Liberty Township

Liberty Township

Ordered - That the following boundaries be laid oft' into a separate and distinct township, to-wit : Beginning at the southeast comer of the sixth township of the fourteenth range, and running west on the to\\"nship line to the southwest comer of the same ; thence north on the line between the fourteenth and fifteenth ranges, to the northwest corner of said township ; thence east on the township line to the northwest corner of the same ; thence south on the range line to the place of beginning ; which shall be known and distinguished by the name of Liberty township, which shall be entitled to all the privileges of a separate and distinct township.

The surface of Liberty is rolling, but not rough. The southern part of the township is drained by Dry creek, which empties into the Kokosing river at Mt. Vernon, while the northern portion is drained by Granny's creek, Armstrong's run and other small streams. The drainage is good, there being little or no swamp lands in the township. About one-third of the land is under actual cultivation, the balance is in grass and woodland, but nearly all is susceptible of cultivation. The soil is composed of loam, impregnated with lime, and resting upon substratum of drift gravel, hence very productive ; all the cereals being successfully grown.

This section of the country was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, of the following varieties : hard maple, black walnut, beech, white oak, and other varieties indigenous to the soil, but much of it has disappeared before the destroying axe of the woodman.

There are very few relics of the Mound Builders to be found in Liberty township. About the only ones deserving mention are located on the property of J. D. Higgins, one mile east of Mount Liberty. On the hill north of Mr. Higgins' residence is a mound about thirty feet in diameter, and was originally eight or ten feet high, but is at present very much reduced in height by being plowed over. It was opened by Mr. Higgins, who, however, found nothing but the traditional ashes and charcoal.

In an adjoining field, and occupying much lower ground than the above described mound, is the remains of a circular embankment one hundred feet in diameter, but so worn down by the plow that its original height cannot be determined. It has the general appearance of a military work, but its proximity to higher ground, and the fact of the earth from the ditch having been thrown outward, would seem to preclude that idea. The mystery that surrounds the subject of the mounds and their builders, appears to be enhanced by the fact that the Indians who occupied this country when the white man made his advent confess entire ignorance of their origin.

The earliest settlers were the following : Francis Atherton, Francis Blakeney, Thomas Fletcher, George Ginn, Francis Hardescy, and Alexander Dallas. These came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1805, and settled on Dry creek. Mr. Atherton located where John H. Bird now resides. He was a very ingenuous mechanic and was very useful in the new settlement The first frame house in the township was built by him in 1808. He also built a mill - intended to be a grist-mill - on Dry creek, but died before its completion, and the mill was not a success. Francis Hardesty located where Mrs. Bird now lives, about three miles east of Mt. Liberty. Hr. Hardesty and his wife are said to be the first adults who died in the township. They were buried a few yards east of the Bird's graveyard. The first death was that of a child of Francis Atherton. It was buried in the woods north of Mr. Atherton's house. Alexander Dallas was a rough character - a distiller by occupation - and was sent to the penitentiary for burning a barn. Joseph Higgins arrived in the country in 18 10, and pitched his tent one mile east of the present site of Mt. Liberty, where J. D. Higgins now resides. Michael Yoakam came in 181 1, and located west of Mr. Higgins. John Y^oakam, son of Michael, is still living, and to his faithful memory this history is indebted for many of the statements made. John Wilson was the pioneer blacksmith. His shop stood, in 181 1, on the farm now owned by George Carey.

Lewis Bricker, sr., of Green county, Pennsylvania, had a very large family, and determined to distribute them in the western country where lands were cheap, and he could provide them with farms. Accordingly he bought sixteen hundred acres of land in what is now the northeastern portion of Liberty township, and started the elder members of his family to it in the spring of 1810. Of this number were Peter Bricker and George Lewis, his brother-in-law. They came out to this wild region, camped one night, and the next day by noon were on their way back. They reported the country wild, and they did not believe it ever would be settled. They saw many Indians, heard the owls hooting, and the wolves howling all night; and unaccustomed to these things they agreed with their wives to let their land go, rather than risk their own and their children's lives in the Dry creek region.

Their father, accustomed to frontier life, and knowing also the value of land in this country, de. termined in the fall to make another effort at a settlement. Accordingly he sent another delegation, and continued the work until he got into this township the following children: Peter, George, John, Jacob, David, Solomon, Lewis, Catharine, Rachel, and Mrs. George Lewis, who have in their own time peopled the wilderness, felled the forest trees, and cultivated the ground, multiplying the original number by the double rule of three. Peter Bricker had a dozen children, George Lewis sixteen, and the other members of the family were nearly equally proUfic. It is related of one of the elder Brickers that he arrived at his destination late in the fall, too late to build a cabin, and no cabin could be rented. In this emergency a substitute was thought of. Mr. Bricker had brought with him a large Pennsylvania wagon, and turning the bed of it up side down he transformed it into a dwelling place, and in this novel habitation passed his first winter in Knox county.

The children of George Lewis recollect when their father went to Shrimplin's mill with a grist of corn, and left his wife and family alone, with nothing to eat, and the Indians prowling about the premises.

later but are still regarded as early settlers. The last named family located on Granny's creek, in the northwestern corner of the township, and it is still known as the Wolf settlement. The most numerous families at the present time are the Brickers, Lewises, Ewalts, and Rineharts.

The hardships and vicissitudes incident to pioneer life were experienced by the early settlers of Liberty, but they proved equal to the occasion, and are to-day surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of civilization.

The first public road in Liberty township was petitioned for by Samuel Katzer, Benjamin Butler, Robert Anderson, James Walker, jr., Stephen Chapman, Aaron Brown, C. Leffland, William Wallace, James Craig, Robert Walker, Thomas Merrill, Jesse Severe, Michael Barton, and John Click; Ziba Leonard, Mafchias Critchfield, and Joseph Coleman were appointed viewers, and John Dunlap surveyor. The road petitioned for was surveyed nearly due west from Mt. Vernon to the county line, and passed through the north of Liberty township. It was returned August 5, 1808, and confirmed to the county commissioners on the fifth of the same month.

June 4, 1810, Francis Hardesty and others petitioned for a road running from Mt. Vernon to his place, and thence to Joseph Higgins'. The names of the petitioners were: Francis Hardesty, James Smith, Alexander Dallas, Joseph Higgins, Charles McBride, Thomas Fletcher, Francis Blakeney, James Dunlap, Daniel Dinimick, Jonathan Hunt, jr., John McConnell, John DotH, John Boyle, Silas Brown, Rufus Vore, James Haines, Barton Lucas, James Strange, Henry Haines, George Zinn, Jacob Thomas, Joseph Walker, John Wilson, Nicholas Kyle, Enoch Harris, Nathan Kyle, Samuel Kratzer, J. Grant, and Michael Clark. The viewers were: Charles Cooper, John Harrod, and Henry Roberts. Surveyor, John Dunlap. The return was made to 'the county commissioners June 12th, and confirmed in September, 18 10.

