Madison Township

Madison Township

May 7, 1810, at a meeting of James Smith, James ! Blackburn, and William Robison, commissioners, on petition of some of the inhabitants of Lemon Township, it 'teas " ordered, that so much of the said township of | Lemon as lies within the following boundaries, to wit: i Beginning on the west bank of the Miami at the soutiij west corner of township Xo. 1 of the fourth range; j thence north with the western boundary line of the said | fourth range to the boundary lino of the said county of j Butler ; thence east with Lite said northern boundary line 1 to the Miami ; thence south and southwardly with the j meanders of the Miami to the place of beginning, - shall ; compose a township which shall he called and known by j the name of Madison Township." Election to be held : at the house of Jacob' Kemp on the l9th of May, 1810, j for the election of township officers, i

Source changes here: from A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County, Ohio : with Illustrations and Sketches of Its Representative Men and Pioneers, published 1882; 10,377 words in this source stream.

Madison Township

May 7, 1810, at a meeting of James Smith, James Blackburn, and William Robison, commissioners, on petition of some of the inhabitants of Lemon Township, it was ''ordered, that so much of the said township of Lemon as lies within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning on the west bank of the Miami at the southwest corner of township No. 1 of the fourth range; thence north with the western boundary line of the said fourth range to the boundary line of the said county of Butler; thence east with the said northern boundary line to the Miami; thence south and southwardly with the meanders of the Miami to the place of beginning, - shall compose a township which shall be called and known by the name of Madison Township." Election to be held at the house of Jacob Kemp on the 19th of May, 1810, for the election of township officers.

Mapison Townsuip was originally a portion of Lemon. It lies on the north border of the county, and is divided from Lemon by the Miami River, which flows from north-east to south-west, and separates the two townships in such a way that the lower part of Madison is very narrow. Nearly the whole distance north of Trenton the hills border on the river; but below the bottom spreads out, and forms a wide alluvial plain. At Middletown the river divides in two parts, the old and the new, the latter increasing in volume year by year, and the former lessening. The bridge across the river here is precarious, and liable to be washed away by the flood at any time. A couple of miles west of the river the hills rise to a great height, and afford beautiful views.

Settlement was begun about 1802, when the lands were offered for sale; but there were a few squatters there before. The first compact settlement was at what is now known as Trenton. This is the most considerable village in the township. Other places are known here as Miltonville,: Poasttown, Madison City, and Woodsdale. Astoria is a local name applied to a neighborhood in the west center, where there was formerly a post-office. Elk Creek is the principal stream beside the Miami; but all the brooks and creeks are liable to sudden overflows, and then become torrents of no mean magnitude. The Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad passes through the length of the township near the river bank, and is of great value to the inhabitants.

Samuel Dickey, wife, and four children emigrated from Franklin County, Kentucky, and settled on Section 28, Township 2, Range 4, east, April, 1799, where Isaac Dickey was born in the same year, being the first white child in that township. He was followed by Jesse McCray in 1799, and Edward Gee and Job Gee, in the same year; Joel Martin, Llewellyn Martin, Llewellyn Simpson, and Bambo Harris, colored, in 1800; Alexander Chambers and William Baldwin, in 1801; Adam Deem and Thomas Israel, in 1803; the widow White and Daniel Drake, in 1804; Andrew Wagner, Henry Huffman, Noah Long, Gideon Long, and David Long, in 1805.

The first grist-mill was built on Elk Creek in the year 1800," by Bambo Harris (colored). It was on the south-east quarter of Section 18. Previous to that time, the pioneers of Madison Township had to go to near the mouth of the Little Miami River, in Clermont County, to get their corn ground for bread.

The first saw-mill was built on Elk Creek in 1801, by Joel Martin, on the south-east quarter of Section 7. The first manufactory was built by George Dickey, on Elk Creek, in the year 1819, where wool was carded, cloth dressed and pressed, and flax-seed oil made. The oil was shipped to New Orleans on flat-boats.

On the north-east quarter of Section 17, belonging to the heirs of Thomas Lingle, deceased, is a remarkable red sulphur medical spring, which is visited every few days by people from a distance, with kegs and jugs for water for their health, On the north-east quarter of Section 383 are two remarkable fresh water springs. They are about forty feet apart, one on the north side of a hill, the other on the south side of another prominence, facing each other. The amount of water from each spring would fill a three-inch tube.

On the north-east quarter of Section 33 is a rock which is forty-three feet one inch in circumference. About two-thirds of this rock is in the ground, and six feet above ground. On Brown's Run, in Section 34, on the land of Lewis Wagner, is a cedar tree about four feet in diameter. The tree has been recently discovered. A part of the tree is in a hill two hundred feet above the part in the bottom of the creek.

Near the mouth of Elk Creek was a mill built about the year 1810, by Mr. Gunkel. The building was made of hewed logs and had three run of buhrs. A saw-mill was attached. The next flouring-mill was built at what is now Miltonville, about the year 1814, with a saw-mill also; and a third was built by a Mr. Morrison on Seetion 19. The third merchant mill on Elk Creek was

The Snyder mill manufactured more flour, which was shipped to New Orleans, than all the other mills on Elk Creek. These mills have gone down, except the one in Miltonville, which confines itself to grist work. The Vail mill, on the Miami River, was for many years the prominent merchant-mill on this portion of the Miami River.

Thompson, Mr. Ball, a dog, and two horses. The men were nervous and inexperienced, and when near the middle of the stream one of them attempted to take up some slack in the cordage. He tried it too quickly, and the rope snapped, which occasioned the breaking of the other rope, and the overturning of the boat. Young Aul succeeded in getting on top of the boat, and floated down with it, but the others had no such opportunity.

It was an agonizing sight to those on shore. An old lady who is now living in Amanda related the story to us. She was then a blooming girl, but is now about eighty-four years of age. Her name is Ryerson. She disaster. The force of the current carried the men toward the opposite shore, so that the rails and pieces of wood which were thrown in by Mrs. Ryerson's father and others did not reach them. Mr. Ball was found two hours after on a sand-bar below, standing perfectly upright. On his way down he kept praying and talking to the people on the bank. One of the Craigs was almost saved. He had nearly reached the shore, when he turned about to help his brother, and was caught in the current. Another of the men swam down after the boat, but could not get to it. Young Aul, who was saved, was perched upon it. He was a mere boy. The dog and the two horses were drowned. The dog, in his frantic efforts to save himself, several times placed his paws on the shoulders of the men who were floating down, and helped to exhaust their strength. Those who were drowned were Captain Aul, Daniel Craig, Davis Ball, Thomas Wilson, and William Craig. The neighborhood turned out, and their bodies were shortly afterward recovered. 'This, and the killing of the Boal family in Hamilton, by a stroke of lightning, were the two most

This village is situated about one mile north of Trenton, and contained, in 1852, about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, one church, one school-house, two stores, two hotels, one merchant-mill, one saw-mill, and two potteries, which furnished ware to Dayton, Germantown, Eaton, Oxford, Hamilton, ete. Two teams were constantly running with this kind of ware, for which they found a ready sale. The place was laid out by Richard Crane and Theophilus Egglesfield, who were the first settlers. Additions to the original plat have been made by John Johns and John Kemp, Jr. The village has a healthy and pleasant location, and is surrounded by the most beautiful country. The houses are mostly of brick, and present a very neat and comfortable appearance. It is situated on Section 30.

tile factory in the town. The first merchants in the village were as follows: Thomas Hall, Nathan Goldsmith, A. Hunt & Co., George Marvel, Daniel Poffenbarger, Law & Hunt, Long & Law, Antrim & Co., John Gardner, Carroll & Squiers, Eli Scudder, Z. Fisher, C. Gardner, and F. V. Weaver. The tavern-keepers in the town were Crane & Egelesfield, in the year 1816; and afterwards, William Hall, Thomas Kelley, Peter Rutown, Benjamin De Bolt, David Mattix, Charles Bailey. The physicians have been J. F. Heaton, J. H. Cruse, A. Eckert, D. Eckert, Doctor Prudents, J. M. Hunt.

