Union Township (part 1 of 14)

Union Township

The territory composing this township was, prior to the organization of Union County, embraced in the counties of Delaware and Madison, the northern portion in the former and the southern portion in the latter. The township, as originally formed by the County Commissioners of Delaware County, included the northern portion of its present territory, and a large scope of the western portion of the present territory of Union County, extending northward to the northern boundary line of the county. After the erection of Union Coiinty, in 1820, on the 12th day of March, 1821, at a meeting of the Commissioners of Union County, " agreed, that the County of Union be divided into townships as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of Union County, running east five and one-half miles; thence north six miles; thence north to the north boundary of Union County, all west to be Union Township." ' Subsequently, in June, 1822, Liberty Township was erected, embracing all the northern portion to the northern boundary of the county. In 1827, Allen Township was formed, which again curtailed the boundaries of Union. It is now bounded north by Allen and Paris Townships, east by Paris and Darby, south by Madison County and west by Champaign County. The surveys of Union, begun in 1799, were as follows: June 7, 1799, for Lucas Sullivant, 200 acres. Survey No. 3,311; Lucas Sullivant, Deputy Surveyor, January 21, 1807, for Warren Cash, 100 acres, Sm-vey No. 3,196. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., November 5, 1807, for James Waters, 400 acres, Survey No. 3,459. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 31, 1802, for Elizabeth Rickman, widow of Dr. William Rickman, 1,080 acres. Survey No. 4,071. eJoseph Kerr, D. S., October 2G, 1813, for Robert Kays and Lucas Sullivant, 306| acres, Survey No. 4,277. Walter Dun, D. S.', October 3, 1806, for Robert Kays, 2,000 acres, Siu'vey No. 4,278. Lucas Sullivant, D. S., December 12, 1805, for Frederick Stanton and Daniel Bailey, assignees, 283 acres. Survey No. 4,735. James Galloway, Jr., D. S., May 20, 1806, for Obadiah Smith, 466f

Surface, Soil, Etc

The surface of the greater portion of this township is remarkably level; a small portion in the eastern part and along the Big Darby is rolling and slightly hilly, while the central and southern portions are a part of the celebrated "Darby Plains," noted for their level surface, and deep, rich soil, consisting of black vegetable mold. Originally, as the first settlers found these plains, they consisted of prairie and oak openings, the former covered with an exuberance of grass, which in some portions grew to an enormous height; some of the settlers testifying that, as they rode through it on horseback, they could grasp a handful on each side of the horse, and tie them together over the rider's head. This is an excellent grazing and stock country, and from its first settlement, the people have devoted much of their time and attention to the stock business. During a few years of recent date, they have given attention to ditching, tiling and draining these lands, which are thus rendered excellent for corn and wheat. Here, as elsewhere, the first settlers sought the higher and more rolling lands, along the streams, upon which they located, considering the prairies on those plains as worthless; too flat and wet to ever admit of cultivation, or even to be habitable. But early in the settlement of this township, colonies from the New England States came here, and, appreciating the true value of these rich lands, with true sagacity and sound judgrpent selected and located upon them; and although, for some years, they endured sickness, and inconvenience attendant upon the work of first improvement, and caused largely by decaying vegetation, yet now they are possessed of as fine farms as can be found in the State. When these prairies were first taken up, they were pu,rchased for about one-half the price of the higher and more rolling lands, a lai-ge area being bought for 60 to 75 cents per aci'e, now they are worth about tAvice as much per acre as the hilly clay lands. This, township is well watered. The Big and Little Darby, with their many tributaries, drain almost every part of the township. The Big Darby enters this township in its northwestern portion, and courses in a southeastern direction, leaving the township on its eastern border, about midway between the northern and southern boundaries. In its course, commencing in the northwest corner of the township, it receives from the southwest the following tributaries: Watson Run, Hay Run and Prairie Run; from the north or east side it receives Buck Run, which cou.rses entirely through the northeastern portion of the township in a southeastern course, emptying into the Darby at the east boundary line. The Little Darby enters this township near its southwest corner, from Madison County, courses northeast until it receives Treacle Creek, thence flows southeast and leaves the township at its extreme southeast corner. Treacle Creek is its principal tributary, and enters from Champaign Connty, near the southwest corner of the township, about one-half mile west of L^win Station. It courses northward about two and one half miles, thence east one and a half miles, thence south to the Little Dai-by, inclosing with the latter a large tract of probably 3,000 acres of land, and almost making an island of it, there being only an isthmus in the northwest corner of the township, between the head-waters of Treacle Creek and Little Darby, of about one-half mile in width.

The principal productions of the soil here are wheat and corn, the rais - ing of which and the raising of stock claim almost the entire attention of the fanning community. In richness of soil, in productiveness and in wealth, this township now ranks as one of the first in Union County.

The territory comprised in this township was among the earliest portions of the county to open its broad and beautiful lands to settl«meut. The first white man to penetrate the wilderness of this domain as a settler, was George Reed, who settled on the Big Darby, near Mil ford, in 1799. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a very useful citizen of Union Township. About 1810-12, he erected a grist mill aud a saw mill at Milford, the history of which is given elsewhere in this work. He also laid out and platted the town of Milford. He appears to have been a man of some means, of great energy and industry, and one of the leading active spirits of that day. He died Sr'ptember 28, 1836, aged sixty-seven years.

Robert Snodgrass, a native of Pennsylvania, married Jane Reed, a sister of the above George Reed, and emigrated to this county in the fall of 1800, and settled on the Big Darby, on Survey No. 3,311, where they lived and died. Mr. Snodgrass was a weaver by trade, which business he followed through life, in connection with farming. He died September 30, 1834, aged seventysix years. His wife died January 13, 1833, aged seventy years. Of their children, Jane, married Thomas Reed, is now deceased; James was twice married, first to Polly McDowell, second to Mrs. Phelps, nee King, is now deceased; Hannah married William Porter and died in this county a few years ago; William married Sarah Robinson and died in Marysville about 1840 (the above children were born in Pennsylvania, and those that follow in Ohio); Robert was the first child born in this township, and the thii'd in Union Co inty. He was born December 2, 1800, and January 1, 1828, married Ellen, daughter of Mrs. Jane Robison, who resided on the north bank of Big Darby, in Darby Township, about seven miles below Milford Center. Mr. Snodgrass was born on the north bank of Darby Creek, opposite the village of Milford, in a cabin which stood not far from the site now occupied by the railroad water tank. In his childhood, he had for playmates the Indian children in the vicinity. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding in 187S, and he died on the 9th of February of that 5'^ear. His wife died in 1879. They had seven children - Samuel, married Nancy Morrison, he died February 23, 1870, aged sixty-six years, and his wife about three years later; George, married Hannah Fox, February 8, 1828, with whom he lived nearly fifty-four years, she died December 8, 1881 (Mr. Snodgrass still survives, and resides with his children in Marysville, Columbus and Urbana); Thomas, the youno-est child, married Eliza Galloway, he died aborbl879, his wife still survives. Of the above children, Robert, George and Thomas were born in Union Township, were all married the same year (1828). and all lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, which took place in Marysville as follow.s: That of Robert and wife, January 1, 1878; George and wife, February 8, 1878, and that of Thomas and wife, October 20, 1878. Of this family of true pioneers, George is the only surviving member. He removed to Marysville in 1824; was Assistant Clerk of the county, and has remained a resident of Marysville nearly all of the time since. He served as Deputy Sherifi" three years. He is now, probably, the oldest resident who was born in the county; is seventy-eight years of age and enjoying good health.

Paul Houston, who married Miss Reed, sister to Geoi'ge Reed, settled here in 1800, about the same time with Mr. Snodgrass. These were, perhaps, the only three families in this township in the year 1800. In 1801 or 1802, came Samuel Reed, first, brother of George Reed (he married Eliza Lackey); Samuel Reed, the second (no i-elation to Samuel the first); Vandever Reed, David Reed and perhaps a few others.

Q Three brothers, Richard, William and John Gabriel, were among the next earliest settlers on the Darby. As to the exact date of their settling here, we find a diversity of statements, fixing it from 1800 to 1810; but we think, from a preponderance of evidence, that it was not later than 1805, and perhaps as early as 1801 or 1802. They were citizens who took an active, leading part in the organization of the township and county, and in the general improvements, growth and progress of the county. William became Associate Judge of the county. Of his children, John became a man of more than ordinary ability, and represented this district in the Senate of Ohio; he died January 10, 1872, aged seventy-one years. One daughter married David Burnham; is deceased. William, never mari'ied; was a man of great ability, but with many eccentricities; he represented this county in the Legislature, and became quite wealthy. He died January 12, 1876, aged sixty-five years; is buried in the Milford Cemetery, where is erected to his memory a large and fine monument. One other son of William Gabriel, Sr. , was engaged in the mercantile trade in Belief ontaine; is now deceased. Richard Gabriel was the father of James Gabriel. John Gabriel was the father of John J. Gabriel; John died January 10, 1872, aged seventy-one years. William Gabriel, Sr., died November 20, 1847, aged seventy six years. There was a large family of the Gabriels, and many of them took an active part in the affairs of the county and township, and were among its best and most worthy citizens.

Rev. Samuel Woods, father of Judge W. W. Woods, and Samuel his brother, settled on the Big Darby in 1806. He was a native of Pennsylvania; was a noted and popular preacher at an early day, becoming the first minister of the Presbyterian Church at Milford, in 1808; or, as it was then called, ^' Upper Liberty." He was ordained to the ministry June 15, 1808; he died April 17, 1815, aged thirty-six years. Alexander Reed, brother of Samuel Reed the second, from Pennsylvania, settled here about 1810.

