Orange Township (part 1 of 2)

Orange Township

Life in the woods, with all its attendant evils and privations, had its charms and enjoyments ; and there are but few early settlers who, in later years, relating the events of those days, do not look hack to the spot where stood the cabin, and to the friends who surrounded them at its cheerful fireside, with fond and tender recollections, and acknowledge that the days and years spent in their pioneer cabin homes were the happiest in their lives. The social gatherings of the scattered settlers . were enjoyed with real delight. Thej' were almost entirely free from collisions and strife, which so often distract older and larger communities. The quiet scenes of nature, the deep solitude of the forest, their dependence one upon another, all exerted an influence on their minds, and restrained their grosser passions.

We love to look back to these early scenes. Each epoch has its attraction to us, whether memory or fancy brings it to our minds. When we go back in memory to 1806, to the date of the first settlement in the present limits of this township, and then trace along in our minds the succeeding years up to the close of the War of 1812, many incidents rise up before us, ami with them the faces of those who were associated with the events of that day. It was the age of the log cabin, when nothing but a dense forest covered the whole land ; and the lied men, still scarcely disturbed, hunted their game in their native forest. The only roads were paths made by the natives, or that of the deer seeking a place to quench their thirst. With these early recollections are associated the names of the Cannons, Berrys, "Phillipses, Valentines, Jacksons, Youngs, anti a few others who had dared to brave the danger and hardship of trying to make a home in this wild and unbroken forest.

Of these sturdy pioneers not one is now left to tell the story of their struggles. It is only from their descendants, some of whom were quite young, or were born here, and have heard their fathers and mothers tell of their many hardships, that we have to depend for all we can learn of them. It must be remembered that more than threescore years and ten have passed away since the first settlement of those we have mentioned was made within the limits of this township.

The imagination of the present generation cannot conceive, much less the pen describe, the life of the early pioneer. In a country of dense, unbroken forest, miles from the habitation of civilization, without roads or means of communication, without schools or churches, or any of the advantages they had enjoyed in their former homes; almost invariably poor, without any means of support, except their strong and willing hands, they find themselves in a rude cabin, without a floor or chimney, and perhaps without an article of furniture, except such as they could improvise out of split puncheon, clap-boards, poles, and bark. Their slumber disturbed by the howling of wolves at their doors - which were made of blankets - and frequently startled by the entrance of Indians in their cabins without warning, seeking shelter, or something to eat. Then, ns if this was not enough to discourage their brave hearts, just as they were beginning to make a little opeuing around them and raise something to live on, the War of 1812, with all its horrors, broke out upon them, and the Red man, who heretofore had been friendly', became hostile. The massacre of the Dilbones and Garrards in their midst caused them to seek protection for their wives and children. They were compelled to build forts and block-houses, to which they fled to save their lives.

A block-house was built at the site of the Berry mill, and another at the home of Edward Jackson, both within the limits of this township Some who were children at that time, and were taken to these places of security, still survive, and can call to mind the horrors of those day's. This black cloud hung over them for the space of more than two years. Some of the settlers returned to their former homes in the older sections of the country', and did not return for several years. Others braved the danger until the war was over. No man attempted to leave his house without his trusty rifle. His eve and ear were always open to danger. With his axe in one hand and his gun in the other he went forth to his daily labor. To add still more to their measure of suffering, some of them while in the fort had their horses and cattle driven off by the Indians.

If one of these old pioneers could be called back to earth at the present time, and be shown his former home, where once stood his rude cabin, he would find in its stead the more substantial brick or frame. Well-cultivated fields, without a stump, where used to be a dense forest of timber; where once stood the Indian wigwam now stands the church with its steeple, or the brick school-house, offering a free Gospel and free education to his worthy posterity'. Instead of his ears being saluted by the howl of the wolf, or the " blood-curdling" war-whoop of the Indian, he would be startled by the whistle of the locomotive, with her long train of freight or passenger ears, as she flies along with lightning speed on her iron-bound track. Show him the many inventions that the ingenuity of man has brought forth since his day to save labor, - the reaper, the thresher, the sewing-machine, and many' other labor-saving machines. Then take him to the seat of justice of your county, show him the new court-house. Take him into your fine churches, let him hear the Gospel preached by the modern preacher, and let him listen to the church choir with their pipe organ. Let him see the wonderful growth of the county sent, with all its manufacturing interests, - the same place from which he had helped to take out the first grub and erect the first cabin. Let him drive your fine learn and carriage along your gravelled roads. Show him all the improvements that have been made since his day'. Let him pass through the strife of one political campaign and see its corruption. Take him to your home, into your parlor ; let him mingle but for a day in fashionable society. Show him the fashionable young gentleman and young lady of the day. Then ask him, What do you think? Which do you prefer, - the past as you know it, or the present as you find it?

It is easy to imagine what his answer would be. Give me back the days of old ; let me go back to my log-cabin home beside the Miami, where I took my youthful bride; where with empty hands, but with brave and honest hearts, we fought out the battle of life; where we knew nought of envy, strive, or pride, or any' of the evils that have arisen among you since we left. Give me the social greeting and warm sympathy that were extended from one to another, the hearty welcome given to the cabin fireside, the honest friendship of the Pioneer , and you may have all your riches and modern improvements, with the selfishness that attends them.

This township is situated in the southern part of the county, and borders on Miami County. It embraces parts of town. 1 and 2, of range 12 and 13, and has an area of about twenty-three square miles. It is bounded on the east by Perry and Green, on the south by Miami County, and on the north and west by Clinton and Washington townships.

At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners, held at Hardin, September 13, 1819, it was ordered that Perry Township be divided as follows: Running through the middle of the thirteenth range, and that the south part of said township be organized into a new township by the name of Orange, and that the election for township officers be held at the house of William Minnear on the 23d instant.

It will lie seen by the above description that Orange Township up to this time embraced all the territory within the present limits of Orange and Green.

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 12th and 13th ranges be erected into a new township by the name of Green.

The surface of this township is generally undulating, and along the river somewhat broken and hilly. The soil is of a mixed character, consisting of gravel and clay loam, and is well adapted to the growing of the cereals as well as grass. Springs abound, and the whole township is well watered by living streams. The north and west side is bordered

A sufficient quantity of good gravel is found within its limits for road purposes. There are some twenty-eight or thirty miles of gravelled roads within the township. There is an abundance of limestone found along the banks of the river. Nearly all the limestone found in the county is found within this township. Lime of the very best quality is burned and shipped in large quantities from the various kilns along the bank of the river.

Orange is one of the best improved townships in the county. The farms are generally small, containing from 40 to 160 acres. The improvements denote enterprise and thrift on behalf of the owners.

The first white settlement made within the present limits of Orange was made on section 16, by the Cannon family in 1806, but they remained on this land but a short time, when they removed to where the town of Sidney now is located. The Cannons were soon followed by John Phillips and William Berry in the spring of 1809. In August of the same year Daniel Valentine came in. Also the same fall Edward Jackson located here.

The following year (1810) Thomas Young, Abram Glossmire, John Matthews, Luke Norris, John Gilbert, and Harman Dildine were found here. The above are the names of all that we can learn of that were here prior to the war of 1812. Judge Francis must have come shortly after the close of the war, but the exact time of his settlement cannot be ascertained.

The first frame house was built by Win. Berry, who also erected the first flouring mill. This mill was built prior to the war of 1812, for it is known that flour or meal was ground in this mill for Harrison's army on its march to the northwest. This mill ground the grain for the early settlers, who came from a distance of forty and fifty miles. There also was a block-house erected near the mill for the protection of the settlement. There also was one at the home of Edward Jackson, a couple of miles farther up the river. The first brick house was built by Edward Jackson. The firstorchard was planted by Wm. Berry or Thomas Young. The first birth was Isaac Young, born March 17, 1811. He is now the oldest resident in the county who was born here. The first school-house was built on the land of Thomas Young in the year 1817. The first teacher was Joseph Hollands or .las. B. McKenncy. Of the scholars who attended school there is but one left in the county, viz., John McKenney.

The first preacher was a M. E. minister by the name of John Furrow, who preached at the house of Edward Jackson as early as 1815. He was soon followed by a U. B. minister, named John McNemer, and Jacob Antrim, at the house of Daniel Valentine.

