Liberty Township

Liberty Township

Liberty township was organized on July 15. 1S17, but the history of this township dafes much farther back than the time of organization. Liberty township lies along the northern border of the county. In the center of the northern tier of townships. It is bounded by Greene county on the north. Wilson township on the east and Chester township on the west, while Its entire south line borders on 1'nion township. It Is three miles wide from north to south and six miles long from east to west, and contains fifteen thousand four hundred Bnd sixty acres of land. This township Is afforded ample drainage through the streams which flow through the township, and these also serve as outlets for artificial drains. The largest of these Is Anderson's fork, n stream of considerable sl«e and Inijmrtance. which flows through the entire length of the township from east tit west, and empties Its waters Into Caesar's creek about one-half mile below New Iturllugton. Buck run flows into (Vsnr's creek outside the comity and drains the entire southwestern part. Dutch creek also flows through a small portion of the southern part. These streams, with their tributaries, prove Invaluable to the farmers of this locality in their drainage.

When the pioneers came to this township they found the land covered with a dense growth of timber of the following varieties, viz : White oak. burr oak. sugar tree, beech, hlack walnut, ash. elm. etc. These were largely used in the manufacture of wagons and farm Implements and the construction of houses. In later years the land Is so completely cleared of timber that it has become a veritable pmirle.

The land is rolling along the different streams of the township and there are many acres of fine farming land in these bottoms. The country about Port William is level and, consequently, the streams do not have so great a fall and spread out over larger bottoms. The land in the early days was covered with water for about six months of the year. The soil is hlack and loose and rests upon a subsoil of clay. This land Is l>ecnliarly adapted to the raising of cereals, corn, wheat and oats being the principal products. It Is thought by geologists that this township was once the bed of a lake, but since Its drainage the soil Is of a rich, deep hlack loam.

Clinton limestone Is found In abundance and of a good qualify In this township. There are several quarries which are turning out stone for huildlug purposes and are quite extensively worked. The stone from these quarries was always in big demand and large quantities were s)iip|»ed to neighboring towns but. with the coming of cement and the substitute which concrete has been for stone, the business h:is suffered. Gravel ran be found In great abundance along the streams and Is used quite extensively on the loads of the township.

The first white man to settle within the limits of Liberty township was Stephen Mendenhall. who was horn in Tennessee in the year While yet a small boy. he moved to North Carolina, where he remained until the age of twenty-two. when he took unto himself a wife, ami a short time later moved to Waynesvllle, Ohio. In he came to Liberty township and settled on a farm of one hundred acres on Dutch creek. The first summer they had only the native Indians for uelghbors. the nearest white fnmlly at thitt time being seven mile* nwny. At the time of his settlement the country was indeed an unbroken wilderness nnd gnme of all kinds, such as deer, bears, wolves, turkeys, etc.. was plentiful. But the signal for n new dHwn was ushered in with the first hoiiihIk of his axe.

The next settler to locate In this township was Samuel Miller, who emigrated from Kentucky In 1N»4. Mr. Miller purchased n tract of six hundred acres on Anderson'* fork nnd made this his iiermnnent habitation. He was for a number of years the lending character In this section of the county nnd did as much, to promote the neighborhood and township ns any mnn in this locality. He was the first Justice of the jience In this townsbip. It Is interesting to note that he was first elected In 1814. two yenrs before the townsbip was organized, and served from that time until bis death, a |*eriod of nearly thirty years. He furnished the hand-mill with which the early pioneers ground their com. He was also chosen as the first trustee of the township. He built the second grist-mill In the township. In the year but this mill was destroyed by fire and

There was an addition of three families In 1N0T>. on Anderson's fork. Abrnm Kills and family moved here from Ijincastcr, Pennsylvania, and settled Just across the creek from Squire Miller's. Aaron Jenkins and family, who came to this county from Virginia, and Joseph Lucas, of Pennsylvania, were among the next settlers. Mr. Kllis was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. where he served for seven yenrs. participating in the battles of Kraml.vwiiie. I-ong Island and many others. He was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware and witnessed the surrender of Comwallls.

