Springfield Township (part 19 of 69)

on the road leading from Vienna to Mechanicsburg, about fourteen miles from Springfield. It was regularly laid out by Cass and Marsh upon the lands owned by George Dawson, in 1838. Prior to this time there was considerable of a settlement at this place. Henry Neer built tho first house in the village. The second was built by Miller Williamson, a blacksmith. William Pearson, a carpenter and cabinet-maker, built the first frame house. In 1831 Joseph Newlove established a store in a small room on the site where Joseph Pearson recently had his store.

In 1833 the postoffice was established and Herriman Chamberlain, who had succeeded Newlove in his store, became the first postmaster. The first name for the place was Newburg, but there being another place of that name in the state, it was called Buck Creek. The first tavern was opened in 1838 on the southwest corner of Chamjoaign and Pleasant Streets. John Neer and Joseph Pearson were the first mail carriers. Letter postage at that time was twenty-five cents, payable at the office of delivery, if carried four hundred miles.

Prominent inhabitants of this village in recent years have been Thomas Wingate, who has had a store here since 1865 ; N. S. Conway, now deceased, and Joseph Pearson had the hotel and the store connected from 1875 imtil 1896, and lives there a retired life. The \fite Dr. M. E. Hunter was the practicing physician of this place for half a century.

There are two churches and an excel-' lent graded school. The village is incorporated. Its inhabitants enjoy a culture and refinement beyond that usually found in country villages, and it is their boast

The strong temperance sentiment, together with the anti-slavery feeling that formerly existed here, have made this a stronghold of the Republican party.

Some years ago Mr. Joseph Pearson erected a hall for services for public meetings, the store underneath being occupied for many years by Mr. C. H. Runyan. Mrs. Fralick now has a general store there.

The most stately residence is probably that of Mr. Eli Hunter. The village is situated on the crest of a ridge, which commands an excellent view of all the sui*- rounding countiy. The nearest railroad facilities are on the Big Four at Catawba Station, abo«ut three miles to the northwest.

Clifton was platted by Bates and Lewis in 1840, in lots numbering 1-84. When Clark County was first laid off, the entire present village of Clifton was placed within the boundaries of this county, but General Whiteman had but recently built a house, which is the old stone residence still standing a short distance east of Clifton. - He did not wish to be taken out of Greene County and the boundary was afterwards changed so as to put his house back in Greene County. Although the place was not platted until 1840, yet from the fact that a mill was erected here by

Owen Davis in 1800, there was no doubt of somewhat of a settlement here before the plat was made. It received its name probably from the beautiful cliff's immediately west along the Little Miami River. The mill is now in Greene County, and is run by Mr. Preston.

The village is almost due south of the city of Springfield, about eight and onehalf miles. It has two grocery stores, an opera house, and a graded school building of four rooms. The county line runs through the school building, the district being a special district composed of territory in both counties. The village contains three churches, the Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Presbyterian. The first church in this neighborhood was built by the Baptists, with the help of the Presbyterians. It was a log house built in 1807 on the north bank of the Little Miami, about eighty rods east of General Whiteman 's house. Its population at the last census was 262.

Present Officials - A. H. Ellis, Mayor; G. E. Burney, D. A. Clark, B. Z. Luse, R. H. Sparrow, Richard Sparrow, Councilmen; W. M. Cultice, Marshal.

Cortsville appears to have been platted, but the record of the plat is not in the I'ecorder's office in this county. In 1830 Robert Cort began the erection of a carpenter shop and residence for William Marshall. In 1835 he and Mr. Marshall Ijecame partners and built a small storehouse at the crossing of the first road leading north from Selma into Green Township. This was the beginning of Cortsville, which is located in the south-

Cort and Marshall died about 1843, and the business passed into the hands of other parties, but it was finally abandoned about 1852. There is a blacksmith sho]) there and a small grocery store and perhaps twelve to fifteen residents. In the time of the toll roads, there was a toll-gate at this place. There is a colored Baptist Church and the population at this time is principally composed of colored people. At one time there was a postoffice at this place but this was transferred to Selma in 1845.

Dialton is a comparatively youthful place. No plat was ever made of that village. It is located in the northeastern part of Pike Township half a mile south of the Champaign Coimty line and one mile east of the boundaries of German Township. It owes its classification as a village to the establi-shment of a postoffice in that place in 1865, and was named after former Judge Dial, for his efforts at a previous time to have the office established there. The settlement had its origin in the building and operation of a steam saw-mill at this place, in 1851, by Jacob M. Myers and Jonathan Lehman. For many years this was the ])rincipal industry of the town, the mill afterwards being converted into a hub and s]-ioke factory. At one time twenty-two men were employed.

William Michael kept a grocery on the corner for many years. He was the first postmaster of this place. The village is thirteen miles from Springfield. The S.

Dolly Varden is the name given to a plat of lands laid out by Simington Buffenbarger in 1872, lots 1-7, and in 1876 lots 7-22. It was doubtless named after the locksmith's pretty daughter in Chaiies Dickens' novel of Bai'naby Rudge. It is about seven and a half miles southeast of S])ringfield on the road leading westward one-half mile north, of South Charleston, about three and a half miles from that place in Madison Township. It never acquired any particular prominence. The Spring-field and South Charleston Traction line runs through it and there is a stop]iing place there for convenience of the neighbors.

The schoolhouse is the principal building. There are probably twenty-five or thirty people living in this place. It never reached sufficient imjiortance to have a postoffice.

Donnelsville was first platted in 1830 by James Donnel, from whom no doubt it received its name. This plat included lots 1-36 on both sides of the National Road. Aftei'wards, in 1844, Abraham Smith made an addition to the north of this first addition of 38-54, and in 1859 John Leffel platted some lots. This village is located on the National Road, seven miles west of Springfield. Not far east of the Center of Bethel Township there is a voting place known as Don- nelsville Precinct. Settlements were made at this place some time prior to its establishment as a village. For many years Silas Trumbo conducted a general store in this village. He was succeeded in that business by J. B. Trumbo, who still conducts the store.

Trumbo is a native of this township and served as County Commissioner in 1891-1897. The village has two churches - Methodist, organized about 1819 at the house of the father of Jeremiah Leffel, north of the village, the building being moved there about the time the latter was laid out; and the Lutheran, organized about 1830. There are S9veral other substantial residences in this village located east along the National Pike. The census of 1900 gave it a population of 200, being forty-three less than the census ten years previously gave it.

Its transportation facilities are afforded by the Big Pour Railroad, at a station called Donnelsville, about two miles to the southwest, and by the Dayton and Springfield Traction line, which can be reached on the Valley Pike one mile south of the village.

Diirbin is the name given to the station at the crossing of the Big Four and Erie Railway, about three miles southwest of Springfield. It was named after General Durbin Ward who was general counsel for the Erie Railway at the time (1880) that the "Big Four" made its crossing here. It is also reached at present by the Dayton and Springfield Traction Line, and at this writing the Erie Railway transfers its passengers at this point to a sijecial car on the traction line, and in that way reaches Springfield. It has hardly assumed the dignity of a village, yet there are perhaps fifteen or twenty houses in the immediate vicinity. The schoolhouse was erected here in 1905.

Eagle City is the name given to the postofSce located at what was formerly known as the Baker Mills, latterly owned by Mr. S. R. Hockman, and is located on Mad River about four miles north of the city of Springfield, a short distance off of what is known as the St. Paris Pike. The name was given when the postoffice was established there about 1885.

Since free delivery has been established, the office has been abandoned, but the place still retains its name. Its only industry is the mil! which is now owned by II. L.'Detriek. The D. T. & I. R. R. runs not far west of this place and stops at the road crossing.

In 1851 the Society of Bethel was organized and steps were taken to build a house of worship on the site of Section 25, on the old Clifton Road. Richard Kelley served as teacher and Sabbath school leader for a number of years. It was abandoned in 1880.

In 1835 a house of worship was built near the present Emery Chapel, and it is said to have been the first church built by the Methodists in that part of the country. Previous to this the people had held their worship in an old log church called Ebenezer, which stood in the same neighborhood. The first chapel was christened Emery Chapel, but it was frequently called bv the name of Maine's Meeting

House, from Adam Maine, who lived in tlie immediate neigliborhood. This house was succeeded by the present Emery Chapel in 1853. It is located on the Yellow Spring Pike, immediately south of the village of Beatty, and is built of In-iek. Services are still held here.

People living in the settlement known as Rockway built a church, which has been under the control of the Lutheran denomination and is still in active operation.

In the present year, 1907, a denomination calling themselves ' ' Saints or Church of the Living God ' ' have erected a church a short distance this side of Rockway Chapel on the National Pike, west of Spring-field. Services were first held here on October 28. 1907. The structure is a frame dwelling and cost $2,500.00.

In 1888 Locust Grove Chapel was erected. This chapel is located on what is usually known as the Gillett Road, about three and a half miles southeast of the city of Springfield. Sunday school and occasional services are held here.

Springfield Township has no high school, the pupils taking advantage of the Spring-field city high school under the provisions of the Patterson law.

Enon is the principal village in Mad River Township, and is located on the Springfield and Dayton Turnpike, seven and a half miles southwest of the city of Springfield. It was originally platted in 1838, the time that the Springfield and Dayton I'oad was laid out, and was at the intersection of the road leading from Xenia to New Carlisle. Elnathan Cory and E. D. Baker made the first plat of lands 1-60.

In 1847 David Cross platted an addition of lots 1-20, and in 1849 David Funderburg made an addition of lots which he numbered 117-135. There were settlements in this vicinity prior to its being platted as a village.

