Pleasant Township (part 1 of 2)

Pleasant Township

AN impenetrable and almost unbroken forest, with no timber removed save that which time and the disturbing element had plucked and de stroyed, and whose primitive beauty and density remained as a natural shelter for the savage beasts and scarcely less savage men, and as beautiful bowers in which "the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate," is, in a measure, descriptive of Pleasant Township at the dawning of the present century. Beneath those leafy bowers and in the many shady dells, mythical, legendary and traditional scenes have been enacted, which, together with indisputable facts, have traced the pathway of the years to the present time and formed a fascinating history of the township for a period extending over fourscore years. It is our purpose, however, to record only well authenticated facts in this chapter, leaving the traditional or uncertain history to be handed down from one generation to another, or to perish, unforgotten in the past. Yet, however interesting the history of the red man, and possibly the Mound -Builders, of this territory, however much we should like to know of their habits, customs, modes of living, and the minute details of their every -day life, or even however much we should like to record the many amusing, as well as the many touching incidents of early pioneer life, all must be omitted unless well authenticated.

He who attempts to trace the outline of the history of this township from the past to the present, with the aid of but few records or the assistance of but few living witnesses, must needs go but a short distance into the backward path ere he becomes involved in a labyrinth of mystery scarcely less dense than the primeval forests themselves. However, there are authenticated historical facts that especially concern the present and the future gen erations of this township which in nowise should here be omitted.

Organic History

Pleasant was one of the original townships of this county, it being the name given to the greater portion of surveyed Township No. 6, Range 15, on the second day of the first session of the County Commissioners, after the organization of Marion Couuty. The board, then consisting of Matthew Merritt, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman, Commissioners, and Hezekiah Gorton as Auditor, met in first session on June 7, 1824, and on June 8 we find the following entry:

Ordered, That surveyed Township No. 6. in Range 15, except two tiers of sections on the west, be and the same is herebv set off as a new township bv the name of Pleasant Township.

A full surveyed township, made in accordance with the law, consists of sis sections square, or thirty-six sections, so that, according to the above order, Pleasant Township did not originally include the full surveyed township by two tiers or twelve sections on the west side. But since then a number of changes have been made, until now it includes a greater portion of the originally surveyed township. The first change was made at the June session in the following year, when those two tiers of sections were restored to Pleasant Township, as will be seen from the following entry:

Commissioners present, John Page, Amos Wilson, Zachariah Welch: Ordered, That so much of Green Camp Township as lies in surveyed Township JNo. 6. in Range 15, be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township.

A cont ention and stri f e for the possession of these two tiers of sections seems to have been going on at that time between the citizens of Green Camp and Pleasant Townships; for at the December session of the County Commissioners in the same year, we find the following order recorded, which gave back to Green Camp Township one tier of sections, the half of which had been recently restored to Pleasant Township:

But this boundary was not destined long to remain. In March, of the following year, the Couutv Commissi oners' record shows the following entry: to

Ordered, 1 hat so much of Green Camp Township as lies in surveyed Township No <>. in Range 15, be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township, except the Sections No. 6, 7 and 18.

ordered, lhat the south tier of sections now belonging to Big Island Township and one-half mile on the west side of Township 6, Range 15 south, be and the same is hereby set off to Green Camp Township; and that the east half of Sections 6. 7 and 18 in said township above described be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township.

There were still other changes made in the boundaries, as will be seen from the following portion of an entry made in the Commissioners' record in the year 1838:

March 5 (1st Monday), 1838. Commissioners met pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided Present, Charles Merriman, John Shunk and George Beckley. Whereupon, on petition of John Britt and others, it is ordered that the half-mile strip taken off of the west end of Township 6 south, Range 15. in this county, and attached to the township of Green Camp in said county, also the whole of Township No. 6 south, Range 14, in this county, be and the same is hereby detached from said township of Green Camp and attached to the township of Pleasant in this county. * * *

This day the Commissioners of Marion County met pursuant to the statute. Present: Hugh v . Smith and John Uncapher, Commissioners; and Peter Beerbower, County Auditor.

This day came Alexander Porter and others, being the majority of the householders residents within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petition for an alteration in the boundaries of Green Camp and Pleasant Townships, by attaching to said Green Camp Township the following described territory from Pleasant Township, to wit: Sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12, and the north half of fractional Section 13, in Township 6 south, Range 14, and the west halves of Sections 6 and 7, and the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township No. 6, Range 15. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that legal notice of said application had been given, and that said proposed alteration is necessary, it is ordered that the said territory above described be and the same is hereby attached to the said township of Green Camp.

In June, 1848, when the township of Prospect was organized, a portion of Pleasant Township was added to the new township, as will be seen from the following portion of an entry made at that date:

Marion County, Ohio, June 5, 1848. This day came George Beams, Christian Gast and others, being a majority of householders within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petitiou for the erection of a new township to be called Prospect, to comprise and inclose the following territory, to wit: All those portions and parts of Radnor and Thompson Townships attached to the county of Marion by the act erecting the county of Morrow, passed February 24. 1848, including that portion of Radnor Township incorporated in Waldo Township by the Commissioners of Marion County at their March meeting in 1848; also Sections No. 31, 32, 33 and 34 in Township 6 south, Range 15, being in Pleasant Township; also fractional Section No. 36, Towmship 6 south, Range 14, in said Pleasant Township. * * *

On the following day, a portion of Section No. 33 and all of Section 34 were restored to Pleasant Township, as will be seen from a portion of an entry made in the Commissioners' record of that date:

Tuesday Morning, June 5, 1848. On application and good cause being shown, it is ordered that the order of the Commissioners entered as of yesterday, erecting the new township of Prospect, in Marion County, be so amended that the whole of fractional Section No. 34 and the east half of fractional Section No. 33, Township 6 south. Range 15, be restored and attached to the township of Pleasant, from which the same was taken. * * *

On the same day, an order was made by the Commissioners, which gave a portion of the territory belonging to Pleasant Township to Waldo Township, as will be observed by the following portion of an entry made at that time:

This day came Daniel S. Drake and others, being a majoritj' of the householders within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petition for an alteration of the boundaries of Waldo and Pleasant Townships, in Marion County, by attaching to said Waldo Township the following territory from said Pleasant Township, to wit: The whole of fractional Sections No. 34, 35 and 36, and the south halves of Sections 25. 26 and 27 and the southeast quarter of Section No. 28, in Township 6 south, of Range 15. * * *

Thus it will be seen by the preceding entries, taken from the Commissioners' records, that while the western and southern boundaries of this township have been frequently changed, the northern and eastern bound aries have remained undisturbed. The township original 1}' consisted of twenty -four sections, being six sections in length from north to south, and four in width from east to west. In the second entry of date of June 6, 1825, it will be observed that "so much of Green Camp Township as lies in Surveyed Township No. 6, Range 15." was restored to Pleasant Township, thus making it at that time the full originally surveyed township, contain ing thirty full sections and six fractional sections. Subsequently, all of surveyed Township No. 6, Range 14, at first belonging to Green Camp

Township, and comprising all of the territory of that township lying east of the Scioto River, was added to Pleasant, as will be seen by the entry of the date of March 5, 1838. and remained an undisturbed portion of Pleasant Township for more than ten years, at which time it, with the exception of fractional Sections 24, 25, and the south half of fractional Section 13, was restored to Green Camp. At that date the west halves of Sections 6 and 7, and the northwest quarter of Section 18, in Pleasant Township, was given to Green Camp Township, and thus stands the western boundary of Pleasant Township to this day. Off of the southern boundary has been taken fractional Sections No. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 an^ 36, also the south halves of Sections No. 25, 26 and 27 and the southeast quarter of Section 28. Of this territory, Sections 31, 32 and the west half of Section 33 now belong to Prospect Township and the remainder of it to Waldo Township. Pleasant Township is composed wholly of Congress lands and the surface is generally level. The soil is the richest and most productive, perhaps, of any portion of this fertile county.

Settlement

Among the early settlers of this township, and perhaps the very first of the number, was the Rev. Jacob Idleman. who, with his wife and three children, came from Highland County, Ohio, to a place in this township known then as ".Slab Camp," one mile north of the Greenville treaty line, just on the opposite side of the road, from where Levi Jones now resides. He arrived there early in February, 1820, and there he hastily erected a temporary cabin, in which he and his family passed the remainder of the winter and the following summer. In August of that year, Mr. Idleman attended the land sales at Delaware and purchased 160 acres of land one mile north of that point, on what is now the Marion & Delaware pike, where he resided till his death, and where his son Silas has since resided until within the last two years. On this farm Silas Idleman was born in 1822, being the first white child born within the present limits of the township, and here also the members of his family were born and reared.

Rev. Jacob Idleman was soon joined by other settlers, and among them were William Wyatt and family, who came in the summer of 1820 and settled on the place where John W. Myers now resides. Afterward, but during the same year, Van Horn and family, David Tipton and family, John Staley (or Stealey) and family and Henry Peters became a part of this settle ment In the autumn of that year, a settlement was being formed in the southwestern portion of this township in a territory which, when the county was first organized, was given to Green Camp Township, but which, for a number of years, has been a permanent portion of Pleasant. The first of this band of settlers were Humphrey Mounts and his family, who came here from Radnor Township, Delaware County, in the fall of 1820, and who were soon joined by John Matthews and his wife, who were also from that county. Early in the following year, Joseph Boyd and his family, natives of Pennsylvania, but more recently from Delaware County, joined this settlement. In 1822, John Nickleson and his family also became members of this community, and in the following year William David and his wife Magdalene, from Delaware County, also joined the settlement. Later, Friend Biggerstaff and Hugh Cummins, with their families, were numbered among the settlers here, and year after year immigration here from Delaware County and other places increased the population until much of the fair lands of this portion of the township were occupied and the set-

In the meantime, other settlements? were being formed in the township, and the one in the western or northwestern part is. perhaps, the next in chronological order. Frederick Court and family were among the hrst to take up their abode there, which they did in 1830, and in 1834 Messrs. William and Frank Gooding joined them, and Sylvester Gooding came the following year. Mr. Beamer and family also located in this settlement at an early date. Each of these settlements received many new accessions from time to time, until the individual settler is lost in the multiplicity of acquisitions.

