Pleasant Township (part 1 of 18)

Pleasant Township

The first Bettlers of this township were James and William Hewey and David Martin, who built their cabins on the northeast bank of Deer Creek in L797. The land now belongs to Gabriel Alkire. William Alkire came in 1799, but as a record of the pioneers who came prior to 1800 appears in the general history of the county, we refer the reader to the pioneer chapter for a history of these men. Peter Long, of German descent, who settled in the northeast part of this township soon after 1800; was one of the earliest settlers in that neighborhood. Two of his sons, Jacob and John, never married, and reside on the old home place. One daughter married John Oglesbee, and also resides on a portion of the home farm. William Woods, a native of Maryland, born near \\ ashington, D. C; he married Elizabeth Dickison, and subsequently removed to Greenbrier County, Ya.: thence, about 1801, came to Ohio and settled on Duffs Fork, in this township, and there he resided until quite aged, when he removed to his son. William D.. who then owned the mill east of Mt. Sterling, and there resided with him till his death. Wlien became to this county, he purchased 600 acres of land on Duff's Fork, and during the war of 1812, the army opened a military road through his farm or land, known as " Langham's Trace."' over which the soldier- passed to join Gen, Harrison's army in the Northwest. Mr. Wood was the rather of the following children: William J;.. Anna, Jonathan, Phebe, Rhoda, John and Mary, who grew to maturity: all now deceased except Mary and Rhoda, who are -till living and reside in the West, and one whose name is not remembered, but she married a Mr. Oxford and resides in Indiana, and one son, Jonathan, who resides in Illinois. William D.. the eldest son. spent his life in Pleasant Township, engaged in the milling business. He married Elizabeth Tanner, by whom he had seven children, four now Burvive -Courtney, Elizabeth, Eliza Jane and Mahala. Mr. Wood was generally known as Col. Wood, from the office he held so long in the State Militia. He was one of the prominent active men of that <ia\ : he erected a combined grist, saw and carding mill on Peer Creek, just above where the cemetery is now located. He was also an active stockdealer, anil for a lone; time engaged in the mercantile trade, and in the business interests of this community was one of its most valued citizens. He held most of the offices o( trust of his township, and was highlj bs teemed and respected.

John R. Robinson, a native of South Carolina, settled on laud in the southeast part of the township about L806, and became quite an extensive, farmer and stock raiser and was a prominent and reliable citizen, and served as a Justice of the Peace many years. He was the father of seven or eight children, of whom six are now living -Elizabeth, wife of F. O. P. Graham, John S.. Samuel. .Mrs. \V. C. Douglass, David and Joseph, who are all extensive farmers and land owners of this township and prominent and reliable citizens.

John J. Smith, a native of Kentucky, married Rachel Allure, and. with his father in-law, Mr. John Alkire. about 1805-06, came to Ohio, and Mr. Smith settled where A. R. Alkire now lives Mr. Alkire settled on the east bank of Peer Creek, just in the edge of Pickaway County, and a few years afterward, probably about L810 12, erected a e;rist-mill on the west bank of Peer Creek, in Pleasant Township, just opposite to his tract of land. The mill was built of lo^s. with " Raccoon buhrs," and run by water-power, with a bolting attachment operated by hand. This mill he ran several years, when it came into the ownership of Mr. Smith. Subsequently Mr. Alkire removed to Sangamon County. HI., became wealthy, and there resided till his death. Some of his children still reside in that county. Mr. Smith subsequently rebuilt the grist mill and attached a saw-mill; finally he sold the mill to Otho Williams and William Loach: they were succeeded by William P. Wood, and he by Elijah Atkins, who died, and the mill is now owned by his heir- This was one of the first and. doubtless, the first e;rist mill erected in Pleasant Township. Mr. Smith resided where he first settled till about 1838, when he removed to Iowa, where he died about l^Td, at the .cod age of nearly out' hundred years He was a very active, robust man. shrewd and quick in business, taking an active interest in all the secular affairs of his community and tilled someof the township offices prior to moving W est.

a- Graham, a native oi Virginia, married Elizabeth Trimble and emigrated to Kentucky, thence, about 1806, came to Pickaway County, Ohio, and. in February. 1N>7. came to Madison County and settled on the place where his Bon Robert now resides, and here he lived between fifty and sixty years and removed to Indiana, where he died at an advanced age. His wife died while living in Madison County. They had twelve children, one dying in infancy -James, Washington, Joseph, Walker, -lane. Margaret, Malinda ami I il married, moved West ami settled in Indiana and Illinois.

vvil.li farming, he followed through life- Polly married I aac Ukire; bad eight children Betsey, Forgus, Jackson, Cynthiann, Lucinda, W II liar rison, G/eorge and Martha, all living. Robert, married Anna Davidson; have had eighl children, of whom Margaret, Emily, Robert V., William II II. ;ind Taylor are deceased. F. M. Trimble, Elizabeth M, James and John are living. Mr. Graham still resides upon the old home place of his father, where he has spent all his life since two year.-, of age, except two '-ai during which he re ided in Franklin County. He i now aeventyi years of age and hai resided seventy throe years on this farm. He has lived to see this count ry, from its wild and primitive state as they found

In the early years of their residence here, he saw groups of Indians, an many as fifty at one time, who would bring in wild game and other article,-, of traffic for milk, corn meal and other articles, products of the farm Bui we must now revert again to the father and old pioneer, Forgu Graham H< \asan earnest worker in the Christian Church and a minister in the same for man, j ears. He and < freorge A Ikire organ ized the Christian ' Jhurch of Pleasant Township, known as the Antioch Church, whose histoi written in another page of this work-. Mr. Graham was one of the princi pal pillars and support of this church during his long residence here. His house was a preaching place for several years prior to the building of a church edifice, and his "" latch string" vsa ever out for the admission of the ministers, brethren and friends of the Christian work. He began life poor, gave largely and liberallj and labored earnestly all his life for theChri cause; ye1 he prospered financially. He owned about 500 acre-, of land, and always had an abundancefor all home comforts, notwithstanding he tra much and endured many hardship, in his various journey* to j reach the Gospel and establish the truth as he understood it. He died and p as a shear fully ripe and ready for the gleaner, and, although his death wa- a gr< at lose to the church, yet it was doubtless to his lasting gain

Another early settler and pioneer was the old Virginian, William h. who emigrated to Kentucky; thence, about L808, came to Ohio and settled in this township, one mile north of Mt. Sterling, where he and his wife Margaret lived and died. Thej had -even children James, John, rge. William, Samuel. MargaTel and -lane M. dames, the eldest, served in the war of 1812, who, with William, Margaret and Jane, married and settled andjdied in this county, George,moved West and settled where he resided until his denth. Samuel has been thrice married first, to Miller; second, to Miss AJkire, and his third and last wife was Mrs. Jane Dennison, who is also deceased, and Mr. Creath is the third time a wid and now resides with his youngest son in Oak Run Township. Thomas Anderson, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Kentucky in an early day: thence, about 1805 06, removed to Ohio and settled on Opossum I Jam, in

Franklin County, and, about ISM. removed to this township and near Mt. Sterling, on land now owned by Mr. Loveberry; here he remained through life, devoting his attention to farming. In the war of L812, he ed as a i.ieutenant. He married Rebecca Cochran, of Virginia, by whom he had eight children: three now survive - Elizabeth, now Widow Cochran, residing in Allen County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of John Devoll, residing in I ette County, and Stephen, biographical sketch is contain) moved West, where they died. Margaret married John Berry, and settled on the farm of Stephen Anderson, whore she died. Sarah married Samuel Buziek, and also died on Mr. Anderson's farm. Mr. Anderson was a member of the M. E. Church, an earnest and devoted Christian worker and class leader for many years.

John Biddle. a native of Pennsylvania, born near Mifflintown, emigrated to Ohio and settled at Staunton, near Troy, Miami Co. , Ohio, one of the pioneers of that connty, and served in the war of 1812 as a teamster, and was surrendered to the British by Gen. Hull at Detroit; but they were subsequently recaptured, and his team returned to him. Thence, about 1815, he removed to Madison County and settled in this township, on land now owned by John Puckett, and a few years after moved to what i8 now the north part of Mt, Sterling, on the London road, where the spot is stil! marked by a few old apple trees that yet remain. He remained a resident of this township the balance of his life, and died at Mt. Sterling January 9, 1N58. He was twice married; by his first wife be had seven children, three now survive - Ruann, married Elijah Smith, and resides in Salem, Ore gon; Mary and David (twins), the former married Gabriel Alkire, and the latter is unmarried and resides at Mt. Sterling. Of those deceased, William married Elizabeth Warner, of London, settled in Mt. Sterling and entered upon the mercantile trade, and was fully identified with the business interests of this place for many years; thence he moved to London and engaged extensively as a stock-dealer. He was active and prompt in business and successful in all his undertakings, and. at the time of his death, in the summer of 1882, his estate was valued at $50,000. He had three children - Sallie. wife of Mr. Robison. druggist at London; Mary and William; the latter is now a partner of Mr. Robison; Abner, married Rachel Ferrin, settled at Mt. Sterling and has been engaged in farming through life, and had two children - John and Mary; the former is now of the firm of Riddle & Snider. Mr. Riddle died just one day prior to his brother William.

