Plymouth Township (part 1 of 6)

Plymouth Township

THIS township was originall}' part of Blooming Grove, and was detached from it and organized into a separate township February- 12, 1818, being then twelve miles long from east to west, and six miles wide. This territory was divided April 3, 1820, the east half retaining the name of Plymouth. December 6, 1849, Cass Township was erected out of the east two-thirds of Plymouth, and the latter extended so as to take in two tiers of sections from Auburn. This reduced Plymouth to four by six miles in extent, in the northwest corner of Richland. This territor}- was surveyed l)y Maxfield Ludlow in 1807, several j'ears before an}' white man settled within its limits. The land is generalh* fertile, slighth- rolling, and across the center of the township, east and west, is a ridge which forms the dividing line between the waters of the Huron River and those of the Black Fork. In the notes of the survey, swamps and prairie lands are occasionally noticed, but the township was generally heavily timbered with all the varieties of hard wood, and is at present, all under a high state of cultivation. The old Wj'andot trail from the mouth of the Sandusky River to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) passes across the northeast corner, through the present village of Plymouth, and the march of Gen. Beall's army was along this trail in 1812. Gen. Beall widened this trail from a narrow path to a road of sufficient width for the passage of his wagons, and although it has been straightened in some places and abandoned in others, it is yet traceable on the map. Beall was guided through this country Ijy a Seneca chief named Capt. John, who was a great friend of the whites, and evinced great sagacity as a scout, and in guiding scouting parties of Beall's army.

Ii was along this military road that the first settlers advanced in search of homes in the ^Yest, and naturally enough, upon this road that the first settler in Plymouth Township is found, upon the present site of the village of Pl3'mouth. Here, on the headwaters of the Huron River, Abraham Trux erected his cabin, on the northwest quarter of Section 5, in the spring of 1815, and became the first settler. This cabin stood on the bank of an insignificant branch of the river, which passes through the village, and was a double cabin, of round logs. The lot is now owned by Aaron Kappenberg, and his butcher-shop occupies the exact spot upon which this first caljin was erected. Other settlers came in during this year (1815), some of them probably about the same time with 3Ir. Trux. Among these were John Concklin, who settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6 ; Daniel Kirkpatrick, northeast quarter of Section 8 ; Robert Green, southeast quarter of Section 4 ; and John Long, northwest quarter of Section 13. William and Daniel Prosser also came in this year or eai-ly in 181(3, the former settling on Section 19, and the latter on Section 13. In 1816, came John Morris, who settled on Section 15 ; Thomas McCluer, Section 14 ; James Gardner and Michael Gipson, Section 1 ; James Douglas, Section 35. Settlers continued to arrive rapidly until in 1818, when there was a suflflcient number to organize a township. The first election was held in the spring of 1818, in which Abraham Trux was made Justice of the Peace, Stephen Weliber, Constable ; John Concklin, John Long, and Thomas McClure, Trustees. Thomas Mc- Cluer was made Clerk, and Asa Murphy, Treasurer.

The daughters of two of these first settlers. Catharine Trux and Susan Concklin, were married in 1817, being the first marriages celebrated in the township ; the first to Hugh Long and the last to Oliver Granger. No death occurred among them for four years, the first being that of Mrs. 3Iary, wife of John Concklin, in 1819. The prominence of her husband in the aflfairs of the township and church had given her an extended acquaintance, and she was gi'catly beloved.

]Man3' of the settlers had served in the war of 1812, and nearly all of them were good hunters. Among the latter were Michael Trux. Charles Bodley, Jacob Wolf, Jedadiah ]Moorhead, 3Iichael Gipson, Robert Yearian and some others. Yearian made his own powder and guns, was a remarkable shot, as was also his son Frederick, who used a light rifle his father had made for him. It is related of this bo}', when he was about twelve j-ears old, he was one day separated from his father while hunting, and came suddenly upon a mother bear and her two cubs, upon whom he at once made war. The ball from his rifle was, however, too small to do much execution, and the bear turned upon him, pressing him so closely that he had neither time to reload or climb a tree, and so ran in the dii-ection of his father. The latter, seeing him coming and the bear at his heels, called to him to run past him. which Fred did ; and as the bear passed, Yearian planted one of his ounce balls in some vital part of the animal with such certainty and precision as to bring her down. The}- then carried the cubs home for pets.

The settlers had their full share of patriotism. What the}' did the Fourth of July, and at their military musters, is well worth recording, and will appear in another chapter. This township was especially blessed with a martial band for such occasions, the members of which were Charles and Jesse Bodle}', tenor drummers ; William Dean, bass drummer, and Theason Richardson and Robert Bigler, fifers. The}' had an excellent reputation, and were often invited to consideral)le distances on Fourth of July and general training occasions, lured by the promise of dinner and drinks free. The Bodleys were quite prominent among the early settlers. Of these " Uncle William " may be specially noted. He was in his younger days a splendid specimen of a Low-Dutch xVmerican, standing six feet two inches in his stockings, broad-shouldered, bony and muscular, weighing about two hundred pounds, cool and deliberate, yet quick and active ; and to the day of his death never lost faith in George Washington, his long-barreled gun, buttermilk pop, boiled dinners, knee breeches with silver buckles, plaited cue, his wife Dinah, or the ultimate glory of the American Republic. Neither did Mr. Bodley enjoy alone these good things ; he had many neighl)ors fully his equals in manly proportions and patriotic zeal and fire. William Bodley, Sr., was at this time an elderly man, but in his younger days had been an Indian hunter in the 3Iohawk A^alley, New York, and had brought wdth him his long gun, which carried an ounce ])all, and made a louder report, he thought, than any gun in the West, of its size. He was always fond of talking al)out his gun and its w^onderful capacity. He hunted with it in the forests of New York, and it was his boast that it could bring down an Indian at a gi"eater distance than anv rifle, and when he

There were prol)a])ly not more than five hewed-log houses in the township prior to 1820. These were owned by Alexander 3IcBride, Mr. Grrifflth, John Long, Benjamin Wooley and Jacob Vanhouten. Long and Vanhouten had boards, supported by poles, in front of their cabins, upon which was inscribed " Entertainment," wdiich meant, in those days, "hog, hominy and whisky," which were enjoyed by the weary traveler at a moderate compensation. Whisky was 15 cents per gallon - the pure stuff - and was therefore used about as freely as w^ater. Until 1822, the mails were carried on horseback and on foot, but about this date stages made their appearance, a route having been established from Columbus to Portland (now Sandusky City). These stages followed "Beall's trail " through this part of the country. What a wealth of fact and romance must have been crowded into the lives of those stagedrivers ! The first post office established in that part of the country was about the year 1817, a few miles east of Plymouth Village, on the military road, on Section 4 of what is now Cass Township. It was kept by a jolly old Hollander by the name of Jacol) "V^anhouten, and called "Plymouth." The regular sixhorse teams began also to make their appearance along the trail, loaded with produce for the lakes. Arriving at the lakfe, they would discharge their cargoes and load up with salt, fish, etc., for the return trip.

The first frame house was erected in 1822, on the northwest quarter of Section 18, by Fleming Wilson ; and the first brick house in 1823, by James Douglas, on the southwest quarter of Section 35. Mr. Douglas made the lirick himself, on his own land ; and it is stated that one morning, when the workmen went out on the brickyard to work, the tracks of a panther were plainly impressed on the soft bricks that had been left on the yard the evening before.

The early settlers of Plymouth Township were, perhaps, more than other townships, at a loss about getting their grinding done. There were many brooks and beautiful springs in different parts of the township, but none of sufficient strength for an}' consideral)le period of the year, to furnish especially excellent water power. The}' were compelled, therefore, to travel great distances for this purpose. This state of things could not last where Yankee ingenuity and wit were not lacking. Mr. John Webber had been a miller l)y trade, and concluded he could work out a set of buhrs, or millstones, from the native granite bowlders, or " niggerhead " stone, which abounded in the country of almost an}- size. Selecting two large specimens, he succeeded by great labor in shaping them to suit him. These buhrs, instead of being two flat surfaces working against each other like the French buhr, were made, the nether one in the shape of a cone, and the upper bowl shaped to fit over it. The lower one was made stationary and the upper revolved around it. This mill was run by a little spring stream on Mr. Webber's land, and was a success. It was a curiosity even in that day, and would be much more so to-day. Part of this mill is still in existence - the bowl part being used as as a water trough, at the house of a man named Cline, a short distance south of Shelby Junction. A wheelwi'ight and carpenter named Rouse Bly assisted Mr. Webber in the erection of this mill.

Many horse-mills were erected in different parts of the township. In 1825, Mr. Trux erected a water-mill upon the little stream near his cabin. Steam power was unknown in those days, and this mill could only be used a portion of the year, but it has l^een in operation from that day to this, having been rebuilt and having changed hands many times ; steam power being added in the course of time. It is now operated by Snyder & Wolf Further down this stream, near Plymouth Village, is another

The sul)jectof education and religion received the early attention of the settlers here as elsewhere. The early missionary preachers through here were Rev. Mr. Wolf, a Presbyterian, Mr. Arbuthnot, a Covenanter, Mr. Mclntire, a jNIethodist, and John Chapman, a Swedenborgian. Rev. Benjamin Wooley, a Methodist, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 4, in 1817, and became a local preacher. Nearly all the early ministers found in other parts of the county were also well known here. Among them, the well-known names of Bigelow, Benajah Boardman, Harry 0. Sheldon, Enoch Congor and others appear. These were excellent men, with clear heads and stout hearts, preaching wherever they could find shelter, and often when they could not. They established church organizations, and assisted in the erection of churches all over the county and adjoining counties, They spent their lives in the wilderness sowing good seed, and unconsciously, perhaps, building their own monuments.