David Comer, a native of Pennsylvania, settled on the Plains, on Survey No. 7,406, about 1810-12, and was one of the first Commissioners of Union

John Irwin was born in York County, Penn., and was the son of William and Eleanor (Brisband) Irwin, he a native of Ireland and she of Scotland. He married Anna Steel, of Ohio County, Va., in 1791. In 1806, he settled in Union County, Union Township, on a farm in the southwest corner of said township, where he resided till his death in 1830, aged about sis.ty years. His death was caused by injuries received from being thrown from a young, spirited horse, soon after which he died upon the farm upon which he first settled in Union County. Mr. Irwin served as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Upper Liberty (now Mi If ord Center), and was the leader of singing in the church; was a teacher of vocal music, and had in his library a large book of tunes of his own composition with pen and ink. He organized the first Sabbath school ever constituted in Union Township, which was conducted for some time in his own house. He sought earnestly the spiritual as well as the temporal welfare of his household, and lived to see all his children (except one, who united with another denomination) become members of the church he helped to organize afte)- he came to Union County. Mr, Irwin was an excellent farmer, and also well versed in the mechanical arts Politically, he was a pure Jacksonian Democrat, and kept himself well acquainted with the political condition of the various governments of the world. He served as a Justice of the Peace of Union Township for several years. Anna Steel, his wife, was born in York County, Penn., a daughter of James and Mary (Harper) Steel; Harper's Ferry taking its name in honor of her father, James Harper. Miss Steel was seven }'ears of age when the Revolutionary war commenced, and was in the fort or block bouse most of her time during that sanguinary struggle. Her father was one of the minutemen of the army, and kept bis knapsack on his gun near the door readj to start at a minu.te's warning. Her ancestors were from Ireland. She died in 1854, from infirmities of old age.

John Steel Irwin, eldest son of John and Anna Irwin, was born, in Ohio County, Va., about 17W3. About 1816. he married Betsey Kilpatrick, daughter of Samuel Kilpatrick, who resided on a farm three miles below Milford Center, on the north bank of Big Darby, where he died about 1844, of consumption. Mr. Irwin served in the war of 1812 as a teamster; was a farmer and teamster by occupation, and in those days of no railroads the latter occupation took much of his attention, in hauling goods for the merchants. He was a stanch Democrat, and served as a Justice of the Peace in Darby Township, and as a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Milford Center, He had six sons and two daughters. Archibald Steel Irwin, his fourth son, served in the army in the war of the rebellion, and was killed in Memphis at the time Forrest made a raid upon that town.

William Brisband Irwin, second son of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Ohio County, Va. , October 2, 1795, and died October 17, 1878, from a complication of diseases incident to advanced age, aged eighty-three years. He entered the militia as the lowest commissioned ofiicej', and was successively promoted to the ofiice of Brigadier General, in which rank he served several years, and resigned in 1840, having served as a commissioned officer twenty-six years. He was a Justice of the Peace twenty eight years, when he removed to Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio, leavi-g the ofiice. A remarkable feature of his ofiicial capacity was, that in no case tried before him was there ever an appeal taken from his decision. He was County Commissioner several years, serving in that capacity during the erection of the old court house, and was County Surveyor about twenty years. He was a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Milford Center several years, and was likewise leader of the congregation in singing and a teacher of vocal music. After his arrival in ^Varren County, he was chosen Ruling Eider in the Presbyterian Church of Lebanon, April 3, 1859, serving in that capacity about nineteen years. Mr. Irwin possessed, when a boy, a natural genius as a mechanic, and when quite young, during the time his father and brother were taking their noonings, he would steal quietly away, and devote his time in constructing a saw mill, and when the time arrived to go to the afternoon's work, his father's patience was severely tried by having to call repeatedly for his son to go to work, giving him a severe reprimand. But one day subsequently, while Mr. Irwin was walking along the creek, the heard a peculiar noise, and upon investigation, to his surprise he saw a toy saw mill, perfect in construction, and running in good order. From this time he never dictated to his son, William, hovv he should employ his noonings. This was the first and only saw mill ever erected on Treacle Creek. In 1820, he erected a saw mill on Little Darby, about two miles below the mouth of Treacle Creek. He had to go fourteen miles to procure help enough to perform the laborious work of raising it. On this errand he started the evening before, and it was raining and the creek rising, but still he anticipated no damage to his foundation timbers. But after he was gone, the creek continued to rise quite rapidly, his thoughtful wife, becoming anxious about the safety of his timbers, went to the creek, found the small timbers already beginning to float, and with her own hands hauled them, to higher ground. When this was accomplished, she saw that the larger timbers were also beginning to float. Hurrying to the house, she tied her babe, seven months old, in its cradle, took the bed-cord out of her ben, ran to the creek, and, wading waist deep into the water, placed the rope around the timbers and then made them fast to the bushes on shore and secured the frame. Thus, by the thoughtfulngss, energy and bravery of this noble wife, the entire timbers for the mill were saved. Mr. Irwin was married to Anna Bigelow June 15, 1818. Six daughters and three sons were the result of this union. James Harvey, the third child, died in infancy. The youngest two children were sons, and both served in the army in the war of the rebellion, the eldest of whom, William Lee, was discharged as unfit for farther service, because of impaired health. The youngest, John Russell, was killed at Cedar Mountain, Ya. , August 9, 1862, aged twenty-one years and two months. On September 7, 1854, William B. Irwin married, for his second wife, Mrs. Margaret Kimble.

Mary Smyth Irwin, eldest daughter of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Ohio County, Va., about 1798. As soon as old enough, she commenced teaching school, whicli occupation she followed many years. She married Cyprian Lee, a merchant of Marysville, this county, but had no issue. She died of consumption in 1857.

Cynthia Ann Irwin, the second daughter of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Ohio County, Va., about 1800. She married Calvin Winget about 1821, by whom she had six sons and two daughters. Her youngest son, Calvin, died in the army in the late rebellion; she died of consumption about 1844.

James Hughs Irwin, third son of John and Anna Ii'win, was born in Ross County, Ohio, about 1802. He was married to Polly Reynolds, daughter of Elisha and Mary Reynolds, of Union Township. Mr. Irwin was a prominent farmer, and in politics a Whig. He was an acceptable chnrch officer, and led the cono:rea:ation in sinffing:. 'His wife was a member of the Christian Church, with which he also united. They had four sons and three daughters. Two of the sons were in the army of the late rebellion; Gwvnn, the tliird son, was severely wounded, and returned from the army with shattered health; Duane, the fourth son, died in the hospital from diseases contracted in the service. Mr. James H. Irwin settled on a farm in Union Township, where he died in June, 1841, with consumption.

Isaac Newton Irwin, fourth son of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Ross County, Ohio, about 1804, and died at about four years of age. He was a child of remarkable sprightliness of intellect, and the day before his death gave his mother directions what to do with his playthings, and told her he was going to die. She thought it his childish talk. Early in the evening, he complained of being tired, and his mother put him to bed, and then went out to milk the cows. When she returned, she asked the family where Isaac was, and was told that he was in bed; she replied, no, he was not, for she hetird him out singing while she was milking. They went to his bed, and there he was - fast asleep. During the night, some of the family heard hard breathing; they arose and obtained a light, and found Isaac dying of croup; he lived but a short time.

Nancy Milton Irwin, youngest child of John and Anna Irwin, was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1806, and in 1831 married Thomas Twiford, and set tied on the farm in Union County, where her parents first located. She had one son and three daughters. Her son, Smyth, served in the army three years in the late rebellion. She died in Liberty Township, this county, of consumption, in 1871.

William B. Irwin resided over fifty years in this county, and forty-three years of that time on the farm where his father, John, first settled when he was in his eleventh year. He erected the first frame house that was built in Marysville, which was for Stephen McLain.

Joseph Stewart, a native of Maryland, settled in this township in 1807. John Stokes (father of Hiram Stokes), a native of Virginia, settled in 1809, and died October 8, 1817, aged thirty-four years. Samuel Colver, a native of New England, married Miss Curry, daughter of a former Treasurer of the State; settled near Irwin Station about 1808, and became one of the most enterprising and wealthy farmers of this vicinity, and at the age of seventy years, about 1851-52, emigrated to Oregon, where he died. Thomas Mc- Donald, a native of Tennessee, settled on Darby Creek, on Sui'vey 6,002; he married a Miss Teeters, and remained a resident here through life. Their children were John, who married Philomelia Miller, and removed to Champaign County, where he died; Betsy, married David Burnham, both died in Milford; Polly, married James Biggs, and died near Milford; Susan, married a Mr. Davis and removed to Dayton, Ohio, where they died; Nancy, married William Howard, and died in this township; Samuel, married Rachel Comer, and resided here till his death; James, married Adaline Stewart, he subsequently emigrated to California; Charity, unmarried; George, married Roxie Fairfield, she died and he married Mrs. McDonald, nee Comer, and now resides inWoodstock; Julia, married James Biggs; and Duncan moved West. Mr. McDonald was an excellent neighbor and citizen, and possessed great honor and integrity throughout his business life.

J. R. McDowell, a native of Pennsylvania, settled here about 1808-10. James Cochran, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in 1811, and died September 28, 1822, aged fifty-seven years. His wife, Mary, diod July 28, 1822, aged fifty-one years. John Crawford, a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Margaret, with their family, came to Ohio and settled in this township in 1811. Their daughter, Hannah H., on the 12th of February, 1829, became the wife of William M. Robinson, now of Marysville, and lived to celebrate her golden wedding. Her death occurred in June, 1881, when she had reached the age of seventy-six years. She was the mothei' of ten chihiren. Her husband has been President of the Union County Pioneer Association since its organization. They settled in Marysville in 1844

Charles Colver, a native of New York, settled in this township in 1S12, on Treacle Creek. Of his children, Standish Colver was born in New "York in 1797, and was about fifteen years old when brought to this county. He was twice married; first, to Betsey Lockwood, in 1820; she died, and he married Lois M. Smith in 1840. By his first wife he had the following childi-en: Salome, who moved West; Andrew, never married; Cynthia, married William Winget and lived in Marysville: Harriet, married Mr. Kyle, and resides near Greenfield, Ohio; Abi, deceased: Jerome, died young; and Cyrus, it is believed, also died young. By his last wife he had four children - Horace; Josephine, married William Snodgrass and resides near Woodstock; Abi; and Emma, who married a Mr. Goldsmith. Standish Colver was a millwright by trade, and erected several mills during his life. He died November 15, 1882, aged eighty -five yeai's, having resided in this township threescore and ten years - raore than the allotted period of man's life. Keligiously, he was a Universalist; as a neighbor, kind and generous, and as a citizen, worthy of and possessing the confidence of his entire community.