The above persons, of whom we have endeavored to give as full an ac count as is accessible to obtain at this late day, after a lapse of more than three-quarters of a century since their settling here, embraces most of the real pioneers. William Ware, who was a very early settler and a prominent man, and was the first Justice of the Peace of Pleasant Township after its erection, was, if we are rightly informed, a settler in what is now Fairfield Township, and hence he is written of in that township as one of its pioneers. Also, Judge E. Fitzgerald, of the early Justices, now belongs to that township There was. however, a family of Grants, who settled here prior to 1812, am! might with propriety be classed as pioneers. There are several persons whom wedesire to mention, although not pioneers, yet they were early settlers, and many of them have done much pioneer work, and whose lives and labors have been identified with the growth, progress and improvements of this count) ; some of them even more so than some of the first settlers. George Kious, a Large land-owner and wealthy fanner, is well and favorably known throughout this community as an old settler, and a valuable citizen of Pleasant Township. David Heath is another old and much esteemed citizen, a wealthy farmer enterprising, and giving aid and support to everything that tends to the elevation of man and to the general public good, whose character and integrity is beyond reproach, and whose life and assciations have been a blessing to the citizens of this township.

John Puckett, an old settler and a pioneer of the Methodist Church, " whose sands of life are nearly run out." deserves more than a passing no- tice; not that we desire to place upon the enduring pages of history every man's life, or that each subject of whom we speak' deserves especial praise, for the best and most divine instruction we have teachers, that with the best of men, after they have done all in their power, they are unprofitable servants; but we do desire to place before the rising generations the lives, examples and teachings of such men as have some stamina of character and moral integrity in them, as beacon lights to the wayfaring youth of years to come. Mr. Puckett's early life shows first, industry and frugality. At quite an early day he engaged in the tanning business. He erected the first and probably the only Tannery ever in the vicinity of Mt. Sterling. This he carried on for several years, ami at a period in the history of this country when it was an important branch of industry to the comfort and convenience of the people of the. community. This, with the honest occupation of farming, he has devoted the energies of his physical powers, and he has been quite successful. But the shining mark of his life has been his devotion to the Christian work. As early as the year 1 831 , we find his house the appointed place for the organizing of a class and society in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and wife were among the constituent members; and his house continued to be a preaching place until 1834. when a church edifice was erected, and throughout his life Mr. Puckett has given freely of his means and influence for the church and all worthy objects of Christian and moral progress.

Robert Abernathy and Isaac Moore, were two early settlers and sub stantial and reliable farmers; the former is now deceased. The latter is a resident of Mt. Sterling, a prominent, active member of the Methodist Church, and who kindly furnished us with the history of that society from its first organization. Although now quite aged, yet his mind is clear and his recollections of the past vivid and conclusive, and of him we may truth fully say that he is an esteemed and valued citizen.

The Davidson family were also early settlers. Elijah Bragg and Gr. W. Ingrim, two valued citizens, were quite early known and identified with the progress of this community. The Timmons family was another early and well-known family. Drs. Samuel and William McClintick are and have been two prominent and well-known physicians of Mt. Sterling. Dr. D. E. McMillin is the oldest physician of Mt. Sterling, having been in practice here most of the time for forty-five years. Other names of prominent early settlers might lie mentioned, but, as the object of our work is to rescue from oblivion the names, characters and incidents of the oldest and most distant memories and matters of by-gone days, time and space forbid us xtending our remarks upon present men and matters further in this cha >ter. but refer the reader to other portions of this work upon churches, sch ols. societies and the list of officials of the township where many names, cha acters and incidents will be more fully brought out down to the present time.

This was one of the original and first erected townships of the count Altl ough the boundary lines are now different from what they were at its first erection, as part of the territory which was at first embraced in this has been taken off to help form Fairfield and Range Townships. But we here give its lirst and original boundaries as found upon the records at London, which there appears as follows: April 30. 1810, "Ordered, that all that tract of country comprehended in the following boundaries compose a township, to be known and designated by the name of Pleasant, and is bounded as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner of Union Town- ship, on the Franklin County line, thence to the corner of Pickaway County line; thence with the Pickaway County line to the corner of Fayette County; thence with th" Fayette County line to the corner of Stokes Township; thence with Stokes Township line to the place of beginning " The erection of the townships of Union. Jefferson, Deer Creek, Stokes, Darby and Pleasant, although occurring on April 30, 1810, were not recorded for nearly five months, the Commissioners' record book reading as follows: " The above was recorded in this book the 4th day of September, eighteen hundred and ten - 1810."

Subsequent changes in the township are as follows: June 1, 1818, " Ordered, that hereafter the boundaries between Range and Pleasant Townships be as follows, viz. : Beginning on the North Fork of Paint Creek, at Fayette County line, thence eastward along said line to Duff's Fork; thence lip said fork to the crossing of the Federal road; thence northward to the line between Union and Pleasant Townships, so as to make the upper line of Range Township one mile and one-half, extending along Pleasant Township." March 2, 1824, change in Range and Pleasant Townships, " Ordered by the Commissioners of Madison County now in session, on petition being presented, that part of Range Township be, and is hereby attached to. Pleasant Township: Beginning at the county line between Fayette and Madison Counties, where the same crosses Duff's Fork, running west one mile with said line: thence a uorth direction to where the Federal road crosses Duffs Fork in the line of Pleasant Township, all that part hereby stricken off of Range Township to be attached to Pleasant Township." Change in Pleasant Township, December 1, 1851: On petition, the line between Pleasant and Fairfield Townships were changed as follows, viz. :" Commencing at a point in the county line near James Adams', thence south with the county line to the lower line of R. Means' Survey, No. 5,766; thence wist with said survey line and the line of Edward Fitzgerald's land to the northwest corner of Henry Fleshour's Survey, No. 5,190; thence to the northeast corner of the Hardin & Gray's Survey, No. 5,799, and with the north line of said No. 5,799 to the county road near Levin Jones' house; thence with said road to Deer Creek; thence up the creek to the present corner of Fairfield Township."

Surface, Soil, Etc

In describing the surface of the various townships comprised in Madison County, it will be observed that there is a great sameness, because the general surface of the entire county is level, and of this township we can say, Lhere is no exception to the general condition of the county in this respect. All. or nearly all of the surface of Pleasant, except along the creeks and small streams, is one extended plain, and were the forests stripped from the face of the country, there would be a great resemblance to the rolling prairies of the West. The streams and creeks have a general southern and southeastern course through the township, indicating that the highest elevation is reached in the north and northwestern portions of the township. The principal stream of the township is Deer Creek, which enters the northwestern portion of the township and. courses south and southeasterlyuntil it reaches the boundary line between this township and Pickaway Count) : thence it flows south nearly on the line for about one mile, when it re-enters Pleasant Township, Hows south and enters Fayette County near the southeast corner of the township. Its main branch is Sugar Run, which empties into it aear tli<> center of the township, on the line of Ste- phen Anderson's farm. Sugar Run is formed near the western line of the township, on the Hicks farm, by the junction of Mud liun and Bradford's Creek. These, with Duff's Fork, in the south part of the township, are the principal streams. The soil is a rich loam and clay, very strong and productive, equally good for grass or grain. Wheat and corn are the principal grains raised. Grass and stock-raising has been a leading business with the larger land owners. During the last few years, as the land is becoming ditched, tiled and drained, more extensive business is carried on in raising grain, and the time is approaching when wheat and corn will be the main articles of export of this township. Quite large portions of this township originally consisted of oak openings and prairies, of which the soil was remarkably deep and rich, consisting principally of a black loam with a clay and disintegrated limestone subsoil. The timber upon these portions was principally burr oak, hickory, elm, black and red oak. Along the creeks and the northern and eastern portions of the township were heavy forests, consisting of the various species of oaks, hickory, elm, and, on the creeks, considerable walnut, on the rolling lands, white oak predominating. In comparison in soil, timber and all natural advantages, few, if any of the townships of Madison County, excel this township.

This township, organized in 1810, was put in working order by the election of officers, held by order of the Commissioners at the house of Forgus Graham; but who the officers were, or who their successors were down to the year 1869, we have no means of knowing or finding out, as the records of the township prior to that date are all lost or destroyed by fire; hence, we can only give them since the above-mentioned date:

Trustees. - 1869-70, Abraham Alkire, William Heath and Courtney Wood; 1871, A. R. Alkire, William Heath and J. D. Abernathy; 1872-73, A. R. Alkire, William Heath and John M. Robison; 1874, A. R. Alkire, William Heath and Henry Bower; 1875, Henry Bower, J. D. Abernathy and William Bennett; 1876, William Bennett, Henry Bower and P. A. Zahn; 1877, F. A. Wickle, William Taylor and J. D. Abernathy; 1878, William Taylor, William Heath and F. A. Wickle; 1879, William Taylor, William Heath and John W. Rea; 1880, John Anderson, William Taylor and William Heath; 1881, C. H. Miller, J. W. Anderson and J. W. Rea; 1882, C. H. Miller, J. W. Rea and William Heath.

Crabb; 1876, I. C. Biggin and E. J. Stone; 1877, Thomas E. Crabb and E. J. Stone; 1878-79, D. W. Wickle and Thomas McDonald; 1880, D. W. Wickle and Matthew Cannon; 1881, Nimrod Fetty and Robert Trimble; 1882, D. B. Wheeler and Robert Trimble.

Roads And Turnpikes

This township contains many quite large farms, especially in the western and central portions, and to and through these are many mud or byroads, but from and through this township leading to all the principal neighboring towns and villages are good free turnpikes. The old Federal road runs east and west through the southern central portion of the township; and from this road, starting at a point about half a mile from the west line of the township and running in a southeast direction into Fayette County, is the Hicks road, which connects with the Washington & Mt. Sterling pike and the London & Mt. Sterling road and the Palestine road are the principal pikes and generally kept in good condition.