Perhaps as early as 1816 or 1817, a Methodist class was formed at the house of John Long. John Murphy was its leader. These were earnest people, and this class continued in existence long after Methodist churches were erected in different parts of the county. The United Presbyterians, the General Assembly Presbyterians and the German Reformed people held meetings generally at the house of John Concklin until 1819, when they organized a church under the care of the Richland Presbytery, called the " First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth," with forty-two members ; and the same year erected a large log meetinghouse on the corner of Peter Ruckman's land. Section 7. The first Elders of this church were John Concklin, Abraham Yanhouten, Levi Bodley and Daniel Gunsaulus. This society was organized at the house of Abraham A'anhouten.

In 1822 or 1823, there was a division in this church, not on account of any difficulty among the members, but the church had grown rapidly, and a number of memliers desired to Avithdraw, feeling themselves sufficiently strong in numbers, and organize a United Presbyterian Church. This they did, and afterward Ixiilt a house of worship, about two miles southwest of the old log church. Rev. Arbuthnot and Rev. Johnson were among the first meml^ers of this church, and the principal movers were Daniel Gunsaulus, William Bodley, Daniel Kirkpatrick and others. The house was a small frame, located on Section 13, and is not now in use, the organization having gone out of existence.

The first two or three years after the first settlement here, schools were taught in private houses, and were " select," that is, no puljlic funds were used in their maintenance, there being none to use. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1818, in time for the winter school of 1818-19. It was of logs, and stood upon the land of Daniel Kirkpatrick, Section 8. Robert ^McKelvey taught here the first winter, and John Webber the second.

This township came very near not having a town within its present limits, the present village of Plymouth being about equally divided by the northern line of the township and county, the northern part lying in New Haven Township, Huron Count}-.

There is this somewhat remarkable fact about the early history of the place - it was a town before any one thought of laying out or platting it. It seemed to be the natural place for a town, these things being governed by a law which is secret and subtle in its operations, and not generally understood, yet an}- violation of it brings sure and certain punishment, as has again and again been demonstrated by the defunct villages all over the country. Generally, towns are planted, as it were, nourished and made to grow ; but Plymouth, or Paris, as it was first called, sprang up, grew and developed, like a mushroom in the wilderness. It is located on Beall's military road. Beall moved very slowly in those da^-s : first, he must cut his way through a dense forest, and, secondly, he desired to keep between the settlements and the Indians of the Northwest. His movement was made immediately after Hull's surrender, when it was feared that a British and Indian army would make a raid across the State of Ohio. He took the route that seemed to him best calculated for his purpose, and this happened to be the old Wj-andot trail, before mentioned. Gen. Beall moved slowly and camped frequentl}', and it is not unlikely that after leaving Camp Council (referred to in another chapter), he went into camp again upon reaching the headwaters of the Huron River, at this point, and remained in camp here several days. A year after the war, when Abraham Trux and his companions came along this trail, hunting new homes, the}' came upon this spot, where Beall had camped, and cleared off a few acres of ground, as he would naturally do, and did do at every camping place. They thought this would be a good place to stop and build their cabins. The}- were hunters and backwoodsmen ; game was plenty and the country beautiful. They were likely soon to have neighbors, for this open military road would soon become a highway for the incoming emigrants. They were not mistaken ; neighbors came to them rapidly, and, within the next ten years, sixteen log-houses sprang up where the village of Plymouth now stands, and as yet, no town was laid out. Besides, the country was being rapidly settled. The emigrants dropped into the little town one by one as the years went by, and, thinking the country delightful, went into the neighborhood and located lands. Many of these were Connecticut Yankees, with land warrants in their pockets, which called for a certain amount of land on the Connecticut

Reservation. These people followed the old militaiy road to Paris, and then went north " blazing " their way to their farms. Thus it was, before Paris was laid out, there were settlements in every direction, and " blazed trails " leading from the village to these diffex'ent settlements. It is a remarkable fact, that no less than fourteen or fifteen " blazed trails " led through the woods to as man}- different settlements, all these trails centering in Paris. They were not roads ; they were hardly paths, the blazed trees alone directing the traveler to the ''Morris, Green and Van Osdell Settlement," the " White Settlement," the " G^-pson and Gardner Settlement," the " Bodley Settlement," the " Broomback and Swearengen Settlement," the '- Bevier Settlement," and " Swan and Smith Settlement," etc.

It seems a little strange that it took ten years of time, and all these settlers and thus cluster of houses, to impress upon the minds of some of the earl}' settlers the necessity of lajing out a town ; but such seems to lie the case, for the village of Paris was not laid out until the 17th da}' of May, 1825, at which time, as before stated, there were sixteen log houses on its site, occupied by the following settlers : Abraham Trux, Patrick Lynch, Benjamin Wooley, James Young, Enos Rose, Abner Harkness, A. D. "VV. Bodley, Haslo, John and Henry Barney, Christian Gulp, B. F. Taylor, William C. Enos and Lemuel Powers. These men were generally mechanics, and picked up what work came to the place, by reason of the travel on its gi-eat thoroughfare, passing the remainder of their time hunting, trapping and farming.

The town was laid out by Abraham Trux, Lemuel Powers and John Barney, on a high, sandy rolling piece of ground, and consisted, at first, of forty-seven in-lots, all of which were sold in less than two years, and additions made which found a ready sale, and Plymouth promised to be a citv.

The first blacksmith was Patrick Lynch ; the first lawyer, William C. Enos ; the first doctor, Lemuel Powers ; the first tailor, Mr. Curtis ; the first shoemakers, John Skinner and W. Y. B. Moore ; the first tanner, Hugh Long ; the first bricklayer and plasterer, Robert Morfoot (yet living) ; the first wheelwright, A. D. W. Bodley ; the first cooper, Anthony McLaughlin; the first cabinet-maker, James Drennan ; the first carpenters, William Crall, James Dickson and Mr. Gilcrease ; the first merchants, Wilson Brothers, ]\Iathew McKelvey and G. G. Graham.

Very soon after the town was laid out, Abraham Trux erected the gi'ist-mill before mentioned, and also a saw-mill near his house, on a branch of the Huron River. Two distilleries were also erected, one by Lemuel Powers and the other by William McKelvey. These distilleries purchased the corn, which they made into whisky, and therefore created a market for corn, about the only article of produce the farmer could sell. The whisky was hauled to the lake - except what was consumed at home, which was no small quantity - where it found a ready market.

These distilleries were, however, soon discontinued, Mr. McKelvey receiving an injury which disabled him, and Dr. Powers having been converted to the cause of temperance. The latter turned his distillery into a hat factory, which was conducted by him with success until his death, when it passed into the hands of his son, A^olney, who continued it several years.

The travel on the military road brought many strangers to the place, and made- ''taverns" a necessity. Before the place was two years old, three of these institutions existed, kept by James Drennan, Jacob Heller and Mr. Linsay, where the '- hog, hominy and whisky," wild meats and " corn pone." were plentifully spread before the mud-bespattered stage-drivers and their weary passengers.

and volunteer labor, a comfortable schoolhouse, 22x30 feet square, which was used for a school during week dajs and a church on Sunda}-, in which religious people of all denominations gathered for worship. As the Methodists were the most numerous, it was agi'eed that they should control and take care of the building, but should give wa}' to a reasonable extent to people of other denominations by having two weeks' notice of the wish on the part of others to use it. This singular arrangement was harmoniously and pleasantly carried out, as long as the building lasted, or was needed for that purpose. The Methodists worshiped in this house Ave or six years, when the}' erected a frame church on Light street, and, about 1835, they made an addition to this building of twenty feet, and added a Ijelfry, in which was hung the first church bell in this part of the country. In later years, they erected the fine brick building now occupied by them on Sandusky street.

When the town was laid out, the Presbyterians had a large log church (before mentioned), about one and a half miles from town, which they occupied during the summer months, and in the winter shared, with other denominations, the schoolhouse in town, until the Methodist erected their church, when they occasionally used the ^lethodist Church, until they grew strong enough to build one of their own, which was about the ^-ear 1838. They erected a good substantial frame, with stone basement, in a beautiful and commanding spot on Bucyrus street, which, with some alterations and improvements, they still occupy. This church is strong and well sustained, and for many years has had a large and active Sunday school connected with it. Rev. Mr. Barnes has charge at present. The Methodists are, however, the most numerous religious body in this vicinit}-. Their organization is large and active, and their Sunday school large and well sustained. Rev. Mr. Ball is the present minister.

About the yeav 1838 or 1839, the Lutherans erected a substantial church, on Lots 22 and 23, to which some additions have since been made. This church is also active and well sustained. Rev. Miller being Pastor. A large Sunday' school is connected with it.

A Congregational church was erected many 3'ears ago, on Lots 12 and 13. The societ}', however, is not numerous, and no services are held in the church at present, neither is there an}' Sunday school connected with it.

The name of the village being Paris, and the name of the post office Pl^-mouth, man}' mistakes were made in the mail and freight business, and to avoid trouble of this kind, a charter was procured for the town, with the name of Plymouth, in 1838, and the town has been governed by officers elected under that charter to the present time. The first JNIayor was Daniel Colckglazer ; the second, Ensign Benschoter, and the third, Robert "Wilson.

