Liberty Township (part 5 of 6)

Judge Chaney

Judge Chaney was one of the brainy and enterprising pioneers of Fairfield County. He was always a leader in his township and for his opportunities one of the foremost men of Fairfield County. He was blessed with good common sense, good habits, good morals and was in all respects an exemplary citizen. Ife was born in Washington County, Maryland, January 12, 1790. When four years of age his father moved to Bedford County, Pa. There he died when his son John was fourteen years of age. /Soon after his father's death, his only brother died, leaving the mother and three sisters in very poor circumstances. His father owned a good farm but lost it by endorsing for friends. From the age of fourteen to twenty he supported his mother and sisters. In the fall of 1810 he bade adieu to his family and made his way to the West, and landed in Fairfield County, near the site of Waterloo. He did not remain, but went over to Pickawav County, where he remained two years and then returned to his Pennsylvania home. In the year 181 5 he returned to this county and settled in Bloom township. In the fall of 1816 he married Mary Ann Lafere and went to housekeeping in a log cabin fourteen feet square. He said that he was poor, but did not doubt the future, as he intended to live a correct life. He made rails for fifty cents per hundred and cut cord wood for twenty-five cents per cord.

Notwithstanding his poverty, having learned of the serious illness of his mother, he went to Bedford, Pa., and remained with her to the end and buried her by the side of his father. "Honor thy father and mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." He returned to his home and began anew the struggle of life in the new country with undaunted courage. The country rapidly improved and every year saw a change for the better. He met with many discouragements and sometimes longed for the old home, but poverty kept him in Ohio. He was too poor to move.

A few of his early neighbors were Henry Dove, Chancy Ricketts, Abraham Pickering, Jacob Pickering, Mordecai Fishbaugh, Isaac Meason, the Courtrights, all were living near him, previovts to the year 1812. He was soon able to purchase a mill, saw-mill and a distillery and the business brought him in contact with people over a wide extent of country. This property was on Spring Run, about one and one-half miles west of Carroll.

He was trustee of Bloom township for a period of twenty-three years. He was also a major, colonel and paymaster in the old style Ohio militia.

In the years 1828, 1829 and 1830 he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio legislature where he served the public with distinction and honor. In 183 1 the legislature elected him an associate judge of Fairfield Common Pleas Court.

In 1832 he was nominated as candidate for Congress. Judge Irvin was his competitor. The preliminary work was done at the general muster, three-fourths of the militia voting for him. This ended the contest^ Irvin retired and Chaney was elected in October. The district was Fairfield, Perry, Hocking and Morgan. He was re-elected in 1834, and again in 1836. Having served three terms in Congress he returned to his farm and the stern duties of life. In 1842 he was again elected a member of the legislature and in 1844 he was elected State senator from the Fairfield district. In the year 1855 he was again returned to the lower house of the legislature and served one term. In 1832 he was a presidential elector and voted for Andrew Jackson.

In 1 85 1 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention that formed our present constitution. His associate was Col. Wm. Medill. His public career closed as a legislator in 1855. A wonderful career, when we consider his situation and prospects in 1 816. He lived a correct live, improved his opportunities and made friends and success followed - and the fortune that looked so dark and gloomy became bright and brilliant. There is no instance in this county of so many distinguished honors being conferred upon a plain, unassuming farmer.

When ninety years of age, he, with the writer, made his last call upon some old friends. He said to John T. Brasee that he had all his life been opposed to slavery. That he learned to hate the institution from what his mother told him of it. It was an interesting interview to witness, but sad to see the old men part, never to meet again. Brasee soon bid adieu to earth and Chaney died in two or three years at Canal Winchester. Both began life as penniless orphans, both

Judge Chaney reared three sons who have been quite prominent men in this and Franklin County. James was all his life a farmer of Bloom township. Dr. Chaney, of Canal Winchester, has represented Franklin in the Ohio legislature. Oliver P., in his young days was a clerk for Reber & Kutz, in Lancaster. He made the trip to Europe with his friend, John Reber. Since that time he has resided in Canal Winchester, where he dealt in grain and bred fine horses. He owns the old home farm in Bloom township. He is an intelligent man and a worthy son of the old Judge.

Reed, Dennison And Slaughter

There were three of the Reed brothers, viz., James, William and Huston. The land first owned by the Reed? lies just west of the farm of James W. Wilson. James, wliose children resided on the farm until quite recently married Nancy Hood, a girl of the neighborhood, but whose family is now unknown in the township. James and William Reed were among the verv early settlers of the township. They built and operated one of the first salmi Us on the Hockhocking River at a very early day.

Huston Reed came out from Pennsylvania with an only daughter and only child, and made his home with his brother William. The girl grew to womanliood and liecame the wife of John M. Schoch, a German, who at that time worked at the Barrett Woolen Mill, near the upper falls of the Hockhocking River.

After marriage he moved to near Canal Winchester, where he again worked in a woolen mill. He soon exchanged this business for that of a tavern keeper in Canal Winchester, and was long well known to Lancaster people as the landlord of the stage station. His son, John M. Schoch, still keeps open the old-time tavern.

The family of James Reed has been well known in their township for one hundred years, retaining the old home farm until within a year or two.

William Reed married a Miss Black in Pennsylvania before emigrating to Ohio. When war was declared in 1812, he enlisted in the company of Captain Sanderson and served until his death, which occurred in camp at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He died of the measles and necessary exposure incident to a camp and army life.

His wife, finding herself a widow with two children, determined to return to Pennsylvania. Twentyfive acres of land was set ofif as her share of the estate of the Reeds, and her brother-in-law, James Reed, assisted her to return to her old home. He secured the services of Hiram Owens to accompany her, and the two made the long journey on horseback, each carrying a stout boy before them - Rufus Reed and John B. Reed. In future years Rufus was a prominent merchant of Tiffin, Ohio, and John B. a prominent mechanic of Lancaster, and a brother-in-law of H. H. Hunter and George H. Smith, and father of the late Rufus Reed.

Richard Dennison was an Englishman, and in his young days a British soldier, a member of the King's Guard. He understood the tactics, and often gave his

In what year he came to the United States is not known ; when he did come he settled in Pennsylvania. There he met, wooed and won the widow of William Reed. After their marriage they moved to Ohio and settled on the widow's share of the Reed farm, now owned by Mr. Markwood. The year of their commg is not known, but it was prior to 1818, in which year their son James was born. A second son. Nelson, studied and practiced law in Lancaster, but he died while yet a young man. Nelson married Amanda Manson and moved to Iowa. A daughter married a Tarlton merchant. This merchant was a Mr. Julian, late of Circleville. This couple in their old age moved to Tarlton, where they died and where they were buried.

James Dennison grew up in Greenfield, and received such education as the county afforded. At the proper age he went to Lancaster and was soon apprenticed to the business of a tanner, with William V. Thorne and James M. Pratt, who conducted a large tannery at the foot of Broad street.

Having completed his apprenticeship, he went to Tiffin, Ohio, and became a partner of his half-brother, Rufus Reed. After a few years they failed in business and he returned to Fairfield County. He soon formed a partnership with a young tanner in Tarlton, Allen Hamilton, brother of Col. William Hamilton. Their business was a success and was continued for some years. William Lynch worked for them in 1852, and Captain Roby in 1855. Both at the time were single men, but not long so to remain. They courted sisters, Maria and Ann Slaughter, daughters of Judge Robert

F. Slaughter. The young ladies at that time lived on the hill just this side of Clarksburg. The gallants were accustomed to make the trip from Tarlton on horseback and remain during their convenience. There were no buggies and moonlight rides in those days.

Dennison married Maria and took his bride to Tarlton. Later, Hamilton married Miss Ann and took her to Tarlton. Some years later Hamilton moved to Columbus where he made investments that made his widow a fortune.

James Dennison moved to Kansas City in 1859, when it was a mere river landing. He followed his business for a year or two, when he became ^ leather merchant, which business he followed successfully, making a small fortune. It is said that his wife traded a good cow for an acre of land. That acre is now in the heart of the city.

Dennison lived in Kansas City during the civil war, and being a northern man of pronounced principles, he was often in danger of his life, the same having been often threatened. About the year 1884 hr closed up his business, disposed of property and moved to Los Angeles, California, just in time to make investments that made him another fortune.

Dennison and wife lived a delightful life for fifteen years in the land of sunshine and flowers. He died October 7, 1899, leaving his wife and three children. Mr. Dennison had a long, varied and useful career. He was a prominent and honored citizen in Lancaster, Tiffin, Tarlton, Kansas City and Los Angeles. He was an intelligent, honorable, courteous gentleman, highly esteemed and respected where he died. He was one of the many distinguished men, born in Fairfield County, who made fame and fortune in the west, and who to the day of his death remembered, with pleasure and affection, the fair fields over which he roamed in early life. His widow was recently killed in Kansas City by a street accident.

The Brandt Family Of The Early Days A Numerous And Honorable One

" The brief duration of our families, as a hereditary household, renders it next to a certainty that the greatgrandchildren will not know their father's grandfather." Thus wrote Nathaniel Hawthorne. But since his time, in many parts of our country, especially in Pennsylvania and New England, people are waking up to the importance of family history.

" In this the closing year of the nineteenth century it is fitting to write up the events of the past," and especially the history of the families that settled and cleared up this country and brought it to its present state of civilization. Among the early settlers there were but few families if any, who stood higher than the Brandts. Three sons and one daughter of the original stock came to Fairfield County from Pennsylvania.