As this township began to be settled early, we would naturally expect to see schools and improvements early established, and we find that such was the fact The class of citizens who first located here were men of nerve and intellect, who sought the welfare of the rising generations; they knew the importance of schools, to educate and train the minds of youth, to bring out their latent powers and to produce strong and healthy intellects, such as should become able managers of church and State. As the first settlement was made on Deer Creek, in the eastern part of the township, so here we find in the Alkire neighborhood a primitive log schoolhouse, erected about 1812. These early schoolhouses are so often described in this history in writing of other localities that here, and hereafter, when we speak of a primitive log schoolhouse, their construction and character will be fully understood by the reader. The first teacher in this school was Adam Alkire. The first schoolhouse has long since been destroyed, and others, more improved, have succeeded it.

At an early day in Mt, Sterling, a lot four rods square was purchased of Abraham Alkire, for which he was paid $10 for school purposes, and upon which the people of the district erected a small frame building, and which continued to be used for school purposes till about 1 850, when an addition was built to the old schoolhouse, which again served the district till about 1802, when Smiley Hughs, acting for the district, purchased from William Riddle four-fifths of an acre of ground, where the present schoolhouse is located, upon which they erected a frame house, 48x2-4 feet, two rooms, with a hall between them, at a cost of $1,100, and they then established it as a graded school. This house served the town until 1876, when the old house was sold and moved away and the present fine two-story brick house was erected, containing six rooms, at a cost of $13,000. This is one of the finest school buildings in the county outside of London, and does credit to the enterprise and educational tastes of the people of Mt. Sterling. The school enumeration in 188] was 201. Total school funds. 12,161.65. Expended for tuition, $1,888, and for contingencies, £.") 16.88. The school now consists of five departments, with the following corps of teachers, viz.. Primary B, Miss Lou Hurst: Primary A, Mrs. H. E. Sehryver; Grammar B, Miss Mary Pierson; Grammar A, Walter W. Storms; High School, Prof. N. W. Bates, Superintendent and teacher.

The Board of Education in Mt. Sterling are D. H. Douglass, President; H. W. Schryver, Clerk; H. D. Marcy, Treasurer; Dr. E. B. Pratt and J. W. Ingrini. Throughout the entire township there are now good schools and schoolhouses. The township is divided into seven subdistricts and one joint subdistrict. Enumeration of scholars in Mt. Sterling, 201. Township school funds, $4,621.10; Expenditures - tuition, $20.50; contingent, $281.95; total $2,331.95. Township Board of Education: Bryan Flynn, O. W. Bostwick, John W. Rea, Joseph Bower, F. O. P. Graham; President, D. E. Robison, Trimble Graham and C. H. Miller.

There have been but few permanently located mills in this township, and they, to some extent, have been written of in speaking of the pioneers. Of course, there have been more or less of portable mills located temporarily in various parts of the country, which, after remaining a short time, having performed their mission, were moved elsewhere. The first mill we gain any knowledge of having been erected in this township was a gristmill, built by John Alkire, in 1810-12, on Deer Creek, on the spot where the present mill now stands. When we consider the limited number of settlers in this neighborhood at the above-mentioned date, and also, that in that day the early settlers as a general thing were accustomed to go many miles distant with a sack of corn on horseback to get it ground into meal, and seemed to be quite contented with that arrangement, we may imagine somewhat how little inducement was given to any person to think of erecting a mill right here at their doors; also, when we take into consideration the limited means which most of the settlers were possessed of, and the difficulty to obtain the materials with which to construct a grist-mill, then we may, to some extent, appreciate the enterprising spirit and courage which Mr. Alkire possessed to undertake that work at so early a day. But he accomplished his undertaking; he erected a plain log mill, with raccoon buhrs and bolting attachment run by hand, the mill being operated by water-power. After running the mill a few years, which, though of the primitive kind, yet it was a great convenience to the community, it passed into the ownership of John J. Smith, son-in-law of Mr. Alkire, who subsequently rebuilt and improved the mill, also attached to it a saw-mili. He was succeeded, probably about 1836-38, byOtho Williams and William Leach; they by William D. Wood, and he by Elijah Atkins, who ran it till his death, since which it has remained the property of his heirs. Farther up Deer Creek, just above where the cemetery is now located, at a later period, Mr. William D. Wood erected a grist, saw and carding mill. At just what date this was built we did not learn, or just how long they were run does not appear, but they have long passed out of existence, and are only remembered by the older settlers.

About 1820, William Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, located in the north part of the township, on Deer Creek, an ! erected a grist and saw mill, about where the present Wood Mill now stands. He ran the mill several years, when he sold out to John Kious. After running it a few years, he tore down the old mill and rebuilt and improved it, making it much larger, with a greater capacity. Subsequently, he was succeeded by Michael Sullivan, who, after a few years, was succeeded by William Wood, and he by his son, Courtney Wood, who now remains its present owner and proprietor. This mill has proved a great convenience, as prior to its erec tion the neighborhood was compelled to go several miles to procure their grinding, most of them going to the Darby, near Georgesville.

About 1830, George Puckett built a tannery at or near Mt. Sterling, and carried on quite an extensive business for those days, for nearly twenty years. At that time tanning leather was an important and reasonably profitable business. There were then no railroads or shipping facilities by which they could get either leather or shoes from the East, or, ii they could obtain them by the slow process of their being hauled through by wagons, over the then almost impassable mud roads, it would make them cost enormously, so that the people of pioneer days would be unable to buy them. In those days, the present quick process of tanning leather in a few days by means of chemicals was not known, but it took weeks and months even to tan and dress leather ready for use. Neither had they machinery for mak ing shoes, by which a man could make several pairs per day. as they have at the present time; but everything worked on the slow hand process. Hence, a tannery in this cotintry at that time was a great convenience, and not merely that, but it was quite profitable to the man who carried on the tannery and profitable to the consumers of the leather, for, after the tanner had established his prices upon his leather, so as to give him a good profit, it came to the people for use, much less than they could purchase it from the far East. Therefore, for many years, Mr. Puckett was enabled to do a good and profitable business. But in the course of time, it became unprofitable from the above-mentioned changes, and Mr. Puckett closed out his business.

Towns And Villages

This township contains but one town or village within its boundaries. John J. Smith, written of as an early settler, came from near Mt. Sterling, Ky., and purchased quite a large tract of land in this township, embracing the ground upon which Mt. Sterling now stands. After over twenty years of pioneer work, there was no town or village in the township, and Mr. Smith, about 1828, surveyed and laid off some lots for a town, and platted the same, which was duly recorded at London June 26, 1829, under the name of Mt. Sterling, after his favorite town of Mt. Sterling in his native State. The first house erected was a small frame built by Jacob Alkire, and just opposite to it, on Columbus street, Mr. Alkire erected the second house. Both these houses are still standing, but in a very dilapidated condition, having now stood there over half a century. The first hotel was built and a tavern kept by Andrew J. Mure; he was succeeded by Mr. Benjamin Leach, and he by Robert Abernathy. Soon after, a second hotel was built and kept by John Peterson, located where Levi Southward's livery stable now stands.

Mr. Mure also opened the first store. Wilson & Graham were, however, the first to keep a good and general stock of merchandise. % William D. Wood and Wesley Howard were two early merchants. The first carpenter was James Baker, who was quite an early settler and became somewhat prominent in the early progress of the place. Stephen S. Beale. the first ahoe-maker of the town, was a native of Virginia, and settled here about 1834; hefollowed the shoe making business for fifteen years: thence entered upon Farming and became quite wealthy, owned 1,000 acres of land, besides moneys and personal property. He was a good financier and an energetic business man. a good ueighbor and a useful citizen. William Atkins and Otho Williams were the firsl blacksmiths. The first physician was Dr. J. Gregory; the next, Dr. Leeds, and then Dr. D. E. McMillin, who is still a practicing physician of the place, where he located in L837. Other early physician-- were Dr. William McClintick, Dr. Elain Bodman and Dr. John

The town was incorporated March 12, 1845, and the first election held August 15, IS!-"), resulting as follews: Mayor, Lewis Timmons; Clerk, Smiley Hughs; Marshal, N. R. Stanford; Council, John E. Merrill, Dr. Samuel McClintick, C. W. Cozens, R. W. Evans and Dr. William McClintick. The Mayors of Mt. Sterling since its incorporation have been as follows: L845, Lewis Timmons; 1850-51. C. W. Cozens; ]858, Samuel Mc- Clintick; 1854, Smiley Hughs; 1856, N. J. Kauffeit; L858, G. -J. Smith; 1859-62, Smiley Hughs; L863, Benjamin Leach; 1864, Isaac Moore; 1865 67, N. J. Kauffeit; 1870, B. F. Thomas; 1872, Ira Buzick; 1874 -80, John M. Nicodemus. Present officers of the incorporation ( 1882) are as follows: Mayor, Smiley Hughs: Council, \V. F. Mercer, \\ . J. Hodges, L. Clausson, Taylor Snider and Adam Bailey; Marshal, Christopher De Long; Clerk, D. Bender; Treasurer, N. A. Riggin; Solicitor, B. F. Thomas: Civil Engineer, J. L. McCafferty.

In April. 1871, M. W. Schryver commenced the publication of a new-, paper, known as the Mt. Sterling Review. This paper he continued eighteen months, when he changed the name to the Husbandman, the publication of which ho continued until May 1, 1874, when it ceased for want of sufficient support to justify the publisher to continue it.

