Ross Township (part 2 of 2)

Several of his brothers and sisters had come to America some years previous, and settled in Virginia, where many of their descendants are yet residing. Isaac stopped in Pennsylvania until the Spring of 1776, when the war with Great Britain commenced, and he entered the service. He was enrolled in Colonel Morgan's rifle regiment, and from that time to the end of the war bore an honored and distinguished part. The first, or about the first, active service in which Anderson engaged was at Bemis Heights, between the American army under General Gates, and the British army under General Burgoyne. Colonel Morgan's regiment was detached to observe the movements of the enemy and to harass them as they advanced. The battle was long and bloody, and a dozen times in the day the result was doubtful. Darkness terminated the battle, and the Americans withdrew, but the defeat was equal to a victory. The second battle in which Mr. Anderson participated was fought on the 7th of October following. This battle was also a long and sanguinary conflict, and the result was entirely favorable to the Americans. Isaac Anderson, was also present at the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne at Saratoga, which took place October 16, 1777. In December, 1777, during the time the British occupied Philadelphia, and while Congress held their sessions at Yorktown, the regiment to which Mr. Anderson belonged happened to be on a scouting expedition, when, on the 10th of the month, they fell in with a British regiment on a similar service. A skirmish ensued, during which Mr. Anderson was severely wounded by a musket-ball, which passed in at one cheek and out the opposite side, carrying away some of his teeth and a part of his jaw-bone. The wound injured the sight of one of 'his eyes, and made a scar which he carried through life. Mr. Anderson was supposed to be dead, and was left on the field. In the morning the British found him and carried him to the hospital, where he finally recovered.

When the British evacuated Philadelphia, on the morning of the 18th of June, 1778, Mr. Anderson feigned himself extremely ill, and was left behind in his berth in the hospital, by the connivance of a friend, who

The British, after leaving Philadelphia, followed by General Washington, fought a severe battle on the 28th of June, 1778, at Monmouth Court-house. Mr. Anderson often stated that in this battle he discharged his rifle with aim thirty-two times. In 1781 we find him engaged with General George Rogers Clark, on his expedition to the Falls of the Ohio. In this command he held the office of lieutenant in Captain Shannon's regiment. Many hair-breadth escapes occurred on this expedition. During his journey he kept a diary, which is still preserved in the family and contains much authentic information.

In November, 1788, Isaac Anderson was married to Euphemia Moorehead, eldest daughter of Fergus Moorehead, who had also been a soldier in the Revolution. Fergus Moorehead was the father of Joseph Moorehead, who received an ensign's commission, and marched to the West with the army under General St. Clair. In 1791 Mr. Anderson was offered a position as commander of a company fitting out to march against the Indians in the North-west, under the command of General St. Clair, but, being previously engaged by the Holland Land Company to make surveys in Western Pennsylvania, declined.

In the Winter of 1795-6, he, with his family, emigrated to the West, settling in Cincinnati, then a small village of log cabins, including about fifty rough, unfinished frame houses with stone chimneys.

In 1801 the United States first offered for sale the lands west of the Great Miami. Mr. Anderson remembered the beautiful rich bottoms of the Miami, which he had previously seen when on his way to Detroit, and resolved to make a purchase. He accordingly purchased a section of land above the mouth of Indian Creek, on which he commenced a clearing, and in 1812 removed with his family from Cincinnati, and settled on the farm, where he remained until his death, on the 18th of December, 1839, aged eighty-one years and nine months. His wife died at the old homestead August 26, 1851, aged eighty years and eleven months. Both lie in the Venice burying-ground.

They had born to them eleven children, six sons and five daughters. All but one grew up, married, and raised large families. Robert was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., September 14, 1789. He married Rachel Bunnel, June 16, 1811, and settled on a farm of' his father's. In March, 1828, when engaged in locating the Hamilton basin, he was attacked with bilious fever and died on the 19th of June of the same year.

Jane, the eldest daughter of Isaac Anderson, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., on the 6th of August, 1791, and on the 30th of April, 1812, intermarried with

George Dick, a son of an old pioneer of the country. Her husband died on the 2d of September, 1828, leaving a widow and seven children, who all grew up to maturity and are respectably settled in this neighborhood. The widow of George Dick married again to Judge Nehemiah Wade, a gentleman residing in the vicinity. Margaret Anderson, the third daughter, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., January 17, 1795, and on the 29th of July, 1817, married William Moore, a carpenter and joiner by trade, and a master workman. Mr. Moore died at Hamilton on the 2d of January, 1835. Fergus Anderson, the second oldest son, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 14, 1797.

Susan Anderson, the second daughter, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1793, and on the 18th of August, 1814, was married to James Boal, a hatter by trade, who opened a shop and carried on his business in Hamilton. Mrs. Boal was killed by a stroke of lightning, as also were two of her children and Mrs. Perrine, on the 5th of April, 1826. James Boal died near Reading, Hamilton County, Ohio, of cholera, in 1835.

William Anderson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 26, 1808, and was married to Miss Hannah Millikin, a daughter of Samuel Millikin, March 26, 1833. Mrs. Anderson died soon afterward, and he married again, to Miss Mary Jackson, October 30, 1838. He died on the 5th of August, 1845.

James Anderson, the youngest son, was born in Cincinnati, on the 12th of December, 1810, and on the 14th of October, 1841, was married to Hannah Margaret Taylor.

The youngest child was a daughter, Euphemia Anderson (the second). \She was born in Ross Township, December 18, 1813, and was married to J. Parks Gilchrist on the 12th of April, 1837.

Griffin Halstead

My father and mother were John Halstead, of Currituck, North Carolina, and Ruth Richardson, his wife. Early in their married life they removed from the shore of Albemarle Sound to the northern central part of the State, where, near Guilford Court-house, I was born, June 11, 1802. I was the oldest son of the family who survived infancy. When I was two years old, my parents left their native State for the blue grass regions of

Kentucky; but the uncertainty of land-titles in that State caused them to continue their journey to the valley of the Great Miami, near the town of New Haven. In the Spring of 1805 a great flood dislodged them. The water of the Miami was higher than it has ever since been known, and my parents escaped from their cabin on horseback. This incident caused another movement, and a settlement upon the farm where I have ever since (almost seventy years) resided. The recommendation of the farm was that the tract contained both hill and bottom land, and was well timbered, watered by several fine springs, and out of the way of the floods.

