Mohican Township (part 2 of 8)

Henry Worst

Henry Worst, in the year 1814, entered the northeast quarter of section 14. This quarter was regarded as a choice one, and several persons who had been exploring the country had selected it, and sat out for the Canton Land Office, within a few hours of each other, to make the entry. In this instance, " the race was to the swift." In company with William McMullen, who had selected the adjacent quarter, Mr. Worst had reached Wooster, traveling on foot, and had called at the tavern of that little place for refreshments. While their food was being prepared, information reached them that they would be soon followed by two men on horseback, known to be after the same land. AVithout waiting for their refreshments, they immediately pushed forward and reached Canton in advance of their pursuers, and made the entries they had shown. On March 20th,

1815, Mr. Worst and family removed to his land. He had emigrated from Pennsylvania. His household consisted of his wife and eight children, the only survivors of whom, now residents of Ashland County, are Samuel Worst, who occupies the old homestead, and Mrs. Margaret, wife of John Keener, of Jackson Township. Mr. Worst is now (February, 1862) in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

Henry Zimmerman

Henry Zimmerman emigrated from Centre County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, during June, 1823. Within the same year he purchased, of Daniel Goodwin, eighty acres in section 3, Perry Township, which he improved, and upon which he now resides. When he removed to this place his wife and five children constituted his family.

Chapter Xvi

poll-book, and certified to by Jesse Matthews, John Bryan, and Jacob Kiplinger, Judges; and Thomas McBride and Shadrach Bryan, clerks. Those to whose names is attached the asterisk (*) are deceased; and those with the dagger (f) are removed from the township. Thosf^ to which no sign is attached continue residents of the township.

This town was laid out October 13, 1830, by Josiah Lee and David Buchanan, and was surveyed by Robert Buchanan. Its population, in 1860, amounted to one hundred and fifteen. In the census of former yeais its population had not been taken separately, but had been merged in that of the township. There is a Methodist Episcopal Church building in the village, and a good school-house. There is also 1 tavern, 2 stores, 1 grocery, 4 boot and shoe shops, 1 blacksmith shop, and 1 wagon and carriage shop. The name of the post-office is Albion.

Methodist Episcopal

The church building at Perrysburg was erected about the year 1839, as appears by the deed of Robert Buchanan to the trustees, which bears date May 11, 1839. Rev. Leonard B. Gurley was presiding elder, and Rev. John Mitchell preacher in charge. The officers of the church, when the building was dedicated, were, Henry Eldridge and Robert Buchanan, class-leaders; John Hazard, John Montgomery, John S. Bryan, Henry Eldridge, Thomas Cole, Alexander Smith, Belding Kellogg, and Ezra W. Reed, trustees; Thomas Cole, circuit steward. There were at this time about thirty-eight members. The present preachers in charge are, Rev. Philip R.

Roseberry and the Rev. J. R. Wood. Class-Leaders: A. C. Reed, Henry Berry, and Samuel Berry. Circuit Stexoard: Stephen Cole. TVjirStees: Henry Berry, William Spencer, Abner C. Reed, Chester Matthews, Jonas AViltrout, Samuel Berry, and Stephen Cole. Tliere are at present sixty members.

The deed of John Bryan and wife to John Bryan, Shadrach Bryan, Elisha Chilcote, Leonard Richard, Joseph High, David Proudfit, and Peter Bowman, trustees, is dated the 23d day of January, 1840. The preacher in charge was Rev. George Howe, of Ashland. The building was not formally dedicated, but the first sermon was preached by Rev. George McClure. John Bryan was class-leader, and William Millington, of Ashland, circuit steward. When the church building was erected there were about sixty members. The trustees, in 1862, are, Samuel T. Urie, Shadrach Bryan, William Ruffcorn, Daniel Brown, John Chilcote, John Gordon, and Stephen Barrack. The class-leaders are, William Ruffcorn, Stephen Barrack, and John Howraan. Circuit steward, Shadrach Bryan. The membership for 1862 amounts to fifty.

The church, at Polk, when the building was erected, was attached to the Ashland circuit, Mansfield District; and the church at Perrysburg belonged to the Congress Circuit, Wooster District.

German Reformed And Lutheran Church

This union society, composed of members from Orange and Jackson Townships, was organized in the winter of 1829-30. The original trustees of the church were, John Keen, St., and John Kuhn. Rev. Henry Sonedecker was the pastor. The membership amounted to about forty. The first church building, constructed where Polk now stands, was commenced in 1827, and the first services were held in the building in the summer of the following year, although the society at this time was not formally organized. The members from Orange Township subsequently withdrew and formed a distinct society; and, in 1840, the Jackson Township Church erected the present house for public worship, half a mile west of Perrysburg. The building is 35 by 40 feet, and contains seats for three hundred persons. The German Reformed pastor is Rev. E. T. H. Wlialer; Michael Bower, elder; and Jacob Kiplinger and Jacob Hines, deacons. The number of members is about fifty. The Lutheran pastor is the Rev. Mr. Voglesang; Samuel Bennage, elder; and Abram Bennage and David Holmes, deacons. The membership amounts to about fifty-five.

Is situated on the south line of Jackson Township, about half a mile west of Lafayette, upon land purchased for the purpose by John Snowbarger. The building had been some years previously erected by the "seceders" as a house of worship; but was abandoned by them, and afterward occupied as a dwelling. Mr. Snowbarger donated the building for the use of the German Baptists, of the Ashland and Mohican Districts, on the 29th of September, 1856. Both the Mohican and Ashland Districts held meetings in this house. The building will seat two hundred persons. [Further information relating to this church will be found under the head of "German Baptists, or Tunkers."]

This denomination organized its first "class" in Jackson Township, in September, 1860. In 1861, under the name of "Otterheim Chapel," a church building was erected neaf the southwest corner of the township. The size of the building is 30 by 36 feet, and will accommodate with seats about two hundred and fifty persons. The preacher in charge is Rev. Mr. Crubaugh, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Dillon.

This church was organized March 30, 1851, under the pastoral charge of Rev. Joseph M. Dixon. Original trustees, Jacob Kiplinger^ Adam Lover, and Daniel Stick. Elder: Henry Kiplinger. Deacons: John Kaufiman and Peter Frantz. Number of members, twenty-nine. The church building, 35 by 45 feet, was erected in the summer of 1851.

Rev. D. R. Moor is the present pastor; John Heifner, elder; and Samuel Fluke and Henry Wicks, deacons; William Davidson, Samuel Fluke, and Henry Wicks, trustees. Number of members, fiftytwo.

Clerk, Isaac Holt - Trustees, William Berrj, J. Wicks, and John Russell - Aaaessor, John C. Horn - Treasurer, John Keen, Jr. - Constables, Jonathan Buzzard and Joshua Rlckel.

Since 1831

1855. Jacob Fast, re-elected. 1857. Joseph Bolles, re-elected. 1857. Jacob Fast, re-elected. 1860. Edward McFadden, elected. 1860. Jacob Fast, re-elected.

Jacob Berry

Jacob Berry emigrated from Pennsylvania, in 1819, and resided two years with his brother, Peter Berry, who had leased the land in section 16, Perry Township, now owned and occupied by Isaac Cahill, Esq. In 1821 he leased the northwest quarter of section 16, Jackson Township, and subsequently entered at the Wooster Land Office the land upon which he now resides. His wife and nine children composed his family when he removed to Jackson Township. Of these, all except three are now living in said town-

John Bryan

John Bryan removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to Mohican ToAvnship, in April, 1815. His family at this time consisted of his wife and sons, Shadrach, John J., Silas A., and Caleb, and daughter Ruth, (the latter the widow of the late William Millington, Esq., of Ashland.) In 1824 Mr. Bryan removed his family to the southeast quarter of section 18, Jackson Township - being the same land upon which now stands the greater part of the town of Polk. Mr. Bryan died on the 7th of February, 1848, at the age of seventy years.

Shadrach (eldest son of John Bryan) married in 1829, and since 1830 has owned and occupied a portion of the quarter originally entered by his father.

The intelligence of the murder of the Seymour and Ruffner families by the Indians having reached the neighborhood, Benjamin Bunn concluded it prudent to look to his means of defense. Accordingly, he "took his rifle from the hooks, stepped to his cabin door, and discharged its contents in the air. The report was heard by Vachel Metcalf, (who had not, at the time, received the murder news,) and he seized and instantly discharged his gun. Bunn then fired the second shot, and so they replied back and forth until thirteen guns were fired. Thus the few helpless families in the neigh- borhood became aroused and panic-stricken. East of Jerome ville, two miles, a few families had settled, namely: William Bryan, James Conly, and Elisha Chilcote. The men, women, and children all collected at the cabin of William Bryan. Their whole warlike resources consisted of one old gun, one axe, and a butcher-knife. Thus armed, they awaited in agony the fate they feared was in store for them. In the neighborhood of Bunn and Me teal f, there were the families of James Slater and James Bryan. They learned the facts in the case, and began the erection of a fort. Still farther down the Mohican was another small settlement of the Collier's and others. They also heard the guns, and became desperately alarmed. J. Collier and family betook themselves to the cornfield. The dog of Collier did not seem to understand the necessity of silence, and commenced making some noise in trying to get over the fence; upon which his master seized him, and determined to cut his throat. Fearing, however, that his knife might not do prompt and effectual execution, and that the howls of the dog might be increased during the process of throat-cutting, he stayed his hand, and quietly laying the fence down, succeeded in secreting the family among the tall corn. Leaving them here, he started for Wooster; and, when near the town, he heard the morning gun fired by the soldiers in camp at Wooster. Concluding that the firing must proceed from an army of British and Indians, he instantly changed his course, and started in double-quick for the south, and was not heard of for months afterward.

