Miller Township

Miller Township

The first time this name occurs on the Journals reads thus: - "Miller Township special election, 1816, June 4th, judges Jonathan Hunt, jr., Wm. Bare, Lemuel Chapman ; clerks, James Miller, John Mott." Thus Miller appears to have sprung suddenly into existence as a township, without any of the preliminary symptoms, or pains and pangs of parturition. One thing we do know, and that is this, the township was named after one of its earliest settlers, James Miller, Esq., a very wortliy gentleman, who possessed to an extraordinary degree the respect and confidence of his compeers. He was a small man, with a strong mind and excellent sense; a native of Vermont, and in compa-. ny with Turner, a deist, who was a quick, clever old man, and wrote poetry, and went about repeating it, made the first settlement. John Olney, and Emor Harris, Cyrus Gates and James Sealts were also early settlers. They were mostly from Vermont and E-hode Island. In early times this was called the "Beech Settlement."

John and Jacob, with their families, are living in the township. Oornelins Thomj)Son of Hardy co., Ya., settled in this township in 1810. His son now lives near the old home, in his 52d year ; his daughter, Mrs. Scott is at Pataskala, Licking co. The Hildreth name has long been associated with this township. The old stock came from Marlboro, Ct. Wm. Hildreth emigrated to ZanesAdlle, in 1812, and here in 1828 ; he died, and his children living are John M., in Mt. Yernon ; Wm. at Scott's Corners, Union co.; Arnold and Epaphro in Miller township.

In 1810, at the October election, 33 votes were polled : for Worthington, 32 ; Ethan A. Brovai, 1. The judges of election and clerks in 1816 and 1817 were Rufus Ward, Wm. Campbell, Jonathan Hunt, Jr., Timothy Colopy and John H. Simonds. In 1818, the same officers, except Campbell, whose place was supplied by Titus Hill ; and these constituted the board of election of 1819. In 1820, Rufus Ward, James Miller and Wm. Beardslee were judges, and Timothy Colopy and Enoch E. Kinney clerks. In 1821, the same, except Miller, whose place was supplied by Phineas Squire.

The old veteran, Rufus Ward, is worthy of special notice as a faithful soldier, who participated in the battle of White Plains, the capture of Burgoyne, and various other battles of the Revolution. He was born at Boston, Mass., in 1758, married Elizabeth Barnes, of Southington, Conn., and emigrated from Yermont in Eebruary, 1811, to the place where he died September 8, 1831, in his 76th year. His widow died June 19, 1819, aged 85, and was a U.S.

pensioner for many years. Seven cliildren snrvive, viz. : j^Irs. Mary Hinds, in Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth Rowley, widow of Samnel ; Mrs. Abigail Gabriel, wife of John Gabriel, of Colnmbus ; Jonas, collector, at Piqua ; Rufus, farmer, of Miller ; Dr. Truman, druggist, at Mt. Yernon ; and Levi, merchant, at Bollville. Emma, wife of Alpheus Chapman, is dead, as also her husband.

Col. Royal D. Simons emigrated from Connecticut in 1810. He was a man of education and talent, possessed of a very social disposition, and served the people as Assessor and Representative for several terms. His children living are Louisa, wife of J. W. Lybrand, and Caroline, mfe of C. P. Young, both residing at Richland Center, Wisconsin. Mrs. Lybrand's only child Hving (George D.) is at the same place.

Timothy Colopy, a warm-hearted Irishman, had lived in Maryland and Yirginia' until 1813, when he settled in this township. He died in Mt. Yernon in his 68th year, and his widow died about 1852, aged 72 years. His surviving children are Jacob, Mary, Mrs. Levi Sai)p, Sarah, Mrs. E. J. Zimmerman, and Matilda, wife of H. Conley, in Iowa. Timothy was a devout Catholic and a zealous Democrat, liberal and generous, public-spirited and benevolent. He was an excellent Justice of the Peace, and a much-esteemed citizen.

Col. Emor Harris emigrated from Rhode Island in 1817; died in 1850, aged 58. His wife, Sarah Sweet, whom he married in Rhode Island, is living in her 65th year. They had eight children; five survive, viz. : Caroline, wife of R. C. Walker, in

Philip Dennis, of Maryland, for many years resided in this township with his accomplished wife, Ann Dennis, who deceased in 1854. They were among the most intelligent and best citizens.

"The Eour Corners" was the name by which the principal settlement went. A post-ofi&ce was established at this point, Eebruary 15, 1839, called "Hildreth's," and Miner Hildreth was appointed postmaster. After Hildreth resigned, the name was changed to "Brandon," and H. C. Lockwood was ai)pointcd. In the spring of 1851, H. removed to Danville, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. Brandon is six miles from Mt. Yernon, and four from Homer. It has two churches, two stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one steam sawmill, one tavern. The denominational preaching is Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Christian. Revs. John Mitchell and Moffett, Methodist, Rev. M. Herod, Christian, Rev. J. G. Tunison, Baptist, are the regular ministers.

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; 6,416 words in this source stream.

Miller Township

THE surface of this township is generally level, or. slightly undulating. There are no large streams of water within the township. Sycamore creek is the largest and runs an easterly course through the township, near the centre. Vance's creek, in the southern part, runs nearly parallel with Sycamore creek, and several small tributaries empty into these creeks, which form the natural drainage of most of the township. The northwest part is a heavy, yellow, clay soil, the east and south part has mostly a rich fertile soil. There is probably no township in Knox county that has a grade of soil so even as Miller. It produces most excellent grass, and any portion of it, by proper cultivation, produces excellent corn, wheat, oats and rye, various kinds of vegetables, and fruit in abundance. It was originally covered with a dense forest; the principal timber being beech, sugar or rock maple, elm, white and black ash, hickory, white and swamp oak, soft maple, black walnut, white walnut, wild cherry, buckeye, basswood, and sycamore, I with a dense growth of underbush, consisting of I spice-bush, black-haw, dogwood, blue-beech, ironj wood etc. Along the streams and wet lands, vvere I an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, net'.Ies, cow slips, and many other kinds of vegetadon. I Among the wild animals, the deer, raccoon, j porcupine, opossum, wood-chuck, and rabbit wci ' very abundant. Wolves were too plentiful in an early day for sheep raising, and occasionally a black bear would make his appearance; wild turkeys and pheasants were very abundant. The last wild deer killed in this township was by David Ash, on the farm now owned by George Milligan, in the fall of 1839. The last wolf killed in the tov/nship was by John Milhawn, in the winter of 1829-30, on the north part of the farm now owned by J. P. Jones. I The only black bear ever killed in this township by I any white man was by Otis Warren, in the fall of 1817, on the south part of the farm now owned by Dana Miller. The wild turkey gradually disappeared, until about the year 1855, since which time, but few, if any, have been seen in this township.

Previous to September, 18 15, this township, with several others, belonged to and constituted a part of Morgan township. On the fourth of September, 181 5, Morgan township was divided by the commissioners of Knox county, forming a new township called "Sychamore." This township comprised what now constitutes the townships of Miller, Milford, Hilliar, and a strip one mile wide, from the west side of Morgan, and one section j from the southwest corner of Pleasant. I September 15, 1813, an election was held at the j school-house, in what is now sub-district No. i, in i Miller township, for the purpose of electing three I trustees and a clerk, for the town.ship of Sychamore. : William Bair, Jonathan Hunt, jr., and Lemuel j Chapman were elected trustees, and John Mott, jr., ! clerk. The citizens were not satisfied with the ! name given to this township by the commissioners, I and at this election they determined to give it an- other name. Several names were proposed by different persons, and each urged his claim to the right and privilege of naming the township. j The State election was to be held on the tenth I of October following, and it was agreed that the privilege of giving the township a name should be sold at public auction on the day of the October election. As whiskey was at that time considered a necessary article - almost a legal tender - it was agreed that the person giving the most whiskey, to be used for drink at future elections, should have the privilege of giving the new township a name. James Miller was the successful bidder, giving five and one-half gallons of whiskey, at that time worth i about fifteen cents per gallon. At that election I there were seventeen votes polled. From that time to the present, the township has been known by its present name - Miller. Mr. Miller was a prominent and influential pioneer.