In the opening of this farm the best energies of my early years were expended. My work varied by occasional hunting and fishing excursions, and trips to mill and to market, camp-meetings, huskings, and militia musters, the amusements that the country afforded; and during some brief intervals of very inclement weather, attendance at the Buckeye school-house on Paddy's Run. In 1822 I was captain of the militia; and in the Winter of 1824-25 I visited New Orleans. In 1826 I was elected colonel of the militia of the county, mustering at Millville; and I have, at various times, held the offices of clerk and trustee of my township, and have repeatedly served as magistrate.

November -1, 1827, I was united in marriage with Miss Clarissa Willits, eldest daughter of James Willits, who resided near New Haven. We had four children, two sons and two daughters: Caroline, who died in infancy; Murat and Benton, who are residents of Cincinnati; and Helen, Mrs. John M. Scott, who occupies the old homestead farm adjoining my own.

When the Mexican War occurred I enlisted in the Butler Guards, but inflammatory rheumatism, contracted in Camp Washington, prevented any participation in active service. I have been for over fifty years a pretty regular attendant at the polls in Ross Township, and have been in the habit of voting the Democratic ticket.

My earliest distinet recollections of public affairs are of the excitement attending the events of the last war with England; and Butler County, now so highly cultivated, was, within my remembrance, but a wilderness, broken with clearings that occupied comparatively but a small space; and the game we hunted in those days, including panthers, bears, and deer, was sometimes equal to hunting us. I am not aware that any other 'citizen of the county has lived for seventy consecutive years on one farm, so perhaps I may claim seniority in that particular.

I have outlived nearly all who were with me in early times. My wife, my sisters, my brothers, and, with here and there an exception, the old neighbors, all are gone; and I approach the age of seventy-three, in the enjoyment of reasonable health and strength beyond that ordinarily associated with my years. Colonel Halstead is still alive.

Murat Halstead

Murat Halstead was born September 2, 1829, in Ross Township. His father, Colonel Griffin Halstead, a native of North Carolina, removed in 1804 to Ohio with his parents, who, in the following year, settled upon the farm which became their grandson's birth-place. The family of his mother, Clarissa Willits, came from Pennsylvania, and were among the early settlers on the Scioto, in central Ohio. Mrs. Halstead, who taught her son to read and write at a very early age, made him a student of history and geography before he ever visited a schoolhouse, and his first school experience began in company with '"'McGuffey's Third Reader" and an English grammar. About the year 1840, the Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, a well known Congregational minister, kept a select school in New London, in which, during two successive Winters, Murat received instruction in the English branches. Afterward, until he was eighteen years old, he attended the common school of his district during the Winters, meanwhile working upon his father's farm through the Summer months. In the Fall of 1848, after a short experience in school-teaching, he entered Farmer's College, at College Hill, whence he graduated in 1851. He at one time attempted the study of law, but having written and contributed occasional sketches to the Hamilton Jntelligencer and a paper in Rossville, during his college life and while teaching school, he acquired a literary taste and facility in writing, which became the means of introducing him to his career as a journalist. Mr. Halstead's early literary efforts, however, were chiefly in the department of fiction, though he attempted several essays on American antiquities and current affairs. One of his pioneer romances, '' A Legend of the Miamis," was published before his graduation, in the Cincinnati C'azetie. In 1852, Mr. Halstead formed his earliest editorial connection as news editor of the daily Atlas, published by John D. Caldwell. This was followed by a_ brief engagement upon the Cincinnati Enquirer, as assistant local editor, and then as associate editor of the Columbian and Great West, edited by W. B. Shattuck. The Cincinnati Commercial had already been established for eleven years and was prosperous and influential, when in March, 1853, M. D. Potter, its chief proprietor and editorial manager, cngaged Mr. Halstead as one of its corps of reporters. In the Summer following, through the illness and absence of the proprietor, the direction of the paper fell into Mr. Halstead's hands. Then and afterward, as the opportunity was presented, was introduced into its management a feature which before long wrought a marked change in Western journalism. This was a systematic compilation of the news found in the exchange papers. Cincinnati being a central point, and the telegraph then giving but a meager outline of daily news - often nothing more than imperfect market reports - the work that Mr. Halstead was enabled to do yas so highly appreciated by Mr. Potter that, upon the reorganization of the firm, in May, 1854, after the death of R. H. Lee, Mr. Halstead (with Henry Reed and John Straus) secured a partnership interest, the firm name becoming M. D. Potter & Co. In this reorganization it was Mr. Potter's express object to give the office stability of management in case of his death, which, however, did not occur until April, 1866, when the firm of M. Halstead & Co. was organized.

Mr. Halstead attributes his success in journalism to his quick recognition of the importance and value of news and his skill in the use of the scissors. He possesses and exercises keen discrimination between such matters cffered for publication as have life and interest for to-day and those which can wait for to-morrow. He is, moreover, an indefatigable worker. As a writer, Mr. Halstead is direct, earnest, and forcible, with a large quality of buoyant, masculine vigor, partly the result, doubtless, of his robust bodily health, gained in youth from contact with the earth and air upon his father's farm. In politics, as an editor, he professes and practices honest independence of parties, though, having warmly upheld the Union cause in the war of secession, he afterward preferred the Republican traditions,

Mr. Halstead has visited Europe several times - first, in 1870, when he was present in France during the war with Prussia, and witnessed the battle of Gravelotte ; again in 1874, when he also visited Iceland, on the ocecasion of its millennial celebration, and for a brief period during the French Exposition, in 1878. He married March 2, 1857, Miss Mary Banks, daughter of the late Hiram Banks, and had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, namely: John (who died in 1861), Jennie, Marshal, Clarence, Robert, Albert, Mary, Hiram Banks, Clarissa, and Griffin.

