Pleasant Township (part 2 of 3)

The manufacturers referred to, further realizing the importance of providing for the manufacture of all the component parts which enter into and are used in connection with the Champion machines, especially the knives, sickles and sections, under their own supervision, decided to make such provision by building a separate manufactory for that purpose, and to that end the Champion Bar & Knife Company was formed in 1874, on the same common basis of contribution and ownership as the Champion Malleable Iron Company. During the years 1874 and 1875, grounds were purchased, extensive buildings erected and equipped with the most approved machinéry for the manufacture of cutter bars, guards, knives, sickles, sections, etc. The buildings were planned and erected, and the machinery purchased and manufactured, under the immediate supervision of Mr. Jerome Fassler.

The main building is of brick, two stories and basement in height; is upward of 200 feet in length. The northern wing extends east a distance of 400 feet, in two rooms, one of which is occupied as a machine-shop and the other as a blacksmith-shop. The southern wing is divided into six rooms, used for grinding guards, tempering sections, case-hardening guards, machine-shop, etc., extending a distance of 500 feet. The machinery with which it is equipped, which is the very best that can be procured, is driven by a low-pressure engine of 275-horse-power capacity. The simple manufacture of knives may not appear, at first sight, as a field for the exercise of much ingenuity. But an examination of the different shapes and different processes through which they pass, and the skill and care necessary to insure success, will readily produce a contrary opinion.

In addition to the manufacture of cutter bars, guards, knives, sickles and sections, the necessary machinery has been added for the manufacture of rivets of all kinds, shapes and sizes, and a new line of machinery is now being added for the manufacture of nuts and washers, chains, etc., so that in the future every factor of the Champion machines will be manufactured from the raw material by one of the firms or companies referred to.

Springfield Southern Railroad, extends from Springfield through South Charleston, Jeffersonville, Washington C. H., Greenfield, Bainbridge and Waverly (a distance of 110 miles), to Jackson, Ohio, which latter point is located almost in the center of the Jackson County coal-fields, from which the best coal in Ohio, and perhaps the best bituminous coal in the world, is mined; also, the central portion of what is known as the Hanging-Rock region of Ohio, which introduces the best charcoal foundry iron and also the best mill iron in the country. Hence, it will be seen that the manufacturers of the Champion have assured to themselves an unlimited supply of the best quality of materials.

The capital stock of said Springfield Southern Railroad is $1,000,000, owned almost exclusively by members of the "Champion Interest." The officers of the company are William N. Whiteley, of Springfield, Ohio, President; H. L. Chapman, of Jackson, Vice President; George A. Barnes, of Springfield, Secretary; Amos Whiteley, of Springfield, Treasurer; William Thornburgh, of Springfield, Superintendent.

The road has connections at Jackson, Ohio, with the Portsmouth Branch of the Marietta & Cincinnati road; at Waverly, Ohio, with the Scioto Valley road; at Greenfield, Ohio, with the main line of the Marietta & Cincinnati road; at Washington C. H., Ohio, with the Muskingum Valley road; at South Charleston, Ohio, with the Little Miami division of the Pan Handle road; and at Springfield, with the Springfield & Columbus; Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis; Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland; Atlantic & Great Western and Pan Handle roads, which furnish a ready market for all of the surplus coal and iron. The company also contemplate extending their line of road from Jackson, Ohio, to Huntington, W. Va., connecting at that point with the Chesapeake & Ohio road, which connection would make the Springfield

Whiteley, Fassler & Kelly also have a large shop on North street, used for experimental work only. Here much time is spent improving and inventing either new machines entire or parts for those already in use. The most extensive shops ever builtin this city are now being erected on East street for this company, and when finished will be the largest, finest and best-equipped agricultural factory in the whole country.

In the year 1806, Simon Kenton moved from his home on the Urbana Pike, near the present Hunt farm, to the rapids of Buck Creek, at the point where the village of Lagonda now stands. Here Kenton built a grist-mill, and attached thereto a carding machine, which did not prove a success for want of perfect machinery. l

The grist-mill was a small and rather inferior concern. The bolting machine was run by hand-power, which was usually furnished by those waiting for meal. Kenton left this mill and his home in 1812 to join the army of this country, then at war with England. This property belonged to William Ward, Sr., in 1814, at which time Nicholas Pricket and William Breezely bought the same and built what was known as the Pricket Mill. This was a woolen-mill, and the first one in this county of any pretensions. With regard to this, Mr J. T. Warder has kindly furnished the following:

DEAR Sir - Your note received and contents noted. As I have understood, Simon Kenton built the first mill at Lagonda, on the north side of the creek, where, after several fruitless efforts to dam the creek at the gorge througb the limestone formation at that point, he made a dam with logs and loose stones 100 rods to the east of the first location (a part of which still remains), and carried the water of the creek by race to the mill, which stood about the middle of the present main shop at Lagonda. He also built the first saw-mill upon the same site, being the first one in the county. 'This was understood to be a squatter's right, and, about 1810 or 1812, his friends induced Congress to donate to him for his known services to the Government, a tract of thirty acres laid out in a square, and covering all his improvements. The title was in some way in the hands of William Ward as trustee of Simon Kenton. Ward sold to Prickett & Beezley, who increased the size of the mill. Both of these parties died previous to 1830, in which year, after proceedings of the court, the property was sold by the heirs to Jeremiah Warder, who in the same year employed Oliver Armstrong, one of our most noted millwrights of that day, to construct a heavy timber dam just above the gore, still maintaining secure rock foundation, and build a three-story mill on the south side of the:creek. "This was one of the first merchant mills in the county, so styled from having two runs of buhrs and a separate set of bolting machinery, especially devoted to the manufacture of flour for shipping.

here were also wheat and corn buhrs, with necessary bolting and cleaning machinery, devoted entirely to custom trade; farmers then, as now, thinking their own grain superior to their neighbors', and the custom was to go with a load of wheat, often many miles, to some noted miller, and returning with the proceeds in flour and offal, less the toll for the grinding - one-eighth of corn and one-tenth of wheat. In 1849, the dam last mentioned was washed out, and, with the view of obtaining more power, the Warder Brothers secured the right of Thomas Merrick to construct a race-way and dam through a part of his lands to the east, to one they were constructing on the former mill property, on the north side of the stream. and carried the water over the creek in a wooden trunk. In 1852, the present manufacturing of agricultural implements was begun in a very modest way, and, after a few years of growth, this power being so much more valuable in this line, that the milling interest was given up, and the old structure was taken down and its timbers put to other uses. Truly, JETIW:

The agricultural shops mentioned above were the start of the present extensive business of Warder, Bushnell & Glessner, before mentioned as Warder. Mitchell & Co.

The collection of information in reference to the manufacturing business of a city, to be minute, requires much time and great space to present it in a

Pleasant Tf

It will be proper to add that the following different kindsof business have all along been successfully prosecuted in Springfield, to wit: Brick-making, broom-making, carpet-weaving, cigar-making, cooperage, woolen goods, baking powder, plow-making and lime-burning.

The quality of both brick and lime is fully equal'to any produced in the country, and the Whiteley plow was the pride of the farm, but, like other implements, had to give way to machine-made work.

The Printing Press

The inventive genius of mankind has been taxed to the utmost to supply the demand upon it for rapidity and accuracy in printing newspapers. From the old Franklin hand-press to the modern Hoe, there has been successive growths as marked as those we trace in geological formation. The first printing press used in Springfield, in the year 1820, was a clumsy, awkward machine, but a representative of the art then in its infancy. The press which printed the first newspaper here was worked by hand by two persons. One man stood by the side of the press holding in each hand a large ball covered with sheepskin, and fastened to a small handle. One of these balls was applied to the ink lying upon a board. The balls were then pounded together until the ink was evenly distributed on their surface, when the workmen commenced pounding the balls over the form of types until a suffieient amount of ink was applied for an impression The pressman then placed the blank sheet of paper in a frame covered with stout linen cloth; this frame was then folded down upon the form in which the type were locked, and the whole was rolled with a crank under an upright screw, attached to a horizontal lever, similar to the cider press; this screw was then brought down upon the forms of type with the use of the lever, in doing which the pressman used both hands and seemed to bring into exercise all the muscles of his body. The lever was then shoved back, the form rolled out from under the screen by a reverse motion of the crank; the frame containing the printed sheet thrown up; the paper taken up with the fingers of the pressman and laid aside as finished.

The year 1820 marks an important point in the history of Springfield - that of the establishment of a newspaper. The first press in the city was owned by George Smith, who commenced the publication during the year of a paper called The Farmer, which advocated the principles of the Madison administration. In size it was a little larger than a foolscap sheet, printed on dark coarse paper. During the *jumble of parties," through the quiet administration of Monroe, its successors kept along, in the even tonor of their way, coming out at the end of Mr. Monroe's term, with the Whig party and Mr. J. Q. Adams, and against the Democratic party and Gen. Jackson. Smith had his office in a small log house, which stood on the southeast corner of the lot, on which the First Presbyterian Church now stands. There was also a religious paper started during this year, by Rev. Saul Henkle, called the Gospel Trumpet, and was issued monthly in pamphlet form. It was, however, soon removed to Dayton, Ohio, where its publication was continued a short time. Smith did not continue the printing business more than a year. He sold the press to Henry Rogers, who changed the name of the paper to the Farmers' Advocate, He had his office in a small, one-story frame, built in the place of Smith's log cabin. After Henry Rogers it fell in the hands of his brother, Benjamin H. Rogers, who continued the paper with the same name, and in the same office, a year or two, and then changed the name to the Western Pioneer. On December 18, 1824, B. H. Rogers' interest ceased in the Pioneer by his death. The paper was published by Simeon Rogers after the death of his brother Benjamin. No name, nowever, appeared in the paper, as editor or proprietor, until April, 1825, when the name of George W. Jewett, Esq., was announced as publisher. .

