Milford Township

Milford Township

This township was created in 1823, March 3d, out of territory taken from Miller. The land is generally level and soil fertile. The first election was held the first Monday of April, 1823, at the school-house near the center.

It received its name in the following manner : The settlers met together and various names were presented ; among the number Judson Lamson proposed that it should be called Milford, taking the idea from his native town Kew Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other name but this, and in consideration of the fact that Mr. Lamson Avas one of the oldest settlers, and also its being a Kew England name - those present being all from "Down East" - it was adopted.

The settlers at that time were Uzziel Stephens, from Yermont; Gardner Bishop, Stephen Hawkins, John Jeffries, Jesse Smith, Harris Hawkins, from Rhode Island ; Wm. Beardslee and John Beardslee from Kew Haven, Ct. ; Judson Lamson from Kew Milford, Ct. ; Aaron Hill from Massachusetts.

They were industrious, temperate and orderly citizens, and their families have followed in their footsteps closely, as is customary in the land of steady habits. There was no store or trading establishment in this township ; the citizens transacted their entire business at the county seat. James Smith preached the first sermon, and the ministerial duties since have been principally discharged by the Christian Church.

Wolves were very plenty and impudent in this township at an early day. One of the incidents of those times was as follows : When Piatt G. Beardsley was a boy, and out cow hunting, he lost his way and came upon a considerable sized swamp which at first he took to be a clearing ; as soon as he came by its side a gang of wolves set up their infernal howling, he took to his heels badly scared, and ran along Sycamore creek, the wolves following close at his heels ; as he neared home the dogs rushed out and attacked the wolves, when one of the dogs was torn in pieces by the wolves, and Piatt made his escape into the house.

The two prominent points are styled the " Five Corners" and "Lock" - the latter is a post-office, at the county line, where there is some business transacted by the citizens of Knox and Licking.

1817 he settled where he now resides. By trade a brickmason, after preparing quarters for his family, he went to Mt. Yernon to purchase some supplies, and, on entering a store kept by " Uncle Jimmy Smith" to buy a few articles, he heard him regretting that he had no mason at hand to lay up a piece of his stone wall that had fallen down ; when Mr. Lamson told him that he could do it for him, and the bargain was struck, and he went right at the job and completed it to Mr. Smith's satisfaction. Daniel S. Norton shorth' after met him on the street and informed him that he held his note, given to Dr. Lee for medical service in attendance on his daughter, who had been sick from his entering the country. The note was for $10 ; and Mr. L. told him that he had no money to pay him, and did not know when he would have so much, as money was a scarce article in those times. Mr. Korton at once replied, I do not want your money, but your work, if the note is right - accordingly took his second job of work in underpinning the house where IS^. then resided, on the lot where Judge Hurd now lives, on Main street. While working there old John Warden, who lived opposite, came across and said, " you beat all men to work I have ever known, you do two days work in one." And the remark was literally true. He subsequently worked on the brick building, Avliere Daniel S. Norton formerly resided, on High street, near the raih-oad depot, now the "Buckeye house," and did almost all his other work at the mills, quarrying stone, etc. Mr. L., and his son Levi J., have contributed greatly to the improvement of

Mt. Yernon and tlie surrounding country. Among the buildings erected, under liis superintendence, we may mention the Pyle block. Browning & Miller's block, Norton block, on Main street, the residence of 0. Delano, Esq., and many other of the best structures in town and county. Mr. L. also worked at his trade in various j)arts of this county and Licking county. He has also been a successful farmer, and now, at a good old age, enjoys a competency and the respect of his fellow-men. His son, Le\d. J., and his daughter, Mrs. W. A. Disney, reside near him, and other descendants in the west.

The McKowns were among the settlers at the time of organization, and worthy of notice at our hands. The old patriarch, James McKown, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and wounded at the battle of Brandy wine. In 1820, with a portion of his family, he moved to this county from Virginia, and died in 1S50 at the good old age of 98. His wife smwived until 1852, Avhen she died, aged 103 years. We recollect well the zeal of the old soldier in behalf of General Harrison for the Presidency. He was master of ceremonies at the great Barbecue of 1810, when the big ox was roasted whole. Of his children we make this record : - Gilbert McKown moved from Milford to Virginia ; James moved to Illinois, where he has since died ; Phoebe, wife of Joseph Tegarden, lives in Linn count}^ Mo. ; Samuel came to this county in 1820, and settled where he died, in his 70th year, in 1861. Kine children are living, to wit : Bev. Samuel S., of the Christian Church, now in Northern Ohio ;

Isaac, Jolin, Hosmer, and Gilbert E.; Minerva, Mrs. Ira Gearhart, Cynthia, Mrs. David GotshaU, Emaline L., Mrs. John Gotsliall, and Miss Margaret, all of tliis county. Gilbert E. is a resident dentist, Mt. Vernon. Jolm Jeffries had six children ; of this number those who survive are, Mary Ann, wife of Smith Bishoj) ; Laura, widow of David Hill ; Almira, wife of Johnston King, and Olney Jeffries, of Mt. Yernon. Preserve Smith and Dr. Plaves have been residents for many vears. The brothers Beardslee, William and John, natives of Stratford, and the HaAvkinses, Harris and Stephen, natives of Rhode Island, may be classed amono' the earlv settlers who contributed to the advancement of Milford. The Beardslees are descendants of the Hev. John Beardslee, of Stratford, on Avon, Shakesj)ear's home. William Beardslee married Eunice Gardner, of Hancock, Berkshire CO., Mass., and emigrated west. They moved to Ohio, and we find William a resident of Granville in 1814 : subsequently of Homer, and from thence, in 1S18, he cut the road with his own hands for three miles to get to his land, where he afterwards resided. The road to this day is known as the Beardslee road. Their sons now living are Col. Piatt G., of Milford, Job H. G., of Union county, Dr. Wm. B., and John Binns, of Mount Yernon. The daughters living are Catharine, widow of Erastus Bouse, deceased, Betsy, wife of George L. Benedict, Adaline, wife of Lieut. IS^athan Bostwick, all of this county. Mary, who married Arnold Hildreth, is dead. William Beardslee, sr., at the advanced age of 79, and his wife, aged 76 years.

are living in this county, surrounded by children and grand children to the number of 70. John Beardslee married Mary Eitch, of New Haven, Ot., and emigrated to Knox. Their cbildren are Geo. E., of Milford, Dr. Charles, editor of the Herald^ Oskaloosa, Iowa, Henry, Galesburg, HI., Elizabeth, wife of Nathaniel McDaniel, Mary and Melissa. The original Hawkinses were Harris and Stephen. The former had the following children : Ephraim, Harris and Daniel, all li^dng at and about the old homestead, and Charles in Illinois. Margaret, twin sister of Harris, married Almon Mitchel. Martha married Mr. Rice, and Clarissa died. Stephen Hawkins is dead. His first wife, who was a Belknap, is also dead, and of their children the following have died : Col. Emor B., Joseph, Stephen and Laura. Their son William married Miss Reach. They are now living in Milford, and Sally Ann and Mary, two girls, the latter b}^ second marriage, survive.

Source changes here: from History of Knox County, Ohio, Its Past and Present, Containing a Condensed, Comprehensive History of Ohio, Including an Outline History of the Northwest; a Complete History of Knox County ... a Record of Its Soldiers in the Late War; Portraits of Its Early Settlers and Prominent Men ... Biographies and Histories of Pioneer Families, Etc, by Hill, N. N. (Norman Newell), Comp, published 1881; 5,851 words in this source stream.

Milford Township

THE surface is generally level, or slightly rolling. The north fork of Licking creek flows along near the southern border of Milford. Along this creek the soil is very fertile. Sycamore creek rises in the western part, runs an easterly course through the township near the centre; between these two creeks the surface is level, and the soil fertile. That part north of Sycamore is more rolling, and some portions is composed of a heavy yellow clay soil. Dry creek flows across the extreme northwest corner of the township. The surface generally slopes to the south and east, except in the extreme northern part, where the slope is north, towards Dry creek.