Progress

These early settlers for the most part were possessed of indomitable wills, untiring energy and unflagging industry. Soon around their cabin homes sufficient land was cleared to raise ample crops of grain and vegeta bles for the sustenance of their families. Year after year, these clearing;- were extended into fields and meadows of no small pretensions and later the orchards and vineyards planted by the hand of the prudent husbandmen, yielded in abundance their rich and luscious fruit, and the comforts and conveniences of home were added as the years went by.

Since the organization of this township in 1824, a most wonderful transformation has taken place. "What was then dense forests, interspersed with only a few humble cabins of the hardy pioneers, have been changed into beautifully arranged and well-tilled farms, upon whose broad acres of richest soil, annually, luxuriant grasses, golden grain and extended fields of corn wave to the winds of Heaven like inland seas of verdure and beauty Instead of the wild and ferocious animals that infested the country at that time, making night hideous with their ceaseless orgies, disturbing the peaceful slumbers of the woodman and his family, the people now have many useful domestic animals, together with flocks and herds that can scarcely be told or numbered. The red man, whose treachery, cunning and love of .revenge was the occasion of constant fear and dread, has gradually disappeared before the advancing tide of civilization and left the superior race in the enjoyment of the unbounded wealth of the lands that he once occupied as hunting grounds.

Railroad, which traverses the whole length of the western half of the township from north to south. At this point is located a post office named Owen, a hotel, store, express office, etc. In this vicinity John Owen burns and ships considerable quantities of quick-lime; a quarry here also furnishes a good quality of building Btone.

Educational

At an early date, schools were founded and religious societies formed, both of which at first held their meetings at the humble dwelling of some cottager. The first school that was held in this township was organized in the early part of the winter of 1821, and consisted of fifteen pupils. The term was of three months' duration, and the teacher was paid from private funds. The school was taught in the cabin first occupied by Van Horn and family and afterward owned by Henry Peters. The first schoolhouse erected in what is now Pleasant Township was built in 1823, on a farm then owned by John Nickleson. but which now is in the possession of Mrs. Patterson.

The schoolhouses built in those early days presented a strange contrast to the modern handsome brick and frame structures with all of their conveniences, comfortable patent seats, with desks attached, and with blackboards, maps and charts in plenty that now adorn their walls. This, the first schuolhouse in Pleasant Township, was no exception to the rule. It was a rude structure, unattractive in appearance and quite uncomfortable in many respects. It was constructed of split logs, the flat sides of which formed the walls of the interior of the building and the chinks were stopped by moss being placed in the crevices. The large fire-place was built of wood, with clay back-wall and jambs. The chimney was built of small sticks, cemented together with a mortar made from clay. The door, made of clapboards, hung on two huge wooden hinges. The floor was constructed of puncheons laid loosely upon the " sleepers " and the writing desks were formed by putting long pins into the wall and placing puncheons along on thera. There was a window on either side about eight inches in width, running the entire length of the building. The sash were formed by placing small sticks perpendicularly in this aperture about every twelve inches, over which greased paper was placed, which, although not transparent, served to admit a dim, though sufficient light.

The first teacher who taught in this schoolhouse was a young lady by thp name of Hannah Baker, who was also paid ovit of private funds. She made her residence in the schuolhouse, and although she did not furnish it in the most elegant or extravagant style, she managed to live there and teach the young ideas how to shoot for a period of one year, at the end of which time she was married to Mr. Wood. It is said that while she resided in the schoolhouse the furniture used was a rudely- constructed bedstead, a few rickety chairs; and a store box. used as a cupboard and table, completed the entire outfit.

Social

In common with the custom of that day. the "quilting bee," the " husking bee," the "wood chopping," the "apple cutting," and such other gatherings, which partook of both an industrial and social nature, were of fre quent occurrence, and much work was thus accomplished by the combined mutual and reciprocal labor of the various households of the different com munities, and also much pleasure and enjoyment were derived by the young people from the social feature which invariably followed.

Miscellaneous

In the early history of this township much sickness prevailed. Among the most deadly diseases was that of the trembles, or milk sickness. Among the many early victims of this dread disease were Henry Stealy and wife, James Ales and wife and a Mr. Meeks and his wife. Henry Stealy was tbe first of the number, and his death doubtless was the first that occurred in the township, he having died in the early autumn of 1823. At, that early time, no graveyard was yet started, and the dead were frequently buried in the door-yard, about the only places then cleared. The remains of Mr. Meeks and wife repose in what now constitutes George Rupp's dooryard, and those of James Ales and wife slumber beneath the lawn in front of Ephraim Luke's door.

Samuel Fish, one of the three oldest surviving pioneers of Pleasant Township, was born in Foster, Providence Co., R. I., September 27, 1793, son of Preserved and Elizabeth (Sherman) Fish, of Portsmouth. Island, of Rhode Island and Rhode Island. Parents were married in Rhode Island, and came to Union County, Ohio, in October, 1821. The next spring they came to Pleasant Township, where Mr. Fish entered eighty acres of land from the Government and cleared about two acres, where he expected to build. In June, while cutting out a road, a tree fell upon him, killing him. His widow survived him until August, 1822. They had two children' - Samuel and Eliza A. The latter died in August, 1822.

Samuel Fish, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm until eighteen years of age, when he served an apprenticeship of seveu years at the carpenter's trade. This he followed until 1821, when he came to Darby Plains, Union County, Ohio, where he resided until his father was killed; he then moved to Pleasant Township and took charge of the homestead. At the death of his mother and sister, he became the sole owner of it. He cleared up that land and made all the improvements upon it. In 1847, he built a frame residence, 18x41 feet in size and two stories high. This was the first frame house in the township and the best residence at that time. He added to his land possessions until he owned 700 acres, entering about 600 himself. He dealt some in real estate, and during his last years on the farm he was engaged in rearing fine cattle and sheep. He was an exhibitor at one of the first fairs in the county. Mr. Fish resided in Marion a year about 1825, and March 31, 1880, he returned to town after having spent a long life upon the farm. He has lived retired, however, about twenty-five years, his son, Royal Fish, taking charge of the farm.

In 1821, he married Hannah Love, daughter of Charles and Mary Love. She was born in Coventry, Kent Co., R. I., December 5, 1801, and died April 3, 1850. Of their nine children, eight are living: Susan E., wife of Elias Riley; William P., born April 28, 1825, the first male child born in Marion; Samuel S., who died March 3, 1854: Royal, Eliza A., wife of T. P. Cratty; Ruby J., wife of T. H. Roberts; Louisa E., wife of Joseph Underwood; Hannah C, wife of Hiram W. Riley; and Effie M., wife of F. W. Fish.

Mr. Fish is a Republican; formerly a Whig. Was Justice of the Peace nine years, and Township Trustee one term. His land he has divided among his children. Mrs. Fish owns 240 acres of laud in Marion Township.

Religious

The first religious society in this township was formed by Henry Peters, Jacob Idleman and Christian Staley in 1820, and was of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Meetings were first held iu the various cabins of the settlers and were conducted by a local preacher named Stewart, until in the following year, when a minister named James Murray was sent them by the Methodist Episcopal Conference and soon after they were received into the Delaware Circuit. In 1823, tbe society built a church on the Idleman purchase. The building was of hewed logs, with clapboard roof, containing rough benches for seats and a strangely modeled and rudely constructed pulpit- This church was formally dedicated by the Rev. James Gilruth in the year 1823. This, doubtless, was the first church building erected in the township and -was used many years by this society, but in 1866 a frame edifice thirty-eight feet square, was erected upon another por tion of the Idleman farm, on Section 14, at a cost of $2,100. There are now about thirty members. Among the pastors have been Revs. Powell. Matthews, Farrow, Fant, Mattison, Squires, etc. The Sunday school, of fifty pupils, is presided over by Michael Waddel. This is known as the " Locust Grove Church. "

The Pleasant Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and their house of worship (frame) built in 1871, on Section 17. The membership now numbers ten, and Sunday school pupils forty; Superintendent. William H. Stallsmith. The pastors have been Revs. L. A. Belt, William Jones, L. C. Webster, I. R. Henderson, D. D. Waugh and S. O. Young. There is no pastor at present.

Mount Union Church of the United Brethren in Christ, house of worship in the southwestern part of the township. It is 28x37 feet, and built about 1855, at a cost of $800. The first meeting of this denomination here was about 1836, at William Strode's, Pleasant Township, conducted by Rev. Kaufman. The society was organized in 1837 or 1838, at 1). Barnhart's, this township, with the following members: G. and D. Barnhart, William and E. Strode, and William and M. Biggerstaff. Meetings were held at D. Barnhart's until 1845; then at a log church at the Mounts Graveyard until about 1857, when the new church was occupied. Pastors, Revs. J. Staub, 1852; J. T. Seiter, 1853 and 1854; S. Jacoby, J. Bright, W. Martin. J. C. Beady, J. W. Wagner, D. F. Cender, and others. Present membership, thirty. Official members, N. C. Barnhart, Samuel Biggerstaff and I. J. Nickelson.