Ludwig Brandt in 1745 left his home in Germany and came in a sailing vessel to America. He had a long, stormy and perilous passage, but the time passed away pleasantly in the society of a pretty German girl, Catharine Mueller, whom he met on the vessel. They landed in Philadelphia June, 1745, were married July 4, and settled at Hummelstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. To this union came five sons and four daughters. Adam, the second son. was the father of Jacob, Adam and David Brandt, and their sister, Mrs. Jacob Pence.

county as early as 1800. He purchased about 500 acresof land, since known as the Pence and John Brandt farms. On this land he paid taxes up to 1806. About that time he returned to Pennsylvania and sold his land to Adam Brandt and Isaac Pence, who in time settled his son-in-law, Jacob Pence and his sons Jacob and Adam upon it.

Jacob Pence and wife, in May, 1802, left Pennsylvania, came through an unbroken wilderness to this county, and settled upon a part of this land - the tract: now owned by Geo. B. Brasee, for more than 50 years known as the Pence farm. Mrs. Eve Metzler Brandt,, mother of Mrs. Pence, with the sons, Jacob and Adam,, came out on horseback and made a visit of two weeks in 1805, and the long journey homeward was made in the same way.

Jacob Brandt married Frances Baughman, of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1808, and departed the next day in a two-horse wagon for Ohio, making the trip in two weeks, about as soon as it could be made now. They settled near Mrs. Barbara Pence's, now the Reefe farm. Adam Brandt was carried to Rachel Dunlap in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,. April 14, 1812, and on the day of his marriage started in a two-horse wagon for the west. They did not make the quick trip recorded of Jacob. Their trip was a tedious one. They took a farm near their brother Jacob, where they spent their lives, the farm now owned by H. M. Brandt. David Brandt, the oldest of the brothers, came to Greenfield in 1814, and settled upon 80 acres of land, on what is now the Baltimore road, the Brooks farm, six miles north of Lancaster. Besides being farmers, Adam was a shoemaker and David a saddler and school teacher. He taught school in the winter season from 1815 to 1838, in both the German and English languages. He took an interest in politics, and served as a Justice of the Peace for several years.

The son Isaac inherited many of the good qualities of this old scholar and has been recognized in Iowa as a good politician and distinguished citizen for many years. He was a member of the Iowa Legislature, Deputy State Auditor and Postmaster of Des Moines under Harrison. He has kindly sent in for this sketch an old Whig song of 1840, from which we make an extract :

'' Ye jolly young Whigs of the nation, And all ye sick Democrats, too, Come out from amongst the foul party. And vote for old Tippecanoe." Chorus -

" When parties were formed David Brandt became a Whig and was a close friend of Thomas Ewing, Sr., Henry Stanbery, John M. Creed and Col. Van Trump, all of Lancaster.

In the presidential election in 1828, Fairfield County was almost unanimous for General Andrew Jackson. In Greenfield township, in which David Brandt lived and voted, there were but two votes cast for John Q,

Adams, and they were cast by David Brandt and Jacob Graybill. When the votes were counted out the Jackson men said that the two Adams men must accompany them to Lancaster - they wanted to exhibit them as curiosities. They went and had a grand good time. General Sanderson and Thomas Ewing said they were jewels found in Greenfield township.

In 1836 the political campaign assumed a wider range. Parties had been organized. The Democratic party nominated Martin Van Buren as their candidate for president, and the Whig party nominated General William Henry Harrison. Fairfield County cast 2,906 votes for Van Buren and i .846 votes for General Harrison. Greenfield township nearly divided her vote between the two candidates. In 1840, the memorable political campaign in the history of our country, the Democratic party placed Martin Van Buren in nomination for the second term, and the Whig party nominated General William Henry Harrison for the second time and dubbed him the hero of Tippecanoe. In June, 1840, General Harrison visited Lancaster. There was a wonderful gathering of the people. It seemed as if the hills and valleys, and the highways and byways were alive with people, with coons and coonskins, buckeyes and log cabins. It was the largest gathering ever held in Lancaster up to that date. It was soon followed by a monster gathering of the Democrats, which excelled that held by the Whigs. The speakers were Governor Wilson Shannon and William Medill. In September there was a joint discussion on the political issues of the campaign between Richard M. Johnson, the Democratic candidate for Vice President, William Allen, on the Democratic side, and Thomas Corwin and Samuel F. Vinton in behalf of the Whigs.

The meeting was held in the woods near the foot of Mt. Pleasant. This meeting eclipsed all other gatherings held in the county, and the friends of each party returned to their homes satisfied that they would win the day. Fairfield County cast 3,318 votes for Van Buren and 2,463 votes for Harrison. Greenfield township, in which the Brandts were numerous, gave a small majority for General Harrison. The ticket voted at the presidential election in 1840 was only for electors. Ohio was then entitled to 21 electors. Their names were:

Whig Ticket, 184O

This ticket in Greenfield township was voted by David Brandt, Sr., and David Brandt, second; Adam Brandt, second ; Adam Brandt, third ; Jacob Brandt, Sr., and Jacob Brandt, second ; John Brandt, first ; John Brandt, second ; George Brandt, Martin Brandt, Jesse Brandt, and Henry M. Brandt, Jacob Pence, Adam Pence, Philip Pence, Joseph Pence and Henry Pence. These, with eight sons-in-law, made 21 straight votes for Tippecanoe and Tyler, too, from the Brandt families. Adam Brandt, Sr., voted for Van Buren.

David Brandt, Sr., was the father of seven sons and five daughters. David Brandt, Sr., died October 2y, 1 85 1, aged 78 years. On April i, 1899, his children were all dead except David Brandt, second, who lives in Eaton, Delaware County, Indiana, aged 84 years,.

Barbara Brandt Pence was the mother of seven sons and four daughters. Barbara Brandt Pence died April 7, 1850, aged y2 years. All her children were dead on April i, 1899, except Henry Pence, who lives in Nodaway County, Missouri, aged 79 years.

Jacob Brandt, Sr., was the father of five sons and five daughters. Jacob Brandt, Sr., died December 15, 1849, aged 67 years. All his sons and daughters were dead on April i, 1899, except Adam Brandt, third, who lives near Lancaster, Ohio, aged 88 years ; John Brandt, who lives in Barnes, Kansas, aged 82 years, and Jesse Brandt, who lives near Carroll, Fairfield County, Ohio, aged 80 years.

Adam Brandt, Sr., was the father of seven sons and six daughters. Adam Brandt died March 26, 1844. On April i, 1899, all his children were dead except Henry M. Brandt, who lives near Carroll, aged 80 years, and Elizabeth Brandt Martih, aged 72 years, who lives near Carroll, Ohio.

The families of the Brandts were generally large. There were two, however, that were very large, of the second generation. Adam Brandt, second, the oldest son of David Brandt, Sr., married Rebecca Cooper, in Greenfield township, on September 10, 1821. They raised a family of seventeen children, nine sons and eight daughters.

Adam Brandt, the third, the oldest son of Jacob Brandt, Sr., married Elizabeth Rugh, on March 7, 1833. They raised a family of fifteen children, six sons and nine daughters.

There are two traits of character that predominate in the Brandt famiHes - that of Christianity and patriotism. Ninety-five per cent, of the Brandts and their descendants are members of Church. Ludwig Brandt, who came to America in 1745, was a member of the Dunkard Church, and also his grandsons, who came to Fairfield County in the first years of the nineteenth century. The younger generations, however, have not remained in the faith of their fathers, for now they are members of a great many different religious denominations. Several of them are ministers and have taken high rank as evangelists and ministers of the Gospel.

Their patriotism was developed in the revolutionary war. Adam Brandt and Martin Brandt were with General Washington during America's great struggle for independence. In the war of 181 2 many of the Brandts were under the command of General Wayne and General Harrison. In the Mexican war in 1846 the third generation of Brandts were with General Taylor and Scott, when they entered the halls of Montezuma.

In the war of the rebellion the name of Brandt was upon the muster rolls in ten of the northern states. They marched with Sherman to the sea and were with General Grant at the surrender of Appomattox.

In the late Spanish-Cu1)an war the Brandts were among the first to enlist in the war for humanity's sake. The blood of the Brandts has stained the battle fields from 1776 to 1899.

quite noted as horticulturists, particularly in the line of having fine orchards of apples, peaches, pears and cherries. On the farm that was settled first by Jacob Brandt, in 1808, is a pear tree that is among the oldest fruit bearing trees in the state of Ohio. The main stock is a white thorn. It was grafted with pear in April, 1809, by Jacob Snyder. It has been bearing now for 85 years. It is 50 feet in height and covers an area of about 40 feet. It has yielded in one year as high as 35 bushels of pears.

Adam Brandt, second, had in 1850, one of the largest and best apple and cherry orchards in the county. From 1840 to i860 a large number of the second generation emigrated, going to Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. The third and fourth generations are still more widely scattered, while quite a number still remain in Fairfield County, and are classed among our best citizens.

Adam Brandt, son of David Brandt, and long known by his neighbors as Boss Brandt, lived and died in Greenfield. He was born in Pennsylvania, June 24, 1800. His wife, Rebecca Ann Cooper, was born in Virginia, August 5, 1802. Her father emancipated his slaves and was forced to leave Virginia. He brought his family to Lancaster as early as 1806, and followed the business of harness maker. The young people were married September 10, 1821. To this union were born 17 children, nine sons and eight daughters, 14 of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Six sons and three sons-in-law were in the Union army. Captain O. B. Brandt, who enhsted as a private, was captured and taken to Richmond, and endured for many months the horrors of Libby prison. He married Elizabeth Holmes. Henry C, Jonathan C, Isaac C,

William H. and Wesley L. were the other soldiers. The soldier sons-in-law were Samuel Radebaugh, who died in the service; Samuel Apt, and S. S. Wiest. Nine good soldiers for one family is a record unapproachable in this county or any other. At the close of the war they returned to their homes and usual occupations, and are among our best and most respected citizens. Adam Brandt died in June, 1874, his wife having preceded him to the grave, dying in 1870. The descendants of the pioneer brothers are divided into many large families. The two Adams, one a son of Jacob and the other of Daniel, being the largest. A daughter Harriet, is the wife of N. S. Ebright. Of the children of Adam Brandt and his wife Elizabeth Rugh, daughter of Solomon Rugh, Jacob R. Brandt is the most widely known member, a good citizen and a popular man. He reared and educated a large family of children. Mr. Brandt, besides being a good farmer, is a splendid mechanic - a famous bridge builder. He is the legitimate successor of Jonathan Coulson in that line. A few years since he was the Republican candidate for County Commissioner, and came within 265 votes of an election. Jesse H. Brandt, of Bloom, a good man, and once a brave soldier, is a brother of a Rev. John Brandt, of St. Louis, Missouri. He, too, was a good soldier. Mrs. Madison Kemerer is a sister, with whom Adam Brandt resides, aged 88 years.