Miltonville has a fine large church, which belongs to the United Brethren congregation, and has a comfortable parsonage. Rey. Mr. Killburn is the pastor. In the cemetery are the graves of

The first grave in the Miltonville Cemetery was made in 1800. It was then in a heavy forest. The name of the person was Mattix. She was eighty years old. Her given name is not known, as a part of the head-stone has by time so decayed that it could not be made out.

There are a large number of Mennonites settled south of Trenton, who form an excellent portion of the population. When the Augspurgers left Europe, in 1819, a Mennonite elder or bishop, by the name of John Miller, and his family, started with them; but when they arrived in Pennsylvania he left them; and so the Augspurgers were without an elder or bishop when they arrived in Butler County.

In 1828, however, two elders or bishops made their appearance in Butler County, one from Canada and the other from Pennsylvania, and meetings were held in the dwelling-houses, as they had no meeting-houses at that time. :

In 1830 Jacob Augspurger, the second cousin of Christian Augspurger, was elected and qualified to the office of elder or bishop of the congregation, and the other elders left for other parts. In 1852 a colony of Mennonites from Hesse-Darmstadt and Kurhesse, Germany, arrived in Butler County, amongst whom were the Holly and Iutzi families, who brought along with them musical instruments, such as pianos, for their enjoyment, which was quite a surprise to those Mennonites that lived in Butler County then, as they were not used to such things. Their dress, also, was more fashionable, to which those that lived here then were not accustomed, and it caused much dissatisfaction amongst the old people. Finally it created a division of the members into two parties; and the other party, which may be termed the liberal party, obtained another elder or bishop from Germany, by the name of John Miller; and Joseph Augspurger, Christian Holly, and Peter Kennel were elected assistant ministers, and the two parties held their meetings separately in their dwellings. In 1847 Elder Jacob Augspurger died, and his son, Nicholas Augspurger, was elected in his place; and in 1860 Elder Miller moved to Tilinois, and Joseph Augspurger was elected in his place as elder.

By: this time their numbers had increased so that their dwellings were too small for their accommodation, and they concluded to build meeting-houses. Consequently, in 1863, two meeting-houses were built, one by each party, south-west of Trenton, near the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, where meetings are now held alternately every Sunday in each meetinghouse, so as to give to the members an opportunity to visit both meetings.

An organized Mennonite meeting consists of one elder or bishop, one or more assistants or preachers, and one or more deacons. The duty of the elder or bishop is to preach and perform the sacramental ceremonies, and to take good care of his flock; the duty of the assistant ministers is to assist the elder in preaching and obtain practice in the art of preaching; and the duty of the deacons is to take care of the finances of the Church, and look after the poor and sick, and supply their wants. The ministers are all elected by the members of the Church by ballot; but when there is a tie declared, one of the two largest in number is drawn by lot. The elder or bishop is elected from among the assistant ministers of the Church; but the assistant ministers are elected from among the members of the Church to which they belong. They receive no salary; but if they are in need they are assisted by the Church.

The religious principles of the Mennonites are as follows: They are opposed to infant baptism. Their children are generally baptized when from fourteen to sixteen years old, which is done by sprinkling. They are opposed to bearing arms and to swearing oaths. They are opposed to going to law with each other; but when they have difficulties they try to settle them among themselves. They are opposed to the practice of dancing and going to balls, and to extravagance in their dress. They generally hold their communion twice a year - that is, at Easter and in the Fall - on which occasion they wash each other's feet. Some Mennonites, however, neglect doing this. When a member removes from one place to another where he is not well known, he is required to show. a certificate of membership in writing of his good standing in the congregation where he is from, before he is admitted as a member in his new home. Such certificate must be signed by the elder or bishop of the congregation where he is from. Members are excluded from the communion for immoral conduct, and are banished from the Church for committing a crime; and in some

Madison City

This is situated directly opposite Middletown, and is a suburb of that place. The Madison House was built in the year 1846 by John Mumma. It is two and a half stories high, and seventy-two feet by twenty-one and a half feet, and belongs to A. Crider, grocery and provision dealer. Kenaday and the heirs of W. C. Ward. The building contains thirty rooms above ground, and in the cellar eleven, making a total of thirty-eight rooms. Reed & Company occupies the north room as a grocery. There is a tavern kept in the house by Albert Beckford. Wil- WG Ward is a wagon-maker, and does repairing. Samuel McFall has an extensive circular saw-mill in the place, and there are two blacksmith shops, one by McFall and one by Eckelbarge. J. M. Gardner is a custom boot and shoe maker. In the fall of 1877 the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad Company erected a large elevator for Curtis & Hartley in Madison City, as there is an extensive grain trade at that place. Madison City has forty family residences, and enumerates one hundred and fifty pupils of school age. The post-office is known as Heno.

Woodsdale is situated on Section 19. Part of the place lies in St. Clair Township. It was founded in the year 1867 by the Beckett Paper Company, through the influence of Samuel Augspurger, one of the most influential business men at that time of Madison Township. Samuel Augspurger sold a portion of his interest in the real estate to the company, which had at that time a stock of ninety thousand dollars. The stock was increased in 1869 to one hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars. After a success for some years a fire broke out in the rag room of the paper-mill, and consumed the entire mill, except brick walls and smoke stacks. In the year 1880 the company commenced to rebuild, but have been delayed. When Samuel Augspurger sold to the company he reserved a water right, the company to keep up the dam and race, as he has a large saw and flour mills. In the year 1864 Samuel Augspurger built a saw mill ninety feet long and two stories high. The mill cost twelve thousand dollars, and a flour-mill of brick cost him fifteen thousand dollars. There is a post-office and dry They, have a school-house of brick, well furnished with seats, maps and books. The town has thirty-five buildings, including mills.

