Union Township

Union Township

Union township is situated within the **United States Military District,"' constitutes town one, and range five, of that survey, and contains twenty-five square miles of territory.

School Lands

When the township was surveyed, in 1803, the Government reserved the southeast quarter of the same, for school purposes, and divided the sections into quarters, numbering them from one to twenty-five, beginning at the northeast corner of said tract.

When Ebenezer Zane, in 1797, surveyed the road ''from Wheeling to Limestone, in Kentucky,"" he passed through the territory now known as Union township. and opened up a highway in the wilderness : a thoroughfare along which the tide of emigration poured, surging its way towards the setting sun.

streams, and gentle slopes of the military district. Hence it was, that town one - now Union township - was early settled by hardy and industrious pioneers. When the whites first settled in this locality, there was an Indian camp on section five, on the land now owned by Isaiah Carr. There was alsoa camp on ''White Eyes" Creek - the stream deriving its name from the Shawanoes chief, by that name. PIONEERS. It is not certainly known who was the first settler of Union township, as the school land, being occupied by a class of people, unable to purchase land elsewhere, few of whom became permanent settlers. During the interval between 1803 and 1807, Henry Hardesty occupied lot nineteen, Peter Monroe, lot twenty-three, Henry Hardy, lot twelve, William Newland, lot three, and Mullen, lot nine.

From 1803 to 1806, the Reasoners, Speers, Findleys, and Wilsons, from Pennsylvania, settled in the northeastern portion of the township, near the present site of New Concord. Henry Reasoner, having in the year 1804, entered the land on which the town now stands.

In 1806, Samuel Wilson located on the northwest quarter of section eleven,gand finding a 'bee tree'? near his cabin, he appropriated the bees, and established the pioneer apiary of Muskingum county. His son, John, still occupies the premises, and looks after the descendents of the 'told bee gum'' - the bees from which his father nurtured for fifty-seven years.

In 1804, Thomas Warren, following the '* Old Zane Trace," located on section thirteen, and opened his house for the accommodation of the traveling public. This was the pioneer. tavern of the township, and was afterwards known as the *' Few Tavern Stand."

Judge David Findley came from Pennsylvavia, in 1806, and purchased the southwest quarter of section one, of Henry Reasoner. In 1813, he was elected associate Judge, and held that office until 1820, when he resigned.

In April, 1807, John Hadden, father of Samuel Hadden, located on the southwest quarter of section eight. Andrew Lorimer, William Hunter, and Robert Walker, settled on sections thirteen and eighteen, and Ralph Hardesty, from Wheeling, West Virginia, pitched his tent on the southeast quarter of section fourteen. This location afterwards became famous as the spot chosen by the stalwart and pugnacious settlers to '' vote, drink, and fight."'

Captain Joseph McCune came from Pennsylvania, in 1808, and settled on section ten, now known as the McClelland property. Mr. Mc- Cune became a man of influence in the community, serving in the war of 1812, as Captain, and, subsequently, as Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty-one years.

The year 1811, added quite a number of settlers to the population. William Garner located on the northwest quarter of section five. (now Israel Carr's). Peter Galigher entered a portion of section four, (now John Jennings ). Benjamin Wortman located on the southwest quarter of section seven, (now partially occupied by the village of Norwich). Simon Elhott settled on land now owned by Simon Elliott, Jr., being the southwest quarter of section three. ,

Frederick Henderson, Adam and Daniel Bowman, and David Sellers, arrrived trom Pennsylvania, in 1812. Henderson bought land of William Gladden, who had entered two quarter sections where Thomas Marshall now resides, (section eighteen), and hired Isaac Tewalt to build him a house. This house, a log one, is still standing on the Marshall farm, but unoccupied.

Col. John Reynolds located on the southwest quarter of section thirteen, on the Wheeling road, and opened a store in 1815; the first regular store within the bounds of the present township.

Samuel Cummins, Samuel Hadden, and John Vandevert, are the oldest inhabitants of the township, having resided in it continuously for over seventy years.