July 25, 1828, Messrs. Benjamin and Moses M. Henkle assumed the publication of the Western Pioneer. This partnership was continued until December 20, 1828, when Moses M. Henkle became its sole proprietor. He removed the office from the public square to a large frame house on the southwest corner of Market and Columbia streets. On the 30th of May, 1829, Col. William A. Camron purchased the interest of M. M. Henkle in the Pioneer. Although the Colonel was publisher, yet it was edited principally by William V. H. Cushing, whose name, however, did not appear in print.

On the 10th of April, 1831, Edward H. Cumming became the editor of the Western Pioneer, the press and materials.being owned by Jeremiah Warder. On the 14th of May following, Francis and John M. Gallagher assumed its publication, Mr. Cumming still editor. On the 24th of September of the same year, it was printed and published by Edward H. Cumming and John M. Gallagher, and, on the 17th of November, 1832, F. and J. M. Gallagher again became sole editor and managers of the press.

The first literary paper in Springfield, called the Farmers' Chronicle, made its appearance on Tuesday, January 1, 1833. It was edited by M. M. Henkle and William V. H. Cushing, and published weekly by the firm of Stacey, Nichols & Stacey. The partnership existing between Stacey, Nichols & Stacey was dissolved on the 22d of June following, and the subscription list added to that of the Western Pioneer. When the union of these papers was effected, the name of the Pioneer was changed to Pioneer and Chronicle. On the 27th of July following, John M. Gallagher became sole proprietor of this publication. On the 31st of August of the same year, the paper underwent another change, and it appeared as the Springfield (Ohio) Pioneer and Clark County Advertiser, under the firm of J. M. Gallagher avd Francis Harris. They had their office on the southeast corner of Market and High streets. On the 14th of June, 1834, J. M. Gallagher again became sole proprietor of the Springfield Pioneer.

On the 29th of April, 1836, James P. Williamson purchased one-half of the Pioneer and Chronicle office, and became a partner in the firm of Gallagher & Co. The office again met with another change in name, the latter part of the former name being dropped, and the heading Springfield (Ohio) Pioneer being adopted.

During the Presidential campaign of 1836, a paper called the Calumet and War Club. favorable to the election to Gen. William H. Harrison to the Presidency, was published by J. D. Nichols, and edited by the Whig Central Committee, which consisted of the following persons: William V. H. Cushing, William A. Rogers and James S. Halsey. It was published the last three months of the campaign, at 20 cents a copy to clubs of five. The number of subscribers was about two thousand five hundred.

On the 24th of February, 1837, the name of Thomas Harrison was added to the firm of Gallagher & Williamson, in the publication of the Springfield (Ohio) Pioneer. This partnership existed until the 12th of May following, when it was dissolved by Mr. Gallagher's removal to Columbus, Ohio. The business was, however, continued by T. Harrison and J. P. Williamson - James S. Halsey acting as editor. This last-named firm was changed May 18, 1838, to Thomas Harrison and William Williamson.

As uear as we can ascertain the first paper in Springfield, advocating the principles of the Democratie party, was issued during the year 1839, under the title of Mad River Democrat. It was continued a few weeks over a year, when its publication ceased, on account of embarrassment by debt of its editor and propietor, J. H. Nichols, who absconded in the winter of 1839-40. During a part of the year 1839, W. A. Rogers, Esq., edited the Springfield (Ohio) Pioneer.

In August, 1819, John M. Gallagher, having associated himself with J. B. Halsey, again became connected with the press in this place. They changed the name of Springfield (Ohio) Pioneer to that of the Republic, the present name, and this was the first paper of that name in the United States. They removed their office to Linn's Building, on Main street, on the evening of February 21, 1840. This building was destroyed by fire, with nearly all the printing materials of the Republic office. As a consequence the publication of the paper was suspended four weeks.

During the Presidential campaign of this year, the publication of the Calumet and War Club was renewed by Jacob and John A. Crain. It advocated the election of Harrison and Tyler, and was edited by the Whig Central Committee as before, with an increased circulation - the number of subscribers amounting to about four thousand. John D. Nichols was the agent.

A new and religious journal, entitled the Presbyterian of the West, made its appearance in the town on the 22d of September, 1841. It was published and edited by Rev. J. A. Dunlap and Rev. W. D. Smith. It was printed at the Republic office, and was issued every other Wednesday, at $1 per annum in advance.

During the fall of 1843, they purchased a press and fitted up an office of their own in * Linn's new building," where they continued the publication until the fall of 1845, when they removed their establishment to Cincinnati. There they continued its publication a few months over a year, when they disposed of it to Mr. H. C. McGrew and Rev. W. L. Rice, the latter being its principal editor.

The Gospel Herald, a semi-monthly journal in pamphlet form, was published at New Carlisle, in this county, October, 1843, under the direction of the Ohio Christian Book Association - edited by Isaac N. Walter - and printed by a man named Edwards. In the summer of 1845, R. R. Pope purchased this press and removed it to Springfield, where the publication of this paper was continued. In the spring of 1847, Elders James Williamson and James W. Marvin became editors of the Gospel Herald. The press and materials having been sold to John M. West, an arrangement was made this year for printing the paper in the Republic office. A year from this last date it was changed from a pamphlet form to that of a folio. In the year 1849, the Ohio Christian Book Association bought material and fitted up a printing office, in Rinehart's building, on Main street, where the Herald was afterward printed. This paper circulated throughout the different States of the Union.

J. B. Halsey disposed of his interest in the Republic to John A. Crain, August 29, 1845, and the business was conducted under'the firm of Gallagher & Crain. )

A paper advocating the claims of the Democratic party made its appearance in May, 1846, bearing the title of Union Democrat, edited by John M. West, and was printed at the office of R. B. Pope. In December following, Mr. West purchased this office of Mr. Pope, and changed the name to that of Clark County Democrat.

In June, 1848, Edwin P. Stephenson became connected with Mr. West in the publication of this paper. In May of the following year (1849), they sold their press and material to Messrs. William Mosgrove and E. G. Dial, who removed the same to Urbana, Ohio, where the Expositor of the Fourth Congressional District, appeared in the place of the Democrat.

This paper returned to Springfield again in the fall of 1852, where its publication was continued by E. P. Stephenson & Co., until May, 1853, when it came under the control of William F. Boggs, an able Democratic writer, who was called by the Whig press " Parson Boggs." This paper afterward passed through the hands of W. D. Hill, Oldham & Lemon, Charles Gould, George E: Stayman, McGaffey & Elifritz, Elifritz & Balentine, Elifritz & Winters, and finally to Transcript Printing Company. The name of the paper had been changed by Elifritz & Balentine to the Springfield Transcript. D. C. Balentine is now the editor of this paper, which is the Democratic organ of the county, and of great influence in that party.

À neatly printed paper advocating the cause of temperance was commenced on the 12th of March, 1847, bearing the title of the Moss Covered Bucket. It was published and edited by Augustus C. Lawrence and William D. Runyan. It was printed at the Democrat office, but was discontinued, after the publication of six numbers, in May following. | f

On August 27, 1847, D. W. Halsey, having purchased the interest of J. A. Crain in the Republic, became connected with that paper. Soon after Mr. Halsey became one of the proprietors, Mr. John M. Gallagher, its principal editor, was seized with that fatal disease, consumption, which terminated his life November 23, 1847. In the Republic of November 25 following, an appropriate notice of his death appeared from the pen of its junior editor, Mr. H., from which we make the following extract: "Mr. J. M. Gallagher has been identified with the press of this county for seventeen years, within which time he has represented the county in the lower branch of the Ohio Legislature two sessions, during both of which he filled the Speaker's Chair, and gained an enviable reputation from political friends and foes by the impartiality with which he discharged his duties." These words were nearly his last: "This world must excuse me - let us meet in a better." The Lyceum, of which he was an active member and one of its founders, met on the day of his death, and passed resolutions showing their regard for his talents and usefulness.

On February 19, 1848, George D. Emerson purchased the interest of the late Mr. Gallagher in the Republic office, and the business was conducted under the firm of Halsey & Emerson, the former of whom was principal editor. On the 6th of May following, they commenced the publication of the Tri- Weekly Republic.

In May, of the same year, there was a press brought to this place, on which a paper was printed bearing the title of the Present Age. It was under the control of Rey. Mr. Turner, and had for its motto, "Independent in all things; neutral in nothing." There were but two numbers of this paper issued.

George D. Emerson sold his interest in the Republic to Robert Coulter, and the firm became Halsey & Coulter, which continued until May 24, 1850, at which time Richard McNemar purchased Mr. Halsey's interest in the Republic and became its editor. In December, 1850, MeNemar & Co. placed in their office the first power press, an Adams, which had for its motor a colored man at the wheel. It was a great improvement on the old hand press. Theodore A. Wick. succeeded Mr. Coulter as a partner of Mr. McNemar in August, 1851, Mr. Coulter having previously conveyed his interest to Mr. MeNemar, and the firm became McNemar & Wick. In 1853, the Republic was purchased by Wick, Frey & Mayn. George H. Frey was the editor. The following year George H. Frey purchased his partners' interest and became the sole owner.

George W. Hastings and J. J. Green, in the summer of 1853, commenced the publication of a newspaper called the Nonpareil. The interest of Mx. Green was sold at Sheriff's sale in 1854, and was purchased by his partner, Mr. Hastings, who sold the same to C. M. Nichols. The name of the paper then under the management of Hastings & Nichols was changed to the Mad River Valley News and Clark County Journal,

In 1853, Isaiah Thomas published the Mad River Valley Gazette, He was a man of some prominence. He received the appointment as Minister to Algiers, but while he was on his voyage there, the ship on which he with his beautiful daughter and a promising son had taken passage foundered and went down with all on board. i

, The American Ruralist, a family quarto, was a paper devoted to education, agriculture, the fine arts, published by J. R. Dodge. The first number was issued on April 3, 1858, and presented a handsome appearance. It suspended publication after a vigorous existence for two years.