Poasttown was formerly known as West Liberty, and is situated on Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, and contains fifteen dwellings on the original plat of the village, which was laid out by Peter Poast in the year 1818. There are about fifteen families who live outside of the first store was opened in that village by Christian Coon in the year 1815; the second by Samuel Vancort, and others by Philip Deal, George Catron, Dubler John, Kemp & Antrim, John Selby, William Dine, Marsh & Poast, and Willis Thomas. The present store-keeper is P. P. Poast. The first tavern was opened in that place by William Brown, and he was followed by Mr. Richardson, Joshua Heffner, Enos Heffner, Daniel Stump, 'Conrad Spidel, and Elias Emrick. P. P. Poast is post-master at Poast Town, and agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, and is an extensive dealer in all kinds of grain, groceries, and merchandise. The railroad company on the 5th of April, 1878, erected an elevator for the convenience of grain growers and dealers. The village is in one of the most fertile parts of the Miami Valley. There is a first-class blacksmith's shop and wagon-maker's shop in the town, owned by the Woods brothers.

A large tree was felled in 1852 on the farm of Tobias Lane. It was measured by Squire McMaken and Arthur Lane. Three feet above the ground the stump was twenty-one feet in circumference. Fifty-seven feet from the ground it measured thirteen feet in girth. Eightyfive feet above the ground it measured ten feet. The wood was corded by itself. It measured eighteen cords city measure, or nineteen and a half common measure.

The first grave in Elk Creek Cemetery was in the year 1800, for a boy six years old, named Millener. His given name is not known, as many of the first head-stones were common lime-stone, and the cold Winters and wet weather has caused them to scale off so that the inscriptions can not be made out. Among other inscriptions are:

The German Church ig built on an acre of ground bought of James Doer for eighteen dollars, and was dedicated to the worship of God according to the usages of the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Churches on the 31st of August, 1817. There were present the following clergymen: Rev. Mr. Diehl, Rev. Degont Beeker, Rev. Mr. Winders, and Rev. Mr. Simon. The trustees were Henry Hoffman and John Weichel. According to the constitution of the Church, it was to be used for the two Churches in High German forever. It is in the center of the western end of the township.

ship, known as the Mount Pleasant Church, was organized by Elder Wilson Thompson, on the second day of September, 1819. Delegates were present from Elk Creek, Bethlehem, and Tapscott's. The following appear among the list of old members: Samuel Lucas, Elizabeth Banker, Hannah Lucas, Mary-McGlaulin, Ralph Voris, Jane Voris, Rachel Silbey, Lydia Barklow, Daniel Barklow, Thomas Wilson, Julia Ann Banker, Nancy Barklow, Joseph Bush, Mary Ann Banker, Christian Miksell, Elizabeth Miksell, Thomas Royal, Catherine Royal, Elizabeth Banker, Elizabeth Lucas, Caroline Hinkle, Martha Lucas, Nancy Gouger, Matilda Kountze, James Baird, Mary Baird, Jane Williamson, Silas Poyner, Rebecca Sellbe, Mary Ann Hinkle, Squire Hinkle, Tabitha Greggs, Levina Banker, Martha A. Craig, Anna Shankle, Joseph Hinkle, John L. Graves, Matilda Zimmerman, Ann Maria Stewart, John Voris, John Snyder, James Snyder, Sally Hinkle, Jane Voris, Elizabeth Gapheart, and Hannah Voris. The records of the Church from 1819 to 1853 have not been preserved, and we have no list of their preachers. In the historic division of the Baptist Church they adhered to the old school.

Biographical Notes

e Moses G. Augspurger was born in Madison Township February 23, 1845, and was married March 19, 1874, to Anna Schlumeger, born the same day as her husband.

His parents were Nicholas Augspurger and Magdalena Gautsche, who were born in 1819, and hers were Peter Schlumeger and Jacobina King. They have three children. Albert was born May 23, 1875; Alma Magdalena, May 25, 1877, and Barda, July 10, 1880. Mr. Augspurger was reared on a farm, working with his father until he was twenty-five years old, when he began to do for himself, renting land of his father. He remained thus until February, 1879, when he bought the place he now occupies, of one hundred and three acres, which is under ~ a good state of cultivation. Mr. Augspurger is a Mennonite, as is also his wife, and their parents before them.

Isaac Andrews was born in Wayne Township, Butler County, in 1848. His parents were Henry Andrews and Eleanor Long. He was married in 1873 to Emma Hellebrecht, daughter of Henry and Mary Hellebrecht, born at Walnut Hills, and has had two children, Harry and Alfred, the former being dead. Joseph Rogers, a member of his family, was in the Mexican War, and his half brother, Samuel Knees, served during the late struggle.

In the year 1819 Christian Augspurger and family, and his brother, Joseph Augspurger, and family, and his second cousin, Jacob Augspurger, and family, and others, immigrated from near Strasbourg, France, to Butler County, and settled near Collinsville, Milford Township, where Christian Augspurger bought a farm of about three hundred acres of land, of which there was about one hundred acres improved; but as the other Augspurgers were short of means they rented farms. Things looked very gloomy then, however, for farmers, and to make money was almost an impossibility, as the prices for produce were very much depressed, and there was no money scarcely to be had for any thing. Corn was ten cents per bushel; wheat, twenty-five cents; butter three cents per- pound, and pork one dollar and a half per hundred pounds, net. Whisky, however, was fifty cents a gallon, but people did not know how to manufacture it then as well as they do now, and beer was scarcely known in Butler County. Whisky, however, was the most profitable product, as it could be transported to the market with less expense, as there were no turnpikes, canals, or railroads, to facilitate travel; in fact, there were nothing but mud-roads. The farm implements, also, were very inferior to those now used, and grain separators, reapers, self-binders, and mowers were not known. Grain was cut with the sickle, and here and there a cradle was used.

The change for the Augspurgers from Europe to America was very great, and especially for Christian Augspurger, as he lived on one of the finest and best improved farms in France, consisting of about five hundred acres of choice land. The farm was leased for a number of years, and belonged to Charles Schulmeister, who served as a spy under Napoleon the First, and was considered to be one of his best. His property was very valuable. The farm on which Christian Augsburger lived was so well improved, that princely personages and generals in the army frequently paid their visits there. Schulmeister also lived on the farm. It happened, however, that Marshal Bertrand received a large territory from Napoleon the First, on which he wished to introduce farming according to French style, and sought advice or information in regard to it; for which purpose he requested Christian Augspurger to come to Paris, where - Bertrand then lived. Christian Augspurger complied with the request, and, in company with his cousin, Nicholas Augspurger, went there for the purpose, to the satisfaction of the marshal. They were shown through all the parliamentary buildings and saw the throne. Later, Christian Augspurger received the medal of the Legion of Honor, which is now in possession of his children as a memento. The medal consists of a ruby in the form of a star, with gilded points, and a ribbon affixed thereto, with a description, and signed in the name of the emperor.

In 1827, however, Christian Augspurger's family had increased to twelve in number, six sons and six daughters. The names of his sons were Joseph, Christian, Jacob, John, Samuel, and Frederick; and the names of his daughters were Catherina, Magdelina, Barbara, Mary, Jacobina, and Anna. In 1829 Christian Augspurger bought another farm, about two and a half miles south of Trenton, in Madison Township, where he moved in 1830; and later the other Augspurgers followed him to the vicinity of Trenton also.

