by competentteachers. There are now as many as ten school buildings in the township. One of these, at West Manchester, is a large two story building. The board of education is composed of the following gentlemen: Samuel Miller, president; W. H. Stokely, clerk; T. M. Moren, Jacob Beard, Samuel Coovert, Daniel Fudge, Jacob Gauch, William Waters, L. K. Deem, J. H. Kisling and William Brown.

Secret Organizations

There are two secret organizations in Monroe township, both of which have their lodge rooms in West Manchester, one lodge of Odd Fellows and one of the Improved Order of Red Men.

Lodge No. 520 Independent Order Of Odd Fellows

The medical staff of Monroe township is composed of the following gentlemen: B. F. Crumrine, alopathy, who resides at Eldorado, and J. E. Horn, of the same school, at West Manchester. The eclectic branch of the profession is represented by Drs. B. F. Beane, of Eldorado, and F. C. Estabrook, of West Manchester. Dr, Joseph Beck, of the Physio-Medical school, lives at Eldorado,

The first physicians of the township, as well as can be ascertained at this late day, were: William Frazy, who came about the year 1845, from Lewisburgh, and located in Hamburgh, where Dr. Robert G. Norris soon afterwards practiced, and also Jeremiah Williams.

The several cemeteries in Monroe township have all been placed under the supervision of the township trustees. There are five burying-grounds in the township, situated as follows: Brown's cemetery, situated in the eastern part of section twelve - it is here that Isaac

Milling Interests

Robinson, one of the first school teachers in the township, is buried; he is remembered by many of the old men of the township with mingled feelings of love and respect, feeling aroused alike by his naturally amiable disposition and the skilful method of applying the chastening birch; Stump's cemetery, located on section nineteen, in the extreme southern part of the section; the Monroe church cemetery was so called because it stands near the old Universalist church, which went by the name of the Monroe Universalist church, at the time of its erection; this cemetery lies about a mile directly east of Hamburgh, in the southeastern part of section nine; Hamburgh cemetery, near Hamburgh, on section seventeen, and the Wherley cemetery, near the center of section twenty-two. 'This latter is used almost exclusively by the German Baptists, or Dunkers, as they are better known. MILLING INTERESTS.

Owing somewhat to the poor supply of water-power within the township, but more to the fact that the adjoining townships were well supplied with mills, no mill was ever erected at an early date in Monroe township. A few miles either east or west there could be found mills at an early date, and the pioneer thought little of driving a greater distance than that to get his milling done. The only mill in the township is the one at Eldorado, built about 1854, and rented by Stubbs & Co. It is owned by Baliss, Vaughn & Co.

The first saw-mill was owned by Mr. Foos, on the present Foos farm. It was built by Stephen Johns, on Price's creek, before the year 1840. There are at present in Monroe township three establishments of the kind, two at Eldorado and one at West Manchester. At an early day there were several portable mills in the township. These were placed at some convenient place and when the work in that neighborhood was exhausted, the mill would be moved to some more favorable locality. The mills at Eldorado are owned by Messrs. Ervin & Sherman, and by Mr. Lock, and the one at West Manchester by Michael Cotterman. Besides these mills there is a planing mill at West Manchester, owned by Messrs. Poe and Burke. Itwas built in the year 1878, and has done a large and increasing business since its erection. The value of such an establishment is fully appreciated by the inhabitants and is regarded asa favorable sign of future growth and prosperity of the town.

Besides the milling interests mentioned above there are several manufactories in the township. The low and swampy nature of the country necessitates a thorough and careful drainage system and to supply the demand for drainage facilities, several tile manufactories have been started. There are three of these in the township. The oldest is the one at Eldorado, started in about 1868 by Messrs. Hilderbolt & Murray. It was at that time run by horse-power. Mr. F. P. Campbell is the present owner. It has had several improvements added since its to the tile manufacture Mr. Campbell is extensively engaged in making brick. At the southeastern quarter of section eight there is a tiling establishment, started in 1875 by Messrs. Coovert, Beck & Brasier. It is now owned by Messrs. Coovert, Doyle & Doyle. They. can turn out about seven thousand rods of tiling a year.