John Parthemore, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this township and settled in 1812. Andrew Gill, from near Cincinnati, located about 1812. He came here a single man, married the Widow Cary, and settled on the Cary farm, where they remained residents till their death. Th'eir children were as follows: John, died unmarried; Margaret, died unmarried; David, deceased, married Eleanor Piper; Jesse, married Jane Cochran, is deceased; James, became a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and married a Miss McLain (he served as Clerk of the Court of this county several years; finally entered the ministiy, laboring in that cause for many years; he died in Cincinnati in 1880-81); Israel, is deceased. The above were his chldren by his previous wife. By his last wife, Mrs. Car}', he had two children; Mason, who married and resided on the home place till his death, about middle age, and one daughter. Mr. Andrew Gill died September 18, 1829, aged sixty-two years. Warren Rose, a native of New York, settled here about 1812-14; he married Lucy Hibbard. They had several childi'en; some died here and some moved away; one son died in the army in the war of the rebellion. Mr. Rose was a tanner by trade, which business he followed throxigh life, and was the second tanner in the township. Mr. Frankelberger, of whom he learned his trade, at Milford, and then became his successor in the business, was the first.

Hugh and John Porter, natives of Pennsylvania, became early settlers of this township; the former about 1813, and the latter in 1817. The latter became Associate Judge of the county, and both were prominent, active and useful citizens. William Porter, now a resident of the north part of Union Township, so well and favorably known, is a son of Judge John Porter, who died October 31, 1838, aged sixty-one years. His wife, Susanna, died August 14, 1824, aged forty -three years.

Judge Robert Nelson, a native of Pennsylvania, came to this township in J 813, and settled on a large tract of land which he purchased on Survey 6,002. He married Martha Mitchell, daughter of David Mitchell, one of the early pioneers. They had no issue. Mr. Nelson was one of the first Commissioners of Union County; was a thorough, energetic, businessman, and became quite wealthy; was an Associate Judge several years, a most excellent man and a worthy citizen. In religion, a Seceder, or member of the United Presbyterian

William C. Piper was a native of Washington County, Penn., of Scotch - Irish parentage. His father was Robert Piper, who emigrated, with his brother James, from Ireland when both were single men. William C. was the only son of a family of six children, and when eight years old - in 1814 - emigrated with the family, and came down the Ohio River to Portsmouth, Ohio, and from there traveled northward, through the then dense wilderness, in a wagon, finally reaching the southern boundary of what is now Union County, and settled on a farm on the south side of Big Darby Creek, near the east line of what is now Union Township. As soon as the family was settled, Robert Piper, in company with Joseph Dodds, who in after years became a resident of Marysville, returned to Portsmouth after the goods. On the homeward trip, Mr. Piper was taken sick and suddenly died. It was a great blow to the family, but they found friends, and the future brought them prosperity. William C. took care of the family until he arrived at manhood. In 1885, he married Hannah P. Gabriel, eldest daughter of Richard Gabriel, and became the father of seven children, of whom six survived their fathei", the mother alone being left to mourn his loss. Mr. Piper was for thirty-four years a Trustee of Union Township, and then refused to serve longer. He lived, during the whole of his married life, on a farm on tlie west side of Buck Creek, at its junction with Big Darby Creek, nearly opposite the first location of his father in 1814. W^illiam C. Piper was an honored, respected, intelligent and worthy citizen. He died May 29, 1876, aged seventy years.

This brings us in the history of the early settlers of Union Township to the period of the "Post Road Settlement," between Pleasant Valley and Irwin Station, which was made in 1813-14. Concerning this settlement, in April, 1882, was published an article written by John F. Sabine, of Marysville, in the Marysville Tribune, from which we extract the following: "In giving a history of the first settlement of the southern portion of Union County, I will have to go back to the beginning of this centu.ry. At this time great inducements were held ou.t to the people of the States to form settlements in Canada East. Consequently, many persons from the neighboring State of Vermont went over the line, and very soon built up a flourishing and prosperous settlement. They remained there, prosperous and happy, until the year 1812, when the difficulties between the United States and Gi'eat Britain terminated in a war. These people, being Revolutionary soldiers, or their descendants, had too much of the spirit of '76 in them to take up arms against their countrymen, or even remain quiet spectator's of the conflict; so they resolved to leave the Dominion of His Majesty George III. Accordingly, on the 20th of September of that year, the first installment took up their line of march for the far West. They were composed of the following families: Russell Bigelow (father of the celebrated Rev. Russell Bigelow), Moses Patrick, Asa Plummer, Joab Hoyt, Amos Hawley, Di'. Gideon Hawley, Pens and Joseph Walton and Nehemiah Sabine. After a tedious journey of more than six weeks, they arrived at Worthington. Ohio. The next summer, 1813, in looking for a place of permanent residence, they made choice of the Darby Plains, until then a barren waste, made purchases and built their cabins, which most of them were able to occupy late in that year or early in the next. One, Joseph Green, from the State of New York, was the first man to occupy his cabin; and for a long time it was known as the Green settlement.

" The following year, 1814, another installment from the same place followed in the wake of their predecessors, and settled with us, to wit: Israel Lockwood, James Dockum and Stephen Jackson; also, Ephraim Keyes, Oba- diah Janes, from Vermont; Uriah Wood and Col. Jacob Fairfield, from the State of New York. These families constituted what was then known as the ' Green settlement,' on the Post road in what is now known as Union Township, xlnother, east of this, on the same road, in Darby Township, was formed at the same time, and was known as the 'McCloud settlement,' the two extendino- from Irwin Station to Plain City, a distance of eleven miles. This Post road was established during the war, for the purpose of conveying the mail from Worthington to Urbana, then very im wrtant towns in Central Ohio. There were but two intermediate post offices, Darby Creek and Dublin. The former was kept by James Ewing, one of the first sett ers, and was for a long time the only office in what is now Union County. Most of the families composing the Green settlement were very large, many of them numbering from ten to twelve souls. By this it can be seen that we were not destitute of material to receive the benefits of free schools, which were soon put into operation, my father being the first teacher. But sickness soon made its appearance among us to an alarming extent, in a short time decimating the inhabitants by death. This state of affairs continued for a long time, until the country became rid of its poisonous malaria. It is now one of the healthiest portions of Central Ohio. About the year J 817, another colony, from the State of Connecticut, settled in our immediate neighborhood, known as the ' Burnham and Howard settlement. ' They, together with the first settlers, helped very materially in forming the future character of the people of this portion of the county. The habits and customs of our earliest settlers differed very much from the latter. Intercourse and association had a powerful tendency to smooth down the rough points of both, and produce a similarity of character, so that at this day it is impossible to distinguish any difference from their language or address."

Having thus given the general circumstances of the above settlement, as described by the pen of Mr. Sabine, we will now try to give some particulars of each of the above families.

Russell Bigelow and wife had the following children: Lucy, never married, and died at the old homestead; Irena, married Joseph Mitchell, and died in Madison County; Kev. Russell, the third child, early prepared for the ministry, married a Keutucky lady of name of Erwin (he became a very prominent, popular and eloquent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died at Columbus, Ohio); Alpheus, studied medicine and spent his life as a physician, he married a Miss Case, of Worthington, Ohio, and died in Delaware County; Dimis, Grata, Polly, Abigail and Benjamin, all died unmarried, when quite young, with milk sickness and malarial diseases; Anna, married Gen. William. B. Irwin, and died at Milford of consumption, and Eliphas, who married Miriam McCloud and remained a resident of this county through life; he died in Michigan while there on a visit, but his body was brought back and interred in Union Township.

Nehemiah Sabine, married Susanna Hawkins, of Coventry, Connecticut. Their children were as follows: Hiram, the eldest, died of milk sickness in 1814; Hylas, married Hannah Balderston, and died in New Orleans of consumption in 1881; Roswell, became a pi'ominent and popular physician at Ti'oy, Ohio, and practiced over fifty years; he married twice, his first wife was Mary Robinson, his second Caroline Counable; he died at Troy, of pneumonia, in 1875; Laura, never married, and died at Marysville in 1880, aged eighty years; John F. , married Euphemia Clement, and resides at Marysville; he has now been a resident of this county a period of seventy years, and has b^en intimately connected with the events, growth and progress of the county from its early settlement to the present time; has held many important offices and positions of trust, which will be fully mentioned in the biog-rapbical sketch of Dr. Andrew Sabine in this volume; Phoebe, died at the age of eleven years; Asbury, married Sophia Janes; he died in 1835; his widow still survives; Rebecca T., married Andrew Keyes and they now reside in Marysville; Charles W. also became a practicing physician, and settled in Miami County, Ohio," where he died of consumption; and William R. , who died of consumption at twenty-one years of age.