The following is a list of the township officers, as complete as could be gathered, from the organization of the township in led 9 to the present time: -

Trustees: John Manning, Michael Young, and Wm. Richardson in 1819. John Bryan, Daniel Vandemark, and Wm. Berry in 1820. John Manning, Daniel Vandemark, and Wm. Berry in 1821-22. John Bryan, Daniel Vandemark, and Daniel Valentine in 1828-24. John Bryan, Geo. Layman, and Daniel Vandemark in 1825. Jacob Hetzler, Thomas Mc- Kee, and John Francis in 1826. John Musgrove, Henry Musgrove, and Jonathan Eldridgein 1827. Henry Musgrove, Win. Minnear, and Jacob Hinkle in 1828. Wm. Gibson, John Underwood, and Samuel Miller in 1829. Wm. Gibson, James Bryan, and Daniel Vandemark in 1830. Wm. Gilison. George Hetzler, and Daniel Reynolds in 1832. Wm. Gibson, James Patten, and David Hoover in 1833. Thomas McKee, John V. Higgins, and Samuel M. Miller, in 1834. Samuel M. Miller, James Mc- Lean, and Richard W. Valentine in 1835. John V. Higgins, James Mc- Lean, and David Adams in 1836. Wm. Mendenhall, 11. W. Valentine, and John V. Higgins in 1837. R. W. Valentine, James McKnight, and James McLean in 1838-39. R. W. Valentine, David Reynolds, and Jas. McLean in 1840. R. W. Valentine, David Reynolds, and James Patten in 1841-43. R. W. Valentine, David Reynolds, and James McLean in 1844-45. It. W. Valentine, B. D. Duboise, and James McLean in 1846. David Reynolds, David Buchanan, and George Hetzler in 1847. B. D. Duboise, David Buchanan, and George Hetzler in 1848. B. I). Duboise, Jacob Rhodehamel, and Luke Fish in 1849. George Hetzler, George Layman, and Luke Fish in 1850. Luke Fish, Peter Prudcn, and J. D. Barkalow in 1851-52. James J. Bryan, George Hetzler, and Thomas Higgins in 1853. David Buchanan, George Hetzler, and Thomas Higgins in 1854-55. Sand Stephenson, George Hetzler, and Thomas Higgins in 1856. Joseph Fergus, Joseph T. Barkalow, and Thomas Higgins in 1857-58. S. M. Shaw, Joseph T. Barkalow, and Thomas Higgins in 1859-60. S. M. Shaw, J. K. Pruden, and Thomas Higgins in 1861. S. M. Shaw, Asa A. Evans, and Thomas Higgins in 1862. S. M. Shaw, J. K. Pruden, and Thomas Higgins in 1863. S. M. Shaw, M. Berry, and Thomas Higgins in 1864. Joseph T. Barkalow, J. A. Voorhees, and Thomas Higgens in 1865. Joseph T. Barkalow, J. A. Voorhees, and J.

B. Braden in 1866. J. A. Yoorhees, Wm. Shaw, and J. B. Hetzler in 1867. J. A. Voorhees, Reuben Voorhees, and Thomas Higgins in 1868. R. C. Hamilton, Francis Hetzler, and Thomas Higgins in 1869. R. C. Hamilton, J. D. Barkalow, and I'homas Higgins in 1870. Thomas Stockstill, J. D. Barkalow, and Frank Hetzler in 1871. Thomas Stockstill, J.

D. Barkalow, and T. J. Martin in 1872. Thomas Stockstill, G. W. Littlejohn, and T. J. Martin in 1873. Levi Cofield, G. W. Littlejohn, John McKee in 1874. T. J. Martin, G. W. Littlejohn, and John McKee in

1875. J. D. Barkalow, John Knoop, and F. Hetzler in 1876. William Simes, John Knoop, and F. Hetzler in 1877-78. D. M. Pruden, Wm. Simes, and J. G. Higgins in 1879. D. M. Pruden, William Simes, and Okey Voorhees in 1880. J. D. Barkalow, Fred. Pense, and W. W. Haney in 1881. Okey Voorhees, J. D. Barkalow, and John B. Hetzler in 1882.

Constables: Samuel Marrs in 1819. Richard Bush and Thomas Mc- Kee in 1820. Philander Kitchen and Thomas McKee in 1821. Joseph Bonnet and Richard Bush in 1822. Wm. Minnear and Thomas McKee in 1823. George Botkins in 1826. Thomas McLean and Win. Berry in 1827. Jonathan Eldridge in 1829. Richard Valentine in 1830. Samuel Miller and George Layman in 1832. Aaron Young in 1833. Aaron Young and Wm. Higgins in 1834. Robert Doak and S. M. Miller in 1835. John Boggs and J. M. Shaw, 1836. James Bryan and Robert Doak in 1837. Wm. N. Keesee and J. I. Bryan in 1838-39. Daniel Valentine and J. I. Bryan in 1840. Aaron Young and William Fish in 1841. Aaron Young and Josiah P. Harman in 1842. William Patten and Thomas C. Wiley in 1843. D. G. Barkalow and Thomas Higgins in 1844-46. Solomon Rhodehamel and Thomas Higgins in 1847-49. Sam. Stephenson and J. B. Brading in 1850. John M. Hetzler and W. A. Carey in 1851. John M. Hetzler and S. M. Shaw in 1852. Adam Lynn and John M. Hetzler in 1853. S. M. Shaw and F. L. Bull in 1854. J.

E. Bush and Joseph Cooper in 1855. J. E. Bush and Thomas Proctor in 1856. B. F. Bull and John Higgins in 1857. Lewis Webster and John Higgins in 1858. J. E. Bush and R. W. C. Buchanan in 1859-60. John Faulder and II. W. C. Buchanan in 1861. George Faulder and James Wilson in 1862. Wallace Young in 1863. Wm. Woolery and W. Young in 1864. J. II. Dunn and William J. Wile}' in 1865. J. K. Bennet and John F. Kiggens in 1866. R. Willson and Ennis Sherwood in 1867-68. M. T. Lane and J. Faulder in 1869. M. T. Lane and J. A. Eldridge in 1870. M. T. Lane and A. Einmiek in 1871. M. T. Lane and W. Faulder in 1872. R. P. Hammond and Moses Hetzler in 1873. George Faulder and Wesley Lyon in 1874. F. Lillien Kamp and Wm. Sanders in 1875. James Smith and Wm. Sanders in 1876. Wm. Sanders and F. M. Bull in 1877. Wm. Sanders and E. Cooper in 1878. Wm. B. Lefferson and Elias Randolph in 1879. W. H. Bryan and H. A. Hubbard in 1880. H. A. Hubbard and J. G. Sarver in 1881.

Pontiac was laid out for W. M. and H. S. Gillespie, and A. R. and J. G. Robinson, May 20, 1868. It is located in section 28, town. 1, range 12 M. R. S. Main Street is one chain and nine links wide, and bears south 88ij 0 east. All other lines parallel to or at right angles with Main

Street except those bordering on the railroad. The distance in chains of regular lots is 250; that of irregular lots is marked upon the respective lines. All alleys arc 23 links wide.

The plat consisted of nine lots, four by eight rods. It is located on the D. & M. R. R., six miles south of Sidney. The first building erected was by G. W. Holley in 1863. It was a small warehouse for the purchase of grain, but before commencing operations he sold to D. K. Gillespie, who enlarged the capacity and commenced buying grain in 1864. The next place of business was a store built by H. S. Gillespie & Thomas McKee in 1866. Gillespie & McKee were succeeded by J. G. & Andrew Robinson. The latter sold his interest to J. G. Robinson, who carried on the business for several years, then sold to J. L. McKee, who is the present occupant. Kirkwood contains only nine dwellings, and has about forty -five or fifty inhabitants. It has one store, one grain elevator, one blacksmith shop, one physician (J. J. Millhouse), one U. B. Church, and one school-house. There is not, perhaps, a shipping point in the county outside of Sidney that buys and ships more grain than this place.

The town was originally called Pontiac, but owing to the fact that there was another town and post-office of the same name, it was changed to that of Kirkwood in 1879, in honor of D. Kirkwood Gillespie, the proprietor of the elevator at that place.

As early as 1816 or 1817 the missionary preacher of the United Brethren Church came to the wilds of this township to preach the gospel to the scattered few who had found their way to this almost unbroken wilderness. Here he found a few who had formerly belonged to this denomination ; among them the Valentines and Youngs. The first public religious service held within the present limits of this township was held at the house of Daniel Valentine about 1816 or 1817. We cannot learn that there was any class or society formed until several years afterward, when a class was formed at the house of Jacob Boj'er. The class consisted of Daniel Valentine and wife, Jacob Boyer and wife, Thomas Young and wife, E. Boggs and wife, - Ileath and wife, and - Kerns and wife. Meetings were held at the home of Jacob Boj'er and others for years. In 1844 the place of worship was changed to a school-house near the present site of Kirkwood, where it continued a couple of years, then was removed to the house of Isaac Evans, near where the Berry Mill formerly stood. In 1847 they erected a frame church on the land of R. W. Valentine, near the site of the present church. This church was about thirty by forty feet square, and built by James Fergus, under the supervision of George VVarvel, the preacher in charge, and was dedicated the same year. The trustees were Isaac Young, E. Boggs, Daniel and Jacob Rasor, and Isaac Evans. This house was used as a place of worship until 1876, when a more neat and commodious structure was erected in Kirkwood. This church was built under the administration of E. Counselor at a cost of alxnit $2500. The trustees of the new church at the time of its erection were, James Fergus, Isaac Young, Milton Valentine, J. H. Valentine, W. B. Lefferson, Win. Baity, and David Dunn. The present pastor is R. W. Wilgus.

The first meetings established by this denomination were at a very early date, but just the time is not known. But knowing the missionary spirit that prevailed among the early Methodist preachers, and also owing to the fact that Orange Township was one of the first settled in the county - her settlement dating back as early as 1806 - it is fair to presume that the pioneer minister sought out this early settlement to give to them the bread of life as early - as there was a sufficient number who would associate themselves together to form a class.