This township is well adapted to grazing; but by proper cultivation any portion of it produces most excellent crops or corn, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, and various kinds of vegetables and fruit in abundance.

pie, elm, white and black ash, hickory, white and swamp oak, black walnut, white walnut, wild cherry, basswood, cucumber, buckeye and sycamore, with a dense growth of underbrush, consisting chiefl.y of spice-bush, black-haw, ironwood, dogwood, blue beech, etc. Along the streams and wet lands were an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, cowslips, and many other varieties of vegetation.

Among the wild animals, the deer, opossum, porcupine, black and grey squirrel, raccoon and rabbit were very abundant. The grey wolf, was the most troublesome, frequently making sad havoc with the few- sheep, in the country. Occasionally a black bear made his appearance among the first settlers. The wild turkey, pheasant, and several varieties of the owl and hawk, with many other species of the feathered tribe, were very abundant.

In 1808 Milford, and what now comprises Hilliar. Miller, Morgan and the west half of Clay, the south half of Pleasant, and the southwest quarter of Harrison township, constituted the township of Morgan.

On the fourth day of September, 1815, Morgan township was divided by the commissioners, forming a new township called Sycamore. This township, Sycamore, comprised what is now Hilliar, Milford, Miller, and a strip of land one mile wide from the west side of Morgan, and one section from the southwest corner of Pleasant.

In 1818 a petition was presented to the commissioners of Knox county, praying for the erection of a new township, to be taken off the west end of Miller, to be called Hilliar. On the twenty-eighth day of August, 18 18, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Hilliar township was organized.

In 1825 a petition was presented to the commissioners of Knox country, praying for the erection of a new township, to be taken from the west side of Miller, to be called Milford.

On the third day of March, 1823, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Milford, from that time to the present, has constituted one of the townships of Knox county, and comprises a terri-

'I'he settlers met together and various names were presented; among the number, Judson Lamson proposed that ii bHould be called Milford, taking the idea from his native town, New Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other name but this, and in consideration of the fact that Mr. Lamson was one of the oldest settlers, and also of its being a New England name - those present being all from "down east" - it was adopted.

The north half of Milford consisted of unappropriated military lands; was surveyed into sections of six hundred and forty acres, and each section divided into quarter sections. The south half consisted of United States military bounty lands. The west half of the third or southwest quarter of the township was owned by Celladon Symms; and contained two thousand acres; the east half of the

The first white settlement in Milford was made in 1 81 2. In the spring of that year, Thomas Merrill and James Pell, from Massachusetts, purchased the northwest quarter of section five, being the northwest quarter section in the township. They built their cabins and located there with their families the same spring. Mr. Merrill had one daughter, Mrs. E. W. Cotton, now residing in Mt. Vernon. In the fall of the same year, John Davis located with his family on the southwest quarter of section six. He was an elder in the Baptist church, and in those early times he usually wore buckskin pantaloons. His wife died about 18 18, probably the first white person to die in the township. Mr. Davis was a small man - very industrious and persevering. About 1828 he removed to Allen county, Ohio, where he died, about 1855. He had one daughter, Matilda, wife of Arnold Bishop, now residing in the township, at the age of seventy-three years. She has lived in the township sixty-nine years, being its oldest inhabitant.

In 18 1 6, Major Buxton purchased the southwest quarter of section nine, and his brother Sylvester, the southeast quarter of the same section; each built a cabin on his lot and lived there about one year. These brothers were from Vermont, and they and their families are all dead long ago.

In 181 7, John Beardslee purchased the southeast quarter of section nine of Sylvester Buxton. In 1818. William Beardslee, a brother of John, purchased the west part of this quarter section, and located there. In 1820 John Beardslee built a cabin on the east part, where he now resides, ai the age of eighty-eight years; being the only one of the first settlers now living in the township. He lives with his daughter Mary on I he old homestead. He has three sons living; George in Illinois, Charles in Washington, District of Columbia, and Henry in Nebraska William Beardslee lived on his farm until about 1850. He reared a large family; his oldest son, Piatt G., long a resident of the township, died in the winter of 1880-81; John B. resides in Mt. Vernon; Betsy, wife of George Benedict, resides in Gambler; Catharine, widow of Erastus Rouse, resides in Brandon; Adaline, wife of Major Nathan Bostwick, in Newark; Job lives in Union county, Ohio, and Dr. William, in Ross county. Mary, wife of A. W. Hildreth, is dead. The Beardslees are descendants of the Rev. John Beardslee, of Stratford, on Avon, Shakespeare's home. They removed to this place from New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1817, two brothers, Harris and Stephen Hawkins, from Rhode Island, purchased of Major Buxton, the southwest quarter of section nine. Here they spent their remaining days on earth - and both reared large and respectable families. Harris Hawkins has three children now living in the township, viz: Margaret, wife of Almon Mitchell; Martha, wife of James Rice, and Daniel. Harris Hawkins was a blacksmith and worked at his trade several years, having the first shop in the township. In 1828 he built the first brick house in the township. He was an honest, industrious citizen, and died August, 1865.

Stephen Hawkins died in 1856; of his family only three are now living, viz: William, Sarah A., and Mary, wife of William Pickering; all reside on the old homestead. In 18 17, Gardner Bishop purchased the southwest quarter of section three. This farm has been in possession of the Bishop family to the present time, his son, Daniel Bishop, now residing on it, though it has recently passed into the hands of Arnold Bishop, jr. Gardner came from Rhode Island.

located on the northwest quarter of section ten; he had one son, Horton J., now of Mt. Vernon, and one daughter. Minerva, widow of Sahnon Hooker, now living.

In the year 1817, Aaron Hill, from Massachusetts, who emigrated to Knox county in 181 1, purchased the northwest quarter of section three. Mr. N. N. Hill, of Mt. Vernon, is the only son now living.

In the same year Erastus Riley and James Robinson purchased the northeast quarter of section one; James Fay purchased the northwest quarter of the same section, and John Lash, the southwest quarter.

In the same year Judson Lamson, from Connecticut, purchased the northeast quarter of section eight. He came to Milford in the month of February, and after making maple sugar through the month of March, returned to Connecticut on foot, performing the journey at the rate of fifty miles per day. The same year he returned with his family, and made this his home. He died on the old homestead, May, 1867, aged eighty-eight years. He was a brickmason by trade, possessed great power of endurance, and has probably performed more hard labor than any man that ever lived in this township. He was an honest, upright and much respected citizen. His daughter, Jane, wife of W. A. Disney, now resides in the township, and his son, Levi J., resides in Wisconsin. Three sons and one daughter are dead.

During the next two years most of the north half of the township was settled - one of the first purchasers being John Jeffers in 18 18, who settled on the southeast quarter of section three. Three of his children are yet living, viz: Mary Ann, widow of Smith Bishop, on the old Smith Bishop farm in this township; Almira, wife of Johnson King, in Springfield, Ohio, and Laura, widow of David Hill, now in her seventy-first year, in Mansfield, Ohio.

southeast quarter of section ten; John Simons, on the northeast quarter of section nine ; Curtis Terril, on the northwest quarter of section nine. The latter has one daughter now living on the same farm. John Stevens settled on the southwest quarter of section two ; Harvey Jones, on the southeast quarter of section two : James Severe, on the northwest quarter of section four; John Severe, on the southwest quarter of section five; John Lash, on the southwest quarter of section seven.

In 18 19, the following persons settled in Milford : John Beardslee, on the northwest quarter of section eleven; Wilber and Russell, on the northeast quarter of section twelve; John Burbank, on the southwest quarter of section ten.

About 1824 William H. Smith purchased the northeast quarter of section eleven and the west part of the southeast quarter of section ten. On this lot he erected a tanyard, and carried on the business of making leather several years. He was a representative in the Ohio legislature two terms. His widow is living at the present time.