of the settlement met in council and determined to build immediately a fort for the protection of the families of the neighborhood. So, without wasting a week or two in efforts to elect a chairman or speaker of their body, they at once proceeded to the erection of the fort, which was built after the usual style of the day. Trees of the proper size were felled by some, while others with their ox-teams dragged them to their proper places. The building was of two stories, the walls enlarging from the base, so that the upper story projected two feet beyond the lower story on all sides. In the lower room the women and children were quartered, while the men occupied the upper one, in which port-holes were cut, through which to fire their trusty rifles. After the erection of the building, the space of one acre of ground was surveyed oflf and inclosed with a palisade twelve or fourteen feet high. This was constructed by digging a trench four feet deep and then setting in logs of the proper height, split once in two, and set close together, the flat side out - thus piesenting a wall which could not readily be scaled. But one place of ingress or egress was made; which, after the horses and cattle of the settlement were driven inside, was firmly closed, and in this inclosure they remained the greater part of one year. The fort was erected on land owned by Vachel Metcalf, on an elevation that overlooked all the immediate vicinity. The occupants of the fort would go out during the day, and try to raise corn and other vegetables - always being armed and guarded.

Thomas Cole

father had previously entered for him the southeast quarter of section 8, being the same land upon which he now resides. His family at this time consisted of his wife and one son, (Stephen Cole, who now resides upon a portion of the quarter above mentioned.)

The first night of their arrival upon their land was passed by the family in their wagon. On the second day a linen tent was erected to afford shelter for the family until a cabin could be constructed. His mare (the only one he had) broke loose, and, after a twomile chase, Mr. Cole drove her into an angle formed by a tree top and the fence of Martin Fast, and from which she could not extricate herself In order to relieve her, he let down the fence, when she passed into the field and again eluded his efforts to secure her. There was blazed timber leading to the house of Jonas H, Gierhart, and these blazes he followed, and procured another horse for the purpose of tolling his own into a stack yard, and thus enabling him to secure her. This plan, after considerable delay, was successful. By the time he had returned the borrowed horse to Mr. Gierhart, however, and reached home with his mare, the second day of his experience in wilderness life was nearly closed. The third day was Sunday, and was passed beneath their linen tent. With the night came a heavy rain, and to add to their discomfort, their child became ill. To secure the little one from the rain which beat through the canvas, Mr. Cole sat upright in bed, with the covering resting upon his head, his body thus forming a "center pole," and making a more secure tent within the tent, until the storm had abated. On the follow- ing morning, his child was convalescent. The succeeding days of the week, until Saturday, were spent chiefly in collecting materials for his cabin. On that day, by the aid of neighbors from his own and adjacent townships, he had his cabin raised. Several days elapsed, however, before the house was sufficiently completed to afford shelter. The f\imily of his brother, Stephen Cole, occupied the cabin with him during the first year.

About the commencement of October, Mr. Cole made a visit, on horseback, to the house of Mordecai Chilcote, in Orange Township, seven miles distant, to procure a bag of oats for his horse. While there his neighbor insisted upon Mr. Cole visiting his potato field, and taking home a bag partly filled. The detention thus caused prevented his reaching home, as night overtook him in the woods, and he found it impossible to proceed. He had dismounted, and while engaged in searching out the path, leading his horse meanwhile, the saddle turned, unobserved by him, and the bag of oats slid off. When he discovered his loss, he made his beast fast to a tree, and returned to look for his bag of oats, but his search was fruitless. Taking his saddle from his horse, he placed it beside a tree and used it as a pillow for his head, until about midnight, as he supposed, when a rain commenced falling, and, being thinly clad, he turned the flaps of the saddle into a covering. When day appeared, he recovered his lost bag of oats, and pursued his travel homeward.

In the year 1840, Mr. Cole was licensed by the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a local preacher, and his license has been renewed annually since. Before being licensed as a preacher,

John Davoult

John Davoult removed with his wife from Harrison County to what is now Jackson Township, in March, 1816. His father had previously entered the quarter upon which Philip Glessner now resides. At this date there were only six houses upon Muddy Fork, which were occupied by the families of Messrs, David Noggle, Thomas Johnson, Cornelius Borland, Isaac Matthews, Benjamin Emmons, and Noah Long.

James A. Dinsmore

James A. Dinsmore, then of York County, Pennsylvania, in February, 1814, entered the south half of section 26, in Jackson Township, where he now resides. He had previously traveled from Wooster, in company with Cornelius Borland, who was moving a family into Perry Township.

Jonas H. Gierhart

Jonas H. Gierhart, an immigrant from Maryland, removed to Jackson Township on the quarter section upon a part of which is now situated the town of Polk, in July, 1817. The township was then unorganized, and formed a part of Perry. At the first election after the organization of the township, Charles Hoy and himself were elected justices of the peace. Buring the first year of his residence in the township, he traveled three days in search of his estray horses, without meeting a human being or habitation. This place, and the country around it for several miles, was without a white inhabitant - his nearest neighbor being William Bryan, residing about two miles south of him; while on the same range of townships north, he believes there was not a single white family between him and the lake. When he came to the country with his wife and child, he placed the two latter in temporary charge of the family of Martin Hester, (being the place owned by David and Henry Fluke,) in Orange Township, about three miles distant from the tract he owned. The land above mentioned was in its wild condition, not a tree or shrub being cut, and of course without a cabin to afford him and his little family shelter. On the first day he made a small clearing, and preparation for raising a cabin. This work he done himself, although utterly inexperienced in the use of the woodman's axe, as he had never in his life chopped a cord of wood, made a fence rail, or cut down or even deadened a tree, having previously worked only upon farms long cultivated. On the second day his wife requested to visit the home her husband was engaged in preparing, and accompany him to it with their child. The}' accordingly sat out on horseback, and in due time reached the place, when he proceeded with his work, and Mrs. Gierhart employed herself with her needle and the care of their little child. One of the mares had been belled and hobbled, and, with her mate, was permitted to range for such food as the woods afforded. Thus the day nearly passed, and toward evening the sound of the bell had disappeared, and Mr. Gierhart, taking in his arms his little child, and leaving his wife under the shelter of a tree, started in search of his beasts. His animals had wandered a much greater distance than he had supposed; but he finally recovered the one that had been hobbled, and, mounting it with his child, sat out on his return to his wife. He had not traveled far before he discovered that he was unable to find the blazed timber; and concluded it the safer way to make for the Jerome Fork, where he would be enabled to intersect the trail that led from Martin Hester's to his land. On his way he met an old hunter, named John McConnell, to whom he explained his situation, and asked aid in finding his way back to his wife. Mr. McConnell gave it as his opinion that he could not that night reach the place, but proposed that he remain at the house of Mr. Hester, tlien not far distant, until morning. On their way to Hester's, they struck the blazes which led to the place where he had parted with his wife; and, committing his child to the care of Mr. McConnell, with directions to leave it with Mrs. Plester, he determined, against the protest of Mr. McConnell, who assured him of the impossibility of success, (as night was then rapidly approaching,) to go to the relief of his desolate wife. He accordingly pressed forward on his way, guided by the blazed trees, and continued until the darkness rendered the marks upon the trees undistinguishable. Here was before him a "night of terror" indeed - such a one as he had never passed, and never dreamed that he would be called upon to pass. The thought of a helpless wife, in the depth of a wilderness of which the savage beast was the almost undisputed monarch, and no possible hope of affording any relief before the dawn of another day, was enough to wring any soul with agony. Despite the darkness, he plunged blindly forward a few rods in what he supposed might be the right direction, and then, impressed with the utter hopelessness of proceeding, farther, halted; and, raising a voice, the power of which was made terrible by his agony, called to his wife.

Its echoes reached her, and were recognized. She sent forth her answer, but her voice having so much less compass than that of her husband, the sound did not reach his ear. In his despair he laid himself down beside a tree, and maintained his sleepless vigils until the return of the morning, when he resumed his search, and finally came uj^on the trail he was seeking. Pursuing it rapidly, he soon reached Mrs. Gierhart, who had wisely maintained her position throughout the night, notwithstanding the distraction of mind which her anxiety for the safety of her husband and child, her own lonely situation, and the distant howling of the wolves, were all calculated to inspire. Some time after their joyful meeting, and while they were yet recounting to each other the experience of the preceding night, their ears were saluted by the blowing of horns, and soon they were met by neighbors, who had been alarmed by Mr. McConnell, and who had started forth at the first dawn of day in pursuit of the lost husband and wife.

Hanson Hamilton

Hanson Hamilton entered the southeast quarter of section 32, Jackson Towmship, in the year 1816, and removed to it with his family in April, 1820. When he removed to the township he had no family other than his wife. The township, although it had been inhabited by a few white families four or five years, and had been organized about a year, was yet sparsely settled. Although his neighbors were few in number, he refers to them as equal, in morality, virtue, and hospitality, to any among whom he ever lived. In this respect the country has not improved in the ratio of increase of population and wealth.

Frederick A. Hine

Frederick A. Hine emigrated from Butler County, Pennsylvania, and removed to the land in Jackson Township, which he had previously entered, being the southeast q-uarter of section 11, in the year 1829. His family consisted of himself and nine children. Mr. Hine and his sons Charles and John are the .only surviving members of the original family who now reside in Jackson Township - the others being dead or removed.