Joseph Eichar, Benjamin Martin, and James Carpenter were appointed by the State commissioners to lay out a road from Mt. Vernon to Delaware, Ohio. They performed their duty and filed a copy of the survey in the office of the commissioners of Knox county, September i, 1817. The road is now known as the "Old Delaware Road," and passes through the northern part of Liberty township. The "New Delaware Road" was also laid out under the auspices of the State. Frederick Avery, John Storm, and George Lewis were appointed, February 22, 1830, commissioners to lay out said road, and filed a copy of the survey in the office of the county commissioners, November 30th, of the same year.

Oilman Bryant built the first successful mill on Dry creek, near the present site of the county infirmary. In 1824 he built a saw-mill, and in 1825 erected a grist-mill. John Wilson built a corn cracker at the Proper place in 1829, and Albertus Bird built a saw-mill in 1832 on the property now occupied by Harman Hollister. In 1827 Samuel Thatcher, sr., built a saw-mill on the north fork of Dry creek, one and a half miles north of Mt. Liberty, and in 1839 he built a carding-mill on the south fork, one-half mile west of the present site of Mt. Liberty. He conducted the latter about two years and then abandoned it. Mr. Thatcher seems to have had a mania for building mills, for he shortly after built another saw-mill just south of the village, and sold it to George Beardsheare. This mill is still standing.

A saw- and grist-mill was built by Mr. Thatcher in 1847, o" the north side of the creek, just below Mt. Liberty, and sold to Mr. John Inscho. John D. Higgins subsequently purchased this mill and turned it into a barn, and in 1865 it was burnt. In 1862 two steam saw-mills were run in the village by Youngblood & Weller, and Peter Shafer.

Francis Wilkins was the first regular hotel-keeper. He lived in a brick house on the Columbus road, one mile west of the east line of Liberty township, in 1827. This building is yet standing, but is no longer used for hotel purposes. For many years it was kept by Jerome Rowley, a very clever gentleman, now well along in years, and a resident of Mt. Vernon. This tavern was in its day a noted stopping place for stages and travellers long before the advent of railroads; and also for sleighing and dancing parties.

Samuel Thatcher, sr., in 1833 opened a hotel on the Columbus road just west of Mt. Liberty, and kept entertainment for man and beast till 1838, when he rented it to a Mr. Baggs, moved to the |

Carter place, built a new house and opened a hotel at the east end of the village in 1839. This house Mr. Thatcher sold to James Severe, in 1841, who kept it about one year, and was succeeded by Harrison and John Thompson. They were followed successively by a Mr. Eastman, James Emery, John Thompson, and lastly by Isaac Hawkins. James Osborn opened a public house in the village of Mt. Liberty in 1843, where George Shafter now lives, and Charles Bird kept tavern about the same time in the building now occupied by David Teegarden. Mr. Bird was followed by James Emery. After Mr. Emery's occupancy, the building was used as a store until 1880, when Mr. Teegarden reconstructed it as a hotel.

The county commissioners ordered an election for township officers, to be held at the school house near Francis Wilkins' on the fifteenth day of June, 1822. That was the first election ever held in the township, but unfortunately, as is too frequently the case, no record of the proceedings was preserved, and it is impossible at this date to ascertain who composed the first board of officers.

Rezin B. Walsh is township clerk; Robert D. McBride and Joseph C. Bricker, constables; Jerome Bricker, treasurer; Andrew J. Sharpneck, assessor; Ransom Yoakam, Emmet L. Cotton, and E. M. Hyatt, trustees; and Jesse P. Robertson, T. J. Brown, J. Gardner, W. G. Lohr, William Col-

Mt. Liberty is the principal town in Liberty township and is situated on the State road leading from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, in the heart of a productive country on Dry creek. The land on which the town stands was owned and the town laid out by Samuel Thatcher, sr., and George Beardsheare, October 8, 1835. T. G. Plummer was the surveyor. The growth of the town was slow until the completion of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, since which time it has improved more rapidly, and now presents quite a business appearance.

The following is an inventory of the business of the town : One railroad depot, express and ticket agent, George M. Shaffer; one hotel, D. L. Teegarden; one post-office, J- P- Wintermute, postmaster; one steam saw- grist- and planing-mill, Peter Batty; one water saw-mill, A. Miser; two dry goods stores, J. P. Wintermute and M. E. Dumfee; groceries, W. R. Rowland; agricultural implements and buggies, J. B. Brokaw; physicians, A. P. Robertson and C. R. Bradfield; blacksmiths, D. Mosteller and W. O. Coe; shoemaker, L. D. Campbell; harnessmaker, George Kraft; stock dealers, T. D. Updike and Isaac Hawkins; carpenters H. R. Bostwack and Jonathan Tucker; butchers, Jackson & Conway; grain dealer, G. M. Shaffer; painter, Fanner K. Robertson; lumber dealers, H. W. Mosteller and N. L. Sperry; one church, Methodist Episcopal; one graded school, B. F. Morris and Philena Barr, teachers; one lodge of Sons of Temperance and one lodge of Knights of Honor. There are at present one hundred and seventy-five inhabitants.

The Wintermute family is of German extraction; and tradition says the founder thereof in this country was a sailor who, when his vessel was lying off the coast of New Jersey, went on shore with others of the crew, and, being pleased with the country, concluded to remain. Below will be found the inscription on his tomb-stone in the Stillwater ceme. tery, New Jersey, with the translation of the same, which was copied from the stone by Mr. J. P. Wintermute, while on a visit there in the fall of 1876:

Of these children one is renowned as having built Fort Wintermoot, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. One was said to have been killed in the massacre of the Wyoming, one killed in battle, one uniting his fortunes with the British removed to Canada, where his descendants now reside, near Fort Erie, and who are reputed to be quite wealthy. Another, the grandfather of J. P. Wintermute, after bringing up a large family at the old home in New Jersey, finally in his old age removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where several of his children were residing, and where he. died at the ripe age of ninety years. The various branches of the family have been noted for their longevity.

Bangs is the name of a small village situated on the Cleveland, i\It. Vernon & Columbus railroad, near the eastern line of Liberty township. It was named after George H. Bangs, superintendent of United States mail routes, at the time the postoffice was established at that place.