Early Improvements

The first houses erected by the early settlers were, of course, of the most primitive kind, being built of unhewn logs, and covered with clapboards instead of shingles, held in place by weight poles instead of nails, the latter being a a luxury few could afford. Judge David Findley, being more prosperous than most of his neighbors, covered his house, in 1809, with lap shingles and wrought nails, the first in the county outside of Zanesville.

The first brick house built in Union township. was that of Peter Monroe, on lot twenty-three of the school land, in 1827. The next was that of Judge David Findley, in New Concord, in 1828.

The first road through Union township was the ''Old Wheeling Road,"' surveyed by Ebenezer Zane, in 1797. It entered town one, of the '' Military Lands,"' on the southeast quarter of section ten, and passed into range six, (now 'Perry township), on the northeast quarter of section sixteen.

In 1827, the National Road was surveyed through, entering the township on the southeast quarter of section one, and passing out on the northwest quarter of section fifteen. After the construction of the National Pike, the old Wheeling Road was abandoned as a thoroughfare, and the travel transferred to the new route, which, for years, enjoyed all the '' pomp and circumstance"' of the four-in-hand stage coaches. But a time came when zs glory, too, departed, when the Central Ohio Divsion of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was completed, running nearly parallel with the National Pike, and the once autocratic stage coach found itself left far in the rear by the all conquering '' iron horse ;" it bade farewell to the old familiar scenes and hied away to '' the pleasant plains of Iowa."

The settlers in Union township either went to Zanesville, or Cambridge, to get grinding done, and when they wanted boards, they resorted to the '' pitsaw."' But the distance to the former, and the labor of the latter, were grievances not easily to be borne, and home talent was brought into requisition to dispense with both. The first horse mill was built by Benjamin Reasoner, in 1815.

The first fulling mill was built at New Concord, by Judge David Findley. The Judge was also the happy possessor of a primitive gristmill, but the time of building it is unknown.

Harper & Keitly built a '"'tramp sawmill,'' just south of lot twelve, inthe town of Norwich, in 1827, which was afterwards turned into a brewery by Holley & Son. Applin & Abbitson were also its proprietors for a time. Finally it was turned into a tannery, by James Caldwell.

In 1830, a large gristmill was built on lands owned by Jos. Geyer, south of Norwich, by Thos. Maxfield, Thomas Few, Samuel Lorrain, and Manning Putnam. It contained three run of buhrs, with ample machinery, but after passing through various hands, (always unprofitable, ) it was torn down, and the machinery moved to Gratiot, west of Zanesville, in 1870.

'Samuel Hadden and Andrew Lorimer built a sawmill on Hadden's land, in 1840, and sold it to John Whitaker, in 1841. He attached buhrs for grinding, and moved the mill to New Con- road depot, with threerun of buhrs. After being owned by various partners, Alexander Speer became its sole proprietor, in 1863, and. still runs it. ;

John Hadden built the first tannery, in 1807, and followed the business until 1827, when he was succeeded by Messrs. Caldwell and Mc- Clure.

The first store was kept by Colonel John Reynolds, at Locust Grove, in 1815. He was succeeded by Thomas Maxfield, who kept store at the Grove until 1827, when he moved to the new town of Norwich.

The first tavern was kept by Thomas Warren, on the old ''Zane Trace," in 1805. The accommodations were of the most primitive kind, but amply sufficient for the time. He sold out to George Heep, and he, to Isaac Few, in 1812. This place was long noted as the ''old Few Tavern stand."

As early as 1804, William Speer located on the southeast quarter of section two, and in the spring of 1805, opened a blacksmith shop, the first in the present township of Union. He brought his iron by wagon, over the Alleghany

Joseph McKinney was also an early blacksmith. He began in 1816. "Joseph Reasoner learned the trade at Pittsburg, and located his shop on the Wheeling road. He made the first ax ever made by hand in Muskingum county. In later years he used to boast of having shod General Jackson's horses.

