Orange Township (part 2 of 2)

Harvey M. was the second son ; he lived with his parents till he was twenty-seven years of age. He received a fair common school education. In 1858 lie came to Greene Township, Shelby County, and bought 160 acres of land. The same year he married Sarah E. Dorsey, but within five months after their marriage she was burned to death by her clothes taking fire while washing some bedding. In 1859 he married Rosanna Christman. By this union they have six children, viz., Cldoe A., born 1863; Leana M., born 1865; Ancil E., born 1867; Ulysses G., born 1*69; Harvey O., born 1871; and Jesse A., born 1874. When Mr. Cornell first came to the county and bought land he had but $500. He gave a mortgage on this land for $3500. His land was nearly all in the woods. He cleared it and paid off his indebtedness within twelve years, and had saved $3000 beside, which he paid on his present home, for which he agreed to pay $9000. He has since paid off this indebtedness, and has several thousand dollars beside - all made by farming since he came to the county.

was born in Miami County in 1817. His father was Robert Kiggens, who was born in Maryland in 1789, and came to Miami County when a young man. Here he enlisted in the army and served under Gen. Harrison in Northwest Ohio. In 1814 he married Mary Boyer and moved to Orange Township in 1818 ; consequently John F. was but one year of age at the time of their settlement in this county. In 1838 lie married Sarah M. McClosky'. He has had six children, five of whom are now living, viz., Maggie, William M., Emma T., Laura B., and John C. F.

was born in Germany in 1813. He, with his parents, started to come to the United States in 1832, but Jacob Mott, the father, died on the way and was buried on the coast of France. The widow, with her children, continued their journey and landed in New York. They immediately started for Ohio, and located in Richland County. Mr. Mott while yet in Germany had received a fair education, and had studied civil engineering. in 1835, hearing of the building of the Miami Canal, he came to Shelby County and engaged with the engineer corps, and remained with it until the completion of the canal. In 1839 he was married to Susan Sims, with whom he raised six children : Mary, John, Sarah, James, William, and Callie. In 1865 his wife died. In 1870 he married Missouri A. Funk, widow of Wm. Funk, deceased, whose maiden name was Stanley.

William Mott, son of John Mott, was born in Miami County, O., in 1855, and married Eva Platt in 1878. They have one child, Luella F. Mrs. Mott is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Atterson Platt. She was born in New Jersey in 1854. Her parents came to Shelby County in 1856.

was born in Fairfield County in 1821, and was taken by his parents to Seneca County the same year, where they located in the woods without even a cabin. They at first sheltered themselves beside a log, and covered themselves with bark to protect themselves from the weather. The parents of Mr. Rhinehart - Jacob Rhinehart and Susanna Leslie - were married in Fairfield County, O., in 1 820. After their removal to Seneca County they had just made a start in the woods, and had only been living there a few months when Mr. Rhinehart went to assist a neighbor to raise a mill. He was instantly killed by the falling of a timber. Airs. Rhinehart then returned with her son Noah to Fairfield County, where he was put out among strangers, and never learned to know but little about his parents, not having seen his mother but a few times in his life. He was raised on a farm in Fairfield County un til 1843, when he went to Seneca County and worked by the month for about one year, then married Rebecca Huddle in 1845, and moved on to a piece of wild land, where he built a cabin and commenced life in the woods without help. He cleared this farm himself and lived there until 1864, when he bought his present place in Shelby Count} - , where he now resides. They have raised three children, viz., Lydia, Amanda, and Jacob.

Jacob, the son of the above, was born in Seneca County in 1852, and came with his parents to Shelby County in 1864. In 1876 he married Frances A. Butler. By this union they have two children, viz., Alvin D. and David F. Mr. R. has received a liberal education, having received the advantage of the common schools and one year at Heidelberg College.

father of Mrs. Noah Rhinehart, was born in Virginia in 1804. In 1816 he came with his father, Daniel Huddle, to Fairfield County, where he married Anna Sites in 1823. Mrs. Rhinehart was the first child and was born in 1824. She was the first of eighteen children by the same parents. They located in Seneca County in 1828. When Mr. Huddle first located in Seneca he owned eighty acres that he had entered. On this wild land he took his wife and four small children. Afterward there were born to them fourteen others. Of these eighteen children, fourteen lived to become men and women. To each of these children he left at his death eighteen hundred dollars, all gotten by industry and economy.

was born in Seneca County, O., in 1845, and married Lydia Rhinehart, a daughterof Noah Rhinehart, in 1876. They have had born to them two children, viz., Edwin F. and Melvina A.

