Vermillion Township (part 4 of 6)

This gentleman, who immigrated to Green Township in the spring of 1811, was one of the most intrepid, intelligent, and useful citizens 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 the 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 Perry sville 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, Pennsylvania, 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 ^ie 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.

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 : -

History Of Ashland Ooijnty Election Of April, 1818

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

Election Of April, 1836

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

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 Mansfield, 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 course, 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 was held on the 7th of November, 1818 - 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 officers elected : -

Presidential Election Op 1828

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

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 Of 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 1866, of John Whitney. He was a worthy and highly-esteemed citizen, and the circumstances at* tending his death created general astonishment. Although several years have now elapsed, no trace of the guilty parties has yet been discovered.

"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 Wayne, 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; 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 1862, are as follows: - Mayor: William Larwilf, Jr. - Recorder: Morrill Rust - Marshal: J. W. Rollins - Council: Hemy 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 legislative 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,41 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 npon 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 Oanal 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 th» seat of justice of one of the most flourishing counties in Northern 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.

Churches In Loudonville Baptist

This church was organized in May, 1839 - Isaac Wolf and John Neptune, deacons. Rev. Mr. Wilson had charge of the congregation two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Steams, who also remained two years. Rev. William Leete is the present pastor.

The church was organized with 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 $1250.

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 Bev. H. M. Shaffer, namely: Joseph White, James Martin, Leonard Parker, Thomas Shearer, Daniel Oliver, William Kay, Edward S. Hibbard, Henry Hannawalt, and Joseph Hill.

The church was organized by Bev. 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 $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 - Preacher in Charge: Bev. C. D. Lakey - Junior: Bev. 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.

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

Benevolent Institutions Hanover Lodge No. 116, 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.

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

The present officers are, C. Hildebrand, N. G.; J. B. Long, Y. G.; F. Shuck, Recording Secretaiy; 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 1825, 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. Larwill. 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 forty-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 Loudonville would command from $2.50 to $3 per barrel, and would sell at the former place for $5 @ $6.

John Hilderbrand 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 wile 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 from him being that he was in Texas, in 1860. Eliza married George Webster, with whom she now resides, in Logansport, Indiana. James, when last heard from, (about thirteen years ago,) was in Ireland. Isaac died in Illinois in 1856. 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 alarip, 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 the 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 year 1813 Mr. Caleb Chappel immigrated, with his family, 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 only man in ( own . 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, contain^ ing 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 thie 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 " Mohican 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 Thuma 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 1846 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 population during the same space of time.

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 $1*25 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 Harks

George Marks removed to Lake Township from Washington County, Pennsylvania, in June, 1819. His family then consisted of his wife and four children, namely: Mary, 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, his father, Joshua Oram, and family, immigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, from the State of Maryland. In November, 1811, the family removed to Lake Township, and entered and commenced improvement upon a quarter which, by subsequent divisions, became a part of the Township of Clinton. In the fall of 1812, the 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 farm 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 land about three years, he sold to Asahel Webster, and removed to the southeast quarter, which he improved and made his residence until his decease, which occurred on the 27th day of August, 1831. Elijah Oram, Esq., is the 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 the township. When 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 the "Egypt" of the country, where the corn purchased was ground at Shrimplin's Mill, and was brought home on packhorses during the winter season, and on canoes when the streams were navigable. After the 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 years.

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 1860, 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, 1838

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

Election Op April, 1845

Clerk, Clark Cornell - Trustees, John Rainey, Wm. Wicoff, and John Hannan - Treasurer, George Marks - Assessor, Elijah Oram - Constables, William Metcalf and Charles Tetter.

Clerk, Joshua Oram - Trustees, William Wicoff, John Hannan, and Nathaniel Sheldon - Treasurer, George Marks - Assessor, Elijah Oram - Constables , Milton Newkirk and William Metcalf.