Robert Walker was the first cooper in the new settlement. He came from Ireland, and brought with him, as the fruit of his industry, ''a bag of yellow guineas,'' with which he made a payment on his land, and, tradition says, in lieu of a bank, deposited the remainder in a log.

Distillertes. - During the early stages of agriculture in Muskingum county, distilleries were numerous, and as it was not considered disreputable to engage in the business, we find such men as Judge Findley owning and running a still.

Whiskey was an article of consumption almost as common as food, but it-was pure, and the evils resulting from its use were not so great as at the present day.

Organization of the Township. - The date of the organization of several townships of Muskingum, does not appear, upon examination of the Commissioners' journal, Union township amongst them, but that it was amongst the first, is evident from thefact of elections being held at the old Few Tavern in 1808, at which Benjamin Reasoner was elected Justice of the Peace.

The polls were subsequently moved from Warren's, (afterwards Few's,) to Ralph Hardesty's, further west on the Wheeling road, which continued to be the voting place until the completion of the National Road, when it was established at Sensabaugh's tavern, in Norwich.

In April, 1876, the township was divided into two voting precincts, and a polling place established at New Concord, for the eastern ten sections of the township.

Union township contains two villages, one college, eight schools, eight churches, three postoffices, two railroad depots, three telegraph offices, and three mills.

The railroad depots are on the Central Ohio Div sion of the Baltimore and Ohio Road; one at New Concord, and the other at Norwich. The agent at New Concord is Alexander Speer.

A telegraph office was established at the New Concord depot, but afterwards removed to Norwich station. Wm. P. Parks,and H. W. Jones, operators.

Norwich is situated in Union township, near the center of section seven, and occupics a portion of three-quarters of that section. 'Lhe southwest quarter was entered by Benjamin Wortman, the northwest by Frederick Yarian, and the northeast by George Richie, who sold the sme to John' Crawford, in 1811. William Harper. .n Englishman, bought of Crawford and laia out the town of Norwich, in 1827, naming it for his native town of Norwich, in England.

New Concord

In the year 1804, Henry Reasoner, trom Pennsylvania, entered the southwest quarter of section one, which he sold to David Findley, in 1806, and, in 1828, Findley laid out the town of New Concord, along the line of the National Road.. .

New Concord Official Directory

New Concord United Presbyterian Church was originally known' as MOP ed Creek Church." the first meeting-house being situated about one mile southwest of the village of New Concord. It was connected with what was then known as the Associate Reformed Church. Tradition says that the first Associate Reformed preaching in this county was in Judge Findley's barn, not far from the present residence of David Stormant. Rev. Alexander Calderhead was the preacher.

The Crooked Creek congregation was organized in 1812. The first stated supply was Rev. Alexander Craig. The first Elders were Judge Findley, Andrew Lorimer, - - Rambo, and James Cummins. The first settled pastor was Rev. David Proudfit. He was installed in 1824 or 1825.

In consequence of the vast territory over which the members of the congregation were scattered, preaching stations were established, seven miles north and five miles south. John Duff was chosen Elder for the north branch (now Lebanon), and David Forsyth for the south branch (now Salt Creek).

Mr. Proudfit preached half his time at Crooked Creek, and divided the remainder equally between the two branches. Death closed his labors, 1n 1830.

About 1851, steps were taken looking toward the organization of an associate church, in New Concord. Of this congregation, Rev. S. McArthur was the first preacher.

The following persons were Elders in this congregation: Robert Harper, Elijah Coulter, Joseph McCune, Matthew Cherry, Samuel Briggs, William Laro, and R. R. Moore.

Rev. James M. Henderson became pastor in 1855. After the union of the Associate, and Associate Reformed churches, it was thought best that the New Concord congregations ( Associate,'' and ''Associate Reformed''), should become one. To this end, both pastors (Waddle and Henderson), resigned. All the other officials resigned, except Samuel Cummins and Elijah For: sy the, who continued in office in order to hold the organization.

