Springfield Township (part 18 of 69)

In 1808, Charles Eodkiu and John Eunyan settled in the township, and Jacob Eichards a couple of years previous; all were from Virginia. In 1811, Horatio Banes came with his parents, Evan and Lina Banes, and settled in Section 10, where his father died in 1827, and his mother in 1836, They had three sons, all now deceased. Horatio was born in Virginia in 1791, and was married in this coimty in 1824, to Polly Miller, by whom he had nine children. He died in 1868. He was prominent in township affairs. Henr\^ Bosart and his wife, Elizabeth, settled on Section 21 in 1811; his wife died in 1817, and he in 1841. His son, T. L. Bosart, became a well known and leading farmer of his township, and his grandson, Lewis W. Bosart, who lives in Springfield, still owns the old homestead ; James Clark was bom in Virginia, and there married to Martha Davis, of that state, to whom were born Eebecca, John, Charles M., William, Ellen, Eliza, Juliana and Wallace. They came to Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1806, and about 1811 to this township, afterward moving to Champaign County, where they died. Mr. Clark excelled as h cooper. His sons, John, Charles M. and AVilliam, now deceased, were well known and prominent citizens of Clark County. Seaton J. Hedges settled close to the Champaign County line at an early day. He married Harriet Miller, and was afterward remarried twice; he died on his farm. In 1810 Abraham Yeazell and his wife, Mary, natives of Virginia, who settled in Clinton County, Ohio, at an early day, came to this township, settling in the southeastern part. They had fourteen children. Mr. Yeazell died January 2, 1832, and his September 22, 1828, and the family is one of the best known and most extensive in Clark County. Dennis Collins was born in Virginia in 1771, and there married to Mary Thomas, born in New Jersey in 1774. They had fifteen children - Dr. Collins, Sr., now deceased, of South Charleston, being one of the number. In 1796 they moved to Kentucky, and in 1811 to Champaign County, Ohio, settling in Moorefield Township in 1813, where he died in 1826, and his wife in 1843. John Marsh was born in Virginia in 1794; came to this township about 1818; he was married, in 1833, to Maria Dye, to whom were born three children now deceased - Nathan, Mary J. and John D. He was a very successful farmer, and accumulated a large estate, dying in 1837 much respected.

In 1812, Ward, Banes and Foley went to Detroit to recruit Hull's army there. They must have gone with a large force of Kentuckians who passed through the settlement that year under Colonel Wickliff, to re-enforce Hull's army, but they arrived just after Hull's cowardly and ignominious surrender. Ward and Foley busied themselves during their lives in amassing titles of lands, in addition to that of their first purchase. They would enter large tracts and make the first payments; then they held it until, by selling a part, they could with the proceeds pay the balance due. WTien Ward was first married, Moses Benkle, the minister, came to take dinner with him the first Sabbath after he had entered the hjnueneal state. They only had one gallon pot in the house ; in this they boiled the potatoes, and, after they were done, boiled the coffee in the same pot. Then they baked the bread on the lid of the pot, before the fire, and roasted the wild turkey, which they had saved for the occasion, on a spit in front of the fire, hanging it on a peg driven in the logs above the fireplace. They ate from a table made by sawing off one end of a big log and driving three pegs in it for legs. The chairs were made by Mr. Ward, being constructed in the same manner as the table, but minus the legs.

In 1807 Alexander McBeth, his wife Rachael, and eight children, came from Pennsylvania and settled on the old Col. Ward farm, more recently known as Frank Brook's place. In 1810 Mr. Mc- Beth built a brick house, which was the first one in the county, and probably in any county adjoining. We have very vague information concerning a man named McDaniels, who came into the township previous to 1806 but of his history or family nothing can now be learned, all traces of him having long ago disappeared. Moses Henkle, another early settler, came previous to 1810, and built a little log house near the former residence of Mariah Jones. He was of German descent, and came from Pennsylvania. He had two daughters and several sons, all of whom are now scattered and their

The first to bear the glad tidings to the people and disseminate the truths of the Gospel in the township was the Rev. Robert Miller, an American by birth, but of Scotch descent. His grandparents emigrated from Scotland in 1738. His father served in the Revolutionary War, in which he lost his life. Robert was born in Prince George County, Maryland, August 19, 1767. He moved to Virginia in 1793 and in 1797 removed to Kentuckj^. He came to this state and township in 1812, and settled on land now occupied as a site for the new Moorefield Methodist Church. He was a Methodist preacher by profession - one of those dauntless, energetic, Methodist preachei's that characterized that denomination in early pioneer days. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Moorefield Church, in 1812, for which he preached a mmiber of years. He was twice married, having four daughters and five sons (two of the latter afterward became ministers) by his first wife, and three boys and one girl by the second wife. In 1816, he built a large new log house, to which he added an extra room especially for church services, as they then had no meeting-house. This house stood where the residence of A. W. Mum- ])er is now located, ^^^len the project of building the first church was in debate, ^Ir. Miller donated the ground for church and graveyard, gave $100 (which was onesixth of the whole cost), solicited the balance, and afterward s]iHt the lath for tlie new building, and painted it when completed. In 1834 he died, with this odd.

though characteristic, speech on his lips: '-] am going to heaven as straight as a shingle." He was buried in the ground he had given to the church twenty-two years before for a burying-ground, where his body molders while his spirit is at rest. It will be well to mention some of his co-woi'kers in the church work, as they were also early residents of the township. Among them were Saul Henkle, who, in 1818, when the county was organized, was the first clerk; Hector Sanford, John Clerigan and Dennis Collins. A comparatively early settler, and one whose name is well known throughout the township, was Judge Daniel McKinnon, a Virginian, who came to this section in 1808, and settled on the ground where New Moorefiekl now stands, in Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10, corner. He had a family consisting of his wife, three girls and five boys, all of which children are now scattered over the country outside of the township. The father died on the land he entered, and was buried in the old graveyard. Michael Arbogast came to Moorefield in 1811, from Pendleton Coimty, Virginia, and entered a half-section of land on Buck Creek. He had five sons and two daugiiters, who were left fatherless by Mr. Arbogast 's death, which occurred in 1813, two years after his entrance into the settlement. His early demise prevented him from making the payments on his land, and his widow found herself very much in debt, but, by industry, economy and extreme frugality, she succeeded in meeting all demands made. Her third son, Eli, was born in 1799, before they left Virginia. In 1823, he married ]\Iiss Nancy Henkle, also a Virginian, who was then twenty-two years old, and they had born to them nine children. For twelve years after marriage, they lived on rented land, but in 1835 Mr. Arbogast bought the property in Section 21, where he subsequently resided.

One of the first births in this township was that of Margaret Ward, daughter of William, born in 1804. Eliza Foley was born in 1807. In 1810 Alexander McBeth just across the Champaign County line, along what is now known as the Urbana Pike, built the first brick house in this country. The first schoolhouse was probably built in 1812, north of Springfieldon the Urbana Pike, on what is known as the Frank Brook's farm. This house was built of logs. Probably the first dwelling Jiouse of the township was the one erected by Simon Kenton in 1799, on the Urbana Pike, close to the present Hunt residence. It is related that during the War of 1812 a large force of Kentuckians marched through the township under Colonel Wickliffe to re-enforce the American army at Detroit. John Ward, Horatio Banes and James Foley went along with this delegation but arrived in Detroit too late, as Hull had already surrendered.

James Clark, who was a life-long resident of this township and for many years township treasnrer, was a son of John D. Clark, who came to this county when but a child. He was born in 1838 and died in 1906. He was a noted stock-raiser, at one time being the owner of Mohawk whom he sold to his father for $25,000, and also of Fanny Foley, sold to John D. Rockefeller for a handsome price.

S. H. Bowlus came to this township, settling north near the county line, in 1853. He was born in Maryland in 1819 and died in November, 1896. Charles J. Bowlus, sometime mayor of Springfield, was his grandson.

Thos. C. Wilson was b.orn in Kentucky, September, 1806, and came to this county with his parents about 1815, and in 1856 he bought the farm where they first lived, north of New Moorefield along the county line. He died in 1894. His son, James P., succeeded to the ownership of the home farm, he dying in 1903.

Nathan and John Marsh, Jr., were fonner residents of this township. Nathan was born in 1833 and died in 1900. He was an extensive stock-dealer in his time. In 1859 he was married to Catharine, daughter of Jacob Yeazell, who still survives.

Joseph Sultzbaugh was born April 30, 1812, in York County, Pennsylvania, and came to Moorefield Township, settling on the Urbana Pike in 1856, where he died in 1886, leaving a very large family. He was prominent in matters pertaining to the public.

Mayor William T. Hough was a i)rominent early citizen of this township, born in Virginia in 1811, and coming to ^Moorefield Township in 1833, and died about

The Baldwins were early inhabitants of ' this township, AVilliam having been born in 1834. His grandfather located here about 1809. For a while William Baldwin lived in Kansas, but for a number of recent years was justice of the peace of the township. His brother Frank was born upon the place where he still resides, north of New Moorefield, in 1841. He has always resided in this township and for a number of years has been justice of the peace.

A well known resident of this township is Abraham W. Mumper, who lives near the Champaig-n County line. He was born in Miami County in 1842 and came to this township as a prominent resident about the close of the war. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sarah Hutton.

Reuben Scifers was born in Virginia in 1843 and located in Champaign County in the same year. He bought the farm upon which he now resides, a short distance above Springfield, in 1868.

A pioneer who resided in this township the latter days of his life was Reuben Iluifman. He was bom near the old Indian village of Piqua in 1802. He moved into this township in 1877, and died in the early eighties. His son Oscar recently died in the village of New Moorefield, having kept a store there for some years. Several of his children lived in the vicinity.