George Caven, with his wife and part of his family, emigrated from Scotland to the United States just at the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled in Rockbridge County, Virginia. It was here, in the year 1790, that John A. Caven was born. When quite young, perhaps early in the present century, he came with his father's family to Miami County, and settled on Spring Creek, close to the Shelby County line. In 1823 he married Elizabeth Scott. The result of this union was nine children. He lived here to raise his family, and make for them a comfortable home. He died in 1850. Mrs. Caven died in 1869. Of this family seven are still living. James, the sixth of the family, was born in 1836. He lived at home with his father until he died; then remained with his mother until 1855, when he went to Illinois, where he lived until 1864. Then he went to try his luck in the gold mines of Idaho. In 1866 he returned to Miami County, when in 1868 he married Miss Annetta Sayers. They have raised a family of four children, whose names and date of birth are as follows: William, born 1871; James, born 1873; Samuel, born 1875; and Harley, born 1877. In 1874 they settled iu Shelby County, on land entered by John Morrow in the year 1819. The patent has the signature of James Monroe, Presideut of the United States.

Of the ancestors of Mrs. Caven we know nothing, except of her father and mother. Her father, Samuel Sayers, was born in Miami County in 1810. In his father's family there were seventeen children, and all grew up to man and womanhood, and all married, except one daughter, who died at the age of 17 years. Mr. Sayers was killed in Is77 by the running away of a team of horses. Mrs. Sayers still survives, and is living on the old homestead in Miami County.

was born in Pennsylvania in 1793. He was a son of John Redenbaugh, the early pioneer of Shelby County. In 1799 they removed to Hamilton County, Ohio. Previous to the War of 1812 the Redenbaughs came to the present limits of Ornnge Township, but remained but a short time, when, on account of Indian troubles, they returned to Hamilton County, where they remained until the year 1818, when they returned to this county. In 1817 Jeremiah married Margaret Shanldin, whom he brought with him to his backwoods home. They lived to raise a family of thirteen children. In 1866 Mr. R. returned to Illinois, where he died in 1872. His wife only survived him about ten days.

Aaron Redenbaugh, a son of Jeremiah Redenbaugh, was born in Shelby County in 1829 . In 1862 he married Elizabeth Voorhees, a daughter of Reuben Voorhees. She was born in Montgomery County in 1841. They moved to Illinois the same year that his father did. They remained there until 1880, when they returned to Orange Township, and are now located on part of the old homestead of Reuben Voorhees. They have raised four children, viz., Annie B., Charles O., Sami. R., and Clarinda. The first two only are living.

The father of the above (Robert Wead) was born iu York County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1781. His father was born in Ireland. Robert Wead married Mary Gibson in 1814. They raised a family of eight children, of which Joseph was the youngest. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1831. His father having settled there in 1806, and died in the same place in 1873 at the age of 92 years. His wife died in 1871, aged 84 years. In 1853 Joseph Wead married Mary Wiley, of Miami County, with whom he lived until 1860, when she died. He then, in 1861, married Margaret B. McKnight. They by this union have eight children, viz., Samuel M., Mary L., Ella J., Wiliam A., Lizzie E., Hattie B., Joseph G., and Harry G. They came to Shelby County in 1 -64. and bought the old Minnear farm, on section 1, where they now reside.