Among those seventeen voters were Riverius Newell, Otis Warren, Samuel Rowley, Gideon j Mott, Riverius Newell, jr., Aaron Hill, Abner Hill, | Alpheus Chapman, and James Miller.

In 1862, of these parties but one was living, viz.: i Aaron Hill. Mr. Hill died in Alt. Vernon in 1870, \ in the eighty-eighth year of his age, honored and revered by the whole community. His wife was a daughter of Riverius Newell. j

Of James Miller's family, James Warner, the old . merchant, now living in Newark, who married | Mary Bryant; Madison, ol Miller township, who married Sarah Hill; Henry H., John F., Dr. Volney ' and Dana, were the boys. Mrs. Rosannah San- i ford, Mrs. Harriet Knox, Mr.s. Sally Sanderson, i Mrs. Lucinda Ellis, and Mary were the girls.

In 1 81 8 a petition was presented to the commis- j sioners praying for a division of Miller township, j and for the establishment of a township from the j west part of it, to be called Hilliar. August 28, ! 1S18, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and ' Hilliar was organized. In 1823 a petition was presented to the commissioners for the erection of a new township to be called Milford. March 3, i 1823, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and | Milford was organized. In 1825 a petition was j presented to the commissioners for the erection of | the township of Pleasant. March 9, 1825, the i prayer of the ]jetitioners was granted. Thus Miller was reduced to its present boundaries; comprising a territory five miles long from north to 1 south, and four and one half miles wide. 1 except the second or northwest quarter, which was unappropriated. The first, or northeast quarter, was owned by AVilliam Stanberry, and contained about twenty-four hundred acres. The third, or southwest quarter, contained about four thousand acres, and was owned by George Bomford. The fourth, or southeast quarter, contained about three thousand acres, and owned by George B. Jackson. In the year 1808, Jackson sold the first piece of land that was probably sold to any actual settler in this township.

John Vance, sr., from Rockingham county, Virginia, purchased lot number three and sold the west part of same lot to his son, John Vance, jr. Here, in 1808, John Vance, jr., erected the first log house, it is believed, in this township. This piece of land has been in possession of the Vance family down to the present time, and is now owned b> Daniel Vance, a son of John Vance, jr. The same old log house is standing, and will most likely be kept in repair so long as the farm is owned by the Vance family. It is used for a granary, and looks as if it might be good for several generations to come. The first white child born in this township was born in this house. This was Hannah Vance now widow of Daniel Houck, who was born in this log house June 10, 1809. Daniel Vance, the present owner of this farm, is now sixty-eight years old, and is the oldest native of this township now residing in the township. He was born in this house.

Daniel Vance narrates the following facts in relation to those early times: At the time John Vance came to what is now Miller township the Indians were quite numerous. After Mr. Vance had built his log cabin (size sixteen by sixteen), and moved into it, he used a blanket for a door. He worked away from home and frequently would remain away over night, leaving his wife and child (now Mrs. Hannah Houck) alone. The Indians were frequent visitors to the cabin of their new neighbors, and frequently brought venison and other game to exchange for corn. One Indian in particular seemed more warmly attached to the pale-face neighbors than the others. Upon one occasion he came to the cabin in the evening and asked Mrs. Vance if "Pale-face" would be home that night. Mrs. Vance's first impulse was to tell him yes, as she did not know his designs in asking such a question, but she thought it would not do to tell him a falsehood, so she said no he would not be at home that night, as he went to work for corn. The Indian replied, "Pale-face shan't be hurt; pale-face need not be afraid." He then lay' down in front of the door, and remained there all night. He did this on several occasions.

In the year 1809 Abraham Cairnes, from Virginia, purchased lot number one in the Jackson tract, being the southeast corner of the township. The same year Andrew Thompson purchased lot number two.

In 1 8 10 Cornelius Thompson, from Hardy county, Virginia, purchased lot number four. He died in a few years, leaving two children, one of which, Enoch Thompson, now resides in the township.

About 1 81 2 Daniel Bailer purchased lot number nine, William Campbell lot number ten, and Henry Row lot number five. The latter has one son, Henry Row, now living in the township.

About 1 81 6 George B. Jackson died and his lands remaining unsold, went into the hands of minor heirs. The balance of this tract was a wilderness for several years, and was not all occupied by actual settlers until about 1840.

In 1814 James Miller, Thomas Turner, and Otis Warren, from Vermont, immigrated to Miller township. James Miller purchased section number five, the northwest corner of the township, containing about six hundred acres. On this farm he erected the first frame barn and the first brick house built in this township. The barn was built in 1815; the house in 1824. He was a man of much energy and perseverance, and reared a large and respectable family. He died in 1844. The youngest son, Dana, now owns and resides upon part of this farm, being the only one of rhe Miller family now residing in this township. Thomas Turner purchased the northeast quarter of section six; he was about sixty-five years of age when he came here. He had no children. The first labor he performed after building was to clear a piece of ground for a graveyard for himself; it is the same now used for a graveyard in the northwest part of the township. He died April, 1826, aged seventyseven years. Otis Warren was an adopted son of Thomas Turner; preferred to hunt rather than labor, and would spend his money for whiskey instead of bread for his family. In 18 15 Cyrus Gates, from Rutland, Vermont, purchased the southeast quarter of section six, where he resided until his death, August 21, 1867. He reared a family of nine children, of whom four are now living, and all reside in this township. The farm is now owned by Lewis Gates, the youngest son now living.

From this time to 181 9 all this quarter of the township was occupied by actual settlers; and it is now almost impossible to give a correct account of them all. William Hildreth, from Connecticut, in 181 7, purchased the northwest quarter of section four, on which farm he died in 1828. He reared a family of five sons, of whom only two are now living. They both reside in this township - Arnold W. and Epaphro. Rufus Ward, from Vermont, purchased the northeast quarter of section four. This same farm is now owned by nis grandchildren. The southwest quarter of section four, was purchased by Alpheas Chapman, from Vermont, who had one daughter, Mrs. John Colopy, now residing in the township. In 181 7 Nathaniel Lash purchased the southeast quarter of section four. Phineas Squires, from Vermont, purchased the southwest quarter of section three, and reared a family of eleven children, of whom but one is now living. He resides in this township. Royal D. Simons purchased the southwest quarter of section three, of Phineas Squires in 1818. Jacob Simons, from "VSermont, in 1813-14, purchased the northwest quarter of section eight, and sold it in 181 7 to John 01- ney, who came from Rhode Island in 181 6. Emor Harris purchased the northeast quarter of section seven, where he lived until his death in 185 1. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace seven times. He was very much respected in the community, and has one son and and one daughter, now living in the township. James Sealts purchased the northwest quarter of section seven. He is living at the present time, being the only man among the first settlers of this quarter of the township now living. His age is about ninety-two years. Levi, Hiram and Manley Rowley, Riverius New- ell, Silas Mott, John Mott, and his sons, John, Gideon and Samuel, Lemuel Chapman and Aaron Hill were among the early settlers. Salmon Hooker came from Vermont in x8i6; his widow is now living in the township, aged eighty-six years. Aaron Hill was born near Boston, Massachusetts, emigrated to this county in 1811, and shared in the privations and toils of life in the new country. During his residence in this township he worked as a carpenter and joiner, a blacksmith and a farmer, and with true Yankee instinct, lent a hand at whatever work the wants of the country required. Of his family of five, Norman N., of Alt. Vernon, is the sole survivor. Riverius Newell (the father-inlaw of Aaron Hill) was one of the first, and many yet believe him the first, settler in the township. He died in Mt. Vernon, and was buried by the Masons, March 30, 1835.

About 1820 Richmond Hillard purchased the east half of the northwest quarter of section six. This was the last piece of land held by the (jovernment in this township, and is the same piece now owned by J. M. Hillard.

The first, or northeast quarter of the township, owned by William Stanberry, was divided into twelve lots of two hundred acres each, about 181 5. About 1816 Timothy Colopy and William Colopy, brothers, formerly from Ireland, were the first to locate in the northeast quarter of the township. Timothy purchased lot No. 6. He had a good education, was a man of good natural ability, and much respected by his neighbors.

