Mohican Township (part 7 of 8)

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 Shock 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, namely, 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 family, 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 says that never, before or since, has he performed a more exhausting march.

During the first three or four years the Indians 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 which 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 he 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 Ashland 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 throughout the night. About midway between Medina and Harrisville, 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 families 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. Religious 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 upon 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', 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, ¥POR 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. He cut the road from Cornelius Dorland'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 member 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.

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.

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.

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 discovery 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 Iutheran. - 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. Hiders: 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, 69. 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. Itis 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 46 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 auspicesof Rey. John Siebert, and continued until within a few years, when the organization ceased. Clergymen of different 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 affording 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 Presbyterian. - 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 fifty 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 1653. 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 efforts 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 Biddinger

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 Coynty. He now resides in Troy Township.

John Bishop

John Bishop, in February, 1814, adopted Orange Township as his future home. He was without wife, children, or money, and relied solely upon industrious and economical habits, and a vigorous constitution, for future success in life. In 1817 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 Hiffner, Sr.

The three white families residing in the township, in 1814, 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 meno 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, @ 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 a family of Jacob Mason - being the farm now owned by Henry

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 they 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 - bcing since subdivided, and now owted 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. he 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 sinaller 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 iuto the water, receiving at the same instant a flesh wound in the hip, and swam to the 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 large 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 now 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 ears and nose filled with brooches, his hair (all except a tuft in front, which 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 alarm: to 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 should 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 beur'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 fixed 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 R. 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 Abram ©. 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 the 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 sons, 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 suc-

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 Columbiana 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 the Commissioners of Richland 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.

Vachel 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, Crouse, 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 Jerometown, 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 main 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 (an immense one) cut down - the animal killed and dressed, and its meat divided between fhe 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. His 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! The friend addressed, 'complimented the hog man upon 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!

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 his 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, through a forest of nettleweeds, in his bare fect.

James Medowell

James Medowell removed to Orange Township from Stark County, in November, 1823. His son William' entered in his name the southwest quarter of section 26. It had been previously entered by Michael 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 his 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 first 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 when we left home, but when we reached the Pennsylvania 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 Office 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 Rickett 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. 'Ihe 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 Summers

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. LHe 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 sixteen 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 afew moments. This was the only disease that then attacked the wheat - neither the weevil, rust, or smut then being known.

Solomon Urie

Solomon Urie immigrated to Orange Township in. the spring of 1814. In 1813 he entered two quarters of land - onein 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 camp between New Philadelphia and Cadiz. The brothers, in pursnit of their 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 him 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 his camp by 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 offered his friends the full property of which he had been despoiled, and an equal amount in addition, if they 'would aid him in their pursuit and infliction of summary punishment 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 fall of 1815 removed to the land above described, in Orange Township, and upon which land he had previously made some improvements. His family, at this time, consisted of his wife and the following named children: Samuel, Thomas, Susan, David, Solomon, John, Rlizabeth, 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 journey 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 suspicions, 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. Within 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 blanket, and soon the two Indians were hurrying toward the effigy with uplifted tomahawks. The progress of the larger Indian was instantly arrested by a ball from McConnell's unerring rifle; and the smaller Indian reversed his movement and escaped in the woods before McCunnell cuuld reload his gun.

Ephraim Welch

Ephraim 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 Ist day of January, 1862.

Mr. Young raised a family of twelve children, and never employed a physician. He was never defendant in a law suit, and never sued but one man, He never had a quarrel with any man. Born under a monarchy, in the reign of George III., he lived to see the origin, progress, and decline of the great American Union. He so arranged his worldly matters that, although he had been the largest landholder in Orange Township, his estate was all equitably and satisfactorily divided among his numerous descendants.

Jacob Young, an old citizen of this township, died on the third instant, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and three months. He was born in Hardy County, Virginia, the Ist day of January, 1773. He emigrated to Ohio in 1804, and to this county in 1814. He lived with his companion (who still survives him) sixtyeight years. He was the father of twelve children, and when he died had one hundred and seventeen grandchildren, one hundred and seventy-six great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Father Young was a pious, devoted man, and, like a ripe shock of corn, has been gathered into the garner above.

Trustees, David Biddinger, Henry Worts, and Thomas Culbertson - Clerk, J. Deal - Treasurer, Jacob Smurr - Assessor, Emanuel Finger - Constables, Daniel Summers and Henry Ricketts.

