Shawnee Township

Huhe Village

Hume Village, Section 20, Shawnee Township, was platted as a railroad town. The Lake Erie & Western Railroad intersects the Tillage ; twenty-two lots lying northwest of the railroad and fifty-seven lots southwest. Main Street rons parallel with the railroad ; Grider Street nins due north and Spencer Street due west It is the center of a rich agricnltoral district, about eight miles southwest of Lima by railroad, and ten by pike-road, within the limits of the old Hog Creek reservation.

The following relations are culled from various written statements made by the pioneers, and are given here as an addition to the history of early settlement. The Ezekiel Hover farm was the site of a Shawnee village, and during the campaigns of Harmer, St. Glair and Wayne, was often the headqnarters of the warriors. Here Blae Jacket and other chiefs often met the venerable chief and warricM: Blad^Hoof in consultation. Many French also met here during the campaign of Wayne. The Indians were induced to plant an orchard in and about the Yillage. Many of the apple trees are jet standing, and continue to bear fruit There is odb of extraordinary size still bearing fruit. It is about three feet in diameter, and measures about ten feet in circumference. The relations of Pht, it is stat-ed, returned to the site of his burial with a view of finding and removing his bones to the far West, but did not succeed. The old council house and the apple trees are the only relics to be found of the palmy days of the Shawneee on the Ottawa.

William D. Breese in his reminiscences states that his father settled on Section 10, a part of an old Indian farm, whmre he found two cnrchards containing about forfy apple trees each ; many of those trees being yet alive and bearing. There were at ihe time about seven Indian cabins scattered over the land, which had evidently been the site of a Shawnee village.

It is stated by W. IT. Hover that the Shawnees had removed from that region about (me year before his arrival, and bef <»re his father had located 4he home farm. There were, howevcTi a few Indians who remained and hunted with the Wyandots until their removal. Many of the Shawneee came back in 1884 and visited the graves of their ancestors in and about the old village on Section 11, before their final departure to the West. Many years after they came back and dug in many places for hidden relics, and the hemes of their people. They seemed to regret their removal to the West, and otien viewed the localities most dear to their younger days, and finally bid adieu to the Indian hunting grounds. The family of Ezekiel Hovw reside on the farm included in the old Indian village, where the remains of the Chief Pht were buried, and where the old Council House still stands. When Ezekiel Hover first took possession of the farm, he had the Council House refitted for the use of his family.

George Coon, a settler of 1832, came from Bellefontaine by the way of what is now Westminster and Lima, to Section 11 in Shawnee Township. It was all in woods at that time, and there were no roads except Indian trails. When he came, his neighbors were Isaac Boyer, Samuel Sprague, and Dye Sunderland, very much scattered. He was soon joined by William Deniston and family on the same section; soon after, by Thomas Flinn, an Irishman, who settled near him on Section 12. The first cabin had been occupied by a Shawnee family. The forests seem.ed to have been often burned oyer by the Indians, and the young trees have grown within the last fifty years. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 11, about 1837, and taught by Constant Southworth. The first preachers spoke in the cabins of the settlers. The usual place for speaking was at the house of Mr. Goon. The earliest preacher remembered was Thomas Hicknell, a Winebrennerian. A congregation was formed and a church built about 1840, in Allentown. Mr. C3oon and many of the early settlers were compelled to attend the mills of Piqua and Cherokee to obtain grinding, over mere paths in the forests. He often attended the government mill built by the Quakers at Wapakonetta, and sometimes changed to St Mary's, and finally to Lima.

Col. George C. Johnson, of Piqua, writing in 1874, relates the following story of the burial of Blackhoof : ''The Shawnees never bury their dead until the sun is in the tree-tops, late in the afternoon. On such occasions they generally select six pall-bearers, who carry the corpse to the grave and place it therein, the grave being two-and-a-half or three feet deep. When the chief Blackhoof wbb buried, in 1831, it was in the Indian manner; the corpse was wrapped in a clean, new Indian blanket, and a large quantity of new fine goods, consisting of calico, belts and ribbons were placed about the deceased, who was laid upon a new, clean slab, prepared for the purpose. His gun, tomahawk* knife and pipe were by his side. All the Indians present were in deep distress, having their clothes hanging loosely about them, their hair down on their shoulders, and were painted after the ancient manner. The chiefs sat about smoking, looking in solemn silence upon the remains of the great chief who had led the tribe for nearly one hundred years, had been their faithful counsellor in peace and war, had been present at Braddock's defeat, seventy-six years before, and for nearly a century had been in all the expeditions against the 'Long Knives. ' "

For some months before their final departure, the young men of the Shawnees, and the middle-aged, who had not abandoned their old customs, were engaged in a round of dissipation brought on by the mean tricks of wicked traders to cheat the Indians out of every dollar of property they could obtain. Whisky, that bane of the Indian, was largely distributed among the Indians by traders; in fact^ all decency was violated by the wretches who dealt in fire-water. The better portion of the Bhawnees were engaged for weeks in religious ceremonies, dances, and amusements preparatory to their departure. They carefully levelled the graves of their dead, and removed all traces of the same.

Hon. John Mcllvain accompanied the Lewistown Indians, and James B. Gardner those of Wapakonetta. The route was by way of Greenville, Richmond and Indianapolis. The Indians commenced to assemble in September, 1832, and mounted their horses, and such as had wagons seated themselves, while the Government teams hauled their provisions and clothing. Many of them bid a sad adieu to the hunting-grounds and graves of their fathers. « « ^1 things being ready their High Priest, bearing a large gourd and the bones of a deer's leg attached to his neck, led the advance. At the moment of starting on this journey the High Priest sounded the trumpet three times, repeated this signal when halting at night, and followed this course until the tribe settled on their Kansas reservation.

The Shawnees who emigrated numbered 700 souls, and the Senecas, who emigrated at the same time, 350. When they arrived at Greenville, they encamped at Tecumseh's Point and remained a day or two to take a final farewell of that place, so dear to their memories as the home of their fathers and the scene of so many Indian assemblies and heroic exploits. They had before them a journey of over 800 miles across the open prairie, in an uninhabited country.

About one-fifth of the tribe remained at Wapakonetta and among the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky, until the spring of 1833. The Indians arrived at their new home about Christmas, 1832. Gardner accompanied them to the Mississippi and turned back, when Joseph Parks, a halfblood Quaker, who had the job of removing them, conducted them safely to their new home They at once proceeded to raise cabins, split rails, and make fences, but were very short of provisions, and had to depend largely upon such game as they could find.

ship was inangorated, with. Miss Maria Hover, teacher, in a cabin which was formerly the home of Chief Pht, just northwest of the Shawnee ootmcil house. In 1837 a schoolhoose was erected on Section 11, presided oyer bj Constant Sonthworth. The growth of the school system in this division of the county is shown in the following abstract of report for 1884: Beyenue for 1884 was $8,546; ezpenditore, $4,ld6. Of the nine school buildings, yalned at about $11,000, one was erected in 1884 at a cost of $750. Th&te are 478 pupils - 230 boys and 248 girls. Fourteen teachers w«re employed.

The first religious society in Shawnee may be said to haye been formed by Bey. James B. Finley, a Methodist itinerant, who preached in the homes of the people, particularly at George Coon's hpuse. The first house of worship, howeyer, was erected on Section 27, Shawnee, by the Lutherans. Thomas Hicknell, a Winebrennerian, was the first preacher. The Methodist Episcopal Church stands just west of the old Shawnee Council House.

The Lake Erie & Western Bailroad passes through Shawnee ^Township from northeast to southwest, the Dayton & Michigan through the westerly and southwesterly sections, and the Chicago & Atlantic runs through the most northerly sections from east to west The only postoffice in the township is Hume.

Source changes here: from History of Allen County, Ohio, by Various, published 1885; 10,200 words in this source stream.

Shawnee Township

HE name of this township was singularly well chosen. It is true that the traveler will look in vain for those sanguinary savages, after whom the town was named; he will not find more than a souvenir of those painted rascals, who aided their white military brethren in 1794-1812-13, to scalp and burn and murder the soldiers and citizens of the Union. He will find none of this; even the wilderness is gone and in its place a hundred happy homes, well cultivated farms, railroads, pike-roads, schools, churches, and with all this, an intelligent people, appear to testify to the present and give hope for the future.

Organization

The commissioners, in session December 1, 1834, granted the petition of the people of Shawnee to set off Township 4, Range 6, as a separate township from the Hog Creek Reservation, under the name of its original inhabitants.

Reed were elected trustaes,and Ezekiel Hover, clerk. The list of voters comprised twelve names. In 1848 the southern tier of sections was attached to the new county of Auglaize, and in May, 1857 the northeast quarter of Section 1 was attached to the new township of Ottawa.