Asa Plummer, Sr. ,was the father of the following children: Joseph, who married Eunice Cummings, and both died in Champaign County, Ohio; Asa, Jr., married Malinda Backman, and died in Delaware County, Ohio; Alvin, returned to Canada and married, and subsequently removed to Illinois; Horace did likewise; Hannah married a Mr. Hanniman, a lawyer by profession, who removed to Illinois, and served his county in the Legislature several years; Reuben, married the youngest daughter of John Erwin, and removed to Texas, where they both died; Wiley, married a Miss Randall, and settled in Illinois: Clarinda, married Hyal Buckman, and both are residing in Illinois; Calista and Tallman died young, and Nelson, who removed to Illinois. Israel Lockwood, Sr., was the father of tBe following children: Oliver, married Miss Maynard, who died on the Darby Plains; subsequently he removed AVest; Polly, married Benjamin Lyon, and died in Union Township; David, married Hannah Hand, and resided in this county till his death in the spring of 1882, aged ninety years; Israel, Jr., married Sally McCloud, she died and he married Miss Colver, he died in this county; Sallie, died young; Betsey, married David McCloud, he died, and she married Standish Colver, with whom she lived till her death; Walter, returned to Canada, married, and brought his wife to this county, but subsequently removed to Illinois; Rebecca, married a resident of WorthingtoD, Ohio, and subsequently removed West, and Frederick, who died young.

Moses Patrick married Clarissa Geer, and had the following children: Harriet, married Samuel Rice, Jr.; he subsequently united with the Shakers, but she remained a resident of this county most of the time till her death; John, married Lydia Geer, of Canada, and remained a resident of this county till his death; Ira, married Laura Tarpenning, and died in this county; he was a man of fine intellect, and more than ordinary ability; Levi, married a Miss Tucker, and subt5equently removed West. Moses Patrick and wife remained residents here till their death.

Dr. Gideon Hawley was, perhaps, the first physician in Union County; he married Rebecca Townsend, and subsequently moved West, v/here he died, and his widow returned to her friends in Canada. They had two sons; the youngest was named Micajah; both removed to the West.

Peris Walton married Miss Hannah Glazier; he died in this county; she subsequently died in Allen County, Ohio. Their children were as follows: Hannah, who died unmarried; John, married and moved West; Sallie, married Mr. Patterson; she died in this county, and he moved away a few years afterward; Maria, the youngest, removed with her mother to Allen County, Ohio.

James Dockum, Sr., was the father of the following children: WillTam, married Miss Nancy Jones, and settled on Barron Run, Madison County, where he died; Sallie, mari'ied Mason Jones, and removed to Madison County, where she died; James, Jr., was twice married, first to Phebe Jones, second to Betsey Clement, and died in this township; Elijah, died young, unmarried; John, died young; Boardman, married a Miss Wallace, and died in Madison County; Ira, died young; Polly, married Allen Jones and moved West, and Arvilla, who died young.

Stephen Jackson, Sr., a Revolutionary soldier, was one of the " minute - men " at the battle of Lexington, Mass. , and one who followed the British in Boston. He continued in the service of tlie Colonies through the war, and was a man of more than ordinary energy, ability and attainments, for that early day. He married Hannah Hawley. Their children were as follows: Stephen, Jr., married a Miss Atsit, and removed to Cincinnati, where they died; James married Margaret Whelpley; he now resides near Elyria, Ohio, aged ninety years: Amos was pressed into the British service in Canada, was taken prisoner by the Americans, and soon after came to his parents in this county, where he married Rachel Goodenough, and now lives at West Liberty, aged eighty- eight years; Hiram, married Abbey Cooley, she died and he went to the Mormons; Truman, married a lady from near Elyria, Ohio; she died, and he subsequently married a Mormon lady, and made his home with that people; and Sophronia removed to Logan County, Ohio, where she married.

Joseph Green, a native of New York, married the widow Hamond, and settled as stated above, being the first settler to enter his cabin. He died the next year after locating here. His children were James, Samuel and Phoebe.

Uriah AVood, a native of Vermont or New Hampshire, married Dimis Bigelow, and died in the settlement. Their children were Ira, who became a practicing physician, and married Margaret Hawley, at New Philadelphia, Ohio, and finally settled at Marysville, where he practiced till his death; he died of milk sickness. Their children were Michael S., who married Eliza Thayer and died in Marysville; Polly, married Prince Alden; she is deceased; he now resides at Mechanicsburg,

Obadiah James, a native of Vermont, was the father of the following children: Jabez, died, unmarried, during the first year of their settlement; Oliver, married Hannah Clement, and subsequently removed to Cleveland, where he dealt largely in real estate and died quite wealthy, possessed of at least half a million; Naomi, mai'ried W^illiam Mitchell and removed to the Western Reserve, where she died; Laura, who died at Cleveland, unmarried; Alonzo, removed to Cleveland, and there married and resided till his death; John, died young; Sophia, married Asbury Sabine, and is now residing in Portage County with her daughter, the only surviving one of the family; Lucretia, married Solomon Dunt'^n, who was a Methodist minister, and removed to Iowa, where she died, and Harris, married a lady of Portage County, and died in this township.

Ephraim Keyes was a native of New Hampshire; his father was a native of Connecticut. He married Esther Rogers, and was the father of the following children: Loren, married Lydia Morse and died near Chuckery; Daniel, married Miss Betsey Carr; she died near Chuckery, and he married again and removed to Marion County, Ohio, where he died; Andrew, married Rebecca T. Sabine, and now resides in Marysville; Elias, married Mary Neal and subsequently removed to Mechanicsburg, where he died; Harriet died young, and William and John removed to the South, where thev died. Ephraim Keyes died in 1822.

George Brown, a native of Rhode Island, settled at Milford about 1820, while a young, single man, and opened a general store. Soon after, he returned to his native State, and married a Miss Cai'penter and brought her to his new home in Union County. He was a man of energy and good business ability, and without doubt would have become a leading man of this community, but he was early cut off by dealh. His store was the first of any impor- tance in Milford. They had one child, which died in early childhood. Subsequently, his widow married Harvey Hovey. He was killed by being thrown from a horse, and she then married Harvey Burnham. By her last husband she had four childi'en - Mary, George B., Henry and Martha.

Joseph Kennedy, a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio with his wife and three sons - Hezekiah, John and Oliver - in 1805, and settled on the present site of Milford Center, Union County. John, the second son, was the father of Joseph M. Kennedy, now of Marysville. He was married in 1828, and moved immediately to Pike Township, Madison County, where his death occurred June 4, 1864 Joseph Kennedy, Sr., died at his home in Milford about 1831-32. His children born in Ohio were James, Ellen, Eliza, Othias, Joseph and William - all in Union Township. Most of them spent their lives in this county, and but one - Othias - is now known to be living, his residence being at Collingwood, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. William died at Bellefontaine in 1862, having been for many years a resident of Logan County. He was the father of Hon. Robert P. Kennedy, now of Bellefontaine.

John and James Coolidge, natives of New York or New England, settled on the Big Darby, one mile noi'thwest of Milford, on Survey 4,277, and remained residents here till their deaths. The former was a farmer, and James a farmer and blacksmith. They were men of character and integrity, and good citizens. Some. of their descendants still reside in the county.

Samuel Galloway was born in Massachusetts, but removed to New York while young and there married Miss Achsa Witter, a native of Connecticut. In 1814, he removed with his family to Ohio, and settled in Union Township, on the place where A. A. W^oodworth now lives, and erected a log cabin on the site where Mr. Woodworth's house now stands. Soon after locating, Avhile hunting, he shot a deer, and thinking the animal dead he walked up to it with knife in hand to cut its throat, when the deer sprang up, pushed his horn into his chest and tore out some of his lungs; and there he and the deer were both found in the evening, the latter dead, and Mr. Galloway so weak he could not get home. They carried him home, and h?) finally recovered, so as to preach - as he was a minister in the Christian Church - but he never became able to perform hard manual labor after the injury. He made a journey to New York State, and returned. While absent on a second journey to that State, he was taken sick and died in 1820-21 from the effects of the wound made by the deer. He left eight children, four of whom were born in New York State and four in Union Township, viz.: Amanda, John, Samuel and James R. in New York; Sabrah, Elijah, Joshua and Joseph in this township. Mrs. Galloway remained here with her family till about 1822, when, becoming fascinated with Shakerism, she removed to their settlement in Warren County, Ohio, where she and her daughter Sabrah remained through life. But prior to their death, the other children all became dissatisfied, left the Shakers, and all married and settled in life. Amanda married David Wright; he died in Iowa, and his widow now resides in Kansas with her children. John married Matilda Cox, and died in Champaign County, Ohio, from a fall from a tree. Samuel married Prudence Babbitt, and resides in Indiana. James R. married Harriet B. Miller, and resides at Milford Center. Elijah married Sarah Jane Beatty, and resides in Iowa. Joshua married, and lives in Illinois; and Joseph married Mary Moran, and they now reside in Illinois. Samuel Galloway was a man of excellent character, and was a much esteemed and respected citizen; all his children now living are walking in his footsteps, living lives of usefulness, and doing honor to their ancestor.

James C. Miller was born December 14, 1797, in the State of New York. In 1814, he came to Ohio, with his uncle, Samuel Colver, and settled in this township, on the si'-e of Irwin Station, where he remained with his nncle a few years; he then learned the carpenter trade, also the cabinet-makinpj business. During his apprenticeship, when about twenty years of age, he went to Kentucky, and worked at his l-rade about eighteen months; thence retui-ned to this township, and here continued at his trade. In 1821, he married Selinda Burnham, daughter of Eliphas Burnham; by her he had seven children - Harriet, who married James K. Galloway, a resident of Milford; Eliphas, mariied Ellen Vanness, and i-emoved to Missouri in 1865, returned in 1869, and died in the spring of 1882; James, married Emaline Burnham, and resides near Mechanicsburg; Zelenda, married Lemuel McGrew, and resides in Delaware, Ohio; Lydia Ann, married David Clement, and resides at Marysville; William H. Harrison, who was twice married, first to Sarah Vanness, second to Sarah Smith, and now resides in Milford; Rebecca, married Gwynn Irwin; she now resides near Mechanicsburg. Mr. Miller has followed his trade, in connection with farming, through life. In 1865, he removed to Missouri, and in 1869 returned to this township, where, with this exception, he has spent sixty-eight years of his life. He was eighty-five years of age when the vnriter called to see him; he found him at his bench shoving the plane, and he remarked that he enjoyed as good health as he ever did in his life.

