Washington Township (part 1 of 2)

Washington Township

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP occupies the northwestern corner of Union County. Unlike moat townships in the county, its outlines are comparatively regular, as it is bounded by four straight lines. To the west of it lies Logan County and Hardin and Marion Counties to the north. Jackson Township bounds it on the east, and York Township on the south. The boundary line between it and York is the Greenville Treaty line of 1795.

The township was erected a civil subdivision of the county in 1836. The Commissioners' journal under date of June 6, of that year, contains the following entry:

The Board considered a petition handed in by John Dysert, praying for a new township to be taken from the north part of the township of York. Whereupon it was agreed that a township be formed, to be called W^ashington, to be bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the northwest corner of the township of Claibourne, thence running west parallel with the northern line of the county to the western boundary line of the county, thence north with, said line to the northwest corner of Union County, thence east with the north line of the county to the northwest corner of Jackson Township, thence with the line of said township south to the place of beginning.

As its date indicates, Washington was one of the later townships organized in Union County. Its boundaries as originally constituted have perhaps been less subject to change and alteration than almost any other township in the county.

Topographically, the township is nearly uniform in its several parts and also strongly resembles adjacent townships. It embraces a level stretch of country, broken in the western part and to some extent along the streams by gentle undulations. The most important stream is Rush Creek, which enters from Hardin County close to the northwestern corner of the township, but soon bends northward and passes back into Hardin County aboiit a mile east of its entrance into the township; it soon after re-enters and pursues a southeasterly coui'se through the township, crossing the eastern boundary line near its center. Kocky Fork, a tributary of this stream, rises in the southwestern part of the township and meanders in a northeasterly direction through the central portion of the township until it mingles its waters with those of Rush Creek. The North Branch of Bokes Creek cuts across the southwestern corner of thfr township separating portions of several farms from the main body of the township. Rush Creek has several small tributaries in the northwestern region of the township, and in the southeastern part three or four runs flow southward and eastward into Fulton Creek. The composition of the soil is argillaceous, except along the streams, where sand and gi-avel prevail to some extent. Ponds were not uncommon in early times, and a considerable portion of the township was swale land. The most of this, by systematic drainage, has, however, been converted into productive fields. Sugar, beech, ash, oak, hickory, elm, black walnut and cherry were the most important woods that covered the ground when the first settlers arrived. Walnut, red elm and buckeye were found along the creeks, and burr oak in the low lands. Considerable underbrush also flourished. Some small tracts of timber were deadened by forest fires, which often raged in dry weather, and there were places, usually wet where the fires in extremely diy weather had burned a kind of peat which covered the surface of the ground and with it the roots of the trees, until one after another the sturdy monarchs of the forest fell crashing to the earth. Several tracts, acres in extent, were thus entirely denuded of their forest covering. The land along the streams was a little higher and drier than the rest, and deemed more fertile, consequently the first settlements were made there.

The township contained one survey - in the north-central part - of 2,666f acres, and one in the northeastern part of 1,555^ acres. There are a number of 1,000 acres, but the majority are of a lesser extent. The following is a list of surveys: Squire Grant, No. 7,373, 200 acres, lying in and north of Byhalia, surveyed October 30, 182'2, by Thomas J. McArthur; Maria and John C. Ransdale, heirs, and James Taylor and Charles Scott, assignees, No. 9,898,. 528 acres, southwest corner of township, partly in Logan County, surveyed January 6, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; John Swan and James Taylor, No. 9,894, 1,000 acres in the southwestern part of the township, surveyed January 7, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; James Wallace and John McPherson, No. 9,895, 1, - 000 acres, southwestern part of the township, surveyed January 7, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; Thomas Scott, No. 9,896, 364 acres, south of Byhalia, surveyed November 5, 1821, by Thomas McArthur; James Fitzpatrick, No. 9,896, 100 acres, southeast of Byhalia, surveyed November 5, 1821, by Thomas Mc- Arthur; Robert Sayer, James Taylor, Nicholas Tallioferro and James Tayloy, No. 9,897, 1,000 aci-es east of Byhalia, surveyed January 8, 1820,. by Samuel Forrer; William Dark's representatives. No. 9,916, 833 acres, south-rentral part of the township, surveyed by Thomas J. Mc Arthur, November 3, 1821; Rowland Madison's representatives, No. 9,917, 1,000 acres, east-central part of townshij^, surveyed January 15, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; James Berwick, No 9,918, 6(36| acres, eastern part of t(^wnship, surveyed February 14, 1826, by Thomas J. McArthui-; Michael Rudolph's representatives, Nos. 9,960 and 10,012, 2,000 acres, northwest corner of township and partly in Logan and Hardin Counties, surveyed November 10, 1821, by Thomas J. McArthur; Presley Davis, No. 10,383, 200 acres, northeastern part, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 16, 1823; Richard Davis, No. 10,938, 200 acres, southeastern part, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; Robert Dugan, No. 10,938, 200 acres, southeastern part, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; John Lipscomb, No. 10,938, 200 acres, southeast corner of township, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; George Winchester, No. 10,971, 2,6661 acres, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur October 29,1822; Richard Dorsey, No. 12,105. 1,000 acres, western part of township, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur November 8, 1824; Elizabeth R. Worthington's heirs, No. 12,112, 1,333^ acres, westei'n part of township and partly in Logan County, surveyed by E. P. Kendi-ick July 1, 1840; George Lambert, No. 12,281, 500 acres, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 15, 1823; Elizabeth A. P. Scarborough, No. 12.289, 1.555^ acres, surveyed by Thomas J. Mc- Arthui- April 29, 1824; James J. Teackle, No. 12,360, 916i acres, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur April 30, 1824; John Evans, No. 13,320, 160 acres, west of Byhalia, surveyed by Cadwallader Wal lace July 10, 1832; James Gallaway, Jr., No. 13,427, 89 acres, eastern part of township, surveyed by James Gallaway, Jr., November7, 1833; Cadwallader Wallace, No. 13,748, 260 acres, northern part, surveyed by Cadwallader Wallace March 21, 1836; Allen Latham, No. 14,639, 330 acres, southeastern part, surveyed by E. P. Kendricks, December 25, 1843; Thomas Paisley, No. 12,- 189, 200 acres, partly in Hardin and Madison Counties, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 16, 1823; Abraham J. Williams, No. 10,177, 523 acres in northern part of township; W. and J. Tibbs and othevs, No. 9,915, 959 acres, mostly in Logan County, surveyed by Samuel Forrer January 14, 1820; Robert Green, No. 10,945, eastern part of township, 166 acres. The surveys were usually found to contain more land than the quantity for which they were surveyed, and in some cases the excess was considerable.

Early Settlements

The first white occupants of Washington Township were mainly a class of men who were attracted thither by the game, which abounded in the deep solitudes of the region. They were usually men who enjoyed hunting and trapping better than anything else, who possessed no land and who did not care to possess any, but preferred ranging over large scopes of country at will to owning and tilling a limited tract of land. The proprietors of the land here were mostly non-residents of Ohio, and the first squatters would pitch their tents at desirable localities without attempting to find the owner and obtain permission, and in this they were seldom molested. The owners rarely knew of the squatter occupancy, and when they did were usually not disposed to remove the occupants as the cabin that would invariably be erected and the little clearing that would be made enchanced the value of the land. But few traces remain of these primitive settlers, although it is scarcely more than a half century since the land was first occupied. Almost all the pioneers, both those whose title to possession was only the frail squatter's claim and those who purchased and improved land, have long ago emigrated to other parts.

Before tiling was introduced to reclaim the lands from swales and swamps, agricultural pursuits were attended with serious obstacles and meager results and the discontent thus produced promoted emigration to other localities. The darkest period in the township history was after game had disappeared from the forests and before the improved system of farming was adopted. To those who loved the free and roaming life of a huntsman, Washington Township invited a sojourn for many years. Game was abundant and the product of the chase found an easy mai^ket, sufficient to provide for the few, simple wants which the position of the squatters required. For a few years after the first settlers came, the "Wyandot Indians shared with the whites the occupancy of the hunting grounds in this vicinity. The Indians engaged in trapping and also in sugar-making to some extent. Their relations to the whites were always of a friendly nature, and the two races sometimes pursued their favorite pastimes in company, and the young emigrants learned many a valuable fact in hunting from their swarthy neighbors.

Edward, or Ned Southworth, as he was familiarly known, is reputed to be the first settler in the township, but the date of his arrival is not known. It was probably not far from 1830. He came from Logan County and owned a piece of land on Rocky Run. His brother, William Southworth, also moved to this township, but died a few years later.

Stephen Davis, a prominent pioneer, moved to a little place he had purchased on Rocky Run in the eastern part of Survey No. 9,917, in 1832. He was born in Maryland and removed when a young man to Bom-bon County, Ky. There he remained until 1808, when he came to Ohio. He first lived in Brown, then Pickaway County, and from the latter place came to Washington Township with his wife Sarah. He remained on his farm here the remainder of his life. He was influential among his neighbors and highly esteemed. Of a large family of children, Ebenezer was the only one who emigrated to this township. He came in 1832 from Pickaway County to Jackson Township, and to Washington Township in 1837. He succeeded his father in the possession of the farm and also succeeded to the esteem with which his father had been regarded. Ebenezer died May 2, 1867; his widow still survives.