In 1846 Christian Augspurger's wife died, and in 1848 he also died. The property that Christian owned consisted of nineteen hundred and seventy-five acres of choice land in Butler County, besides a large personal estate, which was all divided equally among his children. The number of the descendants of the Augspurgers now living is about one hundred and eighty, of whom about one hundred and fifty are living in Butler County; the others have moved to Illinois and Iowa, and two, C. -Kinsinger and F. Kinsinger, are now living in Cincinnati with their families. The amount of land now owned by the descendants of the Augspurgers?in Butler, Warren, and Preble Counties, is about three thousand six hundred and sixty-three acres. The Augspurgers nearly all belong to the Mennonite denomination, as their fathers did.

Mrs. Nancy Baughman was born in New Jersey, February 23, 1814, and came to this county in 1818. Her parents were Michael Mattix and Mary Rutan. She had one son, James, who was born in 1842, and died in 1857. Her grandfather, Samuel Mattix, was in the Revolutionary War, and her uncle, William Mattix, was in the War of 1812, dying while in the service, on the shores of Lake Erie. He was a drum major. Mrs. Baughman came here with her parents when she was a child of four years old, her father beginning a farm from the virgin forest. She worked at spinning when she was only eight years of age, and had but six months' schooling in her life. During the Revolutionary War Mary Mattix, her grandmother, and her baby had to be carried to the fort on the Delaware River, as the Indians were destroying every thing, and killing all they found. Mrs. Baughman is still living on the same farm her father cleared, and has with her William A. Pogue and Sarah A. Mattix. Daniel Mattix is supposed to have killed the last bear in that part of the county. His children saw it, and told him there was a big black dog

Samuel Bell was born in Germany, and after arriving in this country was married to Sarah Gebhart, born in Madison Township, August 23, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth Bell, and hers Daniel Gebhart and Christina Lingle. They have seven children. Flora A. was born July 11, 1868; William N., March 31, 1870; David D., February 15, 1872; Christina, February 26, 1874; John L., January 31, 1876; Edward C., February 9, 1848; and Elmer E., October 16, 1881. Mr. Bell was in the service three years.

Jacob Banker, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 13, 1818, and was brought to this county in 1819. His father was David Banker, and his mother's name was Mary McDill. The former was the pioneer of that branch of the family which came to Ohio, and was born in Frederick County, Maryland, March 26, 1778, coming to Ohio in 1800, and settling in Ross County. There he married his wife, coming to Butler County in 1819, where he bought a part of fractional Section 12, Township 2, and Range 4, east, upon which was a mill-sité where Elijah Mills, a soldier of the Revolution, had erected a corn-cracker, called a mill, about 1800, for building which he received a pre-emption right to Section 1 and fractional Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, in Madison Township, comprising a tract of about eleven hundred acres of the best land in Butler County. He subsequently transferred his claim to John Lucas, who received a patent for it from the government soon after the land was thrown open for sale.

David Banker erected a fine mill on the property where the present Mr. Banker now resides, that was long known as Banker's mills, and had at an early day customers from near Richmond, Indiana, and from near Greenville on the north. He continued to reside on this property till his death, which happened on the 25th of January, 1862, at the age of eighty-four. He came into the world the second year of the Revolutionary War, and died in the second year of the great Rebellion. When he first came to Ohio he brought with him, in a large pair of saddle-bags, the metallic part of a set of carpenter's tools, with which to carve out his fortune in this new country, and carried them in that way on horseback

1800. She was brought up on a farm. She has only moved once in her life, and that was from the farm on 'which she was born to her place in Astoria. When her first husband, who was a tailor, died, she was left with three small children. She learned her husband's trade, and took in work to support herself and family, succeeding better than most men do. She is a member of the Church of United Brethren, and has been for about thirty years. Her father was among the first settlers, having to clear his farm, which was completely covered with trees, and being surrounded with wild animals. He bought, when he first came, about one hundred and forty acres, and brought up a family of twelve children, marrying twice, and having six children by each wife. He was very highly esteemed. His death was a lingering one, being occasioned by dropsy of the heart.

Mrs. Christina Emerick, whose maiden name was Kemp, was born in 1809, in this county. Her parents were John Kemp and Elizabeth Zeller, who came in 1804. She was married December 28, 1827, and had the following children: Maria Childs, February, 1829 ; Catherine, December 10, 1830; Simon, April 5, 1833 ; and Elizabeth Yost; June 13, 1837. Andrew Zeller was in the War of the Revolution.

Joseph P. Eckert was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, September 22, 1808, and is the son of Jacob P. Eckert and Elizabeth Barnhart, who came to this county in 1824. He was married December 6, 1832, to Eliza Moore, daughter of Louis Moore and Susan Enyart. She was born in St. Clair Township, December 17, 1809, and bore him seven children. Susannah Eckert was born June 9, 1835, and died March 31, 1854; Mary J. was born October 26, 1837, and died March 5, 1851; Sarah E. Scudder was born March 28, 1843, and lives near Bethany; Minerva Ellen West was born September 2, 1845, and lives in Boston, Massachusetts; William Augustus Eckert was born October 3, 1848, and died December 8, 1848; Laura Janette was born August 23, 1850, and died October 30, 1850, and George Albert was born October 28, 1853, and died August 12, t854. Peter Barnhart, his grandfather, was in the Revolutionary War, as was his father-in-law, Mr. Lewis Moore, who was also in the War of 1812. Mr. Eckert learned the potter's trade at the age of thirteen, at which he continued for many years, or until he arrived at the age of sixty-eight. He has also followed the business of auctioneer from 1835 up to nearly the present time. He has now retired from all occupation.

Augustus Eckert, M. D., of Trenton, is the son of Jacob Peter Eckert, who was born near Mannheim, Germany, January 13, 1780. He emigrated to North America in 1804, embarking at Amsterdam, Holland, and after a stormy voyage of twenty-six weeks, landed at Norfolk, Virginia. In 1807 he married Miss Elizabeth Barnhart, of Rockingham County, Virginia, the daughter of Peter Barnhart, a Revolutionary soldier.

The fruit of their marriage was eight sons and thre2 daughters. One son and one daughter died in infancy, and one daughter, the wife of Rev. G. L. Gilbert, at the age of thirty-two years. With his family, consisting of a wife and four sons, he emigrated from Rockingham County, Virginia, to Jefferson County, Kentucky, twelve miles east of Louisville, in 1816, and in 1822 to the Tunker neighborhood, two miles west of Dayton, Ohio, near where the National Soldiers' Home is now situated. In 1825 he moved to Miltonville, in this county, where he resided until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Eckert survived her husband seven years, and died at the age of eighty-four. Three of the sons reside in this county, two in the State of IIlinois, and two in Indiana, and the surviving sister, Mary M., is the wife of J. S. Weinland, M. D., of West Elkton, Ohio.

Augustus Eckert, being the fourth son, was apprenticed to the tailor's trade at the age of fourteen, and followed it until he was twenty-five. At that time his health began to fail, in consequence of his close confinement to business, and he was compelled to seek some other way of procuring a living. He was troubled with indigestion, and was under the necessity of undergoing medical treatment. He procured some medical books, and by combining several remedies made a restorative, which relieved him of that malady. Mr. Eckert then resolved to read medicine, and bought books for that purpose, and studied a part of the time, working a portion of each day to defray expenses. This course he followed for three years. He then attended medical lectures in Cincinnati, and in June, 1844, began the practice of his profession in Butler County, where he had resided for fourteen years. One year was spent in Dayton, Ohio.