Thomas Shaw, the grandfather of the above, was born in Ireland in 1741; came to America in 1750, and located in Kentucky, and became a neighbor and intimate acquaintance of Daniel Boone, the noted hunter and Indian scout, lie was a soldier in the lievolutionary war. His son, Alexander Shaw, was born in Kentucky in 1792, and married Martha Culbertson, and came to Green County, Ohio, in 1816, where ! they lived until 1829, when they came to Shelby County and located in Sidney. He lived in Sidney but a few months when he bought a farm, i there until he died in 1849. Mrs. Shaw died in 1871. Samuel M. was born in Green County in 1818; came with his father to Sidney in 1829; was raised on the farm. After the death of his father he still remained at homeland maintained the family and paid ofT the indebtedness on the farm. In 1858 he married Catharine Burtgess, by whom he has three j children - Charles, Belle, and Sarah. Mr. Shaw has given his time and attention to the farm and the burning of lime, with the exception of some ten years that he lived in Sidney to give his children the advautage of schools.

As early as the middle of the eighteenth century Fergus, with his son Francis, came from Ireland to America, and located in Virginia. Francis remained iu Virginia, and married there. When he married, or to whom ' he was married, or the number of his family, to us is not Known ; but | we find that he had one son, John Fergus, born in 1794. He remained in Virginia until lie grew to manhood, when he was married to Nancy Guthrie, with whom lie lived less than a year, when she died. The time I of his marriage and deatli of his wife is not known. In 1819 he came to Miami County, Ohio, where, in 1820, he married Margaret Stafford. Through misfortune Mr. F. lost all his property, and in 1823 he removed to Shelby County, and bought land iu Washington Township. Here he ! stuck some stakes iu the ground, put up some poles, and covered it with i his wagon cover. This wns in July. In August, Joseph Fergus, the j until the death of his father in 1837, not having the advantage of a single day's schooling. In 1839 he went to learn the carpenter trade, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years. During this apprenticeship he received five months' schooling, all he ever got in his life. In 1847 he married Barbary Ullery. By this marriage they raised a family of eleven children, viz., Caroline E., Richard H., Sarah C., John S., Win.

Thompson Snodgrass, the father of Alexander, was born in Montgomery County in 1804. He lived there to marry Margaret Holmes. They remained in Montgomery until they removed to Shelby County in ; 1836. The family at that time consisted of three children, Alexander, Elizabeth J., and James. Alexander was born in Montgomery County in 1832. They located in Clinton Township, where he made his home until he married. In 1860 he married Clemena Boyer, a daughter of Jacob Boyer, who settled on the place where Mr. Snodgrass now lives ! in 1810. They have raised a family of five children, viz., Thompson L., Elizabeth F., Laura E., Ledora, and Sevella B.

The above was one of five children of Garret Lefferson, who was born in the State of New Jersey about 1795, and came to Ohio in tiie early part of the present century, and located in Hamilton County. Here in 1816 he married Sarah Barkalow, and remained in Hamilton County until he died in 1828. His widow lived to the age of seventy-seven i years, when she died in Butler County, Ohio, in 1875. William Lefferson, the one of whom we write, was born in Hamilton County in 1823, and was but five years of age at the death of his father. He then went to l live with his grandfather Barkalow, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. Iu 1848 lie came to Shelby County, and bought the land owned by his mother given to her by her father, Wil- i liam P. Barkalow. Shortly after coming to the eouuty he formed the ! acquaintance of Isabel J. Reynolds, to whom he was married in 1850. They have raised five children, as follows: David F., boru 1852; James

William Berry, near the site of the old red mill, built prior to the war of 1812. David Reynolds, father of Mrs. Lefferson, was born in Pennsvl- ' vania in 1786, married Sarah Stewart in 1813. When they first came to | Ohio they located in Warren County, but removed to Shelby County in 1830 when Mrs. Lefferson was four years of age. Mr. Reynolds lived in Orange till he died iu 1868. 1

Jacob Hetzler was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and. married there near the close of the eighteenth century, and shortly afterwards started for the West. At Pittsburgh they put their effects on a flat boat, and floated down the Ohio River, and landed at Cincinnati. The city at that time only contained a few houses. When Mr. H. started for the West, he took with him a barrel of apples. From the seeds of these apples some of the first orchards in Ohio were started. Some of the trees grown from these seeds are still standing and bearing fruit. Mr. Hetzler raised a family of nine children, seven boys and two girls. They located on a farm in Hamilton County, where they spent the rest of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Hetzler both died here about the same time, aged ninety-three years, and were buried on the farm on which they first settled.