Almost the entire territory, now embraced in Shawnee Township, (a half mile strip of the western sections and a quarter mile strip of the eastern sections excepted), was included in the Indian reservation, of twenty-five square miles, named in the treaty of September 29, 1817, and was organized under Chief Pht, or Falling Tree, and Onowaskemo, or Resolute Man.

The first settlers on the Indian reservation of Hog Creek, were Griffith Breese, who settled on Section 10 in November 1832, with his family, and resided there until his death in 1848 ; George Coon, Sr., settled on Section 11 in 1832, died in 1877 ; William Denniston on Section 11 in 1832, and Thomas Flynn on Section 12 in 1832. John Dowling arrived early in 1833. Joseph Hover and family, Ezekie! Hover and Emanuel Hover arrived in April, 1833. Joseph Hover settled on Section 1; Ezekiel Hover took possession of the. Indian farm, apd completed the council house on the plan which Falling Tree adopted in 1831, when the building was commenced; Emanuel Hover located his property in the neighborhood. Benjamin Reed and Samuel Sprague, the Decorseys, Edwards, Fritzes, Adgates, Roses, Hales, Daniels, Lowrie and Boyer may be named among the pioneers.

In the following roll of purchasers of United States lands on the Hog Creek reservation, as well as in the tax list of 1834, given in the pioneer chapter, an authentic pioneer record is found.

Hume Village

Hume Village, Section 29, Shawnee Township, was platted asa railroad town. The Lake Erie & Western Railroad intersects the village ; twenty-two lots lying northwest of the railroad and fifty-seven lots southwest. Main Street runs parallel with the railroad ; Crider Street runs due north and Spencer Street due west. It is the center of a rich agricultural district, about eight miles southwest of Lima by railroad, and

Reminiscences Of Settlement

The following relations are culled from various written statements made by the pioneers, and are given here as an addition to the history of early settlement. The Ezekiel Hover farm was the site of a Shawnee village, and during the campaigns of Harmer, St. Clair and Wayne, was often the headquarters of the warriors. Here Blue Jacket and other chiefs often met the venerable chief and warrior Black Hoof in consultation. Many French also met here during the campaign of Wayne. The Indians were induced to plant an orchard in and about the village. Many of the apple trees are yet standing, and continue to bear fruit. There is one of extraordinary size still bearing fruit. Itis about three feet in diameter, and measures about ten feet in circumference. The relations of Pht, it is stated, returned to the site of his burial with a view of finding and removing his bones to the far West, but did not succeed. The old.council house and the apple trees are the only relics to be found of the palmy days of the Shawnees on the Ottawa.

William D. Breese in his reminiscences states that his father settled on Section 10, a part of an old Indian farm, where he found two orchards containing about forty apple trees each ; many of those trees being yet alive and bearing. There were at the time about seven Indian cabins scattered over the land, which had evidently been the site of a Shawnee village,

It is stated by W. U. Hover that the Shawnees had removed from that region about one year before his arrival, and before his father had located the home farm. There were, however, a few Indians who remained and hunted with the Wyandots until their removal. Many of the Shawnees came back in 1834 and visited the graves of their ancestors in and about the old village on Section 11, before their final departure to the West. Many years after they came back and dug in many places for hidden relics, and the bones of their people. They seemed to regret their removal to the West, and often viewed the localities most dear to their younger days, and finally bid adieu to the Indian hunting grounds. The family, of Ezekiel Hover reside on the farm included in the old Indian village, where the remains of the Chief Pht were buried, and where the old Council House still stands. When Ezekiel Hover first took possession of the farm, he had the Council House refitted for the use of his family.

George Coon, a settler of 1832, came from Bellefontaine by the way of what is now Westminster and Lima, to Section 11 in Shawnee Township. It was all in woods at that time, and there were no roads except Indian trails. When he came, his neighbors were Isaac Boyer, Samuel joined by William Deniston and family on the same section; soon after, by Thomas Flinn, an Irishman, who settled near him on Section 12. The first cabin had been occupied by a Shawnee family. The forests seemed to have been often burned over by the Indians, and the young trees have grown within the last fifty years. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 11, about 1837, and taught by Constant Southworth. The first preachers spoke in the cabins of the settlers. The usual place for speaking was at the house of Mr. Coon. The earliest preacher remembered was Thomas Hicknell,a Winebrennerian. A congrégation was formed and a church built about 1840, in Allentown. Mr. Coon and many of the early settlers were compelled to attend the mills of Piqua and Cherokee to obtain grinding, over mere paths in the forests. He often attended the government mill built by the Quakers at Wapakonetta, and sometimes changed to St. Mary's, and finally to Lima.

Col. George C. Johnson, of Piqua, writing in 1874, relates the following story of the burial of Blackhoof: ''The Shawnees never bury their dead until the sun is in the tree-tops, late in the afternoon. On such occasions they generally select six pall-bearers, who carry the corpse to the grave and place it therein, the grave being two-and-a-half or three feet deep. When the chief Blackhoof was buried, in 1831, it was in the Indian manner; the curpse was wrapped in a clean, new Indian blanket, and a large quantity of new fine goods, consisting of calico, belts and ribbons were placed about the deceased, who was laid upon a new, clean slab, prepared for the purpose. His gun, tomahawk. knife and pipe were by his side. All the Indians present were in deep distress, having their clothes hanging loosely about them, their hair down on their shoulders, and were painted after the ancient manner. The chiefs sat about smoking, looking in solemn silence upon the remains of the great chief who had Jed the tribe for nearly one hundred years, had been their faithful counsellor in peace and war, had been present at Braddock's defeat, seventy-six years before, and for nearly a century had been in all the expeditions against the 'Long. Knives. '"

For some months before their final departure, the young men of the Shawnees, and the middle-aged, who had not abandoned their old customs, were engaged in a round of dissipation brought on by the mean tricks of wicked traders to cheat the Indians out of every dollar of property they could obtain. Whisky, that bane of the Indian, was largely distributed among the Indians by traders; in fact, all decency was violated by the wretches who dealt in fire-water. The better portion of the Shawnees were engaged for weeks in religious ceremonies, dances, and amusements prepuratory to their departure. They carefully levelled the graves of their dead, and removed all traces of the same.

Hon. John Mcllvain accompanied the Lewistown Indians, and James B. Gardner those of Wapakonetta. The route was by way of Greenville, Richmond and Indianapolis. The Indians commenced to assemble in September, 1832, and mounted their horses, and such as had wagons seated themselves, while the Government teams hauled their provisions and clothing. Many of them bid a sad adieu to the hunting-grounds and graves of their fathers. * s si * "9 All things being ready their High Priest, bearing a large gourd and the bones of a deer's leg attached to his neck, led the advance. At the moment of starting on this journey the High Priest sounded the trumpet three times, repeated this signal when halting at night, and followed this course until the tribe settled on their Kansas reservation.

The Shawnees who emigrated numbered 700 souls, and the Senecas, who emigrated at thesame time, 300. When they arrived at Greenville, they encamped at Tecumseh's Point and remained a day or two to take a final farewell of that place, so dear to their memories as the home of their fathers and the scene of so many Indian assemblies and heroic exploits. They had before them a journey of over 800 miles across the open prairie, in an uninhabited country.

_ About one-fifth of the tribe remained at Wapakonetta and among the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky, until the spring of 1833. The Indians arrived at their new home about Christmas, 1832. Gardner accompanied them to the Mississippi and turned back, when Joseph Parks, a halfblood Quaker, who had the job of removing them, conducted them safely to their new home They at once proceeded to raise cabins, split rails, ' and make fences, but were very short of provisions, and had to depend largely upon such game as they could find.

ship was inaugurated, with Miss Maria Hover, teacher, in a cabin which was formerly the home of Chief Pht, just northwest of the Shawnee council house. In 1837 a schoolhouse was erected on Section 11, presided over by Constant Southworth. The growth of the school system in this division of the county is shown in the following abstract of report for 1884: Revenue for 1884 was $3,546; expenditure, $4,196. Of the~ nine school buildings, valued at about $11,000, one was erected in 1884 at a cost of $750. There are 478 pupils - 230 boys and 248 girls. Fourteen teachers were employed.

The first religious society in Shawnee may be said to have been formed by Rev. James B. Finley, a Methodist itinerant, who preached in the homes of the people, particularly at George Coon's house. The first house of worship, however, was erected on Section 27, Shawnee, by the Lutherans. Thomas Hicknell, a Winebrennerian, was the first preacher. The Methodist Episcopal Church stands just west of the old Shawnee Counci] House.

Miscellaneous

The Lake Erie & Western Railroad passes through Shawnee Township from northeast to southwest, the Dayton & Michigan through the westerly and southwesterly sections, and.the Chicago & Atlantic runs | through the most northerly sections from east to west. The only postoffice in the township is Hume.