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" townships ; 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 Kilbuck 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.

|| 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 bad 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, aUd was erected in 1858. There are fifty members belonging to the church. Solomon Kahl is the steward.

Source changes here: from A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County, by H. S. Knapp, published 1863; 27,661 words in this source stream.

Election Of April, 1832 Election Of April, 1833

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1832. Clerk: John Finley - Trustees: Stephen Smith, Jared Irwin, and Daniel 8S. Porter - Treasurer: John Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1833.

Election Of April, 1841

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1835. Clerk: HE. R. Eckley - Trustees: David Stevens, Thomas McGuire, and Joseph Workman - Treasurer: John Scott. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1836. Clerk: HE. R. Eckley - Trustees: Uriah Johnson, Robert Cowan, and Henry Sigler - Treasurer: John Scott. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1837. Clerk: Wm. W. Irwin - Trustees: Robert Cowan, John Porter, and John Harman - Treasurer: John Scott. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1838. Clerk: Daniel Eckley - Trustees: David Stevens, Wm. Scott, and Robert Cowan - Treasurer: John Scott. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1839. Clerk: David Ciphers - Trustees: William Scott, Joseph Strickland, and James McCrory - Treasurer: John Scott. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1840. Clerk: Joseph R. Buck - Trustees: James McCrory, Joseph Strickland, and Elisha Barnes - TZreasurer: John Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1841.

Election Of April, 1844

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1842. Clerk: John Harman - Trustees: Elisha Barnes, George Buchanan, and Wm. Ryland - Treasurer: A. Armentrout. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1843. Clerk: John Harman - Trustees: Elisha Barnes, George Buchanan, and William Ryland - Treasurer: A. Armentrout. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1844.

Election Of April, 1852

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1848. Clerk: William McNeil - Trustees: Jacob Risser, R. Cowan, and C. Miller - Treasurer: John H. Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1849. Clerk: William McNeil - Trustees: Robert Cowan, Christian Miller, and David Fox - Treasurer: John H. Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1850. Clerk: William McNeil - Trustees: Robert Cowan, C. Miller, and E. Davis - Treasurer: T. J. Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1851. Clerk: J. R. Buck - Trustees: Robert Cowan, Christian Miller, and William McNeil - Treasurer: T. J. Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1852. Clerk: Sterling G. Bushnell - Trustees: Robert Cowan, David Ciphers, and Archibald Gillis - Treasurer: Thomas J. Cox.

Election Of April, 1853 Election Of April, 1854

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1853. Clerk: William Porter - Trustees: William Galloway, George Buchanan, and Samuel Gibson - Treasurer: Thos. J. Cox. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1854.

Election Of April, 1860

ELECTION OF APRIL, 1855. Clerk: William Gastor - Trustees: Wm. Craig, Joseph Strickland, and W. D. Swearingen - Treasurer: Joseph Kinninger. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1856. Clerk: William Gastor - Trustees: George Buchanan, Robert Williams, and Samuel Craig - Treasurer: Joseph Kinninger. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1857. Clerk: James Yocum - Trustlees: Robert Wilson, Thos. Johnson, and John S. Grabill - Treasurer: Joseph Kinninger. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1858. Clerk: James Sanderson - Trustees: McClure Davis, Robert Cowan, and Stephen Ewing - Treasurer: Joseph Kinninger. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1859. Clerk: James Sanderson - Trustees: William L. Smith, John Lemmon, and Archibald Gillis - Treasurer: Joseph Kinninger. ELECTION OF APRIL, 1860.

Justices Of The Peace

David Ciphers, re-elected. John Harman, re-elected. George Buchanan, re-elected. David Ciphers, re-elected. John J. Gurley, elected. George Buchanan, re-elected. John M. Rowland, elected. David Ciphers, re-elected. George Buchanan, re-elected. William S. Strickland, re-elected. N. G. Swearingen, elected. James B. Smith, elected.

