Wayne Township

Historical

Wayne township was organized in 1834, and is the northeast township in the county. Its area is twent3r-seven square miles, being: four and a half miles north and south, and six miles east and west. It was named in honor of Anthony Wayne. The first election was held at the house of Samuel Moeraft in 1834. There were thirteen votes cast at this election. The next election was held at the house of Wm. Black. James Mahan was the first justice of the peace. Joseph Dawson, Allen Gilmore, and Richard Berry were the first trustees.

The surface of the township is undulating, the soil rich, and well adapted to the raising of wheat, corn, and grass. In the southeast part of this township the Wallace fork of the Scioto rises. Willow branch rises in the centre of the township, and empties into the Muchanippe in Goshen township. Wrestle Creek, one of the branches of the Auglaize River, also heads in this township, and runs east. The township is well watered. The devil's half acre, as it used to be termed, is in this part of the township, and just north of it, on section two, is the highest land in the State, and is the dividing ridge between the waters of the Auglaize and Scioto Rivers. The East prairie is divided between this and Goshen township. In early times it afforded a good deal of feed for stock, and early pasture, as the grass would come earlier in the spring than in the timber. It has cost a great deal to bring it into cultivation. There are miles of ditches in it, cut from ten to thirteen feet wide and from four to seven feet deep. It is now nearly all cultivated, and thousands of bushels of corn and potatoes are raised upon it annually.

In the fall of 1830, or spring of 1831, the first settlers, William Hiett and John Hurley, arrived, and built cabins on the north side of the prairie. From that time until 1834 the following persons arrived: Jacob Williams, Gilbert Hurley, Thomas McCall, Daniel Ellsworth, H. W. Bowdle, James Mahan, Sr., James Mahan, Jr., Joseph Dawson, Isaac Dawson, Samuel Lowman, Samuel Moeraft, Henry Whetstone, Eli E. Carson, Simon Moeraft, Win. Cox, Richard Berry, Moses Ross, Aaron Oram, Wm. Kent, Alex. Kent, and during the next year or two, Lee Turner, Simon Maxon, Benj. Madden, J. C. Berry, Harris Wells, Samuel Cavender, and Lyman Pratt, most of whom brought their families and scattered over about fifteen miles of territory. In the fall of 1836 they built the first school-house of logs, cabin style. They could get no glass for the windows, so they used paper. Strips of wood were nailed across the windows, the paper pasted on, and oiled with coon's oil, which rendered the paper semi-transparent. The next trouble was to keep the birds from cutting the paper. The writing desks were made of puncheons, about ten feet long, and laid upon pins in the wall. There were two such desks. The seats were saplings, split in two, about ten feet long, and legs put in the round side with the flat side up. Such was the school-house in which many of the children of the early settlers received all their education. Asa R. Mahan taught the first school in the winter of 1836 and 1837. He was employed for three months at ten dollars per month. A. D. Berry taught in 1837 and 1838. Wm. Gilmer in 1838 and 1839.

Wayne township has some excellent improvements. The farms are generally small, from forty to one hundred and sixty acres, with good buildings. The land lies well for drainage, fall enough can be secured to drain the deepest ponds. There is no waste land in the township. The land that was thought to be too low and wet for anything but grass is now cultivated, and produces good crops of all kinds of grain. F. A. Berry, the son of Richard Berry, who settled in 1834, says the first settlers suffered many privations. Provisions for the families and grain for the stock had to be brought from Logan and Champaign Counties, which made toilsome trips, as the roads were bad. The Bellefontaine and Lima road was not cleared all the way, and there was no bridge between the north fork of the Miami River and Lima. After there was grain enough raised for bread they had to go to Cherokee to mill, a distance of fifteen miles, which would require two or three days. After they succeeded in raising wheat for sale, it had to be hauled to Portland, now Sandusky City, or Lower Sandusky, now Fremont. It took about eight days to make the trip, and wheat sold for fifty to sixty cents a bushel. It was the only way they had to get money to pay their taxes, and get coffee, salt, and other necessaries for their families. Sugar was made at home. Deer and coons were plenty, and were the principal meats of the early settlers, as wild turkeys were scarce. The first settlers had a great deal of trouble with their stock, there being no pasture for them, except the wild woods, which was common to all.

Waynesfield, situated in the southwest part of the township, was laid out by B. G. Atkinson, who opened the first store; the first physician was Henry Leaman. It has a good trade, being surrounded by a rich agricultural country, it now has three stores, one hotel, two churches, two physicians, and a steam grist and saw mill.

Biographical

Byrd Richardson was born in Montgomery County, Va., in 1809. He married Nancy Smiles, and moved to Shelby County, Ohio, in 1830, then moved to St. Johns, this county, in 1831. When they first came to St. Johns, the Indians were still on their reservation. Mrs. Richardson tells ns that she has stayed many nights in the cabins with the Indians, has seen the stakes where it was said they tortured their prisoners. The Chief Blackhoof was buried on Mr. Richardson's farm. All the white people she can remember living near St. Johns, at that time, was James Coleman, Henry Princehonse, and John Rogers. The Indians left for their western homes the ensuing year. Mrs. Richardson could relate many singular incidents connected with the early history, had we the space to give them. They moved to Union township in 1833; from there to Wayne township in the spring of 1834, built a rail pen, and lived in it for six months, when they moved into their house. Mr. Richardson died in 1871. Mrs. Richardson raised a family of seven children, one son and six daughters. The son and one daughter died, leaving five daughters still living in Auglaize County. The father of Mr. Richardson lived to be one hundred and ten years of age, he having come to this county in 1830.

Mrs. Richardson still lives on the farm to which she first moved, and says her happiest days were those she spent among the Indians, and in the woods. She thinks the people were more honest and sociable than now. She says her husband made rails for twenty-five cents per hundred, and boarded himself.

Samuel Lowman was horn in Virginia, in 180T. His parents moved to Champaign County, Ohio, when he was 14 3'ears old. He married Mary A. Plummer of Clarke County, Ohio. In 1834, he entered a piece of land in Wajme township in this county, which township was at that time a portion of Allen County, between places called the " Devil's half acre," and "- Devil's backbone," in early times. The former place was named so on account of the swampy nature of the land, over which an extensive loa; bridge was built. The latter name was given to a narrow, gravelly ridge, one-half mile iii length, and only of sufficient width for a road. He built a log house, and being one of the first settlers, his house was a stoppingplace for travellers.

Allen Gilraore was born in Allegheny County, Penna. He came to Auglaize County about 1833, and settled in the northwestern corner of Wayne township. The family consisted of six children, five of whom are now living, viz., Mary J., Syrlvania, David, Livonia, and John A. James A. was killed in the army at Knoxville. Tenn. The old homestead is now owned by David and John. Allen Gihnore was one of the first justices of the peace, and held the office for a number of years. A laughable circumstance is told of the manner in which justice or law was meted out to offenders, or the strictness to which they adhered to the letter of the law. A man complained that an ox yoke had been stolen; he complained to the squire, and wanted the offender arrested. The squire searched the statutes, but could not find ox yoke mentioned, so would give no warrant for the arrest of the offender.