John Dysert was among the first to settle on Rush Creek. He was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, moved to Ross County, then to Mill Creek, several miles below Marysville, whence he came here in 1836. He was a member of the Free- Will Baptist Church and was reputed to possess an excellent character. He owned no land and his tastes led him to follow hunting as a pursuit. Only three families had settled on Rush Creek in this township when he fcame. He remained here about nine years, then removed to Ross County. His wife was Mary^ Wheeler, and his family consisted of twelve children, four of whom now reside in Jackson Township.

The Titsworths came about 1834. They consisted of Isaac Titsworth, his wife and two sons - itiram and Lemuel - and several daughters. They had formerly resided for many years in Logan County. They settled in the southwestern part of Svirvey 9,917, about a mile northeast from Byhalia, on the Essex road. Hiram was the first Justice of the Peace in the township. But little legal erudition was then requisite as a qualification for election to this office and legal forms were not very closely observed at first. Hiram afterward sold his place of 126 acres in Survey 9,917, and removed to Missouri. Isaac and his wife died in the township, and Lemuel moved to Richland County, near Mansfield, after disposing of his farm in this township.

Jonathan Haynes was one of the foremost pioneers. He owned and , occupied a 100-acre farm on Rush Creek in the northeast corner of Survey 9, - 917, since known as the H. W. Minuh place. Mr. Haynes removed to Mt. "Victory, Ohio, where he kept hotel for awhile. He died in that village.

John Johnson came about 1837. He was raised in Logan County, married Ann Southworth and purchased a portion of Survey 13,3'JO, just northwest of Byhalia. He was industrious and accumulated some property. He returned to Logan County and is still living near Pickerill, that county. His son, Hosea, lived for a short time on Rocky Fork, then removed to Logan County.

Jeremiah Lingrel came in 1837 from Logan County. He was a native of Virginia and in Logan County married Ellen Ragan, by whom he had thirteen children. For many years after he came to Washington Township he owned no land. He built his first cabin north of Byhalia, and when the Marysville & Kenton road was opened the cabin stood in the way and had to be removed. He then lived in the Harriman place in the southwest part of Survey 9,916; he afterward moved to the western part of the township.

Marquis Osborn came in 1837. He was an Eastern man, bixt prior to his residence here lived a while near Urbana. He had a small family and died at his place on Rush Creek - Survey 13, 427, later known as the Burnside farm.

Jesse Thornton settled in the township about 1835, purchasing 150 acres in Survey 13,320, northwest from Byhalia. He was originally from South Carolina, but had lived in Virginia and Tennessee before emigrating to Ohio. He first located in Champaign County and then lived in Logan County eleven years before coming here. He engaged in shoe-making and coopering before settling in Washington Township, but here he devoted his attention entirely to farming. He had married Nancy Richardson and raised a large family. His children were James, Boyd, Jacob, Aaron, Jesse, Mary, Sallie, wife of Levin Wright, Lucinda, the wife of Solomon Shirtzler, Rachel, wife of John Harriman, and Nancy, wife of Joshua Harriman. IVIr. Thornton was born in 1777, and died in Washington Township March 31, 1857.

Southworth Mather settled on Rocky Fork at an early day. He came from the East somewhere, and was a local Methodist preacher. Like many others, he was a squatter at first, but afterward purchaFed land. He removed to Paulding County.

John W. Basard, in 1837-38, located in the extreme eastern part of the township on Rush Creek. He hailed from Logan County, and devoted his time and attention for awhile to farming. He then opened a little grocery store on Ru«h Creek and sold a considerable amount of goods to his neighbors. Christopher Richards was one of the earliest occupants of the land on Rocky Fork.

David Cunningham changed his residence from near West Liberty, Logan County, to a home in the wilderness, about two miles north of Byhalia prior to 1840, but afterward sold out his worldly possessions here and went West. When last heard of he was still living.

In L838, or earlier, Jacob Collins was living just north of what is now Byhalia, engaged in blacksmithing. He remained but a few years and removed farther west

James P. Scott was an early resident on Rush Creek. He moved here from Champaign County and afterward lived on Rocky Fork. He died in this township and his family moved West.

John Williams came from Logan County about 1838, and settled in the northwestern part of the township. His sojourn here was short. After returning to Logan County, he emigrated to the West. George McElfish was an early settler on Rush Creek. William Tomlinson lived for a short time in pioneer days in the eastern portion of the township.

James Bird was perhaps the first settler in the western part of the township. He came to it in June, 1839. He had purchased 400 acres in Survey 12,105 and had to cut a road to the place. His nearest neighbor, when he arrived, was Jeremiah Lingrel, who lived two and a half miles east, a short distance northwest from what is now Byhalia. Mr. Bird was born in New York, and while in that State served in the war of 1812 a short time. He removed to Cuyahoga County ^Ohio, and thence to Logan Coimty, where in addition to his farm labors he preached the Gospel to his neighbors and also practiced the " Thompsonian" system of medicine. But after his removal to Washington Township all his energies were given to the development of his farm. He brought with him five children - Gorum, William, Albert, James and Olive (Ennis). He was born June 8, 1798, and died March 24, 1882.

William Green, of Logan County, purchased land on Bokes Creek in the southwestern corner of the township, and his sons, George, Henry and John, cleared and afterward settled upon it, while the country around them was yet covered with one dense forest. After the Greens, Matthew Williams came from Logan County and settled in that vicinity. He died and was buried on the place.

David Irwin, in 1836 or soon after, came from Logan County and opened a blacksmith shop near the Titsworth place on the Essex and Rush Creek road. He also carried on farming to a limited extent. He afterward removed with his family to Missouri.

In 1840, the township was very sparsely settled. Land was then worth from $3 to $8 per acre. During the next twenty years, the township steadily increased in population and the land was gradually cleared and placed under cultivation. In 1855, Matthew Lingrell purchased his farm in and north of Byhalia for $7 per acre. He has recently refused $80 per acre for it. Within the last two or three years the land has increased greatly in value. Its average market value exceeds |50 per acre, while but a few years ago it was not valued at more than |30 or $35 on an average. The tax duplicates reveal the material increase of wealth, both of personal and real property in the township. In 1837, the year after the township was organized, the total taxable personal property consisted of twenty-seven horses and thirty- seven cattle, with a valuation of $1,376, and tax of $18.23. The real estate was returned 15,157 acres: valuation, $14,266; tax, $188.48. In 1840, there were 20,015 acres, valued at $20,015, and town lots at $223; personal property - thirty- two horses, $1,280, sixty-eight cattle, $544, moneys, $100, total valuation, $22,- 163; taxes, $332,45, of which $149,64 was delinquent. In 1850, the acreage was 16,768, valuation, $40,748; chattels, $6,951; total, $47,699; taxes, $855.90. In 1860, the acreage was 17,087, valuation, $146,971, tax, $1,660.78. In 1870, 17,280 acres, valuation, $287,681 tax, $10,400. In 1880, 17,819 acres, valuation, $319,591; buildings, $12,310; chattels, $83,268.

Washington Township has been distinctively rural in its character. Its people have pursued the even tenor of an agricultm-al life, and neither built up villao-es in their midst nor engaored in extensive industrial pursuits. There are or have been no grist mills within the limits of the township, except a tread horse mill owned by David Miller nearly forty years ago. It was a very rude and imperfect affair and only patronized to any considerable extent when very muddy roads or very dry weather rendered it impossible to get grists orround elsewhere. East Liberty, seventeen miles distant from Byhalia, was the principal milling point in early times. The timber has been cleared largely from the land since the introduction of portable saw mills and the early saw mill has had no place here. Timber was regarded as valueless by those who first occupied the township as permanent settlers. It was viewed only as an encumbrance to the cultivation of the soil to be annihilated in the easiest and most rapid manner possible. The usual way of first deadening the timber by cutting a ring around the tree through the bark and afterward felling, was in many cases deemed too slow an operation, and the timber was cut in the green. A number of the earlier settlers owned little asheries on their places and manufactured "black salts" from the ashes produced by the rapid clearing of their farms. The salts found a ready sale in Marysville and elsewhere, and from the money received from it they easily supplied themselves with the necessaries of life until their crops were harvested. Ed Blacock had an ashery on his place in the western part of the township - the E. O. Stevenson farm, southwestern corner of Survey 10,971. Elisha and James Wright, the El Uses and others in the northwestern portion of the township also possessed them.

As will be seen, the township has been uniformly and heavily Whig and Republican in its political complexion since the organization of the township except in 1853. In 1840, at the Presidential election there were but three Democratic voters in the township, and they, preferring to caat their votes in a more congenial clime, voted in an adjoining township, the election laws then permitting a citizen of a county to vote for President at any precinct in the county.

The tirst election was held at the house of Stephen Davis and after his decease at the residence of his Son, Ebenezer Davis. When the schoolhouse was erected just north of the Methodist Church ab<we Byhalia, it became the voting place. In 1882, a neat township house was erected in Byhalia.