Joel Frankelberger, who became a settler at Milford about 1812-14, was the first tanner of the township, and perhaps the first in the county. He also served as Clerk of the first Board of Commissioners of Union County, and filled several offices of his township. About 1814-15, there came and settled in this township a large number of families, among whom were Samuel Rice and family, Jacob Fairfield, Harvey Hovey, John A. Moody, Roger Moody, Jeremiah Dee, Ebenezer Mathers, Linder Saunders, Joseph Mathers, Robert Branson, Mr. Dunton, Mr. Lyon, George A. Scott and John Mathers; the latter settled at Milford, and at his house was held the first election of the township, and several succeeding elections. James Guy, a native of Vermont, was born in 1795-96, and married Mary Watts. When young - about 1812 - he settled in this township, where he resided till 1826. Removing with his family to Madison County, he resided there till his death, which occurred the same year - 1826. His wife died in 1843. They had the following children: William, Harriet, Jane, Sylvia and James. Mr. Guy, when young, learned the blacksmith's trade, but after settling in life he gave his attention to farmr ing, stock-raising and the dairy business. He was a very industrious man, a kind neighbor and most woi'thy citizen.

Otis Green, a native of Rhode Island, settled at Milford about 1815-16, and is believed to be the second one to open a store in that village, remaining in business but a short time till he died.

Dr. Daniel Bowen, a native of Vermont, settled at Milford about 1815, and was the first physician of that town, and a popular and successful man in his profession. He died December 12, 1825. aged forty year's.

Benjamin Harrington, a native of Rhode Island, emigrated to this county and township in 1817. He married Betsey Rice, by whom he had the following children: David, who married, settled and died in this county; Nelson, lives in Liberty Township; Louisa, married John Locke, both deceased; Polly, married Mr. Holycross, now deceased; and Olive, married twice, first a Mr. Shirk, who died, and second a Mr. Reed; they now reside in Kansas. Mr. Harrington was a good citizen, and an active man in the Christian Church. He died November 25, 1843, and his wife August 15, 1870.

About 1817-18. a large number of families settled here, among whom were Asahel A. Woodworth, a native of Connecticut, who came here with his uncle, Mr. Burnham, Avho settled in Chanipaign County, near the Union

County line. With him he lived till he married, and purchased and settled on the farm where he has since resided. He is an honest and respected citizen.

Nicholas Hathaway, a native of Massachusetts, married Miss Pierce and settled on Treacle Creek, this township, purchasing several hundred acres of land, where he resided till his death. He was a physician, but desired to retire from practice, yet his friends wished his professional services and would not give him up; so, to some extent, he continued his practice thi-ough life. He was a man of great ability and merit, served the people of this county in the Legislature, and was one of the Associate Judges. He was an uncompromising Jacksonian Democrat, yet faithful to his constituents. He died August 24, 1848, aged seventy-six years. His wife died in 1826, and he married again, by which union he had one child, Anna, now the wife of J. H. Gillespie. By his first wife he had seven children - Elnathan, Leonora and Rounceful, all now deceased; Joanna, uow a resident of West Mansfield, Ohio; Catharine and Blias, deceased; and Ebenezer, who died in California.

William Gorton, a native of Rhode Island, settled in the west jDart of this township, where William Webb now resides, in 1817. He was a very peculiar man, and noted as a horse trader. He had two children, Benjamin (deceased) and Mary. Mr. Gorton died on the place where he first settled.

Jacob Burnham, a native of Connecticut, settled in this township in 1817, residing here till his death, April 23, 1866. He married Eliza Meecham, by whom he had the following children: Nicholas, who married Emiline Hopkins; Eliza, married Simeon Fairchild, he died and she is now a widow and resides at Woodstock; Hiram, married Jane Reed, and resides on the homestead place, and Albert, deceased.

Eliphas Burnham, brother of Jacob Burnham, married Lydia Meecham, and resided through life on the same place with his brother Jacob. He was the father of the following children: Betsey, who married George Thomas, and resides in Champaign County; Harvey, married Mary Shields and resides at Irwin; Andrew, was twice married, first to Virginia Crawford, second to Nancy Amy, and resides in Champaign County; Marcia, married George Morse, and also resides in Champaign County; Ralph, married Martha Green; Dorcas, deceased; Lucas, died in the army, and Jared, who died unmarried. Mr. Burnham died February 11, 1881. Both Jacob and Eliphas Burnham were excellent citizens, much esteemed and respected by a large circle of acquaintances.

George Woodward, a native of Kentucky, settled hex'e with his wife, Lydia, about 1819. He became fanatical on religion, united with the Shakers, and removed to Warren County, Ohio, where he died in 1828. His children were Lucy and George. After his death, his wife and her children went to the Shakers. Mr. W^oodward was a man of good character and integrity.

George Fullington was born in Vermont in 1775, and married Rebecca Greeley. They emigrated to Ohio, and settled in this township in 1813, where they resided about eight years, thence removed to Madison County, and resided there till his death in 1885. His wife survived him many years. Their children were as follows: Sarah, married Alfred Carpenter, and moved to Illinois, where she died; Moses, married Harriet Guy, and settled on the old home place in this township, where he died; Clarriet, married William Guy, she died in 1827; Jefferson, moved to Illinois, where he married Eleanor English, and there resided till his death (liis body was brought home and interred in the Guy Cemetery, in Madison County); Adelaide became the second wife of William Guy; Mary, married Truman Kimball, and raised a family of ten children; she is now deceased; Abigail, married Charles Phellis, Esq., is deceased; and Selina married John Burnham, and now resides at Mechanicsburg.

Mr. Fullington was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and although he worked some at his trade after he settled in Ohio, yet he gave his principal attention to fai^ming and stock-raising, in which he became largely engaged. He was a man of character and integi-ity, and a much esteemed and respected citizen.

Nathaniel Kazer, a native of Rhode Island, settled at Milford, in this township, about 1817, and it is believed was the first hotel keeper in the town; also, it is said that the first court in Union County was held in one room of his house. Mr Kazer lived and died here; had one son, Lathrop, who married a daughter of David McCloud and moved away; is now deceased.

Christopher Cranston, who died November 8, 1858, aged fifly-five years, settled with his father on Treacle Creek about 1818. or possibly one or two years earlier.

Levi Churchill, a native of New England, settled on the Plains, on Sui'- vey No. 7,789, about 1817, where he remained a resident several years; thence removed to Marjsville, and subsequently to the West. He was a good citizen, and it is said made the brick for the old court house in Marysville.

Elisha Reynolds, a native of New York, married Miss Witter, and settled in this township, on Survey No. 7,789, about 1817. He became a large land owner, and a prominent trader in both stock and merchandise. His children were Sarah, deceased; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Potter, of Delaware, and died in the summer of 1882, aged ninety years; Polly, married James Irwin, both deceased; Immer, deceased; Ira, mai'ried a Miss Chapman, of Worthington, Ohio; he died November 24, 1880; Hi la. married Asahel A. Woodworth; and Lewis, married a Miss Burnham and resides in Marysville. Mr. Reynolds served two terms as County Treasurer. He died February 10, 1843, aged sixty-four years.

Nathan Burlingame, a native of Massachusetts, settled about two miles south of Milford, on Survey 7,789, about 1818-19. He was a man of marked ability; a New Light preacher, he became an enthusiast on religious matters, and finally united with the Shakers, but remained with them only a short time. He returned to Massachusetts, and there became cjuite prominent in the political matters of the times, and represented his county in the Legislature two or three terms.

Ray G. Morse, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, born in 1808. In 1818, he emigrated with his father to Ohio, the journey occupying forty-nine days. They located first at Milford, there then being one log cabin and a small log mill in the tov/n. The cabin was in the brush, on the site of what is now Garwood's store. There was then not a clearing on the route between here and Delaware. Mr. Morse stated, at the first pioneer meeting, that the first slate he ever had he purchased with rabbit skins. He served a five years' apprenticeship at blacksmi thing. At one time he had sold muskrat skins enough to realize the sum of 75 cents, and then expended the whole in treating twenty-eight persons to apple-jack. In those times, everybody drank apple-jack. He once killed two deer at one shot, and had killed five in a day. Once he was at an Indian camp, and saw an Indian doctor cure a person who had been bitten by a rattlesnake.

Martin Ballou, a native of Rhode Island, emigrated to Ohio in 1819, settled in Union Township, lived on the farm he first purchased for fifty years, and died November 25, 1869, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Witter (the old homestead) He voted at every Presidential election after Washington retired from office, and cast his last vote in October, 18G9. He was an ardent Whig and Republican, a liberal suppoi'ter of educational and religious institutions, and a man much esteemed. He was eighty-nine years of age at the time of his death.

John Mitchell, Jr., emigrated from Cumberland County, Penn., to Highland County, Ohio, in 1818, and five years later - 1823 - removed to Union County*

Stephen and Jesse Bagley, natives of Rhode Island, settled at Milford about 1816-18. Edward and Anthony Moran, natives of Connecticut, settled in this township about 1819. Benjamin Hopkins, a native of Pennsylvania, settled here about 1821. Joseph Gibson, from Pennsylvania, settled about 1827. Michael Davis also came from Pennsylvania in 1829, and in the same year Elijah Witter, from New York. The above constitutes the greater portion of tho early settlers of Union Township.

The following is a quotation from the writings of the worthy old pioneer, Eliphas Burnham, which portrays early times, and which may give future generations some knowledge of the lives of their forefathers.