William Ireland was the next settler In tills township. Mr. Ireland was born In the country which bears his name. In 1770. and emigrated to this country when he was but three years old. He came to this county In March. imn;. from Scott county. Kentucky. He taught the first Sunday school In the township and took a deep Interest In religious matters. In 1*19 he built the first brick house in the township.

Christian Stephens settled In this township in lHiXJ nnd located on Anderson's fork. Mr. Stephens was a native of Frederick county. Virginia. His father. Peter Stephens, followed his sou two years later. Christopher Kllis nnd wife. Kllxabeth. also came to this township from Frederick county, Virginia.

John Jt hnsoii and wife. Susanna, came from Virginia to Highland county. Ohio. In 1N05. and the next year settled in Liberty township. The first election In this township was held at Mr. Johnson's house. John I'nthank emigrated from (-uilford county. North Carolina, in 1M»7 and settled on the bnnks of Anderson fork. Mr. I'nthank built a grlsl-tnill where the town of Port William Is now located. This was the first mill built In this section of the country, and settlers for miles around came to Cut lunik's mill. The township elections for several years were held at this mill. Orent public gatherings were also held at this mill and it , was a sort of gathering place for the early settlers.

Iiavid Fairfield, an Irishman, emigrated to this section from Kentucky with his family In 1M*». The same year Isaac Haines and wife came from New Jersey nnd located here. Oavid Adkinson and family, from York cnunly. Pennsylvania, settled here. Owing to defective titles. Isaac Haines. Joseph Adkinson. Henry Hester. Oavld Fairfield and others, owning to the amount of one thousand acres of land In W. Nelson's survey, lost all.

In 1M2 Joslah Morton moved here from New Jersey. In the same year John Strickle and wife. Susanna, emigrated from near Winchester. Virginia, and settled near Chilllcothe; after remaining a year, they removed lo the farm of Jacob Strickle. John Strickle was perhaps the first blacksmith lo ply his trade In this township. William Hoblet moved with his family, in 1M2. to Liberty township nnd took up his permanent residence. He was one of the first trustees of the township. Mr. Hoblet was a runner by trade nnd carried on Ids business of tanning on his farm for a number of years.

Benjamin Bnnghain, who was a native of England, purchased a tract of two hundred acres and settled bere with hi* family on March 13. 1812. In the east end of the township, In the same year, Isaac Jones and wife, Phoebe, purchased a tract of one hundred acres and moved bere from Greene county. Tennessee. Salomon Stnnbaugh (or Stanbrougb) was another early settler in this part of the township. Jonathan Hosklns came to thin section from Guilford county. North Carolina, and settled on what was known as the Thornhurgh place, about the year 1S14. John Woolman and wife, Polly, emigrated from New Jersey about the year 1S10 and settled in this township. Samuel Wilson and wife. Sarah, purchased a tract of three hundred acres and settled here in the year 1S17, but. owing to defective titles and failure to meet the payments, they moved out of the township in 1S21. John Oglesbee came to (his township In 1817 and. two years later, moved onto a farm on Anderson's fork. Isaac Constance came In 1817 from Kentucky. William Constance, who also settled Here with his father, was a soldier in the War of LSI 2. Isaiah Oglesbee. father of John Oglesbee. emigrated from Frederick couuty, Virginia, with his family, in the year 1817. Jacob Ileal came from Pennsylvania and settled on the creek above Port William. About the same time his brother. Isaac Ileal, emigrated to this township. Another early settler to this section was John Copland and wife. Judith. Other settlers were Daniel and Solomon Early, David Hoblet, Ashley Johnson. Samuel .Mitchell. Charles B. Williams. John King. David Shields, Henry Wooley, Henry Welch. Zacharlah .Moorman, Obed Wain and James Burden.