CHARLES H. ADGATH, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, December 11, 1844; son of Charles H. and Mary (Carlisle) Adgate, former a native of Connecticut, latter of Trumbull County, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, John Adgate, was a native of Connecticut, and among the first settlers of Trumbull County, Ohio, and his maternal grandparents, David and Margaret (Galbraith) Carlisle, were natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Trumbull County, Ohio. His parents came to this county, in the fal] of 1834, and settled on the farm in Shawnee Township, now occupied by Henry C. Adgate, which they cleared and improved. Charles H. Adgate, Sr., who was associate judge of this county in 1844, died October 12, 1854, aged fifty-seven; his widow still resides on the old homestead. They had seven children : Margaret A. (deceased), Henry C., Hart C., Gouveneur H. (killed at the battle of Corinth, Miss., in the late war of the Rebellion), Charles H., 'and two'infant sons (deceased). Our subject was reared on the old homestead and was educated inthe common schools. He was in the late war of the Rebellion having enlisted in April, 1864, in Company D, Fiftyfourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Fifteenth Corps, Second Brigade, Second Division, under John A. Logan; was in the battle of Resaca and the chief engagements in the Atlanta campaign; was siezed with typhoid fever near Marietta, Iowa, and remained in the hospital three months, rejoined his regiment in North Carolina on its return from the march to the sea, and was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Ark., in July, 1865. He then went to Kansas and engaged in freighting grain across the plains one year. After which he located in Delphos, this county, where he embarked in the produce business. He then went to Sidney, Ohio, where he published the Sidney Jourvial two years, in partnership with D. M. Bliss. In 1870 he engaged in farming again, and has been located in Shawnee Township since 1875. Mr, Adgate is a member of the K. of P. In politics he is a Republican.

JOHN H. BERRYMAN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Logan Township, now a part of Auglaize County, Ohio, August 19, 1848; son of Russell and Margaret (Slain) Berryman. His paternal grandfather was William Berryman, a native of Ireland, who settled in Logan Township (then a part of this county) in 1823, where he died soon after. His children were ten in number: Anna M., William, Ephraim, John, Russell, Thomas, Eliza, Martha, Emeline and Mercy; all now deceased except Eliza (Mrs. Henry Noble). After the father's death the boys took hold of and cleared the farm, and the homestead afterward came into possession of Russell, the father of our subject, who resided there until his death; he died in 1879, at the age of sixty-three years; he was twice married, his first wife being Margaret Slain, a native of Virginia, by whom he had five children: Cornelia (Mrs. E. A. Stocking), Ephraim,

Rosabel (Mrs. A. F. Blackburn), John H. and James W.; his second wife was Elizabeth Whetstone, by whom he had twelve children, nine of whom grew to maturity: Flora (Mrs. John G. Miller), Abram, Margaret (Mrs. L. Cochron), William, Russell, Rosetta (Mrs. William Mires), Mattie, Warren and Cora. Onur subject was reared on the old homestead in Logan Township, and received a common school education. After he became of age he engaged in farming, and buying and selling stock, and in 1867, he located in Shawnee Township, this county, purchasing the farm he now occupies in 1880. Mr. Berryman was married, March 12, 1868, to Sally C., daughter of Abraham and Maria B. (Hover) Boyd, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1837, locating on the farm now occupied by our subject, which they cleared andimproved. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd reared a family of four children: Henry E., Sally C., Margaret Ann (deceased), and Mary B. (Mrs. Joha W. Black). Mrs. Berryman's maternal grandfather was Ezekiel Hover, a native of New Jersey, a commissary in the war of 1812. He was a pioneer of Shawnee Township, this county, where he settled in 1832, having purchased a tract of land in the Shawnee reservation at the government saie. To our subject and wife have been born five children: Myrtle, Maggie, J. Russell, Hattie and Robert F. Mr. and Mrs. Berryman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has filled several offices in the township. In politics he is a Democrat. JOHN BOYD. farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., November 4, 1807, son of Henry and Margaret (Beer) Boyd, both natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Trumbull County, Ohio. Our subject was reared in Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was educated in the common schools. After he was eighteen years of age he began working ona farm by the month, and also engaged in teaming and teaching school until he was twenty four years of age. He was twice married, his first wife, to whom he was married, February 21, 1833, being Mary C., daughter of John and Rebecca (McKinney) Johnson, of Canfield, Ohio. The issue of this union was two children, Rebecca J. (Mrs. James Robison, deceased), and Juhn (deceased). His present wife is Anna, daughter of Frederick and Christena (Hartzel) Lazarus, of Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio, to whom he was married, March, 16, 1837, and by whom he has had four children: Frederick who died in the army during the late war, at Bowling Green, Ky., a member of the Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Susan (Mrs. David E. Hover), Maria (Mrs. W. A. Wolf) and Christiana (Mrs. George Tamplin). After his first marriage Mr. Boyd settled in Berlin Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he resided fourteen years; from there he went to. Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio, where he lived until 1854, when he came to this county, settling in Shawnee Township, on the farm he now owns and oceupies, which he cleared and improved. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Presbyterian Church of Lima. He has filled several of the minor offices of the township. In politics he is a Republican. GEORGE BREESE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Franklin County, Penpv., October 1, 1817, son of Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese, who settled on Section 10, Shawnee Township, this county, in 1832, where they lived one winter in the Indian Council House, after- ward entering the land now owned by their sons, William D. and David M., which they cleared and improved, and where they lived and died. The father was a native of Wales, the mother of Pennsylvania. They reared a family of six children: Nancy, George, John (who was killed while moving a house, by a hook flying and striking him on the head), William D., David M. and Griffith (who was a member of the Ninetyninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late war, and died of disease contracted in the service before the expiration of his term). Our subject, who was fifteen years of age when his parents settled in Shawnee Township, this county, received a limited education in the schools of his day, and resided with his parents until their death. He was married September 6, 1855, to Sarah, daughter of Solomon and Ruth (Carter) Yoakum, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1842. The issue of this union is four children: Charles L., Mary E. (Mrs. C. D. Strawbridge - have one child, Cloyd E.), Ina and John O. After his marriage Mr. Breese settled on Sections 9 and 16, Shawnee Township, this county, a part of which he drained and improved. He afterward moved to Section 21, same township, on a farm of 160 acres, which he also cleared and improved, and afterward bought an addition of 160 acres adjoining, on Section 16, and this he also cleared, and where he now resides in the fine residence built by him in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Breese and three children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he served as trustee for several years. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM D. BREESE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 30, 1822; son of Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese, former a native of Wales, latter of Franklin County, Penn. His paternal grandfather was John Breese, a native of Wales, who came to America in 1798, settling in Champaign County, Ohio, in an early day, and whose children were Susan, Griffith, Robert, Mary and Jobn (all new deceased). Our subjeci's maternal grandfather was Lewis Mowen, a native of Pennsylvania. William D. Breese came with his parents in 1832 to this county, where the latter entered land in Shawnee Township, a part of which is now occupied by our subject, and which, with the assistance of their sons, they cleared and improved. Here the father died in 1848, at the age of fifty-eight, and the mother in March, 1858, at the age of sixty-two. They had a family of six children: Nancy, George, John (killed while moving a house), William D., David M. and Griffith (who died in the army October, 1862). Our subject was reared in Shawnee Township, this county, from ten years of age, and has always resided on the old homestead. He was married March 15. 1859, to Ellen, daughter of Solomon and Ruth (Carter) Yoakum, who setiled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1842, and to this union was born one son, G. Alva (who was married January 20, 1881, to Iva, daughter of Jehu and Mary (Clark) John, of Elida, Ohio, by whom he has three children: Clifford E., Julius C. and Vida M. Mrs. Preese died in February, 1861, at the age of twenty-eight years; at the time of her death she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Breese has served the township as justice of the peace one term, was township treasurer for several years and also township clerk. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