Charles Hoy removed with his family to Jackson Township in May, 1817, and, in company with John Meason, entered the southwest quarter of section 2, and the northwest quarter of section 11, in Jackson Township. His family at this time consisted of his wife and one child, (Joseph Hoy, late of New Orleans.) He had previously resided in Stark County.

During the years 1817, '18, and '19, evidences of salt water having been discovered on the land above described, Messrs. Hoy and Meason sunk a well about four hundred and sixty feet in depth, and made other preparations for the manufacture of salt. The enterprise, after a large expenditure of money and time, proved unsuccessful, as the quantity of water procured, although of a good quality, was insufficient to justify a continuance in the business; and, in 1819, Mr. Hoy disposed of his interest in the land and salt works to Marshall & Morton, and purchased of Abram Shoc^k the southeast quarter of section 27, Jackson Township, being the land now owned by Henry Myers. In 1822 he purchased of the heirs of John Smith the northwest quarter of section 34, upon which he has since resided, and to which he has since added seventy-five and a half acres.

At the date of the arrival of Mr. Hoy in the township, the following-named persons were the heads of the families that constituted its population, viz. : Isaac Lyons, John Jackson, Daniel and John Davoult, and Noah Long. The family of either Isaac Lyons or Noah Long were the first inhabitants. Of the heads of families above named, not one is now a resident of the township. All excepting two, nameh', John Jackson and John Davoult, are known to be deceased. About one year since, Mr. Jackson was a resident of Knoxville, Illinois, and is probably yet alive.

In March, 1819, after his purchase of the quarter in section 27, (which -was in a wilderness condition,) at the close of the day he had raised his cabin, (hands to obtain which were procured from neighborhoods as far distant as where Rowsburg now stands,) he undertook to return to his famil}', a distance of five miles. He had only blazed trees to guide him. "When he had accomplished about half the distance, a violent snow-storm and darkness suddenly arrested his progress. He undertook to find the blazed trees by feeling with his hands; but soon found this impracticable, and came to the conclusion that he would be either compelled to spend the inclement night in the forest or search out the bed of Wolf Run, and follow its course to the Muddy Fork, and then up the latter stream to his home, which stood upon its banks. By the devious course of these streams, the distance was nine or ten miles, over fallen timber and brush, and encountering the whole route a violent storm; and, when he finally reached home, it was between twelve and one o'clock in the morning. He found Mrs. Hoy sitting up, unable to sleep, and terrified with the fear that her husband might fall a victim to the inclement weather or savage beasts. Mr. Hoy had seen service in the war of 1812, and had endured some other hardships; but he saya that never, before or since, has he performed a more exhausting march.

During the first three or four years the Indian's camped annually in the neighborhood of Mr. Hoy's residence - frequently within sight of his house. It would be during the season of hunting and trapping. To him and his family they were always kind, hospitable, and scrupulously honest. Mr. Hoy had once lost in the woods a pocket-handkerchief. It was found by an Indian, who at once sought the owner and restored it to him. This, he thinks, was a characteristic instance of Indian integrity. They were of immense service to such of the white settlers as were not practiced in the use of the rifle, in furnishing them with wild game. Their cunning and quickness at repartee were often amusing. An instance is given of an Indian who had been making a purchase of flour at Stibbs's mill. It was in the year 1818, during a time when considerable quantities of fraudulent paper money were in circulation. The Indian had placed in the hands of the miller a note on a solvent bank in payment of his flour, and received, among other small notes, a dollar issued by the Owl Creek Bank, at Mt. Vernon - an institution which was then exploded. Upon the note was a vignette of an owl. The Indian retained all the notes except the one upon the Owl Creek institution, and this he promptly returned to the miller. The latter affecting surprise, inquired what was the objection to that note? To Avhich the Indian, pointing to the picture of the owl, promptly replied, "Too much t'hoo! t'hoo! t'hoo!"

In the spring of 1819, the family of Mr. Hoy removed to their new cabin, on section 27. It was then without a floor, and otherwise unfinished, and a snow, which fell a few days after their arrival, was forced by the wind through the open doorway and large crevices between the logs, freely into the building. Three poles were driven into the ground and a temporary tent constructed inside the building for the shelter of the two children, while Mr. Hoy employed himself in preparing the floor puncheons, the weight of which was such as to require the assistance of Mrs. Hoy to aid in conveying to the house and adjusting to their places. The woods, during the first years, abounded with savage beasts and the dreaded rattlesnake; but with all these and other drawbacks, there were substantial joys which compensated for all sorrows.

John Keen, Sr

John Keen, Sr., immigrated to Jackson Township from Centre County, Pennsylvania, in November, 1828, and selected for his future home the northwest quarter of section 16. In 1830 or 1831 be purchased the northeast quarter of the same section, upon which he resided until the time of his decease, which occurred on the 8th of March, 1862, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. When he removed to the township, his family consisted of his wife and six children - two sons (John and Daniel) and four daughters. The AsJdand Union, of March 19, 1862, contains an obituary, from which the following is extracted: -

"The deceased was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of September, 1776, and experienced in his infancy the hardships of the revolution, as in his old age he saw the perils of his country in dissolution. His father, Jacob Keen, had emigrated westward from the older settlements, but was compelled to flee with his family from the pursuit of the savages. In February, 1798, the deceased joined in wedlock with his surviving widow, whose maiden name was Catharine Derscham. The two lived and kept house together for a period of sixty-four years, during which time (excepting the last few weeks) they were both able to perform the ordinary duties of their household. In the fall of 1828 the deceased left his residence in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and emigrated with his family to this township, where he has ever since resided. His neighbors several times bestowed upon him the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served with honesty of purpose and independence of judgment. He left behind a large family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In early infancy he was baptized and became, upon arriving at the years of discretion, a member of the German Reformed Church. He was very steadfast in his purpose upon matters appertaining to the church or congregation of which he was a member, and - although he had to smite his breast and exclaim, *Have mercy, Lord, upon me, poor sinner,' he yet died in the full enjoyment of the hope of everlasting life through Christ his Redeemer."

Michael Kiplinger

Michael Kiplinger emigrated from Pennsylvania to Perry Township in the spring of 1823, where he remained until the spring of the year following, when he purchased the southeast quarter of section 26, in Jackson Township,. which land he entered upon and improved, and has since made his home.

Josiah Lee

Josiah Lee immigrated to Jackson Township, from Ontario County, New York, in July, 1819. He entered, during the same month and year, the southwest quarter of section 3, and the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4. His family at this time consisted of his wife and one child. John Meason, who had removed to the township the year previous, was his nearest neighbor.

The families of Mr. Lee and John Lafler were conveyed from the State of New York to Jackson Township by two ox teams. From Cleveland, southwest, the road was' not cut out - the travelers being guided most of their way by the "blazed" trees. The journey from Cleveland to Jackson Township was made in five and a half days - three of which were occupied between Medina and the place of their destination. Much of their delays were caused by tim- ber fallen across their track, which they were compelled to cut and roll away. One night overtook the party at a point within what they supposed to be about a mile of Medina. Not being able to proceed with their wagon, they removed the yokes from their cattle and turned them loose, and then undertook to make their way on foot to "the town." The night was so black - the heavens being covered with masses of heavy clouds - that it soon became impossible to find the trail, and there was every probability that the families would be compelled to remain in the woods. The women divested their feet of their shoes and stockings, and traced the path by the sense of feeling in their bare feet. After two hours of patient and anxious toil, they found brush and other obstacles which indicated that they were in the vicinity of a "clearing." The men raised repeated shouts, hoping that the inmates of some cabin might be within the sound of their voices and come to their relief. At length one of the women raised her voice, and it was answered. They were soon within the only house (made of hewn logs) of the town of Medina, and within five minutes a rain commenced falling, which continued througbout the night. About midway between Medina and Harris ville, a bolt of their wagon broke, and they were compelled to come to a halt. They turned their cattle loose, giving them some salt near their wagon, and the two men, each with a child in his arms, pushed forward, on foot, to Harrisville, where they had hoped to find a blacksmith shop - but none being there, they were compelled to seek one in Congress Township, a distance of about four miles farther. The two fiimilies finally reached Mr. Meason's place, where they obtained leave to occupy a shanty of about ten feet square, until they could erect cabins of their own. When they had their timber on the ground, ready to raise, such was the scarcity of hands by reason of the sparseness of the settlement, that between three and four days were occupied in raising the walls.

There were very few horses in the country, and comparatively little use for them, as there was no surplus produce for market, and no attainable markets, even had there been horses, wagons, and roads, suitable for transportation. Keligious meetings (which, there being no church buildings, were always held at private houses) and social visits were made on foot - men and women often traveling a distance of five or six miles (carrying children in their arms) for these purposes. The family of Mr. Lee frequently exchanged visits with friends at Harrisville, a distance of ten miles. Mr. Lee has often traveled from his home to Wooster and back, a distance of forty miles, within a single day. In two instances, himself, Mr. Lafler, and Mr. Meason, were required to attend "militia musters" on the Big (Blachleyville) Prairie, a distance of twenty miles. They were ordered to be at the place of rendezvous at ten o'clock a.m., and would be dismissed at four o'clock p.m. This travel of forty miles, and at least five hours' drill, were accomplished on foot within the same day and night. The men of the present generation who occupy this country often complain of hardship and privation. Are their complaints well founded?