Mr. Burnham writes : " When I came to Union Township there were a set of religious fanatics in Rice City, who were called Farnhamites, Douglas Farnham being their leader. They generally had preaching on Sunday, unless Farnham was away. They held night and sometimes day meetings through the week; some of them were quiet, social prayer meetings, some for confessing their sins, and some for hugging and kissing each other. The majority of their confessions would look decidedly bad in print. I attended their meetings occasionally, not expecting to be benefited, but out of curiosity. I will relate an incident that took place at one of their meetings I attended at the log schoolhouse, where the brick meeting house now stands, on the pike from Milford to Irwin, as I became personally interested in the proceedings. There was no preaching; they occupied their time in singing, prayer and exhorting, till finally one of the sisters had a revelation from the Lord (so she said), to deliver a short exhortation, and to hug and kiss each and every individual in the house; and she proceeded forthwith to obey the command. She began at the end of one of the slab benches, gave the exhortation, the hug and the kiss, then took the next, and so on in rotation. She had to perform on fifteen or twenty before my turn would come, so that I had ample time to decide how to act, and the decision was that I would resist; not because I was averse to embracing a female, or to a kiss either; on the contrary, I rather liked it - indeed was fond of it on all proper occasions, as young men always are, but there was nothing especially charming or fascinating in this one. When my time came, she delivered the exhortation, and then raised her hands to come round for the hug. I took her by the wrists - my arms were then pretty strong, and I had a powerful grip in my hands - and gave the wrists the full benefit of all the strength there was in them. Her countenance changed instantly, and she said, ' What! don't you want to go to heaven? ' I replied that I was in hopes to get there some time, but did not believe I should get there any sooner for letting her hug and kiss me. The grip was kept on the wrists till I was satisfied she would not make a second effort; then I let her go, and she took her seat without a word. I was rallied by the boys and girls a good many times on account of the adventure, but it passed away in time, and so did the fanatics."

Again we quote from Mr. Burnham: " When we settled here, the territory of Union Township belonged to Madison County. I went to London in the fall of 1819, to a regimental muster, and we had a jolly time mustering. The boys were from a good many different States; some of their idioms sounded very odd and funny. In the winter of 1819-20, Union County was setoff, and when the log jail was raised I carried up one of the corners.

" Marysvillft had at that time but few cabins in it; in fact, it was but just out of the wilderness - and now what a contrast! ***** The most of the territory of the county at that time was certainly a wilderness - and now what a change; it really does one good, who can appreciate the difference, to ride over the county now, and look at the fine farms on every hand, and the splendid dwelling-houses on them, and the gravel roads. * *

* * ' Uncle William Porter tells me that only the southern portion of Union Township belonged to Madison County, and that Milford belonged to Delaware County, and I presume he is correct, but if so, our company mustered in Delaware County in 1819, for I remember well that our company in May, and again in Septet aber, mustei-ed in Milford, and when we were dismissed we were ordered by our Captain, David Comer, to meet in London on the day of the regimental muster. The early settlers of our township were subjected to some privations; but. on the whole, I don't think we have ever enjoyed life better since than we did the first ten years after we came here; for myself, I am sure that I have never enjoyed life better since. We had but little money, but we managed to get along Avell enough without it; we could get but little for our surplus, and some articles we had to buy were very costly; for instance, wo paid for a barrel of salt, in the fall of 1818, after we arrived in Rice City, eighteen silver dollars. Jacob Hazle had taken a load of wheat to the lake, and exchanged it for salt. You may he sure that barrel of salt was carefully husbanded; one year from that time, we could buy for just half that. A great source of annoyance to us was the distance to the post office. There were none nearer than Urbana or Plain City. In this neighborhood; we went toUrbana. However, we soon managed matters better than to go there every week for our mail; foiu-teen of us clubbed together to get the Urbana paper, which was four cents a copy. We drew numbers, and number one went to Urbana. paid 56 cents for fourteen copies, and distributed them. Number two did the same, and so on. Once in every fourteen weeks, each one had to get the papers and distribute them, and the next thirteen weeks they were delivered at the door free of cost. We went on thus for about two years, more or less, when a post office was established in Milford. We felt like having a jollification over it.

" We had no fruit, except the native plum; they were generally abundant, but did not last long. But in a few years we began to have peaches, and in a few more years apples, and we enjoyed them all the better for having been deprived of them for awhile. For about fifteen years peaches were a very sure crop, more so than apples are now. As I have said, we handled but very little money, and sometimes it was pretty hard scratching to get enough to pay our taxes, though they were not much compared to what they are now. I recollect one fall, I had failed to pay my taxes in time, and it made a lasting impression on my mind. It was the only time that I ever failed to pay my taxes in season. I had but few hogs that fall, and sold them for $1.25, net weight, just equal to $1 per hundred on foot, and I had a sale note out, which was due, and it took all the money to pay the note. I had nothing left to make the money out of to pay my taxes, except three yearling steei's, and there were no buyers; so it went on till about the lOth or l2th of January, when I heard that Elisha Reynolds (ex-Treasurer E. L. Reynolds' father) was buying steers. I went to see him immediately; he said he would come over the next morning and look at them, and buy them if I would take what they were worth. AVhen he saw them, he said that he would give me $8.50 a head for them, if I would drive them over; he said he had not paid but $3 for any, but they were better than any he had bought. I drove them over, got the money, $10.50, paid the taxes, $8, and had $2.50 left, and I don't think I have ever felt richer since.

I did not owe any person a dime, and had $2.50 in my pocket; and, as the Irishman said, 'What more did I want?' I have never failed to pay my taxes in good time since.

"I have assessed the chattel property of Union Township thirty-two years, and I never failed once to return the assessment to the Auditor's office in good time. The Commisioners never had to adjourn the Board of Equalization because I had not made my returns. There were one or two years that I had to hurry things a little more than 1 liked, in consequence of the delay in getting blanks "

The class of people who first settled in Union Township were energetic, enterprising men and women, and, as has already been stated, many of them had large families, the younger members of which needed to be educated and fitted for the duties of a new country. State and church demanded men of intelligence and education; counties and townships were to be organized, laws enacted, and churches instituted, for the regulation and protection of the people who were so rapidly filling up this wilderness of a country, possessed of untold wealth of soil. The old, gray headed sires must soon pass from the field of action; and especially was this true here, under the hardships of pioneer life, and the fatality which existed from malaria, milk sickness and other prevailing diseases; and the rising generation must be fitted to assume the duties soon to devolve upon them. Mauy of the fathers had come from New England, the land of schools and colleges, and they knew and appreciated the value of education. Hence, from such a class of settlers we might expect just what was the case - early establishment of schools and institutions of learning. Just what year the first school was started is at this distant day difficult to ascertain. But it is believed that in the Reed settlement a school was taught as early as 1806-08. Of course here, as elsewhere, the first schools were individual, or subscription schools. The first building erected for school purposes was a round-log cabin of the most jh"imitive kind - chinked and daubed - with puncheon floor, slab benches and greased paper windows. This house was succeeded by another log one, and this, again, by a good, comfortable, hewed- log building, which served the people for many years. Some of the first teachers were David Chapman, Jeptha Peasely, Balph Phelps and Thomas Cratty.

It is probable that the next school started was in the " Green settlement," on the post road. The first school taught here was by Nehemiah Sabine, in the winter of 1814. Mr. Sabine died before completing his labors in the school, and his son, Hiram, taught the remainder of the term. Other teachers, who followed Mr. Sabine, wei-e Henry Mathews, Levi Phelps and William Burnham. This settlement was made up of New England people, and they established the first free school in the township. As the settlements increase these early schools were multiplied, until, in the spring of 1826, the township was officially divided into school districts, as follows:

" On March 24, 1826, the Trustees o^ Union Township met for the purpose of dividing the township into school districts, and have divided the township into six districts: No. 1, embraced the following heads of families: William Gabriel, Sylvester Phelps, William Porter, John Mitchel, Samuel Jamison, B. H. Lathrop, Elias Robinson, Harvey Burnham, Nathaniel Kazer^ James Riddle, Jacob Fairfield, David Burnham, Nancy Bowen, Warren Rose, Hezekiah Kennedy, Edward Moran, William Impson, Richard Gabriel, John F. Gabriel, William Gabriel, Sr.. George Reed, Alden Andrews, Edward Holycross, Daniel Andrews, Robert Johnson, William Snodgrass, David C. Winget, Jason Rice, Reuben P. Mann, Samuel Kazer, Calvin W^inget and John Porter, Jr. - 32 families.

" No. 6, Joseph Morse, John Kennedy, Widow Dodge, L. Tarpenning, P. Tarpenning, Michael S. Wood, Uriah Wood, Russell Bigelow, Eliphas Bigelow, Susanna Sabine, Harriet Rice, Stephen Jackson, Joseph Whelpley, James Jackson, Moses Patrick, Widow Walton, William Irwin and Charles Rej^nolds - 20 families. The schools were now thoroughly established with each and every district clearly defined. These districts have since been changed, perhaps several times, and their number increased, until the township is now divided into ten sub-school districts, as follows, with the enumeration of 1882:

Report Op Board Of Education

In 1880-81, there was erected at Milford Center a large brick schoolhouse, with slate roof, containing four rooms, and nicely furnished throughout, at a cost of about $10,000. Three teachers are here employed, occupying three rooms; the fourth room being reserved for a high school. Also, at Irwin, a line brick house, with slate roof, has been erected, in gothic style, finely furnished, and costing over |6,000.