The descendants of Adam Brandt, of Pennsylvania, who purchased 500 acres here in 1800, and sent out his daughter, Mrs. Jacob Pence, and his sons, Jacob, Adam and David, to subdue the forest and till the land, are more numerous than any family we can recall. They are not like the sands of the sea, too numerous to be counted, but it would be a very tedious job.

The family of Adam Brandt, second, " Boss," alone numbered 17, 11 of whom married and reared families. The Brandts were plain, quiet, intelligent, and industrious farmers, discharging every duty pertaining to good citizenship.

The word of a Brandt was always good, and their integrity beyond any question. This is a family of good old Scripture names. Their parents were familiar with the Bible, and they have certainly fulfilled one injunction of the Scriptures, "increase, multiply and replenish the earth."

Colonel Samuel Spangler One Of The Greatest Of Pioneers

Colonel Samuel Spangler was one of the very distinguished men of Fairfield County. Distinguished for great ability, integrity and in a rare degree as a Democratic politician and legislator. From 1825 to 1850 his influence in his party was second to no man in this county. He was consulted by all of the party leaders, including Governor Medill, and in many thmgs his wish was law, and in all things his opinions were weighty and influential.

Eight or ten years before his death the township in which he had spent his life. Perry, was cut ofif from this county and added to Hocking. This embittered the closing years of his life and made him unhappy, for

Samuel Spangler was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1783. His father was a farmer, and when Ohio was attracting the first settlers he sold his farm, intending to move west, but before he was ready to start his money became worthless and he abandoned the trip and apprenticed his son Samuel to a cabinet maker in Harrisburg. He was to have received three months schooling each year during his term of service. He had a hard master, and received but three months schooling during the whole term.

When twenty-one years of age he bid adieu to his parents, and with the family of George Defenbaugh emigrated to Ohio; after leaving Lancaster they cut a road through brush and timber to Perry township. This was in the year 1801. Cabinet makers were undertakers, and he was soon called upon to bury a woman on Clearcreek. There were then no saw mills in Fairfield County. He cut down a dry walnut tree, split it into puncheons, and with ax and adz dressed them down sufficient to make a rude coffin.

In 1807 he married Miss Susan Fogler of the neighborhood. She was born in Pennsylvania September 25, 1788. Both she and her husband were of German descent. To them were born one son who died in infancy, and three daughters. The daughters were: Barbara, who married Ezra Wolfe; Minerva, who married Alexander McClelland ; they settled near Adelphi and reared seven sons and one daughter. Elizabeth married John Karshnor and they settled near Adelphi, To them were born five sons and five daughters.

he began at the foot and purchased Cobb's speller, a grammar, geography and an arithmetic. He possessed fine natural ability and soon became thorough master of these rudimentary books, and throughout his life he was a student and reader, and a thoroughly well informed man. In the first twenty-five years of his life in Ohio he had a few very intelligent neighbors, the most prominent being Dr. Ballard, of Tarlton, Joseph Shumaker and Esquire Foust. Otis Ballard, now of Toledo, sold goods in Tarlton in an early day, and speaks in high praise of Colonel Spangler at that time. He served as a justice of the peace m Perry township for twenty-one years. In 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, he was a member of the lower house ot the Ohio Legislature, and again in 183 1. In 1832 he was elected a State Senator and was re-elected each year tor nine years, closing his public career in 1842.

As a legislator he took part, and a prominent part, in the legislation that secured for us the Ohio Canal and our common school system. This was the most interesting period in the history of Ohio, and this legislation so ardently and ably supported by Spangler was the turning point in the history of Ohio. When reference is made to the real beginning of Ohio, we go back to the canals and the common schools.

At the Democratic State Convention in 1836, and again in 1838, his friends presented his name as a candidate for Governor. One authority states that he came within two votes of securing the nomination.

He was the special friend of our benevolent institutions and gave them his special care and support. During his public career he was the friend and intimate of such Democrats as Governor Medill, John Brough, Sam Medary and Micajah T. Williams, one

the fathers of the public works. In 1843 Colonel Spangler retired from public life and gave his attention to his farm and his family. About this time both he and his wife became members of the Lutheran Church, and lived consistent Christian lives. Colonel Spangler was a Christian in every sense of the word, both at home and abroad.

For the war of 18 12 he raised a rifle company and served his country in two campaigns as Captain of his company. During the sickness of his Colonel he was the acting Colonel of the regiment. His service in the army was such as to receive special complimentary mention 'by his superior officer.

Colonel Spangler was a successful farmer and business man for his day, and gave each of his children a farm, and some money was left them at his death, December 13, 1863. His body was buried at the Adelphi cemetery, a few miles from his home. His wife died July 7, 1871, and was buried by his side.

Colonel Spangler was six feet, one inch in height, straight as an Indian, finely proportioned, and a man of commanding presence. He loved a fine horse and was a splendid horseman. He was a great hunter, and in the early days was very successful, killing as many as seven deer in one day, and shooting plenty of game from the windows of houses he was finishing. Samuel Spangler Wolfe has his watch, books and cane. The cane was cut on the Mt. Vernon estate, Virginia, by Governor Medill, and presented to Colonel Spangler. The men of this county, who have come down from the period in which Colonel Spangler lived, speak of him in the highest terms.

Like Dr. Williams and Dr. Hyde, he educated himself without a teacher, and while not so great a scholar,, he was great in many things, self made and self reliant.

Valentine Wolfe, one of the honored pioneers of Madison township, was born and raised near Frederick, Maryland. About the year 1814 he, with his family, emigrated to Ohio, and cast his lot in Madison township, where he raised his boys and sent them with good habits and strong constitutions out into the world.

His sons were Ezra, Salem and Isaac. James Rice, long an honored and esteemed business man of Lancaster, was a step son. James Rice was for quite a number of years a partner of George Ring in the woolen mill business, at the foot of Broadway, Lancaster. He was also a partner of Silas Hedges for a short time in the dry goods business, and in his old age was the clerk of John Work in the tin and stove business. He was the father of William P. Rice, who died in California, and whom John Sherman mentions as one of his schoolmate at Howe's Academy. He is mentioned by the Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar, who visited his factory and complimented his goods in the year 1825. Ezra Wolfe married Barbara, daughter of Colonel Samuel Spangler. He settled on a farm, two miles south of Clearport, where he lived a prosperous, useful life, and where he reared a large family of children. His sons were Salem Spangler, Samuel V., Dr. M. F. Wolfe, of Parsons, Kansas; Charles F., of Ottawa, Kansas, and John L., of Humboldt, Kansas. Salem S. Wolfe is a very prosperous man, and a highly esteemed and respected citizen of Adelphi, Ohio. He at one time represented Hocking County in the General

Assembly of Ohio, serving two terms. Samuel V. Wolfe, of Clearport, is one of the very successful farmers of this county. He is intelligent, a good citizen, a leading man of his neighborhood and of the Methodist Church. He lives in good style and dispenses a generous hospitality. The other brothers are unknown to the writer, but it is known that they stand well in the communities in which they live.

Salem Wolfe was born near Frederick, Maryland, in the year 1809. He came to Ohio with his father in 1814. In the year 1830 he was married to Jane Young, a daughter of William Young, one of three brothers who were pioneers of Madison township. She was a cousin of Mrs. Isaac Strickler. He early moved to Lancaster, and served an apprenticeship to the tanning business with Pratt & Thorne. In 1849 ^^^ bought the tannery at the foot of Main street, and conducted it for a few years.

In 1853 he sold his tannery and purchased a fine farm in Madison township, to which he removed his family. He continued to live there, farming, serving as justice of the peace and township clerk, and performing other duties devolving upon a good citizen, for seven years.

In 1854 he sold his farm and purchased the old home place of Judge Irvin, just south of Lancaster. To this farm he brought his family and continued to reside there until 1869, when he sold out and moved into Lancaster. Here he spent a quiet old age among old friends, and departed this life in the year 1875. His body was buried at Clearport.

His son Ezra is a resident of Lancaster. During most of his life he has been an accompHshed teacher of instrumental music. Band was his specialty.

John N. Wolfe, son of Salem, is a resident of Lancaster. He is an engineer by profession, devoting his time principally to surveying. He is the present very competent city engineer.

The youngest daughter of Salem Wolfe married H. W. Griswold, now of the Gazette. She died several years since. Two daughters live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jessie and Jennie Griswold are grand daughters.

Isaac Wolfe, son of Valentine, came with his father in 1814. He married a sister of Martin Landis, and lived for many years on a farm near Clearport, where he also operated a flouring mill. He moved from Madison to Pleasant township, where he spent a few years of his old age. He died in Lancaster at the home of Mrs. Jacob Giesey, his daughter.

Isaac Wolfe was a most excellent man, and was highly esteemed where he lived. A grandson. Perry Wolfe, lives in Lancaster, devoting most of his time teaching school.

The Spangler- Wolfe families are connected with many honored people of Madison - the Youngs, Shaeffers, Millers, Stricklers, Landis, Hay and Becks of Hocking.