He married Miss Elizabeth McKean, of Montgomery County, Ohio, October 12, 1844. The fruits of their union were four sons and two daughters. Three sons died in childhood. His elder daughter, Sarah Jane, married Mr. A. A. Hunt, December 15, 1863, by whom she had one daughter, who is now in her seventeenth year. Mr. Hunt died at Miamisburg, Montgomery County, Ohio, November 6, 1880, and _ his family still reside at that place. His younger daughter, Mary Ann, married Mr. John V. Good, son of Henry Good, March 4, 1873, to whom she has borne two children, a son and daughter, aged respectively seven and five years. Mr. J. V. Good is engaged in the grain and stock business at Trenton, Ohio. Dr. Eckert's son, Charles Albert, attended the dental department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated in March, 1882.

Dr. Eckert's wife died November 14, 1874, at the age of forty-eight years, and on September 5, 1879, he married Mrs. Keturah A., widow of Levi Schenck and daughter of the Rey. J. Antrim. She is a native of Butler County. His life has been an up-grade, having started on his own muscle and earned all that he possesses. His practice has been eclectic in the true sense of that word, using all that is good of all systems, and rejecting the bad. In his practice he has been successful. He is and has been a member of the Miami Medical Association ever since its organization, and has been identified with the Christian or Disciples' Church for over forty-five years.

John W. Finkbone was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1832, and came to this county in 1842. He is the son of John Finkbone, who was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, and was seventy-seven years of age at his death, and Susannah Smith. John W. Finkbone was married, November 24, 1853, to Elizabeth Long, daughter of John B. Long and Delilah Ann McNealy. George McNealy, the grandfather, was in the War of 1812, and was drowned in Lake Erie. Mr. and Mrs. Finkbone have had ten children. John W. was born March 19, 1850; Mary E., February 2, 1858; Tobias L., February 26, 1860; Ezra A., July 6, 1862; Sarah Jane, January 3, 1865; George W., February 22, 1867; Jacob E., September 15, 1869; Susannah, January 6, 1873; Mattie E., June 25, 1877; Amanda E., July 22, 1878. Mary E. and Jacob E. are dead. Mr. Finkbone served as school director some nine years consecutively. Ransom Freeman, his brother-in-law, was in the Eleventh Illinois Regiment, and was at the battle of Fort Donelson, where he received eighteen bullet-holes in his cap and clothes without drawing blood. He was never in a hospital. Mrs. Finkbone's brother, William B. Long, served three years and eight months in the Ninety-third Ohio, acting as teamster over two years.

Samuel Fouts, farmer and dealer in farm implements, was born in Montgomery County, July 24, 1840. He is the son of John Fouts and Mary Judy, and settled in this county in the year 1862. He was married, October ~10, 1861, to Mary Jane Williamson, who was born in this county December 1, 1848, and was the daughter of William Williamson and Ann E. Francis. They have one child, Calvin C. Fouts, born January 18, 1863. Mr. Fouts was in the hundred-days' service at Baltimore, Maryland. i

Frederick Featherling, son of George and Susan Featherling, was born in Virginia in 1793, coming to this county with his parents in 1812. Mr. Featherling settled close to what is now called Busenbark's Station, and lived to the extreme old age of ninety-one. He was in the War of 1812. He had three daughters and two sons, who still survive. Sally Flenner was born in 1807; David Featherling, June 4, 1809; Michael Featherling, May 12, 1816; Elizabeth Weare, about 1820; and Lovina Gougor, who was born in 1825. The two sons still own the farm which their father formerly possessed. Mr. Featherling's wife was Rhoda Morris, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Morris, who came to this county in 1804. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. ; came to this county with his parents, Frederick and Rhoda Featherling, in the year 1812. He was married in 1858 to Rachel McGellin, daughter of Matthew and Mary McGellin, who was born in Oxford, February 14, 1840. Her parents came to this county in 1812. They have had four children. Mary Ellis Morrow was born May 1, 1859; David, April 4, 1868; Anna Bell, May 17, 1871; and William, June 2, 1878. Mrs. Featherling's grandfather, Enoch Golonay, fought in the War of 1812. Mr. Featherling is a farmer.

Jacob Francis was born November 25, 1793, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His father, George H. Francis, was a soldier, and served during the entire Reyolutionary War. Jacob Francis himself was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the service about eight months. He was commanded by Brigadier-General John S. Gano, and is the last survivor in this county of those heroic men. His mother's name was Elizabeth Shawk. He has been twice married, the first time to Lydia Ford, who was born in New Jersey, December 1, 1798. He was united to her September 14, 1817; and had by her eight children. Samuel was born June 27, 1819; Ann Eliza, May 19, .1822; Jacob, May 10, 1824; George, January 19, 1826; Mary, September 20, 1827; John, July 5, 1829; Rachel, November 30, 1831; and Charles, December 2, 1833. Samuel, George, Mary, and Charles are dead. Mr. Francis's second wife, to whom he was united June 17, 1834, was Maria Young. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, August 28, 1811. By her he has had eight children. Lewis was born March 28, 1835; Maria, June 15, 1837; Joseph H., November 5, 1839; Daniel, January 21, 1842; Rebecca, July 31, 1845; William H., January 31, 1848; Elizabeth, January 30, 1850; and Margaret, June 8, 1853. Joseph H., Rebecca, and Margaret are now dead. Mrs. Francis's parents were John Young and Rebecca Brighton, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Francis came out to this country in 1806, and has always followed the occupation of a farmer.

O. F. Fleming was born in Lemon Township, May 11, 1887. He is the son of John Fleming and Catherine Hoagland. Hé*learned the trade of shoemaker when he was eighteen, and has followed it all the time since, with the exception of about six years, when he was employed at farming. He was constable in Lemon Township, being elected in the Spring of 1864, for one term. He is now school director, and has been for six years. During the war he was in the hundred-days' service. He was married August 17, 1859, to Susan McCray, daughter of Jesse McCray and Elizabeth Gebhart, and they have one child, John H., born July 22, 1860.

Martin Goebel was born in Pfordt, in the circle of Lauterbach, Hesse-Darmstadt, December 8, 1834, settling in this county August 16, 1856. His parents were Johannes Goebel and Eva Katharina Goebel, the latter He is a farmer.

in Trenton, September 3, 1861, to Anna Elisabetha Schul, daughter of Heinrich and Anna Elisabetha Schul. She was born at Fraurombach, in the circle of Lauterbach, Hesse-Darmstadt, on the 28th of August, 1840. They have ten children. Katharina Elisabetha was born June 21, 1862; Heinrich, February 11, 1864; Anna Elisabetha, September 3, 1865; George, April 1, 1867 ; Eva Katharina, August 16, 1869; Emma Elisabetha,

Henry Hursh was born January 17, 1824, in Wayne Township, and is the son of Martin and Susannah Hursh, who came to this county about the year 1823. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and on coming here settled in the south-east quarter of Section 20, Wayne Township, about nine miles north of Hamilton, where they resided for a number of years. In addition to his occupation as a farmer he was also engaged as a distiller. Both he and his wife are now dead, the father reaching the age of eighty-seven, and the mother seventy-five. Henry Hursh was married October 13, 1847, in Madison Town-_ ship, to Susan C. Snyder, daughter of John and Susannah Snyder, who came to this county at a very early period. She was born October 3, 1826. They have four children. Eliza J. Halderman was born October 26, 1848; John A., February 6, 1852; Samuel M. 6., November 19, 1853; Mary C. A. Hinkle, October 26, 1858. John Snyder was a teamster in the War of 1812. The cold was so intense at one time, that the men formed a circle in the snow, and kept up a lively walk all night to keep them from freezing to death. He narrowly escaped from drowning in crossing a floating bridge of logs, having scarcely reached the other side with his four-horse team before the bridge floated down the river. Mr. Snyder was eighty-two years and ten months old when he died.