Early Churchk8 And Schools

The first bouse of worship erected In this township was completed In the year 181S. by the Methodist Episcopal denomination and was denominated "Salem." It was built of logs and. although the comforts which the present generation of church workers enjoy were lacking, still the early zeal of the pioneers was shown in their long and arduous worshipping.

The first school bouse was built In 1812. Henry Hester was the first teacher. This building was erected from round logs and served as a seat of learning until IS3<>. when a hewed-log house was put up on the site of the old one. The Rev. (Jrlffield. a Presbyter- Ian minister of Wilmington, taught the first school in this building. The second school in the township was built in 1SKJ and was known ns the Salem school house. Aaron Jenkins donated the land and n log house was erected. Samuel Hyde was the tirst teacher. The first school house In the eastern end of the township was erected in 1827 and Aqnila Dorsey was hired to teach the first school.

The old state road was the first laid out in this township. It was established by the first legislature that convened in Ohio, in 18i»2. and was oj»ened soon afterward from Chilllcothe to Old Town. This road entered the township about the center of its southern line and. taking a northwesterly course, enters Greene county near Lumbcrton.

Shadrach Thornburgh and William Stanley built a pottery kiln In this township in 1S27. They burned sugar pots for the early settlers. At that time there was a sugar camp on nearly every farm and they ilid quite an extensive business with their kiln. There were also many copper stills on Anderson's fork. Hobert Stanley. John Oglesbee. James Bahb. Jnslah Borton, Samuel Miller. William Ireland and Jacob Peterson each owned one. Whiskey was sold for eighteen cents |ter gallon ami was freely used. The first store was started in a log house on Anderson's fork about 1N2S. by Samuel Smith. This, the tirst store of any importance in the township, was managed by Jackson Walker. Aaron Weller began the manufacture of drain tile in lKTid. the tile being made on a wheel by hand. In the same year Allen Hiatt put in the first tile ditch. In ISTkS Mr. Weller erected a modem tile factory and has furnished hundreds of miles of tile which has been laid In this section.

Statistics

There was no listing of personal property by townships until 1826. At that time, the only personal property listed for taxation In this township was cattle and horses. This township reported 143 horses, valued at 16.720, and 211 neat cattle, valued at $1,688, making a total of $7,408. Horses were valued at a uniform price of $40 a head, and cattle at $8 a head. The value of the real estate was $32,614, making a total of $40,022. In 1881. the value of the property, real and personal, in the township, was $813,175. The population In 1880 was 1382; In 1800, 1.299: In 1900, 1,253, and in 1910, 1,089.

The following nre the officers of Liberty township in 1915: Trustees, Dennis Stephens. J. \V. Braekney and Charles M. Stephens: clerk. P. M. Strickle; treasurer. E. P. Gordin. Population, one thousand and eighty-nine.

Port. William is the lamest town In Liberty township and the chief town in the northern part of the county. This village was first started on the west side of Todd's fork, in isirt, by John 1'nthank. It was first called West Liberty. It Is located on the Dayton. Toledo & I ronton railroad. Only a few houses were built before 1*29 and the town was not platted until October 13. 1*32. for Michael Jenkins, the proprietor. It Is a part of surveys Nos. 4.300 and 1,728.

A log house, evidently the first in the hamlet, was erected by Jesse Dillon, son-in-law of t'ntlumk. not far from the old factory. Garland Johnson also erected a log house, among the first, in 1829, and In the same year he started the first store in the town. A few years later he built an addition to his dwelling and moved the store into a room of the same. The first blacksmith shop was erected In 1828. Among the early business men of the town were: Addison Mills, grocer; Anson Massle, saddler: Marshall .Tenks. merchant: Samuel Johnson, tanner: James M. Hoblet. merchant.

