Vermillion Township (part 2 of 6)

In early days all the salt the pioneers could obtain was brought from Zanesville, on horseback, subsequently in boats. Neighbors often borrowed pints or teacupsful, and then used it very sparingly, it was so precious. Mush was almost intolerable without salt. The old pioneer mothers tell us now that stewed pumpkin was eaten three times a day, and was considered a staple, or as much of a necessity as potatoes are now. A young married couple, who commenced housekeeping in a bare log cabin, with a straw bed, an axe, and a borrowed dinner pot - no teakettle or spider or other ironware, save this memorable pot - the first winter dried one hundred large pumpkins for their own family use; for, as she says now, "we wanted to busy ourselves at some kind of employment in the long evenings." The following summer, she taught school at home - had a few scholars, some of them great slab-sided young men, who couldn't tell how many months there were in a year. The cheery, sweet little wife would have to stand tip-toe beside them, and used to get so tickled at their funny answers. Not as school ma'ams do now did she when school was out - draw her pay and buy something new. Oh, no! their parents paid in spinning and weaving, and in helping John clear and grub in the sturdy wild wood. Sheep were very scarce, but the good wives managed to get up an occasional homespun coat for the husbands to wear to meeting. They dyed the cloth brown with butternut baik, or, in better days, blue, with a dye made of chamber lye and indigo. The dear little dye tub had to stand in the warmest corner; it held as honorable place then as my lady's trim little workstand does now in the family sitting-room. The dye tub had a tolerably close cover, and was used to sit on altogether. We have frequently heard a story about a young man in those days, in Green Township, going sparking Sunday night, and, while he stayed, he occupied the honorable seat above named. The cover got shoved aside a little, and the skirts of his light-drab coat slipped down into the blue element. And there he sat, like a beaver soaking his tail, and the skirts were dyed a pretty blue. We never believed this, but it made a capital thing for the girls in those olden times to titter about, at quiltings and corn-huskings and frolics, and "after meeting was out." They had pretty girls in those daj'S - we love to ask the old fellows about 'era now, and hear the invariable answer, " she was like a steel-trap;" or, "her eyes were like a wild deer's;" or, "her cheeks were like red roses;" or, "she'd a complexion like a china radish;" and, again, "oh! she could ride like the winds; manage any critter you ever saw; go so fast she'd leave no shadow at all." Once in awhile, in those days, a girl ha.d a nice dress - or short gown, it was called - made out of mama's gray cloak, or crimson camlet, that had passed through

For the first few years the pioneers had to eat corn bread and mush altogether, except on Sunday mornings, when the whole fiimily would be treated to short cake for breakfast. The poor little children did love that holy day so, for the short cake was delicious. Then, on that morning, the mother indulged in a cup of tea; real store tea, that smelt of dear old New England or New York; and we'll warrant, the hot tears often coursed down those dear old care-worn faces as they sipped little tastes, and tried to make it taste longer and get all the good of it. Folks had to have pills then as well as now, and, as there were no pill venders with their boxes or one-horse wagons perambulating the country, they manufactured their own. They boiled butternut bark down to a thick syrup, thickened it with meal or flour, and made it out into pills ; and every well-to-do family kept a supply. In peeling off the bark from the trees, be sure it had to be stripped downicard, or it wouldn't physic. The leaves of the boneset stripped off, upward^ were dried, and saved among the valuable medicines for an emetic.

Naughty pride would creep in among the young men even then ; and do let me tell an incident that afforded me a good laugh. It was in the long, long ago, about 1816, an indulgent flither told his two boys, who were, perhaps, eighteen and twenty, that because they had been so good to work and help bring up the younger brothers and sisters, they might have a fine seven-acre field to put out in tobacco, and they might have the proceeds all themselves. The great strapping good fellows thought they had the best father in the world. They raised a fine crop, took special care of it, and sold it. Well, but how to lay out the money to best advantage troubled them a good deal. At last they decided to buy hats, and went off and bought each a great, long, furry stovepipe hat, just exactly like the preacher wore. Oh! they were the happiest boys; went to meeting regular, and wore the hats every time, unless the weather was bad or the clouds looked lowering and suspicious; then they left them safe up in the loft, in the "chist." Both went to see the rosiest girls they knew, and both were married in less than a year, and to-day they are rich old farmers, trotting their grandchildren on their knees; and all this came of wearing such monstrous, fine, furry, unexceptionable hats !

Good Methodist preachers used to be very common in early days, real talented men too. One of them, though, in his moments of thoughtless excitement, used to swear - real, wicked, bad swearing - and, on being reprimanded once, he replied, " My dear brother, it's not swearing; it is a hind of a rough way I have of praying when I am excited !"

Some of the industrious, busy mothers, in those perilous and hard times, never took time to comb their little children's heads only once a week, and that was on Sunday morning before church. After this performance was over, each child had to take a spoonful of bitter cordial, made of aloes and other stuff, to keep off ague and sickness, and keep the stomach in healthy order. Little ones dreaded this as much as they liked the morning that brought the delicious offset, the short cake.

History Of Ashland- County

stick them over the cabin door, and giggle, and watch what young fellow would pass under first. Had lots of fun. Then they would press the leaves of the rue on the bare arms, and wish, and if it left a red impress, the wish was sure to come true - never failed. In milking a young cow, for the first time, sometimes they would milk in a big washing tub, or some large vessel - it was a sure sign she'd be an abundant milker; any woman was silly who would milk first in a small pail or tin cup.

The country in those early days was more beautiful than any pen can describe. The valley of the Black Fork was very densely covered with a low, matted growth of small timber, while, close to the creek, the ground was rankly covered with long grass, and the interlacing vines of the wild morning-glory, plumy willows, and the dark, thick growth of alder. The hills were crowned with giant oaks, and the fragrant winds were healthful as the breezes of the ocean. Wild game abounded, even great ferocious wild hogs, with their foamy, white tushes gleaming out and looking frightful. Captain Rice got his neighbors and all their dogs to help him catch one once. It took a sty as stout as the hills and the rocks to hold him captive.

The first school taught in Green Township, that we know of, was taught by Betsey Coulter - a little accommodating neighborly affair, in her own house, in the summer of 1814. The next summer, poor old William Maxwell Adolphus Johnson taught in his own house. He was a Scotchman, a man of some talent and good education. The following winter, Asa Brown, a shrewd Yankee, taught in the new school-house. It was built near the center of the town, on the south side of what is now Esq. Cowen's farm. It had a good, stout puncheon floor, wide fireplace, a log left out at each side of the house, and the aperture covered with greased paper, for windows.

The Oliver boys "stalled the master" that winter, in the rule of three, but Judge Coulter helped him out of the scrape creditably. Oh ! what good times the}' did have that first winter at school! Only yesterday, we heard one of the boys and one of the girls laughing heartily over fun of running races and snowballing and playing tricks on the master! Though the boy is now hale and hearty, and on the shady side of seventy, and the girl a little younger, their laughter was cheery and ringing, instead of cracked and tremulous. Before that winter's school was fairly closed, the master went into the dry goods business. His entire stock was bought in Zanesville, and brought up the river and tributary creeks, and safely landed at Perrysville, in a boat of his own making. He lived on the old Esq. Taylor farm, now owned by Hiram Cake. One of his children thrust a burning stick into some powder; the house was partly demolished, and two of his children killed. The explosion was felt for a great distance, and heard in Vermillion Township, ten miles distant.

At an early day, John Coulter and Captain Rice took the job of cutting a road from Ashland to Mansfield. They contracted to cut ten miles for ninety dollars, and the place of beginning was specified then as the Trickle farm. The Trickle family had left their poor little home on account of the Indians, and gone to Wooster for safety. The father of the family died the day the men commenced their job of cutting.

After the roads were cut, or laid out through the woods ready to work on, Philip Seymour was made one of the first supervisors. His district extended from Perrysville up the Mansfield road, almost to Lucas. One time when they were laboring on the road and felling trees on the Mohawk Hill, one fell aslant and broke one of Richard Conine's legs. The men made a comfortable resting-place for him against a tree, and then started John Oliver ofi" to borrow Peter Kinney's old gray mare to carry Dicky home. John had five miles to walk through the woods; it was growing late when he returned, and Dicky suffered extremely. His father rode and took him on behind, and there he was all that Weary ride of rough miles, his leg dangling and the broken bones grating together and paining him intensely. Solomon Hill and Judge Coulter attended to the binding up and splintering and fixing his poor limb that night, as the family were in poor circumstances, and no doctor nearer than Mt. Vernon. It was many weeks before Richard could get around, and as soon as he could walk, he limped out on crutches to look at the young pigs in the pen, and before he got back to the house, he slipped and fell and broke it over again ; and then the two men were sent for, and the dreadful performance unskillfully gone through with another time. Then, before he wholly recovered, the settlers had to flee to the block-house for safety from the Indians ; and there, within its dreary, lonesome walls, Dicky's young mother died, with no physician near to save or lielp; none but hardy and sympathizing men and weeping and pitying neighbor women. How these little life-incidents will run on into stories; one leads into another and another, and we hardly know where to stop or how to close! What a web of history is even the incidents of pioneer times in one township! And what fun those stalwart, handsome, sunburnt young fellows, clad in buckskin, did have ! How they did love the free, wild wood, and the cheerful-looking clearings, with their burning brush heaps and piles of logs lying promiscuously every way, and the green framing-in of woodland that shut out everything from sight except the spanning of blue sky ! Those were glorious old times, indeed, and no wonder that weary, sluggish old pulses leap as with the vigorous life of childhood, now when they, old friends, meet together and live those times over again, as they sit in the shade of their own vines and roof-trees. They did have the jolliest singing schools and spelling schools and log-rollings and raisings of barns and double log houses. And then, at elections and trainings, sometimes some of the old fellows would drink a little too much, and they would have such laughable fights, and the younger ones would be so tickled at the "dog falls" and the aimless blows at the head that wouldn't tell on the head at all, and the great earnest grips that would bring the tow shirt with them, and the tumbling over, and the too drunk to make a raise again, and the lying on the ground, and the feeble pecking at each other's heads, blows that a suckling baby would almost take as caresses ! We often hear the dear old boys laughing heartily over these merry recollections. And we hear them tell, too, of deaf old Aston. A crowd of them would gather in the old man's shop, and some of them would say real saucy things right to his face, and swear at him, and call him bad names, and make an immense sight of fun for the rest, who would be in convulsions of laughter, and the poor old man wouldn't hear a word they'd say. Once in. awhile they would make some pleasant remark to him to keep hijn in good humor, and from suspicion.

