Liberty Township (part 2 of 2)

MICHAEL STEITZ, farmer ; P. 0. Hyattsville. The Steitz family, who have become identified with the interests of the county, and are among the energetic and prosperous business men, are deserving of much credit, and especial mention for the zeal and the success which has attended their efforts, beginning as they did. Coming to this country on borrowed capital, to defray their passage and expenses, had this to liquidate before they had anything for themselves. Michael Steitz was born, April 2, 1834, in Baden, same place as his brother Jacob, and emigrated to this country in 1854, and worked in Albany Co., N. Y., at gardening, and at such work as he could obtain. He was married, in 1855, to Maggie Kuapp. In 1865, he came to this State and settled in this township, and soon after, his wife died, leaving three children - Coonie, Kittie and Margaret. Subsequently, he married Frederica Kershner, born in Wurtemberg, May 24, 1841 ; they have three children - Frederica, Charles and Lizzie. Soon after he came out here, he had what might be termed hard luck, his crops failed, yet he never lost courage, but kept pushing vigorously on, and bought some land where he now lives, and afterward bought a half-interest in a saw-mill, which he ran for eight years, and bought timber land and cut off the timber, and sawed it up and sold it; cut, one season, 700,000 feet of lumber of their own, which they sold, besides doing a large amount at custom sawing ; finally sold the mill and turned his attention exclusively to farming, and has been very successful in the same ; has now 215 acres of land ; when he made his first purchase, it was all timber, which he has cleared and got under cultivation ; has put all the improvements on his land that are now on it, and is still pushing ahead and is determined, at some future time, to stand among the most affluent farmers in the township. Is a. member of Powell Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 465.

JACOB STEITZ, farmer; P. 0. Hyattsville. Among the representatives of this township who hail from the " Paderland," who have worked their way up in the world, and are now among the highly respected citizens in the county, is Mr. Steitz, who was born in Khine Bavaria, Rocksenhausen, Sept. 14, 1831, son of Jacob Steitz and Catharine (Amos) Steitz ; in his 21st year, he bade adieu to the land of his fathers and set sail for America in 1852-; landed in New York Sept.' 1 ; he borrowed the money to pay his passage, and having arrived, began work on a farm in Albany Co. remaining nearly three years ; then turned his steps to the State of Ohio, and arriving at Delaware he worked seven years in the oil-mills there. While here, was married, March, 1859, to Catharine Snyder. In 1863, he moved to this township, where he bought 100 acres of land and located on the same and began farming, and has since remained. He has eight children - Jacob W., Sarah B., Amelia B., Charles J., Elizabeth, Anna R., Mary and Prank P. Mr. Steitz has made all the improvements on the place, it being all timber when he came, and has, by hard "work and rigid economy, accumulated his present possessions, working first for %5 per month, and by saving his money and making the best use of his time, he has earned for himself and family a good home. Mrs. Steitz is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Steitz has a family of children that are very intelligent, and will no doubt profit by the example set them by their parents, and become in time like them - active business men and women. Mr. Steitz is a member of Powell Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.j No. 465.

PHILO THOMAS, farmer; P. 0. Lewis Center. Philo Thomas was born May 23, 1820, son of David Thomas ; his mother's name before marriage was MaryHoleomb, and she is now in her 92d year ; she and her husband were natives of Connecticut, and came here at an early period, being among the pioneers of the country. Philo was born in this township, and at the age of 25, married Ann Lowry, sister of John and Andrew J. Lowry ; she was born May 24, 1824 ; the record of their marriage is April 10, 1845 ; five children living - Mary, Cynthia, James, Charles, John. After marriage, they located on the land he now owns, there being 315 acres, all of good

WILLIAM H. THOMPSON, farmer; P.O. Powell ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, July 27, 1845, and is the youngest of a family of six children, whose parents were Jeffers J. and Rebecca (Cook) Thompson ; the former was ei native of Pennsylvania, and came to Pickaway Co. in 1834, being an early settler there. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and resides in St. Paul's, of that county. When but an infant, William was placed under the care of Samuel Schineck, with whom he remained until his death, when' he went to Shelby ville, 111., and began learning the wagon -maker's trade ; in about a year, he returned to Ohio and completed his trade with his father. In December, 1865, he enlisted in Co. E, 18th U. S. I., and went to Jefierson Barracks, Mo.; was there six months ; then went to Fort Sedgwick, Colo.; at the end of one year, went to Echo Canon, and did guard duty in protecting the workmen engaged in constructing the Union Pacific Railroad ; then to Fort Saunders, in Dakota ; thence to Fort Bridger, where he received his discharge Dec. 19, 1868. During this service, Mr. Thompson was engaged in several conflicts' with the Indians, and now bears upon his leg the scar of a wound, inflicted by an arrow. In returning, he stopped in Shelbyville,.Ill., about a year; then came to Columbus, where he was overseer of the repair work of the " Short Line'" Railroad ; then worked in the rolling-mills, after which he worked at brickmaking, then resumed his trade. Aug. 13, 1875, Mr. Thompson married Jennie Bennett, who was born in Delaware Co. Sept. 18, 1850. They have two children - Charles, born May 30, 1876; Harry, Nov. 10, 1877. Mr. Thompson came to Powell and worked for Mr. Thomas two years ; in A^ugust, 1879, he began business for himself He is a member of the M. E. Church.

DAVID S. THOMAS, mechanic, Powell; was born in this township Dec. 19, 1839 ; is a son of James Thomas, one of the early residents in the county ; David was raised a farmer, but early in life he manifested an aptitude for mechanical pursuits ; so at the age of 15, he left home, and up to the time he located in Powell, has made a good many changes and removes; spent six years in Michigan, where he was engaged in the carriage business, running a shop of his own at Grrand Rapids ; in 1867, returned to this State and farmed two years in this township ; subsequently built the shops now run by Barringer & Gardner, and carried on wagon-making about six years, and afterward sold out to the parties now occupying them ; he is now patentee and proprietor of the National Bee-hive, which is the most economical, convenient, and the tightest when exposed to the weather of any hive in the market; they are double-storied, and have advantages for extracting honey and prevention from moth, with side entrance for removing frames at any time. July 4, 1864, Mr. Thomas was married to Sarah Mc- CutcKeon, born in Orange Township in 1841 ; have six children - Belle, Clara, George, Sylvia, Charles and Ray. Since 1871, he has been a resident of the town of Powell.