DAVID M. BREESE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 27, 1825, son of Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1832, former a native of Wales, latter of Pennsylvania. They were parents of six children: Nancy, George, John (kiiled while moving a house), William D., David M. and Griffith. Our subject was seven years of age when he came with his parents to this county, and was reared on the old homestead, a part of which he now owns and occupies, receiving a limited education in the country schools. He was married January 1, 1849, to Mary, daughter of Crane and Marv (Harper) Valentine, of Berrien County, Mich. The issue of this union was three children: Mary E. (Mrs. Columbus Maltbie), George L. and Emmett (deceased). Mr. Breese after his marfiage located on Section 3, Shawnee Township, this county, on what is now known as the Shaffer farm, which he cleared and improved, and where he lived fourteen years. In 1863 he removed to his present farm, a part of the old homestead originally entered by his father, where he has resided ever since. He was in the 100 day's service during the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was at Washington, D. C., at the time of Gen. Early's raid, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Mr. and Mrs. Breese are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a Ff. & A. M. since 1862. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. BREESE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born September. 12, 1848, in Shawnee Township, this county, on what is known as the old "Turkey Foot farm", and is ason of John and Emily (Valentine) Breese, the former a native of Butler County, Ohio, born April 18, 1820; the latter a native of Champaign County, Ohio; born April 21, 1820. His paternal grandparents were Griffith and Mary (Mowen) Breese, the former a native of Wales, anda son of John Breese, who immigrated to America in 1798; the latter a native of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Lewis. Mowen. Our subject's maternal grandparents were Crane and Mary (Harper) Valentine, who settled in Lima, Ohio, in 1882, when there were but ten houses in the place. His maternal great-grandparents were William and Johanna (Crane) Valentine, natives of New Jersey and pioneers of Champaign County, Ohio. Mrs. Mary (Harper) Valentine was a native of Virginia, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Cunningham) . Harper. John Breese, father of our subject, who was twelve years of age when his parents settled in Shawnee Township, this county, received a limited education in the schools of that time, and commenced the world for himself on what is known as the "Turkey Foot farm," this county, where he resided three years; in 1851, he removed to the farm now owned and occupied by Samuel Zurmehly, a part of which he cleared and improved, where he lived until 1863, when he located on the farm now occupied by our subject, and here he resided until his death, which was caused by being struck on the head with an iron hook while engaged in moving a building, November 16, 1865, his death ensuing the day following; he was in the 100 days' service in the One Hundred and Fiftyfirst Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late war of the Rebellion; he held several minor offices in Shawnee Township; in politics, he was a

Republican; he was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is the only child of his parents, and was reared and educated in Shawnee Township, this county, where he has always resided. He was married November 10, 1874, to Ida A., daughter of James A. and Isabel K. (Ferguson) Hover, of Shawnee Township, this county, and by her he has two children: Naamah B. and John E. Mr. Breese is serving his first term as trustee of the township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is steward. In politics, he is a Republican.

GEORGE BURKHART, farmer, P.O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 20, 1845, son of George and Elizabeth (Friesinger) Burkhart, who came to America in 1847, the former of whom settled in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1850, and cleared and improved a farm in Noble Township, where he still resides; the latter died the year they came to America. Our subject was reared in Noble Township, Auglaize County, from five years of age. He never attended school, but his father taught him sufficient to enable him to read German. He lived with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he started out for himself, and engaged in chopping for several years, until he had saved enough to purchase the farm he now occupies in Shawnee Township, this county, all of which he cleared and improved himself, and on which he built a fine residence in 1882. Mr. Burkhart was married twice, his first wife being Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Delong) Bowsher, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1836, and by this union have been born five children: Charlie, Ida, Frank, William and Mary. The present wife of our subject is Emma, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Wagner) Bowsher, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1851, and the issue of this union is one child - Francis. Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart are members of the Lutheran Church. In polities, he is a Democrat.

JOSEPH B. CHIPMAN, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Licking County, Ohio, July 4, 1884;son of Don L. and Elizabeth (Dickey) Chipman, the former a native of Jericho, Chittenden Co., Vt., born April 17, 1801, son of Joseph and Amy (Reed) Chipman, early settlers of Licking County, Ohio, where they located in 1816. Don L. Chipman lived in Licking County, Ohio, up to 1848, when he came to this county, locating in Shawnee Township, on the farm he now occupies, most of which he cleared and where he made all improvements; he was taarried three times, his first wife being Elizabeth Dickey, of Licking County, Ohio, by whom he had six children who grew to maturity: Amy J. (Mrs. Jacob Fry), Joseph B., Lorenzo D. (deceased), James M., Albert A. (died of disease contracted in the army during the late civil war), and Mary A. KE. (Mrs. Miles Wilson); his second wife was Cynthia Connett (nee Morris), of German Township, this county, and his present wife was Mary A. Jennings (nee Thayer), of Bath Township, this county, by whom he has one child living - Ettie. Don L. Chipman cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson when nominated for president in 1824, and has voted at every presidential election since. Our subject was reared in Licking County, Ohio, until fourteen years of age, when he removed to Shawnee Township, this county, and assisted his father in clearing his farm. He received a limited education in the common schools, spending his leisure time in educating himself, and at the age of nineteen was so far advanced as to be able to teach a country school, an occupation he followed for fifteen winters. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted February 14,1865, in Company C, One Hundred and Ninetysecond Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served seven months, and was honorably discharged in September, 1865. Mr. Chipman was married July 4, 1861, to Margaret, daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Hamilton) Hammond, of Amanda Township, this county, by whom he has four children: Ella, Nettie,Clement and Onie. Mrs. Chipman is a member of the Baptist Church, her eldest daughter of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Chipman served as justice of the peace of his township four times, refusing a re-election. He served ascounty infirmary director from 1875 to 1881. In politics, he is a Democrat.

JOSHUA B. COON, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, January 23, 1842; son of Wesley and Mary A. (Flinn) Coon, former a son of George Coon, of German descent and a native of Pennsylvannia, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1832; and latter a daughter of Thomas Flinn, a native of Ireland, who also came to Shawnee Township same year. George Coon had a family of nine children: Betsey, Wesley, George, Abigail, Margaret, Amy, Alexander, Isaac and Tobias, and of these, Wesley, father of our subject, entered a farm on Section 4, Shawnee Township, this county, in 1835, which he cleared and improved, and where he resided until his death; he died in 1866, at the age of fifty-six years; he was twice married, his first wife being Mary A., daughter of Thomas and Polly (Wilson) Flinn, and by this union there were five children: Joshua B., Caleb, Philema (Mrs. James Gaskell), Sarah A. (Mrs. Thomas Gorham), and Mary E. (Mrs. Henry Nungester); his second wife was Caroline, daughter of Jacob Croft, of Shelby County, Ohio, by whom he had three children: Lydia (Mrs. William Benardon), Rachel (Mrs. Scott Rumbaugh), and Nettie M. Our subject was reared in Shawnee Township, and educated in the common schools. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, enlisting October 18, 1861. in Company E, Forty-sixth Obio Volunteer Infantry; he was in the Atlanta campaign, and with Sherman in his march to the sea; was in the battles of Chattanooga and Vicksburg, and many other engagements, and was honorably discharged July 22, 1868, after three years and nine months' service. After his discharge he returned home and purchased the farm he now occupies, most of which he has cleared and improved, himself. Mr. Coon was married, June 27, 1867, to Mary, daughter of William and Eliza (Schilling) Buckley, of Shawnee Township, this county, and the issue of this union has been five children: Naotia (deceased), Maude (deceased), Charles W., Mary A. and Virgil M. Mr. and Mrs. Coon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has filled several of the minor offices in the township. In politics he is a Republican.

ABRAHAM ORIDER, farmer and county commissioner, P. O. Lima, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 19, 1828; son of Ephraim and Mary (Dunkle) Crider, former born December 25, 1805, died in 1850. Ephraim Crider was a son of Abraham and Sophia (Larick) Crider, who settled in Pickaway County in 1814, and were parents of Sophia (married to Andrew Thompson and who died, leaving a family in Wyandot County, Ohio), David (deceased, left family in Ross County, Ohio), Sally, wife of Timothy Spangler (died leaving a family in Pickaway County, Ohio), Ephraim, father of our subject; Amelia, the only one living of the family, married to a Mr. Howell, who died leaving a family in Ross County, Ohio; and George (deceased, left family near Adelphi, Ohio). The children of Ephraim and Mary Crider were ten in number: Isaac (residing near Howard, Kans.); Eliza (died, aged six years); Abraham; Hannah, wife of Jacob Darst, in Auglaize County, Ohio; Maria, wife of Alexander Shaw, of Cridersville, Ohio; Leanna, wife of Allen Spiker, in Cridersville, Ohio; Reuben, in Auglaize County, Ohio; Susan (deceased wife of John Reichelderfer, who lives in Auglaize County, Ohio); Ephraim (deceased, aged two years); and John J., in Cfidersville, Ohio. Ephraim Crider came to Auglaize County, in 1854, and in 1855 laid out the town of Cridersville. The subject of this sketch received a limited schooling, but studied late at nights by fire-light. He remained with his father until his marriage, September 26, 1852, with Mary Garling, who was born June 11, 1828, in Fairfield County, daughter of John and Catharine (Hummel) Garling, natives of Pennsylvania, . who came to Fairfield County, Ohio, in the winter of 1824. John Garling was a son of Frederick Garling, and died in 1872, aged eightytwo years; his widow died in 1884, aged eighty-three; she was a daughter of Frederick and Hannah (Stein) Hummel, natives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers of Ohio. The children of John and Catharine Gar. ling were Jeremiah, Solomon and William, in Logan County, Ohio; Daniel, in Hardin County, Ohio; Mary, and John, in Columbus County, Ohio. Mr. Crider and his wife came to this county in December, 1852, with a team and $90 in cash, all their wealth, and here they endured the trials and hardships of pioneer life. In 1854 Mr. Crider bought eighty acres of land where he now lives, to which he added until he now owns 400 acres. To our subject and wife were born nine children: John F. and F. E. born October 2, 1853, both married, the former residing in Ada, Ohio, the latter in Shawnee Township, this county; George W., born February 16, 1855; Catharine, born December 15, 1856, wife of Amos Reichelderfer, in Auglaize County, Ohio; William E., born May 29, 1858; Flora C., born December 20, 1859, wife of Frank Terwilleger, in Tipton County, Ind.; Mary A., born June 22, 1861; Margaret M., born December 26, 1863; Hattie V., born March 11, 1868. Mr. Crider was chosen -by the people of his township to the office of trustee and treasurer, which he held many years, and as a further reward for bisstrict business integrity he was chosen in 1882, by the people of his county, to the more responsible position of county commissioner, being now chairman of that board.