And then, one time, some of the young men went, after night, away up toward Hayesville, to search for a thief. They suspected him to be hidden in his house, and they all lay down slyly close up to the outside wall of the big fireplace, where they could peep in. Nobody was to be seen inside the house except the man's wife and an old gal, who was living with them. There sat the two women, right before the fire, knitting, and both talking busily enough, never dreaming that a dozen ears heard every word they said. The boys could hardly keep from laughing, and one giggling fellow had to go off a little distance, occasionally, to laugh it out. After awhile they got to passing the bottle around - must have something to drink to keep them warm ; and the funniest part was that the two women smelt whisky, and sniffed up their noses and wondered what it was, and kept sniffing and wondering until after they had gone to bed.

The thief did not make his appearance that night, but a few weeks afterward the boys searched again, and found him under the floor, and made him crawl out, and they took him.

handsome man, by the name of Gerry.* For awhile he made his home in Green Township. He was wedded to an accompHshed Irish Lady. The gambling saloons of our cities know not a more successful and scheming rascal, and yet over all he dared to wear the "livery of Heaven." His eloquence was of a masterly style, and he won the hearts of all his hearers, while he held in his power even those who doubted his sincerity and godliness. His bearing was fascinating and faultless, and his polite demeanor was winning in the extreme. Of his superior rascality, two instances I remember to have heard from those interested.

He had borrowed a hundred dollars of David Coulter, a son of Judge Coulter, and had not paid it back at the time specified. He had removed to some city distant from here, and Mr. Coulter, growing tired of his promises to pay, started off in a rage, swearing he wouldn't come home until he had received his money. It was Saturday night when he arrived there, and he sallied out the next morning in anything but a good humor. People were thronging the streets on their way to church, and, as Coulter was walking along, moodily, with his head down, a manly but silky-toned voice said: "My dear Coulter, how happy I am to see you! I am to preach at ten ; come with me, please." It was Gerry, who drew Coulter's arm within his own, saying blandly, "I wish to speak with you, privately, after service ;" and he took him right along with him.

A few days after, Mr. Coulter came home, looking very serious, and, when his jolly chums inquired his success, he told them that he went and heard Gerry preach, and the beautiful sermon, so wonderful in its touching eloquence, made him feel that he could well afford to give Gerry one hundred dollars.

The text was, '^Love one another " and Coulter said it affected him to tears, and he felt mean and guilty, and thought he wasn't good enough to receive money from Gerry's hands, and that, as soon as service was over, he sneaked out and hurried away, for. fear Gerry would see him. So great is the magical power of eloquence !

Gerry was one time riding in a carriage, going to fulfill an appointment, when he came to where some laborers were working on the roads, in the western part of Green Township. They were fixing a crossing, and the carriage could not be driven over very well, and Gerry got out and led the horse, while the men got the carriage safely across. Gerry, with his usual politeness, took off his hat, and, bowing, thanked them very nicely, and, to add a flourish probably, went to pull his handkerchief out of his coat pocket, when out came a loose pack of cards, flying hither and thither all over the road !

Not at all discomposed, he smiled sweetly, and said in his silkiest tones: "It is not very creditable, gentlemen, to find such things in a minister's keeping. I had no idea these were the contents of a little package that your neighbor B.'s children were sending to some of their little friends - ha! ha!" and he laughed heartily; while the honest men, believing his glowing words, gathered up the little tell-tales, brushed off the dust, and returned them to his pocket.

Simon Rowland

1812, when about seventeen years of age. Several years later, he married Sarah, daughter of Calvin Hill, and purchased the farm in Green Township, now owned by John Maurer, which place he occupied until the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1838; and his widow^ died on the 17th day of March, 1859.

Charles And Bazel Tannehill

Charles and Bazel Tannehill, in October, 1810, commenced improvement on the northwest quarter of section 33, Green Towmship. They had, the month previous, entered the above described quarter, together with the southeast quarter of section 29, (which was subsequently improved by Charles Tannehill, and upon which he at present resides.) They emigrants from Jefferson County, Ohio.

The family of Abraham Baughman was the only one residing in the township when Messrs. Tannehill commenced their improvement. This place became afterward known as "the Guthrie ftirm," and is now occupied by John Castor. There was also an unmarried man, named John Davis, keeping "bachelor's hall" upon the farm now owned by William Irvin, being the southw^est quarter of section 30. In the fall of 1811, Melzer Tannehill, Sen., (father of Charles and Bazel,) removed his family to Green Township.

Melzer Tannehill, Sen., of Green Township, James McClure, of Belleville, and Samuel Watson, of Lexington, were the first Commissioners of Richland

County, elected in 1813. Mr. Tannehill, in 1812, had been elected assessor for Knox County, (Green then being one of the townships of that county.) He was also among the first justices of the peace of Green Township,

The Ltdian Outrages on the BJach Forlc create a iMuic among the Settlers of Green Township. Directly after Hull's surrender, at Detroit, the public necessities were supposed to demand immediate additions to the military force for the purpose of resisting anticipated Indian invasions of Ohio, Charles Tannehill responded to the call for volunteers, and enlisted for a term of forty days, under the command of Major Kratzer, of Mt. Vernon, A body of troops, himself among them, were out on a scouting expedition, and in the vicinity of the present town of New Haven, Huron County, discovered a vacated encampment, which had the appearance of having been a few hours previously occupied by the Indians. On Saturday night, the white and Indian encampments were not separated by a distance exceeding" a mile: althou2;h this fact was not discovered by our troops until Sunday evening, which gave the enemy a day's advance of us. Early on Monday morning, the troops pushed forward on the Indians' trail, and on that evening reached the place whore the town of Gani:res now stands. On Tuesdav morning, (the day Copus was killed,) a party of five, including Mr. Tannehill, were sent to the relief of the settlers on the Black Fork, as it was supposed the Indians contemplated an attack upon that settlement. They were led to this conclusion, from their knowledge that Seymour and RufTner had been killed a few days previously. Arriving near the Ruffner place, they met the remaining troops, (seven in number,) Mho had been engaged in the battle at Copus's, having in charge the surviving members of the Copus fiimily. These troops had also, since the battle, been joined by about one hundred others belonging to the same command, (that of Major Krebs, of Tuscarawas County.) The united force on that night encamped in the vicinity of the Copus cabin, and, on the next morning, Mr. Tannehill and party took leave of the Tuscarawas militia, and pursued their way to the deserted vilhage of Greentown. Near that place, at the cabin of Abraham Baughman, (which was also found deserted,) Mr. Tannehill separated from his companions and continued his way homeward. Near Perrysville, he overtook John Coulter and Harvey Hill, who were urging forward some cattle at "double quick," and from whom he learned that the settlement had heard the tidings of the last battle, and that they formed the rear guard of the settlers who were fleeing to Samuel Lewis's block-house, on the Clear Fork.

On the day following, the men returned and erected a block-house on the place of Thomas Coulter, which afforded security for a greater portion of the Black Fork settlement of Green Township during the remainder of the war.

From the date of the first settlement of the township until about 1816, the wants of new immigrants created a good demand and good prices for all the surplus produce the farmer could raise; but in the year above mentioned, a surplus beyond the wants of the settlement was produced, and prices fell to a very low figure. This made it peculiarly hard upon the first settlers who had leased Virginia Military District School lands, as the interest on their purchases fell due about this time. Corn, which had in the previous years since the first settlement, found ready sale at seventy-five cents per bushel, could not be sold at any price; and wheat, which had formerly sold for §1.25 per bushel, and even higher, was now reduced to 37 J and even 25 cents per bushel. Five bushels of wheat were exchanged by Mr. Tannehill for one bushel of salt. The first market was at Portland, or Sandusky City. The first trip which Mr. Tannehill made, in 1819, occupied ten days.

Melzer Tannehill, Sen., died in April, 1851, at the age of eighty-five and three-quarter years. Charles and Melzer Tannehill, Jun., are the only survivors of the family that originally immigrated now residing in the county.

Melzer Tannehill, Jun., immigrated with his father's family to Green Township, in September, 1811, and is now the owner and occupant of the original homestead of the family. He was a boy ten years of age when he came to the township.

Mr. Tannehill is of opinion that Green Township, . in 1810, embraced what is now Hanover, in Ashland County, Monroe and Worthington, in Richland County, and Brown, Jefferson, and probably other townships, in Knox County. The territory thus organized, he believes, derived its name from the old Indian Greentown, and when the territory finally became subdivided into civil townships conforming to the United States surveys, the old town, falling Avithin the limits of the present township, retained the original name.