In the same year Smith Bishop purchased the southeast quarter of section four, and Arnold Bishop, the northeast quarter of section four where he now resides, being one of the very few pioneers now living in the township.

About 1826 Frederick J. Disney, from Maryland, purchased the west part of the nsrtheast quarter of section thirteen ; his widow now resides on the same farm.

In 1829 Preserve Smith, from Connecticut, purceased the southeast quarter of section eight, and made it his home until his death October, 187 1. This farm is now owned by his son-in-law, F. S. Rowley.

About the same year Aaron Teegarden purchased the southeast quarter of section fifteen; the same farm is now owned by his son, Samuel. John Hard purchased the southeast quarter of section seven.

In 1830 Milton Keech purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section eight, and John Bostwick, the west half of the same quarter.

In 1 83 1 Gilbert McKown, from Virginia, purchased the northeast quarter of section fourteen, the last quarter section held by the United States in this township.

About the year 1824 Abraham Jackson, from Pennsylvania, purchased of Lash the southwest quarter of section one. This Jackson family have continued much respected citizens of Milford to the present time.

About 1830 Piatt G. Beardslee purchased of John Burbank the south part of the southwest corner of section ten, where he made his permanent residence until his death, January 30, 1881. He was a man much respected in the community where he lived.

About the year 1820 the west half of the southwest quarter of the township, owned by Celladon Symms, was surveyed and divided into twenty lots of various sizes and shapes. About this time he disposed of the south part of his section containing one thousand acres, to Harrison & Shorts; this being in the southwest corner of the township. This land was offered for sale in the spring of 182 1 by Stanbery & Brice, agents.

In 1821 Frederick Myers, a Dutchman, from Virginia, purchased lot fourteen, being the first lot purchased in the south half of the township. Soon after this John Myers purchased lot thirteen. They reared large families, and quite a number of their descendants now reside in the township. They have been very honest and industrious citizens. George Myers, a son of Frederick Myers, now resides on the old homestead purchased by his father in 1821.

In the same year Eli Ford purchased lot eleven, where he now resides, and Joseph Morey, from Vermont, purchased lot twenty; several of his descendants now reside in the towhship.

Sylvanus Mitchell, from Massachusetts, purchased lot nineteen, and his son, Almon, is now a citizen of the township. Patrick Webster purchased lots fifteen and sixteen; he was a Methodist preacher, and a man of good intellect. Adam Stults purchased lot seventeen, and Samuel Woods lot twelve.

the remainder of his section for sale, and the following were the first purchasers: In 1834, Levi Debolt lot six, Ephraini Piatt lot nine; in 1835, Moses Cummins lot eight, Thomas Warrick lot five. About 1842 Spencer Mitchell purchased lot one, and about 1845 James Debolt 1 ;;rchased lot ten, this being the last lot in the Symms section.

of the southwest quarter of the township into lots of one hundred acres each, and offered them for sale. Between this time and 1834 these lots were all sold. Among the first purchasers were Elijah Dowell, lot one; Joseph Evans, lot ten; Samuel Patch, lots eleven and twenty; David Jagger, lot two; John Brown, lot nine; Solomon Freeman, lot nineteen; John Redman, lot eighteen; John Wilson, lots eight and thirteen; John Dunn, lot four; Stephen Humphrey, lot fifteen. About 1830 James Parker divided the fourth, or southeast quarter of the township into thirty-four lots, and offered them for sale. Between this time and 1838 these lots were all sold. Among the first purchasers were the following: Phineas Taft, froni Vermont, lot six; Thomas Larimore, from Virginia, lot fifteen; (his son Henry now owns this same lot); Gideon Hall, lots thirty-two and thirty-three, (his son is now living on lot twenty-nine); Peter Turst, lot nineteen, (his daughter, Mrs. George Neible, is now living in the township); Joseph Montonya, lot seven; Philip Rimer, lot twenty-two; Joseph Postleweight, lot twenty-three; Crisley Kratzer, lot thirty; Jacob Smith, lot twenty-nine; Lemuel Jones, lot twentyone ; Joseph Mott, lot sixteen ; William Orme, lot one; Thomas Vanasdel, lot two; John Vanasdel, lot three; James Knox, lots eleven and twelve; Edward Potter, lot seventeen; Naham Butcher, lot twenty-eight. Not one of these families or their descendants are now living in the township. William Speelman purchased lot thirteen, where he now resides.

About the year 1838 Isaac Dripps bought lot twenty-seven, and George Myers lot thirty-four, being the last two lots sold in the Parker section. This completes the first settlement of Milford township. The population in 1830 was four hundred and ninety-eight; in 1840, one thousand one hundred and fifty-seven; in 1850, one thousand three hundred and forty-nine; in i860, one thou-

The early settlers of Milford were honest, industrious, intelligent, and social. The price of land varied from one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for Congress land, to four dollars per acre for the choice military land, and but few of the early pioneers possessed more than a sufficient sum of money to purchase a quarter section or lot of land, so that the early pioneers were very nearly on an equalitv, and each one had enough to do to attend to his own business.

The dense forest, the hooting owl, and the howling wolf, have nearly all passed away with the log cabin, the ox team, the spinning wheel, and the hand loom.

At the time of the settlement of this country, grey wolves were quite numerous, and continually committing depredations against the settlers, by killing sheep; and sometimes pigs and calves would fall a prey to their ravenous appetites.

For the purpose of assisting in the extermination of these animals the commissioners would pay from the county treasury a bounty of three dollars each for wolf-scalps, the wolf to be killed within the limits of Knox county.

In the winter of 1824-5, a grand wolf hunt was planned and carried into execution. About the tenth of February, 1825, was the time fixed for a great slaughter of the wolves. The plan was to form a circle around a large territory, and march toward the centre. For the purpose of making this hunt a success, three lines or circles were plainly designated, one within the other. The outer circle, with headquarters at Bryant's mill, now Knox county infirmary, extended in a southeast direction along the Utica road, to the Granville road, about one mile north of Brandon, in Miller township; thence south along the Granville road to Burlington, now Homer; thence west along the road to the southwest corner of Milford; thence north along the west line of Milford, to the Columbus road; thence down this road to the place of beginning - inclosing all of Milford, about onehalf of Miller, and some other territory. The second line enclosed several hundred acres in the centre of the outer circle; this second line was plainly marked. The third line enclosed some one hundred and fifty acres, in the centre of the second circle. The circumference of this outer circle was about twenty-five miles, divided into twenty-five sections, twenty-five captains being selected, and each captain required to procure a company of at least sixteen men, and to take charge of the particular section designated foi his company. The programme was published throughout this section of the country, and many old hunters and young men from the surrounding country came to join in the sport. The captains found no difficulty in procuring the number of men required, and most companies had twice the required number.

The day arrived, and at early dawn old men, young men, and boys, armed with guns, axes, and pitchforks, were hurrying to their places in the circle. Each captain, armed with a tin horn and a bottle of whiskey, was at his post. A few minutes after sunrise the first signal horn was blown at Bryant's mill, and the sound was repeated by the captains to the left, around the entire circle. This signal indicated that the line was complete.

After this thirty minutes were allowed for the captains to complete the lines, at the expiration of wnich time the horn was blown 'a second time at the headquarters and repeated by the captains both right and left around the entire circle; this was the signal to advance. About eleven o'clock the line had reached the second circle; here they halted for the purpose of distributing the men around the entire circle and making any other arrangements necessary. At this time deer could be seen running in every direction. About twelve o'clock orders were given to march to the inner circle. The deer became frightened and collected in groups of from twentv to fifty, and in their fright many escaped through the lines. When the inner circle was reached the deer that remained in the circle had all collected in one large group and ran around in the circle about one hundred yards from the lines, thus giving the gunners time to load their pieces and to be ready each time they came around. A continual sound of the rifle was heard along the line for more than an hour, and during that time many of the deer escaped through the lines and many were killed. The wolves were no where to be found - not one wolf was killed. The re- suits of the labors of the day were one man, by the name of Pratt, wounded in the hip by a rifle ball; some four score of deer were killed, many wounded, and perhaps one barrel of whiskey drank. The next night the wolves were howling as if nothing had transpired to disturb their quiet repose.