MRS. CORDELIA THOMAS, Hyattsville, was born in Connecticut March 12, 1830; daughter of Salmon Holcomb ; her mother's maiden name was Tuller, both natives of Connecticut; they emigrated to this State when the subject of this sketch was but 6 years of age ; they located in Liberty, where they lived until their death. Cordelia was married in her 20th year to John Thomas, a son of David and Mary (Holcomb) Thomas, the latter was one of the earliest settlers in this county ; is now 93 years of age ; after the marriage of Mrs. Thomas they located on the Whetstone River, adjoining the homestead ; lived there until his death which occurred June 14, 1858; they had five children, three living - Lavina (now the wife of Thomas Case), James and John. Mrs. Thomas now resides one mile south of Hyattsville, where she had 100 J acres of land which she has since divided aipong the children, reserving forty aeres in her own right ; John lives with his mother; was born Feb. 12, 1856.

URAL THOMAS, farmer ; P. 0. Hyattsville. Among the representatives of this county who have emigrated from across the sea and are selfmade, is Mr. Thomas, who was born in South Walds Dec. 25, 1830 ; there were ten children in the family, he being the fifth ; his father's name was Griffith Thomas, and his mother's maiden name Sarah Thomas ; the family moved to this country July 1, 1842, and located in Oxford Township, near Eden Station ; Ural remained at home until of age ; after he was of age, he had a desire to become a railroad man, and, with this view, entered into the employ of the C., C, C. & I. R. R., where he learned to run as brakeman for awhile, and subsequently went in the machine-shop, where he learned to run an engine, and was then' placed in charge of one, which he ran for about seven years, and during this time had many narrow escapes from sudden death ; subsequently ran stationary engine, and did repairing on the same ; this he continued for some time. In 1859, he was married to Susan Macomber, born in this county Feb. 20, 1838 ; after taking a trip to Kansas, he returned, and located on a tract of land north of his present farm, which he partially cleared, and remained on the same about six years ; then sold out to A. Macomber, and came where he now lives; in May, 1864, went out in the 100-day service, Co. K, 145th 0. V. I., and was out about four months ; since his return, he has been engaged in farming pursuits. Mr. Thomas has acquired his present possessions by good management and by patient industry ; he has four children living^ - Jennie A.,, Clara G., Phoebe A., Alva v.; Minnie and Mary, deceased.

LAFAYETTE TONE, farmer; P. 0. Delaware. Mr. Tone is a self-made man, born in one of the New England States - New Hampshire, June 21, 1824 ; son of Christopher Tone, whose father was in the Revolutionary war. Lafayette came with his father, in 1842, to Franklin Co., where he located, living until 1852, when he was stricken down a victim to the disease which prevailed at that time - cholera. Lafayette began for himself at the bottom of the ladder, and first worked out by the month, which he continued for fourteen years, getting at first $6 per month, and never exceeded |1 0 ; but he made the best use of his time and saved his means ; in 1852, he caught the gold fever, and went to California, where he remained two years, and then returned to Franklin Co.; in 1855, came to this county, and in 1856, was united in marriage to Sarah M. Cellar, daughter of James Cellar ; as a result of this union, seven children have been born them - Elizabeth, Adah, Julia, Martha, Clara!, James, Harry. Mr. Tone is a member of Powell Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 465, and is among the thrifty and hard-working men in the township ; has by his own exertions secured for himself a good farm, which he has under good improvements, and located on the west bank of the Olentangy in the northeastern part of Liberty Township.

JAMES THOMAS, farmer; P. 0. Powell; was born in a log cabin in Liberty Township, on the west side of the Olentangy River, upon the land now owned by Daniel Thomas, Jan. 6, 1813 ; bis father, David Thomas, was a 'native of Connecticut and made a trip to this country to purchase land in 1801, and walked the entire distance, and with gun in hand killed game, upon which he subsisted; on his arrival here, bought 100 acres on what was known as Col. Kilborne's section, and while here assisted in building the first mill that was erected in Franklin Co.; he returned to Connecticut as he came - on foot. Shortly after married Mary Holcomb, now living and one of the oldest persons in this part of the. county, she being in her 93d year, and resides with her daughter. After their marriage, he returned to this county in 1806 and built him a log cabin on the land he had purchased ; Columbus and Delaware were then unknown ; hunting at that time was their principal pastime and by it they furnished their 'tables with quantities of the best of meat ; James excelled in this sport and was almost a dead shot; he at one time molded thirteen bullets for his rifle and killed twelve deer with the number ; he remembers his brother killing sixty-five deer in less than six weeks. Mr. Thomas was married, Jan. 7, 1834, to Polly Simmons, born in New Jersey in 1805 ; have eight children, but four are living - Cynthia, David, Laura and Lucy ; after their marriage, they moved into a log cabin and lived in the same until 1854, when he built a substantial stone building, in which he expects to spend the remainder of his days.