In 1812 William Donnels built the first tavern in the township about one and a half miles west of the village. It was known as the "Hickory Tavern." The first hotel was built in Enon by Franklin Cook in 1838. It was built of stone and rough cast and for three-quarters of a

The first sehoolhoiise was built on North Xenia Street. The next schoolhouse was built on South Xenia Street. It has another church called the Christian Church, of which Rev. Jones is now pastor ; two grocery stores, at present one conducted by A. B. Dunkle and the other by Aaron Dellinger. Peter Hardman is the present postmaster.

The village is thriving, however, and contains some very pleasant country homes. Immediately northeast of it is the celebrated Knob Mound, the most distinguished mound in Clark County. The railroad facilities to this village are furnished at Enon station one-half mile to the north, where the Big Four and Erie Railroads parallel each other. The Dayton and Springfield Traction line can also be reached on the Valley Pike one and one-half mile to the north. This village is located on or near the route that General Clark took on bis way to the battle of Piqua in 1780, and it is said that his military staff reconnoitered from the top of the moimd in this vicinitv.

The first house was built by Jesse Rhodes. The first merchant was John R. Miller. He came here at an early date from Brottensburg. After him came Stephen Wilson from Hertzler's Mill. Other merchants were MeljTi Miller, Conrod Kurtz, Robert Gaston, J. L. Conklin, afterwards in Springfield; he was bunied out here. David Zigler, Smith and Ohlwine, John H. Littler, Anthony Beam, John Goodwin, Miller and Wolfe, H. Strauss, John Wallace and others. Mr. Wallace Robinson, Kennedy and Miller Baker were tailors, Joseph Sipes Nelson Hardman, T. J. Barton, John Hall, Wm. Pottle and Franklin Roch were blacksmiths. James Vanostrain and Wm. D. Miller made the celebrated Miller plow. AVilliam Barton, Silas C'happell, Peter Miller, Edwin Barton and others ran a cooper shop. The first physician in the town was named "Hoylt."

Harmony is situated on the National Road near the west line of Harmony Township, six miles from Springfield. It was platted originally in 1832 by Layboum Newlove, lots 1-13, and in 1851 John Walker made an addition to the village on the north side of the road.

Joseph Newlove and Robert Black were early hotel keepers of this village. About the year 1835, Harvey Ryan built a tannery there. He was succeeded in business by F. & N. Schoenberger and they in turn by John H. Larimer. The works have now been abandoned.

over the National Road, the village had a bright and stirring appearance, but after the railroads came, this kind of travel ceased and Harmony lost much of its energy. About 1890 a postoffice was located at this place which was called Wiseman. This office was abandoned when the Rural Delivery was inaugurated. Recently the Springfield and Columbus traction line has been built through this village and it has again assumed an air of some importance. Its population would not exceed seventy-five. The cholera of 1852 almost wiped this village out of existence.

Hennessy is a station on the Pennsylvania Railway, in the southeastern part of Mad River Township, one-half mile north of the south line of Clark County, and the same distance east from the Yellow Springs Pike. It is nothing more than a cluster of houses and a stopping place for trains on the railroad.

At what time it first received its name is not known, but as it appears on Colonel Kizer's map in 1850, it must have been shortly after the Little Miami Railroad was built.

Hustead is situated on the Yellow Springs Pike six and one-half miles south of Springfield and it receives its principal importance from the fact that the postoffice is located there and a small grocery store.

The name is taken from persons residing in the neighborhood. It is located in the Eastern part of Mad River Township, very close to the border line between it and Green Township. The population is about twenty-five. Its name does not appear upon the map prior to 1880. Mr. H. H. Turner is postmaster at present.

Lawrenceville is located six and onehalf miles northwest of the city of Springfield, in German Township, on the road leading from Spring-field, known as the Coblentz Road. Its first plat of lots was made in 184.3, numbered 1-15, by Emanuel and Margaret Circle. The place was then called Noblesville, and it continued to have that name until it acquired a postoffice and then, it being found that there was another Noblesville in this state, its name was changed to Lawrenceville, after Judge Lawrence who was then a member of Congress from this district. A store was built in 1836 by Elias Over. A few years later three Germans, named Rice, Dipple & Rice built and operated a pottery. This industry has long since been abandoned.

In 1905 John Rust laid out an addition of lots num.bering fi'om 1-2. The S. T. & P. Traction line having in the year 1905 been built through this village, considerable stimulus has been given to its growth, and smaller tracts of land are offered in its surroundings for sale at this time. The high school built in 1874 for Gennan Township is located here, as well as a Reformed church, designated as Mou;it Pisgah. This church was built by the Lutheran and Reformed denominations in 1821. The town has never been incorporated. There are probably 150 l)eople living there. It has one store and blacksmith shop. James V. Ballentine, eighty-four years of age, was born in its vicinitj^ and still resides in Lawrenceville. In 1907 tlie Traction Company built a station, in which Napoleon Wagner attends to selling tickets, cigars, etc., and C. H. Bailey conducts a general store.

Lagonda while still preserving its name, is fast losing its identity as being now a part of the city of Springfield; yet at one time it almost held the position of a rival to Springfield. In Edwards' Historical Atlas of Clark County the following is given:

"From the manuscript of William H. Berger, the following facts have been compiled. The first building erected in Lagonda was about 1800. James Smith was the first white man to pass through the valley, accompanying a party of Indians. The journey occurred in 1760, and Smith saw elk and buffalo. Simon Kenton and others settled north of Springfield in 1799. A mill was wanted; the Governtnent offered thirty acres of land to any mill builder. Kenton built a mill, but got no land. Kenton's claim was deeded July 29, 1814, to William Ward, Sr. Caleb Tuttle, when a boy, took wheat to Kenton's mill, and, standing on a block, bolted the flour by turning the cloth with a winch. Kenton sold, December 5, one-fourth to William Beesley and Nicholas Ricket. The former erected a saw-mill with a butter-churning attachment, and both worked in unison. Ricket now built a frame mill near tho old sito, and put in two sets of burrs. Mrs. Tuttle ran this mill while her father was soldiering to the northward. Indians came round offering for sale cranberries. Beesley put up a carding and fullingmill. During 1812 and 1814, Peter Ritt ran a distillery; it was built on the farm of J. T. Warder and run by M. Murray. On August 1, 1830, Jeremiah Warder purchased the village of Lagonda for three thousand dollars. The old mill was used, but was soon turned into a distillery. Warder erected a large mill south of the creek, and built a dam, which supplied the water-power for saw-mill, factory, still, and grist-mill. The grist-mill had a large patronage and ran for forty years. John Hunt was storekeeper in 1828. Mulholland was a jeweler. C. McLaughlin and George AVarder were early storekeepers in a house which finally took fire and was consumed. The first English school in the neighborhood was taught in a small log house about one and a half miles north by east of Lagonda, on Mr. Crabill's farm. Later the school was moved into the Baptist Church, half a mile north of the village. During 1845 Rev. William J. Shuey taught the first school in Lagonda, with thirty or forty pupils. Next year a three hundred dollar house was erected by Nicholas Nimsgern. In 1858, a house thirty by forty-five was erected, at an expense of twelve hundred dollars. In 1867, a sixteen himdred dollar house was erected. A church was built in 1871. at a cost of thirty-five hundred dollars, by the W. B. C. membership, one hundred and twenty-five. Dr. William A. Needham of Vermont, came to Springfield Township, and lived in a log house near Lagonda, in the year 1814. This person Avas well known and a popular physician of the times."

Limestone City is located about three miles sonthwest of the city of Springfield, immediately south of the Big Four Railway. It is not far from where Krebs Station was located in early history of this county. It was platted by George Sintz in 1886. It is principally occupied by persons working in the various stone quarries in that locality. The quarries accessible from this point are those of E. E. and William Mills, the Moores Lime Company and the W. I). Moores Lime Company. Its population is probably from fifty to seventy-five persons. It takes its name from its surrounding limestone quarries.

Lisbon is situated near the south line of Harmony Township on the road leading from South Charleston to Spring-field and is about ten and one-half miles from Springfield and two miles from South Charleston. It is one of the oldest villages in the county, having been platted in 1815 by Ebenezer Pattoch and James Cheneworth. The latter was a Virginian and settled there as early as 1803. At one time it promised to be a village of considerable importance, but later the drift of population seemed to be towards its successful rival South Charleston, and this became more so after the luiilding

In 1820 there was a schoolhouse built at this place, and later on Isaac Chamberlain kept a hotel here, and a grocery store was also once conducted in this place.

Nothing remains now but the blacksmith shop and the schoolhouse. On the original plat there were fifty-six lots. The church in the neighborhood, known as the Lisbon Church, is of the Baptist denomination, the Rev. David Kerr of Springfield being the present pastor.

In 1807 Rev. Archibald Steele built a grist-mill near this locality, which was the origin of the village. Mr. Steele in 1816 made the only plat of lots that was ever made for this village. It consisted of eighty-nine lots on each side of what is now the Valley Pike, and the town has been built along these lines. It always has been a village of considerable prosperity, as it is situated in one of the richest vallej'S in Ohio.

Recently the Springfield and Dayton traction line has been built through it, and they have erected here a power-house v/hich supplies power for the entire system, being one of the largest power-house plants in the country. This has added considerable importance to Medway, as the car barns are located there and a number of men, working on the traction line as motormen, conductors, and in other capacities, have made their homes there.