The first public road established in this township was the Columbus road located in 1808, which passes across the extreme northwest corner of the township. The second was the Sycamore road running east and west through the township near the centre; this road was located and established in December, 1818. About the year 1819 the Johnstown road was located. These three were the first highways established in the township.

From the time of the first settlement of Milford down to the present time agriculture has been the leading occupation of its citizens. Since about 1855 wool growing has been one of the leading agricultural pursuits, and Milford now ranks as one of the best wool producing townships in Knox county.

Dr. William Hayes, from Baltimore, Maryland, came to Milford about 1830. He was at that time a young man, a physician by profession, in somewhat destitute circumstances, and lived for several years with Judson Lamson. He became a successful physician and a minister of the gospel. He preached several years for the Christian church, then several years for the Disciple church, and was also a successful farmer. Having purchased some four hundred acres of land he made wool growing the leading branch of his agricultural pursuits. He now resides in the State of New York.

Major Nathan Bostwick, at the age of twentyone years was in destitute circumstances. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but by industry and economy became one of the well-to-do farmers. At the commencement of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and before the close of the war was promoted to the office of major of the same regiment. He now resides in Newark, Ohio.

is now one of the intelligent and successful farmers. Philip Rimer and Isaac Larimore were for several years among the thrifty farmers. David Staggers and Smith Bishop each had purchased several hundred acres of land. They are both dead.

Among the early settlers was a man by the name of Amzie Stevens who was remarkable for his quaint proportions. He was a blacksmith by trade and lived in the north part of the township. It is said that his foot measured sixteen inches in length, and that his limbs and frame were of the same gigantic proportions. For the purpose of perpetuating the fact of his existence, and also to show to future generations, the fact that giants lived in those da3'S among the early settlers, he sold his body to Dr. Maxfield, for his museum, but the doctor died long before Amzie gave up the ghost; therefore, when Amzie died he was buried the same as other mortals. He was buried in Morris township, but the exact spot is not known.

From 1838 to 1844 this township was especially blessed with a martial band, for general or company musters, fourth of July celebrations, and other occasions when their servi :es were required. The members were Harris Hawkins, jr., Noble Bostwick, and J. D. Hooker, tenor drummers; Charles Hawkins, bass drummer, and Joseph Hawkins, Nathan Bostwick, and Albert G. Simons, fifers. They had an excellent reputation and were often invited to considerable distances on fourth of July and general training occasions.

The citizens of Milford have always had their full share of patriotism. About 1841 a company of volunteer infantry was organized under the then existing laws of Ohio. Pktt G. Beardslee was the first captain, and served a shoit time in that capacity, when Ephraim Hawkins was chosen captain. This company made quite a soldierly appearance, and for several years was one of the institutions of the township.

About the year 1851 the Pittsburgh, Mt. Vernon & Springfield Railroad company was organized for the purpose building a railroad from Pittsburgh, by way of Mt. Vernon, to Springfield, Ohio. This proposed road was to be located along near the north Hne of Milford, on the same line now occupied by the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad. For the purpose of obtaining large subscriptions from the citizens along the line of this road, the company offered many inducements. No stockholder was to be required to pay more than the interest on the amount subscribed for twenty years. Each stockholder was required to give a bond, payable in twenty years, with interest payable annually, and the payment of each bond, with the interest thereon, was secured to the company by first mortgage on real estate.

This road, by representation and on paper, was to be the most important road on this continent, and as soon as completed the stockholders were to receive large dividends. It was represented that all the subscribers would be required to pay would be the interest on their bonds, for a few years, until the road should be completed, when the stock would become a very valuable investment. The company obtained bonds from the citizens along the line of this proposed road in Knox county to the amount of ninety-five thousand dollars, which bonds were secured by mortgage on real estate probably worth four hundred thousand dollars.

The road was never completed, but the stockholders had to pay the full amount of their bonds with the interest thereon. This caused much embarrassment to many of the best farmers along the line of the proposed road.

Later about the same operation was repeated in the case of the road from Mt. Vernon to Columbus. Many of the farmers mortgaged their farms, and were compelled to pay. The roadbed was only partially made when the company broke up. The road was subsequently finished by another company.

A history of Milford would not be complete without particular reference to the record made by the citizens during the war of the Rebellion. They were always ready to contribute their full snare for the purpose of maintaining the Government. One circumstance - the building of the soldiers' monument at Mt. Vernon - will suffice to show their patriotism. About the first of July, 1866, a subscription was circulated among the citizens of Milford by Major Nathan Bostwick and P. G. Beardsley for the purpose of procuring funds for the erection of the monument. By the tenth of July one hundred and nineteen persons had contributed the sum of

Politically the vote of Milford has been very evenly divided for several years between Republicans and Democrats. .But few, if any, elections have been held for the purpose of electing township officers, within the last ten years, in which either party has elected its entire ticket.

One of the prominent places in the township is known as the Five Corners, situated near its centre. At this place are two churches and a school-house., About 1843 a post-office was established here called Milfordton; Emor Hawkins was the first postmaster. James Rice, the present postmaster, has held the office several years.

The most prominent place in the township is the village of Lock, situate on its south line. In 1836 Isham Abbot purchased the south part of lot ten in the Burnet section, and engaged in the business of making potash. In 1837 he laid out a part of his purchase into town lots, and named the place Lock. Isham Abbot was the first merchant that sold goods in the place.

In 1839 a post-office was established, Isham Abbot being the first postmaster; Peter Eddy was the second, Edwin Horton third, Eber Smith fourth, James Stearnes fifth, and Washington Hildreth the sixth, and present incumbent, and has held the office since i860.

The village at this time has two dry goods stores, one school-house, three churches, one blacksmith shop, one harness shop, one cooper shop, one wagon shop, one boot and shoe shop.

On the twenty-fifth of November, 1871, a society of Good Templars was organized here, and has been in a prosperous conditon to the present time. Regular meetings are held in Hildreth's hall every Saturday evening.

On the twenty-fourth of June, 1875, the Knights of Honor organized a society at this place. They met in Hildreth's hall once in two weeks, on Tuesday evenings.

A cornet band organized June, 1879, consists of thirteen members, and has an excellent reputation, both for its professional ability and the intelligent and moral character of its members.

Frederick Carey, m a cabin on the northwest quarter of section two. As in other townships the first schools were "subscription" schools, and were taught in private cabins, there being no public funds for school purposes.

The first school-house, making any pretensions to respectability, was built on the extreme north part of the southwest quarter of section nine, and near the Johnstown road, about 1829. It was a substantial hewed log about twenty-two feet square, with a large fire-place and a brick chimney. This same house was frequently used for religious meetings, singing-schools, etc. Previous to 1830 schools were supported entirely by subscription. About this time the legislature passed an act appropriating a small fund for the support «of common schools, and also made it the duty of the trustees to divide their respective townships into school districts. As the population increased it became necessary to form new districts, and make other necessary changes; many changes being thus made between 1830 and 1850.

In 1853 the legislature passed a school law, which in substance is the present school law. This law created the township board of education, and made all common schools free schools. ^ The school-houses, with puncheon floors and flat seats, have all disappeared - and in their places are comfortable frame school-houses, with the most approved modern desks, and other suitable school apparatus.

At the present time Milford has nine schoolhouses conveniently located, to accommodate all the youth in the township. The schools are small - and competent teachers are employed, which gives to all the young an opportunity to obtain a good common school education.

James Smith, of the Christian denomination, preached the first sermon, and organized the first church in the township. The date of the organization of this church is uncertain, but probably occurred about the year 1824. In a few years it disbanded.