When the Methodist Protestant Church had been in existence for about ten years, she sorely felt the need of an organ in the Northern and Western States. During the fall of 1838, the subject was thoroughly canvassed, and, in July, 1839, the first number of the paper was issued, edited and published by Rev. Cornelius Springer - office located on Meadow Farm, six miles southwest of Zanesville, Ohio. Mr. Springer conducted the paper for six years at his homestead. Health failing him, the paper was issued one year on the "farm" by Rev. A. H. Bassett, Rev. Springer, associate.

In 1846, the Western Recorder was purchased from Rev. C. Springer, by Rev. A. H. Bassett, and by him the office of the publication was removed from Meadow Farm to the town of Putnam - now the Ninth Ward of the city of Zanesville, Ohio. Mr. Bassett edited and published the paper as an individual enterprise till September, 1855, when, by act of a convention composed of Ministerial and Lay representatives of the Methodist Protestant Church, two Commissioners were appointed, Rev. J. M. Flood and Rev. George Clancy, to made, the office of publication ordered removed from Putnam, Ohio, to Springfield, Ohio, and the name of the paper changed from that of Western Recorder to that of Western Methodist Protestant. The removal took place in September, 1855. Mr. Bassett was elected editor and publisher by the convention. It was first issued at Springfield, October, 1855. Mr. Bassett was continued editor and publisher, by the church, till 1860.

At the General Convention of the Methodist Protestant Church, of 1860, Rev. George Brown, D. D., of Pennsylvania, was elected editor for two years, and Rev. Bassett continued publisher and book agent. In November, 1862, Rev. D. B. Dorsey, of West Virginia, was elected editor for two years. Rev. Bassett continued as publisher and book agent till November, 1864, when he resigned the office. At this time the Board of Publication assembled in Springfield, Ohio, and elected Rev. John Scott, D. D., of Pennsylvania, editor, and Rev. J. S. Throp, of Ohio, publisher and book agent, each to serve for the term of two years The General Conference of 1866 re-elected Dr. John Scott, editor, and again re-elected Rev. A. H. Bassett, publisher and book agent. At the same time the name of the paper was changed from that of Western Methodist Protestant to that of the Methodist Recorder.

In September, 1870, Dr. Scott resigned editorial control of the paper, and the Board of Publication elected Rev. Alexander Clark, D. D., editor, o fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. Scott. The General Cenference of 1871, re-elected Dr. Clark editor, and. again re-elected Rev. A. H. Bassett publisher and book agent. In November, 1871, by act of General Conference, the office of publication was removed from Springfield, Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Penn. In July, 1872, Rev. Bassett resigned the position as publisher and book agent, to get clear of petty annoyances, and open the way to official position for parties who could not ascend while he stood in the way. James Robison succeeded Rev. Bassett as publisher in 1872. In 1875, the General Conference re-elected Rev. Alexander Clark, D. D., editor, and James Robison publisher

Rev. Dr. Clark died July 6, 1879, at Atlanta, Ga., while visiting his friend, Gov. Colquitt, of that State. Rev. John Scott, D. D., was elected to fill the vacancy by the Board of Publication. In May, 1850, the General Conference re-elected Dr. Scott editor, and James Robison publisher and book agent.

The Sunday School, a paper for children, was first issued at Springfield, Ohio,in 1873. It hasever been a very popular paper among the children of the Methodist Protestant Church. The Methodist Recorder, since its first issue, has been an influential journal in the religious world. Rev. George Brown, D. D., was widely known as an educator, author, editor and an able theologian. He resided at Springfield from December, 1860, till his death, October 25, 1871. His remains lie in Fern Cliff Cemetery, Springfield. Ohio.

Rev. Alexander Clark, D. D., lived in Springfield about two years. During his residence here, although editor of a Methodist Protestant journal. he served the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield as their Pastor some six months. Dr. Clark was widely known as a thorough educator, fascinating author, an eloquent minister, and accomplished editor. His remains rest in peace at Wellsville, Ohio. Rev. Dr. Scott, present editor of the Methodist Recorder, resided in Springfield, Ohio, for several years. Dr. Scott is a profound theologian, a popular author, and ranks with the able religious editors of our country.

Rev. A. H. Bassett served the Methodist Protestant Church of Springfield as Pastor in 1837 and 1838. He came to Springfield, with the press, from Zanesville, in 1855, and has had his home in said city until the present time - though transient the past year or two. Rev. Bassett has filled all the offices within the gift of the Methodist Protestant Church - a successful editor and publisher, author of church history, a thorough student, an entertaining preacher, and a true Christian gentleman.

William R. Calhoon, a resident of Springfield, Ohio, and from whom we gather the above facts, was an active participant in all the changes pertaining to the Recorder, from 1845 till 1878. He remained with the concern until, through long-continued application to business, his eyesight failed him.

The Springfield Daily Evening Telegram was established January 21, 1861, by Henry C. Craft, a practical printer of considerable experience, its office of publication being in the old Methodist Protestant building on South Limestone street, on the site now occupied by Bookwalter's Opera House. The editors of the Telegram were J. R. Dodge, afterward statistician of the Ayricultural Bureau at Washington, and D. Brainerd Lathrop, a young man of brilliant talent, who was killed a year or two later while in the telegraph service with Gen. Me- Clellan's army. Mr. Dodge had another journal under his charge called the American Ruralist, and the two papers were under one management to some extent. The Daily Telegram was subsequently sold to E. R. Gard, and by him to Dr. J. Kost. Dr. Kost had been in possession of the paper but a short time when he disposed of it to Messrs. Hastings & Nichols, by whom it was consolidated with their own paper, the Springfield Daily News.

Io 1861, the Republic was sold to W. F. Coggswell, who, in 1864, sold the same to George W. Hastings and C. M. Nichols. The Republic and Mad River News were consolidated and published as the Republic.

The Weekly Advertiser was started in 1867 by A. D. Hook, who sold it in 1869 to Jesse O. Thomas and others, who published it under the firm name of Advertiser Printing Company, and isssued a morning daily. This paper became a strong rival to the Daily Republic in influence and patronage. W. W. Beach was the superintendent of the publishing department, and Oscar T. Martin was the editor. It failed to support itself, and, in the summer of 1872. was sold to J. J. Snyder and William Williamson, who. a few months thereafter sold it to the Republic Printing Company, kir: The Springfield Daily Leader was a small daily, published during the c qan of the woman's crusade, by D. C. Balentine and others. Its short-lived mission was to restrain the zeal and enthusi It was published but a few months. PEERS Bap E _ _ The Republic is as we have seen the oldest as well as the largest and most influential paper in the county. Through various changes of name and proprietorship its ancestry goes back almost to the time when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. It was incorporated in 1867, with a capital stock of $50,000, which, in 1872, was increased to $125,000. George W. Hastings is now as he was at the beginning the manager of the institution. Under his prudent guide and it has attained an influential position. C. M. Nichols occupies the editorial chair. He is vigorous in his advocacy of all improvements which will advance the interests of the city, and his labors have always been earnest and unceasing. Springfield has received great benefit from his fluent pen. C. E. Folger has been his associate for many years, and has contributed much to the success of the paper.

The Champion Reaper and Mower Companies publish and distribute gratuitously from 150,000 to 175,000 a month copies of a paper called the Illustrated Champion, which represents the Champion interests, and is creditable in typography and editorial arrangement. It was started in 1870. Charles Rowley is the editor.

Rinehart, Ballard & Co. also publish the Illustrated Springfield Thresher, which is devoted to the enlightenment of the public upon the qualities of the threshers, separators and powers manufactured by that firm.

The Daily and Weekly Times was inaugurated as a newspaper experiment in November, 1879, by Wells S. Trader as editor. It did not continue through the first volume, although ite proprietor spared no expense to make it profitable.

The Sunday News, a lively local paper, and circulated only on Sunday, commenced its career in June, 1879. It was the successor of the Daily Morning News, which had been started a few months before. The Sunday News is owned by the West Brothers, with D. Thornton West as editor. Its publication has been attended with the greatest success. "T. E. Harwood, on May 15, 1878, commenced the publication on a small scale of the Commercial Gazette, which he afterward changed and enlarged to the Springfield Gazette. It is a small but sturdy paper, with daily and weekly forms, and deserves to succeed. R. T. Nelson is the editor, who has made the paper a newsy sheet.

In March, 1871, the first number was issued of the Lepel Mechanical News, published by James Leffel & Co., Springfield, Ohio - a journal which has since become widely known throughout the United States, and, indeed, in all parts of the world, as one of the leading periodicals of its class, having in fact hardly any rival in its special field. Its projector and controlling manager was John W. Bookwalter, then a partner in the. house, and now sole proprietor both of the immense manufacturing concern conducted under the name of James Leffel & Co., and of the Mechanical News. The firm having acquired an extensive reputation through the sale of the celebrated Leffel Double Turbine Water

Wheel, and having a very large acquaintance through their business correspondents and otherwise with the manufacturing and milling public, Mr. Bookwalter was convinced of the feasibility of establishing, by means of these facilities, a journal which should deserve and thereby achieve a permanent success. The result proved his belief to be well founded. The Mechanical News, from its first issue in 1871, was a complete success in circulation, in influence, and in the public favor attending it. For the first ten years of its existence it was published monthly, the subscription price being 90 cents a year, and its circulation ranging from ten thousand to thirty-five thousand copies per month.[" In

March, 1881, it was made semi-monthly, the price increased to $1 per annum, i the circulation has risen to 20,000 copies. From 1871 to 1875, the edito. rial associate of Mr. Bookwalter in the enterprise was Quincy A. Petts, previously associate editor of the Springfield Daily Republic. In 1875, Mr. Petts was elected County Auditor, and his place on the Mechanical News was filled for the ensuing five years by Mr. Charles S. Kay. In 1881, Mr. Petts resumed his editorial and business relations with the paper, resigning the lucrative office of Auditor for that purpose, and Mr. Kay also retained his connection with the News, which was now enlarged to double its original size. The paper has also on its staff, in various departments, Mr. Owen R. Perkins formerly city editor of the Springfield Daily Times; Capt. D. C. Ballentine, formerly editor of the Springfield Transcript; W. H. H. Blackman, late of the American Agriculturist; Messrs. F. M.. Bookwalter, Fuller Trump, William Jayne, of New York City, E. L. Buchwalter, Warren C. Leffel and others. Through all these changes, however, Mr. John W. Bookwalter has remained the master spirit and director of the enterprise, infusing into all parts of the work the zeal, energy and enthusiasm, combined with sound and deliberate judgment, which he himself possessed.