Byhalia, comprising probably a dozen houses and a few stores, is a busy little trading point and the only approach to a village in the township. It is situated in the southern part of the township at the crossing of the Marysville & Kenton and Rush Creek & Essex Gravel Roads, and is a growth of but two or thren years. In the earlier days of the townshij), two attempts were made to establish a village, but each met with a signal failure.

Arbela was a village plat laid out by Marquis L. Osborne, July 25, 1838. It was situated in the eastern part of the township, north of and near Rush Creek, on Sixrvey 13,427, the N. Burnside place. John W. Basard kept a grocery and followed gunsmithing, and Stacy Smith lived and taught school here for a short time, and this is the extent of the known human habitation of the place. The utmost endeavors of its founder failed to make it a metropolis or an emporium of trade. The plat consisted of forty-tive lots, a public square and two streets - Main and Osborne. The lots were 4x12 poles in size; their courses, north 12° west and north 78° east. There are now two small country stores in the eastern part of the township.

In the spirit of a generous rivalry, it is said, Haynesville was laid out by Jonathan Haynes September 4, 1838, about one mile up Rush Creek fi'om Arbela and on the southern, banks of the stream. It was of more modest dimensions than its established rival, containing but twenty-one lots and a public square. This attempt at town-making proved more abortive than the other, for so far as known it remained in utter solitude. Its streets were Main and Rush Creek.

In striking contrast with these two unsuccessful efforts Byhalia has become the seat for a prosperous little town by the process of natural selection without any boosting from interested parties. It has never been laid out; its lots have been sold by metes and bounds by the owners of the land as fast as they were required. Rees Miller opened a little store about thirty years ago on the Jehu Gray farm,a short distance north of the Methodist Episcopal Church. On application, a post office was established at the store, with Mr. Miller as Postmaster, and named Byhalia. The store was maintained here for about twenty years and passed through the hands of quite a number of owners. Jehu Gray became Mr. Miller's partner after awhile, and they were succeeded by Nathan Moffat, William Davis, Walter Allyn, who left in 1861, Joshua B. Haynes, Robert Dodds, James Eaton, Moffat and Gray and P. Alien. The last mentioned closed business here about 1870. At the cross roads or what is now Byhalia, there stood at this time three farmhouses, belonging to and occupied by Matthew Lingrell, Orson Allen and Horace Pinney. Xvilliam Moffat piu'chased a corner lot off the Pinney farm, built a store-room and there offered a general stock of goods for sale to the public. Except one year, when Logan & Coleman operated the store, Mr. Moffat has been in possession of the store ever since. When Mr. Moffat returned and took possession again about four years ago, Logan & Coleman erected a store building and opened the second store in the place. They sold general merchandise for three years, then in November, 1881, sold to G. J. & N. M. Baldwin, who are the present owners. In May, 1881, J. W. Mehaffey opened a drug store, and in March, 1882, Alfred Davis brought to the village a stock of hardware, notions and groceries; both these stores are still operated by their founders. Jefferson Severe erected a hotel a few years ago and was its first proprietor; he subsequently rented it to T. W. Tolman, then sold it to Marion Flickinger. G. J. Baldwin purchased from Mr. Flickinger in March, 1881, and about nine months later disposed of it to the present proprietor, Z. R. Thornton.

Dr. Hiram Myers was the lirsfc practicing physician at Byhalia. He opened an office about thirty years ago and practiced ten or twelve years. Dr. William Breese succeeded him, but remained only a short time. Dr. Gustavus Skidmore then became the physician of this vicinity, but several years later he removed to Essex and subsequently to Pharisburg. Dr. Emanuel Whittaker also practiced here for a time, then moved West. The two physicians now located here are Drs. B. A. Martin and George Martin; both have been here for a number of years and have won a good, established practice.

During the past year there have been more buildings erected than at any time previous. About fifteen families now reside here. There are two blacksmith shops. In 1879, the lines of the adjacent school districts were changed so as to give Byhalia a school, and it now has a substantial frame schoolhouse. G. J. Baldwin is the present Postmaster. The office was transmitted from one merchant to another at the store where it was first established until the seat of business shifted to the site of Byhalia, and it has since been held by William Moffat, Aaron Coleman and G. J. Baldwin successively.

The township cemetery is situated on an elevated lot of ground on the Boyd Thornton farm, northwest from Byhalia. It was first used as a private burial ground and since about 1854 the fearthlyl remains of most of Washington Township's deceased have reposed beneath its sod. The lot originally included a half acre, but recently another half acre has been added. The first graveyard in the township was on the Titsworth place, northeast of Byhalia, and many of the earliest settlers have been interred here. For about thirty years, however, it has ceased to subserve this sacredpurpose, and a more neglected spot could scarcely now be found. Many of the remains have been removed to other cemeteries. It lies so close to the channel of Rocky Fork that the graves are in danger of being despoiled of their hallowed trusts by the treacherous current, and it is said that skeletons have already been washed away by its waters. Another small cemetery is situated in the eastern part of the township on the Nathan Burnside place. It has been in use for many years.

On the Titsworth place a log schoolhouse was erected through the joint labors of the settlers in that vicinity at an early day. It was probably the first building of the kind in the township and stood near the old cemetery.

Joseph Carter was one of the first teachers. He taught one or two winters only. David Ellis taught several terms in the same school, and was considered an excellent teacher. For a number of years after, a subscription school was held on the Kenton & Marysville road, some distance north of Byhalia. Stacy Smith was also an early teacher here. The schools were held very irregularly before the establishment of the common district schools, and terms were usually of three months' duration. The first school in the western part of the township was held in a log house which stood on the Bird farm. Mary Johnson was the first teacher. She received only 75 cents per week and " boarded 'round. " Margaret Johnson afterward taught at the same place. There are now eight school districts within^the township, each of which is supplied with a good building, furnished with modern school furniture and appliances.

Davis Methodist Protestant Chapel is located on the Essex & Rush Creek road, in the eastern part of the township. The society was organized in 1848 with ten members - Jonathan Fields and wife, Ebenezer Davis and wife, Thomas Miller and wife, Jesse Weatherbee and wife and Jefferson Fields and wife - by the Rev. Cyrus Carter in a log schoolhouse which stood on Lemuel Titsworth's land. The services were held in this schoolhouse for ten or twelve years, when the neat frame church now used as the house of v/orship was constructed. Ebenezer Davis, Thomas Miller and John McPeck were the largest contributors in the enterprise. The first mentioned donated the lot upon which the house was erected. Rev. Oliver Stephens was the pastor in charge when it was built. The church has been prosperous and now contains fifty-seven members. Rev. James Adams has perhaps been the most successful pastor. During the revival services conducted by him, the membership of the church increased to considerably more than one hundred. This church has been a charge in the Richwood Circuit until about a year ago, when it and the Essex church engaged the services of Rev. Cadwallader, who has since administered to them. A Sabbath school is regularly maintained during pleasant weather.

A Methodist Episcopal society was organized about 1840, in a log schoolhouse built in the woods on Rocky Run, near where Southworth Mather then lived, afterward the Hiram Titsworth and now the William Haynes place. The membership was small, and most prominent among the little band were Hiram and Lemuel Titsworth, John Johnson and Southworth Mather. The latter two were local preachers. Services were continued in a log schoolhouse until a new schoolhouse was built on the newly opened Marysville & Kenton road, which stood near the site of present Methodist Church, north of Byhalia. Services were then held in the schoolhouse for a number of years. By the removal of members from the neighborhood, the society became ' very weak numerically and regular preaching was suspended.

About 1872, a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church, consisting of perhaps twelve members, was organized, with Allen Haines as class leader. The society prospered, and in 1876 erected a commodious and handsomely constructed edifice, 34x48 feet, north of Byhalia half a mile, and close to the schoolhouse, in which the meetings had previously been conducted. Its cost exceeded $2,000. It was dedicated by Rev. David Rutledge, then Presiding Elder of the district to which it was attached. The first steps looking to the erection of the chui'ch were taken during the pastorate of Rev. Solomon Linsley. His successors as pastors of this church have been Revs. William Shultz, William Dunlap, J. C. Clemmons, David Bowers and John W. Donnan. The last mentioned is now serving his second year. The Byhalia Church was orig- inally included in the Mt. Victory Circuit, composed of four charges - Byhalia, Mt. Victory, Wilson Chapel and Reinhart Church. It is now an element in the York Center Circuit, which comprises four churches - McKendree at York Center, Byhalia, Summersville and Bethel. The present membership is about forty. A Sabbath school was organized subsequent to the erection of the church, and is now working in an active and successful manner. It con tains ninety-five members, eight classes and is superintended by William Haines.

In the extreme northwestern corner of Washington Township is an organization of the Quakers or Friends, known as Rush Creek Chui'ch. Its membership is drawn from Hardin and Logan Counties as well as this township. The organization was effected soon after the close of the rebellion in a log schoolhouse. A few years later, through the efforts of Obediah Williams. Bennett Watkins, Isaac Penoc and other early members, a frame structure was erected, which has since served as their meeting house. At the organization of the society, the membership scarcely numbered half a dozen. It is now probably forty. Services are held every Sabbath. A Sabbath school has been maintained for many years.