CHAKLES WILCOX, farmer ; P. 0. Powell. Among the worthy citize.ns that are located on the banks of the Olentangy is Mr. Wilcox who is a native of Franklin Co., where he was born Jan. 8, 1828 ; he is a son of Warren and Almira (Vining) WiJcox, natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio in the year 1806, locating first in Franklin Co. and in 1849 moved to this township, locating one mile south of Powell, where the father died Jan. 21, 1876, having been a prominent member of the Methodist Church and a zealous advocate of temperance. He also served in the war of 1812 ; his wife still survives and lives on the old homestead. Charles had the usual school advantages ; his father, being poor, had no legacy to bestow on him, except his good example and wholesome advice ; he assisted his father in the maintenance of the family, and, Feb. 12, 185,2, he married Electa A. Case, born March 30, 1831, in this township ; one child was born to them, but died when 18 months old. After their marriage, they located in Sharon Township, Franklin Co., and in the spring of 1857, they moved to the place they now occupy. He is a member of Powell Lodge, L 0. 0. F., No. 465.

fifth child of a family of seven children (all of whom are now living), born of Benjamin and Hannah (Ollarj WoUam, who came to this State before the present century ; he first entered land, and, after living on it for some time and making improvements, forfeited it, and had to pay for it the second time ; he was a soldier of the war of 1812, and lived and died an honored citizen. Daniel is of German and Swiss descent, and obtained a fair education ; remained on the homestead until his 28th year. He was married in his 24th year to Leah Light, who was born in Fairfield Co.; she died in 1847, leaving one child, Sarah Jane, now the wife of Hampton Bishop. In 1846, he moved to this county, locating in Concord Township, where he remained four years, and worked with his brother at the carpenter traded Aug. 29, 1850, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Jane Evans, born in Frederick Co., Va.; she is a daughter of William Evans, and came to this State with her parents ; they have had ten children, eight of whom are living - William, Levi, Christina, John, Franklin, Mary, Missouri and Charles; in 1856, Mr. and Mrs. WoUam moved to Liberty Township, and, with his brother, Mr. WoUam bought 150 acres of land ; his health failing afterward, and being unable to farm it successfully, he sold it, and, in 1876, moved to the place on which they now

W. H. WILCOX, farmer; P. 0. Powell; is a native of Licking Co., Ohio, born March 15, 1841, and is the first child of a family of two children by a second marriage of Joseph Wilcox and Mary Atwood - the latter a native of. Virginia and the former of New Jersey ; they came to Licking Co. and entered land, and were among the earliest stolers in that county ; he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died about the year 1849, being then at the advanced age of 70 years. At this time, William H. was about 7 years of age ; when about 16, he set out to work by the month, and continued until Oct. 23, 1864, when he married Mary E. Rogers, born in 1843, in Licking Co.; she is a daughter of Michael W. Rogers ; in 1865, they moved to this county, and returned the next year to Licking Co., and remained until 1873, when he again returned to this county, and located in Liberty Township ; he now has 241 acres of choice land. In May, 1864, he was among the number who enlisted in the Ohio National Guards ; was out in Co. B, 135A 0. V. I., and remained until August of the same

JOHN M.WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. 0. Powell ; was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1823, and is the youngest boy of a family of thirteen children of Anson and Hannah (Phillips) Williams, the former a native of New York, and his wife of Pennsylvania ; they came to this country by team, and settled in Orange Township, where they remained until their death ; at the age of 18, John was married to Annias Holcomb Feb. 14, 1841 ; she was born in Connecticut ; they remained on the homestead until about the year 1859, and then moved to this township, where l^e bought 103 acres of land, where he still lives. Mr. Williams has been identified with the interests of the county for forty-four years ; they have twelve children, all living - Henry A., Nancy E., Rebecca A., Cherry M., Mary P., Alvira D., James H., John, Solomon S., Jennette, George and- Mark, eight of whom are married ; the other four - Solomon, John, George and Mark are at home ; within a few years, Mr. Williams has built him a commodious brick house that compares favorably with the best in his neigborhood.

EDWARD WALZ, merchant, Hyattsville. Edward Walz is among the young business men of this county who is well worthy of commendation and patronage of the people in the surrounding country ; he was born in Germany, Oct. 13, 1850, son of Joseph Walz; mother's maiden name was Mary Bailer ; Edward is the eldest of a family of nine children ; in 1867, when he was at the age of 17, he bade good-bye to the land of his fathers, and emigrated to America, and came to Ross Co., where he hired out to work in a nursery two years ; then ran a fruit store about the same time. On Feb. 19, 1873, he was united in marriage to Matilda England, born Feb. 29, 1857 ; she is a daughter of William England ; in October, 1876, he came to this county and set up in the mercantile business at Hyattsville, where he has since remained in business ; keeps dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. Mr. Walz came to this country a poor boy, without money or friends, and began for himself, and has pursued a course that has won for him a good reputation and friends, and since his advent to this place, has, by his good nature and kind and obliging manner and attention to his business, secured a large number of friends, and is doing a good business and is bound to succeed.

R. K. WILLIS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Lewis Center. Prominent among the leading stockraisers and agriculturists in this township and county is the party whose name heads this sketch, who was born in Concord Township Sept. 26, 1843, and is the seventh child of a family of ten children (eight boys and two girls), born of Buckley H. Willis, a native of Massachusetts, and came to

Source changes here: from 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, by Lytle, James Robert, published 1908; 6,579 words in this source stream.

Liberty Township

The first organized congregation of this township was the Liberty Presbyterian Church. This society was organized by Rev. Joseph Hughes in 1810, and was supplied by Rev. Hughes until his death in 1823. The session during the pastorate of the above and that of Henry Van Deman was united with the Delaware Church, and the first elders were Thomas Cellars, Josiah McKinnie, Leonard Munroe, James Gillis, Andrew Harter, S. W. Kuapp and Thomas C. Gillis.

The membership in 1837 was about one hundred. After the death of Rev. Hughes, Rev. Van Deman supplied the church until the division into New School and Old School in 1837. From this time there was a divided congregation, the elders of the New School party being Andrew Harter, S. W. Knapp, Seth S. Case. The membership in 1840 was seventy-one. The following ministers supplied the church : Joseph Labaree, James Brown, Charles W. Torrey. W. H. Brinkerhoff, Stilman Tucker, John \V. Thompson. About the year 1854, the society was dissolved, and some went to the Old School and some to the Second Church of Delaware.