The body of this child, an account of whose loss is mentioned by Mr. Slocum and Captain Parmely, in another part of this work, was found npon the premises of Mr. Lee, about a quarter of a mile north of the present town of Perrysburg, and near the farm now owned by Job King. The farm upon which Mr. Durfee resided is in Jackson Township, and is now owned by John Buchanan, and occupied by John Vanosdell, Jr. Stephen Souls, the uncle of the child, was at that time an unmarried man, and made his home with Mr, Durfee. The latter became a Mormon, and died among that people while they occupied Nauvoo, Illinois.

On the evening of the day the boy was lost, two girls, daughters of a neighbor in Sullivan Township, on their return home from Thomas Greer's, heard, on their way, what appeared to be the hoarse moans of a child; but fearing that it might proceed from a wild animal, they continued on their way. Mr. Durfee's house lay in their path, and calling there, they were for the first time informed of the loss of the child. Their conclusion at once was that the voice they had heard proceeded from the lost boy; and the father immediately started for the spot indicated - heard distinctly the sound, but his agitation and bewilderment finally traced it to the tree tops, and the voice becoming undistinguishable from the noise of the rain falling upon the dry leaves, he abandoned his search in despair, and returned home.

Jesse Matthews

and six children then constituted his family. He purchased of Joseph Alexander the west part of the southwest quarter of section 21, upon which he has continued to reside.

Michael Rickel

Michael Rickel emigrated from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in October, 1817, and, purchased of his brother Matthias, the sixty acres in the northwest quarter of section 26, which he improved, and upon which he has since resided. His family consisted of his wife and three children, viz., Jacob, Sophia, and Michael. His eldest son, Jacob, was killed by the fall of a tree, during a storm, in the year 1832.

There were few of the early settlers who encountered more adverse fortune than Mr. Rickel during the first years of his residence in Jackson Township. His health had been much impaired by protracted illness, and he had but a small portion of this world's goods. His health, however, became renewed by the coarse diet which necessity compelled him to use, (composed principally of corn bread and sassafras tea,) and by his hard labor. To his regular and temperate habits, he attributes his prolonged life and present vigor of body and mind. He is now (March, 1862) in his seventy-sixth year.

Matthias Rickel

Matthias Rickel emigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, in March, 1818, having entered the northwest quarter of section 26. His family at this time consisted of his wife and three

Mr. Rickle purchased corn for his first year's supply five miles east of Wooster, and paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel, although the corn was soft and mouldy. It was, however, the best the country afforded at that time. After the first year he raised his own supplies. lie cut the road from Cornelius Borland's to his place, when he removed his family.

Robert Smilie

Robert Smilie emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, and purchased of Mr. Moury the quarter section now owned by the heirs of John Baker. His family at this time consisted of his wife and the following-named children: John A., Nancy, Jane, William, George V,, and Robert. On the 29th of March, 1829, Mr. Smilie died at the age of sixty-five years. The only surviving m^ember of the family now residing in Ashland County is John A. Smilie, of Perry Township.

William Smith

William Smith emigrated from Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, in May, 1824. His business is that of a boot and shoemaker, which he has prosecuted since his residence in the township. He now resides on the Perrysburg and Polk Road, about midway between those places.

Henry Shissler

and from thence removed with his wife to Jackson Township, in November, 1829. He settled upon the east part of the southwest quarter of section 21 - land which he had previously purchased of Joseph Alexander. Upon this land he continues to reside with his family.

The first Pioneer of Jaclcson Townsldp. Mrs. Shissler, who is the daughter of the late Noah Long, is of the opinion that John Chilcote was the first white inhabitant of Jackson Township. He resided upon the place recently owned by the late Jacob Oxenrider. Her father's, she believes, was the second family in the township. Mr. Long entered and resided upon the quarter section now owned by Frederick Ritter.

Michael Sprinkle

Michael Sprinkle emigrated from Maryland to Jackson Township, in April, 1828, and purchased of Michael Sugars one hundred and ten acres in section 18 - being the same land which he improved and made his home until the day of his death, the 6th of March, 1849, at the age of seventy-four years and ten months. When Mr. Sprinkle removed to the township his family consisted of his wife and eight children, the only one of whom now surviving in Ashland County is William H. Sprinkle, who owns and occupies the old homestead.

Markets in the year 1830. Prior to 1830 there were no markets at the lake for grain or other farm produce. During this year, however, a demand was created, by a large immigration to Michigan, for produce, and wheat at the lake ports this year sold at 56 cents per bushel; oats 22 cents. Charleston, at the mouth of Black River, was regarded as the most favorable point for reaching the lake, for the reason that the streams were less difficult to cross than those which intervened between here and Cleveland. The farmers were greatly elated in consequence of the prices of this year, and as the demand was expected to continue another season, an unusually large breadth of ground was sown in wheat during the fall of 1830; but the expectations of farmers were not realized, as in 1831 wheat fell to 40 cents per bushel, and for oats there was no demand.

The first Fruit. Mr. Sprinkle had been six or seven years in Jackson before he had seen an apple the product of the township. Johnny Appleseed's nurseries were the main reliance of the country, but he was capable of supplying but a small portion of the demands made upon him.

Chapter Xvii

The Jerome Fork and several tributaries, while they afford very little water power, are living streams, and flow through a majority of the farms in the township, rendering the land particularly valuable for stock growing.

In addition to remains of ancient works found near the town, and which is noticed in the succeeding pages, a discoverj^ was made, about forty years since, by some men engaged in working upon the Wooster and Norwalk Road, which, added to other similar relics found in Mohican and Hanover Townships, would lead to the conclusion that among the aboriginal race there were giants. The workmen, in excavating a hill upon the farm of the late Patrick Murray, and on the road above mentioned, disinterred two skeletons, one of which measured nearly seven feet in length. The lower point of the femur, or thigh-bone, being placed at the knee-joint of Colonel Oldshoe, (the largest man then living in the neighborhood.) its upper part reached four or five inches above his hip-joint. The lower jaw-bone would readily pass over the largest face upon which it was tried.

German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran. - The house where these congregations worship is situated on section 16, about a mile and a half west of north of Orange. The building is 38 by 50, and was erected in June, 1859.

The German Reformed Church was organized about 1832. The present pastor is Rev. D. R. Moore. Deacons: David Fluke and Solomon Markle - Elder: Philip Fluke.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1861 - Rev. Mr, Gilbraith, pastor. Elders: John Finger and John Sharick - Deacons: Martin Mason and Mr. Shopbell.

North Orange Methodist Episcopal Church. - The building was erected and the church organized about the year 1848, with about eleven members. The present class-leaders are, J. B. Smith, Alex. M. Phillips, and Daniel McLaughlin. Total number in the three classes, C9. The building is 25 by 30, and will accommodate a congregation of 200 persons.

Canaan Church. - This church building, upon the farm of Mr. Maxheimer, was erected in the summer of 1850. It is the joint property of the Evangelical Lutherans and the German Reformers. The original trustees were Jacob Ambrose and William Boots, of the Lutheran, and John Jacoby and John Heifner, of the German Reformed; Jacob Ambrose, elder, and Samuel Maxheimer and William Boots, deacons of the Lutheran, and John Heifner and John Jacoby formed the Church Council of the German Reformers. There is at present no church organization - clergymen of various denominations occasionally occupying the pulpit. The building is 30 by 45 feet.

German Reformed and Methodist Episcopal Church. - A small church building, on the north line of Orange Township, was erected about twenty-three years ago, and a congregation organized under the auspices of Rev. John Siebert, and continued until within a few years, when the organization ceased. Clergymen of different denominations occasionally conducted services in the building, but the Methodist Episcopal are the only denomination who hold stated meetings. They have a class organized under the leadership of David Spencer. The church belongs to the Sullivan Circuit, and Rev. Mr. Jones preaches every four weeks.

The Village Of Orange

This town was laid out on the 22d of April, 1828, by Amos Norris and J. Chilcoat. It is located in the midst of a fine farming region, and, for health and pleasantness of situation, is not surpassed by any town in the county. The census of previous years has not been taken separate from the township, and hence there are no official means of ascertaining the advance or decline of the town. Its population, however, is supposed to be about two hundred. There are 4 churches in the town, 2 physicians, 1 hotel, 1 dry goods and 1 hardware and grocery store, 1 cabinet shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 wagon maker shop, 1 harness shop, 4 boot and shoe shops, 2 cooper shops, 1 brewery, 2 tanneries, 1 tailor shop, 1 weaver shop, and 1 grocery. The name of the post-office is Nankin.

Remains of one of the most interesting mounds of an ancient race adjoins the town, and is situated upon the land owned by William Norris. The track of the old State road leading from Orange to Ashland cut through a margin of the work. The size at the top was about thirty feet in diameter; at the base fifty or sixty feet, and its height from five to six feet above the natural surface. The mound was built upon a natural elevation. In cutting down its side for the purpose of afibrding a proper roadway, relics of human skeletons, earthen vessels, and supposed war implements, were exhumed by Amassa Bowman and other workmen engaged upon the road. Within a few years, Dr. J. Deal, of Orange, in making excavations in the mound, discovered, at the depth of eighteen inches below the surface, remains of human skeletons much decayed, and, on exposure to the atmosphere, soon turned dark and decomposed. An upper jaw tooth of a skeleton attracted attention, and after the conclusion of his investigation, determined to take this home and preserve it - but after traveling a few rods it perished and fell from his hand.