John Augustus

JOHN AUGUSTUS One of the early associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas was John Augustus, of Clearcreek township. He was on the bench as early as 1825 or '26, and served five years. He was a prominent man in his day, and highly esteemed. He spent the greater part of his life in Clearcreek township. His farm was a Httle south of the old Shartle tavern, this side of Tarlton. He was buried in the Augustus graveyard, which was on or near his farm. His family consisted of two sons and five daughters.

Col. Wm. Hamilton, surveyor of Amanda township, married his daughter Rebecca. Col. Hamilton was a first-class surveyor and a good farmer. Mrs. S. J. Wolfe (Mary Hamilton) is a granddaughter of Judge Augustus.

Daniel Ream of Madison township married Sarah Augustus. Late in life he moved to Jackson County, Mo., where he died. What relation he was to the Abraham Ream family we cannot state. He had a brother named Samuel and another named John, who in his old age made cigars in Lancaster.

The father of Daniel Ream was Samuel, who came from Germany. His mother's name was Susan Wunderlick, daughter of Count Wunderlick. His mother died, and was buried at Carlisle, Penn., Samuel Ream, the father, died at Daniel Ream's home, and was buried at Mechanicsburg, this county. Ream had a sister, Polly, who married Moses Wetzel. Mrs. Mary Summers, daughter of Daniel, lives in Kansas City, Mo.

Ream, Hamilton, Drake and Barnet were men of the highest respectability, and in all respects good and useful men. So little attention has been paid in this county to family or pioneer history that but few people now living ever heard of Judge Augustus.

Forty-five years ago Col. Hamilton was the county surveyor of this county. We venture to say that not five men in fifty are aware of that fact to-day. Daniel Ream was a splendid man. How many men in the county remember him ? Thomas Drake cut quite a figure here 38 years ago. He is now forgotten.

The Sharp Family

The political history of the family of Joseph Sharp, Sr., one of the first settlers of Belmont County, Ohio, is one of the most remarkable in the history of the state.

Rol:)ert H. Sharp, of Sugar Grove, was O'U Saturday nominated bv the Democrats as their candidate for representative. Conceding his election in November, and that he will serve the usual two terms, his family will have served the state as members of the house and senate of the general assembly of Ohio in an unbroken line of succession from the first legislature to the end of Ohio's first century.

Joseph Sharp, Sr.. was one of the prominent men of Behnont County in its early history. He was a member of the first Ohio legislature, and in 1804 and 1805 a member of the senate. He was returned to the house in 1807 and was re-elected for the years 1808, 1810 and 1813. Joseph Sharp, Jr., reared a family in Belmont County, and about the year 1838 settled in this county on a fine farm just below Su,c:ar Grove, where his son, William, now resides. He soon became a contractor on the Hocking Canal and built for the state what has always been known as Sharp's dam on the Hockhocking. He was a man of enerev and force of character, and soon became prominent in his new home. In 1842, just six years after coming to the county, he was elected a member of the Ohio legislature. He served but one term and returned to the management of his farm. He lived to a good old age, rearing a large family. One of his daughters is the wife of Daniel Stukey. His sons, William and George, are farmers ; his son James studied medicine and practiced his profession for years in Sugar Grove and later in Lancaster. From here he went to Kansas City, Mo., where he lived a few years and then returned to Sugar Grove broken down in health. He was recently killed by a railroad accident near his home. Robert L. Sharp, son O'f Joseph, Jr., was also a farmer near his father. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, of good habits and good standing in his neighborhood. He was a good business man and wise enough to invest early in Kansas City property, which became valuable. He was elected a member of the Ohio legislature in the years 1864 and 1865. and served with credit to himself and honor to his constituents. His son, Robert, just nominated for the same ofifice, will doubtless be elected. He is a young man of good habits and good character. He resides upon his father's old farm. In addition to his farm he manages, with profit, a good stone quarry. There is everything in the past history O'f his family to stimulate him to an honorable and useful career. A century of honorable living and precept is behind him, and a future, such as he may make it, is before him. That he may prove worthy of the high honor conferred upon him and of the esteem in which he is held, is the wish of all who know hin .

Pennsylvania, Virginia And New Jersey

J^ - ACOB ARTZ came to Fairfield County about the year 1818, from Rockingham County, Va. He was one of the many hardy sons of Rockingham County who for half a century dominated the eastern part of this county.

His wife was a Homan and their home was on a farm just south of Berne Station, more recently owned and improved by his son, John Artz, now 'jd years of age and a resident of Lancaster. Jacob Artz died in the prime of life, along in the thirties. His widow, in due time, married Nathan Weatherby. They lived upon the home farm until their death. Weatherby was a well known man sixty years ago. He came here from New Jersey, where he had been a tanner. For several years he was a citizen of Lancaster. In 1832 and 1834 he was the sheriff of Fairfield County and enjoyed a season of popularity. After leaving the sheriff's office he became a horse dealer, and was a great patron of the turf. No race meeting of his day was complete without Nathan Weatherby and in most races his colors were worn by the very fast horses. After his marriage to Mrs. Artz he became a citizen of Berne township, where he continued to deal in and breed good stock until the day of his death, about the year 1848. He came to his death in a very singular manner. He never could bear the sight of blood without fainting. (381)

He was kicked by a horse and when he supposed the wound had healed he told his step-son, John Artz, that he would like to look at it. He did so and saw a trace of blood ; he fainted and died immediately in the arms of John Artz.

Griffith

Isaac Griffith was a native of Lancaster County, Penn. His wife was a Quaker woman, but her name is unknown. He came with his family to this county in the year 1818, his son Isaac and wife being members of his family. They lived, during the winter, in Christian King's home, that stood near where Dr. Boerstler now lives. There William Griffith, son of the younger Isaac, was born. In the spring of 1819 the family moved to a farm near Amanda, where the old gentleman purchased about 300 acres of good land, known in part as the Leather's farm. A part of this land, if not all, is now owned by the heirs of M. A, Leist.

Isaac Griffith, the elder, has been dead more than 44 years. His soais were Isaac, James, John, Elliott and Samuel. The mother was named Polly Williams, the son of Isaac 2d, was William, whose first wife was a Welshamer. His second wife was a daughter of the late Isaac Kerns. He has lived all of his life at the old home place of his father, on the pike near the crossing of Clearcreek, but very recently moved to Amanda. Isaac was another son and there were three other brothers of William, viz : Elliott, Samuel and John.

James Griffith, son of Isaac, was married in Pennsylvania. The wife was a sister of James Lytle. The sons of James were Thomas, Isaac, Samuel and

Thomas Griffith owns one of the finest farms in Amanda township. He is a very prominent and useful citizen, and his wife a most estimable woman.

William, brother of Thomas, resides upon a good farm near Hooker. His wife is the daughter of the late Joseph Gundy. They live among good people and are highly esteemed.

John Griffith, brother of James, married Polly Sweyer, daughter of John Sweyer, a once famous Lancaster tavern keeper on the Shaeffer corner. His wife was a niece of Col. John W. Noble and Henry Dubble, old-time Lancaster people.

Samuel, brother of John, married a Miss Young, a daughter of a pioneer of Madison township. His only child, a daughter, married Robert Wiley, son of John Wiley, in his time the great cattle man of this county. He at one time owned 1,500 acres of Clearcreek land.

This family, in its history of eighty years in this county, has made an honorable record and has made alliances by marriage with many distinguished families. They have owned, and still own large farms of fertile land, which they cultivate with skill and profit. They have been, and still are prominent in many neighborhoods.

Frederick Leathers, of whom Isaac Griffith purchased his land, was one of the very first settlers of his neighborhood. His name appears among the taxpayers ot 1806. He kept an old-fashioned tavern on the old Circleville road. This tavern was kept open by Isaac Griffith, Sr., until 1854. He was one of the landmarks in the early days.

Philip Shartle kept a tavern on the old Chillicothe road. He was the grandfather of Isaac Julian, Julian's mother is still living. She lived in Lancaster in 1804.

Farther north on the old road was the Kirkwood house. It was near this house where Thomas Ewing and his deputies arrested a gang of counterfeiters, who were tried, convicted and sent to prison in 1818.

A History Of A Prominent Rushcreek Pioneer Family

JOSEPH LEIB came with his wife from York I County, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, very early in ^B the century, but the exact date is not known. They settled on Rushcreek, in Rushcreek township, two miles north of Bremen; His wife was a sister of the mother of Hon. Daniel Keller, late of Pleasant township. They were good, old fashioned German people, spoke the German language, and read the German Bible. They were Christian people and members of the United Brethren church. They were a thrifty couple, honest and industrious. Like all the pioneers, they spun their flax on the small wheel, this being the work of the old women ; the young maidens spun the wool on the large wheel, walking barn floor, or some other large floor, for many miles, carrying the thread for a few cuts of yarn. They colored their yarn and wove their own cloth and then made it into garments. Mothers and daughters often clothed, in this way, a family of eight to twelve persons. The good old mothers were devoted to their families and loved their work and enjoyed it.

Joseph Leib secured about one section of ~ land which he held until his children were old enough to occupy it. He built a mill on his home place which was run by the water of Rushcreek. This was the second mill built on Rushcreek. The old mill is still standing. The old road which crossed the creek at the mill came up the bank of the creek - and that is why the old brick house, built by George Beery seventyfive years ago, the Ashbaugh and the Weaver houses, now stand so far from the road. In the old brick house Solomon Beery was born, but we believe that his brothers and sisters were born in the old cabin on the same farm.