William Colopy purchased loL^jlia^A^i ; he has one son, Timothy, and one daughter, Mrs. Marquand, now living in the township. His widow i^ yet living, aged about ninety-two years, and is probably the oldest person now living in the township.

In 1818 Benjamin Chambers, from Pennsylvania, purchased lot No. 8, on which he lived until his death in 1839. His son Benjamin, who now owns the farm, came here with his father in 1818. His wife, who was Miss Rachel Walker, was born in Morris township, this county, in 1802;* she is the oldest person now living in this township, that was born in Knox county.

j The third, or southwest quarter, owned by George Bomford, was divided into lots of one hundred acres each in the winter of 1829-30. and was offered for sale in the spring of 1830. The first by Joseph West and N. A. Chambers. It was purchased by William and Alpheas Baker. Within the next two years all the lots adjoining the Granville road were sold.

Among the first purchasers were James Osborn, lot No. 19, John Osborn, lot No. 32, Thomas Osborn, lot No. 35. William Beadle purchased lots Nos. 24, 25, and 33; Richard Mann and Orville Fosdick the south part, and Thomas Fosdick the north part of location lot; and Dr. Stimpson and Luther Hall, lot No. 12. Of these families, none are living in this township at this time.

Enoch Thompson purchased lot No. 34, and resides on the same lot at the present time. Lanson Crippen bought lot No. 13; his son Henry resides

In 1834 John Conaway, from Coshocton county purchased lot No. 18; Reuben Hall lot No. 19; and in the same year erected a saw-mill on Vance's creek, in the west part of the Bomford section.

lot No. 6; Jacob Oldaker, lot No. 1 1 ; David Row, lot No. 16; S. F. Vose, lot No. 21; Levi Dilaplane, lot No. 26; James Cunningham, lot No. 36. In 1839 Joseph Pearson purchased lot No. 20, the last lot owned by Bomford. This completes the first settlement of the township.

The principal occupation of the first pioneers of this township was clearing the land and farming. Zanesville was the place where most of the trading was done. In the spring of the year considerable quantity of maple sugar was made, taken to Zanesville and exchanged for salt and groceries. Their clothing was mostly manufactured at home, as each farmer kept a few sheep, and the wool was spun and wove into cloth by members of the family, and made into clothing for winter. A small piece of ground was sown in flax by each farmer, from the lint of which the summer clothing was manufactured; all the labor of producing this clothing being performed at home. All farm products were sold at very low prices - wheat seldom so high as forty cents a bushel, and corn brought from eight to fifteen cents. A first class cow would sell for eight or ten dollars, and all other farm products at equally low rates. Even at these rates it was almost impossible to get the cash. Money was scarce and almost all kinds of business was carried on by barter. The merchants would sell their goods to the farmers on time, the farmer agreeing to pay with wheat, or pork, when he slaughtered his hogs. The wheat and pork were again exchanged by the merchant for goods. Thus trade was ca;rried on with a small amount of money. The wheat was made into flour and packed in barrels, the pork was also packed in barrels, and a considerable quantity of corn converted into whiskey. All this made a demand for cooperage, and Miller furnished her full share of coopers. Rufus Ward, Levi Ward, Cyrus Gates, Emor Harris, James Sealts, Oliver Squires, and Chester Coleman were all engaged in coopering for several years. Since 1850 the farmers of this township have been largely engaged in wool-growing, and it is among one of the largest wool-growing townships in the county.

The first public road located in Miller township was the Granville road, leading from Mt. Vernon to Granville, and was established about 18 10. The second was the Bryant's Mill road, leading from Bryant's mill to Utica. This mill was situated on Dry creek, near where the Knox county infirmary is now located, and the road was established in 181 5. It has been changed materially from its first location, and a large part of the original road has been vacated. That part from the north line of lands owned by M. C. Bone, to the north line of lands owned William McCuen; also from the Granville road west to J. M. Hillard's, thence north to the township line, is nearly on the original survey; the remainder of this road has been vacated. The third road is what is called the Sycamore road, and was located and established in 1818, It has been changed in many places from its original location.

The village of Brandon is situated near the centre of Miller township, at a point where the Sycamore road crosses the Granville road. The first house was built by James Hare,, on the northwest corner, about five rods from the Sycamore road, and about two rods from the Grunville road. The second house was built by C. L. Bennett, on the south side of Sycamore street, near where Dr. Hatcher- now resides. About 1824 Phineas Squires purchased the land in the northeast corner - he probably owned sixty-eight acres, then all a wilderness. He built a hewed- log house, near where J. C. Harstock now resides, which is worthy of notice. It was the largest log house ever built in this township; that is, there were more logs used in the building than any other log house built in this part ef the country. The exact dimensions cannot be given at present, but it was probably about forty-five feet long, twenty-four feet wide, and two stories high. It took two lengths of logs to reach the length. The partitions and floors were ot logs hewn on three sides. The chimney was built in the centre of the house, with a huge fireplace on two sides of it. There was probably nearly as much solid timber in this house as there is in all the houses in the village at the present time. Phineas Squires was captain of the militia, and the neighbors called this house the "war ofiice."

In 1830 Simeon A. Bagley and Enos Barnes formed a partnership in the blacksmithing and wagonmaking business. Barnes purchased James Hare's lot. In 1831 they built a brick shop on the lot now occupied by J. R. Milligan's residence. This shop was about fifty feet long, twenty wide and one story high, with a brick partition through the centre, making two rooms, one for a wagon shop the other for blacksmithing. Soon after they had everything in good working order, the shop with all its contents was destroyed by fire. Bagley then sold his property and left the place. Barnes put a new roof on the building, made other necessary repairs, and continued blacksmithing in one of the rooms several years. The other room was used several years for a school-room and meeting-house and some time for a dwelling. In 1839 Enos Barnes sold his property to H. C. Lockwood, which included some fifteen acres on the northwest corner. Previous to this time John Mott had sold a piece of land, eight rods wide, along Sycamore street, from the corners west to the section line, and there had been three cabins built on this piece of land. In 1842 John Mott owned all the southeast corner, and he and H. C. Lockwood made an agreement to lay out a certain amount of their lands into town lots. Accordingly they employed a competent surveyor, and some fifteen acres of the southwest corner were surveyed and staked off into lots, streets and alleys, when a dispute arose about the e.xact location of the Granville road. The stirveyor went to Mt. Vernon to examine the records, got drunk, and it was several days before he returned. Previous to this time the place had been known by the name of Four corners. During the absence of the surveyor a dispute arose about the name for the new town, Lockwood claiming the right of naming it, and gave the name of New Windsor. Mott wished to give the town the name of Brandon. These parties waxed warm in their dispute, and when the surveyor returned they had abandoned the project of making a new town. From that time to the present the village has been known as Brandon. It never was regularly laid out into town lots, each person purchasing lots to suit himself, for size, shape and location. Levi

Rowley in 1841 was the first merchant. A postofiice was established on the fifteenth of February, 1839, called Hildreth, and Miner Hildreth was the first postmaster. About 1832 Hildreth resigned, and H. C. Lockwood was appointed postmaster; about this time the name of -the post-office was changed to its present name - Brandon. J. R. Milligan, the present postmaster, has held the office since 1869.

Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Brandon July 31, 1873, by the most worthy grand master, John E. Bell, of Cincinnati, assisted by Past Grands T. P. Fredericks, W. R. Hart, J. R. Wallace, and G. R. Martin, of Mt. Vernon.

The charter members were John L. Slater, A. M. Welsh, H. C. Harris, Adam Williams, W. S. Harrod, N. A. Chambers, H. J. Glaze, Orlando Truman, John C. Jacobs, G. H. Phillips, J. Hartsook, Morgan Beaver, AVilliam Beaver and T. D. Poland.

During the year 1880, aided by friends of the order, the lodge erected a fine two story frame building for lodge purposes, on the corner of Granville and Sycamore streets. The first floor is intended for a store room, and the second is devoted to lodge purposes. The entire cost of the building and furnishing was about one thousand dollars.