The traction Hue has also located one of its parks along this line, which is designated by the name of Teciiniseh, and is a frequent place for picnics and other outings from the Citj^ of Spriug-tield and Daji:on. A branch line has been built leading to New Carlisle, so while the old industries connected with the various mills upon Mad River located in this vicinity have passed away, a new and important one has come, and Medway bids fair in consequence to become a village of considerable importance in the future. It has a graded school and two churches-, Methodist and Mennonites. There are several stores which compare favorably with those carried on in villages of this character. It is not incorporated, but it is probal>ly safe to say that it has a population of about 300. It is twelve miles from Springfield and is in the southern part of Bethel Township forming a precinct known as Medway Precinct.

The first house was built by Jacob Hershey, who was, also the first postmaster of the village; he was then the proprietor of the "McOwen Mills." (See Mills.)

The Methodist Church was erected here in 1842. Newton Dunkel conducts a grocery and is postmaster at this time. William Lansinger is the manager of the blacksmith shop, Mrs. Zilkey conducts the hotel and Mrs. Heil the restaurant.

New Carlisle

had ujion our forefathers a hundred years ago, but if this was a factor in the early location of this village it has long since ceased to be a useful one. However this may be. New Carlisle is located upon as fine a plat of fertile territory as can be found in the Great Miami Valley, and this no doubt had its influence upon the mind of the early settlers. Besides it is in all probability located not far from one of the Indian trails that lead from the old village of Piqua (New Boston) over to the Indian villages upon the main part of the Miami River.

Dr. Young in a former history of this county, says that the Indian village of Chinchima was located on the Smith farm immediately west of town. Honey Creek, a branch of the Big Miami, has its source north of the village some five or six miles, and meanders down and around the village going west into Miami County.

New Carlisle is situated on a plateau, some twenty-five feet above the bed of this stream, which affords to it excellent drainage. On this stream the original proprietor built a mill as far back as in ]836, but it has long since been a thing of the past. AVe have no particular advice at this time that the lands surrounding the village were in a condition other than is usually found in this fertile val- ]ey, and no doubt they were originally covered with walnut, oak, hickory and timber of like character. It has been previously stated, in giving the history of the county, that probably the first settler was John Paul who afterwards built or located a mill situated a mile or three-

It is said by Dr. Young that it was first laid out in 1810, and the first location was about 80 rods west of the present town (this was in the northwest corner of the Stockstill addition), and it was called York, and that in 1812 Reybouru made his plat and called it Monroe. This plat, however, does not seem to have been recorded until 1816. In 1828 the name was changed to New Carlisle. This oi-iginal plat of Rej'bourn's was lots from 1-54 and extended from the lower part of the town up along Main Street to Lincoln Street. One lot wide on the west of the street and two lots wide on the east. We do not know much about Mr. Reybourn, except that afterwards one of his descendants went east and was recently the mayor of Philadelphia. Afterwards, in 1833, John Hay platted lots numbering 55-74, this plat of lots running north on Main Street above Reybourn 's plat to Lake Avenue and then south on Church Street to Washington Street. In the same year Elnathan Corry platted lots 75-133,' lot 75 being on the southwest corner of Washington and Church Street, and the plat ran from Washington Street as far west as Scott Street, south to Madison Street and some few lots further south along Church Street. In 1842 Corry made another addition of lots 134-181. This plat was west of Scott Street and between Jefferson and Madison. For forty years there was no other platted addition made to the village. New life having been infused into the communitv bv the building of what was then the I. B. & W. R. R. »in 1881, in 1882 J. N. Stockstill made an addition of lots numbering 182-281 which includes that part of the village bound on the north by Lake Avenue on the west by Clay Street and on the south by Washington and on the east by Church Street, further south by the alley between Church and Adams Streets. The same year Forgy & ]\Iitchell made a plat of lots numbered 282-300, being the western part of the town south of Tippecanoe Pike or Jefferson Street. In 1884 Sarah Smith, in the west part of the town opposite to the Forgy & Mitchell addition, laid out lots 301-321. In 1887 B. H. Rannels laid out lots 322-359, this addition being north of Wa.shington Street and west of Clay.

The village is about sixteen miles northeast of Dayton and twelve miles west of Springfield. It was incor]3orated in 1831, but not being fortunate enough to be located on a road that was traveled much by stage coaches nor railroad prior to 1881 its growth was necessarily slow. Its natural surroundings, however, were such that in early times its founders had hopes that it might ultimately be chosen as the county seat, but its location was not central enough to make it a formidable factor in the final settlement of this question. It grew, however, and became noted as one of the most attractive villages in this part of the state, but the absence of railroad facilities after the railroads came was a serious drawback to its growth. It was strictly an agricultural communitv. Wlien the T. B. & W. was built in 1881 tEe people were aroused from their lethargy and built up great expectations for the future, which has in a measurable degree been fulfilled. The village took ou new life, made extensive improvements and now is one of the live villages of the county, compelling South Charleston to put on her spurs to keep her rank as second in size among the villages of this county.

The population we find has increased but very little. Going back as far as 1880, we find that the census gave the village 872, in 1890, 958; 1900, 995.

AYhen the Dayton & Springfield Traction Line was built, a spur was constructed from Medway to New Carlisle, and so the people now have good facilities for reaching either Springfield or Dayton.

It is said that Jonathan Taylor and J. S. Mussey were early merchants of the place and that it had three churches, built as early as 1830, and that Dr. Hobbins was the physician in that year.

Elnathan Corry was the grandfather of our fellow townsman J. Quincy Smith and lived at this old homestead. The Corry family has been prominent in the affairs of the village from that date until the present. Among other old time residents may be mentioned Cyrus Lowman, whose father built the second stone house that was erected in Clark County. Cyrus lived in the vicinity of the village and during his entire life of more than fifty years was eloselv identified with its affairs.

Another old time settler and one of great prominence in the village was Dr. John N. Stockstill. He commenced the practice of his profession in this village in 1842. He has been dead some fifteen years. The old homestead still standing on Main Street in its day was one of the finest residences of the town. Another old time physician of the place who was here for a half century was Dr. Isaac Miranda, -who came here in 1851. During his lifetime he was prominent in township and village affairs. Another person who is well remembered by the oldest people of the village is E. T. Weakley. He was a Virginian, proud of his ancestry and strong in his Democratic principles, settling here in an early date, and possesing considerable wealth. The politics of the village are generally Republican, but Mr. T^'eakley and Dr. Miranda ably advocated and maintained the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Weakley assisted in the organization of the New Carlisle Bank, and was well known in this and surrounding counties.

Horace N. Taylor was a life-long resident of this place. His father, Ezra G., came here in 1829 and from that time on imtil his death was one of the leading citizens. The younger Taylor for quite a while conducted a store under the firm name of Garver and Taylor. He was postmaster under Benjamin Harrison and for a long time was township clerk. He has been dead for some five or six years. Dr. Benjamin Neff was quite an active and distinguished citizen of this place from the time that he came here in the early 60s until his death in the early 90s. He represented this coimty in the state Legislature from 1871-1875, and conducted

Perhaps the most noted enterprise that the town ever had was the Smith Nursery. This was formed originally by Wm. H. Smith who came here in 1864, and in 1890 the industry had grown to be quite an extensive one. Some time after Mr. Smith die'd. and this industry has ceased to be an important factor of the village.

Another person who was for a long time an active business man from this town, conducting a nursery likewise, was Thomas Brown, who commenced the business as early as 1846, and continued it as late as 1884. W. U. Scarff south of the village is now extensively engaged in this business.

A person who brought considerable distinction to the village of New Carlisle was the Rev. Thomas Harrison, who came here in 1852 and took charge of the select school that had been organized two years previously by the Rev. Berger. This school was afterwards called the Linden Hill Academy. Mr. Harrison was a thinker of some power, as his works in defense of religion and the Bible prove. His fame became noised around and his school became somewhat distinguished, sending forth a number of persons who were afterwards prominent in various walks of life. He remained here until 1865, when the school was abandoned, being succeeded by the New Carlisle High School, and the Rev. Harrison took up other fields of labor.

continued pioneer pastorate in this vicinity. He was the father of a number of children disting-uished afterwards in public life. H. H. Williams being Common Pleas judge of Miami County, E. S. Williams a member of Congress from that county, and .1. C. Williams having served as Mayor of this village and being still living, an honored citizen of the place.

The first banking concern that New Carlisle had was known as the Bank of North America, and was organized in 1852, by Phil Baker, Wm. Robinson, Wm. Timmons. David Lehman, J. C.. Stafford and Ezra G. Taylor, the latter being cashier. [t was founded on Virginia bonds, and went under in about one year. It was located in a blue brick building, corner of Washington and Main Streets.

The New Carlisle Bank was organized in 1883 by C. S. Forgy, E. T. Weakley, Samuel Hamlet, Dr. Isaac Miranda, Dr. Benjamin Neff and others with a capital stock of $15,000. Charles H. Neff was its first cashier and C. S. Forg>' its first president. For a time afterwards Samuel Hamlet was president. It subsequently became the property of J. V. Forg>% j. Q. Smith, Mrs. M. M. Saylor and C. H. Saylor, the present owners. Mr. Herbert S. Forgy is cashier. The last statement shows that it had $96,000 deposits.

The First Nationnl Bank of New Carlisle commenced business March 3, 1903. The original directors were I. K. Funderburg, Frank Fissel, Fed. D. Shelton, Dr. Cook, Charles McGuire and Isaac Freeman and W. A. Iliggins. The above also constitute the present board, excej^t that

J. I. Stafford has taken the place of I. K. Funderbnrg. It was organized under the TTuited States banking laws, which permitted National Banks to organize with $25,000 capital. According to its last statement, it had $56,903 of deposits and $95,834 of assets. The present officers are Frank Fissel, president, Dr. Cook, vicepresident, and William Fissel, cashier. Mr. William H. Sterrett has been one of the moving spirits of this institution. Prior to 1906, Mr. Pierce was cashier.