In the southwestern portion of the township is a religious society of the Free-Will Baptist persuasion, which owns no house of worship, but meets in the Bird Schoolhouse. It was organized there about ten years ago by Elder George Baker, then of Marion County, Ohio. He and Elder K. F. Higgins have been the only two pastors in charge. The early membership was small, and included the names of Gorum Bird and wife Arsadilla, Albert Bird and wife Mary, William Peterson and wife Ellen, and Rachel and Mary Elliott. A Sabbath school has been supported until the present year, when, owing to the temporary suspension of regular services, the school, too, ceased active work.

Biographical Sketches

ISHMAEL ARMINTROUT, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The sul^ject of this sketch was born m Rockingham County, Va., December 25, 1823, and when twelve years of age, with his parent--, Jacob and Fanny Armintrout, he went to Indiana, where they, however, remained but a short time. From thence they came to Montgomery County, Ohio, where they located two years, and for the year following lived in Madison County. They subsequently went to Franklin County, where tliey remained until their decease. Of a family of nine children, five are now living, viz.: Gideon, Martha, Clara, Ishmael and .Jemima. On .June 6, 184(3, our subject was unite 1 in marriage in Franklin County to Miss L. S. Warner, who was born May 21, 1836, in Chenango County, N. Y. She is a daughter of Stephan and Hannah (deceased) Warner, now of Franklin County, Ohio. To them have been born ten children - Lucy M. (deceased), Henrietta F., Jacob S., Delilah J., Addison 0., Martha, Albert J., Henry G., Isadora and Clara E. In the spring of 1869, with his family, he came to Washington Township, Union County, and for three years located near Byhalia; he then moved to the western portion of Washington Township, where he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of 140 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.

JOSEPH C. BALDWIN, fiirmer, P. 0. Mt. Victory, Hardin County, Ohio, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 3, 183^ ; his parents were Roswell and Martha Baldwin, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of Virginia. They settled in Stark County at an early day. When fifteen years of age, wi*h his parents, he came to Logan County, where they remained until 1871, in which year they came to Washington Township, Union County. On Se])- tember 24, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Elliott, who was born November 29, 1833; she is a daughter of Samuel and ^lartha Elliott. To them have been born live children, three of whom are still living - Mary E., Martha M. and Charles R. In February, 1871, he came to Union County and settled in ^\%shington Township, where he now resides. He has served as School Director and is a member and an Elder of the Friends Society. On September 24, 1882, their silver wedding was celebrated, when Mrs. Baldwin, who has been an invalid for eight years, became the recipient of many valuable presents. They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances, with whom they are quite popular. Mr. Baldwin is the owner of fifty-six and one-half acres of b'.nd.

NATHAN M. BALDWIN, junior member of the firm of G. J. Baldwin & Co., Byhalia, was born May 17, 1844, in Champaign County, Ohio. He is a son of Lewis C. Baldwin (deceased) and Ann Baldwin. When about ten years of age, with his parents, he came to York Township, Union County. He received a common-school education. On September 15, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Cahill, daughter of Clement Cahill (deceased) and Martha Cahill, of Washington Township. The fruits of this union are two children - William W. and Howard 0. In connection with his mercantile trade, he is at present also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of forty acres of land. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and received an honorable discharge in September of the same year. He has served as Justice of the Peace in Washington Township.

Gould J. Baldwin, senior member, was born December 23, 1847, in Champaign County, Ohio. Like his brother, when a boy, he came to Union County with his parents. On July 21,

1870, he married Miss Louisa 0. Southard, daughter of Ely B. and Jane Southard. They have one child - Otway. For twelve years, he has been engaged in the mercantile business. As a firm, they are courteous and obliging to their patrons, and always aim to give satisfaction. They deal in dry goods and general merchandise, such as is usually kept in a country store.

G. BIPiD, farmer, P. 0. Mt. Victory, Hardin County, Ohio, was born in New York State October 21, 1817. When two years of age, with his parents, James and Mary Bird, he came to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where they remained until he was perhaps twelve years of age. They then came to Logan County, where they located until the spring of 1839, when they came to Washington Township, Union County. They endured the usual hardships and self-denials which are incident to pioneer life. Of a family of six children, three are now living, viz., Gorum, William and Albert. In May, 1849, our subject was united in marriage to Arcadilla Scott, daughter of James and Margaret Scott, early settlers of Champaign County ; she is a distant relative of the late Gen. Winfield Scott. This union has been blessed with six children - Sarah M., Caroline, Emeline, Dellie, Darwin S. and John \V. (deceased). He has served as Justice of the Peace of Washington Township for six years, and as Trustee several years. He is a member of the Baptist Church and the owner of 145 acres of land.

ELI BOLEN, blacksmith, Bjhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Adams County, Ohio, October 17, 1847; he is a son of Alexander Bolen and Lydia Bolen, the former at present residing at Bellefontaine, Logan County. When five years of age, with his parents, he came to Union County. On April 17, 1870, in Hardin County, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda McCall, daughter of Thomas and Judith McCall, of Hardin County. To them have been born two children - Ivery L., born February 11, 1874, and Coral W., born March 30,

1871, died May 10, 1879. In 1870, Mr. Bolen engaged in blacksmithing in Logan County, and continvied the same several years. In April, 1879, he located at Byhalia, this county. He does general blacksmithing, and being a first-class workman, gives entire satisfaction to his patrons. He has been abundantly successful in business, owing principally to his industry and good management. He and wife are both members of the M. E. Church.

NATHAN BURNSIDE. farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan County, Ohio, December 4, 1817. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth Burnside, who came from Virginia, and settled in Logan County at an early day. He has seen and en dured much of pioneer life. On April 2, 1840, in Logan County, he married Miss Sarah Mo- Gee, daughter of William and Jane McGee (now deceased), of Logan County. To them have been born eight children, six of whom are still living, viz.: Alexander W., William M., Samuel G., Lewis C, Mary J. and Elizabeth E. In 1843, he came to Union County, and for eighteen months located in Washington Township, on a tract of land where he now resides. He subsequently spent a short time in Iowa, Indiana and Logan County, Ohio, but in 1847 or 1848 returned to Washington Township. He has served as School Director, and is a member of the Baptist Church. As an agriculturist, he has met with good success, being a man of industrious and economical habits. He is the owner of 143 acres of land.

ENOS CAHILL, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, March 17, 1829. He is a son of William and Rebecca Cahill. On August 1, 1849, in Tuscarawas County, he married Miss Isabel Martin, who was born September o, 1827 ; she is a daughter of James and Jane Martin, now deceased. By this union there has been an issue of ten children - Rebecca J., Alexander, Mary M., AVilliam J., Susannah, Martha, Joseph H., Alpheretta, John E. and one died in infancy. In the autumn of 1863, with his family, he came to Union County, and settled in AVashington Township, at Byhalia, where he now resides. As an agriculturist, he has been successful, owing to his industry and good management. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and continued in the service until the following October. He has served as Assessor and Trustee of Washington Township, and is the owner of ninety-four acres of land in a good state of cultivaticn.

ALFRED DAVIS, hardware merchant, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born October 20, 1836, in Union County, Ohio ; he is a son of Ebenezer Davis (deceased) and Mary Davis, early settlers of Union County. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and continued in the service until September of the following year. On March 8, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Melvina L. Pinney, daughter of Horace and Ohristena (deceased) Pinney. They have two children - Minnie and Elbert. Prior to his engaging in the hardware and grocery business, he engaged in farming, with the exception of one year spent in the mercantile business at Ridgeway, Hardin County. In March, 1882, he located in Byhalia. He is a gentleman of a pleasant disposition, and accommodating to his patrons. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. society, an(^ of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

VALENTINE DEAR, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin County, was born in Baden, Germany, in April, 1823. His parents were Jacob and Frances Dear. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and in his youth received but a meager education. In October, 1844, he was united in matrimony to Miss Mai-garet Rostetter. By this union there has been an issue of nine children, of whom eight are now living, viz. : Jonas, Theresa, Bertha, Felix. Sarah, Anne, Mary and Peter. In 1866, with his family, he emigrated to America, came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township. He is industrious, and the owner of 105 acres of land.

JONATHAN C. FIELDS, farmer, P. 0. Richwood, was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 26, 1818. His parents were Robert and Susan Fields, early settlers of Logan County. Of a family of eight children seven are yet living, viz. : Jonathan C, Jefferson C, Andrew J., Robert, Barbara, Lucinda and Charlotte. Our subject was in his youth trained to the pursuits of farming, and received the rudiments of education in a district school. On February 18, 1841, he was united in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth J. Atha, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Atha, of whom we have made mention in another portion of this work. To them have been born ten children, viz. : Mary A., Susannah, Melissa J., Easrum, Jasper N., James R., Emma 0., LeviC, Thomas J. and Sarah E., the latter two of whom are deceased. In March, 1850, Mr. Fields settled in the eastern portion of Washington Township, this county, on the farm at present occupied by him. He owns 108 acres of land, and is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

JEHU GRAY, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born March 11, 1827, in Champaign County, Ohio. His parents were John and Ellen Gray, natives of Virginia, and early settlers of Champaign County. Of his father's family of six children two are now living - Jehu and Louisa. In his youth, Jehu received a fair English education, by means of which he was enabled for several years to teach school. On June 25, 1849, in Champaign County, he married Lydia Miller, daughter of John and Margaret Miller, of Champaign County. By her he had three children - John L., Aaron E. and Emma, the latter two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Gray died January 16, 1866, and on March 21, 1867, he married Miss Johanna Stalder, daughter of Casper and Mary Stalder, of York Township, this county. To them have been born one child - Howard E. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Gray came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township. For nine years he has served as a Commissioner of Union County, and for many years as Clerk of Washinton Township. He discharged the duties of said offices faithfully and creditably. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and F. & A. M. societies, and the owner of 343 acres of land.