On tlie fifth of August, 1880, the hall was dedicated to the use of Odd Fellowship in an impressive manner by Most Worthy Grand Master Gravatt, of Columbus, assisted by Past Grands Thomas Trick and W. R. Hart, of Mt. Vernon lodge No. 20; J. B. Warren, of Quindaro Lodge No. 316; J. H. Hamilton, of Ellicott Lodge No. 267, and W. O'B. Honey and H. S. Bunnell, of Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 543.

town hall, one steam saw-mill, one cider mill, two wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one dry goods store, one grocery, one hotel, one boot and shoe shop, one harness shop, two physicians, one artist, and one butcher shop.

This township has been visited several times with severe wind storms; the most disastrous of these occurred on the twentieth of January 1854, passed across the township in a northeast direction, and was from forty to sixty rods in width. It first struck the township at the west Hne of lot number nine, in the third quarter of the township. At this place it was not very severe. It then crossed lot eight and the east part of lot one, owned by John Robinson, taking off the top of his log house; next it struck lot two, owned by John Turner, and completely demolished his house and other buildings, scattering fences and everything movable, in wild confusion. Mrs. Turner had an arm broken. A grain sack owned by Mr. Turner was found after ths storm near Danville, a distance of about twenty miles. It next struck the woods of George Milligan, making a clean sweep of his standing timber, and then crossed the farms of David Watson and J. W. Baxter, passing south and east of their buildings. Their fences and everything movable in its course, was left in wild confusion. It next struck the farm of Chester Colem.an, taking off the roofs of his house and barn, and passing to Dr. Wheaton's, where J. W. Baxter now resides, completely demolishing his new frame house and barn. The doctor was in the barn at the time, and when it had left him he found himself among some rubbish, with one arm broken. The Union church, standing on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church in Brandon, was entirely destroyed. The brick school-house, occupying the present site of the town hall, at the time occupied with a school of about fifty scholars, was blown down to its foundations, but no one was killed or dangerously injured. The roof was blown from what is now the Baptist church. Several bnildings in the west part of the village were more or less damaged. Oliver Squires resided in a brick house a few rods north of the village; on the approach of the storm he and his family took refuge in the cellar. The house was blown down to its foundation, likewise ' his barn, and everything movable scattered about promiscuously. The storm continued its northeasterly course, crossing the east line of the township a short distance from the northeast corner, causing a general destruction of fences and everything movable in its course. The house of Mr. Slater, situated in its course, met the fate of others, being blown to the ground.

About 1825, in May, a severe tornado passed over the extreme southeast corner of this township. At this time John Vance had three sons at work on the farm, who saw the storm approaching and attempted to make their way to the house; the storm overtook them; thev took shelter by a large black walnut log in the open field; the wind rolled the log over them, killing two of them and breaking the other boy's leg. The course of this tornado was in a northeast direction, and it was from eighty to one hundred rods n width. The east part of section six, in the seconci quarter, had been visited by a tornado not long be/ore the first settlement of the township.

The first pioneers of Miller paid but little attention to rehgious matters. Elder John Mott was a Baptist minister, and made his home here in an early day. Elder James Hare, a Baptist minister, came herein 1822. Daniel Barler and perhaps a few others were also Baptists. The Colopy families were Catholics, and perhaps some others made profession of religion, but no church was organized prior to 1830. In that year a church was organized by Isaac N. Walter, of the Christian denomination. Among the leading members at the time of its organization were Simon A. Bagley, Daniel Rowley, Leonard Simons, and Enos Barnes. At this time there wa? no house for public worship in the township, and meetings were held at private houses in the winter season; in the summer they were held in the grove. This church soon became one of the leading institutions in the community. In 1832 a house was built for public worship on the present site of the Methodist Episcopal church at Brandon, his being the first house for public worship in Miller township. In 1854 it was destroyed by a tornado. In 1858 this

Since this church was organized' in 1S20 it has passed through many changes in membership. Those that composed the first church ' organization have all passed away, and the first pastors have likewise passed off the stage of action. At this time it is composed of about forty members. Among the former pastors of this church were J. N. Walter, Samuel Marion, Harry Ashley, Daniel Long, Edward Lewis, James Hayes, J. W. Marvin, and Mills Harrod. Andrew Hanger is the pastor at the present time. Amzie Harrison, Nelson Smith, Joseph Johnson, and Ruben Chrisman are among its leading members.

In 1833 Harry Ashley, of the Christian denomination, organized a church in the southeast part of the township. Among the members at the time of its organization were John Weaver, Andrew Oldaker, John Row, Martin Lohr, and James Oldaker. The members that first composed this church have all passed away except James Oldaker, who has been a member from the time of its organization to the present.

This church held its meetings at the schoolhouse, in district No. i, until about 1844, when a house of worship was built. This church is known by the name of Fairview. J. W. Marvin was pastor twenty-seven years. It is now the largest church organized in the township, having sixtythree members. Douglas Black is the pastor.

Since 1830 the Christian denomination (or New Lights as they were sometimes called,) have been the most prominent religious organization in Miller township, and its membership has been composed of some of its very best citizens.

About 1834 the Methodists organized a church at the house of James Nolan, in the northwest part of the township. Among the leading members were James Nolan, John Conaway, Joseph Hare, Andrew McNutt, and William Allison. In a few years this church organization was abandoned.

In 1 84 1 the Methodists organized a church at the school-house in district No. 6, south of Brandon, on the Granville road. Among the members were S. F. Vorse, John Osborn, William Beadle, and Alphea Beadle.

About 1843 the Methodists organized a church at the school-house in the southwest part of the township. Among the members were John Buxton, John Conaway, and Charles Conaway.

In 185 1 a Methodist church was organized at Brandon. Miner Hildreth and Erastus Rouse were among its leading members. These three churches continued in a sickly condition until 1863, when they were consolidated into one church at Brandon, where they built a church edifice, since which time this church has been in a prosperous condition. Rev. Craven is the pastor at the present time. Its members number about sixty. Among the leadiug members were F. A. Buxton, Adam, William and Nathaniel Hunter and Gideon Long. In 1853 a Methodist church was organized in the east part of the township. A house of worship was erected near Hunt's Station. Its members j mostly reside in Pleasant township. At the time I of its organization its members were John Sliger i Jonathan Wood and James Strong, of Pleasant;, Christian Stinemates and John Phifer, of Miller. I This church is known by the name of Asbury ; I Rev. Cravan is the pastor at the present time. j Probably fifteen or twenty members reside in Miller, among whom are Thomas M. Jones, George Sliger and Peter Sout. This church is in a prosperous condition.

About 1834 Rev. Pitkin, of the Presbyterian denomination, commenced preaching in the Union church at Brandon, and continued two or three years, but probably no Presbyterian church was organized at that time.

In 1852, under the leadership of Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Wheaton and Levi Beach, a Presbyterian meeting-house was built at Brandon, dedicated by Rev. Swift, and an effort was made to organize a church, but it does not appear that any church of the Presbyterian denominaiton was ever organized in the township.

In the fall of 1856 Elder Raymond, of the Baptist denomination, held a series of meetings at Brandon, and organized a church in the month of January, 1857. Among the members at the time of its organization, were Emor B. Harris, Isaac Stull, Philip Stull, J. H. Davis, H. C. Welch, A. M. Welch, and Rodham TuUoss. In the spring of 1857 the church purchased the house formerly built by the Presbyterians, which house they have continued to occupy to the present time. This church has continued to exist since the date of its organization. Elder Lewis is the pastoi at the present time. Among the members are J. H. Davis, William Wynkoop, H. J. Glaze, Isaac StuU and N, A. Chambers.

It may have been observed that the first two settlements were in the extreme corners of the township, the southeast and northwest. A school-house was built near the line in Morgan township, and near the southeast corner of Miller, which accommodated the scholars in the southeast corner of Miller for several years.

The first school-house built in Miller was situated on the Granville road, one mile north of Brandon. This was a log house, and built about 181 7 for the accommodation of the scholars in the north part of the township. In the spring of 1825 two school-houses were built, one on the farm now owned by Dana Miller, a short distance east of the road west of his house; the other on the farm now owned by Lewis Gates, and about midway between his residence and the cross roads west of it.

