Perry Township (part 2 of 2)

CADWALLADER JACOBS, farmer, P. O. South Warsaw, was born in Deerfield Township, Warren County, Ohio, July 22, 1813, and is a son of Jebu and Elizabeth (Critzer) Jacobs. His paternal grandfather was John Jacobs, of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation, whose father eame from England to America with William Penn. His maternal grandfather was Adam Critzer, a man of large property, a miller by occupation, and a prominent- citizen of Dauphin County, Penn. Our subject was reared in Warren County, Ohio, where he received a limited education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he started in life for himself, and in 1837 he navigated the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on a flat-boat as a coaster, selling all kinds of goods at different points on those rivers, which occupation he followed for five years, and during that time there was a period of nine months in which he never slept on land. After he quit boating he returned to Ohio and settled in Perry Township, this county, on the farm he now occupies, the most of which he has cleared and improved himself. He was married September 1, 1842, to Sally, daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Morrison) Lepley, of Perry Township, this county, by whom he has had five children: Eli B. (deceased), Elizabeth (wife of John Hardin), John P. (deceased), Nancy L. (wife of William Baker), and James A. Mr. Jacobs resided in Perry Township up to 1864, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained three and a half years, then returned to Perry and has here lived ever since. In 1827 he was elected to the office of commissioner of Allen County, a position he held for two successive terms. He has also filled various offices in his township. In politics he is a slanch Democrat.

_ JAMES A. JACOBS, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, March 4, 1833; son-of John P. and Elizabeth (Hazard) Jacobs. . His father was a native of Warren County, Ohio, born June 3, 1806, and a son of Jehu and Elizabeth (Kreitser) Jacobs, who settled in Warren County, Ohio, in 1802, where they cleared and improved a farm on which they lived and died. The great grandfather of our subject was John Jacobs, a native of Montgomery County, Penn., of Quaker parentage, and of English descent, his ancestors having come to America with William Penn. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and was a pioneer of Miami County, Ohio, where he located in 1812, and resided until his death at the age of ninety-five years. The wife of Jehu Jacobs was a daughter of Adam Kreitser, a native of Germany, and a resident of Cumberland County,-Penn. The children of Jehu were six in number: Elizabeth (deceased), Samuel (deceased), John P., Ann (in Auglaize County, Ohio), Cadwallader and James J. (in Auglaize County, Ohio). The maternal grandparents of our subject, John and Elizabeth (Miller) Hazard, were natives of Dutchess County, N. Y., and pioneers of Warren and Clinton Counties, Ohio. John P. Jacobs was married in 1829, and reared a family of four children: Elizabeth (deceased), James A., Phebe D. (wife of William Harrod), and Ann (wife of John Harrod). He settled in Union Township, now Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1834, and his was the seventh family to locate in that township. Clearing and improving a farm there, he resided on it up to 1858, when he settled in Perry Township, this county, where he also cleared and improved a farm, residing thereon until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1880, since when he has lived with his son James A. Our subject was reared in Auglaize County, Ohio, and educated in the common schools. He was married, April 17, 1856, to Martha J., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Rumer) Bitler, of Union Township, by whom he had six children: El wil (wife of F. M. Bacome), John C., Samuel D., Charles D., William H.

and Olive O. In 1858 Mr. Jacobs settled in Perry Township, this county, on the farm where he now resides, all of which he cleared and improved. He is one of the leading and enterprising farmers of the township; has held the office of justice of the peace one term, and served in several other minor offices; in politics he is a Democrat.

MILTON LONES, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Columbiana 'County, Ohio, April 8, 1823, and is a son of John and Mary (Spar) Lones, vatives of Virginia, and pioneers of Columbiana and Crawford Counties, Ohio. They settled in the latter county in 1834, clearing and improving the farm on which they lived and died. They had a family of nine children, of whom two have been residents of Allen County, Ohio. Aaron J. located in Perry Township in 1859, where he resided until his death; he died in June, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years. Our subject resided with his parents until forty years of age. In 1865 he located in Perry Township, this county, on what is now known as the ''Osman Farm," on the Bellefontaine Pike, where he resided nine years. He then removed to Lima, living there two years and a half, when he returned to Perry Township, and located on the farm he now occupies. Mr. Lones was married, in 1854, to Mary, daughter of Enoch and Rebecca (Gordon) Knoble, of Crawford County, Ohio, by whom he has one child - Charlotte. Mr. Lones is one of the leading and representative farmers of Perry Township. His first vote for president was cast for Henry Clay, and he has voted at every presidential election since. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but has been a stanch Republican since the organization of the party.