Mt. Sterling, at the census of 1880, had a population of 482, and we feel justified in saying that there are few towns of its size situated fifteen miles from a railroad that presents a better appearance than this rural town. It is located iu the midst of a rich and beautiful country: contains a class of active, energetic business men, men of wealth, intelligence and refinement, as is evidenced by their good buildings, fine schools and numerous churches. And had t is thriving town the commercial advantages of a railroad, it would soon rank among the most activo business towns of Madison County.

Cemeteries And Bueying-Grounds

this township; places, many of which were mere family depositories of the tirst settlers who died before any churches or permanent cemeteries were established, and many of which are now entirely obliterated, lying in the open pasture field, with not a stone or vestige of anything left to mark the spot which was once so sacred to the memory of the departed. Others are preserved by a fence carefully surrounding the ground-;, which are kept in repair by owners of the lands, descendants of those buried there, yet they are mere forests of weeds, grass and shrubs which, from inattention, have taken possession of the grounds, while some others are carefully preserved and cared for by friends of the deceased, or by the Trustees of the township, who have been placed in charge of the property, and which are still used as bury ing-pl aces.

One of the oldest burying-grounds we gain any knowledge of is located near the Methodist Church, at Mt Sterling, in which the old pioneers of this neighborhood were mostly interred. It embraces about one acre of ground, and was used for many years as a general burying-place for this neighborhood, until it became literally full of the dead, containing probably several hundred bodies. It is preserved by a fence around it. and probably will be for years to com", but it has long since ceased to be used. On A. R. Alkire's farm is the family burying- ground of the Alkire family, where several of their ancestors found their last resting-place; it is still preserved by a fence, but is not used. Another old family ground is on the J. \V. Douglass farm: this is fenced, but no more are interred there. There were several in an early day buried at a spot on Deer Creek, just below Wood's Mil1, but there is no trace left of the place now, as it is all in an open field.

Soon after 1860, H. G. C. Alkire donated five acres of ground on the west bank of Deer Creek, about one and a half miles above Mt. Sterling, and deeded it to the Trustees of the township, Milton Thomas, Adam Young and Elijah Bragg, and to their successors hereafter, for the consideration of .$1, reserving to himself a family lot in the center of the ground, in circular form, about twenty-five feet in diameter, which he nicely inclosed with a good iron fence. This cemetery the Trustees fenced in and laid off in lots, all numbered in order, and made good gravel roads and walks through the grounds and ornamented it with evergreens and other trees and shrubbery of various species. The ground is a gravel and sandy soil, lying high and dry on the banks of the creek, and is one of the most beautiful rural cemeteries of Madison County, and a very befitting depository and resting-place for the dead.

It appears that the first religious society to enter this township and organize into church work was that known by the name of Christian. On June 30, 1812, a few persons of this faith assembled at the house of Forgus Graham, and entered into compact as follows: "We, the undersigned Christians, hereby organize ourselves into church fellowship by taking the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice, and Christian character as our only test of fellowship, and Christian as the only name, and to be known as the Deer Creek Christian Church." This was signed by the following: Forgus Graham, Betsey Graham, Malinda Graham, Francis Grant, Nancy Grant, James Graham, Polly Graham, Roling Grant, Betsey Grant, Samuel Powell and Betsey Powell. There may have been a few other names signed at that date, but it is believed they were added subsequently. They had no church edifice, but the society met and had preaching at the house of Forgus Graham for many years; occasionally, however, preaching took place at other houses in the neighborhood. In those times, when the country was sparsely settled, and few and bad mud roads, it was difficult to hold preaching with any regularity; hence, the people often became negligent of church duties, and then the society would have to be re-organized. This was the condition with this church. It was re-organized February 27, 1825, under the same name as before. And again, on March 25, 1832, was re-organized under the same name, Deer Creek Christian Church, with Forgus Graham and John Alkire, as Elders, and Patrick Davidson and John Graham, as Deacons, and John Graham, as Clerk. The next and final re-organization waa effected February 13, 1854, by Elder Samuel Wilson and Cyrus Gordy, under its former name. In September, 1858, money was raised by subscription and a house erected for church purposes, which was formally dedicated November 21, L858, by Elder Dr. Dawson, at which time it was decided that it should hereafter be known as the " Antioch Christian Church." In 1864, the following person.-, were elected Trustees: John M. Smith, John S. Robison, A. N. Wilson. H. G. C. Alkire and F. O. P. Graham. The present pastor, is M. M. Lohr.

Mt. Sterling Methodist Episcopal Church. - In August, 1831, a class was organized at the house of John Puckett, with the following members: Lewis Devoll and wife, John Puckett and wife, Sarah Puckett, Sophia Puckett, George W. Tngrim and wife, John Blain and wife, with, perhaps, one or two others, whose names cannot now bo recalled, with John Puckett as class leader. The class continued to meet and had preaching occasionally at the house of Mr. Puckett for about three years. Among the first ministers who preached horewere llev. William Morrow, Jacob Martin, William Westlake and Philip Nation. This place was then one of thirty-four preaching points on the London Circuit. About 1834, by an earnest effort, money was raised and a church edifice was erected on the same ground where the present one stands; this was a small brick church and cost about $700. In this building preaching and services were continued till in the summer of I85(d, they pulled down the old church building and the present frame edifice was erected, at a cost of $2,500, and, in the fall of the same year, was dedicated to service. Rev. Clark preached the dedicatory sermon (since Bishop Clark, of Cincinnati). The present membership is now about 200, with D. H. Douglass and James Jones as class leaders; Stewards, James Jones and D. H. Douglass; Trustees, Isaac Moore, Henry Blain, J ohn McCafferty and J. \V. Ingrim. The present pastor is Rev. Pillsbury. A flourishing Sunday Bchool is connected with the church, which has an average attendance of about 135, with J. W. Ingrim. Superintendent, and D. H. Douglass. Assistant Superintendent.

\ft. Sterling Presbyterian Church. - On March 20, L847, by appointment of the Columbus Presbytery, Rev. Timothy Stearns and Rev. Channcy P. Taylor, at a called meeting for the purpose, organized a church with the following constituent members: Mrs. Margaret Creath, Sr. . Mr. William Creath, Mrs. Mary Creath, Mrs. Jennie M. Alkire. Mr. Samuel Thornton, Dr. David E. McMillan. Mrs. Lydia McMillan; received by certificate from the London Church: Mrs. J alia Worthington, by certificate from the church at Chillicothe, and Miss Amanda Creath, received on examination. Mr. William Creath was installed as Elder. The church was furnished with a supply minister for many years; the first was Rev. James Dunlap. Services were continued in the old frame church building till the erection of th brick edifice, in 1868-69, at a cost of about $2,000. In December, L869, the house was dedicated to service in due form. The d rmon was preached by Rev. George Carpenter, of Washington C. H. It was dedicated free of all debt or incumbrance. The first regularly called and installed pastor of the church was Rev. George S. J. Browne, on February 8, 1S78. The present membership of the church is sixty-five. Present

Elders: A. B. Hughs, J. II. Schryver, W . J. Hodges and N. J. D. Kauffelt; Trustees, Dr. J. S. McClintick, George Kious and J. G. Loofburrow. Present pastor. Rev. Robert H. Cunningham. The church has had a regularly organized Sunday school since in March. 1^78: present average attendance, fifty -live scholars, with X. J. D. Kauflelt, Superintendent.

McKenard Methodist Episcopal Church. - In March, 1852, a class was organized in the King Schoolhouse by Rev. David Smith, consisting of the following members: William Stone. Elizabeth Stone. Washington Morain, Nancy Morain, Eliza Ann Morain. Harrison Morain, Lizzie Morain, Albert Stone, Joseph Lane. Mary Lane, William Lane, Dilliann Lane. Samuel Thornton, Catharine Thornton, Philip Kyle, Mary Kyle. Harriet Kyle, John Kyle. Rachel Frazier, Millie Smith. Matilda Oglesbee, Mary King, Stephen Anderson and Margaret Anderson, with William Stone as class leader. Their meetings were continued to be held in the schoolhouse above mentioned about three years, when they purchased a house and lot: the building was a large log house, which had been erected for a dwelling, but had never been finished or occupied. This building they finished and fitted up for church purposes, and used it as a house of worship till the summer of L874, when the present substantial and comfortable frame church was erected and occupied the same year for worship: but the house was not dedicated until in the fall of 1879, when, in October of that year, Rev. Joseph Trimble, of Columbus, came here and preached the dedicatory sermon, and the house was in due form set apart for the Bervice of Cod. The present membership is sixty-five, with Frederick Toops as class leader: Steward, Albert Stone; Trustees, William Lane. Stephen Anderson. Albert Stone. John W. Timmons aud Jonathan Warren. Pastor, James Shotip. In connection with the church they have a flourishing Sunday school, which has existed from the first organization of the church. At the present time it has an average attendance of about fifty scholars, with William Lane as Superintendent.

.1//. Sterling ( %ristian ( 'hurch.- -From the best information we can now obtain of the history of the Christian denomination in Pleasant Township, more than seventy years ago it was organized, at the house of Forgus Graham, as given above, in the history of the Antioch Church. And it is believed thai Boon after its organization, it received some members from the vicinity of Mt. Sterling, although at that time Mt, Sterling was not in existence, and that they continued to meet with the Antioch brethren, and were identified with them in church relationship until about the year 1825, when the chinch at Mt. Sterling was organized with these constituent members: George Hornbeck and wife, John R. Robison and wife, John J. Smith, Pleasant Southward and wife. Mary Allure and George Allure, with John 11. Robison ami George Hornbeck. as Deacons, and George Hornbeck, Clerk. The first pastors who ministered to the church were James Burbridge, Forgus Graham, Daniel Long and George Allure. For several years, services were held at private houses, and among the houses at which they most frequently met were those of George Hornbeck. Mary Alkire, John J. Smith, John R. Robison and George Alkire. In 1S37. they erected a brick house for church purposes, on the site of the present church building. This house served ihe church for several years, but was from its erection a very defective building, and finally was pronounced unsafe, and was taken down. The membership of the society became greatly reduced by death and removals, and finally, the organization ceased to have an exist ence.