The first class that we have any knowledge of being formed was at the house of John Stoker; it consisted of John Stoker and wife, Israel Post and wife, Michael Young and wife, George Berry, ami perhaps some others whose names are now forgotten. This society existed for some length of time, but was finally - abandoned.

In 1832 another society was formed by Rev. Daniel D. Davidson at the house of John Stoker. The first class consisted of Israel Post, - Braden and wife, John M. Bull and wife, John Stoker and wife, John Underwood, and Thomas Holmes. Meetings were held for a number of years at the house of John Stoker until his removal; they were then held at the house of Win. Minnear until 1843, when they built a frame church on the land of Israel Post. The first trustees of the church were John M. Bull, Win. Shinn, Butler Randolph, John Hart, and Israel Post. The society is known as Orange Chapel, and has a membership of about forty. The present pastor is ltev. Young.

mostly within the border of Miami County. The members who constituted the first class were, Henry Rhodehamel and wife, Father Kerns and wife, Jacob Tabler and family, and Amos Gray and family. In 1840 the society built a brick church in the south part of the township, near the Miami County line, and it is known as Wesley ChapeL

The following sketch of this church is taken from one written by Richard A. Denman for the Miami Union Association in 1879. This society originally was known as the Salem Church, and dates its existence from about 1816, at which time they met in private houses for worship; but eventually built a log cabin on the banks of Spring Creek, which served the purpose well for a time, as the settlement was sparse.

There were a number of the memliers of the church living in Piqua and its immediate vicinitj' who had no means of conveyance of their own. Therefore a move was made to remove the place of meeting to Piqua. It was objected to at first, but upon due deliberation the country memliers withdrew their objections, and decided to go to town. At this time Elder Willis Ilance was pastor of Salem Church; he was so much of a pioneer woodsman that he could not consent to go to town as pastor, and preach to the lawyers, doctors, and gentry; but put him in the log cabin or leafy grove, and he could wield the sword of the spirit with power.

The Rev. Daniel Bryant became the first pastor, and preached the first sermon to the church in its new location. At this time Elder Bryant lived in Hamilton, Ohio. The distance was so great, and having to travel on horseback, he soon gave up the pastorate, and Elder J. L. Moore was called to fill his place. The church in Piqua now having become numerically strong, and the members of Spring Creek not having lost their preference for country life, some twenty-one of them counselled together as to the propriety of asking letters of dismission from Piqua, in order to join in a church constitution on Spring Creek. On the first day of August, 1840, letters were granted, and on the 22d of the same month they held their first meeting, and resolved to go into a constitution on the 9th of October. *

On the 17 th of October the church met for the purpose of electing officers and calling a pastor. The first call was made to Elder Eaton, of Troy, to which he agreed, and entered upon his duties, which he filled until Julj', 1842, when Elder Fuson accepted the pastoral care of the church. Previous to this time the church had occupied a log cabin school-house most of the time as a place of worship. An effort was made to build a suitable house. A kind neighbor leased a lot of ground, upon which a neat church was built.

Elder Fuson continued to labor in the pastoral office of the church until March, 1846, when he declined serving the church any longer as pastor. Robert Duncan, a licentiate of the church, then served as pastor until January, 1847. Evan J. Thomas was then called, and served acceptably until July, 1849. David Scott then accepted a call, and labored until

1852, James Jackson, a licentiate of the church, was ordained to preach, and served the church until August, 1854. Elder Mason Pearce served from this time to 1855. He was succeeded by Samuel Bower, who continued to serve until 1859. Newton Frazer served from February, i860, until April, 1862, when J. W. Icenberger was called to the pastorate, and served until July, 1864. In May, 1865, Elder Daniel Bryant accepted the pastoral work. It was during Rev. Bryant's pastorate that the subject of building a new church edifice more centrally located was agitated, a number of the members living south of the church having changed their location a more central place for the church was desired. After mature deliberation a lot was given by John F. Hetzlcr, just north of the Shelby and Miami Company's line, upon which they built a substantial frame house. It was built in a neat but plain style at a cost of $3500. It was dedicated Sunday, December 15, 1867. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder Daniel Shepherdson. Elder Bryant continued as pastor for some time after the completion of the church, when he was - succeeded by G. W. Taylor, who labored for some time. He was followed by Rev. Christy, and he by Elder Z. Ross. Afterward the pulpit was filled by Elder W. R. Thomas, who served as pastor until February, 1879. The society has licensed and sent forth to preach four ministers, viz., Robert Duncan, James Jackson, Samuel DeWeese, and Abner Denman, all of whom are now dead, and gone to their reward.

Away back during the colonial period, back almost a century prior ta the Revolution, back about the year 1680, the Valentines were found among those sturdy Dutch immigrants who sought the hospitality of the western world, which was as yet too young to have reared oppression, tyranny, or persecution. On reaching America they settled in New York, but a little later drifted to New Jersej - , where several generations of the family name have passed their lives, and where the descendants of the original stock may still be found. In the course of years the Revolution was fought out, and its close inaugurated a new era of immigration, for the "star of empire" at this period resumed its westward course.

The Ohio Valley, with the vast expanse of territory north and west, was yet an almost untraeked, unknown, and inhospitable wild. Obeying the same irresistible law to which the celestial stars are subject, the "star of empire" of migration moved westward, until it paused for a moment and shed its benignant beams upon the valley of the Ohio, until that valley became the home of teeming thousands.

It was at this period of general agitation and public ferment that Daniel Valentine was born in New Jersey. His natal year was also that of the nation, for he was born in 1776, the year in which the nation sprang into being. His youth was spent amid the excitements incident to the Revolutionary War and the western expeditions of Clarke, of Harmar, of St. Clair, and ere he had attained his majority General Wayne had dictated terms of peace to the Indians of the Northwest. He had heard and read of all these stirring occurrences in the Northwest, and looked upon the admission of Ohio into the sisterhood of States from his distant home in New Jersey; but, in 1805, the tide was too strong, and he was carried with it to the Mad River V alley, of which he had rend and dreamed for years. In 1799 he had married Rachel Winans, and six years later 'they were found within the present limits of Champaign County, where they remained about four years.

In the year 1809 they moved within the present boundaries of Orange Township, near where the old Berry mill was afterward erected. At this time the family" consisted of four small children, and this family probably constituted the fourth within the township, the other three, as nearly as can be ascertained, being the Cannon, Berry, and Phillips families, who probably settled here prior to 1809.

Daniel Valentine entered land immediately upon his arrival here, but was only able to make partial payment, and so was under the necessity of borrowing the greater portion of the purchase money. Still he was not dependent upon the farm alone, for he carried with him the skill of a shoemaker, and at the outset found himself in command of this trade for an area greater that which is now comprised within the whole county. In 1820 his wife died, and a few years later he married Isabel Jameson, who survived him several years, his death having occurred in 1849.

From the date of his arrival here in 1809 up to the time of his death he continued a permanent resident of Orange Township, and was one of the leading spirits of the settlement.

One of His sons, Richard W. Valentine, an honored pioneer of this county, is now living a retired life, somewhat enfeebled, but surrounded by the comforts of life, and in the full enjoyment of the respect of the whole community.

He was one of the four children already mentioned as comprising his father's family in 1809, and was born in Champaign County in 1806. He was thus three years of age when his parents took their second step westward, and settled in a country largely occupied bv the red man and animals of different species His education was such as was diffused by virtue of short school terms held in the proverbial log house, so characteristic of the early' days of every Western community. When he reached his sixteenth year he was apprenticed by his father to a blacksmith, named Alexander Moreland, with whom he remained until he reached his majority.

In 1828 he opened the first blacksmith shop within the township at the old site of Berry's mill. The following year, or 1829, he married Miss Annaliza, daughter of William and Betsy Cecil. She was born in Virginia in the year 1811, and was brought to this county by her parents in 1814.

After his marriage Mr. Valentine continued working at his trade, until failing health compelled him to abandon his forge and seek other employment. He had purchased fifty-five acres of timber land, which he cleared, and to which he has since added about two hundred and fifty acres, making about three hundred acres in his home farm, while elsewhere within the county he owns some five hundred acres, making in all about eight hundred acres. Such is the reward of industry, perseverance, and economy, that no man in the enjoyment of health should know such word as fail. Mr. Valentine may be said to have battered and drilled those acres out of his anvil, for at the outset he stood with empty hands. The rewards of industry and honesty are his to-day, as evidenced by his comfortable home surroundings, and the esteem in which he is held by a whole community. He has reared a family of seven children, five of whom are still living. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Samuel, born 1832; John, born 1836; Rachael, born 1840; William, born 1843; and Mary, born 1856.

Since writing the above we learn of the death of Richard W. Valentine. He died April 12, 1882, and was buried at Wesley Chapel, April 14th, by the Masonic fraternity, of which he had been a consistent member for many years.

William C. Valentine, a son of Richard W., was born in 1843; was married to Mary C. Higgins in 1865. She died in 1872, leaving two children, viz., Estella E. and Frances R. In 1874 he married Sarah C.