R. L. HoUman, born in Massachusetts in 1828, came to this township in 1875 and ]iurchased his present farm on the Frbana Pike about five and one-half miles north of Springfield.

William T. Hunt, a native of New Jersey, settled on the Urbana Pike, on what is now known as the old Hunt homestead, about the year 1828. He was quite prominent in early affairs and died about the year 1870, leaving a large family, five boys and six girls. Ralph, the eldest, was a captain in the Civil War. William went south and died some years later. Robert, George and Edward died on the home farm. The eldest daughter became the wife of E. B. Cassilly, the next daughter the wife of Mr. Tiers. These are both now widows and residents of this county. Meta became the wife of Chandler Robbins. Elnora, Rose and Virginia still live on the home farm. Jacob Yeazell, Jr., was a grandchild of Abraham and Mary Yeazell and the son of Jeremiah Yeazell, who w^as born in 1806, and came to this township while a boy, settling on the farm now owned by Ross Mitchell. Jacob was born in 1 842 just over the line of Pleasant Township. To distinguish him from an imcle who had the same name he is known as Jacob Yeazell, Jr. Jacob Yeazell, Sr.. was a son of Abraham Yeazell hereinbefore referred to, and a brother of John W. who now lives in New Moorefield. Jacob Yeazell, Sr., was born in Clinton County in 1809 and died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-one years. His wife, who was a daughter of John and jane Foley, was born in 1810 and died when more than ninety-one years of age. They had a family of seven children. Eliza J. married Jonathan, Donnel and is still living in Springfield; Catharine W. was the wife of Nathan ^farsh, late of Champaign County. John A. recently died; James E. lives in Dayton; William H. lives in this township; Sarah E. married Henry Weaver and George W. resides with his family in Springfield Township.

Pierce Cralnll, son of David Crabill before spoken of, is still living on the old farm in the southern part of the township at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His brother William, Sr., is living in the City of Springfield.

Leonard Karg was born in Germany in 1826, and came to Moorefield Township in 1855 and lived there until his death in 1904. His place of residence was immediately south of the Champaign Coimty line on a farm now occupied by his son Sam.

James Foley above spoken of was county commissioner in 1818, also was representative in the State Legislature. E. B. Cassilly, county commissioner from 1867- 1872, was for some time a resident of this to^vnship, residing on the Urbana Pike immediately south of the Hunt farm, upon the farm which is still in the name of bis daughter. James Foley was elected .sheriff in 1881 and was a resident of this township and afterwards moved to Spring-field. He was a grandson of the James Foley above referred to.

Peter Rockel was born in German Township one mile below Tremont City in 1831, and became a resident of this township in 1867. He resided there until his death in 1896. He was iustice of the peace a number of years, more familiarly known as "Squire Rockel."

J. H. Thomas, afterwards a rich manufacturer of the city of Springfield, was formerly a resident of this township, and was elected recorder in 1853. Mr. Thomas was born in Maryland in 1826. His residence in this township was as a member of his father's family, be going to the city of Springfield immediately after his leaving college.

Douglas W. Rawlings was a native of this state, born in Champaign County in 1843. His father was James Rawlings and settled \n this state in 1823, taking up a tract of land in Urbana Township. Mr. Rawlings was a veteran of the Civil War and elected County Commissioner in 1882, afterwards served as a member of the General Assembly and also as state senator, and died in 1895.

Smith S. Twichell was born in New York in 1836; married in 1868 to Miss Virginia, daughter of Seaton Hedges, and became a resident of Moorefield Township in 1875 ; was elected county commissioner in 1900.

Board of Education - John H. Wilson, A. D. Heindel, C. 0. Baker, Frank Wones, .John A. Veozell (deceased, no appointment made to fill vacancy).

There are in this township but four churches, each of different denomination. The Methodist Episcopal, Protestant Methodist, Baptist and United Brethren. The Methodist Episcopal was the first organized in 1812. This church was first built on the road a short distance south of the present residence of Abraham Mumper and was known as the Miller Church and is now called Moorefield Chapel. Afterwards a church was built in the village of Moorefield, regiilar services are held in both churches. Rev. M. E. Eshels being pastor of both churches.

The Protestant Methodist Church was organized in 1846 and a few years later a church was built in Section 15, immediately south of the farm now belonging to Mrs. Dimond. Is still standing with regular services. It is known as Pleasant Hill Church. M. M. Campbell is the present pastor.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1879 and was dedicated in 1880. It was situated on the Clark and Union Turnpike, two miles north of New Moorefield.

The last church that was built in the township was that of the United Brethern in Bowlusville. This church was built about the year 1886. It is in good condition. A. H. Lehman is the present pastor.

The first schoolhouse of this township was built in 1812, north of Springfield on the Urbana Pike, on what is now known as Frank Brooks farm, and was a log structure. An early school teacher of the township, who taught as early as 1810, was named Kedwood. Squire Lemon taught in the western part of the township a few years later. The schools are all well managed and in good condition, the township, however, having no high school.

The following are the teachers for the present year: Supervisor, D. I. Mc- Dowell. New Moorefield, grammar, D. I. McDowell; primary, Zelphia Stephenson. Union, grammar, Clyde McCullough; primary, Edna Jones. Kenton, Ollie Gard. Franklin, A. L. Hullinger. Hunter, Emma Spahr. Kennedy, Elinor Boolman, Oak Dale, Alice Arthur. Yeazell, C. C.

Pike Township is located in the extreme northwestern part of Clark County. It is the only toxoiship in the county having v.'hat is usually considered the correct dimensions of a township, it being six miles square, and containing thirty-six square miles. It has for its boundaries, Miami County on the west, Champaign County on the north, Germaia Township on the east and Bethel Township on the south. Nothing is known now as to the origin of its name.

Practically the entire township is upland, rolling but not hilly. The soil is generally fertile and reasonably welldrained naturally. A very great improvement has been made, however, on miieh of this "beech land" by under-drains. Originally it was covered with timber, the prevailing type being beech, sugar, ash, hickory, poplar, walnut and different varieties of oak. The oak was not so plentiful, however, as on the east side of the Mad Ttiver Valley.

In the western part of the township limestone crops out of the surface. The soil is very well adapted for the raising of oats, corn and wheat, however, these cereals being grown with profit.

The towuship has no stream of water of any considerable size; however, Donnels' Creek, Jaclvson's Creek, and Honey Creek extend through the township, flowing in a southern direction. These streams are now often dry in the summer time. At an early date there were sawmills on these various streams at different places. (See Mills.)

No steam railroad enters the township and until the S. T. & P. Traction line was built a few years ago, no railroad of any kind entered the township. This road enters the northeast corner and goes through the villages of North Hampton and Dialton, these being the only villages in the township. There are only two voting precincts, one at North Hampton and the other including the southern part of the township. Like the other townships of the county the early settlers came principally from Virginia and Kentucky, some coming from Maryland and Pennsylvania.

It will be noticed from this table that the entire township makes but one school district as the table is made according to school districts.

While the various townshijis of the county seem to receive their early settlers from the states, yet some townships have voted in favor of the Democratic candidates from a very early date, and Pike is one of that number. It was strongly in favor of Jackson in 1832, but pretty close between Harrison and Van Buren in 1840, and was carried by Taylor thfe Whig candidate in 1848, since which it has steadily given a Democratic majority in the neighborhood of from 50-75.

Unlike the neighboring townships, Pik ^ was not settled, comparatively speaking, until a later day. It was not until the year 1805 that we have any trace of a settlement in what now comprises this subdivision. This year came from Virginia two brothers, Andrew and Samuel Black, who together selected and later entered Section 25. dividing it between them, the former coming in possession of the southern half. They returned to their Virginia home, where Andrew had left a wife and one child. Samuel was an unmarried man. The followina: year (1806), after due prejiaration had been made. Andrew, accompanied by his family and brother.

again turned his course westwai'd for the chosen spot of their future horoe. Upon the southern half of Section 25 was erected the first cabin in the township; it was the rude log' pole cabin of the day. The work of the pioneer here began. Soon the space of five acres was deadened and the underbrush cleared, and the first crop of com planted, which was carefully cared for by these first comers, but the squirrels were so numerous that, despite the effort on the part of these men, the entire crop was almost consumed by them. However, the gathering season came, and as the result of their labor but three bushels were gathered; this was garnered up in the bin (then the loft of the cabin), for future use. The season for its demand soon approached, and Andrew contemplated a journey to the mill, but imagine his surprise on looking for the treasure to find that the entire yield had been destroyed by mice. So much for the first settlement and first crop. These men were both native? of Montgomery County, Va. Andrew was bom March 6, 1783, and was united in marriage, December 20, 1804, with Susannah Ross, who was also a native of Montgomery County, Va., bom December 7, 1781. They were the parents of the following children; Samuel A., Mary, James, William. Thomas, Jane, Andrew, Edward and Susannah. Father and mother Black died on the homestead October 18, 1854, and September 25,* 1845, respectively, and their remains rest in what is now known as the Black Cemetery. The brother Samuel died in the year 1814, and was interred in the same burialground. He served as Captain in the War of 1812, where he contracted the fatal disease of consumption, which terminated in his death. (See memoranda at end of history of township.) Andrew also }^evformed some service as a scout in that war.

The next settlement of which we could gain any knowledge was effected in Section 19, by Adam Verdier, some time during the year 1806. Mr. Verdier was a man of family, having married Elizabeth Mercer. Both were natives of Jefferson County, Virginia, where they were married and whence they emigrated to the township of Pike. They left Virginia as early as 1804 or 1805, but stopped for a while in what is now Montgomery County, in this state. The southeast quarter of Section 19 was entered by Mr. Verdier. In later years he became quite a heavy land owner, possessing nearly five hundred acres in Cham.paign County, and a half section in Shelby County. The mother died in 1858, and the father some years previously. Both are buried in the Black graveyard.