Orange Village Churches

Old School Preshi/terian. - Orange was organized as a church in the early part of the year 1834. In 1837 Orange was fixed upon to be the place for public worship. To this church Rev. Nathaniel Cobb was acting as stated supply in 1835. In the year 1841, by the request of Orange Church, Rev. F. A. Shearer was permitted by Presbytery to be its stated supply the one-third of his time for one year. In November, 1843, the Rev. Samuel Moody became the pastor of this church for one-half his ministerial labors, and he continued to minister to it until the latter part of the year 1856, when the Head of the Church unexpectedly called upon him to come up higher. To this church, for the last three or four years. Rev. A. Scott has been a stated supply.

Methodist Episcopal. - The Methodist Episcopal Church building at Orange was commenced in 1830, and completed in 1831. The present building, 40 by

60 feet, was erected in 1853. This is the oldest church organization in the township. When the building was erected, the membership amounted to one hundred and twenty-nine. Rev. Russell Bigelow was the first presiding elder, and Revs. Elmer Yocum and John Jaynes were circuit preachers. The trustees were Vachel Metcalf, John Sloan, (and others whose names cannot be attained.) Class-Leader: Vachel Metcalf.

Rev. Nathan S. Worden is the clergyman who supplies the pulpit for the current year. Class- Leaders: Jacob Fluke, John Mason, Wesley Richards, and Henry McGill. The present membership amounts to about one hundred. Thomas W. Richards, circuit steward, and John Fluke, steward of the church. Trustees: Jacob Fluke, Isaac Gordon, Thomas W. Richards, Henry McGill, and Wesley Richards,

United Brethren. - The building was erected in 1854, and will seat about one hundred and fiftj- persons. The present pastors are Revs. Jonathan Crubaugh and William Dillon. Class-Leader: Robert Barnhill - Trustees: Robert Barnhill, Joseph Hartman, and William Culberson - Steward: Joseph Hartman. There are thirteen members in the class.

St. Jacob's German Reformed Church. - The present church edifice was erected in the year 1853. Its dimensions are 24 by 36, and will seat two hundred and fifty persons. Mr. Jacob Hiffner was among the most active and liberal in efibrts to secure the construction of the building. Rev. E. T. H. Whaler is the pastor; Henry Hinckle, elder; John Gier and George Reele, deacons; John Will and Charles Melchim, trustees; John Milheim, treasurer. There are forty members.

Philip Biddinqer

Philip Biddinger immigrated, with his family, consisting of his wife and one child, to Orange Township, in February, 1823. He had several years previous emigrated from Virginia to Harrison Coqnty. He now resides in Troy Township.

John Bishop

John Bishop, in February, 1814, adopted Orange Township as his future home. lie was without wife, children, or money, and relied solely upon industrious and economical habits, and a vigorous constitution, for future success in life. In 1811 he had accumulated sufficient to enable him to purchase the southeast quarter of section 21, now owned by John Finger. This quarter he improved and occupied seven years, and, in 1824, purchased the farm now owned by Enos Rowley, and subsequently the farm upon which he at present resides, being two hundred acres, formerly owned by the late Daniel Campbell. In 1819 Mr. Bishop married Miss Catharine, daughter of the late Jacob Hififn^r, Sr.

The three white families residing in the township, in 1S14, were those of Jacob Young, Amos Norris, and Vachel Metcalf. There had not been a surveyed road in the township. He carried the chain for the surveyor who established the first road, which led from Sheets's saw-mill, on the east line of Montgomery Township, via of Jacob Young's and Leidigh's mill to Savannah - although at that time there was no Sheets's or Leidigh's mills or town of Savannah. Mr. Bishop was elected, at the first election held in Orange, constable for the township. Where the town of Orange now stands, at a log-rolling he saw a span of horses, which had started for a runaway, arrested by the end of the chain, which was thrown into the air, striking a sapling so as instantly to enwrap its body and bring the team to "a dead halt."

James Campbell

James Campbell was among the early pioneers of Ohio, who, previous to his decease, had resided many years in Orange Township. His wife, with whom he had lived upwards of seventy years, had died on the 22d of December, 1860; and his death occurred at the residence of his son, Thomas Campbell, on the 8th of December, 1860, at the age of eighty-nine years eleven months and twenty-four days. "The deceased," says an obituary notice in the Ashland Union, "was one of the oldest men in the community, and leaves a large circle of relatives and friends ; having, at the time of his death, more than a hundred grandchildren. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church sixty years, and now that he has been gathered to his fathers, his friends 'weep, though not in bitterness; their tears are not tears of gloom.'"

James Clark

James Clark emigrated from "Washington County, Pennsylvania, in April, 1818, having entered two hundred and six acres in the northwest part of section 2, Orange Township, being the place upon which he has since resided.

The principal crops raised in his immediate neighborhood were wheat, rye, and corn. These grains were rarely marketed, and, except such as were required for family use, were fed to hogs, which were driven to the Pittsburg market.

Robert Culbertson

Robert Culbertson removed to Orange Township in September, 1825. He had been a resident of Belmont County many years previous. His family, when he removed to the township, consisted of his wife and two children, Thomas Culbertson and Mrs. James Hamilton, all of whom are yet residents of Orange Township. His land, when he removed to it, had not been disturbed by the axe or plow, and the walls of the first cabin erected by him are yet standing upon his place.

During the first year Mr. Culbertson removed to the township, a controversy had arisen between Peter Biddinger, a gunsmith, and an Indian named "Jim Jerk," about the pay for the repair of the Indian's gun. Jim had refused to meet the cost of the repairs, and on Mr. Biddinger's refusal to deliver it to him without pay, he made threats of vengeance. The following year the Indian was discovered lurking about the neighborhood, and his conduct was such as excited suspicion. A company of thirteen men at once organized to scour the country, and if possible capture him and obtain an explanation of his conduct. A diligent search, commencing at daybreak and ending at a late hour of the night, proved fruitless, and all returned home except John McConnell, who continued his pursuit about three days, when he reappeared and notified Mr. Biddinger and the neighborhood that he had made a satisfactory and final settlement with Jim Jerk. The Indian was never seen or heard of again.

William Fast

William Fast, in company with his eldest brother, Martin, (late of Jackson Township,) visited the country with a view of selecting and entering land for their father. Christian Fast, Sr., in the fall of 1814. The families were yet residents of Green County, Pennsylvania. While viewing the country, they made their home with the family of Jacob Mason - being the farm now owned by Henry Myers. , .

During this fall (1814) he accompanied Jacob Young and Martin Mason to Fealty Smith's, five miles east of Wooster, where they purchased frost-bitten corn at $1.25 per bushel, and took it to Stibbs's mill, and had it mashed. The musty odor of the cornmeal was offensive at the distance of a yard; yet it being the best and only breadstuffs that could be obtained in the country, it was highly prized.

These races were not uncommon. William Fast had received intimation that Mr. Cuppy, in behalf of some relatives, contemplated making an entry of the very tract which had been chosen by his brother and himself. The contest would be decided by the relative speed of the horses of the contending parties. The brothers Fast were "on time," and just as tliey had concluded their business at Canton, Mr. Cuppy and friends were discovered making their entrance into the town. The land then purchased was the west half of section 18 - being since subdivided, and now owned and occupied by William Mohler, George Fast, and himself.

Christian Fast, Sr., when a boy of about sixteen years of age, was taken captive by a party of Delaware Indians, near the Falls of the Ohio. He had enlisted in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, as a member of a small military expedition of about two hundred men, organized for the purpose of chastising the Indians for depredations committed upon the frontier settlements. The force descended the river in boats, and, some distance above the Falls of the Ohio, had become separated into two parties - Mr. Fast being among those in the rear. The advance party had driven posts in the river, upon the top of which they placed written directions addressed to those who were following them, indicating the point where they would find the anchorage of the party, who would be in waiting for them. These written directions, it was supposed, fell into the hands of the Indians, who had whites among them competent to read, and who thus became informed of the. movements of their foes. Before the latter could form a junction of their forces, the rear party, a short distance above the falls, was attacked by parties of Indians on both sides the river, while the men in the boats were making toward the shore to cook a heifer which they had killed. The largest boat of the fleet, in which was Mr. Fast, had landed, and the others were making preparations to do so, when the attack commenced. The smaller boats immediately put up stream; but the larger one was hard aground, and could not get off. Of the one hundred, all except thirty were killed. Mr. Fast jumped into tlie water, receiving at the same instant a flesh wound in the hip, and swam to tlic opposite shore, where he was met by three Indians, who demanded that he should surrender, assuring him of friendly treatment. He declined their request, and again plunged into the current - the three Indians firing at him as he swam, one of the balls grazing his cheek, momentarily stunning him. Reaching the middle of the river, he took observations to determine the course of safety, and concluded to strike the shore several rods below where the largo boat was grounded; but on approaching the shore, he again encountered the bullets of the Indians, and again made for the center of the river. Some distance below he discovered a horseboat belonging to his party, and at once resolved to reach and board it. Just as he had succeeded in getting aboard, the captain received a wound in the arm, and waved his hand to the Indians in token of surrender. The boat was immediately boarded by the enemy, and the whites taken prisoners. An old Indian took charge of Mr. Fast, by whom he was taken to Upper Sandusky. All the prisoners were divested of their clothing, and, as their way led through a rank growth of nettle-weeds, their march was indescribably painful. Mr. Fast, becoming maddened with pain, at length refused to go forward, and bowing his head toward the old Indian, demanded that he would tomahawk him, and thus put an end to his miseries. The Indian took compassion upon him, and restored to the captive his clothes. From that time forward he was treated with marked kindness, during the remainder of the journey. Arriving at Upper Sandusky, he was not compelled, as was usual with the prisoners, to run the gantlet, but was adopted into a distinguished family of the tribe. He visited the lamented Colonel Crawford, after the miserable failure of the expedition and during his imprisonment, and was within hearing of his cries during the horrid cruelties he suffered at the stake.