In 1872, when the railroad was under construction, William H. Smith purchased the adjoining land of Shannon Rowley, built a house and opened a store just opposite the county infirmary. He was appointed postmaster in 1873, and still holds that office, Mr. L. H. Burgess being his deputy. Mr. Smith kept store about three years, and then went to deaUng in live stock. In 1875 Isaac Babbs built a store room and opened a grocery. He continued in the business till 1880, when he was succeeded by L. H. Burgess, who now keeps the only store in the village. Charles Casteel lo- cated herein 1876 and engaged in blacksmithing. William Lee is the village shoemaker. Mr. Smith sold off lots as occasion required, but the town was never regularly platted till in the fall of 1880. It now contains eleven dwellings and fifty-six inhabitants.

Dr. Henry A. Childs was the first resident physician in Mount Liberty. He began practice in 1837, and was followed by Drs. Riggs, Gunsaulus, Foutz, Hildreth, Barkis, Duke, Deckrow, Russell, Green, Bradfield and Robertson.

Henry Layering kept a small store in 1829, where the house of Henderson Bird now stands. It was a rather diminutive establishment, but as it supplied the people with the necessaries of life, powder, lead, tobacco, whiskey and a small assortment of groceries and dry goods - it is entitled to the name of the first store.

The next venture in the mercantile line was made by Norton B. Rice in 1832, who rented a part of Samuel Thatcher's house - afterwards known as "Thatcher's tavern." Mr. Rice did a good business, and was followed successively by Samuel Thatcher, sr., John W. Cotton & Company, Conway & Arnold, Daniel Veatch, William Cooper, Luther Hill, Conway & Higgins, Harman, Hollister, Douglass Bryant, Bowlsby & Campbell, J. P. Wintermute and J. P. Davis.

Henry Lavering who kept the first store was also the first postmaster. He was appointed in 1832, and his- successors have been James Severe, John W. Cotton, Luther Hill, John McAllister, Dr. Henry A. Childs, William Conway, Prentice S. Wilson, William. McGaughey, E. D. Bryant, D. K. Waldruff, Judson Hildreth, C. R. Lineweaver, Daniel Veatch, G. R. Bowlby and J. P. Wintermute. Mr. Wintermute, the present incumbent, has been postmaster during the last twelve years.

William Nash has the credit of teaching the first school in Liberty township, as early as 181 1, in the vicinity of Michael Yoakam's. The facilities of acquiring an education at that time were very meagre, and both the school room and its appointments of the most primitive type, but he taught what was then considered an excellent school. John Yoakam, one of his pupils, then eleven years of age, still retains a lively recollection of the log cabin, with its puncheon furniture and clapboard roof. Books were a luxury, possessed only by the few, the school-book fiend having not yet been developed - but the inventive genius of Mr. Yoakam's mother was equal to the occasion. She cut letters put of a newspaper, pasted them on a paddle and sent him on his way rejoicing, happy in possession of his first spelling book. The snows of seventy winters have come and gone since then. The little band that composed Nash's school has been scattered far and wide. ^One by one they have passed over the silent river; only one remains.

The pioneer preacher of this locality was Rev. Thomas Carr, of the Methodist Episcopal church, who filled appointments regularly in 1814. Rev. John Raymond was also an early herald of the cross. Like the majority of the early itinerants, he was a pious and zealous man, travelled over a great extent of territory on horseback, following blazed trails, and preached wherever he could collect an audience. These men and others continued to preach at intervals in the settlement, but no regular class was formed until 1837. Father Conant preached in the old log school house which stood on the ground occupied by the present Mt. Liberty school building. The class was composed of

Spellman, Martha Spellman, Allen Spellman and his wife, Keziah Robertson, Eliza Robertson, John Wilson, son and daughter. Charles Wright was the first leader. From this class Mt. Liberty Episcopal church originated. The early meetings were held in the school house above referred to, then in the church at Mt. Liberty, open to all denominations (afterwards known as the Christian meeting house). In 1845, under the auspices of Rev. Mr. Berry, a neat frame building thirty-six by forty-five feet was erected in the village of Mt. Liberty, which is still occupiea as a house of worship. In the Methodist Episcopal connection where the itineracy obtains it is difficult to give the succession of pastors, and it is not here attempted. Rev. Joseph McK. Barnes is the present pastor. Present number of members, fifty-four. Class leaders, Wesley Jackman, and Wellington Wintermute. A Sunday-school of about forty scholars is connected with this church. Thomas Brimmacombe is superintendent.

organized in 1830, by Rev. Daniel Long. The original members were Hugh Beardsheare, Riley Beardsheare, Sarah Yoakam, Sheldon Riley, Sarah Riley, John Lineweaver, Dorothy Line weaver, Mary McLain, Elizabeth Wilson, Jesse Higgins, James Severe, Elizabeth Colany, Daniel Decker, and David Stothard. John Stevens and John Higgins were the first deacons, and James Coleman, clerk. When Samuel Thatcher and George Beardsheare laid out the town of Mt. Liberty they donated lot 48 for the use of the religious public. Accordingly a subscription was raised and a union meeting house was erected on said lot. It was a frame, twenty-eight by thirty-eight, two stories high, containing a gallery, and was to be used in common by all demominations. The Christians, Disciples and Methodists were its principal occupants, but in time the Christians becoming the more numerous it came to be known as the Christian church. The building is still standing, though not in use. Neither the Christians nor Disciples have at this time any stated preaching.

Friendship Methodist Protestant church was organized in the month of March, 1834, in a log house owned by Thomas Higgins, by Rev. Franklin L. Flowers. The early members of Friendship were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, x\melia Brown, Ann Brown, Richard Harding, Ann Harding, Philip Holland, Sarah Holland, Henry Lewis and his wife. The early meetings of this society were held in the log house already referred to for several years. The preaching was generally on a week day instead or on the Sabbath. In 1841 the place of meeting was changed to near the centre of the township, on the New Delaware road and near the site of the present church building. General prosperity attended the society, and many members were added to the roll. In 1843 what was known as the Old Friendship meeting-house was built, and occupied the lot on the north side of the road. New Friendship edifice stands on the south side of the road, and was built in 1870, at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars. The successive pastors have been Franklin L. Flowers, David Howell, John Herbert, John Beatty, Moses Scott, George Clancey, W. A. Sampson, J. M. Woodward, T. L. Dibble, and G. W. Hissey. Rev. J. H. Hamilton is the present incumbent. The present number of members is eighty-five. A prosperous Sunday school is connected with this church, of which William Bryan is superintendent.