The first schoolhouse has been referred to, and was called the " Old Red," the first teacher being Mr. Howe, a gentleman of the " old school," who understood and instructed his pupils in that old-fashioned branch of education (now, perhaps unfortunately, gone out of use), called " manners." The second teacher here was Elisha Brown. About the year 1831, Mr. McKelvey, a prosperous merchant, who had a large family of daughters, erected a frame house with two rooms, which he called a female seminary. The school was taught by a lady of good education, and was well patronized.

In 1834, the town was divided into two districts, and a brick house erected, which, with the old red, served until 1849, when the two districts were re-united and organized under whfit was known as the "Akron" law, and a fine house, for the times, erected. It was a comfortable frame, contained five rooms, and in this, the school was graded. This building served the purpose until 1875, when the present beautiful and substantial structure was erected, and cost about $25,000. It is of stone and brick, and contains nine recitation-rooms and a hall.

number of Pl^'mouth citizens went ] down on open cars attached to the construction-train, to attend a meeting called for the purpose of obtaining volunteers for the Mexican war. The same year, a large grain warehouse was erected at Plymouth, capable of storing 300,000 liushels of wheat, and Plj'mouth immediately became a great wheat market. As much as 8,000 bushels of wheat were received per day at this warehouse, for several days in succession. From the east, west, and for awhile, from the south, people came great distances to the wheatmarket. Other railroads, after a time, destro^'ed this trade.

When the call for troops in 1861 flashed over the wires, the five church-bells of Pl3-mouth rang for an hour. The citizens came together, and men within the hearing of the bells came in from the countr}-. In less than three hoiu's, a full compan}- of volunteers was organized and tendered to the Grovernor by telegi-am.

Plymouth High School

and were, in two hours, accepted by him. Plymouth Village and Township furnished their full quota of troops to put down the great rebellion.

Plymouth's first burying-gi'ound was at New Haven, and the first person buried in this ground was Mr. Beymer, gi'andfather of ]Mrs. Thomas Kinney. The first graveyard in the village was Lot 23, donated by Abraham Trux. It soon became apparent that the town would improve around this lot, and it was vacated ; a lot being purchased near the Presljj-terian a number of citizens f o r m e d a n association called "The Green Lawn Cemeter}' Association," and purchased twentythree acres of land hing near the village, which was laid out into nine hundred and forty lots, with drives and walks. These gi'ounds have been cultivated and beautified, and will, in time, be among the most beautiful in the State,

The first bank was started in 1839, b}- Messer Barker, Avho did a banking business in connection with his mercantile business, and continued to do so until his death in 1859 ; after which Robert McDonough and S. M. Robinson did the banking business for Plymouth until 1870, when the former opened a regular bank of discount and deposit, and continued until hisdeath in May, 1873. Soon after, the First National Bank was organized by John Devinne}', Henry C. Breckenridge, H. P. Steutz, E. Sturges, Sr., of Mansfield, T. B. Tucker, and

In 1851, E. H. Sanford started a paper in Plymouth Village, called the Plymouth Journal^ in the old "Peninsular" building, which has been for many years occupied as a photograph gallery. In 1853, he sold out to H. M. Wooster, who conducted it a short time, and sold out to Robinson & Locke (the latter generally known as Petroleum V. Nasby ) , who changed the name of the paper to Plymouth Advertiser. In 1859, the concern was purchased by A. H. Balsley, now publisher of a paper in Fremont, Ohio. Balsley conducted it until Januarj^, 1864, when he sold out to J. M. Beelman, who afterward took his brother, J. Frank Beelman, into partnership, and together they conducted the paper until 1876, when J. M. Beelman retired, and the paper has since been conducted by J. Frank Beelman.

First National Bank, Plymouth

facturing power consists of eleven steam engines and one water-wheel. The secret societies are the Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum. There are two hotels, five dry-goods stores, two clothing and five grocery stores, four millinery establishments, two hardware, two stove and tin, three drug, two shoe, and two furniture stores, and the usual number of mechanics and small tradesmen.

General^ considered, Plymouth is a pretty, clean, healthy village. The intelligence of its citizens is of a high order, and the society excellent. There are an unusual number of old people living in and near the village, which speaks well for the healthiness of the locality. It belongs properly- to the \Yestern Reserve, of which the lamented Ba3-ard Taylor, the greatest of American travelers, once said that no other place on the globe of equal extent could equal it in intelliarence.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.a. Graham, published 1880; 13,254 words in this source stream.

Plymouth Township

HIS township was originally part of Blooming Grove, and was detached from it and organized into a separate township February 12, 1818, being then twelve miles long from east to west, and six miles wide. This territory was divided April 3, 1820, the east half retaining the name of Plymouth. December 6, 1849, Cass Township was erected out of the east two-thirds of Plymouth, and the latter extended so as to take in two tiers of sections | from Auburn, This reduced Plymouth to four by six miles in extent, in the northwest corner of Richland. This territory was surveyed by Maxfield Ludlow in 1807, several years before any white man settled within its limits. The land is generally fertile, slightly rolling, and across the center of the township, east and west, is aridge which forms the dividing line between the waters of the Huron River and those of the Black Fork. In the notes of the survey, swamps and prairie lands are occasionally noticed, but the township was generally heavily timbered with all the varieties of hard wood. and is at present, all under a high state of cultivation. The old Wyandot trail from the mouth of the Sandusky River to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) passes across the northeast corner. through the present village of Plymouth, and the march of Gen. Beall's army was along this trail in 1812. Gen. Beall widened this trail from a narrow path to a road of sufficient width for the passage of his wagons, and although it has been straightened in some places and abandoned in others, it is yet traceable on the map. Beall was guided through this country by a Seneca chief named Capt. John, who was a great friend of the whites, and evinced great sagacity as a scout, and in guiding scouting parties of Beall's army.

It was along this military road that the first settlers advanced in search of homes in the West, and naturally enough, upon this road that the first settler in Plymouth Township is found, upon the present site of the village of Plymouth. Here, on the headwaters of the Huron River, Abraham Trux erected his cabin, on the northwest quarter of Section 5, in the spring of 1815, and became the first settler. This cabin stood on the bank of an insignificant branch of the river, which passes through the village, and was a double cabin, of round logs. The lot is now owned by Aaron Kappenberg, and his butcher-shop occupies the exact spot upon which this first cabin was erected. Other settlers came in during this year (1815), some of them probably about the same time with Mr. Trux. Among these were John Concklin, who settled on the northeast quarter of Section 6 ; Daniel Kirkpatrick, northeast quarter of Section 8 ; Robert Green, southeast quarter of Section 4; and John Long, northwest quarter of Section 13. William and Daniel Prosser also came in this year or early in 1816, the former settling on Section 19, and the latter on Section 13. In 1816, came John Morris, who settled on Section 15; Thomas McCluer. Section 14; James Gardner and Michael Gipson, Section 1; James Douglas. Section 35, Settlers continued to arriye rapidly until in 1818, when there was a sufficient number to organize a township. The first election was held in the spring of 1818. in which Abraham Trux was made Justice of the Peace, Stephen Webber, Constable ; John Concklin, John Long. and Thomas McClure. Trustees. Thomas Mc- Cluer was made Clerk, and Asa Murphy. Treasurer.

The daughters of two of these first settlers, Catharine Trux and Susan Concklin. were married in 1817, being the first marriages celebrated in the township; the first to Hugh Long and the last to Oliver Granger. No death occurred among them for four years, the first being that of Mrs. Mary. wife of John Concklin, in 1819. The prominence of her husband in the affairs of the township and church had given her an extended acquaintance, and she was greatly beloved.

head, Michael Gipson, Robert Yearian and some others. Yearian made his own powder and guns, was a remarkable shot, as was also his son Frederick, who used a light rifle his father had made for him. It is related of this boy, when he was about twelve years old, he was one day separated from his father while hunting, and came suddenly upon a mother bear and her two cubs, upon whom he at once made war. The ball from his rifle was, however, too small to do much execution, and the bear turned upon him, pressing him so closely that he had neither time to reload or climb a tree, and so ran in the direction of his father. The latter, seeing him coming and the bear at his heels, called to him to run past him, which Fred did; and as the bear passed, Yearian planted one of his ounce balls in some vital | part of the animal with such certainty and precision as to bring her down. They then carried the cubs home for pets..

The settlers had their full share of patriotism. What they did the Fourth of July, and at their military musters, is well worth recording, and will appear in another chapter. This township was especially blessed with a martial band for such oceasions, the members of which were Charles and Jesse Bodley, tenor drummers ; William Dean, bass drummer, and Theason Richardson and Robert Bigler, fifers. They had an excellent reputation, and were often invited to considerable distances on Fourth of July and general training occasions, lured by the promise of dinner and drinks free. The Bodleys were quite prominent among the early settlers. Of these "Uncle William" may be specially noted. He was in his younger days a splendid specimen of a Low-Dutch American, standing six feet two inches in his stockings, broad-shouldered, bony and muscular, weighing about two hundred pounds, cool and deliberate, yet quick and active; and to the day of his death never lost faith in George Washington, his long-barreled gun, buttermilk pop, boiled dinners, knee breeches with silver buckles, plaited cue, his wife Dinah, or the ultimate glory of the American Republic. Neither did Mr. Bodley enjoy alone these good things ; he had many neighbors fully his equals in manly proportions and patriotic zeal and fire. William Bodley, Sr., was at this time an elderly man, but in his younger days had been an Indian hunter in the Mohawk Valley, New York, and had brought with him his long gun, which carried an ounce ball, and made a louder report, he thought, than any gun in the West, of its size. He was always fond of talking about his gun and its wonderful capacity. He hunted with it in the forests of New York, and it was

There were probably not more than five hewed-log houses in the township prior to 1820. These were owned by Alexander McBride, Mr. Griffith, John Long, Benjamin Wooley and Jacob Vanhouten. Long and Vanhouten had boards, supported by poles, in front of their cabins, upon which was inscribed " Entertainment," which meant, in those days, "hog, hominy and whisky," which were enjoyed by the weary traveler at a moderate compensation. Whisky was 15 cents per gallon - the pure stuff - and was therefore used about as freely as water. Until 1822, tlte mails were carried on horseback and on foot, but about this date stages made their appearance, a route having been established from Columbus to Portland (now Sandusky City). These stages followed "Beall's trail" through this part of the country. What a wealth of fact and romance must have been crowded into the lives of those stagedrivers! The first post office established in that part of the country was about the year 1817, a few miles east of Plymouth Village, on the military road, on Section 4 of what is now Cass Township. It was kept by a jolly old Hollander by the name of Jacob Vanhouten, and called "Plymouth." The regular sixhorse teams began also to make their appearance along the trail, loaded with produce for the lakes. Arriving at the lake, they would discharge their cargoes and load up with salt, fish, ete., for the return trip.