The Old School branch continued to exist with the following elders: James Gillis, Thomas C. Gillis, Robert M. Cellar, and some others whose names could not be obtained The membership of this branch in 1840 was eighty, and in 1863 eighty. The church was without a pastor much of the time, but during this time, 1837 to reunion 1870, was supplied by the following ministers : John Pitkin, Rufus D. Antell, John D. Hervey, S. K. Hughes, David McCarter. At the reunion in 1870, there were one hundred and thirty members. At an early date a frame structure was erected on the west bank of the Olentangy River, eight miles south of Delaware. This building has been repaired, remodeled, and an addition added to it, so that at the present time, it is a beautiful building, and situated as it is, by the cemetery where are buried the old pioneers of this neighborhood, forms a sacred and attractive spot. A Sunday school was organized at an early date in connection with this church, and has been continuously maintained from the beginning with a very few interruptions. Since the reunion the church has been supplied by the following ministers in the order named : Henry Shedd, David Anderson, Thomas Hill, E. M. Shultz, Samuel P. Herron, W. F. Cellar. James Hickling. \Y. D. Wallace, J. M. Wylie and at present time by J.. G. Curry. May this church long live.

"Where cordial welcomes greet the guest, By the lone river of the west, Where faith is kept and truth revered, And man is loved and God is feared, In woodland homes."

Methodist Episcopal. Before any society of this denomination was formed; Rev. Mr. Beach and other itinerant ministers, preached in the neighbirhood at the homes of the pioneers. A local minister by the name of Bacon held meetings at the home of a Mr. Carpenter. The first society was organized by Rev. Mr. Emery at the home of Jarvis Buell about the year 1825. The society built its first house about 1840, a log structure just south of Pow- ell. It was christened Emery Chapel, in honor of Rev. Every, who had organized the society. In 1859, a new frame structure was erected just across the road from the first structure, under the pastorate of Rev. Levi Cunningham. This building was moved up to the village a few years ago, has been remodeled, and beautified, and is now the home of a flourishing society.

Hyattsville M. E. Church. This church was organized about twenty-five years ago, largely through the influence of H. A. Hyatt, D. E. Hughs, George Curmode, and others. A substantial frame structure was erected in the village of Hyattsville, H. A. Hyatt having donated the lot. The society is united under one pastorate with Faith Church of Delaware at this time, 1907, and Rev. Mr. Myers, a student of the "O. W. U." is their pastor.

A Baptist society was formed at an early date, probably as early as that of the Liberty Presbyterian society, but the details of this society cannot be obtained. It soon became a part of the Berlin Township society.

The old Baptist Church situated in what is now Troy Township, was the first to organize in Marlborough, Its history will necessarily fall within the historical limits of Troy. The Lutheran Church was situated just across the Olentangy River, east about a mile from Norton. The congregation used to worship in an old log schoolhouse, near where the present church now stands. Just when the organization took place cannot be ascertained, but the name of the first minister was Henry Cline, and it must have been at an early date. In the year 1X52, from some cause a revolt occurred en the part of some of the members, the result being the organization of the German Reform Church. The Germans immediately set to work and built a new frame church, which was dedicated by Prof. Loy in the year 1853, and the German Reform congregation, not to be outdone, put forth their energy and, in [855, also succeeded in building for themselves a frame church adjoining the Lutherans. It was dedicated the same year by J. G. Ruhl, who took charge as their .pastor, while the first minister in the new Lutheran Church was a man by the name of Gast. The little cemetery in the same lot in which the two churches stand is used conjointly by both congregations. The first interment in it was a man by the name of Snarr, who was buried there in 1835. He was poor and a stranger. Both societies built churches in Waldo, Marion County, where they are still flourishing. One of the old churches still stands by the cemetery.

The Baptist Church is situated in the village of Norton. The society was an offshoot from the Old Marlborough Baptist Church. The present building is a substantial frame structure, and was erected in 1859 and cost $1,200. It was dedicated in i860 by James Harvey, who used to preach at Delaware. The following are the names of the ministers since its foundation : James Harvey, Thomas Jenkins, Air. Weiter, C. King. Thomas Deal, Thomas Griffith. The church is without a regular pastor, but maintains a Sabbath school.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is a frame structure situated in the village of Norton, and was built in 1855, and dedicated by the Rev. Pilcher. There was an organization in existence some two years previous to this date, originated by the Rev. Plumer, and the class used to worship in schoolhouses and other convenient places. The church cost $1,200. The pulpit has been supplied of late quite frequently by students from the Universitv at- Delaware. S. W. Metz, of the "O. W. U.," is the present supply.

The Wyatt Cemetery is the historical burying place of this vicinity. It is situated across the line in Marion County, being located in that part of Marlborough set (iff to that county in 1848, and the white marble slabs mark the resting place of the earliest settlers of Marlborough Township. Here lie the Wyatts, Drakes, Brundiges, and others whose names are familiar to the reader. The cemetery is pleasantly situated on a knoll near where the old fort once stood, and in sight of the mili- tary road. The occasion of the first burial in this cemetery cannot be ascertained, as a number of the soldiers of 1812 found their last resting" place amidst the evergreens that adorned its surface.