Biographical Notes

Isaac Anderson, a son of the old Revolutionary veteran, Isaac Anderson, of whom a full account will be found elsewhere, was born in Cincinnati August 29, 1799. His mother was Euphemia Moorehead, eldest daughter of Fergus Moorehead, who had also been a soldier in the war of the Revolution. They were married in November, 1788, and had eleven children, of whom Isaac is the sixth. They came to this county in 1812. Mr. Anderson was married on the 18th of August, 1825, to Margaret Morris, daughter of William and Sarah Morris. They came to this county in 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had seven children. The eldest, William Morris Anderson, who was born August 10, 1826, is dead. He served in the Mexican War, under the command of John B. Weller, and also in the late Rebellion. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga., Susan Bailey was born February 17, 1829, and Joseph: Anderson, February 7, 1831. He is dead. Eliza Jane Lewis was born September 11, 1834, and James Anderson, February 23, 1837. Isaac E. Anderson, who was born September 5, 1840, was in the service of the United States during the late war, and was killed at the fight of Chickamauga. Willson Anderson is the youngest, and was born July 1, 1845. Mr. Anderson cultivates a fine farm. He has been justice of the peace in Ross Township for twenty years, and is a man of many fine qualities.

James Campbell Andrews comes of one of the oldest families in Ross. His parents came to this township in 1811, and his father the next year after. His name was James, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Rife. She died in 1875. James C. Andrews was born in West Virginia, November 15, 1809. He was married November 26, 1840, to Lydia Dunn. She was the daughter of John Dunn, who died in 1835, being then sixty-five years old, and Letitia McCluskey, who was born in 1779, and died in 1847. They came to this county in 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews have had four children: Martha was born August 18, 1841; Letty, July 16, 1844; William, October 25, 1847, and Albert, May 22, 1850. Letty died May 9, 1869. She was married to Jacob Kohler. Martha married John Bercaw, February, 1860. William married Lizzie Pollock. By these unions Mr. Andrews has seven grandchildren living. At the age of sixteen he began work at the blacksmith's trade, following it for sixteen years. Since that time he has paid all of his attention to the farm, and has by industry and good management made for himself and family a good home. His son William was in the hundred days' service, and his uncle, Robert Andrews, was in the War of 1812, and died soon after his return.

James Brown, the head of the Brown family in Ross Township, was born in West Virginia. His wife, Deborah Ryfe, was born in Pennsylvania. They had thyee children. Daniel was born in 1798, and died in April, 1876. Elizabeth was born in 1801, and William was born March 14, 1803. He is married and lives in Ross Township. Mr. James Brown had prepared to come to Ohio, but died in West Virginia. His widow and three children came on with a colony of nine families, and landed in Cincinnati, in May, 1805. She was married a second time about 1807, her choice being Frederick Whitinger, by whom she had two 'children, one dying in infancy, and the other, James Whitinger, being born in 1808. He is married, and lives in Rush County, Indiana. Mr. Whitinger's family, three brothers, came to Butler County about 1800. Their names were Jacob, Nicholas, and Francis. Frederick Whitinger was killed in 1810 by a flat-boat falling on him. His wife was well provided for, and brought up her family well. She died in Ross Township, Butler County, about 1864. William Brown was born in West Virginia, March 14, 1805, and was married in 1828 in Hamilton County, to Eunice - Willey, who was born there February 29, 1808, and died November 25, 1867. He had thirteen children, seven living, but six dying in infancy. The living ones are Daniel,

Richard, Henry, James, Oliver Perry, Walter, and Augusta. Mr. Brown is a self-made man. He began life with nothing, renting at first, in partnership with his brother, Daniel. In 1828 he purchased a small tract of land, part of Allen Fuller's, in Section 32, of thirty acres, where he went to live after he married. He stayed there in a hewed log-house until 1847, when he built his present residence. He has accumulated in his life-time considerable property, owning at one time three hundred and forty acres in Ohio and two hundred in Indiana. He has at present one hundred and thirty acres and considerable personal property. The remainder he has distributed among his children. His son, Daniel, has been justice of the peace three terms, real estate assessor one term, and township clerk thirteen years. His wife's father, Conrad Ryfe, was a soldier of the Revolution, and was wounded in the war.

Bennett Branch is a native of Butler County. He is a farmer, and lives near Millville. He was married May 20, 1860, and has had fourteen children, only six of whom are living. His wife's name is Eliza.

Frederick Bohlender was born in Germany, August 19, 1835. He is the son of George Bohlender and Mary Rerick. He came to this county in 1877. His wife is Mary Peeling, the daughter of Robert Peeling and Elizabeth Weise. She was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, December, 1836. They were married November, 1864, in Montgomery County, and have three children. George W. was born September 21, 1867; Ida M., October 29, 1871; and Edna A., January, 1876. Mr. Bohlender is a farmer and fruit-grower, and now carries on a fruit-farm, consisting of about sixty acres of orchard, besides all kinds of small fruits.

Charles Borger was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1817, and came to this county in 1834. His father was Jacob Borger and his mother Mary M. Long, both now dead. An uncle, Daniel Long, was in the War of 1812. Mr. Borger was married on the 21st of November, 1838, in St. Clair Township, to Hannah Dubbs. Her parents were Henry Dubbs and Margaret Hannan, who came to this county in 1829, remaining here until their deaths. They had four children. Sarah Ann was born October 10, 1840; David D., March 18, 1843; Jacob H., November 14, 1846; and Margaret, March 30, 1851. All these are now living, except Jacob H., who was drowned in the Ohio River, while bathing, on the 20th of July, 1878, at Aurora, Indiana, leaving a widow, but no children, to mourn his loss. Sarah Ann married John A, Overpeck, August 18, 1860; David D. was married March 8, 18638, to Sarah A. Burckhardt; and Margaret was married Jan- 1872, to William F. Berleman. Nine grand- Mr. Borger has, sylvania, September 24, 1801, and has been a resident of this county for seventy-three years. When he came here this county was nothing but a wilderness. He saw the first steamboat that ran on the Ohio River. His parents were George Daniel Brosius and Elizabeth Yager. They came to the county in 1808. The father died in 1812, and the mother in 1823. Mr. Brosius married Elizabeth Parks, daughter of Arthur Parks and Elizabeth McCloskey, on the 8d of June, 1823, at Hamilton. She was born October 7, 1806. They had eleven children. Elizabeth was born June 15, 1824; William, June 13, 1827; James, September 26, 1828; John, July 9, 1830; Margaret, February 18, 1832; Isabel, December 12, 1835; Daniel, October 9, 1838 ; Rebecca, December 17, 1842; Eliza Ann, January 16, 1845; Jeannette, July 3, 1848; and Alice, April 13, 1850. Five of these children are dead. James died March 27, 1853; John, January 20, 1861; Rebecca, April, 1881; Eliza Ann, March 10, 1851, and Alice, April 8, 1851. Mr. Brosius has fourteen grandchildren now living. His wife died January 10, 1861. Whena young man he learned the cabinet-making trade, following it for a number of years. He then purchased a farm, and until within a few years paid all of his attention to it. Since then he has led a retired life. Christopher W. Cook is the son of Christopher and Mary Cook. They were natives of Prussia, and there their son was born, June 20, 1825. His wife, Elizabeth Swoope, was born in Bavaria, July 11, 1831. Her parents were George Swoope and Susan Fisher. They are both now dead. They came to Butler County in 1844, and Mr. Cook came here in 1845. Their marriage took place December 7, 1848. They have had eight children. The first was born November 18, 1849, and died four days thereafter. Mary C. was born August 99. 1852; George H. was born February 2, 1855; another child was born April 6, 1858, and died the next day. Frederick William was born October 19, 1860; Margaret was born January 28, 1864, dying March 15, 1864; John was born August 4, 1865; and Anna Elizabeth, December 4, 1867. one term. farmer. John A. Crawford was the son of John A. Crawford, Sen., and Mary Arthurs. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26, 1826, and was married June 6, 1850, to Phebe McHenry, in Hamilton County. « Her parents were Joseph McHenry and Nancy Pottenger, and she was born in Hamilton County on the 27th of November, 1830. They had four children. Joseph H. was the eldest. He was born August 6, 1851. Mary E. was born April 15, 1853; Nancy E., August 31, 1856; Sarah B., February 3, 1860, and John N., May 31, 1862. Three of the children have been married. Nancy E. married William Bryant January 10, 1881; Sarah B. married Nathan Bryant January 11, 1881, and