The first frame house was erected in 1822, on the northwest quarter of Section 18, by Fleming Wilson ; and the first brick house in 1823, by James Douglas, on the southwest quarter of Section 35. Mr. Douglas made the brick himself, on his own land ; and it is stated that one morning, when the workmen went out on the brickyard to work, the tracks of a panther were plainly impressed on the soft bricks that had been left on the yard the evening before.

History Ormrlghe An De Oounry

The early settlers of Plymouth Township were, perhaps. more than other townships. at a loss about getting their grinding done. There were many brooks and beautiful springs in different parts of the township. but none of sufticient strength for any considerable period of the year, to furnish especially excellent water power. They were compelled. therefore. to travel

"great distances for this purpose. This state of things could not last where Yankee ingenuity and wit were not lacking. Mr. John Webber had been a miller by trade. and concluded he could work out a set of buhrs, or millstones, from the native granite bowlders, or " niggerhead" stone, which abounded in the country of almost any size. Selecting two large specimens, he succeeded by great labor in shaping them to suit him. These buhrs, instead of being two flat surfaces working against each other like the French buhr, were made, the nether one in the shape of a cone, and the upper bowl shaped to fit over it. The lower one was made stationary and the upper revolved around it. This mill was run by a little spring stream on Mr. Webber's land, and was a success. It was a curiosity even in that day, and would be much more so to-day. Part of this mill is still in existence - the bowl part being used as as a water trough, at the house of a man named Cline, a short distance south of Shelby Junction. A wheelwright and carpenter named Rouse Bly assisted Mr. Webber in the erection of this mill.

Many horse-mills were erected in different parts of the township. In 1825, Mr. Trux erected a water-mill upon the little stream near his cabin. Steam power was unknown in those days, and this mill could only be used a portion of the year, but it has been in operation from that day: to this, having been rebuilt and having changed hands many times; steam power being added in the course of time. It is now operated by Snyder & Wolf. Further down this stream, near Plymouth Village, is another

The subject of education and religion received the early attention of the settlers here as elsewhere. The early missionary preachers through here were Rey. Mr. Wolf. a Presbyterian. My. Arbuthnot, a Covenanter, Mr. McIntire. a Methodist, and John Chapman. a Swedenborgian, Rey. Benjamin Wooley, a Methodist, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 4,in 1817, and became a local preacher. Nearly all the early ministers found in other parts of the county were also well known here. Among them. the well-known names of Bigelow, Benajah Boardman, Harry QO. Sheldon, Enoch Congor and others appear. These were excellent men, with clear heads and stout hearts, preaching wherever they could find shelter. and often when they could not. They established church organizations, and assisted in the erection of churches all over the county and adjoining counties, They spent their lives in the wilderness sowing good seed, and unconsciously, perhaps, building their own monuments.

Perhaps as early as 1816 or 1817, a Methodist class was formed at the house of John Long. John Murphy was its leader. These were earnest people, and this class continued in existence lone after Methodist churches were erected in different parts of the county. The United Presbyterians, the General Assembly Presbyterians and the German Reformed people held meetings generally at the house of John Concklin until 1819, when they organized a church under the care of the Richland Presbytery, called the "First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth," with forty-two members; and the same year erected a large log meetinglouse on the corner of Peter Ruckman's land, Section 7. The first Elders of this church were John Concklin, Abraham Vanhouten, Levi Bodley and Daniel Gunsaulus. This society was organized at the house of Abraham Vanhouten.

Rey. Mathews was present and aided in the work. ; In 1822 or 1823. there was a division in this church. not on account of any difficulty among the members. but the church had grown rapidly. and a number of members desired to withdraw. feeling themselves sufficiently strong in numbers. and organize a United Presbyterian Church. This they did. and afterward built a house of worship. about two miles southwest of the old log church. Rey. Arbuthnot and Rey. Johnson were among the first members of this church, and the principal movers were Daniel Gunsaulus. William Bodley. Daniel Kirkpatrick and others. The house was a small frame. located on Section 13. and is not now in use. the organization having gone out of existence. The first two or three years after the first settlement here. schools were taught in private houses. and were *select." that is. no public funds were used in their maintenance. there being none to use. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1818. in time for the winter school of 1818-19. It was of logs. and stood upon the land of Daniel Kirkpatrick. Section 8. Robert McKelvey taught here the first winter. and John Webber the second.

This township came very near not having a tewn within its present limits. the present village of Plymouth being about equally divided by the northern line of the township and county, the northern part lying in New Haven Township, Huron County.

There is this somewhat remarkable fact about the early history of the place - it was a town before any one thought of laying out or platting it. It seemed to be the natural place for a town, these things being governed by a law which is secret and subtle in its operations. and not generally understood. yet any violation of it brings sure and certain punishment. as has again and again been demonstrated by the defunct villages all over the country. Generally. towns are planted. as it were. nourished and made to grow: but Plymouth. or Paris. as it was first called. sprang up. grew and developed. like a mushroom in the wilderness. It is located on Beall's military road. Beall moved very slowly in those days: first. he must cut his way through a dense forest. and. secondly. he desired to keep between the settlements and the Indians of the Northwest. His movement was made immediately after Hull's surrender. when it was feared that a British and Indian army would make a raid across the State of Ohio. He took the route that seemed to him best calculated for his purpose. and this happened to be the old Wvandot trail. before mentioned. Gen. Beall moved slowly and camped frequently, and it is not unlikely that after leaving Camp Council (referred to in another chapter). he went into camp again upon reaching the headwaters of the Huron River. at this point. and remained in camp here several davs. A vear after the war. when Abraham Trux and his companions came along this trail. hunting new homes. they came upon this spot. where Beall had camped. and cleared off a few acres of ground. as he would naturally do. and did do at every camping place. They thought this would be a good place to stop and build their cabins. They were hunters and backwoodsmen: game was plenty and the country beautiful, They were likely soon to have neighbors. for this open military road would soon hecome a highway for the incoming emigrants. They were not mistaken; neighbors came to them rapidly. and. within the next ten years. sixteen log-houses sprang up where the village of Plymouth now stands. and as yet. no town was laid out. Besides. the country was being rapidly settled. The emigrants dropped into the little town one by one as the vears went by. and. thinking the country delightful. went into the neighborhood and located lands, Many of these were Connecticut Yankees. with land warrants in their pockets. which called for a certain amount of land on the Connecticut

Reservation. military road to Paris, and then went north "blazing" their way to their farms. Thus it was, before Paris was laid out, there were settlements in every direction, and "blazed trails " leading from the village to these different settlements. It is a remarkable fact, that no less than fourteen or fifteen "blazed trails" led through the woods to as many different settlements, all these trails centering in Paris. They were not roads; they were hardly paths, the blazed trees alone directing the traveler to the "Morris, Green and Van Osdell Settlement," the " White Settlement," the "Gypson and Gardner Settlement," the " Bodley Settlement,' the " Broomback and Swearengen Settlement," the " Bevier Settlement," and "Swan and Smith Settlement," ete.

It seems a little strange that it took ten years of time, and all these settlers and thus cluster of houses, to impress upon the minds of some of the early settlers the necessity of laying out a town; but such seems to be the case, for the village of Paris was not laid out until the 17th day of May, 1825, at which time, as before stated, there were sixteen log houses on its site, occupied by the following settlers: Abraham Trux, Patrick Lynch, Benjamin Wooley, James Young, Enos Rose, Abner Harkness, A. D. W. Bodley, Haslo, John and Henry Barney, Christian Culp, B. F. Taylor, William | C. Enos and Lemuel Powers. These men were generally mechanics, and picked up what work came to the place, by reason of the travel on its great thoroughfare, passing the remainder of their time hunting, trapping and farming.

The town was laid out by Abraham Trux, 'Lemuel Powers and John Barney, on a high, sandy rolling piece of ground, and consisted, at first, of forty-seven in-lots, all of which were sold in less than two years, and additions made which found a ready sale, and Plymouth promised to be a city.

The first blacksmith was Patrick Lynch ; the | first lawyer, William C. Enos ; the first doctor, | Lemuel Powers; the first tailor, Mr. Curtis ; the first shoemakers, John Skinner and W. V. B. Moore ; the first tanner, Hugh Long; the first bricklayer and plasterer, Robert Morfoot (yet living); the first wheelwright, A. D. W. Bodley ; the first cooper, Anthony McLaughlin; the first cabinet-maker, James Drennan; the first carpenters, William Crall, James Dickson and Mr. Gilcrease ; the first merchants, Wilson Brothers, Mathew McKelvey and G. G. Graham.