Another church of this denomination exists near the northeast corner of the township, comprising about fifty -five members, with a Sunday school of sixty or more pupils; J. J. Myers, Superintendent. Rev. A. . Davis. of Marion, is pastor. They have a nice house of worship, erected about 1870.

Trinity Congregation, Evangelical Lutheran. - This society was organized about thirty years ago, under Rev. Lasar. He was followed by Revs. Kornbaum, Eirich, G. Reif, P. H. Mueller, and since 1877, Rev. J. J. Sutter. Members: The families of Frederick Romoser, Christian Rausch. J. Maechtle, L. Strobe I, C. Baessler, J. Straub, W. Kroener, E. Lauer, J. Fink, J. Schlecht, Jacob Lust, John Lust, John Romcser, A. Hirsch, J. Hoch, W. Hoch, K. Hoch, F. Laner, J. Brauinger, C. Romoser, T. Kroener, J. Augenstein, J. Gabler, M. Loeffler, J. Benzler, Z. Berger, J. Lichtenberger, G. Maier, C. Fatzler, J. Wolfinger, John Augenstein, Jr., Jacob

From the county records we learn the United Evangelical Dreieinigkeits Church was organized January 1, 1853, the house of worship being situated at the southeast corner of Anna Idleman's land, in Pleasant Town ship. Membership, fifty-nine. Justus Bender, John C. Neidhart and Daniel Klein, Trustees: John Buck, Moderator; and George Ruhl, Clerk. This was a union of the German Reformed and Lutherans, called "United Dutch Evangelical Dreieinigkeits," being a denomination of Christians usually called German Reformed. This church built a meeting house about 1853, in dimensions about 24x32 feet, in which they still worship. They have a Sunday school with an average attendance of thirty-seven. Jacob Ullmer is Superintendent; present Eiders, Daniel Augenstein and George Neidhart; Deacons, Justus Zieg and Christian Zieg. The pastors have been Revs. Philip Ruhl, Aschmyer, Joseph Kester, etc.

Canaan Church of the Evangelical Association. - This church was organized in 1870, by Rev. C. F. Negley, since whose time the following have served in the pastoral relation: Revs. G. Heinrich, 1871-72; A. Leonhard, 1873; D. Stull, 1874-75; J. Strome, 1876; C. Halderman, 1877; E. B. Crouse, 1878 to 1880; H. T. Strauch, 1881; F. K. Tuthers, 1882; John Stull, 1883. The last named resides at Steam Corners, Morrow County. This church elected Trustees November 12, 1877, and March 16, 1880. The house of worship (frame), 35x42 feet, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $2,200, and was dedicated by Bishop R. Dubbs. The membership now numbers sixty- four; Michael Click, Class-Loader; Henry Millisor, Assistant Class-Leader. The Sunday school, comprising a hundred pupils, was also organized in 1870, since which date Joseph Klinefelter has been its Superintendent.

Presbyterian. - The first church, built of hewed logs, was erected by the Presbyterians in the Mounts Graveyard. Rev. Henry Van Deman was the first Presbyterian minister to preach in the township and held meetings in the house of Hugh Cummins in 1825 or 1826. Rev. Barbour organized the first Presbyterian Church; and Joseph Boyd and Samuel Cratty were elected Elders. This church was afterward used by the United Brethren, as before noted.

Biographical Sketches

In the following sketches, dealing with the principal men among the old and new settlers, will be found information bearing directly on the history of the township, its early settlement and its progress:

GOTTLEIB BEHNER was born in Wittenberg, Germany, July 17, 1835. His parents came to Marion County in 1848, settling where John Behner now resides. They added to that farm the Henry and Caleb Behner farms. His parents were Caleb and Rosanna (Berger) Behner, who reared a family of seven children. The father died in 1850, ag^d fifty-two, and the mother died aged sixty. Our subject inherited eighty acres and now owns 220 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has made all the improvements, and cleared eighty acres himself. He has split 500 rails in one day; cradled three to four acres of wheat, and mowed two and a haif acres of stout grass in the same length of time. April 19, 1860, Mr. B. married Catherine Geigar, a daughter of Henry and Caroliue Geigar. This union has resulted in the birth of six children - Mary (wife of Adam Laner), Catherine, Caroline, Henry, Elbert and Christian. This family holds a membership in the Lutheran Church, of which he has been Trustee and Treasurer for the past eight years.

JOHN BEHNER was born in Wittenberg, Germany, May 14, 1843, the son of Caleb and Rosanna (Berger) Behner. He inherited and bought his farm of 157 acres, upon which he has made all the improvements except the bouse. He values bis farm at $90 per acre, and keeps the best grade of stock. Mr. B. has done mam good days of labor. Many a day he has split 350 rails, or two cords of wood of any length. His family associate with and are membprs of the Lutheran Church. Our subject was first married, in 1871, to Miss Caroline Dutt, daughter of Frederick Dutt. She died April 23, 1874, in her twenty sixth year. He married again February 9, 1875, to Miss Sarah Augenstein, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Augenstein, of Illinois. Four children have resulted from this union - Clara A., Arthur L.. Frank B. and Milton M.

JAMES H. BERRY is a native of Marion Township, where he was born June 16, 1833. He is a son of Abraham and Ann (De Witt) Berry. Our subject's great-grandfather, Alexander Berry, and grandfather emigrated to Ohio in 1822. The former, of Scotch-Irisb descent, entered the south half of the site of Marion City. James, his father, purchased sixty acres, where our subject now resides. Mr. B.'s education was obtained wholly at the common schools. He inherited twenty acres, and bas since purchased forty acres more, making sixty acres of good land, valued at $100 per acre. He has made all the improvements - the barn in 1868, costing $500, and a fine house in 1878, costing $1,500. He owns good stock. April 3, 1856. he married Matilda Clark, daughter of William and Sarah Clark, of Morrow County. She was a highly respected lady, but departed this life in 1883, aged forty- nine years, leaving two children - Martha A. and Eva E. Our subject officiated as Town Treasurer three years, Constable one year and Trustee two years.

ROBERT G. BOYD is one of the pioneer settlers of Marion County. He was born in Allegheny County, Penn., August 30, 1816. He is a son of Joseph and Jane Boyd, who came to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1817, and January 20, 1821, settled in what is now Pleasant Township, Marion County, where Mr Boyd bought land. He increased his farm to 380 acres, and after clearing sixty acres died in 1847, aged fifty four years. His widow survived him until 1869, when she died at the age of seventy eight. They raised a family of eight children, four of whom are living at the present time. One son, Thomas G. Boyd, a physician in Beaver County, Penn., and Joseph F. Boyd, Superintendent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad (Penn.). Robert G. Boyd is of a strong and healthy family. His grandfather came from Ireland in 1771, and was a soldier of the Revolution. His uncle. Henry Boyd, was a soldier of the war of 1S12, and with four brothers were ministers of the Presbyterian Church. His father and two brothers were Justices of the Peace, and also Elders in the same church. At a re-union of the Boyd faimly at Beaver, Penn., in 1881, sixty relatives attended, one-third of whom were teachers, and about fifty members of the Presbyterian Church. The family, from our subject's grandfather, numbered, in 1881. 621, which does not include the fifth and sixth generations. Mr. Boyd, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and obtained most of his education in a log schoolhou.se, 12x16 feet in size. In 1838, he purchased eighty acres, to which he added eighty acres more. He also owns 240 acres of farm land in Nebraska and two lots in Lincoln, that State. In 1860, he erected a substantial brick reside ace on the homestead, at a cost of $1,500. February 8, 1841, he married Miss Rebecca Hall, a daughter or John and Jane (Shields) Hall, by whom he has had eight children, viz., John H. , who was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain in 1864; Jane E., wife of Ezekiel Hughes; Mary M., wife of W. H. McNeal; Joseph S., died in 188i; Harriet E. ; Sarah A., wife of P. H. Otis, and Ella A., who died in 1874. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boyd was a member and an Elder at the organization of that church at Prospect.

MICHAEL CLICK was born April 19, 1844, in Pleasant Township, the son of Michael and Catherine Click, who came from Germany about 1830, settling in Fairfield County, Ohio, for a number of years. He came to Pleasant in 1836, and bought the farm where our subject now resides, paying therefor $600. They had six children. The father died in 1844, and the mother in 1872, at the age of seventy-one. The subject of this sketch obtained a limited education. He inherited and purchased the old homestead, which he values to-day at $80 per acre, drained, as it is, by 300 rods of tile. He built a fine barn in 1877, and a good granary in 1881; the cost of both being about $1,200. He anticipates building a suitable home in 1885. Our subject served nearly two years in the late war. At tirst he entered Company H, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer In fantry, and was engaged at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. His final service was in Company H, Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, when he went with Sherman to the sea. October 22, 1868, Mr. C. married Catherine A. Gable, daughter of Peter and Mary (Boyer) Gable. This union resulted in six children, as follows: Noah M. (deceased), John W., Fernanda E., Clara E., Mary A. and Elizabeth V. This family belongs to the Evangelical Church, with which he is officially connected. He is a Republican and a stanch Granger.