Chapter Xviii

SuRVEYED in 1807, and settled in the spring of 1809. While it remained in Richland County, Mifflin was a full township; but when Ashland was erected, it was divided - less than one-half the territory and population falling within the boundaries of the new county. The western limit is for the most part the center of the Black Fork.

The surface is generally broken and hilly; but the soil yields a rich reward to its tillers. The township is abundantly watered by the Black Fork, which runs along its western margin, and by other streams originating in numerous springs.

those remaining in either portion of the old township. From the best information derived from the early settlers, it is supposed that the organization occurred in about 1814. Prior to that date its territory had been embraced in Madison Township.

"Upon the tax duplicate of Madison Township, for the year 1811, is found the names of 'James Copus, 4 cattle, 40 cents;' 'Phillip Zeamore, [Seymour,] 1 horse, 30 cents;' and 'Frederick Zeamore, [Seymour, ] 2 horses and 2 cattle, 80 cents;' as returned to the commissioners of our county."

Circumstances occurred in this township during the last war with Great Britain, which invest its history with more than ordinary interest. Effort has been made to obtain the true history of these events; but statements from different persons of equal candor and intelligence are found in conflict. Mr. Home, in his Historical Collections of Ohio, adopts, with evident hesitation, one of three versions of the Copus tragedy, each differing in some essential particulars, which he accompanies with the following note of explanation : -

"We have three different accounts of this affair: one from Wyat Hutchinson, of Guernsey, then a lieutenant in the Guernsey militia; one from Henry Vail, who was with some of the wounded men the night following; and the last from a gentleman living in Mansfield at the time. Each differs in some essential particulars. Much experience has taught us that it is almost impossible to get perfectly accurate verbal narrations of events that have taken place years since, and which live only in memory." ing the true history of the matter have been more ample than those of Mr. Home, and although some discrepancies in his authorities also occur, he does not feel warranted in making the attempt to reconcile such discrepancies by modifications of the narrations as furnished him. Many facts throwing light upon these transactions will be found among the reminiscences of the pioneers of Green and other townships. Subjoined is the statement of Wesley Copus, who, at the date of the murder of his father, was a boy of nine years of age: -

James Copus immigrated to Mifflin Township, from Green County, Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1809. His family consisted of his wife and seven children, namely, Henry, Nancy, Sarah, James, Wesley, Nelson, and Anna. Mr. Copus was mur-- dered in September, 1812, by a band of Indians. His widow subsequently became the wife of John Vail; is again a widow, and continues to reside in Mifflin Township. She is in the eightyeighth year of her age. James and Wesley Copus are the only male survivors of the family now residing in Ashland County, the former occupying the old homestead, the scene of his father's murder.

Some time in the month of August, 1812, a party of soldiers were stationed at the block-house, at Beam's Mill, for the purpose of protecting the settlements within their jurisdiction. After the arrival of the officer and his soldiers at the block-house, the officer was informed that an Indian village, called Greentown, stood about nine miles distant, on the banks of the Black Fort; and fearing that Tecumseh might influence them to take up arms against the government, and murder the defenseless settlers, conceived the idea of removing them and putting them under the eye of the government. Accordingly, at the head of a party of soldiers he made his way through the wilderness to the cabin of James Copus, which was located about two miles and a half north of the village of Greentown.

The officer (whose name is not now remembered) called upon Mr. Copus personally, and informed him of the object of his mission. Ife stated that as a war now existed between Great Britain and the United States, and as the Indian tribes generally were rising up against the whites, he deemed it most prudent to secure those inhabiting the village.

Mr. Copus and the officer entered into a long conversation respecting the justness of his mission. Mr. Copus had on two or three occasions preached to these people, and enjoyed their full confidence; and since he had been with them, a period of nearly

The officer told Mr. Copus that his mission was not one of blood; but that he merely intended to persuade them to throw themselves under the protection of the United States government; and that he only wanted him (Mr. Copus) to use his influence in a peaceable manner to press the importance of a peaceable surrender to the government, and their rights, lives, and property should be protected.

With this understanding, Mr. Copus consented to accompany the officer to the village. Accordingly, taking his little son Wesley, then about nine years of age, they and the officer and his soldiers left the cabin and proceeded to the village, where a council was held and the agreement made, in which it was stated that their village should be protected during their absence, or until they were permitted to return.

Accordingly their property was invoiced, and the Indians placed themselves under the protection of the officer and his soldiers, and commenced their line of march for some place in the western part of the State. They were first brought to the place where Mansfield now stands, and there placed under guard.