Very soon after the town was laid out, Abraham Trux erected the grist-mill before mentioned, and also a saw-mill near his house, on a branch of the Huron River. Two distilleries were also erected, one by Lemuel Powers and the other by William McKelvey. These distilleries purchased the corn, which they made into whisky, and therefore created a market for corn, about the only article of produce the farmer could sell. The whisky was hauled to the lake - except what was consumed at home, which was no small quantity - where it found a ready market.

These distilleries were, however, soon discontinued, Mr. McKelvey receiving an injury which disabled him, and Dr. Powers having been converted to the cause of temperance. The

The travel on the military road brought many strangers to the place, and made "taverns" a necessity. Before the place was two years old, three of these institutions existed, kept by James Drennan, Jacob Heller and Mr. Linsay, where the "hog, hominy and whisky,' wild meats-and "corn pone," were plentifully spread before the mud-bespattered stage-drivers and their weary passengers.

and volunteer labor, a comfortable schoolhouse. 22x30 feet square, which was used for a school during week days and a church on Sunday, in which religious people of all denominations gathered for worship. As the Methodists were the most numerous, it was agreed that they should control and take care of the building, but should give way to a reasonable extent to people of other denominations by haying two weeks' notice of the wish on the part of others to use it. This singular arrangement was harmoniously and pleasantly carried out, a$ long as the building lasted, or was needed for that purpose. The Methodists worshiped in this house five or six years, when they erected a frame church on Light street, and, about 1835, they made an addition to this building of twenty feet, and added a belfry, in which was hung the first church bell in this part of the country. In later years, they erected the fine brick building now occupied by them on Sandusky street.

When the town was laid out, the Presbyterians had a large log church (before mentioned), about one and a half miles from town, which they occupied during the summer months, and in the winter shared, with other denominations, the schoolhouse in town, until the Methodist erected their church, when they occasionally used the Methodist Church, until they grew strong enough to build one of their own, which was about the year 1838. They erected a good substantial frame, with stone basement, in' a beautiful and commanding spot on Bucyrus street, which, with some alterations and improvements, they still occupy. This church is strong and well sustained, and for many years has had a large and active Sunday school connected with it. Rev. Mr. Barnes has charge at present. The Methodists are, however, the most numerous religious body in this vicinity. Their organization is large and active, and their Sunday school large and well sustained. Rey. Mr. Ball is the present minister.

About the year 1838 or 1839, the Lutherans erected a substantial church, on Lots 22 and 23. to which some additions have since been made. This church is also active and well sustained, Rey. Miller being Pastor. A large Sunday school is connected with it.

A Congregational church was erected many years ago, on Lots 12 and 13. The society, however, is not numerous, and no services are held in the church at present, neither is there any Sunday school connected with it.

The name of the village being Paris, and the name of the post 'office Plymouth, many mistakes were made in the mail and freight business, and to avoid trouble of this kind, a charter was procured for the town, with the name of Plymouth, in 1838, and the town has been governed by officers elected under that charter to the present time. The first Mayor was Daniel Colckglazer ; the second, Ensign Benschoter, and the third, Robert Wilson.

The first schoolhouse has been referred to, and was called the "Old Red," the first teacher being Mr. Howe, a gentleman of the "old school," who understood and instructed his pupils in that old-fashioned branch of education (now, perhaps unfortunately, gone out of use). called "manners." The second teacher here was Elisha Brown. About the year 1831, Mr. McKelvey, a prosperous merchant, who had a large family of daughters, erected a frame house with two rooms, which he called a female seminary. good education, and was well patronized.

what was known as the " Akron" law, and a fine house, for the times, was erected. It wasa comfortable frame, contained five rooms, and in this, the school was graded. This building served the purpose until 1875, when the present beautiful and substantial structure was erected, and cost about $25,000. It is of stone and brick, and contains nine recitation-rooms and a hall.

Plymouth's first burying-ground was at New Haven, and the first person buried in 'this ground was Mr. Beymer, grandfather of Mrs. Thomas Kinney. The first graveyard in the village was Lot 23. donatgd by Abraham Trux. It soon became apparent that the town would improve around this lot, and it was vacated ; a attend a meeting | called for the purpose of obtaining volunteers for the Mexican war. The same year, a large grain. warehouse was erected at Plymouth, capable of storing 300,000 bushels of wheat, and Plymouth im-

Plymouth High School

== < - == - | | Cemetery Associage tion,' and purchased twentythree acres of land lying near the village, which was laid | out into nine hun- | dred and forty lots, | with drives and walks. grounds have been cultivated and mediately became a great wheat market. As much as 8,000 bushels of wheat were received per day at this warehouse, for several days in succession. From the east, west, and for awhile, from the south, people came great distances to the wheatmarket. Other railroads, after a time, destroyed this trade.

When the call for troops in 1861 flashed over the wires, the five church-bells of Plymouth rang for an hour. The citizens came together, and men within the hearing of the bells came in from the country. In less than three hours, a full company of volunteers was organized and tendered to the Governor by telegram,

The first bank was started in 1839, by Messer Barker, who did a banking business in connection with his mercantile business, and continued to do so until his death in 1859 ; after which Robert McDonough and S. M. Robinson did the banking business for Plymouth until 1870, when the former opened a regular bank of discount and deposit, and continued until hisdeath in May, 1873. Soon after, the First National Bank was organized by John Devinney, Henry ©. Breckenridge, H. P. Steutz, E. Sturges, Sr., of Mansfield, T. B. Tucker. and facturing power consists of eleven steam engines and one water-wheel. The secret societies are the Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Tem- Plymouth Village, called the Plymouth Journal, | plars, Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum. in the old "Peninsular" building, which has | There are two hotels, five dry-goods stores, two been for many years occupied as a photograph | clothing and five grocery 'stores, four millinery gallery. In 1853, he establishments, two hardothers. business. In 1851, E. H. Sanford started a paper in | ter, who conducted it a short time, and sold out to Robinson & Locke (the latter generally known as Petroleum V. Nasby), who changed the name of the paper to Plymouth Advertiser. In 1859, the concern was purchased by A. H. Balsley, now publisher of a paper in Fremont,Ohio. Baisley conducted it until January, 1864, when he sold out to J. M. Beelman, who afterward took his brother, J. Frank Beelman, into partnership, and together they conducted the paper until 1876, when J. M. Beelman

Bank, Plymouth

Generally considered, Plymouth is a_ pretty, 'clean, healthy village. The intelligence of its citizens is of a high order, and the society excellent. There are an unusual number of old people living in and near the village, which speaks well for the healthiness of the locality. It belongs properly to the Western Reserve, of which the lamented Bayard Taylor, the greatest of American travelers, once said that no other place on the globe of equal extent could equal it in intelligence.

Chapter Lvi

Irs Primitive ConpiTIoN - Crawrorp's Marca - Hvntina Grocnp - Earty SEerTLers AND SETTLEMENTS - THE 'Riptet Hovse'' - Mrs. HisNER AND THE BEAR - ORGANIZATION OF THE TownsHIP - First Execrion -

Township maintained its primitive condition until about 1817, before any permanent white settler made his appearance. The first white men to press the soil of the township, so 'far as is definitely and positively known, were the armed, belted and buckskinned knights under Col. William Crawford, in 1782, as they went silently, swiftly and with grim determination to battle, death and disaster on the Sandusky plains. They halted at Spring Mills over night, and in the morning took a pretty direct course west, crossing the township very near the site of Crestline, but probably a little north of that place, striking the Sandusky River near Leesville. This was a good hunting ground for the Wyandots and Delawares; a chief of the latter tribe, Wingenund, having his camp for many years on the river near Leesville. Col.- Crawford was captured near the latter place. This was a beautiful home for these red men ; the beautiful sparkling little streams, the plains stretching away for many miles, surrounded by deep, dark forests, full of game of every kind, and dotted over by little clumps of trees ; all made a paradise which they were loathe to relinquish, and only relinquished after years of hard fighting and much bloodshed and suffering. The remorseless white man, however, was determined to possess this beautiful country, and, being superior in numerical and intellectual strength, succeeded.

grounds in the State. All kinds of wild game was so plenty that the hunter could supply his table with meat almost without stepping outside his cabin door; had it not been for this, they would have suffered greatly for provisions the first two years, as but little could be planted the first year, on account of the difficulty of making an opening in the great woods, and, before the first crop of corn grew to maturity, says Mr. Snyder, one of the earliest settlers, "the squirrels came by hundreds and thousands and took it all."

It is a difficult matter to get the names and locations of the earliest settlers in the township, as nearly all have gone to their long homes or moyed away ; but the following persons were among the earliest settlers, and, it is believed, were the earliest in the township. Some of these settled in what is now Crawford County, but some are known to have settled within the present limits of Sandusky Town- The first were Christian Snyder and Jacob Fisher, who came in 1817, and settled about two miles southwest of the present town of Crestline. Following these were John Doyle, 1818; Joseph Russell, 1818 ; Louis Lyberger, 1819; Daniel Miller, 1818 ; Henry Hersner, 1819, and John Reed, 1818. Of these, Louis Ly berger and Henry Hersner are knewn to have settled within the present limits of Sandusky Township, probably 'on Section 23. The first settlement, therefore, occurred near the center of the township. The others settled in what is now Crawford County ; and the territory now embraced in that county when he came. The first settlement east of them was the Douglas settlement in Springfield Township, and, when they started west from this settlement, on their arrival. they were compelled to cut a road for their teams to the land they had entered.. This was the second road cut through the township. the soldiers on their march in 1812 having cut the first through the northern part. This was the only road for many years, but was finally abandoned. A few of these settlers came from Western Pennsylyania, and the remainder from near Steubenville, Ohio.