B. FRANK COURT was born in Pleasant Township February 15, 1858, the son of Joseph and Maria Court, whose sketch is given elsewhere. Our subject received a good education, and assumed the duties of the pedagogue for one term. December 7, 1881, he married Lida Rider, daughter of Harvey and Chloe Rider. The name of their one child is Anua Ina. Mr. C. bought and inherited the old Court homestead, of 146 acres, which he keeps in good repair and values at $100 per acre. He has a good home and keeps tine stock,

GEORGE COURT is one of the old pioneers of Marion County. He resided one mile west of Owen Station. He was born February 25, 1810, iu Hardy County, Va. , son of Frederick and Ozilla Court, who came to Ross County, Ohio, in 1815, and to Pleasant Township in 1825, locating at Owen Station upon 160 acres of land. They reared eight children. The father died in 1845, at the age of sixty-nine years, the mother having died in 1827, at the age of forty-two years. The old gentleman cleared 100 acres of forest land. Our subject received his education in an old log schoolhouso. December 29, 1831, he married Fannie Allen, daughter of Orren and Ruth Allen, of Pleasant Township. Mrs. Court was born December 17, 1812. Eight children have blessed this home, five of. whom are living - Orren A., Frederick W., Wilson S., James and Christiana E. (wife of John Bricker). Their daughter Fannie and husband, Arthur Ju- lian, were buried in 1881, in the same grave, both fallng victims, within thirty hours of each other, of that dreaded disease, consumption. Our subject bought eighty acres adjoining his present farm in 1884, paying $150; this he increased to 200 acres in time, but he has disposed of the most of it to his sons, retaining only seventy-five acres. His comfortable house he built in 1868. Like his father, Mr. C. has been a worker, having cleared 100 acres of timber land. Mr. Court has served as Justice of the* Peace of the township for eleven years. Township Clerk two years, and Treasurer five years. He was also, at one time, an Infirmary Director.

JOSEPH COURT, Jr. Our subject is a young man of promise. He is a son of Joseph and Maria (Sherman) Court, of Marion, and his birth took place December 22, 1852. He obtained his education in the common schools, and December 3, 1873, he married Jennie Cosner, daughter of William and Abigail (Johnson) Cosner. Three children have blessed this union - Carrie, William J. and Nelson. Mr. C. commenced life by renting Henry Folk's farm for one year; then he purchased the Le Fevre farm, living upon it till 1876, when he bought his present home of 140 acres, pay ing $50 per acre; it is valued to-day at $75 per acre. He is engaged iti farming and rearing fine stock.

CHRISTIAN H. CROMER was born February 15, 1845, in Pleasant Township. He is a son of John and Louisa (Zahtner) Cromer, who came from Germany, settling in this township, where they entered eighty acres of land, to which they added forty acres later. The father cleared sixty acres of forest land, reared a family of ten children and died in 1855. The mother is still living. Our subject obtained a limited education, since, at the age of ten years he was obliged to labor by day and month for his own support. He was married, April 6, 1870, to Martha Renolds, daughter of Lewis Renolds, who died of a disease contracted in the late war. The names of their three children are Anna N, Lulu M. and Catherine C. Our subject rented his present farm of eighty acres eleven years, purchasing it in 188 1 . He paid $45 per acre, and values it to-day at $65 per acre. Mr. C. has ever been a stanch Democrat; has held the office of Township Trustee four years, that of County Commissioner one term and has been recently nominated for a second term. He has the confidence of his party at large.

ISAAC D. CUNNINGHAM was born November 11. 1841, in Marion Township. He is a eon of James and Nancy (Barks) Cunningham, who came from Virginia and reared a family of nine children, one of whom - John - became a skillful surveyor. Our subject, having obtained a mod erate education, went to California when a young man, passing four years there, and then spent one year in Illinois. Upon returning home, he was married, March 27, 1874, to Miss Sarah Suit, daughter of the "Widow Harriet Suit. They have an adopted child, named James. Immediately after marriage, they went to California, remaining three years, leaving in charge of another party a large farm of 670 acres. In 1881, he purchased his present farm of eighty acres, paying $5,300, valued to-day at $6,000. Mr. C. is a successful faircer and a respected citizen.

RICHARD B. DAVIS was born January 17, 1832. in Fairfield County. O hio, and is a son of John B. and Elsie (Biggerstafi) Davis, who came from Maryland to the above county in 1 820; thence to Pleasant Township in 1832, setiling near the Almendinger farm. They reared a family of nine boys and two girls. The father died in 1853. aged fifty nine, and the mother in 1856. aged forty-one. The father was a soldier in the war of

L812. Our subject received more than a common school education, for he attended a few terms at Delaware andOtterbein Colleges, and taught nearly seven terms of school. He reuted the first nine years of his life, principally. Eliza Boyd's farm. In 1854, he purchased a farm in Union County, Ohio, upon which he remained a few years. He bought his present residence in 1863. consisting then of forty four acres, to which he added later fifty-live acres, all valued at $100 per acre, and well drained and fenced. Mr. D. has done a great deal of hard work in his day. When fifteen, he split 250 rails in a day, and cradled four acres of oats in the same time. He has cleared 100 acres of heavily timbered land. October 6, 1855, he married Leah B. Hane, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Hane. The names of their children are Merrick E., Hattie H. , Henry F., William R., John W. and Annie E. The family are prominent members of the United Brethren Church, in which he has served in nearly every capacity. He is at present Ulass Leader.

PHILIP DUTT was born August 27, 1857, in Richland Township, and is a son of Frederick and Christina Dutt, who came from Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1844. They raised a family of ten children. He died in 1880, at the age of fifty-seven, and she in 1864, aged forty. Our subject obtained a moderate education, and commenced, when twenty-one, renting of George Gooding. He purchased his home, of sixty acres, in 1880, paying $65 per acre. It is well fenced, and worth to-day $100 per acre. His fine house was built in 1831, at a cost of $1,500. Our subject knows how to work, as is indexed by the fact that he cut, in a single day, 100 shocks of corn ten hills square. September 20, 188L he married Miss Ella Rupprecht, daughter of Michael and Mary Rupprecht, of Columbus, Ohio. They have one child - Alice Winifred. Mrs. D. is a jlady of good education and has taught several terms of school.

BYRON FOLK is a native of Pleasant Township, where he was born October 19, 1839, the son of Henry and L. Ann (Pease) Folk, who came from New Jersey about 1830, entering eighty acres, known to-day as the "old Folk farm." The family moved here three years later, and in time made their farm number 315 acres. They were the parents of five children. He died in 1876, at the age of seventy-two, while she passed away in 1840. Our subject received a limited education. He inherited tifty -eight acres of land, to which he has added seventy acres more, valued at $00 per acre. His suitable home was built in 1880, at an expense of $2,000. He has a good farm in excellent repair, stocked with fine grades. October 27, 1864, Mr. F. married Mary Court, daughter of Joseph and Maria (Sherman) Court. Five children have crowned this union - William H, Frank A, George E., Anna M. and Inez I. He has been Town Trustee one year, refusing to serve longer.

ADAM FREE was born April 12, 1838, in Pleasant Township, the son of Michael and Catherine Free, whose people originated m Germany, but who came from Pennsylvania in 1826, and entered eighty acres where Adam Free now resides. rhey reared a family of twelve children, one being Dr. D. Free, of Green Camp, Ohio. The father died in 1866, aged seventy, the mothor in 1842, aged forty. Our subject, having secured a moderate education, was married, December 6, I860, to Miss Permslia Le Fevre. Four children crowned this union, only one of whom survived - MaryE., wife of G. W. Cromer. Mr. Free, with his brother John, who lives with him, inherited the old homestead of eighty acres, to which they have added forty acres more, all in good repair. They have good graded

CHARLES H. GOODING is a reliable citizen, and is a native of Pleasant Township, the son of Sylvester and Eliza (Love) Gooding, who emigrated from New England in 1823; he was a native of Massachusetts and she of Connecticut. They located where our subject now resides, entering eighty acres of land, which is now increased to 200 acres. The father was a hard worker, having cleared in his day 160 acres. He reared a family of seven boys, and died in 1872, at the age of seventy-four. His wife still survives, in good health, aged seventy-nine. Her grandfather, Tuttle, was a Revolutionary soldier. The common school gave Mr. G. his education. At the age of twenty-one, he went West for eight years, two of which he spent in Illinois and sis in California. He took with him, on his passage across the plains, a drove of cattle, and four months were spent in making the trip. Upon his return, he purchased and improved the old homestead of 200 acres, .vtiich is now well drained, fenced and cultivated. His farm is stocked with the best grades. Oar subject's marriage to Miss Mariam Jordan, daughter of Timothy and Climena Jordan, of Maine, occurred December 1, 1862. Their five children are May, Clara O, Annadelie, Clifford C. and Harry. Mr. G. has never been an office-seeker, but has been a member of the County Board of Agriculture for six years, and of its Executive Committee five years.

GEORGE GOODING is one of the leading, enterprising citizens of Pleasant Township, of which he is also a native; was born February 22. 1828. He was a son of Christopher and Sarah (Jones) Gooding, who hailed from the States of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively, and were of English descent. Christopher Gooding was a soldier in the war of 1812. Abuut 1820, he removed from New York to Ohio, locating where our subject now resides. They reared a family of seven children. His death took place in 1875, at the age of eighty-eight years, while his wife attained the age of seventy, five. Mr. Gooding, having obtained a practical education in the common schools, bought the Freeman farm, of eighty acres, which was the nucleus of his present farm of 376 acres, valued at $90 per acre. His farm is well drained, in good repair and well stocked. His fine country residence was built in 1870, costing from $15,000 to $20,000. It is finished with all the modern improvements, hot and cold water being found in every room. It is also elegantly furnished, and visitors are most hospitably entertained. Mr. G. keeps the best of live stock, and has been dealing in the same for many years. He owns a lime kiln, from which he ships annually seventy-five to a hundred car loads. He was married, March 13, 1860, to Miss Martha Humphrey, whose birth took place July 22, 1833. She is the daughter of William and Mary (Reece) Humphrey, of Green Camp Township, and is a lady of excellent judgment. Their one daughter and only child, Ella, was born in 1861, and was the idol of both father and mother, but in her twentieth year consumption, that pale boatman, rowed her across life's stream. The products of her facile brush brighten the home of her bereaved parents. The piano at which her hand was accomplished stands idly by. " Gone, but not forgotten," impresses one from every room.