J. Kinninger, elected and resigned. William S. Strickland, elected. James B. Smith, re-elected. McClure Davis, elected. William S. Strickland, re-elected.

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 organizedin. Vermillion Township, in 1835, with about twenty members. Rev. Thomas Hickernell 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 Rev. John Cox and Linus Hayes. As the Loudonville 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 Jolin 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 1832. 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

Rey. 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. Iensh about seventy acres of Virginia Mili- tary 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 26,1880. 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 29th 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 corn 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 corn 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. Corn, pumpkins, and all other crops were proportionately late. Mr. Farver bas 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, 1815. 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 six 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 forwafd 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 ef 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 Karnahanemigrated 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 24th 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 seventy-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 Jefferson 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, cooking 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 1817 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 cents 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

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 Ryland

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 Vangilder, 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 Jolin 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.

Ou 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 re-. collection 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 corner. Ilere he continued business until June, 1846, when he disposed of his stock of goods to Messrs. Cox & Higbee, and retired from the business.

The rigors and injustice of this law were occasionally relieved by incidents of humor. Among the latter was a case that occurred at Hayesville in the "early times." A very dashing young man, claiming the ownership of a fast horse, and sporting the first gold watch that had probably ever appeared in the township, sought and obtained credit of a merchant in Hayesville to the amount of about forty dollars, for which indebtedness he was in due time sued; and in default of goods whereon to levy, an execution issued for his body. Under that law, if the judgmentdebtor gave bail he was released from prison, and became entitled to the "jail-bounds," which comprehended the limits of the county; but the law confined him strictly within such boundaries, and if he placed his foot over the line his bond would become forfeited. The defendant had procured the necessary bail, and, within the territory of Richland County, his movements were as untrammeled as those of his creditor. A party of wags, of which Hayesville, in those days, always had "a quorum," disliking the lofty "style" and fraudulent practices of said debtor, originated a scheme by which to entrap him, and which, having stated the premises, will be understood by the reader as we narrate it.

Thomas Stringer and David Potts, (brothers-in-law, fast friends, and notorious lovers of fun,) whose "heads had been together" on this case, obtained sight of their victim standing near a public place, and forthwith made for his vicinity, in earnest dispute about the trotting qualities of the horses of which they were the respective owners. As they approached their intended victim, their dispute waxed more fierce, and the young man at once enlisted in the broil, and "mixed in." A wager was agreed upon, and the money staked. Judges were also selected, one of whom happened to be the debtor; and the ground selected huppened to be on the Mansfield and Wooster Road - the eastern terminus also happening to be a few rods east of the county line.

The arrangements being completed, the contestants for the wager, each astride his own horse, followed by the judges at a certain distance, were soon upon the ground and absorbed in the exciting race. One of the parties to the sham bet, (Mr. Potts,) a regular Falstaff in physical contour, of about two hundred and twenty pounds avoirdupois, appeared rather "much" for his horse, which would occasionally "break," when, by the rules of the race, he would be compelled to turn the animal completely around, thus losing much precious "time." Mr. Stringer, however, not being a remarkably accomplished horseman, the beasts and their riders reached the established goal about "neck and neck." The point having been reached, Stringer and Potts cast themselves from their horses, and engaged in fierce crimination and recrimination, each charging upon the other "foul play" in riding, and throwing off their coats for a desperate fight. The young judge, yet in full view of the "deadly strife," but with his "associate judge," a short distance in the rear, put spurs to his horse, and, with the least possible delay, placed himself between the hostile parties with the humane purpose of saving the useless effusion of blood! - assuring the gentlemen, upon his "word of honor," that the matter should be determined by a scrupulous regard to the rules of racing. His pacificatory eloquence prevailed, and the belligerents meekly received the verdict of the judges, and a happy reunion of broken ties was the result.