Joseph H. married Eliza Delong July 15, 1875. She bore him two children, Leora May, September 8, 1876, and Walter Clarence, January 12, 1879, both still living. Their mother is dead. She died on the 24th of March, 1879. Joseph still lives on the farm occupied by his father, and, with his brother, John W., carries it on. Mary E. also lives at home. She teaches school, as did her two sisters prior to marriage. Mr. John A. Crawford was a cabinet-maker by trade, and generally followed that occupation, while his sons carried on the farm. At one time he was in the mercantile business. This was in the years 1868 and 1869. He was enrollment officer in Colerain Township, Hamilton County, during the late war. Mrs. Crawford's great-grandfather, Van McHenry, was a captain in the War of 1812. Her children's great-grandfather Nichols was also in the War of 1812. He was a sailor for twenty-two years. Mr. Crawford's death occurred January 12, 1880.

David Descombes, son of Jacob Descombes and Lydia Yeakle, was born in St. Clair Township, June 6, 1835. His father was a native of France, and came here in 1810. He died in 1845, and his mother died in November of the same year. Mrs. Descombes was born in this county. David Descombes was married July 4, 1861, to Lydia Garner, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Keiver. They came to this county at an early period. Mr, and Mrs. Descombes have had two children. Minnie May was born June 12, 1863, and George, April 28, 1868. He died June 29, 1869. Mr. Descombes by trade is a wheelwright, as well as a cabinet-maker and carpenter. He has followed these different vocations from boyhood until the past two years, since which time he has paid his attention to the farm. He also makes a specialty of raising fruit - apples, peaches, grapes, and small fruit. He had a brother, Francis, who was in the Mexican War. Mr. Descombes was school director of St. Clair Township for 1872 and 1873.

Captain Samuel Dick, now deceased, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 5, 1797. He was the son of Samuel Dick, Sen., of whom a full account will be found near the beginning of this book, and Martha Allen Gillespie. Samuel Dick, Jr., followed the business of a farmer all of his life, living for many years on the north half of a section of land entered by his father about the year 1809, and now owned by his heirs. Captain Dick was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Rhy, who bore him one son, David Howen, who was born August 9, 1832, and died September 5, 1850. He then married in Ross Township, Butler County, on the 20th of March, 1834, Isabella Parks, daughter of Arthur Parks, who was born February 2, 1779, and Elizabeth McCloskey, born April 14, 1784. They died in Hamilton County. The daughter, Isabella, was born March 31, 1817. They had fourteen children. George was born April 2, 1835. Rebecca B. was born October 20, 1836, and died February 18, 1852. Cul- bertson P. was born July 1, 1838; James, April 16, 1840. Samuel A. was born November 13, 1841, and died June 12, 1871. John W. was born October 6, 1843. Martha was born December 14, 1845, and died May 7, 1877. Robert L. was born April 27, 1848; Jennie, on the 17th of February, 1850; Susan, February 28, 1852; Annie R., December 21, 1853; Effie J., February 5, 1856; Sarah, September 5, 1857, dying October 10, 1880; and Isaac N., August 1, 1860. Kighteen grandchildren are now living, and six others are dead. All of Captain Dick's children haye been married except six, and three of those are deceased. He was always a farmer. His death occurred on the 1st of January, 1871.

Bartholomew Demoret was born in Cincinnati, May 30, 1809, and came to Butler County with his parents, Nicholas and Lydia Demoret, in 1816. Bartholomew Demoret has never moved since he arrived in this county. His motto is, that a ''rolling stone gathers no moss." He is a farmer, and was married in 1834 to Elizabeth Belser, daughter of George and Rebecca Belser. Their children are as follows: Joseph L., born October 21, 1835; Rebecca, October 22, 1837; Bartholomew, October 30, 1839; Seba Alexander, February 7, 1842; Miranda, December, 1844; George Lee, December, 1847; Nancy Timberman, 1849; Margaret Jane, October 12, 1852. His father was in the war with the Indians, in 1792. Mr. Demoret has accumulated considerable means by his own industry.

Charles Emrick was born in Pike County, Ohio, March 4, 1839. His father was Peter Emrick, and his mother Rosanna Emrick. He settled in this county in 1865. He was married on the 25th of August, 1860, in Pike County, to Mary Ann Swab, daughter of George A. and Susan Swab. The former died December 14, 1856, and the latter July, 1875. Mrs. Swab's maiden name was Fisher. They came to this county about 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Emrick have had six children, of whom John M., the eldest, was born November 6, 1861, in Pike County, as were the next two, Charles A., born September 26, 1862, and Louisa C., born March 12, 1865; Mary C., born February 4, 1871; William sks born September 2,\1872, and George F., born July 24, 1880, are natives of this county. By occupation Mr. Emrick has been alternately a wheelwright and a. stonemason, but latterly he has devoted all of his attention to his farm and stock-raising. He had two brothers, Philip and Jacob, in the late war, serving for four years.