The early settlers who arrived after those named were Mordecai Harding. Section 36 ; Daniel Riblet,came in 1831 and settled on Seetion 25; John Brookwalter. Section 26; Christopher Pletcher, Section 25: Jacob Haflich, 1828, Section 24; George Johnson. Section 13, 1820 ; Carson, Section 13: Andrew Taylor, Section 1; Rey. Culler. Section 13; George Walters, Section 12. The Hardings and Sny- | ders were among the first settlers in the southern part of the township. Daniel Riblet was a prominent man in the township and county ; was Justice of the Peace eighteen years and served two terms in the Legislature - from 1840 to 1844. He was from Union County, Penn., and died November 6.1865. For many years, he kept what was well known as the Riblet House, at a point onthe Mansfield & Bucyrus read, about half-way between Ontario and Galion. This was a stopping-place for the stages. The house was first built of logs, afterward a frame was added. It is yet standing and is occupied as a dwelling. A post office was established here while the stages were running - one of the first, if not the first. in the township; and the militia musters frequently occurred here, making it altogether an important point.

and seven. An Indian trail ran across the township. east and west. very close to their house. Mr. Snyder says it was about the width of a sheep-path. and many times he has seen parties of Wyandots on this trail. passing along in single file. and whfle thus on the march. he never knew them to speak a word to each other, or make the slightest noise. They never disturbed the new settlers, but often divided their venison with them. The Indians and white settlers both made large quantities of maple sugar every year.

Among the early settlers, also, was a family by the name of Hibner, and the bear story, handed down by this 'family. is illustrative of the condition of the township in those early days. They lived. as did everybody in those times, in a log house, with an immense chimney occupying most of one end. One day. while Mr. Hibner was away from home and Mrs. H. was busy about her work, she heard a noise near the chimney. and, looking around, was horrified to see the great, black paw of a bear. reaching through an opening beside the chimney. The opening was caused by one of the chimney stones having become loosened and rolled to one side. She had placed her babe upon the floor, on a blanket, near the fire, and the bear was endeavoring to reach it. Fortunately it was beyond its reach, and the mother was very quick to remove it still farther away, Finding his chances for a dinner had disappeared, bruin moved away. . Many such stories are remembered by these early pioneers. but space forbids the mention of them. It is not the paws of a bear that troubles the mother of to-day, but croup and kindred diseases. that must have come with civilization, for they were not known in those early days.

The township was organized February 12. 1818, and at that time was twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. and included Vernon. Jackson, Polk (the two last in

Crawford County). and what is now left of it. It remained in that shape until March 9, 1845. when it was divided. and the north half called Vernon, Jeaving Sandusky six miles square. in which shape it should have been allowed to remain ; but when the rage for county seats grew toan uncontrollable extent. and Crawford County was formed, February 3, 1845. four tiers of sections from the west side of this township were cut off and handed over to Crawford. leaving a strip two miles wide remaining of Sandusky. In their cutting and slashing' to get the new county, two sections immediately south of Sandusky were left unprovided for, and these were consequently attached to the southern end of it. making the township seven miles long from north to south, and two miles wide. in which condition it has ever since remained. The only town in it is East Crestline. It has three railroads, the Atlantic & Great Western passing through near its center. and the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago, and Cleveland. Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis. through the northern part. The land is generally gently rolling, all tillable, and very fertile. It was once densely wooded with all species of hard wood, but now contains beautiful and well cultivated farms. There are no streams of size within its limits, though Clear Fork near its 'sources passes through the southern portion, and the headwaters of the. 'Sandusky River. through the northern part. There is not sufficient water-power in these for milling purposes. consequently there were no water-mills in the township in an early day; the settlers going to Bellville for their grinding. Later, two horsemills were erected, one by McQuade, in the southern part, and one by Snyder further north. Hominy blocks were in general use before this.

scholars. He was an ignorant German. and did little good. Russell's schoolhouse. south of the present village of Crestline. was one of the earliest. if not the earliest. in the township.

My. Snyder says the third year of their residence in the woods. a terrific windstorm blew down their house and barn, and destroyed their growing crops. besides making great havoc in the timber.

Two churches have at present an organized existence within the limits of the township. The first one of these was erected by the Free-Will Baptists. about 1850. on Section 36, in the Harding settlement. It is a small frame church. Harvey Day, Samuel Nestlerode, Mr. Reese and some others were among the first organizers and influential members. This organization went to pieces for some reason. and the church remained unoccupied for some years. In 1877. it was taken possession of by the " Albrights," who organized a church of which Jacob Lohr. Phillip Corman, John Morton and others were the organizers. Rey. Hawks was their first minister. A Sabbath school is connected with the church, which is kept up the entire year.

The other church, called Riblet's Chapel. was erected near the old Riblet Tavern, about or before 1860. It is a Methodist Episcopal, and cost about $800.

It was erected by the Lutherans, and during the first years of its existence was used by all denominations. In later years, however. it became exclusively the property of the Methodists. Rev. Coon was one of its first Pastors, and a few of its early influential members were Daniel Riblet. Jacob Haflich and John Wein. The Methodists organized about January, 1876. The present Pastor is J. H. Johnson; membership, about thirty. A Sunday school was organized in 1876. John Riblet is Superintendent, with a membership of fifty.

It looks as if Sandusky should follow the, lead of townships north of her and take a slice from Springfield on the east, to compensate her for loss of territory and make her equal in extent to the others. The name Sandusky comes from the Wyandots - their Sah-wn-dus-kee meaning "clear water;" or their San-dovus-ter, "at the cold water ;" and their Sa-wndustec. " water within water pools.' The latter signification is peculiarly applicable to Sandusky Bay and the extensive marshes on its borders. which are intersected in many directions by pools and channels of open water. The French traders. who were on the banks of the Sandusky River years before any other white men. called it Sandusquet.

Sharon

Blooming Grove, February 9, 1819, and included one-half the territory now within the boundaries of Jackson Township. In the rage for county seats, which reduced Richland County to its present limits, Sharon was reduced to its present size, four by six miles, in the western and northern part of the county.

Next to Madison, it contains the largest town in the county, Shelby. The land is all tillable and of fine quality. The eastern portion is well watered by the Black Fork and its tributaries, which traverse its entire length, from south to north ; and Paramour Run, which passes from east to west across the southwest corner.

Near its center, running north and south, the land is elevated, forming the dividing ridge between the head-waters of the Muskingum and those of the Sandusky River. The larger part of the township slopes gently to the north.

Two railroads, the Cleveland. Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, and the Mansfield. Coldwater & Lake Michigan pass diagonally across it; crossing each other near its center.

'A well-worn Indian trail passed across the township, its general direction being northeast. in the direction of Lower Sandusky (Fremont). The Delaware, Wyandot and Seneca Indians generally used this territory as a hunting ground; and a portion of one of these tribes had a permanent camp on a branch of the Black Fork, about two miles, a little west of south of the present town of Shelby. This camp. consisting of ten or a dozen Indians, under the lead of Johnnycake, remained here until about the year 1828, when they left, never to return. A trail passed through this encampment. from Mansfield to a Delaware camp (probably Wingenund's) on the head-waters of the Sandusky River, near Leesville. So far as known. this was the only permanent Indian camp within the limits of the township. though evidence exists, here and there. of temporary camps for hunting purposes. The great wave of the sea of civilization has long since blotted out all external evidences of Indian occupation. except here and there the plow yet turns up some curiously shaped stone implement, which speaks, in its silent way, of "that exiled race." Probably the first road opened by white men into the wilderness of Sharon, followed this Indian trail from Mansfield, and was cut by Uriah Matson and the Currans, who were among the first settlers in what is now Jackson Township. However, about the same time, or soon after, a road was cut from Beall's trail to Ganges, and from there into the northern part of

The following, regarding the early settlement, appeared some years ago in the Shelby News, written, it is understood, by Mr. Rockwell, of that place :

"Tbe first settlers within the present limits of Sharon Township were Eli Wilson, Henry Whitiney and Stephen Marvin, who came in the fall of 1818. Mr. Wilson's cabin was erected on the east side of South Gamble street, on the second lot south from the west side of the public square. It is perhaps the highest point of land in Shelby, with a gentle slope toward the Black Fork, that immediately south sweeps around to the east, before turning on its northward course through Shelby.

"Mr. Marvin erected his cabin on the same day, near the present Marvin mansion, at the crossing of the Cleveland, Columbus & Indiana Central Railroad, at Gamble street. Between the two, on the west side of Gamble street, and near the northwest corner of Gamble and Mill streets, Mr. Whitney erected his cabin.

"The country was then a wilderness - heavily timbered, with thick underbrush, beneath which, in springtime, magnificent wild flowers bloomed, giving the forest a delightful appearance.

"At this time - 1818 - there were no settlements west of Shelby, and beyond lay the Wyandot Reservation, on which the Indians roamed at will. The Wyandots, Delawares, Senecas, Mohicans, and other Indian tribes, inhabited the region to the west of these hardy settlers, and paid them frequent friendly visits.

"At one time, while these families were enjoying the hospitalities of Giles Swan, a still earlier pioneer, residing within the bounds of what is now Jackson Township, before they had been enabled to clear away enough of the forest on which to erect their respective cabins, a band of ten or twelve Indians came to the residence of Mr. Swan, several of whom were well known to him. One was named "Jacob," and another of them "Williams," the latter being quite intelligent, speaking English quite well.