JOSEPH DIXSON, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, October 22, 1827; son of Jacob and Mary (Hardin) Dixson, former a native of Virginia, latter of Bedford County, Penn. His paternal grandfather was Joseph Dixson, a Virginian and a pioneer of Muskingum County, Ohio, where he lived and died; he was a teamster in his early days, and later a farmer. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Hardin,"a native of Pennsylvania, who lived and died in Bedford County, that State. Our subject was reared in Ohio, and acquired a limited education in the country schools, prior to his being eight years of age. His father at one time was a resident of Shawnee Township, this county, where he located in 1835, and lived three years; then removed to Franklin County, and from there to Licking County, where he resided until his death; he had eleven children: Mary A. (deceased), Dorcas (Mrs. Jacob Ridenour, Jr.), Joseph, Julia A. (Mrs. William Keester), John, Jacob, George, Enoch (deceased), James, Seth and Austin. Our subject came to this county in 1848, locating in Shawnee Township, and in 1849 settled on the farm now owned by H. C. Kemper, which he cleared and improved and resided on until 1874, when he removed to the farm he now occupies. He was married October 24, 1850, to Barbara E., daughter of Mahlon and Sophia (Nye) Moninger, of Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he has had fifteen children: John, Joseph (deceased), Mary S. (Mrs. A. E. Brown), Laura (Mrs. J. 8. Franklin), Jacob R. (deceased), an infant son (deceased), Clara E. (deceased), Melva H., James 8, Francis L., William C., Henry O., Harvey L., Holmes C., and an infant son (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Dixson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was in the late war of the 'Rebellion in the one hundred days' service. In politics he is a Republican.

- CHRISTOPHER GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Hume, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 3, 1825; son of William and Mary (Johnson) Graham, who settled in Union Township, Allen (now in Auglaize) Co., Ohio, in 1835, where they cleared and improved a farm on which they lived and died. They reared a family of seven children: Richard (deceased), Christopher, John (deceased), Mary A. (Mrs. David Mc- Pheron), Charles and William C. (who reside on the old homestead) and Barton E. Our subject was reared in Union Township, now in Auglaize County, Ohio, from ten years of age. He settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1847, locating on the farm where he now resides, entering eighty-seven acres of land from the government, which he cleared and improved, and he has since added to his possessions by enlarging the farm to 262 acres. He was murried, June 22, 1848, to Mary T., daughter of Miles and Fanny (Blew) Cowan, of Auglaize County, Ohio, by whom he has had ten children: Beach, Fanny I. (deceased), Ann B., John, Missouri I. (Mrs. Theodore King), Ida L. (Mrs. Charles Settlemire), Edla A. (Mrs. Daniel Hoak, deceased), Mary R., Jerusha L. and Roger. Mr. Graham has held several of the minor offices of the Township. In politics he is a Democrat.

MRS. MARGARET HALL, widow of Jesse Hall, P. O. Lima, was born December 29, 1827, in Jackson County, Ohio, and came to Auglaize County, Ohio, with her parents, David and Nancy (MeGrady) Anthony, former a son of George and Susan (Piper) Anthony. George Anthony was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, was captured by the Indians, but effected his escape. Mrs. Nancy Anthony was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Iddings) McGrady, former a native of Scotland, latter of Ireland. The children of David and Nancy Anthony were eight in number: Margaret, Mary (wife of B. F. Dunnan, in Lima, Ohio), Elizabeth

(widow of Philip Russler, by whom she had two children; is Now the wife of James Yokum, of Shawnee Township, this county), Gilderoy (in Lima, Ohio), Angeline (deceased wife of Rev. Samuel Fairfield, in Van Wert County, Ohio), Catharine (widow of David Manner, in Lima, Ohio), and two deceased in childhood. Jesse Hall was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 28, 1825, and came to this county in 1835, with his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Truesdale) Hall, natives of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were married September 19, 1847, and had a family of ten children: Angeline, Estella, one not named that died in childhood, Nancy E. (wife of George Wolf, in Shawnee Township, this county), Mary I. (deceased wife of William L. Grove, in Van Wert County), Sidney D. (wife of John Bussert, a merchant of Beaver Dam, Ohio), Jacob S. (died at twenty-three years of age), Sarah C. (wife of Jonathan Hesser, a partner with Mr. Bussert), David G. (at home, a teacher) and Isaac J. (at home). Mr. Hall was one of the first to rally at the call of Gov. Tod for the "Squirrel Hunters," and received his discharge in September, 1862. May 2, 1864, he went as sergeant of Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, under Capt. William Huston, did duty at Washington, D. C., and was discharged June 24, 1864. He died December 16, 1878, his health having been seriously impaired in the service of his country. He took an active part in all measures which might conduce to the advancement and elevation of the people of his community. He commanded the respect and esteem of the people, and his death was lamented by all who knew him. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES A. HOVER, farmer, P. O., Lima, was born near Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 1, 1828; son of Joseph and Caroline (Adgate) Hover, natives of Pennsylvania, who were married February 7, 1809. Joseph Hover located in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1802 and in 1833 came to this county, settling in Shawnee Township, on the farm now occupied by our subject, and here lived and died. Joseph and Caroline Hover had eight children: Eliza M., deceased wife of Rev. John Alexander, a missionary in this county in the interest of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1833-84 (she died May 27, 1852, aged forty-one years), Josiah C. (died September 24, 1834, aged twenty-six years), Julius A. (died June 29, 1843, aged twenty-seven years), Joshua B., Cyrus H., William U., James A. and Joseph O. (died April 28, 1851, aged twenty years). The paternal grandfather of our subject was Manuel Hover, a native of New Jersey, of German descent, captain of a company during the war of the Revolution, and a pioneer of Trumbull County, Ohio, where he lived and died; the maternal grandfather of our subject was John Adgate, also a pioneer of Trumbull County, Ohio. James A. Hover was reared in Shawnee Township, this county, from five years of age and was educated inthe country schools. He has resided on the old homestead since 1833, with the exception of two years spent in Lima, Ohio, (in which city he was engaged in the milling business) and two years in California, where he went in 1849, and while there was engaged in mining. He has been twice married, his first wife, whom he married April 6, 1852, being Isabel K., daughter of Thomas and Catharine (King) Ferguson, of this county, and by this union were born three children: Ida A. (Mrs. W. "H. Breese, born April 29, 1853), Alma A. (Mrs. D. C. Ford, born March 16, 1856), and Cyrus A. (born August 27, 1860). His second wife, to whom he was married, March 8, 1865, was Nancy, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (McKibben) Dobbins, of Lima, Ohio, and by her he has one child, Alfred C., born December 23, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Hover are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS A. MALTBIE, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Sidney, Ohio, January 19, 1845, son of Harrison and Nancy J. (Wilkinson) Maltbie, natives of Ohio, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1847, on the farm now occupied by Alexander McCoy, which Harrison Maltbie had cleared and improved and where he lived up to the spring of 1884, when he removed to Lafayette, Ohio, where he now resides. Our subject's father was four times married; his first wife was Susannah Dowling, of Lima, Ohio, by whom he had three children: Silas B., William F. and Margaret (Mrs. Alex. McCoy); his second wife was Nancy J. Wilkinson, by whom he had two children: James H. (deceased) and Thomas A.; his third wife was Emily J. Wilkinson, by whom he had one child: an infant daughter (deceased); and his fourth wife was Mrs. Ann Moore (nee Loughead). Our subject was reared in Shawnee Township, this county, from two years of age, and was educated in the common schools. He was in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted March 25, 1861, in Company D, Highty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battles of Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain, and in the Atlanta campaign. He was honorably discharged July 13, 1865, and returned home, where he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and here he remained until December, 1869, then located on the farm he now occupies, which he has cleared and improved. He was twice married, his first wife, to whom he was married December 16, 1869, being Ann M., daughter of Miles and Ann (Daniels) Langstaff, of Shawnee Township, this county, and the issue of this unionis two children: Frank and Lizzie. His present wife, to whom he was married February 16, 1875, is Ella, daughter of David M. and Mary (Valentine) Breese, of Shawnee Township, this county. To this union has been born one child: Bertha B. Mr. and Mrs. Maltbie are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