Joseph Leib and wife had a family of four sons and seven daughters. Joseph, David, John and Elias were the sons. Joseph married Clarissa Allen - she came from Waterford, Connecticut, to Rushcreek to teach school. Joseph broke up the school by marrying the teacher. Miss Allen was of the same family as Dr. Silas Allen, of Royalton, Ohio. Joseph succeeded his father as master and owner of the old homestead and spent his life there. His son, Samuel Leib, is a distinguished and wealthy lawyer of California. His son Joseph is a horse breeder in Champaign County, Illinois. Hamilton died of disease contracted in the army. A daughter married Mason Pauley (half brother of M. C. Miller), of Champaign County, Illinois. Another daughter married Sheriff Barbee of Columbus, and still another a wealthy Californian.

Mrs. Joseph Leib was an educated, cultured woman, and look an interest in the education of her children. They attended school for a time in Lancaster. W. H. Kooken of the Gazette, attended the wedding of two of the daughters, and at the marriage of the second one he was the groom's best man,and Miss Elizabeth Doty was bridesmaid. There was a large attendance of friends and thev spent the night there. What sleep the gentlemen indulged in was at the barn - as the house was too small for so large a party. The morning after the Pauley wedding the whole party drove to Michael Miller's for the wedding breakfast. The young people had jolly times at such weddings and greatly enjoyed themselves.

John married a Miss Williams of the neighborhood and moved to Crawford County, Illinois. There he engaged in farming and there he died. His son. Captain John Leib, lives in Illinois, and his sister Jane lives with him. Benjamin and James are both western farmers. Daniel Leib married Barbary Leslie. He moved to Highland County, Ohio, in 1839, where he purchased a farm and a flouring mill. In a few years he fell through a hatchway in his mill and was killed. His widow moved, with her family, to Westerville, to educate her children. Joseph, David and Enos were sons, but their place of residence we cannot give. Elias Leib married Delilah Hill from the neighborhood of Rushville. He once owned the fine farm now owned by the Ashbaugh heirs above Bremen, and up to middle life was a prosperous farmer. He sold his farm and opened a dry goods store in New Salem in the spring of 1850. In two or three years he moved his stock of goods to Millersport, where he hoped to make some money. Fate was against him and in a few years he closed out his business at a loss. He dealt largely in grain, and his losses in this trade broke him up. Amos and Henry grew to be young men at Millersport, and from there Henry ventured out upon the world. He married Kate Sites, daughter of Frederick Sites of Pleasant township. In three or four years his wife died. He then went west and now resides in Oberlin, Kansas. He has been treasurer of his county.

Amos D. Leib married Elizabeth Pope of Walnut township, an estimable woman of many accomplishments. Mr. Leib lived and died in or near Millersport. Mrs. Leib's mother was a Haver, one of several gentle and refined sisters. A son and daughter survive A. D. Leib. The daughters of Joseph Leib were as follows : Catharine married John Frey and they settled on a farm adjoining the old home or near it. Dr. M. Frey of Logan, was their son. Their son, Henry Frey, married a daughter of John Shaw. A daughter married Thomas Pad en. Benjamin Frey married Mary Leib ; they had no children. They lived and died on a farm near the old home. Margaret married William Black of Perry County, Ohio. A daughter whose name we cannot give married a Mr. Mains from a northern county. Barbara married Frederick Fisher; they were farmers, but spent their old age in Bremen.

Susan married Amos Davis. He was a good old Presbyterian and highly esteemed. Fie owned a farm and a mill at the bend of Rushcreek near Geneva. They were the parents of Mrs. Sanuiel Doty, long a well known and highly esteemed lad>' of Lancaster, and the wife of a once prosperous merchant of the old firm of Kinkead & Doty.

Elizabeth married Ralph Cherry, for many years a substantial citizen of Walnut township. Late in life with a large family they moved to Hancock County, Ohio. Their eldest son was named Joseph, for the old grandfather.

The old German father and mother had family worship morning and night. It was the custom for "both to pray, first the old father and then the old mother. Their prayers were not empty sounding words - it was " the language of the soul," and a impression was made upon the kneeling children.

Samuel F. Leib, the eminent lawyer, resides at San Jose, California. He is a trustee of the Stanford University of California. The wife of Joseph Leib, Sr., was a German woman named Elizabeth Seitz, and as stated, a sister of the mother of Hon. Daniel Keller. She was a true pioneer helpmate. Like German women of that period, she did a man's work. She learned to run the mill, and has been known to do it and handle sacks of grain for a day at one time. She could stand in a half bushel measure and shoulder a sack of wheat. Mr. Leib died in 1839 ^^^ his wife a few years later, in 1841, both aged y2 years. That is the record upon the grave stones.

The first deed on record in the name of Joseph Leib is dated August, 181 7, for about 300 acres of land on which the old mill now stands. The grantors were Carpenter & Shallenberger. The soldier record of this family is a good one, part of which has already been given. There were 17 children, 11 of whom only, lived to be well known.

Elias Leib had three sons in the army. Amos Davis Leib was a member of Company F, First Ohio Cavalry. He served until near the close of the war, when ill health compelled him to resign. He served for some time as regimental quartermaster and at the time he left the service he was acting Brigade Quartermaster.

He served with distinction and retired with honor. It could not have been otherwise, for he was a man of ability and a patriot. He retired to his Island home, Buckeye Lake, and spent the remainder of his days in useful occupation and the society of his family. He took great interest in the success of the Republican party, and gave much of his time in its service. He was often a delegate to county conventions and once or twice at least to state conventions. He was an alternate to the Cleveland convention, and was then elected an alternate, pledged to John Sherman, to the Chicago convention. He attended this convention, accompanied by his wife. He died in December, 1892.

Henry F. Leib was a member of Captain Perry's- Company, the 90th Ohio Infantry. He served honorably throughout the war and returned with his company to Lancaster. He was Regimental Adjutant at the time of his discharge. He is now a prominent politician of Kansas, and at present is the postmaster of Oberlin.

Elias Newton was a soldier in the 196th Ohio, and belonged to General Hancock's corps. He now resides in Marengo, Iowa. Joseph H. C. Leib resides at Prairie City, Iowa.

The wife of Joseph Leib, Jr., Miss Allen, was an educated woman from Waterford, Connecticut. She was a relative of General Ethan Allen of Revolutionary fame. She died in the year 1864 or '65. Joseph Leib^

Jr., lived to be 80 years of age, and died at his father's old home. Both were buried near the old people in a pretty cemetery on the old farm. A few days before his death he sent for Joseph, the son of his old friend, Andrew Shaw. He told him that he had once wronged his father and could not die in peace without confession and restitution. He said that when a young man he and a companion escorted two young women to some kind of a gathering and that Andrew Shaw and his companion took the girls from them, or as it was called, cut them out, in other words, the girls treated them rudely, gave them the mitten.

He told Joseph that he desired to pay the value of the stirrups to him, and asked him to name the amount. The money was declined and the debt forgiven. Sixty years had rolled around and time failed to efface the wrong he had done from his memory. Joseph Leib was a good man and this story will not lessen the esteem in which he is held.

The Pigeon Roost Swamp

One of the beautiful locations in this county is the Fletcher chapel, a handsome Methodist Church, in the northeast corner of Liberty township. It is situated on the south line of the fine estate of Isaac Finkbone. In the graveyard adjoining He buried the remains of old Dr. Waddel, the Gill brothers, the Clicks, the Parrishes, Cools, James Jeffries and Elias and Amos D. Leib.

monuments and their graves are kept in good order. This place is about six miles from Baltimore, two from Kirkersville, and five from Millersport. From the graveyard to the south and east is as fine a landscape as can often greet the eyes. The fine homes of Fred Mauger, W. K. Thompson and others in Walnut township, and Luray, and many fine homes in Licking county, backed by a range of beautiful hills ; and the old Pigeon roost swamp, now a paradise of farms and the fertile valley of the Licking are in full view.

One-half mile north of Luray, on the hill, is the old Wells-Holmes burying ground. In 1812 a church was built here of logs, on the land of George Wells, Sr., and called the " Wells Meeting House." Later a brick church was built, but time has changed things and the church is no more. George Wells, Sr., was buried here October 2, 1 831. and his wife, Elizabeth (Holmes), August 16, 1827. George Wells, Jr., was buried here November 9, 1848. Thomas Holmes, a brother of James Holmes, Sr., was buried there October 8, 1822, aged 78 years.

James Holmes, Sr., of Walnut township, Fairfield County, was buried there in 1823, and his wife, Anna (Whittaker), in 1829. James Holmes, Jr., in 1848, aged 62 years. All prominent, influential men. The graveyard is not very well cared for. From this graveyafd, looking west, over the Licking, is a prospect as fine as can be seen in any county in Ohio. Fertile farms and beautiful homes greet the eye in great numbers.

County. Forty years ago the Pigeon Roost swamp was about the size of one section of land, but not square. It was covered with a forest and the ground from one to two feet often under water. Here milHons of pigeons roosted annually, and it was a great resort for sportsmen in the season. The swamp was just over the line, in the county of Licking.

She has vf -ently completed a novel entitled " The 'Queen of the Swamp." The story deals with the swamp and the scenes and incidents of the neighborhood during her childhood. People and traditions are mentioned and preserved, and she states that the work was a labor of love in honor of her old home. Threefifths of the Ohio part of the book are drawn from Walnut township, Fairfield County.

We learn that Mary Hartwell Catherwood was educated at Granville, and that her mother was a Thompson. She lived near Thompson's when lO or 12 years of age. Her father lived for a time on the Stoolfire farm, between Luray and Hebron, Ohio.

After the death of her parents she lived with her grandfather Thompson, who had moved to Hebron. While quite young she taught a school near Aetna, Licking County, and boarded with Dean German, the father of Mrs. Jacob Ulrick, of this city. Mrs. Ulrick and she were very good friends. Mrs. Ulrick preserves a photograph taken when Mary Hartwell was about 18 years of age. Judging from the picture she was as handsome as she is now bright and entertaining. Her first short story was written for a Newark paper. She has written several good novels for the Century

Her ambition, her talents and industry have been rewarded, and she now enjoys the distinction due her as one of the leading western authors. She is one of the contributors to the forthcoming book of James J. Piatt, entitled the " Hesperian," of which only I, GOG copies will be printed. It is to be an edition "de luxe." Mary Hartwell Catherwood's present home is Hoopestown, Illinois.