Mrs. Ellen Gossard was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1828, and came with her father, Moses Ross, to Auglaize County, Ohio, in 1834. She married Philip Gossard in 1851, and raised a family of four children. Her parents were among the first settlers in Wayne township. Her husband enlisted in the 183d regiment O. V. I., in 1864, was wounded, and died at Franklin. Since her husband's death Mrs. Gossard has controlled the home farm. When her husband died there was an indebtedness of $1200 on the land, which she has paid. Her boys were too young to be of much service on the farm. She did the work of a man, viz., ploughing, binding wheat, etc., until her boys were old enough to take charge of the farm.

David Myers was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1805; went from there to Licking County, where he married Susan Jordon, in 1841. He moved to Auglaize County the same 3'ear, and settled in Wayne township. His wife died in 1852. He married Elizabeth A. Stow in 1853, raising a family of nine children, five by the former, and four by the later marriage. Mr. Myers's farm consists of two hundred and forty acres, on which he first settled. He has retired from business, leaving the farm in charge of his children.

John Ridley was born in 1794, in Vermont. He married Sarah Myers in 1824, in Licking County, Ohio ; moved to Auglaize Count}- in 1837, with a family of seven children. He moved into the woods in the spring, and camped out all summer, and in the fall built himself a cabin. They had neither bedstead nor table for several months. They peeled bark, laid it on the ground to answer the purpose of a bedstead, and laid clapboards across two logs for a table. Such were the accommodations they had to offer strangers ; nevertheless, they were quite happy. Mr. Ridley died in the year 1849. Mrs. Ridley, after remaining a widow some seven }'ears, married Levi Mix, with whom she lived nearly twenty years. He died in 1875. She now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Winegardner, in Waynesfield, and is in her seventy-ninth year, but is quite active for a lady of her age.

Joseph Dawson, Sr., came from Trumbull County to Allen County in the spring of 1836. His family consisted of nine sons and one daughter, of whom John R., Joseph, Isaac, Jonathan, Newton, and Lewis are still residents of Wayne town- ship. Their first neighbors in the new settlement were Daniel Ellsworth, Samuel McPherson, John Perry, Allen Gilmore, Samuel Felger, and Isaac Dawson. Mr. Dawson entered 1500 acres of land within Wayne township, and afterward entered 200 acres more. He died at the old home in 1865, at the advanced age of 83 years.

Jos. H. Dawson, Jr., was born in Trumbull County in 1815, and came to Allen County in 1835, and lived with his uncle, Isaac Dawson, who had come to the county the preceding year. His first farm consisted of the northeast quarter of Sec. 6, now owned by Alex. Kerr. In 1843 he married Maria Moore. They raised a family of eight children, three of whom are still living, viz., Elisha F., Mary Ann, and Chas. H. Mrs. Dawson died in 1865, since which time Mr. Dawson has resided with his sons in the old home.

Jonathan Dawson came to this township with his father at the age of 13. He was deprived of early educational advantages, but by close application to study at home, he prepared himself for teaching, which he followed during ten succeeding years. He served as justice of the peace during a period of nine years. He still resides on the land originally entered in Wayne township.

Henry Whetstone was born in Huntington County, Pa., in 1809. He came with his father to Richland County, Ohio, in 1815, and married Mary Serrels in 1837, one child being born to them, Mathew. Mrs. Whetstone died in 1838. In 1841 Mr. Whetstone married Margaret Flemining, near Winsor, Richland County. They moved to Auglaize County in 1843 on the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Whetstone was elected township trustee the second year after he came; also filled the office of township treasurer for a number of years. He is a millwright by trade, having worked at that business for a number of years. He is now seventy years of age; has retired from the active duties of life.

Newton Dawson was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan. 1st, 1825. He came to Wayne township in 1836, when eleven years of age. In March, 1852, he married Mary Kaufman, by whom he had six children, two still living. In the same year he moved to the farm on which he now lives. His wife died May, 1863. In 1865 he married Frances Landes, by whom he has also six children. Mr. Dawson, although young when he came to this county, has realized the hardships of pioneer life, having helped to clear his father's farm, afterward clearing his own. He owns two hundred acres of land under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Dawson taught district school several terms, but has devoted his life principally to farming and stock raising.

Union township, situated in the eastern part of the county, and bordering on Allen County, was organized in 1836. It has a more undulating surface than any other township in the county. The soil is of a mixed character, consisting of gravel, sand, and clay, and is splendidly adapted to cereal culture. Springs abound, and the whole section is well watered by living streams. Across the northwest corner flows the Auglaize River, while numerous smaller streams, among which are Blackhoof, Wrestle, Huffman, Virginia, and Wolf creeks, traverse its limits. A sufficient quantity of good gravel is found for road purposes.

The township has now two gravel pikes, and contemplates the construction of others the approaching season. It has two villages, Uniopolis and St. Johns; the former an enterprising little town near the west line, and the latter on the south line. It was settled principally by settlers from Virginia and Southern Ohio, and the lands are still largely occupied by the original occupants and their immediate descendants. The first piece of land entered within the township was entered in Sec. 3, by Jacobs.

The elections for a number of years were held at the house of Joseph Lusk, at the first of which between twenty and thirty votes were oast. The first board of trustees consisted of John at this time. The first justice of the peace was John Morris. During the first fifteen years the officers received no compensation for their services. The township was first organized into four school districts, and a cabin was built in each for school purposes. This transpired about 1840. The first church was a log house, known as Wesley Chapel, erected about 1842, but which has been superseded by another building bearing the same name, and occupying the old site. James Lusk, at the age of twenty -one, accompanied his father, Charles Lusk, to this county in 1832, and is, perhaps, the oldest resident in the township. During the first year he occupied and cultivated a piece of land which is now a portion of the site of St. Johns. We would thus probably be correct in claiming him to be the first white settler of the soil in this township, as the land had been cleared about St. Johns by the Indians.

Wm. Richardson, Byrd Richardson, John Lusk, John Corder,Charles Lusk, and James C. Lusk in 1832. Lemuel Bacome, Wm. Patterson, John Morris, John Hoffman, James Watt, and Wm. Graham in 1833. Jolm A. Speece, Benj. Lusk, Allen Justice, John Carter, Aaron Howell, M. Hodges, John Jacobs, John Schooler, and Lewis Y. Perkins in 1834. Moses Porter, Jonathan Stiles, and Levi Harrod in 1835. Levi Mix, John McCormic, Adam Focht, Abner Copeland, H. F. Rinehart, John Harden, and John B. Walton in 1836.

Uniopolis is the only village wholly within the township, and is situated in Sec. 17, on the Wapakoneta and Waynesfield gravel road, six miles east of Wapakoneta. It is a pleasant little village of about two hundred inhabitants, and contains two stores of general merchandise, one school-house, one grocery store, one steam saw mill, one hotel, and two churches.

John Morris was born in Virginia in 1798. He married Mary A. Clarkson in 183 i, and came to Allen, now Auglaize, County in 1833. He entered one-quarter section of laud in Union township, one and one-half mile from St. Johns, where he now lives.

When he came here there was not an acre of land cleared in the township, except what had been cleared by the Indians. The land having only come into the market the year before. The most of the Indians had been removed, but a part of them were still here.

He lived in an Indian cabin until he built one for himself. At that time there was not a road laid out in the township. Where St. Johns is now situated there were about twelve or fifteen acres cleared, which had been done by the Indians. The only persons living there were William and Byrd Richardson and their families. Mr. Morris was the first justice of the peace in the township. He served two terms.