Fergus, a daughter of Joseph Fergus. By this union they have one child, Mamie B. Mr. Valentine is a resident and owner of the old homestead of his father, a view of which is shown in this work.

Thomas H. Fergus, a son of Samuel M. and Eliza A. (Hull) Fergus, was born in Shelby County in 1854. Married Mary A. Valentine, a daughter of Richard W. Valentine, in 1876. They have three children, Frank P., Lottie E., and Leonard C. They reside on section 23, near Kirkwood, on part of the Valentine farm.

David Valentine, the fifth of the family of Daniel Valentine, was born about two years after his father settled on the banks of the Great Miami. He was born May 12, 1811. He lived on the farm with his father until eighteen years of age, when he went to -learn the blacksmith trade with his brother Richard. He served an apprenticeship of three years, then continued to work at his trade for six years. During this time he taught one term of school, for which he received $6.25 per month. In 1837 he bought a small piece of land from Thomas Young, in section 23 March 14, 1838, he married Nancy Cecil, a sister of Mrs. Richard W. Valentine. They shortly afterwards settled on this little farm. It was not long before he had added to his home fifty acres more land. In a few years he, together with his brother Richard, bought the home place of his father; then a few years later he bought his brother's interest, and moved on to the old homestead. They raised a family of five children, as follows : Cynthia A., Milton, Lewis, John H., and Ellen. Only three are now living.

Mr. Valentine was an industrious and energetic man, and lived to accumulate a flue property. Before he died he was the owner of about 700 acres of land in the county, he being one of the wealthiest men in the township at the time of his death. He died in 1867 on the same farm on which he was born. His widow is living on the old homestead, where her husband was born, with her son, John H.

William Cecil, the father of Mrs. Richard W. and Mrs. David Valentine, was married to Betsey Guthrie in 1809, in Virginia, and came to Shelby County in 1814, and located on what is now the Infirmary farm.

Milton Valentine, a son of David Valentine, was born in Orange Township in 1844. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. In 1869 he married Matilda Myers, a daughter of Harman and Matilda Farrow Myers. She was born in Shelby County in 1853. Mr. Valentine is located on section 23, where he has one of the best improved farms in the township. In fact it is a model farm.

John n. Valentine, another son of David Valentine, was born in 1849. lie also was raised on a farm. In 1872 he was married to Sarah 'Jane Taylor. By this union they have four children, viz., Anna B., born 1873; Otella M., born 1876; Maggie D., born 1879; and Joseph C., born 1881. John H. is now the owner of the old homestead of his grandfather and his father, it being one of the first settled farms of the county, settled in ls09.

For the history of the ancestry of this pioneer family of Shelby County we go to the Carey Memorials, published by General S. F. Carey. From this we learn that John Carey, the first of the name to come to America, was born in Somersetshire, England. He joined the Plymouth Colony, about 1634. Also one James Carey joined the Massachusetts Colony about 1635, and settled on a farm near where Boston now is located. It is still known as the Carey farm.

We will not attempt to trace the genealogy of this large family name in a chronological order, but will skip to the fifth generation from John Carey, and come down to Ezra Carey, who was born in Morris County, N. J., 1735; lie married Lydia Thompson, and removed to Western Pennsylvania in 1777; from thence to Western Virginia, and from there to the territory of Ohio about 1795; crossing the river near Marietta; he remained here until 1810, when he came to the present limits of Shelby County, where he died in 1828, at the age of 93 years.

CEPHAsCAREV,a sonof Ezra Carey, was born near Elizabeth City, N. J., December 25, 1775. He accompanied his father to Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio. In the year 1800 he was elected a justice of the peace, in accordance with an act passed by the Legislative Council of tlie Northwestern Territory, he being the first justice of the peace in the territory. In 1803 he was commissioned a captain of militia, and the same year married Jane Williamson

In the year 1810 they came to the wilds of Shelhy County, and settled on the west fork of Turtle Creek, near where now stands the town of Hardin, where he, assisted by a few neighbors, erected a blockhouse, which gave them protection and shelter from hostile Indians. He was several times in Cincinnati when there were but two or three log cabins there, and made two or three trips to New Orleans on flat-boats with produce, returning by New York, there being no direct communication south of the Ohio River. This was prior to steam navigation, which was inaugurated in 1811, under the direction of Mr. Roosevelt, of New York.

The year 1811 was an eventful one to the early settlers of the Northwest. The Indians were very troublesome, making frequent incursions into the settlements, carrying ofT horses, cattle, and supplies, and now and then killing a settler. Earthquakes, comets, eclipses of the sun, false prophets in diverse places predicting that three-fourths of the inhabitants were to be destroyed by the direct visitation of God ; and last, though not least, the battle of Tippecanoe was fought on the 7th of November, which brought grief and distress into every house in the land, as there were but few who had not some relative or friend among the gallant slain or wounded.

In the course of a few years following the successful march of the United States army dgainst the British and their allies, the country filled up rapidly, and civilization pushed forward with rapid strides.

Thus it was while the young nation was growing rapidly, and everything was bright and joyous, the war had closed, high hopes of the future were entertained, when the relentless hand of death entered the family of Mr. Carey and took from him his companion, leaving him with eight small children. This sad event occurred in 1814. The names of these children were as follows: Lydia, John W., Wm. A., Nancy W., Drucilla, David, Thomas M., and Jeremiah. The following year, 1815, he married Mrs. Rhoda Garrard, whose husband had been killed by some Indians near Piqua in 1813. By his second marriage they had eight children, viz., Benjamin W., Stephen C., Sally A., Simon B., Mary T., Harvey G , Jason S-, and Milton T. His second wife died about 1850. He then married for his third wife Elizabeth Mendenhall. By industry and frugality he was enabled to secure for himself and family a competency. He was noted for his high-toned honor and liberality, and spent much of his time dispensing charities to the poor, and in promoting education and the spread of the Gospel.

He reared a family of eight sons and eight daughters, all of whom lived to adult age, and he lived to see enumerated as his direct descendants sixteen children, eighty-three grandchildren, seventy great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, making a total of one hundred and seventy-two.

Mr. Carey lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years. He died March 13, 1868. A number of years prior to his death he sold his farm, and moved to the town of Sidney.

Judge William A. Cakey, a son of Cephas Carey, was born January 9, 1806; was brought by his father to this county in 1810, they being among the first, if not the first, settlers in Turtle Creek Township. It was here in the woods, "amid the howling of the wolves" and the "hooting of the owls," that young Carey received his early education from nature. It was not until after the war that there were any schools, and by this time he was big enough to pick brush and help his father clear his land. He received (by a few months' instruction in the winter season) the rudiments of arithmetic, and learned to read and write. After arriving at manhood he had a desire to learn something of English grammar and geography. He came to Sidney to see if he could find a teacher there ; but found they did not teach those branches there. He then went to Piqua, but with the same result. He then bought himself a copy of Kirkham's Grammar, and studied it at home. In this manner he acquired all the education he ever received. During the war of 1812 there was a block-house built on the land of Mr. Carey, which was occupied by a squad of soldiers for more than a year for the protection of the settlement.

In May, 1833, Mr. Carey was married to Miss Catharine Vandemark, a daughter of Daniel Vandemark. Soon after their marriage they moved to the town of Sidney, where he engaged in teaching school, which he continued for about one year. He then bought land in Orange Township, and moved on to it, cleared his land, and made for himself a comfortable home. Mr. Carey was successful as a farmer, and accumulated a large body of land, but through misfortune lost the most of it.

Judge Carey has, from his early manhood to the present time, had the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, which has been evidenced by his election to the more important offices of his township. He has been justice of the peace for many years, and was also clerk of his township several terms. He was twice honored as associate judge of the county. He was also Government revenue assessor for five townships. Judge Carey and wife reared a family of five children, viz., Catharine J-, William F., Henry Clay, Josephine, and Clementine. Mrs. Carey died some months ago, since which time the Judge has made his home with his children.

William F. Caret, son of William A. and Catharine Carey, was born in Shelby County, November 9, 1837. In 1872 he married Miss Margaret V. Glick (a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Stockstill) Glick). They have born to them two children, Catherine E., born 1874, and Glick, born 1877.

was born in Baden, Germany, in 1827, came to America, and settled in Shelby County in 1847. In 1855 he married Elizabeth Winter. They had born to them twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz., Kate, Martin, Christian, Sarah, Frank, George, Anna, Rosa, and Elizabeth. Mr. Foster commenced on sixty-five acres of land in the woods; to this he added until he had 160 acres of well-improved land. After making for himself a comfortable home he was attacked by that dread disease, consumption, which took him away in 1875, in the prime of manhood. 4 Since the death of her husband Mrs. Foster and her children have carried on the farm, cleared land, and built a house. There are but few families of children who have managed and succeeded in business as has the family of Mrs. Foster.