J. L. Coovert has a small tile factory near West Manchester, started in 1879. Quite a quantity of sorgum is grown in the township, and there are a few sugar or cane mills, as they are called, located in different sections. The largest is owned by Henry Hapner, in the southeastern part of the township. There is another owned by Mrs. John Buck, about a mile and a half southwest of Manchester. The cane is carried there and ground and the syrup made on the spot.

Miscellany

The first brick house which was built in the township, was built by Darius Miner in 1830, for Daniel Disher. It is still standing on section nine, on the farm now owned by J. P. Banfill) The original contract between Miner and Disher is still in possession of Peter Disher, son of the first owner of the house. The next brick house was built in the following year (1831), on section thirty-three, now owned by J. J. Bantz. It was built for Jeremiah Blackford.

The first distillery ever started in the township, as well as can be ascertained from existing authority, was owned by Otto Brumbaugh. This was destroyed over thirty years ago. As has been stated elsewhere, the township is now strictly temperate, and nothing of the kind is tolerated within the township limits.

The oldest person now living in the township, who was born there, is Mrs. Benjamin Louk. She was Hester, daughter of Jacob.Baker, one of the early settlers of the township. She was born in 1820, on section sixteen, and in 1839 married Mr. Louk. She has to her possession a bed spread made in Virginia in 1818, and brought here by her family. It is in a perfect state of preservation

Present Officers

The following list shows the officers, who are, at present, in office: Evan Disher, Levi Creager and L. R. Brasier, trustees; Anderson Leas, treasurer; W. H. Stokely, clerk; M. V. Randall, assessor; J. H. Shoemaker and S. H. Overholser, constables; Clinton Shurley and William Brown, justices of the peace. The supervisors are appointed by the board of trustees. The board of education is given under the head of "educational interests."

The elections are held alternately at Eldorado and Manchester. There is now a town house. By some means, a slight disarrangement has arisen in the meetings of the officers. The meetings of the school board have managed to fall behind, so that now instead of meeting in the same place with the other officers, they are, by the rule of alternation, meeting at the other side. If the council meet at Eldorado, the school board meet at West Manchester, and více versa. It would seem to be easy enough to remedy this by one of the two meeting twice

Population And Valuation

The present number of inhabitants of the township is one thousand nine hundred and one. Of these, about four hundred and fifty are voters. The township has generally voted the Democratic ticket. The above estimate of the voters does not include those persons whose religious scruples prevent their presence at the ballot box. It is incredible how anybody as a denomination can refuse to its members the privelige of voting; thus shutting them out from any participation in the affairs of government, and yet expecting to have the interests of that body protected by those very laws they refuse to create or maintain.

The property of the township, as given by the latest assessor's returns, is rated as follows: Land valuation, seven hundred and ninety-nine thousand four hundred and fifty-nine dollars; valuation of chattels, etc., one hundred and seventeen thousand four hundred and thirty-five dollars; total value of township, nine hundred and sixteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-four dollars.

Somers

Somers township was one of the original townships of the county, and as established under the jurisdiction of Montgomery county, included the whole of what is now in Monroe, Washington, Gasper and the present township of Somers - in other words the whole of the second range. This township, consisting of four townships of the original survey, was named Somers, after Commodore Somers, of the United States navy. Of the elections held while Somers and the whole territory of Preble was included in Montgomery county, we have no record, but we are able to present the reader with the list of officers elected in 1808, at the first election held after the organization of Preble. It will be seen that most of them were from the vicinity of Eaton, which village was then in Somers. The list was as follows: Daniel Heaton, clerk; Isaac Enoch, John Mills and Abraham Heaton, trustees; John Spacht and James Black, constables; James Brannon, Dennis Pottenger, John Goldsmith and Henry Johnson, supervisors of the highways; William Bruce, treasurer; Moses Dooley and John Ward, overseers of the poor; Joseph C. Hawkins, lister; William Sellers, appraiser; George Harlan and Samuel Holliday, fence viewers.