JOHN GOODING was born September 10, 1813. He is a native of Pleasant Township and a son of Sylvester R. and Eliza Gooding. Having obtained an ordinary education, he passed one season in the State of Colorado. Returning in 1874, he married, September 22, Ellen Millisor, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Milliaor, of Pleasant Township. They have two children - Daisy E. and Dallas O. Mr. Gooding bought his present residence in May, 1874. consisting of 102 acres, for which he paid $7,500; it is now valued at $8,000. He has four acres of orchard, mostly apples and peaches. He is building this summer a neat, substantial residence, which will cost $1,000.

FREDERICK GORENFLO. Jr., was born August 30, 1846. in Baden, Germany, the son of Frederick and Catherine Gorenflo. Our subject came to America and settled in Marion County in 1854, with his mother. Subsequent to his marriage, he rented, for three years, the Jacob Lust farm, and then for two years the Russell farm. In 1877, he bought his home of eighty acres for $62.50 per acre. He has a good farm and outbuildings, having repaired the latter in 1882. March 26, 1874. he married Miss Mary Lust, daughter of Jacob and Ann M. Lust, of Marion Township. Their union has resulted in six children, three dying young. The three living are Gertrude, Pearly and Henry F. Mr. and Mrs. G. associate with the Lutheran Church.

ADAM HAIN is one of the substantial men of Pleasant Township. He was born February 11, 1814, in Perry County, Penn.. the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Young) Hain. He obtained his education in the cabin schooihouse, going only five days in Ohio, to which State he emigrated in 1830. At the age of twenty- one, he left home, and worked by day and job for nearly three years. In 1840, he commenced buying where he now resides, having to-day 158 acres, valued at $75 per acre. It is in good repair. The present barn was built in 3856, for $500, and his comfortable home in 1858, costing $2,000. Our subject has cleared in his time sixty acres of forest land. November 30, 1837, he married Mary Ann Ebert, daughter of Samuel and Comfort (Wonn) Ebert. This union was blessed with four children - Saruuel E. ; Adeline, wife of Samuel Snyder; Eli A., who was killed at Gettysburg July 3, 1863, after nine months' service, and Martha A., wife of Daniel Huffman. His wife died in 1851, at the age of thirty-two. Our subject then married Ann Forsha, daughter of Anthony and Martha Forsha. Their one daughter, Mary E., is the wife of H. De La Grange. Mr. H. served as Trustee, Clerk and Assessor of his township. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, he being an official member.

DANIEL HAIN, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania. He, with his wife - whose maiden name was Elizabeth Young, also a native of Pennsylvania - and their family of ten children - Elizabeth, Henry. Adam, Ann, Daniel, Catharine, Esther. Mary Magdalene. Christian and Susan - came to Ohio in 1830. locating five miles south of Marion, within a few rods of where the Locust Grove Church now stands. One and a half miles west of that point, he entered eighty acres of land. Here he built, a log house, and two years after their arrival the family moved into it. Previous to this, they had lived in a rented cabin near the church. This cabin was small, affording not much room for furniture. Among the effects brought with them was a large wooden chest, which doubled its uses, acting also in the capacity of a table as long as they lived in the cabin. During this time, their daughter Ann was married to Daniel Wyatt, and the wedding dinner was eaten from off this table; and, as one said who was present, the party was as merry as though sitting around the choicest mahogany. Daniel Hain's farm was located on the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, Township 6, Range 15. He improved forty acres of this land, and when fairly prepared to raise crops for the support of his large family, he was taken sick, and died in August, 1837. He left a family of twelve children, one being born three weeks after his death. His children born in this county were Leah. Lydia and William. His widow died at the house ?Lq dailShter Esther> a short distance from the old homestead, July 6, J 878, aged eighty-four years ten months and seventeen days. These pioneers were buried in the graveyard on the farm now owned by J. W. Myers in Pleasant Township. Daniel Hain was a tailor, but in Ohio always followed farming; he was also a weaver. He and wife were much respected and were members of the Reformed Church.

REUBEN HOPKINS is another pioneer of Marion County. He was born August 8, 1825, in Caroline County, Md., son of William and Sarah (Eaton) Hopkins, who came to Marion County in 1828, settling where Joseph Court, Jr., now resides. They reared a family of ten children The father died in 1851, aged fifty-six, while the mother died in 1877, aged seventy-nine years. Our subject obtained his education in the log school - house, like the average boy of his day. He remained wih his mother, farming, until his marriage, which occurred March 30, 1861, to Catherine E Snider, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Snider, of Pleasant Township The names of their two boys are Samuel E. and Leonard R. Our subject purchased first eighty acres of his present farm, which now numbers 190 acres, valued at $75 an acre. Mr. H. made everv improvement upon his farm, has split most of the rails and cleared eighty acres. He continues to carry on the business of farming. He is rearing Norman horses principally. x

BYRON KAN ABLE is one of the substantial, energetic men of Pleasant Township. He was born March 8, 1836, in Richland County, Ohio, and is ?fi£? °f J°^n and Elizabeth Kanab]e, who came from Pennsylvania in 1830, stopping ifl the above county twelve years, thence to Marion Countv. locating two miles east of Marion. Having raised a family of live children, and having served through the late civil war. the father died, 1866, aged sixty-four. The mother still survives, aged eighty-five, living with our subject. The Kanables originated in Germanv. One Daniel Kanable was m the war of 1812. Byron, having obtained a moderate education enlisted m Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio National Guard, serving four months near the city of Washington, receiving an honorable discharge. In 1860, he and others bought the old stone Meth odist Church at Marion, and converted it into a sash and blind factory They disposed of it to Huber & Co. in 1865. Thence he went to Green Camp with George Foster and built a grist mill and saw mill, conducting them until 1870. In 1872, he purchased his present home, of eighty acres of heavy forest land, paying $4,000. He has made all the improvements, building house and barns and clearing sixty acres. The past two years our subject, with A. C. Mounts, has been building a pike from Marion to Prospect, repairing the Marion & Owen portion. Their work gives entire sat isfaction. Mr. K. first married Sarah Free, daughter of Michael Free. She died in 1867, leaving two children - Willis and Harvey. In 1870, he married Almiretta D. Parmenter, daughter of Rev. C. O. Parmenter, of 'the Baptist Church. She died in 1878, leaving one surviving child, Carrie. Our subject is still a widower, and has affiliated with the I. O. O F at Marion.

JOSEPH KLINEFELTER, a respected citizen of Pleasant Township was born January 9, 1842. His parents were Rev. Jacob and Susannah Klinefelter, who came from Pennsylvania in 1826. settling where Joseph now resides, and entered 160 acres. His f n.ther was known far and near as a pioneer preacher of the " Albright " faith. He reared a family of seven children, and departed this life in 1856, aged sixty-two years. The mother still survives, aged seventy- eight years. Their ancestors came from Germany. Joseph was educated at the common schools. In 1862, he enlisted in Company H. Eighty -second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He engaged in the severe battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the latter, he received a severe wound in his thigh. and was then honorably discharged. He was married, December 5, 1873, to Susannah Dreisbach, daughter of Rev. Abraham E. and Mary A. Dreisbach, of Tiffin, Ohio. This union has resulted in five children - Clara M. , Iva A. , Benjamin F. and Lillie M. (twins) and Emma S. Mr. K. bought his farm of 160 acres (inheriting one-seventh) in 1868, which is to-day valued at $80 per acre Near his house stands a fine bank barn, built in 1880 at a cost of $1,000. He anticipates erecting a good house the coming year. He and family belong to the Evangelical Association, of which ho has been class leader for the past six years; also Superintendent of Sunday school for the past twelve years and Church Trustee for four years. He has been Treasurer of the township one term. During the past year, he has been confined to the house through a debilitated state of health.

HENRY KNICKEL, son of Henry and Mary (Bender) Knickel, was born in Germany October 12, 1832, and emigrated with his parents to America in 1852. They settled in Prospect Township, purchasing 100 acres of land at $9 per acre. This farm is to day in a high state of culti - vation. They were the parents of five children, three living - Henry, Christian and Margaret; Mary and Philip are deceased. Our subject remained with his parents until he was married, September 15, 1858, to Minnie, daughter of John and Barbara (Brock) Haberman, also natives of Germany. They came to this country in 1844, and had a family of thirteen children, four surviving - Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Knickel have seven children - Henry, John, Christina, Mary, Philip, William and Minnie. Mr. K. moved upon his present farm in the spring of 1882, purchasing it at $60 per acre. He keeps it in good repair. He enjoys the respect of his neighbors, is a Democrat, politically, and he and family are members of the German Reformed Church.