Previous to 1830 schools were supported by individual subscription. About that time the legislature passed an act, appropriating a small school fund for the support of common schools; and also for the purpose of establishing school districts. Under the provisions of this act the township was divided into school districts, the first in the southeast corner of Miller, and including a part of Morgan. The schools were continued in the house formerly built in Morgan township. The second district was in the north part of the township - and continued to use the house north of Brandon. The third district was composed of the northwest part of Miller, and the northeast part of Milford. This district erected a new house on the north part of the farm now owned by T. P. Jones.

The trustees of the townships had control in districting the townships. In 1833 a new schoolhouse was built in district No. i, and on the site of the present school-house in sub-district No. i. As the population increased it became necessary to form new districts and make other necessary changes, and but few years passed from 1832 to 1850 that some changes were not made with district lines. In 1850 there were nine school-houses.

In 1853 the Ohio legislature passed a school law which in substance is the present school law. It created the township board of education, and made all common schools free schools.

The first frame school-house in the township was built in 1839, in what is now sub-districi No. 6, about one and one-half miles south of Brandon. In the same year the first brick school-house was built in Brandon. The same house was afterward destroyed by a tornado.

In 1867 the board of education determined to reduce the number of sub-districts to eight, and erect a new school-house for each sub-district; the houses to be of brick, twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long, with a height of ten feet from floor to ceiling. The house in sub-district No. 3 was built in 1857; No. 5 in 1870; Nos. i and 6 in 1872; No. 7 in 1873; No. 2 in 1874; No. 8 in 1876; and No. 5 in 1878. The first seven were built by L. W. Gates, the last one by N. W. Buxton.

The schools in Miller are small; good teachers are employed, and each child gi owing up in this township has an opportunity to obtain an education suitable for the business transactions of life.

The following regiments were represented by enlistments from Miller: Fourth, Sixteenth, Twentieth, Thirty-second, Forty-third, Sixty-fifth, Seventy-sixth, Seventy-eighth, Eighty-second, Ninety-sixth, One Hundred and Twenty-firsL, One Hundred and Twenty-ninih, One Hundred and Forty-second, and One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh volunteer infantry; Third West Virginia Cavalry, First Ohio cavalry, First Marine brigade, Second Heavy artillery, and Eighteenth United States infantry.

The sanitary records show that two societies were organized by the ladies of Miller township for the purpose of furnishing necessary supplies for the sick and wounded soldiers. They continued their labors from the spring of 1863 to the close of the war. The estimated value of articles furnished various hospitals amount to the sum of six hun-

Source changes here: from History Knox County, Ohio, by N. N. Hill., Jr, published 1881; 6,310 words in this source stream.

The Peace

or, slightly undulating. There are no large streams of water within the township. Sycamore creek is the largest and runs an easterly course through the township, near the centre. Vance's creek, in the southern part, runs nearly parallel with Sycamore creek, and several small tributaries empty into these creeks, which form the natural drainage of most of the township. The northwest part is a heavy, yellow, clay soil, the east and south part has mostly a rich fertile soil. There is probably no township in Knox county that has a grade of soil so even as Miller. It produces most excellent grass, and any portion of it, by proper cultivation, produces excellent corn, wheat, oats and rye, various kinds of vegetables, and fruit in abundance.

wild cherry, buckeye, basswood, and sycamore, with a dense growth of underbush, consisting of spice-bush, black-haw, dogwood, blue-beech, ironwood etc. Along the streams and wet lands, were an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, nettles, cow slips, and many other kinds of vegetation.

Among the wild animals, the deer, raccoon, porcupine, opossum, wood-chuck, and rabbit were very abundant. Wolves were too plentiful in an early day for sheep raising, and occasionally a black bear would make his appearance; wild turkeys and pheasants were very abundant. 'The last wild deer killed in this township was by David Ash, on the farm now owned by George Milligan, in the fall of 1839. The last wolf killed in the township was by John Milhawn, in the winter of 1829-30, on the north part of the farm now owned by J. P. Jones. The only black bear ever killed in this township by any white man was by Otis Warren, in the fall of 1817, on the south part of the farm now owned by Dana Miller. The wild turkey gradually disappeared, until about the year 1855, since which time, but-few, if any, have been seen in this township.

Previous to September, 1815, this township, with several others, belonged to and constituted a part of Morgan township. On the fourth of September, 1815, Morgan township was' divided by the commissioners of Knox county, forming a new township called '"Sychamore." This township comprised what now constitutes the townships of Miller, Milford, Hilliar, and a strip one mile wide, from the west side of Morgan, and one section from the southwest corner of Pleasant.

September 15, 1813, an election was held at the school-house, in what is now sub-district No. 1, in Miller township, for the purpose of electing three trustees and a clerk, for the township of Sychamore. William Bair, Jonathan Hunt, jr, and Lemuel Chapman were elected trustees, and John Mott, jr., clerk. The citizens were not satisfied with the name given to this township by the commissioners, and at this election they determined to give it another name. Several names were proposed by different persons, and each urged his claim to the right and privilege of naming the township.

The State election was to be held on the tenth of October following, and it was agreed that the privilege of giving the township a name should be election. As whiskey was at that time considered a necessary article - almost a legal tender - it was agreed that the person giving the most whiskey, to be used for drink at future elections, should have the privilege of giving the new township a name. James Miller was the successful bidder, giving five and one-half gallons of whiskey, at that time worth about fifteen cents per gallon. At that election there were seventeen votes polled. From that time to the present, the township has been known by its present name - Miller. Mr. Miller was a prominent and influential pioneer.

Among those seventeen voters were Riverius Newell, Otis Warren, Samuel Rowley, Gideon Mott, Riverius Newell, jr., Aaron Hill, Abner Hill, Alpheus Chapman, and James Miller.

In 1862, of these parties but one was living, viz.: Aaron Hill. Mr. Hill died in Mt. Vernon in 1870, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, honored and revered by the whole community. daughter of Riverius Newell.

Of James Miller's family, James Warner, the old merchant, now living in Newark, who married Mary Bryant; Madison, of Miller township, who married Sarah Hill; Henry H., John F., Dr. Volney and Dana, were the boys. Mrs. Rosannah Sanford, Mrs. Harriet Knox, Mrs. Sally Sanderson, Mrs. Lucinda Ellis, and Mary were the girls.

In 1818 a petition was presented to the commissioners praying for a division of Miller township, and for the establishment of a township from the west part of it, to be called Hilliar. August 28, 1818, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Hilliar was organized. In 1823 a petition was presented to the commissioners for the erection of a new township to be called Milford. March 3, 1823, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Milford was organized. In 1825 a petition was presented to the commissioners for the erection of the township of Pleasant. March g, 1825, the prayer of the petitioners was granted. Thus Miller was reduced to its present boundaries'; comprising a territory five miles long from north to south, and four and one half miles wide.

except the second or northwest quarter, which was unappropriated. The first, or northeast quarter, was owned by William, Stanberry, and contained about twenty-four hundred acres. The third, or southwest quarter, contained about four thousand acres, and was owned by George Bomford. The fourth, or southeast quarter, contained about three thousand acres, and owned by George B. Jackson. In the year 1808,-Jackson sold the first piece of land that was probably sold to any actual settler in this township.

John Vance, sr., from Rockingham county, Virginia, purchased lot number three and sold the west part of same lot to his son, John Vance, jr. Here, in 1808, John Vance, jr., erected the first log house, it is believed, in this township. This piece of land has been in possession of the Vance family down to the present time, and is now owned by Daniel Vance, a son of John Vance, jr. The same old log house is standing, and will most likely be kept in repair so long as the farm is owned by the Vance family. It is used for a granary, and looks as if it might be good for several generations to come. The first white child born in this township was born in this house. This was Hannah Vance now widow of Daniel Houck, who was born in this log house June 10, 1809. Daniel Vance, the present owner of this farm, is now sixty-eight years old, and is the oldest native of this township now residing in the township. He was born in this house.