ELI MECHLING, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born on the farm where. he now resides, in Perry Township, this county, October 1, 1836; son of Joshua and Sophia (Weimer) Mechling, who settled in Perry Township in 1836. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Perry County, Ohio. They settled on Section 18, and cleared and improved a farm, a part of which is now owned and occupied by our subject. They had nine children: Harriet (wife of J. Brentlinger), Eli, Hannah (wife of George Ridenour), William L., Elizabeth (deceased). Simon A., Maria (wife of William T. Kimes), Martha and Sophia (wife of E. V. Ridenour). Joshua Mechling died December 17, 1879, aged seventy years and thirteen days. His widow is still living at the old homestead at the age of seventy-four. The paternal grandfather of our subject was. William Mechling, of Westmoreland County, Penn., and a pioneer of Perry County, Ohio, where be settled in 1812. His maternal grandfather was Gottfried Weimer, a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, where he has always resided, and was educated in the common schools. He was married, March 22, 1866, to Sarah, daughter of John and Lydia Ridenour, of Perry Township, this county, by whom he has had two children: Lewis L. (deceased), and Milton A. Mr. and Mrs. Mechling are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has been clerk of Perry Township two terms. In politics he is a Democrat.

REUBEN V. MEELY, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 4, 1849, son of George and Margaret (Stock), Meely; the former, a native of Germany, was born May 11, 1799, and died June 11, 1881; the latter was born in Troy County, Penn., June 22, 1807, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. They located in Richland County, Ohio, in 1845, and in 1852 settled in Union Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, where they cleared and improved a farm on which they lived and died. They had eleven children, of whom eight grew to manhood and womanhood: Christina (wife of M. M. Rittenhouse), William, George, Charles, Elizabeth (wife of Andrew Callahan), Margaret (wife of Lorenzo Staley), Reuben V. and Levi A. All the sons, except our subject, were in the late war, Levi A. dying at Nashville, Tenn. Our subject was reared in Van Wert County, Ohio, from two years of age, and was educated in the common schools; he served an apprenticeship at the painter's trade which he followed for eight years. Since 1875 he has been principally engaged in farmipg. He was married, October 18, 1876, to Harriet, daughter of Levi and Louisa, (Marshall) Atmur, who settled in Perry Township, Allen County, in 1848. By this union there are two children: Vergie E. and Iona A. Mr. Meely located in Lima in 1881 and removed to Perry Township, on the old Atmur farm homestead, in 1883. During his residence in Union Township, Van Wert County, he served two years as township clerk, and was at one time nominee for county recorder. In politics he is a Democrat.

HENRY C. NEELY, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Bath Township, this county, May 17, 1840; son of William and Matilda (Snodgrass) Neely. William Neely settled in Bath Township in 1827, locating on the farm now owned by J. R, Cunningham, which he cleared and improved, and afterward exchanged for a farm in German Township, this county, on which he removed and resided until his death. He was twice married, his first wife being Ruth Paulin, of Greene County, Ohio, by whom he had ten children, two now living: Elizabeth (wife of Jeremiah McLain), and Melinda (wife of 8. H. Greer}. His second wife was Matilda Snodgrass, of this county, by whom he had seven children, three now living: Henry C., James H. and Arthur. Our subject was reared in Bath Township, this county, and educated in the common schools. He was married May 30, 1860, to Margaret, daughter of William and Catherine (Miller) McComb, of Putnam County, Ohio, by whom he has six children: Anna (wife of George Shade), John, William, Harry, Burton and Calvin. After his marriage Mr. Neely bought the old homestead in Bath Township, this county, where he resided three years, when he sold out and bought the Satlerthait farm in Bath Township, living there urtil 1870, when he located in Perry Township, on the farm he now occupies, a part of which he has cleared and improved. Mr. Neely served five years in the Ohio military service, and was honorably discharged. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he isa Democrat.