HENRY H. GREEN (deceased) was born May 21, 1814. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received a common school education, and for perhaps twelve years taught school. For his first wife he married Sarah Ellis, by whom he had one child (deceased). He was again married, on November 4, 1851, to Miss Lydia F. Lukens, an estimable lady and daughter of Jesse and Beulah Lukens, of Logan County, Ohio. By this union there was an issue of seven children, six of whom are now living - John L., Henry S., Ellis, William B., Sylvia A. and Angeline. About the year 1850, he settled in Washington Township, this county, where his widow now resides. He served as Trustee of Washington Township, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a kind and loving father and an indulgent husband, and departed this life January 28, 1870. He left to his widow 161 acres of land.

JAMES D. HAINES, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born April 2, 1832, in Champaign County, Ohio; his parents were Allan and Sarah Haines, natives of Virginia, and among the first settlers of Champaign County. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812 with Great Britain. Of a large family of children, four are now living - James D., Jonathan, Harvey M. and Hope. In December, 1860, our subject married Keziah Stamats, daughter of John Stamats, of York Township, this county, and by her had one child - Cyrus N. She died in 1863, and in 1865 he married Rhoda Speck, by whom he had two children - Aggie M. and Aaron C. (deceased). She died in 1875. For his third wife, he married, in March, 1877, Elizabeth Martin, widow of the late Luther Martin, of Union County, and daughter of Casper and Mary Stalder, of York Township, this county. By her he has one child - Sylvia J. In the spring of 1859, he came to Union County and settled in Washington Township. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township one year. He is the owner of 308 acres of land, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM M. HAINES, farmer and pike contractor, P. 0. Byhalia, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 20, 1841, and is a son of Jonathan Haines and Mary Haines (deceased) his father now residing at Byhalia, this county. When three years of age, with his parents, he, came to Union County, and in his youth received a fair English education. On June 4, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. McPeck, who was born July 27, 1844, in Har- rison County, Ohio. She is a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth McPeck, of York Township, this county, whose biography appears in this work. They have two children, viz.: George M., born .June 24, 1870, and Mary E., born May 23, 1872. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the First Battalion Ohio Sharp-Shooters, Army of the Cumberland. On November 8, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Kingston, Ga, by the confederates, and was subsequently confined in nine different Southern prisons. At the close of the war he was exchanged, and was honorably discharged from the service July 12, 1865. In connection with his farming, Mr. Haines is also engaged in building pike roads by contract. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for eight years has been a local minister. He is at present filling the oflace of Trustee of Washington Township. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, and the owner of 128 acres of land.

CALEB F. HAINES, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born February 20, 1845, in Union County, Ohio. He is a son of .Joshua B. Haines (deceased) and Mary Haines, of this county. About the year 1840, his parents came to Union County and settled in Washington Township, where his father died August 17, 1882. They were the parents of seven children - Caleb F., Margaret, Lydia J., Fannie L., Rebecca, James H. and Sarah A., the latter five of whom are deceased. On January 6, 1867, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Margaret D. Miller, who was born November 28, 1849; she was a daughter of Thomas and Delilah Miller, whose biography appears in this work. To them have been born four children, viz.: Aaron L., born April 19, 1869; Milton B., born September 24, 1872; George F., born March 22, 1878, and Josephine, bora June 5, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Haines are both members of the M. P. Church. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the service until the following October. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and the owner of about 160 acres of land.

JOHN HARRIMAN, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born May 21, 1827, in Harrison County, Ohio. His parents were Simpkin and Sarah Harriman. When about sixteen years of age, with them he came to Washington Township, this county. From his youth up he has been engaged in farming. On August 28, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Thornton, who was born in 1834; she was a daughter of Jesse and Nancy Thornton, early settlers of Union County. To them have been born five children, viz.: Caleb F., born November 15, 1853; Rebecca J., born May 12, 1855; Mary M., born September 11, 1862; Hannah M., born December 12, 1868, and Harvey A., born January 31, 1874. As an agriculturist, Mr. Harriman has been successful, having comparatively little with which to start in life. He is at present serving as Trustee of Washington Township, and for twenty years has been engaged in auctioneering. He is the owner of ninety-five acres of laud, and is recognized as one of the thrifty agriculturists of Washington Township.

GEORGE HARRIMAN, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 19, 1837. His parents were Simpkin and Sarah Harriman. When six years old, with his parents, he came to Washington Township, Union County, where his parents settled. Of a family of twelve children, nine are now living, viz.: Amos, John, Ezra, Ellen, Martha, Joshua, George, Rebecca and Ruth. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirtyfirst Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Chickamauga. Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Murfreesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Goldsboro, Kingston, N. C, and numerous other engagements. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865. On July 4, 1868, he married Miss Mary C. MoflBtt, who was born in April, 1846, in Champaign County, Ohio; she is a daughter of Nathan Moffitt (deceased), and Lucy A. Moffitt. To them have been born five children - Flavilla, James S., Donna M., Frankie J. and William H. (deceased). Mr. Harriman is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. society, aud of the Grand Army of the Piepublic, and the owner of seventy acres of land. He has served as Assessor of Washington Township.

ROBERT HICKS, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in England December 26, 1825. When twelve years of age, with his parents, Thomas and Catherine, Hicks, he emigrated to America, and came to Knox County, Ohio, where they remained until their decease. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm, and received but a limited education. On September 27, 1853, in Knox County, he married Miss Eunice Thompson, who was born January 22, 1834, she was a daughter of Asa and Anne Thompson, of Knox County. By her he had nine children - Mary L., George H., Maria L., Salona E., Anna C, Ida J., John, Hattie B. and Bertha C. She departed this life February 17, 1879, loved and honored by all who knew her. In the fall of 1864, with his family, Mr. Hicks came to Washington Township, this county, and settled where he now resides. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of ninety-eight acres of land.

MATTHEW LINGREL, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan County, Ohio, November 25, 1825, and is a son of Jeremiah Langrel (deceased) and Eleanor Lingrel; his father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvania. In 1837, them he came to Washington Township, this county. On March 21, 1850, in Marion County, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Essex, a daughter of James and Ellen Essex, of J... 1 on County ; to them have been born eight children, of whom five are yet living, viz.: Louis

M., Alice, John H., Newton H. and Reed. For twelve years, he has served as Justice of the Peace in Washington Township ; he has also served as Clerk and Trustee of the township. Mr. Lingrel is one of the self-made men of whom Union County may well be proud, for, according to his own statements, he commenced life with but comparatively little, and he is at present the owner of a fine farm of 370 acres. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F Lodge, and resides at his home in Byhalia.

AVILLIAM MACOUBREY, farmer, P. 0. Rich wood. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland March 2, 1825, and is a son of William and Mary A. Macoubrey. He married in Ireland Miss Jane Mulligan, daughter of James and Esther Mulligan. To them have been born three children - Mary A., born December 29, 1846: George A., born January 4, 1852; and William J., deceased. In 1857, with his family he emigrated to America, and by the way of New York came to Union County, Ohio. After living in several different parts of Union County, he finally, in the fall of 1873, settled in the southeastern portion of Washington Township. He is a man of industrious and economical habits, which have secured for him success. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the owner of fifty acres of land.

JAMES W. MAHAFFEY, druggist, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, January 15, 1853. His parents were James and Matilda (deceased) MahafiFey, of Liberty Township, this county. He received a good English education. In the spring of 1879, he entered into the drug business at Newton, this county, where he remained until May, 1881, in which year he moved to Byhalia. He has established a good trade and is meeting with success. On December 25, 1875, he married Miss Allena Haines, daughter of Harvey M. and Elmira (deceased) Haines, of Union County. This union has been blessed with two children - Wilbur and Maud. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society.

BRAYTON A. MARTIN, physician, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Conneticut February 5, 1886. His parents were Hosea and Beulah Martin. When a youth, he learned the trade of a carpenter and followed the same for severalyears. In 1863, he came to Union County, York Township, and for a time made his home with his aunt, Mary M. Martin, widow of the late Enos Martin. During the latter portion of 1866, and the beginning of 1867, for five months he attended the Starling Medical College at Columbus, and he again attended it in 1868 and 1869, and graduated in March of the latter year. In July, 1869, he located at Byhalia and began the practice of his profession, where he remained until 1873. He then spent two years in Connecticut. In 1875, he went to Schuyler County, 111., where he located until 1880, in which year he returned to Byhalia. On December 22, 1873, he married Margaret Wilson, by whom he had one child - Mary Luella. Dr. Martin has been Treasurer of Washington Township; is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and a physician of merit.