Henry Gailey was born in Ross Township, August 2, 1840, He is the son of Baltzer Gailey and Mary Yeakle, who came to this county about 1830. His father was a native of Germany, emigrating to Pennsylvania at an early day. His mother was born in Pennsylvania, but came to this county a few years prior to her husband. He died July 31, 1870, aged seventy-three years, six months, and thirteen days, and the mother died July 31,

1874, aged seventy-four years, six months, and four days. Henry Gailey was married November 26, 1878, to Catherine Schmidler, daughter of Conradt Schmidler and Rosa Schein. They came to this county about 1850. Mrs. Schmidler is still living in this county, but Mr. Schmidler is in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Gailey have but one child, John W., who was born October 12, 1879. Mr. Gailey was supervisor in 1866, and has been school director.for seven years. He had a brother Jacob in the late war, a member of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, who died of disease contracted in the service. Mr. Gailey is a farmer, in that following his father, who was also a distiller, although for the last few years of his life paying all his attention to the farm. That now belongs jointly to Henry Gailey and his nephew, Baltzer J. Sarver, the 161 acres being equally divided between them. Mr. Sarver was also born in this county, near Amanda, his mother having died when he was a baby. After this his grandfather adopted him as his own.

Joseph Garver was born in St. Clair Township, November 28, 1812, and is the youngest son of Samuel Garver, who died on the 26th of November, 1869, aged eighty-one years and seven days. Catharine Lingle, his mother, who was married March 7, 1808, died in 1813. Samuel Garver married for his second wife Catharine Lippert, July 21, 1814. He came to this county in 1804, and was drafted in the War of 1812. His brother took his place, and, according to the law, his youngest son should have received eighty acres of land, but has never made any effort to obtain it. Joseph Garver was married on the 20th of March, 1833, in the township of St. Clair, to Miss Hannah Beeler, who has borne him six children. Mrs. Garver is the daughter of George J. Beeler, who died January 3, 1847, aged seventy-five years, and Elizabeth Shafer, who died March 8, 1847, aged seventy-five years. They came to this county about 1821 or 1822. Mr. Garver has followed farming all his life and has met with success. His children are William J., who was born November 10, 1835; Mary E., born September 9, 1837; Sarah C., born October 9, 1840; Samuel B., born September 7, 1843; Joseph J., born August 4, 1850 - died December 30, 1850; Emma P., born January 22, 1854.

Mr. Garver has been a school director for fifgeen years, and in other places has filled important trusts. He remembers the first wagon his father brought to this country, and also when he and his father had to carry one hundred bushels of wheat to mill on horseback, where they sold it. At one time, desiring to buy a plow, he was compelled to go to Cincinnati three times with grain before he could obtain enough money to make the purchase, and his means were still so small, that had he not goods to bring back he could not have accomplished it. The price of the plow was nine dollars. Mr. Garver built his own wagon, and borrowed a horse from' his father, which gave him a full team. Several of his children are now married. William J. married Elizabeth Seals, February 15, 1878; Sarah C. first married William Starette, October 30, 1862. He died in the service during the late war. She afterwards married, on the 15th of February, 1867, James Mitchell. Samuel married Catharine Riley, February 14, 1866; Emma J. married Millard F. Ritter, December 26, 1878. Mr. Garver has seven grandchildren living; one, Hannah Jane Starette, died October 27, 1860, aged five years, three months and fourteen days. Four of Mr. Garver's children were born in the same house as their father. All the buildings on this place were built by him, he being an excellent mechanic, brick or stone mason, carpenter, blacksmith, and wagon-maker. Mr. Garver has never served as an apprentice. His wife has now a pair of shoes he made for her more than twenty years ago, and they are still good ones. He is also a first-class cabinet-maker, and his tools are all of his own make.

Alfred Hancock, M. D., was born in Reily Township, November 27, 1820. His father was a farmer, and he remained with him until the age of sixteen, attending school and helping him on the farm. After that date he attended and taught school until 1844, when he began the study of medicine under Doctor McAlister, of Oxford, there remaining about a year. He went to Cincinnati and attended the Ohio Medical College, then under the supervision of Professor Harrison, until his graduation. He then returned to Butler County, beginning practice, and has been here ever since, with the exception of a year and a half. His father was Joel Hancock, and his mother Sarah Lintner. He is the second child of his father's first wife, his father being married twice. They came to this county about 1805. His grandfather, John Hancock, was in the Revolutionary War, and his father in the War of 1812.

Doctor Hancock was married on the 23d of January, 1845, to Emeline DeCamp, daughter of Walter DeCamp and Sarah Bird, who came to this county in 1812 from New Jersey, and are still living. She was born in 1828. Doctor and Mrs. Hancock have had three children. Walter was born May 25, 1847; Joel, February 26, 1849; and James, October 5, 1854.

His son, Walter DeCamp Hancock, was born in Hanover Township, Butler County. His early education was liberal, and completed at the Miami University in 1869. He then began the study of medicine under the direction of his father until the Fall of 1870, when he became an office-student of Professor W. H. Mussey, of Cincinnati, remaining under his direction until his diploma was received from the Miami Medical College, on the 29th of February, 1872. He held an appointment as assistant physician to Rose Hill city branch hospital during the small-pox epidemic of 1871 and 1872. He then engaged in general practice with his father, at Millville. Tn the Summer of 1875 he spent most of his time in Vienna, Austria,-attending the clinies and receiving pri- vate instruction. He also spent more or less of his time in the medical department of the universities at Munich, Tubingen, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Paris, and in a number of the hospitals in London, England. Returning to his home, after a year's absence, his field of general practice has been much extended. He has much skill, and has had success as a physician and surgeon.

John Holle, of this township, was born in Germany on the 9th of January, 1836. His father was Jerome and his mother Leuria Holle, both of whom are dead. John Holle learned the carpenter's trade, and generally follows that as his business, but for the past five or six years he has paid all his attention to the farm on which he resides. In January, 1856, he married, in Cincinnati, Frances, daughter of Jacob and Frances (Irencup) Schwartz, both of whom live in Hamilton County. Mr. Holle came to this county in 1870. He is the father of nine children: William, born July 24, 1867; Jacob, born September 28, 1869; Henry, born November 3, 1870; Joseph, born January 10, 1872; Clara, born May 29, 1873; Peter, born January 2, 1875; Augusta, born July 28, 1876; George, born December 1, 1878; Leuria E., born February 1, 1880. Joseph died January 22, 1872; Peter, January 11, 1875, and George, February 10, 1879.