A Brief Biographical Sketch Of

OF the pioneer families who in the early part of the nineteenth century sought homes in the then western wilderness none are better known of those who located in Rushcreek township than the Blosser family.

There were four brothers who came to this township about the year 1805 or 1806, viz: George, Jacob, Abraham and Isaac Blosser. They came with their families from near Lancaster, Pa., and by the usual overland and water ro'Ute, the only mode of travel in those days. When they reached the Ohio they floated down that river to Marietta and from there they came to this neighborhood on horseback, bravely enduring all the hardships incident to traveling in that early day.

George Blosser

In company with Jacob Hunsaker, while searching for a suitable location, came across a big spring located on the land now owned by John Rodafer, and sat down there, declaring that they would go no farther. There he built his cabin and lived a number of years, raising a large family. His sons were John G., who married Sallie Welty ; George, known as "Little" George, who married a Miss Brenneman ; Jacob and Isaac Blosser. The first three lived in Hocking County. Isaac lived in this township. His family consists of (395) ten children, first, Solomon, who married Miss Jane Myers and live on one of their farms just east of Bremen. Their children are Frank, who married Miss Shoemaker; Zetta, who married Albert Brehm and lives near Somerset ; Xema, Bessie and Pearl.

Isaac Blosser, Jr., and his family live in Hocking County; Frederick and William live in Perry County. The daughters are Mrs. Thomas Garrison, Mrs. Mason Lutz, and another sister livine in Straitsville, Ohio. We were unable to learn the names of the other members of this family.

The daughters of George Blosser were Lydia, who married William Young and lived on the little farm just east of Bremen, now occupied by John Funk. Their family were Mrs. Jerry Moyer, Mrs. Mason King, Mrs. Matilda Kuhn, James Young and John Young, whose life was sacrificed to save the Union, in the late civil war. Polly married Benona Black, who built the first log cabin on the site of the residence of the late Joshua Blosser. Lewis Black, of Sandusky Soldiers' Home, is a son. They moved tO' Iowa in an early day.

Sallie married Christopher Welty and resided near what is now Max, Ohio. Mrs. John Sanderson is a grandchild of Christopher Welty. Rebecca married Lewis Stoltz, of Perry County, and Margaret married John Geiger. Rev. G. W. Geiger of the U. B. church, is a son of John and Margaret Geiger.

Jacob Blosser

and wife lived on the old Hufford farm, just south of here, now owned by George RufT. He had one son, Georee Blosser, known as "Big" George, who married Miss Dorcas Hufiford and moved west about the year ^857- and wue lived near Geneva, in this township. They had one son, John Blosser, and three daughters, viz:; Katie, who married David Ashbaugh ; Barbara, who. married John Derr and MolHe, who was married to Mr. Matthew Lecrone.

Isaac Blosser

ISAAC BLOSSER was the other of the four brothers who decided to. try their fortunes in this country. He was born near Lancaster, Pa., where he grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth Kauffman. To this union there were born fourteen children, one dying in infancy. The other thirteen grew to manhood and womanhood, and married, nearly all of them raising large families. Isaac Blosser settled on the farm now occupied by his youngest son, Samuel Blosser, one and one-half miles east of here and lived there until his death, which occurred June 1845, ^^ the age of 68 years. Four of their children were born in Pennsylvania. The other ten were born at the old homestead. As the children grew up they assisted their father in clearing the heavy forest, and attended school just across the road after the district was organized at that place.

The oldest son, John I., married Hanna Hufford. They had six children, four of whom died within two weeks' time. The other two were Mrs. Augustine Palmer, living sC'Uth of here, and Mrs. Hufiford, widow of the late Daniel Hufiford and mother of John Hufford, of this township.

Polly married Peter Stemen and formerly lived in what is known as Dutch Hollow, on the farm owned by the late Abraham Beery. Later they moved west to Allen County, Ohio, where they reared a large family, most of whom, with their childfen, are now residing

Andrew married Sarah Mericle and lived in Hocking County, where they died, Mrs. Blosser passing away in the year 1863. Their children numbered four sons and five daughters.

The oldest son, John, married Miss Fickle and had two children, one daughter, now deceased, rind one son. Amos was a prosperous farmer living two miles south of here, who married Miss Lutz. Their children are Harry Nellie and Clarence.

Elizabeth married George Wolfe and lives near Maxville. Their children are Noah ; Martin, the present probate judge of Perry County, Sarah, Julia, Nancy, Andrew, Emma, Frank and Matilda.

Matilda Blosser married Henry Brennemen and moved to Elkhart, Ind., where he died. She afterwards married Rev. Hurst, of the Menonite church. She died abo'Ut six years aeo.

Sarah married William Nunemaker. There are two sons : Andrew, who is the newly elected treasurer of Hocking County, and Charles, who married Miss Derr and lives in Logan.

Lydia married Jacob Hoover and lived in Perry County, afterwards moving to Hocking county, where lie died. She afterwards married Noah Brenneman,

MaHnda married Dr. H. A. Mumaw, a successful practicing physician of Elkhart, Ind., who is also connected with the normal school of that place. Their children are Mrs. Phoebe Kolb, Andrew and Clara Mumaw.

Andrew Blosser afterwards married Mrs. Mowery, whose husband was killed in the blowino- up of a boat on his return from the war, leaving a widow with thirteen children. This union was blessed with a pair of twins, which with the two sets of children made an interesting family of twenty-four. One of the twins was Andrew, Jr., who recently resided here with his family, but now lives in Junction City. Their children are Mazie and Herman.

Nicholas Blosser died in the year 1866. Their children are Solomon Blosser, who married Miss Hunsaker, and have a large family now living in Hocking County.

Catherine Blosser married Samuel Good and resided in this township until their death. They reared a large family of children, who are among the most influential citizens of the community. Rev. N. W. Good, of Columbus, one of the most successful minis-

Elizabeth married Abraham Miller and resided in Liberty township, near Baltimore. They raised a large family who were counted among the most highly respected citizens of the northern part of this county, where most of them still reside.

Martha married Oliver Grove, late of this township, and a brother of Mrs. Noah Blosser, of this place. Their family numbers seven children, all living in Bremen. The oldest, Isaac Grove, was born in 1845 and at the time the war broke out was sixteen years of age, but, on seeing the "boys' leave for the front, he was filled with the spirit of patriotism and joined Company "B," Seventeenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and saw some hard service. He served three years and re-enlisted, coming home at the close with the record of a good soldier, and not yet twenty-one years of age. He married Miss Lou Hilliard. They live in Bremen where he is section foreman on the C. & M. V. R. R. They have an adopted son, Roy.

Caroline Grove is now Mrs. Oscar Seifert. Her son, Mr. George Evans, is a popular conductor on the C. & M. V. R. R. Her daughter, Clara, married Ira Grim, of this place, a brakeman on the C. & M. V.

Nan Grove married John Naginey, formerly a farmer of this community, but now engaged in the manufacture of carpets. Lewellyn Naginey marrieJ Ursia Moyer, and lives near Bremen. Eura Naginey married George Moyer and at present resides on the A. Graffis farm. Emma married Frank Wright. Lillie, Ida, and Samuel are still with their parents.

Abraham Blosser married Miriam Graffis, sister of A. Graffis, of near this place. They lived several years in Hocking County, then in Michigan, and now in Tennessee. Their family consisted of eight children, only two of whom are now living.

Noah Blosser was born in January, 1830, and is now in his seventy-second year remarkably well preserved for a man of his years. He received a common school education and worked on his father's farm until he grew to manhood. He and Miss Matilda Grove were married June 10, 1850, and for fifty years have been constant residents of this township living most of that time on a farm and followed tilling the soil. During the stormy period of the sixties when President Lincoln was calling for volunteers, Mr. Blosser volunteered his services and enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, leaving a wife and eight small children at home to battle for the comforts of Hfe while he was fighting for his country. He served out the time of his first enlistment, though at one time on account of a severe spell of sickness, was very near death's door, the physicians having given him up to die, and but for the careful nursing of his faithful comrad, Mr. J. J. Ashbaugh, he would never have reached home alive. After getting his discharge, he re-enlisted for one year or during the war, in company D, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, January 30, 1865 and served the full year, returning to his anxiously waiting family about the first of February, 1867, with the record of a p-ood soldier, ready to begin anew the battles of life. Mr. Blosser has served this township a number of terms as trustee, in all about fourteen years, and with credit to himself and the people of the township. He and his estimable wife are now living in Bremen in their comfortable and commodious home on the corner of Mulberry and Main streets, enjoying the fruits of their many years of unremitting toil. They have a family of nine children, all grown to be useful and industrious citizens.

The oldest daughter, Elizabeth, married Samuel McVeigh, and for a number of years lived at the old Huston homestead, having recently disposed of the same, they are now living temporarily in the Mrs. John Kinnen property.

Laura Blosser married William Sanderson. Their children are, Charles and Frank, hoth exemplary young men. They live on a farm just over the line in Perry County.

Charles I. Blosser, for a number of years one of Fairfield County's most successful teachers, now of Vanwert, Ohio, married Miss Clara Huston. About fifteen years ago they moved to Vanwert County where he has not missed a year in teaching school, having taught together, twenty-four winters. Their children are Hattie, Otis, Emma, Xema and Ruth.

Stephen Blosser married Miss Zetta Davis. They live on the old Huston homestead in the eastern part of this township, having recently, with brother Samuel, purchased the property of their brother-in-law, Samuel McVeigh. The children of Stephen and Zetta Blosser are, George, Verda, Meda, Fred and Clarence. Sarah a bright little girl died a few years ago from the effects of a severe burn caused by her clothing having caught fire.