Henry Hursh was brought up a farmer until he entered the tailor shop of John Grismere as an apprentice. In the Spring and Summer of 1844 Mr. Hursh was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods and grocery store by an uncle of his in Preble County. Business did not prove very brisk, so he concluded to make a change. In the Fall he taught a term in the Nine-Mile district in Wayne Township, receiving forty dollars for thirteen weeks. In 1845 he set upa tailor shop in Trenton, meeting with good success. In 1846 he removed to Jacksonburg, continuing in the same business until 1851. Finding that his health was becoming impaired, he abandoned the trade and went back to farming. Mr. Hursh is passionately fond of music. He could sing almost any thing at five years of age, and at ten learned how to handle the fife and flute. Applying himself to the study of vocal music during the Winter season of the year, he became initiated in the business of teaching at a very early period of his life, and has continued the same more or less for thirty-nine years. He has taught from one to eight quarters in eight different churches, twenty-seven different school-houses, and five or six private houses, these places being located in the counties of Butler, Warren, Montgomery, Preble, and Darke. He has been residing on his present farm for twenty-six years. It is the birth-place of his wife, and is located in the neighborhood of Elk Creek, three miles north-west of Middletown.

Jonas Heck was born August 20, 1805, in Maryland, and is the son of John Heck and Margaret Wolf. They came to this county in 1805. The grandfather, Frederick Wolf, was in the Revolutionary War, and was paid off in continental money, but so much had it depreciated that he gave one hundred dollars after the war for a black silk handkerchief. Jonas Heck was married on the 24th of May, 1827, to Magdalene Buck, daughter of Christopher Buck and Eve Hayse, who became residents of this county in 1815. They have had eleven children. Salome Kerr was born December 24, 1827; Elizabeth Shortle, same day, now dead; Catherine Sorber, September 11, 1830; Henry, November 23, 1832, died August 4, 1851; Phebe, February 18, 1835, died July 7, 1846; Ann, August 4, 1837, died October 7, 1838; Benjamin F., July 23, 1839; Francis M., December 9, 1841; John, May 8, 1844; Magdalene. J., August 26, 1846, died August 6, 1851; Jonas, September 2, 1849, died July 20, 1851. Mr. Heck was supervisor for two years, and was superintendent of the free pikes for two years. He is a farmer. He has been a member of the old-school

Henry Kramer was born in Germany August 21, 1831. His parents were Frank and Eve Kramer, The latter had previously been married, and her name was Moulter. Mr. Kramer settled in this county in 1854, and was married the day after Easter in 1855, in Hamilton, to Mary Ann Willem, daughter of Frederick Willem and Margaret Glass. She was born in Germany August 1, 1831. They have had four children. Bernard was born September 22, 1856; Ida, July 15, 1861; Frank, March 4, 1864; and Henry, May 30, 1871.

Amos Kemp was born on the farm on which he now lives, Range 4, Township 2, Section 17, in 1839. He is a farmer, and is the son of Daniel Kemp and Agnes Wilson, both now being dead. He was married in 1880 to Julia Randall, daughter of Joseph Randall.

John Barnet Long was born in New York State in 1812, being the son of Barnet Long and Christina Long. They came from Pennsylvania. He is a farmer. He settled in this county May 10, 1822, and was married in 1833 to Delilah Ann Meneely, daughter of George and Delilah Meneely, who was born in Madison Township in born October 23, 1834; Mary Ann, February 1, 1836; William B., in 18387; John W., in 1842; Eliza, in 1847; Hetty, in 1850; and Ellen, in 1854. Mr. Long was supervisor in 1877, 1880, and 1881. His father, Barnet Long, was in the Revolutionary War, when eighteen years old, as drum-major. William B. Long was in the war of 1861 three years, and John W. Long was in the hundred-days' service in 1864. William B. Long himself was in the Thirty-fifth Regiment.

Hampton H. Long was born-in the township he now lives in on the 8th of January, 1848. He is the son of John G. Long and Hannah Squier, both natives of the township. He married Maria E. 8. Snively, daughter of Henry Snively and Catherine Hirsh. Mrs. Long was born in Wayne Township, January 9, 1850, and was married to' Mr. Long, October 14, 1868. They have four children: Henry D., Letha S8., Fannie M., and John G. Mr. Long is a Mason, and has risen to a very high rank in that society. He has taken thirty-two degrees, and there is but one for him to attain. That

James Law, farmer, was born in Virginia, November 8, 1802, and settled in this county in 1804. He was married first to Elizabeth Shroyer, and second, to Christian A. Hinds. His children are John F., born February 12, 1833; Calvin D., April 9, 1834; Mary Ann Smith, February 9, 1837; William, November 3, 1838; Jane, April 19, 1842; Catherine J., March 29, 1848; Christiana, September 23, 1851; James, August 1, 1854; - and Elizabeth, November 1, 1856. Mr. Law's father, Francis Law, was drafted in the British army, and deserted to the Americans. Of Mr. Law's children, Calvin D., William, and Jane are dead.

John L. Long was born in Lemon Township, December 30, 1831, and is the son of Silas Long and Sarah Marshall. The father came here in 1809, but the mother was born here. He is a farmer. He was married on the 29th of December, 1853, in Madison Township, at her father's house, to Susan Shartle, daughter of Daniel Shartle and Sarah Lingle, who arrived in this neighborhood in 1814. She was born June 27, 1833. They have had five children. Sallie E. Marts was born September 22, 1855; Samuel M., September 18, 1857; Mary Ellen Smith, November 14, 1860; Ida May, June 6, 1864; and William B., March 12, 1869. Mr. Long has been a school director for fifteen years. His father, Silas Long, belonged to a light infantry company during the War of 1812, but was never called out. His grandfather, David Long, was scalped by the Indians, but was not killed. Silas Long came to this county from Pennsylvania at the age of twelve, settling here on the farm where his son, John L. Long, now lives. When he came there was not a stick cut on the place, but he suc- ceeded in clearing the farm by hard work. At the time of Morgan's raid John L. Long went out with the militia to catch him, but did not succeed.