The Mechanical News with its recent increase of size, -has also enlarged the scope of its design, and now embraces in its topical field all branches of practical science and manufacturing and mechanical industry. It is conducted on the theory, which events are rapidly confirming, that the true interest of the country, politically, financially and morally, lies in the fullest and speediest development of its material resources; and that the more thoroughly the energies of its people, in every section and State, are concentrated in this effort, the more perfectly will they be harmonized, the sooner will past differences be forgotten, and in the unity of purpose which will naturally follow, the more brilliant and prosperous will be the future thus wrought out for the nation.

The Farm and Fireside is a sixteen page agricultural and home journal - the first number of which was published October 1, 1877, by P. P. Mast & Co. It entered at that time a new field, and for a time there was doubt of its success. On June 1, 1879, Messrs. P. P. Mast, J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpatrick, purchased the subsription lists and good will and removed December 1, 1879, to commodious quarters in the Republic building on Main street, of which they occupy abzut one-third. The paper was originally an eight-page, but was increased in 1880 to a sixteen-page paper, and is now issued in the highest style of the art preservative, with machinery of the latest pattern and from stereotyped plates.

It has a circulation of 103,000 copies, and goes twice a month into every State and Territory in the Union. Over five tons of paper are used on each edition. This journal has had rapid development, and bids fair to outrank any journal of its kind in the country.

The Live Patron, a weekly now published by R. S. Thompson, was originally started January 1, 1875, by E. L. Barrett & Son, as a monthly magazine entitled the Grange Visitor and Farmers' Monthly Magazine. At the close of the year, a joint-stock company was incorporated under the style of "E. L. Barrett & Co." In November, 1876, E. L. Barrett & Co. transferred the publieation to T. H. Edwards, of Cincinnati, the paper being under the management of R. S. Thompson, the present publisher.

In August, 1877, John S. Rice. of this city, became a partner, and, in December, 1877, the LivePatron was started as a weeklv, and both publications

It is now one of the most prominent organs of the order of patrons of husbandry in the State. Its circulation has gradually increased, until at the close of 1880 it had 11,000 paid subscribers. í

Springfield Public Library

Searching for the history of persons and institutions is very much like inquiring for the age of the elm at the gate, or the willow by the spring. Now and then some one remembers when it was only "so high," and what was said about it then, and how from a mere twig in some traveler's hand, planted as a careless experiment, it grew and gave beauty and shade.

In tracing the origin of the Springfield Public Library, we find this thought verified. First the project of having a library for public use manifested itself in the early efforts to form library societies in the years 1820-21, and again in 1828-29. The idea grew, and with the Springfield Lyceum that existed from 1841 to 1853, there came better accommodations and a larger collection of books and papers for the use of all citizens who were willing to pay $3 annually. Following on came the Ladies' Library Association, which existed between 1855 and 1868, with its small and choice selection of books, which was circulated at 5 cents a volume per week. Then the Young Men's Christian Association from 1868 to 1872, gathered into its neat and attractive rooms the libraries collected by the Springfield Lyceum and Ladies' Library Association, and added other books by purchase, and again gave many of our citizens access to a creditable collection of literature.

But, in 1872, we come to the formation of the present public library. After struggling along for years with the circulating libraries - already noticed - which were supported by the labor and generosity of a few citizens, a movement was made early in 1872 toward the establishing of a free publie library by which the increasing demand for books and literature among all citizens could be supplied, and an educational institution made permanent that would be the pride of our city. The movement which culminated so successfully originated among the workingmen of Springfield, and was speeded on to success by the liberal encouragement and active co-operation it received from the business men and noble women of the city. Articles of incorporation were filed, the City Council appealed to for help, and finally the Springfield Publie Library was placed on a secure basis. The library commenced its existence with about three thousand three hundred volumes, and was formally opened Saturday night, June 8, 1872, by a promenade concert in the opera house which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Additional exercises were an address by the President of the Board of Trustees, John H. Vorhees; Music under the direction of Andrew Watt; Songs by Miss Macbeth and Miss Barbara Fassler; brief addresses by the prominent citizens and refreshments furnished by Hutcheson & Co. The library room on the same floor was also arranged so as to present a pleasing appearance. An admission of 10 cents was charged to this opening entertainment and about $100 realized.

The first annual report made in March, 1873, showed the total number of volumes to be 3,840; number of patrons, 1,/80; and the circulation for the nine months for which the library had been accessible to the public was 3,840; an average of 139 daily. Poe um ;

In August, 1877, the library was moved into its present location in Union Hall Building, on Market street, and was then enlarged, re-arranged, classified

The ninth annual report rd the net increase in the number of volumes for the year ending March 1, 1881, to be 639, making a total of 6,139 volumes, while the increase in the circulation for the same time has been 7,328 volumes - the entire circulation for the year being 94,899 volumes, a daily average of 194. Number of patrons enrolled, 3,033. Total amount received from the city for current expenses was $3,227.59, leaving a balance after expenses were paid of $108.84. The patronage of the reading room, supplied with a fair list of leading periodicals and papers, also showed a similar increase of patronage. The present Board of Trustees are E. W. Mullikin, President; E. L. Buchwalter, Vice President; G. W. Winger, Secretary; James L. Rodgers, Treasurer; and Amos Whiteley and W. A. Scott, Executive Committee.

Persons in charge the past year were R. C. Woodward, Librarian; Mrs. H. A. D. Woodward, First Assistant: Miss Jennie F. Rice, Second Assistant; John Thrasher, Janitor.

In March, 1868, the Young Men's Christian Association was re-organized, and the financial year began April 1, 1868. It was found at the organization that there was a nominal library appendage a relic of a former body of similar character of which we have no trace, but there were no books. A Librarian and a library committee was appointed, and, after a few months, the association appointed a committee of young gentlemen to canvass the city and solicit donations of books. This work was partially done and quite a number of valuable books were given to the association. Among others the following gentlemen contributed liberally:

The old Lyceum Library was turned over to the association with the understanding that it should be preserved, and that the organization do all it could to accumulate a public library. The ladies' library was also turned over to the association upon the following conditions set forth in the agreement:

WHEREAS, An arrangement having been concluded between this Association and the Young Men's Christian Association, by which the Ladies' Library Association have agreed to put their library into the possession, care and management of the Young Men's Christian Association, with the understanding and agreement of both associations that the latter will receive it, and endeavor to extend the sphere of its usefulness by new purchases of standard books, and widening the circulation of books among those who have not heretofore availed themselves of the benefits of the library ; and it is further understood that the Ladies' Association shall be permitted to have and enjoy the same right and privileges in the use of said library and the enlargement thereof which they have heretofore had under their constitution and by-laws ; it is therefore

Resolved, That the officers of the Ladies' Association, viz., the President, Vice President, Secretary and Librarian, be, and are hereby authorized and instructed, to deliver said library and appurtenances to the said Young Men's Christian Association, on the terms and conditions aforesaid.

Miss M. E. MILLER. The books were assorted, classified, labeled and re-numbered, constituting a library of 870 volumes. On the 12th of November, 1869, J. W. Gunn submitted the foilowing report to the association: "The number of books is now nearly two thousand, and the patronage is greatly increasing; a number of new books have been lately added, and the library is on such a basis as hence- forth to be a great publie good." The receipts of the library had been used in paying the Librarian and purchasing new books. The library was increased by donation and purchase from 870 volumes to 1,610 since it was received from the Ladies' Library Association. Early in the spring of the year 1871, the association finding that the lecture course was not going to return sufficient profit to clear it of debt, determined, very reluctantly, to close the readingroom as it was the chief source of expense, but to continue the library in the rear room. It was found that the front room could not be readily rented separately from the back one, and the association was notified that it must either rent both or give up both. No other room being found which was suitable for the purpose of the association, and, at the same time, within means, the association determined to store away its library, pay off its debt by the sale of the furniture and the voluntary subscriptions of its working members, and thereafter attempt no work requiring financial support.

The present organization of this body began in Mechanics Hall, on West Main street, March 16, 1878. The reasons for such an organization are well given in the following preamble of the association: 'We, the young men of Springfield, actuated by a desire to promote evangelical religion among the young men of this city and its vicinity, and impressed with the importance of concentrated effort to aid in accomplishing that object, and desirous of forming an association in which we may together labor for the great end proposed, hereby, etc., etc."

Provision is made under the constitution of the association for three classes of members, namely, actiive, associate and sustaining. The active membership consisting of young men, who are members, in good standing, of some evangelical church, and been elected by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the business meeting following that meeting at which their names have been proposed.

Any person may become a sustaining member by the annual payment of $5 into the treasury of the association. Only active members have the right to vote and hold office. All resident Pastors of evangelical churches are entitled to active membership.

The first officers of the association were James Caldwell, President; Ralph Atkins, Vice President; E. A. Coombs, Recording Secretary; L. M. Miller, Corresponding Secretary; E. F. Limbocker, Treasurer. Officers for the year 1879-80: John A. Rice, President; D. Mitchell, Vice President; J. F. Mitchell, Recording Secretary; Thomas King, Corresponding Secretary; Samuel Kirkpatrick, Treasurer; and Francis Cunningham, General Secretary. The present incumbency are: Thomas J. Kirkpatrick, President; E. P. Christie, First Vice President; B. F. Funk, Second Vice President; James H. Miller, Recording Secretary; L. M. Frankenburg, Corresponding Secretary; W. J. Funkey, Treasurer; Francis Cunningham, General Secretary. l

The association continued to occupy, for a time, the hall in which its organization was effected, then removing to Freid's Hall, on East Main street, remaining until about January l, 1880, at which time they moved to the furnished room in the city hall building, corner High and Market streets. On April 1, 1880, they made another change, going to No. 13 East Main street, having two rooms on the second floor, which rooms they now occupy. The main room in which the meetings are held while not elegantly, is very comfortably furnished, making for the young men a very pleasant and inviting place to assemble. did

Three religious meetings are held during the week, namely: Monday evening, Thursday afternoon and Saturday evening. The association, yet in infancy, is giving daily evidence of the great and good work it is destined to accomplish.