From this time they had occasional preaching by various ministers of the denomination, held in the Methodist Church, but not until Fedruary 3, 1870, did the church again have an identity as a religious body. At this date the church was re-organized, by Rev. \V. N. Overturf, with fifteen members, of whom F. O. P. Graham and D. E. BobiBon were made Deacons; B. F. Thomas, Clerk, and William Beath, John R. Robison and B. F. Thomas, Trustees. During the year IS71. the present neat and substantial brick church was erected and furnished at a cost of $4,200. In this house there have since been services held regularly every alternate Sabbath to the present time. The present membership is sixty-five. Present officers, same as last given above, except that G. W. Durham is now Clerk, and Rev. Albert Dunlap is pastor. The church has a flourishing Sunday school.

Secret Societies Chapter Vi

^T^HIS township is situated in the extreme southwest corner of Madison JL County, and is bounded on the north by Olark County and Paint Township, on the east by Range Township, south by "Fayette County, and on the west by Greene County. It is one of the original townships of Madison County. The records give its erection as follows: "April 30, 1810, Ordered that all that tract of country contained in the following boundary be and the same is hereby laid out into a separate township, to be known by the name of Stokes, and is bounded as follows, viz.: -Beginning at the southeast corner of Champaign County, and running in a southeast direction, on the north side of Big Prairie, east of John Mozer's, to the head of the East Fork of Paint Creek, and with the said East Fork, including the inhabitants on each side of said fork, to the Fayette County line; thence west to the corner of Greene County; thence with Greene County line to Champaign County line; thence with said line to the place of beginning; by order of the board." In the erection of Clark County in 1817, some of the territory included within the above-described boundaries as forming Stokes Township was cut off and taken into that county. The township elections in 1810 were hold, by order of the Associate Judges of Madison County, at the house of P. Outright. Od June 11, 1810; the Commissioners " ordered that the rate of a license for a tavern in Stokes Township shall be $5 for the present year." In 1811, it was made $i. In 1S53, Paint Township was erected, and a part of the above-described territory embraced in Stokes Township was taken to form a part of that township.

The surface of this township is generally level, with in some parts slight undulations, especially along the creeks, as there are no large streams within her boundaries. The lauds have a gentle or gradual slope from her northern to her southern b >undary, such that all the creeks flow from the north to the south. The s >il is rich and very productive, and all the flat and more level portions are composed of a rich black loam, while the undulations and higher portions are a loam and clay, the whole underlaid with a stratum of clay, and flu's again with a limestone gravel. The township is generally well watered, and. with her clay subsoil, seldom suffers with drought. In her primitive conditions, as the first settlers found it, >!' low, level portions in prairie, destitute of ,trees and covered with sedge, often six; to eight feet high. Other portions were sparsely oovore 1 with trees, with a thick and irgrowth of hazel brush. The timbered porti -! priu lipallyof the various species of oak - white,

As stated above, the surface slopes to the south, constituting a slightly inclined plane from its northern to its southern boundary, such that the streams and creeks all flow southward, the principal of which are as follows: Paint Creek, the largest of her streams, enters the township from the north, passing through the Linson and Selsor lands in Surveys 5,78] and >>,983, and flows in a zigzag southern course entirely through the township, leaving it near the middle of the M. Bailey land, at a point almost due south from its place of entry into the township, and flows on through Fayette and Ross Counties, emptying into the Scioto River, just below Chillicotho. This stream in fed by a number of tine springs along its course, which, with the main creek, afford fine water for stock purposes; and we may add that the greater portion of the land along this stream in its course through Stokes Township, embracing several thousand acres, was formerly owned by the Selsor and Slaughter fain dies, two welhknown and extensive stock-dealers of Madison County. The second stream in size is Sugar Creek, which enters the township from the north, and flows directly south through the center of the township into Fayette County. In the western part of the town ship are two small creeks, the first flowing southward through the township, a little west of the village of South Solon, and on through Fayette County, and empties into Rattlesnake Creek, of which it is a branch. The other passes through the western portion of the township, and. taking a southwest course, enters Greene County, and finally empties into the Little Miami River. These streams, located and distributed as they are through the township, give excellent opportunities for ditching and draining the lands. and, with the general richness and productiveness of the soil, constitutes them among the best lands of Madison County, or of the State.

The above mentioned creeks are loo small to afford any good waterpower for mills or manufacturing purposes, but, as described above, are of great value, and give to Stokes a prestige as an agricultural township.

Isaac Hudson, who, in 1802, located where John Murray now lives, is believed to have been the first white settler within the precincts of Stokes Township, and it, was at his house that the surveyors and Commissioners met preparatory to establishing permanently the boundary line between Greene and Madison Counties. This was in September, IS 10. It appears he did not remain a resident here long after this, but removed to near Vincennes, Ind., where, during the war, he was killed by the Indians. He was a son of Skinner Hudson, a native of England, but who, while young, left his native land, emigrating to America, and became an early setller in Kentucky, and in 1804 came to Madison County, Ohio, and settled with his son Isaac, who preceded him two years previous, and here he remained till his death, and was buried in the family burying ground, given and established by himself. This fainib. met with all the trials and dangers of the wilderness. This was a regular camping-ground of the Indians for several years. John K. and Austin, two sons of Skinner Hudson, were reared and grew to manhood in this township. The former was born in Kentucky in ITU'.', and came with his father to this township. He married Hannah Ma haffey, a native of Adams County. Ohio. They had twelve children, five now living. John*K. owned 266 acres of land, a pari of which is the site of the village of South Solon, which Mr. Hudson and Mr. Douglass laid out in 1833. Mr. Hudson was a man of undoubted character, and an active. useful and worthy citizen. And of the Hudson family, while we speak of them as the first to penetrate the wilds of Stokes Township, we may add that they were ever first and foremost in the improvements and progress of the country, in the promotion of morals, education and Christianity. They were ever hospitable, kind-hearted and good neighbors, just snob persons as were needed to open out a uew country, and lay the foundation of true principles to make the country prosperous and happy. John K. Hudsou died in 1S7'J

-lames Curry, a native of Pennsylvania, married Isabel Roland and emigrated to Ohio, ami settled in Stokes Township, on land now owned by John S. Moon, in L805. He remained a citizen here through life, and was the father of eight children, of whom only one survives - William, now a resident of South Solon. Of his children who arc deceased, Harrison was born in Stokes Township in L816, and here grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life. He married Sarah Mahatloy and raised one child, who is now the wife of Milton Marsh, Postmaster at South Solon. Mi-. Curry was quite prominent in the political affairs of the township, and held several offices; served as a -Inst ice oi the Peace twenty-one years. He died April 21, L871. John Kelso settled on the tract of land where Jacob Smith now lives in 1808, but we learn no particulars connected with his future life from that date. Noble I. add settled on Skinner Hudson's land about L808. Andrew Kea. a native of Virginia, became a settler of Stokes Township about 1808 or 1810, and located on land now owned by the Gorlons. He had a large family of children, of whom were William. Robert, Thomas, James and Jessie.

John Moon, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Ohio, making the entire journey in a wagon, and settled on land in the north part of Fayette County, near the Madison County and Stokes Township line, in 1808, where he remained till his death. He was the father of ten children, of whom three now survive - John L., a resident of Stokes Township; Simon, a resident of Fayette County, Ohio; and -lane, now a rosideut of the State* of Illinois. Of the deceased of this family. Aaron married Rosanna Powell, and settled on the place now owned by Lewis Bozarth about 1S:?0. and here resided till his death, in the summer of L865. He was a man very highly esteemed and respected, and a leading and reliable man of this community. Ee served as Township Trustee for twenty live years, and as Treasurer twenty-six years. Jonathan, the second son, married Catharine Davis, and settled on land near his father. In 1837, he sold out and moved to Illinois. !n 1841, he returned to Fayette County, and in L844 purchased the farm adjoining William Thomas, where he resided till L878, and then removed to South Solon, where he died May 29, L881, in the eightieth year of his age. He was also a man of more than ordinary merit, very upright in all his dealings just and charitable to all. and a most worthy and useful citizen of the community where he lived. He held the office of Trustee twenty-three years. He was a worthy member ,it' the society of Friends, as were the Moon familj generally. His widow still survives, and resides in South Solon, aged tied in this township prior to his brother Aaron. Locating on the farm which he subsequently sold to Laron, and about ls:'>:> removed to the State of Indiana, where he died. Enoch Moon, a fourth son. and brother o\' the above, Bettled in this township and resided here several years, thence moved to In liana and died in that State.