JOHN McPECK, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, an aged and venerable citizen of Washington Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., May 11, 1814. His parents were John and Sarah McPeck. In his youth, he learned the trade of stone-cutting and brick -laying, and followed the same for more than twenty years. In 1836, he came to Harrison County, Ohio, where, on August 3, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah McAfee, who was born March 8, 1824, in Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of James and Mary McAfee, with whom, when three years old, she came to Harrison County. To Mr. and Mrs. McPeck have been born seven children - James B., Orville D., Daniel, Mary T., Sarah M., William D. and Amanda M., the latter two of whom are deceased. lu 1852, he came to Union County and settled in Washington Township. Like other early sellers, Mr. McPeck has endured hardships and self-denial. The tract of land on which he settled had perhaps three acres partly cleared ; but by his industry and pluck he succeeded in clearing it and to-day we behold it transformed into a good farm of eighty-three acres. He has served as Trustee of Washington Township, and is an ardent member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

GEORGE M. McPECK, farmer, P. 0. Rich wood. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 19, 1842, and is a son of William H. and Elizabeth McPeck, whose biography appears in this history. When a youth, with his parents, he came to Union County. He received a fair English education and for a short time taught school. In December, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was attached to the army of West Virginia. He participated in the battles of Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and the second battle of Bull's Run, where he received a wound in the thigh. His regiment was then transferred to the Potomac and took an active part in the field of Gettysburg. He was subsequently transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, Twentieth Corps, and was engaged at Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Averysboro, Bentonville and numerous others. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service. On May 15, 1877, he married Miss Rachel E. Rowe, daughter of David Rowe (deceased) and Catherine Rowe, of Illinois. To them have been born two children, viz.: Winnifred, born October 10, 1878, and Margaret (deceased). He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the owner of 137 acres of land.

THOMAS MILLER, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, an aged pioneer of Washington Township, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, December 17, 1812. His parents were John and Margaret Miller, who emigrated from Virginia to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1804, and remained there a short time, when they moved to Champaign County, where they remained until their decease. They were the parents of twelve children, sis of whom are now living, viz.: Joshua, Elizabeth, Margaret, Thomas, Rees and David. On March 2, 1837, in Champaign County, our subject married Miss Delila Wade, who was born November 11, 1819, in Champaign County, Ohio; she is a daughter of Garland and Rebecca Wade, natives of Virginia, who settled in Champaign County about the year 1813. By this union there has been an issue of eleven children - Jeremiah, Daniel M., Ellis W., Jehu W., Margaret D., Elizabeth J., Mary E., Mattie L., John J. F., Thomas F. and David E. ; the latter two of whom are deceased. Three of his sons - Jeremiah, David and Daniel were participants in the late war of the rebellion. In the spring of 1846, he came to Union County, and settlted in the eastern portion of Washington Township, where he now resides. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township twenty-five years ; is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the owner of a fine farm.

GEORGE MILLER, physician, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 12, 1848, and is a son of William Miller, deceased, and Lucinda Miller. He was reared in Shelby County, and received a fair English education. During the latter portion of 1869, and the beginning of 1870, for five months, he attended the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and again attended it in 1872 and 1873, and graduated in March of the latter year. In the fall of 1875, he located at Byhalia, this county. He enjoys a good practice and is meeting with marked success. On July 1, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Tallman, who was born October 30, 1847, in Union County ; she is a daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Tallman, of Washington Township. They have one son, viz., George 0., born March 18, 1881. Among his patients. Dr. Miller is quite popular, being an affable and agreeable gentleman. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society.

ROBERT MOODY (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland in 1832. His parents were James and Margaret Moody. He was reared on a farm and received but a rudimentary education. In June, 1853, he married Miss Jane Stewart, who was born in March, 1830, in Ireland, and was a daughter of Samuel and Jane Stewart. By this union there has been »n issue of four children - Mary J., born February 20, 1855 ; Robert, born September 18, 1858 ; William D., born February 16, 1861, and George S., born March 15, 1863. In 1861, with his family, he emigrated to America, and came to Union County, Ohio. For several years he lived in York Township, when he came and settled in the southern portion of Washington Township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and respected in society. To his family he was a devoted father and husband. On December 7, 1864, he fell at Murfreesboro, Tenn., while defending the flag of our Union in the late rebellion. His widow and fatherless children feel their irretrievable loss, but we trust their loss will be his gain. He left to his widow sixty-four acres of land. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JESSE MOORE (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 27, 1817. His parents were George and Rachel Moore, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Perry County at an early day. On February 23, 1842, he was united to JMiss Jemima Rockhold, who was born .July 11, 1825, in Maryland ; she is a daughter of William and Ann Rockhold, who came to Muskingum County, Ohio, about the year 1833, where they located several years. Her father having died in Muskingum County, with her mother, she subsequently went to Perry County. In the spring of 1865, with his family, from Perry County our subject came to Union County, and located near Marysville one year. In 1866, he moved to Washington Township, and settled where the widow now resides. He was the father of fourteen children - William W., Elizabeth E., Mary A., Susan M., James A., Jonathan A., Jacob H., Ruth L., Jesse F., Alpheus A., Ann J., Matilda H., George W. and Elisha J., the latter two of whom are deceased. To his family he was a devoted husband and father. He departed this life May 7, 1868, respected by all who knew him. He left to hia widow, who mourns her irretrievable loss, 100 acres of land.

AARON RICHARDSON, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 18, 1819. His parents were Barnet and Elizabeth Richardson, both natives of Virginia. Of a family of twelve children, eight are now living, viz. : Clark, Maria L., Washington G., Joshua, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane and Aaron. From his youth up, our subject has devoted his attention to agriculture, with the exception of ten or twelve years spent at carpenter work. On December 26, 1844, in Marion County, he married Maria T. ToplifiF, daughter of Horatio and Sarah TopliflF, of Mansfield, Conn. By her he has one child, viz., Jasper N. Mrs. Richardson died May 23, 1849, and on December 21, 1856, he was married to Clarinda H. Young, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, in February, 1831; she was daughter of Eli and Nancy Young. To them have been born seven children - Maria T., James C, Benton R., Granville M., Wheeler A., Harriet E. and George W. (deceased). In 1857, he settled in Washington Township, this county. He has seen considerable of pioneer life, and endured many hardships. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are both members of church ; they have a fine farm of 113 acres, on which are erected good and substantial buildings, making a pleasant home.

BENJAMIN ROGERS, farmer and tile manufacturer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 5, 1836. His parents were Michael W. and Mary Rogers. From his youth up he has been engaged in farming, In November, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Luey A. Gamble, who was born in Union County, April 21, 1843 ; she is a daughter of Robert and Annis (deceased) Gamble. This union has been blessed with nine children, viz. : Clara A., Dora E., James R. W., George M., Elenora, Aaron 0., Delpha 0., Frank B. and Rosa, the latter two of whom are deceased. In the fall of 1863, he came from Licking to Union County, and located in Dover Township, until the fall of 1872, when he settled in Washington Township. Besides his farming, he is quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of tile for draining purposes. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. society, and the owner of ninety-six acres of land.

SOLOMON SCHERTZER, farmer, P. 0. Larue, Marion Co., Ohio, was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 19, 1824. When four years old, with his parents, Emanuel and Eve Schertzer, he came to Stark County, Ohio, where they located seven years. They subsequently came to Ross, Franklin and Union Counties, and finally located in Hardin County, where they remained until their decease, he in 1844, and she in 1864. Of a family of eleven children, five are now living. On April 12, 184-5, in Union County, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Thornton, daughter of Jesse and Nancy Thornton, who were early settlers of Union County. By this union there has been an issue of eleven children, ten of whom are still living, viz.: Jes-:e, Sarah J., Lorenzo, Peter, Melissa, Emanuel, Nancy, William, James and Lillie. In 1862, he came from Hardin County and settled in the northern portion of Washington Township, where he now resides. He has been successful in business. He is a member of the church, and the owner of 109 acres of land.

SAMUEL SHERWOOD, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born in Madison County, Ohio, November 29, 1884, and is a son of Andrew and Irena Sherwood, of Darby Township, Madison County. He has, from his youth up, devoted his attention to farming, and received but a limited education. On March 6, 1856, in Madison County, he married Miss Hester A. Converse, who was born May 5, 1838, in Union County. She was a daughter of Edwin and Louisa Converse. To them have been born six children - Abigail M., Owen E., Elbert E., Esta F., Alfred P. and Louisa L., the latter two of whom are deceased. In the fall of 1863, Mr. Sherwood settled in Washington Township, this county. In the management of his farm, he has everything done in the most orderly and advantageous manner, which has secured for him success. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township four years, and as Township Trustee and Clerk, and at present officiates as Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, and the owner of 218 acres of land.

JOSEPH SCHMALZ, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in December, 1823, in Alsace, France (now Germany). His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Schmalz. From his youth up he has devoted his attention to farming. : In November, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Dear, daughter of Jacob and Frances Dear; she was born in March, 1830. By her he has six children, viz.: Christian, Elizabeth C, Mary M.. Josephine G., Lucy L. and Caroline. In 1853, he emigrated to America, and by way of New York came to Ohio. In the autumn of 1863, he settled in the northern portion of Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is industrious and enterprising, and the owner of 188 acres of land.