GEORGE MACK was born July 16, 1840, a native of Pleasant Township and a son of Matthias and Christiana Mack, who came from Wittenberg, Germany, about 1830, settling where our subject now resides, where he bought 160 acres. He reared a family of six children, cleared with his boys' aid, 100 acres of forest land and died in 1874 atHhe age of seventy. The mother passed away in 1873, at the age of sixty-one. Our subject inherited and bought the old homestead, and added by purchase forcy acres more, all valued at $00 per acre. His buildings are good, and the farm in fine repair. Mr. M. has good stock, his Durham short-horns being fine and valuable. He is an able worker, having cleared fifty acres himself. He was first married January 29, 1872, to Caroline Schwartz. Four children were born to them, one dying young. The names of the living are Willaim W., Mary A. and Bertha A. His wife died in 1879, at the age of twenty-nine. His last union took place August 16, 1881, to Mary A. Smith, of Sandusky County, Ohio. The family are members of the Evangelical Church.

in Fairfield County, Ohio, and is a son of Barnum and Elizabeth (Server) Milisor, who came in the above year, entering in 1820 eighty acres of land. He increased this with another eighty acre lot and cleared forty acres. Their family numbers eleven children. The father died in 1863, aged one hundred and two years; the mother passed away in 1854, aged ninety-one years. Their forefathers came from Germany. When they first arrived, there were only two houses in Marion, and Jacob Idleman was their only neighbor. They went to Fairfield County, Ohio, for milling purposes. The hominy hopper was popular in that day. Our subject entered 120 acres, and later added forty acres more, all of which is valued at $80 per acre. His brick house was built in 1854. He was a great hunter in early life, sometimes bringing home five to six deer per day; and in his lifetime has killed not less than 500 deer. As a laborer, he has reaped with sickle forty dozen of wheat, or mowed three acres of grass, in a day. Mr. M. spent seven years upon the Ohio Canal, cutting stone. His oldest brother, Barney, served in the war of 1812. As a citizen, our subject was a Justice of the Peace for twelve consecutive years. He was First Lieutenant of an independent company for a number of years. September 25, 1834, he married Margaret Barks, daughter of John and Rebecca (Odel) Barks. They have had thirteen children; their names are Ursula (deceased), Newton (deceased), Sarah J. (wife of George Moon), Jasper, John W., M, Ellen (wife of John Gooding), Barney F., James B., Henry E., Sarah A., Isadora, William E. and Samuel V. Mr. and Mrs. M. belong to the United Brethren Church, in which be has served in nearly every official capacity. They are both vigorous for their years.

AMOS C. MOUNTS was born in Pleasant Township, and is a son of Humphrey and Sarah (Fleming) Mounts; the former, of German descent, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and came from Maryland; the lattei*, of Irish extraction, came from Pennsylvania. His parents settled where he now resides about 1820, entering eighty acres of land and clearing one-half of it. The death of his father took place in 1862, while the mother lived until 1880, aged eighty-two. They reared a family of thirteen children, eleven becoming adults. Our subject, having received a moderate education, enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served nearly four years, being honorably discharged as Sergeant. He was engaged at Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg and in many skirmishes. He was under Grant and Sherman, going with the latter to the sea. He bought and inherited the old homestead of 156 acres, clearing fifty- six acres himself. He keeps none but the best graded stock. November 23, 1865, he married Miss Sarah Phillips, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Mays) Phillips. The name of their one child is Henry N. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church, while he is a Free Mason, a member of Lodge No. 444, at Prospect, Ohio. During the past two years, our subject and Mr. Kanable have been building and repairing a pike from Marion to Prospect, Ohio.

JOHN J. MYERS was born September 30, 1827, in Pleasant Township, the son of Joseph and Nancy (Jones) Myers, who came from Pennsylvania about 1820, settling where our subject now resides and buying 110 acres of land. They reared a family of two children. The father died in 1828, aged thirty-two years, while the mother continued until 1880, aged seventy-three years. John J. 's great-grandfather, Wagoner, was a Revolutionary soldier. Our subject's education was obtained in the common schools. He inherited and purchased the old home- stead; also, in 1882, eighty acres more adjoining, making 190 acres of good land, valued at $90 per acre. He built his barn in 1860, at an expense of $500, and his house in 1867, for $1,500. He has fine stock, especially Cotswold sheep. Mr. M. has cleared in his time fifty acres of heavy timbered land, and often has cradled four acres of wheat in a day. He was married to Elizabeth Snyder, daughter of G-eorge and Christina (Ulsh) Snyder, April 8, 1852. The names of their four children are S. Ella (wife of William Stiffler), Samuel W. , W. Scott and Louis J. Our subject and family are consistent members of the United Brethren Church, with which he has been officially connected for thirty years.

MRS. MARY MYERS is Daniel Myers' widow and a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Jacoby, of Richland Township. Her birth took place January 8, 1836, and her marriage occurred October 18, 1855. Six children were born to this union - Addie E., Michael J., Wesley J., Nettie A. (invalid), Ambrose H. and Homer T. They rented, the first fifteen years of married life, the old Worline farm, buying their present farm of 256 acres in 1870. This is valued at $75 per acre. Their $1,500 house and $500 barn make an attractive home. Mr. Myers died in 1874, aged forty, having been Treasurer of Richland Township, Trustee of Pleasant Township and a Class Leader at the time of death. The family also belong to that church. Mrs. M. is a respected and intelligent lady, and conducts the farm, with the aid of her sods, in a commendable manner.

JOHN NICKELSON was born February 7, 1820, in Juniata County, Penn., son of James and Catharine Nickelson, who came to Ohio in 1821, settling the following year where our subject now resides, having entered eighty acres of land. The father died in 1822; leaving the mother with three children; she died in 1875, aged seventy- eight. John Nickelson' s grandfather came from Ireland, and his grandmother from Holland. He obtained his education in the log schoolhouse. January 4, 1849, he married Mary E. Sanford, daughter of Amasa Sanford. Five children blessed this union - Ira J., Martha A. (wife of H. R. Van Houten;, Almira (deceased), John H. and Sarah M. (wife of Robert Williams, of Missouri). Mrs. Nickelson's death occurred in 1882. Mr. N. , receiving by inheritance forty acres, bought the rest of the old homestead,and also forty acres lying north of it, so that he has to-day 120 acres, valued at $80 per acre. His house was built in 1853; in fact, he has made all the improvements and cleared forty acres of forest land in his time. His farm is well drained. When in his prime, our subject often cradled four to four and a half acres of wheat daily. He has been Trustee of Pleasant Township twenty years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Prospect. Ohio, and has been a stanch Democrat all his days.

PHILIP O. REDD was born December 24. 1818, in Washington County, Penn., son of Daniel and Margaret Redd, who migrated to Marion County in 1827, settling where our subject now resides. They bought an extensive farm, of 225 acres, and reared six children, the father clearing 100 acres of land. His death took place in 1857, aged sixty six years, and the mother in 1840, aged forty years. The Redds originated in Germany, and both grandfathers - both Redd and Oiler - engaged in the war of independence. Oar subject inherited eighty acres, which he has increased to 1 12| acres, valued at $100 an acre. His house was built in 1861. for $2,- 000. His stock is well graded. In his vigor, Mr. R. was an able worker, cradling: five acres of wheat or six acres of oats in a single day. He has cleared fifty acres of forest land. In 1849, he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia, walking two-thirds of the way, but was accidentally shot in the right arm, compelling his return. June 29, 1843, he married Miss Elizabeth Rupp. daughter of George and Mary M. (Wolf) Rupp. The names of their nine children are James K. , Minerva (wife of Samuel Berry) and Mary (wife of John Srneltzer), twins, and Margaret (wife of Jacob Smeltzer). Lee G.. Tabitha (wife of Willis Worline), Addison T. and Nettie A. (twins) and Ella B. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Trustee for twenty- four years. Steward for ten years and Superintendent of the Sunday school for several jears.

DAVID RETTERER is an enterprising, industrious young man and a native of Richland Township. He is a son of Jacob and Sophia Retterer, of the same place. The common school gave him his education, and March 27, 1873, he married Miss Elizabeth Blocksom, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Blocksom, of Richland Township. Five children have blessed this union - Alice, Anna, Lillie, Eva and Katy. Until 1882, Mr. R. rented his father's farm, when he pirrchased his present residence consisting of seventy-seven acres of good land, paying $71 per acre, valued to-day at $100 per acre. He has a good home, a farm in good repair and keeps the best of stock.

HARVEY RIDER was born March 8, 1832. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Matheny) Rider, who were of German and Irish parents respectively. They came from Virginia to Ohio in 1836, and were the parents of eleven children. Mrs. Rider died in 1854, and Mr. Rider again married, in 1858, to Miss Rachel Abrams, by whom he has had five children. Harvey Rider was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. March 22, 1855, he was married to Miss Chloe, daughter of Daniel and Maria (Adams) Manter, of Delaware County, Ohio. Their two children are William L., married Susan M. Strine (have one child - Eri W.); Lidia, the youngest, is the wife of B. F. Court. In 1861, Mr. Rider moved to Pleasant Township and rented until 1869, when he purchased sixty-two acres, to which he has since added twenty acres. The farm is drained with 1,000 rods of tile, and valued at $100 per acre. In 1869, he built a house, at a cost of $1,000. and a barn completed in 1882 at an expense of $800. Mr. Rider, for several years, has taught vocal music. He served as Trustee of the township two years, and as Assessor three years.