About the year 1811 or 1812 Mr. Hetzler had come to the territory of Miami and Shelby counties and entered five eighty-acre lots of land adjoining each other. Three of them were in Shelby and two in Miami. These lands he gave to his five sons, John, Peter, Jacob, George, and Baltzer. Jacob, George, and Baltzer located in Shelby, the other two in Miami. John, the eldest of these boys, served in the war of 1812, and was a soldier under Gen. Harrison. George, the fourth son, was born in Hamilton County in 1800. lie lived at home with his parents until 1823, when he married Nancy Freeman. In 1827 he came with his wife and two children to Shelby County. Like all the early settlers they had nothing to commence with, except strong and willing hands, but by devoting his whole time and attention to the improvement of his land, he soon made of it a model farm, beside adding to it until he had nearly five hundred acres. They raised a family of six children, viz., Moses, Christopher, John F., Hannah, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Mr. Hetzler died in 1875. Iiis widow is still living on the old homestead with her daughter, Mrs. Shell.

Robert Packman was born in Canada in 1857, came to Shelby County in 1878, married Margaret B. Hetzler, a daughter of Moses Hetzler, in 1879. They have born to them one child, Charles F. They reside on the home with Mrs. George Hetzler, the grandmother of Mrs. Packman.

The father of the above - Joseph Green - was born in Massachusetts in 1790. In 1814 he married Rebecca A. Cottle, and the same year they moved to Ohio, and settled in Cincinnati, working for several years at the carpenter trade. Afterward he bought land in the western part of Hamilton County, on to which he moved and remained until 1824, when they removed to Warren County, Ohio, where they remained until 1832, then came to Shelby County, and located in Dinsmore Township, or what is now Dinsmore, as the township was not organized at that time. The first election held in the township was held at his house in the spring of 1833. At the time Mr. Green first came to the county, his family consisted of his wife and six children. That portion of the county was entirely unimproved; their cows had to run in the woods for pasture. It was not long before they discovered that the milk sickness was in the neighborhood. Their cattle and hogs died from the effects of it. Several persons also died of the same, among them were Mrs. Green and two of their daughters. Mr. Green became discouraged, and determined to leave the country. So he returned with the balance of his family to Hamilton County in 1833, where he died in 1834.

William Green, a son of the above, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1»20, consequently was twelve years of age at the time of their settlement in Shelby County. He returned with his father to Hamilton Count}', and remained there and in Cincinnati about one year. He then went to Warren County, where he worked by the day and month, getting work as best he could, part of the time getting only four dollars per month. In 1842 he married Miss Phebe Elwell, and immediately returned to Shelby County, Where they landed in the fall of 1842, with just one dollar in cash left to commence life with. With this cash capital they made their start, he working by da} - s' work for provision to live on until they could raise some corn and potatoes. From this beginning Mr. Green has made for himself and family a comfortable home. Every dollar of it made by their own hands, except forty acres of wild land. They have raised a family of eleven children, viz., Joseph, Martha, John, William, Charley, Emerson, Albert, George, Dora, Clarence, and Justice. In 1874 Mr. Green sold his farm in Dinsmore, and bought one in Orange, where he now lives rather a retired life, in the enjoyment of the fruit of his past labor. Beside this home farm he owns one of one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin.

Malen Elwell and his wife Martha Bevins, the parents of Mrs. Green, came from Pennsylvania to Highland County, Ohio, in 1825. The Elwells are of German descent; the Bevins of Welsh and Swiss extraction. Mrs. Green was born in Pennsylvania in 1822.