Samuel Berrodwas born in L776, and became an early settler of Greene County, Ohio. He was married in L810 His wife, Mary, was born in L790, and they Bettled in this county and township about 1814 or L815, sharing the labors and trials of the early settlers. He died in L857, and his wife in L866. He became quite a large land-owner, and bis sons still larger. Samuel Hornbeck, a native of Bourbon County, Kv.. became a set tier in this township, on the land now owned by E, Bateman, about 1815 <>r 1816 and remained a resident of this township till bis death, July 26, 1868. He was a soldier in the war of L812. They had fifteen children Ten grew to maturity five son:- and five daughters of whom only two now survive Nancy, now Mrs. Moon, who resides in Fayette County; and Sam uel, a resideni of South Solon. Jacob Selsor was horn in Virginia, and, when hiii a boy, came to Ohio and 3ettled in Stoke- Township aboui 1815 or 1820, and here married Elizabeth McHenry, who wae horn in Kentucky. He died in L842, and big wife in 1864. Of their children, and a much-respected neighbor and citizen, is Christopher Selsor, who was horn in this township, and still resides \n-f: Christian Selsor also settled hereabout the same time, and was well known in early years, and held many of the offices of the township, and sustained svell the general reputation of the Selsor family.

David Selsor was horn in Virginia in L806, a son of John and Mary Selsor, who were also native- of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio when Da vid was hut a hoy. probably about L815 or L816, and settled bere in this township, where they remained till their death. David, when but a hoy of sixteen, commenced bis career as a farmer and stock-dealer, exhibiting in his boyhood day- that aptness and shrewdness as a trading man and finan cier which, in after years, won for bim wealth and laurels, and who known from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as one of the largest stock dealers of Ohio, and perhaps second to none for fine-blooded stock. At the time of his death. January 12, 1882, he owned nearly three thousand - of land, on whose broad acres roamed a large amount of stock, much of which were of the fines! breeds of blooded animal-, [n the summer of 1882, after his death, thi 3old at public sale and prominent fine stock only a few have been able to reach the pinnacle of fame: and while professional men have delved deep into the labyrinths of science endeavoring to bring forth some new fact or principle which shall bless mankind and thus e lish for them an undying reputation here we see an example in the common occupation of a farmer and stoci dealer, one who has gained an exalted position, and inscribed his name upon the highest battlement of success, and, like the names of all who have to distinction, whether politically, professional ly or otherwise, will indelibly written upon the pages of hisand be read and known by generations yet. unborn Stokes Township

George Linson was horn in Virginia January 7, 1790; married Eliza beth Hutsinpillar, who was horn December 24, 1792. Thej emigrate Ohio and settled in Stoke Township about 1815, where the;, resided til! death. Mrs. Linson died in June. 1-1."). Mr. Linson died in April, 1855. Mi-. Linson came to thi md almost a wilderness, and bore a good share <>[ privations, Wat. bee - I of a

Isaac McHenry, a native of Kentucky, born June 4, 1801; he married Christina Selsor. who was born in Virginia. Mr. McHenry came to Stokes Township when a boy, probably about 1816 or 1818, and was married here. His wife died in 1832. He married for his second wife Miss Nancy Flood, who survived him. He died in 1874. William, his son, who was born in this township in 1825. t.till resides here, an honored and respected citizen, who has here spent his entire life. Mr. Burley was an early settler in this township, on land now owned by S. H. Smith, in the south part of South Solon. The exact date of his locating here cannot now be ascertained, but he kept a hotel at quite an early day. He came here from North Carolina.

Joseph Thomas, a native of North Carolina, settled .in Paint Township, on land now owned by Mrs. Huffman, probably in 1815 to 1818. He was generally better known as the " White Pilgrim." He made the journey from North Carolina on foot, and soon after returned to his native State and married a Miss Ridenhour. and brought her to his new home in the east part of Stokes Township. He was a preacher in the Christian Church, and, shortly after locating here, had preaching at his house, and soon organized a church, of which he was pastor for several years. He also traveled and preached at many other places over the surrounding country, and was one of the ablest defenders of the faith and doctrines of that church ever in this section of the county. He was also an active worker and a prominent man in the Masonic order, and was finally sent into the Eastern States to Travel in the interests of that order, and while there took the small-pox. with which he died. Subsequently, some minister of that denomination visited his grave, and wrote and published a very expressive and beautiful hymn on his life and character. Two of his children now reside in Yellow Springs. Greene Co., Ohio - Caleb and Mrs. Carr, whose son is the proprietor of the large nursery at that place.

Lot Bozarth, a native of Virginia, was born in 1792, and emigrated to Ohio and became quite an early settler of Stokes Township, on the land where his son Lewis still resides. Here he married Nancy Rea, who was born in Maryland in 1802. Subsequently, they moved to White County, Ind.. and resided a few years, then returned to Stokes Township, and here remained till their death. He died April 7, 1872, and his wife March 12, Mr Bozarth was a kind neighbor, and a good citizen, and held several of the offices of his township. The above may truly be called the pioneers of Stokes Township, all being settlers here prior to 1820. Many others who settled here later perhaps did as much pioneer work and endured be many trials as some who came earlier, and deserve a record of their lives in the history of the county equally as much as they, and we will now record some of them, with their famiii

Early Settlers

Jessie Pancake was born in Virginia in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County in 1812: thence, about 1820 or soon after, located in this county, in Stokes Township, where he married Martha Cooper, who was born in this county in LSI I. of a true pioneer family. Mr. Pancake spent his life here, and became one of the honored and weli-known citizens of this township, and held many of its offices, and was a most worthy citizen. His wife died in 1839, just in the bloom of womanhood. He died in 1877. He made Farming his business through life, and became owner of 1,200 acre- ol jood land. His son John resides in Stokes Township, and 's a iarge and r< - pei OWJ Qg 700 acres of land. Thorn- as Cooper, a native of North Carolina, whom we have here placed among the list of early settlers, we believe to have been a pioneer, and perhaps settled here as early as 1810 or 1812, and should have been classed with the pioneers, but, from lack of certainty about the date of his locating, we have placed his record here. We find he located on land how owned by John Pancake and Mr. Slaughter. He was a man possessed of a very limited education, but of a sprightly, active mind and good business tact, but died early in life, yet owned about one thousand acres of land, and doubtless. had he lived, would have become wealthy. He died about 1810.

Peter Slaughter, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Highland County, Ohio, in an early day; about 1820-25, removed to this county and settled in Stokes Township, on Paint Creek, where he resided till his death, in the fall of 1861. He married Fdizabeth Cooper, by whom he had eleven children. Ten grew to maturity, and four now survive - -Mary, Abigail, Ma tilda and Nancy. The last three reside on the old homestead place. Mary resides in Illinois. Mr. Slaughter married for his second wife Anna E. Lynch, by whom he had three childron, one now living - Henrietta. Mr Slaughter commenced life in very limited circumstances, but was possessed of a business tact of mind, full of energy and activity; entered largely the stock business, and became one of the largest stock-dealers of the county, and was well known in others as well as in Madison County. He probably bought and sold one thousand head of cattle yearly. In an early day. he took many large droves of cattle over the mountains to Lancaster, Penn. He was a man who loved hunting, and enjoyed life well. He was soon possessed of an extensive acquaintance and an unlimited credit, which he maintained through life, and died wealthy, owning 3,000 acres of land.

Moses Thomas was a native of North Carolina, and married Catharine Williams, a native of Virginia; were married in the latter State, and emigrated to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1825, and soon after to Madison County and settled in Stokes Township, where they remained till death. Two of their sons, Benjamin and William, have remained residents of this township, and are among its most prominent and reliable farmers; have held many of the offices of the township, and are highly respected citizens. William Cooper, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Fayette County. Ohio, when a young single man, and in 1828 married Elizabeth Merriman and settled in Stokes Township, where he has spent bis life, and is an upright and honored citizen of the community. His wife died in 1805. Jacob Smith was the eldest of six children of Mathias and Margaret Smith, who emigrated to Cincinnati in 1800, and in 1807 removed to Greene County aDd settled on Beaver Creek, where they died. Jacob was born in Maryland in 1803, and was reared in Greene County, Ohio, anil married Amanda Herrod; settled in Stokes Township, this county, in 1836, on the place now owned by Mi*. Clemons. Here he opened out in the woods, and has performed his full share in the improvement of the country. The west and north part of the village of South Solon is built on his land. He is liuw quite aged, having resided in this township fifty -sis years, and is an honored and respected citizen. Joel Ervin. born in Ohio in 1811, settled in this township in 1830 35.

We can find no records of elections of the township earlier than 1833; therefore commencing with that date, we give the following list of officers:

Jacob Smith and Aaron Moon; 1837-39, Richard King, Aaron Moon and Jesse Pancake; 1840-41, Aaron Moon, Joseph Hunt and Samuel Hornbeck; 1842, Lot Bozarth, Aaron Moon and Samuel Hornbeck; 3844-45, Jesse Pancake, Aaron Moon and Lot Bozarth; 1846, Aaron Moon, Jesse Pancake and James Hornbeck; 1847-53, Aaron Moon, Jonathan Moon and James Hornbeck; 1854-55, Jonathan Moon, James Hornbeck and D. Elder Johnson; 1856, D. Elder Johnson, Aaron Moon and Jonathan Moon; 1857-58, Aaron Moon, Jacob Smith and Jonathan Moon; 1859, Aaron Moon, Jona than Moon and Richard Whiteman; I860, Jonathan Moon. James Hornbeck and Richard Whiteman; 1861, Samuel Griffith, Richard Whiteman and Andrew Gordon; ISO".!, Jonathan Moon, James Hornbeck and Samuel Griffith; 1863, Jonathan Moon, Jackson Brock and Samuel Griffith; 1864-67, Giles Gordon, Jonathan Moon and Samuel Griffith; 1868, Jonathan Moon, John L. Moon and John Pancake; 1869-70, Jonathan Moon, Giles Gordon and Jackson Brock ; 1872, Jackson Brock, Samuel L. Griffith and William Thornton: 1872, William Thornton, J. C. Hays and J. M. Lucas; and the present incumbents in the office, 1882, are John M. Lucas, James K. Brock and A. H. Baughn.