In 1*2.1. Steel Taylor built a fulling-mill below and on the opposite side of the creek from where the old woolen factory stood. The woolen factory was erected in the spring and summer of 1840. by T<ewis Clark, who owned the same. It was later owned by Moon & Crooper, who did an extensive business in their line for a number of years. Jonathan Perkins started the first saloon in 183S. The building In which It was kept was where Hugh Johnson later kept a beef shop, and which was burned down a short time later.

Since the opening of the railroad In 1878, It has been a good market for all farm products. Thousands of bushels of wheat and corn are sbliiped from this point each year.

The following Is a business directory of Port William: Banks, Port William Banking Company: barbers. D. R. Powers, F. M. Conklin: blacksmiths. Charles Conklin. J. H. Thomas: coal yards, Fanlkner & Burnett; elevator, O. W. Llnkhart & Son: flour-mill, W. O. Beam: garage. J. C. Beal: general merchandise. Rowlnnd & Gordon. F. L. Barlow. G. H. Clark: hardware, J. A. Stevens: hotel, A. D. Sanderson: livery. A. B. llced & Son; milliner. Mrs. Bernlce Sanderson; meat market, O. A. Mason: |tool room. J. A. Conklin & Son; physician, P. D. Eshey : restaurant and Ice cream parlor. Jenkins Bros.; saw mill. Clahaugh * Son; veterinary. Earl Starbuck.

,T. C. Ellis Is the present postmaster. F. M. Strickle Is the agent for the Dayton. Toledo & Ironton railroad J. A. Gilbert Is the mayor and N. J. Conklin is marshal. The town has a population at present of three hundred.

I.umberton lies on the northern edge of the county between New Burlington and Port Wlllliim. and on the Wilmington and Xenia pike. This village was called I.nml»erton for a town of that name in New Jersey. The first house built In the village was used for a wagon shop by Samuel Woolman, about 1820. About the same time he built a log house on tbe lot where Doctor Crawford resided for a number of years, loiter John Don on built a small frame house on the opposite corner. The first store was started by Joshua C. James in LS3JK Tunis Conkllng was tbe first blacksmith.

Although this town was settled and named early, it was not platted until May 20, 1853. The business interests in 1SS0 consisted of one grocery store, a cooper, two blacksmiths, one wngoumaker and a stonemason: one physician attended the ills of the settlers. The general merchandise store Is owned and managed by Klnier Lewis. The two blacksmith shops are run by C. H. Hansel) and Jacob Oglcshee. The population at present is about seventy.

tiurneyvllle is situated in the southwestern |>art of Liberty township, on the Liberty and Tnion township line. This little hamlet was platted for David McMillan, proprietor. March 2. 1*47. and is |uirt of the Nelson survey No. 1735. It was named by Mr. McMillan in honor of Joseph John tSurney, n noted menilter of the Society of Friends. Andrew Hnughey built the first house In 1M7 and in tbe following year John (Jrant started a store In this building. Mr. McMillan's ambition was to build up a town here, but he never lived to realize his ambition. There are only a few houses to mark the site .it present. The general store Is o|>erated by ('. II. Smith and the blacksmith shop by Dallas Carey.

McKay's Station is a flag slop on the Dayton. Toledo & I rout on railroad. It was never platted and has sprung up since the railroad came through. It was named In honor of Alfred McKay, who gave most of the lots to those who would put up good houses on the suae. This was quite a shipping i»oint for grain and live stock, but at present is nothing more than a flag slop. Ueorge Hamilton has a general merchandise st oil1 and does a nice business. Clare was formerly the name for the |s.st office.

Mt. Pleasant at present consists of a voting precinct and is located on the Dayton. Toledo & I ronton railroad. By a special act of the legislature in 1*7".. the trustees of the township wen- authorized to divide the township Into two voting precincts. Previous to this time the township voleil at I'orl William. The trustees, under this authority, established a voting precinct at Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant is also the center for one of the consolidated school districts of Ibis township. This building was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. It has three rooms and three teachers in the high school. Professor Hod sou is the district sii|>erlntendent. There were twenty-eight enrolled in the high school and thirty in the grades. There were three in the ll»in graduating class.