GEORGE E. SALMON is an influential citizen of Pleasant Township. His bii'th occurred April 10, 1839, in Columbia County, Penn. , and he is a son of Isaiah and Sarah (McMurtrie) Salmon. One of his ancestors came to America in the historic Mayflower. His great-grandfather, John Salmon, migrated from. France, while his grandfather was captured by the Indians in the French and Indian war. remaining with them two years. His father reared a family of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, two of whom, James and Clark, are Presbyterian ministers. At the age of fifteen, our subject lost his father, and he was then apprenticed to a cabinet-maker for three years. At the end of this time, he returned to his mother's farm, remaining till twenty-one. He then engaged in a woolen mill until his enlistment in 1864, in Company I, Two Hundred and Seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged at Fort Steadman. Welding Railroad, and was wounded at Petersburg April 2, 1865: whereupon, after lying in the hospital several months, he was honorably discharged July 7, 1865. In the spring of 1866, he went to Michigan, where he engaged in farming, and also for eight years in the mercantile business. June 12, 1878, he married Miss Anna Gooding, daughter of

Francis and Harriet (Salmon) Gooding. Mrs. S. is an intelligent and1 highly respected lady. Their two children both died in infancy. Mr. S. bought his present farm in 1880, upon which he built, in the same year, a beautiful home, which, with other improvements, cost $3,500. His farm is stocked with the best of grades. While in Michigan, our subject madean acceptable Justice of the Peace. He is a Free Mason, and both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM M. STALLSMITH is a sterling young man, born September 13, 1853, in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio, son of David H. and Julia A. Stallsmith, of Green Camp Township, who reared a family of seven children. Our subject, having obtained a good education from the common schools, commenced teaching when eighteen years old, and followed that profession for thirteen terms. He was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Owens, daughter of John Owens, February 9, 1879. They have one child - Medill Irvin. The past two years, Mr. S. has been renting 100 acres of his fatherin-law, which he keeps in excellent repair, and upon which he makes a good living. He keeps the Norman horse and short-horn Durham cattle. He and wife hold a membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Trustee and Superintendent of the Sunday school.

ALPHEFS STIFFLER was born August 11, 1844, in Prospect Township, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gast) Stiffler, who came from Penn sylvania about 1830. The family is of German descent. The district school gave him his education, and in 1872 he bought the Barnum farm, where he lived until 1880, when he purchased his present residence of 125 acres, paying $73 per acre. His farm, being well drained and fenced, is valued to-day at $100 per acre. His house is finely finished, and cost $4,500, while he has an $800 barn. His marriage to Miss Martha Owens, daughter of John and Ann (Jones) Owens, occurred December 29, 1870. Their three children are John J., George W. and Albert L. Mr. S. and family are members of the Lutheran Church. For the past sixteen years, our subject has acted as Justice of the Peace, filling that position cre<litablv and honorably. By trade, he is a carpenter.

ADDISON TAVENNER is one of the highly respected men of Pleasant Township. He was born May 2, 1825, in Loudoun County, Va. , and is a son of Jonah and Pleasant (Warner) Tavenner, who came to Marion County in 1836, settling five miles east of Marion. The mother died the subsequent autumn, while the father died in 1846, aged forty-eight years, leaving a family of seven children. They are. of Scotch-German descent, and the grandfather Tavenner was a teamster in the Revolution. The common school gave Mr. T. his education, and in 1850 he purchased seventy acres, where he now lives, to which he has added thirty acres more; all rated at $90 per acre. The improvements are good, the barn being built in 1859. May 11, 1848, he married Mary Rupp, daughter of David and Sarah (Ntble) Rupp. Their only child, Almy, is the deceased wife of J. W. Myers. Mrs. R. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject has been Justice of the Peace in Pleasant Township for three years. He is still active, though for the past twenty years he has been in declininghealth.

CHARLES VAN HOUTEN is an intelligent and respected citizen, burn August 5, 1830, in New Jersey, son of David and Margaret (Lighthype) Van Houten. His father died when he was but thirteen years old. His people came originally from Holland, and he holds in his possession a Bible, published in 107 4. which his grandfather brought from Holland and carried through the war for independence! Our subject came with his mother from New York State to Delaware County, Ohio, when quite young. At twenty-one, he visited California, remaining five years. In 1800, he bou ght a farm of 120 acres near Centerville, Ohio, upon which he lived about one year. In 1862, he moved upon his present farm, then eighty acres, belonging to his wife. He has purchased two lots near, of 102 acres, so that their farm numbers 182 acres of good land, valued at $80 per acre. He has an attractive home. Mr. Van Houten's married life has been subject to considerable transition. He first married Susan M. Roberts, December 4, 1850, who died within a year, leaving a son - Highalmer R. He married his next wife, Miss Harriet Jones. January 6, 1857, who died four years later, leaving no children. His last marriage was solemnized August 25, 1862, to Mrs. Mary Boyd, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Simpson, with no issue. Our subject enlisted in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, entering as a private, serving nearly three years, and was dischai'ged as Captain. He was engaged in sixteen battles besides many skirmishes, and went with Sherman " to the sea." He was honorably discharged, having contracted disease, from which he never recovered. Mr. V. has served his township as Clerk two years and as Justice of the Peace for the last fifteen years. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Prospect. Mr. Van Houten has kept a record of the weather three times a day, continuously, for the last fourteen years, noting the change of the mercury in the thermometer and barometer, with remarks of storms, clear days, wind, etc.

CHRISTIAN ZIEG was born December 2, 1842, a native of Pleasant Township and a son of Peter and Margaret Zieg, who came from Germany in 1839. He bought in time 110 acres of land, sixty acres of which he cleared. His family numbered three children. The mother died in 1876, at the age of sixty-six, and the father still survives at the age of seventyfive. Our subject purchased and inherited 210 acres, which he keeps in good repair. His large and inviting house was built in 1880, costing $3,000; standing near is his large $700 barn, built in 1882, fed by a windmill pump. May 8, 1862, Mr. Z. married Margaret Knickle,» daughter of Henry Knickle, of Prospect Township. Seven children have crowned this union, one dying an infant; the names of the living are Christian Henry, John W, Samuel B., .Elizabeth and Franklin. For the past twenty years oxu1 subject has been engaged in buying and shipping stock, cattle, sheep and hogs. He has often handled $300,000 worth of hogs annually. He and his family worship at the German Reformed Church, of which he is Deacon. His fellow-citizens made him Trustee one term.

JUSTUS ZIEG is a son of Peter and Margaret Zieg, a native of Pleasant Township, and was born October 28, 1840. His people came from Germany about 1839, settling in the south part of the township. Justus "bought eighty acres, but added later, by purchase, 108 acres, owning in all 188 acres, valued at $80 per acre. He completed a fine house in 1879, at an expense of $1,200, and a large barn in 1877, costing $600. His farm is supplied with good stock generally, and at one time he bought and shipped considerable stock. His marriage to Caroline Neidhart, daughter of Conrad Neidbart, took place May 1. 1862. Their union has been blessed with five children, one dying young; the surviving are Caroline, Mary, Hannah and AVilliam. This family worship at the German Reformed Church, of which he has been Trustee and is at present Deacon. Mr. Z. has been Town Trustee two terms.

Source changes here: from The History of Marion County Ohio, by Various, published 1883; 13,112 words in this source stream.

Pleasant Township

BAN impenetrable and almost unbroken forest, with no timber removed save that which time and the disturbing element had plucked and de. stroyed, and whose primitive beauty and density remained as a natural shelter for the savage beasts and scarcely less savage men, and as beautiful bowers in which "the Indian lover wooed his dusky mate," is, in a measure, descriptive of Pleasant Township at the dawning of the present century. Beneath those leafy bowers and in the many shady dells, mythical, legendary and traditional scenes have been enacted, which, together with indisputable facts, have traced the pathway of the years to the present time and formed a fascinating history of the township for a period extending over fourscore years. It is our purpose, however, to record only well authenticated facts in this chapter, leaving tbe traditional or uncertain history to be handed down from one generation to another, or to perish, unforgotten in the past. Yet, however interesting the history of the red man, and possibly the Mound-Builders, of this territory, however much we should like to know of their habits, customs, modes of living, and the minute details of their every-day life, or even however much we should like to record the many amusing, as well as the many touching incidents of early pioneer life, all must be omitted unless well authenticated.

He who attempts to trace the outline of the history of this township from the past to the present, with the aid of but few records or the assistance of but few living witnesses, must needs go but a short distance into the backward path ere he becomes involved in a labyrinth of mystery scarcely less dense than the primeval forests themselves. However, there are authenticated historical facts that especially concern the present and the future generations of this township which in nowise should here be omitted.

Organic History

Pleasant was one of the original townships of this county, it being the name given to the greater portion of surveyed Township No. 6, Range 15, on the second day of the first session of the County Commissioners, after the organization of Marion Couuty. The board, then consisting of Matthew Merritt, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman, Commissioners, and Hezekiah Gorton as Auditor, met in first session on June 7, 1824, and on June 8 we find the following entry: j Marion, June 8, 1824. . Ordered, That surveyed Township No. 6, in Range 15, except two tiers of sections on the west, be and the same is hereby set off as a new township, by the name of Pleasant Township.

A full surveyed township, made in accordance with the law, consists of six sections square, or thirty-six sections, so that, according to the above order, Pleasant Township did not originally include the full surveyed township by two tiers or twelve sections on the west side. But since then a number of changes have been made, until now it includes a greater portion of the originally surveyed township. 'The first change was made at the June session in the following year, when those two tiers of sections were restored to Pleasant Township, as will be seen from the following entry:

Ordered, That so much of Green Camp Township as lies in surveyed Township No. 6, in Range 15, be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township.