About eighteen months after Mr. Fast's capture, an expedition left Upper Sandusky for the purpose of attacking the white settlement and fortifications at Wheeling, Virginia. Connected with this expedition was the notorious James Girty. Mr. Fast, who DOW possessed the full confidence of the Indians, was also of the party. The expedition reached its destination, and had besieged the fort at Wheeling three days and two nights. On the third night Mr. Fast determined upon an attempt to effect his escape. Approaching his adopted brother at a late hour of the night, he awoke him, complaining of thirst, and urging his brother to accompany him to a place where they could procure a drink of water. The Indian pleaded weariness, and urged his "brother "to go alone - insisting that no harm would befall him. Thereupon Mr. Fast, taking his camp kettle, steered directly for his father's house, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, about thirty miles distant by land; but the night being excessively dark, he made slow progress, and at daylight he was yet within hearing of the guns of the besiegers and the besieged. As soon as daylight appeared, he pushed forward, and soon discovered, by a fresh trail, that about thirty Indians were in advance of him, making for the white settlements in Washington County, Pennsylvania. On reaching the spur of a ridge, he discovered that the trails separated, and that the Indians had formed two parties, each pursuing parallel lines through the valleys. He hoped, by vigorously pursuing the middle and straighter course, to get in advance of the Indians; and in this effort he was successful. Before night he reached the margin of the settlement of Washington County - the Indians being but a short distance in his rear. A few rods in advance of him, and approaching on his own trail, he discovered a white man, with a couple of bridles on his arm, evidently in search of horses. Placing himself behind a tree, Mr. Fast waited until the white man was within a few feet of him, when he suddenly placed himself in his path, and gave a hurried explanation of his name, object, and the immediate danger that threatened the white settlement. The man was paralyzed with fear; he could not believe that the savage-looking person before him, with his painted face,, his cars and nose filled with brooches, liis hair (all except a tuft in front, w!iich was passed through a silver tube) nearly plucked from his skull, was anything else than a veritable Indian. Mechanically, however, the man obeyed his directions - and each seizing and mounting horses which were near at hand, made for the settlements with all practicable speed. They gave the alarmto all the families in the neighborhood, and succeeded in securing all in the fort except one boy, who was killed at the instant he reached the gate, which was thrown open for his ingress.

After the beleagured fort was relieved by the retirement of the Indians, he sought his father's house; but was so completely metamorphosed by his Indian costume that his parents could not, for a considerable length of time, recognize him. At length his mother, recalling some peculiar spots near the pupils of his eyes, gave a scrutinizing look, and at once identified her son. She sprang forward to embrace him, and would have fainted in his arms, but he repulsed her, exclaiming that his person, as was the case with all the Indians, was covered with vermin. He retired from the house, committed his Indian clothes to a fire which he made, purified his body as best he could, and then clothed himself in garments furnished by his father.

On the very day of his arrival in Orange Township, in 1815, he met with Tom Lyons, a chief, and one of his original captors, and a party of Indians, by whom he was recognized. The Indians, who had not suspected that he had deserted, but who believed that he had been drowned in the river, evinced much joy at the discovery of their lost "brother," and ever afterward offered numerous tokens of their friendship.

In the summer of 1819, a party of Indians were encamped at the foot of Vermillion Lake. Tom Lyons invited his "brother," Christian Fast, Sr., and his children, to partake of a feast which they had proposed. The only members of the family who found it convenient to accept the invitation were Nicholas and Francis. Lyons, after painting himself for the occasion, insisted that the boys sliould also be painted - to which proposition, "for the fun of the thing," they readily assented. Old Tom put the paint on the face of Frank, who was a mischievous lad, "so thick," that it remained indelible for a period of more than a year; and to the present day he is known to his old friends by the soubriquet of " Indian Frank." At the feast, one of the dishes was a bear's head boiled with the hair precisely as it was cut from the body of the animal. The entrails of the bear formed a distinct dish, and the other pieces made separate dishes. Venison, also, formed part of the repast.

The first meal-making establishments, of which nearly every family had one, were hominy blocks - a hole burned in a stump, with a sweep so fi.xed that two men could pound corn into meal; the sieve was a deerskin stretched over a hoop, with small holes made therein by the point of a hot iron.

Jacob Fast

Jacob Fast, an emigrant from Green County, Pennsylvania, settled upon the farm he has since owned and occupied in Orange Township, in April, 1817 - being the southeast half of the southwest quarter of section 21. His family, at this date, consisted of his wife, son Martin M., daughter Mary, and son Eli II. Fast.

Nicholas Fast

Nicholas Fast, in May, 1815, having previously entered at the Land Office, at Canton, the quarter section in Orange Township upon which Abrara C. Fast now resides, emigrated from Pennsylvania to said place with his family, consisting then of his wife and three sons, namely. Christian, Henry, and John B.

In 1823 he sold this place to his cousin, Joseph Fast, the father of the present owner and occupant. Subsequently he removed to Elyria, where he remained one year; and, in 1832, purchased of Mr. Sage the three hundred and twenty-five acres, upon a part of which now resides Jesse Simmons, in Troy Township. About seven years since he became the owner of the seventy acres adjoining Troy Centre, upon which he has since resided.

In the spring of 1815 he embarked with his family, household furniture, provisions, etc., on a keel-boat, at the mouth of Cheat River, where that stream enters the Monongahela, and proceeded down the latter to the Ohio; thence up the Muskingum, White Woman, Mohican, and Jerome Fork, to Finley's Landing, five miles below Jeromeville. In addition to his own family, above named, his brothers, William and David Fast, and brother-in-law, Henry Hampton, and his wife, were also of the party.

The stock, in charge of his father, Christian Fast, Sr., and brothers, Christian, Jr., Francis, George, and John, were driven overland, from Dunker Township, Green County, Pennsylvania, to the land of Christian Fast, Sr., in Orange Township.

The portion of the families who adopted the river route had a long and hazardous passage - being seven weeks and three days on the water - their delays and dangers being in consequence of the high stage of tlie water. When they reached the mouth of the Muskingum, that river was so swollen, the current so strong, and the "drift-wood," which covered nearly its whole surface, offered such obstructions, that in the effort to make their way against these obstacles, they only made, during one afternoon and part of a night, about one mile. On the next day they ascended about fifty rods higher to a house, the lower part of which was submerged, and here they continued during the remainder of that day and the whole of the following night. On several succeeding days their boat passed over fields and orchards and through the woods.

The parts of families who had traveled overland were three weeks in advance of those who had taken the river route, and suffered much anxiety of mind regarding the safety of their friends who had committed themselves to the waters. They all had a reunion, however, in May, 1815, on the land of Christian Fast, Sr., in Orange Township. Here rude cabins and camps were hastily constructed, and the work of improvement commenced with vigor.

Mr. Fast believes that his was the second white family that settled in Troy Township - the name of the first not being recollected by him. He is now seventy- five years of age, and suffering much on account of physical infirmities.

John Finger

John Finger emigrated from Frederick County, Maryland, to Orange Township, in May, 1829. His father had, five years previously, purchased of John Bishop the eighty acres upon which he at present resides.

Philip Fluke

Philip Fluke emigrated from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and on the twenty-first of October, of that year, removed to the house of Martin Hester. His family consisted of his wife and sous, Henry, Lewis, Samuel, and Philip. He had two years previously purchased of William Bryan the southeast quarter of section 15, and upon this place he proceeded at once to erect a cabin for his family. On account of inclement weather, he only sue-

Although Mr. Fluke had previously resided in an old settled country, he recurs to his experience in the wilderness of Orange Township as embracing the happiest period of his life. The health of himself and family, with the exception of ague attacks during the first year, was good. He realized from his first year's tillage sufficient wheat and corn to subsist his family and stock, and to supply, to a limited extent, new neighbors that came in. Prosperity attended all his efforts, and the accumulations of this world's goods, and the exchange of his old cabin home for the fine brick dwelling in which he has for many years resided, has not, according to his own testimony, added to his stock of happiness.

Jacob Hiffner, Jr

Jacob Hiffner, Jr., emigrated with his family, consisting of his wife and three daughters, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to Orange Township, in November, 1817, and during the same year purchased of John Mackerell the southwest quarter of section 14 - being the land upon which he yet resides. Four families from Pennsylvania traveled in company, and settled in Orange Township at the same time, namely, those of his father, Jacob Hiffner, Sr., of his brother, Frederick Hiffner, and of his brotherin-law, Ridenour.