Ill October, 1813, after all apprehension of Indian attacks had subsided, and the families in the neighborhood had withdrawn from the forts and returned to their homes, a corps of soldiers, who had been stationed at Lewis's block-house, of which the old soldier, John Davis, had also been an inmate, concluded to test the courage of the old man. Accordingly, about daybreak, they approached within a short distance of his cabin, and discharged their guns. The old man, however, was not driven from his propriety, and exhibited no symptoms of fright. But the consequences of the joke did not end here. Lieutenant Winteringer, of Jefferson Count}^, then in command of Coulter's block-house, hearing the report of the guns, but mistaking the direction of the sound, concluded that the house of Mr. Adsit was attacked, and, placing himself at the head of his troops, made for the relief of that citizen's fiimily. Arriving at Adsit's, and finding all quiet, he proceeded to Mr. Rice's, controlled by the opinion of Mr. Adsit that the firing had proceeded from the vicinity of that neighbor's premises. The lieutenant was soon at the house of Mr. Rice, wild had also heard the report of fire-arms, and had inferred that the sound proceeded from the neighborhood of Lewis's block-house. Adopting Rice's theory, he made for the block-house - upon reaching wdiich place, he soon learned the truth of matters. After severely reprimanding the thoughtless wags for their violation of discipline, and for having cost him so much anxiety and labor, he returned. The "comedy of errors," which had produced such perplexity and confusion of sound, originated, as will be plainly evident to those

Daring the years 1812 and 1813, the fall crops of wheat and rye were put in by the farmers in the neighborhood under guards of soldiers - those being the periods when attacks from the Indians, in consequence of occurrences elsewhere related, were most apprehended.

During the excitement that pervaded the community at the block-house, on the evening after the attack upon the Copus family, the male inmates of the fortress, including boys and men, assembled, in the dusk of tlie evening, in the vicinity of the fort, and near the apprehended point of attack, for military drill. There were no regular soldiers, and it was a parade of the militia. Such as had hona fide rifles and muskets shouldered them, and those who had not, substituted wooden or Quaker guns. Tlie roll was called, and the men would respond for themselves, the boys, and a multitudinous number of mythical persons - thus leaving the impression upon the minds of the concealed foe, if such were in sight and hearing, that an immense force was defending the block-house.

This gentleman, who immigrated to Green Township in the spring of 1811, was one of the most intrepid, intelligent, and useful citi/cns who cast their lot among the pioneers of the country. When the dangers that threatened the settlement from Indian attacks appeared most imminent, he mounted his horse, and, in company with Harvey Hill, made a night trip through the wilderness to "Wooster, for the purpose of securing troops for the defense of the community. When the majority of the inhabitants, under tlie influence of panic, were inclined to seek refuge in the more densely settled places, he protested against all propositions to abandon the old fort. He was always foremost in every enterprise that required courage and sacrifice. When Richland County was organized, he was elected by the General Assembly one of the first Associate Judges. As a Christian, a citizen, and a neighbor, he commanded the esteem of all who knew him.

The first interment in the burial ground at PerrysviUe was the body of Samuel Hill, in June, 1812. The second was the body of Mrs. Conine, who died in the block-house, in the fall of the same year.

William Taylor

William Taylor removed from Bedford County, Penns3'lvania, to the northeast quarter of section 21, Green Township, in August, 1821. He subsequently, at different dates, purchased and became the owner of the whole of section 21. His family, when he came to the county, consisted of his wife, eight sons, and one daughter - of whom John Taylor, Esq., and Mrs. Thomas McGuire are the only survivors now residing in the county. Mr. Taylor died on the 7th of March, 1851, at the age of seventy-seven years - having been born one year before the Declaration of American Independence.

William Wallace

William "Wallace emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, with his wife and three children, to the northwest quarter of section 27, Green Township, in April, 1824. He died in April, 1850, at the age of fiftythree years. Of his family, who came with him to the township, his widow and son Levi reside upon the homestead above described. John Wallace, the other surviving son, is also a resident of Green Township.

John White Isaac Wolf

Isaac Wolf removed with his family, consisting of his wife and three children, from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, to Green Township, in the spring of 1819. He had, the year previous, entered the northwest quarter of section 25, and cleared a field, sown wheat, and erected a cabin. He died in October, 1840, at the age of fifty-five years.

Warring Wolf, who yet resides upon the farm above mentioned, is the only survivor of the family, except the widow, now residing in Ashland County.

"Bell's trail," after passing through the farm of Joseph M. Byers, also passed through this place, as well as the lands of David Hunter and Benjamin McGuire.

Election Of April, 1817

At a meeting of the trustees of Green Township, at the house of Jonathan Coulter, on the 5th day of July, 1817, it was agreed that a road tax be levied upon the following property holders, namely : -

Election Of April, 1818

Grand and Petit, Jurors for 1818. Grand Jurors Abel Strong, Basil Tannehill, Jedediah Smith, and Isaiah Walters - Felit Jurors: James Rowland, John Bailey, Alexander Skinner, and Simon Rowland.

Election Op April, 1836

Clerk: Hugh Martin - Trustees: William McNaull, Matthew Anderson, and Nathaniel Haskell - Constables: George M. Grim and Calvin Hill - Treasurer: James Gladden.

Successive Justices Of The Peace In Green

1853. Elias GroflF, elected. 1853. Abram Dehaven, elected. 1853. William Reed, re-elected. 1856. Thomas Calhoun, elected. 1856. George W. Carey, elected. 1859. John Taylor, elected. 1859. Paul Oliver, elected. 1862. Paul OliTer, re-elected. 1862. William Cowen, elected.

Surveyed in the year 1807, by General James Hedges, Deputy Surveyor of the United States - then a citizen of Virginia, but afterward a resident of Mansfield, for a period of about fifty years, and duly platted and certified to Jared Mansjfield, Surveyor- General of the United States. Organized in November, 1818.

Hanover may be properly designated the mountain TOWNSHIP of Ashland County. The "Loudonville Hills," to all who had ever traveled the old stage route between Columbus and Cleveland, were understood to be "a power in the State." Some of the lofty and precipitous hills of this township reach an altitude attaining the real grandeur of mountains. A considerable portion of the surface of Hanover is not adapted to cultivation, although there are many farms not excelled in fertility by those of any other township in the county.

The Clear Fork enters Hanover from near the northwest corner of the township, and flowing an average southeasterly course about five miles, unites with the Black Fork, and forms the Mohican. There is not a distance of a mile that does not afford sufficient fall and volume to turn a mill the year round. Its channel is narrow and rapid, and confined within high banks. There are, however, only two privileges used upon it in Hanover Township - the "McMahan mills," which includes two pairs of burrs and one saw, and a sawmill owned by James Coe, which runs one saw.

The Black Fork enters Hanover Township at Loudonville, and pursues a southwesterly coursCj about three miles, when it unites with the Clear Fork. There is a carding machine, and also a sawmill propelled by its waters.

The first election \vas held on the 7th of November, ISIS - fifteen votes being cast. The following are the names of the electors: Thomas Taylor, Robert Dawson. George Davidson, George Snider, Anthony Zeers, William Burwell, George Davidson, Jr., Amos Harbaugh, William Webb, Ransom Clark, Abner Winters. Stephen Butler, John Lisar, Abel Strong, and John Burwell, The following are part of the officer elected : -

Presidential Election Of 1828

The electoral ticket supported by the friends of Andrew Jackson for President, and John C. Calhoun for "Vice-President, received 39 votes. The ticket supported by the friends of John Quincy Adams for President, and Richard Rush for Vice-President, received 10 votes.

Justices Of The Peace

1818. Stephen Butler, elected. 1821. Stephen Butler, re-elected. 1824. Abel Strong, elected. 1824. John McCoy, elected. 1827. Abel Strong, re-elected. 1827. Gilbert Pell, elected. 1830. Abel Strong, re-elected. 1830. Thomas Shearer, elected. 1833. Edward S. Hibbard, elected.

Evangelical, Lutheran, And German Reformed

The above named congregations have a church building in the southwest part of Hanover Township, which was erected in 1846. The congregations were organized seven years prior to the erection of the church building.

pulpit every third Sunday. The Lutheran branch of the society only have now a church organization. John Vance and Mr. Hecht are the elders; George Doup and Henry Nipps, deacons, and Philip Thoma, treasurer.

Murder Op John Whitney

Among the criminal annals that have rendered Hanover Township somewhat conspicuous, none have attracted so large a share of public attention as the murder, on the night of the presidential election of 185G, of John Whitney. He was a worthy and highly-esteemed citizen, and the circumstances attending his death created general astonishment. Although several years have now elapsed, no trace of the guilty parties has yet been discovered.

From the Asldand Union, November, 5, 1856. "It becomes our painful duty to record the commission of a second brutal murder within the limits of our county. Mr. John Whitney, one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Loudonville, while on his way home, after nightfall, on Tuesday night, was waylaid by some inhuman wretch, knocked down, and robbed of the few dollars he happened to have about his person, within forty rods of his own house! Mr. Whitney finally recovered sufficiently to make his way to his dwelling, but was unable to utter a word after he reached home. His skull was fractured, and his mouth badly bruised. The blood having flowed freely from his wounds, the exact spot where the murder was committed is thereby pointed out. Mr. Whitney died about six o'clock this morning. Who the fiend was who committed the bloody deed remains a profound mystery. The deceased leaves a wife and several children to mourn his unhappy end. We hope no effort will be spared to ferret out the author of this deed. The fair fame of our county and the safety of all is at stake."

The town is situated on the line of the Pittsburg, Fort TVayne, and Chicago Railroad, and contains four churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Baptist, 1 German Reformed, and 1 Lutheran; a Masonic Lodge^ and a Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows j 1 academy, 1 attorney, 3 physicians, 2 clergymen, 3 dry goods stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 drug stores, 3 millinery shops, 2 founderies, 1 tannery, 2 tin and stove shops, 3 blacksmith shops, 3 boot and shoe shops, 2 saddlery and harness shops, 1 bakery and confectionery, a lumber yard, 2 cabinet shops, 1 marble shop, 1 chair shop, 1 tailor shop, 1 barber shop, 1 coverlet manufacturer, 1 gunsmith, and 5 groceries.