After the return of the crowd to town, some one incidentally remarked, in the hearing of the real victim of the drama, that it was rather a remarkable circumstance that Richland County did not afford land enough upon which to have a trotting match, and that it became necessary to use for that purpose a part of Wayne County! Our hero turned to Mr. Stringer and inquired whether they had really passed the limits of Richland County; whereupon Mr. Strin- ger forthwith proceeded to make a very nice calculation of metes and bounds, and after much deliberation arrived at the amazing conclusion that the eastern stakes would, sure enough, bring them within' Wayne County! The crowd, discovering the embarrassment of "young gent," gave way to their feelings in an irrepressible and prolonged roar of mirth. The young financier became enraged - charged conspiracy, and all manner of crimes - swore terribly, and the more terribly he swore, louder and more wild became the merriment of the crowd. Discovering, at length, that the insurrection against him was too extensive, he subsided, and with a forced pleasantry consented to permit the affair to pass off as "a good joke."

Michael Sigler

Michael Sigler immigrated with his wife and four children to Vermillion Township, in November, 1820, and purchased the eighty acres upon which Henry Helbert now resides. He emigrated from Pennsylvania. Prior to his purchase of this land, he had contracted with Mr. Hersh for the land upon which the major portion of Hayesville now stands; but some trifling difference in regard to details prevented the closing of the contract, and Rev. Mr. Cox became the purchaser.

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith immigrated to Vermillion Township from Trumbull County, Ohio, and purchased for his future home the northwest quarter of section 33, Vermillion Township, now occupied by his son,

James B. Smith. His family at this time consisted of his wife, daughter Lydia, and son James B. Mr. Smith died August 19, 1840, at the age of fifty-one years, less a few days.

With the exceptions of John Johnston and George Shriver, who occupied adjoining quarters, among his nearest neighbors was Linus Hayes, subsequently one of the proprietors of Hayesville. The country was very sparsely settled, and the little family would find their nights made hideous by the howling of wolves, which would often approach within a few rods of their house. Wild beasts and reptiles abounded in the wilderness. Rattlesnakes, some of them of immense size, were also numerous.

Joseph Strickland

Joseph Strickland, an emigrant from Jefferson County, Ohio - his native State being New Jersey. He was the father of Mahlon, Joseph, William S., and Amos Strickland. Mr. Strickland died in Seneca County, Ohio, about thirteen years ago, at the age of eighty-six years. He served as a soldier in the war of the American revolution.

Joseph Workman

Joseph Workman, an emigrant from Adams County, Pennsylvania, removed with his family (consisting of his wife and four children) to Vermillion Township in the fall of 1815. He entered the northwest quarter of section 26; and also purchased, of John Baptisté Jerome, the property in section 12, since known as the Goudy Mill property. He subsequently sold the last named tract to Constance Lake, who erected upon it the first mill. In 1854, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides - being thirty acres in section 25. He is now in his seventy-seventh year, and in vigorous mental and bodily health.

When Mr. Workman came to the country the territory of Vermillion and Montgomery were united in one township, under the name of the former; and Robert Newell and James Wallace were the two justices of the peace. Mr. Workman was elected in 1817, and was the successor of Mr. Wallace.

His nearest neighbors were Johnnycake and his squaw. He was a quiet, friendly neighbor, and Mr. Workman took his first lessons in hunting wild game of this Indian.

The first school taught in Vermillion Township was in 1821, in a building which had previously been used as a Baptist church. Its site was near where the present school-house in Thomas Bushnell's district stands, and the school was taught by Miss Sedelia Bushnell. Six years, therefore, had elapsed before Mr. Workman's children had the privileges of

Tus town was laid out on the 26th of October, 1830, by John Cox and Linus Hayes. It was incorporated March 2, 1849, as will be seen by the copy of the law which follows : -

Sec. 1. Be wt enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the Township of Vermillion, in the County of Ashland, as is included in the town plat of the Town of Hayesville, together with such additions as may hereafter be made thereto, be, and the same is hereby declared a town corporate, by the name of the Town of Hayesville, and by that name shall be a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession.