Beulah Methodist Protestant church is located on the Mt. Vernon & Columbus road, in the southeastern part of the township, near Bangs Station. This church was first organized on the fourteenth day of November, 1847, with Rev. Abram K. Earle as pastor. Amongst the original members were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, Garretson Brown, Ann Brown, Amelia Brown, Lydia Orme, and Ann Browm.

Meetings were held in Bird's school-house up to the time of the erection of the present house of worship in i860. Owing to the system of itineracy which prevails iu the Methodist Protestant church, as in the Methodist Episcopal, the regular succession of ministers cannot be given. The following persons have been pastor at various times: Rev. A. K. Earle, J. W. Southard, G. M. Scott, E. S. Hoagland, Isaac Fister, J. H. Hamilton, T. L. Dibbs, J. M. Woodward, and G. W. Hissey. This church has seventy-one members at present. The Sunday-school connected with it was organized in 1 86 1, and has a present membership of sixty. Benjamm Casteel is superintendent.

Liberty chapel, a Methodist Protestant church, was organized in February, 1847, ^t Bedell's schoolhouse, in Liberty township, near the Old Delaware road, by Rev. John Lamb. The original members were David Morris, Mary Morris, Mrs. Richard Ewalt, Sarah Myers, John Garden and his wife, Mrs. Dart, David Willis, Susan Willis, Seth Willis, Mary Willis, and John Merrihew and wife. The society continued to meet in Bedell's schoolhouse till the present chapel was erected in 1856. The pastors at this chapel have been as follows : Revs. John Lamb, Thomas Potter, S. Catlin, James Winn, D. B. Dorsey, J. W. Southard, J. H. Hamilton, G. Clancey, Chauncey Baldwin, W. H. Marshall, A K. Earle, N. S. Brown, J. H. Hamilton, George Burnes, A. Abbott, G. W. Hissey, W. A. Sampson, E. W. Grimes, T. L. Dibble, J. W. Woodward, and L. Bowman. The present membership is seventy.

Columbus road, about three miles east of Mt. Liberty, on the property of George Carey. Michael Yoakam, who died in 1823, was the first perSten buried here. There were several private burial places in existence previous to this, but none set apart for pubhc use. The graveyard at Friendship church is also an old one. That at Mt. Liberty was established in 1835.

The Hopewell Division No. 63, of the sons of temperance was organized at Mount Liberty, October II, 1875, by State Deputy A. M. Collins. The following is a list of the charter members: J. P. Wintermute, J. W. Jackson, Edward Robertson, C. R. Lineweaver, Charles Lineweaver, Elmer Higgins, Norman Jennings, Arnold Bishop, Silas Woodruif, W. A. Thompson, N. D. Skillen, R. C. Wintermute, Russel Bird, Cliff. Gaylord, J. Tucker, Allen S. Bishop, Hiram Mostellar, Thomas Thatcher, A. B. Collins, Dana Mitchell, Clayton Bishop, Olen Conway, Edwin Borden, William Dick, J. W. Mofifit, Price Jennings, W. A. Wintermute, C. R. Bradfield, Clara Carroll, Emma Carroll, Elsie Jackson, Sadie Jackson, Minnie Davis, Angie Thompson, Mary Jackson, Ettie A. Wintermute, Annie Bishop, Mary Hawkins, Angie Dripps, Huldah Carroll, Sarah M. Bradfield, Minerva Moffit, E. J. Shira, Ellen A. Borden, Ida Bishop, Olive Bishop, Emma Cleghorn, Nettie Bishop, Millie Lineweaver, Jane Baskins, Sarah A. Bishop, Luella Bishop, Lola Wintermute, Mary E. McKnown, Mary Robertson, J. A. Moffit, B. F. Bishop and Edith Waldruff". The original officers were: J. W. Jackson, W. P.; Mrs. E. A. Borden, W. A.; J. P. Wintermute, R. S. ; Mrs. Angie Thompson, A. R. S. ; J. W. Moffit, F. S.; C. R. Lineweaver, Tr.; W. A. Wintermute, Chap. ; Russel Bird, Cond. ; Miss Elsie Jackson, A. C. ; Miss Emma Carroll, J. S. ; W. A. Thompson, O. S.; Mrs. Sarah M. Bradfield, P. W. P.; Dr. C. R. Bradfield, D. G. W. P. The first meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal church. Afterwards the meetings were held in the hall belonging to the Knights of Honor until 1877. The society nov,- meets every Saturday night in Jackson hall.

The present officers are: Arnold Bishop, W. P.; J. W. Hawkins, R. S. ; Miss Ida Bishop, A. R. S. ; Mrs. Ettie Wintermute, F. S. ; J. W. Jackson, Tr. ; J. P. Robertson, Chap. ; H. W. Mostellar, Cond. : j

Miss Sadie Jackson, A. C. ; Miss Emma Hawkins, J. S. ; Benson Bishop, O. S. ; Mrs. Mary J. Jackson, P. W. This was not the first organization of this character in Mount Liberty. From 1840 to i86o,a lodge of the Sons of Temperance and a lodge of Good Templars were in existence, and both did a good work. Whiskey was in common use in those days and the evil grew so rapidly that the people were generally alarmed, and these lodges sprang up all over the country. The lodges in Mount Liberty were both in a flourishing condition many years, and many a middle-aged man of today attributes his freedom from the habit of drinking to the solemn pledges and oaths taken in those organizations, Arnold Bishop whose name appears above, was long a member of one or both of these organizations. Dr. McGugin, a farmer and a man of a good deal of ability and influence in Mount Liberty, was saved from a drunkard's grave by the old organization of the Sons of Temperance. The good they accomplished cannot be computed by figures. They very nearly or quite accomplished the objects for which they were organized, and passed away about the beginning of the war.

Mount Liberty Lodge, No. 41, of the Knights of Honor was organized at Shaffers' hotel in Mount Liberty, December 17, 1874, by Deputy Supreme Dictator, S. D. Thompson of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

The first threshing-machine was introduced by Leonard Weaver, and the first mower by Amos Leech. The following statistics may be found useful. :

Number of horses in the township, 385 ; assessed value of the same, $18,258; number of cattle, 991, assessed value of the same, $14,516; number of sheep, 6776; assessed value of same, $12,829; number of hogs, 1,032; assessed value of same, $2,533; moneys and credits, $67,923; total value of all taxable personal property, $189,538.

Source changes here: from History Knox County, Ohio, by N. N. Hill., Jr, published 1881; 4,902 words in this source stream.