For a few years after the coming of the above-mentioned pioneers, we have little knowledge of settlements made, and of those making them. William Simms and Samuel Brandenburg, the latter from Kentucky, entering land in Section 13, were early settlers of Pike, but the dates of their coming and further knowledge of them we have been unable to obtain. In the year 1811, the little colony was increased by the arrival of Thomas Stafford and family. They too hailed from the state late known as the "Mother of Presidents," coming from Giles County, Va., and entering the northwest quarter of Section 31. and there beginning the work of the pioneer. Mr. Stafford was a native of England, and, at the age of ten years, arrived in Virginia, in which state he married Catharine Williams, a native thereof. This couple, with three children - Peggie, Nancy and George W. - emigrated to this vicinity on horseback, making the journey in twelve days. In after years, there were born to the parents, the following children: Elizabeth, James, Melinda, Thomas, Susan, John, Henry, Joseph, Catherine, William and Lucinda. The father reached the age of eighty-two years, and the mother fiftyfour. They lived and died on the homestead, and are buried in Miami County. The former served as a scout in the War of 1812. Ralph Stafford, a brother of Thomas, accompanied the latter, but entered land in Miami County and in later years came to Pike Township and here died. During this same year (1811) came from Virginia, James and John Black, brothers of Andrew and Samuel Black above mentioned. James made a temporary stay, and his brother Andrew then entered the southeast quarter of Section 20, on which laud he resided until his death, in the year 1853. He was born August 17, 1789. His wife's name was Catharine. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Pike Townshi]5, namely, Mary, Matthew, Susannah, Catharine, Dorcas, Joseph, Samuel, James, Julia and John A. John was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ross, and they were blessed with eight children. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 19, and there lived and died. A little later came William Black, Sr., uncle of the Blacks just spoken of. He was from the same part of Virginia, and was quite an old man when he came out. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 13, and there ended his days. About the year 1813, another of the "Stafford brothers, George by name, came from the Stafford neighborhood in Virginia, and entered the west half of Section 31. His wife was Catharine Fair. They reared a large family of children. The same year (1813), James Fuller and his family left Montgomery County, Va., stopping one year in Kentucky, thence proceeding to the vicinity of New Carlisle, in Bethel Township, where he remained about two years, and thence into Pike Township, entering the west half of Section 21, for which he paid $2 per acre. His children were Ellen, Sarah, James C, Moses, Bradley and Rhoda, of whom James C, recently deceased, lived on the old homestead. The mother died in 1844, and the father in February, 1872, the latter in his eightyfourth year. Both are buried in the Black graveyard. North rup Fuller, the father of James, settled in Section 22, a little later entering the southeast quarter. Besides the son mentioned, there were the following children : John, Moses, Obadiah, William, Robert and Sarah, all settled in Clark Coimty, and the greater part of them in this township. In the year 1812, Benjamin Carmin and family came from the State of Maryland and entered land in what is now Pike Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the year 1827. Mr. Carmin was a native of Blackford County, Md., and his wife of Virginia. About the year 1816, Jacob Frantz settled in Section 7, the northeast quarter of which had been entered by one Hanline ; at least the patent was granted to Mr. Frantz as the assignee of the Hanline heirs. It seems, the per- son entering it Tras not able to meet the pajTnents, and the land was purchased by Mr. Frantz, and the grant given as aforesaid. Lonis Ray and family emigrated from the State of Virginia in the year 1812, stopping at Cincinnati, where they remained one year; then came to Clark County, locating near Springfield, and four years later purchased land in the vicinity of North Hampton, Pike Township. He married Elizabeth Ziglar, and raised a family of ten children, three of whom are now living. The southwest quarter of Section 3 was entered about the year 1815 or 1816, by George Overpeck, another Virginian. His wife was Martha Currene, both natives of that state, which they left in the year 1807, going to Miami County on Indian Creek, thence to Springtield Township, and up into Pike as aforesaid. They were Methodists, and their house served as the place of worship for years. Mr. Overpeck raised a large family, consisting of the following named children: Mary, Susan, Margaret, Ruth, William, Elizabeth, !Maria, Samuel, Isaac, Phebe and George. The father died in January, 1846, and the m.other in January, 1866. Both were buried in Asbury graveyard. "William Spence and family settled in the vicinity of North Hampton in the year 1818, they having emigrated from England in 1816. stopping in Cincinnati two years. There were thirteen children born to the parents. The Bixlers, Basingers, Forg^-s and LetTels were also early settlers. The Basingers were from Virginia. The southeast quarter of Section 9 was entered by Obediah Lippincott, who with his wife Margaret Reed came from New Jersey about the year 1810, tirst stopping in Warren Coim.ty; thence going to Greene County and to Pike Township. They were born in the years 1786 and 1787 respectively. Both are buried in Asbury graveyard. The Priests were early settlers, too. John in an early day emigrated to Kentuclr^^ (from Virginia), and thence to this vicinity, entering the northwest quarter in Clark County.

New Jersey was again represented, and this time in the person of Jesse and Sarah (Sutton) ^Maxon and family, who are quite early settlers in Clark County, having settled on Mud Run prior to 1815, and a few years later traded their land there for the southwest quarter of Section 15. Thus ends a meager sketch of some of the pioneers of Pike Township, who made possible the high state of civilization, and Eidvancement she has today attained. It may be thought that too much prominence has been given to some and too little said of others, and very probably no mention made of some deserving prominence, but we assure our readers that under the circumstances and the meager source from which to obtain facts, the best has been done that at this late day could be. Most of the above settlers have left worthy descendants, who still reside in the township.

So far as is known Samuel Black, son of Andrew Black, was the tirst white child born in Pike Township, in January, 1815. The tirst hotel in the township was built and kept by Alexander Johnson in Northampton about 1833. In 1834 a log hotel was built two miles south of Northampton at the cross roads bv John Thomas. This

The first mill was built by James Black in 1814, on Honey Creek, Peter Baisiuger about the year 1820 had a mill on Donuels ' Creek. This was later known as the "Northampton Mill," owned by Mr. Minnich. (See Mills.)

In addition to the persons given heretofore as early settlers of the township, there might be added the following, who have been active citizens, some now deceased and some still living.

Madison Over, who wrote the article on this to-miship for Beer's History, was born in German Township on the 15th day of December, 1841, son of Elias and Sarah Over. He was educated in the common schools and at Wittenberg College and taught for about thirteen years. He was married in 1865 to Mary J. Jenkins. For some time he was a resident of Northampton and served as justice of the peace. In 188fi he was a nominee for sheriff on the Democratic ticket, being defeated by only nine votes. He afterwards removed to the city of Springfield and in 1890 was the Democratic candidate for probate judge, being defeated by about 700 votes. There occuri"ing a vacancy upon the resignation of Judge Miller, he was appointed by Covernor Campbell and served for seven weeks. He was assistant postmaster of Springfield (T. D. Wallace, postmaster) during President Cleveland's second administration. He died some four or five years ago. His modesty forbade him to have any biographical sketch in the history of this county, whicli he assisted to write.

George A. Spence is a wealthy land owner of this township, born in 1852, son of j\Iark Spence who was a former county commissioner of Clark County, and died in 1878. Mr. Spence was married to Anna Friermood in 1880. He resides upon the home farm, a short distance north of Northampton. John Spence was a resident of this township for more than threequarters of a century. He was born here March 21, 1824, and died in 1906. He was the son of James and a brother of Mark. He was married in 1853 to Miss Louisa Bailey. S. S. Jenkins, still a resident of this township, was born in Champaign County in 1848. sou of David and Elizabeth (Michael) Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins has served a number of times in various township positions. A. J. Funderburg was for four years a member of the board of elections of the county.

Duncan Thackery was for many years a resident of this township. He was an I^nglishman, born in Yorkshire, England, December 10, 1813, and emigrated with his parents to Champaign County in 1829. He was married to Susan Ray, who still survives, and who was born in 1820. He died about 1897. He was an active, aggressive fanner and amassed a considerable fortune, which was inherited by his children who still reside in this community.

Among the old pioneers of this township is John Ray, who was born in Cincinnati in 1813, the son of Lewis and Elizabeth Ray. He has lived in this township all his life, and is perhaps at this time the oldest man in the township.

in 1880, as a minister of the German Reform Church, and preached in a number of charges. He was at one time mayor of St. Paris, and served in the War of the Rebellion ; likewise filled the position of justice of the peace of this township.

William H. Sterritt who now resides in New Carlisle, and who was county commissioner of this county for two terms, 3884-1890, was for many years a resident of this township.

Other old time residents were Wiley Jenkins, who died a few years ago at the advanced age of ninety-one years; William K. Jordon, who was justice of the ])eaee for some time; John Miranda who was quite active in township affairs from 1850-1870; (during- the hot political times of the war period Samuel Sterrett was the recognized leader of the Republicans and John Miranda of the Democrats) ; Edward Wones now deceased, grandson of Lewis Ray; William Myers now a resident of the city of Spring-field, some time clerk of this township; James C. Fuller, Samuel Baker. Charles S. Black. William Black, Jacob and John Myers, Moses Sutton, Peter Zinn, Daniel Ream, and others have been active in the affairs of this township. Horace W. Stafford, former prosecuting attorney of Clark County, is a native of this township, the son of J. R. Stafford, deceased.

Pike Township having been of the Democratic persuasion politically, did not furnish a very large supply of county officials: Samuel W. Sterritt was county commissioner from 1856-1865. Mark Spence was elected in 1877, but died shortly after taking this position. W. H. Sterritt occupied the position from 1884- ]890, and if Madison Over had been considered a resident of this township while serving as probate judge this would include all that tilled county positions from this township.