Sec. 2. The town named in the preceding section of this act shall be entitled to all the privileges and be subjected to all the restrictions of "an act for the regulation of incorporated towns," passed February sixteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirtynine, and the several acts amendatory thereto.

The Original Town

"The following is a draft of a number of lots, divided by streets and alleys in the form below described, intended for a town to be known by the name of Hayesville, situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 21, of reserve 15, formerly known by the name of Hayes' X-Roads, being the lands of Messrs. J. Cox and L. Hayes. The principal or main street is laid out on the road leading from Wooster to Mansfield, with one row of 19 io on each side - each lot 60 feet front by 120 feet back. The road leading from Loudonville to Ashland crosses the above-named road at right angles, with 20 lots to the east and 18 lots to the west. Parallel to the first are two streets, viz.: one crossing at the north end of the lots on the north side, the other crossing at the south end of the lots on the south side, each 16 feet breadth, parallel to the second. Kast is one alley of 10 feet breadth, one street of 20 feet breadth, dividing the lots of Cox and Hayes; east of all is an alley of 12 feet breadth. West is an alley of 10 feet; west of all is an alley, as may be seen in the plat.

These figures show an apparent diminution of the population of the town between the years 1850 and 1860, which is accounted for from the fact that the census-taker in 1850 embraced in his return a district which, although obviously as much a part of the town as any other, was not legally within the incorporated limits. It is unquestionably true that the population and business of Hayesville during the last twelve years have been constantly augmenting. This has been particularly the case since the Vermillion, Institute, which is the chief source of the prosperity of the town, and which has withstood the shock of the present civil war that has prostrated so many kindred institutions, has been under the charge of Mr. Diefendorf. The town and the institute were never in a more prosperous condition than now.

Hayesville contains 3 churches, 3 resident clergymen, 2 physicians, 1 lawyer, 1 high school, (the Vermillion Institute,) 1 lodge I. O. O. F., 2 hotels, 5 boarding-houses, 3 dry goods stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 boot and shoe stores, 1 drug store, 1 bakery and confectionery, 2 shoe shops, 3 saddle shops, 3 wagon manufactories, 4 blacksmith shops, | silversmith, 3 cabinet shops, 2 tanneries, 1 tinsmith and stove store, 2 cooper shops, and 1 barber shop.

The dispensation for this lodge was granted 14th May, 1857, to J. Kinninger, Wm. L. Smith, Wm. G. Galloway, Nicholas McCool, and M. McLaughlin.

The first officers were Joseph Kinninger, N. G.; Wm. L. Smith, V.G.; M. McLaughlin, Rec. Sec.; and W.G. Galloway, Treasurer. The lodge was organized with the five charter members, nine were initiated, and one admitted by card. Total, fifteen.

Churches In Hayesville Old School Presbyterian

The Presbyterian Church in Hayesville was organized in the fall of 1846, and had as the first minister the Rev. Benj. T. Lowe, who preached the half of his time there and the other half in the church of Jeromeville.

The Rev. Wm. W.Colmery became pastor and had charge of the church until the spring of 1850, when Mr. Colmery having taken the Jeromeville church, the Rev. Sanders Diefendorf, Principal of Vermillion Institute, became minister of the Hayesville church. This arrangement lasted until the spring of 1852, when the Rev. Jacob Coon having succeeded Mr. Die- fendorf as principal of the institute, also took his place as stated preacher to the church. In the autumn of 1853 Mr. Coon resigned, and the church was vacant until April, 1854, when the Rev. Mr. Diefendorf, who had settled in Athens, Ohio, was "recalled; andhas ever since been their minister. A handsome and substantial house of worship was erected in 1859 nearly on the site of the old building.