In February, 1860, Rev. James C. Murch took charge of the congregation, as pastor. He resigned in 1876. July 1, 1876, the present pastor, Rev. David Paul, D. D., commenced his pastoral labors.

Since the,union of the two congregations, the following persons have acted as elders: Elijah - Forsythe, Samuel Cummins, Joseph Harper, Samuel Harper, William Patterson, James A. Miller, William McClure, J. L. Patterson, John Speer, and James Nelson.

The present membership is about three hundred. Recently, five deacons were chosen, and ordained, namely: B. Marshall, J. L. Boyd, Andrew Caldwell, Wilson White, and I. W. Chisholm.

In 1804, Rev. John Wright preached at the house of John Reasoner, on the southeast quarter of section ten. Other ministers preached occasionally until about 1818, when Rev. James Robinson organized a church. Mr. Robinson was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Baldridge, in 1819. At this time, services were held in houses and barns, and sometimes in a tent at Pleasant Hill Spring. It was during Mr. Baldridge's' ministry that the first church was erected. It was a frame, forty feet square, two stories high, and stood on Mr. Reasoner's land, near the old *'Zane road." In 1823, Dr. Baldridge moved west, and from 1823 to 1827, the church had no regular pastor. Rev. M. Clark holding communion services in 1825, and Rev. Mr. McMillen, in 1826. }

In the year 1827, Rev. James Arbuthnot was ordained, and installed pastor of the churches of Pleasant Hill and Salt Creek, and on the 27th of October, 1829, he organized the church at Norwich. of which he also became pastor, and remained in this connection till 1830.

Rev. Samuel Wilson was ordained, and installed as pastor over the united churches of Pleasant Hill, Salt Creek, and Norwich, April 5, 1832, giving to each one-third of his time, and receiving from each one-third of his salary, of $400. This arrangement continued for seven years, when Pleasant Hill and Norwich each applied for one-half of his time, and Mr. Wilson was released from Salt Creek. He continued in this relation until April 28, 1868, thirty-six years, and only dissolved his connection when forced to do so by the infirmities of age.

Rev. Faris Brown became stated supply for the united charge September 10, 1875, and was installed pastor and 'still continues in that relation.

In the year 1872, a new site having been obtained in the village of New Concord, a new church building was erected thereon at a cost of $4,000.

The present membership of this church is one hundred and forty-five. During the sixty-two years of its history it has had five pastors and twenty-six ruling elders.

New Concord Methodist Episcopal Church

In 1836, asmall class met in the school house at New Concord, with Andrew Magee, as Leader. They continued to meet in the school house until 1850, when they met in the College building.

New Concord Baptist Church

The first Pastor was Rev. William Rees, sucseeded by Rev's. William Spencer, Mr. Mc- Gowen, William Marz, B. Y. Seigtried, Ilugh Brown, Amos Pratt, R. H. Sedgwick, B. Allen,

Musxkineum CoLLeGE was chartered in 1837. Reverends Robert Wallace, Samuel Wilson, B. Waddle, D. D., Daniel McLane and Messrs. Andrew Lorimer, John Jamison, John McKinney, John Hull and William Finley were the incorporators. The College was founded in the interests of Christian education. Leading Christian men of all denominations in the community united their efforts to secure the education of young men designed for the ministry and other learned professions. In later years the privileges enjoyed by young men have been extended to young women.

The first building was destroyed by fire, but was soon rebuilt. In 1873 an addition 45x70 was erected in front of the old building. Both are now in good repair.

The number of students in attendance, at first small, has steadily increased. The catalogue number for the year ending June 22d, 1882, was 189. The Fall session of the present year marks a gain of eighteen over the same term of the preceding year. Between two and three hundred young men and women have graduated from this institution. About one hundred of these have entered the Christian ministry, and are now laboring both in this country and in foreign tands. Her Alumni are also well represented in the other professions. It is estimated that at least two thousand students have been in attendance during the forty-five years of her existence. It will be seen that Muskingum College has been closely inwrought into the life and prosperity of Muskingum and adjoining counties.