An elevator marks the sjM for Oglesby Station, which is located on the Dayton. Toledo &. Ironton railroad. Wilbur Oglesby is the manager of this elevator, hence the name for the place. It was never platted and no attempt was ever made to establish a town here.

Source changes here: from History of Clinton County Ohio, by Albert J. Brown, published 1915; 3,155 words in this source stream.

Liberty Township

Liberty township was organized on July 15, 1817, but the history of this township dates much farther back than the time of organization. Liberty township lies along the northern border of the eounty, in the center of the northern tier of townships. It is bounded by Greene county on the north, Wilson township on the east and Chester township on the west, while its entire south line borders on Union township. It is three miles wide from north to south and six miles long from east to west, and contains fifteen thousand four hundred and sixty acres of land. This township is afforded ample drainage through the streams which flow through the township, and these also serve as outlets for artificial drains. The largest of these is Anderson's fork, a stream of considerable size and importance, which flows through the entire length of the township from east to west, and empties its waters into Caesar's creek about one-half mile below New Burlington. Buck run flows into Crsar's creek outside the county and drains the entire southwestern part. Dutch creek also flows through a small portion of the southern part. These streams, with their tributaries, prove invaluable to the farmers of this locality in their drainage.

When the pioneers came to this township they found the land covered with a dense growth of timber of the following varieties, viz: White oak, burr oak, sugar tree, beech, black walnut, ash, elm, ete. These were largely used in the manufacture of wagons and farm implements and the construction of houses. In later years the land is so completely cleared of timber that it has become a veritable prairie.

The Land

The land is rolling along the different streams of the township and there are many acres of fine farming land in these bottoms. The country about Port William is level and, consequently, the streams do not have so great a fall and spread out over larger bottoms. The land in the early days was covered with water for about six months of the year. The soil is black and loose and rests upon a subsoil of clay. This land is peculiarly adapted to the raising of cereals, corn, wheat and oats being the principal products. It is thought by geologists that this township was once the bed of a lake, but since its drainage the soil is of a rich, deep black loam.

Clinton limestone is found in abundance and of a good quality in this township. There are several quarries which are turning out stone for building purposes and are quite extensively worked. The stone from these quarries was always in big demand and large quantities were shipped to neighboring towns but, with the coming of cement nnd the substitute which concrete has been for stone, the business has suffered. Gravel ean be found in great abundance along the streams and is used quite extensively on the roads of the township.

The Pioneers

The first white man to settle within the limits of Liberty township was Stephen Mendenhall, who was born in Tennessee in the year 1780. While yet a small boy, he moved to North Carolina, where he remained until the age of twenty-two, when he took unto himself a wife, and a short time later moved to Waynesville, Ohio. In 1803 he eame to Liberty township and settled on a farm of one hundred acres on Dutch creek. The first summer they had only the native Indians for neighbors, the nearest white family at this time being seven miles away. At the time of his settlement the country was indeed an unbroken wilderness and game of all kinds, such as deer, bears, wolves, turkeys, etc., was plentiful. But the signal for a new dawn was ushered in with the first sounds of his axe.

The next settler to locate in this township was Samuel Miller, who emigrated from Kentucky in 1804. Mr. Miller purchased a tract of six hundred acres on Anderson's fork and made this his permanent habitation. He was for a number of years the leading character in this section of the county and did as much to promote the neighborhood and township as any man in this locélity. He was the first justice of the peace in this township. It is interesting to note that he was first elected in 1814, two years before 'the township was organized, and, served from that time until his death, a period of nearly thirty years. He furnished the hand-mill with which the early pioneers ground their corn. He was also chosen as the first trustee of the township. He built the second grist-mill in the township, in the year 1838, but this mill was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt by Amos C. Hyatt.