It seems that there are no township records preserved in the office of the township clerk of Pike Township ctf an eaiiier date than the year 1828. The first commission of James Johnson as justice of the peace is dated in 1830. That of John Black is dated in the year 1834, though he seems to have been in office earlier. George Cost was first elected in 1837, and Henry Long in 1838. The commission of Joseph B. Craig is dated April 10, 1843, and Samuel W. Sterrett 's first commission is dated Oct. 15, 1844. Samuel J. Sims was elected in 1847, and James Spence in 1848. Thomas P. Thomas was commissioned November 28, 1855; and previous to him John Miranda served from 1845-1855, Avas again elected in 1858, and served until 1867. Thomas F. Hardacre was elected in 1859, and the commission of William K. Jordan bears the date of November 8, 1860. Samuel Mock was elected in 1866, and William Jenkins in 1867. Afterward John A. Black and John W. Cost served as justices of the peace. Madison Over, was elected in 1879, and Thomas Swonger in 1880. Many of the above officers were re-elected, some for several terms. Among the earlier names of those who have filled the office of township clerk, contemporaneous with the above justices of the peace, may be mentioned James Black, George C. Homer, Jacob Harner, John Miranda, George Cost, Simon Spence, Andrew Clark, Philip Marquart, Asher B. Health, J. R. Lippincott, J. E. Fennimore, Jeremiah Ream, A¥illiam Jenkins, P. M. Hawke, S. S. Jenkins, and William Myers. The above sixteen persons ha^'e served Pike Township as clerk for the period of about fifty years, and have left the reputation of having been upright and efficient officers.

The pioneer Methodist organization of this township was the Beech Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized in 1803 by the Rev. Jesse Goddard. The first house of worship was built on the site occupied by the present chapel, in 1840. George Otewalt, Joseph Stott and W. P. Black were the organizers. The following persons have served as ministers of this church: Revs. Laws, Elsworth, Conry Newsou, Musgrove, Fields, Creighton, Dinkins, Williams, Purkiser, Brown, Black, Robinson, Peck, Whitmer, Verity, Jackson, Rector, Edgar, Kirk, Fidder, Cheney, Shultz, Peak, Deam, Prince, Baker, Zink and A. D. Raleigh. This church is located about four miles northwest of Northampton in the Sterrett neighborhood.

The Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1830. The first church was built about the year 1839, and was replaced in 1858 by the present building. This church is situated a short distance north of Northampton. A movement is on foot at present to build a new church. Rev. S. M. Griffith is at present pastor.

The German Reformed Church in Northampton was dedicated in 1858. Some of the first members of the church were George Cost, D. R. Zinn and Jacob Ross. The first minister who preached was the Rev. B. H. Winters. The first trustees were Peter Marquart, Peter Baisinger and Harrison Miller. The following have l^een ministers of this church: Jesse Richards, Shaw, Swander, Winters, Shael, E. R. Taylor, Jesse Stiner and others. The present minister is Rev. J. C. Paul.

Emanuel Church of the German Reformed denomination was organized by the Rev. Jesse Stiner about 1854. Wiley Jenkins, Jonas Michael and Daniel R. Zinn were among the first members. The present pastor of this church is likewise Rev. J. C. Paul. This church is located northwest of Northampton about two and a half miles.

The Christian Church was organized in 1839. Among the original members were John Priest. Andrew Clark, Nancy and Mary Clark. John Richeson and their families. In 1852 the present building was erected. This church is located in the northwestern part of the township, about one mile east of the Miami County line.

Nyswander in 1875, and the present building was constructed in 1876 at a cost of about $1,200. It is situated in the southern part of the township in Ulery settlement.

The German Baptist Church was organized as early as 1816 by Elder Christian Frantz, the first elder of this locality. This church is located south of Northampton. The congregation is in a large and flourishing condition. It is known as a Dunkard organization. Aaron Frantz is the present pastor.

Sometime about 1885 there was a division, in this church and the conservatives built a church in the southeast part of the township. Henry Dresher, James Hansborongh, David Leatherman, et al., were instrumental in this movement. Jacob Sandy and Louis Pfeiffer are ministers.

The German Reformed Church, which is now located at Dialton, was formerly in German Township and was moved to Dialton, where the new edifice was erected in 1890, the old one having been destroyed by fire. The Rev. J. C. Paul is minister at this church at the present time. It is in a flourishing condition and the organization is actively enjoying their fine new church.

The first building used as a schoolhouse was situated three-quarters of a mile east of where Andrew Black formerly resided, and James Black was the first teacher.

James Black, xlrchie Mitchell, David Morris and Mary Ebersole; more recently, William Myers, S. S. Jenkins and others. AVell known citizens have taught in various parts of this township. The township has no centralized school district designated as a high school. The following are the teachers for the coming year :

Memorandum of the route we travelled, setting out on Thursday, 23d of May, 1805: From Blacksburgh to Union, 45 miles; to Greenbrier River, Alderson's Ferry, 14 miles; to McClung in Walker's Meadows, 10 miles; to Montgomeries, top of Suel Mountain, 14 miles; to Huff's, foot of Gauley Mountain, 27 miles; to Gauley River, 10 miles; to top of Little Gauley Mountain, 11 miles; to the Kanawha, 10 miles ; to the Mouth of Elk, 20 miles, where we crossed on Tuesday following; thence to the mouth of Cole River, 12 miles, crossing the Kanawha ; thence to Ward's on Guindot, 30 miles; to the Ohio, 8 miles ; to Twelve Poles Creek, 8 miles; to the Big Sandy River, 4 miles; thence crossing the Ohio on Thursday following, and down it to oj^posite the mouth of Little Sandy Creek, 20 miles; thence to the Little Scioto, 12 miles; thence across the hills to Big Scioto River, 9 miles; to Mi-. S. Wright's on the Cherry Fork of Ohio Brush Creek, 40 miles, where we arrived on Saturday, the first day of June, in Adams County (after crossing the Ohio we passed through Gallia and Scioto Counties). Thence, after spending a few days in viewing the neighborhood, we set out for the Miamis, to New Market, in Highland County, 18 miles; to Lebanon, 40 miles, in Warren County, on Turtle Creek; thence to Dayton, 25 miles, in Montgomery County, on Big Miami; thence to Stantown (Staunton), 21 miles; up Miami to Lower Pickawaj' (Piqua), 6 miles; to Upper Pickaway (Piqua), 3 miles, on Miami; thence returning down past Stantown (Staunton) to Jacob Saylor's, on Indian Creek, a branch of Honey Creek, 19 miles; to Tenix's at the forks of Mad River, 16 miles; to Dayton, 22 miles; to Price's, on Twin Creek, the way we went, 30 miles, 17 on a straight line; thence to Vieltown, 22 miles; thence to Cincinnati, 33 miles; thence to Bulskin Creek, 40 miles ; thence to the Ohio at the mouth of Brochen, 4 miles, where we crossed; thence to the Wrights', in Burben County, 44 miles; to Paris, 4 miles ; to Lexington, 18 miles ; to Nicholasville, 12 miles; to Kentucky River, 8 miles; to Lancaster, 16 miles; to Crab Orchard. 12 miles; to Faris' 26 miles; to Johnstown, 29 miles; to Divise's. foot of Cumberland Mountain, 30 miles; to Bean's Station, 30 miles; to Rodgers- ville, 23 miles; to W. Armstrong, 12 miles; to North Fork of Holstein, 15 miles; thence to Abington, 40 miles; thence to Evonsham, 60 miles; to Blacksburgh, 47 miles, wl^ere we started from. Said Samuel Black was also a captain in the War of 1812, and kept a memoranda of military accounterments received and how disbursed. This memorandum book is now in the possession of Horace W. Stafford, Esq. From this book the following is taken :

Captain Black also kejit during part of the time a diary, and the date of November 19th is particularly interesting as showing what happened to some of his company :

"November 19th. We were employed in cutting down some timber about the tents and making a barrier against the smoke round the fire-place. The two men sent back from Finley to look after the two men left at the Rapids, returned and found them not. A soldier of Captain

Murphy, dies and is buried. A general parade in the evening, at which General Tupper makes a farewell address to the troops, considering himself not at liberty to command longer, in consequence of an arrest being forwarded from General Harrison. After night two spies arrived, who had been at General Winchester's camp, and also had heen at the Rapids after the army left there, and says that not far from where the two men were left, they found a man killed, scalped and stripped naked, lying on his face. The same was supposed to be James Buekhanon, the man left with the sick man, who was Zadock Wood. (A cool day and windy; the smoke very bad on the eyes.) " Further on we find the following : "November 23d. The following men are missing since the expedition to the Rapids: Killed - Aaron Seribner, of Captain Barrett's company; Jeremiah York, of Captain Sheudledicker's company; Zadock Wood and James Buekhanon, of Captain Black's company; Jacob Young, of Captain Jonston's company; William Shotwell, of Captain Evans' company; Joseph Hopkins, of the Artificers; Isaac Perrigin, of Captain A. Shephard's company, slightly wounded; William Vinyard, of Captain Hin-

Boots was buried out of Captain Armstrong's company. I obtained a yoke of oxen to draw wood for the battalion. Mr. Ellis comes into camp for his son, who has been very sick. (Wet and raining in the morning; after the day rises, turns to snow and continues on till night.)"

' ' December 18th. Two men buried this evening out of Colonel Safford's regiment. Sergeant Black and Smith returns to camp accompanied by Mr. Samuel Alexander and Mr. George Koss. (A very pleasant day.)