The first mill was built by William R. Reybourn in 1836. northeast of the village. Latterly the one owned by a Mr. Meeks was built at this place. There is now conducted at this location, by C. A. Smith & Son, a feed store; steam-power however is used.

The next mill was built near the railroad after the building of the I. B. & W. Railway. It was erected by a Mr. Ralston, the village raising a bonus of $5,000. Afterwards it was conducted by the Pierces, the Funderburgs, later by John 0. Brown, and finally by a man by the name of Rosell. Then a mill was built by David Nysewander and Joshua Rust as a woolen mill; it was afterward owned by John Collins, Isaac Funderbnrg and John Scarff. Both of these structures were burned down. The Superior Pump Factory was built in the eighties; John M. Winger and others were interested in it.

Much of the business part of New Carlisle owes its modern appearance to the three disasterous fires that have visited the village in a space of ten years. The first, which occurred in 1889, burned out the buildings on the west of Main Street, north of the hotel. Aftenvards in 1891 a fire broke out in a stable behind the City Hall and all that part was burned out from and including the City Hall down to the Odd Fellows' Building. Then, in November, 1896, a conflagration, supposed to have originated in a small feed store from fire used in a jollification over McKinley's election, burned all that portion of the village located between the Weakley Block and the Odd Fellows' Building. The most notable loss in this last fire was that of the Opera House, which had been built by Mr. Bert Lowman and the Stockstill boys. It was a very commodious building for the village of New Carlisle, costing $15,000, and was a serious loss to the community for the reason that, not having proved a business success, it will probably be many years before the village has another building so elegantly equipped for entertainments or presenting so handsome an appearance. Since these various fires all the space burned has been Iniilt up.

The hostelry now known as the Carlisle Inn was the first hotel of the village, and, according to information now available, was established by John A. Hay, prior to 1830. He was successively followed as landlord by James Mitchell, William Forrer, Sheldon Weakley, George Garst and by the present proprietor, J. M. Kissinger. General Fred Funstou was born in this hotel. The next hotel was one established by a man by the name of Vance in 1840. Afterwards Joe Keef was landlord of this hotel and later William Forrer, and it then ceased rmming. On the present location of the Staley House was formerly a hotel by the name of the Pauly House.

The Staley House is at present conducted by Mary A. Staley. Recently, immediately south of the New Carlisle Bank, the Holwager House has been opened, the same being conducted by Elizabeth Holwager.

I am not advised as to when the post office was established, but the following information in regard to the successive postmasters is kindly given by the present postmaster, Dr. E. C. Miller :

Buchanan's administration from 1856 to 1861, Thomas Wise, postmaster. Abraham Lincoln's administration from 1861 to 1865, Richard Hubbard, postmaster, and on down to his death in 1873: then Mrs. Hubbard, his wife, filled the office as postmistress until Grover Cleveland's administration, when T. J. Miranda was appointed postmaster and served a short term. He resigned and Frank Hughes was appointed in 1887 and died in 1888, when H. N. Taylor was appointed and served over seven years. Then Grover Cleveland began his second term and A. M. Kissinger was appointed and served four vears. and on June 25th. 1900. E. C.

Miller was appointed and his second term expires December 13th, 1908. New Carlisle was a fourth-class office up to and during a part of Taylor's service as postmaster, and then it was made a thirdclass. When the present incumbent, E. C. Miller, became postmaster in 1900 there was one rural route connected with the office - J. F. Brubaker, carrier - and the salary of the office was $1,200. At the present time there are five routes, and the salary of the postmaster is $1,600. The post office building occupies one of the most prominent corners in the town, it being leased to the department for ten years, and on October 1st, 1906, there was installed a complete and up-to-date set of post office fixtures; room heated by furnace and lighted by the latest improved gasoline lighting system. The staff at present is as follows: E. C. Miller, postmaster; Thomas E. Miller, assistant postmaster; J. F. Brubaker, carrier. No. 1 ; W. H. Kilpatrick, No. 2 ; W. C. North, No. 3; E. P. Funderburg, No. 4, and B. W. Quick, No. 5. The rural routes alone collect and deliver nearly a half-million pieces a year; this does not include the general delivery in the town.

Charles M. King, who founded the New Carlisle Building & Loan Association in 1883, was perhaps the first attorney who had his office located in this village. In the following year he went back to Springfield, where he died in 1885.

About 1885 B. H. Rannells located in the village and continued in the active ])ractice here for some ten or fifteen years, at this time residing, however, it is believed, in Davton.

About 1890 Horace W. Stafford, who had recently been admitted to the bar, opened an office in the village and continued here for a year or so, when he moved to Springfield and afterwards became prosecuting attorney of the county.

In 1895 W. S. Robison located in the village and for a time was actively engaged in the law practice. Afterwards he accepted services for the traction company, in which line of practice he is still engaged.

In 1889 the New Carlisle Pioneer Association was organized. About the same time there were other pioneer associations organized throughout the county, most of which have long since ceased to exist. The New Carlisle association, however, continues in active operation, Mr. J. C. Williams being president at this time.

Annually, about the 18th of August, this association holds its meetings, generally in the Smith Grove, west of the village. At the last meeting (1907) Senator Foraker delivered one of his forcible and eloquent addresses.

In the history of Bethel Township will be found a list of the pioneers who were present at that meeting. General Keifer, a native of Bethel Township, introduced Senator Foraker. It was a beautiful day and the meeting was a decided success.

remained for J. M. Hoffa, in 1883, to establish the present "New Carlisle Sun" upon a substantial basis. He continued there for some six or eight years, when the property passed into the hands of other parties and finally became the property of the present proprietor, Mr. J. A. Alexander. It is a paper that well I'epresents the village. However, owing to the daily rural delivery and other facilities for circulating the papers of Springfield and Cincinnati, it is a matter of considerable difficulty to maintain a newspaper in a village of its size.

The New Carlisle Cemetery Association was organized October 3, 1856, and is located immediately south of the village, and presents a very creditable appearance.

J. V. Forgy is president of the organization at this time; J. I. Stafford, secretary, and E. C. Miller, treasurer. The last report showed that there were no debts and a balance of $900 in the treasury. The custodian is Jethro Davis.

In the grocery line, Robison & Ray are located west of the post office on Jetferson Street, J. N. Corry on Jefferson Street and Mr. Hitchcock on the same street; Black Brothers and J. W. Martin on INIain Street; C. D. Shelton, notions, etc.

shoe store; Trostle & Son conduct a furniture establishment; Helvie & Doom are undertakers ; George Hahn and Mart Kissinger run livery barns ; Isaac Ulery and Brown Miller Brothers conduct a hardware business; Mr. Baker and Ink Makely have tin and stove stores; Cort Prahne conducts a cement block manufactory; Elias Clase a feed store; C. S. Goodall has a lumber yard; J. H. Brown & Mull, W. S. Hatten, Frank Ulerick and A. A. Stephens conduct blacksmith shops ; T. J. Miranda and W. A. Higgins, drug stores; Simon Cradlebaugh has a machine shop on Clay Street and Smith & Son where the old mill used to be; Samuel Reller is proprietor of a confectionery and restaurant ; T. F. Hess is a cigar manufacturer.

The present physicians of the town are Drs. Ben Davis, "Frank Stafford, J. H. Cook and C. E. Evans. In the past there have been Drs. Miranda, Stockstill, Shackleford, Hood, Robbins, Weinans and Smith.

New Carlisle has the distinction of having the oldest Masonic lodge in Clark County. New Carlisle Lodge No. 100 was chartered January 5, 1831. Previous to this time there had been a Masonic organization in Spring-field, but that organization, during the anti-Masonic feeling created by the abduction of Morgan, lost its charter, and when a new lodge was organized in Springfield it was after the creation of the New Carlisle lodge. During the excitement created by the Morgan abduction the New Carlisle lodge thought it prudent not to meet for a time. In the meantime some of the jewels and the charter were secreted along the banks of Honey Creek, the charter having been only discovered and returned to the lodge at a comparatively recent date. New Carlisle Chapter No. 57 was chartered November, 1868, and New Carlisle Council No. 30 afterward.

Caritus Lodge No. 505, Odd Fellows, was instituted in 1872, and the New Carlisle Encampment No. 222 in 1880; since which date Tecumseh Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Honey Creek Council No. 195, junior, and the Grand Army of the Rel)ublic. Friendly Sons of Rest and other organizations have come into existence.

Other matters of interest relating to churches, schools and early inhabitants will be found in the history of Bethel Township. At this time the question of natural gas is being agitated, an ordinance having been passed allowing the granting of a franchise in the village; likewise a water works system is in contemplation, and New Carlisle bids fair to

Towx Hall, Catawba

The hourly service upon the traction line to Spring-field and Dayton make it a very desirable residence locality. At the last election the following persons were selected as officials for the village:

New Moorefield is the principal village of Moo.refield Township and is located on the Clark and Union Turnpike, seven and a half miles northeast of Springfield. Its name does not appear on Colonel Kizer's map, made in 1850, and it was probably about this time that the place received its name. It is on Buck Creek and the Delaware branch of the Big Four railway.