The first white child born in the township was John Morris, a son of the above. All of the white settlers that Mr. Morris can remember are William and Byrd Richardson, Charles Lusk, and Bolzill.

His oldest son, Joseph, bought a piece of land in Cla}^ township, but sold this, and bought land in Union township. He has now over nine hundred acres. In 1849 he married Mary Ann English. They have raised live children, of which four still survive. The Copelands came to Union township when it was new and wild, and encountered all the difficulties and inconveniences of pioneer life. Their first team was a yoke of bulls, and after the death of one of these the other was worked alone like a horse. Mr. Copeland relates the following incident touching this bovine. One of his neighbors, who then owned the bull, had him bridled and saddled to take a grist to mill. All went pleasantly enough until they met another bull, when both animals evinced such fury that the rider of the one soon saw fit to dismount. This he did, and removed his grist, saddle, and bridle, and permitted the beasts to settle their differences, after which he saddled and bridled his game horse, and proceeded on his wa}'. For illustration, see Copeland page.

Lemuel Bacome was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1809. In 1832, he came to this count}7, and secured a farm, after which he returned home. The next year he married Margaret Watt, and moved to the land already secured. At this time there were only six other white families in the township. On reaching his new home, Mr. 13. 's account book showed a credit of cash in hand to amount of 18 cents, and a debit of $1. His old cabin, built in 1832, is still standing.

Hugh T. Rinehart was born in Virginia in 1813. In 1833 he married Julia Godfrey, and came to Union township in 1836, and settled on the place where he still lives. The family numbered ten children, five of whom are still living. Mr. B. has cleared and improved his land by his own labor, for by his industry the land still held, and that given to his children, numbers 908 acres; all the result of personal effort, except a capital of $800. He was one of the first commissioners of the county; was a justice of the peace 12 years, and a member of the State Board of Equalization. He has now retired from active dut}r.

John Harden was born in Somerset County, Pa., and came to this count}' in 1836, and settled in Union township. His family consisted of eight children. Mr. Harden was married twice; his first wife died in 1833, and the second in 1845. Seven sons and one daughter are still living in the neighborhood, in the enjoyment of prosperity. Joseph, the third son, was noted as one of the best deer hunters in the country. He was also a famous bee hunter, as he and his brothers Mark and Jesse supplied the family with meat and honey.

Daniel Foeht came to Union township in 1836. His family consisted of nine children, as follows: Samuel, Daniel, Lewis, Adam, John, William, Jacob, Susan, and Mary. He located in Sec. 14, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1853. Daniel Focht now owns and resides in the old home-

Samuel Focht was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., 1812, where he lived till 1833. He came to Union township in 1838. He was the second justice of the peace in the township, in which capacity he served two terms. Was county commissioner two terms, and infirmary director a period of twelve years. Mr. Focht has been married twice, his first wife being Mary Beathers, and the second Louisa Justice. He has raised a family of eight children.

Among those who came to the county in 1836, was John McCormic, who settled in Union township, built a cabin in the spring which was burned the following autumn. His wife died Feb. 1879. He now lives with his son-indaw, Robert Sproul. He is 73 years of age, and has retired from the active duties of life.

Jonathan Stiles was born in Vermont, and, after various changes in N. Y. and Ohio, finally settled in Union township, in this county, in 1835. He died in 1857. His sons George and Elias still reside in this county.

Jas. Watt came to Union township in the autumn of 1832, and secured a tract of land. In the following year he brought his family to his new home. His death occurred in 1840.

Moses Porter was born in Virginia in 1799, and after various changes, came to this county in 1834, and entered the piece of land on which he now lives. He married Allie Watt in 1825. They have raised a family of five children. When Mr. P. first came to the county he became discouraged, through disgust for pioneer life, as he was a saddler by trade, and not inured to the hardships of the frontier. On this account he left the farm and went to Sidney, where he remained about eighteen months. At the lapse of this period he returned to the land in this township, where he has since remained.

Benjamin Faler was born in Pa., in 1812. He married Margaret Hall in 1835, and came to this county in 1837. He first settled in Clay township, where he remained until 1871, when he moved to Union township, where he s.till resides.

Levi Mix moved his family from Knox County to this township in February, 1836, and settled on a piece of land in Sec. 25. He died in 1875, at the age of 84 years. His son, Uri Mix, now occupies the old homestead. He was 21 years of age when his father came to the county. He married Margaret Bayliff. The Buyliff family came to the county in 1836.

Andrew Spees came to the township with his father, Matthias Spees, in the spring of 1834. They came from Ross Comity, and settled on the land he now occupies in Sec. 18.

John Focht was born in 1824, and came with his father to this township when 12 years of age. He married Mary Mertz in 1847. They reside in Sec. 14. Their familj- consists of three sons and seven daughters.

Alex. Harrod was born in Knox Country in 1824, and came to tins township in 1845. He married Elizabeth JNauss in 185S. They have reared four children.

The first white settlements within the present limits of this township were made alon«: the Auglaize River. Andrew Russel located within this territory on the Ft. Amanda farm about 1823. Here with his family, consisting of wife, four daughters, and one son, he lived some time with Indian associates alone. In 1825 William Berryman, with his wife and twelve children, settled on the present Russel Berryman farm. Here he resided until the time of his death, rendering his family the permanent resident pioneers of the township. Mrs. Eliza Noble is the only surviving member of tliis family. About the next accession was Martin Hire, who located here with his wife and nine children. Then came Elder Simon Whetstone, Sr., who also located on the river. Of his sons only Jesse and Henry survive, the last death being that of Elder Simon, Jr., which occurred Feb. 12, 1880. He had married Fiances, daughter of Elder Richardson, and in his youth united with the church his father had been largely instrumental in establishing in the earlier days of the settlement. He soon after entered the ministry, in which he labored until his death.

Then came James Crozier, who settled on the present Madison Bowsher farm. About this time came the old veteran and centenarian William Taylor, who located on the east bank of the river. He had served through the war of 1812, and suffered all the hardships of the northern frontier. He possessed a remarkable memory, a strong physical constitution, remembered the Revolutionary War, and was a living history of the war of 1812. He died at Spencerville at the advanced age of about one hundred and nine years. Afterward came Daniel Gregory, followed by Leonard Place, who still occupied his pioneer farm. About the same time Abraham Whetstone located on the west bank of the river, on land now owned by James H. Gochenour. The next accession was Isaac Terwilliger, whose family consisted of two sons and one daughter. One of these sons is an extensive fanner and grain dealer of Wapakoneta. Charles Pernell improved the Whitney farm, and Jacob Baker the land of the Whitefeather Indian camp. The old homestead is occupied by two of the sons, William A. and L. C. T. B., another son, is clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, while David is a practical printer. After 1848 the country settled very rapidly, but improvements had been retarded by the government land grant to the State for canal purposes. When this land was put in market it was rapidly occupied. Among the settlers of this period were the Richardson family, the Wheeler family, N. C. Edman, S. M. Dixon, G. Blackburn, John Daniel, the Bodkins, David Bigelow, A. J. Culp, C. Culp, J. and S. Barr, F. M. Bowsher, M. J. Bowsher, John H. and J. H. Gochenour, John Dingledine, and many others. These settlers were exposed to all the inconveniences usually incident to pioneer life.