Robert Bull was a resident of South Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a Quaker, and on account of his religious l>elief, being opposed to war, and desiring to avoid any collision with the government in raising an army, left his native State and removed to Virginia just prior to 1776; but instead of escaping the strife, he went to where it was hotter. He had, prior to his removal to Virginia, married Sarah Millburn, the widow of Robert Millburn. By this marriage Mrs. Bull had three sons - Robert, John, and David - they being half brothers of Nathan Bull. By her marriage with Robert Bull there were five children, of which Nathan was the youngest. He was born in Virginia in 1776, in Barclay County, where, in the same county in 1797, he married Frances Lilburn, and in the year 1814 moved to Greene County, Ohio, with his wife and six children. Two children were afterward born to them in Greene County. As early as 1816 Mr. Bull came to the present limits of Orange Township and entered one-half section of land. He died June 12, 1822; his wife died January 18, 1842. The names of the children were: Amelia, Rachel, John, David, Robert, William, Sarah, and Hiram.

Hiram Bull was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1818. When at the age of four years his father died. He remained with his mother on the home farm until he reached his majority. He was educated at the common schools of his day. In 1839, after he became of age, he came to Shelby County to look after the land his father had entered in 1816. He immediately commenced the improvement of this land, and built himself a cabin fora home. In 1841 he married Elizabeth Fish and immediately settled on his land - the same he now occupies. They have reared a family of six children, one having died young. The names of his family are as follows: Nathan S., Francis M., Mary C., Emma L., Joanna M., James M., and William 0. Mr. Bull has been a resident of the county for forty-four years, and has one of the fine homes of Orange Township. Having spent a long life at hard labor on his farms and acquired a competence, he, on account of failing health, has retired from active duty on his farm, and is now giving much of his time to the improvement of his mind, that he had the desire to do in his younger days, but did not have the time to give. Mr. Bull has one of the finest and most complete arekmological cabinets in the county, having some very rare specimens of a primitive race who inhabited this country long before the red man that was found here when the continent was first discovered.

Francis M. Bull, a son of Hiram Bull, was born in Orange Township 1845, and married Mary E. B. Applegate in 1866. They have a family of seven children, viz., Jesse H., Charley C., Hattie L., Bertie E., Marion L., Millie E., and Emerson O.

John M. Bull, the eldest son of Nathan Bull, was born in Barclay County, Va., in 1806. When eight years of age he came with his parents to Greene County, Ohio. Here, in 1828, he married Miss Eliza Litller, of Highland County, Ohio. In 1832 he brought his wife and two children to the wilds of Shelby County and settled in the woods. They reared a family of five children, viz., Sarah E., Francis L., Rachel J., Julietta, and Ellen. Mr. Bull lived to improve his farm and make it one of the best improved places in the township. He took pride in having his place in a good state of repair. A number of years ago he commenced the cultivation of ornamental trees, of which he had his beautiful farm nearly surrounded. He and his wife were among the pioneer members of the M. E. Church at Orange Chapel, and were members of the first class organized, and retained their membership in the same society as long as they lived. Mrs. Bull died December 20, 1862.

Mr. Bull died December 2, 1881, leaving the homestead to his two youngest daughters. He died as he had lived, respected by all who knew him.

Thomas Hart, a German by birth, married and came to the United States about 1790, and located in Bucks Count 3 T , Pa., where, the same year, William Hart was born. Wm. llart was reared in Bucks County and received a liberal education. After arriving at manhood he engaged in teaching school in New Jersey, where he formed the acquaintance of and married Elizabeth Petit in 1810. They remained in New Jersey until 1818, when he removed with his wife and three children to Hampshire County, Virginia, where he remained until 1827. Becoming heartily disgusted with the institution of slavery, he determined to seek a home in a free State ; so he sold his farm at a sacrifice and removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until 1836, when he moved to Darke County, Ohio, and died there in 1849. His wife died in 1870.

John Hart was the eldest son of William Hart. He was horn in New Jersey in 1811. He lived with his father until he came to Dayton. In 1836 he married Nancy Hosier. The same year he married he came to Shelby County and purchased eighty acres of timber land in section 5, Orange Township, in the spring of 1837 he commenced clearing to make a home, erected a cabin, and brought his wife. They cleared up their home and had made a very desirable place. In 1867 he bought for one of his sons the present place on which he lives, but owing to the death of his son in 1868 he was compelled to move to it himself. Mr. and Mrs. Hart raised a family of lour children, viz., William, Rhoda Ann, Isaac, and Robert. Of these four children only one now is living, viz., William. Rhoda Anu lived to be twenty-two years of age, when she was burned to death by her clothes taking fire. Isaac, the second son, lived to be twenty-five years of age. He was a graduate of Delaware College, having received his diploma in a scientific course in 1865. Robert, the youngest son, died in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are now living by themselves as they first commenced, not in the log cabin in the woods, but on a well-improved farm with good buildings, with a competence for their remaining days, all acquired by toil, industry, and economy.

William Hart, a son of the above, was born in 1837, and married Margaret J. Russura. They have three children, viz., Sarah E., John, and Manning W. He is located on the homestead of bis father in section 6, where he carries on the farm and is also proprietor of a sawmill.

A short time prior to the Revolutionary War three brothers, John, Abram, and Abel Voorhees, came to the American colonies from Germany. One of the three - John Voorhees - located in New Jersey. The other two went farther westward, but just where they located to us is not known, but we afterwards find them in southern Ohio. John was the ancestor of the Voorhees of whom we write. During the war of the Revolution he went one day to New York to see some friends that had come from Germany. The city at that time was in the possession of the British. He was captured as a spy, but the}' could prove nothing against him, so they released him on condition that he would enlist in either the navy or cavalry service of the British army. He chose the cavalry, but did not serve long before an opportunity occurred to escape, by stealing away in the night time, and returning home to New Jersey. Very shortly after this occurrence he married, and afterward raised a family of five children. He died about tiie year 1800.

Samuel Voorhees was the eldest of these five children. He was born in 1793. In 1812 he married Elizabeth Brown. The following year - 1813 - he entered the army, and served his time of enlistment, and was honorably discharged. They had raised a family of two children, when his wife died. He married for his second wife Anu Applegate in 1819. They had six children, viz., John A., Holmes, Okey, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Amy. They came to Qhio in 1831, and located in Montgomery County, then removed to Shelby County in 1838. Samuel Voorhees died March, 1866. His wife died March, 1876.

Reuben Voorhees was the first born of Samuel Voorhees by his first wife. He was born in New Jersey in 1813, while his father was in the army. He came with his father to Ohio in 1831, and in 1836 he married Anna Ford. In 1846 they moved to Shelby County, and located in Orange Township. By this marriage there were five children, Joseph B., Charles F., Julius T., Elizabeth, and Joseph V. The first died young. Julius died in the army. Mrs. Voorhees died in 1849. In 1850 he married Anna Fiddler, with whom he lived until 1863, when she died. In 1864 he married his present wife, Jane A. Cahill, widow of Dudley Cahill. She was the mother of four children, viz., Louella, James W., Kate E., and Emmet O. Mrs. Voorhees' maiden name was Shinn, daughter of William Shinn, who settled in Shelby County in 1833. Mr. Voorhees has been a consistent member of the M. E. Church for over fifty years, has ceased laboring for worldly goods, and is now striving for an inheritance that will never pass away, where he shall enjoy an immortal life.

was the first born of Samuel Voress by his second wife. He was born in New Jersey in 1820, came with his father to Shelby County when he was eighteen years of age. He lived with his father until he was twentythree years of age, helped to clear the farm, and provide for the family. In 1843 he married Eliza C. Layman. By this union they have had twelve children, eleven still living, viz., Mary A., Jeremiah L., Eliza C., John F., George W., Martha E., Lucinda M., Mark E., Emma J., Ermina B., and Willie T. Mr. Voress commenced in the woods on his place that he. now lives on in 1845. Here he has raised his large family. He has is a son of John A. Voress. He was born in Shelby County in 1852. He married Emeline Showed in 1872. They have had two children, one now living, viz., Dora C., born in 1874. Mrs. Voress is a daughter of Edward and Ellen (Wilkins) Showed, who settled in this county in 1839.

was born in New Jersey, June 13, 1828; was brought by his parents to Shelby County when about ten years of age. He was raised without any privileges of school instruction until sixteen years of age. His first education was in picking brush, and as soon as old enough was given an axe, and he and his oldest brother did the principal clearing of the farm. He remained at home until his majority, when he commenced life for himself by working at from six to nine dollars per month. As soon as he had saved a little money he bought a small piece of land, which he sold at a small advance, then bought forty acres on which he made his first home for himself. January 1, 1852, he married Mary E. Dickensheets (a daughter of David Dickensheets, who had settled in the county in 1832). A short time after this he added to his little farm sixty acres more land. In 1868 he bought the homestead of his wife's father, on which he now resides. Mr. Voress has been successful in accumulating property. He is one of the heaviest tax payers in Orange Township, and it has all been made by' his own industry and economy, never having received any help in making his start in life. He perhaps loans more money than any man in the township. They have raised a family of eight children, whose names are as follows: Samuel D., Elizabeth J., Charles L., George W., Josephine, Jesse L., Lulu D., and Ida M.

was born in Pennsylvania in 1799, removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, early in the present century. Here in 1822 he married Mary Cummings, a daughter of Robert and Amy Cummings. Mr. Layman remained in Hamilton County until 1839, when they removed to Shelby County, and located in Orange Township. They r raised a family of seven children, only two of whom are now living, viz., Eliza C., wife of John A. Voress, ami Amy H., wife of I). Brelsford. Mrs. Layman died June 15, 1869, aged seventy-three years. Mr. Layman died April 8, 1875, aged seventysix years.

a son of Reuben Voorhees, was born in Montgomery County in 1839. In ls61 he enlisted in Freemont's Body Guards, and served until the regiment was discharged. In 1862 he married Miss Jemima A. F. Holmes. The issue of this marriage is six children, viz., Julius T., Anna Dorcas, Mary E., Cara Jane, Thomas R., and Kate R.

was born in Shelby County in 1849. In 1872 he married Miss Margaret L. Long. By this union they have two children, Jane M. and Reuben. They are located on part of the homestead of his father in section 35, Orange Township.