The following persons have served as Presidents of the College: Rev. B. Waddle, D. D., Rev. 8. Wilson, Rev. D. A. Wallace, D. D., LL. D., Rev. John Milligan, Rev. S. G. Irvine, D. D., Rev. S. McArthur, Rev. J. P. Lytle, D. D.

Until 1877 Muskingum College was simply a local college. At that date she was transferred to the care of the United Presbyterian Presbyteries of Muskingum and Mansfield. In October of 1882 the Synod of Ohio of the United Presbyterian Church voted to accept the care and control of the College. Her doors will, however, still be open to students of all denominations.

It is expected that the endowment of the College will be largely increased during 1883, enabling her to do more and better work than ever before.

Faculty Norwich Methodist Episcopal Church

The ''class"' from which this church sprang, was originally organized at the house of Martin McCloud, in Perry township, and when- Mr. McCloud, in 1827, moved to Union township, his house still continued to be the place of meeting. The first class was composed of Martin McCloud and wife, Phillip Richcreek and wife, Israel Jennings and wife, ''Father' Speck and wife, Mrs. R. Hardesty and two daughters, Thomas Cookston and wife, Lewis Virden and wife, William Jennings and wife, Rev. Manning Putnam, (a local preacher,) Mrs. Lloyd and two daughters, Enos Jennings and wife, Mrs. Passmore, Peter Bowers, Enoch Marple and wife, Sarah Self, and Delphi McCloud.

During 1829-30, a church, (brick, ) 30x40, was erected on lot fifty-one, in the town of Norwich, which stood until 1842, when it was taken down and a new brick structure, 40x60, erected in its stead.

Norwich Presbyterian Church

This church was organized October 27th, 1828, by Rev. James Arbuthnot, under authority granted by the Presbytery of Lancaster, Ohio. 'This organization was mainly composed of mem- _bers from the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church. Its first pastor was Rev. James Arbuthnot, whose pastorate continued about two years. . The original Elders elected, were Robert Miller, John Jamison, John Wycoff, and William McLaughlin.

In August, 1831, a call was extended to Rev. Samuel Wilson, and he was installed pastor, April 5th, 1832. Mr. Wilson continued his pastorate until April 28th, 1868, a period of thirtysix years, when he resigned on account of ill health.

May 17th, 1870, Rev. N. C. Helfrich was called, and installed November 3d, 1870. The pastoral relation between Rev. Mr. Helfrich and his church, was dissolved in October, 1874.

Rev. Faris Brown became stated supply, September roth, 1875, and November 21st, 1876, was installed as pastor, which relation he still continues.

This congregation first worshiped in a small frame house, and in the year 1839, a brick meeting house, 45x65, was built at the west end of the town of Norwich, which stood until 1852, when it was replaced by the present frame structure. The following is a list of Elders, with date of installation : : 1828. Robert Miller, John Jamison, John Wycoff, William McLaughlin.

Norwich United Presbyterian Church

This church was organized June 8th, 1862, by a committee appointed by the Presbytery, consisting of Rev. G. W. Goudy and Elders Joseph Harper and Samuel Lee.

The original members were, Samuel Hadden and wife, and John, their son, Joseph White and Jane, his daughter, John Henderson and wife, with their sons, Clark and John A., and Julia, their daughter, William Walker and wife, Mrs. Ray, and Richard, her son, James Hastings and wife, John M. Lorimer and wife, Mary and Jane McWhorter, Robert Young and wife, with his son, William, and daughters Eliza, Mary Ann and Nancy, William Wilson and wife, and daughter, Mary, Dr. McCandless and wife, Matthew Cherry and wife, S. P. Moore, Mary Ann Moore, Elizabeth Moore, Robert Moore and wife, and John J. White and wife.

The first pastor was Rev. J. R. Boyd, who was succeeded by Dr. Dayid Paul. Rev. S. M Hutcheson served a short time, and was succeeded by Rev. W.S. Harper. In June, 1878, Rey. E. A. Huston was installed as pastor, and still officiates.