GEORGE H. RANKIN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Auglaize Township, this county, May 11, 1846; son of John and Ann (French) Rankin. His paternal grandfather, George Rankin, was a native of Virginia, who settled in Perry Township, this county, in 1889, locating on Section 4, on a part of the farm now owned by Thomas C. Roberts, which he cleared and improved, and afterward removed to Section 15, where he lived until his death; he died in July, 1881, in his eighty- fourth year. He had eight children who grew to manhood and womanhood: John (deceased), Maria (wife of James Tapscott), William (deceased), Mary (deceased), Joshua, Eliza (wife of A. R. Krebs), Charlotte (wife of Adam Stoops), Isabella (wife of Joseph Neeley). The maternal grandfather of our subject was John French, who settled in Bath Township, this county, in 1834. John Rankin had five children: William (deceased), Perseba (deceased), George H., Lyman, and an infant daughter (deceased). He was in the stock business in Westminster, this county, for several years prior to his death; he died August 1, 1850, at the age of thirty years. Our subject was reared in Perry Township, this county, where he received a common school education. He was married September 24, 1867, to Celinda, daughter of James L. and Nancy (Crane) Williams, of Perry Township, this county, formerly of Kentucky; by this union there were: five children, of whom two are now living: Minnie and Alvin. Before bis marriage Mr. Rankin worked at the carpenter's trade, but afterward embarked in farming, in which he is at present engaged, and has resided on his present farm since the spring of 1882. He and his wife are members of the Disciples Church. In politics he is a Democrat. PETER RIDENOUR, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Perry County, Ohio, September 22, 1817, son of Isaac and Lydia (Cotterman) Ridenour, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Allen County, Obio, in 1834, locating on Section 8, in Perry Township, ciearing and improving the farm now owned by Samuel Collins,and there they lived and died. They had thirteen children, of whom ten are now living: Peter, Samuel, Catherine (wife of N. J. Locke), Anna (wife of Peter Verbrecht), Eliza (wife of John Wesby), Mary (wife of H. J. Apple), James, Lovey (wife of Peter Imler), Sarah (wife of George Blubaker), and Henry. The subject of this sketch was married in March, 1854, to Mrs. Lydia Bowell, daughter of John and Eve Losh, of Perry Township, by whom he has four children living: William, Lucy (wife of Douglass Coats), Delilah (wife of Frank Satters), and Alferetta. Mr. Ridenour cleared a farm in Perry Township, on Section 21, comprising forty-six acres, which he still owns, and on which he settled in 1855. Here he lived until 1872, when, on account of the death of his wife, he went to reside with William Ebling, Jr. Our subject is one of the oldest settlers now living in Perry Township, this county. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat. THOMAS C. ROBERTS, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Westminster, Auglaize Township, Allen County, Ohio, April 14, 1858, son of Josiah B. and Margaret (\Winrot) Roberts. He was reared in Ottawa Township, this connty, from two years of age, and educated in the Union school of Lima, residing with his parents until twenty-six years of age. He was united in marriage June 18, 1879, with Elizabeth 1, daughter of William and Amanda (Ballard) Moore, of Lima, this county. The issue of this union is one child, Florence M. In 1879 Mr. Roberts located in Perry Township, on the farm where he now resides, on which he has made all the improvements in buildings, ete. He is one of the enterprising young farmers of Perry Township. In polities he is a Republican. JOSEPH SELLERS, farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, Ohio, was born in Franklin County, Penn., March 9, 1828, and is ason of Leonard and Elizabeth (Winyard) Sellers, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Allen County, Ohio, in 1837, clearing and improving the farm now owned by their son,'William. They had nine children; Joseph, John, Henry, Samuel, William, Catherine (deceased), Susan (wife of J. Walton), Eliza (wife of Miles Lowry), and Harriet (wife of Charles Carter). Our subject was ten years of age when his parents came to this county. He was educated in the common schools and lived with his father until twenty-four years of age. He was married in 1852, to Leah, daughter of Martin Crumrine, an early settler of Ferry Township, this county, by whom he has six children: Daniel, David, William, Eliza (wife of George A. Beeler), Margaret (wife of George Mosher), and Franklin. Mr. Sellers located, in 1853,on the farm where he now resides, most of which he has cleared and improved hiinself. He is a leading farmer of Perry Township and one of its enterprising citizens. He has held the offices of trustee and treasurer of the township for several terms. In politics ne is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