The officers of the town for the year 18G2, are as follows: - Mayor: William Larwill, Jr. - Recorder: Morrill Rust - Marshal: J. W. Rollins - Council: Henry Brown, George Hunnybarger, Clodius Peto, Adam Ullman, and G. G. Leopold.

In the legislation connected with the internal improvement system undertaken by the State of Ohio, the town of Loudonville and the Black Fork of the Mohican occupied no inferior space. At a very early day the Black Fork was declared by legislativje enactment to be within the purview of the fourth Article of the Ordinance of 1787, which proclaimed the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the carrying places between the same, as "common highways,* and forever free, as well to the inhabitants of the said territory, as to the citizens of the United States, and those of any other States that may be admitted into the confederacy, without any tax, impost, or duty therefor."

The "Walhonding Canal was commenced with the intention and expectation of extending it up the branches of the river of that name, to Loudonville, on the Black Fork, and to Mt. Vernon, on the "Vernon River," or, as it was and is more- generally known, the "Owl Creek." On the 10th of March, 1838, a law was passed to provide for the extension of the Walhonding Canal to the points above named. This law directed "that whenever the Board of Public Works shall be satisfied that the work on said canals may be commenced and prosecuted with

* If a dam is erected across such stream, and loss is sustained by the navigation, in consequence of the obstruction, the owners of the dam are responsible, although the erection was authorized by the legislature upon certain terms and conditions, and although all diligence was used by the owners of the dam to prevent it from creating obstruction to the navigation. If such dam is not kept in the condition required by the act of the legislature authorizing its erection, it may be regarded as a common nuisance, and persons injured may maintain an action as in the case of an injury by a nuisance. Hogg v. Zanesville Canal Co., etc., 5 0. R. 410.

economy, and without material detriment to the public works in the vicinity which may then be in progress," * * * "they shall certify the same, together with an estimate of the sums which can be advantageously expended on the same, within the year next ensuing, and so on, from year to year, during the progress of the work, to the Commissioners of the Canal Fund. That the Commissioners of the Canal Fund shall, from time to time, on receiving such certified estimates from the Board of Public Works, be authorized to borrow, on the credit of the State, at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent, per annum, the sums so certified to be necessary for the prosecution of the work."

On the 6th of April, 1839, the Board made the necessary certified estimates to the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, and also made preparations for commencing the work, by a permanent location of the same.

A few days previous to the time designated for advertising the letting of the work, a communication was made to the Board of Public Works by the Commissioners of the Canal Fund, then in New York, notifying the Board that money could not then be borrowed at the rate authorized by law, and urging that the work for a time be suspended.

The suspension proved to be indefinite; and thus, after a few spasmodic but ineffectual revivals, ended a project which, had it been successful, would, in all probability, have made Loudonville at this day the seat of justice of one of the most flourishing counties in Nortliern Ohio. It was only the protracted period of financial embarrassment that immediately succeeded the year above mentioned - an embarrassment in- volving all the productive interests of the country as well as corporations and States - that defeated the construction of the improvement of the Black Fork.

Baptist

This church was organized in May, 1S39 - Isaac Wolf and John Neptune, deacons. Rev. Mr. Wilson had charge of the congregation two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Stearns, who also remained two years. Rev. William Leete is the present pastor.

The church was organized wdth eleven members. There are now fifty-six. Warren Wolf, Joseph B. Sanborn, and John Neptune are the deacons at this time; William Campbell, clerk.

The building, which is a frame, 40 by 45 feet, and will accommodate, with seats, a congregation of five hundred persons, was erected in 1843, at a cost of S1250.

In the spring of 1834, the first protracted meeting was held by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in an old stone house, owned by Thomas McMahan, at which time forty-four persons joined the church.

At a meeting of the Quarterly Conference, held at Eckley's Meeting-House, Ashland Circuit, Wooster District, Ohio Conference Methodist Episcopal Church, February 14, 1835, the following Board of Trustees were appointed to estimate the expense of building a church in Loudonville, namely: Joseph White, James Martin, and Leonard Parker. On the 14th of

March, 1835, the following Board of Trustees were appointed by Rev. H. M. Shaffer, namely: Joseph White, James Martin, Leonard Parker, Thomas Shearer, Daniel Oliver, William Kay, Edward S. BQbbard, Henry Hannawalt, and Joseph Hill.

The church was organized by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in March, 1834, in Thomas McMahan's warehouse. Meetings were also held at the houses of Joseph White and James Martin, and at the old Plank School-House. David Drake was the first classleader. The first church building was erected in the summer of 1836. Its walls were of brick. Dimensions, 24 by 36 feet, and cost 3*500. The present building, which is 40 by 50 feet, was completed in the summer of 1856, at a cost of $1500. It will seat comfortably four hundred persons.

The present membership is sixty-five. Class-Leaders: Samuel White and Andrew Mumper - Steward: C. S. Deyarman - Pi^eacher in Charge: Rev. C. D. Lakey - Junior: Rev. J. L. Beardsley.

German Reformed And Lutheran Evangelical

These denominations erected a house for public worship, in Loudonville, in 1846, for the joint use of both. In July, 1860, the building was destroyed by fire. In 1861, the denominations having previously separated, each erected, during that year, houses for public worship.

Rev. Mr. Greenline, during the last three years, has had charge of the German Reformed congregation, and Rev. Mr. Herzberger, since April, 1862, has supplied the pulpit in the Lutheran Church.

Benevolent Institutions Hanover Lodge No. 115, Free And Accepted Masons

The dispensation for the lodge, at Loudonville, was granted in November, 1843, toGeo. H.Stewart, Adolph Klemm, Nathaniel Haskell, John Ewalt, "Wm. J. Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller, and Jacob Booth. At a special communication, October 28, 1844, the officers were regularly installed by Kimball Porter, of Ebenezer Lodge.

At the organization of the lodge, the membership numbered fifteen; at the present time (1862) the number is fifty-eight. The three principal officers are, G. G. Leopold, W. M.; C. S. Deyarman, S. W.; and J. H. Sanborn, J. D.

Sylvan Lodge, No. 240, I. 0. 0. F.

This lodge was instituted April 20, 1854. The chartered members were John Taylor, David E. Stockmnn, A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand, and A. Yarnall.

The present officers are, C. Hildebrand, N. G.; J. B. Long, V. G.; F. Shuck, Recording Secretary; J. Brown, Per. Secretary; J. W. Rollins, Treasurer; and P. Guth, P. G.

Samuel Garret

Samuel Garret emigrated from New Jersey to Hanover township in 182-5, having the year previous entered eighty acres in section 11, (the west half of the southwest quarter.)

Loudonville, although having been laid out several years, was a place of little business importance. He bought, at a public sale, lots in the town for one dollar.

For several years subsequent to Mr. Garret's settlement in the country, it was the custom of township officers to make no charge for public services. From about the year 1830, township officers received their first compensation.

Mr. Garret is now (August, 1862) in the eightyfirst year of his age. His father, William Garret, served during the revolutionary war, in the Life- Guard of General Washington. After his first discharge, in 1780, he received his arrears of pay in Continental paper, and, on the following morning, a landlord declined to receive the whole amount of his "money" for his breakfast.

Nathaniel Haskell

Nathaniel Haskell established himself at Loudonville, in April, 1820, and purchased the flouring mill on the Black Fork, one-half mile north of the town. To this he added machinery for the manufacture of woollen goods. In 1826, he disposed of his interest to Thomas J. Bull, and subsequently the mills passed into the hands of J. C. Lanvill. About 1828, Mr. Haskell engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued about twenty-eight years - having been a merchant a longer continuous period, probably, than any other within the present limits of the county.

From 1817 until about 1830, a direct trade, by means of flat-boats, was conducted with Louisville and New Orleans-^the boats passing down the Black Fork into the Mohican, then into the White Woman, (or Walhonding, as it is now named,) thence into the Muskingum, and thence into the Ohio. These boats were generally freighted with flour and whisky, and would carry about fortj^-five tons. The completion of the Muskingum improvement and Walhonding Canal cut off this trade. During the period of this commercial intercourse with New Orleans, flour at Loudon ville would command from $2.50 to $3 per barrel, and would sell at the former place for $5 @ $6.

Mark Mapes

Mark Mapes removed to Hanover Township in the spring of 1822. He had previously resided in Muskingum County. When he commenced improvement upon the land he now occupies, his nearest neighbors on the north were Edward S. Hibbard and Gilbert Pell, two miles distant; on the east, his near-

James Loudon Priest

James Loudon Priest removed from Pennsylvania to Lake Township in May, 1810, and entered the land now owned by Calvin Hibbard, of Loudonville. His children were William, Olive, Clarissa, Daniel, Alvin, Eliza, James, Isaac, Jonas, John, and Sarah.

Mr. Priest purchased the land '(one hundred and sixty acres, northwest quarter section 1) upon which is now situated Loudonville - and which town bears a part of his name - in the year 181 . At this date there was not a building of any sort within what now constitutes the town of Loudonville.

Mr. Priest was elected the first justice of the peace in Lake Township, and built, upon the farm above mentioned, the first log cabin in said township. He died August 12, 1822, aged fifty-five years; and was the first citizen buried with Masonic honors in Loudonville. His wife died in October, 1859. William Priest died about 1847; Olive married Robert Davis, (who died thirty years since,) and is now the wife of Andrew Smith, with whom she is now living, in Holmes County. Clarissa married Benjamin Quick, and deceased about twenty-seven years since. Daniel is now a resident of Holmes County. Of Alvin, nothing is known concerning him; the last information fix)m him being that he was in Texas, in 1860. Eliza married George Webster, with whom she now resides, in Logansport, Indiana. James, when hist heard from, (about thirteen years ago,) was in Irehand. Isaac died in Illinois in 185G. Jonas (who communicates these details) is a resident of. Washington Township, Holmes County, about one mile east of Loudonville. John is a neighbor of the latter; and Sarah married Cephas Parker, with whom she now resides, in Lake Township, Ashland County.