Liberty Township

Ordered - That the following boundaries be laid off into a separate and distinct township, to-wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of the sixth township of the fourteenth range, and running west on the township line to the southwest corner of the same ; thence north on the line between the fourteenth and fifteenth ranges, to the northwest corner of said township ; thence east on the township line to the northwest corner of the same ; thence south on the range line to the place of beginning ; which shall be known and distinguished by the name of Liberty township, which shall be entitled to all the privileges of a separate and distinct township.

The surface of Liberty is rolling, but not rough. The southern part of the township is drained by Dry creek, which empties into the Kokosing river at Mt. Vernon, while the northern portion is drained by Granny's creek, Armstrong's run and other small streams. The drainage is good, there being little or no swamp lands in the township. About one-third of the land is under actual cultivation, the balance is in grass and woodland, but nearly all is susceptible of cultivation. The soil is composed of loam, impregnated with lime, and resting upon substratum of drift gravel, hence very productive ; all the cereals being successfully grown.

This section of the country was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, of the following varieties : hard maple, black walnut, beech, white 'oak, and other varieties indigenous to the soil, but much of it has disappeared before the destroying axe of the woodman.

There are very few relics of the Mound Builders to be found in Liberty township. About the only ones deserving mention are located on the property of J. D. Higgins, one mile east of Mount Liberty. On the hill north of Mr. Higgins' residence is a mound about thirty feet in diameter, and was originally eight or ten feet high, but is at present very much reduced in height by being plowed over. It was opened by Mr. Higgins, who, however, found nothing but the traditional ashes and charcoal.

In an adjoining field, and occupying much lower ground than the above described mound, is the remains of a circular embankment one hundred feet in diameter, but so worn down by the plow that its original height cannot be determined. It has the general appearance of a military work, but its proximity to higher ground, and the fact of the earth from the ditch having been thrown outward, would seem to preclude that idea. The mystery that surrounds the subject of the mounds and their builders, appears to be enhanced by the fact that the Indians who occupied this country when the white man made his advent confess entire ignorance of their origin.

The earliest settlers were the following: Francis Atherton, Francis Blakeney, Thomas Fletcher, George Ginn, Francis Hardesty, and Alexander Dallas. These came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1805, and settled on Dry creek. Mr. Atherton located where John H. Bird now resides. He was a very ingenuous mechanic and was very useful in the new settlement. The first frame house in the township was built by him in 1808. He also built a mill - intended to be a grist-mill - on Dry creek, but died before its completion, and the mill was not a.success. Francis Hardesty located where Mrs. Bird now lives, about three miles east of Mt. Liberty. Hr. Hardesty and his wife are said to be the first adults who died in the township. They were buried a few yards east of the Bird's graveyard. The first death was that of a child of Francis Atherton. It was buried in the woods north of Mr. Atherton's house. Alexander Dallas was a rough character - a distiller by occupation - and was sent to the penitentiary for burning a barn. Joseph Higgins arrived in the country in 1810, and pitched his tent one mile east of the present site of Mt. Liberty, where J. D. Higgins now resides. Michael Yoakam came in 1811, and located west of Mr. Higgins. John Yoakam, son of Michael, is still living, and to his faithful memory this history is indebted for many of the statements made. John Wilson was the pioneer blacksmith. His shop stood, in 1811, on the farm now owned by George Carey.

Lewis Bricker, sr., of Green county, Pennsylvania, had a very large family, and determined to distribute them in the western country where lands were cheap, and he could provide them with farms. Accordingly he bought sixteen hundred acres of land in what is now the northeastern portion of Liberty township, and started the elder members of his family to it in the spring of 1810. Of this number were Peter Bricker and George Lewis, his brother-in-law. They came out to this wild region, camped one night, and the next day by noon were on their way back. They reported the country wild, and they did not believe it ever would be settled. They saw many Indians, heard the owls hooting, and the wolves howling all night; and unaccustomed to these things they agreed with their wives to let their land go, rather than risk their own and their children's lives in the Dry creek region.

Their father, accustomed to frontier life, and knowing also the value of land in this country, determined in the fall to make another effort at a settlement. Accordingly he sent another delegation, and continued the work until he got into this township the following children: Peter, George, John, Jacob, David, Solomon, Lewis, Catharine, Rachel, and Mrs. George Lewis, who have in their own time peopled the wilderness, felled the forest trees, and cultivated the ground, multiplying the original number by the double rule of three. Peter Bricker had a dozen children, George Lewis sixteen, and the other members of the family were nearly equally prolific. It is related of one of the elder Brickers that he arrived at his destination late in the fall, too late to build a cabin, and no cabin could be rented. In this emergency a substitute was thought of. Mr. Bricker had brought with him a large Pennsylvania wagon, and turning the bed of it up side down he transformed it into a dwelling place, and in this novel habitation passed his first winter in Knox county.

The children of George Lewis recollect when their father went to Shrimplin's mill with a grist of corn, and left his wife and family alone, with nothing to eat, and the Indians prowling about the premises.

later but are still regarded as early settlers. The last named family located on Granny's creek, in the northwestern corner of the township, and it is still known as the Wolf settlement. The most numerous families at the present time are the Brickers, Lewises, Ewalts, and Rineharts.

The hardships and vicissitudes incident to pioneer life were experienced by the early settlers of Liberty, but they proved equal to the occasion, and are to-day surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences of civilization.

The first public road in Liberty township was petitioned for by Samuel Katzer, Benjamin Butler, Robert Anderson, James Walker, jr., Stephen Chapman, Aaron Brown, C. Leffland, William Wallace, James Craig, Robert Walker, Thomas Merrill, Jesse Severe, Michael Barton, and John Click; Ziba Leonard, Mathias Critchfield, and Joseph Coleman were appointed viewers, and John Dunlap surveyor. The road petitioned for was surveyed nearly due west from Mt. Vernon to the county line, and passed through the north of Liberty township. It was returned August 5, 1808, and confirmed to the county commissioners on the fifth of the same month.

June 4, 1810, Francis Hardesty and others petitioned for a road running from Mt. Vernon to his place, and thence to Joseph Higgins'. The names of the petitioners were: Francis Hardesty, James Smith, Alexander Dallas, Joseph Higgins, Charles McBride, Thomas Fletcher, Francis Blakeney, James Dunlap, Daniel Dinimick, Jonathan Hunt, jr., John McConnell, John Doth, John Boyle, Silas Brown, Rufus Vore, James Haines, Barton Lucas, James Strange, Henry Haines, George Zinn, Jacob Thomas, Joseph Walker, John Wilson, Nicholas Kyle, Enoch Harris, Nathan Kyle, Samuel Kratzer, J. Grant, and Michael Clark. The viewers were: Charles Cooper, John Harrod, and Henty Roberts. Surveyor, John Dunlap. The return was made to the county commissioners June 12th, and confirmed in September, 1810.