United Presbyterian Congregation Of Hayesville

We have not access to the records of the organization of this congregation. The earliest records attainable were made in 1838, at which time Rev. Samuel Hindman was the pastor of the congregation. He became, as we are informed, pastor of the congregation in 1857. <A preaching station was recognized here by the Associate Church, perhaps as early as 1832, and the "Associate Congregation of Hayesville" was organized soon after. The members were but few at its first organization, and when Mr. Hindman became their stated pastor, they were able to obtain no more than one-fourth of his ministerial labors - the other three-fourths being divided equally between Mansfield, Iberia, and Savannah. Mr. Hindman's connection with this congregation continued till 1842, when the pastoral relation was dissolved. In the year 1844, Rev. J. L. McLain, having accepted a call from the congregation, was installed as their pastor. His ininisterial labors were divided equally between Tayesville and Mansfield. Mr. McLain's connection with the congregation continued for eleven years. Early in the year 1855, upon the mutual request of the pastor and congregation, the relation was dissolved by the Associate Presbytery of Richland, to which the congregation was in subordination. After this the congregation was dependent upon supplies until the autumn of 1856, when Rey. J. Y. Ashenhurst, receiving a call, became their stated pastor. His labors were divided equally between Hayesville and Savannah. In May, 1858, the union being consummated between the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches under the name and title of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, and the Associate Congregation of Hayesville, acceding to the terms of union, became the United Presbyterian Congregation of Hayesville. In December, 1859, upon the petition of the Congregation of Hayesville, the entire labors of the pastor were granted to them, thus dissolving the relation between him and the congregation of Savannah. In January, 1860, Mr. Ashenhurst entered upon his labors at Hayesville, as a separate charge - and the congregation, for the first time in their history, obtained the entire ministerial labors of a pastor, which they still continue to enjoy. In 1856, when the present pastor took charge of the congregation, there were about fifty-six members: Since that time about sixty have been admitted to membership; and the decrease by death and removals has been about forty, leaving the present membership about seventy-six. The contributions of the congregation for religious purposes average about eight dollars to each member annually.

Methodist

The society was organized in 1828, at the house of Richard Jackman. About two years after Hayesville was laid out, the society erected a house for worship 28 by 35 feet, which occupied the site of the present residence of Mr. Craig. The membership at this time amounted to thirty. The clergymen were Rev. H. Sheldon and Rev. S. Renark. Trustees - S. Smith, R. Jackman, John Harman, and W. James.

The present building was erected in 1855. Its size is 88 by 50 feet - valuation $1400. Rev. Mr. Starr and Rev. Mr. Wilcox are the present clergymen, and R. Hill, J. Hill, and W. Seamans are Trustees of the church.

Permanently Established Business Men In

Armentrout & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, and caps. Also manufacturers of millinery goods and clothing. Northeast corner of North and Main Streets.

Chapter Atl

Mifflin and Mohican. There is no township in the county more rich in antiquarian wealth, or incident 'relating to its early history, than Green. Dr. J. P. Henderson, of Newville, a fine scholar, and a gentleman of cultivated taste, has a collection of specimens of the ancient race, the accumulations of many years, and gathered from: Ohio and other Northwestern States, some of the most valuable of which were obtained from this township. After centuries of undisturbed repose, the disemboweled earth of old Green has yielded up treasures which have enriched the cabinets of students of archeological science to a greater degree, probably, than any surface of equal extent in the country.

Upon the land of Jesse Parr existed a circular embankment, seven feet in height, inclosing an area of nearly three acres. From a mound, a few rods east of this work, curiously wrought implements of copper and stone were taken. Regarding other of these ancient works near the old Indian village, the reader is referred to the statement of Samuel Graham, which will be found in its proper place.

Much of the surface of Green Township is broken, although its hills and valleys yield rich rewards to the cultivators of its soil, as the agricultural statistics demonstrate.