There was an addition of three families in 1805, on Anderson's fork. Abram Ellis and family moved here from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and settled Just across the creek 'from Squire Miller's. Aaron Jenkins and family, who came to this county from Virginia, and Joseph Lueas, of Penusylyania, were among the next settlers. Mr. Ellis was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, where he served for seven yenrs, participating in the battles of Brandywine, Long Island and many others. He was with Washington when he crossed the Delawere and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis.

William Treland was the next settler in this township. Mr. Ireland was born in the country which bears his name, in 1770, and emigrated to this country when he was but three years old. He came to this county in March, 1806, from Scott county, Kentucky. He taught the first Sunday school in the township and took n deep interest in religious matters. In 1819 he built the first brick house in the township.

Christinn Stephens settled in this township in 1806 and located on Anderson's fork. Mr. Stephens was a native of Frederick county, Virginia, His father, Peter Stephens, followed his son two years later. Christopher Ellis and wife, Elizabeth, also came to this township from Frederick county, Virginia. ° John Johnson and wife, Susanna, came from Virginia to Highland county, Ohio, in /1805, and the next yenr settled in Liberty township. The first election in this townlship was held at Mr. Johnson's house. John Unthank emigrated from Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1807 and settled on the banks of Anderson fork. Mr. Unthank built a grist-mill where the town of Port William is now located. This was the first mill built in this section of the country. and settlers for miles around eame to Unthank's mill, The 'township elections for several years were held at this mill. Grent public gatherings were also held at this mill and it was a sort of gathering place for the early settlers,

David Foirfield. an Irishman, emigrated to this section from Kentucky with his family in 1810, The same year Isaac Haines and wife came from New Jersey and located here. David Adkinson and family. from York county, Pennsylyanin, settled here. Owing to defective titles, Isanec Haines. Joseph Adkinson, Henry Hester, David Fairfield and others. owning to the amount of one thousand acres of land in W. Nelson's survey, lost all.

In 1812 Josiah Borton moved here from New Jersey. In the same year John Strickle and wife. Susanna. emigrated from near Winchester, Virginia, and settled near Chillicothe: after remaining a year, they removed to the farm of Jacob Strickle. John Strickle was perhaps the first blacksmith to ply his trade in this township. William Hoblet moved with his family. in 1812. to Liberty township and took up his permanent residence. He was one of the first trustees of the township. Mr, Hoblet was a tanner by trade and carried on his business of tanning on his farm for a number of years.

Benjamin Bangham, who was a native of England, purchased a tract of two hundred acres and settled here with his family on March 13, 1812. In.the east end of the township, in the same year, Isaac Jones and wife, Phoebe, purchased a tract of one hundred acres and moved here from Greene county, Tennessee. Solomon Stanbaugh (or Stanbrough) was another early settler in this part of the township. Jonathan Hoskins came to this section from Guilford county, North Carolina, and settled on what was known as the Thornburghb place, about the year 1814.. John Woolman and wife, Polly, emigrated from New Jersey about the year 1810 and settled in this township. Samuel Wilson and wife, Sarah, purchased a tract of three hundred acres and settled here in the year SSL; but, owing to defective titles and failure to meet the payments, they moved out of the township in 1821. John Oglesbee came to this township in 1817 and, two years later, moved onto a farm on Anderson's fork. Isaac Constance came in 1817 from Kentucky. William Constance, who also settled here with his father, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Isaiah Oglesbee, father of John Oglesbee, emigrated from Frederick county, Virginia, with his family, in the year 1817. Jacob Beal came from Pennsylvania and settled on the creek above Port William. About the same time his brother, Isaac Beal, emigrated to this township. Another early settler to this section was John Copeland and wife, Judith. Other settlers were Daniel and Solomon Early, David Hoblet, Ashley Johnson, Samuel Mitchell, Charles B. Williams, John King, David Shields, Henry Wooley, Henry Welch, Zachariah Moorman, Obed Waln and James Burden.