They were compelled to go to Piqua to mill, as the old Mission Mill at Wapakoneta was now of little use. To Piqua they also went for a physician, and the charges for one of these visits to the Berryman family was $37.50. While the doctor was in the settlement one of the Berryman neighbors called him to visit a patient, and here the charge was $10.00. The first post-office within the township was established at Fort Amanda, and Samuel Washburn received the first appointment as postmaster. The mail was then carried on horseback between Piqua and Defiance. Reuben Treece became first agent on this line. At that time the country was swarming with Indians, the old Ottowa towns being opposite Fort Amanda, and partly occupying the present Backus farm. They employed themselves generally in hunting, begging, and stealing. We relate an incident of the mail carrier and the Fort. During an absence of the postmaster, his wife invited Miss Eliza Berryman to stay with her during the husband's absence. The postmaster was in the habit of selling whiskey to the Indians, and soon after he left home three of these rode up and demanded '- fire water." Mrs. Washburn refused to sell them whiskey, barred the door against them, but they prowled about the house all day. In the evening the mail carrier, Mr. Treece, arrived and ordered the Indians away, when one of them offered resistance. Treece carried a loaded whip, and before the Indian had time to carry out his threat, he received the full force of the loaded end of the whip, which knocked him down, when he was soundly scored with the lash. As soon as he could regain his feet he started for his horse, but his two companions had taken the three " ponies," and fled. Missing his horse, he made for the river, into which lie plunged

" Father" J. B. Finley in his missionary labors in the Northwest preached at Fort Amanda at a very early day. At that time the forest abounded in game of all kinds. Deer were plenty and the hunter had no inducement to waste ammunition with small game. It is related of Mussel Berryman, that going to a deer crossing one morning, he shot seven deer on one spot before breakfast time, and even as late as 183S Leonard Place and his brother, in a two days' hunt secured four barrels of nicely dressed and packed venison.

The river abounded with fish of many kinds, and at certain seasons sturgeon of enormous size would come up from the lakes. It is related that on one occasion Thomas Berryman was crossing the river on a foot log and saw a large sturgeon struggling up the ripple. The water was shallow and the fish was floundering under the log when Berryman sprang upon its back, and forcing both hands into its gills, attempted to steer it ashore. The struggle was long, both man and fish were up and down, and both in danger of being outdone, but finally Berryman reached the shore with his prize, which he found to be about eight feet in length. Later on when the lands had been put on the market, and prior to 1S52, immigration was constant, and new farms were occupied all over the township. The northwest part was rapidly settled by an industrious class of Germans, whose labors have placed their lands second to none in the township for material improvement. The development of the southwest part has been retarded by the ownership of large tracts of land by speculators. Among these are the Pratt, Moody, and Perkins tracts. Still some good farms are occupied in this section.

Organization

Prior to the organization of this county the territory now comprised in Logan township formed a part of Amanda and Moulton townships, Allen County. At the time of organization three tiers of sections were taken from the south side of Amanda, ami one and a half tier from the north side of Moulton township, which sections were erected into the present township. It is thus four and a half miles north and south and six miles east and west, and contains twenty-seven square miles. It embraces what is still known as the " Logan Section," which was a grant of 640 acres by the government to the Indian Captain Logan, for his fidelity and brilliant services to the American cause. The organization of the township took place in 1848, and it was considered appropriate to name it in honor of the same noble Indian, Captain Logan. (See sketch of Logan elsewhere in this volume.)

Again, this territory is associated with the great past of the Northwest, as it was on the route of many branches of the army during: the war of 1X12. In 1813 Fort Amanda was built on the Auglaize nearly opposite the Ottowa towns on the present Lathrop farm, by Col. Pogue, by the orders of General Harrison. It became something of a storehouse, beino; within the range of the base of supplies during the preparations preceding the concentration against Canada. It was named by the regiment Fort Amanda in honor of the wife of Colonel Pogue. (See General History.)

Official

The first Board of Trustees was as follows : Leonard Place, Jacob Baker, and William Dennison ; W. B. Vance, clerk; Abraham Whetstone, treasurer; Jacob Baker, justice of the peace. Since then the office of justice has been filled by David Bigelow, E. B. Springer, George D. Lathrop, George Daniel, Charles Adams, and the present incumbents, J. S. Butcher and Shem Neese.

Public Roads

As late as 1855 the roads were few and very poor. The old Defiance road was the first, and the balance were all " hoop pole" roads. New ones have now been located all over the township, and much improvement is making upon them. Several wooden bridges were constructed over the river since 1*55, but they are being replaced by permanent iron bridges of a superior character. The territory is crossed by the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, which affords a station at Buckland, a village of recent growth, containing some twenty houses, a general store, grocery, drug store, one physician, W. K. Sharp, M.D., blacksmith shop, carriage shop, shoe shop, saw-mill, warehouse, telegraph and post-office. Considerable business is done in grain by W. Bodkins & Son.

Schools And Churches

The pioneer church was erected upon the farm of N. A. Murdock, by the " Christians." This house is no longer used. The second is that of Buckland, chiefly used by the " Christian Union" order. The third is in the north part of the township, and belongs to the " United Brethren." The fourth is in the

The township is divided into six sub-school districts, two east, and four west of the Auglaize. Each is supplied with a comfortable frame building well seated. The school property has cost something over $3000. The funds are divided equally among the districts without regard to enumeration. The Board of Education makes liberal provision for sustaining the schools at least seven months each year.

The teachers are generally young men and women who take interest in the advancement of the schools. Still they And it difficult to organize and advance beyond time-worn methods and exploded theories. This difficulty is not confined to this locality, but is only too general, and arises from inefficiency of boards, incompetency of teachers, and indifference of parents. The re-organizers of schools who will place them in advance, rather than abreast or behind the age, will be hailed as benefactors, for all eyes look wistfully and hopefully to the schools for the full development of the highest manhood and purest womanhood. This development is the foundation of our institutions and the school branch must be true to itself and its supporters.

Francis M. Bowsher was born in Ross Count}r, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1830, and married Miss Elizabeth Straus Feb. 13, 1859. The same year he came to Logan township and entered his pioneer farm. Mrs. Bowsher died Jan. 13, 1875, leaving a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters. Feb. 6, 1877, Mr. Bowsher married Mrs. Sarah J. Roberts. The children are all living, and named as follows: John A., Mary J., wife of Marion Edman; Thomas E., Amos G., Angeline G., Charles F., Harry D , and Columbus. Mr. Bowsher owns 1660 acres of valuable land, of which 1100 acres are cleared. During the past few years he has devoted his attention largely to sheep, and has at present about 2000 head, being the largest dealer in sheep in the county.

Madison J. Bowsher was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1827, and married Maria Luckhart in 1847. About 1849 he moved to Allen County, Ohio, where he remained about thirteen years, when he came to Logan township, this county, and settled on 213^ acres of timber land, where he built a cabin and commenced clearing the land. He has now 364^ acres, of which about 200 are cleared. He has raised a family of six children, named John G., Catharine M., Nelson L., Jacob F., Sarah A., and Albert G. ; while Mary J., Rachel R., Amos

L., and Franklin H. have been removed by death. Mr. Bowsher was one of the pioneers of this section, and has contributed his full share to the development of the township

John H. Gochenour was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., in 1835, and moved to Champaign Count}', Ohio, in 1849, where he resided nine years. In 1858 he married Sarah C. Weaver, and the same year moved to Logan township, this county, and settled on seventy-five acres of land, largely under heavy timber. At that period log rolling and cabin raising was largely the "order of the day" in this section. The family consisted of four children, of whom two, Alverata A. and Gennetta A. are still living; the deceased being named Cora A. and Laura E. Mr. Gochenour has at this writing 330 acres of valuable land adjoining the village of Buckland. He has served as clerk and appraiser in his township a number of terms, and still retains the respect of the community.