Mr. Hiffner erected a temporary cabin upon the land of his father, which afforded shelter for his family during the winter of 1817-18. In the mean time he had constructed a rude cabin upon his own place, and in April, 1818, removed his family and scanty stock of household effects into it, and engaged in the improvement of his land. When he commenced housekeeping, his cabin was without a door, chimney, or floor - the fire being made upon the ground in the center of the cabin, and the smoke finding its way out chiefly through an open place in one end of the roof designed for the future chimney of the cabin. Mr. Hiffner avers that the best pone he ever eat was made of soft and rotten corn, purchased at Stibbs's mill, and eaten with an appetite sharpened by a long fast and severe bodily toil. Being skilled in the use of the rifle, his family never suffered for want of venison or other wild meat. Good breadstuffs, however, were not in the country, and the most miserable quality, which the swine of this day would reject, could only be obtained at a great distance, and at one dollar per bushel. His severest trials passed away with the first year. Since that time his industry has been amply rewarded, as has been the case with most of the pioneers who yet survive in

Orange Township; he now approaches the close of his seventyseventh year, in vigorous health and blessed in all the comforts that belong to an earthly home.

John Krebs

John Krebs, with his family, removed from Colambiaua County to the land upon which he at present resides, in Orange Township, in May, 182'). Although he settled in Orange Township at a comparatively late period, his neighbors were few iu number - his own land was yet a wilderness, and his own were the only family in the northwest part of the township. The nearest east and west road was one mile south of him; and the most convenient north and south road was three miles west of his place.

About the second year after he came, he was successful, through the aid of Jacob Mason, in obtaining from thQ jCommissiouers of Ricliland County a grant for the present State road, leading from Ashland to Troy Centre, and which road passes along his western line. About one hundred days gratuitous labor were given by those interested to aid in opening the road - Mr. Krebs and Mr. Joseph Fast each giving twenty days. The original survey of the road was made by Esq. Gallup, of Ashland.

The people during the first settlement of the country not only performed the road labor assessed upon them by law with cheerfulness, but many added tenfold of voluntary labor. Supervisors made no charge for their services. The same personal sacrifices, if continued, would have McAdamized all our leading roads.

Yachel Metcalf and Amos Norris were the first settlers in Orange. They removed into it from Bunns's Settlement, in Mohican Township, in the spring of 1814. Jacob Young and Jacob Crouse emigrated from Columbiana County, during the same spring, without their families. Young built a camp-house within a few rods of where the bridge crosses the Jerome Fork of the Mohican, on the road now leading from Ashland to Orange. The red frame house, at present owned by James Sloan, stands upon the site originally occupied by his cabin. Mr. Crouse built a camphouse in Montgomery Township on the quarter section where the present Crouse's School-house stands. Daniel Mickey came the same spring, and built a shanty near the spot where Andrew Mason's barn now stands. Patrick Murray also built a shanty, about the same time, on the land now occupied by the widow of his son, George Murray. Mr. Murray did not, however, remove his family until the following year In August, 1814, Martin and Jacob Mason, Jacob Young, Jacob Crouse, Martin Hester, and Lott Todd, all built cabin houses for the reception of their families, having each gathered prairie hay in sufficient quantities to subsist their stock during the following winter. Of those just named, Jacob Mason was the only one who had his whole family with him. The others all returned to their former homes for their families. Mr. Todd, however, never returned to the country, and Mr. Hester, with his family, returned in the spring of 1815. The Messrs. Mason, Young, Grouse, and Joseph Bishop all appeared with their families in October, 1814.

The total number of white families in Orange Township, during the winter commencing December, 1814, amounted to five. In addition to these, however, Solomon Urie and his two sons, Samuel and Thomas, were in the township.

In the spring of 1815, Thomas Green, Mordecai Chilcote, Martin Hester, Patrick Murray, Christian and Nicholas Fast, and Henry Hampson removed to the township with their families. During the same year, John Bishop, an unmarried man, came into the township.

In the fall of 1815 Martin Mason commenced the erection of a mill on the site of the one now owned by Samuel Leidigh, two miles west of the present village of Orange. The stones were "hard-heads," and would grind sixty bushels per day. The mill commenced operations in March, 1816. That the settlers in Orange and adjacent townships appreciated the advantages of this mill, may be understood when it is stated that, prior to its erection, the nearest mill was that of Stibbs, one mile east of Wooster. In 1814-15, no corn could be obtained more convenient than Wooster, and along Apple and Short Creeks. The prices at these places were $1.25 per bushel; and wheat could not be obtained nearer than the vicinity of the present town of Massillon, where it sold for $2 per bushel.

Previous to the erection of Mason's mill, corn was prepared for use, by many of the inhabitants, on hominy blocks, of which nearly every cabin had one. Martin Mason, having a large family, had a couple of hard-heads made into millstones. This hand-mill (a good one of its kind) would, by the aid of six persons, vigorously employed, produce half a bushel of meal in two hours. While the millwrights were engaged in the erection of the water-mill, they would employ their evenings in aiding Mr. Mason's family to work the hand-mill in producing the necessary supplies for the following day.

Benjamin Cuppy, Robert Newell, Daniel Carter, Sr., the widow Trickle, Daniel Mickey, and David Markley, with their families, constituted the population of Montgomery Township during the winter which commenced December, 1814.

During this winter, the families of Martin and Jacob Mason, having exhausted their supplies of breadstuffs, availed themselves of a deep snow that had fallen, and left home on sleds for Stibbs's mill. The only road to Wooster led by way of the old Indian village called Jeroraetown, near where Jeromeville now stands. On arriving at the mill, they were grievously disappointed to find its operations suspended by the ice. This winter, it may be here observed, was one of remarkable rigor - the snow, during a period of forty days, remaining upon the ground to the depth of at least a foot. Realizing the necessity of immediately supplying their families with something in the form of breadstuffs, they procured a few bushels of shelled corn and started on their way home. The families were without meat, butter, milk, or potatoes. Their only cow, a noble animal, and which had been the maiu reliance of the family of Martin Mason for food, had died a short time previously from "browsing" upon Buckeye buds. The sole dependence of the families, therefore, was upon their corn. Of this they made hominy, and with the single exception of salt, and the meat of a raccoon, the two families subsisted upon this food a period of two weeks. They were indebted for the 'coon mentioned, to an Indian named James Lyons, who had tracked and treed the animal, and offered the meat to his white friends if they would secure it and give him the skin. His offer was gladly accepted - the tree (au immense one) cut down - the animal killed and dressed, and its meat divided between the two families. A few days after this, two other Indians, Jim Jerk and Billy Mature, came into the house of Martin Mason with a bear, for the meat of which he paid them eight silver dollars. This meat Mr. Mason divided with his brother's family - and the hominy being cooked in bear's oil, made sumptuous fare, and in a few days the weather relaxed so that they were enabled to procure corn-meal from Stibbs's, and venison and other wild meats from, the Indians. During the spring some bacon was purchased of Robert Newell, for which twenty-five cents per pound was paid.

Martin Mason first visited the country in January, 1814, and entered for his brother-in-law, Jacob Young, the quarter section in Orange Township, which the latter improved, and upon which he now resides.* Mr. Mason was at this time a resident of Columbiana County. In June following (in the mean time having sold his farm in the last-named county) he returned and entered the lands in Orange Township, upon one quarter of which now reside Samuel Leidigh and John Fulmer, and upon the other, Jacob Shopbell. When he removed to the township, his family consisted of his wife and seven children, namely, Andrew, John, Charles, Margaret, Mary, Martin, and Anna.

It was the custom in the pioneer days, when a man killed an animal, to divide it among his neighbors. One who had often received the benefit of this generous custom, but who was rather noted for his parsimony, had, in his turn, killed a hog, and meeting a friend informed him of the circumstance, and expressed to him his fear that he would not have sufficient to distribute among his neighbors, and retain what he considered necessary for his own use. llis friend, after considering the case, proposed that he could relieve himself of his dilemma by permitting the hog to remain suspended outdoors, where it had been dressed, during the night, and before daylight take it in and conceal it in his house, and then give out that it had been stolen during the night. The suggestion received the approval of the hog owner; and on the next morning he met his friend, and, with a rueful countenance, informed him that, sure enough, his pork had been stolen 1 The friend addressed, complimented the hog man upou his skill in lying, and impressed upon his mind that he had only to repeat the story with equally skillful address to all whom he would meet, and there would he no doubt that the lie, "well stuck to," would be successful. The other swore terribly that his tale was neither lie nor joke, and that his pork had indeed been stolen. In response to his vehement protestations, his friend would the more compliment his skill in "playing off," and would urge him to put on a bold front and maintain his position in the face of everybody. The truth of the matter was, that the disinterested and facetious "friend" who had advised the plan was the one who had all the time possession of the pork 1

In 1817, Jacob Mason, being summoned on the jury of the Court of Common Pleas, donned his best suit of buckskin pants and moccasins, and set out on foot to Mansfield. On his return home, after the jury were discharged, he encountered a rain-storm, which thoroughly saturated his moccasins, and soon increased, their dimensions to such an extent that at every step the extremities which had originally covered his toes, would be thrown up half way to liis knees. He found a night's shelter at the house of Mr. Andrews, near the Black Fork. Thinking it hardly genteel to wear his ill-looking moccasins in the house, he left them at the door, and crossed the threshold in his bare feet. In the morning it was discovered that the dogs had devoured his moccasins, and he was compelled to make his way home, throui^h a forest of nettleweeds, in his bare feet.

James Medowell

James Medowell removed to Orange Township from Stark County, in November, 1823. Tlis son William entered in his name the southwest quarter of section 26. It had been previously entered by ^lichacl Koontz, and forfeited by him for nonpayment. The family of James Medowell at this time consisted of his wife and five children, namely, William, Harriet, (now Mrs. Speekman, of Stark County,) John, James, and Henry. Of these, William and John continue to reside in Orange Township - the former being the owner of the old homestead.