Pleasant Township is situated in the extreme northeastern part of Clark county. Is bounded on the north by Champaign County, on the east by Madison County, on the south by Harmony Township and on the west by Moorefield township. It is not known how it received the name of Pleasant, otherwise than from the fact that it appeared as an exceedingly pleasant place to live to the early settlers that came to this part of the county. It is five miles wide and about eight and a half miles on the northern boundarv.

The land around Catawba is somewhat hilly, but in the southern portion it is not quite so hilly, but all is more or less rolling. Sinking Creek has its source south of the center and flows westerly through the southwestern part of the township. The south branch of Buck Creek flows south of the village of Catawba and west into the main channel in Moorefield Township. Some of the branches of Beaver Creek have their source in the southern part and the branches of Deer Creek drain the eastern part of the township, flowing down through Madison County. The fact that so many of these streams have their source in this township indicates its high elevation, and there is no doubt but it is the highest in the county.

These streams afford facilities for grazing purposes, and that industry is largely carried on in the township. The soil is generally fertile; particularly^ is this the case with respect to that of the valleys, and the crops which are suitable to the Innd in this county are grown.

The Ludlow line passes through the county west to Catawba, the ]5ike leading south from Catawba to Vienna being on this line. The lands west of these lands are Congress lands, and those east are military survey. In this military survey a distinguished Virginian by the name of L'ailey held a large tract of land, the last of which were disposed of by the writer about 1888.

The old Columbus Road runs through the southern part of the township ; it was an early route to the city of .Spring-field and is yet much used, although after the establishment of the National Road a mile or so south, that road is less frequently used.

A good pike was built from Vienna to Catawba, and in the eastern part of the county was the Houston fee road; gravel being reasonably well at hand, the roads are in fair condition. Forty-five miles' of liublic roads are found in the township.

The only railroad touching the township is the Delaware branch of the Big Four. This goes across a small portion of the northwest corner, the station closeto Catawba being known by that name. It has only one village, thai of Catawba (see villages), being singularly different in this respect from all the other townships of the county, and the residents have never seen fit to have established more than one voting precinct.

The early settlers of this township were from different states of the union; some from Pennsylvania, others from Kentucky, and still others from Virginia. Like the other townships of the county the population has not advanced; in fact, it

The following table shows the number of acres and assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the township, as the same is divided into school districts:

At no time in the history pf this township has a majority vote been cast in favor of the Democratic candidates. It has steadily given a majority to the opposing candidates, these majorities increasing in favor of the Republican candidates, at times reaching as high as 250.

In 1802 Joseph Coffey, then living in the state of Pennsylvania, becoming dissatisfied with the prospect presented to himself and family in the rough region where he lived, determined to remove to the then almost uninhabited, but to him, inviting West.

He accordingly pursued his journey westward to a point about nine miles north of Cincinnati, where he remained during the year; but, as malarial diseases were alarmingly prevalent in that local-

Loading into an ox cart such articles as the necessity of pioneer life required, he, together with the other members of his family, consisting of his wife and two sons, Tatom and Joseph, commenced the tedious, and we may safely add, perilous journey toward the north.

The joumey was pursued for several days through the unbroken forests infested by Indians, until he reached what seemed to be the object of his search. May 6, 1803.

Here, near an Indian camp, he halted upon the summit of a hill overlooking a rich valley, through which a stream of water coursed its way. At the base of this hill gushed forth the cool waters of a beautiful spring.

This is the place where the first pioneer of Pleasant Township settled, and is now the site of the residence of this pioneer's grandson, George Coffey.

The pioneer had. in this time, made arrangements for building a cabin. He was assisted in its erection by Thomas and Jesse Pierce, then living in Champaign County, and by two or three Indians.

leaving his family alone in the tent, started out in search of food, and, luckily, at the cabin of a neighbor over in German Township, he obtained a small amount of corn, which, however, had been somewhat damaged by the early frosts of the preceding autumn.

In possession of his supply of corn, he proceeded to Simon Kenton's Mill, where it was ground into meal, with which he returned to his family. The mill of Kenton was on the present site of Lagonda. In the autumn of 1803 Isaac Agmond and his family came to this township and built a cabin where Mart Mahar now lives. At this point was another Indian camj), the two being connected by an Indian trail. In 1804 Archibald McConkey and family, accompanied by the father of Mrs. McConkey, removed here from Kentucky. The wife and mother performed the journey on horseback, carrying with her the three children - Alexander, Elizabeth and Daniel - the wardrobe and lighter effects of the family. The other members of the party travelled on foot. It may not be amiss to state that a cow was also brought from the Kentucky home, and perhaps the only one in the little company of pioneers.

Archibald McConkey soon built a cabin a short distance to the east of Joseph Coffey's, on the farm afterward owned by his son-in-law, Mahlon Neer. Three daughters of these parents - Margaret, Nancy and Mary - were born here.

The other families settling here in this year were those of Samuel Lafferty, Henry Dawson. William Hendricks, the father-in-law of Mr. LafTerty, and George Metsker- - owners of the farm on Buck Creek, where they lived, and which they afterward sold to Nathaniel Cartmell, from whom it received its present name, "the old Cartmell farm."

The Lafferty family consisted of the parents and one daughter - Catherine. Hendricks and Lafferty were from Virginia. Metsker lived on the farm now owned by William Hunter, and better known as the Lofland farm.

Henry Dawson settled on what to the present day is called the Dawson farm. The children of this family were Ellen, George, Jolm, Richard, Harriet and Elizabeth. Henry Dawson, the father, had served in the Revolution as lieutenant.

He removed to this locality from Kentucky, from which place he brought several fruit trees, carrying them in a Dutch oven. They were the first of their kind to produce fruit in this locality. It may be. necessary to state that one or two of those apple trees, one near the Dawson cabin, are still living.

Solomon Scott came in 1805, from Virginia, as did also Jonathan Hunter, with a large family. The sons and daughters were named respectively William, George, Jonathan, Jeremiah, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Nancy, Rachel and Sarah.

On the 29th of June, 1805, Constantine, wife of Heni'y Dawson, died. This was the first death that occurred among the pioneers. A grave was prepared near the cabin home, and the little company of neighbors and friends, amid wild forest scenes, performed the humble rites of burial, while the bereaved family wept the irreparable loss.

Soon after Jonathan Baldwin was married to Sarah, daughter of Solomon Scott. William Hunter and Blanche Hendricks were married Februaiy 1, 1807.

Thei'e is an interval of a few years, during which no accession was made to this early settlement; but, from the year 1808 to "l8]2, and about that time," the spirit of enterprise seemed to have prevailed in the older settlements, and a number of fearless men, with their families, joined the brave and hardy pioneers.

The men who came at this time were Nathaniel Cartmell, David Wren, Peter Arbogast, Andrew Baumgardnpr, George, Joseph and Abraham Runyan, William Curl, Edmond West, George. Richard and Charles Botkin. Jonathan Jones, W. T. Hunt, Andrew Hodge, Absalom Clark, Thomas and Philip Tunks and George Jones.

Peter Arbogast, Andrew Baumgardner, Andrew Hodge, Abraham and Joseph Runyan, William Curl and George Jones formed the first settlement at Asbury. - Edmund West lived on the farm now owned by William Waltman. The Tunks brothers, Philip and Thomas, located on the two adjoining farms, one now owned by the heirs of Henry Arbogast and the other by John McClenon. Philip established a tannery at the latter place. It was doubtless of the most primitive kind, as was also the distillerv a short distance to the north, at a house now owned by Israel Everhart. Absalom Clark lived at this place, engaged in the management of the distillery. I Thomas Tunks subsequently sold his claim in 1816 to Greorge Botkin, Philip disposing of his to Mathew Shaul some time later. Charles and Richard Botkin lived near each other. A cabin where George Coffey now lives was the home of Richard, while that of Charles was situated a short distance west of the present dwelling of Armstead Tavenner.

Near the residence of Samuel H. Grove may still be seen the log cabin, once the home of David Waitman, whose farm adjoined that of liis pioneer neighbor, Simon Ropp, he having built a cabin on the farm now owned by Jonathan Page.

Jeremiah Curl, the father of Mrs. William Coffey, and Brazill Harrison were early settlers. The former located on the north side of Buck Creek Valley, a short distance to the southwest of the present residence of Albert Cheney, and the latter on the Columbus Road, at a cabin on the eastern part of the farm now owned by Nelson Hammond. It will be noticed that the first settlements were established in the western jiart of the township. This circumstance deserves a brief explanation. The eastern portion of the township, it will be remembered, was in Virginia military land, and one hinderance to its settlement was the question of conflicting claims - a difficulty peculiar to these lands - and another, was the fact that large tracts were owned by Thomas M. Bailey, who, like most land speculators, deferred the sale of his lands for a great many years ; hence the settlement of the Bailey

The first neighborhood was formed, as may l)e readily supposed, by the families of Joseph Coffey, Archibald McConkey, Isaac Agmond, Henry Dawson, Samuel Lafferty, William Hendricks and Jonathan Hunter. The second was that near Asbury, comprising the families located there from 1808 to 1811. Those forming the first neighborhood in the eastern part of the township were the following:

Samuel West, Henry Curl, Otho Arbogast, David Runyan, William Neer, Lemuel Davisson and Nicholas McCauley. The latter, an earlier settler than many of the others, lived ©n the farm afterward owned by S. R. Dickson. Amos Neer came to this township from Virginia in 1817.

Cornelius Palmer built the first blaf'ksmith shop in this township not far from where Nathan Neer formerly resided. The first saw-mill was built by George Dawson near where the grist-mill of J. M. Runyan is at present located. The first gri.st-mill was built on Buck Creek about 1819 by William Hunter. The Cartmell mill, which was situated further west on the same stream, was built about three years later by Nathaniel Cartmell.