Somers township was reduced in size May 7, 1809, when the county commissioners established Washington, but not to its present dimensions. Washington township extended south two miles farther than at present, and Somers was left with its northern boundary two miles north of the present line. We have no information in regard to early elections in Somers after the reduction in size by the creation of Washington. On June 5, 1815, Somers territory was diminished to its present extent by the enlargement of Washington, and a few years later the establishment of Gasper made the boundary a permanent one. As now constituted, Somers is township No. 6, in range eleven, and like all of the townships in

The township contains a variety of soil, and is well adapted to the production of nearly all classes of crops which can be raised in this latitude. This part of the county presented in its primeval state a very alluring appearance, and it is not strange that the Butler county settlers and the pioneers from the Miamis and from Kentucky should have penetrated the valley of Seven Mile so early as they did, nor that the country should become in a short time the home of so many of them. In nearly all parts of the country, history tells us, and observation shows us, that the pioneers, who were certainly a preeminently practical class of men, had some regard for picturesque and beautiful aspects, as well as richness of soil. We find asa rule that the first settlements were made in localities which had some charm for the eye, and which revealed the largest of nature in subtle beauty of form, as well as in elements of material advantage. Somers presents as varied attractions of scenery as any township in the county. Its surface is an agreeable medium between the flat monotony of the northern part of the county and the roughly broken lands which appear in Gratis township. The valley of Seven Mile, which at Eaton is a shallow basin, becomes in Somers a marked and striking feature in the topography of the country. Extending through the township trom north to south it divides it into very nearly equal portions. At either side the table lands sweep away to the boundaries of the township, preserving a surface which approximates the level, though it is often slightly undulating, and there is a gradual rise, almost inappreciable to the eye, from the top of the hills bordering the valley to and beyond the township lines on the east and west. The surface is further diversified by Paint creek (which probably derived its name from the Indians), a stream which rises in Gasper township, and flowing southeast through the northwest quarter of Somers, empties into Seven Mile creek a half mile below Camden. A drive of less than a mile westward from this village, reveals upon Paint creek a very singular formation, known locally as the " Devil's Backbone." At this place, which is in the southwest quarter of section. number nine, the stream makes a sharp curve, flowing around a long, high, narrow spear, projecting promontory-like from the table land. From the roacway which winds down the hill from the neck of this peculiar ridge, the creek can be seen only a few rods distant, at either hand. It flows upon the north side close to the base of the "backbone," which it has evi- . dently cut its way into considerably, and then turning at an acute angle around the spur, the greater part of the current flows away from the promontory and under the high bank upon the other side. Thus one side of the "Devil's Backbone" shows a precipitous rocky wall, washed by the stream, while the other is a steep incline. The greater part of the spur around which the stream flows is the blue limestone which abounds in this part of the county and shows frequent exposures. In early years the beautiful little bottom on the north side of the road was covered with a dense growth of maples, which made an impenetrable shade very gratifying to the picnic parties made up of youths and maidens now grandfathers and grandmothers. Among them this locality obtainedthe not very alluring name of "the shades of death." The maples are all cut away now, and one of the chief attractions of the place is gone, but the vicinity of the * Devil's Backbone" retains elements of picturesque lovliness, of which the hand of man cannot rob it, and will never cease to be a favorite resort for the admirers of nature and the student of science. Many glimpses of beauty are afforded in the little glen which leads away from the "backbone" to the westward, and the narrow gorge, with its perpendicular, and, sometimes, overhanging walls of rock, surmounted by towering trees, in the dense shade of which the dashing stream of Paint creek runs rippling away to join Seven Mile. There are a number of small streams or "runs" which flow into Seven Mile, but most of them are dry during a ` large portion of the year, and serve simply as conduits for the water from the hills during seasons of heavy rainfall, Beasley's branch, so named from an early settler, and Rush run, are the principal of these minor water ways. - SETTLEMENT.

Somers township was settled in the opening years of the century, and filled up very fast when the beginning had been made. There were many among the pioneers who did not long remain in the township, and many others resided in it for years, but have no representa- ` tives there now. A third class, and quite a large one, is composed of settlers who lived long lives in the township, died there, and left large families, some members of which, in many cases, hold the original homesteads, the lands on which their fathers and grandfathers built their first log cabins. Of these several classes we give all of the important information attainable, and more as a matter of course, concerning the last mentioned than of the first or second.

The Hendricks family were settlers upon the site of Camden in 1803, but left in the spring of 1806 to locate at Eaton; and hence, but little need here be said of that distinguished pioneer, David E. Hendricks. (An elaborate biography of his life is given elsewhere in this volume). We may mention, however, in this connection, that he had located at Middletown in 1795, and his removal to the site of Camden, then an unbroken forest, was only a pushing forward into the wilderness, which was to be repeated three years later. When he sold his farm it was to a man by the name of Andrew Tharp, who, it is said, was influenced to purchase it by a remarkable dream, in which the appearance of the locality was so strongly and accurately pictured before him that on seeing the farm he immediately recognized it as that of which he had had a sleeping vision.