The ancestors of the above are from Ireland. George Gillespie was the first to come to America. He came a young man, about 1740, and located in Pennsylvania. Here he married Jane Allen, and raised a family of ten children. About the year 1795 this family removed to Butler County, Ohio, where the father died in 1823.

William Gillespie, son of the above, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1783, and was twelve years of age at the time they came to Ohio. In 1816 he married Miss Mary Miskimmins. They raised a family of eleven children. They came to Shelby County in 1838, and settled in Washington Township. Here he purchased a farm, or rather a piece of land, in the woods, having but little means after the payment of his land. His family was large, the country new and malarious. They all took sick ; provisions were high ; before they got well, or able to work, their means was all spent, and they were left in the woods destitute, without means of support. They did the best they could, raising, spinning, weaving, and making their own clothing. Saving every penny they could, they managed to live until they had cleared enough land to raise grain to sell; but grain by this time was very low in price; they could only get from fifteen to twenty cents for corn. Mr. Gillespie lived here to clear his farm by the aid of his boys, and died in 1862, at the age of 80 years. Mrs. Gillespie died in 1872, at the age of 73 years.

David Kirkwood Gillespie, the subject of this sketch, a son of Wm. Gillespie, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1821; lived with his father on the farm, and came with him to Shelby County when he was sixteen years of age; helped his father to clear the farm, and remained with him until he was twentj'-eight years of age. In 1850 he went to Lockington to engage in the grain trade. His capital stock in trade, all told, was only six hundred dollars. In 1*51 he married Miss Martha McKee.. He at first commenced buying grain on commission, but it was not long before grain took such a decline that the men for whom he was buying sent him word that they could not furnish any more means, as the markets would not justify, lie then determined to buy and ship for himself. He invested in an old boat and team, and loaded it with grain. This took all the capital he had. Tiie boat on its first trip was, through the carelessness of its manager, so badly injured that it sank, and its cargo of grain was almost a total loss. Mr. G. was now left without a dollar. He felt almost discouraged, but his brave wife said to him, " We are yet young and strong, let us try again." He then went to his father and asked him what he should do? Ilis father told him that he could not help him any, but if he could find anybody who would let him have money he would give him his name as security. The next day he went to Piqua, where the first man he met he asked if he knew where a boy like him conld get some money to use bj r giving good security? The man told him he would let him have all he wanted without security. So with this assurance he returned home, repaired his boat, commenced buying and shipping grain. The markets were lavorable, and it was not long before lie was out of his financial trouble. Within that year he paid off all his indebtedness and had several thousand dollars left. In 1854 his wife died, having borne him two children. both of which died in infancy. In 1856 he again married, this time to Miss Marian McKee, a cousin of his first wife, with whom he lived till 1875, when she died. There were by this union eight children, four of whom are now living, viz., William H., born 1857 ; James M., born 1861; Lee W., born 1864; and Anna S., born 1869. In 1878 he was married to Sarah J. MeKnight, with whom he is now living. He continued the purchase and shipment of grain at Lockington until the year 1864, when he sold out his business there and removed to a farm of 350 acres he had purchased in Miami County, known as the Johnston farm, in Upper Piqua, for which he had paid $33,600 cash. A few years later he bought the old homestead of his father, for which lie paid $*800. Beside this he owned the Lockington mills, and his property in Kirkwood, where he now lives. This property was all made while he lived in Lockington, during fourteen years. In 1859 Mr. Gillespie was elected commissioner of the county, which office he filled till 1864, when he moved to Miami County. lie remained on his farm in Miami until 1877, when he returned to Shelby and located in Pontiac, now called Kirkwood, in honor of Mr. G.'s middle name.

was born in Shelby County in 1852. In 1879 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wrigley. They have one child, viz., Jennie. He resides ou the homestead of his father, in Orange Township.

was one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby County. He came here from New Jersey about 1812, and located in what is now Orange Township. Here he raised a family of seven children. Isaac was the youngest of the family ; he was born in 1825. In 1850 he married Sarah A. Wert.

Henry Bush, Sr., grandfather of the above, was born in Germany; came to America prior to the Revolutionary war; enlisted as a soldier in that war, and was wounded at or near New York City, and died from the effects of the wounds several years afterward. He was located in Monroe County, Pa., where Henry Bush, Jr., the father of John E.. was born in 1790. In 1811 he married Sarah Smith, who was born in 1789. They lived in Monroe County until 1833, when they removed to Shelby County, and located on section 8, Orange Township. John E. was the sixth child of the family. He was born in 1828, consequently he was ten years of age when he came to this county. He lived with his father until 1849, when the gold fever for California broke out. Young Bush took this fever, and he and his brother, C. W. Bush, and M. W. Jackson determined to see this El Dorado. The/ fitted up a team of ponies and wagon with provisions and accoutrements, and left home April 19, 1849, and arrived at St. Joseph, Missouri, about the first of June. Here they fitted another team of two yoke of cattle and joined in company with about a dozen other teams, and about the middle of June started for the plains. To give a history of this trip across the plains would take more space than we can give, but suffice it to say that they suffered all the privations that the early emigrants suffered who crossed the great American Desert at that early day. They were compelled to abandon their wagons, take it on foot without water or provisions; finally arrived at the settlement in the Upper Sacramento Valley November 1st, after being seven months on the road. He remained in California until 1853. During this period he spent the most of his time mining And packing. About two months he followed hunting. There are but few men now in Shelby County that have given the time to the rifle that Mr. Bush has. The first deer he killed was in 1848, when he killed three in one day, near where Swanders Station now is. He has killed deer almost every year from that time to the present. The past year (1881) he, together with a party of others, went to Wisconsin for a deer hunt. Mr. Bush killed seven deer and a lynx. While in California he within two months killed fifty deer and one black bear. He and his partner, Nathan Travers, killed ninety-three deer, and sold $777 worth of venison, beside what they traded for provisions to live on during that time. In 1853 he returned home by vessel by way of the Isthmus, arriving at home between Christmas and New Year's. He then remained at home with his father until 1863, when he married Miss C. E. Rauth. By this union they have seven children, viz, Charles M., born 1865; Edmund II., born 1868 ; John II., born 1870; William W., born 1873; Frederick, born 1875; Maud M., born 1877 ; and George, born 1879.

Mr. Bush has the confidence of his fellow-citizens, having filled the office of infirmary director nine years, and at the present time is one of the commissioners of the county.

Mr. Bush, while in California in 1851, went out one daj' with a party of others in pursuit of a wounded grizzly. After being out some time the party separated. Shortly afterward Mr. Bush heard the bleating of a cub bear. He supposed she was calling for her dam, but, when he came up to where he supposed the cub was, he not only found a cub, but a fullgrown grizzly and four cubs. Mr. B. concluded these were not the parties he was looking for, and the sooner he could get away from there the better, - so he took to his heels and ran as fast as he could, the bear after him. He threw his hat, ran about fifty yards to a leaning tree, which he attempted to climb. Just as he reached the tree the bear was upon him, and struck at him and knocked his gun from his hand He succeeded in getting part way up the tree when the bear caught him by the boot and held on. Both fell to the ground. The bear then ran to her cubs, and John made good time for the bushes ; but before he reached them the bear was upon him again. Just as the bear reached him he sprang over a large pine log. The bear slopped on the log, and John reached the bushes and got away. During all this time his partner, who was near him, saw the whole affair, but climbed up a tree, and kept out of danger, never offering any assistance.

was born in Maryland in 1766. From there he went to Virginia, where, in about 1793, he married Mary Parker. The Youngs are of German descent, the Parkers of Irish extraction. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Kentucky, then to Hamilton County, Ohio, then to Montgomery County, where they lived a few years, then came to what is now Shelby County about 1808, and located on section 16, Orange Township, and took a lease on said school section. The land on which he settled had been previous^' settled on by Abram Cajinon in 1806. It was here that Isaac Young was born March 17, 1810, he being the first white child born within the present limits of Orange Township. In 1832 he married Wilmuth Lucas. They have raised a family of five children, whose names and date of birth are as follows: Wallace, born 1833; Lydia, born 1840; Elizabeth, born 1842; Minerva, born 1844; and Naaman, born 1849. Mr. Young is now the oldest settler in the township, and perhaps in the county, who was born here ; he having lived in the same township, and within one mile of the same place, for seventy-two years. He cast his first vote for President for Andrew Jackson, and has voted at every presidential election since that time; but after the first election he voted the Whig ticket until 1856, since which time he has been an unswerving Republican. Mr. Young has been a member of the United Brethren Church for over forty years. lie has retired from active life* having accumulated a competence for the remainder of his life. He has always had the confidence and esteem of his neighbors; always doing as he would wish to be done by ; never having had a lawsuit in his life. Mr. Young says he has bought corn at 8£ cents per bushel, and had sue months' time to pay for it. They sold wheat at 25 cents per bushel and hauled it to Piqua. To give the history of his commencement in life, his hardships aud privations, would be but to repeat the old story, so often told. I will close by giving the manner they used to catch fish before they were able to buy twine to make seines. They would make what was called a brush drng or kind of sejne made of brush, and woven together and supported by grape-vines. A sufficient number of the neighbors would get together to handle one of these drags; they would sweep the river from one side to the other, and sometimes would catch barrels at one haul.