Henry Dawson was the first cooper. William T. Hunter was the first cabinetmaker and undertaker and lived for many years in a lo^ house near the recent residence of S. N. Conway. The first tavern was built in Catawba in 1838. The first place of burial was on the western part of the old Dawson farm. The first cabin was built by Joseph Coffey and was de- scribed as being sixteen feet in length by fourteen in width. It was provided with a huge fire-place, built of stone, the chimney being composed of sticks and clay. The nide door turned upon wooden hinges secured to their places by wooden pins. Rough slabs, split from the forest trees, served as a floor, and a piece of oiled paper, attached to a light frame in an opening in the wall, admitted the light.

The first election in the township was held at the house of Joseph Coffey and resulted as follows: Joseph Coffey, Andrew Hodge, trustees; Samuel Lafferty, clerk; Henry Dawson, treasurer; Solomon Scott, justice of the peace.

The first marriage was that of John Gilmore, of Urbana, to Miss Ellen Dawson, in 1805. The first school was taught by Jesse Reese in 1810. The first church in the Asbury neighborhood was built about 182-4; the one at Mt. Vernon in 1825.

Hunter, who was also bom in this township in 1814. "Squire" Hunter was married in 1876 to Lueinda J. McClintock, and a few years ago remodeled the residence on the old homestead, where he has resided his entire lifetime. He is very active in the affairs relating to his township.

Daniel T. Gordon was born in Champaign County in 1835, son of John W. Gordon, and came to this township about 1860. In 1861 he was married to Sarah E. Grove, daughter of John Grove. Mr. Gordon died in 1907.

A well-known character of this township is "Uncle Joe" Pearson, who was born in London February 12, 1827. He came with his father to this country in 1832 and has resided here ever since the war. He is a strenuous character, active in his Republicanism. For a long time he conducted a hotel in Catawba and as its host became acquainted with all who had business at that village. He was married in 1848 to Nancy Golden, and his first wife having died of cholera the year following, he was married to his second wife, ;Mary S. Palmer. Mr. Pearson is a man of positive character, honest and just in his dealings, 'and is living the life, in old age. of a person who has the consciousness of having performed his duty as he saw it.

The Runyan connection in this township is a large one. J. Milton has been active in township affairs; was born in the village of Catawba June 20, 1841, the son of Henry Rrmyan, and has resided at his present place of residence since 1856.

And Kepresentative Citizens

The IMcConkey family for a long time have been active in this township. The ancestor, Archibald McConkey, was born in Ireland and came to Catawba in an early day and lived imtil 1890. The father of Daniel McConkey was born in Kentucky in 1805 and died in 1856. Alexander was the fourth of this family. Nathan M. was a school teacher in this township for many years, served as county commissioner and at the time of his death was su]ierintpndent of the Orphans' Home. Enos died a few years ago. Alexander is still living in Mooretield.

The Neer family is likewise a large one in this township. In fact, it seems that everybody is related either to the Neers, Runyans, Hunters or McConkeys. Luther is a descendant of Amos Neer and came to Catawba in 1818. He was born two miles southwest of Catawba November 12, 1855, and married in 1879 Molly J. Loveless. He is an active farmer, owning a large tract of land.. William H. is the son of Nathan Neer. He was born in the western part of this township in 1822 and married Mary A. Hunter, who was born in the same neighborhood. William H. was married to Anna E. Cartmell December 29, 1874. She was the daughter of Nathaniel M. Cartmell and a sister of P. M. Cartmell, of Springfield, Ohio. Charles F. Neer was born southwest of Catawba in 1856, a son of Nathan, and was married in 1882 to Lida A. Conway, daughter of N. S. Conway. Alonzo W. Neer is a brother of Charles F.

and afterwards became the possessor of the old Jim Foley farm in Moorefield Township. They are both recently deceased. William Hodge was born November 14, 1826, and married in 1850 to Dorcas H. Botkin.

George W. Coffey, the son of William Coffey, was born July 26, 1837; married in 1865 to Margaret A. Ferguson, and now lives in the village of Catawba.

Thomas Wingate was bom January 24, 1827, in Maryland, and came to Catawba in 1865, since which time he has conducted a general store in that village; was married January 16, 1853 to Miss Mary Lafferty. William E. Yeazell was born in Moorefield ToAvnship in 1829, and married in 1850 to Lydia Bennett. He became quite a large land owner in the southern part of the township, and died in 1906.

Amos Smith, a quite prominent farmer in the southern part of this township, was born June 16, 1848, his father being Eli Smith, who was born in Hannony Township in 1823. Amos was married on June 25, 1872, to Catharine Wyatt.

Among others might be mentioned in connection with Pleasant Township affairs Samuel West, now living toward the southwestern part; Aquilla West, recently moved to London; W. L. Houston, a prominent land owner in the same section, recently deceased; the Cartmells, Joneses and others.

Dr. M. R. Himter was a practicing physician in the vicinity of Catawba for more than half a century. Dr. Stephens is at present actively engaged in that profession. Dr. Beach ar.d Dr. Bloyer were one time residents.

Pleasant Township being strongly Republican in recent years has furnished a fair number of the county officials. N. M. MeConkey served as county commissioner from 1 870-1876, and as representative from 1880-1882, and at the time of his death was superintendent of the Orphans ' Home. His son. M. M. MeConkey, was recorder from 1891-1897.

The present coroner. Dr. J. D. Thomas, was a resident of this township at the time of his election, and N. M. Cartmell, who is noAv one of the county commissioners, is likewise a resident of this township.

Samuel Lafferty, Joseph Coffey, Henry Dawson, William Coffey, Cornelius Arbogast, Henry Curl, Joseph Wilkinson, Daniel MeConkey and J. V. Cartmell. And among those thus serving at a more recent date may be recorded the names of D. H. Randall, Otho Arbogast. George Yeazell, Matthew Neer, Josejih Pearson, Jonathan Page, William Hardman, John jVIcClenen, John W. Yeazell, Luther Jones, Enos MeConkey. George Coffey, N. M. MeConkey, J. H. Baldwin and John Q. Skillman.

The number of years served by the trustees of Pleasant Township, from 1880 to 1907 - H. L. MeConkey, one year; Martin ^lalnr. one year; F. M. Silvers,

Mt. Vernon - The first places of worship were located in some of the early schoolhouses. In 1825 a church was built at Mt. Vernon. This was located about a mile and a half west of Catawba. The church has long since been abandoned. In 1828 the first Sunday school was organized by IMoses Henkle.

Asbury Chapel, Methodist Episcopal - The first church built in the Asbuiy neighborhood was in- the year 1824, and was called Asl)nry in honor of a bishop of that name. The names of two of the early preachers were Strange and Goddard. The services are still conducted in the Asburv Church, which is connected with

Methodist Episcopal Churches - At a later day the Methodist Episcopal organization built a church in Catawba. This church is active, and, like most village churches, draws large crowds from the surrounding country, having about three hundred members and two hundred enrolled in the Sunday school. The Rev. J. Dolby is the present pastor.

Under the control of the Methodist denomination also is the chapel at Pleasant Grove, situated about two miles southeast of Catawba, and Nation Chapel, located on the Catawba and London Pike in the Houston- West neighborhood. These churches belong to the same charge as the Catawba church belongs to.

Methodist. Protestant - The Methodist Protestants have a church and an active congregation, located in the village of Catawba, the Rev. M. M. Campbell being pastor of the same.

Schools have been conducted successfully for a number of years, Catawba being considered as the central place of education of the township, although there is no township high school.

The following are a list of the teachers for the coming year : Superintendent, N. W. Lemen, for a term of two years; No. 1. Vernon, Lottie West; No. 2, Asbury, Theresa L. Slagle: No. 3, Catawba, principal, N. W. Lemen; intermediate, A. G. Pearson; primary, Grace Davis; No. 4, McConkey, F. M. Tavenner; No. 5, Pleasant Chapel, Forest Mahar; No. 6, Pleasant Hill, open; No. 7, National Chapel, Alice Fenton; No. 8, Oak Grove, J. Omer Hedges; No. 9, Bodkin, J. E. Runyan. Salary $50, term eight months.

The first sehoolhouse built in this township was situated on the north bank of Buck Creek, in about 1810. Jesse Reese is said to have been the first teacher. His immediate successor was John Dawson. The second sehoolhouse was situated on the north bank of said stream at the branch of the road. Edward Watts was the first teacher.

John Harvey taught a school about 1811 on the place where Kemp Coffey now resides. One of the early schoolhouses was built at Mt. Vernon, and in 1815 there was one built in the Asbury neighborhood. At this latter place Israel

Springfield Township is the center township of the county. It is bounded on the north by Moorefield Township, east by Harmony Township, south by Green Township and west by Mad River, jMad River Township and Bethel and German Townships. There is a neck running out west of the city of Springfield, which has for its boundary Mad River Township on the south. Bethel on the west and German on the north. It is six miles wide. It is eight miles east and west; including the neck on the west, it runs two miles further. The township was organized shortly after the creatioji of the county iu 1818. A township by the same name existed before the creation of Clark County. Just what its territorial extent was at that time is doubtful. From some reports that were made by the county commissioners on April 25, 1818, it would seem that some part of Spring-field Township was in Greene County prior to the organization of Clark, but the better opinion now is that the south line of Springfield Township marks the boundary line that formerly existed between Champaign and Greene County. The township no doubt received its name from the city of Springfield, which was then a large village in its midst. Springfield city is not in the center of the township, much of the larger portions of the township being east and south of the city.