Dr. Charles C. Hoover was born near Felicity, Clermont County, Ohio, February 21, 1851. When two years old his father, Daniel R. Hoover, removed to Lebanon, the former home of his wife, Susan (Corwin) Hoover, a cousin of Governor Thomas Corwin. Dr. Hoover is a graduate of the National Normal School of Lebanon, Ohio, and read medicine with Dr. J. M. Hunt, of Blue Ball. He attended the lectures of the Ohio Medical College during the Winters of 1875 and 1876, and also of 1877 and 1878, graduating in the latter year, and a few weeks after removing to Venice, there beginning practice. He married, January 1, 1880, Carrie E. Boal, the daughter of Isaac A. Boal, born in Ross Township, September 8, 1857. They have one child, Clarence Boal Hoover. The Hoover family were originally from Pennsylvania, and were among the earliest settlers of Clermont County. The Boal family were old settlers in this county. James Boal came here from Dauphin County, where he was born in 1787, and was married in this county to Susan Anderson, daughter of Isaac Anderson. She and two of her children, Mary and Robert, and a young lady residing with them, were killed by lightning April 5, 1826. There were seven persons in the room at the time. Mr. Boal was a hatter by trade, and started the first hat factory in Hamilton, on the corner of Second and Basin, in 1812. He died very suddenly near Sharon.

Benjamin Hawk was born June 16, 1824. His parents came to this county in 1802, and are now both dead. They were Philip Hawk and Catherine Stonebreaker. Mr. Hawk was twice married. His first wife was Clarissa

Ann Turner, who bore him three children, James, Alfred T., and Noah H. James was born May 30, 1846, and married Catherine Garner in 1870. Alfred was born April 10, 1848, and married Mary Regan in 1868. Noah H. was born October 17, 1850, and died February 5, 1851. His second marriage was to Mahala Wetsel, the daughter of Jacob Wetsel and Magdalena Geidner, April 15, 1852. They came to the county in 1836, and are now both dead. She was born in Milford, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1832. By this wife he had eight children. Lewis C. was born April 20, 1855, and was married to Tillie Barklet in 1880. Edith L. was born August 22, 1854, and was married in 1876 to James Longfellow. Charles H. was born August 26, 1858; he lives in Richmond, Indiana. George E. was born August 28, 1860. Mary V. was born May 26, 1856, and died September 25, 1858. Franklin A. was born December 31, 1863. Harry M. was born November 18, 1867, and died June 28, 1868. Joseph C. was born August 14, 1868. Two of Mr. Hawk's sons were in the War of the Rebellion. James was in for eighteen months, and Alfred T. in the hundred days' service. Mr. Hawk was a school director for two terms, and clerk of the board. Mrs. Hawk had several uncles in the Revolutionary War. He died April 10, 1880.

Andrew J. Lewis, son of James Lewis and Maria Marshall, was born in Hanover Township, February 11, 1833. His parents came to the county in 1808. The father died July 3, 1864, but the mother is still living in Hamilton. His grandfather was in St. Clair's defeat. Andrew J. Lewis was married, January 22, 1834, to Martha J. Dick, daughter of James Dick and Martha T. Gillespie, who was born January 22, 1834. Mr. Dick was born in 1809, in Ross Township, and his wife in the same year. The latter died August 4, 1841, and the former, December 4, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had seven children. Harry was born May 10, 1857; James D., March 3, 1859; Rosa, October 10, 1864; Martha E., May 10, 1865; Anna M., May 25, 1869; Charles G., October 8, 1872; David E., January 5, 1874. Rosa died June 4, 1865. Mr. Lewis was captain of Company I, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving nearly three years, then being honorably discharged on account of wounds received in the battle at Chattanooga, Tenn. He is nowa pensioner. His brother Robert was a member of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, and served about one year at the close of the war. Mr. Lewis has generally followed the occupation of a farmer, but has controlling interests in the Blanche mine, Colorado, and owns and controls four other mines, the Don Pedro, Silver Lake, Divide, and Premier, and spends a portion of his time in that country.

medicine at Brownsville. His parents died when he was very young, and he was adopted at eight years of age by an aunt, and taken to Springfield, Illinois, where he was educated. He attended lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, and in Cleveland, and graduated at the Rush Medical College at Chicago, under Dr. Brainard Davis, February 7, 1850. He began the practice of medicine in Springfield, Illinois, but after his marriage there in 1855, he removed to Venice, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, which he continued till his death, which occurred February 27, 1867. He was extensively known throughout the county as a faithful, patient, and steadfast friend, and by his death the community suffered a severe loss. He was married on the 20th of October, 1852, to Mary H. Johnson, daughter of. Anthony Ludlow Hedges and Hannah A. Johnson. Her father died when she was young, and she was adopted by her uncle, Andrew Johnson, and took the name of Johnson. The Johnson and Hedges families came from New Jersey at a very early date, settling in Cincinnati, and have long been identified with both Hamilton and Butler Counties. She was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, January 26, 1828, and at present resides at Venice.

T. B. Morris was born in Ross Township, Butler County, March 4, 1838. His father, William C. Morris, was born in this county, in 1800, and is still living. He had seven children, six of whom survive, the one who died being forty years old. T. B. Morris was married in Cincinnati, on the 16th of October, 1862, to Angelina H. Harrod. She is the youngest daughter of a family of nine children, of whom four are living. She was born in Hamilton County, September 10, 1842, her parents being John Harrod and Margaret Conway. Mr. Harrod died August 14, 1872; he was born in 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have had nine children. Rosamond EK. is the eldest; she was born July 22, 1863; Harry M. was born February 9, 1865; Julia W., December 22, 1867; Arthur B. and Walter 8., October 3, 1869; Luella, September 29, 1871; Gertrude, June 23, 1873; Samuel J. and Mary A., December 16, 1876. Mr. Morris is a school director, and has been for the last two years, and has also been supervisor. He has from boyhood followed farming as his vocation, as his father did before him. He has held various offices of trust, and is also vice-president of the temperance society called the Millville Christian Union Temperance Society. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, together with his wife. They exert all their energies in behalf of temperance and the cause of Christianity. Mr. Morris's mother is not now living. Her maiden name was Esther Tullis, and she died April 10, 1881, aged seventy-nine years. His grandfather, William Morris, was in the War of 1812.