Robert Blosser married Miss Maggie Black and for a number of years managed one of Dr. H. C. Brisons farms near Hebron. He is at present a bridge carpenter on the C. & M. V. R. R. Their children are Glenn, Emile, Dewey and Ross Wayne.

Noah Blossiir, Jr., is still of the opinion of his brother Samuel that it is good for a man to be alone. He was for a number of years a clerk with H. M. Shelhamer, of this place, and now is head clerK in a large shoe store in Chillicothe, Ohio.

George Blosser, the youngest son of the Noah Blosser family, married Miss Anna Shull and is foreman of a section on the C. & M. V., located at Clarksville, Ohio. They have two children Russell and Edna.

Samuel Blosser, the youngest son of Isaac Blosser, St., married Miss Betty McDougal and resides at the old homestead, having spent his whole life on the farm where he was born. Like his brother Noah, when his country was calling for men to fight her battle he offered his services, enlisting in company C, One Hundred and Fifty-ninth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served the lOO days for which he had enlisted. Providence has seemingly dealt very harshly with him, as he has buried a loving wife and five children. Yet he lives in the abiding hope that the Lord knoweth best, and that whatever He does will be redound to His name's honor and glory.

The children of Samuel Blosser now living are, Libbie who married E. B. Conner. They live in Bremen and have two children. Mr. Conner is the efficient clerk in G. A. Staker & Company's drug and furniture store, and also clerk of the Bremen corporation.

Celia Blosser

The children not living were Isabel, Ida, who married Samuel Focht, Simeon, and Effie, both of whom died young, and Joshua, whose death occurred a few months ago. Joshua married Miss Myrtle Moyer a grand-daughter of George Blosser, who came from Pennsylvania. They had one daughter, Inez.

Samuel's mother married John Welty, who owned the farm now occupied by Solomon Blosser, where they lived until Mr. Welty 's death, after which she made her home with her son at the old homestead until her death which occurred about twenty years ago at the ripe old age of ninety-four.

Soldiers Of The Revolution

CHE Sons of the Revolution of Columbus, Ohio,, have furnished the follow^ing list of such soldiers, who lived in Fairfield County. We have not attempted to verify the list, but take it for granted that it is substantially correct. There are other names that we believe properly belong to this list - Rev. John Wiseman, buried at New Salem; James Holmes, buried at Wells graveyard. Licking County, and Gen. James Wells, buried at the Wells graveyard, near Hooker. William McFarland, father of the late Walter McFarland, buried at Wells graveyard. The descendants of these men claim with confidence that they were soldiers under Washington ; but we have not the data to verify it ; also, Michael Rice, of Hocking township. Emanuel Rufifner was a teamster in the war of the revolution.

Dr. Robert Wilcox was a surgeon in the Revolution ; John and George Hill, both died in Walnut township : Rev. Cradlebaugh, of Rush Creek township.

The Friend Family

^OHN FRIEND, Joseph Friend, Jacob Friend, I Jonas Friend and William Friend, five brothers, ^^ came to Ohio from Friend's Cove, Bedford County, Penn., early in the last century, the brothers who first came, with their aged mother, settled in Thorn township, Perry County ; but later all save William, came over to Fairfield and during their lives were well-known and honored citizens of Walnut, Richland and Pleasant townships. The mother and four of the sons are buried in the Methodist graveyard at New Salem.

Jonas, who was an honored member of the Primitive Baptist Church during his life, was buried in the Ruffner graveyard, located on what is now the Mrs. W. W. Friend farm, in Richland township.

William Friend and Banner Friend, sons of Joseph Fiiend, were prominent farmers, one of Walnut and the other of Pleasant township. W. W. Friend, John Friend and Elijah were sons of Jonas. They were good citizens and led an honorable and useful life. The two first named married daughters of Col. Joseph Ruffner. The wife of Jonas Friend was a sister of the late Thomas Rissler, of Richland township. The writer was well acquainted with Jonas and William Friend. They were Christian gentlemen of the best type and honored and respected by all who knew them.

Elijah Friend and wife, Mrs. W. W. Friend, Estella Bauman and family, Elizabeth, the widow of the late John Friend, J. W. Friend and family, Mrs. Ed- (408) ward Geiger of New Salem, Mrs. Jacob Barr and children, Mrs. Nettie Leith and Mr. and Mrs. L. Eyman and family are descendants and relatives of Jonas Friend.

Mrs. Elmira Puller of Rushville, Samuel Friend and Mrs. Dr. Lewis of Rushville, Mr. and Mrs. William Love of Perry County, descendants and relatives of William Friend.

Mr. and Mrs. William Eyman and family, Mr. and Mrs. William Mast of Thurston, Mr. and Mrs. Orren Friend and family, Mr. and Mrs. Banner E. Friend and family. Will and Charles Holliday, descendants of Joseph Friend.

The Young Family

TT I ^^^ ^"^^ coming of the Youngs to this neigh- A I borhood, begins the history of Rushcreek %^r township, which really began in the year 1799, when the Ashbaiighs found their way up from the Ohio to this locality, having come here from Pennsylvania.

The Youngs are of Irish descent, David Young, the great-granafather of H. W. Young, having been born in County Cork, Ireland, in the year 1753, and emigrated to Virginia about 1770 and settled soon after in the State of Maryland, near Hagerstown, at which place Edward Young, the pioneer of this township, was born.

Shortly after this time the family moved to Juniata County, Pa., where the family grew to manhood, and in 1799, Edward Young, four sisters and two halY brothers left their home in the Keystone State to try their fortunes in the then far West.

Edward Young, after looking around for a suitable location, decided to take up the land now owned by Mrs. Mary Young and her sons, just east of Bremen, at whose place the reunion of the Young family was held recently. Here he built his cabin and here his ax was laid at the root of the forest tree, his sisters making their home with him and keeping house for him until the spring, April 2, 1802, when he married Miss Rachel Miller, who had come here with her parents, arriving on New Year's day, 1800. To this union (410)

(2) David married Susan Beery and resided for a short time in this township, and about i860 moved to Putnam County, where most of their descendants now reside.

(3) John married Elizabeth Edwards of Seneca County, Ohio, where they lived and died. Their three grand-children are (i), Mrs. Jane Cridelbaugh, who lives near Springfield, Ohio; (2), Rachel Hawkins

(4) Margaret Young married Jacob Moyer and resided for a few years in Rushcreek. From there they moved to Walnut, near New Salem, and from there to near Colfax, on the land now owned by their sons, Thomas and John Moyer. Their children are //^Edward Moyer, who married Miss Rebecca Davis and resided in Missouri, where his children now live. After the death of his first wife, he remarried and now resides in Columbus, Ohio. (2) Thomas Moyer married Catharine Jackson. They have three children- - (i) John, who is managing his father's farm; (2), Lizzie, who married

Illinois; (3) Jennie is a highly accomplished young lady, having completed a course in a college of fine arts in both Cincinnati and Chicago. (3) John Moyer married Jane Collins. Their children are, first, Sadie, who married Prof. Chatterton, who died about five years ago at Lancaster, leaving a wife and two little girls, Bessie Belle and Lucile. The other daughter of John is Miss Belle, who is living with her parents ;

(4) Margaret Moyer married George Cruit and resides one mile west of Lancaster. They have three children, all living at home at present. (5) Laura Moyer married Rev. John Beery of the M. E. Church. They have seven children and reside at present in the State of Nebraska. (6) Mary Moyer married Capt. J. B. Eversole ; she is now a widow and lives with her five children at Olney, 111. (7) Lydia Moyer married James Stewart. They reside at Corea, Iowa. They have five children. Her first husband was Isaac Beery.

(6) William Young married Lydia Blosser and resided most of their lives on the little farm now owned by the Funk brothers, just east of Bremen. Their children are ( i ) Mary, who is now Mrs. Jerry Moyer. Her children are (i) J. W., who married Miss Melinda Shane and have one daughter, Ethel. (2) Llewellyn, who married James Paxton. (3) Myrtle who married Joshua Blosser (now deceased). She has one daughter, Inez. (4) Inez who lives with her parents. (2) John B. Young, who enlisted in Company E, Forty-sixth O. V. I., and died from exposure received at the battle of Shilo. (3) Thompson, who married Laura Hannum of Indiana. They are both dead and left four children, who now reside at Marion, Indiana. (4) Matilda married George Kuhn and lives at present at Fostoria, Ohio. They have seven children. (5) Kate married Mason King and resides in this township. They have seven children,

(7) Enos Young married Mary Brandt and resided on the old homestead until his death, which occurred about fifteen years ago. Their children are ( i ) Edward, a prosperous young farmer, who married Carrie Alexander and now resides on a part of the old homestead. (2) Wilbur, who is still single from choice and is living with his widowed mother, managing the farm.

(8) Thomas Young married Catherine Moyer. To this union were born four children, (i) Jacobs who married Josie Irvin, of Warren, Ind. Their three children are : ( i ) Rose, who married Samuel Kennedy, a banker of Warren, Ind. (2) Blanche, who married William Bond, and (3) Ernest, who is single and resides at home. (2) Henry W., the second son of Thomas Young, married Matilda King. They have a pretty country home two miles north of Bremen, where Mr. Young is extensively engaged in the raising of small fruit and many varieties of garden seeds. Mr. Young's record as a citizen, soldier and public servant is an enviable one and worthy of emulation. Their children now living are : ( i ) Rev. E. E. Young of Germantown, Ohio, a graduate of Heidelberg college at Tiffin, and now a successful young minister of the gospel. His wife was Miss Anna Shock, of Tiffin, Ohio. (2) Charles Young, a successful tiller of the soil, married Miss Guyton; they have one son, Cecil, and live near Avion, Ohio. (3) Arthur O. Young, also a farmer, married Miss Lillie Kagay, and at present are making arrangements to move near Millersport, where they will look after the farm of Mrs. Helser, of Thornville. (4) Miss Blanche Young and (5) Walter Young, both of whom are still residing with their parents.