Liberty is one of the three townships into which Delaware County was originally divided when it was set off from Franklin County. At that time it composed about half of what are now Orange, Berlin, Delaware and Scioto Townships, and the territory now embraced in Concord Township. Delaware Township was set off from Liberty at the first meeting of the county commissioners. Notwithstanding the loss of territory sustained when the townships above named were formed, Liberty Township is still from four to five miles wide and about eight miles from in nth to south. It is bounded on the north by Delaware Township ; on the east, by Berlin and Orange ; on the south by Franklin County, and on the west by Concord Township. The Olentangy River enters the township at a point a little east of the center of the northern boundary, and courses a little east of south to the Franklin County line, where it is the boundary between Liberty and Orange Townships. The township is drained by a number of small tributaries of the Olentangy, among which we may mention McKinnie's, Wild Cat, Big Wolf and Lick Runs. There are many fine springs of pure and mineral waters here as elsewhere in the county. F< >r a distance of two or three miles, the Scioto River forms the southwestern boundary of Liberty Township. In early times this portion of the township was a favorite camping ground for the Indians, a tine spring of very cold and pure water on the Stanberry farm being, perhaps, not the least' among the attractions of the spot. The land is rolling, and for fertility is not surpassed by that in any other part of the county. Originally it was heavily timbered with the varieties of trees common to this section. The land in the river bottoms is especially rich and yields large grain crops. Who were the original inhabitants of this part of the county will never be known. The evidence of their presence and their labor is here, but they faded into the mysteries of the past leaving no record of their advent, civilization or exit. The subject of the Mound Builders is treated in another chapter, so we shall not dwell upon it here.

The claim has been made that the first white settlers in Delaware County located here, and this is douhtless true as regards permanent settlement. In an old issue of the Delaware Gazette we find an excellent historical sketch of the settlement by Captain Nathan Carpenter, which was written by one of his descendants, A. E. Goodrich, from which we quote the following paragraphs :

"Captain Nathan Carpenter was born at Rehoboth. Massachusetts, in 1757. and grew to manhood amid the excitement preparatory to the Revolution, a zealous patriot. He was among the first to respond to the call of his country when the great colonial struggle came on, though scarcely more than a boy in age. He fought bravely at the battle of Bunker Hill, at which place his brother was killed and himself wounded. Afterward he participated in several battles, among them, the pursuit and capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga. After the close of the war. Mr. Carpenter lived in Connecticut until 1795. when he removed to New York and purchased a large estate on the Unadilla River. It was while residing here that the excitement over the Ohio territory rose to a height exceeded only by that perhaps over California in later years. Public meetings were held, at which were discussed the stories of its delightful climate and inexhaustible wealth. Never having become attached to the country which he had adopted as his home, he was inclined to share in the enthusiasm. He disposed of his estate and other effects which he would not need, and having procured everything required for his future home, started for the new El Dorado on the 12th of February, 1801. About twenty other young men ( Powerses, Smiths, and others) accompanied him. He traveled on wagons and sleds as far as Pittsburg, where he loaded his effects and passengers into a boat and continued his journey by floating down the Ohio River. When they reached the mouth of the Scioto River, the cargo and passengers were transferred to keel-boats, in which they were moved up to Franklinton. a place consisting of three or four log houses, and situated across the river from where Columbus now stands. Here a large canoe was procured, and the goods transported up the Olentangy to the place now owned by Captain V. T. Hills, about two miles south of the northern boundary, on the east side of the river, and where he arrived on the 1st of May. 1 801, having been two months and eighteen days on the voyage. The first business in order was the erection of a cabin for a shelter, which was built on the bank of the river just above highwater mark. It was rudely chinked with split sticks and covered with bark, but without floor or chimney. Flat stones were set up against the logs to make a safe place to build a fire. The cabin was scarcely finished when it commenced to rain, and continued for eight clavs in succession. After the flood had abated, the land was surveyed, and according to previous arrangement, Capt. Carpenter received choice of land in the section. He now began prospecting for a site on which to build a permanent home, which must be erected and finished before winter. His assistants were equally engaged in clearing, planting and hunting, and the result was they harvested 500 bushels of corn, besides superabundantly supplying the party with the choicest meats. Game was plenty ; deer were to be seen every day ;

"During the summer a substantial hewedlog house was erected on the site of the present residence of Squire Carpenter. The family were moved into it and provided with improved furniture and other adjuncts of civilization. In the spring following Capt. Carpenter's settlement, his party was joined by two other pioneer adventurers, Thomas Cellar and Josiah McKinnie, who were also men of wealth and influence, having their land paid for, and bringing with them surplus money. Mr. Cellar had purchased an entire section (4,000 acres) of land, and upon his arrival built a house on the Taggart farm. McKinnie located on the opposite side of the river from Carpenter. The colon}- now consisted of the families of Carpenter, Powers (who came with Carpenter), Cellar and Mc- Kinnie. Cellar was a gunsmith, and had manufactured guns for the war of Independence, while the others had used them to that end. They were now associated together, not in war. but in subduing the wilderness and building up homes in the new land of promise.

"The children of Captain Carpenter, ten in number, were now young men and women, and, being of congenial disposition, were sufficient company for each other to render their forest home cheerful and pleasant, instead of suffering it to become lonely and irksome. They often had exciting stories to relate concerning their adventures with wild animals and the Indians. With the latter they were usually on pretty good terms. As main- or these pioneer stories have been handed down to the present, we will give one or two by way of embellishment to dry facts. There were those among the Indians, who sometimes become intolerable in their conduct, especialh in their demands for whiskey, and the whites in such cases, did not hesitate to enter into a skirmish with them, knowing that they were in bad repute, even with their own people. An old Indian, whose name was Sevans. came to Carpenter's one day and asked for 'Whisk.' Ira. the eldest son, who chanced to be present, knowing too well what the result would be. informed Mr. Sevans that he could not be accommodated. The old Indian urged his demand with so much importunity, that it became necessary to use other kinds of persuasion than argument. He first drew his knife, but Ira wrested that from him with little difficulty, which rendered the red man furious, and he began drawing his tomahawk from his belt, when a kick from his palefaced adversary, sent him sprawling out of doors. As soon as he recovered himself, he threw his tomahawk at young Carpenter with all the force he could muster, but the door was brought together in time to intercept the blow. The weapon passed through the door, however, and was now in possessii >n of the white man, who chastised Mr. Sevans quite severely. He then gave him back his knife and tomahawk, with the injunction never to be seen there again - an injunction the old rascal faithfully obeyed.