parents were John Niederman, who died August 12, 1877, and Barbara Lydner, who died January 31, 1881. He settled in this county in 1837, and four years after, or on the 30th of December, 1841, he was married to Mary M. Schalk, daughter of John Schalk and Anna Dora Shore, born November 30, 1820. He has been blessed with twelve children. John was born September 26, 1842; Jacob S., January 6, 1844; Abraham, October 6, 1845; David, May 5, 1847; Mary E., February 5, 1849; Lydia B., January 13, 1851; Michael, February 28, 1853; Isaac, February 5, 1855; Wilhelmina Carolina, October 7, 1856; William H., January 17, 1859; Samuel, September 27, 1860; Philippina Catherina, January 7, 1864. Of these only Isaac is dead. This happened on the 14th of August, 1856.

John married Rickey Cowell February, 1876; Jacob married Elizabeth Ruoff in 1867; Abraham married Martha Jane Smith in 1870; David married Mary Lyndner in 1875; Mary E. married J. F. Swain, April, 1867; Lydia B. married Michael Zoller in 1869; and Michael married Elizabeth F. C. Ruoff, December, 1878. Mr. Niederman has now living twenty-one grandchildren. He is a distiller by trade, as well as a butcher. The latter he worked at prior to his coming to this country. He engaged in distilling for eight years after he first came to the United States, but now gives all his attention to his farm.

X. Locker is a native of Germany. He is the son of Benedict and Barbara Locker. By occupation he is now a farmer, but claims that he can wield the ax equal to any one. He was born in March, 1824, and came to . this country in 1854. Shortly after coming here in March, 1857, he was married at Hamilton to Barbara Reik, a native of Germany, and daughter of H. and Catherine Bandoler. January 8, 1858, they had a child born to them, Mary, who is married to Henry Fisher. The date of their union was June 11, 1875. She has three children, Frankie, Frances, and Katy, all lively and healthy.

James Riley is a native of Jefferson County, Virginia, where he was born on the 20th of April, 1794. He is the son of James Riley and Temperance Yircus. His father was in the Revolutionary War, and was a pensioner ; he was also in the War of 1812. One of his sons was in the War of 1812. The present Mr. James Riley came to this-county in 1821, and settled in Ross Township. He was married December 17, 1818, in Warren County, to Christina Fox, daughter of Bonham Fox. She was a native of Pennsylvania. One of their children, Eliza Ann, was born December 6, 1819, before they left Warren County. The next two are dead. Levia was born May 8, 1822, and died June 20, 1879, and Mary was born October 13, 1824, and died October 29, 1824. Bonham F., who was born July 25, 1826, is still living. Temperance was born J anuary 2, 1829, and died October 10, 1830. The next three are all living.

Ruth was born March 6, 1831, Martha J., October 21, 1833, and Ophelia E., May 17, 1836. All of his children that are living are married. He has twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His wife died in March, 1860. Mr. Riley has been a farmer all his life, but has now retired. His son-in-law, J. W. Anderson, carries on the farm.

John L. Schalk, son of John Schalk and Anna Dora Shore, was born in Germany, November 26, 1826. He came to this country with his parents in 1835, while still a small boy, and has ever since lived on the farm he now owns and controls. He has never lived a

Source changes here: from Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, by Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and Others, published 1905; 1,836 words in this source stream.

Ross Township

Beginning oik the west bank of the Miami at the northeast corner of fractional township No. 1 of the third range west of the Miami ; thence west to the western boundary of the county; thence south to the southwest corner of the county; thence east with the southern boundary of the county to the Miami ; thence northeastwardly up the Miami to the place of beginning. One justice.

Centennial History Of

incorporation of townships. (Laws of Ohio, volume II, page 93.) This law empowered the commissioners of the county to alter the boundaries of townships, and to set off new townships. At a meeting on June n, 1804, consisting of the following persons, Ezekiel Ball, Matthew Richardson and Solomon Line, John Reily was appointed their clerk.

This township was organized in 1803, forming one of the original subdivisions of the county. Until 1811 it embraced all of the territory now contained in Morgan township, as well as its present territory. The township as now constituted contains 19,496 acres. In 1820 its population was sixteen hundred and sixty -five; in 1830, seventeen hundred and forty-five; in 1890, fourteen hundred and fifty, and in 1900, thirteen hundred and thirty-eight

The first settlers of Ross township were the Butterfields, Mitchells, Parkinsons, Dunns, Smiths, Joneses, McCloskeys, Shaws, Willeys, Williamses, Andrews, Andersons and Mooreheads.

The township is generally rolling and is well adapted to farming. Indian creek is the principal stream, which flows diagonally across the township from the northwest to the southeast. Other streams of less importance are Ziegler's run. Dry run and Paddy's run. The soil along these streams is very fertile. . Originally Ross township was covered by a very dense growth of timber, and wild game of every sort abounded. The most prominent of the early roads was the Trace road, leading from the Miami river over the Layhigh ridge to St. Charles and to the northwest. It followed about the same route of the present highway from Venice to Layhigh. The Lawrenceburg and Columbus, or State road, leading from Lawrenceburg, Indiana, to Columbus, Ohio, was a principal thoroughfare. The early roads usually followed the ridges so as to prevent cuts - a plan often employed to great advantage by the early surveyors in locating highways through a new country.

A leading industry in the early days of the township was distilling. Many fine farms were paid for with money made in manufacturing whiskey. About 1810 two men by the name of Sayres and Avery, of Cincinnati, erected a still house in section io. In 1815 Matthew Timberman ran a distillery near where the late Andrew Timberman resided. The product was hauled to Cincinnati in four and six-horse wagons and marketed. From 1820 to 1840 James Comstock carried on distilling on Dry run. From 1818 to 1845 Joseph Van Horn had a still house in Millville. There were numerous other establishments scattered throughout the township.

About 1805 two important mills were built in Ross township, - Dick's mill, near Venice, and Van Horn's mill at Millville. Die first mill at Dick's was of round hickor>' logs and contained what was known as a corn-cracker for the grinding machinery. This mill was constructed by Jacob Hyde.