Secret Societies

There were early manifestations of the tendency of man to associate himself with others in bonds of secret fellowship. The mystic symbols, the grip and the password of fraternal feeling followed the pioneer to the settlements on the frontier. We therefore find an early recognition of the Masonic order, the oldest of fraternities. The members of the order were scattered, and it was difficult to obtain a sufficient number, during the early years, to organize a lodge at one place. The scarcity of membership made it necessary to have one lodge for Springfield, Dayton and Urbana. This was Harmony Lodge, No. 9. The earliest record that we find of this lodge is of a communication held in the court house in Dayton on the Ist day of September, 1809. A number in the margin of the record indicates that this was the third communication that it ever held. Harmony Lodge then held its regular meetings alternately at Dayton, Springfield and Urbana, at least once a month at each place. At the first meeting held, there were but four persons present - one officer, two officers pro tem., and one visitor.

At the first Masonic Lodge ever opened in Urbana, at a meeting convened in the court house on September 20, 1809, Samuel Simonton and Jonah Baldwin, of Springfield, were present in an official capacity. During the fall and winter of 1809, meetings were held about every two weeks, alternately in the towns of Urbana, Springfield and Dayton. Those in Urbana were held in the court house; in Springfield, at Samuel Simonton's residence; and in Dayton, sometimes at the residence of Hugh McCullum, at other times in the court house.

As this was at a period prior to easy locomotion and the railroad, and also the stage-coach was unknown, it was quite difficult for the Master to travel from place to place to hold meetings. In view of this, at a stated communication held in Springfield December 9, 1809, there.was a resolution proposed and adopted that Harmony Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., be divided, and accordingly the warrant was surrendered to the Grand Lodge.

Those members of the fraternity at and in the vicinity of Springfield and Urbana petitioned the Grand Lodge for a warrant empowering them to hold meetings at Urbana and Springfield alternately, and those brethren residing near Dayton and Troy likewise petitioned for authority to hold lodge at those places respectively, the name of their lodge to be St. John. These petitions were accordingly granted by the Grand Lodge, in session, January 1 to 5, 1810. During the years 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, the meetings were held alternately at Urbana and Springfield, with tolerable regularity, and had work in conferring degrees at almost every meeting.

At a stated commuication, held in Springfield March 11, 1811, the petitions of Joseph Vance Gunn, George Fithian and James M. Reed were presented and referred to proper committees, and at the next regular communication, held in Urbana April 16, 1811, they were all duly initiated as Entered Apprentices. During the latter part of the year 1814, the brethren of Harmony Lodge proposed to surrender their charter, on account of the inconvenience of holding the lodge alternately at Urbana and Springfield, and they accordi: gly petitioned the Grand Lodge, for two new charters - one for Harmony, No. 8, to be held at Urbana, and one of a new lodge to be held at Springfield.

In 1815, a dispensation was granted to those members of the order in Springfield to hold a lodge, which was called Morning Star Lodge, No. 27, the charter for which was granted in 1818. That lodge seems to have been discontinued, as there is no record of what became of its charter, or what was done thereafter. The meetings of this lodge were held over Dr. Needham's drug store.

In 1825, a new dispensation was granted for the restoration of Morning Star Lodge, and in 1826, the charter was issued to Charles Anthony and others for the permanent establishment of this lodge, but the number was changed to 80 in the charter.

In 1828, Morgan was abducted, and the storm of opposition to secret societies which broke out in Western New York rapidly spread to this locality. The popular feeling upon the subject became intense. From almost every pulpit, Freemasonry was denounced as being allied to Satan and opposed to Christianity and good morals. And politicians, being ever ready to profit by any popular excitement, promptly made anti-Masonry a political issue. Old party ties and affiliations were ignored, and there were but two factions - Masons and Anti-Masons. Such was the popular indignation that it was deemed prudent to disband the lodge, temporarily at least. This was done by Morning Star Lodge in 1829.

Palestine Commandery, K. T., No. 33, was chartered in 1878. Its first officers were John W. Parsons, E. C.; O. B. Williams, Gen.; John A. Reifsnider, Capt. Gen.; Thomas Sanderson, Rec.

David's Templar Masonic Lodge (colored), No. 15, was organized in 1865, with the following charter members: J. J. Whetsell, Carter Fillmore, Edward Lyle Henry Brown, William Radden, William Hayden, George Dourgins, Robert Perrin, M. Armstrong and J. Johnson. Their place of meeting was over the old post office, southeast corner of Main and Limestone streets.

` On the 9th of April, 1877, the lodge was re-organized, and the name changed to that of Champion Lodge, No. 15. Their lodge room is in Deardoff's building, southeast corner of Main and Center streets, where they have one of the finest lodge rooms in the State. The lodge is working under the M. W. Grand Lodge of F. & A. M., for the State of Ohio, Colored Masons, and its jurisdictions. The following are the charter members: L. C. Fillmore, W. M.; A. J. George, S. W.; W. Robertson, J. W.; Washington George, Treasurer: Elias C. Smith, Secretary; William Hayden, S. D.: Edward Clark, J. D.; Lewis Read, S. S.; H. Brown, J. $.; Robert Perrin, Chaplain; E. L. Eslick, Tiler. The membership now numbers fifty-nine.

A dispensation was granted, January 19, 1871, to the following Sir Knights, to organize Wilson Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar (colored): J. J. Whetsell, B. F. Henderson, George H. Shaffer, J. J. Booth, William

On June 24, 1874, by order of the Grand Commandery of the State of Ohio, the Commandery was instituted. The following are the officers at present: Andrew J. George, Eminent Commander; J. W. Moore, Generalissimo: William Hayden, Captain General; B. F. Henderson, Prelate: George Beard, Sword Bearer; William Dickson, Standard Bearer; William Robinson, Warder; Griffith Eglor, Treasurer; Edward Dyle, Recorder.

Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the 25th day of February, 1850, by Grand Master William C. Earl, with the following charter members, to wit: James Bacon, Cornelius Baker, A. R. Wright, Henry Hollenbeck, A. L. Runyan, Chandler Robbins, George Watson, William Watson, Leonard B. Sprague and George W. Turner.

The first officers of the lodge were A. L. Runyan, Noble Grand; Henry Hallenbeck, Vice Grand; George W. Turner, Secretary; A. R. Wright, Treasurer; James Bacon, Warden; A. A. Blount, Inside Guardian; La Fayette Bancroft, Outside Guardian; Cornelius Baker, Right Supporter to Noble Grand; George Watson, Left Supporter to Noble Grand: C. W. Ward, Right Supporter to Vice Grand; William White, Left Supporter to Vice Grand; Leonard B. Sprague, Right Scene Supporter; and James A. Bean, Left Scene Suporter.

E A. A. Blount, La Fayette Bancroft, C. W. Ward, James A. Bean and William White were elected and initiated members of the lodge, and John S. Harrison was admitted on card on the night of institution.

Of the charter members, two, Henry Hollenbeck and Leonard B. Sprague, are still members in good standing; two, George and William Watson, are members of Clark Lodge, No. 166, at South Charleston; three, A. R. Wright, Chandler Robbins and George W. Turner, have died; two, James Bacon and Cornelius Baker, are still living, but are not at present active members of the lodge.

Bo the members initiated the night of the institution, only one, William White, is: now a member in good standing. Two, C. W. Ward and James A. Bean, have died; and two, A. A. Blount and La Fayette Bancroft, are still living, but are not at present members of the lodge.

Since the institution of the lodge to the present time, the number of persons who have been connected with the lodge as members is 589. The present number of members in good standing is 218. The officers for the present term are D. M. Smith, Noble Grand; Alex E. Taylor, Vice Grand; Dr. James W. Nelson, Recording Secretary; J. S. Shewalter, Permanent Secretary; C. C. Fried, Treasurer; Thomas B. Manning, Warden; Enoch R. Martin, Conductor; Chris. Spichty, Inside Guardian; Levi Elwell, Outside Guardian; Oliver G. Hammaker, Right Supporter to Noble Grand; George H. Frankenburg, Left Supporter to Noble Grand; J. F. Schlegelmilch, Right Supporter to Vice Grand; C. S. Courson, Left Supporter to Vice Grand; George B. Metz, Right Scene Supporter; Samuel J. Haley, Left Scene Supporter. The lodge is at present in a very propserous condition.

Goethe Lodge, No. 384, I. O. O. F., Springfield, Ohio (German), was insti tuted June 10, 1867, under a charter of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The charter members were J. J. Smith, J. C. Hax, Samuel Altschul, S. S. Graner, John Miller, B. G. Smith, M. Kaufman, Henry Stoessel, George Soller, Ferdinand Otto, Charles Keller. The list of officers were the following: J. Z. Smith, Noble Grand; J. Christ. Hax, Vice Grand: Charles Keller, Treasurer; Michael Kaufman, Recording Secretary; Samuel Altschul, Permanent Secretary.

a Supreme, Grand and Subordinate Lodges. It was established in June, 1873, by persons who felt that the various systems of relief to the families of de ceased members, as adopted by other orders, were deficient in important respects, and who believed that an order established with the purpose of paying a death benefit as one of its main objects would meet with approval and success.

The objects of the order are to unite fraternally all acceptable white men of every profession, business or oceupation; to give all moral and material aid in its power to members of the order by holding moral, instructive and scientific lectures, by encouraging each other in business, and by assisting one another to obtain employment; to establish a benefit fund, from which a sum not exceeding $2,000 shall be paid, at the death of a member, to his family, or to be disposed of as he may direct; to establish a fund for the relief of sick or distressed members.