In 1863, a church was erected on lot i1, in the town of Norwich; a frame, 40x50, at a cost of $1,800. Maximum number of members in 1879, was one hundred and nine.

But a man suited to the time and occasion, who understood the needs of the hour, and strove to fill a place that, without him, would have been vacant, in the history of civilization.

In the year 1820, a Presbyterian Church was erected on the southeast quarter of section ten, on the land of John Reasoner, near the old Wheeling road. This church was a frame building, forty feet square, and two stories high. One of these stories was:designed for, and used as an academy, where the youth of the community might receive more than a common school education. This was the pioneer academy of eastern Muskingum. Who the teachers were, or how long it continued in operation, is not now known.

We next find an academy in operation in the town of New Concord, under the superintendence of Rev. A. M. Black. This school was successfully conducted until it finally ultimated in Muskingum College.

Muskingum College

This institution occupies a beautiful location just north of the village of New Concord, and overlooks that town. The original act of incorporation is dated March 13th, 1837.

dle, Daniel McLane, Andrew Lorimer, John Jamison. John McKinney, John Hull, and William Findley. The ground for the building was deeded to this Board and their successors in oftice, by William and Janet Findley, May roth, 1838.

The tirst building wrs erected during the summer of 1838. It was of brick, forty feet square, two stories high, and cost $2,479. This building was nearly destroyed by fire in 1850, and was immediately rebuilt - the college classes reciting elsewhere, in the interim.

In 1874, a new front was erected, forty by seventy. making the entire building seventy by ninety - large enough to accommodate one hundred and fifty students - this last addition costing ten thousand dollars.

Seventeen students are reported to have been in attendance the first year. During the présent vear, one hundred and forty-eight have received instruction, with an average attendance of about one hundred. Besides the usual college curriculum, this institution includes Hebrew, and pays special attention to music - both vocal and instrumental. The Scientific Course now requires four years of study, and the Classical, six years.

Until 1876, the college was under the fostering care of the several denominations represented in the community. At that time, the entire management of the college was transferred to a Board of Trustees, nominated by the Presbyteries of Muskingum and Mansfield, of the United Presbyterian Church. Since then, twelve thousand dollars of an endowment fund has been raised, and it is confidently expected that it will soon, by additional endowments, be placed upon a firm financial basis.

Muskingum College has been fortunate in its location, The people of New Concord, and vicinity, are stanch, earnest friends of education, while the morals and intelligence of the community are above the average.

New Concord Graded School

This building was erected during 1878-79. It is a neat and tasty structure; material, brick, size, 40x70 feet. Two stories high, and containing four rooms, with a seating capacity for two hundred pupils; cost $8,000; attendance last term, one hundred and twenty. Principal, J. K. Watson. Wages paid, fifty dollars per month for the Principal, and thirty, and twenty-tive dollars, respectively, to the assistants.

Norwich graded school is located near the Methodist Episcopal Church. The building is frame, two stories high, twenty-four by fortyeight feet; built in 1874. James M. Starrett, Principal. Wages, two dollars per day.

Society Of Inquiry

_ Norwich Society of Inquiry was organized in January, 1878, and, as its title indicates, is one of research into the hidden mysteries of science, art, and historic lore.

The first postoffice in the township was established at the house of Colonel John Reynolds, on the Wheeling road. He was succeeded by John McDonald (familiarly known as *'Fox McDonald'').

When the stage route was transferred to the National road, Mr. McDonald moved to Norwich, and kept the first office in that town. He lived,at the time, on lot nineteen, where the store of C. C. Taylor now stands, in which the present postoftice is kept.

Mr. McDonald was succeeded by Lewis Virden, he, by Horatio Chandler. Then came Hezekiah Maxfield, and John Tudor, tollowed by L. D. Stone, 1861, and Dr. J. L. Geyer, in 1876.