Daniel Vance narrates the following facts in relation to those early times: At the time John Vance came to what is now Miller township the Indians were quite numerous. After Mr. Vance had built his log cabin (size sixteen by sixteen), and moved into it, he used a blanket for a door. He worked away from home and frequently would remain away over night, leaving his wife and child (now Mrs. Hannah Houck) alone. The Indians were frequent visitors to the cabin of their new neighbors, and frequently brought venison and other game to exchange for corn. One Indian in particular seemed more warmly attached to the pale-face neighbors than the others. Upon one occasion he 'came to the cabin in the evening and asked Mrs. Vance if ''Pale-face" would be home that night. Mrs. Vance's first impulse was to tell him yes, as she did not know his designs in asking 'such a question, but she thought it would not do to tell him a falsehood, so she said no he would not be at home that night, as he went to work for corn. The Indian replied, '"Pale-face shan't be hurt; pale-face need not be afraid." He then lay down in front of the door, and remained there all night. He did this on several occasions.

In the year 1809 Abraham Cairnes, from Virginia, purchased lot number one in the Jackson tract, being the southeast corner of the township. The same year Andrew Thompson purchased lot number two.

county, Virginia, purchased lot number four. He died in a few years, leaving two children, one of which, Enoch Thompson, now resides in the township. _ About 1812 Daniel Bailer purchased lot number nine, William Campbell lot number ten, and Henry Row lot number five. The latter has one son, Henry Row, now living in the township.

About 1816 George B. Jackson died and his lands remaining unsold, went into the hands of minor heirs. The balance of this tract was a wilderness for several years, and was not all occupied by actual settlers until about 1840.

In 1814 James Miller, Thomas Turner, and Otis Warren, from Vermont, immigrated to Miller township. five, the northwest corner of the township, containing about six hundred acres. On this farm he erected the first frame barn and the first brick house built in this township. The barn was built in 1815; the house in 1824. He was a man of much energy and perseverance, and reared a large and respectable family. He died in 1844. The youngest son, Dana, now owns and resides upon part of this farm, being the only one of the Miller family now residing in this township. Thomas Turner purchased the northeast quarter of section six; he was about sixty-five years of age when he came here. He had nochildren. The first labor he performed after building was to clear a piece of ground fora graveyard for himself; it is the same now used for a graveyard in the northwest part of the township. He died April, 1826, aged seventyseven years. Otis Warren was an adopted son of Thomas Turner; preferred to hunt rather than labor, and would spend his money for whiskey instead of bread for his family. In 1815 Cyrus Gates, from Rutland, Vermont, purchased the southeast quarter of section six, where he resided until his death, August 21, 1867. He reared a family of nine children, of whom four are now living, and all reside in this township. The fafm is now owned by Lewis Gates, the youngest son now living. From this time to 1819 all this quarter of the township was occupied by actual settlers; and it is now almost impossible to give a correct account of them all. William Hildreth, from Connecticut, in 1817, purchased the northwest quarter of section four, on which farm he died in 1828. He reared a family of five sons, of whom only two are now living. They both reside in this township - Arnold W. and Epaphro. Rufus Ward, from Vermont, purchased the northeast quarter of section four. This same farm is now owned by his grandchildren. The southwest quarter of section four, was purchased by Alpheas Chapman, from Vermont, who had one daughter, Mrs. John Colopy, now residing in the township.- In 1817 Nathaniel Lash purchased the southeast quarter of section four. Phineas Squires, from Vermont, purchased the southwest quarter of section three, and reared a family of eleven children, of whom but one is now living. He resides in this township. Royal D. Simons purchased the southwest quarter of section three, of Phineas Squires in 1818. Jacob Simons, from Vermont, in1813~-14, purchased the northwest quarter of section eight, and sold it in 1817 to John Olney, who came from Rhode Island in 1816. Emor Harris purchased the northeast quarter of section seven, where he lived until his death in 1851. He was elected to the office of justice of the peace seven times. He was very much respected in the community, and has one son and and one daughter, now living in the township. James Sealts pur- is living at the present time, being the only man among the first settlers of this quarter of the township now living. His age is about ninety-two years. Levi, Hiram and Manley Rowley, Riverius New- ell, Silas Mott, John Mott, and his sons, John, Gideon and Samuel, Lemuel Chapman and Aaron Hill were among the early settlers. Salmon Hooker came from Vermont in 1816; his widow is now living in the township, aged eighty-six years. Aaron Hill was born near Boston, Massachusetts, emigrated to'this county in 1811, and shared in the privations and toils of life in the new country. During his residence in this township he worked as a carpenter and joiner, a blacksmith and a farmer, and with true Yankee instinct, lent a hand at whatever work the wants of the country required. Of his family of five, Norman N., of Mt. Vernon, is the sole survivor. Riverius Newell (the father-inlaw of Aaron Hill) was one of the first, and many yet believe him the first, settler in the township. He died in Mt. Vernon, and was buried by the Masons, March 30, 1835.

About 1820 Richmond Hillard purchased the east half of the northwest quarter of section six. This was the last piece of land held by the Government in this township, and is the same piece now owned by J. M. Hillard.

The first, or northeast quarter of the township, owned by William Stanberry, was divided into twelve lots of two hundred acres each, about 1815. About 1816 Timothy Colopy and William Colopy, brothers, formerly from Ireland, were the first to locate in the northeast quarter of the township. Timothy purchased lot No. 6. He hada good education, was a man of good natural ability, and much respected by his neighbors.

William Colopy purchased lot No. 11; he has one son, Timothy, and one daughter, Mrs. Marquand, now living in the township. His widow is yet living, aged about ninety-two years, and is probably the oldest person now living in the township.

In-1818 Benjamin Chambers, from Pennsylvania, purchased lot No. 8, on which he lived until his death in 1839. His son Benjamin, who now owns the farm, came here with his father in 1818. His wife, who was Miss Rachel Walker, was born in Morris township, this county, in 1802;* she is the oldest person now living in this township, that was born in Knox county.

The third, or southwest quarter, owned by George Bomford, was divided into lots of one hundred acres each in the winter of 1829-30, and was offered for sale in the spring of 1830. The first sale was of lot No. 23, being the same now owned by Joseph West and N. A. Chambers. It was purchased by William and Alpheas Baker. Within the next two years all the lots adjoining the Granville road were sold.

Among the first purchasers were James Osborn, lot No. 19, John Osborn, lot No. 32, Thomas Osborn, lot No. 35. William Beadle purchased lots Nos. 24, 25, and 33; Richard Mann and Orville Fosdick the south part, and Thomas Fosdick the north part of location lot; and Dr. Stimpson and Of these families, none are living in this township at this time.

Enoch Thompson purchased lot No. 34, and resides on the same lot at the present time. Lanson Crippen bought lot No. 13; his son Henry resides on the south part-of the same lot.

In 1834 John Conaway, from Coshocton county purchased lot No. 18; Reuben Hall lot No. 19; and ir the same year erected a saw-mill on Vance's creek, in the west part of the Bomford section.

. In 1835 a road was established from the Sycamore road south, through the west part of this section. Soon after this road was located the lots remaining in this section were sold.

The first purchasers were as follows: Samuel Mason, lots Nos. 1 and 8; Thomas Ash, lot No. 2; Oliver Squires, lot No. 7; Luther Freemam, lots Nos. to and 17; John Conaway, lot No. 9; William Paul, lot No. 28; Amos Hilliar, lot No. 27; Bryant Thornhill, lot No. 30; John Butcher, lot No. 38; Samuel Hunter, lot No. 3; Levi Ward, lot No. 6; Jacob Oldaker, lot No. 11; David Row, lot No. 16; S. F. Vose, lot No. 21; Levi Dilaplane, lot No. 26; James Cunningham, lot No. 36. In 1839 Joseph Pearson purchased lot No. 20, the last lot owned by Bomford. This completes the first settlement of the township.