Samuel M. Long was born April 14, 1820, in Lemon Township, and was the son of Silas and Sarah (Marshall) Long. The father was a native of Virginia, and came to Ohio in the fifth year of his age, living in Kentucky before coming to this State. His mother was born in the county. His father was a farmer, dying in Lemon Township, where he had taken up a section of land, on the 27th of October, 1879, aged eighty-two. Mr. Long was educated in the common schools, and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked in Middletown for two years. He then engaged in farming in 1846, leasing a farm in Madison Township, which he now occupies - one hundred and fifty acres. He deals in stock, grain, horses, etc. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner, and re-elected in 1876, serving altogether six years with credit. He is an active and earnest politician, attending all conventions, county and State. He is a Democrat. During the war he took an active part in aiding the government.

He married Miss Lydia A. Walter, the daughter of John 8. and Anna Walter, of New Jersey, then of Madison Township. Both parents are dead. Mr. Walter was an excellent jeweler by trade, and followed that occupation for many years. He was of the same family as the first mayor of New York, Robert Walter, of whom Mr. Long has an oil-painting in his house. Mr. and Mrs. Long have three living children, and two dead. The oldest, Philip 8., died in 1865. The other children are John W., Charles H., and William:S.

David Marts was born in Madison Township, Butler County, June 15, 1815. His parents were Abraham Marts and Mary Reed, who moved into this county in 1808. His grandfather, David Marts, was at the battle of Brandywine, and Abraham, his father, was in the War of 1812. The latter moved into the township when very little had been done towards rescuing it from the primitive condition in which it was first known, and the log cabins were some distance apart.

Mr. Marts has been three times married. The first time was to Mary Snyder, daughter of Samuel Snyder and Catherine Weaver. Her parents came into the county in 1807. The second was to Catherine Snyder, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Snyder. Her parents came here in 1815. The third wife was Elizabeth Schott, daughter of Daniel Schott and Sarah Lingle. By these unions he has become the father of eleven children. Abram was born in 1836; Samuel, in 1838; Catherine Carson, 1840; Mary Gebhart, 1842; Sarah Johns, 1844; John W., 1846; Snyder, 1848; David J., 1850; Willard, 1852; Charles, 1854; and Ida Long, 1856. Mr. Marts has been township treasurer twenty years, county commissioner six years, and in 1860 and 1880 appraised the

Mrs. Gertrude Martin was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Her parents were Garret M. White and Rebecca Lippincott. Her grandfather Lippincott and her father were both in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Martin has had eight children. John was born August 16, 1830, and died at three years of age; Lucien, February 4, 1833; Rebecca, November 5, 1855; William O., March 24, 1838; Mary E., September 16, 1840; Garret M. W., February 26, 1844; Francis M. and George B., April 27, 1846, and Martha Jane, August 28, 1848. William O. Martin was a member of the Eighty-third Ohio, and lost one finger at the battle of Arkansas Post, and Garret M. W. Martin was taken sick at Paris, Kentucky, and was discharged before the close of the war. 'Two of Mrs. Martin's cousins, Amos and Derrick Woolley, were in the Mexican War.

John Moyer was born in Gratis Township, Preble County, Ohio, July 22, 1826, being the son of John Moyer and Catherine Shaffer. His wife, Catherine Smith, was the daughter of John Smith and Mary Judy, and was born in Montgomery County, December 14, 1828, where they were married in 1859. They have three children. Ida Eleanor was born October 21, 1860; Mary Catherine, June 9, 1863; John C. L., May 11, 1865. Mr. Moyer was supervisor for four years.

John H. Lingle was born on the farm where he now lives August 8, 1837, being the son of Thomas Lingle and Mary Barbara Haroff, who came to Butler County in 1806. He is a farmer. He was married on the 24th of December, 18638, to Elizabeth Jane Mizely, daughter of Adam Clark Mizely and Lydia, who came here in the year 1845, from Pennsylvania. Mr. Mizely, who was a Methodist minister, and three brothers-in-law were in the War of the Rebellion from 1862 to the close of the war. First Sergeant Abraham Mizely died at Camp Dennison, at the age of twenty-five years; Augustus Mizely and William H. Mizely are dead, the latter at twenty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lingle have five children. Catherine E. was born April 15, 1865; Mary Susan, September 18, 1867; Lydia Eleanor, June 10, 1871; Ida May, January 9, 1873; and Charles Sandford, August 7, 1880. John Lingle, Mr. Lingle's grandfather, came from Pennsylvania in the year 1806, and lived under an oak tree for six weeks, as his neighbors were too few to raise a cabin sooner. He played with the Indians for two years. Bears, wolves, and panthers were in abundance then in Madison Township. Barbara Lingle has a German book, called Nicodemus, published in 1734, and another called the Martyrs, published in 1740.

Christian Mosiman, the son of Christian Mosiman, Sen., and Barbara Smith, was born in Milford, Township, March 12, 1841, and was married on the 16th of November, 1865, to. Anna Kinsinger, daughter of John

Kinsinger and Barbara P. Smith. She was born in Fairfield Township, May 24, 1848, her parents coming here in 1831, as did those also of Mr. Kinsinger. They have eleven children. Mary E., the oldest, was born August 17, 1866; Samuel, December 17, 1867; Salvena, June 26, 1869; Levina, June 26, 1870; Barbara Helen, February 6, 1872; Leanna, October 18, 1873; Louisa, April 7, 1875; John Reuben, December 21, 1876; Edison and William, October 15, 1878, and Ezra, November 28, 1880. Mr. Mosiman has been school director, being elected in 1879. He is a farmer, and has a well-cultivated place. He is a member of the Mennonite Church.

Jacob Fred. Muller, born at Hombarch, in Germany, is the son of Jacob Muller and Elizabeth Deuscher. The father died in Germany, but the mother came to this country in 1860. Her son had reached here in 1855. He was married in Dayton on the 9th of May, 1872, to Louisa Margaret Regner, daughter of Caspar Regner and Johanna Hafer. She is a native of Gaildorf, Germany, where her parents both died. They have no children. By a previous wife he had one child, Catherine, born on the 27th of November, 1855. Mrs. Muller was also previously married. Her husband was Philip Thielmann, and she had by him three children. Philip was born September 19, 1863; Anna, October 26, 1864; and Louis, January 7, 1871. 'They are all living with Mr. Muller, who is a hard-working farmer. His father died after leaving Germany, when the son returned and brought over his mother. His wife was left an orphan at the age of fifteen, and went out to service, at which she stayed for nineteen years, when her sisterin-law sent her the money to come to this country. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, and her husband a member of the German Reformed.

Charles Miller, son of Matthias and Bashaby Miller, both old settlers of this county, was born in Wayne Township, April 2, 1818, and was married November 9, 1834, to Katy Belford Reed, daughter of John and Hannah Reed, and born October 22, 1814. They have had seven children. Samuel was born August 16, 1835; Maria Thomas, July 23, 1837; Clark, September 10, 1839; Hanna J., December 19, 1842; Charles C., April 30, 1845; Matthias, June 6, 1847, and James Francis, March 9, 1850. Clark Miller enlisted in an Illinois Regiment and served three years. Charles Miller, the father, is a farmer. He has been a supervisor.