A few months prior to the Indian murders upon Black Fork, but while the savages had betrayed signs of hostility, Mr. Priest and his eldest son, William, went forth upon a reconnoissance. During their absence, Mrs. Elijah Bowland, a neighbor, came to the house and notified Mrs. Priest that she had discovered in the neighborhood unmistakable signs of Indians, their tracks, and a piece of blanket. She so impressed her feelings of alarm upon Mrs. Priest that she immediately proceeded to vacate the house, and, placing her three youngest children in a canoe, which happened to be passing on the Lake Fork, under the management of Samuel Magnin, with the other seven she followed a trail which led to the house of Henry Darnell. She had not proceeded far, however, before she became impressed with a fear that she might be waylaid by the Indians, and sent Daniel to the house to await, in an adjoining thicket, the return of his father and brother, to inform them of the circumstances that had transpired during their absence. In the mean time, she and the other children had sought refuge in an "alder swamp," not far distant. About midnight Mr. Priest and eldest son returned; upon discovering whom, Daniel came forward, and

Although the result proved that there was no just cause for alarm, it was determined, as a measure of safety, to build a fort, which was accordingly done, upon the farm of Mr. Priest, and became the constant abode of the settlers in the neighborhood during the subsequent three months, and at nights during the entire period of the war.

George Snyder

George Snyder and family removed from the neighborhood of Wooster to Loudonville, in 1818. There were then but three families between Loudonville and Mt. Vernon. Mr. Snyder had been a soldier during the war of the American Revolution. He died in 1840, at the age of ninety-three years. Henry Snyder, of Green Township, is the only son now residing in the county.

Contributed By Miss Mary E. Stewart

The town of Loudonville was laid out, in the year 1814, by Mr. James Loudon Priest and Mr. Stephen Butler. The beauty of the surrounding scenery, the mildness of the climate, and the fertility of the soil, attracted the attention of tiie pioneer, and, in many cases, induced him to rear his humble dwelling upon some of our beautiful farms, and make it his future dwelling-place.

When the town was first laid out, there was but a single building in the place. It was a log cabin, owned by Mr. Stephen Butler, and, although it had but one room, it was the hotel, and dwelling house of two families.

Owing to the many hardships which the emigrants to the far West (it was then called the far West) had to endure, and the difficulties they were obliged to encounter, the town improved but little during the first few years of its existence. In the j^ear 1813 Mr. Caleb Chappel immigrated, with his famil}', to the then far West, and settled, for a short time, in Knox County, a few miles south of Loudonville. He assisted in surveying the grounds where the town now lies, and, in the spring of 1814, he entered land adjoining the town. The remainder of the year was spent in clearing the timber off the farm, erecting a log house, and preparing the grounds for use by the next spring. In the spring of 1815 he removed his family to his farm, which joins the northwestern corner of the town. Everything was new; and the many inconveniences with which they had to contend, and the dangers to which they were exposed, can only be known to those who have left comfortable homes, and taken up their abode in the wilds of a new country.

Wild animals roamed at large through the surrounding forests, and the Indians built their fires and held their councils in the neighboring woods. Mr. Chappel's nearest neighbor was Mr. Butler; he was the squire, the tavern keeper, and, in fact, the onhj man in town. Mr. James Loudon Priest lived some five miles east, and Mr. Oliver three miles to the west. The nearest places for trading were Wooster and Mansfield, then small towns, containing a limited number of buildings and inhabitants. The dress mostly worn by the male portion of the community consisted of a loose hunting-shirt - made of homemade linsey - being sometimes red, and sometimes blue. Those made of blue linsey were trimmed with a red fringe, and those made of red were trimmed with blue fringe. A pair of pantaloons made of the same material; a pair of stout moccasins; a cap made frequently of rabbit skin; a broad, black belt, worn around the waist, to which was attached a large knife, and frequently a tomahawk and gun, completed the dress of the early settler.

Pantaloons made of deer-skin were generally worn by hunters. The female dress was made of either flannel, linen, linsey, or calico - the calico being the most expensive, as the others were manufactured at home. Such was the dress worn by the early settlers of our country, contrasting greatly with the dashing style of the fast young man and modern belle of the present age; and no doubt many a young American would consider it far beneath his dignity to acknowledge such was the simple dress worn by his forefathers.

One of the greatest disadvantages with which the early settlers had to contend was, that of educating their children. There was no school for some time after the town was incorporated; and the great cause of education was greatly neglected. At length, the people of the village and the neighboring country, seeing the necessity of establishing a school in their midst, convened together for the purpose of taking the matter into consideration. They soon came to the conclusion to build a school-house, and to procure a teacher who was worthy and capable of imparting instruction to the rising generation. A subscription was raised for the purpose of building it, and it was not long before it was entirely completed. It was made of planks, stood upright, and weather-boarded on the outside; it had a shingle roof, then a great rarity. It occupied a very conspicuous place, on the Public Square, and was about 18 feet long and 14 feet wide, with a door in front, and three windows on each side of the room. A large fireplace occupied one end of the room, and benches were placed along the sides. Taking all things into consideration, it was quite a respectable looking building, and served for many years as a public building for almost every purpose - for holding meetings, both religious and political. The system of public schools not being established, the schools were all raised by subscription, and were seldom in session more than three months out of the year.

In October, 1834, there was a printing office established in the place. The paper to be printed was the ^^ Moliican Advocate and Hanover Journal" The proprietor was Mr. Rogers, but, owing partly to mismanagement and partly for the want of patronage, it proved a failure; and, after issuing six numbers, suspended operations.

The facilities for sending and receiving the news of the day was very limited; letters and newspapers were seldom received. The mail was carried for many years on horseback, and when the first stagecoach made its appearance it was an object of wonder to the people in general. The day of its arrival was always looked forward to with joy and expectation; and the anxious people would gather in groups around the country inn, to await its arrival, and scrutinize the passengers.

Jacob Stichler

Jacob Stichler immigrated to Hanover Township, from Stark County, Ohio, in the fall of 1829. He died in January, 1848, at the age of seventy years.

Henry, son of Jacob Stichler, is the only surviving member of his father's family, and now occupies the place originally entered by his father.

Philip Tuuma Chapter Xiii

Surveyed in 1807, by Jonathan Cox. On the 5th of September, 1814, (Oliver Jones, Jonathan Butler, and Benjamin Miller, Commissioners of Wayne County,) Lake was organized as it now is, except that a part or the whole of Washington Township, Holmes County, was included. Holmes County was erected since, (January 20, 1824.) At that time Coshocton and Wayne joined.

There are no towns in Lake Township. By the operation of the act of 184G erecting Ashland County, Lake, which had already been shorn of its full proportions by the erection of Holmes County, became yet farther reduced, and has now a smaller area than any township organization in the county except Mifflin. It is known as "Little Lake;" yet, notwith- standing its decimation of territory, the census of 1860 exhibits a respectable gain, as compared with the decennial period immediately preceding, while other townships in the county show a falling off in pojDulation during the same space of time.

Odell'S Mill

As many references are made in the memoranda of the early settlers to this mill, it may be a matter of interest to state that it was erected by Nathan G. Odell, in the spring of 1812. Mr. Odell entered the tract upon which the mill is located in April, 1810, and at once commenced his improvement, and in March, 1811, removed his family to the place. He was the first white settler within the limits of what is now Clinton township, Wayne County. He died in Michigan, in 1833, at the age of sixty-seven. His son, L. D. Odell, Esq., is now the owner and occupant of a part of the land originally entered by his father, but the mill is owned by Joseph Newkirk.

The building was originally constructed of hewn logs, and raised by the aid of friendly Indians, then inhabiting the neighborhood, and without whose aid it could not have been erected.

George Bender

George Bender immigrated to Lake Township in 1828, and purchased the land now occupied by his son, Martin Bender. He continued his residence upon this land until his death, which occurred in June, 1859.

Jacob Emrick

Jacob Emrick entered the southeast quarter of section 3, Lake Township, at the land-office at Wooster, in 1830, after the government had reduced their lands to ^r25 per acre. The whole farm is upland, and at the time of its purchase Mr. Emrick's neighbors regarded his investment a very unwise one; but his efforts at cultivation, after clearing a few acres, proved successful, and he was among the first who demonstrated the fertility of the hills, and showed that, for wheat growing purposes, they were really superior to the bottom lands, while for all other crops, excepting corn, they were not inferior to the valleys.

John Emrick

John Emrick removed to Lake Township from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in September, 1822, his father, Andrew Emrick, having entered for him the northeast quarter of section 9, and the southeast quarter of section 4, the preceding year. At the date of his removal hither, his family consisted of his wife and the following children, namely: John, Jacob, Drusilla, Mary, Andrew Christiana, George, and Rebecca.

Mr. Emrick died in July, 1847, aged sixty-six years. John and George are residents of Indiana; Jacob is a resident of Lake Township; Drusilla is the wife of William North, of Vermillion Township; Mary is the wife of George Connell, of Lake Township; Andrew died in Van Wert County, in 1856; Christiana married Simon Tapper, with whom she resides in Vermil-

John Ewalt

John Ewalt, an emigrant from Pennsylvania, removed with his family to Lake Township in the year 1820, and entered the land now owned by Morgan Workman. He died in 1847, at the age of sixty-three. William D. Ewalt, of Green township, is the only son of the deceased now residing in Ashland County.

George Marks

George Marks removed to Lake Township from Washington Comity, Pennsylvania, in June, 1819. His family then consisted of his wife and four children, namely: ^Lary, Ephraim, William, and George.

The citizens then residing in Lake Township, according to his best recollection, were Wm. Green, Wm. Greenlee, Asahel Webster, Joshua Oram,Jabez Smith, James Loudon Priest, and John Wetherbee.