A contention and strife for the possession of these two tiers of sections seems to have been going on at that time between the citizens of Green Camp and Pleasant Townships; for at the December session of the County Commissioners in the same year, we find the following order recorded, which gave back to Green Camp Township one tier of sections, the half of which had been recently restored to Pleasant Township: i

But this boundary was not destined long to remain. In March, of the following year, the County Cummissioners' record shows the following entry:

Ordered, That so much of Green Camp Township as lies in surveyed Township No. 6, in Range 15, be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township, except the Sections No. 6, 7 and 18. i

Turspay, March 6, 1827. Ordered, That the south tier of sections now belonging to Big Island Township and one-half mile on the west side of Township 6, Range 15 south, be and the same is hereby set off to Green Camp Townsbip; and that the east half of Sections 6, 7 and 18 in said township above described be and the same is hereby set off to Pleasant Township.

There were still other changes made in the boundaries, as will be seen from the following portion of an entry made in the Commissioners' record in the year 1838:

Commissioners met pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided. Present, Charles Merriman, John Shunk and George Beckley. Whereupon, on petition of John Britt and others, it is ordered that the half-mile strip taken off of the west end of Township 6 south, Range 15, in this county, and attached to the township of Green Camp in said county, also the whole of Township No. 6 south, Range 14, in this county, be and the same is hereby detached from said township of Green Camp and attached to the township of Pleasantin this county. * i

This day the Commissioners of Marion County met pursuant to the statute. Present: Hugh V. Smith and John Uncapher, Commissioners; and Peter Beerbower, County Auditor.

This day came Alexander Porter and others, being the majority of the householders residents within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petition for an alteration in the boundaries of Green Camp and Pleasant Townships, by attaching to said Green Camp Township the following described territory from Pleasant Township, to wit: Sections 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12, and the north half of fractional Section 18, in Township 6 south, Range 14, and the west halves of Sections 6 and 7, and the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township No. 6, Range 15. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that legal notice of said application had been given, and that said proposed alteration is necessary, it is ordered that the said territory above described be and the same is hereby attached to the said township of Green Camp.

In June,.1848, when the township oi Prospect was organized, a portion of Pleasant Township was added to the new township. as will be seen from the following portion of an entry made at that date:

This day came George Beams, Christian Gast and others, being a majority of householders within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petition for the erection of a new township to be called Prospect, to comprise and inclose the following territory, to wit: All those portions and parts of Radnor and Thompson Townships attached to the county of Marion by the act erecting the county of Morrow, passed February 24, 1848, including that portion of Radnor Township incorporated in Waldo Township by the Commissioners of Marion County at their March meeting in 1848; also Sections No. 31, 32, 33 and 34 in Township 6 south, Range 15, being in Pleasant Township; also fractional Section No. 36, Township 6 south, Range 14, in said Pleasant Township. * * *

On the following day, a portion of Section No. 33 and all of Section 34 were restored to Pleasant Township, as will be seen from a portion of an entry made in the Commissioners' record of that date:

On application and good cause being shown, it is ordered that the order of the Commissioners entered as of yesterday, erecting the new township of Prospect, in Marion County, be so amended that the whole of fractional Section No. 34 and the east half of fractional Section No. 33, Township 6 south, Range 15, be restored and attached to the township of Pleasant, from which the same was taken. s

On the same day, an order was made by ths Commissioners, which gave a portion of the territory . belonging to Pleasant Township to Waldo Township, as will be observed by the following portion of an entry made at that time:

This day came Daniel S. Drake and others, being a majority of the householders within the territory hereinafter described, and made application by petition for an alteration of the boundaries of Waldo and Pleasant Townships, in Marion County, by attaching to said Waldo Township the following territory from said Pleasant Township, to wit: The whole of fractional Sections No. 34, 85 and 36, and the south halves of Sections 25, 26 and 27 and the southeast quarter of Section No. 28, in Township 6 south, ofjhange Jon SEEN

Thus it will be seen by the preceding entries, taken from the Commissioners' records, that while the western and southern boundaries of this township have been frequently changed, the northern and eastern bound. aries have remained undisturbed. The township originally consisted of twenty-four sections, being six sections in length from north to south, and four in width from easi to west. In the second entry of date of June 6, 1825, it will be observed that *so much of Green Camp Township as lies in Surveyed Township No. 6, Range 15," was restored to Pleasant Township, thus making it at that time the full originally surveyed township, containing thirty full sections and six fractional sections. Subsequently, all of surveyed Township No. 6, Range 14, at first belonging to Green Camp

A Mem

Township, and comprising all of the territory of that township lying east of the Scioto River, was added to Pleasant, as will be seen by the entry of the date of March 5, 1838, and remained an undisturbed portion of Pleasant Township for more than ten years, at which time it, with the exception of fractional Sections 24, 25, and the south half of fractional Section 13, was restored to Green Camp. At that date the west halves of Sections 6 and 7, and the northwest quarter of Section 18, in Pleasant Township, was given to Green Camp Township, and thus stands the western boundary of Pleasant Township to this day. Off of the southern boundary has been taken fractional Sections No. 31, 32, 38, 34, 35 an? 36, also the south halves of Sections No. 25, 26 and 27 and the southeast quarter of Section 28. Of this territory, Sections 31, 82 and thg west half of Section 33 now belong to Prospect. Township and the remainder of it to Waldo Township. Pleasant Township is composed wholly of Congress lands and the surface is generally level. The soil is the richest and most productive, perhaps, of any portion of this fertile county.

Settlement

Among the early settlers of this township, and perhaps the very first of the number, wus the Rev. Jacob Idleman, who, with his wife and three children, came from Highland County, Ohio, to a place in this township known then as ":Slab Camp," one mile north of the Greenville treaty line, just on the opposite side of the road, from where Levi Jones now resides. He arrived there early in February, 1820, and there he hastily erected a temporary cabin, in-which he and his family passed the remainder of the winter and the following summer. In August of that year, Mr. Idleman attended the land sales at Delaware and purchased 160 acres of land one mile north of that point, on what is now the Marion & Delaware pike, where he resided till his death, and where his son Silas has since resided until within the last two years. On this farm Silas Idleman was born in 1822, being the first white child born within the present limits of the township, and here also the members of his family were born and reared.

Rev. Jacob Idleman was soon joined by other settlers, and among them were William Wyatt and family, who came in the summer of 1820 and nottled on the place where John W. Myers now resides. Afterward, but during the same year, Van Horn and family, David Tipton and family, J ohn Staley (or Stealey) and family and Henry Peters became a part of this settlement In the autumn of that year, a settlement was being formed in the southwestern portion of this township in a territory which, when the county was first organized, was given to Green Camp Township, but which, for a number of years, has been a permanent portion of Pleasant. The first of this band of settlers were Humphrey Mounts and his family, who came here from Radnor Township, Delaware County, in the fall of 1820, and who were soon joined by John Matthews and his wife, who were also from that county. Early in the following year, Joseph Boyd ana his family, natives of Pennsylvania, but more recently from Delaware County, joined this settlement. In 1822, John Nickleson and his family also became members of this community, and in the following year William David and his wife Magdalene, from Delaware County, also joined the settlement. Later, Friend Biggerstaff and Hugh Cummins, with their families, were numbered among the settlers here, and year after year immigration here from Delaware County and other places increased the population until much of the fair lands of this portion of the township were occupied and the ser.

In the meantime, other settlements were being formed in the township, and the one in the western or northwestern part is, perhaps, the next in chronological order. Frederick Court and family were among the first to take up their abode there, which they did in 1830, and in 1834 Messrs. William and Frank Gooding joined them, and Sylvester Gooding came the following year. Mr. Beamer and family also located in this settlement at an early date. Each of these settlements received many new accessions from time to time, until the individual settler is lost in the multiplicity of acquisitions.

These early settlers for the most part were possessed of indomitable wills, untiring energy and unflagging industry. Soon around their cabin homes sufficient land was cleared to raise ample crops of grain and vegetables for the sustenance of their families. Year after year, these clearings were extended into fields and meadows of -no small pretensions and later the orchards and vineyards planted by the hand of the prudent husbandmen, yielded in abundance their rich and luscious fruit, and the comforts and conveniences of home were added as the years went by.

Since the organization of this township in 1824, a most wonderful transformation has taken place. What was then dense forests, interspersed with only a few humble cabins of the hardy pioneers, have been changed into beautifully arranged and well-tilled farms, upon whose broad acres of richest soil, annually, luxuriant grasses, golden grain and extended fields of corn wave to the winds of Heaven like inland seas of verdure and beauty Instead of the wild and ferocious animals that infested the country at that time, making night hideous with their ceaseless orgies, disturbing the peaceful slumbers of the woodman and his family. the people now have many useful domestic animals, together with flocks and herds that can scarcely be told or numbered. The red man, whose treachery, cunning and love of revenge was the occasion of constant fear and dread. has gradually disappeared before the advancing tide of civilization and left the superior race in the enjoyment of the unbounded wealth of the lands that he once occupied as hunting grounds.

Railroad, which traverses the whole length of the western half of the township from north to south. At thie point is located a post office named Owen, a hotel, store, express office, etc. In this vicinity John Owen burns and ships considerable quantities of quick-lime; a quarry here also furnishes a good quality of building stone.

Educational

At an early date, schools were founded and religious societies formed, both of which at first held their meetings at the humble dwelling of some cottager. The first school that was held in this township was organized in the early part of the winter of 1821, and consisted of fifteen pupils. The term was of three months' duration, and the teacher was paid from private funds. The school was taught in the cabin first occupied by Van Horn and family and afterward owned by Henry Peters. The first schoolhouse erected in what is now Pleasant Township was built in 1828, on a farm then owned by John Niekleson, but which now is in the possession of Mrs. Patterson.