Henry Daniels was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, April 4, 1820. His parents moved to Carroll County, when he was twelve years old, and when thirty-five he came to this county. He commenced teaching in 1838, and continued in this profession until 1878. While in Carroll County he located at Malvern and engaged in mercantile pursuits during a period of ten 3'ears. Since coming to this county he has been engaged at farming and teaching. July 9, 1841, he married Margaret J. Long, of Carroll County, Ohio. He is now living upon his old farm in Logan township, having retired from active labor.

Occupies the extreme northwest of the county, being bounded north by Van Wert and Allen Counties, east by Logan township, south by Noble township, and west by Mercer County.

Surface. - The surface is flat, with the exception of the shed formed by the ridge along the north side, through which the canal makes its "deep cut." The soil is rich but wet, and as yet remains largely unimproved. Still all over the territory fine farms have been improved, and the township is clearing, draining, and building. A large amount of waste land is caused by the river and canal, the improvement of any of which will be attended by great labor and expense, while with a large per cent, of such land improvement is yet impracticable.

Village. - Kossuth is the only village within the territory, and is located on the canal. It contains one hotel, two general merchandise stores, one millinery store, one carriage shop, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, one school, one church, and a post-office.

Deep Cut, also on the canal, is situated near the Allen County line, and though not ranking as a village, is the site of an extensive warehouse, a general supply store, and postoffice. These are all controlled by J. H. Dunathan, a member of the Board of County Commissioners.

The township is sufficiently supplied with school and church buildings, so far as numbers are concerned, but it is presumable that here, in common with new communities, the efficiency of means and methods might be greatly improved. With the growth of the township it is hoped this efficiency will develop.

Roads. - The section has been well laid out in roads, but no piking has yet been done. It has thus been impossible to preserve a passable condition of the roads throughout the year, but at this writing movements are favorable for the improvement of the roads and construction of river bridges.

Robt. H. Dunathan came from Franklin County, Pa., in 1833, and settled near Dayton, Ohio, but afterwards moved to Sidney, Ohio, and finally to Mercer County in 1840.

J. H. Dunathan, a son of the above, was born in Sidney, Ohio, March 18, 1836. In 1840 his parents moved to Mercer Count}7, and settled in Union township. Here he lived until his 21st year. He commenced teaching school when eighteen years of age, and continued in this profession about fifteen years. In 1861 he came to Auglaize County, purchased a farm and settled in Salem township. Here he labored on the farm during the summer, and taught during the winter for several years. The }rear of his settlement here he was elected township trustee, which office he held three years, when in 1864 he was elected justice of the peace, serving in this capacity about twelve years. In 1816 he was elected county commissioner, and is now serving his second term. In Sept. 1813, he moved to Deep Cut, -where he entered the grain and merchandise business, at the same time dealing in all kinds of timber and produce. He has here a large warehouse, on the canal banks, with a storage capacity of over 20,000 bushels, while he handles about 50,000 bushels of grain annually. He married Miss Mary Upton, Oct. 13, 1858, and has reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. Dnnathan is one of the most influential citizens of the county, who by his ability and enterprise is deserving the thanks of the whole coant}' for the interest he takes in its advancement. That this is understood is attested by the offices of trust conferred upon him.

Philip Lawrence was born in Beaver County, Pa., July 7, 1816. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, O. In 1843 he came to Salem township, and settled in his present home place. March 20, (839, he married Miss Kennedy, and has reared a family of eight children, of whom seven survived to manhood and womanhood, and four are still living. Mr. Lawrence held the office of township trustee about ten years during and alter the war. He ranks among the pioneers of his township, as the whole section was wild at the period of his settlement, and but few neighbors within many miles of his farm.

Austin Barber was born in Mercer County, Ohio, in 1833; married Miss E. L. Hamilton in 1854, and moved to Salem township, this county, May, 1SG3. Here he settled on sec. 32d, and with but 40 acres of cleared land, commenced the improvement of his whole farm until now 180 of his 320 acres are cleared and tillable. Being one of the most enterprising citizens, he has contributed largely to the improvement of the township.

At the erection of this county, Wayne township, of Mercer County, came within our territorial limits, and as there was already a Wayne township in the east part of the county, the one acquired of Mercer changed its name to that of Noble in honor of Elisha Noble, one of the ablest and most influential settlers. It borders on the Black Swamp region and Mercer County on the west, and has a level surface and fertile soil. The latter is for the most part a black loam, broken by alluvium along the river, and light croppings of sand in different localities. It is crossed by the St. Marys River, which enters about midway on the south line, pursues a serpentine course through the township, and finally crosses the north line about a half mile from the northeast corner. The canal follows the general course of the river from south to north, and both form boundary lines of great irregularity. The timber is of the indigenous varieties of the county which are elsewhere treated. The township is well supplied with roads, hut owing to the low nature of the surface they cannot be kept in a passable condition. At this writing gravel roads are in contemplation, which, if completed, will add greatly to the development of the township. This flat feature has also necessitated a large amount of artificial drainage, which is receiving due attention. By proper drainage the section may be rendered remarkably productive. Like in other parts of the county, schools and churches exist in sufficient numbers. Development, which is yet in its infancy, will rank this township among the wealthiest of the county.

Elisha Noble (for whom the township was named) was born in 1782, and came here in 1836. He served as commissioner of Mercer County before the erection of Auglaize County. It is said that the pay he received as commissioner was scarcely sufficient to pay his land tax. He was also a commissioner of Auglaize County. His death occurred in 1864, while his wife died the previous year.

Israel Johns was born in Kentucky, in 1803, and came to this county in 1828. His family then consisted of his wife and three children. They settled in what is now Noble township, then Wayne township, Mercer County. He reared a family of ten children, of whom four are still living. Mr. Johns was one of the exemplary pioneers of this section. While he was actively engaged in improving and cultivating his land he yet found time for works of charity. He became a minister of the gospel, and one year he filled four appointments, for which his compensation was three white handkerchiefs. He was a wheelwright by trade, but could work at any of the mechanical arts. He made shoes, built wagons, and did smithing for his neighbors. Of his children, Mrs. A. B. Covert, William Johns, Esq., Azariah Johns, and Sarah J. McDonald are still living.

Nicholas Brewer was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1812. In 1830 he married Sarah Noble, and four years later came to this township, and entered 80 acres of laud, and moved his family here in 1836. His neighbors were Solomon Denny, Israel Johns, David Woodruff; in Valentine, David

Ross, James and John Vanmeyce, and Jesse Daniels. Mr. Brewer voted the fall he came here, and has never missed an election since. He has held township or county offices for a period of thirty-live years, having been county commissioner for six years. His family consisted of five sons and five daughters, of whom one son and one daughter are deceased. Mrs. Brewer died in January, 1870. When Mr. Brewer came to the township it was a wilderness, and his own farm was an unbroken forest. It was so wild when he brought his family that he was compelled to get a man to accompany him from St. Marys, who b}r the use of an axe was able to reach and open a way to the farm. Since then a comfortable home has been secured, and land enough acquired to give each child 80 acres. Although well advanced in years and retired from active work, he still superintends his farm, and enjoys the .respect of all his neighbors.