In 1833 Henry Ashley organized a Christian church at the school-house near the Five corners. This church was in a prosperous condition several years. Among the members were Harris Hawkins, Steven Hawkins and John Stevens. This denom-

History Of Knox Counit

In 1835 the first Methodist church was organized in the south part of the township, by Rev. Saxby. This church then consisted of seventeen members, among whom were Silas Jagger, Samuel Dowell, John Brown and Rachel Brown. In 1836 this church built a house for public worship, called the Dowell meeting house, and in 1845 ^ ^^w meeting-house in the village of Lock, where the church is located at the present time, being the oldest church organization now in the township. Rev. Craven is present pastor. Among the present members are Jacob Lambert, Albert Ponnel, Harvey Spitzer and Henry Disney. In 1835 a Methodist church was organized at the school-house near the Five corners, by Rev. Lynch. Among the members were Frederick Disney, Preserve Smith, and Job Beardslee. In 1838 this church built a small log house on the present cemetery ground, near the Five corners, where they held their meetings until 1848, when meetings were held in the school-house, and continued there until 1869, when the church disbanded, part of the members joining the church at Brandon, and others at Lock.

On the thirteenth day of May, 1844, the Baptists held a meeting at the Dowell meeting-house, for the purpose of organizing a church. Elder Daniel Waldon and Elder James Seymore were present. At this time and place the Baptist church was organized, and consisted of some twenty members, among whom were Joseph Mantonya, Joseph Jacobs, Benjamin Quick, and John Wilson. Elder James Seymour was the first pastor, and Thomas Larimore the first delegate to the Baptist association. In the year 1874 this church built a house for public worship in the village of Lock.

The Congregationalists have a church organizatiyn at the village of Lock. Among the original members of this church were Peter Eddy, Potwin Stoughton, and Nathaniel Stoughton. In 1844 the church built a house for public worship. Rev. Mr. McKeen is their pastor at the present time.

In 1839 Rev. John Pitkin, of the Presbyterian denomination, organized a church in the schoolhouse at the Five corners. The elders of this church were Cicero Camp. Martin Beach, and

I Nathaniel Jackson. In 1848 a house for public I worship was erected at the Five corners, and for j several years was very prosperous. About 1855 it I began to decline, and about 1870 the organization ! was abandoned. Rev. John Pitkin preached in I this township, and for this church thirty-two years. i He was formerly from Vermont; and preached for I the Presbyterisn churches forty-four years. He now resides in !Milford, and is very active for a man who has lived to see eighty-seven years.

In 1845 R^v- ^^'^illiam Hayes organized a Disciple church at the school-house in the southwest part of the township. This church has been known as the First Milford Congregational (or Simmons) church. Soon after this church was organized a log meeting house was built where meetings were held until 1853, when the house was destroyed by fire. In 1854 this congregation built a new house. George Litzenburg, David Weaver, David Pattison, the original members. This church from the time of its organization to the present has been the most prosperous of any church in the township. At the present time it numbers one hundred and thirty members, among whom are Timothy Ross, John Litzenburg, James Scott, Levi Fadeley, and William Moreland. O. W. Kyle is the present pastor.

In 1845 R^v. William Hayes organized a Disciple church at the school-house near the Five corners. Emor Hawkins, W. A. Disney, William Hawkins, Stephen Hawkins, and Daniel Hawkins were among the original members. In 1848 this church built a meeting-house at the Five corners, which continued in a prosperous condition several years. At the present time it is in a very weak and sickly condition. Daniel Bishop and Daniel Hawkins appear as prominent members at this time. In the winter of 1852-3 Andrew McNutt, of the I United Brethren denomination, organized a church I in a log house situated in the northeast part of the j township. The most prominent members were j Stephen Smith, Marcus Knowles, Nicholas Murj rey, Bradley Smith, and Lovina McNutt. At first the members were very zealous and enthusiastic, but their ardor soon cooled, and the church had an existence of less than four months. Successive justices of the peace:

Source changes here: from History Knox County, Ohio, by N. N. Hill., Jr, published 1881; 5,724 words in this source stream.

Milford Township

near the southern border of Milford. Along this creek the soil is very fertile. Sycamore creek rises in the western part, runs an easterly course through the township near the centre; between these two creeks the surface is level, and the soil fertile.

soi. Dry creek flows across the extreme northwest corner of the township. The surface generally slopes to the south and east, except in the extreme northern part, where the slope is north, towards ple, elm, white and black'ash, hickory, white and swamp oak, black walnut, white walnut, wild cherry, basswood, cucumber, buckeye and sycamore, with a dense growth of underbrush, consisting chiefly of spice-bush, black-haw, ironwood, dogwood, blue beech, etc. Along the streams and wet lands were an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, cowslips, and many other varieties of vegetation.

Among the wild animals, the deer, opossum, porcupine, black and grey squirrel, raccoon and rabbit were very abundant. The grey wolf, was the most troublesome, frequently making sad havoc with the few sheep, in the country. Occasionally a black bear made his appearance among the first settlers. The wild turkey, pheasant, and several varieties of the owl and hawk, with many other species of the feathered tribe, were very abundant.

In 1808 Milford, and what now comprises Hilliar, Miller, Morgan and the west half of Clay, the south half of Pleasant, and the southwest quarter of Harrison township, constituted the township of Morgan.

On the fourth day of September, 1815, Morgan township was divided by the commissioners, forming a new township called Sycamore. This township, Sycamore, comprised what is now Hilliar, Milford, Miller, and a strip of land one mile wide from the west side of Morgan, and one section from the southwest corner of Pleasant.

In 1818 a petition was presented to the commissioners of Knox county, praying for the erection of a new township, to be taken off the west end of Miller, to be called Hilliar. On the twenty-eighth day of August, 1818, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Hilliar township was organized.

In 1825 a petition was presented to the commissioners of Knox country, praying for the erection of a new township, to be taken from the west side of Miller, to be called Milford.

On the third day of March, 1823, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Milford, from that time to the present, has constituted one of the townships of Knox county, and comprises a terri-

The settlers met together and various names were presented; among the number, Judson Lamson proposed that it should be called Milford, taking the idea from his native town, New Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other name but this, and in consideration of the fact: that Mr. Lamson was one of the oldest settlers, and also of its being a New England name - those present being all from ''down east'' - it was adopted.

The north half of Milford consisted of unappropriated military lands; was surveyed into sections of six hundred and forty acres, and each section divided into quarter sections. 'The south half consisted of United States military bounty lands. The west half of the third or southwest quarter of the

_township was owned by Celladon Symms; and contained two thousand acres; the east half of the same quarter was owned by Burnett. The fourth or southeast quarter was owned by James Parker, and contained four thousand acres.

The first white settlement in Milford was made in 1812. In the spring of that year, Thomas Merrill and James Pell, from Massachusetts, purchased the northwest quarter of section five, being the northwest quarter section in the township. They built their cabins and located there with their families the same spring. Mr. Merrill had one daughter, Mrs. E. W. Cotton, now residing in Mt. Vernon. In the fall of the same year, John Davis located with his family on the southwest quarter of section six. He was an elder in the Baptist church, and in those early times he usually wore buckskin pantaloons. His wife died about 1818, probably- the first white person to die in the township. Mr. Davis was a small man - very industrious and persevering. About 1828 he removed to Allen county, Ohio, where he died, about 1855. He had one daughter, Matilda, wife of Arnold Bishop, now residing in the township, at the age of seventy-three years. She has lived in the township sixty-nine years, being its oldest inhabitant.

In 1816, Major Buxton purchased the southwest quarter of section nine, and his brother Sylvester, the southeast quarter of the same section; each built a cabin on his lot and lived there about one year. These brothers were from Vermont, and they and their families are all dead long ago.