Early Churches And Schools

The first house of worship erected in this township was completed in the year 1818, by the Methodist Episcopal denomination and was denominated "Salem." It was built of logs and, although the comforts which the present generation of church workers enjoy were lacking. still the early zeal of the pioneers was shown in their long and arduous worshipping. ;

The first school house was built in 1812. Henry Hester was the first teacher. This building was erected from round logs and served as a seat of learning until 1830, when a hewed-log house was put up on the site of the old one. The Rey. Griffield, a Presbyterian minister of Wilmington, taught the first school in this bujlding. The second school in the township was built in 1816 and was known as the Salem school house. Aaron Jenkins donated the land and a log house was erected. Samuel Hyde was the first teacher. The first school house in the eastern end of the township was erected in 1827 and Aquila Dorsey was hired to teach the first school.

The old state road was the first laid out in this township. It was established by the first Legislature that convened in Ohio, in 1802, and was opened soon afterward from Chillicothe to Old Town. This road entered the township about the center of its southern line and, taking a northwesterly course, enters Greene county near Lumberton.

Shadrach Thornburgh and William Stanley built a pottery kiln in this township in 1827. They burned sugar pots for the early settlers. At that time there was a sugar camp on nearly every farm and they did quite an extensive business with their kiln. There were also many copper stills on Anderson's fork. Robert Stanley, John Oglesbee, James Babb, Josiah Borton, Samuel Miller, William Ireland and Jacob Peterson each owned one. Whiskey was sold for eighteen cents per gallon and was freely used. The first store was started in a log house on Anderson's fork about 1828, by Samuel Smith. This. the first store of any importance in the township, was managed by Jackson Walker. Aaron Weller began the manufacture of drain tile in 1856, the tile being made on a wheel by hand. In the same year Allen Hiatt put in the first tile ditch. In 1858 Mr. Weller erected a modern tile factory and has furnished hundreds of miles of tile which has been laid in this section.

There was no listing of personal property by townships until 1826. At that time, the only personal property listed for taxation in this township was cattle and horses. This township reported 143 horses, valued at $5,720, and 211 neat cattle, valued at $1,688, making a total of $7,408. Horses were valued at a uniform price of $40 a head, and cattle at $8 a head. The value of the real estate was $32,614, making a total of $40,022. In 1881, the value of the property, real and personal, in the township, was ee 175. The population in 1880 was 1,882; in 1890, 1,209; in 1900, 1,258, and in 1910,

The following are the officers of Liberty township in 1915: Trustees, Dennis Stephens, J. W. Brackney and Charles M. Stephens; clerk, F. M. Strickle; treasurer, B. P. Gordin. Population, one thousand and eighty-nine.

Port William is the largest town in Liberty township and the chief town in the northern part of the county. This village was first started on the west side of 'Todd's fork, in 1816, by John Unthank. It was first called West Liberty. It is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad. Only a few houses were bullt before 1829 nnd the town was not platted until October 18, 1832, for Michael Jenkins, the proprietor. It is a part of surveys Nos. 4,366 and 1,728.

A log house, evidently the first in the hamlet, was erected by Jesse Dillon, son-in-law of Unthank, not far from the old factory. Garland Johnson also erected a log house, among the first, in 1829, and in the same year he started the first store in the town. A few years later he built an addition to his dwelling and moved the store into a room of the same. The first blacksmith shop was erected in 1828. Among the early business men of the town were: Addison Mills. grocer; Anson Massie, saddler; Marshall Jenks, merchant; Samuel Johnson, tanner; James M. Hoblet, merchant.