In 1840 there was a mill built by Hugh Wilson at this place, and in 1850 he started, a store. In 1842 there was a saw-mill started near the same place. These have been succeeded by la grist-mill, which is now operated by John W. Yeazell. The township house is located at this place. The first platted addition was made by Eliza Yeazell in 1883, lots numbering 1-27, and was principally that part that is south of the turnpike.

with the township building, are the principal buildings of the village. Demont Stepheson and Oscar Huffman severally conduct groceries. The village was never incorporated. It has a population of perhaps 150.

Northampton is located in Pike Township, one mile west of the eastern boundary of said township, three miles from the northern boundary and ten miles from Springfield on the Clark and Miami Turnpike. It enjoys the distinction of being the only village ever platted in Pike Township. The first plat was made by Peter Baisinger in 1829, with lots numbering 1-16.

In 1834 George Cost made a second addition of lots from 17-24. In 1905 the Zinn heirs made a plat in addition to this town. The first merchant of the village was Joseph Smith, who built a frame house here in the year 1830.

The recent construction of the S. T. & P. Traction Line through this village has given it a marked impetus ; it bids fair to become a village of considerable importance.

The Knights of Pythias and Junior Orders both have erected good halls. The population of the village is now probably about 200. The Knights of Pythias hall was built in 1893, costing $1,500, and was remodeled in 1899. Jimior hall was built in 1905 and cost $3,500. In addition the village has several stores. D. R. Taylor is postmaster.

Owltown is the name of another village that has passed off the map. It was located about one mile east of Tremont City on Mad River. Here, in 1839, was built by Kiblinger and Kneisley the largest distillery in Clark County, and with the distillery was also erected a grist-mill and likewise a saw-mill, and at one time there was also a cooper shop here and nine or ten dwelling houses. This distillery was run with great success, and as late as 1864, imder the name of Blose, Seitz & Blose. During the time that the " still "- house, mill and saw-mill were in oijeration it presented a scene of great activity, there being from fifteen to twenty-iive men at work. In connection with the stillhouse, to take the refuse slop, there were large hog pens attached, feeding as many as three thousand hogs.

The village received its name in this manner. For a long time the housewives of the neighborhood had been missing their poultry, and naturally attributed the loss to marauding owls. They finally discovered that the owls were in the shape of human beings and that the boys at the still-house had taken the chickens and roasted them in the furnace. Thereafter the place was called "Owltown." Afterwards the distillery ceased operation and in a few years the grist-mill likewise, until now not a vestige of its former existence remains. Immediately east there were two covered bridges across Mad River, displacing two old open wooden bridges, erected in 1865-7. At the west abutment of the east bridge Jesse Mead was drowned about 1888. Wlien the covered bridges were removed in 1904 for the construction of the one iron bridge, some Urbana parties ran over the west abutment of the west bridge one night about 3 o'clock a. m. with an automobile and one person was killed outright. Suit was brought against the county and about $7,000 was collected. The present iron bridge was constructed in 1904, while Joseph H. Collins was commissioner.

Pitchin is located southeast of Springfield about six and a half miles, in Greene Township, on the pike leading to Selma. On the map gotten out by Colonel Kizer in 1850 it is desig-nated as Concord, deriving that name no doubt from that of the Methodist Protestant Church located on this spot, which is identical. It is said that it received its name of Pitchin in the following manner: Formerly a man by the name of Ambrose ran a saw-mill there and to evei-y one that applied for work when he was building it he would reply, "Pitch in." This is what an old citizen relates.

In Everett's Atlas, 1875, this is found: "It seems that one David Bennett started a grocery, and opening a keg of beer told all to 'pitch in,' hence the name."

In 1846 the Methodist Protestant Church, before referred to, was built. In 1854 George Hansbrough built and operated a steam saw-mill, which was run for a number of years after by John G. Hatfield and Aaron Dean. The population of the village was given as 120 in 1880 and prol)ably it does not exceed that numlier at this date. For a long time Granville Elliott ran a grocery store here and J. H. Littler a blacksmith shop. E. L. Nave conducts the grocery at this time. A hall for general entertainments was erected about the year 1S91. The schoolhouse consists of three departments.

Plattsburg is located near the center of Harmony Township, nine miles west of London and eleven miles east of Springfield. It was platted in 1852 by William Osborne and Amaziah Judy, lots numbered 1-16 being taken from Mr. Osborne's lands, and from 17-.30 from Mr. Judy's lands.

Boliver Judy built the first warehouse and station on the railroad in 1853. A brick hotel was erected on the northwest corner by William Osborne. The People 's house of worship was erected in 1846 by the Universalists and Christians.

The brick schoolhouse was erected here as early as 1825. It was succeeded by another one built in 1848. A township high school building was erected here in 1904.

Campbell & Price conduct a general store and the elevator for the purchase of grain. Their store burned down in 1905, but was promptly rebuilt. Rev. Mr. Hook is pastor of the church, which is now under the control of the Christian denomination.

town lots in 1842 by Dr. Jesse Wilson. The State road from Springfield to Hillsboro crosses the Xenia and Columbus Pike at this place, and early made it a crossing of some importance; so much so that it was deemed proper to plat it even before the road was built, and in 1845 the post office was transferred from Cortsvllle to this place and Dr. Wilson was the first postmaster. The first merchants were probably the firm of Lans & Wbite.

A branch of Massey's Creek, called Willow Branch, flows through this village. The railroad was located a little north of the village as originally platted and through what was then known as swamp land at an early date.

The old school building having been torn down, a special district was created in 1905 and the present very fine school building was erected at a cost of $15,000. Five original sub-districts are centralized in this sdiool and it is giving good satisfaction.

In 1888 a new precinct of Selma was created and in 1896 the present town hall was erected at a cost of $600.00. About 1890 R. G. Calvert erected the elevator and is at present conducting the grain business there. Robert Elder conducts a general store. Mr. Black runs a blacksmith shop and William Grant is a hay merchant. Dr. Bauragardner is the village physician.

Samuel Howell, three-quarters of a mile northeast of Selma. In 1826 this society here and elsewhere divided; one was known as the Orthodox and the other the Hicksites, the Orthodox branch leaving the Hicksites in possession of the meeting house and whatever property the original society owned at the time of separation, and in 1832 this branch numbered 220 members and built a frame church where they worshipped until 1871, when they built their ])resent house of worship at a cost of $4,300.

The other branch, to-wit, the Hicksites, continued to worship in their own church property until 1843, when this branch also had a division, and the building on the old ground was abandoned. A conservative portion began a house of worship a mile northeast of the former one.

The first Methodist Church here was erected in 1830. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1875. Selma was known all over the country in slavery times as a station for the undergroimd railwav.

tion is on the north, but this is but little used at the present time, as this railroad transfers its passengers to the city of Springfield on a traction car coming from Durbin. The station for the Masonic home is located here, and on this place was formerly the old Sugar Grove Hotel, which gave to the surroundings the name of Sugar Grove. This hotel building was erected in 1840 by Daniel Leffel. It was once destroyed l)y fire and afterwards rebuilt by Colonel Peter Sintz, and torn down a few years ago, when the Masonic Home was built. On this hotel immediately over the door as the paint scaled off could be seen the letters O. K., abl)reviation of "All Korrect." The origin of this expression is given in Howe's Historical Collections of Champaign County, there having been a banner at a Whig political meeting in 1840 which read, "The People Is All Korrect." There are perhaps all told one hundred people residing here. The traction line has been resurveyed to go around the hill by way of the station on the Erie Railwav.

South Charleston

Sugar Grove is west of Springfield, just beyond Mad River, and were it not for the fact that Mad River makes such a natural boundary line, it would before this have been absorbed in the city of Spring-field.

The first ]ilat was made by Peter Schindler on behalf of the Spring-field Brick Manufacturing Company, in 1874. The main part of it was laid out by John H. Thomas in 1880, lots numbering 5-61.

South Charleston has the distinction of being the largest town or village in the county next to Springfield, although New Carlisle follows it very closely in this respect. Whether it had an identity before the fir.st plat of lots was laid out in 1815 by Conrad Critz is not now known. Neither is the historian of today able to give any reason for the name that it bears, nor can he say definitely why the town was originally laid out. It is located not far from the main channel of the Little Miami River, that river having its source as recognized in history a few miles a little north or east of the village. Indian trails and early roadways were inclined to follow river valleys, and so we find that an early roadway went through or near this village leading up the Little Miami Valley and either going towards Columbus or Sandusky not far from where South Charleston is now located. One of the early roads laid out in this vicinity is the road leading directly south and directly north, the former dating from 1823 and the latter 1830. Lisbon was laid out the same year that South Charleston was and for a long time was its rival, but as the state increased in growth and population and the travel from Columbus towards Cincinnati became greater. South Charleston had the advantage in its locality, and when the P. C. & St. L. Railway Company was built in 1848, I^isbon could no longer be considered a rival to this village. Until the building of the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Railroad, in 1878, much of the trade of South Charleston went to the towns of London and Xenia, it being about the same distance from these various towns. Prior to the establishment of Clark County, in 1818, the land upon which the village is now located was mostly, if not all, in Madison County. It is usually said to be twelve miles from the city of Spring-field.