SOLOMON SIMPSON (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born December 30, 1802, on the Potomac River, in Virginia, and when a mere child, with his parents, Isaac and Susannah Simpson, he came to Licking County, Ohio. In Licking County, he married Eleanor Carlisle. She is a daughter of David and Susanna Carlisle. In August, 1848, with his family, he came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township, on a tract of land at present occupied by his widow. He was the father of thirteen children, of whom nine are now living, viz.: Elizabeth G., Stephen D., William, Deborah, Louisa, Samuel, Daniel, Emily and Sylvester. Mr. Simpson remained on the land settled by him until his decease, in May, 1866. He was a loving husband and indulgent father, and respected by all who knew him, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow, a venerable and aged lady, still resides on the homestead, and is the owner of lifty acres of land.

HARRISON S. STAMATS, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, May 20, 1838. He is a son of John Stamats, a pioneer of York Township, this county, whose biography appears in this work. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received but a rudimentary education. In 1859, he married Miss Mary Bobbins, daughter of Ira A. and Mary Bobbins, of Union County, and by her he had one child - Mary, (now deceased). Mrs. Stamats died September 4, 1861, and on January 19, 1862, he was again married, to Miss Hope Haines, a daughter of Allen and Sarah Haines, early settlers of Ciiampaign County. They have four children - Claudia M., Allie E., Atty F. and Frankie. A short time subsequent to his marriage, he settled in Washington Township, where he now resides. Mr. Stamats is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and for twelve years has been Assessor of Washington Township. He has been successful in business, and is the owner of 112 acres of land.

JOHN H. TEMPLE, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Julyl, 1889. His parents are Edward and Peggy Temple, bis father being a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Virginia ; they came to Guernsey County at an early day. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received but an ordinary English education. On June 10, 1859, in Guernsey County, he married Maria Morrison, who was born June 1, 1839 ; she is a daughter of Joseph and Theda A. Morrison. To them have born ten children - Margaret, Joseph M., Sarah (deceased), Theda A., Martha, Mary E., John (deceased), Ida D., Harry E. and Frank. In 1864, he came to Franklin County, and located two years, then spent two years in Madison County, and in March, 1868, he came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township, where he still resides. He has served as School Director, and is the owner of forty -two and onehalf acres of land.

DAVID L. TUSSING, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 5, 1836. He is a son of Henry and Mary Tussing. From his youth up, he had devoted his attention to farming, and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. On October 18, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wright, daughter of Leven Wright (deceased) and Letitia Wright, whose sketch appears in the history. They have two children, viz., Frank Z. and Clara A. In 1867, he located on the Wright farm in York Township, this county, where he remained until January, 1881, when he came to Washington Township. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of seventy-one acres of land.

WILLIAM WELLWOOD, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born July 8, 1840, in Kings County, Ireland. His parents were John Wellwood (deceased) and Catherine Wellwood. When twelve years of age, he emigrated to America, landing at New York, where, for the following six years, he di'ove an express delivery wagon for a publishing house. In 1858, he came to Plain City, this county, where he was employed about six years. On November 19, 1866, in Seneca County, he married Miss Catherine Vetter, who was born October 10, 1842, in Seneca County ; she is a daughter of Adam and Eve (deceased) Vetter. To them have been born five children, viz.: Joseph AV., Florence U., William E., Harry C. and John (deceased). In October, 1869, he settled in Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the owner of 135 acres of land in a high state of cultivation.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia. William Williams, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born September 10, 1819, in Franklin County, Ohio. He married Miss Nancy Thomson, by whom he had three children, two of whom are now living, viz., William and Lydia. In 1852, he came from Marion to Union County, and located in Washington Township, on the farm at present occupied by our subject, until 1859, in which year he moved to Franklin County, where he died March 12, 1877. His wife died October 29, 1869. William Williams, the subject of this sketch, was born September 4, 1850, in Marion County, Ohio. After receiving a rudimentary education, he attended for eighteen months the university at Athens, and when sixteen years of age he entered Delaware University, which institution he attended two years. On March 27, 1879, he married Miss Carrie E. Evans, who was born November 26, 1859 ; she was a daughter of John and Ivy Evans, of Franklin County, Ohio. They have one child, viz., Jennie D., born November 2, 1879. In April, 1879, Mr. Williams returned and took possession of the homestead formei-ly owned by his father. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and is the owner of 200 acres of tillable land.

HENRY WILLIAMS, farmer, P. 0. West Mansfield, Logan Co., Ohio, was born April 9, 1820, in Logan County, Ohio. His parents were Obadiah and Susan Williams, natives of Virginia, who settled, in Logan County, at an early day. Of a family of eleven children eight survive, viz.: Obadiah, Henry, Jeffrey, Lorena, Cecilia, Rachel, Mary A. and Nancy. In July, 1844, our subject married, in Logan County, Miss Minerva Green, daughter of George R. and Ruth Green, of Logan County. To them were born seven children - Isaac M., Madison, George, Obediah, Eudora, Kuth A. and Elizabeth, the latter two of whom are now deceased. For more than a quarter of a century, with his companion, he enjoyed married life, when, on February 18, 1870, she quietly passed away, and left behind her a wealth of love and atiection. In 1845, Mr. Williams came from Logan County and settled in AVashington Township, this county, where he now resides. He is a self-made man, and has seen a great deal of pioneer life. He owns a farm of 151 acres.

DANIEL T. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 4, 1838. His parents are Asa Williams, a native of North Carolina, and Elizabeth Williams, a native of Ohio. In his youth he was trained to the pursuits of farming, in which he is still engaged. On January 5, 1865, he married Miss Mary Starrick, daughter of William and Keturah Starrick, of Logan County, Ohio. This union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Omar E., born February 11, 1868 ; William E., born December 10, 1871, and Ralston B., born December 13, 1872. After his marriage, Mr. Williams located in Logan County until September, 1870, at which time he came to Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and has served as a School Director. He has been successful in business, and is the owner of fifty-one and three-fourths acres of land in the western portion of the township.

SAMUEL WRIGHT, farmer, P. 0. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in New York State November 18, 1813. When a mere child, with his parents, Elista and Rachel

Wright, he was brought to Athens County, Ohio, where in April, 1839, he married Miss Deborah Wheeler, daughter of Ezeriah and Rachel Wheeler. By this union there has been an issue of nine children, viz.: Maria A., Mary E., Lucinda H., Samuel L. , Edmund E., Joseph N., Jane, Jeannette and Lucy A. In 1848, he came with his family to Union County, and settled on a tract of land in the northern portion of Washington Township, where he stilFresides. Mr. Wright has seen considerable of pioneer life, and endured much hard work. He is the owner of 100 acres of land, and a member of the United Brethren Church.

JAMES WRIGHT, farmer, P. 0. Byhalia, was born in Union County, Ohio, April 5, 1842, and a son of Leven Wright (deceased) and Letitia Wright, of whom we have made mention in this work. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Shiloh and Stone River, at the latter battle receiving a wound in the thigh. After remaining in the hospital for sometime, he was discharged in May, 1863. In January, 1864, he veteranized in the Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently participated in the battles of Cotton Mountain, Lost Mountain and Dallas, where he received a wound in May, 1864, in the left hand, and was again obliged to goto the hospital for a short time, after which he again joined his regiment and continued in the service until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge in June, 1865. He was united in marriage to Miss i^nnis Mead, who was born December 23, 1845, in Logan County, Ohio ; she is a daughter of Potter and Mary Mead, formerly of Logan County. They have one child, viz.: Leven M., born May 23, 1868. In October, 1865, Mr. Wright settled in the southern portion of AVashington Township, where he now resides. He has been prosperous as a farmer, is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of fifty acres of land.

Source changes here: from The History of Union County Ohio, by Various, published 1883; 13,616 words in this source stream.

Washington Township

ASHINGTON TOWNSHIP occupies the northwestern corner of Union County. Unlike most townships in the county, its outlines are comparatively regular, as it is bounded by four straight lines. To the west of it lies Logan County and Hardin and Marion Counties to the north. Jackson. Township bounds it on the east, and York Township on the south. The boundary line between it and York is the Greenville Treaty line of 1795.

The township was erected a civil subdivision of the county in 1836. The Commissioners' journal under date of June 6, of that year, contains the following entry:

The Board considered a petition handed in by John Dysert, praying for a new township to be taken from the north part of the township of York. Whereupon it was agreed that a township be formed,to be called Washington, to be bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the northwest corner of the township of Claibourne, thence running west parallel with the northern line of the county to the western boundary line of the county, thence north with said line to the northwest corner of Union County, thence east with the north. line of the county to the northwest corner of Jackson Township, thence with. the line of said township south to the place of beginning.