The principal occupation of the first pioneers of this township was clearing the land and farming. Zanesville was the place where most of the trading was done. In the spring of the year considerable quantity of maple sugar was made, taken to Zanesville and exchanged for salt and groceries. Their clothing was mostly manufactured at home, as each farmer kept a few sheep, and the wool was spun and wove into cloth by members of the family, and made into clothing for winter. A small piece of ground: was sown in flax by each farmer, from the lint of which the summer clothing was manufactured; all the labor of producing this clothing being performed at home. All farm products were sold at very low prices - wheat seldom so high as forty cents a bushel, and corn brought from eight to fifteen cents. A first class cow would sell for eight or ten dollars, and all other farm products at equally low rates. Even at these rates it was almost impossible to get the cash. Money was scarce and almost all kinds of business was carried on by barter. The merchants would sell their goods to the farmers on time, the farmer agreeing to pay with wheat, or pork, when he slaughtered his hogs. The wheat and pork were again exchanged by the merchant for goods. Thus trade was carried on with a small amount of money. The wheat was made into flour and packed in barrels, the pork was also packed in barrels, and a considerable quantity of corn converted into whiskey. All this made a demand for cooperage, and Miller furnished her full share of coopers. Rufus Ward, Levi Ward, Cyrus Gates, Emor Harris, James Sealts, Oliver Squires, and Chester Coleman were all engaged in coopering for several years. Since 1850 the farmers of this township have been largely engaged in wool-growing, and it is among one of the largest wool-growing townships in the county.

ship was the Granville road, leading from Mt. Vernon to Granville, and was established about 1810. The second was the Bryant's Mill road, leadiag from Bryant's mill to Utica. This mill was situated on Dry creek, near where the Knox county infirmary is now located, and the road was established in 1815. It has beenchanged materially from its first location, and a large part of the original road has been vacated. That part from the north line of lands owned by M. C. Bone, to the north line of lands owred William McCuen; also from the Granville road west to J. M. Hillard's, thence north to the township line, is nearly on the original survey ;, the remainder of this road has been vacated. The third road is what is called the Sycamore road, and was located and established in 1818. It has been changed in many places from its original location.

. The village of Brandon is situated near the centre of Miller township, at a point where the Sycamore road crosses the Granville road. The first house was built by James Hare, on the northwest corner, about five rods from the Sycamore road, and about two rods from the Granville road. The second house was built by C. L. Bennett, on the south side of Sycamore street, near where Dr. Hatcher now resides. About 1824 Phineas Squires purchased the land in the northeast corner - he probably owned sixty-eight acres, then all a wilderness. He built a hewed-log house, near where J. C. Harstock now resides, which is worthy of notice. It was the largest log house ever built in this township; that is, there were more logs used in the building than any other log house built in this part ef the country. The exact dimensions cannot be given at present, but it was probably about forty-five feet long, twenty-four feet wide, and two stories high. It took two lengths of logs to reach the length. -The partitions and floors were ot logs hewn on three sides. The chimney was built in the centre of the house, with a huge fireplace on two sides of it. There was probably nearly as much solid timber in this hose as there is in all the houses in the village at the present time. Phineas Squires was captain of the militia, and the neighbors called this house the "war office."

In 1830 Simeon A. Bagley and Enos Barnes formed a partnership in the blacksmithing and wagonmaking business. Barnes purchased James Hare's lot. In 1831 they built a brick shop on the lot now occupied by J. R. Milligan's residence. This shop was about fifty feet long, twenty wide and one story high, with a brick partition through the centre, making two rooms, one for a wagon shop the other for blacksmithing. Soon after they had everything in good working order, the shop with all its contents was destroyed by fire. Bagley then sold his property and left the place. Barnes put a new roof on the building, made other necessary repairs, and continued blacksmithing in one of the rooms several years. The other room was used several years for a school-room and meeting-house and some time for a dwelling. In 1839 Enos Barnes sold his property to H. C. Lockwood, which included some fifteen acres on the northwest corner. Previous to this time John Mott had sold a piece of land, eight rods wide, along Sycamore street, from the corners west to the section line, and there had been three cabins built on this piece of land. In 1842 John Mott owned all the southeast corner, and he and H. C. Lockwood made an agreement to lay out a certain amount of their lands into town lots. Accordingly they employed a competent surveyor, and some fifteen acres of the southwest corner were surveyed and staked off into lots, streets and alleys, when a dispute arose about the exact location of the Granville road. The surveyor went to Mt. Vernon to examine the records, got drunk, and it was several days before he returned. Previous to this time the place had been known by the name of Four corners. During the absence of the surveyor a dispute arose about the name for the new town, Lockwood claiming the right of naming it, and gave the name of New Windsor. Mott wished to give the town the name of Brandon. These parties waxed warm in their dispute, and when the surveyor returned they had abandoned the project of making a new town. From that time to the present the village has been known as Brandon. It never was regularly laid out into town lots, each person purchasing lots to suit himself, for size, shape and location. Levi

Rowley in 1841 was the first merchant. A postoffice was established on the fifteenth of February, 1839, called Hildreth, and Miner Hildreth was the first postmaster. About 1832 Hildreth resigned, and H. C. Lockwood was appointed postmaster; about this time the name of the post-office was changed to its present name - Brandon. J. R. Milligan, the present postmaster, has held the office since 1869.

Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Brandon July 31, 1873, by the most worthy grand master, John E. Bell, of Cincinnati, assisted by Past Grands T. P. Fredericks, W. R. Hart, J. R. Wallace, and G. R. Martin, of Mt. Vernon.

The charter members were John L. Slater, A. M. Welsh, H. C. Harris, Adam Williams, W. S. Harrod, N. A. Chambers, H. J. Glaze, Orlando Truman, John C. Jacobs, G. H. Phillips, J. Hartsook, Morgan Beaver, William Beaver and T. D. Poland.

During the year 1880, aided by friends of the order, the lodge erected a fine two story frame building for lodge purposes, on the corner of Granville and Sycamore streets. The first floor is intended for a store room, and the second is devoted to lodge purposes. The entire cost of the building and furnishing was about one thousand dollars.

On the fifth of August, 1880, the hall was dedicated to the use of Odd Fellowship in an impressive manner by Most Worthy Grand Master Gravatt, of Columbus, assisted by Past Grands Thomas Trick and W. R. Hart, of Mt. Vernon lodge No. 20; J. B. Warren, of Quindaro Lodge No. 316; J. H. Hamilton, of Ellicott Lodge No. 267, and W. O'B. Honey and H. S. Bunnell, of Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 543.

town hall, one steam saw-mill, one cider mill, two wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one dry goods store, one grocery, one hotel, one boot and shoe shop, one harness shop, two physicians, one artist, and one butcher shop. Isaac Coleman is the oldest resident of the village, having resided here since 1836. L. W. Gates has held the office of notary public in this place since 1868. This township has been visited several times with severe wind storms; the most disastrous of these occurred on the twentieth of January 1854, passed across the township in a northeast direction, and was from forty to sixty rods in width. It first struck the township at the west line of lot number nine, in the third quarter of the township. At this place it was not very severe. It then crossed lot eight and the east part of lot one, owned by John Robinson, taking off the top of his log house; next it struck lot two, owned by John Turner, and completely demolished his house and other buildings, scattering fences and everything movable, in wild confusion. Mrs. Turner had an arm broken. A grain sack owned by Mr. Turner was found after ths storm near Danville, a distance of about twenty miles. It next struck the woods of George Milligan, making a clean sweep of his standing timber, and then crossed the farms of David Watson and J. W. Baxter, passing south and east of their buildings. Their fences and everything moyable in its course, was left in wild confusion. It next struck the farm of Chester Coleman, taking off the roofs of his house and barn, and passing to Dr. Wheaton's, where J. W. Baxter now resides, completely demolishing his new frame house and -barn. The doctor was in the barn at the time, and when it had left him he found himself among some rubbish, with one arm broken. The Union church, standing on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal church in Brandon, was entirely destroyed. The brick school-house, occupying the 'present site of the town hall, at the time occupied with a school of about fifty scholars, was blown down to its foundations, but no one was killed or dangerously injured. The roof was blown from what is now the Baptist church. Several bnildings in the west part of the village were more or less damaged. Oliver Squires resided in a brick house a few rods north of the village; on the approach of the storm he and his family took refuge in the cellar. The house was blown down to its foundation, likewise his barn, and everything movable scattered about promiscuously. The storm continued its northeasterly course, crossing the east line of the township a short distance from the northeast corner, causing a general destruction of fences and everything movable in its course. The house of Mr, Slater, situated in its course, met the fate of others, being blown to the ground.