Source changes here: from History of Western Ohio and Auglaize County, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers and Prominent Public Men, by Williamson, C. W, published 1905; 4,603 words in this source stream.

Wayne Township

Wayne township was organized in 1834, and was named' in honor of General Anthony Wayne. It is six miles in length from east to west, and four and a half miles in width from north to south. Its area, therefore, is twenty-seven square miles. It is bounded on the north by Allen county, on the east by Hardin county, on the south by Goshen township, and on the west by Union township. The surface of the township consists of numerous ridges extending from west to east. The lands between these moraines are of great fertility, and are drained by creeks and smaller streams that empty into the Auglaize River, and into the headwaters of the Scioto River. The east prairie is divided between this and Goshen township.

The pioneers who selected lands adjacent to the prarie were more fortunate than those who entered lands farther west in the township, as the prairje produced an abundance of hay in the summer and early pasture in the spring. It has cost large sums of money to bring the prairie under cultivation. There are many miles of ditches in it, cut from ten to thirteen feet in width, and from four to seven feet in depth. Within the past few years nearly all the lands have been brought under cultivation. Immense quantities of timothy hay, and thousands of bushels of corn and potatoes, are raised upon it annually.

The eastern portion of the county was not settled so early as the western townships. The first pioneers, William Hiett and John Hurley, erected cabins on the north side of the prairie, in the spring of 1831, and within the next four years were followed by Jacob Williams, Gilbert Hurley, Thomas McCall, Daniel Ellsworth, H. W. Bowdle, James Mahan, Sr., James Mahan, Jr., Joseph Dawson, Isaac Dawson, Samuel Lowman, Samuel Mocraft. Henry Whetstone, Eli E. Carson, Simon Mocraft, William Cox, Richard Berry, Moses Ross, Aaron Oram, William Kent, Alexander Kent, and within the next year or two, Lee Turner, Simon Maxson, Benjamin Madden, J. C. Berry, Harris Wells, Samuel Cavender and Lyman Pratt, most ©f whom brought their families with them.

History Of Western Ohio

All the territory adjacent to the Scioto Marsh and prairie had for ages been a veritable paradise for the Indian hunter. Innumerable waterfowl of many varieties visited the marsh and prairie in the spring and fall, and of fur-bearing animals, the beaver, otter, mink, raccoon, and muskrat, there was a neverfailing supply for the trapper. The timbered land abounded in such game as deer, bear, wild turkey, and pheasant. The pioneers, like the aborigines, depended for a number of years upon the chase for a large part of their subsistence. It was no uncommon event for a frontierman to kill as many as six or eight deer in a day. Of turkeys and smaller game, more could be taken than could be consumed.

The first township election was held at the house of Samuel Mocraft in April, 1831. Thirteen votes were recorded at that -election. The second election was held at the house of William Black. James Mahin was elected the first justice of the peace, and Richard Berry, Allen Gilmore, and Josiah Dawson the first trustees. After the departure of the Shawnee Indians in 1832. immigration increased rapidly until 1836, when the first school house was erected. It was a round log cabin, covered with clapboards held in place by weight-poles. The floor was made of puncheons split from white ash logs and hewed on one side. A large fireplace at one end of the room furnished heat for the occupants. "They could get no glass for windows, so they used paper. Strips of wood were nailed across the windows, the paper pasted on, and oiled with coon's oil, which rendered the paper semi-transparent. The next trouble was to keep the birds from cutting the paper. The writing desks were made of puncheons about ten feet long, and laid upon pins in the wall. There were two such desks. The seats were saplings split in two, about ten feet long, and legs put in the round side, with the flat side up. Such was the school house in which many of the children of the -early settlers received all their education. Asa R. Mahin taught the first school in the winter of 1836 and 1837. He was employed for three months at ten dollars per month. A. D. Berry taught in 1837 and 1838; William Gilmore in 1838 and 1839."

The first pike in this township, known as the Uniopolis and Waynesfield Pike, was constructed in the summer and fall of 1876, at a cost of $20,670.00. Since the construction of that road, the work has gone steadily along, until nearly every public road in the township has become a free turnpike.

The first church organizations of the township held services in the school houses. Hopewell Methodist Protestant Church, in section 11, was organized about 1840. Rev. Calkins is the minister in charge. The church membership is eighty. The enrollment in the Sabbath School is fifty,

Wallace Fork Methodist Protestant Church is located in the northeast corner of section 22, and was also erected about 1840. Rev. McKinnon has charge of the congregation, consisting of seventy-five members. A large Sabbath School meets at the church every Sunday in the year.

With the development of the township, the pioneer log school houses were replaced by frame or brick buildings. At the present time seven brick buildings, provided with all the modern school appliances, afford ample provision for the education of all the youth of the township.

Waynesfield Village

The following reminiscences and interviews, prepared by Dr. W. S. Turner for the Waynesfield Chronicle, are inserted by permission of the author:

"The town of Waynesfield was surveyed July 1st, 1848. The plat was signed November 20, 1848, by E. G. Atkinson. The lots were numbered consecutively from 1 to 24. The line ran east from the crossing to the alley next to W. S. Turner's residence, and west to the alley west of the Baptist church. It extended from Berry's hotel south to the street north of the school house.

owned by Henry Payne, a colored Virginian, who entered 200 acres. He had a large family by a wife he brought out of slavery, after buying his own freedom. He deeded the corner forty acres to his daughter a few years after our first survey. She married Robert Woodly, who sold part of the tract to Aaron Dawson. He laid out one row of lots commencing at the east side of the M. P. church, and running west to the new church.

The next addition was platted by Sproul brothers, situated in the northeast part of the village, and extending as far south as what is called "No Man's Street."

The next addition was the north half of the Woodly forty, which was laid out and platted by James Earl, with front lots extending eighty rods south of Bennett's Hotel.

The first building erected was a log house, sixteen by twentysix feet, built on the present site of A. J. Huffer's restaurant. It was built by Henderson Brown, for a residence for Atkinson. The body of the house, hewed and covered with clapboards, cost sixteen dollars. M. R. Pepple sold the whole tract of ten acres to Atkinson for six dollars per acre, taking a two-year-old colt at forty dollars, a set of harness at ten dollars, and a good cow for ten dollars. The first lot sold was lot 7, on which D. Turner's office stands, the price being eight dollars, and William Whetstone the purchaser, who afterward sold it to John Crawford for twelve dollars.

The next building erected was sixteen by twenty feet, a part of the building now occupied by Frank Atkinson's restaurant. It was built in 1851, to be used for a postoffice, a mail route having been procured through the efforts of E. G. Atkinson and Mr. Young, postmaster at Wapakoneta. It was to be carried on foot or horseback from St. Mary'^ to Kenton, on Friday, and returning on Saturday. Until this route was established we got our mail at St. John's, and the postage was twenty-five cents if not paid in advance. The writer once sent a letter, not prepaid, from Groveport, Ohio, to his mother, who had to pay twenty-five cents, because the letter had a dollar bill in it, the postage being double because it contained money. Think of that, boys, when lyou write to your ducks. Your postage is two cents ; in the early forties it was twenty-five cents, later it was twelve and a half cents, and in the early fifties ten and five. When the county was dirst settled, the postmaster sent word to the patrons that there were letters in the office for them. Mr. Atkinson says : "Many times I have hoofed it to Westminster or St. John's, and before I went, if T was not lucky enough to have a quarter, I had to work -n half a day to get it, chop a cord of wood or make a hundred rails. I did that for persons now living in this county."