NATHAN D. STEVENSON, farmer, P. O. Westminster, was born in Perry Township, this county, March 14, 1842, and is a son of William and Nancy (Hullinger) Stevenson. His paternal grandfather, Francis Stevenson, was a pioneer of Clark County, Ohio, and later of this county, settling in Auglaize Township in an early day, where he cleared and improved a farm on which he lived and died. He reared a family of eight children who grew to manhood and womanhood: William (deceased), John, James, Eli, Elias, Joseph, Kate and Betsey. The father of our subject was reared in Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Perry Township, this county, in 1842, on the farm now occupied by his widow, which he cleared and improved. and here he lived and died. He had a large family of children, of whom five are now living: Nelson; Nathan D.; Maria, wife of James Wonnell; Samantha, wife of John Allison; and George. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Christopher Hullinger, was a native of Pennsylvania, and an early settler of Perry Township. Our subject was reared in Perry Township, and educated in the common schools. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in July, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in twenty-three engagements, and honorably discharged in July, 1865. He was married, December 5, 1867, to Catherine A., daughter of Nelson Basle, of Auglaize County, Ohio. They have no children. Mr. Stevenson is a Republican in politics. He is an enterprising citizen of Perry Township.

ELI J. STEVENSON, farmer, P. O. South Warsaw, was born in Perry Township, this county, on the farm where he now resides, September 2, 1848; son of John and Susannah (Brentlinger) Stevenson, the former a native of Kentucky, latter of Pickaway County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Francis Stevenson, a native of Kentucky, settled in Auglaize Township in 1830, where he cleared and improved a farm on which he lived and died. He reared a family of eight children : Elizabeth, James, John, Eli, William, Jesse, Elias and Catherine, all now deceased. Jobn Stevenson, the father of our subject, was reared in Kentucky, where he was born January 15, 1806. He was twice married, his first wife to whom he was married March 6, 1825, being Anna

West, of Champaign County, Ohio, and the issue of this union was six children : Rachel, wife of John Ream; Mary, wife of John Miller ; Francis M., James I. (deceased), Sarah J. (deceased), and Anna, wife of Jacob Hollar. For his second wife he married, August 14, 1836, Miss Susannah, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hofines) Brentlinger, early settlers of Auglaize County, Ohio, and by this union were born eight children: Lucinda (deceased), Catherine (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), John (deceused), Silas W. (deceased), William, Eli J., and Jefferson P. (latter deceased). John Stevenson settled in an early day in Perry Township, this county, on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject, all of which he cleared and improved, and where he resided until his death in 1854. He was assessor of what is now Allen and Auglaize counties for three terms before the counties were divided, and was township assessor of Perry for several years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; in politics a Democrat. Our subject was reared onthe old homestead, where he has always resided. He was married, November 26, 1871, to Catherine, daughter of James and Mary (Naus) Carter, of Auglaize County, Ohio, by whom he has four children : Susannah, Mary J., Andrew F. and Cuba M. Mr. Stevenson has served his township as trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOSEPH TAPSCOTT, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Perry Township, this county, on the farm where he now resides, December 11, 1850 ; a son of James S. and Maria (Rankins) Tapscott, natives of Warren County, Ohio, the former born January 23, 1808, the latter October 19, 1822. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Tapscott, was a native of New Jersey. His maternal grandparents were George and Wealthy A. (Tunget) Rankins, formerly of Virginia, who settled in Perry Township in 1839, clearing and improving a farm. James 9. Tapscott, the father of our subject, settled in Perry Township in 1848, clearing and improving afarm on which he resided until his death. He died May 9, 1884, in his seventy-seventh year. He had four children: Joseph, Ann (deceased), James (deceased), and an infant daughter (deceased). Joseph, the only survivor of this family, has always resided on the old homestead. He was married November 26, 1872, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Ross and Phebe (Apple) Crossley, of Perry Township, 'by whom he has four children : Jessie, Augusta, Mulford and William. Mr. and Mrs. Tapscott are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is one of the pushing, enterprising young farmers of Perry. He is one of the present board of township trustees. In politics he is a Democrat.