It is mostly, if not all, located on land in the Military Survey, and not on Congress lands, and from this fact a peculiar condition of things exists, namely, that but one street - the Jamestown Road, from

Columbus Street to Jamestown Street - runs with the compass. This is a short street, being due north and south. As before stated, Conrad Critz made the first plat in 1815 containing lots 1-32. The center of this plat was about where the Miami Hotel is now located. In 1824 Christopher Lightfoot laid out lots 33-60. This i^lat of lots adjoined that of Critz 's along Chillicothe Street. In 1849 William S. Warner made an addition of lots 61-67 immediately south of the Critz plat. In the next year on Chillicothe Street, south of Jamestown Street, Robert Houston laid out lots from 68-75 and in 1851 Jacob M. Smith made an addition of lots from 83-88 near the extremity of Jamestown Street, and in the same year at the junction of the Xenia Pike and the Clifton Road, Edward Garrett laid out an addition. In the same year Edward Evans made a plat of lots at the junction of Jamestown Street and the Jamestown Road. In 1855 Plasted & Moore laid out quite an addition to the Jamestown Road and Chillicothe Street and gave a nmnber to their own addition of lots from 1-59; and in 1871 Henry E. Bateman made an addition of lots, which were numbered from 1-11. As late as 1906 Marion Kesinger made a plat in this town. There is not much regularity in the lots in the village. Some, on principal streets, were sold by metes and bounds.

In Beers' History it is stated that the early settler remembers a large pond that extended out and along where the town hall is now located, and that it was a fine place for duck shooting and that the following persons were early residents of the village: David Vance, John Briggs, Nathan IjOw, James Pringle, Sr., Isaac

Conrad Critz built the first cabin in the village. The first roadway was laid out in ]815. John Kelsey was the first justice of the peace. A man by the name of Surlot kept the first store in the village, and a person by the name of Best was the proprietor of the first tavern.

Ephriam Vance was the second keeper of a public house. Eobert Halsted was the first resident doctor, and Eli Adams the first shoemaker. The first preacher in the vicinity was a man by the name of Trader, who preached in 1818 in the cabin of Jeremiah Sutton. Daniel Cutler, about 1830, built a saw-mill run by oxen. The first burial in the Charleston Cemetery was that of Mary Lott, in 1825. The first election for township officers was held September 19, 1818, at the house of George Searlott. Moses Pierce is said to have been the first school teacher. James \Yoolsey is said to have built the first two-story frame building, and Phillip Hedrick the first brick building, and it is likewise said that E. Rowan and George Hempleman were engaged in the distilling business at an early date, but the location of the distillery is not known; probably it was a miniature affair.

The writer is not aware as to when the post office was established in this place, but the following persons have served as postmasters: Absalom Mattox, K. Brown, Asbury Houston, John Buzzard, 1857; Milt Houston, 1861; R. B. MeCollum, 1869; Levi Burnsides, 1885; T. J.

The nature of the land surrounding this village is such that it has always been prominent in stock-raising, and one of the first agricultural fairs of Ohio outside of Hamilton County was organized here in 1837.

While South Charleston is splendidly located, its growth, like that of many other villages, has not been very rapid. In 1850 its population was 413; 1860, 516; 1870, 818; 1880, 933; 1890, 1,041; 1900, 1,096. While it may not have increased in population rapidly, yet for its size it is one of the wealthiest villages in the state of Ohio, having palatial residences which would do credit to a city of much larger size. And while it has had no particular manufacturing industry (although historians state that as early as 1825 Clement Stickley conducted a tannery in its western suburb), it has always been a good distributing center, by reason largely of the elevator and general business conducted by the Houston Brothers, which is one of the leading establishments. Of recent years the building of the railroads and traction lines have added much to its desirability as a place of residence. The traction line was built from here to Springfield in 1904, and is now known as the D. T. & I. Railroad. It was built from Springfield south through AYashington C. H. in 1878.

aud the other the Bank of South Charleston, yet they are more generally known by the names of the "Houston" and "Rankin" banks, taking these names from persons who are the principal stockholders. The Bank of South Charleston, as it is now called, is the successor of the First National Bank of South Charleston, which was organized in 1863, with L. W. Haughej^ as president and Milton Clark, cashier. In 1877 it ceased to be a national bank and took its present name, John Rankin becoming president and Mr. Clark continuing as cashier. Mr. Rankin continued to be president until his death, which occurred a few years ago, and the bank is now managed by his two sons, Stacy B. Rankin as president and James F. Rankin as cashier, S. C. Arbuckle and T. S. Orbison being tellers. The bank has always been recognized as a thoroughly safe and well managed institution.

In 1879 L. H. Houston, with others, organized the Citizens' Bank, and has continued to act as its president until the present time, Mr. Houston being recognized as one of the best business men of Clark County. Edwin D. Houston is now vice i^resident and W. A. Malsbary cashier. The following persons, in addition to the Houstons, appear in the directory: Alex Comrie, J. S. Kitchen, Ann K. Clark, Peter Comi-ie and James Vinee.

In 1891 the Mutual Home and Savings Association was organized and continued in operation until the spring of 1904, at which time, owing to irregularities in management and the defalcation of an officer, the business of the concern was discontinued and the depositors received l)ut .sixty-six cents on the dollar of their savings.

Since 1840 South Charleston has prided itself as having a local newspaper, that being the time that what is now known as the South Charleston Sentinel was organized. Various persons in the past have edited this paper. E. P. Flynn held that position prior to the time he became postmaster. Ralph Harrold is now editor and proprietor. In the '50s the paper was published by a man named Whorton, assisted by "Artemus Ward." The paper ceased publication during the war. When the war closed it was resumed under the name of the Charleston Banner, edited by A. N. Barlow. His successors were M. H. Young, E. B. Zartman, Wells Trader, Harvey Rice, Hamilton Smith, Toney Bratton, Westley Rowe (when the paper took its present name), E. P. Flynn and Ralph Harrold.

In 1897 W. R. Montgomery, a practical printer, now deceased, established the South Charleston Echo, which became quite a rival to the Sentinel for public patronage. -Mr. Montgomery died in 1906, and the paper is no longer issued.

South Charleston prides itself in a number of churches. (See history of Madison Township.) And during the present year there is being built a new schoolhouse, which will be a credit to the villaoe. It has a very fine town hall, wliich was erected in 1877 at a cost o^ $25,000. Artemus Ward, when a journeyman printer, worked on the South Charleston pa]>er, and Whitelaw Reid. afterwards distinguished as a journalist and now minister to St. James, was at one time superintendent of the schoo'.j and resided here.

The village has two hotels. The Miami House dates its history from near the time that the village was originally laid out, that locality furnishing a stopping place for travelers before the building of railroads. Thurman Johnson is the present landlord, Mr. Furgeson and S. H. Carr having preceded him.

In 1871 several of the enterprising people of the village organized what is now known as the Ackley House, which is the principal hotel of the village at this time, and is one very creditable to a village the size of South Charleston. For more than thirty years B. F. Dodds welcomed the guests to his hostelry; before him was Mr. See; Mrs. Emeline Clark is now the manager. Where Heilman's Inn is now located, near the railroad, was formerly a tavern called Gallagher's Place.

As far back as 1861 the Houston brothers founded a business in grain, groceries, wool and produce. It was continued in their name until 1904, in which year it became a corporation; Leon H. Houston is the principal manager and is ably assisted by his brothers, Edwin and Foster.

A. Clemans bought out the old McCullom grocery store in 1896 and in 1905 F. R. Murray established his store and in 1906 Barmann & Hamm established their store and they have recently bought what is known as the Milikin Block, where they will conduct their business on and after Janriary 1st.

Cook since 1906. J. R. Wheeler formerly conducted the bakery now owned by G. H. Flowers, and C. H. Wentz a saddler and harness shop. For twenty-five or thirty years W. H. Brown conducted a dry goods store opposite to the Ackley House. H. R. Gross carries on a dry goods store, as does Pierce Simmerman. Besides these there is one novelty store, one bowling alley, one jewelry store, two pool rooms, two plumbing shops, five saloons and three restaurants.

Thirty years ago Hamilton Smith was an attorney-at-law in this place. Afterwards he became the OAvner of the newspaper, and having disposed of that enterprise, he went away and has since died. I'ollowing him was Lawrence Heiskel, whose father, Daniel 0. Heiskel, was an old resident of this township and lived a short distance south of the village. Mr. Heiskel afterwards moved to Port William, where, I believe, he still resides.

Some ten or twelve years ago Charles E. Ballard opened a law office in this village and was a resident here for a time. He afterwards established his main office in Spring-field, still retaining the office in this village and coming here every Tuesday. John L. Dickey for some time had a law office in this village, but afterwards removed to Springfield. James B. Malone, a native of this place, was recently admitted to the bar and has opened an office in Springfield. To him the writer is indebted for many of the facts concerning the village history.

. century. He was born in Mooreiield Township in 1818, and commenced practicing in this village in 1845, and was perhaps the best known physician that South Charleston ever had. He amassed considerable wealth and died some years ago. Dr. M. H. Collins is his son. Dr. W. H. Barnwell commenced the practice of medicine in this village in 1871 and remained here for a considerable period. Dr. T. J. Fai-r came here in 1872 and Dr. William n. Graham in 1900. They are still in active practice.' Dr. J. J. Moores is also a practitioner in this village. Dr. H. R. Conklin plies the vocation of a dentist. Dr. J. M. Immel being a veterinary surgeon.

R. B. McCollum was a native of this towTiship and for a long time conducted a grocery store here. For some time he was postmaster of the village. With him in the grocerv business was his brother Seth.

A person well known in this vicinity twenty-five or thirty years ago was J. M. Jones. He married the daughter of James Pringle, and his daughter Ethel I'lecame the wife of Ed. Houston. Mr. Jones was an ardent Sunday school man, making addresses at many Sunday school celebrations or conventions; so much so that he received the nickname of "Sunday School Jones." After his wife died, about 1893, he and his son Pringle went west and engaged in other enterprises. He has been dead some three or four years.

he was in partnership with A. N. Barlow in editing what was then known as the "South Charleston Banner." Laban W. Haughey came to this village in 1849 and continued an active business until his death a few years ago. He amassed quite a fortune. He was known as a quiet, courteous gentleman, of very good business qualifications, and was the first president of the Bank of South Charleston.