In 1817, John Beardslee purchased the southeast quarter of section nine 'of Sylvester Buxton. In 1818, William Beardslee, a brother of John, purchased the west part of this quarter section, and located there. In 1820 John Beardslee built a cabin on the east part, where he now resides, at the age of eighty-eight years; being the only one of the first settlers now living in the township. He lives with his daughter Mary on the old homestead. He has three sons living ; George in Illinois, Charles

Nebraska William Beardslee lived on his farm until about 1850. He reared a large family; his oldest son, Platt G., long a resident of the township, died in the winter of 1880-81; John B. resides in Mt. Vernon; Betsy, wife of (ord Benedict, resides in Gambier; Catharine, widow of Erastus Rouse, resides in Brandon; Adaline, wife of Major Nathan Bostwick, in Newark; Job lives in Union county, Ohio, and Dr. William, in Ross county. Mary, wife of A. W. Hildreth, is dead. The Beardslees are descendants of the Rey. John Beardslee, of Stratford, on Avon, Shakespeare's home. They removed to this place from New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1817, two brothers, Harris and Stephen Hawkins, from Rhode Island, purchased of Major Buxton, the southwest quarter of section nine. Here they spent their remaining days on earth - and both reared large and respectable families. Harris Hawkins has three children now living in the township, viz: Margaret, wife of Almon Mitchell; Martha, wife of James Rice, and Daniel. Harris Hawkins was a blacksmith and worked at his trade several years, having the first shop in the township. In 1828 he built the first brick house in the township. He was an honest, industrious citizen, and died August, 1865.

and Mary, wife of William Pickering; all reside on the old homestead. In 1817, Gardner Bishop purchased the southwest quarter of section three. This farm has been in possession of the Bishop family to the present time, his son, Daniel Bishop, now residing on it, though it has recently passed into the hands of, Arnold Bishop, jr. Gardner came from Rhode Island.

located on the northwest quarter of section ten; he had one son, Horton J., now of Mt. Vernon, and one daughter, Minerva, widow of Salmon Hooker, now living.

In the year 1817, Aaron Hill, from Massachusetts, who emigrated to Knox county in 1811, purchased the northwest quarter of section three. Mr. N. N. Hill, of Mt. Vernon, is the only son now living.

In the same year Erastus Riley and James Robinson purchased the northeast quarter of section one; James Fay purchased the northwest quarter of the same section, and John Lash, the southwest quarter.

In the same year Judson Lamson, from Connecticut, purchased the northeast quarter of section eight. He came to Milford in the month of February, and after making maple sugar through the month of March, returned to Connecticut on foot, performing the journey at the rate of fifty miles per day. Thesame year he returned with his family, and made this his home. He died on the old homestead, May, 1867, aged eighty-eight years. He was a brickmason by trade, possessed great power of endurance, and has probably performed more hard labor than any man that ever lived in this township. He was an honest, upright and much respected citizen. His daughter, Jane, wife of W. A. Disney, now resides in the township, and his son, Levi J., resides in Wisconsin. Three sons and one daughter are dead.

In the same year Holister purchased the northeast quarter of section three. He reared a large family of which most are dead. Harmon resides in Liberty township.

During the next two years most of the north half of the township was settled - one of the first purchasers being John Jeffers in 1818, who settled on the southeast quarter of section three. Three of his children are yet living, viz: Mary Ann, widow of Smith Bishop, on the old Smith Bishop farm in this township; Almira, wife of Johnson King, in Springfield, Ohio, and J.aura, widow of David Hill, now in her seventy-first year, in Mansfield, Ohio.

southeast quarter of section ten; John Simons, on the northeast quarter of section nine; Curtis Terril, on the northwest quarter of section nine. The latter has one daughter now living on the same farm. John Stevens settled on the southwest quarter of section two; Harvey Jones, on the southeast quarter of section two; James Severe, on the northwest quarter of section four; John Severe, on the southwest quarter of section five; John Lash, on the southwest quarter of section seven.

In 1819, the féllowing persons settled in Milford: John Beardslee, on the northwest quarter of section eleven; Wilber and Russell, on the northeast quarter of section twelve; John Burbank, on the southwest quarter of section ten.

About 1824 William H. Smith purchased the northeast quarter of section eleven and the west part of the southeast quarter of section ten. On this lot he erected a tanyard, and carried on the business of making leather several years. He was a representative in the Ohio legislature two terms. His widow is living at the present time.

In the same year Smith Bishop purchased the southeast quarter of section four, and Arnold Bishop, the northeast quarter of section four where he now resides, being one of the very few pioneers now living in the township.

About 1826 Frederick J. Disney, from Maryland, purchased the west part of the northeast quarter of section thirteen; his widow now resides on the same farm.

In 1829 Preserve Smith, from Connecticut, purceased the southeast quarter of section eight, and made it his home until his death October, 1871. This farm is now owned by his son-in-law, F. S. Rowley.

About the same year Aaron Teegarden purchased the southeast quarter of section fifteen; the same farm is now owned by his son, Samuel. John Hard purchased the southeast quarter of section seven.

In 1830 Milton Keech purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section eight, and John Bostwick, the west half of the same quarter.

In 1831 Gilbert McKown, from Virginia, purchased the northeast quarter of section fourteen, the last quarter section held by the United States in this township.

About the year 1824 Abraham Jackson, from Pennsylvania, purchased of Lash the southwest quarter of section one. This Jackson family have continued much respected citizens of Milford to the present time.

About 1830 Platt G. Beardslee purchased of John Burbank the south part of the southwest corner of section ten, where he made his permanent residence until his death, January 30, 1881. He was a man much respected in the community where he lived.

About the year 1820 the west half of the southwest quarter of the township, owned by Celladon Symms, was surveyed and divided into twenty lots of various sizes and shapes. About this time he disposed of the south part of his section containing one thousand acres, to Harrison & Shorts; this being in the southwest corner of the township. This land was offered for sale in the spring of 1821 by Stanbery & Brice, agents.

In 1821 Frederick Myers, a Dutchman, from Virginia, purchased lot fourteen, being the first lot purchased in the south half of the township. Soon after this John Myers purchased lot thirteen. They reared large families, and quite a number of their descendants now reside in the township. They have been very honest and industrious citizens. George Myers, a son of Frederick Myers, now resides on the old homestead purchased by his father in 1821.

In the same year Eli Ford purchased lot eleven, where he now resides, and Joseph Morey, from Vermont, purchased lot twenty; several of his descendants now reside in the towhship.

In 1822 Poppleton purchased lot eighteen; Sylvanus Mitchell, from Massachusetts, purchased lot nineteen, and his son, Almon, is now a citizen of the township. Patrick Webster purchased lots fifteen and sixteen; he was a Methodist preacher, and a man of good intellect. Adam Stults purchased lot seventeen, and Samuel Woods lot twelve.

the remainder of his section' for sale, and the following were the first purchasers: In 1834, Levi Debolt lot six, Ephrain: Platt lot nine; in 1835, Moses Cummins lot eight, Thomas Warrick lot five. About 1842 Spencer Mitchell purchased lot one, and about 1845 James Debolt purchased lot ten, this being the last lot in the Symms section.

About 1826 Burnet divided the east half of the southwest quarter of the township into lots of one hundred acres each, and offered them for sale. Between this time and 1834 these lots were all sold. Among the first purchasers were Elijah Dowell, lot one; Joseph Evans, lot ten; Samuel Patch, lots eleven and twenty; David Jagger, lot two; John Brown, lot nine; Solomon Freeman, lot nineteen; John Redman, lot eighteen; John Wilson, lots eight and thirteen; John Dunn, lot four; Stephen Humphrey, lot fifteen. About 1830 James Parker divided the fourth, or southeast quarter of the township into thirty-four lots, and offered them for sale. Between. this time and 1838 these lots were all sold. Among the first purchasers were the following: Phineas Taft, from Vermont, lot six; Thomas Larimore, from Virginia, lot fifteen; (his son Henry now owns this same lot); Gideon Hall, lots thirty-two and thirty-three, (his son is now living on lot twenty-nine); Peter Turst, lot nineteen, (his daughter, Mrs. George Neible, is now living in the township); Joseph Montonya, lot seven; Philip Rimer, lot twenty-two; Joseph Postleweight, lot twenty-three; Crisley Kratzer, lot thirty; Jacob Smith, lot twenty-nine; Lemuel Jones, lot twentyone; Joseph Mott, lot sixteen ; William Orme, lot one; Thomas Vanasdel, lot two; John Vanasdel, lot three; James Knox, lots eleven and twelve; Edward Potter, lot seventeen; Naham Butcher, lot twenty-eight. Not one of these families or their descendants are now living in the township. William. Speelman purchased lot thirteen, where he now resides.