About 1825, in May, a severe tornado passed over the extreme southeast corner of this township. At this time John Vance had three sons at work on the farm, who saw the storm approaching and attempted to make their way to the house; the storm overtook them; they took shelter by a large black walnut log in the open field; the wind rolled the log over them, killing two of them and breaking the other boy's leg. The course of this tornado was in a northeast direction, and it was from eighty to one hundred rods in width. The east part of section six, in the second quarter, had been visited by a tornado not long before the first settlement of the township.

The first pioneers of Miller paid but little attention to religious matters. Elder John Mott was a Baptist minister, and made his home here in an early day. Elder James Hare, a Baptist minister, came here in 1822. Daniel Barler and perhaps a few others were also Baptists. The Colopy families were Catholics, and perhaps some others made profession of religion, but no church was organized prior to 1830. In that year a church was organized by Isaac N. Walter, of the Christian denomination. Among the leading members at the time of its organization were Simon A. Bagley, Daniel Rowley, Leonard Simons, and Enos At this time there was no house for public worship in the township, and meetings were held at private houses in the winter season; in the summer they were held in the grove. This church soon became one of the leading institutions in the community. In 1832 a house was built for public worship on the present site of the Methodist Episcopal church at Brandon, his being the first house for public worship in Miller township, In 1854 it was destroyed by a tornado. In 1858 this

Since this church was organized in 1820 it has passed through many changes in membership. Those that composed the first church organization have all passed away, and the first pastors have likewise passed off the stage of action. At this time it is composed of about forty members. Among the former pastors of this church were J. N. Walter, Samuel Marion, Harry Ashley, Daniel Long, Edward Lewis, James Hayes, J. W. Marvin, and Mills Harrod. Andrew Hanger is the pastor at the present time. Amzie Harrison, Nelson Smith, Joseph Johnson, and Ruben Chrisman are among its leading members.

In 1833 Harry Ashley, of the Christian denomination, organized a church in the southeast part of the township. Among the members at the time of its organization were John Weaver, Andrew Oldaker, John Row, Martin Lohr, and James Oldaker. The members that first composed this church have all passed away except James Oldaker, who has been a member from the time of its organization to the present.

This church held its meetings at the schoolhouse, in district No. 1, until about 1844, when a house of worship was built. This church is known by the name of Fairview. J. W. Marvin was pastor twenty-seven years. It is now the largest church organized in the township, having sixtythree members. Douglas Black is the pastor.

Since 1830 the Christian denomination (or New Lights as they were sometimes called,) have been the most prominent religious organization in Miller township, and its membership has been composed of some of its very best citizens.

of the township. Among the leading members were James Nolan, John Conaway, Joseph Hare, Andrew McNutt, and William Allison. Ina few years this church organization was abandoned.

In 1841 the Methodists organized a church at the school-house in district No. 6, south of Brandon, on the Granville road. Among the members were S. F. Vorse, John Osborn, William Beadle, and Alphea Beadle.

About 1843 the Methodists organized a church at the school-house in the southwest part of the township. Among the members were John Buxton, John Conaway, and Charles Conaway.

In 1851 a Methodist church was organized at Brandon. Miner Hildreth and Erastus Rouse were among its leading members. These three churches continued ina sickly condition until 1863, when they were consolidated into one church at Brandon, where they built a church edifice, since which time this church has been in a prosperous condition. Rev. Craven is the pastor at the present time. Its members number about sixty. Among the leading members were F. A. Buxton, Adam, William and Nathaniel Hunter and Gideon Long.

In 1853 a Methodist church was organized in the east part of the township. A house of worship was erected near Hunt's Station. Its members mostly reside in Pleasant township. At the time of its organization its members were John Sliger Jonathan Wood and James Strong, of Pleasant:;, Christian Stinemates and John Phifer, of Miller. This church is known by the name of Asbury; Rev. Cravan is the pastor at the present time. Probably fifteen or twenty members reside in Miller, among whom are Thomas M. Jones, George Sliger and Peter Sout. This church is in a prosperous condition.

About 1834 Rev. Pitkin, of the Presbyterian denomination, commenced preaching in the Union church at Brandon, and continued two or three years, but probably no Presbyterian church was organized at that time.

In 1852, under the leadership of Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Wheaton and Levi Beach, a Presbyterian meeting-house was built at Brandon, dedicated by Rev. Swift, and an effort was made to organize a church, but it does not appear that any church of the Presbyterian denominaiton was ever organized in the township.

In the fall of 1856 Elder Raymond, of the Baptist denomination, held a series of meetings at Brandon, and organized a church in the month of January, 1857. Among the members at the time of its organization, were Emor B. Harris, Isaac Stull, Philip Stull, J. H. Davis, H. C. Welch, A. In the spring of 1857 the church purchased the house formerly built by the Presbyterians, which house they have continued to occupy to the present time. This church has continued to exist since the date of its organization. Elder Lewis is the paston at the present time. Among the members are J. H. Davis, William Wynkoop, H. J. Glaze, Isaac Stull and N, A. Chambers.

It may have been observed that the first two settlements were in the extreme corners of the township, the southeast and northwest. A school-house was built near the line in Morgan township, and near the southeast corner of Miller, which accommodated the scholars in the southeast corner of Miller for several years.

The first school-house built in Miller was situated on the Granville road, one mile north of Brandon. This was a log house, and built about 1817 for the accommodation of the scholars in the north part of the township. In the spring of 1825 two school-houses were built, one on the farm now owned by Dana Miller, a short distance east of the road west of his house; the other on the farm now owned by Lewis Gates, and about midway between his residence and the cross roads west of it.

Previous to 1830 schools were supported by individual subscription. About that time the legislature passed ani act, appropriating a small school fund for the support of common schools; and also for the purpose of establishing school districts. Under the provisions of this act the township was divided into school districts, the first in the southeast corner of Miller, and including a part of Morgan. The schools were continued in the house formerly built in Morgan township. The second district was in the north part of the township - and continued to use the house north of Brandon. The third district was composed of the northwest part of Miller, and the northeast part of Milford. This district erected a new house on the north part of the farm now owned by J. P. Jones.

The trustees of the townships had control in districting the townships. In 1833 a new schoolhouse was built in district No. 1, and on the site of the present school-house in sub-district No. 1. As the population increased it became necessary to form new districts and make other necessary changes, and but few years passed from 1832 to 1850 that some changes were not made with district lines. In 1850 there,were nine school-houses.

In 1853 the Ohio legislature passed a school law which in substance is the present school law. It created the township board of education, and made all common schools free schools.

The first frame school-house in the township was built in 1839, in what is now sub-district No. 6, about one and one-half miles south of Brandon. In the same year the first brick school-house was built in Brandon. The same house was afterward destroyed by a tornado.

In 1867 the board of education determined to reduce the number of sub-districts to eight, and erect a new school-house for each sub-district; the houses to be of brick, twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long, with a height of ten feet from floor to ceiling. The house in sub-district No. 3 was built in 1857; No. 5 in 1870; Nos. 1 and 6 in 1872; No. 7 in 1873; No. 2-in 1874; No. 8 in 1876; and No. 5 in 1878. The first seven were built by L. W. Gates, the last one by N. W. Buxton.

The schools in Miller are small; good teachers are employed, and each child growing up in this township has an opportunity to obtain an education suitable for the business transactions of life.

The following regiments were represented by enlistments from Miller: Fourth, Sixteenth, Twentieth, Thirty-second, Forty-third, Sixty-fifth, Seventy-sixth, Seventy-eighth, Eighty-second, Ninety-sixth, One Hundred and 'S'wenty-first, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, One Hundred and Forty-second, and One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh volunteer infantry; Third West Virginia Cavalry, First Ohio cavalry, First Marine brigade, Second Heavy artillery, and Eighteenth United States infantry.

The sanitary records show that two societies were organized by the ladies of Miller township for the purpose of furnishing necessary supplies for the sick and wounded soldiers. They continued their