Mary married Benjamin Finley, and died in 1854; Ephraim is a resident of Loudonville; William died in 1842, and George, as before stated, resides with his younger brother upon the old homestead.

The first sale of lots in Loudonville was made on the 14th of September, 1814. The land upon which the town is situated was originally entered by James Loudon Priest, who subsequently sold an undivided interest to Stephen Butler, and they jointly executed titles to purchasers.

Elijah Oram

In December, 1807, bis fatber, Josbua Oram, and family, immigrated to Fairfield County, Obio, from tbe State of Maryland. 'In November, 1811, the family removed to Lake Townsbip, and entered and commenced improvement upon a quarter wbicb, by subsequent divisions, became a part of tbe Township of Clinton. In tbe fall of 1812, tbe family of Mr. Oram, with several others, established a fort near the southern line of Lake Township, where they remained about three months. In 1815 his father sold the flirm he originally purchased, and entered the northeast and southeast quarters of section 15, Lake Township, and immediately commenced improvement upon the former quarter. After residing upon this bind about three years, he sold to Asahel Webster, and removed to tbe southeast quarter, which he improved and made his residence until his decease, which occurred on tbe 27th day of August, 1831. Elijah Oram, Esq., is tbe present owner of three-fourths of this old homestead quarter, and of eighty acres adjoining.

When his father commenced his residence in Lake, there was not a white family residing within the limits of what now forms tbe township. Wiien he raised his second cabin, in 1815, he traveled a circuit of ten miles to gather the necessary force of men for the purpose.

The supplies of breadstuffs were obtained from Knox County, which was then considered tbe "Egypt" of tbe country, where tbe corn purchased was ground at Shrimplin's Mill, and was brought home ou packhorses during the winter season, and on canoes when the streams were navigable. After tbe neighborhood began to raise its own supplies of corn, it was prepared for converting into bread by breaking up in wooden mortars, an article which belonged to nearly every cabin, and which was regarded as an indispensable machine in the domestic economy. The mills were so remote that several families subsisted many years almost exclusively upon this domestic flour.

John Wetherbee

John Wetherbee emigrated from Pennsylvania to Lake Township in 1817. His family consisted of his wife and nine children, the only surviving one of whom, now a resident of Ashland County, is Justus Wetherbee, Esq., of Mohican Township.

In 1846 Mr. Wetherbee removed to Green Township, and on the 25th of December, 1853, died at the residence of his son-in-law, James Aylesworth, of Wayne County, at the age of seventy-seven j^ears.

Presbyterian. ' '

Lake Fork was recognized as a congregation by Presbytery, April 11, 1826; and from this date till about 1829, it was supplied by a part of the ministerial labors of the Rev. Samuel Baldridge. The act of Presbytery for its organization as a church passed April 15, 1831, and it was organized in 1832.

German Lutheran Church German Reformed

The congregation of the German Reformed, since 18C0, have occupied the Presbyterian Church building. Rev. J. J. Excell is the pastor; Elders - John Bender and Jonas Hay; Deacons - Milton Newkirk and Zachariah Durham.

Election Of April, 183S

Clerk, Lemuel Chapman - Trustees, John Emrick, Sparks Burd, and Benjamin Leyde - Treasurer, John C. Young - Constables, "William WicoEf and Jacob Smith.

Election Op April, 1845

Clerk, Clark Cornell - Trustees, John Rainey, Wni. Wicoff, and John Hannan - Treasurer, George Marks - Assessor, Elijah Oram - Constables, William Mctcalf and Charles Yetter.

Election Of April, 1846

Cleric, Joshua Oram - Trustees, William Wicoff, John Ilannan, and Nalhaiiiol Sheldon - Treasurer, George Marks - Assessor, Elijah Oram - Constables, Milton Newkirk and William Metcalf,

Election Of April, 1862

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR LAKE TOWNSHIP. 1838. Martin Wolf, elected. 1838. William Wicoff, elected. 1841. Robert C. Naylor, elected. 1841 William Wicotf, re-elected. 1844. Henry Maurer, elected. 1844. William Wicofif, re-elected. 1847. Martin Wolf, elected. 1847. William Wicoff, re-elected.

1850. Henry Manrer, re-elected. 1850. Elijah Oram, elected. 1853. Henry Maurer, re-elected. 1853. Elijah Oram, re-elected. 1856. Henry Maurer, re-elected. 1856. Elijah Oram, re-elected. 1859. Henry Maurer, re-elected. 1859. Elijah Oram, re-elected, 1862. George W. Brubaker, elected. 1862. Allen Metcalf, elected.

Chapter Xiv

Surveyed in 1807, by Jonathan Cox. On the 11th of April, 1812, the Commissioners of Wayne County, namely: James Morgan, John Carr, and Jacob Foulks, divided the county into four townships - the western part, including what are now Jackson, Perry, Mohican, and Lake, and part of Washington, in Holmes County; and the west half of what are now Clinton, Plain, Chester, and Congress, in Wayne County, and organized this territory as one township, under the name of Mohican. Thus is Mohican the "mother of" towjisJiips ; and once embraced an area fully equal in extent to one-half of that which now constitutes Ashland County.

There are few townships in the county the early settlement of which contains material of more historical value than Mohican. It was among the first settled and the first organized of any of the townships which now compose Ashland County. Portions of it possessed historic interest near a century before an attempt at settlement by the whites was made, as

Names of Heads of Families in Kilhuck Township, being the Territory which now forms Wayne, and part of Holmes County, and the Townships of Mohican, Lake, Perry, and Jackson, in Ashland County, as returned by the Census taker in the year 1810.

11 The chief of the land pirates, whose crimes in the Township of Green and neighborhood are elsewhere noticed. He resided upon the Blackleyville Prairie at the time this census was taken.

The total population of all ages and sexes was three hundred and thirty-two. Wooster was made the seat of justice in 1811. Previously the whole county, as before explained, was called Kilbuck Township.

A memorandum, furnished by Judge Ingmand, says that of the seventy-six voters whose names appear in the above list, only ten are now residents of the township; forty-three are known to be dead; thirteen are known to be living elsewhere; ten are either deceased or residing in other States, or other counties in Ohio. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are known to be dead.

Alexander Finley, in his lifetime, sold to Jonathan Chapman what is estimated to be three acres, in the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 26 - being in the quarter originally entered by said Finley, and which is now owned by A. J. Young, and forms part of the little town of Lake Fork. This land was deeded to Chapman by Finley, but the deed was lost, though recorded, and the tract never transferred on the auditor's books. The taxes have regularly been paid, by Finley's heirs, when in their possession, and by the present owner, Mr. Young, since the farm came into his ownership. Recently, other parties, after fruitless efforts to buy of the heirs of Finley, have taken possession of the disputed tract, and assumed ownership by virtue of such possession. Chapman had made slight improvement, and started a small nursery.

Lake Fork Chapel

The Methodist Episcopal denomination have a church of this name, situated on the east side of the Jerome Fork, within a few rods of the county line, and half a mile east of Lake Fork Post-office. The building, which is a frame, was erected in 1858, and is 28 by 34 feet. The congregation had previously worshiped in the school -house, near Lake Fork. Rev. Mr. Starr and Rev. Mr. Wilcox supply the pulpit for the current year. Mark Wilson is steward and class-leader. There are twenty members.

United Brethren

This denomination have a church organization and building, three-fourths of a mile north of Lake Fork. There are twenty members. Rev. Mr. Price has charge of the congregation. S. A. Taylor is steward of the church. The building was erected in 1857, and is 30 by 38 feet. It is known as the Fairview Chapel.

The same denomination also have a church on the east line of the township, known as the "Oak Grove Meeting-House," under the charge of the clergyman above named. The building is 26 by 30, and was erected in 1858. There are fifty members belonging to the church. Solomon Kahl is the steward.

Source changes here: from History of Ashland County, Ohio, by H. S. Knapp, published 1863; 26,988 words in this source stream.

Methodist Episcopal

There is a church building belonging to this denomination on the land of McClure Davis, within about a mile and a half of the south line of the township, which was erected in 1852. The building is known by the name of " Hammond's Meeting-House." The pulpit is supplied during the current year by Rev. Mr. Starr and Rev. Mr. Spafford.

The officers of the church are, J. B. Smith, Steward ; Class Leaders, Benjamin Cole and H. B. Davis,* J. B. Smith, Benjamin Cole, McClure Davis, Z. Baker, Wm. Lattimore, H. B. Davis, and John Van Gilder. The present membership amounts to about forty.

German Evangelical

This church, in the pleasant and flourishing " Risser Settlement," was reorganized in 1860. The house was built in 1847 by the Mennonites, a denomination that embraced about fifteen families. Rev. John Risser was the first pastor, but resigned after about three years' service. The church officers were Christian Herschler and John Latschar. After this one-half interest in the house was sold to the Germans of other denominations, and were served by Lutheran ministers until 1860. The name of its present pastor is Rev. M. Kroenlein. The church officers are C. Vesper, Andrew Rohletter, F. Long, and G. Smith. Number of members about sixty. The dimensions of the house are 28 by 36 feet, and will accommodate about one hundred and seventy-five persons with seats.

Church Of God

A church of this name, more generally known as Winebrenarian, was organized in Vermillion Township, in 1835, with about twenty members. Bey. Thomas Hickemell and Rev. Jacob Keller were the first pastors. Michael Stevens and Archibald McGrew were the first elders. The church building is near the east line of Vermillion Township. Its dimensions are 30 by 40 feet, and will accommodate a congregation of three hundred and fifty. The membership now amounts to eighty. Rev. L. B. Hertman is the present pastor; Benjamin Roller, elder, and Abraham Stevens, deacon.