"There being a surplus of help at home, John Carpenter, the second son, concluded that he would hire out his services, and obtain employment of a Mr. Patterson, who had a trading-post at Sandusky. He set out for that place on foot and alone, following the Indian trails, which were the only roads that were at that time through the wilderness. He traveled in the daytime, guided by these trails and a pocket-compass, and at night he slept by the side of a log. His first night's rest was quiet and undisturbed, but late in the second night, he was awakened by shrieks or howls, the source of which was evidently approaching nearer every moment. Being thoroughly awakened and conscious of his impending danger, he remained perfectly still by the side 1 if his log. The shrieks were soon changed ti 1 snuffings, and then the beast sprang upon the log directly over bis head; walking down the log smelling of its intended victim, it again alighted upon the ground, and, after smelling of him from head to foot, began to cover him up with leaves that were within reach. After having accomplished this feat to its satisfaction, it retired some distance and began to shriek most hideously, and soon Carpenter heard a response in the distance, which convinced him that he was the subject of a grand supper talk. Not wishing to become the food of a panther and her cubs, he quietly crawled out of the pile of leaves which had been heaped upon him, and climbed up the nearest tree. The answering sounds which he had heard grew nearer, and soon the young family made its appearance. They tore open the bed of leaves, but their anticipated supper had disappeared. Uttering hideous shrieks, the old one struck the track and followed it to the tree, and, rearing up against the trunk with her fore feet, stared indignantly at the subject of her disappointment. When the in. irning dawned, the huge panther withdrew her interesting family, and young Carpenter, happy in his escape, went on his journey. Many other incidents of interest pertaining to this pioneer settlement might be narrated, but our space will not permit; so we will return to facts.

Capt. Carpenter died in 1X14. On the evening of the 9th of September, a little more than thirteen years after his settlement in the township, he was returning from the town of Delaware on horseback. The animal on which he was mounted was a very vicious one, and, having left town late, night overtook him before he reached home. He could not see the road, and his horse had no disposition to follow it. Winding along the river, it passed between the bank and a tree that stood very near to it. An overhanging limb swept the rider from his seat, and, being so near the brink, he fell down the precipice upon the rocks below. He raised up his hands and uttered a solitary cry for help. The familiar voice attracted the attention of a neighbor near by. who hastened to his assistance. He immediately asked for water, which the man. with his hat for a cup, procured for him from the river. Dr. Lamb was soon at the scene of the accident, but his injuries were fatal, and he soon expired, thus ending, at the age of fifty-six, bis eventful life. His death cast a cloud over the entire community; all were conscious that they had lost a friend. His family were devoutedly attached to him; his physician and many friends wept at his grave, as they laid him by the side of his wife, who bad died ten years before." Among those who came here with Capt. Carpenter were Thomas and Avery Powders, who settled on farms adjoining Carpenter's. Avery Powers was one of the first county commissioners, and performed the duties of his office with credit to himself and with the approval of the community. His death occurred some years prior to that of Capt. Carpenter's. His son, Benjamin Powers, was president of the First National Bank of Delaware, and his grandson, George W. Powers, is now cashier of the same institution. Thomas Powers was killed at the battle of the Thames in the War of 181 2. Josiah McKinnie, to whom we have already referred was one of the first associate judges of Delaware County. He and Thomas Cellar, who came with him, are buried in the old Liberty church cemetery. James Gillies and Ralph Watson and George Case came into the township not many years after the settlers whom we have named. In 1804, John, Ebenezer and Aaron Welch, with their brother-inlaw, Leonard Monroe, came here from Unadilla County, New York. John Welch came here as agent of the Glover lands, but the country pleased him, so he made his home in this township. Aaron died in Delaware in 1816; Ebenezer died in 1823. and John Welch died in Marlborough Township in 1832. \bijah and Dr. David Welch were sons of John Welch. Abijah was one of the first of the settlers to die. The mother of John Welch, who came here with him, died at an early date. John Welch was a justice of the peace, probably the first one in the county to bold that office. Isaac Welch, a nephew, settled near the mouth of Welch's Run at an early date.

Ebenezer Goodrich settled in the extreme southeastern corner of the township about 1806. He purchased his land before he left Connecticut. He was unmarried and for many years had only his faithful dog as a companion. He was a soldier in the War of [812, and after his return he held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. I lis death occurred on October 15, [846. He was successful in acquiring a considerable property. John Hardin came here from Fairfield County about the some time as Goodrich. In 1815. Timothy Andrews and his son, Capt. Timothy, came from Connecticut and settled on what is known as Middlebury Street. The senior Andrews died in 1840. Other settlers in the neighborhood were Solomon Moses, Joseph M. Gardner, Lemuel Humphreys. Abner Pinney and Eben C. Payne. All were natives of Connecticut except Gardner, who came from New Hampshire. Middlebury was named in honor of their native town. Humphrey became a justice of the peace. Gardner was the first person buried in the Powell cemetery. David Buell and David Thomas came here from the same state as most of the other early settlers, the latter in 1810. He settled one mile below the old Presbyterian Church, where he kept a tavern, also the stage stand, which was on the route between Franklinton and Sandusky.

What is known as the Stanbery section was originally purchased by Dr. Jonas Stanbery from some old Revolutionary general prior to the War of 1812. He never occupied the land, though later his son Charles Stanbery took up his residence here. As we have already said, this was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, and later the whites. Squatters also occupied it at an early day. One of these was a millwright named Pasco. He erected a mill on the Scioto River at an early day. Lint his venture was not a success. A colored man, whose only known name was Peter, was another of these squatters. For a number of years his cabin was known as a station of the "underground railway," his door being always open to fugitive slaves.

About 1809, Isaac Patton settled in the northern part of the township. He was a captain in the War of 1812. Benjamin Bartholomew settled in the southern part of the township sometime soon after 1814. Mrs. Bartholomew's father, Caleb Hall, who was a native of Massachusetts, settled here.