After the Indians had been gone some distance from their village, the soldiers left behind to guard their goods until they could be conveyed away, set fire to the village and burned it to the ground. On casting their eyes behind them, the banished villagers saw, to their horror and astonishment, the smoke of their ruined wigwams, the sight of which aroused in them a spirit of vengeance.

In a few days after the burning of Greentown, a bound boy belonging to Martin Ruffner, who resided near the present town of Petersburg on the Black Fork of Mohican, discovered a party of five Indians in the woods, who interrogated him concerning the Seymour family, and then left him. The boy hastened home with this intelligence to his master, whereupon Ruffner took down his rifle and proceeded in search of them.

Martin Ruffner was a bold and fearless backwoodsman, and an uncompromising enemy to the Indians, having had several of his friends and relatives murdered by them. Ruffner followed after the Indians and arrived at the cabin of Mr. Seymour as soon as the Indians. He rightly concluded that the savages were on no friendly mission; he detected in their countenances tokens of bloody hostility, and he expressed his fears to the family. After a short consultation between Ruffner and Philip, it was agreed that the latter should start off immediately, and with all possible speed, in search of aid to take the Indians prisoners.

Shortly after Philip had left the cabin in search of aid, the Indians commenced the attack. Ruffner made a desperate resistance. He clubbed his rifle, and broke the stock to pieces in defending himself and the Seymour family.

Kate begged the savages to spare her life, but all to no purpose. They first constrained her to deliver up her father's money, and then buried the tomahawk in her brains.

Some time after nightfall of the same evening in which Philip had left the cabin for aid, he returned to the cabin in company with James Copus and a Mr. Lambright. This little party halted a short distance from the cabin, when it was agreed that Mr. Copus should creep slyly to the cabin and ascertain the condition of affairs therein; as they had judged that all was not right on discovering no light in the cabin. Accordingly Mr. Copus stole slyly up to the cabin, and looking in at the back window found all dark and silent within, and he rightly concluded that the whole family were murdered. He then groped his way round to the front door, and on endeavoring to open it found it offered a slight resistance. The door, however, was partially open, and on endeavoring to open it still further, so as to introduce his hand to feel if the floor was saturated with blood, which he found was the case, a slight resistance was offered. Mr. Copus, after finding blood upon the floor, felt confident that the whole family were murdered, and supposing that the Indians were yet in the house awaiting the return of young Seymour, did not think it prudent to enter. He communicated his discovery to the young man, who became insane with rage, and would have bounded to the cabin in one leap, if possible, had he not been ERT by his companions, who forcibly retained him.

After a short consultation, it was Ryle that the party should return to Mr. Copus's cabin, and take his family, and proceed with all possible haste to the cabins of Mr. Hill and Mr. Lambright, and taking their families, convey them all to the block-house for safety, where a reinforcement could be obtained to march in pursuit of the murderers.

The party then started back through the dark woods, and after coming to the cabin of Mr. Hill, situated where the village of Lucas now stands, it was agreed to proceed no farther till morning.

Morning dawned, and as the first beams of daylight broke in upon the forest, the little party set out for the block-house, where they arrived in safety with the sad intelligence of the murder of the Seymour family.

A company of soldiers immediately volunteered to accompany Mr. Copus and the young man back to the cabin, where they found the family all murdered. The old gentleman, lady, and daughter, lay in the house, and the heroic Ruffner in the yard. They were all tomahawked and scalped. Ruffuer had two rifle balls through him, and was otherwise dreadfully mangled. Upon inspection it was found that he had fought desperately.

Miss Seymour, as stated, was the last one which suffered death ; according to the confession of Kanotchy, as he advanced upon her with his 'tomahawk, she raised up her arm to defend herself, and the blow taking effect upon her arm nearly severed it; the savage

The party then buried the dead and returned to the block-house, and communicated the affair, after having pursued the Indians without any success.

The news of the murder spread like wildfire all over the country, and aroused the fears of the scttlers, causing some to leave the country entirely, while others flocked to the different blockhouses.

Mr. Copus and his family remained at the block-house some few days after this affair; but hearing of no further depredations, and supposing that quiet had been restored, and the Indians had all left the country, he concluded to return to his cabin and again commence his farming operations.

But before starting back, he prevailed upon a party of some eight or nine soldiers to accompany him. Besides, one of the officers of the block-house promised him to call at his house that same evening, as he intended starting that morning with a party of soldiers in search of marauding Indians. With this consideration, he and his family and the small party of soldiers left the block-house and returned to the cabin, where he found everything as he had left it.