The Laymans are of German extraction. The first we learn of them was in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1795, where George Layman, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born, October, 1795. He was the eldest of the family. He received a liberal education, and followed teaching for many years. In 1825 he came to Shelby County, and entered eighty acres of land in Orange Township ; and the same year married Mary McKnight, who had come to Shelby County in 1823. Mr. Layman raised a family of four children, - John M. was the eldest. He was born in Orange Township in 1826. He was raised on the farm. After arriving at manhood he entered Miami University at Oxford, where he graduated in 1851. He then entered the Cincinnati Theological Seminary, where he remained two years, when the school was removed to Danville, Kentucky. He then went to Princeton Theological Seminary ; completing his studies in 1854. He then entered the regular ministry in northwestern Ohio, where he remained until 1867, when he returned to Shelby County, the place of his nativity, to care for his parents in their old days. 11 is mother diet! in 1868; his father in 1870. In 1872 Mr. Layman married Mrs. Mary Long, the widow of Rev. Adam Long, a Lutheran minister, who died in India while a missionary in that country. His wife was with him at the time, and was left a widow in that distant country with two children, viz., John D. and Carrie E. Mr. and Mrs. Layman have two children - George M. and Archibald E. The Rev. Mr. Layman at the present time is devoting the most of his time to his farm, but still finds time for his studies and clerical duties.

The Browns arc - as far back as we can learn - natives of Virginia. From there they removed to Kentucky, thence to the territory of Ohio, years before it became a State. They located within the present limits of Clermont County. This pioneer was Joseph Brown and his wife, Mary' Parker Brown. They settled here soon after their marriage. They raised a family' of twelve children. John was the fourth of the family; he was born in Clermont County in 1806. He lived to manhood on the farm, and worked with his father at the wheelwright trade. At intervals, when not engaged on the farm or otherwise, he would follow boating down the river. They would load a flatboat with grain or provisions, and take it down to Natchez or New Orleans - those being their principal points of trade. In ls29 he married Miss Mary Fitzwater, and the following year (1830) came to Shelby County, and settled on 160 acres of land that his father had entered several years prior. This land was all in the timber. From this wild, unbroken forest, he made a wellimproved farm. Here he lived to raise a family of six children, viz , Mariah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Lavina, John P., and F. Ward. Mr. Brown died June 17, 1879.

The Fitzwaters are of English descent. Their first location in America was in Pennsylvania. Thomas Fitzwater, the father of Mrs. Brown, came to Clermont County, Ohio, at the close of the last century. They lived in block-houses, and were among the first settlers of that county. It was here that Mrs. Brown was born in the year 1809.

was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1830. When about two y'ears of age his mother died. His father, just prior to this time, had left home on some business, and had gone to Cincinnati. From this time he was never heard from. It wa9 supposed that he was on board of a steamboat that was blown up on the river about that time. So he never knew father, mother, brother, Or sister. When six years of age he was indentured to a man by the name of John Matthews, with whom he learned the tanning trade. At the completion of his indenture he left and engaged in the lime trade, which business he has followed since that time. In 1855. he married Miss Almira Crane. In 1859 he moved to Shelby County and burned lime, and shipped the first car of lime on the I). and M. Railroad that went north from Sidney to Wapakoneta. After remaining here about eighteen months he returned to Montgomery County', and remained until 1865, when he returned to Shelby County and bought part of the old Berry farm, on the river, where lie built a limekiln, from which he ships from thirty to sixty tons each season, beside retailing about one-half that amount. They have raised three children - Susan P., Benjamin F., and William O. Their second child, Benjamin F., was killed by accident in 1877. In 1879 Mr. Cofield was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected in 1882.

was born in Prussia in 1822; lived there to marry Caroline Poppe in 1848. In 1853 they emigrated to the United Stales, and located in Cincinnati, where they remained one year, then came to Sidney, where he worked at the tailor trade about six years, then removed in 1860 to the place he now lives. They have had six children, only three of whom are now living, viz., Frederick, Emma, and John. The place on which Mr. L. now lives formerly' belonged to John Barber, who was born in New Jersey in 1782. He was married to Louisa Bolgus in 1819. She was a native of Germany, and born in 1795, and came to the United States in 1815. Mr. Barber came to Shelby County in 1830, and entered 160 acres of land, and had made partial improvements on it. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Barber, becoming enfeebled by age, and having no children to care for them in their old age, they persuaded Mr. Lilienkamp to move on to their place and care for them the rest of their days, which he did, giving them every comfort he could, and supplying their every want to their entire satisfaction. Previous to Mr. Barber's death he made a clear deed to Mr. L. of all his lands and personal property, to compensate him for his labor and kindness to himself and his wife. Mr. Barber died June, 1864; his wife died in 1861.