AMOS MOWERY, farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 20, 1833; son of Jacob and Catharine (Stepleton) Mowery, former a native of Pennsylvania, and a pioneer of Pickaway County, Ohio, and who came to this county in 1854, locating in Shawnee Township, where he resided until his death. Jacob and Catharine Mowery had seventeen children, fifteen of whom grew to maturity: John, Samuel (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Polly (Mrs. John King), David (deceased), Elizabeth (Mrs. George Wolf), Jeremiah, Peter (deceased), Hester (Mrs. John De Long), Amos, Catherine (deceased), Levi (deceased), Isaac, Joseph and Lydia (Mrs. E. Bigler). Our subject was reared in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he received a limited education in the common schools. He came to this county in 1852 and in the following spring moved to Auglaize County, Ohio, remaining there until 1860, and then locating on the farm where he now resides, in

Shawnee Township, this county. He was married, October 10, 1853, to Catherine, daughter of Peter and Mary (Dotson) Meffley, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1843, former of whom, a tailor by trade and a native of Germany, died of cholera in 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have been born four children: William A., Alice (Mrs. N. P. Myers), Lovina (Mrs. Levi Boysel) and Luella (Mrs. George Baker). Mr. and Mrs. Mowery are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with which he has been connected since sixteen years of age. In politics he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM NAPIER, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Black Rock, Erie Co., N. Y., May 16, 1817, son of Joseph and Rebecca {(McCaracan) Napier, former a native of England, latter of Connecticut, pioneers of Vermillion Township, Huron Co., Ohio. Joseph Napier, who was a sailor by occupation, was drowned in Lake Erie in about 1827. Our subject was 'reared in Huron, Lorain and Trumbull Counties, Ohio, and received a limited education in the common schools. In 1843 he came to this county, and settled on Section 23, Shawnee Township, where he cleared and improved a farm of forty acres, now owned by Rachel Langstaff, and where he resided up to 1856, when he settled on the farm he now occupies, then an unbroken wilderness, comprising 200 acres of land, 150 of which he has cleared and improved. Mr. Napier was married April 19, 1838, to Sarah, daughter of Adam and Anna (Hall) Hough, of Trumbull County, Ohio, former a native of Virginia, latter of New Jersey. To our subject and wife have been born ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Adela (Mrs. Salem Reed), Harriet (Mrs. Silas Reed), Hamlin (member of the Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the late war of the Rebellion, in which he served eighteen months), Susan (Mrs. Freeman Reed), Hilra, Sarah (Mrs. W. A. Smith) and Mary. Mr. Napier has served the township one term as justice of the peace, and has filled other minor offices. In politics he is a Republican and an advocate for prohibition.

JEROME RAYMOND, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., September 15, 1811; son of David and Rebecca (McCaracan) Raymond, natives of Connecticut, and pioneers of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where the father died. The mother afterward married Joseph Napier, settled in Vermillion Township, Huron Co., Ohio, from there removing to Rockport, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and died in Mercer County, Penn. Our subject was reared in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and two and a half months' schooling there was all the educational advantages he received. On coming of age he engaged in farming in Middlebury Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he resided until 1852, in which year he came to this county and settled in Shawnee Township, on the farm he now occupies and most of which he cleared and improved. He has been twice married, his first wife, to whom he was married in 1839, being Almira Ackley, daughter of Thomas Ackley, of Middleburg. Ohio. His present wife, to whom he was married April 15, 1869, was Mrs. Eliza Truesdale, widow of Jesse Truesdale, and daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Warner) Connor, of Auglaize County, Ohio. Mr. Raymond participated in the late war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in September, 1861, in Company B, Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment, in 1863, and was honorably discharged July 23, 1865. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, and in the Atlanta campaign, after which he was 'assigned to the care of baggage and received his final discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio. Mr. Raymond filled the office of township trustee one term. In politics he is a Republican.

MANUEL REED, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Trumbull County Ohio, February 7, 1808; son of Thomas and Jane (Hover) Reed, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Trumbull County, Ohio, where they lived and died. Our subject was reared in Trumbull County, Ohio, where he received a limited education in the country schools. In 1833 he came to this county and entered the land he now owns and occupies, on which he settled in 1837, and all of which he cleared and improved. He was married November 17, 1835, to Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur and Henrietta (Jemison) O'Hara, of Irish descent; parents of eight children, two now living: Horatio G., now in Reno, Nev., and Elizabeth (Mrs. Manuel Reed). Arthur O'Hara was a pioneer merchant of Lima, where ho located in 1833, and in 18387 moved to Wisconsin where he died. Our subject and wife are parents of ten children, all born on the old homestead: Arthur (deceased), Warren (a physician in Kalida, Putnam Co., Ohio), Lorinda (Mrs. J. L. Smith), John, Irvin, Uretta (Mrs. Andrew McClintock), Sarali (Mrs. Solomon Shappell), Anna (Mrs. Jerry Bowsher), Jennetta (deceased), and Aldulia. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are among the first pioneer families left in Shawnee Township. They have twentyfour grandchildren. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Reed has filled several of the township offices. In pulitics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL REED, farmer, P. O. Hume, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 31, 1814, son of Noah and Betsey (Stahl) Reed, former a native of Connecticut, latter of Virginia; they were pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio, where they lived for many years. Oursubject was reared in Fairfield County, Ohio, and was married, August 15, 1837, to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Culp) Akers, of Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he had ten children; Clarissa (deceased), Silas, Salem, Isaac, John, Freeman, Nelson, Almeda (deceased), Emma (Mrs. Charles Andrew) and Laura. Mr. Reed came to this county in the fall of 1852, and settled in Shawnee Township, on the farm where he now resides, all of which he cleared and improved. In politics, he is a Republican.

SOLOMON SHAPPELL, proprietor of saw-mill and farmer, P. O. Hume, was born in Fairtield County, Ohio, April 8, 1847, son of George and Mary (Riggle) Shappell, natives of Berks County, Penn., former a son of Yarmus Shappell, a native of Switzerland now deceased, latter now living in her seventy-first year, daughter of John G. and Elizabeth (Selteimer) Riggle. To George and Mary Shappell were born eleven children: J. G., in Shawnee Township, this county, Elizabeth (wife of William Hastings), Sarah (wifeof William Bowsher, of Auglaize County, Ohio), Nelson (in Kansas), Eli (deceased at eight years of age), Jacob (residing near Lansing, Mich.), Daniel, Solomon, Catharine (widow of William Baker), and Emma F. (wife of James Sellers), all in Shawnee Township, this county, and Ursinus, a doctor in Auglaize

County, Ohio. J. G., Nelson and Daniel enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company G. Eighty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and did valiant duty. The subject of this sketch was married, August 4, 1871, to Miss Sarah Reed, who was born July 30, 1858, daughter of Emanuel Reed of Shawnee Township, this county, and by this union were born five children: Clyde, a daughter born June 15, 1873; Obediah, born January 28, 1876; Duly, died in infancy; Rolly, born June 28, 1881, and Lora, born May 7, 1884. Mr. Shappell remained on a farm until twenty-three years of age and came to Hume, this county, in the fall of 1875, where he is engaged in milling and farming, being a member of the firm of Shappell & Berryman. This firm have improved machinery, a No. 2 circular saw, twenty-five horse-power engine, the only enterprise of the kind in this vicinity, and doing a large business. Our subject is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

SAMUEL SPYKER, farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Circleville, Ohio, November 13, °1813, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Todd) Spyker, former a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Kentucky. They were pioneers of Pickaway County, Ohio, and later of this county, where they died. Their children were eight in number: Mary (deceased), Samuel, Luther, Julia A. (deceased), Rachel (deceased), Henry (deceased), Eliza (Mrs. John Vannetta) and Levi, a soldier in the late war of the Rebellion, who died in Libby prison. Our subject was reared in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he resided until 1841, when he came to this county, settling on the farm he now occupies on Section 25, Shawnee Township, and which he cleared and improved; he also cleared a farm of 100 acres on the same section further east. Mr. Spyker has been twice wedded; his first wife, to whom he was married December 13, 1835, was Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fox) Weaver, of Pickaway County, Ohio, and by her he had eight children, seven of whom grew to maturity: Martin, Lewis, Elizabeth (Mrs. Francis Stevenson), Allen, Mary (Mrs. Francis Mohler), Henry (deceased) and Jacob. His second wife, to whom he was married August 13, 1851, is Margaret, daughter of Michael and Eva (Smith) Losch, and to this union have been born twelve children: Jonathan, Sarah (deceased), Samuel (deceased), Peter (deceased), Theodore (deceased), Effie (Mrs. D. Tippy), Charlie (deceased), Joel, Nettie, Addie, and twins deceased in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Spyker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