About the year 1838 Isaac Dripps bought lot twenty-seven, and George Myers lot thirty-four, being the last two lots sold in the Parker section. This completes the first settlement of Milford township. The population in 1830 was four hundred and ninety-eight; in 1840, one thousand one hundred and fifty-seven; in 1850, one thousand three hundred and forty-nine; in 1860, one thou-

The early settlers of Milford were honest, industrious, intelligent, and social. The price of land varied from one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for Congress land, to four dollars per acre for the choice military land, and but few of the early pioneers possessed more than a sufficient sum of money to purchase a quarter section or lot of land, so that the early pioneers were very nearly on an equality, and each one had enough to do to attend to his own business.

The dense forest, the hooting owl, and the howling wolf, have nearly all passed away with the log cabin, the ox team, the spinning wheel, and the hand loom.

At the time of the settlement of this country, grey wolves were quite numerous, and continually committing depredations against the settlers, by killing sheep; and sometimes pigs and calves would falla prey to their ravenous appetites.

For the purpose of assisting in the extermination of these animals the commissioners would pay from the county treasury a bounty of three dollars each for wolf-scalps, the wolf to be killed within the limits of Knox county.

In the winter of 1824-5, a grand wolf hunt was planned and carried into execution. About the tenth of February, 1825, was the time fixed for a great slaughter of the wolves. The plan was to form a circle around a large territory, and march . toward the centre. For the purpose of making this hunt a success, three lines or circles were plainly designated, one within the other. The outer circle, with headquarters at Bryant's mill, now Knox county infirmary, extended in a southeast direction along the Utica road, to the Granville road, about one mile north of Brandon, in Miller township; thence south along the Granville road to Burlington, now Homer; thence west along the road to the southwest corner of Milford; thence north along the west line of Milford, to the Columbus road; thence down this road to the place of beginning - inclosing all of Milford, about onehalf of Miller, and some other territory. The second line enclosed several hundred acres in the centre of the outer circle; this second line was plainly marked. The third line.enclosed some one hundred and fifty acres, in the centre of the second circle. The circumference of this outer circle was about twenty-five miles, divided into twenty-five sections, twenty-five captains being selected, and each captain required to procure a company of at least sixteen men, and to take charge of the particular section designated for his company. 'The programme was published throughout this section of the country, and many old hunters and young men from the surrounding country came to join in the sport. The captains found no difficulty in procuring the number of men required, and most companies had twice the required number.

The day arrived, and at early dawn old men, young men, and boys, armed with guns, axes, and pitchforks, were hurrying to their places in the circle. Each captain, armed with a tin horn and a bottle of whiskey, was at his post. A few minutes after sunrise the first signal horn was blown at Bryant's mill, and the sound was repeated by the captains to the left, around the entire circle. This signal indicated that the line was complete.

After this thirty minutes were allowed for the captains to complete the lines, at the expiration of wnich time the horn was blown a second time at the headquarters and repeated by the captains both right and left around the entire circle; this was the signal to advance. About eleven o'clock the line had reached the second circle; here they halted for the purpose of distributing the men around the entire circle and making any other arrangements necessary. At this time deer could be seen running in every direction. About twelve o'clock orders were given to march to the inner circle. The deer became frightened and collected in groups of from twentv to fifty, and in their fright many escaped through the lines. When the inner circle was reached the deer that remained in the circle had all collected in one large group and ran around in the circle about one hundred yards from the lines, thus giving the gunners time to load their pieces and to be ready each time they came around. A continual sound of the rifle was heard along the line for more than an hour, and during that time many of the deer escaped through the lines and many were killed. The wolves were no where to be found - not one wolf was killed. The re- sults of the labors of the day were one man, by the name of Pratt, wounded in the hip by a rifle ball; some four score of deer were killed, many wounded, and perhaps one barrel of whiskey drank. The next night the wolves were howling as if nothing had transpired to disturb their quiet repose.

The first public road established in this township was the Columbus road tocated in 1808, which passes across the extreme northwest corner of the township. The second was the Sycamore road running east and west through the township near the centre; this road was located and established in December, 1818. About the year 1819 the Johnstown road was located. These three were the first highways established in the township.

From the time of the first settlement of Milford down to the present time agriculture has been the leading occupation of its citizens. Since about

Dr. William Hayes, from Baltimore, Maryland, came to Milford about 1830. He was at that time a young man, a physician by profession, in somewhat destitute circumstances, and lived for several years with Judson Lamson. He became a successful physician and a minister of the gospel. He preached several years for the Christian church, then several years for the Disciple church, and was also a successful farmer. Having purchased some four hundred acres of land he made wool growing the leading branch of his agricultural pursuits. He now resides in the State of New York.

Major Nathan Bostwick, at the age of twentyone years was in destitute circumstances. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, but by industry and economy became one of the well-to-do farmers. At the commencement of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and before the close of the war was promoted to the office of major of the same regiment. He now resides in Newark, Ohio.

is now one of the intelligent and successful farmers. Philip Rimer and Isaac Larimore were for several years among the thrifty farmers. David Staggers and Smith Bishop each had purchased several hundred acres of land. They are both dead.

Among the early settlers was a man by the name of Amzie Stevens who was remarkable for his quaint proportions. He was a blacksmith by trade and lived in the north part of the township. It is said that his foot measured sixteen inches in length, and that his limbs and frame were of the same gigantic proportions. For the purpose of perpetuating the fact of his existence, and also to show to future generations, the fact that giants lived in those days among the early settlers, he sold his body to Dr. Maxfield, for his museum, but the doctor died long before Amzie gave up the ghost; therefore, when Amzie died he was buried the same as other mortals. He was buried in Morris township, but the exact spot is not known.

From 1838 to 1844 this township was especially blessed with a martial band, for general or company musters, fourth of July celebrations, and other occasions when their services were required. The members were Harris Hawkins, jr., Noble Bostwick, and J. D. Hooker, tenor drummers; Charles Hawkins, bass drummer, and Joseph Hawkins, Nathan Bostwick, and Albert G. Simons, fifers. They had an excellent reputation and were often invited to considerable distances on fourth of July and general training occasions.

The citizens of Milford have always had their full share of patriotism. About 1841 a company of volunteer infantry was organized under the then existing laws of Ohio. Platt G. Beardslee was the first captain, and served a short time in that capacity, when Ephraim Hawkins was chosen captain. This company made quite a soldierly appearance, and for several years was one of the institutions of the township.

About the year 1851 the Pittsburgh, Mt. Vernon & Springfield Railroad company was organized for the purpose building a railroad from Pittsburgh, by way of Mt. Vernon, to Springfield, Ohio. This proposed road was to be located along near the north line of Milford, on the same line now occupied by the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad. For the purpose of obtaining large subscriptions from the citizens along the line of this road, the company offered many inducements. No stockholder was to be required to pay more than the interest on the amount subscribed for twenty years. Each stockholder was required to give a bond, payable in twenty years, with interest payable annually, and the payment of each bond, with the interest thereon, was secured to the company by first mortgage on real estate.