The Black Fork enters the township from its western border, and flows ina southeasterly course, until it reaches Loudonville, in Hanover Township - trayersing a distance of about ten miles. The low banks and sluggish current of this stream render its water privileges of comparatively little value. There are, however, two dams upon it in Green Township. One of these, owned by Mr. Beechley, runs two pairs of burrs and one saw; and the other, formerly known as the "Stringer Mill," but now owned by Augustus A. Taylor, furnishes water for running three pairs of burrs and one saw. The valley of this stream is generally broad, and not exceeded in fertility by any area of equal extent in this quarter of Ohio.

It will be discovered, by statements elsewhere made, that in the early settlement of the township, Messrs. Coulter, Oliver, Rice, and others built flat-bottomed boats, and freighted them with pork, flour, whisky, etc., and ran them to New Orleans. These boats would average about fifteen feet in width, fifty feet in length, and would carry near twelve hundred pounds.

Upon the Clear Fork, which only runs about a mile through the southwest corner of Green Township, there is one dam, furnishing power for running a grist-mill with three pairs of burrs, and a saw-mill with one saw. These mills are now the property of Thomas W. Calhoun.

Honey Creek originates in the Quaker Springs, near the southeast line of Vermillion Township, and _ pursues a southwardly course through Green, a distance of about five miles, and terminates in the Black Fork, upon the land recently owned by the late Abraham Dehaven. Upon this stream there are six saw-mills and one grist-mill.

Union

Aside from those in the town of Perrysville there are two. UNION. About 1837, the Methodist Episcopal denomination erected a house for worship near the northeast corner of Green Township, adjacent to the present town of McKay. The society, about twelve years since, becoming feeble, by reason of deaths and removals, the building and ground were purchased by Christians, in the neighborhood, belonging to various denominations, and it is now'open'to all creeds who desire its use as a place for worship. The present trustees are Abner Hissen, Jacob Barlett, and Jesse Davis. The building is a frame, and will accommodate with seats about two hundred persons.

Greentown Baptist Church

The building was erected in 1837. It is built of brick; is 35 by 44 feet, and will accommodate with seats a congregation of three hundred and fifty persons.

The town is situated upon the line of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad. It contains one church, one forwarding and commission house, two dry goods stores, one tannery, one hotel, one tailor shop, one blacksmith shop, one grocery and provision store, and two physicians.

Presbyterian Church

Rev. William Hughes was licensed as a clergyman of the Old School Presbyterian Church, by the Presbytery of Beaver, on the 24th of June, 1829, and during the same year immigrated to this county. On the 15th of August, 1829, he preached the first sermon in the neighborhood of his present residence, at the house of the late William Taylor, Esq., in Green Township. On the ninth of September following he was appointed by Presbytery as stated supply for the churches at Perrysville and Lake Fork Cross Roads. April 5th, 1830, he was ordained.

The first elders of the church were Thomas Coulter, John Van Horn, and George Crawford - none of whom are now living. The present elders are William D. Ewalt, James Byers, John White, and William Reed; and the deacons are James Coe and William D. Ewalt.

James Byers

James Byers, wife, and child emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Green Township, in the spring of 1821. He had two years previously entered the southeast quarter of section 23, and erected thercon a cabin, and made some other improvement. He yet resides upon this land.

Conrad Castor

Conrad Castor emigrated with his wife and son, Tobias Castor, from Pennsylvania, to the place upon which he now resides, in Green Township, in the fall of 1817. He is now seventy-two years of age, and resides upon the land he originally entered - being the southeast quarter of section 22.

The orchard upon this place was commenced by trees transplanted from the nursery of Johnny Appleseed, situated on the John Murphy place, northeast of the farm owned by the late James Rowland.

Although the township had been settled some six years when Mr. Castor removed to it, the country was yet very wild. About four weeks after he removed his family into his cabin, a bear made his appearance . within twenty steps of the cabin door. Having no gun, bruin was permitted to leisurely pursue his way.