Milton Clark came to this village in 1849 and first went into the drug business, then the grain and grocery trade. Afterwards he was railroad express agent and Ihen cashier of the South Charleston Bank. He was another of the substantial citizens of the town. He is now deceased.

A well known character of this town for many years was Michael Way. He seemed to have a knack of obtaining public positions, at different times being mayor, justice of the peace and assessor. He was a shoemaker by trade. He came to the village before the war and has been dead some fifteen years. His son John, who likewise held a number of public positions, died a few years ago.

Alonzo F. Taft was one of the old-time merchants of this village. Mr. Taft was mayor of the village within recent years and is still living and in good health.

James Pringle, while not living within the village limits, was a well known person in and about this place, having been born in its proximity. He made a business of dealing in Clydesdale and Pereheron horses and met his death some ten or twelve years ago in a railroad accident on the edge of the village.

mentioned Isaac Landacre, who for long time was engaged in the brick business, likewise now deceased. Henry E. Bateman and Sej-more Harrold are retired farmers.

John W. Warrington, now a distinguished attorney of Cincinnati, was born near this village. His brother, AVilliam Warrington, is now justice of the peace. Another brother, Charles Warrington, formerly a well-known attorney of the Queen City, has, on account of ill-health, resided in South Charleston.

The best information at hand indicates that the village of South Charleston was chartered before the organization of Clark County, to-wit, in January, 1816. The writer has no information as to the various persons who have served as president of council or as mayors of ths village, other than it is known that some twenty-five or thirty years ago Michael AVay was mayor and after him came William Barrett, Almon Bradford, S. R. Hudson, William Cheney, Lou Diffendal, to the present mayor, J. B. Allen, W. L. Wentz being now clerk.

At the recent (1907) election Jason Mercer wns elected mayor and W. L. AVentz, clerk; T. S. Orbison, treasurer: Charles Duffey, marshal, and Ed. Houston, Aquilla Carr, Peter Hill, L. C. Lewis, L. H. Holdren and George Slaughter, members of council. The salary of these officials is not large, being fixed by a recent ordinance as follows : Mayor, $150 per year: marshal, $100; clerk, $150, and treasurer. *75.

The South Charleston Cemetery was purchased by the town council in 1855. It is situated a short distance north of the village, in a very pleasant location. The Catholics also possess a cemetery about a mile east of town.

0. 0. F., was chartered July 18, 1850. The charter members were John A. Skinner, Pressly Jones, Isaac P. Paist, Daniel Smith, William Paist, Jr., Michael Lidigh and William L. AVarner.

1. 0. 0. F., was organized May 31, 1876. The charter members were Robert S. Fulton, George R. Armstrong, AVilliam Watson, S. B. Hoadly, Edward Rott, Darwin Pierce, Abihu Raines and George W. Jones.

Fielding Lodge No. 192, A. F. & A. M., South Charleston, was chartered October 13, 1850. The original petitioners were John A. Skinner, E. W. Steele, Alex Rowand, G. W. Jones, William Paist, Jr., Daniel Bruner, David Morgan and James R. Bailey.

Recently charters of the following organizations have b?en established: Catholic Order of Foresters, Daughters of America, Junior Order of American Mechanics and Sons of America. A lodge of the A. P. A.'s hnd but a short life here some years ago.

miles west of the Urbana Pike. It is in tlie northeastern part of German Townshop. There was a settlement here early in the Nineteenth Centnry. It was originally called Clarksburg and as such was platted, according to references^ in old deeds, by John Eoss. This plat had a tier of lots on each side of Main Street, west, beyond the mill. The northeast corner of Main and Mulberry Streets, was lot one. The hotel corner was lot sixteen. This plat seemed not to have been recognized, or at least was changed by subsequent persons. At what date it was made is not definite. It was recorded in 1.S38. It is known that as early as 1836, where the Seitz Mill is now located, that there was a small cardingraill, and in that year John Ross erected a small distillery there. Afterwards Mr. Lance erected another distillery a short distance east of the village, where the residence of Michael Sullivan is now located. In 1843 Samuel Beehtle and others made a plat, somewhat re-arranging the original plat of lots. This plat included the ground running west of Main Street to Seitz 's Mill and north to the Methodist Church and east to the second lot beyond the hotel.

In 1845 Benjamin Turman laid out a plat. This extended north from the Methodist Church along both sides of Mulberry Street, and in 1847 Gabriel Albin laid out an addition to the lots from 1-G. This was the land immediately east of the Reformed Church.

In 1870 Daniel B. Morris purchased a tract of laud belonging to Christian Neff, east of the village, and laid out an addition of lots, 66-138. And in 1S77 John H. Blose made an addition on the north of the Morris addition in -lots number 139- 196. In 1836 the Rosses, John and William, kept a dry goods store where the Knights of Pythias Hall is now being erected. In 1837 John Hupp erected a liotel, which was demolished by Gus Weigel to erect his residence. The post office was established in 1839 and the name of the town was then changed from Clarksburg to Tremont.

The name of this place was originally Treemount and signified that the burg was located at the foot of a large hill upon which there were a number of large trees at an early date.

The towns of Fremont and Tremont were so alike in their spelling, especially the first letters of each - T and F - when !uade in writing, that very much mail which was sent to Tremont went to the larger place, Fremont, and to avoid this, about the year 1879, the word "city" was added to Tremont and thus we have its present name of Tremont City. The industries of the place have not been very many. While possibly as far back as 1802 there was some kind of a mill erected somewhere near where Seitz 's Mill now is. Up to the present time the running of mills has been the principal industry. In the '80s there was a chair factory established and later a steam saw-mill in the north part of the town, and afterwards a table factory. These have all vanished, the chair factory having been moved to Urbana and the table factory to Richmond, Indian'a. For a long time, the village's progress was retarded because suitable groimd could not be obtained for its enlargement and also because it had no railroad facilities.

built, and shortly thereafter Mr. Emerson E. Gard erected the elevator at that place, which is now conducted by Omer Snyder. When the post office was first established in 1839, Dr. McLaughlin was postmaster. During the war period Daniel B. Morris served in that position. Afterwards came J. E. Fennimore, John McKinley, "Walter McKinley, Ras. Nichols and E. B. Hinton, the present postmaster. There is one rural delivery, J. R. Elvin being the carrier.

For a long time Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. Senseman attended the sick of the comm'unity. Both were rather noted in their profession. Dr. McLaughlin, a physician of the old school, was considered the best fever doctor in the county. Dr. Senseman being more of a specialist in pulmonary diseases. Later came Dr. A. H. Nesbit and a brilliant yoimg doctor by the name of Hughes, who was here for a few years. The present physicians are Dr. Hirons and Dr. Neece.

The first brick schoolhouse that was built in the town was built in 1835. This was near where the residence of Joe Ritter is now. This schoolhouse was torn down in 1865 and a two-story building erected, which was used until the present school building was erected, 1885.

The old Methodist Church was built in 1838 and the present one erected at the same place in 1880. The German Reformed Church "on the hill" was organized in 1863, the Rev. Jesse Richards, who is still living, being instrumental in its organization. For some time past a denomination known as "Saints" have occupied the hall in the northern part of the village, but recently it has become disorganized.

Liberty Hall was erected by a stock company some time in the later seventies. It is a very substantial structure. When first erected it had a nice stage, with suitable paraphernalia, but it seems that the town was hardly large enough to sup port an entertainment hall. Before the war a hall was erected close to where Gus Weigel now resides known as an Armory Hall. This served as a place of entertainment quite a number of years; later it was particularly used by the Grange. At this writing the Knights of Pythias have about completed a commodious hall on the southwest corner of Main and Mulberi-y Streets, upon what was the site for many years of Carter's store.

The hotel on the southeast corner is at present unoccupied. It first became a hotel site in the early '30s, Peter Ferree being the landlord in 1846. He was succeeded in 1859 by George Heller, and he by Jeremiah Ilges in 1867. Later there came Emanuel Masonhammer and Jacob Sanders; afterwards came David Carter, Jr. and Sr., J. E. Fennimore, Josiah Faber and Mrs. Adelia Geuell. In the forties John Balentine erected this hotel and conducted it for some time.

David Carter, who ran a grocery store where the Knights of Pythias Hall is now located, was for many years a merchant of this place, having at one time a store north of th^ office of Dr. Senseman; Daniel B. Morris for a number of years conducted a store a little 'north and opposite to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The oldest merchant in the town and one who continued longest in the blisiness was the late Daniel H. Thomas, who commenced keeping store here as early as 1861 and continued until his death in 1907.

Mr. Thomas was a man of some ability, but mingled very little with the world, it being a rare thing to see him outside of his store building, but by the application of good business principles he acquired a considerable fortune.

Later Captain Lafayette Bechtle had a grocery store on the northeast corner of the square and was followed some time afterward by Mr. Jasper E. Ward and C. T. Rohrer, and he by the present occupant, Erasmus Nichols.

J. E. Fennimore conducted a drug store for a number of years, and at the same place Adelia Genell had a grocery from 1898-1906, Josiah Faber having likewise carried on a grocery store at the same place. For a number of years Walter McKinley has been conducting a store upon North Mulberry Street.