The Pottengers arrived in the township in 1803, and to-day the family has, in all probability, a larger representation in the locality than that of any other of the pioneers. John, Robert and Dennis Pottenger, brothers, came from Kentucky, to which State they had emigrated from Maryland. The first two located in section ten, and Dennis, in section two. John Pottenger's first wife was Jane Gilkey, and his second, Catharine Railsback, of Culpeper county, Virginia. The descendants of John Pottenger were ten in number, the first three born in Kentucky. Thomas, the eldest, married Eliza, daughter of Daniel Robbins, who was a settler in the neighborhood. William married Jane Ward, who is now living in Camden. John married Nancy Barrett. Dennis, the first born of the family in Ohio, was first married to a Hall, and afterwards toa Fort. All four of the above mentioned are deceased. Anna, the oldest daughter, married David Barnett. Nancy (deceased), married Joseph Nellinor. Cynthia married Alfred Bell, and is living in the township. James was twice married, his first wife being Martha Low, and his second, Isabella Eshelman. Reuben married Susan Findley, and Wilson, who is in Camden, Ellen Reed. John Pottenger, the father, died in 1838, at the age of seventy-four years.

Robert Pottenger married, in Kentucky, Fanny Gee. They reared a large family, viz.: Dennis, Samuel, Anna, Eunice, Harvey, Willett and Sanford - all removed to Indiana in 1825.

Dennis Pottenger married his first wife, Sarah Gray, in Kentucky, and after her death married Elizabeth Lowden, of Butler county. The children of Dennis Pottenger were William, Hetty Ann (Thralls), now in Florida, Dennis R., Louis and John. Hetty Ann and John are the only ones living, and the latter is in Kansas. Dennis R. married, in 1847, Susan, daughter of Bazael Brown, of Wilson county, Kentucky. He died in 1879, and his widow resides in Camden.

Thomas and James Newton were settlers in 1803, or the following year, on the farm where the widow of Thomas Murray now lives. They were from Pennsylvania.

The Irwins, William and Abram, brothers, came in from Kentucky at an early day, the former settling where James Taylor afterward lived, in section two.

Matthew McClung, from Maryland, settled at an early day at what is now Barnett's station, and raised a large family. McClung engaged in milling. He built a frame house in 1814, where David Barnett's house now stands, which was a remarkably good one for the time, and the especial wonder and admiration of the neighborhood.

Elisha Carter, a man who was generally regarded as one of the most intellectual of the pioneers, came from Kentucky and located on the northwest quarter of section ten. Mary Wilson is the only one of the family remaining in the township.

James Ryan settled near ** Fostertown," and the Bogues, three brothers, Quakers, located west of Camden during the early year of the settlement, but removed in 1829.

James More, who may be regarded as the founder of Camden, settled upon its site (section nine) about 4 or 1805, and brought up a large family, none of whom, however, are now in the township. James More died in Camden in 1833.

In 1805 also came Isaac Sutton, another of the proprietors of Camden, and settled on the southwest quarter ofsection ten. In 1826 or 1827 he moved to Sugar creek, Montgomery county, Indiana, and with him went all of his family.

John Laman, sr, was born in North Carolina, from which State he came on foot to Ohio, and in 1805 he settled in section thirty-four of Somers township. His wife, Elizabeth Jones, died in 1877. They have had nine children - Phineas (deceased), Lydia (deceased), Keziah, wife of John Brown, of Gratis; Rebecca; Henry married Miss Cook; Elizabeth, wife of James Hartley; John; Martha, wife of William Taylor; Joseph, married Susan Frazee; John Laman, jr., married Mary Macy, of Somers township - they have three children. Mr. Laman owns a farm of two hundred and eight acres near Somersville. Joseph Laman married Susan Frazee, by whom he has had four children, viz: John Henry, George Alpheus, Matie Elizabeth, and Sarah Ida. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land at the home place, and has bought an additional eighty acres, making two hundred and forty in all.