Naaman Young, son of Isaac Young, was born in Shelby County in 1849, and married Margaret J. Bortun in 1879. They have two children, viz., Stanley D. and Mary D.

They were worthy descendants of the hardy, industrious, and honest Dutch nation. The indomitable perseverance and success of the Dutch is everywhere proverbial. After aiding in the settlement of New York and New Jersey, some of the descendants of the Barkalows emigrated to Kentucky, from thence to Ohio. William P. Barkalow, the worthy ancestor of the Shelby County Barkalows, was bora in New Jersey in the year 17C8. Just when he removed from New Jersey we have been unable to ascertain, but we next find him in Maysville, Ky. In 1790 he married Mary Tapscott. It was in Maysville that their lirst child, John Barkalow, was born. In 1804 they removed to Warren County, Ohio, where he died in the year 1852, his wife having died in 1843, at the age of seventy years.

as stated above, was born in Maysville, Ky., in the year 1801, and came with his parents to Warren County, Ohio, in 1804. In 1821 lie married Catharine De Nise, and in 1823 removed to Shelby County and settled on a tract of wild land in Orauge Township. This land he cleared and cultivated, and built a good dwelling, where he resided until 1861, when his dwelling and household goods were almost totally destroyed by fire, and in his efforts to save his family, in which he succeeded, he came near losing his own life. He then removed to the town of Sidney, where he resided until his death, September, 1872. His widow survived him until January SI, 1882, when she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. S. De Nise. They raised a family of eight children, whose names and date of birth are as follows: Mary A., born Sept. 21, 1X22; James D., Sept. 12, 1824; Kleanor, May 2, 1827 ; Sarah, May 22, 1829 ; Lydia M., Feb. 26, 1832; Celina, May 6, 1834; Nancy D., Nov. 19, 1836; and George D., March 4, 1839.

wns born in Shelby County in 1824, on the bank of the Great Miami River, four miles below Sidney, in Orange Township, on land entered by Win. P. Barkalow, his grandfather, and has lived on the same farm from that t ime to the present. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Jackson, a daughter of Edward and Jane Morris Jackson, who settled within the present limits of Orange Township in 1809. They have by their marriage two children, William W. and Frank A. Mr. Barkalow is now among the oldest residents of the township who were born here, having lived here fifty-eight years without intermission.

a son of Wm. P. Barkalow, and brother of John Barkalow, was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1817, lived with his father until 21 years of age, when, in 1839, he married Abba De Nise, who was born in Butler County, O., in 1821. By this union they had three children, viz., Elea- , nor, Mary, and Eliza; the last two only now living. In 1842 Mr. B. moved to Shelby County and located on section 22, Orange Township: they lived here two years, then returned to Warren County and remained about four years, then returned to his former home in Orange Township, where he lived until 1872, when he retired from the farm and moved to Kirkwood, where he and his wife live in a comfortable home with a competence for their remaining days. They are now living in the enjoyment of plenty, having spent a life of hard toil. It is to be hoped that their last days may be their happiest.

William De Nise was a native of New Jersey, He came to Butler County, Ohio, in 1808. Daniel De Nise, his son, was two years old at the time of their settlement in Ohio. He married Eliza J. Shank. He died in 1878, having lived on the same farm for seventy years. James S., a son of Daniel, was bora in Butler County in 1832, and came to Shelbv County in 1854. In 1853 he married Lydia M. Barkalow. The}' have had born to them five children, viz., James A., born 1855; Mary E., born 1857 ; George B., born 1859; Daniel, born 1868; and John B., bora 1872. They are located on part of the old Barkalow farm in sec. 18.

was born in Shelby County in the year 1842. He is a son of Robert and Rebecca Bigham Fulton, who settled in Shelby Count}' in 1839. In 1866 he married Nancy Barkalow, a daughter of John Barkalow. They have one child, Wrn. B., born 1807. They are located on part of the Barkalow homestead in Orange Township.

a son of Christopher Johnston, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, in 1840, where he lived, and was raised on a farm. In 1862 he entered the army in the 118th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war. During his service in the army his father moved to Miami County. When Mr. Johnston came home from the army he again made his home with his .father. Here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Barkalow, a daughter of Joseph T. Barkalow, of Shelby County. They were married in 1866, and the following year located in Orange Township, on section 28. They have by this marriage four children, Nellie C., Rowland E., Lulie J., and Mary E. J. A brief sketch of the Johnston family will be found in the Washington Township history, under the head of Esq. John and S. A. Johnston, who are brothers of Henry P.'s father.

The father of the above - James Duncan - was born in Pennsylvania in 1806, came to Montgomery County, where, in the year 1828, he married Matilda Wise. In 1834 they removed to Shelby County, and located in Washington Township. They raised a family of seven children. Mrs. Duncan died in 1853. Thomas Duncan is the oldest of this family; he was born in Montgomery County in 1812; he lived at home with his father until he was twenty-one years of age. In 1853 he married Sarah J. Doak. By this union they have raised a family of six children, Mary A., Clarinda, Sarah J., Samuel, James, and Viola M. Mr. Duncan is located on part of the old Doak homestead. Samuel Doak, the father of Mrs. Duncan, was bora in Pennsylvania in 1798, came with his father - Patrick Doak - to the present limits of Shelby County in 1810, and located in what is now Washington Township, but had entered land in Orange ; but on account of Indian troubles did not settle on his land until several years afterward. In 1827 he married Esther Heath, and raised a family of five children, John C., Sarah J., Chambers, Janies, and Samuel. Samuel Doak, Sen., died in 1845; his wife died in 1881.

The Sarvcrs are of German extraction Their first settlement in America was in Virginia. The first of whom we can get any knowledge was Samuel Sarver, w'ho was born in Virginia about 1790. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. After his terra of enlistment in 1814 he married Sarah Brill. They raised a family of six boys. This family came to Shelby Codnty in 1825, and located in Green Township. When they came to Ohio all the effects they had they brought on the back of one horse. Mrs. Sarver rode on this same horse together with the two youngest children. Mr. Sarver and the other children walking all the way. When they landed they had 110 money. They squatted on a piece of land, which several years afterward they bought. It is not necessary to describe the hardships through which they had to pass in a new country, with a family of six small children and no means of support, except the hands of one man to provide food and clothing for his wife and children in the woods without an acre of cleared land. It was here in the woods that Hiram Sarver was born in the year 1828, three years after their settlement. He lived with his father until he died in 1843. He then hired out for six years at $25 a year and his everyday clothing. In 1853 he married Nancy Dickensheets, by whom he has had eleven children, seven of whom are living, viz., Margaret L. J., Mary C., Charles H., William G., Ella M., Carrie M., and Emery C. Mr. S. bought his present home with the money he earned before he married, working at $25 per year, except $100 he received from his father's estate. They are located on section 32. Henry Dickensheets, the father of Mrs. Sarver, was born in Maryland about 1795. When a young man he went to Kentucky, where he formed the acquaintance of Mary Hines, and came with her to Montgomery County, Ohio, about 1814, and was there married. It was here that Mrs. Sarver was born in 1831, and brought by her parents to Shelby County in 1832.

was born in New Jersey in 1785. He was married to Alice Voorhees. They raised a family of eleven children. This family removed to Shelby County in 1832, and settled in Green Township. Here he entered a piece of land, which he cleared and made himself a home. He died in 1846. His wife died in 1853. Of the children there are six now living. Mrs. Angcletta Frazer was the sixth of these eleven children. She was born in New Jersey in 1824, and was brought by her parents to Shelby County when eight years old. She lived at home with her parents until 1837, when she married John L. Sarver. A short time after their marriage they bought eighty acres of land in the timber. They had but one hundred dollars to pay on this land. They erected themselves a cabin, and commenced to make themselves a home. Within six years of the time they commenced on their place they had it cleared, and paid for, and good buildings erected. A few years further on they had added to this three more eighty acre lots, which were soon put under cultivation. Mr. Sarver was one of the successful farmers of Orange Township. He was born in Virginia in 1817, and died in 1874. They raised a family of six children, whose names and dale of birth are as follows: Samuel B., 1848; Perry Lee, 1849; Rebecca M., 1852; Elizabeth A., 1855; John G., 1859; anil Jesse, 1862. At the death of Mr. Sarver he left an indebtedness of $1500, which Mrs. Sarver with the help of her children paid off, besides building their home. She has since the death of Mr. Sarver managed the farm herself. In 1875 she married George Frazer, with whom she lived until 1880. She resides on section 36.