REUBEN WHITE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Bath Township, this county, November 7, 1837, son of Adam and Rebecca M. (Walton) White. His paternal grandfather, Adam White, Sr., was a native of Germany, and a pioneer of Brown County, Ohio. His maternal grandfather, Joseph W. Walton, was a native of New York, whosettled in Bath Township in 1827, clearing and improving the farm on which he lived and died. Adam White, the father of our subject, a native of Kentucky, settled in Bath Township in 1827, on the farm now owned by S. G. Clements, Esq., which he cleared and improved, and there lived and died. He was the first county treasurer of Allen County, then comprising what are now the counties of Allen, Auglaize and Mercer. His total collections at that time did not amount to the salary he received for his services, he receiving $20 more from the state than he had collected. He was justice of the peace of Bath Township for many years. His children, nine in number, were Susan, wife of Jonas Lehman; Gilbert (deceased), John (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Deborah A., wife of John Lehman; Lydia (deceased), Reuben, Nancy (deceased), and Jessie (deceased). Our subject was reared in Bath Township, where he received a limited school education. He was married, August 21, 1858, to Ann E., daughter of Walter and Laura (Bassett) Edgecob, of Bath Township, by whom he had eleven children: Sarah A., wife of John F. Whiterall; Ida E., wife-of Danie] Fetter; Kirby, Laura, Albert (deceased), Walter E., Oscar E. (deceased), John E., Cary M., Willis A. and Rebecea. Mr. White served in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted October 1, 1861, in Company E, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Resaca, Dallas, Atlanta, and in many other engagements, and was honorably discharged at Rome, Ga., October 3, 1864. Mr. White resided on the old homestead in Bath Township up to February 26, 1878, when he removed to his present farm in Perry Township, where he now resides. He is a thorough, practical farmer and a worthy citizen. He is treasurer of Perry Township; in politics he is a Republican.

EDWARD WONNELL, farmer and stock-dealer, and postmaster at South Warsaw, was born in Perry Township, this county, April 10, 1836; son of William and Sarah (Stiles) Wonnell, who settled in Perry Township in 1835, the former a native of Delaware, the latter of Woodstock, Vt. His paternal grandfather was William Wonnell, a native of Delaware, and his maternal] grandfather was Jonathan Stiles, a native of Ver. mont, and among the first settlers of what is now Auglaize County, Ohio. Our subject was reared in Perry Township, this county, where he received a limited education in the common schools. He was married December 23, 1858, to Mary J., daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Turner) Smith, of Auglaize County, this State, by whom he had seven children: Sarepta A., wife of A. A. Thomas; Emma, deceased; Callie, wife of James F. Kerr; Willie, deceased; Eva I., Alva M. and Nellie G, After his marriage, Mr. Wonnell engaged as solicitor for several publications, an occupation he followed up to 1861, when he embarked in general mercantile business in South Warsaw, continuing in the same up to 1883. In the meantime he purchased the farm he now occupies, comprising over 200 acres of the best land in the township. Since 1877 he has been a breeder of short-horn cattle, all registered in the American Herd Book and Ohio Short-lhorn Record; is also a breeder of Poland- China hogs and Hambletoniau and Clydesdale horses. Myr. Wonnell was in the 100 day's service during the late war of the Rebellion, going out in May 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio National Guards. He was soon after detailed as nurse and assistant hospital steward at Fort Reno, and was honorably discharged December 10, 1864, May 29, 1862, he was appointed postmaster at South Warsaw, which position he has held continuously to the present time. He served as secretary of Allen County Agricultural Society one year, declinirg re-election; was a member of the Board of Agriculture for six years, and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of the Farmers' and Mechanics' County Fair Association, of Ada, and has always taken an active part in the promotion of agricultural interests. Mr. and Mrs. Wonnell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

Source changes here: from History of Allen County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Miller, Charles Christian, published 1906; 928 words in this source stream.

Perry Township

Was established by the Board of County Commissioners in December, 1833, and was organized at the house of Joseph Crossley in April, 1834. Hugh Skilling, Sr., John Ridenour and Joseph Crossley were elected trustees; Moses McDonald, justice of the peace, and James Chenoweth, clerk. At this time the northeastern sections of Jackson township as originally set off from congressional township 4 south, range 7 east, were detached and added to Perry, giving the new township her full area of 36 sejuare miles.

The centers of settlement are Amherst, Warsaw and South Warsaw, all in the southern part of the township. There is no postoffice in the township now, though formerly there was one at South Warsaw. There is rural free delivery of mail throughout the township. There is no railway station in the township, though the Chicago & Erie and Detroit, Toledo & Ironton roads traverse the township. The proposed southern extension of the Columbus & Lake Michigan will pass through Perry.