The name Morrow is a modification of the Scotch name of Murray'. The great-grandfather of James Morrow emigrated to America from Londonderry about 1730. John Morrow, the father of James, was born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about the time of the Revolutionary war. He was a brother of Jeremiah Morrow, who was the first Representative in Congress from Ohio; and also was Governor of Ohio from 1822 to 1826. Governor Morrow came to the territory of Ohio in 1795. He was a member of the first convention that framed the Constitution of the Slate. John Morrow, a younger brother of the Governor, came to Ohio at the beginning of the present century, and located in Butler County. Here he married Mary Robinson about 180-1. James was the second son of this marriage. He was born in Butler County in 1810. In 1818 his father entered three-quarter sections of land in what is now Shelby County. This land he gave to his children. In 1838 James married Miss Mary Clark, and the same y'ear moved to his present home in section 34, Orange Township. They have raised a family of six children, viz., tyary A., Margaret J., Rebecca, Sarah, Robert C., and Elijah J. Mrs. Morrow died in 1860, since which time Mr. M. has lived with his children.

came from Virginia to Shelby County in the fall of 1809, and settled on the bank of the Miami River, within the present limits of Orange Township, in section 14. His. home was here during the war of 1812. He built a block-house on his place for the protection of his family and neighbors against the invasion of hostile Indians. He left his family here while he joined Harrison's army in his march through northwestern Ohio. It was during this time, while he was absent, his horses and cattle were stolen by the Indians. Mr. Jackson lived to return to his home and clear his land, and was the first man to build a brick house in the township, which still stands as a monument to his memory.

Source changes here: from History of Shelby County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Hitchcock, Almon Baldwin Carrington, published 1913; 1,378 words in this source stream.

Orange Township

Begins at the south line of the county, on the Miami river; thence east to the west line of Green township, on the line between sections 34 and 28, town. 2, range 12; thence north to the south line of Perry township, in the middle of the 13th range; thence west with the line through the middle of the 13th range aforesaid to the Miami river; thence down the river to place of beginning.

Located in the southern part of the county, with its southern boundary touching Miami county, lies Orange township, which is one of the best improved sections of the county, the well tilled farms and general air of prevailing thrift giving evidence of successful agriculture. It has an area of about twenty-three square miles and embraces parts of town 1 and 2, of. range 12 and 13. Perry and Green townships lie along its eastern line and Clinton and Washington townships, separated from it by the Great Miami river, on the north and west.

Orange township was formed from Perry township. On September 13, 1819, the county commissioners, at their meeting held at Hardin, ordered that Perry township should be thus divided: a line running through the middle of the thirteenth range should have the southern division organized as a new township which should be called Orange, and that decision made Orange township include all the territory embraced within the present limits of Orange and Green townships. At a meeting held at Hardin by the commissioners, March 7, 1820, it was ordered that all that part of Orange township that is east of the west tier of sections in the second township of both ranges 12 and 13, be erected into a new township and that it should be given the name of Green.

Soil And Water

The surface of Orange township is generally undulating and along the water courses somewhat broken and hilly. The soil is well adapted to the growing of grains and grasses, consisting of gravel and clay loam, while the gravel beds have supplied sufficient gravel for the construction of many miles of fine roads. Along the banks of the Great Miami river there is an abundance of limestone, which has been worked more or less at different times. This township is well watered, principally by the Great Miami river, on the north and west side, and additionally by Brush and Rush creeks. There are also numerous fine springs.

Early Settlements

In 1806 the Cannon family located on section 16, this being the first white settlement made within the present limits of Orange township. In the spring of 1809 came John Phillips and William Berry and in the fall of the same year came Daniel Valentine and Edward Jackson. Still others, who settled here prior to the War of 181 2, were Thomas Young, Abram Glossmire, John Matthews, Luke Xorris, John Gilbert and Harman Dildine, and Judge Francis located here very soon after the close of the war. The first frame house was built by Wiliam Berry, who also erected the first flouring mill, and it is known that flour and meal came from this mill for General Harrison's troopers on their march to the Northwest. This was the only mill within a radius of fifty miles. With the outbreak of the War of 1812, the settlers found that the heretofore friendly Indians had become hostile to the settlers and hence it was deemed advisable to build block-houses in which the families could take shelter in case of a sudden alarm. One was accordingly built near the Berry mill and another on the farm of Edward Jackson, who later built the first brick house that was ever put up in Orange township. On March 17, 181 1, the first white child was born in the settlement - Isaac Young, who lived to an advanced age.