A postoffice was established at New Concord, in 1829, with Joseph McKinney as postmaster. He held the office sixteen years, and was succeeded in 1845, by William McClain, who was succeeded by Noble Kelly. Ichabod Drummon followed him, in 1860, and held the office until May, 1864, when Joseph McKinney, the present incumbent was appointed.

New Concord office, is a ''money order office," and does a yearly postoffice order: business of $20,000. It ranges in ''class four." Comrpensation, $400. ;

After him came Dr's. Hull, Holsten, Berry. Matthew McConnell, James D. Cunningham, James Bell, and George W. Pringle. These practiced in New Concord. Bell lett in 1869. and Pringle died in 1876.

When Norwich was laid out in 1827,Samuel and James Lorimer, brothers, built in the town, and practicedthere. Samuel died in 1833, and James in 1834. Dillon and Strahl were also early practioners.

Dr. A. B. McCandless came in 1857, and left Dr. L. H. Gratigny came in 1860, and left the same year. Dr. Henry McCreary came in 1866, and is still practicing at New Concord.

Dr. Joseph Moorehead, and John Law, were practicing in Norwich, in 1867, but Moorehead left in 1867, and Law in 1868. Dr's. Mitchell and Shillito, also practiced in Norwich.

Military

Joseph McCune served as a Captain in the war of 1812, and distinguished himself as an aid to General Harrison. He died at Otsego, Monroe township, in 1838. :

Isaiah Carr was also a soldier of 1812. He - still resides on the old homestead, on the northeast quarter of section five, in the enjoyment of the proper uses of his mental faculties.

Samuel Cummins, another veteran of 1812, resides on the National road, one mile west of the town of New Concord, and at the age of eightynine, still lingers on the shores of time, waiting for ''taps."

Agriculture

Union township is essentially an agricultural district, but has no organized agricultural society. The surface is comparatively smooth and easy of cultivation. The soil is: productive, and the farmers in good circumstances.

Fine wool is now the principal article of export. Several fine flocks ot sheep are to be found ; among them are Hadden's, Perkins', and Wortman's.

The rearing of thoroughbred short-horned cattle, has also received considerable attention. Mr. James Perkins having on his farm quite a number of '' pedigreed and registered' animals.

The township is drained on the east by Crooked Creek, on the south by White Eyes Creek, and on the west by Self's Run. Springs are numerous, there being no less than one hundred and twenty-five springs in the township, and water for stock abundant. The streams, however, are small, not affording any available water power.

The prevailing kinds of timber are: White - oak, black oak, red oak, rock oak, walnut, butternut, poplar, hickory, maple, elm, gum, beech, buckeye, sycamore, cherry, sassafras, iron wood, dog wood, and mulberry.

In 1837, on the site of the present merchandise store of H. H. Wilkins, Mr. Speer, a native of Guernsey county, opened out as a dealer in boots, shoes, clothing, and a general line of merchandise. New Concord then boasted but a small population; but the little country store around the corner prospered, and its proprietor gradually accumulated a share of this world's goods. In 1855 he bought a third enterprise, the old Finley & Patterson grist mill, of which he became sole owner in 1860. He is still in active business, and justly ranks among the most progressive business men of the place. Since 1859, with the exception of time spent in the United States service, as private and ranking officer, S. Speer, son of the above pioneer, has been associated with the house, in which he became a partner in 1870,

THE above-named gentleman ranks among the leading merchants of New Concord. In 1875 he located at the intersection of Main and Liberty streets, having purchased a half interest with the late Henry C. McDonald. Together they continued in a general merchandise business until 1878, when Mr. Wilkin purchased the entire stock. From this time until the destructive conflagration of August, 1881, quite an extensive business was transacted. The building formerly occupying the present site was a substantial frame, uninsured, and the fire proved a trying ordeal for the young aspirant for commercial honors. Immediately afterward, Mr. Wilkins completed on the site of the ruins the present establishment. Here, in his new and commodious quarters, he solicits the continued patronage of his old customers, and kindly welcomes the new.