Henry Andress

Henry Andress, an emigrant from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, removed with his family to Montgomery Township, in September, 1826. He is now a resident of Vermillion. As incidents of public importance which occurred within his knowledge are related by others, his reminiscences are omitted.

Sterling G. Bushnell

Sterling G. Bushnell immigrated to the farm now occupied by his son Thomas, one mile east of Hayesville, May 20, 1821. The family of sons and daughters then consisted of William, Sedelia, Collins, Jotham, Huldah, Rosella, Homer, Olive, and Thomas.

At this date (1821) the place now occupied by the original town of Hayesville was an entire wilderness, without a dwelling or family. Linus Hayes dwelt in

About 1823 or 1824 a very small cabin and blacksmith-shop were erected on the lot now owned by Dr. Armstrong, on the northwest corner of the principal streets. These buildings (if they could be dignified with the name) were the first erected within what was the original town. The first building in which goods were sold was upon the same lot, erected by Mr. John Cox, who filled it with the first stock of goods that were brought to the town.

The first wheat, within the recollection of Mr. Bushnell, offered for cash, was about 1822 or 1823, at the mill built by Lake and Bentley, and at the time referred to owned by Lake and Larwill, and which mill was better known in recent times as Goudy's mill, in the southeast part of Vermillion Township. One hundred bushels were offered on this occasion for twenty-five dollars, but Mr. Bushnell is not positive whether the offer was accepted.

The original proprietors of the town of Hayesville were Bev. John Cox and Linus Hayes. As the Loudon ville and Ashland, and Wooster and Mansfield roads crossed at this point, Mr. Cox concluded that it might be the site of a future town. He accordingly gave notice of a sale of lots, and on the day named a considerable number assembled to attend the sale. The business opened in the forenoon, and the auctioneer, John Shriver, expended his "yelloquence" in vain on the advantages offered, for no bids whatever could be obtained. At noon Mr. Cox despaired of being the founder of a town in this locality, and offered his whole farm for three hundred dollars. Even this offer, however, he could persuade no one to accept.

In this extremity some one suggested that whisky possessed a virtue in these matters which might insure better success. A jug of that beverage was therefore obtained, a quantity of poke berries placed in it, and, under the name of " cherry bounce," offered the crowd, who partook of it freely. After a little " things worked," the services of John Shriver were dispensed with, and T. J. Bull, of Loudonville, mounted a chestnut stump which stood about the place now occupied by the town fountain, where the principal streets cross, and again offered the first lots in the embryo town of Hayesville. After a little effort the first lot (the one now occupied by Armentrout & Son) was sold to David Richmond (a shoemaker) for seventy-five dollars. At the close of the day a mere fraction of the land, which at noon he had offered for three hundred dollars, had been sold for more than twice that amount. Great is whisky, and great are sometimes its conquests.

William is a resident of Mansfield, a well-known physician of that city, and has represented very creditably his county in the General Assembly of Ohio. Sedelia is the wife of James Conley, and with their family are residing in Iowa. Collins died in Louisiana in 1882. Jotham was drowned in Conoma River, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, June, 1837, where he was buried, and in 1860 his body was exhumed and transferred to the cemetery at Mans- field. Huldah is the wife of Stephen Tannar, a' resident of Wayne County. Rosella is the wife of J. W. Sloan, and resides in Lexington, Richland County. Homer died in Mercer County in 1855. Olive is the wife of Dr. David Snively, who reside at Xenia, Ohio.

When Dr. William Bushnell, now of Mansfield, was a boy in Vermillion Township, his father was about to raise a log barn, an enterprise which, in those days, could not be accomplished without the persuasive power of whisky. They had heard of a new stillhouse near Uniontown, (Ashland,) and to this place the doctor was sent. His way led through the pathless forest. He was upon horseback, and under him was a bag, in one end a jug and in the other a stone to balance. He succeeded, after much tribulation, in making his way to the distillery, but on his return became lost after night had closed in upon him, and he was compelled to lay out and submit to the unbidden music of the wolves, whose howls were incessant throughout the night. About ten o'clock on the day after his departure on his errand, he appeared before the thirsty laborers, and soon was enabled to appease their wrath and their thirst.

Rev. John Cox removed from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, to the land upon which is now situated the town of Hayesville, in May, 1823. He purchased of a Mr. Hensh about seventy acres of Virginia Mili- taiy School land, paying said Hensh one hundred and twenty dollars for his quit claim, and assuming to pay the State two dollars per acre, making the whole cost of his seventy acres two hundred and sixty dollars. Upon this track there was about three acres cleared on the northeast corner, and within what is now the center of the town there were two cabins, one of which stood near the spot of his present residence in Hayesville, and the other upon the lot now owned by Armentrout & Son.

The town of Hayesville was laid out in the fall of 1830, and the town plat recorded in Mansfield, October 26, 1830. The first public sale of lots occurred on the 18th of November of the same year.

The post-office at Hay's X-Roads was established January 18, 1827, and Mr. Cox appointed postmaster. This office he held until July 1, 1841, when, for political reasons alone, which then existed, but do not now, he was removed, and Mr. D. K. Hull appointed in his place. When the post-office was established, it was supplied several years by a weekly mail carried on horseback by John Willson.

Joseph Duncan

Joseph Duncan removed from Stark County, Ohio, to the. land he now holds in Vermillion Township, being the southwest* quarter of section 36, in the spring of 1824. He had entered this land and made some improvements upon it two years prior to this date. When he removed to his place his family consisted of his wife, daughter Eliza, and son John. His immediate neighbors, and who occupied adjoining

John Farver

John Farver immigrated to Vermillion Township, with his wife and two children, on the 29 th of April, 1817, and commenced improvement on his present farm, being the west half of the northeast quarter of section 2. Mr. Farver's whole moneyed resources, when he settled in the county, amounted to twelve dollars. His first stock of com was purchased on Owl. Creek at fifty cents per bushel. Four days were occupied in the journey to and from Owl Creek, and a team of three horses labored hard to drag fifteen bushels of com over the roads in their then condition.

His first crop of wheat, raised in 1817, he commenced harvesting on the twentieth of August. The wheat was none too ripe. Com, pumpkins, and all other crops were proportionately late. Mr. Farver has this day (14th of July, 1862,) reached his seventysixth* birthday, and enjoys moderate health.

Robert Finley

The family of this gentleman was the second that located in Vermillion Township. In the early part of April, 1811, he established himself upon the northeast quarter of section 12, said land being now owned by Alexander Nelson, Adam Baum, and Thomas Crone. The family of George Eckley had preceded that of Mr. Finley to the township only about two weeks. Mr. Finley died upon the farm above mentioned on the 4th of July, 1825, at the age of sixty-five.

William Harper

William Harper, an emigrant from Jefferson County, Ohio, entered the southwest quarter of section 10, township 21, (Vermillion,) in June, 1816. The residents of the township at that date were Samuel Bolter, George Ackley, Jonathan Palmer, Robert Finley, William Black, George McClure, Samuel Hunt, and James Walters, (the latter acting as justice of the peace.)

The nearest mill at this time was Shrimplin's, on Owl Creek. The trip occupied from four to 6ix days, and was made with four horses and a wagon, which would carry from forty to fifty bushels.

There was no wheat raised or for sale in the county at this time. Corn would bring eighty and one hundred cents. The animal food was principally venison and other wild game. About 1819 and 1820 the county began to raise a surplus of agricultural products, and from this time forward until the completion of the Ohio Canal, produce would hardly bear transportation to market, (which was then Sandusky City.) Mr. Harper on one occasion took a load of flour to market and exchanged his flour for salt, giving two barrels of flour and half a dollar in cash for each barrel of salt. The first substantial encouragement given the farming and industrial interests was the market afforded by the completion of the Ohio Canal to Massillon; but the construction of the ship canal from the mouth of Huron River to Milan made a yet better market than Massillon, and effected a change in the course of trade. The railroad system, however, greatly injured Massillon, and almost destroyed its trade.

William was killed by the running away of his team near Plymouth, Ohio, about 1831. John now occupies the old homestead. Nancy is the wife of Joseph Sheets. Mary is the wife of Joseph Strickland - all residents of Vermillion Township. Henry resides in Medina County, Ohio. Sarah is the wife of John Cole, and resides in Indiana. Sophia is the wife of John Hall, of Vermillion Township; and Elizabeth married Charles Reed, and resides in Michigan.

Richard Jackman

Richard Jackman emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1823, having, in 1816, visited the county and entered, at the office in Canton, the southwest quarter of section 23, Vermillion Township, upon which he now resides. When he arrived here his family consisted of his wife and his daughter Matilda W.

William Karnahan

William Karnahan emigrated from Jefferson County, Ohio, April 16, 1815, with his family, consisting of his wife, his son Robert M., and daughter Eliza A. Mr. Karnahan died upon the place he originally selected for his home, being the southeast quarter of section 23, Vermillion Township, on the 24 th of September, 1852, aged sixty-three years.

The country at this date was very sparsely settled - his nearest neighbor being Mr. Emerine, located one and a half miles distant. About this distance from where he erected his cabin, on the farm now owned by Mr. Stoufer, a den of rattlesnakes was discovered, near the entrance to which as many as twenty-five were killed in a single day. At another den, on or near the farm now owned by Robert Cowan, as many as seventy- five of these reptiles were killed in a single day. On one occasion the family were assailed by a panther, who approached the house on an evening within a few rods, and only disappeared after the family had secured the doors and windows of their cabin, and kindled a brilliant fire.

William Lemon

William Lemon emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816, and in 1818 removed to Vermillion Township - his family consisting of his wife and four sons, namely, John, William, James, and Robert. Mr. Lemon died in 1850, at the age of seven ty-three years.

John Lemon, now a merchant in Mifflin, is the only surviving member of the family at present residing in Ashland County. William Lemon, who died in 1839, was among the earliest merchants in Mifflin.