George W. King; 1838, Harrison Curry and William Chappell; 1839, John Glenn; 1843, Thomas Mclntire and Hugh Orr; and present ones in office (4882) are Milton Marsh and George Mahoy.

Supervisors L833, Christian Selsor, John Hudson and James Hornbeck; L834, James Hornbeck, Christian Selsor and Ross Ramond; 1835, James Moon. Alexander Nelson. William Hudson, Christian Selsor and Abner Eches; L836, John F. Hudson, Abner Eches, Richard King, Jacob Seizor and A. .Nelson: L837, Peter Slaughter. Richard King, Harrison Curry, John F. Hudson and David Carter; 1838, Harrison Curry. Thomas Clemons, Jesse Pancake, David Carter and Richard King; 1839, Abner Eches, Jesse Pancake, Thomas Clemons, Cyrus King, Daniel Daugherty and Thomas Ellis: L843, James Thomas. Isaac Clemons, Daniel Daugherty, David Stroup and Charles Rakestraw.

Fence Viewers - 1833, Joseph Thomas. Sr., and Edward Stubblefield; L834, Christian Selsor and Raper Ramond; 1835, Robert Rea and Moses Wbodard; 1S3S, George Curry and Isaac Clemons; L839, William Jones and James Thomas; L843, [saac I'arker and George Simmerman.

Clark; 1834, Aaron Moon, Samuel Harvey and Samuel Hornbock; 1835, Robert Rea; 1838, George W. King, Jesse Pancake; 1839, James Hornbeck and Harrison Curry; 1840, James Hornbeck and Harrison Curry.

We have only given the names of those who filled the offices, for a few years, and, in fact, the two last offices mentioned only existed a few years later than the above dates. Could we have found the records back to 1810, it would be interesting to know who first occupied those positions.

In 1833, the earliest record that appears to have been preserved, the total expenses in settling with the Trustees, Clerk, Treasurer and Supervisors, were $19.57, of which the Supervisors roceived $8.50, thus exhibiting the fact that the most important offices of the township at that day were not very attractive for the remuneration they brought. In 1833, the Treasurer's was 57 cents; in 1882, it was. $19.78, showing quite an increase in the amount of funds passing through the Treasurer's hands from 1833 to 1882.

This is truly a rural township, possessing but one town, or rather village, within its territory - South Solon - which was laid out in 1838, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew Douglass. The latter built the first house, and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Nolan opened the first store, and was the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Dr. Simmerman, a root and herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first physician, and it is said was quite skillful in treating disease under Lis system. The town grew very slowly for many years, as it had no railroad or other stimulus to promote its growth or to create business. The entire township was without a railroad until about four years ago, and all grain, stock, and all productions of the farmers, were hauled to some distant town for a market or for shipment; and as a result of this, when the farmers were at these distant towns, they made their purchases of dry goods and groceries for home consumption; hence there was little inducement for men of means or business ability to locate or invest in South Solon. And thus matters remained until, in 1878, the Springfield Southern Railroad was built, and passed through this village, connecting it with Springfield and the coal-fields of Southeastern Ohio. This opened a way for shipping the productions of the country, made, as it were, a home market, and the same year, immediately upon its completion, John Hudson erected a warehouse and grain elevator. The farmers now hauled their grain here and sold it, and shipped their stock. This created quite a business. Men were in demand, and this created a demand for houses. They were built, and the town began to grow. Goods and groceries of all kinds wore now in demand, and merchants found an opening for the profitable investment of capital. From this time the town had a gradual but steady growth. This railroad, which at first was a narrow-gauge, was iu 1880 transformed to a standard-gauge, and is doing quite a large and thriving business. By examining the shipping books of the agent of the road, we were surprised at the great amount of snipping from that small town. There will pi'obably be from 600 to 800 ears of stock, grain, lumber, etc.. shipped from that station during the year 1882. The business of the town now comprises the following: General store, by W. C. Rickards; general store, by William O'Shaugimessy; grocery, by A. Simmerman; grocery and post office, by M. Marsh; harness shop, by Miller & Townsley; blacksmith shop, by O. M. Porter; blacksmith shop, by A. Bush; carriage and baggy manufactory, by Joseph Hidwell; boot and shoe shop; saloon, by Riley Harper; saloon, by M. C. Clark; saloon, by Jerry Neville; livery and sale stable, by Stephen Maxey; saw-mill, by

There is perhaps nothing in the history of a country, in its growth, progress and advancement, which presents a more striking contrast than the schools of the first settlers and the schools of to-day; or, more properly, the absence of schools in that day, compared with the fine schools and advantages that are now enjoyed for the education of the young. For the pioneers of this country had a mission to perform. The land was covered with the mighty forest trees, which the horny hand of toil must first remove in order that the soil might be made to produce the necessaries to support the physical man. and the support and growth of the intellectual had to, from necessity, be made a secondary matter. But as soon as the circumstances would permit, we find them endeavoring to provide ways and means for the education of their children, and in this work they had to rely entirely upon themselves and their own resources to accomplish it, as then, and for many years after, there was no help by State or otherwise to establish or support schools. . Hence, their only alternative was to band together as soon as there were enough in a neighborhood to make it feasible, and each subscribe a certain amount, then hire a teacher, and in some house call the children together, where the teacher would meet with them and impart to them such instruction as they were able to receive, or the rude text-books and limited qualifications of the teacher of that day could give; and as soon a they could, they would combine together and cut down and prepare logs, and erect a house for school purposes. These were of the most rude and primitive kind, and are fully explained elsewhere in this work. Thus were carried on the schools of the first settlers of Stokes Township till the school laws of Ohio were enacted, which rendered material aid to the work of education. Now they could levy a tax and appropriate the means to furnish houses, and opportunities for the free education of every child in the community. Of course, the tax was a prescribed amount, and the value of property was then limited, and the amount of schooling limited accordingly; but as property and wealth increased, so did the advantages for schools and of obtaining an education increase, and have continued to do so up to the present time, which now, it would seem, had reached almost to the maximum of attainment.

One of the first public schools in this township was in an old log house on the land now owned by James Crawford, and was situated near where ate is now located. The first teacher was Mr. Burley. This was about 1830. The next schoolhouse was a cabin erected on the place now owned by John Murray. There was also a log house built for school purposes on Samuel Harrod's land about 1831. The first teacher here was Mr. Sears, who was rigid in discipline to the extreme, and created some difficulty in the neighborhood through his uncalled-for severity to his scholars. This, however, was not much of an exception in that day, as good physical powers and ability to chastise his pupils was almost as great a requirement in that day as were intellectual qualifications. As the township filled up with settlers in different parts' of her territory, so these primitive schools were established: and as the wealth and comforts of the people increased, so they increased and improved their schools, until now (1882) this township has ten school districts, with as many good schoolhouses, all either good frame or brick buildings, comfortably seated and well furnished with the best approved furniture and school paraphernalia.

District No. 1, situated just south of South Solon, on the Hudson farm, in 1881 enumerated twenty-one scholars. District No. 2, located on B. Thomas' farm, enumerated forty- nine; District No. 3 (Gossard's) enumerated forty-four; District No. 4 (Foster) enumerated twenty-nine; District No. 5 (Pancake) enumerated twenty-nine; District No. 6 (Stroup) enumerated thirty-five; District No. 7 (Gordon) enumerated twenty-one; District No. 8 (Corbitt) enumerated forty-two; District No. 9 (Selsor) enumerated thirtytwo; District No. 10 (South Solon) enumerated ninety-three; also throughout the. different districts there are enumerated eighteen colored children; total enumeration, 412 school children. Levied for school purposes, April 17, 1882, for tuition, $3,500; for incidentals, $1,335; total, $4,835.

There are but two church edifices in Stokes Township, and only one denominational. About 1835, a number of persons of the Protestant Methodist faith met and organized as a church, and soon aftei purchased a hewed- log house, located on the place now owned by Alexander Simmerman, which had been built for a dwelling. This they fitted up for church purposes, and in which they held services under Rev. Dolby, Rev. Harvey and others for about four or five years, when they disbanded. From this time forward, there was no regularly oi'ganized church, but there were services and preaching had quite often in the schoolhouse, by both the Methodist and Christian denominations, till, in 1860, the present frame church at South Solon was erected, and in 1861 was dedicated to service. This is known as the People's Church, and is not a denominational church, but is open and free for all Chriatian sects in which to hold service. At the present time, Rev. Ewing, of Springfield, a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church, and Rev. Yeoman, a Baptist minister, hold services here regularly.

Grassy Point Christian Church was organized in 1832, by Rev. Joseph Thomas, better known as the " White Pilgrim," with thirty charter members, some of whom were as follows: Joseph Thomas, Jr., Samuel Hornbeck, Thomas Green, Margaret Green, James Hornbeck, Catharine Messmore, Samuel Messmore, Sarah Thomas, Maria Hornbeck and Polly Carr, now a resident of Fayette County, Ohio; John Lohr, of London, Ohio; and Sophronia Carr, a daughter of the White Pilgrim, who resides at Yellow Springs, Greene Co., Ohio. Preaching and services were held for several years at the house of Rev. Thomas. Finally, under the preaching of Joseph Thcmas, Jr., about 1845, a hewed-log house was erected for church purposes, in which services were held for a period of about fifteen years. The church grew in strength, numbers and usefulness, and about 1860 the present frame house was erected, and was dedicated to the service of God in 1861.