was born in County Down, Ireland (the native place of St. Patrick), in 1814. His parents were John and Ellen McCracken. They were Protestants, and in good circumstances, and gave their children a fair education. James lived at home witli his father until grown to manhood. In 1848 he married Miss Mary A. Donaldson. After marriage he was persuaded by his wife to sell his interest in his father's estate, and cross the ocean to America, and seek a home. So he sold his part of the estate to one of his brothers for £85 ($325) per acre, and immediately sailed for New York. After reaching this country the}' soon found their way to Warren County, Ohio, where he superintended a farm for a few years, waiting to learn something of the country jiefore purchasing a home. In 1851 he came to Shelby County, and bought his present home on section 11. Mr. McCracken has made a model farm of this place. In 1878 he bought another farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. McCracken have two children, Henry S. and James N. In 1873 Mr. M. went back to his native Green Isle to visit the place of his birth, aiid thinking perhaps they would sell their home here and return to Ireland. But after going back he was not long in deciding to remain in the land where there were no landed aristocrats, but where all were equal, "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Maurice Millhouse, the grandfather of the above, was a Swiss. He followed the sea, and was a captain of a merchant vessel that traded between France and the American colonies. He maVried a French lady by the name of De Verne, whom he brought with him to America, and settled in Maryland about 1740. It was here in the year 1755 they were both massacred by the Indians, leaving three children. John Millhouse, one of these three children, was the direct ancestor of the Ohio Millhouses. About 1776 he married Margaret Wrench, and came to Ohio in 1804, and located in Montgomery County, where they lived four years, then removed to Miami County in 1808. They raised a family of six children. David Millhouse, one of the six, was the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1801 ; was the youngest of the family. Catharine, one of these children, afterward became the wife of William Richardson, one of the early settlers of Shelby County. Barbary, another of these children, became the wife of Henry Dilbone, who, together with her husband, was killed by the Indians August Is, 1813, a sketch of which is given in another place in this work. Elizabeth was another of these six children. She married Henry C. Line, the father of David M. Line, of Shell)}' County. Susan, another of the same family, married John Simmons, who enlisted in the regular army. While in the army, in August, 1812, he was stationed at Fort Chicago. The fort was destroyed by the Indians, and he with the other soldiers were all massacred. His wife, who was with him at the time, was taken prisoner by the Indians, and was kept about one year, when she was restored

County. David Millhouse married Eliza Gearhart. They raised a family of eight children. Dr. Jacob J., a son of David Millhouse, was born in Miami County in 1836, lived with his father until he became of age. He then went to school, and taught school until 1»64, when he entered the army. After returning from the army in 1864 he commenced the study of medicine in Piqua under the instruction of Drs. O'Ferril and Ashton, and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1869. He then located in Kirkwood, where he commenced the practice of medicine, and still continues its practice. In 1865 he married Miss Georgia A. Estabrook. By this union they have two children, Edward D. and Charlie E.

Richard Proctor was born in Ireland, came to the United States in 1792, and located in York County, Pennsylvania, where the same year he married Rebecca Stringer. They raised a family of eight children, only one of whom is now living, viz., William Proctor, the subject of this sketch, who was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in 1796. In the year 1817 he came to Ohio, and located in Butler County, where in 1822 he married Ruth Tannehill, with whom he had seven children. In 1831 he moved to Logan County, and settled in the woods where he had previously entered land. This land he cleared himself, then sold it, and bought a place in Shelby County, to which he moved in 1854. Here his wife died in 1863. In 1866 he married Mary Trahern, his present wife. Mrs. Proctor was the daughter of Eliaeum Staples, who was of Scotch descent. Her mother was Nancy Neal, of English descent, who came to America early in the eighteenth century, and located in the State of Maine. Mrs. Proctor was born in New Hampshire in 1816. When quite young she was taken to Philadelphia, where in about 1832 she married Thomas Lloyd, with whom she had one child, Henri. Mr. Lloyd died in 1839. She afterward married Asa Trahern, with whom she lived until 1860, when he died. She then in 1866 married Mr. Proctor.

was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1807. He was the eldest son of George Wirt and Anna Spiker Wirt. George Wirt was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1784, and married in 1806. The Wirts emigrated to Ohio in 1825, and located in Montgomery County. It was here that Benjamin formed the acquaintance of Mary Walburn, to whom he was married in 1829. In 1835 they removed to Franklin Township, Shelby County, on a piece of land that he had previously entered. Mr. Wirt, like most other new-comers in that early day, commenced without any means, and lived, as all pioneers did, on the common fare oNiog and hominy. Mr. Wirt, after clearing his farm sold it, and bought one in Orange Township, where he now lives. They have raised a family of three children, Sarah A., Catharine, and David. Mr. and Mrs. Wirt*have lived to see their family of children grow up and become settled in life. Now these veteran pioneers are left as they began in life, all alone in the world. But they have a competence to live on for the rest of their days. They are both enfeebled with old age, and broken down by hard work. It is to be hoped that their last days may be peaceful and pleasant as their first were full of hard toil and unpleasant.

To trace the ancestors of the McKees we go to Ireland, but the date of their emigration to America is not definitely known, but perhaps during the last half of the eighteenth century. They first located in Pennsylvania. It was here that James McKee was born in the year 1803. About the year 1825 he came to Shelby County, where in 1833 he married Sarah McKnight, and raised a family of five children. John L. is the youngest of this family; he was born in 1845. He lived on the home place in Orange Township until he grew up to manhood. In 1868 he married Miss Mariah Diltz, but still remained on the homestead until, in the spring of 1881, he bought a stock of goods at Kirkwood, and has been engaged in trade since that time. They have a family of four children, whose names and date of birth arc as follows: James E., 1869; Albertes L., 1872; Willie F., 1874; and J. Clifford, 1876.

a son of John and Rebecca Walkup Simes, was born in Champaign County in 1814. In 1844 he married Amanda A. Hendley. By this union they have raised a family of seven children ; their names are as follows: William H., Mary A., Clarissa R., Florences., Delphine C., George C., and Denton J. Mr. Simes, while he lived, had the esteem and respect of his neighbors, who elected him for a number of years to fill the office of treasurer of his township. He died February, 1878.

The O'Hendleys, or Heudleys as they are now called, were from Ireland, came to the American colonies long before the Revolution, and married in America a lady from Holland. Win. Hendley was a descendant of this couple: he was a resident of Boston, ami was one of the party who made that large pot of tea in Boston Harbor. He served as a soldier throughout the Revolutionary War. We have no knowledge when or to whom he was married, but he raised a family of ten children. John D. was the youngest of these; he was born in Boston in 1792, married Clarissa Harrington in 1816, and raised a family of five children* Mrs. Simes was one of these five; she was born in Clinton County, 0., in 1821, removed to Miami County in 1829, married John C. Simes in 1844, and came to Shelby County in 1850.

was born in Ireland in 1748; he lived on his native isle until he grew to manhood, and married Margaret Henderson, by whom he had four children - two sons and two daughters. She then died. He remained single for several years, then married Jane Miller about 1800, and immediately sailed for the United States with his wife and two daughters (leaving his sons to inherit his estate), and shortly afterward located in Harrison County, O. They remained in this county until 1826, when they came to Shelby County and located in Orange Township on land that had been settled on by Abram Minnear. Mr. Holmes died in 1831.

Thomas Holmes, Jr., a son of the above, was born in Harrison County, O., in 1814. When twelve years of age he came with his parents to Orange Township. At the death of his father, in 1831, he left home and worked by the month until 1834, when he married Dorcas Blue, with whom he has raised a family of ten children, with names as follows: Jane, Jemima, Elizabeth, Catharine, Mary E., Louisa B., ltaper, Alice, Celia, and William. In 1835 he returned with his wife to Orange and located on the old homestead of his father, where he has lived to I he present time.

Raper Holmes was born in Shelby County in 1853. He is a son of Thomas Holmes. In 1«73 he married Sarah Lane, a daughter of William and Eliza Lane. They have raised a family of four children - Floyd M., Allie G., Fawnce 1% and John V. They are located on section 7.

a son of George N. and Chloe (Hanel) Cornell, was born in Warren County, 0., in 1830. His father was born in Canada in 1798, came with his parents to the United States, and located in Warren County, Ohio, where he married and raised a family of sixteen children. Of the sixteen children, six of them were boys. It is said of these six boys - and has never been disputed - that not one of them ever tasted liquor, beer, or wine, or used tobacco in any form, or used any profane language in their lives. Such an example is seldom known, and is worthy of record.