The lands are quite fertile, much of it being bottom land and the rest is what is known as second bottom land. None of it is so hilly but that it can be easily cultivated. Along the western portion there is the Mad River Valley and possibly along the bluffs on the west side of this valley for a short distance the land might be considered too hilly for cultivation, but this is so small in extent as to hardly merit consideration.

Creek flows in a northwestern direction through the entire township, and in the southeastern part of the township is found the north fork of the Little Miami. Sinking Creek enters into Beaver Creek in the northeastern part of the township and Rock Run flows through the neck in the western part of the township, so it will be observed that the lands of the township are naturally well watered and suitable for grazing and dairy purposes, and a suitable portion is being used for dairies to supply the city of Springfield; otherwise the standard crops are grown in addition to garden truck to supply the markets in the city of Springfield.

There were formerly quite a number of villages just outside the corporate limits of Springfield in this towmship, but practically all of these have been taken inside the corporate limits, with the exception of Beatty in the southeastern portion and Sugar Grove west of Mad River. Lagonda was the most prominent, but in the last extension (1882) of the corporate limits of Springfield it was taken in as a part of that city. (See villages.)

Mad River and Buck Creek and some of the tributaries of these streams afforded power which was used for milling jmrposes by the early settlers. (See mills.)

Buck Creek flows through the township, forking a short distance above Lagonda, v/here Beaver Creek enters, and along the attendant village of these streams is some quite fertile soil. In the southwestern part of the township Mill

The lands of the township were mostly occupied by timber which prevails generally in this county, oak perhaps being the prevailing type, especially upon the lands south and east of the city. Upon the lands west there were some beech and sugar trees and in the valleys some walnut. Onlv in recent vears has the town- ship been divided into voting precincts, it now having two, East and West, the Urbana Pike being the dividing line north of the city and the Selma Pike south.

There are eighty-nine miles of public roads in this township, more than in any other township in the county. As a matter of course all railroads entering the city of Springfield go through this township. (See railroads.)

The following table shows the number of acres and the assessed valuation of the real estate and personal property, as the same is apportioned in school districts in the city of Springfield, including the entire township (1906) : by the voters of the entire township, it has a political complexion separate from the city, and this is Republican, when a full vote is had - perhaps from 150 to 200. The offices that belong to the township are those of trustees, justice of the peace and constable. The officers are elected by the votes of the city and township. Separate from these is the school board, which is elected by the voters of the school district, which does not include the city of Spring-field. Much of the history of the early settlement of this township is embodied in the general history of the county and that of the city of Springfield.

The first settlement of the township was no doubt that made by Kenton, Demint and their companions out along Buck Creek just before it enters Mad River, in 1799. Afterwards Kenton went up into Moorefield Township, but in a few years he was back again in Springfield Township at Lagonda, Demint and Humphreys going up into what is now the city of Springfield.

The following account of the early settlers of this township is taken from authentic records, most of it having been previously published, but having been corrected up to date :

James Rea was a Pennsylvanian, who settled, a1)out the year 1802, where Harvey Tuttle now lives. His sons were James, John and Andrew. John succeeded John Buckles, an owner of a flouring-mill on Beaver Creek, on the site of "Junction Mills" (Redmonds). Mr. Rea improved the race, and in 1835 was succeeded bv Roliert Rodgers. Peter

Sintz, Sr., was boni iu Pennsylvania in April, 1776, and was the son of Nicholas and Margaret (Metzger) Sintz, he a native of Germany and she of Pennsylvania. In boyhood Peter moved to Virginia with his parents, and in 1802 he came to Springfield. In ISO-i he married Elizabeth Critz, a native of Maryland, to whom was born seven children, viz: Margaret, Nicholas, Mary, George, Susan, Peter and Elizabeth. He built his cabin in Section 23, on the farm where his daughter Susan recently resided on the Clark and Miami Pike. He accumulated a large estate and died September 30, 1858, and his wife November 15, 1865. His parents also settled here, his mother dying in 1822 and his father in 1823, Susan, the daughter, dying about 1894 and Peter, Jr., a son, a few years later.

In the spring of 1802 James and John Reid came from Virginia and selected land in Section 10, then went back to their native state, and the same fall returned to Springfield with the whole family, viz : John, Joseph, Nancy, Thomas, Betsey, James, William, Robert and George. They first built a cabin in the village on the site of Myers' livery stable, opposite the Sun office, and began to clear the land in Section 10, where in a year or two they erected a cabin and removed to it, and where George Reid, a grandson of James, now resides with his family in a fine brick residence, which has displaced the rude log structure of the pioneer days.

Cooper Ludlow was born in New Jersey in 1783; was married in 1803 to Elizabeth Reeder, and in 1804 settled three miles west of Springfield, where he opened a tannery. To Elizabeth Ludlow was born Ellen, Man', Stephen, John and Jacob; and, she dying in 1813, her husband was married in 1815 to Elizabeth Layton, who had born to her Joseph, Jason, Silas, Abram, George, Cornelius, James, Catherine and William. Cooper Ludlow died in 1832. Abram, the last surviving son, died in 1906.

John Perrin was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1778, and there married to Amelia Ingram, a native of that coimty, born in 1778. In 1806, he and family came to Springfield, and he purchased the whole of Section 3. His family consisted of six children, viz., Edward, Joseph, John, William, Minerva E. and Emery, the two former of whom were born before coming to this county. He died in 1848, and his wife in 1847, and his sons John and William were among the leading citizens of the township. A grandson, John, lives on the home farm south of the city.

About 'the year 1806 Edward Armstrong settled on Section 5, now owned by Ed. L. Buchwalter. He built and operated a distillery for a time, and his wife was an excellent woman, and a Baptist.

In 1806 John Dugan settled in the eastern part of the township. He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1787; was married to Polly Hall, a native of Kentucky, born in 1792, of which union the following children were the issue: Sarah, William, Margaret, James and John. Mr. Dugan died July 2, 1868, and his wife July 21, 1867.

Francis and Isabel Best, natives of Virginia, settled on the site of P. P. Mast's residence in 1806, where they died. They had ten children - six sons and four daughters.

John Hatfield was born in Virginia in 1798, and in 1799 his father, Nathaniel, came with the family to Kentucky, thence to Greene County, Ohio, in 1805, and in 1806 to Section 7, in the south part of this township, where he died in 1812. In 1821 John married Eva Garlough, daughter of John Garlough, twelve children being born to this union. In 1853 he removed to a farm in Green Township.

Andrew Benson was born in Bath County, Virginia, in 1781; came to this township in 1806; was married to Sarah Rennick, also a Virginian, born 1796, daughter of Robert and Mary Rennick, March 26, 1812. They had six children; four lived to be grown. Andrew died November 28, 1826, and his wife February 28, 1848.

George H. Benson, a brother of Andrew's, was born in the same county and state in 1787; came to this township in 1807, and married, in 1818, Isabel Rennick, also a daughter of Robert and Mary Rennick. She was born in this township in 1801, and had ten children ; eight grew to maturity. She died March 28, 1866, and her husband February 27, 1877.

Nathan Reddish was born in Maryland in 1783; came to Greene County, Ohio, previous to 1808; was married to Matilda Miller, and in 1810 settled on Section 14, Springfield Township, where he engaged in a tannery, which he carried on until 1834. He was married three times; had five children by his first, but none by his second wife, and three by his last wife, who was Harriet Oxtoby, the sister of

1810, settling in the northeast part of Green Township, and in a few years moving across the line into this township, where he died in 1869. His wife, Anna (Craig) Skillings, came to this county in 1808, and died in 1866. Both were members of the "Fletcher Chapel," and have left worthy descendants, who honor their name.

Isaac Wood was born in New York in 1771 ; was married to Jane Corey, of New Jersey, in 1797, who was born in 1779, coming to this county in March, 1812, settling in Section 15, Springfield Township, removing the following years to Section 9. They had thirteen children. Isaac Wood died in 1825, and his widow in 1871.

John Foster was an early settler on Beaver Creek, and built the oi'iginal mill on that stream, at the site of "Junction Mills ' ' about 1808, and, during and after the war of 1812, operated this rude mill successfully.

1811, and came with his parents, in 1815, to this township, settling in Section 1, in the southwestern part of the township. He there grew up, and married Catherine Kelly in 1841, who had bom to her eleven children. She was a native of this county.

Herbert Huffman settled in the northeastern i^art of the township as early as 1815, and possibly earlier. He died in 1820, and his wife, Sarah, in 1812.

Luke Byrd was a Baptist preacher of excellent repute, who settled in the eastern part of the township in 1816. He died August 31, 1823, aged fifty-five, and his wife, Catherine, in September, 1835, aged seventy-two. They reared a numerous family, who, with their descendants, occupy prominent places in business and social circles of the township.

Moses Bishop was born in Pennsylvania in 1804; came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, and, in 1816, from Warren County to the eastern part of this township. His parents were from New Jersey, and had five children, Moses, Margaret, David, Delila and Edward.

One of the most eccentric pioneers of the township was Andrew Pinneo, who was born in Vermont in 1770; came to Green Township, Clark County, Ohio, in 1816; thence to Section 8, Springfield Township. He married Esther Waters, of Vermont, who had seven children. Mr. Pinneo was in the War of 1812, and died about 1859, his wife having died about 1843.

which he had learned in his native land, where he was also married to Sarah Cook. He and wife were earnest Methodists, be dying in 1850 and she in 1867. His grandson, Wm. J., now resides on the old homestead in the southeastern part of the township, on Section 3, and is one of the leading farmers of the county.

In 1820, Henry Wolf and his wife Elizabeth (Haller) Wolf, with their family, settled in Section 6, in the northeastern corner of the township. They were from Virginia, and he built and conducted a distillery for a number of years. They had nine children, and Samuel, the seventh child, now resides upon the old homestead.