"The Indians had been well supplied with ' fire-water, as were also all those early settlers. After the usual greetings were exchanged, and the bottle passed, both whites and Indians drinking therefrom, and getting a little warmed up, it was proposed that the Indians give an exhibition of the war dance. At first, they objected, alleging a want of preparation, paint, feathers, etc., but finally consented. A fire was kindled in the open space before the cabin. One old Indian took a seat on a log, and being furnished with a clapboard, which he placed on his knees, he commenced a song in the Indian language, keeping time on the clapboard with his knife and hatchet, while the others ranged themselves around the fire, commenced the war dance, yelling like demons, gesticulating furiously, and leaping around in the most grotesque and violent manner.

"The subject of the Indian song, as he informed the settlers, was the ancient exploits of his tribe in war, and their triumphs over their enemies. It was, in fact, an epic poem in the Indian vernacular, and, although no doubt far | below our standard in point of merit, yet it is

" After the Indians had concluded their dance, they proposed that the whites should dance in their fashion, and they would join. Accordingly the whites formed ' on the floor, to dance the 'French four. Two Indians danced, one with Miss Moyer, the mother of the late Mrs. Stephen Marvin, and the other with Mrs. Swan. The Indians unexpectedly proved to be very graceful dancers. After each dance, the bottle was freely passed around, and the dance was kept up until the wee sma' hours of morning. The music was furnished by the white women, who sang the tunes.

"This incident occurred at a cabin near the cross-roads, two miles east of Shelby, and is here given as an illustration of early times in the history of our pioneers, and was vouched for as entirely correct, by some of those who were witnesses to it.

"The forest abounded in game of all kinds, especially deer and turkeys. The Indians were constantly passing and repassing, on the 'trail' leading from an Indian town on the lower Black Fork to Lower Sandusky, and on smaller trails from the cabins of settlers, to the road leading from Ganges to Mansfield. They traded with the early settlers for venison and furs, taking blacksmith work and 'necessaries' in exchange therefor.

"The Indians also engaged in other amusements with the whites, such as running footraces with them, locking fingers and pulling to see which could hold out the longest. The whites could usually outrun the Indians for a short distance, but the latter could hold out the longest, while the whites invariably proved the strongest in their fingers. No murders were committed by the Indians in this vicinity.

"When John Gamble came, he erected a horse-mill on the corner where the Kerr & Marvin Block now stands. Levi Bargaheiser, the late Jay Smiley and others soon followed."

Though the early settlers of Sharon. as well as the larger part of Richland County, came mostly from Western Pennsylvania, yet a small } " sprinkling" were New England people. The * Reserve" in Northern Ohio, at that time owned by the State of Connecticut, was the means of bringing large numbers of Connecticut " Yankees," with their peculiar ways and indomitable push and energy, passion for money-getting and enterprise, to Ohio. These people did not all settle on Connetticut lands, but pushed on into the northern townships of Richland County, and the northern part of Sharon received a small portion of them. The Whitneys, Marvins, Swans, Wilsons, Smileys, and probably the Rockwells, Hunters and others, were all from New England, and were among the earljest settlers. These people were intelligent, generally well educated, and formed a valuable ingredient in the first settlement of the township.

Among the early settlers were Christopher Wetz, John Rice, Joseph Cox and John Kerr, the latter of whom erected the first blacksmithshop in the township in 1826, and later erected two of the first mills.

When the township was organized, in 1819, all the residents met at the house of Mrs. Rockwell, which stood on the farm now owned by M. M. Barber. Fourteen persons were present, and after the petition was duly signed they appointed Mr. Henry Taylor to present it to the Commissioners at Mansfield. The petition was granted, and the new township named Sharon, after some town in Connecticut. At the election held in April, 1823. fourteen voters were present, viz.: Giles H. Swan, John B. Taylor. Joseph Curran, Eli Wilson, Almon Hayes. Harvey Camp, Henry Whitney, Mathew Curran, James Smith, Adam Swan, James Kerr, James Rockwell, Levi Bargaheiser and De Lanson Rockwell, most of whom resided within the present limits of Jackson Township. From these fourteen persons, seventeen officers were chosen. Two Democratic, or, as then called,

The elections were originally held for Sharon as they are now for Jackson, at Taylor's Corners. Henry Taylor's house was the place of public meetings, elections and militia trainings. In an early day, long before the town of Shelby was thought of, the trail before mentioned was cut from Mansfield along the Indian trail, which followed up the Rocky Fork, and diverging near Spring Mill, crossed to the head-waters of the Black Fork, up which it followed to where Shelby is now located, and continuing on north, connected with Beall's trail at Plymouth. About 1815 or a little later, a road was also cut by the early settlers, diverging from Beall's trail near Shenandoah, passing through Trucksville, to the present site of Shelby. This road probably followed an Indian trail part of the way. This Indian trail was a branch of the main trail (the "trunk line,"), which followed the general course of the Black Fork for a short distance, and was the great highway of the Indians between their villages on the Sandusky River and Plains to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh). This branch trail left the main trail near the northern line of Franklin Township, and taking a course a little south of west, passed through the present site of Shelby, and on to the Delaware town on the head-waters of the Sandusky River, near Leesville. The crossing of these two roads at Shelby probably had an influence in determining its location. Along this trail came the early settlers of the northern part of Jackson and Franklin Townships, and also the Marvins, Wilsons and Whitneys, who settled in the northern part of Sharon. | Other settlers from Western Pennsylvania came along the road from Mansfield, hence at the point on the Black Fork where Shelby now stands, these Western emigrants met, and here a settlement sprang up.

the corner now occupied by Kerr & Marvin's drug store. Dr. Bushnell, of Mansfield, says he was often called to attend the pioneers in the vicinity of Shelby, in their sickness, and long before any town was laid out the place was known as "Gamble's Mill." The mill was built of logs and run by horse-power. Those who brought grists to this mill usually ground it themselves. They would hitch their horses or oxen to the sweep, grind their grist, and bolt . it by hand. Gamble purchased the land upon which he erected his mill and cabin, of Eli Wilson, who had entered it. The Gambles were intelligent people and good citizens. Hugh Gamble, a brother of John, is yet living near Shelby, at an advanced age. He was a member of the Legislature, and a man of strength and influence. Among the earliest settlers gathered about Gamble's Mill, were Mr. Raymond, Leonard May, Rev. Hubbard Du Bois, and a family by the name of Gump.

Gen. Wilson erected the first saw-mill on the Black Fork, about the time Gamble erected his grist-mill. This sa'w-mill was in operation many years.

John Kerr came to Sharon in 1826, settling on Section 29, where, in 1829, he erected a grist-mill, and afterward, in 1833, a saw-mill. David Kerr was the first miller in the gristmill. It was destroyed by fire in 1875.

He first erected a horse-mill in the southeastern part of the township, and afterward two water-mills, one of which was located on what is now the Post farm. These mills were in operation a number of years.

In 1839, John A. Duncan erected a grist-mill on the Black Fork, at Shelby. It was propelled by water at first, but steam was afterward added. It ran only about ten or twelve years. The same building is now used as a carriage factory by Sheffler & Barkdall.

about 1844, by McMillen & Lowery. It is propelled by steam, and always did a large business and excellent work. Its capacity is two to three hundred bushels of wheat per day.

The "Junction Mill,' one of the largest in Northern Ohio, was erected about 1870, and is located at the junction of the two railroads, The mill was erected by Morse, Anderson & Co. It is now conducted by Messrs. Fish & Storer, and has a capacity of more than one thousand bushels of wheat per day. The quality of flour produced by this mill, is not, probably, excelled by any in the country, and the mill is continually run to its fullest capacity.

"The town of Shelby was laid out by John Gamble, in June, 1834, as appears from the original plat on file. The lots laid out by him were all south of Main street - number one being that on which the Mickey Block now stands. Afterward, Henry Whitney laid out that part of the town north of Main and south of Mill streets. About twenty years later, Mr. Eli Wilson laid out "Kast Shelby" in part, to which additions were made until it reached its present proportions.

" A post office was established in 1828, and John Gamble was the first Postmaster. It was called at first Gamble's Mills. At what particular time the name was changed to Shelby, the

1840. The town was called Shelby in honor of Gov. Shelby. of Kentucky, who had rendered valuable services in the Indian wars preceding the first settlement of the whites. It was suggested by Mr. Charles C. Post, who then resided within the village.

laid out, was erected by a Dr. Byers, on Lot No. 1, where the Mickey Block now stands. It was a hewed-log cabin, about 16x24 feet, and was used by him as a doctor's office. The next was a schoolhouse, mentioned elsewhere, on the opposite side of the street, north; while the next was on the east side of Gamble street, where the 'Union Block, now stands, erected by John A. Duncan, and was occupied as a 'tavern.' Thus were the west side 'Four Corners ' first occupied. 'Four Corners,' was the name by which the embryo village was known for miles around.

"During the three years succeeding the first settlement, the influx of new settlers continued, so that a school was needed. The schoolhouse was accordingly erected in 1821, over the run, as it was then called, and somewhere near the present residence of Mr. F. Dennis, in 'Texas.' It was a log-cabin schoolhouse, as were all the buildings then erected. Miss Debby Moyer, the grandmother of Hiram Marvin, now residing in Shelby, was the teacher. The terms fixed were '9 shillings per week and board herself.' During the second term of the school, the cabin was burned, and a new site was selected, on the northwest corner of Main and Gamble streets, opposite the Mickey Block. The building erected here, like its predecessor, was a log served the purpose until 1831, when it, too, became the victim of fire. The third and last one of the log-cabin series was on the spot where now stands the barn of Mrs. Benjamin Arten.

upon the 'west road.' Accordingly, in 1835, Jay Smiley, Esq., granted a free lease of ground on the corner of North and Gamble streets, on the spot where the residence of J. J. Smiley now stands, for a schoolhouse, and a frame building was erected thereon. The building is still standing, having been sold within the past few years to Mr. John Schmidt, who now resides in it, on the east side of West street. Into this building, when completed, were moved the desks and five-legged benches formerly in the old one.