DAVID STEPLETON, farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Shawnee Township, this county, July 12, 1846 ; son of John and Hester (Bowsher) Stepleton, former a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, son of David Stepleton, a native of Pennsylvania, who was among the pioneers of Shawnee Township, thjs county, locating on the farm now occupied by his son Joseph, which hé had cleared and improved, and where he lived and died. David Stepleton, Sr., had a family of eight children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Jonathan .Harpster), Sarah (Mrs. William Reichelderfer), John (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Charles Bowsher, now deceased), Levi (deceased), Polly (deceased), Joseph and Jacob (deceased). The maternal grandfather of our subject was Daniel Bowsher, a native of

Pennsylvania, who settled in Shawnee Township, this county, in 1935, clearing and improving a farm, on which he lived and died. The children of John and Hester Stepleton were David and Elizabeth (latter deceased). Our subject was reared and educated in Shawnee Township, this county, and in 1867 he located on the farm he now occupies, all of which he cleared and improved. He was married, September 26, 1867, to Mary E., daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah A. (Pierce) Mowery, early settlers of Shawnee Township, this county, and by this union have been born four children: Franklin A., two infant daughters (deceased), and Vilas E. Mr. and Mrs. Stepleton are members of the Lutheran Church. He has served as clerk of Shawnee Township three terms, and justice of the peace one term. In politics he is a Democrat.

ROBERT G. STOCKTON, farmer, P. O. Cridersville, Auglaize County, was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 9, 1840; son of Thomas and Sarah (Rea) Stockton, natives of Washington County, Penn., and pioneers of Licking County, Ohio. In 1865 they came to this county, locating on Section 14, Shawnee Township, afterward moving to Lima, where they died. They were parents of seven children: Joseph R., Belle S. (Mrs. Henry C. Adgate), Robert G., Thomas M. (killed at battle of Richmond, Ky., during the war of the Rebellion), James A., John Y., and Mary A. (deceased). The Stocktons are of Scotch-Irish descent, and some of their ancestors came over in the '' Mayflower" in 1632. Our subject was reared in Licking County, Ohio, where he received a common school education. In 1865 he came to this county, with his parents, and in 1877 located on the farm he now occupies, all of which he has cleared and improved. This farm was purchased by his father in 1839. Mr. Stockton was married, December 29, 1870, to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Otstott) Heindel, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and who settled in Lima, in 1840. Mr. Heindel was a miller by trade, and was engaged in milling in Limafor many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Stockton have been born four children : Eva L., Laura B. (deceased), Amanda B. and Lydia A. Mr. Stockton is a member of the Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Stockton of the Lutheran. In politics hé is a Republican.

SAMUEL ZURMEHLY, farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in eastern Pennsylvania, January 23, 1822, son of John and Susannah (Shaffner) Zurmehly, former a native of France, latter of Switzerland. The parents immigrated to America about 1816, traveling the previous fall to the sea coast, a distance of 700 miles, with a hand-cart, but were detained until the following spring, and on their arrival in America had to work three years as a return for their passage across the ocean, the father in a stone quarry, although by trade he was a silk weaver; he afterward accumulated enough money to buy a horse and cart, and in 1823 came overland with his family to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he operated a copper still, by which, with the assistance of his wife, who spun yarn and wove cloth, he managed to support his family. This couple died in Pickaway County, Ohio, the mother in 1835, the father four years later. They had nine children: MRobert, Frederick, Samuel, Jacolh (deceased), John (deceased), Amos (deceased), Susannah (deceased), Peter (deceased), Mary (Mrs. Solomon Morgan). Our subject left home when ten years of age, working the first year for his board; the second year he got $3 per month and board, the money received going toward the support of his father's family. His mother dying when he was in his thirteenth year, he returned home, where he remained two years, assisting in the housework and looking after the younger members of the family. In 1837 he went to work ona farm, at which he continued until 1841, when he began work at the carpenter's trade, and this he followed up to 1845. In 1846 he came to this county, and settled on Section 24, Shawnee Township, where he cleared and improved a farm from what was then an unbroken wilderness, and here he resided until the spring of 1865, when he located on the farm of 168 acres he now occupies, most of which he has cleared, and on whick he has made many improvements. Mr. Zurmehly also owns eighty acres in another part of the township. He has given a farm to one of his sons, and also to ason-in-law. Mr. Zurmehly was married, October 14, 1844, to Catherine, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Kraft) Books, of Pickaway County, Ohio, by whom he had seven children: Mary E. (Mrs. Isaac Reed), John W., Jennie (deceased), Wilson S., Peter F., Charles L. and Ida B. (Mrs. Alonzo McLain). Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Zurmehly is a Republican.

Source changes here: from History of Allen County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, by Miller, Charles Christian, published 1906; 2,593 words in this source stream.

Shawnee Township

The commissioners, 'in session December 1, 1834, granted the petition of the people of Shawnee to set off township 4, range 6, as a separate township from the Hog Creek Reservation, under the name "Shawnee" - the name of the tribe of Indians who lived in this locality on the advent of the whites.

The first meeting was held December 13, 1834. in the log house of Ezekiel Hover, when Griffith Breese, Joseph Hover and Benjamin Reed were elected trustees and Ezekiel Hover, clerk. The list of voters contained 12 names.

In 1848 the southern tier of sections was attached to Auglaize County and in May. 1857. the northeast quarter of section 1 was attached to the new township of Ottawa. Almost the entire territory now embraced in

And Representative Citizens

Shawnee township (excepting- a half-mile strip of the western sections and a quartermile strip of the eastern sections) was included in the Indian reservation of 25 square miles named in the treaty of September 29, 1817, and was organized under Chief Pht or Fallen Timber and Onowaskemo or Resolute Man.

The following are the names of the Shawnees to whom the Hog Creek Reservation was assigned, many of whom resided at the village where the Council House was built, afterwards the Ezekiel Hover farm. Each Indian owned about 500 acres of land. Pe-aitch-ta (Pht), Orero-i-mo or Little Fox, On-a-waskine, Pama-thaw-wah or George Williams, Wapes-ke-ka-ho-thew, Pa-haw-e-ou, Shin-agaw-ma-she, Ne-qua-ka-buch-ka, Pe-lis-ka, Ketu-che-pa, La-wet-che-to, E-paun-nee, Ka-nakhih, Joso or Joseph Parks, Law-noe-tu-chu or Billy Parks, Shaw-na-ha, Way-ma-tal-ha-way, Ke-to-aw-sa, She-she-co-pea, Le-cu-seh, Quilna and Quedas-ka. These were the males residing on Hog Creek in 1817 and numbered about 21 at the time of their removal in 1832.

There is only one village in the township - Hume, on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad. It is in the center of a rich agricultural district and splendid oil territory. The value of the oil production has raised the tax duplicate very materially. In 1904 the property valuation of Shawnee township was $2,778,- 705, with a tax rate, of 14.9 mills. The rate of taxation is the lowest of any township in the county. This township has the finest roads in the county and as good as any in Ohio.

Breese, who settled on section 10 in November, 1832, with his family and resided there until his death in 1848; George Coon, Sr., who settled on section 11 in 1832 and died in 1877; William Denniston, who settled on section 1 1 in 1832, and Thomas Flynn, who settled on section 12 the same year. John Dowling, Joseph Hover. Ezekiel Hover and Emanuel Hover came in 1833. Joseph Hover settled on section 1. Ezekiel Hover took possession of the Indian farm and completed, for the use of his family, the Council House on the plan which Fallen Timber had adopted in 1831 when the building was commenced. Charles Adgate Hover, great-grandson of Ezekiel Hover, was born in the old Council House. He is living on his farm in this township.

Ezekiel Hover's farm was often the headquarters of the warriors during the campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair and, Wayne. Here Blue Jacket and other chiefs often met Blackhoof in consultation. Many French met here during the campaign of General Wayne. The Indians planted an orchard about the village and the trees grew to remarkable size. One which was three feet in diameter, and 10 feet in circumference was standing until very recently on the property upon which the Children's Home is now located. For years the Council House and the apple trees were the only relics of the Shawnees and now they are gone.

Benjamin Reed, Samuel Sprague, the Decorseys, Edwardses, Fr.itzes, Adgates, Roses, Hales, Daniels, Lowries and Boyers may also be named among the pioneers of Shawnee township.

One of the most distinguished families of the township is that of the Ruslers. Hon. Will iam Rusler, who so ably represented Allen County in the State Legislature, 1894-96, still resides on the old farm in Shawnee township. Many of the pioneers have passed away. Elihu Reed, who recently died (1906), was a son of Benjamin Reed, who came to this county in 1S31.