Orange township people soon showed interest in education and religion, the first schoolhouse being built on the farm of Thomas Young. The earliest teachers were Joseph Rollands and James B. McKenney, while Edward Jackson opened his house for church purposes in 181 5, services being held by an itinerant Methodist preacher, the Rev. John Furrow. Without question, he had a large and deeply interested congregation. Shortly afterward preaching followed at the home of Daniel Valentine, by Revs. John McNemer and Jacob Antrim.

United Brethren Church - The Valentines and the Youngs, prominent among the early settlers, had left, reluctantly, their old church connection when they came into this wilderness but very early began the organization of a United Brethren communion in the new settlement. The members of this faith were scattered but when the missionary preacher arrived he found a warm welcome and left with an assurance that the faith was not dead nor yet sleeping, only awaiting the time when the believers could assemble together and form the nucleus which, many years afterward, became the United Brethren church at Kirkwood. The early meetings were held at the houses of Daniel Valentine, Jacob Boyer and others until 1844, when a schoolhouse that had been erected on the present site of Kirkwood was utilized. In 1847 a frame edifice was constructed on the land of R. W. Valentine, and George Warvel was the name of the first preacher. It was used as a place of worship

And Representative Citizens 375

Wesley Chapel - The Methodist Episcopal church early sent missionaries to visit the settlers in Orange township. In 1833 regular meetings were held in the private houses of the members of this faith, by Rev. Arza Brown, and in 1840 the society built a brick structure, near the Miami county line, which hecame known as Wesley Chapel. Among the early members of this society were Henry Rhodehamel and wife, Father Kerns and wife, and Jacob Tabler and Amos Gray, with their families. This society did good Christian work in the community until a few years ago, when it disbanded.

Spring Creek Baptist Church - The society originally known as the Salem church was organized as early as 18 16. Like other struggling religious bodies its first meetings were held in private houses but later a log house was built on Spring creek and services were held there, the membership including the pioneer families of the neighborhood and also some from Piqua. As the society grew it was found desirable to have separate church bodies and in August, 1840, measures were taken for the organization of the Spring Creek Baptist church, the first pastor being Elder Eaton and the second, Elder Fuson. During the latter's pastorate a church edifice was erected. A nunjl>er of pious and zealous elders succeeded. In 1867, during the pastorate of Elder Daniel Bryant, a new church was built, it being located north of the Shelby and Miami company's line on a lot presented to the society by John F. Hetzler, in which services were subsequently held. This church has maintained its organization up to the present time, its present pastor being Rev. John T. Young.

A. D. Rhinehart, 1903. P. O. Stockstill, 1905. Ed Eisner, 1908. James Doak, 1908. P. O. Stockstill, 191 1. In 19 12 the trustees of Orange township are : S. T. Buirley, H. W. Caven and John Beaman, and the township clerk is James W. Wiley, of Sidney.

Kirkwood, a small village of about sixty-six inhabitants and formerly called Pontiac, was laid out in May, 1868, and is located in section 28, township 1, range 12 M. R. S. It lies six miles south of Sidney on the C. H. & D. Railroad. The first building was erected here in 1863, by G. W. Holley, and was a grain warehouse. Before engaging in the business, however, Mr. Holley sold to D. K. Gillespie, who began buying grain in 1864. In 1866 a store building was erected by H. S. Gillespie and Thomas McKee, which firm was succeeded by J. G. & Andrew Robinson, among later proprietors being Andrew Robinson (alone) and J. L. McKee. The village, which was originally known as Pontiac, in 1879 took the name in honor of D. Kirkwood Gillespie, who was proprietor of the grain elevator here. R. G. Knox keeps the general store and post office in Kirkwood. There is also a warehouse in Kirkwood owned by Adlard and Persinger of Sidney.