Mr. E. G. Atkinson was appointed postmaster in 1857, and was succeeded by Dr. Krebs in 1874. The income from the 'Office was very small, considering the work that was required, like that of the Village Council, a great deal to do and small income.

The first person who settled in the new town was Dr. Seaman, who came in August, 1857. He and his wife and two children lived in the little frame house on the corner where I had intended to keep the postoffice.

In those days a commodity known as black salts, manufactured from ashes, was quite a business. People would build up log heaps and burn them, then make large leaches and run off lye, which they boiled down to salts. This they would haul to the large towns to he manufactured into saleratus. About two or three cents a bushel was paid for ashes at the asheries, and some who wanted to make a little more would measure in boxes without any seal. Trade in those days was very much like it is now. If a man gets only three cents on foot for hogs, he drains the churn before he weighs. So it was with sellers of ashes. If they were very anxious they would not be so particular to keep out the dirt, and would sometimes haul ashes that had partly Teen leached. So you see the matter of scheming has been going on for a long time. We had two asheries running here for several years, and the parties generally paid in goods, and many a poor man got his tobacco, coffee, salt, etc., out of his ashes while clearing up his farm.

At one time there was quite a feeling as to which town a man could do the best, Hairtown or Kindleburg. Uncle John Kindle ran one, but Hairtown doubled on him.

sister town, I will explain how it got it. It was so named atfer the founder of the place. Our township got its name from a couple of young men who got on board a little too much of what "knocked dad off the fence/' They both having long, thick hair and full heard, had quite a time at hair pulling. The then noted Bob Woodly remarked that as the price of ashes had gone down, and ready money was demanded for whiskey, the town would go down and be nothing but a little hair-pulling town.

Waynesfield is beautifully located in a rich and prosperous part of the county, twelve miles east of Wapakoneta, the county seat of Auglaize county. It is also thirteen miles from Kenton, and twenty-four miles from Bellefontaine. Our nearest neighbor is New Hampshire, over in Goshen township, four miles distant.

The town was laid out by E. G. Atkinson in 1848. Mr. Atkinson is still a resident of the town. He was the first merchant, and was postmaster during the war. Among the first residents were Thomas Atkinson, E. G. Atkinson, Michael Whetstone, Henry Whetstone, Sr., Henry Payne, a colored man, and his son-in-law, Mr. Woodly; Thomas Pierce, William Pierce, Thomas Price, Louis Focht, and John Perry, who kept store where Butcher's store now stands.

About i860 the three Bennetts - John G. Bennett, H. S. Bennett, and G. B. Bennett - came to the village, and two years later started one of the first sawmills in this section of the county. A short time after this they added a grist mill, which at one time had quite a reputation and brought trade from a great distance. G. W. Rutlege, of Kenton, told the writer that he could remember well, when a boy, coming to this mill on horseback, from the marsh, away back in the sixties. Each of these brothers raised a large family of children - the combined number being forty - thus very materially adding to the population and school enumeration.

H. S. Bennett and G. B. Bennett are still living and residents of the town ; the former seventy-seven, and the latter seventy-four. John G. Bennett died in 1887, aged seventy-five years.

North, John Perry, J. W. Smith & Co., Sylvester Sanders, William Holly, and Ballard. Then a little later we find G. W. Bennett, Sr., who was a merchant about fifteen years. T. S. Bennett, who began the mercantile business October, 1866, and continued until 1894, a period of twenty-eight years. He was appointed postmaster in 1867 and served until 1884. A little later we find Sproul Brothers doing a lucrative business in what is now known as the old Huffman store room. Then comes L. M. Huffer & Son, who did a good business for a number of - years in the same room. Later, we find Sproul & Dawson doing a good business, and they were succeeded by A. C. Smith & Son. Clark & Seaman, also, had a general store on the Butcher corner for a number of years. W. H. Butcher succeeded A. C. Smith & Son, and is yet in business. Samuel Plummer has been in the store business with John Bowers, T. E. Hullinger, and at the present time has O. Mix for a partner.

The first postmaster of Waynesfield was E. G. Atkinson, who was appointed in 1851. Dr. R. I. Krebs succeeded him, and held the position until 1872, when he was succeeded by T. S. Bennett, who served continuously for ten years. The next postmaster was A. Huffer, who held the office during President Cleveland's first term. Then came T. E. Hullinger, while Harrison was President.

We have two churches in Waynesfield, an M. P. church and a Baptist church. These churches were both built in 1866. The principal promoters of the Methodist church were M. R. Pepple, Sr., J. G. Howell, J. O. Bennett, H. S. Bennett, and E. G. Atkinson. The contract for the building was given to Joseph Myers, but the house was completed by George Hutchinson. M. R. Pepple, J. G. Howell and J. G. Bennett were the first trustees. This church is in a flourishing condition, and has about one hundred and forty-seven members.

The principal founders of the Baptist church were A. C. Smith, J. W. .Smith, Samuel Harrod, Perry Harrod, and T. S. Bennett. George Hutchinson was the contractor and builder. Rev. Doury preached for the first Baptist mission here. The church at the present time is in a flourishing condition, and has a membership of about one hundred.

We have a substantial brick school house with four rooms. Only three of these rooms are occupied at present. Another department will no doubt be added in the near future. We have a special school district, and a graded course of study. We hope in the near future to put our schools on the higher school basis, by means of which we can graduate the advanced pupils.

Biographical

John Ridley, or Redlon, one of the pioneers of Auglaize county and a soldier of the Revolution, was born in Saco, Maine, November nth, 1760. He was the fourth son of Matthias Ridley, and remained under the paternal roof until 1775, when he and his elder brothers enlisted in the War of the Revolution. He participated in the battles of Bunker Hill, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. After the defeat he accompanied the retreating army to Valley Forge, and experienced all the severities for which the memorable winter of 1777-8 is noted. He carried the scars of frozen legs and feet the remainder of his life. He also participated in the campaigns of 1778-9, and was present at the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. Soon after the surrender, the company to which he belonged was mustered out of service and he returned to Saco.