The spot where the cabin stood was at this time wildly romantic, and even now presents a picturesque appearance. The cabin stood at the foot of a high bluff and on the west side. The side of the bluff next the cabin was somewhat precipitous and rocky, and at its foot, and a short distance (three or four rods) from the cabin door, there gushes forth from the hill one of the best springs of water in the State. The barn stood a short distance to the left of the spring, a new cut-out road ran parallel with the base of the hill. In fact, this locality was just such a one as was calculated to inspire the soldiers with fun and frolic, and, indeed, they seemed to enjoy themselves most agreeably, as they spent the: day in various kinds of sporting exercises.

The day was drawing to a close and the gloomy shades of night were settling down upon the forest. Anxious eyes were turned up the road in expectation of seeing the officer and his party of soldiers. Night came, but the officer was not yet to be seen. Nine, ten, eleven o'clock, and yet no signs of the officer and his party.

As the shades of night drew near, the feelings of Mr. Copus became strangely agitated, and he communicated his apprehensions to the soldiers, who only smiled at his fears. Mr. Copus was no coward ; he had often faced danger; but on this evening he was under the influence of some unaccountable feelings.

It was a sultry September evening, and the soldiers proposed to spend the night in the barn. To this proposition Mr. Copus objected, alleging that there was impending danger. ' Men," said he, 'I fecl a strange prescntiment this evening, and I would rather see you all in the cabin." But the soldiers persisted in their proposition, and Mr. Copus reluctantly consented, with the provision that they would return to the cabin before daylight i in 'the morning, which they agreed to, and immediately left for the barn.

Before daylight in the morning, the soldiers returned. to. the cabin, whereupon Mr. Copus, who was yet in bed, again communicated his fears to them, stating that during the night he had slept but little, as his dogs had kept up @ constant barking ; that such a continuous barking was unusual, and that it was his solemn opinion that a fearful storm awaited his cabin. Again the soldiers made light of Mr. Copus's apprehensions, telling him that they were all imaginary, and that the Indians had left the country. But Mr. Copus protested that before daylight would fairly dawn upon his cabin it would be attacked.

Daylight had just began to make its appearance, when the soldiers proposed to go out to the spring to wash themselves, when Mr. Copus again remonstrated, telling them not to act so incautiously, and unnecessarily expose themselves till after daylight. But this warning was all in vain - they persisted in going. '" Well," said Mr. Copus, "if I cannot influence you to remain in the cabin till day has fully dawned, I hope you will at least take your rifles with you to the spring." They promised, but did not comply with this request. As soon as they had closed the door after them, they set their rifles against the cabin wall and proceeded to the spring without them, "and while in the act of washing themselves, the mingled yells of forty-five painted savages broke in upon the ears of the terrified soldiers; who, on hearing these yells, and seeing the cabin surrounded by the savages, attempted to make their escape.

Two of the soldiers were caught, in running about eighty yards, and murdered on the spot; a third being fleet, distanced his pursuers, who, finding it impossible to overtake him, fired upon him; one ball passed through his bowels, and another 'through his foot. He ran about half a mile ; when he was found, about eight weeks afterward, his body resting against a tree, with his handkerchief stuffed in his bowels.

The fourth man, Mr. George Dye, from Leatherwood, Guernsey County, wheeled, and, like a chafed lion, he rushed through the infuriated savages and escaped into the house, with one ball through his thigh. The names of the two who were caught and scalped were George Shipley and John Fredrick; gnd the name of the one who was found dead in the woods was Mr. Warnock.

As soon as the attack was made upon the soldiers at the spring, the firing commenced upon the cabin. Mr. Copus, on hearing the alarm, sprung from his bed, and, seizing his rifle, partially opened the door, just as Dye entered, when he, Mr. Copus, received a fatal wound. A rifle ball passed through the center of his bosom, and, staggering backward, he fell across the table, exclaiming, ''Sol- diers, I am a dead man, but do not be discouraged; fight like men, and save yourselves and my family." He said no more; his affrighted wife and daughter helped him upon his bed, from which but a moment before he had arisen in health, but upon which he was now carried a dying man. He breathed his last about one hour afterward.