In 1825, Steel Taylor built a fulling-mill below and on the opposite side of the creek from where the old woolen factory stood. 'The woolen factory was erected in the spring and summer of 1846, by Lewis Clark, who owned the same. It was later owned hy Moon & Crooper, who did an extensive business in their line for a number of years. Jonathan Perkins started the first saloon in 1838. The building in which it was kept was where Hugh Johnson later kept a beef shop, and which was burned down a short time later.

Since the opening of the railroad in 1878, it has been a good market for all farm products. 'Thousands of bushels of wheat and corn are shipped from this point each year.

The following is a business directory of Port William: Banks, Port William Banking Company; barbers, D. R. Powers, F. M. Conklin; blacksmiths, Charles Conklin, J. H. Thomas: coal yards, Faulkner & Burnett; elevator, O. W. Linkhart & Son; flour-mill, W. O. Beam; garage, J. C. Beal: general merchandise, Rowland & Gordon, F, Tl. Burlow, °G. H. Clark: hardware, J. A. Stevens; hotel, A. D. Sanderson; livery, A. B. Reed & Son; milliner. Mrs. Bernice Sanderson: meat market, O. A. Mason; pool room. J. A. Conklin & Son: physician, P. D. Esbey: restaurant and ice cream parlor. Jenkins Bros.: saw mill, Clabaugh & Son: veterinary. Earl Starbuck.

J. C. Ellis is the present postmaster. F. M. Strickle is the agent for the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad. J. A. Gilbert is the mayor and N. J. Conklin is marshal, The town has a population at present of three hundred.

Yumberton lies on the northern edge of the county between New Burlington and Port William. and on the Wilmington and Xenia pike. This village was called Tumberton for a town of that name in New Jersey. The first house built in the village was used for a wagon shop by Samuel Woolman, about 1820, About the same time he huilt a log house on the lot where Doctor Crawford resided for a number of years. Later Jobn Borton built a small frame house on the opposite corner. The 'first store was started by Joshua C. James in 1839. Tunis Conkling was the first blacksmith.

Although this town was settled and named early, it was not platted until May 20, 1858. The business interests in 1880 consisted of one grocery store, a cooper _wo blacksmiths, one wagonmaker and a stonemason; one physician attended the ills "of the settlers. The general merchandise store is owned and managed by Elmer Lewis. The two blacksmith shops are run by ©. H. Hansell and Jacob Oglesbee. The population at present is about seventy.

Gurneyville is situated in the southwestern part of Liberty township, on the Liberty and Union township line. This little hamlet was platted for David MeMillan, proprietor, March 2, 1847, and is part of the Nelson survey No. 1735. It was named by Mr. McMillan in honor of- Joseph John Gurney, a noted member of the Society of Friends. Andrew Haughey built the first house in 1847 and in the following year John Grant started a store in this building. Mr. McMillan's ambition was to build up a town here, but he never lived to realize his ambition. There are only a few houses to mark the site at present. The general store is operated by C. H. Smith and the blacksmith shep by Dallas Carey.

McKay's Station is a flag stop on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad. It was never platted and has sprung up since the railroad came through. It was named in honor of Alfred McKay, who gave most of the lots to those who would put up good houses on the same. This was quite a shipping point for grain and live stock, but at present is nothing more than a flag stop. George Hamilton has a general merchandise store and does a nice business. Clare was formerly the name for the postoffice.

Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant at present consists of a voting precinct and is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad. By a special act of the Legislature in 1875, the trustees of the township were authorized to divide the township into two voting precincts. Previous to this time the township voted at Port William. The trustees, under this authority, established a voting precinct at Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant is also the center for one of the consolidated school districts of this township. 'This building was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. It has three rooms and three teachers in the high school. Professor Hodson is the district superintendent. There were twenty-eight enrolled in the high school and thirty in the grades. There were three in the 1915 graduating class. :

An elevator marks the spot for Oglesby Station, which is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad. Wilbur Oglesby is the manager of this elevator, hence the name for the place. It was never platted and no attempt was ever made to establish a town here.