Protection Lodge, No. 759, Knights of Honor, of Springfield, was instituted October 4, 1877, with the following-named persons as charter members: A. G. Bethard, L. E. Bruaer, Thomas W. Bean, W. H. Byers, John B. Bolan, D. L. Cornor, John W. Carson, Lewis H. Corvic, George H, Coles, Charles Carrington, R. A. Dudley, Levi Elwell, D. R. Foreman, Samuel Folkener, Fred Foster, S. H. Knox, C. F. King, D. H. Le Fever, J. N. Mills, J. R. Mumma, D. L. Newell, A. Parkhurst, Dr. L. E. Russell, John Sheeder, F. K. Syman, J. M. Todd, J. H. Todd, James Todd, John Wikoff, M. V. Wirick. The lodge has now a membership of sixty-two. Present officers: Past Dictator, James Taylor; Dictator, M. W. Plattenburg; Vice Dictator, A. H. Gillett; Assistant Dictator, James H. May; Reporter, D. L. Cornor; Financial Reporter, George H. Coles; Treasurer, William Dickson; Chaplain, H. P. Bradbury; Guide, Ed A. Kershner; Guardian, John Wikoff; Sentinel, John W. Faulkner. The lodge meets every Tuesday night, in the hall at No. East Main street.

The Lagonda Tribe, No. 61, Improved Order of Red Men, was organized in Springfield on the 12th Sleep, Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 380 - common era, December 12, 1872 - by George B. Means, Great Sachem of the State of Ohio, and C. S. Betts, G. C. R. of the State of Ohio. The tribe meets every Monday evening, in Fried & Sterret's Hall. The following officers were elected for the first term: Sachem, D. R. Foreman; Senior Sagamore, A. G. Bethard; Junior Sagamore, John A. Shipman; Prophet, Jacob Catrow, Jr.; Chief of Records, Ashley Bradford; Assistant Chief of Records, B. C. Converse; Keeper of Wampum, C. C. Fried; Trustees, James Rodgers, W. N. Schaeffer, John T. White. Robert Haley, C. R. Strong, A. Jackson, Committee.

The order of Red Men had its origin, as is believed, in the days of the Revolution, but the written record begins years 1812 and 1813, when it was organized by Lieut. Williams, of Fort Mifflin, on the Delaware River, and was intended and did succeed in rendering a divided garrison a unit for the Republie. With the close of the war, its original object of existence ceased; but a few years later, shorn of its political character, it was revived, and to-day exists on the principles, * Freedom, Friendship and Charity." It is stated to be now the oldest American society extant of the class known as secret societies.

The order is beneficial, protective and reciprocal. It is founded on pure benevolence. It recognizes as a principle the right of man to freedom of thought and liberty of conscience. "$0

Moncrieffe Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias, was instituted April 21, 1871. The charter members were H. D. John, John Vale, Benedict Holtz, William Soller, H. S. Showers, J. W. Coles, J. W. Hall, W. M. Black, T. L. Coleman, D. Wilhelm, Nathan Creager, J. H. Arbogast, E. R. Hotsenpiller, William Conklin, J. P. Martindell, W. H. Kaufman, J. A. Reifsnider, J. W. Rowley, Thomas Sanderson, Oscar T. Martin, A. M. Whitehead, George David-

Fidelia Lodge, No. 12, Daughters of Rebecca, was instituted December 6, 1869, by James Turner, Most Worthy Grand Master of Ohio. Past Grands H. Brelsford, E. G. Arbogast, H. S. Showers and C. C. Fried assisted as grand officers. The first officers elected were as follows: Noble Grand, A. G. Bethard; Vice Grand, Mrs. Sarah Fried; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Margaret Pepper; Financial Secretary, Mrs. John S. Shewalter; Treasurer, Mrs. James W. Hall; Rev. Mr. Binkley was appointed Chaplain.

The present officers are as follows: Noble Grand, Moses Wright; Vice Grand, Mrs. Eva Ridenour; Recording Secretary, Mrs. H. C. Laybourn; Financial Secretary, H. C. Laybourn; Treasurer, Mrs. James Fleming.

Among the first or charter members were the following: Benedict Holtz, George W. McCann, Samuel Folck, William Enoch, J. H. Arbogast. Samuel Ritter, John F. White, Alvin Welch, John Prothero, Joseph Kist, Charles E. Skelley, James D. Cadwallader, John C. King, Enoch Arbogast, William H. Arbogast, Frank E. Burleigh, John M. Hause, Eli Arbogast, William Ridenour, Lewis Staley, A. Aaron, Charles Altschul, R. W. Dixen, H. S. Showers, A. G. Bethard, C. C. Fried, J. D. Hall, John Kruft, R. R. Earnest, each with his wife. The lodge prospered for some years in numbers and interest, then had a season of decline, for causes best known to its members; but in the last year, a new impetus has taken hold of its membership. The lodge now has a membership of about sixty.

The Young Men's Hibernia Society, of Springfield, Ohio, was organized January 5, 1868. The charter members were Joseph Bolan, Patrick Cavanaugh, Anthony Walsh, John McNamara, M. C. Clark, John Fahey, Michael Toban, Timothy Toban, Mark Fahey, Thomas Sheehan, Jeremiah Murphy, Thomas Condron. The first officers of the society were: President, Anthony Walsh; Vice President, Mark Fahey: Recording Secretary, Joseph Bolan; Corresponding Secretary, Thomas Sheehan; Treasurer, Jeremiah Murphy; Messenger, Thomas Condron; Executive Committee, Mr. C. Clark (Chairman), John McNamara, John Fahey, Patrick Cavanaugh, Timothy Toban, Michael Toban.

Charter members still in the society, Joseph Bolan, Patrick Cavanaugh, Anthony Walsh, Jeremiah Murphy. The whole number of members since organization is 160. The present membership is sixty-five. The present officers are: President, Joseph Bolan; Vice President, James D. Hartney; Recording Secretary, James Nash; Corresponding Secretary, Michael J. Clancy; Treasurer, William Burns: Messenger, John Smith: Executive Committee - Chairman, Michael Connell; John Baily, John Cobey, William Snee, Michael Brown, Thomas Burke. Trustees, Anthony Walsh, Mark McCormick, Michael Mormion. The present place of meeting is at St. Raphael's Hall, East High street.

The Father Mathews' Total Abstinence Society was organized June 6, 1875, with a membership of fifty-four. Its first officers were: Rev. W. H. Sidley, Chaplain: Thomas D. Rohan, President: John Kinnane. Vice President: Daniel Boyle, Recording Secretary; John Cashman. Corresponding Secretary:. John McGarr, Treasurer; John Dougherty, Regulator. Directors, Rev. W. H. Sidley, Thomas D. Rohan, John Kinnane. Daniel Boyle. John Cashman, James

Henry Oxtoby By James Arborgast

This township is situated in the northeastern part of Clark County, the northern boundary separating it from Champaign County, and the eastern being the boundary between it and Madison.

The eastern and southern portions are comparatively level. In the northern and northwestern parts, the surface is diversified by hills and narrow valleys.

The prineipal streams are Sinking Creek, in the southwest, and Buck Creek in the northwest The latter flows through a narrow, but exceedingly fertile valley, bounded on either side by a range of hills. The only water-power of any speeial importance to the miller or manufacturer is afforded by this stream.

The soil, especially in the valleys, is generally fertile, directing attention chiefly to agricultural pursuits, which, from our earliest history, have formed the chief basis of prosperity and wealth. The principal products are wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, fruit, ete.

The area of timber land, although somewhat reduced each preceding year, is sufficiently large to supply almost all local demands. The several kinds of ah hickory, maple, ash and walnut are the most important varieties of timer.

These grants are the following: Congress Land and the Virginia Military. The former comprises the western part of the township, and the latter, situated to the east of this, from which it is separated by Ludlow's line, was appropri ated to the claims of Virginia soldiery in the war of the Revolution.

"In consequence of an option to the holder of a warrant to situate it where he chose, if not previously located, the survey of these lands present a field of irregularity perplexing to the surveyors, and a fertile source of litigation for the holders of adverse titles."

In 1802, Joseh Coffey, then living in the State of Pennsylvania, becoming dissatisfied with the prospect presented to himself and family in the rough region where he lived, determined to remove to the then almost uninhabited, but to him, inviting West.

He accordingly pursued his journey westward to a point about nine miles north of Cincinnati, where he remained during the year; but, as malarial diseases were alarmingly prevalent in that locality, he made successful preparations for a second removal.

Loading into an ox cart such articles as the necessity of pioneer life required, he, together with the other members of his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Tatom and Joseph, commenced the tedious, and we may safely add, perilous journey toward the North.

The iourney was pursued for several days through the unbroken forest infested by Indians, until he reached what seemed to be the object of his search, May 6, 1803.

This is the place where the first pioneer of Pleasant Township settled, and is now the site of the residence of this pioneer's only surviving son, William Coffey.

The pioneer had, in this time, made arrangements for building a cabin. He was assisted in its erection by Thomas and Jesse Pierce, then living in Champaign County, and by two or three Indians.

Soon after his arrival, the pioneer, leaving his family alone in the tent, started out in search of food; and, luckily, at the cabin of a neighbor over in German Township, he obtained a small amount of corn, which, unfortunately, had been somewhat damaged by the early frosts of the preceding autumn.

In possession of his supply of corn he proceeded to Simon Kenton's Mill, where it was ground into meal, with which he returned to his family. The mill of Kenton was on the present site of Lagonda. In the autumn of 1803, Isaac Agmond and his family came to this township, and built a cabin where Mart Mahar now lives. At this point was another Indian camp, the two being con. nected by an Indian trail. In 1804, Archibald McConkey and family accompanied by the father of Mrs. McConkey, removed here from Kentucky. The wife and mother performed the journey on horseback, carrying with her the three children - Alexander, Elizabeth and Daniel - the wardrobe and lighter effects of the family. The other members of the party traveled on foot. It may not be amiss to state that a cow was also brought from the Kentucky home, and perhaps the only one in the little company of pioneers.