George Marshall

George Marshall immigrated to Vermillion Township, and purchased of James Lawhead the land upon which a part of his family now reside, in April, 1822. He emigrated from Pennsylvania, with his wife - all his children having been born in Vermillion Township. Mr. Marshall died on the 6th of January, 1852, in his fifty-third year.

Andrew Newman

Andrew Newman removed to Vermillion Township in the fall of the year 1825, and purchased of Samuel McBride the farm upon which was afterward the site of Newman's mill - being the same property now owned by Joseph Boyd. At this date his family consisted of his wife and two sons, namely, William and James H.

Mr. Newman subsequently purchased a farm on the south line of Vermillion Township, where he died on the 20th of January, 1861, at the age of eighty-three years.

He had immigrated to Richland County in the year 1806, and during the war of 1812 resided about three and a half miles southwest of Petersburg, Mifflin Township, on the Rocky Fork.

When these occurred, Mr. Newman was engaged in the building of a sawmill on the Rocky Fork, about three miles distant from the scene of the tragedy. He always maintained that the romantic accounts of these bloody transactions heretofore published were inaccurate. Being familiar with the contemporaneous accounts, it is reasonable to infer that his impressions are correct.

Jonathan Palmer

Jonathan Palmer, while a resident of Jeflerson County, Ohio, made a visit to Vermillion Township, in September, 1810, and entered two quarters - one being the northeast of section 12, (now owned by Thomas Boyd,) and the other being the farm now owned by George Buchanan, Esq. On this visit, he was accompanied by his eldest son Ephraim. Having made the entries described, he returned home, where he continued until the spring of 1811, when he revisited the tract first named and commenced improvements, in which work he was aided by a portion of his family - two sons and a daughter. During the season a cabin house was erected, and three acres cleared and planted in corn. Hewn logs for a building were also prepared - being the first effort toward such a substantial improvement that had been made in Vermillion or any of the adjoining townships. It had been the intention to send for the remainder of the family in the fall of this year; but the unsettled relations with the British and Indians changed the plan, and the family reunited in Jefferson County, where they remained until September, 1814, when, notwithstanding war yet existed, the whole family removed and made a permanent settlement upon their land.

The heads of families at this time residing in Vermillion Township were, in addition to his own, Robert Finley, Lemuel Boulter, Samuel Hutchings, William Black, George Eckley, and Daniel Harlan. Of those named none now survive.

Mr. James Palmer (now a resident of the southwest corner of Perry Township, and who was the fourth son of the gentleman whose decease is above noticed, and who also communicates these facts) mentions a singular instance attending the death of an uncle, Nathaniel Palmer, which occurred in 1815. When he parted with his family, this gentleman, although in good physical health and in the vigor of manhood, mentioned to them a presentiment that he would not live to meet them again. He, however, came to the country, and entered land in Green Township; and while on a visit at the house of his brother, was taken ill of fever - and on the evening of the ninth day, after having been pronounced by his physician convalescent, turned his face to the wall, and, within three minutes after having made this movement, breathed his last. A messenger was immediately dispatched to communicate intelligence of his death to his family. On reaching Canton, he met a messenger from Jefferson County charged with the sad duty of communicating to the husband the death of the wife! It appeared that their deaths had occurred the very same hour.

There was less of the winter; and the spring, summer, and fall seasons, Mr. Palmer says, were longer than now - the weather more stable, and vegetation had a ranker growth. The appearance of the country in its wilderness condition is described by him as more beautiful and attractive than any he had ever seen. The axe and plow, while they have been useful agents in developing the wealth, have marred the features of the country. It was arrayed in its most attractive form during the months of May and June, when the hills, covered with their giant oaks in full livery, and undergrowth of sedge, rich weeds, and pea-vine, presented an appearance of wild beauty,

Not until several years after Mr. Palmer came to the country, was there any church building in the township. The first clergymen were Presbyterian missionaries, who, in traveling to and from their missions among the Senecas and Wyandots, made it a practice for many years to preach at the house of Mr. Palmer and others. The first church building erected in the township stood upon land now owned by Joseph Boyd, and occupied the place near where Mr. Boyd's mill now stands. It was a very large building for the time - belonged to the Methodist denomination - was made of unhewn logs, and erected in about 1818. To aid in raising the building, persons came from Mansfield and other places equally distant. When Quarterly Meetings were held in this building, they were generally attended by people from a great distance. So utterly unable were residents of the neighborhood to entertain their friends from abroad, that the latter would often bring with them their supplies of food, cooking utensils, bedclothing, etc., and during the intervals when the church was not used for divine service, the capacious wooden fireplace would be used by the women, cook- - ing food for themselves and families - in fact, converting the building into one for eating and lodging, as well as for religious purposes. This necessity was the result, not of any want of hospitality, but of the absence of food and house room existing in the vicinity.

This adjoined the church above described - the bodies of such as had previously died in Vermillion having been buried in Green Township, near Perrysville. The first interment was the body of Mr. Mannan, an old gentleman upwards of ninety years of age. The second was the body of Joseph Lake, Sr., about the same age, and said to have been, at the time of his decease, the oldest member of the Methodist Church within the State of Ohio.

When Mr. Palmer's father came here there were none, within his knowledge, in the county - not even at Mansfield or Wooster; and the sight of a physician to the people then residing here would be as great a curiosity as a wild Indian among the present generation. Their coarse, wholesome food, and active lives secured the health of the inhabitants, and obviated the necessity for physicians.

This town was laid out by Vaughan and Deardoff, of Tuscarawas County. The first merchants were Lake & Larwill, who conducted business from 1817 until 1821 or 1822. Jerome and his family were the only inhabitants of the town when its plat was surveyed.

After he removed from Jeromeville, Mr. Jerome and Mr. Palmer were neighbors - the former being some three years the owner and occupant of the farm upon which was afterward the mill of Con-

Gilbert Purdy

Gilbert Purdy, an emigrant from New York, in 181 7 bought the west half of the eighty acres of George McClure, now owned by John Scott, Sr., and adjoining John Harper's on the south. At the time of his removal his family consisted of Peter M., Henry, Sarah, Cornelia, and Gennett. The latter married the widow of Sterling G. Bushnell.

Peter M. was the first who bought wheat, and that, too, not for cash, but by way of his trade, (blacksmithing,) in the neighborhood. This was about 1826, and before the completion of artificial channels of commerce. Mr. Purdy paid about ten cent s per bushel, and hauled it to Portland, (Sandusky City,) where he obtained about sixty cents per bushel.

In 1828 he transported two loads, consisting of flour, whisky, and pork, to Cleveland. This was after the time of the completion of the Ohio Canal. The trip consumed generally from seven to eight days. He sold his flour at two dollars and a half per barrel; pork, five dollars per barrel; and whisky, price not recollected. These were merely nominal prices, as goods and not cash formed the standard of prices - only a small per cent, being paid in money. Part of their return load consisted of salt at six dollars per barrel.

William Reed History Op Ashland. County

his family upon it April 14, 1814. He was originally from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Reed enlisted in the military service during the first year of the war with Great Britain in 1812, and served until 1814, when, from disability, he obtained a furlough from his captain (Jack) at Mansfield, and continuing physically unable, he did not return to the service.

When he removed to his land, (southeast quarter section 5,) it was a wilderness; his nearest neighbors - except the families of George, William, and Thomas Hughes, and John Howard - were five miles distant.

William Rylano

William Ryland emigrated from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and entered at the land-office at Canton the farm upon which he now lives, in the autumn of 1815. His family then consisted of his wife and one daughter, Mary Ann, who is now the widow of Jonathan Black. Among his neighbors were Robert Jackman, who lived upon the farm now occupied by Archibald Gillis; Lemuel Boulter, the only occupant of the land upon which the flourishing town of Hayesville now stands; John Yangilder, who then resided upon the same place he now occupies; John McCrory, who lived upon the land now occupied by his descendants: Joseph Workman, who is now a resident of another portion of the township from that in which he at first resided; Ephraim Eckley, (for a number of years justice of the peace,) and who resided upon the farm now owned by Abraham Johnson; George McClure, who lived upon the land in section 10 now

Joseph Lake, at this date, was the only resident of Jeromeville. He was the owner of a small stock of goods. The block-house occupied during the war was yet standing, but was only used occasionally for religious meetings.

Lemuel Boulter sold his interest in the land upon which Hayesville was subsequently built to Linus Hayes. Mr. Cox's purchase, was of John Hersh - the lands being in the Virginia Military Land District.

John Scott

John Scott immigrated to Vermillion Township 22d March, 1819, having purchased two hundred and twenty acres on the west line of the township (being the farm upon which Joshua Campbell now resides) some three years previous.

On the 7th January, 1831, Mr. Scott opened the first stock of goods ever offered at Hayes X-Roads. The first charge upon his day-book under that date reads thus: -

His first lot of goods were placed in a log cabin which stood upon the lot now owned by Dr. Armstrong. During the same year, however, he erected the substantial buildings which now occupy the lot.

In July, 1832, Mr. Scott formed a partnership with Daniel Porter, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in the goods trade; which partnership was formed for the term of eighteen months, each investing a cash capital of $2500. At the close of the partnership they discovered that they had duplicated their capital. Much of their business, however, was dealing in stock, from which a considerable amount of profits were derived.

As evidence of the integrity of his customers at that time, Mr. Scott says that, during the first four years of his business life in Hayesville, he has no recollection of having lost a dollar by bad debts. With reference to girls who supported themselves by weekly wages, he generally gave credit when it was asked, and the money was always promptly paid according to promise.

In 1840 Mr. Scott sold to Jacob Kinnaman the "Armstrong corner," and purchased of Francis Graham, of Ashland, the brick building upon the opposite comer. Here he continued business until June, 1846, when he disposed of his stock of goods to Messrs. Cox & Iligbee, and retired from the business.