Caleb Tuttle was the fourth son of Silvanus and Mary (Brown) Tuttle, who settled in Moorefield Township in 1808 He was born in Virginia May 14, 1799 and, March 21, 1822, married Mary Prickett, daughter of Nicholas Prickett one of the pioneers of the country. By this imiou he became the father of Sil vanus, Isaiah, David, William H., Thomas, Catherine, Eliza, Margaret, Mary E.. Rachel and Laura.

John Buckles came to the township from the southern ]iart of the state, and operated a flouring-mill and stillhouse on Beaver Creek, near the present site of "Junction Mills." He was the father of a large family. James, David, Robert, Thomas, William, John and Abraham were his sons. The father was a Baptist, and his sons James and Abraham were ministers of that denomination.

mentioned, as the following: Rev. H. H. Tuttle, who was born in this county September 20, 1842, son of John and Margaret Tuttle, was married in 1870 to Laura J. Luse, and is still living in the township. Silas Bird, who was the father of S. Van Bird, the present county surveyor, came to this township in 1816; was married to Margaret Tuttle, daughter of Caleb and Mary Tuttle, in 1848 ; has been dead some twelve years. Henry Stickney was a long time resident of this township, having been born November 26, 1821, at the place near where he died, which is now occupied by his son William J. He was married November 11, 1851, to Isabella J. Baird. He has likewise been deceased some ten or twelve years. William Rice was born in this county, February 17, 1833, and died in 1907. He was the son of Edward and Lucy Rice. He was married January 13, 1856, to Matilda Goudy. He lived near the Greene County Line.

John McClintoch was for a long time a resident of this township south along the Yellow Spring Pike, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Matthews. He died in 1869.

James P. Leffel, who lived south of Leffel's Lane, came to this township at an early date and became quite wealthy, owning 1,600 acres of land. He died in 1887. He was the father of Colonel Joseph Leffel, of this city, who is still living. Michael Leffel, who lived on the Rebert place south of the city, was born March 20, 1822, and died in 1894. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Cosier. Another son, Reuben, was born in this county May 9, 1836, and was married in 1858 to Rachel McClellan. He moved south of the city on the farm now owned

John H. Kobelantz, living north of the city of Springfield, was born on his present residence, March 15, 1839, and was married December 21, 1871, to Anna M. Snyder.

William H. Berger was boi'n in Pennsylvania, January 21, 1830, and settled near Lagonda in 1838. He was married March 18, 1852, to Mary J. Jackson and died in 1907. He was a well-known citizen, active in many capacities.

George H. Reed, who lives east of the city, was the son of James Reed and died in 1857. George was married in 1870 to Eunice E. Bird. Mr. Reed is active in township affairs, having served upon the board of education, as assessor, and in other capacities.

William T. Otstot is a life-long resident of this township, having been born on the farm where he now lives, December 16, 1837, and married January 2, 1868, to Mary A. Willis. Mr. Otstot has served as township trustee and in other official positions.

Charles H. Petre, in the southern part of the township, is the son of the pioneer Louis Petre and lived all his life upon his present farm. Quite a number of the Crabill family live in this township, their father, Thomas V. Crabill, having been an early pioneer and accumulated a large tract of land. The sons living are William, David, James, John, Milton and Joseph.

svlvania in 1833 and came to Clark County in 1862 and resides at Sugar Grove. He was united in marriage to Mary Jane Tilton. He is at present county intirmary director.

J. and D. L. Snyder, brothers, were prominent residents of the west end of this township. They came here with their father, Henry Snyder, and located on the site of the present mills. During their lifetime they amassed a large fortune. John died, leaving a fine bequest to the City Hospital, and the park was donated by them. A brother, William, died before these brothers.

Peter Sintz, living in the Sugar Grove neighborhood, was a life-long resident of this township, having died some ten or twelve years ago. John T. May kept a toll-gate along the Urbana Pike for many years. Daniel Young resided north of the city.

Probably the first denomination to erect a Church in this township were the regular Bajitists, who organized a society in 1816. The original members were Nathaniel Reeves, ]\Iarv A. Reeves, John

Buckles, Mary Buckles, Nicholas Pricket, William Haugh, William Beesely and James Buckles. This organization built a log church a few rods from the site of the Union Meeting House built at a later date. It was on the opposite side of the Old Columbus Eoad. They continued to worship here until 1840, when the property was sold to Caleb Tuttle. The society continued its organization until 1848, when it was abandoned.

Eegular Baptist Church - In 1831 a number of Free-Will Baptists were joined by a number of citizens of various beliefs in the building of an undenominational church, that should be free to all christians. This church was built on the old Columbus Eoad in the eastern part of the township on Section 6. The principal members of the society were James Donnel and wife, John Bishop and wife, James Bishop and wife, Nathaniel Beesley and wife and John Pricket and wife. Between the years of 1840 and 1860 the Presbyterians maintained stated services here. It has been stated that the noted Mormans, Joe Smith and Eigdon, once occupied the pulpit in this meeting-house.

It is also said that the regular Baptists had undisputed services on the first Sabbath and the Saturday before, the Presbyterians the second Sabbath and the Saturday before, and the Free-Will Baptists the third Sabbath and the Saturday before. Services are still continued in this organization. This church was repaired last year (1907) at an expense of $650. Eegular services are now held here, Eev. H. H. Tuttle being the pastor.

Chapter Xvi

Allentown is the name given to a cluster of houses located on what is now called the Jackson Road, in Grreen Township, and about half a mile east of the Yellow Springs Pike; perhaps less than a mile from Hustead and about seven miles from Springfield.

In 1834 or '35 Aaron Allen erected a steam saw-mill at this place. It was kept in operation by himself and son until 1852, when it burned down. It never reached sufficient importance to have a schoolhouse or church and is now in considerable decay. It at no time exceeded fifteen families. The schoolhouse sometimes going by that name is half a mile east.

junction of the Fairfield Pike and the Yellow Spring Pike. At its lower edge is located Emery Chapel and likewise a car barn and sub-station of the Springfield and Xenia Traction Company.

The Fairview Floral Greenhouse is its only industrial establishment. To the north there has recently been laid out some building lots in an addition called Fairmont.

Its school facilities are at what is termed Possum Schoolhouse. Tradition says that when the first schoolhouse built here was opened for school, an opossum presented himself as the first pupil, hence the name "Possum." It has a postoffice and rural delivery, both, the postoffice being kept there mainly for the benefit of the floral company.

Jacob Kershner had a blacksmith shop in a very early day, a short distance north of where Emery Chapel is now located, and in the thirties a log schoolhouse stood almost where the chapel is located. Cliff Haley is the present postmaster. William R. Melvin conducts the blacksmith shop.

A short distance below this "place, in the thirties, Adam Mayne conducted a tavern called "Traveller's Rest." It was freely patronized during stage-coach days.

Bowlusville is located about eight miles north of the City of Spring-field on the Big Four and Erie Railway, about three miles west of the pike leading to Urbana. It was laid out in 1863, in a plat of lots niuTibering from one to seventeen, by Captain Samuel H. Bowlus, from whom it received its name.

Its former name was Lawrence Station, it being thus named after Judge Lawrence of Bellefontaine. It has one store and elevator conducted by John L. Bowlus. The United Brethren denomination have a church, built in 1888, located in the east part of this village. Rev. A. H. Lehman being the present pastor. John L. Bowlus is postmaster. Mr. Bowlus made several strenuous attempts to sell lots, but without any material result.

line goes through the village. It owes its location to the fact no doubt of the building of the National Road, and is in the northeastern part of Harmony Township. It was platted by David Ripley and Marvin Gager in 1834, lots 1-32, and in 1835 another plat was added of lots 32-67. Afterwards an addition was added by Rathburn, lots 9-24, situated in the north of the National Road, and east of the road leading north was latterly vacated, only to be replatted by Jerome Stephenson in 1881. The first house was built on the northeast corner by John Buckland and was by him occupied as a hotel. About the same time Joseph Robinson built a saw-mill just east of the village. Gager and a man by the name of Alpin built a frame house on the southeast corner about the same time. In 1836 David Ripley built a two-story brick building on the northwest corner, which was used for several years as a hotel. A postofifice was established here called Brighton Center, in 1836, and Joseph Robinson was the first postmaster. It was discontinued after two years, until about ten years ago. Then a postoffice was again established imder the name of Orchard, to be in time discontinued upon the mtroduction of free delivery. A carding-mill was built here in 1837 by George Snodgrass.

Martin Gager, who was a blacksmith, built a shop about the time that the village was platted, or previous thereto. In 1842 he attached a distillery to the same. A saw-mill was erected by Joseph Robinson, which was operated for some time. After the National Road was opened, the village thrived, and until the building of the railroad from Spring-field to Columbus its hotels were frequent stopping places for travellers and teamsters. Likewise it was a regular stopping place for the stage-coach, the mail being delivered in that way. The recent location of the traction line through the village has given it a new lease of life and it shows evidence of returning prosperity. A traction substation is located here.

Brottensburgh is the name of a village that exists only in history. It was located about three-quarters of a mile this side of Enon, where the road turns north towards the river. In 1818 John and James Leffel erected a grist-mill on Mad River. Considerable traffic was carried on in that direction and quite a cluster of houses, principally made out of logs, were erected at this place and occupied by persons employed in the mill. In 1837 the postoffice was established at this place and J. E. Miller was postmaster.

Historically this site of Brottensburgh may be remembered, because it was at one time the property of the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow. This noted preacher, traveled frequently through parts of Ohio, prior to his death in 1834.

Upon the establishment of Enon, Brottensburgh gradually went out of existence, until at this date nothing whatever remains to indicate its former location.