The article by Mr. Goodrich, from which we have quoted so freely in the earlier part of this sketch, gives such an excellent picture of the wilderness life of the early pioneers, that we will make further use of it here. "The encroachment of the white man - as. it naturally would - irritated some of the Indian tribes until they became hostile, ami were readily induced to become allies to the British in the War of 181 2. Although too infirm to join the army himself, Capt. Carpenter was represented in the ranks by his five sons - Ira, John. Alfred, Nathan and James - as well as by many of his neighbors. No one but the father was left at home (at Carpenter's) to provide for the family, or defend it against the hostile Indians, who sometimes made incursions in their vicinity. Nathan Carpenter, Jr., in going to the war. had left at home a wife and babe. Thev lived about half a mile from the old home. Laura, the youngest daughter, then sixteen years of age, went to stay with her in her solitude. She had looked after the various little charges around the house one evening, and had gone inside to attend to the housework, when, looking out of the window into the moonlight, she saw two savages approaching the house. Having just heard of the murder of an entire family but a short distance from their neighborhood, she was considerably startled, and exclaimed, 'My God, Electa!' (which was the name of the young wife who sat in the middle of the room with the child in her arms) 'what do you suppose these critters want ?' Electa understood too well her meaning, and was unable to utter a word. In order that they should not surprise her. Laura advanced, opened the door, and propped it open, then, seizing the axe, she retired behind her sister's chair that she might better conceal her motions and the axe. with which she had determined to defend them to the last. The savages, armed to the teeth, walked up to the door, came in, and began their parley by making pretenses, during which time Laura remarked that they" could obtain what they wanted at her father's house upon the hill. ' 'Oh. vour father live near here?' 'Yes,' she answered ; 'only a short distance,' After a few more words, they shouldered their guns and started, as they said, for the 'big house.' Thus the young girl had saved their lives by artfully insinuating that help was near. After they were gone, she received the congratulations and thanks of her sister, who.

And Representative Citizens

during this time, had sat speechless and as white as death, which each moment she expeeted to suffer. After barricading the house. Laura, expecting their return, stood guard with the axe until morning, when they returned to the manor-house. The savages had not gone there, as they pretended they would, but, on the contrary, as soon as they were out of sight, they went into the woods and were never seen afterward. * * * Unlike the Ohio, the shores of the Olentangy were swarming with Indians, by whom our party was received with many tokens of friendship, notwithstanding the stories they had been told of their hostile and. savage nature. The Wyandots predominated in numbers and enlightenment, followed in their order by the Senecas, Delawares, Shawnees, Choctaws and the Taways. who were noted for their uncleanliness.'1 But there were other dangers that beset the pioneer. Ferocious wild beasts roamed the woods - wolves, bears, panthers and wild cats. Then there was the danger of starving to death. There was no Delaware or Columbus to which to go for supplies of food, but this lack was not felt because there was no money with which to purchase provisions. The prices of sugar and coffee ranged from 25 cents to 75 cents per pound, while the price received by the settlers for what he sold was correspondingly low, so it was difficult lor men to rake and scrape enough money together to pay taxes.

There has always been a dispute as to who was the first white child born in the township, that honor having been claimed by both Benjamin Powers and Jeremiah Gillies, the date of the latter's birth being August 7, 1803, and it is said that Mrs. Carpenter claimed that he was born before Powers.

Ebenezer Goodrich and Betsey D|ixon were married at Middlebury, now the village of Powell, in June, 1813, by Aaron Strong, a justice of the peace. About this time also, Nathan Carpenter and Electa Case were married. George Dean was the first merchant. About 1829 or '30 he opened a store on the Goodrich farm, which he sold a few years later to Edmund Goodrich and Henry Chapman.

After a few years they discontinued. Then there followed a period when there was no store. Joseph M. Cellar was the next storekeeper. His place of business was located at Liberty Church, and here, about sixty years ago, a postoffice was established under the name of Union. This business died out after a few years. The next attempt at merchandising was made by Thomas R. Hall at Middlebury. This store at the corners led to an application for a postoffice. This was secured through the influence of Judge Powell of Delaware, and the office was called Powell in appreciation of his efforts. Joshua Pennel was the first postmaster and also kept a store. The place was surveyed and laid out as a village early in 1876, and the plat was recorded on March 29 of that year. A. G. Hall was the owner of the land on which the village was located, and he built the first house in that place, Since that time the village has grown considerably in population and as a business center. The village cemetery is one of the oldest in the county, the remains of many of the early settlers of this portion of the township having been buried here.

The village of Hyattsville was laid out February 6, 1876, by Henry A. Hyatt. Ed Nalz was the first merchant. He sold out to Henry Cook and opened another store in the depot building, and in 1877, when the postoffice was established, Hyatt became the first postmaster. Later his business was almost exclusively that of a grain warehouseman and shipper. This village undoubtedly owes its existence to the building of the railroad through the township, and to some extent this is also true of Powell. P. Banner is the present village blacksmith, while W. B. McCloud & Co. keep a general store and H. W. Mc- Clary caters to the public in the line of groceries.

This township was organized June 15, 1808, as a result of a petition to the commissioners of Delaware County, and was given its name in honor of Marlborough Township, Ulster County, New York, the native place of many of the petitioners. It is now but a shadow of its former size, originally including a part of Waldo Township, in Marion County, Westfield Township, in Morrow County, the township of Oxford and the northern half of Troy, in Delaware County. It lost that part now Oxford Township, March 6, 1815, the northern half of Troy Township, December 23, 1816, and February 24. 1X4X, that part which is now in Westfield Township and in Waldo Township was set off, leaving Marlborough but half the size of an ordinary township.