John Wright was born in Ireland in 1788, and emigrated to this country at an early day, and came from South Carolina to Preble county about 1806, and settled in section thirty-one of Somers township, where he died in 1854. He wasa soldier in the War of 1812, and was a Covenanter. He did not vote for many years because of conscientious scruples. His wife, Margaret Cook, was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio in a very early day. They had five children, four sons and one daughter. Three are yet living, viz.: John, William, and Eliza (Jeffers). John married, in 1850, Martha Johnson, and has had eight children. He resides in Israel township and has been several times elected trustee of this township. William married Mary E. Ramsey, daughter of John and Isaac Ramsey, and has a family of five children. His farm of one hundred and eighty-one acres is one of the best in the county, and has been in possession of the family for seventy-five years. James Wright, deceased, left one child, who lives with the family of William Wright.

Robert Runyon and his wife, Elizabeth (Barnes), came to the township in 1806, and two years later removed to the Robert Harris farm, near Sugar valley.

Thomas Murray, was born in Cornwall parish, county of Donegal, Ireland, in 1779. In 1806 he emigrated to Philadelphia. The same year he came to Preble county, Ohio, and settled in section twenty-eight, Somers township. His wife, Martha Lewellen, was born 1788. Her parents, John and Catharine, emigrated from Kentucky in 1806 and settled in this township, where they resided twenty-seven years. They then moved to Dixon township. Thomas Murray died in Somers in 1859. He had ten children, five now living: John resides in Somers, Thomasin Butler county, Ohio; Phillip at Morning Sun, Israel township; William in Somers, and Sarah A., wife of Daniel Peters, in Camden.

John Lewellen and his wife, Kate DeVall, originally from Virginia, came to Somers township in 1809 from Kentucky, and settled on Paint creek on the farm now owned by Mrs. Julia Burson. They reared a family of ten children, of whom three are living, and Mrs. Murray, is the only one in Preble county.

Phillip Lewellen removed to this township from Kentucky about the year 1810. He was born in Bullet county, Kentucky, in 1795, and died in Dixon township, this county, in 1877. His wife (Anna Runyon) was born in 1793 and died in 1874. They had a family of thirteen children, the following of whom are at this writing living: Julia (widow of Jonathan Burson), Martha (wife of Stephen McWhinney), Bafford, John, Sarah (wife of James Skinner), Dennis, Jane (wife of Daniel Ockerman), James Harvey; Isaac and Jehu. Nancy, Wilson and Catharine are deceased. Wilson died In the service during the late civil war. James H. was born in 1830, and married Frances M. Gavin, who was born two years subsequently.

About the same time that Lewellen came into the county, Richard Newport made his settlement. Elisha Hancock came a little later, and after a few years removed to Richmond, Indiana, where his widow still resides.

At later dates than those we have mentioned came many other settlers, among them George Hornaday and Allen Harbard, Quakers, who located on Paint creek; Thomas Lincholn, who settled near Camden and soon afterwards moved away; John Ledwell, also a resident of the immediate, vicinity of Camden, and a son-in-law of More; John Vandever and his brother, Noah, and the Davises, Giles and George, who were from North Carolina. They both located on section twelve, and each raised a large family. David Davis, son of Giles, was a very hard working, industrious man and became a large landholder in the northeast part of the township.

John K. Steele, a native of South Carolina, settled in Somers township in 1810, and died in 1831. He served six months in the War of 1812. His wife, Margaret

Wilson, was born in Ireland and died about 1856. Eight children were born to them, three of whom are deceased. Mary, Margaret, James, Samuel and John are living. The home farm, located in section seventeen, is in charge of John and Samuel, who have it in a good state of cultivation and well improved.

Richard Stephen and his wife Letty (Bailey) arrived in the township some time during the War of 1812, and the husband was drafted and obliged to leave his wife and children unprotected in their cabin home in the woods. They located southwest from the site of Camden, and one mile from the township line. The Stephens were from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and were married there. They had two children when they came to Somers, viz: Rebecca (Hays) now in Dublin, Indiana, and Mary (Peters) a resident of the township. There were born after their settlement five children, four of whom are living, viz: Levi, in Iowa; Isaiah, in Illinois; John R. in Eaton, and B. B. on the old homestead in Somers; Morton is deceased. John R. Stephens is clerk of Washington township and justice of the peace, and has been county auditor and treasurer. Richard Stephens, the pioneer, died at his home in 1841.