Joseph Eichar, Benjamin Martin, and James Carpenter were appointed by the State commissioners to lay out a road from Mt. Vernon to Delaware, Ohio. They performed their duty and filed a copy of the survey in the office of the commissioners of Knox county, September 1, 1817. The road is now known as the "Old Delaware Road," and passes through the northern part of Liberty township. The "New Delaware Road" was also laid out under the auspices of the State. Frederick Avery, John Storm, and George Lewis were appointed, February 22, 1830, commissioners to lay out said road, and filed a copy of the survey in the office of the county commissioners, November 3oth, of the same year.

Gilman Bryant built the first successful mill on Dry creek, near the present site of the county infirmary. In 1824 he built a saw-mill, and in 1825 erected a grist-mill. John Wilson built a corn cracker at the Proper place in 1829, and Albertus Bird built a saw-mill in 1832 on the property now occupied by Harman Hollister. In 1827 Samuel Thatcher, sr., built a saw-mill on the north fork of Dry creek, one and a half miles north. of Mt. Liberty, and in 1839 he built a carding-mill on the south fork, one-half mile west of the present site of Mt. Liberty. He conducted the latter about two years and then abandoned it. Mr. Thatcher seems to have had a mania for building mills, for he shortly after built another saw-mill just south of the village, and sold it to George Beardsheare. This mill is still standing.

A saw- and grist-mill was built by Mr. Thatcher in 1847, on the north side of the creek, just below Mt. Liberty, and sold to Mr. John Inscho. John D. Higgins subsequently purchased this mill and turned it into a barn, and in 1865 it was burnt. In 1862 two steam saw-mills were run in the village by Youngblood & Weller, and Peter Shafer.

Francis Wilkins was the first regular hotel-keeper. He lived in a brick house on the Columbus road, one mile west of the east line of Liberty township, in 1827. This building is yet standing, but is no longer used for hotel purposes. For many years it was kept by Jerome Rowley, a very clever gentleman, now well along in years, and a resident of Mt. Vernon. This tavern was in its day a noted stopping place for stages and travellers long before the advent of railroads; and also for sleighing and dancing parties.

Samuel Thatcher, sr., in 1833 opened a hotel on the Columbus road just west of Mt. Liberty, and kept entertainment for man and beast till 1838, when he rented it to a Mr. Baggs, moved to the

Carter place, built a new housé and opened a hotel at the east end of the village in 1839. This house Mr. Thatcher sold to James 'Severe, in 1841, who kept it about one year, and was succeeded by Harrison and John Thompson. They were followed successively by a Mr. Eastman, James Emery, John Thompson, and lastly by Isaac Hawkins. James Osborn opened a public house in the village of Mt. Liberty in 1843, where George Shaffer now lives, and Charles Bird kept tavern about the same time in the building now occupied by David Teegarden. Mr. Bird was followed by James Emery. After Mr. Emery's occupancy, the building was used as a store until 1880, when Mr. Teegarden reconstructed it as a hotel.

The county commissioners ordered an election for township officers, to be held at the school house near Francis Wilkins' on.the fifteenth day of June, 1822. That was the first election ever held in the township, but unfortunately, as is too frequently the case, no record of the proceedings was preserved, and it is impossible at this date to ascertain who composed the first board of officers.

1855; A. Dalrymple, 1856; James Severe, 1858; J. H. Tarr, 1858-63; Arthur Pratt, 1861; Charles Wright, 1863; John H. Tarr and Corbin Lineweaver, 1864; John H. Tarr and George R. Bowlby, 1867; Rezin B. Walsh and John W. Jackson, 1870; John Koonsman and G. W. Duval, 1873; Frank Snyder and John Koonsman, 1876; Frank Snyder and Jonathan Tucker, 1878; John Koonsman and William H. Smith, 1879.

Rezin B. Walsh is township clerk; Robert D. McBride and Joseph C. Bricker, constables ; Jerome Bricker, treasurer; Andrew J. Stee assessor; Ransom Yoakam, Emmet L. Cotton, and E. M. Hyatt, trustees; and Jesse P. Robertson, T.

Mt. Liberty is the principal town in Liberty township and is situated on the State road leading from Mt. Vernon to Columbus, in the heart of a productive country on Dry creek. The land on which the town stands was owned and the town laid out by Samuel Thatcher, sr., and George Beardsheare, October 8, 1835. T. G. Plummer was the surveyor. The growth of the town was slow until the completion of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, since which time it has improved more rapidly, and now presents quite a business appearance.

The following is an inventory of the business of the town: One railroad depot, express and ticket agent, George M. Shaffer; one hotel, D. L. Teegarden; one post-office, J. P. Wintermute, postmaster; one steam saw- grist- and planing-mill, Peter Batty; one water saw-mill, A. Miser; two dry goods stores, J. P. Wintermute and M. E. Dumfee; groceries, W. R. Rowland; agricultural implements and buggies, J. B. Brokaw; physicians, A. P. Robertsonand C. R. Bradfield; blacksmiths, D. Mosteller and W. O. Coe; shoemaker, L. D. Campbell; harnessmaker, George Kraft; stock dealers, T. D. Updike and Isaac Hawkins; carpenters H. R. Bostwick and Jonathan Tucker; butchers, Jackson & Conway; grain dealer, G. M. Shaffer; painter, Fenner K. Robertson; lumber dealers, H. W. Mosteller and N. L. Sperry; one church, Methodist Episcopal; one graded school, B. F. Morris and Philena Barr, teachers; one lodge of Sons of Temperance and one lodge of Knights of Honor. There are at present one hundred and seventy-five inhabitants.

The Wintermute family is of German extraction ; and tradition says the founder thereof in this country was a sailor who, when his vessel was lying off the coast of New Jersey, went on shore with others of the crew, and, being pleased with the country, concluded to remain. 'Below will be found the inscription on his tomb-stone in the Stillwater ceme-

. tery, New Jersey, with the translation of the same, which was copied from the stone by Mr. J. P. Wintermute, while on a visit there in the fall of 1876: ALHIER Here

Sein Alter War 71

Of these children one is renowned as having built Fort Wintermoot, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. One was said to have been killed in the massacre of the Wyoming, one killed in battle, one uniting his fortunes with the British removed to Canada, where his descendants now reside, near Fort Erie, and who are reputed to be quite wealthy. Another, the grandfather of J. P. Wintermute, after bringing up a large family at the old home in New Jersey, finally in his old age removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where several of his children were residing, and where he died at the ripe age of The various branches of the family have been noted for their longevity.