Edward Murray

Edward Murray immigrated to Orange Township, with his family, in 1820. He died on the 4th of November, 1862, at the age of seventy-three years. He was the last male survivor of the family of the late Patrick Murray, who, with his wife and ten children, removed to Orange Township in the year 1815.

John Stull

John Stull removed from Jefferson County, Ohio, to Orange Township, in December, 1820. His family then consisted of liis wife and three children - the only survivor of whom, now residing in the county, is Isaac Stull.

Amos Norris

Amos Norris and wife emigrated from Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1809. They resided in Lancaster until 1810, when they immigrated to Mohican Township. Mr. Norris and William Eagle jointly entered a quarter section in said township. Mrs. Mary, widow of Amos Norris, (who died in the summer of 1862, at the age of seventy-four years, and who furnished this memorandum a few weeks previous to her decease,) states that during the 6rst and second years of their residence in Mohican the Indians were numerous, and visited and traded with them almost daily. "In August, 1812, my husband and myself went on a visit to Pennsylvania. We did not know that war was declared wheu we left home, but when we reached the Penn.sylvania settlements, we found the people greatly excited, and the men volunteering and drilling. In our absence Hull had surrendered his army to the British, and when we returned home we found our panic-stricken neighbors forted. The Indians had been removed from their villages to Delaware by the Federal troops.

" Our milling was done at Beam's, on the Black Fork, and down on the White Woman. The trip to the last-named mills was made in canoes. It generally required thirteen days to make it, and, in the first years of immigration, very little corn being raised, it was purchased at the mills at one dollar per bushel. In later years our purchases of salt, leather, iron, etc. were made at Sandusky City, or Portland, as it was then called. Coffee sold for fifty cents, in specie, per pound.

William Patterson

William Patterson made his first visit to Orange Township in the spring of 1815, and entered at the Federal Land OfiQce the northeast quarter of section 7, Orange Township. During the same year, he returned to his native place, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and in 1818 revisited the country with a view of making the land he had entered the place of his future residence. In that year he "tomahawked," to use a current phrase of the country at that time, ten acres of his land. By this term " tomahawked," the unsophisticated of this time will understand to mean, that he cut down, with his axe, from that number of acres, the timber of eighteen inches in circumference and under, and arranged the brush around the base of the trees that were above that size.

Christopher Rickett

Christopher llickett erected a cabin, upon the place he at present occupies, in March, 1822. In the following June he removed his family from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to their new home. The land had been entered for him by his father-in-law, John Horn, in the year 1814. His family consisted of his wife and five children.

Daniel Bummers

Daniel Summers, with his wife and two children, emigrated from Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, to Orange Township, and settled upon the land which he had the previous year, 1817, entered - said land being the northeast quarter of section 10, and the same upon which he now resides.

John Tilton

John Tilton removed to Stark County from Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1812; in 1814 he removed to Wayne County, and in 1831 purchased the east half of section 35, in Orange Township. His family at this time consisted of his wife, and sons Samuel and James A. Mr. Tilton enlisted in the American army during the war of the revolution, when he was only fifteen years of age, and served five years. In addition to less important engagements, he was in the battles of Princeton, Germantown, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He also served three months in an expedition against the Indians in the Northwest Territory. Mr. Tilton died on the 12th of August, 1849, at the age of eightynine years nine months and si.xteen days - leaving, as the surviving members of that portion of his family who removed with him to the county, his sons Samuel and James A., who now occupy, with their families, the half section originally purchased. His wife had died on the 7th of May, 1849, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Tilton had kept house over sixty-five years, and within that period had removed thirty-two times. At the date of his death he had had one hundred and sixty-seven grand and great-grandchildren.

This quality of wheat was often produced in the early attempts at cultivation. Mr. James A. Tilton cannot account for it. The berry would be as plump and attractive in appearance as the best quality ever grown, and the flour would be as white as the best specimens now produced; and when manufactured into bread it would be palatable except that it would have a sweet taste ; but when eaten by man or beast it produces a distressing sickness, and only remains upon the stomach a few moments. This was the only disease that then attacked the wheat - neither the weevil, rust, or smut then being known.

Solomon Urie

Solomon XJrie immigrated to Orange Township in the spring of 1814. In 1813 he entered two quarters of land - one-ln Orange Township, the northeast quarter of section 34, and another in Montgomery Township, the northeast quarter of section 4.

He commenced his improvement in Orange Township by the erection of a cabin and the imperfect clearing of a few acres, during the season of 1814. He was an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Two or three years prior to the entry of the lands above described, Mr. Urie and his brother Thomas were on a hunting excursion through the eastern part of Ohio, and established their cnnip between Xcw Pliiladelphia and Cndiz. The brothers, in pursuit of tlieir game, had become separated during the day. Thomas had succeeded in killing a bear, the skin of which he was conveying, toward evening, to the camp, which he had nearly reached. Solomon was also making his way in the direction of the camp, driving before liim his horses, which had been belled and spancelled When within hearing-distance of the camp, his ears were greeted with a sound similar to that of a double crack of rifles, or of the falling of two trees. Knowing that hostile Indians were in their neighborhood, as they had unmistakable evidence during the night before, he considered it prudent to lead his horses and reach lu's camp l)y another route. On approaching, he discovered two Indians in his camp, plundering it of its contents, while a third one stood upon the outside as sentinel. He raised his rifle with the intention of shooting the Indian on the outside; but before he could fire, his brother's dog commenced barking and his position and attitude were discovered by his enemy.

In the rear of Solomon was a swamp, but comprehending that it would be an unsafe retreat, he boldly pushed forward to the assault of the sentinel. The latter ran, dodging behind trees, with the view of protecting himself and gaining an opportunity for shooting his antagonist. Mr. Urie pressed forward, and in his course discovered the dead body of his brother. The three Indians pursued him about three miles to the brink of a precipice, down which, without a moment's hesitation, he descended; and, on reaching solid ground, discovered that the breech of his rifle was broken - the trigger of the lock, however, being uninjured. The Indians, on reaching the margin of the precipice, were so appalled at the height that they gave up the pursuit. Mr. Urie continued his journey, in the direction of the Ohio River, five miles, when he came to an encampment which, much to his agreeable surprise, contained, among its inmates, several of the Brady's and other Pennsylvania friends. He remained, during the night, with his friends, and on the following morning the entire party returned with him to the late camp of himself and brother, and found the body of the latter covered with the skin of the bear he had killed on the day previous. One of his legs was stripped of its "leggin" and moccasin, and on the posterior part of his neck was a cross, indicating that this mode of warfare against the whites was to be continued. His body had been pierced by two bullets, doubtless fired by the rifles the sound of which Solomon had heard the evening before. The body was deposited in a grave made with wooden shovels, and in a coffin made of puncheons. The Indians had taken their two horses, forty deer, ten bear, and ten beaver skins, together with their entire stock of provisions and traps. Mr. Solomon Urie ofl'ered his friends the full property of which he had been despoiled, and an equal amount in addition, if they wtnild aid him in their pursuit and infliction of summary pnnishment upon the murderers of his brother. They regarded the

During the war of 1812, Mr. Urie and his son Samuel served in the army as volunteers, and in the full of 1815 removed to the land above described, in Orange Township, and upon which land he had previously made some improvements. Ilis family, at this time, consisted of his wife and the following named children: Samuel, Thomas, Susan, David, Solomon, John, Ijllizabcth, George, W., and James.

Mr. Urie brought with him to the country a couple of dogs, one of which, taking a dislike to the " home of his adoption," made his way back to the old homestead, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a distance of about one hundred and forty miles. This jouruey he performed, traversing the wilderness and swimming the rivers, in less than twenty-four hours.

This backwoodsman, who may be called an Indian as well as a beast-hunter, for the reason that his kindred had suffered more from the murderous assaults of Indians than from the wild beasts of the forests, had an encounter with a couple of Indians on the "Wabash which is worthy of record. At an Indian camp he was visiting, his hunter's knife had attracted their attention, and he was importuned to sell it. When he positively declined their propositions, his wary eye detected mischief in their looks. He took his leave of them, and had not traveled many miles, before he became convinced that he was being pursued by the Indians. To confirm his suspicious, he suddenly quit the trail after crossing a prairie, and took observations from behind a tree - the result being to fully establish in his mind that their designs were against him. This was in the afternoon of the day, and he resumed the trail and pushed forward rapidly until the shades of night began to gather, and he had left his pursuers some distance in the rear. Again quitting the trail he hastily kindled a fire a few rods distant. Withiu a few feet of the fire, he arranged an effigy on a log by adjusting his blanket in such manner as would lead one to suppose that it covered its owner; and then concealing himself at a proper distance, awaited the progress of events. He had not long remained in this situation before a rifle ball from a concealed foe entered his Itlankel, and soon the two Indians were hurrying toward the effigy with uplifted tomahawks. The progress of the larger Indian wasJnstanlly arrested by a ball from McConnell's unerrini; rifle; and the smaller Indian reversed his movement and escaped in the woods before McConnell could reload his gun.

Ephraim Welch

Ephrairn Welch, an emigrant from Washington County, Pennsylvania, removed to Orange Township, on the 8th of February, 1828, and purchased of his father the southeast quarter of section 2, which land he improved, and has since occupied. Himself and wife then constituted his family.

Jacob Young

Jacob Young (originally from Pennsylvania) settled in Orange -Township in the year 1814. He reached his ninetieth year on the 1st day of January, 18G2.