Grus Weigel & Son conduct a general butchering business, and J. H. Breneman is conducting a poultry business; he also deals to some extent in live stock.

Among the older settlers now may be mentioned Eli Card, 75; David Enoch, past 82, and Sarah Morris, 87; Henry Dean, 82; William E. Woodward, Henry Rockel, Daniel B. Morris and John H. Blose.

Not only the Knights of Pythias, but the Redmen and the Maccabees and the G. A. R. have thriving societies. The Grange was organized here as early as 1876, Hugh Staley being secretary at this time.

The village was never incorporated and has a population, however, of about 350. In 1902 a special school district was formed of what was formerly a special district, including the village and surrounding country. This school is graded.

Vienna is situated on the National Road ten and one-half miles from Springfield. It was platted by John H. Dynes in 1833. At the time that this plat was made the National Road had been surveyed, but not yet made. In 1904 another plat was added by Charles Arbogast of lots 57-64, and in the same year John Goodfellow platted an addition. The first house built in this place was erected by a person by the name of Taylor and was situated in the west part of the village ; like many of the buildings of that day, it was of the log cabin character. Caleb Barrett was the first merchant, who began business here in 1834 and continued for about twenty-three years. xYt an early date Emanuel Mayne erected a hotel building on the southeast corner. This property was sold in 1836 to Daniel Brown.

In 1839 Mayne built a building on the northwest comer and managed it for some time as a hotel and in after years David Davis and Andrew Ryan, William Johnson and others kept public entertainment at this place. In 1837 D. W. Hinkle built a tannery in the northeastern part of the village, which he continued until 1352. About ]848 William Golden and Garner Mclntire built a brick shop on the north side of East Main Street for a tavern. These various businesses have lieen abandoned. In 1850 the Odd Fellows erected their building on West Main Street. This was remodeled in 1870. The brick storehouse on the opposite side of the street, built in 1849 by W. S. Funston, was demolished by an explosion of powder in 1871. About 1898 Charles Snyder built the large storeroom on the northwest corner. The Knights of Pythias building south of the traction line was built about fifteen years ago and was very substantially remodeled in 1907.

William Harris, now deceased, was storekeeper in this place for many years, and likewise filled the place of justice of the peace and postmaster.

For the past ten years John McCoy has conducted a grocery in this village, this grocery having its location in the Snyder building. The Enterprise Manufacturing Company, composed of John McCoy, John Goodfellow and Dr. E. H. Smith, commenced business in the year 1900. The industry is principally that of manufacturing blankets and is now in a prosperous condition. It gives employment to from ten to twenty persons.

McCoy & Goodfellow conduct a general imi)lement store. For many years James S. Eice has conducted a saw-mill located in the eastern part of the town.

The Spring-field & Columbus Traction Company goes through this village, leaving the National Road a short distance west of the town, and going south, and afterwards coming back on the road. This village enjoyed prosperity in stagecoach days. After the railroads were built a good deal of the former business was transferred to Plattsburg. Since the building of the traction line, however, the village has assumed a renewed apjieai'- ance, and considerable improvement has manifested itself in the last few years.

first post office was established in 1838. By reason of there being some other post office by the name of Vienna the office at 'this place was called Vienna Cross Roads. The first postmaster was Caleb Barrett. In stage-coach days, existing for almost twenty, years after the establishment of the post office, the mail was carried daily on the National Road by four-horse stage coaches, and after the raih'oad was built it was for a time supplied from West Jefferson in a one-horse coach. Latterly the people got their mail from Plattsburg.

The Odd Fellows Lodge was instituted iu 1859. The Christian Church was built in the same year at a cost of $1,200. The Methodist Episcoj^al Church was first established here in 1835. In 1836 George Jones built a large two-story brick building two miles west of Vienna on the north side. In 1848 this property was purchased by Phillip Weaber and fitted up as a hotel and was conducted in that capacity until the stage coaches were abandoned. This is now used as a private residence.

Formerly the coopering business was (juite an industry of this place. Samuel Sullivan came here in 1837. and with his son-in-law, Zachariah Jones, carried on the business as late as 1880. Mr. Sullivan died in 1898 at the ripe old age of ninety-eight years.

Villa is located in the sonthevu jiart of Moorefield Township, on the Clark and Union Turnpike, two miles north of Lagonda. It has never been platted, and the name was given to a cluster of houses built on small portions of land surrounding the pike crossing at that place. It afterwards reached the dignity of a post office, and Joel Little was the first postmaster. There is at present a small store there and a blacksmith shop. Since the free delivery the postofSce has been abolished.

There is no way at present of determining the former location of Windsor, except from the plat of lots that was made by Simeon Bardwell in 1816. This plat contained 105 lots and was located in the northwest quarter of Section 24, Town 6 and Range 9. This would locate Windsor between schoolhouse No. 5, in the northwestern part of Harmony Township along the Columbus Road and the western line of Section 24, and not far from where the road turns north through Pleasant Township, on the lands of C. A. Neer. The only record we have of any business ever being conducted in this place is that pi-ior to 1825 Caleb Barrett conducted a store here, which was abandoned by him after the completion of the National Road, when he removed to Vienna. Windsor was located about seven and one-half miles east of Springfield on the old Columbus Road. At one time there was a blacksmith shop there. Windsor was known by name by all early travelers, and was a landmark of travel in those days.

Mr. John Jones built a house here at an eai'ly date, and jmt a paved walk in front of it, which was then quite a distinguishing feature. An Englishman came along, and, with a little more pomposity than Jones thought proper, inquired where Windsor was. Jones told him to look around and he would find it. The Englishman then inquired where the mayor was. Jones replied, "I can't tell you where the mare is, but I am the horse." The old house is still standing, having been moved across the road, and is used for a sheep stable.

Chapter Xvii City Of Springfield

Distances from Springfield io Other Cities - Springfield in 1907 - Location, etc. - Naming and Flatting of the City - Plats andAdditions to City - Early Settlements - Selection as County Seat - Early Events - Council with the Indians - Early Customs - "Sleepy Hollow" and Old Virginia - Eaely Settlers: James Demint, Griffith Foos, Robert Rennick, John Dougherty, John Ambler, Cooper Ludloiv, Walter Smallivood, Pierson Spinning, Rev. Paul Henkle, Ira Paige, Maddox Fisher - Condition in 1828 - Condition in 18.32 - Village Days, 1834-1850 - Condition in 1850 - City Government- -'Eost-'lr of Officials: President of Council - Mayors of City - Solicitors - Treasurers, City Clerks - Police Department - Chiefs of Police - Police Judges - Police Prosecutors - Police Clerks - Board of Public Safety - Roster of 1907 - Fire Department: Fo^jm^'^er - Paid Fire Department - Roster of Present Department - Pttblic Bitiijjikgs : Market House - City Hall - City Jail and Station House - Public TAbrary - Hospital - Postcffice - Postmasters - Snyder Park - Fountains, etc. - HoTEis: Foos Tavern - Loivry Hotel - Ludloiv Hotel - Ross Tavern - Hunt's Hotel - MacElroy Hotel - Norton Hotel - Werden Hotel - Buckeye Hou.se - Hagenbach Hotel:: - Murray - Cherry House - Williss House - National Hotel - American and Western Houses - Lagonda - Bookwalter Hotel - Arcade Hotel - Palace Hotel - Palmer House - Opera Houses: Black's Opera House - Grand Opera House - Fairbanks' Theatre - The New Sun - Office and Store Bi^ildings: Kizer - Old King - Union Hall - Commercial - Bookimlter - BuckingJmm - Mitchell - Arcade - Johnson - Zimmerman - Gotwald - King - Bushnell - Wren's Department Store - Fairbanks - Dial - Financial Institutions : Mar? River National Bank - First National Bank- - Citizens' Nofinnal Bank - Lagonda National Bank - Springfield National Bank - Spring fu'ld Savings Bank - Springfield Building and Loan Association - Merchants and Mechanics' Building and Loan Association - Other Associations - American Trust and Savings Company - Manufacti-ring Industries: Defunct Industries - Paper Mill - Oil Mill - Woolen 3Iills - Car Shops - Threshing ]\Iachines - Sewing Machines - Whitely, Fassler £ Kelley including his brother-in-law, Jarbo, and More than one half the product is rep- Deniint, came from Kentucky in 1799 and resented under the classification of agri- first located west of the city near Buck cultural implements, but one city in the Creek, building some twelve or fourteen United State.>, Chicago, exceeding Spring- block houses. Kenton later on went furfield in this industry. tlier up the old Indian trail along which residence. Demint likewise went further. No doubt to many a citizen of Spring- stopping north of Buck Creek near the field, viewing it now as a city of 45,000 or location of the present school building, more, the query has presented itself, and close to a beautiful spring of clear "Why was a town located upon this crystal water, there building for himself site?" For, as viewed today, the natural the first house that stood in the city of advantages are not many, otherwise than Springfield. Inhabitants of Spring-field as it is located in a fertile country and today can hardly realize the wild, picinhabited by an active, intelligent class of turescpie appearance of site of the city people. No great river bears its com- of Springfield as nature made it. merce on its bosom to and from wharves; Along the north bank of Buck Creek, no great mines of coal or iron are found or as the Indians were prone to call it, in its locality; but to the pioneer of one "Lagonda." was a ledge of over-hanging hundred or more years ago in this local- rocks of limestone formation. On the ity these things did not present them- south was a piece of apparently level selves as necessities. Springfield owed its tableland. Along where High Street now location, no doubt, to the site appearing is located it appeared quite rough and to man at that time as a desirable one for hilly.