Whether Mr. Copus discharged his rifle or not cannot now be positively stated; but it is thought he did, as a few moments afterward, an Indian was seen lying in a dying condition in the yard, immediately before the door, a ball having passed through his bowels, which were seen protruding through the abdomen; and it is thought that Mr. Copus and the Indian both fired at the same instant, and in that instant both received a mortal wound.

Several balls had penetrated the door, and the soldiers seeing it tore up the plank floor and placed the planks against it. The firing now was incessant. Volley after volley was poured in upon the cabin, and at every volley more than forty horrible yells greeted the ears of the terrified inmates. But the fire was returned with unerring precision, and the impertinent savages kept themselves at a respectable distance from the cabin after the first fire.

Finding it impossible to effect an entrance, the Indians retreated to the side of the bluff, already described, where for some time they continued to pour their leaden messengers of death upon the cabin roof; one or two balls took effect through the roof. Miss Copus was shot in the thigh, and George Launtz had his arm broken, in removing a piece of chunking to fire through.

Mr. Launtz had watched the Indian for some time who fired upon him and broke his arm. He was secreted behind a stump on the brow of the hill, and from this position, which was a commanding one, he kept up a constant firing as fast as he could load and shoot. At length, the fellow's pate came peering in full view; Launtz was ready with his broken arm, and, discharging his rifle, the stalwart savage bounded into the air, and tumbling from rock to rock, he was precipitated to the bottom of the hill, where he lay full six feet long, taking his last rest.

The savage who was wounded in the bowels at the commencement of the attack had crawled toward the fence, and, although moaning and dying, he attempted several times to elevate his rifle in order to discharge it upon the cabin; but his strength failed him, as death was fast closing his mortal career. <A soldier seeing him attempting to shoot while dying, sent a friendly messenger to ease him of all his cares and anxieties. He was shot through the head.

The battle lasted from daylight till about ten o'clock a.m., when the savages, finding that they could not succeed in their undertaking, raised the retreating yell, and gathering up their dead and wounded - nine in number - retreated from the cabin, firing upon a flock of sheep, which, during that eventful morning, had huddled together upon the brow of the hill, looking down in strange be- wilderment upon this scene of bloodshed. The poor affrighted animals tumbled down that hill one after the other, until they lay in one heap at the bottom.

After the Indians had left the hill, it was proposed that one of the inmates of the cabin should escape through the roof of the building, and with all possible haste make for the block-house for help. Accordingly one of the number left for this purpose. The rest were to remain inside the cabin till he returned. It was thought that the Indians had only gone off a short distance, and would again return, if not before, after nightfall.

About one o'clock, a soldier on looking up the road, in the direction of the Black Fork, discovered, as he thought, the same party of Indians stealthily advancing upon the cabin under cover of woods and bushes.

The inmates now gave themselves up for lost, but determined to sell their lives at the dearest possible rate. Death stared each one in the face, and excited in the bosoms of that handful of heroes a spirit of unfaltering courage. '' Boys," cried the intrepid Dye, though smarting under the horrible wound he had received in his thigh, "each one of you charge home with unerring precision upon these skulking devils."

"Hold, hold!" cried a voice just as they were about to give the advancing party a greeting salute, which would, in all possibility, have left one-half dozen dead in their tracks - " hold! this is a party of white soldiers!"

And so it was. The same party too, who had promised to encamp at Mr. Copus's on the preceding evening, but from some unknown cause had failed so to do. Great was the joy of the terrified inmates on beholding this unexpected deliverance. The soldiers, not knowing that anything had happened, had concluded to steal upon the cabin under disguise in order to frighten the soldiers, whom they knew to be there; but they had well-nigh carried the joke too far. But if the inmates of the cabin were overjoyed in beholding a party of friends, the officer and his party were no little astonished on beholding the work of death and destruction around them. Three whites lay murdered, and three wounded, while the cabin was perfectly bullet-riddled.

During the night the Indians lay concealed behind the cornfield, each having made himself a little fire where he roasted his corn. It was by noticing these fire-places after the battle, that the soldiers were enabled to tell how many savages were engaged in the contest.

Some time in the afternoon preceding the morning of the attack, a little girl of Mr. Copus had perceived an Indian leap behind a small brush-heap, which somewhat frightened her; but strange to say, she never mentioned the circumstance to any one till after the attack.

During the battle the utmost good order prevailed, and, considering numbers - six or seven against forty-five - this battle stands, perhaps, unparalleled in the history of modern times.

The cabin and the barn are torn down; but that spring is yet pouring forth its jet of pure cold water, marking the spot as one ever memorable in the annals of Ohio.