(3) John M. Young, a third son of Thomas Young, married Hanna Hite, and are residing with their children at Butler, Ind. (4) William E. Young, the fourth son of Thomas Young, married Clarissa Neeley. Mr. Young runs a blacksmith shop at his country home. They have one son, James, who is living at home, two and one-half miles east of Bremen, and assists his father in the shop and on the farm.

(9) Elizabeth Young married William Black, and resided on their farm two miles west of Bremen, where Mr. Black died twelve years ago. Their children are : (i) John Black, who married Miss Laura Musser. They have seven children, one son and six daughters, the two oldest, Abbie and Leefe, being married. The former married Mr. Hoskinson and live in Newark, and the latter married Mr. Stover and live in Hebron. The other children are Belle, Blanche, Maude, Edna and Harry, all of whom live with their parents in Hebron. (2) James Black married Miss Groflf. Mr. Black was accidentally killed on the C. & M. V. R. R. a few years ago, leaving a widow and eight children. Lizzie, the oldest, married Mr. Will Huston of West Rushville. They have one child. The other children are Gertrude, Rebecca, Clara, who makes her home with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs John Stuart; Bessie, Nellie, Leila and Orland. (3) The other daughter of William Black was Miss Mary who died about a year ago, since which time the widowed mother has made her home with her son, John, at Hebron.

( 10) Mary Young married George Groff, brother of William Groff of this place. She is now a widow and lives at Pleasant Plains, Ind., with her daughter, Mrs. Wildermuth and family.

(ii) Edward Young married Amanda Kindler and now lives at Warren, Ind., where he is a successful practicing physician. They have two children who now live with them.

It is unlikely that any other family of this neighborhood has a better military record than the Yoimg family. Edward Young's brothers served in the war of 1812 and during the Civil War eight grandsons of Edward Young went to the front to help put down the rebellion. They were Elias, Hezekiah, J. B., T. E., J. G., J. M., and H. W. Young, and Edward Moyer. J. B. died from exposure received at the battle of Sh'Ioh. H. W. Young fell wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. Edward Moyer spent about fifteen months in southern prisons.

John Miller, John Ashbaugh and Joseph Ashbaugh cleared a patch of ground, planted corn and potatoes, and built a cabin in the spring of 1799 on what is now known as the Weaver farm. They then returned to Pennsylvania for their families. They were the first settlers of Rush Creek township, and the first to make an improvement. See "Ashbaugh family."

The Wiseman Family

ISAAC Wiseman and his wife, Elizabeth, the ancestors of the Wiseman family, of this county, emigrated from Berks County, Pennsylvania, to Rockingham County, Virginia, soon after the war of the Revolution. A large family of sons and daughters were emigrants with him. John, Samuel, Isaac, Jacob, Abner, William, Joseph. The family remained but a few years, living on Linnville creek, and with the exception of Samuel, moved farther south to Monroe County, Virginia. Samuel, about the year 1805 or 1806, moved with his family to Fairfield County, Ohio, and settled on Walnut creek, in Walnut township, where he reared a large family.

Jacob and Abner moved to Kentucky, and Isaac to Gallia County, Ohio, where they left many descendants. Rev. John Wiseman, a local preacher of the Methodist Church, commissioned by Bishop Asbury, reared a large family in Monroe County, Virginia, and late in life, at the age of 60, moved to Ohio, accompanied by his entire family of married and single children, with one exception, Aaron Morgan and wife.

In less than a year he moved his family to a farm adjoining his brother Samuel, but in Perry County. Here he spent the years of his old age in a quiet, peaceful and uneventful life.

in all, a good, conscientious workman. His son Joseph was a distinguished local mathematician, a well informed, capable man. He served five years as Associate Judge of Perry County. His son, Philip S. Wiseman, father of the writer, lived a part of his life in Walnut township, Fairfield County. In the year 1848 he was the Whig candidate for representative for Fairfield County. He was a man of good, common sense, a reader of books, and such papers as the National Intelligencer, and was well informed. He reared a large family and died at the early age of 55 years. He was president of the public meeting in Pleasantville in i86i when the Pleasantville Academy was organized.

Ann Wiseman married George Stinchcomb. They were the parents of the late Captain James W. Stinchcomb. Jacob G, was a farmer and good citizen of Perry County, Ohio.

Sallie married Thomas Brattin and moved to Chillicothe, Ohio. Their great-grandson, Charles Lindly, of New York, married a daughter of Ex-Governor Denver at Wilmington, Ohio.

Simon Wiseman, Samuel and Andrew, sons of Jas. and grandsons of John, were soldiers of the Union army. The first two named died in the service. Theodore, son of Joseph Wiseman, was a Union soldier and died from disease contracted in the service.

Rev. John Wiseman was a soldier of the Revolution under General Washington, and was one of the sufferers at Vallev Forge. He died in 1842, more than four score years of age. The descendants of Isaac

C. M. L. Wiseman, son of Philip Smith Wiseman, and Pricilla Lewis, was born January 15, 1829, near New Salem, Ohio. His educational advantages were the common schools and a good circulating library, the columns of the Saturday Evening Post and the grand old National Intelligencer, the organ of the Whig party. He taught a common school for five or six terms in Fairfield County. He then traveled four years for C. W. James, of Cincinnati, in the western states. On November 25, 1853, he married Mary E. Parr, of Perry County, Ohio. April i, 1855, he moved to Lancaster and served as Deputy Sheriff under William Potter. Later he was deputy clerk of the Common Pleas Court, under John Radebaugh. He served four years as secretary and treasurer of the Lancaster Starch Company. In i860 he was elected chairman of the County Republican Committee, and conducted the Lincoln campaign. May 16, 1861, he was made Postmaster of Lancaster under Lincoln, on the recommendation of John T. Brasee and V. B. Horton. Four years later he was reappointed on recommendation of Carey A. Trimble. He was reappointed Postmaster by Andrew Johnson, on recommendation of Hon. Thomas Ewing. Again reappointed by General Grant on the recommendation of Hon. John Sherman, serving in all 13 years.

He served acceptably as Chairman of the Republican County Committee five terms. Was many times a delegate to district and state conventions. In one state delegation, when Senator Ewing was a delegate and the chairman. The most pleasing and acceptable, aye, honorable public duty that he was ever called upon to perform was to preside at the great meeting held in the Lancaster City Hall, in memory of General U. S. Grant, shortly after his death. The man, whose praise was on every tongue, and whose fame had encircled the earth. He served five years as steward and financial officer of the Boys' Industrial School, five years as inspector for the Board of Underwriters of the city of Columbus, six years as state agent of the Home Insurance Company, and six months as special inspector for the Home Insurance Company, of New York. November I, 1900, he married a second wife, Mrs. P. E. Collins. He is believed to be the only survivor of those who took an active and decided stand in the organization of the Republican party of Fairfield County. At that time the old Whigs were reluctant in giving up their grand old party, and the young men perfected the organization of the new Republican party.

His children are : Henry Clay, of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Charles E. Williamson, of Omaha, Nebraska; Mrs. Joshua Clarke, Mrs. F. C. Whiley and Charles Philip, of Lancaster, Ohio; Mary Elizabeth and William Tecumseh, deceased. He is in

With friendship's flame is bright; Life still is sweet, the heavens are fair. Though fields are brown and woods are bare, And many a joy is left to share Before we say good night.

Source changes here: from History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Miller, Charles Christian, published 1912; 13,981 words in this source stream.

Liberty Township

Liberty township is bounded on the north by Licking County, on the east by Walnut township, on the south by Greenfield and on the west by Violet. It is a regular township of 36 sections. It v.as named Liberty at the request of the first settlers who were from Switzerland. They had emigrated from a land where their liberties had been much restricted and they desired to perpetuate the change to . freedom, hence the name Liberty.

The surface of Liberty township, formerly covered with a dense forest, is generally flat, being slightly rolling al)out Baltimore and Basil. Walnut Creek is the principal stream in the township and crosses the southern part of the township. Poplar Creek is its principal tributary. The Ohio Canal crosses the southwestern part of the township. A portion of the Refugee tract of land is situated in the northem part of the township. The roads through Liberty follow the cardinal points.

Among the first settlers were Christian Gundy, who came from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and settled in the southern part of the township, David Brumbach who came in 1803, and the early Swiss settlers were Nicholas Bader, Joseph Alt and

Rev. Henry Leonard furnished this list of settlers and families who lived in Liberty township prior to 181 1, viz : The Ebersoles, Cooks, Campbells, Zirkles, Hiesers, Alts, Heistands, Apt. Finkbone, Kemerer, Paff, Bolenbaugh, Rouch, Newell, Blauser, Brown, Shriner, Knepper, Moorehead, Olinger, Wright, Tusing, Gromilers, McCalla, Switzer, Amspach, Heyle, Farmers, Leonard, Sann, Rouch, Sagers and Wilsons.

Liberty township is a fertile township and large quantities of grain are grown. In an early day ginseng grew in large quantities in the woods and the settlers depended on the sale of this root to pay their taxes.

Baltimore

There are two prosperous villages in Liberty township, Baltimore and Basil, both on the Toledo and Ohio Central Railway, and only one mile apart. Baltimore is the older of the two villages, dating back to 1824. In the early days of the Ohio Canal, Baltimore was a great market for grain, which was shipped via the canal. Wing and Atwood built the first grain warehouse ; Amos Sweazy built another soon afterward. Wing Ruffner and Coulson built the first grist-mill in 1835.