"The desks were arranged around the walls on the inside in true primitive style. In this 'new' schoolhouse first appeared a tin-plate stove, instead of the more primitive fire-place. That particular stove was cast at the 'Mary Ann Furnace,' wherever that was.

"Time in this, as in many other things, made constant warfare on things of the past, and soon the old-fashioned slab seats and desks gave way to the more modern desks and seats

'combined. Finally, a blackboard, a ten-days wonder in its time, came into vogue, and for a long time it was thought a wonderful feat to walk up to that, work a 'sum' and demonstrate the same upon it.

"From that still comparatively early date to the year 1850, but little improvement was noticeable in the schools. About that time, the question of taxation of property in support of public schools was agitated. The Legislature, during the years 1851-52-53, passed the Ohio free-school law, considered by many eminent educators the best in the Union, dating from May 3, 1853.

- over the west side, a new schoolhouse became necessary, and was accordingly erected in 1849 on the site now occupied by the Christian Church, near the corner of Broadway and Depot streets,

"Tn 1855, the town had grown to such an extent that two new schoolhouses were made necessary, and the buildings now used for primary and secondary school purposes were erected at a cost of sbout $1,400 each, and the older schoolhouses were disposed of for other purposes.

"Another ten years rolled around, and in 1864, a central or high-school building became a necessity. Gen. Eli Wilson offered to sell the site for that purpose, on which, since that date, has been erected the new brick edifice.

"Following the erection of this, came grading of the schools, Excelsior having been early written upon the banner of Shelby educators. Though imperfect at first, this finally culminated in the present admirable system adopted in 1869, the Board heing then composed of Hiram Marvin, 8. S. Bloom and George W. Billow, who passed the following resolution :

"«¢ Any scholar completing the course of study prescribed shall be entitled to a certificate of graduation, since which time, a number of Shelby pupils have secured the honor of graduates of the Shelby High School.

"The enumeration of youth in Shelby between the ages of five and twenty-one years, rose from 304 in 1857, to 523 in 1864. In1874, it had increased to 615.

" At present, there are ten teachers and one superintendent, and about five hundred pupils in daily attendance in the schools of Shelby. At.an election held March 22, 1880, the Board of Education was increased in number from three to six members.

"The final improvement in the system of Shelby schools was the erection of the large brick edifice which now stands out in bold relief among the many handsome buildings which grace the streets of Shelby.

"On June 26,1872, while Messrs. H. 8. Close, Hiram Marvin and N. H. Loose composed the Board of Education, a proposition was submitted a second time, after having once before

Of Richland Counts

"Preparations were immediately made, and the work on the building commenced about October 1, 1874, and it was finally completed, about January 1, 1876.

"The building is 82 feet 8 inches long, 67 feet deep, and the walls are 42 feet 8 inches high, above the ground. A recess at each side, the same width as the hall in the center, permits light and ventilation at three sides of every room. It has two gable ends to the front, and one at each side, giving it quite an imposing appearance, its size being considered.

"The contract was originally let to Messrs. Woodward & Son for $22,999. but a few extras run it up to $24,173.69. The furnaces, seats, bell, ete., brought up the cost to $26,082.16.

"Tt was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, January 17, 1876, and was occupied the next day. One of the speakers upon that occasion said, that now the foundation had been laid for substantial progress in schools for the next quarter of a century, and splendid results might be expected. The buildings, he claimed, exemplified the character of the community - the second floor, west side, is the grand assembly-room, 17 feet' high in the clear, occupying the whole west side of the building, capable of seating about 600 persons.

Shelby High School

"Mr. H. M: Dick volunteered to act as architect and superintendent of construction free of charge, and to him is the village no little indebted for the substantial manner in which it was erected, as well as to Messrs. Hiram to many college rooms, also occupying nearly the whole east side, a recitation-room, and Superintendent's room, only, taken from it. . "The building is plainly but substantially built. The base, 8 feet in the clear, is built of cut stone, on which rests the substantial brick wall, nearly 35 feet high. It is warmed by two furnaces, placed in the basement, where are also several nicely paved play-rooms. Each schoolroom is well ventilated, and heated by several registers in each, while abundant light flows in at three sides of each room from numerous windows. Each also has a wash and cloak room attached. The rooms are seated

The first "meeting-house" in Shelby and Sharon Townships was the old log Methodist, located on Jay Smiley's land within the present limits of Shelby; and the first preacher was the well-known Harry O. Sheldon. Russell Bigelow was also one of the earliest preachers here. ' These two men went about all over this section of the State establishing churches and preaching to the pioneers whenever and wherever they could get two, three or more together.

Mr. Smiley donated ground and was influential in erecting the church. This building was erected about 1820, and answered the purpose until 1842, when the present frame building was erected, on the corner of Gamble and North streets. The present Pastor is Dr. A. Nelson, and the membership about two hundred.

A Sunday school was organized about 1834, by Charles Post, who was the first Superintendent. This school has been continued ever since, and at present the attendance is about one hundred and fifty. Dr. J. M. Ballard is Superintendent.

Up to 1854, this class belonged to what was known as the " Plymouth Circuit ;' after that, it became part of "Shelby Circuit," consisting of Shelby, Pleasant Grove and Mount Pleasant. In 1863, it became a station.

The Presbyterian Church of Shelby is located on South Broadway. It had its origin at Taylor's Corners in Jackson Township, and was among the first organizations in that part of the county. The first meetings of this society were held about the year 1822 or 1823, at the cabin of Mr. Smith. Five persons beside Mr. Smith attended this meeting ; these were Mr. Camp, John Kerr, John M. McClintock, Mr. Cummins and Aaron Rambo. These petitioned the Presbytery for an organization, which was granted. This little society heard preaching occasionally at the cabins of its members, but was not regularly organized until 1831. At that date, they met in the Methodist log church

About this time, or a little later, they erected a log church on John Kerr's farm, but for some reason did not occupy it, and in 183+ erected a frame church near the site of the present building. They were unable to finish this church |

Their ministers, after Wolff, were Rey. Willam Mathews, in 1834; Nathaniel Cobb, 1836; Robert Lee, 1837. From 1838 to 1841, they were only occasionally supplied. Luther Dodd came to them in 1841, dividing his time for six years between this and the church at Rome, and giving his entire time to this church for three years more. Mr. Dodd went away in 1851, after which the pulpit was supplied occasionally by John M. Ferris, Luke Dorland and |

The third religious society in Sharon Township, and the first outside of the town of Shelby, was the Evangelical Lutheran, at present located on Section 11, two and a half miles west of Shelby.

The earliest meetings of this society were held in the cabin of Mr. Hocksmith, about the year 1830. In May, 1832, the church was organized by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who is yet living and preaching. During the same year, the society erected a log church, which stood until 1856, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $2,000.

The first Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shelby was established nearly thirty years after the Myer's church, and both are, at present, under the pastoral care of Rev. D. Summers.

This church is located on the east side of North Broadway, and was organized January 31, 1860, by Rev. A. R. Brown. The first members of this organization were S. 8. Bloom, John Hershiser, Sr., Abraham Bushey, Cornelius Fox, John Souder. Jacob Fletcher, Samuel Hershiser, Henry Bistline, John Hershiser, Jr., Elizabeth Bistline, Sarah Hershiser, Susan B. Martin, and Christina Bombaugh.

These members were mostly withdrawn from the society at Loudon. They organized and held services in the German Reformed Church, 'at Shelby, until 1867, when they erected the present building at a cost of $6,000.

The Pastors have been A. R. Brown, D. Summers, J. F. Shearer, D. I. Foust, and D. Summers for a second time. The present membership of this church is 112.

The Sunday school was organized about 1863, and now has an average attendance of seventyfive or eighty members. S. 8. Bloom has generally been Superintendent.

A Universalist Church was erected in Shelby in 1847. The principal members were Lemuel M- Raymond, Edwin Raymond, H. B. Gailord, Stephen Marvin, Levi Bargaheiser and A. B. Minnerly. The ministers were Rev. George R.

The present United Brethren Church of Shel- | by, located on Washington street, was erected about 1857, and organized some years before by the Revs. Berry and Barlow.

The ministers who followed those above mentioned were Gideon Hoover, D. W. Downey, William Mathews, Rev. Long, Rev. Bender, O. H. Ramsey, Thomas Downey and Rev. O. H. Brake, the present minister.

The Church of Christ (Disciple) of Shelby, is located on Broadway, and was organized in September, 1858, by Elder Benjamin Lockhart. Before this, however, meetings had been held in the house of " Father Alleman."

MeMillen and wife, and Jacob Cline and wife. These four individuals soon succeeded in getting thirty-one names, with which the organization was effected.

Stannard, Israel Belton, Henry Reeves, J. 8. Hughes, C. W. Loose, E. A. Bosworth, John W. Lowe, J. 8S. Lowe, S. E. Spencer, L. R. Gault and the present minister, A. Burns. The present membership is 105.

The year following the erection of the church, a Sunday school was organized. Dr. ©. Mc- Millen was the first Superintendent. It yetcontinues in a prosperous and healthy condition,

The first members of this organization were Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritshlin, Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman, Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley, Gottleib Schuble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris Keller, Mr. Ebner, Mr. Hinsky, Frederick Christen, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bomgardner.