On the 15th of December, 1779, he married Abigail Holmes, of the town of Scarborough, and settled in his native town. . "He subsequently followed his brothers to Little Falls Plantation, now in Hollis, York county, and cleared a farm on a twenty-rod strip between the 'College Right' and 'Dalton Right,' so called." Mr. Ridley's house, built of logs, was near where the brick house, known as the Uncle David Martin house, now stands. He owned that farm and the land on the hill in the Ridlon neighborhood. Mr. Ridley lived at Little Falls Plantation about ten or twelve years, when he moved to Vermont, where he purchased a large tract of land and built a house. Flis wife died during his residence in Vermont, and becoming discouraged in the cultivation of a rocky soil, and hearing from his brother Abraham from Ohio about the beauties of the western country and the fertility of the soil there, he sold his property and emigrated to that State. Mr. Ridley's first settlement in Ohio was in Miami county, where he lived many years. He subsequently moved to Auglaize county and purchased a farm near Waynesfield, where he continued to live with his only surviving son until his death." He married

"Mr. Ridley spent his last days in the family of his son and namesake in Waynesfield, where he died in 1867, aged one hundred and six years and three months. He was never known to be sick, and died of old age. He retained his faculties to a remarkable degree, and when more than a hundred years old would carry a chair into his orchard and sit to shoot the birds that came for plums and cherries. He was naturally quiet and sober, but when he had taken some spirits he became communicative, and would spend hours in relating his adventures in the woods of Maine and his hardships in the army. He was not tall, but resembled his brother Thomas in build. He was singularly broad across the shoulders and hips. Erect and full-chested, he carried himself gracefully when walking. He had black hair, which inclined to curl ; bald crown broad, smooth forehead ; heavy, outstanding brows ; gray eyes... oval face, red cheeks, and a short, thick nose. Like all his relatives, he had the broad mouth and chin so characteristic of the people of northern Europe, from whence his grandfather came. When a young man he was able to leap over a line under which.' he could walk when erect.

cemetery located a mile north of Waynesfield. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of people from the surrounding counties. The military and civic ceremonies on the occasion were appropriate and impressive. Two years afterward his body was removed to Fairmount cemetery in Union township. The removal of his remains was ^ attended by a large assemblage of the citizens of Auglaize and Allen counties. Judge Metcalf delivered an eloquent funeral oration at the re-interment of the body.

"Colby C. Pepple, son of William and Rebecca Pepplev was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 15th, 1834. In 1838 the family moved to Wayne township, then a part of Allen county, Ohio. He received such an education as the common schools of that time afforded. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married in 1855 to Miss Catharine Gilroy. Eight children have been born to them: Mrs. Mary J. Sanders, James P., John W., and Mrs. Minnie B. Adams, living. Mr. Pepple followed farming during the first few years after his marriage, and taught school in the winters. Although he commenced life with a limited amount of means, he is, at the present time, considered one of the most prosperous farmers of the county. He owns four hundred and sixty-five acres of well improved and well cultivated land.

"In politics he is a strict adherent of the Democratic party. He has been called upon by his party to fill various positions of trust. He has served as township treasurer for ten years, was a member of the township P»oard of Trustees for several years, and member of the Board of Education. He has also held the office of county treasurer, being appointed to that position by the commissioners after the defalcation of Treasurer Lucas. He finished the unexpired term of Lucas, and afterward served one term, serving in that capacity with credit and ability. He was succeeded in office by his son, A. O. Pepple, who discharged the duties of the office in a manner approved by his constituents."

Jonathan Dawson was born in Trumbull county, Ohio March 5th, 1823. He was the son of Joseph and Rachel Dawson, who moved to Wayne township in 1836, with their nine boys and one girl, and settled on the farm now owned by H. E. Kerr, Jonathan was only thirteen years of age at the time the family settled in the wilderness. He was deprived of early educational advantages, but by close application to study at home, he prepared himself for teaching, a profession that he followed during ten consecutive years. He served his township in the capacity of justice of the peace during a period of nine years. He also filled numerous minor offices, and was always an ardent advocate of public schools, and a promoter of public enterprises for the public good.

Mr. Dawson was married in 1853, to Miss Helen McCormick. Eleven children was the result of this union, only four of whom are now living, viz. : Harmon, Belle, John, and Clark. His wife died February 25, 1892. After her death he resided with his children. His last illness took place at the home of his daughter. Mrs. Belle Sutton, where he died February 8th, 1904.

Samuel Lowman was born in Virginia in 1807. His parents moved to Champaign county, Ohio, when he was fourteen years old. He experienced all the hardships of a pioneer life, having helped to clear his father's farm, and after his marriage cleared one for himself. In 1829 he married Miss Mary A. Plummer, of Clark county, Ohio. Five years later he moved to Wayne township and entered eighty acres of land in section 3. Wayne township was at that time a portion of Allen county, between places called in early times, "Devil's half acre," and "Devil's backbone." The former place was so named on account of the swampy nature of the land, over which an extensive log bridge was built. The latter name was given to a narrow, gravelly ridge, remarkable for its geological structure, and of only sufficient width for a wagon road. He erected a log house on the only traveled road at that time, leading to Bellefontaine. This house, being the only one for many miles on that road line, became a stopping place for travelers.

Dr. R. I. Krebs, of Waynesfield, was born in Littletown. Pennsylvania, June 24, 1832. His parents, Isaac and Esther Krebs, were natives of Virginia. After marriage the parents settled in Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1846, when they moved to Winchester, Virginia. Here they passed the closing scenes of their lives; the mother dying in 1861, and the father in 1884.

Dr. Krebs began the study of medicine under the tutorship of Dr. Hugh H. McGuire, father of the renowned Hunter Mc- Guire. In 1852 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated from that institution the following year. He commenced the practice of his profession at Mount Jackson, but soon afterward moved to Westminster, Ohio, where he practiced until 1858. In that year he moved to Waynesfield, Ohio, where he acquired a large and lucrative practice. In 1885 he retired from practice and was succeeded by W. S. Turner. After retiring from practice Dr. Krebs moved to his farm, located north of Waynesfield, where he resided until 1897, when he erected for himself an elegant residence in Waynesfield, in which he resided until his death.

Dr. Krebs was married to Miss Lucina Myers, a native of Licking county, Ohio. Of this union three children were born : Laura L., wife of J. H. Manchester, of Goshen township ; Jennie' J., wife of Ira Harrod, of Wayne township, and Francis G. Krebs. Having a high appreciation of learning, he gave each of his children a liberal education.

Dr. Krebs was a consistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Waynesfield from 1858 until his death, which occurred January 19, 1900.

William Seth Turner, M. D., is a son of John D. and Harriet Turner, and was born in Wayne township, this county. June 20, 1861. - When about four years of age his father died, and seven years later his mother was married to Joshua Montague. Young Turner remained at home until sixteen years of age, working on the farm and attending the schools of his neighborhood. At seventeen he commenced to fight life's battle for himself and began teaching. Later he finished his literary education at the Northwestern Ohio Normal University at Ada. On the day he attained his majority he selected the medical profession as his calling, and in 1884 graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati. He practiced his profession at Leipsic,. Ohio, for one year, when he returned to this county and located at Waynesfield, purchasing the business of Dr. R. I. Krebs. Dr. Turner is one of the ablest members of the profession in this section of Ohio, is a thorough gentleman, and is making a splendid success. He is a member of the School Board at Waynesfield. and is serving as recording secretary of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association. He is a public-spirited citizen, and in 1897 erected a large business block at Waynesfield, the second story of which is known as Turner's Hall. In 1885 he was married to Miss Mary C. Patterson, of Allen county, and one child, Victor R., has been born to them. Dr. Turner is a Mason, and a prominent member of the Baptist Church.

Samuel Plummer was born in Logan county, Ohio, December 27, 1852, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Plummer, among the earliest settlers of this section. He was married in 1876 to Miss Ella Hutchison, and one child, Maud, was born to them. Mrs. Plummer died in 1879, and in 1881 he was married to Miss Lenora McGinnis, and one child, Otto C., has blessed this union. Mr. Plummer was reared upon a farm, but has been engaged in stock and mercantile business for many years. In 1896 he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and was re-elected in 1896.