About 1812 Samuel Dick, Sr., and his son George erected a frame mill forty by forty feet and three stories high. This was displaced in 1848 by a new frame building of the same dimensions. There have been many changes in the mill since it was built at this site a century ago. The mill, which was in active operation until a few years ago, had been in possession of the Dick family since 1812. Dick's mills was a postoffice from January 15, 1819, to July 3, 1834. On that date the office was removed to Venice and was called Ross. The original ford of the Miami river was at Dick's mills. After the covered bridge was erected across the Miami near Venice in 1830, Dick's ford ceased to be used except for very ordinary purposes.

Venice

Venice was laid out by Dr. Benjamin Clark. February 1, 1817. The name given the place by its founder was "Venus" because of its pleasant situation' and beautiful surroundings. The original plat included only that part of the village lying west of the Trace road leading to Layhigh. Subsequently additions have been made by various men at different times. Among the early business men of Venice were James Comstock, who kept a general store; William Huxford, a blacksmith, and Dr. John Woods, who practiced medicine and conducted a tavern. Later Enoch Vaughn kept store and Thomas Joyce conducted a blacksmith shop. In 1830 Jonathan Kilboum engaged in the general merchandise business.

He was an influential man, and represented Joice, S. A. Gossett, William Crecraft and the Butler district in the state senate about Guy S. Dennison.

1850. The town now supports a good hotel, The Venice Presbyterian church was ortwo stores, two blacksmith shops, a steam ganized in 1828. It was an outgrowth of grist mill, a printing office, and other lines the Bethel church near. Millville. It was of trade. The Venice Graphic, a weekly originally connected with the Cincinnati independent newspaper, is published by L. presbytery. Subsequently it became con Demoret and has an extensive circulation, nected with the Oxford presbytery, an The first school house was built about after the union of the two Presbyterian 1814. The house, built of hackberry logs, bodies it was added to the Dayton presbytwenty by twenty feet, with puncheon floor, tery. In 1874 it was again connected with stone fire-place, board door with wooden the Cincinnati presbytery. The present hinges, writing desks made by placing long church edifice was erected in 1856- boards on slanting pins put in the logs, slab The Methodist Episcopal church was or seats, windows which extended the whole ganized in 1826. The first services were length of the house, and other fixtures in held in the school house. In 1831 services common with early educational institutions, were held by permission in the Presbyterian It was destroyed by fire after a few years, church. In 1832 a church building was and for a time school was held in a log cabin erected, which continued in use until 1 that had been used for a residence. In 1825 when the present church was complete . a second school house was built. It was a The charge was originally connected wit one-story brick with raised floors on each the Oxford circuit, but in 1837 j* wa^ at side and was considered a model in its day. tached to the New Haven circuit, an in It was twenty-five by thirty feet, four win- 1846 the name was changed to that o dows on each side and one in the front and Venice, which name it still bears. There are was provided with two large fire-places, four appointments at this time, as follows. School was held in this house until 1850, Venice, New Haven, Okeana and V^as when a new house was erected on a lot in ington. the rear of the old building. It was a one- millville.

story structure of two rooms, thirty by forty- Millville was founded by Joseph an five feet. The third building, just described, Horn in 1815, who erected a grist mill here was in use until 1875, when the Union some ten years earlier; hence the origin o school house was built. This building was the name "Millville," given the village, n erected by the joint action of the two sub- dian creek divides the village, the two Par^ districts, and is located just north of town, being connected by a covered bridge w ic It was made an independent high school was erected in 1849. The western s^e' SltU, with Samuel McClelland, a graduate of ated on a hill which slopes gradually towar Miami University, as its first principal, the creek, is the business part of the town. Others who have subsequently taught here Here is located the postoffice, hotel, store, as principals were a Mr. Dayton, Alfred blacksmith shop, harness shop and town

Among the first settlers were Joel Williams, George Thomas, William Van Horn, H. R. Coleman, Samuel Proud, David Monfort, Daniel Brosier and others.

The Van Horn mill was built in 1805 by Joel Williams, a millwright from the East, for Joseph Van Horn. The stone used in its construction were hauled from Bank Lick, a stream in Hamilton county. In 1821 the mill was purchased by William Cochran, and has remained in possession of the Cochran family ever since. The old mill has not been in operation for several years but is in a fair state of preservation.

The first postoffice, which was established in 1817, was kept in a log house which stood near the site of the old Ender Hotel. The early mail route had for offices Dick's Mill, Millville, Scipio (or Philanthropy).

From 1825 to i860 the taverns, of which there were several located here, did a thriving business. Among the tavern keepers were William Hill, M. J. Millspaugh, Jacob Hasler, Frederick Zillyox, Joseph Van Ausdall and George Ender. The first blacksmith was William Ray. Others who worked here later were Henry Gallaway, Michael Emerick, Jacob Fillhardt, Frederic Zillyox and Henry Garner.

The first store was established as early as 1819 by Eliakim Ross. In 1825 Henry C. Coleman was engaged in business here and in 1830 John and Thomas Hanna were merchants here. In 1838 John M. Cochran kept store. Those later engaged were Elias Kumler, A. T. Carnahan, Nelson Urmston,

The first school house in Millville was built of logs and stood on the present site of the Presbyterian church. This house was here in 1825. A year or two afterward a brick building was erected, which was in use until 1872, when the building and lot were sold to the Presbyterians, which organization made extensive alterations and have since used it for church purposes. The present commodious public school building was erected in 1872. From 1858 to 1870 a high school was carried on at Millville by a corporaton of stockholders. The company owned its own school building and all of the higher branches were taught, preparatory for college. Prof. D. P. Nelson was the first principal.

Mt. Zion Lutheran church was built in 1853. It is an offshoot of the Samuel Zeigler Lutheran church in Hanover township, founded in 1815. In 1842 a division occurred in the old church over some differences regarding their creed, and it was the remaining worshipers that formed Mt. Zion church.

The German Reformed Millville church was originally one of the branches of the Samuel Ziegler Lutheran congregation, which suffered a division in 1842. The church is in a prosperous condition and regular services are conducted.

The United Brethren church, established in 1822, was at one time the most important church in Ross township. Its present place of worship was erected in 1851. In recent years the congregation has not been as prosperous as formerly.