Schools. - During the winter of 1834-35 the first school of Shawnee township, a subscription school, was taught by Maria Hover in a cabin formerly the home of Pht just northwest of the Shawnee Council House. In 1837 a schoolhouse was erected on section 1 1 and school was taught by Constant Southworth. In 1884 there was school property valued at $11,000 and 478 pupils enrolled. In 1904 the school property was worth $20,000 and there was an enrollment of 362. There is no special school district in the township. The teachers of the Shawnee township schools in 1904-05 were: S. R. Miller. Hazel Kephart. A. D. Staup. C. A. Rusler. Ethel Zurmehlv. C. C.

Shawnee Chapel, part of the Cridersville circuit, with Rev. W. R. Burton as pastor; and one at Hume in the Allentown circuit with Rev. H. E. Elliott as pastor. There is a Lutheran Church called St. Matthew's in Shawnee township where Rev. C. H. Eckhardt, of Lima, has been pastor for. 27 years.

Removal of the Indians to Kansas.- - As the time for the removal of the tribe to Kansas came nearer and nearer, the Shawnees were observed to grow more dull and listless. With the arrival of David Robb and D. M. Workman among them, they realized truly that they must leave their old hunting-grounds forever, and with this realization each lodge entered on a special method of making the occasion memorable. Many surrendered themselves to despair, and plunged into a course of dissipation ; others, with more regard to the legends of the tribe, collected their trophies, articles of the chase, domestic utensils, and even leveled the mounds of the burial grounds of the tribe. This accomplished, the sub-agents, Robb and Workman, gave the order to proceed on that long Western journey, and 700 members of the Shawnee family, with half that number of Senecas, moved toward the West in September, 1832, and traveled until Christmas of that year, when they camped on their Kansas reservation. In 1833, 5° Uft for Kansas. A large number of the Indians visited among other tribes until 1833 and 1834, revisited their old home on the Auglaize and next followed the Western trail.

John Mcllvain and James B. Gardner went with the Indians as far as the Mississippi, the former accompanying those of Lewistown and the latter those of Wapakoneta. The route was by way of Greenville, Richmond and Indianapolis. The Indians commenced to assemble in September, 1832, and mounted their horses, and such as had wagons seated themselves, while the government teams hauled their provisions and clothing. Many of them bid a sad adieu to the hunting-grounds and graves of their, fathers. All things being ready, their high priest, bearing a large gourd and the bones of a deer's leg attached to his neck, led the advance. At the moment of starting on this journey, the high priest sounded the trumpet three times, repeated the signal when halting at night and followed this course until the tribe settled on their. Kansas reservation.

When the Indians arrived at Greenville, they encamped at Tecumseh's Point and remained a. day or two to take a final farewell of that place, so dear to their memories as the home of their fathers and the scene of so many Indian assemblies and heroic exploits. They had before them a journey of over 800 miles across the open prairie, in an uninhabited country.

About one-fifth of the tribe remained at Wapakoneta and among the Wyandots at Upper Sandusky until the spring of 1833. The Indians arrived at their new home about Christmas. 1832. Gardner accompanied them to the Mississippi and turned back, when Joseph Parks, a half-blood Quaker, who had the job of removing them, conducted them safely to their new home. They at once proceeded to raise cabins, split rails and make fences, but were very short of provisions, and had to depend largely upon such game as they could find.

bury their dead until the sun is in the tree-tops, late in the afternoon. On such occasions they generally select six pall-bearers, who carry the corpse to the grave and place it therein, the grave being two and a half or three feet deep. When the Chief Blackhoof was buried in 1831, it was in the Indian manner; the corpse was wrapped in a clean, new Indian blanket, and a large quantity of new fine goods, consisting of calico, belts and riblxms, was placed about the deceased, who was laid upon a new, clean slab, prepared for the purpose. His gun, tomahawk, knife and pipe were by his side. All the Indians present were in deep distress, having their clothes hanging loosely about them, their hair down on their shoulders, and were painted after the ancient manner. The chiefs sat about smoking, looking in solemn silence upon the remains of the great chief who had led the tribe for nearly 100 years, had been their faithful counselor in peace and war, had been present at Braddock's defeat, 76 years before, and for nearly a century had been in all the expeditions against the 'Long Knives.' "

For some months before their final departure, the young men of the Shawnees, and the middle-aged, who had not abandoned their old customs, were engaged in a- round of dissipation brought on by the mean tricks of wicked traders to cheat the Indians out of every dollar of property they could obtain. Whiskey, that bane of the Indians, was largely distributed among them by traders ; in fact, all decency was violated by the wretches who dealt in fire-water. The better portion of the Shawnees were engaged for weeks in religious ceremonies, dances and amusements preparatory to their departure. They carefully leveled the graves of their dead, and removed all traces of the same.

Personal Reminiscences. - William D. Breese was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 30, 1823, came to Shawnee township with his father, Griffith Breese, in November, 1832, and settled on section 10, part of an old Indian farm, where he found two orchards containing about 40 apple trees each. There were at that time about seven Indian cabins scattered over the land, which had evidently been the site of a Shawnee village. His father purchased about 240 acres at about $4 per acre. The Indians had generally gone West some months before his father located on section 10.

Charles Rose, Benjamin Reed, Benjamin Davison and Mr. Sprague. At that time the people were occasionally visited by preachers, mostly of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and preaching was generally in the pioneer cabins. Rev. James B. Finley was one of the first preachers, and is well remembered by many of the old people. The first church built in the township was by the Lutherans, on section 27, on the banks of Little Hog Creek. Griffith Breese, the father of William D. Breese, died in 1848, aged about 50 years, and his wife Mary died in 1852, aged about 62 years.

William U. Hover, son of Joseph Hover, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, on the 20th day of June, 1825, and came with his father's family and settled on section 1, Shawnee township, in the spring of 1833. I he trip was made writh ox teams and consumed 17 days. The Shawnees had removed from that region about one year before his arrival, and before Mr. Hover had located his farm. There were, however, a few Indians who remained and hunted with the Wyandots until their removal in 1843. Many of the Shawnees came back in 1834 and visited the graves of their ancestors in and about the old village on section 11, before their final departure to the West. Many years after they came back and dug in many places for hidden relics and the bones of their people. They seemed to regret their removal to the West, and often viewed the localities most dear to their younger days, finally bidding adieu to the Indian huntinggrounds. Joseph Hover, father of William U. Hover, died in 1844, aged about 54 years. He left four sons - Joshua, Cyrus, William U. and James A. - and a daughter, deceased.

The early settlers found it very difficult to obtain grinding, owing to the scarcity of and great distance to the mills. Their people were often compelled to go, on such occasions, to Sidney, a distance of about 32 miles. Daniel Hindel and Abel Tompkins owned the first mill on the north borders of the township. It was built in 1834-35. It was a great accommodation to the sparse settlers, and was resorted to by many of the pioneers.

Of the three Hover brothers - Ezekiel, Joseph and Emanuel, who settled in Shawnee township - none survives. Descendants of Ezekiel Hover reside on the farm included in the old Indian village, where the remains of the chief Pht were buried, and where 'the old Council House stood until recently. The Hov-

James A. Hover was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1828, and came to this county with his father, Joseph Hover, in 1833. When they arrived, they stopped a short time in a cabin near the Council House. His father soon put up a cabin of his own and moved into it, afterwards building the first frame house on the river in Shawnee township. After the father's death the old homestead was divided between James A. and William U. Hover, both of whom are now deceased. James A. Hover was married April 6, 1852, to Isabel Ferguson, who died May 1, 1862. Three children were born to them - Cyrus Adgate, Ida May and Alma A. In March, 1865, Mr. Hover married Nancy Dobbins. They had one child - Clinton A.

George Coon, Sr., who was born in Pennsylvania, came to Shawnee township from Belmont County, Ohio, in 1832, and located on section 11. He was among the earliest settlers, and found a large number of Shawnee Indians still in the country. He came from Bellefontaine by the way of what is now Westminster and Lima, to section 1 1 in Shawnee township. It was all in woods at that time, and there were no roads except Indian trails. When he came, his neighbors - Isaac Boyer, Samuel Sprague and Dye Sunderland - were very much scattered. He was soon joined by William Denniston and family on the same section; and, soon after, by Thomas Flynn, an Irishman, who settled near him on section 12. The first cabin had been occupied by a Shawnee Indian family. The forests seemed to have been often burned over by the Indians, and the young trees to have grown within the last 50 years. The first preachers spoke in the cabins of the settlers. The usual place for speaking was at the house of Mr. Coon. The earliest preacher remembered was Thomas Hicknell, a Winebrennerian. A congregation was formed and a church built about 1840. in Allentown. Mr. Coon and many of the early settlers were compelled to attend the mills of Piqua and Cherokee to obtain grinding, over mere paths in the forests.

He often went to the government mill built by the Quakers at Wapakoneta, and sometimes changed to St. Marys, and finally to Lima. He died in 1877, aged about 93 years. His children were : Betsy, Wesley, George, Abigail, Margaret, Amy, Isaac and Tobias.