Archibald McConkey soon built a cabin a short distance to the east of Joseph Coffey's, on the farm afterward owned by his son-in-law, Mahlon Neer. Three daughters of these parents - Margaret, Nancy and Mary - were born here.

The other families settling here in this year were those of Samuel Lafferty, Henry Dawson, William Hendricks, the father-in-law of Mr. Lafferty, and George Metsker.

Lafferty and Hendricks were the joint owners of the farm on Buck Creek, where they lived, and which they afterward sold to Nathaniel Cartmell, from whom it received its present name "the old Cartmell farm."

The Lafferty family consisted of the parents and one daughter - Catharine. Hendricks and Lafferty were from Virginia. Metsker lived on the farm now owned by William Hunter, and better known as the Lofland farm.

Henry Dawson settled on what to the present day is called the Dawson farm - now owned by George Runyan. The children of this family were Ellen, George, John, Richard, Harriet and Elizabeth. Henry Dawson, the father, had served in the Revolution as Lieutenant.

He removed to this locality from Kentucky, from which he brought several fruit trees,'these having been carried in a Dutch oven, and were the first of their kind to produce fruit in this locality. It may be necessary to state that one or two of those apple trees, once near the Dawson cabin, are still living after the lapse of seventy-six years.

Solomon Scott came in 1805, from Virginia, as did also Jonathan Hunter, with a large family. The sons and daughters were named respectively William, George, Jonathan, Jeremiah, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Nancy, Rachel and Sarah.

On the 29th of June, 1800, Constantine, wife of Henry Dawson, died. This was the first death that occurred among the early pioneers. A grave was prepared near the cabin bome, and the little company of neighbors and friends, amid wild forest scenes, performed the humble rites of burial, while the bereaved family wept the irreparable loss.

It seems especially proper in this connection to note the fact, that on the day following this burial, John, the third son of Joseph Coffey and wife, and first white child born in this township, * first saw the light."

There is an interval of a few years, during whick no accession was made to this early settlement; but, from the year 1808 to 1812, and about that time, the spirit of enterprise seemed to have prevailed in the older settlements, and a number of fearless men with their families joined the brave and hardy pioneers.

The men who came at this time were Nathaneil Cartmell, Daniel Wren, Peter Arbogast, Andrew Bumgardner, George. Joseph and Abraham Runy. ; William Curl, Edmond West, George, Richard and Charles Botkin, Jonath a Jones, W. T. Hunt. Andrew Hodge, Absalom Clark, Thomas and Philip Tunks and George Jones.

Edmund West lived on the farm now owned by. William Waltman. The Tunks brothers, Philip and Thomas, located on the two adjoining farms, one now owned by the heirs of Henry Arbogast, and the other by John MeClenen. Philip established a tannery at the latter place. It was doubtless of the most primitive kind, as was also the distillery.a short distance to the north, at a house now owned by Israel Everhart. Absalom Clark lived at this place, engaged in the management of the distillery.

Thomas Tunks subsequently soid his claim, in 1816, to George Botkin, Philip disposing of his to Mathew Shaul some time later. Charles and Richard Botkin lived near each other. A cabin where George Coffey now lives was the home of Richard, while that of Charles was situated a short distance west of the present dweiling of Armstead Tavenner.

Near the residence of Samuel H. Grove may still be seen the log cabin, once the home of David Waltman, whose farm adjoined that of his pioneer neighbor, Simon Ropp, he having built a cabin on the farm now owned by Jonathan Page.

Jeremiah Curl, the father of Mrs. William Coffey, and Bazill Harrison, were early settlers. The former located on the north side of Buck Creek Valley, a short distance to the southwest of the present residence of Albert Cheney, and the latter on the Columbus road, at a cabin on the eastern part of the farm now owned by Nelson Hammond. It will be noticed that the first settlements were established in the western part of the township. This circumstance deserves a brief explanation. The eastern portion of the township, it will be remembered, is Virginia Military land, and one hindrance to its settlement was the question of conflicting claims - a difficulty peculiar to these lands - and another, was the fact that large tracts were owned by Thomas M. Bailey, who, like most land speculators, deferred the sale of his lands for a great many years; hence the settlement of the Bailey lands has been of comparatively recent date.

The first neighborhood was formed, as may be readily supposed, by the families of Joseph Coffey, Archibald McConkey, Isaac Agmond, Henry Dawson. Samuel Lafferty, William Hendricks and Jonathan Hunter. The second was that near Asbury, comprising the families located there from 1808 to 1811, Those forming the first neighborhood in the eastern part of the township were the following: l

Samuel West, Henry Curl, Otho Arbogast, David Runyan, William Neer, Lemuel Davisson and Nicholas McCauley. The latter, an earlier settler than many of the others, lived on the farm afterward owned by S. R. Dickson. Amos Neer came to this township from Virginia in 1817.

The roads of those early times were only roads in name; they were indeed nothing more than Indian trails, from which the logs and saplings had been removed by the efforts of the pioneers.

The Urbana and London road was the second. The traditionary history of its location is, that it is upon, or near, the route taken by Gen. McArthur in his march, in 1812, from Chiliicothe to Urbana, preparatory to joining Hull at Detroit.

A few years later a third road leading from Springfield to Mechanicsburg was located. The route of this road, in this township, was surveyed by Samuel Lafferty.

The first saw-mill in this locality was built by George Dawson. It was situated upon or near the present site of the grist-mill, now owned by J. M. Runyan.

Mr. Dawson later built a small mill for grinding corn only; there was a carding machine in connection with this mill, which was situated upon his own premises, the water-power being furnished by a famous spring. ids

A few years later, about 1822, Nathaniel Cartmell added another to the number of grist-mills; this was situated further west upon the same stream, to which place he afterward added a woolen-mill and distillery,

The principal agricultural products of those early times consisted of wheat, corn, potatoes, ete. The surplus of these was disposed of to the later settlers, until the area of cultivated land increased to such an extent that these increasing commodities induced their fortunate possessors to seek a better market.

The wheat was generally ground into flour, and afterward hauled in wagons to Cincinnati, where the salt and other necessities-were obtained.

Upon the completion of the canals of Dayton and Columbus, these towns became the chief places of trade. But corn could not be advantageously converted into money at a market so distant as those mentioned, and this disadvantage directed attention to the rasing of hogs, which, when fattened, were for a time driven to Cincinnati and Baltimore. Droves consisting of from one thousand to twelve hundred have often been seen upon the roads, moving slowly forward to the Eastern market, hundreds of miles away.

Where Nathan Neer now lives, Cornelius Palmer built the first blacksmithshop in this township; here, assisted by Robert G. Dickey, Mr. Palmer established his business.

Henry Dawson was the first cooper; and one evidence of the genuineness of his work may be found in the fact that a barrel made by him for Joseph Coffey, and afterward the property of his son William, was in use upward of sixty years, it having been accidentally destroyed only a very few years ago.

William T. Hunt, the first cabinet-maker and undertaker, lived for many years in a log house, still standing, near the present residence of N. S. Conway.

The earlier settlers were not wanting in a proper esttmate of the advantages of education. This is fully illustrated by the fact that the first effort was made for the public benefit resulted in the building of a schoolhouse. It was situated on the north bank of Buck Creek, where Charles Loveless now lives.

Jesse Reese taught the first school in this about 1810; but unfortunately a malignant disease called the "cold plague," terminated his life and labors before the close of his term. His immediate successor was John Dawson. The second schoolhouse was situated on the north branch of the same stream, at the angle formed by the stream and the present road. Edward Watts is believed to have been the first teacher at this place. Notwithstanding the fact that Watts was the first teacher in this second house, it is positively stated that a school was taught by John Harvey in a cabin where George Coffey now lives, s ne _ time before that taught by Watts - about 1811.

Other eabins for school purposes were afterward built in the neighborhood of Jonathan Hunter, Samuel Lafferty, William Hendricks and others.

A cabin situated a short distance northwest of the residence of Nathan Neer, another southwest of that of James Hodge, and yet another where the Vernon House now stands, complete the number of schoolhouses in this locality.

At a short distance south of Asbury Chapel, on the land now owned by Josiah Jones, was erected the first schoolhouse in the Asbury neighborhood. The second was situated near the site of the present dwelling of William A. Jones.

Schools were maintained at short intervals at one or the other of these places from about 1815 to 1824, when a third building was erected on the site of Asbury Church.

Similar meetings were held later - about 1815 - at the houses of Abraham Runyan and Andrew Bumgardner, Saul Henkle, John Strange - Goddard and the two Finleys - father and son - were the ministers who conducted the services.

Enoch Harvey, a minister of the "New Light" denomination, preached regularly at the houses of Joseph Coffey and Peter Arbogast. It was due to his efforts that a log church was built upon a lot donated by himself and his old neighbor, Charles Botkin.

The affectionate regard with which the history of these pioneer preachers is told by those who knew them, assures us that they did not labor in vain.

The first church was built in the Asbury neighborhood in the year 1824, and was called Asbury in honor of the Bishop of that name. A religious society was soon organized under the ministerial care of the two preachers, Strange and Goddard.

The village of Catawba was laid out in 1535-36, by Cass and Marsh. The land upon whieh it is situated originally belonged to Israel Marsh and George Dawson (not the son of Henry Dawson.)

In 1833, or about that time, through the influence of Hon. Joseph Vance, member of Congress, a post office was established here, and Chamberlain was appointed Postmaster.

i m In 1838, the first tavern was opened in the southwest corner of Champaign and Pleasant streets. The proprietor, Henry Runyan, some time before having purchased the store of Chamberlain, succeeded him in the office of Postmaster. The mercantile business of Mr. Runyan continued for many years. Among the number engaged in the same business at a later date may be mentioned J. D. Creamer and Samuel Conway and son.

The first mail carriers were John Neer and Joseph Pearson, who were required on some of the routes to travel on horseback a distance of fifty-six miles in one day. Letter postage, in those days, was 25 ceats - payable at the office of delivery if carried 400 niiies; and for a less distance, it was diminished proportionately.