Eliza Ellen McCracken was born in Madison Township June 2, 1836. She is the daughter of George Gauker and Susan Rickard, the father now being dead. Her grandfather, Anthony Rickard, served through the War of 1812. George Gauker was born in Mercersburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1776, and settled about a mile north-west of Trenton, on what is yet known as the Gauker farm, in 1807, where he resided until the time of his death, August 31, 1858. His wife still lives, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Mrs. McCracken has had four children. Mary A. was born February 7, 1855; John E., November 5, 1856; William S., November 9, 1858; and Charles S., November 6, 1860.

Homer Phillips, farmer, was born in Union, Montgomery County, Ohio, on the 1st of October, 1827. He is the son of Richard and Elizabeth Phillips, the latter settling in Madison Township in 1808, coming with her parents. He settled in this county in 1853, and was married in Franklin, Warren County, August 26, 1860. His wife was born in that place August 30, 1831, her parents being James and Hannah Ely. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips was blessed with four children. Elizabeth was born August 24, 1861; James, March 13, 1863 ; Lincoln, November 28, 1867; Almeda, April 10, 1875. Mr. Phillips was a private of Captain G. C. Warvel's company E, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment of Ohio National Guard. He was enrolled on the second day of May, 1864, to serve one hundred days. He did guard duty in Kanawha Valley, West Virginia, Camp. Loup Creek, Camp Reynolds, and Camp Gauley Bridge. At the expiration of his term of service he was discharged at Hamilton, on the eighth day of September, 1864.

William Schenck was born in Germantown, January 3, 1825. His parents are William B. Schenck and Mary Conover. He was married December 16, 1849, in Hamilton, to Margaret Tryer, daughter of John Tryer and Mary Heck. She was born in Madison Township, May 28, 1829, and has borne him seven children. John W. Webster was born January 21, 1852; Mary E., - April 1, 1853; Celadon A., July 23, 1854; Levi B., November 13, 1859; Newton E. in 1864; Cyrus G., January, 1868; and Eugene E., May 23, 1871. These are all dead but Cyrus. His grandfather, William B. Schenck, was in the Revolution, being a captain. His brothers, Norman and David P., were in the service for three years each.

John Sinkey was born at Amanda, in Lemon Township, and was the son of John Sinkey, a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary Shields. The latter came from Ireland. He was first a distiller, but was afterwards a farmer, and has followed this occupation for thirty-nine years. He was married in Lemon Township to Rebecca Hedding, daughter of William Hedding and Mary Black, who came from Pennsylvania in 1838. She was born in 1823. They have had nine children. Mary Jane Snyder was born April 15, 1839; Isabel Cooper, October 9, 1841; James, May 23, 1844; William H., December 25, 1845; John W., May 1, 1847; Daniel, December 27, 1849; Charlotte Kemp, 1852; Sarah E., July 12, 1857, and Charlotte, August 27, 1860. James Sinkey shouldered his musket and served in the last war.

1850, to Martha A.-Banker, born in Poasttown, Madison Township, December 7, 1825, whose parents were David Banker and Mary McDill. He has retired from business.

Jonathan Schenck was born in this township, July 22, 1835, being the son of William Schenck and Jane Marshall, who came to this county in 1822. He was married September 7, 1859, to Laura C. Brelsford, born August 13, 1839, daughter of Pierson Brelsford and Mary Hutchen, and had by her seven children. Mary Ellen Wehr was born July 8, 1860; William P., October 30, 1862; Charles

Source changes here: from Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, by Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and Others, published 1905; 786 words in this source stream.

Madison Township

May 7, 1810, at a meeting of James Smith, James Blackburn and William Robison, commissioners, on petition of some of the inhabitants of Lemon township, it was ordered, that so much of the said township of Lemon as lies within the following boun- claries, to wit : Beginning on the west bank of the Miami at the southwest corner of township No. i of the fourth range ; thence north with the western boundary line of the said fourth range to the boundary line of the said county of Butler; thence east with the said northern boundary line to the Miami; thence south and southwardly with the meanders of the Miami to the place of beginning, - shall compose a township which shall be called and known bv the name of Madison township." Election to be held at the house of Jacob Kemp on the 19th of May, t8io, for the election of township officers.

Madison township was originally a portion of Lemon. The Miami river flows along its eastern and southern border, and separates it from Lemon township. It is bounded on the north by Preble county, and on the west by Wayne township.

The surface of Madison township in the northern portion is hilly, while the southern part is a wide alluvial plain. The soil is fertile and agriculture is carried on extensively.

The township had few settlers before 1802. The first compact settlement was at Bloomfield, now known as Trenton. Among the earliest settlers were Samuel Dickey, who came from Franklin county, Kentucky, in April, 1799, and settled on section 28, township 2, range 4 east, where Isaac Dickey was born in the same year, being the first white child born in the township. He was followed by Jesse McCray, Edward and Job Gee, in 1799; Joel Martin, Llewellyn Martin, Llewellyn Simpson and Bambo Harris, colored, in 1800; Alexander Chambers and William Baldwin, 1801 ; Adam Deem and Thomas Israel, in 1803; Daniel Drake, in 1804; Andrew Wagner, Henry Huffman, Noah Long, Gideon Long and David Long, in 1805.

The first grist mill was built on Elk creek in 1801 by Bambo Harris. The first saw mill was built on Elk creek the same year by Joel Martin. In 1810 a Mr. Gunkle built a mill near the mouth of Elk creek, which was constructed of hewed logs. It had a saw mill attached. In 1814 a flouring mill, with a saw mill attached, was built at Miltonville. The third mill on Elk creek was built by Jacob Snyder on the northeast

The Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad passes through the township and has stations at Trenton and Heno. The Cincinnati, Dayton & Toledo Traction Road crosses the lower end of the township and has its car-barns located at Trenton.

About eighty-five or ninety years ago, at a point where the old State road, a thoroughfare from east to west, met the Miami river, a ferry was maintained by Davis Ball. The ferry was located about half a mile south of the bridge at Trenton, and was familiarly known as Ball's ferry. The settlement there was called Brownstown, but in after years its inhabitants died or moved away and the place and ferry would, perhaps, be entirely forgotten except for a tragedy which happened there in March, 1819. The river at the time was at a great height and the current at the ferry crossing was very formidable, when one morning a party of several men and boys, with a young lady, came down from Seven Mile and asked to be put over. Mr. Ball, the ferryman, at first refused, declaring it would be dangerous to attempt to cross the stream at that time. They insisted and he finally consented. The men promised to help him work the boat, which was operated by the force of the water pressing sideways upon it. A rope reached across the river from bank to bank, on which were two pulleys, with ropes passing from them to the boat. Before consenting to take his load, Mr. Ball made a condition that the girl should be left behind. The boat started with its freight, consisting of Captain Aul and his son, Thomas Wilson, William and Daniel

Craig, Thomas Thompson, Mr. Ball, a dog and two horses. When near the middle of the stream the ropes suddenly snapped in two and the boat overturned, spilling the party into the raging current. All attempts made by bystanders to save the passengers were unavailing and the entire party was drowned except young Aul, who succeeded in getting on top of the boat and floated down with it to a place of safety. The dog and the two horses were also drowned.