Bangs is the name of a small village situated on the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, near the eastern line of Liberty township. It was named after George H. Bangs, superintendent of United States mail routes, at the time the postoffice was established at that place.

In 1872, when the railroad was under construction, William H. Smith purchased the adjoining land of Shannon Rowley, built a house and opened a store just opposite the county infirmary. He was appointed postmaster in 1873, and still holds that office, Mr. L. H. Burgess being his deputy. Mr. Smith kept store about three years, and then went to dealing in live stock. In 1875 Isaac Babbs built a store room and opened a grocery. He continued in the business till 1880, when he was succeeded by L. H. Burgess, who now keeps the only store in the village. Charles Casteel lo.

cated here in 1876 and engaged in blacksmithing. William Lee is the village shoemaker. Mr. Smith sold off lots as occasion required, but the town was never regularly platted till in the fall of 1880. It now contains eleven dwellings and fifty-six inhabitants.

Dr. Henry A. Childs was the first resident physician in Mount Liberty. He began practice in 1837, and was followed by Drs. Riggs, Gunsaulus, Foutz, Hildreth, Barkis, Duke, Deckrow, Russell, Green, Bradfield and Robertson.

Henry Lavering kept a small store in 1829, where the house of Henderson Bird now stands. It was a rather diminutive establishment, but as it supplied the people with the necessaries of life, powder, lead, tobacco, whiskey and a small assortment of groceries and dry goods - it is entitled to the name of the first store.

The next venture in the mercantile line was made by Norton B. Rice in 1832, who rented a part of Samuel Thatcher's house - afterwards known as "Thatcher's tavern." Mr. Rice did a good business, and was followed successively by Samuel Thatcher, sr., John W. Cotton & Company, Conway & Arnold, Daniel Veatch, William Cooper, Luther Hill, Conway & Higgins, Harman, Hollister, Douglass Bryant, Bowlsby & Campbell, J. P. Wintermute and J. P. Davis.

Henry Lavering who kept the first store was also the first postmaster. He was appointed in 1832, and his successors have been James Severe, John W. Cotton, Luther Hill, John McAllister, Dr. Henry A. Childs, William Conway, Prentice S. Wilson, William McGaughey, E. D. Bryant, D. K. Waldruff, Judson Hildreth, C. R. Lineweaver, Daniel Veatch, G. R. Bowlby and J. P. Wintermute. Mr. Wintermute, the present incumbent, has been postmaster during the last twelve years.

William Nash has the credit of teaching the first school in Liberty township, as early as 1811, in the vicinity of Michael Yoakam's. The facilities of acquiring an education at that time were very meagre, and both the school room and its appointments of the most primitive type, but he taught what was then considered an excellent school. John Yoakam, one of his pupils, then eleven years of age, still retains a lively recollection of the log cabin, with its puncheon furniture and clapboard roof. Books were a luxury, possessed only by the tew, the school-book fiend having not yet been developed - but the inventive genius of Mr. Yoakam's mother was equal to the occasion, She cut letters out of a newspaper, pasted them on a paddle and sent him on his way rejoicing, happy in possession of his first spelling book: The snows of seventy winters have come and gone since then. The little band that composed Nash's school has been scattered far and wide. One by one they have passed over the silent river; only one remains.

The pioneer preacher of this locality was Rev. Thomas Carr, of the Methodist Episcopal church, who filled appointments regularly in 1814. Rev. John Raymond was also an early herald of the cross. Like the majority of the early itinerants, he was a pious and zealous man, travelled over a great extent of territory on» horseback, following blazed trails, and preached wherever he could collect an audience. These men and others continued to preach at intervals in the settlement, but no regular class was formed until 1837. Father Conant preached in the old log school house which stood on the ground occupied by the present Mt. Liberty school building. The class was composed of Charles Wright, Joanna Wright, John Zent, Spellman, Martha Spellman, Allen Spellman and his wife, Keziah Robertson, Eliza Robertson, John Wilson, son and daughter. Charles Wright was the first leader. From this class Mt. Liberty Episcopal church originated. The early meetings were held in the school house above referred to, then in the church at Mt. Liberty, open to all denominations (afterwards known as the Christian meeting house). In 1845, under the auspices of Rev. Mr. Berry, a neat frame building thirty-six by forty-five feet was erected in the village of Mt. Liberty, which is still occupied as a house of worship. In the Methodist Episcopal connection where the itineracy obtains it is difficult to give the succession of pastors, and it is not here attempted. Rev. Joseph McK. Barnes is the present pastor. Present number of. members, fifty-four. Class leaders, Wesley Jackman, and Wellington Wintermute. A Sunday-school of about forty scholars is connected with this church. Thomas Brimmacombe is superintendent.

organized in 1830, by Rev. Daniel Long. The original members were Hugh Beardsheare, Riley Beardsheare, Sarah Yoakam, Sheldon Riley, Sarah Riley, John Lineweaver, Dorothy Lineweaver, Mary McLain, Elizabeth Wilson, Jesse Higgins, James Severe, Elizabeth Colany, Daniel Decker, and David Stothard. John Stevens and John Higgins were the first deacons, and James Coleman, clerk. When Samuel Thatcher and George Beardsheare laid out the town of Mt. Liberty they donated lot 48 for the use of the religious public. Accordingly a subscription was raised and a union meeting house was erected on said lot. It was a frame, twenty-eight by thirty-eight, two stories high, containing a gallery, and was to be used in common by all demominations. The Christians, Disciples and Methodists were its principal occupants, but in time the Christians becoming the more numerous it came to be known as the Christian church. The building is still standing, though not in use. Neither the Christians nor Disciples have at this time any stated preaching.

Friendship Methodist Protestant church was organized in the month of March, 1834, in a log house owned by Thomas Higgins, by Rev. Franklin L. Flowers. The early members of Friendship were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, Amelia Brown, Ann Brown, Richard Harding, Ann Harding, Philip Holland, Sarah Holland, Henry Lewis and his wife. The early meetings of this society were held in the log house already referred to for several years. The preaching was generally on a week day instead of on the Sabbath. In 1841 the place of meeting was changed to near the centre of the township, on the New Delaware road and near the site of the present church building. General prosperity attended the society, and many members were added to the roll. In 1843 what was known as the Old Friendship meeting-house was built, and occupied the lot on the north side of the road. New Friendship edifice stands on the south side of the road, and was built in 1870, at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars. The successive pastors have been Franklin L. Flowers, David Howell, John Herbert, John Beatty, Moses Scott, George Clancey, W. A. Sampson, J. M. Woodward, T. L. Dibble, and G. W. Hissey. Rev. J. H. Hamilton is the present incumbent. The present number of members is eighty-five. A prosperous Sunday school is connected with this church, of which William Bryan is superintendent.