This road, by representation and on paper, was to be the most important road on this continent, and as soon as completed the stockholders were to receive large dividends. It was represented that all the subscribers would be required to pay would be the interest on their bonds, for a few years, un- 'til the road should be completed, when the stock would become a very valuable investment. The company obtained bonds from the citizens along the line of this proposed road in Knox county to the amount of ninety-five thousand dollafs, which bonds were secured by mortgage on real estate probably worth four hundred thousand dollars.

The road was never completed, but the stockholders had to pay the full amount of their bonds with the interest thereon. This caused much embarrassment to many of the best farmers along the line of the proposed road.

Later about the same operation was repeated in the case of the road from Mt. Vernon to Columbus. Many of the farmers mortgaged their farms, and were compelled to pay. The roadbed was only partially made when the company broke up. The road was subsequently finished by another company.

A history of Milford would not be complete without particular reference to the record made by the citizens during the war of the Rebellion. They were always ready to contribute their full snare for the purpose of maintaining the Government. One circumstance - the building of the soldiers' monument at Mt. Vernon - will suffice to show their patriotism.

About the first of July, 1866, a subscription was circulated among the citizens of Milford by Major Nathan Bostwick and P. G. Beardsley for the purpose of procuring funds for the erection of the monument. By the tenth of July one hundred and nineteen persons had contributed the sum of

Politically the vote of Milford has been very evenly divided for several years between Republicans and Democrats. But few, if any, elections have been held for the purpose of electing township officers, within the last ten years, in which either party has elected its entire ticket.

One of the prominent places in the township is known as the Five Corners, situated near its centre. At this place are two churches and a school-house., About 1843 a post-office was established here called Milfordton; Emor Hawkins was the first postmaster. James Rice, the present postmaster, has held the office several years.

The most prominent place in the township is the village of Lock, situate on its south line. In 1836 Isham Abbot purchased the south part of lot ten in the Burnet section, and engaged in the business of making potash. In 1837 he laid outa part of his purchase into town lots, and named the place Lock. Isham Abbot was the first merchant that sold goods in the place.

In 1839 a post-office was established, Isham Abbot being the first postmaster; Peter Eddy was the second, Edwin Horton third, Eber Smith fourth, James Stearnes fifth, and Washington Hildreth the sixth, and present incumbent, and has held the office since 1860.

The village at this time has two dry goods stores, one school-house, three churches, one blacksmith shop, one harness shop, one cooper shop, one wagon shop, one boot and shoe shop.

On the twenty-fifth of November, 1871, a society of Good Templars was organized here, and has been in a prosperous conditon to the present time. Regular meetings are held in Hildreth's hall every Saturday evening.

On the twenty-fourth of June, 1875, the Knights of Honor organized a society at this place. They met in Hildreth's hall once in two weeks, on Tuesday evenings.

A cornet band organized June, 1879, consists of thirteen members, and has an excellent reputation, both for its professional ability and the intelligent and moral character of its members.

Frederick Carey, in a cabin-on the northwest quarter of section two. As in other townships the first schools were "subscription" schools, and were taught in private cabins, there being no public funds for school purposes.

The first school-house, making any pretensions to respectability, was built on the extreme north part of the southwest quarter of section nine, and near the Johnstown road, about 1829. It was a substantial hewed log about twenty-two feet square, with a large fire-place and a brick chimney. This same house was frequently used for religious meetings, singing-schools, etc. Previous to 1830 schools were supported entirely by subscription. About this time the legislature passed an act appropriating and also made it the duty of the trustees to divide their respective townships into school districts. As the population increased it became necessary to form new districts, and make other necessary changes; many changes being thus made between 1830 and 1850. .

In 1853 the legislature passed a school law, which in substance is the present school law. This law created the township board of education, and made all common schools free schools. The school-houses, with puncheon floors and flat seats, have all disappeared - and in their places are comfortable frame school-houses, with the most approved modern desks, and other suitable school apparatus.

At the present time Milford has nine schoolhouses conveniently located, to accommodate all the youth in the township. The schools are small - and competent teachers are employed, which gives to all the young an opportunity to obtain a good common school education.

James Smith, of the Christian denomination, preached the first sermon, and organized the first church in the township. The date of the organization of this church is uncertain, but probably occurred about the. year 1824. In a few years it disbanded.

In 1833 Henry Ashley organized a Christian church at the school-house near the Five corners. This church was in a prosperous condition several Among the members were Harris Hawkins, This denomyears. Steven Hawkins and John Stevens.

In 1835 the first Methodist church was organized in the south part of the township, by Rev. Saxby. This church then consisted of seventeen members, among whom were Silas Jagger, Samuel

Dowell, John Brown and Rachel Brown. In 1836 this church built a house for public worship, called the Dowell meeting house, and in 1845 a new meeting-house in the village of Lock, where the church is located at the present time, being the oldest church organization now in the township. Rev. Craven is present pastor. Among the present members are Jacob Lambert, Albert Ponnel, Harvey Spitzer and Henry Disney. In 1835 a Methodist church was organized at the school-house near the Five corners, by Rev. Lynch. Among the members were Frederick Disney, Preserve Smith, and Job Beardslee. In 1838 this church built a small log house on the present cemetery ground, near the Five corners, where they held their meetings until 1848, when meetings were held in the school-house, and continued there until 1869, when the church disbanded, part of the members joining the church at Brandon, and others at Lock.

On the thirteenth day of May, 1844, the Baptists held a meeting at the Dowell meeting-house, for the purpose of organizing achurch. Elder Daniel Waldon and Elder James Seymore were present. At this time and place the Baptist church was organized, and consisted of some twenty members, among whom were Joseph Mantonya, Joseph Jacobs, Benjamin Quick, and John Wilson. Elder James Seymour was the first pastor, and Thomas Larimore the first delegate to the Baptist association. Inthe year 1874 this church built a house for public worship in the village of I.ock.

The Congregationalists have a church organiza: tiyn at the village of Lock. Among the original members of this church were Peter Eddy, Potwin Stoughton, and Nathaniel Stoughton. In 1844 the church built a house for public worship. Rev. Mr. McKeen is their pastor at the present time.

In 1839 Rev. John Pitkin, of the Presbyterian denomination, organized a church in the schoolhouse at the Five corners. The elders of this church were Cicero Camp, Martin Beach, and

Nathaniel Jackson. In 1848 a house for public worship was erected at the Five corners, and for several years was very prosperous. About 1855 it began to decline, and about 1870 the organization was abandoned. Rev. John Pitkin preached in this township, and for this church thirty-two years. He was formerly from Vermont; and preached for the Presbyterisn churches forty-four years. He now resides in Milford, and is very active for a man who has lived to see eighty-seven years.

In 1845 Rev. William Hayes organized a Disciple church at the school-house in the southwest part of the township. This church has been known as the First Milford Congregational (or Simmons) church. Soon after this church was organized a log meeting house was built where meetings were held until 1853, when the house was destroyed by fire. In 1854 this congregation built a new house. George Litzenburg, David Weaver, David Pattison, Benjamin Compston, and - - - Cook were among the original members. This church from the time of its organization to the-present has been the most prosperous of any church in the township. At the present time it numbers one hundred and thirty members, among whom are Timothy Ross, John Litzenburg, James Scott, Levi Fadeley, and William Moreland. O. W. Kyle is the present pastor.

In 1845 Rev. William Hayes organized a Disciple church at the school-house near the Five corners. Emor Hawkins, W. A. Disney, William Hawkins, Stephen Hawkins, and Daniel Hawkins were among the original members. In 1848 this church built a meeting-house at the Five corners, which continued in a prosperous condition several years. At the present time it is in a very weak and sickly condition. Daniel Bishop and Daniel Hawkins appear as prominent members at this time.

In the winter of 1852-3 Andrew McNutt, of the United Brethren denomination, organized a church in a log house situated in the northeast part of the township. The most prominent members were Stephen Smith, Marcus Knowles, Nicholas Murrey, Bradley Smith, and Lovina McNutt. At first the members were very zealous and enthusiastic, but their ardor soon cooled, and the church had an existence of less than four months.