In September, 1821, Mr. Castor was returning home, toward the close of day, from an examination of some lands in the neighborhood, and, when within about forty rods of a clearing, his attention was called to a crackling sound in advance of him, and following on some distance, discovered it to be a bear and two cubs. When within about twenty steps of the "family," the cubs ascended a tree, and the old bear commenced a rapid advance upon Mr. Castor. Being without a gun, or even a knife of any description, he lost no time in seeking safety by climbing asmall tree, He barely made good his escape. The enraged brute would stand erect against the trunk of the tree and gnash her teeth at Mr. Castor, and then lie down, fixing upon him her glaring eyes, and beating the ground heavily with her huge paws. As night was rapidly approaching, he began to feel anxious about his release, and raised his voice for help. His dog was the first to come to his aid; and the moment the bear saw the dog, she immediately stationed herself at the base of the tree upon which rested her cubs. Mr. Castor instantly availed himself of the opportunity, and sprang from the tree, and was soon at the nearest.clearing, belonging to Nathan Wyatt. Tere, within a few minutes, a party of four were assembled, properly armed, and, aided by three dogs, set out to capture the bear. The dogs were soon engaged with her, but she made short work with them, striking them with her paw, and causing the strongest among them to reel under her powerful blows, and seek protection, by piteous howls, of their masters. The timber and dense underbrush afforded such concealment of the bear that the efforts of the hunters were baffled, and they returned to their homes, leaving her the victor.

Jonathan Coulter

Jonathan Coulter emigrated from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, to Green 'Township, in February, 1816. He died in August, 1841, at the age of seventy-three years. Thomas W. Coulter, Hsq., now of Perrysville, is the only surviving member of the family now residing in Ashland County.

In the year 1825, a band of outlaws, under the leadership of John Driskel, made their principal abode in Green Township, upon the farm now owned by John Taylor, Esq. They were the terror of the good people of Green and neighborhood, as they had previously been of the inhabitants of Columbiana and Wayne Counties, where they had formerly resided, and where they had committed extensive depredations. While in the first-named county, the elder Driskel had an encounter with one of the Poe family, resulting in the loss of the tip of his nose, which, added to lis naturally repulsive features, gave him a marked and hideous countenance. During his residence in Wayne County, but while the other families connected with the gang, hereafter mentioned, were living in Green Township, he had been sentenced to the penitentiary, and effected his escape. A reward was offered for his recapture and return. His confederates were numerous, and scattered over a large district of territory; but John Driskel, his son Pearson, and his son-in-law Reeson Brawdy, and Aaron Brawdy, were among the most desperate; and they (when not professionally engaged) and their families made their headquarters on the place above mentioned.

Their principal crimes were horse-stealing, incendiarism, and burglaries. They were men of great physical strength and brutal courage, and never omitted an opportunity to exercise these qualities. The boldness and frequency of their depredations had aroused intense indignation among the people of the neighborhood, and organized efforts were made to detect the haunts and effect a capture of the leaders. Among those most active and vigilant in securing this object, were Jonathan Coulter and William Irvin - the former being generally engaged, when one of the gang would be arrested, in prosecuting for the

State, and the latter being constable of the township. The outlaws had offered, alternately, violent threats and large bribes in money to these and other like adversaries to secure their neutrality; but their firm resistance of all corrupt offers to compound felony, and their inflexible determination to either bring the culprits to justice or rid the country of their presence, brought upon them the concentrated malice of the entire gang, and a war of extermination became necessary to the security of life and property in the settlement.

The barns of Coulter and Irvin were fired during the fall of the year 1829 - consuming several horses and large stocks of grain, hay, etce., and requiring all the energies of Mr. Coulter and family to prevent the flames from communicating with their house. Suspicions led to the arrest of Pearson Driskel, who was tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for the crime; although in the progress of his trial it appeared that he was only a particeps criminis - having employed a fellow known as "Crop-eared Brawdy" to accomplish the incendiary work.. |