The parents of the first Hunter family settling here in 1805, William Hendricks and wifewand perhaps a few others were buried at this place.

For some reason unknown, interments at the above-named places were soon discontinued, and other locations better suited to the public taste were selected.

Of the present cemeteries, McConkey's was the first: and the first burial in this was that of a child of Archibald MeConkey. The second was that of Jesse Reese, who died, as will be remembered, in 1810. Vernon is the second and Asbury third, in the order of time.

A Mrs. Evans was the first buried at Vernon, and a child of William Eels was the first, and Susannah, the venerable mother of Abraham, George and Joseph Runyan, the second at Asbury.

Dr. E. Owen was the first resident physician; he was followed by Dr. Skinner, who was also succeeded in the profession, about the close of the year 1839, by Dr. M. R. Hunter, his practice commencing in 1840, and continuing until the present date - 1880.

Of the social customs of the early pioneers, their opportunities for religious and educational culture, their efforts in the important art of agriculture, we have no record. All we can know, at best, must be gathered from the reminiscences of the few living and venerable actors in the new and wild scenes with which our early history begins.

It is doubtless true that what is called the pioneer spirit was often no aing more than the manifestations of a roving, shiftless nature, stimulated by the prospect of new dangers and adventures, rather than the desire for a better home, with the prospective blessings of prosperity and a better civilization.

This is clearly established by the results that attended their efforts. They came hither to be the possessors of lands, and the builders of cabins, schoolhouses and churches. ;

It is not to be supposed, however, that either taste or convenience were displayed in the first buildings erected. Indeed more uncouth structures are rarely seen.

It was provided with a huge fire-place, built of stone, the chimney being composed of sticks and clay. The rude door turned upon wooden hinges secured to their places by wooden pins. Hough slabs, split from the forest trees, served as a floor, and a piece of oiled paper, attached to alight frame in an opening in the wall, admitted the light.

The hearth-stones of this, the first cabin, may be seen at the present day by the curious observer What plans for the future were considered at the * pioneer meetings," that assembled here.

The scanty furniture of those days was the product of the simple tools - the auger and ax - employed in the construction of the cabins that sheltered the pioneers.

They were in the midst of a dense forest of timber, which was soon removed from a small piece of land, near the cabin of each, and this planted in corn, which was often planted so late in the 8eason, owing to the many difficulties to be encountered in clearing the land, that it was frequently much damaged by the early frosts.

Exposed to disease and the depredations of Indians, subsisting on the scantiest diet, the hardy pioneers, inured to toil and hardships, cleared their lands, acre by acre, and at the same time provided for the ever-recurring wants of their families.

As other settlers came in, men came from a distance of many miles to assist in raising the "log shanties." We are assured that if ever the injunction - " Love thy neighbor as thyself " - was showed with anything like a general and willing obedience, it was then.

Money was exceedingly scarce, hence business was carried on by barter. Corn is said to have been the chief article thus used. It was frequently sold at 10 cents per bushel, but the more general price was a few cents higher.

Vegetables were readily taken in exchange by the Indians for venison, ete. Wheat, though produced later than corn, was universally cut with the sickle; and it was the custom to thresh with the flail, or to tread 1t out with horses.

The price of this product was, for a considerable time, remarkably low. This may be better illustrated by the statement that it is known to have been taken on horseback to Urbana and exchanged for coffee at the rate of one bushel of wheat for one pound of coffee, and also that thirty bushels have been given for one barrel of salt. But in the course of time, as mills became more numerous and possessed better facilities for business, their proprietors purchased the wheat of the pioneers, paying about 37 cents per bushel.

The article of clothing. like that of food. demanded immediate attention. It therefore became necessary, in order to provide for the ever-present demand of bodily comfort, to compass the desired end by the cultivation of flax. This, after having passed through the tedious processes preparatory to its manufacture, was spun and woven into cloth by the wives and daughters, who also performed the work of making the garments required by the different members of the family. Many a youth in those early times could boast of no better clothing than those of tow. But after the introduction of sheep in the settlement, wool and flax were, by domestic manufacture, converted into linsey, and wool alone into flannel, which happily conduced to greater security against the severity of winter.

Clad in the home-spun of the times, and generally barefooted, the children at short and irregular intervals attended the schools in the cabin schoolhouses, which were built by a few persons, each donating a certain amount of labor, and a stated number of logs. The houses were beyond question illy adapted for the purpose for which they were designed. Instead of glass for the windows, pieces of oiled paper were used.

Rude benches served as seats. and to add to the too numerous discomforts, the cold in winter - as this was before the introduction of stoves- - was by no means agreeable.

Great severity was used in the school government, and it was no uncommon thing for young men even to receive the most severe corporal punishment.

That no transgressor might lose his reward, the instruments of correction, gathered with eare from the adjacent thicket, were constantly kept in full view; and with these the schoolboy was urged forward along *the flowery path of knowledge."

There may have been many schoolmasters then, but there certainly were few teachers, for the methods of that day, if they did not utterly repress, at least must have checked the loftiest aspirations that belong to youth.

Text-books were few and imperfect. 'The beginner learned the alphabet from a thin piece of wood, upon which the letters were printed. The first les. sons in reading were learned from the Testament.

A number of cricumstances conspired to render the education of the young very defective. - First, the tuition for even a small family could illy be spared from the scanty savings accumulated by the most rigid economy; and secondly, that the assistance of each member of the family was demanded; lands were to be cleared, rails made, and fences built, crops planted, cultivated and harvested.

Flax must be spun and woven by the wives and daughters, whose labors embraced many duties upon the farm, as well as those of the household. Can it be wondered at that education was so imperfect? However imperfect it? iy have been, who can estimate its benefits?

Books and papers were exceedingly scarce: the American Preceptor, the ees Reader and the Testament, were generally the literary treasures of the

Notwithstanding the meager supply of the means necessary to the development of the mind, the young of those times have since become, not only the most T y patrons of education, but many of them the most diligent readers of

The first eabin-church like the first schoolhouse was built by voluntary effort. It was humble indeed. The internal appearance could only excite surprise at the present day.

In winter, a charcoal fire burned upon a small space - covered with earth inclosed by a wooden box - in the center of the room. Around this fire, seated upon the slab-benches, the people were assembled to listen to the pioneer preacher, while he unfolded the great doctrine of Chrstianity. "The log schoolhouses and churches are among the things of the past; but the simple fact of their early erection, gives us the true conceptions of the character and intelligence of the early pioneers.

While they were thus laying the foundations of education and religious customs, they were also contributing to their own weal and that of their posterity by a method, not yet improved by the profoundest wisdom.

Each of the five prosperous religious societies of the present has a substantial and attractively furnished church in which well-attended services are regularly held. Revs. Jackson and Smith are the ministers in charge of the Methodist Episcopal societies, and Rev. Spahr of the Methodist Protestant society.

The nine school districts of this township, are provided with large and commodious brick houses furnished with modern improvements necessary to the indispensable work of education. These houses were built by Thomas Wingate at a cost of $18,700, and all except one since Mr. Wingate selection to the office of Treasurer in 1872.

Of the number of teachers it is proper to mention the name of N. M. Mc- Conkey and Benjamin Hendricks, who have been engaged in the profession upward of twenty-five years.

Catawba, the only village of the township, contains the grocery and dry goods store of Thomas Wingate, Martin Hunter and Burgess, N. S. Conway, Joseph Pearson, the boot and shoe store of Benjamin Golden, and the drug store of William Jacobs.

The first election in the township was held at the house of Joseph Coffey, and resulted as follows: Joseph Coffey, Andrew Hodge, Trustees; Samuel Lafferty, Clerk; Henry Dawson, Treasurer; and Solomon Scott, Justice of the Peace.

William Saylor, a resident of this township, served for two terms as Sheriff of the county, and William Bunyard as County Assessor for several terms. Subsequently, N. M. MeConkey was for two terms a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and is at present a member of the Legislature.

Of the number having served in some official capacity in the township at a rather early period may be mentioned the names of Samuel Lafferty, Joseph

Coffey, Henry Dawson, William Coffey, Cornelius Arbogast, Henry Curl, Joseph Wilkinson, Daniel McConkey and J. V. Cartmell. And those thus serving at a more recent date may be recorded the names of D. H. Randall, Otho Arbogast, George Yeazell, Matthew Neer, Joseph Pearson, Jonathan Page, William Hardman, John McClenen, Johu W. Yeazell, Luther Jones, Enos McConkey, George Coffey, N. M. McConkey, J. H. Baldwin and John Q. Skillman.

The present township officers are the following: Mart Mahar, Hiram L. McConkey and T. M. Silvers, Trustees; Thomas Wingate, Treasurer; and Dr. W. E. Bloyer, Clerk. N. S. Conway and William Jobes are the two Justices.

As a direct result of the tax levied annually for their improvement, the roads of this section present a condition greatly superior to that of former years.

The free pikes of the township embrace about twenty-five miles of road, thus furnishing connection with other excellent routes of travel to the neighboring cities and towns - Springtield, Urbana, London, Mechanicsburg and South Charleston.

The temperance cause has not been without its zealous defenders among, all classes-of the people; and it has been a matter of special pride, that, with the exception of a short interval, no saloon has been for several years permitted within the township. Hence respect for law and order has generally prevailed.

The value of real estate and personal property is $1,201,872. This amount includes $33,930 of real, and $36,183 of personal property in Catawba.

The period of business depression has happily ended, and we are beholding the dawn of a prosperity perhaps not surpassed in our past history.

Three successive and abundant harvests have added thousands to the wealth of our ctiziens, inspiring a confidence - real and permanent - like the basis upon which it rests.

It may be regretted that unfortunately many facts connected with the history of our early pioneers have been lost, hence much, which, if possessed, would be of real interest, was unavoidably omitted. Nevertheless, it is confidently hoped that the preceding sketch, however imperfect in detail, embraces all the knowledge of the subject at present available.