Religious Societies

Preshyterian Church, Milford Center. - The first religious organization in what is now Union Township, was formed by the Presbyterians, one and onehalf miles east of the present village of Milford Center, either late in 1807 or very early in 1808. It was called Upper Liberty, and was organized out of a portion of the materials from a former church which had been formed at North Liberty, in what is now Darby Township, in the fall of 1800. The formation of the church at Upper Liberty occiu'red at the house of Samuel Read 1st, a committee having been sent for the purpose by the Presbytery; said committee was composed of Rev. James Hoge, D. D. , and one of his Elders. Mr. Hoge was made [.astor of the church at Franklinton (now Columbus), Ohio, having been installed June 11, 1808. The original members were twenty in number, as follows: David and Martha Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Sr., and wife, Samuel and Jane Ivirkpatrick, Samuel Reed, 2d, and Anna, his wife, David and Elizabeth Carey, Robert and Jane Snodgrass, Samuel Reed 1st, and Elizabeth, his wife, William and Catharine Gabriel, David and Margaret Reed, and the aged and widoWad mothers of Samuel Reed, Ist and 2d. Samuel Reed 1st and Samuel Kirkpatrick were elected Elders, and inducted into otifice. Rev. Samuel Woods was installed pastor June 15, 1808, and remained in that connection till his death, April 27, 1815, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., January 15, 1779, and was a graduate of Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn. In 1809, this society erected a rude log church, twenty-four feet square, which stood at the site mentioned, between the road and the old burying ground. About 1822-23, an addition eighteen feet wide was built on one side of the old church, and the building as thus enlarged was used until 18o4, when a brick church was erected at Milford Center, and the congregation removed to that place. The brick church was 44x50 feet in dimensions, and cost about $1,500. It was occupied until the fall of 1869, when the society obtained the use, for one-half the time, of the Methodist Episcopal Church building at Milford Center. This arrangement continued for eighteen months, during which time the old building was torn down, the ground cleared off and the foundation laid for the present commodious building. The new structure was dedicated, free from debt, March 26, 1871, the pastor. Rev. William G. March, being assisted in the dedicatory exercises by Rev. A. E. Thomson (a former pastor) and Rev. Hugh R. Price, since deceased. Mr. Price preached the dedicatory sermon. The building cost about 14,500.

April S, 1838, after its removal from the old location, the name of the church was changed from Upper Liberty to Milford Center. When it was- first organized, it was a part of the Presbytery of Washington, Ky., which included all that part of Ohio west of the Scioto River. It afterward belonged to Columbus Presbyteiy, and was made a part of Marion Presbytery in 1835, when the latter was constituted. Its pastors have been as follows:

Rev. Samuel Woods, 1808 to 1815. Revs. William Dickey, Archibald Steele, James Hoge, D. D., Elder Hughes, and some others, occasionally supplied this church until 1821, in which year Rev. James Robinson, "the ancestor and kindred of a large tribe of Presbyterian Robinsons," was installed pastor, continuing in that relation until the fall meeting of the Columbus Presbytery, in 1828. He was a native of Washingtou County, Penn. . a graduate of Jefferson College, and was ordained in 1808-09. He removed to Ohio in 1808, and was one of the original members of Lancaster Presbytery, preaching the opening sermon on the day it was constituted at Lancaster, April 5, 1809. After filling numerous responsible positions in the State, fitted to his calling, he was finally taken to rest, April 22, 1847. His successor at Upper Liberty was Rev. Darius C. Allen, who came as a missionary to Madison and Union Counties in 1829, and served as stated supply of this church until the spring of 1831, when he removed to London, Madison County, and became pastor of the church at that place. Following are some extracts from his journal, while laboring in Union County:

" Sabbath, September 13, 1829 - Administered the Lord's Supper, in Upper Liberty, to about seventy-five persons. Two new members received at this time. The house was full; some unable to get seats.

" September 21 - The man who was thrown from his horse on Saturday is still alive, but very much injured. This man is about forty-five or fifty years of age, and notoriously wicked. As he was mounting his horse for the race, he uttered a speech too shocking for repetiton. He started; his horse soon ran out of the path, and threw him against a tree. He was taken up nearly lifeless. Medical aid was soon present, and, while the physician was bleeding him, he cursed him and inquired if he was going to kill him.* Although a professed Universalist, he called mightily upon the Lord for mercy. The horse race was on a muster day. The Lord hasten on the day when these silly, unprofitable musters shall be abandoned, and when the prediction shall be fulfilled, ' Nations shall learn war no more.' There have been several deaths by racing, within the bounds of my labors, in the course of a few years past.

"October 26 - -Attended a meeting of the congregation of Upper Liberty, to consult about erectinor a new meeting house. They aerreed on building, near to Milford village, a frame hou.se, 35x45 without galleries, according to a plan exhibited. A subscription paper has since been drawn up, and about $200 subscribed."]"

"February 21, 1830 - At night, 1 preached at Milford Center., on the subject of Sunday schools. Pi'etty good number out. Obtained a Superintendent and two female teachers, and appointed a time for the school to commence. Perhaps a school may begin soon. Also, proposed to preach to the people next week on the subject of temperance, and to present to them information relative to the good cause, not because they are very intemperate, as a village, but because many of them are temperate, and are the very kind of peo pie who ought to co-operate in temperate movements."

Rev. Benjamin Dolbear succeeded Mr. Allen, having been installed pastor of the churches of Upper and Lower Liberty in 1832. He also preached occasionally in Marysville, for two or three years. He was a native of Vermont, in which State he was educated, and preached for a, few years in the Congregational Church. His pastorate at Upper Liberty, or Milford Center, contin-

* Little wonder he made the inquiry, for the aneient custom of blooding a m*a under treatment for almos any ill, or in case of accident, was nearly a resort to barbarism.

+ Ai« has been seen, the house at Milford Center was not occupied until 1S34, and it was built on a larger scale than the one proposfd at the meeting attended by Mr. Allen.

ued " till the stormy times of 1837-38, when he went with the N. S. branch, while the chm-ch almost unanimously adhered to the O. S. party." Mr Dolbear married a daughter of Rev. Samuel Woods. His death occurred at Milford Center May 28, 1842, when he was but forty-two years of age. His successor in the pastorate of this church was Kev. William M. Galbreath, a native of Maryland, who was installed at Milford Center June 19, 1839, and at Lower Liberty October 7, 1839. His connection with the latter was dissolved April 18, 1848, and with Milford Center about the same time. For nearly a year after he left, the pulpit was only occasionally supplied, but in 1849, Rev. James Pelan was installed pastor; his labors continued until the fall of 1852. He went subseqiiently to Alabama, and from the fact that he was a Northerner, in the beginning of the war of the rebellion, he was inhumanly murdered by a gang of rebel cut-throats, at his own house. Revs. John Miller, of West Virginia, David Irwin, and James A. Stirrat supplied this church at various times until 1854, when Rev^. Chester H. Perkins, a native of Madison County, Ohio, became supply, and he was installed as pastor May 31, 1855. In May, 1859, this relationship was dissolved with the view of his taking charge of the Delaware Female College. He subsequently ministered to the wants of other churches, and died October 17, 1874, in the fifty-third year of his age. After his removal, the church at Milford Center was supplied by Revs. Reuben Hahn, Andrew W. Boyd and Albert E. Thomson, the latter becoming stated supply July 26, 1800, and pastor in September, 1861. He resigned his charge at Milford in 1865, having been chosen Superintendent of the public schools at Marysville, where he was also pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He finally removed to Indiana, in the fall of 1874. Rev. John Fitch next supplied the church at Milford Center for a few months, and in October, 1867, Rev. William G. March visited the place. He began to supply this place and Marysville in January, 1868, and was installed pastor of both churches on the 18th of June following. Mr. March was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a graduate of Jefferson College in 1846. He continued as pastor of these two churches until 1878, from which date Rev. N. K. Crow and others served as supply ministers vmtil January 1, 1882, when Rev. W. H. McMeen became the pastor, and is now serving in that capacity.

The Ruling Elders of this church, from its organization to the present, have been Samuel Reed 1st and Samuel Kirkpatrick, David Mitchell, Richard Gabriel, William Gabriel, Sr , James H. Gill. John W. Robinson, Daniel Coe, John Powers, William B. Irwin, John S. Irwin, James R. Snodgrass, Moses Coe, Dixon Mitchell, A. M. Gill, S. R. Harbert, William Porter, James Martin, George Reed and D. Mitchell Robinson.

In 188] , the church was repaired, and refitted with elegant walnut pews, the ceilings finely frescoed, and a new pulpit and new furniture entire, placed in it at a cost of about $1,100. It is heated by a furnace, and is one of the neatest and most substantial chui'ch edifices in the county, outside of Marysville.

Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford Center. - In 1831, Rev. Thomas Simms organized a class at the house of Andrew Keyes, with the following members: Ebenezer Mather and wife, Jason Rice and wife, Mrs. Nancy Bowen, Mrs. Mary Monroe, Mrs. Jane Parkison, Mrs. Patty Kennedy, and a few others whose names are not now remembered. They held services in private houses and the schoolhouse till about 1835, when money was raised by subscription, and a small frame house, about 36x30 ieet, was erected by Andrew Keyes, the same being dedicated in that year. This house served the people until 1863, when the present brick edifice was erected on the site of the old house, at a cost of about $2,400. The house was dedicated on Sunday morning, August 2, 1863, at which time $622 were subscribed, which paid all indebtedness and left money enough to inclose and ornament the grounds. Rev. J. Trimble preached the dedicatory sermon. This house is a good, sub stantial building, well finished, and has furnished the society a commodious and pleasant place of worship to the present time. The ministers of this church have been as follows: Rev. Thomas Simms, Rev. 13. D. Davidson, Rev. William Morrow, Rev. Michael Marley, Rev. Harvey Camp, Rev. Riley, Rev. Lovett Taft, Rev. Martindale. Rev. J. S. Adams, Rev. David Mann. Rev. G. G. West, Rev. Henry Horton, Rev. Longman, Revs. Lowe and Slocum, Rev. F. Lewis, Rev. Westervelt, Rev. Wolf. Rev. Charington. Rev. J. S. Adams, Rev. William Lewis. Rev. Callahan, Rev. Wakefield and Rev. Naylor.