That part of Waldo Township set off from Marlborough was the first of the township settled, Nathaniel Brundige and Nathaniel Wyatt, Sr., locating about a mile north of Norton in 1806. These two pioneers, originally fnun Marlborough Township, Ulster county, New York, had moved to Washington County, Virginia, Wyatt in 1797, and Brundige in 1798, and in 1803 with their families joined the tide of emigration into Ohio. For two years they were located at Piqua, Ohio, where they erected a cabin and made a clearing. At the end of that time Wyatt traded his property for a tract of wild land a short distance south of the old Greeneville Treaty line, and with his brother-in-law, Brundige, set out to locate it. Alter cutting their way through the untangible underbrush which obstructed their pathway along the banks of the Olentangy, thev arrived at their destination. Immediately, they set about erecting a cabin to which thev brought their families in the spring of the same year. The following year witnessed the coming of Jacob Foust, who located within the present limits of the township, squatting on land at the forks of the Whetstone. Eldei William Brundige, father of Nathaniel, came in 1808, accompanied by his family, and in 1810 Capt. William Drake and family arrived from Marlborough Township, in Ulster County, New York. William Reed, the first settler in Norton, came in 1807. and afterward participated in the War of 18 12. Capt. John Wilcox, who had served with honor in the Revolutionary War, participating in the battles of Saratoga Springs and Stillwater, and being present at the surrender of General Burgoyne to Washington, located in Marlborough Township some time prior to the War of 1812. Thomas Brown arrived at Norton in 1808, and was the first blacksmith in the township. Faron Case came in 18 10, and James Trindle in 1811. Ariel Strong settled along the Olentangy River in 1808, followed shortly by James Livingston, who saw service in the War of 1812, and in 1809 William Sharp became established at Norton and gained prominence as the greatest hunter of this section, speaking the language of the Indians, among whom he lived for weeks at a time during his younger days. William Hanneman came from Kentucky in 1810, and Isaac Bush, Silas Davis and Joseph Curran became settlers in the township before the War of 181 2. Peter and Fred Duncklebarger located east of Norton in 181 5, and other settlers of the same period were- Elisha Bishop, Adin Winsor, Joseph Bishop. Isaac Stratton, Henry Coldren, Elisha Williams, George Jeffries, Thomas Rogers and L. H. Hall. Joseph Gillett. a Revolutionary soldier, settled just west of Norton in 1818, and was followed in 1819 by his brother James.

In 181 1. Nathaniel Wyatt, Sr., erected the first brick building in the township from brick made on his place. It was a two-story structure, 20 by 36 feet in dimensions, and became famed throughout the State as Wyatt's Tavern, the first conducted in the township. It was situated on the old State Road, and formed a part of the celebrated Fort Morrow, now in Waldo Township, Marion County. This fort consisted of two block houses, one built by the settlers of round lugs and the other bj the < rovernment, of hewed logs. The latter bore the painted inscription. "Fort Morrow. Built by Captain Taylor." The upper story of these block houses projected out about four feet all around over a basement six feet high. Where the second story projected over the basement, there were port holes in the floor, enabling the defenders to better guard against a close attack. The tavern lay between the two block houses. It was from this fort. Captain Drake and his company of soldiers went forth to the relief of Fort Meigs.

The first white child born in Marlborough Township was William Brundige, son of Nathaniel, born December 3. 1808, and the first burial was that of Ruth Wyatt. John Brundige, son of Elder William, was married in 181 1. to Phoebe Drake, a daughter of Captain Drake, and this proved to be the first marriage. The first minister was Elder William Brundige, and the first school master, Robert Louther. A man named Case brought a stock of goods to Norton and remained until he closed them out, thus being the first store keeper, but it was several years later before a regular store building was built. The first road was the old Military Road, running along the west bank of the Olentangy River an I passing through the town of Norton. This road was abandoned when the Columbus and Sandusky Pike was constructed, the latter running a little west of the old road. The first mill in operation was the saw mill, built as early as 1820 by Robert Campbell of Philadelphia, on the Whetstone River, in the southeast part of the township. Just north of this mill, a woolen mill was built in [846 b) J. W. ( one ami operated successfully for a number of years, then was converted into a grist mill by "Mr. Kline.

The village of Norton was laid out by Colonel Kilbourn and the plat filed in [806 1 r 1807 and is situated just south of the boundary line between .Marion and Delaware Counties. The old Military Road passed directly through the town, forming the main street, and at the present time the Marion Pike cuts diagonally through. The first building en was the cabin of William Reed, the pioneer settler of the village. Thomas Jefferies was the first postmaster of Norton, as well as of the township. Hie first schoolhouse of the township was located in Norton and was a logstructure of the most primitive type.

The old Baptist Church of Troy Township was the first organized in Marlborough Township, and of this Elder William Brundige was pastor. The first church organized within the present limits of the township was the Lutheran Church, on the east side of the Olentangv and a mile east of Norton. The congregation first held services in the log school in that vicinity at a very early date, and Henry Cline was the first preacher. In 1852, a revolt in the church led to the organization of a new congregation formed partly from the old church, the new church being the German Reformed. The Lutherans immediately erected a new church, and in a spirit of rivalry the new congregation built an edifice adjoining, in 1855. Both churches use the old cemetery, which stands in the same lot as do the church edifices. Rev. J. G. Rubl was first pastor of the German Reformed Church. The Baptist Church of Norton is an off-bout of the old .Marlborough Baptist Church of Troy, and in 1859 the building it now occupies was built at a cost of $1,- 200. It was dedicated in i860, by James Harvey, its first pastor. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Norton was built in 1855, although for a few years previous to that time the congregation bad existed, services being held in school rooms and houses, led by Rev. I'lumer. The church cost $1,200 in its construction and was dedicated by Rev. Pilcher. The Wyatt Cemetery is the historic burying ground of this section of the State, and for more than forty years was part of Marlborough Township. It is now just across the line in Marion County. The earliest settlers of the community, including the Wyatts, Brundiges and Drakes. found there a final resting place, and it is a fact worthy of mention that the defendet the United States in all the wars in which this country ha- engaged, have representation in this little cemetery.