AS its date indicates, Washington was one ot the later townships organized in Union County. Its boundaries as originally constituted have perhaps. been less subject to change and alteration than almost any other township in the county. f

Topographically, the township is nearly uniform in its several parts and also strongly resembles adjacent townships. It embraces a level stretch of country, broken in the western part and to some extent along the streams by gentle undulations. The most important stream is Rush Creek, which enters from Hardin County close to the northwestern corner of the township, but soon bends northward and passes back into Hardin County about a mile east of its entrance into the township; it soon after re-enters and pursues a southeasterly course through the township, crossing the eastern boundary line near its center. Rocky Fork, a tributary of this stream, rises in the southwestern part of the township and meanders in a northeasterly direction through the central portion of the township until it mingles its waters with those of Rush Creek. The North Branch of Bokes Creek cuts across the southwestern corner of thetownship separating portions of several farms from the main body of the township. Rush Creek has several small tributaries in the northwestern region of the township, and in the southeastern part three or four runs flow southward and eastward into Fulton Creek. The composition of the soil is argillaceous, except along the streams, where sand and gravel prevail to some extent. Ponds were not uncommon in early times, and a considerable portion of the township was swale land. The most of this, by systematic drainage, has, however, been converted into productive fields. Sugar, beech, ash, oak, hickory, elm, black walnut and cherry were the most important woods that. covered the ground when the first settlers arrived. Walnut, red elm and buckeye were found along the creeks, and burr oak in the low lands. Considerable underbrush also flourished. Some small tracts of timber were deadened by forest fires, which often raged in dry weather, and there were places, usually wet where the fires in extremely dry weather had burned a kind of peat which covered the surface of the ground and with it the roots of the trees, until one after another the sturdy monarchs of the forest fell crashing to the earth. Several tracts, acres in extent, were thus entirely denuded of their forest covering. The land along the streams was a little higher and drier than the rest, and deemed more fertile, consequently the first settlements were:made

The township contained one survey - in the north-central part - of 2,666% acres, and one in the northeastern part of 1,555} acres. There are a number of 1,000 acres, but the majority are of a lesser extent. The following is a list of surveys: Squire Grant, No. 7,373, 200 acres, lying in and north of Byhalia, surveyed October 30, 1822, by Thomas J. McArthur; Maria and John C. Ransdale, heirs, and James Taylor and Charles Scott, assignees, No. 9,898, 528 acres, southwest corner of township, partly in Logan County, surveyed January 6, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; John Swan and James Taylor, No. 9,894, 1,000 acres in the southwestern part of the township, surveyed January 7, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; James Wallace and John McPherson, No. 9,895, 1,- 000 acres, southwestern part of the township, surveyed January 7, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; Thomas Scott, No. 9,896, 364 acres, south of Byhalia, surveyed November 5, 1821, by Thomas McArthur; James Fitzpatrick, No. 9,896, 100 acres, southeast of Byhalia, surveyed November 5, 1821, by Thomas Mc. Arthur; Robert Sayer, James Taylor, N icholas Tallioferro and James Taylor, No. 9,897, 1,000 acres east of Byhalia, surveyed January 8, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; William Dark's representatives, No. 9,916, 838 acres, south-central part of the township, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur, November 8, 1821; Rowland Madison's representatives, No. 9,917, 1,000 acres, east-central part of township, surveyed January 15, 1820, by Samuel Forrer; James Berwick, No $018, 6663 acres, eastern part of township, surveyed February 14, 1826, by Thomas J. McArthur; Michael Rudolph's representatives, Nos. 9,960 and 0,042, 2,000 acres, northwest corner of township and partly in Logan and Hardin Counties, surveyed Noyember 10, 1821, by Thomas J. McArthur; Presley Davis, No. 10,383, 200 acres, northeastern part, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 16, 1828; Richard Davis, No. 10,938, 200 acres, southeastern part, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; Robert Dugan, No. 10,938, 200 acres, southeastern part, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; John Lipscomb, No. 10,988, 200 acres, southeast corner of township, surveyed April 30, 1824, by Thomas J. McArthur; George Winchester, No. 10,971, 2,6663 acres, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur October 29,1822; Richard Dorsey, No. 12,105, 1,000 acres, western part of township, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur November 8, 1824; Elizabeth R. Worthington's heirs, No. 12,112, 1,3334 acres, western part of township and partly in Logan County, surveyed by E. P. Kendrick July 1, 1840; George Lambert, No. 12,281, 500 acres, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 15, 1823; Elizabeth A. P. Scarborough, No. 12,289, 1,5554 acres, surveyed by Thomas J. Mc- Arthur April 29, 1824; James J. Teackle, No. 12,360, 916% acres, mostly in Hardin County, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur April 30, 1824; John Evans, No. 18,820,160 acres, west of Byhalia, surveyed by Cadwallader Wallace July 10, 1832; James Gallaway, Jr., No. 18,427, 89 acres, eastern part of township, surveyed by James Gallaway, Jr., November', 1833; Cadwallader Wallace, No. 18,748, 260 acres, northern part, surveyed by Cadwallader Wallace March 21, 1836; Allen Latham, No. 14,639, 330 acres, southeastern part, surveyed by E. P. Kendricks, December 25, 1843; Thomas Paisley, No. 12,- 189, 200 acres, partly in Hardin and Madison Counties, surveyed by Thomas J. McArthur December 16, 1828; Abraham J. Williams, No. 10,177, 523 acres in northern part of township; W. and J. Tibbs and others, No. 9,915, 959 acres, mostly in Logan County, surveyed by Samuel Forrer January 14, 1820; Robert Green, No. 10,945, eastern part of township, 166 acres. The surveys were usually found to contain more land than the quantity for which they were surveyed, and in some cases the excess was considerable.

Early Settlements

The first white occupants of Washington Township, were mainly a class of men who were attracted thither by the game, which abounded in the deep solitudes of the region, They were usually men who enjoyed hunting and trapping' better than anything else, who possessed no land and who did not care to possess any, but preferred ranging over large scopes of country at will to owning and tilling a limited tract of land. The proprietors of the land here were mostly non-residents of Ohio, and the first squatters would pitch their tents at desirable localities without attempting to find the owner and obtain permission, and in this they were seldom molested. The owners rarely knew of the squatter occupancy, and when they did were usually not disposed to remove the occupants as the cabin that would invariably be erected and the little clearing that would be made enchanced the value of the land. But few traces remain of these primitive settlers, although it is scarcely more than a half century since the land was first occupied. Almost all the pioneers, both those whose title to possession was only the frail squatter's claim and those who purchased and improved land, have long ago emigrated to other parts,

Before tiling was introduced to reclaim the lands from swales and swamps, agricultural pursuits were attended with serious obstacles and meager results and the discontent thus produced promoted emigration to other localities. The darkest period in the township history was after game had disappeared from the forests and before the improved system of farming was adopted. To those who loved the free and roaming life of a huntsman, Washington Township invited a sojourn for many years. Game was abundant and the product of the chase found an easy market, sufficient to provide for the few, simple wants which the position of the squatters required. For a few years after the first settlers came, the Wyandot Indians shared with the whites the occupancy of the hunting grounds in this vicinity. The Indians engaged in trapping and also in sugar-making to some extent. Their relations to the whites were always of a friendly nature, and the two races sometimes pursued their favorite pastimes in company, and the young emigrants learned many a valuable fact in hunting from their swarthy neighbors.

Edward, or Ned Southworth, as he was familiarly known, is reputed to be the first settler in the township, but the date of his arrival is not known. It was probably not far from 1830. He came from Logan County and owned a piece of land on Rocky Run. His brother, William Southworth, also moved

Stephen Davis, a prominent pioneer, moved to a little place he had purchased on Rocky Run in the eastern part of Survey No. 9,917, in 1832. He was born in Maryland and removed when a young man to Bourbon County, Ky. There he remained until 1808, when he came to Ohio. He first lived in Brown, then Pickaway County, and from the latter place came to Washington Township with his wife Sarah. He remained on his farm here there. mainder of his life. He was influential among his neighbors and highly esteemed. Of a large family of children, Ebenezer was the only one who emigrated to this township. He came in 1832 from Pickaway County to Jackson Township, and to Washington Township in 1837. He succeeded his father in the possession of the farm and also succeeded to the esteem with which his father had been regarded. Ebenezer died May 2, 1867; his widow still sur-

John Dysert was among the first to settle on Rush Creek. He was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, moved to Ross County, then to Mill Creek, several miles below Marysville, whence he came here in 1836. He was a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church and was reputed to possess an excellent character. He owned no land and his tastes led him to follow hunting as a pursuit. Only three families had settled on Rush Creek in this township when he came. He remained here about nine years, then removed to Ross County. His wife was Mary Wheeler, and his family consisted of twelve children, four of whom now reside in Jackson Township.

The Titsworths came about 1834. They consisted of Isaac Titsworth, his wife and two sons - Hiram and Lemuel - and several daughters. They had formerly resided for many years in Logan County. They settled in the southwestern part of Survey 9,917, about a mile northeast from Byhalia, on the Essex road. Hiram was the first Justice of the Peace in the township But little legal erudition was then requisite as a qualification for election to this office and legal forms were not very closely observed at first. Hiram afterward sold his place of 126 acres in Survey 9,917, and removed to Missouri. Isaac and his wife died in the township, and Lemuel moved to Richland County, near Mansfield, after disposing of his farm in this township.

Jonathan Haynes was one of the foremost pioneers. He owned and occupied a 100-acre farm on Rush Creek in the northeast corner of Survey 9,- 917, since known as the H. W. Minuh place. Mr. Haynes removed to Mt. Victory, Ohio, where he kept hotel for awhile. He died in that village.