Some of the Class Leaders have been as follows: Andrew Keyes, Alexander Smith, William Stranahan, P. W. A Iden, Henry Neal, George P. Morrow, Dr. R. P. Mann, John Parkison, William Stage and A. J. Moore.

First Baptist Church, Milford Center, was organized May 12, 1855, with the following constituent members: Elijah Witter and wife. Joseph Halteman and wife, John S. Fulton and wife, Lucy A. Lucas, Horace Andrews and Thomas Andrews, with Elijah Witter as Deacon, and Joseph Halteman as Clerk. Trustees, Elijah Witter, James Simpson, Joseph Halteman and Horace Andrews. The following have been pastors of the church: Revs. James Simpson, A. J. Wyant, H. H. Witter, Gray D. Bryant, John AVright, H. H. Dunaway, W. N. Bean and Rev. H. P. Clark, who is the present minister. Trustees, E. Witter, L. P. Monroe and John McClimans; Deacons, E. Witter and L. P. Monroe; Clerk, Eli Gabriel. In 1856, they erected their present church edifice. It is a good frame building, 30x40 feet, with a vestibule in front, 8x20 feet; making the entire length -IS feet. Entire cost, about 11,600.

Christian Church, Union Toivnship. - It is believed this church was organized in the spring of 1818 with the following constituent members, viz. : Nicholas Hathaway, Elisha Reynolds, Anson Howard, Joseph Johnson, Jacob Burnham, Benjamin Harrington, Darius Burnham, Reuben Hammond, Alexandre Mc Williams, Sophia Reynolds, Olive Howard, Lydia Johnson, Betsey Harrington, Lydia Sibley, Lucretia Burnham, Betsey Burnham, Betsey Hammond and Rosetta Smith. For several years, they held their services in log schoolhouses and at private houses, till their congregations became too large to be accommodated in those small houses, and they finally resolved to erect a house for church purposes. About 1829-30, the present brick house was erected, which was one of the first brick buildings in this vicinity, and it is believed that Elder Fuson was the first minister to preach in the new church. Prior to the erection of the church, several pastors administered to this people, among whom were Elders Isaac Kade, Isaac Walter and James Johnson. Since they erected the brick church, they have had the following ministers: Elder Fuson, and several who followed him whose names are now forgotten, when Elder Riley came to the charge; he was followed by Elders Grifiin, Stephens and Josiah Knight. Again, after the re-organization of the church in 1860, the ministers who succeeded in charge were Rev. John Ellis, Elders T, M. McWhinney, Humphrey, Herrod and Chrisman. Present membership is over one hundred, with Elder Dobbins as minister and William Stillings and Milo Kimball as Deacons. This is one of the oldest churches in the county, and the chux'ch edifice, which is still in tolerably good condition, is now over half a century old. They now have preaching twice a month, and a Sunday school every Sabbath. About 1874, this society having become very large, and many members living at and in the vicinity of INjCilford, they erected a frame church at that village, at a cost of about $1,800, which is occupied by a branch of the old church, and services are regularly held at both places.

Seceet Society

Darhy Lodge, No. 636, I. 0. O. F., was instituted June 28, 1876, by- Joseph Dowdall, P. G. M., assisted by H. P. Gravatt, with the following charter members: French Garwood, James McCloud, J. T. Johnson, A. S. Chears, George P. Monroe, J. A. Moore, S. D. Elliott, James M. Devore, William Woodworth, S. B. White, J. T. Sager, Philip Coe, Robert Gaff,

French Garwood, N. G. ; James McGloud, V. G. ; George P. Monroe, R. Sec. ; Allen Reed, Per. Sec; and G. D. Mitchell, Treas. The present membership (1882) is forty-five, with the following officers: J. N. Devoi'e, N. G. ; William Stillings, V. G. ; E. P. Houghton, R. Sec. ; M. L. White, Per. Sec. ; and S. D. Elliott, Treas.

There are several very old biu-ial places in Union Township, as it was early settled; much sickness prevailed for many years, and the "grim messenger, " Death, was a frequent visitor in the unpretentious cabins. Perhaps one of the first burial places was at the Wood Cemetery, situated about one and a half miles east of Milford, on the north bank of the Big Darby Creek. This was first established as a family and neighborhood burial place, where many found early and premature graves. The gravestones here show burials to have been made as early as 1813, and it is probable there are some graves, unmarked, which received bodies at a much earlier date. Here rest many of the Woods, Reeds, Gabriels, Gills, Erwins and others of the noble and venerated pioneers. July 17, 1871, this piece of ground, consisting of 53 poles, owned by George and Josiah Reed, and 53 poles owned by Samuel Wood, making 106 poles, was, by the above-mentioned owners, deeded to the Township Trustees, who have fenced it in with a good board fence, and, with their successors to office, are by duty bound to see that the cemetery is kept fenced and carefully preserved.

Hathaivaj Cemetery is located about two and a half miles southwest of Milford Center. This was donated for burial purposes by Dr. Nicholas Hathaway, and he and his wives, the Hopkins family, the Connors, and some of the Burnhams are here interred. This is also now in care of the Trustees of the township, and will be preserved.

Teetei^s or McDonald Cemetery. - This was a family burying place. It is situated about two miles northwest of Milford Center, and contains one-half acre. E. C. March now owns the farm upon which it is located. The ground was deeded to the Township Trustees by George McDonald, May 4, 1874, and is now under their care and supervision.

Milford Center Cemetery. - This is now the principal burial ground of the township. It was first used as a family and neighborhood burying place in an early day, and was then owned by George Brown, and subsequently by H. Burnham. About 1828-30, the citizens of Milford and vicinity entered upon the work of raising money by subscription to buy the small tract of land in which interments had been made. This was accomplished, and it remained thus till about 1840. when Mr. Burnham and wife deeded 1| acres of land to the Trustees of the township and their successors to office for cemeteiy purposes. In 1874, the Trustees purchased 1^ acres as an addition to the above. March, 1882, they pui'chased about five acres more, lying on the east of the old cemetery, and inclosed the whole with a good fence; and laid it all out in lots, drives and walks. Also, in the spring of 1882, the Trustees erected a substantial stone vault. They have set out trees and shrubbery, and ornamented the grounds till it is now a beautiful depository for the dead.

Roads And Pikes

The citizens of Union have given liberally and even bountifully to the support of her schools; so it has been equally liberal in the construction of good gravel roads and pikes. The first great and general improvement of a road in Union Township was made under the superintendence of David Comer, in which he expended $187.50 on the road from Irwin, or the road past Esquire Irwin's and through Milford to the crossing of the Marysville road. The State Legislature had appropriated $500 to Union County for the improvement of her roads; and the above amount, $] 87.50, was apportioned to Union Township by the County Commissioners, with the appointment of David Comer to expend the same. From this time forward, progress in the improvement of roads was quite rapid. In 187C, the following gravel roads were fully completed, viz. : Milford Center & Irwin, 5| miles, built in 1867, cost $22,325.93; Milford Center & Urbana, 2f miles, built in 1S6S, cost $4,097.50; Marysville & Milford, 5| miles, built in 1871, cost $15,364.20; Irwin & Little Darby, 1| miles, built in 1871, cost $3,516.96; Post road, three divisions, 16| miles, built in 1873, cost $29,578.37; Milford & Bridgeport, 3| miles, built in 1873, cost $7,662.91; Irwin & Woodstock, H miles, built in 1873, cost $2,976.45: Milford & Woodstock. 3i miles, built in 1873, cost $4,697.92; Sabine & Bigelow, 5| miles, built in 1876, cost $15,560.61; Milford & Allen' Centre, 3^ miles, built in 1876, cost $5,303.65; John Connor Improved road, 2f miles, built in 1875, cost $2,752.91. Since 1876, there have been other roads graveled and improved, until now (1882) nearly all the leading lines are in good condition throughout the township.

Mills And Factobies

About 1810-12, George Heed erected a log mill, on the Big Darby, at Milford. Prior to the erection of this mill, there was none in the county,* and the people had to travel many miles to get their grinding done. This mill, though rude and rough, and not perfect in the execution of its work, was a great convenience. In 1818, it was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Reed immediately built a frame structure on its site. Subsequently, he was succeeded by William Parkison and Jacob Fairfield; then it was run by Mr. Parkison and Standish Colver, who were succeeded by Timothy and John Elwell, who then erected a carding mill, and attached it to the grist mill. They were succeeded by John Elwell; he sold to James Reed, and he to Moore and Weller. The firm next became Weller & Neal, who, in 1870, erected the present mill in front of the old one; they were succeeded by Price & Waldron; then Waldron sold his interest to Price, who became sole proprietor and subsequently sold the property to S. D. Elliott, the present owner and proprietor.

Mr. Reed also built a saw mill, which he operated in connection with the grist mill, and which has since sawed most of the lumber for this entire neighborhood. There have been a few other mills temporarily located in several {)laces in the township, which have done quite an amount of sawing for a limited time, but none permanent.

In an early day, there were several distilleries built, but after a few years they were abandoned; these were all on a small scale, and manufactm'ed for family and home consumption. The principal of these were one owned and run by Richard Gabriel on his farm, and one built and owned by Harvey and David ±}urnham, near Milford.

About 1815-16, Joel Frankelberger erected a tannery, and carried on the business a few years, when he sold to George Reed, who purchased it about

*.See Chapter IV, jjcnpral hiftory. It is plainly stated by tlio old settlers of the sontheast part of the county that Frederick Sager's mill, near Plain City, was Imilt before Mr. Reed erected his nt Miltbrd. - P. A. D.

1818-20 for Wan-en Rose, who continued to operate it till he became aged and feeble, when the tannery went out of use. For many years, this tannery was worked to its fullest capacity, supplying Urbana and many of the surrounding towns with line saddle skirtings and other leathers. One or two other tanneries have been built in the township, but only conducted business a .short time.