Beulah Methodist Protestant church is located on the Mt. Vernon & Columbus road, in the southeastern part of the township, near Bangs Station. This church was first organized on the fourteenth day of November, 1847, with Rev. Abram k. Earle as pastor. Amongst the original members were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, Garretson Brown, Ann Brown, Amelia Brown, Lydia Orme, and Ann Brown.

Meetings were held in Bird's school-house up to the time of the erection of the present house of worship in 1860. Owing to the system of itineracy which prevails iu the Methodist Protestant church, as in the Methodist Episcopal, the regular succession of ministers cannot be given. The following persons have been pastor at various times: Rev. A. K. Earle, J. W. Southard, G. M. Scott, E. S. Hoagland, Isaac Fister, J. H. Hamilton, T. L. Dibbs, J. M. Woodward, and G. W. Hissey. This church has seventy-one members at present. The Sunday-school connected with it was organized in 1861, and has a present membership of sixty. Benjamin Casteel is superintendent.

Liberty chapel, a Methodist Protestant church, was organized in February, 1847, at Bedell's schoolhouse, in Liberty township, near the Old Delaware road, by Rev. John Lamb. The original members were David Morris, Mary Morris, Mrs. Richard Ewalt, Sarah Myers, John Garden and his wife, Mrs. Dart, David Willis, Susan Willis, Seth Willis, Mary Willis, and John Merrihew and wife. The society continued to meet in Bedell's school-_ house till the present chapel was erected in 1856. * The pastors at this chapel have been as follows: Revs. John Lamb, Thomas Potter, S. Catlin, James Winn, D. B. Dorsey, J. W. Southard, J. H. Hamilton, G. Clancey, Chauncey Baldwin, W. H. Marshall, A. K. Earle, N. S. Brown, J. H. Hamilton, George Burnes, A. Abbott, G. W. Hissey, W. A. Sampson, E. W. Grimes, T. L. Dibble, J. W. Woodward, and L. Bowman. The present membership is seventy.

Columbus road, about three miles east of Mt. Liberty, on the property of George Carey. Michael Yoakam, who died in 1823, was the first person buried here. There were several private burial places in existence previous to this, but none, set apart for public use. The graveyard at Friendship church is also an old one. That at Mt. Liberty was established in 1835.

The Hopewell Division No. 63, of the sons of temperance was organized at Mount Liberty, October 11, 1875, by State Deputy A. M. Collins. The following is a list of the charter members: J. P. Wintermute, J. W. Jackson, Edward Robertson, C. R. Lineweaver, Charles Lineweaver, Elmer Higgins, Norman Jennings, Arnold Bishop, Silas Woodruff, W. A. Thompson, N. D. Skillen, R. C. Wintermute, Russel Bird, Cliff. Gaylord, J. Tucker, Allen S. Bishop, Hiram Mostellar, Thomas Thatcher, A. B. Collins, Dana Mitchell, Clayton Bishop, Olen Conway, Edwin Borden, William Dick, J. W. Moffit, Price Jennings, W. A. Wintermute, C. R. Bradfield, Clara Carroll, Emma Carroll, Elsie Jackson, Sadie Jackson, Minnie Davis, Angie Thompson, Mary Jackson, Ettie A. Wintermute, Annie Bishop, Mary Hawkins, Angie Dripps, Huldah Carroll, Sarah M. Bradfield, Minerva Moffit, E. J. Shira, Ellen A. Borden, Ida Bishop, Olive Bishop, Emma Cleghorn, Nettie Bishop, Millie Lineweaver, Jane Baskins, Sarah A. Bishop, Luella Bishop, Lola Wintermute, Mary E. McKnown, Mary Robertson, J. A. Moffit, B. F. Bishop and Edith Waldruff. The original officers were: J. W. Jackson, W. P.; Mrs. E. A. Borden, W. A.; J. P. Wintermute, R. S.; Mrs. Angie Thompson, A. R.S.; J. W. Moffit, F. S.; C. R. Lineweaver, Tr.; W. A. Wintermute, Chap.; Russel Bird, Cond. ; Miss Elsie Jackson, A. C.; Miss Emma Carroll, J. S.; Ww. A. Thompson, O.S.; Mrs. Sarah M. Bradfield, P. W. P.; Dr. C. R. Bradfield, D. G. W. P. The first meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal church. Afterwards the meetings were held in the hall belonging to the Knights of Honor until 1877. The society now meets every saturday night in Jackson hall.

The present officers are: Arnold Bishop, Ng E J. W. Hawkins, R. S.; Miss Ida Bishop, A. R. S Mrs. Ettie Wintexstanses F. S.; J. W. Jackson, Tr. J. P. Robertson, Chap.; H. W. Mostellar, Cond. ;

Miss Sadie Jackson, A. C.; Miss Emma Hawkins, J. S.; Benson Bishop, O. S.; Mrs. Mary J. Jackson, P. W. This was not the first organization of this character in Mount Liberty. From 1840 to 1860,a lodge of the Sons of Temperance and a lodge of Good Templars were in existence, and both did a good work. Whiskey was in common use in those days and the evil grew so rapidly that the people were generally alarmed, and these lodges sprang up all over the country. The lodges in Mount Liberty were both in a flourishing condition many years, and many a middle-aged man of today attributes his freedom from the habit of drinking to the solemn pledges and oaths taken in those organizations. Arnold Bishop whose name appears above, was long a member of one or both of these organizations. Dr. McGugin, a farmer and a man of a good deal of ability and influence in Mount Liberty, was saved from a drunkard's grave by the old organization of the Sons of Temperance. The good they accomplished. cannot be computed by figures. They very nearly or quite accomplished the objects for which they were organized, and passed away about the beginning of the war.

Mount Liberty Lodge, No. 41, cf the Knights of Honor was organized at Shaffers' hotel in Mount Liberty, December 17, 1874, by Deputy Supreme Dictator, S. D. a of Mount Vernon, Ohio.

The first threshing-machine was introduced by Leonard Weaver, and the first mower by Amos Leech. The following statistics may be found useful. :

Number of horses in the township, 385 ; assessed value of the same, $18,258; number of cattle, 991, assessed value of the same, $14,516; number of sheep, 6776; assessed value of same, $12,829; number of hogs, 1,032; assessed value of same, $2,533; moneys and credits, $67,923; total value of all taxable personal property, $189,538.