Joseph Thomas, who organized the church, was its first minister. He was succeeded by the following: Rev. Enoch Harvey, James Mclnturf, Joseph Thomas, Jr., John Greene, Benjamin Seaver, Louis Greene. James Hornbeck, Daniel Griffin, Caleb Morse, W. N. Overturf, Jonathan Pugh and W. B. Fuller. Since the organization of this church, there have been enrolled nearly six hundred members. The church is situated in a fine country, and in a neighborhood of church-going people, and they usually have good congregations, and on special occasions, as their yearly meetings, have immense gatherings. At the present time, the church numbers lui) members, with Rev. W. N. Overturf as pastor.

Chapter Vii

THIS township occupies a central position in the southern tier of townships in the county of Madison. It embraces a scope of beautiful country, which, from the earliest advance of civilization, and its occupancy by the whites, had its tine prairies, with their exuberance of grass, occupied by herds of stock which were driven here from Ross County and herded by men hired for that purpose. This afforded the finest of pasturage, and continued to be occupied in this manner by the extensive stock-dealers of Ross County and other counties, with no cost whatever but to employ men to watch the stock and keep them together upon this broad, unfenced and unbounded expanse of country, till finally tbe land was so generally taken up by purchasers and actual settlers that those from other counties were debarred from carrying on their former profitable herding business any longer in this portion of country.

Tbis township was early erected and put into full working order. Upon the records of the county at London we find the following, bearing date December 7, 1812: "At a meeting of the Commissioners of Madison County (on petition), ordered that the following bounds compose a new township, which shall be hereafter known and designated by the name of Range Townsbip, viz.: Beginning on the county of Fayette at the crossing of the North Fork of Paint Creek; thence to the eight-mile tree on Langham's road; thence with said road westwardly to the line of Union Township; thence with the said line to the southwest corner of Judge Baskerville's survey; and them from the aforesaid place of beginning, west with Fayette County line, to a point one mile east from the crossing of Main Paint; tbence northerly to the southwest corner of Judge Baskerville's survey aforesaid. "

The surface of the territory composing this township is remarkably level, there being only small portions of it along the creeks, and occasionally a small tract here and there in certain localities, that are undulating, and a few places of small extent that may be called as approaching the order of hills. Tin township is bounded on the north by Paint and Oak Run Townships, east by Pleasant Township, south by Fayette County, and west by Stokes and Paint Townships. ' It was, as the settlers first found it. possessed of large oak openings and prairies, with some portions, especially along the creeks, heavily timbered. The varieties of timber consisted principally of burr, white and red oak, hickory, walnut, elm and maple, the first two varieties mentioned predominating, and the burr oak growing to a large size, and probably in excess in number of any other variety. In localities there was an abundance of fine walnut timber, which, in an earh day, was cut down and burned on the ground in order to get the land cleared and ready for cultivation. Hundreds and thousands of beautiful logs were piled up at their log-rollings, which, if in possession of the owners of the land to-day, would net them a large income. Mostof the timbered land of this section of country was perfectly clear from any brush or most beautiful oak groves which the eye ever beheld. This condition was brought about by the effects of the yearly tires, which were set in the grass late in the fall by the Indians, and the entire country burned over for miles in extent in every direction, the object being to give a clear and unobstructed view and opportunity for hunting in the winter season, as game, such as bear, deer, opossum, wild turkeys, etc., were then in great abundance. The contrast between the country then and the timbered portions which remain today is remarkable and striking: then so open and beautiful that a man could ride through anywhere and in any direction, on horseback, at a gallop, in the hunt or chase, with no obstructions to their rapid travel ; now it is so thick and (dose with the undergrowth, since it has ceased to be burned over by these fires, that in some sections it is almost impossible for man or beast to get through at all, at the slowest pace.

The soil of this township is very rich and productive, the fiat and more level portions being composed of a vegetable soil, very deep, rich and black; while the rolling and more elevated portions are a strong loam and clay soil, excellent for wheat and grass. While the black, rich loam of the flat land is superior for corn, yet, as it becomes older and more thoroughly drained, will also become better for wheat, and, in fact, for all grains. The leading and most profitable business with the farmers for many years was stock-raising, but of late years, as the land is becoming ditched, tiled and drained, so as to get clear of the abundance of surf ace water, it is becoming better adapted to the raising of wheat and corn, and the farmers have gone quite extensively into the cultivation of these cereals. This year f 1 v they have raised a wonderful crop of wheat: and. though the season has been uncommonly wet, and considerably against the progress of a good corn crop, yet there is a fair prospect of somewhat below an average crop, the prospect in this township being probably fully up to that of most of the townships of Madison County. The township is abundantly watered by numerous creeks and branches, fed by beautiful springs, and, with a clay and disintegrated limestone subsoil, is almost proof against common or ordinary droughts. The principal streams are the Bradford, the head branches of which rise in Paint and Oak Run Townships, and, uniting on the north boundary line of this township, flows in a southeasterly direction forming the boundary line between Range and Oak Run Townships for about one and a half miles, then passes into Oak Run Township, then again enters this township, passing through its northeast corner, and enters Pleasant Township. In its course it receives a tributary which is formed by two branches, which water all the northern portion of the township, by their various branches penetrating it in numerous directions. In the center of the township, on the Chrisman land, rises Mud Run, and flows southeast into Pleasant Township. The North Fork of Paint is formed by two branches, which rise a little northeast of Midway and form a junction just north of Danville, flowing southeast into Fayette County. In the southern central portion of the township is Thompson's Run, and in the western and southwestern part are Willow Spring Branch and East Fork of Paint, which flow in a southeastern course, form a junction about one-half mile north of the township line, and flow on into Fayette County. The general direction of all these creeks and their branches is east, southeast and south, showing distinctly that the northwest portion of the township has the greatest elevation.

The position of this township, and the quality of its soil, with its prairies and abundance of pasturage, were conditions which tended to an early settlement. It appears the first actual settler to penetrate the territory of what has since become Range Township was William M. Linton, with his family. He was born in England about 1753, emigrated to Virginia, there married Mary Williams and settled in Hardy County. About 1797, they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. In 1800-01, they removed to Madison County, settling just south of where Midway is now located, and there resided till his death, in 1835. He devoted his life to the occupation of a farmer. A few years before his death, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the father of eight children - Maria, George, Sarah, Susan, Hannah, Nancy, Betsey and Peggy, all now deceased. Maria married Cyrus Ward; had three children, one only now living - W. Curtis Ward, now freight agent at London; George never married, and resided in this township till his death, in 1876, aged eightyseven years; Sarah married Archibald Stewart; had two children, one now surviving - Mrs. Rev. James Dunlap, of Springfield, Ohio; Susan married Joseph Pancake, had two children, who are now living - Isaac and Jesse, residents of Illinois; Hannah married Benjamin Walker, by whom she had several children, and all the surviving ones are residents of Iowa; Nancy married William Davis, had six children, and all surviving are residents of Illinois; Betsey married David Dye, had four children, three now survive (David, a resident of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Cartmoll, residing in Indiana; and George, a resident of Republic, Kan.): Peggy married Lockhart Biggs, had five children, one now survives; William, a resident of Missouri.

David Dye, a native of New Jersey, it is believed, came to Ohio a single man, and settled od land just east of William Linton a few years later, and, about 1810, married Betsey Linton. She died about 1835. He married for hiB second wife Nancy Wingate, by whom he had two children, both deceased. They remained here till about 1867, when they removed to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where his wife died in 1879, and he in 1880, aged ninety-five years. He was a blacksmith by trade, which, in connection with farming, he followed through life. Peter Moneyhorn settled on land now owned by Mrs. Hicks about L806. Of him but little is known, except that he was a very eccentric man, and indulged a great deal in writing poetry or making rhymes and funny expressions, to the great amusement of those who

! him. It is believed that, after a few years' residence here, he moved away. Archibald Stewart settled just south of William Linton, probably in 1806 08, and married Sarah Linton. He was a very energetic, good business man, and became an extensive stock-dealer and large land-owner. He finally moved to Bloomingsburg. Fayette County, where lie died.

e Township, and was employed by William M. Linton to work on his farm-, finally married Susan Linton, and soon after settled on land wesi of Midway, now owned by Reuben Slaughter. He sewed in the war of 1812, for which services he subsequently obtained a land warrant. His wife died, and he married Miss Corbitt. She lived only about one year, and he married for his third wife Mrs. -lane Dungan, nee Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, the widow of Dungan, one of the early settlers of Ra at the time of Ins death, in Midway. His wife died July 30, L863. He w;ih flu father of four children by bis first, wife, two now living Isaac and Jesse, residents of Illinois. By his last wife be bad three children; two now survive Jane, wife of l>. E. Johnson, residing in Hardin County, Ohio; n<l James S. Mr, Pancake devoted bis life to farming and at the in<_r been our of ber earliest settlers, and passed through the varied trials, dangers and hardships of those times. A.nd not. only was he ;i pioneer in the secular affairs of the township, but was a pioneer in the Methodist Churc i, having been a member of the firsl class organized in this township, and oi which lie was one of the class leaders. He served a long and de voted life in the church, and died esteemed and respected by a large cir cle of friends and acquaintances -lames S. Pancake, the . mngest child, his life to farming, and i.- one of the reliable and respected citizens, one who has followed well die footsteps of his father, as pertains to an bonor able and useful life, being an active and devoted worker and member of the Methodist ( hurch.