The land of Perry township is cpiite level and originally was very wet. Having been well drained, the soil is rich and very productive; in the production of corn and grass it is not surpassed by any township in the county. The roads are well piked and this is a great advantage for the farmers do all their shopping at Lima. One of Perry township's most enterprising citizens is T. A. Crabb. Mr. Crabb is a large stock-raiser dairyman and market gardener. Ide is interested in education and

And Representative Citizens

The oil industry is quite promising about Yoder a little town near the center of the township which sprang up after the discovery of oil and was named for the family of Congressman S. S. Yoder. At one time there was a promising grange in the township which met at Yoder in a hall specially built for that purpose but at present the grange has been discontinued.

The property valuation in 1904 of Perry township outside of Perry Special School District was $836,189, with a tax rate of 17.9 mills; that of Perry Special School District in the same year was $265,177, with a tax rate of 14.9 mills.

Pioneers. - The early settlers of the township were Samuel Bowman, Andrew Budd, Joseph Crossley, Augustus Curtis, Thomas Crooks, Nicholas Faze, Samuel Funk, Martin Funk, John Logan, Joseph Lippincott, Andrew Moore, George Moss, James McPheron, John McPheron, William McPheron, James F. Miller, John Ridenour, Jacob Ridenour, Hugh B. Stevenson, Plugh Skilling, George Severs, Daniel Schuler, J. L. Stevenson, John Stevenson, Samuel D. Voorhis, Cornelius Voorhis, James H. Daniels, Jacob Ice, George Hawthorne and Thomas Franklin. The settlement of Perry may be said to date from 1830. When John Ridenour arrived in Perry township in 1830, he found the county almost a wilderness, occupied largely by the Shawnees along Hog Creek and in the village in Shawnee township, with here and there a white family. He succeeded in erecting a cabin after traveling many miles to gather a few hands to assist at the raising. The Shawnee hunters often visited him and Chief Quilna was a frequent guest at his cabin. Pht and other friendly Indians paid him frequent visits. When the Shawnees left in 1832, Mr. Ridenour obtained a pony formerly owned by the family of Pht, which had been given Andrew Russell for paling in the grave of the Chief, and which lived to he 28 years old. Mr. Ridenour had a family of three sons and four daughters.

primitive appearance. Nearly all of the lands were taken up, but the township was very heavily timbered and improvements were slow in being made. In 1840 James C. Hullinger built a cabin in Perry township, and at that time his nearest neighbors were a mile and a half distant. The first mill patronized by the early settlers was in Auglaize township, two and a half miles away - and for grinding the pioneers usually went' to Cherokee. Dr. William Cunningham of Lima, and Dr. Knox, of Westminster, administered to the sick in this part of the county.

The taxpayers of Perry township, in 1834, were: James H. Daniels, Augustus Curtin, Thomas Crooks, Thomas Franklin, Jacob Ice, Samuel B. Lippincott, John C. Luce, John Logan, Elya Maus, George Severs, John Stevenson, Daniel Schuler and James McPheron. The value of the horses and cattle was estimated at $872, yielding a tax of $9.59.

Schools. - The first school in Perry township was taught by Leonard Skilling in 1835. In 1844 John Terry was employed to teach in a schoolhouse built in section 25. In 1884 the number of pupils enrolled was 363; in 1904, 280. In Perry Special School District the enrollment in 1884 was 96; in 1904, 59. The school buildings in the township in 1884 were valued at $2,800; in 1904, at $13,000. In Perry Special School District in 1884 the school buildings were valued at $2,600; in 1904, at $3,000.

The teachers in the schools of Perry township in 1904-05 were as follows: Ida L. Diehl. Grace Hover, William Rines, O. M. Thomas, Robert Shade, A. M. Wonnell, J. F. Underwood and Elsie Chapman. The teachers in Perry Special School District for the same period were as follows: Nelle G. Michael. Addie McKinney, Orie McCoy and Viola Barton.

Churches. - The churches in the township are quite numerous and well attended : The Cherry Grove Church of Christ with Rev. Mc- Cloud as pastor; the Fletcher, Olive and Perry Chapel Methodist Episcopal churches, all on a circuit with Rev. Parlette as pastor; and the Garfield Church of Christ.